The time has come

A cool breeze whisked over the grounds, whipping up the grass in its wake. The sun that was halfway across the sky was becoming dim, dimming from white clouds slowly overcastting the sky and blocking out its rays. The chilly wind was blowing towards the forest, as if drawing them in.

Harry looked to his right where Ron was glumly walking beside him; the ginger was so pale he looked sick as he obviously worried about Ginny. Looking to his left he found Hermione, she was looking at the both of them reassuringly. Looking straight ahead he spotted Hagrid's hut, the chimney smoking and the windows letting out a comforting light. This light bathed the darkened grass and revealed a dark figure awaiting outside-Severus Snape.

Clenching his fists at his sides Harry glared as Snape turned to face their approaching forms, glaring harder as the professor did the same in return. Harry instantly spotted four straw baskets hooked around Professor Snape's right arm and inwardly groaned in dread. Snape's voice suddenly echoed throughout his mind:

"You will lose your free time this Saturday afternoon; your punishment is that you will spend the time from one in the afternoon to nine in the evening assisting me in gathering potions ingredients from the Forbidden Forest to refill my stock. You three will meet me at the Gamekeeper's hut at one on the dot. Any later and I assure you I will make the punishment insufferably longer."

"You are late; I thought I made it undeniably clear that you be present at precisely one o'clock. Obviously...such uncomplicated demands are out of your capabilities, Potter." Snape drawled with distain as the three finally arrived in front of him.

Harry grit his teeth and stared straight into the emotionless onyx eyes, "Sorry professor, we had to wait for Ro-"

"Silence!" Snape interrupted as a hiss and practically forced a straw basket into Harry's arms. "I do not wish to hear your trivial excuses...insolent boy."

"Considering you three arrived one minute later than accepted," Snape continued in a low growl as he gave the other two identical baskets. "Then that one minute extends your current punishment, delaying its completion by one...agonising...extra hour. To simplify it for the...mentally impaired, you will be finishing at ten tonight. Do I make myself understood?"

"Yes, sir," the three confirmed grimly in unison, Harry's eyes glinting angrily in the sun now shining from above as he said it.

Satisfied, Snape turned his back on them with a graceful flutter of his robes. This motion indicated that the three should follow as Snape marched to the Forbidden Forest entrance, his own straw basket for ingredients on his arm. Sighing in defeat, Harry lead behind the potions master with the other two close behind.

The white cloud passed and a lovely strip of blue stretched across the sky. This allowed the sun to shine down in-between the trees, hopefully making the task for the trio a little less dreary and grey.

XXXX

Rays of bright sunlight pierced through the leaves and revealed tiny insects flying through the warm air. It outlined the large and gnarled roots that twisted away from their trees, outlined them so they could be avoided as Harry carefully stepped over one. Hearing a yelp from Hermione behind him he realised she was struggling.

Harry glanced up to Snape carrying on unhindered. Glaring, he noted with annoyance how the man seemed to gracefully glide over the roots without a single misstep. At feeling Hermione reassuringly pat his shoulder and Ron pat afterwards he continued on. Harry kept his eyes locked hatefully on Snape's back disappearing through the trees, the man was so inconsiderate!

"As much as it pains me to reveal this...exciting knowledge, we are splitting up into pairs," Snape stated with sarcasm as he abruptly turned around. "Considering I need to discuss the insignificant events that provoked such a reaction from Potter, concerning Goyle...it is obvious of my intentions. Split up...now."
Harry inwardly cringed; this meant he had to be partnered with the potions master. This also meant that Ron and Hermione wouldn't be with him for the entire punishment. Turning his green eyes to the ones of his friends all he saw was a reassuring look in them-a sympathy filled gaze.

"Your ingredient lists are present in your baskets. You will remain at a close distance, do...not...wonder off." Snape snarled at Ron and Hermione, making them both wince.

Turning swiftly to Harry with a look of pure loathing he pointed his wand in the direction they would be travelling. He didn't even check to see if Harry was following, didn't look back as he walked away with a billow of his robes. They were very deep into the forest, being in a spot that the trio had never seen before. Therefore, Snape was forced to be their guide.

Upon catching up to Snape the professor sneered at the young man, his coal black eyes were cold as usual. Harry tried to keep up with the quick pace and managed to brisk walk beside the elegant man. However, his own small steps were nothing compared to Snape's effortless strides. Glancing over his shoulder he sadly noted how Hermione and Ron had vanished, but he knew they were close by.

The two travelled in stiff silence through the trees, the towering trees getting strangely further and further apart from each other. The dry earth beneath their shoes churned up dust, simple weeds that were scattered across the ground were crushed under their feet, and squirrels cowered away from their path and hurried up the trunks in fear. All they could hear was the sound of birds chirping in the tree tops and a faint sound that Harry could not decipher. Overall it was incredibly peaceful, even with Snape being daunting at his side.

All of a sudden Snape changed direction and Harry figured out that they were heading towards the faint sound in the distance. It was only then that Harry thought it wise enough to actually study the professor in the time they were forced to be together, yet when did he not? Shaking his head distractedly he missed Snape glance down at him in the corner of his eye. I don't need to know more about him, he's an emotionless git and I truly loathe the heartless man! Harry thought and concluded in frustration.

All of a sudden Harry seemed to be mentally distracted by something. It was only then that Snape even considered it a wise thought to actually study the student in the unique opportunity, yet when did he ever leave his mind? Ignoring the Golden Boy he missed Harry glance up at him in the corner of his eye. I do not need to broaden my knowledge of him, he is a waste of my precious time and I truly loathe the insolent boy! Snape mentally concluded in irritation.

Harry instantly forced Severus Snape to the back of his mind, and Snape forced Harry Potter to the back of his. Both were on the same wavelength, both never realising it. Snape didn't even try to register the strange feeling that something was off, for he had finally found what he was looking for.

Harry gasped as he saw a large pond sparkling in the light, a small stream of trickling water was pouring into it. This miniature trail of water weaved in-between the trees before falling into the ponds surface, the beams of sunlight glistening on the liquid. It looked spectacular as bulrushes stood proudly around the edge of the pond, almost like a guarding wall.

Lilly pads floated gracefully on the surface, but no water lilies were present. Harry watched in awe as a bright red frog leapt from the water and landed on a rubbery pad,watched as its beady black eyes analysed the two arrivals. The frog croaked then abruptly vanished beneath the brownish waters.

Turning his green eyes to Snape instead he found the man kneeling on a patch of grass. The man was looking at a bunch of brown mushrooms thriving under the shade of the tree in front-Staghorn mushrooms.

"Get the Valerian plants, Potter." Snape ordered in distaste, motioning to them with a swift flick of his hand.

Harry spotted the flowered plant growing beside the pond, its small bundles of violet flowers standing proudly. Going over to pick them from the roots he saw Snape's tapered and pale fingers grasp a Staghorn in the corner of his eye. Pulling the pretty plant free, making sure the black roots were intact, Harry placed it gently in his basket. Both His and Severus' backs were turned to each other.

"It was what Malfoy said," Harry suddenly piped up.

Snape's hand froze in its path for another mushroom, listening as Harry continued, "Malfoy said something that...really offended me."

"Anything offends you, you oversensitive male," Snape growled, his hand finally touching the stalk of the mushroom.

"I'm not surprised though. The first one, oh what was her name...ah yes, Lilly Potter. She pathetically didn't last very long."

At remembering Draco's words Harry's grip on his Valerian plant tightened. The sun vanished behind another cloud. Cold shadows consumed the forest. There was a sickening snap. The stem broke. Flowers fell. Harry spoke through gritted teeth, "...he called my mother pathetic."

Unbeknownst to Harry, since his back was turned, there was another snap of something. Snape stared at the destroyed mushroom in his hand, the shock of the Potter's confession sinking in deep. Draco had said what? How dare him! He had no right to insult...Lily.

"That was no reason to attempt to physically assault him. Learn to control that unmanageable temper of yours, Potter." Snape dismissed the matter coldly, although deep down he also was offended. He hid it well however because Harry linked the remark to pure heartlessness instead.

Harry bit back his tongue and just released a muttered, `emotionless git`, under his breath. Taking deep breaths he threw the wrecked plant in his hand over his shoulder. Little did Harry know that Snape did the same with his mushroom at exactly the same time. The destroyed mushroom and snapped flower hit the grass in unison. Both are different things, yet they share something in common. Both represented the male's pasts-broken. Both lay destroyed, side by side.

XXXX

The sun had set hours ago, leaving the land in darkness as the Gibbous moon rose into the pitch black sky. Stars twinkled like diamonds, but it was nothing compared to the intense moonlight illuminating the land in its milky glow. This pale moonlight could not pierce the treetops, could not pierce the darkness in the forest depths below. It was unsettling, the darkness consumed all sense of light and shadow, consumed all sense of reality.

Harry had a full basket containing Valerian plants, Wiggentree bark, Doxy eggs and dead Biliwigs. Snape's contained the Staghorn mushrooms, rat tails and daisies, but there was one more ingredient he wanted to get whilst the moon was out-Moonstones.

"Keep your impaired eyes peeled for anything that emits a glow." Snape ordered harshly to Harry and Harry was tempted to be sarcastic and point the moon out.

"Harry!" Was a voice from behind him and he smiled as he instantly knew who it was.

Turning around he came face to face with a dishevelled Ron, Hermione was next to him looking way more presentable than her partner. The two rushed towards Harry at a jog, it was extremely cold and their breaths were visible in the air. The Golden Boy instantly spotted that Ron's basket was glowing a pale blue.

"Found plenty of Moonstones mate, got about twenty in here." Ron beamed as Harry peered inside to see it filled with the glowing, round and smooth stones.

Ron's basket overall contained Moonstones, Wormwood, and nettles. Hermione's consisted of dead Flying Seahorses, frozen Ashwinder eggs and some Horned Toads-the rarest and hardest ingredients. Harry grinned sheepishly as Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, as if she was inviting him to contradict the outcome. It was true; her basket of discoveries was impressive.

A wind suddenly picked up, causing the brown leaves to rustle loudly. It was deadly silent as the wind rolled over them, as it embraced them in its frosty arms, as it brought chills down their spines. This haunting breeze blew the clouds across the night sky, blew in a terrifying mist that clung to the ground. Green eyes gazed up warily, gazed up and watched the moon slowly vanish and cause shadows to consume the land.

A shiver trailed along his spine as it seemed incredibly cold and forsaken, the cold wind swirling around him and dancing across his face only increased the feeling. Rubbing his arms he watched brown leaves that had been caught in the wind be thrown to the skies-blackening skies.

Beginning to release rain in single droplets the clouds seemed to stalk them, stalk them like a hungry beast. Harry jumped at feeling a raindrop suddenly hit his face. The drop felt cold, terribly cold. At feeling more hit and soak into his hair he looked to the others.

The swirling mist twisted and turned, curled and crept as it creepily approached them. It never left the floor as it danced across the black and gnarled roots. Its ghostly tentacles clung to the ground, pulling it along as it crept ever closer, advancing as it seemed to glide across the earth like water. Hermione, Harry and Ron all felt their hearts begin to thud a little louder, a little quicker as the mist swept over their feet. It made them shiver as it felt damp, the shivers clawing up their spines. A strong sense of fear began to build.

Hermione suddenly caught movement in the corner of her eye. Her heart jolted, everything was too dark. Everything was too black, too black to distinguish trees from gaps. Once again she caught movement beyond the trees. Something was moving in the darkness. Something was stalking them...creeping closer.

"Harry," Hermione whispered, her voice cracking. Her eyes never left the darkness.

The rain fell harder, drenched the sheltering trees, began to menacingly trickle down onto them. Ron and Harry were back to back. Snape cautiously drew his wand. Harry did the same. All three were looking at different angles...all accept Hermione.

"Harry," Hermione gasped louder, her heart was racing.

Lifting her hand behind her Hermione tried to touch him. She tried to do it without looking away. Tried to secretly warn him! Her other hand slowly crept for her wand. Her heart instantly froze...all movement had stopped.

Plummeting to the ground the rain soaked it rapidly; harshly hitting them it soaked their hair. The black clouds seemed to fly across the sky like a smoky ocean. The chilling wind became a blistering gale. It raced through the trees, thrust leaves into the air. Thunder rumbled frightfully in the distance.

Everything was too dark without the moons saving light. The mist that grasped their feet grew colder, grew thicker. The sense of fear swelled up, swelled up in Hermione. As she breathed quickly her breaths were ghostly puffs. As her pupils dilated it overruled her brown. There was a snap in the darkness...then yellow eyes.

"HARRY!" Hermione suddenly yelled in panic as a growl erupted from the darkness. The eyes were watching her. Locked on her!

Yanking her wand out Hermione loudly cast, "Lumos!"

Snape, Harry and Ron held their wands high as a mighty beast shot at them. It was a werewolf! The beast was absolutely huge as it stood on its hind legs, stood and howled up to the hidden moon. It stopped abruptly; slobber trickling to the wet mud with sickeningly plops. Its yellow eyes seemed to glow in the light of Hermione's spell.

"Bombarda!" Ron shouted on reflex at seeing it eyeing up Hermione.

The spell hit the mighty creature, but didn't faze it! Ron quickly looked at his wand, he was sure he had cast it. Enraged by the assault the werewolf leapt straight into their group. Rain pummelled it heavily as it towered over them. With a swipe of its massive arm he knocked both Severus and Harry flying. Lightning tore the sky. Thunder boomed. Turning with a growl it hit both Ron and Hermione, making them fly in a different direction.

"I thought werewolves only transformed on a full moon, that's not until tomorrow!" Harry yelled to Severus over the gale, the man had landed mere metres away.

Snape didn't answer as he hurriedly got to his feet; the beast was heading straight for them. It seemed its interest wasn't in Hermione at all...but in Harry! Seeing this ghastly development he yanked Potter onto his feet and began to run. Snape's pale fingers dug into Harry's arm as he dragged the Potter away, the young man only just realising that they were bolting for it. Looking back he saw the beast following in hot pursuit. He also spotted Hermione and Ron-unconscious.

"We have to go back, they are-"

"Do you not see you oblivious boy! It is after you and only you; it is not interested in the others!" Snape shouted at him in disbelief and Harry could only look back in worry.

After Hermione had been knocked out her wand still lay glowing in her hand, not put out by a `knox` charm. What if the beast followed it and came back for them? The further the two fled away from the scene the darker it got, the Lumos only reaching a certain distance. They were now in pure darkness once again. Trees and gaps became one. Darkness consumed all.

"We can not use a lighting spell, for it will lure it straight to us you insolent idiot." Snape growled as Harry was about to cast a Lumos of his own.

Harry glared, but knew that the professor was right. They ran through the darkness, ravenous panting hot on their heels. Lightning flashed above, the bright light piercing the leaves. It revealed tree trunks, trunks they hastily avoided. Lightning only lasted a few seconds so they had to make the most of each strike.

The mist had grown thicker as it clung to the ground. Harry swore that the freezing mist was slowing them down. He swore it was making their movements sluggish, like running through water. They were both dripping wet, freezing cold, and exhausted as they desperately tried to lose it. The rain fell like waterfalls, so strong and heavy that it threatened to knock them down. The strong gale of the storm was pushing against them. Nature itself was against them.

An angry howl rang from behind them, echoing throughout the forest. It sounded frightfully close as they both picked up the pace. On glancing over his shoulder Harry saw it open its frightening jaws. He saw it bare its fangs. Saw it launch to bite!

"Stupify!" Harry suddenly screamed as he barely dodged the bite, hearing the fangs collide together millimetres away from his ear.

The spell definitely hit, but the werewolf was still unfazed by the attack! In fact, it seemed angrier than ever and barked furiously at the teenager. Harry was thoroughly confused by the ineffective spell but kept running. His breathing was laboured and his heart was racing. His mind was blank apart from one thing-run!

Harry continued to sprint for all he was worth, the adrenaline rushing through his veins. His mind began to feel fuzzy, making him yelp in surprise at an unexpected drop in the ground. He found himself in a puddle filled basin of dirt completely surrounded by trees. Storm clouded night skies could be seen above. Thunder crashed directly above him, ringing in his ears. Lightning one again flashed, tearing up the sky.

Harry took in none of this however, as he was suddenly struck across the head by the powerful beast. It was a mighty blow that knocked him off his feet. It made him fly into the rushing winds. Feeling his body splash against the soggy mud he gasped. The harsh impact knocked the air out of his lungs. Rain drenched his body. He lay there exposed. His body was so numb...he couldn't feel anything.

The last thing he could remember, before everything faded to black, was a deep and masculine voice calling his name.

xXEnd of chapterXx

Please review considering I finished this at midnight so I am not sure how it turned out because I'm shattered XD. So now it begins, hope you guys like this so far...bed time now.