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Latin Space Angel-Special thanks to you for pointing out my error! I don't know what in the world I was thinking. I knew that...I think :) Anyway, I've fixed it and thanks again!

Chapter 15

"Remus? May I speak with you?" Dumbledore asked with concern.

Remus was standing in the middle of his empty classroom staring off into space. It had been a week since Ariana had overheard Lupin and he had to admit he was getting worried.

Ariana hadn't been to any of her magical lessons, in fact no one had seen her anywhere. She'd checked out of the Leaky Cauldron without a word to anyone.

Lupin was looking pale, thin and haggard. Dumbledore had the suspicion that he hadn't slept or ate much in the time that had passed.

"What?" Remus asked distractedly as numbly realized he wasn't alone. "Oh. Certainly, headmaster."

"I'm quite troubled. You haven't been yourself lately. And I understand that but it's effecting your classes. Have you even eaten anything this week?" Albus asked.

"A bit. I have no appetite. I appreciate your concern, really, but I'll be fine." Lupin said unconvincingly.

"Well, I'm afraid I must insist you eat something and get a good night sleep. Why don't you go get a sleeping draught from Madame Pomfrey? You look terrible." Dumbledore replied.

Remus thought about that for a moment. He doubted he'd even slept ten hours in seven days. Maybe a sleeping draught would be a good idea. For one night anyway.

"I might do just that Albus. Thank you." Lupin said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.

"Good. Then have a nice relaxing weekend. Everything will be fine." Dumbledore said and turned to leave.

When he got to the door Remus stopped him.

"Albus? Have you seen Ariana this week?" He asked in a would-be casual voice.

"No. I haven't Remus." He answered honestly.

"Oh. Good night then." Lupin said, sounding dejected.

"Thank you. You also. And don't forget to go see Poppy." Dumbledore said and disappeared, leaving Remus alone with his tortured thoughts again.

Ariana walked stealthily along the edge of Hogwarts grounds, keeping close to the shadows so she wouldn't be seen. She was sneaking in to see Dumbledore but had no desire to see Remus.

That's not true, a nagging voice told her. She sighed heavily as she tried to push the thought away, because no matter how angry and hurt she was, she had missed him like crazy this week.

She had checked out of her room at the inn and went to stay at the Shrieking Shack again. Remus had admitted he only used it during his werewolf transformation period, so she knew she wouldn't be discovered.

It had been a long and stressful week but now she needed to get back to a normal routine. So she was resuming her magic lessons.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the main building undetected and walked quickly until she found herself at the giant stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.

Just as she was about to say the password a movement caught her eye. Dammit, she thought as her eyes fell on Remus. Even now, knowing everything that she did he made her breath hitch.

He stood there and watched her until he began making his way toward her. She turned on her heel and swiftly began walking the way she had came. Ariana heard his footsteps following her.

"Ariana?" He called. "Please. Let me explain."

"Leave me alone Remus. You've done enough." She said as she picked up her pace and began to jog.

"You don't understand." Remus said pleadingly as he continued to follow her.

"Did you kill my father?" She demanded.

"Yes but..."

"Then that's all I need to know." And with that she broke into a full out run.

He followed her out the castle doors and across the grounds, calling out fruitlessly to get her to stop. But when she came to the Whomping Willow he skidded to a halt.

"Ariana. Stop! The tree." He shouted. "Listen to me, dammit!"

But it was too late. The tree had already swung into action.

Ariana heard the rustling noise and looked up in time to see one of the tree branches whack her in the back of the head. It went black for a moment as she saw bursts of light behind her eyes and swayed in place.

Then she felt a limb fling itself into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She screamed weakly as another branch hit her in the back. It dropped her roughly to the ground and she scrambled to get away but she wasn't fast enough.

Another branch began striking her repeatedly in the back until a different limb scooped her up and threw her into the air. She was flung into the trunk and heard a cracking sound, then a sharp pain in her leg told her it was broken. She closed her eyes to the ache and when she opened them every direction she looked there seemed to be a tree branch waiting to inflict some kind of pain on her.

Remus watched petrified for a moment as the Whomping Willow tossed Ariana mercilessly around as she screamed. Finally getting a hold of himself he grabbed for his wand and pointed it at the tree.

"Immobulus!" He cried.

The tree jerked to a halt and released Ariana, dropping her. Remus watched helplessly as she fell to the ground and landed on her back.

He ran to where she lay and crouched down beside her. She wasn't moving or breathing.

"Ariana?" He said softly. "Can you hear me?"

Nothing. She lay perfectly still. Shit, he thought in panic.

Madame Pomfrey will know what to do. I think her legs broken so I better not carry her. Thinking quickly, he pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and transfigured it into a stretcher. He guided it quickly but smoothly to the hospital wing.

When they got to the light of the castle Remus could see many cuts on her arms and face and he closed his eyes against the guilt.

"What's happened here?" Poppy demanded when she spotted the floating stretcher.

"Whomping Willow. She's not breathing and I think her leg is broken." Remus explained.

"Leave her to me, Professor." Madame Pomfrey said and bustled away with Ariana.

Remus sank against the wall and ran his hands over tired face. This is all my fault, he berated himself.She has to be ok. She has to.