Chapter 13: Sirius returns.
"Ah Severus, have you got it?"
Remus waited as Snape rummaged through his store until he came out with a small bottle labelled 'Wolfs bane'.
"Thank you Severus"
"You're welcome Lupin, now, get, out."
"Gladly"
Remus would tolerate Snape as and when he needed to but he could also see why Ali took her digs at him whenever she could – Snape could be so patronizing at times! As Remus climbed the stairs to his room, he glanced out the window and then pulled up short. He looked out the window again and could just make out a large black dog making its way towards three figures. Remus did not need to look twice to know who it was – Sirius, Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Remus bounded back down the stairs and along the corridor, almost knocking over Snape as he flew past.
"Where are you going Lupin?"
"Work it out Severus"
Remus continued running out of the castle and down to the Whomping Willow. Meanwhile, Kat had resorted to sitting on the window sill. She suddenly sat bolt upright and flung the window open.
"Ali, Remus is rushing towards the Whomping Willow and I mean rushing. What do you think he's doing?"
Ali crossed over to the window and leant out. Her eyes locked on Remus and before Kat could stop her, she yelled out his name.
"Shut it! D'you want the whole castle up here?"
Ali shot a look at Kat before crossing the room and grabbing her broomstick. She swung her leg over and motioned for Kat to get on.
"What are you doing?" Kat looked at Ali like she was mad.
"Well, there's only one way to find out what's going on and if we go by foot we'll never make it in time so get on!"
Kat grabbed her own broomstick and swung her leg over it. She kicked off and flew through the window, closely followed by Ali. They reached the Whomping Willow in record time and leaving their broomsticks in a hollow log, Kat cast 'Immobulus' and they slid down into the tunnel. As they walked along, the sound of voices reached their ears. They quietly climbed the steps of the Shrieking Shack and went silently into the room where Kat had met Sirius. A horrific scene met their eyes: Harry, Ron and Hermione in one corner with Ron's leg all bloody and Remus facing a very ragged and worn down Sirius.
"Remus!"
"Sirius!"
Remus turned to see the two girls in the doorway looking absolutely gobsmacked.
"What are you two doing here? Get out now!"
Kat's hair turned red with anger at being told to get out when there was clearly something going on and Ali just stood there, mouth open.
"Remus, what the hell is going on here? Sirius, what are you doing here?"
Kat shot both of the men dark looks but neither would tell.
"Kat, take Ali and get out. I'll explain later"
Kat grabbed Ali and dragged her along the tunnel and out into the fresh air. Ali suddenly came to her senses and began struggling, trying to get back into the tunnel to help Remus. Kat somehow managed to get her on her broomstick and they flew back up to the open window of their room, Kat behind Ali so that she couldn't turn round. However no sooner than they had landed Ali made straight for the door. Kat grabbed her hand and pinned her to the bed.
"Ali, you heard Remus, we have to stay put. He'll tell us everything later"
Ali struggled but Kat managed to keep her restrained. This made Ali even more furious and she started to wail and plead.
"Kat, let me go! I need to help Remus and you need to help Sirius! Kat, please!"
As she thought this over, Kat loosened her grip on Ali's wrists and therefore giving Ali the perfect opportunity to push Kat aside and make for the door. Kat threw her own body against the door and made Ali sit in a chair.
"KAT LET ME OUT! What if they're hurt Kat? I need to go help"
Ali had completely let go now and tears were running down her face. Kat gave her a hug and tried to calm her but nothing was working.
"I'm sure they're fine Ali, you know Remus, he's a freaking werewolf for god's sake, he can take care of himself"
Ali suddenly snapped her head up, her eyes wide with fear.
"Oh no, it's a full moon tonight, what if Remus didn't take his potion? He could change and hurt the students. Or Sirius!"
It was Kats turn to be scared but she couldn't show it or Ali would have a perfect argument for leaving.
"Sirius is an animagus Ali, he could change and run if Remus turned into a werewolf and anyway, I'm sure Remus did take it, he doesn't forget things as important as this"
"But Kat, he might have and... and"
Ali had totally lost it now and crossed the line into hysteria. She sat in the chair shaking and screaming, holding her head in her hands. Kat didn't know what to do until she remembered the vials of a sleep drug that Madame Pomfrey had issued her to take once a night after her depression had left her vulnerable to nightmares.
Kat grabbed one from the drawer and crossed the room to Ali who was still trying to block out whatever horrors were inside her head. Kat somehow got Ali to drink it and almost instantaneously, Ali slipped into a whole new world and her eye lids drooped as she fell asleep. Kat somehow got Ali into her bed and sat on the other side of the room, waiting until the drug wore off and hoping it wore off after the ordeal in which Remus and Sirius were involved with.