Chapter 18
On the day of the full moon, Remus was on his way to the hospital. He went outside, cutting through the garden, when Katelyn stopped him.
"Hi Katelyn, I have to go to that muggle doctor. I'll catch you tomorrow though." Remus said pained by his headache.
"Wait. I want to give you something." Katelyn said. Her arms wrapped around him and she embraced him. Remus hugged her back. "I understand why you don't want to date me. I hope we still can be friends." Katelyn released him and walked away. He smiled and continued on his way to the hospital.
November's full moon was very normal. Remus visited madam Pomfrey before going to the whomping willow and she took his cast off. He then limped to the shrieking shack and awaited his painful transformation. When he regained consciousness in the morning, Professor Mcgonagall and Madam Pomphrey were waiting for him with ominous stares.
"Remus, how are you this morning?" Madam Pomfrey asked concerned.
"Oh, just peachy." Remus sarcastically said.
"I mean, do you feel any different?" Madam Pomfrey added impatiently.
"No, unfortunately the same agony as ever." Remus said, curious of what was the matter.
Professor Mcgonagall gave a sigh, and took a seat on the tattered bed next to Remus. "Something terrible has happened last night, Remus."
"I know professor, I'm not daft." Remus said kiddingly.
"Please, remain serious, now's not the time for joking." Professor said sternly and Remus gulped. "Last night, a student was killed." Professor sorrowfully added.
Remus's face whitened and tears formed in his eyes. Did my werewolf escape last night? Did I kill someone? Oh, merlin. I am a murderer. "How?" Remus stuttered.
"She was outside practicing quidditch after dark, and a werewolf killed her." Professor Mcgonagall said with tears in her eyes. Remus started bawling.
"My child, we are certain it wasn't you!" Mcgonagall exclaimed as she put her arms around his shoulder. Remus looked to her with his wet bright blue eyes. "No, you were locked up the entire night- we made sure of it after last month." Mcgonagall added.
"So what monster did this, then?" Remus sniffled.
"We found this note with the body." Madame Pomphrey said slowly and she pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment covered with blood.
"Read it!" Remus screamed.
"To a mister Remus Lupin,
My name is Frederick Greyback, the brother of Fenrir. Fenrir told me of how special you are to him, and he still craves your blood as soon as he escapes. But in the meantime, he instructed me to start killing every person you care for until you are left with no one. I am always watching you, that's how I saw your first friend hug you today. You may want to break your friendships - for their sake. I hope we can meet muzzle to muzzle someday.
Frederick Greyback."
Madame Pomphrey said while still shaking.
"Who was the victim?" Remus asked. Professor remained silent. "Who?!" he screamed.
"Katelyn Domer."
"No. No it can't be." Remus shouted.
"I'm afraid it is. The student body will be informed today at breakfast, and a memorial is set for Friday night." Mcgonagall explained while stroking Remus's back. "But we have an important question for you."
Remus looked up. Mcgonagall said with hesitation. "Why is that criminal Fenrir Greyback and his brother so interested in you?"
Remus told them the entire story of when he went to his trial. "She's dead because of me, Professor."
"No, Remus. Listen to this. She's dead because of an evil man, not you." Mcgonagall replied confidently.
"But, you heard what Frederik said- he will not stop killing. I should just go home before anyone else dies by his teeth." Remus said.
"No. Remus. Your house would be far more dangerous than Hogwarts. Teachers will guard the school, enforce a curfew every full moon, and even summon dementors from Azkaban. We will not let Frederik Greyback return to Hogwarts." Mcgonagall said as if she were a general. Remus nodded.
"We should get you up to the hospital, you are covered with bruises and scratches. At least none of your bones were broken" Madame Pomphrey said lightly, but Remus didn't give a smile.
Remus decided to remain in the hospital all week, until her memorial. That Friday night of December, the entire student body gathered in the great hall, dressed in black robes. It was decorated with black silk banners, red and yellow flowers, and a simple silver urn was centered in front. Yellow candles glowed on the mourning students and faculty. Mrs. and Mr. Domer were also there, sitting at the front teacher's table crying into each other's shoulders. Remus sat next to people he didn't know at the back of the Gryffindor table. James and Severus looked at him perplexed.
Dumbledore approached the podium and stared at the silver ern, he began softly speaking into his wand "As we all are aware, young Katelyn Domer's life was tragically taken from her this past Tuesday night. We remember her as an intelligent, compassionate, and happy young woman, as well as an extremely talented Seeker. . . " Dumbledore continued to give a beautiful speech.
The memorial began to end when suddenly Mrs. Domer stood up and raised her wand to her throat and spoke in a raspy tone. "Your professors didn't you want to know this, but it is a necessity that you know the truth of what happened to Katelyn." murmurs rose from the crowed.
"She didn't 'take a deadly fall from her broom, no. She was murdered." Mcgonagall looked to Dumbledore, he gave a gesture to allow it.
"She was murdered by a werewolf!" Mrs. Domer said. She collapsed in tears and Mr. Domer helped her up. The students began to talk nervously and frantically with each other.
"Silence!" Dumbledore screamed. "This is true, but we assure you, no danger remains to anyone else. Now, prefects, please escort your houses back to the dormitories."
"Can you believe it, Remus? A werewolf was at Hogwarts!" Sirius asked when they returned to their bedroom.
"I can." Remus mumbled.
"Hey, I'm sorry that you lost Katelyn. You must be devastated. You two were very close." James said sincerely.
Too close. Maybe I should spend less time with people so they aren't targeted next.
"Thanks, James." Remus sincerely replied. Moonlight jumped up on him and he gave her a pat. He turned into his pillow and drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep filled with nightmares of the sinister Frederick Greyback.