Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! They make my heart get all giddy with joy! hehe
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"Harry, you don't have to walk with me, really I'll be fine," Hermione insisted.
"I'm coming with you," Harry answered steadily.
"Harry! You said you weren't going to do anything-"
"I won't, but there's someone else who will."
"Who? Did McGonagal-"
"No, Professor Lereux," Harry answered, noting that they were only a couple hallways away from the Defense room and hoping that Lereux would already be there.
"What?" Hermione exclaimed. "Why'd he do anything? What can he do?"
"He said your detentions would be stopped,"
"But how?"
"We'll just see now, won't we?" Harry asked, pulling Hermione down the last corner to see Lereux pacing before Umbridge's door.
Once Lereux spotted them, he walked towards Harry and Hermione genially.
"Good Evening Miss Granger. Now if you'll just attend your detention as usual, only for a couple minutes of course, I'll be in shortly and hopefully we can get this whole mess sorted out."
Hermione looked confusedly between Harry and Lereux.
"Sir?" Hermione questioned, still not really sure how or why Lereux would be able to help
"I have a plan, not to worry. Now go along, we don't want you to be late now do we?"
Hermione shared a look with Harry before sighing.
"Alright sir, thank you. You won't get in trouble for this will you?"
"No, of course not, what I'm planning is perfectly legal."
Hermione looked relieved and nodded before walking towards Umbridge's room.
Once the door closed, Lereux pulled out two small items from his pocket and enlarged them. A small box of what Harry assumed to be chocolates and a bouquet of flowers appeared.
"What, you look surprised?" Lereux remarked.
Harry nodded, for he was surprised, very surprised. "You're going to...distract her with gifts?"
"I'm going to ask her to dinner, get her to stop worrying over your little friend. I've seen the way she looks at me, she thinks I'm handsome, it shouldn't be such a hard thing to get her to agree."
"But...well surely you hate her just as much as everyone else does."
"Of course."
"Then why not obliviate her, or I don't know, something," Harry wondered.
"I could, but then again, I could get caught doing that, and I under no circumstances want to compromise my position here. And if that toad of a woman is on my side, I'll have more leeway to do what I want in the future," Lereux smiled and reached out to trace Harry's jaw line.
Harry wrenched his face away.
"Stop that....This plan of yours is beyond stupid," Harry added in a harsh whisper. "You're supposed to get her to leave Hermione alone, that's all. Use a potion to cause her forget, or cast Imperio to force her to forget, I don't care really, but just something that will work!"
"You want me to use dark magic, Harry?" Lereux asked teasingly.
"I want you to use something that will get Hermione out of that room," Harry emphasized, pointing his finger down the hallway.
"But my plan will," Lereux argued.
"I doubt it," Harry scoffed.
"Just because you, my dearest Harry, seem bent on rejecting me, doesn't mean others wouldn't jump at the chance for a date with me," Lereux concluded, before turning sharply.
Harry glared at Lereux's back as the professor walked to Umbridge's office, running forward a bit to watch off to the side. He almost positive that Lereux's plan wouldn't work.
Sure, Harry had noticed a lot of people seemed to find Lereux attractive, well spoken, and he obviously had a fair amount of money. Most teachers wouldn't be able to afford the kind of tailored robes that Lereux regularly wore.
But all those things didn't mean that Umbridge would automatically cancel Hermione's detention, especially just for a date with Lereux. It was ridiculous.
Getting fed up with Lereux's preposterous plan already, Harry was half ready to just burst into Umbridge's room and start yelling at her, taking the woman's attention off Hermione if necessary.
Just at that moment Lereux knocked on the door and opened it slowly, making sure to keep the flowers visible in his hands.
Umbridge looked up, her gaze automatically softened when she noticed it was Leruex.
"Oh hello there Demetri," Umbridge simpered.
"Good evening Dolores," Lereux began cheerily, then seeming to just notice Hermione, he let his smile falter. "Oh...I see you're busy, I can come back later-"
"Oh, no, I always appreciate a visit from you!" Umbridge exclaimed. "What brings you here at this time of night?" Umbridge continued, her eyes resting heavily on the flowers at Lereux's side.
"Well, I was hoping perhaps that you would honor me with your presence for a late dinner this evening?" Lereux asked in a sickeningly sweet tone. Leureux's manner sounded incredibly fake and sarcastic, at least to Harry, but Umbridge seemed oblivious.
Her eyes lit up as she smiled.
"This is quite unexpected, Demetri," Umbridge paused a moment. A moment which found Harry and Lereux both holding their breaths. "But not unwelcome in the least."
"So you would like to go out this evening?" Lereux clarified.
"Of course, that sounds like a marvelous idea," Umbridge purred as she stood.
Harry's jaw dropped in astonishment when he heard that Umbridge actually agreed.
"Let me just get my coat and we can be off." Umbridge turned with girlish enthusiasm to her office before spying Hermione sitting in the middle of the room, still looking completely confused.
"You, young lady, can return tomorrow evening to continue your detention!" Umbridge shouted, her voice suddenly changing to the screeching high pitched noise that Harry was accustomed to.
Harry inwardly cursed Lereux's plan, he knew it wasn't going to work If only the Astronomy professor would be actually useful for once and use conventional wizarding methods to take out an enemy!
Lereux didn't seem bothered though, he simply cleared his throat. "Ahem, Dolores, please forgive me if I am being overly optimistic, but I was hoping that if perhaps you enjoyed my company enough tonight, that Friday evening we could spend together as well..."
Umbridge looked frankly ecstatic at that thought but still seemed torn as what to do with Hermione.
"Go on Delores, go get your coat, I'll see to it that Miss Granger serves detention with another teacher. Though no other is as capable as you obviously are, I'm sure one can be found that will be able ensure that Miss Granger ceases in her delinquency."
Umbridge glared at Hermione, but one more glance at Lereux seemed to clear her mind and she nodded, smiling in that sickeningly sweet way before going to her private rooms.
The moment she was gone, the ridiculously false smile of Lereux's left his face as he gestured to Hermione to stand.
Hermione walked quickly to the door and left the room with Lereux.
Lereux gazed at Harry who was still standing in the hallway, dumbfounded, after hearing what had just taken place. The Astronomy professor shot a triumphant smirk, which Harry returned with a silent glower, though he was happy that Hermione had gotten out of detention.
"I'll meet you back in the common room in a sec Hermione, I just need to talk to Lereux for a moment."
Hermione raised a silent questioning eyebrow, but when no answer was forthcoming she simply nodded. "Fine, we'll talk later though," Hermione added.
Harry nodded, though he was reluctant for that particular conversation. Hermione turned and left.
When she turned down the hallway, Harry spun to confront Lereux.
"I can't believe that actually worked," Harry muttered.
"I'll just try to forget that you ever doubted me," Lereux returned. "You can make it up to me on Sunday."
"Yes, Sunday, I was thinking about that and I can't go to Hogsmead you. If you really must insist on a date, we can have one here if you want-"
"No, you promised to go out to dinner with me, and you will," Lereux ordered.
"You don't get it, do you? I can't go to Hogsmead. Have you forgotten Voldemort, he's after me. Besides, you don't even have a chaperone to go with us," Harry argued, thinking of any reason to get out of the date.
"First of all, you've never let Voldemort stop you from anything, you're just using him as an excuse. Besides, we'll be glamored and I will be able to protect you. And about this chaperone, it's not my responsibility to find one. I don't mind at all if someone from your pack comes along. Actually I look forward to you telling Fenrir that you need a chaperone for a date with me. Especially since you just promised him that you were going to remain faithful to him, which was really, a stupid decision in any case," Lereux finished spitefully.
Harry clenched his fists, torn between outright punching Lereux or perhaps shaking him and demanding why he had to be so annoying...and right. Fenrir would be upset, or perhaps...crushed would be a better word if he found out that Harry had agreed to go on a date with Lereux after Harry had specifically said he wanted to choose Fenrir as a mate.
Lereux cocked his head to the side, listening intently for a moment.
"You have to go. Umbridge is coming, I'll see you this Sunday. My rooms, after dinner," Lereux added, pushing Harry down the hallway.
Harry shrugged off Lereux's hand on his shoulder, throwing a glare at the professor, and ran the rest of the way down the corridor. He started heading towards Gryffindor tower, before changing his mind and direction. He needed to talk to someone.
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"I need your help," Harry began, after getting Remus and Sirius together on the living room couch and assuring them that nothing too catastrophic had occurred.
Harry paced back and forth across the beige carpet of the new apartment that Remus had rented in Hogsmead.
It wasn't much but it was nice and Sirius seemed to like it since it was bright and didn't hold as many bad memories for him.
Harry was happy with it as well. It was what made it possible for him to see his godfathers so easily, all he had to do was run down the underground tunnel, sneak into Honeydukes, and walk to the new apartment which was only a few streets down. It was all surprisingly easy to accomplish considering his invisibility options.
"With what?" Sirius asked concernedly.
Harry clenched his hands a little nervously. After all he had pretty much formulated his plan on the walk over to his godfather's apartment.
"Well, you know our new Astronomy teacher?"
Remus and Sirius nodded.
"It seems he's a...werewolf."
Remus cocked an eyebrow questioningly while Sirius simply smiled and slapped his knee.
"Well, I'll be damned, another one? Where's he from?" Sirius asked.
"He's not part of our pack, that's for sure, doesn't belong to any of the clans really. And he's just recently made his bid to be a future mate of mine."
"Fenrir let a foreign werewolf into the competition?" Remus asked incredulously.
Harry nodded.
"Not at first though, Fenrir almost killed Lereux, that's the professor's name, over it but I stepped in. Lereux is a pure blooded werewolf too and it would have been a hard fight for Fenrir to win. Not that he couldn't have done it, but it's not so important you know, considering that the whole dispute will be solved this July. But that's why I need your help. Lereux just asked me to dinner this Sunday, and I need a chaperone but I don't want to ask Fenrir because I don't want Lereux and Fenrir to get into a fight again,"
Harry explained in what he hoped was a convincing way.
Harry assured himself that his reasoning seemed plausible. In any case, even if his godparents doubted him, Harry was fairly certain that they would never guess the true reason why he didn't want to ask Fenrir for a chaperone.
After all, it'd be pretty difficult for them to happen upon the fact that Harry had chosen Fenrir as his future mate and had later promised to go on a date with Lereux to save Hermione from detention, thereby putting Harry in a rather complicated situation that made it imperative that Fenrir never know of said future date.
Just thinking about it all made Harry feel as if a headache were coming on.
"I'm very flattered that you'd ask us, Harry, but are you sure that Remus and I would be enough protection if something happened?" Siriues asked, thankfully not noticing Harry's conflicted inner thoughts. 'What about if Voldemort showed up or I don't know anything about this Lereux person, but what if he tried to kidnap you? Maybe you could ask one of your werewolf friends to come along as well, without involving Fenrir," Sirius suggested.
Remus shook his head. "That won't work, whatever the pack knows, Fenrir would find out."
"Yes, but I'm sure Harry has some loyal werewolf friends, friends he could trust with a secret," Sirius pointed out.
"Secrets, sure," Remus shrugged. "But none of Harry's friends would go behind Fenrir's back in this case. Not when Harry's safety is concerned at least. If any of them came along and Harry was harmed in some way, Fenrir would have their head."
"I don't want any of them coming, anyway," Harry broke in. 'You two will be enough," Harry stated confidently.
"What do you think, Remus?" Sirius asked.
"If Harry wants to go this weekend, I don't mind watching over Him. We'll need to disguise ourselves of course. We can be in the background, there's no reason for Lereux to know we're there at all. I don't think we'll have to worry about Harry's physical safety anyway."
Sirius looked surprised but didn't question Remus at the moment.
"Alright, Harry, I'll get an emergency portkey together for you then and alert the order that they may be needed that day," Sirius relented.
"Thanks," Harry sighed, happy that his plan had worked out so far.
"So where is this Lereux taking you?" Sirius continued.
Harry shrugged. "I don't know, I just know he want he wanted to go to dinner somewhere in Hogsmead."
"We'll need a tracking charm on you then," Remus muttered.
Harry nodded. "Alright, no problem."
"And what does this Lereux look like?" Sirius continued.
"Tall, black hair, blue eyes, usually wears fancy robes," Harry added, trying not to sound critical.
"Anything else we should know?"
Harry shook his head.
"Oh, don't leave your poor godfathers out of the gossip," Sirius admonished. "You like him then, this Lereux, at least more than the others?" Sirius asked. "I mean, you're going through a lot of trouble just to go out with him, and you're going behind Fenrir's back as well."
"Is something wrong between you and Fenrir? Did he do something to you?" Remus followed.
"No, not at all," Harry disagreed ardently. "It's just, I wanted to go out this weekend with Lereux and it's no big deal, I don't want to bother Fenrir with it. Nothing is wrong," Harry lied.
"Alright Harry, no problem," Sirius relented, holding up his hands. "We were just curious, you're not one to usually go along with these alphas' date ideas, that's all. There's no other reason you're going out with Lereux than you fancy him a little?"
"The quidditch supply store is having a sale this weekend, maybe that's why Harry wants to go to Hogsmead," Remus noted jokingly.
Sirius laughed.
"No, I just want go out, that's all. Does there have to be a big reason behind everything?" Harry questioned, trying not to feel guilty for lying again. He wasn't really in a hurry to explain anything further. Harry didn't want his godparents to know he had basically used the date with Lereux for his own purposes, to get Hermione out of detention. Even though it was all for a good cause the whole situation still seemed dishonest. The less anyone knew about it the better, and after Sunday everything would be sorted out.
Sirius and Remus still looked skeptical but didn't say anything.
After finalizing their plans Harry left, running back to Gryffindor tower to probably tell a couple more lies to Hermione. Sighing inwardly Harry wondered how everything could get so complicated so quickly.
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"So what do you know that I don't'?" Sirius questioned after Harry had left.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked, taking a sip of his newly made tea.
"You're not one to usually endorse trips out with random werewolves," Sirius clarified.
"Oh that, yes I suppose you're right. But Lereux isn't a random werewolf, he's Harry's astronomy teacher," Remus reminded.
"So he's a werewolf trying to live in the wizarding world, and you feel as if this gives you two a common understanding or something?"
"No, it just means that I know that Lereux is aware of certain things."
"Such as?" Sirius questioned.
"Well, just think about it. If Lereux kidnapped Harry he'd not only have us after him, but Voldemort as well. Add to that that Fenrir would be able to find them in a moment's notice and anything that he'd try would be a death sentence."
"Oh, I see....wait, explain the, 'Fenrir would be able to find them in a moment's notice' part."
"You didn't think that Fenrir entrusted us with Harry's care and with the wizards at the school just out of the goodness of his heart? No, the moment that Fenrir bit Harry and made him into a werewolf, a deep bond between the two was initiated, as it is with all sires and the werewolves they create."
"So you're saying that Fenrir can find Harry no matter where he is, at any moment because of the bond they have?"
"Basically yes, Fenrir can find any one of his unmated werewolf heirs. Once a werewolf pup is mated that bond overrides the Sire bond of course, but until then, yes Fenrir can find anyone of his heirs."
"Does that include you?" Sirius asked carefully, not wanting to upset Remus.
"It did at one time. Part of the reason that I take the Wolf's Bane potion is that it nullifies the entire werewolf nature, making such bonds irrelevant, at least for that month. So no, Fenrir can not find me any longer though those means at least."
Sirius nodded understandingly as Remus went on.
"In my opinion, the greater danger is Voldemort. But that case is as it has always been. We will take the proper precautions."
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"Harry! Where have you been?" Hermione asked the moment that Harry re-entered Gryffindor common room.
"Just talking to Lereux," Harry answered, trying to sound nonchalant about it. Harry took a seat in front of the fire tiredly. Hermione followed close behind.
"About what? Really, what happened. How did you get him to do that for me? How did you even know that would work. Why would he go out with Umbridge of all people!"
Hermione asked loudly as the common room was deserted, everyone already having went up to sleep.
"I honestly don't know how Lereux knew that plan would work. It seemed a bit random to me, but that was what he chose to do. He said that that plan had the least chance of being found out since he's not doing anything illegal in this case. Oh and he said that this plan of his had the added bonus of getting Umbridge to trust him more or something."
"But why? Why would he do anything that in the first place? He doesn't actually like her, does he?" Hermione questioned.
"No, he doesn't like her. He did it because...he wanted my autograph," Harry finished lamely.
"What?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"Yea, he just wanted my autograph. Pretty simple really. He asked me for it during my last detention with him and I said no. And then I found out that you had another detention with Umbridge. So I went to him and said I would give the autograph to him if he got you out of detention."
"Oh," Hermione answered, looking confused and a bit disappointed. "That's it? I didn't really know that Lereux was like that."
Harry nodded and inwardly hoped that the excuse he had thought up on his walk back to Gryffindor tower to explain Lereux's part in Hermione's rescue might turn into a full blown rumor. It'd serve the arrogant teacher right to be associated with the likes of Lockhart anyway.
"I stayed up to also give you these," Hermione held out the transfigured Occlumency books that Harry had dropped the night before.
"Oh, thanks," Harry replied taking the books. He felt a sense of alarm thinking that that Saturday he'd have to have an Occlumency lesson with Snape.
Suddenly feeling very tired, Harry bid Hermione goodnight and left for his dorm room to wait until it safe to venture out once more.
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Harry ran to Fenrir, jumping at the end of his stride to launch himself at his intended future mate. Fenrir, chuckling deeply, easily caught him and apparated with Harry, back to their own territory. They stood in one of the numerous outcrops of the central clearing. Harry could hear the muted sounds of the rest of his pack moving around near by and noted that though he and Fenrir weren't exactly in private or alone, no one could see them in any case, and no one would be able to hear them if they spoke lowly.
"Well, I'm happy to see you too. Stressful day?" Fenrir asked, keeping his grip on Harry firm.
Harry nodded. "You could say that. We should practice fighting again tonight, that always makes me feel better."
"I don't see how losing makes you feel better," Fenrir returned teasingly.
Harry scoffed, pretending to be offended,. "I'm still getting better, besides I've been practicing with that sling shot that Charles gave me."
"And you think a sling shot is going to give you the advantage against me?" Fenrir asked challengingly, pulling Harry tighter against him.
"Maybe," Harry answered uncertainly, looking down, just realizing how close he was to Fenrir. Still held securely in the alpha's arms, with his legs hooked around Fenrir's waist. Harry liked the position personally, but he didn't think it would bode well if someone else saw them that way. Seeming to notice as well, Fenrir let Harry down gently.
"My dearest Harry, if you're ever going to defeat me, or anyone, in hand to hand combat it will be with this," Fenrir continued, reaching under Harry's loose cloak sleeve to grasp at the dagger that was always secured there. "Not a toy that some foolish scout gave you."
Harry swallowed heavily, Fenrir's fingers on his bare wrist felt like burning embers upon his skin.
"So...I guess that means that you will practice fighting with me tonight?" Harry asked, happy that his voice didn't shake while asking.
Fenrir smiled slightly, though not many would have been able to detect the slight crinkling around the eyes and small twitch of lip as a smile. "If you wish, pup. Though sparring with you has become more a test of my restraint than a test of strength."
Harry laughed, stepping back to punch playfully at Fenrir's shoulder.
"Well hopefully one day soon I'll progress enough that any momentary distraction on your part will result in dire consequences..." Harry added dramatically.
"Dire consequences meaning...you not losing?"
"Exactly! See, even just talking about my eminent triumph is putting me in a better mood."
"Well, I'm glad. You'll need it in any case."
"Oh? What happened?" Harry asked.
"Nothing too out of the ordinary. The scouts are becoming increasingly impertinent . Just expect them to be more assertive than usual. I'll try to hold them off as much as I can-"
"No, no need, I'll talk to them today, it's my worry, not yours. Besides, I'm sure none of them will be as bad as Lereux was."
"So you've told him about your choice already?" Fenrir, sounding satisfied.
"Yes, he didn't believe me at first and tried to talk me out of my decision. And then he sent me this ridiculous gift."
"What was it?"
"A quill, an apparently really expensive quill."
"A quill? Really...why? Do you have deep interest in writing that I don't know about?"
Harry laughed. "No, the quill is supposed to really help you write papers and things. He just sent it to me because he hoped that'd I spend my extra time with him. I gave the quill to Ron, who I'm sure will greatly appreciate it."
Fenrir smirked, "I'm sure Lereux liked that."
Harry shrugged. "I couldn't care less what Lereux likes or not. He's just being annoying lately."
"If he keeps bothering you, I could talk to him if you wish..." Fenrir offered, a dangerous glint in his eye.
"No, no, that's fine," Harry reassured. "It's not a problem. I can handle it," Harry added, feeling foolish. He shouldn't have brought up Lereux at all. It was just, he was so used to Fenrir knowing all of his problems that he wasn't used to censoring his words.
"So, I guess I'll go talk to the alphas, and then we can spar?" Harry asked, hoping to change the subject.
Fenrir nodded. "Make sure to get Catherine to accompany you."
"Will do," Harry answered, walking back to the main clearing while trying to sort out his thoughts.
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"Thanks for gathering here on such short notice," Harry started, he couldn't help from pacing before the group of alphas in front of him.
"No problem, Harry," Charles piped up, the youngest and perhaps most kind of all the alphas that had proposed him, Harry noted. Harry regretted having to turn Charles down most of all. Not because he felt any romantic feelings for Charles, it was only that he didn't want to hurt Charles, they had become good friends over the past several months.
"Well the thing is, I need to tell you that..." Harry took a deep breath, he would have thought that after doing this once today it would get easier. "I have decided, already chosen, the Werewolf that I would like to eventually bond with." There, it was out. Harry opened his eyes, he didn't realize that he had closed them, to see all of the werewolves sitting on the edge of their log seats.
"So, who is it?" Aaron asked.
"Isn't it obviously me?" Render asked smugly, standing up from his seated position.
"No, it's no one here," Harry quickly pointed out. "It's...Fenrir."
"What!" Render snapped.
"Yes, he's my choice," Harry repeated. Render was probably as annoying as Lereux, Harry mentally decided.
"Why would you choose him? I got you the best gifts, took you to the best places, brought you the best food!" Render exclaimed, glaring at Harry.
"You can have your gifts back if that's what you're upset about, and I didn't ask for the other two things, you just did them. Furthermore, If you're wondering why I didn't pick you, it's because of this Render- your temper. At any given moment you're ready to pick a fight with anyone who doesn't agree with you. You're immature and-"
"How dare you talk to me that way," Render hissed, advancing swiftly upon Harry.
Catherine came up beside Harry and firmly pushed Render backwards a couple of steps.
"Sit down, Render and keep your distance," Catherine ordered.
"Oh, now you come to interfere? Where were you last night when Harry was alone with Fenrir, hmm? You're always so quick to make sure you're around whenever Harry has an outing with one of us, but when Fenrir wants to take him somewhere you barely notice! Fenrir is alone with Harry all the time, picking him up from Hogwarts-"
"Fenrir is Harry's guardian as well, and as such is afforded certain rights-" Catherine protested.
"Certain rights? What about our rights!" Render shouted.
"If you still believe you are the best mate for Harry, go ahead and continue trying to win his approval. Though your current behavior isn't helping much in his esteem of you, I'm sure."
"Oh, I'm not talking about those rights. We should be able to be alone with Harry as well, as Fenrir is. We should be able to interact with him in our werewolf forms too, as Fenrir did last night. Those are the kinds of rights we should have."
"That seems fair, since Harry has already done all those things with Fenrir," Stephan piped up.
"Fenrir is Harry's guardian. It was in that respect that Fenrir was alone with Harry, nothing more," Catherine reiterated.
"Seems like it must have been something more, else Harry wouldn't have chosen Fenrir already," Render continued accusingly.
"Being alone with Fenrir or in my wolf form with him has nothing to do with it," Harry shouted, brushing past Catherine to stand before Render himself, challengingly.
"I'll never consent to spending more time with you than I absolutely have to, Render. This episode more than anything else has convinced me that you are definitely not the right person for me. And if you keep pressuring me or keep making things difficult for Fenrir and the pack by making a menace of yourself, I'll discipline you myself," Harry threatened.
Render didn't look intimated and simply rolled his eyes, though he did take a step back.
"What about us, Harry? Did Aaron and I do something to offend you?" Charles asked, it was obvious he was unhappy and put out.
"No, neither of you bothered me in the slightest. I genuinely enjoy your company, it's just that I've realized I don't have romantic feelings for you. I don't want you to waste any more time and effort this year when my choice is already made. I hope you can understand," Harry sighed. His chest ached, even though he knew he was doing the right thing, he didn't like hurting Charles' feelings.
Charles nodded. "If that's what you want, Harry then...I remove myself from the competition."
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Charles."
"I don't doubt your conviction Harry, if you have chosen Fenrir already, there is little point in sticking around. I was planning on leaving later this year in any case," Aaron admitted.
"Leaving, where are you going?" Harry asked.
"South America, I've been there once before and always wanted to return."
"Are you planning on returning?" Harry queried, feeling odd. He knew that sometimes alphas left the pack when mates or food became scarce but Harry had never really thought that would happen to his own pack, not now at least.
"One day, possibly," Aaron replied. "Perhaps this is for the best and you have only realized it sooner than I. You would not have been happy running after adventure, while I could never have been content remaining here."
"Yes, I guess not. Adventure finds me enough as it is," Harry noted jokingly.
"That it does," Aaron agreed, smilingly. "Either way, it was an honor to know you, Harry. I'll go inform Fenrir of my decision."
After Aaron left Harry continued standing, surveying the remaining alphas and wondering what they would do next. Stephan, and Charles still loitered around the clearing looking lost, though Render still looked quite angry.
"This solves nothing you know. Just because Charles and Aaron have no sense of pride, doesn't mean Stephan and I will just let this go," Render announced.
"You say I have no sense of pride? What would you have me do, Render?" Charles growled. "Even if Fenrir's conduct seems unfair to us, it's not like challenging it will make Harry reconsider us. He has already made his decision," Charles explained.
"Can't you see Harry is being manipulated, Charles? I'd think you'd want to protect him, not just give up-"
"I'm not giving up!" Charles shouted, obviously getting angry. "Can't you get it through your thick head, there's nothing to give up on as he doesn't want us!"
"He thinks he doesn't want us because Fenrir has been tainting his thoughts all along, making it seem as if he were the best!"
"Alright, Render, say you're right and Fenrir has been involved in a nefarious plot to brainwash Harry into wanting him most all along, there's still nothing you can do about it. You can't defeat Fenrir, you can't make Harry want you, so there's still no point in arguing about this, nothing can be done!" Charles shouted.
"I can't believe that, there has to be something," Render spat, and left the clearing abruptly in a rage.
Harry watched him leave, feeling a sense of dread, before turning back to the two remaining alphas.
"And your choice, Stephan?" Harry asked.
"If you wouldn't mind, it's not like I doubt you or anything, but I would like to remain in the competition for your favor. Just to see it through, things...might change?" Stephan asked hopefully.
"I doubt it, but if you wish to continue courting me, I can not stop you," Harry relented.
Stephan nodded understandingly and left the clearing quietly, leaving Charles.
"I'd watch out for Render if I were you, Harry. He's not vindictive, but sometimes he can be exceedingly reckless and cause problems."
"Thanks for the warning. And you, you have already taken yourself out of the competition, what are your next plans?" Harry asked concernedly. "You're not leaving too, are you?"
"Oh no," Charles shook his head. "I like it here. Though I might leave for a little while to find a human mate to change and bring them back here, I can't imagine leaving this place for a long period of time."
"I know what you mean," Harry answered, looking around at the trees that surrounded them. Sometimes when the wind blew, Harry almost felt the leaves were whispering words of encouragement or comfort. He would never willingly leave this forest, it had become his home, Harry realized.
"I know you do, Harry. When you came here I had hopes of us being together, but even if I have lost the chance of being your partner, I am happy at having gained the chance to have you as a friend."
"Oh you don't need a chance, Charles, you already are my friend," Harry answered confidently.
"Good to know," Charles smiled.
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"You know, I think you handled that very well," Catherine admitted after Charles had left.
"Well? You call Render flipping out and basically questioning my mental stability, 'a well handled situation?'" Harry asked.
Catherine shrugged. "I'm pretty sure that would have happened no matter what you said, but you kept your cool in the situation while remaining firm. You could have done no better. This whole situation will work out in time," Catherine reassured.
Harry sighed, "I can only hope you're right, Catherine."
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