A/N: I just wanted to thank Amy (w&m_law) for beta reading this for me. I would have been lost without you. She is still calling me a bitch, read on and you will see why….hehehe
When Evil Returns
Chapter Twelve: Hunter's Pain
Sirius carried the limp body of his son up to the castle. He walked through the big oak doors, oblivious to his surroundings, not noticing that anyone was there asking him questions. All he could focus on was his son and getting him some help, if that was even possible. When he entered the infirmary, he gently lay Hunter down on one of the beds, stepped back and said in a flat anguish filled voice, "Someone please help him."
Madam Pomfrey stepped up to Hunter and began her examination. Hunter was covered in blood. Not only was there the bite that had been bleeding but Hunter must have struck his face when he hit the ground as there was a two inch gash on his right cheekbone and his nose appeared to be broken. As she started to remove his bloody robes and shirt, she saw it. The bite was on the upper left arm, deep, nearly to the bone. Madam Pomfrey set to cleaning the angry bite using the utmost of care. Hunter lay as still as death, barely breathing, and his skin was hot to the touch. Perspiration was already starting to form on his forehead as the virus raged through his young body. The wolf that had bitten him was not just a wolf, but a werewolf.
After the bite wound was cleaned, Madam Pomfrey healed his nose and cheek. When she finished, Sirius sat in the chair next to Hunter's bed clutching his son's robes to his chest, looking upon his pale face, willing him to wake up and be all right. Sirius had not said anything else to anyone; he just sat there next to his son holding his hand as the tears flowed down his cheeks.
On the other side of the room, Minerva, Severus, Madam Pomfrey and Shane stood there quietly talking.
"Someone needs to inform Narcissa," said Minerva gravely.
"I'll go and bring her back," said Severus, "I think either Draco or Hermione should be here for Kyleigh too, she is very shaken up."
"Excellent idea, Severus."
"If you will excuse me, I will be on my way."
As Severus left, Minerva went to Sirius.
"How is he doing?" she asked.
"The same. Minerva what happened? Why was he out at the pitch alone after dark?"
"We aren't sure yet," she said. "Severus just went to get Narcissa, is there anything you need?"
"I need Remus as soon as he is able and I need some answers."
"Well the sun is starting to rise so I will see how Remus is. I will see you in a little while."
Sirius just nodded as he clutched Hunter's robe to his chest again. In his daze, he noticed something in one of the pockets of Hunter's robes. He pulled out the folded parchment, and read the note.
Anger filled his body at the realization of who sent his son to this life of anguish. Martin Malfoy had been the one that had called him to the pitch.
* * * *
When Severus arrived at Malfoy Manor, everyone was still sleeping. He stole to his apartments to find that Katarina was also still in bed. He climbed in bed next to her and she opened her eyes. With a start she said, "Severus, what are you doing here? What's wrong."
Pulling her into his arms, he said quietly. "I have come here to get Narcissa, there has been an accident."
Sitting up she said, "Oh no not Sirius."
"No, Hunter," Severus said as his throat tightened.
"Oh gods what happened?"
"He was bitten, by a wolf. Sirius is in bad shape. He then proceeded to tell Katarina all that he knew about the whole thing.
Narcissa had learned over the years of being married to Lucius to remain calm in a crisis and this is what she needed to do right now. Hunter and Sirius needed her right now desperately. They needed her to be strong and confident. There would be plenty of time later to break down. Hunter's twin Dierdra, who had been told about Hunter by Minerva, was very much like her mother,
When Narcissa, Severus and Draco arrived at Hogwarts, it was just after 9 am. It had been decided that Draco would come instead of Hermione. Ginny didn't think it would be a good idea for Hermione to travel at the moment, since the twins that Hermione was carrying were making her morning sickness extremely bad. She knew that she would be of no help.
Remus was approaching the hospital wing as Narcissa and Severus stood talking to Madam Pomfrey. Draco had gone to Gryffindor tower to see Kyleigh and Martin.
"How is he?" asked Narcissa.
"Hunter is a strong child, your husband however, isn't faring as well," said Madam Pomfrey.
"Is Hunter conscious yet?" asked Severus.
"No, not yet. He has been restless in his sleep, but that is from the fever. His wound has been cleaned and bandaged and I healed a bad gash on his cheek and his broken nose, I am afraid however there may be a thin scar of his face," explained Madam Pomfrey.
Looking perplexed, Narcissa asked, "How did he get cut and break his nose?"
"We aren't exactly sure but we think that he was attacked from behind and when he was knocked to the ground he hit face first," she explained as she shook her head sadly, a tear falling from her eye.
Remus looked at an anxious Narcissa and asked, "Are you ready to go in?"
Taking a deep, cleansing and steadying breath she whispered, "Yes."
Remus and Severus escorted her in, one on either side of her.
When she saw her beloved son, lying on the bed pale as death, she swayed slightly. Remus and Severus gently helped her into a chair next to Sirius.
"He won't wake up," said Sirius flatly, not really to anyone in particular.
Remus placed a comforting hand on Sirius' shoulder and said, "He will and by this evening I'd wager."
Suddenly, Sirius felt another presence in the room. When he looked up, he said. "What the fuck do you think you are doing here? Don't you think you have done enough damage?"
Draco, Kyleigh and Martin stood there looking at a very angry Sirius.
"We came up to see how Hunter is doing," said a very puzzled Draco.
"You've seen, now leave," Sirius said hotly.
Remus, always the negotiator, said, "Maybe we should have this conversation out in the hall."
"Good idea," said Sirius as he got up and stormed out of the room. Once everyone was in the hall, Sirius rounded on Martin, grabbing him by the front of his robes, nearly lifting him off the ground.
"It's all your fault. How could you do this to him?" he growled.
"Keep you hands off my child," said Draco as he grabbed Sirius, pulling him off Martin.
Sirius let go and took a swing at Draco but missed. Draco on the other hand made contact with his target and punched Sirius in the face. In retaliation, Sirius landed a punch on Draco's chin.
Remus grabbed Sirius and Severus took hold of Draco as Narcissa screamed, "That's enough! What the hell do you think you are doing?" Turning to Sirius, she said sternly, "Our son, is in there fighting for his life, and you are out here beating on my other son. I'll not have it Sirius."
"Why are you blaming it on Martin? How could he possibly be to blame?" asked Draco.
Sirius pulled out the letter he had found in Hunter's pocket and thrust it at Draco. Draco held the letter so he and Martin could read it. Martin turned pale as tears started to form in his eyes, "Daddy, I didn't send that letter."
"What do you mean you didn't send it?" asked Sirius quizzically.
"I didn't send it but I received this one," he said as he handed Sirius a letter he had removed from his pocket.
As Sirius read his face became ashen and he groaned, "Oh gods." He handed the letter to Draco who read it aloud.
"Martin,
I have a plan for Iris. I have to go see Professor Snape about a homework assignment so meet me at dusk in the astronomy tower.
Hunter."
Sirius leaned down to Martin and said, "Please forgive me for accusing you. I am so sorry."
"It's okay Sirius, I know that you are afraid for Hunter and well, it did look like I sent it," he said as he hugged Sirius.
With tears threatening to spill from his eyes, Sirius stood and put out a hand to Draco. "I apologize."
"It didn't happen," said Draco as he clasped Sirius' hand.
"Now the question is," said Severus, "Who sent the notes?"
"I think that question is about to be answered," said Narcissa as she watched an eagle owl land outside the window and start tapping on the pane.
Severus opened the window and the owl flew directly to Sirius. He removed the letter and read it his face turning red, yelling, "That son of a bitch."
"What?" asked Narcissa.
"Sirius,
How is your little werewolf cub? You know, you really shouldn't let the children walk around by themselves after dark. You never know what could be lurking about
Lucius
P.S. I'd watch Martin if I were you Draco."
It was Narcissa's turn to pale.
"What are we going to do?" she asked looking frightened.
Pulling her into his arms, Sirius said, "Right now all we can do is watch the children carefully, pray to the gods, and see about Hunter."
As if on cue, a scream rent the air. "Please, help me."
Sirius was the first in the room. Hunter, still in bed was dreaming. His sweat covered body glistened as he lay there, terrorized.
Sirius sat beside him, bathing the sweat from his brow and whispered encouraging words, trying to calm him down. As Hunter started to relax, Sirius spoke words trying to get him to wake up.
"Hunter, It's Daddy. Wake up."
Hunter's eyes started to flutter and then open. He sat up and threw his arms around his father, sobbing. "Oh Dad, I had this terrible dream. I dreamt that a wolf was chasing me and it bit me. I was so scared."
Sirius gently eased Hunter back onto the bed. Looking around he asked. "Dad, where am I and why is everyone looking at me like that?"
Sirius looked at Draco and said, "Could you give us a moment?"
"Oh course," said Draco as he turned to leave with Kyleigh, Martin, Severus and Remus.
"Remus, would you stay please."
"Of course," he said as the rest left. Once the four of them were alone, Sirius asked, "Hunter, what do you remember?"
"About the dream?"
"Yes," said Sirius.
"Well. I remember that I had gone to the pitch to meet Martin, when he didn't come I headed back to the school. That's when I heard the wolf. It started to chase me and I woke up right as it sunk it's teeth into…my…. arm," he said as he felt the bandage covering his left arm. Panic seized him and he started to shake his head. "No, Daddy, please…..don't tell me…..please," he said as the tears ran down his pale cheeks.
As the tears ran from Sirius' own eyes he couldn't speak.
"Daddy?"
Sirius just looked at Hunter, engulfing him into his arms, holding him tight.
"I'm sorry," whispered Sirius, as his body shook with sobs. After a few minutes, Sirius pulled away and looked Hunter in the face. "We will deal with this, we will help you every step of the way. You will never be alone."
"Hunter," said Remus, "You know that I am a werewolf, well there is a potion that I take before the moon is full and it helps me through the transformation and helps me to keep my mind. I will be with you when you transform, so will your Dad."
"But what if something does wrong and I bite Daddy? I couldn't live with myself knowing that I hurt him."
Sirius smiled and said, "Remember the stories about the marauders? The stories of how James and I used to transform into animals to help Remus?"
"Yes, but I thought they were just stories."
Suddenly Padfoot was sitting at the edge of Hunter's bed and after a few moments, Sirius reappeared. "You see Hunter, nothing will go wrong and we will be with you the whole time."
Hunter looked at his father and gave a small smile.
"Do it again Dad."
As Sirius transformed again, Narcissa stood there watching her husband in amazement as he soothed her son's worries, she smiled, "So Padfoot returns?"
"Mum," sniggered Hunter as he stroked Padfoot's head.
"Sirius, I don't think Madam Pomfrey would like it if she saw a large dog in her infirmary," she said laughing as Hunter started to scratch his father behind the ear.
"You are so right Narcissa," said Madam Pomfrey as she came strolling back into the room. "So, how is my patient?"
"I'm okay, but my arm hurts," said Hunter.
"Well, we can fix that right now. I need to clean it again before I heal it," said Poppy as she started to take the bandage from Hunter's arm. The wound was an angry red but was starting to heal. Poppy cleaned it again and then waved her wand, saying a healing spell. "Hunter," she said, "there will be a scar. The wound was very deep and it will be sore for a while too. There, all done."
Hunter thanked Madam Pomfrey and settled himself back on his bed, yawning.
"I think we need to let Mr. Black get some rest," said Poppy. "One person may stay."
Narcissa looked at Sirius and said, "You stay and I will go check on Dierdra and let her know what is going on."
"Thanks," he said as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her soundly on the mouth.
"Oh jeeze, do you two have to do that in front of me?" Hunter said teasing them with a smile on his face.
"I can't help it Hunter, your Dad is hot," Narcissa said as she smiled at Sirius.
"Mum!"
"Well he is," she said as she bent down to kiss his cheek. "Have a good rest and when you wake up, we will give you something to eat."
However, Hunter didn't hear her because he was already fast asleep.
~~*~~
Up in the Gryffindor common room after lunch, Draco and Kyleigh were sitting on one of the big overstuffed couches, talking.
"Is Hunter going to be alright?" asked Kyleigh.
"Well, he will never be the same again, but as for healthy, he will be like Remus. He will have a very hard life. Not as bad as Remus had it though. Many things have changed from when he was a child and was first bitten. Wolfsbane potion will help tremendously; however, transformation is a hard process on the body. Within time, he will grow accustomed to it," said Draco as he watched Kyleigh take in every word.
"I wish that there were…." Kyleigh yawned "some way I could help him."
Draco grabbed one of the pillows on the couch, placed it on his lap, and beckoned Kyleigh to lay down.
"We can all help him by just being there for him and understanding the moods that he is going to have."
"Daddy, why would Lucius do this?"
Stroking Kyleigh's hair as he spoke, Draco said, "Because there is only hate in that man. He is pure evil."
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too Sweetness."
Draco sat there in silence as he stroked Kyleigh's hair. After a few minutes, he felt her relax as sleep claimed her body. Soon after that, he too fell asleep.
Kyleigh dreamt as she slept. Not a normal dream, but flashing images.
These images would rotate around Hunter, a large black wolf, and Remus. Constantly moving, circling something or was it someone? Right before she woke, Kyleigh saw the face of the person they had been circling.
Kyleigh woke with a start, gazing up at Draco's worried eyes.
"Daddy, we need to find Remus, I know who can help Hunter."
They found Remus in his office, pacing.
"Remus, may we come in?" asked Draco.
"Of course, please." Seeing the look of excitement on Kyleigh's face, he asked, "What's going on Kyleigh?"
"I had a dream," she paused, "A seeing dream. I know who can help Hunter….and you."
With a look of pure, hope on his face, he asked, "Who?"
As tears of joy glistened in her eyes she said, "Anna Weasley."
Remus sank down into his chair with a look of astonishment on his face. "Anna?" Kyleigh smiled in response. "Anna has been secretly working on a serum for me, she has been looking for a cure for years. We tried a couple of times but it didn't work. You say this wasn't a regular dream but a seeing dream?"
Kyleigh nodded as her smile got broader. With tears now in his eyes, Remus said, "You have never been wrong, have you?"
As the smile on her face lit up the whole room, Kyleigh whispered, "No."
Remus was out of his chair in an instant. He pulled Kyleigh into a bear hug and twirled her around the room.
Kyleigh squealed with laughter as Draco watched with amusement.
"Oh Kyleigh," Remus said as he put her down, "We have to call Anna."
Remus walked over to the fireplace, threw some powder in, and said, "Anna Weasley."
After a few moments Anna Weasley's head appeared in the fireplace.
"Hello Remus, everything alright?"
"Anna, we need you."
"What's happened? Is Thaddeus all right?"
"Yes, Thaddeus is fine. It's Hunter Black."
"What happened?"
"He was bitten by a werewolf."
"Dear God in heaven, when?" she asked.
"Last night. Anna, Kyleigh had a seeing dream. I think she may have the answer we have been looking for," said Remus.
"What did she see?"
Remus stepped aside and Kyleigh took his place.
"Hello Anna."
"Hello dear. What did you see in your dream?"
"Well, Hunter, Remus and the wolf were circling something. They kept circling and right before I woke up I saw that it was you they were circling."
"Oh dear Lord, that's it. Kyleigh get Remus."
"What is it Anna?" Remus said as he stood in front of the fire again.
"Remus, why didn't I think of it before? I will be there as soon as I can. Don't do anything. Just make him comfortable and let him rest. I have lots to do."
"When can you get here?"
Remus heard Anna and Charlie whispering.
"Charlie said that we could be there in a couple of days. I have supplies to get and he has spells to cast. We should be there by Monday."
"Excellent. Anything else you need me to do?"
"Yes, find that wolf," said Anna, and she was gone.
Remus looked devastated.
"What's wrong Remus?" asked Draco.
"Hunter doesn't know what the wolf looks like. It hit him from behind."
Again, Kyleigh smiled. "I know what he looks like. I saw him in my dream. He is a big pure black wolf, very large."
Realization hit Remus. "Merlin's beard, Rupert Bragdon."
"Who?" asked Draco.
"A few weeks ago, in the Daily Profit, a wizard had been reported missing, Rupert Bragdon. He was found this morning, wandering the streets of Diagon Alley. He doesn't know how he got there, or anything he did while he was missing."
"But what does that have to do with the wolf?" asked Draco.
"Not many people know it but he is a werewolf, a big black werewolf. He is adamant about taking his wolfsbane but if it wasn't accessible to him, then he would be dangerous during the full moon."
"What if my father knew about him, kidnapped him, and didn't allow him the potion?"
"He would be dangerous."
"But wouldn't he try and kill whoever he bit?" asked Kyleigh.
"Not if he had been put under a spell, one that instructed him not to kill but maim," said Remus.
"And who do we know is that clever and evil?" asked Draco.
"Lucius," they all said at the same time.
"Exactly," said Remus. "Now, I am going to see if I can find Rupert. Draco, you and Kyleigh let Sirius and Narcissa know what is going on. Tell them we have hope."
~~*~~
Over the next couple of days, Hunter improved tremendously. His spirit had returned upon the news that there may be hope.
On Monday morning, Anna and Charlie Weasley arrived. Charlie, with his thick red hair, was tall, muscular, and tan. He dwarfed Anna. Anna was a beautiful woman, with thick curly hair to her waist that was the color of sunlit wheat. She was by no means was considered fat, but was thick and strong from handling the dragons with Charlie. As she walked into the room, Hunter perked up.
"Good morning Hunter," she said.
"Hello."
"Are you ready to get to work?" she asked as Sirius sat next to his son.
"Yep."
"Good. Now what I need to do is take some of your blood so I can look at it under my microscope," she said.
"How are you going to get my blood?" asked Hunter, who was starting to feel a little nervous.
"Well," she said as she took out a needle and syringe, "I need to put this needle in your arm and remove some blood."
"Will it hurt?" asked Hunter.
"It may just a little. However, I have been told I was very good at it. You ready?" she asked.
"Sure," he said as he worriedly turned to his father.
"Daddy, will you stay with me?"
"Of course I will."
"Okay Hunter, what I need you to do is lay back and make a fist."
Anna took his right arm and swabbed the bend of his arm with alcohol. "That just cleans the skin. Now if you want you can either look at me or Sirius."
"I'll look at you, you're much prettier."
"Good Lord Sirius, he is definitely your son," she said as she blushed. "Ok here we go."
Anna was very gentle and Hunter didn't feel a thing, but when she started to draw the blood from Hunter, Sirius fainted.
Trying not to laugh, Anna said to Charlie, "You know what to do."
Charlie laughed, mumbling the spell that levitated Sirius to one of the other beds and said, "Poor Sirius, he is never going to live this down."
~~*~~
Over the next few weeks, Anna worked on Remus' and Hunter's blood. Now all she needed was the wolf's, but Remus had not been able to locate him yet.
Remus called a meeting in his office. As Sirius, Narcissa, Anna, and Sirius sat, he began to speak. "With only a little over a week before the full moon, it looks like Hunter may need to start taking wolfsbane. Being his size, I don't know the dosage for him so we have to give it to him in small amounts. Another problem is that his body may not tolerate it. Not all of us can take wolfsbane."
"When do you want to start?" asked Sirius.
"I have brewed a double batch and it is ready. We can start today if you want," said Severus.
"I think that would be a very good idea," said Anna. "We can do it right now if you want."
"That would be fine," said Sirius, who was becoming very tense.
"I know this is hard Padfoot, but it needs to be done. Vincent has people looking for Rupert as we speak. I'm sure we will hear something very soon," said Remus.
When they arrived at the Hospital wing, Thaddeus and Hunter were playing chess as Martin cheered Hunter on.
"Sorry guys but I am going to have to postpone the next game, Me and Hunter have a date," said Anna smiling.
Martin looked jealous and Thaddeus laughed.
"Come on Martin, let's go see what Neona and Kyleigh are doing."
"Ok, but I think they are at that little secret spot they have when they want to talk girl stuff or read in quiet. We could always sneak up on them."
"Sounds like a plan," said Martin as they headed out the door. When the door shut, Martin poked his head back in and said, "Thaddeus has a crush on Neona."
Thaddeus' hand reached out and grabbed Martin, pulling him out the door. In the hall, you could hear, "Ouch," then laughter and rapid re-treating footsteps.
Anna gave a little giggle as she turned to Hunter.
"Ok, since we have been unable to locate the other wolf, we decided that we need to start preparing you for the transformation. Today you will get a small amount of wolfsbane potion. If you tolerate it well, you will receive a bigger dose tomorrow."
"This will help you to keep your mind during transformation and you won't be dangerous," said Remus.
"Ok I'm ready."
Severus handed him a small cup of the potion. "Drink it all, it's nasty so it's best to do it fast."
"Aagghhhh, that's awful," said Hunter as he finished it.
"Good job," said Anna, "Now we see how you tolerated it."
So Hunter picked up his book and started to read.
Anna, Sirius, Narcissa, and Severus had moved to the other side of the room and were talking to Madam Pomfrey about Hunter's progress.
Within a few minutes, Hunter was having a hard time breathing, seconds after that he was clutching at his throat as no air was making it's way to his lungs. He started to turn blue and he fell back on the bed causing his book to hit the floor with a loud thud. When Anna got to the bed she took one look at him and yelled, "Severus, get my bag quick, Hunter isn't breathing."