Kindred Spirits

The next time Ryan opened her eyes, it was to a mop of black hair tickling her face and the feeling of a head resting on her chest. This was strange for two reasons. First, because she didn't remember falling asleep. And second, because the head pressed against her chest was not her brother's.

"What are you doing?" She asked in a hoarse voice, blinking rapidly in confusion.

Sirius Black, the culprit whose head had been found resting on Ryan, was startled at the sound of her croak of a voice - so startled, in fact, that he lost his balance and fell off his chair in an ungraceful tangle of long limbs. When he managed to get himself off the floor, by holding onto the edge of Ryan's bed, his wide eyes met hers and he bellowed, "you're awake!"

"And you were laying on my chest," Ryan stated in a most accusatory tone.

Sirius' face turned sheepish, if not a dash red. "Sorry about that. I was trying to hear your heartbeat. It's awfully weak."

"My heartbeat is just fine, thank you," Ryan retaliated with narrowed eyes. "And for future reference, I do not appreciate waking up to strangers' hair in my face."

"Look, I said I'm sorry!" Sirius said, throwing his hands in the air in mock-exasperation. "I was only doing what James asked me to do. If you want to yell at someone, go have it out with your brother."

"My brother asked you to check on my heartbeat?"

"Among other things, yes," Sirius huffed out, crossing his hands before his chest.

Ryan frowned. "Where even is my brother, anyway?"

"He was just here like fifteen minutes ago. In fact, it's a horrible time that you've chosen to wake up, y'know. Poor James has stayed by your bed-side for the past 48 hours, waiting for you to open your eyes," Sirius recalled with a sigh. "We only got him to move a few minutes ago to get some food in his system. Otherwise, I think he'd have joined you in a sick-bed."

"Blimey, James..." Ryan mumbled underneath her breath. "He always does this. I mean, it's sweet, but he has to learn to take better care of himself."

Sirius raised two sarcastic eyebrows at her. "This coming from the girl who fought two werewolves and passed out?"

This seemed to remind Ryan of something that had been itching at the very back of her subconscious ever since she woke up. She exclaimed something incoherent and raised herself up to her elbows (with some difficulty). "Alex - I mean, the second werewolf. What happened to him? Where is he?"

"We've genuinely no idea. After we took you to the Hospital Wing, we went back to check on the two wolf-buddies, and the other guy was gone."

Ryan's eyes widened in alarm. "You mean to tell me you left him alone?! Are you bleeding mad?"

"Yes, we do apologise for rushing you to the Hospital Wing to save your life. We should've clearly left you there to bleed out," said Sirius sardonically.

"That's not what I meant. I'm eternally grateful for your wonderful service, oh great Sirius Black, but couldn't at least one of you have stayed behind?"

Now, it was Sirius' turn to look at her indignantly. "Now, I'm starting to think that you are bleeding mad. Who'd have stayed behind to look after two grown werewolves? What if they'd gotten free?"

"Well, clearly, one of them did get free! And he got away! All thanks to you," Ryan seethed, dropping herself back into the comfort of her bed and sighing to herself.

"Who was that bloke anyway?" Sirius asked, ignoring Ryan's complaints altogether. "You clearly knew him from somewhere and I suppose he had something to do with that awful git, Greyback, but there was more to it. It was like he could... understand you."

Ryan took a deep breath and closed her eyes in silent contemplation. Just as she opened her mouth to give what was sure to be a barely half-satisfactory response to Sirius' queries, Madam Pomfrey bustled to her bedside.

"Oh, dearie, I see you're awake! That's wonderful!" Pomfrey cheered with a kind smile. She turned to Sirius soon thereafter and reprimanded him. "Why didn't you say anything, mr. Black?! This isn't the time to be chatting about with my patients. My instructions were clear. If she wakes up, you notify me."

Sirius mumbled an embarrassed apology from underneath his breath and stepped back to allow the medi-witch to work her magic. He watched wordlessly as Pomfrey conducted a variety of checks, tsk'ed occasionally, and searched frantically for various different remedies.

"Alright, darling, I've done my very best to close all of your wounds and applied dittany quite generously, but these wounds are very very curious... How did you say she got them, mr. Black?" Pomfrey asked Sirius off-handedly.

"She fell from her broom when we were practising for try-outs into some trees at the outskirts of the pitch," Sirius explained smoothly. He was so earnest about it that even Ryan found herself believing she acquired her wounds in a Quidditch accident rather than a brawl with werewolves.

Yet, Pomfrey didn't seem entirely convinced. There was a very mistrusting look in her eye whenever she met Sirius' strangely relaxed gaze. "... Yes, well, whatever the case, they're abnormally deep. I'm afraid they will scar."

Ryan shrugged. "S'alright. I've had scars before - right there on my back. I got them at Ilvermorny. I think they're pretty wicked, actually. Now, I'll just be adding to my collection."

"Yes, I did notice the scarring on your back, ms. Potter. Actually, I've been meaning to ask you about it. They're very silvery - silky like the moon. Did they perhaps - well, really, I was wondering, and I hope you won't consider me indecent for asking, but - have you ever encountered a werewolf before, ms. Potter?" Pomfrey asked, casting knowing looks at Ryan's person.

"No, can't say I have," Ryan lied just as smoothly as Sirius had before. "We were taught some stuff about them in third year maybe, but that's all the contact I've ever had with one."

"Hmm," Pomfrey muttered, sounding very disbelieving. "Strange. Your scars look uncannily like those acquired by a werewolf's claws."

"That is strange," repeated Ryan with the same affable demeanour as always. "Well, ms. Pomfrey - I've noticed, by the way, that my brother calls you Poppy, so I'm thinking I'll call you that, too - thank you very much for treating me. I'll try not to get into too many other kerfuffles. I promise you won't have to see me here very often - not as a patient, anyway."

"That's a noble goal to have, ms. Potter," Pomfrey nodded with a kind smile. "Now, you must get back to bed. You need lots of rest to recover from your blood loss. I gave you copious amounts of Blood Replenishing Potion, but I'm afraid the best way to overcome these things is rest, rest, and rest again. Besides, I've another patient to tend to."

And with that, the medi-witch scurried off busily.

"So, I take it that Remus hasn't woken up yet?" Ryan asked in an attempt to sound un-affected, though it was clear she was feeling a bit guilty.

"Nope. And it's strange, y'know, because he usually recovers within a day after a full moon. But, I'm thinking maybe with the blood moon and that fight..." Sirius trailed off, and watched as Ryan's face contorted into a painful grimace at the reminiscence of the fight. "Well, I just mean, it all must have taken a bigger toll on him. He's fine, though. Poppy says he just needs his precious rest."

"What did she say about finding him tangled up in vines?" Ryan asked, with a wince.

"I dunno. We made sure to stir clear of the scene of the crime before she came around," Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "One thing I do know, however, is that some nosy Hufflepuff found a spattering of golden fur near the Willow yesterday."

Ryan frowned deeply and attempted to hide her face in the pillow. But before she could do so, a hand grasped at her wrist. Sirius, with his firm grip on her, forced her to look into his eyes - those grey eyes with their rich blue undertones. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

Ryan swallowed roughly, shut her eyes sadly and sighed, "I know."

A few more hours passed before Remus really came around. In that time, James returned from his lunch and re-united with his sister very jovially. After this heartwarming occurrence, Ryan succumbed to her exhaustion and fell asleep in the hope that she might recover a bit quicker. This time, neither James, nor Sirius left her bedside (except for when they checked up on Remus on the neighbouring bed). They were soon joined by Peter, who had been unable to ditch his classes, since he was already behind on half of them.

When Remus finally woke up, he felt horrible. Flashes of that horrible night, of the hunting crimson of the moon, and of that awful fight hunted his every thought. His body ached like it never had before. He could barely move his limbs, or turn his head. His head was pounding mercilessly and he was unable to form a single coherent sentence. All that he really knew was that he had to apologise to his friends, and he had to apologise to Ryan.

"James," he croaked, mustering up all of his strength.

James, who had been mildly engaged in a game of Gobstones with Peter, jolted up from his seat and rushed to Remus' side. "Moony! You're finally awake."

"Where's Ryan?" Remus asked instantly. "Is she alright?"

James laughed in relief. His heart was lighter than it had been that morning. "She's alright. She's snoozing on the neighbouring bed."

No sooner had James uttered these words than Remus started hyperventilating. "I didn't want to hurt her, James. I-I swear. I'm so so sorry. I almost killed her."

"Woah, what's all this? Why are you apologising? Calm down, mate. It wasn't your fault," reassured James, who was strangely calm for someone whose sister had nearly died a couple nights ago.

"Of course it was my fault! I'm a monster. I-I attacked her and- I don't remember much from that night, but I remember hurting her... I remember scratching her and-" Remus ranted, panic clear in both his voice and his eyes.

"That wasn't your fault," another voice intervened. James swung the curtain separating the two neighbouring beds to reveal Ryan, sitting up groggily from her nap. Despite her obviously sleepy expression, she looked just as adamant as ever. "This full moon wasn't ordinary. It was something called a blood moon - it makes werewolves more aggressive, bloodthirsty and strong."

"Ryan!" Remus bellowed upon seeing her. "I really am sorry-"

"Stop apologising," Ryan demanded sternly, fixing him with a pointed stare. "You've done nothing wrong. I don't blame you. No one does. And you should definitely not be blaming yourself."

"I'm a monster," Remus muttered to himself, staring at the scratches along Ryan's exposed bicep with wide, terror-stricken eyes.

"No, you're not," Ryan commanded with that same strictness. "The wolf isn't you, and you are not him. You're your own separate individual - a kind individual. No monster would be so apologetic for something they didn't even do."

"I did do it. I hurt you," Remus exclaimed, his voice raw with emotion and regret.

"And you regret it," Ryan stated, more than asked. "That's what sets you apart from real monsters. I've seen many cruel, evil, malevolent people. They've hurt me, too. But not one of them regretted what they did. They didn't apologise, or stress for me. They didn't feel the guilt and deep regret of causing pain. I know what monstrosity looks like, Remus, and it's not you."

Remus had no words to retaliate. That feeling of regret didn't go away, but he felt relief alleviating the ache in his heart and the mess of self-deprecating thoughts in his head. "I'm sorry."

"I know. Now don't say it again," said Ryan strictly. But while she was trying to sound stern, there was a small smile on her face. "Besides, you didn't do this alone. You probably won't remember, but there was another werewolf there that night."

Remus' thoughtful frown confirmed her suspicions that he remembered very little, if anything substantial, from that night. "What do you mean?"

Ryan sighed. She noticed James' pleading stare, begging her for answers. She saw Remus' and Peter's confusion. She felt Sirius' expectant gaze on the back of her head, and remembered the promise she'd made. "Let's just say that I have a lot to tell you all."

"Perhaps," Sirius suddenly intervened, "we shouldn't talk here."

Ryan nodded at him. "Yes, that's a good idea. The things I have to tell you are strictly confidential. I don't want them getting around."

"Alright," James declared. "We'll wait for you two to get discharged from here and then, we'll meet outside the Gryffindor common room. I've a good place in mind for story-telling."

"I have to warn you," said Ryan somberly. "It's a long, and very convoluted story."

"We'll talk all night if we have to," James reassured his sister of his determination. "If we're going to keep you away from danger, we have to know what we're dealing with."

"For the record, I still think that this pact with dad to protect me is fruitless," Ryan raised two accusatory eyebrows at her brother and his friends.

"After what happened at the full moon, we'll have to agree to disagree," James retorted, his face serious. "This is clearly not a game, Ryan. You're in real danger. Let us help you."

Ryan sighed deeply again. "I'll tell you my story tonight. If you're still willing to help after what you hear, then there's really not much I can do to stop you."

"Tonight, then."

Night fell. Pomfrey agreed to let the two wounded out on probation - that is to say, they had to go back every morning for a daily check-up of their health. The four boys tingled with anticipation all throughout dinner. They kept throwing glances at Ryan, in the hope of some hint or give-away of the story that would follow, but her lips were very tightly sealed.

When their plates were empty, the five of them hurried out of the Great Hall before the rest of their classmates and climbed up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. James dashed to the boys' dorm to grab his Invisibility Cloak. As the old Cloak couldn't fit five full-grown teenagers under it, it was agreed that Ryan, Remus and Peter would stay hidden underneath it, and James and Sirius would lead the way.

James was in front of everyone, navigating through the castle, taking abrupt turns, descending the weirdest of moving staircases, and walking through the darkest of Hogwarts' halls. Whenever the group would encounter someone on their way, James and Sirius would masterfully charm their way away from them and keep on their journey.

By the time the group reached their destination, dinnertime had elapsed, and students were soon to flood the Hogwarts corridors in their returns to their houses. James stopped in front of a random wall, and turned to look at his companions proudly. "Here we are."

Ryan poked her head out of the Cloak and gave her brother a sardonic stare. "And where exactly are we?"

"At the Room of Requirement," James boasted with a smirk.

"I dunno if you hit your head on a suit of armour while dodging Filch earlier, but there's no room here. Or a door, for that matter," Ryan scolded her brother sourly.

"Oh, Ry, you can be so narrow-minded at times," said James pompously with that trademark taunting attitude of his.

"Where is your sense of adventure?" Sirius joined in on the taunting with a matching smirk.

"Where is your faith?" James continued.

Ryan's face was set in a deadpan expression. "I see this is very amusing to you."

"Yes, indeed, it is," said James in a mock-posh accent.

"What are you playing at, you two?" Remus added, poking his own head out of the Cloak irritably. "We don't have all night."

"Tsk, tsk tsk, such negativity. I didn't expect this from you, of all people, Moony," Sirius joked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

Remus was not impressed. "Get to the point, already."

"This, my narrow-minded friends," began James, "is the Room of Requirement."

Just as soon as he uttered those words, in a miraculous show of magic, a grand door appeared on the previously empty wall. Ryan's eyes involuntarily widened and a breathy laugh escaped her throat.

Sirius smiled reflexively at the expression on Ryan's face, and launched into an explanation. "The Room of Requirement appears before those who are in great need of it. It takes the shape of whatever your heart desires at the present moment in time. That is to say - it can be anything."

"Anything?" asked Peter, poking his own head out of the Cloak.

"Anything," James confirmed with an excited nod. "Sirius and I discovered it last year when we were running away from mrs. Norris after the end-of-year prank. We kind of stumbled on it -"

" - Literally," Sirius intervened. "We fell through the door out of nowhere."

"Mhm," James hummed in agreement. "Since then, on the last days before term ended, we visited it all the more often. We noticed that it could turn into a bathroom -"

" - a brewery - " Sirius added.

" - a potions laboratory - " James continued.

" - or a very handy storage closet," finished Sirius.

"Woah," Peter muttered in amazement and utter awe.

"That's right," James cheered. "So, I figured it would be the best place for us to talk undisturbed."

"James, this is brilliant!" Ryan voiced her agreement. She tossed the Cloak aside and hurried to the door. She pushed it open promptly to reveal an opulent sitting room.

Ryan ran inside, followed shortly by her brother, Sirius, then Remus and Peter. Ryan ran directly into the first and most comfortable armchair she could find and buried herself deeply into it. It was so plush, and richly soft that she could've fallen asleep right then, right there.

Peter, who had mirrored Ryan's actions and taken refuge on another comfortable sofa, said (though half his words were muffled), "'is mud' 'e 'aradis'."

"What's that, Pete?" asked Remus, taking his own seat on the large cushioned couch in the centre.

Peter lifted his face from where he'd rested it on the cushions and repeated more clearly, "This must be paradise!"

James smiled. "I figured that we might need some comfort for the long story up ahead."

Ryan sombered up instantly and nodded her head firmly. "Right. Okay, so I've already warned you that this is a long and very complicated story. It's also very private, so you can't go around sharing any of this. While I talk, please don't interrupt me. I'll answer any questions at the end. Got it?"

None of the boys raised any objections. They were too curious to learn of this extraordinary story. They nodded mutely and made themselves comfortable.

"Don't worry, Ry. Take it at your own pace. We're just your faithful listeners," James encouraged with a soft smile to make her feel more at ease.

Ryan sighed. "It all started four years ago."