Listen To Your Heart

Chapter 26-The Problem

"I know," Remus said quietly. "And I can't believe how horribly those Muggles treated him. I have nothing against them naturally, but they were treating him really horrible."

I pressed my back against the edge of the counter.

"What can we do?" I asked biting my bottom lip.

Remus came over to me and stood in front of me. He put his hands on my shoulders and put his face close to mine. He had to stoop a bit low because he was taller than I was.

"For now, we'll get him to Hogwarts," he said. "After that I'm not sure."

"Stupid," I muttered feeling tears forming in my eyes.

"I know you care about him," Remus said warmly. "I do too. We owe it to James and Lily to protect their son…but what will be will be."

He drew me close. I pressed my face into his chest and sobbed softly. He wrapped his arms around me. He pulled me close against him.

"You're a good mom," he said softly and affectionately giving me a squeeze.

I pressed my face into Remus' chest further.

After a few moments, he released me and gave me a kiss.

"Things will be fine," he said reassuringly.

MADDIE.

Mum and Dad set the boy up in the spare bedroom across from mine. Mum and Dad let us stay up to 10 talking.

"So both of your parents are wizards?" the boy named Harry asked intrigued.

I nodded.

"Yep," I said brightly. "You really had no idea we existed until recently?"

Harry shook his head.

"Wow," I said. "Stick with me. I'll help you."

I gave him a wink.

He grinned and blushed.

Mum called lights out and he left my room.

ROSELYN.

With Maddie and Harry asleep, I was lying in bed next to Remus. Remus rolled over on top of me.

"I can't believe what happened to James and Lily," I said quietly looking up at him.

"I know," he said just as quietly. "Poor Sirius…"

"I know he didn't do that," I said firmly. "He would never intentionally hurt someone like that…let alone murder."

Remus exhaled loudly.

"I'm getting a feeling that he was set up," Remus said. "And secondly, what could Peter do that was so bad that would cause Sirius to want to kill him? Sirius joked about wanting to do that, but he never meant it."

I just sighed this time too.

Remus kissed me.

"Let's try not to worry about it okay?"

I smiled up at him.

"Okay,"

Remus and I began getting intimate when a shrill scream cut through the house. Remus leapt off of me.

"Maddie," I said panicked.

Remus and I flew out of our room. Harry was also standing outside his room, looking upset and scared.

"Is she okay?" he demanded automatically.

We burst into Maddie's room. Remus threw his arm out in front of me just as we hit the door frame, stopping me from entering the room.

Standing on the edge of Maddie's bed was a black wolf. It was snarling at Maddie. The ears were flattened back and the whites of its jaundice eyes were showing. A bit of white foam was also dripping from the bottom jaw.

"Dad," Maddie sobbed looking at us. "Help me."

I gently but firmly pushed Harry back into his room.

"Stay," I instructed. "Lock the door and don't come out until we tell you."

Harry nodded and did what he was told.

"Daaad," Maddie sobbed even more.

Remus went into protective mode as he does when he changes.

I heard him growling loudly at the wolf menacingly.

The wolf responded back but only stepped closer to Maddie.

"Leave her alone," Remus snarled.

The wolf didn't seem to hear him and went to lunge at Maddie. Maddie screamed and threw her hands up over her face. Remus didn't hesitate. He threw himself onto the bed, blocking Maddie from the wolf.

Both he and the wolf got into a fight. The wolf clamped his jaws around Remus' arm and bit down. Warm blood gushed.

Remus struggled to get the wolf off of him but the wolf was too powerful. The wolf clamped its jaws on Remus neck and bit down.

"NO!" I screamed and picked up Maddie's lamp. I heaved it at the wolf. It hit the wolf on the shoulder blade.

It looked up and gave me a snarl before jumping out the window.

"REMUS!" I screamed rushing to him.

He was bleeding profusely and some of the blood had gotten onto Maddie's pajamas.

Remus was struggling to breathe.

"I'm not losing you," I said trying to keep my voice steady. I kept a hand over the wounds on Remus' neck to hope that the pressure would stop the bleeding somewhat. I knew I had to get him to St. Mungo's.

"HARRY!" I screamed.

The next thing I knew, Harry charged into the room.

"Grab my tee-shirt,"

Harry was confused, but he did it.

"Maddie, grab Harry's hand and then touch Dad," I instructed her next…but I realized with horror that she had gone into shock.

"Harry," I said quickly. "Grab Maddie's hand, and then put her hand on Remus'."

Again Harry did that and we soon Apparated out of the house.

ST. MUNGO'S HOSPITAL FOR MAGICAL MALADIES AND INJURIES.

Remus was taken immediately to the ward. The Healers assured me that he would be fine. My quick thinking saved him otherwise had I waited any longer he would've bled to death for sure.

My white tee shirt and gray sweat pants were stained and speckled with blood. Maddie was looked over. The Healer that took care of Remus said that in time, Maddie would come around. She was covered in blood as she had gotten the brunt of the attack.

Remus would remain in the hospital for a few weeks. The hospital had a special section for werewolves and that's where Remus went. He was completely out of it and was given a Blood Replenishing potion every hour.

We stayed with Remus for a bit but then had to Apparate back home. Harry was a bit off because he'd never Apparated like that.

"It's really weird," he said keeping his eyes on Maddie. "What's going to happen when we go to Hogwarts if she's still in shock?"

"Looks like I'll be going with her," I said. "I'm going to write a letter to Dumbledore and let him know what happened."

I quickly grabbed parchment and paper and sent the letter with Harry's snow owl, Hedwig. Ryker came over to me and sat down next to my thighs.

"Is Remus alright?" he asked looking up at me with his big brown eyes as he panted.

"The Healer's are positive that he will be fine," I said softly.

Ryker came over to Maddie and nudged her with his snout.

"Maddie, however, went into shock," I finished gravely and sadly.

"Oh man," Ryker said letting out a whine. "Will she be alright?"

"The Healers are optimistic with her," I continued gently stroking Maddie's hair. "They expect she'll come around."

"What if she doesn't?" Ryker asked gravely keeping his brown eyes on Maddie.

"Let's not think about that," I said quietly.

Ryker gave Harry's hand a lick.

"Sleep well, Harry," Ryker said softly.

"Thanks," he said still a bit weird with the fact that a dog talked back to him.

"I'm going to put Maddie to bed," I said. "Ryker, I want you to keep an eye on her okay?"

Ryker barked, signaling that he understood.

Once Maddie, Harry and Ryker, who was sleeping with Maddie were out cold, I quickly enlisted the help of Hedwig and sent Dumbledore and owl letting him know what happened.

The next morning, I got an owl back stating that Dumbledore wished for Remus to get better and I was welcomed, along with Ryker, to come to Hogwarts. He knew Harry was there with us and sent his first year list along with Maddie's.

We went to Diagon Alley the next day. The whole lot of us including Ryker, who stayed close to Maddie.

We purchased both Harry and Maddie's books and supplies. I treated Harry and he seemed totally shy about it, but I didn't mind.

We finished off the day at Florean Florescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Harry dug into his chocolate ice cream sundae. I however, just had a milkshake. Maddie ate hers robotically and even Ryker enjoyed a bowl of vanilla ice cream. He kept to Maddie's side like a body guard. He leaned against her leg and looked up at me. A bit of the vanilla ice cream had gotten on his furry muzzle.

I looked at him and burst out laughing.

"What?" he asked confused.

"You've got ice cream on your muzzle," I laughed. "You should see yourself!"

Ryker began licking his own muzzle, trying to get the ice cream off, but wasn't succeeding.

"Here," I laughed wiping the ice cream off for him with a napkin.

Ryker barked and put his head on Maddie's thigh. I reached over and stroked his head, rubbing his neck.

"Don't worry," I whispered softly to him. "She'll be fine okay?"

Ryker just let out a whine again and kept his head on her thigh.

"Well, well, well," a familiar oily voice crooned.

I looked up. It was Severus Snape. He looked almost the same, except now his hair had reached his shoulders and it was greasy as it was back when we went to school. He was dressed in black robes.

"Severus," I said.

"So that's the new prodigy," he sneered at Harry, who just looked back at him blankly.

"And you are?" Harry asked genuinely confused.

"I'm your Potions professor," Severus sneered. "I trust you read your book list?"

"How are you?" I asked in a friendly tone to him.

Severus' dark eyes moved off of Harry onto me.

"Mrs. Lupin," he sneered, not changing his tone. "And this must be Miss Lupin."

His eyes moved onto Maddie who was staring blankly a head not moving.

"Is she lacking respect?" Severus asked.

"She's in shock, Severus," I replied, genuinely confused as to why he was acting like this, but I did have a good idea…it was my fault really. But I couldn't talk about it with Harry. "Remus was attacked by a…" my voice trailed off wondering if I should say 'wolf' but Harry knew what he saw. He wasn't stupid. "Wolf last night. He's in St. Mungo's right now. She saw the whole attack."

For a moment, Severus' expression faltered, and then the sneer returned.

"Attacked by one of his own," he snickered. "Now that's ironic. See you at Hogwarts."

With that, Severus headed off down the street.

"What did he mean, 'Attacked by one of his own?'" Harry asked curiously.

"Severus was mistaken," I said quickly. "Come on. We've got to head home."

We finished up and then headed home.

I was a bit hurt at the way Severus treated me, but then again, I slept with him and then completely pushed him out of my life without so much as an explanation. I realized I should give him one and vowed that once we get to Hogwarts, I would talk to him.

NEXT WEEK.

We arrived at Kings Cross station the following week. We loaded Maddie's, Harry's and I's stuff on the Hogwarts Express. It was the same as I'd remembered it. We boarded the train and found an empty compartment. Ryker jumped up on the seat next to Maddie and curled up against her. Harry and I were sitting next to each other. Maddie just stared straight a head at us, not flinching one bit.

"I hope Dumbledore doesn't mind me coming along," Ryker said raising his head and looking at me. He panted.

"No," I said shaking my head. "He said not to worry about it. You're allowed to stay. Listen to him, not what others might say."

Ryker lowered his head and returned it to Maddie's thigh.

Shortly, the train pulled out of the station and we were on our way.

A few minutes later, the compartment door opened and a boy with light auburn hair and blue eyes entered.

"I'm sorry," he said as his ears turned pink. "I'll find a new compartment."

"Nonsense," I scolded. "Have a seat."

The boy eyed Ryker, who was watching the boy back.

"He's harmless," I said giving Ryker a wink.

The boy settled down and sat down beside Ryker.

"Blimey," the boy said looking at Harry in awe. "You're him!"

Harry looked confused.

"See," I explained leaning close to Harry. "You're a bit of a legend. You were the only one that survived the Dark Lords' attack. You've become an Enigma I guess you could say."

Harry looked absolutely befuddled by this information, so I elaborated more. Once I was done, he seemed to grasp it.

"I'm Ron Weasley," the boy with auburn hair introduced himself.

"Him you know," I teased Ron jerking my thumb toward Harry. "So I'm Roselyn Lupin and this is my daughter Maddie, and that's Ryker."

Ron turned his eyes onto Maddie and Ryker.

"Pleased to meet you," Ryker said not taking his head off of Maddie.

"He's a Minux right?" Ron asked.

I nodded.

"I've heard about them from me Mum," Ron explained smiling at Ryker. "They're extremely loyal, smart and fast."

"I might be the first two," Ryker said. "But Fast? That's debatable."

Ron grinned.

Harry and Ron got into a conversation. Both of them found each other interesting. I guess to Harry this was a whole new world to him. I shook my head, not understanding why his Aunt and Uncle never told him about the magical world. Obviously, they thought they could keep it a secret from him but it absolutely backfired.

Ryker dozed off and I found myself too, getting sleepy. The gentle rocking motion of the train was doing it as I didn't sleep much last night worrying about Maddie.

A few seconds later, I felt a sharp poke in my ribs. My eyes flew open.

It was Harry.

"What is it?" I asked becoming alert.

Harry pointed to the seat across from us. I moved my eyes. Maddie was gone, but Ryker was out cold. Maddie was no where in the compartment.