Food appeared everywhere in the Grand Hall, but Harry resisted the urge to eat 3 steaks at once. He calmly took his fork, put it in a piece of meat and brought it to his mouth. Sophisticated seemed a word Ron didn't know, for he ate with his hands. The sauce was all over his fingers, and spit dropped from his chin. "Al-ways deli-cious.", he said with a mouth full of food. Hermione couldn't stand looking at it, and tried to start a conversation with Ginny, who sat next to her. "Why do you think Dumbledore's late?" "Probably got something very important to do."
Dumbledore walked through the halls of Hogwarts with a steady pace, trying not to attract a lot of attention. His hands held a small note from Severus. He opened the doors to the dungeons and saw the potion teacher standing in the hall. It wasn't usual for Severus to give him notes, nor was it a habit of him to run late for the feast. His speech should've been given by now, but Dumbledore had to come very quickly according to his friend.
"Albus, follow me.", he said it in a stern voice. The teacher walked toward a door. Dumbledore entered a room that he hadn't seen before. On the green with black snakes decorated rug, there were several sofas, and a small cupboard stood against the wall. Everything would be fine if the smell of rotten flesh hadn't poisoned the air. Appearing from under the sofa, a fresh strain of blood carefully moved through the rug as a lion through the high grass, ready to attack his prey. Suddenly, he held his hand before his mouth, shocked by what he saw. A student was lying face down on the rug, several scratches opening up his back, blood wetting the black clothes. "What has happened here?" "If only I knew that. Slytherin students shouldn't be wasted like that. Gryffindor maybe, but Slytherin not. Noble blood spilled, soaked these rugs and what will we do now? What has killed this student?" Dumbledore frowned his eyebrows. Empathy wasn't a thing known to Severus, but maybe he got a shot or two when he was on holiday. "From the marks, I presume an animal." The teacher sighed, placed his two arms together and said very formally: "Do you think that Remus has anything to do with it? He's a werewolf after all." The headmaster looked through his halfmoon shaped glasses, his eyes very stern and the light that usually twinkled there were put out, as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it. "He's not the scapegoat you may use for everything, Severus. He takes the potions you brewed." Blood sprawled out of the wounds, soaking the rug. Suddenly, they were disrupted by a very faint knock on the door, and Hagrid's head popped through the doorway. "I'm sorry to interrupt, been lookin' everywhere for you. The kids are waitin' for yer speech, Dumbledore." The headmaster nodded, commanded Severus to make the body disappear and climbed the stairs to the hall.
Dumbledore was entering the hall when Harry finished his meal. "It's not Dumbledore's habit to run late.", Hermione said softly, "Speaking of late, why were you late Harry?" He stared at Hermione, not knowing what to say. "I was going for a walk after the lessons ended. I forgot to keep the clock in mind, and that's why I'm late. Nothing special, no reason to panic." The cup was lifted by Harry, and brought to his lips. He drunk a little, as Dumbledore began his speech. "Dear students, I hope you enjoyed your meals. They're the best and served for you. As gay as these times may seem, there are clouds forming in the sky. Keep your friends close, for no one may walk alone in these halls. Is that understood?" A loud "yes" was heard through the hall, but many questions were formed by Harry's curious mind. Why would they suddenly prohibit us walking in the hall alone? His friends were thinking the same, that was something he knew for sure.
Immediately after dinner, the students were guided to their bedrooms. The password was said, and the door opened. "Why do you think that new rule has been enforced?" "I don't know, but something's in the air, Ron. That's all I know", Harry answered. They wished Hermione a good night and went to their bedrooms. Harry put a blanket upon him, laid his glasses next to him and closed his eyes. "Sleep well, Ron." "Same for ya, Harry." Silence filled the room, and everyone began to sleep.
An hour passed when Ron stepped out of his bed. He put on his pants and opened the door of his bedroom. He softly closed it, not wanting to wake every sleeping boy. His hand searched the railing and the stairs were slowly descended. Every step brought him closer to his destination, and he can be relieved from this heavy burden. The darkness weighed heavy on his shoulders, but his wand was luckily in his pockets. "Lumos!", he whispered softly, and a small lightbulb formed on the stick. The darkness fought over every inch, but Ron almost reached the bathrooms. He opened the door of the toilet, pulled down his pants, shat, and walked toward the mirror. At first, he saw himself, with his red hair and the typical Weasley-look.
But then, all of the sudden, two eyes lighted up in the hallway. A soft growling was heard, and a figure entered the room. Ron whined, sweat formed on his head, and he put his wand in front of him. The light showed nothing, but he still felt someone, or better, something watching him. Ron jumped. He jumped harder than ever before. The door to the bathroom was closed with a loud sound, Ron bashed on the door, realizing he was locked. He leaned against the door, sighing. "Malfoy, you son of a bitch!", he screamed, putting his hands on his face.
The sun rose, when Ron finally returned. Hermione was waiting for him in Gryffindor tower. He was accompanied by McGonagall. "Granger, get everyone out of their bedrooms, NOW." She obeyed and in no time, everyone was lined up, ready to listen to the professor. "Who locked up Ron in the boy's bathroom?" She looked very stern. Ron was shivering and looked like a corpse. Stumbling, muttering, he tried to form a sentence: "Pr-Profffesorr, it gr-gr-owwled at me. I th-thought it-t-t was-as an ani-ma-mal." Fred and George clearly bit their lips because their faces grew white of held-in laughter. "Weasley. Do you want to share something with us?" Fred and George looked at the ground and didn't say anything. A small "nothing" came out and Professor McGonagall continued. "This was not an animal, an obvious jest by one of your 'friends', Ron. Fifty points for cooperation with the accomplice and Ron gets a day off." She held her hand on his shoulder, as if to show compassion. Ron stumbled toward the bedroom, stifled by the hard conditions he's been through. Harry looked at it without saying anything. "We're going to the lessons or to him, Hermione?" Hermione was clearly shocked by his proposition, and she dragged Harry toward the potion's lessons.
The portrait opened and Harry and Hermione walked through it. A large crowd was formed at the beginning of the staircase. A 12-year-old body was hanging upside down, its eyes gauged out, blood dripping on the ground. The clothes were torn, and the intestines were hanging out there. All flesh was eaten of, having bite marks on both arms. "Holy shit.", Harry said softly. Even Hermione didn't correct him, for everyone stood in silence watching the corpse. It could always be worse, Harry thought. But then, he saw something that frightened him even more. On the wall, in bloody letters, there was written: "He was tasty. Who's the next volunteer?" Dumbledore was running through the walls, and said: "Accio." The body moved toward him, leaving blood drops as a trail. "Go to your lessons, now.", Dumbledore said calmly, but loud enough so no one would dare to disobey him. Everyone went quietly to his lessons, searching for the safety of the teachers. When Harry entered the classroom, he sat himself next to Hermione and looked at the different cauldrons on the tables. "We're going to have practicum, Harry.", she whispered, "Just make sure you write everything down, I'll write the reports." He nodded, but Snape had clearly different plans. He stormed into the classroom and said: "Werewolves. Page 394. Harry, read the first paragraph." Harry looked confused at him. "Why don't we have potion lesson? I mean, you're not even a defense against the dark arts teacher for that matter." Snape sighed, took the eraser, and threw it at Harry. "I see now. Maybe I'll send in a request for this killer, Potter. I think we'll all be relieved when you're six feet under like your father." Harry felt the pain of the insult more than the eraser. It landed on his temple, making sure that a bruise filled the area between his two eyes. He angrily threw the eraser back and said: "My parents loved me at the very least, you son of a bitch." Snape's eyes filled with anger but said oddly calm: "Mr Potter has just proposed me an offer I can't refuse. A year full of detention, how does that sound to you?" Harry growled in anger, hit the table, but said nothing.
Snape smiled and started his lesson: "How to determine if one is a werewolf? It all usually starts with increased aggression, increased psychopathy, increased hunger and more importantly, increased smell. Believe me, they smell their prey before they eat. When the sun shines, they're like you and me. At night, they're like Potter, or worse." Silence wore heavily on the children's back, for everyone's thoughts returned to the bloody corpse.
The stairs turned, granting access to the Defense against the dark Arts teacher. The door of the Dumbledore's office opened lightly, and Lupin entered. A bright shine of light brightened the room. "Dumbledore?", Lupin asked with a shaky voice. He stepped on the purple rug, pulled back the chair and took in the environment. Often, he had been here, for the headmaster helped him to "cure" his disease. Of course, potions weren't infallible, but in the light of recent events, Lupin hoped for dear life Dumbledore didn't make the wrong conclusions.
An old man, with a white beard and half moon glasses, descended from the stairs, which gave way to the second stage of this office. "Oh, hello there. Thanks for coming." The man sat himself at the other side of the table, right in front of Lupin. He took his wand, which laid on the table, waved with it three times. At first, nothing happened. But then, thousands of papers searched their way toward Dumbledore, and laid themselves upon each other, as orderly as it should be. The stern face wasn't comfortable to watch, while he took a sheet, and read it aloud: "Oliver Kingston. 12 years old. First year Ravenclaw. Killed by what is perceived to be animal wounds." His eyes moved from the small letters toward Lupin, a sigh followed. "Politeness won't help us, neither will indirectness. Please do tell me, what's your response to this?" Immediately, the teacher looked to the ground, his cheeks growing redder than a newly bought steak. Don't think about it. Don't. He stuttered, searched the right words, and said softly: "It wasn't me, Albus."
As much as the headmaster wanted to believe it, he needed more than "wasn't me". "I'm sorry, Remus. But I don't think you understand the graveness of this situation. Poor Oliver was one of the two kids, killed in the same fashion which seems particularly close to a werewolf attack. May I conclude from this that you, Remus Lupin, the only werewolf on Hogwarts, deny having any participation whatsoever?" Remus was more ashamed than ever before. What's the chance of having another werewolf without him knowing? "You may." Dumbledore shoved his seat back, put his hands on the table and leaned forward. "I've granted you permission to be here. I've given you, a job, A LIFE. HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE LIKE THAT!" He hit the table with his fist, making the paper tower fall off. A darkness clouded the soft light of candles, making the room darker than ever prior. Remus, frightened, shoved his chair back, searched his courage and said: "I'm sorry, Dumbledore.", he opened the door and sighed. "I'm resigning." He threw the door closed, and never entered his office again.
The week ended rather quickly. It was filled with death, fights and worse of all, detention for Harry. It was a calm Sunday; the sun was shining and the two of them were sitting beneath an oaken tree. "I wish every day was as calm as this one.", Hermione said. Her redhaired, Weasley friend looked at her as if she were an alien. "Calm? Calm? We had enough homework to keep us busy for the rest of our life, and worst of all, you can't go anywhere on your own." She sighed, took a book out of her backpack, opened it and began studying the table of contents. Ron raised his eyebrow, tried to get the lecture in his hands, pulled it out of his friend' hands. "'History of the muggley, duggley, fuggley world. Blah, blah blah.", his finger followed all the titles one by one, "I still can't understand how you can read this stupid sh-" Hermione gasped and said: "Don't curse." Ron smiled and whispered: "Try to stop me. F-" Suddenly, Hermione kissed him on the lips. Ron backed away, confused at what just happened. "What was that for?", his voice broke, and Hermione had to hold in her laughter. "We're not going to hide from the others, are we? We're fourteen.", she stood up and continued softly, "Mature enough to kiss, too childish for… other things." She winked and saw Harry walking toward them.
"How was detention?" Harry showed his middle finger, and Ron laughed. "Thought so. Anyway, how long have you been there?" The boy-who-lived smiled. "Long enough to see what you did. I've always shipped you guys. Where is Ginny by the way?" Ron looked at Hermione, for they both sensed it. Harry had changed, in some ways he couldn't correctly define. "Why?", she asked. "I bet her 5 sickles if you got together." He smiled and began searching her.
Luna was reading a book when she heard soft footsteps in the hallway. She quickly searched a place to hide. Students weren't allowed in this part of the library; she knew it all too well. "Nox" was said and she felt the darkness slowly creeping up to her. People often said dark wasn't really dark, as long as one remembers the light. Suddenly, this quote took on a whole new meaning. The darkness was attacking her senses, dulling them out, only for her hearing to magically improve. The floor was creaking, bearing the weight of a person, or a thing rather. It was nearing, walking on fours, and a soft breathing entered her eardrums. She held her hand against her mouth, stopping the scream. Something was out there, something smelled her, longed for her, searched her, wanted her.
A sniff made her jump, she put her back against a shelf. Suddenly, a hand pushed through the shelved books, making her fall forward. She turned sideways, feeling a bruise forming on her shoulder. A figure pulled itself through the gap of the books. It wasn't natural, for all she knew. Her hand moved over the wooden floor, seeking the possible wand. Suddenly she felt something hairy touching her leg, putting weight on it. She felt her legs being conquered, the arms moving up and up. Where's my wand?
The body was moving, creeping up on her. A tear formed on her cheek, stiffened by fear, shivering, her hand felt the point of a wand. The thing was creeping up, the teeth now touching her bare skin of the neck. The wand was firmly in her hand, she struck the thing with her left fist. The head moved, and she screamed: "Lumos!" She turned on her back, crawling forward. Standing up being impossible, feeling the weight on her legs, she saw what attacked her. She screamed. Screaming her heart out, she saw what it was. She tried to crawl, more and more. She was hit by a lighting bolt of fear, disgust, and realization. She crawled, crawling almost to a more open space, not surround by books, when she felt the wolf on her back. Spit fell in her hair, and it opened its mouth, Luna feeling the claws in her back, drawing blood. She reached out with her right arm, trying to crawl further. When teeth impaled the skin of her head, almost crushing her skull, she screamed. Screaming was all she could do.
Irma Pince put the key in the lock, opening the door to the library. Once opened, she pushed a cart into the room. Almost immediately, a stench pierced through her dreamy mood. Woken, she searched the source of the smell. First, she checked her armpits. It would be embarrassing if the sweat began to stink. It was nothing special, and she continued the search delighted. Still, what could produce such a smell? She parked her cart next to the main desk and started walking in the corridors. Suddenly, she heard the buzzing of several flies. "What a weird day it is.", she murmured to herself. Opening the door of the restricted section, she saw blood stains underneath the bookshelves. Suddenly, she saw something, something wicked, something she didn't want to ever see again. A girl with blond hair was laying on her back, her arm, or what remained of it, was stretched forward, almost pointing at the librarian. As if not shocking enough, blood had come on the books. Slowly, she stepped back, holding in a scream. The slow pace evolved in a steady pace, which ended in a run. Running through the hallways, she searched for Dumbledore.
Lupin was sorting out a few sheets, when he heard a loud knock on his door. "Come in.", he said, not caring who came through the door. Two men entered the room. They both wore black coats, holding a wand in front of them. The first one to talk, was a smaller man, had a moustache and began his speech in a husky voice. "Remus John Lupin, you are hereby arrested by the Ministry of Magic and are obliged to a lifetime visit to Azkaban, on the grounds of murder and cannibalization of three children." He put up his wand, swung three times with it, and Lupin felt himself being lifted. The bigger man was more stout, had more muscles, and held handcuffs ready. The teacher tried to resist, but all strength left his body. With a bent back, his feet hanging back, flying as if unconscious, the teacher moved through the hallways. Everyone was shocked to see their favorite teacher hanging there, apart from Snape. All he did, was standing there, smiling for the first time since Lily died. "Justice.", he whispered softly. When the two men saw Dumbledore, the smaller man said: "We're done here. He's coming with us to Azkaban, for a very, very long time." The man grinned, almost being glad that he destroyed one's life.
The golden trio was watching the event with shock. A tear rolled down Hermione's cheek. Even though Lupin had only taught them for a week, everyone would remember him. "This isn't justice.", she said softly. Harry turned around and looked at her as if telling her to not care. "It doesn't matter. He got what he deserved." Ron and Hermione suddenly stared, shocked by what he said. "You liked him, Harry. You even said it after the first lesson." "Not now. He killed three fucking students, and justice has been served. If I were the judge, the death penalty would be re-introduced for once." Harry turned around, not even caring about what he just said. The day carried on, the lessons carried on, the minds didn't. Everyone thought the same: Why Lupin?
When Ron and Hermione saw they were alone, they laid out their plans for the evening. "What would you want to do?", Ron said, while holding Hermione's hand. "We might be able to go walking, and end in the garden. Filch never comes there, and the other teachers will, hopefully, be sleeping by then." Ron smiled, seeing Hermione thinking made her beautiful. "Well, if you're alright with that, what do you think of 1 am at the fire hearth?" "Is fine for me." Hermione looked around, and kissed him, as if closing their conversation. They went to the next class, where Hagrid already awaited them. "Everyone 'ere? Well, I think it might be time to start." He looked around but didn't see Harry. "Hermione, Ron, where is Harry?" They looked confusedly at him. "Isn't he with you?" Hagrid sighed. "No. Well, that's the first time he isn't present in any class." The giant took the two sheets of paper, a pencil, and began scribing down Harry's name. Just when Hagrid started talking, the wooden gate was opened and Harry came rushing in. "Where you been?" "Toilet, Hagrid." "I almost worried.", Hagrid said with a smile, crossing the name off his paper. "Worried? If you were worried, Hagrid, you would have sent someone after me. But no, worried, that you weren't. Now, let's start this useless class." Everyone gasped, even Malfoy. "What?" "You heard me. This useless class, where all we learn is to suck the dick of some animals that are clearly crazy and should be put down immediately." As an illustration, Harry opened the book, and let it do its thing. It began biting and moving in the small garden. "I didn't expect to hear that from you, Harry. Is e'erything alright?" "I'll let you search Sherlock. But in the end, you won't find shit. I'm alright, and I won't sit through this damn class." He turned around, kicked the gate open and walked toward the castle. "Harry! Come back!", Hagrid shouted, chasing him. Harry didn't even look over his shoulders. All he did, was putting his arms in the air, showing two middle fingers. The teacher gasped and didn't even care anymore to follow him.
The evening came once again, and everyone took to their beds. Ron lay watching the ceiling, following all the lines, the wooden planks, and every minute his watch. A soft snoring was heard, and he knew everyone sleep. Suddenly, a sheet was pulled back, and Harry was getting up. He pushed himself to the side, put on his shoes. "What're you going to do?", Ron asked, whispering so no one would be woken. "Just going for a stroll. Can't sleep for a reason." He nodded and moved his mind back on his date with Hermione.
Snape was walking through the corridors, when a strange noise caught his attention. He took his wand, walked forward, and looked around. Probably a student. Hopefully Harry. Almost feeling curious, he strolled through the hallway, nearing the sound. "Will the nightly adventurer make himself known?", he said with a loud voice, waking up the nearest paintings. No answer was heard, and the little patience he possessed ran out. He quickened his pace, and searched harder, more, frustrated. A figure ran toward him. Snape's face turned from frustration, to fear, to desperation. Something wicked, something on four legs, was walking toward him. The silence hurt him more than ever, for the footsteps once echoing the hallways now disappeared into the night. It vanished, as if this animal had chosen to run away from him. Snape continued, now getting angry. "Don't toy with me, mr Potter.", he said out loud, expecting that that bastard would show up. After an hour, he decided to call off the search, and murmured in the hallway, being certain the student would hear it: "If I ever see you hear again, it won't be your best day."
The watch struck 1 am, and Ron began pulling back the sheets. He turned, did his shoes on, and began exiting the room. He closed the door softly, making sure to not wake everyone. Suspiciously enough, Harry had pulled his sheet over the cushion. It wasn't his habit to do that, but Ron didn't mind it a lot. He descended the stairs and saw Hermione sitting in the sofa closest to the hearth. The wood glowed, but the fire was almost put out. When she heard someone descending, she looked around and saw him standing there. She stood up and walked up to him. "Let's go on a walk, shall we?", she said, winking. Ron smiled. He looked at her, seeing how beautifully she had clothed.
She wore a white crop top, combined with blue jeans. "You look well", Ron said. "Thanks", Hermione answered, blushing, and continuing. They walked softly through the corridors, talking about nothing and anything at the same time. After some time, Hermione stopped. "Have you heard that noise?" He looked confused at her, as if thinking she grew more paranoid. "Don't worry, I'll protect you if something happens.", he answered toying with her caution. "Wait Ronald, here we'll stop.", Hermione stepped. Suddenly, she began kissing him and embraced him. She kicked the door open, put his hands on her, but stopped suddenly. "You heard that?", she asked. Ron looked around and they heard: "Don't toy with me, mr. Potter." "Snape's out there.", Ron stated, and he opened the door to the toilets. "Let's go somewhere more… private."
He let her through, closed the door and they continued. Knowing they were private, worry vanished quickly. A growl made them both jump, stop and look toward the source. It came from one of the toilet cells. Ron came closer, holding Hermione off. "Hello?", he said with a shaky voice. No human answer came. All they heard was something falling over. "Probably rats, Her-" Ron was cut off when the door opened. "I think we should go." But his girlfriend was never someone to give up.
She came closer, looking into the cell. Suddenly, she was thrown back, a figure was putting his claws into her flesh. She screamed, feeling the pain in her sides. Ron didn't know what to do. He looked around, saw a wooden chair, took it, and threw it at the thing. It whined, making weird, painful sounds, it looked at Ron, but didn't do anything. It stared at him, giving enough time for Hermione to kick it between the legs. The pain was heard, and the thing that resembled most a wolf opened its mouth. Spit fell on Hermione neck, when the beast bit into it. Ron searched the doorknob, tears formed on his cheek, Hermione was opened her mouth, but nothing but blood came out of it. "Hold on!", he shouted, finding the doorknob. "HELP!", he half-screamed, only the halls as witness. Hermione stared at the ceiling, all life fled out of her, as the beast took its second bite. Ron screamed another time, crying for help. Suddenly, he saw Snape running toward him. "PROFESSOR!", he shouted. Hermione's chest was opened, the beast was biting through flesh and bone alike.
"Now it's not the time for one of your follies!", Snape said. Sternness and angriness were readable from his face, but it all vanished when he saw what took place in the bathroom. He took his wand, said: "Avada Kadavra!", pointing his wand at the beast. It looked at him, interrupted its eating process, and jumped at him. A green flash filled the darkness, targeting the animal. It pushed Snape back, making a loud thump when the door was pushed against the wall. It lay lifeless on Snape's chest, blood dropping off the black robe. Snape tried to stand up but couldn't. "Ron, raise the alarm, now!" Ron obeyed and ran away. The teacher consciousness was fading, for the pain in his hip was unbearable.
The next day, Ron was brought to Dumbledore's office yet again. The boy of fourteen sat there, lifeless, speechless. "I'm sorry Ron.", the professor broke the silence with something subtle, even though he knew sadness would fill the man forever. Hermione had died of her wounds in the bathroom, her throat bitten open, a third of her chest gone. Ron, after a short conversation with McGonagall, was sent back to his bed. For all, he knew, only Hermione had died. The sad news the headmaster had to bring, would make it unbearable for Ron, but the headmaster realized that lying would be inappropriate. "You remember the beast you've seen, Ron?" He nodded, fear filling his eyes again, shivers running down his spine, so severe he might fall of his chair. Dumbledore steadied him, kneeled, and said: "Don't worry. He's dead. I don't know if you're ready, but I think you need to know the whole story now." Ron was looking at him, not knowing if he really wanted to know. "This morning, the beast transformed again. That's how we've discovered who, or rather what it was." The student looked up, fearing the worst. "It was Harry, Ron. Harry is dead." Ron's eyes filled once again with tears, his hands trying to stop them from falling. Full realization hit him, and his eyes turned in their goggles, making him fall against the shoulder of Dumbledore.
The End
