Chapter 302 - The Four (2/2)
All four men stepped back as the entire occupants of the room held their breaths. Suddenly, the four men are gone and in their place are four large wolves. The wolves let out yips and barks of joy, before transforming back into men.
Tears can suddenly be seen in the eyes of parents as they hug their children with such hope, while other men and women can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Heskel is the first to recover and asks, ”What must we do?”
”The former werewolf registration department is being converted to the werewolf integration department,” Banks slowly explained. ”All that is needed is to fill out the same type of forms, in order to receive the first batch of the cure that will be brewed and given out during the next full moon.”
Banks took a deep breath and said, ”Master Belby has done us a favor that we can never repay. And our Minister of Magic. Eugenia Jenkins, could have charged us for the cure, but instead is asking that we merely register to receive the cure.”
”Bahh, this must be some sort of trick,” Leeroy barked unconvinced causing a few other werewolves to look uneasy at his words. What if there was some sort of nefarious condition in the mix?
”There is no trick,” Banks solemnly replied. ”However, the Minister of Magic will require that no further werewolves be created. The creation of any more werewolves will involve said werewolf being sent to Azkaban after the cure is administered.”
Heskel lets out a sigh of relief and says, ”I'll speak to other wolf pack Alpha's that I'm still in contact. They'll have to know, it's either adapt or perish.”
Heskel glanced around in solemn expression and adds, ”And to anyone else in contact with other packs, I ask that you pass the word along.”
Turning to glance at the rapidly darkening sky, Heskel says, ”I think that we've all had a long day and have an even longer night waiting for us. Let us all go and rest for those that can and rise early tomorrow to present ourselves in unison to before the Ministry of Magic.”
A chorus of wide, amazed, still cautious gazes and replies are seen throughout the room. Before they can start moving a light-haired boy that looked about ten years old interrupted and asked, ”Does it hurt?”
There is an expectant pause as the werewolves wait for an answer. Smiling at the young werewolf, Banks sincerely answered, ”No, it does not, but the cure does taste rather awful.”
The boy makes a wry face and says, ”As long as it doesn't taste like Brussel Sprouts.”
Choruses of laughter of relief and joy fill the room at the boy's response, while the boy's mother looks embarrassed. Quickly the group disperses as some floo away, and others apparate away.
Once the room is empty save for Heskel, and the four newly cured men, Heskel says, ”Thank you.”
”Whatever for, old man?” Barked, Glackin.
Twizzle no longer restraining himself smacks Glackin on the back of the head causing Glackin to let out a loud yelp. Twizzle merely glares Glackin into submission causing Glackin to put the snickering form of Smythe between him and Twizzle. Why the need for such violence?
”You've given us hope,” Heskel said with moisture in his eyes. ”I never thought I would ever live to see that day in my own lifetime.”
”It wasn't us, Heskel,” Banks argued. ”T'was all Master Belby's doing. All our gratitude should go to him.”
”Aye, all of us owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” Heskel reverently said. ”Now run along, you brats. These old bones have to make their way to the cellar, and I'm sure that all of your families are waiting eagerly for the four of you.”
Heskel watches the bravest most unselfish young werewolves he'd ever met make their way out. The four men were truly courageous by trusting a potions master not to betray them and to perform a unknown, risky experimentation on them in order to find a cure. And from the unselfish actions, a miracle had been born. And would become heroes in the eyes of all the poor suffering werewolves throughout the world.