Harry is cornered by no less than 4 werewolves, but he's put on a brave stance. Aline's never seen him like that, except for in the dragon task. He's got that same expression-like he could kill if provoked. A silent water the flowed very deep. It's dangerous and reckless at the same time and makes her stomach lurch.

"The famous Harry Potter," laughs the first wolf. His name is Silvereye, and Aline recognizes him instantly. Even in the dark of the forest his eyes glimmer like two silver orbs. "Greyback will like this more than the mutt."

"Greyback wants the girl," says the second wolf, Hindfoot.

"Well he'll be happy we won't come back empty handed," says Tail-less.

"I'm right here you know!" Harry says, stuttering slightly.

"You're alone?"

"Yeah-"

"Liessss." This is Sharpnose, the best hunter of them all, "I smell herrrr. She's hereee." He sniffs the air, inhaling and growling on exhale. "Come out little Aline. Little mutt."

Harry's muscles twitch in his neck. His wand twitches in his hand.

Aline's feet stay glued to the floor. Her breath slowing in her lungs, her heart bursting out of her ribcage, she desperately wishes she had been born a witch, or had an inkling of magical power to her.

The wolves circle around Harry, growling and panting. Suddenly, one of them lurches at Harry, but Harry is faster and hits them with a Flipendo and the Tail-less is sent spinning backwards. Harry sees and opening and runs into the depth of the forest, the wolves after him. Only Tail-less is left behind, gathering himself up.

Aline retracts backwards, but her behind hits the floor, sinking into the moss as she trips over a root. Tail-less' ears wiggle and Aline's heart nearly skips over itself. And Tail-less is running towards her.

It's like a new her has taken over the place of the old Aline. Suddenly filled with a dose of arrogance, and brazen confidence, she lashes her hands over Tail-less' muzzle. To her shock, she realizes that her claws had come out. And then her arms, they're covered in a thin layer of fur.

Not yet a wolf, not fully human, Aline stand on all fours and growls.

"I knew you'd be here, little mutt-"

His speech is cut short when Aline jumps on his back only to be thrown off and pinned to the ground by adult wolf arms. He's about to lurch at her neck when an unexpected magical force knocks him off. Eyes flashing, she gasps as she sees none other than...

Professor Snape

Sheilding her with his body, he flings Tail-less back and sends him into a stupor of a coma.

When Professor Snape looks at her, she's not sure if she just got saved or is about to receive the worst punishment of her life.

"Get up," he snarls, yanking Aline up. "Who else is there?"

"H-Harry sir."

She's not sure what he mutters under his breath but it sounds like Potter melded in with a list of other explitives. "Hurry up," he grumbles, running into the Forbidden Forest.

Aline sprints just to keep up with him. She's a good runner, always has been, but she's out of breath and sweating with fear. Her mind races only with one question, "Where's Harry?"

In the middle of the forest, they hears the wolf bays and the screams of a boy. She lunges forwards, only to feel Professor Snape's hand holding her back. "Stay here." And then he leaves. Aline is not about to listen, she tries to run forwards but now her whole body is stuck in place. She really wishes she had magic now.

She watches as Professor Snape casts a sheath of spells, sending the wolves in all four directions. In minutes, he's dragging Harry over. Aline has only a second to hug him before Professor Snape urges them on towards the castle. Blushing like crazy, Aline finds her last ounce of strength to yell "What about Ellie?" only to be hit with A Silencing Spell.

And then, they're back at Hogwarts.

-x-x-x-

Harry sits on the hospital bed in the Hospital Wing as Madam Pomfrey bandages the last of his wounds. He hisses, but keeps a straight face as she gets the last scab closed by a bandage. Luckily, according to Madam Pomfrey, most wounds are surface wounds and Harry will be able to heal them with a bit of patience and some potions.

When Madam Pomfrey leaves, Harry turns his attention to Aline. "Wait," he says, "you are one of them, aren't you?"

"One of who-"

"I heard them!" Harry's voice snaps. "The wolves knew your name. Aline."

Aline's blood ran cold. "Well." Would she be able to tell Harry the truth? "I...haven't been fully honest with you..." She says slowly, "You see, those werewolves knew Remus. He's-"

"-A Werewolf."

"How did you know?"

"How did you know?" Harry's brows sink lower. "And don't tell me a white lie about it. Please."

"Remus told Ellie and I about his condition because...he wanted us to be safe in case he ever turned."

"Aline, you're not a witch. But you are here. At Hogwarts."

"Remus wanted it."

"Was it because he knew Albus Dumbledore. Or because...because you need to be protected...from yourself...?"

"I-"

"Just tell me the truth."

Everything around Aline and Harry goes silent, like time had stopped for an instant. She opens her lips, and then, to her biggest fear and surprise, Harry listens to her words. And instead of running away, instead of screaming or cursing her out, he slowly nods his head. And then he smiles, big and wide.

"I knew it."

"A-and..." Aline stutters. "You're not afraid of me?"

"No."

"I'm...a monster."

"You're not a monster." Harry leans forwards. "And Ellie?"

"She's not a werewolf. She was too young to be turned when they...when we were..."

"Taken?"

"Yeah." Aline's heart softens for the first time in a very long time, and the tears well up in her eyes. It had been ages since anyone had listened to her, heard her secret and actually accepted her. The last person was Remus, and now Harry. She wiped her cheeks angrily, but felt Harry's arms pull her in for a hug. "Please don't tell anyone," she mutters into his shirt.

"I won't," Harry whispers. "But Ron and Hermione, they know Remus' secret. And so do Fred, George and Ginny. We don't think any less of him because of it. And we won't think any less of you because of it."

"Still. I want to tell them myself, when it's time."

"Okay."

Aline lets Harry hug her, and lets herself relax for a few minutes. Once they find Ellie, all will well again, but for now, this is better than nothing.