Ravenclaw's Shadow

Chapter 5

I lie in bed, going over yesterdays events in my head. I can still feel George's lips on mine. But then that urge to bite him...

I roll onto my side, troubled. If I hadn't been so shocked, I would've bitten him. I know I would have. And then what? I've never fed on anyone simply because I had the urge. It's always been calculated, controlled. If I had bitten him, would I have been able to stop? How could I explain that? I'd be expelled, maybe even sent to Azkaban. And George would be dead.

I roll over to my other side.

I didn't bite him. I didn't kill him. He didn't even notice my fangs. But what if it happens again?”

I groan. I need to talk to Mum about all this. She can probably explain it. But I'm not going to see her until December, and I don't want to send an owl. I'll just have to tough it out until then. I'll have to make sure George is safe. No more kissing. In fact, it's probably best if we don't hang out at all. After all, isn't that why I distanced myself from everyone in the first place? Just in case something like this happened?

I get out of bed and get dressed to go down to breakfast. I'll sit at the Ravenclaw table. Away from them, from George. If he asks, I'll say I need some space.

I walk out of the common room and George looks up from where he's leaning on the wall and flashes me a smile. My insides melt.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he says, “I was wondering when you'd get up.”

Oh, forget it, I'll risk biting him.

I take his hand and we walk down to breakfast.

“So, the Quidditch season starts soon,” Angelina says, “is Ravenclaw re-”

“Excuse me.”

I look around and see Lupin standing there.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he says, “Aurelia, may I speak with you?”

I stand up and we step outside the Hall.

“How're you feeling?” Lupin asks. I shrug.

“It comes and goes,” I say, “it's like my body processes food more quickly in the evening and at night time and more slowly during the day.”

Lupin nods seriously.

“It's manageable then ?”

“So far,” I nod, “there was a weird thing though...”

Lupin looks at me expectantly and I blush.

“It's nothing,” I say, “it probably won't happen again.”

Lupin nods.

“If your processing doesn't go back to normal in the next few days, let me know,” he says, “we might need to get you looked at.”

“Okay.”

He nods and walks away. I go back into the Hall and join the others.

“In trouble?” Alicia teases. I grin.

“Always,” I laugh, “no, he, um, just wanted to talk about my last essay.”

“The vampire one?” George asks.

“Uh... No, I, um, did a practice essay on, um, dragons,” I lie, “it didn't turn out so well.”

“Practice makes perfect,” Fred says, “speaking of, we have Quidditch practice.”

“Have fun,” I say as all of them, but Lee, stand up. George gives my shoulders a squeeze as he walks out.

“I've got detention,” Lee says, “other wise we could hang out.”