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From the corner of his eye, he could see Harry seemed confused, but Blake was focused on Lupin. Just as he'd expected, the colour drained from the already ill man's face, and Blake's guilt tripled. I'm sorry, Professor, he thought, as his face showed no signs of remorse.
"A honeymoon!"
Harry laughed awkwardly.
"Good one, Blake."
Lupin regained his composure.
"I see, Mr Renshaw," he started, his tone ever so slightly icy. Blake didn't miss the change from Lupin calling him 'Blake' to 'Mr Renshaw'. "Excellent joke. I understood it well. Actually, now that I think about it, there was something I've been meaning to discuss with you regarding your most recent homework, Mr Renshaw. D'you mind stepping into my office for a moment, if you're free?"
"Of course, Professor," Blake responded seamlessly. "I'll see you later, Harry."
"Bye, Harry," Lupin echoed, walking stiffly towards his office. What would Mum say if she knew I was blackmailing a teacher?
"Bye…" Harry said, confused yet again. It's for your benefit, really, Harry.
"So, Mr Renshaw, I take it you've discovered my… secret?" Lupin finally said behind closed doors, his face unusually stony.
"You're a werewolf," Blake said plainly. Lupin smiled twistedly, not angry, but certainly not happy either.
"Yes, Mr Renshaw. I am."
"That doesn't bother me, sir."
Lupin looked up at him, surprised. "Oh? I see. Well, I am happy to hear that, Blake, but please, I'd very much prefer it if you didn't make it so obvious-"
"But, Professor, it will bother other people I know."
Lupin froze suddenly, and looked Blake directly in the eyes. For the first time, the boy could see a darker, wolfish look in the man's eyes.
"Are you trying to blackmail me, Mr Renshaw?"
"No, sir. I just want your help with something."
Lupin's eyes narrowed, and Blake could feel the anger radiating off the man.
"I see. And what would that be?"
"Well, firstly, I'd need your word that you won't tell anyone what it is, Professor - especially not Dumbledore."
"Professor Dumbledore, Mr Renshaw. And very well - you have my word."
"Nice," Blake grinned falsely. "I can't right now, but this evening, I'll arrange for an Unbreakable Vow to be made, just as a precaution."
Lupin's eyes looked like they'd come out of their sockets.
"An Unbreakable Vow? Do you even know-"
"Yes, Professor. And just so you're aware, I've made arrangements so that if I don't confirm that today was successful, by the end of today, the entire school will know-"
"I understand, Mr Renshaw," Lupin said, trying very hard to remain calm. "What is it you require?"
Blake grinned.
"Well, there's something I want, Professor. You see, I've been looking for some information, and I can't find it in Hogwarts, but there is somewhere where I'm certain it'll be."
"And where is that?" Lupin asked through clenched teeth.
"The Black family's home."
"What?"
"I'm sure you've caught on by now, Professor," Blake grinned widely. "I want your help to catch Sirius Black, and make him give me what I'm looking for. A nice bonus would be to let Harry get his revenge, as long as it's not too bad, as well."
Lupin looked at him as if he couldn't decide if he was angry or shocked.
"Win-win situation, right? No one finds out about your … furry problem, I get what I want, Harry gets closure and revenge, and Sirius Black returns to Azkaban, or if he's lucky, dies."
The Defence teacher stared at Blake, unable to fathom how a 14 year old could think so darkly. But what choice do I have? Lupin thought, deeply frustrated. I was told this child was good - I thought this child was good - and now he's blackmailing me?
His logic is twisted - he's certainly a person that believes the ends justify the means. The boy believes that, because at the end of the day I'll keep my job and secret, Harry gets revenge and Sirius is punished, what he's doing is okay.
What a dangerous mindset, the man thought, shuddering. But if it doesn't end in anything untoward, I suppose Dumbledore would forgive me for agreeing? The last thing I want to do is leave this school - I love teaching, and watching over Harry - especially now with that traitor on the loose - is my duty.
Besides… deep down, I've been looking for a reason to catch Sirius.
But I have to wonder - if I said no, would Blake Renshaw truly tell the world my secret?
"Very well, Blake," Lupin said heavily. "I'll help you."
Blake grinned.
"That's great! Thanks, Professor! Before the feast, I'll be back for the Vow. See you!"
As the boy left his office, Lupin sank back into his chair, still in disbelief about what just happened.
Blake Renshaw - you really are something.
/
"I told you he'd be here," Zabini smirked at Charlotte, who maturely stuck her tongue out in response. Finally, Blake thought, closing his book as he looked at his friends. Unsurprisingly, they were each holding at least 2 full sacks of things that they'd bought from Hogsmeade.
"Here," Zabini said, tossing a smaller but still full bag at Blake's face.
"Oi! Wait - aww, Zabini," Blake grinned like a shark, "You did buy me stuff! I knew you loved me!"
"Don't flatter yourself," the halfblood grumbled. "They forced me to."
"Shut up, Blaise, you were about to buy him chocolate anyway," Tracey said, rolling her eyes.
"No, I wasn't! Maybe if you and Charlotte weren't so drunk off butterbeer-"
"No we were not!"
"-then you'd know!"
"Shut up, all of you," Greengrass said tiredly. "My legs hurt. Renshaw, hold my bags."
"You hold them yourself!"
"How ungentlemanly you are," the girl sighed. "Your mother would be ashamed."
"Just put the bags on the ground and stop whining," Blake said, rolling his eyes.
"There are delicate items in there, I can't!"
"That makes no sense? Just put it on the ground gently!"
"It'll still break!"
"What do you want me to do about it?" Blake snapped and stood up, slowly becoming irritated at the girl.
Greengrass however, had no intention of backing down. She squared up to him, staring at him directly in the face. Blake was acutely aware of how close she was standing to him. Have I always been this much taller than her?
"I said, 'Hold my bags'!"
"Why should I?"
"Because-"
A loud crunch made them both look away. Charlotte, Tracey and Zabini were both sitting down and sharing snacks, eating them as if they were watching a movie.
"Blaise, you ruined it!" Tracey complained. "It was just getting good!"
"Shut up, Tracey!"
"I knew he was going to ruin it the second he picked up that Blazing Cracker," Charlotte muttered, genuinely annoyed.
"Shut up, Charlotte!"
"Shut up, all of you!" Blake and Greengrass both said at the same time, before reddening slightly. That was so f*cking cringe, Blake thought, dying internally.
"How cute," Tracey cooed, before deadpanning. "Now kiss."
"Rictusempra!"
"Waddiwasi!"
Tracey immediately doubled over onto the floor in uncontrollable laughter, also covered in ink from the bottle that broke and splattered all over her.
Before long, all five of the Slytherins were laughing together, and Blake, for the umpteenth time, was grateful for these annoying, stupid, ragebaiting people that he called friends. But business first.
"Greengrass," he whispered to her discreetly.
"Hm?"
"I need your help again."
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