Remus Lupin walked once more through the large doors of Hogwarts castle on a dreadfully windy autumn night. He was carrying a young girl, no older than the students that attended the famous wizardry school, and she was badly bleeding and quite shaken, too weak to walk. The schools Headmaster, Dumbledore, somehow receiving notice of his arrival seconds before it had occurred, soon scuttled to his side.
"Remus, tell me you didn't." He said wearily, directing him to the medical wing at a run.
Following him hastily, Remus shook his head. "No sir, it wasn't me. I promise it."
"What happened then?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's all a bit blurry. As you probably know, there was full moon tonight."
They laid the young girl on a white sheeted bed while Madam Pomphry rushed over to tend to her. Both the nurse and Dumbledore noticed that Lupin refused to let go of the young girl's hand.
"Close the windows if you wish me to release her." Remus said slowly, noticing their suspicious gazes. Dumbledore did so with a small sweep of his wand. With the moonlight gone from the room, Remus let her hand down slowly onto the bed."Now," began Dumbledore, "do you mind filling me in?"
Remus scanned the area for possible eavesdroppers before taking a seat on the bed across from the now blood covered one the young girl lay upon. "I'm sure you can guess as to the reason the tale is somewhat foggy to me." Dumbledore nodded and he continued. "But from what I heard from the struggling words of the young girl on the way here, she had been attacked by three men in hooded cloaks."
"Death Eaters…" Dumbledore whispered. Remus gave a nod of agreement.
"Well apparently, although I don't remember it, I found the group of them and posed for attack. The hooded figures must have recognized me for what I was, and they ran off, leaving the girl helpless against a rather large tree. She was badly beaten, well, you've seen the condition she's in… but as I stalked towards her…" his voice faltered and he turned away from Dumbledore, but received his reassuring grip on the shoulder. "As I went to her, she reached out a hand and laid it upon my head. At that instant, though we were still outside under the full view of the moon, I felt my body change back into my former stature. Immediately, without asking questions, I helped her up and carried her from the tree. I've since discovered that constant contact with her keeps me from transforming."
Dumbledore looked once again at the young girl on the bed. She was now covered in a mass of bandages. "What's the damage, Madam?" he asked the nurse, turning towards her.
"She was drugged, sir. Heavily drugged. Some of the substances I took from her I've never seen before, at least not in the magical world. She's also got a broken rib and some difficult deep wounds across her torso, but other than those I should have the rest of her healed within the hour."
Dumbledore gave her a slight bow. "I don't know what we'd do without you, Madam Pomphry." The nurse grinned and Dumbledore turned back to Lupin's grim looking face. "I've heard of the Death Eaters using Muggle toxins before, and don't worry. I know Professor Snape keeps a generous supply of antidotes on hand." Dumbledore flicked his wand again, and the door to the medical wing opened, revealing two bottles of anti-toxin floating down the corridor. Remus hurried to grab the hand of the young girl once more, for safety from the window in the corridor. The door shut softly, and Madam Pomphry extended her generous thanks for the retrieval of the serums. Dumbledore once more had a look at Remus.
"How did you get all the way here, especially carrying her?"
"Somehow we ended up in the Forbidden Forest, Albus. It wasn't far of a walk, and I am thankful for the fact."
"Death Eaters in the Forbidden Forest?" Dumbledore said shakily. "They get braver every time I come across them. First the Qudditch World Cup, and now this… so close to Hogwarts."
"It doesn't bode well, in any case." Remus said, looking back at the young girl.
"I know, Remus, I know. And on top of it, I'm having second thoughts about the Tri-Wizard Tournament. What with Harry Potter mysteriously chosen as a fourth champion and all the recent Death Eater sightings, I worry, oh yes. It seems I've been worrying more the last two months. It's probably unhealthy." He ran a hand through his snow white hair.
"I saw something about Harry and the tournament in the Daily Prophet. He's only a fourth year, after all. I taught him what I could last year, but he's not ready, mentally he's not ready." Remus stared pointedly at his hands.
"I had a feeling you were in on the Patronus, Professor," Dumbledore stated, smiling. Remus rolled his eyes.
"Former Professor. Besides, I felt it wise to keep the boy protected."
Dumbledore looked smug. "Well," he said, casting an obvious glance to the girl, "I have a feeling you've done more than your fill for the entire school."
"Oh… how so?" Remus asked.
"Let's just say I have… a hunch." He cast another obvious glance to the girl and winked. "Feel free to settle into an empty bed, Remus. Tomorrow I'll have a more suitable place prepared for you, but I'll make sure the curtains in the room remain closed for tonight."
Remus lowered his head in a respectful farewell and headed off subconsciously to the bed farthest from the window. He fell asleep to the sounds of Madam Pomphry unwrapping bandages and pouring anti-toxins.
He usually awoke with the sun, but due to the lack of light coming in from the heavily curtained windows, Remus awoke later than usual to the apparent conversations going on around him. He turned to find Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall standing over the bed of the young girl. When Dumbledore noticed him, he promptly turned his way.
"Good morning, Remus. Sleep well?" he asked.
Remus smiled. "Quite. After this I'll regret going back to Hogsmeade."
"Actually, Remus," began McGonagall, "Dumbledore and I were hoping you'd stay... for a while at least."
Remus appeared taken aback. "Come now Minerva, you can't possibly think that wise. If the students' parents were to find out you've let a werewolf back into the school, why they'd be absolutely appalled. Trust me, I know."
Dumbledore was unfazed. "It is of no matter," he said.
Remus rolled his eyes again. "I've got no purpose here anymore. It's not worth the risk."
Professor McGonagall continued. "Dumbledore seems to think that this girl can be of some service to you with your… condition, and since she will obviously be staying here, ideally it will not be known that you are a werewolf except to those who already knew."
Remus, still looking skeptical, eyed Dumbledore, who nodded. "You think she can… cure me?" he asked.
"It may seem improbable, but we've examined her thoroughly, and I think you might have a chance," Dumbledore said, sounding as confident as he could manage. "Wouldn't that be worth the risk?"
"I can hardly believe you're seriously considering this." Remus said, on the verge of accepting.
"It's already done the second you agree, Remus. Besides, the girl seemed to have taken a liking to you. She is practically ecstatic to help you in any way possible." Dumbledore said, a tinge of content present in his voice.
"And what's going to happen to her?" Lupin asked, motioning to the girl he could not presently see.
"She's already been placed into my house, Remus. Oh, but you were… still sleeping at the time of course," Professor McGonagall said, almost accusingly.
"Ah, forgive me. Well, it appears all is right then, and if you're absolutely sure about your offer…"
"And I am," Dumbledore stated.
"…Then I accept with the utmost appreciation," Remus said, bowing respectfully towards the two.
"Ah, very good. If you'll follow me then, I believe a bit of breakfast is in order," Dumbledore said lightheartedly. Remus followed him down the medical wing, pausing to look at the serene looking sleeping girl with a glimmer of respect and hope present in his formerly gloomy eyes.
Well, I can't say it's much. My first attempt at a Harry Potter fan fiction, but I believe I've been a bit enamoured lately with Lupin, oddly enough. Don't worry though, there will be no relationship between Remus and my original character. Oh, and for those of you who arn't into original characters, well, you'll have to deal with it. :D
Oh, and please review, of course.
-Brooke