I do NOT own anything Harry Potter. The obviously original ideas and characters however, I DO own. So please, read, review, enjoy. Thank You! ~Desertlioness91
...
Ch.1 - Where the Sun Sets
I find it funny to think that people like the Malfoys pride themselves as 'pure' blooded. It seems to me that every one has forgotten the most important thing in their heritages...that none of them are truly pure. Not like the Breeds of old. Witches and Wizards are nothing but humans with just a trickle of our blood flowing in their veins. No matter though. They still have a sort of upper hand on us. Years and years ago, there was a war between our kind, and theirs. They wanted so badly to contain the power we hold, but we couldn't give it to them, even if we wanted. Finally, the four great elders stepped forward with a pact for the humans. They were offered one female from each of our great clans. That female was mated to one of their males, and their offspring became what is today known as Witches and wizards.
However through years of marriages and relationships with both each other and the non magical beings they call muggles, the amount of magic blood in them runs thin, thus creating a boom in squibs. Therefore as a part of the pact, one female is released every century or so, to go and find the human male she is to mate. The female in question is sent a dream from the great earth, teling her that she has been chosen. And that, my friends, is what brought me into my current situation. I wouldn't be on a foul-smelling steam engine crowded with humans otherwise.
The foul musty stench of the train permeated my nostrils along with the multitude of scents wafting through the windows of the many human children passing, crying, laughing...Screams echoed throughout as they all shouted their farewells to their loved ones and greeted old acquaintances. I could sense nervousness and excitement, sadness and relief. Doing my best, I made my way to a compartment within the train that was mostly unoccupied. The figure slouched against the window inside didn't seem inclined to bother me too much during the arduous journey to Hogwarts. I sidled inside and perched myself across from the figure, and also leaned against the window.
Once seated, I took a subtle draw of breath, doing my best to not indicate that I was scenting. There was an undeniably male musk undulating from the form across from me, a sweet perfume of earth and sky. I smiled a bit, deducing a little more from the smell of the man than I believe he would appreciate. Turning back towards the window, I chanced a glance at my own reflection; hair the color of straw in the fall cropped short in back with a longer style bang in the front framed my angular face. My eyes, slightly feral and slanted burning molten gold, sit just above high cheek bones. I couldn't help but smile a little, my canines proving to be pointed, as true to my nature, and contrastingly white against my tawny skin. I had never really had a chance to see myself in this shape. Though proud, my people are not vain. We take what we can get, living poorer than we deserve, royalty in rags so to speak. You see after a few centuries, the humans got it into their heads that they were superior to us, and came at us with their new ways and inventions. They used catalysts such as wands imbued with magical properties of special creatures and the like. Making war upon the clans, they drove our numbers down to fewer than a hundred, causing us to go into hiding. Those who were captured were treated as nothing but animals, decivilizing us in the multitudes.
We are believed to be extinct now. Nothing but legends in this dirty, broken world. As a people of our word, we kept our bargain; Sending out one female when the time comes. We walk as humans, but never truly being. Inside we are wild, untame. We are the beasts of the olden days where the trees had armies, and mountains walked. Humans feared, revered, and envied us. We are the animorphi; the animals that become man. And I? I am Tanya Marye Gryffindor. Direct descendant of the great elder himself, and the one responsible for the renewal of our pact with the humans. There's a reason for the Hogwarts houses having animal mascots. We are that reason. It is my responsibility to make sure the sun doesn't set on this dank and volatile world. The question is; Do I even care?
...
Lost in my musings, I hadn't even noticed the new additions to the compartment I shared with my unwitting companion. Also slumped against the window, I was most likely assumed to be asleep. The three didn't seem too keen on pestering me, so I allowed myself to relax, closing my eyes and allowing the world around me to blur and blend. In my minds eye I pictured myself romping through a field of golden savannah grass, the sun blazing above as the expanse of it lay before me. Taking a deep breath I can smell the far off storm, rain on the acacia trees drowning out the scents of the train. Racing by, time seemed to speed up and without warning, the wind was screeching.
Growling softly under my breath, I open my eyes, breaking off the self-induced dream. The air temperature took a drastic drop, causing me to lift my head away from the window with a light hiss. The other people in the compartment barely cast me half a glance, averting their eyes when i turned their way.
"What's going on? Why did we stop?" I heard one of them whisper. There was a bang from somewhere down the train, causing them to jump. The lamps went out, my eyes automatically shifting, and my breath slowing down as adrenaline began pumping through my veins. "Someone's getting on the train." I heard from somewhere beside me. I could taste the fear in the air, and the shuffling of robes as wands were drawn. The man across from me seemed to be awake, keeping as still as possible.
Smart. Remain still. Watch until the time when you must act.
I smiled to myself, knowing full well that this particular person knew the game. A sharp tingle rode up my spine, and I shifted my gaze towards the compartment door. I thanked whatever powers there were that there was no light. The reflectors behind my irises would probably spook these humans more than they needed. Muscles tense, I silently shift into a position that would easily allow me to spring either at or away from whatever was coming.
The rush of adrenaline in my blood made everything seem slow. The mechanism in my body that allowed me to successfully hunt, was now working to keep me alive. A feeling of dread flooded my gut, growing stronger as a shadowy hand reached towards our door handle. The beings around me stiffened, the stench of fear growing stronger and more potent as the door stood open.
I nearly gagged. The smell of rotten flesh constricted my throat, fire burning through my head by way of my nasal cavity. Something akin to molten lava bubbled and seethed within my stomach, and I had to resist the urge to vomit.
I saw the fires. I felt them. The memories that each of our clan member share presented themselves. The memories of the great wars with the humans; the lives lost in the brutal slaughters. Bodies littered the ground, strewn about in abandon with expressions of terror etched across their features. Somewhere to my side, one of the three in the compartment fell, the thump sending me deeper into the recesses of the clan memories of death, fire, destruction. I could see a bright light, my body still burning with pain, fire, and fear. The beast inside me clawed to get out, to come to my aide and release me from this human agony. And then...darkness.
My knees hit the floor of the compartment, hands reaching in claws towards the person nearest to me. There was warmth, a heavy cloth laid over me, and a voice low soft and sweet. Something pressed to my lips, but I resisted, not knowing what this strange substance was.
Eat it...it will help.
The creature inside me caresses my conciousness, forcing me to open my eyes to a blurry sea of color. I immediately close them again. Groaning I turn my head to the side, but the hand follows, persistantly pressing that oddly sweet smelling object to my lips. Growling lightly I snap at the fingers holding it, the sweet taste of chocolate filling my mouth. A small whimper escapes my throat as the ambrosiac substance renders me in heaven. I swallow, feeling warmth spreading through my limbs. I try opening my eyes once again and this time a light from the tip of a wand illuminated a pair of blue-gray eyes.
They widen a little, and I'm not sure if it was in surprise or if it was just because I look hot when I'm half passed out. Nah, I'm pretty sure it was the first choice. The light was very bright to my dialated pupils, and the little reflectors behind them were bouncing the light back onto him.
He must have held onto my gaze for about thirty seconds, record time for anyone outside of the clan. Beside us there was a rustling. "Harry?...Harry are you alright?!" A breathless female voice urged. This turned the man's gaze away from me. A boy with messy black hair and askew glasses was on the floor twitching groggily as he tried to sit up. At least I wasn't the only one having problems. While the others were busy amongst themselves, I took the opportunity to slink around them, escaping the confines of the compartment.
With a low hiss the lights returned in the hallway and the train began laboring to get up to speed once more. I breathed a sigh, relieved to be out of the small quarters with those others. The smell of fear permeated the air, seeping out of the different cubicles along the train's length. Wrinkling my nose, I lean against the wall, closing my eyes and thinking back to what I saw.
What in Godric's name were those things...nothing the clan has ever encountered I'm sure...
I muse to myself, images from my experience flashing across my inner vision, making me shudder. The compartment door beside me opens, and I look over, seeing the man with the gray eyes closing it softly behind him. Turning to me, he gives a grave smile. "Hello there, are you alright?"
My eyes flick across his form. Taller than me with a bedraggled countanance, he pulls off a kind of lonely rogue aura. I see the faint scars across his cheek, inwardly cringing, yet understanding his plight. Unlike the animagi or animorphi, a werewolf's change was forced; unwilling. Drawing my eyes back up to his face, I create contact with his. Within them lay a vast sea of emotion; confusion, curiosity, and concern? How odd...why would this person feel concern for someone he only just met? Oh yeah, I passed out. Duh.
Forcing a smile I nod. "I am, thank you." I purred.
He seemed a bit startled. I would be too. For as human as I look, my voice is still a low purr, silky and smooth some would say. I hold the accent of my people in a way, whose prime mode of communication consists of a series of feral orations. However put off he may have been, my smile must have worked because he gave a small one in return before polightly excusing himself and striding briskly down the hallway.
Shrugging, I stroll off in the opposite direction, not really wanting to go back into the compartment I had previously inhabited. There's just something about being stared at that doesn't sit well with me at all. Before long, the other students began leaking out into the hall, passing me by with maybe only the slightest of glances. The only real difference I could perceive was the very slight drop in the general morale.
It didn't take long before I had reached the end of the train, so I turned around and started walking back. This time I didn't get any glances. I counted this among my blessings. One of the few since this horrific trip into the human world.
Having calmed down, the lioness inside me lay down, resting her head on her forepaws. I let my limbs relax and swing naturally by my sides, but my footsteps still retained their silence.
Nearing the compartment door, I saw that a rather robust woman with a cart piled with sweet smelling oddities was stopped. She smiled as I eyed the cart warily.
"Anything from the trolly, dear?" She asked. The lioness purred, an indication that this was a person to be trusted. I stepped forward, subtly sniffing at the cart before my eyes settled on a bunching of bright red blobs on sticks. I reached towards them, picking one up and glancing at the woman. She smiled and held out her hand. I immediately understood. Portable merchant.
Reaching into the pocket of my rather uncomfortable robes, I pull out two small, perfectly round green discs that have a lion carved onto them. Holding them out to her, I watched her smile falter, her eyes bugging out a little.
"Well I-" she stuttered before she was interrupted by a drawling voice from someone that had appeared next to me. "Is this for real? You really expect to pay her with this junk?" it seethed, a pale hand shooting out and clasping around my wrist. The lioness was immediately on my feet, ready to leap into me if needed. Hissing through my teeth I pull back on my arm, his hold never breaking as he stared me down.
Looking up, my eyes lock with those of a pale, steely blue. Cold, hate, contempt. They never faltered as I stared into their depths. Taking a deep breath, I counted to ten.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to offend, only to pay my debt to this kind woman." I growled. People were starting to gather, the hair on the back of my neck raising as I feel myself surrounded. Things were getting dangerous, and instincts were setting in. Not good.
The boy with the blue eyes sneered, locks of blonde hair faling haphazardly into his face. " 'pay your debt to the kind woman'? What do you take me for? A fool? What is this?" he held up the hand still holding the pieces of jade. I narrowed my eyes. "This is my payment. Two pieces of jade for this sweet. As far as you being a fool, I didn't take you as anything, you made it pretty clear as to what you are."
It was his turn to narrow his eyes, reminding me of the members of the serpentine clan that reside across the river to our village.
"Leave her be Malfoy." A voice from behind me demanded. I growled low to myself. What is WITH these humans? They're worse than a pack of hyenas. The blonde, dubbed Malfoy, glared at the person behind me. "Or what Potter? You going to faint on me?" He said with a laugh.
The scents of all around me were starting to make me dizzy, I needed to get out of here. The lioness was restless, agitated, and feeling quite violent. I whipped my hand out of the grip that had by now slackened, and backhanded Malfoy. As he fell, I turned to the woman, watching with a slightly dumbstruck expression as I pressed the two pieces of priceless jade into her hand, bowing slightly. "Please accept these as payment." I mutter before taking my red lollypop and walking back down towards the end of the train and leaving the humans to their pettiness.
...
The end of the journey found me pacing the owl car, talking to the multiple birds currently residing there. Granted I don't speak owl, it felt nice to speak my own language out loud without scaring someone. The wise ones knew what I was.
By the time the train had slowed to a stop, I had all of them staring at me intently as I told stories of my village, and how i came to be in this place, elicting a few owly chuckles from a few. I heard voices outside the car shouting, and footsteps racing back and forth just as the large doors slide open, a few burly looking men appearing to unload the cargo. Keeping to the shadows, I slip out and onto the moonlit platform.
Immediately I am assailed with the wild scents of nature. Forrest and earth, water and sky. The musky perfume of loam alive with growths of mushrooms and moss; ancient trees alighting the sky, whispering stories to each other in the light breeze. The lioness is pleased, her mouth open and huffing the air, tasting the freedom. Our steps are light as we walk off down the platform, following the ocean of students towards the trees. I watched a group of children branch off the main crowd and gather around a HUGE figure holding a lamp and calling to them in a loud, booming voice.
I tilt my head curiously at the man, scenting the air for any clue as to what he might be. The pungent odor of moleskin, dirt, and alcohol attacks my olfactory sense, causing me to sneeze violently and wrinkle my nose, backing away from the offensive smell. I watch the older students heading down a path and getting into carriages pulled by monsterous skeletal horses. They snort at my approach, tossing their leathery heads nervously. I keep my respective distance, not really wanting to cause any more commotion than I already have. I stand beside a tree, half hidden in shadows, and watch as the young humans get into the carriages without even a glance at the steeds pulling them. Without any kind of direction, the horses trot off down a muddy path, towards some lights that are faintly twinkling through the trees.
I come out of my musings to find that the last carriage was pulling away. Without me on it. Inside it sat the boy I had seen earlier on the train; the one with black hair and glasses. It was his scent I smelled during that confrontation with the Malfoy boy. Potter? Mentally slapping myself, I lope after the carriage, knowing full well that I could catch up, should I choose to do so. The lioness was quite enjoying this little bit of exercise. Quite frankly, so was I.
...
I followed the carriage all the way up to a huge castle that loomed against the night sky. Millions of lights twinkled across its face, through windows and from torches. Careful to shield my eyes so not to startle anyone with my eyeshine, I lope towards the other carriages, slipping between them and sliding into the crowd. I had to be careful of the horses of course, so that I didn't startle them either.
I followed the crowd through a set of huge double doors and into what I assumed was the entrance hall. Beyond that was a room so bright, it hurt my eyes. Squinting, I glance up at the ceiling, taking in the hundreds of candles floating about. Beyond that, I was surprised to see the sky emmanated one the buttressed ceiling.
I watch as the group of students breaks off and goes off to one of the four long tables that extend along the length of the hall. Each had a banner floating above, and I can feel a smile rise to my face as I gaze at them.
"Elder Slytherin, Elder Ravenclaw, Elder Hufflepuff, and Elder Gryffindor..." I mutter, dropping elegantly to one knee.
I don't even hear the snickers and whispers that I attract as the remaining students file in.
I feel a hand grip the robes on my shoulder and roughly pull me up, and a hot breath on my cheek.
"I would advise you to not do that in public." came a cold voice. The scent of wormwood and other odd smells waft into my nose and I turn my head to see a rather becoming man with shoulder length hair that hung in strings, appearing greasy because of how shiny it is. His eyes come into contact with mine, and, like so many unoriginal others, they widen in surprise. I'm not exactly sure what he saw, but he dropped me. Keeping his hand on my shoulder, he pressed me towards a long table. I could sense the few stares in my direction as I was marched like a truant to the man I assumed to me alpha here at Hogwarts.
He was a genteel looking man with a long white beard, half moon glasses, and a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. As we neared, I gasped, steps faltering and causing the man behind me to bump into me. I was uncomfortable with the closeness, as I could feel the entire length of his body pressed against mine. He hissed and shoved me forward, bringing me to a halt in front of the elderly man.
"Elder Dumbledore..." I whispered, moving to kneel when he lifted his hand.
"Ms. Gryffindor, how pleased I am that you made it here in one piece. I had received word that you had a rather nasty run-in with the dementors that searched the train. I beg your forgiveness." He said gently. I lowered my eyes. "Sir, it is not your place to apologize to me. You are the elder, and I the cub." I replied, trying to articulate my english with as much accuracy as possible. He smiled down at me.
"Ah, but in the wizarding realm, you are considered an adult. 17, are you not?"
I nodded, the lioness listening intently. "Sir, if I may, you know why I am here..." I saw him not.
"Quite. It seems to have something to do with the last pact keeper choosing someone a little too...aged so to speak. Did he not die before the pact could be completed?"
I nod again. It was true. The last female was sent from the clan of the badger. The old man she mated died of a heart attack before they were able to consumate and keep the pact in play. Because of that, and since I have to make up for her mistake, I was directed to attend a school full of younger 'more able' wizards, so to speak. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks under the stares of the people in the room, including those of the students behind me. I was certain that they couldn't hear what was being said, but I still wasn't too keen on the idea of this conversation going on in front of them.
"Sir, I would much prefer this to be discussed in a more private setting. I wouldn't want the wrong ears to come about this information. If my situation were to be...compromised...then there would be grave consequences."
It didn't mean to sound like a threat, but I felt the hand on my shoulder tighten. I snarl under my breath and pull my shoulder away, throwing a glare over my shoulder and striding up to the headmaster.
"My Lord," I begin in a purring undertone, "I do not know what exactly goes on here at this school. I'm not sure where my quarters will be or anything. I'm lost in your world as any of these fools would be in mine." I explain. I could see that twinkle in his eyes again, and it was really starting to pester me.
"Not to worry. The heads of house know who you are, and the head of Gryffindor house will show you to your quarters after the feast. Now, please join us! There is no doubt as to your house, so please. You may sit in that empty chair right over there."
I follow where his finger is pointing and spot the chair in question. It was located right between a stern looking witch with square spectacles and a matronly air about her, and the wizard she had met on the train...the werewolf.
Giving Dumbledore a slight bow, and ignoring the batty one that marched me to him, I lope down the length of the table, gingerly setting myself in the designated chair. From this new vantage point I could see just how much attention i was attracting. I didn't like it. It was as if I were being stared down by a herd of buffalo.
"Glad to see you're well." Came a gentle voice. I looked to my right and saw the wizard smiling at me. He extended a hand towards me, which I merely glanced at before taking it in my own, remembering it to be a human custom. "Remus Lupin, or Professor Lupin, if you are indeed a student here." he said, still smiling.
I nod, "In a sense, yes. Tanya, Tanya Gryffindor."
I could see the understanding in his eyes before he released my hand, nodding as if to himself and turning to the person on his other side.
"I'd like to welcome you, Ms. Gryffindor." The woman opposite of Lupin whispers in my ear. I turn to her, our eyes meeting. I could see the beast within her. Feline, like myself. Animagus, but with the heart of a lion. She was of my line, a lioness. I smile, finding this kinship comforting. I put out my hand, smiling wider as she takes it.
"It is nice to find kin among humans. You would be the head of Gryffindor house?" I guessed, hoping to Godric that I was right. She nodded to me, and my insides released a tension I didn't even know I was holding in. I felt the purr rising from my chest and I released her hand.
"Minerva McGonnagal. After the feast I will show you to your quarters and tomorrow we can discuss your schedule as well as other business."
I caught her allusion and looked out into the student body. Minerva stood and left the room, muttering something about it being about time. Minutes later I found out what she was doing. She entered the Great Hall through the doors I had come through, leading the pack of children I had seen go with the giant man. That was the first time I noticed the dingy old hat sitting upon a stool. Looking at it I didnt expect much, but once put upon a child's head, it opened its mouth and called out one of the Elders' names. That child would then bounce over to his or her designated table.
I watched this go on with mild curiosity. My stomache was starting to gurgle, and the lioness was beginning to pace. I never had gotten around to eating that red lollypop. it was still in my pocket, and I was half tempted to pull it out. But I contained myself. Watching as the headmaster stood and said a few words. Tuning out his speech, i stared at my plate; Imagining it full of nice, juicy meat, with a goblet of cane sugar water to go with it. I have this terrible love of sugar, you see. I know its not the best for your teeth and all that, but I just can't help myself.
I'm not sure how long I was staring at the plate, but it must have been a while because all of the sudden it appeared! I couldn't believe it! I was so hungry that I was hallucinating from it. I took a deep breath, the scents of cooked food, broiled chicken and oven roasted vegetables wet my palate.
DANG...this is some hallucination...it even smells good...
"Aren't you going to eat?" Remus asked. I looked at him, noticing that he had food on his plate as well, and so did the rest of the room. Wow...some magic. My stomach answered him for me, gurgling loud enough to make both professors on either side of me cock their heads with amused smirks. Feeling the blush returning, I picked up the fork, a human instrument I'm STILL not comfortable using, and used it to pick up my nice meaty stead. I tore into it with savage rigor, feeding the beast while enjoying the savory taste of whoever had cooked it. After the steak I reached for my goblet, gulping down the sugar water and setting it down once more. However looking at my plate again, I just couldn't believe it. The steak was there again! I shook my head and blinked my eyes.
Trippy...
...
I strode down the hallway, feeling full and happy after scarfing down about three more of those deliciously juicy steaks. Minerva walked in front of me, leading me down the cold stone corridors. We passed hordes of whispering portraits, moving about and talking amongst themselves as we went. The whole place was like a maze; moving staircases and the like. I found myself using my nose to memorize the trail more than anything. Finally, Minerva stopped before a great tapestry that seemed to be a part of the thick, stone wall. A HUGE lion sat astride it, stretching out onto its front paws and glancing down with its ruby eyes.
I recognized it immediately, and the lioness sprang to attention. We kneeled to the floor, bowing our heads before my great ancestor. Godric Gryffindor's lion form nodded to Minerva, and she tapped my shoulder.
"Behind here is the door to the true Gryffindor tower. it is connected to the common room should you like to go there. Your password is your choice, just be sure to inform the headmaster of it. "If you need anything, one of the portraits within you quarters will be happy to come get either me or Professor Dumbledore for you. Please, make yourself at home, and welcome once again to Hogwarts." she said before turning and going back at a rather brisk pace. I watched until she rounded the corner, satisfied that she would not be listening. Not that she would.
I faced the tapestry of Godric Gryffindor again and stared the huge male in the eye. "My lord." I said, bowing my head again. "I wish the password to be; Panthera Leo."
He nodded his great head and the tapestry visibly softened, becoming the woven material of traditional tapestries.
Brushing it aside, I found myself on a spiral stairway. I followed it up and up before finally reaching what can only be described as a suite. Plush chairs in the style of the animorphi littered the ground, and a large bed with a sweeping canopy sat over in the opposite corner of where I was. A kitchenette was against the far wall, and another doorway leading to a steamy hot bathroom. It was like one of the dwellings at home.
Excitement coursed through me and I ran across the plushie floor, my shoes having been discarded at the door. I launched myself onto the bed and snuggles down into it, finding that the pillow made by my grandma had already been unpacked and set onto it. Finally, with some familiar surroundings, I closed my eyes. Letting my guard completely down and handing it over to sleep. My eyes drooped as if I had lashes made of lead,
...
Well there. Didn't mean for it to end so abruptly. I have tried to write this story four times now, this being the only piece that has made it this far. So please, tell me what you think and maybe tell me what you would like to see happen. I always welcome constructive criticism, just make sure its delivered properly. No flaming my stuff please. If you don't like it then fine, you don't have to.
Thanks Much
~desertlioness91