Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 3.15

As they made their way back through the tunnel, the dim light cast long shadows on the walls. Emerging from the base of the Whomping Willow, Harry, Hermione, and Ron helped Sirius, who was still unsteady from his ordeal. Lyanna, however, stayed behind, not forgetting about their Potions teacher who was still unconscious. She gently shook Snape awake.

"Professor Snape, wake up!" Lyanna urged, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Snape groaned, blinking his eyes open. "Miss Lyanna, what in Merlin's name were you thinking?" he scolded, his voice laced with irritation. "Going after Sirius Black, of all people!"

Lyanna bit her lip, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, Professor. But technically, it was Black who found us, not the other way around."

Snape huffed, clearly not placated but too disoriented to argue further. They hurried through the tunnel, the urgency of the situation pressing on them. As they neared the exit, a commotion outside caught their attention.

"Run. All of you. Now!" Sirius's voice rang out, filled with desperation.

Snape and Lyanna rushed out of the tunnel, emerging just in time to see the others standing transfixed, watching as bristles poked through Lupin's skin. Black stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his friend, pressing his mouth to his ear.

"You know the man you truly are, Remus. This flesh is only flesh," Sirius whispered, pounding Lupin's chest. "This heart is where you truly live. This heart! Here!"

As Lupin's wand dropped, Pettigrew seized the opportunity and leaped to escape.

"No!" Lyanna shouted, her wand flashing. "Expelliarmus!"

Lupin's wand flew from Pettigrew's hand and he froze. Slowly, a hideous grin spread across Pettigrew's face. Then, with a grotesque transformation, he became a rat and darted into the night.

A howl pierced the air. Harry wheeled around just in time to see Lupin fully transform into a werewolf. He tossed Black aside effortlessly and turned, no longer human.

"Professor...?" Hermione's voice quivered with fear.

The werewolf's eyes blazed, its long teeth glittering. A horrifying growl erupted from its throat. Harry and Hermione began to edge back, only to run flat into Snape. They collapsed in a clumsy pile, Hermione ending up atop him. Snape swept her aside and stood.

"Out of the way!" Snape commanded, drawing his wand and stepping forward to shield Hermione, Lyanna, Harry, and Ron.

The werewolf howled and sprinted forward, but before it could reach them, a giant dog—Sirius in his Animagus form—intercepted it in midair. They hit the ground in a fierce tangle of flashing teeth, a single horrible flailing beast. Again and again, the dog pushed the werewolf back, but the werewolf was too strong.

"Sirius!" Harry yelled, desperate to help his godfather.

The dog yelped, roaring in pain, and the werewolf flung it into the tall grass. As it charged after Sirius, Harry, and Lyanna pushed past Snape and dashed into the night. Hermione made to follow, but Snape held her back, his grip firm and protective. The night echoed with the sounds of the fierce battle, the line between friend and beast blurred in the chaos.

"Harry!" Hermione's voice echoed in the night, filled with fear and urgency.

Harry and Lyanna ran full out, their feet pounding against the ground. Up ahead, they spied the dog lying inert, the werewolf's razor-sharp claws suspended over its neck.

"NO!!!" Harry shouted desperately. He plucked a thick branch from the ground and hurled it with all his might. It struck the werewolf squarely. The beast froze, turned, and began to move toward Harry.