Harry sat still before the tombstone, not noticing the silver moonlight that began to brighten the sky. The light seemed cruel and distant, hinting of things no mortal understood, hinting things that the dead controlled.
Harry first became aware when a howl split across the sand. Jerking in surprise, he spun around on his heels, seeing exactly what he dreaded. Oh, Merlin, no… Stumbling back until he felt water lapping at his heels, Harry reached for his wand. Please let it be Lupin… Please say that he only growled because he was annoyed that Harry had been outside. The wolf entered a spot of moonlight, and his fur shone silver. No, it wasn't the moonlight. The wolf's fur was silver. Silver. The color of James' hair. The exact color of James' hair.
It had to be him. Harry took a step back into the water. Pulling out his wand, he pointed it at the beast. It stood, growling, preparing to, well, to kill him. Harry's wand hand shook. He didn't want to hurt James. He didn't want to hurt… his father.
The werewolf took a step forward, drool dripping from its snout. Then, just as it was tensing to leap forward, another brown shape rose from the shadows. It hurled itself onto James, snarling and growling wildly. Harry felt his eyes widen and his heart and head finally seemed to sync together. Immediately, his heart began pounding.
Harry turned from the wolves, knowing he had to get to Shell Cottage. Running parallel to the water, he glanced back as he heard something large pounding behind him. Turning around, he saw it was James.
Reacting instantly, he called out,
"Stupefy!" The spell struck James, and he was thrown backward. It had been strong, but James was still moving, trying to scramble to his paws on the sandy shore. Harry didn't watch any more. Without another thought, Harry whipped around and sprinted for the cottage.
When he arrived there, he saw Bill standing in the kitchen. Apparently, he hadn't noticed that Harry was missing, and when he saw Harry enter, he whirled around in worry.
"Harry! What were you doing out there!"
"I lost track of time," Harry said, tilting his head down and breathing harshly. Bill looked slightly annoyed with his response and answered, saying,
"You lost track of - Harry! This night is dangerous! We have a fully grown werewolf out there! How do you think Remus – or James! – would feel had you been bitten?"
"I know, Bill, and I shouldn't have stayed out there. James was there… He – I – I had to stupefy him."
"And it worked?" Bill asked curiously. Then his face darkened. "You're lucky, Harry Potter. That spell only worked against a werewolf because James isn't fully healed yet."
Harry swallowed roughly as doubt flashed across his mind.
"Bill… I – I had to stupefy him." Apparently, even with being the most level-headed and smartest Weasley brother, Bill didn't understand.
"What d'you mean, Harry?" he asked. He had picked up how upset Harry sounded, and he knew that it certainly had to do with James, but he didn't know what it was.
"I had to hurt James! He's my father," Harry's eyes were wide as his emotions flew through him. As the words registered to Bill, his expression softened.
"Harry… You had to. Do you remember how, back in your third year, Sirius attacked Remus to protect you? Remus didn't hold it against him because he knew it was to keep you safe. In the end, James would rather you be safe."
Harry nodded, but in his heart, he knew he wasn't convinced. Surely, there had been a better option.
He didn't have to stupefy James. There – there had been a better way! He just didn't do it.
Now he regretted it.
James would hate him. Even now, James wasn't convinced that Harry was his son. Hell, he didn't believe with one ounce of his body that Harry was his son.
Now what would he think? Harry had attacked him, hurt him. There was nothing he could say that would justify what he had done.
Sirius was different… He and Lupin had been friends. Besides, Lupin expected no less.
James didn't know Harry.
"Harry?" Bill asked, seeing his expression.
"Nothing." Harry turned and walked to the room he shared with Ron.
He wasn't inside, and Harry was glad about that. Without another thought on where Ron was, he layed down, willing himself to sleep.
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"Hermione? Do you see him?" Ron whispered nervously as he looked around.
"No!" Hermione said in a loud whisper. "He's not at the grave!"
"Where could he be, then?" Ron said, raising his voice.
"I don't know, Ron." Hermione glanced around the forest. "It's not safe. Maybe he went back inside –"
"We would have saw him, Hermione," Ron interrupted loudly.
"Shh!" Hermione reprimanded. "We don't want James and Lupin to hear us." Suddenly, there was a loud howl. Ron's eyes widened as the thud of paw steps registered in their panicking minds.
"I think they already have," Ron whimpered, staring at the trees behind him. Hermione spun around, only to see a werewolf with shockingly light-colored fur coming closer. Its steps were uneven, and it was shaking its head, as if confused.
Another werewolf followed it out.
"Lupin!" Hermione breathed with relief. The werewolf let out a short bark. It was clear what he meant.
Run.
And they listened. Running towards Shell Cottage, it took them a few precious minutes to realize that, in their terror, they had been turned around.
They had been running in the wrong direction.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled in desperation. "It's the other way! We're going the wrong way!"
"I know! I bloody know that!" Ron yelled. For the first time, or what seemed to be, Hermione didn't reprimand him for swearing. Although, Ron might have been comforted if she did. Then, at least, one thing would be normal in this situation.
Actually, when were things ever normal? He was friends with Harry bloody Potter!
The two teens turned quickly and continued running. Shell Cottage was in sight, though still far, when they heard a growl.
Turning, Ron and Hermione saw James race out from underbrush. Lupin followed, but it was clear he was slowing down, and he was limping.
"Run!" Hermione screeched. Ron turned and began to run, making sure that Hermione kept up with him.
Then he was tossed into the air by slavering jaws. Flying freely, he omitted a strangled shout before the ground rose up to meet him. As he landed, there was a sickening thud and a terrible crack.
Ron blinked the haze out of his eyes only to see the huge jaws of a full-grown werewolf above him.
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I'm so sorry! It has been FOREVER since I've updated.
I promise to do better now! I'm back, and I'm not dead! Don't worry!
So, tell me what you thought of the chapter. No, Harry will not be bitten.
Will Ron?
Will Hermione?
Will no one?
Will a giant chasm open up in the Earth and drag them all into it so they end up in Middle Earth? Haha, just kidding.
Thank you to all my reviewers!
As a writer, I write both fanfiction and original stories. If you want to see some of my original work in a blog, then search this in google:
Rebecca Ralston Writer Webnode
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