Harry's Pack
Author's Note: This chapter is a bit shorter than the previous one, and my apologies for that, but I've got something special coming up next. Something super special!
Chapter Four: The Truth Is Out
Remus watched as Harry's eyes swept over the letter, praying that he understand and remain calm. The moment Harry finally looked up from the pages he was holding, his hands shaking slightly, a large chunk of Remus' hope evaporated.
"Alright," Harry said slowly, hanging on to his restraint with desperation. "Let's try to get through all of this one explanation at a time. Question number one, what's an unbreakable vow?"
Remus took a deep breath. "An unbreakable vow is a magically bolstered promise that is tied to your life. If an unbreakable vow is ever broken, your life is taken as payment."
Harry nodded slowly. "So you didn't tell me any of this before now because if you broke your vow you would die?"
Remus nodded. "Correct. I would have died and you would have been in far more danger than you have been in for most of your life, Harry."
Harry took a deep breath. "Next question. What's so different and special about born werewolves? What's the difference between born and bitten?"
Remus smiled ever so slightly. "The biggest differences are abilities in all honesty. Born werewolves have two forms that they can change into when they transform. We typically call them the true wolf and the in-between. Whichever form you take depends on your own mental and emotional state. Anger, fear, a desperate need to protect someone or something will usually result in the in-between, when your body is a mixture of man and wolf. If you're more relaxed, excited in a good way, happy, or just blank for the most part, you'll be a rather large wolf." Harry nodded and gestured for Remus to continue with his explanation. "Another perk of being born a werewolf is that you will have complete control over your mind and actions as a wolf when you transform. You'll mostly just be further influenced to act as a wolf when the moon forces your change." Remus paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "I recently gained control without taking the Wolfsbane potion, but it took a great deal of concentration, time, energy, and trust in myself. You don't need any of that, you're simply gifted with total control."
Harry briefly smiled. "Okay, why haven't I transformed yet?" He asked.
"Born werewolves don't transform until the first full moon after their fifteenth birthdays. By fifteen puberty has begun and the body is more susceptible to change and adjusts easier. Although I must admit that I thought your change may come early.
Harry cocked his head to the side, much like a confused dog would. "Why is that?"
Sirius barked out amused laughter, drawing Harry's attention. "Think about it for a minute pup, would you say you've been angrier this summer, more aggressive lately than you've ever been before?"
Harry reluctantly nodded, knowing that he'd already sent them both several letters talking about how angry he felt on a regular basis. They already knew, there was no point in denying it. "Well yeah, but I don't see how or why that matters. I figured the aggression was there because I was angry over last year and being kept in the dark this summer."
That got Sirius laughing again, which led to Remus knocking Padfoot's chair over, sending the animagus toppling onto the floor. "Bad padfoot, no biscuit…" He said with a smirk and winked at Harry. Harry couldn't help smiling back at Remus. "It makes a lot of sense for you to come to the conclusion you came to, Harry. You have every reason to be enraged beyond comprehension over everything that has happened recently, but the aggression you have been dealing with really is because of your werewolf genetics. Your inner wolf is waking up, and it's behavior is usually a manifestation of everything we keep locked up. You may be a sass master with a legitimate attitude and admirably clever sarcasm, but you typically avoid looking for an unnecessary fight. I can't say that's true now, can I?" Harry shook his head. "Exactly. There are a few other obvious signs…" He admitted.
Sirius, having just finished setting his chair back up and re-seating himself, grinned. "Yeah, that's a great way to try skirting around the fun part." He turned to Harry. "Pup, did you start exercising regularly, or did you just wake up muscly?" He asked.
Harry gulped. "I haven't exactly… I don't… I didn't… Is there anything else I should know?!" He cried, feeling weird and vulnerable and extremely frustrated.
"Yeah," Sirius began. "You unconsciously claimed Hermione as your mate, Moony and I both approve of the choice you made. Congrats."
Harry's jaw hit the floor. Moony's face was in his hands, and Sirius ended up back on the floor, this time from his own laughter knocking the chair over rather than having Remus shoving the chair backwards again. "What's that supposed to mean?!" Harry shouted.
Remus sighed. "Please stay calm Harry. When I first met you and Hermione on the train in your third year, I sensed a bond between the two of you that was very similar to the one I shared with your mother. Some time before your third year at Hogwarts your inner wolf woke up long enough to lay down the beginnings of a claim on Hermione."
Harry was shaking. "Claimed her as a mate? Why would I have done that, and how the hell could I have done something I don't remember or understand?"
Remus shrugged. "It's an instinct son, we have very little control over it, and just because you don't know what you did doesn't mean you didn't do it. Think of a time when you felt so protective of Hermione you thought it would kill you to lose her."
Harry gulped as a memory overtook him. "Second year… she was petrified… the first time I visited her without Ron, I just, I got this strange feeling… I don't know how to describe it…"
Remus nodded. "Your inner wolf must have taken over for a moment, seen her, searched your memories of and emotions for her, and chosen her to be your mate."
"And what does that mean for me? What am I expected to do with that information?" Harry asked.
"Tell Hermione you like her, start dating her, most likely end up married to her in the future."
Harry shook his head at his… father's… words. "I can't do any of that!" He insisted. "She doesn't like me that way! Hermione would instantly reject me!" Sirius made a move to tell Harry he was wrong but Remus shook his head at the animagus. "Besides, what if I scared her off just telling her that apparently I'm a bloody werewolf?!" Harry's question was met with awkward silence. "She… she already knows, doesn't she?"
Remus nodded slowly. "She heard Sirius and I talking about it and insisted that we help her become and animagus so you wouldn't be alone during the full moon. Miss Granger truly is the brightest witch of her age. What took my friends three years to accomplish has taken two months for her so far. I think she'll be finished with the process shortly after the two of you return to Hogwarts, if not sooner."
"How am I supposed to deal with this? What do the two of you expect from me now?" Harry asked with a sigh.
"All I expect is for you to let me teach you how to thrive as a werewolf and to forgive my reluctant silence. I truly had no choice in the matter, son," Remus insisted.
Harry shrugged and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I'm not angry," he admitted softly. "And I really do understand, but my entire life just got turned completely upside down. For my entire life my parents have been dead. Ever since I entered wizarding society I've just been a wizard. Now, in the span of an hour I've discovered a secret third parent, learned that I'm a special type of werewolf, and apparently twelve year old me picked the last girl that would ever want to be with me to be my mate. No offense intended, but you'd better give me time and space or someone is going to be in a lot of pain."
Remus sighed. "Harry," he said softly. "If it helps, Hermione doesn't know that you've claimed her, and you do not have to tell her immediately.
Harry blinked, his face almost blank. "Wow, what a wonderful thing to hear," he said, his tone think with his famous sarcasm. "If you don't mind, I'm gonna go celebrate that amazing news alone in my room!" Before Remus or Sirius could say anything more, Harry launched himself out of the dining room and all the way up the stairs to his room.
Remus sighed with his head in his hands. "Why did I ever make that bloody vow?" He whined. "I should have said no. I should have taken him from the Dursleys' when he was a baby and raised him myself. I should have told him the truth from the start! He should have grown up knowing what would happen after he turned fifteen."
Padfoot walked up to Remus and put a hand on the werewolf's shoulder. "He's not angry Moony, I can tell you for sure that he wasn't lying about that. He understands and he isn't tossing around blame or anything else like that. The problem he's facing is adjustment. Every time Harry turns around he finds out something new that shatters everything he was led to believe. This time there was a lot more to digest than he's used to and it contradicted damn near everything he has experienced in his life."
Remus nodded. "How long do you think it will take for him to adjust? He doesn't have long before his first transformation."
Sirius shrugged. "There's no way to know for sure, but if we approach him too soon, or maybe even before he approaches us, it will probably take him much longer."
As Harry shut his door behind himself, he was surprised to see Hermione sitting on top of his desk. "What are you doing in my room, Hermione?" He asked of her, unable to hold back his frustration influenced tone.
Hermione leaned forward and slid off the desk, her feet hitting the ground and holding her up with no issue. Harry did his best to stay focused, but he couldn't help thinking the way that she slid off his desk and walked toward him made her look more sensual than all of his fantasies combined. "I wanted to apologize," she admitted softly, finally coming to a stop only a couple steps away from Harry.
Harry's hands were shaking a bit so he hid them in his pockets. "Apologize for what?" He asked, his frustration gone, at the very least from his voice.
Hermione took a deep breath. "I have had several opportunities to tell you what Remus finally told you tonight, and I didn't." Harry nodded slowly and opened his mouth to speak, only to be met with Hermione's lifted hand, politely demanding silence. "I do not regret my silence strictly because it was not my secret to tell, but it would be wrong of me to not acknowledge that it was unfair for you to have been kept in the dark for so long."
Harry nodded again. "Thank you Hermione," he began and gazed deeply into her eyes. "But there's no need to apologize. For once, I'm not angry, I just need a little time by myself."
Hermione bit her lip and nodded ever so slightly before bowing her head. "Please don't hide away for very long Harry. I've missed you terribly, especially since I began the animagus training."
Harry's eyes shifted from emerald green to bright, glowing gold and he growled lowly. Hermione looked up into his eyes and gasped in surprise at the unexpected change in color. "H-Harry?" She gasped and his hands were suddenly on her waist. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.
Harry nodded slowly. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked.
"Of course not!" Hermione nearly breathed the words and lunged forward to hug him.
Harry inhaled her scent as he held Hermione against him. He growled again at the pleasant smells of vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and old books emanating from the lovely brunette in his arms. "You smell beautiful, Hermione." Hermione blushed at the compliment and relaxed completely in his arms. "Stay with me? Please?"
"You said you needed time alone, Harry."
"Starting in the morning. I don't want to be alone tonight Mione, and right now I want to hold you."
Hermione nodded slowly and began to let go of Harry. "It's a good thing I want to be held tonight." She smiled softly at him. "You should probably get comfortable, Harry." As she crawled under the blankets and sheets on Harry's bed, Harry slid his jeans off and kicked off his shoes before sliding in next to Hermione and wrapping his arms around her.
Though Hermione would not admit it aloud, she has never felt more comfortable, and had never felt more right than she did in that moment, curled up with her best friend. Harry held his tongue, wanting to tell Hermione how badly he wanted to be with her, but too afraid to vocalize his desires. Yet despite their secret feelings for one another, they both drifted off to sleep in mere minutes as they were too comfortable to resist as sleep overtook them.
