ROTRUFIN

CHAPTER FOUR-THE CHRISTMAS BALL

EMMA.

It felt so good to get that into the open. Remus and I walked side by side down the corridor, our shoulders occasionally bumping.

"What scares me is that I don't remember anything after lying down next to you. I know I didn't hurt anyone before that, but it's afterwards that I'm drawing a blank," Remus confessed.

"I'm sure it's nothing," I said reassuringly. I smiled at him.

He smiled back.

We entered the Great Hall and took our seats at the Gryffindor table. James, Lily and Sirius were already there.

"Everything okay?" James asked concerned looking up.

"Yeah everything's fine," I said softly.

They looked relieved.

We sat down and began eating.

Professor Dumbledore stood up and silence fell across the Hall like a tidal wave.

"Due to the recent attack, a curfew will be issued," he said. "No one is allowed outside their common room after 9 o'clock."

"What exactly happened?" a Ravenclaw called.

"Amy was attacked by some kind of animal," Dumbledore said. "We're not sure if the animal is still inside the castle. It could very well be and no one is to go wandering around late at night."

Murmurs went around.

"Tuck in,"

The food appeared on our plates and we hungrily dove in.

"Remus stop harping on it," James said correctly interpreting Remus' silence. "We know it wasn't you."

"How do you know?" Remus asked quietly. "If I attacked any one of you I couldn't bear the thought."

Lily just shook her head.

"Look, if you're that worried, next month we'll chain you up in the shack…deal?" Sirius said.

Remus nodded.

"So, trying to get on a much happier note," Lily said clearing her throat. "Emma? What are you going to do for a date now for the Christmas Ball?"

I saw Remus' expression.

I felt guilty that I didn't tell them sooner. Now because of me he isn't allowed to go.

"Wait! Didn't you and Sirius talk to Dumbledore?" Lily said suddenly.

Sirius smacked himself on the forehead.

"Right! Oh yeah sorry," Sirius said sheepishly. "Yes we told Dumbledore about it. He said that not to worry. He's not going to tell your parents. He said when you're ready to tell them let him know."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"As for Remus and the Ball, the punishment is lightened to only one day. He said if Emma would like, she could help Remus with detention. Nothing strenuous of course," James said.

I nodded. It would be the least I could do since it was me that was really cheating.

"Would that be okay?" I asked Remus.

"Sure," he said.

Feeling better, we continued to eat.

Our first class was History of Magic.

Remus and I were sitting together again. Behind us were James and Lily, and behind them was Sirius and a Gryffindor boy named Sam Tyson.

REMUS.

Emma was copying down the notes that Professor Dawes wrote on the blackboard. That Muggle guy she dated seemed to care a lot about her and I'm sure they loved each other very much. It must've been hard for her. Especially since she was terrified to tell her own parents. His parents reacted much like parents would. Nothing out of the ordinary there. But I'm sure her parents would understand. After all, if my son or daughter ever did that, I wouldn't kick them out. I would support them. It was a mistake but you still shouldn't kick your child out for making a mistake.

I was a little angry at her for cheating in the first place.

"Why'd you cheat in the first place?" I whispered to her.

"It was wrong. I'm sorry," Emma apologized looking at me.

Her honey brown eyes caught the sunlight. I sighed and felt my anger ebbing away.

"It's fine," I muttered. "But next time if you want I'll help you study for the pop quiz."

She broke into a grin.

I couldn't help but grin back.

"So what are you going to name the baby?" I whispered copying down my own notes.

"Not sure," she whispered back. "I'm hoping it's a girl though. Might name her Haley or Ellie."

"Both pretty names. What if it's a boy?"

"Ben or Greg,"

"Again good names,"

"Thanks,"

Emma returned to her note taking.

I studied her for a bit before returning to my own note taking.

When class was over, we headed to Charms.

Professor Gray looked up at us when we entered.

"Morning," he said brightly.

"Morning," I said.

We took our seats.

We would be learning the Gion Charm which causes momentary confusion.

Professor Gray began teaching the charm.

We easily managed to learn it. It was used mainly to confuse the enemy. It was harmless though when used correctly.

If it's applied too long, it causes permanent damage, much like the memory charm.

After Charms, we left the classroom and headed to lunch. The cold December air sent chills down everyone's spines, except me. Being a werewolf sort of gives you an extra layer of fur so you don't feel the cold, but in human form you don't feel it either.

In fact, I was actually too warm. I opened my cloak.

"Are you mad?" Lily asked, shivering. "It's freezing in here."

We had to cross a bridge that connected one part of Hogwarts to another. It was covered but yet the windows were opened and the cold air blew in freely.

Emma also pulled her cloak tighter around her. Her hair whipped around her face.

"I'm not cold," I said shrugging.

"I wish I had your toleration," Emma said as we crossed the bridge.

"Do you?" I asked in a quiet tone.

Realization dawned on her face.

"Oh. No," she said softly. "I mean I just hate the cold."

I nodded.

Finally, we hit the other building and stepped into the warm corridor.

"Brrr," James shivered. "I'll be glad when the summer comes."

"Yeah," Lily cracked. "Then we can smell your B.O."

James smirked at Lily. Sirius laughed.

We entered the Great Hall for lunch. We sat down at the table.

Just then, a boy from 7th year from the Slytherin house came over.

"Aw man," Sirius moaned. "Here comes Shit-for-brains."

His name was Tim Henderson. He was basically a bully.

"Well, if it isn't Gryffindorks," he smirked standing beside Emma.

"Shut up, prick," James snapped at him.

"Such hard words," Tim said mockingly. "And what about Miss Prissy here?"

He bent down and put his face next to Emma's.

"I bet she just loves to eat," Tim snickered. "Packing on a few pounds there huh?"

He patted her stomach a bit too hard. I lashed out and grabbed his wrist in mid air.

"Touch her again," I growled. "And I will rip you a new asshole."

"Ooh," Tim said mockingly. "Defensive over Miss Porker aren't we."

I felt a growl rising in my throat that I knew was the wolf half.

"Tell me," Tim continued to Emma. "Do you just like absorb the fat or are you just big boned?"

I slowly stood up. I narrowed my eyes at him. Emma was staring at her plate. Naturally because of the pregnancy, she's eating for two now. None of us really cared though, but to someone like Tim, it was a perfect opportunity to pick on her for no reason.

I then lashed out and grabbed Tim by the throat.

I put my face close to his.

"Might I suggest leaving now before I do something I might regret," I snarled.

Tim had a look of fear now so I released him and he took off back to the Slytherin table. I sat down, my anger ebbing away. I felt more my calm, collected self now.

"You okay?" I asked Emma softly.

"Yeah," she said softly. "Thanks."

I settled into my seat and resumed eating.

After lunch we headed to the next two classes…Transfiguration and Herbology.

Professor Peters taught Herbology.

We learned about the Hydrovan Plant. Its basis was water but it was like a deadly poison if it touched your skin.

After that, we headed to Transfiguration…then it was time for bed.

James, Sirius and I headed into the boys' dorm while Lily and Emma headed to the girls'. We said our good-nights and then I climbed into bed and fell fast asleep.

The Christmas Ball arrived quickly. Emma decided to help me with the detention. We were in Professor Anicks classroom writing lines.

The rest of the students were down in the Great Hall for the dance. Music blasted and we could hear it.

"I'm really sorry about this," Emma apologized again.

"Forget it okay?" I said softly writing the 49th line of "I will not cheat again".

"Believe me I will tell them the truth," Emma continued earnestly.

"Drop it already," I said.

I wasn't angry at her anymore. It was done and over with.

Emma nodded. Her hand brushed against mine as it moved across the parchment.

I felt a tingle running down my spine.

I kept my eyes on my parchment.

"Emma? Can I ask you something?" I asked quietly.

"Sure, Moony, anything," she said.

"You really loved that Muggle guy…huh?"

She lowered her quill and turned to me.

"What's bringing this on?" she asked softly tilting her head slightly.

"Nothing," I said casually. "I'm just talking."

Emma didn't take her eyes off me.

"Yeah," she admitted quietly.

"He was a lucky guy to have you then," I finished writing my lines and put down my quill. I raised my arms above my head and stretched.

To my surprise, Emma leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I felt the heat creeping into my cheeks.

"You're so sweet," she said. "Why on earth did you turn down those other girls that asked you out?"

I shrugged and lowered my arms.

"Just not the right ones,"

Emma smiled.

"How do you know? You didn't give them a chance,"

"Werewolves can tell," I said. "When we find the right mate."

Emma nodded.

"I gotcha,"

She returned to her lines. I stayed with her until she finished.

Once the lines were done, we headed to the common room. The party was still going on.

"I bet they're having a blast," Emma said smiling. "It sounds like fun."

"Why don't you go?" I said suddenly. "You're not being punished."

Emma shook her head.

"No," she said. "I'm tired actually."

I nodded.

"'Night, Moony,"

"'Night Em,"

She left the common room. I checked my watch. It was indeed late. 11 o'clock.

Sighing, I turned in too.

The beast crept along the hedges outside the castle, keeping low to the ground. It could smell blood inside the castle. It reached the front of the castle and easily slipped inside.

It hid and waited.

A girl came walking out of a room that had loud noise coming from it by herself. The beast waited patiently as she approached its hiding place. Finally, it could almost taste the blood. Thick, clear saliva began dripping from its bottom jaws. As soon as she came close enough, the beast lunged for her. She landed on her back and screamed as it dug its teeth deeply into her throat. It tasted the warm rush of blood…her scream was cut off. The beast took off into the shadows.

LILY.

James, Sirius and a Hufflepuff girl named Anne Rollins were sitting at our table. Sirius was goofing off as usual. I heard someone scream and then it was cut off.

"Did you hear that?" I asked James.

James nodded.

Suddenly, someone staggered into the hall. Immediately, the music stopped and everyone looked up.

A Hufflepuff 5th year named Jessica Warner staggered in and leaned against the doorframe…but that's not what had me terrified. Her throat had been torn and blood flowed down her dress robe.

"W-wolf," she gurgled out before she fell face down dead on the floor.

Girls were sobbing now.

James, Sirius and I caught each others eyes. There wasn't a full moon out tonight so we knew it couldn't be Remus.

"Back to your common rooms!" Professor Dumbledore said urgently.

Everyone hurried back to their dorms and common rooms.

REMUS.

I was sound asleep lying on my stomach with my arms draped over the edges when someone sat on me.

"Geroff!" I cried angrily but my voice and face were muffled into the pillow.

The weight was lifted. I angrily sat up and turned on the light.

"Who the…James? Sirius? What's wrong?" I started out angry but then seeing their pale faces realized something was wrong.

"Sorry to sit on you," James apologized swallowing. "But we wanted to make sure it was you."

"Me? Why? What's going on?"

"There's a wolf loose," Sirius replied. "It killed another student during the Christmas Ball."