On Loan

Chapter 4: Big Trouble in Little Scotland

I stood before the massive, golden gargoyle in the shape of a griffon. "Nepeta cataria." I said, putting will into the words aimed at the statue.

In a fluid motion the gargoyle unfurled its' wings and stepped aside, revealing an open door.

Cautiously, I stepped inside.

I walked into a cavernous room, paintings of sleeping old men and women lined the walls going up to the ceiling. Many looked like Diet Gandalf, Santa, and your generic "old man wizard" stereotype, but there was also this guy in all black that looked like the villain from Die Hard and a few others that stood out from the norm of long white beard and pointy hat.

Beneath the snoring portraits were bookshelves filled with books and other oddities safely filed behind etched glass doors.

Across the circular room was another circular room, a couple steps up from the floor of where I stood. Behind that were two more rooms, one above the other with semi-circle stairs framing the center area.

On that dias-room was an ornate desk at which Headmistress McGonagall sat, flanked by two men in gray robes of similar material to my own cloak. One was taller than the other, sporting black hair and round glasses. The other was a little more squat with a freckled face and bright red hair. Both wore smiles, but their eyes were sullen. They had seen combat, and won. Aurors or not, they were not to be trifled with. The Headmistress had an odd expression on her face as she ran her fingers over an old chess set on the desk, one of joy yet sadness. She dropped her hand to her lap as I approached.

I stepped up to the desk and nodded my head. "Headmistress, you wished to see me."

"Commander Dresden of the Wardens." She spread her hands to either side, signaling the two men behind her. "This is Auror Potter and Auror Weasley. They arrived just after the feast with some unsettling news."

Potter, the man on her right with the dark hair and glasses, stepped up to even with Minerva. "Fenrir Greyback, a rather powerful werewolf, has escaped Azkaban prison, we assume with assistance from members of his pack that had gone unnoticed. He has a history of harassing the children here, having changed a good handful. We have cause to believe that Hogwarts will be targeted by his pack as he works to expand once again. Because of this dementors will be on watch on the borders of the school grounds and conducting occasional searches within the school itself as the students slumber."

"Wait? What type of werewolf?" I asked. "There's none that can pass the transformation down to another."

Potter scratched the back of his head. "According to Captain Luccio, Greyback appears to be a Warlock Loup Garou who has learned a spell to place a minor version of his curse on others. These lesser Loup Garous are easier to kill, lankier, and all around less deadly. They have ways to control their transformation should they so chose to use it."

"Wait his name is Fenrir? Is that his actual name? That can't be? Who names their kid Fenrir?"

Potter took a breath to answer, though my confusion started a cascade of ideas that just started coming out before he could answer.

"It would be like naming your daughter Cinnamon and wondering why she's a stripper. Could he have taken the name as a mantel? Like when Warlock Riddle took on his moniker? I know that I've dealt with lots of werewolves, some that use a kind of single effect spell to shape shift, hexenwolves that have a magical belt that lets them change at will, but it makes them crazy over time. Then there are the born kind, Lycanthropes, which are different they are kinda more of an animal soul powered super humans, supposedly descendants of the berserkers. They heal, they're mean and preternaturally strong, they're mean, really hairy, super mean, they, hold on, you guys get American comics?" I said pointing at my Spiderman shirt, while realizing I was rambling.

Ron and Harry starred at me a bit. " Um yes, a bit. But, what does that have to do with anything?" Potter answered.

"Wolverine? You know that character? It's a like all of them are various flavor of Logan." I said.

"The chap with the cigars and the blades in his knuckles?" Asked Ron.

"I saw the movies," said Potter "that Jackman fellow."

"He was lovely in Les Miserables." McGonagall added softly.

"Yeah him, except minus the blades. They heal gunshots in minutes, I shot one in the knee at point black range and he just sat and talked as calm as it was a paper cut. I mean it hurts just as bad as if I were shot, but it heals crazy fast, you can watch wounds close up and everything."

I went on getting to my point as I could almost hear them thinking: "This yank is crazy."

I continued, "But you guys know, there is power in words and in names, what if he's gained some aspect of Fenrir, the actual Fenrir? You know the giant wolf god that Tyr chained up by sacrificing his hand? I mean freaking ODIN runs a security company and I know an actual honest to god Valkyrie. Maybe somehow he's run across the actual Fenrir and now has some kinda of "blessing." I made the air quotes with my fingers.

"So now if he got a kinda "blessing" and he's able to pass a version of the Loup Garou curse? So angry Fenrir is caged in, where ever Asguardians put giant monster pooches, I guess Pelican Bay Asguard edition, and them some warlock gains his favor, or worse if one of those adamantium lacking neo berserkers got in magical contact with him to gain some magical augmentation of the curse?" I finished realizing just how absolutely terrifying that had started to sound.

"My word. That would certainly explain a great many things about his magic and other abilities, especially how he managed to escape Azkaban." Potter replied with grave realization.

"Odin? Actual Odin?" Asked Ron, "Eight legged horse and eyepatch and all?" in legitimate amazement.

I quipped back, "Yeah and he's also Santa Klaus!"

"Odin is father Christmas?" Ron said in slack jawed astonishment. His head snapping around to look between me, Potter, and McGonagall.

"Holy crap..." Suddenly, it hit me. "Hell's bells, he's a warlock, lycanthrope that has gotten some kind of channel of blessing of Fenris. I know there are larger forces moving about in the super natural background, but this one I didn't expect. It's the only thing that makes sense to give him the metaphysical juice to bend the laws of magic that far. Stars and stones, next there will be giant monsters attacking cities."

"And if he manages to turn half the school like he's tried to in the past…" Potter added, trailing off.

"Then he'd have more than his small pack." Weasley finished. "He'd have an army…"

"Bloody hell." Whispered Potter.

We all let it sink in.

"So, Anastasia sent you both here to assist me?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Correct."

Weasley stepped up with an awkward smile on his face. "Plus two of my nieces are first years. Mum found out I was being stationed here and has now asked for daily updates, on top of keeping them safe."

"Ron, we don't need to talk about personal matters."

"Blimey Harry, it's important! Admit you don't want to keep an eye on Teddy too while we're here."

Potter sagged slightly but was wearing a smile nonetheless. Minerva was listening to them with a certain joyous smirk, one that I've seen on Charity Carpenter as she listened to her children sort out friendly bickering on their own. Her eyes though, they were dark as she processed the information we put together.

"Just, don't forget we're here to assist Commander Dresden and help keep the children safe, got it?"

"Of course, Harry, Mum just wants to make sure that the girls are safe and sound with this threat. Teddy too, for that matter."

A certain hardness took seat in Potters eyes. One that I knew too well. Remembering the loss of a friend. "Of course." He said curtly.

I watched them as closely as I could. Both looked to be a few years younger than me, but had already seen terrible combat. I knew what it was, everyone did. Potters story was famous, another book series published by the White Council to keep prying eyes away from our own society. I understood why the Headmistress wanted Molly to stay in my office, she would be geeking out right now and we couldn't get a word in.

"So," I cut them off, "Greyback is SUPER dangerous. Have you both inherited silver?"

They winced and looked at each other. Of course neither of them would have inherited silver. One was an orphan the other was the youngest boy of a large, and rather poor, family.

"Thaat's what I thought." I said. "Which means our plan is simple if Greyback appears. You two distract him and get the students out of the area. Get him to sit and stay long enough for me to use my only piece of inherited silver to finish him off." My poor amulet, it wasn't designed for this, but it didn't look like I had a choice.

The two looked at each other again, wincing.

"Commander, are you sure we want to kill Greyback?" Potter asked.

"I'm surprised you guys haven't killed him yet." I scowled my best I'm in charge scowl and crossed my arms in disapproval. I understand not wanting to kill, however, some threats gave you no choice. "Look, most threats yes, we can go about and find a the best manner to take care of them without killing, but some, like a Loup Garou that has been murdering and terrorizing children, shouldn't be allowed to live. He's been doing this for what, fifty years, maybe more? And no remorse for his actions?" I shook my head. "I hate to say it but if we want to keep the students safe, then that is the only way. Especially if we are right about the origin of this ability to transfer the curse."

"I agree." McGonagall said sharply. "The safety of the students is our top priority. If that means the death of one rather nasty werewolf, then so be it."

They stared at her. Potter had clenched his jaw while Weasley let his hang a little loose. After a moment Potter nodded. "I see your point. We will work with the Commander on finishing this threat, once and for all."

"Good." She rose and walked around the desk to stop near me. "There are still some empty rooms in the third floor corridor where the staff remains where you may stay until this threat is over." She looked at me and continued in a softer tone. "Commander, I believe this is the threat that the Sorting Hat warned us of. I know our little community looks at death far harsher than that of the Council, but it is what has both kept us alive and almost wiped us out."

"Headmistress," I whispered, "having Potter here will cause quite a stir within the students, much less the news of a powerful werewolf returning once again to hunt all of us."

"Yes, yes it will." She nodded before simply walking off and out of her office.

Well, there goes being subtle. I thought as she walked out. The two Aurors came to stand besides me, they were both shorter, but thankfully taller than the students so I didn't feel like a giant.

"Has she always done this?" I asked.

"As long as I've known her." Potter answered.

"Just be glad she didn't turn you into a pocket watch or a map." Weasley chuckled.

"Speaking of…" I trailed off, turning to look at the two. "You both know your story was published by the White Council?"

Potter nodded. "I gave permissions for it to be done."

"That map and that cloak, you have them?"

A sly smile lifted one side of his glasses. "Of course I do."

"Good, those will come in handy if we need to move around and not be seen."

"So, what's the plan then, Commander?" Potter asked.

"For now? I continue teaching, you two keep your eyes open for anything weird. Be the distraction. Greyback will either take it as a challenge and come to fight, or will stay away." I moved to the exit, taking another glance up at the sleeping portraits. It was somewhat unnerving if you weren't used to it. What was really unnerving was the fact that, for once, I wasn't the distraction in the plan. "I am assuming I'll have to work on training you both since you're no longer under Captain Luccio?"

"No, actually." Potter kept up step to my right, Weasley just behind my left. "Wizard McCoy had begun training me when the Council wanted to publish my years at school and the Battle for Hogwarts, albeit with a few key changes. I chose Ron as my second in command. We're in charge of all Aurors in Europe under Captain Luccio now. We are both rather up to date on the supernatural world."

I shook my head. "Then why keep the rest of the world secret to those under the Ministry?"

He sighed in defeat. "We accepted the truth young since we lived it, we saw it, on a regular basis every year. The rest of our little wizarding world is not unlike the muggles. They see something that doesn't fit in their private narrative and they block it out, forget what they saw."

"What do they think Warlock Riddle was?"

Potter chucked as we stepped aside as the gargoyle was starting to return to its' spot blocking the door. "They all read the books and know only what was told to them by the Ministry. As far as they all know he was just a Dark Wizard seeking world domination, not a Black Court Vampire Warlock who almost succeeded in wiping out or turning our secluded community."

"Oh that sounds about right." I muttered as we strode. Students parted for us as we continued. "Though I am surprised the Council didn't step in."

"They did." Potter said. "Wiped out most of the Black Court that had regained power while sheltering those of us that weren't strong enough to fight. I do wish, however, that we could have had any Wardens at the Battle for Hogwarts though. I do wonder how many lives could have been saved."

We continued in silence. I did wonder the similar in regards to the Red Court attacks. If Ortega had won in the duel, without cheating of course, or had the War called off and returned to brittle peace because of it. Maybe those thousands in the Congo that died would still be alive, maybe the Wardens wouldn't be so thin. So few.

I felt oddly alone. The school and grounds were huge, even with Molly, Mouse, and Bob working with Mister I wasn't sure the three of us could handle this job.

Potter walked in silence, not unlike myself. Weasley, however, was trying to be cheerful and smiled and waved at students muttering mostly to himself, "Odin, Kringle, oh gosh could he be the Krampus too?"

Whispers and wide eyes followed us as we walked down the hall towards my classroom and office. "Why don't you two go get something to eat and settle into your rooms. I need to prepare for my next class. We can talk again afterwards."

Potter nodded and the two of them walked off, Weasley pointing out how things changed or stayed the same while Potter nodded along with a silent smile on his face.

"Father Christmas is real and he's bloody Odin?" Weasley muttered again to himself.

Molly screeched as I told her what was going on. Mouse covered an ear and groaned in protest.

"Grasshopper, calm down." I wiggled my pinkie in my ear. "We need to be professional about this."

"I know, I know." She was vibrating. Actually, physically vibrating. "But it's HARRY POTTER and RONALD WEASLEY!" She was trying to hard not to shout.

"Yes, and a rather powerful Loup Garou that might intend to hunt us all." I pointed out.

"Wait, you said dementors are going to be around the school?" The vibrating excitement stopped.

"Yea, what of it?"

She looked like I was missing something obvious. I probably was. "Those things target everyone, Boss. We need to learn a spell to keep them at bay."

I groaned. "The Patronus spell."

She nodded, vibrating again but only for a moment before relaxing in thought and concentration. After a moment, in which a warm smile came to her lips, she drew one of her crystal tipped wands and softly muttered, "Expecto Patronus."

Soft blue light issued from the tip, forming into a large, pale snake that circled around her body, head resting on her shoulder, ready to strike.

Molly chuckled. "My own manifestation of hope and joy came out like a snake?"

"Well," I stepped forward, looking at the illusionary form of the spellwork, "snakes are intricate, and one of the animals that are often shown with fine detail work like the spells you excel at. I guess I'm not overly surprised."

The snake faded and she put the wand back in her hip holster. "Your turn."

I sat in my office chair and closed my eyes. The heart of this spell was to manifest memories into a spell, not an easy task for one who isn't used to working with fine spellwork like Padawan. I had happy memories, yes, but I wasn't sure how strong they would be. I thought of Susan, of the last time we were together. The raw passion between us. The pure joy of having her back, having her in my arms.

I focused my will on the memory and on my shield bracelet. This spell, after all, was defensive in nature, so I chose my defensive bracelet as the physical focal point.

"Expecto Patronus." I whispered.

At first nothing happened, then the same blue light came forth and formed into the shape of a rather large and beat up looking wolf.

"A timber wolf?" Molly asked. "I was actually expecting Mister, Mouse, or even Sue the T Rex."

I laughed. "Yea, that'd have been fun. Summoning a giant dinosaur." I reached out to touch the patronus. Soft, ethereal fur brushed against my fingertips, almost as if I had summoned a ghost from the Never Never. "A spirit to defend against a spirit. Seems fitting."

"Think this will need to be added to the lesson plan?"

"Oh yea." I cut off the willpower to the patronus which simply faded away. "Students enjoy wandering off, my job here is to keep them safe, and to teach them to keep themselves safe. If dementors are about, then they need to know how defend themselves against them." I stood back up. "I have the fifth years tonight, then start with second years tomorrow morning. Guess I'm spending the next two days teaching the patronus spell, let's go get in our places and see if a bunch of fifteen year olds can figure out what the older students couldn't."

"Planning on doing the same tomorrow?"

"Maybe with the eight and sixth years. Not with the younger students, wouldn't be right." Mouse stood up and joined my side. "Coming along for this class?"

He gave a soft ruff of approval.

I smiled. "Let's go have fun."