Entry for "Ancient Runes" at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)"

Task: Write about someone undergoing a major life change. Extra prompt: (Trait) Brave. Min. 400 words

Entry for the "Halloween Event: Costume Party Competition" - character: Rolanda Hooch; costume: Werewolf

Entry for the "Halloween Collection Competition" - prompt: 43. Terrified

This is definitely AU! Just to explain, Severus was on the good side all the time in this storyline :)

Slowly, the darkness that had surrounded her, had captivated her for what seemed like an eternity, was fading away. Drifting towards consciousness, she became aware of how heavy her body felt, as if something was sitting on her, pressing her down.

Forcing her lids open after some intense blinking, trying to adapt to the light that was penetrating her sensitive eyes, she immediately knew where she was.

Rolanda was lying in one of the beds of the Hospital Wing, her body covered by soft, white sheets and next to her bed was sitting Severus Snape.

"Look who is awake", he said calmly, and even with her mind still being rather foggy, she was sure that she had catched a glimpse of relief and concern crossing his face for a split second.

His presence soothed her somewhat, as it showed her that at least one of her colleagues had made it through the Battle of Hogwarts unscathed. But there was omething that concerned her way more than the thought that somebody who was important to her had been hurt.

It was the fact that she could not remember the reason why she was in the Hospital Wing at all.

And what had caused the horrible pain, spreading through her whole body, that she suddenly became aware of as she woke up more and more.

"What... what happened," she whispered, her voice sounding raspy due to her dry throat and she warped her face over the pain every single breath generated.

For the first time in the many years they already were colleagues, Severus Snape showed a a sign of nervousness as he looked at her.

"Um... I... I don't know how to tell you..."

"Just... be honest," she croaked, looking at him with a pleading look. His hesitance scared her and indicated that it really had to be something bad.

Severus cleared his throat and carefully lifted the sheets, revealing the sight of Rolanda's hip, which was tightly wrapped in bandages, that were soaked with a few fresh bloodstains.

"Fenrir Greyback attacked you and... and did bite you... it is a pretty awful wound, I have never seen something like that before... Poppy did all she could, but still we were afraid that we would loose you, you were in a coma for over a week."

Her terrified eyes widened as her stare wandered from the bandages to his face, releasing a stiffled cry as she tried to take in the whole meaning of his words. Her hand shaking dangerously, she took the vial of pain potion he offered her and swallowed it, the liquid making it easier to speak as she asked:"Am... am I i-infected?"

She looked at him, trying to clear her mind. As much as this situation scared her, she had to stay calm and be brave, like she had always been in the tough situations she had come across throughout her life.

"Yes," Severus answered, speaking to his hands, not able to look into her eyes. Rolanda gulped hard, covering her mouth with her hand and despite her earlier plan, she started to sob, tears of pain and shock burning in her eyes.

oOo

When her first fullmoon night had approached, Rolanda had entered the room her friends had prepared for her with her head held high.

Since waking up in the Hospital Wing, she had given her best to adapt to the new situation, even though her daily life had not really changed at all, despite for having to visit Poppy twice a day to have her wound treated.

But now, as she took the Wolfsbane Potion from Severus, she realised that life would never be the same again. She would have to live with the beast within her and tonight, she would have to give up her control to let this beast come to the surface.

"I know I asked you to, but you don't have to stay here tonight, Severus... I am ready," she said, her shaking voice not being able to blur how honest she meant her words.