Harry Potter and the Boy Who Howled 𓃦࣪ ִֶָ☾.

The beginning of sixth year at Hogwarts had brought its usual chaos: overflowing corridors, unfinished summer assignments, and James Potter and Sirius Black somehow managing to earn themselves detention before the first week had even ended.

For Yomi, however, the most interesting parts of Hogwarts had never been confined to its classrooms.

Magical creatures had fascinated her for as long as she could remember. While other students preferred spending their free time in the common room, she could usually be found wandering the grounds, buried in a book about some unusual species, or visiting Hagrid to see what new creature he’d gotten his hands on.

It was hardly surprising that she’d become a familiar face around the grounds.

Remus Lupin had noticed her before.

Not that he’d ever actually spoken to her properly.

He knew who she was, of course. It was difficult not to when James occasionally mentioned her, or when Sirius made some passing comment about the girl who apparently had absolutely no sense of self-preservation around magical animals.

Remus usually ignored those comments.

Besides, he had enough of his own problems to worry about.

Between his increasingly exhausting monthly disappearances, keeping his friends out of trouble, and attempting to stay on top of his schoolwork, he didn’t have much time to concern himself with anyone else’s habits.

At least, that was what he told himself.

⸻

It was a cool Saturday afternoon when Remus found himself walking back toward the castle after spending most of the morning in the library.

James and Sirius had disappeared somewhere with Peter, which probably meant trouble was already brewing.

Remus was halfway across the grounds when he noticed someone near Hagrid’s hut.

Yomi.

She was standing beside one of Hagrid’s enclosures, apparently far more interested in whatever was inside it than in the fact that the creature was making some rather suspicious noises.

Remus slowed.

As if summoned by the thought, Hagrid’s booming voice carried across the grounds.

“Careful there! He gets a bit excitable when he’s hungry!”

Remus closed his eyes briefly.

Of course he does.

He considered continuing toward the castle.

He really did.

But then something inside the enclosure rustled loudly, followed by a sharp crash.

Remus stopped.

A moment later, he heard Hagrid laugh.

“Oh, don’t worry! That’s perfectly normal!”

Remus stared toward the hut.

He wasn’t entirely sure why.

Perhaps curiosity.

Perhaps concern.

Or perhaps he simply wanted to make sure that whatever was happening over there didn’t end with Hagrid explaining another unfortunate incident to Professor McGonagall.

Whatever the reason, Remus Lupin was about to have his first proper conversation with Yomi.

And neither of them had the slightest idea where it might lead.