"Did you see it?!"

"I heard it's a werewolf!"

"That's what all the howling is!"

Marcus ignored all of his fellow Hufflepuffs whispering to each other. Apparently rumors were spreading that a monster of some sorts was stalking the grounds at night. Marcus didn't believe any of it, at the moment he had other things to worry about.

Namely Samuel Millegan.

"Okay so listen up buddy. Anna loves flowers, tulips are her favorite." Marcus said and Sam nodded. He was writing down all of the little facts in a notebook as Cedric looked around to make sure no one listened in on them.

Cedric bumped Marcus on the shoulder "What about Hogsmeade? They could go for a Butterbeer together and get to know each other. You know friends first and then work his way up to a relationship?" Cedric suggest. Marcus nodded and Sam wrote in his notebook everything they told him, Marcus knew a lot about what Anna liked mostly because he dated her for over a year.

Just then Anna walked into the Common Room and the boys all scrambled to make sure she didn't hear them. She looked at them oddly "What's gotten into you guys?" she asked curiously and they all just shrugged innocently.

"Hey guys how about a trip to Hogsmeade?" Marcus suggested. Sam and Cedric readily agreed and Anna smiled and nodded, they all grabbed their coats and made their way outside. Along the way they stopped by the Great Hall and had Dan join them. After that they all walked outside together the brisk sharp rain stung his cheeks as they all climbed into the carriages that brought them into town. As they were riding Dan moved closer to Marcus to warm up and he smiled at that.

He saw Anna shiver and Sam gulped hard before he scooted closer and offered her his scarf. She smiled and took it, Sam looked happier as the sleigh stopped on some icy stones and Marcus hopped out. He made sure no one fell before they made their way into the Three Broomsticks. They all sat down, before Dan reached the table Marcus pulled him aside "What?" he asked curiously.

Marcus looked over and saw Sam sitting next to Anna, he looked back at his boyfriend "So Sam is head over heels in love with Anna. Cedric and I are trying to set them up, so we are going to make up a reason to leave them alone okay?" he said. Dan grinned in amusement and nodded before they kissed and made their way back to their friends.

He nodded to Cedric who suddenly groaned in annoyance "Crap Marcus! We have those Quidditch drills to give the new guys!" he said and Marcus feigned annoyance. The two got up "Dan don't you have to train the new Chasers?" he asked and Dan nodded quickly before he got up too.

"Have fun guys!" Marcus said cheerily as the three left in a hurry.

"Wait...Isn't Sam on the Quidditch team too? He's the Keeper." Anna said before they walked out the door. They all froze and cursed themselves for not thinking of a cleverer lie, before turning back to the two who were still seated next to each other.

Dan stepped forward "Yes...he is but...because there is only one Keeper he doesn't have to train anyone. Marcus has to train Anthony because he's the other Beater, I have to train the Chasers, and Cedric is captain so he has to be at all training sessions." he explained quickly.

Marcus gave a sly grin and suddenly liked his boyfriend even more than he did before. Anna thought for a second before shrugging and waving them goodbye. They all ran out and busted out laughing, Marcus pulled his boyfriend close "Cute and quick on his feet! Damn you are one of a kind!" he said grinning.

Cedric laughed harder until slowly it died down and he thought of something, "Oh wait...I think their actually is a Quidditch training session...Yeah I need to go! Come on guys!" he said before he climbed into the carriage.

Dan gave Marcus a kiss on the cheek "You coming?" he asked as he climbed in next to Cedric.

He looked at his boyfriend and then at all the stores "I'll catch up with you later. Got some shopping to do anyway." he said with a smile and started towards one of the shops. He watched the carriage slowly vanish from sight before he threw his hood on and rain through the rain into one of the shops.

A few hours later.

Marcus walked out, he had bought a few things for his friends and family for the upcoming holidays and was happy for it. As he walked out of Zonkos he caught a glimpse of Sam and Anna walking out of the Three Broomsticks. He grinned and quickly ducked behind a wall to hear what they were saying.

"I really had fun Sammy, it's nice getting to know you! We should definitely do this again sometime!" she said cheerily. Sam looked ecstatic as he nodded and they climbed into a carriage and started down the road. Marcus was smiling widely at the blossoming relationship when he realized something.

That was the last carriage and the Sun was setting.

The rain had let up so it was just a little cloudy now. Marcus just shrugged, no better time for a walk than a nice cool night. He had sent his gifts ahead, the shop owners transport the merchandise to the school for a small fee which Marcus was glad he paid now. He started walking, his hands in his hoodie pockets and his hood up to keep his ears warm.

He took a deep breath and looked around, he was totally alone not a single person in either direction. Marcus quickly turned into a wolf and cut through the forest, he loved the feeling of the wind rushing through his fur as he ran at a much faster speed.

He broke through the tree line and saw the castle in the distance, he changed back into his human form. He started walking up the path when he heard the voice.

"No more Wolfsbane, oh I gotta hurry!" a frantic and nervous voice came from up the hill. As Marcus walked closer he saw Remus Lupin appear and he froze in fear at the young man in front of him.

"Professor Lupin? Are you okay?" Marcus asked confused at the usually collected professors terrified stance. The professor didn't answer he simply started forward and towards the Whomping Willow. Marcus ran forward and grabbed the mans arm "Sir be careful!" he said and Remus was breathing heavily as he moved faster.

Marcus ran in front of him "Professor what's going on?! Is everything alright?!" he asked now more nervous than before. Suddenly Lupin gasped in fright and Marcus turned to see the pale full moon break through the clouds. He heard groaning and the sound of fabric tearing, he turned back and saw Lupin growing in size, his facial features changing, his clothes ripping off as he transformed.

He was a werewolf!

Marcus gasped in short breaths as he backed away from the lycanthrope. The monster had finally stopped changing and it was one of the most terrifying images Marcus had ever seen and would forever be burned into his mind. As he backed up his foot hit a twig and it snapped under his weight.

The beast looked up and snarled at him, then he started forward with his claw raised.

That's when Marcus ran for his life.

He jumped away as the werewolf swiped its claw, then he turned into his animagus and bolted towards the castle. The werewolf howled and blocked his path, Marcus whimpered before making a split second decision and turning around. He ran into the forest and judging from the howls and snarling Lupin was right on his tail.

He ran as fast as he could, he ducked under broken branches and quick turned through trees hoping to lose the werewolf. He stopped behind a bundle of fallen trees and looked back to see if he was still being chased.

Lupin was nowhere to be found.

Marcus was panting heavily, his lungs and paws hurt but he was safe. He turned and was greeted with razor sharp claws, they cut into his chest and he screamed in pain. The scream came out as a howl but it was excruciating nonetheless.

Marcus swiped his claw and hit Lupin across the face, leaving a few bleeding cuts. The werewolf yelped a bit and backed away and Marcus started running back to the castle again. No doubt Lupin could track him easily because he was leaving a trail of blood as he ran through the dark and misty forest.

He caught sight of the clearing just ahead and he pushed himself to run faster. His lungs were screaming by now, he had just cleared the forest when Lupin appeared from his side and grabbed him. He raked his claws across both his front left leg and his back right leg. he could feel his skin tear as he struggled to free himself, he brought his paws back and kicked him in the face giving him the opportunity to escape.

He had made it to the stone path, he could see the castle but his vision was dimming, he had lost a lot of blood. He couldn't maintain his animagus anymore and turned back. Blood was dripping from his mouth and horribly deep slashes riddled his right leg and left arm, his chest was also ripped open as well.

Marcus struggled to breath as he limped away, he heard the growl again. He turned and drew his wands just as Lupin tackled him to the ground with a feral snarl. He bared his fangs and Marcus brought his hands up and pushed against Lupins snout and chin to keep him from biting into him. He continued to push down, his claws digging into his shoulders making him scream in pain again.

His muscles felt like weights, slowly Lupins frothing mouth was getting closer. He looked to his side and saw one of his wands, he quickly made the choice and punched the werewolf in the face. For the split second it took Lupin to recover Marcus grabbed the wand and brought it up. Lupin opened his mouth and tried to bite him again, only for Marcus to thrust his wand into his mouth.

Lupin bit down and snapped the wand in two causing it to spark slightly, hurting the werewolf. He was disoriented long enough for Marcus to reach for his other wand and point it at Lupins chest, he saw the Whomping Willow just behind them. Lupin howled and then spit the pieces out and tried to bite Marcus once more.

"ALARTE ASCENDARE!" he shouted weakly and the werewolf was propelled off of Marcus. As he flew upward the sentient, and incredibly violent, tree hit Lupin like a bat hitting a baseball. Lupin shot to the ground and hit it with such force that he was rendered unconscious in a matter of seconds. He had no more strength left in him, he dropped his remaining wand and spit out some more blood. The slashes across his body burned like lava, he was taking rapid short breaths as his vision darkened more.

He knew if Lupin woke up before the Sun rose, then Marcus would be dead. It seemed likely that he was going to die regardless, he looked to his side and saw his blood dripping down the stone path. His shattered wand lay in pieces a few feet away, he had no more fight left in him. He stared at the full moon and wondered how something so beautiful, so poetic, so extraordinary could be the result of his death. His thoughts became murky as the pain intensified again.

The darkness overcame him.

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