Arashi: There is the next chapter.

Disclaimer and warnings in previous chapter.

Chapter 2: Brief Encounter

It is rather easily finding the McDonalds in town after a few stops so Jessie can rest which concerns Harry but it seems she's doing much better. She continues to smile at him which leaves him want to ignore the scratchiness in his throat and the suppress tears wanting to form in the corner of his eyes. She's so brave and strong.

"Harry, when are Mommy and Daddy coming?" Jessie asks, as the two reach the doors of the fast food restaurant.

"Sometime next month or in couple since Thomas and Carla are coming this weekend," Harry answers thinking carefully.

"Why?"

"Because it will give Mom and Dad time to get the house ready and any business trip in between. So hopefully we will be in our new home by Christmas or even a little after but at least before the New Year begins."

"Goody!" She squeals making Harry smile as she starts chattering about decorations can be set up in their uncle's house during the upcoming holidays.

He orders some burgers and nuggets along with fries to go figuring the convenience store would be good to get some sodas and water next door. He listens half an ear to his sister enjoying she is back to her usually happy and all going self. A few minutes seem to fly by when their food is done and he picks it up before leading her to the convenience store where he buys couple of cokes and some waters that will go in his bag to be carried.

Harry watches his sister from the corner of his eyes making sure she doesn't overexert herself and get sick. His phone buzz and sees a few messages from his parents asking how they been doing. He sends them a reply things are going and that Jessie seems to like the town while things are going alright. They assure they'll try to make it at least before or after Christmas and be good which causes Harry to snort a bit. He groans as a text from his father teasing him to find a good boy to have fun with and Harry shakes his head. He's glad his parents are alright with the fact he's gay.

"Dad teasing you about finding a boy," Jessie ask softly making Harry give a peeve look.

"Yeah but hardly any I see that I like well expectation of one but I have no clue though," Harry answers thinking of one of the guys in his class.

"Is it Draco or Blaise?" She asks with such innocent that makes the raven teen to stare at her and seeing he's not going to answer she continues. "My new friends Abby Malfoy and Trisha Zabini are their younger sisters. Abby told me that her brother is with someone by the name of Ron or something."

"And Blaise," he edges earning a smug look which makes him scowl a little.

"Free as a bird,' she answers before a confuse look. "Tris said he's into three something but she has no idea what that means. What does it mean?"

Harry pales and sputters out, "You'll find out when you get older."

The younger girl sighs grumbling as usual while they head in the direction of the woods to enjoy the afternoon. They find a trail that seems to be used by bikers and hikers which seems safe enough. With his artistic mind on overdrive, an idea brews in Harry's mind that deals with the legend as his sister besides him gaze with wonder.

Unknown to the two, watching them from the shadows a pair of blue eyes keep an eye on their progress as they go deeper in the woods. It creeps forward as the brother and sister go off the path to a little creek close by and sit on the rocks. Its stomach growls smelling the food and the scent of the older boy who seems to be relax. The feeling of confusion is the slight sickly off scent of the girl which seems to be almost to a normal child scent instead of earlier when he first smells it on the wind.

Deep in the creature's mind, a tired voice of used to be a young man but now more of an animalistic sound in it whispers out, "It's almost like Gin…."

The girl sneeze getting her older brother to look at her with concern which she assures, "I'm okay big brother. I feel much better than earlier."

The creature whines which seem more of a rumbling growl capturing the two siblings' attention. Harry, more concern with his sister's safety than his own moves in front of her as he looks at the strange looking creature before him. The rusty ginger fur standing up on the creature's back, its eerie blue eyes seems almost human-like but wild as an animal. The solid muscles of the creature as it leaps forward cause the two to stumble back. To Harry's shock it stands up bipedal and the ears on top of its head twitches and its bushy tail goes side to side.

"Big brother," Jessie whimpers staring at the creature from behind Harry.

"Jessie when I tell you to run just go and don't look back. I'll follow right behind you," Harry whispers taking a few steps back as the wolf man like creature walks forward stumbling as if not use to much walking on two legs instead of all four.

"But," Jessie begins only to get a look of anger and protectiveness in his eyes.

"RUN!" He roars turning around giving her a gentle shove to give her a running start before turning to the creature who stares back and forth between this teenager and the girl now running as fast she could.

Harry keeps an eye on the creature which gives him a strange look before running back in the woods. Harry feeling a little uncomfortable and for a brief few minutes his heart and pulse skips. He gathers his backpack and his sister's before running after her finding her near the edge of the trees waiting for him. He pulls her in a hug murmuring he's sorry for yelling at her and murmurs reassuring words.

He didn't want to pay attention for a moment when his heart skips a beat or his pulse seems to jump under his skin. Neither of them said a word as they head back to their uncles' home. Once there they settle in the living room curl up on the couch. Soon to Harry' slight annoyance and hoping it would appease, he will sit through watching his sister's favorite movie, Beauty and the Beast. During parts of the movie his mind would trail to the creature which he thought is a myth even legend but seems to be true. He plans to go back to the woods but this time without his sister in case it decides to attack.

After the encounter with the beast, Harry decides to relax for a bit before even thinking of going to search of it. What been more surprising when his mom came with the twins, Thomas and Carla, to spend a few weeks with them before going back to Boston to pack more of the boxes that will be sent to the new house. Jessie been slightly disappointed that their dad couldn't come but understood he had a business trip with his boss, Moody to deal with. What did help appease her is the fact, James send his love to them and misses then

Harry notice the fact his mother seem to be pregnant again which made him roll his eyes at how his parents can be so romantic at times. With a look at Thomas who has their father's hazel eyes and their mom's hair shrugs mouthing, told us before we left to him. Harry hums figuring it is a matter of time before informing Jessie so she doesn't feel too bad about her cancer ruining the chances of their parents wanting more kids.

Arashi: Reviews are appreciated.