CHAPTER THIRTEEN Of Werewolves and Runaways

Ophelia opened the door of the Three Broomsticks and found her friends sitting at a cozy table in the back.

"Well done Mr Black, Mr Potter." she chuckled, sitting down next to them.

James handed her a mug of Butterbeer. "Take your share of the congratulations, Miss Lupin. From what I saw, you really fooled Tate and his gargoyles."

She laughed loudly. "You haven't even heard the best part; Crabbe and Marcus told me to save them a dance."

"But you're going to the Ball with me. Right Phe?" asked Sirius.

She frowned and stared back at him. "Of course I am. I couldn't very well say you were taking me, now could I?"

"I thought it was funny." said James, breaking the silence.

"Where are Pete and the Prefect twins?" Ophelia giggled.

"Lily saw Dumbledore and dragged them back to the castle." James chuckled. "Worm left a message with Rosemerta."

She shook her head. "I love Lily."

James smiled. "Aw, so do I, so do I."

She slapped his arm. "She's, like, freakishly cautious. I think she's going to explode in a rebellious rage one of these days."

"Oh how I hope I"m there to take in part that." he added.

A few pints of Butterbeer later, they headed back to Honeydukes,only to discover that it had closed early.

"Perfect!" cried Ophelia. "What are we going to do? Spend Christmas in Hogsmeade?"

"Oh young Ophelia." said James superiorly. "Trust us to have a backup plan."

"Backup plan?" Sirius repeated.

"Yeah, we'll just go through the Shrieking Shack."

She blanched. "Er... do we h-have to? Aren't there two other passages back to the castle?"

"Come on Phe. You of all people know that it's not really haunted." James urged.

"I know, but--"

"It will be the easiest route. Quick, too." Sirius replied softly.

She heaved her shoulders, defeated. "I guess. Let's just get it over with."

They soon reached the Shack but as they approached the splintered door, Ophelia's feet turned to lead.

"Home sweet home." James laughed, going inside.

Sirius turned back and smiled. "We're just passing through. We're not even going upstairs."

She looked down at the ground, her gaze falling upon a large, scarlet blood stain. She couldn't look away, it was as is she was hypnotized.

"Phe?" Sirius took her hand in his. "Let's go." he said quietly, leading her through the tunnel.

When they reached Hogwarts, Ophelia quickly excused herself and went to her dorm.

But after an hour or two of tossing in her sleep, she threw on a housecoat and went down to the common room.

Sirius heard the approaching steps and sat up.

"I was hoping I would see you tonight." he said, pouring her a glass of banana juice.

"You were?"

"Yeah, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine. Really." she replied. "Just... I guess I wasn't prepared for seeing that. My parents... even Remus, have always tried to keep em away from that part of his life. It just got me thinking about October again. There was so much blood..."

Sirius nodded slightly. "Yeah, there's always blood."

She took a deep breath. "Can you.."

"Tell you about it?" he finished. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"It's violent. His bones regenerate to about two times their size. His skin has to stretch to cover them, and it's forced to do this in few short seconds. Sometimes it tears.." Sirius paused. "Do you want me to stop?"

Ophelia looked around the room, anywhere but at him.

"Keep going." she said. "Please."

"When he's by himself, he's ferocious. He has only himself to bite, scratch. But when we're with him, we can curb it slightly."

"Slightly?"

"He's still essentially an animal." he explained. "He can only control himself to a certain degree."

"What.. exactly happened to you?"

Sirius hesitated. "It's over, Phe, it's done. I don't think it's a good idea to go dredging that up again."

"I have to know."

He gingerly rolled up the sleeve of his pajama shirt to reveal a deep, serrated wound. "Believe me; it looks a hell of a lot worse than it felt. Pomfrey is a genius at what she does."

Ophelia nodded distractedly. "Right.."

Sirius suddenly appeared worried. "Look, it's only a few hours each month and than he's back to his normal self."

His words fell dead at her ears. "I've seen his scars, you know." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He tries to hide them. He won't go swimming in the lake anymore. He used to love swimming."

"Tell him it's not a problem for you."

She shrugged. "He wouldn't listen. He's so bloody stubborn."

Sirius smiled, immediately lightening the tension. "You're calling Remus stubborn? It must run in your family. Like depravity runs in mine."

"Not so much now. If you ignore Regulus."

"I guess. Did I tell you I've decided to leave? I can't take them anymore, even if it is only for one week out of the year."

"Where will you go?"

"James' most likely. His parents offered me a room."

"Sirius, that's great. You're getting away from that hell beast you call a mother. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

"It's exactly what I've wanted."

Both heads turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, echoing heavily down the stone staircase.

"Sirius? Phe?" Remus rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing up?"

"Nothing." said Sirius quickly.

"Now that you're hear to keep him company, I think I'll try to get back to sleep." she said, getting to her feet. "Good night."