A/N:  This author's note is to let my readers know that I messed up so I had to change my story every so slightly.  Not a big deal, but I've been trying to keep this story with the events we know about in the Marauder's days; btw, of which I am not a huge fan of…but somehow I got inspired to write this.  Anyhow, the nothing huge that I changes wasn't something I couldn't remedy with ease.  All along in dialogue I've been giving the impression that Dumbledore is just the Transfigurations professor, because we learn that he was the Transfiguration during the time of Tom Riddle.  Well, I'm dumb and didn't advance to present (Marauders' time) day.  So, I changed a tinsy bit of dialogue in chapter one to indicate that Professor Dumbledore is the Headmaster but is also still teaching.  I only chose McGonagall for Potions because I knew Dumbledore taught Transfiguration, and we know from OotP that McGonagall's been teaching at Hogwarts for thirty some years.  Anyhow, all this note just to say, I corrected my error in chapter one if anyone is interested or notices a bit of difference (if for some unfathomable reason goes back and rereads this).  Thanks for taking the time to read this story…I hope you enjoy this installment.  Please let me know what you think.  ~Jo

Friday October 8, 1976

I was alone.  I know I shouldn't have been outside, it's dark out…but I love the full moon on a clear night.

            "Oh no." Hermione sat up and began to read quickly.

            Bethany walked outside along the side of the castle where no windows looked down on the grounds, the side of the castle where the Whomping Willow was located.  Bethany steered clear of the aggressive tree to avoid any kind of trouble and, instead, chose a nice patch of grass along the castle wall where she could admire the night sky.

            Bethany's head darted around as she heard a noise.  It was definitely the sound of grass under feet, a soft crunching sound.

            A large black dog pounce out from alongside the castle wall, teeth bore growling fiercely.

            Bethany was on her feet in a second, backing slowly away.

            "It's okay puppy.  I'm not going to hurt you."  The dog lunged at Bethany and sunk its teeth in her right hand.  Bethany let out a startled shriek but did her best to stifle it while she tried to jerk her hand free.  The dog continued to hold tightly.

            "Let go pup." Bethany begged.  Tears were beginning to fill her eyes from the pain of the dogs canine teeth buried in her hand.  Blood began to run down her hand.  The dog began to tug on her arm pulling her away from the tree and back toward the castle.  Bethany let out another pained shriek, and just as she did a huge shaggy haired werewolf appeared from around the corner.  Bethany let out another scream only this one was at full blast.

            The dog released Bethany and took up a stance in front of her barking wildly at the werewolf.  The dog had no collar so Bethany grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and made to drag him toward the castle.  The dog flailed and Bethany lost her grip.  "COME ON, IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU!"  She screamed at the dog.

            Bethany's hesitation gave the werewolf time to advance on her.  But in a flash a stag bound out of no where and leapt between the werewolf and Bethany.  Bethany stepped back holding her dog-bitten mangled hand and pressed her back against the wall as the deer bucked up and the werewolf eased back.

            "Bethany!"  Bethany turned to see Severus standing just around the castle wall.  His voice, not only, attracted Bethany's attention, but that of the werewolf, the dog, and the stag.  The werewolf didn't wait, there was a clear path to Severus. 

            "Sev run!" Bethany shrieked. 

            Severus took her advice and bolted for the castle's back entrance while the dog and the stag both jumped in front of the werewolf.  Bethany didn't wait to see the out come, she turned and ran in the other direction.  Bethany didn't stop until she was just at the castle door.  She knew better than to go in the front doors, surely she'd be greeted by a professor, or worse Peeves so she waited to catch her breath on the steps.

            "Beth."

            Bethany jumped at hearing her name.  She was shaking terribly as she looked up to see Sirius.  She didn't move just squeezed her hand tighter.  He asked her no questions as he helped her up.  "You're terrified."

            Bethany nodded.  She didn't dare tell Sirius that she'd just seen a werewolf, nor ask why he was out here this late.

            "Come on."  He told her grudgingly.  "I know a couple secret ways into the castle.  You won't get in any trouble."

            "Why are you helping me?  Don't you want to turn me in for being out of the castle past hours?"

            Sirius sighed.  Something about him had changed, it seemed as though he hated her less though she didn't know why.  "The hat may have been wrong.  You're brave enough to be a Gryffindor."

            Bethany wrinkled her brow at him.  She didn't ask what he meant, or why he'd come to that conclusion.  She was thankful he didn't ask about her hand.

            When the two made it to the main corridor, from some hidden passageway, Bethany turned to Sirius.  "Thank you.  Can this stay between you and me…everything about tonight?"

            "I wouldn't want it any other way.  I mean if it got out that I helped a Slytherin…well, you know how it would turn out."

            Bethany smiled with a nod and then she was gone down the hall toward the Slytherin common room.

            "Sev."  Bethany sighed, and plopped down next to him, when she found him sitting in the common room.

            "What were you doing outside?"  He barked.

            Bethany raised her eyebrows at him and his sudden abruptness with her.  Her manner shifted as well as she questioned, "Why?  Where you following me?"

            Severus eyes bore into her.  "Were you seeing the werewolf intentionally?"

            "Seeing a werewolf intentionally?" Bethany asked mockingly.  "You were following me."  Bethany repeated herself.

            "You were seeing the werewolf."

            "No." Bethany shook her head.  "If I can avoid a werewolf in the future I will.  I've never seen a werewolf before."

            "Did it bite you?" He asked suddenly.

            "No." Bethany shook her head.  "That dog did.  It was strange, and I'm probably imagining it but I think that dog was trying to lead me back to the castle before the werewolf came."

            "No doubt."

            "What?" Bethany asked.  "Why were you outside?"
            "As you predicted, I was following you."

            "What?"  Bethany raised her voice.  "Why?"

            "Because I was worried about you."

            "You knew the werewolf would be there."  Bethany said in sudden realization.  "You intended on letting me sit there until it got me."  Bethany stood without another word and dashed up the stairs to the girls' dormitories ignoring Severus's verbal protests.

I can't figure it out.  First he said he knew the werewolf was going to be there, and then he said he was worried about me?  I don't understand.  How could he know the werewolf was going to be there and why would he let me stay if he did?  And why was he following me…other than fear for my safety.  I don't think I'll go to Hogsmeade tomorrow, I think I'll stay at Hogwarts.

            Hermione looked up from the blood and tear splattered pages.  "Of course!  Snape wanted to know if Bethany was out to see Lupin, but Bethany doesn't understand that."  Part of Hermione felt sorry for Snape, but part of her felt sorry for Bethany too…neither understood the other and both were wounded by the others actions.  There was a final part of Hermione that wanted Bethany to win Lupin over, she thought he deserved some attention.  Hermione turned the page and resumed her reading again.

~*Please let me know what you think, any comment, concern, criticism would be appreciate*~