Shadow Claw: The Life Story - The Fourth Chapter

Ch. 28 - Uproar

Jenny's POV

Morning came, so I reluctantly dragged my weary body from bed and slipped on my weekend attire; a checkered red-black button up shirt and blue washed jeans. It was a Saturday, and a glum one at that. Snow had begun to settle along the ground, and that specific day, it stayed on the grass almost all day, before the evening coated it in another pure, icy blanket. I yawned widely, pulling away from the window and quietly walking through the Slytherin common room. I uttered no words as James joined me, however he said one thing, his usual bounciness dissapated. "Shadow didn't come back last night."

I was worried for my friend, and especially since she never told anybody specifically where she was going. Umbridge came to mind, however, James and I both knew Shadow had herself in control. She hadn't gone off to kill that witch... right? The Great Hall grew closer, and there was a great disturbance in the atmosphere.

Very loud shouting.

Very hostile voices.

Not a good situation.

However, before James and I could walk away, Nova's voice stood out over them all.

"YOU TOOK HER!! WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER?!" She sounded crazy with rage. James and I shared a look - we knew this was about Shadow.

We jogged in and everything fell silent. The students all turned to gaze at us with frightened eyes, especially from the first-years. I shared another look with James and we turned our eyes to the scene before us.

Nova was being held back by not only Fred and George, but McGonagall too, along with standby Harry and Ron. The Night Claw's eyes were a blazing midnight and her body was being racked with trembles of fury. She hadn't quite yet been allowed to shift, obviously. "Where. Did. You. Take. her?!" She snarled through gritted teeth, right at Dolores Umbridge, who was smiling sweetly at Nova.

"She should have been sent to Azkaban for the things she almost did. However, I am a merciful lady-"

"Merciful?" I spoke up. My eyes were brimmed with tears. What had Shadow done? What had Umbridge done?! "You show no more mercy than a Death Eater." I noticed James' slight flinch, and I felt so very sorry for him, but there were some words better left spoken, than unheard. "You're a Hound of Hell. Tartarus himself would spit you right back out." My words were venom, and she was my prey. I would defend Shadow - especially since she tried to kill this woman.

Umbridge's sweet smile widened, and her frog-like eyes did too. It was like a bell on deaf ears - was she that stupid to ignore our words of warning? Damn, she was creepy - still is. "Shadow Claw's attempted murder will not go unpunished, and as for you, young Jenny Potter, you mustn't tell lies. You all know I am no such Death Eater, and You-Know-Who has not returned. Is that clear? Do I make myself understood?"

Nova yanked herself away from the people holding her, "No. You don't make yourself fucking clear." She hissed in vexation, "In fact, let me make myself clear." A couple students raised their selves and joined Nova's side, to which she acknowledged them briefly, like Shadow would to James and I. "You can do this the easy way, or the Claw way. You will tell me where Shadow is, and I won't spill your guts all over these tables, or, you can stay silent, give me a detention, whatever, I don't care, but I will find her, and when I do, all Hell is to pay. The Claws will bring you down, Dolores. Mark my words." She growled darkly.

"You couldn't spill my guts on these floors if you tried, young lady." Umbridge called, seemingly satisfied with herself.

Huh. The Claw way it is.

Nova shook her head, "No. The fact is, I wouldn't." The hall took in a deep breath. "I wouldn't give you the honour to die here. I'd probably give you to the Centaurs or the Merpeople." She gave her, her own sweet smile before storming out of the Great Hall in a flurry of dark fur and wings. There was a thundering roar and then silence once more.

"I won't have rebellion, Minerva." Dolores said to McGonngall. The woman looked positively furious.

"Oh, you'll have rebellion alright, if you keep up with your barbaric ways." She quipped before whirring off in a flick of her cape.

I sat down with James, weak knees knocking. Harry leaned over, "Have you heard from Shadow?" He asked gloomily. I shook my head, "Not after she stormed out yesterday." I sniffed, and we turned away from each other. James was gnawing on a warm croissant with all kinds of butter and jams and marmalades slathered all over it. The thought of food made me sick - how could I eat without Shadow's voice telling me I was too skinny and needed to eat more?

I missed her already.

That time was different, because then I knew Shadow was in danger and there was nothing I could do to stop it, while when she was away with Shade, I knew all I had to do was slap him in the face if her laid a hand on her. It was different - I cared for Shadow like a child, or a small kitten that grew into a ferocious, mysterious, predatory, cute, panther with wings. James was really the family dog.

He was staring at the chicken legs, the expression in his eyes telling me that he was deciding whether to just eat one, or jump on the bowl and save them all for later.

It was going to be difficult without Shadow, and both of us knew it, if only subconsciously.

I had to find Nova. I had to get to Shadow.

But first, I had to alert Shade. No sooner had I thought that, but the owl that Shadow had sent to her father dropped a letter in front of James and I. The owl hopped around us, its dappled black feathers shimmering in the dull light. I nudged James as I opened the letter, reading its contents with widening eyes.

Jenny and James,

I know about my daughter and this Umbridge woman. I have notified Shade, and he is getting more and more frustrated by the hour. The Claws are gathering at the edge of the forest, and we shall send search parties out into the Forbidden Forest for her. We will find her, but I urge you not to push this woman any further. She is obviously very cunning, and has no tolerance for retaliation.

I would urge you, also, not to come, however as Shadow Claw's best friends, I think that would be useless. By the time you have received this letter, I expect the Clan to have arrived. Meet Svana and I down by the birch forest, or HQ as you three called it many times.

Make sure you're not followed.

Pierce.