Just a Kiss in the Moonlight
Disclaimer: Starving artist here, I don't own anything especially not Harry Potter.
Warnings: SLASH, flamers to the left, reviews bring updates people. :D they make me happy. Happiness breeds inspiration, you know.
CHAPTER THREE
Harry sat in the Hospital Wing, staring at the two Slytherins he had come to see. They were still unconscious and Snape had not left their side, not once.
"You should go eat." Harry murmured, approaching the two beds. His leg had indeed been broken but had healed days ago. Snape fixed him with a glare. "I'll watch them, and send my Patronus if anything changes." Snape opened his mouth, preparing a scathing retort but snapped it closed. He was hungry.
"That very second, Mr. Potter. You will alert me before Madame Pomphrey even."
"Yes sir." Harry said, shaking his head. He sat down in the professors chair, staring at the two of them. Madame Pomphrey had already informed him that they'd been hurt badly, and he could see the scars around their wrists and necks now. Voldemort had bound them in silver chains, and dosed them with potions even Snape couldn't identify, though their ingredients included wolfsbane. Harry stood, checking to make sure they were alone and check both of their left arms, both were clean of the Dark Mark. He hadn't wanted to ask, and no one had offered the information. He sat back down, staring. They were healed and clean now, merely resting off their injuries as Remus had explained. When the werewolf was greatly injured the wizard would sleep for ages, to heal. So, technically, in a way- he was looking at two wolves.
"Any changes?" Neville asked, startling him. He hadn't heard him approach, or conjure the chair he stood by, he was so deep in his thoughts. Neville was the only other student that visited the werewolves, he knew. He could still remember the argument from the night before clearly, Neville arguing that they couldn't be evil- if they'd saved Harry. They'd all seen it, all watched them fight back the pack. Ron and the others had argued that Neville was bonkers, that they were merely saving their own skin. Death Eaters, frightened by the approaching professors. Harry had said nothing, sat by quietly. He didn't understand how or why, or anything that was going on. But he knew they'd saved him from becoming one of them. He remembered Malfoy's shouted warnings. It had taken until this morning to realize that Malfoy hadn't been warning him, but Dumbledore before he fell. He shook his head, swallowing thickly,
"no, they're still out."
"Well, at least they're okay." Neville said weakly, staring at the two boys opposite them. Harry nodded, frowning.
"Why'd they do it Nev?"
"Who knows? But they did, Harry, I saw you check their wrists- you know now, don't you? You didn't see everything the way I did, from that distance. Ron spotted them coming running out of the woods, but you didn't hear us. They could have killed you, if they wanted."
Harry shivered, he knew it was true. He could have taken one down, but not both, not before it was too late.
"I know." he croaked, "it just doesn't make sense."
"Potter- get out of my personal space." Harry's head snapped up, green eyes meeting gray as he cast his patronus, grinning like an idiot.
"Malfoy! You're awake!" Neville gasped, eyes wide. Draco grunted.
"Wha- shut up. St- stupid Gryffindors. Loud, too loud." Blaise groaned and Harry let out a victorious cry, causing both Slytherins to wince.
"You're okay!" he said, sitting back down, shaking his head, "we thought you might be out too long- the full moon is in two days, you know? What the hell were you doing? What happened? How did-"
"Potter!" Malfoy snapped, growling. "please. Shut up. Or leave." he fixed his rival with a glare and Blaise groaned in agreement.
"Shhhh."
"Sorry." Harry whispered.
"Why? Malfoy," Neville whispered, "Zabini. Are you bonkers?"
"Indeed." Draco snarled, closing his eyes. Madame Pomphrey was bustling up to them both, shoving potions in their hands and checking them over, tutting.
"You were both fine when you left for break- how did it get this bad?"
"We... what? Break? We've not been here." Blaise moaned, greatfully downing another potion.
"Polyjuice." Draco groaned. "Thank you Madame Pomphrey."
"Who though?" Blaise snarled, downing another."who knows us well enough to pull it off?" Snape was rushing in now and Dumbledore.
"What happened?" He snapped, crossing his arms, though there was a fond look on his face. "Get out of here you two." he snarled at Neville and Harry but Draco shook his head.
"No. I'm only going over this once. The moon is coming, I don't have time for repeating this over and over. Potter and Longbottom might as well stay."
"Someone has obviously been pretending to be us. Polyjuice sir," Blaise warned, eyes flicking around, "we've not been here the whole year. Voldemort... got to us. We were turned over and bitten. Greyback did it, and... and..."
"It's alright Blaise, I've got this." Draco said, nodding his head at the other boy who was sniffing a strange potion before drinking it. "They turned us both, among others. I don't know who, besides those on the Pitch. They kept us there in silver chains, with runes so that it only hurt and didn't kill. They're gone now, so I'm sure you know that." He pulled himself up now, wincing, and the blanket fell back- showing the ring around his neck where the silver had been. Harry could also clearly see the thin scars where he'd cursed the other boy. He dropped his eyes, fidgeting. "I- we... well, they couldn't control us. They knew... he was in my mind, Severus." he paused again, taking a deep breath, "they knew we wouldn't turn, that we'd go to Dumbledore. If for no other reason than to take our own revenge on them. So... and I'm guessing here, they staged it so that we just barely overheard whispers. They spoke of a pack leader, Lupin, and you Severus- a spy for them. They said you would trick Potter and then... then they would attack- the other... things. They were going to turn him, make him follow their pack and bring him back. With the last full moon, we broke free. It was Mum, I think, but I can't be sure. Our chains were weakened either way, and we hauled out of there. We've been coming this way since."
"Where?" Dumbledore asked, leaning in, "where did they keep you?" Draco scowled at him and appeared to be thinking hard.
"It was too dark to see, we just ran." Blaise nodded, eyeing the quickly approaching Lupin suspiciously.
"Think boys, think." Lupin said, "remember the wolf. What was the ground like? The smells? What did you see in the building?" Both younger werewolves appeared to be thinking.
"Big... fans. Huge fans." Blaise said and Draco nodded,
"and concrete... lots of it. Some muggle contraptions I think, the whole place smelled of muggles and sweat..."
"The ground was hard, outside I mean, like a rock... pavement maybe? Isn't that what muggles call it?" Blaise whispered, eyes unfocused. Harry and Remus nodded, the others weren't sure.
"Oh! And water, the ocean I think- not far. I could hear it." Draco added, focused on the memory, "and I could smell it... and fish. A fish market nearby. I'm starving by the way." he shot a glare at Pomphrey who glared back but called a house elf for food. "and then there was just the forrest and we ran."
"What after that?" Dumbledore asked, mentally making notes as everyone else was.
"I remember some smells, muggles, and some children- little muggles... and...FIRE! Draco, do you remember fire at all?"
"I do!" Draco gasped, thinking, "a whole house, burning. But that's it, then I remember Hogsmeade, late at night, and... that's it."
"But how did you stay in the wolf form?" Snape asked, scowling, "for so long?"
"A potion." Draco said simply, "similar to wolfsbane. I took the notes, the ones you left behind, while they still kept us at the Manor, before the first transformation. I tweaked it a bit. There's no time though, to make it, or go over it. The moon is coming."
"You'll both be taking the wolfsbane potion." Dumbledore said, finality in his voice. Remus stepped forward then, looking sadly at both boys.
"I don't know how you've done it, and not gone mad. I applaud your strength and pack mentality, but I will be taking over from here. You will stay with me, and learn to control yourselves."
"I control my self just fine, thank you very much." Draco snapped, eyes flashing.
"You heard me." Remus growled, eyes flashing amber. Draco's flashed back silver.
"Enough!" Dumbledore snapped, standing, "you know, Draco, that Remus will win that fight." The Slytherins in the room snorted indignantly.
"I do not wish to fight you." Remus whispered, sitting between them in a conjured chair. Harry looked around wondering where all the chairs were coming from without his notice. "I only want to help. I heard you, from the hall. That Greyback turned you, that makes us brothers in a way, the three of us."
"Whatever." Blaise snapped, "I have one brother, Draco. We will do what is necessary to stay here though."
"Pffft." Draco snorted, "I'm not going to be anyone's slave."
"I'll make you a deal Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said, standing, "you may stay here, under my protection as long as you like." Draco and Blaise's eyes lit up as they stared at each other and then the Headmaster.
"For what?"
"You allow Severus the knowledge of this potion that seems to make you both docile, and allow him to brew it for Remus as well. You will also take the wolfsbane potion, and allow Remus to help you. You will not harm any student, nor will you bite anyone. You will also protect the students."
"All just to stay here?" Draco asked speculatively, "sounds like imprisonment to me. I can defend myself, you've seen it."
"Against Frenrir?" Remus questioned, and their eyes widened. He nodded.
"I will also allow you your own dorm and permission to hunt the *animals* in the Forbidden forrest. On top of that, I do believe whomever has been pretending to... well, be you, is still here. I will allow you to hunt them down, with Remus. But you may not harm them. As another offer, they have kept up both of your usual fair grades. You may keep those, though, I insist you learn the work they've done and do a practical to prove it."
The food arrived then and they ate, thinking.
"One more thing," Harry said quietly, and they all turned to stare at him, "professor," he was addressing Dumbledore, "I insist on going with them. In the forrest and during the full moon."
"Harry." Remus growled and got a sharp green eyed glare.
"I think that is appropriate, allowing you remain in your other form- so as not to be hurt. I understand the rivalry between you and Mr. Malfoy, so you are required not to challenge him Harry."
"At all." Remus snapped, "I mean it, Harry, not once. You keep your eyes lowered, no challenges. He'd maim you... whatever you are... what is it?"
"What's he talking about? Potter is not coming along. This is not play time." Draco snapped, glaring at Harry. Harry just glared back defiantly, causing Remus to sigh.
"Me too." Neville said, so quietly almost no one heard him. Blaise and Draco opened their mouths to protest along with the others. "No. No, damnit. Now you all just listen here. I'm an animagus too, okay? There are three werewolves, if they get into trouble or something... what's Harry supposed to do by himself? Huh?" he stood, glaring down the professors and showing the bravery that had kept him from being a Hufflepuff. He turned on Blaise and Draco, growling, "and you two had just better not start. No one likes either of you. No one. Harry and I are the only friends you have. And don't you dare tell me Slytherin will support you, we all know how that will go with the most of them. You're not purebloods anymore! I'm sure you'll be disowned or worse, and they'll shun you. I'm going and that's that and believe me, you can't stop me."
"Nor me." Harry snarled, "I'm going. Someone's got to keep an eye on you two." The room exploded in protests and disagreement and Harry and Neville just smirked at each other, knowing Dumbledore sided with them.
"Your students are getting out of hand." Snape snarled, glaring at Dumbledore when the silence had finally came.
"I think they both make perfectly good points, Severus." Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. The sound rose again, protests, before dying- more quickly this time. "However, since they are all students, and Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini are werewolves, they will need supervision. Professor Lupin, I will be moving you to their dorm. Do not fret Severus, I will be placing it somewhere close to the dungeons, so that they have access to your potions."
"But what if something happens?" Lupin asked, eyes wide, "three werewolves, in the same confined space... if one of us lost our temper- it could get bad fast. It's not safe Albus. We can't just go gallavanting about the hallways in those forms. None of this is a good idea."
"Ah, I have considered that as well Remus, and I will be placing two catalysts with you, in the dorms. It will provide a welcome distraction, I'm sure, as well as provide someone to make sure all of you take your potions and retrieve Severus if need be."
"YOU HAD JUST BETTER NOT!" Draco yelled, pointing at the Headmaster, "I WILL LEAVE!"
"To face Frenrir? The Death Eaters? Voldemort? What of the other werewolves Draco?" Snape snarled, admonishing the blonde with no fear of the wolf within. "it is foolish to leave."
"I am not foolish- he is." Draco snapped, glaring at them both.
"Draco, they're right. But who would be with us sir?" Blaise asked, wide eyed. "No one is safe amongst werewolves- but other wolves."
"Ah, see Mr Zabini, that is not true." There was a gasp from Lupin Harry and Neville.
"Now see here," Harry spluttered indignantly, realizing what Draco had railed at, "I am a Gryffindor!"
"You wouldn't." Neville whispered, wide eyed. Dumbledore ignored them both.
"You see, Mr. Zabini, the only other people safe around a werewolf, besides other wolves, and pets are animagi." Dumbledore said, looking to Neville and Harry.
"No." was the resounding voice from all students.
"He- he's got a point." Snape sighed, pinching his nose, "as much as I hate to say it... between the mutt and those two, plus myself and Albus... you'd be watched over at all times."
"You're all nutters." Harry whispered, wide eyed. Sure, he'd run with the pack, no problem. Neville could too, he'd keep up, no doubt. Someone had to watch them- they were dangerous, *and* untrustworthy. Someone had to watch them with Remus or even he might get hurt. Harry had seen the pure size of the two, they were huge and fast. It was a deadly combination.
"For once, I agree with Potter- you've all gone like the Headmaster since I've been gone, completely off your rockers." Draco said, eyes wide and a bit more silver in his anger than gray.
"I'll do it. It'll give us a chance, Harry, to work on our... other projects. Our schoolwork." Neville said after a moment, eyes begging Harry to agree. He thought about it, once he and Neville had established the animagi forms, they'd spiralled out of control. Hermione and the others thought they were studying but they weren't. When they were in the library they'd hidden, looking for new and different ways to become more powerful- more able to avenge their parents. Neville had nearly been in Harry's place, the close friendship made more sense to the two Gryffindors than anything else did. They could talk to each other like they couldn't to others, talk about their anger and rage, their parents and the need to avenge them. The others, their friends, would have never understood that. It would be a welcome release to get a break from the hidden secrecy of Gryffindor Tower.
"Can I go back? To Gryffindor? Whenever I- we want?" Harry prodded, shocking them all, but Neville who grinned. Dumbledore nodded and Harry speculated some more. He'd be able to help Remus, give him someone to talk to about Sirius' death. He glanced at the two Slytherins and shrugged inwardly. He could put up with them for that, it was more than a fair trade. He'd also be given a chance to watch them freely. He glanced at Neville who seemed to be thinking the same things, urging Harry with his eyes to comply. Snape looked irritated, and Harry knew it would get under his skin for Harry to be there. Definitely a fair trade. He nodded, smirking, "alright. I'll do it."
"WHAT?" Draco hissed, eyes narrowing, "Potter do you spend serious time thinking up ways to annoy me? Is that what you do in your free time?"
"Actually," Harry retorted, "I don't. You've rather avoided me this year, it's been nice. Too bad it wasn't you. Arse."
"Ten points for language." Snape snapped. Harry huffed and Draco smirked.