Chapter 4: A Secret Revealed

Padfoot's Story

Disclaimer: Everything recognizable belongs to J.K. Rowling. Sami belongs to me!

Hello, and here's the next Chapter! Dun dun dun!

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Sirius was in shock. He couldn't believe it; his mind couldn't accept it. What on earth was Sami Jackson doing here?! Was she the one the rumors had been talking about? Or was she here by accident, a silly coincidence...

Moony had started growling. Sirius didn't notice; he had forgotten all about the rain, and his friends, and the fact that humans would set off the wolf instincts in Moony's head. He had forgotten everything except for Sami standing in front of him. But Prongs and Wormtail noticed.

The vicious, bloodthirsty spark had rekindled in Moony's eyes. He was staring hungrily at Sami, even more hungrily that he had stared at Sirius in the Shrieking Shack. He was grinning evilly again, drooling, the drool falling and mixing with the rain that was running off Moony's nose. Wormtail started squeaking in terror and jumped off the werewolf onto Prongs' back. Prongs realized what was going to happen- immediately he jumped in front of Moony, lowering his antlers and blocking his view of the young witch. Sami was still frozen, horrified, in the position they had found her.

Moony snarled. Prongs pawed at the ground, his head low with his antlers in front of the werewolf's face, his eyes burning with fear and determination.

But Moony was not about to be stopped from getting at his prey. He jumped at Prongs, fangs grazing the side of his face. Prongs fell over, but was up again instantly, hooves slashing the air near Moony's head. Moony leapt onto Prong's back; began tearing at the tender skin- Wormtail had long since disappeared.

Sirius was still staring at Sami, indifferent to the scene next to him. Sami was staring at the fight as rain beat down mercilessly upon all of their heads. The battle wasn't looking good for Prongs. A loud, sickening crack split the air. The handsome stag, now red with blood, did not get up.

Moony had turned his eyes back to Sami. He licked his lips, blood dripping down his chin. Then, catlike, he pounced.

Sami let out a high-pitched scream. Only then did Sirius realize that he was still in the company of a werewolf...and that the werewolf meant to kill.

Sirius let loose a sound that was a cross between a horrified snarl and a desperate bark. Like Prongs, he leapt into Moony's path. Moony landed on top of him, surprised for a moment, but then began to tear at Padfoot's wet fur in his anger of being kept from human flesh. Sirius howled in pain, then rolled over and shook his fur, determined to fling the werewolf off him.

Sharp, jagged claws dug into Sirius's back as Moony launched off him, now having a clear field to Sami.

Sirius froze, horrified. Time slowed. She was going to die. He was going to watch one of his best friends tear Sami into a bloody, mangled mess...even though they had been so careful, Moony had gotten away at last...there was nothing he could do to save her...

'NO!'

In a split second decision, without having time to think, without even really being aware of doing it, Sirius was standing in front of Sami, with a savage, deadly werewolf in mid-leap to his face. Yes, he was standing...a seventeen-year-old, terrified, all too human Sirius was standing in front of Sami Jackson, clutching his wand, and yelling the first spell that came to him.

"STUPEFY!"

The werewolf stopped, frozen in mid- snarl, and fell in a heap onto the ground. Sirius stood, panting, his wand still raised. That was the closest Moony had ever come to attacking a human, and his mind was still in shock. Revelations of the consequences of what had nearly happened flashed through his head...If Sami had been bitten, not only would would she be dead, but Dumbledore- and, well, the world- would have discovered their secret.

Then, to Sirius's complete amazement, a limping, bloody stag stumbled over to Moony and dragged the stunned werewolf out of sight. Sirius heard a dry sob come from behind him, and he turned around to face Sami.

Tears were streaming down her face, and her left hand was still on the doorknob. Her other arm was outstretched, her hand clutching her wand.

Sirius stared at the wand. Of course- one Stunning spell was nowhere near powerful enough to knock out a werewolf; Sami had stunned him too. Sirius then returned his gaze to her face. 'She's still pretty, even with her hair plastered to her head and her face as white as chalk,' he thought, dazed.

"Sami?" he said out loud, uncertainly. He hesitated, then walked over to her.

"Oh, Sirius!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around him for support.

Sirius hadn't been expecting this type of reaction; after all, she had never spoken to him before. Awkwardly, he patted her on the head. Her head barely reached his chin.

Slowly her sobs quieted, and she stepped away from him. She rubbed her eyes, which had turned red and puffy.

For a moment they just stood there, looking at each other. Then Sirius said quietly, "Umm, should we go inside then?"

She hesitated, looking as though it was a good idea as long as he didn't come along, but nodded. He turned to open the door and gasped- the doorknob had disappeared.

"You've waited too long," she explained shakily. "Now I have to repeat the password." She leaned close and mumbled something to the door so that Sirius couldn't hear. When she stepped back, the rusty brass doorknob had reappeared. She tugged on it, and without further explanation, she grabbed Sirius's hand and pulled him inside.

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Hmmmmmm, what is inside the door? (Blinks before remembering I'm the author) Oh yeah, I get to decide! Review please, as always.

-Padfoot-Dreamer-