CHAPTER 48: BLOOD AND BETRAYAL
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they managed to roll clear of the tree's swinging branches, collapsing onto the ground in a heap. Harry's breath came in ragged gasps as he looked back at the Whomping Willow, which had returned to its usual state, its branches swaying gently as if nothing had happened.
Daemon lay beside him, equally breathless, clutching Snuffles to his chest as the dog whined softly. Coilis, coiled tightly around Harry's arm, hissed weakly, clearly shaken by the encounter.
"That," Harry panted, his voice laced with exhaustion and lingering anger, "was the stupidest thing you've ever done, Daemon."
Daemon didn't respond, his eyes wide and filled with fear as he stared at the Whomping Willow. He seemed to realize just how close they had come to being crushed.
Harry pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain in his body. "Next time, think before you act. You might not get so lucky," he warned, his tone cold and unforgiving.
Without a word, Harry turned and began to walk away, his mind already calculating the next move in the dangerous game they were playing. Coilis slithered up to his shoulder, offering silent comfort, but Harry's thoughts were elsewhere. The stakes had risen once again, and the game was far from over.
"You're dead, Daemon Potter," Harry growled, his voice low and menacing. He dropped to the ground just in time to avoid a massive branch swinging towards him like a club. The Whomping Willow was relentless in its assault.
"Incendio!" Harry hissed, aiming his wand at the tree. Flames erupted from the tip, searing through one of the thick branches. The tree seemed to shriek in pain, its branches flailing wildly as if in protest. In the chaos, the black dog—Snuffles—took its chance. It lunged at Coilis, sinking its teeth into the snake's tail and dragging him toward a dark hole at the base of the tree.
"Master!" Coilis cried out, his voice laced with pain and fear.
"Morsus!" Harry shouted in panic, the sound of his snake's distress fueling his rage. His eyes narrowed with newfound hate, and he fired another Incendio, this one darker and more intense. The flames roared to life, engulfing part of the tree and causing it to scream in agony. Amidst the chaos, Daemon ducked under the roots, disappearing into the passage beneath the tree. Harry didn't hesitate; he followed, his anger propelling him forward.
The passageway was dark and damp, the air thick with the scent of earth and decay. Daemon was ahead, running with a familiarity that suggested he had traveled this way many times before. Empty bottles of Butterbeer littered the ground, evidence of previous visits. Harry knew he couldn't afford to lose Daemon now. He took a risk and transformed into smoke, allowing him to move faster through the narrow tunnel.
Emerging into the dim light of the Shrieking Shack, Harry snarled in frustration as he spotted a trail of blood leading from the room. Coilis was hurt—badly. Harry's eyes flicked to the sky outside, where the moon was rising, casting an eerie glow over the scene. This was not good. The situation had gone from bad to worse.
"I'm going to get you, Potter, and your bloody mutt!" Harry screamed, his voice echoing through the empty room. He cast several large Lumos spells, illuminating the darkened corners of the shack, and followed the trail of blood with renewed determination.
He kicked open the door at the end of the hallway and hurried to Coilis, who had been placed on a tattered mattress already soaked with blood from his mangled tail. The sight of his snake in such a state made Harry's blood boil with fury.
"Master! The dog—it is a shape-changer!" Coilis gasped, his voice weak but urgent.
Harry spun around just in time to avoid a Stunner that whizzed past his head. The spell had been sent by a tall, black-haired man with a menacing scowl on his face. Harry's eyes widened in recognition and anger.
"Sirius Black," Harry spat, his voice dripping with venom. He knelt beside Coilis, his hand trembling slightly as he gently ran it over the snake's scales. With a flick of his wand, Harry cast a small freezing spell on Coilis's tail to stop the bleeding and numb the pain.
"You're in a lot of trouble, kid," Sirius growled, his wand still trained on Harry, ready to strike.
But Harry was beyond fear. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and determination as he faced the man who had caused him so much pain. He knew this confrontation was inevitable, and now that it had come, Harry was ready to end it, one way or another.
"The only one in trouble here is you," Harry hissed, his voice low and dangerous. He could feel the magic crackling at his fingertips, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. Sirius might have had years of experience, but Harry had something more—hatred, raw and unfiltered, driving him forward.
With a flash of his wand, Harry sent a barrage of curses at Sirius, forcing him to dodge and deflect them with quick, precise movements. The room filled with the sounds of spells colliding, wood splintering, and the growls of a determined dog.
The tension in the room crackled like electricity as Harry faced Sirius, the weight of their confrontation settling heavily between them. Sirius had called him "kid," which was both a relief and a challenge. He didn't know, or at least he wasn't aware of the truth. Harry could work with that.
"Am I now?" Harry replied, his voice laced with a mix of mock innocence and hidden satisfaction. He wanted to maintain the facade, to keep Sirius in the dark for as long as possible. Sirius growled in frustration, his patience wearing thin, while Coilis let out another low hiss of discomfort.
Harry quickly tore a large strip from his undershirt, knowing that his own clothing would be more effective for bandaging Coilis than any magically summoned fabric. The snake flinched slightly as Harry wrapped the makeshift bandage tightly around his injured tail, but Coilis soon closed his eyes, seemingly reassured by his master's touch.
"Why do you ally with that… thing?" Sirius barked, his voice full of disdain as he gestured towards Coilis. Harry's gaze shifted from his familiar to Sirius, his eyes cold and calculating. He took a moment to consider his response, his mind racing as he weighed his options. This was a delicate moment—one where the wrong word could unravel everything.
Sirius continued, his voice rising in both anger and confusion. "That is not natural! That… that thing has a mind of its own! It's intelligent! A human brain!" He pointed his wand at Coilis, as if the snake itself was an abomination that needed to be destroyed.
Harry's expression darkened as he glared at Sirius, his hand moving to gently stroke Coilis's head. The snake's scales were cool under his fingers, and the familiar action brought a sense of calm to Harry's simmering anger.
"His name is Morsus," Harry said, his voice icy and measured. "And he is my familiar."
The words hung in the air, cold and sharp enough to silence Sirius. A familiar was no ordinary magical companion; it was a bond of the deepest kind, a connection that very few wizards could achieve. It was a relationship of power, trust, and mutual understanding. Dumbledore had one with his Phoenix, Fawkes, and Harry's own father had shared a similar bond with Nagini. To have a familiar was a mark of a truly powerful wizard, someone who had reached the heights of magical mastery.
Daemon, who had been standing by with a mixture of fear and curiosity, took a step back, his face pale. He wasn't expecting this revelation, and it clearly unsettled him. The air grew heavy with unspoken tension, the weight of Harry's declaration sinking in.
Then, a lone, piercing howl shattered the silence, echoing through the Shrieking Shack with an eerie resonance. It seemed to come from directly above them, the sound reverberating through the walls and making the very floorboards tremble.
Harry's eyes shot upward, his heart pounding in his chest. This was no ordinary dog's howl; it carried with it a sense of foreboding, a warning of something much darker and more dangerous.
Sirius's face paled as well, his earlier bravado fading as the reality of the situation began to set in. He looked up, his eyes wide with something akin to fear. The howl had rattled him, shaking the confidence he had projected moments before.
"That's not… possible," Sirius muttered under his breath, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling above them.
Harry didn't waste time speculating. He knew they were running out of time, that whatever was coming for them wouldn't wait. With a quick movement, he grabbed his wand, his mind already racing through potential spells and escape routes.
"We need to move," Harry said, his voice urgent as he turned to Coilis. The snake was still weak, but he nodded in understanding, his golden eyes filled with determination.
Without another word, Harry bolted towards the nearest exit, his mind focused on getting out of the Shack before it was too late. Sirius followed, his earlier hostility replaced by a shared sense of survival. Daemon, clutching Snickers to his chest, hesitated for a brief moment before scrambling after them, the black dog—no, the Animagus—close at his heels.
The game had indeed just begun, but now it was no longer a simple battle of wits. Something far more dangerous was in play, and Harry knew that the stakes were higher than ever before. The howl echoed again, louder and more menacing, as they raced through the narrow passageways, the walls closing in around them.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife as the werewolf, Remus Lupin, reared back, a menacing growl rumbling from deep within his chest. The transformation was complete, and there was no trace of the kind, gentle man they all knew. In his place stood a creature of pure instinct and rage, driven by the pull of the full moon.
Harry's heart raced as he quickly assessed the situation. Sirius, in his Animagus form, was doing his best to hold off the werewolf, but it was clear that Lupin's strength far outmatched the black dog's. Daemon, still reeling from the shock of seeing Coilis bite without venom, was fumbling with his wand, his earlier confidence shattered.
"Come on! Snap out of it, Lupin!" Daemon shouted, his voice tinged with desperation as he sent a weak Stunner towards the werewolf. The spell fizzled out harmlessly before it could even reach its target, leaving Daemon pale and panicked.
"That's not going to work!" Harry snapped, his mind racing for a solution. He knew that they were running out of time. Lupin was completely lost to the beast within him, and if they didn't act fast, someone was going to get seriously hurt—or worse.
Coilis, still coiled tightly around Harry's bicep, hissed in agitation. "Master, this is dangerous! The man-wolf is beyond reason!"
"I know, Coilis, I know," Harry muttered, his grip tightening on his wand. They needed to get out of there, but with the werewolf blocking their path and Sirius struggling to keep him at bay, their options were limited.
The werewolf howled in pain and rage, thrashing as it tried to dislodge the bite Coilis had inflicted. Though the snake's bite had no venom, the shock and surprise had momentarily distracted the beast, buying them precious seconds.
"Daemon, get ready to run," Harry ordered, his voice firm despite the chaos. "When I say go, you take off and don't look back."
Daemon nodded shakily, his eyes wide with fear as he clutched his wand tightly.
Sirius lunged at the werewolf again, his powerful jaws snapping at Lupin's hind legs in a desperate attempt to hold him back. But the werewolf was relentless, swiping at Sirius with a massive clawed hand and sending him crashing into the ground with a pained yelp.
Harry gritted his teeth, knowing that this was their only chance. "Now, Daemon! Go!"
With a burst of adrenaline, Daemon bolted, sprinting towards the safety of the castle without looking back. Harry turned to follow, but the werewolf, now enraged and determined, lunged after them, its eyes locked on Harry.
Harry had only seconds to react. He spun around, his wand raised high as he shouted, "Impedimenta!" The spell shot out in a burst of light, striking the werewolf square in the chest and slowing its movements just enough for Harry to dive out of the way.
Coilis hissed in warning as the werewolf stumbled, the spell's effect wearing off far too quickly for comfort. The beast shook its head, growling as it focused its fury on Harry.
Sirius, battered but not beaten, struggled to his feet and charged at the werewolf one more time, determined to protect his godson. But even in his Animagus form, he was no match for Lupin's full strength.
Harry knew they couldn't keep this up. The werewolf was too powerful, too relentless. They needed a way to end this, and fast.
"Coilis, now!" Harry shouted.
Without hesitation, Coilis lunged forward, wrapping himself around the werewolf's hind legs and squeezing with all his might. The werewolf howled in pain and surprise, its balance thrown off as it tried to shake the snake off.
"Stupefy!" Harry shouted, sending a powerful Stunning Spell directly at the werewolf's head.
The spell hit its mark, and the werewolf staggered, its eyes rolling back as it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. The forest fell silent, the only sounds remaining were Harry's labored breathing and the distant footsteps of Daemon as he fled.
Harry stood there, chest heaving, wand still raised as he stared down at the unconscious form of Remus Lupin. Sirius limped over, his black fur matted with dirt and blood, but his eyes were filled with relief.
"Good job, kid," Sirius panted, his voice rough as he returned to his human form. "You handled that well."
Harry nodded, still catching his breath as he gently uncoiled Coilis from around the werewolf's legs. The snake was exhausted, but alive, and Harry felt a surge of gratitude for his loyal familiar.
Harry clung tightly to the werewolf's fur, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to end this before someone got seriously hurt. Lupin's powerful muscles rippled beneath him as the werewolf thrashed and bucked, trying to dislodge its unwanted rider. The forest blurred around them as Lupin tore through the underbrush, the trees whipping by in a chaotic blur.
"Hold on, Coilis!" Harry shouted, feeling the snake tighten its grip around his arm. The Dementors circling above added a new layer of danger, their oppressive presence growing stronger with each passing second. Harry knew he had to act fast—if the Dementors decided to swoop down, there would be little he could do to fend them off in his current situation.
Lupin let out a feral growl, his claws digging into the earth as he tried to shake Harry off. The werewolf's raw strength was terrifying, but Harry gritted his teeth and held on, refusing to let go. He couldn't afford to lose control now—not when so much was at stake.
"Stupefy!" Harry yelled, thrusting his wand towards the werewolf's head. The spell struck Lupin squarely in the back of the skull, causing the beast to stagger. But it wasn't enough to knock him out completely. Lupin roared in fury, and Harry barely had time to tighten his grip before the werewolf resumed its wild charge through the forest.
The Dementors were drawing closer now, their cold, soul-sucking presence making the air around them feel like ice. Harry could feel the chill seeping into his bones, and he knew he was running out of time. If he didn't do something soon, they'd all be in serious trouble.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted, summoning all the strength and focus he could muster. A brilliant, silvery stag burst from the tip of his wand, charging at the approaching Dementors with antlers lowered. The Dementors recoiled, their skeletal hands reaching out in vain as the Patronus drove them back.
The stag circled protectively around Harry and Lupin, its light pushing back the darkness and keeping the Dementors at bay. But Harry knew the Patronus wouldn't last forever. He needed to find a way to stop Lupin, and fast.
"Coilis, I need you to strike again, but this time—go for the nerves!" Harry commanded, his voice strained as he struggled to maintain his grip on the thrashing werewolf.
"Understood, Master," Coilis hissed, his golden eyes gleaming with determination. The snake uncoiled from Harry's arm and slithered down the length of Lupin's back, his movements swift and precise.
With a lightning-fast strike, Coilis sank his fangs into a sensitive spot just above Lupin's shoulder blade. The werewolf let out a pained howl, its body convulsing as the venom-free bite sent a shock through its nervous system. The werewolf's legs buckled, and it stumbled, finally collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Harry quickly rolled off the werewolf's back, landing on his feet and pointing his wand at Lupin, ready to defend himself if necessary. But the werewolf lay still, its breathing heavy and labored. The fight had been knocked out of him, at least for the moment.
Coilis slithered back up to Harry, coiling around his shoulders once more. "It is done, Master," the snake said, his voice weary but triumphant.
Harry nodded, relief flooding through him as he realized they had finally managed to subdue Lupin. But the danger wasn't over yet—the Dementors were still circling overhead, their dark forms barely held at bay by the glowing stag Patronus.
"We need to get out of here," Harry said, glancing up at the Dementors with a grim expression. He knew they wouldn't be able to keep them at bay for much longer. "Come on, Coilis. Let's move."
With one last look at the unconscious form of Lupin, Harry turned and sprinted back towards the castle, Coilis clinging tightly to his shoulder. The stag Patronus led the way, its silvery light cutting a path through the dark forest as they fled from the encroaching shadows.
Harry's heart raced as he watched Coilis hit the tree, the impact sending a shiver of dread through him. The werewolf's feral growl filled the air, and Harry knew that time was running out. He had to do something, anything, to stop Lupin before it was too late.
"Lupin, please!" Harry shouted, his voice trembling with desperation. "I know you're in there! You're stronger than this!"
But the werewolf's eyes, glowing with an unnatural golden light, showed no sign of recognition. The beast snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs as it prepared to attack again. Harry's mind raced as he tried to remember the spell his father had used on Fenrir Greyback. It was buried somewhere in the book—he just had to find it.
Frantically, Harry flipped through the pages, his hands shaking as he searched for the werewolf reversal spell. Every second felt like an eternity as Lupin inched closer, his growls growing louder, more menacing. Harry's breath caught in his throat as he finally found the spell, the words glaring back at him from the page.
"Here goes nothing," Harry muttered under his breath, raising his wand and focusing all his energy on the incantation. "Lupus Reverti!"
A beam of silvery light shot from the tip of Harry's wand, striking Lupin squarely in the chest. The werewolf howled, a sound filled with both pain and something else—something more human. For a moment, the golden light in Lupin's eyes flickered, and Harry thought he saw a glimmer of recognition, a spark of the man trapped within the beast.
But it was fleeting. Lupin snarled again, shaking off the effects of the spell with a furious growl. The spell had weakened him, but it hadn't been enough. Harry's heart sank as he realized that the spell alone wouldn't break the curse, not in the state Lupin was in. He needed more time, more power—something he didn't have.
"Coilis, hang on!" Harry shouted as he saw the snake slither weakly, trying to recover from the brutal impact. Coilis hissed in pain but managed to lift his head, his golden eyes locking onto Harry's.
"I will protect you, Master," Coilis rasped, his voice filled with determination despite his injuries. The snake coiled around Harry's arm once more, ready to strike if necessary.
Harry didn't know what to do. The book had failed him, and Lupin was getting more aggressive by the second. He needed something more powerful, something that could reach the human part of Lupin that was still buried deep inside the monster.
"Lupin, I know you're in there!" Harry cried out again, desperation lacing his voice. "Remember who you are! Remember your friends—remember me, Harry!"
For a brief moment, the werewolf paused, its growl faltering. The golden glow in its eyes dimmed ever so slightly, and Harry saw a flicker of confusion, a glimmer of the man who had once been his mentor and friend.
"Lupin, please," Harry whispered, his voice trembling. "You're not a monster. You're Remus Lupin, my friend…"
The werewolf let out a low whine, its posture softening ever so slightly. Harry felt a surge of hope—maybe, just maybe, he was getting through.
But the moment was short-lived. The golden light in Lupin's eyes flared up again, and with a furious snarl, the werewolf lunged at Harry, its jaws snapping inches from his face.
Harry barely had time to react. He threw up a shield charm just in time, the force of the impact sending him stumbling backward. Lupin slammed against the magical barrier, his claws scraping against it as he tried to break through.
"Stupefy!" Harry shouted, sending a stunning spell directly at Lupin. The spell hit the werewolf squarely in the chest, causing him to stagger and fall to the ground, temporarily stunned.
Breathing heavily, Harry lowered his wand, his mind racing. The stunning spell had bought him some time, but he knew it wouldn't last. Lupin would be back on his feet in moments, and Harry wasn't sure he had the strength to keep fighting.
"Coilis, we need to get out of here," Harry said urgently, looking around for an escape route. The forest was dense, and the Dementors were still circling above, but staying here wasn't an option.
Coilis, still weak but determined, nodded. "Let's go, Master."
With one last glance at the stunned form of Lupin, Harry turned and sprinted through the forest, Coilis coiled tightly around his arm. The shadows of the trees loomed large as they ran, the cold presence of the Dementors pressing in on them from all sides.
Lupin stared at Harry in shock, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he tried to process what Harry had just said. The shock in his eyes was palpable, and for a moment, he seemed unable to speak.
"Harry... but how?" Lupin finally managed, his voice strained. "How are you...?"
Harry took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "I'm Harry. I survived the attack. My parents gave me up for safety, and I was hidden for years."
Lupin's eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief and relief. The sight of Harry, alive and standing before him, was almost too much to comprehend. The wolfish gold in his eyes began to fade, replaced by the more familiar, human warmth.
"You—" Lupin started, but his voice faltered. He was clearly struggling with the revelation.
Harry walked slowly toward Lupin, careful to keep his distance in case the werewolf's instincts flared again. "Yes, it's me. I know it's a lot to take in, especially after everything that's happened. But we need to get out of here. The Dementors are still around, and we're not safe."
Lupin nodded slowly, his face showing the exhaustion and pain of the transformation. He attempted to rise but staggered, clearly weakened from both the transformation and the battle. Harry moved to help him, supporting Lupin as he struggled to get to his feet.
"Can you walk?" Harry asked, his voice gentle but urgent.
Lupin nodded again, though he looked unsteady. "I'll manage. I just... need a moment."
Harry turned to Coilis, who was still draped over his shoulders, looking tired but attentive. "We need to get somewhere safe, somewhere we can regroup and figure out our next move."
Coilis hissed in agreement, his golden eyes reflecting the determination in Harry's own.
As they made their way through the forest, the cold presence of the Dementors seemed to recede, though Harry knew they would still be a threat. The moon was high in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. The forest seemed to hold its breath as they moved, the tension of their narrow escape hanging in the air.
"Harry, what about Sirius and Daemon?" Lupin asked, his voice tinged with worry as they trudged forward.
Harry's face hardened. "Sirius and Daemon are... complicated. Daemon is involved in things he shouldn't be, and Sirius is... well, he's been chasing his own demons. But we can't worry about them right now. Our priority is to get out of the forest and find somewhere safe."
Lupin looked at Harry with a mix of gratitude and concern. "You've done well, Harry. I didn't know what to expect when I saw you, but it seems like you've grown into quite a formidable young wizard."
Harry shrugged, though he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. "I've had to. There's a lot at stake, and I'm not going to let it slip away."
The journey through the forest was slow and cautious, but eventually, they reached the edge where the shadows of the trees gave way to the faint lights of the castle in the distance. Harry glanced back at Lupin, who was now moving more steadily, though still clearly exhausted.
"Just a bit further," Harry said, offering a reassuring smile. "We're almost there."
As they approached the castle grounds, the weight of the night's events began to settle in. The battle, the confrontation with Lupin, and the revelations—all of it would need to be addressed. But for now, Harry was just grateful to be nearing safety.
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