NOTE: All lyrics to "I am the Walrus" belong to the Beatles, a band for whom I have the utmost respect. So why a Beatles song in an Oasis story? Oasis did a nice little cover of this one. Please R+R! I love feedback!
Chapter 3—I Am The Walrus
Detention went as many other detentions tended to go at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The three boys met Argus Filch in the entrance hall and were lead across the grounds in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.
The night was a crisp one and Remus had to pull his thin robes closer around his shoulders to keep from shivering. In the sky, the stars shone down clear and cold upon the four figures silhouetted against the lights of the castle, making their way across the lawn.
"Mister City Policeman sitting, Pretty little policemen in a row. . ."
" 'ere we are, boys. This is where I leave you. You'll be in the forest tonight with Hagrid. Special request or some such nonsense. Mind you wait for him here and don't go wandering off inter the trees. There yer likely to make a bad end, lads."
With that as a warning and a smug grin on his dirty face, Filch turned on his heel and started his trip back up to the castle, muttering about how it "used to be." Soon, even the rocking light of his lantern was out of sight and the boys were alone on the edge of a rather foreboding wall of trees.
The silence stretched on for what seemed like ages. James tried to look casual and nonchalant, while casting dubious glances back at the woods. Remus stood away from the other two boys and looked more timid and twitchy than ever. In fact, the only person who was really managing a truly calm visage was Sirius Black, leaning against a tree with arms crossed over his chest, his eyes closed, waiting for whatever may come next.
"I dare you." James said after a moment, nudging his friend in the ribs.
"What? Are you joking?"
"Come on."
"That dirty squib, Filch, told us to wait here for Hagrid. I think we should."
"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together."
Potter's face fell. "Oh, come on!"
"No."
"You're not going to listen to old Filch's crap, are you?"
Sirius shrugged and turned away. "Yeah, actually I was planning on it. I would prefer to stay alive long enough to be the first person to ever get all his O.W.L.s."
"Well, I'm going in."
"You can't!" Remus squeaked. It had taken every last ounce of courage to say that and now he felt as though he might collapse under the glare of the other boy.
Potter stepped up to the smaller boy and looked down at him. "What? Are you scared, Loopy?"
He found he could only wheeze a response.
With a laugh, James turned away and stepped over the invisible line that divided the safety of the castle grounds from the dangers unknown lurking behind the vast, black wall of trees. "If you think you can handle it, you blokes can come too." He threw this casually over his shoulder as though it didn't matter. Then he pulled out his wand and with a whispered word it lit as he picked his way through the underbrush of the forest floor.
"I am the Walrus."
The two boys stood outside the forest for a moment and exchanged glances. Then Sirius shook his head at his mate's stupidity and disappeared behind the curtain of darkness and into the forest.
This left Remus alone. In the darkness that surrounded him he could hear all degrees of noise from the raspy croaking of frogs and toads to who-knows-what, bellowing in the forest. He shivered and glanced from side to side. He had a sneaky suspicion that someone was watching him. Someone not at all nice. They were gloating as he trembled in fear, reading his mind as he wished fervently for someone. Anyone.
He couldn't take it anymore. "Wait for me!"
He was never quite sure what made him do it, but somewhere he found the strength to make a dash for the woods and plunged headlong into the shadowy innards of the Forbidden Forest. Twigs and branches snagged at the hem of his robes as he hurried to catch up to the quickly distancing sound of Sirius's footsteps.
"Hey!" He shouted breathlessly.
No answer.
Fear was beginning to overtake him and his legs were beginning to feel as though they had heavy weights tied to them at the ankles. What if he was lost? What if he never found Sirius or James? What if something else found him first?
"James!" The voice wasn't too far away and he could hear the fear in its tone.
He pushed himself harder, pumping his arms and legs faster. All he could think about was that someone was in danger. Possibly dying. He had to hurry! The trees reached out their thorny fingers to grasp and rip at clothing, skin, hair, anything they could get hold of as he pushed past. Faster! Faster! His lungs burned with the same fiery pain that tore at his muscles. Bright eyes stared as he passed, perhaps laughing at the sight of a small first year boy running frantically through their home. But it didn't seem to matter much anymore.
Suddenly he burst through the trees. It was like surfacing from the water just in time to get that lifesaving breath of oxygen. Here he was in a moonlit clearing and before him lay his fallen comrades. And before them was the enemy. He didn't know what it was. But Remus did see the teeth and it definitely looked dangerous and he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. They would be eaten for sure.
However, as he had been making his way through the castle grounds and running through the Forbidden Forest, the moon had begun to rise. Now it hung heavy in the sky like a silver orb, just out of reach.
He had forgotten. Certainly, he had been feeling a bit peaky that week. But he had attributed that to . . . Other things.
"Run, Sirius! Take James and get out of here!
The dark haired boy turned to question the logic of this order, but upon seeing Remus, his face darkened and he nodded solemnly.
He helped James into a standing position and tried to escape into the safety of the trees as quickly as he could.
But their attacker had spotted them and it was wheeling around to make a charge at the weakened boy and his disadvantaged friend.
Hearing the heavy footfalls behind him, Sirius turned over his shoulder to see the beast pummeling towards him and he quickened his pace.
"Come on, James! You've got to help me out a bit here!" He panted, an uncharacteristic panic tainting his voice.
"See how they fly, like Lucy in the Sky, see how they run. . ."
James moaned in pain as he made a pitiful attempt at running along with his friend. They could hear the thing breathing now as it caught up to them and gathered itself up for the final, killing lunge. Sirius could see the dark line of trees before them. It was within their reach! Just a little farther.
They heard a strange whimpering yelp and a monstrous roar behind them, but neither felt they had time to look back. One more yard. A leap. And then they could feel the branches of the forest trees scraping at their skin as they ran towards the castle grounds.
When they got about 10 feet from the scene, Sirius chanced a glance back over his shoulder and saw what looked like a huge wolf standing over a body.
It let out a howl that sent chills up Sirius's spine. He glanced at James, but he had passed out farther back. Where was Remus? What had happened?