"RUN!!" Harry shouted to Ron and Hermione. All three began running as fast as they could towards the school gates. Fear clutched at Harry's chest. What was that thing and why was it waiting outside the school gates? He suddenly remembered that he had to send a patronus to warn Professor McGonagall. He tried to think of something happy, but it was extremely hard considering the circumstances. He saw Hermione running ahead of him and thought of their kiss… He took a breath and shouted "Expecto patronum!" His silver stag bounded out of his wand and across the school grounds. Heavy thuds were approaching quickly and he could feel a hot breath on the back on his neck. Without thinking he suddenly ducked and rolled to the side, bringing his wand up to face whatever it was that was chasing him. A hot rancid breath was suddenly in his face and he found himself being flung to the side like a rag doll, his wand leaving his hand… A piercing pain ripped at his side and he yelled in agony. He heard Hermione and Ron shouting his name and knew they would come for him. 'No,' he thought 'I won't let her get hurt.' He looked past the beast on top him and saw his wand lying on the ground and inch away, he concentrated on summoning it to him but his thoughts were interrupted.
"Harry Potter," the beasts' guttural voice said "It's a shame I can't hurt you…but your friends… Oh yes, your friends will hurt and bleed…and change." Fenrir Greyback shoved himself off of Harry and ran towards Ron and Hermione. Rage ripped through Harry as he finally grabbed his wand. He stood up shakily and could hear Ron and Hermione's frantic shouts of 'stupefy' and 'impedimenta', all of which missed Greyback as they were desperately trying to run away from the bloodthirsty creature. He saw Ron grab Hermione's arm began frantically running towards the trees. Harry followed jumping over rocks and uprooted tree roots along his way, his chest ready to explode and his side burning in agony.
He ran into a small clearing surrounded by trees and was surprised to find it silent and deserted. He tried to quiet his breathing as he scanned the area, desperately looking for Ron or Hermione. His foot squelched beneath him. He looked down, horrified to see a rabbit torn to shreds and barely recognisable under his foot. The metallic smell of blood filled his senses and made his stomach clench. He walked quietly through the clearing, listening intently. He saw a dark spot ahead of him and ran towards it. 'A cave,' he thought to himself 'Why on Earth would they think to hide in a bloody cave?' He entered the cave and was in absolute darkness. He couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. He smelt a rancid smell of sweat mingled with stale blood. He knew Greyback was near, but where? He couldn't risk lighting his wand. He moved to the side until he felt a solid, smooth wall. He began inching along it, hoping with everything he had that Ron and Hermione were ok. His hand suddenly felt something beneath his hand that felt familiar. He ran his hand over it and smiled to himself in the darkness. How was her hair always so soft? He felt her hand frantically reach for him and she drew him close to her. They stood along the wall of the cave…waiting. The familiar metallic scent alerted Harry that Greyback was approaching. A large boulder was in the middle of the cave and he knew that this was their last chance. Without saying a word he pushed himself quickly between Ron and Hermione and grabbed the sleeves of their shirts. He pulled them quickly to the boulder and made them hide behind it.
Just then the red eyes spotted him and a roar echoed through the tunnel. Greyback's rasping voice followed after and a chill went up Harry's spine.
"I'm going to have to hurt you now Potter," he said "I won't kill you…but it will be very amusing when the world learns that the chosen one is a werewolf! Your Mum and Dad would have been so proud…" He laughed gratingly and began to rush towards him. Harry felt anger burning through his veins. He waited until Greyback was almost upon him before quickly ducking under him and leading him away from the boulder. A flash of triumph went through his mind and he began to run quickly through the cave. He was just thinking of an attack move once he got into the clearing when his foot tripped on a rock in the dark. For a wonderful moment he thought that he could regain his balance and continue…
He slammed into the ground hard and felt the breath forced out of his body. He tried to get up but found that his head was spinning and his chest tight and burning. He went to roll over but suddenly felt a crushing pain descend upon him, and razor sharp claws piercing his skin. Droplets of rotten saliva landed on the back of his neck. There was no more time... he had to do something. 'Got to find my wand' he thought frantically and began running his hands along the floor of the cave in desperation.
"NO!" screamed Hermione, coming out from behind the boulder, Ron following defiantly behind her. Greyback leapt off Harry and charged menacingly towards Hermione. Harry still couldn't find his wand. He heard Greyback screech in pain as Hermione and Ron began firing hexes in the direction of the red eyes. He concentrated hard on where he thought Greyback was, praying that he could save them in time and not hurt his friends. He thought 'petrificus totalus' and managed to stop Greyback just before he struck Ron. He knew it wouldn't last long and quickly cast a binding charm. Hermione and Ron decided to cast one also…just to be on the safe side.
"Lumos," said Hermione, and a wonderful light broke through the cave. Harry spotted his wand and reached towards it. He was lying on the floor breathing heavily as Hermione and Ron ran towards him.
"Nice to see we're still popular then," said Ron.
"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione worriedly "Are you hurt? Let me see…"
"Why did you hide in a cave?" groaned Harry, "What if it had been a really short one? Where would you have hidden?" Ron looked rather sheepish and pretended that the wall of the cave was extremely interesting.
"Well it was nothing to do with me," said Hermione "I was being dragged along by prince charming here and didn't have much of a choice in the matter," Ron decided to defend himself, and a bickering match ensued. Harry grinned in spite of himself and leant against Ron and Hermione's shoulders as they walked back to the school gates. He looked up and saw Professor McGonagall, a huge figure that could only be Hagrid and various others hurrying towards them. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It was only then that he noticed Hermione was clinging on to him. He tried to move but it just made her hold tighter. Resigned, he closed his eyes. He supposed that regardless of what had happened between them, she would always worry about him like this. He grinned to himself, feeling relieved that she wasn't hurt.
"I hate to say I told you so," Hermione began.
"Yeah yeah," Harry and Ron replied in unison. Hermione grinned a little and pulled Ron next to her. She wrapped an arm around Ron and hugged them both tightly to her. Harry wondered if he could ignore the attraction between them forever. He wondered what would happen to the three of them if his and Hermione's friendship didn't survive. What if she gave up on him and just went out with Ron instead? How could he bare it? Harry quickly put these thoughts out of his mind and grinned at Ron and Hermione. They were his friends. He would try hard for their sakes…and for the sake of everything that was relying on them. There the trio sat waiting for the teachers to arrive, breathing heavily and undoubtedly looking forward to their first hospital visit of the week.
*************************************************************************************