Chapter 25: Visiting Hours

Attack in Diagon Alley!

By: Rita Skeeter

Late last night, there was an attack in Diagon Alley, led by Fenrir Greyback and his people. It has been confirmed that there is death eater involvement in the group. Last night, it was a group of adults that were attacked. Several people died, and at least five were bitten. However, in a heroic move, Remus Lupin, a werewolf himself, defended the group and saved several lives.

Names have not been disclosed. Those infected have been sent to St. Mungo's, as well as Remus Lupin for his injuries. Remus Lupin was once a professor that taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He holds a Mastery in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic. He was fired from his post when his lycanthrope was discovered. He was tragically bitten by Greyback himself as child at the age of four.

He is rumored to be a close friend of the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, and are often seen together during the holidays. It is not known if he was the target of the attack or not because of his connection to the Boy Who Lived. He is rumored to have taken a sabbatical in the past year after the fall of You-Know-Who, where he was a key fighter in the Final Battle, and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, led by Albus Dumbledore...

Harry threw the paper aside, and stood, limping up the head table. He knew quite a few people were staring at him right now, he didn't care. He went to Dumbledore. "Can I see him? I have to see if he's alright." Dumbledore nodded curtly.

"Tomorrow, once the holiday starts. I have been notified his injuries weren't critical, he will be fine." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He looked to McGonnagal.

She gave him a tiny smile. "I will escort you, if that is alright with you, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded curtly, and he back down to the Gryffindor table, sitting back down. Neville was reading the paper with Mark looking over his shoulder.

"So are you going to see him?" Neville asked worriedly.

Harry nodded. "Tomorrow. Dumbledore told me his injuries weren't critical, so it will be alright. Professor McGonnagal will escort me."

Neville smiled. "Good. Hey guys, maybe we should get some chocolate for the professor, yeah?"

Harry grinned. "He's addicted to the stuff. Maybe we can get some for the other victims too."

The kids nodded. "I've got some leftovers from Hogsmeade, we'll just pull it together."

They ended up getting a huge basket together full of candies and goodies, and Harry brought along a book for Remus, and a few books for the younger kids he thought might be stuck in the same ward.

He went to bed early that night, and his night was filled with a restless sleep. He woke early the next morning, and dressed in his dark blue every day robes and pulled his hair back like usual. He rechecked the wards, just to be safe, then grabbed the basket and books. He met McGonnagal in the entrance hall, and she gave him a curious look.

Harry grinned sheepishly. "You know how Remmy likes his chocolate. I thought he might be bored there, and brought a book for him. I brought enough candy so he could share with the others there." She nodded, and they flooed to St. Mungo's.

Even though it was rather early, the hospital was rather hectic. They approached the woman at the front desk. She dropped her book in surprise as she saw Harry.

"Um…um, Mr. Potter sir!"

"Hi, can you tell me where Remus Lupin may be?"

"Um…well, he would be in the Creature Induced Injuries Ward, on the first floor."

"Thank you." Harry said with a polite smile, and they walked towards the ward.

He looked around and saw two healers approach them right away. It was rather full, all the beds were filled. "Hello Mr. Potter, can we help you?"

"I'm here to see Remus Lupin?"

"Oh yes, just in time too, he was about to be transferred. He's at the end of the ward."

Harry nodded and Minerva followed him to the end, and Harry grinned as he saw Remus there looking half awake. "Remmy!"

Remus grinned. "Harry, how are you?"

"Just fine, what about you? I heard in the papers what happened…"

"I'm fine, got off easy." He motioned to his bandaged leg and arm. "I'll be fixed up soon. They're transferring me to another ward, with all the attacks lately they're running out of room."

"Oh." Harry looked around, and saw quite a few people glancing their way.

Harry procured the basket. "Here! This is for you, and enough to share for everyone. I knew some kids were attacked, so I brought some books for them too. I know I hate being bored in the hospital wing…."

He looked around with a frown. "Where are all the kids?"

"In the other ward. The one I'll be transferred to. I'll pass on the candy and the books to them, I couldn't possibly finish all this myself." Remus said with a small smile.

"So…what happened?" Harry said, fluffing his pillow and sitting at the end of the bed. Minerva sat in the chair next to his bed.

"Well, I just left the pub with a few friends of mine that I knew back in school. I wasn't expecting anything, as it wasn't full moon or anything. Anyways, out of nowhere, these people in black cloaks come out on the street, and Greyback and his friends start attacking. It was…horrible. I was really the only one who stood a chance, as I had my werewolf genes. I managed to protect a few, but some others were bitten, this one guy was slashed up real bad…" He sighed, looking down."Aurors arrive just after they got away, and we end up here."

Harry frowned. "That's awful. So…what's going to happen with all the people who were infected?" He glanced around.

"Well, because of the laws, they'll lose their jobs, and some of them wont be able to live with their families anymore as they've got kids and stuff.."

"What about the kids that were infected?"

Remus shrugged. "Don't know. No one really talks about it. But I'm sure I'll find out when I get transferred over there. I was lucky enough to have my mum still around when I was bitten, so she took care of me…but more often than not, the parents are killed in the attack or they get scared and send them here."

"That's awful." Harry whispered.

"Yeah." Remus said softly.

"So…they have no place to go to?" Harry asked, picking a bit of lint off the blankets, looking down.

Remus arched a brow. "What are you thinking Harry? I know by that tone of voice you're thinking of something."

Harry bit his lip. "Well…we have the Place…and it's just sitting there…do the laws say anything about an adult werewolf taking care of children who've already been affected?"

Minerva gasped. "Harry, that's…"

"That's….a good idea actually." A smile spread on Remus' face. He looked around and he saw quite a few people listening in. "It's under Fidelis, and it's rather large, plenty of room…and a huge basement…"

Harry grinned. "You'll think about it?"

"Yeah. But I cant do it on my own Harry."

"I can help." A woman said softly, her bed was next to Remus'. They all looked to her. She gave them a small smile. "I work with kids all the time at a nursery…" Her smile faded. "Cant do it anymore, but I'd be happy to help."

Harry grinned, looking back to Remus. "See? Just think about Remmy, and I can help this summer when I get out from school."

"Harry…"

"I am. Now make sure you share that candy, you cant hog it all to yourself and make yourself sick." He kissed the man on the cheek. "I hope you get better soon."

"I will. I'll write soon, I should get out of here sooner or later."

"You better." He gave a small smile to everyone else as he and the Professor left. She just shook her head.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you Harry, you just live to give me grey hair."

Harry chuckled, glancing to her head. "I thought you already had some."

They headed back to Hogwarts, and Harry stiffened in the middle of the street.

"Harry?" Minerva asked worriedly, looking around.

"Someone breached the wards on my room. Come on, we have to get back to the castle!"