A Life Worth Living

Chapter 11

"Follow me," Harry said, moving stiffly, thank Merlin there hadn't been anything on the far side of the hospital room. It was actually the only side of the room that was empty. He would have suspected that was the reason Peter chose it if he was at all thinking rationally. Part of him obviously was, but the majority of Peter was utterly insane. Harry had no understanding of what was going on, this was a singularly unique situation he was in. Not that it was surprising, really, since there was always something new to learn. His Hogwarts education had been quite lacking in a lot of ways but he had more than made up for it now.

With a flick of his hand, the Portkey that had masqueraded as a bedpan disappeared into thin air. Only then was Harry able to start climbing the stairs, using the banister to hoist his sore body up the steps. He'd definitely jarred his ribs, but thankfully nothing was broken. After he took a potion he would be just fine, the aches and pains would disappear. He'd be summoning his potions supply kit in a few minutes to take care of those old burns and find out how Peter was mentally. Maybe not in that order.

Derek sniffed the air, for the first time being able to smell a familiar scent, one that screamed werewolf. It must be coming from Harry's sons' room which they had just passed. It might scream werewolf, but it was a different kind, it had an undercurrent like his mom and Laura, the scent of fur. The second room though, Harry opened the door to what was obviously another guest bedroom that had a faint lingering smell of Stiles who must have slept over in the past but a long while ago judging by how faint it was.

One step into the room, he realized the scent of Harry's son and Stiles was mixed together, significantly more mixed than even Stiles and Scott's scents were. Then again werewolves were much more tactile than humans, and Teddy probably did it unconsciously, scent marking someone he considered a brother for a lot longer period of time than Scott who had just been changed and was refusing anything to do with his new powers. It seriously aggrieved Derek to see, the bite was a gift, he had been given a gift, and Scott just didn't seem to see it at all.

"Put him down on the bed when you're ready," Harry called out to Derek who was standing in the doorway with his unconscious Uncle in his arms lost in thought. Harry pulled back the covers, hoping against hope that he could save Peter so that Derek could have at least one family member left in his life. Although he wasn't sure Derek would be able to forgive Peter for killing Laura even if he didn't mean it.

"I am waiting on someone coming, Erin, she has permission to come in, I don't think she will be here or at least an hour yet, but if she comes, tell her to wait and I'll see to her as soon as possible," Harry explained, his tone confident and reassuring. "She will come through the Floo network, in the living room. Now what I am about to do requires immense focus, I'm going to go through your Uncles memories, to find out what's causing the instability. As I've said before, there is something wrong, I've never seen anything like it before. I could be…at this for hours, it just depends if I can find what I'm looking for. He won't come around, at least not yet, the spell should stay on him for a day at least,"

"What would you have me do if she shows up?" Derek asked, frankly alarmed.

"Explain that I'm indisposed, that I shouldn't be too long, offer her a coffee or tea, sit and wait, that's only if she comes," Harry "She's here to pick up the last of the evidence I have for the case. It's going to the Magical president of MACUSA who is going to explain the case to the council and they are going to decide what to do with her. I'm hoping that she will receive the Death penalty, if not she'll end up in a magical prison for the rest of her life. One she won't be able to get out of, not even magical's can get out of the prison let alone a No-Maj." giving him all the reassurance's he probably needed to hear. That regardless of what happened Kate Argent was never going to bother him again AND she was going to pay for her crimes against his family and those others he had destroyed.

Derek shored himself up, giving Harry a nod, he could do this, it's the least he could do after everything Harry had and was still doing for him.

"I probably won't move during the duration of the spell, don't fret, it's normal," Harry added, placing the covers over Peter, he knew werewolves were naturally warmer than humans, but Peter wasn't well, his werewolf wasn't acting normal so his temperature might not be either. He guided Peter's face to the side, propped up on the pillow, Harry knelt down on the floor at the top of the bed.

"Legilimens," was uttered and that was it.

Derek watched the scene warily for a few moments, and true to Harry's word, he didn't move, didn't even so much as twitch.

Meanwhile, Harry began to trudge through dark pain filled memories that Peter had endured.

His place in the pack, what he did to keep them safe, Talia Hale's left hand, despite the fact he was only a few years older than her only son.

From the heat of the too hot shower while being cared for at the hospital.

To the fire that had consumed his entire pack.

More importantly how he had woken up and what his nurse was doing.

So much darkness and pain, Harry could barely tolerate it, and he was only observing, feeling phantoms of those pains.

Time slowly ticked by, but Harry heard nothing, not the Floo activating, not Derek leaving, of the conversation Erin was having with Derek.

-0 One Hour and thirty-five minutes later 0-

Harry gasped, withdrawing from Peter's mind a shudder crawling up his spine. Groaning as the pain in his knees became known to him, he should have cast a cushioning spell before he begun. Letting himself fall to the side so his knees were relieved of the constant pressure of holding his weight. Blinking as he stretched out, rotating his head from side to side working out the kinks.

"Accio potions kit!" Harry flung his hand out, waiting for it coming, wincing at the slamming from the cupboard door, now that had been loud. How long had he been in Peters mind? The tingling of the wards alerted him to the fact Erin was in his home, poor antisocial Derek was probably having a tough time right now. "I'll be down momentarily," he commented quietly, as he snatched his kit before it thumped and hit him in the chest.

His fingers ran over the rows of potions until he found the blue one, giving it a sniff he nodded his head, this was one of the strongest dreamless sleep draughts out there. Easing open Peter's mouth, he helped the stunned werewolf to drink the draught. Only once it had been fully consumed did Harry remove his fingers from his throat and took off the stunning charm. There, that would keep him out of it for twenty-four hours, especially if he'd never had a potion before, and he hadn't if Derek's lack of knowledge on wizards was to be believed.

Harry took two potions himself, a muscle relaxant and a mild pain reliever.

Placing the three vials in the wastebasket in the room, casting a few spells on Peter to be on the safe side before Apparating downstairs. The diagnosis sheet in his hands but unobserved for the moment.

"Harry!" Erin said looking up with a smile, sitting on the couch with a coffee in her hand looking comfortable.

"How long was I out?" Harry asked Derek nodding at Erin and giving a small welcoming smile of his own.

"Nearly two hours," Derek explained, looking Harry over for any injuries or clues as to what went down. "What happened?" he demanded, unable to curb his almost feral need to know. He did notice the look of blatant shock on Erin's face at how he spoke to Harry. Which made him internally wince, perhaps he'd been too curt but it was just how he was used to being and it was becoming a difficult habit to break.

"Merlin, I'm sorry Erin, I hope I haven't inconvenienced you," Harry said completely ignoring Derek, "If you'll give me a moment, I'll get everything you'll need."

"No worries, I've only been here half an hour, and I got a coffee out of it," Erin teased, "Derek might not drink but he sure makes a mean coffee."

"That's something…at least," Harry nodded, "Excuse me," he added making haste towards his office, gathering everything he needed. It wasn't as simple as summoning them, his office drawers were spelled to prevent such a thing from occurring. He had gone to great lengths to keep Teddy out of his stuff after all, what good would it do if he could wish for the information enough to use accidental magic to summon details of his missions that he never wanted Teddy to see.

"Would you do me a favor?" Harry asked as he returned to the room, stacks of paperwork in a tightly bound folder, which was promptly passed over to Erin. Harry also made a copy of Peter's medical scan and handed it over, which Erin immediately put into the file.

"And what kind of favor would that be?" Erin asked, gazing shrewdly at the powerful wizard before her. She knew better than to agree, before finding out what was going on.

"Ask Donovan if he would send over his personal healer, he will be paid for his time, and I shouldn't need him for any longer than half an hour." Harry promised, "Once he sees Peter's medical scan he should understand without asking." he had only glanced at it but it was enough to make him concerned. Donovan's healer, James Preston, was one of the best healers, hence why he was chosen as a personal healer to the president of MACUSA. He was also very well read about magical creatures, he would know how to help Peter better than him at any rate.

"I will inform him immediately after I've handed this over," Erin promised, seeing no need to deny Harry his request.

"Thank you," Harry sighed out his relief, "When is the meeting scheduled for?"

"It's in two hours and twenty minutes from now," Erin replied, she knew her bosses schedule very well.

"And will I be informed of the results?" Harry then asked.

"I'm sure the boss will let you know," Erin smiled and drank the rest of her coffee, "Thank you very much for the coffee and company, I wish you well," she informed Derek.

"Thank you," Derek blurted out, looking a little taken aback by the words as if he had grown so used to scorn and distaste that he didn't remember what politeness sounded like.

"I'll see you soon, Harry," using his given name as she often did in his home, but remained professional in her work setting.

"You will," Harry agreed, "Take care,"

With that Erin Apparated away to MACUSA presumably, evidently she was working late, Harry almost felt sorry for being the one to have her working so late.

"Alright," Harry said rubbing his eyes tiredly, "I'll explain what I saw and the results of the scan in a moment…I need a coffee first," and with that Harry disappeared into the kitchen. With a flick of his hand, he reheated the water in the kettle and made himself a coffee, not bothering with his coffee maker right now. Quite honestly, he would prefer something much, much stronger but he wasn't a big drinker.

He was so out of it that he actually jumped when he spotted Derek standing in the doorway.

"Coffee?" Harry asked him sliding into a seat, Derek declined and sat opposite Harry on the kitchen island/bar.

"First thing first…the reason Peter isn't healing or hasn't healed is that Wolfsbane oil that was put into the accelerant." Harry told Derek grimly. "There's remains of it stuck in the folds of the burns weakening him, along with the fact he inhaled the Wolfsbane smoke…he ended up comatose, with nobody thinking of kick-starting his healing he remained weak. He had felt everything surrounding him for six years…Derek, without being able to move a damn muscle."

Derek was unable to meet Harry's gaze, instead, he stared at the marble counter in front of him, clenching and unclenching his hands feeling utterly useless.

"The hunters have been here the entire time, they took pleasure in visiting your Uncle while he was utterly helpless. The only reason they didn't kill him was that they took enjoyment out of his predicament." Harry added.

Derek inhaled sharply, choking wordlessly.

"His nurse…Jennifer is a hunter, she had been injecting Wolfsbane into him for the past four months ever since he showed small signs of coming out of his coma." Harry added, giving it to Derek straight. "She's been trying to control him like a dog, using a whistle to get him to return to the hospital, rewarding him by letting him go out during the full moon and any other night she felt like being 'kind' enough."

Derek was unable to control the shift, his eyes and claws emerging snarling in fury as he began to pace the kitchen like a trapped animal.

"He was turning feral, but there was a part of Peter that clung on, the sheer need for vengeance against those who had decimated his pack was so strong that he managed to plot and plan enough that it took root in his wolf mind…especially after he realized what he has done to his own niece." Harry said quietly, drinking some of his coffee before taking a deep breath and continuing, "He had just been dozed with a higher quality of Wolfsbane and let out for the first time when his wolf sensed an Alpha on his territory, the timing is much too suspicious for my liking. His wolf reacted with violence, its mind consumed by the fire, it wasn't until he received the Alpha powers that the Wolfsbane's hold was loosened, and Peter realized what had happened. He went on a rampage through the territory overcome with grief and horror at what he did. In his feral state, there were times when he didn't even remember what happened to her. Then he was dosed again, but this time the thirst for revenge was greater still."

Derek stopped pacing, his Beta shift fading as he stood there brokenly.

"He bit Scott then, sensing weakness in the boy, his Asthma, and that he could use being a wolf to make him stronger. He also sensed Stiles spark, which is a surprise considering he shouldn't have." Harry stated, not realizing he had given Stiles secret away until it was too late. "Peter knew he was stronger how he was than he would be as a wolf, so Peter's wolf didn't even consider it."

Derek felt sick to his stomach listening to all this, horrified to the core.

"The fact your sister was in the state she was in, is very telling, I believe the hunters are trying to finish what Kate started all those years ago. They never left Beacon Hills, Derek, they've been waiting for this, to pull you both back in, to finish the Hale dynasty altogether. Their confusion on who the hell the Alpha is must be feigned unless there are two separate hunter fractions with two different goals in mind. They're playing you, this was probably all a game to them." Harry informed him. "I'd need to get my hands on Jennifer to be sure though, but this is very intricately designed, it smells of Argent." from what he knew most hunters were unorganized, sloppy, just killed werewolves when they could…but the fires…this is was as he said intricate, it was patient and methodical.

"So…Peter isn't to blame?" Derek murmured weakly.

"No, he may have been the instrument used…but ultimately it was Jennifer who got the ball rolling for all this to happen." Harry said softly, "The Wolfsbane needs to be flushed from his system, a healer will suggest the best way to go about it. One that's easiest on Peter, right now he's in a Dreamless sleep, he needs the rest without the nightmares. Six years may have past, but to Peter, the nightmares are still ever-present, he hasn't had a chance to grieve for what he lost."

"You've seen all his memories?" Derek sat back down, his question hesitant.

"No," Harry explained immediately, "I'd have been in there for a significantly longer period of time if that was the case. It's like clips, movie clips, trailers if you will, you see bits and pieces, not the entire thing. The more focused you are the longer the memories you see last if there is anything to actually last. I didn't go past the six years, although I did see some memories of the earlier years, things that Peter dwells on tries to remember fondly in his dreams mostly."

"He can be fixed?" it was a statement mixed in with a question. When someone was feral in his experience the only thing they could do was kill them. To prevent exposure, and honestly, it was the humane thing to do, when you go feral it's only a rabid wolf left the human side is completely gone.

"It will take a few potions and probably a few months but yes," Harry told him, finishing off his cooling coffee in two gulps. "Unfortunately, he may never be the same man you knew. Although I have to wonder if he's always been so…." pondering on the right word, "Ambitious." some of his thoughts were quite…loud, he had his thoughts on Beacon Hills, whether it was the result of the fire and his mind or not Harry wasn't sure.

"Uncle Peter was always ambitious," Derek said wryly, "He could manipulate anyone around him, it was quite a sight to see, and his sarcasm when it wasn't directed at you was quite hilarious." in fact Stiles sort of reminded him of Peter actually, none more so than when Stiles and McCall got him arrested for his sisters murder. The way he spoke to his father, that had been a blast from the past.

"As it often tends to be," Harry nodded his understanding, lips twitching in amusement, "Except for those who have a tendency to take what was said to heart."

"Thank you," Derek whispered, "I know I haven't said it before and should have…but thank you for everything you've done for us." and he knew regardless of whether Harry's heartbeat remained steady, when he said he'd do it for anyone in need, he knew it wasn't true. From the way his eyes darkened in anger, he believed he wouldn't even piss on Kate Argent if she was on fire.

"You're more than welcome, Derek," Harry said, squeezing his shoulder, automatically cupping the back of his neck before dropping it back down.

Derek meanwhile froze at the contact, there was little doubt Harry knew exactly what that contact meant to a werewolf.

Harry was distracted by the pinging of his Floo Network. "Excuse me, the kitchen is fully stocked, help yourself, there's plenty of meat in the fridge to have sandwiches with," he said absently as he headed for the door.

Ignoring his own grumbling stomach, he hadn't eaten since breakfast after all.

"Mr. Potter?" the face in the fire questioned.

"I am," Harry informed him.

"I'm told you're in need of my expertise? My name is Healer James Preston, the president informed me that you wished to see me?"

"Yes, I do, I'll let the wards down so you can come through, the President has my Floo address," Harry said, as always being cautious not to reveal his Floo address even under a secure Floo connection, all networks were in MACUSA.

Ten minutes later, Harry was finally finished giving a basic rundown of the situation and everything he could on Peter while the healer stood in the guest room wand moving swiftly over Peter doing a very advanced diagnosis that was specifically for werewolves. Never revealing anything personal about him, he'd never do that kind of disservice.

"I see," James nodded that he understood as he slowly lowered his arm, parchment zooming out of the wand as the door opened.

"Derek this is James Preston, a healer, he will be able to give us the best advice on how to heal your uncle. Healer Preston, this is your patient's nephew, Derek Hale." Harry introduced them, accepting the sandwich that was given to him and the bottle of soda with a surprised smile. "Is there more showing that's concerning than what my diagnosis observed?"

"All of this is alarming," the healer stated, pocketing his wand under the curious state of Mr. Hale. "He needs the Purgo potion, to cleanse him, it will remove all and every trace of the Wolfsbane both in the wounds and the full concentrated oil that's been pumped into his veins. The wounds he's suffered should begin to fade, quite quickly after that."

Harry nodded it was something he'd planned actually.

"He will need six doses of the potion, one every six hours," removing his wand, writing out the prescribed potions on the pad he summoned from his bag. "He will feel weak during the purge, but afterward his healing should speed up and have him in full health within an hour, as long as he eats."

"He will sweat a great deal, be hotter than normal, and more than likely have a very restless night." the healer added speaking to Derek, "It could include involuntary spasming and even uncontrollable shifting, from the full shift or just his claws, everyone reacts differently."

Derek once again felt surprised, this time that the healer was blatantly talking to him, telling him how it was going to be. Then again, Harry knew potions, would know how things would go, and obviously, this Healer understood he was completely in the dark. It made him feel more in control not being ignorant of what was going on. Not that Harry left him feeling that way, he probably would have discussed it afterward, of that he was certain. He gave him a nod that he understood.

"And for the mental trauma?" Harry questioned grimly, getting to what he felt was the heart of the matter.

"That requires the Coalesco draught," the Healer informed them, using its true name as they tended to do. "That will take a significantly longer period of time. From the first dose, he will feel clearer, clear-headed, he will need to take the draught for seven days, a dose in the morning and at night."

"I assume they can't be taken at the same time," Harry stated, already knowing the answer, one was a bloody purging potion, after all, it would just purge the potion from his system.

"It cannot, you are best giving him the Purgo potion tonight, it will help with his mind healing along with the Coalesco draught," James informed them seriously. "Now here's the prescription, you may go to an apothecary but personally I believe you're best going to an independent brewer, it will guarantee superior potions."

"I'm going to assume you already have one in mind?" Harry said with an amused gleam in his green eyes. Money didn't matter to him, he had more than enough to last him twenty lifetimes. He'd never go for substandard potions that apothecary's sold, and he knew those potions weren't easily brewed, and it would take him time, he just did not have. So he'd always intended to get the potions from an independent brewer, he had two he usually dealt with when it came to some potions - mostly he brewed his own potions though.

"I do, Potions Mistress Selena Hardwick," James replied professionally, "She adheres to the strict regulations that come with potions of a healing nature, regularly donates to clinic's when its close to the time where they would need to be discarded. She comes highly recommended by both MACUSA and myself."

"Does she have a shop or does she work out of her home?" Harry queried, folding the prescription paper and placing it in his pocket.

"Both I believe, here are her addresses and coordinates," withdrawing a business card from his bag. "You will receive my bill in a few days, if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to get in touch, my Floo address is on the back of my prescription paperwork."

"Thank you," Harry said agreeably, giving a curt nod, and with that the Healer Apparated away.

"Why does he need a stick to perform magic?" Derek asked suddenly.

"Bloody hell," Harry jumped yet again, "What is wrong with me today?" he grumbled, vexed at the fact he was so easily startled, it probably had to do with the bloody smash against the wall in all likelihood. That and his magic was more interested in dealing with any injuries he had small as they may be. Moving a chair closer to Peter, just so the werewolf would know he wasn't alone.

Breathing deeply, he munched on the roast beef sandwiches that Derek had made, "Alright, this is brilliant, I need to steal the recipe from you," Harry groaned appreciatively, licking his lips, he was so intent on enjoying the sandwich that he didn't see Derek's ears going red but he was very appreciative of the praise indeed.

Derek settled at the bottom of the bed his Uncle was using, feeling the need to be close to family.

"Some wizards are capable of Wandless magic, others aren't, just like some werewolves are capable of the full transformation and others aren't apparently," Harry informed him. Telling the truth, strictly speaking, never informing Derek just how rare the ability was, even here in the states with a vaster collection of wizards and witches. "I do wish to see if you would be capable of it, that's if you stay here during the Full Moon,"

Derek stared at him enquiringly.

"Teddy will be returning for the Full Moon, he'd love to talk to you, he's been dying to meet one of your kind of Lycans," Harry explained around the lump in his cheek from half-chewed food. "He begged me to let him see or speak to Alpha Satomi, he's got a curiosity streak a mile wide, much like Stiles, although he isn't quite as…loud as Stiles when it came to getting answers, but with his ADHD it's hardly surprising that Stiles' mouth can run away with him." fondness in his voice. He'd never blame Stiles for something that wasn't his fault, plus having a best friend who was the same without the ADHD…well he was used to it. Finally swallowing down the last of his sandwich, damn it had been good, he definitely had to get the recipe from Derek. Here he'd been thinking the guy didn't know how to cook, perhaps that had been presumptuous of him.

Derek just nodded his own mouth full.

"However, if you do not wish to deal with two teenager werewolves who are very much different to your kind, you don't have to stay. I won't hold it against you, all I ask though, is that you be careful, right now there are hunters converging on Beacon Hills like bloodhounds. Once Argent has been caught and questioned, we can bring in the other hunters and deal with them. But until I have the go ahead, I really would prefer you to be cautious and careful." Harry explained, taking the empty plate from Derek placing it atop of his own, before banishing both to the sink.

"I'll stay," Derek agreed, actually very curious to meet Teddy and perhaps Jimmy, if he remembered the name right.

"Good," Harry said relieved, his green eyes glowed showing his relief, "Now I need to go and get the potions for your Uncle, I shouldn't be longer than ten-fifteen minutes," summoning his chequebook, they could finally start getting Peter back to rights, and by tonight hopefully he'd have the go-ahead to capture Kate Argent. He could hardly wait, Harry thought vindictively. Afterward, he'd definitely get Jennifer as well, find out everything that's going on and whether his assumption about the hunters was right or not.

"I should pay for it," Derek insisted suddenly.

"Our money is different from yours, we use Galleons, Sickles and Knuts," Harry said, lips twitching, "It actually costs to transfer Dollars to wizarding coin, so most wizards and witches don't bother doing it. It's mere pocket change to me, I've already got a pile of American Dollars for when I need to use it so I don't need more." he was merely waiting for the day that truck of Stiles' finally breaks down so he could have it fully fixed for him. That or actually doing it for his birthday.

Kneeling down Harry cupped the side of Peter's neck, "I'll be back with the potions you need soon enough," giving his neck a gentle squeeze, he didn't care that Peter was actually an Alpha, he'd been only a few years older than Derek when he lost everything and ended up in a Coma. Physically he may have aged, but mentally he most certainly hadn't although the trauma may have sobered him up and make him less likely to act out in a way most teenagers did.

Standing back up he Apparated away.

Derek just stared at where Harry had been, wondering if the wizard even knew he was acting like an Alpha.

He wouldn't put it past Harry to know, he'd wait and see how he was with Teddy and Jimmy.

Shaking off his thoughts, he went to the library, looking for a book on the different types of lycanthrope, and wasn't surprised when he found a load of them. Harry no doubt had researched endlessly when he stumbled upon one during his encounter with Alpha Satomi. Instead of staying in the library, he felt the need to return to Peter, trying to make up for his mistakes, knowing nothing he did would be enough. He and Laura had left Peter alone, vulnerable, and there had been hunters there laughing at him the entire time. It made him feel so cold, made his stomach shrink in and on itself.

Nobody deserved that, least of all his Uncle Peter.

Will a blood test done on Peter unveil the presumed dead Cora Hale? Teddy/Cora? Or will Cora be in my Derek/Harry story? It's doable either way but I do want only 1 of them to contain Cora Hale :D I don't want the stories to be too similar that would just be boring although some similarities are inevitable I suppose. It's why there's not going to be a Teddy in my other story :) will Scott try to kill Peter while he's vulnerable? and have Derek with yet more guilt on his shoulders that will perhaps make him think before spewing nonsense? Will Derek become the Alpha while Peter recuperates? or will he 'evolve' during the full moon and become one in his own right after transforming? Or will it happen in a year or so? closer to when 'Scott' became a true alpha in the series? After the whole Alpha pack? Although there's no guarantee there will be much of an Alpha pack...with Harry, a recovered Peter...and Derek - a wizard, a left hand what a combo ;) but I best not make it too easy for them right? :) I also assume you want Boyd, Erica and Issac to be Derek's Beta's still?