Nothing belongs to me.
Chapter 11: Werewolf Attacks
"Look at this!" Draco Malfoy was talking loudly at the beginning of a Care of Magical Creatures Lesson. Harry noticed he was holding a copy of The Daily Prophet, which was banned from Hogwarts.
"Werewolf attacks and kills two muggles," Draco read the headline. Werewolf? Professor Lupin was a werewolf. Harry walked closer to the group of Slytherens, hoping to get a better view of the article. "Oh look, it's our little werewolf friend Professor Lupin," Draco said Harry when he noticed him watching.
"Let me see that, Malfoy," said Harry.
"Why should I?" asked Draco.
"Because Harry said so, ferret boy!" Ron chimed in, remembering the incident last year.
"All right," said Draco, an evil smile forming on his lips as he handed over the newspaper and walked away. Harry read:
Werewolf Attacks And Kills Two Muggles
On Tuesday night, full moon, two muggles were attacked and killed by a vicious werewolf in Hogsmeade. The attack took place in a small house near the edge of town. The werewolf in the attack has been captured and identified as thirty-two year old Remus Lupin, who refuses to admit to the crime. He is currently in a local prison until his trial, which is scheduled for later this month. It is still to be decided whether or not he can be held accountable for his actions.
The two muggles' names are still not being released. The witness of the crime was Alastor "Mad eye" Moody. He heard screams from where he was nearby, walking down the street. He was able to capture the werewolf, later identified as Lupin.
Lupin was a long time friend of the late James and Lily Potter, along with escaped murderer, Sirius Black. Though we couldn't get an interview, this is no doubt another tragedy in the life of young Harry Potter, who survived an attack by You Know Who just over fourteen years ago. Harry, who claimed last year to be emotionally damaged severely by the loss of his parents at such a young age, is surely suffering at the announcement of this shocking news. Lupin was Harry's Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry less than two years ago. There will be an update on Lupin after his trial scheduled for November 27.
-Rita Skeeter
Harry groaned as he finished reading it. Why did she have to make everything about him? He had absolutely nothing to do with what had happened and nearly half of the article was about him. But it must have been true that Professor Lupin killed two people. He'd been caught. Harry couldn't believe it. Professor Lupin was the last person he'd ever expect to see go bad, but what other explanation was there? And he had acted awfully suspiciously in Hogsmeade a few days earlier. Ron and Hermione now read the article.
"Rita Skeeter!" exclaimed Hermione. "I made her promise not to write anymore articles!"
"Who cares about Rita Skeeter now!" said Harry. "You guys don't think Professor Lupin would have done this, do you?"
"Well, obviously he did or it wouldn't be on the front page of the newspaper," said Ron. "I guess I wouldn't have expected him to do that though. I thought he was the one normal Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher we've had. Except that whole werewolf thing."
"Maybe he didn't know what he was doing because he was a werewolf," suggested Hermione. Harry shook his head.
"Snape makes him potion so he can keep his mind when he changes. Plus, he knows not to be around people when it's full moon." Harry thought. "I'm surprised Sirius didn't go with him," he said.
"Why don't you write to Sirius?" suggested Ron. Harry wondered why he hadn't thought of it before. Surely Sirius would know about it. He most likely couldn't stay at Professor Lupin's house anymore. The danger of getting captured would be too great.
Later that day, back in the dorm, Harry composed a letter to Sirius.
Dear Sirius,
Hello. How are you? Everything is fine here. I heard about Professor Lupin in the newspaper. I can't believe he did that. Do you think it's true? Did you go with him on full moon? I saw him in Hogsmeade the other day, and when I said hello, he acted strange. Do you think he's on the dark side? After I saw him, these men came running down the street saying that the Death Eaters were coming and they were after me. Don't worry though. I'm fine and Dumbledore knows. Sorry if I'm asking lots of questions, but I am really surprised about this. Talk to you soon.
Harry
He read over it. It sounded a little demanding of information, but he decided to send it anyway. He headed to the owlery to give the letter to Hedwig. Now all he could do was wait to hear from Sirius.
