13 Days of All Hallows’ Eve: “The Werewolf Comes to Hogwarts”
Welcome to MuggleNet’s 13 Days of All Hallows’ Eve, a limited series to bring fans short, Potter-themed spooky stories to celebrate the upcoming holiday. Check back in for a new tale every day leading up to Halloween.
He said no one will find out. Everything will be all right. Breathe.
Breathe.
GRYFFINDOR!
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart
Brave, yes, I suppose I am. I can do this. Everything will be all right.
Professor Slughorn noticed the scratches on my arm.
Everyone did.
I’ve made friends. James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. I hope they don’t find out.
This time I woke up, and my voice was hoarse. Sometimes I wish I could remember.
But then…
I’m thankful I don’t.
Everything will be all right.
Scratched my face this time. There is a rumor in the village of a haunted house. Villagers have heard disturbances and “violent spirits” for the past three months. Everyone is afraid of the Shrieking Shack now.
So am I.
My face has scarred. Sirius is making jokes. James laughs along with Peter. But he notices that I don’t.
Everything will be all right.
I missed three days of class. Didn’t want to explain to my professors why I was near the Whomping Willow. Students aren’t allowed near the Whomping Willow. Especially after dark.
I’ll be all right.
It snowed. My toes are frostbitten after I trudge my way back to the castle.
I see the tracks.
His.
And mine.
They can’t be the same.
Everything will be all right.
I think James is starting to catch on. Severus Snape is certainly suspicious.
Only once, once. Spare me once. Keep them off the trail.
No.
The bright white moon fills the night with light. The shadows recede before me. It is me against the moon.
And I will lose.
The growing claws rip through my hands and feet. My teeth grow too large for my mouth in a rapid blur of pain and saliva. My bones stretch and break past their natural limits.
But my mind. It’s a terrible frenzy of boy thoughts and wolf instincts. The room spins. I feel dizzy and sick and angry. The overwhelming insanity of my transformation is more painful than all the rest. My brain bleeds with confusion and agony.
I wake in a pool of my own blood. I hope.
That may be the worst of it.
Not knowing.
But.
I’d feel worse if I knew.
I’d feel worse if they knew.
My friends. My classmates. My professors.
Meeting my enemy.
The darkness I cannot defeat.
The monster within me.
The wolf.
Nothing will ever be all right.
