The Winged Wolf Chapter 3, a Harry Potter + Avengers Crossover fanfic

Chapter Three: A New Sensei and Training for the Future

Taking a deep breath, I pull myself from the river, the air softy prickling at my wet skin as I carry a fish hooked onto one of my fingers, a trout of some kind. Moving closer to the glowing warmth of the fire I bring out one of my claws to cut open the fish, removing its guts before using a stick to cook it over the low fire. It took me a few tries to figure out how not to burn what I eat, finally finding out I needed to be more patient.

Though after a year out here, I've got open fire cooking down to a science by now, even finding a few herbs around the forest to season my food.

Leaving the fish to cook I move over to a pile of sticks I collected earlier, taking the time to sharpen both ends of the larger and small sticks to place them around my little wooden hut. The bigger ones I place at an angle to stop any of the bigger animals, and the smaller one I place straight up and down, as stepping straps for some of the smaller animals.

Though if a bear breaks through the bigger spears, it could still step on the smaller ones, keeping my hut safe. And I replace the spears about every month or so, keeping up a stock of easy firewood as well.

Of course, it not like my hut is a masterpiece either, more just some big enough sticks I found, put knocks in with my claws and fit together. I filled the gaps with dried mud that I make sure to keep up on after it rains and leaves to help cover the stick roof.

Using some smoke from the fire a few times a week helps keep the bugs out because even if I heal fast, it doesn't mean they're not annoying. A stick door also helps my piece of mine, again put together with the help of my claws cutting holes and puting smaller and larger sticks together.

A bed that was slightly raised using dried mud was in the corner, with some of the softer dirt from near the river on top, because leaves really aren't that comfortable. A pillow using Dudley's old pants filled with some more soft dirt also worked well enough to be comfortable after getting used to it for a bit. I used his old shirt that was given to me to make a sort of loincloth and chest wrap I can wash in the river, because why not, it works, and I can keep it clean.

I remember a show in my past life talking about surviving in the forest and how it's your mind that can be your biggest enemy, despair creeping in like a malignant tumor. He said you should have small goals and accomplishments throughout the day to help keep you going, and that's exactly what I'm doing.

Keeping up with small chores and tasks, to keep my mind busy and the loneliness at bay as it tries to eat away at my mind, suffocating me in time. But I've also replanted some of the prettier flowers I have come across as well, placing them around my hut to liven things up. I find it relaxing to hum my mother's lullaby as I work to, keeping my mind and body busy.

Finishing up with the spears I put them to the side for now, ready to head deep into the forest again, both to hunt and practice. Eating the fish I left to cook, its fatty meat like butter across my tongue, I toss the bones in the river, topping off my energy for the rest of the day.

Running through the forest after a few minutes of stretching, I jump over various roots and logs, managing to keep both my speed and footing after so much practice, enjoying the feel of the earth under my feet as I run. Jumping about three feet into the air I grab onto a branch, swinging up to stand atop it, relishing the extra strength of my body despite my small size.

Having a steady diet of meat, fish, and various roots and mushrooms has helped my body a lot, getting me up to a nice three foot five in height, even if a bit below average. But with all the running and jumping through the forest I've been doing, my muscles have become petty strong very fast, being able to tear them and heal them over and over again.

With all the meat as well, I have to say, I'm probably one of the better toned six year old's out there. Keeping up with the stretching and workout I make sure to stay pretty strong and limber, helping me to survive easier and run away when I have to.

Coming across a few bears a time or two made sure I don't get complacent, because even if I heal and could kill them, I don't really want to get mauled the entire time I'm fighting.

Jumping from branch to branch I do my best to remain as quiet as I can, sometimes using my claws to climb higher in the trees. After travailing for about half an hour I come across some tracks on the ground, and I climb down lower on the tree to catch the scent or boar, happy with my findings.

Now it just comes down to settling in and a lot of patience as I wait for another boar to make its way through the well-used path. Waiting for the hunt to begin once more, for the coppery smell of blood to fill the air once more, and the beating drum of my preys heart to silence.

ΩΩΩ

Silently waiting for around three hours I finally hear the rustling footsteps of an animal, bringing me to attention and sharpening my senses. Just about thirty yards from me I train my eyes and ears toward the boar coming my way, watching as it sniffs for various roots and plants.

I wait on my branch, slowing my breathing to keep silent, eyes trained, watching and waiting for it to come underneath my branch, deathly still in anticipation of the kill and my claws already unsheathed. Closer. Closer. Closer. NOW!

I lean forward and free fall from my branch just as the boar walks below me, feeling the wind blow through my hair from the short fall, its scent pervading my senses even more. Landing a second later, right on top of the boars back, the claws of my right hand already deep into it neck, severing its spine and brainstem, it dies without ever knowing I was here. Taking a moment to show my respect for my kill and glad I was able to make it quick, no need for the animal to suffer.

Quickly turning it to its back I carefully cut it open to remove it organs, tossing them to the side for scavengers, but keeping the intestines, heart, and liver for tonight, my mouth watering as the bloody scent fills the air. After dressing it down, something that took many months to get right, I stuff in the organs I want to keep and shut the boar closed using a sharpened stick.

Heading back to my hut I take the boar and hang it upside down over the river using some sturdy vines I found in the forest, letting it drain as I keep the organs to the side. I make sure to keep some of the blood in a bowl I carved out, so I can use it later.

Then I make sure to clean out all three organs in the river before wrapping the intestines over a stick to roast over the fire, their sizzling sound ringing out and cooking fat causing my mouth to water. In another large bowl I cut the heart and liver into pieces into it, before adding the blood, some river water, and a few roots and mushrooms I scavenged. Using my magic I relight some old coals in the fire, layering a few rocks on top, putting the bowl on top to slowly cook my dinner.

A half hour later I finish up my rich soup and crispy intestines before cleaning everything in the river and sipping on some root tea, looking up to the moon above me. Surrounded by the various the various flowers I've replanted I think of both my mom and dad, wondering what they would think of me now, and what I've done.

Would they see me as a monster, killing and eating wild animals in the forest, see me as a freak because of my claws and healing, or would they love me all the same.

Feeling my mother's soul with my magic, I know that's it's probably just the Dursleys 'tender care' affecting me, because even now their words and actions fill my mind. Mom and dad loved me; I remember that clearly even now with crystal clarity, and they died for me.

But even so, sometimes doubts fill my mind like an invisible poison no matter what I do, when the loneliness starts creeping in around me and even the flowers make me think of mom, the prancing deer, my father.

Looking it to silver lit sky, I do something I haven't done in a long time, I sing, remembering a song from my past life that feels rather fitting, letting me release some of the pain inside me, letting a young and pure voice ring through the night:

One lost soul all on my own

I am falling, I am all alone

I am here waiting

I stand and open wide my arms wide, breathing deep, letting out the emotions turning inside of me…

My lungs fill up with fear, the ground beneath me breaking

The rain within the clouds blackening all my dreams

Closing my eyes, I think of all my loss, all my uncertainty, and all I've done to survive till now…

To survive within this world one cannot hesitate

Yet this place still is my home, these flowers decorate

Though I want to believe, someone's waiting for me

My dad is gone, my mom is gone, my godfather imprisoned, and the Dursleys are no option, I'm alone…

I'm powerless

my happiness is fading on

I'm crying out, without a doubt, now I am gone

Do I hear calling out?

Someone's coming to save me

I sing out into the night, to the moon and over the river, singing out my loneliness…

If I believe one day I'll see more than death

Before today, wreckage to stay, can't hold my breath

One lost soul all on my own

I am falling, I am all alone

I am here waiting

I fall to my knees singing it all out, before rising up again, defiant against the pian inside of me that want to swallow me whole…

Trapped within my mind never understanding

Half of me is saved the other half is just, pain

I must continue to fight for all that I believe

Though I can feel my heart break I have a song to sing

My endless search carries on

To find a place I belong

My solitude, freedom from you, it's all a lie

Nevertheless, I must confess, for this I strive

I sing out again, the memories of the Dursleys infecting my mind as I try to push those memories away, thoughts of my mom pervading me, her soul burning bright inside of me…

Damn this heart

Still it burns with a desire for you

Is there a place without a trace where you are not

So this can end

Begin again

Right from the start

One lost soul all on my own

I am falling, I am all alone

I am here waiting

My voice rings out into the night, the desire for the family and love I lost burning inside of me, tied together with the fear of their rejection for what I am now. The freak, the monster, the names I've been called infecting my mind and heart, clouding it all inside of me…

Leave me, I am not worth saving

You'll find where you belong

I am a starlight, burning in the night

Fading, dying

Here but lost in this vast sky

I'm powerless

My happiness is fading on

I'm crying out, without a doubt, now I am gone

Do I hear calling out?

Someone's coming to save me

If I believe one day I'll see more than death

Before today, wreckage to stay, can't hold my breath

One lost soul all on my own

I am falling, I am all alone

I am here waiting (N1)(N2)

Letting out a ragged breath I have to admit that letting that out was therapeutic, music always being both a refuge for me and a release. Finally, being able to voice out some of the pain and loneliness that's been buried inside of me, and give it shape, give it a voce. Working it all out, knowing I have to put the Dursleys behind me, that my dad and mom would love me no matter what, that they would accept be, dying to protect me.

"Very nice song and voice I must say" A male voice speaks behind me.

Immediately jumping up and slashing with my clawed fists at the stranger who suddenly appeared behind me, which he easily evades, I hiss out "Who the hell are you?" Making sure to take a low and crouched stance, ready and waiting to lash out again.

He nodes as he seems to look me over, though I can't easily tell due to the dark glasses he's wearing. "Good reaction time, not a bad attack, and smart to stay on guard, but what if I was just some innocent old man who wanted to talk?" he asks, seeming amused at the same time.

"No normal old man would be able to sneak up on me" I say, relaxing slightly but keeping my claws out and ready.

"Good observational skills, especially for one so young, and you're right, I'm certainly not your usual old man hahaha" he says with an easy laugh causing me to frown at him. He then takes off his glasses, showing me his white and blind eyes, maybe hoping to but me at ease, but I just make sure to back up even more.

"Oh, and what has you so on guard from a blind old man girl?" he asks, seemingly genuinely curious, since I doubt many would share my reaction.

"You're a blind old man who managed to walk silently through the forest and sneak up on me. You're either a demon who wants my soul, a martial arts master, or a weird serial killer, still not sure which though" I say, sarcasm coloring my voice.

He pauses at that, blinking his blind eyes in some genuine shock I think, "I admit, I didn't expect that, but since you're wondering it's option two. I've been watching you for a while now, seeing you survive in this forest I've taken refuge in, and I have to say you've impressed me girl" he says with a smile.

I pause at that, shocked he was able to get passed my senses, but then again, martial arts master, so who knows what he can do? "What do you want?" I ask, because he obviously wants something if he's been watching me.

"Well girl, as I said, you've impressed me, with your speed, reflexed, senses, and more so with your killer instinct and determination. It's been a long time since someone's impressed me girl, more so, someone as young as you. What do you think of becoming my apprentice?" He asks, keeping his smile the whole time.

"Why?" I ask, still suspicious.

He pauses again before speaking, "Mm, well girl, I've been around for a long time, seen and done a lot, so you could call this a passing fancy I suppose and my curiosity as to what you could become under my training." He pauses again, taking some time to think, "There's also the fact that your alone girl and so am I, training you can give me something to do and help you along your own future" he says.

"My own future?" I ask, starting to relax again, putting my claws away.

He chuckles before responding "Like I said girl, I've been around for a long time, so I made sure to see who came into my forest, your quiet famous miss little girl who lived" he says, chuckling again.

"I don't know what you mean" I try and lie, causing him to snort.

"You'll have to do a lot better than that, girl, if you want to lie to me. I can hear your heartbeat faster, the change in your scent and the slight hitch in your breath" he says to me, showing a slight smirk.

"I'm, aware of some of what the magical world says about me, but not everything" I say, being truthful because even if I'm called the girl who lived, I don't know what could be the same or different from the books.

"Mmm" he hums out noncommittally "Regardless, you have enemies that my training can help with, and I have time to kill and might need an alley in the future, who knows, what do you think, will you take me as your Sensei?" he asks, giving me time to think over his offer.

Taking a moment to myself I think over the idea of him being my teacher, or Sensei as he said. Honestly, it's not like I have a lot of better options for training, and like he pointed out, I do have enemies I have to deal with. Knowing how to fight will help with that a lot, and since he seems to have some skills, appearing behind me without a sound and having the same kind of sight as Daredevil, with him being blind and still seeing me, he seems like a better option than most.

I have a basic handle on my magic but more from trial and error, nothing compared to Dumbledore and Voldemort, or even the average wizard. Going to Hogwarts later will help a lot, and anything else I might figure out before going, but physical skills that he could teach me could help bridge the gap between me and more experienced withes and wizards.

So, there's really only two options, stay here in my hut and learn nothing, being underprepared for the what's come, future knowledge or not, or accept his offer of him teaching me.

"I accept" I say to him, bowing slightly in acknowledgement.

He smiles, "Good, then be prepared for training hell, because I plan to forge you into one of the worlds deadliest warriors" he says before taking out a gourd and taking a swig, the alcohol smell wafting over to me.

Hearing what he said, only one word really comes to mind: shit!

Note 1: The song is Ancient Magus' Bride OP「HERE」 (FULL ENGLISH Ver.) - Caleb Hyles

Note 2: For her voice, imagine a young Eurielle