Chapter Eleven
The Wolf and the Forest
It was cold, too cold for words, cold like death. I was forgetting happy...it was like all the smiles I'd ever had were slowly fading away into the mist. He was moving. Dark, cloaked and definitely evil. Black eyes. He was coming closer, closer...surrounded by trees and leaves and moving shadows. It all looked so familiar. Too familiar.
"Paige! Paige!" her voice sounded muffled as my eyes opened. Then I was being pulled into a death grip.
"You were barely breathing! You just blacked out and started shaking, I was so scared!" Skye whined loudly.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Lily's frantic voice asked.
"I-I'm okay," I said as Skye eventually loosened her grip. Lily gave me one of those "really?" looks.
"Thank god! Do you need anything?" Carrie asked as she pulled me to my feet. I swayed a little but she steadied me.
"No, I'm fine," I said more strongly. I didn't want to say anything, they had been worried enough about me. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was close, too close, as in here. At Hogwarts, but that was impossible. Still...
"Will we go? Get things organised before all the punters come down," I said forcing a bigger smile than I felt like giving. Lily looked carefully into my eyes, I hated how she could see right through me, but she seemed to buy it.
"Yeah, let's go," Carrie said, "By the way, you look sexy as hell," she winked.
I giggled looking one more time at the leather that clad my legs. I never thought the day would come when I'd be seeing myself wearing something like them. Skye gave my hand a squeeze.
"Don't do that to me again," she said quietly.
"I won't babe, promise. Happy Birthday again," I smiled pulling her into a hug.
"Thank you," she smiled back. She looked stunning with a pair of denim shorts and belly-top, oh and a massive "Happy Birthday" badge we'd made her wear. We made our way down and into the grounds, the sky was dulling but the moon wasn't out yet. Carrie scampered ahead gracefully to help with the lighting of the fire as we dawdled behind.
"Hey ladies," James grinned jogging over.
"Hiya," we smiled, especially Lily, she smiled loads.
"Where's Remus?" Skye asked twiddling her hair.
"He had to lie down for a bit but he sends his love, I offered to deliver the kiss he wanted to give you but he wasn't so keen on the idea," James joked,
"You'll see him later for the real party."
"Sorry we can't stay long," Sirius chimed in coming over to the group. He shot me a grin, "Hey gorgeous."
He then eyed me up and down before grinning even wider.
"Shut up," I snapped playfully.
"I'm saying nothing," he winked.
"We should go help Carrie," James suggested and Skye and Lils followed him over. Next thing I knew Sirius was kissing me. I loved that boy so much.
"Sirius," I started.
"Yes," he said nuzzling my neck.
"Please be careful tonight I...I have a really bad feeling about tonight," I said. He stopped and looked straight into my eyes.
"What's wrong baby?" he asked.
"I just have the worst feeling something bad is out there and I really don't want you to get hurt," I said feeling my throat become dry.
"Hey, hey," he said pulling me into a hug and kissing the top of my head, "Everything's is going to be okay. I'm going to be okay."
"I know you will," I whispered.
"You're okay," he said placing his hands on my shoulders. I nodded and he kissed me lightly again.
"Come on then," he said taking my hand and leading me over to the gathering crowd.
The night had gone on pretty uneventful. James and Sirius had slipped away and it was just us girls mingling around the fire, basking in our freedom. I was resting on a tree stump when Lily came over with drinks.
"Hey sweetie," she smiled.
"Hey," I smiled back. She took a seat beside me. Now seemed like a good time to subltly strike with my question.
"So, James Potter," I smiled.
"James Potter," she repeated.
"Christmas," I said.
"The dance?" she asked. I nodded. She looked at me for a while before her emerald eyes widened.
"Oh! Oh, Paigey! It wasn't because I don't trust you or anything; I was just so shocked by myself. I, well I kissed him. Well, he kissed me but I kind of kissed him back," she rambled. I grinned in a "I told you so" way.
"And?" I implored.
"It was kind of not horrible," she said coyly. I laughed and started to tell her she luurved him when it happened. My head started pounding again, oh please no. Then an ear piercing howling vibrated through my mind and I was hit with a sharp pain. I was blinded by the mist in my eyes but all this only lasted a minute.
"What's wrong? Paigey?" Lily said squeezing my hand. Anieu.
"Did you hear that?" I asked.
"Hear what?" she said. Oh boy.
"Anieu, it's Anieu. I have to go, she's in danger. There's something- something out there," I said getting up.
"Wait!" Lily said grabbing my arm, "I'm coming with you."
"Lily no, it's dangerous. I don't know what it is but it's evil," I said firmly.
"All the more reason you shouldn't be out there alone!" she snapped. I had a feeling there was no way of making her stay and sighed in defeat. At that point Skye came over. Oh no.
"What's happening?" she asked sensing the tension.
"We're going into the forest, Anieu's in danger," Lily explained.
"Right, let's go then," Skye said. I opened and closed my mouth like a gold fish.
"Fine! But if you need to run, run okay. Don't be a hero, and don't worry about me," I said.
They both nodded but I knew they weren't listening. I ran into the trees with them behind me and I morphed into my wolf self. As soon as I had I was hit with a million different scents. I started running, pacing myself so the girls could keep up when I was knocked over by a lump of black fur. Ouch. I looked up to see Sirius' (well, Padfoot's) snout at my face. He nudged me apologetically. I shook myself and looked at him imploringly. He nodded over at a confused Lily and Skye. I nodded. He morphed back to himself, as did I.
"Sirius!" they both gasped.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"I have to keep this quick ladies, I'm an animagus and so is James. We had to come out here because we kind of ran into a problem with Moony," he said quickly.
"Remus?" Skye said frantically.
"Oh boy how to say this," Sirius said when a stag came running by, halted and walked back. James morphed back to himself.
"Lily?" he said.
"James?" she said even more wide eyed than before and so shocked she didn't call him Potter or git-face.
"You have to leave! You have to get out of here right now, all of you!" James shouted, "Sirius what were you thinking? You should be getting them out."
"What's happening?" Skye asked and then I heard the blood-curling howl of a blood-thirsty animal.
"Moony's a werewolf!" Sirius exclaimed.
"A-wha?" Skye managed to say.
"He's a werewolf and he got out so to speak and we're trying to find him. He's out of control of his mind more so than usual and you are not safe here," James said with a hint of fear in his voice.
"Run!" Sirius shouted morphing back to his dog-self but it was too late. Remus the werewolf came roaring through the trees and crouched down growling deeply. Oh god. Oh...the cold. It's so cold.
"Get back!" I shouted at Lily and Skye.
Skye was frozen but Lily pulled her back into the trees but chaos was breaking out as Remus ran into the open. I morphed back to my wolf-self and circle him. James tried to ram him back but it didn't stop Remus from coming back. He was after Lily and Skye. They were backing up and around trying to get as far away as possible. Sirius ran to James' defence and snapped at Remus' paws. He backed up a bit then all of sudden lunged forward going straight for Lily. My eyes widened as I tore after him but luckily James got there first ramming his antlers into Remus' body pushing him back. I ran over to the girls and stood in front of them growling.
The boys continued to try to round Remus up in a sense. I turned quickly to Lily and Skye and nudged them with my head. Don't worry; I won't let him hurt you. Remus was backed up so the girls came around a bit as I ran over to the boys. Next thing I knew they were flung back and Remus was running incredibly quickly towards...towards Skye! Oh my god. No! She fell over as she tried to back away. Her eyes were wide and her lip was shaking. She must have been petrified and confused, I mean, he was her Remy. What would this do to him if he hurt her? If he bit her? It would kill him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself.
I took off running. Skye! He had pounced on her scraping his claws of one of her arms. He was poised over her frame but he hadn't done anything yet. Then suddenly he let out a yowl as if he were in pain. I saw my window and took it. I leapt in the air with my teeth bared and sunk them into Remus' arm. He yelped and threw me from him. I hit into a tree stump and hit the ground like a rock. Ow. I shook with the pain as I tried to get back up. I forced my eyes open to see Sirius on Remus' back growling like crazy. Then there was a howl. A wolf's howl. Anieu? Thankfully, it made Remus retreat back into the woods. I quickly morphed back and ran over to Skye ignoring the burning pain my legs and side.
"Oh baby, are you okay? Skye, Skye," I said holding her up.
"Remus," she whispered. I looked to her bleeding arm and winced.
"I'm so sorry, he can't help it," I whispered.
"I know," she said tears falling down her face.
"He-he loves you," I said. I didn't have to say anything else, in that moment everything clicked for her. I think she already knew what kind of risks Remus took being with her, how scared he'd been.
"I love him," she said firmly although she was shaking slightly.
"Okay, I know you do lovely. I know, it's going to be okay. I promise," I cooed holding her closer.
"I love him," she whimpered.
"Paige, ah, oh Paige. Are you okay? Are you...," Sirius said frantically. Lily took Skye from me and I turned to Sirius. He pulled me close to him, he didn't have to say anything.
"I'm okay," I whispered. It wasn't over. There was the cold only it wasn't just me who felt it. It wasn't a vision. It was real. Dementors.
Sirius pushed me behind him and stared in shock at the two ghostly, cloaked soul-eaters.
"What the fuck?" James said running to our sides.
"Dementors, in Hogwarts, that's impossible!" Lily croaked.
My eyes remained fixed on the two cloaked figures breezing over menacingly. There was someone else, of course there was someone else. The other hooded figure was in the background of the Dementors keeping their distance just in case they didn't do their job. Just in case they didn't kill us. It wasn't V-Voldemort. It wasn't evil but it was pretty close. What were they calling them? Death Eaters. Oh shit, shit, shit! It was all my fault. If anything happened to Lily and Skye... Oh God. Dementors...okay, happy thoughts. Not just happy though, more than happy. It has to be much deeper than happy. It has to be acceptance and love and the first time we kissed. Or when I stayed up all night chatting to the girls and laughing and Sirius. It was love. It was...
"Expecto Patronum!" I shouted pointed my wand towards the cloaked monsters. An incredibly bright white light shot from my wand and charged towards one of the Dementors. I gripped my wand as the wolf went silently forward and pushed it back. Everyone seemed to knock out of their trances and realise they had to take action. There were dribs of white light floating around everywhere but we had to do more. I fell to the ground overwhelmed; I just couldn't keep the wolf up anymore. My eyes darted to the dark hooded stranger. Sick git was still watching. I had to get back up, I had to keep fighting.
Just as I was struggling to reach my feet a large dog darted around me before heading for the other Dementor who was still trying to reach us. Wait...James' patronus was a stag? Lily's was a doe, hmm. Trying to tell us something? Even Skye managed to let her eagle patronus in on the action. It was then the Dementors fled and my instinct burned. Next thing I knew I'd thrown myself into Lily knocking her to the ground as a green light flashed by me.
"Paige," she said wide eyed.
"Run!" I shouted.
"No," she said.
"They don't want you lovely," I whispered.
"I don't care," she said and then we were back up on out feet.
Shield Charm, run, jinx, and curse, red light, green light...My heart was pounding in my chest. I don't want to die. What's more I don't want anyone else to die, especially because of me. Help. Someone, anyone please help. Everything was in chaos, a blur. I think it was an even match; clearly we were faced with a powerful wizard. Death Eater? Wait. What was that? Shouts. Someone was coming! Before I knew it Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall and a few others were pushing through the trees. We were saved! We were s...Sirius! No! He wasn't looking, he...No!
I hadn't thought twice about throwing myself in front of him when the green light came coming. Even after I knew I wouldn't go back and do it differently. It didn't hurt, not even a little bit. I just felt so much lighter than I ever had before in my whole life. Everything just felt easier. I felt a pull behind me urging me to let go but there was something I was clutching to. There was a reason I wasn't going...What was it? I just knew I had to keep holding on. Why? Then everything came into sight but it was a little hazy.
I was looking down at myself at my-my body. Oh. There was Sirius. Oh Sirius. He was crying. No, don't cry. I'm here. Please, it's okay. They were all crying. Lily and James. Skye was sobbing into Remus who had managed to crawl back to us once the moon had departed. It was horrible. It's okay! I'm here. I wanted to shout those words but I was suspended somewhere they couldn't hear me. Sirius. Something tugged inside me. That's when I saw the light. It was mesmerising. This brilliant, luminous, white burning light and it was coming towards me. Anieu. She walked, no, glided over to my side and nudged Sirius lightly. Let me go now Sirius. He hesitated and gripped onto my body tighter before setting me down gently. What was she doing? She stayed on top of me and rested her nose on mine and opened her eyes. They were the same burning white as her body. Then everything was light, I was being engulfed in light. Then I was falling, falling...falling.
"Huuh!" I gasped and spluttered as life was breathed back into me. Anieu's eyes closed and I knew then she had given her life for mine. Old magic...
"P-Paige," Sirius croaked. I looked down at Anieu and held her tightly to me.
"Thank you," I whispered. I placed her off me and let the tears fall down my face.
"Paige," Sirius said again falling down beside me.
"Sirius," I said looking at his tear stained face. He just broke down, literally in my arms sobbing. It was so scary seeing someone so strong so broken. I clung back onto him.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I whispered over and over. He pulled pack to look into my own tear soaked eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it.
"I love you, I love you, I love you Sirius Black," I gushed through my tears.
"I love you," he grinned, still crying. I laughed a little and smiled.
"I love you," he repeated as I fell back into his arms. I could have stayed there forever, dirty and scratched and sobbing but with Sirius. Then I was brought back into the present.
"Paige," Lily whispered but I heard her clearly.
I pulled back from Sirius reluctantly as Lily fell down beside me. I pulled her into a hug she returned fiercely; she didn't have to say anything. After that I was suddenly aware of what was going on around me. Professors were shouting and fussing and asking if we were okay over and over and over. I eventually pushed myself up and went over to Skye and Remus- who had been given some robes.
"I...," Remus started looking at my bruises and cuts. I cut him off with a hug.
"Don't," I whispered. Then I held Skye to me as she started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Shh," I cooed as she cried into my shoulder, "It's okay now, it's okay."
We'd gone back to the castle and I'd explained to Professor Dumbledore what had happened. He set about finding somewhere to lay Anieu to rest and also to seriously readjust the security of the grounds. We all ended up in the common room, except Remus who Skye had taken to his bed. I was sitting on the couch holding onto Lily's hand as she rambled about not believing what had just happened. She wasn't really making sense but whatever made her feel better. Eventually we started to feel the exhaustion.
"I love you," Lily said as she squeezed me once more.
"I love you too," I smiled weakly. Sirius held my hand and nodded at James.
"Come on Lils, let's go," James said softly. She gave me on last smile before turning away.
"I don't want to be alone tonight," she whispered and James put his arms around her and led her away. Sirius placed his hands on my face.
"I'll never let you go ever again," he said.
"You won't have to," I whispered.
"I-I've never been so scared...," he said closing his eyes. I kissed him softly and he opened his eyes slowly.
"Come with me," he said. I looked at him surprised. He took my hand in his and let me towards the portrait. I followed him dazed along the corridors, through passages and then to a wall.
"Close your eyes and wait," he whispered. I did as I was told and waited. I heard a weird noise but kept my eyes shut.
"Open them," he said. Whoa. I was not expecting that.
"What...," I said.
"The Room of Requirement," he grinned opening the door slowly and beckoning me in. I stared at him curiously before going in. Wow. Wow. And have I mentioned, wow? There was a large round, silk sheeted bed with rose petals on it and a small table with two plates of macaroni and cheese on it.
"Shut up," I said to myself completely dumbfounded.
"You like it?" Sirius asked...nervously? He was nervous?
"It's amazing, I, how?" I rambled.
"I don't know, I'd always kind of imagined it like this and after tonight, I thought you were never coming back. You were d...," he said before coughing.
"I love you," I said.
"I love you," he said. It sounded so good coming from his lips. Then suddenly I realised how much I wanted him, how much I needed him, how it would feel to be without him. I never wanted to lose him ever again. Ever. Next thing I knew I had leapt into his arms and was smothering him with kisses. He carried me over to the bed and placed me on it continuing to kiss. This was it. And it was perfect. His hands ran up and down my body leaving those ever anticipated tingles in their path, he then unclipped my necklace. I gasped but all I could feel was love. My eyes clouded in and out but it didn't matter. It was just me and Sirius. Nothing else, just love.
R&R, the next chapter will be the Epilogue of Part One: Sixth year, thanks for reading so far lovelies!
