Hey all! This is my first story so be kind, though constructive criticism would be well appreciated!
Disclaimer: Only in dreams would I even think of owning Harry Potter!
Note: Gaelic speech is in bold.
Note #2: this takes place during 6th year. Now, as I don't remember exactly what happened, things will be changed. They were going to be anyways, but there might be big changes just because I don't remember things. I'm just warning you all!
Chapter One
Humans will always fear what they do not understand, creating stories of horror to keep other humans away from what is they want to protect themselves from, whether there is true cause for fear or not. It will always be this way.
A young teen with startling verdant eyes and wild black hair stood upon an abandoned hill, musing upon this notion. His bare chest was lightly tanned, well proportioned and muscled finely. Upon his waist was wrapped a kilt, its dark green patterns lightened by the late evening's sun. Dark tattoos of knots wrapped his arms thinly in a brand, marking his clan.
"Tráthnóna maith Faolán." (Good evening, 'fway lawn'.)
The black haired teen turned to find the approaching figure of a large auburn haired man. He too wore a dark green kilt with the same knotted tattoo around his arms. Unlike the black haired teen, however, his neck was adorned by an open gold torc around his broad neck. Though the blacked haired teen was tall at 6'3", this man still stood taller at the height of 6'6".
Dropping to a knee, the black haired teen, identified by the name Faolán, bowed his head and pressed a fist against his chest. He uttered a respectful, "Cathal," ('Ka hal') before waiting for the command to rise.
The auburn haired man, Cathal, was silent before he ordered the other to stand. He smiled at the younger male before speaking. "You have grown much since the time you first came to us and become one with our clan, with our pack. With each new passing of the seasons, your kin and I watched as you grew from but a cub into a strong warrior, blessed by the Mother. Now, it is time for your Rite of Passage. Tonight marks your day of birth, along with the night of the Full Moon. Not of coincidence, the Mother celebrates along with us that one of her Children has approached his manhood. Come, young one, the others await our arrival at the Sacred Stone Circle."
The two males made their way down the hill, making their way towards a grove of trees, with a large stone circle nestled inside. As they walked, the sun slowly sank below the surrounding hills, bathing the world in a reddish hue. The sky slowly darkened as they entered the Circle, a large bonfire roaring in its heart. Men, women, and children gathered in the circle, though they parted when Cathal and Faolán approached. Standing near the bonfire, Cathal turned to Faolán with a stern and demanding face. Faolán stood his ground, though he did not challenge the elder, always remembering what was expected of him. Cathal was the leader. Faolán could be proud, but his place was below Cathal's.
The Full Moon rose slowly into the sky, creating unrest among the gathered. After moments of silence, Cathal addressed those gathered in the Ancient Circle. "My brethren, tonight we are gathered for a joyous event. One of our own has reached his manhood. Tonight is a solemn occasion, but also for celebration. With his Passage Rites, he will be forever changed. Let the sacred Ritual begin."
The bonfire immediately flared, and the gathered were deathly silent. The Ritual had begun and magic was thick in the air.
"Who stands before the Moon?" Cathal spoke.
"I, Faolán, stand before the Mother for her Blessing." Faolán answered.
"Who are you to ask for the Blessing of the great Mother?" Cathal was demanding.
"It is I, who has succeeded in my first Hunt, who is no longer a cub." Faolán would answer.
"Who are you to say that your Hunt is worthy of the Mother's gaze?" They were ritual words.
"I belong to those who are the Mother's Warriors; with my Hunt I kept my Oath." It was the ritual response, but the absolute truth in his words.
"Well met, young Warrior. Receive the token of your victory." A man stepped away from the gathered, a bronze torc resting in his hands. Cathal took the torc gently into his hands and offered it to Faolán with a proud smile. "You bring your kin much pride, young Warrior, Faolán Convel of the Filtiarn Clan."
Faolán took the torc into his hands and caressed the bronze gently before placing it around his neck. A surge of power rushed through him and, throwing his head back, he let loose a primal howl towards the Full Moon. One by one many voices joined his, combining with his to create a loud cry of joy towards the pregnant moon hanging high in the sky. Now was the time for celebration!
Many of the men, bronze torcs upon their necks, gathered around the new Warrior, feral grins upon their faces. It was time for a Hunt, to welcome the once cub into manhood. Above in the dark sky the Moon was bright with blessing upon her Children.
-Hogwarts – September 1st-
Harry sat between Hermione and Ron in the Great Hall. The trio was happily chatting, catching up after being away from each other all summer.
"Where were you, Harry? You didn't come to you-know-where at all."
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's remark, but kept silent, wanting to know the answer as well. Harry smiled easily. "I was away with friends in Ireland. I did have Dumbledore's approval, of course. I was perfectly same."
Hermione blinked. "Not to sound rude, Harry, but I thought you didn't have any friends outside Hogwarts. You know, with Dudley and all."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I've known them all my life. They are like my family really. I never told you about them because you never asked. I'm sure you have back home, Hermione."
Hermione looked abashed. "Sorry, Harry, for jumping to conclusions."
Harry grinned. "Nah, it's alright." He, then, grew serious. "I'll need to talk to you guys later in private, away from prying ears."
The two nodded and then went about nagging Harry for details about his summer and about his friends. Harry was amused and carefully gave as little information away as he possibly could, knowing that it was annoying Ron and Hermione.
Soon enough, Dumbledore stood up. Harry frowned at the appearance of a black shriveled hand that Dumbledore had failed to conceal for a split second. What had happened to the Headmaster for a curse like that to occur? Setting aside that thought for the moment, Harry concentrated on Dumbledore's speech. "I would like to introduce an old friend of mine, the new Potion's Master, Professor Slughorn. Please give him a warm welcome!"
There was a spattering of applause as an overweight man hauled himself to his feet and waved jovially at the students. Hermione had a frown on her face, however. "Potion's Master? What about Professor Snape, then?"
Harry looked over towards the greasy haired man that sat stiffly in his seat. "It looks like Snape has gotten what he wanted, the Defense position. He looks downright smug."
And so the man did. There was a smug smirk playing about his lips, much different from the dark scowl that usually adorned his face. Harry snorted. "Well, this year will prove to be interesting." He grinned. "I'm sure of it."
Ron gave him an odd look. "How can you be happy that Snape of all people will be teaching us Defense? He'll probably try to teach us Dark Arts instead!"
Harry rolled his eyes as Hermione watched on. "I'm probably just as excited as you are, Ron, that Snape will be taking the Defense position. But, it is for other reasons that I am sure that this year will be interesting. Call it a feeling, but it's rarely wrong."
The trio fell silent as Dumbledore continued speaking. Harry only half paid attention as his mind wandered. He thought back on the summer he had spent with his friends, his family. Where the Dursleys had mistreated him and ignored him, they had become his true family. Raising him and preparing him, he had come to Hogwarts already knowing of magic, a fact he kept from the wizards at Hogwarts. It was there that he was loved and he felt like he had a worth. It was home and the place he would return to after he left Hogwarts for good, and Voldemort was brought to his knees and finally killed.
That was his home, not Hogwarts like he told Hermione and Ron. It was home with its lush rolling hills, the rocky cliffs, and the thick mist that hung in the air during early mornings or rainy days. It was home with its magic saturated sites and breathtaking ambience. It was home plain and simple.
He was shaken from his thoughts by a touch on his shoulder. Blinking, he turned his head to see Ron trying to get his attention. "You alright there, Harry? The Feast is over, we gunna go back to the dorms now."
Harry grinned. "Sure, I'm all good." The trio then proceeded to make their way up to the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Hermione guiding all of the first years. When they reached the portrait, it was Ron who spoke the new password for the year. "Wolfsbane."
Harry grimaced at the thought of the poisonous plant, but made his way into the common room ignoring any strange looks that he received. He made himself comfortable stretched out on the floor in front of the fireplace as Hermione explained the rules to the little first years. Harry grinned at the little ones. They were so tiny and frail looking. Were they ever that small when they were that age? Ah, probably. He knew cubs as little or littler.
Standing, he moved over to the window as the 1st years started making their way to their dorms. Staring out into the sky he stared into the face of the full moon. It was then that he felt a presence approach him followed by another. He didn't turn away, knowing that it was Ron and Hermione who was approaching him. It was Ron who spoke, however. "It's a full moon tonight. I wonder how Lupin's doing. Being a werewolf must be hard on him. I couldn't imagine being a wolf."
Harry frowned. "Moony is controlled by the moon's whim. If he learned to accept the wolf, I'm sure it would be much different from him."
Hermione, ever the scholar, asked a question about Harry's statement. "What do you mean by that, Harry?"
"Remus isn't the only werewolf I know. I've learned that those who accept the wolf as a part of themselves are much healthier."
Hermione looked slightly panicked. "Accept the wolf!? What are you talking about, Harry!? Those who do that become much more bloodthirsty, don't they? I mean, that's what the werewolves in You-Know-Who's army are like! They are more wolf than human now!"
Harry scowled. "Don't think like that, Hermione. Those aren't true werewolves. They have fallen prey to the dark and it has corrupted them. They are blood thirsty monsters, not true werewolves." He sighed and ran a restless hand through his long hair. "I'm sorry. I'm more agitated than is usual." He paused. "I'll talk to you later; I need to take a walk to cool my head."
Harry turned to look at them and Hermione held back a gasp. When he had turned to them, she thought his eyes were glowing gold. But maybe she was wrong; they were their normal emerald after all. She shook her head. She had only imagined it; it had been a trick of the firelight.
As Harry walked to the portrait entrance and pushed it open, Hermione spoke. "Be careful not to get caught, Harry!"
Harry grinned. "As if anyone could catch me." With that, he disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.
End chapter
So what you all think of the idea? Please read and review! It is very much appreciated!
