Hermione Granger sat alone in the astronomy tower at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, looking out at the night's sky sadly. Her eyes followed a shooting star across the horizon.
She recalled that silly Muggle saying about wishing on a shooting star. If only it was that easy, she thought despondently, one wish and he could be back here where he belongs. She was thinking of Harry Potter, one of her best friends, and boyfriend since the middle of sixth year.
Two weeks ago, Dumbledore had asked Harry and a few other members of the Order of the Phoenix to go on an assignment, which she knew close to nothing about. She had overheard something about a forest, but that was as far as her knowledge went.
She had asked Dumbledore of course, every other day since Harry had left, about his whereabouts. He hadn't told her, but he had seemed calm and confident like he always did that Harry and the others were fine. Until this morning. He hadn't given her any information but the look in his eyes frightened her. Dumbledore, for the first time in Hermione's memory, looked genuinely worried. And that terrified her to the core. She had made it through her classes today (she was Hermione Granger, after all) but she kept thinking about what could possibly could have happened.
Someone entering the tower interrupted her from her train of thought. She turned to find Professor McGonagall walking toward her. She was about to come up with an excuse for being out of the dormitories this late, but the Professor raised a hand to stop her.
"Save the excuses Ms. Granger," she said, with a sadly sympathetic look on her face. "The Headmaster would like to speak with you."
Hermione couldn't form a response, but followed McGonagall out of the tower. In her shock, she absentmindedly noticed the full moon out tonight.
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"Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked as she entered Dumbledore's office. She saw Ron sitting ramrod straight in a chair, his eyes trained on the Headmaster.
"Have a seat please, Ms. Granger. I am afraid I have some unpleasant news." Hermione found her way to a seat, her hands and legs shaking.
"What's happened Professor - where's -" Hermione said before she was interrupted.
"I cannot give you every detail," began Dumbledore, "But two weeks ago, as you know, Harry left with other members of the Order. Including Remus Lupin."
"They were following a possible indication that Death Eaters were in hiding in the Black Forest. They set off for Germany immediately. As you might have noticed, tonight there is a full moon. Remus was instructed to owl me this morning with confirmation he had taken his Wolfsbane potion, and was being secured. The owl never came."
"Of course, he could have forgotten to send the owl, or it could have been intercepted." Dumbledore continued, "To make sure, I sent a trusted member of the Order to the groups last location. He just apparated back into Hogsmead moments ago."
"Well?" said Ron impatiently, "What'd he have to say?" Dumbledore sighed and seemed to gather himself before speaking.
"The circumstances are not completely known as of yet, but Remus never drank the Wolfsbane potion. Trying to control him was useless, so the other members tried to protect themselves the best they could. Their efforts were in vain. A few hours ago, Harry received a bite."
There was silence. Quite possibly the loudest silence Hermione had ever heard. It was throbbing in her ears, akin to too much blood rushing to one's head. She tried to take a breath, but it was stopped by an obstruction in her throat. Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.
"No," she whispered hoarsely, "It can't be…not Harry…"
"According to accounts, Harry transformed almost immediately after receiving the bite. We'll have to wait until morning to track him and Remus down." Dumbledore finished, his eyes closed.
Hermione rushed out then, hurrying away from Dumbledore, and a shocked Ron, and went down the staircase to the corridor below. She wandered aimlessly through the castle, trying to absorb what she had just heard.
Out of everything that had happened over the years, and of all the things Hermione had seen in her nightmares, this was the one thing that was unbelievable. I mean, what are the odds of one of us getting bitten by a werewolf?, she had thought years ago, while doing research. It looked like she had gotten her answer.