27

27. Werewolf

Hagrid had lost the hearing and Buckbeat was supposed to be executed at sunset so we went to see him. On our way, we met Draco and Blaise sneaking around as it wasn't allowed for any student to be out at this time.

"Ah, come to see the show?" Draco couldn't hold back himself as he welcomed us grinning wildly. I became angry. This wasn't his fault but my friends thought it was. And he was supposed to show at least a little empathy towards me.

Before I could reply anything, Hermione dashed forward and smashed his jaw hard, making him step back in cold surprise.

"Now, leave!" I commanded coldly and he listened for once. He didn't dare casting me an apologetic look in front of my friends but I wouldn't have shown mercy right now. I was to angry for the moment.

As we arrived at Hagrid's we found him crying in his hut. He told us about every day he'd had with Buckbeat until he stood up suddenly, a horrified expression on his face.

"They're coming. You need to leave. If they find you here at this time you'll be in huge troubles, especially you Harry!" Hagrid told us worried.

Like in trance we made our way back up the hill. Horrified, we watched as Buckbeat was executed. Hagrid broke down next to him and I felt my eyes water up too. This was all my fault!

"Scabbers!" Ron exclaimed suddenly and we all turned around.

"Ron!" Hermione shouted out in a high-pitched voice. Ron had run towards the Whomping Willow.

"Ron, come back, quickly!" I shouted wide-eyed but he was looking in our direction as if he saw death himself.

"Hermione, Harry, Arya, RUN! It's the grim!" With a shaking hand, he pointed to something behind us and we whirled around. There it was. The grim existed! A huge black dog with dirty fur and big fangs was standing there growling.

Before we could move it run towards Ron and grabbed him by his leg, tearing him under earth through a small whole between the roots of the Whomping Willow. Ron let out a petrifying scream, then he vanished.

"RON!" Hermione screamed and Harry moved forwards but one of the roots blocked his way.

"Stay where you are!" I told them holding Hermione by her arm. "I can do this." My voice was shaking and I closed my eyes trying to concentrate. I felt Hermione and Harry shift nervously next to me.

"Stop it, please. I can't concentrate and we need to help Ron!" I snapped.

Then I closed my eyes again and let my magic rush through my body. I knew I couldn't make it stop moving with using magic on the Willow itself so I tried it by influencing the nature around it. In the old elvish language, I started singing. I hadn't known that I could sing like this but right now I didn't even listen to myself. I was listening to the nature around me. I let the magic flood out through my voice and it affected every plant near me. The Whomping Willow slowed down in its movement and finally stopped striking out wildly in our direction.

The tunnel we entered after jumping through the whole was dark. Illuminating it with our wands we moved forward. After some minutes of walking in silence we arrived in an old, shabby hut. Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.

"We're in the Shrieking Shack!" She whispered. Slowly we climbed up some stairs, wands firmly in our hands. I preferred my wand now because I felt slightly tired after I had sung for the Whomping Willow.

We found Ron in a room with a four-poster-bed, laying on it holding his leg in pain. We rushed forward.

"Ron, where is it? Where's the dog?" Harry asked as Hermione exclaimed: "Your leg! You need to see Madame Pomfrey!"

"No dog, it's a trap. He's an animagus!" Ron said through clenched teeth.

Wide eyed we whirled around following his gaze. Sirius Black.

"Expelliarmus." He shouted with Ron's wand in his hands and Harry's and my wands flew through the room. Rage overwhelmed me as I stared at this man with dark hair and even darker eyes. His clothes were torn and his body covered with dirt. I remembered the hate Severus had felt when he had spoken about how Black had treated him when they'd been younger.

"Black, I'm warning you. You don't know who I am or what I can do!" I growled threating and his dark eyes turned to me. Suddenly, a strong feeling of sadness and loneliness rushed over me like cold water. I stumbled back and he grinned.

"I don't think I should know you and if so I'm sorry but I spent the last twelve years in Azkaban." The amusement in his voice made me angry enough to gain back my composure.

I concentrated on my hands, keeping my eyes open this time. It was harder with open eyes because I was distracted by the man facing me. Nevertheless, I managed to let a flame grow bigger and bigger in my hand until it was the sight of a bludger. Black didn't seem impressed so I let it turn into a crackling electric lightening.

"I am Aryanna Jackson." I said and intensified my gaze. Black wanted to say something but I cut him off. "I am the daughter of Leyanne Jackson, Queen of the Elvish folk."

"Impressive." Black exclaimed grinning wildly. Slowly he came closer. Severus was right, he's arrogant, I thought.

"If you want to kill him, you'll have to kill us first!" Ron shouted whilst Hermione and I stood in front of Harry.

"Only one will die tonight." Black stated fixing Ron with his gaze.

Harry however dashed forward and lunched himself at Black. He wringed Ron's wand out of his dirty hands and pointed it at Black. Before anyone could do something Professor Lupin entered and disarmed Harry.

Relieve let me relax a little but I became horrified as I saw Professor Lupin helping up Black in a friendly manner.

"NO!" Hermione screamed as horrified as we all were. "I trusted you!... He's a werewolf!"

I didn't feel my body anymore. Horror, anger and fear made me rigid. I didn't even hear what they were saying next. Suddenly, I understood how Severus could be so cold towards Lupin. He wanted me to stay away from him because he was afraid he would hurt me, as a werewolf.

"…just wait one more minute, Harry has the right to know why, Sirius." Professor Lupin said, handing Black his wand who glared in return.

"Who did it then? Who killed my parents if not him?" Harry shouted out furiously.

"Peter Pettigrew!" Black called out loudly.

"He's dead!" Harry stated angrily.

"Oh no, he's not. Come out, Peter!" Black screamed madly. "Show yourself!"

All the sudden, someone else shouted: "Expelliarmus!"

Black's wand flew towards the door and I recognized who it was…

Severus…

His face was distorted with rage like I'd never seen him before. Black however seemed to be unimpressed and grinned.

"Always coming to the wrong place at the wrong time, don't you Snape?!" Severus pointed his wand at Black's throat gazing quickly towards Lupin who stood a few steps away.

"The Dementors are waiting for you, dog!" Severus spat hatefully.

"Severus, listen." Lupin tried to emphasize but Severus silenced him with one look.

"I'll bring you both to Dumbledore." With that Severus nodded in our direction but Harry hadn't planned on going.

Somehow, he held Hermione's wand in his hands and pointed it at Severus. In less than a second, he crashed against the wall and was buried with pieces of wood and old furniture.

"Harry!" I squeaked.

"You attacked a teacher!" Hermione's shocked voice wasn't helping.

He had attacked Severus and I couldn't go and see if he was alright because my friends were there. Again, my body was totally rigid as I watched the scene in front of me absentminded. Ron's rat Scabbers turned into an ugly, little, rat-like man after Lupin and Black had chased him through the room. Apparently, Black hadn't killed anyone and it hadn't been him who had betrayed Harry's parents. It was all Peter Pettigrew.

And then, suddenly, they were all attempting to leave. Harry and Black- Sirius helping Ron who couldn't walk properly and Hermione next to Professor Lupin. I couldn't stay back without anybody seeing me so I had to follow them reluctantly.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Lupin whispered as he had slowed down a little to walk next to me. Darkly, I looked at him and he sighted.

As we climbed out of the tunnel I realized that it was already dark. Harry and Sirius stood a few meters away from us talking. Hermione was leaning over Ron's leg and Lupin was completely rigid. Something was wrong!

We all turned around as Lupin let out a loud petrifying scream.

"REMUS!" Sirius shouted and run over to his old friend.

Harry run back to us as Lupin transformed into a wolf-like creature. In a second, Sirius had transformed into the black dog and was facing a now howling Lupin-werewolf. They started fighting and Sirius got thrown on top off the hill, disappearing in bushes.

"Potter, Jackson, stay back!" I jumped as Severus appeared, protecting us by standing right in front of the werewolf. He pushed me back even further, making me stumble. The werewolf however came closer. Suddenly, all my fear vanished and calm flooded my body. I knew what to do!

I passed under Severus' arm and neared the werewolf.

"JACKSON!" I felt Severus' scream through my whole body but I didn't turn around. Standing only a few meters away from the werewolf I closed my eyes, letting all my magic flood my body. Then like before I formed it into words and started singing more powerful than before.

No magic of one elf would have been strong enough to turn a werewolf back into its human shape but I let it fall into a state of trance. It wasn't angry anymore and not moving closer. We held each other's gaze.

I didn't feel the wind in my hair or the cold, I didn't hear or see the leaves moving. The only thing I felt was my magic leaving my body and the werewolf's heartbeat slowing down…

But suddenly, all hell broke loose in one second.

Above us, on the hill, a twig broke loudly in the calm. Something snapped in the werewolf's eyes and out of the corner of my eyes I saw a black dog prowl along the top of the hill, ready to jump on the creature. The werewolf attacked again…

A sharp pain on my chest and my stomach made me scream out as I fell on the ground. My body was on fire. My vision was blurred… turning black… blurred again.

The pain was too strong...

I didn't feel myself anymore…

I didn't remember where I was, what happened. My vision turned black…

[Neutral POV]

Arya laid motionless on the wet ground. Severus dashed forward standing between her body and the werewolf, attacking it furiously with spell after spell. Suddenly, the black dog jumped down on it and they disappeared running.

"SIRIUS!" Harry screamed out horrified and followed them.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed high-pitched but he had already vanished in the dark.

Severus turned towards the two of them making appear a stretcher with a single flick of his wand. Roughly, he helped Ron lay down on it. "Go to the hospital wing, I'll take care of your friends!" Severus roared and they didn't dare speaking back. With a second wand flick the stretcher was lifted off the ground and followed Hermione who was almost running.

In a split second, Severus was kneeling next to Arya. Her eyes were shut but she was still breathing.

"Arya." He whispered shocked. There was blood everywhere. From the right shoulder to her left side there was a deep, bleeding scratch.

With shaking hands Severus caressed her cheek gently, worry and fear in every inch of his body.

"Arya, wake up!" His voice broke as he shook her head slightly. His hands were covered with blood but he didn't care. His gaze was resting on the beautiful girl's face. Her hazel brown hair was wet but still shining. Pulling out his wand again he whispered every healing spell he knew over the wound but it didn't help.

Helpless, he threw his wand aside and pulled her into his arms. "WAKE UP!" He screamed as his eyes started to water up. No! He wouldn't cry! If he started crying now, he couldn't think clearly. He needed to bring her to the Hospital wing.

"Severus…" It was only a whisper but he laughed in relieve as he saw that her bright blue eyes had opened. Gently, he put a hand on Arya's cheek and she smiled slightly.

"Harry… Hermione…R-"

"Shh, your two friends are already in Hogwarts." He tried to calm her. She would need all the energy she had to stay awake.

"Harry…" Severus clenched his jaw and was lost in those beautiful eyes. If he lied to her she would never forgive him for leaving her friend with a werewolf.

"He followed them." He couldn't keep his anger or hate out of his voice.

Arya closed her eye shortly. "Safe them! Please, Severus!... Sirius… innocent…"

Severus winced slightly as suddenly a bright green fire light up next to him. He looked around for his wand but a small hand on his arm made him stop.

"Go!" Again, it was a whisper but very determined.

"Arya, I need to bring you-"

"Please, Severus!" He couldn't stand hearing her plead like this. Looking her deeply in the eyes for the last time he laid her down gently.

"Don't you dare falling asleep, Aryanna Jackson!" Severus stated begging slightly.

"Don't worry…" Her voice faded and he rushed towards the flame, thinking of where he wanted to go.

…

When he stepped out of the flame again it vanished. He didn't cast a glance at the two stretchers that where following him, carrying an unconscious Harry and Sirius.

In a split second he was kneeling next to Arya again. Her eyes were closed and her breathing even slower than before.

"ARYA!" He called, shaking her slightly. A cold wave rushed through his body and he started shaking. Severus clenched his jaw to keep his lips from trembling nevertheless he had difficulties forming words.

"Arya, I cannot lose you!" Severus voice was thick with emotions. "I can't!... I need you!... Please… I didn't tell you the truth… you wanted to hear it…" His voice broke as he caressed her hair, her cheek, her hands with such gentleness as if she would break at his touch.

"I love you!... I love you so much, Aryanna Jackson!... And because we can never be together I pushed you away and it tore me apart. And it tore me apart to realize that you'd never love me the way I love you... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for pushing you away! Just stay alive, stay with me now!"

The words blurted out of him as if he had wanted to say them for a long time. Then suddenly reality seemed to strike him and he looked at the wound on her chest. It had stopped bleeding now and her skin was pale.

Carefully, he lifted her off the ground, carrying her in his arms. Her head laid against his chest. As fast as possible he hurried to the Hospital Wing. Severus had never been so fast in his life, nevertheless, it seemed like hours until he crashed the door to the Hospital wing open.

[Arya's POV]

As I opened my eyes it took me some moments to understand where I was. And it took me several minutes to remember what had happened.

"Oh, thank Merlin. You're awake!" I heard the muffled voice of Madame Pomfrey. I tried to sit up but a sharp pain in my chest made me fall back wincing.

"Your wound hasn't healed completely, girl. You're lucky that Severus got you here in time." The stern face of the nurse appeared in my field of vision.

Severus.

"Are my friends safe?" I had difficulties with speaking, my voice sounded very raspy.

Madame Pomfrey smiled slightly. "They're fine, now. After I patched them up." Disapproval of what had happened traced her voice.

"And what about Professor Lupin? And Sirius?" I asked worried but she only shook her head.

"The Professor is fine. Concerning Sirius Black… he escaped again." I sighted relieved.

I jerked as the door opened. In stepped my three friends, hurrying to my side.

"How're you feeling?" Harry asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"As if a train knocked me over." I stated and they laughed.

"We've been worried!" Hermione said quietly. "It's been four days since Professor Snape brought you here."

"Four days?!" I exclaimed surprised.

"Excuse me, I'll go and inform the headmaster that she's awake. You can stay here 'til I return. And Jackson, stay in bed!" Madame Pomfrey said sternly and left.

The second the door closed I asked: "What happened after I blacked out? Madame Pomfrey said Sirius escaped again?"

The three of them exchanged looks. It was Hermione who answered. "Well, approximately ten minutes after Ron and I arrived here, Snape burst inside carrying you in his arms. He had Harry and Sirius on two stretchers with him. Madame Pomfrey took care of Harry whilst Dumbledore and the minister of magic put Sirius in a cell on the north tower."

She halted and glanced at Harry who continued for her. "You remember that we wondered how Hermione could take so many classes, right?"

I nodded.

"She had a time turner to go back in time this year. We used it to go back to the time we went down to visit Hagrid. We managed to save Buckbeat and Sirius." He grinned. "Only Dumbledore and the four of us know about this and he wants it to stay this way, okay?"

Smiling in return I nodded. "No word!"

"You should have seen Snape as he heard that Sirius escaped. He was far beyond furious!" Ron exclaimed laughing and Harry joined in.

"He's the one who took care of you." Hermione said, glancing warningly at Harry and Ron. "When he entered with you in his arms he was behaving strange. For the first time in these three years I've seen him worried. Dumbledore had to drag him out when he had finished bandaging your wound so that we could sleep. Well, we didn't. And when he heard that Sirius escaped he burst in here and screamed at Harry that he had something to do with it. It's like Ron said, he was more than furious! He really was frightening!" Hermione shivered slightly.

A cold wave of fear rushed through my body as I tried to envision Severus being that mad but I couldn't.

"Don't worry, he won't scream at you. Dumbledore wouldn't allow it. By the way, he has no reason to be angry at you. I've always been the one he hates, not you." Harry said reassuringly but it didn't help. Ironically, I laughed shortly, looking at Harry with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, I can assure you, he won't be impressed by the fact that 'Dumbledore wouldn't allow it'. Sometimes he doesn't care what Dumbledore or anybody else wants him to do, Harry."

Right at that moment, the door burst open banging loudly against the wall. My friends whirled around in surprise and I sighted with closed eyes. Madame Pomfrey was walking next to Dumbledore who was followed by Professor McGonagall and a very tense looking Severus.

"Now, get out, the three of you. You can come back tomorrow. Your friend needs to rest!" Madame Pomfrey shooed my friends out of the Hospital wing after they had told me that they would come back afterwards. The door closed with a loud noise.

"I assume you don't need me, Headmaster. I'm in my office." And with that she left through another door that lead to her office and private medicine store.

"How are you feeling, Jackson?" Professor McGonagall asked with a slight undertone of worry.

Carefully avoiding Severus' gaze, I looked at her. "I'm fine. Tired but okay."

"You do remember everything that happened?" Dumbledore asked seriously and I nodded.

"Perfect. You see Severus, nothing to worry about." And with that he released Severus' obviously withhold anger.

"'Nothing to worry about?'" Severus repeated growling, startling me even more. Ron had been right; he was beyond furious. "Black almost KILLED HER!"

"Severus! You're frightening her!" Professor McGonagall tried to protect me but that made him finally turn to me.

Wordless he came closer and examined the bandage. "Does it hurt?" He asked not looking at me.

Not daring to say more than necessary I gulped. "Only if I move too quickly."

Severus didn't say anything whilst he carefully inspected the wound and bandaged it again. "It takes longer than normal wounds because it was caused by a werewolf. Wounds caused by the children of the moon are different." Severus explained coldly still refusing to look me in the eyes.

"It'll heal completely but it needs some time." With shaking hands Severus mixed some bright white potion with water and poured it in a glass. "Drink." He commanded, handing me the glass.

I did as he told and handed him the glass back. Sighting he put it on the small table next to the bed and stared at it darkly.

"Severus, please look at me." I pleaded with breaking voice but he didn't turn to me. Instead his hands turned into tight fists until his knuckles turned white.

"Severus!" I begged again.

Very slowly, his head turned but his gaze rested on the bandage on my chest. His expression was hard and cold and frightening.

"Severus…" I whispered, then I started again louder. "If you're angry with me, please tell me! You can scream at me as much as you want, I deserve it! I almost killed myself with my magic and I'm sorry. But don't ignore me again, Severus. Please!"

Severus turned around and grabbed the chair, turning it in my direction and sat down. Sighting deeply, he buried the face in his hands. "Don't! Don't say anything, please."

As he lifted his head again all the anger had vanished. Instead I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and all the vulnerability, worry and fear he had endured the last days.

"I'm so sorry, Severus!" My eyes watered up as the anger returned in less than a second.

"Stop apologizing, Arya!" He exclaimed furiously and jumped up, pacing up and down.

"Then stop ignoring me!" Helpless, I closed my eyes not to start crying. "Tell me how angry you are, tell me that I was reckless and stupid and-"

"I'm not angry at you!" Severus had stopped dead in his track and was staring at me coldly now. "Yes, you've been reckless and stupid but it's not your fault that you almost died." He spat at me.

My mouth fell open in surprise. "But… But why are you angry then?"

Sighting desperately, he sat down again. Then he crossed his fingers, burying his nails deep into his skin. When he looked up again all the vulnerability had returned and his eyes showed helplessness.

"I almost lost you, Arya. For a few seconds, I thought you would die." Motionless, he sat on the chair and looked me deeply in the eyes.

I didn't know what to say. What do you say to something like this? "I'm sorry." I whispered.

Severus caught me by surprise again as he laughed coldly, becoming tense again. "It's not you who has to apologize!"

"What?" I asked confused. Severus look came back to me but now it was filled with hate and anger again.

"It's Black. Black and Lupin ought to apologize to you even if it wouldn't change anything!" He spat with clenched jaw.

Suddenly, I understood what this was all about. "You think it's Sirius' fault? Or Lupin's?"

Furiously, he furrowed his eyebrows. "I know, it's their fault! And I hate them so much more for bringing you to the edge of death!... But Arya, please tell me you don't believe the story Black told you to convince you! He's a liar and an arrogant pureblood, like the rest of his family!"

Angrily, I grabbed the blanket harder. "Severus, you cannot blame Lupin for being a werewolf and you're only angry at Sirius because you hate him. And I know he told the truth so I decide where to go with it! This is MY decision, Severus." I stated warningly.

There was a long silence in which Severus stared at me angrily and I was watching him stubbornly. I knew he would never stop hating Sirius but then he had to accept that I believed in his innocence.

Severus sighted annoyed and turned to Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall who were watching us amused and worried.

"I think you can go now." Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows at his commanding tone but didn't say anything whilst Dumbledore returned his gaze happily.

"Just remember Severus, listen to your heart!"

Severus growled something under his breath but they were already leaving. Still looking gloomy, he turned back to me. "Fine, I won't tell you what to believe. But I will never forget that this filthy pooch almost killed you." He stated darkly as compromise.

I sighted tiredly. That would be difficult. "That's good. For now… But only because I'm too tired to argue any further." I smiled in his direction and he moved his chair closer.

Gently, he took my small hands in his and looked me deeply in the eyes. "You need to rest, Arya." His voice was warm and loving as he smiled.

"Severus?" I asked turning serious.

"What?" Worried, his gaze went over my face. I entangled our hands and he stared at me waiting.

"I promise I won't ask you again why you pushed me away. But can you promise me that you won't push me away when I wake up next time?"

Severus seemed to relax and smiled, squeezing my hands softly. "Never again will I do it, Aryanna."

I looked him in the eyes and knew that he said the truth. Smiling, I closed my eyes. I felt how Severus pulled the blanket around my shoulders. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead and took his hands out of mine.

"Sleep tight! You'll feel better when you wake up again."