I actually don't have anything to say. Hmm. Imagine that.

--Chapter 9-The Werewolf Nearby--

The next morning I was was sitting in my bed, bored out of my wits. I'd finished all the homework I'd been sent the day before and I had no visitors until later in the day when Hermione had promised to come eat lunch with me. I sighed and pulled my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up carefully. Last time I had tried to get up, my legs had given out under me. Thankfully this time they held. I pulled a robe over my hospital gown and headed for the door.

Last night I had been woken up by the most pitiful sounding howl. A werewolf's howl to be sure. When I had asked Healer Woode about it this morning, he told me that there was a patient in the next room that had been recently bitten. My curiosity peaked, I'd decided to go visit later in the day when no one was around to tell me to leave the person alone.

The hall was deserted, dim, and long. It took me ages to get down the hall because I had to stop and rest multiple times. When I got to the next room, I slowly opened the door to peek in. Laying motionless on the bed, was a young girl. Her deep brown hair was fanned out all around her and she clutched a worn stuffed bear in her arms. The door creaked and she blinked open her eyes.

"Hi," I whispered. She gave me a panicked looked and began to sit up. I rushed in as quickly as I could and made her lay back down. "It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you or take you away or anything like that. I'm a patient here too."

"I didn't know there was another one here," she whispered faintly. "How are you up?"

"Oh, I'm not a werewolf. I've been in the next room over for over a month now," I explained.

"Then why are you on this floor?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's a restricted floor. . .werewolves only."

I blinked at her. They separated werewolves from the rest of the patients? That's new. "I didn't know that. . .um, I was poisoned awhile ago and made my recovery up here."

"Poisoned?"

I nodded, "Silver poisoning."

"I thought you said you weren't a werewolf."

"Oh, I'm not. My dad is though. What's your name?"

"Missy Rolfe."

"Missy. . .short for Marissa?"

"No, Artemis."

I smiled widely at her. "Another moon goddess. Nice to meet you!"

"What?"

"Didn't you know? Artemis is the goddess of the moon. . .at least that's one variation of her name. My name, Selene, is also a variation of the name. Mum told me she named me Selene in hopes that I'd take after my dad more so then her. I go by Enna though."

She just stared at me for a moment, "Why are you talking to me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I overheard my mum and dad talking to the Healer. They didn't think I could hear them and they were going on and on about how I'd never have a real life. . .or friends. . ." she sniffed and tightened her hold on her teddy. I sat down on the edge of her bed and smoothed her hair back.

"Missy, listen. Your mother's wrong. Although I cannot promise you that the whole world will accept you or view you as a normal person, I'm sure that you will have friends who will accept you and other people who will care.

"My dad's been a werewolf since he was around your age. His life might not have been easy, but he's happy. He's got me and my mum and all of our friends."

"You've already me as a friend, Missy, and I'm sure once you start school, you'll make more."

"I can go to school?"

"I'm sure you can. The headmaster wouldn't turn you away. . .how old are you?"

"Ten. I'll be eleven in May."

"You'll be starting school this year then. One of my friends has a brother your age by the name of Everett. I'm sure he'll like you."

"You're sure I'll be able to go to school?" she asked me again, a hesitantly hopeful look was in her eyes.

"I'm positive, but I'll double check with Harry when I get back to school if you'd like."

She nodded, "You know Harry Potter!"

"My parents are his friends. . .and my friends are all related to him one way or another. Everett's one of his nephews."

"Neat!"

"I'll be looking for you at the Sorting next year. . .would you like to keep in touch? I've got an owl back at Hogwarts."

She smiled widely, "Sure. I live at 3513 Orchard Grove. . .when are you leaving? Mum and dad said that they're coming to get me this evening."

"Before the week is over I'm hoping, but it might be a bit longer."

A high pitched scream came from down the hall. Hermione? I'd be gone longer that I'd thought. "Looks like I've got a visitor who was expecting me to be in my bed. I should get going." I leaned over to hug the child.

"It was nice to meet you, Enna."

"Bye, Missy."

I left the room quickly and walked down the hall. It was not Hermione, but my grandmother who was yelling at Healer Woode, her face was pink and her long, once black hair was flying around wildly as she ranted. My grandfather, who was for some reason carrying about four large shopping bags with him, was trying to calm her down without much success.

"Grandma?" I shouted. "Calm down! I'm over here."

Grandma spun around and gave a muffled squeak before running down the hall and hugging me tightly. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Selene!"

"Sorry," I replied and kissed her cheek. My grandparents refuse to call me by my nickname. They refused to give my mother a nickname, so why give that luxury to their granddaughter? Not that I dislike my name, I'm just use to Enna. My mother on the other hand, hates that she was never given a nickname.

"Where's your mother?"

"With dad I believe."

"And not with you?"

"It was full moon last night, Grandma. Dad needs her more than I do right now."

Grandma frowned slightly. I took her moment of silence to greet grandpa. He kissed my cheek and tole me he was relived to find out I was better, and that he would love to go in to my room and put down all the bags he was carrying because his arms were about to fall off.

"Oh, yes! I forgot!" grandma cried happily and went into my room. Grandpa followed and dropped everything on the bed.

"What's all this?" I asked staring at the bags over flowing with all sorts of stuff.

"I'm a nervous shopper."

"A what?"

Grandpa laughed, "When Nymphadora was in St. Mungo's a few years back, she went towel shopping. We've got enough towels to carpet our entire house now."

"They were on sale," grandma protested.

"I know, love."

"And you brought all of this here for what reason?" I picked up a piece of silky red fabric and held it up. It turned out to be a tank top. . .a lacy, red tank top. . .um?

"I went clothes shopping," grandma shrugged and began to dig through the closest bag, "for you!"

"Um. . ."

"Don't fight her on this, Selene. Believe me, it isn't a good idea." grandfather told me quietly. I just cocked my head to the sided and watched grandma sort and fold an entire wardrobe. There was so many clothes I'm sure that grandma had put at least one store out of business.

I sat down slowly in a chair near the window and sighed. There was a loud crash and the bedroom door flew open. A flocked of children rushed into the room shouting and laughing. They were followed by Ron and Ginny who were both looking flustered.

"Enna!" the kids shouted and ran over to me. They tackled me and the chair went out from under me.

"Hi, guys."

"Kids!" Ginny protested and pulled Danae off me and swung her up onto her hip. "Come on now, Enna's still not feeling too well."

"Enna looks like a mummy," Joseph whispered to Everett. He nodded and stared at me.

"I promise I'm not a mummy, Joey. I just have a big. . .burn I suppose."

"You look like one though," Liam whispered in awe. I gave him a hug and laughed.

I could tell the adults wanted to talk to me, so I decided to send Missy some visitors. "Everett, Joesph, Liam? Why don't you go visit the patient down the hall? I just met her this morning and she's very nice. She'll be starting school with you in fact, Everett. Her name's Missy." The trio exchanged a look that clearly said, Ew, a girl!. I sighed and added,"She's a werewolf like my dad, so be careful. Full moon was last night and she's not going to be up to much at first."

"She's like your dad?" Joey asked, in an awed voice.

"Yes--" they ran out the door before I could finished the sentence. Oh, dear. Maybe I shouldn't have sent them to see Missy. . .I got up off the ground where I was sitting, put my chair back up, and sat down. "Hi, Ginny. Hi, Ron. How's everything."

"Alright I suppose," Ron answered in a slightly confused tone.

"How about everyone at Hogwarts?"

"Happy that you're up."

I blinked. Why do adults always sugar coat the truth? I'd rather hear it from them then from. . .say, Leonora Malfoy? I dunno. It's just really annoying when adults don't think you can handle the truth.

"For a few days there. . ." Ginny trailed off and shook her head. She put Danae on the floor to roam around. "Are you going to be able to take your bandages off soon?"

"Healer Andrew told me that I'd be able to in a few days."

"Does it hurt?" Ron asked curiously. "Ow! Ginny, you don't have to hit me!"

I laughed, "If I'm not on that pain killing potion the Healers have been shoving down my throat I'm still sore, but it isn't so bad."

"What happened to your hair?" Ginny tsked and walked over to examine me closer.

"It was cut off when I got here apparently. From what I understand they weren't able to get all of the silver out. It need to be cut properly though." I pulled at a limp strand.

"I can do that!" Ginny pulled out her wand.

"Don't you think she's been through enough already?"

"Ron, stop being a prat! I know how to do hair. I do Danae's all the time."

"I'm sure that's a real comfort for Enna," Ron rolled his eyes.

"It's not my fault she has her daddy's hair," Ginny grinned and set to work. She first unwrapped my head carefully and untangled my hair, then cut it. I waited patiently, hoping that my hair wouldn't look to bad. "There!" Ginny said when she was finished. She grabbed a hand held mirror out of her purse and handed it to me. "What do you think?"

I inspected myself, turning my head slowly from side to side. She'd shortened it even further. My hair was now just about half way down my neck, the ends turned out slightly and it was parted on the side. There were two strands in the front that were more or less an inch shorter than the rest. . .Ricky had been right. I did look nice with short hair. . .blue paste covered skin and all.

"It looks wonderful! Thanks, Ginny."

"No problem, Enna," she smiled and re-wrapped my head.

Ron and grandpa were talking off to the side and my grandma was still immersed in all the clothes she had brought. Danae was "helping" her sort the clothes. "How's everyone at Hogwarts really?" I whispered to Ginny. If anyone would tell me, she would.

She frowned, "Harry's still trying to figure out a punishment for that Malfoy girl--yes, Ricky and William explained what happened to you and so did a few others in the room. He does want you and your parents' input on the punishment though."

"I'd really rather this whole thing be over."

She smiled sadly at me and continued, "Your friends were worried for you of course, but they were overjoyed to find out that you were okay. They--"

"Mum! Is this the dress robe thing all over again?"

"Mum!" I rushed over to give my mother a hug. She looked tired, but her hair was brilliantly pink once more. She kissed my forehead and smiled at me. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you'd be with dad all day."

"Oh, I will be. I've convinced the Healers to let me take you home for your last few days off from school!" she hugged me happily.

"Really?"

Yay! She's better. . .mostly. . .sorry if there are any typos. -clears throat- Oh! I actually attempted at doing a picture of Ackerman and Byrd together. . .um, I mainly traced a picture from my sister's coloring book and altered it a bit to make them look more like the characters. I'm going to put a link or the url to the pic in my profile if any of you are interested. :D

Reviews:

frizzyhead: Thanks! Glad you think so. I hope you enjoyed the update. . .:D

Ginevra lily: :D Thanks so much!

falco-peregrinus: Check out my profile. The main character's bios (including the parents and siblings) are there. I'm glad you like Enna. She's a fun character to write for.

gatermage: teehee! Hope you liked the update!

Daft Angelus: I will certainly try to!

bograt: Nope, not exactly. Hope you liked the update! See you in the IM world with some more ideas, kay? -grins-

phoenixtear19: Ah, questions are good! I really don't mind them. I might not answer some if the answers are spoilerish, but besides that I'm happy with 'em. Well, it might have been Ricky, but it could have been Cody. Next chapter my friend. Tis okay. the "R" and the "E" are so close. ; )

Til Next Time,

Anne