Chapter 6

Peter was shaking uncontrollably as he groped his way along the dark corridor. The concrete to which he clung was cold and slimy from years of being untouched, undisturbed. The small blonde stumbled, coming down hard on his knees. It seemed like he has been running forever, but he couldn't stop bow – not when Remus was-

Peter shook his head, struggling to his feet. He had to find Dumbledore, now.

Sirius looked on in horror as Remus grinned toothily, exposing a sharp row of canines. "Not really, I prefer kibble actually,"

James smiled nervously. "Um, vegetarian myself, Moony."

"I'm going to find Peter, he won't be able to make it on his own," said Sirius above the noise. "I'll be right back, okay?" He didn't wait for James's reply however before running out.

Moony growled softly as Padfoot escaped through the door. "They're out there, Prongs, I can smell them," He turned to gaze at the stag with narrowed yellow slits. "Let me go."

James however shook his head. "Not a chance," He barely had time to react however as the lycan snarled in rage. The stag gasped as Remus's long claws dug into his shoulder, making him cry out. "C'mon, Padfoot," he pleaded softly. "C'mon."

A sudden knock on the door cut James's pleading short, though the voice that spoke was what scared him most of all.

"Open up guys…" It was Sirius, though his voice was strained and hoarse. "Please?"

James caught Remus's stare and the lycan shook his head, sneering rather unpleasantly. "Don't," There was a yelp of pain behind the door and the sound of a body as it crashed to the floor.

"I could break every bone in your pathetic excuse for a body," There was a pause before Sirius yelled again, louder this time.

"Did that hurt, pet?" A series of whimpers followed this statement. "You're a beautiful child, Sirius. Delicious…"

"Geroff, Fenrir!"

"…never."

At last he could see it, the light up ahead that would lead him to the third floor. Peter stumbled out into the darkened corridor, not bothering to swing the portrait shut as it did so on its own accord.

The younger Marauder quickly slipped past he sleeping portraits, only daring to stop when a mother with a baby shushed him, and even then he only slowed into a trot. The stone gargoyle remained motionless as he approached its back hunched and claws extended threateningly.

"Fizzing whizbees!" he panted breathless, yet the gargoyle still remained stationary. "Acid pops!" When nothing happened Peter growled, helplessly sliding down the cool concrete wall. He felt inferior, as if nothing he did was or would ever be good enough. "Failure is not something I handle right now!"

There was the sound of stone against stone as the gargoyle quickly lurched aside, the staircase inside beginning to spiral upward. "What did I say?" The blonde was utterly confused to say the least, but he quickly climbed the steps, coming to a stop in front of a large oak door. He didn't bother to knock, before simply bursting inside. "Professor Dumbledore!"

Fenrir looked down at the helpless teenager at his feet, his muzzle curling into a malicious grin as his transformation completed. "Come out, come out, Remus," he taunted softly. "Come taste this fresh meat…"

Sirius gasped, trying desperately to scramble away. Though the huge black werewolf was there, swiping a clawed paw as his side, ripping at the fine linen of his robes. Sirius groaned softly, coming down with a soft thud as he hit the marble once more. "Don't…"

Fenrir growled threateningly, his paw coming to rest on the boys head where he applied pressure by pushing down. "I could crush you…" he growled.

Sirius whimpered, but twisted nonetheless defiantly. "Go ahead! Kill me if you want, but don't you dare hurt him!"

The werewolf chuckled darkly. "Brave boy, or very foolish,"

James meanwhile was frozen in shock as he listened to the conversation happening just beyond the door. Moony stood next to him, growling in rage. "Where's Padfoot, I can smell him!"

James shook his head, gulping softly. "Oh shit,"