Chapter 228 - Snoozing on the Hogwarts Express (2/2)
”I know, but this all hypothetical of course.”
”Of course,” Terry rolled his eyes not believing a single word. ”And why would you be doing this great favor?”
Severus glances around before pointing his wand at the train compartment door and locks it, before muttering, ”Muffalito.”
Glancing back to stare at Terry, Severus says, ”Can I trust you with a secret, Terry?”
”It depends will I get in trouble for it or suddenly be an accomplice to murder or to any other crime that will have be jailed in Azkaban?”
”That is strangely specific,” Severus said with a frown. ”And no.”
”Go on, then.”
”Lupin is a werewolf.”
Terry chokes and has to be pounded on the back as he says, ”If this a joke-!” Terry's voice trails off at seeing Severus's solemn expression. ”Blimey, you're serious, aren't you?”
”Yes.”
Terry's eyes race as he quickly connects the dots and says, ”That's why he always looks so tired around the full moon.”
Snapping his fingers, Terry says, ”And that's why the Whipping Willow must have been planted as well! There must be some sort of underground passageway where he's kept during the full moon to protect him and all the students!” Terry lets out a low whistle rather awe-struck. ”Well, color me impressed!”
Terry turns to stare at Severus and says, ”Have you known all this time?”
”No, I only found about it through Sirius at the start of the year,” Severus admitted.
”Good, because I'd be rather angry if you had kept this from me for so long.”
”So, what do you think?”
”And how does becoming an animagi relate to Lupin?”
”Animagi won't be attacked by werewolves while in beast form.”
”Of course! And this would allow them to safely approach Lupin in any event! I'm actually impressed with those three, I thought they only had Quidditch on their minds all the time! But if that's the case, you're going to have started gathering things now if you want to get everything finished and ready before Easter as that will be your last shot for this year.”
”I know, but what do you think?”
”Why not?” Terry shrugged. ”I mean, I wouldn't do it! I'm liable to end up as some sort of fluffy white cat.”
”Strangely enough, I can see you ending up like that,” Severus said with an amused smile.
”I know,” Terry shuddered dramatically. ”What dignity as a man will I have left after that?! I'll only forever be remembered as the boy who turns into a fluffy white cat!”
”Rowan said the exact same thing,” Severus wryly said. ”She said that she was liable to end up as some sort of snake. And she'd rather not be so cliché.”
”Personally, I've always thought she'd be a cobra,” Terry sagely said as Severus nodded his head in agreement.
”So?”
”Yes, just do it. I'll cover for you, just in case, but you better show me your animagus form,” Terry paused. ”You are going to do it, aren't you?”
”Yes,” Severus said with a tinge of embarrassment.
”Atta boy,” Terry said with a wolfish smile, before changing the subject to Quidditch. The two boys happily chatted the rest of the train ride away, while Rowan continued to doze. They didn't even try to wake her up when Alchemy crept out of his carrier and curled up on her lap like a warm, vibrating blanket.