Silence filled all corners of the school as students slept. The floor of The Great Hall was covered in sleeping students as they kept safe from the monster that haunted the halls, professors were left to look on. Hogwarts had always been so safe and yet one escaped prisoner had managed to freeze the school into unknown territory.
The silence had grown old though as the sun rose and professors sent the students from the room. That one night seemed to force the nerves of both student and professor into a mess as they made sure to keep in groups.
"Imogen. I am telling you, she is just appearing out of nowhere. My Ancient Runes lesson had barely started when suddenly the seat was taken across from me. Something is up. Look, she isn't here now but she will just appear after Lupin comes in." Before Imogen could respond the room was suddenly dark and some strange pictures took to the front of the room.
"Turn to page 394." Nothing else had to be said as nervous and unsure glances were sent around the room before finally, Harry spoke, not turning to the page he had been asked to.
Snape, who had been swaggering about was stopped as he then looked down, watching closely as the disobedient student ignored his words.
"Excuse me, sir, where is Professor Lupin?" Dark eyes closed a fraction while he continued to stare at the questioning student, two of his hands hung over their pockets.
"That's not really your concern, is it Potter." Snape was telling him, the whole of Gryffindor begged for him to stop, house points had been lost for less when it came to Snape. "Sufficed to say that your professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Turn to page 394." Clinks and taps could be heard before a rifling of pages. The pictures at the front became lively and Ron was suddenly on the right page.
"Werewolves? Real subtle there Snape." Beatriz whispered to herself but still, she read a little of the wolves.
"What do you mean by that?" Imogen was turning all over the pages and then looking at Snape.
"Doesn't matter now. Look, there she is. Bloody joke how she isn't there and then suddenly she is and she is late. Mum gave me a lecture, not a lecture, she called it a 'help' when I was late. I was talking to Dumbledore though." Beatriz may have been stubborn but there was one thing that she could never forgive or forget. Injustice. Even Snape had to of noted how late she was, and he said nothing.
"She's still here before Lupin. And, your mum loves you. Mine left when I was a kid. My stepmother isn't exactly kind, you could say that there was a reason why she is a witch and my real mum wasn't. I think." Wide eyes and a bitten lip was all that Beatriz offered.
"What do you mean? A witch isn't a bad thing. We are both witches and I think that we aren't too bad." A smile and almost laugh escaped Imogen as she began to look through the book some more.
"It's an insult in the Muggle world. It also sounds like a rude word your mother would never approve of. Perhaps you aren't as smart as I thought." Beatriz smiled but both of them found dark eyes scanning over them.
"Ms Urquart, if you see fit to not listen then perhaps you could tell me what the difference is between a werewolf and an animagus." One, two and then three gulps later Beatriz seemed to gather her mind together.
"A werewolf is a person who is forced to change every full moon. They have no control over themselves and if they happen to meet someone then they will most likely attack. An animagus is a person who chooses to turn into an animal. They keep their humanity and won't attack unless they actually want to." Head fell to hands as she relived what had just happened.
"You really do have a way with words," Imogen muttered while her hand covered her mouth. A smile developing.
"Very well, five points from Gryffindor for talking while I was." Huffs were let out before finally, the class settled back into the usual tone.
The lesson had finished slower than Lupin's lesson would have but still, the day passed eventually. There was a match in the afternoon and it was Halloween. The season was always celebrated at Hogwarts.
"Good luck, Harry. Please be careful and don't go too far from the stands, okay?" Harry smiled and had the school been a little less guarded against Sirius then the chance of the students worrying would have been much lower.
"Remind me again why you aren't playing Quidditch this year." Both students shared a glance before Beatriz shoved Harry slightly.
"Because mother claims that it is too dangerous. Even if she played it as a student, but that only makes it worse. If I bring that up then she tells me all about how she could have died and it isn't worth even thinking about for me. All in all, if she had been more careful and people stopped jinxing your games then I might have a chance, but alas no. Maybe if this game is less dangerous then I can. Don't go getting yourself killed." Harry knew that McGonagall was not a woman to argue with but something in his head told him that he should argue with her about Beatriz.
Playing Quidditch may have some risks but the pale faces and wide-open eyes met all who looked around. Flashes of black could be seen as dementors roamed the grounds high up in the clouds. The fog didn't do much to calm pupils, nor the staff.
The stands stood far above anything close by and cheers could be heard as weary students took to the field. Beatriz had barely made it from the castle when an obnoxious noise filled her ears. The squeak of an animal, it sounded like the hissing of a cat.
"Shark Bait? Hello?" A cat would only hiss if it had a good reason and before the corner could even be turned the noise stopped, but as soon as she turned the corner she stopped, not moving a muscle. "Sh-Shark B-Bait." A black cat lay on the grass and it seemed to have stopped all movement.
Tears sprang into beady eyes and immediately the cat was lifted into her warm embrace and carried. The wind bellowed all around and Beatriz's robes flung all about the place as she scurried to the hut that lay at the edge of the forest.
Knocks filled the cold air and their harsh movements caused a jolt of pain to run down her arm, but soon the door was opened. "Bea? Wha' are yer doin' 'ere? Gryffindor is playin'" Her tears were noticed and as quickly as a half-giant could, Hagrid turned out of the way of the student.
"Shark Bait is hurt." Hagrid took the cat from her arms and began to look over the cat before he had nothing else to do.
"I'm sorry Bea but the ca's gone. No magic or spell can bring the dead back, yer of all people know tha' Bea." Beatriz wiped her eyes and gulped down. Red was surfacing as hands grabbed the black fabric of her coat and wiped away all of the shed tears.
"But Shark Bait was fine. Healthy, and then this? She's my cat. I don't want her to die." Huffs and sighs left as more water was washed away from the pale features.
"Come 'er." A hug was started and the pair didn't seem to part for an age
After a serious amount of persuasion, the girl followed Hagrid out of the hut and walked to the edge of the forest. The entire time Beatriz looked ready to run away. Hagrid's strength had meant that the hole was quickly dug but with gentleness rarely seen, the lifeless body of her cat was lowered a few feet below ground level. Mud was carefully drooped over the dead body until the cat faded from view.
"Thank you, Hagrid." The pair stood looking at a freshly dug patch of land while Hagrid was holding onto a shovel and wrapping an arm around Beatriz who stuck at his side. "I should go. The match won't be over yet and you are a member of staff. Can I just ask one more thing? Hagrid, can you not tell anyone about this? I want to do it." The pair walked until they had to part ways and an extra firm hug was given in parting, with Hagrid promising not to say anything.
Stone walls were empty aside from a few portraits as they busied about their lives. Poltergeists and ghosts passed without another word as they were busy wasting eternity doing nothing. Sniffs and shuffling feet dragged along the floor until the portrait was swung open and Beatriz sat on her bed, reminiscing on the days spent with her cat. During the holidays there were times where only that cat would keep her company. Time ticked by but that escaped the notice of Beatriz as she watched the wall. Tears ruining her vision.
"Oh, Beatriz. You said it yourself. If it wasn't for Professor Dumbledore then Harry would be dead. A dementor actually attacked him. His broom is shattered and now Poppy has to care for hi...what's wrong? I saw that you didn't turn up to the game but I did see you leave the castle." Frizzy hair crossed over the room and stopped on the bed of her friend.
"I'm fine. I am a teenager. This sort of stuff happens sometimes you know." Pyjamas were pulled from the heavy trunk and the long sleeves were used to keep Beatriz warm.