Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JKR does.
A/N: Dear Potterheads and cherished readers,
I can't express how deeply I apologize for my long absence. It's been over three years since my last update, and I want to share the truth behind my silence with you all. These years have been nothing short of life-altering. I've changed jobs and cities, faced heartbreak, and navigated periods of chaos in my personal life. The aftermath of the pandemic brought unexpected challenges, and while my career saw some positive shifts, my personal world felt overwhelmingly complicated. There were times when I lost my passion for writing, struggling to craft even a single page.
But I'm finally beginning to find my footing again. It was the unwavering support and love of my partner that reignited my desire to write. If you enjoy the story moving forward, know that her encouragement has been the spark I needed to dive back into this world.
I'll admit, I'm feeling a bit rusty, and that may show in my writing, but I hope you'll be patient with me as I find my rhythm again. I aim to be as detailed as possible, though I may need to trim some things to keep each chapter under 5,000 words.
Thank you for your understanding and for sticking with me. Your support means the world, and I can't wait to share the next chapters of this journey with you!
With all my gratitude,
Yours truly.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Autumn of Unexpected Adversities
They had trekked for three days straight and camped for three more, somewhere in the French Alps. It was nothing new for him; he was accustomed to harsh weather and long stretches of hardship. His partner, however, was struggling. No objections were voiced openly; the matter was of utmost importance and could not be delayed. Time was critical.
They had set up camp near the peak, overlooking a heart-shaped valley with a shallow lake. Fortunately, they found a cave large enough to accommodate both of them. If they hadn't, the snowstorm that lasted two days and nights would have swept them away. Now that the storm had passed, they focused on observing the small colony in the valley.
It was crucial to watch the actions of their subjects to understand the dynamics and hierarchy. Walking in and asking to meet their leader, Grug, would be suicidal. They brought three items made by Goblins from wrought iron to offer to the leader: a war helmet with devil horns, a torch holding Gubraithian Fire, and a flanged battle mace. A significant amount of gold was spent procuring these items, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
Their first offering was acceptable enough to Grug Karkus, allowing them to pass through the colony of eighty members safely that day. The second offering earned them food. But nothing could surpass the joy of meeting his half-brother, Grawp, for the first time in fourteen years. The first time he had seen Grawp, Grawp was just a few weeks old, and their mother, Fridwulfa, was on her deathbed. Grawp's physique was below average by their standards; among his peers, he seemed to suffer from a lack of growth. Hagrid had cared for Grawp for his first year, but after the war ended, Dumbledore had sent him away.
As they retreated to their camp after accepting food, they noticed a group in black robes approaching Grug Karkus. He recognized Walden Macnair, the bane of magical creatures all over Britain. They could only watch helplessly from their vantage point as the scene unfolded. It seemed Grug had refused their offering, and the group fled. The duo slept peacefully that night, feeling close to accomplishing their objectives—just one more day.
The next morning greeted them with a troubling sight. The snow-covered valley had streaks of scarlet; even the icy-blue lake had turned pink. As they trekked down, they noticed the colony had shrunk from eighty members to fifty-two. He was worried to his core. Near the entrance, they witnessed the fate of the remaining twenty-eight: bloody and dismembered heads, with unseeing eyes, stared at them as they approached the leader's rock seat. He prayed his half-brother was among the fifty-two. As they walked around the lake, he finally spotted Grawp among them.
They hesitated to approach Grug's rock seat, moving with short, cautious steps. From the helmet-adorned face of the new Grug, Golgomath, they saw his foot on the severed head of Karkus. This time, she took the lead in offering the third item to Grug. He picked it up and weighed it in his hands as they stepped back. Golgomath's expression shifted to menace. The next moment, the mace they had offered swung at them. They jumped in opposite directions to avoid the hit. She regained her bearings first, pulling out her wand, but was distracted by three figures charging at her. He was still on the ground, slipping on the snow-covered terrain. Golgomath charged at him, mace raised, ready to swing down. But before it could strike, Grawp intercepted it. In an instant, he fell to the valley floor, the mace lodged in his skull.
Before he could fully process what happened, he felt a strong tug in his navel and landed with his partner on solid ground. The image of his half-brother's lifeless eyes remained clear in his mind. He realised that if it hadn't been for Olympe's quick actions to portkey them out of chaos into the safety of her residence, Hagrid would have suffered the same fate as Grawp.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
He hated coming here, but it was necessary. Whoever named this place "Lunar Howl" clearly hadn't put much thought into it. The Welsh lake-island had been the sanctuary for all the werewolves of Britain for nearly 75 years. Once an asylum for victims of lycanthropy, it had become a hideout for outlaws under Fenrir Greyback, the bane of his life and the root cause of his suffering. Greyback had weaponized lycanthropy, gaining the ability to control its effects and maintain his human intellect during transformations. He could spread lycanthropy through his bite without transforming first. Rumor had it that this control was a gift from Voldemort in exchange for Greyback's help in recruiting werewolves to his cause decades ago.
Remus had to talk to the werewolves in Greyback's absence to prevent them from aligning with the wrong side. After the Potters' death, he had spent months living at Lunar Howl. He had faith that some would understand right from wrong. But luck wasn't on his side; the alpha was in his den, and the few older residents he could rely on were gone. Those who remained had upheld the tradition of offering a hot meal to any victim of lycanthropy.
"You shouldn't have come here, Remus," whispered Adoqhinus, an older resident, his frailty evident. "He warned you not to return."
"It was unavoidable and extremely important, Adoqhinus. I wouldn't have come otherwise." Remus accepted a bowl of goat meat soup, grimacing at its taste, knowing the werewolves used blood in the recipe. He sat about fifteen feet from the crackling fire, while the others perched on wooden logs or tree trunks.
"I hoped to meet your older crowd here," he added.
"They were either kicked out, left, or died at the hands of the Alpha," Adoqhinus replied softly, stuffing his smoking pipe with crushed leaves before lighting it. Remus had learned that older werewolves smoked certain herbs to soothe their senses as age dulled their physical abilities.
"I would have left too, if it weren't for Lorsen." Adoqhinus glanced at a lanky boy, not much older than Harry. Remus noticed the guilt in Adoqhinus's eyes. Years ago, he had accidentally bitten a small boy in a nearby village. Despite the family's initial refusal, they had reluctantly agreed to Adoqhinus's arrangement after the boy's first transformation. Remus found it ironic that the werewolves of Lunar Howl called the process "Silver Shower."
Adoqhinus asked, concern etched in his voice, "I don't think he'll let you stay here for the Silver Shower."
Before they could discuss further, Greyback approached. His dirty hand rested on Remus's shoulder, long nails digging into his flesh. "For someone as smart as you, it was a stupid decision to come back, my boy."
Lupin stood, shaking off Greyback's hand. He should have kept his eyes on Greyback, but he had been distracted. He looked into Greyback's menacing, dark yellow eyes, which had morphed closer to those of a wolf. Though Lupin was taller than average, he was still eight inches shorter than Fenrir and significantly thinner. But he maintained his composure despite the intimidation. "I'm here to meet my old friends."
"You have no friends here, traitor. We don't make friends with lapdogs of that old bastard." Greyback took a half step closer, his pointed finger pressing against Lupin's chest. Lupin held his ground. "Seems like you're enjoying the boney lap of your new master, Fenrir."
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. Wands were trained on Lupin, but he was quicker, apparating a few feet behind Greyback, across the fire. Greyback didn't pull his wand; instead, he spun around and launched a shiny object at Lupin. The heat of the fire distorted his view, but he quickly identified the silver dagger flying toward him. With a wave of his wand, it circled around Lupin and hurtled back toward Greyback.
As he dodged, someone behind him didn't have time to react. The dagger embedded itself deep in Adoqhinus's neck. Remus rushed toward his injured friend, blood gushing from the wound as Adoqhinus clutched his neck, trying to pull out the dagger. Before Lupin could reach him, spells flew in his direction. He lost his balance, stumbled over a rock, and fell flat on his face. With no choice but to flee, he apparated away to safety.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
She had to miss an entire day of classes—all for the Ministry to appear as if it were adhering to due process. The principles of fairness and justice had long been forgotten by the Minister, driven by a desperate need to maintain power, especially since the end of the bloody tournament. She had just faced a gruelling day of interrogation by the Vigilance Commission. Absurd as it was, non-compliance would have been a criminal act. With her thoughts racing, she made her way to the Headmaster's Office, needing his permission for what was on her mind.
As she recited the password to the gargoyle, she mentally rehearsed her request. After knocking on the door, she was invited in. Every time she entered this office, the portraits of former headmasters gave her the unsettling sensation of being scrutinised under a microscope. She took the offered chair across from Dumbledore's desk and settled in.
"Would you like some herbal wine with honey, Amelia?" Dumbledore asked in his grandfatherly manner. She sometimes found his tone patronising; she wasn't a student anymore, yet in his presence, that feeling lingered.
"Sure, it wouldn't hurt," she replied flatly, allowing herself to relax in the chair. She knew that after the drink, she would need to share the details of her interrogation. But first, she wanted to get her request across.
With a flick of his wand, a wine bottle glided through the air and landed on the desk. Another flick produced two ornate glasses, which filled themselves without further instruction. As the glass slid toward her, she wrapped her fingers around it but kept her gaze fixed on Dumbledore.
"I want your permission to restart the Dueling Arena. The students lack practice in defensive spells and need to better utilise what they've already learned," Amelia said, her voice steady yet hesitant.
Dumbledore paused, his chin resting on steepled fingers. "I hope today's lengthy visit has nothing to do with that."
"I know what I'm doing, Headmaster. I know what I aim to accomplish," she replied coldly.
"Very well then. I trust your judgement, Madam Bones." Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, hands resting on the armrests. "I believe O.W.L. students and above should be appropriate for this initiative."
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
The atmosphere at the Quidditch pitch was electric as the match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff unfolded. Saturday had arrived, and students filled the stands, their cheers echoing in the crisp autumn air. Players soared overhead, streaks of blue and yellow racing across the sky. Harry, perched on the edge of his seat, watched intently as the teams battled for supremacy.
Ravenclaw dominated from the start, their strategy fluid and cohesive. Cho Chang, the determined Ravenclaw seeker, darted through the air like a shooting star. It wasn't long before she spotted the Golden Snitch, glimmering just out of reach. With a burst of speed, she accelerated toward it, eyes locked on her prize.
As the match drew to a close, the scoreboard announced Ravenclaw's victory: 240 to 20. Cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw side, while Hufflepuff supporters stood disheartened, their spirits dampened. Harry felt a pang of sympathy for the Hufflepuff team, who had fought valiantly but ultimately fallen short.
After the final whistle blew, students began to filter out of the stands, buzzing with conversation about the game. Cho, still riding the high of victory, boasted loudly, while Ravenclaw students chanted, "From the lake to the nest! Eagles are the best!"
Among the crowd, Susan Bones walked with her friends, having remained quiet during the match. She decided to congratulate the Ravenclaw seeker. Shouting above the noise, she called, "Nice game, Cho!" Her voice was tight with tension.
"Thanks, Susan. The Puffs really put up a fight, didn't they? Oh wait, never mind." Cho smirked, a hint of arrogance in her tone. The adrenaline made her oblivious to the weight of her next words. "Maybe Cedric was the only good player in your house; too bad he isn't around anymore."
The comment hung in the air, a bitter reminder that made Susan's blood boil. "You think that's funny?" she snapped, fists clenching at her sides. "Are you mocking the tragedy?"
Cho's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "I'm just stating the truth. Hufflepuff can't win anything. It's not my fault you lot can't handle it."
Tension escalated, drawing the attention of nearby students who paused to watch the confrontation unfold. Harry exchanged worried glances with Hermione and Ron.
"Think before you speak, Cho," Susan retorted, her voice rising. "The victory has gotten to your head, but you're not as great as you think you are."
Cho crossed her arms defiantly. "I'm not the one sulking about a loss. Maybe if Hufflepuff trained harder, you'd have a chance."
"The loss of the match isn't the issue here." Susan shot back, frustration evident in her voice. "It's about respect. You should have more for your fellow student and ex-boyfriend who died not long ago."
As the argument spiraled, Hermione felt the need to intervene. "Hey, come on, both of you! Let's not escalate this further," she said, stepping between them and trying to lead Susan away. "There's no need to keep this going."
But Susan wasn't ready to back down. "You don't get it, Hermione! Cho is being disrespectful to Cedric's memory, and I won't stand for it."
The onlookers murmured among themselves, the weight of the moment settling over the crowd. Cho's expression faltered, and for a brief moment, the tension hung heavy in the air. What had begun as rivalry had turned into something darker, echoing the struggles beneath the surface of their world.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
The atmosphere in the gymnasium buzzed with anticipation as Amelia Bones stood at the front, her gaze sweeping over the gathered students. Today marked the first session of the Dueling Arena, a place where she aimed to instill confidence and skills in her fifth, sixth, and seventh-year students. With the stakes high in the wizarding world, she felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Dueling Arena!" Amelia began, her voice steady but warm. "Today, we're going to focus on disarming spells and defensive techniques. It's vital that you all know how to protect yourselves."
Beside her, Professor Flitwick looked on with a mix of pride and excitement. Though his stature was small, his presence loomed large in the room. He had been a champion duelist in his prime, and Amelia felt grateful for his support.
"Remember," Flitwick chimed in, glancing at Amelia, "the key to dueling lies not only in spellcasting but also in understanding your opponent's strategy."
Amelia nodded, then turned to the students. "To kick things off, I'd like to start with a demonstration. Who would like to volunteer?"
The room was silent for a moment, uncertainty hanging in the air. Then Fred and George Weasley stepped forward, their usual cheeky grins plastered across their faces. "We'll show you how it's done!" they announced in unison.
"Very well," Amelia replied, suppressing a smile. "But remember, this is a learning environment."
Flitwick leaned closer to Amelia, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Let's hope they don't turn this into one of their pranks."
As the twins took their places on the raised duelling platform, Amelia raised her wand. "On my count. Three… two… one… duel!"
Immediately, the Weasley twins launched into their usual antics. "Expelliarmus!" Fred shouted, sending a disarming spell at George.
"Protego!" George countered, the shield charm flaring to life just in time. "You'll have to do better than that, Fred!"
Amelia chuckled, but her expression quickly shifted as she focused on the demonstration. "Remember, keep it respectful and controlled, you two."
Flitwick, leaning toward Amelia, said, "I must say, their banter adds a unique charm to the proceedings."
"Indeed," Amelia replied, watching with an amused but critical eye.
The duel escalated into a light-hearted exchange, with Fred launching a string of prank curses. "Rictusempra!" he yelled, sending a burst of laughter-inducing magic toward George, who countered with a Tickling Charm of his own. The two danced around the platform, dodging and countering spells with flair.
"Perhaps we should tone down the pranks," Flitwick suggested, although a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
After a few more rounds of playful banter, Amelia clapped her hands. "Alright, that's enough! Let's give someone else a turn. Cho Chang, would you like to join in?"
Cho stepped forward, her eyes bright with determination. Amelia asked the crowd of students, her voice raised slightly. "Very well, who would like to volunteer to duel with Cho?"
Susan Bones stepped forward, her expression fierce. "I'll do it. Let's see what you've got, Cho."
"Excellent choice!" Amelia encouraged, stepping aside to allow them to take their places on the platform. "Remember, keep it respectful."
Flitwick watched intently, offering a nod of encouragement to both students. "Show us your skills, ladies!"
As the duel commenced, Cho unleashed a flurry of spells, but Susan matched her step for step. "Stupefy!" Cho called, but Susan deflected it with a well-timed "Protego."
It seemed that both of them wanted to embarrass, or even humiliate, each other. Not even two full minutes had passed but everyone present could feel the heat, especially the teachers.
"Very well done, both of you!" Amelia exclaimed, stepping forward to intervene. Flitwick nodded appreciatively, though his expression was thoughtful.
With the atmosphere still charged, Amelia clapped her hands to regain everyone's attention. "Alright, now that we've seen some impressive duelling, I'd like everyone to pair up for practice. You'll take turns disarming and defending using the Shield Charm."
Students quickly organised themselves into pairs. Harry found himself paired with Neville, while Hermione teamed up with Susan, and Ron paired with Hannah.
"Ready, Neville?" Harry asked, a reassuring smile on his face.
"Yeah, I think so," Neville replied, adjusting his grip on his wand.
"Just remember to use 'Expelliarmus' when I cast my shield," Harry instructed. "And don't worry—this is all practice."
"Right. I'll try my best!" Neville said, his determination evident.
"On three, then," Harry said. "One, two, three!"
As Harry cast "Protego," Neville prepared himself. "Expelliarmus!" The spell shot forth, and the shield shimmered to life, effectively blocking the spell.
"It's ok, Neville!" Harry called out, a sense of encouragement in his voice. "You practise the spell, I will try to shield it."
Across the gymnasium, Hermione and Susan were engaged in their own duel. Hermione cast "Protego" as Susan launched "Expelliarmus," the two spells colliding.
"You're doing great, Susan!" Hermione encouraged. "I know you must be getting tired, so I will not go hard on you."
Susan grinned, her earlier anger fading in the face of camaraderie. "Thanks, Hermione."
Meanwhile, Ron and Hannah were testing their spells, laughter erupting as Ron accidentally tripped while attempting to cast the shield charm but missed the oncoming spell. "Oi! Watch where you aim that!" he shouted, eliciting chuckles from Hannah and a few other classmates.
Amelia moved among the pairs, offering tips and guidance as she observed their progress. She felt a sense of fulfilment wash over her, knowing that these lessons were crucial for their future.
As the session drew to a close, Amelia called everyone back to the centre. "Excellent work today! I'm proud of how you all handled yourselves. Remember, practice is key, and we'll continue to build on what we've learned in our next session."
As the students filed out of the gymnasium, Amelia exchanged a knowing glance with Flitwick. Together, they were fostering not just skills but also resilience and respect in the next generation of witches and wizards.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
For all intents and purposes, it was a normal Saturday morning, the last of October. The weather had mellowed, the trees had turned golden brown, and a cool wind brought with it the constant presence of rain. Autumn had finally settled at Hogwarts. Despite the cosy atmosphere, Harry was troubled by his recurring nightmares. Sleep-deprived and increasingly irritable, he struggled under the weight of his classes, morning workouts, quidditch practice, D.A. meetings, and the need to speak with the "Bug" to maintain his end of their bargain.
The Hogwarts rumour mill churned incessantly, with stories about Cedric's death and Harry's supposed role in it circulating ever since the Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw match. Whispers and stares followed him, compounding his frustration. He found himself on edge with his closest friends, snapping over trivial matters. He could have tolerated it better if he had been able to spend more time with Hermione, but her prefect duties and study commitments had kept them apart.
Angelina had booked the Quidditch pitch for the Gryffindor team to practise. Their previous session had alleviated much of the rustiness, especially among the veterans. Harry noticed that Ron had improved significantly, though he still lagged behind Oliver and Cormac. The real surprise, however, was Ginny—she was an absolute revelation. If it weren't for the star chaser trio, she would have easily stood out as a chaser herself. Her petite frame lent her remarkable speed, even on Hogwarts' standard brooms. Harry also noticed, albeit reluctantly, that Ginny had become quite pretty, prompting Ron to activate his "brotherly instincts" around her.
As his thoughts wandered back to Ron, Harry noted his friend's recent absence, especially during their free time. It seemed that Ron had developed a rapport with Skeeter, raising Harry's suspicions about how much time he was spending with her. Harry hesitated to bring it up, as Ron had remained tight-lipped about his activities. On the plus side, the bruises Ron had sported were long gone, but he appeared pale, as if the colour were slowly draining from him. Additionally, Harry noticed Ron spending time with Padma in the library. It wasn't a daily occurrence, but frequent enough to catch Hermione's attention.
When his thoughts turned to Hermione's Prefect Patrol, he recalled their conversation from the night before, which had been civil but tense. Harry felt pangs of jealousy whenever he saw Terry Boot or heard Hermione mention him. The situation escalated last night when Hermione and Ron returned from their patrol just before the sixth-year prefects took over.
Hermione entered the common room first, with Ron right behind her. It took only one glance to spot Harry sitting in a corner, Crookshanks wrapped around his ankles, busy writing on a parchment. Hermione gave him a peck on the cheek before taking the chair next to him, while Ron flopped into the seat opposite. Harry greeted Hermione softly.
"What are you up to?" she inquired, leaning down to pat Crookshanks while eyeing the parchment under Harry's quill. He put down the quill and pushed the paper toward her. "Have a look. I've been frying my brain over this essay for the last hour. If Binns weren't already a ghost, I would have made him one for this homework."
As Hermione read through the essay, Harry turned to Ron with a cheeky grin. "You must be heartbroken, Ronnie boy, to miss out on some personal time with Padma."
"Nowhere close to the relief Susan must be feeling," Ron replied jokingly. "But I think Hermione would be the one most excited. Now we can have you with us during patrols while you remain under the cloak. I promise I won't bust you two out of it."
Harry chuckled, half amused and half embarrassed. But before the banter could continue, Hermione interjected, her voice devoid of emotion as she continued reading. "I don't want Harry tagging along during our patrols."
If she had looked at Harry in that moment, she would have seen how deeply her words stung. After finishing the essay, she looked up to give him feedback, only to be met with Harry's uncharacteristically harsh response. "Yeah, you'd rather have Mr. Boot strolling around the castle with you at night."
The words felt like a slap across her face. Harry was voicing his dissatisfaction with the patrol arrangements, and he didn't like that she was friends with Terry. Hermione had assured him that Terry was a non-entity in her life, willing to do anything to ease his concerns and insecurities. But the accusation cut her deeply. She stood up, arms folded and nostrils flared. "I won't dignify that accusation with a response. Talk to me when you return to your senses and are ready to apologise."
They were in the middle of breakfast at their house tables when the sound of owls screeching and flying in with parcels and letters intensified. Copies of The Daily Prophet were delivered to students and teachers alike. Harry wasn't in the mood to read it, nor was Ron. But Hermione had nothing better to do at the moment, and she unrolled the newspaper. Her eyes widened in shock as she read the headline:
"The Men Behind Cedric Diggory's Disappearance"
The front page displayed two photos of men Hermione recognized well, their contrasting emotions capturing attention. She nudged Harry to get his attention, and when he looked at the newspaper, he was utterly bewildered.
The long-pending investigation into the mysterious and unfortunate disappearance of the true champion of Hogwarts during the final task of the recently concluded multi-school event appears to be heading in the right direction. Sources within the DMLE close to the investigation have revealed suspicions regarding the involvement of escaped mass-murderer Sirius Black in the disappearance of Cedric Diggory.
It has come to light that someone may have aided and encouraged Sirius Black in the abduction and transportation of Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts grounds during the final task, possibly using a Portkey. Black may have relished another opportunity to indulge his bloodthirsty nature without repercussions. This individual is none other than the lycanthrope Remus Lupin. Our readers may not be fully aware of Lupin's background; he was appointed as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore two years ago but was dismissed when the truth of his condition was revealed.
Further complicating matters, Lupin and Black were once among the closest of friends, both during and after their time at Hogwarts. There are suspicions that Lupin provided critical assistance to Black in his escape from Hogwarts last summer while serving as the DADA professor. Additionally, it has been noted that Lupin developed a close relationship with none other than Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Their bond reportedly grew to the extent that Lupin was invited to the final task of the tournament at Hogwarts as "family" to Harry.
Intelligent sources within the DMLE propose that Harry Potter may have solicited Lupin's help to defeat the true champion, Cedric Diggory. To accommodate the Boy Wonder, Lupin might have leveraged his friendship with Sirius Black to devise a plan to eliminate Cedric from the equation without raising suspicion. An intriguing detail that could substantiate this theory is the testimony of another champion, Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian star Seeker, who claimed to have been placed under the Imperius Curse and instructed to attack all champions except for Harry Potter. This revelation allows for a troubling connection to be drawn.
Our investigative journalist, Regina Cogburn, has uncovered additional critical information regarding Lupin. It appears that, not more than a month ago, he killed an innocent man named Adoqhinus in a small wizarding village in Wales. The Auror Office has issued a summons for Remus Lupin to surrender for further questioning; however, as of today, Lupin remains at large.
We advise our readers to exercise caution while venturing outside their homes, as a dangerous lycanthrope may be lurking in the shadows. Furthermore, we strongly recommend remaining indoors during full moon nights.
Harry sat there, with his eyes as wide as saucers, his ears ringing in shock and his mind coming to a complete halt. As Harry absorbed the shocking details, he felt as if his world was crumbling around him. Hermione, Ron and Neville wore expressions of disbelief, and Harry glanced toward the Hufflepuff table, seeking out Susan and Hannah. They mirrored his shock, amplifying his sense of impending doom.
A/N: Coincidentally, it's close to 5k words. I hope you will like it. Please review.