thefictionvixens Chapter 103 Harry Isn't Alone
Chapter 103 Harry Isn't Alone
“Harry?” Lyra blurted out, “It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you.”
"Well, I've had a lot of homework lately..." Harry stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse.
Professor Lupin glanced furtively at Harry and the fifth-year, dark-haired girl in front of him. He had noticed Harry flinch slightly the instant the girl entered.
When Harry faced the dark-haired girl, his reaction wasn't one of disgust or fear, but rather a somewhat awkward shyness.
Professor Lupin's gaze swept imperceptibly across the dark-haired girl's rose-like face. Recalling Harry's recent loss in the ball game and the matter Harry had come to him for a request, Professor Lupin smiled inwardly.
"Miss White, is there anything I can help you with?"
“Oh, is that so…” Leila explained the purpose of her visit.
Professor Lupin, true to form, possessed a gentle temperament entirely different from that of a certain sharp-tongued professor. He patiently listened to Lyra's very straightforward admiration and enthusiastic praise. Although there were obvious signs of flattery, the sincerity revealed in the dark-haired girl's bright eyes made one involuntarily believe that her thoughts and feelings were genuine.
“Thank you for your affirmation and trust, Lyra. No wonder even Severus likes you so much,” Professor Lupin happily accepted the enthusiastic flattery from his student, the fine lines around his eyes and brows all smoothing out. “I think even the most difficult teacher to please would not be able to resist such a sincere and passionate offensive.”
After saying that, Professor Lupin winked at the two of them knowingly: "You absolutely mustn't let Severus know that these words came from my mouth. I'm counting on Severus to make the potion himself."
Harry and Lyra understood Professor Lupin's "hint," but their reactions made Professor Lupin secretly laugh—
Harry was horrified when he heard that Professor Snape was in love with a Gryffindor, as if he had heard the shocking news that a Dementor had fallen in love with a human and started a family.
Lyra, on the other hand, looked over with delight, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But then she said with a hint of doubt, "But every time I ask Professor Snape a question in private, he always deducts points for 'taking up the professor's private time' after I answer..."
"What? Snape actually answers your questions?" Harry saw Professor Lupin's gaze and quickly corrected himself, "I mean, Professor Snape, he never answers personal questions outside of class, at least not in Gryffindor. Hermione only asked once and came back with a terrible scolding."
“Severus is like that. He is very talented and will despise anyone or anything that wastes all his private time,” Professor Lupin said. “If you can get Severus to sacrifice his private time to answer your questions, then he undoubtedly likes you very much.”
"Wow, I knew Professor Snape was a good person!" Lyra clenched her fist happily. "I could come up with over a hundred more potion-related questions—"
After a brief moment of excitement, Lyra quickly remembered her mission to see Professor Lupin that day—
“Professor Lupin, could you please teach me the Patronus Charm?” Lyra asked, her hands clasped together, her eyes pleading. “I really want to learn the Patronus Charm to protect my two best friends from the Dementors during the competition.”
“It just so happens that Harry came to see me for the same reason, so perhaps you two would like to learn this spell together,” Professor Lupin said. “I have a lot of things to do and I’m afraid I won’t have time to teach you separately. I took sick leave and have accumulated a lot of work.”
“Of course, I’d love to go with Harry,” Lyra readily accepted.
“I’m fine with it too…” Harry hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
“Then we’ll arrange the specific time after we return from the Christmas break,” Professor Lu Ping gently finalized the make-up class plan.
*
Christmas is just a week away, and the weather is getting clearer and clearer. The grounds, which had been washed into mud by the continuous torrential rain, were covered with a layer of shiny frost one morning. Inside the castle, the Christmas atmosphere is everywhere.
Professor Flitwick decorated the Charms classroom with tiny fairies that emitted a shimmering glow. These real, ever-fluttering fairies were incredibly beautiful, and the girls would come every day to touch them, these little fairies with their own light sources.
Some wicked boys, having discovered this, secretly stole a little fairy—yes, George and Fred. Inspired by the girls' fervor, they attempted to develop similar products targeting women, believing that the profit potential was far greater than that of products for men.
“Just look at Lyra,” George said. “She bought so many lipsticks, perfumes, and trinkets, but with Merlin above her, she only has one head, one mouth, and one pair of hands—she simply can’t use them all—”
“But she’ll still pull out Galleons when she sees something cute and pretty, as if she’s suddenly become stupid—” Fred sighed, as if he regretted that his friend had suddenly become stupid.
"And Mom, Lockhart's books aren't cheap, but since they have Lockhart's picture on them, Mom still bought them—"
"We feel it's time for the only woman in our experimental group to take on the responsibility of developing a new women's product line—"
Lyra has been frantically working on her manuscript lately, trying to send it to her editor before Christmas. She has no time for new product development, and with just one sentence, she successfully shut the twins up—
"The royalties from this book will determine the types and quantities of experimental materials we will use this summer."
*
With Christmas approaching, everyone was happily discussing holiday plans. Ron and Hermione both signed up to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays.
Ron said he couldn't stand spending two weeks with Percy, while Hermione insisted she needed to go to the library, but Harry was filled with gratitude: he understood that his two good friends were just there to keep him company.
Harry saw Lyra's name on the list of those who remained at school.
Last time in Professor Lupin's office, Lyra's usual enthusiasm made Harry feel much more at ease—the dark-haired girl didn't mention at all the request Harry had previously made so brazenly.
Harry wasn't sure if Lyra had forgotten. He had mixed feelings; he didn't want Lyra to remember, nor did he want her to forget—but he was certainly relieved that he hadn't brought up the request in person.
With Harry feeling conflicted, the last Hogsmeade weekend before the Christmas holidays arrived.
This means that everyone except him is happy—at least that's what Harry thinks. But in reality, Harry isn't alone; there are many others who are secretly suffering as well.