(OOC: Hoping to respond to my pings tomorrow. Didn't have as much time last week as I hoped. We'll just pretend Beth walked out after seeing Magnus transform.)

Paddy listened for a while, trying to take it all in, but the more she thought about it, the more a particular question kept nagging away at her, "but why did that werewolf want to target Magnus in particular?" she asked, uncertain if Paul would willingly give up that piece of information, "he must've gone past hundreds of kids before he found him."

"Because he was alone, unsurprivsed and the werewolf saw him as easy prey. You have to remember he had been stalking his victim for awhile. A boy from a children's home... no one would really miss him much. He was young and didn't always follow the rules. The fact that he ventured out at night made everything even better. It was too perfect."

Paddy nodded, still struggling to see what that werewolf had against a young boy from a children's home, but Paul's logic made sense, "it's a good thing you were following him," she replied with a glance towards Magnus and Bartelby.

A shadow crossed Paul's face and he said quietly, "I wish I had gotten there sooner."

Dawn finally came. The wolf let out a howl of pain as his body started reverting back to human form. Magnus was held upright presumably by the wingardium leviosa spell as his pyjamas where magicked on him just before the fur finished receding. Meanwhile, the shield ward was lowered, and the dungeon changed back from the Forbidden Forest look. Bartley managed to free himself from Bob’s restraint. The door to the cage flew open without Bart so much as raising his wand. “Magnus!” he exclaimed as he lowered the barely conscious child to the ground. Bruises and cuts were all over the battered boy, but worse was he was turning blue. “Bob!” he called. “Shh, I’ve got you,” he said as he stroked the boy’s hair.

Bob and Aderyn were right behind Bartley. Bob felt the boy’s neck, then scanned him with his wand “he cannae breathe,” the man said, “punctured a lung from his broken rib as ‘e transformed. Hold him steady.” The man began a series of complicated wand movements. Whatever spell he was using he was doing it silently. Bartley cradled Magnus, half in his arms. When the man was finished with his spell, Magnus gasped and coughed wildly. “That’s a good laddie.” He said fondly rubbing the boy’s head. “Aderyn, both blood-replenishing potions please.” Taking the potion she handed him, Bob tilted Magnus’ head back and pour the contents in his mouth. Then the man rubbed his throat forcing the boy to swallow and repeated the process with the second potion. “Yer gonna be okay, ye ear?” Then he waved his wand and bandages appeared in several places. Looking at Magnus’ dad, he said, “Fixed the lung an’ ribs. He’s out of immediate danger but he isn’t in great shape. We shouldnae linger too long.”

Jim came from behind. “Bart,” the man said, “tell me we are not doing this again tonight,” his voice thick with concern.

Bartley’s eyes flashed dangerously at the idea of repeating this again. “Like hell we are. No, we will administer the draught of living death before we leave. Then we will attend to his wounds whilst he sleeps through the rest of the phase. The boy can do without more pain.”

Magnus regained focus and looked up at his father. He looked worn out and was breathing slowly. “Did it go okay, dad?” he asked with a weak and gravelly voice.

“It did and you know what else?” the man said, his countenance softening. “You are very well loved, my boy.” He stood up and then scooped Magnus into his arms like the boy weighed nothing and carried him out of the cage. “Your friends wish a few parting words with you before we get you cleaned up and in bed. If that suits you.” He knew Bob said they needed to get going, but the boy was out of immediate danger and so he would let Magnus remain for a few moments. The students deserved the chance to speak with his son so long as Magnus was able. It would do Magnus some good too, especially since he knew the boy was going to be scared about the coma-inducing potion.

The blanket Millie provided was draped over Magnus who laid weakly in his father’s arms. “Yeah, so’right wif me.”

(other pings removed cos it seems to help)

Aderyn worked quickly as Bob () asked her for this potion and that. She was confident in her knowledge and she easily identified them all, passing them along. Her heart fluttered madly in her chest as she watched them work and she was worried for Magnus. She stepped back as Bob finished up his work and she waited until Bartleby picked Magnus up before creeping in closer again, standing right near the doorway to the cage so she was within Magnus' line of sight. She smiled at him as he blearily looked around and reached up, gently touching his shoulder in reassurance, not wanting to apply any more pressure lest he was in too much pain.

"You did great, Magnus."

It took him a moment to spot Aderyn as everything came into focus. "Didn't really do nofing," he said with a chuckle that ended in a few coughs followed by a groan, "except get banged up it seems." He appricated the touch to his shoulder and gave her a weak smile.

Bartley said, "She helped Bob, son. Was very professional and calm. Can't say the same for myself." He didn't feel guilty though as he held his son.

Magnus smiled, "fanks, for 'elping. Wish I could've."

"You did more than your fair share of the work. We could all see how hard it was for you. Thank you for sharing it with us - we'll all walk away from this better informed and much more sympathetic."

Slipping her hand into the pocket of her robes, she pulled out a bar of rich, sweet, dark chocolate and held it out to Magnus.

"Rumor has it chocolate helps everything, so when you're feeling up to it, have a few bites, I'm sure it'll do you good!"

He tried to shake his head but stopped quickly when the room began to spin around. He did manage to give her a confused look though. "Huh?" he asked. Why was she talking about how hard it was for him? Or being more understanding and sympathetic? "Just thought you'd like ta see the werewolf is all. Ain't many get ta see 'em wif out becomin' one." He lightly put his hand around hers and gently pushed the candy back. "Eat it for me please. Don't like candy," he said, "could do wif a cup o' water though. Me throat's on fire."

Sam hurried forward, the alpaca inexplicably following her, and grabbed a clear ewer off the table. "Water?" she asked Bob, not trusting her judgement with all the potions nearby. "Aye lassie" he responded handing her a cup. "Here ya go.., Outta my way fuzzy-wuzzy" she said to the miniature llama, who was sniffing at Magnus' hand, as she splashed some water into the cup for him. "I think the little fellow knows he owes his life to you. Lovable little thing."

"Fanks," he said practically gulping it down. He had to slow himself when he realised he might choke. He laid back in his father's arms and closed his eyes for a moment trying to hide how much that simple act cost him. "You an' Fraidy Freddie seem ta be friends. Mind watchin' 'im for a few days? Don't fink I'm gonna be able ta care for 'im for a little while."

"Sure thing.... Freddie huh? Cute, suits him. He's not afraid of you now though." She added, gently squeezing the least injured of Magnus' hands and setting it on the alpaca's woolly head.
"I can smuggle just about anything into the Slytherin girls dorm. You can bet he's gonna be spoiled rotten by the time this full moon is over." Sam looked up at Mr Lee. "Thank you." she said simply.

He blushed a little when Sam held his hand and moved it so he could pet the no longer shaking llama. "'E's a sweetie for sure. An' we'll get ya going on them potions too." It was Bartley's turn to look confused. "Thank you for what?"

"For what? Jeeze everything!" Sam responded, smiling crookedly. "For agreeing to this. For thinking of everything to keep us safe. For explaining everything, and answering all of our questions. For..., caring"
Sam ducked her head and looked away. Noticing Aderyn standing beside them she added, "Man, you sure got that potion fast. What, did you sneak your broom down here? Seriously though, you're gonna be some kind of healer. It was like you knew what Bob was gonna want before he asked for it. You were great."

Bart gave a slight smile, "And for scaring you children half to death as I attempted to break into a highly sealed cage with an angry werewolf inside?" Magnus gave his dad a quizzical look. "Hardest thirty minutes of my life, Magnus, watching and hoping you'd be okay." He looked back at Sam then decided to give a more serious reply. "You are welcome, Sam. I have to admit it was nice having questions I could answer for once." He laughed, "though I was surprised no one asked what I do. I mean its pointless but still... Anway, thank you too. For being such a good friend to Magnus."

"I'm right 'ere you know," Magnus replied blushing.

Paddy watched with concern as Magnus transformed back into human form. Biting her lip, she forced herself to watch the Unspeakables as they sorted his broken rib and punctured lung - she was confident in their skills, but it brought back way too many memories for her liking.

Letting him take a few sips of water and talk to Sam and Aderyn, she took a few deep breaths to steady herself before speaking. "Thanks, Magnus," she said, "I hadn't anticipated how hard that would be to watch as a human, but it's made me see the full moon in a different light. Hopefully it'll help everyone understand werewolves a little better." Turning to Bartelby she added "and thank you for making it work for me to participate too."

He looked at the girl he didn't know. His bright green eyes full of confusion. Then it suddenly hit him who she was. "Whoa," he said weakly, "you look different. I like your fur better." He slipped out of consciousness for the barest of moments and then looked up and said, "because of the 'uman eyes?" Bartley smiled, "I think he thinks you can see the moon better with human eyes. He's a still a little dazed and trying to hide his pain. But you are welcome. I hope was worth it for you."

"I like my fur better too, to be honest," Paddy replied with a grin. "That's ok," she replied to Bartelby, "it did seem strange, being able to look at the full moon without anything happening to me, so I guess in a way he's right - I can see it better with human eyes."

Katsumi hung back as the others went to speak to the worn-our Magnus, following them more slowly. She didn't know the Gryffindor all that well, and she figured she'd be able to speak with him better when he was mostly recovered, anyhow. Some of the things Sam said to Mr. Bartley caught her attention, and she nodded. "I agree," she ventured softly, giving the man a slight smile. "Thank you." The second year looked towards the banged-up boy, surrounded by other students, considering. "I can't imagine going through this every month," she added. "Not as a werewolf, and not as the family of one." The night had certainly given her a better perspective on the matter. "It takes such strength -- from both of you." The girl looked up at Mr. Bartley again, admiration glittering in her eyes, pausing a moment for a reply before guiding the conversation in a different direction. "I believe most of us were paying more attention to Magnus, as opposed to you. Besides, you're an Unspeakable, aren't you? So you wouldn't be able to tell us what you do even if we had asked."

((EDIT: , I may have found your Magnus pet. <.< I highly recommend everyone read the story on his profile! It's excellent. Although over there, Mr. Lee is named Bartleby. Then again, I keep trying to call him that myself...))

Bartley gave Paddy a smile. "Well, even though I'm all for knowledge and enlightenment I want you to promise to do something fun the next two nights of freedom okay?" Then another thank you and Bart was again surprised. He hadn't really expected any at all, not directed at him anyway. "Apparently, it is not just Magnus who is being caught off guard," he said with a nod. He didn't really know how to reply and thankfully she had changed subjects. With a twitch of a smile he said, "Yes a werewolf is a great distraction for sure. I'm sorry, it probably sounded self-centred; but most people clear the hallway when they see me walk by. Those that don't, well lets just say I'm used to being a persona non grata. This night has been very refreshing to me in that respect."

Magnus was not as aware of the conversations as he would have liked to have been, they were going too fast for him.

(( ooc: aww, gonna make me blush lol. But yeah I liked Bartleby better however, I have dyslexia and found I kept spelling it wrong so went with Bartley for this because spell check liked that and were I put the b was driving me bonkers. There I also had brown fur too, so meant to doing some editing lol.))