A Child of Black I Harry Potter fanfic

Animals

The sun had finally risen causing the moon to disappear. Still, Jamie remained on the wooden floor. She didn't have the energy to even get the shackles off.

Jamie was slightly aware of the sound of footsteps coming up the staircase. It couldn't be Madame Pomfrey because she always let Jamie stay as long as she needed. And no one else knew this was where she was kept on a full moon.

Jamie felt her body stiffen as the door creaked open. But no one came in. Instead, a black dog slowly approached her. Jamie didn't even breathe as the animal sniffed at her hands and face.

"Are you going to try and eat me?" Jamie whispered. The dog looked her in the eyes and tilted its head. "Because if you are, I don't think I'd taste very good."

The dog let out a bark that sounded almost like a laugh. The dog pressed his nose against the shackles and let out a whine.

"Those are there to make sure I don't hurt anyone," Jamie muttered. "Can't have a monster running around the school grounds, now can we?"

The dog pushed against the shackles again. Jamie slowly sat up and removed the metal from her wrists and ankles. Her skin was raw from pulling against the chains all night. Jamie ran her fingers through her knotted blonde hair, trying to smooth it out.

The dog sat down beside Jamie and sniffed her face before licking her cheek. Jamie didn't have the energy to push the animal away. Instead, she reached up and scratched his side.

"Maybe I should name you... If you want a name, bark for yes or growl for no."

To Jamie's astonishment, the dog barked.

"Oh... well, now I actually have to come up with one." Jamie sat there petting the dog while she tried to think of a name. "I know! Padfoot! How about that?"

The dog barked again.

"I got the name from this map I have. It's called the Marauder's Map. It shows you where everyone is in the Hogwarts castle at any time of any day." Jamie explained. "Some guys names Prongs, Padfoot, Mooney, and Wormtail created it."

Padfoot stared at Jamie as she spoke. Like he was actually listening to what to she was saying.

Jamie looked out the window to see the sun was high in the sky, but all she wanted to do was sleep. She laid back down on the ground. Padfoot immediately moved closer, sniffing her face.

"I'm fine... just tired..." She whispered as her eyes began to close. Padfoot laid down next to Jamie, protectively watching the door.

When Jamie awoke the sun was setting and Padfoot was still laying beside her. She ran her fingers through his fur causing the dog to look up at her.

"I should go," Jamie whispered. She slowly got to her feet, careful to move too fast. Jamie ruffled Padfoot on the head. "See you... around I guess."

Jamie made her way through the corridors, careful not to be seen by anyone. Everyone was at dinner, so it wasn't all that hard. Though when Jamie walked into the Gryffindor common room she was not expecting people to be there.

"Jamie!" Hermione exclaimed rushing over. She threw her arms around Jamie's neck, pulling her in for a tight hug. Harry and Ron stood behind Hermione looking equally as worried.

"Hey guys," Jamie muttered as Hermione pulled away.

"Are you alright? Come sit down!" Harry ordered taking Jamie by the hand and leading her over to the sofa.

"I'm alright," Jamie spoke softly. "It's no different than any other month. I just need some sleep."

Hermione sighed in frustration as she took her friend's hand in her own. Hermione had probably read every book in existence trying to find a way to help with Jamie's condition. But nothing had come up. Hermione had even suggested sneaking into the restricted section, but Jamie forbid it. She didn't want her friends getting in trouble because of her.

"How was school today?"

"Normal, nothing interesting happened. Professor Lupin was sick though," Ron answered.

"How are you feeling? Since yesterday I mean," Jamie asked turning to Harry.

"I'm fine, baring through the shame of losing the match, other than that I'm fine."

Jamie slightly smiled, "I am sorry about the match, but do still have a chance at the cup!"

"She's right!" Ron piped up, trying to be encouraging. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Jamie!"

The group turned to see the Weasley twins rush into the common room.

"How are you doing?"

"Do you feel okay?"

"Are you hungry?"

"We brought food!" Fred and George exclaimed holding out a plate filled with all of Jamie's favorites.

Jamie let out a quiet laugh. "I'm fine, I feel fine, and give me that!" Jamie grabbed the plate and began to stuff her face. She was always starving after a full moon.

Fred and George sat down in the chairs across from the sofa.

"Oh! I forgot to ask, anything new last night?" Hermione asked.

"I coughed up blood," Jamie answered. Though her mouth was filled with mashed potatoes, so she had to repeat herself after she had swallowed.

Hermione nodded. Hermione kept notes on how Jamie's full moons went. She said it was part of her research to try and find a cure, but Jamie didn't see how it helped. Still, it made Hermione feel like she was helping which was better than sulking Hermione, so Jamie kept her mouth shut.

"Blood?" Fred whispered, worry written across his face.

Jamie set the empty plate on the coffee table. "Look, I feel fine, thank you for the food, and good night."

Jamie stood up and left for the girl's dormitory before anyone could respond.

Jamie entered the bedroom and turned on the light. The bedroom was empty since the other girls were still at dinner. Jamie turned towards the window at the sound of an owl.

"Hey Toast," She sighed as she sat on the window sill beside the animal. "How was your day?"

Toast hooted in response as Jamie ruffled his feathers.

"Why do I like being around animals more than creatures?" Jamie chuckled as she gave Toast a treat. Jamie grabbed her pajamas and quickly changed.

"Night little guy," Jamie whispered to Toast before climbing into bed. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.