Teen Wolf at Hogwarts

3 patreon subscriptions = 10 bonus chapters

10 reviews = bonus chapter

200 stones = bonus chapter

Fully support the story at:

patreon.com/FanFictionPremium

***

For a whole week, Hogwarts had been completely quiet. No one even got into a fight with anyone or cast a spell on anyone. Not a single accident or fight. Stiles had written to Scott that the castle had become very boring without him, but McCall couldn't agree with him. Tyler began to load him and Isaac up beyond belief. After the boys had docked some schedules, Brooke submitted the schedule to McGonagall for review. And to be honest, Scott was literally flabbergasted that she approved it.

- Six times a week,' Isaac said in a hushed voice, his eyes widening as he stared at the list.

- Exactly! - Tyler nodded cheerfully, 'We have our first match against Ravenclaw, so we have to be in full gear for the first game.

- We're going to die,' Scott sighed. Peter grinned and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder.

And Scott was even getting used to this way of life. No, of course, it was still hard for him, because it was unrealistic to get used to it in a week. But he wasn't dying to go back to the living room and literally fall asleep on the couch, where Allison hugged him sympathetically and wrote his homework for him.

Of course, Erica was also adding fuel to the fire. Almost every day, for some reason, she snickered incessantly and dragged the Gryffindor into the library with her and wouldn't let go for hours. And he wouldn't have even minded so much if she had done anything at all. Absolutely all the work fell on Scott's shoulders. He was looking for books, rewriting information, dividing it into meaningful parts and rewriting it again, rethinking and thinking how to present it better. The blonde was just talking idly about something Scott didn't understand or admiring herself.

When Allison had expressed her displeasure that Erica was wearing makeup at twelve, Scott had raised his eyebrows in bewilderment, realising that he hadn't even noticed. The next day, when the subject came up again, McCall just crinkled his nose, telling his friend that Erica looked unrealistically cheesy and awful. He never understood why Allison had walked around with the widest smile all day after that.

Stiles kept writing to McCall about how much he enjoyed France and his adventures, which of course he and Will already had plenty of. He was still writing about the mysterious Ivan, who, according to Stilinski, was now taking Lydia literally out from under his nose on the silliest of pretexts. The boy also talked about how Marzia hardly spent any time with them. The girl had a tonne of worries heaped upon her. The Gryffindors helped her in any way they could. Stiles said that once, when he was trying to find out information about the first stage, a winged horse had almost taken him into the forest. If Lydia is to be believed, after that incident, Stilinski only goes out in public when accompanied by Reno.

Yes, Scott had indeed had a lot on his plate, but it was nothing compared to Saturday morning, which had turned everything upside down. Scott realised this as early as seven in the morning, having got up - on his own! - and saw Matt still lying in bed. Glancing over at Isaac, who had come out of the bathroom, the boy shrugged and started to get ready, determined to give his friend a few more minutes of sleep. But only those few minutes dragged on for half an hour. Already fully dressed, Isaac lay on his bed and occasionally kicked his friend's bed, but there was absolutely no reaction. Finally Scott, sighing irritably, sat down on Matt's bed and began shaking Matt by the shoulder.

- Matt, you're going to sleep through this! - Even McCall deigned to get his not-so-royal arse out of bed today,' Isaac exclaimed, still kicking the Gryffindor's bed.

- Why wouldn't it be royal? - Scott frowned.

- Boys, I've got a problem,' Allison blurted out, barging into the Gryffindor room without knocking. After catching her breath, she shifted her gaze to Matt and dropped her hands helplessly, 'You have the same one, I get it.

- What's wrong? - Isaac frowned.

- I've been trying to wake Malia, but she won't respond to me at all,' the brunette jerked her shoulder, 'I've been trying to call her for a good half hour, but there's been no response at all.

- Matt, are you okay? - Scott touched the Gryffindor's shoulder again, 'Mate, maybe you should just take the day off.

The response was once again nothing but inarticulate mumbling. Sighing, Scott patted the boy on the shoulder and went into the Hall. Actually, McCall had thought that Malia and Matt were just catching a cold, since they'd spent all Friday night on the Quidditch pitch watching the Gryffindor team practice and collating data on werewolves, of which they all already had quite a few. But Scott had realised that things were far more horrible and large-scale as soon as the three Gryffindors had entered the hall.

- Where's Ravenclaw? - Allison frowned.

The Ravenclaw table was empty. Everyone was used to Ravenclaw always being something of an example. Cogtevrans always got up before everyone else, ate breakfast and dinner right on schedule, were never late for class, and went to bed right after bedtime. Now there was not a single person at the Ravenclaw table, even a very sleepy one. Naturally, the absence of a faculty that was an example to the other three instilled a certain unease and made almost everyone nervous. Frowning, the Gryffindors moved towards their table, intending to speak to someone in charge. When they reached Tyler, their jaws dropped.

Brook looked so confused that it seemed as if he didn't realise where he was at all, or what he was there for. Flapping his eyelashes stupidly, he looked from one fellow student to another, as if he were working out some complex problem in his head. Dropping onto the bench next to the captain, Scott clapped him on the shoulder.

- Ty, do you know what's going on? Where are the crows? - Isaac asked.

- 'I have no idea,' the sixth year shook his head, 'I tried to get Pete out of bed today, but he didn't respond to me in any way. Literally ignored me all morning.

Glancing over to Allison, Scott frowned. This was looking more and more like no coincidence. Glancing at the other Hogwarts students, Scott choked up. There were half as many people. And he could tell that someone might still be just sleeping, but that simply couldn't be the case, since Matt was the reason they'd come in practically in the last fifteen minutes of breakfast, when, in fact, everyone had been eating breakfast for a while.

A third of the Slytherins were absent. Scott noticed for himself that Erica, Tracy, and Aidan were missing from the table, and he felt himself getting even more worried. It simply couldn't be a coincidence anymore. If he could still believe Matt and Malia's sudden joint cold, he couldn't believe half the school. At that moment, Allison pinched his shoulder painfully and the boy grunted, turning a confused look to McGonagall approaching them. Wow, he hadn't even noticed the professors in all the commotion.

- I know perfectly well that you've already guessed that something is going on at the school,' the woman said, not even bothering to greet him. Gesturing to all the representatives of the lion faculty, the professor pressed her lips together, 'Unfortunately, I have no idea what it could be. Naturally, classes are cancelled today. Mr Brooke, you're in charge.

- Professor,' Tyler called out in an unusually serious tone. Looking at the sixth year, Scott realised that if even this guy was treating everything like this, it must be really bad,' Two questions. First, do you know anything that we need to know as well? And two, are there any security measures we need to take regarding the others?

- Mr Brooke, there's very little I can tell you. I don't know any more than you do. Children don't get out of bed and then they get paralysed.

- Then they what? - Allison exhaled, grabbing Scott's arm and rounding her eyes.

- As far as I know, Ravenclaw students were paralysed from the beginning. And yes, Mr Brooke, until you asked, it does scare me.

- Okay,' Tyler exhaled, clasping his hands behind his back and swaying from heel to toe. Everything about him right now was screaming that he was incredibly nervous and trying to hold back. Scott really loved him for it, -What about security?

- Quarantine,' McGonagall nodded and Tyler clenched his fists, 'The professors and I are about to go check on all the students who stayed in the lounges this morning. I would ask that you do not leave the Hall until we arrive.

- Professor,' Tyler called out to the woman. There was a literal look of fear on his face, -Why are you in the business of checking on students?' when he saw McGonagall's lips tighten, the boy lowered his head, exhaling through his nose.

- 'Because Pomfrey is paralysed too,' McGonagall replied. With a nod to Tyler, the woman walked out of the Hall, tossing some phrase to Snape, who was still circling her charges. The sight of a confused Flitwick made Scott's heart clench. Sighing, the boy collapsed onto the bench and propped his cheek on his fist. After a few minutes, those professors left the students as well, leaving them in complete silence.

- Well, who would have doubted it, eh? - Isaac sat down next to McCall with a clatter.

- Guys,' Tyler leaned over to his charges, beckoning with his finger, 'You got it, right? Not one step outside the Hall until the professors show up. Or me,' he said, picking up his bag and heading for the door.

- What's that supposed to mean? - Eve, a fifth year student, raised her eyebrows in bewilderment.

- Gryffindor follows the rules? - Tyler grinned, 'I was under the impression that they didn't. Especially when it comes to the safety of your friends. I don't care if I get paralysed ten times in there, I just have to make sure Pete's okay. And I won't even mind if-' The boy didn't have time to finish, as a group of six people had already formed around him. Brooke smirked and ran his palm through his hair, 'Of course, yeah, I shouldn't have even started. Let's go,' the boy waved his hand and silently walked out of the Hall.

No one was surprised when the seven Gryffindors didn't meet a single person. Tyler left the boys behind now and then, stepping forward and checking to see if there was anything they needed to duck out of afterwards.

- How can the others even follow the rules now? - Brooke sighed irritably, gesturing to Scott, Isaac, and a fourth year named Charlie, 'Okay,' the sixth year clapped his hands softly, 'Guys, we're responsible for those three beautiful ladies. - It was said with a touch of sarcasm, but everyone realised that Tyler was serious too. Smiling as the three nodding boys looked at him understandingly, Brook continued, -If we get caught, we have to let them go first. So we go down the main corridors now and look around. Scott and Isaac, just keep your eyes open. Charlie, you take the lead. Anything happens, you let me know. I'll take over for you, and you guys go back to the Hall. You got it? - Tyler nodded, waiting for three nods of agreement. Tyler exhaled through his nose and nodded, 'Then let's go.

The seven Gryffindors moved forward up the main staircase. Allison walked between sixth year Barbara and Eve. They were flanked by Isaac and Scott, looking round constantly. Behind them, covering everyone, walked Tyler. In front, Charlie was walking in front, listening warily every two seconds. They sprinted, stumbling and hissing at each other as they reached the living room. When Scott saw that the portrait doorway was open, he exhaled through clenched teeth. Whatever it is, it's very serious.

- Let's sneak inside,' Charlie suggested when they were literally standing right in front of the entrance to the drawing room. Gryffindor was never one for discretion.

- We can't,' Tyler admitted grudgingly, 'There aren't that many of us, but we'll make a hundred percent of the noise. We need someone slippery enough to just slip in, find out what we need to know, and come back,' he said without looking at the three sophomores looking at him, arms folded across their chests. After a second, slapping himself on the forehead, Brook laughed,' I'm a stump, sorry. Allison, can you sneak in?

- You ask? Really? - The brunette raised her eyebrows, -Where to go? I won't have much time.

- Just make your way to the living room first. And then follow the sound.

- Lovely,' Allison sighed. Pulling her hood over her head, the girl slipped into the living room without another word, stepping as carefully as her size would allow. And yes, it came out completely silent.

Right in the centre of the living room, where the chess table usually stood, there were now several makeshift stretchers on which rested people whose faces were painfully familiar to the girl. Some were breathing and sniffling, and some were just lying there, not moving or breathing. Allison knew she shouldn't delay, but she couldn't move on without checking one thing. Leaning over the boys, Argent stared at the faces for a few seconds, then exhaled in relief when she didn't find Malia among them. Giving herself another second, Argent moved up the stairs to the girls' bedrooms. As it turned out, the sounds were coming from her and Malia and Lydia's bedroom, and it made Allison feel her stomach do a somersault. In theory, she was supposed to go upstairs now and see how things were going. But she couldn't bring herself to budge. She saw McGonagall and Steble circling above Malia. Allison tried to see if her friend was breathing, but couldn't because of the constant flickering in front of the professors eyes. Finally Steble, whispering something softly to Minerva, lifted the girl up, and Allison felt a sharp pain pierce her heart. Malia wasn't breathing. She was something like a mannequin that couldn't even manage to flex her fingers.

- What is it, Minerva? - Allison heard the Herbalogy professor's words and the girl listened, taking a step towards the bedroom.

- I have only one guess, Pomona. And you know exactly what it is,' came the immediate reply.

- Minerva,' the Dean of Hufflepuff seemed to have just about choked on air. It made Allison tense up,' If it's what you're thinking, they might just.....

- Not wake up? - McGonagall sighed heavily, 'That's what I'm most afraid of right now,' Argent saw the woman run her palm through Malia's hair before placing the girl on the stretcher she had prepared earlier.

Covering her mouth with her palm, Allison stepped into the shadows and ran down the stairs. Already when she was a few yards from the living room exit and could make out Tyler and Scott lurking behind the armour, Argent stopped, swiftly turning around and running up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms.

Matt was asleep, sniffling sweetly and curled up. With a relieved exhale, Allison ran her fingers over her friend's arm and instantly yanked her hand away. Matt was ice cold. He was sniffling, smiling sleepily and occasionally mumbling something unintelligible, but he was literally a breathing piece of ice. Blinking away the coming tears, Argent leapt out of the bedroom and ran out of the living room, meeting the guys and two girls exactly where they'd agreed to meet.

- What is it? - Tyler asked impatiently, stomping his foot at an incredible speed.

- 'Ty, I'm sorry,' Allison shook her head. The sixth year student, pursing his lips, simply nodded. Shifting her gaze to Scott, Argent smiled weakly, -Matt.... Um,' Allison wasn't sure if she could call her friend's condition satisfactory. Sighing, the girl yanked her shoulder, -He's not paralysed yet, but he's ice cold.

- And Malia? - Isaac glanced warily at the brunette. He could only press his lips together as Allison shook her head and dropped her hands powerlessly.

- Okay,' Tyler sighed, stepping out from behind his armour, 'Let's go back. Thanks Ell, good job,' the boy said and turned around and headed down the stairs. The Gryffindors walked to the Hall in complete silence.

***

Sitting in a chair in the Beauxbaton library, Lydia was looking for information on the elements, not even hoping to find anything worthwhile. Marzia, having picked her out of a group of Gryffindors that morning, had asked for help. Naturally, Martin had agreed. The girl didn't even realise at the time that the seventh year girl herself didn't know what she needed.

Marzia stayed in the library for about an hour, and then Sharmbaton Nicole and Philip from Durmstrang came to pick her up. The trio had a few interviews today, and Marzia, after apologising to Lydia, left. Of course, the girl had told the younger girl to leave it and go get some rest, but the redhead had disobeyed and stayed. Especially, she was not so bored, since she had with her someone with whom the word boredom could not stand in the same sentence in principle.

Today, as Renault had promised a week ago, the boys went to that village again, but Lydia refused because of Marzia. The red-haired girl, of course, did not expect Stilinski to follow her in a few minutes, but she did not mind at all. She preferred Stiles's company to any other, so she was more than glad now. About forty minutes after Marcia left, the boy's stomach began to rumble. At all of Lydia's offers to go out and eat, Stiles shook his head stubbornly and went off into the depths of the library to get more books on the elements. But after another twenty minutes, when the Gryffindor's stomach was making sounds more like a whale's roar, Lydia lied about being hungry herself, and that it would be a good idea if Stiles went to the Hall and got them a couple of croissants. Just as she'd hoped, Stilinski was out of the library in seconds, muttering something to himself about how he had to be back in a few minutes. Smiling, Lydia picked up the new book Stilinski had brought her a few minutes ago.

- Elemental Magic,' she read the title of the book, 'Well, well, elemental magic, don't let me down. The ten of them in front of you were completely useless,' Martin muttered to herself. Opening the book at the first page, the redhead ran her gaze over the lines and slammed the book shut irritably, laying it down on a stack of similarly unsuitable ones.

- Need help? - Ivan stood about a metre away from the Gryffindor girl's desk and smiled.

- 'Hi,' Martin smiled, taking her eyes off the new book, 'Not really, actually, but you can keep me company before Stiles gets here. If you want to, of course.

- You bet I do,' Ivan smiled and sat down across from the Gryffindor, picking up the first book he could find, 'The Element and how to deal with it? - The boy raised his eyebrows as he read the title, 'Helping your Champion?

- Lydia nodded and held out her hand towards the boy, 'Let me see it, I haven't read it yet,' Martin quickly read the first lines and smiled broadly and looked at the Dormstrangian, 'You found what I needed!

- You found it, I only accelerated the process, - Ivan smiled.

- I found it, so you didn't speed up anything,' Stiles frowned. The boy's bag was nearly bursting at the seams, and Lydia thought she should make it clear next time that a pair of croissants was indeed a pair.

- Hello,' Ivan smiled as if nothing had happened, rising from his chair and bowing respectfully to the Gryffindor. Stiles only grinned in response, not even trying to pass it off as a smile, 'I'm Ivan, an acquaintance of Lydia's. You and I haven't met yet,' the boy held out his palm to Stilinski, still smiling.

- Stiles, Lydia's best friend,' the Gryffindor slapped the Durmstrangian's palm and plopped into his chair, discreetly pushing Ivan's bag away with his foot, "And believe me, we've met," the boy grinned.

- I'm sorry,' Lydia smiled at the Dormstrangian, not noticing Stiles' quiet snort.

- It's okay,' the red-haired boy assured the redhead. Stiles even looked at him with a modicum of respect until he heard the next phrase, 'I'll meet you tomorrow, yeah? As agreed.

- Sure,' Martin was still smiling and started waving, 'See you tomorrow.

Smiling, Ivan nodded and walked out of the library. Stiles folded his arms across his chest and arched an eyebrow, looking at his friend.

- So what was the deal? - The boy asked, trying to make sure his voice didn't sound cold. No matter what, he was talking to Lydia, and offending her was the last thing on his to-do list. Though no, that item wasn't on there at all.

- He's having a little trouble with, ironically enough, elemental magic, and he asked me to help,' the redhead replied.

- We don't have such a subject in England, Lydia,' the boy sighed, 'How are you going to help without knowing the basics?

- Are you seriously asking that now or are you mocking me? - The redhead arched an eyebrow.

- Okay, okay, I get it, I'll shut up,' Stiles raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture and smiled at his friend. Lydia, rolling her eyes, didn't hold back a chuckle and ducked into her book. Stiles sat staring at the redhead for a few seconds, and then, perking up, he slipped the bag off his shoulder and held it out to his friend.

- What is it? - Lydia frowned, but took the bag anyway.

- You said you were hungry,' the boy shrugged.

- Stiles! - Martin exclaimed, as soon as she looked into the bag, 'Did you take everything on the tables?

- Not at all,' laughed Stiles, 'I didn't eat there myself, so this is for me too. You pick out what you want first, and I'll take the rest.

- I can't even fit a quarter of it in me, Stiles,' the redhead sighed, turning her gaze to her laughing friend. She leaned over the table and shoved Stiles in the shoulder, pulling a small brownie out of her bag, 'Let's just hope we don't get kicked out of the library for this.

With a cheerful nod, Stiles shoved the eclair almost completely into his mouth, still smiling. Lydia rolled her eyes, laughing, and began to read aloud about water spells. Stiles didn't even seem surprised to learn that Martin was already proficient in some of them.

***

The professors didn't return until twelve. In the few hours during which they were away, Tyler had broken the rules several times and walked out of the Hall, only already alone. The last time he'd been caught by McGonagall, he'd gotten away from her by lying about wanting to check to see how soon the professors would be back so they could finally learn something.

McGonagall, not even bothering to get up on the pedestal, turned to face the students. Everyone sat as they were comfortable. The Puffenduys and Gryffindors mingled and sat together at both tables, while the Slytherins occupied both their table and the empty Ravenclaw table. Pressing her lips together and locking her hands together, the woman shifted her gaze to her students and then began to speak.

- We're not going to keep anything from you,' she said.

- That's a hell of a start,' Tyler breathed out through clenched teeth.

- The situation is critical, but under relative control for now. I know what you're most interested in. You want to know if the paralysed people will be all right? They should be, although I can't say for sure. We're getting more paralysed by the hour. There's no connection between them, nor between the ones who are fine now and the ones standing in front of me.

- Any errands to run, Professor? - Puffendui Chloe asked, a beautiful blonde sixth year girl standing next to Tyler. The girl was a Head Girl, and now, like Brooke, was responsible for all her fellow students in place of the Head Girls who had left the school.

- We can help,' Tyler said immediately. Chloe nodded and threw her friend a fleeting smile.

- We can't put you in danger,' Madame Steble objected, 'Chloe, you'll be much more useful here.

- We're not doing anything, Professor,' Chloe objected, shaking her head stubbornly, 'We're absolutely useless here.

- Everyone else here has brains, too, - Tyler came to her aid again, - Professor, I'm ready to make even Liam in my place, I vouch for him, - Brook waved towards Dunbar, who nodded.

- No one gets out of here, we promise,' Chloe said finally.

McGonagall and Steble looked at each other and sighed. Tyler and Chloe did the same.

- Gryffindor,' McGonagall finally said, 'Who would like to help? - The woman looked at the way absolutely every person with a lion on their robes raised their hand and barely held back a smile.

- I guess everyone can't go, can they? - Tyler guessed. After the professor nodded, the boy turned to the Gryffindors, -Freshmen, you stay here. Allison,' The guy shifted his gaze to the brunette, who was already stubbornly pressing her lips together. Sighing, Brook waved his hand and grinned, 'Allison's coming too. Everything. Only the first-timers aren't going. Chlo? - The boy smiled and glanced at the Puffendu girl. Everyone had safely forgotten about the professors' existence, and they were in no hurry to remind them.

- Puffenduys, who's ready to help? - The girl turned to her charges and smiled as they all raised their hands, 'We're just as brave as you are, eh,' the girl jokingly shoved Tyler in the side.

- You can't beat us anyway,' Brooke laughed.

- The freshmen stay here, the rest of you come with me,' Chloe nodded. In the next moment, Stable coughed and everyone froze, shifting their gaze to the woman, - Professor, I'm sorry, - the girl smiled weakly.

- I'm incredibly pleased with your desire to help, but there's really nothing you can do now,' McGonagall shook her head, 'I, along with my colleagues, will be going to check on the injured again soon. All the responsibility falls on your shoulders, so you won't be useless,' McGonagall smiled at Tyler and Chloe who looked at her with confusion.

- In the next two hours you should all go to the owlery and send letters home explaining the situation. If your parents wish to take you back, we will definitely have to bring you home,' McGonagall said.

- Home? - Tyler's eyes grew five times bigger than usual.

- You can't send us home! - Chloe exclaimed, 'Our friends are here, we can't leave!

- Not a single person in this room wants to go home at a time like this,' Tyler agreed.

- Actually,' a third year Slytherin said, 'They do. Personally, I don't want to catch some disease that makes you stiff and God knows what else.

- I wasn't even thinking about you,' Tyler rolled his eyes.

- Brooke, take it easy, okay? - Cora narrowed her eyes. Tyler gave her a fleeting smile as an apology. Cora and Will were considered practically their own by the Gryffindors, and when it came to Slytherins, no one ever counted those two out. The younger Hale rolled her eyes and nodded, as if to say that the apology was accepted.

- Tyler,' McGonagall turned to the boy again, 'You keep an eye on the Gryffindors and make sure you all get to the owlery safely. Chloe and you remain as Heads of School now, all responsibility is yours.

- That was clear from the start, Professor. What about when we get back to the Hall? And do we have to go back after the Owlery in principle? - Chloe asked.

- Yes, Chloe, you will have to return to the Hall and wait for our return again, - answered Steble.

- And then? - Tyler sighed, glancing again at the Puffenduja.

- Just lunch, dinner, and sleep. You'll only be allowed out of the Hall until tomorrow when you need to go out, accompanied by one of the Professors or Heads,' Snape said, speaking for the first time since the Professors had been in the Hall.

- So,' Tyler tensed visibly, casting a concerned glance at Chloe, 'we're here for the whole day?

- Yes, Brooke, the whole of Hogwarts is sleeping in the Hall tonight,' Snape sighed irritably, 'And if I were you, I'd hope it was just tonight. Everyone should be on their way to the Owlery in half an hour. And approaching the sick will be followed by being sent home without question.

- Professor? - Tyler looked at McGonagall in despair, but she only pursed her lips and nodded. Sighing, Tyler left the table and waved his hand towards the exit of the Hall, 'If no one minds, Gryffindor will go first. And yes, Professor, I'll write a letter to France and let Sonia know. I suggest you guys write to your fellow students too. If it's possible,' Brook shifted an uncertain look to the Dean and smiled when she nodded. Calling Scott and Isaac closer to him, the boy walked out of the Hall, accompanied by a smile from Chloe and a snort from the Slytherins.

- Lydia's going to be shocked,' Allison sighed and moved to follow the others.

***

Stiles literally couldn't believe he'd spent all day in the library. He could, of course, justify himself by saying that he was helping Lydia, but that would really be a lie. Martin did absolutely everything by herself, only occasionally asking Stiles for help. For example, when she had trouble lifting fifteen books at once. Or when she was tired of writing and remembered that she could still talk to Stiles. At times like that, Stilinski did realise that being here was incredibly important. The next moment, however, when Lydia smiled at him and settled back into her book, that realisation vanished.

As the clock struck half past six, Stiles got up from the table and left the library, telling Lydia that he was hungry again and that the food brought in earlier had run out. Promising to come back soon, the boy left, deliberately walking faster so that no one would come in and have a heart-to-heart conversation with Martin about not understanding Elemental magic.

Beating out a slightly uneven rhythm with his fingers, Stilinski descended the stairs and entered the Hall, heading straight for Chantelle, who, as she had the week before, remained watching over both Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Winking at a frowning Derek, the boy smiled at the girl.

- 'Hi,' the boy stopped in front of her, intending to talk at least a little. And it was rude, because his entire faculty had gone off for the second time in a row, taking two of Chantelle's best friends with them. It was embarrassing. Any news? - Stiles grabbed an apple off the table and tossed it, stepping from foot to foot.

- There is, actually, and I don't think it's good news. I'm afraid if bloody Stefan and Renault were here, your boys would be running around in a panic by now,' Chantelle sighed irritably. Stiles instantly froze and turned a frightened look on the girl.

- What happened? - He asked in a grey voice.

- There's a letter here for Sonia. I think you could read it since she's not here,' she handed the letter to the boy and turned away.

- 'Thanks,' Stiles exhaled and went to his desk, falling onto the bench. The inscription on the envelope said it was from Tyler, and the realisation of that made Stilinski feel slightly relieved. He could have simply missed the girl, couldn't he? But all hope turned to dust as soon as he looked at the inscription below, 'Required reading for any Hogwarts student, Emergency "O",' Stiles opened the envelope, frowning.

A state of 'O' was the term for an unusually dangerous situation. Alice had coined the term last year, but no one had ever used it until now. All it meant was that there was some sort of terrible trouble at Hogwarts. Frowning, Stiles pulled out a slightly wrinkled parchment and unfolded it without thinking.

- It doesn't matter who reads this letter,' Stiles moved his lips silently, 'There is an epidemic at Hogwarts, the definition of which no one knows. Since the morning students have been losing contact with the outside world and after a while they become paralysed. The Claw students were paralysed from the start, while the rest of the students are paralysed over time. Two phases have been identified. During the first one, the affected person does not react to anything, even though he or she looks quite healthy. Absolutely all of the victims refused to get out of bed this morning. Then the person begins to get cold, and then he is paralysed. Professor Dumbledore has already been informed, it is not necessary for the reader to do so, this letter was sent just to let everyone know. What follows will be a listing of the affected students, already paralysed and intact. I will ask the person reading to spread the word, but without making much noise to other schools, if at all possible.

Taking a deep breath, Stiles pulled away from the letter for a second, afraid to read any further. He still hadn't figured out what was going on at Hogwarts, but it was clearly something very serious and creepy. He didn't know how he would act if he saw Scott's name on the casualty list. Stiles would definitely be upset if he saw any of his friends down, but he literally had no idea what he would do if McCall was hurt. Clenching his fists, Stiles slowly lowered his gaze and began running his eyes over the lines.

- 'Pete,' the boy mumbled, 'Chris. Edward. Erica. Tracy. Aidan. Theo. Malia,' Stiles felt a sharp pain pierce his heart. Eyes wide open, the boy reread his friend's name over and over again, unable to believe it. Finding his friend on the list of the paralysed, Stiles groaned softly, trying to calm down. After a few seconds he succeeded and started reading again, but he didn't get very far as Matt's name came next, and Stiles, realising he couldn't stand it alone any longer, jumped up and rushed towards the exit of the Hall.

It took him a few minutes to reach the library. Lydia was in the same spot, engrossed headfirst in some book and oblivious to everything around her. The sight of her gave Stiles confidence and calmed him slightly. Exhaling, the boy sat down across from his friend and climbed into the chair with his feet up. He simply didn't care about anything anymore.

- Lydia,' he called out to his friend.

From the way she twitched, he could tell that his voice didn't sound good right now. Then the redhead put the book aside and looked at him worriedly, and it was clear that he looked like a demon incarnate. Fascinating. Pressing his lips together, Stiles silently handed the girl the letter along with the envelope. Looking at the way the redhead frowned and rounded her eyes fearfully, Stilinski realised that she, too, remembered the definition of the 'O' position perfectly well. Without even glancing at Stiles, the girl unfolded the parchment and began to read. She read the letter in a matter of seconds and immediately reached for the list lying a little further away. As the first to go were the clawed students, Martin raised her eyebrows when she saw that there was a full list of students from that faculty. After a few moments, the redhead shrieked softly and covered her eyes.

- Stiles, read the intact ones, I can't,' Lydia held out the sheet to the boy, still not opening her eyes.

- 'I'll read ours right away,' Stiles sighed and found a column with 'Gryffindor' written in uneven handwriting above it, 'Tyler,' Stilinski smiled weakly, 'Barbara. Eve. Charlie. Hiz,' Lydia twitched involuntarily, 'Amanda. Alice. Neil. Allison,' Stiles felt his stomach twist when Lydia sighed loudly and realised he was grinning like a jerk when he read the next name, 'Scott. And Isaac.

- Ten? - Lydia looked at Stiles perplexed, but he shook his head.

- There's Liam, Mason, a few first years, and Luke from third,' the boy answered.

- Does Dumbledore know? - Lydia started to put the books into her bag.

- 'Sort of,' Stiles shrugged, 'I didn't have time to look at it, I went to you.

- Good for you,' Lydia nodded, "Let's go," the girl picked up a few more books from the table and held them to her chest.

- Where to?' Stiles frowned, but of course he obeyed.

- To clarify the situation,' Martin sighed and left the library.

As soon as she entered the Hall, Lydia went straight to the professor's desk, her gaze forcing Stiles to stop beside Chantelle. Stiles, of course, was not happy about it, but he obeyed and sat down next to the girl, realising that Martin would be much more helpful than he was. When Chantelle asked what was in the letter, the boy only shook his head and was incredibly grateful to the girl when she nodded understandingly and turned the conversation in another direction.

Lydia apparently decided not to beat around the bush and started talking about Hogwarts and today's epidemic, and Dumbledore apparently found her a worthy interlocutor. Martin nodded and said something, occasionally splaying her hands and frowning. After a few minutes, the redhead nodded one last time, and after saying something else to the frowning headmaster, she headed over to Stiles, who was beginning to stomp around like a mentally unstable person.

- Are you coming with me or are you going to wait for Sonia and Reno? - Lydia leaned towards the boy, resting one hand on his shoulder and the other holding his bag and books.

- Are you seriously asking that? - Stilinski raised his eyebrows.

Grinning, Martin walked on, stopped beside Jackson, whispered something in his ear, and smiled when he answered. Frowning, Stiles got up from the table and followed his friend, but she was no longer talking to Whittemore, and he couldn't catch the gist of their dialogue. Turning back to Stilinski and making sure he was close by, Martin nodded at Derek who was looking back at them. Swallowing and glancing at his smiling friend, now off in the direction of the Puffenduys, the boy made his way towards the Slytherin.

- 'Hey mate,' Stiles smiled and patted Hale's shoulder, leaving his palm on it as he did so.

- Stilinski, I'm going to put a spell on you if you don't stop touching me now,' Derek greeted him as friendly as ever.

- Sure, sure,' Stiles nodded and sat down next to him, 'I don't really know what Lydia wanted me to do, but I should probably just tell you. Here,' Derek decided that it would be better for Derek to read the letter for himself, so he held it out to the boy. He took it, frowning, and looked at the envelope first.

- 'What's the O clause?' - Hale frowned.

- It's only common among Gryffindors, don't sweat it. Just read it, okay? - Stilinski rolled his eyes.

Derek read the letter for a few minutes, then silently held out his hand. After Stiles handed him the list, Hale read for a few more moments, then suddenly smirked. Frowning, Stiles sat back farther away just in case.

- Why are you grinning? - Stilinski asked cautiously.

- Cora's fine,' Hale shrugged, 'And that's the most important thing.

- You mean you don't care about the others? - Stiles exclaimed indignantly.

- I do,' Hale nodded, 'But not as much as I care about my sister. I don't give a damn about yours. It's a shame about Ravenclaw, but that's all right.

- You're a monster,' Stiles blurted out and headed towards the returning Lydia.

- Thanks for the compliment,' Derek threw in after him. Rolling his eyes, Stiles walked towards his friend.

- I've informed Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,' the redhead told him, 'You told Slytherin. We're the only ones left. So follow me,' the girl waved her hand and walked briskly out of the Hall. Frowning, Stiles rushed after her, wondering how the redhead could move so quickly in her dress and probably uncomfortable ballet flats.

It turned out that the redhead had gone after Marcia, who in turn was looking for Lydia for some reason. It turned out that Dumbledore had sent the girl a talking patronus and had already explained everything, describing the situation and the fact that the seventh year girl's help was needed. As soon as they met, the girls began to tell each other something, and all Stiles could do was stand there dumbly clapping his eyes.

- It could be ordinary paraplegia*, couldn't it? - Marzia said, looking hopefully at the redhead. The girl, ignoring the bewildered Stiles, shook her head.

- Too many people are paralysed, paraplegia isn't common,' Martin objected, 'Besides, with paraplegia, a person can still react, and that wasn't the case here. The guys were moving, moving around, but they weren't responding.

- What do you think about that? - Marzia frowned.

- Someone probably screwed up again and cast a spell on the whole school,' the Gryffindor sighed, 'Maybe it was a prism or something. I have no idea.

- Just slow it down a bit, will you? - Stiles asked, watching the Gryffindors with dazed eyes.

- Sorry,' Martin smiled weakly and turned to her friend, 'What do you think it could be?

- It's obviously some kind of curse, but I can't figure out what it is yet.

- I think so too,' Lydia nodded and smiled gratefully at her friend, 'Have you heard something like that, Martz?

- Never,' she shook her head, 'I've heard of paralyses, but not general and not long-term.

- Could it be a complicated spell? - Stiles asked.

- There are millions of cases where a harmless spell has been used as a weapon of mass murder.

- Let's not do any killing just yet, shall we? - Stilinski looked away from the girls.

- Lydia, do you realise what we have to do? - With a sigh, Marzia turned to the redhead and she nodded, turning to Stiles.

- Go back to the Hall and wait for Sonya. As soon as she gets back, tell all of our people and send her to help us. She'll know where we are and what we're doing. After that, you and the boys go to the bedrooms and lie down. Don't worry about anything, just go to sleep and that's it,' Lydia said this and handed her friend her bag and books, 'Take this to my place later please. And yes, Will would be good for us too,' Martin hugged her friend and followed Marcia up the stairs.

- Will could use Will too,' Stiles mocked her, looking at her unhappily, 'And I'd be in the way, wouldn't I? Always old Stiles is left somewhere, always,' Stiles sighed heavily and went into the Hall, musing aloud about the unfairness of the world.

***

Scott thought this was one big prank. Sitting on the floor of the Hall for the twelfth hour in a row, he began to think that this just couldn't happen. Once, when everyone had already eaten dinner and was just trying to find something to do while hanging around the Hall, McGonagall and Steble had kicked the students out into the corridor. McCall had even hoped that everything had been sorted out and they would be back in the drawing room by now, but a scowling Snape met them in the hall and all hopes were dashed. After a few minutes McGonagall called everyone back into the Hall, and the boys went inside and saw that there were no more tables or benches. The entire floor was covered with sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and plaids. There was a suitcase next to each sleeping bag, and Scott's heart sank when he saw how many of those sleeping bags there were.

- There aren't more than sixty of them,' Allison said in a grey voice.

Smiling sadly, Scott put his arm around his friend's shoulders and went to choose a seat. There was no division into faculties, everyone laid down as they wished. Chloe and Tyler were snooping around and keeping order. They had settled right by the door so they could evacuate if they needed to. All the Slytherins were being sissy and unhelpful, but Tyler and Chloe seemed to feel better for it.

Scott was lying right in the centre of the Hall between Allison and Isaac, staring stupidly at the ceiling. If someone had asked him how he felt right now, he wouldn't have been able to answer. He was scared, he felt sad and wistful. He knew perfectly well he shouldn't be thinking about it, but he imagined what would have happened if Stiles had been here anyway. The boy would probably start a pillow fight, cheer everyone up, do something to dispel this awful atmosphere. Though Stiles himself, Scott was sure, would have been worked up. But he wouldn't show it. He'd try to comfort everyone, despite being scared himself. Scott couldn't do that. He couldn't do that without Stiles. He didn't know what to do.

He looked at a sad Isaac, probably thinking about Matt right now, at Allison writing a letter to Lydia and sighing convulsively all the time, at a focused Tyler wandering around, and Chloe circling carefully around him. There was fear in the air, everyone felt it but didn't show it. Scott was sure that half of the Slytherins would be on the train going home by morning. He knew that the Gryffindors would be incomplete tomorrow as well, and the thought made him feel creepy. Melissa would realise that he wouldn't want to go back. Chris would understand, and so would Isaac's father. Except what would happen if the others left? The Gryffindors could be counted on their fingers right now, but they gave Scott strength. He looked around and realised that every one of these people would stand up for him and help him if he needed it.

- Hey, Scott,' McCall looked over and saw Heather frowning and moved over to her mattress.

- Hey,' the boy sighed.

- What do you think is going to happen tomorrow? - Heather tilted her head thoughtfully to the side and bit her lip.

- I don't know,' McCall answered honestly, 'I'm hoping for something less awful, but so far none of my hopes have come true, so I can't be sure of anything.

- You sound almost like Stiles,' she laughed softly.

- I just need him right now,' Scott sighed, resting his chin on his bent knees. Feeling the girl's hand on his shoulder, McCall covered his eyes.

- I need him, too,' Heather said quietly.

Looking at his friend rubbing the edge of her blue T-shirt, Scott smiled and nodded weakly. Shifting his gaze to Allison, still writing something on parchment, McCall smiled a little wider.

At ten the mail arrived and McGonagall announced that everyone should be lying down in half an hour. No one even had the energy for indignation. Scott got a letter from home and from Stiles. Melissa said she wouldn't take Scott away if he was sure he could be at the castle, and McCall felt a rush of love and tenderness for his mother. Stiles, on the other hand, had written to tell him that everyone at Beauxbaton had already been notified and that Lydia had sent him to bed as soon as he, Sonya, and Will showed up on the library doorstep. Smiling, Scott visualised the picture and felt relieved. He would really feel better if they were all here together.

- Dad says he won't take me unless I want him to,' Allison said, putting aside the letter from Chris and picking up another one she hadn't shown anyone yet.

- Mine said the same thing,' Isaac nodded and leaned back on the pillow, looking up at Allison now. Scott took seats for all three of them, but didn't take into account that they were different. They had one comfortable air mattress, a squeaky cot and a regular sleeping bag. Without hesitation, the boys conceded the mattress to Allison, getting into an argument over the cot and the bag. Somehow Scott won and took his sack with relish, ignoring Lehi's grumbling. 'If you wake up in the morning cuddled up with me, know that I'm the one who rolled off this creaky nightmare,' Lehi wailed as he tried to lie down.

- I'll get over it,' Scott smiled and shifted his gaze to Allison, who was so immersed in reading the letter that she was oblivious to everything around her. Flicking it in front of her friend's face, McCall sat back down from her,' Whose letter is this?

- Lydia,' the brunette sighed and smiled weakly, 'It's nothing special, she just wrote me the same thing Stiles did. Go to bed guys, I'll be joining you soon too. It's been a long day today, we're all tired. Goodnight,' the girl smiled at McCall and ruffled Isaac's hair as he settled down.

- Night,' Lehi yawned and covered himself with the blanket up to his chin.

- I'll see you in the morning,' Scott smiled at his friend and lay down as well.

- I hope so,' Allison sighed and shifted her gaze back to the letter. It didn't say much, but it was all to the point, as it always was with Lydia. Running her eyes over the last line, Argent yanked her shoulder and shoved the parchment into her bag.

' Allison, sweetheart, I beg you to be careful. Marcia and I searched the library for information and found nothing until Sonia and Will came in. I'm not sure if this is your case, but it's entirely possible. It says that with general paralysation, the number of people affected can increase every day. There's a connection. People are connected somehow, we just can't figure out how. It's clear from the clawmen. My brother, the others, all connected somehow. Actions, maybe? Clothes? Please try to trace that connection, okay? And remember that I love you. We'll help you right from here, just be careful.

Lydia.

Allison realised from her best friend's letter that something terrible was going on, since even Martin couldn't figure it out. It was also clear that not everyone was going to wake up the next morning in a normal state. Taking another look at Scott, Allison sighed and tucked herself into her pillow, realising that this night was going to be a very rough one.

Comment on Part 5.

*Paraplegia (paraplegia) - joint paralysis of both upper or both lower limbs.