Chapter 1: Going to Hogwarts

As I lay on the ground, very quiet and still, the young buck moves ever closer to where I am. The wind is in my favor, because if it wasn't, my dinner would be my brother Dalton's dinner. I can pick up Dalton's scent about 250 yards due North of me. He is just mad with me right now because he has to push the buck to me, seeing as I was the one who picked up the scent of the buck first. As the buck moves closer, I fear my damn tail will give me away because it just won't quit wagging. It not often we get deer here at Stonecastle. We normally have to be content with rabbits and squirrels because of what we are. Wildlife seem to have a knack of avoiding us and our property. Every so often though, we get a stray deer to come onto our land.

As I get ready to pounce on the deer now that it is close enough for me to land on him, a howl pierces the silence and the deer flees, thankful to be able to live another day. My brother Dalton, his girlfriend/wife/mate (one of them titles depending on who you ask and the mood that either one of them are in) Teri, my other brother Nicolas, and my uncle Anthony come sulking back to where I am standing, listening for another howl I know to be coming. As if on cue, the second howl rips through the night air, calling us back to the house, the house that has been my home for the past 14 1/2 years.

After a short,quick grunt to the others, we return to our destinated spot to change back and gather our belongings to return to the house to find out what the hell was going on. A few minutes later, I walk out of the woods fully dressed and am greeted by Nicolas.

"Awww man, that deer was looking good and now I am really hungry. Wonder what Jason wants." Nic says to me.

" I don't know, but he is gonna owe us big time for this. We have been planning this hunt for the past week and now something comes up and we don't get our hunt? That not like Jay to do that to us." I tell him. "Jay never calls us when we are hunting unless something big has come up and it cann't wait."

"Whoa! Catch that scent will ya." Nick exclaimed as I got closer to the back porch. As I got closer, I picked up on four new scents. Two of the scents I am for sure about because I am around them often. One of the scents is one that I wished I didn't know and the fourth scent I just didn't know it. My "dad" Jason, meets me at the back porch and the look on his face says it all, I am not gonna like what he is gonna say.

"One, everyone but Alex stays outside until this meeting is over. Two, Alex just know that I am doing everything I can to get you to stay here and not have to go to Britian. Third, I had no clue that they were coming tonight, much less coming at all." Jason says to all of us as we gathered on the back porch.

With a brief nod, I walk through the back door to greet the four new comers to my family home.

3 months later:

"Alex, if there is anything you need, please dont wait to send me an owl. I will try and stay as close as I can as much as possible. There will be the few nights a month that I will be out of contact with due to the full moon. Dumbledore is a good man and great Headmaster. He will provide extra protection if you need it."

"Oh come on Mooney, you know as well as I do that I don't need protection. I can protect myself. I am stronger and faster than ever and getting more everyday." Alex told Remus Lupin.

"It not you that needs protection Alex. Dumbledore needs you for the protection. He needs you to do the protecting. Now that Voldemort is back, Harry is gonna need all the protection he can get, whether he likes it or not." Remus stated. "Look at it this way, not only will I be around when I can, but Dumbledore and the staff at Hogwarts and other members of the Order will be there to lend a hand if you need it or if it gets to be too much for you."

"But why me Moon?" Ales asked. "Why am I all of a sudden needed to protect the great Harry Potter?"

"Because Alex," Remus said in a low voice, "Besides the Dursley's, you are Harry's only family, even if Harry don't know about you. Which reminds me, Dumbledore wants it kept a secret that the two of you are in fact brothers. If Voldemort was to find out that you were alive, there would be a target on you as well."

"Who..." Alex started to say. "Who is that? That has got to be the finest, most gorgeous girl I have ever seen. Damn Moon, I really need to see if Jay will consider letting me stay here. I mean, so the Pack can run things here as well. Plus, it would save Tony and Nic tons on air fare."

Remus laughed as he saw the reason for Alex's excitement. "MOLLY! ARTHUR! Good to see you all here. Been waiting for you." Remus called out. "Let me introduce you to Alex Staggs. He is a transfer student from the United States. Dumbledore asked me to make sure Alex made it to the train alright. Alex, please meet Arthur and Molly Weasley. Thy are very dear friends of mine."

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Alex said, shaking their hands and not taking his eyes off the red-headed girl standing next to Molly Weasley. "And who might this be if I may ask Moon?"

"This young lady, Alex, is Molly and Arthur's daughter Ginnerva Weasley. And behind her, are three of her older brothers, Ron and the twins, Fred and George." Remus said.

"Watch out for the twins, Alex." Remus whispered so only ALex could hear. "They love to prank people."

Alex shook the twin's hands eargerly. "Remind me to stay away from the two of you during school. Don't want to get the two of you into too much trouble." Alex said laughingly to the older Weasley brothers. "Trust me, I can and will make the two of you look like angels when it comes to pranks."

"And who might these other two might be Moon?" Alex asked, looking at the brown headed girl and the Black haired boy with glasses.

"This young lady is Hermione Granger." Remus told him, introducing Alex to Hermione.

"Hello Alex, so nice to meet you." Hermione said, shaking his hand.

"Yes, pleasure meeting you too Miss. Granger." Alex replied back.

"And this young man, ALex, is Harry Potter."

Alex spun around on spot and exclaimed. "You have got to be kidding me! The Harry Potter? The infamous Harry Potter? Wow. You know, we do know who you are in the States kid. Glad to see that you're still alive and Voldemort hasn't kicked your ass yet."

"ALEX!" Remus said loudly.

"What? Was just saying that I was surprised he hasn't been done in yet, seeing as he still a kid and all." Alex said, defending his actions.

"A word with you in private." the old werewolf growled, grabbing the younger werewolf by the arm and pulling him to side away from everyone else.

"What! What I do?" Alex asked as soon as they were out of earshot. "I was just saying that..."

"Alex listen to me please. It is very very important that not a word is said as to why you are really here, much less who and what you are. You are here to protect your brother at all cost and he is not to know of the family ties." Remus told him.

"Alright, alright. No more wise cracks like that and no letting on who and what I am." Alex promised. "Relax old man, everything will be ok."

"So, how long before this train leav..." Alex started to say before he was knocked to the ground by some strong force to the back.

Alex let out a yelp and a furious growl as he flipped his attacker off his back and onto his chest. Nic sat in Alex's chest, laughing uproarioiusly. "Little brother, you really need to remember your training and keep them eyes open for attackers. I mean, we wouldn't want anything to happen to that pretty little face of yours, do we?"

"Nic, get off your brother before he snaps. Don't need him to shed blood his first day of school." Jason said as he walked over and helped pull Alex to his feet. "Just wanted to come and see you off to this new school." Jason answered before Alex could get the question out.

"Uhhh, ok. I was doing ok with Mooney though. Wait! Did all of you come or is it just the two of you that made the trip?" Alex asked.

"What and let you have all the fun, I don't think so." Dalton said as he stepped from the shadowy corner he had been standing in. "We all came to see you off."

Alex smiled the biggest grin. "Now that makes me feel great. No worries though guys. I'll be on my best behavior." he said with a side glance towards Ginny. "Absolute BEST behavior."

"Riiiiiiight. If your present company has anything to do with that best behavior, Remus is gonna be flooding the house with owls, telling us of all the NON trouble you haven't caused." Tony said laughing.

"if anything, maybe he will finally get his furry ass lucky with a certain good looking red-head." Nic said in a low voice, low enough for only Jason and Tony to hear.

"Alright gang, 15 minutes to get the kid on the train and off to school. Cann't have him being late his first day.: Jason said after Remus ran through the introductions again. "Alex, if you need anything, let me know through Remus or Albus. Both know how to reach me if need be."

Remus walked Alex and the others through the barrier to the platform where the Hogwarts Express sat waiting to leave. Alex stood there in complete awe over the maroon and black steam engine. He was completely taken away by its beauty, he never heard the others calling to him unitl he felt a soft gentle touch of the hand on his arm.

"Come on Alex, we need to get on before it leaves without us." Ginny said as she took him by the arm and lead the way to the train. "it's almost time."

With one final glance back at Remus and the Pack, Alex boarded the train headed to Hogwarts.