A/N: Well, so much for all 4 Chapter in one shot. But two's just as fine. Anyways, Here's Chapter 11 and soon following is Chapter 12 the last of the First Story of the Nightshade series. I must repeat at how I cannot change Bill's personality to fit in cannon with the Harry Potter series because I had written him like this about 4 years ago and have 2 stories that follow "my" Bill Weasley as I have written him. I cannot change the way he is for if I do, I've have to go through another 300 Pages of textual and character editing and the stories would not be half as fun as they are now. So... here's Ch11. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Bill's personality in this story is mine... but the character belongs to J.K.R. Lucky girl!
Chapter 11
"The rescue"
"What? You saw him?" asked Ron amazed.
"Well... sort of. It seems that we will see him in the forbidden forest. That is a future that I can predict if we choose to leave now," said Bella as she rose back up with Bill's help.
"Are you sure? Where will we find him?" asked Bill.
"I don't know but we will. I can tell only in which direction to go but otherwise..."
Bill looked at Bella wordily as she gradually went to her desk to fetch her cloak. She was still a bit shaken by the vision but looked like she was regaining her strength quickly. She continued to shuffle through her things and took her cream colored bag, the same silver box with flower engravings that Acacia had found (and emptied) and from her "Memory box" a shining silver hey. She put the engraved box and key into her bag along with some silver darts that Bill had never seen before. Bella then gazed at the red flower as a petal suddenly wilted off. She gasped and nearly fell again until Bill grabbed her by her shoulders, allowing her to stay on her feet.
"Are you sure you want to do this? It might be too much," he said concerned as he looked down upon her.
"No... No! We have to fetch Harry. He doesn't know exactly what's going on and we need to save my sister. You remember what I told about the flowers and the Nightshades? And, well, if we find Harry, we might find Acacia,"
"Acacia? What's wrong? What happened to her?" asked Ron worriedly.
"She – she's with the werewolf... or at least that's what we think. She could have run off or be hiding somewhere... for the moment; she's alive but..." said Bella looking at the fallen petal. She grabbed it and put it into her bag.
"But professor, how will Harry-" began Hermione until Bella urged the lot to leave the office.
The two adults began to walk back through the halls to reach the outside door with Ron and Hermione close behind. It seemed that both Gryffindors had been ready to exit the castle because they were carrying their cloaks in their arms. Bill noticed them following and stopped them.
"Where do you think you're going?" he said strictly.
"Well, we're going with you! We were planning on looking for Harry outside anyway," said Hermione bravely.
"Yeah! If Harry's involved than we can't wait until later! And we want to help Acacia too!" said Ron eying Bill crossly.
"No! Both of you go back to the common room!"
"Bill! Listen, we won't leave and you know that you can't guard the common room while going outside with Belladona. So unless you accept us coming you won't be able to help anyone," said Hermione fiercely as Bill sighed and looked at Bella.
"What you say, inspector?" he said.
"Inspector?" both Ron and Hermione repeated as Bella signaled them to hurry.
They jogged in the cool night air until they reached the opening of the forbidden forest. Ron stood shaking, remembering his last experience there but Hermione helped him along by gabbing onto his hand tightly. The teachers were nowhere to be seen and Bella was thankful for it. She didn't want to explain her vision to Snape nor have to begin arguing again while time was quickly running out. As they walked passed the limp, snow-covered tree branches and fallen trunks, Bill explained to the young couple what he discovered about Bella and why she was really at Hogwarts. The teenagers were stunned by the news of her being an inspector yet discouraged that their theories were all just as Harry had pointed out; rubbish. They continued east until they reached the same path that Bella had seen in her vision. They walked along it until the other part of the prediction came to pass... There, was the long grey snout emerging from the shadows.
Bill recognized it instantly. The bushy grey hair and jagged teeth, the snarl and whip it made to turn its head, were the things he remembered from the other nights. As if by instinct, he moved in front of the group and took out his wand. Everyone else remained both speechless and motionless. Bill's eyes slimmed as the creature crept slowly out of the veil of darkness. It was even bigger then Bill recalled. The slinking creature walked delicately, not making a noise and then rested on the floor like a trained dog. Bill began to shake a bit with fear but was determined to protect everyone. Bella put her hand on his arm and began to speak:
"Bill, listen..." she whispered.
"What is this???" breathed Ron to no one in particular.
"I know Bella... no sudden movements and I know you should be handling this but -" began Bill.
"No, that's not it," she said louder.
"You mean... there are two werewolves involved?!" shouted Hermione after not being able to hold in her thoughts any longer.
The creature snarled at Hermione's shouting but remained pacific all the same. Bill's eyes widened as he look at Hermione bewildered, his wand still pointed at the beast.
"TWO?? What do you mean by TWO werewolves? Hermione, isn't this the same one that attacked you and Ron?" asked Bill.
"No," said Ron now coming back into focus. "The one that attacked us had orange eyes and dark brown fur, nearly black... But... this one still seems familiar," he said looking at the beast.
"There a reason for it Ron," she said and then gazed around where the werewolf lay. "Harry... Harry..." she said.
Bill was astonished, as were the other two. Harry? Did she say Harry? But then there was a rustle in the trees behind the werewolf and from nowhere, Harry had emerged, shaking off various leaves and snow.
"Sorry Bella. I couldn't follow him! He's too fast for me! He's had to slow down for my sake all this time!" said Harry as he looked up into the group but jumped back seeing Bill, Ron and Hermione. "What are they doing here?" he questioned as he looked at Bella.
"What are WE doing HERE?! Harry, you just disappeared!" shouted Ron.
"I... actually thought you were the werewolf!" gasped Hermione.
Harry looked at his friends with an embarrassed yet tainted smile. He then looked down at the werewolf by his side as it looked back up at him.
"HOLD ON! What's going on? Who's – Who's this?" said Bill, still looking for answers.
"Well Bill, these are my temporary partners; Harry and Mr. Remus Lupin."
"LUPIN!" shouted Ron and Hermione.
"He's been our second pair of – err – paws since I came here. However he was still having trouble tracking down the other werewolf alone so, on Halloween, I arranged with the teachers for Snape to make him a stronger "Wolf's Bane" potion so he can handle not only being tame but having many more people around him and on his pursuits. It's more difficult for him to stay sane during the hunts because his "natural" instincts are set lose,"
"So that's why Snape seemed so peeved at Halloween!" said Hermione.
"You noticed that too Hermione? But what's the big deal? Why wouldn't he want to make a stronger potion for Lupin?" asked Bill.
"It's a LONG story!" said Harry exasperatedly.
"So, after that was agreed on, I asked Harry to accompany him. Because he already knew Lupin, I figured it would be faster and simpler for them to work together and Harry was known for his...adventurous abilities, so I didn't think there would be a problem. Plus, Lupin assured me that nothing bad would come to the boy with his protection. So, Harry's has been meeting with Lupin and I whenever he could. Mr. Lupin's sense of smell and tracking would make it easier to isolate the victim and with Harry along to match instinct and logic, it would have been faster and they could still function in case I was indisposed to follow them..." said Bella as Bill looked a side and scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry," said Bill looking away.
"It's not your fault. I... I sort of asked for your help. I wanted you to be with me even if I was afraid that you'd find out about me. I was being selfish again," she said.
It all made sense. Bill knew that for the werewolf to move so quickly from one end of the grounds to the next in mere seconds couldn't be. On that snowy night he had seen Lupin while Christopher was attacking Ron and Hermione. As fast as werewolves were, there was no way for Lupin to have been able to move from one extremity to the other with Harry. So he had actually been unknowingly trying to track down 2 werewolves while Bella stopped him whenever he saw Lupin. Harry absences were now far more understandable as well.
"Well, I thought you weren't going to show tonight, then I saw Professor McGonagall and Flitwick and I was wondering what was going on with you,"
"Oh! Harry! Listen, we don't have any more time for chatting! Acacia is alone with the werewolf! And it's Christopher!" said Bella.
"What??? Are you serious??" exclaimed Harry.
"That's right! Please, we have to hurry! Can Lupin catch Acacia's sent?" said Bella.
"I dunno. Do you have anything of hers so we make him find her?"
"I... wait!" she said pulling out Acacia's fallen petal out of her bag.
Lupin stood up and walked calmly to Belladona. He sniffed the petal as his eye glowed in the moonlight. He then pointed his nose into the air, just as Bill saw him do the first time he ever laid eyes on Lupin. Then he howled and began to pace quickly in a certain direction. The others began to follow Lupin starting with a quick jog, going into a fast run. Harry was used to the pace but the others were quickly out of breath. The shadows crept around them as they disappeared into the thick wood.
Acacia opened her eyes to find herself lying on top on a furry brown back. Her breath was icy and her hands were blue. Her face was warm though, taking in the heat from the hairy body that was under her. She was slipping a bit but held on to the silver collar for grip. As she tried to move she noticed that her leg was bruised and tried to recall when she had hurt it.
"That's right! I fell and-" she said in a daze trying to keep warm. "Christopher, where are you taking me? It's cold, and Snape blew the horn AGES ago!"
Christopher's orange eyes simply looked up upon the young girl who strangely didn't seem anymore frightened than one would expect. Her eyes were nearly shut until the moment when she felt the werewolf lean gradually backwards. Acacia slowly slid to the ground as she looked about her surroundings. They were nearly at the other end of the forest and she could see from far, the lights of Hogsmeade. The town looked a miniature collection of dollhouses but it was too far away to see any people. In the clearing in which they stood, there was a small shabby looking cabin nearly completely hidden by trees. As bare as the trees were, Acacia had trouble distinguishing it from the bark of the wood.
"Is this it? Is this where you wanted to lead me?" said Acacia as the creature gave out a humble growl. "This is where you used to play right? Before you and your parents moved away from Hogsmeade?"
The trail never seemed to end as Lupin led the charge of wizards through the forbidden forest. The werewolf seemed to progressively slow down as it ran, and it was a good thing too for his followers were warn out.
"I can't believe... you've had to keep up with him... Harry..." said Ron happy that the chase was toned down to a walk.
"Yeah well... it wasn't easy... you'd think that full moons could come on a weekend every once and a while and when it did, it was on a Sunday," huffed Harry.
"So why couldn't you tell us that you were after the werewolf too? We told you about our attack and our theories. You really didn't have to laugh at us when you knew the truth," said Hermione grumpily as they reached a clearing.
"Sorry about that. Well, the difference was that this time the ministry was involved and they see everything! It's really creepy. I was going to tell you both but I wasn't allowed. Then when you both started going out, which is still just as creepy, I thought it would simpler for me because you'd want to spend your time alone together and wouldn't get so worried about me. But you both still kept asking questions... so I had to be a bit distant so you'd stop caring so much," said Harry.
"Silly git! We're still your friends!" said Ron with a smile.
"We'll never stop caring about you," added Hermione.
Suddenly, Lupin stopped pacing and began to whimper. As Harry got closer to him to guess what was wrong, Bella looked about the clearing and noticed a scarf on the floor. It was the same one that Christopher had stolen the day before. As everyone moved into the open area, Bella walked up to the item on the dirty floor. When she kneeled down to grab it, there was a sudden growl but not from Lupin. He continued to whimper sadly, his tail tucked between his legs. Bill walked up to Bella and urged her to stay close to the group. As they began to walk back, then they met with those immense orange eyes. Christopher crept out of the opening of the tree-hidden cabin and growled ferociously.
"Th – th – that's the one..." muttered Ron looking at the brown beast.
Hermione quickly grabbed his arm as Bill and Bella stood completely still in the middle of the clearing. Lupin and Harry eyed the creature like it was their rival who was daring to show its face for a final battle. Lupin wasn't whimpering anymore and stood tall as he bore his teeth menacingly. As the werewolf entered into the clearing, there was a shine reflecting on a metallic surface around the beast's neck.
"What?!" exclaimed Bella as she saw the shine.
"Hey... that's our collar!" said Bill.
"Mates, I don't think that you should be worrying about a stupid collar right now!" said Ron as the creature slowly walked closer.
"Wait! Bella, if he has the collar on..." began Harry.
Bella nodded and looked into her bag. While she did so, Bill slowly took out his wand. As she took out the box and opened it, Bella whispered: "It is our collar. If that's the case then –" But the beast growled wildly before she could finish talking.
As it slinked around the area its eye glimmered and looked about every face. Then there was sudden squeak and a scraping noise. Acacia then emerged from the cabin, dirty and cold. Bella gasped but Bill put his hand on her mouth so she wouldn't upset the werewolf.
"I'm... I'm alright," Acacia shivered. "He hasn't touched me,"
"Bella... do you think..." began Harry.
"We'll see," she said after Bill released her. "Christopher. Christopher dear. It's me, Bella. You remember me right? I'm Acacia's sister," she said as Christopher paid attention.
Harry and Lupin were on full alert as she began to walk away from Bill, closing the gap between her and the werewolf. Bill wanted desperately to tear her away and bring her somewhere safe but he had to fess up to the fact that she knew what she was doing. He stayed in the same place however; ready to grab her in case anything went wrong. Ron and Hermione hated feeling helpless as they watched Bella put her hands on the floor. She looked up and the werewolf sat down, curious.
Bill looked at Harry and tried to say in an undertone: "What's so special about the collar?" Harry looked at Lupin and they both paced closer to Bill. When they reached him Harry said: "That collar used to be rumored to have taming properties. The man who made said that he could control creatures that were namely "wild". Werewolves loose their mind when they transform... So she might be able to talk to Christopher's human side with that thing on." Lupin didn't seem anymore subdued as he still looked at his opposite with a defensive stare.
"Now, listen. I want you to turn around... And then I will give you some little shots. It will only hurt for a minute then you'll be fine tomorrow. Understand?" said Bella as calmly as she could.
The werewolf looked at her without a trace of thought. As she took out the silver darts, Christopher jumped back! He howled and groaned and looked at the darts and the witch, unsteadiness in his eyes! Not a moment later he launched himself at Bella!
Bella gasped but the moment she was covered in the beast's shadow, another large one overtook it. It was Lupin. He had jumped against Christopher knocking him clear out of the way in full flight. Lupin was far larger then Christopher and could have easily crushed him if he had landed on top but the boy was quick and moved a side just as they both touched the floor. There was then, an outbreak of growling and snapping teeth. As the beasts began to face each other off, Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone off to see Acacia. Harry and Hermione gently placed the girl on Ron's back and moved away from the cabin only to stand next to Bill holding Bella in his arms. Bella had collected all the darts she had dropped when Christopher attacked and was counting them.
"All four are there... but how do I aim for Christopher with Lupin in the way?"
"Just take aim. If we don't stop either of them soon –" began Harry.
"I know what to do," said Bill as he moved away from the group.
"Bill! What are you doing? Don't get too close!" shouted Hermione.
"Wait! I'm coming!" said Bella as she too began to walk away but Hermione and Harry grabbed an arm each holding her back.
Bill was but feet away from the terrible battle of claws and fur as he shouted.
"Petrificus..." he began until her heard voices echo behind him.
"Petrificus Totalus Maximus!!!"
"What?" exclaimed Bill as five beams of light emerged from the depths of the trees.
The beams grew shorter and thicker as the source was revealed to be coming from Professor Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, Hooch and Dumbledore's wands. Their aim was perfect. Lupin sprang away in the nick of time and was not touched at all. Christopher gave out a mighty howl as the magic pierced through with a great flash. The creature than stiffened up and fell to the floor. Amazingly it still shook a bit while trying to repel the magic. Bill was still in shock, as his wand remained pointed into the now empty space. The teachers moved in and tried to see if their spells were strong enough. Bella urge for Lupin to get on top of Christopher to make sure he didn't move. He did so as the creature still shook slightly like its nerves were in a bunch. Acacia's eyes were weary as she looked at her friend.
"Totalus Maxumus?" said Bill now a long side McGonagall.
"Yes, it's the strongest form of the Petrifying spell. Werewolves have a huge barrier of dark magic. They're quite difficult to stun," she said.
"Ah," said Bill turning around to see where Bella may have gone.
To his surprise the young girl had returned next to the wolves' side and took out her darts. She used her wand and made them shoot into Christopher. The magic of the darts seemed to have gone through the Petrifying spell as the movements of the beats returned to normal. The werewolf whined with pain but soon after, closed its eyes and looked like it was fast asleep. She retrieved the spikes by magic and took two steps back. Lupin rose from the smaller wolf and took his place at Dumbledore's side. Bill walked over to Bella with a bit of embarrassment in his face.
"Well... I didn't do much did I?"
"Oh! You stupid fool! How could you just walk up to it like that? It could have killed you! " she said as she held him tightly.
"Sorry," he whispered as he caressed her dark hair.
The teenagers smiled as Acacia, still on Ron's back, pointed to the hugging couple. As everyone was congratulating themselves on a job well done there was a tremble about the earth. The noises kept getting louder and louder until suddenly a bunch of trees were parted like old weeds.
"Sorry we're a bit late!" said Hagrid accompanied by what could only be two giants.
"Not, at all! You're right on time Hagrid," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye.
The giants were dressed in shabby wear that was strangely similar to Hagrid's. They were full giants however, with thick beards and bushy moustaches. One of them was slightly older as his hair was streaked of grey. The other was holding a very large, silver cage in his hands and dropped it carefully on the floor. Bill looked somewhat perturbed, as the men got closer. He wasn't very fond of giants since one nearly stepped on him on his trip to New Guinea. The grey one took the limp animal and put him into the cage. Bella had pointed out that Christopher was still wearing the collar and McGonagall had taken in the responsibility to retrieve it. Bella walked over and gave her the key she had kept in her bag. The teacher then, transformed into her animagus and passed through the bars with the key in her mouth. Careful to make sure that she didn't disturb the werewolf, she attempted to open the collar while remaining in her cat form. There was an unlocking sound and the collar fell to the floor of the cage. McGonagall pushed it out and turned back into her human form. The moment the door shut, Professor Flitwick scurried over to the cage casting many different sealing and locking charms.
"Thank you Professor," said Bella putting the item back into her bag.
The giants then took the cage and began to walk back to the castle. Dumbledore tried to thank them and all that could be heard from them were groans. As everyone began to walk out of the forest, sleep lingering in their eyes, Bill smiled as Bella took Acacia from Ron and put her on her back. The night had been hard on everyone but one question still lingered in his mind... what would happen tomorrow?
