Haunted

"Welcome! Welcome, to another at Hogwarts! Now I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin whose kindly enough offered to fill our post of defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck Professor!" Dumbledore paused to motion his hand towards Lupin and surely enough a good body of students applaud him.

"In other news, our previous Magical Care of creatures professor has retired in order to spend time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubious Hagrid." This time Hagrid stood to wait for his applause after knocking a few things off the table.

"Finally, for tonight's last note, at the request for the Ministry of magic, Hogwarts will play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time that Sirius Black is captured. The dementors will be stained at every entrance of the ground. Now, I can assure you that their presence will not disturb our day to day activity. A Word of caution, dementors are one of the most foulest creatures to walk this earth. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you, give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, but if one only remembers to turn on the light. Let the feast begin!" the plates and foods magically appeared at each house table.

"Well that was cheerful." Mikael snorted.

"You know Dumbledore…always with the phrases." Liam shook his head. "Now, let's eat!" he took a huge chicken leg from the dish in front and tore a bite into it.

"Ew Liam, do you always have to eat like such a beast?" Rose said

"She's right Liam it's not attractive at all." Adriane laughed.

"But I'm starving!'

"You're always starving Liam." Rose sighed.

Ariana couldn't help but notice that Mikael was obscenely quiet during this discussion usually he'd poke fun at Liam too or defend him with some snotty comment, but tonight it was as if he was in another world. Her friend Mikael had always been the most talked and sarcastic out of the group, he was always the first one to comment something and needless to say the last one to close the conversation, but for some reason what happened in the train with the dementors had affected him somehow. Ariana wouldn't leave it this she promised herself she was going to talk to Mikael later about it.

The next morning Ariana noticed that she was the first one up. She took the opportunity to shower first since she had to wash her hair, and that was going to take a while longer since her hair was so long and thick. Finally, looking in the mirror Ariana used her wand to dry her hair and finish dressing. She looked at her schedule and noticed she had Advanced Potions first, than Advanced Charms, Advanced Transfiguration, and lastly, she had Advance Defense Against the Dark Arts. She knew this year she was going to have a lot of homework from all her advanced classes and began to ask herself why she decided to take all of advanced terms, but then she remembered Professor McGonagall told her if she just took regular seventh year terms it would be too easy for her and she would have too much spare time in her hands since she got all O's in her classes last year, even with Professor Lockheart, in which she was astounded he gave her an O. The man was complete idiot who had no idea what he was doing.

The day went by like a breeze, her classes went by quite faster than she expected and it was now time for Ariana's last class, Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had already received so much homework form her other periods she cursed her DNA jeans for being so smart. Ariana's family had a history for being in either Ravenclaw or Slytherin. So, naturally, she was the odd ball in Gryffindor and they hated her for it.

Ariana took her seat in the front right corner of Lupin's class while her friends Liam and Mikael took their seats behind her. She was curious to see what kind teacher Lupin was. No doubt that he was going to be better than her previous DADA teacher; needless to say Ariana was curios and oddly excited to be his class.

"Good afternoon class." Professor Lupin greeted. "Now I have been instructed that you previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor did not teach you the Patronus charm, is that correct?"

"Yes sir he only had us read about it." Said the boy in the back of the class named Tyron.

"Right, so today than that's what you'll be learning. With the dementors at every entrance of the castle it is crucial that you must learn how to conjure one. And; of course, this is the advance course of DADA so you're all running behind, but not to worry I'll do my best to make sure that each of you can produce a fully developed Patronus by the end of the year." Professor Lupin paused for a moment to look around the class. His eyes fell upon the girl and her two friends from the other night in the train. "Let's begin. Which one of you can tell me what a Patronus is and how it works."

There were some confused looks around the room and a few shy hands but Ariana's hand was the first up in the air. "Yes Miss….?"

"Lyall, Ariana sir. The Patronus charm is a specific force that can be used as a shield so that the dementor is feeding from it rather than the person."

"Very good Miss Lyall!" Professor Lupin smiled at her. "Now in order for the witch or wizard to conjure it, they must think of a memory. It must be a very happy memory, a very powerful memory." He spoke to the class now. "Once you have a memory, allow it to fill you up and speak in incantation Expecto Patronum."

"Now I want you all to break into groups of two or three, no more than three please and begin practicing. I will walk around the room and offer help to anyone who needs it."

The class did what they were asked and broke off into groups. "Right so…..how are we supposed to this again?" asked Liam. "Oh honestly Liam don't you listen? How you managed to get placed into Advance DADA is beyond me."

"You know I only like to get in your nerves right?" Liam smirked. "I just don't know what memory to choose." He said more serious now.

He has a point. I don't know which memory to choose either. Do I even have a happy and powerful memory? The memory I used in the train of how we all became friends didn't really work. Ariana thought.

The classroom was filled with grunts of frustration; apparently no one could conjure a fully developed Patronus for more than a few seconds. Professor Lupin was also growing frustrated, he didn't know how else to instruct his students. He sat down in his desk almost giving up hope when he saw a wolf Patronus bouncing around the room.

"Ariana you did it!" Mikael stated with excitement.

"Yeah but she was about the only one." Liam frowned.

"Well done Miss Lyall, well done! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Professor Lupin pronounced.

"Well at least we got some points out of it." Liam snorted; frustrated he couldn't conjure one himself.

"Well I think that's enough for today class. Keep practicing, explore your pasts for a strong memory or I'll have you write an essay on it." Professor Lupin threatened jokingly.

The class gathered their things and left the room quite disappointed and drained. When the trio; Mikael, Liam, and Ariana were the last to leave Professor Lupin stopped them.

"You mind if talk to you guys a little bit?" He asked politely.

"Sure professor." Mikael responded, and the three of them found their way inside the classroom once more.

"I just wanted to ask you three how you were doing after that night in the train?"

"Specular professor! It'll take more than a silly dementor creature to bring me down.' Liam exclaimed.

"Good." Lupin smiled. "What about you two?"

"I'm fine." Replied Ariana

"Yeah…..same" said Mikael.

Once again Ariana could not help but notice that there was something underneath Mikael's tone that just wasn't believable. Professor Lupin noticed this too and gave Mikael a puzzling look, but decided not to intrude in his personal affairs. "Very well than, you three may take you leaves."

The trio bound their heads and turn around to leave. "Oh wait! Miss Lyall I wonder if I may speak to you another minute?"

She nodded. "I'll meet you guys at dinner." She said to Mikael and Liam.

"We'll save you a spot.' Mikael said.

"Yeah but you better hurry up! There might not be enough food for you when you arrive." Liam teased on his way out.

"Those are some wonderful friends you have there Miss Lyall." Ariana couldn't tell if he was joking or being sincere so she just replied with; "yeah they're great."

And there it was the uncountable silence and eye goggling again. Ariana did not know why she acted this way in front of him. Why am I always so awkward in front of him? After all, he's just a professor. She pondered. A very hot and mysterious professor. Another voice in her head told her. No I cannot think these things about my professor! Her responsible side argued.

"I just wanted to make sure you were really all right Miss Lyall. I couldn't help but notice the other night you were somehow distraught and I noticed this today too." He paused, wondering if it was polite or professional to continue, when she didn't reply he continued. "I'm sorry if I am overstepping my boundaries Miss Lyall, I just care about the well-being of my students that's all." He explained, more to himself than her.

"Oh no it's not that, you're fine professor. I just….well, I'm worried about my friend Mikael. You see, after the incident on the train that night he became very quiet and distant about the subject, and that's really not like him at all." She replied. Oh yeah, great move Lyall he's definitely interested in your little teenage drama. She barked at herself. Well he asked. Her innocent side responded.

"I see. Well dementors are indeed the most vicious and foulest creatures to walk this earth, they feed on every happy memory or feeling. Maybe your friend has a past experience, or the dementor incident triggered something about his past. Perhaps you should just ask him about it." Professor Lupin offered.

"Right, I will thank you sir.' Ariana responded.

"It's no trouble; also, I wanted to congratulate you on your performance in class today Miss Lyall. To be honest I wasn't surprised in the slightest that you were able to conjure a fully developed Patronus. From what I saw I the train the other night I knew you were a very capable student, you just need a little push.' He smiled.

Ariana blushed at his comment. "Thank you Professor Lupin. You're a great teacher after all." She smiled back at him. "Well if that is all Sir, I must excuse myself I have to meet my friends at dinner and I've got Head Girl duties to attend to also."

"Of course Miss Lyall, I'm sorry to have kept you longer. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

She bounded to him and made her leave, but before she could reach the door again, Professor Lupin said something that brought up strange feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"One more thing Miss Lyall," professor Lupin shouted after her and paused, unsure if he should voice his thoughts, "if you ever need anything or need to talk to someone I'd like you to know that my doors are open at any time." She smiled kindly him and went about her way.

Have I crossed the line? Lupin wondered. Well, she's only a student and I simply offered help in case she needs it. I'm only interested in the well fare of my students. Lupin told himself but couldn't help to feel that he was lying and that there was something else there and he didn't want to admit it.

"So what did Professor Lupin want with you?" Mikael asked at dinner.

"Oh he just wanted to congratulate me on making a full Patronus today in class" Ariana answered. Liam just shrugged as if he wasn't even paying attention and went back to gulping his food down.

"Honestly Liam do you ever stop eating?" Ariana asked

"Oy! Why do you have to interfere with what I'm eating?" Liam protested.

"She's right you know, you can be such a pig sometimes Liam." Rose pointed out.

"You girls are just jealous because Liam and I can eat whatever and not gain any weight, but you ladies have to watch you girly figure." Mikael laughed.

The rest of the dinner was shared by many laughs and jokes about Liam's manners. Afterwards, when their feast was finished, Rose and Liam headed back to the common room while Mikael and Ariana went on to their Head Boy/Girl duties.

"Right, so you can take the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins and I'll take the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors." Mikael suggested.

"Wait a minute, why do I get stuck with Slytherin?"

"Because I say so." Mikael grinned.

"Oh whatever Mikael you're only two months older than me." Ariana argued.

"And a half." He pointed his finger at her. "Urgh fine.' She rolled her eyes.

Ariana walked a few first year Hufflepuff students back to their common room who proclaimed they were lost. Then she headed to the dungeons to check on the Slytherins, which she was not looking forward at all. Surprisingly, to Ariana's amusement there were no misbehaved Slytherins out and about. The dungeons were actually quite abounded and silent.

Ariana met Mikael in the entrance of the Great Hall again so that they could finish their last rounds together. "Mikael?" She asked after they covered a good portion of all the floors.

"Hmm?" he answered.

"Is everything all right with you? You seem so distant and quiet lately, ever since that incident in the train with dementors you haven't spoken much."

"I suppose I have been quieter than usual." He knew exactly where this conversation was going to go and he wanted to avoid that place.

"Usual? Mikael you're never quiet! You're always the one with the most snarly comments and jokes, the only time you actually shut up is when you sleep." Ariana giggled at the last part but then became serious again. "What's going on with you? We've always been so honest with each other, I mean you know my most darkest secrets." She stated.

"You're not always honest with me." He said.

"What how can you say that?"

"Remember that time in our fourth year where you saved that Hufflepuff boy from being beat up from the Slytherins?" he looked her to wait for a reply, when she nodded he continued. "Well that boy, jack or whatever his name was, became quite obsessed with you and started sending you anonymous love letters and love potions. When we asked you who it was from you never told us it was from him, I had to find out by overhearing a conversation between you and him, in which you were slightly rude to the poor boy and broke his heart if I don't recall." Mikael laughed. "Anyways, my point is you weren't always honest with me."

"Oh please, we were in our fourth year. I was embarrassed I didn't know what to do, I didn't want you guys finding out." She defended. "Besides, you know much worst things about me that the others don't know." She looked at him hoping he knew exactly what she was talking about so she didn't have to voice it out loud.

"Your family." He confirmed, bitterly. "You never told me that either, I had to find out for myself. Ariana…" He paused, in a much softer tone now he pressed on. "I've told you this countless times but I'll say it once more, you always have a place to stay if you so choose, my parents wouldn't mind you know."

"You haven't told them anything have you?" she asked frightened.

"No of course not, I promised I'd keep your secret." She sighed in relief. "But you know how I feel about that. Ariana I still think you should tell someone, they can't keep doing this to you."

"They're not that bad." Ariana referred to her family.

"Not that bad? Bloody hell Ariana they torture you! You always have new collections of bruises every year."

"I know but soon I'll be eighteen and…"

"And you'll leave? Yeah I've heard that before." He snorted. "Do you really think they'll let you leave Ariana?"

Ariana shrugged and looked away, knowing he was right and she had to do something about it this year.

"I'm sorry if I'm yelling at you." He stopped her and held her arm so she couldn't keep walking. "I just…I worry about you Ariana that's all, you're my best friend."

"I thought Liam was your best mate." She said sheepishly.

"Well yeah but you're special." At this Ariana looked up at him, confused by his choice of words. She almost thought she saw something in his eyes, something she hasn't seen before.

"I mean you're like a sister to me." He said quickly.

"I know Mikael but I'm fine really. You don't need to worry…." He cut her off again.

"Well I do worry! You don't think I notice when you get the letters from them? You don't think I notice when it's near the holidays or the end of the year and you have to go home to those monsters? You don't think I see how miserable you really are? Well I do Ariana, you might put a brick wall in front of you and put on this great show but I know you, the others haven't figured out yet but I'm telling you they will soon. You don't see it Ariana but your wall is coming down, your mask is cracking. I see it day by day. Well, the day is going to come where you won't want to fight it anymore. You're a strong person Ariana but even you have your limits."

Ariana just simply looked him in the eye not saying anything. She knew deep down inside he was right. She didn't want to admit but she had enough and she was soon going to break. The wall that she was building all these years was coming down. Than something clicked in her mind, he was getting away from his own issue, trying to distract her. "Hey! You purposely changed the subject so I would get distracted. You haven't answered my question Mikael!" She exclaimed.

"Soon." He simple said.

"What do you mean by soon?" She asked irritated.

"I mean it's a long story that I do not feel like sharing right now, but I promise to tell you soon. Now if you don't mind I'm going back to the common room and get some sleep." And with that he left.

What was that about? What's so terrible that Mikael feels he has to hide from me? She wondered

Professor Lupin looked over his students files studying each of his students so he could get to know them better when he suddenly stopped at a student who caught his eye.

Lyan, Ariana. Seventh year.

Birthday: September 6th

Family: Pureblood- Danniel Lyall (father), Tanya Lyall (mother), Geofrey Lyall (brother)

Future carrier: Auror

Student Rank: Outstanding average

Likes and dislikes: unknown

That's a bit odd Lupin thought. No likes and dislikes column? Also there quite a bit of information missing from her student chart when comparing to other students.

After a while of looking through his students files, Lupin decided it was time for a break. He needed some fresh air.

Ariana sat by the lake, thinking over her conversation with Mikael from earlier. The fact that he was keeping something from her was really bothering her. Mikael wasn't one for secrets. Then she thought about what he had said to her; "you might put a brick wall in front of you and put on this great show but I know you, the others haven't figured out yet but I'm telling you they will soon. You don't see it Ariana but your wall is coming down, your mask is cracking. I see it day by day. Well, the day is going to come where you won't want to fight it anymore. You're a strong person Ariana but even you have your limits."

Was she really that transparent to him? Could he really read her like a book? If so than she was in bad shape, how long before others would realize what really goes on behind closed doors. If anyone finds out, my parents will have them dead. She knew that now was no place or time to let anyone else get involved. Besides she had overheard her parents talking about the Dark Lord's return. No one can find out! She thought firmly.

"Miss Lyall?" She looked up startled to see Professor Lupin staring down at her. "What are you doing out here this late?" He asked.

"I often come here to sit by the lake to clear my head from time to time; I find it to be very refreshing. Besides, I don't sleep much anyway." She explained.

"How come?" Professor Lupin asked.

"I don't know. I just can't sleep that much" She looked at the lake again.

"In that case, may I sit with you?"

"Well it looks like you're not here to take point away or rattle me out Professor, so by all means." She flashed him a smile and he took his seat next to her, keeping a safe comfortable distance.

For a while they just sat here in silence starring out in space comfortably, for the first time they were both comfortable with each other's presence. Remus felt something happening. Something, he could not explain. It was like warmth surging through his body, it was strange. Lupin had never felt or experience anything like this. Hmm must be the weather he thought.

They could both feel the tension building up again, the calm air was now fading rapidly, almost dead. Remus was about to excuse himself, he felt if he spend any longer time sitting by his student it wouldn't be prudent or professional. As he was slowly moving to get up she spoke.

"Professor….can I ask you something?"

"But of course." He smiled.

"When I tried to perform the Patronus in the train it didn't work because I guess my memory wasn't strong enough, but today in class I was able to do it but because of a memory it as more of a feeling. Is that common?" She asked him.

"Well, no it's not common actually but I've heard of it before. As long as it's a happy and strong feeling it should work nevertheless. Is that what is bothering you?"

"I guess, I just never thought t was possible. I've never come across anything like that on my studies, I always read that the wizard must recall a happy memory in order for the Patronus charm to work but never a feeling."

"It is indeed rare but I wouldn't dwell on it too much Miss Lyall, as long as you can conjure a Patronus you should be fine." He replied honestly and Ariana nodded.

"Well I should get going. I still have a Potions chapter to read before I cn go to sleep." She said while getting up. "Good night Professor."

"Good night Miss Lyall."