HP: The Stellar Witch [OFC]

Soon, the accumulated magic power caught the werewolf's attention for a fleeting moment. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Lys managed to encase the werewolf.

Alright, that magical control, that sense of being a superior manipulator, was just an illusion...

The werewolf's descent into slumber was far slower than Lys had anticipated. After what felt like ages, it still showed no signs of falling asleep. If it didn't succumb soon, the spell would shatter under its struggles in just ten more seconds.

Feeling anxious, Lys suddenly felt a lightness on her shoulder. "Gabon, no! Dirty!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lys froze in surprise.

Then she saw Gabon sink its teeth into the werewolf's thick neck. Its long, venomous fangs barely pierced through the fur and flesh.

The werewolf thrashed violently, causing Gabon to sway back and forth.

However, the venom of a deadly snake was no joke. Just in time, the werewolf succumbed to the runic spell.

Lys hesitated for a moment, clutching her left leg, but eventually decided to stay by the werewolf's side.

This was a school, filled with young wizards. Who knew if some rule-breaking student like herself might wander here after dark?

If a werewolf's life was so painful, then it was better for one less person to experience it.

Panting heavily, Lys pried Gabon off the werewolf's neck. The scene felt oddly familiar.

She steadied her wand, pointing it at the werewolf—Lupin—on the ground. Only when Dumbledore arrived did Lys spit out the blood in her mouth. She had been holding it in, fearing the scent of blood would provoke the werewolf's deeper ferocity.

"I've been meaning to ask, Headmaster, what were you thinking?" Lys glared at him with a tone of sarcasm before fainting.

When she regained consciousness, she felt something sticky and long beside her hand. Feeling around, she discovered it was the snake with little wings—Gabon—who promptly spat again.

"I was planning to clean up, but as soon as I raised my wand slightly, Gabon became very nervous, so I gave up. I hope you're not feeling too uncomfortable," Madam Pomfrey said as she approached with a vial of stabilizing potion.

Lys refused it. She was scheduled to take a soul stabilizer within the next day or two and didn't want to risk mixing potions.

Raising her wand to cast a cleaning spell, Lys felt as if her arm was broken. No, not just her arm—her entire body felt broken!

"Why does it hurt so much?"

"Dumbledore said it was caused by your magic clashing. It will heal soon."

"How soon is 'soon'?" Lys dreaded a long recovery period. She didn't want to relive the restless frustration of the holidays.

"It's simple, just a spell. Wait a moment, I'll call Albus. He should be quick."

Lys exhaled deeply, only to notice the bed next to her was occupied by Snape, who looked deranged.

"Severus, what's wrong with you?" He looked... off. "Did you brew some strange potion again and test it on yourself?"

Lys had warned him before to use a toad or even Gryffindor's dumb dog for testing, but he didn't listen. Now he had landed himself in the hospital wing.

Lys felt reassured the moment she saw Madam Pomfrey. Her magic wasn't particularly strong, so there wouldn't be an untransformed werewolf here.

This place was safe.

Moreover, there were other students present, so the werewolf definitely wouldn't be here. Relieved, Lys began reflecting on some of her unnecessary spells from the previous night and the effective ones.

She harshly criticized her own actions and Lupin's unusual behavior, then pinched Gabon's tail tip and examined its eyes. Healthy. Good.

She also felt reassured that she could maintain a calm attitude towards the werewolf.

The reason she restrained Gabon was actually because she didn't want to get dirty. This realization surprised even Lys herself.

"Lupin is a werewolf. He's actually a werewolf!" Snape's voice suddenly broke the silence.

Lys whipped her head around to look at Snape. "How do you know?"

Did he see her fighting? No, that couldn't be. She had spread her magic widely at the time; there was no way she wouldn't have noticed another person.

"Lupin is a werewolf! What is Dumbledore thinking?" Snape didn't answer Lys but continued questioning angrily.

"I believe every young wizard has the right to an education, don't you, child?" It was Dumbledore.

Lys rolled her eyes in Dumbledore's direction. "Then Hogwarts also has the responsibility to protect every young wizard."

"Why have I faced death so many times at school, Headmaster Dumbledore? The Pensieve! And now this— a werewolf!" Snape was agitated, but Lys seemed even more agitated upon seeing Dumbledore.

"You should be glad I wasn't prepared. Otherwise, when you arrived, it wouldn't have been a sleeping werewolf. You'd have found a corpse! Either mine or its!"

Lys detested those unrestrained werewolves; they were the source of her torment.

Snape continued where Lys left off. "He should be expelled! This is a school, not a charity! He can't guarantee he won't harm others!"

"Severus, child, when he enrolled, the professors and I made preparations. We dug tunnels and planted the Whomping Willow. We just didn't anticipate someone following him, which provoked his ferocity."

Lys struggled to sit up despite the pain. Oh, playing the third-year card again, huh? First, defend those reckless fools, then criticize her for wandering at night?

But before Lys could speak, Snape erupted, shaking his head and shouting angrily.

"Following? They openly discuss their so-called 'furry little problem' in the corridors. Sirius Black even slyly told me how to subdue the Whomping Willow, provoking me during the day. And now you're saying this werewolf issue is just my fault for following?"

Snape's facial muscles twitched as he glared at Dumbledore. "Lupin, Potter, and that stupid dog won't be expelled, will they?"

"Child, last night James saved your life." At these words, Snape seemed deflated, collapsing onto his pillow with his eyes closed.

But his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.

Lys felt unsettled too. So that big black thing in the stag's mouth was Snape...

Lys gave Dumbledore a disdainful look. "Hurry up and heal me, Headmaster. If you keep angering those who help you, no one will be left to do your dirty work!"

This was a structured spell. It reorganized Lys's magic, untangling the chaotic parts. Lys looked at Dumbledore with a puzzled expression.

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