I am so freaking sorry that this took me so long! I also really, really, really want to thank Aidi for reviewing and that comment seriously made my day and it was a really bad one so thank you so so much for it and I wish I'd updated more quickly for you but here it is.

Somehow, Halstead had known that breakfast the following morning was to be a disaster. Whispers followed him in the halls, the gossip trembling in his sensitive ears like the beating hands on an animal skin war drum. His motions were antsy and suddenly, despite the surrounding werewolves and wizards alike, the world was entirely too quiet. Liam, the shy American werewolf who'd been turned just a few months before, stayed at his side down the halls, not trying to start a conversation but remaining a comforting presence in a sea of confusion and pain. The other wolf smelled of sadness and perhaps something deeper, a salty tang of grief and confusion.

It was early, perhaps five thirty in the morning yet the castle already seemed to be bustling with life. A group of Ravenclaw second years shrank back from the frowning pair of werewolves as they made their way to the library. Halstead couldn't find it in himself to blame them- he'd had no friends even before the whole world knew that he was a Wechsler. There'd never been any need- Halstead kept a written recount of his emotions throughout the day that he continued to log in every day. His mother, Lily Emsworth, had charmed the journal to always remain the same size but have an eternal amount of space and for only he to be able to open it.

Finally, as they approached the Great Hall, Liam broke the uncomfortable silence. "You alright, Halley?"

A slight shake of the head was all the answer Liam was to receive.

The other werewolf just hummed gently and didn't speak again as they entered the Great Hall, snarling slightly at a Slytherin who made some jeer at the pair. Both Crabbe and Goyle shrunk back at the sudden appearance of pointy teeth, looking as though they'd come in close contact with one of the ghosts. Yes. Werewolf, ghost. Same thing. The drawling voice of amusement in Halstead's head didn't help his mood, just reminded him of his sarcastic and drawling cousin Magnus. Alberta always remained a slightly more quiet and calm figure, though often freaked out over various television shows, the most recent being one about two brothers and an angel.

Liam rolled his eyes at the beefy pair of Slytherins, not seeming the least bit concerned for the towering fourth years as Halstead shrunk lower to the ground, tempted to shift into his wolf form to avoid the stares he was receiving.

"Head high, brother," Liam encouraged lightly as he glanced around the room, eyes quickly landing on a red-haired monstrosity sitting at the Gryffindor table between Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, the pair apparently needing something to keep them from kissing every other minute. They'd gotten together a few weeks before and were even more inseparable than they had been before. Halstead had actually thought that such a thing was impossible and having a certain Ron Weasley between them did seem to be preventing anything from happening. That actually made Halstead very happy as he had long since grown tired of listening to them in every hidden corner of the castle.

"Like that pig I think not."

Liam burst out into raucous laughter at his statement causing several more odd looks to be fired their way. "I see your point but mine still holds. Keep your head up and remember to retaliate but also act normal."

"Have you ever fallen into a black hole and gotten up?"

"Yes."

They were now just a few steps from the Gryffindors and Halstead slid onto the bench so that he was sitting across from Dean and Liam across from Ron. "Dean, Ron, Sheamus, this is Liam. Liam, these are my housemates."

Liam gave a slight bow with a grin that was just a little too large for it to be friendly. The fourteen year old wolf looked like a predator. Halstead was half expecting his eyes to flash their welcoming gold but they didn't, instead remaining their steadfast silvery-blue. Halstead felt his own eyes flash their own gold in greeting, his grin just as feral as the other wolf's.

Dean and Seamus exchanged a glance across Ron who just leant back as though preparing to kick his feet up onto the table and give his own feral grin. He didn't though just gazed at the pair of werewolves with a cold remorse that was reflected in his pale blue eyes. The challenge was far from intimidating- he blinked, once, twice, and all intimidation he could have conveyed was lost in the translation from human to wolf. Neither Liam nor Halstead blinked, silver and green eyes respectively gazing into Ron's watery own. Halstead's head was dipped lower to protect his throat whilst Liam left his open to attack, a clear difference between a pack animal and an omega.

In the end they were both pack animals, but one had a family surrounding him no more, just the full-hearted snarls of a half-defeated beast.

Halstead folded his hands neatly on the table and continued to gaze at the other Fourth years in silence.

Finally, Seamus spoke. "Pleasure to meet ya, Liam. Hey, how'd you become a werewolf?"

Liam's grin grew even bigger. "I fell off the hospital."

Ron choked on his most recent bite of toast and was left spluttering over the table with wide blue eyes staring at the werewolf in horror.

The green-eyed wolf at Liam's left burst into laughter. "What happened? You fall in a werewolf's puddle?"

"Nah, Scott caught me."

"With his teeth?"

"Yup."

From behind them, another voice snapped. "That's barbaric!" It was Hermione Granger, one of Halstead's least favourite members of his year. The know-it-all witch had no idea where her bounds lay nor that she did not know everything and didn't even seem to realize that most of her information was useless.

Liam offered a half-hearted shrug. "Better barbaric than dead."

With a snort of laughter, Halstead nodded in agreement.

"Well I suppose it's better you were bitten by one of those half breeds than born one of them," Ron drawled before snatching up his last bite of bacon.

A low snarl built in Halstead's throat and his eyes shifted from their usual green to a bright gold. Liam patted his back gently but joined in the snarling. Claws were growing into Halstead's palm and suddenly all he could think was that this lowly wizard had just insulted his ancestors to the point where it was simply unforgiveable. For the first time, Liam flashed his eyes.

There was a heavy flop on Liam's other side and Alpha McCall glanced at the pair of werewolves. "Oh God. Liam, eyes. What did they say!" Clearly flashy eyes were not a normal for the older wolf.

Reluctant, Liam's eyes returned to silver and he ducked his head shyly at the true alpha. With a sigh, Halstead tightened his fragile control and his eyes returned to green. He kept up a chorus of growls.

Alpha McCall sighed. "Okay, what'd they say."

Liam let out a snarl to punctuate the point. "Called Halley and his entire family half breeds."

"You, if I were allowed I would kill you myself. As it is, I'll leave these two to scare the crap out of you."

Halstead brightened, snarling at Ron.