Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter! P And the title belongs to one of
Metallica's songs.
Notes: It's Harry's 7th year and Voldemort is dead because he'd just get in the way. Behold the author's power! There may be some OotP spoilers, so just be on guard. Annnnd... um.... oh yeah, eventual slash. R/R if you want more. ^_^
~*~*~*~
Of Wolf and Man
~*~*~*~
The Dark Forest was aptly named, for in the dead of night, not even the full moon overhead gave much illumination to the forest floor. It was difficult to tell how anything could move about in this near blackness without a lamp or lantern, but they did. One could hear them as they scurried around on their night's business. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.
Harry eyed the forest askance and continued on, walking across the school grounds on this balmy October night. He wrapped the Invisibility Cloak tight around him as he went, keeping it on until he was sure no one form the castle could see him if he took it off.
Voldemort was gone, and the Death Eaters were either captured, dead, or chased into hiding. The wizarding world was once again safe, but Harry was restless. He knew he should be proud, for he had sent the Dark Lord to his final resting place, and was an international hero for it. But something was missing, and he didn't want the fame. He had never wanted the fame. Some thought he did, thought he loved the attention, but he would as soon be a normal kid.
Harry continued his stroll through the night, just to get out and away from others. He needed some time to himself, to think. The cool, crisp air cleared his head, and the silver moon overhead gleamed like a polished Sickle, illuminating his way.
Lost in his own thoughts, Harry didn't hear the approach at first. He didn't hear the heavy, excited breathing, or the stealthy footfalls of a predator. He was unaware of the blaring gaze of two shining eyes watching him, even as he wore the Invisibility Cloak. It never occurred to him that he could be found by his scent alone.
Harry whirled around, gripping the cloak tighter as he heard something running at him. In the milky moonlight, he thought at first that it was a large, wild-eyed dog approaching him at full gallop. But then he saw the lean shape and large fangs and realized it was a very large wolf.
Except wolves didn't live in the Dark Forest.
But werewolves did.
Harry realized his mistake of coming out here with a full moon too late and let the Invisibility Cloak slip as he reached for his wand. He got a hand on it, but the lycanthrope hit him before he was able to draw it and he went down in a tangle of limbs and flashing teeth. Harry fended off the snapping jaws of the monster while he struggled for to pull his wand, but it was stuck in his robes.
The werewolf's amber eyes almost glowed with excitement as it assaulted the boy. Harry kicked it in the gut and the werewolf fell back with a yelp of pain. Harry scooted backward and tried to regain his feet, but they didn't seem to want to work. The wand was still stuck. He finally managed to stand as the lycanthrope leapt for him again.
Harry kicked out, hitting it in the face and began to run while it shook it's long muzzle. He gave up on the wand, and let the cloak lay where it had fallen as he tore for the safety of the castle. He could hear the heavy tread of the werewolf behind him and he increased his speed. He was about halfway to the school when he was knocked down again with the beast on his back, nails scratching his back bloody.
He let out a ragged scream of terror, that quickly changed to pain as he felt sharp teeth in powerful jaws clamp onto his shoulder.
The doors to the school opened and three figures came running out. Harry couldn't see who, but he thought he saw Dumbledore's long silver beard among them. A spell and a flash and the werewolf cried out and ran off, back to the forest. Harry lay on the ground, exhausted and shivering in pain.
He dimly registered the three people running to his side as the world tilted and he blacked out.
***
Harry slowly drifted to consciousness and opened his eyes. He recognized the ceiling above him, having been under it many times before. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked around the infirmary. He was the only one occupying a bed, and his shoulder had been wrapped and treated. There were slants of sunlight streaming in from the windows and Harry guessed it was dawn.
Madam Pomfrey approached him and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I see you're awake, Mr. Potter," she said briskly. "Lie back down and tell me how you're feeling." Harry obediently lay back and continued to watch her as she unstoppered a flask of something.
"Like I've just gone through a round with the Whomping Willow," he replied truthfully. He felt awful. His shoulder throbbed.
"Good. That means it's healing. Drink this." She held out a cup filled with the liquid in the flask and Harry took it. He gave it a preliminary sniff and winced. It smelled horrible, which meant it would taste worse. But judging by the look in Madam Pomfrey's eyes, it was the lesser of two possible evils. Harry held his nose and swigged it down. "Good. Now I want you to lay back and rest. The wounds on your back have already healed, but your shoulder was much worse, so it take the rest of the morning."
"Only the rest of the morning?" Harry gasped. "After it used my shoulder as a chew toy?"
"It's one of the abilities of being a werewolf," she told him in an oddly soft and sad voice. Then it hit him like a punch in the gut. He had been bitten by a werewolf. He was a werewolf now, too. Harry was glad he was lying down already, because he might have fainted otherwise. Madam Pomfrey left him as Harry lay there and considered his predicament.
He was a werewolf. He was a monster now, feared by many and liked by none. Every full moon he would transform, and he would rampage through the school and grounds attacking people. He cringed at the thought of what the Daily Prophet would have to say about this. And the Slytherins. Suddenly his life last night didn't seem so bad.
Harry was so buried in these dismal thoughts that he was surprised when someone sat on the edge of his bed again. He worked himself back up on his elbow and looked at this newest visitor.
Remus Lupin smiled a faint, sad smile at Harry. "Hello, Harry. Dumbledore has asked me to come and talk to you."
"Then he's told you," Harry stated. His mouth felt dry.
"Yes," Lupin said with a sigh. "I'm very sorry Harry. It is a terrible thing. We didn't even know there was a werewolf in this vicinity. It must have been living in Hogsmeade, going into the Dark Forest during the full moon." He ran a hand through his graying hair. "What were you doing so close to the forest last night?"
Harry looked down. "I just felt like being alone and going for a walk. I needed to clear my head, but I guess I just got too close to the forest..."
Remus nodded, then smiled gently. "It won't be so bad, Harry." Harry threw him a dark look. "Okay, maybe it will be, but it could be worse. You're here in Hogwarts, after all, and I was a werewolf my entire time here. Professor Snape can make you the Wolfsbane Potion every full moon and if he's unavailable you can go to the Shrieking Shack where at least you won't hurt anyone. You're strong, Harry. You'll get through this, I know you will."
"I'm not as strong as you'd think," he said. "I've just been lucky. It seems my luck's finally worn out."
Remus patted Harry on his good shoulder. "It'll take some time to accept it. I can't stay, but if you ever need to talk, you know how to contact me." Remus stood.
"Remus, what if the Prophet gets wind of this? No parents will want a werewolf at school with their kids! They'll demand I be kicked out. They'll send me Howlers. They've done it before for the stupidest of things," Harry moaned.
"Don't worry. Dumbledore is keeping this quiet. The school staff knows, but none of the students know. It's up to you who you want to tell, if anyone, and what you will tell them about tonight. I must go. Remember, Harry, if you ever need to talk..." He left it hanging as he gave Harry one last encouraging smile and left. Harry drew his knees up to his chest and hugged them, shivering. It was a small comfort that he could always go to Lupin if he needed to. A very small comfort.
"Harry."
Harry looked to the door to see Dumbledore standing there, his hands folded behind his back, and his face somber.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry replied. "I'm sorry, I didn't know-"
"It's alright, Harry," Dumbledore said and held up a hand. "None of us knew. It was an accident. A very horrible accident, but an accident just the same. But there are some things you must come to understand about your new condition."
Harry laughed bitterly. "My 'condition'? I'm a freak. A monster. A bloodthirsty killing machine."
"Only during full moons." Dumbledore came closer to Harry, and stood at the foot of his bed. "The staff knows of this attack for the safety of both you and the students. But the students have no reason to know unless you deem they should. As long as you take the proper precautions, you will not be a danger to anybody. However, it is apparent that you were outside last night after curfew and were attacked, so I have let it be known that you have detention with Professor Snape tonight."
Harry groaned. This day kept getting worse.
"I'll leave you to sort this out, then, "Dumbledore said. "I am also available if you ever need someone to talk to, Harry."
Harry didn't reply. He let Dumbledore leave and lay back on the bed and covered his head with the pillow. He hoped fervently that he would wake up soon and get this nightmare over with.
~*~*~*~
Notes: It's Harry's 7th year and Voldemort is dead because he'd just get in the way. Behold the author's power! There may be some OotP spoilers, so just be on guard. Annnnd... um.... oh yeah, eventual slash. R/R if you want more. ^_^
~*~*~*~
Of Wolf and Man
~*~*~*~
The Dark Forest was aptly named, for in the dead of night, not even the full moon overhead gave much illumination to the forest floor. It was difficult to tell how anything could move about in this near blackness without a lamp or lantern, but they did. One could hear them as they scurried around on their night's business. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.
Harry eyed the forest askance and continued on, walking across the school grounds on this balmy October night. He wrapped the Invisibility Cloak tight around him as he went, keeping it on until he was sure no one form the castle could see him if he took it off.
Voldemort was gone, and the Death Eaters were either captured, dead, or chased into hiding. The wizarding world was once again safe, but Harry was restless. He knew he should be proud, for he had sent the Dark Lord to his final resting place, and was an international hero for it. But something was missing, and he didn't want the fame. He had never wanted the fame. Some thought he did, thought he loved the attention, but he would as soon be a normal kid.
Harry continued his stroll through the night, just to get out and away from others. He needed some time to himself, to think. The cool, crisp air cleared his head, and the silver moon overhead gleamed like a polished Sickle, illuminating his way.
Lost in his own thoughts, Harry didn't hear the approach at first. He didn't hear the heavy, excited breathing, or the stealthy footfalls of a predator. He was unaware of the blaring gaze of two shining eyes watching him, even as he wore the Invisibility Cloak. It never occurred to him that he could be found by his scent alone.
Harry whirled around, gripping the cloak tighter as he heard something running at him. In the milky moonlight, he thought at first that it was a large, wild-eyed dog approaching him at full gallop. But then he saw the lean shape and large fangs and realized it was a very large wolf.
Except wolves didn't live in the Dark Forest.
But werewolves did.
Harry realized his mistake of coming out here with a full moon too late and let the Invisibility Cloak slip as he reached for his wand. He got a hand on it, but the lycanthrope hit him before he was able to draw it and he went down in a tangle of limbs and flashing teeth. Harry fended off the snapping jaws of the monster while he struggled for to pull his wand, but it was stuck in his robes.
The werewolf's amber eyes almost glowed with excitement as it assaulted the boy. Harry kicked it in the gut and the werewolf fell back with a yelp of pain. Harry scooted backward and tried to regain his feet, but they didn't seem to want to work. The wand was still stuck. He finally managed to stand as the lycanthrope leapt for him again.
Harry kicked out, hitting it in the face and began to run while it shook it's long muzzle. He gave up on the wand, and let the cloak lay where it had fallen as he tore for the safety of the castle. He could hear the heavy tread of the werewolf behind him and he increased his speed. He was about halfway to the school when he was knocked down again with the beast on his back, nails scratching his back bloody.
He let out a ragged scream of terror, that quickly changed to pain as he felt sharp teeth in powerful jaws clamp onto his shoulder.
The doors to the school opened and three figures came running out. Harry couldn't see who, but he thought he saw Dumbledore's long silver beard among them. A spell and a flash and the werewolf cried out and ran off, back to the forest. Harry lay on the ground, exhausted and shivering in pain.
He dimly registered the three people running to his side as the world tilted and he blacked out.
***
Harry slowly drifted to consciousness and opened his eyes. He recognized the ceiling above him, having been under it many times before. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked around the infirmary. He was the only one occupying a bed, and his shoulder had been wrapped and treated. There were slants of sunlight streaming in from the windows and Harry guessed it was dawn.
Madam Pomfrey approached him and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I see you're awake, Mr. Potter," she said briskly. "Lie back down and tell me how you're feeling." Harry obediently lay back and continued to watch her as she unstoppered a flask of something.
"Like I've just gone through a round with the Whomping Willow," he replied truthfully. He felt awful. His shoulder throbbed.
"Good. That means it's healing. Drink this." She held out a cup filled with the liquid in the flask and Harry took it. He gave it a preliminary sniff and winced. It smelled horrible, which meant it would taste worse. But judging by the look in Madam Pomfrey's eyes, it was the lesser of two possible evils. Harry held his nose and swigged it down. "Good. Now I want you to lay back and rest. The wounds on your back have already healed, but your shoulder was much worse, so it take the rest of the morning."
"Only the rest of the morning?" Harry gasped. "After it used my shoulder as a chew toy?"
"It's one of the abilities of being a werewolf," she told him in an oddly soft and sad voice. Then it hit him like a punch in the gut. He had been bitten by a werewolf. He was a werewolf now, too. Harry was glad he was lying down already, because he might have fainted otherwise. Madam Pomfrey left him as Harry lay there and considered his predicament.
He was a werewolf. He was a monster now, feared by many and liked by none. Every full moon he would transform, and he would rampage through the school and grounds attacking people. He cringed at the thought of what the Daily Prophet would have to say about this. And the Slytherins. Suddenly his life last night didn't seem so bad.
Harry was so buried in these dismal thoughts that he was surprised when someone sat on the edge of his bed again. He worked himself back up on his elbow and looked at this newest visitor.
Remus Lupin smiled a faint, sad smile at Harry. "Hello, Harry. Dumbledore has asked me to come and talk to you."
"Then he's told you," Harry stated. His mouth felt dry.
"Yes," Lupin said with a sigh. "I'm very sorry Harry. It is a terrible thing. We didn't even know there was a werewolf in this vicinity. It must have been living in Hogsmeade, going into the Dark Forest during the full moon." He ran a hand through his graying hair. "What were you doing so close to the forest last night?"
Harry looked down. "I just felt like being alone and going for a walk. I needed to clear my head, but I guess I just got too close to the forest..."
Remus nodded, then smiled gently. "It won't be so bad, Harry." Harry threw him a dark look. "Okay, maybe it will be, but it could be worse. You're here in Hogwarts, after all, and I was a werewolf my entire time here. Professor Snape can make you the Wolfsbane Potion every full moon and if he's unavailable you can go to the Shrieking Shack where at least you won't hurt anyone. You're strong, Harry. You'll get through this, I know you will."
"I'm not as strong as you'd think," he said. "I've just been lucky. It seems my luck's finally worn out."
Remus patted Harry on his good shoulder. "It'll take some time to accept it. I can't stay, but if you ever need to talk, you know how to contact me." Remus stood.
"Remus, what if the Prophet gets wind of this? No parents will want a werewolf at school with their kids! They'll demand I be kicked out. They'll send me Howlers. They've done it before for the stupidest of things," Harry moaned.
"Don't worry. Dumbledore is keeping this quiet. The school staff knows, but none of the students know. It's up to you who you want to tell, if anyone, and what you will tell them about tonight. I must go. Remember, Harry, if you ever need to talk..." He left it hanging as he gave Harry one last encouraging smile and left. Harry drew his knees up to his chest and hugged them, shivering. It was a small comfort that he could always go to Lupin if he needed to. A very small comfort.
"Harry."
Harry looked to the door to see Dumbledore standing there, his hands folded behind his back, and his face somber.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry replied. "I'm sorry, I didn't know-"
"It's alright, Harry," Dumbledore said and held up a hand. "None of us knew. It was an accident. A very horrible accident, but an accident just the same. But there are some things you must come to understand about your new condition."
Harry laughed bitterly. "My 'condition'? I'm a freak. A monster. A bloodthirsty killing machine."
"Only during full moons." Dumbledore came closer to Harry, and stood at the foot of his bed. "The staff knows of this attack for the safety of both you and the students. But the students have no reason to know unless you deem they should. As long as you take the proper precautions, you will not be a danger to anybody. However, it is apparent that you were outside last night after curfew and were attacked, so I have let it be known that you have detention with Professor Snape tonight."
Harry groaned. This day kept getting worse.
"I'll leave you to sort this out, then, "Dumbledore said. "I am also available if you ever need someone to talk to, Harry."
Harry didn't reply. He let Dumbledore leave and lay back on the bed and covered his head with the pillow. He hoped fervently that he would wake up soon and get this nightmare over with.
~*~*~*~