What Was Foreseen...

CHAPTER 3

For almost two weeks, Sibyll dared not to venture out of her tower again. For some reason, since the last encounter she had experienced with Remus was less than ideal, considering he practically ran from her side, Sibyll hadn't been feeling like her usual, confident self. Thus, any spare time she had available was spent conscientiously crystal gazing, searching for a way to break through Remus Lupin's hard exterior. The situation had begun to frustrate Sibyll so deeply, that she felt an insane urge to cry, a silly thing that she hadn't done since she was a child.

It took being on the verge of tears for Sibyll to realize what she needed to do when talking with Remus Lupin. Instead of talking about what she wanted to discuss, perhaps Sibyll would attempt a different tactic. Tonight, when she would venture forth into the Great Hall again, exactly two weeks since she first met Remus Lupin in the physical world, Sibyll would concentrate on what Remus wanted. She would ask him questions and listen. Perhaps then she would find a way to have a meaningful discussion with this dream man.

This night, Sibyll decided, she would not dress in overkill, as she had with her previous experiences with Professor Lupin. Tonight, Sibyll would wear her simple robes that she wore while instructing her class. The only luxury that she would allow herself was to change her robes and glasses to something new, fresh, and clean. Sibyll pulled out a black patterned teaching robe, and a pair of black-framed glasses to wear. Again, she pulled back her hair in a red ribbon, and slipped on a pair of red satin slippers. She was ready to face the evening's dinner, whatever may come.

As she walked through the hall of the North Tower this time, not a single portrait made a noise in her direction, and this worried Sibyll some. She wondered if she should turn around and put on robes that were a little less...demure...however, she found that she would not have enough time to do so, and she didn't want to risk missing Remus tonight. She was prepared to do her best listening this evening; this was the way to break past that rough exterior to the mystery that Professor Lupin's eyes held.

As Sibyll walked toward the Great Hall, she began to index all of her positive attributes silently, in an attempt to build her confidence so that she could face the man who had rejected her on two occasions. Then, she began to ponder the different things that she could discuss with him, and she came upon a blank. She actually knew nothing about this man, except for the fact that he disliked divination and was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. What in the world could she find to discuss with such a man?

As Sibyll entered the Great Hall again, she looked gazed around the room, taking in her surroundings. At once, she spotted Minerva looking at her with laughter in her eyes, and knew at once that she would do everything in her power to avoid her that evening. What in the world did Minerva have against her, anyway? It was not as though Sibyll had predicted the woman's death, although she had been sorely tempted to do so on several occasions...

As her thoughts raced, Sibyll spotted Headmaster Dumbledore, and started toward him, her robes barely grazing the ground. As she approached the Headmaster, she wondered how she would indiscreetly ask him about what things her Remus would enjoy discussing. However, before she had a chance to say a word to the wizened man, he spoke. "I'm afraid Professor Lupin is feeling a bit under the weather this evening, Sibyll, and will not be joining us in the Great Hall for dinner. I am sorry to disappoint you so, but he will be rejoining the staff table within a couple of days. You should make plans to join us then as well. As for right now, though, my dear Sibyll, you might want to consider taking your meal in the North Tower, as Professor McGonagall is looking particularly deviant this evening, and I would hate for her to...upset you in any way and keep you from joining us in the future."

Sibyll, her heart feeling ever so slightly cracked, thanked the Headmaster, and began her journey back to the North Tower. She knew what she had to do next. She would consult the orb and prepare fully for her next encounter with the handsome Professor Lupin.