Continued from...

8:15pm, April 20
four minutes until full moon rise

Knox headed up the rear of the group into the Armor Gallery.  It was a rarely visited place, but quote the gem.  It was a long narrow room, filled with two rows of at least twenty columns that arched to a painted ceiling.  At each pillar stood suits of armor from every age of history, from every race in every land.  There were even goblin suits of armor, shining brightly, standing on stools. 

Set into the walls were alcoves, inhabited by suits of  armor.  Knox walked down to the nearest few and shoo'ed them out so that Ollie could curl up in privacy if she wished.  Although the room was long and dark enough that she'd have many many places to be alone if that was, indeed, what she preferred. 

The only windows were set very high on the wall and were very small.  Now the night was very dark, but Knox knew moonrise was only minutes away.

With a wave of his wand, the door behind him shut.  Then, distantly, the ones at the other end of the Gallery.  He'd locked them so there'd be no unhappy surprises.    Near the close door was a worn down bench.  He slid it out away from the wall so they could sit over their long vigil.

"Only a few more minutes, Olivia," he said with a small smile.  He patted Fauna gently on the back, hoping to reassure her as much as himself. 

The poor professor was still pale and shaky after the youngest witch had put on that awful show of nearly up-chucking his doctored Wolfsbane.  In his pants pocket, underneath his long lab coat so no one could see, was an extra long graduated cylinder of the original stuff in case things went awry.

Hopefully they didn't.  As he crossed the threshold he lifted his arm to cross himself, but dropped the limb quickly and gulped.  Nico did not want to distract attention away from Miss Olivia.  The moon was about to come in only a few minutes, so all eyes needed to be on her.

He really had to watch her close to observe the effects of the altered potion.

"eek!" he squeaked as the door shut.  His neck nearly swiveled clear off like an owl as he looked behind him to see it was only Knox closing the door.

He wandered over to the bench and set down the crumpled paper bag and stood up straight to button up the rest of his coat, his rubber gloves squeaking.  As he did this he looked at how the young witch was dressed for the first time.

"Hmm..." he pondered, "does that zippy thingamajiggy," he wiggled a puzzled finger at her sweater, "stretch?"  Another blush popped up on his cheeks, "I guess us two," he wiggled his finger to the Headmaster and himself, "could transfigure your clothing to a larger size..."

He coughed, "and by the two of us I mean you, Greyfriar."  Professor Gunnar's wand was in a worn wooden box with his name etched on it as if a child had done it in a dusty cast-iron cauldron in his office he rarely used...  It was for the good of mankind that it stayed there...  The only time he ever used it these days were for some of the separating and cutting techniques which required magic.

Ollie skipped in the Armor Gallery behind Greyfair and looked around the room, this place seemed as good as any to hide away a werewolf student for one night. It was going to be a different experience not only because of the new surroundings but because of the company. Ollie had never had this much company during and full moon and nowadays Ollie did the change alone in her safe room whilst her mother went about the house doing her own thing. Having people this close to her was going to make for an interesting experience.

“Yup, only a few more minutes.” Ollie did a bit of twirl as she looked around getting familiar with her surroundings. It made the transfiguration easier if she knew where she was, or at least that was her take on the situation. She unzipped her sweater and tossed it to the side as Professor Gunnar mentioned her clothing and shook her head. “No it doesn’t stretch professor usually I’m alone so I am well I guess you get the picture.” Ollie felt it wasn’t necessary to inform the group that she usually wasn’t wearing her clothing. “But I suppose for my dignity and the pureness of your eyes we should make them larger.”

“Professor, change the size all you like!” She did another spin, “Times a wasting.” Ollie took a deep breath as she felt that familiar feeling washing over her. She felt a little ill like usual and she knew the changes would start soon. “Once again it isn’t as bad as it might sound or look.”

Fauna smiled weakly at Knox when he patted her on the back, and took a seat between him and Professor Gunnar. When the doors slammed shut she flinched.

Nico's practical suggestion for Ollie's clothes made Fauna feel quite fond of him. Privately, she thought he would make a great father one day, even though it was outlandish to consider at the moment. He was the type of person who would buy chocolate, even feminine products if necessary, which took a lot of bravery. Also, he worried about a girl's privacy. Fauna gave him a wide grin that must have seemed out of place in their situation, but she had no other way to express her approval.

She looked back at Ollie and took a deep breath. It felt as if she, the professors, and the suits of armor were the audience of a macabre show that was just about to begin. She imagined eyes behind the metal visors and masks and shuddered. Thousands of questions sprang to her mind, making her wonder if the potion caused Ollie to feel differently, or if her friend would remember anything in the morning. All Fauna could do now was sit very still, and wait.

It would only be mere moments before the full moon would be up over the horizon and Olivia's transformation into a werewolf would begin.  The Headmaster (only slightly more of a wand waver than his wand-phobic colleague), obliged the simple transfiguration.  When her clothing began to tent out over her, Knox had the distinct feeling he'd accidentally shrunk her.  Of course, she was fine, just now dwarfed by the larger garments.

It was then Knox saw the first signs that it was beginning.  "See you on the other side, Ollie.  Have a good night," he told her and moved to the bench on the wall.  He did not put his wand away, instead, he kept it out in his lap.  Just in case.  He trusted Nicodemus, and he trusted himself.  But the old badger could never be too careful, especially with Fauna being there. 

He waited and watched, keeping calm.  They had a long night ahead of them, even if everything went according to plan.

Ollie felt like she had shrunk as her clothes swallowed her up like a hungry set of living pants and t-shirt. Ollie flailed her arms around for a moment but then she felt familiar sensation wash over her slight frame. Ollie took a few steps back not even acknowledging the words that left her headmasters mouth. She turned from them but there was no use in hiding especially when the change was happening before their eyes.

A moan of pain pushed forth from her lips despite the fact she tried to stifle it. Ollie couldn’t fight back the sounds she made in result of the pain she felt. Like each full moon before this her bones changed, elongating and contorting into a new frame. You could hear the sound of her bones move and it was if they could break through her skin at any moment, or break beyond repair. Her skin darkened as fur sprouted from her skin. Her body made an attempt to curl inwards to that fetal position but the change fought against Ollie’s human natural instincts to find the most comfortable position.

Her back curved as the muscles beneath her shirt began to become firm and grow. Ollie’s shoulders rounding and becoming broader as she fell to her hands. Her face lost the human features as her mouth and nose formed into that out a snout, with teeth fierce and sharp. Her groans of pain no longer sound that of a young woman but of an animal, almost like a howl of pain. Her body no longer the small lanky frame of a woman but a large wolf like frame. She was small for a wolf but larger than the fame walked with every other day of the month.

Finally another howl broke through, a howl of pain. Her body finally finished the painful change; there was no little girl anymore. Ollie collapsed to the floor, panting like any other dog. A growl escaped her as she moved, her head turning towards those on the bench. Ollie stared at them but didn’t advance upon them; she knew them to be friend not food. Ollie remained with her mind not over taken by animalistic lust for fresh meat.

A whiny whimper left her as she backed away towards an alcove to curl up alone. She remained with her eyes focused on the human faces.

The slightly younger badger was grateful when the Headmaster did the Transfiguration trick.  Quiet and pale he wiggled in his seat, seeking the comfort he knew he would never feel this night.

Then he watched her face... and he knew she was about to change.  Placing the paper bag behind him and the emptied flask on the stone floor he put his goggles over his eyes and gripped the edge of the bench.

As the poor girl contorted, deformed, and then reformed his knuckles turned white and his lips -- usually a bit large, all the better to pout during his "sad puppy" look -- turned into a thin line.  Eventually they too turned a bit white as the pressure increased.  Then, as the grunting started and then built into a howl the reason for the goggles came about.

Professor Gunnar began to tear up, little droplets collecting at the bottom of the hard leather and glass.

Some thought that he used them to block out the sight all together, they were usually so dirty, splashed in Lord know's what liquids and blackened by heaven know's what explosion.  Others thought that the glass was actually magicked so that he could study the changing more thoroughly.  No, it was none of that.  During his time as a potioneer he had seen many lycanthrops under the full moon.  Whenever he made a Wolfsbane potion he felt that it was his duty to be near.  He always felt responsible for whatever may happen to them since he was the one administering the mental relief that the terrible stuff offered once they had transformed. 

Despite the number of times he had seen it, it was always the same.  It broke his heart.

Nico only allowed himself to take a breath when he saw Olivia take to the corner.  It was a success!  But he never felt any joy in it.  He looked at the poor Puffle for a bit as she stared back at them, just enough time for the water to dry.  Relaxing he leaned back against the rocky wall.  The bag crunching a bit against his backside as he sighed and put the goggles back on top of his head, a fresh ring of racoon eyes on his face.

He really needed to get those things washed...

As the change began, Fauna sat on the very edge of the bench, so tense her limbs shook. Her eyes were so wide they felt like they would pop out of her head, and she kept blinking profusely, trying to fight back the gathering tears. When her friend cried out in pain, she winced and put a hand over her eyes, peeking out from behind her fingers. Soon she gave up on that tactic and simply watched in horror, flinching and grimacing as if she too felt Ollie's transformation.

Her heart pounded fiercely and the fear she felt was starting to make her dizzy. The creature before them didn't look like any regular wolf. Fauna tried hard to see any resemblance to Ollie, but she couldn't, not even in the eyes. Those glowing eyes turned on them and Fauna instinctively grabbed Knox's arm. She would have grabbed Nico's too, but he was fussing with his goggles, or something- she wasn't really paying attention. Then, to their relief, Ollie's growl became a whimper and she sauntered slowly off to be alone.

At this point, Fauna's tears started falling with gusto. Her fear began to fade away, leaving her a shaky mess. A part of her wanted to find and comfort her friend, and the other part just wanted to run away and pretend this never happened. Her tears were as much for Ollie as they were for how plain miserable she felt. Fauna knew she should be grateful that Ollie's transformation had been eased by the potion, but she couldn't seem to see any good in the situation. Ollie had to go through this ordeal every month. How did she stand it?

The thought caused her to cry in earnest, and with the crying came the hiccuping. She put her hands over her face and cursed silently at herself for acting like a baby. In her mind she imagined the two professors regretted bringing her along, which made her feel even worse. She didn't mean to bring attention to herself when all of their attention should be on Ollie, but she couldn't seem to help it. Fauna's sole comfort was the knowledge that Ollie would have no memory of her bawling come tomorrow morning.

Knox Greyfriar, leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees as he covered his bearded mouth with his hands.  He was tense and bristly as he watched Olivia make the ancient change that so many men, women and children had made before her.  That were making this change with her tonight.  The old Hufflepuff imagined this was little comfort - transformation was a very isolating thing.  Both in the moment of transformation when the senses abandoned the body, but also in the way that society still treated lycanthropes.  Even responsible ones like Olivia Foley and Filin O'Hare.   Even the hero Remus Lupin died with no respite from his stigma.

When Olivia finally growled, shook off and slunk to a corner,  only then did Knox finally breathe, letting out his air like a bellows.  He sat up to find his two comrades hunched over and distraught.

He placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on Fauna's back.  "Look, she's fine.  Look at that.  All curled up, keeping a close eye on us."  Then, Fauna Blake let out a hiccup.  Knox gave her a hard slap on the back and laughed - he'd thought she was crying.

He gave Olivia a wave.  "We'll be right here," he told her, not really worried she might not be able to understand.  Perhaps just his calm tone of voice would comfort her.  "Feel free to have a nap, Olivia.  And don't worry about us.  We'll have plenty to talk about!"

Swallowing the lump in his throat he heard poor Fauna-a truly loyal Puffle, that one-doing what he wished he could do.  Quietly, his blue eyes nearly as wide as the dark rings which circled them, he looked over the girl at the Headmaster who tried to cheer her up.  That slap to the back, though… seemed a bit much for him, as his wince attested too.

After a moment he picked off his gloves and sat there, looking at Ollie.  The next thing he knew he had his arms wrapped around the teen and giving her a tight squeeze.  “The Headmaster’s right, Fauna, she’s fine.  OK, so may be hungry enough to chew off her own leg when it’s done and over with, she’s fine,” he grinned, doing his best not to sniffle.

Giving her a pat on the back and a peck on top of her blond head he let go of her and grabbed the crumpled bag behind him, “Well…”  he sighed, “anyone wants some crisps?” he ended the question with an overly cheerful smile.


[Huggles approved of by Elle.]

Fauna couldn’t resist chuckling through her misery at the professor’s attempts to cheer her up. The hug was what did it though. She lifted her head up, gave a laugh that was part sob, and hastily wiped at her eyes. 

“I would love some crisps,” she said with her nose stuffy and her words thick. Fauna could just make out the outline of Olivia curled around the leg of a suit of armor. From a distance the wolf looked tame, more like a dog than a wild animal, and she had the silly urge to pat Ollie on the head. She resisted, of course. Her butt would stay firmly planted on that bench for the rest of the night, whether or not she had to face more tears, crisp crumbs, or howls from Ollie.

Even though she was flanked on either side by professors who could handle the situation if it got out of hand, her resolve made her feel like a braver person. There were few occasions that Fauna could say with certainty that she’d done the right and good thing, and this was one of those times. For her, any bravery she showed was very subtle, and it often went unnoticed by herself and those around her. However, this was an experience she could look back on and be proud of later. She held onto that knowledge whenever she felt tears threatening again.

“Have either of you ever had a friend who was different, like Ollie?” She asked them, curious. “I mean, not necessarily a werewolf… but just, someone you knew would have a harder time… of it, than others.”

Sitting back and arranging his bulk to a more comfortable position, Knox pondered.  It was a perceptive question.  He thought back to his years in school.  Some of his classmates had been the likes of Lucius Malfoy, and Narcissa and Bellatrix Black.  Rita Skeeter and Theodora Kingstreet had also been at school with him.  And then, so had been his former wife, Meredith Ballentyne.   Knox had been himself a mouthy, out-going but somewhat stupid boy, in his own memory.  It wasn't a fair evaluation, of course.  Young Knox had been friendly and interested in his studies, but lacked proper role-models and any interest in deeper topics. 

He often wondered what it would be like to be young again, and somehow re-inserted into the Hogwarts of today.  What would he have thought of having Olivia as a housemate? 

"There was a lad who lived in my neighborhood," he said finally, beginning to recall his summers at home.  "His parents were magic folks and friends with my parents.  They always made sure we included him in anything we did during the summer.  He just never got his letter," Knox shook his head with some remorse.

"I mean, all of us got them, had been playing with magic since we were little, trying to nick wands from our parents or older siblings.  And he'd been just as excited about it as the rest of us, just could never make those sparks fly. We all got letters, but he didn't.  I remember that afternoon..."

The boy, of course, had been a squib.

"And that's when my mum made it a rule we had to knock at his door whenever we played football or whatever tomfoolery we were up to.  Aurors and Warlocks.   I remember resenting it," he admitted, scratching at his beard.  "We'd been close as little kids, but he didn't head to school with us.  I think he resented it too..."

It was a confusing memory, Knox's recollection being so self-centered.  He'd not realy thought about what had every happened to him.  Or how he'd felt about Knox and his brothers' begrudging invitations to play.

The happily strained smile continued as he rummaged about the bag and withdrew a number of small packages of potato chips.  His “That Time of the Month” bag was enchanted to play about with the 4th dimension.  The professor had bought the paper bags in Hogsmeade with the purpose of holding used flasks, vials, and other dirty glassware to wash later and separate from the things he still needed to use while carrying out a recipe.

“Umm… I’ve got Salt and Vinegar (one of my personal favorites), regular ‘ole salty kind, BBQ, and Cheesy Cheese,” he held them up, “who wants what?”

As for Fauna’s question, the bags crunched a bit as they fell into his lap, his eyes staring at the stony floor, and then up to Ollie.  Nicodemus sighed, “Well… in my profession you do get to know a bunch of werewolves…” he looked down at Fauna and slouched, “Plus, there was the war, and like me the Muggleborns had a time…” he gave a cockeyed grin, “I ended up in a refuge camp in Africa and others had to flee home too.  Avalon was a biggie,” he reflected with a deep breath.

He looked back up to Olivia, falling silent again, forgetting about the tasty snacks in his hands.

“Cheesy cheese, please,” she told Professor Gunnar with a small smile. She turned her attention to the Headmaster when he started talking about a squib that lived in his neighborhood. Fauna had a difficult time imagining what that must be like. She was muggleborn, so discovering that she was a witch had been the most exciting and life-changing thing to ever happen to her. It must feel awful to have that happen in the reverse. What if she had grown up in a wizarding family, expecting to learn magic and spells, and never received that life-changing invitation? She’d have to sit on the sidelines, watching the magical world but not being included in it.

Fauna thought about where she’d be if she never went to Hogwarts and had never become a witch. The possibilities looked grim. When she was a kid she’d hated school so much that she pretended to be sick all the time to avoid teasing, making stupid mistakes in class, and basically feeling horrible about herself. She remembered one occasion, a chilly fall afternoon, when she’d climbed up a tree during the school’s lunch break and stayed hidden there until the police came looking for her at night. Her limbs were so stiff and frozen that she’d needed help climbing down, but Fauna remembered her stubborn, eight-year old mind clinging to the belief that she just didn’t belong there. That someday, she’d find her place in the world.

What happened when you already knew that place existed, yet you couldn’t find acceptance in it?

Fauna looked at Knox sadly, thinking about what he said. “People say ‘squib’ like it’s such a horrible insult,” she commented, thinking about the jokes she’d heard in the hallways. “It’s… horrible for the person dealing with it. But they’re just normal, like muggles are, and that… there’s nothing wrong with that.”

At least, it was completely normal in her mind. For someone raised in the wizarding world, however, they’d naturally think of it as a strange and undesirable affliction.

She tilted her head towards Professor Gunnar as he told his story, sending her thoughts bounding in another direction. “Refuge camp… wow.” Fauna gave him a sympathetic look. “That must have been scary.”

She followed his gaze towards Ollie and grew quiet, watching a patch of moonlight shine off her fur and thinking.