Werewolves exist?!
Scarlett Davis expected her day to be like any other. She would get up, get ready, grab her most recent stencils to put in her bag along with her phone charger, and head to work. She had the first two down, but the last…Suffice to say things didn’t exactly go according to the way she thought.
Scarlett was walking down the street in Santa Barbara, California. A cloth shoulder bag, hand-made by her mom, hanging over her right shoulder. Phone in hand, texting her coworkers in their group chat; asking what kind of coffee they wanted before she headed to the shop.
Scarlett was a new tattoo artist at a little tattoo and piercing parlor. She went on her own three months ago after her internship ended with her father's brother, David, who had been a tattoo artist for twenty years after he got out of prison.
She finished writing the list of orders for her boss and coworkers in notes on her phone. Slipping it into her back pocket she turned to take a short cut down an ally. She saw the coffee shop up ahead, halfway down the alley the solid ground she was traveling on suddenly gave way. The next thing she knew, she was falling.
Marie was in the Time Chamber, as an Unspeakable who specializes in arithmancy and runes she was assigned to study a recently discovered, suspected, ancient time turner. Or something like it, at least.
Sitting down at a desk covered with parchments, half-finished formulas written down and multiple books open about ancient runes. Marie shouted in triumph as she finally found what she was looking for, rushing out of her seat (and banging her knee in the process) she walked over to the large metal orb, her robe flowing around her ankles. Walking up to the lone glass covered sphere, she looks at it with a critical eye.
Around the circumference were runes carved into the surface, when they discovered it (found in a hidden tomb deep underground in the countryside of Dublin) and picked it up they saw, if runes were touched, they would light up. To be safe they put it in an enchanted case to be brought to the Ministry and handed over to the Unspeakables. Marie was sure she found the right sequence, without thinking to call in someone else for a second opinion or even to let her superior know. She, in her excitement, decided to try it herself. Taking off the cover with a flick of her wand, she stepped forward and found the right runes, pressing a slim finger to the first one, she watched in amazement as it glowed a faint blue. Each rune she pressed the light grew brighter; with a finger shaking with excitement, she pressed against the final one.
Immediately the ground trembled and rolled underneath her feet, throwing her to the floor. Tossing her hood back, wide brown eyes were forced shut by the orbs' light reaching a blinding level. Suddenly everything went dark, Marie, opening her eyes and blinking rapidly, looked around anxiously.
“Uh oh..”
Scarlett screeched out as she fell, with a flash of light she landed roughly on the ground on her front. Groaning she rolled over, wincing when she felt sticks poke her lower back where her crop top didn’t cover. Wait.. sticks?
Eyes snapping wide, her vision was filled with a dense tree filled sky. Scrambling to her feet, she spun in circles with frantic ice blue eyes, pupils pin-pricked in fear based adrenaline. W-why are there trees?! I was in the fucking city! Surrounded by buildings, not trees! Shit why is it chilly?! California was over 90 degrees today. What the hell?
Looking around she found her bag lying a couple feet from her, grabbing it and slinging it on her shoulder; she reached to her back pocket for her phone.
Just to see she had absolutely no signal. Fuck!
Groaning in frustration, she put her phone back in her pocket and ran fingers through her curly chin length hair.
Her thoughts were running around in circles, trying to give logic to her situation; only to fall short. Slapping her hands down on her thighs she glanced around, only to pause when she heard raised voices. Oh! People! Thank god maybe they can help me figure out what the hell is going on. Jogging towards the direction of the sound, she picked her way through the forest's foliage. Branches whacking her in the face and catching on her clothes. She finally stumbled into a small clearing, only to notice a really strange sight.
Oh, she found people alright, but she expected hikers, not whatever this was.
Standing in front of her was a group of people, all men, but that wasn’t the strange part. Three of them were huddled together, the one in the middle trying to stand tall, like he was holding his ground, but the tenseness of his face and trembling of his hands belied his attempt. Two stood on either side of him, all looking rather rough and dirty, wearing torn clothing. Four more stood across from them, three with very long, black, billowing robes. A hood stood straight up to a point. Distantly Scarlett compared them to a group formed in the 1860's were known to wear.
Not exactly a pleasant comparison.
Each of the three had their faces covered by a skull shaped sort of mask made of some metal, probably silver. Standing in front of them, a rather large and wild man, that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie, stood tall. Practically towering over everyone else at a good 6”5, his silver hair ran down his back in knots, he was shirtless with only a long leather duster over his shoulders, his bottom half showing torn up pants and worn boots. At his side his giant hands flexed, long talon like nails tipped his fingers. Looking up she noticed his features were distinctly animalistic, his nose was wide and slightly flat, his eyes a menacing sickly yellow. With a flash of trepidation, she noticed his sneering mouth had long. fucking. FANGS.
What. The absolute. Fuck.
She must have made some sort of sound, as suddenly all of them snapped their heads in her direction. With a shaky hand, she waved. Sheepishly she spoke, “Uh, sorry, I didn’t know where I was so I followed the voices that I heard. Um, so I’m just gunna.. go now.” Pointing over her shoulder as she spoke, she began to slowly spin from where she came. Wanting to get out of there with every fiber in her body. Before she even took a step a voice rang out.
“And what makes you think you need to leave? Stay a while, I can tell you’re.. not from around here.” The voice caused a shiver to run down her back.
It was deep, raspy, and slightly lisped. It also had a distinct accent, English or Scottish, she couldn't say. All the same, it caused her mind to halt from fear and make her fight or flight to kick into high drive. She felt like prey, and she did not like it. Looking back, she saw the huge one had taken a couple steps toward her, eyes locked in on her form, with a focused intensity that also gave a very feral feel to it. She felt threatened and she knew if she didn’t get out of here; something very bad was going to happen.
Stammering, she began to speak. “W-well, you know, this looks like a, um, private conversation… so, um, I figured I’d just head out. And, uh, and see if I can’t find my way back.” She could feel sweat slide down her temple.
The guy hadn’t stopped looking at her up and down, like she was some sort of delicacy. The wind shifted and blew from behind her, nose tipping up and breathing deep. Yellow eyes that closed suddenly snapped open, chuckling darkly he licked the tip of a fang with his tongue. “Oh yeah, you’re definitely not from around here, I can smell it. You are human, a muggle.” The three haggard men looked shocked, one even tried to motion to her, telling her to get out of there. She didn’t catch it, however, too caught up in trying to figure out what the fuck he meant. What she did see was the three other men tense up and raise their arms grasping a.. stick?
“Tch, a nasty muggle, might as well get rid of it. Greyback, move.” Snarling the wild man, now known as Greyback twisted back.
“Fuck off, Lestrange. I haven’t had my fun in a while, and I plan on making the most of it.” He flashed his fangs at him in agitation.
Lestrange scoffed. “The Dark Lord sent us here on business, not pleasure. There is no reason to get sidetracked, finish the mission assigned to you.”
“The Dark Lord isn't my master, I’ll do whatever the hell I please. You can do whatever you want,” Turning his attention back to her, he saw her try to sneak away. Hollering out before he gave chase, he said. “And I am going to go hunting!” Bursting forward he began to run.
Scarlett yelled out and turned around completely to begin sprinting away, running as fast as she could, not minding the scratches and blood blooming across her skin. She tried to ignore the laughter and taunting from behind her, the thundering of footsteps quickly gaining.
I’m gunna die. I’m gunna die. I’m gunna die. Repeated in her mind, she was so focused on getting away she failed to see the large rock in her path. Tripping, she fell forward, dirt sticking to her sweat soaked skin. Chest heaving as she scrambled to her feet, just as she started to move Greyback suddenly burst from behind her and leaped forward to catch her. Scarlett screamed and curled inward with closed eyes, just waiting for whatever was coming.
All of a sudden a bright flash of light filled her vision and a voice yelled out.
“ DIFFINDO!”
A sudden loud crack and crash of what she assumed was a tree, filled the air. When she opened her eyes, her mouth dropped wide in surprise. Greyback was groaning on the ground, a tree splintered in half from his body being flown into it. She didn’t move, too much in shock from what she’s seeing. Only to yelp when a hand suddenly grabbed onto her upper arm and pulled her back.
Whipping her head to the side she saw another man, this time more put together. He looked mid-forties, short salt and peppered blond hair. He’s wearing a dark brown sweater vest, and khaki dress pants, not unlike what she imagined a librarian or history academic to wear. While he looked clean, his face was haggard and three, long, thin scars ran down the side of his face to the side of his chin.They looked old and faded, but clearly visible. His eyes are a kind hazel, but with a golden tint around his pupils. She can see him being someone soft spoken, someone who likes to stay in doors drinking tea with a good book. Right now, however, his brows were scrunched together, and jaw clenched tight with intense concentration.
He pulled her again and started running. “Come on! We have to get going, that’s not going to hold him for long!” He yelled out, with a much more obvious British accent. Scarlett’s mind was blank, too much was happening, too much weirdness around her. She has no idea what to do, honestly at this point she’s assuming she fell going to get coffee and now she’s in a coma.
Next thing she knows they are hauling ass through the forest, in the background yelling and snarling filled the air. Scarlett could feel her heart racing, pumping her blood so fast she could hear it rushing through her ears. Her mind was blank, too focused on surviving; she’s sure when the time comes, and everything calms down she will fall apart. But right now, she can’t afford it.
“Here! Stop here!”
She was suddenly pulled to a stop. Twirling around she stared questioningly at the stranger who saved her. “Wha-”
“We don’t have any time, here grab on to me. Take a deep breath and close your eyes.”
“What are you talking about!” She shrieked, her hands gripping her head in disbelief. Why is this guy stopping? Death was literally crashing through the forest; he would be tearing into them at any moment!
He grabbed her and pulled her close, “Just do what I say! Deep breath, eyes closed!”
She did what he said, usually she wouldn’t be this compliant, but she didn’t know what else to do and the stranger seemed to know what he was doing. She wished she did too. Scarlett slammed her eyes closed and took a deep breath. She felt him twist around with her and with a crack she could feel her body crumple in on itself while also pulling itself into different directions. She felt like she was dying.
With a giant bang she felt her feet slam to the ground. She flung herself away and tripped onto the ground, heaving out the breakfast she had that day. Distantly she felt warm hands holding her hair back and rubbing her back, a soft tenor voice telling her it’ll be okay and to just let it out; to take deep breaths. Finally, she hacked out everything and leaned back on her calves, getting her breath back. She noticed the warmth was gone and whispers of two people finally entered her ears.
Looking up she saw the man who helped her talk with a man who resembled Gandalf. Long colorful robes, his hair a snow-white color falling just underneath his shoulder blades; long white beard tucked into the belt of his robes. Cornflower blue eyes behind the half-moon glasses met hers, probing, searching. Something inside her told her to look away. She looked down and found her bag that she didn’t remember taking off. Grabbing it she clutched it close to her chest.
“Now, my dear girl, who might you be?” Gandalf wanna-be spoke.
Looking up she found the first man, he stood slightly back, his eyes alight with concern as well as slight wariness. Tch. What does he have to be wary about? I’m the one who suddenly ended up in a forest about to be fucking EATEN by some crazy cannibal. Bringing her attention back to the older man, she made sure to look at his nose, forehead, or chin. Anything else, just so she didn’t look into his eyes.
“I feel like I should be asking you that.” She responded dryly.
Looking surprised and intrigued they quickly looked at each other. Looking back to her with more curiosity than anything hostile; the elder spoke. “Ah, you are American... Well, this is certainly interesting.”
Her brows furrowed together, “Yeah? Why are you so surprised? Last time I checked I was in America.” Slowly she stood back up while swinging her bag on her shoulder.
The younger man tilted his head, and the elderly man’s thick brows shot up in shock. “My dear you're not in America.”
Scarlett felt her stomach drop, her face draining of color, feeling a bit faint. “Then... Then where the fuck am I?!” Her voice started to crescendo on each word until the end of her sentence finished with a piercing shriek. Causing birds to burst from the trees.
Each man had a different reaction, the eldest, didn’t have one. His face staying neutral yet kind, the younger winced visibly and reached up to rub his ears. The eldest kept his eyes on her, “You are currently in a remote location in Scotland. Remus here,” He gestured to the man who saved her. “Brought you here when he was out on an errand for me, he tells me he found you after stumbling across Fenrir Greyback.”
Ugh. That asshole. Scowling and crossing her arms. “Tch. That crazy bastard, yeah, I had no idea where I was so when I heard voices, I went to them. Hoping they were just hikers or something, boy was I wrong.” Rolling her eyes, she looked at the still unknown man. “So, who are you?” She asked.
“Ah, yes how rude of me, my name is Albus Dumbledore.” Waving a weathered hand to her, he asked. “And who might you be?”
“Scarlett Davis.” She stated. “Now where in Scotland, am I, exactly?”
Dumbledore nodded his head and looked behind her, causing her to spin around to see what he was gesturing towards. Only for her arms to fall limp and jaw to drop open. Standing tall in front of her was a castle, a fucking castle. “What...” Her tongue not wanting to work properly stopped her from continuing. Both men stepped up on either side of her, Remus looked at her like he was expecting Scarlett to drop at any moment while Dumbledore had a small smile, childish delight twinkling in his eyes.
“Yes, she is quite splendid, isn’t she? Ms. Davis, I would like to welcome you to Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!” He looked down at her, waiting for her reaction. Remus looked at him like he was crazy.
“Professor!” Lowering his voice he asked, “Are you sure it’s alright?”
“Oh, dear boy, no need to worry so much. I have a feeling we won’t have to worry about young Ms. Davis here.” He stated, smiling disarmingly at him. Remus looked slightly less convinced but nodded his head anyway.
Scarlett blinked in disbelief once she really soaked in what was said. She looked over and just stared. Dumbledore looked back, waiting for her to speak.
“I’m sorry, but… are you on drugs?”
Remus choked and sputtered at her. Dumbledore chuffed in amusement, not taking any insult. “No, Ms. Davis, I am not, what I am however is the Headmaster of this fabulous school and all who dwell within her.” He patted her shoulder, gently guiding her forward to the school's entrance as he continued. “Not to worry, I understand how this can be very confusing and even unsettling. I promise you though, we will figure this out and find you a way back home!” Clapping his hands, he led them into the school and through the hallways.
Following behind, Scarlett’s eyes darted around, only vaguely taking in moving portraits and staircases they passed. She turned her head towards Remus who had been walking beside her. His eyes met hers, he tilted his head questioningly.
“So... did you go to school here?” She asked.
Nodding in confirmation. “Yes, I did. Witches and Wizards come here to learn about how to control their magic at age eleven.” Remus explained.
Blinking, she nodded and looked away, only to look back. “So did that Greyback guy go here too?” She didn’t see him do anything that would warrant it, but something about him was too unsettling. Too supernatural.
Remus jolted and swallowed. Opening his mouth, a couple times, he finally settled on a response. “Um... No, no he didn’t.”
Dumbledore spoke up to continue. “Fenrir Greyback is not a Wizard, but a werewolf; Ms. Davis.” Scarlett laughed like he told a good joke, only to quickly trail off when no one else joined.
Clearing her throat she asked. “Y-you’re joking.. right? Werewolves don’t exist. Except in books and movies I guess.” She shrugged.
They were led to a set of stone stairs, and suddenly began moving by themselves without warning. Gasping, she grabbed Remus’s sleeve, when they got to the top he guided her out and through a large set of doors. She looked around as she was settled in one of the chairs in front of a desk that Dumbledor sat behind. Her wandering attention went back to the Headmaster when a throat cleared softly.
He continued their conversation. “Unfortunately Ms. Davis, it is quite true. Werewolves exist, and quite possibly every other supernatural thing you’ve heard of.” Grabbing a piece of candy in a bowl, he popped it into his mouth. Leaning back he started stroking his beard in one hand. “Greyback is a werewolf. Unfortunately he is quite uncontrolled and violent. You are lucky indeed that Remus found you in time, who knows what would have happened if he didn’t.”
A shiver went down her spine. Voice low she said, “I think I have a pretty good idea...”
Dumbledore spoke softly, “You should know Ms. Davis, not all werewolves are like Greyback.” Looking towards Remus he said, “Remus, himself is one, has been since he was a young boy. Changed by the very man who attacked you today.”
Scarlett whipped her head in shock towards the man sitting beside her, looking him over with a critical eye. Remus was looking at his lap, shoulders slightly hunched. He looked like he was bracing for whatever was coming, possibly negative considering her first introduction. With pursed lips Scarlett folded her arms and looked back to the Headmaster. Blowing a piece of hair out of her face, Scarlett spoke. “Well, he looks more like someone who would want to devour a good book than human flesh, I’ll take him over Greyback any day.” Looking at the man beside her out of the corner of her eye, slyly and with a bit of humor, she added. “He’s also much prettier to look at too.” A smirk twitching on her lips.
Remus looked over at her in surprise, a blush creeping across his cheeks. Stuttering out random words, not knowing how to respond.
Dumbledore laughed in delight. “Haha! Quite right you are dear girl, quite right indeed.” His mustache twitched up as he looked over his glasses at the still blushing man. “I would say another certain someone would agree with you, wouldn’t you say, Remus?” He didn’t say anything, blush on his cheeks intensifying, and just glanced away.
Aww, he’s so flustered, whoever it is I'm sure is gunna have fun with that.
“Anyway Headmaster.. Wouldn't it be more prudent to discuss Ms. Davis’... Situation?” He asked, getting the conversation back on more important, immediate concerns.
“Quite right, yes.” Dumbledore agreed. Turning his attention back to her with a concentrated look, Scarlett sat up straight feeling the change in the room settle into something more serious. Eyeing her, he steepled his hands underneath his chin, humming as he nodded his head as he came to a conclusion. “She cannot stay here at the castle, as it is summer, the other teachers are either with their families or busy with other things. As it stands, we cannot simply let her go into the Muggle world. For some reason I have a feeling it is quite different than where she originated.”
Frowning, Scarlett asked for him to clarify.
“Tell me, Ms. Davis, what is the date?”
“It’s July 24th, 2023.” She said, not understanding the significance.
Remus’ eyes widened and looked towards Dumbledore. Whose face was solemn, leaning back against his chair he signed. “Well, that is interesting indeed.”
Scarlett was getting frustrated, she felt like she was missing something, something big. “What? What's interesting?”
Lifting a hand to placate, he explained. “Originally when this began, I thought you might have encountered an echo of either a Witch or Wizard who used a Portkey. It’s very rare, but there have been cases in the past of a Muggle with enough latent magic to fall into the energy left behind and show up where the Portkey was sent to. But as time went on, I got the distinct feeling it was something more.” He continued and caused Scarlett’s brain to halt in shock.
“I’m sorry to tell you this Ms. Davis. The date here is the 3rd of July 1995. You somehow have gone back in time.”