A/N: Harry goes to the feral packs for part of Christmas. This chapter was interesting to write. Hopefully the chapters will be coming along a bit quicker now. Thank you so much for your reviews, I'm glad you like the story!

Rhys' Pack, North England (December 20th)-

Harry walked briskly toward the end of the school wards, Cadfael next to him. His son's eyes glowed in excitement, he had been a four-year-old child the last time the pack had seen him. Undeniably there was a bit of nerves as well, his father was so well-known and beloved to the pack and he didn't want to disappoint. Harry on the other hand was both relaxed and excited; he knew the pack would love his precious son.

He had explained his trip to Minerva and secured permission to both leave the school and return by Floo, something that was rarely used outside of family emergencies. It had been more common in times with the Dark Lord and his followers. Now that threat had passed for everyone but him and his son. The only remaining Death Eater happened to be the most dangerous of the lot in his opinion. Harry firmly believed Bellatrix Lestrange had lost more than just her sanity in Azkaban.

They passed through Hogsmede mostly in silence; though Cadfael looked curiously around at the buildings he wouldn't be able to enter for another two years. A glitter of amusement and mischief lit those eyes as he noticed the Hogsmede branch of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Business had figuratively exploded for Fred and George over the years; so much that they'd driven Zonko's to the wizarding version of bankruptcy.

"You won't be entering that store for another two years, so don't even think about it, little prince," Harry said sternly to his practically bouncing son.

Cadfael deflated slightly, walking along in silence for another ten yards or so. Then he spoke up, "Papa, why are we leaving so close to Christmas? I thought you wanted to spend Christmas with the people at the school."

Harry couldn't explain the exact details to his son, so he replied, "I wanted to visit the pack. It's been a long time, little prince. You were barely four when they saw you last. We will be coming back for the rest of the holiday on Christmas Eve, however."

Cadfael beamed. "I'm glad, I like them a lot. I just thought there was another reason, since you've been avoiding looking at Professor Lupin for the past few days. I like him; he makes me feel very safe and comfortable."

Harry could feel the heat attempting to spread across his cheeks so he said quickly, "What do you think of Adhara, Aelius and Gemma?"

Cadfael burst into soft giggles. "They're so funny, Papa. It's hard to believe I was ever that small, though I hope I wasn't as bossy as Adhara!"

Harry snorted. "She is much like her father Severus in that regard, Cadfael. I'm sure you've noticed how many of his mannerisms she's picked up."

"The glare, the way she frowns, some of her speech patterns," Cadfael was nodding as he spoke. "Professor Black was just saying the other day that he hopes the new baby won't be as much a double for his husband as she is. He said that it was bad enough with two of them!"

Harry couldn't resist the small laugh, though it was odd to hear Cadfael calling Sirius 'Professor Black'. "I'm sure Severus had much to say on that comment. There's a phrase that says 'opposites attract'. They're the prime example of that!"

Cadfael was still laughing as they passed the barrier and Harry stopped in a small clearing. "It's time to Apparate, Cadfael. Come over here and try to stop laughing. The pack would wonder what I've done with the little boy they knew to get him into a giggling fit!"

Cadfael groaned at the word 'Apparate'. "Why do we have to Apparate again, Papa?"

"Because the pack placed Anti-Portkey wards around their lands. They don't want mass groups able to show up in their area. After the way your father died they're very suspicious of strangers. Stick close to me and hold on."

Cadfael sighed, grumbled and nodded. He walked over to Harry and wrapped his arms around his waist. His silky hair was almost the exact same colour as Harry's wine-red shirt. He smiled down at his son and said, "Relax, Cadfael. The pack loves you just the way you are, so be yourself and have fun."

Concentrating on where they needed to go, Harry barely heard the loud 'crack' that signaled the successful Apparition. Where they had been standing moments ago was only occupied now by snow swirling in the breeze of their departure.

When they appeared again, the snow had gone from around their ankles to almost knee deep. Harry took a deep breath of the clean, forest air and started forward. Cadfael walked along beside him and suddenly shivered. "It's cold, Papa."

Harry came to an abrupt halt, cursing to himself. Looking at his shivering son he said, "I'm sorry, Cadfael. I completely forgot the warming charms when we left the school."

He waved his wand in a broad motion that encompassed both himself and his son and Cadfael sighed in relief. Harry wanted to as well when he felt the lingering cold disappear from his toes finally. I am such an idiot sometimes, he thought irritably.

They walked into the trees, moving about 200 yards before Harry stopped again. He inhaled sharply and smiled. Looking at his son he said, "Close your eyes Cadfael. See if you can sense what I can."

Cadfael closed his greenish-blue eyes and inhaled deeply. After a long moment he said, "There's a path!"

Harry smiled. Only the People can sense this path, Cadfael. It leads to Rhys' village. Do you still wear the medallion I gave you when you turned four?"

Cadfael nodded, fingers momentarily brushing his shirt where the medallion lay against his skin.

"If you are ever in trouble or I tell you to go to a safe place, I want you to hold that medallion and say 'luna liberi'. It's a Portkey that will bring you straight to Rhys' village. Promise me that if I tell you to use the Portkey you will do so, Cadfael. I couldn't stand it if any harm came to you, little prince."

"I promise," Cadfael whispered. Harry nodded and began walking again, looping an arm around his son's shoulders.

They walked in silence together until they reached the edge of the wards. Harry nodded to his son and they carefully stepped through the shimmering barrier. He could feel the lingering tendrils of magic that were reluctant to release him. They were only about five feet inside the barrier when he heard footsteps. He came to a halt, pulling Cadfael closer to him.

From the distinctive 'crunch' of the snow he knew that whatever was approaching them it was something massive. It walked on four legs, not two and the presence and smell were vaguely familiar… "Daeyd, is that you?"

A pair of glowing eyes appeared through the brush to his left and he stayed absolutely still, letting the breeze carry his scent to the wolf. He could sense the slight displacement of magic as the wolf disappeared and a black-haired figure stepped through the trees.

"Harry? Is that really you?"

Tears nearly blinded Harry as he stared at the only Beta of Cadeyrn's pack to escape alive. "Daeyd, I've missed you so much."

Daeyd was standing in front of him in three massive strides and he easily threw his arms around the dominant. Daeyd had been one of his closest friends amongst the pack, a constant and steady guardian and welcome face. He had last seen the dominant just after Cadfael was born, before he had set off to make sure the last remnants of Cadeyrn's pack were safe. Daeyd had been like Cadeyrn's brother and the Alpha's death had struck him harder than anyone perhaps Harry himself.

Daeyd emotionally whispered, "I am so glad to see you again, parum unus."

Harry scowled and said, "You're the only one who gets away with that name anymore, Daeyd. But I missed you as well."

His eyes lighted upon Cadfael and widened. He smiled sadly and said, "Hello Cadfael. You are ultum diligo here and very welcome. I have not seen you since you were a small babe."

Cadfael smiled shyly back at the tall lycan. Harry gestured his son forward and said, "Cadfael, this is Daeyd, one of your father's best friends and the only living Beta from our pack."

Cadfael's beautiful eyes lit and he breathed, "You knew my father?"

"Very well, parvulus. I will tell you about him later. For now, we had best be moving if you wish to see Rhys before dark."

They followed Daeyd, the Beta's normally long, rangy strides shortened for the benefit of the smaller submissive and the very young pack member. In what seemed like mere seconds the 'village' was suddenly sprawling out before them. The different 'homes' of the lycans were all situated in a natural series of rock caves. Those with magic had created torches on the walls and fireplaces. Some with greater talent had gone through and carved windows and niches for natural sunlight. The main chamber was a massive room with a large central fire pit and beautifully carved stone benches. Directly above it was a massive glass window, spilling sunlight down into the room during the day.

The powerful bit of Transfiguration had been the work of Rhys' grandfather. The stone benches and tables that appeared to grow from the floor had been his mother's work. Rhys was a fourth generation feral lycan. His family had been cast out of magical society when both his great-grandfather and great-uncle had been bitten. Instead of staying in a world that hated them, the pureblood brothers had left and formed their own peaceful colony in the wilds of England.

Rhys himself sat at one of the stone benches, staring moodily into the flames. He was singing softly to himself in Latin, the language of the People. After a moment Harry recognized it as one of the few ballads he actually remembered. It was the story of the last Resistance by the wolves as a united front, just before the implementation of the Registry. It was a hauntingly sad tale, meant for three male voices.

Daeyd cleared his throat and Rhys looked up. When he saw Harry and Cadfael his eyes widened and he smiled joyously, practically leaping from his chair. He approached Harry and kissed his forehead lightly. It was a greeting only allowed to the Alphas of the various packs, for Harry's rank was technically higher than any wolf but the Alpha.

"It has been too long since you spent a winter ceremony with us, Harry. We have missed both you and your precious son."

Harry sighed, closed his eyes and let tears roll down his cheeks. He had made the right decision to come here. No matter how much time he spent in the wizarding world, this was home. He wrapped his arms around Rhys and relaxed against the other's warmth and strength.

This would be a time that he and his son would cherish. He no longer had any doubt of that. Here, with his pack, he would relax and heal the most. As it was meant to be.

A/N: This chapter shows a little more of the lycan traditions and customs. I hope you liked it! Daeyd and Rhys are two of my favorite OC's. Now its time to explain the spattering of Latin:

luna liberi- moon children

parum unus- little one (a private joke between Daeyd and Harry)

ultum diligo- much loved

parvulus- child