Into a new world

Disclaimer: None of the characters you recognise or that are from the Harry Potter world are mine. All belong to the fantastic JK Rowling. The bits highlighted are taken from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

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Chapter 14: A Surprise Transformation

All these events happened alongside the events of the previous chapter.

2nd September 1994

Cierra Black was not having a good first day. It started with a single potion class with the Hufflepuffs, leaving her utterly alone without any friendly faces. This was except for Luna, who Cierra found weird as she was very interested in animals Cierra didn't think existed. She managed the Potion well enough, but her partner was helpless at potions and was forgettable, and she still couldn't recall her name. That was followed by Transfiguration with the Slytherins, which at least allowed her to sit with Jarlan. Even so, the lesson went horribly (transfiguring Mice to Snuff boxes), and her mouse just turned a golden colour but didn't change at all. Then she had Charms with the Gryffindors, which she looked forward to. She loved Charms and would get to see her favourite cousin Quillian. But he didn't turn up for it, and when she tried to question Megan Potter about it, she was more interested in flirting with Caleb Snape than helping her. Although she did well in that lesson, she was distracted by Quillian being missing. She had known him his entire life, and if there was one thing she knew, it was that Quill never ever missed class. Finally, she had double Ancient Runes with a mixture of all the houses and thankfully got paired with Caleb, who was very kind, and a bonus was that it annoyed Megan Potter to no end.

Now, with all her classes out the way, she wanted to speak to Quillian as she didn't see him in Ancient Runes, but the problem was he wasn't at dinner, and the only way to find out what was going on, was to either find him or find someone who could and would help her. Her options, however, were very limited. They needed to be a male Gryffindor (so they could check the dorms without rumours starting), and who cared enough even though she had no friends. She settled on her only option and steeled herself to go and interrupt Lyas Black at the Gryffindor table. She only knew it was him because he looked exactly like her father did.

There were many eyes on her, but she didn't care. Lyas watched her approach him and smiled at her kindly. "Hi, I've got it on good authority that you are my cousin and the only biological female Black that I don't hate."

"Thanks, I think," Cierra said uncertainly.

"How can I help you?"

"Have you seen Quillian around?"

"Not since breakfast, but Megan mentioned that he walked out of Potions first period angry. Apparently, Harper (a nasty Slytherin) was making comments about how Quillian wasn't a real Black and how he was a disappointment like I am, funnily enough. But he (Quillian) got really angry at stormed out of class. He didn't go to any lessons after that."

Cierra's stomach dropped. That didn't sound like the Quill she knew at all. He was the most stable person she knew and never ever got angry. "That just doesn't sound like him at all. I need to find him."

Lyas watched her carefully for a moment, "You don't know your way around yet, and I'd rather my little cousin didn't get lost around the castle on her first day. I'll go and check the common room and his dorm to see if he is there. If he isn't, I'll take you to Aunt Lily; she will be able to help more than I can."

Cierra nodded; this was more than she had expected.

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Quillian couldn't think; he couldn't breathe. It was like someone was crushing him from the inside out. Noises were louder; his sight was sharper. The realisation of what happened crashed over him, and then the darkness claimed him.

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Lyas found that Quillian wasn't in the Gryffindor common room or in the boy's dorms, so he did as promised at took Cierra to the Potion's mistresses office.

Professor Potter was busy setting homework for the next day's classes when they came in. Lyas quickly filled her in, and she left the room for several long moments before coming back. "He isn't anywhere in the castle or on the grounds. So he must be in the forbidden forest."

"But there isn't any reason he would go against a rule like that, not one that is so well placed. Can you track him in the forest?" Cierra said he stomach dropping to her feet.

"We can, but it will be much harder. I can do a tracking charm if we can get an item of his. The problem is the forbidden forest isn't a place we can just waltz into. There are many dangerous creatures in there, he could get very hurt, and we could get hurt trying to find him."

"So what your saying is we need Hagrid?" Lyas said.

Cierra looked confused, but before she could ask who Hagrid was, a Patronus came into the office in the shape of Lioness raced towards Professor Potter.

"Lils, I need you to check the map for Quillian Black. He is missing. Also, check for a name barrelling towards the castle. Once you've done that, please come to the training ground; if you happen to be with Lyas or come across him, bring him, but no one under 6th year."

Cierra watched as Lily hesitated, looking at her, before shrugging and leaving the room for an old and worn piece of parchment.

"This is one of our best-kept secrets, but considering your uncle had a hand in making it, I will trust you. That and we don't have time for games."

She spread the old piece of paper out and said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Cierra gasped as the paper came to life, and the Professor bent over the map. "Ah there! There's a name going very fast to the castle that wasn't there a minute ago."

Cierra looked at the moving name and nodded, "That's Quill, but why?"

Her Aunt looked at her for a moment, "That's the question of the hour. Now come on, Lyas, we have a date with Uncle Sev on the training ground.

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Quillian was hurting all over, incredibly cold, and weirdly naked when he woke up on a large patch of grass. He looked up to see him running as fast as he could towards him, and Quillian felt vulnerable out in the open like this.

Lyas saw what state he was in and immediately gave the smaller boy his robe.

"Can you walk?"

Quillian managed, with the help of Lyas, to stumble across the lawn until they reached Severus.

"Dobby!" Severus called, and the house-elf appeared.

"Yes, master?"

"Dobby, please apparate Lyas and Quillian Black straight to the headmaster's office; he is expecting them. Then come back and get myself and Lily."

Dobby nodded and did as he was told.

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"Mr. Black, do you remember what happened?" Dumbledore asked, looking at Quillian, his eyes twinkling.

"Erm, not much, Sir. I remember being really angry more than I ever have before, and I could feel something change; I'm not sure what. I ran outside, and before I knew it, all my sight and hearing were heightened. I could hear a speech from a long way away. I looked down and saw paws, and then I ran and ran. After a while, I came back towards Hogwarts and blacked out. Once I came to, I was human again."

"I think we need Remus, Albus," Lily said once the boy was finished. "He knows far more than we do."

Albus nodded, "Daisy!" A tiny house elf appeared, "Get Remus for me, please. Tell him it's of utmost importance."

Once Remus had arrived, Dumbledore explained the situation.

Remus turned to Quillian, "When you were, ah, transformed, could you remember who you were, were you in control?"

"I knew what had happened, and I could control my movements. I had an urge to run, but I could choose whether to or not. I did because I was scared and didn't want to hurt anyone."

"Why did you come back towards the school then?"

"I could feel myself changing back, and I didn't want to be caught in the forbidden forest when I did."

"I believe you are a shape-shifter in the form of a wolf, but you are not a werewolf."

"There's a difference?" Quill said, speaking for the first time.

Remus nodded, "A werewolf, like myself," He smiled slightly when Quill looked surprised. "Only changes at the full moon, was bitten and has the disease lycanthropy and does not keep his mind when transforming. As it stands, you transformed when it is at the waning crescent phase of the moon cycle, you kept your mind and was able to transform back in a few hours, and it seems like your current mood affects the transformation."

"Does this mean I was born like this?"

"Kind of, you were born with the gene to be able to transform, which normally travels down family lines, but can miss some members of it. But there is only one reason why you have been triggered to transform."

"Vampires." Severus almost spat.

Remus nodded again, "Shape-shifting wolves are natural protectors from vampires. Werewolves are predators. And you run in packs whereas my kind are loners."

"But there's only one of me." Quillian protested.

"Not so." Severus cut in, "I have knowledge of a pack of wolves in the highlands of Scotland not far from here."

"I've already contacted the alpha of the pack; he will be here in a few hours," Dumbledore said lightly.

"Isn't that presumptive?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"I knew what had happened straight away. I just wanted Remus to confirm it."

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Quillian was nervous. He waited in Dumbledore's private hospital wing, with Lyas and Cian, just in case he transformed again. They spent the time playing cards and trying to keep him stable and levelled out.

After what felt like an age, Remus came into the hospital wing to get them.

"The pack leader has arrived, and it would be best if you didn't keep him waiting."

Fear crashed into him, but he stood up on shaky legs, and Cian put a shoulder around him to steady him.

Dumbledore's office contained Dumbledore himself, Lily and Severus, and now the pack leader. He was tall, with tanned skin from being outside a lot, Black hair, and bright green eyes. He was very muscular and had a distinct air of authority.

"Ah, Quillian, please come and take a seat." Dumbledore said cheerfully, "Cian, you can stay, but Lyas, you are free to go." As Lyas left, Dumbledore added, "I guess introductions are in order, but first boys take a seat, "Quillian in the middle and Cian next to him, please. Now, Quillian meets Jack Gillies."

Jack shook Quillian's hand, saying a broad Scottish accent, "Nice to meet you, Quill." At Quillian's shocked expression, he added ruefully, "Nobody keeps their name long for very long, especially if it's more than one syllable." He laughed slightly.

"Cian is Quillian's older brother." At a short wave, Dumbledore continued. "Now, would you like to explain to Mr. Black what happens now?"

Jack nodded, "So as you have already transformed, it wouldn't be safe for you to stay at Hogwarts, at least not until you can control your transformations. But even then, you will struggle to be away from the pack for long periods of time. Normally it takes much longer to transform back into a human the first time. But my theory is that the wards on Hogwarts helped you to transform quicker. I think as soon as we leave the grounds, you will probably transform straight away, and we will have to start again from scratch. You will, however, have an advantage as you already know what will happen, and I'll be there to guide you. But before that, you need to accept me as your alpha."

At this, Quillian started shaking all over.

"Stop resisting; you'll make it harder for yourself," Jack said calmly.

"But I don't want this!" Quillian protested.

"I know, son, but I promise this isn't a death sentence. Your life isn't over. You can still see your family, you'll be able to come back to school. Although you will probably not want to go overnight, we can discuss that later. But stop resisting Quill."

After a few agonising moments, Cian put his arm around Quill. "It's okay brother, I am here for you."

At the words, he relaxed visibly and bowed his head.

"He has submitted." Jack informed them, "Feel better now?"

Quillian nodded, "I feel much better."

"Our kind are meant to be in packs; unlike werewolves, we aren't solitary beings. You'll find yourself much happier, stronger, and more able to get out of the changes with a pack to help you."

"Can I still see my family?"

"Not for a few weeks until you are safe to be around. As a shape-shifter and a wizard, you will be stronger than muggle shape-shifters. You also won't be able to attend school, but if you can get sent school work, we will make sure you do it, and we can help you, as I am a fully trained wizard; I even attended Hogwarts myself. Was a Ravenclaw too. You can write, however, as much as you want and can call through the fire. Now we need to leave before you turn again.

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Authors note: I know there will be some of you who will check out of the story now this chapter has come out, but I really like the angle it gives, and I will try not to make it super cringy. I had to put this chapter in, even though Harry isn't mentioned. Otherwise, it would be random to introduce it later, and this will be super important to the storyline. I will from now only mention Quill if Harry is involved, but I will put all of the Quill parts in a separate fic that deals with this storyline more fully than I can in this story. That will take a while to sort out, as I'm super busy at the moment, but it is coming. Hopefully, all that will not be too confusing. Please let me know what you think and alert and follow this story, as I don't even know when I'll next upload. Much love, Abs xx