Being a Fifth Year BITES!
2
Facing Facts
The first sensation to come back was pain, in his neck and back, red hot pain that only Voldemort could top. The next was memory and that hurt more than any injury. The bite. How could he forget? No, it couldn't be true, it couldn't! But it was oh it was. Harry let out a low moan of pain and despair. No, he would kill Snape with his own hands, or maybe I'll bite him, that would serve him right, he thought viciously. Then hearing came back and he heard voices, low hushed voices, but he could still understand them.
"Poor Arry!" Hagird wailed,"Is jus not fair!" He was tempted to jump up and tell Hagird he was fine, perfect, healthy as a horse, but that would make him the worst liar ever. Once again anger hit him hard for Snape this was his fault!
"Hagird calm down don't wake him!"Madame Pomfey scolded him."If I were him I would want to sleep as long as I could too!"
"I agree Poppy. But he has to wake up and soon too." Dumbledore said. No! I'm not leaving this bed! I have no future what's the use? Leave me alone! Just leave me alone! He pleaded in his mind.
"Why was he out in the forest anyway?" McGonagall voice question,"He was supposed to be serving detention with Snape."
"I think that was part of the detention." Dumbledore said quietly.
"You think Servues would do something like that?" Madame Pomfey asked in a disbelieving tone. This was too much for Harry the hatred for Snape was too much.
"Yes, It's his fault! He tricked me!" He yelled sitting up hoping that the hatred for Snape was clear in those words.
"Arry!" Hagird exclaimed.
"I'm glad to see your awake." Dumbledore said,"But you probably aren't." How could they be so calm?!
"No! It was Snape's fault I'm not lying it's true."
"We aren't doubting you." The look in Dumbledore's eyes said that too. But he also saw the fire that explained why he was the only man that Voldemort had feared.
"Here drink this." Madame Pomfey ordered shoving a glass with some kind of Potion in it. She had resumed her ordinary manner and in some way Harry found it relieving that she wasn't treating him differently because of... a shiver ran though him no he couldn't think about it now. The stuff tasted horrible a face of disgust crossed him face. Was it Wolfsbane? That would make sense.
"Harry the Potion you just took is new extremely new. I had to pull some strings to get it. But as you well know in recent years there was a way discovered that helped werewolves be controlled at the full moon."
"Yeah, Professor Lupin took it." Some of the fear draining out of him. Yeah Wolfsbane how could he forget?
"Exactly. But this new potion is even better than that. The transformation will still happen, a cure for that will probably not come in the imaginable future. But this potion is a sort of a Wolfsbane Vaccine. With boosters every year you won't be a threat to you or anyone else."
"That's a relief." Though he was still afraid him and Ron had talked over the summer about when school was over they would try out for the England's Quidditch team. But what team would choose a werewolf? Would they even let him stay at Hogwarts? His stomach managed to twist into an even tighter knot.
"Isn't it though?" He said and smiled for the first time since Harry had woken the light returning to his eyes.
"But there is one thing."There is always a catch."It's not bad so don't worry. You know what an Animagi is?" To which Harry nodded his head getting what he was getting at." You now have the ability to change into a wolf whenever you want. No spell, no wand needed. But we must keep this quite as you well know many student's families hold prejudice against werewolves. And we want no need for panic."
"I won't tell anyone sir. I promise." That wouldn't be hard the whole fact of thing was that he wouldn't tell anyone if he could."So you aren't going to send me back to the Dursley's? I can stay at Hogwarts?"
"Well, of coarse. It would be rather stupid to send you back. You have as much a right as any student to be here." Professor McGonagall said with her usually briskness. It was a relief to know that he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts.
"Um, What else am I going to tell the other students?" Including Ron and Hermione. He added silently.
"Already thought of. We plan to keep the story the same the only difference is that instead of a werewolf it's a Pigmy Ridgeback Dragon that attacked you."
"Thanks. I guess this is kinda a stupid question but how long was I asleep?"
Dumbledore chuckled trying to lightened to the mood. "Oh four days. Your friends were quite worried and I don't blame them, we were to." Hagird nodded his head and was blowing his nose in a handkerchief that looked to small for him.
"Now go! You've explained what you needed to! I should have waited longer. He's as pale as snow as it is!" She scolded. Shoving them out of the room.
"I'm fine." He muttered under his breath.
She let out a deep sigh. "The only reason you're leaving id because you've missed enough classes as it is. I don't agree.." She kept talking about how missing a few classes wouldn't hurt. But he was glad to be going back to classes it would keep his mind off this werewolf crap. Why do these things always happen to ME? He thought. At least he only had to deal with it once a month. No more.
"Harry! You're okay!" Hermione said and hugged Harry as he left the medical wing.
"Harry glad you're alive. But now I don't get the Firebolt." Ron smiled.
"Yeah well it would be kinda a disgrace to have survive Voldemort (Don't use that word!) and be killed by a dragon." He said dryly.
"A dragon in the Forbidden Forest? They don't live in forests. It said so in The Monster Book of Monsters."
"Hermione lay off. Didn't you ever hear? Don't believe every thing you read." She still didn't look convinced, though she didn't say anything else about it. She found out about Lupin what would keep her from finding about him.
"Hey Harry, when are Quidditch practices going to start?"
"Ron! What are you thinking could you be more thoughtless?" She snapped.
"No, Herm, I'm okay. Honestly it's better than just laying around." He assured her. Though a frown crossed her face she once again didn't argue with them.
"What's wrong? Something is." Just then a group of Slytherin girls pasted by and began pointing at her.
"Ohh Hermione is the nose still oozing?" One of them hissed.
"I heard that she has to sleep with a bucket by her bed in case any more comes out."
"Ohh I heard it got all over her robes and she actually wore them again." Another commented in a loud whisper that was meant for them to hear.
"Harry, I'll see you at lunch. I got to go to the library." She said and hurried off down the hall.
"Hermione! What's wrong?" He asked running to catch up with her, Ron following behind him."
"Hermione!" He yelled again grabbing her shoulder.
"Listen Harry, I really don't want to talk about it right now. So please Harry let me go." She said jerking his hand off her shoulder. What had happened to her? She turned and ran down the hallway.
"I'm out of it for a few days and I have no idea what's up with my friend. And you don't look so good yourself. You feeling okay?"
"No, I still have the freaking stomachache."
"You should really see Madame Pomfey about that."
"I think she's sick of us." Ron said with a smirk on his face. Yeah and the injuries they caused.
"Malfoy's hair grown back yet?"
Ron began to chuckle."He has a bloody buzz cut. He looks horrible next time you see him call him teddy bear. It's driving him mad. Even Herm can't help but laugh at him. Oh it's almost as great as when he was a ferret." He grinned at that, it felt great to smile again.
Harry slid in the seat next to Hermione during the Defense Against Dark Arts Class. Ron wasn't coming, his stomach had finally got the best of him. Almost throwing up in front of the entire school is enough for anyone to throw in the white flag.
"Harry do you think it's smart to have Quidditch practice so soon? You could reopen the cuts."
"Hermione, if I keep cooped up in here I will go insane. Don't worry I'll be fine." He said with a grin to reassure her.
"Oh please Harry." She said rolling her eyes. He really wanted to tell her the truth if anyone could handle it, it would be her. She was Muggle born so she didn't grow up thinking all werewolves were evil (sorry Ron) But she wouldn't even tell her about..whatever that had happened. Had something to do with her nose that's all he knew.
"Good Afternoon." Professor Snape said entering the room. Though she had only been here a short time she had gotten the class's respect, much like Lupin had.
"We all know about You-Know-Who. But what about the Dark wizards of the past? He was not the only on you know. I believe that the best way to prepare ourselves is too study past dark wizards. Can anyone name a few?" Many hands shot up. Even Harry put his hand up this is one area he had actually done some reading on. When Voldemort had you on his to kill list you would read pretty much anything that might help you see eighteen.
"Harry?"
"Kantor the Killer, in the year 500ad."
"Ahh! We have been studying haven't we? Five points to Gryffindors!"
"Hermione?"
"Chaplin Raw the third. In 1409 ."
"Excellent! Five more points to Gryffindors."
"Dean?"
"The Great Bob." The class began to laugh at that. But was that really a Dark wizard's name?
"Actually yes that was a Dark wizard."
At dinner Harry didn't eat much, he was worried about Quidditch practice that night. What if he proved to be a horrible captain and they lost every game?
"Come on Harry we'll be fine." Ron reassured him in response unvoiced question.
"Well, I'm going to be there if you break your neck or something. I still think this is very stupid of you, not that it matters." She said in a huffy voice. That showed she cared that he didn't get killed.
"Your concern is overwhelming." He teased. "We better get going, Practice is starting soon." At that the left the table and Harry noticed that Ron hadn't eaten a thing either. He still looked pretty bad though. Maybe it's just nerves, being Keeper was almost as bad as being Seeker, you felt like the game was riding on your shoulders alone.
The early October weather was perfect for practice. In the locker room he felt the butterflies in his stomach turn into broomsticks.
"As you all know this is the last year for everyone but me and Ron. So this is the year to win. And we have out two human bludgers!" At this Fred and George rammed themselves in Katie Bell and and Angelica."Just as long as nobody kills them first.
Our Chasers could give Ireland a run for their money!"The three girls blushed at this.
"And a Seeker that always manages to get the snitch, provided there are no dementors around." Ron piped in.
"This practice we got to give Ron a taste of what go on so Chasers do your worst. And Fred and George try not to kill him. And I'll play maverick." George and Fred looked as though they had been given a million galleons, each. Ron managed a weak smile though he looked like he was about to take his O.W.L.S and hadn't studied at all.
They walked out of the locker room into the cool air. They pushed off the ground on their brooms. Ron looked like he had forgotten about his Keeper training and was having the time of his life. He was out pacing everyone on the field. He'd show him. He loved it being on a Quidditch field there was nothing like it. The rush of excitement was familiar and welcome it helped him forget about the bite.
He quickly showed Ron what a Firebolt could do. They ended up racing down the field.
"Okay let's get stated. Ron you're on!" He called. His friend wiped around in front of the the hoop he had to guard.
"Chasers GO!" At that with Angelica in the middle they advanced passing the Quaffle between them in a blur of motion.
"Beaters GO!" At this the twin swooped down and began batting the Bludger away from the Chaser and toward Ron. But Ron on his Nimbus was able to duck both of them and block Katie's shot. The entire team cheered with excitement, Harry probably being the loudest, even Hermione on the ground joined in.
"Okay! Again!" He ordered, but this time he would join in. Once again the Chasers and the twins flew forward, while Harry gained some attitude. Almost there, they were almost there.NOW!! He pushed his Firebolt downward into his dive. I was beautiful. Dives were the best part. Right when Ron and him were about to collide, Harry shifted just a little so that they didn't crash, but it gave Angelica the time to get the Quaffle in the hoop.
Just then from the stand Colin and his brother Dennis popped up and took his picture. They would have to their flashes on wouldn't they? Temporarily blinded by the bright light he couldn't pull out of the dive in time. And he crashed into the ground, hard.
As soon as he hit he began cursing the Creevy brothers and their cameras too. Above him he heard George laugh,"He sounds okay to me! Get back up here." The whole team was laughing in fact even Ron who was brooding at being scored on.
"Harry!" A female voice shrieked behind him. He turned around to face Hermonie who was looking at his neck.
"Your neck." He felt the wind leave him. The bandage that had been on his neck was laying on the ground. He had kept it on not because the bite hadn't healed but because the bit mark had formed a crescent moon mark on his neck, which was the mark of a werewolf.
"Hermione. Please don't tell anyone I'll explain I promise."
"Harry..." she sounded as though she was in shock.
"Please just trust me. I'll explain, please." He was getting nervous what if she told? "If you want to tell everyone fine. But then it's the end. You know what happened to Lupin. That will happen to me. So it's up to you."
"When you get off that broom, you are telling me everything." She said with a slow smile to reassure him. He grinned back glad that he had right about Hermonie. She reached up and hugged him and said,"Just glad you're alive."
"Me too."
The rest of practice when on without a hitch. Ron proved to be an excellent replacement for Oliver. As they landed Ron asked if he was all right.
"Yeah just find, just knocked the wind out of me."
"Hermione seemed kind of upset."
"I think the whole dragon thing is still bothering her."
"That would make sense." Ron said and as he noticed that Harry was walking toward Hermione he said,"Uhh castle's this way."
"Hermione wanted to talk to me about something. I'll catch up with you later okay?"
"Sure. See you later."
He walked off toward Hermione who was waiting at the edge of the field.
"Let's walk I can't stand staying still right now." That was a change she could sit in the library for hours and not have it bother her.
"So why did you lie." She asked right away.
"First of all I was told to do so by the teachers and second I mean look at your reaction. You freaked out and you are one of my best friends and you grew up with Muggles. You saw that Lupin was fine." There was an edge to his voice, a bitterness that he didn't like or want.
She bit her lip. "I know that and I'm sorry. I can see why you wouldn't tell anyone. I presume that Ron doesn't know?"
He nodded his head. "Actually I'm glad you found out. I mean out of everyone at Hogwarts you can handle it best." She actually met him in the eyes again. "Any more questions?"
"Not really, but I guess you'll be taking Wolfsbane. I'll brew it for you. I wouldn't trust Snape with sharp scissors anymore much less an important potion. And I have been toying around with the Animagi idea. So I could keep you company." He actually laughed at Hermione enthusiasm.
"I agree with you on every thing except on thing. I won't be needing the Wolfsbane."
"Don't be ridiculous Harry. No one has that kind of will power."
"No, after I got bit Dumbledore gave me this, Wolfsbane Vaccine so I only need a booster every year. And there is a pretty cool side effect. I can go wolf any time I want, it's kinda like being an Animagi."
"Well that's wonderful. I mean at least you got something good out of it." She commented. "But I'm still going to look into the Animagi idea any way. That will require a lot of work, but I'm up for it."
"I'll help."
"I would hope so! But I'm glad you're okay. You really had me worried."
"Yeah," He suddenly began to feel uncomfortable. Like the butterflies were back in his stomach except it was more of a giddy feeling. "Well, you know my secret what's been wrong lately?"
"Oh it's nothing really. It was just embarrassing that's all. It was just that when I was serving my detention with Madame Hooch. I wasn't paying much attention to what I was doing. I had just found out you had been attacked, so there was a lot of things on my mind. So I was do repair work on the school brooms and I didn't see Madame Hooch and she bumped my elbow. Oh! It was horrible! I had straw coming out of my nose for hours!"
"So that's why. That must have been horrible like when Ron kept spitting up slugs."
"Ewww yeah I remember. That was worse."
"I would take straw coming out over my nose anyway over slugs." He agreed. And then they just began to laugh, not that what he had said was really funny but like relief that their secrets were out laughter. Hermione ended up on the ground and him leaning against a tree. When the bout of laughter ended Harry offered his hand to her to help her. But the problem was once he grabbed her hand, he really didn't want to let go. He managed a small smile and looked at Hermione, she was blushing. And she squeezed his hand like say No need to let go, in face please don't
And as they walked out of the forest they didn't let go. Not until they reached the castle.
Harry sat in the common room staring at his make-up work. Jeez you think getting bit by a werewolf would get you out of homework, he thought. Ron was also working on some Defense Against Dark Arts homework, while no suprise Hermione was reading a new book Preparing for your O.W.L.S. though she had a another book beside her Werewolves and Vampires: Innocent Crimes. Obviously he had prompted that reading.
Ron stretched and yawned. "Harry, are all practices going to be like that?"
"You should have been here when Oliver was captain. We weren't dry for months. But don't worry you'll get use to it. Or the twins will hit you with the Bludger."
"Don't even joke." He warned and left for upstairs.
"Poor Ron." Hermione commented. "But I found something that might explain Ron's stomachache."
"In Preparing for your O.W.L.S.?" He asked.
"No, In this book." She said picking up the book by her side."It says that some people, have almost an allergic reaction to vampires. Symptoms can be headache, bloody nose, but the most common is a stomachache. But they won't dramatically effect day to day life."
"I think Ron's worse than that and where would a vampire be? A werewolf is one thing but a vamp is another, so it couldn't be a teacher."
"You do have a point. Werewolves aren't a fifth as dangerous as a vampire."
"But still there is something that supports the vampire theory. If a person who has the Vampire reaction is bitten, their symptoms greatly increase."
"Hold on. A bite makes someone a vamp right? Ron's no vamp he can't be."
"Exactly. That's why vamps choose people with the Vampire Reaction, because they can't become vamps. As a matter a fact the only other people who can take a bite are werewolves, but they aren't bitten much.
"Well, that's a relief."
She smiled but it quickly faded."We got to find a way to prove it. Well, I could stay up all night."
"Wait a second. How long does it take you to go from wolf to human."
"Second or two? Why?"
"I believe I have a found a way to prove our theory." She said and began to explain her plan. They would both hide in the boys dorm and wait. But because all vamps could sense were humans, they would hide as a wolf (which could easily detect a vamp) and a cat (for some unknown reason witches and wizards could turn into the easiest) and would wait for the vamp to turn up.
Harry nodded and asked,"Can we bring garlic and all that? Holy water, crosses and a stake or two?"
"We want it alive not dead twelve times over."
"Do you think this could have a link to Voldemort? I think the werewolf bite was. Snape was a Death Eater remember."
"I've thought of that and it's possible and very likely. Well, the werewolf bite was there are very few ways to ruin a wizard quicker."
"So lets start the bloody stake out."
"Not tonight! Tomorrow." Just as those words left her mouth a tapping began at the window. An owl was out there. Opening the window the owl hoped onto the table and extended his leg, as soon as Harry took the letter it hoped back out the window.
"Who's it from." Hermione asked.
"Sirius." Harry said his mouth suddenly dry.
Dear Harry:
I'm sorry about what happened. Dumbledore wrote me and I believe you 100%, but I suspect there is something more than Snape hating you. So keep your ears and eyes open, It stinks of Voldemort. Maybe he wants to ruin you and Snape at the same time. But on a lighter note in the letter Dumbledore suggested that when you leave for summer break, you stay with Lupin. He's already agreed to it. I'll keep in touch.
Sirius
PS Does anyone else know? If you have to tell someone I recommend Hermione.(no offense to Ron)
"This is great no more Dursleys!!" Harry cheered,"And Lupin is even better!" Though the thought of his father's friends brought up the question of, What would my parents think? Stop it they are dead, he though.
"Looks like You-Know-Who messed this one up. You are almost better off now." Hermione noted.
"Yeah well we better get to sleep. Got some vamps to face tomorrow." He said and headed toward the stairs. Then thought better of it. The butterflies came back, a lot more than before. And feeling like he weighted a thousand pounds he leaned over and kissed Hermione quickly on the cheek, she turned toward him her eyes glowed and a blush was had covered her face, but it was the smile that gave her away. He knew he was blushing too.
"See you tomorrow?" She asked softly like she was out of breath. He knew the feeling in fact he was feeling it right now. He liked her and it was mutual. And despite being bitten he was happy.
"Yeah, You bet." He said in the same tone she had used.
Breakfast was loud as normal. Though Ron looked tired he seemed better, maybe unknowingly him and Hermonie had kept it away for a night. But the twins were teasing Ron for being tired.
"Aw ickle Ronkins is sleepy!" They teased him.
"Hey Hermione, did you stay up all night or something? You look like it."
"Just was up," her sentence was broken by a long yawn ,"working, getting ahead you know."
"All too well." Ron groaned,"I mean you gotta sleep sometime!"
"I will, I will." She countered in a slightly snappy tone.
Ron then shifted his conversation toward Harry.
"Hey you know that stunt you pulled at practice last night? You gotta use that in our next game. It was awasome, you could give Crum a run for his money they way you fly."
"Come on pat my ego some more will you?" Harry said making Ron begin to laugh. "But no seriously, the team looks great. We'll squash Ravenclaw."
"And Cho." Ron added batting his eyelashes. Though he didn't add any Cedric jokes to it. After the way he had died, no one not even the Slytherins joked about it.
"Personally I think she's a little slut. I mean look at how tight she wears her robe. It's sickening." She huffed causing Ron to snort in an attempt to hide a laugh.
The rest of the day pasted uneventfully. The visited Hagird at his cabin during the day. Harry could see that Hagird was delighted that he was better, but Ron didn't notice or maybe he was to busy trying to unglue his jaw after eating Hagird's cooking. Quidditch practice went beautifully, Ravenclaw wasn't going to have a chance. Though George was convinced that Harry had been possessed by Oliver Wood.
Then night finally fell. Hermione and Harry pretended to busy themselves with preparation for the O.W.L.S. Even though suprisingly he learned a new spell or two that might be useful.
"Harry, you of all people, studying? What's going on?" Ron asked.
"Because I hate losing every time I play you at chess." It was true, it was really frustrating losing every time. And it looked like a new second year Stacey Snow was finding that out the hard way.
"Oh! I quit." She growled,"I surrender." She said and stormed off. Her blond hair trailing behind her.
"Ron you got a way with girls. You know that, don't you?" Harry comented dryly.
Ron let out a yawn. "Well I'm going to turn in. We got torur-oops I mean practice tomarrow."
"You'll feel differently when we win the cup!" He yelled after him as he walked up the stairs.
"He will." Hermione confirmed. Within ten minutes the common room was empty.
"See you in ten minutes." He whispered. The plan was that they would fix pillow and anything else to make it look like they were sleeping. Harry fixed his and just after he had he creeped back into the common room were Hermonie was waiting.
"You better do this spell right. If I go running around with whiskers until Christmas. You can find a new girlfriend."
"You wouldn't."
"Caught me." She said with a smile. "But please no whiskers." She asked. Well here it goes. Please don't let this go wrong!
"Felipuss!"
Then with a pop a brown tabby sat on the floor. Yes he did it! He didn't screw it up! He broke into a stupid grin, then the cat gave him a You are such an idiot look. Cats were too good at that look. Trudging up the stairs with a Hermione behind him they slipped into the boy's dorm.
He watched as Hermione slipped under the bed. Okay here he goes. He for the first time would become a wolf. It was odd like a numb feeling. It happened in less than a second. His muscles were tense and ready, but there was no wolf mind, he was him completely human.
He barely made it under the bed and being only 5'8, he wasn't a very big wolf. Hermione gave him a look that said, It's about bloody time, chubs.
Than an odd sense hit his nose. A wolf's sense of smell was truly amazing. He didn't know that a wolf's stomach could twist into a knot. A cloud of mist sliped in under the door. Beside him Hermione began to tremble, and he realized he was too. The mist began to solidify, the vamp was here.
To be continued...
So was this chapter, better, worse or the same? I won't know if you don't review it, so review it please! I did use some of the ideas from the people who reviewed the last chapter, Thanks again to you guys!