Haunted

Ariana's POV

"Professor Lupin?" I asked lazily.

He looked up from his seat, eyeing me carefully. His faced was a little…flushed.

"I just came to see how you were doing Miss Lyall but you were asleep so I….how are you feeling?" he slurred. Strange, it's not like Professor Lupin to have trouble with his speech.

"Still a little sore but I'm doing better." I admitted.

"That's good you're doing better. I was worried….I…I was the one that found you." He said.

"Oh…"

"Listen Miss Lyall….I…you don't have to talk about it yet but eventually Dumbledore will want to know what happened to you. I…I just want you to know I'm here if you ever want or need to talk to someone. We're not pushing you we just want to be comfortable but your safety also matters." He almost pleaded.

I looked down and let out a small sign and Professor Lupin noticed.

"There's no reason to be afraid. Dumbledore is a great and powerful wizard if there's someone after you….if you're afraid."

"I'm not afraid!" I shouted, completely startling Professor Lupin enough to make him jump. "I'm not afraid." I whispered this time. "It's….just complicated."

"Like I said Miss Lyall you do not have to speak of it now, after all that you've been through no one expects nothing of you right now. Just make sure you rest and get well soon." Lupin smiled.

I raised my brow at him questionably. There was something else at play here, something Professor Lupin wasn't telling me.

"So I'm not in trouble?" I asked.

"Of course not Miss Lyall. Dumbledore and I are just worried and we want to know what happened to you, but focus on getting well first we will soon figure this out I promise you." Professor Lupin smiled again. "I will take my leave now so you can rest." He stood up and walked to the door with one last glance and one last smile before he left. What was that about?
_________________________________________________________________________________

Later that night in Dumbledore's Office

Lupin's POV

"This is most troublesome." Said Dumbledore.

"Sir if I may be so bold….I think that we should keep an eye in Miss Lyall at all times. I am afraid that someone is indeed after her."

"Right you are Remus, but how do we pursue to solve a problem that doesn't want to be solved? My suspicious of Miss Lyall's parents cannot be denied. We've had problems in the past in which were also spoken in whispers."

"Her parents?" I asked

"Yes. You see, Ariana has quite a troubled life at home, much like Sirus household if you do recall.' He paused to look at me. I couldn't help but notice Dumbledore lingering gaze upon me. "Nevertheless, this time I do not think it was either of her parents. However, I will not eliminate the possibility that they are completely innocent on this."

"Are you saying Miss Lyall is tortured at home?"

"I am afraid so Remus."

"But…this is absurd! We cannot let her return home Dumbledore."

"I absolutely agree Remus, but unfortunately they are her parents and we do not have the authority to take away their child as cruel as it may seem. We cannot prevent Miss Lyall from going home in the holidays unless she wishes to stay at Hogwarts."

"But she is of age you said so yourself! Ariana turned seventeen before her colleagues and she will be eighteen soon." I protested.

"That is true but I'm afraid it is still not up to us to keep her from harm's way Remus. Unless of course, one who is being harmed would do so as to speak up."

"You're saying we have to convince her to stay here than?"

"Precisely. I do not think that it will be a difficult task, but for now I think we should focus on the task at hand Remus." Dumbledore smiled.

I nodded in agreement. "Who could have attacked Miss Lyall?"

"There is no evidence stating that someone broke into the castle that evening however, I wouldn't eliminate the possibly just yet. There is also the trouble that Miss Lyall worst enemy might be herself."

"You…you think she did this to herself?" I asked Dumbledore.

"Quite possible I am afraid." He replied.

I shook my head. "No. She wouldn't."

"Can you be so sure Remus? She has done so in the past."

"How do you know?" I asked.

"When a defenseless animal is persistently mistreated and thrown into the wild, thinking only it was his or her fault the animal has no choice but to blame oneself." Dumbledore stated. "I am afraid I cannot be positive in this statement Remus but one thing is for sure, I have no doubt in my mind that Miss Lyall has tried to harm herself in the past. We can eliminate any possibilities at this point." He continued.

Would Arianna really do such a thing to herself? I asked myself. How damaged is this girl? I can put my head around her harming herself on purpose "I still insist sir, we have to lock the castle and reinforce curfews. I can't help but feel that Arianna along with the other student are in terrible danger. I think that someone is after her Dumbledore, and I think that whoever is after her may try again at whatever means necessary." I said worried.

Dumbledore looked at me and lingered for a few moments. "Yes, yes that would be best." He finally said. "In the meantime try to find out what you can from Miss Lyall I think that is she ever confess anything it shall be to you."

I nodded slowly, a little confused. "I will talk to her when she is feeling better once more." I replied.

"Wonderful. While you are on task Remus, I must encourage you to become friends with Miss Lyall after all you and her have very similar ways of life. Tell me Remus, during your first shrieking shack visit this past month you didn't come across or remember anything out of the ordinary?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was hoping you would have had your suspicious of Miss Lyall by now. Naturally I wouldn't say anything, but given the circumstances I think it will be all right if I untie the knots to the original stamen that has been left hanging."

"The knots sir?"

"Miss Lyall shares your same problem Remus, she also grieves the full moon."
_________________________________________________________________________________

Later that night in Lupin's office…

I couldn't stop pacing around my desk. Ariana was a werewolf. She was a monster just like me. As soon as I thought of it I mentally slapped myself. No she can't be…she's not a monster. After all that she has been through, after the troubled life she already has to indoor the curse of the full moon as well. A talented young girl like her doesn't deserve all of this. How do I approach her now that I know her secret?

I sat down in my desk before I wear the floor into a whole. I never saw this coming…Ariana was a werewolf just like me. This could possibly explain my fatal attraction for her, her scent….No! Bloody hell, of all the things I have to think about this now. She is my student in need of my guidance nothing more. I ran my hands over my face to shake the thoughts out of my mind. If I just simply tell Ariana I know what she is, that I know about her monthly problem she would have a panic attack and there's a chance she might run. Hell I would if I was in her shoes. Being a werewolf is very uneasy especially when someone else knows what you are, particularly a teacher. However, I am also a beast of the full moon so if I share her my dark secret she might be somewhat at ease. I could teach her all I knew and had to live with every month. No, that might make her panic even more…. or worse….No! I refuse to think that she would harm herself. But….what if Dumbledore is right? What if is she really did hurt herself and….no this is ridiculous I should just talk to her.

I sighed; there is no easy way to approach her with this. I wonder…if she even knows Dumbledore was on to her from the very beginning. I doubt he ever talked to her or question her about it given her circumstances. How do I pursuit to talk to my student? How do I tell her I know she is a werewolf and how could I ask her if she hurt herself? Also, do any of her friends know? That Mikael friend of hers seems pretty smart maybe he figured out, at least her werewolf problem, it didn't take long for James and Sirus to find out about me. If she is always sick around the full moon time other students might have their suspicious. But then again I didn't know. How could I have missed something so trivial right in front of me? She was the same as me an yet I had no idea until Dumbledore said something. Have I really become that daft? No, how could I suspect she was always in class even in the same days that I wasn't after the full moon and she never looked sickly. If Ariana was indeed a werewolf than she was great at hiding it, cleverer than I ever was in school that's for certain. Still, how could I have not seen the other signs? Her scent was always stronger than the other students especially around the full moon. That was one of the first things that came to my attention, her scent. Part of me was always aroused by it, I never admit it until now but it makes sense. The animal in me wants her because she is like me.

I shook my head once again trying to eliminate the bad thoughts. I was going to resolve nothing if I kept dueling in this manner. All I wanted to do is spend as much time possible avoiding Ariana and putting some distance between us but I knew that it was impossible, especially now. Dumbledore was counting on my help just like she needs it also. To be honest, part of me is screaming to envelop this sweet girl in my arms and protect her from all the evil. I couldn't help but be drawn to my student. I know how wrong it is but to my defense she is the same as me. Ariana possess the same animal inside of her as I do, I couldn't help the inevitable attraction. I wonder if she feels it too.

~/~

The weekend flew by with a blink of an eye. It was now Monday and Ariana was finally back on her feet ready for her classes to start. She had caught up with all her missed work with the help of her friends. Sooner or later she knew Dumbledore would question her again it was just a matter of time; Ariana had no idea what she would tell him. She wasn't ready to let the truth spill, aside from that the full moon was only a day away now and she had to prepare.

Ariana sighed, she finished getting dressed and gather her books to head down to the Great Hall where her friends were already waiting for her.

"Ariana! How are you feeling today?" Rose asked.

"Better." She smiled.

"That's good I was so worried about you, we all were." Said Rose.

"Yeah I grabbed you a plate. Four days in the hospital wing and you look and you look skinnier than my quill." Remarked Liam.

"Ummm…. is all right if I sit here?" Michael asked standing next to her with his breakfast.

Ariana looked shocked, she wasn't expecting Mikael to talk to her anytime soon after what happened between the two of them. Hell she wasn't expecting him to talk to her ever again.

"Sure." She whispered.

He quietly sit next to her while the four ate their breakfast away. Liam always being the loud jokester as usual as Rose would bark at him to knock it off jokingly. Ariana didn't know when the two of them were ever going to admit they liked one another. I mean for god's sake Rose had her eye on Liam ever since they became friends, and she knew Liam cared for Rose but was to childish to admit it out loud.

Liam reached across to steal her piece of toast.

"Hey!" Rose whined.

"What you weren't eating it." Liam replied as he took a huge bite out of the large piece of bread and showed her a tooth grin, his food showing.

"Eew Liam! Don't you ever learn how to eat with your mouth closed?"

Ariana shook her head, softly smiling at the two. 'Some things never change.' She thought to herself.

~/~

The day went by faster than Ariana was expecting, it wasn't too hard to get caught up with her classes. She was happy that Dumbledore didn't try to contact her during the day yet, and no one pulled her out of class like she was expecting. In any case, now it was time for her last class which was Advanced DADA with Professor Lupin. She knew she wasn't going to get off easy this time.

Throughout Professor Lupin's class Arianna could not concentrate on what he was teaching at all. She could only study him. Professor Lupin looked pale, paler than usual and there was a sweat in his brow he locked sick. This caused Arianna to worry, was he sick? Did he know something? She caught him looking at her several times when the class was assigned their assignment, he would look up from his desk and blankly stare at her but as soon as Arianna would look up Lupin would quickly avert his gaze and continue grading papers. Something was up, and she didn't know what the mystery was killing her, slowly chewing her inside. What made Professor Lupin worry so? Did he know something she didn't?

"Alright class I am afraid our time is up for today, if you could please turn in what you have so far just pile you parchments in my desk we will continue tomorrow." Professor Lupin lightly smiled as he cleared his desk. The students obeyed, one by one turning their work in as they left class hurryingly amongst small conversations.

"Miss Lyall I wonder if I could have a word? If you could please wait a moment?" He asked her while the remaining students were turning their pieces of parchment in.

Arianna froze; she was almost out of the door when he asked her to stay. Oh no. I can't stay, he's just going to interrogate me further about what happened the other night. What do I say? Arianna panicked.

"I can't stay I'm sorry Professor I have to be somewhere." She said hoping he would believe her.

"Please, this is important it won't take long." He reassured her. "You're not in any trouble."

Arianna slowly turned around to face her professor as the last student took his leave. She opened her mouth to argue but professor Lupin looked at her sternly and motioned for her to sit down. Felling defeated, Ariana walked back into the class and took a seat.

Professor Lupin circled his desk and leaned against it so that now he was directly in front of her. "How are you Miss Lyall?" he asked with a small smile.

"I'm fine." She nodded.

"Have your injuries healed?"

"Yes." Arianna nodded slowly almost afraid of what he was going to say next.

"Good. Madam Promfrey is very good at what she does." He offered a smile again hoping to break the ice.

Arianna was growing inpatient, for the first time she could think of nothing but fleeing Professor Lupin's sights. "Is that all Professor? I really do have to go."

"You're not thinking of leaving the castle again tonight are you?" Professor Lupin asked in a harder tone.

She shook her head furiously. "No, I…I just have a lot of homework to catch up on Professor."

"I doubt that. You are a very brilliant young girl and I think that you have all of your missed work finished, because you don't strike me as the kind of student to leave everything for the last minute am I right Miss Lyall?"

Arianna started at him for a moment, Professor Lupin was never so…strict? Something was definitely up Ariana thought. She hesitantly shook her head admitting he was right; all of her homework and missed class work was indeed done.

"I thought so. Now, Arianna….Miss Lyall." He started. Wait did he really just call her by her first name? "Dumbledore and I were discussing a few things last night after I stopped to see you, we came to the agreement that the castle is going to be even more heavily protected than before. Curfews are set at nine from now on everyone, first years to last years no exceptions, are to return to their common room once they leave the Great Hall from supper. Professor Dumbledore is addressing this tonight at dinner."

Arianna nodded understanding, she figure this would happen but why was he telling her this now?

"There's more." Professor Lupin paused and looked at her. "Dumbledore and I also thought it would be best if you were relieved from your head girl duties in the meantime, your colleague Rose will be filling in for now."

"What why? I haven't done anything wrong." Arianna protested.

Professor Lupin shook his head and raised his hands up in defense. "We're not punishing you Miss Lyall we simply think it is best under the circumstances."

"Circumstances what circumstances? I haven't done anything wrong!" Arianna cried.

Lupin took a deep breath. "I'm not accusing you of anything, Dumbledore and I are simply worried about you Miss Lyall that's all. We do not know what happened to you last week." He paused waiting for her to reply, when she didn't he went on; "I know that you do not want to speak about what happen but it can't be avoided any more Arianna, not just for your safety but for the other students as well."

Arianna looked down and bit her lip, she knew this was coming. What could she tell him? How can she explain what happened without him thinking she was crazy. Arianna fought the urge to cry and bit her lip harder. Lupin noticed this and carefully reached forward to touch her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Arianna but we need to know what happen to you in order to protect you. I can see this is difficult for you but please…say something. If you can't tell me what happen we won't be able to protect you, I won't be able to protect you." At this Arianna looked up, looking straight into her Professor's eyes, she saw the worry reflected in his eyes and something else. Was it….fear, compassion?

"Did someone hurt you?" He asked.

Arianna slowly nodded biting back her tears. She would not cry especially not in front of Professor Lupin, she cannot cry.

Lupin saw the hurt and fear in Arianna's eyes and couldn't help but feel his stomach turn. Who could have done this to this young girl? At the moment he wanted nothing but to hold her in his arms and comfort her but he fought against his urge.

"Who did this to you?" He asked. His voice was barely above a whisper.

Arianna couldn't control her emotions anymore; her body became limb as she started to shake, she continued to fight back her tears. It was now or never; she couldn't hide it anymore at least not this part of her past.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "His name is Norman. I met him last summer before my sixth year; he is two years older than me. I was…having trouble at home with my parents, we got into an argument and I ran away that's when I met Norman. He was sweet and kind at the time, we became very close. I told him about….some things that went on with my family and he was the only one to understand, he didn't judge me or felt sorry for me." She paused looking at Professor Lupin again; he nodded urging her to go on.

"We started seeing each other more; I would sneak out of my house to see him and once the school year started he would visit me at Hogwarts during the weekends and holidays. One night I…I fell asleep in his place during the…" She stopped, mentally kicking herself for almost saying too much. Lupin looked at her and knew exactly was she almost said, during the full moon. But he didn't say anything he simply urge her to keep going.

"That's the night everything went to hell. He found out something about me he didn't like so much and…he was very angry at the time so he….now he just keeps threatening me. He likes having a damaged pet." She said with a bitter tone. "He won't let me go. It was he who broke into the castle that night."

Lupin just stared at her, trying to let all this information sink in.

"And he came after you?" Lupin asked cautiously. Arianna simply shook her head yes in reply, words completely betraying her.

Lupin sighed, finally removing his right hand from her shoulder as he ran his left hand in his face, than resting under his chin. "I have to inform Dumbledore." He simply said.

Arianna panicked once more. "No! Please….I don't anyone else to know. It's bad enough that I told you, please he'll come and...you don't know what Norman is capable of, the power he possesses please." She pleaded with him, hyperventilating now.

Lupin couldn't take it anymore, seeing Arianna like this was torture to him, he didn't know why she had this effect on him but now was not the time to duel on such things.

"Shh it's ok Arianna." He took a hold of both her arms. "Look at me." She did. "He can't do anything to you, you're safe I promise. Dumbledore and I will see to that." He tried to calm her but it was pointless. Arianna finally let her mask fall; tears were forming in her eyes she shook her head whispering no over and over again.

"It's all right Arianna it's all right." Professor Lupin took her in his embrace, running his hands up and down her upper back in soothing motion. "I won't let him near you. The castle is protected, you're safe I promise." The more he tried to comfort her the more she cried on his shoulder. For the first time in a long time Arianna didn't care if someone witnessed her crying. She just let her tears soak her Professor's clothing.

"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again.'' He whispered huskily.

Hearing this made Arianna's stomach flutter with butterflies and a warmth began to take over her body, for the first time in her life she felt safe. She slowly, withdrew herself from his arms so that she could look into her teacher's eyes.

"It's not me I'm worried about." She said shaking her head.

Lupin frowned his eyebrows.

"Everyone else." She answered his silent question. "Please, if Norman finds out I told anyone about him especially Dumbledore….he won't rest until all the people I care about and anyone in his way are dead. I don't care if he kills me but I can't let the people around me get hurt because of me."

Lupin's heart broke hearing this, she was worried about everyone else she didn't care if she died. She thinks this is all her fault.

"No one is going to get hurt and no one is going to die." Lupin reassured.

"How can you say that, how can you be sure?" Her voice broke once more

"I can't be sure but I can promise you this, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe as will Dumbledore, along with everyone else. We won't let him near the castle again."

Arianna slowly nodded giving up, words were escaping her again instead she just cried, collapsing into Lupin's arms once more.

Remus took his student in his arms yet again trying to console her. For endless moments the two of them just stayed there in the same position, eventually Professor Lupin knelled on the floor so that he could be more comfortable, taking Arianna with him. He sat on his legs and cradled her in his lap almost like a child as he held her in his arms still. "You're safe here. I won't let anything happen I promise." He whispered again.

Once Arianna finally calmed down she looked up at her teacher once more and said; "Thank you. Thank you for not judging me, and thank you for listening."

Lupin smiled softly. "You don't need to thank me you're my student and I….care about you, and so does Dumbledore." He added quickly. "You have people who care for you here Arianna, you're not alone."

She smiled. "I know. I guess, that's what frightens me."

"What?" Lupin asked confused.

"I don't want anyone that I care for to get hurt. My friends, my teachers, Dumbledore…..you." She paused, looking into her professor's eyes once more. Arianna wasn't sure what, when or why but she felt this strong pull between her and the man sitting close to her. She couldn't explain it, it was if they were both magnets with an unstoppable force drown to each other in ways she did not understand.

"I don't want to see you or anyone else hurt because of me. I never asked for anyone to care, I din't ask for this."

"I know you didn't but we all care for you, no harm will come to them Arianna I promise and this is not your fault, none of this is your fault." Professor Lupin said.

"Isn't it? I already told you something I shouldn't have. I put your life in danger Professor, I put everyone's lives in danger. Norman is after me and he'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. I am afraid of him yes, but if I have to give myself up to him I will. I won't let him hurt any of you. If I would have just…If I would have never ran away from my parents that day none of this would have happen."

"Stop it. Don't blame yourself Arianna, and you will do no such thing! It's not your fault, you're not giving yourself up to him you can't! How could you foresee what would happen? You are not to blame for any of this. Anyways, I'm sure you had reason to run from your parents." He said looking at her sternly once more, almost as if to say he knows her parents torture her.

Arianna nodded carefully and opened her mouth to say something but Lupin stopped her. "I know your parents torture you Arianna. Dumbledore told me."

Arianna was silent. He knows?