Ron couldn't believe it. Well actually he could believe it. With an injured leg he propped himself up against a tree. Professor Snape was lying unconscious several feet away. His pet rat, which had secretly been a deranged human responsible for the murder of his best mate's parents and the thirteen year incarceration of his godfather in the worst prison known to wizards, Azkaban, was scampering around somewhere if not gone completely from the area. Said godfather had turned into a dog and was probably chasing his own tail somewhere by now, for all Ron knew. His friends Hermione and Harry were also out frolicking in the woods trying to avoid the werewolf that had been their Defense against the Dark Arts teacher.
Oh yeah and their teacher had just changed into a werewolf not mere moments ago, fantastic. Now it was loose and he had no idea where it was. "This is just great." Ron whined. "Once again left behind. Only way this could get worse is if there were spiders." Just then he felt something on the back of his neck. Thinking life just liked to fuck with him and have a spider crawl down the tree onto his neck with him he reached up to brush away what he assumed was a spider. Ron's hand came into contact with something wet. Before he could even contemplate the likelihood of a liquid spider something bit into his hand. Ron let out a scream of pain.
The set of jaws on his hand pulled away. Ron felt a burning sensation flood his entire body. In his mind he heard long howls. He was breathing heavily as the feeling took hold of him. He could hear his name being called but Ron couldn't muster a response. His gaze remained skyward. At the large silvery orb that hung in the sky. Ron never thought the moon looked as beautiful as it did then. That was the last thing on his mind before he lost consciousness.
Ron's gaze opened to the familiar sight of the Hospital Wing ceiling. His right hand was on fire, it throbbed with pain. Ron's leg also hurt but it was slowly fading and becoming bearable. He forced himself to sit up, fighting through the pain. "Ron you shouldn't be moving." Came the voice of Hermione.
"I'm fine, just hurts a little." Sitting against the back of his cot, with a final grunt of pain, he took in the sight of his friends. They didn't look to bad. A little disheveled and a couple scrapes and bruises here and there. "What happened?"
"They got him." Harry spoke from his cot. "They got Sirius. Dementors came in and surrounded us. I managed to hold them off with my patronus a little bit but I just couldn't do it. They're holding him in the tower and he's going to get the kiss."
"I'm sorry mate." Ron looked down, fists clenched.
At this point Dumbledore entered. He spoke briefly to Harry and Hermione, something cryptic about time Ron didn't understand. Like usual. He was beginning to doubt his usefulness. Hermione was the brains, she always had an answer to everything. And Harry was the 'chosen one', the famous boy who lived. He might not have been smart like Hermione but Harry had talent. But what did he have? He wasn't smart, he knew that. And he wasn't that skilled either. It took him practically forever to learn what few spells he did know. "Beautiful moon tonight isn't it Mr. Weasley?"
At the mention of the moon Ron's hand throbbed more intensely, at least it seemed to him it did. "Uh yes sir it is."
"So beautiful it could capture one's soul and change them don't you think?" Ron remained silent. Dumbledore approached Ron's cot, waving his hand around. Ron's eyes widened, silent and wandless casting, very advanced techniques. "Answers and changes are coming for you Ronald. And when they do, please be open to them. You must master your new gifts. You will need them for the coming storm."
Not knowing what to say he just nodded and said, "Yes sir."
The headmaster waved his hand again. "Well children I must leave now. Rest up." Dumbledore left them alone.
Ron started at the door Dumbledore walked through, wondering about his private words to him. "Wonder what that was all about…hey what's that?" When he had face his friends they had a weird necklace around both their necks.
"Sorry Ron no time to explain." Hermione was winding the strange pendant. After a few spins, and smacking Harry's hand when he tried to touch the Time Turner, they were gone.
"Hey! What just happened?" He couldn't believe it, his friends just vanished.
"Oh just some wibbly wobbly, timey wimey...stuff." Ron saw that the door was wide open showing two new figures.
"Timey wimey?" Ron questioned.
"I've no idea where he picks that stuff up." The two approached the bed.
"Ha very funny Jen." The one not called Jen was wearing red pants, with a black stripe running down the legs and a red shirt. A pair of heavy black boots donned his feet and made his footfalls loud. He had short dark hair and red eyes. A pair of dark grey metal framed glasses rested on his face. There was a scar underneath his right eye. "Is he ok to move?"
Jen was wearing dark brown pants and boots. Up top was a purple tunic with a hood and a light blue sash around her waist. Her hair was long, blonde and pulled back into a simple ponytail. She took out a wand and waved if a few times over Ron. "His DNA has stabilized now. The pup is ok to move Alec."
"Alright pup get up." The man in red crossed his arms. "We're getting you out of here."
"I'm not going anywhere…" 'Answers and changes are coming for you Ronald. And when they do, please be open to them. You must master your new gifts.' Dumbledore's words repeated in his head. The headmaster told him that then these people showed. Coincidence? Ron didn't think so. "But my leg is hurt?"
"Is it?" Jen poked his leg. Ron didn't flinch. "Seems ok."
"But…how?" Slowly Ron stood, testing his leg just to make sure.
"It will all make sense later pup." Alec started moving toward the door, Jen followed. Ron grabbed his wand off the bedside table and ran after them. They made it to the entrance hall where Dumbledore was waiting for them, or more specifically Ron.
"Professor." Ron stood in front of the headmaster.
"A new journey is starting for you my boy. It will be filled with many hardships as most journeys are." The old wizard put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "But you can do it. Trust in your new pack and they will guide you to success."
"Will I get to come back?" Ron asked. He didn't want to leave his friends, his family.
"Depends on when you finish everything. After that you can do whatever you want. " Jen replied to the young teen's question.
"Hear that? Train hard Mr. Weasley and we'll see you very soon." With a pat on the back Dumbledore walked away, presumably to return to his office. With a silent nod Alec lead them out of the castle and towards the forest.
"Um just a warning there's a horde of giant spiders in there." Ron said, suppressing a violent shudder at the memory of them.
"We know." Jen said. "Ran into some of them on the way here. We got a good workout killing them too." Ron stared at the backs of the two. Who were these people who thought that fighting giant spiders was a decent workout? And what was he getting himself into?
The fire cracked and danced. Ron silently ate his meal, thinking about all that happened to him. He and his two new acquaintances had been traveling for three days. By now his friends and family were worried to death. His poor mother probably crying her eyes out. But Dumbledore said he could see them again, if he worked hard enough.
Ron set his empty bowl aside then looked at his hands. These last few days he had been feeling different. Ron noticed that as they traveled they were traveling faster and longer each day, he wasn't tiring as fast. And normally when he was up early he was sluggish and in a daze. But he's been up and ready to go. It was strange. His hand stopped throbbing. Now it was just a serious of marks on the top and bottom of his hand. And then there were the dreams. For the past few nights he had been in a forest. And he had been running. The moon was big and full in the night's sky. And the howling, he didn't know if it was him that was howling or something else. Slowly it was coming together, the pieces falling into place. He just couldn't be sure.
"We'll be there tomorrow." Alec said, before taking a drink. "Soon all your questions will be answered." They pretty much were but this way he could know for sure.
Ron glance at Jen. The female of their trio was polishing a wand, a nine inch birch wand. Ron already knew she was a witch, she had checked him out before they left Hogwarts. Alec though had yet to show a wand. Instead he was sitting on a large rock, a sword in his lap. He was running a stone down the length. A metallic ring echoed around their camp and Ron saw a few sparks. This lead Ron to believe that either Alec wasn't a wizard, or he was schooled in an entirely different form of magic that Ron wasn't aware of.
He had to hand it to himself, ever since he left he had been using his brain a lot more. Ron guessed it was because Hermione wasn't here to do the thinking for him. "It's a katana." Ron jumped at the sound of Alec's voice. Apparently he had been caught staring. "The blade of the Japanese Samurai. One of the best swords ever forged." The young Weasley said nothing as he continued to watch Alec sharpen his blade.
"Ron you're going to see some very unique abilities." Jen informed the young teen. "It'll be quite the learning experience for you." Ron said nothing, just gave Alec another look before he laid down to go to sleep.
The following day Ron was greeted with the sight of a large cave. Honestly even he could've seen that coming. Alec and Jen lead him in. The path was lit with torches every few feet. Ron could tell they were going down too, underground. The path opened up to a large cavern. A semi-circle of water in the center, standing in the center was a bald old man a short grey beard. Several other figures were lazing around, some standing, some were sitting on the rock walls.
"Seems our new member has arrived." The bald man said, causing all the others to turn and stare at Ron. Alec pushed Ron to the center of the carven. "Ronald Weasley. Welcome to our pack. Albus said he found us a promising new member."
"Um…thank you?" Ron didn't really know what to say. "Don't really know why I'm here honestly."
"Then allow me to explain. But first, Jen?" Jen stepped forward. "Prepare the pup's quarters."
"Yes Master Sehan." Jen bowed and went down an offshoot of the main cavern.
"Now young one. Remember back to a few days ago." Ron did, he remembered it all clearly. "Yes you were bitten." Ron nodded, he knew that already. "You were given the gift of Lycanthropy."
"Gift? You call that a gift?" Ron spoke, causing the gathered to chuckle.
"Ronald the one you encountered was not one of us. We are different." Sehan made Ron turn. He came face to face with Alec. The man was now without his robes, boots shirt and pants, leaving him in just a pair of shorts. "Alec if you would please." Ron watched as Alec's body shifted, bones crack and his body twitched.
Now standing before Ron was a werewolf. Alec's fur was black. Unlike Lupin, whose form was skinny, almost as if he were malnourished and sickly, Alec's form was large and packed with muscle. Healthy. Alec let out a loud roar and howl. Ron took a step backward but Sehan's hand stopped him from backing up too much. "Relax, there is no danger. Alec is in complete control of his form. He's not one of those mindless beasts." That got a few words of agreement from the crowd.
Ron watched Alec turn back into his human form before he started talking. "Sehan had a vision of you and sent us to Hogwarts to retrieve you."
"Wait you mean you saw the future? Saw me getting bit by a werewolf?" Sehan nodded. "And you didn't tell Dumbledore to stop it?"
"Ron you must understand. There are fixed points in time, they cannot be tampered with or the results could be disastrous." Sehan explained. "One way or another, you would've received the gift. Possibly in a much more violent attack with several deaths. But let us not discuss the workings of time." Sehan put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "How about I give you a tour?" Ron was lead down a series of corridors. The first one had a split path at the end. "The path to the left leads to the men's bath, on the right the women's. There you'll find a hot spring pool and waterfall to use as a shower if you'd wish." Ron simply nodded. After that Ron was taken to the Forge. There was a large black man there, he was bald and had his right eye covered by a black eye patch. "This is Jezza. Our Forge Master."
"Pleasure to meet you pup." Jezza patted Ron on the back. The new werewolf looked around. There were tools hanging up on the right side of the cave, empty slots in the wall bellow them, weapons and armor 0to the right. The back wall had and opening in it about five feet off the ground. It spread the length of the wall, about two feet was the length of the opening. The distance from the opening to the back wall was four feet. There was a foot thick barrier running down the center. On the left half there was a roaring fire, the right held a pool of water. In the center of the cave sat a large anvil. Ron would think it a normal anvil, had it not been pulsing with glowing runes that danced across the surface. "Now pup I'm going to look within you to see what weapon would best suit you."
"Um, ok? It's not going to hurt is it?" Ron asked, curious.
"Not at all." Jezza stepped in front of Ron. "Now just relax, close your eyes and breathe deep." Jezza put his hands on Ron's shoulders and closed his own eyes. It took a few minutes for Jezza to get a good read on Ron before he pulled away. "I am done. Construction on your weapon will begin immediately."
"Right this way Ronald Jezza has work to do." Ron watched Jezza reach into one of the slots bellow the tools. There was a flash of light inside and Jezza pulled his hand out, a grey ingot now in his hand. Jezza tossed it into the fire pit. Ron was then lead to the library. Large bookcases were carved into the walls, there were also glass display cases housing some of the more ancient texts. Ron was starting to think that this group was more than just a pack of werewolves coming together to learn how to control their new form.
Next came the training room, which was a cavern rivaling the entrance chamber in size. All manner of weights and equipment were scattered about. "Whenever you're here and would like some exercise this room is available." After that came the dining hall. It was just a three tables pushed together to form a horseshoe shape with a large fire pit in the center.
Then came one of the most impressive things Ron has ever seen. There was large doorway, pieces were missing so Ron can see an expansive locking system, tumblers and gears exposed by the gaps. "This is the vault. All manner of artifacts are kept here. Things found during our many journeys deemed too dangerous for others." Alec was standing next to the doorway. There was a wolf skull resting in the wall.
"Come here pup." Ron stood before Alec. The older werewolf grabbed Ron's right hand and in one quick motion drew a dagger and cut Ron's palm. Ron yelled but Alec held tight, pulling Ron so his hand went inside the wolf's mouth. Blood dripped onto the stone and they eyes glowed white. The boy heard and saw the door beginning to unlock itself.
Once the door was open the glowing eyes ceased. "That wasn't very nice." Ron said, taking his hand back.
"Would you have let me do it had I told you?" Alec sheathed his dagger. "Anyway look at your paw now." Ron did as instructed. The pain subsided quickly and there was no longer a gash on his palm. "We heal quickly, one of our gifts." Alec hand Ron a rag to clean up the blood.
"How did that door open?" Ron inquired.
"You're one of us. Only those with the blood of the wolf running through their veins can open that door." The group went inside. Ron was amazed by all the artifacts. There was several enchanted blades, magic staves, and robes of dark wizards, dark ancient tomes and tablets along with several cases of gems and jewelry.
"Is that the mirror of Erised?" Ron spoke, seeing the glinting mirror in the back of the vault.
"Ah yes. Dumbledore said you had an encounter with the mirror." Sehan explained. "He wanted to know if we could keep it here until he found a proper place. I asked what was wrong with your school but he said something about a student breaking curfew to sit in front of it all night."
"Harry."
"Exactly. Now we'll show you to your quarters. And I'll have someone bring you some food." After returning to the entrance chamber they went down the offshoot Jen used earlier. His room was the furthest down, being the newest member. Jen was waiting outside.
"I hope you like it." She smiled and opened the door for him. There was a large bed tucked into the back right corner, Ron appreciated the red and orange sheets, Gryffindor pride. Behind the headboard there was water running down the rocks disappearing into a shallow pool. In front of the bed was a large oak trunk. A desk and chair along the right wall, another bookcase cut into the wall next to that. Against the far left wall was a fireplace. In front of that were two wingback chairs. To the left of the fireplace was a door leading to a small bathroom.
"Wow." Stepped in. "This is wicked."
"Nothing but the best for us." Jen took out her wand and gave it a wave. A silver dome appeared on Ron's desk. "Hope you're hungry." Ron pulled the lid off, revealing a plate of succulent chicken and a goblet of water. "Eat up." Ron happily did as instructed. They boy enjoyed every second of it. When he was done Jen waved her wand and the dishes vanished. "I got a present for you." From her pocket. It was a new wand. "Yours still has the trace enchantment on it. This one doesn't." The new wand was ten and three quarter inches in length. It was made of dark oak and there was a carving of crescent moon on four sides, for symmetry. "The core is from a werewolf heart. Go figure." Jen smiled at Ron, setting the new wand on the table. "Good night."
Ron let out a loud yawn as he stood up and stretched. "Merlin I'm tired." He knew he had a long day so Ron decided to retire for the evening. Though he realized he had nothing to change into. All he had brought with him was his wand. Taking a chance he opened his trunk and found clothing in his size. Ron changed into a white t-shirt and grey shorts. The bed was comfy and Ron was asleep almost instantly.
TWO DAYS AGO
Dumbledore was consoling a distressed Weasley family, Harry and Hermione. Albus had brought them all in to tell them the news. He swore them all to secrecy before revealing that Ron had been bitten. The news had not been taken well. Arthur demanded to see his son but learned that Ron was no longer at Hogwarts. That brought a new round of crying. "Where is he?" Arthur asked after his wife calmed down some.
"An old friend of mine sent some associates to fetch Ronald." Dumbledore explained. "They are going to help him control his condition."
"That's not possible." Percy spoke.
"For them it is Mr. Weasley. I know not the spells or rituals they use to master their inner beast. It is their most guarded secret." Albus looked to the corner of the room, where Remus Lupin stood. He had a sad and guilty look on his face, he felt terrible about all of this. "Sadly it's too late to help Remus. The process must be used before their first full moon. That's all they told me when I asked if it was possible to help Remus."
"W-will he be safe?" Molly choked out between sobs. "Will he return to us?"
"I was assured young Ronald could return once his training was complete. If all goes well before the end of summer." Albus saw a weight lift from the family's shoulders. "And he will be returned safely, if not a little banged up. I know for a fact that they're going to train him hard. Ron is their youngest member and they have to get him up to their level quickly. I have the upmost confidence in him. He's a strong boy and expect great things from him."
PRESENT
Loud knocking awakened Ron. "Rise and shine pup!" Ron recognized Alec's voice. "Bathe and put on the clothes set out for you, then get food. I'll see fine you later."
The teen sat up in bed. His desk no longer held the remnants of his dinner. Instead a pair of plain black pants and shirt. Next to those were a few items for Ron to clean himself. Grabbing those Ron left his room and headed for the baths. Lowering himself in the water he let out a sigh. The heat felt good. After taking a few moments to soak he went about washing himself. After dunking his head to clear the suds out of his hair Ron removed himself from the water. Ron dried himself off and put on the new clothes.
"Well they fit rather well." Ron looked himself over before leaving the hot spring. He returned to his room briefly to drop off his clothes and bathing supplies. Then his stomach rumbled, reminding Ron of his hunger. "Right." Remembering the tour from yesterday it was easy to find the dining cavern. Breakfast was already laid out, eggs, fruits, bread, hash browns, bacon and sausage. Ron's mouth watered and he sat down to eat.
"Seems the pup has a bit of an appetite." Alec sat down next to Ron. "Or is that your new beastly side."
"I've always been a big eater." Ron said between bites of a bacon and egg sandwich he made. "How else will this…gift, affect me?"
"Enhanced senses. Strength. Speed. Metabolism, though if you eat as much as you say then I doubt you'll notice a change in that." Alec explained. "We'll be working on controlling some of those senses."
"Strength?" Ron asked. The teen took a drink of juice, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"That won't actually kick in until your first transformation." Alec took a piece of bacon and ingested it quickly. "Your body will shift and change. Muscle will grow. Even your magic will get a boost. So I'd turn down the power you use in your spells while you're at school or else people will start asking questions."
Ron just took in all the information. If he could really do all that then this might not be so bad. "When do we start?"
"As soon as you're done with your hash browns." Alec said.
Ron found himself standing in the training cavern with Alec. He was standing in a ring, a blue squishy mat beneath him. Alec was standing in front of him. "Now then." The older werewolf took a step toward the new recruit. "Put on this blindfold."
"Excuse me what?" Ron took the piece of cloth.
"Remember what I said about hearing?" Alec lifted his hand, three more members surrounded Ron. "Ron this is Anderson, Ro, and Lin." Each member nodded to Ron. "As you all remember Ron is the new pup. But let's not go easy on him just for that. Now Ron the purpose of this is to strengthen your hearing and teach you how to listen for impending attacks and other things. Just focus and you'll be alright." The new trainee glanced down at the blindfold before putting it on.
Ron let out a shaky breath. "Ok I'm ready." A few seconds later found Ron on the floor, the side of his face stung but the pain faded quickly. This process repeated itself over the next three hours.
"Here drink this." Jen set down a cold drink in front of Ron. "How did the training go?"
Ron looked up, he had it in his arms folded on the table. "Bad."
"There, there." Jen patted his arm. "We all went through it. Just listen better and you'll succeed."
"You sound a bit like my mum." Ron drank his drink. "So what's next?"
"We're going to play hide and seek." Ron just stared back at her.
A half hour later found Ron outside the hideout, in the woods with Jen. Once again he had the blindfold on. "I'm not going to have to listen again am I?"
Jen chuckled. "No. That's Alec's specialty. You're bad at listening anyway." Ron growled at the jab at his attention span. It reminded him again of his mum. "Take a deep breath through your nose." Ron did as instructed. His nose was assaulted by all new scents. He held his hands to it, hoping that it'd stop. It didn't. The sensory overload was too much causing Ron to lose consciousness.
He woke up later in his room. The blindfold was on his desk. "Welcome back Ronald." Sehan was seated in front of the fireplace.
"How long was I out?" Ron asked.
"A couple hours." Sehan said, gesturing Ron to sit next to him. "Seems your training for the day went exactly as your Seniors had predicted."
"My Seniors?" Ron asked.
"Yes, Jen and Alec. They were chosen to be your mentors. To guide you through your training and change." Sehan explained. "If you have any questions you go to them. Clearly you noticed they were more involved with you then any of the other members." The teen just nodded. "Keep up the good work Ronald." Sehan stood up and moved toward the door. "Oh one more thing." Sehan looked back to Ron. "The next full moon is in three weeks. Then you will come into your own and officially join our ranks. After that you'll learn what this group really is."
After the three weeks Ron had managed to be able to pick up the hearing technique a bit better. He heard the steps, sometimes, and he was having problems reacting in time. Over in the scent area Ron was coming along well, picking up different scents and identifying, now that the aromas didn't overwhelm him. "I thought eyesight was another sense that gets better." Jen and Alec were walking Ron down another tunnel, one he hadn't gone down on his tour.
"That's another one that has to wait until you change for the first time. Your eyes will change also." Alec pointed to his eyes, Ron noticed the slit pupils again. "You won't exactly have to train that one." The trio stopped in front of a set of heavy wooden doors. "Once you're in here Ronald. You are committed to the pack. Gain another family. Are you ready?"
Was he ready? Was he ready to learn how to control something that back in his old life made him an outcast? To be subjected to discrimination and regulations? Yes, he was ready. He was ready since day one of this. Ron wouldn't let his inner beast win, to tear his life apart. "I'm ready." Alec and Jen went through the doors, holding them open for Ron and he walked into the room. The floor was an intricate gold and purple marble. In the center was a large circle of black marble. In the center was a white circle, representing the full moon. Several smaller circles went around the edge of the black circle, they were purple with different phases of the moon in each one. The circle for the new moon was just a plain purple circle, it was positioned closest to the door Ron entered. The phase before full opposite. High up on the back wall was a big gap, allowing moonlight to shine in onto the center moon. But for right now it was letting in the fading sunlight. Below that was a simple stone alter with a silver chalice resting on it.
Around the moon were other members of the pack. They were here to witness the transformation of their newest member. Sehan knelt in front of the alter and was chanting. Alec stood on the Waxing Crescent. Jen took a spot on the Waning Crescent. "Stand in the center Ron." The teen suppressed his 'no shit' retort as he moved. If the situation wasn't as serious as it was he'd have let it out.
"Once again we find ourselves welcoming a new brother into the pack!" Sehan started speaking. "Ronald Weasley! We all now share the blood of the wolf! But it runs wild, untamed through your veins! But with this ritual we reign in that power!" Sehan picked up the chalice and approached Ron. "Drink Ronald. And may this elixir sooth and tame the wild beast that rages within you."
Ron took the chalice and brought it to his lips. The liquid was a bright pink color and tasted sweet. With a few big gulps Ron had finished it and handed it back. Sehan returned the chalice to the alter then stood before Ron again. "The moon is now on the rise." The sunlight was fading fast. "With it your new power grows. Feel it take hold, fuel your change into this new form. And become strong." He could feel it. New energy was rushing through him as the moonlight covered him and it was getting stronger every second.
Sehan, Jen and Alec all made a hand sign and started chanting. Ron's body started to twitch. Clothes started to shred as his body expanded. Teeth became sharper and nails turner into claws. His ears pointed and pupils became the trademark animal slits. In a few minutes in Ron's place now stood an timber colored werewolf. Glancing around wolf Ron saw everyone else had now turned with him, showing their bond. That they were a pack. Alec the black wolf, Jen was amber like Ron and Sehan was a white wolf. The only white in a sea of black, grey, brown and amber. Ron let out a long howl and the group joined in.
The following morning Ron had changed back. After getting a new change of clothes, as the change had left him in just a pair of tattered shorts, Ron found himself at a breakfast feast. Sehan sat at the center, Ron being newly turned sat at his right. The eldest of Ron's Seniors, Alec, on Sehan's left. Jen was next to him. The other members filled in the remained empty seats. "To the pup!" Alec raised a mug.
The others yelled and raised their mugs, Ron yelled too. After tasting it he was surprised to taste ale. "Aren't I too young to drink?"
Jezza, who was seated next to Ron, slapped him on the back. "Thanks to your new immune system and healing you can't get drunk. As well as immunity to poison and disease. You see wolf's blood is highly aggressive and attacks and destroys foreign organisms so you'll no longer get sick too." Ron was becoming more and more impressed with his new abilities.
"Now Ronald." Sehan got the lad's attention. "About what we really are. Yes a pack of werewolves but we are more than that. What you see before you is a gathering of some of the greatest magical warriors ever produced. The gift of the wolf was but the start. Each member trains and harnesses their magic. We've become mercenaries. Taking jobs to those who pay enough. I welcome you Ron, to the Lunar Knights."
Ron sat on his bed, deep in thought. 'Mercenaries?' It was a lot to take in. Could he become a fighter? He was a werewolf now yes but it was obvious they didn't use that form unless they had to. The stigma of the beast would be the group's undoing. Hunted by the ministry, denied jobs due to discrimination and hatred. It's why they had Jezza, to make them weapons and armor for when they had to fight.
But there was a payoff. Alec had told him after the breakfast feast that the jobs paid well. There was a lot of money to be made. Money, something his family could use more of. The Weasley's were a poor family with seven kids. Ron had been using hand-me-downs from his brothers his whole life. If he could use this to help his family then wouldn't it be ok? Actually when he put it that way the decision wasn't all that hard. Ron would do anything for his family after all, no matter how much they got on his nerves.
Getting off his bed Ron left his bedroom. As he passed people in the tunnels he was regarded with a knowing look, though didn't notice anyone giving him said looks. He was too focused on getting to his destination. They were looks of pride. They knew what he was going to do by the look on his face.
Pushing the doors open Ron was in the moon room. Now in the center was a desk. Seated behind it was Sehan. Leaning against the desk next to Sehan was a staff, this was the first time Ron had seen Sehan's primary weapon. It was made of dark brown oak, a large green and blue swirling jewel attached to the head. A white gem was slowly circling it. Ron knew what that represented, you didn't have to be a genius like Hermione to figure it out. The large gem represented the earth and the small one obviously by default the moon. Standing next to him on his left was Jen. Alec was in front of the desk, leaning against it arms crossed. "Well Ron, have you reached a final decision?"
Ron looked at each person before him. Each had helped him greatly since he had been bitten. Alec with his strength, which Ron drew from when he needed it. Jen with her gentleness that calmed Ron down when the stress was getting to him. And Sehan. Like Dumbledore the Alpha werewolf was full of sage advice. "I'm in."
Alec smirked at Ron. "Good." Pushing off the desk he moved passes Ron. "Let's get you kitted out then." The two went to the forge and found Jezza and another member of the Lunar Knights. "What's up Cam?"
Cam was about the same height as Alec. Brown hair buzzed real short. Red eyes. He was kitted out in a pair of baggy dark grey and blue camo pants held up with a black belt. Slide into slots along the belt were several crystals of different colors. Grey boots. A dark blue t-shirt, over that a black sleeveless zip hoodie. On his waist behind him in a holster was a Model 1887 shotgun. The wood was white birch and the metal a bright gold. "Hey Alec. Pup." Cam greeted. "Just finished getting maintenance done. I'll be out of your way in a bit." Jezza was polishing a dagger. "Glad you stuck with us Ron. You're going to have a blast. The knowledge you pick up here is way more interesting then what you'll learn at Hogwarts."
"Cam here graduated from your school eight years ago, served four years as an Azkaban guard after that and been with us four years now." Alec explained. "Don't know what the odds are that would happen, you two from the same school."
"Hey the people upstairs are pulling the strings mate." Cam chuckled.
"All set Cam." Jezza handed Cam his dagger.
"Thanks Jezza." Cam sheathed the dagger. The holster on his waist held a spot for his knife. "You are a master of your craft. I'll catch you blokes later. Master Sehan has an assignment for me." With that Cam left the forge, patting Ron on the back as he left.
"So Jezza let's see what you've come up with for Ron here." Alec crossed his arms in anticipation.
"I've been forging for the last three weeks pup and this is what I came up with." On top of the anvil there was a sheet covering whatever mystical object lay underneath. Jezza grabbed the sheet and pulled it off in dramatic fashion. Clearly there was some magic involved as there was no way that weapon would fit underneath. Ron's weapons was a large two handed sword. The blade was a dull grey, white runes flashed along the blade before fading and remaining hidden, the hilt a simple cross guard of bright polished silver. Set in the blade right above the cross guard was a dull white gem. The handle was black and the pommel was a silver spike. Next to it was a black metal sheath. Around the opening and on the end was silver trim.
"Oh wicked." Ron picked up the blade. It was surprisingly light. But that was to his now enhanced strength.
"And over here is the rest of your gear." Jezza gestured to a mannequin. There was a jacket that had fur around the collar, it was the same color as his fur when he transformed. Coincidence? No. There were two big pockets lower on the front and four smaller ones on the upper chest. On both shoulders was a plate of armor covering both upper arms, the right plate had another pouch, two black straps attached to the sleeve held it tightly to the plate. The left had a sheath for his standard dagger. The pants were a plain grey, not camo like Cam. Two pockets on each thigh and regular pockets. A black belt with a silver wolf head belt buckle. There was also a pair of grey boots to match the pants and black fingerless gloves.
Ron approached the set and took one of the sleeves in his hand. "This is….amazing."
"I'm glad you like it Ron." Jezza picked up a hammer. It had a squared handle, a wider squared shaft. The head had a square piece of black metal, a green rune on each side. A slab of emerald gem stone next to it, then a large gray stone piece on each end made up the striking surface. On the top of the head and the end of the handle was the traditional silver spike.
"I love it." Ron took the clothes off the mannequin.
"Go put them in your room." Alec ordered. "We still have two months to develop your abilities."
Ron's training intensified. With his stamina now boosted after his transformation he was able to train harder and longer. His hearing had improved and he could evade, and sometimes counter, effectively. His nose was able to sniff out Jen easily when she hide in the forest. Jezza trained him on his weapon, apparently the requirement for being the Forge Master meant you had to be a Weapons Master too. Ron didn't like being on the receiving end of that hammer though. Sehan, Cam and other members helped him learn a few simple spells and better perfect ones he already knew. Also he'd spend two hours each day practicing his transformation, the more he got used to it the faster he could shift. And true to Alec's word his eyesight didn't need any real developing. His now slit pupils could see things even more clearly, farther and had low-light and dark-vision.
Now as Ron stood in front of Sehan, flanking Alec's left, Jen on the right, he could only wonder how much more he had to do before he was allowed to go home. From there it would be only four more years until he was out of Hogwarts then he could focus his energy on pack duties. Of course he would spend his summers here, training and working. "Ronald your training progress has been remarkable. You still have a week and a half before we expected you to be able to return to your family." Ron beamed at the praise. "So the three of us were thinking. Why not let you get some practical experience? We have a simple job that shouldn't take more than a few days. What do you say?"
Put his skills to the test? Get a little spending money before he has to return to Hogwarts? Sounded like a good idea to him. "Sure. Could be fun."
"Oh no doubt." Sehan placed a small scroll on his desk. "Here's the contract and the details. Have fun at Greengrass Manor."
Well there it is, chapter one. love it? hate it? expect #2 sometime in the next few days