Standing just outside the castle, Valentine waited for the man she knew would be leaving Hogwarts today. She knew he would be leaving because the one behind it had told her himself. She doubted she had ever been so disgusted by Snape's actions in the past and he had said some truly horrible things.

Snape had argued that they couldn't allow this to continue, that after last night Lupin was a proven threat who could have killed Harry on the spot and already too much of a risk to Dumbledore who could face serious repercussions for knowingly having an unregistered werewolf on his staff. If that had been Snape's only reason for 'accidentally' leaking Lupin's secret, then Valentine could have almost understood it. It would have been coming from a place of honest concern and truly, after last night, who could blame him? But she knew him too well for that. He used Harry and Dumbledore's well-being as a buffer for his own selfish agenda. He wanted Lupin gone because he didn't like him. It was that simple. He ruined the man's chance at a somewhat stable life because he was a petty tyrant and it made Valentine's blood boil.

She didn't have much longer to wait as she caught sight of Lupin, stepping out past the castle walls, carrying a large battered, leather bag. He hadn't yet noticed her.

"It appears me keeping my mouth shut all this time was a waste." She said.

Lupin turned to her abruptly, blinking. He was clearly surprised to see her standing there so early in the morning.

"It would appear so."

He was pale and sickly so, the dark hollows under his eyes more pronounced then she had ever seen them before. His right hand was wrapped in a bandage and there was a cut on his forehead. She didn't want to think about him going out into the world like that. She didn't want to think about how he was probably used to it. So, she didn't.

"Great." Valentine crossed her arms over her chest with a dissatisfied scowl. "I just can't wait to see what an incompetent fool tries to teach next year."

"I'm certain you'll let them know where they stand." Lupin gave her a tired, lopsided smile.

"Well, someone has to." Valentine scoffed. "Just trust our only half-decent Professor to be the type that turns into a raging, bloodthirsty beast once a month. As if Snape wasn't enough!"

Lupin laughed at that, the sound contained all the warmth and boldness you'd never imagine coming from a man who looked so miserable.

"Yes, well, I get the feeling you'll be able to handle anyone who is chosen for the position." He then shot her a knowing look. "You did survive a werewolf attack after all."

"Did I?" Valentine frowned. "Hardly noticed."

Lupin laughed again but this laugh was thin and bitter and he quickly fell into a more serious disposition.

"You're a force to be reckoned with, I'll give you that. Although, I would strongly advise keeping your distance next time. I can't say I've ever seen your talents in one so young, but I also can't say it'll save you every time. I don't doubt that you know how dangerous your actions were-"

"Ugh. Save it."

Lupin sighed heavily.

"Rolling your eyes and scoffing isn't going to change that fact that what you did was extremely foolish."

"What happened to me being a force to be reckoned with?"

His eyes bored into her.

"You could have been killed, or worse. What were you even doing there? Taking a walk in the forest during a full moon? With what you know?"

"I heard that stupid hippogriff had disappeared." Valentine waved a hand dismissively. "You've no idea the tantrum Draco was throwing over it. I knew Hagrid must have hidden it somewhere in the forest, so I was looking for it to hopefully shut Draco up."

"For an incredibly intelligent girl that was an extraordinarily bad decision. How did you even know to lead me to the Shrieking Shack?"

"I didn't." She shrugged. "I was just trying to slow you down so I could put some more distance between us. I had no idea you'd end up trapped. That's where you've been spending your transformations, isn't it?"

Lupin shook his head like he couldn't believe what she so saying, and so casually.

"I'm starting to think you don't actually know how dangerous your actions were. You really don't grasp how close you came to death last night, do you?"

"You can stop with the lecture now!" She snapped suddenly. "I won't stand here and let filth like you talk down to me. You should be grateful for what I did. Because of me, you don't have the death of children weighing on your mind and you're certainly the type to be bothered by that."

"My point is, you never should have been put in that position!" Lupin raised his voice before he could stop himself.

"Then maybe you should never have come here!" She spat, eyes glowing viciously. "You should leave now. Have fun sleeping under a bridge somewhere begging for pity and don't ever expect or hope for that to change because this world will never accept what you are."

Lupin was too stunned for a moment to speak and so she turned on her heel and started walking away.

"Is that really what you think?" Lupin's voice stopped her. "Because it seems to me that someone who is so obviously disgusted, would have turned me in the first chance they had."

"I don't know when you formed such a high opinion of me, Professor, but it couldn't be further from the truth." Valentine turned back to face him, closing that gap between them again. "As I told you once before, I kept your hairy little secret because you had something to teach other than your favourite colour and personal achievements. I couldn't bare having you fired one lesson in if it risked having me being settled with another egotistical, man child. I kept your secret because it benefited me. Nothing more, nothing less. So, I wouldn't go constructing any ideas of my decency or morals, sir, as I lack both."

Lupin frowned deeply, taking in what she said. He glanced down at his feet for a moment and then back up at her, eyes searching hers.

"Is it so far fetched for me to hope that the part of you that knowingly allowed one such as myself to teach, would see the error in the ways your guardians have raised you? That how you treat others isn't acceptable?"

Valentine laughed as if she had never heard anything so hilarious, shaking her head at him incredulously.

"You really we're hoping I wasn't what I appeared to be, weren't you? You got your ragged little heart set on me having some kind of secret compassionate side and look where it got you." Valentine stepped closer, staring up at the scarred man, eyes sparkling madly. She spoke softly. She didn't need to shout to get these words across. "Listen here, Remus Lupin. What you see, is what you get. I'm not some mindless child for you to mould however you like. We both know that one day the Dark Lord will likely return and I know where I will stand when he does. If we should ever meet on such opposite grounds, you best not let those hopes for me get in your way, because I will kill you without a second thought."

Lupin blinked several times, taken back. He was a disturbed, concerned and disappointed. She could see it all in his eyes. Then his expression changed to something more like pity. This cursed man with a cursed life felt pity for her.

"You're still young. For your sake, Valentine, I hope your logic will one day override your ideals. I hope you can realize that the path you're on won't bring you anything but pain."

"Don't count on it." She spat and turned away from him again. "Goodbye, Professor. It's been a mild pleasure and a major irritation."

This time he didn't stop her but she could feel him staring. He was trying to give her an out, give her a chance. If things had been different, she might have taken it. But he didn't know they were already on the same side. He didn't know her secret the way she knew his. He hoped that one day she could become a good person and she hoped in return to one day have the chance to thank him. To let him know that it was never that far fetched. To let him know that she was grateful someone like him gave chances to children born to the darkness, chances that could give them some light.

-----Pretending To Hate-----

Staring up at the canopy of her bed in the dark, Valentine frowned. The dream had woken her again, probably an hour ago. At this rate, she wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon and bloody hell did she need that sleep. She had full days of sleep debt piling up and after spending a night running threw the forest with a werewolf at her heels, it had probably doubled.

She considered bugging Snape for a sleeping potion but then remembered that he was awful and she hated his guts. She had his class for second period tomorrow and didn't plan on being gentle. She knew she could always ask Madam Pomfrey for something to help but then she would have to explain why she needed, why she somehow wasn't sleeping. And if it began public knowledge that she wasn't then her aunt and uncle would be told and Narcissa would fuss and worry probably come in person to make her hot cocoa and sing her a lullaby. Valentine hated Narcissa's coddling tendencies as it was, if something was actually, notably wrong with her it would be completely unbearable. But none of that changed her need to sleep.

She threw a glance over at her dorm mates. Olivia was on her side, facing towards Valentine, dark hair falling over her one side of her face. Her single teddy bear sat at the end of the bed against one of the posts. Leah, on the other hand, buried herself under dozens of them. She was actually in her own bed tonight. She was getting too tall to share a bed so narrow with someone else, given that she had to curl her legs to her chest or sleep on an angle to fit. Not that it stopped her when she was feeling cuddly. Valentine envied the regular eight hours of sleep they each got per night.

Sighing, she sat up in bed. Professor Sprout had given out some theory homework that day and she intended to get it done tomorrow but seeing as it was already technically tomorrow, she figured why not? She got up and went to her trunk where her books from that day still sat in a neat pile. She was reaching for her Herbology notebook when the room filled with a mossy green light.

"Val?" Olivia asked tiredly, now half sitting up in bed, hand posed at the base of her bedside table lamp. When turned on, the marbled opaque malachite lampshades always gave the room a green glow.

"No. It's Santa Claus." Valentine rolled her eyes. "Of course, it's me."

"Right." Olivia nodded, still too drowsy to be sheepish.

"Go back to bed," Valentine told her, grabbing her book.

"Where are you going?" Olivia stared at her blearily, hair mused up comically on one side.

"Can't sleeping. I'm going to do homework in the common room."

"Oh. Can I come with you?"

"Just go to sleep, Olivia."

"Hmm. But Leah needs help tomorrow so I should get a head start." Olivia started to get out of bed.

"Screw Leah." Valentine snapped. "Just go to sleep."

Olivia paused and slowly pulled the covers back over her.

"Alright." She whispered.

God. She's like a kicked puppy. Or a kitten in a tree. Or a turtle soaked in an oil spill. And you get any more pitiful?

"Oh, bloody hell." Valentine cursed. "Fine. Get up if you want, I don't care. Be Leah's damn slave forever."

Valentine took her book and her quill and inkwell and headed downstairs.

In the common room, the fire was long burnt out so Valentine turned on the standing lamp by one of the tables and put down her things. When Olivia came down a minute or two later, she had put on her dressing gown and slippers. Valentine hadn't bothered, it was always something that irritated Narcissa. Something about being properly attired in front of others. In her nightdress, Valentine was completely covered so she didn't understand the issue.

Olivia sat at the table across from her somewhat hesitantly like she was waiting for Valentine to tell her to leave.

Valentine didn't even look up from her book.

Olivia got to work and they stayed like that for a time. Olivia was so quiet it wouldn't have been hard to forget she was even there, but Valentine always made it a point to aware of those around her. The silence wasn't tense or awkward. That's all it was. Silence. Two girls sitting at a table doing homework. Valentine expected for Olivia to get tired sooner rather than later but she stayed just where she was.

"So, ah..." Olivia broke the silence.

"And you were doing so well." Said Valentine, with no lack of sarcasm.

"I...um...I don't have to talk if-"

"Just say it."

"Well...I was going to ask how you though the school was going to accommodate for Professor Lupin leaving. I mean, Professor can't pick all his classes when he has his own."

"They'll probably just get some other teachers to substitute and throw in a few extra study periods. If Blaze is lucky, they'll be more lenient with the grade average this year to make up for it."

"Blaze has actually been doing very well recently." Olivia smiled. "He didn't even fall asleep in History."

"That was because Leah had fallen asleep and he was putting things in her hair."

"Ah. Right."

"Look. Contrary to how he behaves, Blaze does have a brain in there somewhere, he just neglects to use it."

"I think some people just don't suit classrooms."

"Well, it's good that being wealthy suits him just fine then." Valentine scoffed. "He'll never have to work. Not that he could probably hold a job."

Olivia pinched her lips into a line like she was holding back laughter.

"Yeah, I don't think his bosses would like him falling asleep whenever he wanted. Or getting into arguments."

"He'd probably quit every afternoon and then show up late the next day like nothing ever happen." Valentine snorted.

"Or maybe he'll surprise us all and find a job he really loves and will work hard at."

"Maybe. But I doubt it."

Olivia couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Oh, I feel so bad talking about Blaze like this. He's, you know...a little sensitive."

"He'll live. Besides, he'd forgive anything you'd say in a heartbeat. Any of the boys would."

"Uh, really?" Olivia turned bright pink at her words.

"They're suckers like that." Valentine snorted. "They like to pretend they're all tough men but I know better. You should have seen them all at my birthday when Leah got out her crocodile tears because no one wanted to dance with her. She had them in the palm of her at no time."

"Yeah, Leah told me about that. I think she's a bit more clever then she lets on."

"Manipulative is not clever. It's probably just a byproduct of spending too much time with the Malfoy's."

Olivia gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth, giggling.

"What?" Asked Valentine.

"Well...Liam has a little... manipulative side, I guess you could say. A very little one. Of course, you would have noticed by now. Do you think...do you think Liam got it from Draco? They spend so much time together, doing each others hair and stuff. Maybe Liam's picking it up like Leah."

"That'd figure." Valentine scoffed. "Next Liam will be making jokes about his own premature death as well."

"Oh no, Draco would hate that!"

"He hates everything. I think that's the point."

"Oh, are we slandering Draco's name?" A voice spoke up from behind them. "Can I join?"

"Blaze!" Olivia clapped a hand over her heart. "You scared me."

"Sorry, my bad."

"Why are awake?" Asked Valentine, glancing at him over her shoulder.

"I had a nightmare."

"I hope it wasn't too bad." Said Olivia.

"It was terrifying." Blaze literally shivered where he stood. "I was being chased by a giant jelly bean."

"Oh..."

"It was pickle flavoured."

"...okay."

"It was so gross and kept trying to jump in my mouth! I nearly puked when I woke up! Liam's shoes were the only thing I could think to use so it's good that I didn't."

"Sure, sounds like it."

"So, what are you girls doing?"

"Homework." Said Valentine.

"That may actually be grosser than the pickle dream." Blaze grimaced. Valentine sent a glare over her shoulder and he stiffen. "And you are wayyyy scarier. I'm going to leave now before I have a nightmare while awake. Goodbye."

Blaze turned on his heel and walked right back the way he'd come.

"Forget what I said about him having a brain in there somewhere," Valentine grumbled and Olivia smothered another laugh.

-----Pretending To Hate-----

Snape had decided, that since their Defence Against the Dark Art's assignment had been cancelled in favour for an exam, that it meant the students would have no problem squeezing in another assignment from him.

Jerk.

Valentine could keep up just fine but her friends weren't so lucky and multiple students that had been solidly on top of their work were now falling behind. And it was for that reason, that Liam and Blaze had followed Valentine to the library to beg for help. Olivia had elected to keep Leah with her and study elsewhere. Putting Leah and Blaze together in a study environment wasn't a great idea and already happened way too often for comfort.

Liam at least had the decency to use the small scraps of knowledge she dolled out just to shut them up. Blaze, however, didn't even pretend to work. His attention was focused on trying to balance his quill on one finger. And like, with most things Blaze, he failed. The quill clattered to the tabletop and as he sank down in his chair to sulk about it, he caught sight of Liam's open Herbology book.

"Hey. That flower looks kind of like Leah, don't you think?" He said absently.

What?

Valentine and Liam shared a confused expression and then both turned to stare at Blaze.

The boy's mouth fell open. He blinked once. Twice. He slowly seemed to realize what he had just said.

"Did I just say that out loud?"

Liam nodded wordlessly, in state of shock of his own for a moment before he pulled it together.

"So, Leah looks like a flower, eh?"

"Uh, yeah- You know. A really horrible flower." Blaze quickly back-peddled. "Like a Venus FlyTrap or Deadly Nightshade or something."

"Blaze." Liam held up his book. "This is an orchid."

"I- uh, I saw the picture wrong?"

"Nice try, but no one is buying that."

Blaze groaned loudly like he'd been punched in the gut. He laid his upper half dramatically over the table.

"Ahem. Mr Zambini." The librarian passed them with a scowl. "If you could please lower your whinings."

To say she didn't like them was an understatement. They were troublemakers and typically troublemakers and nice peaceful libraries didn't mix. More often than not it was either Blaze's or Leah's antics that got them kicked out.

Blaze waved her off weakly and she left muttering something under her breath. Blaze sent a pitiful look at Valentine and Liam.

"I would appreciate on pain or death of you would not repeat this. Leah would mock me till the grave."

"I think that was already her plan."

"Damn it, Liam. Work with me here! She'd eat me alive if she heard me say that!"

"Are you sure that's not what you want?"

"What!" Blaze shrieked.

"Mr Zambini." The librarian hadn't gotten too far before