Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including, but not limited to, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Stolen: Greyback's Revenge
Chapter 1 - Hunger

For about the millionth time since he had returned to Hogwarts, Harry couldn't sleep. He sat up in his bed in Gryffindor tower, rubbing at his eyes in frustration. This couldn't go on. A week of not being able to sleep left him dragging and in a fog throughout the day, and he often fell asleep in his classes now. He had already lost a hundred house points to Snape because of it, and his grades were going to be showing the evidence soon enough.

It was odd. The only time he ever really felt safe at Hogwarts now was at meals or when he was in his classes, when everyone was in large groups, wide awake and alert. When the sun set, and everyone started drifting off for the night, that feeling of dread began creeping back into Harry. It left him positively uncomfortable and unable to relax enough to get any decent amount of sleep at night. It was awful.

His thoughts kept going to the Room of Requirement, to the Vanishing Cabinet that had once been there. To the Death Eaters that had so easily gained access to Hogwarts through said cabinet. Harry kept picturing them in his mind, creeping into the castle in the dead of night, everyone sound asleep in their beds and unaware of the danger that was about to befall them.

The cabinet had since been removed from the castle, but Harry couldn't help but wonder if they might find some other way in. The idea sounded absurd. After all, wasn't the castle probably the safest right now, after such an occurrence? Everyone was on their guard, and the Death Eaters certainly wouldn't try again so soon. But Harry had never imagine that they'd be able to gain entry to the castle in the first place. It wasn't completely out of the question that they might be able to do so a second time.

Every time he closed his eyes, Harry was terrified that the next time he opened them, he might be face-to-face with a Death Eater. Especially Greyback, and Harry didn't know what it was about the overgrown werewolf that made him so terrifying. With any of the other Death Eaters, even Bellatrix or Lucius, Harry wasn't entirely afraid of them. They seemed to be more of a nuisance to Harry, a thorn in his side ever since he had met them, but Greyback was different. Perhaps it was the possibility that Greyback might choose to devour him at any moment. That somehow seemed scarier than even any of the Unforgivables - that Greyback could reduce Harry to nothing more than a sad pile of bloodied remains.. It sent shivers up his spine.

Harry slung his legs over the edge of the bed, pushed his curtains open, and stood up. He'd never be able to sleep now, not with the image of Greyback tearing him limb from limb so fresh and stark in his mind. Harry quickly changed out of his pajamas and threw on some Muggle jeans and a sweatshirt. Next, he dug the Invisibility Cloak and the Marauder's Map out of his trunk, fully realizing how silly this was.

After all, for most of his Hogwarts' career, Harry had been wanted and hunted by the Death Eaters. It had never bothered him this much before. He had never laid in bed with so many sleepless nights. He didn't know why this time was so different, other than the fact that Greyback was different. Scarier. More threatening. Even though he was nothing but an overgrown bully. Nevertheless, Remus had admitted that even he was afraid of Greyback. Remus was one of the bravest men Harry knew, and the fact that he could admit to being afraid of some things didn't make Harry feel so alone. Or stupid.

And Harry was being stupid now. He knew he shouldn't go wandering about past curfew, especially not after everything Remus had just done to get him out of his latest pickle. But the fact of the matter was that Harry didn't feel safe in Hogwarts any longer. If the Death Eaters could breach the castle's security so easily to get to him, what did it matter if Harry went wandering around at night or not? He figured he was just as in danger in his bed as he was standing with a target on his back in the middle of London.

As he made his way down the dormitory stairs, Harry lit his wand and muttered the password for the Marauder's Map. He did a quick check of the castle and the grounds, making sure that all adults and teachers were either safely tucked away in their quarters, or far away from the path Harry would be taking. It wouldn't do to get caught, especially when the battle of Hogwarts had been so recent. Harry would be in a load of trouble for being so careless now when he was supposed to be doing everything in his power to keep himself as safe as possible. Like that was even possible in Hogwarts any longer.

Harry safely tucked the Map into his pocket before pulling the Invisibility Cloak on over himself. He held his still glowing wand out in front of him as he slowly made his way through the twisting corridors of the castle. Lately, Hogwarts was only serving to make him feel completely smothered, and not in a good way. The only good kind of smothered was when he was at home, with Sirius and Remus. More and more, Harry was coming to realize that number twelve, Grimmauld Place was his true home, and not Hogwarts any longer. Remus and especially Sirius had a way of making him feel smothered there, but it was a feeling Harry welcomed. It made him feel completely safe and taken care of, something he hadn't felt a whole lot of in his life.

The last month since Remus's escape from Greyback's pack had been like a dream come true to Harry. Remus had been having a hard time adjusting to being back at home, especially at first, but Harry couldn't think of anywhere he would have rather been than at home helping him. Since the battle at Hogwarts had happened in the middle of December, so close to the Christmas holidays, Harry had been allowed to remain at number twelve, Grimmauld Place until the new term resumed this month. It had turned out to be a godsend for him as well as godfathers, and Harry truly felt that his and Sirius's constant support over the last month had gotten Remus through the worst of the emotional repercussions of his latest mission.

Now, Harry wanted nothing more than to return there. Hogwarts just wasn't the same anymore, and that depressed him. Harry longed for the old days when he felt truly safe here, like nothing bad could happen to him under Dumbledore's care. The headmaster had often been overbearing, yes, but welcome all the same. The moment those Death Eaters had set foot in the castle, that had all been shattered. Harry still felt smothered, but by danger, by Death Eaters. Like they might be lurking around any corner, ready to jump out and drag him off to Voldemort. Harry almost couldn't stand it, and the only thing that seemed to make it better was escaping the castle. Taking a walk around the grounds and getting some air. The danger wasn't any less out there, but at least there were open spaces and places to escape to. Harry couldn't help but remember the trapped feeling when he had been caught with Remus in between a bunch of Death Eaters in the narrow corridors of Hogwarts. There was nowhere to run, nowhere that wasn't being guarded by Death Eaters. At least outside, that was different. The Death Eaters couldn't keep an eye on everything that went on out there.

When Harry finally reached the entrance hall, he carefully pushed one of the doors open, stepping out onto the moonlit grounds. It was the middle of January and absolutely frigid, but Harry welcomed it. The winter breeze fluttered around him, lifting up the edges of the Invisibility Cloak and cooling him. It made him feel free in a way, like the wind was carrying away all his fears with it. Like he just might be able to fly away with the wind and leave all his worries behind.

Harry wasn't even sure where he was going. Oftentimes, he'd just aimlessly wander about the grounds, dreading the moment when it became too late or he got too cold and would be forced to return to his bed. That was the way he started out tonight, but for some reason, he found himself drifting down towards the front gates. He didn't have any intention of actually leaving the grounds; after all, since the battle at the Department of Mysteries, the front gates of Hogwarts remained spelled and locked. Not that that did any good, because the Death Eaters were finding ways in anyway. However, once Harry actually got there, he found the front gates standing wide open.

At first, this caused Harry's heart to pound in his chest, figuring that the Death Eaters were back again. That they had found a way to get past the protective spells Dumbledore had in place. He glanced back up at the castle, his first thought to run and alert Dumbledore to this latest turn of events. But then he heard the gates squealing on their hinges.

Harry looked back to the gates only to see Argus Filch pulling the left side closed. He was muttering under his breath about students and how the Weasley twins' products were still making his work a living hell, despite the fact that they were long gone from the school. Filch then reached for the right side of the gate, but then he paused, digging around in his pockets for something.

Harry made a split second decision. He knew he was being beyond reckless. Wandering around the castle and the grounds after dark was one thing, but sneaking out of the gates was entirely another. That didn't stop him. For some reason unbeknownst to him, Harry felt like he was being pulled to the Forbidden Forest by some unseen force, and he did nothing to stop it. Harry scurried the remaining distance to the gate, squeezing in between it and Filch just before the caretaker pulled it shut and locked it. Harry didn't know how he would get back in, nor did he care at that moment. All that seemed to be on his mind was getting as far away from the castle as possible. Putting as much distance between himself and that stifling feeling it overwhelmed him with as of late.

Tiptoeing across dew-dampened grass, Harry made his way across the remaining distance to the forest. He threw a glance back over his shoulder again, but this time, it was directed up at the midnight black sky. The moon was large and bright, but still several days from becoming full. Not that that made things any safer. Just because there weren't werewolves running around the forest didn't make it any less dangerous, but at least there was one less thing to worry about.

Or so he thought.

In the end, Harry opted for staying just on the outskirts of the forest. Just being there, having the shadow of the trees hanging over him made him feel so much safer than Hogwarts did anymore. It made him feel freer, like he didn't have any demented cabinets around the corner that might bring him face-to-face with Voldemort or any one of his minions. He felt content, much more so than he had felt the entire week he'd been back at school.

He sighed heavily, wanting nothing more than to just go home. It occurred to Harry that perhaps he should just go and plead his case to Dumbledore. Tell him how unsafe Hogwarts made him feel now, and how much better he felt being with Remus and Sirius. That would be such a wonderful thing, if he would be allowed to live with his godfathers for the duration of his school years. But Harry knew Dumbledore would never allow it. Despite how dangerous Hogwarts might have become, Dumbledore would feel best if he could keep an eye on Harry himself. If Dumbledore was even there half the time anymore, which Harry knew he wasn't. He was off hunting for more Horcruxes, but Harry knew Dumbledore still considered Hogwarts to be his domain, one that Voldemort wouldn't dare breach himself. No, he'd just send his lackeys to do it for him, but as long as Voldemort was afraid of him, Dumbledore would certainly want Harry under his thumb. Damn man was so infuriating half the time.

As Harry was making his way around the line of trees, he heard something snap beyond them. Harry directed his still lit wand towards the direction of the sound, squinting his eyes into the blackness. It was much too dark, however, to see anything through the shadows the leaves cast, even with the aid of his wand. Whatever it was, it had been loud, signifying perhaps some large animal making its way through the woods on its nightly prowl for food.

Harry's heart began to speed up again, and his breathing quickened. But he was being silly. Whatever it was, Harry was safely hidden under his Invisibility Cloak. No matter what it was, it couldn't see him. It never occurred to him that not all creatures in the forest relied on their sight to find food.

Harry continued on his way, careful to be as quiet as possible as he went. He still didn't feel he was in danger, but it wouldn't do to alert some dark creature to his presence nonetheless. Little did Harry know that said creature already was alerted. In fact, it had been aware of him for quite some time, and it was stalking him behind the safe guise of the trees.

Then Harry heard another cracking sound, another limb breaking in the wake of whatever large creature was lurking beyond the trees. Harry whirled towards the sound, fear exploding in the pit of his stomach. If he wasn't much mistaken, he thought he also heard a faint growling noise, but Harry prayed that it was just the rapid beating of his own heart.

But Harry was scared. Much more so than he had been in his bed, and that was the only place he wanted to be right then - tucked safe and sound under his covers, whether a suspicious cabinet lurked around the corner or not. He had been completely stupid to venture out of bed in the first place, let alone to leave the grounds. Harry glanced back at the front gates, which were now tightly closed with no sign of Filch or anyone else about. Other than Harry himself and the creature beyond the trees, the entire area seemed almost dead.

Harry didn't know if he'd be able to climb the fence to get back onto school grounds, but he knew he had to try. Besides, he couldn't wait out here all night, waiting for someone to come and let him back in. He had made a grave mistake by coming out here in the first place, and he just needed to go back. And he vowed to himself that if he ever made it safely back to his bed, he'd never be so stupid as to venture out like this on his own again. He was through being stupid. He was through carelessly gambling the sacrifice that his parents, Sirius, Remus, and everyone else had already made to save his life.

Turning on his heel, Harry darted back up towards the gates, but he didn't quite make it. He heard more snapping twigs behind him, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps on the soft grass. Something was after him, and Harry ran faster still. He felt sweat breaking out on his skin, absolutely chilling him to the bone when the cold winter air hit it. Harry shivered, and just when he thought that he had a chance at scaling the fence, he lost his footing.

Something very large and heavy had hit him square in the back. Harry flew forward, his arms flailing out in front of him, desperately trying to grab onto something, but there was nothing there. Nothing to break his fall, nothing to save him. Harry's knee hit the ground, followed by his hands, and they all throbbed in pain at the impact. Harry, however, kept falling. His arms and leg did nothing to break his fall, did nothing to stop the momentum the creature had given him. Harry's chest hit the ground next, knocking the air out of his lungs. He gasped for breath, and then his left temple landed on something hard and sharp. Perhaps a rock.

Harry lay sprawled out on the ground, his world growing fuzzy around him. It got even darker, like someone had completely blocked out what little light the moon had been providing. For a moment, Harry thought that he was going to lose consciousness, but then something grabbed him. Whatever it was tore the Invisibility Cloak from his body, completely exposing him for all to see. Then Harry was forced over onto his back, his head lolling around on his neck. Even his eyes swiveled around in their sockets, unable to focus on any one object.

"Potter," someone purred in his face, and that was when Harry knew exactly who it was. There was only one person - one creature - that had a smell like that. The foul breath and body odor invaded his senses, snapping his mind briefly back to clarity. Images from Harry's last encounter with Greyback flooded through his mind - Greyback throwing him up against the wall and fully intending to eat him.

"I've been waiting for you," Greyback said hungrily, licking his lips noisily. "Ever since you and Lupin got away from me. I've been here, watching you ever since you returned to school. You like to wander about the grounds at night, hm?" Greyback laughed. "Oh, but I never thought you'd be stupid enough to leave the safety of your silly school, to walk straight to me. To allow me to take what should have been mine the last time we met. Foolish boy. Did you really think a juvenile Invisibility Cloak would fool me? I don't need my sight to see! My other senses more than compensate for having to hunt in the dark. Of course, I wouldn't expect a mere human to understand that."

Then he inhaled deeply, seeming to smell Harry. He fisted his hands in the front of Harry's sweatshirt, but he dug in a little too hard. Harry could feel Greyback's long fingernails making quick work out his clothes and sinking into his flesh beyond. A warm wetness spread out across Harry's chest, and Greyback pulled back a hand. He stuck up his index finger and brought it to his lips, his tongue darting out to lave at his yellowed nails which now carried tiny droplets of Harry's blood. Greyback's eyes rolled back in their sockets, and he licked at his lips voraciously, like he hadn't eaten in years.

Harry's vision was still fuzzy, but he vaguely remembered his wand he had been holding a moment ago. He thought it had been flung out ahead of him when he'd fallen, so he reached his arms up over his head, fumbling around in the dark for it. All he could feel, however, was the wet grass and the fabric of his Invisibility Cloak. It occurred to him that perhaps his wand had gotten tangled up in the cloak itself, and he started threading his fingers through it, but he grasped nothing but the silky material.

Harry almost wanted to cry out in fear and frustration, but he clenched his teeth, trying to steel himself. He knew it would probably make the overgrown werewolf even more excited to know he was afraid, and he wasn't about to give Greyback the satisfaction.

"Looking for something?" Greyback asked around a grin, the moonlight glinting off of his long and discolored teeth. He reached for something on the ground to Harry's left, and a moment later, he held it up - Harry's wand. "This perhaps?"

As quickly as he could, Harry swiped out a hand for it, but Greyback easily tossed it aside before Harry's fingers got anywhere near it. Harry's hand didn't seem to respond as well as it normally did, almost like Harry was submerged in water and that was hampering his progress. Also, just from that small exertion, Harry felt extremely tired, like he had just gotten through an intense exercise workout. He rolled his head to the left, and he spotted his wand where it had landed - several feet away and well out of his reach.

"Can't have that," Greyback chuckled. "It wouldn't do to have you perform your spells on me while my back is turned. I've waited too long for this to be that careless." Greyback then hooked his fingernails into the front of Harry's sweatshirt again, pulling at the small punctures he had already made there. He began tearing it apart down the front, exposing Harry's sweaty and blood-soaked skin to the night air. Greyback ducked his head, lapping at the blood that had pooled on Harry's chest. Greyback grumbled with pleasure deep in his throat.

Harry summoned all his strength and shoved his hands into Greyback's chest, but he didn't budge. He didn't even flinch at the effort Harry had made. Harry might as well have been trying to move a two ton weight for all the good it did. It felt like all of Harry's energy was bleeding out of him, being left to soak into the grass underneath him.

Harry didn't think he had much strength at all left, but he wasn't about to let Greyback have his way with him. Harry dug his heels into soft ground, attempting to push himself up and out of Greyback's grasp. Again, his efforts were fruitless, and new beads of sweat broke out on Harry's forehead at the effort. He was sweating all over, his skin sticky and crawling with it, but at the same time, he was freezing. He shivered every time the wind blew, cutting into his exposed flesh like knives.

For the first time, Harry realized that the entire left side is his head was wet. At first, he thought it was even more sweat, but it didn't feel like it. Something was trickling down from his forehead to soak into his hair, something that was much more plentiful than the sweat that had broken out on his skin. Vaguely, Harry remembered when he had fallen and struck his head on the way down. It now seemed like a million years ago, even though it had probably been a matter of minutes. He was bleeding there, too, and whatever damage his fall had caused probably now accounted for his lack of energy.

Harry shook his head, like he might be able to wake up from this horrible nightmare his life had fallen into. But that proved to be a mistake, because it only served to make him dizzy again. Darkness clouded his vision once more, and the world seemed to be swirling into indistinct shapes around him. Harry tilted his head as far back as it would go, glimpsing streaks of light from the windows of the castle towering above them.

"P-please," Harry moaned, and he wasn't even sure who he was speaking to. Greyback, maybe, begging him not to hurt him anymore for all the good that would do. To someone in the castle, hoping they might come out and help him. Or perhaps Harry was calling to his godfathers, asking them to save him yet again when he hadn't ever deserved to be rescued the first million and a half times. He was so stupid, so careless, continuously gambling away the sacrifices everyone had ever made for him.

This time, however, he didn't see any way out. This time, Greyback was going to eat him, and Harry was powerless to stop it.

To be continued…