AN: So sorry for the late update, but it's been sort of a lack...or maybe an overload of inspiration for many things. I'm collaborating with Indiefoxproductions on a 1920s Mob AU and that has been flooding my brain. BUT I am back in the saddle so to speak and posting again. So this chapter is a bit long and a bit of a filler, so forgive me for the lack of main events. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and favorite/followed :3


Chapter 12: Back to Back

The wail hung heavy in the air as Fleur's breathing grew labored and she looked around to see if anyone had answered her cry. Someone had to have heard that, anybody. The healing charms weren't touching the wound and Fleur only new basic first aid, rule one, don't remove the knife, and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. But regardless of if the weapon was removed or not, Jade was still losing a lot of blood.

"Fleur?" The blonde lifted her head to see Lucian Bole, her fellow Prefect, standing on the stair case that was leading down to the fourth floor. "Is that...?"

"Lucian," Fleur sighed as she shook her head and tried to steel her voice. "Please, don't ask questions, just go get a professor, or Madam Pomfrey, anyone!" The boy was just staring, his face paling significantly as his eyes stayed glued to the large pool of blood that was staining Fleur's jeans. "GO!" She yelled and Lucian flinched before running back down the stairs, hopefully towards help.

The part-Veela adamantly applied pressure to the girl's chest around the handle of the knife, trying hard not to move said weapon in case it caused more damage. After a few agonizing minutes, the blood seemed to slow its escape, but Fleur wasn't sure if that was because of the pressure she was applying, or the fact that Jade just didn't have any more blood to lose. She hoped it was the former.

"What in the name of Merlin!" The blonde's head snapped up to see the medi-witch climbing the stair case towards them.

"She was stabbed."

"Anyone with eyes can see that, girl." Pomfrey lashed out as she knelt down and began to examine the very pale Jade McHale and Fleur fought to roll her eyes. "How did it happen?"

"I-I'm not sure." Fleur was flustered. She didn't know how Jade had been stabbed, there was only a black, mangy dog when she'd arrived, but the wolf was certain there had been a man. "I…I found her like this."

"No matter, we need to get her to the hospital wing." The Medi-witch waved her wand and Jade began to levitate before she was hovered off down the stairs towards the infirmary.

Fleur sat there, hands soaked in blood as she watched her friend's body be swept off by a frantic Madam Pomfrey. Her head was still a little foggy as she looked down at the blood that was beginning to stain the floor and shook her head slightly. How had the girl been wounded?

"Fleur?" The blonde looked up numbly to see Lucian Bole approaching cautiously. "Are you all right? You should…" He glanced down at the blood on the floor and then the Prefect's bloodstained hands. "You should go wash up, maybe go to the Hospital yourself…y'know, in case you're in shock?"

"I'm fine." She said quietly as she stood up and refused to make eye contact with the fellow Slytherin. "I just…I need to…" Fleur walked slowly towards Lucian as a suffocating pressure began to close around her. She could feel the blood rushing through her veins as her head began to throb.

"Woah…" Lucian gasped softly as he took a half step back from Fleur. "Delacour…your eyes…"

The Veela brought her hand to her forehead as the ache in her head intensified and her vision began to blur before her eyes snapped shut. She felt something caress her leg and one eye opened to glance down at a ginger fluff rubbing against her leg. The creature looked up and mewled softly before brushing its chin against her calf.

"That cat." The blonde groaned softly before closing her eyes again as a harsh wave of pain radiated through her skull. "Always shows up at the oddest times."

"Fleur?" Fleur's eyes opened wide before glancing over her shoulder to see Hermione approaching with Ron and Harry. "What happened?" Large brown eyes flitted to the blonde's hands and then down at the puddle of blood at her feet. "Merlin, are you all right?"

"Some night, eh?" Ron muttered as Hermione moved forward and gently grabbed the Slytherin's shoulders. "First Sirius Black trying to get into Gryffindor Tower, now this? You think that's Fleur's blood?"

"I'm right here!" Fleur snapped as she furrowed her brow and a soft growl vibrated in her throat. "Don't speak of me as if I'm not." Her breathing was heavy as she glared at the two boys who were suddenly very still.

"Fleur," Hermione gently shook the taller girl to try and get her attention, flinching slightly when the dimly glowing eyes fell on her. "Is this blood yours? Are you hurt?" The question seemed to bring the Prefect back to her senses as she looked around before shaking her head.

"No," The gold started to fade from Fleur's eyes as she relaxed and sighed. "Jade, she was…attacked."

"By who?" Harry interrupted as he took a few steps forward and a fire began to burn in his green eyes. "Did she see who it was? Was it Sirius Black?"

"You'll have to ask her." The Veela, suddenly exhausted, answered as she rubbed her forehead. "She said there was a man, but all I saw when I got here was a black dog." Harry and Hermione looked at each other as the brunette tugged on Fleur's arm to try and get her to move.

"We should get you to the Infirmary." Hermione muttered as she started to guide the part-Veela. "I'll…I'll meet you guys back at the tower." Ron and Harry shared a confused look, but shrugged before heading back up towards the seventh floor.

Lucian was still watching Fleur carefully as she passed with Hermione and he swallowed hard when she glanced in his direction. The brunette followed the older girl's gaze and rolled her eyes before gently nudging the blonde in the side. Fleur released a soft chuckle before sighing and letting the shorter girl guide her down the stairs.

x—x

Jade was standing in darkness. The silhouettes of dead trees surrounded her as she exhaled and her breath condensed into a cloud of fog. There was a rustling behind her as she spun around to try and focus on the origin of the noise. A soft growl hung in the air as the dark haired girl tensed and the sounds of paws treading over the ground began to surround her.

The growling got louder as Jade turned again and was met with the glowing yellow eyes. A large black wolf was crouched, hackles raised and teeth bared as the blue eyed girl began to back up slowly. A threatening snarl erupted behind her as a white wolf with blue eyes emerged from the darkness. The wolves growled and snapped their jaws before the black figure lunged forward, closing its jaws around its white counterpart's leg.

Jade stumbled back as the beasts grappled in front of her. Blood sprayed her feet as the white wolf ripped into the other's shoulders and a loud yelp echoed into the still air. The Ravenclaw's eyes were wide as she watched the battle unfold. She watched as the black wolf snarled loudly before ramming the white creature hard in the side, knocking it over before closing its maw around the other's neck.

"No." Jade whispered as yellow eyes locked with her bright blues before crunching down, snapping the white wolf's neck.

Jade's whole body was engulfed in fire as she screamed, her muscles contracting and her jaw locking. It felt like every nerve in her body was being ripped out of her body and electrocuted. She coughed harshly and was horrified to see blood spray the ground.

The black wolf growled as it stalked away from its opponent and towards the girl. Gleaming teeth were stained red as its lips curled back and snarl rang into the air. Jade felt like her lungs were filling with water as she gasped for breath and tried to cry out as the black beast lunged at her throat.

The lycan shot up and groaned as a searing pain crackled through her chest and abdomen. Her blue eyes darted back and forth, finding stone walls surrounding her, along with several empty beds. The Infirmary. The wolf groaned as her head started to spin and very slowly, laid herself back down.

She pulled the collar of the gown she was wearing down to see the large bandage that was wrapped around her torso, and her right arm fastened in a sling. The faint tint of red was soaked through and Jade sighed before flinging her left arm over her face.

"What did he mean?" She asked softly to the darkness. "It was for my own good? How was stabbing me for my own good?"

The look on the man's face was desperate, yet calm. That was something she couldn't place about his appearance, the look in his eyes was almost more feral than any wild beast she'd ever encountered. And where had he come from?

"How are you feeling, Miss McHale?" Jade flinched as she sat up again, cursing silently as her wound burned. Dumbledore sighed before putting a hand on her shoulder to gently push her back down. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine, Headmaster." The Ravenclaw groaned as she exhaled slowly to try and ease the burn in her chest that was slowly working its way down her right arm. "Did you need something?"

"Indeed I do." The elder wizard sat down at the foot of her mattress and nodded. "How are you feeling, Jade?"

"Like I got stabbed." The wolf answered sarcastically as she furrowed her brow and watched the wizard closely. "But that's not what you meant, is it?"

"I'm afraid not." Dumbledore stroked his beard and gently patted Jade's foot. "You've been...quite on edge recently. I want to know how your wolf is feeling."

Jade's eyes narrowed before she looked away from the old man and sat herself up against the metal frame. She wasn't really sure how to answer. The dream she'd seen, it meant something. There were always internal struggles with Lycans, it distinguished them from werewolves and a vargulf. They had a choice, they could turn when they wanted, needed, without consequence. But Jade had been denying hers freedom.

"You know what will happen if you fight your nature." The Headmaster warned gently as Jade glanced at the man. "You will change, lose your sanity, your control. You're not even healing properly."

"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT!" Jade roared as she turned towards the elder wizard and bared her teeth. A white hot rage was flowing through her veins as she watched the man remain unnaturally calm. "I can feel it. The change in me, the unrelenting anger inside of me. I know exactly what is happening to me. But…I can't…I can't shift. I don't have it completely under control."

"You know there is someone here that can help you." Dumbledore continued as he stared into eyes that were glowing yellow around dilated pupils. "Lupin could help you control it, and Miss Riley…"

"I don't want anything to do with Rin Riley." The wolf spat as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to try and calm her rage. "And Professor Lupin is a werewolf…how can he teach me how to control something he has no control over himself?"

Dumbledore nodded in understanding, deciding it better not to argue to keep the wolf from biting at its restraints more. The Headmaster gently patted her knee before standing and offering her a glass of water. Jade took it cautiously before drinking it and the yellow faded from her eyes.

"Just consider it." He said finally before nodded slightly and turned to leave. "Have a good night, Jade." The man paused as he reached the heavy doors and turned one final time. "You may want to visit your friends when you're feeling up to it. Miss Granger brought Fleur around, Miss Lovegood was here as well. And R-"

"Luna was here?" Jade's eyes narrowed as her gaze fell from the headmaster to the glass in her hands. "Why?"

"She seemed worried." Dumbledore answered as he turned and left the room, leaving Jade with her thoughts. "Like I said, sleep on it. Make your decision when you're not confined to a hospital bed."

The wolf nodded, not looking as the Headmaster left. She knew he was right, of course, Jade needed to release her wolf, let it roam, let it free. But ever since the last meeting with her father, everything about her wolf just seemed wrong. She didn't want to be like her father, using his power and wolf for his own gains.

"If I become a vargulf," She sighed before clenching the glass in her hand as it started to crack. "Then so be it."

x—x

"Hard to believe that everyone fits in here, huh?" Ginny said as she unrolled her blankets next to Hermione who was just sitting on hers, the creases of deep thought chiseled on her brow. "Hey, you all right?"

The Great Hall was filled with all the students after Dumbledore announced that the castle had been breached by a man who the Fat Lady claimed to be Sirius Black. So now every student was camping out on the stone floor. The torches were lit dimly as students were rolling out their beds for the night and settling in. Whispers were floating through the air about Sirius Black and how he had gotten into the castle in the first place, let alone up to Gryffindor Tower. Then there were the rumors that he'd been there to kill Harry, which of course, were the most believable given his destination.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, what?" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts as she blinked and looked at her friend. Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed. "What?"

"What happened after you left the tower?" The red head asked gently. "You just, took off, and then Harry and Ron went after you."

"Crookshanks just bolted down the stairs." The brunette answered as she looked down at the orange feline at her feet. "I don't know why, but I worried. So I followed him."

"You know Ron still thinks that cat offed Scabbers?" Ginny sighed before shaking her head. "So where did the little scrub brush lead you?"

"I found Fleur," The youngest Weasley's eyes widened slightly before a knowing smile grew on her lips. "It's not what you think…she-" Hermione paused for a moment, the sight of Fleur's hands drenched in blood and the look on her face when she'd found her flashing in her mind. "She wasn't herself." Her dark orbs glanced across the hall to the farthest corner, closest to the door, where Fleur was already sleeping, back propped up against the wall and a wool blanket draped around her.

Ginny followed her gaze and then glanced back at Hermione. The look on her friend's face was a little forlorn as her russet eyes stayed locked on the blonde. There was something more than friendship building between the two, but Ginny wasn't about to pry.

"I had to take her to the Hospital Wing-"

"Is she all right?" The red head interrupted as Hermione nodded and sighed.

"It was Jade who was injured." The brunette continued. "Fleur was just, in shock I think." Hermione turned towards Ginny and narrowed her eyes. "Do you think it was really Sirius Black who tried to get into the tower?"

Ginny glanced over to the middle of the hall to see Ron and Harry huddled together, whispering anxiously about something. There wasn't a doubt in Ginny's mind, after what she'd heard her father speaking of over the summer, that it was the crazed Azkaban escapee that had destroyed the Fat Lady portrait that night.

"I believe it was."

"Do you think he really intends to kill Harry?" Hermione already knew the answer, but even a know-it-all needs second opinions sometimes.

"I wouldn't doubt it."

Both of the girls sighed as the professors came through and doused the torches, ordering students to go to bed. As if you could order kids to sleep. Crookshanks yowled softly as Hermione nudged him with her feet as she snugged down into her blankets.

Hermione's eyes fell once again on the dark silhouette that belonged to Fleur Delacour. This year was becoming increasingly difficult. If it wasn't maniacs trying kill her best friend, it was Lycans and Veelas keeping things from being boring. The brunette sighed as she rolled over and Crookshanks meowed before curling into her back.

x—x

The next day was rather monotonous. Besides the fact that everyone had to wake up on a cold floor, classes had been canceled for the day so professors could thoroughly investigate the castle and houses once more to make sure there were no breaches in the school's security. Which meant, Hermione and everyone else spent a good chunk of their morning waiting in the Great Hall until Gryffindor Tower was cleared and they were ushered back to be confined there in the afternoon.

"Well, this is right peachy, idn't it?" Ron grumbled as he tossed a quaffle into the air and caught it again. "I guess the only good thing is that I have an extra day to finish that essay on werewolves that's due tomorrow."

"Have you even started it?" Hermione arched an eyebrow at the redhead as he stammered and dropped the quaffle on his face. Harry chuckled as he sat in the arm chair working on the essay himself.

"I assume you've had it done for days now?" Harry added with a knowing smile as the brunette nodded before folding her arms over her chest. "I think I'm going to ask Lupin why he wouldn't let me face the boggart the last time he taught class."

"I thought it was rather obvious." Ron sat up and gently tossed the quaffle to his friend. "I mean, I know what I thought that boggart was going to turn into." Harry frowned and lowered his head as he spun the hollow ball in his hands. Hermione shot her friend a death glare, to which Ron just shrugged.

"Didn't you think that's what it was going to change into, Harry?" She asked gently as the bespectacled boy nodded slowly.

"I did at first, but…" He sighed before setting the quaffle down and scratching the back of his neck. "Then I remembered the Dementor on the train, and the emptiness I felt when I saw it. Voldemort wasn't even on my mind after that moment."

The three friends were silent after that as the other students began to chat boisterously, as if trying to cover up the fact that they were listening in on the conversation. Hermione sighed before rolling her eyes and stood, brushing off her jeans. She had homework to do and a library to inhabit if she wanted to get anything done.

"Do you think they'd let me go to the library?" Ron and Harry looked at each other before shrugging. As if anything about the library would interest them. "I'm going to go find McGonagall and ask." Hermione looked around for Percy, the Head Boy, finding him sitting in an armchair near the portrait entrance. "Could you take me to Professor McGonagall's office, Percy?"

"You know we aren't allowed to leave the dorms, Hermione." The Head Boy answered lazily as he continued to scrawl hurriedly on a piece of parchment. "Not until we get word, at least."

"Come on, Percy." Hermione argued as she planted her hands on her hips. "It's almost three in the afternoon, I think if any part of the castle were insecure they would've found it by now. Besides they did a sweep last night. This is just a secondary precaution. I just want to go to the library."

The Weasley sighed as he set down his quill and stood. There really was no use arguing with Hermione once her mind was made up. Percy muttered under his breath as he moved towards the door and Hermione followed.

"Professor." Percy said as he halted and Hermione nearly ran into his back. "I was just coming to find you."

"Well turn around, Mr. Weasley." McGonagall said as she physically turned him and pushed him back into the common room. "I have an announcement and everyone must be present for it." Hermione was forced back into the common room and huffed as she took a seat on the sofa as Percy got the attention of all the other Gryffindor students.

"I wonder what she has to say?" Ron whispered to Harry as they sat waiting for what their House Head had to announce. Harry shrugged as Hermione folded her arms over her chest in irritation having to wait to get her studying done.

"From now on, curfew for all students will be eight o'clock and you must all be in your respective houses." The students groaned and the Weasley twins began to protest as their brother tried to calm them with his authority, which of course, didn't work. "No exceptions, a Head Boy or Girl will be escorting students to and from classes in the evening, as well as Prefects, until further notice."

"Does that mean I'll need an escort to go to the library?" Hermione asked and McGonagall nodded as the girl slumped back into the sofa.

"No more writing passwords on paper, is that clear?" The professor was addressing everyone, but the students all knew who she was really speaking to, and Hermione caught Neville shrink down between Dean and Seamus. "If you forget the password, find a Prefect, Mr. Weasley, or myself."

The whole room groaned as McGonagall ended her announcement and students began to complain quietly. She let them know they could leave the tower if they were 'escorted' to their next destination. This was going to be a mess.

"I will take you down to the library, Miss Granger." McGonagall added as the other students began to disperse and chat amongst themselves. "Since I'm sure you're the only student who desires to go."

Hermione nodded as she gathered her things into her bag and flung it over her shoulder. She followed the elder witch out of the tower and down the corridor. The trip was relatively silent until they reached the fifth floor.

"How are you handling the hefty workload, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked suddenly as they waited for the stair case to change. "I assume you're not abusing the Time Turner?"

"Of course not, Professor." Hermione said as she shook her head. "I wouldn't dream of abusing it, you and the Headmaster were both very clear about the consequences of such misconduct."

"I'm glad to hear that, Hermione." The elder witch nodded with a small smile as they reached the library doors. "To my understanding, there is already a Prefect or two that were assigned to this floor, so they should be able to escort you back to the tower."

Hermione nodded as McGonagall smiled and headed back the way she came. The brunette sighed before pushing the doors open, she had Arithmancy and History of Magic essays to write, which meant she wasn't going to get back to the tower any time soon. As McGonagall had said, there weren't too many students that had rushed to the library after the quarantine was lifted, a few Ravenclaws, a handful of Hufflepuffs working on Herbology, and a couple Slytherins in the corner keeping to themselves.

"I'm not surprised to see you here." The brunette jumped slightly before turning to see Fleur standing behind her and off to the side. "I assumed you'd be the first one here."

"Well, McGonagall made her announcement to the Gryffindors, so I was postponed." Hermione answered as she adjusted her shoulder bag and went to the nearest empty table. "You know how much we like to sneak out and such." Fleur chuckled as she took a seat across from the younger girl. "Are you the only prefect here?"

"Jade is here too." Fleur answered softly as her eyes scanned the library and a sigh escaped her lungs. "Somewhere, or at least she's supposed to be."

"How is she feeling?" The younger witch asked quietly. She didn't know if Jade's condition was known to many people, and even she didn't know the details to her injuries. "Should she even be out of the hospital?"

"Pomfrey released her." The blonde answered flatly as her gaze remained stern while scanning the library. "She hasn't said much, but she hasn't bitten my head off either. So I suppose that's an improvement." Deep blue eyes finally fell on Hermione. "How is everything in your house?"

The brunette blinked a few times as she looked up from her essay and into Fleur's eyes. It was strange, in the time she'd known the Slytherin, it wasn't common for her to query about the well-being of others.

"Uhm…" Hermione tucked a loose curl behind her ear and cleared her throat. "It's…well, it's hectic. The curfew and whatnot, but I suppose it's necessary. What about you?"

"All the Slytherins think that Potter is just begging for attention." The part-Veela answered as she folded her arms over her chest and sat on the edge of the table. "I mean, Sirius Black infiltrating Hogwarts?" There was a slight mocking in her tone and Hermione shot her a hard glare.

"Harry isn't the one who claimed it was Sirius Black." Hermione retorted as she turned her attention back to her homework. "It was the Fat Lady, and I don't think she would lie." The brunette thought for a second and then set her quill down. "Who did Jade get attacked by?"

Fleur tensed slightly and glanced over her shoulder at the brunette who raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer. She thought back on the previous night, the only reason she'd found Jade was because of the pained cries that she heard echoing the corridors. Fleur hated to think of what would've happened if no one would've found the Ravenclaw.

"All I saw was a big black dog." The blonde answered softly as she furrowed her brow trying to recall every detail of the night. "But…Jade was stabbed, the last I knew, dogs didn't have opposable thumbs."

Hermione furrowed her brow. A large black dog, there was something itching in the back of her mind that found the image familiar. Maybe something from Divination? The brunette released an exasperated sigh before digging through her bag and pulling out her Divination book.

"Excuse me," Both Fleur and Hermione looked up to see Luna Lovegood peeking out from behind a tall stack of books. "Do either of you know where Jade McHale is?"

Fleur blinked as Hermione just watched the small blonde somehow balance the books while she waited for an answer. The Slytherin Prefect glanced back at Hermione who just shrugged. Fleur opened her mouth to speak before she was interrupted by a hand falling on her shoulder.

"Sorry I'm late." Fleur glanced over her shoulder and saw Jade's shadowed azure eyes looking past her at Luna. I had a follow up with Madam Pomfrey." The Slytherin nodded as Jade moved around her towards Luna. "Are you and the others ready to head back?"

"We are, thank you." The younger blonde nodded with a small smile as the lycan took a few of the books under her left arm, which wasn't bound to her torso. "Jade is very kind."

A couple younger Ravenclaw students joined Luna, as well as the Hufflepuffs, and Fleur looked at the wolf standing next to her. Jade was pale, and she looked exhausted, but then again, she'd just been stabbed not even twenty-four hours ago. Crystalline blue eyes glanced sideways and caught the blonde's gaze before flicking away.

"All right then," Jade said as she stepped aside to let the students go ahead of her. "Let's bet back to the towers, shall we?" The younger students moved ahead of her, chatting idly while Luna trailed in the back.

"I'm glad you see you up and around, Jade." Hermione said finally to break the awkward silence between the two fifth years. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." The wolf answered as she sighed and a small smile graced her lips. "But, happy it wasn't any worse." She glanced over at the other Ravenclaws, waiting patiently by the exit and sighed. "I will talk to you two later."

"She looks horrible." Fleur muttered as she watched the Ravenclaw leave. "I hope she's going to be all right."

"I imagine after being stabbed she's not feeling great." Hermione was back to her essay as soon as Jade had left and was only half paying attention to the blonde's musings. "I mean, how would you feel the day after you got stabbed?"

Fleur rolled her eyes as she sat quietly for the rest of the time Hermione was doing her work. Her eyes wandered the library lazily while her mind buzzed. She glanced at the brunette after about an hour of silence and saw Hermione still working fervently on her work.

The part-Veela watched the younger girl closely. Hermione's brow was furrowed slightly as she bit her bottom lip, her quill moving swiftly across the parchment. Fleur smirked as she folded her arms on the table and rested her chin on them. She'd gotten a bit better at controlling her reactions towards the brunette the more time they spent together, and it was nice that she didn't blush like a fool whenever the younger girl was around.

"What are you looking at?" Fleur snapped out of her reverie as she blinked and realized she was staring at Hermione. The brunette had a quizzical expression on her face and her head was tilted slightly in curiosity. "Is there ink on my face?"

Hermione sat up a little straighter and began checking her hands, which of course, had ink smudges blotted on her palms. Fleur hadn't noticed, but the young Gryffindor did indeed have ink smeared on her right cheek. After the younger girl made many attempts at removing said ink from her face, and failing, the Slytherin chuckled.

"Here." Fleur leaned over and gently took Hermione's chin in her right hand before wiping the smudge of ink with her left thumb.

The blonde tried to ignore the blush that was rising in the younger girl's face as russet orbs averted to the ground. Fleur was rather proud that she didn't get the light headed reaction she normally did. Her heart rate had increased the second her hand touched Hermione's face, but she was able to keep it under control.

"Did…uhm," Hermione stuttered as she looked up finally and met Fleur's cobalt gaze. "Did you get it?" Fleur caressed her thumb over the girl's cheek one more time before tilting it, inspecting her cheek.

"I did." The Veela answered as she set back and let her hands linger a bit longer than needed. If possible, the blush on Hermione's face got deeper as she turned away and cleared her throat. "Are you all right?"

"Fine." Hermione answered shortly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. The brunette glanced up at the clock as it chimed for dinner. She hurriedly packed her books and parchment before standing. "Let's go."

Fleur chuckled softly as she stood and whistled at the other Slytherins that were already headed towards her. Hermione raised an eyebrow at her as the blonde shrugged.

"What?" The brunette just rolled her eyes as she spun and walked out of the library. Fleur chuckled again as she stuffed her hands into her pockets and felt something foreign brush against her fingertips.

x—x

Jade paced the in the corridor that led into the Great Hall. She had slipped a note into Fleur's pocket, and one into Hermione's bag as well, before she left the library. Of course, the wolf wasn't sure when the two girl's would find said note asking them to meet her at their earliest convenience.

Her inner animal was pacing almost as fervently as she was and she felt a growl scratch at her throat. She was impatient. Ever since leaving the Infirmary, she felt weak and on edge. Like something or someone was waiting around every corner to attack her. And every time she closed her eyes, she saw the man who had stabbed her before the yellow eyes of a blood thirsty wolf glowed in her mind.

One thing she knew for sure, she was losing her grip on almost everything she normally had control over. Ever since that meeting with her father, after being ordered around by a Death Eater, something inside of her had changed. She wanted to be the defiant teenager, rebel against her elders and leave Fleur alone, but that choice came with consequences.

"Jade?" The blue eyed girl turned to see Hermione standing a few feet away. Of course the first to show up would be Hermione Granger. The brunette held up the scrap of parchment. "I got your note."

Jade tried very hard to relax and smile, but she was afraid it came off as more of a nervous grin. Even around the brunette, someone she knew meant her no harm, she was cautious. Her wolf thought everyone was becoming an enemy.

"Fleur isn't with you?" Jade asked gently as Hermione walked over and stood next to her. "I thought for sure you two were attached at that hip. And you're not supposed to be without a Prefect."

"I thought I'd take my chances." Hermione stated firmly as she lifted her nose slightly and sighed. "Besides, I didn't really feel like walking down with a bunch of Slytherins. It'd just be 'Mudblood this…' or 'muggle-born that…', I'd honestly rather take my chances against Sirius Black."

"I don't blame you." The wolf responded as she shoved her hands in her pockets. "Slytherins are hard to stomach sometimes." She felt Hermione's eyes on her and tried not to tense. "You want to know if Black was the one who attacked me, don't you." Hermione cleared her throat and looked away as Jade glanced over her shoulder and offered a small smile at the Gryffindor. "It's all right, I know you're curious."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry." The younger student apologized as Jade turned to face her. "But, do you think it was him?"

"I honestly had never even seen a picture of him until this morning."

"Seriously?" Hermione tilted her head and furrowed her brow as Jade just shrugged. "His posters were all over Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade."

"I didn't go to either yet this year." The Prefect answered. "My books were brought to me and I didn't feel like going to Hogsmeade the very first weekend we could. I think you forget I'm two years ahead of you, Granger. Hogsmeade isn't really anything special anymore."

"Well," The young girl seemed to be waiting on her tip toes now. "Was it him who attacked you?"

Jade had good eyes, and a very sharp mind, which usually meant her memory was always on point. But for some reason, every time she thought back to the night she had a knife driven into her chest, it all went foggy. Madam Pomfrey had assured that the blade hadn't been cursed or tampered with, but something was off.

"I'm pretty sure it was." Jade answered quietly as the ruckus from the Great Hall intensified. "All I remember were the prisoner's clothing he wore. His face…is a bit foggy. But I his eyes…I remember those."

Hermione's expression changed then from curiosity to sympathy, and Jade found herself hating it. She didn't want anyone's pity. It was her own fault she was attacked, she couldn't control her shift.

"I'm sorry." Hermione moved forward and gently laid a hand on the wolf's bound arm. "Sometimes I'm too curious for my own good I think. I forget memories can be painful after an ordeal like yours."

The Ravenclaw's rigidity softened as she watched Hermione. The girl was always so trusting. Sure she could lose herself in education and her own inner thoughts, but she'd never see Hermione Granger be hostile towards anyone, other than Draco Malfoy, and he always had it coming.

"Don't worry about me." The wolf chuckled softly as she raised her good arm and smirked. "It's hard to kill a lycan, Hermione. I won't be put down by a mere knife."

"Good to know." Both girls turned at that moment and saw Fleur walking towards them with a small group of Slytherins who broke away to head to dinner. "Here I thought you'd let something as simple as a blade break your spirit."

"Glad you could join us." Jade answered as she saw the stoic look on the blonde's face. She watched as darker cobalt orbs lingered for a millisecond longer than necessary on Hermione's hand on her immobile arm. "Here I thought you and Hermione would arrive together."

"Seems all Gryffindors have a disregard for the rules." Fleur retorted as she glanced at Hermione and the brunette paid her no attention. "Your face seems a bit flushed." The Gryffindor snorted and folded her arms over her chest as her face reddened slightly before taking a step away from the wolf. Jade quirked an eyebrow at Fleur as the blonde smirked. "So, why did you want us here?"

The wolf's brow furrowed as she looked around and motioned for the other girl's to follow her. Fleur and Hermione looked at each other as Jade walked past them towards the far end of the corridor, farther away from any one that could hear them. They stopped near a window and Jade turned towards them again.

"I need your help." She said quietly as she looked at the ground with a sigh. "I need you two…well, I sort of need you two to keep me in check. I haven't shifted in a while, and I think Dumbledore is on the verge of suspending me until I do. But I'm afraid when I do, I won't be myself."

"You want us to help you?" Fleur folded her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you should ask a professor? We aren't really qualified to chain down an insane lycan."

"I don't really trust anyone else." Jade answered quietly as she looked away and sighed. "So will you guys help me or not?"

"Why not?" A smile spread on the blonde's face. A brief memory flashing in her mind of when she had asked Jade for help. "It could be a good chance to practice some of my control as well. Hermione?"

"Of course I'll help." The brunette answered. "What could possibly go wrong with two magical beings and a muggle-born?"

Fleur glanced at Jade with a smirk and for the first time in several days, the wolf grinned, and the blonde saw a glimpse at her old friend.