A rapid patter of footsteps came from the corridor outside. Then the Common Room's wooden door was abruptly pushed open, and Tonks, dressed in Auror combat gear, appeared in the doorway, gasping for breath.
"What's happened?"
Tonks realized that everyone in the Common Room was staring at her.
Harry rose from his seat and hurried over to Tonks, lowering his voice as he asked, "Why are you here? How's Remus?"
"Remus is asleep at the moment." After catching her breath, Tonks explained, "The potion Albert provided is very effective. Remus still looks like he's in a lot of pain, but there's no sign of him waking up. It's as though he's having a nightmare. Sirius is there keeping watch over him, too."
"All right, sit down first."
After Gadwin Robards came over and motioned for them to sit, he cleared his throat and addressed the Aurors gathered in the Common Room. "I think you all know why we're gathered here tonight."
He paused, glanced around to make sure no one was confused, then continued, "Based on the previous werewolf attack, we have reason to suspect that someone intends to use werewolves for something."
"Is there any evidence?"
A newly recruited young Auror received a cold glance from Gadwin Robards and hurriedly changed his wording. "I mean, will a large number of werewolves really show up tonight?"
"If we had any actual evidence, we'd be out arresting people already." Gadwin Robards swept his gaze across everyone present. "Naturally, we hope this is nothing more than a false alarm. Few people want to deal with werewolves transformed under the Full Moon. But all signs indicate that certain deranged lunatics may use werewolves to do something, so we have to take precautions to prevent the worst from happening."
Everyone knew exactly who Gadwin