Frenzy
The Great Hall was noisy with its usual chatters as dinner continued on.
Harry sat with Ron and his other pack mates in Gryffindor table. He was physically there, but his mind was elsewhere. Until now, he could not help but feel bad at the way he had been avoiding Marius these past few days. He was sure as hell Hermione noticed him and he was about to hear a very long monologue from her again. He grunted at the thought of that, but he was sure she was going to understand why he did it. Though, the guilt that ripped through him as he saw Marius’ eyes dimmed whenever Harry avoided him made his heart clench in the worst way possible.
Without him noticing, his eyes began to wander toward the Slytherin table, but the usual platinum blonde hair next to Nott and the others was nowhere in sight. He also noticed that Lestrange was not present though they all knew the reason for that. The Dark Mark had been bugging him like hell and it was draining his energy fast due to the pain that it brought forth.
Harry’s nose scrunched up at that. Had he not known the Vampire’s reasons, he would’ve thought that the git deserved it. Now that he was aware that Lestrange was merely wanting to protect those he loved and that he never had a choice in the matter, he felt bad for him.
His eyes roamed all over the room in search of the only platinum hair. The only hair color close to that that he was able to spot on was Lovegood’s blonde hair. She was reading another magazine about some weird mysterious creatures that some might find odd.
Harry released a heavy sigh as he found no sign of the human. He felt Ron nudge him on the arm and faced his best friend.
“If you’re looking for him he is currently with Neville at the Greenhouse.”
Harry’s eyebrow rose at this and he looked away from Ron. “I wasn’t…” Harry was not able to finish that sentence as Ron began to retort his words.
“Harry, I know and understand that you want to stay away from him now as you said, but you don’t have to hide from me that you still have affections for him because it is as obvious as the day,” Ron finished, seemingly proud of himself.
Harry scoffed at him. “It’s nighttime already”
“Well, I used it for the context.” Ron grinned.
Harry looked at him confused. “Who are you and what have you done to Ron?” Harry said surprised as he had never known Ron to be this sharp when it came to words.
Ron began to release a sigh and bowed his head. “I know. I think I have been hanging out too much with Parkinson. Her use of vocabularies is extensive.” Once again, Ron used a word that Harry was not used to hearing from him. “Oh, shit,” he cursed as he clasped his hands together and leaned his head to it on the table.
Harry just chuckled, clearly amused. “So, who is currently winning in your tug of war?” Harry patted Ron as he grumbled under his breath.
“I don’t think I will win this," he honestly said and Harry just gave him another pat before picking up his pumpkin juice and taking a long sip of it.
To help ease Ron’s troubles, he began to change the topic. “By the way, where is Mione?”
Ron looked up. “At the Greenhouse. God knows that when she and Marius speak, it’s as if they are in this world of enlightenment where everything I hear from them is gibberish.”
Harry snickered at that. Since he had been avoiding Marius, he also had to accidentally avoid Hermione as the witch would stay by Marius side for as long as she could, trying to figure out the things about the Dark Lord.
“I—“
Harry was not able to finish what he was about to say when suddenly his vision blackened and he fell to the ground. He clutched his body closer as he screamed in pain.
This made Ron's eyes went as wide as saucers. He rushed to Harry’s side as fast as he could, shaking his hysteric friend. All eyes in the Great Hall were watching now as the other Werewolves stood up and crowd around Harry whose body began to convulse. Ron tried to clutch Harry’s hands that began to morph into claws and now digging into his own flesh, arms bleeding.
Harry growled at Ron in response, eyes unseeing and little by little, they turned animalistic, green irises fading into golden ones. That was a sign that his werewolf side was about to resurface.
Everyone froze in shock. The Headmaster along with the other Professors went to see what was happening.
As soon as Dumbledore arrived, he shouted at the top of his lugs, knowing that Severus would do as he was told and create a cure at once. "Severus, wolfsbane!"
Snape rushed to his office to create the cure for the poison, the others began to take a step back away from Harry's form.
Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. The witch seemed stunned as she watched Harry fought for control.
“Minerva, cast a barrier around Mister Potter!"
Professor McGonagall did as she was told. She cast spell after spell of barriers to keep Harry in, preventing him from causing a massacre.
"Prefects! Escort everyone to their common rooms right this instant. No one in or out until this matter is taken care of. Hurry!"
The Prefects led all of the students back to their dorms as soon as they heard his command. Some started panicking and the older Vampires seemed to have been merely amused by the thing that seemed to play right in front of their eyes.
Luna, standing around the other witches, looked like she was a bit afraid before she slipped away from the crowd of students, slowly but surely moving out of the room.
Blaise, who realized that Neville and Marius were still in the greenhouse, began to rush there, leaving Theo and Pansy to deal with the other lower years who seemed afraid. Every one of them knew what Wolfsbane could do to a werewolf. Either they die or they lost control and kill everything in sight until the Wolfsbane was out of their system.
Harry's body contorted as his transformation began. He screamed then whimpered, feeling the pain much more painful than his first transformation when he was young as this was a forced transformation. He could feel his bones breaking and rearranging themselves. If he wasn’t as strong as he was now, this pain would’ve made him passed out already. Both he and his wolf were rejecting the Wolfsbane in their system. That was one of the reasons why his transformation was brutal.
“Mr. Weasley, please head on to your Common Room as well,” the Headmaster said.
Ron shook his head. “He is my Alpha, Headmaster. I cannot just leave him.”
“I know that you are truly loyal. But you and I both know that if Harry did complete his transformation, he would not recognize any of us until the Wolfsbane is out of his system.”
Ron looked conflicted, but the stern eyes of the Headmaster made him leave.
“Headmaster, here.”
Pomona handed Dumbledore Harry's cup where they found out was laced with a concentrated dose of Wolfsbane. It was brewed so skillfully, colorless and odorless even to the Werewolves strong sense of smell.
The Professors who were left watched as the human was gone, replaced with a huge midnight pelted wolf. Its teeth bared at their direction, paws complete with sharp nails that they were sure could slice their necks easily.
Harry growled. When he was about to attack the first person he saw, his werewolf form was hit by an invisible force. He kept on attacking it, no longer understanding any of the words those around him were spouting. He could not wait to sink his teeth to their necks and maul them bloody in the ground, painting the room red.
He hit the invisible wall continuously until a crack was then seen. Minerva and Pomona raised their wands high, prepared to hex him at any time he would be able to break out of his containment.
With a final hit, the barrier finally cracked.
Harry could finally smell his surroundings, the fear radiating around the room. He smelt candy from the old vampire, another awful scent of soil from the fat on his left while the witch who kept a barrier around him smelt of a cat. His nose scrunched up with dislike at them. They looked prepared to face him with animosity as soon as he made a single move. He was prepared to attack the fat one, but a soft breeze passed over them from the slowly closing door of the Great Hall as Minerva tried to close it, confining him there.
As soon as he smelt their plan, he crashed into the dining table and began to topple the huge piece of wood at the three Professor’s direction. He took that chance to run out of the Great Hall. He did not leave unscathed. It seemed like one of the witch hit him with a spell that cut through his thick skin and pierced him like hell.
…….
As soon as Blaise located Neville, he hugged the life out of him. Neville was astounded at the affection Blaise graced him with, so he soaked it up like a sponge since it was rare for Blaise to hug him outside where all people could see.
"I'm glad you’re safe."
Neville was confused when Blaise released him too quickly. He looked back at Hermione, trying to make up on what Blaise meant. Hermione was looking suspicious as well and so she asked.
“Why would we not be safe?”
Blaise calmed his nerves before replying. "You both need to head to the Common Room now. Potter was poisoned with Wolfsbane and is currently transforming at the Great Hall."
Neville gasped in shock while Hermione's eyes widened, her mind whirred, thinking on who had the capability and will to target Harry in plain sight. She had to know exactly what happened. There might be some clues left on who laced him with poison.
“Hermione.”
The witch was startled from her musings when she felt hands on her shoulder. “I’m sorry I was lost in thought,” she replied.
If this were not a serious time, Blaise would’ve teased her. Unfortunately, there was no time to idle. “We have to go,” he announced before grabbing Neville’s hand and tugging him to the nearest Common Room which was Hufflepuff’s.
"Wait. Marius!" Neville blurted out, causing the other two to stop moving.
“Where did he go?"
"Astronomy Tower," answered Hermione quickly.
Blaise nodded at her. Neville looked reluctant at letting him go but they all worried that Marius was left unprotected against Harry who was now a crazed wolf.
"Be safe." Neville clutched Blaise's hand. Even if he wanted to help Blaise, he couldn’t go against Harry as he was their leader.
Before Blaise could go, a voice echoed in the silence of the Hall.
"Don't worry, Longbottom. Blaise won't be the one searching for Marius," drawled someone from behind them. They turned around, only to see Orion walking towards them.
“Orion? Aren’t you supposed to be in your room resting?” Blaise began to ask.
The vampire merely huffed. “And how do you propose I rest when I could hear panicked voices all over the place?” His eyebrows rose.
"It will be faster if I came along,” Blaise replied.
Orion shook his head. "Go, Blaise. I will not be tolerating a weeping bumbling mess of a Longbottom if he finds out you are mangled to death by his Alpha."
Blaise was about to protest, but Orion’s eyes stopped him from doing so.
"Be careful," was all Blaise could reply.
"It’s Potter, Blaise. Do you really think I will lose?"
Hermione gave a worried look. They might not be close, but they were all on the same side. “Don’t let your guard down.”
Orion grinned at that. “Have I ever?”
After he said that, he disappeared. They all knew that he had to be quick on his feet to get to Marius before Harry.
"We have to go.” Blaise tugged Neville as they began to run in the direction of Hufflepuff Common Room.
…
Harry, in his wolf form, ran with no direction. His mind was muddled and control was not in him. His instinct directed him. He growled and snarled at everything and nothing.
Suddenly, his nose caught something in the air. He drew in a deep breath and though oddly faint, he could smell it—the smell of freshly cut grass. The scent attracted him that he easily ran towards its direction as fast as he could.
…..
Marius was once again at the top of Astronomy Tower, clearing his thoughts of what was to come. His brain was filled with possibilities he thought could happen. The Headmaster’s voice still rang in his mind as clear as day, asking him of the impossible. By giving protection to Hogwarts, it would lead to his identity’s reveal and worse, his aunt might find out about his magic and that is something that cannot happen. He would not allow anyone to make him a tool for this war. He had already caused too much death the day he was conceived.
His thoughts then made its way to Harry. The way he had been avoiding him these past few days had begun to be so obvious that he was growing irritated. He was not sure whether to snap at the werewolf or just be silent and allow things to happen.
Marius released a huge sigh, his mind was so full of things already. He did not want to leave Hogwarts while having bad blood with Harry. It would not be right and it would bug him all the time.
He clutched his chest where he felt a sting at the thought of Harry hating him or being mad at him for something that he was not sure he did.
A sudden movement from behind him caused him to snap from his thoughts. His head looked back to see who it was, only to see his cousin Orion who released a huge sigh of relief upon seeing him. He could see the exhaustion on his cousin's face and he began to wonder why his cousin had rushed to where he was. Then he thought there must have been something wrong or something happened while he was gone.
Marius raised his eyebrow at this. “Is there something happening that you rushed here to see me?”
Orion merely raised his hand up in the air to stop Marius from speaking. “No time to explain. We have to go.” He then pulled on his cousin’s hand and began to tug him down the stairs when suddenly, he heard a distant growl emanating just below them.
“Shit!” Orion cursed. He pulled Marius up the stairs once again.
Marius was baffled by what was happening. Orion then released him to look down at the balcony as if measuring how high it is from the ground.
“You are not thinking what I thought you are thinking right, Orion?” Marius asked warily and a bit scared.
Orion looked back at him and gave him a shaky grin. “You know me too well, cousin, despite our short meeting.” He then approached Marius slowly, causing Marius to take a step back.
“Wait! At least explain to me what is happening!”
Orion turned a deaf ear as Marius began to wail when he ignored the human’s demands to know what was happening. He grabbed his cousin before going over to the balcony once again. “No time, Marius. You can spell the ground so that we won’t actually be injured, right?”
Marius nodded shakily, not knowing what to do as he felt his mind freeze at what is about to happen. He trusted his cousin too much to doubt him, though.
“Okay then, here we go.”
“I swear to God this better have a good explanation, Orion—"
Orion heard the loud growl behind him. Without looking back and without any hesitation, he jumped.
“NO! YOU GIT! I AM NOT PREPARED!” Marius screamed as they freefall before his words turned into incantations that cushioned their landing.
“YOU IDIOT!” He screamed once again because he could. “You are lucky adrenaline got the best of me and I could cast that spell!”
Orion drowned out the mad voice of Marius as he sprawled on the ground to calm himself from what they did. He was panting hard and he could see the faint shaking of Marius’ body. He was sure that he needed to apologize, beg even. He had never seen his cousin that shaken before.
After quite a long rant, Marius’ allowed himself to sit next to Orion, his knees drawn to his chest as he tried his hardest to calm his erratically beating heart. His shaking hasn't disappeared one bit.
When he could speak without the urge to hit his cousin in the head, he asked, "What exactly happened?”
Orion sat up and was about to explain when he saw furious yellow eyes staring right back at him from behind Marius.
His eyes widened as his thoughts screamed at him.
‘How was Potter here at only such a short amount of time?’
He quickly took a stance to shield Marius away from Potter as the werewolf snarled and growled at both of them. He had seen Potter a dozen times in his other form. He knew perfectly well why he was said to have been the Chosen One.
He was huge even among the other werewolves older than him. His thick black fur looked menacing, a warning that he was dangerous. He radiated power and since the wolfsbane was currently in his system, only his bloodlust remained. Potter was asleep along with his wolf side. Had he been awake, green eyes would’ve been there instead of yellow, golden predatory eyes, only seeking blood and death.
“Is that?”
Marius’ voice broke Orion’s thoughts. He nodded slowly.
Marius had never seen any one of the werewolves in their wolf form and he could not help but be awed at how huge the wolf in front of him was. Its midnight fur looked so soft to the touch but he could also feel the danger it could bring if he ever was careless. He wondered who it was and as he looked at the wolf’s eyes, he now understood why the wolf in front of them looked murderous.
“Wolfsbane?”
Again, another nod from Orion. Marius was pushed back again by Orion as the wolf took a sudden step forward. Its golden eyes directly watching Marius as if he knew something.
Marius had a look of confusion in his eyes. He stared back at the wolf and could see that he was being watched carefully. He suddenly felt a sense of familiarity towards the midnight wolf.
“Harry?” the human whispered softly.
Orion’s eyebrow rose at the way Marius guessed who the wolf was without him needing to say anything.
Harry growled in response, his teeth bared and body prepared to jump at them.
“Marius, get back. Potter won’t recognize you.”
As soon as Orion finished his warning, Harry jumped at them. The vampire almost failed to defend himself when the huge black wolf went for his neck. Orion retaliated. Using his speed, he clamped his hand over Harry's throat and tried to flip him on the ground.
But Harry was heavy so he used that advantage against Orion and used his claw to swipe at Orion’s stomach. He missed by an inch. Orion jumped back.
Marius was about to run to Orion to aid him, but his cousin raised his arm to stop him.
“Do not interfere, Marius. You have to keep your secret.”
With those words, Marius took a step back and stood just a few feet away from him.
Orion was at a disadvantage. He could feel his hunger striking and the dull throb of the Dark Mark on his arm was beginning to ache once more. He almost clutched it when Harry began to dash in his direction. He elongated his nails just a bit, no choice but to injure Potter enough to prevent him from moving too much until the Professors arrive.
The two creatures began to attack one another, slashing and clawing. The sound of growls from the wolf was filling the night as the vampire silently moved with the wind. Orion was about to attack Harry’s hind leg when Harry suddenly clamped his teeth onto Orion’s arm, where his Dark Mark lie. This time, it was Orion’s scream that echoed in the night.
Marius tensed hearing the painful sound his cousin let out. His eyes widened seeing the two people he adored was now about to tear each other apart. He knew he could not stand by any longer. He had to help.
Marius clutched the necklace that seals his magic and willed a substantial amount of his power to flow in his body. The sudden feeling of magic that ran through his veins suddenly warmed up his whole being, better than the small amount he usually had to endure when the seal was still on. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, black irises flashed as a cloud of mist engulfed the surroundings.
Orion gritted his teeth at the pain of Harry’s jaw that were trying to break his arm for sure. His eyes were cloudy when suddenly, he realized a black mist surrounded him and Harry. He didn't even notice the teeth that clamped his arm was gone. All he knew was that suddenly, another presence was beside him and someone didn’t stop muttering gibberish in Latin that ignited the air around them.
Orion turned around. There he saw Draco, holding his hands in front of himself that began to glow as barriers by barriers of magic surrounded them. He realized a little bit too late that his arm was warm too, his body closing his wound five times faster than usual.
A growl turned his attention back to Harry who bared his teeth in anger, having lost his prey.
Draco muttering intensified at that. Orion might know not of what his cousin meant, but he knew enough that those spells Draco cast would cost a lot of magic.
“Draco, you can’t use your magic!” Orion shouted with all the energy he could muster, but Draco merely gave him a small smile and answered.
“Don’t worry, I set up a shield.” He placed one of his hand on Orion's forehead and whispered. “Sleep, cousin. I will take care of Harry.”
Orion was about to respond, but his eyelids grew too heavy for him to form coherent words. In no time, the world turned black.