I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. A.N.: It never specifies if being scratched by a werewolf has any adverse effects or if it's only being bitten. I can't find anything helpful in the wiki or the books, so I'm going off the assumption that the scratches will scar permanently, but that they won't give werewolf tendencies(since I know they can't infect with the actual werewolf disease).
Werewolf
Alex exited the hole beneath the Whomping Willow just after Crookshanks, still levitating Pettigrew, and Lupin stepped out quickly after them. The walk had been largely silent, except for Sirius offering to take Harry in after they turned Pettigrew in and cleared Sirius's name.
"Professor Lupin, maybe you'd better run on ahead and get your potion," Alex suggested.
"You're probably right," Lupin said.
However, he had only taken about five running steps before the clouds parted and they were bathed in the silvery light of the moon. Lupin went rigid instantly and Alex swore.
"Black, take Pettigrew," Alex said.
"No, leave Lupin to me!" Sirius said. "I can handle it!"
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, run, now!" Alex ordered.
Hermione, helping support Ron over her shoulder, turned to flee, but stopped when she saw Harry stood rooted to the spot. Lupin let out a terrible snarl, his head beginning to elongate. His body was stretching too. Fur was beginning to grow on his face and hands, which were curling into paws. Crookshanks was backing away, fur standing on end, making him look like an almost comical ball of fuzz, if not for the horror of what he was backing away from.
"Black, take him now!" Alex shouted.
"Just take him and run!" Sirius snapped.
"Stupefy!" Alex snapped, a flash of light blasting Pettigrew and rendering him unconscious, sending him flying backward.
Alex turned instantly, slipping his wand into its sheath before extending his claws and pointed teeth just as Lupin's transformation finished, his clothes all but exploding free of his much larger frame. Alex lunged, tackling Lupin hard and digging his claws into his flesh to get a strong hold on him. Lupin thrashed wildly, trying to turn and snap back at Alex, but Alex had a grip on the sides of his head where Lupin would be able to hide the scares but where he could keep Lupin from biting him.
"I swear to God, Lupin, if you bite me I'll end your curse right here and now!" Alex snapped slamming Lupin to the ground, struggling to hold him. He glanced at the others, seeing they were still there. "Get the fuck out of here! Sirius, get Pettigrew!"
The others seemed to snap out of a trance finally, but just as they all turned to get away from them, Lupin gave a particularly violent thrash. Alex's claws slipped free and he lunged at Alex. Alex swung, his fist colliding with the side of the base of Lupin's skull. Lupin let out a pained yelp, sailing away before scrambling away toward the forest. Sirius shot after him instantly, transforming into a dog nearly the size of a bear. Alex grit his teeth, looking down at the scratches marring his legs. He'd be really unhappy if he had to walk very far very soon. He sighed, then pushed himself to his feet and lumped toward where he'd left Pettigrew, only to find a pile of empty cords. He swore tiredly before leasing himself into a sitting position, his legs feeling like they were on fire. As he turned to the others, Harry took off at a sprint after Sirius, hearing him yelping in pain. Hermione following immediately after him.
"You couldn't just run, could you?" he asked, wincing as the pain in his legs flared, blood running out of them quickly.
"Alex!" Ron gasped, limping over quickly.
"I'm...fine," Alex said, frowning as his head began to go numb and spin slowly.
He tried to stand again, but he felt a searing tsunami of agony tear through him from his legs and fell back to his knees.
"Don't move, Pruitt," Snape said, kneeling beside him.
Snape raised his wand, apparently having located it wherever Sirius had dropped it, only for Alex to shove his hand away, pointing after Harry and Hermione.
"Harry and Hermione...went after Black...and Lupin," Alex panted, head spinning faster.
Snape swore and sent bandages flying out of his wand, the bandages wrapping themselves around Alex's legs, driving them between his thighs and calves to bandage his injuries, before Snape set off at a sprint. Alex felt his head spinning still faster and looked after Snape just in time to see him vanish into the darkness before rolling to the side, the inky black void of sleep rushing in and washing away the agony in his legs.
Alex stirred slowly, feeling like his entire body was made of lead. His legs ached horribly, but when he lifted the sheets covering him, he only had scars left. They were pearly white, but he could get used to them. He sighed, letting his head fall back on the pillow for several seconds before looking around the dark Hospital Wing, his brain beginning to register that he wasn't alone for the first time.
"Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor," Dumbledore was telling Harry and Hermione. "Thirteenth window from the right of the West Tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law. You know what's at stake. You must not be seen." As he turned on his heel and strode to the door, Alex stood and walked over to Harry and Hermione. "I am going to lock you in. It is," he consulted his watch, "five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."
"Good luck?" Harry asked. "Three turns? What's he talking about? What are we supposed to do?"
"You have a time-turner," Alex accused her. "That explains everything!"
She nodded once as she pulled out a very long, very thin gold chain, Alex pulling Harry so that his head was resting against both Hermione and Alex's. Hermione looped the chain around both of the others' heads before turning the small silver hourglass on the chain three times. The dark ward dissolved, the feeling of flying backward extremely fast assaulted Alex as shapes and lights began to flash past them on all sides. Then, it was over. They were standing in the Entrance Hall, the sun streaming though the open door.
"Hermione, what-"
"In here!" Hermione hissed, shoving Harry into a broom closet, Alex just behind her.
He shut the door behind them as Hermione shoved the time-turner away, glancing down at the hospital gown he was wearing over his underwear. He pulled his wand out of his sleeve, which he held in his left hand, and waved his hand in front of himself, his hospital gown blowing like in a wind, turning black, then spreading outward into as it transformed into a complete set of robes. He strapped on his wand's forearm holster just as Harry realized Dumbledore sent them back three hours, about when they were going to see Hagrid, so that they could save Buckbeak as well, then use him to fly to Flitwick's window to save Sirius. Personally, Alex favored the idea of just going back and catching Pettigrew before he could escape, but the deed was done. He'd have to go and catch Pettigrew later. Buckbeak came first.
He pulled out his wand, tapping both of the others on top of the head before twirling it over his own, all three cringing as the Disillusionment Charm took effect. "It's not perfect, so try not to get close to anyone. And try not to move too fast, or the charm's going to break."
They both nodded, he thought, and they linked hands before leaving, Alex keeping his right hand free, though he'd put his wand away again. They worked their way toward Hagrid's quickly, deciding to go through the Forbidden Forest for added safety. They broke into a run once they were safely inside of it, their bodies becoming visible again, and released each other's hands. As they reached Hagrid's, they heard their earlier selves knock and listened to their conversation from off to the side.
"This is the weirdest thing we've ever done," Harry whispered.
"I'm sure we'll top it soon," Alex said. "This way. Let's get closer to Buckbeak to wait."
"Wait?" Harry asked. "Why not just let him loose now?"
"Fudge has to see him!" Alex hissed as they took up positions near the pumpkin patch, careful to stay out of the way. "Otherwise he'll think Hagrid set him loose!"
"He's right," Harry," Hermione said. "After Fudge goes into Hagrid's house, we'll have a few moments to get Buckbeak out of there."
"Yeah, about sixty seconds!" Harry hissed back.
Alex waved him off and they waited. As they waited, Harry suggested going to take Pettigrew by force right then and there, but Hermione explained that Professor McGonagall, who had apparently given her the time-turner, had explained that many wizards in the past had been seen by their past selves and one ended up killing the other. Finally, the Committee arrived. Alex and the others' past selves left, but Alex held Harry back.
"You'll do it, but not yet," Alex said. "Wait."
Inside, Hagrid told them where Buckbeak was and Macnair, the executioner, looked out the window, staring at Buckbeak for a long while before disappearing as Fudge said he had to listen to the official notice of execution with Hagrid, then sign it. Once Macnair had vanished, Alex nodded and Harry darted out from behind the tree. Harry vaulted the low fence and bowed. Buckbeak bowed in return. Alex flicked a hand at the knot Harry was struggling with and it uncoiled so fast it seemed to have melted through itself to do it. Harry tugged on the rope but Buckbeak refused to move. Alex held a hand out to the side and a squirrel sailed from a tree to his hand. He caught it and broke its neck, killing it instantly, then waved it. Buckbeak gave a short squawk and trotted into the forest after Alex, Harry and Hermione holding his rope. Once Hagrid's hut was out of sight, Alex gave the squirrel to him, bowing. Buckbeak swallowed it hole and bowed in return before standing. They listened as Fudge's group realized Buckbeak was gone. There was the sound of an axe hitting something as Macnair apparently swung it into the fence in frustration, and Hagrid began to howl with sobs, though this time they could tell they were happy sobs, as he called Buckbeak clever for getting himself loose and escaping. When Buckbeak tried to return to see why Hagrid was crying, Alex grabbed his rope, his inhuman strength holding Buckbeak firmly, allowing Harry and Hermione to release the rope.
Once they were sure Fudge and the others were inside the hut again, Hagrid having agreed to pour them tea, they quickly led Buckbeak over to where they could see the Whomping Willow. Then, they settled in to wait.
"Do you suppose Dumbledore knew?" Alex asked. "When he saw Buckbeak was gone, you think he knew he'd be sending us back in time?"
Hermione frowned for a moment, considering. "Maybe."
"It'd honestly surprise me if he didn't," Harry said. "Dumbledore knows everything that happens here."
Alex nodded. Seconds after they'd gone into the tunnel under the great tree, Dumbledore and Fudge's group walked up by it. Harry tried to go for the cloak, but Alex held him back. Less than a minute later, Hagrid staggered past, already drunk and singing merrily at the top of his lungs. Buckbeak tried to go to him, but Alex held him back. Then, Snape came out of the castle, sprinting to the tree and disabled it before taking the cloak and following the others. They settled in to wait once again and Alex looked to Hermione.
"It'll be dark," Alex said. "If I use a Disillusionment Charm, I think I can get to Pettigrew before he escapes."
Hermione frowned worriedly. "If you do, be careful. But let's see what happens first."
Alex nodded and tied Buckbeak's rope around a tree securely. As they waited, Harry explained to them that the dementors that found them at the lake had very nearly sucked both of their souls out, only for a very powerful Patronus Charm to drive them away. However, his theory as to who cast it, based off of seeing them in the Patronus's light just before passing out, was that it was his father. He told them that it looked a lot like him, based on the photos he'd seen of his father, and Alex neglected to bring up that Harry might end up saving himself. Finally, after an hour, their past selves returned. And then, Lupin began to transform. Alex watched his past self tackle Lupin just as Harry spoke.
"Hermione, we've got to move!" Harry said.
"We mustn't!" Hermione hissed. "I keep telling you-"
"Lupin's going to run into the forest!" Alex said, seeing his and Lupin's fight was about to end.
"Back to Hagrid's!" Harry said. "It's empty now!"
They turned to run just as Lupin yelped. Alex cursed, looking back. Lupin entered the trees only to stop, sniffing. Then, he snarled, turning and starting after them.
"Keep going!" he said, branching off. "Tell Dumbledore to come find me!"
"Alex, what are you-" Hermione was cut off by Lupin's snarl as he leapt at Alex.
Alex spun, swinging a thick, fallen branch around and using it to block Lupin's jaws, only for the massive wolf to tackle him down a hill and deeper into the forest. Alex could hear Sirius closing in. He hoped Sirius wouldn't attack him right away. A werewolf was bad enough without a bear-sized dog. He kicked Lupin away and Lupin hurled the branch aside, leaping at Alex again. Alex fell backward contorting out of the way of Lupin's gnashing teeth, which snapped closed on empty air, then grabbed the great wolf, sinking his pointed teeth into the back of his neck, his claws digging into his back and his left side. Lupin thrashed. He swung his body around, slamming Alex into a tree hard enough to knock him off. He turned to attack but Sirius tackled him, ignoring Alex completely.
The pair of canines fought viciously, biting and clawing at each other. Lupin kicked Sirius off, bouncing him off a tree and making him yelp in pain. Alex tackled Lupin down another incline, feeling a broken root cut his side. Just as they landed, Lupin on top of Alex, Lupin lunged, but Alex caught Lupin's snout under the bottom, forcing his mouth closed and wrapping his fingers around it. Lupin yanked his head back and slashed with one paw. Alex shouted in pain as his torso exploded into agony. Sirius crashed into Lupin just before Lupin could try to take another bite. The canines rolled away, snapping and biting before Lupin fled, Sirius following. Alex forced himself up as he heard them beginning to fight again. He swallowed hard, beginning to struggle back toward Hagrid's hut. However, after a few more moments, he heard a loud bark behind him and spun, falling backward over a root. It saved his life as Lupin's jaws snapped closed an inch from his throat. As soon as Alex hit the ground, he lunged back off of it, snarling in effort and pain. He let out something of a roar of defiance as his head spun from blood loss and pain, sinking his teeth into Lupin's neck again, sinking his claws into his sides before slamming him to the ground. Lupin's hind leg kicked forward, but Alex kept his arm out of the way. Then, he turned, hurling Lupin, only for his head to spin, dropping him.
Lupin lunged. There was a piercing shriek suddenly and Alex looked up in time to see the golden-brown Hippogriff swat Lupin across the head with his front left foot, sending him crashing tot he ground. Lupin scrambled to his feet, snarling, but the Hippogriff reared up, flapping his wings, brandishing his talons, and shrieking furiously. Lupin fled instantly and the Hippogriff turned, galloping away instantly. Alex settled back against a tree. There was about forty five minutes before Dumbledore locked the Hospital Wing door. He looked down at himself, seeing a long, slimy, blood-covered, round tube poking out through one of the gashes now decorating his abdomen. He retracted his claws and teeth and poked it back in, groaning as he didn't have the strength left to scream. He was bleeding profusely, and his head growing number by the second. He sighed, leaning his head back. He wished he had his hearing aid. He wanted to hear Luna's voice one last time. Be able to say goodbye. Ask her to sing until it was over.
Tears slid down his cheeks. It wasn't fair. He didn't want to die anymore. After everything that had happened, he didn't want to die. He wanted to spend more time with Luna. He wanted to see if it really was anything besides just the cycles. He wasn't ready to die anymore, but that was no longer his choice. He'd given up his right to live when he'd tried to fight Lupin a second time. He'd gotten lucky the first time. He was lucky again to not be bitten the second time, but not enough to survive. And the Hippogriff had left him behind after saving him. He supposed it probably had just been nearby and the noise of the fight had made it mad.
He let his eyes slide closed as more tears began to fall. Finally, he took a rattling, rasping breath that sent agony searing through him and forced his mind to pull him back to the final Quidditch match, and to the dreams it had caused. If he had to die, he wanted to spend what little time he had left with her, even if only in a dream. As he allowed himself to meet Luna's lips with his own in his mind, his head gave one final spin and all thought slipped away.
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