Chapter 5:
It had sharp fangs and hair all over. It stood on two legs and growled
ferociously. Adalia began to back up along with the other two girls. Why
hadn't she seen it before? A werewolf. Remus stared down at them and then
without warning lunged right for Adalia. She didn't even have time to react
and was slammed against the wall. A loud yelp escaped her mouth as she hit
the ground and scrambled to get up. Behind Remus there came Sirius as the
dog and James as the stag running up. Adalia felt as though she had just
been hit by a train by the look in their eyes as they saw the animals.
Remus was now backing Calliope and Veronica into a corner. Calliope's tail
was between her legs as she backed up into the wall. Adalia didn't think
twice. Remus would not hurt her friends. She dove in between Remus in the
girls and stood growling up at him, her teeth barred together and gleaming.
Remus let out a loud roar but Adalia didn't budge. He held a hand up to
swat at her but this time she was to quick. She lunged onto his stomach
forcing him to fall backwards. She jumped off quickly and motioned for the
girls to get out now. They both nodded and sprinted out.
Adalia went to get up but before she reached the entrance sometime pulled
her back by the legs making her yelp in surprise. Remus had grabbed a hold
of her. Glancing back at the entrance to the cave she saw James galloping
into it. Adalia struggled to get free but he had a firm grip on her. He
threw her into a wall once again making her yelp this time in severe pain.
She needed to get out of there and fast. Maybe she could get through to
Sirius.
She tried to stand but fell back down. Remus was now rounding on her for
another turn. Adalia gave Sirius the most pleading look she could.
I'm not trying to hurt you! Help me Sirius! Adalia tried desperately to get
the message to Sirius who was giving her a strange look. He seemed as if he
wasn't sure what to do. After a moment, Sirius's eyes widened and he shot
forward to stand in between her and Remus. He growled at Remus. Remus
looked at Sirius like he was insane. Adalia wasn't sure how long they sat
there like this but without warning two animals appeared at the entrance.
It was James and Veronica. They seemed rigid as they entered. Sirius barked
for them to get back and James stayed but Veronica persisted to walk
forward, growling at Remus. Sirius barked again for her to stop and get
back but she ignored him.
Remus turned his attention toward Veronica and let out another roar.
Veronica seemed to be shaking somewhat but she did not back down. Remus
threw himself at her but she was too quick. She moved out of the way easily
to dodge him and then threw herself on top of his back biting down rather
hard. This made him yelp with pain and start swinging his body violently
for her to get off. She lost her grip and was tossed into the table which
shattered. Adalia shot up. She ran around Sirius and over to her now
unconscious friend laying on the ground amongst shattered wood. Remus
swatted at her but she merely dodged and let out a leopard roar, showing
her gleaming white teeth once again. Sirius ran over to be next to Adalia
and looked at Remus and shook his head. Remus tilted his head at Sirius who
did not look away. Instead he looked straight at Remus as if trying to
convey the message that he should stop. Remus didn't seem to be receiving
the message. Adalia glanced over at James who was looking very confused.
They stood there for what seemed like hours until Remus looked back at
Adalia. She knew by the gleam in his eyes he still hadn't gotten the
message. He swatted at her once more and this time she wasn't quick enough
to dodge. She slammed into Sirius who stumbled backward. They both tried to
regain their composure but before they could, Remus had grabbed Veronica
and bounded up the stairs. Adalia sprinted after them, Sirius close behind.
They followed Remus into what looked like an old bedroom. It had pealing
flowered wall paper and an ancient canopy bed with just as old sheets. To
both of Sirius and Adalia's surprise, Remus laid Veronica's motionless
cheetah form on the bed. Through a crack in one boarded up window Adalia
saw a glimpse of light. It was about to be morning. The werewolf looked at
Adalia and then Sirius and then right before her eyes, he began to get
smaller. The hair disappearing and his clothes reappearing on his body.
After about ten seconds he had fully changed back. Adalia stood there,
completely transfixed on his eyes which were now staring into her own. He
turned away slowly to look at the cheetah laying on the bed.
Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Sirius changing back. It was then
that Adalia realized the pain in her right foot. She had been so
preoccupied with other thoughts she hadn't even thought about it. Now it
was so painful her leg gave out from under her. She couldn't hold her form
any longer as a leopard and her body changed back painfully, making the
foot hurt even worse. When she had changed she saw Sirius looking down at
her. His face was the angriest she had ever seen on anyone. It was tight
with his jaw clenched. She could tell he was holding back completely
blowing up in her face. She sat up, wincing at the pain as she moved her
leg. Looking over at the bed, Veronica had changed back also. She had woken
up and was now sitting up on the bed with a horrified expression on her
face. Remus was sitting next to her on the bed with a blank expression on
his face. Sirius was the one to break the silence.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" he practically
screamed. Adalia closed her eyes and winced again as his words pierced her.
How the hell was she supposed to know that this is the real reason why they
came down here? They had lied to her. But still, she had gotten herself
into this mess. Veronica's face was looking helpless. Adalia decided she
had better be the one to explain.
"We wanted to know what you were actually here. So we came in. It's not
like we knew-"but Sirius cut her off.
"Not like you knew? That shouldn't have mattered! You shouldn't have
followed us! You could have been killed!!" he said, his faced flushed and
angry.
"Look, you told me something I didn't believe. Veronica and Calliope were
going to follow you tonight and I guess I let my curiosity get the best of
me. But you should have warned me not to come here! All you told me was
that you came here to practice being your animal forms!" Adalia said, her
anger now rising. Sirius looked as if he wasn't sure how to respond to
that. Instead Remus cut in.
"Look, no one got killed tonight, but we are going to half to ask you not
to tell ANYONE about what you saw here tonight. And I mean NO ONE. We can't
have this getting out. I can't. I could get expelled. Do I have both of
your words that you will not speak about this to anyone?" he said looking
rather nervous. Veronica nodded yes.
"Yes. You have our word." Adalia said and then turned back to Sirius who
was eyeing her with a softer expression now. He sighed.
"Well you both better get back to the castle."he began looking back at
Veronica but paused for a minute. "Actually I need to talk to Adalia for a
moment. Remus.could you bring her back to the castle?" Sirius said and
Remus nodded helping Veronica up. Adalia turned around and jumped seeing
James standing at the doorway. She hadn't noticed he was even there, he had
been so quiet. He looked down at her with an expression she couldn't
understand and then walked with Remus and Veronica out the door and down
the stairs.
It was just her and Sirius. Adalia tried to get up but fell back down at
the pain in her leg. Sirius looked down at her and then reached his arms
down scooping her up. His arms felt comforting somehow and she felt
instantly calm all over. He looked down at her and an odd half smile seemed
to come over his face as he set her down on the bed and then sat next to
her. She started to blush. What is wrong with me? She wondered. Normally
she was quite calm around boys, even ones she liked. But this was
different. Her body felt weak all over as she looked into his beautiful
dark eyes that seemed to sparkle. He sighed and leaned back.
"You know I should have expected that you would come to investigate us." He
began. Adalia bit her lower lip.
"Well now you know. What I didn't expect was that you are an animagus. A
beautiful black leopard, no doubt." He went on. This made Adalia blush
more.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry." She said softly and looked down.
"You couldn't have known. We were stupid for not telling you the whole
story. But this isn't going to be easy. You realize that don't you?" he
asked raising her head to look at him by placing his hand lightly under her
chin. She could feel the tears well under her eyes. They could have gotten
killed and she instead of trying to stop them from going, she just went
along with it. How could I have been so stupid? She asked herself and felt
a tear run down her cheek.
"Yes" she said simply as he wiped the tear away.
"Don't cry. It is over." He said with a half smile and then glanced at his
watch. "We better be getting back."
Adalia nodded and Sirius took out his wand and pointed it at her foot. He
muttered something and a small white light shot into her foot. Instantly it
felt better. Adalia smiled and wiggled her toes.
"Thanks." She said getting up. Sirius grabbed her arm. She turned back
around and looked straight into his eyes. Her whole body felt like it was
about to melt. What is wrong with you? She thought.
"Look, this is extremely important. You cannot even hint to anyone else
about it and you cannot come with us. Please." he said.
"I know it's important. And I have a feeling Dumbledore knows all about it
so I won't question you that you do it. Your secret is safe with me."
Adalia said and he nodded.
It had sharp fangs and hair all over. It stood on two legs and growled
ferociously. Adalia began to back up along with the other two girls. Why
hadn't she seen it before? A werewolf. Remus stared down at them and then
without warning lunged right for Adalia. She didn't even have time to react
and was slammed against the wall. A loud yelp escaped her mouth as she hit
the ground and scrambled to get up. Behind Remus there came Sirius as the
dog and James as the stag running up. Adalia felt as though she had just
been hit by a train by the look in their eyes as they saw the animals.
Remus was now backing Calliope and Veronica into a corner. Calliope's tail
was between her legs as she backed up into the wall. Adalia didn't think
twice. Remus would not hurt her friends. She dove in between Remus in the
girls and stood growling up at him, her teeth barred together and gleaming.
Remus let out a loud roar but Adalia didn't budge. He held a hand up to
swat at her but this time she was to quick. She lunged onto his stomach
forcing him to fall backwards. She jumped off quickly and motioned for the
girls to get out now. They both nodded and sprinted out.
Adalia went to get up but before she reached the entrance sometime pulled
her back by the legs making her yelp in surprise. Remus had grabbed a hold
of her. Glancing back at the entrance to the cave she saw James galloping
into it. Adalia struggled to get free but he had a firm grip on her. He
threw her into a wall once again making her yelp this time in severe pain.
She needed to get out of there and fast. Maybe she could get through to
Sirius.
She tried to stand but fell back down. Remus was now rounding on her for
another turn. Adalia gave Sirius the most pleading look she could.
I'm not trying to hurt you! Help me Sirius! Adalia tried desperately to get
the message to Sirius who was giving her a strange look. He seemed as if he
wasn't sure what to do. After a moment, Sirius's eyes widened and he shot
forward to stand in between her and Remus. He growled at Remus. Remus
looked at Sirius like he was insane. Adalia wasn't sure how long they sat
there like this but without warning two animals appeared at the entrance.
It was James and Veronica. They seemed rigid as they entered. Sirius barked
for them to get back and James stayed but Veronica persisted to walk
forward, growling at Remus. Sirius barked again for her to stop and get
back but she ignored him.
Remus turned his attention toward Veronica and let out another roar.
Veronica seemed to be shaking somewhat but she did not back down. Remus
threw himself at her but she was too quick. She moved out of the way easily
to dodge him and then threw herself on top of his back biting down rather
hard. This made him yelp with pain and start swinging his body violently
for her to get off. She lost her grip and was tossed into the table which
shattered. Adalia shot up. She ran around Sirius and over to her now
unconscious friend laying on the ground amongst shattered wood. Remus
swatted at her but she merely dodged and let out a leopard roar, showing
her gleaming white teeth once again. Sirius ran over to be next to Adalia
and looked at Remus and shook his head. Remus tilted his head at Sirius who
did not look away. Instead he looked straight at Remus as if trying to
convey the message that he should stop. Remus didn't seem to be receiving
the message. Adalia glanced over at James who was looking very confused.
They stood there for what seemed like hours until Remus looked back at
Adalia. She knew by the gleam in his eyes he still hadn't gotten the
message. He swatted at her once more and this time she wasn't quick enough
to dodge. She slammed into Sirius who stumbled backward. They both tried to
regain their composure but before they could, Remus had grabbed Veronica
and bounded up the stairs. Adalia sprinted after them, Sirius close behind.
They followed Remus into what looked like an old bedroom. It had pealing
flowered wall paper and an ancient canopy bed with just as old sheets. To
both of Sirius and Adalia's surprise, Remus laid Veronica's motionless
cheetah form on the bed. Through a crack in one boarded up window Adalia
saw a glimpse of light. It was about to be morning. The werewolf looked at
Adalia and then Sirius and then right before her eyes, he began to get
smaller. The hair disappearing and his clothes reappearing on his body.
After about ten seconds he had fully changed back. Adalia stood there,
completely transfixed on his eyes which were now staring into her own. He
turned away slowly to look at the cheetah laying on the bed.
Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Sirius changing back. It was then
that Adalia realized the pain in her right foot. She had been so
preoccupied with other thoughts she hadn't even thought about it. Now it
was so painful her leg gave out from under her. She couldn't hold her form
any longer as a leopard and her body changed back painfully, making the
foot hurt even worse. When she had changed she saw Sirius looking down at
her. His face was the angriest she had ever seen on anyone. It was tight
with his jaw clenched. She could tell he was holding back completely
blowing up in her face. She sat up, wincing at the pain as she moved her
leg. Looking over at the bed, Veronica had changed back also. She had woken
up and was now sitting up on the bed with a horrified expression on her
face. Remus was sitting next to her on the bed with a blank expression on
his face. Sirius was the one to break the silence.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" he practically
screamed. Adalia closed her eyes and winced again as his words pierced her.
How the hell was she supposed to know that this is the real reason why they
came down here? They had lied to her. But still, she had gotten herself
into this mess. Veronica's face was looking helpless. Adalia decided she
had better be the one to explain.
"We wanted to know what you were actually here. So we came in. It's not
like we knew-"but Sirius cut her off.
"Not like you knew? That shouldn't have mattered! You shouldn't have
followed us! You could have been killed!!" he said, his faced flushed and
angry.
"Look, you told me something I didn't believe. Veronica and Calliope were
going to follow you tonight and I guess I let my curiosity get the best of
me. But you should have warned me not to come here! All you told me was
that you came here to practice being your animal forms!" Adalia said, her
anger now rising. Sirius looked as if he wasn't sure how to respond to
that. Instead Remus cut in.
"Look, no one got killed tonight, but we are going to half to ask you not
to tell ANYONE about what you saw here tonight. And I mean NO ONE. We can't
have this getting out. I can't. I could get expelled. Do I have both of
your words that you will not speak about this to anyone?" he said looking
rather nervous. Veronica nodded yes.
"Yes. You have our word." Adalia said and then turned back to Sirius who
was eyeing her with a softer expression now. He sighed.
"Well you both better get back to the castle."he began looking back at
Veronica but paused for a minute. "Actually I need to talk to Adalia for a
moment. Remus.could you bring her back to the castle?" Sirius said and
Remus nodded helping Veronica up. Adalia turned around and jumped seeing
James standing at the doorway. She hadn't noticed he was even there, he had
been so quiet. He looked down at her with an expression she couldn't
understand and then walked with Remus and Veronica out the door and down
the stairs.
It was just her and Sirius. Adalia tried to get up but fell back down at
the pain in her leg. Sirius looked down at her and then reached his arms
down scooping her up. His arms felt comforting somehow and she felt
instantly calm all over. He looked down at her and an odd half smile seemed
to come over his face as he set her down on the bed and then sat next to
her. She started to blush. What is wrong with me? She wondered. Normally
she was quite calm around boys, even ones she liked. But this was
different. Her body felt weak all over as she looked into his beautiful
dark eyes that seemed to sparkle. He sighed and leaned back.
"You know I should have expected that you would come to investigate us." He
began. Adalia bit her lower lip.
"Well now you know. What I didn't expect was that you are an animagus. A
beautiful black leopard, no doubt." He went on. This made Adalia blush
more.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry." She said softly and looked down.
"You couldn't have known. We were stupid for not telling you the whole
story. But this isn't going to be easy. You realize that don't you?" he
asked raising her head to look at him by placing his hand lightly under her
chin. She could feel the tears well under her eyes. They could have gotten
killed and she instead of trying to stop them from going, she just went
along with it. How could I have been so stupid? She asked herself and felt
a tear run down her cheek.
"Yes" she said simply as he wiped the tear away.
"Don't cry. It is over." He said with a half smile and then glanced at his
watch. "We better be getting back."
Adalia nodded and Sirius took out his wand and pointed it at her foot. He
muttered something and a small white light shot into her foot. Instantly it
felt better. Adalia smiled and wiggled her toes.
"Thanks." She said getting up. Sirius grabbed her arm. She turned back
around and looked straight into his eyes. Her whole body felt like it was
about to melt. What is wrong with you? She thought.
"Look, this is extremely important. You cannot even hint to anyone else
about it and you cannot come with us. Please." he said.
"I know it's important. And I have a feeling Dumbledore knows all about it
so I won't question you that you do it. Your secret is safe with me."
Adalia said and he nodded.