Chapter 16: Of Wolves and Wounds

Hermione gathered with her Guardians and Ginny in her private bedroom. The Transfiguration practical for the afternoon was rescheduled; Professor McGonagall determined nobody was in a fit state to sit the exam today.

Hermione insisted they'd all be more comfortable in one of the common rooms, but the others didn't care. It had taken nearly two hours for the questions in the Great Hall to subside and the group wanted peace and quiet. They piled on the two beds and Harry lay across the rug with his head in Ginny's lap.

"You all must've felt that she didn't really stab herself," Ginny said quietly. Harry nodded.

"We should've known right away if she really had. Draco's scream was pretty damn convincing, though."

"I dunno where she got the idea to stab her crystal, but she tried talking to me with her emotions," Draco answered. He sat propped against pillows on Hermione's bed with his girlfriend's head in his lap. "She put on being sad, and she felt determined and vengeful underneath, so I knew she had a plan. When she brought down the dagger, I saw the Patronus Essence light up, and I knew."

"Same," Blaise replied. "I almost stopped her, but she was quick."

"That's why you blocked her," Harry realised. "When I tried to look over at her, I could only see you."

Blaise nodded.

"I pulled her back so Pansy couldn't see the ball glowing. Now we know the Darkness is a right fat liar," he said bitterly.

"I didn't believe for a moment it would've let everyone go," Hermione murmured. "It wants to consume souls; it would've been a perfect opportunity to take more."

"How'd you know the Patronuses would work?" Ginny ventured.

"I didn't," Hermione smiled. "Ron did."

Six pairs of eyes turned to the Strategist who grinned proudly despite his slightly red ears.

"I ran through every possible scenario, and I realised we couldn't defeat them all without bloody great risk. But then I remembered something Hermione told me after she was attacked by Rogers and Westin: when she conjured her Patronus to find Blaise the two of them froze and they got even angrier with her after it left. We know Patronuses counter the Dementors, so I reckoned it made sense they'd at least make the possessed students freeze up–"

"But how'd you tell Hermione?" Ginny persisted. "You were across the Hall from her."

Ron made a circle with his fingers and tapped it against his chest at the same height Hermione's necklace hung.

"I was looking round for inspiration and Malfoy's ridiculous silver hair made me think of Patronuses, so I gestured to Hermione."

"You sure you weren't looking into Malfoy's shiny silver eyes?" Ginny teased.

Ron made a face and Hermione laughed. She looked up at Draco's scowl from his lap and murmured, "They're beautiful eyes," making him turn slightly pink as he resumed stroking her long hair.

"We'll have to refill the crystal," Theo commented. "It's incredible how well it worked."

"I reckon if a Patronus can actually cure someone of the Darkness, maybe we don't need Harry after all," Ron joked. Draco chortled.

"No, actually," Ginny realised. "I conjured mine too, but it didn't take the Darkness out of anybody. It helped, but it was only your Patronuses that could actually pull the shadows out."

"Because we all have Hermione's soul, then?" Theo surmised. "Patronuses are conjured from a light soul, and hers is the precise counter to souls possessed by Darkness."

"Brilliant," Blaise murmured.

"Neville was right, loads of people realised Hermione was the Mage and they didn't want her to get hurt," Harry mused.

"Now everyone knows," Draco grumbled with a hand tangled in Hermione's hair.

"It was gonna happen eventually," Ginny said quietly. "As soon as the students go home the rest of the wizarding world will learn the truth, too."

"We're going straight back to the Manor as soon as you're done your last exam," Draco ordered his girlfriend. "Otherwise, you're to stay in this room–"

"Yes, Master." Hermione teased dryly. Ginny chuckled but Ron made a face. Draco had the good sense to look abashed.

"I wonder what'll happen to the students that were possessed?" Harry said slowly. "We cleared their auras, but could they be possessed again?"

"Westin and Rogers were," Ron reminded him. "They had to be possessed at least twice–"

"We never healed them, though," Theo cut in. "The Darkness might've left them, but – Oh!" Everyone jumped as Theo shouted. "That's why they forgot!"

"Who forgot what?" Harry finally asked when Theo showed no signs of explaining his sudden epiphany.

"Westin and Rogers never remembered being possessed, but today everybody did … I reckon the Darkness made them forget, but today it didn't have a chance!"

"So, if we can force the Darkness out of someone, they'll keep their memories of being possessed?" Ron asked.

Theo nodded excitedly but then his shoulders slumped.

"No … never mind. That can't be right."

"It makes sense," Hermione persisted. Theo shook his head.

"If that were true, Draco would've remembered that night at the Manor because we healed him, and he told me he didn't remember anything that happened while he was possessed."

The hand playing with her hair suddenly stilled and Hermione sat up from his lap.

"Draco?"

"Theo's right," he muttered after a moment. "Bloody tosser's always right."

"At least I'm not a tosser who lies," Theo said dryly as he folded his arms. "I thought we were past all the secrets?"

Draco swallowed. Hermione squeezed his hand.

"You remembered?" she asked softly. He nodded and looked down in shame.

"I didn't want to talk about it," he mumbled. "I didn't want to think about how much I hurt you–"

"You didn't," she reminded him fiercely. "For the last time, Draco, it wasn't you."

"Doesn't matter," he said quietly. "I saw it all. I felt it all. I watched myself choking you, and …"

"And we fixed it," Blaise said firmly. "This'll never happen again, Draco."

"I think it makes sense once you lot force the Darkness out of someone, it can't take them again," Ginny said determinedly. Harry stroked her hand thoughtfully.

"Does that mean those students'll never be dark again?"

Ron pursed his lips. "I dunno. We agreed Harry heals people's auras, but the soul heals itself, right? Maybe if people still let the Darkness into their souls they can be possessed again."

"So, how are we supposed to defeat the Darkness?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

The room was very quiet.

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Hermione dragged her feet out of the Arithmancy exam alongside Theo, who looked equally exhausted. They exited the Great Hall and leaned against each other dramatically.

"It's over," he murmured.

"It's over," she agreed with a sigh.

A chuckle made her turn. Draco was waiting for them, and he pulled his girlfriend into a tight hug.

"You did it," he murmured. "You finished school."

She beamed and kissed him as they started heading back to her room.

"I know you're anxious to get me out of here, Draco, and I promise we can leave first thing in the morning, but I'm so tired right now I don't even think I could Apparate."

"Arithmancy is hard on the mind," Theo chuckled. "We've earned a nice long nap."

Hermione jumped slightly when she felt Draco slip something into her pocket.

"After you figure it out, bring me all five," he whispered.

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The other Guardians allowed Theo and Hermione their nap but finally pounded on the door to wake them for dinner before it ended. They emerged from their room yawning; Theo had his arm thrown around Hermione's shoulders. Blaise slipped in beside her as usual but gave Theo an odd look.

"Did you sleep on top of her?" Blaise asked, amused. "You smell like her perfume."

"Next to her," Theo corrected with a grin. "I can't help it, she's warm. Better than a hot water bottle."

"Thanks," Hermione said dryly as Theo playfully ruffled her hair.

Draco just rolled his eyes as he pulled his girlfriend into his side with a squeeze. She was warm; the bond warmed her to all of them.

"Blaise is jealous; he's the only one who hasn't slept next to her," Ron teased. "He's stuck in his dark dungeon room with only Malfoy to snuggle with." Harry snickered in response.

Blaise tapped Hermione on the nose with a fake pout.

"Aw, that true? Am I really the only one missing out?"

"I spend so much time on your lap, it's not like you're severely lacking in snuggle time," Hermione replied saucily. "But you and Theo could trade for a night if you're actually jealous; I know McGonagall wouldn't let Draco in my room without a chaperone, but you might be sneaky enough to get away with it–"

Their innocent teasing was forgotten as all of them stopped in their tracks. Something was very wrong.

Ron felt it first. Darkness … and it was STRONG.

Theo watched his soul react, but everyone else knew the look on Ron's face. Draco nearly fell over as a wave of panic attacked the group. A few students walking behind almost crashed into them when all six stopped in the same instant.

"Where?" Hermione begged.

Ron's eyes closed as he focused; he grabbed for Theo's hand to extend his reach.

"On the grounds," Ron breathed. His eyes opened wide. "Exams are over, there's loads of people out there!"

"It's barely a fortnight …" Theo gripped his hands in his hair. "How could it be … it's getting stronger–"

"Take her back," Draco said to Blaise as he pushed Hermione closer to his friend. "We'll go down–"

"No," Ron ordered.

Draco stopped in surprise; Ron's voice was deep, commanding, and he felt it resonate in his soul.

"We need Blaise down there; Harry stays with Hermione, and we send a Patronus for them when it's safe,"

"Be careful," Hermione whispered as Draco planted a hasty kiss on her lips and took off with the others.

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The lawn was stained with blood.

But there were no dark students threatening others, and there was no Pansy Parkinson angrily making demands.

The black eyes of those possessed by the Darkness were not wizards.

They were werewolves.

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Hagrid said part-humans weren't affected by the enchantments, Ron recalled with a horrible pang in his chest.

The possessed werewolf pack probably didn't even flinch on their way into the crowded Hogwarts grounds, and now they were viciously attacking – in the daylight.

Several older students ran around frantically trying to subdue the attacking beasts, but the werewolves were too fast. Ron knew most regular spells didn't work on a wolf; they would need to be hit with several Stunners or Impediment Jinxes simultaneously, but none of the students seemed to have a chance. The wolves moved with blinding speed as they tore into everyone they could reach with their massive claws. Everyone ran as fast as possible, but they couldn't enter the Forest and the wolves were too fast to let them flee to the castle doors, the Quidditch pitch, or the greenhouses.

The Guardians exited the front door only a second before, but Ron had already taken in everything and knew exactly what to do. He raised his wand and shouted a Summoning Charm.

To win the battle, sometimes one must bend the rules when the enemy was playing dirty.

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Ron was naturally drawn to the air. He, Draco, and Blaise hovered above the scene on the three fastest brooms Ron could Summon.

Theo sat behind Ron and kept a hand clasped around his friend's wrist to continue boosting him, knowing instinctively his own talents weren't as important. Theo admired how quickly Ron dived into directing the others. He focused on providing his friend with his own logical, open-minded energy and he watched their souls blending seamlessly.

"E8!" Ron yelled.

The lawn below them was nearly square, and though it wasn't lined like a chessboard the others understood Ron's commands as he studied the wolves' movement. For the third time, they aimed their wands at his direction and shouted, "Stupefy!"

Though there had been no wolf there a second before, Ron's calculation of the werewolf's movements was perfect. Three beams of red light struck the beast just as it moved into the square of the invisible chessboard.

They couldn't revel in their success; four wolves remained on the lawns, there were too many terrified screams, and too many bloody figures lying very still. A few teachers and senior students spilled onto the lawns and fought across the grounds to help, but Professor McGonagall slammed the doors and spelled them locked once she exited the castle, lest one of the wolves find its way inside. She and several others quickly conjured protective barriers for the terrified students crouching against the castle wall and desperately tried to reach the stragglers.

Two dozen students remained unprotected and were being stalked or herded by the wolves. For some reason, the beasts all but ignored the adults and seemed to target the youngest students first.

Was this the Darkness's revenge for Hermione's deception?

"NO!" Draco's shout rang out above the other commotion as he felt his friend's wave of panic.

A blast of magic fired by someone on the ground had bounced off a wolf's tough hide and ricocheted. It hit Blaise's broom, which promptly snapped underneath him from the force of the curse. Draco tried to slow his friend's fall, but Blaise was too far, and Draco's spell missed him by inches.

Blaise landed hard at an awkward angle; it seemed his ankle had broken. Ron saw Blaise's aura flicker and winced on his behalf, but the darker wizard barely seemed to notice.

For the wolf nearest Blaise had just pinned a girl under its body. She screamed as she tried to cover her face. The wolf raised its huge paw, ready to swipe.

Blaise dropped his wand during the fall and had no time to Summon it back; instinct drove him as he dove forward and rammed his full weight into the wolf's flank, throwing it off the young witch. The wolf rolled angrily as Blaise struggled back to his feet, and it promptly planted both massive paws on his chest, knocking him backwards. The girl was quickly rescued by another student, and Blaise yelled at them to keep away as he wriggled his legs under the wolf and thrust it off him with a strong kick, ignoring the pain in his ankle.

Most of the students huddled against the castle wall while a thin line of defenders protected them, and Ron began casting protective charms as fast as possible to keep the wolves away from everyone else. Ron knew he and Draco couldn't take down another wolf from the air, and Theo couldn't cast; he'd given so much energy to Ron that he was starting to lose consciousness. Ron spared a second to magically stick Theo's arm to his own so the other wizard wouldn't fall off the broom.

"Draco … the trees!" Theo yelled desperately as he clung to Ron and fought to stay awake.

Draco paused and looked towards the Forest. In the last week he'd successfully encouraged tree branches to grow, even without help from the others, but he was on the wrong side of the enchantments.

Yet … deep inside he realised something he should've known before, that the enchantments didn't extend through the earth. If he could shift his focus to the roots of the trees through the ground … It was a tall order, but what other option was there?

Trying hard to drown out the ado below and not watch as his best friend battled a werewolf, Draco directed his broom down and landed away from the chaos. He placed his palm against the cool ground, closed his eyes and reached.

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Ron tried to look everywhere at once; Theo's help was invaluable, but they were both magically exhausted. The students were safe, and the teachers took down another werewolf, but two still ran free trying to snap their way past the shields to get to the students, and Blaise battled another on his own with a ferocity that awed Ron.

Ron's heart pounded as a clear strategy failed him. He couldn't communicate with anyone else like the Guardians, so timing multiple attacks on the beasts was unlikely. Not all the Guardians were present; would their Patronuses work with only a few of them? Could they even pull Darkness out of werewolves?

Theo's grip on Ron's wrist was slackening; could Theo feel how scared Ron was? His very soul seemed to be poisoned by his own insecurities–

Suddenly there was a sound nobody expected. A loud CREAK, as though fifty antique rocking chairs moved simultaneously.

Ron turned in shock to see two great oak trees from the edge of the Forest move. Their branches grew with amazing speed and extended swiftly towards the attacking wolves.

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The earth beneath Draco's palm felt alive.

The wolves were fast, but it no longer mattered. Wolves couldn't leave the ground, and Draco felt every step they took as though in slow motion. He felt every pebble their toes dislodged, every blade of grass they flattened, every twig in the vicinity that shook as their massive paws thundered on the ground. They pointlessly tried to run away from the branches Draco controlled as though they were his own limbs.

Subconsciously, he brought Ron's strategy into his mind and pictured the lawn like a chessboard. He felt the direction of the wolves' feet, he knew where they would turn, and where they would land.

B5, he thought to himself. F4.

One after the other, his branches swooped down and tripped the beasts with a quick wave, reminiscent of the Whomping Willow. As each wolf landed sprawled on the grass, they were still just long enough for Ron and the surrounding teachers to Stun them together.

Across the lawn, Blaise managed to regain his wand, but it was barely helping. The wolf was too quick and evaded nearly all his spells, so the Warrior finally cast his wand aside and let his internal wolf take over. Fueled by rage, he'd begun wrestling with the beast as though he were a werewolf himself. Blood ran down his arms from deep scratches, but he fought vigilantly and even managed to climb atop the wolf to pin it down.

Professor McGonagall watched Blaise and Draco with her mouth open wide while Ron hovered over the scene as he yelled directions to the older students to start rounding up the injured. He'd already redirected his broom to get closer to Blaise, just waiting for the right moment to Stun his attacker.

Draco tuned out everything else; he pressed his palm down tightly and felt through the ground for the third wolf.

He was too late.

Draco let out a horrible cry as he felt his best friend's pain. The werewolf had thrown Blaise off, trapped him like prey, and sunk its razor-sharp claws into his heart.

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Harry stretched out on Theo's bed and reached towards the other Guardians. The past fortnight had been incredible; after the last battle against the Darkness, it seemed their combined determination to defeat the enemy made the bonds between the five wizards stronger than ever. No traces of old distrust lingered among them anymore.

Now, even at a long distance, Harry could feel the other auras. Ron's was clearest; his commanding, determined energy was certainly designed for a battle. It was interesting how even contradictory Draco Malfoy didn't argue with the redhead when he commanded that Harry stay with Hermione. Perhaps because he'd tapped further into his Guardian role, Ron was starting to simulate a military general.

Ron had been quite correct, of course. In the context of a battle, Harry was needed afterwards to heal, but Blaise was their Warrior. Harry could feel Blaise's aura shaking – clearly, he was fighting hard despite having taken a hit of some kind.

Hermione paced the bedroom restlessly until Harry could no longer stand it. He grabbed her arm and pulled her down to the bed next to him.

"Stop it," he said firmly. "You're making me nervous. I can feel all their auras, remember, and they're fine. Theo's tired, and Blaise has one small injury; nothing we can't handle."

"I hate this," she cried. "I know you hate this too, Harry, we don't hide in safe rooms while everyone else fights!"

"I know," he admitted. "This feels weird, but remember the Entrance Hall? There were so many people with broken auras I could barely see straight. I'd be useless down there, and you–"

"I can't sit still!"

She tried to stand, but Harry firmly held her in place.

"I can't do this, Harry, I can't hide! We've no idea what's going on–"

Harry cut her off with a strangled gasp.

Hermione froze. Harry had worn this same look of horror when he believed she was about to stab herself in the chest.

"Blaise …"

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Ron heard Draco scream as though he'd been stabbed himself and he reacted faster than he believed possible. In retrospect, he wasn't even sure he flew his broom; he might've redirected several air currents to bring him and Theo to their fallen friend in a manner of nanoseconds.

Draco tore across the lawn and added a red light to three or four others that Stunned the last werewolf, which landed with a hard thud next to Blaise's body.

No, Draco thought furiously as he begged his feet to move faster. It's not a body. It's BLAISE.

He's NOT DEAD!

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Hand in hand with Hermione, Harry shoved his way through the crowded Entrance Hall. The doors had just flown open to reveal chaos. Students tried to pour out to find their friends while others tried to push back in to get help for the injured students outside. When Professor Flitwick spotted Harry through the crowd, he quickly set off a series of sparks to get everyone's attention, and he called for a path to clear. The duo ignored the mixture of confused and nervous looks around them as they raced for the door.

They barely set foot on the lawn when Harry fell to his knees. The feeling of broken auras was overwhelming; there were at least thirty people with injuries, some were quite severe – were those motionless lumps werewolves?! – and he could feel …

Oh Godric, no …

Blaise's aura was fading, and very nearly gone. Harry's chest felt as cold as though a Dementor stood inches away.

He managed to focus on the warmth flowing from Hermione's hand as she dragged him back to his feet and pulled him down to the treeline. Hagrid and Neville redirected students that tried to intercept them as they tore across the grounds. Luna, who had just beat them outside, shooed gaping students away from Blaise.

The other Guardians had reached his side only seconds before Harry and Hermione. Draco couldn't tear his face away from his fallen friend, but Ron looked up in hope.

"We didn't call you," he managed.

"You didn't have to." Harry answered. He fell to his knees and coaxed Theo's hands away from Blaise's chest, where he'd been pressing his robe tightly against the gushing wound.

The Warrior's pulse was nearly nonexistent. Deep scratches marred his arms and neck, blood matted his dark hair, but Harry saw only the blood-stained chest as he removed the sodden fabric.

Hermione let out a strangled cry. Four deep holes pierced Blaise's chest in an ugly circle; it seemed the werewolf had dug its claws into him as though trying to rip his heart free. Two of the holes gushed blood like little scarlet rivers.

Hermione clung to Harry's wrist and the other Guardians never linked hands so fast.

Harry placed both palms over the gushing wound, ignoring the red staining his skin. Hermione desperately watched for breath, but Blaise didn't move.

Ron clasped Harry's arm to complete the circle.

As if all the healing he'd done before meant nothing whatsoever, Harry poured every speck of his energy into their bleeding friend. The aura before him was nearly obliterated; he'd never felt anything this damaged.

But if there was even a tiny piece undamaged, a sliver of life left, Harry determined to find it.

Across from him, Draco felt his determination, but he also felt everybody else's hope fading. He bit his lip so hard he tasted blood.

He couldn't lose Blaise … he couldn't …

Take me instead …

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