Chapter 25
But as Harry watched Voldemort walk toward Hermione the smaller black haired wolf lowered himself to the ground and crept towards them, a growl rumbling in his throat. Voldemort just turned around to face Harry and laughed before he replied with a grin upon his pale face.
"What do you plan on doing Wolf? Attack me?" said Voldemort but Harry wasn't listening and instead he had raised his hackles and was now showing his teeth while growling but this didn't intimidate the Snake. So the pale man turned to Hermione who was now standing and looking down as her body shook in fear.
"Crucio" cried Voldemort suddenly and Hermione fell to the ground twitching and screaming on the floor. But this finally pushed Harry to the edge and the young werewolf threw himself against the bars growling and snarling madly while trying to get to the other cell. And once again Voldemort turned to face the wolf and smiled.
But as Harry continued to throw himself at the bars Voldemort pulled out another wand from inside of his cloak pocket and pointed it at Harry. And within seconds Harry had fallen to the ground under the same curse as Hermione, howling in pain. But as the others saw this some of them ran towards Hermione and lay beside of her trying to help as best as they could while some of the others ran over to the bars trying to get close to Harry.
So Snape backed up towards the other end of the cell while Remus ran forwards towards his cub. And Remus started to lick Harry's cheek and when nothing helped he stood up and then lay back down while placing his upper body over Harry, trying to hold down the smaller wolf.
And as Harry was howling and twitching on the ground with Remus, Voldemort lifted the curse off both people. But Hermione just lay there breathing heavily and tears streaming down her cheeks until Mrs. Weasley came over and helped her over towards them. And when the curse had been lifted off the black wolf just laid there with his eyes shut. But worried Remus was that his breathing very shallow and quick, so he stood up and looked over Harry staring at his cub limp form in shock.
Remus just looked up at Voldemort and barked several times till the pale man came into the cell and approached Remus and Harry while the people in the other cell approached the bars and the women whispered 'oh' at the sight of Harry's limp form. So Voldemort bent down and forced open Harry's eyes and they saw that one was the normal emerald green and the other was the amber color of the werewolf. So the man backed up slightly and reached out with his foot and kicked Harry in the stomach, but Harry still didn't move. But what they didn't know was that Harry once willingly shrinking back into his mind and letting out his wolf side.
So as Harry lay there with his eyes shut he was slowly shrinking back into himself and he felt the barrier that kept the wolf in that part of his mind weaken until finally it totally disappeared. Harry then could feel it stretch and take control of his mind and so Harry just shut his eyes and let the wolf take control and hoped it would do what he wanted.
So the wolf could feel someone kicking him and after a few minutes he opened his eyes and heard gasps of shock from all around him. So he looked around and looked at Hermione and heard her whisper to Mrs. Weasley, "Mrs. Weasley…That's not Harry, look at his eyes" and the red-headed woman gasped and nodded but Voldemort didn't hear.
"Wolf, have you calmed down or do you need another dose" but the wolf did nothing to show he understood and instead he looked up at the man who had spoken with a blank look. "Fine, it is your choice. Crucio" cried Voldemort again and the wolf fell to the ground twitching but didn't let as sound escape his lips, and when Voldemort lifted the curse once more the wolf stood up and faced Voldemort in a blink of the eye.
But for the first time Voldemort was afraid of the boy for instead of the green eyes he was staring into a pair of large amber wolf eyes. And Voldemort started to slowly back away and shouted 'Stupify' but the jet of red light just bounced off the black fur.
So Voldemort continued to back away still shouting spells that kept bouncing off the werewolf's magical hide but the wolf was still slowly advancing on him and now Remus and Snape were understanding and both approaching the pale man.
But all 3 wolves were growling and snarling while showing their teeth and raising their hair giving them a truly terrifying look and there was definite fear playing across his face. But he continued to back away while the wolves approached and finally when he was close to the bars he stopped walking and continued to fire more spells that just bounced off the wolves and the humans in the cell lay on the ground to avoid them.
And within a second Harry had jumped on top of Voldemort and bit down on the man's shoulder right as he had fired the worst of the 3 unforgivable's but Harry had pushed his arm and the spell collided with the center of Snape's chest who immediately fell to the ground and transformed back into the greasy haired man. So they could hear screams next to them but Harry and Remus ignored them and Remus then too jumped at Voldemort's feet knocking them under the man and as he fell to the ground Harry was still on top biting at any exposed flesh.
So once he was on the ground Remus found the wands and immediately threw them towards the Weasley's who took them willingly and blasted a large hole in the cells creating an opening in between them. But none of the others approached for Harry and Remus were scratching and biting any part of the man they could reach until, finally he stopped moving.
But suddenly Harry moved away and started whining and lifted a paw towards his forehead and they saw that the scar on his forehead was glowing red through the fur and after about 10 minutes and faded back to white. And Harry looked up at the humans.
Voldemort was now laying dead and limp against the bars, his body bitten and scratched past recognition. So the wolf turned his gaze upon the humans he now had access to and started to slowly approach until he felt something on his tail pulling him back. So the black wolf turned around and saw that a brown wolf had a hold of his tail and growling at him. But Harry immediately turned around and pounced on the older wolf.
As the 2 wolves fought against each other while the humans continued to watch and tried to make the wands work for them. But ½ hour later their attention turned to the wolves when Remus started to back through the makeshift doorway dragging an unconscious and visibly hurt Harry by the extra skin of his neck.
But Mr. Weasley had managed to get one of the wands to work for him and conjured a large floating stretcher and 5 of the people lifted Harry's limp, bloody form onto it. But within minutes the white cloth was stained a dark red from his wounds, but as Remus stared at Harry from down on the floor Mr. Weasley pointed Voldemort's wand at Remus. And the collar disappeared and Remus fell to the ground howling in pain and a few minutes later Remus reappeared breathing heavily.
So the prisoners blasted one more hole in the cell wall, a hole that lead up towards the main hall. But before they left they lit Snape's and Voldemort's body on fire and left, not letting anyone know Snape had been a part of Voldemort's group. For Snape wasn't one of the bad guys like they had all thought and instead he was the one trying to free them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So the large group slowly started to walk up the hallway towards the main hall and when they reached the door Remus approached the wood and placed an ear on it and listened for any others. "It's clear" he said to the others and opened the door to a large brightly lit hall with several door all around.
"We need to find a fire place" said Remus and the others nodded in agreement so they set the stretcher in the middle of the floor and Hermione stood beside it while the others went to the doors and opened them looking for a fireplace where they could floo to a safe location. And 10 minutes later they were opening the last doors and Bill Weasley called out to the other, "Here, there is a library here with a fireplace that looks like it could fit 4 or 5 people if not more."
So the others ran over to where Harry –who was still in wolf form- and Hermione, was and grabbed it and made there way to the door Bill was standing next to. And once they were inside the room they all gasped, Bill had not been joking; the library was twice the size of Hogwarts library and in the center of the room on the wall was a large fire place. And when they approached they saw a small bag of glittering powder.
But the fireplace could hold probably 6 of the 12 people so Molly, McGonagall, Harry, Hermione, Fred, and Ginny all got into the fireplace where one of the people grabbed a handful of powder while the others held onto Harry and the floating stretcher. So Molly grabbed the powder and threw it to their feet while saying the name Isabella Figg's house, Harry's neighbors and they were off in a swirl of green flames, colors, and ash.
And soon they landed in the small fireplace and they fell out on top of each other in a small dark living room, it was obvious that the owner wasn't home. So they moved away from the fire place and 5 minutes later Arthur, Tonks, Remus, George, Bill, and Charlie came falling out of the fire place. Then once they had all dusted themselves off they saw a small clock hanging on the wall behind them and it read 8:30 pm so it was still early but it would be wise if they weren't seen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We should go next door to Harry's Aunt and Uncles house but they won't be too happy with all of us showing up. But someone should stay behind, I'll do it so someone can tell Miss. Figg" said Remus and they all nodded in agreement.
So they left Remus walked out the small house and looked around and no one except a few muggles walking, but with no means of saying a spell that could keep them from sight they just walked out of the door and walked towards Number 4 Privet Drive.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And as Remus watched the group and his cub disappear from view before heading back into the house and waited for the lady that lived there. But he knew that it could take hours before she got home so he slowly made his way into the kitchen and found some hamburger in the fridge. So the werewolf pulled a handful of meat out of the bag and pressed it into 3 patties before searching for a pan. So 3 hamburgers later Remus was sitting on one of the chairs in the den still waiting but Miss. Figg still hadn't returned.
So with a sigh he got up from the chair and looked at himself 'I really need a shower' he thought and so he went up the stair heading up to the 2nd level of the house looking for some clean clothes and a shower. But once he had finished and put on the clothes that he found and went downstairs right as he heard a noise on the other side of the door. And when it finally swung open Miss. Figg saw the man and immediately dropped her bag and ran over to him before giving him a bone crushing hug.
So Remus just looked down at the woman before smiling and hugging her gently in return but as soon as he finished she pulled back and looked at him with tear filled eyes. "You're alive. You really truly are here" and the man just smiled down at her and replied "Yes, yes we all are alive" and Miss Figg's eyes widened.
"A-a-all of you?" she finally managed and Remus just nodded again and fresh tears started to stream down her wrinkled face. So Remus just gave her another small hug before walking over to the couch and sitting and launching into the story of where they had disappeared for the past 2 years.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
But outside the large group of people where surrounding Harry, hiding him completely from view but in doing so they got stares from the few people who were still outside walking around. The group just ignored the people and continued to walk the short distance to Number 4 Privet Drive and when they finally reached they house they all let out a sigh of relief. For in the front room they saw that the lights were still on and they could hear the faint sounds of the television through the slightly opened window.
So the group approached the door and Mr. Weasley knocked several time before taking a few steps back and waited but they could all hear Mr. Dursley's grumblings and loud footsteps coming towards the door and when they finally stopped the door suddenly flew open to reveal a large man.
But as soon as Vernon saw the group he immediately tried to shut the door but Mr. Weasley pulled out Voldemort's wand and walked through the door and asked calmly, "Where is Harry's bedroom and a place where we can get cleaned.
But the large man didn't say anything and instead he just turned his back and started to walk up the stair case and so the group just said nothing and followed the man until he stopped and turned to face the group and said "The boy's room is here" and pointed to the room to his right. "And this is the bathroom" and he pointed down the hall to a doorway on the left.
"Good, thank you now I need you to go and get your wife and have her bring any medical supplies that you have" said Mr. Weasley while the others started to move into the small room. But when Vernon saw the large black wolf on the stretcher he stopped and said "No, no no that thing is not allowed in this house" and Mr. Weasley just shot him a glance that quickly quieted the man and he turned and went down the stairs to get his wife.
But the others then went over to the bed and with 5 of the people the gently lifted the large wolf off the stretcher and lowered him to the bed, but the wolf gave an unconscious whine when touched. So to get it over quickly Mr. Weasley pointed the wand at the wolf and it's body started to twist and turn until finally the figure turned human and all the long, black, matted hair fell off leaving the bruised and beaten body of Harry Potter.
But they boy's breathing was ragged and slightly strained under the pain and what concerned them the most was the large bites and scratches all over his body. And some of the injuries on his back from the almost daily torture sessions with Voldemort had reopened and were bleeding freely. But before anyone could say anything Petunia had walked into the room and gasped at the sight of her nephew.
"Oh my goodness, what happened to him? Never mind that, Dudley!!! Piers!!!" the woman said and soon 2 boys came into the room and both stopped in their tracks when they saw Harry lying on the bed. "Boys, I need you to go get a large bowl of warm water, peroxide, and empty bowl and several towels" Petunia said and they quickly nodded before scurrying off to gather the items, and 10 minutes later the woman started to prep.
Then, soon she wet one of the pieces of towel, but as she started to reach down to Harry's skin Bill grabbed her hand and turned it over. There was a small cut on the palm of her hand from cooking dinner that night. So Bill just said "You may want to put on a pair of gloves" and Petunia just looked at him but said nothing and ran into the bathroom before coming back with a pair of latex gloves covering her hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So 2 hours later Remus and Miss. Figg had finally made it over to the Dursley's house and everyone had been showered and eaten something but Harry, who was now awake and clean. Was sitting in his room, his voice hoarse with his wounds properly cared for; but everyone including the Vernon, Dudley, and Piers were sitting in the room watching him. But his Aunt was downstairs and much to her confusion making 5 medium-raw steaks for the boy.
And after she finished cooking them she placed them on a large plate and with a knife and fork in the other hand she walked up the stairs with the plate towards the room Harry was sitting. But when she reached the room it was no longer empty; Remus and Hermione had come into the room and where all just sitting there.
"Here are your steaks" Petunia said setting the plate and cutlery down on the boy's lap. But when Harry reached out his arms to keep it from falling his Aunt got a clear view of the brand burned into his left arm.
"Wha-What happened to your arm" she asked Harry who –ignoring the knife and fork- picked up the steak and brought it to his mouth before ripping a huge chuck off. But as she waited for him to answer he continued to eat all 5 of the steaks and after he finished he placed the plate on the table beside him and looked at his aunt.
"What happened to it? That is one of the easier questions….well Voldemort always had branded his followers with a Skull and a Snake and when he touched it everyone's would burn and they would all need to stand before him within seconds. But mine does not work like that, this on my arm was to signify that I was just one of his many servants…" said Harry trailing off. But Petunia continued to ask questions all through the night and into the next morning until finally Harry made her stop.
For Harry was incredibly tired and for the first time in 2 years he felt the moons call on him. Calling him to come back to her, so with everyone still looking at him he shut his eyes and took a deep breath before he felt someone approach the bed.
"Harry, Harry are you okay" came the sound of Hermione's voice and he opened his eyes which had now turned a golden amber color and smiled at the girl before kissing her on the lips whispering "I love you" to her. But too soon for Hermione, Harry broke the connection and looked at Remus.
"You were only safe because of the collar, you'll be feral tonight" said Harry and Remus just sighed and lowered his head but he didn't say anything. So the room was quiet until Piers walked into the room smiling. But Petunia had already left the room and Harry was barely able to lift himself out of bed.
"The old man is going to be 'feral'? Well this will be a fun night" said Piers and Harry just looked at him before replying. "And if you know what's good for you, you will stay inside the house tonight, unlike last time" but Piers just kept smiling and walked out of the room. Harry just sighed and placed his head in his hands before the bed sank ever so slightly as Hermione sat down.
"Harry, it'll be alright. Voldemort is finally dead and you are free, we are free" said Hermione and Harry just smiled over at her and lay down making enough room for her to lie beside him. So as Remus stood up and watched as his cub finally found his mate, the man smiled and walked out of the room turning off the light and shutting the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So later on in the day the sun was starting to set in the western sky and after hours of arguing Harry finally convinced the Dursley's to let him stay in the house while a feral Remus was outside. And by the time Remus had gone outside and placed his clothes in a safe location he sat in the far corner of the yard away from prying eyes and waited on the moon.
But Harry was up in is small room with Hermione beside him –only because she was too stubborn to leave- and watched out the window as the sun disappeared from the sky completely and waited the few minutes until the moon started to rise. But Harry was still scared to change, because last time he did he almost hurt the people the loved, again.
So when the raven haired boy saw the thin silver line coming up over the horizon he turned to Hermione and said "Hermione, please. Please leave, I don't want to hurt you." But Hermione just looked at him with a sad smile on her face and shook her head and said "No Harry, I trust you. Just because of the last time you weren't yourself doesn't mean that it will be the same now."
And Harry just lowered his head and sighed "I know Herm…ahhh" he tried to say but he was cut off when the first of the few rays of silver light touched his skin and he fell to the ground. So Hermione just backed up to the corner of the room to give Harry enough space as his form grew. But as soon as the transformation was complete the large wolf just lay on the floor and Hermione slowly moved over to sit by him and started to stroke the thick black fur.
But soon Harry lifted his large head and looked at Hermione before standing up and walking over to the door. Harry just whined and scratched slightly at the door and Hermione finally understood before walking over and opening the door and Harry gently stepped out onto the landing.
"Harry, do you really think that this is a good idea?" Hermione asked but Harry just ignored her and walked down the stairs. But when he reached the 1st floor landing nobody was in the hall so he went forwards towards the kitchen. Then Hermione, who was right behind him, reached out and opened the door and Harry walked through.
And when Vernon and Petunia caught sight of him they immediately jumped up and Vernon said "what the bloody hell do you think you are doing?" But Harry just ignored him and walked over to the fireplace lay down while Hermione sat down on the couch.
"I promise you, he won't hurt you. He is completely safe just sit down" said Hermione and they slowly sat down but still keeping their eyes on Harry. And when Hermione sat down Harry stood up and walked over to her pulled her to the floor with him.
And as they lay there Harry and Hermione finally fell asleep on the floor next to each other, so Vernon and Petunia stood up and started to leave the room. But before she left Petunia grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and threw it over the two. But this woke Harry up and he looked around, then he saw it was only Petunia he just looked at her then Hermione before lying beside the girl once more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day after everyone had woken up all the wizards and witches got dressed before heading down to the dining room to have breakfast. But when they reached the first floor they scanned the room for the Dursley's had fixed the breakfast and were already sitting down. And the only reason this shocked them is that they thought maybe they would have left leaving by themselves.
So they all sat down around the large table, though it was very awkward sitting there that morning, it was also very sad for Harry. Even though he hated the Dursley's they were his only family they still raised him and took care of him.
But after breakfast most of the magic folk went into the living room and flooed to Diagon alley to collect some of their money, buy a new wand, and go home for the first time in 1 year for them.
But then it was only Harry and Hermione left in the room with the Dursley's and so Harry turned to his Aunt and Uncle one last time.
"Thank you, thank you for everything. But I would also like to say that, I'm sorry for everything I put you through" said Harry and he reached out and shook the hands of his Aunt and Uncle before going to the fireplace. And with Hermione by his side he stepped into the fire place and said "Diagon Alley" and with a swirl of green flames and ash Harry Potter left the Dursley's house forever.
The End
Epilogue
Two months later as Harry walked into the small apartment from work and he was greeted by a Hermione who was in the small kitchen with her wand pulled out while standing over the stove. So Harry just smiled and set down his wand on the table before walking over to Hermione.
"Hey Baby…" said Harry as he wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a quick kiss up her neck until he finally reached her lips. And so Harry pulled her around to face him and she smiled before returning the kiss and they began walking backwards away from the kitchen and towards the couch. But before they reached the cushions Hermione pushed away slightly.
"Harry there is something I really need to tell you, I'm pregnant" she said and Harry stopped and smiled before asking "I'm gonna be a father?" and Hermione –still smiling- nodded her head and said "yep….'daddy'" and Harry just smiled even wider before kissing her again.
