(21)Who
Did It?!
Merida stepped back as the moonlight wreaked
havoc on Remus Lupin. She had read once a long time ago, whenever her
father took over Lupin's class that year Azkaban had a break-out,
that werwolf transformations were the most painful thing in the
universe. The Wolfbane eased it ever so slightly, but this time,
Lupin had no Wolfsbane. Trying not to think about her father going
through the same thing at that moment, Merida watched & waited,
wand ready. If only she could aparate, but they were to close to
Hogwarts to allow that.
Lupin fought the wolf with everything
he had. His soft hazel eyes flickered amber as man & wolf
demended supremacy. Lupin collapsed to the ground, screaming. When he
finally stood, a full-powered werwolf was in the man's place.
Merida gasped, softly. She hadn't realised he would be so
big. He looked like a dark brown Husky, with amber eyes gleaming.
Those eyes were fixed onto her. The wolf seemed to be deciding
something.
Would this human change to an animal? No, the
old pack is dead. The new one was above ground! She was not part of
either pack! Destroy her!
She's your mate you fool!
Lupin tried to hold on.
How can I be with a human?!
the wolf snarled at the last shred of humanity trapped in it's mind.
Then it howled. Merida covered her ears as the loud howl pierced the
forrest. The howl ended & the wolf got ready to jump at her.
Merida waited for the last possible second. Inflamatory!
She set the outside circle on fire!
The wolf leaped back.
Fire? FIRE!!
Give it up! She got you!
Lupin appeared to be laughing inwardly at the wolf as he cowered in a
corner!
Why the fire?! the wolf could not understand.
No wolf in the universe could ever understand fire! Another howl.
Soon the hot flames died down. The wolf sprang fast. Merida jumped
backed. The wolf landed on the second circle. Silver!
OW!!!
winced Lupin. The wolf yipped in agreement & flinched away,
whimpering.
I'll get you, human! the wolf seemed to be
snarling. & your dad too!
Finally! Something to
agree on! Lupin sighed, therefore making the wolf sigh.
If
only I could chew that black tail off! the wolf snarled, standing
to face Merida again. Remember how he yelped that last time?
Snape & Lupin hated each other so much that even their K9 blood
couldn't mix!
Yes! answered Lupin. But leave the
girl alone!
The wolf ignored his vague humanity &
lunged for Merida, knocking her over this time. She tried to pull
away but claws dug in to her sides. Merida put both hands over his
throat & pushed his face away. Claws were fine but the fangs were
a different story. They were almost dripping with venom & with
nothing else to do, the wolf desperatly wanted to tear her apart.
Merida had no choice. She set his fur afire! The wolf leaped aside,
whining & howling for mercy.
Merida picked herself up.
Aquis! She drenched him with water! The wolf snarled again, not
pleased at all at getting both scorched & wet in under a minute!
Sorry Remus! muttered Merida. Frusterated, the wolf bit into his
own flesh for a taste of blood, any blood will do, seeing as Merida
was good at Pyre magic! The wolf didn't know what it feared more; the
full moon or fire!
Merida sat crossed-legged in the center of
the three rings. She knew better then to try to desaude the wolf from
harming himself. Lupin was used to it anyway. He will survive. For a
moment, while the wolf was interested in itself, Merida had a break.
It's a good thing this forrest is only for Hogwart
werwolves! Moody muttered as he heard Snape howl in the distance.
"Only Neville, Remus & Severus to worry about!
This
is Remus's territory, said Dumbledore. His wolf probably drove the
other wild ones away & only his pack can enter!
Some
pack! Moody half-laughed. A pup & his most hated rival! Hmmm, a
new Marauder's gang?
Hardly! Dumbledore smiled. Let's
double back a bit & go over the creek before Severus picks up on
us!
A black wolf, followed closely by a younger animal, was
thoroughly confused! He was sure the human trails went this way so
why did it seem like everyone was in the opposite direction? He
howled again. The pup, thinking it was in play, began to prance
around his leader. The black wolf snarled. He didn't need a pup now!
Where was his rival when he needed him?! Before the wolf could do
anything about it, he felt a horrible pain burning into his shoulder,
his very soul even. An outline of a skull-&-snake glowed softly
in the black fur. The wolf bit & scratched at it, drawing blood.
The wolf could not understand that his human host was cursed!
Infruriated, it threw itself into trees & rocks, trying to end
that pain but only succeeding in increasing it further. Neville tried
to help but Snape almost took his head off! The pup fled, yelping in
despair, looking for Lupin! The black wolf suddenly crumpled up in
exhaustion as the Death Mark left him. He clawed at the area some
more, soaking his white paws red with blood.
Losing interest
in himself, Lupin again focused on Merida. The wolf was injured now &
Merida had done it. Anger flared in his amber eyes. He wanted nothing
more than to remove this human, now more then ever!
Great!
groaned Merida to herself. She set the inner & outer rings on
fire & aimed more flames at the wolf. Anger turned to terror.
Insane, the wolf tried leaping through the flames. He again landed on
the silver with no way out. Flames on both sides, silver under him &
a human somewhere beyond the smoke drove him over the edge. He jumped
through the second ring of fire to the inside but Merida was already
on the silver ring.
Using her wand, she formed portals
through the firewalls to let herself move around. She stayed by the
silver. Merida could see a dark mass moving around behind the flames.
It sat down & howled.
Morning came ever so slowly but
finally it appeared. The pit was blackened with smoke &
smoldering embers, looking for all the world like a miniture
Hogsmeade. Both had been burned, the wolf more so. It made one last
feeble attempt to jump at Merida---------& landed in the ray of
sun just entering the forrest. It howled & yipped, slowly
sounding more human. De-transformations were just as bad at moonset
as transformations was at moonrise. Lupin lay on the ground,
groaning.
It's over, Remus, Merida slowly crept up to him.
His head shot up, eyes still amber, glowering. Merida stepped back.
So it wasn't completely over, but almost.
Lupin slammed his
eyes shut, trying to force the hazel hue back in place. He glanced at
Merida. Fire, huh? he laughed weakly. Wise move! He leaned back
against the wall of the hole, drawing knees up to chest & sighed
heavily, exhaustion creeping over him. Merida too, was tired. She had
spent the night fighting a werwolf & was also feeling slightly
ill.
She curled up beside him. I'll fix your wand later!
Yeah, thanks a lot! Lupin laughed, looking at the places
that had come in contact with the silver. A moment in silence passed.
I'm sorry for clawing you! Lupin muttered, half-asleep.
I'll
be fine! Merida touched her scabbed side awkwardly.
Merlin
I miss my pack! Lupin growled suddenly.
YOU?! Merida
laughed. Miss my father?! HA!!
No, not this pack! Lupin
tried hard not to smile. The Marauder's!
Oh!
They
were animagi, Lupin went on. A stag, a black dog &......! He
fell silent for a moment. Why that rat had to ruin everything, I'll
never know! he snarled. At least he's dead!
Is that the
one you killed the other day? asked Merida.
Yeah, that's
him! Lupin's eyes flickered softly amber for a second.
I
must admit, Merida sighed. You scared me a little that day!
With good reason, said Lupin. That's twice now, I lost
control while I was human! Padfoot & Prongs would never have
allowed that!
Marauders?
Yeah, Lupin shrugged.
We were always into pranks, mild stealing, even a little alcohol &
drugs! & Padfoot? Merlin, that creature drew in the ladies!
Lupin laughed softly. Except Lily Evans! She was "out of
bounds"! Prongs wouldn't allow it! So he hit
on-------er----well, Padfoot had your Mom before I or your Dad knew
she even existed!
EXCUSE ME?! Merida yelped. Lupin
whimpered like a puppy. Sorry! Merida muttered umsympathatically.
Anything else I should know about her?!
Hey now! Lupin
defended. She was part Veela after all! That's what Veelas do!
Besides you're the same way! Both me & Harry?
Ohhhhh!
Merida groaned. & there's only one way out of that!
&
what way is that? Lupin smiled softly.
I'm not telling!
Merida stated. It'll happen on it's own time!
OK! sighed
Lupin. Don't get all upset!
Sorry! muttered Merida, this
time meaning it. I'm actually not feeling well so maybe that's it!
I didn't bite you, did I? Lupin panicked.
No,
Merida sighed. I'll be fine in a bit. This has happened before &
usually passes before noon!
& you didn't see Poppy?
Lupin glowered.
I wanted to, Merida shrugged. but I didn't
have the time! Maybe today I could!
You'd better! Lupin
ordered.
Yes, sir! Merida saluted like a soldier. Lupin lay
down beside her in the blackened earth & soon, both fell asleep.
They were awakened an hour later by the flapping of wings as
an eagle landed beside them & tried to gain its balance. Lupin &
Merida watched it silence for a moment then suddenly, Merida screamed
in rage! AHHHHH! Mystique? That's MY sword! She pounced on the
eagle & grabbed its throat. Give it back! NOW! Or I'll strangle
you to death!!
Uh-------don't you mean AND? Lupin smiled
wickedly, his Marauder habits kicking in!
Ohhhhhhh Re.....!
Merida sighed. Alright! She looked back down at the struggling
bird. Give me back Mystique AND I'll strangle you to
death!!! Lupin laughed.
I---OW!!--------I--------Professor!
HELP!
H-H-HARRY?!?! Merida let go & crawled back a
bit.
I've every intention of giving it back, Merida! Harry
grumbled, straightening his glasses.
Dangerous woman you've
got! Lupin teased.
Yeah, really! Harry coughed a bit as he
handed over the old sword. OK, let's each take a turn to use this to
fly out of here!
Merida became a bird & flew away to the
top. How'd you find us? she asked as she threw Mystique down.
A
whole lot of smoke! Harry said after he appeared beside Merida.
What happened?
I'll explain in a minute! Lupin glowered
at Mystique.
It doesn't hurt! said Merida. It's just
controlled animagic!
Lupin groaned softly but decided to try
it. It worked out fine after all & he found himself standing
outside, finally. He didn't stand long. He collapsed on the ground,
the effects of last night washing over him. Lupin was exhausted,
burned by both silver & fire as well as hurt from self-inflicted
wounds. He passed out.
Lupin rolled over & slowly woke
up. He found himself in a bed in the hospital wing. Merida was lying
in the bed beside him. W-What h-happened?
You had a big
night! said Merida. You fainted.
Lupin groaned. What are
you doing here?
A little too much smoke inhalation! Merida
coughed slightly. but Pomfrey can clear it up! She said your lungs
are fine, considering! Whatever that means!
I told you,
Marauder's tried a few things! Lupin smiled nervously. I'm used to
the smoke I guess, though I only did that stuff when I was younger
but chocolate is my addiction!
I know! Merida groaned. We
ALL know!
Uh-Oh! Lupin pointed towards the end of the wing
were Snape & Pomfrey were arguing. Ol' Sniv doesn't look happy!
Is he ever? Merida half-laughed. Harry stretched & woke
up beside her. Before he could say anything, he felt two hands grab
him & hold him up.
Father now what? Merida glowered.
What did you do to her, Potter?! Snape snarled.
I
swear, n-n-n-othing! Harry stammered, wondering what on earth he
could have done now!
Don't play games with me! Snape
snapped.
Father? Hello?
What's w-wrong? Harry
dared to ask.
She's pregnant, you fool!
She is?!
I AM?!
You are!!
Lupin's
eyes popped WIDE open!
