I didn’t see James or Remus for the next two weeks and concern gripped at my stomach even tighter. Every time I asked Sirius about it he turned a deaf ear. I wanted to scream.

Even more odd, the teachers weren’t suspicious about their continual absence. It felt as if everyone knew something I didn’t, and that was extremely annoying.

Finally, at the end of Potions, I approached professor Slughorn.

“Er… Professor?” I asked gently.

He looked up from the essays he was grading and smiled, his eyes sparkling. “Ah, excellent potion today Miss Evans. You are exceptionally talented.”

I blushed. “Thanks very much, sir, but that’s not what I’m here about… Er… well, see, I was just rather curious… do you know where James and Remus have been? There my friends, you see, and I’m awfully worried.”

He looked at me thoughtfully, and said, “Miss Evans, I simply cannot tell you, though I must admit that I was wondering how long it would take you to ask. You’re naturally very curious… and, well, I’m bound to a sort of... ah… contract, you see.”

My face fell but I tried to hide it with a plastic smile. “Oh, well that’s okay…”

To my surprise, his grin spread farther. “Now don’t give up so easy; you’d disappoint me if you did. I wouldn’t do this with many other students, Miss Evans, so take it for granted. Here… It’s a clue.”

He handed me a torn piece of parchment with fancy cursive scribbled on it. I guess he really had been waiting for me to ask.

I wanted to hug him.

I headed towards the library and read it again and again.

By the full moon the answer lies
A potion that will not rid of the disguise
However, the effects are cured
But only if this potion maker in lured

Waving at Madam Pekkons, I entered the Restricted Section. The benefits of being Head Girl were immense.

I searched for any potions book I could find but was soon frustrated that my task proved harder than I imagined. I pondered momentarily on the Polyjuice Potion, since the fluxweed needed to be picked at the full moon, but how would that work? The Polyjuice Potion made a disguise while the riddle said that what ever this was wouldn’t get rid of the disguise.

I was so confused and sleepy and I couldn’t help but to lay my head down and sleep.