Chapter 72: Werewolf (2/2)

”Professor leave the chain. I'll handle it.” Chris said urgently.

”But why, Christina?” Lupin asked confused.

”Please, I'll handle Pettigrew. I request. Please don't ask why and do it.” Chris said almost screaming.

Lupin nodded and released himself from the chain. They started to walk again. Everyone was looking at Chris from time to time. Chris was thinking hard on how to stop this disaster. Anything could happen next.

As they reached the end of the tunnel, Crookshanks darted up first; he had pressed his paw to the knot on the trunk because Lupin, Pettigrew and Ron clambered upwards without any sound of savaging branches. Chris came out next hurriedly.

The grounds were very dark now, the only light came from the distant windows of the castle. Chris ran towards Lupin, ”Professor you need to leave now — or else —”

”What're you talking about?” Sirius said coming out.

Pettigrew looked around.

”Don't even think about it, Pettigrew. I didn't forget about you.” Chris snapped. ”Harry, Hermione, take Ron and just go — Just leave before —”

And then a cloud shifted. There were suddenly dim shadows on the ground. Their party was bathed in moonlight.

Chris froze. Lupin had gone rigid. Then his limbs began to shake.

”Oh my —” Hermione gasped.

There was no time, Pettigrew would escape anytime and join Voldemort.

”DAMES!” Chris shouted and in a second a Dementor came floating, shocking everyone. He tried to reach Black, ”No. Take care of him.” Chris pointed at Pettigrew. In between Lupin's head was lengthening. So was his body. His shoulders were hunching. Hair was sprouting visibly on his face and hands, which were curling into clawed paws.

”Dames. NOW.” Chris shouted again. ”Pettigrew shouldn't escape.” And she pulled Ron from the chain. ”HARRY! HERMIONE! TAKE RON AWAY. NOW.”

Sirius disappeared and transformed. The enormous, bear-like dog bounded forwards. As the werewolf tried to reach them, the dog seized it about the neck and pulled it backwards, away from them. They were locked, jaw to jaw, claws ripping at each other.

Hermione and Harry dragged Ron away. Dames started to suck Pettigrew's soul. Dames was affecting everyone around him.

There were a howl and a rumbling growl; Chris turned to see the werewolf taking flight; it was galloping into the Forest.

But then out of the darkness, they heard a yelping, a whining; a dog in pain —

'Sirius will not able to control Professor Lupin. I've to help or he will die.'

”Sirius,” Harry muttered, staring into the darkness and Harry set off at a run, Hermione right behind him.

”Hermione stay here with Ron and Pettigrew. It's important.” Chris said to Hermione and turned to Dames. ”Just don't harm anyone else— and don't perform the kiss now.”

Chris ran after Harry, The yelping stopped abruptly. As they reached the lake's shore they saw why Sirius had turned back into a man. He was crouched on all fours, his hands over his head.

”Nooo,” he moaned. ”Noooo — please —”

And then Chris saw them. Dementors, at least a hundred of them, gliding in a black mass around the lake towards them. She spun around, more were appearing out of the darkness on every side; they were encircling them —

Suddenly Harry began to chant: ”Expecto patronum! Expecto patronum!”

Black gave a shudder, rolled over and lay motionless on the ground, pale as death.

The Dementors were closing in, barely ten feet from them. They formed a solid wall around Chris and Harry, and were getting closer —

”EXPECTO PATRONUM!” Harry yelled, again and again. ”EXPECTO PATRONUM!”

A thin wisp of silver escaped his wand and hovered like mist before him.

”Expecto patronum!” he gasped and fell on his knees.

Chris pointed her wand and yelled, ”EXPECTO PATRONUM! EXPECTO PATRONUM!”

And out of his wand came out a blinding, dazzling, silver animal. A giant Eagle. It flew and charge at the swarming Dementors — now it was flying around and around the black shapes on the ground, and the Dementors were falling back, scattering, retreating into the darkness — they were gone. Chris looked down at Harry who was already lying on the grass, beside Sirius. With a sigh, she also sat on the grass. She was practising the Patronus charm for a few months, she understood very well in a few days, that, the charm takes too much energy even without Dementors.

'Pettigrew!' She remembered. She got up and ran towards the Whomping Willow.

There was complete silence. Ron, Hermione and Pettigrew all were lying on the ground unconscious. Dames were still floating there, he was facing Pettigrew.

”My Queen!” Dames said as soon as Chris came closer. ”I did as you said. I didn't perform the kiss, I just suck his happiness and ideas out of him. Those students were affected too. I had to do that to my surroundings or he would've escaped.”

”Thank you, Dames. You helped me a lot.” Chris said smiling.

”No my Queen. It was my duty, I don't wish to die. But I'm glad as I can sense happiness inside you.” Dames replied. ”But what about Sirius Black, my Queen? We've ordered from the ministry to perform the kiss on him.”

”You will not. He's an innocent man, Dames. He had struggled in Azkaban for twelve years without committing any crime. I already drew away from others with my Patronus charm and I order you to not harm him or Harry.”

”As you wish my Queen, we can overrule the Ministry's orders but not yours. I'll not harm them at any cost. Anything else my Queen?”

”Yes,” Chris said thinking for a moment. ”Harry and Sirius. They're beside the Lake. Bring them here and inform the Minister about us. I'll wait here till they come.”

Dames nodded and floated away. Chris sank on the grass beside Pettigrew, pointing her wand towards him.

'You're not joining Voldemort, tonight, at any cost.'