Chapter 24: In the Forbidden Forest

Their spot in the forest was too quiet. Both girls had taken out their wands. It was very dark and the wind whipping through the trees was cold. Lavinia shivered. The full moon came out from behind a cloud.

Suddenly, a howl sounded. Lavinia covered her mouth and choked back a scream, looking wide eyed at Mischa. "We need to go," she whispered. Mischa nodded and they got up quietly. Before they could get to the edge of the clearing, growling sounded.

"Lavinia, don't try to fight, just run, go, go!" They took off through the trees, trying to get out. Mischa shouted a few Impedimentas, and Lavinia followed suit. She was finding it hard to keep the screams of fear in. They could hear the creatures behind them growling and running in their direction. Never had the edge of the forest seemed so far away.

It was too far away.

"Run, Lavinia! I'll find you in the morning, just get to the castle! Run!" Mischa cried as she turned and prepared to meet them, wand raised.

"Mischa, no!"

"Just go!"

"MISCHA!"

Mischa sent a curse at Lavinia, blasting her away from the wolves. "GO!" Mischa screamed. "It's too late, go!"

Tears streamed down Lavinia's face as she looked at her only friend. "Mischa," she whimpered. The werewolves converged, and Lavinia ran for her life. She tumbled onto the lawn of Hogwarts and kept running. She was sobbing, running blindly, and ran directly into a warm body. "Mischa, werewolves, in the forest!" Lavinia cried, not knowing who held her. The one voice she'd hoped to hear graced her ears immediately.

"Get inside, now!" Professor Snape released Lavinia and sprinted to the forest. It almost looked like he was flying. Lavinia ran inside and watched at the nearest window, tears flowing freely.

Dawn had crept over the top of the trees when Snape emerged from the trees, holding Mischa's body. He was indeed gliding as if on wings, and as he touched down in front of the castle doors that she held open for him, Lavinia felt a gust of air rock her. "She's alive. Do you have any potions with you?"

Lavinia had already laid them out. She poured them, one by one, down Mischa's throat. A moan sounded, which helped Lavinia focus. She would live. She would be a werewolf now, but she would live. That's all that mattered.

When she had exhausted her potions, Professor Snape summoned a few potions of his own, pouring Wolfsbane and Blood Replenisher down her throat. They rushed her to the hospital wing, where Madame Pomfrey took over, waving her wand and performing spells so fast. She wordlessly handed Lavinia and Snape each a book with a page open and the three set to work. Lavinia focused all of her strength to perform the spells.

Dumbledore and McGonagall strode in an hour later and took over for Lavinia, telling her to lie down. Lavinia settled for brewing healing potions as needed nearby. There would be no rest for her. Professor Snape let McGonagall take his place and strode to accompany her. They laid out vial after vial of healing concoctions. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise but left them to it. Professor Snape trusted every vial she laid out, and that was good enough for him. When the question came up, the Potions Master explained that she had been brewing healing potions for herself since last year.

Seven hours later, the group had done everything they could. They stepped back from Mischa, whose beautiful face was mysteriously untouched. There was a bite mark on her neck and some new scars on her arms. Lavinia wondered idly if Mischa would be allowed to finish school.

Snape sat next to her and ask her to recount what happened. She admitted that they'd spent plenty of time in that clearing and it had seemed safe. Due to the circumstances, no points were taken, and no detentions would be issued.

As Lavinia told her tale, she cried openly, finally collapsing onto her knees and placing her head in her hands. Snape swooped down and wrapped his cloak around her, shielding her from the crowd around her. Finally, the group was quiet, and Lavinia's tears were momentarily spent. Professor Snape kept close to her as they waited for Mischa to stir. Classes had been cancelled for the day, so Dumbledore and McGonagall left to speak to the students. When Mischa stirred, Lavinia and Snape were the only two around. Professor Snape stepped away to allow the girls to speak.

"Lavinia, are you hurt?"

"No. But you are," Lavinia replied, eyes filling up once more with tears. Mischa nodded.

"I know. But I actually feel fine," she said, shrugging.

"We just spent the last nine hours trying to save your life. You have many healing potions in your system," Lavinia explained. Mischa blinked.

"That long?" she said, voice shaking. Lavinia nodded. She gripped Mischa's hand and gently squeezed.

"I thought you were going to die," she whispered.

Mischa stroked Lavinia's soft curls as she cried. After a while, the tears stopped. Professor Snape had left at some point, and Mischa whispered, "I can't stay, Lavinia. They'll never let me in here. I can't go home, either, that would put my mum in danger. I have to go back into the forest."

Lavinia's eyes grew wide. "You can't!" she cried in horror.

"I have to. I'm too dangerous to stay here, too dangerous to go home. I'll be alright, I promise, and I'll visit you when I can. I'll send you a note, and we can meet in the woods," Mischa replied. She was holding Lavinia to her now, trying to keep the child calm. "The other werewolves aren't a danger to me anymore, Lavinia. The other creatures don't mess with werewolves, either. I'll be one of them, maybe even belong to their pack. In my trunk, there's a book written by a werewolf, it's called Instincts of a Werewolf, you should take it. You'll understand. But I have to go."

With that, Mischa slid off of the bed and Transfigured her hospital gown into a t-shirt and jeans. She strode towards the doors to the wing, and Lavinia spoke.

"Let me come with you. Just to the forest, so I know you're safe."

Mischa looked at her. "You will leave at sunset, do you understand?" she said. Lavinia nodded. Mischa took her hand and they left the hospital wing together.

Down at the castle doors, Mischa looked around at the hall. "Such a beautiful castle, really," she whispered. They headed out and took their time walking across the grass. Finally, they reached the clearing and waited. They didn't have to wait long.

Around five in the afternoon, the figure of a man appeared at the edge of the clearing. "I won't hurt you, I promise," he said. He had a rather Scottish accent. He stepped into the clearing and raised his hands to show he was unarmed. Mischa stood, beckoning for Lavinia to stay back. Lavinia stayed quite still.

"Who are you?" Mischa asked. The man smiled.

"I am Toren. I may have been the one that bit your neck last night. My apologies," he said, inclining his head sorrowfully. He turned to Lavinia. "You both must have been terrified. I'm so sorry." He sank down to his knees and looked up at the girls, expression pleading and ashamed.

"I can't stay at Hogwarts now. Would I be safe here? Or should I find another forest?" Mischa asked. Toren sighed.

"You would be safe now. The wolves scrap sometimes, but it's more for fun than anything," he replied. "You can stay near me, if you like. I'll protect you if anything should happen."

Mischa thought about his offer. "Alright. Just let me say goodbye," she said quietly. She turned back to Lavinia. "Remember what I said. If you need me, your owl will find me. And I will write and let you know when it's safe to meet." She pulled Lavinia into a tight hug. "Be safe, Lavinia. Give them hell, okay?" Lavinia nodded and hugged Mischa tight.

"I'll miss you," she whispered. Mischa kissed Lavinia on the head.

"I'll miss you, too. Get back to the castle, the sun's going down."

Lavinia released Mischa reluctantly and walked away, giving her one last long look. Mischa waved, then turned and walked into the forest with Toren. Lavinia trudged back up to the castle. She went directly to Snape's office.

"She's gone," she said as she sat down. Snape strode to her side and placed a comforting hand on Lavinia's shoulder. Tears began to roll down her cheeks and she sighed. Snape pulled his cloak around her again for comfort.

"Where did she go?" he asked.

"With the wolf that turned her. He promised to keep her safe," she replied softly.

Snape nodded. He reached into his pocket.

"Drink this, it will help you sleep. You need to rest," he said. He transfigured the chair she was sitting in into a soft cot with a blanket. Lavinia drank the potion gratefully and sank down into a deep, dreamless slumber.

PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! MISCHA IS NOT GONE FOREVER, I PROMISE!