Ryan sighed sadly as she walked towards the train in platform 9 ¾ looking at all of the kids happily greeting their friends and talking about how great their summers were. With another sad look around she loaded her trunk onto the train and then picked up her book bag and started to look for an empty cabin. Upon find one she pulled the curtain closed so that no one could look in and she could have her privacy.
Setting the bag down in the seat next to her, Ryan looked at her reflection in the window. She wasn't much of a looker. Ryan had a shaggy mop of jet black hair that many people said made her look like a boy and some bangs that were swept to the right. She had green blue colored eyes that seemed to glow and her face was littered with freckles that went all the way down her arms and hands.
Shaking her head she came out of her staring contest with her reflection and reached her hand down to grab a book from her large army green messenger bag. Ryan nearly jumped back in shock when the small black head of a young wolf popped out with a happy look on its face.
"Hey Flicker," She said as she put the young wolf in her lap "I guess you didn't like the cage that I got you, huh?" Flicker looked up at her with those big dark navy blue eyes that seemed to say 'no'.
Ryan smiled as she watched her familiar hop off of her lap and curl up around her feet for a nap. She remembered walking into the pet store in Diagon Ally and feeling this pull to a large pen that was towards the back that was full of wolves that weren't pups but they weren't adults either. There was about six and all in various colors, but the only one she seemed to care about was the little black female pup with a white spot on her chest and the tip of its tail and two silver stripes near her butt. The moment she looked into its dark navy blue eyes that that pup was the reason she entered the store.
When the store clerk asked her if she needed any help Ryan asked him how much the pup was and that she wanted it. As he handed her the small wolf he told her that it was an Elemental Wolf and its element was fire. As it turns out Elemental Wolves, like house elves, would come to their owners when called and could teleport to anyone and anywhere they wished or were told to.
Ryan was jerked out of her thoughts when the train started to move. Looking out the window she could see a boy with a mop of black hair, kind of like hers but less tamed, running to catch the train. Upon closer expectation she saw that the boy was in fact Harry Potter, Her house's golden boy. Ryan had heard a few of the things that he did each year from one of her room mates, Hermione Granger, who is a close friend of his. From what she had heard they faced trolls, three headed dogs, large Spiders and prehistoric snakes. 'I wonder what trouble they will get into this year.' She thought to herself as she watched them go past her cabin, chatting happily.
Coming out of her thoughts Ryan looked into her bag and pulled out what looked to be a book made for mice that she had made. If one were to look inside they would see on each and every page was a song name and the band that played it underneath. All they would have to do is turn to one of the pages and say 'play it for me Sam' to listen and 'oh, be quite' to stop listening. The only problem was when you wanted it to stop it stopped and if you wanted it to play again it would go back to the beginning.
Looking threw the book Ryan stopped on a Toby Mac song called 'Tonight' and said "play it for me Sam". She had gotten the Idea to make it when she had been listening to her IPod on the train ride to Hogwarts and it just stopped working when they were half way to the school. It almost drove her insane not being able to listen to her country music after a whole day of being the only American at the school. So after two years of studying and experimenting she had finally made a magic powered MP3 player.
The train ride to Hogwarts had been quiet for the most part and that was just how Ryan wanted it, but just when she thought she would be able to have a peaceful ride the cabin door opened and reveled Draco Malfoy and his bodyguards Crabbe and Goyle.
"Oh looks like it's only Beanie in this cabin," Draco said in a loud voice as he pointed to her, looking at the slightly baggie beanie on her head "the Gryffindor outcast, she won't do anything to us if we take this cabin." He told his henchmen confidently as he attempted to enter only to be shoved back by Ryan, who was now standing in the doorway with Flicker by her side growling lowly in the back of her throat.
"I don't think so bub," Ryan said as she glared at them "This is my cabin, now leave, or else."
"Or else, what" Malfoy asked as he got up from the ground and dusted himself off and then sneered at her "you'll hit me with your hat?"
Ryan smirked mischievously and grabbed him by the front of his robes and lifted him effortlessly off the ground. Malfoy's scared eyes seemed to plead with her to put him down when he looked into her glowing ones. She then threw him into his Hench men and they all fell on the floor in a big heap.
Shutting the door slightly she poked her head out and said "And stay out!" Flicker snorted her agreement as the door was closed and followed Ryan back to the seat and once again curled up around her feet.
Ryan sighed as she sat back down and adjusted the black beanie on her head. She had been wearing beanie hats ever since she was seven. It greatly annoyed all the teachers at Hogwarts and had gotten her many detentions when she refused to take it off. Snape even tried to pull it off her head once in a potions class, but Ryan had found a spell that made it impossible for anyone other than herself to take the hat off. It had also become a game to the Weasley twins to try and take her hat off. What nobody realized was that her hats were hiding the biggest secret that Ryan ever had.
Because Ryan Howlett was not your average witch. No, she was also a mutant that had the same powers as her father and then some. Her father Logan, aka Wolverine, has regenerating cells and three claws that come out between his knuckles. Ryan had been taken by her uncle, Victor Creed, to General Stryker's Island as revenge against her father for leaving him behind. On the Island Ryan experienced more pain than she imagined her body could take when they coated her bones in Adamantium. Then later that night they injected Guardians' (1) blood into her body to see how it would react to new blood. The next morning she woke up and fund that she had two black tipped white wolf ears and a white wolf tail with a black tip and found that she could also take the shape of a wolf that was just slightly larger than average.
After Ryan escaped Stryker's Island she started to wear beanies to prevent anyone from seeing her ears. To hide her tail was just slightly harder, but she started to wear trench coats to hide it when stuffing her tail into her jeans just wouldn't work anymore. As time began to pass Ryan noticed that, despite the metal coating her bones, she was still growing normally.
Then she got her Hogwarts letter. As it turns out, her mother was a witch and that she had been on the list since birth. Professor McGonagall had come to the Orphanage that she was staying at in Texas and told her all about magic and the school and here she was now, three years later, on her way to Hogwarts for her third year.
The ride had been very nice, aside from the incident with Malfoy; Ryan had simply read the How to Train Your Dragon Series and listen to her music as it began to rain outside when the train started to slow to a stop. Ryan looked up from her book; they couldn't possibly be at Hogwarts yet. She looked out the window and didn't see anything but the forest. She was going to get up and look out of her cabin when the lights started to flicker and finally went out leaving them in the dark. Looking towards the window again, Ryan used what little light she could to feel around for the door when she heard the creaking sounds of the door opening. Since it was so dark she could just make out the outline of a tall figure floating in the door and could hear its deep, hoarse breaths as if it was having problems breathing. She then noticed the cold that started to settle in the room, it made her feel as though she had just jumped into the Arctic Ocean. Flicker stood in front her protectively and growled to the thing as Ryan's eyes rolled into the back of her head.
The first thing Ryan noticed when she opened her eyes was that she was back in Canada and the scene that met her eyes was just one of the few memories that haunted her each and every night. She was tied up rather tightly on the ground with her back being propped up agents the car looking at her mother with tears in her eyes. Her mother was being held off the ground by the man that Papa had told her all about, Victor Creed, her uncle.
He was talking to both of them in a voice that held so much joy at their predicament, that it filled her with so much fear that she thought she would never be able to feel safe again. Ryan closed her eyes when she saw his clawed hand reaching for her mother's throat and heard her mother begging pleading with him to let Ryan go before she let out one last scream of pure terror. Ryan heard the sound of her mother's throat being ripped out and she screamed out with just as much terror as her mother had when she felt something warm and sticky being sprayed on her.
Blood. She realized with panic. It was her mother's blood that covered her and she thought that she would be sick. Despite her fear Ryan opened her eyes and instantly wished that she had kept them closed. The site that she saw would be forever burned into her head and haunt her till her dying days. There was her mother, lying in a puddle of blood that was rapidly growing, with her throat torn to shreds, taking her last breath. Ryan almost didn't recognize her, and she screamed for all she was worth, praying to God that she was in some twisted nightmare-
"Miss? Miss, are you alright?" A male voice asked her as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. Opening her eyes tiredly Ryan saw a man with light brown hair and corn blue eyes looking at her with worry. Looking around she also saw Flicker sitting near her looking at her with a worried expression, whining occasionally, and she noticed that she was lying on the ground and they were moving once again. The man moved over when she tried to sit up the first time, but feel back when she realized that her arms couldn't support their weight. She felt as though she had just run a marathon, twice.
"Here, let me help you." The man said as he lifted her up, which was an amazing feat and sat her down on the bench seat. He then sat down next to her breathing a little heavier."Not to offend you, but your heavier than you look." He told her with a breathless laugh but became more serious when he saw the pain and horror that was still lingering from the memory as well as the silent tears that were rapidly falling down her cheeks.
"Wha-what was Th-that?" Ryan asked, trying not to break down crying, which was harder than usual. She just couldn't forget the panicked and terrified screams or the site of her mother, mauled and bloody, lying dead on the side of the road.
"That… was a Dementor," He told her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bar of chocolate and handed her a piece. "Here, eat this, it will help." Truthfully Ryan felt right as rain, do to her rapid healing all the cold and exhaustion had long since left her body, but took the chocolate anyway. The man then got up; talking about owling the Headmaster and other stuff she couldn't hear and left the cabin. As soon as he left Flicker hopped up onto the seat next to her and Ryan wrapped her arms around her neck and let it all out. She buried her head into Flicker's neck as her body was racked with her sobs, and Flicker would simple whine occasionally to try and calm her down.
Feeling like it wasn't working; Ryan then laid down on the floor and shifted into her wolf form. She was a white wolf with Black markings on the tips of her ears and tail. On the left ear she had two gold hooped earrings and around her neck she had a small silver chain that had a dog tag that said '126' and a gold heart locket.
As she lay whimpering on the ground Flicker came and curled up next to her and nuzzled her face into Ryan's neck to comfort her as well as licking her snout. And that was how the rest of the ride went until they finally made it to the station. When they finally stopped Ryan shifted back to human packed her stuff up and told Flicker that she had to flash back to her cage, which she did so grudgingly.
Ryan hopped of the train and sprinted toured the carriages being pulled by Threstrals, horses that look like skeletons covered with the membrane seen on bat wings. They had given her quite the fright in her second year, but now she had come find them oddly beautiful.
Jumping into the first carriage she saw, Ryan sat down and just tried to focus on breathing, and it was working to until they passed the gates where to dementors stood and she felt the cold once again and saw her mother's body, which had the tears streaming down her face once more. The ride to the castle was great and by the time they came to a stop, the only thing Ryan to show of her episode was the tear tracks on her cheek. Ryan waited until the others in the carriage got out and checked her hat, before following them to the castle.
Just as Ryan was about to enter the great hall, her thoughts revolving around the thought of food, a voice stopped her train of thought in its tracks, "Potter! Howlett! Granger! I need to speak with you three!" looking up from the spot she stopped at when her name was called, Ryan saw Professor McGonagall standing not too far from her. Picking her way out of the crowed was not as hard for her, because everyone instinctively avoided her. When she finally reaches her Head of House, she was telling Ron Weasley, Potter and Grangers friend, to join the rest of the students in the hall. After he left Professor McGonagall motioned for them to follow her and they started off down the hall, up a flight of stairs and down a corridor. She ushered them into her office, a small room with a large warm fire. Professor McGonagall gestured for them to take a seat and sat behind her desk and said suddenly, "Professor Lupin sent an owl a head to say that you two were taken ill on the train." She said pointing to Ryan and Potter.
Potter looked as though he was about to answer her but before he could a soft knock sounded and Madame Pomfrey, the school nurse, came bustling in. Ryan Watched in amusement as Potter's face turned bright red "I'm fine," he said in a British accent, "I don't need anything —"
But Madame Pomfrey just ignored him, "Oh, it's you, is it," She said while bending down to look at him closely "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"It was a Dementor, Poppy," said Professor McGonagall "It got both Potter and Howlett."
They shared a dark look before Madame Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly and returned to looking potter over.
"Setting Dementors around a school," she muttered, pushing back Potter's hair and feeling his forehead. "They won't be the last one's who collapse. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate"-
"I'm not delicate!" said Potter crossly.
"Of course you're not," said Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly, now taking his pulse.
"What does he need?" said Professor McGonagall crisply. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"
"I'm fine!" Said Potter, jumped to his feet, his face getting redder.
"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," said Madam Pomfrey, who was now
trying to examine his eyes.
"I've already had some," He told her. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he, now?" said Madam Pomfrey approvingly. "So we've finally got a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"
"Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked him as she eyed him up and down.
"Yes," Potter said exasperatedly and Ryan tried as hard as she could not to laugh at his face.
"Very well. Kindly wait outside while Madame Pomfrey examines Miss Howlett." Professor McGonagall said.
As Potter left, Madame Pomfrey turned her attention to Ryan and did the same examination. When she was done she looked at the tear tracks that ran down Ryan's cheeks and asked her how she felt, "I'm ok now," She told her with a small smile in her slightly southern accent "Ever since Professor Lupin gave me that chocolate ah have felt as right as rain." She lied easily, she had been perfectly fine before the chocolate, but Madame Pomfrey didn't need to know that.
Professor McGonagall nodded her head and told her that she was free to go wait outside with Potter as she talked to Granger. When she left the room Madame Pomfrey came out as well and with one good look at Potter walked back to the Hospital Wing muttering under her breath so low that even Ryan couldn't hear her. Ryan and Harry stayed silent as they waited on Hermione and Professor McGonagall to immerge. A few minutes later they both came out of the office and made their way back towards the Great Hall together.
When they entered they had just enough time to see Professor Flitwick carry a three legged stool, with a raggedy old hat perched on top, out of the great hall. 'Oh darn!' Ryan thought to herself, 'We missed the Sorting.' As she walked to her seat a lot of the kids pointed at either Harry or herself, but mainly Harry.
'Figures,' Ryan thought to herself, 'News travels through Hogwarts faster than a juicy rumor in a small town.' She found a seat that was in between two fifth years that seemed to scoot away from her. Ryan sighed when she saw this. She was a Feral, a mutant who basically acted like an animal at times, and because of this no one ever wanted to be near her. One reason she didn't have any friends.
Before she could dwell on her thoughts any longer Albus Dumbledore, the schools Headmaster, stood up. Albus Dumbledore had to have been the oldest person she had ever met, excluding her father and uncle. So really he was the oldest looking person she had met with that long silver hair and beard.
"Welcome!" He said and the hall was silenced instantly. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…"
He paused here to clear his throat and then continued saying, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
Looking angrier than she had ever seen him, Dumbledore paused once again to let the news sink in before continuing, "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors."
Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.
"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.
"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher."
Do to the experiences with past teachers; the students in the hall were reluctant to clap. Only Ryan, Potter and his gang and a few others were clapping happily. It was quite a site, seeing Professor Lupin dressed in his old and torn robes next to all the others in their good robes.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the pitiful excuse for applause ended."Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Ryan smiled when she heard that and joined in on the applause for Hagrid. The Gryffindor house nearly gave him a standing ovation. Ryan chuckled under her breath when she saw Hagrid wipe away tears of joy on the table cloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
The large golden plates and goblets in front of them filled with wonderful smelling foods and fine drinks. Ryan sighed contentedly as she filled her stomach with all different types of meat and sweets.
When she finished Ryan looked at all the kids talking to their friends and having the time of their lives. Oh how she wished she could have just one true friend at Hogwarts. When she first came to the school she had thoughts she was going to be good friends with one of her dorm mates, Hermione Granger. But then that Halloween night when she couldn't find Hermione at all she found her later in the common room talking and laughing with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley as if they hadn't ever been mean to her. From then on the only times she really got her friend was in the girls dormitory.
Finally, after all the Food was gone, Dumbledore bid them goodnight and sent them off to their dormitories'. Ryan followed the crowed of Gryffindors up the stairs and threw the many corridors until they reached a large picture of a fat lady in a pink dress who asked for a password.
"Coming through, coming through," Percy Weasley called from the back of the crowed that had gathered. "The new password is Fortuna Major."
With her awesome wolf hearing, Ryan heard someone from the back of the crowed whisper "Oh no," Turning her head slightly she was able to see that it was Neville Longbottom, the most forgetful boy in Gryffindor, who uttered those words. Ryan felt for the boy, he was locked out of the common room often do to the fact that he always forgot the password.
Ryan climbed up the stairs two at a time to the dorm as fast as she could and quickly grabbed her nightgown and a book and shut the curtains around the bed. After she changed where no one could see her ears or tail, she settled down against the pillow and could only think of one think. 'I am so glad to be away from that dang orphanage.'
(1) In Andrea Cremer's story Nightshade, The wolves and people are one in the same. They never shred their cloths, and anything that is on them when they shift into a wolf will still be with them when they change back. Also, their Blood can heal any wound when you drink it. In this story Guardians will be very powerful creatures that only muggle weapons and Wraiths can hurt. Which means, if Ryan is hit with a killing curse or one that is meant to do major bodily harm it will not work, just sting a little.
I would also like you to know that this is my first Harry Potter Fic, and I know that I am not the best writer in the word. So please no flames if you do not like it, but I will take any advice you can give me. Also know that I have a record of never finishing Fictions because of Writers Block or evil plot bunnies, but I will try my darnest to finish this one. So please comment and tell me if you want me to continue.
Please and Thank You.