I do not own Harry Potter.
Sorry for the long delay between chapters. Life has been hectic, with my kids off school for the summer, all the work that goes into having a hobby farm during the short Canadian summer plus my job I just haven't had time. Please be assured though that I WILL finish this story! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Eighty-seven
Wizard's Frisbee
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday slipped by full of classes, homework, revision and research sessions. The only change from the previous week was with the Head Boy. The full moon was approaching and with it his extraordinary senses were back, his ability to hear and smell, especially his witch, were the same as the previous full moon. As was his over protectiveness and his unwillingness to leave her. By Tuesday night he was sneaking into the Gryffindor common room under the invisibility cloak and sleeping on the sofa with his witch.
The added complication that NEWTS and OWLs were approaching made it later at night before the common room emptied and some students were even getting up early to cram some studying in before classes started in the morning. The benefit to it was that students were more distracted and so they were less likely to notice a book disappearing in the far corner as Taylor passed the Head Boy one. They also didn't notice the fact that the Head Boy wasn't no longer sleeping in the Hufflepuff seventh year dorm room. That was in part due to Ernie Macmillan nearly having a breakdown from the pressure of the upcoming exams and threatened anyone to within an inch of their lives if they made a sound in the dorm room.
The only other change was that after supper every night Taylor would go with the Head Boy to the Potions classroom where Professor Slughorn would have the Wolfsbane Potion ready and waiting. In a way Taylor wished she could have a more active part in helping make the potion so that she'd feel more practiced in making it, but with her hectic schedule right now she just couldn't squeeze another hour into her day. The Hufflepuff would pull an awful face but he never complained about the potion. His desire to not become a mindless beast far outweighing the unpalatable-ness of it.
Friday morning Taylor woke up on the sofa with the Hufflepuff's arm wrapped around her securely, even one of his long legs was over hers effectively pinning her where she was. She could hear her brother's soft snores from the opposite sofa. Harry had refused to let her stay with the Head Boy without him being present. She shook her head slightly but it made her smile, her brother was only looking out for her, even if he was annoying while doing it.
From past experience she knew there was no wiggling away from the Head Boy when he was in his overprotective mode, as she thought of it as, so bumping him gently in the ribs to wake him up she whispered, "I need a shower and you need to get going. Come on before anyone comes down."
"I hate mornings witch," the Head Boy grumbled sleepily, as he tightened his arm around her.
"Okay grumpy, you say that every morning. Now remember what happened yesterday morning," she threatened quietly and heard him grunt with displeasure. The previous morning the crazy werewolf had taken it into his head he wasn't going to get up, or let her up, so as the sound of footsteps descended the stairs and the fear of being discovered mounted she'd palmed her wand, silenced, put a full body bind on him and then thrown the invisibility cloak over him. Of course he'd been more than a little put out when she released him after the fifth year had gone back up the stairs, still she had a valid threat.
"Witch, you get up way too early." The werewolf complained sleepily, though he removed his arm and leg so the witch could get up.
Taylor picked up her glasses and put them on before she turned back to him, and smiled. He really did look kind of cute in the morning with his hair all messed up and his face shadowed by his growth of beard. Bending down she kissed him on the cheek, whispering, "I'll see you at breakfast." She easily sidestepped his grab for her and headed for her room and the shower.
By the time afternoon arrived Taylor was wondering if the teachers had all decided to see if they could possibly drive as many students to having a nervous breakdown as possible. Taylor was incredibly thankful that she had double study. At least she'd be able to go to the library and look for the books she needed to complete her potions essay before someone else signed them out. She dragged Harry and Ron along with her, saying that they could work on their essay as well. She was glad she had when she reached the library and Madame Pince was already telling off a Ravenclaw that they were not allowed to sign out more than one book at a time and only for one day.
The two wizards staked out a table as she went in search of the books they needed. She was just walking down a narrow aisle near the back when the feeling like she was being watched made her turn, to see the back of black robes disappear around the end of the bookshelf. She chastised herself for being a little too spooky and turned back around only to run smack into someone. Gentle hands steadied her and then took a step back.
"Hey, sorry, I didn't think you were going to turn around that fast." The Head Boy grinned down at her.
"I thought you had Herbology? What are you doing skiving classes this time of year?" She demanded in a hushed voice, as she noted the tiredness in his face even through his smile.
The Hufflepuff shrugged and looked distinctly guilty, like a kid who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "I… couldn't go… I needed to see you. I just couldn't shake the feeling that you were in danger."
His face showed his worry suddenly and his blue eyes were haunted by it. She sighed, "What are you going to tell Professor Sprout?"
"The truth. I needed to make sure you were okay." The Head Boy said simply.
"All right, do you have your essay for Potions done yet?" When he shook his head she continued, "Good you can get started on it with us. Here you take these two books back to the table with Harry and Ron. Pince has a limit on how many books are allowed at a table right now. I just need to grab another and I'll be right there."
The three Gryffindors and Head Boy made some good progress on their Potions essay and by the time it was time for them to head for their last class of the day they had it over half done. Taylor checked out two books, well she had Harry check out one so that Pince would let them have them, and started down the hallway.
"Don't you need to head for your last class?" Ron asked as the Hufflepuff walked with them.
"Sure, I have Ancient Runes. You guys have Charms right? It's on the way."
Taylor had to laugh at the look on Ron's face as he rolled his eyes at the Head Boy.
"I'll be glad when your furry little problem goes away again!" Ron griped. The Ancient Runes classroom was two floors above Charms.
The bell rang and the rumble of students moving could be heard, and soon the hallway was full, as students shuffled along, going in both directions. An auror passed them on patrol and they turned down a seldom-used set of stairs to get out of the throng. Reaching the bottom they headed for the Charms classroom, the Hufflepuff still tagging along.
They were nearly there when suddenly the hairs on the back of Taylor's neck stood on end and she heard the Hufflepuff distinctly growl low in his throat as his hand caught her arm. She looked around carefully. The corridor only had a few students and most were heading away from them. She glanced over at her brother and saw that he sensed something as well. His wand was in his hand and he was searching the corridor.
Taylor knew it was an instinctive reaction. A voice called, "Hunter!" and looking in that direction she saw what looked like a Frisbee sailing towards them and the Head Boy reached out to catch it. Harry yelled as he grabbed at Hunter to stop him from making the catch. He didn't succeed. The instant the Frisbee touched the Hufflepuff, Taylor felt a powerful jerk right behind her belly button and her feet left the floor as she was spun away with Greg and Harry.
She might never have traveled by one before but she knew what it was. The Frisbee was a Portkey. Fear welled up in her, as she spun through the air. She was rapidly going someplace that was going to be very dangerous.
Suddenly her feet slammed into the ground and she nearly lost her balance. The Hufflepuff's hand steadied her as she looked around, palming her wand. Instinct ruled, as she yelled, "Protego!"
"Very smart Mudblood. But your shield will not protect you for long." A voice drawled.
Taylor looked around. They were in an overgrown yard by a run-down house. Six hooded figures stood loosely around them, all but one had their wands drawn. She could see her brother out of the corner of her eye as he looked around carefully. The Hufflepuff she couldn't see but he still had his hand on her arm, thankfully her left one as her right was held high holding her wand to maintain her shield. She could hear him growl again.
"I must admit. This worked better then even I imagined. With one Portkey we nabbed the werewolf, the Boy-Who-Lived and the Mudblood with Dark Magic! The Dark Lord will be pleased." Lucius Malfoy said as he lowered his hood. Several others followed suit.
An insane cackle, "Oh, Mudblood, do you remember me?" Bellatrix Lestrange asked as she pushed her hood down.
"Yeah, insane bitch. That seems to ring a bell," Taylor said coldly.
"I'll enjoy taking that spirit out of you Mudblood!" Bellatrix purred.
"You won't touch her!" the words growled out of the Hufflepuff low and menacing.
A harsh laugh was heard above all the others. "The pup has fire. Maybe he will live longer than the last one!"
Taylor recognized Fenrir Greyback. From the anger that was radiating off the Hufflepuff, he did too, but his voice was low and controlled as he asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ahh, so you don't know. I suppose I can see where the misunderstanding might come from, what with all three of you getting caught in the one trap. It was you, young werewolf that we were after. You eluded our last attempt to get you by having the Mudblood give up her memories. You see your predecessor died an untimely death, couldn't seem to stomach having bitten you. Well without him and his unique toxin, then the job fell to you. Did you not wonder why you were unique even among others of your kind? I know the Order's whipped dog talked to you. Surely after the last full moon you realized you were different? More animalistic longer before the full moon!" Greyback spoke softly but his eyes glittered with a dangerous wildness that Taylor had glimpsed in the Hufflepuff's eyes before.
"The Ravenclaw… you turned him?" Harry asked speaking for the first time.
"Yes, and no… you see my toxin was used but it was modified, strengthened by two others, real killers. To make a werewolf that isn't just dangerous on the full moon but leading up to it as well. You can feel it can't you pup? The beast waiting just inside you ready to break out at the drop of a hat. I will show you how to unleash it, and you will join me and we will rule the pack!"
Taylor could feel the strain that the shield was starting to have on her. She knew that the Death Eaters knew that as well. If she held it too long she'd be too spent to fight. She hoped her brother was thinking of a way to escape. The werewolf behind her was still growling low, the grip he had on her arm almost painful, though she doubted he realized it.
"I will not join you!" the Head Boy bit the words out slowly.
"Well that is a pity. It would have gone so much easier on you if you had just been agreeable." Luscious said, sounding a little bored.
Taylor felt her brother's foot bump hers and she glanced at him. She knew what he wanted. They had spent too many research sessions together not to. Carefully she stepped back with her foot until she felt the Hufflepuff's and bumped it. The sudden stop of his growl told her he was at least ready for something.
"Potter you are always the same aren't you? Arrogant to a fault." An oily voice said coldly as another hood lowered to reveal Snape.
"You!" Harry hissed suddenly furious.
"As articulate as always Potter. I see your taste in company hasn't improved. Though a witch who can use Dark Magic could come in handy at times even if she is a Mudblood." Snape said nastily.
Taylor went to reach for her brother to keep him inside her shield but the Hufflepuff beat her to it grabbing her brother's arm and holding it. "Harry, he's just trying to get you to do something stupid." The Hufflepuff warned in a hard voice.
Taylor glanced around and saw that all the Death Eaters had lowered their hoods. The other one was Nott, she had to keep her own anger in check, when she saw Wormtail.
"Yes Potter please do something stupid," one of the Death Eaters taunted.
Sweat was beginning to bead on her forehead and she knew she was rapidly reaching her limit. She could feel the Hufflepuff behind her shift and hoped he'd heed his own advice and not do something stupid.
"Don't worry, I'm going to kill you Snape but it won't be today," Harry ground out between clenched teeth as he fought to ignore the urge to strike at the wizard who used to be their professor. A few seconds later he mastered his temper and finding Taylor's foot again he bumped it, as he threw his arm in the air, "Protego!"
Taylor released her shield as her brother put up his, they had a few more minutes as long as the Death Eaters chose to wait. The shield wouldn't stop an unforgivable or a powerful Dark Arts spell. Relieved, she let her arm drop to her side and gave it a shake to restore the circulation and feeling in it. Slowly she looked around, six Death Eaters and only three of them. She knew Snape wasn't likely to hurt them, though he'd have to appear like he was fighting. Then there was Wormtail, a spineless git if she'd ever seen one. So that brought it down to four, still four skilled Death Eaters against three seventh years wasn't great odds. Though she knew Harry and she were more skilled, they were not in the same class as Bellatrix and Malfoy, and Nott was an unknown though probably as skilled. She didn't know about Greyback either but from all that she'd ever heard he preferred to fight hand to hand when possible and he more than outmatched her and Harry there. She even doubted Greg could handle the large burly brute in a fight. Greg might be tall but he was still only a teenager and didn't have the heavy muscling the older werewolf did.
"Hey Mudblood why don't you show us a little bit of the Dark Magic that you supposedly can use? I personally find it hard to believe that you can. Dark Magic from a Mudblood, that's absurd." The Death Eater she recognized as Nott called out.
"If I use Dark Magic it will be to whip your sorry ass!" Taylor snapped but the suggestion had given her and idea. With a wicked grin, she said softly, "Ready Potter?"
Harry turned to look at her. He could see her eyes as they darkened and he knew she was about to use Dark Magic. He glanced up at the Head Boy to see that he knew it too. Powerful words, unrecognizable in the ancient language fell from his sister's lips, as her wand whipped through the air. He felt his shield charm smashed as the spell poured out away from them, plunging them into near darkness.
"Move!" Harry yelled as he dove and rolled to avoid the spells that rained where he had just been. "Expelliarmus!" was his first spell and he heard a curse and a wand flew into his hand. One Death Eater was disarmed. Coming to his feet he could just make out the white hair of Lucius Malfoy coming towards him and the hours he'd spent training came back to him.
Taylor dove as well. Rolling, she heard her brother's disarming spell and just managed to keep her own wand from slipping through her fingers. Coming to her knees she peered around in the near dark. She had tried to give them the best advantage that she could and taking the idea from Fred and George, she had improvised her own darkness from Dark Magic. Actually it was part of a spell she had read in one of the books from Briggs Cottage. Movement near by ended her wandering thought and she heard a cackle that could only be from Bellatrix.
"Come on Mudblood, don't hide from me. I thought you wanted to fight?"
Taylor fired from her knees and knew immediately that she had assumed right. Bellatrix was good. The Death Eater easily deflected the underage witches spell and fired back. Only the fact that Taylor moved saved her.
Rolling to her feet Taylor fired and blocked as fast as she could, her wand a blur. She could feel the necklace starting to get hot again as the Death Eaters spells became darker. She had the distinct impression Bellatrix was playing with her.
"Somebody's been teaching you auror moves, Mudblood. Do you really think you can beat me with those old tricks?"
Taylor felt the spell roll off her tongue as her necklace burned for a second time that afternoon. The spell was a powerful binding one, though different from the one she'd used on Snape. She heard Bellatrix gasp in surprise and only because the Death Eater hadn't expected it, she wasn't able to avoid it.
Taylor had no time to admire her accomplishment, a spell narrowly missed her as a body collided with hers knocking her to the ground.
"Dammit Taylor stay low!" The Head Boy snarled at her as his body shifted off her. He came to his feet and pulled her up. His hand caught her free hand and he nearly dragged her off her feet as he ran for a low wall and dropped behind it.
Taylor looked around. She could see wand fire not far away and thought it was Malfoy with his white hair and her brother. That left Nott, Greyback, and Wormtail unaccounted for and a prayer that not counting Snape wasn't a fatal error.
"Pup, where are you pup? So you have found a mate? How interesting. I can smell her too pup!" Greyback taunted from nearby.
Taylor caught the Hufflepuff's arm as she whispered, "He's just trying to bait you." She felt her breath catch in her throat when the Hufflepuff looked down at her. Even in the near dark she could see the dangerous, wild look shining in his eyes and heard the growl that rumbled in his chest.
"She'll be just a tasty little morsel, pup."
The Hufflepuff yelled as he leapt towards the sound of the taunting voice and Taylor could hear the sound of flesh hitting flesh as she looked towards the darker mound on the ground, as grunts and snarls came from it. Getting up again she stayed low this time and crept closer looking around for Nott and Wormtail her wand out and ready.
An oily voice behind her made her heart leap up into her throat, as she wheeled around.
"I see Porter you are as unable as Potter to listen. Do not worry, they can not hear us. Nott is frozen thanks to the werewolf and Wormtail is cowering over yonder. Now listen we don't have much time. The Portkey will take you back, all you need to do is reactivate it. I'm sure Potter can do that much. The Dark Lord knows about you, and he is intrigued. He will not stop now until he finds out the whole truth. I will send you a sign soon, be ready there isn't much time left! Now we duel!" Snape spoke low and fast before he gave a wave of his wand and said louder, "Mudblood! The Dark Lord will make you grovel at his feet!"
For once Taylor was glad her tongue was sharp and quick, "Only when he steps over your dead body!" for something she had been thinking would be a mock duel, it was all she could do to keep up. Snape pushed her as hard as Bellatrix had and she knew she couldn't win against him. He was just better than she was with far more experience. So once more she reached for Dark Magic, her necklace burned for the third time and as the ancient words fell from her lips her eyes met his, and could have sworn, even in the dim lighting, she could see a trace of fear in them. Her spell hit him and he crumpled, about like Bellatrix had, she'd used the same binding one. They'd both be okay as soon as someone came along and revived them.
The sounds of the fight going on not far from her made her feet move and she hurried towards the two werewolves. The sight of the burlier one on top swinging, made her draw her foot back and kick him as hard as she could in the small of his back. She heard him grunt and as she jumped back, he turned towards her, a nasty grin on his face.
"Perfectos Totalus!" the older werewolf's legs and arms snapped together and he toppled over.
Taylor nodded. Sometimes more advanced wasn't always better. She then hurried over to the Hufflepuff. "Greg, are you all right?" She didn't dare light her wand tip to see, but she heard him groan.
"Yeah, let's go! We need to get away from here!"
Taylor nodded. She could still see her brother fighting with Malfoy, as the darkness started to lift. The spell was wearing off, everything was bathed in a pale light. She helped pull the Head Boy to his feet and they started towards her brother. She'd stun Malfoy and then grab the Frisbee Portkey and go.
She wasn't sure if Malfoy saw them coming and thought he'd lose, or if he just got tired of dueling with Harry and decided to end it once and for all.
Malfoy attacked with three quick spells and had Harry backing up before…
"Avada Kedavra!"
Everything happened in slow motion as Taylor screamed. She saw what the Death Eater was about to do and panic welled up in her. She started to run towards her brother but a pair of viselike arms caught her and held her. She could see the burst of green light but when the body fell, it wasn't her brother. He stood there too stunned to react as a gleaming silver hand showed against the black robed body.
Malfoy even stared at the Death Eater who he had just killed for a long second before Harry recovered enough to stun him.
Taylor struggled to get lose but the Hufflepuff held her until Malfoy fell over stunned and then he kept a hold of her arm as they hurried over to Harry.
"We need to get out of here!" The Head Boy's voice was hard and clipped, as he looked down at the dead Death Eater in morbid curiosity.
"Are you two all right?" Harry asked quickly, he was breathing hard from his duel.
"Better than we will be if we don't get out of here!" The Hufflepuff ground out and started for the overgrown hedge that fenced in the yard.
"We won't be able to get through, they'll have warded it." Harry said putting a hand on the Hufflepuff to stop him.
"Then what…" the Head Boy started but was cut off by Taylor.
"The Frisbee! We need to reactivate the Portkey! Accio Frisbee!"
"How…?" The Hufflepuff asked.
Harry caught the Frisbee this time, "Grab on!" he commanded and the other two grabbed the round disk and he touched his wand to it. A familiar jerk behind his navel and they were spinning away from the overgrown yard and the six Death Eaters.
Their feet slammed into the stone floor in the same corridor that they had been taken from, as voices yelled around them. The Hufflepuff's arm was around his witch as he steadied her once again and partially shielded her. His wand was drawn, as was Potter's, as they took in the people in the corridor.
Moody, Shacklebolt, Lupin and Tonks plus five of the aurors that patrolled the school surrounded the three seventh years that had suddenly reappeared in the corridor. All had their wands drawn and pointing at the three students.
Moody was the first to bark, "Potter! Code words!"
Taylor was pulled hard against the tall Hufflepuff, his arm like a steel band around her as he shifted, keeping her shielded from the people in the corridor by his body and that of her brother's as well.
"Ivory slippers, with gold laces!" Harry snapped, as questions flooded his mind. One of the biggest was who had thrown the Portkey to the Hufflepuff? The next was whom could he trust?
"Porter!" Moody barked as the old auror took in the witch, partially hidden behind the two wizards, though he could see it was the young werewolf that held her there. The three had been in a fight somewhere, there robes were ripped and they were all covered in sweat and dirt.
"You honestly think Harry would bring an imposter back?" Taylor yelled in a sarcastic tone, "Blue eyed balls!" The old auror merely grunted as he accepted her code words.
"Hunter!"
"Pink winged canaries." The Head Boy bit out as he glared at the old auror.
"Fine." Moody grunted and the wands were lowered, the three students were a little slower to lower theirs.
"Are you three all right?" Shacklebolt asked concerned as he stepped towards them.
"Yeah, just cuts and bumps mostly," Harry answered for them.
"You can wait to see the nurse then, come on, we need to go see the Head Mistress." Shacklebolt said firmly as he started down the corridor.
Taylor was a little surprised that they weren't immediately questioned, and even from her position between the tall Hufflepuff and her brother she could see that they were being escorted to the Head Mistress' office under guard. Shacklebolt was in the lead with one of the other aurors and they were flanked on either side by Lupin and Tonks who both wore equally stern looking faces and she could hear Moody clumping behind them bringing up the rear. The other aurors who patrolled the school had dispersed to go back to patrolling except the one ahead of them.
They never saw another single person all the way up to the Head Mistress' office, a detail that she knew hadn't slipped past her brother or the Head Boy. She glanced out a window and judged it to be around suppertime. The students could all be in the Great Hall having supper she supposed. They'd been gone for only around an hour if that were the case. It had felt more like five.
The stone gargoyle sprang out of the way as soon as Shacklebolt said the password and they headed up the revolving stairs. Taylor wondered if she'd get detention again. Her past experiences up here didn't bode well for her not to receive some anyway.
Shacklebolt paused and knocked at the solid oak door and was bid to enter immediately.
Professor McGonagall sighed visibly from behind her desk at the sight of them, "Oh thank the stars! Mr. Potter, Mr. Hunter, Miss Porter are you all right?"
"Yes, Professor." The three chorused.
McGonagall looked over the others who had come in as well before she asked in a clipped voice, "What happened?"
It was Shacklebolt's deep voice that answered, "It was as we feared Head Mistress. An illegal Portkey was used."
McGonagall gasped and slowly sat down in her seat, "Mr. Timmons will you excuse us please." She looked over at the auror who had accompanied the members of the Order of the Phoenix into her office. He started to object so she cut him off. "I will give you a full report on this matter after I have talked to these students. Please go and ensure the rest of the students are safe."
Taylor could tell the auror named Mr. Timmons wasn't happy but he did as he was asked and left.
"You three please have a seat," McGonagall said in a much gentler tone as she turned to them and with a wave of her wand three chairs appeared and they sat down. "Now would you please tell me what happened to you, and where did you go."
Harry briefly explained about the Frisbee being thrown to the Head Boy.
"Mr. Hunter, you were not in Herbology. Why not?" McGonagall asked.
The Head Boy's face turned a little red but he explained about feeling anxious about Taylor and going to find her in the library.
"I see. Your Lycanthropy is not an acceptable excuse for you to skip classes, Mr. Hunter. Please continue."
Between the three of them they retold what had happened to them, including how Peter Pettigrew had saved Harry, repaying the life debt that he owed Harry for saving his life in their third year.
Taylor was the quietest of the three, only adding a little here and there, not mentioning Snape or her conversation with him at all, and only briefly mentioning her duel with her ex-professor.
When they were finished Moody asked, "So you have no idea who threw the Frisbee? You didn't see them at all?" They shook their heads and mentioned seeing an auror in the corridor a floor above the Charms classroom.
"Mr. Hunter, you said that Fenrir Greyback told you that you were the primary target… if that is the case then why change plans? Obviously whoever it was expected you to be crossing the grounds towards the greenhouses, so a Frisbee would be a good choice. But why follow you inside, why not just wait until you are outside again?" Shacklebolt wondered aloud.
Taylor's leg bounced up and down, she wished she could pace but refrained, the Head Mistress wasn't likely to be impressed, her mind was whirling though.
"Greyback said that the other one, the Ravenclaw, had died an untimely death," by the startled looks on the adults' faces, it looked like this was news to them. The Hufflepuff continued, "and that I was to take his place."
"Yes but why be in a hurry now…? Of course the full moon!" Taylor looked up at the Hufflepuff and then at the Head Mistress. "With all the homework and revision we are doing the only chance they would probably have was when Greg went out to the greenhouses. It wasn't likely that he would be outside again between now and the full moon! They have something planned for this full moon again!"
Moody stared hard at the underage witch but he had to admit she had a point.
"So they weren't expecting all three of you. That's why they only had six Death Eaters. However what are the chances that two of the people that Voldemort wants the most would be taken as well when they were going after a werewolf?" Tonks said as she slowly shook her head.
"What I want to know is what are we going to do? We have someone in this school who has the knowledge and ability to make a Portkey that didn't set off any of the detection spells we have guarding against such an occurrence. Plus they were desperate enough to try it in a crowded corridor. That makes them dangerous. We were exceedingly lucky this time that the three of you made it back alive." Lupin's voice was tight with both anger and worry.
"A very good question, Remus. If I may be so bold as to interrupt Minerva?" the portrait of Dumbledore spoke as he peered down at them over his painted half moon spectacles. At the Head Mistress' nod he continued. "Mr. Hunter, you said you didn't go to Herbology because you were worried about Miss Porter, please explain that to me."
Greg's face turned a little red as he explained in greater detail his anxiety and general restlessness about being separated from Taylor, and that the closer to the main doors he went the more anxious he became, until he'd turned and went in search of his witch.
Dumbledore's fingers touched at the tips as he stared for a long moment at the young werewolf, before he asked, "And Greyback actually said that you have claimed a mate?" The Head Boy's face turned red and he nodded. "I find that very fascinating. It seems that Voldemort, or at least his Death Eaters, have been trying to create a more aggressive werewolf and yet your strongest instinct is to protect Miss Porter. Again Tom is meddling in things he does not understand."
Taylor knew she wasn't the only one staring open mouthed at the Head Master's portrait.
The three of them were questioned a little longer and then McGonagall said in a tone that brooked no arguments, "From now on, you three are not to go anywhere without a member of the Order with you at all times. That includes classes, meal times and especially in between classes, mornings, and evenings. Mr. Hunter you are removed from patrol duty until further notice. These new measures will remain in place until either the culprit is caught or you graduate from this school. A new code word will be set up every night when you are dropped off at your common room and you will not leave your common room for any reason until the next morning when an Order member arrives to escort you to the Great Hall. Do I make myself clear?"
Taylor stared at McGonagall, she was going to have a bodyguard?
"Yes Professor," the two wizards said and Taylor hurriedly answered as well.
"Good. Now Kingsley and Remus, will you please escort these three down to Poppy to be checked over. Mr. Hunter I will ask Professor Slughorn to bring your potion up to the Hospital Wing so there will be no need to go after it. You can eat there after you have been healed." McGonagall paused as she looked the three of them over very carefully and when she continued her voice was softer once again, "You three were very lucky this afternoon. I'm just very thankful that you made it back safely." She paused once again and then said in her usual brisk tone. "You may be excused."
Taylor stood with her brother and the Hufflepuff and she could feel the tension already starting to build in him. This new measure was going to effectively separate them. "Professor McGonagall, could I please have a word with you? In private?" She could see her brother glance down at her questioningly, the Hufflepuff did the same.
"Of course, Miss Porter. If you would excuse us for a moment please, Alastor and Tonks."
Taylor waited until the door closed behind Moody before she looked at the Head Mistress who was watching her closely.
"You wished to speak with me?"
Taylor swallowed, this was going to be harder then she thought. "Yes Professor." She caught her lip between her teeth and she glanced up at Dumbledore's portrait to see him watching her intently.
"Professor, I know you aren't going to like this but… you see. Well…"
"Miss Porter please just spit it out."
Taylor closed her eyes and said in a rush, "Greg's been sleeping in the Gryffindor common room every night, on the sofa…" she opened her eyes to see the Head Mistress staring at her in shock, so she hastened to continue before McGonagall recovered enough to start yelling at her. "because he nearly goes crazy being away all night. It's just the week leading up to the full moon, so please Professor, let him stay tonight and tomorrow night in the Gryffindor common room. I'm scared he won't listen and stay in the Hufflepuff one by himself."
The Head Mistress was shocked to learn that a Hufflepuff had been sleeping in Gryffindor Tower; even more shocked that the witch had the nerve to tell her.
"Minerva, I believe that Miss Porter has a very valid concern. I too believe that Mr. Hunter will not be able to remain separated from his mate for that long. To ask him to, will be asking for trouble." Dumbledore's voice was gentle yet firm.
Astounded McGonagall turned to look up at the painting, "Surely Albus you can't mean to allow Hunter to sleep in the Gryffindor common room? That is inappropriate on so many levels!"
"The level that needs to be addressed right now, I believe, is the safety of Mr. Hunter. Propriety may be a luxury that can't be afforded at the moment. As I heard it Mr. Hunter has already been sleeping there." The painting said in an authoritative voice, but his blue eyes twinkled as they met Taylor's for a moment.
McGonagall's lips thinned to the thinnest of lines as her nostrils flared in anger, "How has Mr. Hunter been getting into Gryffindor Tower?"
"We've been sneaking him in under Harry's invisibility cloak at curfew and he hides under it until everyone else goes to bed. He sleeps on one sofa and Harry sleeps on the other." Taylor knew she was omitting a big part, that she slept with the Head Boy but she really doubted that the Head Mistress could handle that fact at the moment. "He gets up before anyone comes down from the dormitories and goes back to the Hufflepuff common room."
McGonagall was silent for a long time as she stared hard at the underage witch in front of her. She did not like this idea one bit, even considered giving both the witch and Head Boy detention from now until the end of the year for it… but she remembered a conversation she'd had with Alaster and Remus about the unusually strong awareness the young werewolf had of Miss Porter. As well, it was only two more nights until the full moon and they would be the hardest on the boy.
"Miss Porter, I must say I am not very pleased to hear about this. However given the extraordinary circumstances with Mr. Hunter he may spend the next two nights in the Gryffindor common room. However! I expect him to remain hidden under Potter's cloak until everyone goes to bed and wait under it in the morning until a member of the Order comes to take him to the Hufflepuff common room. I will inform Moody of this as well."
Taylor nodded as relief swamped her and she said, "Thank you Professor!" and she turned to leave.
"Miss Porter," Taylor looked over her shoulder, "Don't do anything to make me regret this decision!"
"No Professor!" Taylor said and she hurried out of the Head Mistress' office.
She paused after she stepped through the door and looked up at the Hufflepuff. She could tell that he'd heard everything with his sensitive hearing and there was appreciation in his eyes.
"Miss Porter if you are ready, let's go." Shacklebolt's deep voice asked from in front and then he started down the revolving stairs.
A/N I know a bit of a cliffy but not much of one. The next few chapters are going to be a roller coaster ride so I hope to be able to post them a little quicker but no promises. Now I want to explain where I got the idea of the Portkey and why I think it would work. If you remember in the Goblet of Fire the trophy in the maze was a Portkey and it did bring Harry back to Hogwarts. The one in GoF didn't bring him back to the exact same place but I took a little writters liscence and made this one bring them right back to the same corridor. As for the wards guarding the school... well the one in GoF didn't set them off so why should this one? This will be explained some more later in the story as well. Hope you enjoyed!
Thank you to all of you who reviewed! Plus for the Fav's and Alerts! Thank you for just reading! Plus an added Thank you to my beta barbc who has been just as busy as me and is still finding time to get a chapter edited! Well until next time, cytpotter.