CHAPTER 7 - BLOODY CHRISTMAS

It was a clear Christmas Eve. The snow fell delicately, muffling all noise. Harry looked outside. The moon was full tonight. But where there should have been peace and Christmas cheer, Snape was the complete opposite. He was tired and stressed and downright cranky. Frankly Harry couldn't blame him. He had gotten through another difficult exam period with the students, Dumbledore was breathing down his neck and the task of helping Harry was overwhelming him.

Snape was getting ready for the Christmas Eve banquet. Harry was extremely saddened not to have anyone to spend Christmas with. Snape knew this and said that the only reason he was going was to make sure Dumbledore wouldn't get suspicious. It was a vain attempt at cheering him up. Harry wanted to argue that Dumbledore was already suspicious but he knew that Snape was right.

The Potions Master looked refined in his deep black velvet robes. But refined was not how he felt. Tonight, Snape thought, was a perfect night to sit and read by the fire until he fell asleep. And he felt guilty leaving Harry alone on such a happy occasion. He gave Harry a good scratch on the head before he left, saying that he'd return quickly.

But Harry didn't feel like waiting. He decided to follow Snape. Most of the students had left anyway. But he'd wear his invisibility cloak just to be safe. Harry followed the music and mouthwatering smells to the Grand Hall. It was decorated as lavishly as always, with towering Christmas trees and falling snow. The entire staff was sitting at one table. To his great surprise, so was Hermione, along with two other students whom he didn't recognize.

Harry's heart throbbed painfully as everyone (except Snape) laughed and smiled and ate contentedly. Dumbledore convinced Snape to pull a Christmas cracker, and the contents exploded with a mighty bang. McGonagall was chattering away with Professor Sprout. Hagrid was already on his way to getting rosy cheeked and was being entertained by everyone's conversations. Hermione was talking to Lupin smartly, no doubt about a complicated subject, or perhaps SPEW.

Then Harry went cold. He looked up to the enchanted ceiling to the cloudy sky and watched horrified as the moon peered through them. Its light shone brightly down into the great Hall. Then it happened. Hermione screeched as Lupin gave a painful spasm. His body lurched and his bones cracked.

Snape's guts twisted sickly. He had forgotten to brew Lupin his Wolfsbane potion. He stared horrified as the man began his transformation into a werewolf. Everyone in the room scrambled to get as far away from Lupin as possible. But the werewolf was positioned in front of the doors, making escape through them impossible. The two younger students screamed as the werewolf gave a blood curdling roar. The sound of it made Harry's fur stand on end.

Snape and Dumbledore were the first ones to react. They both brandished their wands, aiming it at the creature.

"Severus!" Dumbledore cried "Disable him, do not hurt him!"

Snape had no time to argue with Dumbledore. He was the closest one to the werewolf and he was the first person Lupin saw. With drool webbing against his bared teeth, lupin charged. Snape put out his hands as he was knocked to the ground, his wand skidding across the stone floor. There were shrieks of hysteria as Snape wrestled with the werewolf. Harry used all his willpower to hold himself back.

Dumbledore's hand was shaking as he tried to aim his wand at the werewolf. Snape was fighting with his bare hands, barely avoiding its powerful jaws. Then Lupin swiped his mighty claws and slashed Snape across the face and chest. He was bleeding profusely and was struggling to get away from the werewolf's reach. Lupin was going to go in for the final bite.

Harry's reaction was fast. Without thinking he jumped into the Hall and bit the werewolf on the back of his neck. Lupin howled in pain. Everyone was frozen with shock. They had no idea what was happening or where this other animal had come from. Snape watched as Harry was thrown off and landed several meters away. Lupin's attention was now on Harry. Harry had gotten the wind knocked out of him. The lack of air made his body shake and he struggled to get up. The werewolf was bigger than he was. But Harry was also a good size and was much swifter. He also had powerful equine muscles that rivaled Lupin's.

Lupin attacked and Harry dodged. But he wasn't lucky the second time as Lupin locked into the scruff of his neck and threw him around like a rag doll. He delivered a powerful kick to lupin's gut, effectively freeing himself. Then Harry zigzagged around him, trying to find the right opening. For a split second Lupin let his guard down and Harry lunged at his throat. The two fought tirelessly for dominance, but Harry had the werewolf pinned to the spot.

There was a jet of light as a spell hit Lupin, rendering him unconscious. Dumbledore had finally gotten an opportunity to immobilize the beast without risking injury to anyone else.

Then Harry realized that all eyes were on him. Snape, his robes and skin wet with blood was speechlessly looking at Dumbledore. Dumbledore was looking at Snape with an heir of realization. Then he turned to Harry, who stood breathing heavily, covered in blood and saliva. The Headmaster walked up to him and lightly brushed Harry's scar. He looked relieved, angry, and confused all at the same time. But Harry was so tired. His body was shaking so hard he could barely stand. His legs gave way and he collapsed.

Potter…

Someone was stroking Harry's back. He knew those hands.

Potter…

His whole body was sore and those hands felt good on his aching back. Harry felt the warmth of the sun that shone on him. He was lying in soft sheets and didn't want to make the effort to wake up. But someone kept calling his name.

Potter…

Harry opened his eyes and squinted in the morning light coming through the hospital wing windows. The first thing he saw was Snape sitting on the edge of his bed. He looked at his hairy paws and knew that he was still an animal. One paw was heavily bandaged and some blood was seeping through them.

Harry noticed angry red lines on Snape's face and neck. Lupin must have inflicted them. Then Harry remembered…Everyone had seen him. And he couldn't hide now. He'd have to face Dumbledore. But somehow that prospect didn't seem so bleak with Snape on his side.

Then Harry's curtain was pulled back to reveal Lupin. He looked sick and frail and was hunched over, quite possibly in pain.

"Harry." Remus said relieved. "Thank Merlin you're okay." The man took Harry in his arms and squeezed him tight. Harry wanted to assure Remus that he was okay. He was glad to finally see him face to face. "I couldn't control myself…the wolf in me…it just took over."

"I am afraid I am to blame for that."

Harry looked to Snape.

"It completely slipped my mind that you required Wolfsbane, Lupin. I have not been sharp of late."

"My mind as well." Lupin admitted. "You may have forgotten to make it, but I forgot that it was a full moon. Perhaps in all the ruckus over Harry the thought never occurred to me."

Then Madame Pomfrey came bursting through the curtains looking murderous.

"What are you doing out of bed, Remus? You need to rest! And you, Severus! A fine example you're setting for your students! Out of bed indeed!"

"I assure you I am quite in good health." Snape said.

"I'll be the judge of that! You were attacked by a werewolf not too long ago and lost quite a lot of blood. You need bed rest. I want no more of this ambling about!"

Then the mediwitch turned to Harry and examined him. "And you, Mr. Potter. You would do well to do the same. Merlin only knows how you're other injuries have been set back by last night's events." She was treating him as if he was back to normal, and that made Harry feel more at ease. "You need to eat and sleep and drink a couple potions. They'll make you as right as rain."

The thought appealed to Harry. He was so very tired and was ready for another nap. But his efforts were thwarted when Dumbledore appeared, followed by McGonagall and Hermione. Pomfrey flung her hands in the air defeated and stormed away.

The bushy haired girl flung herself at Harry.

"OH, HARRY! What were you thinking!!! Why didn't you tell me, Harry?"

Because you wouldn't have agreed, Harry thought.

"You know I would have talked you out of something foolish like this. But don't worry, we'll find a way to change you back. Gosh, you could be expelled for this."

"That remains to be seen." All eyes were on Dumbledore. Snape however was not engaging in eye contact. Harry was sure he knew why. And then he suddenly felt very guilty.

"Precautions have been taken to ensure that Harry's new identity is kept a secret. All those you see before you, as well as Madame Pomfrey and Hagrid, retain the events of last night. Everyone else has had their memories altered. It was for the best. Severus has explained everything to me. We will have to decide what to do with you, Harry."

Dumbledore looked rather lost standing there. McGonagall looked like a stunned deer. She looked at her student with a mixture of awe and disappointment. Snape sat on Harry's bed, his eyes fixed forward. He was determined not to have eye contact with the headmaster. He was, after all, an aid to Harry's plan. He was the one who hid him since he went missing. He had lied to protect Harry's location. Harry was eternally grateful. But it seemed as if their precautions had been thwarted by almighty fate.

"We will keep this a secret from the wizarding community," Dumbledore continued. "In the meantime, I have assigned professors Snape and McGonagall to find a solution. Severus, I believe you've already had a head start?"

Harry didn't miss the disappointment in Dumbledore's words. Snape nodded, got up and left without a word. Hermione gave Harry a final hug and left as well, closely followed by Lupin and McGonagall. Then Dumnbledore took Snape's place on the edge of Harry bed. His expression softened.

"Harry. I wish to impress upon you the seriousness of your actions. Severus explained to me your motives, and I can understand why you did it. But I will not lie to you. If we do not find a solution very soon then I will be at a complete loss. Exposing you would endanger your life. If Voldemort were to get wind of this change he would surely take advantage of your weakened state. It would also make leading a normal life impossible. You wouldn't be able to continue your education at Hogwarts, nor make a life for yourself in the wizarding world."

An uncomfortable heat spread through his body at the thought of such possibilities. It was all true. But what of Snape? Would he lose his job

"As for professor Snape…the argument can go both ways. By the ministry rules he is guilty of aiding a felon and lying to the ministry. He would be punished accordingly by having his teaching license revoked and would serve time in Azkhaban. However…the way I see it, he was merely aiding a distressed student and protecting him from Voldemort. I will protect Severus from the ministry because I know he did the right thing, even though he lied to me. I had my suspicions anyway. But never would I have guessed…an animagus. The feat is quite impressive for a young wizard like yourself."

Dumbledore smiled kindly then left. Harry slumped back against his pile of pillows and quickly nodded off.

And somewhere, his instincts told him everything would work out…

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