(20)Lost
In The Forrest
Ron! Ginny fumed. We've been stuck in
this forrest forever! Admit it! We're LOST!
No we're not!
Ron grumbled. I'm just taking us by a round-about way just in case!
HMPF! Ginny scoffed. We're lost & it's your fault!
We are NOT LOST! Ron yelled.
The two of them
wandered through the forrest, ducking out of sight occasoinally if
anything moved! An hour passed.
OK, we're lost! Ron sighed.
He shivered a little.
It's getting dark, Ginny said. We'll
never get out of here!
We will to! Just not today! Ron
whined.
Spend a night? In this forrest?! Ginny exclaimed.
You're crazy!
It'll be fine! Not like it's full moon or
anything! Ron muttered. Not tonight!
What about the
Centaurs?
We're "foals"! Ron said, making quote
marks in the air with his fingers. They won't bug us! Besides, I
don't think any of them come in this far!
Maybe we could
use this cave? Ginny pointed to a hole in the rocks.
Yeah,
sure! Ron shrugged.
They crawled in & settled down to
sleep. It was a cool night but the warmth of spring was in it. Ron
didn't sleep much, keeping an eye open for anything. Towards dawn, he
finally fell asleep.
Get up! someone ordered. Ron felt
something shaking him. He blinked his eyes open. It was the next
morning, though the forrest was still gloomy. Ron looked around &
stared into the eyes of Firenze. I've been looking all over for you
two! Now get on & I'll get you out! Ginny was already on. Ron
jumped behind her. Hang on! ordered the Centaur.
What if
we meet Bane? Ron squeaked.
I'll handle him! Firenze
muttered as he began cantering.
Bane suddenly blocked his
path. So you again decide to let a human ride you?! sneered the
blonde-maned Centaur.
Step aside Bane! Firenze snapped. We
always help the foals!
They're a little old to be called
foals! Bane snorted.
If they're young enough to be Hogwarts
students then they're young enough to be called foals! Firenze
declared. Now move aside or I will force you aside!
I'm
not moving! Bane stamped his big hoof defiantly.
Firenze
lowered Ron & Ginny to the ground & pushed them aside. Fine
Bane! Be arragant! He galloped into Bane, ramming him broadside.
Bane fell over. He tried to get up but Firenze kicked him in the hind
legs. There was a cracking sound as Firenze's large hooves struck.
Bane didn't get up. Firenze lowered his head so they were face to
face, noses nearly touching. You know? Perhaps there is a reason we
are part horse & part human! I will let the Centaur band take
care of you! Ron? Ginny? Let's go!
Firenze headed for the
castle with Ron & Ginny riding him. He let them off at the door.
You will be safe with Albus. A word of warning: do not go towards
the direction of Hogsmeade Village. You may or may not be able to see
them but a rather large flock of Thestrals are gathering there &
they are most unfriendly at this time! I must leave you now!
Goodbye! Firenze ran off into the forrest.
Flock of
Thestrals? Ron shrugged.
Wonder what happened? Ginny said.
Lupin slowly pulled out of bed. Something special had
happened? Then he remembered & smiled softly. Finally, the
Marauders were avenged! He headed for Dumbledore's office at a fast
pace, almost running. YES! Lupin burst through the door, making
everyone leap out of their skin! Finally, he's gone!
Oh----er---sorry! Didn't mean to startle anyone!
Sure you
didn't! Snape muttered.
& what are you so happy about?
Tonks asked.
Wormtail! Lupin stated simply.
Remus,
if you have finally settled your Maurauding business, is it safe to
assume everything is under control? Dumbledore eyed him closely.
Lupin glowered at Snape. Perfect control! he agreed.
Very well then! Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. Don't
you ever lose control of your wolf like that again!
No
sir! Lupin promised. However, I have no one else to make me lose
it! Well except maybe THAT! he pointed at Snape who growled back.
Stop it you two! Tonks ordered, half-smiling. Lupin sighed
heavily.
Now to the tasks at hand! Dumbledore interupted
them. We must find our last intruder as well as the Weasley children
in the forrest!
Firenze found them! Harry led his DA team
in. Neville, Breann & the others filed in with Ginny & Ron
close behind. Merida sat close to her father & watched Harry &
Lupin, trying not to laugh. Lupin looked cute, blushing like that!
Harry took no notice, of course! Merida shook her head at both of
them. There was only one way out of this since Lupin stubbornly kept
quiet.
Excellent! Dumbledore smiled at Ron & Ginny.
Now we must make the castle secure again.
We have a
problem in the forrest, Ron said. It seems all Death Eaters are
conglomerating there. I've over-heard some mention that the Dark Lord
is close to full-filling a special plan but couldn't figure out what
it was!
They may be attempting to surround us, said
Mcgonagall.
Alright, we must separate, said Dumbledore.
Half of us will remain here to gaurd the castle while the rest of us
enter the forrest. Remember, I don't want anyone alone! And despite
certain.........instincts, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at Lupin.
under NO circumstances is anyone to be wandering off! Do I make
myself clear? Another raised eyebrow was cast in Lupin's direction.
The werwolf shifted nervously in his chair! Good! sighed
Dumbledore. Hopefully if all goes well, we can clear this up before
tonight & then prepare for Voldomort to come!
Leaving
Kinsgley in charge of Hogwarts, Dumbledore led his group into the
forrest. Ron & Ginny led them to the place where they had
over-heard the conversation. After this, we got lost! Ron said. I
think we followed them & didn't pay attention to where we were
going!
We DID follow them! Ginny crossed her arms. Ron
made a face!
Spread a little then, said Tonks. See if you
can find a trail.
Dumbledore, Tonks, Snape, Moody, Lupin &
Mcgonagall began moving through the forrest with Harry leading Ron,
Ginny & Merida behind. Before anyone could get very far, they
were ambushed.
Think you can escape?
Everyone spun
around. Bane?! Ron & Ginny gasped.
I was found by
Antonio, Bane replyed. After him & his freinds helped me I told
them to be expecting you! GET THEM! Bane trotted off as a swarm of
death Eaters surrounded the Aurors!
Everyone aimed for
everyone else. It happened to fast! Spells & hexes went flying.
No one knew who they were aiming at but at this point it really
didn't matter.
Exitos!
Crucio!
Expelliramus!
Protecto!
Everta Statum!
Avada Kedavra!
Bane fell immediatly, dead. Firenze trotted passed, not even
looking. He had to get to Dumbledore now! At least it wasn't Firenze
that had killed Bane. Centaurs weren't supposed to harm another.
Firenze took everyone by surprise, running down anyone & everyone
with a Death Mark. He almost ran for Snape but remembered just in
time! Sorry, Professor! Firenze ran in a new direction.
Anytime
Firenze! Snape snapped. Anytime! Snape had his own problems to
worry about. He didn't need a load of horsepower ramming him over!
Someone jumped on him from behind. Snape threw him off. They stared
at each other a moment. Marcus Flint! Snape sneered. So nice to
see you again!
Get off, mud-blood lover!
Oh
really? Snape snapped. You don't seem to mind being with
half-bloods yourself?
What's that supposed to mean? Flint
sneered.
I mean I'm going to see to it that you NEVER see my
daughter again! Snape aimed his wand. Crucio! Flint collapsed to
the ground, screaming. I want to teach you my own version of a
lesson in respect first! Then I'll kill you! After five long
minutes, Snape lifted his spell. Feel better? Flint groaned.
Perhaps I should put you out of your misery! Avada Kedavra! Feeling
rather proud, Snape hurried back to Dumbledore & Firenze.
Great, said Dumbledore. Now we just need to find Remus,
Harry & Merida!
Merida is missing? Snape stared.
She headed in that direction, Dumbledore pointed. So did
Remus! As for Harry, I do not know! We'll find her, Severus! We'll
find all of them!
Maybe Remus died! Snape grumbled.
Exitos! Lupin ordered, throwing a Death Eater off Merida.
Follow me! He ran into the forrest, Merida close behind.
Crucio!
Merida get down! Lupin yelped. She
tripped & fell over him. Lupin stepped backwards with her &
the ground gave way. They fell into a hidden hole. OW!
Sorry!
Merida rolled off.
It's alright! Lupin shook himself a bit
like a dog.
Any ideas on how to get out of here? Merida
stared up at the circle of sky above them.
Just become a
bird & fly up! Lupin said.
I----er---I can't! Merida
stammered. Mystique fell off! I tried Accio but it won't come! Must
be stuck somewhere!
You're telling me you can't escape?
Lupin looked ready to faint.
We'll just have to wait for
someone to find us! Merida shrugged.
Better be before
dark! said Lupin.
Why? Merida stared for a moment. Lupin
didn't answer but gave her an odd look. Tonight?!?! NOW?! Lupin
nodded. In that case, we'd better hope someone finds us before
dark!
We must have gone through this forrest a million
times! Moody snarled. Maybe they're just back at the castle!
Kingsley would have sent us a sign if anyone showed up at
the castle, Dumbledore said. I've been watching the sky &
nothing!
Severus, calm down! Mcgonagall soothed. We will
find her!
It's not Merida I'm hyperventilating about
anymore! Snape leaned against a tree gasping for air. Oh, I don't
have time for this! Not now!
You're hot! Mcgonagall felt
him over. Albus, I'll take him to Poppy!
She can't help!
Snape said quickly. It's the----the burning of the werwolf blood! It
lasts about an hour before full moon! Oh, Merlin, I don't have time
for this! Snape kneeled down, panting.
W-W-WERWOLF?!?!
Tonks & Mcgonagal yelped. Snape cast a pleading look at
Dumbledore.
Oh Severus! Tonks groaned when Dumbledore was
finished. I'm so sorry!
I don't need pity! Snape snapped.
Not that! said Tonks. I mean I'm the one usually keeping
you & Remus apart. I'm sorry I didn't keep a closer eye on you
two last Christmas.
There was nothing you could have done!
snape said a bit more softly. He was so fast! It just happened so
fast! Albus how much time before moonrise?
Just a few
minutes! Dumbledore nodded as he began backing away.
Cover
your trail as you go! Snape warned. I'll be sure to try following
any of you! Go!
As the others disappeared into the forrest,
Snape transformed. He was a black wolf that looked like it had waled
through white paint. The paws were "dipped" in white. A
rather pretty wolf except the tail. It was somewhat crooked &
mangled, compliments of Lupin!
Look on the bright side,
Remus, Merida said. At least you had extra Wolfsbane Potion this
time! & I know a wolf's worst fear. I'll use that against you!
How can you use the moon against me? Lupin asked somewhat
panicked.
Not the moon! Something else! Merida said.
Hmmmm,Lupin sighed. But I didn't take any Wolfsbane!
WHAT?! Merida glowered. Why?
Because your father
made it! Lupin said. I haven't used any ofe his Wolfsbane for over
a year. It was starting to make me sick & once, when I decided to
get myself checked, traces of liquid silver was found! I think----I
KNOW your father's been poisoning me! I didn't have ANY Wolfsbane at
all this month!
He can't be poisoning you! Merida yelped.
Merida if I had known this would have happened, I would have
taken it this month! Lupin held her close. But
now--------well-------I'm not going to lie but you may very well die
tonight if not worse!
Alright! Merida tried to think.
Um-----I know this is an extremly stupid question but, got any
silver on you?
Actually, I do! Lupin pulled out his wand.
The core is silver unicorn hair!
Perfect! Merida snatched
it away & split it open down the seams. I'll reseal it
tomorrow. Lupin smiled weakly, knowing there would be no tomorrow
for her. Merida made three rings around her. She placed the silver
hairs & the few sickles she had on her in the center ring,
leaving the inner & outer ring blank.
What are you going
to do to me? Lupin was somewhat curious.
If I tell you,
I'll lose my edge of the element of surprise! Merida declared. Just
wait!
The moonlight began to fill the hole. Merida I----
Lupin stared at her. I'm sorry!
Remus, if you kill me, you
kill me! Merida tried to calm both him & herself. But I'm going
to give you one hell of a fight first!
Once this starts, I
can't stop it! Lupin whispered sorrowfully...........
&
then he changed!
