Acquainted with the Night

Acquainted with the Night

Prologue

A Harry Potter Fanfiction by Kamikazee

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is property of J. K. Rowling, not me, obviously... Robert Frost owns the poem Acquainted with the Night.

Author's Note: Okay, this is my first attempt at Harry Potter fanfiction, long time reader, first time writer. I would really appreciate some feedback, suggestions, problems, whatever. I got this idea while re-reading Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban. An attempt to get in-depth with two of my favourite characters and see the world through the eyes of a werewolf. Enjoy!

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I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain.

I have out walked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed the watchmen on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street.

But not to call me back or say goodbye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

O luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night.

Robert Frost - Acquainted with the Night

Acquainted with the Night

The full moon shone down on the crowded party in and surrounding the Burrow. The crowds of people delighted in the carefree night. Today they could relax, celebrate, pretend they weren't waging a deadly war in secret. For today, today was the seventeenth birthday of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.

Sixteen year old Virginia Weasley sat unnoticed in the yard, watching as the people around her celebrated. She knew that all this was just a weak attempt at a normalcy none of them could acquire as long as Voldemort lived on. They would have there fun, trying to forget that tomorrow it would all start again. The fear, the suspicion, the waiting. Ginny had already decided that the waiting was by far the worst. Knowing you could do nothing, unsure of what was yet to come, a feeling of complete and utter helplessness.

Cornelius Fudge had yet to admit anything wrong, making it harder upon those trying to help. Voldemort raised very little commotion, concentrating small attacks on those planning against him. The past two years had been much the same, guessing, watching, making plans, and waiting. Always waiting, waiting for Voldemort to make his move.

The stress was really taking its toll. This party gave everyone a much needed break, that they were taking full advantage of. Fred and George, having abandoned the joke shop until the war was over were completely smashed. Ginny watched in amusement as her twin brothers attempted to seduce a very awkward looking Oliver Wood. Wood was rescued by the ever pretentious Percy, who was rising quickly in the ministry of magic, helping from the inside.

Harry himself was participating in a mismatched game of tackle football on the lawn. It was six versus six. Harry's team consisted of himself, Ron, Hermione, Neville Longbottom, Angelina Johnson and Pavarti Patil. The opposing team held Seamus Finnigan, Justin Flinch-Flenchly, Alicia Spinnet, Colin Creevey, Lavender Brown and Katie Bell. The only ones who were actually playing were Harry, Ron, Angelina, Seamus, Alicia and Katie. Ron and Hermione were fighting, Neville looked confused, Pavarti and Lavender were discussing fashion and Colin and Justin were foolishly attempting to separate Ron and Hermione. All in all it was quite amusing.

A scream from her mother told Ginny that the drunken twins had pulled a joke. A glance around the yard again proved that, the garden gnomes were now dancing in sync and singing the Grease soundtrack. Her father looked on with an amused smile.

Ginny sighed and wearily pushed a strand of blood red, shoulder length hair behind her ear. She got up and quietly walked away form the still-going party. She needed peace and quiet. Ginny made her way into the woods, the moonlight giving a slim path of light. The two years since the end of her third year had changed the youngest Weasley. She now realized the truth of her crush on Harry Potter. She had been entranced by his fame and great deeds. The infatuation of a child.

In September, Ginny would be starting her sixth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She looked upon that unemotionally. Ginny neither dreaded, nor awaited her arrival at the magical school. The reason for this was simple, she had nothing to dread or await. She was mostly ignored by her fellow classmates. Ginny blamed this on Tom Riddle.

The incident in her first year with his diary had pre-occupied her to the point where she missed the critical time where friendships were made and reinforced in the school. So, Ginny had no real friends, she was barely noticed. In a sudden moment of acknowledgement, Virginia Amelie Weasley made a decision, this year she would be noticed. She would make friends. She was smart, she was nice, she was beautiful, she could do it.

And she was. Ginny was a very dedicated student, a straight A student in everything but Transfiguration. She never spoke down or insulted anyone, helping when she could and was wanted. She was also most definitely beautiful. Apart from her fiery hair, she had glittering, periwinkle blue eyes set in a softly angular face with a small nose and shapely red lips. She was small, with a cat-like grace and subtle curves. All in all, Virginia emanated natural beauty.

"This year I'll find people who will like me for who I am. No more living like I'm part of the background," Ginny promised herself. "This year will be different." Ginny smiled, the first real smile she'd had in a long time. It was time to get over her shyness.

Seeming to suddenly realize her location, Ginny's smile turned to a frown. She had strayed deep into the forest, the light all but lost to the vast canopy of leaves above her. All Ginny could see surrounding her were the thick trunks of rowan and oak trees. Shrubs, brambles and bushes blocked the gound from sight. The path itself, once so wide and clean, was now narrow and winding, fading in and out and blocked by overgrown vines and large tree roots. Ginny whirled around and took up a hurried walk in the direction of the Burrow.

"Are you daft Weasley?" she asked herself angrily, "Wandering this deep into the forest at night! With a full moon, no less!" Soon enough Ginny found herself in a large, empty clearing. It was covered in dirt, small stones and debris, the center of it slightly burnt and covered in ash. She sagged with relief, realizing she was somewhat close to home. Ginny remembered playing here as a child with her older brothers. This was where Fred and George would light Filibuster Wet Start fireworks and the boys would play Quidditch where the muggles couldn't see them.

However, Ginny's relief was short lived as a feral growl emanated from the darkness beyond the edge of the clearing. Her blue eyes widened in fear as she turned to face the direction from which she estimated the growl originated. As with the rest of the forest it was darkened by the surrounding trees and covered in brush. In this light it was impossible to distinguish much.

"Please, please, please, be my imagination," Ginny whispered softly, as she prayed to every deity she could remember, knowing the woods harbored several dangerous animals. Her prayers were unanswered as a dark form leapt from the bushes. The wolf bristled as the scared red-head yelped and the large, wild canine began stalking forward.

Letting her fear and instinct take over, Ginny fled like the wind, the wolf on her tail. She wove through the trees and jumped over fallen logs, never once slowing, even the tiniest millisecond was important. Her face and arms were scratched by branches and rubbish, the redhead never more relieved that she had chosen pants over shorts for the day. Ginny could hear the thumping and the panting of the wolf following behind. The adrenaline rushing through her veins, the scared young woman sped up even more.

After what was thought to be hours by the panicking Weasley, Ginny crashed through the brush and out of the forest. She could see the leaning form of her house, still loud and bright as the celebration continued. Ginny was scarcely two hundred meters off the front door. She gulped in air, eyes bright with tears of relief, believing herself safe. A moment later, the breath was knocked out of Ginny, along with the belief, when she was knocked to the ground by a large weight hitting her back.

Ginny rolled quickly onto her back. She was met with the sight of her shaggy animal pursuer. The wolfs large, hairy jaw filled with yellowing, razor sharp, incisors was bearing down on her dirty and scratched face, its eyes expressing the amazing high received as it hunted its now caught prey. In a last feeble attempt at protection, Ginny through her arms over top of her head.

A white hot agony swept through Virginia Weasley's arm as the wolf's teeth sunk into her tender flesh. She let out one blood-piercing, pain-ridden scream before succumbing to the abyss of unconsciousness...