Chapter 4 - The Werewolf and the Werecat

By: Starr

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The next week or so was relatively uneventful. The girls were both swamped with schoolwork, as the teachers were preparing them for their OWL's. The Weasley twins were even taking bets on who would be the first fifth year to have a mental breakdown.

On the next Monday morning Nicole woke with a feeling of dread in pit of her stomach. She sighed an got out of bed, pulling on her bathrobe and stumbling into the bathroom all the fifth year girls shared. She yawned and ran her fingers through her disheveled brown hair.

"You look terrible," Kayla said. Kayla looked wide awake and was standing at the counter brushing her teeth.

"The new moon is tonight. I have to transform in the Shrieking Shack." Explained Nicole.

Nicole stepped into the shower. She took off her clothes and threw them over the top of the stall.

"Kayla, will you take those into the other room for me?" she asked.

"Yeah, I have to get the others up anyway. Just don't fall asleep and drown in there." Kayla called.

"Ha ha, very funny," groaned Nicole.

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The day went by very slowly for Nicole. Potions went terribly. Neville blew up his cauldron, splashing the entire class with a potion that was supposed to heal burns. It was apparent that it was not brewed correctly when everyone got colored spots all over their bodies and the entire class had to go to the Hospital Wing.

When Madam Pomfrey released her after lunch her luck was no better. In Tranfiguration the cat she and Kayla were trying to vanish somehow got turned into a hamster. In History of Magic she fell asleep, and to top it all off she still had to see Madam Pomfrey for her potion (like the Wolfsbane potion but for werecats).

She eventually managed to relax for a few minutes in her dormitory before she had to head for the Whomping Willow. Nicole fell asleep and the next thing she knew Kayla was shaking her.

"Nikki, wake up. The sun's going to set soon." Kayla said gently.

Nicole groaned as Kayla grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"See you in the morning," said Kayla. She gave her a quick hug. Then Nicole headed down the stairs and out of the Common Room through the portrait hole, ready for a long night in the Shrieking Shack.

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Two days later the girls were eating breakfast in the Great Hall. It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. Nicole was pretty much recovered from her transformation and was back to her usual cheerful self. Suddenly, Neville rushed over to their end of the table.

"Have you heard?" he asked excitedly.

"Heard what?" asked a very puzzled Nicole. She gave Neville a quizzical look as she reached for some more pumpkin juice.

"Professor Lupin was able to come back early! That means we don't have DADA with Snape anymore!" with that said, an overjoyed Neville rushed off to tell the rest of the Gryffindors the good news.

Needless to say, most off the class was very happy by the time they arrived for their first DADA lesson with Professor Lupin. Once everyone had taken their seats Professor Lupin walked in.

"Everyone here?" he asked, looking around the room. "Good! Well, lets get started. Today we will be discussing basic defensive spells. Everyone split into groups and we will begin."

The rest of the lesson was spent reviewing spells they had learned in previous years and practicing them with their partners. The class went by fairly uneventfully with only a few minor mishaps. Professor Lupin let them out a few minutes early for their Herbology class, saying that he had to speak to the headmaster.

After the kids had left Remus headed up to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore said he had something very important to discuss with him. Remus sighed. Somehow he doubted Dumbledore had good news.

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Next Chapter: Remus receives some surprising news.

I didn't write Nicole's transformation because I'm not really good at scenes like that. If anyone has any suggestions please tell me!

Please review you guys! The more reviews, the faster I'll post. No flames please!!

~Starr~