This chapter has been in my mind since I first started writing this story. If you can, listen to Vanessa Mae's 'I'm a doun for the lack o' Johnnie and try to imagine wolf howls in the place of the violin and that's what I was trying to get at with the Lupuscan song. Enjoy! And special thanks to those who had been waiting so long for this story to continue and never gave up, keep reviewing, guys, I really value your comments

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The next morning found Storm exercising in an open field. The sun had just broken above the horizon and tendrils of mist were weaving their way upwards. In this mystical environment the blue rith looked like a ethereal spirit as she danced and stretched.

After her initial starvation she was unhappy as to how weight was going back to her body and set about gaining back some muscle tone. To most her way of exercising would have been a strange spectacle – running, leaping and performing acrobatic little twists and manoeuvres by turn according to how right it felt doing at the time.

Feeling an ache begin to settle into her muscles, she took a short run off the edge of a slight cliff and plunged head first into the icy water below. Swimming back to shore, she shook her thick fur nearly dry. The time for the masquerade was nearly over, the wind of change was in the air, and she would not be sorry to see it pass.

She missed the wings she had gained for a brief few days, they had proved extremely useful and great fun. It hadn't been the first time it had happened, though. Her first master had given them to her once, he'd said she'd have been an angel if she had wings. However, that time when she'd taken off she'd found that she couldn't control them and had fallen back to earth, gaining several broken bones in the process.

Storm's stomach growled, exercise had given her a serious appetite, but she had something to do before she ate.

- - - - - - - - - -

Harry and Ron were making their tired way down to breakfast. There had been an all night party owing to the celebration that there was only one week left at Hogwarts. Hermione hadn't even been seen to surface yet and they had reliably been informed not to bother waiting as it might be a while before she was seen.

They heard the crowd before they saw them, chattering loudly and laughing. Hurrying to see what was going on they turned the corner and came face to face with a mixed bunch of all years and houses. They saw Neville in the heart of the throng.

'What's going on, Nev?'

'I saw Storm savaging something, I thought she must've found it dropped somewhere, but look!'

A well-worn and now rather chewed teddy bear sailed through the air and Harry caught it. It was rather sickeningly cute and when Harry read the tag he almost dropped it in shock. He handed it wordlessly to Ron, unable to speak because of the stifled laughs that threatened to choke him.

Ron's jaw dropped, 'It can't be!'

In large, childish script, the tag of the teddy bear proudly proclaimed that it's name was 'Cuddles' and it belonged to 'Sevrus'.

'Snape? Oh my god...' Ron dissolved into helpless laughter. The thought of the strict potions master still owning such a thing was hysterically funny. Harry, however, smelt a rat. Or rather a rith.

Storm had slipped around a corner and Harry found her leaning up against a wall pawing away at the mirthful tears that poured down her face and chuckling uncontrollably.

'That was quite cruel, you know.'

Storm jumped, but seeing who it was she gave him a look which could easily have been taken as "Oh, come on, it's a laugh!"

'What've you got against him, anyway?'

Storm snorted and leaned harder against the wall, pretending to be nonchalantly studying her claws as Snape strode past.

'Oh God, here we go...'

Snape's voice was low but could be heard by all, even those still creased up with laughter, 'What is going on...' Then, as he obviously found the bear, 'If I find out who is responsible for this they will be in detention for the rest of their school lives.'

Harry heard an equally low voice, 'Well, that's me safe then,' but when he turned to answer the voice only he knew existed Storm had already gone.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Something was wrong. The Great Hall was too quiet. Everyone sat waiting for the announcement and when it came it hit like a bombshell.

Albus Dumbledore stood, his face grave, 'Last night there was a brutal attack on a village in Yorkshire. Several people were killed and many injured. As some know last night was a full moon and this attack was the work of a dark order known as the Lupuscan Circle, a group of very violent and vicious werewolves. This faction has long been associated with Voldemort and I believe that this only proves his gathering strength in the fact that he has allowed his elite bodyguard on a murderous rampage. I must all of you to make sure you go nowhere alone and do not go anywhere near the Forest. Further details will no doubt be found in the Daily Prophet.'

An immediate tidal wave of speculation broke loose, although several sat thunderstruck at the implications of this announcement. Diana's breakfast had turned to ash in her mouth and she excused herself quickly, feeling sick with worry. She had to contact Saiph and see if he knew anything.

Storm's eyes were ablaze with anger and one name sprang immediately to mind – Fenris. Damned stupid, scarred Fenris. As soon as the news owls swooped she leapt and snatched one of the papers before running away with it.

Settling down in the cool quiet of a hollow oak where she would not be disturbed she read the headline with a sinking heart, "Murderous Werewolves on the Rampage – Vicious Lupuscan assassins create a bloodbath". She took a deep breath and read the six page article with a growing rage. Finally finishing she screwed the thing up and chucked it away.

The attacks were led by a scarred black and white wolf with only one eye. Oh, yes, she knew him all right. Fenris, the Outcast. She remembered the night she'd taken his eye and the retribution visited upon her family because they were looking for her. If only the fools had known who Elhaz was, and that she still walked the earth.

Come nightfall everyone was going to know the truth. The Lupuscans were coming home at last.

- - - - - - - -

Dusk fell after another hot day, but few had rejoiced in its pleasures. Most were worried about friends and family and the tragedy had cast a sad pall over a previously jubilant atmosphere.

Storm had disappeared for the day and the Lupuscans inside the walls of Hogwarts were shell-shocked and uncooperative, mainly wanting to be alone with their own thoughts. Raq had been unable to contact Saiph and she was worried.

As the sun dipped below the horizon Elhaz returned from the grave.

Striding with a fierce purpose never before seen, she pounded the bare stone floor with leathery foot pads, her head held high and her eyes glowing like twin shafts of light. Anyone before her got out of her way, for she was going to brook no argument. In her weakness she had found her strength.

Finally at the highest point of Hogwarts she climbed out onto the roof and felt the slight breezes tug at her fur and knew that this was the day she had waited for all her life. Stars shone brightly in the velvety night and she felt the pull of destiny telling her what must be done. With the strength born of fifteen years of loss, of pain and of fear, she poured her heart and soul into one song. A song that lifted her heart to the rising moon. She howled that all would hear her and know her message. Howled to summon her brothers and sisters back to the Hall of Dreams.

She dipped her head and felt the song rise up as she arched her head back until she stood like a goddess upon the roof of the world, her jaws agape and her throat full with the ancient hymn of her wild brothers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Diana was in the staff room when she heard the call. Severus, Minerva and Remus were also there. She was drinking a cup of coffee laced with Firewhiskey when the primordial song entered her ears and her heart. She spluttered and choked on the hot liquid as she recognised the singer, and the meaning of the song. She was bringing them back.

'What on earth is that racket?' Minerva asked.

'I'll sort it out, Minerva. Remus, fancy coming along?'

Remus caught the urgency in her voice and followed unquestioningly. He was shocked when she seized his hand and with an almost childlike delight asked him, 'Do you hear her? They're all coming back, she's dead but she's bringing them back. Elhaz has come home.'

'I hear howling, but I don't understand.'

'Elhaz is calling them all back. Every Lupuscan within hearing range will heed that call. We're answering the threat that has been placed upon us.'

'And Elhaz is?'

'The alpha internal before me. I never wanted her place, but seeing as she died...'

'And once again, Elhaz is?'

'You knew her, Moony, as Enyana Barrett.'

Remus's head reeled. Enyana was alive, and here? It didn't make sense. How could he have not seen her? He would have recognised her in an instant, wouldn't he?

- - - - - - - - - -

Storm watched the forest and soon the whisper of wind came to her ears, or what would have been considered as wind to anyone else. But she knew better. To her they were howls carrying messages, "I'm coming, I'm coming" "I shall meet you" "I will soon be there" and another that gladdened her heart "Welcome home".

As soon as she saw them beginning to emerge from the trees she climbed down to make her way to meet them. But she found her way to the exit blocked. She bowed low with a cheeky grin and found herself embraced by a pair of affectionate arms. 'You, how could you keep this secret from me?'

Opening her mouth in the presence of someone other than Harry or Dobby, the rith formerly known as Storm replied, 'I'm sorry, Raq. I didn't know I was myself up until recently. And if it weren't for Moony's help I don't know if I would ever have done.'

Remus stared into the riths eyes and saw in them the eyes that he knew so well of one of his best friend's fiancé, 'It is you. But how...? How did I help?'

'Versipellis, my friend. How else do you think I became blue? But, come on, they're waiting. Oh and Moony, welcome to the good side.'

Elhaz bounded away, leaving the lovers to follow in her joyful wake.

- - - - - - - -

Outside the wolves began gathering. Within the hour every Lupuscan that could have heard was gathered on the frontage to the castle. Elhaz had been mobbed by everyone who had known her before she had 'died'. Eventually she resurfaced amongst much cheering and backslapping. Raq had ceded her position as alpha without argument – she had never wanted it anyway.

'Come on then, we might as well let them know we're here.'

The twenty or so Lupuscans that entered the main doors were initially surprised by the lack of anyone to meet them. The only ones that were there were Bracken with her violin, Moss, Lateo and Firethorn. They had forgotten that anyone else would have merely thought of Elhaz's song as Storm sounding off again.

'Come on Kel, start us off, let's shake these old stones.'

Kelyn started off in a very peaceful vein, and it was a song that most recognised. Ice removed his drum from across his back and began softly beating the rhythm as the harmonious voices of the Lupuscans raised as one, softly at first but gaining in strength until they, as Elhaz put it, shook the stones. Adhara and her pupil, Maple, launched into an acrobatic display feeling that this was a better outlet than their voices and Bracken strained the tune across her violin. Saiph raised his reed pipe to his lips and completed the aria, lifting his packs spirits onto a higher plain.

It had much the same effect on Remus as the night down by Colvarn and Elhaz's graves, except he found this time more deeply moving and transcendent. His own voice melded seamlessly into those of his pack.

Teachers hearing the commotion rushed down to the main entrance and were surprised by the mass of wolves that they saw. No one dared move until the song reached its climax and the Lupuscans came back to their senses.

Saiph and Elhaz opened their eyes at almost exactly the same moment and saw the crowd they had drawn to listen to their song. 'This is it, sister.'

'Aye, brother.'

The voices sounded in each others heads – the telepathic communication used amongst wolves, especially whilst hunting but useful in any situation when they didn't want to be heard by outside ears.

The faces that watched did not know what to do. Almost the entire faculty was present in one way or another and the two sides were caught in a stand-off. Eventually it was Dumbledore who broke the silence.

'Who are you and why have you come here?'

Saiph stepped forward, 'Professor Dumbledore, I presume? My name is Saiph and I am alpha external of the Lupuscan Circle.'

This hit like a massive explosion, several taking an unconscious step backwards in fear from the dread name. Dumbledore surveyed the scene below and looked into the eyes of two of his staff and four of his students in the midst of the wolves.

'And why have you taken hostages?'

'I have not.'

Bracken stepped forward, fierce pride in her eyes, 'No he hasn't, Professor. All you see here are Lupuscans of our own free will. Most of us owe Saiph our lives at one point or another and we would follow him to the end. The supporters of Lupus are not ones to back down easily.'

'And Storm?'

One of the greatest shocks was when Storm herself stepped forward, 'My name is Elhaz, Professor Dumbledore, and it was I who summoned my brothers and sisters back to this place. Our order is as old as this school and it is our rightful home. We wish to return to our rightful place to discuss the threat that has been laid at our door.'

'I might have known...' Severus Snape, like a demon of the night, stalked out from the midst of the body, 'There was always something odd about you. These are the servants of Voldemort, Albus, they are not to be trusted.'

Elhaz laughed, but Saiph was furious, 'Speak not of the servants of Voldemort to us, black one, you who would have killed one of our number for some mere transgression of no harm. Go back to the shadows where ones like you have forced us to live for so long.'

At this point the pounding of feet was clearly heard and someone barged their way through the faculty, 'Rachel, Rachel are you all right?' Poppy Pomphrey pushed her way to the front of the wolves to where she stood in front of Saiph, 'Is my daughter safe, Saiph?'

'Poppy, you know these wolves?' Professor McGonagall was stunned.

'Of course I know them, I've treated most of them for one thing or another. Saiph agreed to take my daughter in when no one else would. She got bitten by a werewolf, Professor Dumbledore, and luckily she had these friends who would accept her. Lupuscan or no I owe them.'

Adhara pushed her way forward, 'Here I am, Mum, I'm all right. We just really need to discuss things. It wasn't us who caused all that last night. We need to find out who did and clear our name.'

Saiph turned back to Dumbledore, 'She speaks true. The one eyed wolf spoken of was a Lupuscan, a Lupuscan rotten to the core. Sixteen years ago Elhaz and myself outcast that one, we marked him as one expelled from the circle for betraying his pack. That was how Fenris lost his eye. We must discuss our position and where to ally ourselves. If you mistrust us you may kill us where we stand, we shall not fight back.'

Elhaz whispered in her partner's ear and he nodded, 'Lupus can explain better than us.'

An odd, ululating chant began, the effort to raise Lupus. Many covered their ears at what, to them, was a deplorable racket. Lupus, however, did not think so. She passed through walls and bodies as her pack called for her. As soon as she appeared all wolves present bowed to her.

'Lupus, founder of the Goldeneyes, we honour you.'

The ghost of the white wolf was an odd sight to those who had never seen her.

'Greetings all. Why do my pack not hail me in the Hall of Dreams?'

'We are not allowed to pass.'

'I made this place for all to be open and you may not pass?'

'Show them who you are, Lupus, and see if we may not gain entry?'

The misty wolf subtly changed until the visage of a tall, stately lady showed. This image soon changed back to Lupus's chosen form.

'My Lady Ravenclaw,' Dumbledore bowed.

'Now will you let my children through, especially as an alpha is so perfectly wearing my colours.'

Elhaz's head reeled. She hadn't noticed it before, her whole body was decked in the colours of Ravenclaw. That meant that Colvarn's deathbed prophecy... oh fates.

A pathway opened for them to make their way to the Hall of Dreams and discuss their allegiance.

Dumbledore smiled to himself – he had found the true heirs of Ravenclaw.