Uncontrolled (Remus Lupin x oc)

21. Twist of Power

Willow walked ahead to get to Remus. "I'm sorry," she said.

"For what?" he asked, brows furrowed.

"Well, I kind of freaked out," she explained. "I just thought..."

"Wills, it's okay," he assured. "I probably would have done the same in your position."

At last, they were out of the Whomping Willow. It was dark now and the moon was concealed by the clouds overhead. They made it a decent way before the clouds parted and Willow's eyes suddenly widened. "Remus," she said quietly. He stopped, looking up as he began to shake.

"Oh, my, he didn't take his potion tonight! He's not safe!" Hermione shouted.

Paling, Willow ordered, "Run, now. All of you, RUN!" Harry tried to lunge forward to free Ron, but Willow screamed, "RUN!" The binding around Ron's wrist shattered and he ran.

"Go, Willow," Sirius said before changing into his dog form. The dog and werewolf began to fight just before Hermione screamed and Pettigrew lunged for Remus' wand. Harry disarmed him, but it was too late. Pettigrew transformed and disappeared. Willow separated the two canines. When Sirius looked up in surprise, he saw Remus being held in place by a swirl of gold all around him. Two layers of magic were surrounding him, holding him in place as the other ran around protecting him from the sheer power of her magic.

Willow had no idea what else was happening. All she knew was that she was growing weaker and weaker by the moment. She was holding him in place while also protecting him from being crushed by her own magic. She cried out, attempting to keep him in place before an intense cold rushed through her, freezing her insides. Her energy began to drain, slowly lowering more and more until finally, she collapsed.

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Faint voices broke through the darkness, waking Harry from sleep. The first said, "Shocking business, shocking. Miracle none of them died. Never heard the like, by thunder. It was lucky you were there, Snape."

"Thank you, Minister," the oily voice of Snape replied.

"Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say," Fudge said. "First Class if I can manage it."

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister," Snape replied.

"Nasty cut you got there," Fudge remarked. "Black's work, I suppose?"

"As a matter of fact, it was Madam Ollivander, Minister," Snape admitted.

"No!" Fudge exclaimed.

"Black had bewitched her," Snape lied. "I saw it immediately. A Confundus Charm, to judge her behaviour. They all seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. There weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape. The students obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed. They've got away with a great deal before now. I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves. And of course, Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of license by the headmaster. Madam Ollivander foolishly pursued them only to be bewitched as well."

"Nasty business," Fudge said again.

At the end of the hospital wing, a curtain was pulled over where Willow lay. Her skin was covered in golden swirls but she was completely passed out.

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Hours later, when the sun had risen and after Sirius had escaped on Buckbeak, Dumbledore stood at the foot of her bed with Severus and Remus. "Do either of you know who might know what's going on?" Dumbledore asked.