Disclaimer : - The world of Harry Potter isn't mine – wish it was – but belongs to JK Rowling… anything from the books is hers not mine…. Anything else is probably mine. Not getting anything but fun from writing this etc etc etc….
The fic is Rate R ….. if you are not old enough to read it etc then please don't
Spanning the River of Blood
By Ridley-Roo
Chapter 25 – One Small Step
As Lupin's cry echoed around the hall it was joined by screams of panic from the students, most of whom immediately started to clamour for the doors. Harry however drew his wand and started to fight his way towards the back of the hall. He was swiftly joined by Ron and Hermione and they exchanged quick glances which confirmed to him that the others were thinking the same thing. They had to protect their friend.
Dumbledore was calling for calm and several teachers had moved down among the students to restore order. But they made it to the head table only to be stopped by Professor McGonagall.
'That's quite far enough you three.' She emphasised the point by spreading her arms to prevent their progress.
Harry was about to protest when he saw Snape retreating backwards into view from behind the pillar he knew was hiding Lupin. Drawing away hastily he headed to the headmaster, his face drained of what little colour it had.
'Now please. Go back and join the other students.' His former Head of House asked quietly. 'Harry we really need you to do this with no questions asked. Ron, Hermione, go with him and all three of you be careful.'
The aging Witch watched as the emotions of helplessness played across the three young faces in front of her before the grudgingly turned back towards their classmates. As she watched them go she wondered if even the boy who lived would be able to survive a Werewolf attack with nothing but tables, chairs and bodies to protect him. All of the staff would give their lives to protect the students but would it be enough without magic? Turning she made her way over to the Headmaster and wondered if any of them would survive the night.
'Well we could try a barricade. But I doubt it'll work. Werewolf's be strong beasts you know.' Hagrid's voice was raised so he could be heard over the noise coming from the students and screams from the tortured manbeast just out of view.
'It is our best hope. We have a few moments before the transformation is complete and the creature comes out. Let us use them as best we can.' This was not what they wanted to hear from Dumbledore. They wanted a cunning plan that would save them all, instead they heard something none had heard in the voice of their leader. Defeat.
As Layla watched the latest developments, Jake stood beside her, adrenaline pumping through him, as he waited for the moment the beast would appear. He watched as the staff started to move themselves into positions between the children and the imminent threat. He stayed close to his mistress as Snape shepherded her behind him and readied himself to intervene as appropriate.
Finding herself swept up in a situation she didn't understand Layla was about to ask Snape what exactly was going on when she saw his back stiffen. Moving to the left she peered out from behind his robes to see a huge wolf come snarling into view. In another place and time she would assumed that it was simply a Timbre Wolf like those she had seen at the zoo. True this one was twice the size of those but it looked and moved the same.
Protect, Save. The words sounded out like bells as the voices in her mind broke through into clarity.
Looking along the row of teachers armed with various chairs and pieces of furniture she came to the realisation that they were planning on killing the wolf any way they could. They would batter, club, and stab it to death.
Must Save. Injustice. Defend.
Taking a deep breath she made her decision, stepped the protective shield Snape was forming for her with his body and headed towards the wolf.
Snape cried out, making to follow and stop her, but Jake was a step ahead of him. Transforming info human form he grabbed the arms of the potions master, pulling them roughly behind his back and pinning them there to prevent him following and interfering. Snape had a couple of inches advantage in height, but Jake held the struggling man tight, his strength easily a match for the lean potions master. Looking over Snape's shoulder whenever he could, Jake watched his mistress's form walk towards the Werewolf.
As Layla moved across the floor the world around her started to swim in and out of focus before settling into a multilayered reality. The hall was still present with its hysterical children and starlit ceiling, but over the top she could see the meadow. In front of her was the stream and on the other side was the wolf.
As she neared the stream it once again expanded into a raging river of blood, the metallic stench filling her nostrils causing her stomach to heave. But she had to get to the wolf. She had to protect it. She could hear the shouts of the staff as the prepared to launch a coordinated attack. Time was running out. If she wanted to protect the wolf she had to get to it and that meant crossing the river. Her decision made she stepped out from the bank and for the first time she kept going.
She expected to fall into the swirl red river and have to fight her way to the other bank through the rapid. Instead as she transferred her weight to the foot she had extended she felt it land on cold stone. Looking back she could once again see the sparkling waters of the stream just as it had been before she had approached to cross.
The beast was only a few feet from her now and within easy striking distance. Slowly she started to raise her right arm and extended it towards to snarling fangs. Behind her she could hear voices shouting at her to stop, to move away, anything but continue what she was doing. But inside of her she could hear voices of encouragement and it was these she was listening to now.
Save. Protect. Believe.
As her raised hand drew level with the wolf's head she paused allowing her hand to droop limply in a non threatening manner. The creature continued to growl for a few more moments before inching its way forward to sniff at her.
'I won't hurt you.' She whispered to it and found her gaze met by feral eyes as it continued to smell her.
Standing still while the wolf made up its mind about her she concentrated on sending out waves of reassurance in the hopes that it would be able to understand her intentions somehow. Slowly the wolf grew bolder and moved closer still before whining slightly and sitting down in front of her, its head tilted slightly as it waited for her to make another move.
Slowly she started to raise her hand from its limp position and turned it slightly until the palm was level with the side of its muzzle before moving it slowly to stroke the side of the wolf's head. Yellow eyes once again stared into hers and a paw came up to rest lightly over her hand.
Jake continued to watch over Snape's shoulder as the man stopped struggling and stood enthralled by the scene in front of him. Of course Jake knew no one in the hall except himself and Layla had seen the meadow or the river. To them she had simply walked across the floor to certain death, but to him she had surmounted a barrier uncrossed for a thousand years.
He held his breath as she approached the wolf and gained its trust as he knew should would if she could pass the river. Then as she cradled it's muzzle her saw the silver blur sparks of light start to flow up from the Earth and swirl around the beast. More and more appeared and as they did the form of the wolf started to blur. The shape started to straighten from four legs to two, the fur blended back into the body to become skin and soon his mistress was stood in front of a man not a beast, her hand held gently against his cheek.
The sight he had longed to see over the centuries was finally a reality, letting go of Snape he danced and shouted for joy.
The End.