A tall, hunched figure emerged from behind the pine trees—Fenrir Greyback.
"What? Aren't you going to bite the little cub for that Auror to see? Why not do it? Want me to help? Haven't had a tasty little snack in a while. Which one is it?"
Lys restrained her impulse and clenched her fists tightly. "You better think it through. He has a clan behind him. Getting into trouble is just a few Cruciatus Curses. What about you? I don't even know your name. Who would protect you if you caused a disaster?"
Lys was speaking the truth. Fenrir Greyback had held the position of werewolf leader for many years due to his cruelty, strength, cunning, and viciousness.
Each year, many wizards were bitten and transformed into werewolves by him. Moreover, this guy was psychologically twisted, enjoying training young werewolves to hate wizards. He had a group of filthy, ruthless loyalists who were even keen on eating human flesh.
Fortunately, that Dark wizard had some sense left. In the end, he figured out which punishment would be heavier, cursed under his breath, wrapped his cloak tightly, and Disapparated.
Greyback, on the other hand, licked his yellow teeth and pointed his finger, dirty with black grime, at Lys. "You cost me my snack. Your scent, I've memorized it."
He whistled, and two more figures emerged from the woods behind him. The stench—they were werewolves! They circled around the group, eyeing Lys, before leaving.
Lys's left hand holding the wand was trembling slightly, sensing that Gagbone was no longer tightly wrapped around her neck. Lys cast several Shield Charms and Protego Totalum on those children.
No wonder Lys was nervous. Werewolves maintained their transformation for about 4 to 7 days each month, according to the full moon cycle. During this time, they were incredibly strong and lacked rationality.
Most importantly, during this period, even a scratch from their teeth could potentially turn someone into a werewolf.
And even if one was lucky enough not to transform, being eaten wasn't exactly a pleasant alternative!
Glancing at the brown-haired young wizard, Lys scolded in a low voice, "You have trouble at home and yet you're running around recklessly! Are you looking to die?"
Waving her wand to clear the snow from the path ahead, she had no mind to comfort the two girls who were scared to tears.
"Move quickly, drag her!" Lys commanded the group of young wizards to pull along a girl who refused to follow.
By the time they reached the school gates, the young wizard who had been clutching Lys's fur cloak almost collapsed from exhaustion.
Scanning the group of young wizards behind her, not a single troublesome little thing was missing. Lys wrapped herself in her cloak and strode back to the castle.
Behind her, some of the Hufflepuff young wizards even began to cry on the spot. The leading young wizard quickly started to comfort them, "Let's go quickly, let's find the professors! If we don't hurry, the path senior cleared will be buried by snow!"
The young wizards sniffled their way to report the incident, causing the professors to collectively escort all Hogwarts students back to the school, citing the reason that villagers in Hogsmeade had spotted suspected werewolf figures.
Meanwhile, Lys headed straight to the infirmary after entering the castle. Her condition wasn't good; the wounds on her arm had reopened due to her clenching and vigilant actions, bleeding profusely, and the continuous spellcasting had left her gradually weakened.
Barely making it to the infirmary, Lys waved her wand to vanish the blood she had dripped in the corridor. "Madam, Blood-Replenishing Potion."
Lys slumped against the doorframe, sliding down as her vision darkened. She thought to herself, she should have remembered to bring a Blood-Replenishing Potion when she went out.
However, after downing two bottles of the potion, Lys once again marveled at how magical damage was powerful, but so was magical healing.
This time, though, stopping the bleeding was much more difficult than before. It wasn't until nightfall that Lys's wounds were restored to a state where they barely didn't bleed.
"Oh heavens, I need to urge Albus. What exactly is he doing?" Madam Pomfrey was somewhat anxious about these wounds.
"Better not, Madam. I suppose the Headmaster doesn't have time for me anymore. Today, there were sightings of Death Eaters, Fenrir Greyback, and his werewolf minions between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts."
Lys cleaned up her blood and cast another Vanishing Spell, then said nonchalantly, "My arm won't be healed anytime soon. Please give me a dozen Blood-Replenishing Potions just in case, thank you!"
Then, taking advantage of Madam Pomfrey's surprise and Professor Sprout's request for calming draughts, Lys slipped away.
She still had a book to finish and didn't have time to recount the events on the path. The leading boy's excellent eloquence would surely suffice for the task.
Back in the dormitory, Lys stayed with Gagbone, refusing to go out. Even when Professor Slughorn sent a prefect to knock on her door, Lys didn't notice.
She cast a Silencing Charm and began to read, but soon fell into a deep sleep, the book levitated by a spell already dropped to the side of her bed.
It wasn't until the professor used the Head of House's authority to open Lys's dormitory door and let the female prefect check that she was merely asleep and not in trouble that they left.
Frequent blood loss and replenishment, even with potion support, still posed a significant burden on the body. Lys slept obliviously for two days, only waking on the third morning.
Awakened by hunger, Lys practically charged into the kitchen with green eyes, demanding chicken legs, beef ribs, and a jug of milk. "Add sugar, lots of sugar. I feel like I haven't eaten for two days, why am I so hungry!"
After three servings, Lys finally felt better. Seeing the weather was nice, she tidied up and took Gagbone to find Hagrid for some materials.
Looking at Lys, Hagrid scratched the stain on his clothes in confusion. "Why aren't you in class? Isn't there a Care of Magical Creatures class for Slytherin and Gryffindor today?"
Lys widened her eyes at Hagrid's small ones. "Class today? What day is it?"
A bewildered Hagrid confirmed, "Yes, class today. It's Monday, Professor Kettleburn even asked me to prepare caterpillars for you to feed the Fwooper!"
Sighing, Lys realized her study progress had been delayed ever since her headband broke. Whether due to this trouble or lack of materials, now she had even missed a day entirely.
After collecting what she needed from Hagrid, she went to the Care of Magical Creatures class, where the old professor informed her that Professor Slughorn had already excused her absence.
Lys pondered for a moment, deciding not to feed those incessantly chirping foolish birds. Taking advantage of the excuse note, she left, perfectly ignoring the mixed jealous or disdainful looks from the Gryffindors.
Back in the dormitory, just as she finished organizing her materials, the prefect came knocking. Hearing a response from inside, she informed Lys that the Head of House was looking for her:
"Go to the Head's office now; the Head is waiting for you."
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