Wolf Pack
Disclaimer:Obviously I don't own a thing if I did I wouldn't be writing a thing for free but selling it for millions. All I own is the idea and the various OCs that grace this world!!
Summary:AU to the entire Harry Potter Saga. Independent Harry and Co. A story not about studying in Hogwarts but training as an unspeakable, where the most dangerous and the most unorthodox manner of teaching is allowed. Is the world and Voldemort ready for a Harry Potter who is not afraid to fight back, a world where there is no dark or light magic but just magic..
Authors note: This story is a lot different from the other story I'm writing (Alliance) it is more or less completely AU and creative writing. While it focuses on combative magic and action its main focal point is on the characters development as we saw in part in the Rowling's work. Hopefully you guys will enjoy this story started on the 25/07/07
Chapter 2
"They have got to be kidding" said Draco as he eyed the image in front of him
"You think its fake" asked Hermione.
Ron took a cautious step forward and the beast growled and pounced forward.
"Nope so not fake" he swallowed
"So what do we do?" asked Hermione as she looked around "if we don't pass this we don't get in"
"Then we don't get in" shouted Draco "I'm not about to get myself killed"
Ron sniggered and Draco rounded on him "you got something to say" he looked over him "what is it then weasel"
Ron faced reddened "it's Weasley"
He waved his hand dismissively "Whatever so do you have a better idea"
Ron shrugged "well we have this wand" he held his up and sparks shot out of it. It was a nice new looking wand that he had gotten hours previously when he had first entered the building. They had all been ushered into a room and then measured for wands and then shoved into this place and told to meet the teachers on the other side.
"Do you know how to use a wand? Any spells" repeated Draco
Ron shook his head "then how about not speaking." He turned to the rest of the group "what about you guys any bright ideas." They all shook their head "why the hell did they put me with you"
"Look this isn't helping anybody" said Harry. He looked at Hermione "the book what does it say."
Hermione lifted her head from the book "it mentions some spell that we could try"
"So let's try them then" snarled Draco he walked over to her and ripped the book from her hands. "Ok let's see" he looked over the list, held out his wand "diffindo". Nothing happened. He tried again. This time his spell hit the beast but did little more than irritate it. "Anything else" said Draco
Marianna narrowed her eyes "do you always have to say everything in a mean tone"
"I can say anything I like until one of you idiots prove me wrong"
Marianna stared at him hatefully for a second before addressing the group "look we have got to get passed this and since the spell seems relatively weak when Draco cast it we could try it together."
"Together" said Hermione "that might work." They all tried it. Hermione and Draco's hit dead on at the same time between his eyes, Marianna hit a second later on his head; Harry's spell missed but shot a hole on the ground by the beasts' feet. Ron missed completely and Neville's wand didn't seem to be working.
"Bloody hell" said Ron "that was strong" he turned to Harry "is it suppose to be that powerful" Harry blushed and Draco snorted.
"We need to time it exactly and all hit between the eyes" said Hermione
"And you need to actually get you wand to work" said Draco as he eyed Neville who took a nervous step backward and tripped. Draco threw his hands up on the air "You have got to be kidding me"
"Forget it" said Hermione "we'll try it again at the count of three. You ready" they nodded "one… two…"
"Three" they all shouted. The spell wielded into one and hit the beast between the eyes sending it to the floor.
"We did it" cheered Ron
"Come on" said Draco "we don't know how long it's down for"
They ran.
"Neville" said Marianna as Neville stood merely inches away from the beast "run"
"It's waking up" he stuttered
"Well then move" yelled Draco but Neville stood shaking.
"We have to go back for him" Hermione cried
"And get ourselves killed I don't think so" said Ron
"Ronald" yelled Hermione "he's our team mate"
"But that beast will hurt us"
"Then think what it'll do to Neville"
"Let's go back" said Harry and he began running down to Neville
"I'm coming" Marianna yelled as she followed after him. The rest stood at the top of the hill in shock.
"Neville come on" yelled Marianna as the beast sluggishly began to stand up. "You have got to snap out if it"
"Yeah Neville you can do it come on" Harry held out his hand and Neville took a step forward.
"Diffindo" said Marianna as she began pelting the beast with the spell hoping to irritate it. "Diffindo, diffindo, diffindo"
"Neville" said Harry "move it" he leaned closer but the beast was remarkably close.
"Diffindo" yelled Marianna and then looked in shock at her spell sent the beast staggering. She looked back and saw the rest of her team. She smiled "so you do have a heart" she smiled at Draco as he helped pull Neville up the rest of the way.
"No what I had was a really loud voice in my head" he turned to Hermione who smiled if a little shyly.
"So it's over" said Ron as they all sat at the top of the hill. "We passed the test" he looked over to the group "so then why hasn't anyone come." The looked at each other "we have to actually get down the hill at the opposite side of the huge mountain don't we." The heavens opened. "In the rain"
Harry grinned "if it gets wet enough we could always slid down it"
Draco stood "let's hope it doesn't get that bad"
"We're not appropriately dressed" Hermione said as she began to shiver in her t-shirt.
"Well then" said Harry "we better get going"
Ron groaned "It's going to take us ages"
"Maybe you" yelled Marianna as she and Hermione whose hand she was holding sped past them
"Oh bloody hell" he said as he watched them. He looked over at Draco and Harry "I'm not getting beat by a couple of girls"
Draco and Harry traded a look before heading after the girls.
"Oi wait" said Ron as he followed with Neville behind them.
Later
"You're late" said Brode as he looked over the dripping group "and the last people to arrive. You better get in" he begun ushering them into the hall.
Draco turned to him, his face twisted into a scowl "You're not going to let us dry off"
Brode smiled a not altogether pleasant simile "nope let that be a lesson to you." Again he manoeuvred them towards the hall.
Draco scowl deepened and he crossed his arms over his chest in defiance, refusing to move "And what lesson would that be to always carry a towel"
Brode turned towards Draco, a dangerous glint appearing in his dark eyes "I don't like your tone" he growled. If he had hoped that would make the boy back down he was wrong.
"Well I don't like the fact that I could get pneumonia" he snapped
Brode took a step forward. He was impressed at the level of confidence he liked to think, rather than arrogance that this boy showed. But it was a rule of his never to let them know that and so he pressed back. "Well then it'll be a memorable memory" and then pushed them into the hall.
Branish stopped talking as they came in "Ah so you are the last group. Welcome" he said as he eyed their dripped bodies "you're just in time for the introductions. Would you like to be dried of" he held out his wand "Or was that a look you were going for… no ok then" he flicked his wand and they were dry "please take a seat."
The group walked to the only remaining table in the hall. "Now" began the man named as Branish as he retook his place on a chair in the front of the hall "my name is Branish, this" he indicated to his left "Is the kind man who brought you here" Draco snorted which earned him a displeased look from Hermione and a conspirator smile from Harry and Ron.
"Is Brode and the elegant lady to his side is Tonks, then Sentry and Malonvick and finally Grench" he waited for each person to give a small nod of greeting before continuing. "As you have probably realised that less than half of those you met this morning are no longer here with us and that is because they failed the task. Their memories will be wiped and they will be sent of to attend a regular magical school. But for those who remain you are now part of a legion of men" his eyes swept over the hall "and women who will change the world." He pointed to the door behind him "welcome to the unspeakable training program…"
Next Day
"Hello" said Tonk as she eyed her small group "I'm your… mentor for the first two years"
Hermione's hand went up "two years what about after"
Tonk grinned "you're on your own" at Hermione shocked look she added "you'll be ready"
"So what exactly are unspeakables" asked Draco who was propped up by his elbow on the table.
"They are what you make them" she replied cryptically "unspeakables are by no way the same they are always different that's what makes us so unspeakable. Our objectives however are the same- to eradicate the world from evil" her words became dark "I'm not going to lie to you, this training is by far the most unorthodox thing you will ever experience. A long time ago we made a promise that we would train all those to pass through these halls to be the best that they could be- we promised that we would never let another threat like he-who-must-not-be-named walk this world again- and if he should we promised that we would take him down no matter what"
"He-who-must-not-be-named" questioned Hermione as she looked up from the notes she was taking.
"Yes Voldemort"
Draco, Ron, Marianna and Neville flinched.
"He's the dark wizard that gave you that scar" she nodded to Harry
"He killed my parents" whispered Harry
"You didn't know" asked Ron his facing turning red "bloody hell how could you not know"
Harry looked down ashamed "I just found out I was a wizard when I got the letter. My aunt told me my parents got themselves blown up"
"The story as it goes" said Marianna softly "is that he" she looked at Tonks who gave her a reassuring nod "Voldemort went to you parents house to kill you all. But some how you survived and that how you got that scar." She gestured to the lightening bolt on his forehead "your parents were heroes and I guess it runs in the blood cause your one to" she offered a small smile
Harry reached up to the scar on his forehead and felt the jagged edge of the mark. His eyes met Marianna kind ones before dropping back down in concealed grief.
"A lot of good people died during his reign" Tonks continued "and we believe that he will come back- and you will be his target"
Harry blinked back tears and slowly met her eyes.
"And you'll be ready" she looked around "you'll allbe ready."
Her eyes drifted to Draco who looked troubled but she turned to address the room so as not to single him out. She was after all his cousin and the choice that he would have to make would mean disinheritance from his family. When she learned that he had been invited to the academy she was shocked into a stupor. Amalfoy! She had shouted but weren't they all into dark arts. Of course the same had been said of her being a Black. But once she had gotten over the initial shock she had been overcome with joy that she now had some family to talk to- a brother? As she looked over at him she got into the idea of having someone to boss around and give advice to.
"Em excuse me" came the shy voice of Neville "but your em" he bit his lip "your cheeks and hair have changed colour there pink now"
"Oh shoot" she shook her face and they returned to normal "I'm always doing that"
Ron eyes bulged "Bloody hell how'd you do that?"
"I'm a metamorphmagus meaning I can change aspects of my appearance at will" she frowned "and sometimes without it"
"That bleeding amazing" Ron gushed and then blushed when Tonks offered him a smile
Returning to the task at hand she glanced back at Draco and then addressed the room "Whatever you've been taught about Voldemort that his lenient to his followers; that he rewards those who have shown favour. The fact remains that this man wants to destroy our world a world in which you live in. Even if you don't have a problem with some of his ideology, have a problem with that. Whatever you like about this world will be destroyed if he gains power because his purpose it to rob the world of joy and love and leave only the quest of power which he shall be the sole owner of"
"He won't destroy those who are faithful" replied Draco, his eyes were cold his face expressionless but his tone held a question and not a statement and she took is as such.
"Tell me what kind of life it is having to always following someone else's rules. To fear that if you do one thing wrong that it will cost you your life. You have to ask yourself if that's a life you want to live. Some people are happy with that but for people like me." She smiled "we like our freedom."
Walking over to a bag she pulled out some robes "wear them." They quickly put them on and she examined them "beautiful." Ron and Neville blushed and the girls sniggered.
"What's this mean" asked Ron as he indicated to the question mark on his robe
"You're ranking"
"Ranking of what?" asked Marianna
"Right the ranking system is complex so try keep up" she winked "as first years you wear beige robes to signify that you are first years. Once the year starts you will be measured in all classes and your progress will be totalled to give you a team rank and that number will show on you vests"
"What if you're last?" asked Neville
"Last?" asked Tonks as if it was a foreign word "nobody I teacher ever comes last" she warned and Neville swallowed.
Ron leaned in to Harry "she one scary lady"
"Then you have individual ranks and skill level" she indicated to her own vest "these are dependent on your skill within the 8 subjects. History of magic, potions, defence against the dark arts, charms, transfiguration, fitness, mental prowess and flying. Unlike ordinary schools we don't wait till you've aged to teach you advanced stuff, if you've proven yourself capable the sky is the limit. This will also impact your group score so it's better to help each other out"
Hermione's hand went up "so what do we do now" she asked
Tonk grinned "you go to class" she handed Hermione a piece of paper "you've got Trenott his a bit… rough so try to keep up" and with that said she left.
Draco frowned "damn that cousin of mine"
"She's your cousin I didn't see a resemblance" said Hermione
Draco ignored her "didn't even tell us how we get in touch with her"
"I suppose she'll just show up" suggested Marianna "and talking about showing up we better make our way to class"
Harry and the others hurried across the hall down to the room where they would be having there first lesson: fitness. A teacher was already there and gave them a telling look about how close they had come to being late.
"Hurry up" said Trenott as he waved his hand around the room and it transformed into some sort of magical gym
He walked in front of them barking orders "stand up straight boy" (to Ron) "you're putting on a bit" (Neville) "you're to skinny (Harry)
Harry looked down at himself and noticed that compared to the other two he was slightly smaller but then quickly looked up when Trenott began to speak
"This class is about not only building your physical attributes" his eyes shot to Harry "but also about building your magical storage and your team unity" his eyes then flicked to Hermione and Marianna "but I see you have girls on your teams who will slow you down somewhat"
Marianna gave an indignant shriek and took to glaring evilly towards the teacher while Hermione in contrast looked down in embarrassment.
"Still let's see what you can do
For the rest of the lesson they were put under much abuse Neville was in tears by the end having the teacher tell him that he was a disappointment and that he would order the elves to put him under a strict diet. He then had growled at the other boys for not ensuring that their team members could keep up with them throughout the exercise to which Neville was subjected to further abuse from Draco. But despite all this it seemed that the girls had must more unnecessary abuse hurled at them Marianna who was not all that worst than the boys (certainly Neville) had been yelled at for not being appropriately more feminine like Hermione who definitely had no stamina when it came to fitness. All in all Harry came to conclude that this subject would definitely be their worst.
The rest of the week passed by much quicker than any of them could anticipate and it became obvious how very different they all were. While mostly everyone found history of magic boring Ron seemed to thrive on learning about ancient battle strategies that had been used in previous wars or simple missions used by the law enforcement. The instructor for this was an old goblin by the name Griptre who had been involved in the goblin war back in the earlier 1200. After their defeat over the trolls Griptre unlike most goblins's who now work in the wizarding bank was contacted by the unspeakables and offered a position teaching and learning about battle strategies.
In contrast Draco who was the least patient seemed to excel at potions which was odd considering such a subject required such traits as precision and patience the two thing his team mates would never had associated with him. The teacher for this was a young female ghost who had been experimenting with potions on herself and found that mixing basta root and grunick powder was a lethal combination.
Harry himself seemed to excel at defence against the dark arts, while Marianna took charms and Hermione transfiguration. Unfortunately Neville seemed to be bad at all the lessons they had taken thus far and as a result the team suffered. They all had to tutor Neville on top of doing there own homework and catch him up to their on level, but the more that Neville was taught the worse he got, he was so nervous during his time with Draco that he had still not succeeded in making any advancements in the subject of potions.
"This is ridiculous" said Draco as he dumped his bag on the floor in their shared common room "we're the laughing stock of the whole place"
"You're exaggerating" said Hermione who was doing her homework at the small round table
Ron who had come in with Draco dropped all the food they had collected on a small table "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but his right we are" he took out a piece of paper from his bag and handed it to Harry
Harry's eyes flicked across the page "we're blacklisted" he said in disbelief as he handed of the paper "we're official the worst group in the whole place"
Hermione chewed her lip in a nervous gesture "what do you thin Tonks will make of this"
Marianna looked over the sheet "this is the current weekly ranking of all groups"
"Yeah and guess who's last" said Ron as he began to eat
"Has everyone seen this" asked Hermione
Draco rolled his eyes "Yeah, why'd you think we're the laughing stock?"
"Has Neville seen this" asked Marianna
Between mouthfuls Ron was able to answer "It's pretty hard to miss"
"This question is what are we going to do about this" said Draco as he waved the paper "it's not like we can bump him of"
"Draco" yelled the group
"What!"
"Neville is just going to have to get better"
"We've been here for two weeks and he still hasn't picked anything up, he can't fly and he turns almost as red faced a Weasley over there in mental prowess I mean even the mud-muggle born is doing better"
Hermione cast him a dirty look "you could try and be nicer"
"What good is that going to do?"
Harry stood "he just needs a bit of confidence"
"So what you're saying is that we should lie be deceitful and lure him into a false sense of security in hopes that this reverse psychology will work on his thick head" translated Draco
Harry shook his head "no we should just make him think that his better than he is in hopes that he will start to believe it"
"Isn't that just what Draco said" said Marianna while Draco threw a smirk over toward Harry who sighed in response
"Yes fine"
"Well that I'm willing to do"
Hermione looked over in disgust "trust you to enjoy something so deceitful"
"It was wonder boy's suggestion"
"So this is officially operation deceitful" said Ron as he began pacing the room in militant style
"Oh for the love of Merlin, this is not the bleeding battle of fort Lawdadale we are undertaking, it's tricking a 12 year old boy" snapped Draco
"Can't you be nice for just one moment" asked Hermione
"Haven't we gone through this all ready?"
"Neville's coming" hissed Marianna
"Hey guys" said Neville as he walked into the common room his whole presence defeated
"Hey Nev mate" Ron moved to his side and swung a cheerful arm over his shoulder "how are you?"
"Well I guess you've seen the list"
"What list?" said Hermione as she began shuffling her papers "oh Nev could you help me with this" she waved a book in front of her face
Neville looked around "me?"
Hemione's head bobbed up and down "yes yes you" she pulled him over "You see I can't seem to get this wand movement down" she showed him the book while over his head indicating to Harry "so do you think you can help"
Neville looked around the room suspiciously "but Marianna better at charms"
Marianna who was lounging on a chair looked up suddenly her eyes wide "me? Well I couldn't even do that"
"I suppose" the others nodded eagerly "sure I'll try" he held out his wand already in the wrong position and Harry jogged his hand up an inch higher into the right movement. Neville gave a practice whish and then muttered the incantation. A light shot out of his wand and lit Hermione papers on fire.
After putting it out Hermione encourage him to try again and with a defeated sigh he tried again, unbeknown to him Marianne had moved behind him and was muttering the same spell towards Hermione's papers. The writing on Hermione paper began to move and correct themselves.
"Oh you did it Neville" said Hermione
Neville blinked in shock.
And so the games began.
In potions when the teacher and Neville weren't looking they would throw Neville's potions out and substitute it with some of Draco's. In charms and transfiguration the same would happen. One month later it was time for their monthly review.
"How many times did it take you to change the pin thingy" asked Ron as he munched on some crisp
"One" said Hermione as she read over her book "you"
Ron coughed and muttered something that sounded like 3, but before Hermione could respond Neville came in.
"Nev" said Ron "how'd it go"
"Well" said Neville "I did it on my second time"
"No bloody way" shouted Ron and then looked embarrassed "sorry"
"My hand was shaking but I did it I think the examiner was more shocked than me" he laughed as he sat down "I did it"
"We'll let's have a party" was Draco's sarcastic respond
"Do you think we can" said Marianna "it's the weekend and before we find out our ranking we should celebrate"
"What in case we find out that we still suck"
Harry rolled his eyes at Draco and then turned to Marianna "I think it's a great idea"
"I'll get the food" began Ron as he got up
Hermione began packing up her books "I better go too or all we'll be eating is chocolate frogs and sherbet lemons" she scurried of after him
"Should we invite some of the other students" asked Marianna
"Why?"
Harry turned to Draco "you don't like people do you?"
Draco shrugged "not when most of them are beneath me, no"
Harry narrowed his eyes "you're an arrogant git aren't you"
"So I've been told" replied Draco as he raised his brow in challenge
Marianna quick moved in between the boy and yanked Draco up by his shirt "come on lets go invite people"
"Oi this shirt cost a lot of money"
"Yeah will I'll buy you another one" she replied dryly "now you and Neville" she began turning to Harry "move the furniture back and find some means of having music"
"I'm not coming with you" Draco protested and made to sit down
"I'll let you be a right git to a couple of people or would you rather stay with these two"
Draco shuddered "let's go, I'm sure there are some poor people that need to be reminded about their position"
Marianna shook her head and rolled her eyes over toward Harry "Draco" she began as she followed him out the room "there is so much I need to teach you"
Harry watched them go and Neville watched him watch them. "It's funning how we're already like a family" began Neville
"What do you mean" asked Harry as he began looking through a book to find a spell to move back the couches.
"Well I've always thought of Hermione as the mom who's always tell you what to, and Ron as the dad because his kinda protective and Hermione always scowls him the most"
"And us"
"Well you and Draco are like brothers" Harry blanched "you're the older one who always taking control of the situation, your brave and spirited. Draco's more sarcastic, bold free-spirited like a younger brother"
Harry snorted "you mean mean-spirited. You're a little afraid of him"
Neville made a little motion with his body "a little. Then there's Marianna she's like the middle child who mediates between everyone" he blushed "she's kind" he then noted Harry looking at him and gave an embarrassed smile "well I've never really had a family but that what I imagine it's like"
"You forgot yourself"
His voice was quiet "I know. I guess I don't know where I fit in I feel like a stranger"
"Nah you defiantly a brother a much younger brother" he gave an easy grin "I don't think I could cope with just Draco"
Neville coloured again and they both got back to work when Neville finally said "thanks"
so that's it... where am i going with this well hopefully somewhere!!!
Any who review now!!!