Uncontrolled (Remus Lupin x oc)

12. Hidden

Willow was attempting to pass by the Gryffindor Common Room to get to the owlery but found her way barred by, seemingly, every Gryffindor. Pushing her way through, she got to the portrait hole and stopped in her tracks. Several long slashes went through the tapestry. Turning, she spotted the Head Boy, Percy Weasley. "Go get Professor Dumbledore," she ordered curtly. He nodded, making his way through the crowd. Turning back to face the huge slashes, Willow covered her mouth with her hand, feeling power rush through her veins quicker than she knew what to do with. She drew in deep breaths, attempting to contain it.

Once Dumbledore appeared, Willow pulled herself together, pushing down her magic, and faced him, explaining, "I was heading to the owlery and found it all like this. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, Willow," he replied quickly, more interested in the missing portrait occupant. Minerva, Severus, and Remus appeared right after him. She moved over to Remus with a fearful expression on her face. "We need to find her," Dumbledore said, turning to the other teachers. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky," Peeves cackled.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked.

"Ashamed, your headship, sir," he replied in an oily voice. "Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing."

"Did she say who did it?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh, yes, Professorhead," Peeves replied with a cackle. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see. Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black." The very blood in Willow's veins froze. The hum of magic grew stronger.

Quietly, Dumbledore ordered, "Go back to the Great Hall, all of you. Severus, go fetch your house. Minerva, get the Hufflepuffs. Willow, can you get Ravenclaw?" She nodded shakily, moving from the hall up to the tower. Her hold over her magic slipped for a moment, causing the lights all around her to flare far lighter and brighter than they were meant to. She drew in a deep breath, reeling it back in.

"Where do vanished objects go?" the knocker asked.

Willow thought a moment before replying, "Into everything."

"Correct," it praised, opening for her. A few seventh and sixth years were still up and looked up in surprise at the sight of Willow.

Her voice trembling slightly, she ordered, "Go fetch everyone from their dorms." They nodded and rushed off to do as she said. Once everyone was down, she said, "Follow me." She led them down to the Great Hall. Afterwards, she found the other teachers and staff gathered waiting for Dumbledore to finish with the students.

Returning, Dumbledore said, "We need to do a thorough search. Remus, you and Willow check all the hidden passages. I believe you two know them best." Remus nodded and the two set out.

They went through in silence until Remus remarked, "If Sirius was here, I don't doubt he's long gone by now."

"Why?" she asked, glad of the distraction from the storm raging in her ears.

"Because he knew these halls even better than I," he replied.

"Oh?" Willow said. "How do you know?"

"I was friends with him once," Remus admitted. She looked at him in shock. "He wasn't all bad back then. Frankly, I have no idea what happened." Willow frowned at that but didn't respond. Once they had finished, they went back to Dumbledore.

"Nothing," Willow said. "I'm sorry, sir."

"It's all right," he said wearily. "I didn't much expect him to hang around. You may both retire for the night if you wish." Remus nodded and the two headed off. Instead of going to sleep, Willow jumped up to sit on her work table.

"Mind if I join?" Remus asked.

"Not at all," she replied. He sat down as well and they waited in silence. For what, they had no idea. Willow was taking deep, even breaths with her eyes closed, attempting to draw in the magic pulsing so furiously in her veins. Quietly, she asked, "Remus, are you scared of your other side because you're afraid of what it will do if you can't control it?" He was taken aback by the tone in her voice. She sounded far off, like she was listening but also slightly zoned out, like she had created a small opening to reach him from inside her mind.

"Well, yes," he admitted with a frown. She was afraid, that much he could tell. "Willow, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied, still in that far-off tone.

"Wills," he said softly. The new nickname seemed to bring her from her thoughts.

Blinking, she drew in a deep breath and stood up as she said, "Sorry. I'm fine. I should, er, get some sleep. Goodnight Remus." Before he had a chance to respond, she had dashed through the window entrance and shut it again. Remus stared after her a moment, his brows furrowed, before leaving her office and shutting the door.

As he was walking away, a cold voice asked, "Is Ollivander all right?" Turning, Remus found Severus.

"She seems a bit shaken, but I think she'll be fine in the morning," he replied. Severus nodded, beginning to turn before deciding against it.

Icily, he said, "I will find out if you helped him in here." Remus started in surprise.

"Severus, I-"

"Save me your excuses," Severus snapped. Without another word, he stormed away, his black robes billowing behind him dramatically. Remus sighed, watching him go before glancing back at Willow's office door. Assuming she must be asleep by now, he headed off to his own room.

⥖💮⽊💮⥗

Willow hadn't gone to sleep at all. Instead, she was curled up on her bathroom floor. Everything around her was floating in the air and moving without control. She began to cry, burying her head in her hands. It all came crashing to the ground as she sobbed. Her golden eyes flashed brighter slightly before returning to normal. Instantly, she collapsed, fast asleep.