''𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙩 𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙪𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙣!''
𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗼𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗜 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝘁. My leather bag hung over my shoulder, my wand, cloak, extra clothes, healing supplies and another vial of Wolfsbane were stuffed inside. He hasn't said a word since we'd met up in the courtyard about an hour after Harry and I got back from our trip with Remus and Sirius.
His back had been turned to me the whole time, not bothering to spare a glance at me from over his shoulder. Usually he wouldn't said some sarcastic comment about me being late, or me almost tripping over the tree roots that stuck up from the ground floor of the woodland. I don't even think he heard anything that was going on behind him, his hands stayed put in his pockets, his head held up as he stared forward.
It was like he was a statue, a moving statue. No emotions, no thoughts, no words. Or maybe it was just no words, and all his emotions were being thrown onto his thoughts. What was he thinking about? Surely nothing was that important that he doesn't talk for the rest of the night. Only something huge could do that, like something that's happened to himself or the house of Slytherin.
Maybe he's being resorted, maybe he's scared that he'll be a Gryffindor. But I highly doubt that, I don't think they even let students resort themselves. Why would they even do so, only if the hat is rigged at the time and someone paid the hat to say specific things to sort them into a specific house. But that's not too specific, right?
When we had reached the ever-so-familiar clearing with the fallen log, long grass, tree leaves almost blocking the sky with the little amount of flowers growing around. Malfoy had leaned himself against a tree a few feet away from the fallen log, not a surprise, his back was faced towards me. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, or why he hadn't said anything.
But I didn't care about him, right? He's a jerk and likes to bully first years for fun. Not just that, but he also bullies Harry all the time. Like before, when Moody had exposed him for being an Animagus - at least to me, not everyone else -, Malfoy was about to hex Harry because of some stupid comment he said.
Not to mention all the times he's called the Weasley's 'blood-traitors'. And the times he has called Hermione a 'mud-blood'. Shaking my head clear of my thoughts, I turned away from Malfoy's back and faced the sky, seeing the moon overhead. Breathing through clenched teeth, I dropped to the ground, my knees pulled up to my chest and my hands gripping the side of my head.
This was the only time when Malfoy turned around, but it was only for a second or two before he turned back around. My eyes caught his for that short moment, his face showing no emotion. But his eyes told a different story. His eyes held something in them, something like forgiveness and a cry for help. Malfoy had already turned around before I could start converting into a werewolf.
Like usual on nights like these, my legs grow longer along with my arms, claws forming at the tips of my fingers and toes. My spine had broken, before rearranging itself and clicking back into place. My nose and mouth were soon turned into a snout, growling and baring sharp teeth. Ears growing from the top of my head, as fur started to form everywhere. Lastly was the tail, which had finished growing the moment I dropped back onto the ground.
The moon used to be something that I could look at or talk to, something that would hold my secrets and promise not to tell anyone. It would be my safe zone whenever I needed it. But now, it just feels more like a curse. Like the moon is throwing all my past problems back at me and forcing me to solve them myself. Which was, in fact, something I couldn't do.
Groaning when I had stood up, I looked over at the tree Malfoy was leaning on previously. He wasn't there, but was on the ground as a ferret, his back turned towards me once again. Why couldn't he just let it go, for one night? Whatever that 'it ' was. He was curled in a ball, taking slow and steady breaths as he kept looking out, through the mass darkness of the trees.
I didn't want to be sitting here, watching as Malfoy completely ignores me and doesn't say a word. So, I walked away - as quiet as I could with my paws. Twigs and dry leaves had covered the ground, I just so happened to miss all of them and stalk away from the clearing. Malfoy hadn't heard anything, still turned around and hadn't moved from the tiny ball he put himself in.
Away from the clearing, I could faintly see Hagrid's hut from where I stood. The light was still on, Hagrid moving back and forth through the window. The faint smell of something cooking had hit my nose, I just couldn't tell exactly what it was. I continued my walk, away from the clearing and towards wherever I wanted to go.
While walking, I kept to the shadows. If anybody were to be in the forest at this time, I didn't want them to see me and I didn't want them to attack me either. Though I doubt anyone would even think about going into the Forbidden Forest at this time. It's funny to think that it's happened once, in first year. Hagrid brought us all into the Forbidden Forest for our detention.
We were all scared that night, and not just because Voldemort happened to be roaming the woods. I believe Malfoy was more scared then the rest of us, the scream he just so happened to let out when he ran away. It's funny to think that he's here, in the Forbidden Forest, at this time, and not scared. Seems like he has changed through the years, but he doesn't want people to know that.
I stopped walking when another noise came from ahead, something had stepped on a twig, snapping it in half. The air had suddenly turned colder then usual, chills ran down my spine. My fur had helped to keep me a little warmer in these cold conditions, though. I couldn't smell anything out of the ordinary, just the trees, cold air and Hagrid's stew from earlier.
The sound of a string being pulled back was the only thing that could be heard, snapping my head to the left. A centaur was standing behind a few bushes, almost hidden if it wasn't for his head and the tip of the arrow that was currently shining in the moonlight. The centaur had a stoic expression on his face, almost glaring at me as his finger slipped away and released the arrow.
As the arrow flee through the air, I stood up and snarled down at the centaur. Only, I knew it was a bad idea when the arrow had hit my chest. It wasn't in a good spot, either. After the arrow had hit, I whined and fell down, seeing the arrow had landed about an inch from my heart at the time. The centaur moved forward, cautiously, through the bushes.
He stared down at me, without pity or mercy. He just wanted me dead here and now, he would've gotten his wish if he hadn't missed. As he brought up his hoof to kick my side, I stood up and pinned the centaur to the ground, growling while flashing my sharp fangs in his face. The centaur struggled under my hold, trying to kill me off of him, but failing.
I really wanted to kill the centaur, this is the third time he's shot me. I still have the scars from the other two times. But if I killed this centaur then I'd have the rest of the centaurs after me, and that wouldn't be good whatsoever. Then again, I really wanted to kill the centaur. Before I could do anything, a small squeak sounded from beside me.
Glancing to the side, ferret Malfoy was stood on his hind feet, squeaking as if he's trying to warn me of something. The centaur took this as a chance, kicking my chest and making me fall backwards. He had just happened to kick the arrow, which went deeper into my skin now. The centaur then ran off, not wanting to take it's chance.
Malfoy watched as the centaur ran away, before turning back to see me on the ground. He came over to me and looked at the arrow, blood slowly dripping down the wood of the arrow and onto the ground. Looking at me, he seemed to be contemplating something before he backed away a little. I thought he was going to leave me here with an arrow in my chest, but he wasn't, thankfully.
I watched as he turned from a ferret and back into the blonde Slytherin that I know so well. He looked at my face again, probably waiting to see if I would attack him at the moment I saw him in his human form. Something inside of me wanted to pin him down just like I did with the centaur, but kill him instantly and not wait around for some excuse not to do so.
But that was only a small feeling, the other feeling was telling me not to do it. He better be lucky that I had taken my Wolfsbane earlier. Otherwise he wouldn't be here and he'd be a bleeding and dead mess on the ground, waiting for someone to find the body. After Malfoy reassured himself that I wasn't going to attack him, he bent down and looked at the arrow that was stuck in my chest.
Reaching one hand out to grab the arrow, his other hand had propped itself up so that he could pull out the arrow. With a slight tug, I sat up and snapped at him, not hurting him in any way, shape or form. Malfoy flinched back, letting go of the arrow instantly.
''Look, I have to get this out, alright?'' He sat back up, pushing my head away from him. I grunted and set my head back on the ground, looking around behind the bushes for anything else that could try killing me at the moment.
Malfoy out his hand back around the wood of the arrow, looking at me again before tugging at it. I had to hold myself back from snapping at him, growling just the slightest when he had tugged the arrow again. With one last tug, the arrow was in Malfoy's hand and out of my chest. Malfoy sat on the ground beside me, twisting the arrow in his hands.
''They don't usually use metal arrowheads. It's mostly just wood.'' He inspected, looking at the metal arrowhead before throwing it a few inches in-front of us. On instinct, I backed away from where the arrow had landed, moving myself a little behind Malfoy. He had chuckled at my action. ''Scared?''
I groaned at his comment, rolling my eyes and facing away from him. He hadn't said anything else after that, just leaned against my side with sleep and steady breaths. My chest still hurt from where the arrow had hit me, if it went further to the side then I would've died. I didn't want to die, not right now.
Something was lightly touching my left ear, making me furrow whatever brows a werewolf had. Malfoy's hand was slowly caressing my left ear, an amused grin twitching at the corner of his lips. With a deep growl, I narrowed my eyes at Malfoy as he just kept caressing my ear.
''Quit. I know you won't do anything.'' He rolled his eyes. And of course, he was right. I wouldn't and couldn't do anything to him. If he gets injured then he could expose me to everyone in the school about my issue. I didn't want any of that, nobody but him, Snape, Remus and Sirius needed to know.
A sound echoed through the forest, but I'm the only one who had heard it. My ears perked up and I stood back in my feet, listening to whatever could be hiding around us. Malfoy looked at me curiously, whispering a small 'what' as he, too, looked around. He wouldn't be able to see anything, but it didn't hurt to try.
Dry leaves were being stepped on near us, and it wasn't Malfoy nor myself. With a growl, I spun around to look behind us, where the noise had came from. Malfoy looked the direction I was looking, picking up the arrow with the metal tip in his hand. Maybe he was hoping to use it as a weapon, but didn't he bring his wand?
''I left my wand in your bag.'' He answered to my curious gaze. I huffed and rolled my eyes at the boy, causing him to scoff at me. ''Have you got any better ideas?'' I snapped my jaw at him, seeing him wince the slightest. ''Alright, alright.''
More dry leaves had crunched under the shoes of someone, still in the shadows of bushes and trees. Even if I couldn't see them, I could faintly smell them. I could smell the mint scent from Malfoy, along with some sort of cologne, and a hint of lemon. Another smell was one of ash, which certainly wasn't coming from Malfoy.
I only say that because I haven't smelled ash all night, and this is the only time that I've smelled it. Not anything else, none whatsoever. Malfoy stood in-front of me, hearing the footsteps coming closer. Actually, I should be the one standing in-front of him, I'm barely taller then him and more dangerous, if he hasn't noticed.
All he has is an arrow with a metal arrowhead, I have teeth, claws and people are frightened by me at the moment. Can't wait to see how this goes. The bushes were separated as a familiar figure walked into sight, kicking off some of the dirt he had collected from the bottom of his shoes. His clothes were dishevelled, his hat almost falling off his head as the cane in his hand had small scratches from the twigs he had walked through previously.
''Ah, hello there.'' Barty smiled, seemingly not to notice the werewolf standing next to the boy.
''Hello. . .'' Malfoy answered, suspicion running through his mind that I could read it from here. I growled at Barty, who had now took notice of me. Malfoy glanced down at me, taking his left hand - the one that wasn't holding the arrow - and putting it against my head, pushing me back slightly behind him more.
''Generous friend you have there.'' Barty gestured to me, a smile still on his face.
''Well, she's deadly. Believe it or not.'' Malfoy shrugged. I growled at the man again, Malfoy pushing his hand harder against my head. When he turned back to Barty, he started to pet the top of my head with his thumb, moving it through my fur. It felt a little calming, comforting even.
''Yes, so I've seen.'' He then looks down and uses his cane to pick more dirt from off the bottom of his shoes. I don't know why he even tries, it's dirt, it'll just come back when he walks back up to the school. ''Mr. Malfoy, may I suggest that you go back to your dormitory?'' He pipped up, hanging the cane around his arm and looking back up at Malfoy.
''No, you may not.'' He denied, taking a small step back.
''Mr. Malfoy, may I remind you what that is?'' Barty gestured with his cane in my direction, making me jump forward. Before I could reach Barty, Malfoy had brought me back behind him, giving me a warning look before looking back at Barty. His hand was now on my snout, keeping it pointed down.
''Yes, I do. And 'that' is a werewolf.'' Malfoy retorted.
''A very dangerous creature indeed. I'm sure you've read the books? Monstrous things, werewolves. Waiting to kill at any given time.'' As Barty continued to speak, Malfoy's hand on my snout started to grip tighter and tighter, his eyes glaring harder at Barty with every word. ''Ready to pounce, kill without mercy. Turn your back, you'll be dead in a matter of seconds.''
I couldn't take his words anymore, so I shook Malfoy's hand off my snout and jumped at Barty. As I snapped at him, he held up his cane, which had failed when I snapped it in half. Barty then held his hand up in surrender, seeing the fury in my eyes. He shouldn't have even been here, I don't even know why he was here. But he certainly knows something that he isn't supposed to.
''Now look what you did.'' Malfoy said from behind me.
''Please, get it off!'' Barty begged. His hands were shaking and his eyes were screwed shut, cowering behind his hands. Pathetic, really.
''I don't think that's polite.''
''Get her off! Happy now?'' Barty shouted, his voice cracking between the sentences.
''Alright, come on. Get off of him now.'' Malfoy touched my shoulder, trying to calm me down the best he could. I growled at Barty before forcing him down against the ground and backing away from him. He groaned a little when the air got knocked out of him, panting and sitting up on his elbows. ''Maybe next time, don't insult a werewolf.''
''If there is a next time.'' Barty replied, grabbing his hat and wiping dirt off the top of it.
''What are you talking about?'' Malfoy questioned.
''Oh, you don't know?'' Barty spoke, clearly amused with the information he held against us. ''I'm guessing she doesn't either?'' He gestured with his hand over to me. I growled at him, Malfoy putting his hand back in my head. There it was again, that comfortable feeling.
''Spit it out, old man.''
''Now, now, Malfoy. Don't insult me. Part of the Ministry, you see? You're father wouldn't like to know that you're running around with a werewolf every full moon, wouldn't he?'' Barty then raised his brow, Malfoy furrowing his. ''No less, a muggle-born witch. Werewolf or not.'' I snapped at Barty again, Malfoy holding my neck with his arms, keeping me away from attacking the man.
''Quit pissing her off and tell us what you know, old man!'' Malfoy shouted, looking like he was about the murder Barty about now.
''What? That Granger isn't who she thinks she is?'' He used his hands to wipe down his coat, little specks of dirt still clinging onto the edges. ''That seems to be all that I know.'' He shrugged. ''Have a good night, Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Granger.'' He tipped his hat and walked back the way he had came.
Malfoy looked at where Barty had just left, his right hand gripping tightly onto the arrow. His left hand was formed in a fist at how side, his jaw tightened. What was he so mad about? I'm sure he had nothing to be mad about right now. The only threat that Barty aimed at him was telling his father that he's running around with a half-breed every full moon, a muggle-born.
''Come on, let's get back to the clearing.'' He gestured with his hand, turning around to walk in the direction of the usual meeting place. My bag was still there and it seemed that the sun would be up soon, which would mean that I now have more Barty problems then I wished I had. Hagrid's light was out now, telling me that he was now asleep. I didn't know for how long, but the faint smell of cooking meat could still me smelled in the air.
I was the only one who could smell it though, since Malfoy doesn't have a nose like a werewolf does.
''Did you tell anyone about your condition?'' Malfoy asked once we reached the clearing. He sat on the ground with his back against the fallen log, the arrow twirling around between his fingers. I shook my head, plopping down next to him with my head on my paws. ''I don't get how he knew.'' He then mumbled, rubbing his hands down his face after he dropped the arrow on the ground.
I looked at him before looking away, moving my head a little between my paws to make it a more comfortable sleeping position. The last thing that I had seen was Malfoy reaching his hand out to pet my ear, before my eyelids had fallen over my eyes and I had greeted sleep for the rest of the night.
⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒
𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑳𝑭𝑶𝒀 𝑷𝑶𝑽
She had fallen asleep as I petted her ear, it was soft, what can I say? I don't know how Barty Crouch found out about her being a Werewolf, but she said that she didn't tell him and I believe that. I shouldn't be believing it, but I do. He also made a threat about telling my father what I've been doing every full moon, but I wasn't too concerned about that.
I soon started to get tired, scooting forward a bit so I could put my head back against the log. My hand stayed against her head, my thumb soothingly running through her fur as my eyelids started to close, soon enough closing all the way. Only the sounds of the leaves against the breeze and owls making noises meeting my ears as I fell into a peaceful sleep.
When the sun had risen, my eyes fluttered open when the morning sun had hit my face. I ran a hand down my face, groaning a little at the sudden light. Quiet chatters could be heard a little ways out, which had shown that the students around Hogwarts were already awake and heading towards The Great Hall for breakfast.
I was about to get up, when I had felt a sudden weight against my torso. Granger was still asleep, her head on my stomach as my left hand was on the ground, my right hand on her shoulder. Her hair was scattered all over the place, a few strands covering part of her face. Removing my right hand from her shoulder, I slowly moved it over to her face and removing the strands of hair from her face.
The way the sun had hit her face, made her look angelic. Even with the smudges of dirt across her forehead and the scars across her arms. Sure, she wasn't wearing any clothes at the moment, but I didn't look at anything. I respected her privacy, I had the common decency to do that. Putting my hands under her head, I gently lifted it up as I moved out from under her and placed her head back down on the ground.
Her bag was set beside the log, sitting up against it with the top latched closed. I opened the bag and got out the black cloak she usually had stashed in there, before throwing it over her delicately. Her wand, a few healing supplies, clothes and another vial of Wolfsbane were also inside the bag. I closed the bag again, hanging it over my shoulder as I reached down to pick up Granger.
I picked her up bridal style, the black cloak covering most of her body. Everyone was already in The Great Hall, so the chances of me getting seen carrying the girl were little. Also because I was speed walking to the Hospital Wing, a little worried that if I ran then I would drop her. Or maybe I would trip on something and then drop her. Neither would be a good accident.
Madam Pomfrey had led me to her usual bed, where she laid the morning after the full moon. While I set her down, I covered the thin white blanket over her and took off the black cloak. As I did so, I happened to see the spot where the arrow had been shot at her yesterday, only an inch from where she could've died. It shouldn't worry me as much, but it did.
With a sigh, I shook my head and stopped thinking about it for now, pulling the blanket to her chin before turning back to Madam Pomfrey.
''You can go now, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you.'' She waved me off, stepping forward to look at the girl. That was the usual things that happened the next morning, I bring her here and Madam Pomfrey tells me I can leave, usually, I don't care and I could just leave without a care in the world.
But now, I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave her here without knowing that she was completely okay, even if she seemed like she was last night. The arrow had been stuffed in her bag, deciding to keep it so the centaur didn't go looking for it and using it against her again. I thought that was the smartest way to go then leaving it on the ground.
I kept the arrow in the bag with her, nodding at Madam Pomfrey before I turned around and headed towards the door of the Hospital Wing. Placing a hand on the door, I was about to open it before I glanced back over my shoulder, just in time to see the curtains being pulled around Granger's bed. She looked better now then she did yesterday, not pale and not looking like she had just gone through a mid-life crisis.
I reluctantly opened the door and left, still trying to shake out anything related to Granger from my head. Though, that's the only thing I could think of.