UPDATE (07.23.09)
Yep! I'm coming back to this story. The present chapters are under reconstruction as I'm still working through them (and trying to polish the chapters I do have written out). By now, I've read all of them except I'm still working on the story as if I still haven't read the last two. The books were still great but I wished some of the things could change. Good thing for fanfiction and AUs. Anyway, lookie! Even a new title :)
CHAPTER 1: RUNNING BLIND
She was tired. Her muscles burned as the wolf pushed herself to nearly past her limit, running through the dense wood with only one thought, Keep running. Losing any sense of time and place, she had no clue how long it had been since she crossed the threshold and left home. Keep running. Repeating the mantra over and over again, she felt a light touch ruffle the dark brown fur that was matted down with dried blood and sweat. Feeling the 'hand' guiding her towards the right, she silently sighed with relief as the wooded area began to clear. Tripping over a large root and scraping into the side of a tree, she didn't let it slow her down. She was almost there, she could feel it. Although she didn't have a clear sense of what 'there' was, there was an odd feeling of elation the more the area opened up.
One of her hind leg gave out as she tried to jump over another root. Shaking her head in frustration, she stilled when her ears picked up a startled gasp. Growling, she turned around and bared her teeth, ready to defend herself while seeking a way out. The dim light was all she needed to make out the human's features. She didn't know what to make of the man in front of her, but the fact that the light was coming from him made her worry. Although he stood ready to attack, she could detect an underlying aura of fear and when he stepped forward, the wolf snapped her jaw in warning. Apparently the human didn't see it that way as he yelled something at her with the light. Surprised, she felt herself being thrown into the tree behind her. Despite having no energy left, the wolf tried to get up and failed when the last of her strength left. She began a quick prayer to the Goddess but stopped when that presence patted her head and soothed her to sleep. It'll be okay.
. . . . .
Steadying the wand in his hand, George Weasley mentally berated himself for going out on his own. He could already picture his mum scolding him but after another failed experiment, he had decided to take a walk (and to avoid dinner duties) in order to clear his mind. As he was mulling over what had gone wrong, that- that thing darted in front of him and bared its teeth. Determined to not let it get to his family, he was ready to take it down. So when it readied itself for an attack, he struck first. He was surprised when it didn't get back up and crept up to get a better look. "Bloody hell," he murmured, eyes sweeping over the mess of a wolf. Running through a list of proactive spells, he jumped back when an auburn glow covered the animal. Watching with a mixture of awe and confusion, the animal soon shifted into young woman with matted, dark brown hair.
Reaching out with his left foot, George nudged what he thought was a part of her leg. When she didn't move, he crouched down and tentatively reached her hand. Finding a weak pulse, he thought of just leaving her out here but changed his mind as he cast a summoning spell for her wand. When he couldn't find one, he cast a levitation spell on the girl and carefully walked back to the Burrow. He picked up his pace when he could hear shallow, irregular breathing from the unconscious form.
Loud and almost chaotic, the kitchen resembled a factory of sorts as the residents and visitors got ready for dinner. Racing silverware and cups, Ron and Harry hurried to see who could finish setting up first while Fred tried to set the plates without getting one of his hand sliced and poked by the boys' racing utensils. Manning the stove and oven, Molly's loud voice could be heard giving orders to Ginny and Hermione as she checked on the roast. Satisfied, she turned off the oven and turned around to count the number of heads. With three missing, she walked towards the den and into the office to find Arthur and Charlie. Clearing her throat, "Dinner's ready," she informed them. Marching them into the kitchen, she scolded them for not helping out. Doing another head count as they all started to pick out seats, Molly frowned when she noticed one of the twins missing, "George, where's Fred?"
"It's Fred mum," Fred said. "Merlin woman, your own children and you can't even-"
"Fred!"
"Don't know," he said as he also looked around the kitchen.
"What do you mean he's not here? You two aren't up to something are you," she warned with a glare. Fred huffed for show, as she turned her eyes on everyone else. Shoulders shrugged and heads shook, telling her that no one knew where he was. With hands on her hips, Molly was about to ask again when the back door opened and George called out for help. Turning, she walked towards the other twin and hadn't begun to scold him when her voice rose to a near shriek. "George Weasley, what have you done?"
The noise in the kitchen stopped as some strained to hear George explaining something in between Molly's scolding about 'the idiotic things and scare' he had given her. Fred started to get out of his seat but sat down when he saw a few look at him and Arthur shook his head 'no'. It was as if the table had collectively decided that whatever it was going on in there was only between George and Molly. After a few more minutes, the table was surprised to see George walk by them without another glance… and with a person in his arms. The moment the matriarch followed, everyone tried to get a word in while Fred slipped upstairs after his twin.
"Quiet!" Molly shouted. As soon as the last words faded, "Fred, go on upstairs and check on George would you? He should be in Bill's room. Charlie, Ron- I need you boys to grab some towels from the cupboard upstairs. Harry, be a dear and fill up a washbowl with warm water. The bowls are beneath the kitchen sink- Hermione, could you pick out some spare clothes? They're in the box we put away yesterday and should still be in the den. Ginny, come with me- oh! And Arthur, I'll need you to Floo Albus…"
Dinner forgotten and orders handed out, Molly went upstairs with Ginny. The young woman was a sight to see as the two entered Bill's room. Motioning the twins to move, the older woman checked up on the girl and was surprised when she felt the skin hot under her touch. Without looking at them, she told the twins to pick out some potions downstairs as Harry came in with the washbowl. Placing it beside the stack of linen on the nightstand, Ginny soon shooed him out of the room as Molly got to work.