A/N: 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 28
March 18, 1995
DAILY PROPHET
SPECIAL EDITION
Terror in London
After being silent for months, the werewolf Fenrir Greyback has struck. Last night, shortly after ten, screams broke out in three locations as the beast and members of his pack ripped through shopping centers in Muggle London. Three witches were confirmed dead, as where twenty-three muggles. Count on how many were bitten or hurt is not known at this time as Muggle Police and others took victims to many hospitals.
The bounty on the werewolf and fifteen other identified members of his pack has been posted at 25000 Galleon for Fenrir, dead or alive, and 5000 galleons for other members of his pack.
This follows the very publicized attacks on top members of the DMLE last week. Head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones, has been confirmed to have been released from St. Mungo's. Memorial services for Aurors Opal and Wendell were last weekend and Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Department, is still in St. Mungo's.
The DMLE also confirmed, for the first time, that Fenrir may not have been as quiet as suspected, being named the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Harry Potter, another well publicized werewolf now. It is unknown if that attack was a spat between packs or something else.
For now, the Ministry has released new guidelines on keeping your family safe on Page 2. They advise the bounties that have been released will be honored but advise if any of them are seen to report it to the DMLE. Suspects are known to be extremely dangerous.
-o-
French Ministry of Magic files formal complaint in ICW. Ministry tries to deny
By Rita Skeeter
This intrepid reporter, Rita Skeeter, has found that the Ministry is hiding more than was thought. On March 12th, the French Ministry filed a formal petition to the ICW accusing the British Ministry of gross negligence and failure to comply with the Statute of Secrecy, the Intelligent and Near Intelligent Rights Law and the Wizarding Conventions on International Cooperation.
This is related to some very publicized events, namely the Tri-wizarding Tournament or the Werewolf Reform and Integration Laws.
When Minister Fudge was asked, his only comment was, "That has not been officially released by the Ministry. Until such time, it is just conjecture."
Not believing the Minister, a request for information was submitted to the ICW and confirmation was received! Just as the Ministry had hidden information on Sirius Black, and now what is known of the beast-that-lived, as the former Boy-who-lived is being referred too, this reporter is questioning. Like why would the Ministry protest the claim of Asylum for the Beast-that-Lives? Would it not be better to have the werewolf out of the country?
Or why did the Minister protest ICW Aurors to step foot on British Soil? From all reports, they have done a fine job and helped to save several families and others in the last few months.
It was also found that one of the werewolves that was retained in country and forced to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was actually a French citizen and had only been released when the ICW threatened to remove him. Can you imagine what would have happened if ICW Aurors had marched into Hogwarts, wands blazing and ready to cast down anyone that stood in their way?
This reporter will take the word of the Ministry with a grain of salt.
-o-
Dark Mark seen over Nottingham
A dark mark and a family of three were found on the outskirts of Nottingham, in Nottinghamshire, England.
The old wizarding family of Otternold was found dead. An unofficial source said the scene was horrific. The Matriarch of the family was found in what looked like a ritual circle, while her forty-three year old daughter and her twenty-one year old grandson were found shredded.
This marks the eighth Dark Mark and associated killing in as many months.
People are running scared, knocking on the Minsters door and demanding this end. Others are going quiet and there is even evidence that a few prominent families have applied for an allowance against the Preservation and Magical Inheritance Act so they could leave Britain. So far, the Wizengamot has disapproved each request, but there is some rumbling that the ICW may step in for some cases...
-o-
DAILY PROPHET
March 22, 1995
Trials postponed
Two trials have been postponed in the cases of Line Blockage and Denial of Sirius Black. After the initial trial of Mr. Corban Yaxley ended in light fines because of the War Powers Act in effect at the time, the trials of Bartemius Crouch, Sr. and Albus Dumbledore have been postponed due to new evidence found.
What the new evidence is has not been revealed after the closed-door trial, but it is rumored to be a link between Black and the Potters...
-oOo-
April 1, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Pansy read the letter three times to make sure it wasn't the worst April Fools prank she had ever had. If it had come from anyone else she would have thought of it as such. Draco was sitting at his desk. Since the last task, almost six weeks ago, he had become rather withdrawn and was studying more than she had ever seen him do.
He would need to be informed of this, but maybe she should handle the initial contact.
She stood up, wrapping the dressing robe around herself and walked over to Draco. "What are you working on," she asked. When she put her arms around him, she noticed he didn't have any books open.
"I know it may not mean anything. I am trying to write a letter to Fleur Delacour. She looks ready to kill me whenever she passes me. I may not like them, but I never meant to kill anyone," he said softly to her.
Pansy had seen how much the last task had shaken him. Apparently, it had been deeper than she thought. She was surprised how much it had affected her. Tomorrow would be the first day she took the fertility potion since that day. Last month she was still too unstable to reliably carry a child if they conceived one. They had both sustained substantial internal injuries.
"Are you sure you want to do that," she asked, not so much because she thought Draco needed to do this, but because she feared what the half-vela might do.
He continued writing. "Yes. Bagman and the rest won't tell us what the next task will be until a month before. I feel like I am wasting time not knowing what it is it. I don't want to repeat what happened in the last task."
Their tutor had been going over a broad range of topics now. It was three years of schooling trying to be jammed into two-two hour sessions a week. "I know, Draco. Listen, I know we were planning to go to Hogsmeade today, but I have something I need to do before then. You mind waiting for me?"
"Are you going alone?"
"Yes," she told him, knowing he did not approve of that since the last task or the attack on the Potters.
"Can anyone go with you? I don't want you being alone."
"Draco, at some point we have to be able to do things on his own."
He sighed and put his quill down before putting a hand in one of hers. "How long will you be gone and where are you going?"
"I am unsure. An hour, most likely far longer." She told him, not looking to expand more on that.
He shifted to kiss her on the cheek. "You're going to talk to Tracey, aren't you."
"How did you know," she asked.
He shifted his parchments and took out a letter in his mother's flowing hand. "I received a letter from her too, saying that they would most likely not be able to break the contract. Apparently, my father loves me enough to not let me be a squib, or to lose almost half of our fortune."
She kissed his cheek this time. She had known of the Malfoy's reputation, but Draco had not described even a quarter of it before she had said 'Yes' to the Bonder. She had thought her family was bad, but her father had never fully committed to the Dark Lord, and he cared deeply for his family. "I do not mean to go against my husband's wishes," she stated. She knew her place, as did Draco, but he had given her just about carte blanche in what she wanted to do.
He smiled. "My wish is for you to get back in that bed when I am done with this and let my tongue roam over your body."
She felt the tingle at what that meant. Just the thought had her considering if she should just strip now and entice him. The letter from his mother in his hand cooled the heat building in her. "Can I let you have your way later," she asked, her voice huskier than she meant it to be. The thought of his tongue in her was something she liked very much.
He shifted and she knew her voice had affected him. "If you want to wait that long."
She stifled her moan. She didn't want to, but sometimes things were more important than a lazy Saturday morning in bed. "I don't want to wait, but I should catch her in the Great Hall or something before she goes somewhere else."
He turned fully to kiss her on the lips and she moved her body into his hand as he ran it slowly over her breast. "Draco," she said, wanting him to continue, but needing him to stop.
He pulled back and trailed his hand down her side until it rested on his legs. "Go. I should finish this. It is probably best you talk to her first."
She gave him another kiss, making sure it didn't turn into a desperate snogging session. When she was done washing up and dressing, he was still working on the letter, having crumpled up the one he had been working on. She looked at him lovingly. Draco had changed in the last six months. She was realizing she had too.
As she opened the door, she let her pureblood mask fall onto her face. She was now the future Lady Malfoy, wife to Draco Malfoy. She was not to act the schoolgirl anymore, instead she needed to be the perfect Lady expected of her.
Slytherin House was empty today. Most had wandered up to the Great Hall by now that were getting up early enough to eat breakfast there. The rest were sleeping in or elsewhere. When she made it up to the upper levels, it was apparent that the day was going to be excellent. She hoped she would find Tracey in time.
Looking in the Great Hall, she didn't see anything. The smells of food did nothing for her. Being a married couple, they were allowed an elf and to have any meal in their private quarters. When she didn't see her, she made her way up to Lobo House. She passed a few people on her way, but they mostly gave her a wide birth, either out of fear or respect. She wasn't sure if she liked the fear as much anymore. Before it had been just for her family, now it was because they knew what Draco could do to them.
When she made it to North Tower, she walked up the spiraling stairs until she found what she had been told to look for. It was an alcove with a medallion in it of a howling wolf. Looking up quickly, she was thankful it was not at the top. She did not like that trap door or the woman behind it.
Looking at the alcove, she couldn't figure how to get in or where to knock or whatever she needed to do to let Tracey know she was here. After a moment, she let out an aggravated sound. "How do I get in?"
The medallion on the floor turned to look at her and she stepped back. She had grown up in the magical world, had seen many things, but seeing the face in the medallion turn to her sent a shiver up her spine. It regarded her, as though it was weighing her. After a moment it nodded and the wall cracked and opened. She looked at the stairwell apprehensively. Was she being allowed into the most dangerous place in the castle?
She had heard the rumors. Repeated many of them herself. She wasn't a Lobo, but most other houses would allow other students to enter. Pansy moved forward a half step and moved her head to the side to look up. She had not expected to see a high ceiling, nice polished railings or sun filtering into the room. "Do I go up," she asked the wolf in the medallion.
It nodded before returning to its howling pose.
"Is someone there," she heard Potter. She tensed. They had not gotten along since that first day he had rejected Draco.
"I am here to see Tracey Davis," she called up the stair, standing tall and walking into the door. Potter came to the top of the stairs, looking a little shocked and wand in hand.
"How did you get in," he asked her.
"Harry, who is it," she heard his wife.
"Malfoy, why are you inside the door," he asked. He wasn't exactly threatening, but he wasn't inviting either.
She nodded behind her. "The wolf head let me in, Potter. I came to see Davis. You going to let me in?"
The frizzy brunette came to stand next to him. She looked even less inviting. "Harry, inform Remus. She is not one of the allowed students."
"The wolf head let me in, Potter."
Harry nodded and she stepped back, only to realize the door had shut behind her. A huge wolf patronus came out. "Tell Remus and Professor McGonagall to come now."
The wolf nodded and rushed towards her down the stairs. She screamed as it looked like it was going to go right through her. When it brushed her side, she had never felt such a warmth and feeling of well-being. She looked after it, blinking a few times. "It didn't hurt you, did it," the she-wolf asked.
She took in a deep breath and looked up. "You can cast a patronus," she said to Harry with wide eyes.
"We both can. Hermione just can't pass messages yet," Potter said with a shrug, as though it was nothing.
They all stared at each other for a few. "Since the House let you in, mind as well come up and sit until this is sorted," he told her.
"I'll go get Tracey. I know she came back," his wife said.
Harry backed away and she made her way up the stairs. When she got to the top, she looked around wide eyed. This place was nothing of what she thought it might be. All the furniture was in impeccable order. The place was clean. She also noticed that the rooms were on two levels. Potter moved to lean against a column that supported the upper walkway. The door two doors behind him said Potter. Other doors had name placards on them too.
Mrs. Potter was on the walkway and knocking on a door above their rooms. It was a few minutes for Tracey to come down and join her, looking even more apprehensive. "Can we go somewhere private," Pansy asked the dark hair girl.
"I would rather stay with Hermione and Harry," Tracey told her.
"I don't want you going anywhere until Remus or Professor McGonagall can figure out how you got up here," Harry said. She realized that he was trying not to look threatening, but there was a presence coming off him that made her uneasy. She had seen him put his wand away, so she couldn't understand why she felt his magic.
"This is House business between House Davis and House Malfoy," she said, trying to act her station.
The door opened and someone came up the stairs. "What is the matter, Potter? I was grading papers... Mrs. Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Professor McGonagall looked at her with a great amount of suspicion.
"Professor, I asked to come in and see Tracey and the wolf head on the floor let me in," she told her.
"Impossible. Only those set by myself or Professor Lupin can enter. How did you get in," the Professor asked again.
She was getting annoyed. She didn't do anything wrong. "Exactly as I said. I know the penalties for going after anyone in this House and would not risk that."
Professor McGonagall looked at her with pursed lips. "You said the guard just let you in?"
"Yes, ma'am," she said.
"Professor, there was no gong and she was not expelled," Potter said.
Her lips grew into thin lines. "What purpose did you have to come here, Mrs. Malfoy."
"House business, between Malfoy and Davis."
"Can I ask what type of House business would require you to enter this House, instead of talking with Ms. Davis outside of here? This is Lobo House and is supposed to be closed except to those in this house," she was told.
Pansy wanted to scream. This was not going the way she wanted. "Business that involves my husband, Ms. Davis and myself. I would prefer to talk about this in private."
"Does this have to do with that letter you received yesterday, Tracey," female Potter asked.
She whipped her head to her. How in Merlin would she know. Tracey let out a breath. "Most likely."
"May I talk about it," she asked. Tracey nodded.
"Professor, you said the Governors and the staff would not stand between mates. Tracey has recently been informed she is betrothed to Mrs. Malfoy's husband. I think the House is recognizing that bond," she said. "Pansy, if you or your husband threaten any of our pack, I will make you pay myself."
"Mrs. Potter," Professor McGonagall said incensed. Professor Lupin chose to arrive at that time. "You are a prefect and I will not allow threats from you or anyone against you."
"Professor, with all due respect, this is supposed to be a house of only wolves. We do not have a good history with either Malfoy and we will not have our pack endangered in the one place they should be safe," Potter spoke up. She could feel the steel in his voice. It sent a chill through her.
"This is your House, but the same rules apply to you as everyone else," she snapped back at him.
"Minerva, if I may, what is going on?"
"Potter over there thinks the House let Mrs. Malfoy in because Ms. Davis and Mr. Malfoy are now betrothed. She then threatened Mrs. Malfoy," she said looking at the Potters.
Professor Lupin sighed. "I see. Minerva, I understand your concern, but Mrs. Malfoy has entered their territory uninvited. You yourself have proclaimed this place theirs. You know how a wolf can react in this situation, and I do not believe they would act on it unless their warning is not heeded. Why don't you two go into your room or go into Hogsmeade today," he told the Potters.
"I don't want them to leave," Tracey said sounding off. Pansy frowned. The girl should still dislike the Potters.
Professor Lupin looked at her. "I can retrieve Ms. Greengrass and Mr. Zabini if you like instead?"
Tracey shook her head. "I want the Potters."
"Remus, I do not care who they are or where they are. Hogwarts has rules and they will be followed," Professor McGonagall told him.
Professor Lupin looked at her. "Minerva, I think we should have this conversation offline. Mrs. Malfoy, I can personally vouch for your safety if you wish to continue this conversation here."
She frowned. Should she trust the word of a creature like them? She looked around the room and then came back to Tracey. As she looked at the girl, she realized she really missed her friend and she was a werewolf. They would be living in the same house soon and would most likely share the same room and bed at times. It came down to if she trusted Tracey and that the beast was not the person most of the time.
Before answering, she looked at the Potters. They were still looked ready to pounce, not pleased with her. They were the ones she needed to either run from or placate. She didn't like this, but they would be spending more time around them. Could she tamp down her dislike for them?
"The Potters swear to do nothing to me," she asked.
"As long as you do no harm or mess with our pack, we won't go near you," Potter told her.
"Potter, 5 points. You are threatening again," Professor McGonagall told him.
The Professor stepped back when Potter actually growled at her. Pansy leaned back, feeling apprehensive. "Harry and Hermione will cause no harm," Professor Lupin said pointedly at them. "Minerva, walk with me. Now." There was a sharpness and command to his voice that Professor McGonagall snapped her head to him. She may not like the man, but he almost always acted calm and even keeled. She hadn't known the man was a werewolf last year until Professor Snape told them. Now, she could see the hint of the wolf.
"We will cause no harm or interfere for today," Mrs. Potter said.
"Remus, I will not leave her in this place where she might be hurt."
Potter stepped forward, wand in hand and looked at the Professor. "I swear I will not harm Pansy Malfoy today." His wand glowed the unmistakable blue of an oath being made. "Tracey, would you like me to stay here or in my room?"
Pansy was shocked that the boy would make a statement like that. Looking at him, she could tell he knew what it meant. "You can stay in a corner or alcove. Somewhere I can see you," she asked. He nodded and walked past the Professors to an alcove at a window at the far side of the Common Area. His wife followed, stopping at Professor McGonagall.
"You asked us to be Prefects. This is our territory. Only Lobos are supposed to be up here. We trust and respect you, but you question my husband's or my authority again over our pack, you will have these badges and we will never eat in the Great Hall again or allow you back into this House," she said harshly to Professor McGonagall, who looked wide eyed at the girl.
"Why...I... Mrs. Potter," McGonagall sputtered.
"Minerva, come now. We need to talk," Professor Lupin said. She watched the lady Potter join her husband and a moment later, Professor McGonagall and Lupin walked out of the dorm. Pansy found herself sitting in a very quiet place. Tracey was looking at her and Pansy was watching the Potters, Hermione standing in front of Harry and his arms wrapped around her. She would never have the nerve to talk to a Professor that way and had never seen Potter do that before.
"They are very protective of their pack," Tracey said as though reading her thoughts. "They treat them all like family."
She looked back to Tracey. The girl looked like a shell of what she had been. The brunette had been a ball of energy before, always laughing and joking, even at times in the open when they probably shouldn't. Now, she looked forlorn as she looked at the Potters. She also looked thinner than earlier this year. "I wanted someone to look at me like Harry looks at Hermione."
"How long have you known?"
Tracey turned her head back to her. "About the betrothal?"
She nodded.
"Mother told me that father was signing it last fall. I didn't know who it was for, and father had said it would only become active if a business deal went through. It was a relief to know it was someone my age," she said.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Pansy thought it best to act like friends. She found it wasn't as much of an act as she thought it might be.
"Daphne and you were still talking about having a free choice. Neither of you thought your fathers would sign a betrothal and Daphne thought I liked Blaise. I didn't want to bring either of you down," she said.
Pansy saw the pinch to her eyes. "Does Daphne know?"
Tracey shook her head. "No. She's not the same she used to be. I don't want to upset her. I am only telling you because you will have to put up with me until I can bare a child. After that, all I ask is for you to give me a nice place to live and to let me keep my child. I will not impose on you and Draco. I am not a beast, Pansy."
Pansy didn't know what to say. She had abandoned her like all the rest. Everything she had been taught was that werewolves were crazed beasts. Since finding out about the contract, she had been watching the werewolves. On the whole, they acted like normal people. Today was one of the only times she had seen that side of the Potters.
"Tracey, that won't work." She looked up to see Hermione not far away. Her husband was still looking out the window.
"Are you talking about our heats?"
The girl nodded. "It may not be the same as a mated bond, but if this union requires a bond, your wolf will act like he is your mate."
Tracey sighed. "I thought that was only for true mates?"
Hermione shook her head. "I have been doing some reading and talking with Alexandra. It will not be the same type of bond we have, if you two are not mates, but it will be a bond. Any bonded wolf will feel the same."
"What are you talking about," Pansy asked looking between them.
"Pansy, will this betrothal be annulled in the next few months?"
She looked at the girl. "Potter, this is house business that does not involve you."
"Pansy, if what the Healer has said from her father's pack is true, then it is important and why I wanted her around. There is something you should understand about us." Tracey gave her a sad look.
A little bit later, she sat there looking at Potter. "You're saying she will just throw herself at Draco!"
"Her wolf will require it. If this betrothal is to be, then Draco is her mate. I have smelt the attraction there," the girl said it as a statement.
Tracey hung her head. "I smell it too."
"It's not true mates though," Hermione said gently.
"I know," Tracey said sadly.
"What does all this mean," Pansy asked, looking at them confused.
Tracey looked to Potter. "It means that Draco needs to accept the betrothal and allow Tracey into your bedroom, probably as soon as possible, or find a way to break the contract," Potter said. "Otherwise, I think in the next month or two Tracey will be finding her way into it one way or the other."
"It's that bad," Tracey asked.
Harry snorted. "It was quite pleasurable, actually. But when Hermione went into heat, it was a good thing no one was around, or they might have gotten a good show or a very upset wolf trying to find me."
His wife got a good color to her cheeks. "Yes. The urge was, ah, powerful. I wouldn't let him go once it started until the next morning. It was five days for the lust to pass."
"Oh," Pansy said, getting a good idea of what might have happened to see their faces.
Tracey wiped tears off her cheek. "I always hoped it would be someone I love. Now I am this... thing. No one will ever love me."
Potter moved to the couch Tracey was sitting on and wrapped Tracey in her arms. After a few, she looked at her. "You better treat her well. Tracey is not pack, but she is a wolf and we have been asked to look over all those in this house, whether we are Prefects or not. You and Draco will be welcomed in this House as long as you cause no harm."
"I will pass your warning along. We will only come in if need be. Tracey," she said looking at her old friend.
Tracey looked at her. "Yes, Mrs. Malfoy," the girl said in a manner a second wife or consort should address the first wife. They had both been trained in the proper societal protocol from an early age. At fifteen, they were young, but knew their position. Pansy, looking at the half-broken girl, found she didn't want that. She wanted her friend back. She just wasn't sure how this was going to work with Slytherin House.
"It's Pansy, just like it always has been," she told Tracey. "Do you want this?"
Tracey gave a wan smile. "Do I have another choice? No other pureblood or old-blood house will want me now."
"You don't need to limit yourself to those circles," Potter told her.
Tracey shook her head. "Hermione, you haven't grown up the way we have. If I don't, even if my parents love me, I will be cast out of my house. It would be a great dishonor. The only exceptions ever made is for a muggle-born from a known squid line from one of those houses, and even then, it is frowned upon."
"You know there are many pure and old bloods in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor that won't fear what you are," Potter said.
"Most of those are considered Blood Traitors. There ways are not the same as ours. I do not know how my parents will act," Tracey said.
"Tracey, Draco and I will not treat you poorly or require you to run away. Are you sure you are not, uhm, contagious outside the full moon," she asked.
"The lycanthrope infection can only be passed in our turned form." Mrs. Potter had crossed her arms and was leaning against the fireplace.
Pansy nodded. "Pansy, people can't know of this. This will be very dangerous for you and Draco in Slytherin."
"It will have to be announced if this is to be done. You know the Laws. It must be announced for a minimum of three weeks before you can be bonded to him," Pansy said in a solemn tone. "If we are in agreement, I would wish to announce this sooner than later. It may provide other avenues for you to get what you want."
Tracey sighed. "And for you and Draco to get what you want."
Two months ago, Pansy felt that way. Now, she wasn't as certain. She was coming to see that there was a difference in creatures. Some were feral, some more human. Like Draco, she still saw the shattered body of Gabrielle Delacour at times. The girl had been just that, a girl. Not a half-breed like they always thought the things to be.
"If this is the way of things, you will be family."
Tracey looked at her for a few minutes. "I need to talk to my parents and would like to talk to Draco. I know my father is trying to push this, but I know Lord Malfoy has offered a way out."
Pansy nodded.
-oOo-
April 12, 1995
Somewhere in Scotland
Fenrir sat on his haunches. He was chafing under all his masters. He wanted to be free. He wanted to hunt. He wanted children to spread his dream of a free werewolf Britain, then maybe the Continent.
Looking at the broken body before him, he snarled. The woman had failed to give him a child in the last year. None of the females left in his pack had given him a child. He had also been unable to claim any of the newly turned wolves in the last few months unless they took the potential wolf with them. The DMLE was getting annoyingly close.
He wiped the blood off his face from where he had bitten her throat. Licking the blood off his hand, he huffed. He would need to control his temper. He couldn't afford to lose any more at the moment. Not when it suddenly seemed so hard to replace them.
The old castle they were in was in the middle of nowhere overlooking a loch he really didn't care to know the name of. It was old clan lands that had been maintained by House Elves for some old-blood name that had been lost to time and was now in the ownership of Lucier.
Sniffing, he could smell the nineteen other wolves in the castle. Lucier's plan to wreak havoc would have gone well if the Aurors hadn't already been riled up and looking for potential issues. Six of his pack had shown up in the lane dead, five more seriously wounded and the rest looking for blood. He let them have it when they raided the two farms close by. He stayed long enough for two Auror Squads to show and then he himself eliminated two of them. The damned Redcoats would learn to fear him.
Even now, he wanted to leave this place and hunt them down. He had the scent of four that escaped and others from the last few months. He wanted to find where they lived and wanted to see them snap when he took his pleasure with their children, wives or husbands. He was not picky at times.
When he smelt the hag before she shuffled to him he kept his growl down. Here was his true master. "You are upset," the deceptively kind woman's voice said.
He didn't answer her watching the sunset. Three more nights and he may finally be free.
"Are you not content with the blood and flesh offered to you, slujitor al zeilor?"
He growled this time. "I do not serve your gods," he told her.
She clucked her tongue. "You forget your place, Fenrir. You almost embarrassed us the other night with Lucier and his lot. You serve the hags for the boons you have received."
"We served the old Covens and the Druids. The hags have perverted that servitude. You will keep your promise and release us from these chains that prevent me from changing," he commanded. He was the Alpha. He had suppressed that long enough. It was getting time for his payment.
There was a silence for a moment. "We promised only a release."
He turned and barked out, "You promised to release us from this curse. Hold your deal or magic will find a way," he told her. "I have paid my price in blood of my pack and it is you not keeping your end." He had paid already for his dealings with his masters with almost thirty of his pack since last June. As though recognizing his words, the hag scowled as though in pain. Even among creatures, magic recognizes magically bound deals.
"You forget your place, slujitor al zeilor." She took a bone about the size of a finger joint from her pocket and ran a long fingernail down it.
Fenrir felt the pain rake down his back and he howled with it, dropping to his knees. He was used to pain, but when it felt like it was coming from inside his spine it was something different. Snarling, he looked up as she took pleasure from his pain. His anger at her overpowered the pain and he swiped at the bone. Grabbing it, he slammed it into the floor, where it split and shattered.
It felt like his bones were splintering and he howled again. It was a raw, guttural howl that left his throat raw.
The hag hissed at him. "How dare you! When the coven hears of this they will end you, Fenrir."
He snarled at her as he got up on his arms. "The coven owes me my due," he said gruffly.
She stepped back. Hags typically did not fear his kind, but for once he could see that she had a small doubt. "If the coven does not give me my due or kills me, you will all die from the blood fire."
She hissed again and scowled. "You have no standing to call that. You get rid of us and you will not get the release you want. You will be under the servitude of the Coven for a millenia. You and all your offspring."
His eyes took on the yellow hue of the sickness in him. His growl deepened. "My pack has already been in servitude for almost a millenia. When we are free, your blood will sicken the land and none of my kind will fear you again."
"Your pack has left these lands many times over the years. You have not been in servitude to this coven. Your count started again when you returned, Fenrir Greyback," she said angrily.
He let out a guttural scream as he tried to push against the bonds they held over him. After a moment, he could feel them flexing, but they were not broken. He fell back to the floor on all fours panting and sweating. The hag was on the floor, spitting up a brown disgusting slush. He gave her a feral grin. "I don't think those bonds are as tight as you think, Belnora. If you want my pack to still serve you, you will give me what I want."
She wiped her mouth, her eyes evil and malevolent. She didn't bother to answer him, instead shakily getting up on her feet and walking away.
Fenrir had made his point. He was looking for a way to be free and finally start his revolt. If the hags didn't give him the power he wanted, then he would exact his revenge on them and find a different route. He was done being controlled. It was costing him more than he wanted to give. Those wolves had been his, not his masters'. He would enact his revenge and his revolt.
His only concern after he got his revenge against the hags was were to get more wolves. Nineteen was not enough for what he wanted. The pack had been forty-four strong not two months back.
-o-
Translation of Romanian: slujitor al zeilor = servant of the Gods
