And so the moon was full again. Alex had been itching to get out of the castle for days. Here was his chance. The moment most of the common room had ascended to bed, Alex crept slowly out of the portrait hole - much to this dismay of the little girl who kept them safe. She knew what he was, mostly because they had had many wonderful conversations when the lycanthrope returned the next day, but also because she had been covering the doorway for almost a hundred years, and had picked up stories to let her know when danger was coming. He waved goodbye as he disappeared down the dark corridors and out onto the already shaded grass. He took a deep breath as he walked very quickly directly into the forest. Darting through the trees he kept one eye out for the centaurs - unfortunately they would be on high alert, the tellers of the planets didn't appreciate one of their brothers being mauled to death by a night walker. Hopefully, though, Alex suspected they wouldn't wander too far - for fear of the beast. Of course they knew it was a wolf; but they had no clue as to the size or strength of the bear-like creature.

Alex sighed as he pulled his thing frame up into the tree and deposited his clothes and bag for the night. Slowly he retreated back to the soft floor in just his underwear - glad that such garments came cheap, not like his robes. He bit his lip as he sat down on the floor. Waiting. Waiting for what seemed like forever. Until finally he saw a single beam of light from the moon shoot down through a gap in the trees. Alex smiled to himself as the beam moved closer and closer to his body. It wouldn't be long now.

Morgan had been wandering through the castle, he recognised the danger of this from teachers and even Peeves, but he didn't care. He was far too lost in his thoughts and he allowed his feet to carry him where they wanted. He soon realized he had left the building and was heading for the forest and shrugged before continueing on his way; his feet knew which way to go. Soon he wandered within a few feet of an all too familiar clearing. He heard muffled sounds, and knew with a certainty that Alex was there.

Morgan was torn between entering the clearing and trying to talk to Alex, and just leaving; what if Alex wasn't alone? He had agreed he would give Alex space and allow him to decide where they stood, but seeing the handsome boy with someone else would surely hurt. In the end he approached the clearing and stopped just outside the last ring of trees, he could just see the boy's form as a shaft of bright moonlight lit up his nearly naked body. The scene could have been mildly erotic, if not for the fact that Morgan had just understood two things. First it was a full moon tonight; and second, Alex was no longer Alex.

Morgan stood riveted by fear and indecision, he knew he couldn't run because Alex would hear him instantly; but then again his beating heart and breathing would give him away just as easily. He stared at the creature that resided within Alex's body with morbid curiosity. It had been Alex who had teased him that curiosity killed the cat... and his own stubborn mind echoed, but satisfaction brought him back. Strangely he wasn't looking at the wolf form Alex with loathing, he still held the softness of love in his eyes.

The transformation had been just as painful as ever. As a human Alex was naturally thin but as a wolf he was much much thinner. His bones in his ankles had broken, elongated and then been fused back together. His spine had snapped causing him, for a split second, to die. His heart had stopped as his lungs exploded in his chest, only to create much larger ones to hold the wolf in place. His stomach had split and been turned inside out to accommodate for the raw meat and whatever else he would be eating. His spine finally snapped back into the bridge it could be mistaken for and his hands broke in several places to change into paws. Then the only bit that used to make him sick; his skull crushed together to allow for a muzzle to show through, his black nose became moist and his tongue, rough and very dog-like. Alex was most certainly not Alex anymore. This was Fyodor - the wolf.

The wolf sat back on it's hind legs and howled, almost sadly, at the moon. He could smell that a human was near, but he paid no attention. There was often the smell of human in the forest, and last time where had been a fox. Maybe it would come back? Somehow the wolf doubted it. He growled in frustration and turned to find himself nose to nose with a boy. The dark eyes remained unblinking as the wolf gave the boy a chance to run. Chases were much more fun.

The wolf turned and growled at the boy just as he backed away behind the trees. He smiled his wolfish smile and padded after the boy, suddenly bounding through the trees as he skidded to a halt just as the boy twisted his ankle. The wolf growled happily, and padded towards the boy, his cried echoing in the beast's head. He barked angrily at the boy as his paw stepped onto the boy's broken ankle. His teeth bared as his muzzle came closer to the boy's face. He growled again as he heard something else approaching. One quick snap and the boy would be one less thing to worry about. But...well...the wolf always enjoyed games...

Morgan was alert to the wolf now, and watched as it advanced if it could grin he would think that look was the wolf grinning at him, he was a fool to think Alex really wanted to be with him, and now he had endangered their precarious relationship they had by coming here to this forest. He heard something moving in the forest, and fought not to tear his eyes away from the wolf, maybe if he ciould keep his eyes on it it wouldn't kill him. There had to be something that drew Morgan to Alex, and he wanted a chance to find out what. His ears strained as he heard another creature approaching, and he froze his face congealing from a soft grin which turned to a grimace. What if it was another werewolf? Morgan looked at the Alex wolf, and his eyes were fearful for the first time, what had he thought coming to the forest, he knew it was a full moon, but he hadn't even cared where his feet had carried him, and when he had seen the agony of Alex's change he had been mortified and yet transfixed. Morgan's last selfish thought was that if he were a wolf too maybe Alex wouldn't fight him so much. Or not even a wolf, anything strong enough to be a companion and not a deterrance. He knew whatever had appraoched was near, he would find out in a minute just what his fate would be.

Out of the bushed a centaur paraded, bow and arrow pulled back and aiming straight for the wolf's chest. The wolf backed away from the boy, his eyes locked with the centaur. He growled, there was only one, he had kissed them before, he could kill again. He moved as far away from the boy as he could.

"Get up," the centaur muttered to the boy, helping him to untie the roots that held his legs.

It was in that moment the wolf pounced, landing on the centaur's back and ripping at his neck. The centaur had obviously been prepared for it and easily pushed the wolf off his chest. Immediately stabbing an arrow head into the wolf's shoulder. The beast howled in pain as the arrow imbedded itself further into his shoulder. He growled and just about managed to push the other creature off him before trying to make a run for it. But more of them had arrived, at least ten centaurs surrounded the beast and the boy. For the first time, the werewolf was terrified.

Morgan cringed as a large Centaur entered the clearing, it barely paused before aiming it's arrow at Alex's chest. He could only watch as the Centaur easily broke the roots trapping his ankle and ordered him to stand. He remained where he was as Alex attacked the centaur. He should be sad, but the centaur had released the bow and his arrow had embedded in Alex's shoulder. Everything had happened too quickly, and Morgan jumped up wincing as he put weight on his ankle. There suddenly appeared to be an entire herd of centaur in the fringes of Alex's clearing. Morgan looked up at Alex, the huge wolf's eyes shone brightly in the moonlight a testament to the pain of the arrow.

He knew it was a huge risk but he flung himself in the wolf's direction and stood swaying on his bad ankle as if in protection of the huge beast. He couldn't stand to see Alex hurt anymore. "Don't!" he shouted, "Leave him alone, can't you see he's got enough problems without you lot!"

The wolf turned and growled at the boy, as if warning him not to even bother. The wolf knew why they were there, it was only fair for them to have their revenge. The wolf limped past the boy and stood in front of him, facing the centaurs on his own four feet. He didn't need some human protecting him, he would go down fighting, if that was what was needed. He growled and lowered his head as one of the older centaurs stepped forward.

"You know nothing of this creature," the centaur said, almost gravely, "He is a killer, he killed one of my own family. We will not let him live. If someone had killed someone you loved dearly you would seek revenge. It deserves to die," he spat, pulling back his bow and aiming at the thin werewolf.

One of the younger centaurs moved forward and placed a hand on the leader's shoulder, "The child could be right. There is still a human under that skin. You know what Dumbledore has said about killing students," he said quietly, his eyes darting to the other centaurs.

"Dumbledore failed to mention what would happen if one of his students committed a murder," the first centaur said, turning back to the werewolf.

Morgan stood behind Alex for a moment and listened as the Centaurs spoke. His anger rose and he spoke softly, "I would attack you if you came pulling a bow onto me without provocation. It's too bad that Alex killed your family member, because your actions were probably a mirror of the other. Would you not defend yourself from another?" his eyes challenegd the Centaur. He knew what it would have looked like, that he was being attacked by Alex, but he didn't allow that thought to take root; instead he turned his logic onto the Centaurs, "Dumbledore would call both parties to hear what they had to say, he would not pass hasty judgement."

He knew Alex wouldn't welcome his help, but he never did know when to just shut up. he looked at the huge wolf in front of him, and again he was not scared as he should be. Whatever the fates had in store for him he would accept. He had been given a chance with Alex, he would fight for it. He looked at the Centaurs as he approached Alex's side. There was a lot of blood streaming from the arrow's injury, even running from the hollow shaft of the arrow itself.

he looked at Alex, muttered an apology and quickly but gently pulled the arrow out before anyone could guess what he would do, then he murmured a quick healing incantation glad for once of wandless magic. He turned dark flat black eyes at the leader of the Centaur, "I love him." he said in simple explanation to the questioning eyes of the true beast.

The centaur growled, almost wolf like, as he aim his bow and arrow at the boy, "If you won't move, I'll have to force you. Dumbledore is not here to save your boyfriend. He is in our forest-"

The centaur was cut off was a huge growl erupted from his throat, it wasn't their forest. Of course he had always called it his, but he knew it wasn't. There were so many creature that lived in the forest, it never belonged to just one race. The wolf pushed the boy out of the way and stood facing the centaur. Eye to eye. He growled again and moved forward a little, secretly glad the boy had healed him. Though it reminded him of the fox and his paw twinged with the memory. He howled as he began to walk towards the centaurs. They retreated slightly, knowing the wolf would have the advantage of speed, though they had the weapons. That was - unless the young wizard got involved.

The centaurs roared in anger and rushed forward all aiming for the werewolf. If they were all attacking at once then there would be no help. The wolf yelped in agony as a stray arrow landed in his hind leg. He turned to see the attacker slowly reloading his bow. The wolf growled in agony and leapt onto the young centaur, ripping it's throat from it's neck, it - like the centaurs - had no mercy. Turning from the dead body, blood pouring from his mouth as he bared his razor teeth again, as if asking them who would be next. The leader aim another arrow at the wolf but he easily dodged out of the way and began to run again, bounding onto the back of another unsuspecting centaur.

"STOP!" came a voice over the battle. The leader of the centaurs called his troops back, they had lost at least five. Too many. The wolf turned and growled at the centaurs, not knowing why they had stopped. The leader stepped forward and dropped his bow and arrow on the floor by the wolf's feet. A truce? Perhaps. The wolf moved forward slightly and smelt the weapons, they were real enough. He turned his back on the leader and began padding away when suddenly a young centaur released his bow and the arrow embedded itself in the wolf's side. He didn't even howl before the centaur feel to the floor - dead. With the taste of blood in his mouth the wolf then turned to the leader, more angry than before. The centaur knew he was in trouble; quickly backing away he indicated fro the others to follow as they darted into the trees. The wolf growled and turned on the boy, what was he still doing there? Out of nowhere the wolf yelped and collapsed to the floor, blood dripping out of his many open wounds. His eyes fluttered shut and then open again. In the distance he could hear more centaurs regrouping. He doubted this was over.

Morgan watched hesitantly as the Centaur's leader threw hsi weapons at Alex's feet. He wasn't sure if it was a ruse or real, so he was ready for anything. When the Centaur shot Alex again and was killed he didn't even flinch. He did cringe at the look the wolf shot him, it wasn't welcoming. However, when Alex slumped to the ground he sighed and knelt over him. He knew healing magic and the wolf was instantly healed, his wounds knit together and the bleeding stopped. What Morgan wished he knew was how to heal the inner torment of this boy. Morgan could hear the Centaurs rustling in the forest. They had been beaten down for now, but there were surely other herds who would come to fight.

He wished he could apparate right here, right now; he knew it was impossible in Hogwarts but he didn't know if it worked in the forest. Rather than try and hurt himself or Alex he gingerly picked up the enormous wolf and carried him the short distance to his clearing. He noticed the instant the wolf became alert, but he wasn't about to put him down until they were safer and he could lay Alex on the thick bed of leaves and grass in his clearing. "I'm helping you, please be still," he crooned softly like he might speak to a stray animal he wasn't sure was friendly or not. He had always had a way with savage animals, and had never once been bitten or even scratched. He hoped he wouldn't be bitten now, he knew the consequences of a werewolf bite!

Morgan settled the tense wolf onto his bed and stepped back to give the animal some space. He knew his scent was already in the clearing from his earlier visit with Alex, but he didn't know if that made him less of a threat or not. He smiled at Alex and waited to see what would happen next.

The thin wolf's chest rose and fell heavily as his eyes flickered shut and then open again. He ached all over - sure the bleeding had stopped but the pain was still there. He shakily got back on his feet and growled at the boy. He should be there, he should be safely tucked up in bed like every other student in the castle. He snapped at the boy and walked - no, limped - over to the Gryffindor. Sniffing the boy's clothes he began to recognise the scent - the boy was friends with the human, the stupid pathetic human that was trapped inside the strong and clever wolf frame. He never wanted to admit that he'd been helped by a human, but this was the second time it had happened. Was he going soft? No. Not at all. He just killed what needed to be killed. Like centaurs - speaking of centaurs...

{Sorry it's short >.< }

Morgan stood and watched the wolf as it rose shakily, ah the pain, he thought...He would have to gather herbs for that, and he doubted the wolf would allow him to make it a potion, much less drink it if offered.

Morgan cast his eyes outside the shelter as he heard something gathering outside. So, the Centaurs had come to finish them off. He growled low in his chest; a feral sound that would have been at home in any wild animal. His eyes were coal black and his Mother's blood began to remember it's heritage. It was then that he had an idea, a plan was forming in his head. He looked at the wolf, would the creature understand and cooperate?

He looked into the wolf's eyes and held his gaze steady, his own black eyes were now dead looking, flat black. "Will you work with me? I can make an illusion, make them think we are their fallen. They cannot smell as you can to know what their eyes see is not the truth. Two of their own will appear to disappear outside, and we will look like them. We can use the illusion to make them pause and have the advantage to attack... I can wield a bow as easily as they can," he gestured to the bow he had slung across his back and arrows stuffed haphazardly into the quiver.

He had not blinked as he explained, and he held the wolf's eyes now. It was a good plan. Not only could his ancestors see the future, they could make others see things, visions or illusions, in their own head. It worked even better with creatures, and Centaur were half beast. It could buy them time to win this coming fight, if the wolf would agree.

(( Hee hee, no prob... still good writing and that matters a lot!))