A/N: I'm going to hurry up with this story more then Sandy Roads because I think it's more important to have this one up and going since it's the first part! All people reading Sandy Roads then please try to read this one first. It will be posted more frequently as well!

Disclaimer: Bill belongs to J.K.Rowling. Women are so possessive! Lol


Chapter 4

"Courage"

It was soon time to meet up with Belladona and Bill was walking down the corridor to the yard but as he got to the door. He heard Acacia and Christopher talking.

"I still think you should get that checked!" said Acacia.

"But I've had it for a year and a half! There's no reason to get it checked!" said Christopher.

"But you never know! If it still hurts then you might have an infection!"

"Enough! I'm… I'm going to bed. Why don't you go around looking for Ron or something?"

"I'm just trying to help! Well, you know what? That is a good idea! Bye-bye!" she said as they both turned tail and walked in opposite directions.

Bill continued and went to the spot near the lake quite early to think about what Nick had told him about. Slowly the full moon rose brightly as it reflected on the lake. The night was simply dazzling, even romantic. Bill sat on a large stone and waited patiently. The air smelled very nice: "Almost like her perfume…" he thought but he soon realized that it was indeed what he suspected as Belladona came to sit next to him.

"Hello," she said as she sat.

"Hi," said Bill all the while repeating his mantra in his head: "I must know the truth - I must know the truth…"

"Well, alright… tonight I think we have nothing left to discuss. We determined the spells we will be using; the tools too, mapped out the cave and planned the operation…"

"So… why did you call me here then?" he asked.

"To tell you… that we'll be going in next week," she said as silence followed her voice.

"Alright. Um, is there anything else?"

"I don't think so,"

"Good, cause I have something to say… I want you to tell me everything that happened between us that year. I've been told we only met once so why do you think I'd remember you clearly? It's been 6 years…"

Belladona looked at the ground uncomfortably.

"This again… why do you keep bringing it up?"

"Because it haunts me," he said.

"Alright, I'll tell you but don't interrupt," she began. "First of all… do you remember Sandra Cunningham?" she asked looking at him.

"Of course I do. She was Head Girl and I had tried very hard to go out with her that year and –"

"That will do Bill, let me continue," she said returning her gaze to the lake. "It all happened during the end of your 7th year. You were all going to the Graduation Ball and Sandra had a date for it. You didn't, mainly because you wanted to go with Sandra…"

"How did you know –"

"Don't interrupt," she said without fidgeting. "Well, Sandra was my friend and knew that… that, err… that I liked you… but was too shy to even talk to you…" she said bashfully.

Bill blinked a few times. This was starting to sound familiar.

"So, she… she asked you if you wouldn't mind going with me… and you said no…"

Bill's eyes widened greatly, he knew this! He remembered what was coming next! He had recollections of a younger version of himself meeting with a young girl with oval glasses and he didn't want to hear the rest of it but didn't have much of a choice.

"And then, on the day of the ball… you found out that Sandra had gotten into a fight with her partner and… you ended up going with her. You wanted to go with her from the beginning. I waited in our meeting place but you never showed. The day after, you came to see me in the Great Hall after being told who I was; you said that you had forgotten about me and that you were sorry. I told you that I wasn't upset but everyone else teased me for a while after that,"

Bill couldn't believe it! He had left and rejected Belladona before he even knew who she was! He felt extremely guilty and stupid. It was obvious that she was far more upset about it then she was letting on back then. He slapped himself on the head and then looked at Belladona still gazing out at the lake. He then recognized that shy demeanor that he'd seen on that day. Bella finally turned her head to look at him but she did something that Bill didn't expect. She smiled.

"I… I'm still sorry. I had no idea," he murmured.

"Well, when I saw you again I tried not to make a big deal about it but when you kissed my hand… I thought that maybe that's how you could have greeted me for the Ball. I was taken aback. I… I guess I've been acting very silly about it. I even tried to be cold so I don't have to deal with... Well, Snape was right to treat me like a child! That's how I've been acting with you,"

"No. I understand. Here," he said revealing his bare cheek.

"What?"

"Go ahead. Slap me. I deserve it. I'm sure that's what you wanted to do that day I left you,"

"No! I never –"

"Yeah right, you were a tough kid. I'm sure you wanted to. Now come on!"

"You don't want me to hit you Bill," she said now starting laugh a bit while talking.

"Come on… Sandra- Sandra- Sandra- Sandra- Sandra- Sandra…"

SMACK

"OH! OUCH!!! I said slap! Not break my jaw!" said Bill nursing his injury.

Belladona laughed furiously as Bill sat in pain. She then leaned over to him and parted his hand and kissed him delicately on the spot where she had just hit him. He looked at her tenderly yet all together stunned. He could smell that lovely perfume even more than usual. Her eyes shimmered like two dewdrops. He leaned closer and closed his eyes but then…

There was a rustle in the trees as Belladona turned, facing away from Bill who just kept moving forward until noticing her face wasn't there. She arose and took out her wand. After opening his eyes Bill stood up and saw the movement in the darkness and did the same. He then saw something that made his heart stop. A large wolf had emerged from the brush but this creature was far larger than any normal wolf. It was clear by its human-like hands, and angled back that it could have stood on its hind legs on command. Its golden eyes shone like two huge golden dinner plates as its consciousness-drained eyes continued to stare at them… This was a werewolf! Bill dashed in front of Belladona to protect her from the monster. She looked at Bill surprised but didn't move. It was coming closer and walked in a stalk-like manner slightly baring its razor sharp teeth. It was a large grey wolf but it did not attack. Bill lifted his wand bravely and the creature just turned at the sight of its tip. It walked away sniffing the air and howling through the night.

"Was – was that –" said Bill slightly trembling but tried not to show it.

"Yes. It was," she said looking in the direction that the beast had left in.

"But… But why didn't it attack us? Werewolves always attack people! This one just looked at us and left,"

"Maybe we should just be thankful that nothing happened. Come on, it's getting cold," she said as she began to walk alone towards the castle.

Bill ran up to her looking about in all directions. He accompanied Belladona to the entrance of her chamber door making sure that she wasn't in shock because she barely spoke on the way. Such an uncomfortable encounter should have made her have some reaction but no. She merely marched unaffected and drone-like. Bella assured Bill that she was fine and closed the door coldly. He walked back to the Gryffindor tower and tried to sleep only awaking the next morning, still wondering about what happened. As Bill set off to the common room he found Ron doing something unbelievable; he was STUDYING! Hermione was sitting grumpily, for once without a book in her hands, in the chair next to him. It seemed that Harry had an early Quidditch practice because his things were on the table next to them, ready for the first class. Bill sat and looked at Hermione and Ron. He then said:

"Err, are you two both alright? It looks like you've exchanged bodies or something,"

"No, I – I just don't feel like studying!" said Hermione harshly as Ron continued to dig into his book.

"Good enough. So why is he –?"

"He's getting ready for Professor Nightshade's quiz on Monday! That's 4 days away. For someone normal this isn't anything but for Ron –"

"Hush! I need to know this," said Ron and then began to read again.

"Oh, for heaven's SAKE! Just because it's professor Nightshade's class she's ALL he thinks about and it's making me ill!" she spat out.

"But shouldn't you be happy that he's studying? Or is it the lack of attention miss Hermione?" added Bill as Ron lifted an eye off his page.

"What? Why do you keep saying that?" she said looking at the wall.

Ron lifted his head and looked at Hermione inoffensively. She stared back and then turned around to look out the window. Bill smiled yet again. The way Ron reacted; it looked like a frightful event had occurred in the room because he just picked up his things and went straight to his dormitory without a word. Hermione looked at Ron's back in wonder and just sat there while Bill chased after his brother. As soon as they both entered the dorm Bill asked:

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's all these jokes you keep making about Hermione liking me… how can you just go on saying things like that?" said Ron as he lay on his bed.

"What? But I'm just trying to help you two along,"

"Why? Help us with what?"

"Help you two realized what's really there!" he said smiling, hoping Ron would catch on.

"But you don't have any idea if she feels the same way…" Ron stopped and sat up as he realized what he was about to say. "That… that… that I do… I…I like Hermione," he told himself in disbelief.

"Well, I knew that. It was too obvious Ron. When you told me about what happened last year I knew it right away. It isn't you style to deface a Quidditch player the way you did when you told me about it,"

"I can't believe this… I like her… I really do," he muttered.

"It's about time you realized it!"

"But… Still. Imagine if I keep harassing professor Nightshade about you and because of it she started to like you. It's not right. You should just let things happen on their own. If it ever happens,"

"Of course it will! See how jealous she's getting out of you spending all your time on Belladona? And perhaps you're right in most cases,"

"In what?"

"In the fact that we should let things happen but in this case I think we should make them happen. I have an idea little brother,"

"What is it?"

"Well, we could make a pact about the girls in our lives but you have to agree right now because I don't want you backing out… unless you're too chicken?"

"No way! I'll do what ever you do. It's probably easier for me to ask Hermione out then you having a good word with Belladona,"

"Glad you see it that way! So we have a deal then?" he said.

"Sure you have my word," promised Ron.

"Good, cause this is the deal: We will both decide to be men for a change and ask the girls out tomorrow, on Halloween night!

"What? Have you gone MAD?!" he shouted.

"Listen Ron, things aren't going anywhere for us so I suggest we do this for our own good!" said Bill with a very serious look.

"Oh sure! Easy for you to say! The girl you like hasn't been you best friend for the last 5 years!" cried Ron until the door burst open.

"What's all the racket?" said Hermione poking her head through the door.

"Her-Her-Hermione! Y-you're not supposed to be –"

"Well, I just came up to tell you that Harry should be done practice by now and we should get to class," she said pointedly.

"R-Right…" said Ron as he got up from his bed to join the bushy haired girl.

Bill looked at him and whispered: "Halloween then… at night." Ron looked traumatized as Hermione started to lead him out by the hand. He became scarlet while looking at their joint limbs as they disappeared into the common room. Bill sat on the bed looking at his medallion and thinking about Belladona and whether she was all right now. He looked at it again and said: "I guess I'll be wearing you all the time from now on Horus, there's something fishy going on around here." Bill left the tower and did his typical rounds in the castle before heading off to visit Hagrid. He then saw Professor McGonagall walking at a very fast pace with an upset look. Bill stopped her and asked what was wrong.

"Oh, nothing to worry about Mr. Weasley. I'm just upset at how professor Trelawney's been acting up lately. Ever since the beginning of classes she's been a raving lunatic,"

"And how is that different than… Oh! I'm sorry, I mean –"

"No need for apologies Mr. Weasley. I believe you're right. She IS a tad off but accusing evil forces around here isn't a good thing. We have enough problems and we don't need the encouragement," she said.

Bill thought for a moment. Evil forces? Perhaps she meant that strange werewolf. Could it be possible that the Divinations teacher finally made a real prediction? The two of them bid good evening to each other and Bill decided to go and tell Hagrid that he wouldn't be making it for tea. Instead, he'd go and wait outside professor Nightshade's classroom to see if she was all right. The first bell of the day rang and Bill could see a bunch of 7th year Ravenclaws exiting the room. He entered to find her conversing with two of them very happily. After they left Bill leaned on the wall with his arms crossed looking at the teacher. She looked at him, again surprised.

"Bill. What is it?" she said curiously.

"It's nice to hear you saying my first name. That means we've gotten past the formalities right?" he commented.

"Oh! Well… yes. I guess so," she said shyly while preparing her things for the next class.

"Well, one of the real reasons I'm here…" he then paused and looked into her eyes. 'Bella'… is that I want to see if you're still alright after yesterday,"

"Oh! Yes, I'm fine. Don't think a little werewolf could scare me that easily. I remind you Bill, that I am a Dark Arts teacher," she said confidently.

"Right, I also know that you're tougher than you look,"

"Well, I was a bit rowdy when I was young but my parents needed me to be a bit more proper and sophisticated. I mean, I will be representing the family and all our assets soon,"

"Having someone like you in the family seems like enough to me," he said while throwing a flirtatious smile.

"What's the other reason you came Bill?" she asked as she smiled slightly and looked down at her papers.

"Well… I've heard about professor Trelawney, and how she senses a great "evil" around here… I suspect she meant the werewolf. I can't get it out of my mind that there's something particular about it. It acted completely out of its nature,"

"Arg! That woman! Even when I was at school she was a windbag!" said Belladona angrily.

"Well, yeah… but what do you think? That beast couldn't have come from outside, there are protection charms set everywhere and it was acting quite peculiar. Maybe we should tell Dumble-"

"I've already informed him. He's on the lookout for it. Normally the werewolves in the forest don't come anywhere near the school grounds because of the charms like you said, unless the victim is in the school to begin with…"

"What? "

"Oh! Well –"

"Do you really think that it's student? This has gotten a lot more dangerous!"

Bella then lifted her eyes on Bill, looking like she had made a big mistake but then had a sudden realization. Bill looked simply shocked by this notion: From the school?

"But wouldn't Dumbledore know about it?"

"Err… Well, if one is to walk around normal people with a disease like being a werewolf, then they have to be registered at the ministry and have all their information travel with them no matter where they go. That way, they won't be a threat or be unjustly mistreated. I think we're dealing with a rogue werewolf," she said, then lifted he eyebrow and gave Bill a smile. "Maybe you can help me… If you see any suspicious students that disappear during the full moon than please tell me about it… and I'll bring the information to Dumbledore. You're closer to the students that walk around during breaks and things like that. It would be too weird if I went around looking at students for bites or scars,"

"Err… alright. I guess,"

"Great! Now I have to prepare my class. Off you go!" she said as she shoed him away.

Bill left the room with his instructions began to walk again. He suddenly stopped and realized what she did. That woman did it again! He was trying to get her interested in him and she pushed him off AGAIN. However, Bill was confident. He was getting closer to his goal. She had forgiven him, she had kissed him on the cheek and she was smiling far more than before. He was on the right track! But then he thought about what he had really done in that room. Bella had told him that a student might be the creature from last night but whom? He then saw Acacia running down the hall with Christopher behind her… they were heading off to class, which, it would seem, was very far away. "I guess they're friends again," thought Bill but then, something in his heart made him stop dead in his tracks. That night before he met Bella at the lake… he remembered the conversation between those two about an infection… Could Christopher be the werewolf?

The day went by quickly and everything was prepared for the Halloween feast. Bill could often see his nervous brother thinking deeply about the following day but Bill had more things to think of than asking Bella out. How could he tell her that the one he suspected to be a werewolf was her little sister's good friend? "I'll just try and be sure that it's him," he thought. "Then I'll tell her," So another day came and went and before they knew it, it was Halloween evening.