Author's Note:
Can I just say, I was NOT expecting this kind of response so quickly to this story!
YAY! I'm glad you like it!
I'm 8k words in so far, and it's really the only fic I'm working on at the moment (I'm so so sorry, I know ya'll waiting for an update on the Deepest Hearts, I'm a jerk.)
Enjoy!
Remus returned a short while later, and instead of settling down with more tea, he walked to the locked cabinet in his room and pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey.
He took two glasses in hand, and when he returned to the sitting room, he handed one to Harry and promptly filled it up.
"Normally, I wouldn't condone a student drinking," he said, "But it's the weekend before the holiday and you're already an adult. Plus, you're probably going to want it."
He sat heavily in the armchair across from Harry and poured his own glass of the amber liquid.
"You should have learned about the hierarchy a long time ago." Remus began, "And when Sirius and I came into your life in your third year, we should've thought to take the time to teach you about it, to test you for it. We were remiss in our duties to you, and for that, I am terribly sorry."
"What is it?" Harry asked, "This hierarchy? The pureblood thing? Because I don't really give a rats arse about that."
"No." Remus said quickly, "It's not about that at all. Like I said earlier, usually parents do this, when their kids are quite young they'll test them for hierarchy blessings, and if they're present the child is raised to be aware of the blessing and the traits that come with it."
He sighed before continuing. "This is kept very private and quiet because there was a time when hierarchy blessed children were stolen from their beds, from schools, from hospitals even. Receiving the blessing is rare, and for some families with a blessed child, they'd do anything to ensure their child had what they needed when the blessing manifested, even if that meant kidnapping."
Harry was confused beyond belief. "I don't understand, Remus."
Remus gulped down another shot of the whiskey. "The hierarchy is a magical inheritance. Certain families receive it often. Like mine, that's why we have this book. It's a set of traits that are given to particularly powerful individuals, like yourself. I want to explain more, but I need to be sure. There's a quick diagnostic spell, can I cast it?"
Harry nodded his consent, feeling a bit unsure of the whole thing.
With a flick of his wrist, Remus pointed his wand at Harry, moving it in a sweeping motion across the length of his body. "Revelare Hereditiam" he incantated.
Harry felt the warmth of the diagnostic spell encase him, it almost felt as though it were seeping from his skin into his pores and down into his bloodstream. He could feel it in his body in a way he'd never experienced before.
He looked at Remus, who seemed more pale than usual.
"Well?" Harry asked.
Remus cleared his throat before speaking again. "The hierarchy is split into three tiers. Two are inheritance tiers. These are the powerful witches and wizards. The third tier are those without the blessing. Outwardly, there's no difference except maybe in stature as the inheritance shows in early adulthood."
"The first," he explained to Harry, "are the Alphas. Alphas are dominant witches and wizards, incredibly powerful and often persistent in their wants and desires. They are natural leaders, loyal, and highly protective of others they care about, especially their hierarchy partner. Alphas begin to show their inheritance traits usually between 17 and 20. They will grow several inches, develop thick muscle structure, and search more fervently for their hierarchy partner. It becomes their main priority quite quickly, actually."
"What is a hierarchy partner?" Harry asked, "YOu've mentioned it a few times."
"We'll get to that," Remus said, "But first you need to understand the second inheritance blessing. The Omegas. Omegas are the partner, the opposite, so to speak, of the Alpha. Omegas are equally powerful, usually quite intelligent, and tend to lead from the sidelines. They're warm, friendly, forgiving, and kind. They're generally quite small in stature. They come into their inheritance between 17 and 20 as well. When they do, they feel the effects more acutely. They'll feel heated, all the time. Like it's the middle of summer and they're standing under the hot sun. They will become... aroused. Quite frequently. That is part of the inheritance, they will have periods of time when they need to partner with an Alpha. Preferably as a hierarchy partner."
Harry still didn't understand. His confusion must've been evident on his face because Remus continued speaking.
"A hierarchy relationship is a must for either an Alpha or an Omega. Alphas must pair with Omegas, and Omegas must pair with Alphas. This is why these children were kidnapped so often in the past. A family would birth an Alpha, and do anything they could to ensure an Omega was available by the time the inheritance was complete. Without an Omega to complete their inheritance blessing, an Alpha would perish. The opposite is also true for Omegas. While both Alphas and Omegas are incredibly rare, Omegas are born at a rate of 1 to every 5 Alphas, so the danger for them is often much worse."
"So basically, an Alpha has to find an Omega by the time their 20, or they die?" Harry asked.
"It's not quite that simple." Remus sighed. "Inheritance pairings can't be forced. An Alpha has the unique ability to control Omegas. It can be simple things, like for example, the way Hermione responded to you in the library yesterday. Omegas instinctually listen to Alpha's because Alpha's usually act out of a desire to protect the Omega. But, some Alphas have tried to force Omegas into hierarchy pairings. It doesn't work and will kill both of them. A hierarchy pairing is unique, it's... special. A hierarchy partner is like a soulmate, Harry."
"Wait," Harry interrupted
"Let me finish," Remus continued sternly. "An Alpha and Omega pairing is more than just a regular relationship. It's deeper than dating, or marriage. It's an actual soul bond."
"So, I have this inheritance?" Harry asked Remus bluntly.
"You do," Remus said. "The diagnostic was very clear. You're an Alpha. I don't know why I didn't see it earlier. You are powerful. A leader. I should've seen it. And this year..."
"This year what?" Harry asked.
"Have you looked at yourself lately?" Remus laughed. "You're quite large."
Remus conjured a large mirror and gestured to Harry to stand.
In the mirror, Harry could see what Remus meant. He'd not noticed it himself either. His shirt was strained against his body, his pants were at least two inches too high.
"Well shit," Harry said quietly before sitting back down with a huff.
"So, Hermione then?" he asked Remus.
"An Omega, I'd bet," Remus answered, "She'll need to be tested. If she's experiencing the inheritance, she won't find much in the library. I'd never had thought she'd inherit."
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Well, because she's a muggleborn." Remus said, "And that has nothing to do with blood purity, so don't give me that look. The inheritance is passed through magical bloodlines. That's why families like mine have this book. I would be willing to bet she's got some magical ancestry, squib or otherwise because muggleborns with no magical familial tree can't inherit the blessings."
"Oh," Harry said blandly, not sure how else to respond. "So what now?"
"Now," Remus said, "You take this book and you read it. It will help you understand the changes coming your way. You're already coming into your inheritance blessing, and while I could just tell you all the details, I think you'll prefer reading about it, as it can get a bit... graphic. Read the book. Do not mention any of this to Hermione. Do not test the things you read in the book on Hermione or anyone else, male or female. You need to learn to control these traits. Other Alphas begin learning about their traits very early, you're obviously a bit behind."
Harry sighed, taking the book from Remus and tucking it into his bag.
"And Harry," Remus said, standing to escort Harry back to the hallway so he could return to his dormitory, "You should read it rather quickly. I think Hermione might need to borrow it as well. Once you're finished, I'll see to it that Minerva discusses this with her."