Sirius
Tonight we decided, as it was more and more often the case, to go for a run unto the Forbidden Forest. To stay in the Shrieking Shack was boring, and let's say, more dangerous for us, as Moony was finding it difficult to be imprisoned this way and was restlessly trying to escape. The Forbidden Forest wasn't allowed for students, especially in the middle of the night, so we never had the displeasure to come across someone other than the creatures living in it. As a dog, I always love to run, having way more cardio than I have in my human form. Moony was way easier to deal with when he was running in the wild than in a Shack. We just arrived in the woods and, as usual, we were luring Moony in the direction opposite to the castle, to make sure to be far away and reduce all risk of seeing someone, when I heard it.
A scream.
From a girl. A very familiar voice, especially for me. Dorcas' voice. I stopped right on my track, as well as the others and I couldn't refrain a long dog whimper at the sound of it.
My first thought was for the reason of the scream. Was Dorcas in danger? Then, my second worry was that if she wasn't yet, she would be. I turned my head to look at Moony, who's head was still listening, waiting for a better indication as where to go hunt the witch. I was completely at a lost, I wanted to go help her, totally worried of why she screamed, but by doing so, I knew that Moony would follow. I turned to Prongs, who was looking at me, too. His stag head gestured toward the ground, and I follow his look to Wormtail. Yes, that should work, he should go see to her... He seemed to understand, because he ran in Dorcas' direction, looking like he perfectly knew where to find her, by his lack of hesitation.
Then it hit me. She must be at the Devil's snare's spot. That's how he would know how to find her. But why on earth would she be there this late? Was she freaking sleepwalking? Then I remembered. She told us, days ago, that she would venture there after hours. But I didn't thought that it would be THIS LATE IN THE NIGHT. What if Pete was unable to help her? I let out another whimper. Prongs came my way and looked at me. Right, the most urgent: get Remus the fuck out of here for Dorcas to be safe. We didn't have to talk to know the plan, the goal was clearly to lure him back to the Shrieking Shack... Though, without Peter, getting to the stupid knot opening the passageway would be trickier, but not unachievable... We began to try the luring methods we developed through the years, aka to playfully encourage him this way by looping around him. At that moment, there was a giant flash of light coming from the left, clearly a magic one. A wand-created one. Crap, I thought, I hope Moony didn't see that. I turned to him and realised that he was already gone. I prayed that Peter got to her in time as I leapt after him, passing Prongs who started the pursuit before I did.
Dorcas
I'm gonna die. If I stay here I will. I felt the blood rushing back in my legs as I began to run. Knowing fully well that he would easily catch up on me. He was very tall, his legs surely were way faster than mine.
- Dorcas, over here! I heard Peter shouting to me.
I turned my head to the right and saw that he was running next to me, his hand about to catch my arm. Where did he came from? He wasn't there seconds ago, like he appeared from thin air. Or, as I guessed, he transformed from a rat and it looks like he just appeared next to me.
- We're gonna die, Pete, I huffed, looking back at Remus, who was closing in on us really fast.
- No, we're not. Follow me! He said, turning right and starting to climb a very big specimen of what looked like an ancient oak.
- Come on, climb faster! He rushed me, as I was starting to climb after him.
I was something like 6 feet up the tree when the werewolf (it was difficult to refer to him as Remus at the moment…) arrived, growling and drooling. I froze for a second, looking at him, frowning.
- Remus, come on, it's me! I tried.
- Dorcas, don't bother! Peter said from above.
But the werewolf froze for a second, looking at me. That gave me hope, and because of that, I made the mistake to stop the ascension. I heard a loud bark from below, telling me that Sirius was there. The werewolf turned to look at the dog, then turned back to me and I saw that the moment was gone. He looked desperate to get to me. He took a step back to sprang back to try and catch me. I heard a loud bark and I hurried to climb higher. But, it was too little too late, the werewolf caught my left boot, making me slip a little. I caught up on a branch in extremis, before I went down directly in the werewolf's drooling mouth, full of razor-sharped teeth. I let out a scream at the perspective of his teeth tearing my flesh… I closed my eyes, searching for the strength to move up again. Problem is, the werewolf was pulling at my boot… There was another bark, followed by a whimper from Sirius. Then, I saw James arrive, as a majestic stag, charging Remus for him to let go of me. It worked in an instant, and I felt a hand taking mine. Peter was reaching to me from a higher branch.
- Thanks, I sighed in relief, as I was hearing a growling and barking racket down below.
- Here, let's make sure that we're safe, let's get higher, he replied, letting me go first this time.
After a while, we were very high in the tree, the sound of what was going on down below diminishing a little. I sat on a big branch and made room for Peter to sit by my side. He was red and huffing, clearly not at the top of his shape. Then again, I wouldn't be in shape at all if it wasn't for Quidditch and the relentless practices James forces us to do.
- So… He said, looking like he was having a hard time catching his breath. What the hell are you doing here this late, Dorcas? He asked me.
- I was… WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU DOING HERE YOURSELVES? I exploded, feeling like I needed to get my anxiety out on him.
I felt my hands starting to shake, as well as, it seems, my entire body.
- Okay, let's settle that matter later, come here, he said, opening his arms to me.
I hesitated for a second, since Peter and me never were this… close… Then I thought, what the hell, and I let him hug me. The aftershock was a little overwhelming, I mean, I nearly got killed by a devil's snare before I nearly got killed by one of my best friends… That would clearly be on top of my 'moments to forget's list'… I felt my teeth beginning to shatter, and I tried to stop it by clenching my jaw, but I failed miserably.
- S-s-sor-ry, P-pe-te, I d-d-don't k-know wh-hat's g-go-ing o-on... I managed to say, frustrated by my reaction to the situation.
- Shhhhh…. Here, calm down, everything's fine, Peter whispered to me. Don't worry, all of this, it's overwhelming, I understand this better than you think...
That was comforting, and weird, but mostly comforting… As he was beginning to awkwardly pat my back, I decided that I was feeling better already and left his arms.
- I… I told you days ago, I was visiting Venitia… I began, relieved that my teeth have stop the shattering.
- Why this late? He said, sounding very confused, with good reason.
- Because, I read that it blossomed only during full moon, so I came to capture the moment, when the light would be at its best... I explained.
- Why didn't you tell me this? I would have told you to never EVER venture in the woods during full moon, Dorcas.
- And how would I know? You lot never told me anything! I childishly whined.
- That's so not true, you're one of the people who knows the most about us! He shook his head in disbelief.
- Well, good to know, I guess... But, thing is, Remus told me you lot were going somewhere SAFE during his transformations. Excuse me for not guessing that he meant the BLOODY FORBIDDEN FOREST, aka, the less safe place in all Hogwarts!
- Well, we don't always come here, usually we stay hidden in the Shrieking Shack, he said.
We got interrupted by a wolf's howl, sounding like a complain.
- Is he okay? Will he go away? Should we, I don't know, summon our brooms to fly away? I asked.
- He's fine, Padfoot and Prongs are with him. But no, he won't go away. And we better not fly away. He would see us, and he would follow, it's best to stay here. He'll try to get to us until he falls from exhaustion, somewhere around two or three in the morning… That's when he usually transformed back… He sighed deeply.
- Poor Remus… I sighed.
- He'll be fine, I'm very glad that I got to you in time, though… Peter sighed.
- Well, you lot arrived second on the list of dead threats tonight, I weakly smiled.
- How come? What else happened? He asked.
I started to tell him all about my evening, sometimes interrupted by wolf and dog sounds coming from the ground below.
- So... What about the Shrieking Shack? You're not afraid of the ghosts? I heard it's haunted by one or several poltergeists? I asked him.
He rolled his eyes at me, while laying his back against the tree trunk.
- Your curiosity knows no limit, does it? He smirked at me.
- Come on, Peter, just moment ago you witness how ignorance of your whereabouts may be dangerous for me, I winked at him.
- True, that, he agreed. Well, if you really want to know, there's no poltergeist. The racket is all from Remus, because he's hiding in there to transform since he arrived at Hogwarts. Dumbledore's idea.
- Is there a passageway to get there?
- Yeah, and a well-hidden one, where no-one sane would venture...
- Where? I asked, eager.
- I guess I can tell you, anyway I don't think after tonight you would ever want to follow us, am I right?
- I'm not ever again running in front of a werewolf if I can help it, if that's what you're asking, I laughed nervously.
- It's under the whomping willow, there's a knot in the tree trunk and you have to press it to pass.
- The whomping willow! That's highly dangerous! I exclaimed.
- Not when you know how to deactivate it, the tree stop trying to kill you when you push on the knot, he explained.
- Brilliant, I commented.
- Again, Dumbledore's idea, he said.
- Yeah, trust the old man to protect secrets by putting our lives in danger, I laugh.
- Nobody's in danger, everyone know better than to come closer to that damn willow, Peter laughed with me.
We talked for a while before finally, after hours, we heard Sirius' voice call us.
- Guys, you can come down, he's transformed and fast asleep!
I followed Peter down the tree, struggling a little because of my level of exhaustion. As I was arriving on the last level of branches, I felt hands helping me down and before I knew it, I was bone-crushed in a bear hug.
- Are you all right, Fury? I heard Sirius say in my hair.
He took a step back, took my face in his hands and his tired eyes were looking at me for any sign of problem.
- I'm fine, I said.
- How's your feet? Did he cut you? He asked.
- Oh. No, he didn't, he just managed to pull on my boot before James tackled him, then Peter help me up.
He hugged me again, even harder.
- Don't strangle her, Pads, she already escaped death once tonight… I heard James say, and Sirius gave me some air, just before James hugged me too.
- Glad that you're fine, pest, he winked at me.
- Well, she escaped death twice tonight, actually, Peter rectified.
- WHAT? James exclaimed. How unlucky can someone get?
As Peter told them about my adventure with Devil's snare, I looked over Sirius' shoulder to see that Remus was fast asleep on the ground, his apparently naked body covered by a plaid woolen blanket.
- How is he? I asked Sirius, taking a step back and pointing Remus with my chin.
- He's fine, he'll sleep it off all day... He sighed, looking completely exhausted himself.
I looked at him worriedly.
- How about you? Are you hurt? I asked.
- What? No, no I'm totally fine, he said, just freaking tired...
- Me too, I'm so happy that I'm off this morning, I agreed, thinking that I wouldn't survive to sleeping only a couple of hours...
- Let's get back, then? And, Dorcas, since you have your wand, you mind bringing him back? Sirius said, referring to Remus
- Yeah, of course, I said, taking my wand. OH! My bag! I said, panicked, I need my camera! Accio backpack, I said, pointing in the direction of the Devil's snare. I saw my backpack floating in my direction and I sighed in relief.
- You act as if your life depended on that backpack, said James.
- Close enough, my pictures of the reason why I nearly died twice tonight, I'm certainly not leaving without it! I said, grabbing my bag and putting it on. All right, I'm ready now, mobilicorpus! I said, pointing my wand on Remus, that was wrapped up in the blanket beforehand for my ''innocent eyes'' as James put it.
After a little while James took my wand and continued, since I was nearly sleep-walking. Peter came by my side and nudge me.
- Wake up, sleepy head, he laughed at me, but it was impossible to take him seriously while he yawned himself enough for his jaw to unhook...
I putted my arm on his shoulder affectionately, it was quite easy, since he was no taller than me.
- Thanks, Peter, I managed to say. For, you know, saving my life, and taking care of me, up there, I finished.
- Ah, it's nothing...
- I disagree, you could've stayed a rat, and not risk your own life to help me, that was really brave, Pete, I insisted.
- It is, Sirius agreed next to me, thanks Pete, I was worried sick back there, he added.
- You were? I said.
- What do you think? You're so appealing, imagine for a werewolf! He'd have eaten you in one bite! He smirked.
I nudged him, as he was half-serious, half-laughing at me, as usual. James and Peter went upstairs first, as Sirius and I dropped Remus in the Hospital wing, before Pomfrey woke up. It must be past four in the morning by now. Sirius led me to the GQ, and the door opened on a cozy bedroom, looking somewhat like our dorm, but with a unique double bed instead of multiple single bed.
- Hm? Why did you bring me here? I'm not... I began, confused.
- Trust me, Fury, I have zero agenda here, I'm as sleep-depraved as you are, I just want to cuddle you and pass out, if that's okay with you? He smiled at me.
- Yeah, sure, I said, too drawn toward the bed to think about anything else than sleeping anyway.
We hoped in bed with all our clothes on, and he pulled me until we were comfortably cuddled in the middle of the bed.
- Dorcas? He said with a groggy voice.
- Hm? Was all I managed to say.
- I'm very happy that you're not dead, he said.
- Wow, that's the most romantic thing someone ever told me, I laughed.
- And, Dorcas?
- Mmwhaaat? I replied, beginning to really doze away from that conversation.
- You know that it was never really an option for your nickname to be anything else than Fury, right?
- I know, I said, smiling although my back was to him, so he didn't see me.
- Sleep well, Fury, he whispered in my ear, as I was already falling asleep.
I was still in the Forbidden Forest. The full moon was shining between the branches on the trees, with a strange reddish aura instead of the usual blueish one. I looked around me and wondered why I was not safely hiding in top of the tree, with Peter. Safely away from the werewolf. It must be near, I needed to get up and run... But I couldn't, I was feeling like my body was made of concrete, like heavily nailed to the ground. Something was wrong with my stomach. I raised my head to see what was going on. I saw Remus. His face red with blood. My blood. As he was eating my guts and smiling at me, his razor-sharp teeth reflecting the moonlight...
- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! I woke up, feeling something pinning me to my bed. Still panicked
because of the nightmare, I harshly pushed on whatever was pinning me there and sat promptly on my bed, catching my breath.
- Woah! What's going on? I heard in my back.
I looked around me, to remember where I was, and with whom. I turned to Sirius, who was frowning at me.
- Are you all right, Fury? He asked.
- Yes... I think... Just... Just a stupid nightmare, I sighed.
- About last night? He guessed.
- Yeah. I feel stupid. When I learned about Remus' condition... I told him, all brave and all, that I didn't care with the werewolf thing, that it wouldn't change anything... I said, shaking my head in disbelief. I feel weak, and stupid. But, thing is, Sirius, seeing him last night, running after me, ready to shred me to pieces, I... I don't know, I guess I'm a coward, because I was scared to death...
He hugged me, gently stroking my hair.
- You're not stupid or a coward. You were chased by a bloody werewolf, that is no picnic, that was a traumatic life-or-death experience.
- You don't understand. I want to be an auror. Life-or-death situation will be my day-to-day, I can't be scared like that. I can't be a coward.
- First, there's a difference between wizards and werewolves. Werewolves ARE scarier. I think it has something to do with the fur and fangs, OH and maybe with the fact that they want to eat you.
- How can you joke about that? I asked, shaking my head.
- Because, Fury, joking about terrible things always achieve to render them less terrible, don't you think? He asked, smiling at me. Why do you think that we refer to the curse as ''Remus' little fury problem''? Because, it looks less terrifying that way, he explained.
- Hm. Maybe, I said, taking a minute to think about it. So, were you scare at first too?
- Of course, I was, at first, like any normal person would be, Dorcas. To be scared is not to be weak, to be scared is fine, knowing the risk is primordial to stay alive...
He gave me a look to try to validate that I did understand what he was saying. I nodded, then he made his crooked smile before he continued.
- But then again, I'm his roommate, he's a turbo nerd, that helps put things in perspective, he laughed. We're used to it, after years spent with him every full moon. And he doesn't mind us, when we're animals, it's like we're friends again, but differently? It was your first encounter with his werewolf's form, don't be hard on yourself, IT IS traumatic at first. And you know, ideally, you'll never run into him ever again.
- OR, I could be an Animagus too, someday? I suggested.
- Mh. Maybe, after your NEWTS, after your Auror's studies, if we're still together, those type of IF's.
- So, you mean, it's not a NO, but it's a long shot? I grinned.
- That's exactly what I meant, he agreed.
- Which animal do you reckon I would turn unto? I asked pensively.
- Hm, good question... Maybe a cute little bunny? He smirked at me.
- What the hell?! I said, offended.
- I just wanted to tease you, I think you would be wilder, like... A crazy bat?
I took a pillow and attacked him with it, waging a war. Of course, he quickly got the upper hand on me and squeezed me under him in no time as I was wildly kicking and screaming. But, looking up at him, I saw that his smile faded, and his eyes darkened. I realised we were all alone, in bed together, entangled. My hands that were pushing him took hold of his sweater instead to bring him in kissing reach. He let go of my shoulders, that he was pinning on the bed, and cupped my face instead. Things going to slowly for my taste, my fingers released his jumper to pull on the nape of his neck for my lips to reach his' faster. He reacted well to my impulse, deepening the kiss very fast.
It felt like my blood was replace by lava in my veins. Like all my body was catching in fire. I wanted more. I wanted him. All of him. Not knowing what got unto me, I took the hem of his jumper and pulled it upwards to take it off. He pulled back from me and smiled.
- And what do you think you're doing, Fury? He laughed at me.
- Undressing you? I replied, feeling my cheeks turning red.
- As... promising as all of this sounds... He said, gazing at me, undeniably interested too, we are nearly late for Transfiguration he finished, regret evident in his tone.
- Wh...? How do you know? I asked him, a little confused, but feeling like a cold shower was pouring on the lava under my skin at the thought of a pissed off Professor McGonagall.
He pointed the wall at my left with his chin. I turned my head in that direction and saw on the clock that he was right. It was a quarter to one. We had all but fifteen minutes to get out of here, fetch our things and run six floors down to get to class in time. Professor McGonagall HATE tardiness. I quickly rolled from under Sirius and got out of bed, but I felt a hand preventing me to go further.
- OR, we could bail... He suggested, as I was turning to him.
I looked at him, as he was staring at me, with his crooked smile, the definition of human perfection, there, in a bed, all for me. Hm. Then I thought yet again at a furious Professor McGonagall and that helped me resist the taunting invitation of my boyfriend.
- Not a chance, hurry! I said, while reaching for my shoes, that I clearly kicked off before going to bed hours ago.
He got up and did the same, still looking at me.
- But, it's just a rain check, right? He asked me, smiling seductively.
- I don't know, you're the one who spoiled the moment, aren't you? I smirked at him, before I made my way to the door.
- I know, sometimes, I can be VERY stupid, he groaned.
- OR, you have my educational success at heart? I asked, while we were hurrying to Gryffindor's tower.
- I do, I guess, he said, winking at me.
By some miracle, we got to Transfiguration seconds before the beginning of class, earning Professor McGonagall's severe scowling at us, prompting us to take our seats and fast.
