Chapter 10
Severus waited beside the boundary lines of the protective shields. Harry sat beside him, pulling up blades of grass.
"It's cold tonight, isn't it?" Harry whispered. His body was rigid, eyes darting back towards the tent where his friends were.
"I will do everything in my power to keep them safe. Artemis has reassured me."
Harry nodded, looking up at the night sky. "Not long till Christmas now. How did you used to spend it?"
The distraction wasn't working. The itch upon his skin was slowly intensifying.
"At Hogwarts as a custodian for those who were staying, or at Spinners end, alone with my potions. You remained at Hogwarts did you not?" He ground his teeth against the pain that was beginning to creep on him. He breathed deeply through his nose, attempting to exhale the agony.
"Those were some of the best Christmas's I ever had. Before that I spent them alone, in my cupboard, wondering if it was going to snow."
"If I ever see your relatives I'm going to rip them apart," Severus snarled.
"And which of you would be speaking to me?" Harry tone was amused, ignoring the venom Severus's tone.
"Severus, just. Get away."
The moon peeked over the trees as Harry moved, the cold white light reflected in sympathetic eyes. A pain infused scream ripped from his throat, morphing into a howl. Bones broke, tendons lengthened. Claws burst from fleshy fingers tips, dark fur erupted upon his skin. Severus was ripped away from his mind, relinquishing control to the beast.
Keep him safe Artemis.
I will guard the pack, rest now.
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Harry couldn't help himself, he flung himself into the shaggy dark fur of the Werewolf, trying to make his arms meet around Artemis's neck.
"I've missed you!"
Harry laughed as his face was covered in raspy licks, delighted grumblings reverberating in the werewolf's chest. Harry pulled away, looking at the intense amber eyes. "I missed Severus too, but I haven't seen you in months." He reached round, scratching at a huge ear. "You had to do some horrible things, huh?"
Artemis whined, getting onto his stomach, head in his paws.
Harry sat back down. "It's alright, I understand. One day, this will all be over and you and your pack brothers can live in freedom."
He leant against the beast, enjoying being back in his company after such a long separation.
"Sometimes I wish we could take off. That I could climb up on your back, and you could take me away from all of this." Harry twined his fingers in thick fur. "I'm pretty sure you and Severus feel the same way." The huge head rested on his thigh, a little painful in its weight.
Together they looked at the full moon, lost in individual thoughts.
"Would you like to meet Hermione and Ron?"
The Werewolf got up, sitting on hind legs and gazed towards the tent.
"You're not going to eat them are you?" Harry was joking, but his hand was still on his wand in his pocket as a precaution. Artemis huffed and let his tongue loll from his mouth.
"That's my scary werewolf."
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Artemis watched as Harry walked away, suppressing a whine as his mate moved away. He was still here, still close. Once alone, he took a powerful inhale of the air around him, swivelling his ears back and forth. There was nothing foul in the air tonight, they were safe here.
Sounds of nervous human speech made him shift uncomfortably. He didn't understand Harry's words when his mate spoke to him as human, but knew him well enough, and he had the added help of Severus to translate what Harry was saying. But the two new members were nervous, their chattering too fast for him to comprehend.
Harry came out first, the female close behind, and the other young male a distance away. Artemis himself had worried what his feelings might be, being close to other humans that were not his mate. He remained still until he was certain no blood Flust rose in him, there was no desire to bite them. Logically, it'd be better if they were all Werewolves, but he had been forbidden to bite humans.
Artemis stood and slowly approached, not wanting to scare his newest members. The female was looking at him with pride, and Artemis approached her first, letting her run her fingers through his pelt. This one was strong, and he understood Greyback's desire to possess her. Her hands were gentle, kind, traits needed in a mother, but he could sense strength in her. She would serve the pack well, Artemis approved. He ran his tongue over her face, barking a little when the female laughed.
Artemis was uncertain of the other male. He could smell the fear scent, and it made him nervous. His human counterpart had mixed feelings towards the one he named weasel. Artemis had observed this one through his human mind, had watched through dark eyes the training Severus was putting him through. He was loyal to Harry, but not as close as the female.
Gently with his muzzle he moved the female out of the way, towards his mate. He sat down, gazing at the male. This one was clearly a Beta, submissive to his mate. That was good, his mate demanded respect. The weasel approached him, slowly and kept his eyes averted. Artemis crept closer, inclining his head so the human could touch him. The fingers threading through his fur were not as confident as the female, this one would take coaxing.
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Harry watched as Ron stroked Artemis, proud of both his friends.
"I knew you said Artemis was big, but I've never heard of or seen a werewolf as big as Artemis." Hermione was looking at him in amazement.
"He drank water from a werewolf's paw, didn't he?" Ron answered, bowing his head in respect to the beast, who clearly approved of the gesture. Artemis lay down on his stomach, looking out into the forest, nostrils flaring.
"Yeah. I've never asked how Severus came across one, or why he felt the need to do so." Harry scratched the back of his neck. "I guess I should have asked him really."
"Probably some Death Eater raid," Ron said scornfully. Harry glared at him, but didn't dare say anything, worried they would fight. Hermione joined him in a glare, and Ron raised his hands in defeat.
"All I'm saying is Artemis is not a typical werewolf."
"I thought that was only a myth." Hermione whispered, looking past Ron to where Artemis lay, ears twitching.
"I know you were both raised by Muggles, but even you should both know that in our world, myths always have a basis in fact. Just because Snape was turned in an obscure way that people have forgotten, doesn't mean things like that can't happen."
"Does that mean Artemis is somehow different from other werewolves? Apart from being bigger?" Hermione had gone into student mode, and Ron rolled his eyes playfully at Harry.
"Remus once explained that being a werewolf was like having two different aspects within yourself, two sides of the same coin. That they were one combined being, but can still think separately."
"They are two halves of a whole?" Hermione suggested thoughtfully.
"Artemis as always seemed to have a greater freewill then that of the other wolves, he's been able to take over the use of Severus's body before. It doesn't feel like to me that Artemis and Severus are the same person, but rather two beings sharing the shared space of a brain. Does that make sense?"
"Two beings inhabiting Snape's brain? That's not how lycanthropy works Harry." Ron was dismissive and Harry found himself tuning out, watching with Hermione with a smile as she kept sneaking glances at Artemis.
"He's perfectly safe, Hermione."
"I don't want to… you know… annoy him Harry."
"Severus told me he sees you both as pack. You aren't going to annoy him."
Hermione waited a few more moments, before nodding to herself and going to sit with the werewolf. Artemis merely swung his head around as she approached, baring his teeth in a wolfish grin. She sat back against the beast, wriggling against his fur. Artemis swept his tail around, folding it across her waist, and then turned his head back to where it was looking out over the forest.
"Is she going to become like Tonks? You know women, the thrill of the forbidden, of taming a werewolf." Jealously was seeping into Ron's voice.
Harry laughed, starting to pull firewood together into a pile. "I don't think so, but you know Hermione, friend to all magical creatures."
Ron snorted, helping Harry start a fire. "Careful, she'll be asking you to free him next."
"I can't imagine Artemis wearing socks somehow."
"I know you've bonded, I see the git as proof every morning, but somehow seeing a giant wolf sitting there, it kind of makes it all real." Ron sat in front of the fledgling fire, eyes straying to Hermione now and again.
"She's safe Ron." Harry sat beside him, biting the inside of his cheek at his friend's callous remarks about his mate.
"I'm not worried about him eating her. It's just…" Ron trailed off, sighing heavily.
"Go on." Harry poked a stick into the fire, sending crimson sparks into the night sky. They could hear Hermione softly speaking to Artemis, who turned his head down to look at her for a few moments, alternating his attention between Hermione and the night.
"I know you've bonded to Snape, but how am I ever going to compete with something like that…I know, I know," Ron held his hands up as Harry went to speak. "Snape isn't interested, and Hermione isn't interested in him. It just feels like another reminder that I'm not good enough, not powerful enough, or something like that."
"Ron, you've got to get rid of this inferiority complex you're carrying around."
"You don't understand Harry. All my brothers, all did better than me. Quidditch Captain, Head Boy. Even George and Fred are ambitious, opening their own shop, and making a success of it."
"It's no different from having all your cousin's hand me downs, always being told you're a freak, that you're useless."
Ron stared at him at that, as though seeing Harry for the first time.
"Yeah but, you're Harry Potter. The Boy-who-lived, doesn't that make up for all that?"
"And you're helping Harry Potter save the world. Doesn't that make up for all of yours?"
Ron mumbled under his breath, and even without hearing what was said, Harry didn't get the impression it was pleasant. Again he ignored it.
"I can't even help my family." Ron hung his head. "I know they can take care of themselves, but it's Ginny I worry about. I'm her big brother. I'm supposed to protect her, look after her. I'm useless."
There was a shriek from Hermione at that, making Harry and Ron jump to their feet, wands pointed at Artemis. The werewolf had picked up Hermione by the back of her jumper, carrying her over to them, her legs dangling. With a huff Artemis placed Hermione down beside Ron, circling the both of them with his furry body.
"It seems Artemis doesn't agree with you." Harry laughed as a wet nose examined his face, knocking his glasses off. He laughed harder at how close Ron and Hermione were now forced together, trapped by the werewolf.
Ron's stomach growled, causing Artemis's head to whip round, enquiring, muzzle pushing into Ron's clothes. Harry could see Ron's fear melting away as pushed playfully at Artemis's huge, wedge shaped head.
"I'm always hungry, don't worry about it."
Artemis got up, looking at Harry expectantly. Harry nodded, transforming into Apollo.
The response was immediate. Artemis bounded over, tussling Apollo to the ground, taking his jaw gently in his own sharp teeth.
Too long have you been gone from my side. Artemis spoke, after pinning Apollo to the ground. I knew of the Old one's death. The human had warned me. I was powerless to stop it. I brought unwilling wolves to the Snakeman's pack. The weight lifted from Apollo as Artemis hung his head in shame
Artemis, it's alright. I understand, Severus explained it all to me. You didn't have a choice, and I know you had to recruit other wolves to keep me safe. Everything is fine now, we're back together, and that's the way it will stay, until this is all over.
He didn't know if Artemis understood the subtly, the things he was hiding. Severus would pick up on what he was leaving unsaid, but Artemis showed no sign, burying his nose into Apollo's chest.
I missed you. Apollo rubbed his head against his mate's.
I will not lose you again. Amber eyes bored into his.
Artemis waited for Apollo to get up.
The Beta male is interested in the female. Is it wise to allow this? Artemis's eyes fixed on the two friends still sitting close to each other.
Why is it a problem? Apollo brushed down his fur with a few strokes of his tongue.
The human says he will explain. The pack is hungry, shall we hunt?
I should probably stay here. Apollo looked out towards the forest, the smells, the sounds.
The human agrees, tells Artemis he is being irresponsible. Artemis gave the equivalent of a smile. I will protect you, ignore the human.
That's easy for you. I'm the one who will pay for it later. Apollo stood, stretching and leapt forwards.
Artemis barked playfully and chased after his mate.
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"And what are we supposed to do with them?" Hermione glared at the dead rabbits at her feet, hands on her hips.
"Skin them?" Harry offered helpfully, rinsing his mouth out with water.
"Honestly Harry, hunting helpless animals." Hermione stalked away, leaving Ron the job of cleaning them.
"It's safer than stealing food!" He shouted after her, helping Ron gather the rabbits. After a quick thought he tossed one to Artemis who grabbed it, ripping into it with relish.
"Because that's not creepy." Ron shuddered.
"Do you know what you're doing with these?" Harry peered over Ron's shoulder as he worked.
"Have you met my Mother? Honestly Harry, you should see some of the things she's had me prepare." Ron's hand trembled as he spoke, the knife he was using cutting into the rabbit harder than was necessary. He spoke before Harry could offer any sort of comfort. "Shall I spit them or cut the meet for some sort of stew."
"Nah BBQ them." Harry lingered for a few moments, watching the light of the fire play across Ron's face. When he sensed no more words would be forthcoming, he left his friend to his solitude.
He gave Artemis a respectful distance as he finished his own dinner. He had always worried how Severus and Ron would interact, Hermione had never been a concern, but he knew the animosity Ron felt wouldn't just go away. Then there were the worries he held about his family, it was a potent volatile mix. He had seen Ron snap and Hermione, watched as she turned away so neither of them could see her frustrated tears.
Even Severus, whose tolerance for disrespect was low even when he was in the best of moods had bitten his tongue at Ron's outbursts. Harry sighed, raking his nails over his scalp. He needed to speak to Hermione about it. He knew Ron, better sometimes then the guy knew himself, and he was headed for a meltdown.
Artemis finished his meal, licking the scraps from his paws. Harry clamoured on top the wolf, laying back to back, looking at the stars, feeling the warmth of Artemis's pelt beneath him. The wolf shifted, so Harry could rest more comfortably between his shoulder blades.
Long minutes passed, only broken by Ron bringing him a rabbit charred to perfection on a stick. He offered one to Artemis as well, who bowed his head and thumped his tail as Ron lay in on the ground in front of him. Harry slid down, sitting opposite the beast as he chewed his meat thoughtfully. Artemis watched him take every mouth full.
"Are you still hungry?" He held out his food, and Artemis snorted, moving his head away. "Oh, you're just making sure I eat. Careful, you're getting as bad as Hermione."
"Harry? We're going to head in for the night, try not to stay up too late alright?" Hermione called from the tent.
"See, just as bad as she is."
He laughed at Artemis's growl, and finished his meal, throwing the remains to the werewolf. They sat in silence for a while, the pops and crackles of the fire the only sound in the forest.
It was there, under the deep cover of night, that Harry felt the enormity of what he was doing overtake him. "It's easier to talk to someone, when you know they can't talk back." Harry muttered, looking at Artemis. "Severus?" He ventured, instinctively needing the man. Artemis's head turned to meet his.
He could feel tremors shaking his body, an oppressive weigh pressing into his gut. "I don't know what I'm doing." Harry didn't realise he'd spoken aloud until Artemis shuffled closer, eyes watching him intently. "And I'm dragging my friends along with me."
"Sometimes it feels like I'm barely keeping it together. I see them talking, Ron and Hermione, the averted glances, the shushed whispers. They're waiting for something. Some epiphany that doesn't seem to be coming!"
He watched the sky, hoping an answer would come to him, but nothing did. "All I have is Remus's lead on Mr Lovegood." That earned him a deep grumble, Artemis's muzzle bunching to reveal teeth.
Knowing this was pointless, Harry transformed, and lay beside Artemis.
I'm meant to lead us to victory, to end all this suffering, I don't know what to do. A soft whine came from Apollo, and he pushed his head into Artemis's warm stomach.
There are many tunnels to a rabbit's den. Artemis offered, resting his muzzle against Apollo's head. Do not show weakness, or fear to the pack. They look to the Alpha to be strong, Alpha's word is law.
I thought you were the Alpha.
You are my mate, the Alpha pairing. The pack will follow us. Artemis always made it sound so easy, uncomplicated, and so unhuman.
The Beta male is not weak. He is young, and rushes in teeth and claws bared, he lacks control. He is worried about his own pack, it blinds him.
Apollo moved his head, looking into amber eyes.
How am I supposed to flush the rabbit out?
Artemis closed his eyes thoughtfully. The Snakeman is weak. Block his escapes and the prey is yours for the taking. The tunnels are hidden, but we will find them.
Apollo couldn't bring himself to ask how he was supposed to kill him, with the Death Eaters and the Snatchers standing in the way of him and they prey. He felt his paws begin to itch, the impulse to run taking hold of him again.
There will be many to fight.
You are strong. The pack is strong.
Apollo curled his lips in imitation of a smile. The answer was always simple with Artemis.
Thinking of the final battle had him thinking. Who would be there at the end with him? Artemis, or Severus? Voldemort had gone through the trouble of making a werewolf army; he would strike on a full moon. Images of wizards being ripped apart by werewolves had him trembling.
Fight me. Apollo got to his feet, planting himself in front of the werewolf.
Artemis tilted his head to the side, amusement lighting his eyes.
You don't think at some point Voldemort is going to use his werewolf army, that if we ever meet in battle he's going to have Greyback's pack behind him.
I will not fight you. You are strong enough. The tone was dismissive, Artemis turning to keep watch again.
Apollo darted forward in a growl, landing a swipe on Artemis's head. The werewolf growled, easily pinning Apollo to the ground with a heavy paw.
Fight me!
The werewolf huffed, bowling Apollo away with a paw. Apollo saw the stars and grass intermingle as he rolled away. He leapt to his paws, struggling with dizziness. He could feel the strength Artemis possessed, the power in his paws.
I need to be trained in everything, and you're the only werewolf here. Or shall I ask Lupin to help?
Artemis snarled at that and rose to his feet.
Do not bite me, but do not hold back either.
Apollo transformed back, leaving Harry to stand there against an enraged werewolf with only his wand between them. He nodded to show he was ready, and Artemis's mouth opened, showing razor sharp teeth. Despite knowing Artemis would never intentionally hurt him, Harry was terrified.
Artemis lunged towards him, tufts of grass springing from his paws. Harry barely had time to dodge out of the way. He wasn't as quick to turn, and paws caught him on the back, claws ripping his jumper, sending him flying across the clearing. He scrambled to his feet, firing a curse that the werewolf easily dodged.
Before Harry could assess the situation, Artemis was upon him again, pushing him painfully to the floor, teeth grasping his clothes.
Harry rammed his wand into the werewolf's side, the spell blasting the wolf from him. This time Harry had time to get to his feet and face his foe, as the werewolf rolled in a tangle of limbs. There was no warmth in those amber eyes, but a feral light, a need to fight, to dominate.
As claws raked across the ground, Harry erected a shield and Artemis was repelled again, striking his paw against the protective bubble. Harry buckled underneath, frantically thinking. If this was Greyback, he was about to be killed. Whereas Artemis would stop, not having a blood lust for humans, any other werewolf would not, and Harry would be a mess of entrails.
That was when it hit him. Dropping his wand, he transformed, leaping up to meet Artemis's claws with his own. The werewolf knocked him aside, but Harry knew in this form he would have the edge in battle, he would have removed the lust of biting. Apollo leapt up, climbing onto Artemis's back where just earlier he had found comfort, and took hold of the scruff in sharp teeth, biting and shaking.
Artemis snarled, falling on his back, effectively pinning Apollo beneath him. Apollo couldn't breathe, the weight forcing the air from his lungs. He felt his control slipping, his form wavering between wolf and human.
Stop! That is enough!
That sounded like Severus, Harry thought before succumbing to darkness.
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Hermione batted away Crookshanks, who was head butting her awake again. "Not now, I'm really tired." The nudging got more insistent. "Come on Crookshanks, I'll feed you in a little bit, let me sleep." She rolled over, pulling the covers tighter to her body.
There was a half formed thought, floating in her foggy brain. Wasn't Crookshanks with her parents?A low whine jolted her from her sleepy thoughts, straight into amber eyes and sharp teeth.
She jolted upright, her heart threatening to escape as she looked at the werewolf by her bed.
"Artemis? What are you doing in here?" She looked at the bed next to her where Ron was still sleeping. "What's the matter?" The wolf whined, looking out the tent, and nudging her again, nearly from the bed this time.
"Alright, I'm coming." She followed the beast into the frigid night air, breaking into a run as she saw the limp form of Harry. "Harry? What happened?"
Dropping to her knees, she checked for a pulse, exhaling loudly when she found one. A quick diagnostic spell showed nothing was fatal, he had been knocked unconscious. A quick glance around showed clods of earth had been upturned, tufts of silver and midnight fur floated in the air, and there were scorch marks from a stray hex burnt in the ground.
"You were practicing fighting, weren't you?" Hermione ground out from gritted teeth, standing to glare at the wolf. Artemis growled at her challenging tone, his lips parting to reveal fangs. Realising the position she was putting herself in, Hermione lowered her eyes to the floor, and lowered her voice.
Artemis approached her, licking the side of her jaw in forgiveness.
"Next time you fight, do it with one of us awake." Hermione chided, rubbing a furry ear. She pointed her wand at Harry, levitating him into the air beside her. "Are you coming?" She beckoned the wolf with her hand, as she walked to the tent, keeping a hand on Harry's chest to guide him.
When Harry was safely in bed, she considered reviving him, but thought better of it, instead letting him sleep. Harry might be tough, but he looked exhausted. She left an alert spell on his body, setting an alarm to ring if anything changed in his vitals.
"Artemis? Severus?" She gazed deep into the wolf's eyes, hopefully into the man who was listening. "Harry is fine, just unconscious. He needs to rest, so I'm going to let him sleep. Do you understand?" She saw emotion glimmer in those wild eyes, a taming that proved Severus was indeed listening. "Do you want to stay here with him?"
The wolf jerked his head to the side, and stalked stealthy out the tent. Hermione yawned, and stretched out beside Harry, feeling her eyes grow heavy. Yet as the moments passed she felt sleep elude her, her thoughts straying to the werewolf who was sitting outside, alone. Hermione got to her feet, pulling on one of Harry's spare jumpers.
"They so owe me for this."
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Severus was dimly aware of soft hands supporting him, wrapping a blanket around his shivering form. He could feel the darkness of unconsciousness beckoning, blessed relief from the agony coursing through his veins.
"It's alright, Severus. I've got you, you're safe."
That wasn't the voice of his mate. Severus struggled against it. Fingers threaded through his hair. "Shh, you're alright."
Who was speaking to him? Hands helped him get to his feet, resting his arm across slender shoulders. A floral scent invaded his nose. It was the female, Granger, who had sat with him the rest of the night, watching the moon sink into the horizon.
"I do…I do not require… assistance." He rasped out, throat burning from screaming.
"Come on, just a little further and you can sleep."
He heard the sound of a cloth flap opening, felt himself stumbling across a canvas floor. The presence held him, never leaving him, supporting him even though she struggled with his greater weight. Gentle hands guided him to a warm bed, to the welcoming scent of his mate, deep in sleep. Crying out, Severus pulled the comfort to him, hands clutching the warmth of his mate.
"Wait a moment, Severus. You can sleep in a moment. Drink this for me."
Something nudged at his lips, a vial. Severus turned his head, distrusting.
Female is pack.
That made sense. Despite his distrust, Severus opened his mouth, allowing the potion to be tipped in, the numbing properties of the potion instantly soothing his wrought nerves.
"Now sleep. Harry is next to you, the pack is safe." A cool hand rested on his forehead, soothing the tension away.
TBC
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