Through All the Pain // N. Longbottom

Third Year // Chapter 9

"Turn to page 394," Snape spoke in his normal monotone voice. I raised an eyebrow as I flipped to page 394. Once I got there I had to stop myself from choking on air. 

"Excuse me, sir, but ... where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked as Snape made his way back up the room. 

"That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say, your Professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Page 394." Harry rolled his eyes and flipped to page 394. Ron however got his pages turned by Snape, seeing as he was taking too long. 

"Werewolves?" Ron asked with a frown.

"But, sir, we've only just begun learning about Red Caps and Hinkypunks. We're not meant to cover nocturnal beasts for weeks!" Hermione said as she appeared next to Harry, who was obviously shocked.

"Quiet!" Snape said as he began to walk forward.

"When did she come in?" Ron spoke from his seat, leaning over to Harry. "Did you see her come in?" I chuckled as Hermione just brushed her hair behind her ear. 

"Now. Which of you can tell me the difference between an Animagus and a werewolf?" Hermione's hand shoots up into the air along with mine. He ignores us and keeps walking as more pictures flash on the screen of werewolves.

"No one? How ... disappointing." He sneered as he rounded the front of the room. I looked over and gave Hermione a look which practically begged her not to say anything, alas she couldn't help it. 

"Please, sir, an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice in the matter. Furthermore, the werewolf actively hunts humans and responds only to the call of its own kind --" She said. When she finished Malfoy let out a howl from his seat. 

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said before bearing down on Hermione. "That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Tell me. Are you incapable of restraining yourself? Or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" I clenched my fist as he insulted Hermione. 

"Five points from Gryffindor!" He spoke to the class. "As an antidote to your ignorance, I prescribe two rolls of parchment on the werewolf by Monday morning, with particular emphasis placed on recognizing it." 

I tossed my head back with annoyance. Neville's head hit the desk as he leaned forward, Dean, and Seamus both muttered curse words under their breaths, Ron banged his head on his desk four times, while Harry leaned forward and spoke to Snape.

"Sir, Lori and I have Quidditch tomorrow." Snape leaped forward to Harry's desk.

"Then I suggest you take extra care, Mr. Potter," He twirled to my desk. "You as well Miss Weasley, for loss of a limb will NOT exclude you. Page 394." He said bearing down on Harry once more. I quickly pulled out a piece of parchment and got ready to take notes. Harry just rolled his eyes as Snape passed by.

"The term "werewolf" is a contraction of the Anglo-Saxon of "were," which means "man," and "wolf." Werewolf, Man-Wolf." There are several ways to become a werewolf. They include being given the power of shape-shifting, being bitten by a werewolf, and being born to ..." 

***

The rest of Snape Dark Arts Class was a complete and utter bore. Snape went on and one just giving all one-sided facts about Werewolfs. Not once did he acknowledge that they probably didn't choose to be a Werewolf in the first place. Luckily we only had to endure an hour of him. 

It was a brand new day, granted the sun wasn't shining, and the birds weren't singing. In fact, if Angelina and Alicia could've had their way ... we wouldn't have been playing Quidditch today.