Hello! More chapters! And because I've managed to write something like
three chapters, this week, I'm gonna post up to Chapter 12. But I'm not
doing it for nothing. I demand reviews! Are you boycotting me or
something? Some people have 100 reviews by the time they get to Chapter 8.
I haven't even had 10. Enough feeling sorry for myself.
Here's the new chapters (or not so new since this was written sometime in January, or even December).
Lol, Tanydwr
Chapter 8 – Snape's Curses
Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she had a completely guilt- free, free afternoon. Homework was completed, no other homework set, and she finally had complete control over her other power – shape-shifting.
She stared into the crystalline blue waters of the lake, grateful for her gift of fire. She had learned how to fill her body with its warmth, the reason she could brave the open air in just jeans, blouse and robes. Not many people would on a clear, windy day of early November; it was cold.
She sighed. Solitude was something she so rarely had these days. Not that she was complaining, but it was nice to have a few moments alone. She closed her eyes and leant back on a tree trunk.
A twig broke nearby.
"I can hear you, Sirius." Kathryn called without opening her eyes.
"I don't think so." A greasy voice replied.
In a second, Kathryn was stood, wand firmly in hand though not pointed – yet.
"What do you want, Snivellus?" Kathryn demanded angrily.
The two had become enemies even more swiftly than Snape and James. Kathryn hated him for what he was going to do to people she cared for, the way he treated people now, his bigoted views, and the fact that he was, well, him. In turn, he hated her because she was so powerful and talented, a Gryffindor, an Orenda (the two families had a historic feud), always suspicious of him (A/N: With reason!), and a friend of the Marauders. The enmity was extremely high and had caused a number of confrontations and pranks to be played over the first weeks of Sixth-year.
"Who said I wanted anything other than fresh air?" Snape replied.
"If you wanted fresh air, you could've gone to the other side of the lake. You came here for a reason. You never do anything unless it benefits you or your precious master Voldemort."
"You *dare* say the Dark Lord's name?" Snape snarled.
Kathryn raised a brow. "Where ya been, Snivelly? I say it every day."
"You wish to bring his wrath upon you." He sneered.
"If just saying his name brought his wrath upon you, I'd be dead already. He isn't that powerful. So, what'd you want? And before you say anything, no, I'm not going to give him my magic, no, I'm not going to join his side, and no, I'm not gonna hand over any of my friends to him."
"You dare mock him?" Snape looked livid.
"Yeah, I do." Kathryn shot back. "And I don't take kindly to his Death Eaters dogging my tracks. Or insulting my little sister, for that matter. I've already told you once that that isn't a good idea. I'm gonna tell you again. Don't hurt her, bully her, or put her in the Hospital Wing. Coz next time she isn't just telling me, she's telling my brothers. And they are very protective over their wittle sister." She put on a childish voice at the end.
"I do not take orders from Mudblood scum!"
"I'm not a Mudblood. Mudbloods, frankly, don't exist. They're just a warped idea from the twisted mind of those who think pureblood means pure heart and strong magic. You're all idiots."
"Fools like you shall be crushed when he rises to supremacy! You will all be crushed!" Snape crowed.
"And here I was, thinking you were the sane one who'd realise his mistakes in time! I guess that part of the future is wrong!" Kathryn yelled.
Snape stopped, and stared at her. "What?"
"Forget it. It doesn't matter. I'm leaving." She turned to go.
"What did you mean?"
"I mean that Moldyvort will not gain his dreams of world domination. And even funnier, he's half-blood too. True half-blood, not a Muggle-born half- blood. So read into that what you will. The man's a bloody hypocrite!"
"Don't you dare insult him!"
"Watch me! Voldemort is an idiot. He is foolish, hard-hearted and cruel. His lack of understanding of basic emotions like love will undo him! He constantly screws up and is a failure!" Kathryn yelled. "Do you want me to continue? I've got plenty left to say!" Disgusted, she turned away, not wanting to hear an answer.
But Snape did answer, with only one thing. He raised his wand. "Crucio!" He yelled.
Kathryn fell to her knees, blinded by pain. She bit her lip, determined not to scream, but couldn't stop herself. The pain seared her body, savage blows dealt to every inch. Her screams permeated the air, barbs in the crisp atmosphere.
* * *
Sirius grinned. Lily and James were arguing again, they were too much into the habit of doing so, but at least it wasn't the bitter ones they were used to.
He strolled out into the grounds, leaving them by the Entrance Hall.
It was then he heard the screams. Screams he recognised. Screams that froze his soul.
"Kathryn." He murmured.
He ran out, aiming for the lake. Kathryn was on the other side, collapsed on the floor. A dark-haired male stood above her, wand out.
Sirius had never felt the desire to get to her that quickly before. But he did now, and it unlocked another of his unknown powers. Teleporting.
Instantly he was behind Snape.
"Evancier!" Sirius shouted.
Immediately, Snape's spell was deflected, and he stopped it. But by this point Kathryn had stopped screaming – she had fallen unconscious.
Sirius ran forward, taking his friend in his arms. "What the Hell did you think you were doing?" Sirius yelled at Snape.
"She insulted my master, the filthy little Orenda. She deserved it."
"NO ONE DESERVES THE CRUCIATUS CURSE!" Sirius yelled back. "You attacked a fellow student..."
"That fellow student is a disgrace to the name of wizard!"
"NO, SNAPE! YOU ARE! IF YOU'RE SO HIGH AND MIGHTY, TRY THE WHOMPING WILLOW TONIGHT, PRESS THE KNOT AND IT'LL FREEZE! THEN WE'LL SEE HOW BRAVE YOU REALLY ARE!" Sirius, blinded by anger, barely knew what he was saying. If he hadn't been, he'd never have told Snape how to get to Remus on a night like tonight – the full moon.
Snape marched away, but not before placing a curse on Sirius.
"Kiva benso!"
It would prevent him from saying what happened to Kathryn, not matter how much he wanted to. It would also stop him from justifying his actions if he had dropped Snape into a trap. As he, accidentally, had.
Sirius, not realising about the curse, picked up Kathryn carefully in his arms. Concentrating on the other side of the lake, he teleported there. Marvelling at the good timing of his new power, he ran into the Entrance Hall, where Lily and James were still arguing.
"God, what happened?" Lily asked as soon as she saw Kathryn.
Sirius, about answer, suddenly found his throat closing off. He began coughing and coughing. (A/N: Another thing a little adapted from Tamora Pierce! Great writer!)
"Mobilicorpus." Lily incanted, raising Kathryn's body from Sirius' arms.
"Padfoot, you okay?" James asked.
"No. I-I can't say it." He wondered. "Say what?"
Sirius, not wanting to bring on another coughing fit, gestured to Kathryn.
"What happened?"
Sirius nodded.
"Come on. We need to see how she is. Anyway, we'll see Remus in the Hospital Wing."
Sirius nodded, having forgotten exactly what he said to Snape in anger.
* * *
------------
"What the...?" Snape shouted, his eyes wide in fear. "Merlin, no!"
The werewolf advanced upon him, penetrating the weak shield Snape placed around him. It didn't take long for him to rip the boy to shreds, leaving nothing but a heap of bloody robes, bones and remnants on the floor.
------------
"NO!" Kathryn yelled.
"What is it?" James asked, alarmed.
Only he and Lily were there, Sirius was nowhere in sight.
"James! He-He's gone! He's going to see Moony!" Kathryn shuddered, fear in her voice.
James stared at her. "Who?"
"Snape! I don't know, someone must've told him. Maybe-maybe this was what Snape kept saying about. Sirius. Sixteen, capable of murder. No, it can't be, there must be a reason!" Kathryn shrieked.
James didn't wait for any more comments. "Sirius told Snape how to get to Moony? Crap! Lily, stay here!"
James ran from the Hospital Wing.
Kathryn meanwhile seemed to be troubled by flashing images, fragments from her dream.
"No. No, Sirius, he can't – he *can't* have sent Snape there. What happened? Why am I here? Why can't I remember?" Kathryn wailed.
Madam Pomfrey appeared. "Miss Orenda, please! Calm yourself!"
"What in God's name happened?" Kathryn screamed at her.
"We don't know. Your friends brought you in with severe trauma to your body and mind. We do know that it was magically applied and not physical. We aren't exactly sure what happened to you. We were hoping you could fill in the blanks."
Kathryn frowned. All she could remember was sitting by the lake. She shook her head. "I don't remember anything other than sitting by the lake. My mind – it's blocked it off. It must have been too traumatic to remember."
Madam Pomfrey sighed soothingly. "Don't worry. It'll come back, eventually. Is there something else wrong?"
Kathryn shook her head. Madam Pomfrey handed her a goblet of a steaming potion. Warily, Kathryn drank it, the liquid scalding her throat. As the matron left, Lily turned to her.
"What is it?" Lily asked.
"In the third book. When Sirius... well, that's not important. Anyway, Snape said, several times, that Sirius and the others played a prank on him, that let him see, er, Moony."
"Moony? Isn't that Remus' nickname?" Lily frowned. "Why... Oh. That. So he is a werewolf?"
Kathryn stared. "You know?"
"Of course. All these mysterious illnesses or ill family members that always happen around the full moon? Couldn't be anything else. But why would Sirius send Snape to see him?"
"That's it, I don't know. But Snape always said it like it was a prank. And he always said James bottled out of it, which why he saved – will save, rather – his life. But Remus said it wasn't. James found out about it in time from another source and saved Snape, but he saw Moony. And Snape always said that Sirius was capable of murder at the age of sixteen." Kathryn scowled. "Like he ever *will* be capable of murder."
"Am I missing something here?"
"Yes. I can't believe that Sirius, and I know him well enough by now, would just say that to Snape. He wouldn't use Remus like that. There must be another reason, and until I can remember, Sirius is going to have this overshadowing his head for ages."
* * *
"Snape, you've got to get out of here now!" James yelled.
"I knew it! You're doing something illegal, aren't you? Hiding illegal potions, or animals, or something!" Snape looked triumphant.
"No! But you'll die if you don't get out of here now!" James screeched. He hated Snape, but he wasn't about to let Remus tear him to shreds, more for Remus' sake than Snape's.
"Oh, very funny, Potter. I'm sure I'll be killed by a load of potions." Snape snarled sarcastically.
At that moment a howl broke the air, by the door that was so close to Snape's side.
"An animal. I knew it. Oh, I'll get you expelled for this." Snape grinned gleefully.
His hand went to open the door. Acting on pure instinct, James flung out a hand. Snape's face froze in terror as he saw a fully-fledged werewolf. Moony's eyes were glinting dangerously, his tongue licking his lips.
Swiftly, James unfroze Snape and the door. "Close it, damn you!" James shrieked, running up.
Snape was frozen, less literally, in pure fear. James flung himself against the door, groaning as the werewolf on the other side unfroze and began to fight back. Snape scrambled away, down the tunnel.
James was flung back as the werewolf's strength gave it the advantage. Swiftly, James became Prongs, the stag. Even now, he was not safe, for the werewolf fought at him, trying to get to the human whose scent lingered below. James was soon cut and bruised, but eventually got the rabid animal back into the room. He returned to human form, locked the door, and fled down the passage, bleeding profusely.
Snape was halfway down the tunnel, frozen in fear once more, for the noise had gotten even more terrible.
"Get out, you idiot!" James yelled. "Get out!" He and Snape finally made their way out of the tunnel, where a welcoming committee was waiting.
A sorrowful-looking Sirius stood beside an unusually cold Professor Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey had ceased attending Kathryn as soon as she heard of what had happened.
Sirius raced forward as James, decidedly weak, came near.
"I'm sorry, mate." He murmured. "I can't even defend myself."
James, unsure of what his friend meant, just nodded.
Madam Pomfrey shrieked as she saw James' bedraggled and torn state. She instantly began fussing.
"Poppy." Dumbledore raised a hand. "I need to speak with the boys in my office. Also, if she is fit, please send up Miss Orenda."
Madam Pomfrey nodded, but muttered darkly about dangerous wounds and bleeding to death as she obeyed.
Dumbledore kept his face calm as the boys followed him up the stairs. Snape shot a gloating look at Sirius and James, knowing that he could not get into trouble, for Sirius could never truly defend what he had done.
* * *
Kathryn arrived at Dumbledore's office with Lily's help. She was terrifyingly weak, but Kathryn had insisted she be there. The sight that met them was a sorry one.
Sirius looked ashamed, for he had remembered what he had said, now. James looked an awful mess, and very tired. Snape looked gloating and triumphant, though this look wavered as she entered.
Dumbledore looked unusually stern. He looked up as Kathryn entered the room.
"Ah, Miss Orenda, Miss Evans. Thank you for joining us. How do you feel, Miss Orenda?" Dumbledore asked.
"If I told you, even you would be offended by my language." Kathryn replied, collapsing into a chair.
Dumbledore couldn't help but smile.
"I believe all this started with what happened to you this afternoon. What do you remember of it?"
Kathryn noticed that Snape visibly paled, his smirk disappearing. Kathryn couldn't help but answer truthfully.
"I don't know. All I remember is sitting by the lake, and then... it's all dark. Then I had that dream and woke up in the Hospital Wing."
"Dream?" Dumbledore asked. Clearly, he had not heard of this.
"Yes. I, er, saw Snape being, er, attacked by the, er, creature." Kathryn explained nervously.
"And then you woke?"
"Yes."
"What then?"
"I warned James of what was to happen."
"Why?"
Kathryn snorted. "Even *he* doesn't deserve death. I think."
Dumbledore frowned. "You *think*?"
Kathryn shrugged. "I can't help feeling that all this has something to do with my being, presumably, attacked. And since Snape despises me, he, or one of his friends, is the most likely culprit."
Snape exploded. "I-I did nothing to you! This was – it was all a trick on Black's part t-to get me killed! And it's illegal! What the hell are they doing, having a werewolf in a school?"
"I know fully well that there is a werewolf here. And had you not followed Mr Black's advice, you would not have been in danger."
"But who...?" Snape began. Then his eyes lit. "It's Lupin, isn't it? That measly little know-it-all! A werewolf! Hah! He'll be out of the school tomorrow!" He yelled.
"Mr Snape, you will not inform anyone of this discovery. If you do, I will be forced to punish you for being out of bed. As it is, I am lenient." Dumbledore turned to James. "Mr Potter, I thank you for your bravery and selflessness. As it is, Mr Snape, you own Mr Potter a Wizard's Debt."
Snape and James' jaws dropped. James no more wanted to have Snape in debt than Snape wanted to be in it.
"No, Professor..." Snape began.
"This cannot be erased, Mr Snape. It can only be repaid."
"But..."
"No buts. Do not mention Mr Lupin's lycanthropy to anyone. I wish to speak to the others alone. Return to your common room."
Grumbling and complaining, Snape left. Dumbledore looked at the four students. Finally his eyes rested on Sirius.
"Please explain why you did this." Dumbledore told him, disappointment in his eyes.
"I can't." Sirius replied.
"Why not?"
"Because every time I try to say that..." Sirius stopped, a fit of coughing interrupting his speech.
"He begins to cough. Like someone doesn't want him to say what happened. And it's something to do with Kathryn. And it has to be Snape." James explained.
Snape... Sirius began to say to the others, but began coughing even harder.
"He can't even use telepathic speech to tell us." Kathryn groaned, her voice weak.
"Damn it!" Sirius yelled. "I didn't..." He began to cough again.
James let out a slight snort. "He can't even defend himself."
Dumbledore frowned. "Since we cannot find out the truth until Kathryn regains her memory or this curse is lifted from Sirius, we do not know the truth. I do not accept Mr Snape's version of events. It seems a little... lacking, shall we say." Dumbledore frowned. Kathryn noted that he had returned to using the four students' given names once Snape had left.
"He was lying." Lily informed them. They stared at her. "What? Couldn't you feel it? He kept stammering and he had such nerves!"
They still stared. Then Kathryn murmured weakly, "You're the empath, not us."
Lily gave a goofy grin. "I forgot. But I'm confident he was lying. After all, it's one of my powers."
"Speaking of powers, something weird happened today. I mean, I heard Kathryn scream and when I saw her, I just wanted to help that moment, to be there right then. And I was. I'm not sure if it was Apparation or teleporting or what, but it happened." Sirius explained.
"I was screaming?" Kathryn asked.
"Yes, you were..." Another attack of the coughs.
"How was it you could say she was screaming, but then not why or anything?" James wanted to know.
Sirius shrugged.
"It stands to reason that because you were talking about something else specific, it just slipped out without the spell noticing it. However now you know about that, it's unlikely that it'll happen again." Lily mused.
"Since the truth is clearly not here, I will give Sirius a week's worth of detentions for propriety's sake. But they will be with me. I will not give expulsion or suspension because I do not believe it is warranted, even if you did tell Mr Snape how to get to Remus."
"Remus!" Sirius looked horrified. "What's he going to say?"
"Since Mr Snape will undoubtedly inform him of his knowledge of his lycanthropy, I suggest you leave me to speak to Mr Lupin. As for now, I suggest you return to your rooms, well, Kathryn and James need to go to the Hospital Wing. You were not bitten, I assume?" Dumbledore verified.
"No, I wasn't." James replied.
"How is it that Mr Snape has not a mark on him, yet you are covered in wounds?"
"I froze them before Remus could get to him. Then I unfroze him and told him to get out, he didn't for a moment, but soon ran into the tunnel. Remus got free by then, and I did my best to stop him and get away, but I was not bitten."
"And you got away?"
"Yes."
"Well done, Mr Potter. I'm impressed. Though I wish to know how you found out about Mr Lupin's lycanthropy and the tunnel and it's access point." Dumbledore didn't look angry, merely curious.
"We figured out he was a werewolf easily. These ill family members, mysterious illnesses he had, relatives' funerals and weddings and what have you? We noticed that they all occurred at the full moon. And we figured that he must be a werewolf. Plus in Third-year, we faced a Boggart, remember? It turned into the moon. So we knew for definite that he was a werewolf. He feared the moon for what it does to him, but it only does that at the real full moon, so the Boggart had no effect." James explained weakly.
Kathryn was feeling drowsy. She stood slowly. "Um, I need to sleep." She explained, swaying.
"Of course! Sirius, detention tomorrow, here, eight o'clock." Dumbledore ordered.
"Yes sir." Sirius nodded.
Sirius aided Kathryn as he and Lily escorted their two friends to the Hospital Wing once more. James refused Lily's aid, feeling too proud, but thanked her for the offer most touchingly.
Kathryn was feeling so tired and weak, she could barely stand.
"Mystique, you okay?" Sirius asked.
"I've been attacked by God-knows-what, had a painful vision, lost part of my memory and woken up to find out one of my best friends is being framed for a crime he didn't commit." Kathryn informed him, her voice dripping sarcasm. "I'm fine."
Sirius had to protest. "Well, I did..." Another cough, but not as harsh.
"Snape framed you. You're a favourite scapegoat." Kathryn snarled.
"What?" Sirius, Lily and James asked, knowing that this was something else.
Kathryn looked at them. "Oh, sh–"
"Swearing does not answer the question, Mystique." Sirius informed her tartly. "What did you mean?"
"Nothing. Nothing." Kathryn told them.
"You know something. In fact, while you've told us of many people's futures, expressed dislike for people, or like for people and said numerous things pertaining to James' son, you've said exceptionally little about our futures. Your friends. Why?"
"Because it is your futures that make the difference." Kathryn replied. "Mine does not. I didn't read of myself, or anyone even remotely like myself. Obviously, I'm dead by that point."
"What point?" James looked almost angry.
"The point which changes Harry's future forever. Which cements him in another's prophecy. Which makes him who he is. Which protects him, in some ways. I can't change that future. If I do, God knows what'll occur." Kathryn looked sad.
'Why does thinking about our future make her so sad?' Lily wondered.
"But," Kathryn surprised them with a sudden comment, "if I am still alive after the fifth book, as such, I swear, I'll do everything in my power to change that future. Or to make it, depending on what my dreams tell me. I swear it."
She then stopped, swayed, and fainted.
Sirius rolled his eyes as he picked her up for the second time that day. "She has really got to stop the vehement thing. It seems to send her into faints each time."
* * *
A/N: Go on to next chapter! Please!
Here's the new chapters (or not so new since this was written sometime in January, or even December).
Lol, Tanydwr
Chapter 8 – Snape's Curses
Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she had a completely guilt- free, free afternoon. Homework was completed, no other homework set, and she finally had complete control over her other power – shape-shifting.
She stared into the crystalline blue waters of the lake, grateful for her gift of fire. She had learned how to fill her body with its warmth, the reason she could brave the open air in just jeans, blouse and robes. Not many people would on a clear, windy day of early November; it was cold.
She sighed. Solitude was something she so rarely had these days. Not that she was complaining, but it was nice to have a few moments alone. She closed her eyes and leant back on a tree trunk.
A twig broke nearby.
"I can hear you, Sirius." Kathryn called without opening her eyes.
"I don't think so." A greasy voice replied.
In a second, Kathryn was stood, wand firmly in hand though not pointed – yet.
"What do you want, Snivellus?" Kathryn demanded angrily.
The two had become enemies even more swiftly than Snape and James. Kathryn hated him for what he was going to do to people she cared for, the way he treated people now, his bigoted views, and the fact that he was, well, him. In turn, he hated her because she was so powerful and talented, a Gryffindor, an Orenda (the two families had a historic feud), always suspicious of him (A/N: With reason!), and a friend of the Marauders. The enmity was extremely high and had caused a number of confrontations and pranks to be played over the first weeks of Sixth-year.
"Who said I wanted anything other than fresh air?" Snape replied.
"If you wanted fresh air, you could've gone to the other side of the lake. You came here for a reason. You never do anything unless it benefits you or your precious master Voldemort."
"You *dare* say the Dark Lord's name?" Snape snarled.
Kathryn raised a brow. "Where ya been, Snivelly? I say it every day."
"You wish to bring his wrath upon you." He sneered.
"If just saying his name brought his wrath upon you, I'd be dead already. He isn't that powerful. So, what'd you want? And before you say anything, no, I'm not going to give him my magic, no, I'm not going to join his side, and no, I'm not gonna hand over any of my friends to him."
"You dare mock him?" Snape looked livid.
"Yeah, I do." Kathryn shot back. "And I don't take kindly to his Death Eaters dogging my tracks. Or insulting my little sister, for that matter. I've already told you once that that isn't a good idea. I'm gonna tell you again. Don't hurt her, bully her, or put her in the Hospital Wing. Coz next time she isn't just telling me, she's telling my brothers. And they are very protective over their wittle sister." She put on a childish voice at the end.
"I do not take orders from Mudblood scum!"
"I'm not a Mudblood. Mudbloods, frankly, don't exist. They're just a warped idea from the twisted mind of those who think pureblood means pure heart and strong magic. You're all idiots."
"Fools like you shall be crushed when he rises to supremacy! You will all be crushed!" Snape crowed.
"And here I was, thinking you were the sane one who'd realise his mistakes in time! I guess that part of the future is wrong!" Kathryn yelled.
Snape stopped, and stared at her. "What?"
"Forget it. It doesn't matter. I'm leaving." She turned to go.
"What did you mean?"
"I mean that Moldyvort will not gain his dreams of world domination. And even funnier, he's half-blood too. True half-blood, not a Muggle-born half- blood. So read into that what you will. The man's a bloody hypocrite!"
"Don't you dare insult him!"
"Watch me! Voldemort is an idiot. He is foolish, hard-hearted and cruel. His lack of understanding of basic emotions like love will undo him! He constantly screws up and is a failure!" Kathryn yelled. "Do you want me to continue? I've got plenty left to say!" Disgusted, she turned away, not wanting to hear an answer.
But Snape did answer, with only one thing. He raised his wand. "Crucio!" He yelled.
Kathryn fell to her knees, blinded by pain. She bit her lip, determined not to scream, but couldn't stop herself. The pain seared her body, savage blows dealt to every inch. Her screams permeated the air, barbs in the crisp atmosphere.
* * *
Sirius grinned. Lily and James were arguing again, they were too much into the habit of doing so, but at least it wasn't the bitter ones they were used to.
He strolled out into the grounds, leaving them by the Entrance Hall.
It was then he heard the screams. Screams he recognised. Screams that froze his soul.
"Kathryn." He murmured.
He ran out, aiming for the lake. Kathryn was on the other side, collapsed on the floor. A dark-haired male stood above her, wand out.
Sirius had never felt the desire to get to her that quickly before. But he did now, and it unlocked another of his unknown powers. Teleporting.
Instantly he was behind Snape.
"Evancier!" Sirius shouted.
Immediately, Snape's spell was deflected, and he stopped it. But by this point Kathryn had stopped screaming – she had fallen unconscious.
Sirius ran forward, taking his friend in his arms. "What the Hell did you think you were doing?" Sirius yelled at Snape.
"She insulted my master, the filthy little Orenda. She deserved it."
"NO ONE DESERVES THE CRUCIATUS CURSE!" Sirius yelled back. "You attacked a fellow student..."
"That fellow student is a disgrace to the name of wizard!"
"NO, SNAPE! YOU ARE! IF YOU'RE SO HIGH AND MIGHTY, TRY THE WHOMPING WILLOW TONIGHT, PRESS THE KNOT AND IT'LL FREEZE! THEN WE'LL SEE HOW BRAVE YOU REALLY ARE!" Sirius, blinded by anger, barely knew what he was saying. If he hadn't been, he'd never have told Snape how to get to Remus on a night like tonight – the full moon.
Snape marched away, but not before placing a curse on Sirius.
"Kiva benso!"
It would prevent him from saying what happened to Kathryn, not matter how much he wanted to. It would also stop him from justifying his actions if he had dropped Snape into a trap. As he, accidentally, had.
Sirius, not realising about the curse, picked up Kathryn carefully in his arms. Concentrating on the other side of the lake, he teleported there. Marvelling at the good timing of his new power, he ran into the Entrance Hall, where Lily and James were still arguing.
"God, what happened?" Lily asked as soon as she saw Kathryn.
Sirius, about answer, suddenly found his throat closing off. He began coughing and coughing. (A/N: Another thing a little adapted from Tamora Pierce! Great writer!)
"Mobilicorpus." Lily incanted, raising Kathryn's body from Sirius' arms.
"Padfoot, you okay?" James asked.
"No. I-I can't say it." He wondered. "Say what?"
Sirius, not wanting to bring on another coughing fit, gestured to Kathryn.
"What happened?"
Sirius nodded.
"Come on. We need to see how she is. Anyway, we'll see Remus in the Hospital Wing."
Sirius nodded, having forgotten exactly what he said to Snape in anger.
* * *
------------
"What the...?" Snape shouted, his eyes wide in fear. "Merlin, no!"
The werewolf advanced upon him, penetrating the weak shield Snape placed around him. It didn't take long for him to rip the boy to shreds, leaving nothing but a heap of bloody robes, bones and remnants on the floor.
------------
"NO!" Kathryn yelled.
"What is it?" James asked, alarmed.
Only he and Lily were there, Sirius was nowhere in sight.
"James! He-He's gone! He's going to see Moony!" Kathryn shuddered, fear in her voice.
James stared at her. "Who?"
"Snape! I don't know, someone must've told him. Maybe-maybe this was what Snape kept saying about. Sirius. Sixteen, capable of murder. No, it can't be, there must be a reason!" Kathryn shrieked.
James didn't wait for any more comments. "Sirius told Snape how to get to Moony? Crap! Lily, stay here!"
James ran from the Hospital Wing.
Kathryn meanwhile seemed to be troubled by flashing images, fragments from her dream.
"No. No, Sirius, he can't – he *can't* have sent Snape there. What happened? Why am I here? Why can't I remember?" Kathryn wailed.
Madam Pomfrey appeared. "Miss Orenda, please! Calm yourself!"
"What in God's name happened?" Kathryn screamed at her.
"We don't know. Your friends brought you in with severe trauma to your body and mind. We do know that it was magically applied and not physical. We aren't exactly sure what happened to you. We were hoping you could fill in the blanks."
Kathryn frowned. All she could remember was sitting by the lake. She shook her head. "I don't remember anything other than sitting by the lake. My mind – it's blocked it off. It must have been too traumatic to remember."
Madam Pomfrey sighed soothingly. "Don't worry. It'll come back, eventually. Is there something else wrong?"
Kathryn shook her head. Madam Pomfrey handed her a goblet of a steaming potion. Warily, Kathryn drank it, the liquid scalding her throat. As the matron left, Lily turned to her.
"What is it?" Lily asked.
"In the third book. When Sirius... well, that's not important. Anyway, Snape said, several times, that Sirius and the others played a prank on him, that let him see, er, Moony."
"Moony? Isn't that Remus' nickname?" Lily frowned. "Why... Oh. That. So he is a werewolf?"
Kathryn stared. "You know?"
"Of course. All these mysterious illnesses or ill family members that always happen around the full moon? Couldn't be anything else. But why would Sirius send Snape to see him?"
"That's it, I don't know. But Snape always said it like it was a prank. And he always said James bottled out of it, which why he saved – will save, rather – his life. But Remus said it wasn't. James found out about it in time from another source and saved Snape, but he saw Moony. And Snape always said that Sirius was capable of murder at the age of sixteen." Kathryn scowled. "Like he ever *will* be capable of murder."
"Am I missing something here?"
"Yes. I can't believe that Sirius, and I know him well enough by now, would just say that to Snape. He wouldn't use Remus like that. There must be another reason, and until I can remember, Sirius is going to have this overshadowing his head for ages."
* * *
"Snape, you've got to get out of here now!" James yelled.
"I knew it! You're doing something illegal, aren't you? Hiding illegal potions, or animals, or something!" Snape looked triumphant.
"No! But you'll die if you don't get out of here now!" James screeched. He hated Snape, but he wasn't about to let Remus tear him to shreds, more for Remus' sake than Snape's.
"Oh, very funny, Potter. I'm sure I'll be killed by a load of potions." Snape snarled sarcastically.
At that moment a howl broke the air, by the door that was so close to Snape's side.
"An animal. I knew it. Oh, I'll get you expelled for this." Snape grinned gleefully.
His hand went to open the door. Acting on pure instinct, James flung out a hand. Snape's face froze in terror as he saw a fully-fledged werewolf. Moony's eyes were glinting dangerously, his tongue licking his lips.
Swiftly, James unfroze Snape and the door. "Close it, damn you!" James shrieked, running up.
Snape was frozen, less literally, in pure fear. James flung himself against the door, groaning as the werewolf on the other side unfroze and began to fight back. Snape scrambled away, down the tunnel.
James was flung back as the werewolf's strength gave it the advantage. Swiftly, James became Prongs, the stag. Even now, he was not safe, for the werewolf fought at him, trying to get to the human whose scent lingered below. James was soon cut and bruised, but eventually got the rabid animal back into the room. He returned to human form, locked the door, and fled down the passage, bleeding profusely.
Snape was halfway down the tunnel, frozen in fear once more, for the noise had gotten even more terrible.
"Get out, you idiot!" James yelled. "Get out!" He and Snape finally made their way out of the tunnel, where a welcoming committee was waiting.
A sorrowful-looking Sirius stood beside an unusually cold Professor Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey had ceased attending Kathryn as soon as she heard of what had happened.
Sirius raced forward as James, decidedly weak, came near.
"I'm sorry, mate." He murmured. "I can't even defend myself."
James, unsure of what his friend meant, just nodded.
Madam Pomfrey shrieked as she saw James' bedraggled and torn state. She instantly began fussing.
"Poppy." Dumbledore raised a hand. "I need to speak with the boys in my office. Also, if she is fit, please send up Miss Orenda."
Madam Pomfrey nodded, but muttered darkly about dangerous wounds and bleeding to death as she obeyed.
Dumbledore kept his face calm as the boys followed him up the stairs. Snape shot a gloating look at Sirius and James, knowing that he could not get into trouble, for Sirius could never truly defend what he had done.
* * *
Kathryn arrived at Dumbledore's office with Lily's help. She was terrifyingly weak, but Kathryn had insisted she be there. The sight that met them was a sorry one.
Sirius looked ashamed, for he had remembered what he had said, now. James looked an awful mess, and very tired. Snape looked gloating and triumphant, though this look wavered as she entered.
Dumbledore looked unusually stern. He looked up as Kathryn entered the room.
"Ah, Miss Orenda, Miss Evans. Thank you for joining us. How do you feel, Miss Orenda?" Dumbledore asked.
"If I told you, even you would be offended by my language." Kathryn replied, collapsing into a chair.
Dumbledore couldn't help but smile.
"I believe all this started with what happened to you this afternoon. What do you remember of it?"
Kathryn noticed that Snape visibly paled, his smirk disappearing. Kathryn couldn't help but answer truthfully.
"I don't know. All I remember is sitting by the lake, and then... it's all dark. Then I had that dream and woke up in the Hospital Wing."
"Dream?" Dumbledore asked. Clearly, he had not heard of this.
"Yes. I, er, saw Snape being, er, attacked by the, er, creature." Kathryn explained nervously.
"And then you woke?"
"Yes."
"What then?"
"I warned James of what was to happen."
"Why?"
Kathryn snorted. "Even *he* doesn't deserve death. I think."
Dumbledore frowned. "You *think*?"
Kathryn shrugged. "I can't help feeling that all this has something to do with my being, presumably, attacked. And since Snape despises me, he, or one of his friends, is the most likely culprit."
Snape exploded. "I-I did nothing to you! This was – it was all a trick on Black's part t-to get me killed! And it's illegal! What the hell are they doing, having a werewolf in a school?"
"I know fully well that there is a werewolf here. And had you not followed Mr Black's advice, you would not have been in danger."
"But who...?" Snape began. Then his eyes lit. "It's Lupin, isn't it? That measly little know-it-all! A werewolf! Hah! He'll be out of the school tomorrow!" He yelled.
"Mr Snape, you will not inform anyone of this discovery. If you do, I will be forced to punish you for being out of bed. As it is, I am lenient." Dumbledore turned to James. "Mr Potter, I thank you for your bravery and selflessness. As it is, Mr Snape, you own Mr Potter a Wizard's Debt."
Snape and James' jaws dropped. James no more wanted to have Snape in debt than Snape wanted to be in it.
"No, Professor..." Snape began.
"This cannot be erased, Mr Snape. It can only be repaid."
"But..."
"No buts. Do not mention Mr Lupin's lycanthropy to anyone. I wish to speak to the others alone. Return to your common room."
Grumbling and complaining, Snape left. Dumbledore looked at the four students. Finally his eyes rested on Sirius.
"Please explain why you did this." Dumbledore told him, disappointment in his eyes.
"I can't." Sirius replied.
"Why not?"
"Because every time I try to say that..." Sirius stopped, a fit of coughing interrupting his speech.
"He begins to cough. Like someone doesn't want him to say what happened. And it's something to do with Kathryn. And it has to be Snape." James explained.
Snape... Sirius began to say to the others, but began coughing even harder.
"He can't even use telepathic speech to tell us." Kathryn groaned, her voice weak.
"Damn it!" Sirius yelled. "I didn't..." He began to cough again.
James let out a slight snort. "He can't even defend himself."
Dumbledore frowned. "Since we cannot find out the truth until Kathryn regains her memory or this curse is lifted from Sirius, we do not know the truth. I do not accept Mr Snape's version of events. It seems a little... lacking, shall we say." Dumbledore frowned. Kathryn noted that he had returned to using the four students' given names once Snape had left.
"He was lying." Lily informed them. They stared at her. "What? Couldn't you feel it? He kept stammering and he had such nerves!"
They still stared. Then Kathryn murmured weakly, "You're the empath, not us."
Lily gave a goofy grin. "I forgot. But I'm confident he was lying. After all, it's one of my powers."
"Speaking of powers, something weird happened today. I mean, I heard Kathryn scream and when I saw her, I just wanted to help that moment, to be there right then. And I was. I'm not sure if it was Apparation or teleporting or what, but it happened." Sirius explained.
"I was screaming?" Kathryn asked.
"Yes, you were..." Another attack of the coughs.
"How was it you could say she was screaming, but then not why or anything?" James wanted to know.
Sirius shrugged.
"It stands to reason that because you were talking about something else specific, it just slipped out without the spell noticing it. However now you know about that, it's unlikely that it'll happen again." Lily mused.
"Since the truth is clearly not here, I will give Sirius a week's worth of detentions for propriety's sake. But they will be with me. I will not give expulsion or suspension because I do not believe it is warranted, even if you did tell Mr Snape how to get to Remus."
"Remus!" Sirius looked horrified. "What's he going to say?"
"Since Mr Snape will undoubtedly inform him of his knowledge of his lycanthropy, I suggest you leave me to speak to Mr Lupin. As for now, I suggest you return to your rooms, well, Kathryn and James need to go to the Hospital Wing. You were not bitten, I assume?" Dumbledore verified.
"No, I wasn't." James replied.
"How is it that Mr Snape has not a mark on him, yet you are covered in wounds?"
"I froze them before Remus could get to him. Then I unfroze him and told him to get out, he didn't for a moment, but soon ran into the tunnel. Remus got free by then, and I did my best to stop him and get away, but I was not bitten."
"And you got away?"
"Yes."
"Well done, Mr Potter. I'm impressed. Though I wish to know how you found out about Mr Lupin's lycanthropy and the tunnel and it's access point." Dumbledore didn't look angry, merely curious.
"We figured out he was a werewolf easily. These ill family members, mysterious illnesses he had, relatives' funerals and weddings and what have you? We noticed that they all occurred at the full moon. And we figured that he must be a werewolf. Plus in Third-year, we faced a Boggart, remember? It turned into the moon. So we knew for definite that he was a werewolf. He feared the moon for what it does to him, but it only does that at the real full moon, so the Boggart had no effect." James explained weakly.
Kathryn was feeling drowsy. She stood slowly. "Um, I need to sleep." She explained, swaying.
"Of course! Sirius, detention tomorrow, here, eight o'clock." Dumbledore ordered.
"Yes sir." Sirius nodded.
Sirius aided Kathryn as he and Lily escorted their two friends to the Hospital Wing once more. James refused Lily's aid, feeling too proud, but thanked her for the offer most touchingly.
Kathryn was feeling so tired and weak, she could barely stand.
"Mystique, you okay?" Sirius asked.
"I've been attacked by God-knows-what, had a painful vision, lost part of my memory and woken up to find out one of my best friends is being framed for a crime he didn't commit." Kathryn informed him, her voice dripping sarcasm. "I'm fine."
Sirius had to protest. "Well, I did..." Another cough, but not as harsh.
"Snape framed you. You're a favourite scapegoat." Kathryn snarled.
"What?" Sirius, Lily and James asked, knowing that this was something else.
Kathryn looked at them. "Oh, sh–"
"Swearing does not answer the question, Mystique." Sirius informed her tartly. "What did you mean?"
"Nothing. Nothing." Kathryn told them.
"You know something. In fact, while you've told us of many people's futures, expressed dislike for people, or like for people and said numerous things pertaining to James' son, you've said exceptionally little about our futures. Your friends. Why?"
"Because it is your futures that make the difference." Kathryn replied. "Mine does not. I didn't read of myself, or anyone even remotely like myself. Obviously, I'm dead by that point."
"What point?" James looked almost angry.
"The point which changes Harry's future forever. Which cements him in another's prophecy. Which makes him who he is. Which protects him, in some ways. I can't change that future. If I do, God knows what'll occur." Kathryn looked sad.
'Why does thinking about our future make her so sad?' Lily wondered.
"But," Kathryn surprised them with a sudden comment, "if I am still alive after the fifth book, as such, I swear, I'll do everything in my power to change that future. Or to make it, depending on what my dreams tell me. I swear it."
She then stopped, swayed, and fainted.
Sirius rolled his eyes as he picked her up for the second time that day. "She has really got to stop the vehement thing. It seems to send her into faints each time."
* * *
A/N: Go on to next chapter! Please!