Chapter 7: Injury and Insult

Nothing.

I had heard nothing from Sirius. Giving him time only just seemed to make the divide between us grow and turn into a chasm. Everything just seemed to be going wrong. I been spending most of my time alone, until Severus would interrupt my quiet, or Lilly would try once again to get me to fix things with Sirius.

James and Pete were also annoyed that. They didn't understand what had driven Sirius and I apart, and seeing Severus sitting beside me, made them that angrier.

What hurt the most was to see a certain Hufflepuff girl hanging around, half attached to Sirius. Her name, Lavender Grey. She was in her 6th year, but she had never spoken to anyone of us before now. I would see her walking down the corridors with Sirius. Her hands holding on to his upper arm, leaning in to whisper something into his ear. I had even turned down certain corridors to find them lip locked. It made me feel sick. And it only made me what to hide under my covers and never come out.

Two weeks after Lavender Grey appeared attached to Sirius, a full moon appeared. I spent the day feeling irritable, and craving something meaty and bloody. And by the time I headed down to the Shrieking Shack, I knew I was going to spend the night alone.

I walked down the corridors, and avoided other students. My teachers knew, and only gave me a small smile as I walked passed them. I tried to relax as I stood in the Shrieking Shack. It was quiet, and lonely.

Looking out the window, the moon was beginning to creep up. It was almost time. I removed my clothes, and placed them in a bag in the corner, just as my first bone cracked. I gasped and stumbled sideways. Using the wall to hold me up, I looked out the window and felt the pull of the moon, as the light shone through the window and touched my skin. My right arm snapped and twisted. The pain grew and grew. More bones twisted, broke, and reformed into the shape of the wolf. My skull began to expand and I screamed in agony. I could feel as my skirt burst open and fur slid over covering every inch of my body. I dropped to the ground and let out another scream. The scream turned into an ice chilling howl and the Shrieking Shack seemed to shiver.

Looking at the world with Moony's eyes was certainly an experience. Everything seemed more detailed, and more beautiful. I stretched out my limbs and listened as the cracked. The pain still lingered in my body but it would soon fade.

I made my way out of the Shrieking Shack and into the forest that surrounded it. I moved slowly around, and almost pouted when all the animal ran in the opposite direction of me. Normally Sirius, James and Pete would keep me company. We played silly games, and had fun. But I was back to being alone.

As I wandered along I caught a scent of something that I had never smelt before. It was odd but almost familiar. I followed the scent and it led me to another wolf. It turned to me, catching my scent, and growled at me. It snapped my direction, clearly it felt threatened. I took a few steps backwards, to show that I wasn't a threat but it didn't care.

With every step back I took, it took two forward. It continued to growl and snap. I returned the growl when it got to close. Another growl caught my surprise. To its left, another wolf appeared; and then another, and another. I hadn't stumbled on some lone wolf, I had found a pack.

I knew I was outnumbered and only had one option. I ran.

I pushed myself as fast as I could, and could feel the ground shaking as the lot of them chased after me. The growled and snapped at my heels, and I could feel their breathe on me. I tripped and stumbled, but made it through the Hogwarts barrier. I laid on the ground, trying to catch my breathe. The pack jumped, hissed and growled. They couldn't get through, I was safe on Hogwarts grounds.

One wolf pushed its way through to the front of the pack. He was bigger than the others, and he seemed meaner. On the top of his right arm was a half crescent moon burn mark. It was the mark of an alpha. This was their leader.

Alexander had explained how werewolf packs worked. The alpha was decided by strength. You could inherit it, or be chosen. You had to kill for it. And if a member of the pack went against your orders or challenge you in anyway, then they had to die. Being in charge meant killing lots of people. Looking at this alpha, I could just imagine how many lives he had taken. He was covered in scars all over. He had spent his whole life fighting. Alexander had also told me that if a lone wolf stumbles upon another packs territory than the wolf would most likely die.

I had grown up running through the woods in and outside of Hogwarts' borders, and had never run into any sort of pack. This pack had to be new to the area. But why would they come so close a school, and a town. Alexander had assured me that most packs liked to hide away, not be where they could become exposed.

I shifted further away from the barrier as the alpha slammed himself against it. He barred his teeth, and smashed his front paws down. He was warning me. Stay away. The alpha turned away, and began to walk away. They were leaving me be.

I pushed myself up on my weak legs, and moved in the direction of the Shrieking Shack when I heard a low whistle, like something was flying through the air, and then a sharp pain in my side. I dropped to the ground again and looked at my side. It was a piece of wood, a branch or something that had been snapped from a tree. It had embedded itself deeply into my stomach. I looked up and the alpha was watching me.

I used my arms to push myself up, and stumbled away from him. I didn't know if I was going in the direction of the Shrieking Shack, or towards the school; I just wanted to get away from the pack.

Blood dripped down from my wound, and I could feel myself becoming weak. I just needed to find someone. Anyone would could help me.

I tripped and fell to the ground. I cried out at the pain. Closing my eyes, I couldn't hold on anymore. I let the darkness consume me.

I woke up in the infirmary. The sun was shining through the window, and the piece of wood was gone from my side. My whole body ached from head to toe, and I could feel the bruises that were still forming. I stretched out my body, and instantly regretted it, when a sharp pain shot up my side. I lifted the blanket and looked down at the bandage that wrapped itself around my stomach. Had it been that bad?

I tried to sit up, but was gently pushed back down. I looked up to see Sirius sitting on a chair beside my bed. Concern and sadness clouded his normally cheerful face. I smiled at him, and grasped his hand. I didn't want him running away.

"Afternoon sunshine," he said. A smile touched his lips but it didn't reach his eyes.

I squeezed his hand. "Hi." I felt shy. Like I was talking to my crush, and was embarrassed and worried that I was say the wrong thing.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I sighed. "Sore."

He said, "The nurse said that you will be fine in a few days. Helps that you have super-wolf healing abilities."

"I guess so." I nodded.

He asked, "What happened to you?"

"I ran into a pack of werewolves. They chased me back to the border. All my bumps and bruises is from me falling over, trying to get back to the Shrieking Shack."

"What about the big old hole in your gut?" He looked down to where my blanket covered my bandage.

"The alpha of the pack, threw a tree branch at me. Well, I assume it was him."

"Why would you go out so far on your own?"

"I went no further than we have ever gone. The pack must be new to the area and are running around staking their claim."

Sirius stood up from his chair and crossed his arms. "And why were you alone? How come James and Peter weren't with you?"

I shrugged. "I assumed that none of you wanted to come. It isn't like there is much of a friendship between us now."

He sighed. "Just because you and I are having some issues, doesn't mean James and Peter shouldn't show up. A full moon is when you need us the most."

"Issues, huh." I wanted to laugh. I didn't even know why we were fighting exactly.

"I don't want to have this discussion now." Sirius rubbed his face.

I frowned at him. "We haven't even had a discussion to begin with. I don't know what I have done to make you hate me so much. It isn't my choice that Moony decided you were the one. He made the decision. Blame him, don't blame me."

Sirius raised his voice. "That is the problem though."

"What do you mean?" I snapped.

Sirius grabbed his hair and stomped his foot, like a child. "I'm angry at you because you are saying that it is all Moony. You tell me that it's his decision and that your feelings don't matter. Moony wants me to be his mate; he wants me, needs me. But you don't." He began to pace, back and forth, beside my bed. "Isn't that why you didn't want to tell me about it? Because the idea of me being your mate was ridiculous, and you didn't want me. And I hate myself because when I really thought about it, you and me, I realised that it makes perfect sense. I have been in love with you for who knows how long-"

"You love me?" I interrupted his rant.

Sirius blushed, and he tried to slow his breathing. Tears were filling his eyes. "Yes," he said. A tear slipped down his cheek.

He wanted to be with me? I reached out and took his hand. I pulled him down onto my bed and leant close to him. I cupped his face in my hands; and looked into his grey eyes, they were filled with sadness.

"I love you, so much."

I pulled his face to mine and kissed his lips. It was simple, and perfect. His lips moved perfectly with mine, and I couldn't help but want more. But we had a lot to talk about before we got too carried away.

I pulled back, and said, "I love you too."

He smiled and kissed me again.

We sat on my bed in the infirmary for some time. He explained everything from his side and I did the same. Miscommunication. That was all it was. He thought that I didn't want him, and if anything were to happen it would only be because of Moony's desires, and not my own. But lying with him, our arms and legs intertwined, I forgot about everything. Moony was humming with happiness, and I could barely keep my hands off him. Not that he complained.

"When you get out of here," said Sirius, "we can go on a date. I'm sure there is somewhere in Hogsmeade that we can go."

I smiled. "Sounds like a plan." I reached up to peck his lips.

"What are we going to tell everyone?" he asked.

"I don't care. As long as everyone knows that you are mine." I tightened my grip around his waist and nuzzled my face into his neck.

I could hear the smirk on his face. "And that you are mine," he added.

Our bliss was interrupted by Severus. He said, "Don't you two look comfortable."

I looked up and over Sirius's shoulder to see him standing there. Arms crosses, and a pure look of hatred pointed at Sirius. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

He said, "Just coming to check on you. Make sure that you were still alive."

"He's fine." Sirius glared at him.

I poked Sirius's chest. "I'm fine, thank you."

He smiled at me. "You certainly look a lot brighter. Good thing I found you when I did."

"You found me?" I was surprised. I had assumed a teacher or Sirius had found me.

He nodded. "Yeah. Not far from Hagrid's Hut. You were naked and had a piece of wood sticking out of your side. I thought you were dead, but once I noticed that you were breathing, I got Hagrid and he went to get help."

"Thank you, for your help." I offered him a polite smile.

He smirked. "You are welcome. What happened to you though? No one seems to know."

Sirius tighter his grip on me. "None of your business."

I nudged Sirius again. "It's hard to explain."

He nodded "Perhaps you can find a way to explain someday."

"Maybe," I said.

The nurse stepped into the room. "Alright, everyone out. Mr Lupin needs his rest."

Severus nodded. "I'll see you around, Remus." He turned and walked out.

Sirius sat up to leave, but I grabbed his arm. "Can Sirius stay, please?"

The nurse frowned, but nodded. "As long as you get some sleep."

"I will."

Sirius laid back down, and we returned to our original position. He kissed my head, and I closed my eyes. Drifting off to sleep in Sirius's arms was better than I imagined. And I slept better than I ever had.