Chapter 7
"Oh, come on!" George shouted; he poked the side of Catie's cheek. George was lying on his stomach on the couch, and Catie was sitting on the floor, leaning her back against the sofa. There was no one else in the Common Room besides themselves.
"Come on what," Catie grumbled; she didn't appear to be in the best of moods, even though she had spent the past five hours talking about everything and anything with the only person she would talk to.
"You know very well what." George swiftly plopped himself down on the floor next to Catie, taking her face in his hands, playfully shaking her head back and forth, as if waking her from a trance.
"If I knew what, you wouldn't be this close, would you?"
George's smile broadened. "Who said I wouldn't?"
George leaned in closer and closer to Catie's face; her face turned beat red as she quickly looked back down at her notepad she had been writing in all afternoon. George's face turned equally as red if not darker as he scratched the back of his head, wishing he could take back the moment. Why did he always make himself act like such a fool around her?
George looked down at Catie; she was still absorbed in whatever she was writing.
There's something different about her, thought George. Not a bad different... just... what is it? He looked her over one more time. Her eyes, usually so far of passion, were terribly listless while her quill drastically ran across the parchment, leaving stains of her thoughts everywhere. She seemed to be the perfect picture of innocence, until George noticed a single crystal orb silently glide down her cheek, splattering onto her paper.
"Catie? Are you o-" George started, but was broken off when Catie suddenly dropped her notebook, dashing out of the Common Room, destination unknown. He thought about following Catie, but changed his mind when he noticed her handwriting scrawled over the parchment, deciding to read over what she had written.
George took in a small puff of breathe as he read:
I'm ripe with things to say
Yet the words rot and fall away.
Give me a chance
Show me you care
In some way or another.
There anger hurts my ears
And the stinging of my tears
Is broken down
So much pain
Show me you care
In some way or another.
"Is this about..." George questioned the silence, getting nothing in response from the empty room. He looked out the window, lost in his thoughts, when he realized he would not get to ask Catie about it for some time. For George just witnessed his youngest brother being dragged right under the Whomping Willow - the place that held so many humorous memories now was holding his flesh and blood captive.
Catie ran down the hill, heading towards the Forbidden Forest. She didn't care about danger right now - she only wanted to be alone.
"It's not like anyone would miss me if anything happened." She picked up a stick off the forest floor, throwing it against a tree so hard that it broke clean in two. Catie found a split stump sticking out of the dirt and sat on it, leaning her back against a tree and closing her eyes. The calmness of the nature surrounding her captivated her, enticing her into its beauty.
Catie's eyes instantly jumped open when she heard the cracking of twigs coming towards her. She quietly got off of the log, swiftly ducking behind the tree. Catie brought her wand up to her side at the ready - then she breathed a sigh of relief. It was only Professor Lupin. But why was he in the forest again? Catie looked him up and down. He seemed to be in quite a hurry: he was not stopping at any costs, his eyes lost somewhere in the distance, while a thin bead of sweat traced his features down his face. Catie decided not to stop him; instead, she silently hopped onto his trail, following him to his destination.
After nearly five minutes of traveling through the thick brush, Remus came to a stop at the towering Whomping Willow. He hurriedly threw a rock at a notch in the tree, making it freeze right on the spot. Catie watched in amazement as Remus hastily jumped into the tunnel underneath the tree. Where on earth was he headed to?
Catie stepped out into the dark night, bringing herself closer to where Remus had just disappeared to, when all of a sudden she stopped dead in her tracks; the Whomping Willow had woken from its sedentary state and seemed to be staring right at her, even without eyes. She tried to make a run from it, but she was too late. A gigantic brown branch swung right at her, hitting her right on the back of her knee and sending Catie tumbling down the hill.
She couldn't stop herself from rolling. The hill was so steep and it was so dark; Catie couldn't even tell down from up anymore. She just let herself continue down the hill, praying for it to stop soon.
After a couple minutes of rolling, Catie slammed her back right into a very sturdy tree. She slowly got up, rubbing her aching joints and muscles. She turned around in a quick circle, observing her surroundings: she had just planted herself even deeper within the Forbidden Forest. Catie looked up to where she had just rolled from. The hill was way too steep to climb; her only choice was to follow the bottom of it until she reached some sort of a trail.
The silence had engulfed her once again, making her jump when she heard a shrill shriek of Harry's name ringing through the air. Was that Hermione?! Catie questioned herself. She struggled for a second, squinting in the direction the shout had come from. A gasp of surprise erupted from Catie's lips as she saw who was standing on the top of the hill. Right next to the Whomping Willow. Harry and Hermione were on the ground, Ron cowering in-between the two. His leg seemed to be covered in a dark liquid, but it was too hard to tell from this far away. Professor Snape emerged out of the darkness, heading towards the trio, his classic look of your-gonna-get-your-ass-expelled plastered on his face. Then his expression suddenly changed to fear as he turned and saw what the kids were gawking at.
"Wait a second... That's Sirius Black! Does Harry realize what's even happening?!" Catie said in disbelief. She knew even if she shouted from her stance in the forest no one would hear her. But what was Black doing? There was a man standing next to him, his long brown hair covering his eyes as he panted. It seemed as though Black was trying to comfort him.
Catie's mouth dropped open as she realized who the man was. Those clothes, that face. It was Professor Lupin. But what was wrong with him. And then Catie put it all together. Professor Lupin constantly missing class, especially nights after full moons. The constant look of terror every time a beam of moonlight could be seen. And that night just a few days ago that Lizz and Catie had spent in the forest. It hit Catie as hard as the waves crashing onto the shoreline. Professor Lupin was a werewolf. But how did anyone else even fit into this? And why was Sirius Black here? Was he trying to hurt Harry?
Catie stopped attempting to put the pieces together when she saw what was happening to Professor Lupin. The full moon was out. This can't be good, she thought as she watched her teacher slowly go through the transformation. His clothes began to rip and fall to the ground as his body became larger and more muscles appeared. Dark fur started to cover his skin everywhere as he rose up above everyone standing before him, all who were too frightened to move.
Suddenly, Hermione got up and began to slowly walk towards Lupin. He remained calm - if only for a moment - before he tried to strike her. Sirius immediately jumped up in attention, and then was suddenly turning into a large, black dog.
"Wait a second," Catie thought aloud. "He's... he's an Animagus?! That dog... that's the one that Harry has been seeing. It's been Black all along!" Catie's mouth hung open as she watched Black try and fight off Lupin. She was about to shoot a spell at him to call him off of her teacher, when Lupin picked him up and threw him down the hill. Harry immediately sprung up, sprinting after Lupin, throwing a rock at his head to divert him from Black. Why was Harry saving him?
Remus turned on Harry, seemingly about to attack him, when another werewolf cried out in the distance. Remus broke off from Harry, then began to dash down the hill, following the call he was just given. Catie breathed a sigh of relief as she realized Harry's safety; until she realized herself that now the werewolf was running straight at her.
All of Catie's breath left her body as she dove behind a bush, praying that Remus didn't see her. Luckily, he didn't; he just kept running after some imperceptible voice. Catie thought about going back to the bottom of the hill and trying to find a way up, but decided against it. She wanted to make sure the Professor Lupin was okay. Werewolf or not, he had saved her life once. It was her turn to do the same.
Catie ran through the forest, following Remus' trail once again. She ran right past a tree which she did not even notice Hermione and Harry were hiding behind from the very man that she was now seeking.
After some time racing through the forest, Catie approached the same lake she had been rescued from just a few nights before. Her mind was in such a buzz that she nearly ran straight into Remus - still in werewolf form.
She let out a quick gasp of air as she slowly backed away from him. Remus turned on the spot, silently glaring at Catie.
"Professor?" Catie dared. She took one step closer to him. Her heart nearly stopped when he growled at her. "Professor Lupin. It's me. Catie. Wrecker? I wanted to see if you were okay." Catie dared another step closer to him. This time, he didn't make a sound. The silence was actually scarier than the growl itself.
Catie allowed herself a couple more steps towards her Professor; she was now standing directly in front of him. It pained Catie, for the first time ever, she looked deep within Lupin's eyes; they were full of multiple emotions. Hate. Love. Embarrassment. Fear. Depression. So complex.
"It's all going to be okay, Professor." Catie put her hand on the werewolf's shoulder, seeming to calm him down. "I'll take care of you from here. Don't worry." She smiled at him warmly. Remus bared some of his teeth; Catie swore it was a returning smile.
"That's it. Calm down now. It'll all be over soon," she promised him. Catie sat herself down on the ground, and Remus out himself down on all four next to her. Catie looked towards the forest, screaming out in shock when a big glop of wetness ran down her cheek. She looked next to her, seeing werewolf Remus with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. "Gross! I never said you could lick me!" she said between laughs.
This is really working, Catie thought to herself. She looked over at Remus thoughtfully. He was very calm now; it was only a matter of time before he was back to his normal human self.
Catie stood up, walking around, stretching out her legs. Remus looked up at her questioningly. "Just getting the aches out," she promised. "You have no idea what I've been through myself." A vibration erupted from Remus' chest. Catie took it as a laugh.
Remus stood up on two legs again, now towering over Catie.
"Show off," she laughed, standing on her tippy-toes, attempting to at least come up to his shoulder. He simply growled a harsh growl in response. "Sheesh. Didn't mean to offend you so much." Catie stuck out her tongue at him, but he snarled at her. Catie had no idea why he was doing this. Until she turned around and saw a Dementor coming towards them.
Memories flooded Catie, drowning her in fear, making her unable to move. That night with Lizz... it seemed so long ago. Why weren't they talking again? Catie couldn't even remember. Alls she could think about was everything she had discussed with George this morning. Was it this morning? That seemed so far away now, too. It was as if someone else had lived those parts of her life - the good parts - and left her standing in the dust, forced to endure the hardest, most depressing parts.
A hard snarl brought Catie back down to earth. She looked around her. Remus was now in front of her, bringing his height up to full measure, showing all of his teeth. The Dementor didn't seem to mind. Its gaze was set on Catie, as if it knew her. Was this the same one that attacked her before?
The rest happened too quick for Catie to register it at first. The Dementor lunged itself at Remus, and Remus lunged himself right back. They were fighting, rolling across the ground, throwing each other against trees, tossing each other through the air. The Dementor struck Remus in the side; a trickle of crimson escaped his rough fur, staining it. A look of shock reached his face when he realized he had been hurt. It then quickly turned to anger, and he threw himself at the fiend again. This time, it caught him by the shoulders, throwing him against a tree. Remus cried out in pain. The Dementor up righted itself, ready to finish the fight.
"No!" Catie shouted, throwing herself in front of Remus, who was still lying on the ground. She put her arms up protectively. For the first time in her life, she was not afraid.
Remus cried out in protest. "I promised I would protect you, didn't I?" Catie replied. She patted her pocket for her wand. Yet again, she was left empty handed while facing a Dementor. This still didn't scare her. For some reason, she felt incredibly safe around Remus.
The werewolf stood up once again. And Catie saw the change. Not the change she had been hoping for, but in his eyes. They went from their normal blue to a frightening red. Remus let out a booming roar through the forest. The Dementor instinctively glided off, not wanting to toy with an angry werewolf.
Before it left, it looked at Catie once more, as if saying: "You should think about doing the same."
Catie turned around, facing Remus. His eyes were still red as he growled. Catie slowly put her hand up, jumping back in shock when Remus swatted it away. He nodded in the direction the Dementor had gone. Did he want her to leave?
"It's okay, Professor. Everything will be fine." Remus shook his head hastily in response. He nodded in the direction again, this time more frantically. Catie shook her head herself this time, taking a step closer to Remus.
He growled out in protest. Catie tried to smile at him, but he bared his teeth back. With a huge snarl, he lifted one of his arms in the air. Coming back down, he slammed his sharp paw right into Catie's chest, forcing her through the air, crashing into the side of the hill.
"Ugh..." Catie moaned out in pain as she rolled over, realizing that Remus was now getting closer to her. She tried to get up and cried out once more. Her rib cage was broken; she could feel it.
Catie sat against the tree, not knowing what to do as the werewolf approached her. He came down close to her face, baring all of his teeth. Catie closed her eyes, preparing for the worst. She was taken aback when she heard not herself cry out in pain, but Remus doing so. Catie opened her eyes to see the giant black dog on top of Remus, pinning him down. It remained on top of him for five minutes; Catie was amazed that Remus hadn't threw him off. After some time, Remus began to pant uncontrollably as he returned to his old self. The fur disappeared, along with the claws and gigantic muscles. He was left lying on the ground, face askew, wearing tattered pants and a completely ripped up shirt. When the dog realized that his friend had calmed down, he himself turned to normal form. Catie's mouth dropped open for what felt like the millionth time today when she saw Sirius Black appear right in front of her.
Sirius looked over at her and smiled. "I get that a lot," he said, nodding to her open mouth. She immediately clasped it shut, making him chuckle in response. Sirius swept his gaze over to Remus who was still lying on the ground. "Well, are you going to move or not?" Sirius laughed. Remus didn't seem to find it funny; he glared at Sirius as he got up, heading over to Catie.
Remus' face went pale when he saw her clearly for the first time. She was lying against the tree, arm clutching at her stomach, scratches all over her face, which was also contorted in pain. She managed out a smile as Remus quickly sat down next to her.
"I... I'm so s-" Remus started, but Catie held up her hand in front of him.
"It wasn't your fault. I mean, you did warn me. But I was being my normal dense self and didn't li-"
Now Remus cut her off. "Nonsense! How are you to know how to deal with a werewolf! And a full-grown one at that!"
"But you warned me."
"But you're only a student."
Sirius rolled his eyes, strolling over to the two. "Will you help her up already, Remus? I'll help you get her to the Hospital Wing before I get caught." He sighed. "It's only a matter of time, anyway."
Remus nodded solemnly in agreement, standing up and offering his hand to Catie who refused it. Remus raised an eyebrow at her and she responded with a quick glance in Sirius' direction.
"Oh!" Remus exclaimed. "That's right!" Sirius looked at him, eyes full of confusion. "She wasn't in the Shrieking Shack," Remus answered. "Catie, yes this is Sirius Black. But he's not who you think he is."
Catie scoffed. "You mean a deranged lunatic who's after Harry?"
Sirius laughed this time. "At least this one has better vocabulary."
Remus squatted down in front of Catie, looking her in the eyes. "That's just what everyone thinks. It's really quite a mixed up story. It was said that Sirius killed Peter Pettigrew." Sirius snorted, looking around the forest rather than at Remus. Remus rolled his eyes before continuing. "What really happened was Pettigrew planned out the entire thing, framing Sirius the whole time."
"If that's the case, then why not tell the Ministry rather than being sent back to Azkaban?" Catie countered.
"Ha." Sirius let out a fake laugh as he sat himself down next to Catie and Remus. "I'm sure the Ministry of Magic will believe a couple of teenagers and a 'deranged' werewolf."
"What about Professor Dumbledore? I'm sure he'd help us!" Catie hoped.
Sirius shook his head in response. "Dumbledore has more things on his plate than to look after me."
"What do you mean?"
"You remember Pettigrew, correct?" Catie nodded. "Well, he used to work for You-Know-Who. He was actually the one who sold out Harry's pa-"
"I know," Catie interrupted. "Harry's parents. He told me that part. But where is he now?"
"That's exactly what I was getting at," continued Sirius. "He faked his death, hiding out all these years. He's an Animagus."
"What Animagus?"
"Remember your friend's rat?"
Catie's heart stopped. "Ron's rat? Scabbers?!"
Sirius nodded. "The very one."
"But..." Catie was extremely confused now. What was he doing all these years, pretending to be a rat?
"We think he's up to something," Remus answered, as if reading Catie's thoughts.
"A certain something, actually," Sirius added. "In my opinion, I think he's trying to bring He Who Must Not Be Named back."
Catie's mind was still clouded with a thick fog. "But... why?"
Remus shook his head. "All in good time, Ms. Wrecker. But right now we need to get you to the Hospital Wing. I'm sure Madame Ponce is looking forward to seeing you. Again."
Sirius and Remus laughed while Catie stuck her tongue out. They each grabbed under her shoulders, hoisting her up in the air. She grunted out in pain, but when Remus looked at her in alarm, she covered up with a smile.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Sirius looked over at Catie and laughed. She raised her eyebrows at him, and turned to Remus. "I think Azkaban got to him."
Remus laughed back, shaking his head at her. Sirius on the other hand glared at her, saying: "No, I am not insane. Not yet at least. I was just thinking. I have one godson and I don't meet any of his friends normally. I bite one of them and drag him under a tree. The other one attacks me. And now look at you. Hoisting you up the hill to Hogwarts, where I'll be sentenced to Azkaban again." He laughed. "Nuts."
Catie chuckled for a moment; then it registered what Sirius just said. "Wait a second...godson?!"
Sirius nodded. "Yes."
"But, how?" So many things seemed to confuse Catie today, and this just added to the list of them.
"Well," Sirius began. "When I was your age, I went to Hogwarts, believe it or not. Your professor here and I were very good friends with both of Harry's parents. People would tell James and I all the time that we acted exactly like brothers. We were always together, pulling pranks and such. We were inseparable."
"It was only natural that they picked Sirius for the job when Harry was born," finished Remus.
Catie nodded in understandment; it was all she could do. Her mind was a flurry of thoughts, one emerging at the top, and just when she thought she had an answer, it would dive back down, letting yet another pop up.
A couple minutes passes and the trip were still silent, all absorbed in their own minds to worry about the others. In what seemed like only a few moments, they were at the castle entrance.
"Well," sighed Sirius. "This is where I get off." He gently removed himself from underneath Catie's shoulder, placing her hand at her side.
"What do you mean?" questioned Remus. Catie felt his heart beginning to race underneath his skin.
"I can't walk in with you two. What will everyone think?" Sirius countered. Remus knew he was right, as much as he hated to believe so. If they walked in together, not only would Sirius be sent to Azkaban, but Catie and Remus would also.
Catie shook her head. "Professor. You said something back there to Sirius about you having to leave after tonight. I know I wasn't meant to hear it, but that's not the point. You and Sirius can go away together. Now. Before anyone sees either of you. I can get in by myself. Go."
Sirius looked at her in amazement. "You are one brilliant witch. Remus, let's listen to her."
Remus shook his head. "No, Sirius. You go. I'll be fine. I've been fine all these years. I'll stay."
"But wouldn't you rather go with a friend?" Catie asked.
"I would. But that's again not the point. You promised to look after me, so I'm returning the favor. I'm taking you to the Hospital Wing to make sure everything is all right. Then, who knows where I'll go from there?"
"I can get myself to the Hospital Wing. I'm perfectly able to walk." Catie broke herself away from Remus' clutch, standing right up. She tried to take a step, but her leg automatically collapsed under the pain. Catie started to fall back, but Sirius immediately caught her in his arms. She smiled weakly as he placed her upright, Remus taking her under the shoulders once more.
"Exactly." Remus looked at her with the eyes a father would hold.
"I guess I'll be off now," Sirius said glumly. He looked over at Remus and Catie. "It was nice to see you, old friend. And exquisite to meet you, Catie." He chuckled as he waved, turning on the balls of his feet and heading back to the forest.
Sirius got nearly two feet before Catie heard someone shout, "Stop him!" The front door blasted open, and out ran nearly twenty members from the Ministry, wands at the ready. They surrounded Sirius, who was now frantically searching for a wand. Some began shouting multiple binding curses; in no time, Sirius was bound on the floor, lying still on the ground.
"We have to do something!" Catie quickly whispered to Remus.
He shook his head. "It's too late."
Catie winced as Sirius shouted out in pain; they were now torturing him, asking countless questions that Catie couldn't even have imagined he knew the answer to. But Remus was right. There was nothing that could be done. The Ministry had him back in their clutches.
Sirius' shouts rang out over the grounds. Catie burried her face in Remus' chest, not able to watch what was happening any more.
"Let's get you inside," Remus whispered in her ear. Face still hidden in his chest, Remus and Catie began to walk up the stairs and into the school. At the top, Remus took one last look at his friend. Catie felt a small drop of water splash on her forehead as they arrived inside. Was it raining?
Catie woke up in the warm bed of the Hospital Wing, wrapped in blankets. She must have fallen asleep. Catie looked over to the left. Ron was sleeping in the bed next to her, his leg covered in multiple layers of gauze. She looked down, realizing that her own body was wrapped up. All around her stomach. Remus was right; she did break her rib cage.
Remus... Where had he gone? Did he leave? And without saying goodbye?
"She's finally awake."
"Thank God."
"Do you think any of us will ever go a day without coming to the Hospital Wing?"
Catie laughed.
"Oh, I doubt that," Madame Pomfrey walking over to Catie's bed.
Catie looked to her left; Harry and Hermione were sitting on the bed. Remus on the other hand was right next to Catie's side.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
She smiled. "Never better." Catie heard a tiny knocking noise and looked over at the door. George was standing there, leaning coolly against the doorframe, a folded piece of parchment in his hands. He strode over to Catie and plopped himself down on the bed.
"Clutz," he scoffed.
"Jerk," she laughed, sticking out her tongue. George laughed back, handing her the piece of parchment. "What's this?" she questioned.
"It's from Lizz. She wanted me to give it to you." Catie's stomach did a back flip. She still cared.
Catie unfolded it quickly, reading over the lines as rapidly as she could.
"Nice to see you actually stop and absorb what I wrote," said a voice to the right of her. Catie had not even noticed that Lizz had come into the ward and was now standing right next to George.
"Nice to see that..." Catie tried to think of something witty to say back, but her mind came up blank. It seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
Lizz laughed. "It's also nice to see that you're easy to make fun of." Catie made a face at her.
Remus cleared his throat. "Catie, I will see you later. Harry, why don't you come for a lesson now? Hermione. George. You can help."
"But I don-" George started. Then it hit him. "Oh! Sure!" They all left the room, leaving Lizz and Catie alone - except for the still sleeping Ron.
"So," started Catie.
"So..." replied Lizz. They were off to a great start.
Silence swept over the room. Neither were talking.
"To tell you the truth," Catie started. "I don't even remember why we aren't talking."
Lizz laughed. "That's good. 'Cuz I forgot too. I came here to apologize, but realized I don't know what I'm apologizing for."
Catie looked at the letter in her hands. "Then what's in this?"
Lizz laughed, taking the parchment from her. "Snape's homework assignment. I thought you could have something to do while you were stuck here."
Catie rolled her eyes, throwing a pillow at Lizz, then wincing in pain. Lizz's eyes flashed with alarm. " 'S fine. Doesn't even hurt," Catie lied. Lizz nodded, even though she knew Catie wasn't telling the truth.
The two sat on the bed for hours, talking about what had happened over the past few days without each other. Catie made sure to leave out the parts about Remus' werewolf problem and anything about Sirius.
"So you and Roxas... are like, together now?!" Catie exclaimed.
"Yes!" Lizz beamed. "We even exchanged phone numbers and everything! We're still going to stay close over the break, and when we come back, we're going on a date!"
"That's great." Catie chuckled at Lizz's excitement. Though she couldn't help but wish that Lizz and Catie were reversed positions right now. Catie silently hoped that the next time her and George weren't alone together, she didn't act like such a dork.
Catie jumped as she felt a pair of hands slide over her eyes. "Guess who," an all-to-familiar voice cooed in her ear. Catie smiled. It was as if God really was inside her mind.
"I think I'll go see if Professor Lupin needs help with that class," Lizz said, hopping up from the bed. George quickly replaced her spot.
"Jerk," he said, sticking his tongue out.
"Clutz," she answered, laughing in a deep voice.
"Was that supposed to be me?" George exclaimed, completing it with an overly-large gasp.
"Depends. Was that supposed to be me?" Catie answered.
George chuckled, looking Catie right in the eyes. She returned the favor, smiling softly as she felt George's warm hand cover her's. The distance between them began to close. Catie felt George's other hand pull the back of her neck, bringing her in closer to George.
They were centimeters away when a voice rang out from beside them. "Will you two get a room?!" George's brother exclaimed from the bed next to him as he watched his best friend closing in on him.
George growled as he jumped off the bed, picking up a pillow, and slamming it into Ron over and over. Madame Pomfrey quickly ran over, grabbing George and shoving him out of the Hospital Wing.
"You can finish later!" Ron taunted.
Catie ignored the two of them, sinking back into the pillows and allowing the scent of sleep overtake her, drowning her, until she was out cold, a smile on her face.
