Night of the Wolf

by WolfgangNH

Harry and Hermione's summer is the same as usual: Isolation from the magical world. Then events change their lives going into Fourth Year. Wolf calls and blackmarks haunt England and in the protected walls of Hogwarts. Werewolf Harry/Hermione dive into the world of the werewolves. An AU fourth Champion. Dumble Bashing. M rated for all the right reasons.

33. Chapter 33 - Upside Down or Sideways?

A/N: Enjoy the Chapter.

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 33

April 23, 1995

Hogwarts Express, Somewhere, England

Hermione had seen Ron on the platform. He didn't meet either of their eyes and continued towards the front of the train with his brothers and Ginny. She smelt the pain it caused Harry, but she felt he had been far more lenient to their friend than he should have been. She had seen his jealousy before. Harry had always overlooked it. She wasn't sure if it was the potions or Harry's need for love, in which ever form, that Harry had never called Ron on it before. Like her husband, she thought Harry's friendship was worth more than Ron's jealousy. It hurt. She had thought Ron pack on the whole.

Now they sat in the compartment, less Ron. Neville was happily showing Bonnie a new plant he had taken from his greenhouses. Even though they all knew she wasn't a fan of Herbology, one could see she enjoyed the way Neville was excited about it. Hermione hoped that they would work out, but neither of them were rushing into anything. Their pack could smell their attraction. It was like Daphne and Blaise, but stronger.

Luna happily leant against Bonnie as she read a book.

Jason was playing a game of snaps with Harry and Annabelle. She had decided to ride back with them today. Hermione suspected that was because Wayne wasn't on the train. Today was not Harry's day, having lost three times already.

"Alright, where are you hiding the other cards," Harry accused Jason.

The boy grinned. "I don't cheat, Harry."

"Bloody hell you don't," Harry said.

"Harry," she admonished. There was no need to swear when it wasn't called for.

"Harry, your hand is smoking again," Annabelle said with a smirk.

Harry huffed. "You going to play," he said ignoring her taunt.

Hermione frowned. Ron was eating him up. He had put on a good show the last few days, but seeing the redhead this morning had soured his mood.

Sighing, she rubbed his back before opening her book on arithmancy. Cedric and Angelina were leap years ahead of her and she wanted to catchup. They were both looking at an internship at the Ministry in the Unspeakables department this summer. She felt years behind in being able to get an opportunity like that after her sixth year. She also felt years behind in understanding politics and the Wizengamot. For the last week, the possibility of having the power to change their world was distracting her enough that she had to reread the chapter a second time for it to sink in. The first time she thought about everything Sirius, Lady Longbottom, Healer Tonks, Neville and Susan had told her.

Could she ask Harry to take his seat on the Wizengamot? It was his seat and his birthright, but she was a Potter now too. Could she learn enough in the next year and five months? It was a path forward to affect real change that she doubted she would get for the next twenty-years if she worked her way up through the Ministry after Hogwarts. For now, they were stuck in Britain, and, personally, Britain was home, even with its restrictions on them.

There was also the research Healer Tonks had been working on. She had proof that the new potion was making an effect. It was slow, but if the next phase totally purged Daphne and the response keeps reducing the way it was in the others, then her trials could expand. She had found a way to impregnate werewolves with silver to purge them of the Sickness.

The foul hagbestian silver was the best, but normal 100% pure silver did the same. It just seems to take longer.

She was just staring at the page, replaying everything they had learned this week when a knock came at the door to the compartment. They had cast charms to not smell the rest of the train, so she was surprised to see Malfoy, both Malfoys, standing outside the window. Harry looked at them for a moment before standing up. She had never known Malfoy to wait patiently like that before.

Harry motioned for them to stay down. Neville had tensed and sat up, handing his plant to Bonnie, who handed it to Luna. Bonnie looked ready to strike. Hermione let her wand come to her hand on her side where it would not be seen. Harry opened the door and their scent wafted into the compartment. The smell she always took as contempt and hatred towards them wasn't there.

"Afternoon, Draco," Harry said in a cool tone. Her husband crossed his arms over his chest.

"Potter," Malfoy said with a nod. "Can we come in for a few minutes?"

She could smell Tracey was nearby. "Tracey is always welcome. You are as long as you don't threaten my Pack," Harry told him.

Malfoy nodded and Harry moved back to allow them space to enter. Tracey looked better than she had a week ago. There was more life in her and Pansy moved to make sure she was between them and Tracey. Perhaps things had changed more than she had thought.

They all looked at each other for a few minutes before Malfoy extended a hand. "I must thank you for protecting my betrothed."

Harry looked at his hand for a few before extending his own. "Tracey is a wolf. I will always protect her unless Greengrass tells me not too."

Malfoy frowned and then stopped shaking their hands. "What is so important about Greengrass?"

Harry and her looked to Tracey. "Have you told him?"

Pansy looked towards her. Tracey nodded. "I have told them Daphne is my pack."

"That isn't the whole truth," Hermione said back.

Malfoy looked at her but didn't say anything. She furrowed her brow. This was not the Draco that had tormented them for the last few years. He looked to Tracey who adverted her eyes. "Hermione, you know she hasn't claimed that yet, but she is my pack leader."

"What are you talking about," Malfoy asked.

"Daphne is going to be an Alpha. She has claim over Tracey. When you marry, the type of bond you make will matter," Harry said.

Malfoy looked at Tracey for another moment before turning back to Harry. In a way, Draco was the Alpha of his growing pack. This was a meeting between Alpha's and the assembled group seemed to sense it. "What type of bond do you mean, Potter?"

Harry let out a breath. She could tell he was trying to control himself. Draco had come in peace this time and they would not act the animals many thought them to be. "Is it not going to be a mate's bond," he said quietly to Tracey before looking at Malfoy again. "Is it a marriage bond or a consort or other bond?"

Malfoy held Harry's eyes for a few. "She will be my wife."

Harry's shoulder lowered slightly. She let out a breath. "Daphne will be her Alpha, if she chooses. She has first claim over Tracey. Having a marriage bond gives you second claim, unless Daphne releases her. Then you will be her Alpha. No one else except you are Daphne can claim her unless she is released and you die."

Alexandra and Remus had made sure they understood how bonding worked with a wolf. Marriage or other similar bonds that only bound the wolf to a wizard or witch's magic for the sake of breeding, then an Alpha that had claim over her would have first choice over the wolf. Any type of consort, slave or other bond where the wolf was bound to them in a submissive way, made the wolf bound to the witch or wizard. That was how many sex traffickers enslaved their kind.

"Tracey, did you know this?"

She still wouldn't meet Draco's eyes. "Yes. I didn't say anything because the contract requires a marriage bond. If you need a change to the contract or if you don't want to marry me, I can talk to my father again."

Draco shook his head. "I agreed to the contract. It appears I owe you again. That is three times now you have shown my wife or me unsolicited advice and protected Tracey."

Harry shrugged. "It's more for Tracey, than you. As I told your wife, treat her well, and we won't bother you. You will be allowed in Lobo House. She can not stay anywhere else in the school. But know this, we have been asked to watch after all the Lobo's. If you harm her. If you treat her poorly. I will be coming to find you."

Draco held Harry's stare. "Listen, Potter. Tracey is going to be my wife. I will warm you not to harm her."

Hermione felt the tense air between them. There was a determination in Draco that was strange from the boy. He had always been a spoiled prat that looked at them as though they were trash. Pansy and him had been some of the loudest opponents of them at the start of year. The fear of them had been all over their faces and scents. But since the first few weeks, Pansy and Draco had steered clear of them.

Draco holding Harry's gaze was different. He had changed. She didn't smell or see any sign that the boy feared or looked at them as less than an equal. He was protecting his wife and betrothed. It was something she never thought him capable of.

"What is it you really want," Harry asked.

Draco took in a deep breath and released it. "A truce." Her eyes widened to see how serious he was. "I can not talk for my parents, but I can talk for myself and those I am responsible for. I offer a truce between House Malfoy and House Potter. We are both of House Black and share blood. I call on that blood for you to leave my wife and betrothed alone and protect them."

Harry's was still squaring his shoulder. "And what of you and my pack?"

"We will do no harm to your pack, Potter. I don't need anything for myself."

She knew what Harry was going to do before he did. She agreed with him. "House Potter or my pack will never hurt those that are innocent or do no harm to my pack. I don't need to call on my house to protect those that are innocent. We may be blood, Malfoy, but you are not of House Black anymore."

Draco looked at him. Draco nodded after a few. "It's not that safe for my wife or betrothed up front. We plan to sit in the compartment next to you."

Harry nodded.

They all waited for the Malfoy's and Tracey to leave and the door to close. " D..d...do you believe him," Neville stuttered.

This year, Neville had been very different too. It was the first time she had heard him stutter in months. She didn't blame him though. Draco and his lot had bullied Neville as much if not more than Harry until this year. Now she thought of it, why hadn't Crabbe and Goyle been with him?

Harry sat back down next to her. Shrugging he said, "He smells different. Just like Greengrass. If they don't mess with us, I will do my duty as a prefect and a Lobo."

"See. You aren't a beast," Luna said to Bonnie.

Hermione took Harry's hand in hers before kissing him on the cheek. "I am with you, my wolf."

He sighed and brought her hand up to his lips. "Because I am your wolf or your Alpha?"

"Because it is the right thing to do," Bonnie told him.

"I like Tracey," Jason said sadly. "We should protect her. If Malfoy is her Alpha, and my Alpha and him have a truce, I will follow your word."

"Harry, you protected us when you didn't need to at the start of the year. I think it is right," Annabelle told him.

"I am with Bonnie and Annabelle on this," she told her husband.

-oOo-

April 28, 1995

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry sat next to Remus. The Headmaster had called him up to the office and neither Hermione nor Remus would allow him to go alone. Harry didn't fight them on this. He really didn't want to spend any time with this man.

Hermione had not been happy, but she had finally agreed to only allow Remus to be with him. It was safer for her to be with the pack. They couldn't be left without an Alpha.

Looking at the Headmaster, Harry noticed a change in the man. He had seen it all week. Now, being this close to him it was apparent. First, his smell had changed. Before, whenever Harry was close to him, there was a smell from the man that set him on guard. Between his smell and eyes, Harry had felt like an object of interest. Like than man viewed him and his pack as pawns. Harry suspected that only the oaths Remus had forced from the man had kept Dumbledore from using him and his pack as pawns.

Now, though, the Headmaster was studying him. His blue eyes regarded him, but they weren't the piercing orbs that he was used too. They were more reflective. Not so calculating. Harry was wondering if it had anything to do with the slightly sour, fetid smell from the man's left hand.

"Thank you for coming, Harry and Remus," Dumbledore said with an incline of his head. Harry had to hold in his snort. The man had never been contrite before.

"Headmaster," Harry said in a deadpan voice.

Dumbledore acted as though he didn't notice. "Can I offer you some tea? Or something stronger? We have much to discuss."

Remus kept his level face. "You will excuse us, Albus, if we are hesitant. I think we are good for the moment."

Dumbledore nodded his head. "Am I to understand that you have told Mr. Potter of our agreement?"

"Remus told us about the life debts. How you knew we were being hunted and that you did nothing to prevent it," Harry said bitterly.

The man let out a large sigh. "I have made many mistakes in my life. Protecting your parents and you was not one of them. Allowing them to place their faith in Peter Pettigrew is."

"And the fact that you knew my grandfather and grandmother were targeted? You knew and didn't warn them. Because of you, I have no family," Harry growled out.

Dumbledore hung his head. "We were in a war at the time, Harry. Your family was not the only one under threat. The week before the Creswell's had been attacked. The Longbottoms were under threat. Harold Longbottom was killed in Diagon Alley two days before Potter Manor was destroyed. Those I had at my disposal were spread thin in trying to counter the Death Eaters and..."

"Headmaster," he said with scorn. "I don't care about your excuses. The point is, I am the last Potter because you chose not to act. My parents put their faith in you as much as Pettigrew."

Dumbledore shook his head. "I can not dispute that, Harry."

"That's Mr. Potter or Scion Potter, Headmaster Dumbledore," he told the old man. He did not want to be on a first name basis. He had never heard the Headmaster call any other student by their first name like that.

"Very well, Mr. Potter."

"Albus, I don't think an admission of your guilt was why you wanted to talk to us," Remus told the man. "Tomorrow may be a very taxing day and I would like to ensure Mr. Potter gets enough rest."

Dumbledore let out a long breath through his nose. "No, it is not, but I think having an understanding of why such actions were taken is very important to the future discussions we will have, Remus. Now, all I can do is apologize and pay my debts to your family, Mr. Potter. Those debts were earned in the fight against Voldemort. Debts that may now be binding us all."

Harry scrunched his brow. "I thought he was gone. I thought that thing died with Quirrell."

"If that were so." The Headmaster reached out his left hand and for the first time Harry got a good look. It was mottled and blackened, like dead frostbitten skin. The hand moved, but not with the grace or ease as the rest of the body. There was something about the look of it and the feeling of death and malevolence from whatever was killing it that made his hackles stand up.

Remus frowned. "Albus, what happened to your hand."

"A thrilling tale, I ensure you. One that we will discuss, but again, you should have the background first." He smelt the unease from Remus. The Headmaster opened a draw in his desk. "There is much I wish to share with you. Much that concerns Voldemort and you, Mr. Potter."

"Like what, Albus? You swore to protect him," Remus said with concern.

"Remus, I ensure that is what I have been doing for a very long time. Protecting Harry had been one of my top concerns since the day his parents died."

Harry felt the anger in him roil to the surface. "Protecting! How did you protect me? By making me live at my relatives? By allowing them to keep me in the cupboard under the stairs? By making me so hungry at times I stole food from the garbage? Or what about the potions! We know what was in those potions, Dumbledore. We know that only a true Potions Master could make some of those. Unless you have someone we don't know about, you ordered Snape to make those and give them to us!"

"That is Professor Snape, Harry. I mean, Mr. Potter," the Headmaster said calmly.

Harry was furious. He stood up and pounded his fists on the table. "Snape is as foul a prick as you. Don't tell me to call him by some honorific he doesn't deserve. He never taught us!"

"Professor Snape has turned out some of the highest acclaimed potioneers in the last decade. Almost as many as his predecessor in his nearly forty years at this school. I will not..." Dumbledore started.

Harry growled and wiped his hands across the desk, sending things crashing to the floor. "Fudder you and Snape! If all you want to say is that you did nothing for my family except try to protect me, then I'm done!"

Albus took a black book out of his desk. It had a large whole and dried ink over it. The ink still looked like sticky black blood. Harry knew the book and the bad memories it drug up. "I would prefer you stay, Mr. Potter."

He was turning towards the door and kicked at a table. "Remus, we're done."

Behind him, Remus took in a sharp breath. Harry opened the door and looked to his Uncle. Remus and Sirius were his Uncles. Not like his relatives. The older wolf sat rigid in his chair staring at the book. Harry had described it and what happened to Remus and others, but he must have missed something to see and smell his horror.

"Albus, tell me that is not what I think it is," Remus said in a harsh tone.

"It was not some specter that inhabited Professor Quirrell," the Headmaster said in response. "It was a part of Voldemort himself."

Harry felt a chill go down his spine. Remus put his hand over his mouth for a moment before dragging it off his face. "Harry, I think we should sit and listen."

Remus was ready to follow his Alpha, but this was something that was more important than leaving the old man. His mouth felt dry at the perceived danger in the room. The only reason he shut the door and walked back over to his seat was that the Headmaster hadn't died yet. If the man meant Harry harm with this, then his oaths would see the man pay for it. "Talk," was all he was willing to say.

Dumbledore looked at him for a moment. "You know what it is, Remus?"

Remus rubbed his arms. "How could I not. Can't you still feel the ill magic that inhabited that thing?"

Harry considered it for a moment and had thought the light sensation of things crawling over his skin was his revulsion for the Headmaster. "What is it?"

"This, my dear boy, is a horcrux. It is a vile, foul sort of magic that I have tried hard to remove any trace of how to make. It appears I was not successful," he said looking at Remus. "How did you find out?"

"You sent me into many hidden places and to work with dark wizards and creatures, Albus. I came across text on it in Romania and Poland," he told him.

Dumbledore frowned. "Do you know how it is made?"

"With black magic, potions and forbidden things that violate nature herself."

Harry didn't like the way the man was looking at Remus. "What are you talking about?"

"Ways to avoid death even if you are blasted into nothingness or the body around you decays into dust or ash." He held Harry's eyes and the chill he got wasn't pleasant. He doubted the Headmaster chose those words without reason.

"It is a container, Harry. A container meant to house a soul, or a fraction of a soul. As long as part of a person's soul is still on this earth, they can never pass into the beyond. I doubt even a walk through the Veil could kill them," Remus said, being much more straight forward.

"That is an apt explanation."

Harry shook his head. "You're telling me that Voldemort is still out there? That thing that was in Quirrell…"

"Was what is left of Voldemort's soul. Or at least what is not bound in a horcrux. Do you remember first year about unicorns and drinking their blood?"

Harry looked at the man. "It would keep you a breath away from death, but you would have a cursed life."

"He already is cursed. Drinking the blood was a way to keep him bound to Quirrell. A soul inhabiting another body with a soul already in it is diatonically unstable and poisoning to both," Remus said. "Albus, why didn't you ever tell us before! This is something that is extremely important. How many more?"

Remus was irate but keeping his emotions down. Harry smelt it though.

Albus let out a breath as though laughing. "I am sorry for underestimating you all these years, Remus. I fear I have dramatically underutilized your potential. How do you know there are more?"

"You are talking of You-Know-Who as though he is alive and I have never known you to so willingly give out information without a purpose. I can only assume there are more and you are telling us because something went wrong with your plans," Remus said coolly.

Harry pursed his lips at Remus' statement. How manipulative was Dumbledore? "You are right, Remus. My plans have not gone the way I had envisioned. As to how many, I am unsure. I have my suspicions." The Headmaster reached into the draw again and took out a rather plain looking box. "I know of three. I can confirm all three have been destroyed."

Remus paled some. "Three? Merlin, I knew You-Know-Who was deranged, but this is beyond what is normal evil."

Harry was still confused. "Remus, what are you talking about? How can someone store their soul in multiple places? And what did Dumbledore mean that thing was a part of Voldemort's soul not in a horcrux."

Remus put his hand to his mouth again and motioned Dumbledore to remain silent. When he took his hand away, he looked at Harry. "Harry, you must understand the theory of what a horcrux is and how it is made."

"Remus, I will not allow the knowledge to spread," Dumbledore told him in a steely voice.

Remus gave the man a sharp look. "If you think I would give him or anyone else the details of how to create one, then you are a bigger fool than I thought, Albus." He turned back to look at Harry. "Harry, you must understand a few key things. First, your soul is a real thing. It is what defines us and keeps us from doing horrible things. It is how nature ensures the survival of all creatures by giving them a set of inviolate morals that keep a balance. Those morals are only inviolate as long as there is no damage or corruption."

"You mean like abuse or killing," he said, thinking of his own soul.

Remus gave a sad nod. "Yes. Like abuse or killing. Many other ways can corrupt or damage your soul. Lying. Cheating. Stealing. You may know some of them as the Seven Deadly Sins."

Harry nodded. "Remus, I have killed."

Remus put a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, each of us in this room have experiences that mark us, but that does not make us evil. All those items corrupt or damage the soul, but they can be atoned for. By feeling genuine remorse or learning to let go of wrongs done to us, the soul can heal. You will never forget what happened, but you can heal and still be a good person."

"That is a very succinct explanation," Dumbledore started.

"Stay out of this, Albus," Remus growled at him. The Headmaster didn't look pleased but nodded his head.

"To make a horcrux, Harry, one must commit a sin that is so heinous that any normal person would find repugnant and morally wrong," Remus told him.

Harry felt an uneasy squirming in his stomach. "Like killing someone?"

Remus nodded. "Like killing someone. Killing in itself is not heinous depending on the circumstances. I can see you are thinking of the wolves you and your wife killed. Understand, that will leave a stain on you, but you are healing from it because you both feel remorse. You may feel the killings justified, and they were under the circumstances, but you still feel remorse."

"To make a horcrux, which is typically done by killing, you must do it in premeditated, cold-blooded murder. There must be a want and joy to commit the murder. Just like any killing, it will harm your soul, but under these circumstances the soul rips. It is a rip that will never heal unless you feel remorse."

Harry tried to swallow. The man had killed his parents in that way. "What happens when your soul rips?"

"It becomes tattered and frayed. The more you commit such acts, the more the goodness inherent in all leaves you, and the more monstrous and evil you become. Sometimes, you don't even need to do the killing. If you know about it, condone it or enable it, it can have the same effect, just to a much lesser extent. It is what the wizard does with that rip that can make a horcrux."

"If someone has prepared the vessel, then after your soul is ripped, there are ways to tear that portion from you and put it into the vessel. You now have a fraction of your soul stuck on earth and you can never move on. It is the foulest way for one to try to seek immortality."

Harry felt his hand shaking. "Oh, God. Remus, he meant to make one that night he killed my parents, didn't he?" He didn't know how he knew, but he knew.

Remus looked at him and then Dumbledore. Dumbledore closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Harry, now that I know what truly happened, I am sorry for what I did to you all those years ago. I believe he did try. The remnants of the magic was unmistakable and the way there was no body I rather suspected that Voldemort had already succeeded."

Harry reached to his scar. It had not bothered him in months. In truth, he forgot about it most days now. Growing up, he never once forgot about the scar. It had constantly been a low-level pain. A companion that made the beating from Vernon seem less.

First year at Hogwarts, it had been a searing pain whenever Quirrell would meet his eyes. Second year it had been an annoying prickle, that was until he held the diary. Then it was odd. It was pain and pleasure. Seeing Tom Riddle almost in the flesh had been worse than when the specter Voldemort had attacked him. Last year it had been almost nothing, then they found out about Peter. It had hurt all evening after Trelawney made her prediction, but there were bigger things to worry about than his scar prickling.

After that night, his scar had started to hurt less. He stopped having such weird dreams and after the night he had been attacked, he had barely thought about it. After growing up with it always hurting, how had he missed that it wasn't a bother anymore. Like that night it had hurt last, he had more important things to worry about now.

"The diary and whatever is in that box," he said. "Did he make a third that night he killed my parents?"

Remus was eyeing Dumbledore. Dumbledore spoke in a calm voice. "He did not. There are certain things that must be accomplished after the killings. From the evidence I found, I think you were his intended target, Harry, not your parents."

Harry stared at the man. "One was made that night," Harry said. He felt it. He felt the correctness in that statement.

"An unintended one that was not properly bound to the container and a container that had not been appropriately prepared," Dumbledore said.

Fear coursed through Remus. "No!"

Harry looked at him. It felt like there was a rock in his stomach. "Are you saying I have a piece of Voldemort in me," Harry asked shocked in a small voice.

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment as though honestly sad. "Voldemort's soul had become so unstable by the time he found you and your parents that when you defeated him, a fragment broke off and connected itself to the strongest magic thing it could."

"How do I get it out of me," Harry said scratching at his scar.

"Harry, stop," Remus said grabbing his hands.

"Remus, get it out! Get it out! I can't have that thing in my head," he said in a panic.

"You no longer have a part of Voldemort in you. Not anymore, Mr. Potter. You carried a piece of his soul in you for many years though. The dementors did take a soul that night they attacked you last year, but it was not yours or Sirius."

Harry stopped struggling against Remus.

"That isn't possible," Remus said.

Albus gave the man a look. "From what I can gather, Andromeda Tonks was extremely thorough in her examinations. From what I hear she has finally linked some of my spells and potions back to me and presented them to the Wizengamot. I expect that evidence to come out against me next week when I stand before them for his godfather. Do you think if she were that thorough that she would have missed something like a dark, tainted soul fragment attached to the boy," Dumbledore said angrily.

"You wanted to know what went wrong with my plans? It was you, Remus. All this time I was blaming Potter, but it was you that chased them off and they wound up in that cove. It was you that broke the last of the magic I had used to protect and shield, Harry. Then you bound me to these oaths to his family." He sounded bitter.

Dumbledore held up his blackening hand. "Because of all of this, I have had to move to remove any part of Voldemort I can find. I would have preferred to wait until I knew where they all were, but your oaths forced me to protect the boy and his chit. This is the result of rushing. Whatever may happen to me next week, it may not matter. At best, I have a year left to see the lunatic put down or prepare the next one to take up the task."

"And that is why you want Harry. You expect him to take up the task, don't you, Albus."

Dumbledore's face looked upset. He looked as though he had said things he hadn't meant too. The man sat for a moment before popping something in his mouth. "Lemon drop," he offered holding his hand open.

"No thank you," Remus said coolly.

"I fear Harry and the Dark Lord are linked in ways that will always see them drawn to each other and to have conflict until one of them is no more."

Remus looked at Dumbledore for a long few moments. Harry was still focusing on the fact that Voldemort had lived in his head for years. "What aren't you telling us, Albus?"

"Many things, Remus. Some I will never share. They are too dangerous. I can tell you that Voldemort has marked Harry and will not rest until he has defeated him."

Remus stood up and walked back and forth a few times across the office. "Is there a prophesy? Why else would he be so obsessed with Harry? Besides the fact that he defeated Voldemort at fifteen months. How did Harry survive," he spoke to himself before turning to Dumbledore. "What do you mean they are drawn to each other?"

Albus shook his head. "I think you are almost as bright as Ms. Granger."

"That is Mrs. Potter," Harry growled at the man. "She is my wife."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "I apologize. You are correct, Mr. Potter."

"Don't change the subject, Albus. What do you mean they are drawn to each other?"

The Headmaster sighed. The smell from the man made Harry realize the man had done that on purpose to get that reaction from him. His hatred for the Headmaster grew.

"Blood, Remus. They are both descendants of the Peverell's. It is well known the animosity between the Peverell brothers. The blood is strong in both of them. Strong enough that Voldemort was already targeting the Potters before your first guess." Dumbledore looked at Remus.

"NO! I can't be related to that murderous monster!"

"You are, Harry. You are now part of a feud that stretches back hundreds of years," Dumbledore said in his annoyingly calm voice.

"Where is the prophesy, Albus?"

Harry looked at Remus. "What prophesy? Trelawney's one from last year already came true. Pettigrew escaped," he told his Beta.

"No, Harry, there is another. It wasn't just blood that drew You-Know-Who to you. Where is the record? The Hall of Prophesies?" Remus was dead serious.

Dumbledore held his gaze for a few before motioning towards a cabinet that was glowing. "As you know, anyone who hears a prophesy will always be able to recall it perfectly. I happen to be there the night this particular prophesy was made. We can use my pensive and then there is more to discuss."

A while later, Harry stood at a window in a hall looking out onto the nearly dark grounds. Only a sliver of the moon was showing tonight. Remus stood next to him equally as silent. The man in the tower was insane. He expected Harry to find these dark things and destroy them because of some prophesy that was made before he was born. The fact that he had been one of those things caused his skin to crawl.

He heard her before her smell drifted on the drafts in the hallway. She was running. "Harry," Hermione called out. He turned to her, knowing she had come out after curfew to find him. She looked at him and barreled into him. He let out an 'omph' as she hit him and wrapped her arms around him. "What is wrong? I can feel it."

He wrapped his arms around her, unable to really talk about it.

"Not something we can talk about here, Hermione. Let's go to my private chambers. Do you want the rest of the pack?" Remus was handling this better than him.

He looked at Remus. "Sirius." It was all he could say. He needed to talk to them and his mate before they did anything else or met with the Headmaster ever again. Every instinct was telling him to run, which was something his wolf did not do. Could he leave? Even while asking the question, he knew the answer. There were to many people he cared for here that he couldn't abandon.

"Sure. Come on, you two. I'll make some strong tea. It's going to be a long night."

Hermione didn't let him go as they followed Remus. She was his rock right now.

-oOo-

May 3, 1995

Lobo House, Hogwarts, Scotland

Everything seemed sideways right now. The Ministry and them had been expecting something strange to happen last weekend during the eclipse. They all agreed to be locked into those Merlin-be-damned cages. What should have been an extra credit project for Astronomy to observe the eclipse and how the planets were visible turned into a wasted few hours in a place they all hated.

It didn't help that she was dealing with a moody Harry. Between Ron and what the arse of a Headmaster had told them, he was being very quiet. The few times he did react, it was to snap at people or storm off before his wolf took over. She could feel it through their bond and the way he smelled. Because of this, his pack was staying close. A hurt wolf was one that could be in danger, and a hurt Alpha was very dangerous for their pack.

To know the arse had admitted his involvement in the death of Harry's parents and grandparents was galling. She was sure he had revealed that with the other information to find a way to avoid the Wizengamot trial on Friday. The man was trying to make himself invaluable in the task he was setting for Harry. She was sure there was other information that the Headmaster had kept form them and they would only find it out if the man remained free.

Worse was that they didn't want to tell anyone else in the pack. Hermione could feel the danger in this information. The others could tell something was up. They wanted to help. That was the way the pack worked. They all worked together. This time, it was safer if they weren't all involved. For now, Remus, Sirius, Tonks, Harry and her knew. Tonks had looked uncomfortable to have to keep this from her Boss, but it was best right now.

Harry sat back in his chair and put his hands to his eyes, rubbing the palm of his hands into them. "I think I need to take a walk."

"Sure. Let me just put this stuff away."

Harry shook his head. "Can I just go by myself?"

She frowned. "I really would prefer you wouldn't. Not here."

Harry sighed. "Classes are going on, so I doubt anything will happen."

Something was nagging at her not to let him, but she could see he needed time to process things. "Dobby," she called.

Harry threw his head up and looked at her. "You can't be serious," he told her.

The soft crack of the elf came as he finished. "Mistress called?"

"Hermione, you don't need to do this. Dobby, go back to what you were doing."

"No, don't leave," she said aggravated. She had heard the command in Harry's voice. "Harry, we promised to never order them unless needed."

He growled at her. "I wasn't trying to order him. I wasn't trying to order you, Dobby. I don't need a babysitter. I'll be back in a while," he told her getting up. "Please don't follow me."

Her eyes were pinched with worry. She waited for Harry to leave. "Dobby, please keep an eye on him."

"Dobby will look after Mistress' Harry." Dobby nodded and snapped his fingers.

Hermione looked down the stairs for a long few minutes. She was worried for him. He was angry at Dumbledore for so many things, and now this horcrux thing was thrown on them. As if there wasn't enough other stuff going on.

After a few, she busied herself cleaning up his stuff before settling back down. She wet her quill to continue on the report and then just held her hand over the parchment.

She was so distracted with her own thoughts she started when someone cleared their throat. She looked up to see Daphne across the table. "What do you want, Greengrass? I'm not in the mood today," she snapped at the girl.

Greengrass eyed her for a moment. "I can see that. Can I take a seat?"

Hermione scrunched her brow. The girl didn't sound combative today. Her scent was actually pleasant and unconflicted. The change unsettled her as much as everything else. In four months they had only tolerated each other because they had too. Now, Greengrass looked conciliatory.

She motioned for the girl to sit. Greengrass sat and smoothed out her skirt and blouse. "I have a few items to discuss."

Hermione didn't say anything. There was a fear that if she opened her mouth it would not hold kind words at the moment. After she nodded, Greengrass went on.

"My father wanted me to present you with a gift from the Greengrass family. The official announcement of your wedding made it into the Prophet yesterday and he wanted to congratulate one of our largest business partners," she said taking a scroll out of her pockets and handing it to her.

"Shouldn't you give that to Harry," she asked, regretting it as soon as she did. How was she to be a politician if she let her emotions control her like this.

Greengrass gave a small smile before her face went impassive again. "You are Heiress Potter and as you are a bonded pair, you have equal say as your future Lord. I acknowledge your standing," she said calmly.

Hermione blinked. Did the girl just say that Hermione was part of the Peerage now, that she acknowledge that and the fact that her house was of higher rank. All the signs that Susan was showing her were there.

"Thank you, Miss Greengrass," she said.

Daphne gave a genuine smile this time. "I am actually Heiress Greengrass now, recognized as the future Lady Greengrass."

Again, Hermione blinked. She didn't quite get it. She could smell the attraction between her and Zabani. It was unmistakable that they had shared a room a few times. She witnessed Blaise coming out of her room after they came back from Easter. She wasn't sure what to say. "Congratulations, Heiress Greengrass."

Her confusion must have shown. "Blaise and his family have agreed to have my family adopt him as blood. We are betrothed and he will be Lord Greengrass on his twenty-first birthday."

It made sense now. That had happened fast. Daphne didn't smell like she had gone through her first heat yet, but she was getting close. "I see. Then give Heir Greengrass, or is it still Zabani? Either way, give him our congratulations."

Daphne inclined her head. "Thank you, Hermione. He will be a Greengrass after we are married."

She looked at Blaise, who was listening also. He still wore the haughty expression she always knew him to hold, but inclined his head in deference to her. How much had changed in the last two weeks?

First Draco. Now Daphne. Their world felt more upside down than sideways now.

"There is also something else of great importance I would like to talk to you about," Daphne said.

She looked at her. "What is that, Daphne?"

Daphne took in a breath before letting it out. "As I just told you, Blaise is going to take up the position of Lord at twenty-one. That means that my father is going to step aside in the Wizengamot so he can focus on our family business. There is a rumor, or should I say we overheard some of your allies and you, that there is a new coalition forming. One that will champion the rights of creatures."

She stopped breathing for a moment. The Greengrasses led the third largest coalition in the Wizengamot. Eight votes, with three of them being Peerage seats. Added to the twelve that were certain to be on their side by the time Blaise turned twenty one, that could give them a full third of the Wizengamot in their pockets. If the ones that followed Dumbledore were to join them, then they would have over half. With over half, they would have control over most things in the Wizengamot. With a coalition like that, the lives of creatures and muggleborns could improve exponentially.

It wouldn't be the two-thirds they needed to pass everything, but it would give them a huge amount of power.

She thought very carefully about what she said next. "Are you saying you would like to form a coalition or become Allies?"

Daphne looked at her for a long few moments before motioning to Blaise. "The Greengrasses can only pass the House down through a patriarch. He will claim the Scionship when we are married first weekend in July. I have the permission of my Lord-Heir, but I think he should join in this."

Hermione nodded. She had the same rights as Harry and she was pretty sure Harry didn't really want to take up this kind of thing. This could be her first real test to see if she was cut out for the Wizengamot. They waited for Blaise to join them.

Daphne was going to be the Alpha of their pack. There was no doubt. The wizarding world or magic didn't really care though. There were ways things worked or were bound by the Charter of the Ministry or other ancient magics. Having the House tied to the male side of the line, meant Daphne could not make any deals without her Lord or Lord-heir. It was an old world view she whole-heartedly opposed. She was thankful Harry did too.

"Heir Greengrass," she said to Blaise.

"Heiress Potter," he said back, inclining his head. "Should we not wait for Heir Potter to return, Daphne."

She shook her head. "Harry is not feeling well and needed some fresh air. I am of equal Peerage and can talk for him."

Blaise frowned. Daphne accepted it. Maybe some of their conversations over the last few months had made an impact. The fact that she had now accepted Blaise and knew Tracey was going to be married off also probably helped. "We can discuss this here and now. I would propose a Coalition. I won't rule out the possibility of something more in the future, but some of our current Alliance would not side with the Potters under any circumstances."

"I am to understand, that the coalition you are proposing will only be used for easing the suffering of our lot or other creatures?" Hermione understood. They would not be guaranteed the eight votes of the Greengrass Alliance, but they would vote with the Potters should items come up concerning their status as werewolves, and probably other creatures.

"For now. My father does not know of this. I will be sending him a letter this evening. I am sure he would like to meet with your Regent on this matter once he understands," she told her.

"I would prefer him to talk with Lord Black or Lady Longbottom. They will be representing our interests until one of us can take up the Potter's seat," she told her. It was even more imperative that she really talk with Harry about when she turned seventeen. This could help with other issues they were facing.

Daphne nodded. She let her mask fall. "Hermione, I have a much more personal matter to discuss."

"Daphne, I told you we can watch over her," Blaise said.

Daphne shook her head. "I won't have her hurt again, Blaise," she said with a command in her voice. Daphne was close to being of age for a wolf. Hermione had a feeling her first heat would happen in the next moon or two.

Blaise gave her a hard look and then nodded. "Hermione, as you know, my sister Astoria is still in Slytherin. She has not had an easy time of it since I became this thing," she said looking at herself in disgust.

Hermione didn't hesitate. Daphne's sister had never treated any of their pack wrong. She had never heard Astoria ever speak unkindly of them. The girl was innocent. "We will protect her if she doesn't mind being seen with us or our allies."

Daphne's shoulders slouched. "She has friends in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff that have been helping her. What can I give you in return?"

"Nothing. Harry would never ask for anything and neither shall I. Is it safe for her to remain in Slytherin House?" She had no clue what she could do to help the girl in that den of snakes, but she could talk with Professor McGonagall and Remus.

"I am not asking a small favor, Hermione. There are a few that mean her and us real harm," she said.

"Tell her what happened over Easter," Blaise spoke up.

Daphne frowned. Hermione hadn't heard of anything happening over Easter. "You swear to never repeat this," Daphne said to her.

"Can I tell Harry?"

"Yes." Daphne let out a long breath. "Astoria was accosted on the grounds. Her friends said a group wearing masks found them and chased them. She had a few cuts and stings. The Headmaster says he can't find who did it and the DMLE is just as stymied. I have my suspicions, but they can't find any evidence. The Governors have voted to keep this silent."

"Why would they do that," she asked, concerned.

"Have you seen what we are now," Blaise answered. "Daphne's father and mine have made a few votes this year that are not popular among the Pure-bloods. Mainly regarding the new Werewolf and Creature laws. They all know if they touch Daphne or me, then they will have the ICW to contend with. The only way they have not been found yet is because the attackers are being shielded from within the Ministry and they were given items to mask their magical signatures. My guess is that they also used different wands because all the upper years had their wands checked over Easter by the DMLE."

She frowned. With everything else her and Harry had been dealing with, she never thought about what this all truly meant for people like Daphne and Blaise. "Is it safe for her to remain in Slytherin House," she asked again.

"I don't know. My family has a few people looking out for her, but she is mostly alone. She doesn't have many friends in our House and she is too free a spirit to always conform."

"She can be downright nasty though when she wants to be," Blaise said to her.

"You did tease her about liking Nott for a week," she told him.

Blaise didn't betray any emotion as he sat up tall. "Where did she get that stinging gel? It felt like hornets were getting me for hours and Madame Pomfrey couldn't find a way to counter it."

Daphne gave a smirk. "The Greengrasses are known for our potion ingredients and potion making. Maybe you should think twice before ever crossing me."

Blaise eyed his betrothed, not looking comfortable. "Maybe I should."

"Daphne, I will talk with Professor McGonagall. If you think she is in danger, maybe we can find another solution," she said.

Blaise frowned and Daphne looked worried. "The rest of the House cannot know we went to a Professor. There are rules in Slytherin House and that is a sure way for her to lose any protection she is getting from our Allies."

Hermione was about to answer when she felt a sudden surge course through her. It was Harry reacting to something. A moment later, a searing pain ripped through her shoulder and she cried out, falling off her chair. She clutched her shoulder. Harry was in pain somewhere.

"Hermione," Daphne called out. They both rushed around the table.

"Harry," she said through the pain. "Harry is hurt." Daphne leaned down and put a hand on her arm. "You have to find Harry! Please!"

"Blaise, go find a Professor. Tell them Potter is hurt. Where is he, Hermione," Daphne asked.

Another shot of pain coursed through her and she cried out. It was searing hot. "Blaise, just go."

"Prim," Hermione said through tears. A moment later their other house elf appeared. She clutched her shoulder harder.

"Mistress," the elf said scared to see Hermione on the floor, curled up and panting with the pain.

"Get her to the Hospital. Heir Potter is hurt somewhere in the castle. Get him next," Daphne told the elf.

"Dobby was following Harry," she said.

Prim looked at her hurt Mistress and then the Greengrass girl. "Help your mistress," Daphne ordered.

The elf nodded and there was a crack. A breath later, she found herself in the Hospital wing on a bed. "Help! Please! My Mistress is hurt," Prim called out.

There was a scuffle. "Dear Merlin. What is going on."

"Harry. You have to get Harry. Dobby, where is Harry," she said in gasps. The pain was getting worse.

A second later, there was another crack. She looked over to see a bloodied Dobby swaying over Harry. Blood was already seeping down two cross bolts in his shoulder and he looked white, his eyes closed and breathing labored breaths. Her heart sank to see him.

"No," she cried out.