A/N: I have heard those that may not like it so I will warn you now. The next few chapters will have some cliff hangers. There is much going on at the same time and posting 15 thousand word chapters is just way too long.
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 34
May 3, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry stomped down the hall. His wolf cried out for stealth. It was thrashing as though it sensed some danger that he was supposed to pay attention too. He ignored it. His thoughts were still wrapping around the fact he had housed a piece of the bastard in him. The thing that had killed his parents had used him to survive. It had used him to take over Quirrell.
The thing that had almost taken over Ginny was another piece of that foul thing. He had killed the book. But not before the basilisk had almost killed him.
The dementors had killed the part that had been in his head. All those years of headaches and pain and his link to Voldemort was gone now.
That night the dementor ate part of Voldemort, it was the first time he had realized how he felt for Hermione. When the thing had been removed, his power was strong enough to break through all the enchantments and potions that had been used on him. Hermione had done the same. He remembered how her eyes burned with feelings for him.
Then they had been torn away again.
All those years of torment at the hands of his relatives had been Dumbledore protecting him, knowing that the thing was in his head. The blood wards had been as much to keep the thing contained as it was to keep him safe. There was a nagging thought that if those wards hadn't been there, then he could be the next Dark Lord. Hermione would be dead. The contempt the man felt for muggle borns was legend. The words he had said to his own mother that night. The thoughts that the dementors had dredged up in him made the contempt he felt for her and his father for sullying his blood that way very real.
He felt the danger to his Pack. He had to find a way to protect them.
That was what was really eating at him. He was the Alpha. He was supposed to protect them. Hermione and Remus were his seconds. They would stand with him, but it was his responsibility. As a wolf, his strength was in his pack. He knew that. Leaving Hermione a few minutes ago was hard. It was a large part of why his wolf was fighting him so hard. It needed its pack. It needed his family. Harry did too, but he needed to think alone. He couldn't let Hermione convince him to let her help. She was too important to lose.
Harry stopped in some random alcove in the hallway by the charms classrooms and put his back to the wall.
So many things ran through his head. He felt as though he had lost his focus. Up until a few weeks ago, all he worried about was keeping his pack safe and getting through Hogwarts. Now there was so much more. Neither shall live while the other survives. Dumbledore had been very clear in his feelings that Harry was the one destined to kill Voldemort. He had offered to personally train Harry.
Harry would spend as little time around the insane man as he could. Could he do this without Dumbledore's help though?
The bell rang.
Shortly after, people were making their way out of their classes. Harry didn't look up. They all smelled and sounded like they always did. Those that didn't notice him were too wrapped up in their own lives. They laughed, argued and talked of things like the latest Zonko products or the last task that was coming. He could tell the ones that noticed him.
There was always one of three reactions. The most pungent was fear. Many feared them, even some of those that seemed to support them. Next was the sour smells of anger or hatred. It didn't matter that his pack and him hadn't hurt anyone or caused much of the issues this year. They were guilty by association or because the Wizarding world in general feared and hated all werewolves. To much bad blood over too many years.
The last were those that accepted them. Maybe only a quarter of the people they ever met or dealt with felt completely at ease with them. Their smells were sweeter, or more mellow. He liked those smells.
His wolf pawed and whined in the back of his head. Something about it caused Harry to pause. This was different than the war he had had with himself for the last week or more. Sighing, he let his beast to the front. The second he did, he noticed it. It was a smell. A different smell. It was fear with revulsion and what he associated with someone hurting.
Looking up, he followed the smell to see four girls standing not too far away. It was hard to see them through the crowd, but by their height, they would have to be first years. All four girls wore Griffindor colors. It was the snap of something mechanical that sent him on full alert. His wand was in his hand as he yelled, "Get down!"
The girls threw their cloaks back and he saw four crossbows pull up. It was one of those times things seemed to move very slowly. People looked at him. The girls with the crossbows were going to fire through the group of students between them. The only thought on his mind as he raised his wand was to get the innocent out of the way. The looks on their faces said it all. They thought he was going to attack them. He was being the monster they all thought him as.
His magic responded to his need and a wind surged out of his wand. It was strong enough to blast them off their feet and send the group of six Ravenclaws flying back. The four small girls behind them had raised the crossbows by that time and the unmistakable twangs of them going off reached his ears. He had been just fast enough to knock the Ravenclaws off their feet, but he didn't have time to raise a shield.
One of the bolts pierced his shoulder as the girls holding the crossbows were bowled over by the Ravenclaws. The pain was incredible and he cried out as he fell to the floor. It had hit his right shoulder and his wand almost fell from his hand.
Things seemed to speed up as people started to scream and rush away from the scene. "Get Potter," one of the girls said getting up and reloading the crossbow. The Ravenclaws were scrambling to get up. He stumbled to his feet and raised his wand. His arm wouldn't lift all the way. There was something really wrong here. More than just the searing pain in his shoulder. "You shall not hurt Harry Potter," an angry high pitch voice said from next to him. Dobby was about to snap his fingers.
"Dobby, stun them only," he rushed out.
He had seen these girls before. They had talked with them and hung out with Jason and Bonnie at times. They had always been accepting of them. He cast a shield as the other three stood up and the Ravenclaws scrambled away. Dobby snapped his fingers and the first girl took the full brunt of the stunning spell. She flew back a dozen feet before falling to the floor in a heap. The pain in his shoulder was growing. "Protego Maxima," he yelled. Three bolts hit the shield and bounced off. Dobby went to step around the shield and he grabbed the elf by the scruff of his tea cozy with his left hand and pulled him into the small alcove he had been sitting in.
"Dobby help Master," the elf protested. Harry threw the elf behind him. Three more bolts hit close nearby. They were reloading at impossible rates. He didn't want to hurt the girls. He felt something was wrong with them. He waited for the next volley before spinning around to face them. "Accio crossbows!" Two of them ripped out of the girls' hands. The last girl clung to the crossbow and moved a few feet towards him, her feet dragging on the floor. "Now, Dobby!" He had to growl out the words at the pain of lifting his arm.
The elf stepped out and snapped. He saw a broad red flash go across the hallway. It wasn't fast enough. Harry hadn't gotten the third crossbow. The bolt ripped into the same shoulder and his wand dropped. It felt like sharp shards were ripping apart his shoulder. He cried out again as he fell to the floor. The two crossbows he had pulled towards him hit Dobby and the elf was hurled over him.
There was the unmistakable click of a crossbow being reloaded. "STUPEFY!" It was Bonnie's voice. His pack was coming to him. "Jason, get the other one!"
"Imobulus!" He looked up to see the original girl Dobby had stunned getting up. Jason's spell missed. Bonnie's didn't as she cast another stunner.
The pain in his arm was searing and he felt it starting to spread through his body.
"Harry!" Jason was panicked rushing to his side.
"Are there more!" She looked around wildly. "That is Harriet, Ulia, Veronica and Amanda!"
Harry was panting, fighting to stay awake as he felt the pain seeping farther into his body. Something was wrong. "Master Harry," Dobby said.
"Dobby, get him to the Hospital Wing," Bonnie ordered.
"What is going on here," he heard Flitwick before Dobby put a hand on his arm and a second later he crashed into a bed in the hospital wing. His shoulder and the bolts in it jarred into the mattress and he blacked out from the pain.
-oOo-
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Draco hated the long walk to Hogsmeade. It was a warm day and dust kicked as they walked. He much preferred those days that the carriages ran, but this wasn't a normal Hogsmeade weekend. The three others with him were proof of that. He walked in the back of a line with Krum, Delacour and Diggory. Diggory walked next to him. They had been asked to join the Daily Prophet and other publications for a photoshoot and interview after a news conference meant to announce the last task.
Why this couldn't have been done at the school, maybe after dinner tonight, he didn't know.
He also didn't like leaving Pansy or Tracey behind. In three days he was going to marry Tracey. They had postponed it a week because of some strange concern with the werewolves last Saturday. He wouldn't slip at calling them anything bad. Pansy had been as good as her word over Easter when he had slipped after she had warned him. He had been forced to sleep in a large chair in his room. Some point after midnight Pansy had curled up in the chair with him, but he knew not to even think that way now.
It wasn't as hard as he thought now that he was spending more time with Tracey and the others.
"So, you think they will have hostages again," Diggory asked in a low tone. Delacour was far enough ahead not to hear them.
The dark hair boy looked nervous. Draco was too, but not because of what the boy asked. "No. The Tournament has never had two events in the same tournament with hostages," he told him.
Diggory didn't look relieved. "I read that too. I swear if they lay a hand on Angelina I will challenge the cup before I put her at risk again."
"You weell 'ave to get in line, Cedric," Fluer said from in front of them. "I won't allow another to die." Her voice was hard.
Draco felt his stomach clench. He had been the one to kill her sister. She looked like she still wanted to kill him most days, but she had been good to her word. Anyone that flocked around her had left his wife and betrothed alone. They had left him alone too, but he wasn't as worried about that. "I know they won't. It wasn't part of the original plans and the DMLE has forbidden it."
Cedric raised an eyebrow at him. Fleur threw her hair back. "Bon," she said.
After that, it was quiet.
When they got to the Three Broomsticks, he was surprised to see how many people were there. Crouch stood with Bagman and the Judges. It was the first time Draco had seen him since February and the man didn't look well. He looked to have lost weight. His normally perfect hair looked greasy and his eyes looked sunken. It was so off, Draco wondered what was wrong.
Bagman, like normal, was his congenial moronic self. He clapped them all over the shoulder and dragged them all before the cameras a few times.
He held back a sneer to see Skeeter. The bitch needed to be taken down a notch. She had managed at one point or another to drag all their names through the mud. The last few weeks had seen Tracey's name in the Prophet a dozen times and not the way he wanted. She was going to be his wife and he didn't want her traumatized.
A dozen other reporters had gathered for the event.
"Welcome! Welcome!" Bagman said loudly when it seemed like everyone he wanted was there. Draco didn't miss the man waited for two Aurors to step into the Inn before starting. "So, we are now five weeks from our final event of the Triwizarding Tournament. You have all been invited today to hear what our four Champions are to face."
Draco groaned. "Air bag," he said quietly.
Diggory gave a small smile before taking on his annoying smirk.
"Right, so, Headmaster Dumbledore has agreed to let us change parts of the grounds to a great race. Our Champions shall be challenged in a series of obstacles that will have Audience viewing as they race around the grounds. The objective will be to collect twelve of sixteen items and the first one to make it back shall be declared the winner," Bagman said with enthusiasm.
"Now, I know we have had some bumps and complaints about this tournament," he started.
"You call the death of Gabrielle Delacour a bump," someone said from the reporters. Draco hadn't seen the person speak, instead trying to keep his face from mottling.
"And what of the incompetence that a twelve-year-old wizard was allowed to enter," the snippy voice of Rita Skeeter.
"There will be a question and answer session after this announcement," Crouch said stepping forward.
"Right. Right," Bagman said getting his bluster back. "We have had some unfortunate events, but that is all part of the Tournament and Champions are cleared of all responsibility per Tournament rules."
"Are you saying that to avoid the ICW charges against you," Skeeter spoke up again.
Crouch looked sour. "Save your questions for later. Ludo, get to the rules of the race."
"Right," Bagman said. He took a few parchments out of his pocket. "The Rules. The champions shall be given a packet of general information when they leave. The race can be completed by any magical form of transportation except portkey or apparition. Sixteen stations shall be setup in the castle, on the grounds and in the Dark Forest. Each station shall pose a threat, puzzle or magical trial they must complete to receive a badge. They must collect twelve badges and return to the start location. The first to do so shall be the winner."
"As for the Stations. They are in sequential order. A Champion can pass up to four stations but must complete any remaining stations after that to move onto the next."
"The Champions shall be given just under sixteen hours to do so. If none of them can complete the task, then each badge will be worth 3 points. This will be added to their current total and the Champion with the highest point total shall be the winner. "
"The event shall start at sunrise, June 7, and end at sundown. The Champions shall start in order of their points. Each Champion shall be docked four minutes for each point they are behind the leader. Meaning Mr. Krum shall start first. Mr. Diggory shall be four minutes behind him. Mr. Malfoy shall be thirty-two minutes behind and Ms. Delacour shall be thirty-six minutes behind. Each Champion shall be able to take with them one satchel or backpack able to hold up to half a square meter, a single bottle able to hold up to 3 liters of fluid and the standard gear for a Champion. They may carry up to five objects in a standard size pocket and anything they can carry in a hand, like a broom."
"Thank you, Ludo," Dumbledore said stepping forward. "Lastly, I would like to say that Tournament staff will be present at each challenge and three squads of Aurors will be available. Hogwarts is putting all its support behind the safety of our contestants and spectators."
Draco had heard what he really needed to know. Thirty-two minutes out of almost sixteen hours shouldn't be that much of a handicap, he hoped. He felt Fleur should start before him, but she had been docked more points in the second event for not finishing and having to be saved twenty minutes in. He had lost almost as much for the destruction he had caused, but was higher than Fleur because he had saved his hostage. Personally, he should have gotten zero points.
Thirty-two minutes. It was to be a marathon of events. He needed to complete twelve of them. That was it. He could prepare now and knew he had five weeks. Sixteen hours to complete. He doubted the events would be easy or quick. How was he going to last that long? He doubted a good breakfast would be enough to get through the day. Three liters of liquid. He didn't miss that they didn't specify what the liquid needed to be.
He was too busy thinking of what the event would be to realize he was being called on. Diggory elbowed him. "What," he said irritably.
"Mr. Malfoy, how do you feel to be starting third," a man with red robes asked.
"I find it fair. Krum and Diggory are ahead in the points," he responded. What did they want him to say?
"Miss Delacour, Mr. Malfoy is obviously low on points after what happened to your sister..."
Her face turned dower. "Leeve my sist'r out of this," she said in a cool voice.
Draco kept the frown off his face. "I'm sorry, Miss Delacour, but this is important in your point standings..."
"I think that is enough questions for now," Dumbledore said.
"Quite right, Headmaster," Crouch replied. "The Games department will organize individual interviews as promised over the next week. For now, let's wish all our Champions good luck."
Draco was happy to be walking out. As they were, an Auror pushed his way in. Draco gave the man a dirty look. "Malfoy," Krum said behind them as they left.
"Krum," he said to the crooked nose Bulgarian. Almost all year, he had given Draco the cold shoulder and spoken no more than a few words at him. He felt apprehensive to have the boy call on him.
"I vould like some vords. My father vants to give your family a letter," Krum said.
"Then send it to my father," He told the boy. Krum started to head towards an alley. He had no intention of following the boy in there.
"This is private," Krum told him.
Draco shook his head. "You can send it to my father by owl post."
The door to the Three Broomsticks slammed open behind them. The three Aurors marched out followed by the Headmaster. "Round up all students in Hogsmeade and have them congregate at the Auror's Office," he heard Dumbledore say.
Krum grabbed his hand. "What are you doing," he said angrily as the older boy grappled his arm. There was a blank look on Krum's face as he forced a rope over his hand. Draco started to fight back. His hand was almost to the boy's face when Krum pulled the rope. It had a slip knot in it and as soon as the rope fully encompassed his forearm, he was lifted off his feet as a hook grabbed him behind the navel. The rope was a portkey and he was being transported to somewhere he didn't know.
It was an uncomfortable feeling lasting minutes, meaning he was going far away from Hogwarts. He tried to reach for the rope, but was being flung through the air as he went. Someone who only just understood how to cast it must have done it. It was typically a much smoother ride. It ended by the portkey slamming him bodily into a hard floor. "Omph," he let out as air rushed out of his lungs.
He didn't have time to even roll over before someone called out, "Accio wands!"
The one in his pocket slipped out and zoomed away. Draco tried to cough but couldn't. He started to roll. "I know you have more than one, boy. Accio wands!"
The voice was accented and familiar. This time the wand in the holster on his lower left leg responded to the spell. He was dragged across the floor by his leg. His face hitting on a few edges of something in the floor. Someone grabbed his leg. "Ah, smart boy."
Air finally rushed into his lungs and he took in greedy breaths. His pant leg ripped and he felt something cut into his leg. He cried out at the pain.
"Don't hurt him," another voice hissed. A chill went through him. He recognized that voice. It was an associate of his father. They both were.
"Shut it," the first man said cutting his holster off. "Any more surprises, boy?"
"Go fudder yourself," he said angrily. The way his leg was being held he couldn't turn to see them. "Wait 'til my father hears. He'll finish you, Karkaroff."
"Crucio," Karkaroff barked out.
Needles. White hot needles suddenly pierced every nerve in his body. He screamed and stretched in agony. His father had done this twice to him this year. Those felt like love bites compared to this. He screamed and screamed until it suddenly stopped. He rolled back onto his face. His body was spasming and convulsion as the sensations let up. His throat was horse and soar. All he could do was pant, his lungs still sore from hitting the floor.
"Your father should be dead about the time you are," Karkaroff said in pure hatred.
"Leave him. Let him wallow in his piss for the last few days of his life," the other man said.
He could do nothing but cry at the pain and this sudden change in his life after a door closed and he was plunged into darkness.
-oOo-
Hogwarts, Scotland
Bonnie ran as fast as she could. She had to get to their Alpha. Jason was behind her as she reached the stairs and jumped down them three or four at a time while holding onto the railing.
"Bonnie, that's too fast," Jason said behind her.
The Pack was in trouble and she couldn't leave any member behind. She slowed to run down the stairs one at a time. Jason caught up with her as she rushed to the next set of stairs. Others were still running and teachers were starting to move towards the stairs. "Bonnie," Neville called out.
"Harry was attacked," she yelled at him. Neville was becoming pack. If he followed her then he may just be her future mate.
"Shite," the boy cried out.
"Mr. Longbottom, language," Professor Sinistra called after them.
She ran down the stairs, pausing only long enough to make sure Jason and Neville were behind her. She took off towards the Transfiguration Corridor. It was the fastest way to the Hospital Wing. She was never more thankful to Harry and Hermione for pushing them on their training. She was at full sprint and barely breathing hard by the time they burst into the halls around the courtyard.
"Ms. Green," Professor McGonagall called at her. "What is the rush?"
"Harry was attacked on the third floor," she yelled at the Professor. She had time to see the Professor's face blanche before they were past her and she bowled her way through a group of sixth or seventh years that were entering the corridor.
"What the hell mutt," a boy cried out.
"Leave off," Neville said pushing the boy back as he ran after her. "Bonnie, wait for us!"
She slowed just enough again to let them catch up. The air was nice as they burst onto the bridge to the main keep. She ran past or around students that were moving about. The next class was in less than ten minutes. Jason and Neville were forced to push their way through the gawkers looking at her. She was sure she looked wild with her hair flying behind her and her wand out.
She flicked her wand to throw the doors open. She ran in and the boys just made it before the doors started to close. She was starting to breathe a little heavy now. Another corridor. She bowled over two girls rounding the corner to the hospital corridor. She took the flight of stairs two or three at a time. She burst through the doors of the Hospital wing and skidded to a stop.
Harry was on a bed, his shirt and cloak gone. Madame Pomfrey was standing over him, black ooze already coming out of his wounds. Hermione was standing on the side of the bed, swaying and looking as though she was just barely standing. Hermione turned to see her burst through the doors. "Bonnie," Hermione said tearfully.
She moved to Hermione as the boys finally came into the room. "Someone. In my office. Cabinet closest to us. Anti-poison potions, second shelf down. One in a clear vial and red. The other in a small purple vial. Dittany and pain-relief," Madame Pomfrey said not stopping her wand work.
She turned when Neville said, "Got it."
Harry was starting to move. "Green and Whitman. Hold him down. Sit, Potter."
"I need to help Harry," Hermione said.
Bonnie pushed her down into the chair. "Hermione, sit." She ordered her alpha's mate. She would never dream of doing that, but in times of trouble, the pack worked together. Hermione put a hand to her shoulder as she tried to keep a hand on Harry.
"Ms. Green," the Matron snapped.
She turned to see Harry's left arm jerking and convulsing up and down. The Matron struggling to keep Harry down as she siphoned the ooze out of him. "Jason," she barked and grabbed Harry's arm. He threw her off the first time she grabbed. His strength was enough to send her off her feet and stumbling into the bed behind her. Jason tried to grab his feet. She moved back and this time she put all her weight, all eighty-seven pounds, onto him. She was just able to pin his arm and left shoulder down. Jason was kicked off.
"Take these," Neville said to Jason, pushing the vials into his arms. Neville grabbed Harry's legs and then leaned over him. It was enough to let the Matron work.
She heard the steps outside the Hospital wing. "Smith, guard this door. DMLE and pack only," Tonks said bursting into the ward. Professor Sprout was at her side.
"Tonks," Hermione cried out. Harry was starting to buck more.
"Almost there, Potter," the Matron said strained. "Pomona, three vials of blood replenisher."
The woman stopped for a moment to look at Harry before disappearing into the Matron's office.
Hermione stood up and stumbled to the Auror. "Tonks, help," Bonnie cried out as she was almost thrown off him again.
"Shite," Tonks said and moved to Harry. "Get Hermione," she ordered Bonnie.
Bonnie took a step back as Tonks was finally able to subdue him.
Hermione looking as though her world was falling apart. Bonnie moved to her and Jason stood nearby, looking towards the door as more footsteps came. She couldn't smell anything else except the foul junk coming out of Harry. He was Alpha. The pack was as strong as the Alpha and if they had each other. She didn't want another pack. Her wolf called out to Harry.
She moved to Hermione, feeling some spots on her chest and arms that would probably bruise. Hermione fell into her when she wrapped her arms around her Alpha's mate. Hermione needed her pack. She needed Harry, but Bonnie would have to do. "Get me to his side," Hermione ordered after a moment. Bonnie did as ordered, though more out of caring. This was her family.
She brought her to Harry. He was starting to settle and Hermione took his hand. Tears were leaking down the girl's cheeks. To see Harry feebly struggling now, his shirt and cloak removed, blood over half his chest and on his pants and looking very pale, her heart broke almost as much as her sisters. She couldn't keep the tears leaking from her own eyes.
The black ooze suddenly stopped and fresh blood started to come out of the wound. "Pomona, dittany," she ordered. "Where are those potions?"
"Here," Jason said stepping up to her.
She grabbed the first of the antidote potions, held it over Harry's stomach and it soon disappeared. She repeated it with the five other potions before taking a step back and sitting on the bed behind them. "You can get off him now." After taking a breath, the Matron stood and came to Harry's right side again.
"He's going to make it," Hermione asked. She could hear and smell the worry.
"Most of the poison is out of him. Give me a few to see what other damage there is. Are you hurt, Mrs. Potter," she asked. "I see you holding your shoulder." Professor Sprout was still standing beside the Matron. Now that the fowl stuff was gone from Harry, her wolf was starting to smell other things. She very much liked Professor Sprout, but her wolf was agitated at a different smell from her.
Hermione shook her head. "No. He was alone."
Bonnie felt the pain in that statement. A wolf should never be alone.
"An elf took him here," the Matron said starting to cast her wand over Harry.
"Dobby," Hermione called out.
"Here, Mistress," a squeaky voice said. She looked to see him come out of a dark corner between a bed and a night table across the hall. He was wringing his ears and pulling on them. His head had a gash on it that was bleeding and one of his green eyes was almost swollen shut. "Dobby tried to protect Master Harry, as Mistress wanted. Dobby stunned the bad girls as Master Harry ordered. Dobby did bad," the elf said pulling on his ears harder. "Dobby missed the last girl."
"Dobby, stop," Hermione told him. The elf stopped in mid pull. Another house elf came up to Dobby. Prim reached out a hand to him.
"Pomona, will you take a look at that elf," she asked.
"What happened," Tonks asked them.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. I let him go on his own. I asked Dobby to follow him."
"Dobby did as Mistress asked. Dobby didn't see the girls until Master Harry knocked the others down and was hit," the elf said through tears. He went to grab his ears again.
"Dobby, no," Hermione ordered. It was one of the few times she had felt the unmistakable order in the command. "You did as I asked. Do not punish yourself."
"Dobby tried to protect Master Harry," he said with large tears leaking out of his eyes. "Master ordered to stun only. Dobby wanted to blast them."
"It was my friends from Gryffindor," Bonnie said tearfully. Neville moved in behind her and she reached for his hand. Hermione leaned into her. "I had to stun Ulia and Amanda. Dobby had already stunned the others, but he had been hit by some crossbows when Harry dropped his wand. I think Harry summoned them. Jason and I heard it start. We tried to get there as fast as we could. We were only around the corner just having got out of class with Flitwick."
She was starting to blame herself as much as the wolf was. They had seen Harry in the alcove, but she could tell their Alpha wanted his own space. She should have gone over to him. Her Alpha wanted alone time, but she smelled his conflict. A hurt or unsure Alpha was not healthy for the Pack. A pack stays together. She should have stayed with him.
"Bonnie and Dobby, thank you," Hermione said turning back to Harry. "You saved him. Jason, you too."
There were more steps outside the door. "I'm sorry, this is a quarantined area per the DMLE. Mr. Lupin, you can go in."
"I am the Headmaster. That is my student hurt in there," she heard the Headmaster as Remus came in.
"Is he going to be alright," Hermione asked. She wrapped her arm her sister as she felt Hermione leaning more heavily into her.
Poppy looked up. "I should really talk to only Mrs. Potter and Professor Lupin."
"We are all Pack here," Hermione said with conviction.
"It's ok to tell us all, Poppy," Remus said agreeing.
Sprout came to stand next to Pomfrey. "I got most of the poison out, but there was much more than when Mrs. Potter was hurt in February. He has lost a good amount of blood and will take a few days before he will have to stop taking the blood replenisher potions. I am more concerned with his shoulder. He was hit with two cross bolts. His collar bone and the top of the scapula is shattered. There is enough ligament and muscle damage that would make it hard to heal even if his magic wasn't nearly exhausted. He fought the poison as hard as he could. I think a normal lycanthrope would have died before he even arrived here."
Hermione tried to stifle a sob. She let go of her rock to wrap both arms around Hermione.
"Remus, I can't risk anymore healing until his magic grows stronger."
"I will give him my magic." Hermione tried to stand on her own, but she was using Bonnie to stand at the moment.
"I think not, Mrs. Potter. You look ready to fall over," the Matron told Hermione.
"I will give him my magic," she said more forcibly. She felt something from Hermione.
"Stop her. She will exhaust herself," Pomfrey ordered.
"You will do nothing," she growled at Bonnie. Bonnie felt the command and didn't move. Neville wasn't affected by the command and grabbed Hermione's arm.
"You'll hurt yourself," he told her.
"No!" Hermione cried out as Neville gently pulled her hand off Harry. "He needs to heal!"
Tonks stepped up between Harry and Hermione. "Hermione, that's enough. We don't need you hurt like Harry too."
"Bonnie, stop them," Hermione cried.
She moved to follow her Alpha's command and found Neville wrapping his arms around her arms in a bear hug. Tonks took Hermione and gently pushed her back onto the other bed.
"We need to help Harry," Bonnie told him.
"I know, Bonnie. Madam Pomfrey is," he said back in a gentle tone.
She watched Harry laying there. He was breathing, but his breaths were shallow. He looked so pale. The blood was still drying on him. Madam Pomfrey spoke. "Mrs. Potter, if you don't settle down, I will put you to sleep myself."
She turned to see Hermione struggling against Tonks to get to Harry's side. "Please," Hermione begged.
There was a white light and Hermione suddenly went limp in Tonks' arms. Bonnie gave a choked gasp and started to struggle against Neville. Tonks had just done something to Hermione.
"I'm sorry," Tonks said softly.
"Let me go," she told Neville angrily.
"Easy there, Jason. She is only asleep," Remus said behind them.
"It'll be alright, Bonnie," Neville said not letting her go.
"Bonnie, settle down." The gentle command from their Beta calmed her some.
Tonks lay Hermione down on the bed. She looked upset. "Tell me you can heal that boy. I don't like stunning my family like this."
She turned to Madam Pomfrey and stopped struggling. She knew Hermione was alright.
"Remus, he needs to go to Saint Mungo's. I can't do anything else for him here and I don't want to risk his wife exhausting herself," she told him. "I should also check her shoulder. She had been holding it since she arrived."
She didn't take her eyes off of Harry.
All this time, a large argument had been raging in the hallway outside the Hospital Wing. Remus nodded his head. "Have them let the Headmaster in. Poppy, he will go. I will go with him. The rest of you are to stay here. Hermione will need you when she wakes. How long before she can travel," he asked Poppy.
Tonks nodded and walked towards the doors.
"I need to check her over first. My guess would be tomorrow. If this is their bond she is feeling, she needs to recover some before she gets near him. I do not doubt she will try to channel her magic to him."
Remus shook his head. "No. She would not hesitate."
"What happened," Albus asked walking in. "I came back from Hogsmeade as fast as I could to have four stunned first years on there way down here and..." He trailed of as the old man took in the site of Harry and all them. "Dear Merlin. Will he live?"
"He needs to get to St. Mungo's now," Remus told him. "I only let you in so you can make a portkey to get him there."
She turned to see the Headmaster give their Beta a nasty glare before his features evened out again. "Very well," the man said after a moment of Remus staring him down. "Poppy, inform St. Mungo's he will be coming in about five minutes time."
She nodded. "Make sure she doesn't wake. I will take a look at their elf after her," she told them all. Bonnie choked back a sob. They were being separated at a time she knew they needed to be together.
"Neville, let me go," she asked.
He did this time and she moved around him to be at Hermione's side. Harry looked so frail she didn't trust touching him. She could be there for Hermione though. As the adults worked out some other details, she took the thin hospital blanket and pulled it up over Hermione.
She then took Hermione's hand as she sat on the side of the bed. Neville was next to her again, as though looking over her pack. She would never be able to thank him for this. As she sat there, it dawned on her that Hermione had referred to them all as Pack. Did that mean Neville was Pack now?
She didn't have time to ponder that as Dumbledore moved towards Harry. She stifled her wolf. She knew this was the man that had made her Alpha so vulnerable. She wanted to attack him. Her lip curled into a half-snarl looking at him.
Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, some soot on her face. "Albus, they are ready for him. How many are going?"
"Just myself, Poppy. Dora, contact Sirius to meet us there. I would prefer for you to stay here," Remus said to his mate.
Tonks nodded. "Just keep him safe. Hermione is already going to be upset enough for me stunning her."
Remus nodded. "Albus."
The Headmaster moved to the bed. A moment later, a stretcher was conjured below Harry. The man touched the stretcher and it glowed a blue color for a second. "Remus. Three, two..."
"Portus," someone said quickly and reached around Remus to touch the ring on Harry's hand.
"N..." A shocked looking Remus just got out before they both disappeared. She was so shocked that she hadn't noticed it was a plump Professor Sprout still holding her wand out to where Harry's hand had been.
She smelt it though. It overpowered almost everything. It was a pungent smell of revulsion, fear and pain. It wasn't the revulsion she usually smelled towards them. It was different.
"Stupefy!" Tonks called out behind her a fraction of a second too late. It just missed Remus as he disappeared and caught Sprout square in the chest. The blank expression on the Professor's face didn't change as she was blasted off her feet, flew over two beds and crashed sideways in the side of the third bed.
In the time it took the Professor to fly back, Dumbledore had spun on his flying Professor, shock on his face. Tonks was already halfway to where Sprout landed.
Neville pulled his wand and stepped between Hermione and her and the Professor. She was much slower in pulling her own wand, too shocked to understand what just happened.
Tonks was at the Professor's side. "Enervate," she growled out. "WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THEM!"
"Auror Tonks, you will release my Professor now," Dumbledore ordered pulling his own wand.
People burst in from the hallway. "Tonks," the man named Smith called out as he rushed to her side.
"WHERE DID YOU SEND THEM," the Auror yelled again at a very bewildered Professor.
"Release her now, Auror Tonks," Dumbledore demanded again.
"What is going on," the other Auror asked.
"She did something to the portkey just before they left. Where are they," Tonks demanded.
"That isn't possible," Dumbledore said, lowering his wand a little.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Sprout said looking scared and putting a hand to her head.
Tonks screamed and released the Professor's robes. Sprout fell to the floor. "Were are they," she whirled on Albus. "What did she do!"
Madam Pomfrey came out of her office. "Albus! Harry didn't arrive at St. Mungo's!"
Dumbledore's shoulders slumped.
Sprout sat up. "Albus, what did I do," she asked scared. "I...I remember casting something."
"Where are they," Tonks said again. Sparks flew out of her wand.
Bonnie felt the panic in Tonks. Her own was rising. The door to the Matron's office burst open. One of its hinges actually breaking from the wall. "Where is he!" Remus stormed into the Hospital ward. It was obvious he had just come through a Floo fireplace. There was soot all over him. His magic was barely restrained. She felt it fill the hospital ward. It wasn't as strong as Harry's, but it easily matched or exceeded Hermione's. "Where is he!"
Healer Tonks walked in behind him. She looked concerned.
"Where did you send him," Tonks yelled again advancing on Sprout.
"I don't know," Sprout said. "I would never hurt a student."
"She was imperished," Dumbledore said.
"I didn't want to do it," Sprout said in tears.