Paws 2-Temptation Waits

"Paws 2-Temptation Waits"

By: Emily Granger.

I am a wolf but, I like to wear sheep's clothing...

I was sitting in Potions class. Hermione was next to me, while Ron and Harry were in front. We were sharing cauldrons, which were on top of the tables. Neville and Ginny were behind us. The Gryffindors were on the right side of the dungeon, while the Slytherins were on the left. The dungeon was cold. So cold that when we exhaled, our breaths came out in little puffs of steam. It was the middle of January. I tightened my black robe around me, trying to keep warm. All around, students were shivering slightly. Now that Ron, Harry and Hermione knew I was a Wolf Animagus, Ron and Harry had fun thinking of ways for me to attack Malfoy. But I told them that I would never hurt them, or anyone else. I'd rather hurt myself. Hermione asked me what I would do if someone tried to kill her, Ron or Harry. I assured her that that would be the only time I would possibly attack. I would protect them with my life. Hermione and I were just adding a bat wing to our Poly Juice Potion when I looked up and Professor Snape was standing right over Harry and Ron.

"Potter, do you specifically recall me saying to add 3 boomslang skins to that potion? Five points from Gryffindor," Professor Snape said coldly. His shoulder length greasy black hair hung around his face, framing his dark, cold eyes. As usual, he was in his black robes.

It had been my fault. We were whispering about what we'd like to turn Professor Snape into. I had started the conversation.

Harry began blushing furiously.

"I'm sorry, sir. It was my fault. I was talking to him, distracting him," I said.

Professor Snape's dark eyes moved onto me.

"Ah. Miss Davis. Sticking your nose into other people's business. Just like Potter and Mr. Weasley," said Professor Snape. "As for the distraction, it certainly wouldn't've been with your looks."

Behind Professor Snape's back, Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins were snickering.

Harry was watching me, as well as Ron and the rest of the Gryffindors. The Gryffindors were silently seething and glaring at Professor Snape.

Harry's green eyes were filled with rage behind his glasses.

"Lucy is very pretty," said Harry stiffly.

"Keep silent, Potter. Or else I will deduct another 10 points," said Professor Snape coldly.

Harry sat, his eyes narrowed. Ron was just as angry next to him.

Professor Snape's eyes were still on me.

"Your father is an Auror, isn't he?"

"Was, sir," I said.

"Was?"

"He was killed in a muggle car crash a few years ago. He swerved to avoid an object in the road," I replied.

I heard Draco, Crabbe and Goyle silently guffaw.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Ron snarled.

"Weasley! Another ten points," Professor Snape snapped. "Are you sure your father wasn't just a drunken fool escaping from his daughter who thinks she, like Potter, are above everyone else?"

You come on like a drug...I just can't get enough...I'm like an addict coming at you for a little more...

That did it. Now, I was really angry. I slowly stood up, placing both palms face down on top of the desk. My eyes narrowed.

"My father was a famous Auror. He would never drink alcohol and he wasn't a fool. How dare you insult him? No wonder you're hated. You're just a cold, unemotional jerk," I growled.

The Gryffindors were in a stunned silence. Fred and George were winking at me. I was at the boiling point right now. I already felt the gray and white fur growing all over. My hands and feet were changing into paws; my nose and mouth pulled forward into a snout, while white canines and incisors slid down under purple lips. My ears grew into pointed and triangular shaped wolf ears. My eyes changed into the jaundice color. My legs bent into haunches. A tail grew at my rear. I was in wolf form now, standing on my hind legs, while my front paws were on top of the desk. I flattened my ears out side ways, pulled back the top lip exposing my white canines and incisors and snarled. My sides heaved, and my breath came out in puffs of steam from my black wolf nostrils. The girls screamed. There was a shuffling of chairs being pushed back, then a small stampede toward the door.

"STAY!" Professor Snape bellowed.

The class paused, huddling by the entrance way. Ron, Harry and Hermione began talking at once.

"She...,"

"Sir..."

"She won't hurt...."

But each time, Professor Snape raised a hand to silence them.

"Mr. Weasley, go and fetch the headmaster," said Professor Snape. There was a happy and smug tone to his voice.

Ron looked uncertainly at me, before he headed out of the dungeon.

"Sir, she won't hurt us!" Hermione said, as she reached toward me.

My head snapped to the side as I snapped my jaws at her, barely missing her hand.

She pulled her hand back, looking stunned.

"She won't hurt anybody," said Harry, angrily. "But you insulted her, sir. She has every right to be mad!"

"Potter, if you don't keep silent, I will deduct 50 points! As for Miss. Davis, her fate will rest with the headmaster," said Professor Snape icily. "And how dare you talk to me like that!"

"In a way, sir. You asked for it," said Harry coldly.

"Potter!" snarled Professor Snape in his quiet, but dangerous tone.

Harry reached to touch my head. I snarled and clamped my jaws on his hand.

I tasted blood. Harry held his hand close to his body, looking stunned and hurt.

I felt my heart stop. I realized I did something I for so long swore and prided myself on not doing. Guilt flooded over me. I lowered my lip, covering my canines and incisors. I dropped my head in shame and guilt, staring at my paws. My ears were still pinned flat sideways. I couldn't look at either Ron, Hermione or Harry. Hermione and Ron backed away from me, but Harry remained standing next to me.

Just then, the dungeon door opened.

"Ah, Headmaster Dumbledore. Do you realize who this wolf is?" Professor Snape asked, cheerfully.

"Yes. That is Miss Davis. She explained it all to me the day she arrived," said Professor Dumbledore, calmly as he stepped into the dungeon.

I meekly raised my eyes. Professor Dumbledore was dressed in dark blue robes. His blue eyes were twinkling behind his half moon spectacles. His long white beard and hair went nearly to his waist. Ron entered the dungeon again, and stood next to Hermione.

"You mean, headmaster, that you knew that Miss Davis was a werewolf and you put the students and staff in danger?" asked Professor Snape, through gritted teeth.

"She is not a werewolf, Severus. She is an Animagus. A Wolf Animagus, and I hardly think she is capable of harming anybody," said Professor Dumbledore as he stepped over to me.

The entire class was watching anxiously and curiously. Professor Dumbledore put a gentle hand on top of my head. I didn't even raise my head. Malfoy was sneering as usual.

"She just bit Mr. Potter," said Professor Snape. " That is not how she reacted before. She is highly dangerous."

"Perhaps her biting Mr. Potter was an accident," Professor Dumbledore said, there was a firm tone in his voice, like it finalized the situation.

"I doubt very much, headmaster. Shall I have Miss Granger go and get Miss. Davis' things?"

"Whatever for, Severus?"

"She is being expelled,"

"I'm afraid not, Severus. I have some grave news for Miss Davis," Professor Dumbledore said solemnly.

At that, my ears perked up slowly.

"What's wrong?" demanded Harry.

"Harry, go to Madam Pomfrey and get that hand taken care of," Professor Dumbledore said, kindly.

Harry stood firmly in his spot.

"Not until I hear what's wrong," He said, firmly.

Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes were filled with worry.

"Miss Davis' mother has taken ill. She is in the muggle hospital in London,"

I raised my head, whining.

"What's wrong with her mother?" asked Harry.

"A large brain tumor,"

I dropped to all four paws, then changed back into my human self.

"Tumor?" I asked, my voice nearly catching in my throat.

"Yes. She is doing well, though," said Professor Dumbledore gently. "I would like to speak to Mr. Potter and Miss Davis, please."

Harry and I followed Professor Dumbledore out of the dungeon. Professor Snape was wearing a murderous expression on his face. Normally, I would've found that hilarious, but not now. I was in danger of loosing my mother also.

We followed Professor Dumbledore up to his office. There were all sorts of magical stuff on shelves on his office. His Phoenix, Fawkes, was perched on a golden perch on the left side of his desk. Fawkes stretched his wings out before folding them against his body again.

"Please, sit," Professor Dumbledore said, gently.

We sat in large, comfortable chairs.

"Harry, I want you to go down to Madam Pomfrey right now," said Professor Dumbledore gently, but firmly.

Again, Harry didn't move.

"I promise we won't start until you return,"

Harry looked at me, then got up. He headed out of Professor Dumbledore's office.

About 5 minutes later, Harry returned with a mended hand. He returned to his seat next to me.

"Now, Lucy. Your mother has given me strict orders that you are not to worry at all. She will be just fine. She doesn't want you to loose concentration on your work," said Professor Dumbledore, gently and kindly.

"That'll be hard, sir. I lost my father not too long ago. Now, I'm on the verge of loosing my mother," I said, as tears formed in my eyes, blurring Professor Dumbledore's image.

I began toying with the skirt part of my jumper out of habit.

"Lucy. No one knows what the future will hold. Many of our kind would kill to be able to possess such knowledge. Aging potions, for-telling the future, and gazing into magic crystal balls does not make one an expert at telling the future," Professor Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling as he said that.

"I'm just so scared, sir. If anything happens to my mother, I have no where to go," I said, quietly as the tears began streaming down my cheeks.

"It is hard when we don't know the outcome of something. But I am confident your mother will be just fine," said Professor Dumbledore, softly. "You both may go."

Harry and I stood up and headed out of Professor Dumbledore's office.

Once I hit the corridor, which was lit by candles, it hit me. I burst into tears.

I dropped to my knees and sat back on my ankles. I hugged myself, rocking back and forth. My dark blond hair fell over my face. Harry dropped to his knees in front of me.

"Hey. Your mum will be just fine like Dumbledore said," Harry said, quietly and kindly.

I continued to sob.

Harry gently took my shoulders.

"Don´t worry. She'll be up and running in no time. You won't loose her," said Harry quietly and soothingly.

I sniffled as the tears streamed down my cheeks. I sobbed harder.

Harry awkwardly wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I slumped against him, pressing my face into his shoulder. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I shut my eyes against the darkness of his robe. The tears were just coming fluently. I felt his arms tightening around me. I've forgotten how it felt to be held like this. He was so gentle, yet caring. He just held me while I cried. The realization that he and I had a lot in common became even clearer. He lost people he loved. I lost someone I loved and may loose another. Harry's parents were murdered by one of the most feared, hated and powerful wizards. His chin was resting on my shoulder.

"Lucy. We can't loose hope. OK? Ron, Hermione and I are here for you. They care about you," said Harry as we gently pulled back from the embrace.

He kept his hands on my shoulders and our faces were inches apart. He swallowed.

"I care about you,"

My heart pounded in my chest.

He put a hand on the side of my face, his thumb stroking my cheekbone, wiping the tears away. His touch was gentle also. I meekly smiled. He cleared his throat and lowered his hand.

"Come on. Let's get back to Ron and 'Mione. They're probably worried," He said as we stood up.

"I'm so sorry I bit you. I was just so angry at what Snape said about my father," I apologized.

Harry shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. I know you didn't mean it. I would've felt the way. Snape's a git,"

We met up with Ron and Hermione in the common room.

"I'm so sorry about your mum!" cried Hermione rushing forward as she threw her arms around me and hugged me. I hugged her back.

"Thanks,"

"Yeah. I'm sorry too," said Ron quietly as he awkwardly patted me on the shoulder. "Snape's a git."

"I think we established that a while ago," I said, smiling.

Ron grinned.

"Don´t worry. Your mum will be back to normal in no time," said Hermione kindly.

"Thanks. You guys are great. I'm lucky to have you three," I grinned, feeling a lot better.

Ron's ears went pink and even Hermione colored. They went back to their seats and began writing an essay for Transfiguration. Harry went to go, but I gently grabbed his arm.

"Listen. Did you mean what you said in Potions? About me being pretty?"

Harry frowned, then realization came across his face. He blushed.

"Yeah, I did,"

"I appreciate it. No one's ever told me that, not that I cared,"

Harry grinned shyly and we headed over to Ron and Hermione to find out what essay we needed to write.