Here's the third part, hope you enjoy it! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, and keep them coming! Helps me write faster.
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Harry stirred slightly, moaning softly. Voices jabbered around him and he attempted to listen, to understand them.
"It is lucky that you found him Hagrid, I hate to think what could have happened to him out in the Forest unconscious if you had not."
"It's to much! 'asn't he been through enough?"
"I'm sure he'll be alright, Hagrid. Apart from the- the bite, he has few injuries."
"What I would like to know is why Natural werewolves would attack someone who was no threat to them."
"Voldemort, Minerva, what else? His rising has many of the Dark Creatures agitated, more viscous than usual. You cannot perform such an unnatural piece of magic without repercussions."
The Forest, werewolves, the bite…
Harry bolted upright, scrambling frantically at his clothes, resisting the hands that tried to push him down flat, ignoring the voices trying to get him to calm down, he had to know! He got his pyjama top open and there, on his side, a scar in the shape of a moon.
Harry collapsed back down limply on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. He could hear Dumbledore's voice ushering the others out, but he couldn't pay any attention to the words. Werewolf, he was a werewolf… Harry heard someone sit down next to him and he turned his head slowly to meet Dumbledore's concerned blue gaze.
"Harry," Professor Dumbledore said quietly.
"I'm a werewolf," Harry interrupted, throat tight.
"You are," Dumbledore agreed quietly, "But that does not change who you are. And you have learnt, I hope, that the prejudice most people feel is not based in fact?" Harry nodded numbly, and Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Remus Lupin is a werewolf, Harry," he said quietly. "And he is one of the noblest people a know, he was one of your Father's best friends." Harry continued to just nod, he couldn't think, he felt as if everything was happening at a great distance. Dumbledore gripped his shoulder tightly, and Harry realised that he was shaking, badly. "The school will not be told," Dumbledore went on, "And it is your choice whether you tell your friends." Harry nodded again.
Dumbledore sighed and sat back, regarding Harry with compassion. "I am sorry to have to tell you this, but the Wolfsbane potion," he hesitated. Harry stared at him, heart pounding. What did he mean? Dumbledore continued. "The Potion does not have any affect for the first few months on the transformations of a werewolf." Harry stared at him as his words sank in.
"Wh-what," Harry whispered.
"I'm sorry Harry," Dumbledore spoke gently. Harry closed his eyes, trying to get a hold on himself. As if from a long way a way he could hear Dumbledore's voice. "You will have to use the Shrieking Shack once a month, don't worry, you should be able to use the Wolfsbane Potion by Early Spring." Harry opened his eyes slowly.
"Professor," he whispered, "Could I contact Sirius and Professor Lupin?" Dumbledore shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry Harry," he said. "But Sirius and Remus are on a mission for me at the moment. To contact them would put their lives in danger." Harry stared at him.
"What!" he said frantically, I-I need…" he trailed off, and closed his eyes in resignation. He couldn't put their lives in danger just for him. Dumbledore pressed his shoulder gently.
"I'm going to let the others back in, OK?" he said. "Madam Pomfrey needs to check the rest of your injuries." Harry nodded, not opening his eyes. He heard Dumbledore walking acoss the floor, the door opening and a low murmur of voices, then feet tramping across the floor. Harry forced himself to open his eyes, bracing himself for the looks of pity he would receive.
Harry stared. The first person he saw was Professor Snape. Harry stared at him, hands balling into fists as anger welled up in him.
"I-I'm sorry, Potter," Snape said hoarsely. Harry's head shot up and he stared at him in surprise. Snape looked white- whiter than usual. "I- I didn't-" Snape stopped and swallowed, then looked at Harry pleadingly. Harry looked down and nodded, once. HE couldn't have meant for that to happen, Harry argued with himself. He listened with half an ear as Dumbledore ushered Snape and Professor McGonagall out, asking them quietly if they could inform the school. Madam Pomfrey was examining, tutting at the number of injuries he had.
Suddenly Harry remembered something.
"Professor!" he asked quickly, "Is, is Professor Sprout OK?" One look at Dumbledore's expression gave him his answer and he fell back against his bed, stunned.
"I'm sorry Harry," Professor Dumbledore said gently, his own voice near to breaking.
"I tried to save her," Harry mumbled thickly as he stared up at the ceiling, blinking back tears.
"You did as much as you could," Dumbledore said quietly. He sighed and stood up. "We'll let you get some sleep Harry," he added.
"I'll stay with 'im, Headmaster." Harry heard Hagrid say.
"Thank you, Hagrid" Dumbledore replied. He and Madam Pomfrey left and Hagrid came over to stand next to Harry's bed.
"Erm, how are yeh?" Hagrid asked awkwardly. Harry didn't answer and Hagrid sighed. "Harry, its no' the end o' the world." Harry let out a short laugh.
"I'm a werewolf."
"I'm half-giant." Harry looked up at Hagrid helplessly. Hagrid sat down next to him, the bed creaking alarmingly under his weight. "It don' matter wha' people say, Harry," Hagrid said quietly, kindly. "Wha' matters is wha' you think of yourself. People say tha' giants are viscous brutes, tha' they'd kill yer as soon as look at yer."
"You wouldn't," Harry said at once.
"An neither would you!" Hagrid said, poking Harry with one large finger to emphasise his point. "Yer no' goin' ter suddenly change jus' cos you've got another curse scar ter add ter your collection! Yer too strong fer that Harry, to stubborn." Harry blinked back sudden tears.
"Thanks, Hagrid." He said quietly.
"Ahh, Harry," Hagrid caught Harry in a strong one-armed hug. "Don' fret, you'll be OK. Dumbledore will make sure of that." Harry yawned, then blushed. Hagrid chuckled and let him lie back down on the bed. "It's tirein'" he told him quietly. "Yer whole body's changin'. Best ter just sleep."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry whispered tiredly.
"Yer welcome," he heard Hagrid reply before he dropped off to sleep.
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Please R&R!
