Author's disclaimer: Any reference to Inu Yasha belongs to writer and illustrator Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 47: Asking for Help

"HARRY!" The Pack cheered when they saw their Alpha join them for supper, causing the young Lead to smile warmly at his family.

As one, they surrounded the lithe male and enveloped him in a tangled mess of hugs. The half dog-demon suddenly felt a tension, one that he was unaware of possessing, disappear as he physically touched each member of his Pack, re-assuring himself that they were safe and near. He held onto Hermione tightly and did not let her leave his side as the others began to lead the raven-haired wizard to the Gryffindor Table.

"Did everything go well?" Hermione whispered, knowing that the half demon would hear her even over the din of the Great Hall.

"Everything went fine." Harry whispered into his blood-sister's ear.

She smiled and found herself leaning into her ot'frat side. She suddenly felt the queasiness in her stomach begin to subside. Ever since Harry had left for the demon world, the Gryffindor witch had been feeling ill at ease, barely able to eat anything. While the feeling of unease would dissipate a bit in Kaguumb's presence, it was nothing compared to the feeling of relief she felt at that moment, leaning against Harry.

Harry did not give it much thought when he felt Mina lean against him. Instinctively he wrapped an arm around his ketsuguis-shisor.

"Did you make them pay?' Ginny suddenly asked as she pushed a plate of fruit and cold meats toward Hermione.

The red-haired witch had noticed how little her older blood-sister had eaten in the past few days and worried about the brunette's health. She and Luna tried to ensure that the older girl had something to eat - even if it was not much.

The Northern Lord just grinned as his emerald orbs flickered to his Mate, who for a brief moment locked gaze with the Gryffindor teen. Severus' brow arched in question before his dark eyes flickered toward Hermione. Harry saw a flick of concern and relief race through his Intended's obsidian orbs. A slight frown marred the half demon's face. It did not escape his notice at how his shisorn were pushing food onto his an'sor, making him wonder if he had made a mistake in leaving his Pack as he knew that Hermione would lose her appetite when stressed out.

Suddenly their little corner of the table echoed with a yelp as the raven-haired Gryffindor jumped a little and looked down, affronted that Mina had the nerve to tickle him on his side.

"You did what you had to!" Mina hissed in warning.

"Then why are Luna and Gin' pushing food onto your plate, and why is," Harry then leaned in closer and gently whispered into her ear so that only she would hear him, "Severus relieved that you are also eating?"

Hermione blushed at the light scolding.

"Okay, I was worried, and I couldn't eat properly, especially when I worry, you know that, but you, Mister," She immediately poked her blood-brother's chest, "better not start feeling guilty for doing something right! I will always worry about you! Rather you like it or not!'

Harry raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender while his Pack laughed at the pair.

"Okay! Okay! I give! Just stop that! And eat!"

Mina let out a quiet huff but went on to eating the stacks of fruits and cold meats that Luna and Gin' were giving her.

"What the bloody hell is Loony Luna doing here?" A disturbingly familiar voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, "And! You! Get away from my girlfriend!"

The Great Hall was not overly noisy nor was it utterly quiet; however, at the moment Ron began shouting, the entire Hall fell silent and watched the drama unfold with rapt focus as if it was a play or a soap opera.

Harry looked over his shoulder and glared at the freckled face teen.

"Wherever Luna chooses to sit is her decision as is whomever Hermione chooses to be around is her decision, Weasley." The Northern Lord slowly replied, a low growl hidden beneath his words, "Besides… since when have you been Mina's boyfriend?"

The redhead flushed even brighter.

"She's always been mine! You can't have her!"

SLAP!

"Yes!"

"You go, girl!"

Luna and Ginny both cheered as they watched their blood-sister slap Ron across his face while Harry and Neville looked on with smug satisfaction.

"I don't belong to you, you chauvinistic pig!" Hermione bellowed as her body trembled in a mix of fear and anger.

For far too long, the red-haired lion had made statements of possession of the brunette muggleborn witch in either the form of blatant statements or just simple mannerism. In the beginning, especially after second year, Hermione did not understand the young man's behavior, thinking that Ron was just immature as most young boys were. However, as the years progressed, the Gryffindor witch noticed more and more of the redhead's possessive nature. She truly did not know what to make of it.

Her father was never possessive; perhaps a bit overprotective but never possessive. Harry was definitely never possessive of her or of Ginny, and none of her uncles and male Muggle friends from primary school were possessive.

Hermione could not explain it, and it scared her. It scared her as much as her Nightmare that still haunts her. But no more! She was tired of being scared. She was not going to let the redhead's confusing behavior scare her into submission. It was as Harry and Sirius had said… She was a strong person! She will confront her housemate and let him have a piece of her mind.

The young witch opened her mouth once more for a lecture when her hazel-brown eyes grew wide as she saw the red-haired wizard raise his hand to strike her. Suddenly her vision became blocked by the sight of her blood-brother's strong back, and her ears were deafened by screams from all around. She looked around to see if she could find the cause of the chaos; however, she only found her pack mates with their wands at the ready. Cautiously she peered around Harry's frame and blinked owlishly at the sight she was seeing.

Harry stood still as a statue. The tip of the black-stained Sword of Gryffindor pressed against the pallid flesh of his former friend. The stench of fear wafted off of the lanky youth's flesh in waves while his pupils were dilated to the point where no color was visible.

"I warned you, Ronald, about raising your hand against a woman." Harry calmly stated, applying a little more pressure to the blade's tip and drawing blood.

"MR. POTTER!" The Headmaster's voice echoed thunderously throughout the Great Hall.

Harry did not waver his focus from the mangy lion in front of him

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

"Obsidio. Propulso." The Northern Lord immediately and calmly countered, stopping the Headmaster's magic with the flat side of Gryffindor's Sword and batting the spell back to the castor.

Ancient eyes grew wide in surprise as he felt his own spell disarm him.

Silence befell the Great Hall.

All eyes stared dumbly at the Headmaster, who was a deathly shade of white.

Dumbledor just stared at his wand, which laid several feet away from him.

A black brow arched, waiting for the ancient wizard to pick up his wand.

Suddenly and yet as if time had slowed down, a hand picked up the wand, and twin pools of obsidian-darkness stared into twin pits of Killing Curse green fire.

"Care to explain." Severus demanded, still holding onto the Headmaster's wand.

The teen then just simply shrugged.

"I just reacted." The Gryffindor stated nonchalantly.

"Reacted?" The Potions Master replied in disbelief.

"That is not what Professor Snape wanted to know!" McGonagall suddenly hissed, leveling her wand on the sword-wielding teen.

"It's not?" Harry rebutted then sheathed the sword.

Severus rolled his eyes at his Brat's cheek. In all truth, the Slytherin was surprised to see the younger wizard carrying Gryffindor's Sword, but he was not really surprised by it. After all, Evie had proclaimed the teen as 'Master Gryffindor', naming the brat as the Heir to all of Gryffindor's possessions. By wizardry law, Harry was well within his right to possess and carry the famed sword. The dark wizard just did not think that the young man actually would be carrying the blade.

The old hag was about to let loose another string of irate ranting when the Great Hall echoed with the pitter-patter of small feet.

"MASTER GRYFFINDOR!" A child's voice thundered enthusiastically.

Instantly Harry found himself with an arm full of a hyper-active castle-child.

"Hello Lady Hogwarts, did you miss me?" The half demon smiled. He noticed several of the Slytherins trying to catch their breaths as if they had been running after the she-castle.

"Yes!" Lady Hogwarts replied as she gave her Master a big hug.

"Mr. Potter…" Dumbledor's voice finally broke through the chaotic din, causing the younger Mage to coolly look at the ancient and withered wizard, "you have no right to be carrying that sword."

"LIAR!" Lady Hogwarts immediately shouted, "It too is Master's Sword!"

"Outrageous!" The Head of Gryffindor House exclaimed then looked toward the Headmaster, "Albus, do something! The boy shouldn't be allowed to carry such a valuable artifact!"

Dumbledor, however, was quiet as he thought over the homunculus' words. Ever since the little creature came to being, it had continuously referred to the troublesome waif as 'Master Gryffindor'. At first, he had not really thought much of it because it was common knowledge that Gryffindor's bloodline had died out, but now… now, the fact that the urchin was wielding the famed sword made the ancient wizard wonder if there was more to the title that the thing had given his weapon. The Headmaster had thought he knew everything there was to know about his pawn, but it would appear that he did not. And he did not like it. He would have to do some research, but first, he would have to separate the orphan from the sword.

"Harry," Dumbledor began in his grandfatherly tone, which did nothing but raise Harry's hackles, "I think it's best that I hold onto the sword and perhaps I can even get it cleaned up for you."

Harry arched a brow as he stared at the old man. His expression spoke volume of what he thought of Headmaster's idea.

"The blade is in better hands, Headmaster." The Northern Lord replied then leveled a dark glower on the red-haired wizard, "You've been warned, Ronald. Raise a hand again against any of my sisters, and I will seek blood."

The mangy lion's freckles stood boldly against the sudden pallid complexion at the half demon's warning.

The raven-haired teen turned around and began to walk away. He ignored the Transfiguration Professor's demands for him to stop. Harry and his Pack disappeared from view.

"Albus! Are you just going to stand there? Potter is now armed! His entire behavior is questionable! You cannot continue to turn a blind eye! Do something!"

"Enough!" Dumbledor snapped, effectively silencing his faithful deputy.

The ancient mage ignored the chattering of the students as they had witnessed the events unfold. His cold eyes stared at his slave, who kept his eyes lowered while still holding onto the Headmaster's wand. Dumbledor looked at his wand warily before taking it from his servant.

Instantly, he felt the magik of the wand course through him but… it was not the same… It never would be the same again, and he knew this. Absolute fury colored his face as he stormed out of the Great Hall, unaware of a pair of knowing eyes watching everything from the shadows.

What will you do next?


Cautiously a young Slytherin walked through the darken corridors. He had been told by his older brother to never walk the corridors alone and more specifically never alone at night. But he knew that he could help his brother and his brother's friends.

For the last couple of days, the young Slytherin's brother and his friends had been trying to talk to a certain group of Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw; however, each time they thought they had a chance, something would interfere. The First year Slytherin suspected that it was intentional - the near misses. He suspected that the other group was being protected while the group's leader was away. Of course, he did not have any proof, and he did talk to Evie about his suspicions, but the she-castle did not tell him anything that he did not already suspected. Shadows will remain untouched until Master comes back.

Dominick thought it was strange that Evie would call the group 'Shadows' until he watched them. There was a thin barrier around the group, which pretty much made the other student population ignore them unless the other students posed no threat to them, and sadly it looked like that the majority of the student population were a threat in one form or another to the small group. They became living Shadows. And of course, it ended when their leader, Harry Potter, had returned. It was then that Dominick knew that he could help his brother.

The young boy looked both ways of the corridor checking for Mrs. Norris or worse other students, before going down the hallway. The small Slytherin knew it was dangerous to head toward Gryffindor Tower, but he did not know where else to begin his search. It made sense to him to first try the Tower because Harry Potter was after all a Gryffindor.

Making another turn down another passageway, Dominick instinctively froze when he heard voices, speaking in a strange and yet enchanting language. The First year quickly ducked into an empty room and waited for the voices to walk by. It felt like it took forever before the petite student felt comfortable enough to leave his hiding spot. Slowly he popped his head out and found the corridor was empty once more. He stepped out of the room when suddenly…

"Mreow…"

For a second time, Dominick froze as he looked around for the mangy grey-tabby, Mrs. Norris, but he could not find her. He really did not want to be caught by Mr. Flinch and his mean cat. His mercury-blue eyes looked owlishly into the darken hallway when he spotted a pair of ruby-red eyes staring at him. Startled, the little Slytherin took a step back while at the same time, the eyes came closer. He immediately stopped his retreat when he saw who had found him. It was Harry's friend, the one everyone thought was a cat.

"Eh… hi!" Dominick shyly waved, "I'm looking for Mr. Potter. Do you know where I can find him, sir?"

"That's a first time a youngling has ever called me that." A bemused voice chuckled from behind the young boy, causing the child to snap around and openly stared in awe at the wizard in front of him. "It's really weird… I'm just Ha-ree."

"Uhm… hi!" The Slytherin greeted while he was surprised by the slight accent.

"So young one, you wanted to see me?" The dark haired teen asked.

"Wow! You're really look like Inu-Yasha!" The little boy excitedly exclaimed.

A brow arched.

"In-u-ya-sha?"

"Yeah! It's a really awesome show!" Dominick began, "My best friend's older sister always watches it! Inu-Yasha is the hero! He has doggy ears like you do and this really cool sword too! At first, the sword doesn't look like much, but it transform into a really big, cool sword. Does your sword transform too?"

"You can see me?" The half demon's voice was flat, which scared the First year.

"Eh… Yes'sir." The little one stuttered.

The Gryffindor knelt down and looked at the young Slytherin in the eye.

"You don't have a Third Eye."

Mercury-blue eyes blinked as he shook his head 'no'.

"There's something about you…" The older wizard trailed off, "Something… my blood… my blood tells me that you should be respected and feared…"

"What?" Dominick exclaimed, shocked that anyone would fear him, a 11 year old boy.

||:Siri, do you understand why I feel this way?:|| Harry asked his blood-brother, who shifted back to his true form but never wavering his eyes from the youngling.

||:This one is a Holy Child.:|| Sirius replied, which caused Dominick to stare at the Fire-Ice hybrid in wonder, ||:I have heard stories of such humans… they were blessed with the ability to see our true form and if need be destroy us.:||

||:Really?:|| The Northern Lord exclaimed in surprise, not believing that the little boy could even hurt a fly let alone a demon.

||:Yes, according to legend, with a mere touch these Holy Children could destroy us, but when we separated from the human world, they became hunted. Ironically they were called demons by the other humans. A few Holy Children were able to cross over into our world but not many. It was believed that they died out.:||

"Wow!" Dominick chirped as he looked back and forth between the two demons as they spoke.

"Siri tells me that you're a very special young man." Harry said, "He says that you're a Holy Child. Do you know what that means?"

The little Slytherin blinked before his eyes grew wide in understanding.

"I'm a Shaman." The little one whispered in breathy tone.

"A shaman?" The dog demon asked.

The First year nodded his head.

"Well then, little Shaman, you came looking for me… even now knowing what I truly look like."

"I won't told anyone! Scout's honor!" Dominick quickly replied while holding his hand up with three fingers up.

"I believe you, but I'm curious as to why you're looking for me… Dominick."

"How-how do you know my name?"

"I heard about what happened to you from Professor Snape, and I've offered to protect you. Didn't Professor Snape tell you?"

"Unc- I mean, Professor Snape said that you would take me in!"

Harry arched a brow, hearing the near slip up but decided not to ask about it.

"Is that why you're looking for me? You need me to protect you?"

"It's not me!" Dominick quickly replied, "It's my brother!"

Emerald green orbs blinked.

"Your brother? I didn't know your brother came to Hogwarts as well. If you both need protection, I'll give it to you both."

The little Slytherin began nibbling his lower lip.

"He's my half-brother."

"It doesn't matter."

The First year became even more nervous, which made the older wizard pause.

"Who is your brother?" The Gryffindor quietly asked.

The half dog demon then took a good look at the little Slytherin. He looked at the little boy's mercury-blue orbs and slight upturned nose. The more that Harry looked at the First year, the more he saw his former rival in the child. His eyes grew wide as the realization hit him.

"Malfoy."

"Please! Don't tell anyone! Nobody knows!" Dominick beseeched, surprising the Gryffindor wizard.

"DOMINICK!"

Harry immediately shot to his feet, placing himself between the new voice and the little Slytherin. His body was taunt while his hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

Millicent Bulstrode skidded to a halt when she saw the Golden Boy reach to his side. Her eyes were wide as they darted from the little Slytherin to the Gryffindor. Her hand twitched for her wand, but she feared that any sudden movement would put the First year in danger.

Harry dropped his hand to his side but remained alert.

"Millie!" Dominick called out from behind the older wizard.

"Potter." The witch tightly greeted.

"Bulstrode." The Gryffindor replied then turned back to the younger Slytherin, "I meant what I said. It doesn't matter."

The Shaman's face lit up in a happy and yet relieved smile.

"Thank you!"

Harry nodded as he walked pass Millicent and whispered before disappearing into the shadows.

"I'll speak with your Alpha."

Millicent snapped around to confront the Gryffindor Golden Boy, but he nor his cat were nowhere to be seen. The buxom Slytherin turned to the wayward First year, who was just looking into the black hallway in awe. She quickly grabbed the smaller Slytherin's hand and hurried back to her worried friends.

When she and the others had realized that Dominick was missing, they all became frantic.

It was dangerous for a Slytherin to be out alone at night, especially for a First year, because the other Houses would not hesitate in attacking anyone from the House of Snake. But for Dominick, it was especially dangerous since the caramel-colored boy could be - and had been - attacked by members of his own house. And ever since the night of the earthquake, the little boy had been ostracized from the House of Snake and without the protection of the House, Dominick was vulnerable to attacks from the other Houses.

Ignoring the curious and a few smug looks from those within the Slytherin common room, Millie quickly found her friends as they had gathered near the fire place, having just returned from their own search of their missing little serpent brother.

"Draco!" She called out, "Room! Now!"

Then she proceeded to the Slytherin Head Boy's room with Dominick in tow. The other Slytherin students just watched while they speculated as to what the First year had done to earn a private audience with the Ice Prince and his court. Slowly one by one, Blaise, Greg and Vincent rose and followed the hurried pair into Draco's room. Once they had gone, Draco too rose and began to follow but immediately stopped when he felt something latch onto his arm. He glared down at the pug-faced witch, who had the gall to attempt to look 'sweetly' at him. But in reality, it was taking every ounce of his pureblood upbringing not to vomit on her right there and then.

"What are you doing, Parkinson?" Draco coolly asked.

"Dakey-poo, don't be so coy!" The witch's shrilly voice let loose a high pitch laugh that could probably shatter ear drums if she had continued, "I'm going with you, of course."

"Not bloody likely." The pale blonde muttered and pulled his arm free from the girl's clutches.

Pansy crossed her arms and tried to pout, but it turned into a grotesque snarl.

"Dakey, I know you're going to court to punish that Savage! I demand to be there! It's my right! As your betrothed!" The painfully thin girl then stomped her foot in a tantrum worthy of a two-year old.

"Silence!" The Lord Malfoy ordered, effectively silencing not only the annoying witch but the entire common room.

"Listen and listen well, you ugly hag, you are not my betrothed. I don't know where you got that disgusting notion in that pea-sized brain of your's, but it is never going to happen. I'd rather become a monk than have you as a wife. And as for the Savage, he is none of your concern. I am the Head Boy, and I will deal with him as I see fit!" The Ice Prince stated and immediately left the common room for his own room. And as the blonde teen entered his room, he heard the harpy's shrill as she demanded that he apologize.

Draco took extreme pleasure of slamming the door on the pug-faced witch's face.

"About bloody time you did something about that she-leech." Vincent grumbled.

Silvery-blue orbs just rolled upward before turning to Millie.

"He wants to talk to you!" She blurted out before the blonde could ask his question, causing her three friends to blink owlishly.

"What?" Draco asked, "Who wants to talk to me?"

"Potter!"

Silence fell over the group.

"Potter? He wants to talk to me? Why?" The Slytherin asked as his mind tried to come up with any possible reason.

Even though it was only the beginning of the school year, the Gryffindor and he had not quarreled and were in fact quite civil to one another whenever their paths crossed.

"Isn't that what you wanted, Drake?" Dominick asked from his seat on Draco's bed.

"What?"

"Well, you were trying to talk to him through his friends but couldn't because they were protected since he was gone."

"Protected? What do you mean protected? And where did he go?" Blaise asked when the blonde was quiet.

Dominick just shrugged.

"Dunno… I just know."

"Dominick, honey, we had plan." Millicent interjected, trying to explain to the little boy their methods, their ways, of forming alliances.

"Don't, Millie. Leave it alone." Draco replied then looked at his half-brother, "You told him?"

"He guessed, but he won't tell!" The little one quickly defended his newest hero.

The blonde was quiet for a moment.

"How did he react to the information?"

Mercury-blue gems blinked then the youngest Slytherin just shrugged once more.

"Surprised, I guess."

"When I found him, Potter was protective of Dom… even had his hand on that sword of his!" The Slytherin witch chimed in, "Waitaminute? He knows that you and Draco are brothers, and he still protected you?"

"Well yeah, why shouldn't he?" The simplicity and innocence of the question made the group pause.

The older Slytherins looked at each other, but none of them could answer the youngest wizard.

"Waitaminute!" Blaise interjected once more, "As much as I am surprised that Potter knows about you two, I am more concerned about this whole 'protected' thing. Because frankly, I didn't see Potter around to protect his friends."

"Just because we didn't see Potter, it didn't mean that he wasn't there." Vincent replied, "I tried to get near Lovegood, but every time I tried, it was like she wasn't there."

"I had the same problem." Greg stated, "One moment Longbottom was there and the next he was gone.

"How's that possible? And not having the Headmaster react to it?" Millie asked as she too noticed how Potter's friends were invisible, "Do you think they used a Notice-Me-Not Charm?"

"For almost a week?" Blaise questioned.

"It was Harry." Dominick answered, "The shadows listened to him. They protected his friends because they didn't know if you were threat to them."

"The shadows?" Greg frowned, "Dominick, no one can control something in tangible like shadows."

"Harry can." The First year asserted.

"Oh sweetie! Don't believe that silly hype that Potter is a God among wizards." The buxom witch cooed.

"I'm not!" Dominick whined then looked at his older brother, "Drake!"

"Leave him alone." Draco quietly ordered, causing the others to look at the blonde curiously, "Just know that Dom sees and know things that we don't know nor hope to understand and leave it at that."

"Just like that?" Blaise challenged.

"Yeah, just like that." The Ice Prince replied then knelt down before his little brother, "Dom, you certain about him?"

"Yep!" The little boy chirped, "He's like a real-life Inu-Yasha! It's so cool!"

"What?" Blaise asked, but Draco did not answer.

The blonde knew exactly who his little brother was talking about. However, the older Slytherin was curious as to why his brother would compare Potter to a fictional character.

"Okay." Draco stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants, "I'll go look for Potter and talk to him."

"What? Now?" Millicent gasped.

"If not now then when?" The blonde asked then said as he walked out of his room, "Let Professor Snape know what's going on."

Translations:

ot'frat (youma-lingua) - younger brother

ketsuguis-shisor (youma-lingua) - blood-sister

Shisorn (youma-lingua) - sisters

an'sor (youma-lingua) - older sister

Obsidio. Propulso. (Latin) - Block. Repel.