The Mission (Chase)

They had all returned to the boat a short while later and were soon on their way back to the mainland. Harry had told Chase not to interact with anyone else and simply head back to his cabin, including Lottie. Once back inside the small room he saw a fresh set of robes hanging up for him. He smiled and closed the door. He lit some candles with the flick of his wand to give the room some light. On the desk was a series of books which Harry had instructed him to read. Chase sighed, he didn't enjoy reading that much, but had forced himself on many occasions, so this would be no different.

Soon he had changed and was settling down, one of the large books resting on his lap. Harry had arranged for food to be sent to his room, wanting to keep him separate from the group so he would be able to complete the research for the task he had been given. No dinner had arrived yet, however, and Chase felt his stomach rumble angrily. He swore under his breath and opened the book. Before he got a chance to begin reading, however, he heard a knock at the door. It was late, most people would have been asleep by now "come in" he said sceptically. Then he saw Lottie walk in. She walked over to the bed "I want to come with you" she said before he got a chance to say anything. He shook his head "you can't" he objected simply, "the ministry would never allow it". She nodded "I spoke to them, Harry said I could, told him I would be able to help with your condition" she said and placed a hand on his chest. He thought for a minute, realising how much danger she would be in but knowing how much better it would be with her there. "I can't explain what I'm doing so don't ask and if I tell you to do something, do it, clear?" his voice was stern and he looked straight into her eyes. She thought about this for a second and nodded "clear". He sighed "I need to get this all read by tomorrow, if you want to help you can make sure everything's packed. We're leaving early".

The next day they docked at an abandoned port and disembarked from the ship. Everyone began preparing themselves for the journey back to London. Many were to be taken by portkey, although some would be disapparating. As many of the Auror office's best and brightest were on this mission, very few discussed travel plans, which worked for Chase. Once they had said their goodbyes, Lottie and Chase made sure their possessions were secured and with the sickening feeling as if being pushed through a very small whole, they disapperated and soon found themselves on the edge of a very large, very dense forest. "This looks like the right place" Chase said and they looked around. Despite it being almost midday, the dense canopy managed to block a lot of the light. They could barely see, but for a few scattered rays of sunshine. "Lumos" Chase said and the end of his wand illuminated, giving them a much better idea of where they were going. "Stay close" he told her. This mission worried Chase, especially with Lottie there. He shook the fear and apprehension from his mind as best he could and led them further into the dense forest. He wondered she had said to Harry to convince him to allow her to come along. Then with a dawning comprehension, he realised Harry wanted someone to keep an eye on him, and she was probably the only one who said yes.

They walked for a few hours before coming to a small clearing. "Seems to be a good place to pitch up for the night" Chase said, his feet bruised and blistered, his calves feeling as if they were on fire. Lottie nodded her agreement and together they began to pitch the tent they had been given by the ministry quartermaster. It didn't take them long before they had set up, and were relaxing inside the tent. Although the tent looked small and cramped from the outside, on the inside it was the size of a perfectly respectable studio apartment, complete with two separate beds in a corner, a kitchen and a living area complete with fireplace. Lottie was at the stove, making them dinner. Chase wasn't concerned with eating, he sat at a large dining table, researching for the task which lay ahead. He knew how dangerous this would be and suddenly regretted bringing Lottie. He looked up and saw her looking at him, smiling. He returned her smile weakly and returned to his book.

A few hours later, they were both well and truly exhausted. They had both had a large portion of the chicken pie that Lottie had made and were sitting down at the table together, researching. Chase looked at the watch in his pocket and sighed "we should really get to sleep" he said and Lottie closed the book and nodded. Together they both stood up and headed towards their beds. "Night" he said and gave her a smile. He undressed into his underwear and laid down on the bed. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes. It wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, he was freezing cold. His whole body hurt, his bones felt like they had been recently broken and his skin felt like every inch had been cut. He could barely move. He managed to open his eyes and instantly knew something was wrong. The sun was now up. The last thing he remember was going to sleep, but now not only was he no longer in bed, he was no longer in the tent. He tried to get to his feet, struggling with the pain. Eventually he managed it. He looked around, nothing. He was naked and freezing, with no idea how to get back to the tent. He saw a faint light in the distance and moved towards it. Every step was agony, thorny twigs and leaves stabbed his feet, sharp branches cut his arms. He covered himself as best as possible and fought through the thick overgrowth. He managed to get back after a while and the sense of foreboding was compounded. As e walked inside the tent the smell of blood hit his nostrils and he couldn't see Lottie anywhere. He painfully walked around the tent, looking down the sides of the beds. His legs buckled from under him and he collapsed to the floor. Suddenly it was all coming back to him…

Chase had awoken in the middle of the night for a glass of water. His mouth was dry. But then he began to feel pain like nothing he had ever felt. Then he felt it. He stumbled out of the bed and felt to the floor next to Lottie's bed. He grabbed her wrist "Lottie, help me" he said but his voice was not his own. It was deeper and raspy. She awoke with a start, not knowing what was going on. She looked at his hand on hers, "Let me go!" she screamed "CHASE! You're hurting me, get off!" she was slapping him and punching him but it was no use. His whole body was locked, his muscled constricted as the bones under them shifted and metamorphosed. The pain was excruciating. "CHASE!" she shrieked but the wolf had taken over. His claws dug into her arm and she screamed out in pain, She thrashed violently, trying to escape him, but he was too strong. Blood began to weep from her cuts and she began to cry "Chase, please" she begged but whatever was left of Chase was gone. Although his body had barely changed, his consciousness was gone. She began to hit his face. He pulled his hand away from her arm, his claws still in her skin, ripping her flesh, splattering the bed with fresh crimson blood. She screamed in agony, still trying to escape him…

Chase had had enough. He forced himself to stop thinking about what had happened. He looked down at Lottie down the side of the bed. From the looks of the blood and the smell, she had been there longer than a day. How long had he been out for? She had claw and bite marks all over her body. Virtually all of her skin was covered in blood, unrecognisable. He broke down and dropped to his knees beside the bed "what have I done?" he whispered and then started to sob uncontrollably "I'm so-, I'm- I'm sorry" he babbled between sobs, repeating "I'm sorry" over and over again, rocking backwards and forwards stroking her hair. He heard movement outside the tent and knew he would have to go "no, no, no" he said still sobbing "I'm so sorry Lottie" he said eventually and got to his feet, grabbing his robes and his wand which lay on the floor next to the bed. "Chase!" he heard someone call from outside the tent. He knew that voice. It was Harry.