Disclaimer: I unfortunately don't own a darn thing. If I did…as Gambit Gurl Isis would say…I'd be soooo rich! (did she say that?)
Author's notes: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! I really, really appreciate your kind words of praise and encouragement! I hope I can continue to write a good story for you all! Special thanks to Abforth! Just because! *grins*
Harry walked quickly behind the werewolf that was Remus Lupin, noting his agitated movements with caution. Lupin seemed all right, as he'd greeted Harry quite joyfully, with much pouncing and licking. But as Harry had explained the situation to Professor Snape, the werewolf had become restless and nervous, prompting Harry to encourage his least favorite professor's company.
It took less time to arrive back at the alley, but Harry found that only Hermione and Ron were there. He frowned, but before he could speak Ron ran over to them and hurriedly explained that the Headmaster and everyone else had retreated to the Three Broomsticks to plan a course of action.
"How long ago did they leave?" Snape asked, frowning as well.
Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but suddenly the night's quiet was ripped by a piercing howl.
OOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO!!
Harry smacked his hands over his ears and turned to see Lupin standing on his furry hindquarters, his enormous head lifted to the sky and anger rolling of him in waves. It was a terrifying sight, as the werewolf stood almost seven and a half feet tall. Harry felt fear grip his heart, and wanted nothing more than to run to the Three Broomsticks as fast as his legs could carry him. But it was Lupin, Remus Lupin. His father's trusted friend, and a friend and mentor to Harry. Harry felt fear and confusion cloud his brain as Lupin slowly lowered himself to the ground. It was a shock, then, to hear Snape suddenly cry;
"Lupin, don't!"
Harry looked over to his former teacher in surprise, just in time to see him start running furiously away. Cursing loudly, Snape followed. Without thinking, Harry dashed after them both, followed closely by Ron and Hermione.
"Remus!" Harry cried, running as fast as he could to keep up with the immense, four legged creature. Snape was surprisingly fast himself, and was running close beside Harry. Lupin came to a halt in front of Dervish and Banges, and Harry stopped so fast he nearly tripped. Lupin stood on his hind quarters again and sniffed the door, then lowered his head and sniffed the ground carefully. Ron and Hermione ran up then, gasping loudly.
"What-" Ron began, but Snape cut him off.
"Not now, Weasley!" he snapped, then walked over to the werewolf, "Lupin, don't be stupid! We can't possibly pursue them on foot, they've too big a lead! They could be anywhere by now. Let's go to the Headmaster and see what he has planned."
Lupin growled deep in his throat, barely glancing at the Potions Master before he continued sniffing the ground. Harry stared at Remus, his confusion slowly leaving him as he watched the werewolf try and capture the scent of his quarry. Perhaps this is better, he thought. Harry didn't think that Dumbledore would be in favor of going after whoever had captured Ginny right away. Most likely he would want to contact the Ministry, and that would take ages. Meanwhile Ginny would move further and further out of reach. He could hear Ron's agitated breathing behind him, and knew his best friend was thinking the same thing. But Hermione—
"The Professor's right Remus," Hermione said anxiously, not disappointing Harry's expectations, "We can't possibly hope to find them this way. We'd do better to see what the Headmaster has planned!"
"That'll take too long!" Ron burst out, "We have to go now! Ginny doesn't have a chance otherwise!"
Snape turned back to Ron, scowling. Harry knew that he was about to squelch the whole argument, and thought fast.
"Malfoy could be dead by now," he said quickly, "Anderson as well. If they're alive, we don't have any time to lose."
Snape turned a vicious glare on Harry, who almost quailed. Never let it be said, Harry thought in bemusement, that Snape can't freeze your blood!
"All right, young geniuses," the Potions Master snapped, "just how do you propose we follow them? I don't suppose either of you thought to bring your broomsticks?"
Harry blushed and tried to think of any way they could possibly follow the trail of the kidnappers quickly. He was coming up blank, though, and kicked a rock in frustration.
"I see," Snape chuckled. Turning from them, the Professor looked down the darkened street, and out into the dark hills beyond.
"A Flying Carpet would be ideal, but we don't have one of those," Snape murmured, then looked at Lupin, who was standing stiffly and also staring into the darkness.
"Do you have their scent? Do you know where they've gone?" he asked the werewolf. Lupin responded with a short whuff.
"You know everything, don't you?" Snape looked at the werewolf in surprise now, and Harry stared at them both, puzzled. Did Snape actually understand Lupin's wolfish growls? He wasn't inclined to think so, but it seemed some sort of communication was going on. Snape stared at the werewolf a moment longer, then turned and looked carefully at the entrance to the wizard shop.
"Was this…part of the plan?" Snape asked softly. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at the Professor. Lupin stalked around in a circle, then came right before the Potions Master, who scowled angrily.
"I don't appreciate being left in the dark! And obviously more has gone wrong than you anticipated, hasn't it?" Snape looked ready to kill. Lupin whined and growled, then stood on his hindquarters again. The werewolf then turned and began scratching on the shop's entrance.
"Very well," the professor snapped, "move away from the door!"
Lupin moved to stand next to Harry as Snape walked over to the door, withdrawing his wand and pointing at the handle.
"Alohamora Arcanus!" he said softly. A bright, green light flared in the key hole for a moment, and then they heard the door open with a click. Harry blinked in surprise.
"Well, follow me!" Snape barked at them, entering the shop quickly. The trio hurriedly followed as Snape walked purposefully towards the section containing—
Brooms.
Harry blinked, but understood immediately. He stepped forward and grabbed a Nimbus 2002, the best broom Dervish and Banges stocked. He wished he had his Firebolt, but they didn't have time to run back to the castle. Harry watched as The Professor and Ron also grabbed brooms, and smiled when Hermione just stood there.
"Hurry up, Miss Granger," Snape growled.
"I can't," she replied, white faced and trembling slightly, "I…I don't…that is, I'm not very good at flying."
"You can ride with me," Ron said firmly, before Snape could speak.
"Good," Harry said a bit loudly, "let's go then!"
They all filed out of the shop, Snape stopping to lock the door again. Harry wondered how long it would take the shop owners to discover they'd been robbed, and vaguely hoped some opportunity to give the brooms back would present itself later.
"How will Lupin keep up?" Hermione asked anxiously, making the Potions Master smile coldly.
"We will be following him, Miss Granger. He knows where we're supposed to go, and I'll be able to see him even though night has fallen."
Snape suddenly produced a small vial from a deep pocket in his robes. The vial contained a silvery red liquid, and Snape drained its contents immediately. The students watched as Snape shuddered for a moment, then rubbed his eyes. When he lowered his hands, Harry gaped, and Hermione gasped aloud. Snape's eyes were now a glowing red, and the pupils were long and ovular. The Potions Master took a moment to enjoy the effect he was having on the Trio, then swung his leg over the broomstick. The others followed suit, Hermione gripping Ron hard enough to make him protest. Harry smiled a moment, then kicked off the ground.
The familiar exhilaration flowed through Harry as the wind whipped his hair. He would never love anything as much as loved flying, and that was a fact! Spotting Snape, Harry pulled up alongside him, watching carefully as the Potions Master kept his eyes trained on the ground.
"This way!" he shouted, and maneuvered his broom in a left angle, heading south. Harry followed suit, and looked over at Ron to see him caught between a grin and a wince as Hermione seemed to have a death grip on him, her face buried in his shoulder. They were on their way.
Draco sighed and stretched, watching the werewolf sit and stare at him. At times it seemed she was looking through him. He glared at her in disgust, unable to believe he hadn't seen through her right from the beginning when he was sitting in the school infirmary.
The Celt had gone, probably to retrieve the others. He'd left Morgan in charge of him and had threatened to break Draco's legs if he tried to escape again. The Morgan bitch growled, and Draco felt irritation flash through him as he remembered what had happened when he'd found himself under her paws…again!
"You remember Miss Morgan, don't you?" the Celt had asked.
Ms. Morgan? Elizabeth Morgan was the werewolf? Draco had stared incredulously at the Celt before dissolving into bitter laughter.
"I should have guessed," he'd grinned humorlessly.
"Indeed. Now be a good boy and come along back to the barn before I'm forced to report that we had to dispose of you."
"Get the she-bitch off of me first!" Draco had growled back. The Celt had thrown his head back and laughed in amusement.
"My goodness, I do like you!" he'd chuckled, pulling on Morgan's bristly ear. She'd crawled off of Draco's chest and he'd stood shakily, staring at them both with a dazed expression. Reality had definitely jumped out a window somewhere!
"You can carry the Carpet, since you worked so hard to get it free." The vampire smirked, making Draco long to slam a shovel in his icy face. As Draco had gone to lift it, however, the Celt had changed his mind.
"Never mind boy," he'd suddenly snapped, "I have a better idea."
Draco had dropped the Carpet and turned to see the Celt frowning off into the darkness, wary and alert.
"Guard him," he'd said to the werewolf, "and if you try to disappear again boy, I wll crush both of your legs so badly you won't have anything but bone dust left in them. I mean that."
Then he had flown off like a bat into the dark tree branches above. Draco was glad he'd left so quickly. He didn't want the Celt knowing how much the threat had affected him. Now, as he sat against a tree and tried to ignore the dead boy who was still just a few feet away, Draco felt weariness and hunger press upon him. This had to be the longest day he'd ever known, and it didn't look to end anytime soon. The she wolf was still watching him like she expected him to try and run any second now. He had to surpress the urge to throw a rock at her.
"Don't suppose your boyfriend will be terribly pleased with you," he said coolly, wanting to goad her in some way, "I'll bet the first thing he does is cut up your picture."
She sniffed the air, and otherwise didn't react, irritating Draco. So he tried again.
"Oh, was he in on it? Hard to believe. Lupin's always been such a do gooder, especially where that Potter's concerned." Draco spat Potter like a curse, and felt his mouth curl as he thought of his longtime rival. Morgan paused, and seemed to stare at Draco with curiosity. Encouraged, Draco continued to ramble.
"Yes, I always suspected a certain amount of arse licking going on, especially since he knew the brat's father," Morgan growled finally, and Draco grinned with triumph. Part of him knew he was going to regret this, but he was tired of being kicked around by these people.
"Tell me, were they as close as I always thought? Did they share you perhaps? I wouldn't be-"
Morgan leaped forward suddenly with a loud snap of her jaws, causing Draco to jump and fall sideways. When he looked up he saw her eyes glowing red, staring furiously down on him. Draco's heart pounded hard, and he could see the boy's body out of the corner of his eye.
I guess this is the part where I regret it, he thought in resignation. Somehow, this revenge wasn't too sweet at all. Her growls grew loud, and her face pressed close to his. Draco closed his eyes, waiting for the bite or swipe of her huge paws as cold sweat poured down his back.
But no, the growls weren't just hers. Draco distinctly heard another deep growl coming from behind her, and opened his eyes. At first all he saw was Morgan's face, or more specifically, her toothy maw. But then she crawled away from him and turned to look behind her. A large, black, four legged shape, with eyes reflecting the silver moonlight, seemed to walk towards her. Morgan sniffed the ground, then trotted to the animal and whuffed quietly. Draco strained his eyes to see what it was, but Morgan seemed to be in some sort of communication with it, and her body blocked his view. Sitting up, Draco stared harder and thought it might be another wolf. Until it walked into a patch of moonlight and looked at him.
It was a dog. A large, black, scruffy dog.
Draco blinked, wondering why the dog was acting so peculiarly. It wasn't attacking him, and wasn't trying to play with him or beg for food, as strays often did. It just stood and stared at him consideringly, and Draco felt goose bumps rise on his arms.
An animagus, perhaps? Draco stood slowly, his eyes never leaving the animal.
"Who are you?" he asked in what he hoped was a commanding voice.
The dog barked softly, then turned back to Morgan and they seemed to communicate again. Draco's suspicion that this was an animagus gained strength, and he wondered what the hell was happening now. Suddenly both animals stiffened and looked out towards the barn. A moment later, the dog shot off into the darkness and disappeared. Draco heard voices then, and was startled by a hand falling heavily on his shoulder. He was roughly turned to face the Celt.
"Not a word about the dog," he hissed, "not if you want to live!"
Draco blinked, his heart once again threatening to burst from his chest. The Celt hissed sibilantly.
"Your word, boy!" his grip tightened, and Draco winced in pain as he nodded quickly.
"Laighlinne?" Relah's voice floated over to them, "I have them."
"Good," the Celt, named Laighlinne, called, "I must feed before we go."
Relah emerged from the shadows with Ginny and Caleb, dragging each along by their collars. She laughed at Laighlinne's words.
"Take this one," she tossed Caleb to the ground in front of the Celt, "He's a useless extra, and rather tiresome."
Morgan growled, and Laighlinne smirked, "He may yet prove valuable. Morgan will guard them. Come."
But Relah frowned at him, "They have tried numerous times to escape, she cannot watch all three."
Laighlinne smiled and clapped a hand onto Draco's shoulder, "I know this one will not try it again, because he knows what I will do to him. As for those two-"
Laighlinne walked slowly forward, dragging Draco with him, until he was in front of Ginny, and stooped to look her in the eyes. She glared defiantly back.
"You won't try to leave either, pretty one," he said softly to her, and Ginny's expression became fixed as her face turned pale, "because you have no choice but to stay."
Without warning, Laighlinne stomped sideways into Draco's tibia, and the sick sound of bones cracking mingled with Draco's strangled cry of pain. Ginny screamed and burst into tears, catching Draco as he fell. Relah began to laugh with delight.
"Well, at least they're not bone dust." The Celt said cheerfully to Draco before leaping into the trees above. Relah pointed to Caleb, and Morgan quickly took up position next to him as the female vampire leaped into the trees after Laighlinne.