- Chapter Two: Fire in the Blood -
Two agonizing weeks had left Harry's nerves fried. He needed to get our of the bunker, but at the same time he couldn't leave his mother. She still hadn't regained consciousness, but the transformation was at least over. Now all he could do was wait, and if it had been just him and Mr Lupin, he might have been fine with it. But now with twenty some odd people constantly moving around the place, all he could do was wait… and continue to go stir crazy.
He heard footsteps coming down the corridor, reaching out he instantly recognized it as Lupin. Several taps and a muttered incantation later the door opened and let Remus inside the room. Harry froze him on the spot with his gaze, "Lupin… I need to know if I can trust you." Remus's response was to cock an eyebrow. Harry sighed, "What I mean to say is that I need to be absolutely certain that I can trust you with my mother's life."
"Harry, you know that you can trust me."
He sent a withering glare at Remus. "I don't know anything Lupin. You were her friend once, but twenty years can change a man. You've kept the secret that we're here well enough, but I have to be certain…" he paused, "I'm sorry about this."
Before Remus could react he was pinned to the wall and he felt fangs sink into his shoulder. He let out a startled grunt and tried to force the youth off of him, but Harry proved that he was absolutely stronger that his elder. For a moment, Remus thought that this was the end. That he had been fooled all along and the moment he let his guard down had killed him. He wouldn't see Sirius again, or Moody, or Dumbledore, or Tonks… and then he was sliding down the wall and Harry… Remus Lupin couldn't react to what he saw. He was still in shock after the attack, but he now understood completely. Harry wasn't a therianthrope…
"Now, I'm going to leave you to guard my mother. I'm going to be gone for a while. If I find anything wrong when I get back… you will wish that I killed you." There was a flicker of power, the air around Harry shimmered and he was simply gone. Remus Lupin continued to stare at the empty space that his long dead friend's son had occupied. He was trapped now… turning to stare up at Lily he asked his question, but knew he wouldn't get an answer. "Lily… you've just brought a monster into war zone where he can feed freely… what were you thinking?"
- Warrior: En Garde -
The evening air was a soothing balm to his unsteady nerves. He let his legs take him where they may, in an effort to burn off the weeks of nervous energy he had pent up. After running nonstop for several hours, with the moon beginning to rise, Harry Potter felt calm enough to begin the next ritual of his life. His blood sang with triumph at being released, his warring natures finally finding their balance again in the hunt. He let his power wash through him, and felt his skin shift yet again, his muscles and bones took on the familiar churning sensations that he had become so accustomed to.
Several hours later he had yet to find prey that was would satisfy his Beast's desire. The Beast desired worthy prey… and worthy prey was few and far between here in the Isles. As his inner natures warred, each tried to convince the other. The Beast wanted to hunt regardless of what others would think, let a wizard be their prey. Let the weak be culled and the strong feast. Harry on the other hand staunchly refused, and continued to try to cajole the Beast to find less sordid prey. Sate itself on lesser prey for now, and wait to savor the hunt that would soon begin. And all the while, his Spirit acted as mediator.
As his natures continued to war, reaching a boiling point, the air shifted. He felt the magic ripple across the hills… wizards… eight of them had just appeared. Then another twelve. And then magic began to fill the air… a fight. He ran, the air distorting around him as he opened a Way to get close. Seven strides, distortion. Seven more, distortion. He quickly homed in and found himself atop a rocky outcropping overlooking a scene that made his blood sing for battle.
Several figures were crouched down behind rocks against the outcropping below. They were trading spell fire with a dozen figures dressed in black. Even at this distance he could hear the ones below him over the din of battle. Children, mewling pitiful cubs, unable to defend themselves. And then all of him was in agreement. No one preyed on the young while he could help it. And with that he gathered his power, changed his skin again, and leapt, opening a Way.
Vincent Crabbe was having an absolutely wonderful day. He had been selected by the Dark Lord to lead a raid with the junior Death Eaters. He had a gorgeous wife, a son on the way, and to top it all off he was on the fast track to being a department head at the ministry. Life was good. The air in front of distorted with a ripple and a furry muzzle clamped down on his throat, claws cut into his shoulders, and he felt his windpipe give a sickening pop and then he couldn't breath. The last thing he saw, were silted golden eyes that burned with rage.
Like a shot Harry was off into the grass, his black pelt was perfect camouflage. Another black figure ahead, he bolted by and his jaws snapped out, catching the assailant unawares. Fangs sunk into the flesh just behind the ankle, and he clamped down and wrenched the flesh away. The satisfying snap of hamstringing his opponent was music to his ears driving him to inflict more pain on his prey. His third target spun and lashed out a curse at him, but it was simply to slow. He bolted past, his claws raked the woman's thigh and the satisfying sensation of his claws meeting bone let him know that she would be dead in less than two minutes.
By now, the Death Eaters were panicking. Spells flew in several directions, each of the junior members trying to strike the unknown assailant in their midst. The figures who had been taking shelter among the rocks took the opportunity. "GO! FOLLOW THE TRAIL! GET INSIDE THE WARDS!"
One of the figures in black turned at the words and began to utter a curse… then his hand was on fire. Two fingers and his wand were missing and he cried out in pain and shock. He fumbled for the portkey that would get him to safety, only for his leg to be taken out from under him as he flipped end over end and rolled through the grass. Oberon simply lay there, shock setting in as he stared up at the starts. Was this how it was going to end? Bleeding to death in some field in the middle of nowhere? When he came back to his senses he realized that the field was silent. He reached for the portkey, only for something heave to smash down on his hand, mere inches away from his escape.
A massive paw rested on his hand, pushing it down into his chest and causing his ribs to ache. A massive jungle cat, was perched atop him and stared down at him with hungry eyes. For the first time in his life, Oberon stared at something so much stronger than him, something that could easily stamp out his life. And he wasn't afraid. He had only just graduated from Hogwarts, and spent his school years in Slytherin. Coming out of school he had almost no prospects. He wasn't exceptionally smart, nor did he have well connected friends. His mother and father had died shortly before his graduation, and with almost nothing to his name beyond being 'pure blooded', he took the only opportunity available. The Dark Lord scared him… but what else did he have?
Then he realized that something had retreated from his mind… a presence that wasn't his own, and he shuddered. This creature could get inside his head! It had just rummaged through his thoughts! And then the presence was there again, only this time it spoke, 'Leave. You will find Remus Lupin. You will tell him what you did here tonight. And he will make use of you. If I ever catch you hunting cubs again… I will take more than your digits.' And then the great cat was off into the grass and vanishing into the night. Leaving Oberon to lay in the grass and stare up at the stars.
- Warrior: En Garde -
'Everything hurts.' Were the first thoughts in Lily's mind when she finally regained consciousness. Turning her head to the left and right, she surveyed the room, trying to get her bearings. Grey stone… maybe concrete? A metal door wide enough for two people to slip through, and rune etched. She couldn't remember where she was. The last thing she remembered was… the castle. And then it all came rushing back. Her betrayal, the flight from the castle, and the portkey to England. The pain. No wonder everything hurt. She looked around the room and couldn't locate her son. Where was he? He wouldn't leave her alone like this.
She pulled back the sheets and swung her legs off the bed and climbed to her feet. The floor was cool to the touch, and she resisted the urge to shiver. She ran her hand up to smooth her hair back, only to find something else. Running her hand over he head, she had bony spines and ridges that ran the length of her skull, which now seemed distorted and inhuman. Looking down at herself for the first time, she realized that she only looked vaguely human anymore. Scaly skin ran the length of her body. Then she realized. 'Really? A thousand thousand forms for my magic to choose under the influence of a curse, and I'm most like a dragon? If I ever lay eyes on another fey, it will be too soon.'
She was interrupted from her musings by the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor outside the door. Instinct seized her, and she sought purchase digging her claws into the wall she drug herself onto the walls above the door. And then froze. 'What am I doing?' she thought. The door opened and a man with graying brown hair stepped in and looking around the room let loose a gasp. "Shit. Where did she go?" She didn't give him time to wonder. Someone had found them, and obviously subdued Harry or forced him to flee. She dove into his back and pinned him to the ground.
"Who are you? How did you find us?"
"Not this again!"
"Better hurry up, or I'll tear out your throat."
"At least Harry had the decency to just want to break my back! Lily, it's Remus!"
Lilly froze. Remus? No… it was an imposter. "What was the gift you gave me when I told you all that I was pregnant?"
"A book joke book that detailed how to child train your husband. I wrote, 'Because someone has to do it, and if you can't then there's no hope for him'."
She climbed off of his back and let him right himself. "Remus… what… how…"
Brushing himself off, he pulled her into an embrace. "Lily, you have no idea how good it is to see you."
"How did you find us?" He chuckled.
"To be more accurate, we both just stumbled across each other. I helped build this place, after the war ended the last time. Just a case of bad timing, I came out to make sure the place was set up for someone who needed the space to work. Then Harry pinned me to the floor and threatened to break my spine one vertebra at a time."
Pushing away from her former friend, Lily too the chance to examine him a bit more closely. His cloths were shabby, and looked second hand. His hair was turning gray, and his sported several scars that she didn't remember. But overall, he didn't look all that bad off for twenty years of wear and tear. Then she realized that she wasn't wearing any cloths. Reaching back she snagged the sheet off the bed and quickly wrapped herself in it. Remus seemed to realize the same thing and turned away.
"So… Harry tells me you you've been hiding out in the Americas?"
Lily couldn't help the glare that she new she was sporting. "Yes. Where is he?"
Remus fidgeted, and seemed to ignore the question. "Remus." She warned.
"He left last night. He needed to get out of here, you've been unconscious for two weeks. He hadn't left your side for more than five minutes in that time. Lily… why did you bring him here."
"He's tied by prophecy Remus. Couldn't stop him even if I wanted to."
"Well it is hard to stop a creature classified as six X by every ministry in the world."
Lily froze in place, and stared hard at Remus. "Turn around and look me in the eye Remus." He did exactly that, and his eyes were searching, looking for something on her features or in her eyes that showed that she felt any remorse for what she had done. He found nothing of the sort.
"Lily. You just brought the most dangerous creature in wizarding history into an active war zone! It feeds on the dead and dieing, and grows stronger as a result! It took the effort of not just the Wizarding World but the Fey Courts and the Vampire Courts to destroy the last one! Roanoke Lily! Almost three thousand people gave their lives to stop that monster… and you just let one loose here!" Her gaze was absolutely murderous.
"He's my son Remus. And he's the only one who can kill Voldemort."
"Bollocks that! We'd be trading one monster for another! You have to get him out of here!"
"Alright… the second I can force him to leave I will." The look on his face told him all he needed to know. "You came to keep him under control."
"Now there's the man who knew how to think. As long as he knows I'm here, he'll fight tooth and nail not to disappoint me. He'll avoid needless killing, because if I find out he'll know that I would be disappointed in him. You can't control someone like him through force Remus… you have to twist him up emotionally."
He stared at her like she had grown a second head. "That sounds… Lily… that horrible. That emotional abuse at such extremes… it's little better than Voldemort."
"I didn't say that I was any better than that monster. I've done horrible things to keep my son under control Remus. I've sacrificed more than you could possibly know." Gesturing down at herself, "I've even given up my humanity to keep him in line. And I will do anything it takes to make sure that he stays that way." Her gaze didn't falter, and Remus was treated to a sight he had never seen before. Lily Potter's eyes were no longer green… they were a deep blood red.
- Warrior: En Garde -
The sounds of birds singing and the hot sun bearing down on him finally roused Harry Potter from his sleep. Grumbling, he yawned and stretched his body, working the kinks out from the previous night. His blood had calmed down to a more manageable level with the nights excursion, and he was glad for the respite. But now that he got a good look around, he realized that he didn't exactly know where he was anymore. Letting out a huff, he let the change ripple across him once again. But he couldn't quite seem to settle himself. Cursing he redoubled his efforts and managed to change back to his natural human self… except for his eyes. His eyes were still stuck. Letting out a sigh, he simply decided to deal with it for the moment, and conjured a pair of sunglasses to cover his eyes and block out the overly bright summer sun. With his eyes hidden, and his vision no longer so bleached that he could barely make out his nose, he strode off through the orchard that had been his sleeping place for the night.
It didn't take him long to hear both cries of joy and moans of displeasure. Trying to put on his most friendly face, he exited the stand of trees to find several children perched atop brooms flying around what appeared to be a makeshift quidditch pitch. In the near distance, Harry could clearly make out a house that looked like an assorted mishmash of different houses cobbled together and rising several stories into the air, all of it looking as though it was held up only by some miracle of magical ingenuity.
Leaning up against the nearest tree, he surveyed the faces of those aloft. Several had the same shocking red hair and pale freckled completion, and the others were a scattered bunch. However, he recognized several voices from the previous night's combat. Most of them were young, not old enough to be of age if he remembered correctly. However he was brought out of his musings as one of the children missed a pass and the off-red all came soaring his way.
He calmly walked forward, caught the ball and using its momentum and slung it right back to the group. Several gasped in shock and seemed clearly impressed by the action. However he needed answers, not play time. "Would one of you mind coming down for a quick chat?!" He shouted. The reaction wasn't one he expected, as the entire group came down to apparently greet the stranger.
One of the red haired men landed first and stuck out a hand. "Ron Weasley."
"James Evens." He reached in and gripped the man's forearm in a warriors greeting. "Well, what brings you out this way James?" The man had an uneasy look on his face.
"Well it seems that I've lost my way, got all turned around last night and passed out in an orchard. Just trying to find out where I ended up, and get back into contact with my host."
Ron smiled at him, but Harry could see the unease behind it. He was hesitating… and then Harry realized that one of the red haired men from before wasn't among them. "Ron… you don't mind if I call you Ron do you?"
"Can't say that I would mind all that much."
"Where'd your brother get off to?" Ron Weasley's face blanched, and Harry realized that he wasn't a very good liar, and neither was he good at hiding his feelings. Stepping back he made to disengage himself from the group. "Alright, I can see I'm not welcome here. I'll just be on my way."
A gruff voice from the previous evening interrupted his retreat. "Move one more muscle and I'll make sure it's the last move you make." Turning, Harry was treated to the sight off a man with a face that looked it had been poorly carved from an old half rotted stump. Gray hair framed his face, and his eyes didn't match. And as Harry watched, his right eye began to spin about, independent of his left.
Harry didn't even react to the threat, staring the man down. After several seconds of awkward silence Harry spoke. "Good job last night leading the cubs away from the fighting. Wouldn't have gone as smoothly if I had to watch out for them and myself."
"Didn't see you last night, and your not one of ours. Leaves only Death Eaters about. Roll up your sleeves, nice and slow." Harry couldn't help a smirk.
"Oh, like this?" and he flourished his arms and his sleeves rolled themselves up to reveal smooth skin. "Didn't know we were doing a magical aptitude test. Perhaps I should…" and with a flick of his wrist the air in his hand distorted and he held an apple. "There we go, haven't even had breakfast yet." He took a nice sized bight out of the apple and forced himself to swallow. While the older man didn't look the least bit impressed with his flippant attitude, the children seemed shocked and amazed.
"How'd ya do that?" One finally asked. Harry grinned back.
"Which part? The sleeves or the apple? Doesn't matter, its all the same." He looked left and then right, and using his best stage whisper spoke, "It's magic. But don't tell the neighbors. Once it gets out, everyone wants you doing tricks at their kids birthday parties, making purses with endless gold, or brewing up love potions."
"STOP TALKING!" The gruff man shouted over everything. Harry glared at the man, only to realize that his sunglasses likely made the gesture impossible for the man to see. "You boy, are going to stand there nice and quiet. Weasley, take your charges back to the house."
Continuing to force himself to eat the apple, no matter how much he just wanted to spit out what he had eaten already and throw the fruit away, Harry maintained his calm exterior even as his mine began to spin. "What's your name, or should I just call you Brother Gruff?" The grizzled man gave him a non-too friendly look.
"Alastor Moody, now who are you?"
"James Evens."
"Don't know anyone with the name Evens that's still around and kicking. So why don't you tell me you real name?" His voice dropped a few notches, and Harry was suddenly reminded of his old instructor Malgoth. He narrowed his eyes… he never liked Malgoth. "I don't like your tone. And I am telling you two of my four names. The others are irrelevant, and not ones I fancy answering to."
The old Auror's scowl deepened. "Full names boy! All of 'em! Or I'll see you carted off to Azkaban so fast," Harry didn't let him finish. Moody watched the air shimmer and suddenly the boy was standing even with him, his hand resting on his left shoulder with his arm draped across his upper chest just under his neck. Harry leaned in and whispered into Moody's ear. "I don't take kindly to threats. I'm just looking to contact Remus Lupin. Now, either get helping or get lost. I didn't tear into twelve people last night for you, I did it for the cubs over there," nodding to the group that was now frozen not five yards away, looking like they might bolt at the first sigh of conflict. "No one, and I mean no one, hurts cubs while I'm around to deal with it. Now, you going for the former or the latter of your options?"
Moody's electric blue eye spun to face him, and he let out grunt. "You say Lupin will vouch for you?"
"Don't know about vouch, but considering that I'm his guest at the moment, and I didn't plan to be out all night, I would really like to get back." Moody nodded.
"Fine, follow me. But any funny business." He warned. Harry gave him a look.
"As long as no one attacks me, I promise not to attack in return. Cross my heart."
The walk back to the Burrow could best be described as tense silence. Ron took up the lead, Harry right behind him, with Moody bringing up the real with the children. As Harry got closer however, he realized that there might be a problem with his promise. The air was absolutely saturated with magic, proving that the house was held together by the mystical energy. It made his skin crawl, and he had to suppress a feral growl. He stopped trying to collect himself, and he felt the whole group halt. "Why did you stop."
This time he couldn't suppress the growl. "A lot of magic in the air, I need a minute to collect myself. Or would you prefer that I lose control?" After getting his blood back under control, he started moving again, and the group continued its march. However, Harry was surprised that as he approached the magic began to thin out considerably. Then it dawned on him.
"Very clever… two sets of wards, an softer outer layer, and a much harder inner layer. Not bad. You make Gruff?" Moody prodded him in the back with his wand, "Not my forte. Keep moving. Kids, go to the sitting room, and you take a seat at the table." He couldn't start a fight, he had given his word. No violence, only threats so far, so he pulled out a chair at dining table and sat. Moody pulled out the one across from him and kept his want trained on him, as he took the seat. "Weasley, go floo Black and see if he can't get Lupin over here." Ron muttered in the affirmative and made off, leaving Harry with a wand pointed at him.
"So… how about a game of twenty questions to pass the time? I'll go first,"
"No. No games, we're gonna sit here quiet like until you get a pass or I get to hex ya unconscious."
"Well you are definitely starting to remind me of one of my old instructors."
"Good. They you'll treat me like you treated him." Harry quirked an eyebrow.
"You sure you want me to keep hitting you until I break your bones? I mean, Malgoth was made of stone… so I think it'll be easier with you." Moody didn't look amused.
"Made of stone…"
"Well yes. Fey do tend to come in all kind of strange forms." At this Moody's eyebrows shot up. "So, that's where you came from eh? The Americas."
"Just got into the country about two weeks ago."
"That's funny, haven't had any official travel from the Americas in the last few months."
"I don't need official travel to get here. International apparition isn't exactly safe for the average wizard, but portkeys do get intercepted along border lines. But you saw what I did out there. I can go anywhere, just so long as I know where I'm going."
"Moody! Put the wand down." Harry turned to see Remus standing in the doorway.
"Remus! Come to bail old James out? You're a sight for sore eyes!" Moody turned to look at Remus. "You know him?"
Remus nodded in the affirmative. "Yes, son of an old friend. Now put the wand away before you hurt someone." Moody didn't look amused, but slipped his wand back into the holster at his hip. Remus turned to look at Harry. "James, you said you were going to be back in a few hours! Your mother's worried sick."
"Things got a little complicated. Death Eaters attacked the cubs in the other room. Not letting people get away with that on my watch." Remus got a dark look on his face.
"Did you kill them?"
"Only four of 'em. Rest got away." Remus's look became piercing.
"How many?" Moody looked between the two, some sort of hidden communication was going on between them.
"Two. Couldn't get to one before he bled out, and the other disappeared off to die somewhere. Portkey I think. So, are we going back to where we were staying? Or are me and my mum moving on now that she's up and about?"
Moody kept a close eye on the boy. His flippant attitude was outrageous. 'Only killed four people! I should cart him off to Azkaban.' He thought.
"Don't be a sore loser Moody, just because I got four and you didn't get squat doesn't mean we can't go hunting again sometime." Moody froze. The boy was reading his mind. "You little shit!" Harry looked shocked.
"Fuck. Did I just…" Moody's wand was thrust into his face. "Alright, seems I did. Sorry bout that. Cant always keep my mind to myself."
"Legilimency! Didn't even sense it either! I'm going to cart you off!"
"Hey, I apologized. Besides, its not legilimency, its mind reading. Just sort of listened in on your surface thoughts. It a reflex action."
Moody thrust his wand even closer to the boy. "I'll have you locked up quicker than you can say constant vigilance boy!" Harry however didn't look amused.
"Remove your wand from my face, or I'll snap it and use the two pieces as nails to pin you to your cross." The look in his eyes was murderous, and Harry realized that he was loosing control. He was reacting to something… but what? Then it hit him. There was a scent in the air making his blood boil, and it was everywhere. He reached out and grabbed Lupin's arm. "I need to get out of here. Something in the air's not doing me a world of good." Lupin's eyes widened.
"Alright then. You good to take the floo?"
"Don't care how, just get me out of here."
Remus quickly ushered him out the door and into a sitting room. "Lovely to see you Alastor, I'll be sure to attend the meeting at headquarters later tonight." He pulled Harry towards the fireplace, tossed in a hand full of power and flames became emerald green. "Destination is Black Walk Road."
Harry nodded, stepped in and spoke. In a rush he was off, dozens of locations hearths zipped by, and he stumbled out of the fireplace in a small seemingly deserted cabin. Catching himself on a nearby table he gulped in air and tried to calm his blood. The Beast was raging to be let out, and it was taking all his effort to keep it from simply forcing him to act. It wanted to find the source of that scent. Its need was almost overwhelming. He didn't even realize that Lupin was there until rested his hand on his shoulder.
"Harry… are you alright?"
He didn't trust himself to speak, so he only shook his head.
"Should I go get Lily?"
He nodded, and forced out a few words. "Need… potion… hurry."
Remus didn't hesitate and disappeared with a soft pop, leaving Harry Potter to curl up in a ball on the floor, and bite down on his hand to keep his mind sharp. The pain would be fleeting and he couldn't afford to lose control. Not now.
AN: I'm trying to take a couple hours a day to devote to this. I still feel that I'm horribly rusty, and not doing this story justice.
I would like to thank the unnamed guest reviewer for your help. The only time I have to work on this is after I get home from work in the wee hours of the morning. As a result I don't always have the firmest grasp on my mind, and grammar spelling and sentence structure can all suffer as a result.
