Chapter 2

The enthralling scent of tree pollen and pine filled the Forbidden Forest. In its heart, in the darkness, Fenrir Greyback hunched on a fallen log. His long hair was matted and dirty, caked with dried blood hung forward over his face and wolfish features. Blood had clotted in his abundant chest hair from a kill the previous night. Thick, coarse hairs covered most of his back and stomach, his arms and legs all but lost in the dark strands. His nails were long and spotted with dirt, blood stuck beneath them. His eyes, now tinted amber, glared out from bangs at the masses assembled, his nude form giving him an overwhelming sense of confidence.

"Brothers! Sisters!" He growled. Silence fell. Above them, the towering canopies could be heard whispering as the winds buffeted them. "Our forces are almost ready! Soon we shall move down to the wall! With the power of tooth and claw we, shall bring it down!" Tumultuous growls and barks filled the forest as the werewolves assembled cheered.

"The wolf will have his day! The day denied him by the one who dares call himself Lord!" Greyback sneered. "My children, you may gorge yourselves on their flesh! Destroy them all and bring the rule of the wild back in motion! But I alone will face our oppressor. I alone will drain him of his life force! But together, we shall fight!" Fenrir howled, long and low into the shadow around them.

He raised himself to standing position and thrust his arms into the air, howling amid the cacophony of support.

In the ruins of Hogwarts, a stones throw from the edge of the forest, red eyes opened. In the dripping, oozing dungeons, pale faces smirked, their eyes narrowing. The three Vampires that hung from the ceiling in a particularly secluded section glanced at each other before returning to their day time slumber. Werewolf blood was a delicacy and soon, soon they would feed.

Page Break +

Hermione gazed, ashen faced at the still form of her friend. Ginny slept on her front, her face turned towards Hermione and her left arm lolling on the pillow by her face. Her wounds – deep gouges in her back – had been cleaned, cleansed with a healing salve and wrapped in tight bandages. She had not stirred since her collapse a few hours previous and Hermione had not left her side. Time passed on in shallow breaths.

Sorscha came to their room with her customary offering of broth. Hermione barely glanced at the concerned blonde as she sat down beside her. Handing her broth over to Hermione she scooped the tattered blanket from the top of her bed and draped it over her shoulders. Hermione turned, offering a sad smile.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine. As soon as she wakes up we'll get her fed and she'll be as right as rain," As if to emphasise Sorscha's words, a rumble of thunder echoed through the caves. There was a silence as the two girls soaked up each others company. "So, who is she exactly?"

Hermione cleared her throat and took a sip from her mug before speaking.

"Her name's Ginny Weasley. She was Ron's sister and one of my closest friends before- before all this. I thought I'd lost her," Hermione reached tentatively for Ginny's arm and carefully turned it. "You see this hideous thing," Sorscha bent over to look. Her breath caught in her throat. "I know you recognise it. It's His mark. The Dark Mark burned into my Gin. My poor, stupid Gin,"

"How did she- Why is she on this side of the wall then, if she's…one of them?" Sorscha whispered. Hermione loosed her grip on Ginny and slumped back.

"I don't know. I just don't know," Silence followed. Sorscha knew the signs. Standing, she turned and left as quietly as she had come. The thunder cracked above them, the torch against the wall flared, sending shadows skittering across the uneven surfaces. Hours drifted past, fatigue slowly overwhelming Hermione.

Ginny jolted awake. Sweat beaded her brow and soaked into the feather pillow. Her breathing came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving. Taking in the little she could see from her position, she saw Hermione sleeping in the bed across from hers. A relieved smile crept over her wan features.

"Hermione?" She croaked. The brunette stirred a little in her sleep. "Hermione?" She tried a little louder. Hermione's eyes fluttered open. "I found you," The young women shared a weak smile.

"What happened Gin?" The red head knew the question went far beyond her current state of health. "Why?"

"For my Family. I did it to save my family. To be able to warn them in case of-" Pain creased her face. She gripped her left arm to her chest as the Dark Mark burned brighter. "I can't-Hermione, promise me something," Ginny convulsed onto her side, her legs curled up to her chest.

"Ginny! What is it? Gin-" Panic danced through Hermione. Waves of memories, loss and guilt flared in her minds eye. Jumping up she tried to hold Ginny still, tried to make sense of what she was being asked.

"Destroy him Hermione," The words tumbled out in breath.

"What?"

"Destroy HIM! Dumbledore-" A scream escaped her throat. Ginny writhed in the bed, gashes appearing down her arms, her legs and over her face. "He knew! Dumbledore knew!" Tears flowed down her face. She wailed in agony. "Promise me…" The words died with her last breath. A dim light rose from her slack jaw.

"Ginny?" Tears tracked lines down her face. "Ginny! No, Ginny," She sobbed, her head dropping to the lifeless shoulder of her friend. Slowly, she turned her face to the small glowing orb, still rising to the ceiling. "I promise. I swear it by my blood that I will rid this world of its plight! I will not fail you Ginny,"