Chapter 30
Everyone in the common room was enjoying the celebration of Gryffindors first win. Harry and Ron sat with Hermione, occasionally looking at the portrait. Hermione sighed.
"She'll be all right. Madam Pomfrey knows what she's doing. Alex will be back by lunchtime. Stop worrying."
Ron stood up.
"I think I'll go down and see how things are coming along. Want to come Harry?"
Harry shook his head.
"I think I'll stay here Ron. Maybe you should to. I mean, Kagato is with her. Leave them alone for a bit."
Ron frowned.
"I just want to see if she's going to be coming up here soon. And if not, I thought, maybe we could bring the party down to her for a while."
Harry and Hermione both started laughing. Ron's ears started to turn pink.
"What?"
Harry shook his head.
"Oh come off it Ron. You still have a crush on her admit it. That's the only reason you want to go down there. You're hoping Kagato's gone somewhere and she's alone."
Ron's whole face was now red.
"Shut up Harry. So you're right. I am hoping she's alone. I would like to know what Malfoy told about her Kagato that turned out to be true. And I can't exactly ask her with him around, now can I?"
Hermione shifted in her seat and looked away from both of them. Harry raised his eyebrow.
"Hermione? Do you know something?"
She shrugged and looked nervous.
"Maybe. But, I can't tell you. I'm not supposed to know. No one is."
Ron walked over to her chair and kneeled down in front of her. His expression was very serious.
"Hermione, tell us. The look on your face tells me that it's something bad."
She shook her head and didn't look at him. Harry was now on his knees next to Ron.
"Hermione, we're your best friends. You can tell us. Is it something that puts Alex in danger?"
She nodded vigorously. Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Cat had noticed that the three of them looked very serious and started to make her way over to them. Harry saw Cat coming towards them and shook Hermione's arm. He spoke quickly.
"Hermione, please. Tell us now. If it puts her in danger, we should know."
She looked up at them and mouthed the words: He's a full-blooded werewolf.
They both blinked and stared at her. Harry shook his head.
"No, it can't be true. Why would she still talk to.."
"What's going on you three. Why the serious faces? It is a party after all."
Hermione closed her eyes. Harry and Ron looked up and saw Cat standing behind Hermione's chair. Harry swallowed and stood up.
"It's nothing Cat. Just hoping Alex is ok and coming back tonight. Ron and I were about to go check on her. I did promise her that the party would wait until she got back. So, if you'll excuse us, we'll be off."
He pulled Ron to his feet and shoved him out of the common room, leaving Cat standing there, confused. They both took off running to the hospital wing once the portrait had closed. Ron looked over at Harry as they ran through the castle.
"What's Dumbledore playing at? Half werewolves are bad enough; full-blooded ones are down right terrifying."
"I know Ron. Lupin is one thing, but Kagato, we really don't know that much about him. And if Alex knows, wonder why she's staying with him?"
Ron shrugged.
"Maybe she's scared. That has to be it. He's threatened her."
"I doubt he threatened her Ron. Look at the way he treats her. And she would have come to one of us if he had..."
Harry stopped speaking as they rounded the corner, and they both came to a halt. Professors' Lupin and Snape were talking in a low whisper outside the hospital doors. They both stopped speaking and looked at Harry and Ron.
"What is the meaning of this? Why are not in your common room.... celebrating?"
Snape looked as though he was ready to kill them, if Lupin wasn't standing right there, he probably would have. Lupin raised an eyebrow at both boys.
"Severus, wait a moment. They are probably here to check on Miss Reese. I believe she's asleep right now. Madam Pomfrey has just given her something to mend her ribs. Besides, Kagato is still at her side. Why don't you come back later?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other, than back to Lupin. Ron started speaking before Harry could stop him.
"Are you crazy? Kagato's a full-blooded werewolf! You can't leave that monster in there with her! She's in danger. We all are."
Lupin sighed. Snape crossed his arms.
"And where did the two of you come across this information?"
"Severus let me handle this. Follow me to my office. Both of you."
Harry swallowed hard and Ron turned pale as they both silently walked behind the professor to his office. Lupin held the door of his office open for Harry and Ron. They all stood just inside the room and stared at the person sitting at Lupin's desk.
