Chapter 6

The Collared Wolf

Harry shouted until he was hoarse, while his shaking arms tried to lay the much heavier boy gently onto the floor. It felt like an excruciatingly long wait before someone turned up and he had never been more glad to see Filch's pouchy and suspicious face.

"He's hurt, he's bleeding, do something!" but the man stood there slack-jawed, staring at the two bloody students on the stone floor. He had his wand out but he held it in a limp grip and Harry realised that the man wasn't going to be any help, "Get a professor then! Get Madam Pomfrey! Please!"

The caretaker seemed to consider this a much more reasonable request and wheezed up the stairs. He was halfway up when someone appeared, "Headmaster! A student- hurt- blood-"

Professor Riddle nodded, rushing past Filch and towards Harry, who looked up gratefully towards the Headmaster. Riddle immediately knelt besides the unconscious boy, his wand already in his hand and started to sing softly under his breath. Harry opened his mouth, but Riddle gave him a sharp look, silencing him for the moment.

Harry waited anxiously, finally breathing a sigh of relief when he saw the harsh wounds close, not completely, but enough to stem the torrent of blood for now. The Headmaster stood up and turned around, "Argus, go to Professor McGonagall, tell her Oliver Wood has been injured and to meet us in the hospital wing."

Filch nodded once before setting off in an ungainly sprint. Professor Riddle then cast a silent spell, levitating Oliver away from the floor while he spoke. "Harry, I need you to run ahead to the hospital wing, alert Madam Pomfrey to the situation. Go!"

Harry didn't need to be told twice. He ran, faster then he had ever done inside the castle, refusing to stop until he reached the heavy doors gasping for breath. He pushed inside shouting for the school matron.

"This is no place to be sho-" Madam Pomfrey let out a screech of distress when she laid eyes on Harry. "Mr. Potter! Oh Sweet Merlin… What has happened to you?"

Harry pushed away the nurse's wand hovering over him and tried speak, "N...No… Not me… Oliver… Wood… Headmaster… coming..."

Harry barely managed the words but frantically pointed to the doors, hoping the witch would understand. She frowned momentarily before pulling him to the side, away from the entrance. "He's lost a lot a blood? Where was he hurt? Do you know what happened?"

Harry took a few more deep breaths before responding. "He had a really bad wound on his shoulder, the Headmaster managed to heal it, but not completely. I… I don't know what happened to him."

She gave a curt nod before turning away from him and hurried to prepare a bed as well as the potions she would also be needing very soon. Harry peered out into the corridor until he heard the quick tapping of feet on stone. Moments later he saw Oliver hovering into view with Professor Riddle behind him, his wand directing the unconscious student pass the open doors. Madam Pomfrey met them and helped Oliver into the bed. The nurse quickly trickled several potions down the boy's throat before turning to the savaged shoulder. She carefully sprinkled a silvery powder onto the wound before trickling a few drops of a potion on top of it, green smoke billowing on contact. Pomfrey and Riddle spoke in hushed whispers, Harry unable to make out anything they were saying.

"Mr. Potter." Harry jumped and turned around, he hadn't noticed Professor McGonagall approach. Harry mumbled something unintelligible and pointed her towards her injured student. Her eyes darted over him, but seemed satisfied that he wasn't actually hurt and quickly joined the Headmaster and matron.

The shock was slowly wearing off and Harry found himself feeling very tired. He leaned against the wall and slid down until he was on the floor, his head slumped against his knees. He closed his eyes and tried to banish the image of the wounded Oliver from his mind, without much success. Harry heard someone call his name, his eyes opened and he shot up to his feet and stumbled, barely managing to keep steady thanks to Professor Riddle's gentle grip on his arm. "Y… yes Professor? Will Oliver be okay?"

The Headmaster was wearing a reassuring smile, but his eyes held worry he couldn't quite hide. "He is stable for now, but we'll need to move him to St Mungo's for proper treatment. Professor McGonagall is contacting them now..."

"That… that's good right?" Harry asked hopefully.

Riddle nodded in reply, letting out a little sigh. "Harry, can you tell me what happened? Anything at all?"

"I really don't know… I… I came down to get a book I left in one of the classrooms… when I was passing the entrance hall I heard a thud and then..." Harry recounted how he had found Oliver, bloody and torn. He licked his dry lips and gagged when he tasted blood on his tongue. Riddle waved his wand over his face, cleaning the blood from it. "Th…thank you Professor. I… he was… he was at the Quidditch pitch… practising… I..."

"Harry, thank you. That's all I needed. Would you like to stay in the hospital wing overnight?" Harry violently shook his head and the Professor gave Harry's shoulder a tight squeeze. "Very well. Minerva, perhaps you should take him back to the common room..."

Harry once again failed to notice his head of house until she was besides them. She spoke to him gently, "Mr. Potter, come along."

They walked in silence until they were half way there. "Oh no, I… Professor… I left the book downstairs… It's due back in the library tomorrow!"

Harry started babbling, panicking worse than Hermione would over a forgotten piece of homework. Professor McGonagall tried to calm him down but he kept insisting that he needed to get the book back. "Alright Mr. Potter, we can go get the book."

When they reached the entrance hall, Harry's eyes went to the puddle of red near the entrance, and he looked down at his hands, which were still covered in dried blood. He shuddered and hid them under his arm. "Professor? Could you…?"

She summoned the book with her wand waved Harry ahead. When Harry entered the common room he found it in almost the same state as he left it. He stared for a moment, it felt like it had been ages since he left Hermione to find her book, but he realised it hadn't even been half an hour.

"HARRY!" Hermione's shriek made him jump out of his skin. Professor McGongall gently pushed inside and planted her feet firmly in front of Harry, stopping Ron and an extremely guilty looking Hermione from getting too close.

"Mr. Weasley, please help Mr. Potter up to your room. He needs his rest, so refrain from questioning him until tomorrow. Miss Granger, here is your book." she spoke quietly but sharply, before turning back to Harry. "Mr-, Harry, drink this before you go to bed. It's a Calming Draught, it will help you sleep."

Harry released a shaky hand that was still wrapped tightly around himself and took the potion McGonagall was holding. There was a gasp from his friends, as well a few curious housemates, who had seen his bloody hand. Now others were coming towards him, looking worried, but Professor McGonagall raised her hands and silenced the crowd.

"Come on Harry." Ron gently tugged his friend by the arm so Harry followed him, ignoring the stares but giving Hermione a weak smile.

"No, Mr. Potter is physically unharmed. I'm afraid it is Mr. Oliver Wood that has been attacked-" there was another gasp and Harry recognised one of the Weasley twins' voice, but Harry blocked out everything and climbed the stairs.

"Oliver was hurt? What hap-" Ron took one look at Harry's pale face and shut his mouth. "Never mind..."

He was incredibly grateful to Ron, who silenced Seamus and Dean with a glare and a growl, allowing Harry to go take a shower unimpeded. He stripped off his robes to find his chest was sticky with blood as well. He shuddered as he stepped into the hot water and scrubbed his hands and body until the water ran clear.

Harry woke up slowly, the events of last night not fully registering for a moment. He opened his curtains and found the dorm room empty, with the sun far too bright for a January morning in Scotland. He jumped out of his bed and quickly looked for some clothes. He stared at the robes he had been wearing last night, sticky with blood and kicked it under his bed, not wanting to look at it. He took out the only other set of robes that fit, absently thinking that he needed to get some new ones when he visited Diagon Alley in the summer.

He picked up his bag and rushed down the stairs, Snape wouldn't care what happened to him the night before and he certainly wouldn't hesitate to put him in detention for being late. He got to the common room and looked around, it seemed to be full of students. He was wondering if he'd mistaken the day when Ron and Hermione entered the common room, Ron looking extremely distressed. He quickly walked over to them, "What's going on? Why isn't everyone in class?"

"Oh, hi Harry." Hermione gave him a small smile. "They cancelled lessons this morning, I think the professors are searching the grounds, we've been told to stay inside the castle for the time being."

"Are you feeling better mate?" Ron asked, but he seemed distracted. "Lunch isn't for another hour, but I think I have some Chocolate Frogs left..."

"Yeah, erm, no I'm fine for food. Are you okay Ron?" Harry asked his friend.

Ron looked torn, he didn't want to trouble Harry but he seemed very concerned about something, "I…"

"It's Fenlutus." Hermione said instead, giving Ron a small nod. "We haven't seen her since yesterday and after what happened with Oliver..."

"We've been all over the castle but… I wanted to ask Professor McGonagall, but she isn't in her office… she must be searching the grounds with the rest of the professors..." Ron mumbled with worry. "If something happened to Fen, I..."

The red-head bit his lips and turned to climb out of the portrait again, but Harry stopped him. "Wait, I'll help you look. Let me just drop off my things."

For an hour they walked through the empty castle, most people seemed to be staying in their common rooms for now. Hermione had brought the map of Hogwarts they had made last year, double-checking for any places where a mongoose might hide. They took a moment from their search to go see how Oliver was doing, only to have Madam Pomfrey inform them that he had been sent to St Mungo's and the last she'd heard from the healers was that he was doing well.

Afterwards they went to the Hall, Hermione and Harry both trying to console a dejected Ron, promising him they would keep looking for his pet after they got some food. Several people stared at Harry when he stepped inside, they had obviously heard about what happened last night, and that he had been the one to find Oliver. Harry ignored them and sat down amongst the Gryffindor students, who all looked miserable. Oliver Wood, despite his daemonic demeanour during Quidditch practise, was a very popular student.

Harry was feeling hungry, having missed breakfast, and quickly shovelled the fish and chips into his mouth. Ron on the other hand, was pushing the food around his plate, taking a single bite only when his friends encouraged him to. After a while a few professors walked into the Hall, the Deputy Headmistress leading the way to the staff table. She remained standing on the raised platform and the sounds died away, the students waiting expectantly for any news.

"A strict curfew has been placed and all students are now required to be inside the castle walls two hours before sunset. Anyone found in the grounds afterwards will be severely punished." her face was set in a tight frown and she sent angry glares when several voices of objections broke out from the house Quidditch teams, although none from the Gryffindors. "Quidditch practise will have to be supervised, so the Captains of each team please consult your head of house to organise it. Also, no student is permitted to approach the Forest at any time. There will be extra security around the edges of the Forest, set by the Headmaster himself, so do not test his patience. If you have Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures, please wait by the castle entrance, the professor will come and escort you to your lessons. Afternoon classes will go ahead as normal, so please inform anyone not present here, about the lessons as well as about the curfew. Thank you."

She sent a warning glare at the Gryffindor table, but her expression softened when she saw the Weasley twins, sitting with the rest of the Quidditch team, looking nothing like the carefree pranksters they usually were. They looked pale and, like Ron, had barely touched the food in front of them. When Professor McGonagall sat back down, the silence broke as every students gave their own theories about what was happening in the school.

"It sounds like they haven't been able to find what attacked Oliver..." Hermione whispered.

Ron stood up. "I'm going to go ahead to Herbology."

"We still have some time don't we?" Harry asked looking at the large clock set above the entrance. Lessons wouldn't start for almost another hour. "Oh, you're going to look for Fen?"

"Yeah… if she's not in the castle… she must be somewhere outside." with that Ron stood up and quickly left.

"Ron! Professor McGonagall-" Hermione hissed.

"It's the middle of the day, we'll be fine, and we won't go near the forest." Harry quietly reassured her. Then he stood up and followed his friend, Hermione let out a huff but joined them as well.

Harry let out a quiet breath of relief as they passed the entrance hall, noticing the splotch of blood had been cleared sometime during the night. They opened the doors to the grounds and barely took three steps outside, when they spotted her.

"FEN!" Ron rushed ahead and picked up the small creature that was casually strolling towards them. "Oh Merlin, she's hurt!"

Much like Oliver had been the night before, the mongoose was covered in red, although it had a brownish tinge to it, suggesting some time had passed since the blood was shed. Ron was carefully examining his pet, turning her all over to find the source of the wound, Harry and Hermione helping him by his side.

Hermione frowned. "I don't… I don't think she's hurt..."

It seemed Hermione was right, Fenlutus wasn't acting like an animal with a grievous wound, she was acting like she always does, purring in pleasure at Ron's touch and sniffing his hands for any food. Without a word Ron started walking and his friends followed him, until they reached the edge of the lake. He carefully dipped his hands in the water and poured it over the mongoose and gently massaged the fur to wash the blood off. Harry and Hermione watched in silence for a few minutes, until all the red was gone and Ron dried her with the sleeves of his robes.

"Oh, thank Merlin..." Ron said after he checked his pet again for any signs of injury. "She's alright..."

Harry cracked a smile and clapped Ron's shoulder, "I think she looks hungry, maybe we should go back inside and get her something to eat?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Ron smiled back. "I'm feeling a bit peckish myself..."

They turned around and started walking, but stopped when they realised Hermione wasn't following them. She hadn't moved from the side of the lake and was standing there, staring at Fenlutus, her expression a mixture of worry and fear. "Hermione are you coming?"

She bit her lips and raised her head to face Ron. "Ron… it… she… the blood, it wasn't her own."

"Yeah, so? That's a good thing, isn't it?" Ron frowned.

"What… what if..." Hermione hesitated before speaking again. "What if it was Oliver's blood…?"

"What?" Ron's mouth dropped open and Harry unconsciously took a step away from Ron and the animal he was holding.

"She was out all night… we don't know where she was when… when Oliver was attacked and the professors haven't been able to find anything. What if… what if… she's the thing that's been..." Hermione looked between Harry and Ron, wringing her hands together anxiously.

"No." Ron said, but his voice lacked conviction. "She… wouldn't… she's… not..."

"We need to take her to a professor." Hermione pleaded, looking at Harry for support.

Harry swallowed nervously. "Ron, I think she might be right. Let's go take her to Hagrid..."

"It wasn't her… I swear… she..." Ron held Fenlutus closer to his chest.

"You promised Ron! You promised to take her to Hagrid if anything happened!" Hermione's eyes were shining with tears. "If she's the one that's… we need to know!"

Ron looked down at Fenlutus, who looked back up at him with her usual soft expression. He let out a deep sigh, "It wasn't her… but… I'll take her to see Hagrid..."

Ron dragged his feet, perhaps hoping lessons would start and he could put off the inevitable, but Harry and Hermione both pushed him along, casting wary glances at the animal in question, who was now dozing peacefully in her owner's arms. When they reached the house, they heard an angry roar coming from inside. They looked at each other uncertainly, before making their way to the side of the house, just inside the paddock, where they stood underneath an open window and behind some crates, hidden from view from the front of the building.

"Professor Hagrid, I must insist you keep your temper in check!" an agitated voice came from the window.

"Rubeus, please." Professor Riddle said evenly, but Harry sensed a tightness in the Headmaster's voice. "Minister, I can personally vouch for Remus' whereabouts last night, he is not the attacker."

"Then do you have another werewolf you've been keeping in the school?" Fudge said with scorn. "There have been questions about your decision ever since you brought him to the school, questions about your judgement and motives, but you were allowed your little pet project. Now a student has been attacked Riddle! Attacked and almost killed!"

"And Remus is not responsible!" Professor Riddle said sharply, raising his voice. "He was in this very building, having taken Wolfsbane Potion, as placid as a house-cat and not attacking a student."

"Well then, where is this mysterious attacker! That broke into Hogwarts, of all places, and-" Harry jumped when he heard a snort near his ears, they turned around to find Hippo had walked up to them, tail swaying and nuzzling their robes in hopes of a treat. "What was that?"

Hagrid grunted from inside, "It's just a winged horse Minister, nothing to worry about, but that doesn't matter does it? What vile crimes are you planning on accusin' her of?"

Fudge let out a noise of indignation but Professor Riddle quickly said, "Rubeus!"

"The Board of Governors have insisted, and I completely agree with their decision, that this… Mr. Lupin be immediately taken into custody." Fudge huffed.

There was a weak moan and Harry recognised Remus' voice. "In...into custody… do you… do you mean?"

"Azkaban." the Minister said simply.

Remus' groan of despair was drowned as Hagrid let out another roar and the Headmaster had to raise his voice almost to a shout. "Minister Fudge… let me contact the Governors, give me time to-"

"You may do what you wish Headmaster, but for now he will come with us." Fudge insisted. "Longbottom, Proudfoot, take him away."

There were more objections that Harry couldn't make out, as he was startled again when he heard rapid footsteps and flattened himself against the wall, Hermione and Ron doing the same. They heard the door slam open and someone said in surprise, "Black!"

"Longbottom." Sirius answered in a low growl.

"You shouldn't be here Black, Scrimgeour assigned-" said a female voice Harry didn't recognise.

"I don't give a damn what Scrimgeour said!" Sirius roared. "Remus is not-"

"Auror Black, stand down!" Fudge said, his voice shaking slightly. "If you and the Headmaster truly believe there is another werewolf inside the school boundaries, then by all means find him and bring him in. Until you do, Mr. Lupin will come with us. Longbottom, Proudfoot!"

"Let go of him!" Sirius shouted, then he let out an angry breath and said more calmly. "I'll take him. It's the least I can do..."

"Black you shouldn't-" Proudfoot started.

"I told you. I don't give a damn what Scrimgeour said. I will take Remus… to Azkaban." Harry could easily imagine the Auror's gritted teeth.

There was a moment of silence before the Minister opened his mouth. "…To Azkaban and nowhere else, Auror Black. I'm warning you, I will not hesitate to throw you in there alongside your friend."

Sirius only replied with a snort. There was the shuffling of feet and the door opened again. The three students hid again and they heard Remus' soft words, as the two friends left the cabin. "Thank you Sirius."

"Don't thank me yet, I have to get you out of the country, get you out of Europe if possible..." Sirius whispered back.

"No!" Remus almost shouted. "No. Just… I'll be fine… I'm sure the Headmaster will find the real culprit soon…"

"Remus, I don't care if I lose my job over this." Sirius said, his voice unwavering.

"But I do." Remus said quietly. "Please, just take me… to Azkaban."

"Remus… No… I've already failed James… I can't… Not you as well..." Harry felt his chest tighten at Sirius' words.

"I'm not dead yet Sirius..." Remus said with a forced laugh. "Just help the Headmaster find the werewolf, the other werewolf I mean."

Sirius was silent for a moment, then sighed in resignation. "Alright, I'll do it. I'll burn the whole bloody forest down if I need to..."

"No. The Headmaster already has the forest and the grounds covered. You need to use your Auror resources, see if you can find-" Remus' voice trailed off as they walked away from the hidden Gryffindors.

Harry peeked around the corner as their attention turned to the house again, the remaining occupants were leaving the building one by one. There was a barely hidden cold anger in Professor Riddle's voice, "Minister, I would like to speak with you in my office."

Harry saw Minister Fudge, looking extremely uneasy. "Erm… I'm quite busy, you know? Erm… if you insist, just for a few minutes… Longbottom, Proudfoot if you'll join-"

"Perhaps in private? I'm sure you understand? Frank? Priscilla?" Riddle said in a quiet voice, packed with authority.

"Yes Headmaster."

"Oh my. Of course, Headmaster."

The two replies came so quickly Harry almost thought that he had used magic to get them to answer. "Very good. Minister, if you please..."

Cornelius Fudge certainly didn't look pleased and he gave a stricken look to the two Aurors, who both looked embarrassed, before reluctantly following the Headmaster towards the castle. There was a grunt and the door slammed, the two Aurors jumped in surprise before hurrying down the path Sirius and Remus had taken.

"A werewolf? Oliver was attacked by a werewolf?" Ron voiced his horror.

They waited until they couldn't hear the footsteps of the retreating Aurors, then Harry moved away from the wall, giving Hippo a short pat on the head, and made his way to the door. He knocked once before opening it.

"What now! Have you come to arrest the bloody hor- Harry! What are you lot doing here?" Hagrid was sitting at the table, drinking something quite potent, if Harry's nose was any indication. "You shouldn't be here! You aren't allowed near the forest!"

But Harry ignored him, "Oliver was attacked by a werewolf? Is he okay?"

Hagrid's face crumpled, "How much have you heard?"

"We heard it all." Hermione said hesitantly. "Will Oliver turn into a..."

"No, no. Thankfully he was just scratched, not bitten." Hagrid shook his head taking a swig of his drink. "You found him just in time Harry, any later and he might..."

Harry paled at Hagrid's unsaid words. "But he's fine now, right? He won't…?"

"He'll have a nasty scar and it'll be a while until he's back on his feet, but they know how to do their jobs at St. Mungo's. Don't worry." Hagrid tried to give them a reassuring smile.

Harry let out a sigh of relief, but Hermione still looked worried. "It sounds as if they haven't been able to find this werewolf..."

Hagrid grunted in annoyance. "We've been searching the grounds and the castle all night and we started on the forest this morning, but nothing. It's as if he's sneaking into the castle to attack, just to leave straight afterwards."

"That doesn't really sound like a werewolf." Hermione said uncertainly.

"Yer right, and that's what's worrying the Headmaster." Hagrid scratched his beard. "If it was just a werewolf, we would have found him easily. But it's someone with a plan, someone who knows how to get in and out."

"So you think he's already escaped Hogwarts?" Ron asked.

Hagrid let out a deep sigh. "Yes and honestly, I'm not sure how we'll be able to find him. The school grounds we can search easily enough, but out there? And you heard the Minister, he's not going to help."

"Then… what will happen to Remus?" Harry asked quietly.

Hagrid shook his head sadly before grunting angrily, "Idiots! The lot of them! They haven't changed in fifty years! They don't bother to investigate and they throw the blame onto a scapegoat they don't mind chucking into prison! Into Azkaban!"

"How bad is Azkaban?" Harry asked tentatively. "Remus and Sirius told me a bit about the place during the summer, but..."

"It's bad Harry..." Hagrid said with a sigh.

"My dad had to go out to Azkaban once..." Ron whispered quietly. "He came back all weak and shaking… he said it was the worst place he'd ever been..."

Silence settled over the four and Harry shivered at Ron's words, imagining what kind of horrors Remus would have to endure in the wizarding prison. After a minute Hagrid cleared his throat. "Right, you lot, I've told you a lot more than I should've. You need to get back to the castle and I shouldn't be drinking this..."

"Er… Hagrid… We had something we wanted to ask you about." Hermione nudged Ron.

"Oh right." Ron stepped forward reluctantly, holding Fenlutus out towards the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. "Erm… could you… have a look at her please?"

"Ah, this is the new pet I've been hearing so much about? I've been wondering if you'd ever come by and show me." Hagrid leaned closer while Fen blinked back. He put his hand out, palm upwards. "May I?"

"...Sure." Ron hesitated before gently dropping his pet onto the Professor's large hand. "She… I… just wanted to make sure she's okay…"

Hermione glared at him, but kept her mouth shut. Fenlutus seemed at ease with the giant professor and gave the sleeves of his coat a little sniff. Hagrid chuckled. "I've heard there was a 'cute' animal in Gryffindor Tower, she's easy on the eyes I guess. Mongoose eh? Got her from Egypt? Non-magic? What's she called?"

"Erm… Fenlutus, Fen for short." Ron avoided Hermione's glare. "And erm… that's what I was told when I bought her, but maybe you could check? If she's magical, I mean?"

Hagrid scratched his head. "Not sure what you mean Ron. Has she shown any signs of magical activity?"

Ron jerked his head in a way that could be interpreted as either a 'yes' or a 'no'. Hagrid looked confused for a moment then he peered closely at the animal in his hand. He mumbled to himself while he checked every part of the small animal with surprising delicacy, considering the size of his hands. He gently prised her mouth open to check her teeth, lifted each paw to stare at her claws and even raised her bushy tail to have a look at her unmentionables. He finally ran a single finger down her back, which made Harry, Ron and Hermione suck in a deep breath of anticipation, but Hagrid nor Fenlutus showed no signs of surprise and Harry barely heard him mutter, "No. Much to small for that… much to small..."

He then took out a dead mouse from his pocket and dangled it in front of the mongoose, who quickly nabbed it with her jaw and started tearing into the flesh. Harry felt slightly queasy wondering exactly how many dead rodents the Professor kept in his large coat. Ron cleared his throat and asked hesitantly, "So… is she…?"

"She seems perfectly healthy to me. Although I don't think she's magical, sorry Ron." he placed Fenlutus and the dead mouse onto the table and watched her with a satisfied smile. "There are only two species of magical beast that could possibly fit a creature this size and shape, but I'm pretty sure it's neither."

They watched as Fenlutus neatly finished off the mouse, apart from Hermione who was looking at Ron with a determined look on her face. She turned to the Professor and said stiffly, "She was covered in blood this morning, in someone else's blood."

Ron let out a weak moan and paled, silently pleading at Hermione with his eyes. Harry's eyes widened at a realisation, "But it can't be her, Oliver was attacked by a werewolf, remember?"

Hagrid suddenly tensed and slowly reached for the wand inside his coat, and pointed it at the mongoose, which was now licking her paws. The Professor looked like he was moments away from flattening the creature to a pulp and Ron whimpered silently, "Please… don't..."

But Hagrid didn't crush it, instead he said firmly. "Homorphus Revelio."

A flash of light erupted from his wand and for a moment Fenlutus was enveloped in a blue hue, before it dissipated. Fen looked up and cocked her head at the wand pointed at her, looking mildly interested. Hagrid sighed in relief, "Not an Animagus then."

As soon as Hagrid lowered his wand Ron shot forwards and lifted his pet into his arms, giving both Hagrid and Hermione an accusatory glare. Hermione had the decency to look slightly apologetic. Harry turned to Hagrid, "You thought she might be the werewolf, disguised as a mongoose? Like Professor McGonagall?"

"It didn't hurt to check." Hagrid shrugged. "As for the blood… We might have to go to the Headmaster about this..."

"What? Why?" Ron clutched Fen tightly in his arms.

"You know what they use mongooses for, don't use? Both Muggles and wizards use them to cull snakes and if she's been trained for that..." Hagrid looked at Ron with a hint of pity. "With Tom being what he is, there's quite a few snakes around the castle and the grounds, he really won't appreciate it if Fen goes about killing them."

Ron looked crestfallen, as if he'd already been told he had to send his pet away. His voice was weak and trembling. "She's... not violent… she's never gotten into any fights with the other pets in Gryffindor Tower."

"If you're right, you have nothing to worry about." Hagrid said kindly. He took out a pocket watch from another one of his pockets and glanced at it. "There's still time before your next class and he'll probably be finished with Fudge. We'll go see him now."

They walked in silence, Ron worrying over his pet, Harry over Remus and Hermione mulling over everything Hagrid had told them. When they reached the Gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office Hagrid gave the password. "Crisp- I mean, Chryo- bugger Tom and his bleedin' passwords… Chry-so-pel-ea pel-i-as"

The Gargoyle almost seemed to give him a smirk before moving aside and they climbed the stairs. Hagrid gave the door three booming knocks before announcing himself and entering, with the students following behind. They found the Headmaster, sitting in a most undignified manner, with his legs crossed on his desk and leaning back staring at the ceiling. He sounded very tired when he said, "Rubeus?"

There were several sharp coughs and hisses from the portraits and Professor Riddle finally looked up, startling when he saw Harry, Ron and Hermione, instantly getting his feet off the desk and looking embarrassed. The three young Gryffindors fought hard to stop a burst of giggles and tried to look impassive. Hagrid wasn't as indiscreet and gave a snort of laughter, "Tom. Sorry to bother you, I'm sure you're busy, but I needed to talk to you about here Ron Weasley's Pet."

Professor Riddle blinked as if he wasn't sure if he'd heard correctly. "Sorry? About a pet?"

"Yeah, it won't take long, but I thought it would be better to sort out quickly." Hagrid gently pushed Ron forwards. "Go on, show the Headmaster."

Professor Riddle moved a few sheets of parchment and gestured at his desk, where Ron hesitantly placed Fenlutus. The Headmaster stared intently at the animal on his desk, who curiously stared back. "A mongoose? I did hear it was a rodent of some sort."

"Actually the mongoose is related to cats…" Hagrid cleared his throat, while Hermione nodded by his side, obviously agreeing with this little bit of trivia. "...anyway, she appears pretty tame, with no magical qualities I can detect. I don't see any reason he shouldn't keep her but, with your snakes and all..."

Riddle nodded in understanding, "We'll see then… Nagini."

Ron and Hermione gasped while Harry recognised the hiss as he called for his familiar, Parseltongue. So he wasn't at all surprised when the python appeared from the back of the office, slithering towards them in a way that made his non-Parselmouth friends very nervous.

"You called?" the snake's tongue flickered in and out while gazing at the three students.

"I need you to check something. The creature on my desk, what do you make of it?" the Headmaster pointed at Fenlutus, with his wand in his other hand, prepared to separate the two animals if needed.

"Nakula..." the snake hissed, then suddenly shot forwards, stopping a few inches away from the creature, snapping it's jaws. Fen looked slightly uneasy, her posture indicating she was ready to fight if necessary and gave a quick look to Ron, who was quietly begging her to keep calm. The two animals stared at each other for a minute before Nagini broke eye contact and looked at Riddle, "It appears tame, what would you like me to do with it?"

"Nothing."The Headmaster hissed at his familiar then smiled at Ron. "Nagini seems to approve, I see no reason you shouldn't keep her."

"See! I told you, there was nothing to worry about Ron." Hagrid clapped Ron in the back, sending him forwards a few steps. Hermione frowned slightly, as Ron didn't mention the spines they had seen on the train, but seemed satisfied that they had finally taken the pet to a professor. "Now that's sorted. Tom, what happened with Fudge? Has he seen some sense about Remus?"

"Rubeus!" Riddle frowned while he jerked his head towards the three students, who all turned away looking embarrassed.

"Erm… Headmaster… we were there… just outside the window… we heard everything." Harry admitted, not looking the Professor in his eyes.

Riddle sighed in exasperation. "I had hoped to address the students personally before news got out."

"We won't say anything." Hermione promised, Harry and Ron nodding alongside her.

"Well, if you already heard everything, you can probably guess that the meeting with Minister Fudge wasn't very productive, neither were the calls I made to the few Governors I managed to get hold of." Riddle sat down, looking tired.

"Hmph, that great bloody idiot." Hagrid growled again at the mention of the Minister.

Riddle chuckled softly at his friend, "We'll get Remus back before long. I've contacted a few people to see if they can track down any werewolves known to have a violent past. As for inside the school grounds… Let's just say I have a Legion working on it..."

A/N

I'm working on the final chapter for this year and I started another chapter for the PC Extras concerning how Tom Riddle came to become a Professor at Hogwarts. I've also been re-reading some of my earlier chapters from Y1 and Y2, which I've said I would go back and edit, and it really makes me want to climb into bed with a bottle of whatever Hagrid was drinking... Ugh...

Anyway, thanks to everyone leaving a review, as well as everyone following and favouriting!