Chapter 3
"What are we going to do?" Wolf asked.
"Get you healed. There is no way in hell we can take on all of them when you're only at half strength and I'm rusty. So we're going to get you healed- now!" Harry ordered, pulling her to the hospital wing. Part way there, Harry and Wolf ran into Professor Snape, literally.
"Where are you going, Potter, shouldn't you be in class?" Snape hissed.
"The hospital wing. If you can't tell, she's bleeding," Harry snapped, walking off, Wolf following. Snape bristled, and looked ready to take points off, until Harry calmly reminded him that taking points off Harry would be taking points off his own house. Snape stalked off, with every intention of getting Albus, and getting to the bottom of this.
"Mr. Potter! What's going on?" Madame Pomfrey asked as he burst into the wing.
"She's hurt," he said simply. Immediately she began fussing. Harry rolled his eyes behind her back, but soon Wolf was healed, and they were running for the front doors. Reaching them, they were stopped by Dumbledore and Snape.
"I don't have time for this," Harry groaned, "Professors, I really do not have time to explain anything. C'mon Wolf." She followed him as Harry rushed out. The two looked at each other and hurried out after them. Only one person was coming up the hill.
"ShadowWolf," Dante acknowledged coldly.
"What do you want?" Harry asked wearily, ignoring the use of the old name for now, while he wondered where the other Black Riders were, he felt better that they had much better odds.
"Now, now, don't be like that ShadowWolf, I was your second in command, remember?" Dante said mock-sweetly. Harry glared.
"That's right, NightWolf, was. But you betrayed us, remember?" Harry replied coldly.
"It's NightRider now, ShadowWolf," Dante snapped.
"And it's just Shadow to you," Harry snapped back.
"Ah... that's right, you left them too," Dante sneered.
"Just because I can't be around them as much any more doesn't make me any less a Wolf. If you're still bitter about not taking my place, that's your problem. You betrayed us long before I made my decision. I picked WolfSong because she was more able to handle it, and still is, got it?" Harry said. Dante snarled then did something Dumbledore and Snape didn't expect- he shifted into a large black wolf, snapping at Harry.
"Oh no you don't!" Wolf cried, shifting into a large gray wolf with a mark above her left eye. Harry tilted his head and squinted, yep, it still looked like a musical note when you looked at it that way. The two wolves leapt at each other. After a few minutes, Harry had had enough. He shifted into a dark gray, almost black wolf with a lightning bolt shaped patch of white fur on his forehead. Harry was larger then the other two, and he growled furiously. They both shifted back, and after a moment Harry did the same. He was a bit dizzy.
"Whoa... I haven't done that in a long time," Harry said, steadying himself, he shook his head, then focused back on Dante and Wolf. "Now stop that. You've said what you wanted, Dante, so go. Now." Harry ordered in a way only the Head Wolf could. Dante didn't like his odds, and left, vowing to return, however. Harry watched him go with a sigh. Wolf patted him on the shoulder, but Harry turned and went back inside without saying a word. Wolf sighed as well.
"What just happened?" Snape asked, slightly dazed.
"Harry used to be called ShadowWolf. He and Dante started the Wolves, a group mainly made up of misfit underage wizards and witches. Of course none of us knew what we were until Harry got his Hogwarts letter. But I got off the subject. He and Dante started the Wolves, Harry was the Head Wolf, and Dante, called NightWolf, was his second in command. Moonlight, WolfStalker and myself were the first three real recruits. The most members we had was about 20. But suddenly, Dante changed. He started a feud between us, and did the worse thing possible to Harry. He crippled him. It was only temporary, thank god," she said.
"Crippling is not the worst you can do to someone," Snape said with a sneer.
"When you depend on your ability to run and use your hands to survive, getting crippled is the worst thing that could happen," Wolf shot back, "As I said, it was temporary, but still, it was the last straw. Harry kicked Dante out. He formed the Black Riders with those that were more loyal to Dante then the Wolves. Now, I have to go find Harry and tell him some news." She went inside, and asked the first student she saw if he knew who Harry Potter was. The Hufflepuff looked at her like she was nuts.
"Of course I know who Harry Potter is! If you're looking for him, he went down that hall. I think he was headed for the dungeons," he replied. Wolf took off running. She finally caught up to him just as he opened the wall to go into the common room.
"Oi, Harry," she called. He looked up, and she hurried over.
"What's going on? Dante didn't come back, did he?" Harry asked quickly.
"No, nothing like that. I didn't get a chance to tell you before, but Artemis and Aria are dead," she said, waiting to see his reaction. He looked at her strangely for a minute.
"Really? Then... we're free?" he asked. She nodded slowly, a grin forming. Harry looked so relieved. "I've been so paranoid all these years..." He grinned, trailing off. "I suppose I should feel at least a little sorry... but we're free!!"
"We're finally free," she agreed, as Harry crushed her in a hug. "Shadow- Air-" she gasped out. Harry blushed and muttered an apology. "It's ok, HW!"
"I'm not Head Wolf you know, that's your job now," he said.
"I'm still second in command around you," she said. Harry groaned.
"I gave that up!" he said. She remarked that she knew, but didn't care. He just groaned and motioned for her to go inside. She did, ignoring the stares.
"Hey, Harry, what's going on, who's this?" George asked.
"This is Wolf. I'll explain everything later. Wolf, you can't stay in Hogsmead. Dante will be watching for you. I know you can fight, but the odds-"
"Are crap, I know. Where am I going to stay then?" she asked.
"Um, maybe Dumbledore would let you stay in the Gryffindor dorm with Hermione... We should go asked, come on," he said, and they headed off for Dumbledore's office. After five minutes of guessing, they got the right password (Candy hearts) and went up. Knocking on the door, Harry waited for the usual enter. It came, and they went in.
"Professor? Would it be ok if Wolf stayed for a couple days until we figure out what to do with Dante?" Harry asked.
"I see no reason why not. She will be announced at a visitor that's staying in-"
"Gryffindor, with Hermione," Harry said.
"That's staying in the Gryffindor fifth year girl's dorm," Dumbledore finished.
"Great. Who's Hermione?" Wolf asked. Harry took Wolf to the Gryffindor common room, explained things to Ron and Hermione, and left Wolf with them.
"Well, Harry, what's going on?" Ginny asked as Harry finally got back.
"Wolf, she's an old friend of mine. We- well... myself and one other person started a group of, well, basically misfits who had magic but didn't know. My supposed friend left, and I came to Hogwarts, so Wolf headed the group in my place," Harry said, knowing that didn't help one bit. George, Terri and Ginny all voiced that. Harry sighed, promising to explain better later, once he figured out how. They agreed for now.
Thankfully, classes went better the next day (mainly because Malfoy had been too lost in thought trying to figure out Wolf to bother him). At lunch, Wolf sat by Harry and they discussed the rest of the Wolves.
"Moonlight is in the hospital getting stitches, WolfStalker is my second, he's taken over for the moment, SilverWolf is ok, so are NightShade, WolfMoon and Howl. We have five new recruits: two boys and three girls. None have earned their names yet, so they're just Pups 1-5. That's all we have right now, but Dante doesn't have much more either. The six Wolves, seven including me, eight including you, plus the pups are only two less then Dante's Riders. He has fifteen, and one is your spy, SpyMoon, so only one on us anyway. Not bad odds," she said. Harry agreed.
"Why do you two keep talking about odds?" Terri asked.
"If a fight goes down, you want the better odds, simple as that," Harry replied. Terri nodded in understanding.
"Shadow... do you think we should move the Wolves from London to here?" Wolf asked.
"I don't kn-" Harry started, but Wolf cut him off.
"How will you be able to go down to the village with out having to watch your back at all times?"
"Wolf, it's not that simp-"
"Potter."
"What do you want now, Malfoy?" Harry asked exasperatedly, "I'm in the middle of something." Malfoy grumbled something and stalked off.
"Shadow, even if you don't want the fight moved here, it was bound to happen! Dante hates you for what happened; you know that as well as I do. At least with the rest of the Wolves here, the odds-"
"Won't be crap. I know, I know. Just give me sometime to think about it, ok?" Harry sighed.
"Fine. But I'm heading back to London after this meal to round everyone up."
"What if I said no?" Harry cried.
"They're coming anyway. Dante's all of our problem, Shadow. We have to do something," she said.
"All right. But be careful and be quick. Promise me that WolfSong," Harry said.
"I promise, ShadowWolf," she said.
"Good luck and wolf's speed," he whispered as she left. Harry was antsy the rest of the day, unable to concentrate. He felt like he did the first couple weeks after he left, wondering if he had made the right decision, wondering if everyone would be ok, just wondering.
* * *
Harry was immensely relieved when a pack of seven wolves came, five with riders ages 7-11, after Care of Magical Creatures the next day. The five that were riding got off, and stood hesitantly to the side. The seven wolves transformed into Wolf (Song), WolfStalker, Moonlight, SilverWolf, NightShade, Howl, and WolfMoon. Through the eyes of the Hogwarts students, they were the most rag-tag group they had ever seen.
Wolf (Song) was 19 with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and dark brown eyes. WolfStalker is 17, and Wolf's second in command. He has short spiked blond hair and light green eyes. Moonlight was 15. She had short silvery blond hair, and gray eyes. SilverWolf was 11. She had long red hair, and silvery gray eyes. NightShade was 18; he had short spiked black hair, and dark, almost black eyes. Howl was 16 and had black hair with blond and red highlights, and he had hazel eyes. WolfMoon was 14 and had long black hair, back in a ponytail. He had bright blue eyes. Hugs and greetings were exchanged.
"I'm glad you guys all got here safe. Wolf, you already explained what was going on, right?" Harry started.
"Yup," Wolf replied.
"Good, good... I need to fill you all in on my other problem later, once I figure out where you're going to stay. If it's alright, would you rather stay in Hogwarts, or down in the village?" Harry asked.
"Here, Dante's in the village," ShadowStalker said immediately.
"That's what I had figured. Much easier to make a plan on him...when...he..." Harry was now focused on something behind them. "What is he doing?" Harry wondered to himself.
"What's Fudge doing here?" Ron asked as he and Hermione came up behind him. Harry shrugged.
"No idea. Ron, Hermione, these are my fellow Wolves. Wolf, WolfStalker, Moonlight, SilverWolf, NightShade, Howl, and WolfMoon. Wolf is now Head. ShadowStalker is her second. Moonlight is our planner, SilverWolf, surveillance, NightShade, spy network, Howl, distractions, and WolfMoon, fighting. These five are new recruits and will get their names later. Wolves, this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, my best fri-"
"Well, well, Potty, what have we here?" Malfoy waltzed up.
"Stand down!" Harry said sharply. Ron, Hermione and Malfoy looked at him funny. "Not you," he said. The Wolves didn't like insults to one of their own. They did, but barely. "Malfoy, they may listen to me now, but they will not if you go too far. Remember that," Harry said, with a small smile. Malfoy walked away quickly. Harry grinned, "That will keep him out of my hair for a while. This is going to be one long month..."
"What do you mean?" Moonlight asked.
"You see this badge?" Harry said, pointing to the Slytherin one on his robes. She nodded. "It's supposed to be the same as theirs, but I got stuck in the bloody inter-house exchange program. So until January, I'm in Slytherin. Come on, it's cold, let's get inside," Harry said. They quickly did.
"Potter, who are all these people?" Snape demanded.
"It's rather complicated, Professor. And I need to see Professor Dumbledore," Harry said. Snape was now eyeing the Wolves, who were eyeing him.
"Then I will be escorting you," Snape said firmly. Harry looked distinctly annoyed at this, but held his tongue. The Wolves took their queue from him, and Hermione and Ron didn't want to lose any points for Gryffindor.
He took them up, knocked on the door, and waited for Dumbledore's permission to enter. It came quickly. Dumbledore was standing behind his desk, while Fudge stood on the other side.
"Ah, Severus, I see you've found Harry. Cornelius, if we are finished here?" Fudge left.
"Now, how about you introduce me to these friends yours," Dumbledore said cheerfully. The Wolves exchanged raised eyebrows, and Harry hid a smile. Then, for the second time, he introduced everyone.
"And the Wolves would be a group of what, thieves, beggars?" Snape asked. He was suddenly aware of thirteen eyes glaring at him.
"I don't believe that was a wise move, Severus," Dumbledore said, still cheerfully, making everyone wonder if he'd gotten hit by a cheering charm gone wrong at some point, "Especially since Harry is the former leader."
"Former?" Ron and Hermione asked.
"It's kind of hard to be Head Wolf when I'm at Hogwarts most of the year," Harry shrugged, "So Wolf took my face."
"So she was your second in command?" Hermione asked. A strange look passed over Harry's face.
"No. Not originally anyway. NightWo- Dante, was. He pulled a Wormtail and formed his own group- which is the reason why the Wolves are here," Harry explained, "Speaking of the Riders, how is SpyMoon doing?"
"She's infiltrated perfectly. Dante suspects nothing," NightShade reported promptly.
"Good... does she know what's going on?" Harry asked. NightShade nodded.
"I sent word to her on the way here," he replied. Harry nodded.
"SilverWolf, how's surveillance coming?"
"I've been working with Night's spies. We have surveillance everywhere in the village."
"WolfMoon, how are the recruits?"
"Nearly ready to be fully inducted." Harry grinned.
"Then we are in business. Professor Dumbledore-"
"You'd like to have some guests for a while. I don't see why not. They need to be trained in their magic anyway," he noted the Wolves surprised faces, "Oh, all of you, even the recruits are wizards and witches. All the more reason for you to be here. Harry, you will help with that I am assuming?" Harry nodded, and Hermione and Ron volunteered to help.
"Then I believe we, as you put it, in business," Dumbledore said. They grinned. "The third floor corridor can be converted into living quarters for you."
"Thank you, Professor," Wolf said.
"You're welcome," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"I'll go show them where it is then, Professor," Harry said, motioning for them to follow.
* * *
Hogsmeade, two weeks later
Harry, Ron and Hermione took this weekend to get Christmas presents. Draco and Harry had seemed to come to an understanding- if they annoyed the other, they should expect retaliation. Otherwise they got along as well as could be expected. They agreed to meet at the Three Broomsticks at noon. The Wolves were wandering around, checking with contacts (in NightShade's case) and watching out for Riders (everyone else). At noon, Wolf went to the Three Broomsticks to check in with Harry, only to find Ron and Hermione couldn't find him.
"Well, he's probably just running late," Ron said. SilverWolf came running up.
"No one at all has seen Harry in the last half hour. Should I alert NightShade?" she asked.
"Yes," Wolf said worriedly, as SilverWolf ran off.
Meanwhile...
"What do you want?" Harry asked wearily.
"You bring down the leader, you bring down the pack. Surely you know that by now," Dante taunted, punching Harry in the stomach. Harry doubled over. "A little rusty?" Dante smirked. Dante turned to the two holding Harry up. "Do what you want as long as you don't kill him," he said, leaving. Harry didn't like the looks exchanged. 'SpyMoon!' Harry thought, 'Please hear something about this!'
At the Three Broomsticks, the Wolves had gathered with Ron and Hermione.
"Something's wrong, it's been a half hour," Hermione said worriedly.
"None of my spies have seen anything," NightShade said, shaking his head.
"Nor any of the surveillance," SilverWolf said sadly.
"The rest of us have been coming the streets, not a sign," WolfStalker said.
"We've asked every Hogwarts student we could find," Ron said, "No one's seen him."
"Well he can't have just vanished!" Wolf cried, "Someone has to know something!" SpyMoon ran in.
"Dante's got him!" she cried.
"What!?" they all cried.
"No!" Wolf moaned, "That's the whole reason we came here! We knew the Raiders were here and that the odds for Harry alone would be crap! We cannot stand for this!"
"Wolf, you need to calm down. Hastily called battles never end well," Moonlight said.
Wolf sighed, "What do you think then, o tactical one?"
"May I borrow a piece of parchment?" she asked Hermione, who gladly gave her one. She began writing furiously, then handed it to Wolf, who in turn handed it to NightShade. He nodded, and handed it to SpyMoon, who left immediately.
"We have contacts and spies all over the place," NightShade explained, "SpyMoon's going to round up ten to make a distraction, while three of us get Harry at. We need you two to get back to the school and tell your headmaster and the nurse. Harry won't be in the best shape." Ron and Hermione agreed and left, while the Wolves got ready. They agreed that Moonlight, NightShade and WolfMoon would go in. Howl would be leading the distractions.