True Fear

Chapter Three-The Accident

"Remus?" I repeated fearfully.

Remus blinked and then the color rushed to his cheeks.

"Oh, Lizzie I'm so sorry," he apologized quickly. "I didn't mean to do that."

He immediately tucked his wand back into his robe.

"Why on earth did you pull your wand on me?" I asked slowly sinking onto the couch beside him.

"Someone broke into the boys' dorm just before. I had been asleep and woke up and someone came in and then took something of James'. I didn't see you out of the corner of my eye. Werewolves have bad proefrial vision,"

"I'm a girl," I said breaking into a smile. "I very much doubt I would've been able to get into the dorm."

Remus still looked guilty.

"Forget it okay?" I said playfully punching him on the shoulder.

He still seemed upset so I decided to change the subject.

"Are you going to the Christmas Dance?" I asked cheerfully.

Remus shook his head.

"I'm not sure," he said. "I'd have to ask someone."

I looked at him.

"What am I? Chop liver? You could go with me," I said brightly.

Remus grinned.

"I'm thinking of asking Eileen Mason," he said sighing. "I just hope she'd say 'yes'."

I felt a lump rising in my throat. I wanted to go with Remus. Apparently he didn't want to go with me.

"Yeah well, just ask her," I said shortly.

I got up and began walking toward the portrait entrance.

"Lizzie? What's wrong?" Remus asked immediately concerned.

"My name is Elizabeth," I said feeling the lump tighten. "Please call me that."

With that, I just left the common room.

HERMIONE.

Elizabeth entered the classroom 5 minutes later. We were in Charms taught by Professor Dawes. Apparently, Professor Binns didn't come into the picture yet. I could tell by her expression that she was upset about something. She just took her seat in front of me beside Harry and pulled out her books and supplies. Her dark blond hair fell over her face, shielding it from view.

She folded her arms on top of the desk and buried her head down, ignoring what the teacher was saying.

Harry turned around in his seat and looked at me.

I just shrugged and had a concerned expression on my face.

He gently leaned close to Elizabeth and I saw him whispering to her.

Shortly, Mr. Lupin entered the class. He looked pale and shabby just as he'd done in our third year before the full moon. His eyes immediately landed on Elizabeth and Harry. He took a seat behind me. I was sitting next to James. Behind me were Mr. Lupin and Sirius. In front, Harry and Elizabeth and in front of them were Sirius and Lily.

"Is she okay?" I asked James.

James' lip twitched.

"Sirius and I've noticed a few changes," he whispered leaning close. "He and I strongly believe that Elizabeth loves Remus and vice versa, but either of them are afraid to say anything."

"So do you think that's why Elizabeth seems upset?" I whispered.

"I'm betting on this scenario: There's a Christmas Dance coming up in 2 weeks. Elizabeth wants to go with Remus, but the prat opened his mouth and said he was thinking of asking Eileen Mason. See, we pretty much know each other so well we can practically read one another's minds. Elizabeth probably wants to go with Remus badly, but when he said that, she figures he doesn't want to go with her,"

"How do you know its Eileen Mason?" I asked curiously.

James lip twitched again.

"See for yourself," he said gesturing to the very front of the classroom where in a Gryffindor robe/uniform, sat a very beautiful girl with shoulder length mahogany hair and amethyst colored eyes. She had an olive complexion as well.

"I see what you mean," I said slowly.

Elizabeth began whispering back to Harry. I felt Mr. Lupin's eyes burning through me.

While Professor Dawes left the class for a 2 minute break, I turned around in my seat.

"Why don't you and I switch?" I suggested.

He nodded gratefully and we quickly switched seats.

Sirius leaned next to me.

"I gather you heard about the Christmas dance?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Are you going to go?"

I looked at him.

"Harry, Ron and I don't really belong here," I said gravely. "We should be trying to figure out a way to get home…back to our time."

Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Mmkay, but don't you think you should have a bit of fun first? Why don't you stay until the dance? Then once it's over, we'll all help you find a way home,"

I had to admit, that sounded like a reasonable offer.

"Deal," I said.

Sirius grinned.

"So why don't you come with me?"

I paused. This was really awkward…going to the dance with Harry's godfather.

"Um," I said slowly. "I'm not sure."

"I don't bite," Sirius continued to grin.

I hesitated again.

"Um…okay I guess,"

Sirius nodded and I felt the heat rising to my cheeks.

ELIZABETH.

Harry was whispering beside me, asking me if I was okay. I knew I could trust him so I told him what was really bothering me.

"So I really figured he'd want to go with me," I finished miserably. "I guess I was wrong."

"Have you told him how you felt?" Harry asked curiously.

I shook my head.

"No," I said. "Have you seen Eileen Mason? She's gorgeous."

I quickly gestured to the front of the classroom. Harry followed my gaze.

"Meh, she's okay," he said shrugging one shoulder.

I looked at him amazed.

"You're much prettier," he finished blushing.

I broke into a grin. "Would you like to go with me? To the dance?"

Harry nodded. "Sure…why not?"

I happily turned my attention back to the teacher who came back into the room.

After class, we all headed back to the common room for the 45 minute break.

James and Lily began telling funny stories of James and Sirius' old pranks.

We all rolled with laughter.

Hermione was torn between amusement and remorse. She pulled Harry and Ron aside and I saw them huddled in a corner talking.

HERMIONE.

"We really should be thinking of getting back," I whispered to Ron and Harry.

"Ya but what harm would it do if we went to the dance?" Harry asked.

His cheeks were flushing with color.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Did Elizabeth ask you to the dance?"

He nodded.

"Hmm…well, Sirius asked me," I said.

Ron's eyes widened.

"Blimey! Harry's godfather asked you?" he asked shocked.

I nodded and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Doesn't that seem and feel weird to you?" Ron continued.

"It doesn't bother me," Harry said shrugging.

Ron looked at him like he was mad.

"You're kidding mate!" he said stunned.

Harry shook his head.

I folded my arms over my chest.

"So what are we going to do? Go to the dance and then figure out a way to get home?"

Harry, Ron and I looked at each other.

"I suppose so," Harry said.

"Okay,"

Ron was still speechless as we headed back over to the others.

ELIZABETH.

I avoided Remus. I think I was more hurt to think he'd actually like someone like me. But at least I was going with Harry.

Hermione was heading off with Sirius to the dance. Poor Ron didn't seem to have anyone. Lily and James were naturally going together.

"Listen," I said softly to Ron. "The dance is a few weeks away. Why don't you just ask a girl?"

Ron's ears turned bright pink.

"Him? Ask a girl?" Harry said. "We had trouble asking girls in our fourth year with the Yule Ball. I don't think the Christmas Dance would be any different."

Ron scowled at Harry.

"It's easy," I said beaming.

At that moment, my other friend, Anna Travis, walked in.

"Hey Anna!" I called.

She grinned and came over.

"Would you like to go to the dance with one of our cousins?" I asked.

Ron's face turned even redder.

"Sure," Anna said. "Who?"

I pointed to Ron.

"That's Ron W…" I paused. No one was supposed to know about them being from the future so I had to make up a last name.

"Ron Walters," I finished. "He's Sirius' cousin."

Anna grinned.

"Sure," she said. "He's cute."

Ron even turned redder.

Remus, Sirius, James, Lily, Hermione and Harry were chuckling in the background.

"Great," I grinned broadly at her

Anna waved at Ron before continuing to the girls' dorm.

"See," I said turning to Ron. "Easy as cake."

"For you," Ron muttered blushing.

I laughed.

"Come on. We've got History of Magic,"

We headed to History of Magic next.

Remus pulled me aside just before we entered the classroom.

"Elizabeth, why'd you run out on me like that?" he asked concerned. "You seemed really upset."

I folded my arms over my chest.

"Took you this long to notice huh?" I said coldly. "Damn right I was upset. I thought that maybe we could go to the dance together. Apparently, you'd rather go with Eileen because you know you'd get lucky when the dance was over."

Remus looked at me stunned and shocked.

"No…I…" his voice trailed off as I cut him off.

"Don't bother alright? Go with Eileen and have fun…and I mean that literally," I said coldly as I turned and entered the classroom.

I took a seat beside Hermione.

"You look upset again," Hermione said worriedly. "What happened this time?"

"I just told Remus off in a way," I muttered. "Told him to go a head and go out with Eileen. He'll get lucky."

Hermione looked confused.

I looked at her in awe.

"Don't tell me you've never heard that expression before,"

Hermione shook her head.

"Means she'll more than likely sleep with him," I muttered. "That's what her reputation is around the school anyway. I'm just thankful that the teachers don't know…although I wouldn't put it past them to NOT know. It's kind of hard not to know."

Hermione continued to look stunned.

"But I can see Remus really likes you," she said slowly.

I snorted.

"He might like me yeah, but not the way we're thinking,"

With that, I turned my attention to Professor Aris.

After class was over, I decided to head to the library for some reading. I entered the library and headed over to the section labeled "CHARMS" and just decided to read up on the Summoning Charm.

I stood in front of the book case and skimmed the spines of the books, searching for the right book that I would need.

I suddenly heard someone standing on the other side of the book case, breathing heavily.

"Sirius, if that's you, God help you," I said irritably. "I'm going to stick my wand up your ass in a few minutes."

The heavy breathing continued.

"Sirius, honestly," I said angrily as I stepped around the bookcase and stared in shock.

There was no one there.

I was just about to turn around when the bookcase leaned over dangerously. It suddenly toppled over.

I screamed.

The bookcase landed on top of me, pinning me from the abdomen down.

Books fell out of the case and landed splayed on the floor.

REMUS.

I suddenly heard Elizabeth scream from the library.

"Lizzie's in trouble," I said alarmed.

Everyone's faces read fear and worry.

We all took off and raced to the library. When we reached it, one of the bookcases was lying on its side, on top of Elizabeth, pinning her.

Her blond hair was fluffed around her head on the floor.

"ELIZABETH!" Sirius roared as we all flew over to her.

Her eyes were closed and one wrist lay next to her ear.

I kneeled down beside her.

"Go get Dumbledore!" I cried.

James and Ron took off running full speed. Hermione began sobbing quietly as Harry put an arm around her comfortingly. Sirius was as pale as a ghost.

I slipped one arm under her neck for support. She didn't even open her eyes up. I felt for a pulse.

"There's a pulse," I said relieved, but pure panic spread through me like a live wire.

I only prayed that she would be alright.