Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Fifteen

"Run!" Sirius shouts from behind us.

"He hasn't taken his potion," Hermione breathes out. "Hurry! Turn Ron around!"

I can't help but let out a panicked cry at the sight of Lupin transforming. Hermione and I turn, helping Ron while moving as fast as we can away from the monster. Sirius changes into his dog form, running past us.

I suddenly feel my foot step into a rock sticking out of the ground. I let go of Ron and let myself trip, not wanting to bring the other two down with me.

"Keep going!" I call out, glancing behind me at Lupin, who is almost entirely transformed and watching me. "Harry, help Hermione!"

"Elizabeth!" Ron shouts as Harry runs back and takes my place. I push myself to my feet, letting out a whimper as pain stabs at the side of my ankle. I stumble forward before falling again, my hands hitting the ground and breaking my fall.

I hear howling from right behind me, and turn myself around, knowing that I can't get back up in time; not as my entire body goes numb from fear at the sight of a fully grown werewolf standing before me.

Sirius is still in his dog form, running at Lupin from behind, but he's also hurt and isn't fast enough. I try to move back as the creature raises his claw, coming down at a speed so fast I barely see him scratch me.

I feel it, however, and a scream escapes my throat as the nails rip through the skin on my stomach. I roll over as he lunges back down, his teeth narrowly missing my face. I try to crawl away, but spots are dancing before my eyes, the pain seeming to be all I can focus on. My hand slips, and I feel the pressure of the werewolf pushing me into the ground. I don't register the yells of my friends as Lupin reaches out once more. My cheek pressed into the grass, I see nothing but his claw coming closer to my face.

Suddenly the weight is lifted off of me. One last burst of fresh pain goes through my temple, and Lupin is on the ground beside me, being tackled by Sirius. I feel someone lifting me, but the spots return, things getting darker and darker.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth, can you hear me?" someone sobs. I'm lifted to my feet, and although I know I'm not carrying all my weight, I feel pain every step taken. My stomach seems to burn, something dripping down from where I was hit. I feel something dripping from my forehead as well, and I blink to stop it from getting in my eye.

I want to let the darkness in my vision win, and I feel it overwhelming me. I want to pass out, just to get rid of the pain. But I don't. My knees buckle and I fall once again, but I don't close my eyes, not yet.

"We have to get her to the hospital wing. Now!" I hear Hermione choke out.

"I can't. I need to help Sirius," Harry says, pointing to the sky. I push myself to my hands and knees, turning my head to see a dementor flying our way.

"Can you get her by yourself?" Ron asks, his eyes wide as he takes in my appearance.

"I-I don't know."

"What happened to her?!"

I turn my head to see Snape storming toward us, his cloak billowing around him. There's another howl in the distance, and Harry runs off. Snape's face only shows anger as he stares at me in horror.

"Lupin attacked her," Ron tells him, struggling to stand on one leg. Without hesitation, Snape rushes over and crouches down, lifting me with ease. I let out a cry, feeling a burst of pain throughout my stomach.

"Granger, help Weasley to the hospital wing," is all he says before taking off running. He holds me tightly, and I can feel my consciousness slipping away. My body is shaking even though I'm not doing anything. The lights from the castle begin to blur as we get closer, and I can hear the professor mumbling something but cannot decipher the words. I let my head fall back and close my eyes.