Tranquila and the Werewolf
Tranquila Snape pulled a book from the shelf and sat down. The Hogwarts library was empty save for Madam Pince, the librarian. Tranquila liked it that way. No one to bother her and better still – no older brother to hover over her. She never could figure out how Severus managed to keep an eye on her without his friends noticing. After all, she was in Hufflepuff. One would think he would be embarrassed to admit they were siblings.
Tranquila hunched down behind her book when she saw some sixth year Gryffindors come into the library. Just her luck, they were her brother’s rivals. Sirius Black gave her a dark look, while James Potter and Remus Lupin just waved at her. Behind them came little Peter Pettigrew, who didn’t even seem to notice her. She let out a breath and went on reading about the care of golden fleeces.
The boys left twenty minutes later and Tranquila waited a few more minutes before leaving the library and going to the Hufflepuff common room to get ready for dinner. Sitting on the end of the Hufflepuff table, she felt a hand touch her shoulder before its owner went on to the Slytherin one. She gave her brother a wane smile before dealing with her food. If she ate fast enough, she might get to the owlery before Severus could corner her and ask her about her day.
She sighed. It wasn’t that she hated her brother. She loved Severus a great deal. It was just that he seemed to disapprove of everyone she associated with. And she always had the feeling that he felt personally injured when she didn’t end up in Slytherin too. It wasn’t her fault that she cared more about taking care of her kin than anything else. After Mum died, someone had to make sure Father and Severus were all right. But Severus didn’t need her here – not really. He had his school friends to have fun with and all Tranquila got from him was the third degree.
She managed to slip out by placing Darren Montrose, another Hufflepuff and old friend, between her and Severus’ line of sight.
“Thanks, Darren,” she said as they left the Great Hall.
“No problem, Tranquila,” he answered. “You’re still going to help me study for Charms tonight, aren’t you?”
“Sure thing. I just want spend some time to myself first.”
“You know, your brother can’t follow you into our common room.”
“I know, but sometimes I just like being some place quiet.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later then.”
“You bet!”
The owlery really wasn’t that quiet, but it was a soothing sound that came from the resting owls. Tranquila climbed to one of the ledges and looked out at the winter landscape below. The Forbidden Forest looked almost inviting under its blanket of snow. A cold wind whipped in and chilled her through her school robes.
“Aren’t you cold up there?” someone asked.
Tranquila turned around and looked down on the form of Remus Lupin.
“I’m all right,” she stuttered.
“You look really cold,” he said. “Your name is Tranquila, right?”
“Yes.”
“Tranquila Snape?”
“Yes.”
He smiled at her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “My name’s Remus Lupin, but you probably already know that.”
Tranquila nodded.
“I see you in the library a lot, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea to talk to you there – Severus being your brother and all.”
“A bad idea,” she agreed.
Remus looked uncomfortable for a moment as he shifted his weight from one foot to another. Then he made a face.
“Well, I just wanted to say ‘hi’ and let you know I’ve heard that you’re a really nice person. I better go now.”
“Okay.”
Tranquila watched him leave the owlery. He was a strange one - always disappearing and so secretive. It drove Severus mad not knowing what he was up to. Tranquila, of course, didn’t care. The wind hit harder and she was forced to climb down. Sitting on a bench she studied the brickwork, wondering if she would succeed in keeping her father and brother from fighting during the up-coming holidays. She was so deep in thought that she jumped when Severus addressed her.
“Are you trying to catch your death?” her brother scolded.
“I like being around the owls,” she told him. “Do you think Father will get me one this Christmas?”
Severus’ scowl softened a moment as he regarded her. Then he sat down and put his cloak over the both of them.
“Don’t worry about the owl,” he told her. “This will be a good Christmas.”
“You think so?” she asked. “I’ve been trying to think of ways to cheer up Father. It’s been so hard since Mum died.”
“I know, nothing seems to make him happy anymore,” Severus grumbled. “I got a perfect score on my last potions test and he just told me I needed to work harder in the rest of my classes.”
“I’m sorry he’s so hard on you,” Tranquila said softly. “You really are a great student.”
“Not great enough according to Father,” her brother growled.
“I think you’re great.”
Severus hugged her and kissed to top of her head.
“Don’t worry about Father,” he told her. “He can take care of himself. But you need to go back to your common room and work on your own grades.”
“Yes, I know.”
They walked to the main floor together before splitting off to go to their separate common rooms. As Severus headed towards the dungeons, Tranquila went towards the kitchens. Back in the Hufflepuff common room, she and Darren found a small table in the corner they could work at. It was a noisy night. Several of the third years were talking excitedly about going to Hogsmeade next weekend. Tranquila and Darren both grew up in that wizarding village, so it wasn’t a novelty to them even when they were third years themselves.
“It would be a lot quieter in the library,” Tranquila muttered.
“It’s a lot safer here,” Darren said. “The last time we studied in the library, your brother threatened to hex me.”
Tranquila made a face.
“He’s just overprotective,” she said.
“He just doesn’t want you to have a non-Slytherin boyfriend,” Darren corrected. “What’s with him and all that dark magic stuff, anyways?”
She fought down the pain that threatened to bubble up inside her and sighed.
“He thinks that if he had known some dark magic when we were younger, that he could have kept our mother from being killed.”
“Yeah, I can see him thinking that,” Darren said. “He was really hard talking to after your mum’s death. I don’t think we’ve been on good terms since. Don’t know why. I’ve tried to be nice to him.”
Tranquila made a face.
“It’s not your fault, Darren. Sev just doesn’t handle nice very well.”
“He probably thinks it’s a sign of weakness or something.”
“He’s just suspicious of people’s motives.”
“He’s suspicious of everything,” Darren said. “You would think the world was out to get him or something.”
“I’m sure he’ll get over it someday,” Tranquila insisted.
“That’s what I like about you, Quilly – you’re always so optimistic.”
In the morning, Tranquila was back in the library, searching for another book. While she stood tiptoed on a footstool, Remus Lupin appeared at her side, said an awkward ‘hi’ and began scanning the books at eye level. Tranquila returned to looking for her book.
A loud screech came from the Restricted Book section. Startled, Tranquila dropped the huge volume of Kritcanor’s Chemistry: A Guide to Muggle Potions on Remus. Not satisfied with just injuring one student, the tome then went on to hit the footstool she was on. She grabbed the shelves to keep from falling and succeeded in bringing several more books down upon both of them.
In the infirmary, she laid there quietly while the school nurse tended to the injuries she and Remus had received. As they rested there in resolute silence, the nurse grumbled darkly about students who didn’t pay attention to rules and unnecessary alarm spells on books. Finally, the nurse went back into her office.
“You okay?” Remus asked.
“Yes,” Tranquila answered. “I’m sorry about the books.”
“It’s okay,” he said. He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but Tranquila stared at the opposing wall and remained silent. She barely said a handful of words during the light lunch the nurse gave them. It wasn’t that she had anything personally against Remus, but he was one of her brother’s enemies. After lunch, Severus burst into the infirmary to see her. Seeing Remus, his black eyes glittered with anger.
“What did you do to my sister?” he hissed.
“Severus,” Tranquila said, trying to get his attention.
“I didn’t do anything,” Remus answered.
“You’re lying! I’m going to make you pay for this, Lupin!” he threatened.
“SEVERUS!” Tranquila yelled. “I was the one who knocked down the books. He was just standing there.”
A small look of puzzlement crossed her brother’s face for a moment.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Someone tried to sneak a restricted book out and it screeched. I wasn’t expecting it and dropped my book, which hit both of us, and when I tried to keep myself from falling, I knocked several other books down. It was an accident.”
Severus stared at her a moment and then back at Remus.
“Why was he standing near you?”
“To get a book,” she snapped. “Why else would he be there?”
He gave her one of his you’re-being-naïve looks, which she returned with an eye roll to the ceiling. Her headache was becoming worse with this nonsense.
“I’m getting the nurse,” he announced. “I don’t want you next to him.”
“Forget it,” she said. “I’m staying right here until she says I’m well enough to leave.”
“Tranquila, I will not have you next to this person.”
“If he had cooties, I’m sure the nurse would have quarantined him.”
“Tran-” he growled.
“He’s six feet away and the nurse has our wands,” Tranquila pointed out. “Stop being an overbearing jerk!”
Severus turned an ugly shade of purple. He took a deep breath and asked between clenched teeth, “And how are you feeling?”
“My head hurts and you’re making it worse!”
He gave her a calculated look and nodded.
“We will talk about this later,” he said.
“Whatever,” she muttered, glaring at the ceiling.
The door to the infirmary slammed a moment later. Tranquila slowly released a long angry breath.
“And that,” she muttered, “is why I will never have a boyfriend.”
“He’s just that way because it’s me here,” Remus chuckled.
“No,” Tranquila sighed, “he doesn’t like any boy talking to me. He threatened to hex my oldest friend a few weeks back.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know why. Because he’s afraid someone might hurt me, I guess.”
“Has someone hurt you before?” he asked.
“Once. Someone trying to find something our father had, while he was away. I was six and Sev was eight. He hit us when we tried to help Mother stop him and then he killed her.”
“I’m sorry.”
Tranquila shrugged as the tears came down her cheeks. It still hurt after all those years.
“Did they catch the killer?”
“Father found him. The Ministry stepped in before he could kill him. The man is in Azkaban now.”
There was silence for several minutes.
“Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?” Remus asked her.
“Yes,” she said. “Father’s potion shop is there. He’s expecting us to spend some time with him.”
“But not the whole day, right?”
“Of course not. Father is a busy man.”
“Well, I was wondering… Would you mind spending sometime with me then? You know, just to talk about stuff.”
Tranquila looked at him as if he was insane. Remus hung his head.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Severus would have a coronary if he found us together,” she sputtered. “He would try to kill you or something.”
Remus lifted his head.
“So, it’s not because you hate me?” he said.
“I don’t know you enough to hate you,” she said. “I just know that my brother does and he would be very unhappy if you and I were friends.”
“What if he didn’t know?” Remus asked. “Would you be willing to talk to me then?”
“I guess. Why do you want to talk to me?”
“You just seem like an interesting person to talk to. I’ve heard you and that large classmate of yours discussing stuff in the library. I thought it would be nice to talk to you myself.”
“Oh.”
“We could maybe meet in the Owlery tomorrow night,” he suggested.
“You mean, sneak out after lights out?” she asked.
“Do you have a better idea how to keep Severus from finding out?”
“Well, no,” Tranquila admitted, “but what if we are caught?”
“Don’t worry,” Remus said. “We won’t be.”
The nurse released them a few hours later. Tranquila decided to find Severus and get their talk over with. She found her brother leaving his History of Magic class. He was surprised to see her, but quickly muttered something to his friends and came over to her with a dark look on his face. Taking her arm, he led her to an empty classroom and let her sit down.
“So, you are feeling better now?” he asked.
“Enough,” she said. “So, go ahead and yell at me. I want to get this over with before dinner.”
Severus folded his arms and looked down his hooked nose at her.
“I am not going to yell at you,” he said firmly. “I am going to remind you that as your older brother, I deserve some respect.”
“You do not have the right to embarrass me like that,” she told him. “Just because Remus Lupin is one of your enemies, doesn’t mean I have to act scared of him.”
“So, your outburst was an act of bravado?”
“It was an act of independence.”
He chuckled and Tranquila braced herself for the speech that was about to come.
“Sweet little sister,” he started, using his most pompous and condescending tone. “How many times do I have to remind you? You don’t need to worry about things like this. I will watch over you. No one would dare hurt you while I’m around.”
“But I don’t want you around all of the time,” she said. “How can I have friends when you’re scaring everyone away?”
“If it’s friends you want, I know-”
“I want to find my own friends!” Tranquila stated. “I don’t want you picking them out for me! We are not the same person, in case you haven’t noticed, brother. We weren’t even sorted into the same House. Just accept the fact that I don’t like the same type of people you do.”
“And what’s wrong with my friends?” he asked, his voice starting rise in anger.
“They just don’t have the same interests I do,” she said, in a sudden attempt to be diplomatic.
“And that land mass that insists on calling you ‘Quilly’ does?”
“Darren’s okay,” Tranquila said. “You know that. We’ve been friends since we were four. Sure he’s more interested in sports than I am and I’m more interested in science, but we have a lot of good discussions together.”
“I don’t want him for a brother in-law.”
“I doubt he wants that either and don’t you think I’m a bit young to consider marrying anyone?”
Severus took a deep breath.
“All right, I’ll leave your Hufflepuffs friends alone,” he said. “But I better not hear of you hanging around any Gryffindors – especially around James Potter and his friends.”
Tranquila bit back her reply and nodded.
“Good,” Severus said. “We better get ready for dinner now.”
Tranquila quickly left her brother. She almost ran into Darren in the Hufflepuff common room.
“I heard about the accident in the library,” he said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
“I went to the infirmary to see you, but you had already left. Where were you?”
“Talking to Severus. He’s promised to leave my Hufflepuffs friends alone from now on.”
“You’re kidding,” Darren exclaimed in surprised. “I was certain he wanted me dead.”
“Well, he said he didn’t want you as a brother in-law, but I can still have you as a friend.”
Darren started laughing.
“I guess that means I can’t send you a Valentine next February,” he joked.
“Guess not,” she said. “Looks like you going to have to celebrate it with your traditional, ‘I can’t believe people are so mushy’ attitude.”
“Darn!” he said in mock disappointment. “And I was planning to embarrass you with tons of flowers and a poem.”
“I’m so disappointed,” Tranquila said, joining his mockery. “But now you can spend the money on something more important, like acting lessons.”
Darren clutched at his heart and staggered back.
“She wounds me with her words!”
“You’re such a ham, you know that?”
Darren gave the other Hufflepuffs surrounding them a big wink and than got down on one knee.
“My dearest, sweet Quilly,” he intoned, hands still over his heart, “how can you doubt my affection for you, when I only have eyes for your shining smile?”
“Except when Claire Emerson is around,” Tranquila added mischievously.
He gave her an innocent blink.
“Claire? Claire who?” Several of their housemates began to giggle. Darren got up and brushed himself off. “I have no idea who you are talking about,” he stated.
“But we do,” said Kelly Fulton, nudging Jessica Winters.
Pulling himself up straight, Darren looked at the clock and announced it was dinnertime. He marched to the Great Hall followed by a line of giggling Hufflepuffs. Tranquila kept herself from glancing at the Gryffindor table to see if Remus was watching her. But she did search the Slytherin table to give Severus a big smile, which he returned.
Distracted by her make-up work, the next day flew by and lights out came before Tranquila remembered her promise to Remus. Putting her robe on over her nightgown, she snuck out of the Hufflepuff wing and quietly made her way to the Owlery, avoiding Mr. Filch and his cat. Remus was already there, waiting for her.
“I made a little fire for us to sit by,” he said, gesturing to the green flames near a bench.
“Thanks,” she said as she sat down. “So what did you want to talk about?”
“Well, anything really,” Remus said. “What book were you looking for yesterday?”
“It was a Chemistry book – that’s what Muggles call their science of Potions.”
“Really? Are there some things Muggles do differently?”
“A lot actually,” Tranquila said. “I’ve been trying to study more about their medicines. I want to go to a Muggle university for a few years to study, but I haven’t figured out how I can apply to one without being asked a lot of strange questions. Father has a friend in America, who might help me get into one there, but I have to study magical medicine first.”
“I’m surprised he’s letting you consider it at all,” Remus said. “I’ve always thought your dad was a Slytherin like your brother.”
“He was, but he says that all potions are worth studying – even Muggle ones.”
Remus shook his head.
“Potions is my weakest class,” he said. “I can’t imagine trying to study Muggle ones too.”
“Well, Severus thinks I’m crazy to even think of it, but like I said, Father’s on my side.”
“Where would you study your medicinal magic?” Remus asked.
“In London,” she told him. “Father has everything already set up for me. I just need to make sure my grades are high enough to attend. What are you planning to do after you graduate from Hogwarts?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m thinking of maybe getting certified in the Defense of the Dark Arts.”
“You planning to become an Auror?” Tranquila asked.
Remus shrugged.
“I doubt the Ministry of Magic would accept me as one, but maybe I could teach somewhere.”
“That sounds nice.”
“What will you do after you study Muggle medicines?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I would like to do medical research and maybe find a cure for some of the magical diseases we don’t have cures for yet,” she answered.
“Like Lycanthropy?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed. “That would be a good one.”
Remus made a strange face and turned away.
“Well, I hope you succeed,” he said softly.
“We would be doing something similar,” she pointed out. “You would be teaching people to defend themselves from dark creatures and I would be keeping people from being dark creatures. We would both be making the world safer.”
Remus gave her a forced smile.
“I guess we would.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” he told her, “but we probably should go to bed now. Can we talk here again next week?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“Great!” The smile looked more natural now. “Maybe next time we can talk about another subject.”
“Just decide and let me know what it is,” Tranquila said.
Saturday came with Tranquila sharing one of the school’s magical carriages with her brother and two of his Slytherin friends. As the carriage stopped in front of the Hogsmeade Post Office, Tranquila saw Remus and his friends wandering off to Zonko’s joke shop. Severus gave them a cold glare before taking her arm and walking to their father’s potion shop.
Dr. Snape’s sharp eyes fell upon his children the moment they entered the shop. With a slight jerk of his head and without saying a word, he told them to wait in his office until he was finished with his customer. It was a hard and dreary place in Tranquila’s opinion. Using a magical tinderbox, she went to start a fire in the cold hearth as Severus began to clear the table for their meal. Sometimes she swore she was the only member of the family who didn’t like being cold.
The crackling fire did more to soften the silence than the atmosphere of the room, but it was a sign of Tranquila’s determination to add some warmth to her family. She went to the pantry to prepare something for lunch. Silently, Severus helped her. By the time their father entered the room, everything was waiting for him. He nodded and sat down.
“So, how is school?” Dr. Snape asked.
“Fine,” both children answered.
“What about your grades?”
Tranquila spoke quickly, “Well, my grades aren’t as good as Severus’s, but I’m still in the top fifth of my year.”
The senior Snape gave his daughter an indulgent smile.
“Of course you are, sweetheart,” he said. “You have never disappointed me.”
Only because you don’t really think I can do anything, Tranquila thought to herself. Her father fixed a cold eye on her brother.
“And what about your grades, Severus?” he said in a menacing tone. “Have you finally gotten them up or is that Potter boy still making a fool of you?”
“I’m sure my grades are better than his,” Severus said softly.
“We will just have to see come report time, now won’t we?” their father said. “He’s still beating you on the Quidditch field. You’re slacking.”
Tranquila tried to think of someway to change the topic, while her brother mechanically pecked at his food.
“Father?” she said sweetly. “I found a very good book on Chemistry at school. If I can get permission to bring it home, could you help me with it during the holidays?”
The condescending indulgent smile returned.
“I would delighted, dear,” he said. “I received an owl from Robert last week. He sent me a list of Muggle pharmacy schools. After you become a medicinal potions master, you can be certified as a Muggle pharmacist. And then you can be a real help to me here.”
That was how Father always ended his summary of her future – she could do what she wanted for a few years, but she was expected to come back and be with him. The pharmacy schooling was only something to placate her – to make sure she would be grateful for her lack of choice in her life.
Still her ploy worked. Tranquila was able to get her father to discuss which pharmacy school he thought she would be better off at, allowing Severus to eat at least some of his lunch in peace. All she needed to do now was get Sev out of there before Father started in on him again.
“Thank you for lunch, Father,” she said, taking a hold of her brother’s arm. “We won’t take any more of your time away from your customers.”
“You may leave,” Dr. Snape said, “but I still have more words for your brother.”
Tranquila’s heart dropped into her stomach like a ball of lead.
“But, Father-” she started.
“You may go, Tranquila,” he ordered coldly.
“Yes, sir.”
Tranquila grabbed her cloak and hid in the storage room to wait for Severus. It wasn’t long before she heard her father and brother yelling at each other. She tried to bite back her tears. By all rights, she should have just left to find Darren and spared herself this torture. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t desert Severus like that, even if there was nothing she could do to change things.
Finally the voices died down. She heard a door slam and her brother’s footsteps stomping off. She waited until she heard her father’s footsteps march to the front. Quietly, she snuck out of the storage room and went through the backdoor. Severus was staring at a rat huddling under a weed in the cold, eying it with total contempt. He turned when he heard her step down on the gravel. Taking a handkerchief out of a pocket, he came over and began to wipe the tears from her face that she had missed.
“You are such a Hufflepuff,” he said softly. “You should have gone to the Three Broomsticks and shared a butterbeer with some of your housemates. You didn’t need to listen to us.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” he told her.
“I’ve saved some of my allowance. You want to go and get something from Honeydukes? My treat.”
“I have my own money,” Severus stated.
“I know,” she said, “but I want to pay for both us this time.”
“Trying to be independent again, I see. Well, maybe another time. I don’t feel like being surrounded by people right now.”
“All right.”
Tranquila slowly walked down the alley, listening carefully as Severus’s footsteps faded off in the opposite direction. She sighed and stepped out into the current of wizards and witches shopping for gifts. She had done her gift shopping months ago; knowing that the holidays always depressed her too much to handle being jostled in crowded stores.
She didn’t bother to pay attention where the press of people was taking her. She was too numb to care. So when Darren called her name, it startled her.
“Quilly! Where are you going?”
“Uh,” Tranquila said. “Nowhere, really. I just wanted to walk some. Did you visit your parents?”
“They’re in Dervish and Banges,” Darren said, jerking his head towards the shop behind him. “I saw you through the window and thought I better come out here and see what’s wrong. Did your dad and brother have another fight?”
Tranquila grimaced. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry, Quilly. Why don’t you come and say ‘hi’ to my folks? They haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Okay.”
Mr. Montrose was inspecting a traveling trunk, while Mrs. Montrose was asking a salesclerk about a magic mirror.
“Hello there, Tranquila,” Mr. Montrose said as he looked up. “How is your family doing?”
“Fine, sir,” she answered.
“Good to hear it,” he said. “I've been meaning to drop by and see your father. Enjoying yourself at Hogwarts?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You should drop by
during the holidays and have dinner with us.”
“I'll see if I can get permission, Mr. Montrose.”
“Oh, please do!” said Mrs. Montrose as she left the clerk. “I've missed our little chats. It gets so dreary listening to male talk all the time. After dinner, we girls can go and do something more interesting than Quidditch.”
“Marilyn!” said Mr. Montrose. “Bite your tongue! There is nothing more interesting than a good Quidditch match. Tell your father and brother they're invited too, Tranquila. Then we'll see some good Quidditch discussions.”
“I will, sir.”
“Mom and Dad,” Darren spoke up, “is it okay if Quilly and I go to Honeydukes before we go back to school?”
“Tired of being seen with your folks, eh, son?” winked Mr. Montrose.
“Nigel, stop embarrassing the boy,” scolded Mrs. Montrose. “Of course, dear. Just meet us in front of the post office before you leave.”
“They have been acting so weird lately,” Darren whispered as they made their way to the front of the shop. “Asking me if I have a girlfriend and stuff like that.”
“Did you tell them about Claire?” she asked.
“Are you crazy! They would act beyond weird then! Besides, Claire is not my girlfriend – yet. You’re my friend and you’re a girl and you already know my parents, so I figure they’ll be happy talking about you.”
Tranquila stopped and stared at Darren.
“You told your parents that I was your girlfriend?”
“No way!” said Darren. “I just talk about how you are doing at school and let them make their own conclusions.”
“That’s almost Slytherin,” Tranquila told him.
“Bite your tongue.”
A gleam of light caught her eye. It was a music box made of cut glass and shaped like an owl. Tranquila picked it up and opened it.
“Isn’t that a beautiful melody?” she asked Darren.
Darren looked at it and shrugged.
“I guess, but come on. We don’t have much time and I want to get some pepper imps before we go back.”
With a small sigh, Tranquila set the box back down and followed Darren to Honeydukes. There she stood and watched as Darren looked over everything. She just wasn’t in the mood for sweets. She was too worried about Severus. He often did something reckless after he and Father fought.
But when she and Darren met back up with the Montroses, they found Severus being extremely polite and conversational with them. In fact, he had a rather innocent air about him. Tranquila groaned inwardly and hoped that he successfully got away with whatever it was he had done.
“Of course, Mr. Montrose,” he was saying, “I’ll make sure that Father knows we are expected then. Come, Tranquila! It’s time we return.”
They climbed into the carriage where some more of Severus’ housemates were waiting. She sat between him and the window. As soon as Darren’s parents were out of sight, he said, “You will need to send Father an owl and tell him that the Montroses are expecting us for dinner Christmas Eve.”
“I will,” she said. “Did you have a good time?”
The other Slytherins giggled as Severus smiled.
“I had a wonderful afternoon and you?”
Tranquila gave him a suspicious look and answered, “It was all right. Looked around a few shops, but didn’t see anything I wanted. What did you do?”
“Oh, just checked out a few things here and there,” he replied with a vague wave of his hand. Tranquila knew he wasn’t going to give her a real answer and judging by the grins on his housemate’s faces, she probably didn’t want to know the truth anyway.
Thursday found her back up in the Owlery. This time she reached it before Remus did and had a fire going.
“Almost got caught by your brother,” he told her. “Apparently we’re not the only ones out and about tonight.”
“Are you sure he didn’t follow you?”
Remus glanced down at something in his hand, before putting it back into his pocket. “I’m sure of it.”
“So what did you want to talk about tonight?” she asked.
Remus sat down across from her.
“Well, I was thinking we could talk about why you told Darren that lethifolds can make nice pets, but that leads to the question of how did a Hufflepuff end up in a family of Slytherins in the first place?”
“Mum wasn’t a Slytherin,” Tranquila said, “She was a Ravenclaw.”
“Still, it’s pretty strange you must admit.”
“The Sorting Hat said that I was just what my family needed. Why do you think you’re in Gryffindor?”
“I’ve actually thought about that,” Remus admitted. “I think it’s because I would be more accepted there than any other house.”
“Why?” Tranquila asked.
“It’s a long story,” he said. “Now, why would anyone want a lethifold for a pet?”
“Great-grandfather Snape used to say they were very relaxing to watch. But you had to be careful because not all lethifolds can be tamed. Of course, it’s against the law to have one at all now, but Father still talks about his grandfather’s.”
“How can you tame one in the first place?” he asked.
“I don’t really know,” she admitted. “It’s a family secret, but I’ve never asked. Severus might know.”
“Well, I’m not about to ask him about it,” Remus said.
Tranquila giggled. They spent another hour talking about magical creatures before deciding to go back to their dorms.
“So, shall we do this again next Thursday?” she asked.
“Not next Thursday,” he said. “But we can the Thursday after, if that’s all right with you?”
“Okay.”
Even though she knew Remus wasn’t going to be there, Tranquila went to the Owlery the following Thursday. She couldn’t sleep. Climbing up, she found a beautiful view of the school grounds, glowing softly in the light of a full moon. It looked so peaceful and quiet down there that she almost considered sneaking out and having a walk in the new snow. She decided against it, though. She was taking enough chances as it was.
The Thursday after was the last one before the holidays. Tranquila could barely concentrate on her studies as she waited quietly for lights out to come. This time, Remus beat her there and had his hands behind his back.
“So what are we going to talk about tonight?” she asked.
“Music,” he said.
“Music?”
Remus coughed a little and brought out a gift from behind his back.
“I got this for you,” he said, “for Christmas.”
“But I didn’t get you anything!” she protested.
“That’s okay,” he told her. “Just open it.”
Inside the wrapped box was the music box she had picked up in Dervish and Banges a few weeks back. She looked up at Remus with questions in her eyes.
“I saw you admire it when Darren was trying to drag you to Honeydukes,” he said.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “It’s very nice of you to get it for me.”
“Well, you are being very nice to me – sneaking up here so we can talk without your brother knowing and all.”
“It’s not like I don’t enjoy talking to you too,” she said.
Remus smiled shyly.
“Are you going to open it up?” he asked.
Tranquila did and closed her eyes as the beautiful melody softly filled the air.
“The clerk said it’s a waltz,” Remus said. “But I’m afraid I don’t know anything about dancing.”
“You don’t?” she said. “Would you like to learn?”
“You know how to waltz?”
“Father taught me. I can teach you if you want.”
“Umm, well, okay.”
Tranquila wound the music box back up. Patiently, she taught Remus the dance steps. There was a lot of mistakes and giggling, but finally they managed a halfway decent waltz. At its end, she beamed up at him in happiness.
“You have all the makings of a wonderful dance partner,” she told him.
He laughed.
“You’re insane,” he said. “I nearly crippled you during my first try.”
“Payback for me dropping all those books on you,” she said. “I’ll live.”
“You know, I think you’re very pretty,” he said suddenly.
“Really?”
Remus didn’t answer. Instead he gave her a kiss, before stepping back in embarrassment. Tranquila stood there stunned.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s okay,” said Tranquila nervously. “But it’s getting late.”
“Yes, we better go back to our dorms. Um, Tranquila?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for teaching me to dance,” Remus told her. “It was a very nice Christmas gift.”
Tranquila felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “And thanks again for the music box. I hope you have a good Christmas.”
“You too.”
The shock had worn off a little by the time Tranquila entered the Hufflepuff common room. She had her first kiss tonight and suddenly she couldn’t wait for the winter holidays to be over already, so she could spend the next Thursday evening talking to Remus.
Someone cleared their throat in the darkness and said “Luminos”. Before her sat Darren Montrose with his wand.
“So, what house is he in?” he asked.
“Who?” she stammered.
“The boyfriend you are hiding from your brother. The one you have been sneaking out to see every Thursday. What house is he in?”
“Gryffindor.”
“Severus is going to have a fit,” Darren chuckled. “Who is it?”
“Remus Lupin,” she sighed.
“Forget the fit,” Darren said, “he’s going to go into a murderous rage. Way to go, Quilly. Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Darren, you won’t tell anyone, will you?” she pleaded. “Please?”
“Not a chance. We’re pals, remember? Though I had hoped it was someone else.”
“Why?”
“Because I was hoping to get an idea on how I can get Claire Emerson to talk to me, but I think I’ll pass haunting her until she drops a bunch of books and puts both of us in the infirmary. I would rather find a less painful way to introduce myself.”
“Maybe we can figure something out together?” she suggested.
“Sure, we can talk about it during the holidays,” he yawned. “Let’s get some sleep now.”
Back at home, Tranquila and Darren managed to spend an afternoon together three days before Christmas. Tranquila had told her family that the owl music box came from Darren, so now she was playing the same game with Father and Severus that Darren was playing with his parents. Darren didn’t mind. He felt it was better than their families finding out the truth.
Out in the rocky hills, the two of them planned how to keep the charade up, without tipping anyone off.
“The way I see it,” Darren said, “we need to make sure we don’t overdo it or someone will see that it’s all an act.”
“Yes,” Tranquila agreed. “We need to be friends like we’ve always been – only anything dealing with the person we have a crush on, we substitute each other for.”
“Right! That way, no major lies to keep track of.”
“And they say Hufflepuffs can’t be devious,” Tranquila snorted.
“It’s just not our preferred way of doing things,” Darren pointed out, “but desperate times require desperate measures.”
“Agreed. Speaking of which, I have an idea on how we can get Claire to talk to you.”
“Really? How?”
“I try to be friends with her first. Everyone knows that you and I are pals. Once she and I are friends, it would only be natural that she start talking to you.”
“You’d do that for me, Quilly?”
“Sure! What are pals for?”
“Great! I can’t wait for school to start again.”
Christmas Eve at the Montroses was a very successful event in Tranquila’s opinion. It was obvious in their little girl to girl chat that Mrs. Montrose thought that she and Darren were more than just friends, but were just afraid to admit it to themselves. And with Mr. Montrose around, Father and Severus spent a whole evening in the same room without anyone’s feelings being hurt.
Christmas morning, Tranquila was gently shaken awake by her brother.
“I have something for you,” Severus whispered.
She pulled on her robes and blurry-eyed, followed him into his room. On his table was a cage with a blanket over it. He removed it before her sleepy brain could figure out what was going on. Underneath was a baby horned owl. Tranquila’s eyes snapped wide open.
“For me?” she whispered.
“Of course,” he said. “Her name is Athena.”
“She’s beautiful. Thank you, Sev! You’re wonderful.”
Tranquila hugged her brother before taking the owl out of her cage. The young bird pressed its body to her chest.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” she said. “You’re the best big brother in the world. I can’t believe you spent so much on a gift for me.”
Severus smiled.
“Nothing’s too good for you,” he said. “Who else would be more loyal to me than my Hufflepuff baby sister?”
Tranquila hid her guilt behind Athena. Severus must have saved all year to get her an owl without raising anyone’s suspicions. And she had betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. If Tranquila had felt any lower in her life, she couldn’t remember it then.
From the parlor, their father called. He gave Athena a measured look before handing Tranquila his gift to her – a Muggle science book. To Severus, he gave a handsome timepiece. Of course, he thanked her for the poetry book she got him and grunted in approval with the new mortar and pestle Severus gave him. Severus was pleased with her gift of a book on famous Slytherins. While she and Father discussed Muggle science, he sat next to the fire and poured over the pages.
When they returned to school the guilt hadn’t lessened any. Athena was an affectionate creature and Tranquila couldn’t help but adore her. It was ironic that Severus had given her a perfect excuse to be in the Owlery. If someone did catch her in the halls at night, she could easily claim she was checking in on her young pet.
It seemed an eternity until Thursday came. Remus grinned broadly when she showed up. They talked about their gifts and the holidays, while feeding Athena. Though they chatted happily for a long time, Remus told her that they couldn’t meet next week.
“Why?” she asked.
“I have to do something,” he told her. “But I can still meet you here the week after.”
“Okay,” she said.
Tranquila dealt with her disappointment by concentrating on becoming friends with Claire. She began saying ‘hi’ to her in the halls and a few days later got her to talk about one of her classes in the library. It turned out that Claire was as shy as Tranquila normally was, but she accepted Darren’s quiet presence without question.
As time went on, Darren and Claire began to talk to each other, and Traquila accepted Remus’s monthly absences without question. When they were together, they talked of everything, except Severus, even though she knew her brother had intensified his efforts to get Remus and his friends expelled from school.
“You know,” she finally joked, “we never talk during a full moon. Are you superstitious or something?”
Remus turned a little pale.
“You might say that,” he said.
“Why?” she asked.
He stared at the ground and fidgeted a little.
“Tranquila, can you keep a secret?”
“I’ve been seeing you for months with only Darren finding out, I think that proves that I can keep a secret.”
“You can’t tell Darren this either,” he said.
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Do you swear?”
“I swear.”
“Before I tell you, do you think I could ever hurt you?” he asked.
“That’s a rather strange question, but no, I can’t imagine you hurting me,” she answered.
“What if I was a werewolf?”
Tranquila studied Remus’s face to see if he was serious. He was.
“I guess being friends with a werewolf isn’t much different than having a lethifold as a pet,” she said at last.
“Then you’re not afraid of me?” he asked.
“If you were dangerous, Professor Dumbledore wouldn’t have let you come here. He does know, right?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Then it’s okay, then. I’ll just make sure to stay away from you during your wolf state.”
“Tranquila, do you mean that? Are you still willing to be alone with me after finding out what I really am?”
“You’re still the same person I dropped books on last fall,” she said. “If I can be the sister of a future dark wizard, I can be friends with a werewolf. In fact, it seems rather appropriate.”
Remus shook his head and hugged her.
“You’re too wonderful for words, Tranquila,” he said. “We better go now.”
Tranquila nodded and made her way back to her dorm, rather surprised with herself on how calmly she took the news. But it did make everything strange about Remus fall into place. Even after he told her, she didn’t give his lycanthropy much thought when they were together. Though she did worry about him during his time of transformation.
In fact, she was thinking about it after dinner, when she ran into her brother in the hallway, his face beaming with triumph. Quickly, he dragged her into an empty classroom.
“I’ve done it, Tranquila,” he announced. “I got Black to tell me how to follow Lupin. Now, I can find out what he’s up to. All I have to do is push a knot on the Whomping Willow tonight after dark.”
Tranquila went cold with fear. It was a full moon tonight. If Severus tried to follow Remus, he would meet his werewolf form.
“What if it’s a trap?” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, why would Sirius Black tell you anything? Lupin is his friend. Isn’t it more likely that he is setting you up for something?”
“Tranquila,” he snorted, “I doubt that there is anything Black and his friends could come up with that I can’t handle.”
“Well, why don’t you just wait a few days and check it out then?” she asked. If she could get Severus to wait long enough, there was no reason to worry about Remus hurting him.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for ages,” Severus stated. “I am not going to wait any longer. It’s dark already.”
“But Sev!”
“No buts. I don’t expect you to understand, Tran, but I do expect you to stay out of my way.”
She watched as he stormed out of the room. She had to stop him, but how? She couldn’t tell him what Remus was. Severus would tell the whole school. Besides, she would have to admit how she knew and then he would know she betrayed him. She looked out the window at the Quidditch field below. The Gryffindor team was practicing for their upcoming game against Ravenclaw.
She ran from the window. James Potter would be there. He knew the truth. He could stop Severus. She literally flew down the staircases. Somewhere behind her, a professor reprimanded her for running in the school, but she didn’t stop. Her breath was ragged when she reached the field. Frantically looking around, she found the unruly black hair that belonged to her brother’s greatest rival.
“Potter!” Tranquila called out. “James Potter! I need to talk with you! It’s an emergency!”
The Gryffindors looked at her suspiciously, but James went ahead and walked over to her.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Black told Severus about the knot in the Whomping Willow,” she whispered. “I tried to tell Severus it was probably a trap, but he won’t listen. He’s on his way there now to see if he can follow Remus.”
James’s face went white with horror. “Get the Headmaster,” he told her, before tearing across the school grounds. Tranquila went back into the school, only to be met by Professor McGonganal.
“You better have a very good reason, Miss Snape, for running in the school like that,” she said.
“I do, ma’am,” she said, “but I need to tell the Headmaster first. It’s an emergency.”
“You haven’t caused any trouble before,” the stern Transfiguration professor admitted. “I will let you explain yourself to the Headmaster.”
“Thank you, Professor.”
She followed the witch into Professor Dumbledore’s office. The tall wizard smiled kindly at her as they entered.
“Miss Snape says there is an emergency,” Professor McGonganall announced. “One worth running in the halls for and telling you about.”
“Sounds very serious indeed,” said the Headmaster. “What is it, Tranquila?”
Having the Headmaster called her by her first name rattled her, but Tranquila managed to explain about Severus, the knot on the Whomping Willow and James Potter going to stop him, without mentioning that she knew that Remus was a werewolf. Professor McGonganall was going to handle things, but Dumbledore told her to make sure Tranquila had a warm drink and returned to her dorm while he took care of matters.
Professor McGonganall quickly handed Tranquila over to her own head of house, Professor Sprout. The herbology teacher fussed over her before sending her to bed with a sleeping potion from the nurse. The next morning, Tranquila was relieved to see her brother alive at the Slytherin table, even if he did look ready to spit nails. A quick glance at the Gryffindor table showed James Potter looking a bit gray and Sirius Black living up to his name.
When Thursday came, it was a somber Remus who met her.
“I suppose you already know what almost happened,” he said. “James told me it was you who informed him of Sirius’s prank.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Tranquila,” he said softly, “we shouldn’t meet anymore. I could have killed your brother and he knows that. The only reason the whole school doesn’t know what I am now is because the Headmaster has sworn him to secrecy. But if he knew about us…”
“I – I understand.”
“I thought you would. I’m really going to miss talking to you.”
“Same here,” she said, “but all things considered it’s probably for the best.”
“Do you hate me now?”
“No,” she told him. “I could never hate you. It wasn’t your fault anyway. It is Black’s fault for trying to trick Severus and Severus’s fault for being such an aggravation. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“Me too. I guess we better leave now.”
Tranquila nodded and left the Owlery. Back in her common room, she sat near the fireplace and cried softly in the dark. She was startled when Darren appeared and handed her a handkerchief.
“What are you doing up?” she asked.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he said. “Found out today that Claire has a crush on a Ravenclaw guy.”
“I’m sorry, Darren.”
“Why are you crying? Did you and Remus break up?”
“Yes,” she sniffed, “he’s afraid that Severus will find out about us soon.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we still have each other then,” Darren stated.
Tranquila smiled weakly.
“Nothing like a good pal, is there?” she said.
“Nope,” said Darren. “Nothing at all.”