I will remind people, this is an M rated story.
A/N: Thank you so much for the responses and new followers.
A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
Chapter 18
December 4, 1994
Malfoy Manor, Somewhere in Wiltshire, England
A trembling house elf put a gold rimmed porcelain plate on the table. "Master's favorite," the elf said before backing away.
He didn't pay the creature any attention. A golden box was open on the table next to him. His hands were still covered in the ashes from the contract that burned up yesterday. He had not been able to access the box until this morning, having had stayed in London over the night to finalize the details of Draco and Pansy. He had returned as soon as he had had a hangover potion from Lord Davis' elf. He was assured of at least one chance at an heir.
The second chance had burned up the second LORD Black claimed the half-blood mutt and its fuck-toy mate as heirs of House Black. The Daily Prophet lay open on the table on the other side of his plate. A smiling Black with Potter and the Granger bitch looked at him as they walked out of the Ministry. Lord Black found not guilty! Corruption at Ministry found to have sent him to Azkaban with no trial. His stomach churned at the headlines. How was the bastard Black even LORD Black! That title was to pass to Draco. He was the rightful heir to the House of Black. Now Potter would gain another powerful line and the contract he had with Greengrass was now in ashes because he couldn't offer the man's daughter the title of Lady Black.
"Grrraaahhhh," he yelled and swept his arm across the table. The safe box, two goblets and his breakfast crashed to the floor.
After a moment, he felt the water and the breakfast wine seeping into his sleeve. He snarled and shook his sleeve off. There was movement out of the corner of his eye. He could see the elf shifting uncomfortably. "Clean this up and then punish yourself for making a mess. Return the safe box and the other contract in there to my office."
"Yes, Master Malfoy," the elf squeaked.
He stood and walked out of the room. "Bring a new plate to my room."
Narcissa was out in France for the week. She was trying to make contact with a branch of the Blacks that were supposedly doing well over there. It was a far shot, but if she could find an active contract in the last five generations that had been unclaimed, then they could marry Draco off again and apply for a Right of Blood to reclaim the Black line here. There were items in the Black Vaults he needed access too and could only do that if Draco claimed Scion rights at fifteen, or if he were to marry someone of the Black line. Draco didn't turn fifteen until end of July next year. He would need to marry.
As far as he was concerned, his son was a whore he was selling to the highest bidders or best blood line. Lucius knew the boy was not sterile, so he just needed him to perform. He needed three more seats in the Wizengamot to finally break Dumbledore and Bones blocks, and to do that, he needed at least one more Lordship for his son. He silently cursed his old Master again. If he had known those old potions to increase their strength could lead to sterilization, he would never have taken them. He wondered how many of the Old and Purebloods may now be afflicted with that malady from serving the Dark Lord?
He ripped off his robes and threw them on the floor. Sipsy would clean it up later. Today, he needed to visit his son and his betrothed. Last task they had been able to find an ingenious way to complete the task. He could have done without the illusion of Draco running, but he had completed the task in less than eight minutes, which was fourteen minutes faster than Diggory. All the dragon's eggs had also survived. Which was more than could be said for the Bulgarian or half-breed. It had put him in the lead by three points over Diggory.
The only downside was that Draco would have some scarring on his back. If he hadn't used the enchanted water then it would most likely have killed him. His betrothed had surprised him with her rune work, even if she had gotten some help. But as a Slytherin, you didn't always have to do things on your own. That was a lesson Lucius had forgotten under the Dark Lord. A lesson he would not repeat with Narcissa or his son.
-oOo-
December 14, 1994
Lobo Dorms, Hogwarts, Scotland
Hermione was at the table with Bonnie and Annabel. Bonnie had her herbology books open while Annabel was working on Runes and Hermione had been helping her while she did her own runes work. Because the Professors had given them all the syllabus and planned assignments for the year, they had been working diligently to stay ahead. Given that Professor Babbling was already three weeks behind her syllabus and she was two months beyond the assignment schedule, Hermione was doing a bit of her own work, fleshing some of her papers out more and focusing on a book about creatures she had found in the Restricted Section. Remus had given them permission to look for information on werewolves and Madame Pince had agreed to let her remove the book from the library since there were no bindings on it.
After a few, a frustrated sigh came from Annabel. "Hermione, I can't get this. I have translated for both eihwaz and laguz and it doesn't make sense. This isn't translating into English or Latin."
The brown hair girl put her quill down and rubbed her eyes. They had been at it for a while. "Let me take a look," she said getting up. Looking at the clock, she frowned. It was close to nine on a week night. "Anyone seen Harry, Jason or Pierre? Curfew is in a few minutes."
Bonnie looked up. "I know Jason was supposed to be with Nicholas and Yvonne in the library. You don't think something happened, do you," she asked looking worried.
Things had not been exactly pleasant for them. Any of them. It was unusual to see anyone besides Pierre out. Harry was supposed to be doing something with Ron and Neville for a bit. "I'm sure he is fine, Bonnie." She tried to keep the frown off her face. It was already late for their friends to walk him back and get back to the Hufflepuff dorms in time.
"They won't have time to get back before curfew," Bonnie said.
"I'm sure they are fine," Hermione tried to reassure her. "Now, Annabel, what are you doing here."
She figured it was better to keep them distracted. Harry still had a bit before curfew, but Ron and Neville didn't. When it was quarter past nine, she couldn't concentrate anymore and kept looking at the stairs. "Should we go find them," Annabel asked. "I can see how worried you two are."
Hermione shook her head. "You two aren't supposed to be out after curfew."
The door to the dorm opened and she let out a sigh of relief. "Harry? Jason?" She couldn't smell them yet.
"It's Professor Lupin," their Beta called out. She could smell something was wrong.
"Where is Harry," she asked at the same time Bonnie asked, "What is wrong with Jason?"
Remus came into view and looked at them with a sad smile. "There was an incident today," he started. Hermione felt her heart thump in her chest. If something was wrong with Harry, would she know? Where was he?
"What?" Bonnie looked scared.
"The Ministry was conducting some raids on some suspected smuggling rings today," he said. Bonnie sat heavily in her chair. Annabel looked concerned. She put her hand to her mouth, knowing nothing good was coming from this. "Jason's father was working at a warehouse where one of the raids happened. They don't know what exactly happened, but his father didn't make it. The DMLE thinks he was just an innocent in this."
"Oh, no. Jason. Where is he? How is he doing?"
"Harry is with him with Professor Sprout. They are in the hospital wing. I am claiming Temporary Guardianship over him to keep him out of Child Services and to keep him in school. Hermione, will you accept him into our Pack? Harry doesn't want to do that without your approval too," Remus asked.
"Of course," she said without hesitation. "Remus, that is Harry and Jason, but Pierre is not back yet. He's usually very punctual about eight-thirty."
Remus nodded. "I will look for him. Can I trust you to stay here with Bonnie and Annabel? Harry will be back in a little bit, maybe with Jason. Understandably, he's a little torn up right now. Madame Pomfrey may keep him overnight."
Hermione felt her insides clench, but if Jason was truly Pack, he should not be left alone. "Tell Harry to stay, if Jason does. Pack should not be alone," she told him.
She could see Remus knew what she was doing. "I would feel better if Harry was with you lot tonight. I will make sure Jason is not alone."
The breath that escaped her was unexpected. She hadn't realized she was holding it in. Bonnie sniffed and started crying. Hermione moved to her side and hugged her. "It'll be alright, Bonnie. Jason will be alright." She knew that meant eventually, but she had to keep Bonnie as calm as she could. Annabel came over to put her arm around her. Bonnie held them both.
Bonnie shook her head. "Jason thought this might happen. Their Alpha was into some bad stuff. His father didn't like it, but they had too. Jason told me what they used to make him do. Tell me they got Roberta Entwood. Please say they killed her." By this time, she had looked up at Remus with a blood lust in her eyes. It was her wolf looking for revenge and to keep a friend safe.
Remus shook his head. "I don't know what else happened. The DMLE is being pretty hushed. They would only tell us about Jason's father." There was a thoughtful look on Remus face as Bonnie turned her head into Hermione's shoulder. "Entwood. I've heard that name before."
"One of the packs you know," she asked, running her hand through Bonnie's hair.
"That was the name of the woman that attacked that muggle family last year," Annabel said. "I remember being really afraid. It was only a few miles away from my parents."
Remus snapped his fingers. "That's it. She was a runner for Dmitri Haveroff or something like that. Her pack would move stuff from Russia to places in Britain and back. Dumbledore had me tracking them a few years back. I thought she was still in Nurmengard after getting caught in Belgium."
"Jason said she became their alpha about two years ago, after she killed the old alpha and beta." She was sniffling and tears were still on her cheeks.
"Bonnie, I am sorry to ask you this, but do you know what they had Jason doing?" She looked at him with wide eyes. Hermione had the sense the girl had said to much. When it was apparent she didn't want to say anything, Remus stepped to them and crouched down. "Bonnie, I understand Jason may have told you not to tell anyone, but this could be very important. It may help Jason."
"What are they going to do to him? Where is he going to go? His father and him didn't really have anyplace to stay. They had to use the school funds to get his stuff. Professor Lupin, he can't go back to her," Bonnie told him.
Remus gave her a reassuring smile. "Jason will not go back. Once Harry claims him part of our Pack and he accepts, I will be able to claim full Guardianship over him and we have a safe place for him to go when not at Hogwarts. Speaking of which, I received this from your mother yesterday."
Bonnie sat up and pulled away from Hermione. She wiped the tears off her cheeks. "What is it," she asked reaching for a parchment Remus had taken from his pocket.
"Your mother has given me permission to act as your guardian, instead of the Headmaster, while at school. She would also like to meet with Harry and you over the Christmas Break. Are you staying this year?"
Bonnie nodded reading the parchment. "Yes. Mum had to move again and it is better for me to stay here."
Remus nodded. Hermione knew Bonnie and her mum were always on the run. "Remus, can we extend any protection to them? I know Harry would do that."
"We can talk about it over Christmas Holiday. For now, I would get back to Harry and Jason and send Harry back. Bonnie, I would like you tell me about Jason tomorrow."
They nodded. The urge to go to Harry's side almost overpowered her need to be the Alpha's mate. She was an Alpha also and should stay with the pack that needed her.
-oOo-
December 18, 1994
Outside Wolverhampton, West Midland, England
Fenrir was looking onto the town of Tettenhall, just outside Wolverhampton. Lucier wanted to send a statement tonight and distract the Aurors so that a large shipment could come in. He had five of his pack with him and hoped to add a few more. The smile on his face was pure depravity as he thought of the flesh he would have tonight. His pack would finally be let loose. First though, they would have to find a virgin. Gareth was going to go through his first turn tonight and he needed to breed. The hag with them stood nearby.
He couldn't stop the growl from escaping him. The hag was the reason he served Lucier. The old pacts were still honored between the wolves and hags, and thus no hag would ever be harmed. If she was, the werewolf was sure to die a painful death as their blood burned them up to taste the blood of a hag. They needed the hag, and they needed Gareth to seed his first girl without killing her. Doing so as a wolf was almost as potent as two virgins doing it out of love. But where the purified silver made from love was a death to the wolf, the silver made by two virgins forcibly put together was what he needed.
"Have you given the potions to the others," he asked looking at the sickly bluish-brown potion in his hand.
"Yes. You keep your promise and I keep mine. Do not kill her. Do not turn her. Whomever you choose will be valuable to us." The hag's voice was raspy and hoarse.
He tried not to snarl. "I know what we must do, Freda."
She looked at him and took a bone out of her pocket. "As well you do. It would not do for you to forget it."
He snarled and growled that time. He missed where he had lived the last ten years. The wolves had broken from the Covens. It was a glorious time where they need not yield to the old ways. Then the ICW came and he was forced to flee back to his homelands. The only good thing was that a large portion of the packs were rife for rebellion and they would have it soon. Much of the forgotten creatures of the old lands were restless. They were dying out. Their ways were constantly being restricted, forbidden or destroyed. Muggles were moving into the last of the Old Lands and wizards hunkered down behind their magic.
Fenrir wanted to move openly again. Feed when he wanted and generally claim his grounds. When he was done, all of Britain would once again belong to the packs and others.
"I can never forget." He looked up. The sun was to set soon, but the moon would not rise until close to nine. It was a Sunday night a little before Christmas so he hoped that the small shopping center would be full. He sniffed and could smell the delicious feast around them.
"You should join your pack. The moon won't rise for another few hours, but it wouldn't do for you to be found," the ugly looking hag said. She looked slimmer than a hag should. Another sign of the law's effects on the downtrodden.
He defiantly looked out. That had not been an order and he would defy her as much as he could. "I will lead them when the time is right."
Her bloodshot black eyes looked at him hard. He was ready to resist her. "See that you do. I shall be in the designated spot. Lucier needs this to make more of those for you."
Fenrir hated relying on others, but he could not deny the effects of the potion. The vukijii put, as the hags called it, was a vile potion, but it allowed him to think like a human but keep the ravenous wolf. As much as it would be better not to use, he admitted to himself to do as they planned, he must give up some of the wolf for a while. When this was over, he would never have to touch this again and would be free.
She left him as the sun set. A few hours and he would have what he wanted.
-oOo-
Tettenhall, England
The night air felt cool as they filed out of the old theater. It was in a small section of Tettenhall that was protected from Muggles. The round court outside the theater had a few shops, a cafe, and a restaurant, mostly serving the higher clientele that frequented the place for plays and concerts. Tonight, it was teens and young wizards who mostly came from well to do families. It had been a charity concert. Daphne and her friends were among the crowd after seeing the Weird Sisters.
She still felt flush from the heat of all the bodies and dancing they had done in the theater. It didn't matter that they would see the band again at the end of the week, she had convinced her parents to let them come home for a few days before going back to Hogwarts for the Yule Ball. It would allow her to attend her parents Ball tomorrow night. Most of the Pure and Half Bloods they associated with took these two weeks off to be with their children, so a Monday night ball was just perfect.
Tracey Davis, a pretty brunette with brown eyes and a broad smile, moved to hug her around her shoulder. "That was amazing. Totally worth the deal to go to your parents ball tomorrow night."
She laughed, though she should have been acting more the proper pureblood. Tonight didn't matter. The two or three hundred other teens and young witches and wizards that had been in there had acted the same way. "I'm going to tell my mother that."
The smile fell from Tracey's face. "You wouldn't! Lady Greengrass would make me clean the dishes or something."
Blaise laughed next to them. "Maybe I should mention how you eyed the cellist all night? What's his name? Merton Graves?"
Her eyes narrowed and it was easy for her mask to fall into place. "Blaise Zabini, you do that and I will let your father know what happened to the fire whiskey last Christmas."
Her dark skin friend shrugged. "From what I remember, I wasn't the one snogging Malfoy after having a couple shots."
She flushed. That had been one of the biggest mistakes she had ever made. The blonde bint had hounded her for weeks after, all the while still snogging Pansy. She just felt lucky Pansy hadn't found out. Pansy was not known to be nice to those that slighted her.
"What is this about snogging," a woman asked with a smile on her face. Many of the people were heading towards the arches under a clock tower. Passing through the arches would take you to an apparition point or allow you to go out into the small muggle area of shops in Tettenhall. Tonight, she pulled them towards Dallinghast's, a wonderful café and bakery that was already filling with older people not ready to go home.
"Daphne was snogging... umph." Blaise doubled over with her elbow to his gut. She raised an eyebrow to him and he had the audacity to smile.
"I am sure my brother deserves that, but a lady doesn't hit like that," his sister said. She looked at the tall black skin woman. Her eyes looked more amused than reproachful as she looked at Blaise. Daphne could see the family resemblance.
"How is she supposed to hit," she asked.
"Don't ask," an equally tall man said next to her. Harold Otteridge was a handsome man from a good half-blood family not far from here. His white skin contrasted highly against Melanie's, but they made a good pair.
Melanie smiled and leaned over to give him a kiss on his cheek. "That's a good husband," she said like she was praising a dog.
Harold laughed. "I just choose when to pick my fights and when not too. Ms. Greengrass, where are you leading us? The apparition point is that way," he indicated.
She smiled and Tracey's eyes lit up. "Oh, Dallinghasts! I love their chocolate cakes and they have the best pasties!"
"Blaise, we promised we would get you back before eleven and it's already half past ten," Melanie said to him. She was tall and lithe, with a dancer's body and curly hair. Daphne found her to be quite beautiful, like their mother.
"There is time, and I am hungry," he told his sister.
"I think we actually agreed to eleven-thirty," Harold stated.
Melanie gave him a hard look. "I am feeling tired and would like to be back before midnight," she told him.
Tracey moved in and took Melanie's arm. "I hear you like chocolate. Dallinhast's the best five-layer cake with cherries and fire whiskey over it. The fire they light makes the chocolate melt in your mouth."
The dark skin woman looked at her with narrowed eyes for a moment. "Remind me to hit Blaise later for telling my secrets. Fine, if you ladies would like, I could allow these fine gentlemen to treat us out."
Blaise smiled and extended an arm to Tracey. Melanie took her husbands and Daphne leaned into her friend. "I feel bad for the man that finally catches you," she said.
Tracey just smiled radiantly. "I have no clue what you are talking about. Now, Dallinghast's."
Daphne was still in such a good mood from the concert, and seeing her crush, that she allowed herself to laugh at her friend. In the middle of the laugh was when the first scream came behind them. She thought it was just some people goofing off as she turned. The smile on her face fell. More people had started to scream. A few had started to run while one had drawn their wand.
She stopped where she was. In the middle of the thinning crowd a giant beast had grabbed a woman and had her held in the air by one arm, screaming and struggling. A man next to her pulled out his wand and the thing threw the lady into the air before snapping at the man. A clawed hand caught the wizard's arm and his spell went wide. That was before the other claw came down the length of the man's face, down his torso and past his groin.
Blood spurted from some of the gashes as the man screamed, falling to the cobblestone. His hands didn't seem to know what to do as they just shook close to his face. She had time to register the mutilated features, the missing eye, the blood already darkening his robes and the ground.
She watched the monster as it rose to stand high on its back legs. It was covered in thick, course black fur, its eyes looked yellow and fetid, its snarling muzzle full of sharp off-white teeth. Muscles rippled under the sick looking fur and its hands ended in thick claws already dripping blood and gore. It howled to the moon and she stumbled back, coming out of her stupor.
Someone grabbed her shoulder. "Blaise! Melanie! Protect the girls!" Harold had his wand out and cast a spell at the howling beast. She was shoved back as the thing made a sound like a hurt dog before growling at Harold and crouching down. Harold launched a few more spells. Daphne took out her own wand. What was she supposed to do?
"HAROLD!"
Blaise had grabbed her arm and was pulling her back towards a shop front. She turned to Melanie and saw a werewolf, teeth bared and claws out, jumping at Harold's back. "Diffindo!" She shouted, but her spell went wide before the beast plowed into his back. It had jumped almost on top of his shoulders, grabbing his head as its momentum took Harold down and slammed his head into the cobblestone as it landed. She heard the sickening crunch of his skull.
"Diffindo!" She cried out again, shaking Blaise off her. This time it got the werewolf in its side and the thing gave a pained yelp as it flew off the still form of Blaise's brother-in-law.
"Daphne!" Blaise cried out. She turned to see him reaching out to her. There was no time to do more than register his horrified look before something grabbed her around her waist and pulled her forcibly from the ground. It manhandled her up and her wand dropped to the ground when a searing pain ripped through her shoulder. She screamed.
There was a white light that flew past her head and the pain on her shoulder intensified as the teeth were ripped out of it. There was a bark of anger before another spell hit close to her and she was dropped. A cry of pain came out of her as she hit the ground.
Screams, howls, growls, spells and yells were all around her. She had landed next to her wand. Her right arm lay useless at her side, a throbbing pain ripping through her body. Her mind processed that her wand was there as she saw the massive brown werewolf jump at Blaise. Her arm was limp and she couldn't move with the pain she was in. Somehow, he side stepped the beast but was caught as it did a sudden turn as it landed. It grabbed his arm in its maw and whipped Blaise over him as the werewolf stumbled.
"BLAISE," Melanie cried out before a series of spells were unleashed at the beast. The spell fire was so fast and furious that the beast had to back up, getting caught a few times and yelping in pain. The thing was lucky it was resistant to spells otherwise it most certainly would have been killed.
She watched it grab a prone form on the ground with its jaws and launch it at Melanie. She had time to register Tracey's brown hair matted with blood before Melanie tried to catch her with a spell. The werewolf barked and moved to attack them before there were multiple cracks.
Her vision was starting to go hazy as she watched two Aurors turn and start to engage the monster. It launched itself at one of them before disappearing from her vision. Moments later, there was a howl into the night and soon it was filled only with the sounds of pained screams and moans, someone crying out for their mummy and the unmistakable wail of a woman that had just lost the love of her life.
-oOo-
December 19, 1994
DAILY PROPHET
SPECIAL EDITION
MASSACRE IN TETTENHALL!
Last night as a theater in Tettenhall was emptying of patrons that had just seen a Weird Sister's concert, the werewolf known as Fenrir Greyback attacked.
It is confirmed that six werewolves attacked the concert goers and late night shoppers. Six are confirmed dead with eight more in critical condition at St. Mungo's and four confirmed bitten! The scene this reporter saw was gruesome and sickening. Only the few pictures thought to be useable were taken before the Aurors locked down the square, and only the ones thought not to turn stomachs are printed on Page 2 and 3.
The Aurors have called for a lockdown of all those that have registered under the Werewolf Reform Commission to verify they were properly constrained last night. This is the second month in a row that there were issues with the beasts. Last month, many will remember The-Boy-Who-Lives was cleared in a territorial dispute, but it doesn't mean he and his pack should have been on Hogwarts grounds where a massacre like last night could have happened.
Reports have not confirmed who was bitten, but many children and young adults from prominent families were known to attend the concert. Rumors are that a daughter of the Greengrass and the son of the Zabini families are either among the deceased or bitten.
More will be known in the next days, but many wizards and witches are already scared. The uptick in well publicized issues with the Werewolves has caused the Minister to call an Winter session of the Wizengamot a day early. The winter session is not typically a legislative session with many out of country and the ICW delegation leaving tomorrow or already have left due to large votes this winter session of the ICW.
For now, the Ministry is warning that activities around the time of the full moon, and maybe even before then, should be done in protected areas, like Diagon Alley, to keep the public safe. A list of ways to keep your family safe is expected to be posted in the next few days...
-oOo-
Hogwarts, Scotland
Hermione had dropped her fork on the table after the first paragraph. When they had left their cells and made it up to the Great Hall, the Daily Prophet had already arrived and she had been reading it. Harry had been talking with Ron while the other Lobos were spread throughout the hall with their friends. Things had calmed some since last month.
Shortly after she was about halfway through the first Prophet, another flock of owls descended on the hall. It was a very unusual sight, especially since the hall was only half full now. She saw the paper coming and frowned. She had never known the Prophet to send two papers by accident.
When she placed her two sickles in the pouch and took the paper, it was a shock to see it was different. That was when her fork had fallen.
Murmuring was starting to pick up in the hall and there was some yelling. Harry had shot up next to her. "Ron, get Hermione out of here," he told their friend.
She could smell how upset he was. "Harry," she yelled standing up and watching him racing off towards the top of the Hufflepuff table.
"Get out of here you mongrel, before you bite us too," someone yelled.
"That is my sister!"
"Cedric, get Bonnie and Jason to the dorm," Harry yelled.
"What is going on!" McGonagall had just walked into the hall. There was a scuffle going on up at the head of the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. Other people were getting up and she heard a scream. The smell of fear from Annabel overpowered the hall. She growled and Ron wrapped his arms around her. "Let me go," she yelled at her friend. "Harry!"
"Neville," Ron grunted as she tried to get out of his arms.
Neville moved in and pinned her arms to her side. She was strong, but Neville was far stronger than he looked. "Hermione, calm down," Neville said to her. "Go help Harry."
There was a big scuffled going on with all the students that had stayed for the holiday. Neville lifted her off her feet and pulled her back. Parvati and Lavender where at their side while Seamus and Dean moved up towards the front.
There were some spells before a deafening gong like sound echoed through the hall. She screamed as the sound assaulted her ears. "THAT IS ENOUGH!" McGonagall had climbed onto the Hufflepuff table and was glaring down at the scrum of students. No less than fifty students were up there. Some looked stunned. Some were stunned!
The professors in the hall started to move between the students to separate them and see if anyone was hurt. "What is going on here!"
"The mutts killed people last night. They should all be killed," an upset Ravenclaw cried out. She moved to try to get to Harry, but Neville held her. "Let me go, Neville!"
"Harry said to get you out of here," he told her.
Others were shouting or muttering agreement. "They shouldn't be here!"
"They'll bite us all!"
"They will not," an angry redhead called out.
"Harry would never do that," another one said.
It started to descend into chaos again before McGonagall pointed her wand in the air and made a sound like a cannon. "The next person to talk will find themselves stunned and suspended. You shall all report to your houses, NOW! Anyone hurt, to the hospital wing. And I mean hurt. Not just a bruise from getting an elbow. All those in the Lobo dorms up front."
The mass of students leaving the hall looked shocked or disgruntled. "You'll get yours," a seventh-year said to her as she passed them.
"Leave off," Neville said glaring at the boy.
"Oh, Longbottom has a crush on a dog. Going to have a litter with her," a girl jeered.
"Mr. Young. Ms. Edgecombe. Twenty points and detention for a week," the diminutive Flitwick said from the table as he watched the hall. Hermione tried to keep her rage down. They had nothing to do with this.
"Professor," Marietta Edgecombe sounded incensed. "Their kind killed people last night."
"Another word and you will be suspended. We shall talk. Ms. Grieve, tell all the prefects that there will be a House meeting in thirty minutes. Anyone not there shall have twenty points taken, a week of detention and suspicion if found outside of Ravenclaw," Flitwick told her.
"Yes, Professor," a haughty looking girl said. "Move you lot."
"To the front, Ms. Granger. To your dorm, Mr. Longbottom."
"Harry told us to keep an eye on Hermione," Neville spoke up. The Professor eyed him for a second. "Very well, Mr. Longbottom. And you Ms. Patil's and Ms. Brown?"
"We won't abandon a Gryffindor," Parvati said. Padma had stopped by her side.
"As commendable as that is, this does not take four extra pupils. You ladies may go back to your dorms. There is a house meeting in a very short bit, Ms. Patil," he said looking to Padma. "I would expect you to be there, or I will be forced to punish you."
"Yes, sir," she said looking at her and then her sister.
"We'll go with her," Parvati said.
Hermione couldn't thank them enough for the show of support. She could tell her pack was hurt. When she finally made it to the front, Annabel was crying and Madame Pomfrey was looking her over. Harry was standing over her protectively with Bonnie and Jason behind him looking scared. Bonnie had a ripped sleeve that Cedric was looking after. She could smell the blood on Harry, Annabel and Bonnie. Cedric looked like he took a good hit or two to his face.
"I should take her to the hospital, Minerva. I saw a few others that will need my attention too." Madame Pomfrey ran her wand across a scrape on Annabel's face and it stitched itself together.
"She isn't going without a guard," Harry said forcibly standing between Annabel and the other Professors. He had only let Madame Pomfrey near their Pack. Harry had a lump forming on his head and blood trickling from his ear. She moved to stand by his side.
"Mr. Potter, you do not get to demand what is going to happen," a still very upset McGonagall said.
"Harry is my Alpha," Annabel said. "I don't want to go without him or Hermione."
There was a silence for a moment before McGonagall pinched her nose under her glasses. "Of course. When did this happen?"
"Last night," Harry said. "Jason and Annabel are now Pack."
"And Ms. Green?"
"Not until I talk to her mother," Harry told her.
"Professor, can I take Bonnie to the hospital wing," Cedric asked. "She has a deep cut, looks like from a curse."
"Will someone tell me what happened first?"
"There was an attack last night, Minerva. Fenrir Greyback and his pack attacked Tettenhall. Witches and wizards where killed, as well as almost a dozen muggles. A special edition of the Prophet had just come in." Sprout said moving to the staff table and handing it to her. She took Harry's hand and he squeezed. She could tell by the way his heart was still beating he wasn't well.
"Those fools. Were they trying to cause a panic," she asked quietly. She let out a sigh. "Given this, I must ask you five to stay in your dorm for now. We will get this sorted out, but it appears tensions will be running high for now."
"We didn't start any of this. Why are we being punished for something we didn't do," Harry asked her angrily.
"Potter, this is more for your protection. As far as I saw, you and the rest of your pack were getting into trouble," she told him imperiously. Hermione felt her ire rise. They hadn't done anything except defend their own.
"They were not alone, Professor," Cedric said standing behind them. "Potter only came to rescue Annabel and Bonnie when some others tried to scrum with them."
"You are still locking us away," Harry said defiantly. She wanted to be out too.
"I would say not, Mr. Diggory," Flitwick said. "I saw a few fists flying and the Weasley boys rescue Annabel and Bonnie."
Hermione was going to have to thank them all.
"And what are you doing here, Mr. Longbottom?"
"Harry told us to get Hermione out of here and then I stayed to keep her safe when you told them to stay. They are not alone," he said, echoing Cedric.
"No, they are not. Potter, I am not trying to punish you. This is for your protection. I will see about making another entrance into the Practice Grounds and allow you to be out there."
"Minerva, I need to get to my potions and see to the other students."
"Poppy, go to the Hospital wing. Hagrid, go with her. I will have all these students join you in a few minutes. Remus is out for the day. Heads of Houses," she called out. Sprout and Flitwick showed immediately. "Where is Severus?"
"He followed his students," Sprout spoke up.
McGonagall pinched her nose again. "Aurora, can I ask you to do this announcement instead?"
"Of course, Deputy Headmistress," the astronomy Professor said.
"Effective immediately. All students are confined to House dorms except for meals. They will be allowed a half hour before and after normal mealtimes to move around. Any rule breaking will be followed by detention. If found twice, they will be banned from the Yule Ball on Friday. It is to be made clear that none of the students in the Lobo dorm were involved in this. Neither was Professor Lupin. Should another altercation break out over this in the next few days, they will find a short floo trip home and serve a week of detention when term starts. Any questions?"
"Minerva, where is Mr. Trelew?"
"Home for the holidays with his grandparents. As far as I know, he plans to return next term."
-oOo-
December 19, 1994
Tettenhall, England
Amelia walked the scene at the Opaline Theater. The normally bustling little alcove was devoid of any holiday shoppers and all the shops were shuttered this afternoon. She frowned to see the various markers of the victims. Red was for the deceased. Yellow for the bitten and orange for those hurt but not bitten. The two blue ones, marking dead werewolves, were towards the center of the carnage. She could see five yellow, three of them all in one area. Far more numerous were the orange, with six red ones scattered about.
Scrimgeour was crouching down by one. Walking over to him, she could see the pained expression on his face. She knew one Auror had died. "Is that where Fawlsey fell?"
The grizzled man didn't look up or move, instead ran his wand over. Four others were working on the reconstruction of the scene as well. "Yes. I told his wife this morning."
Knowing how hard it was, she put a hand on his shoulder. It would normally be the Captain's job, but Fawlsey had been his nephew. "I'm sorry, Rufus."
"He has a boy who is seven and a daughter who is four. His daughter looks just like my sister," he told her. "Britt is out of country until after Christmas. I had to send an owl."
She squeezed his shoulder. "He's a good Auror. He'll get full honors and I'll make sure he gets an Order of Merlin."
Rufus gave a mirthless chuckle. "Reports say he saved a few people and all he'll get is an Order of Merlin." Rufus looked up at her and she could see the fire in his eyes. "I'm going to hunt down every werewolf not on that damn registry. If I find Fenrir, I'm going to gut him, Amelia."
She knew the man's drive for revenge. She had felt it too when her brother and his wife had been murdered. Susan was the only reason she hadn't gone crazy with the need to kill his killers. "Rufus, his wife is going to need you and his kids would do best to have you in their life."
The man's expression didn't change. "My sister will take care of them."
"You should do that too. I want you to take a few days off," she told him gently.
He shook his head standing up. "I can't. I think we are getting close. Yaxley and his group stopped a shipment last night. This time is had hagbestian silver," he told her.
She had heard. He wasn't mentioning the four apothecaries that were broken into last night about the same time Fenrir was causing his destruction. "This is an order. I am taking you off the case for the next few weeks. This has gotten too personal for you now. I am taking Yaxley out too. He killed three innocent werewolves last raid. Green is moving into his spot for now and Yaxley is being assigned to Magical Reversal for a while. He'll be Deputy Head while I look for another."
Rufus looked concerned at her. "That was Whitmaker's position."
She nodded. "Was. He's coming back into the Aurors and going to be heading up Dark Group for a bit."
He regarded her for a few. "I object to taking me and Yaxley out."
"Dually noted. It's happening anyways. When I think you can control yourself again, you can go back. Meanwhile, I need you to do your job as Head of the Auror department when you get back from two weeks off."
"You're not going to give, are you?"
"I want you out of this crime scene within the next twenty minutes and you are not to show your face in the Ministry until after New Years," she told him, leaving no doubt in her tone.
He sighed. "Listen, Boss, I know not all werewolves are this bad, but I don't trust them. Even those in the WRC."
"I know, but until they prove otherwise, I have no reason not to trust those following the law. If we start ignoring them then we are no better than those we hunt."
Rufus frowned. "I suppose not."
She nodded her head. "Give your last orders and get out of here," she told him.
A moment later, she was alone looking around. Six dead, four most likely not going to make it, six that will be scared for the rest of their lives and five new werewolves to be concerned with. This time though, the pattern had been broken. Since July, they had always attacked Muggle-borns. This time, there were Pure-bloods and Half-bloods, including two from the Sacred Twenty-Eight. There was the Winter Solstice Wizengamot tomorrow morning. She wasn't sure what was going to happen yet, but she was sure that none of the werewolf laws would be changed. As bad as this was, they would not want the ICW involved.
The Prophet hadn't been wrong. It had been a massacre. Fenrir had been out to cause as much destruction as he could.
"Madame Bones," a woman came up behind her.
"Yes, Auror Hawkes?"
"Obliviator squad blue three wanted to show Head Scrimgeour something at one of the muggle sites, but he was sent home for the day."
She sighed internally. If they wanted the Head of the Auror department, this may not be good. "Where are they?"