Chapter Twenty-Seven
Soaring Hope
"NOOOO!" Umbridge squealed. "I don't want to be a dirty half breed. let me go now!"
"You deserve it you old fool!" Hade Doge said.
Remus on the other hand had sunk to the bottom of the cage. He looked horrifies. His eyes were misty and his skin bumpy.
Harry knew what he was thinking. Remus was scared of killing someone. he hadn't had the wolf blane potion and his animal instincts would make him attack. Lupin had told him so in Harry's third year. how he scared he could have given James and Sirius the slip while he was at school and how he could have killed Harry, Hermione, Ron or even Sirius that one night when finally truth was uncovered.
Seri looked at him, not fearful, but in pity.
They had to have been there for an hour already.
Then two hours.
"It'll be getting dark soon Moony old pal." Wormtail said delightfully.
"I am no pal of yours Pettigrew. I don't know why Sirius or James liked you. you were a pathetic piece of rat shit. was and is!" Remus snapped.
"Peter. why did Voldemort leave huh?" Seri asked. The four of them and Snape winced at his name,
"Our Lord left because he has more important things to do." Yon said.
"See, they call that old gut Lord. why can't you call me that?" Adam hissed at Mark, who grinned.
"I don't think that's it. Voldemort knows Dumbledore will come looking for us. and he doesn't want to get caught. You all will do his dirty work and then die for it." Seri said nastily.
"Aren't you so smart Ms. Sirius Angel Black?" Peter said. "Dumbledore is at the Minister right now. he won't be back for awhile. leaving us just enough time to kill you all and make Umbridge a half breed."
"Dumbledore's not at the Minister." Snape said.
Seri kicked him. "Yes. DUMBLEDORE. is at the Minister. remember?." Seri winked at him.
"Oh yeah... I forgot." Snape rolled over. "Damn!"
Harry half snorted, noticing the exaggeration in his voice, but none of the death eaters heard it.
Yon staggered across the creaking floor. "Hey Wormy. looks just about time."
Wormtail grinned and his eyes narrowed on Remus, who gulped and looked at Seri and Snape as though for help.
Harry glanced at his teachers also.
Seri and Snape had their back to each other, leaning against each other. Harry looked at them, eyes narrowing also. Seri face was twisted oddly as though concentrating and her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth like you would see a four year old do while drawing. Snape's face looked a little fearful as his eyes darting between each death eater as though daring them to look his way.
Harry turned away and stared straight forward. There was a window right in front of his face. The sky was that weird shade of dark blue and violent purple. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were hiding the misty glow of the soon coming darkness. The moon would be out soon. They had little time left.
He looked at his surroundings. Mark was shaking nervously as few feet away. and Adam and smirking oddly in the opposite corner.
He had to save Umbridge.
Harry rolled this goal over in his head. why?
Umbridge was by far the worst thing Hogwarts had seen in a long while so why did he have to save her?
Remus caught his eye.
That's why.
Harry knew Remus Lupin. his dad's friend. his own friend. was scared of one thing. biting someone. He shared that fear with him, Ron and Hermione three years ago in that very room.
He had to save Umbridge.
"What time is it Doge?" Gaylord splat.
"Almost moon time." Haden Doge snorted.
Wormtail grinned devilishly. "Are you ready Moony old pal?"
"Peter. don't!" Remus said strongly, trying to hide his mortal fear.
"Sorry Remus. but it is my Lord's orders."
"What about our friendship?" Remus shouted.
Harry was thunderstruck.
Wormtail had betrayed James Potter.
Let Sirius Black go to jail.
Brought Lord Voldemort back.
And was now threatening to kill him after using him to produce a new werewolf.
And Remus Lupin still considered Peter Pettigrew a friend.
"What do you mean, 'our friendship'?" Peter sneered.
"You know damn well what I mean!" Remus yelled, unleashing his courage. "I don't care how tough you sound or act. I know you don't feel it! You were always the tag along with James and Sirius and me. the only reason you are doing all this is because someone put the silly idea in your miniature head that you were better than us!"
"I am better than you!" Peter screamed back, taking a stand.
"You're no better than the scum on my shoe. A better man would realize what was going on. Voldemort makes you think differently than you should. do you realize what that buffoon made you do?"
"Stuptify!" Yon yelled, spending Remus to his knees.
"He. made you lose everything you ever. had." Remus stuttered.
"What did I ever have before the Dark Lord found me?" Peter hissed.
"You had a mum and friends Peter. you were someone." Remus said softly. "You were Peter Pettigrew. best friends with James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin."
"Now you are just a fucking black cape that takes orders from a snake!" Seri finished. Lupin bowed his head as though not wanting to admit it was true.
There was silence, then a howl of pain.
Everyone turned to Remus Lupin..he was transforming!
Mark's breath was shortening loudly behind Harry and Adam was in awe. Harry looked at him. it was worse than when Harry had seen it happen three years ago. It seemed Remus was trying disparately to stop the transformations.
But he was failing.
Hair appeared on his hands and his feet. His finger became claws and his back arched over, forming a dog shaped animal. One last look at his horror stuck face and then it was hidden by a short snorted werewolf.
There was a bark.
Harry looked at him. He felt fear in the bottom of his stomach, but some how it wasn't coming to surface. He looked into the wolf eyes. they were still human. He swore he saw a tear trail down the hair stricken face. but he wasn't sure. Werewolf Lupin's eyes were pleading. horror stuck and wanting to die.
Harry looked around.
"Get Umbridge!"
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Umbridge squealed. She tried to move but it only got hee a face plant on the floor. She began to wail.
"It's your own fault you dirty old bat!" Wormtail hissed. "If you wouldn't have run away looking for Death Eaters. we wouldn't have caught you!"
"Noooo, please.. No!"
"Be careful!" Haden ordered. "Make sure when you throw her in the werewolf doesn't get out and that he doesn't kill her!"
"Haha.. why not. might be fun to watch!" Gaylord said sniggering.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Umbridge wailed again.
"Come on you fat lard!" Yon said picking up the chair and moving it toward the cage.
Gaylord went to unlock the door.
The key was in the lock.
Harry took in a breath as he watched.
The key turned the right.
The stopped.
"Shit. I always do that!" Gaylord chuckled.
Harry looked over his shoulder. Adam had found a nail of something and was cutting the ropes that bound him. Harry tried the same. He wiggled his hands.
The key turned to the left.
Harry's hands were almost out.
The key stopped and there was a click.
Gaylord held the door shut. "Are we ready?"
Yon nodded, pushing Umbridge closer.
"On the count of three." Gaylord said, "One.."
Harry almost had it. almost there..
"Two."
Yes! He got it. his hands were free. Harry drastically went to push the ropes off of him.
"Three."
Harry's shot his eyes upward to look. Gaylord had wrench the cage door open. Yon was working on pushing Umbridge into the cage and then.
Seri came in feet first knocking Gaylord away from the cage door causing it to fly open.
Yon, in horror, dropped Umbirdge's chair and leapt out of the way. and good thing too because a second later and fully grown werewolf landed right where he stood.
He was on all fours, staring at each of them as though deciding which he would attack first. Mark gave a tiny yelp and Lupin's wolf like eyes zeroed in on him.
Harry stood up. Snape was busy untying Umbridge and Trawnley. and Harry did all he could do.
He remembered Remus telling him he wanted human flesh not animals.that's why James and Sirius were safe traveling with him as animals.
Cold sweat broke on his face. as much as he hated the idea. he would have to change into the stag again. to keep Lupin in cheek.
The werewolf slowly made his way to Mark his eyes dancing in delight.
Harry held his breath for a second. just long enough for Seri to help him. that's it. just that long.
Harry closed his eyes concentrating on becoming a stag when.
A scarlet red bird came flying into the room.
"NOOOO!" Umbridge squealed. "I don't want to be a dirty half breed. let me go now!"
"You deserve it you old fool!" Hade Doge said.
Remus on the other hand had sunk to the bottom of the cage. He looked horrifies. His eyes were misty and his skin bumpy.
Harry knew what he was thinking. Remus was scared of killing someone. he hadn't had the wolf blane potion and his animal instincts would make him attack. Lupin had told him so in Harry's third year. how he scared he could have given James and Sirius the slip while he was at school and how he could have killed Harry, Hermione, Ron or even Sirius that one night when finally truth was uncovered.
Seri looked at him, not fearful, but in pity.
They had to have been there for an hour already.
Then two hours.
"It'll be getting dark soon Moony old pal." Wormtail said delightfully.
"I am no pal of yours Pettigrew. I don't know why Sirius or James liked you. you were a pathetic piece of rat shit. was and is!" Remus snapped.
"Peter. why did Voldemort leave huh?" Seri asked. The four of them and Snape winced at his name,
"Our Lord left because he has more important things to do." Yon said.
"See, they call that old gut Lord. why can't you call me that?" Adam hissed at Mark, who grinned.
"I don't think that's it. Voldemort knows Dumbledore will come looking for us. and he doesn't want to get caught. You all will do his dirty work and then die for it." Seri said nastily.
"Aren't you so smart Ms. Sirius Angel Black?" Peter said. "Dumbledore is at the Minister right now. he won't be back for awhile. leaving us just enough time to kill you all and make Umbridge a half breed."
"Dumbledore's not at the Minister." Snape said.
Seri kicked him. "Yes. DUMBLEDORE. is at the Minister. remember?." Seri winked at him.
"Oh yeah... I forgot." Snape rolled over. "Damn!"
Harry half snorted, noticing the exaggeration in his voice, but none of the death eaters heard it.
Yon staggered across the creaking floor. "Hey Wormy. looks just about time."
Wormtail grinned and his eyes narrowed on Remus, who gulped and looked at Seri and Snape as though for help.
Harry glanced at his teachers also.
Seri and Snape had their back to each other, leaning against each other. Harry looked at them, eyes narrowing also. Seri face was twisted oddly as though concentrating and her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth like you would see a four year old do while drawing. Snape's face looked a little fearful as his eyes darting between each death eater as though daring them to look his way.
Harry turned away and stared straight forward. There was a window right in front of his face. The sky was that weird shade of dark blue and violent purple. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were hiding the misty glow of the soon coming darkness. The moon would be out soon. They had little time left.
He looked at his surroundings. Mark was shaking nervously as few feet away. and Adam and smirking oddly in the opposite corner.
He had to save Umbridge.
Harry rolled this goal over in his head. why?
Umbridge was by far the worst thing Hogwarts had seen in a long while so why did he have to save her?
Remus caught his eye.
That's why.
Harry knew Remus Lupin. his dad's friend. his own friend. was scared of one thing. biting someone. He shared that fear with him, Ron and Hermione three years ago in that very room.
He had to save Umbridge.
"What time is it Doge?" Gaylord splat.
"Almost moon time." Haden Doge snorted.
Wormtail grinned devilishly. "Are you ready Moony old pal?"
"Peter. don't!" Remus said strongly, trying to hide his mortal fear.
"Sorry Remus. but it is my Lord's orders."
"What about our friendship?" Remus shouted.
Harry was thunderstruck.
Wormtail had betrayed James Potter.
Let Sirius Black go to jail.
Brought Lord Voldemort back.
And was now threatening to kill him after using him to produce a new werewolf.
And Remus Lupin still considered Peter Pettigrew a friend.
"What do you mean, 'our friendship'?" Peter sneered.
"You know damn well what I mean!" Remus yelled, unleashing his courage. "I don't care how tough you sound or act. I know you don't feel it! You were always the tag along with James and Sirius and me. the only reason you are doing all this is because someone put the silly idea in your miniature head that you were better than us!"
"I am better than you!" Peter screamed back, taking a stand.
"You're no better than the scum on my shoe. A better man would realize what was going on. Voldemort makes you think differently than you should. do you realize what that buffoon made you do?"
"Stuptify!" Yon yelled, spending Remus to his knees.
"He. made you lose everything you ever. had." Remus stuttered.
"What did I ever have before the Dark Lord found me?" Peter hissed.
"You had a mum and friends Peter. you were someone." Remus said softly. "You were Peter Pettigrew. best friends with James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin."
"Now you are just a fucking black cape that takes orders from a snake!" Seri finished. Lupin bowed his head as though not wanting to admit it was true.
There was silence, then a howl of pain.
Everyone turned to Remus Lupin..he was transforming!
Mark's breath was shortening loudly behind Harry and Adam was in awe. Harry looked at him. it was worse than when Harry had seen it happen three years ago. It seemed Remus was trying disparately to stop the transformations.
But he was failing.
Hair appeared on his hands and his feet. His finger became claws and his back arched over, forming a dog shaped animal. One last look at his horror stuck face and then it was hidden by a short snorted werewolf.
There was a bark.
Harry looked at him. He felt fear in the bottom of his stomach, but some how it wasn't coming to surface. He looked into the wolf eyes. they were still human. He swore he saw a tear trail down the hair stricken face. but he wasn't sure. Werewolf Lupin's eyes were pleading. horror stuck and wanting to die.
Harry looked around.
"Get Umbridge!"
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Umbridge squealed. She tried to move but it only got hee a face plant on the floor. She began to wail.
"It's your own fault you dirty old bat!" Wormtail hissed. "If you wouldn't have run away looking for Death Eaters. we wouldn't have caught you!"
"Noooo, please.. No!"
"Be careful!" Haden ordered. "Make sure when you throw her in the werewolf doesn't get out and that he doesn't kill her!"
"Haha.. why not. might be fun to watch!" Gaylord said sniggering.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Umbridge wailed again.
"Come on you fat lard!" Yon said picking up the chair and moving it toward the cage.
Gaylord went to unlock the door.
The key was in the lock.
Harry took in a breath as he watched.
The key turned the right.
The stopped.
"Shit. I always do that!" Gaylord chuckled.
Harry looked over his shoulder. Adam had found a nail of something and was cutting the ropes that bound him. Harry tried the same. He wiggled his hands.
The key turned to the left.
Harry's hands were almost out.
The key stopped and there was a click.
Gaylord held the door shut. "Are we ready?"
Yon nodded, pushing Umbridge closer.
"On the count of three." Gaylord said, "One.."
Harry almost had it. almost there..
"Two."
Yes! He got it. his hands were free. Harry drastically went to push the ropes off of him.
"Three."
Harry's shot his eyes upward to look. Gaylord had wrench the cage door open. Yon was working on pushing Umbridge into the cage and then.
Seri came in feet first knocking Gaylord away from the cage door causing it to fly open.
Yon, in horror, dropped Umbirdge's chair and leapt out of the way. and good thing too because a second later and fully grown werewolf landed right where he stood.
He was on all fours, staring at each of them as though deciding which he would attack first. Mark gave a tiny yelp and Lupin's wolf like eyes zeroed in on him.
Harry stood up. Snape was busy untying Umbridge and Trawnley. and Harry did all he could do.
He remembered Remus telling him he wanted human flesh not animals.that's why James and Sirius were safe traveling with him as animals.
Cold sweat broke on his face. as much as he hated the idea. he would have to change into the stag again. to keep Lupin in cheek.
The werewolf slowly made his way to Mark his eyes dancing in delight.
Harry held his breath for a second. just long enough for Seri to help him. that's it. just that long.
Harry closed his eyes concentrating on becoming a stag when.
A scarlet red bird came flying into the room.