Harry's Requiem
Chapter 23: Terror! A cry in the night!
Fred and George were searching different rooms looking for new hiding places for their pranking supplies. Fred opened a door and stopped. "Georgey check it out, a huge mirror." Both came in closing the door and examined the mirror. Both looked at each other. "Did you see that? I was named best inventor of the year!" George said excitedly. Fred shook his head. "I saw myself getting the spell creation award." They noticed the letters above the glass itself. But unlike most they were very well versed in mirror speak. "The mirror of Desire?" One said.
"Hm, I thin we need to show this to Percy, Gred." "Quite right Forge." With a nod they set off and found Percy in his element in the library. He was running a study group with some of the Unicorns from second year. They in turn were helping him understand Runes and the basics of warding. When the twins got near one of the second years noticed them and tapped Percy before pointing at them. "Fred, George, Is something wrong?" The twins shared a glance. "Not sure Percy, we found something we think you ought to see." Percy looked at the others. "Go ahead Percy. We can pick this up again after dinner in the Common room." He smiled said his thanks and packing up his belongings departed with the duo. On their way out of the library they saw Marcus Flint and most of the Slytherin quidditch team being tutored by some of the 4th year Warwolves. A girl tucked under his left arm pointing out little tips and short cuts.
They made their way back to the room and they got Percy to stand in front of the mirror. They watched his eyes widen as they danced all over the mirror. "What do you see Percy?" Their brother's amazed voice came out soft. "I'm handing something to Master Mordane.. And I'm being hugged, I get to join them." Then they saw Percy jump then dig in his pocket pulling out a red stone. "This was what I handed her.. I don't know what it is, but lets go!" He put it back in his pocket and they left barely missing Albus who had come to set more charms on the mirror. He had been wondering why his charms had yet to draw the Potter boy to the mirror. He had to know for sure. Harry Potter had to defeat Voldemort so Albus could gain more power.
The three Weasleys hauled it for Snape's classroom. His last class was just letting out so they waited for the last student to leave before poking their heads in. They saw him at his desk grading and knocked politely on the open door. He looked up and blinked in surprise. "Mister's Weasley, a surprise to see you." The three came in and closed his classroom door. "We need to ask you something and see Master Mordane." Severus raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more boys." They told him about the mirror and how weird it showed them different things. Severus was more than a little disturbed by the three seeing the mirror. Percy looked around before reaching into his robe pocket. "When I was looking in the mirror this appeared in my pocket.. The mirror showed me I gave it to Master Mordane.." He opened his hand and Severus' jaw opened a bit in awe. "The philosophers stone.." All three blinked, only Percy understood what it was.
Severus stood abruptly. "Come boys. Percival is correct. Kaitou will wish to see it." Percy shoved the stone back in his pocket, picked up his bag off the desk and the three ran to keep up with Professor Snape's long strides. He brought them to a familiar door and knocked soundly. The door was opened by Flutter. "Master Snape you brings little ones?" Severus looked down at the old elf. "We must speak to the assembly." Flutter closed the door and went to speak with the Headmistress. A few moments later the door opened and they were welcomed inside. The followed their potions professor and were back in the center of the table. "The boys brought me a story and something I believe you must hear and see for yourselves." Fred and George started then Percy took over when it was his turn before he stepped before the Duarti and held the stone out in his hand in offering. She gently grasped it. "I believe we should contact the Master's Flamel." Nods were exchanged. "Headmistress Snow.. I do believe such an offering from these boys is grounds for welcoming them among us." Smiles were exchanged and lit wands were raised. "Unanimous votes in favor. After the full moon the sorting ritual will take place. Welcome Messer's Weasley to Bloodmoon Academy." All three boys bowed. "Kaya." The elf appeared. "Mistress?" "See that the boys are settled in the guest quarters." Kaya smiled. "Come little reds time for food and some rest." They departed and Severus took his usual place at the round table.
"How much danger did those boys face for that stone Master Snape?" Severus frowned. "They faced the Mirror of Desire." Hisses, snarls and roars erupted at that information. "They are just cubs! That mirror has no business in a school." Severus could only nod, he knew about the traps on the third floor and was worried that one of his students were going to be hurt. "Now Masters, we must end this meeting so that preparations can be made for tonight.. Please, do your duty to our children and I hope to see everyone hale and safe in the morning." Hours passed as all the students were allowed outside to the main camp. The Masters, McGonagall, Severus, those they were able to warn subtly cast wards around the camp. The first night passed without issue to the worry of the adults, the children were more willing to run about until curfew which was after moon rise.
Lucius shook his head when he met with Severus at lunch. "I did my best Severus.. Dumbledore was not willing to allow any parents here.. As a governor of the school I forced my way in. I tried to warn Dowager Longbottom but I fear tampering there." Severus only nodded. "I understand Lucius. You did try. But now should what we fear comes to pass.. None will be able to say we did nothing. And that old friend is everything."
The traditional cook out was splayed all over the tables and such. Students were laughing and toasting marshmallows. As the moon rose it was the true full moon slowly a stillness crawled over the camp but it wasn't the natural stillness of sleep. No, it was the oppressive feeling that something was wrong. The children were playing a game of night tag when Lucius came towards him. "Severus.. Flitwick just said he spotted glowing eyes in the underbrush." The teachers began subtly gathering students back to the encampment. Carefully setting wands at the ready. A howl rent the air and several first years cried at seeing werewolves licking their slavering jowls. Dane came up along side them. "Those are not any of ours." The professors unleashed a barrage of spell fire as the students fled behind them towards the castle.
Draco was terrified, his ankle rolled under him and he hit the ground. He scrabbled backwards trying to get away from the huge scarred and tatted werewolf. Hermione snarled seeing the thing advancing on her friend. He was hers just like Harry. No one was going to take him away. She could be just as brave as her father. She charged on four legs leaping upon the beast and digging her claws in deep. The werewolf roared in pain and did its best to get her off its back. Finally it caught her with a paw and tossed her a fair distance. She hit the ground with the stomach clenching snap of breaking bone. Severus was trying to get out of the battle he was in with another were to get to her when they heard Draco scream as the werewolf jumped at him for the final strike. Suddenly the were was hurled a fair distance and something stood on the stone above Draco. It was huge at least fifteen feet possessing a long silky tail that could be used like a whip from what they had just seen. It stepped down over Draco and roared. The werewolf attacked and the two went at it with intent to kill. The werewolves were watching then Loriel spoke. "Its a fight for control of the pack. If the were wins the attack will continue if the monster does, it becomes Alpha." The strange beast kept pushing the werewolf away from Draco. With an amazing show of intellect it waited for the were to lunge and it clamped down around its neck dragging it out of sight before returning, standing over Draco and roaring at the others who cowered.
Lucius was trying to figure out how to get his son when he saw the Headmistress approach the creature and show both her hands. "I see the cry of a child in distress still infuriates you." The beast snapped and its jaws seemed to be forming words. The tail lashed and the air cracked from the force. Minerva looked at Aribella. "Headmistress Snow, you know.." Aribella interrupted her. "You know her as well." Minerva blinked. She heard Harry break in then. "Mum!" The beast picked him up and set him next to Draco. Severus approached. "Kaitou." Then he heard it in his head, her laughter. Yes, my Severus. This is my primal form the form in which I was born and I remain in while commanding the Weres of Bloodmoon. I will not look at your memories without your permission. Severus took a deep breath. "I need to see to Hermione." She nodded and he joined Loriel who was seeing to his fierce daughter. Hermione smiled at him as he stroked one ear. "You attacked a full-grown werewolf for a friend. When I was a boy I would have done anything for a friend like that." She smiled. "I tried to be brave.. Like you." His heart felt like it was swelling and his eyes burned. Lucius came and hugged his son to him. The Malfoy men trembled. He heard a low threatening sound and saw her lunge and pin down one of the weres using those large pearl teeth as the weapons they were meant to be. The weres scrambled away from the children cowering from the huge creature.
She plucked up Harry with her tail and strode into camp. Setting him near the fire she went back and plucked up both Malfoy's and set them nearby. Loriel backed away as Kaitou came and stood next to the healed but exhausted child. Well done pup, have pride in yourself. Hermione's eyes widened for a moment then she smiled softly. Severus picked her up seeing the pattern emerging. He carried her next to Harry and conjured a huge soft pillow for the two to lay on. Soon all the children were dragging sleeping bags out and laying in little house sections around the huge Duarti. As everyone was laying down all eyes widened as they began to hear and see a story in their mind's eyes and within a short manner of time all the children were sound asleep. The professors gathered around the fire.
Severus had been maneuvered into sitting in the curve of her body while his legs were resting across the pillow. "That was a most horrifying experience." Sprout said softly. Nods from other professors reassured her. Kaitou rumbled. Did you hear that some of the Wolverines made it to the doors only to be unable to open them? Their paws were swelled like burns, Loriel saw to them after Hermione. Heads swiveled to focus on the primal Duarti. "For the love of Merlin, tell me you jest." Flitwick said astonished. A snort. Joke? I am incapable of such for a matter this serious. Several professors turned faintly green. Dane scrunched his nose in disgust. "The children could have died, been bitten or worse.." They looked at him concerned, what was worse then death. "I went to inspect Kaitou's leavings and recognized the Werewolf." A few professors leaned forward. "Fenrir Greyback is now unable to serve his master." The Duarti bared her fearsome teeth. I would do so again.. Attacking innocent souls is an unforgivable crime. One hand reached out and rested on the large paw The cruelly shaped talons retracted. Minerva looked into the swirling spectral blue eyes and nodded. "Yes, yes it is."
They heard wolf song on the wind and many little heads picked up. A terrible and hair raising cry echoed over the camp. Heads snapped round and the Duarti's elegant head was raised, the noise boiled out of her chest. Sleep little puppies, we are watching. One of the first year Slytherins pointed out. "Look!" They saw the Unicorn herd forming a circle around them and hearts were lifted. They will remain on guard. Sleep. The night passed slowly for the professors and the gleaming Duarti. When morning came Kaitou growled awakening the professors. I hear the Aurors in the far distance.. But Greyback's former pack have all changed back and are being held by The Brother's grim and Remus, backed up by armed and mounted seventh years. The professors rose and the Alchemy professor said He would stay with the children. The Aurors surged up to them in the lead was a woman with a monocle in one eye. "Aunty!" A first year Hufflepuff surged to the professors and receiving a nod from her head of house charged into the woman's arms. "What in the name of magic has happened?" A low scoff could be heard. Last night, we and every pup you can see here were attacked by feral werewolves. Under the command of Greyback. Amelia staggered as did several of her men from the anger in that voice. "Who said that?" A low rumbling chuckle. They saw the huge beast sit and waive one paw. I am right here. One fainted. Severus chuckled softly. "Where is Greyback?!" Snow sighed. "Dead." Amelia scattered her forces to round up the weres and hear the entire story. Soon Amelia was sitting in the camp with coffee in one hand. She could hear the children answering questions from a practical lesson on herbs from Professor Snape. The lesson bled into one from Professor Sprout about the relationship of the ingredients they would be using in the potion when they could get inside.
Shacklebolt came up to her leading four first years. "Madam Bones, you should hear their story." Amelia smiled at them. She heard their story up until they got to the part they're hands swelled and burned when they pounded on the castle doors. "See Ma'am you can still see it, Healer Bluebird put a numbing charm on them so they could be shown to someone." They received the Healer's testimony. Everyone froze when the voice echoed in their minds. All pups! Its lunch time. Anyone speaking with an Auror your lunch will be saved. Fresh coffee will be provided to the Aurors. They heard children cheering and soon little groups were splayed here and there eating lunch. Severus called out to everyone. "Parents have arrived!" Stampede was a word that applied to the kids surging down while the parents surged up. Amelia noticed they three children stayed in the shadow of the huge Duarti. Molly Weasley clutched her children crying. "But mum! That werewolf would have had us if not for Master Mordane." Molly had never felt so horrid before. The same Duarti she had yelled and screamed at saved her precious babies. She looked over at Arthur and smiled since he had yet to let go of the boys for to long.
She stood and made her way over to the looming Duarti and stopped before her. "I owe you more then I could ever repay." A warm chuckle in her mind. I too am a mother. Hearing a pup scream in fear infuriates me and I want to tear what ever made them afraid to pieces. I have a feeling that what happened with us was not your fault. A mother's protective instincts are fierce and absolute, from one mother to another this is a trait only those who are mother's can understand. Several people were astonished to hear Molly Weasley laugh. "That is true. Its a mother's job to protect her babies." She watched the tail lift and fluff over Harry's hair. "Ugh, Mum!" All the mothers laughed. The mothers gatheredround and a pow-wow was soon in play. Arthur looked at Severus. "Now I am suddenly afraid." Most of the men nodded. They heard a cry of out outrage and some blinked, Cadence Yaxley was utterly infuriated. "My baby!" The Duarti nodded, rising to her paws. "Uh oh, the witches are marching." Severus turned to see Darshel Pyrites. "Lord Pyrites." The man smiled. "Come now Severus, its just Darshel to you. Its been talked about among the board and other parents to march on Dumbledore." Severus smiled. "As a father I will join you." He was treated to the sight of the man dropping his jaw. "You have a child?" Severus grinned. Hermione came over carrying something, he smelled a pleasant cup of coffee. "Here Father, Mother sent this. She said 'No coffee does not a pleasant potion master make.'" He laughed, startling several of the men near him. Then the men's eyes widened. I assume you have your coffee? He smirked. "Of course. Why the small cup?" A warm snicker. Don't want to make you too nice.. Time for the teeth. A feral smile crossed his lips as his blood pounded through him. He heard one of the twins ask Hermione a question. "Your dad can laugh? That's terrifying." Hermione rolled her eyes. "My mother is far more terrifying.. He can be reasoned with when angry. My mum is rather like your mother.. Only bigger, louder and has a propensity for wielding painful magic at people who piss her off." Fred blinked. "I see your point." He pointed to the Duarti leading a large group of raging mothers towards the castle.
A bass horn sounded as adults and children came before the great doors. The Duarti stood on her hind legs and rested her fore paws and head against the door. A beautiful voice like a bell sounded through her. My far wandering daughter, why do you remain outside? Hogwarts, ancient mother and bastion for innocent souls. Your children were cast outside to evil rife with intent to do them harm. Please Mother Hogwarts, open your doors to your children once more. It shall be so! The doors seems to shine then parted before the assembly.