Lexie's POV: "Lexie, come on, Lexie. Wake up, please."
Someone gently shook my body. At least that's what I thought was happening. My mind was empty while every inch of my body ached. Slowly I opened my eyes. I had to blink several times before the world became sharp again. I found myself face to face with Professor Lupin, who looked like he just killed someone.
"I had a weird dream," I murmured. "You were like a really big wolf." I chuckled while my head sank back to the ground again. "I wonder if you were a fluffy wolf", were the last words before I passed out again.
The next time I woke up, Lupin was still hovering over my body, but this time my mind felt much clearer. I carefully sat up and groaned.
"What happened?" I asked, rubbing my forehead. This time I woke up with a throbbing headache.
Lupin just stared at me with big eyes.
"How do you feel?" He asked, scanning my whole body.
I did the same but my gaze quickly remained fixed on the gaping wound on my right thigh. The memories of tonight came crushing back down on me. I looked back at Lupin.
"You're a.." I started, when my gaze fell back on my leg.
"I'm a…"
My breath stopped.
Panic rose within me.
"No no no."
I couldn't breathe.
It felt like the weight of the world was laying on my lungs.
"No no no, this can't be real."
I didn't even notice the tears running down my face.
Lupin swallowed heavily.
"Come on, let's get you to Madame Pomfrey," was the only thing he managed to say.
"NO!" In a panic, I grabbed his arm.
"No no no no, I- No! We can't- No no no no-" I felt like I was suffocating.
"Lexie, look at me" Lupin tried to catch my attention but my mind was all over the place, my breath still going only intermittently.
He grabbed my face and forced me to look him in the eyes.
"Breathe, Lexie, breathe."
"I'm – I'm trying." I stammered.
"Breathe with me okay? In… and out. In… and out."
Slowly, my breathing normalised again and my body relaxed.
Tears were still running down my face when I finally whispered: "My father…he's going to.. he's going to-"
The rest of the sentence stuck in my throat.
"I know", Lupin whispered and I broke down in his arms. He softly patted my back while I was sobbing. I didn't know how much time passed when Lupin whispered in my hair.
"We still have to get you to Madame Pomfrey."
"No!" I tore myself away from him.
"Nobody and I mean absolutely nobody must know about this. Promise me that no one will ever know about this," I said desperately.
"Lexie, you were just bitten by a werewolf. It's a miracle you're still alive. You have to see a doctor."
"Don't you think I know how my father treats werewolves? How everyone treats werewolves?! I can't live like this."
"Please, Lexie, I could've killed you! Please let me take you to Madame Pomfrey," he begged me.
I fell silent for a moment. I still could not really believe what happened.
What he did.
Anger grew in me.
"You did this."
"I know and I know I won't ever be able to apologize for this." His warm eyes went dark.
"You did this," I whispered again. Anger overwhelmed me as I threw myself on him as best I could and tried to hit him.
The worst part was, that he let me. He didn't even try to defend himself, he just let me throw my fists at his chest until the rage slowly ebbed away and I broke down on him again.
"Please, Lexie, you need to see a doctor," he tried again.
I sat back up as best as I could and pulled my wand on him.
"You won't tell anyone!" I threatened, my voice still shaking.
"There's nothing you could do to me that would make me change my mind, Lexie," he softly whispered.
"If you bring me to Madame Pomfrey or tell anyone about this, then I will tell the whole school," I tried again.
"I don't care," he said, gently putting his hand on mine.
"Please, Lexie."
"You would lose your job," I said, my eyes still big.
"I would rather lose my job than see you dead," he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed.
"Like I said, there's nothing you could do to me to change my mind, now please Lexie we have to get you to a doctor," Lupin begged again.
"You're right," I robbed away from him, "there's nothing I could do to you."
Lupin reached his hand out but I quickly put my wand against my own head.
"But I can do something to myself," I whispered.
Lupin looked at me in horror.
"Please, Lexie, don't do anything stupid."
"Stupid? Would it be so stupid? Would it be any worse than facing my life right now? Would it be worse than being humiliated by the whole world? Abandoned by my own family?"
My wand was shaking just as much as my voice.
"Promise me. Promise me that you won't tell anyone. Swear that you won't tell."
Lupin eyed me carefully. "I promise. I swear that I won't tell anyone." He finally gave in and I allowed my body to let off some of the tension.
"But we still need to take care of your wound."
"I already did."
"What?" Lupin stared at me in disbelief."
"A mixture of powdered silver and dittany. It should seal the wound."
Finally, he shook his head. "Lexie Hatchet, you are quite something," he said more to himself, before lifting me up and carrying me to the bed.
"You get some rest while I go and get some more supplies." Before he could turn away, I grabbed his hand.
"Don't", my voice broke again, "Don't go., was all that I was able to say.