Disclaimer: Once again...I do not own Harry Potter, nor would I ever claim to own Harry Potter. Sad fact of life.
Oh, and sorry this took so long. I'll try to be more diligent about updates from now on...but everyone says that, don't they? On to the story.
Alex hurtled down the corridors, shoving students and teachers alike in her desperation to reach the Gryffindor rooms. "Are you demented?!" a student yelled at her, as if she cared.
"HOGSWALLUPS!" she screamed at a very startled Fat Lady, who quickly moved out of her way. Alex entered the common room, and, seeing neither her cousin nor James, she ran to the boys' dormitories. Alex ran up the steps past several shocked boys, threw open the door and ran to where Sirius and James were talking.
Sirius looked up at her footsteps and started. "What do you think you're doing here?"
Alex shook her head, panting, "No on...Remus!"
The two boys took one look at her face and guessed the problem. They came to their feet immediately, running hard to catch up with Alex who led the way.
Alex stopped her dead sprint at the beech tree. She looked around for Sirius and James, but they had disappeared. "Remus?" she said, her voice shaking, her breathing heavy.
She screamed as something shot out from the other side of the tree and, growling, leapt at her throat.
The werewolf that was Remus found its way blocked by a large black dog which threw itself at the werewolf, throat rumbling in anger. The werewolf tried to shake off the dog and come for Alex again, but found its way blocked by another large animal, this time a stag, which had appeared seemingly out of thin air and was beginning to shunt her away from the scene.
The next day, Remus conjured up his strength and cornered Alex after Transfiguration. The rest of the class had already left, and Remus faced Alex in the empty classroom. He looked a mess, his face marred by a long cut running from his forehead to his chin which Alex suspected to be the handiwork of a certain black dog.
"Your face," she said, her fingers anxiously tracing his cut.
Remus winced, grabbing her wrist. "Better my face than your throat," he said, his eyes full of regret.
He sat down on the floor, pulling her down with him. "Listen," he said nervously, playing with her fingers distractedly. "I don't remember exactly what I did last night, but I know I came close to killing you. I'd never have forgiven myself for that."
"It's alright Remus, really…"
"No, it's not alright!" Remus yelled, more angry at himself than at Alex. "I almost killed you, you understand? If it wasn't for Sirius, you would be dead!"
"You couldn't help it, it was…"
"An accident, yes. But nevertheless, an accident that almost took your life," Remus said, his voice grave. "I just wanted to say that I understand if you never want to talk to me again."
But his voice broke, betraying his true feelings. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him, how could he stand losing her?
He nerved himself to meet her eyes, but when he did, he saw not fear and hatred, but amusement, perhaps even love.
"What?" she said playfully. "You think your being a werewolf's going to scare me away? Nice try, but I grew up with Bellatrix, remember?"
Remus could not contain his joy. He laughed and abruptly pulled Alex into a kiss that ended only when Professor McGonigall walked in looking scandalized.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I'm going somewhere with all of this, I promise! I just have to get there...
neurotica5684: Yeah, covering all the years from first to sixth seemed tedious, unnecessary and more than a tad obsessive! I agree. Bellatrix's a twisted, evil freak...as you'll find out in more detail later (hint, hint).
I hope to be able to update soon! Keep reading and reviewing please everyone!