Chapter 2
Author's note: Technically I just finished writing the last chapter about Ten hours ago. I dunno I'm really bored, and I don't want to go to the beach. So I'm hiding in the computer room.
K, this chapter may be shorter than the first one, but you never know. I don't think I'll make it any longer.
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, than. . . Hermione wouldn't be in the story. Seeing that she is, well then it is obvious that I DO NOT own Harry Potter. Nor am I making any money off this story. No one would pay to read it anyways.
Savage, Chapter 2
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"A Wizarding Duel?!" Harry gasped.
"Yes, that is precisely why it hasn't been done in so many years, no one knows how to use the spells anymore," Dak explained.
"But, I thought magic can't be used in the forest," Harry said confused.
"No, it can't by any natural means, but with the proper preparations, rituals, and offerings, then the forest will grant us space in the forest where magic will be permitted for a short while. There is where we will do the duel." Dak explained.
"So who will I be dueling then?" Harry asked expectantly.
"You will be dueling me. I am Dak the Tribe Leader," Dak bowed.
"Alright then, but you said that each tribe only had one wand, we will need two to battle," Harry was trying to figure the whole thing out.
"Inside the magical space that the forest will grant us, no wands are needed, the forest will grant us the ability to do magic without the use of the wand. The wand is only to be used to carry out Salazar Slytherin's plan. But enough questions, just know that it will be possible. Do you know the magic? By your familiarity with the subject of wands, I thought that you might know how to use magic. If not then I don't think that you can join our tribe," Dak asked him.
Harry thought back to Hogwarts where he was the champion of the Dueling Club. In fact he had beaten Dumbledore himself in a duel.
"Yes, I know how to use magic. But have you ever actually used it? Or have you just studied it?" Harry asked Dak.
"I have never actually used the magic. But I am sure that I will be a worthy adversary. Salazar Slytherin left us all his books so that we would not lose the knowledge that he has. I have memorized them off by heart, like all the Tribe Leaders before me. I am sure that I can use the magic. So, Kash will come and help you prepare, and I will go do my own preparations." Dak said as he left the room.
"Oh this is so exciting! Nothing like this has happened since the knowledge of magic started to die out around the clans! I have to go tell the women!" Wen squealed with delight, acting like a young girl instead of the elderly woman that she was.
"No need for that Wen, the village has already been notified," An amused voice said from the mouth of the cave. It was Kash, and she had what looked like a bowl of red paint in her hands.
"Kash! The best gossip all year, and I don't even get to spread it!" Wen complained.
"Oh stop being so childish Wen, go out and help them prepare for the ritual!" Kash scolded, her status of being the Medicine Woman showing.
"Yes Kash," Wen bowed her head ashamedly.
"Right, now Harry, I'm here to prepare you for the ritual, and battle. As the Medicine Woman it is my job to direct you in the upcoming ritual, but don't be alarmed, your job will be simple." Kash smiled.
"Alright, I'm ready whenever you are," Harry smiled, wondering what the red paint was for.
"Alright, first thing you need to know is that this is a ritual. There is no talking from the beginning of the ritual to the end, meaning as soon as I start, you can't say a single thing, and neither can Dak. I will be able to speak so I can direct you along the ceremony. If you were to mutter a single word, or make a single sound, the ritual will be stopped, and you will be killed. Do you understand?" Kash asked.
"Yes," Harry nodded nervously, "But what about the spells I need to say during the battle?"
"The ritual ends when the forest makes the magic spot, you will then be able to speak. Just know that you will be cut off from all the others, the only one you will be able to see will be Dak, and we will be able to see nothing until one of you is beaten," Kash smiled.
"Alright, anything else?" Harry asked, not sure he wanted to hear what was coming next.
"Yes, during the ritual, you must be completely naked and painted by this blood that I am holding." Kash held out the blood for Harry to see.
"Who's blood is it?" Harry looked at the blood feeling faint.
"Dak's of course, and we will need a sufficient amount of your as well," Kash said, bringing out a very sharp knife.
"You're kidding right?" Harry eyed the knife nervously.
"If you wish to be in this tribe, you must learn not to cower at a little bit of pain. If you are accepted we will need to train you in the ways of the tribe. For the time being I could give you a little painkiller after I cut you, but that's it." Kash looked at him sternly.
"If I'm going to be part of this tribe, then I better start now. No painkiller is necessary," Harry bowed his head.
"Good, you are already learning. Now give me your hand," Kash held out her hand impatiently. Harry slowly placed his hand in hers, and waited for the pain.
"Right, before I cut you, I need to tell you that you may not cry out. The ritual starts here, and you cannot make a single noise. OK? Ok." Kash looked Harry in the eyes, making sure he understood. Harry nodded his head, and squeezed his eyes shut.
After a few moment, he felt his hand being cut open. It hurt a little, but it was bearable. He opened his eyes to see Kash draining his blood into a wooden bowl. He whitened at the sight of all the blood that was being drained from him. Didn't he need that blood to live? But soon it was over, and the wooden bowl was filled with his blood. He wanted to sigh in relief, but he didn't know if that was a 'sound' or not. He decided against it.
"Alright Harry, I'm going to go give this to the Clan Leader, you stay there and meditate," Kash told him, and then she carried his blood to the Clan Leader's tent.
Harry remained sitting on his bear skin. What had he gotten himself into? Hopefully it was something good, but how did they train the tribe people to not cower at pain? It must be dreadful training, but it was going to be worth it. To have a family who wouldn't abandon him again. Nothing could stop him from winning this contest. For the battle he already had a few curses already picked out, but were the Unforgivables, crucio, imperio, and avada kedavra, actually unforgivable with the Tribes? He didn't think so, except for Avada Kedavra of course, that would have to be outlawed. But of course, Dak had the magic of old, which had probably died out long before Harry himself went to school, what would Dak know that Harry didn't? would it be powerful? He couldn't lose, he just couldn't.
Kash returned and motioned from Harry to stand.
"I am now going to paint the symbols for the ritual upon you, so you will have to take off your . . . loincloth," Kash pointed to his boxers.
Harry blushed profusely, but obediently slid them off so that he was now standing start naked in front of an elderly woman, not exactly the most desirable place to be, but tolerable nonetheless.
"No need to be embarrassed, I'm a medicine woman Harry, seeing naked men comes with the name," Kash smiled kindly, then took the red blood, and coated her fingers with it.
"I must see what your totem is, before I can do that, I need to have a little bit of your blood again," Kash pulled out her knife.
Was that what it was last time, a 'little bit'? Harry didn't want to know what a lot was, but obediently he once again gave her his hand. Kash swiped a little gash in his palm and held it to the blood that was covering her fingers. She ten lifted her bloody hand and drew a single line across Harry's forehead.
"There, now close your eyes and tell me what you see," Kash directed him.
Harry closed his eyes and was immediately bombarded by a picture of a growling wolf with a bloody muzzle. He opened his eyes in shock, and was about to tell Kash what he saw when he remembered the no talking rule. He closed his mouth quickly.
"Let me look into your eyes," Kash said as she pulled him toward her so she could peer into his eyes, "Very interesting, you're totem is the wolf, but his fangs are all bloody. This means that in the future you will kill someone, but that is not surprising, most men have killed someone. The fact that it is growling means that you have a strong spirit, and an angry one as well. Beware Harry, anger can kill."
Kash then drew wolf prints on each side of Harry's chest, and put a single handprint on the top of his back just under his neck. She then drew a symbol on his stomach in the form of a scratch from and animal with four large claws, and one identical on his arm. She put two more symbols which were just lines which ran from his hip bone to his ankle on each side.
"I must warn you Harry, if you are accepted, than these marks will remain there forever. I have put on the minimum of symbols needed, but they will be there for life. Same with the one across your forehead," Kash told him.
Harry didn't know what to say to that, although, he couldn't say anything anyways. He just nodded blankly. It was like getting a tattoo without a needle, if he wins the duel. If not he's dead anyways. Well at least the symbols look masculine he thought with a grimace. If that's any consolation at all. . .
"Now you are ready for the ceremony. Come with me," Kash lead him out the door.
Harry took a deep breath. 'this is it,' he told himself. Then he stepped out of the cave that he had inhabited for three days, and into the darkness of the night.
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"You have no idea where he went?" Ron asked Dumbledore for the seventh time in that single meeting.
"No Ron, I'm sorry. We would be able to trace him from his magical signature, so if he did any magic we would be able to find him. But so far he has done no magic at all," Dumbledore explained to him for the seventh time.
"But, that means he could be dead," Hermione put her head into her hands and wailed loudly.
"Now, now Hermione, Crying isn't going to help," McGonagall scolded.
"Yes Professor," Hermione raised her head.
"Now, I must press that that was a horrible thing that you did to Mr. Potter. But I don't think he would've ran away unless he was under some severe emotional stress," Dumbledore continued, "Did he say anything before he left? Anything that might've been upsetting him at all?"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other guiltily. Then they lowered their heads once again.
"Hermione?" Dumbledore pressed.
"He told us that he was gay, sir," Hermione said.
"Ah," Was all that Dumbledore said.
"That should be enough children, now please go back to your common rooms," McGonagall told them.
"Yes Professor," They said weakly, and then they turned and left the room.
"Minerva, I'm sad to say that I think we have a suicide case," Dumbledore said sadly.
"But Mr. Potter would never do something so horrible!" McGonagall gasped, refusing to believe.
"We will wait Minerva, perhaps he will use some magic soon," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Yes Albus,"
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"Kneel Harry, bow your head to the Forest," the Medicine woman directed Harry.
Harry knelt and bowed his head to a great tree that stood before him. It looked like it was there for eternity. It was a great tree, a tree that looked as if it held the knowledge of the world. It was so old, and gigantic, but it wasn't the tallest tree that surrounded them.
"This tree has been chosen to stand and bear witness to this duel. May it live forever to tell the tale of it's outcome." The medicine woman bowed towards the great tree.
"Now Harry, stand up and touch the tree," Kash directed.
Harry touched the rough bark that surrounded and protected the great tree. Dak on his right side did the same.
Dak himself had no blood marks on him, except for one of his fingers was covered with Harry's blood which was starting to dry somewhat. Although Dak had no blood marks on him, his tattoos stood out clearly. He had what looked like wings painted across his back, and a mark across his stomach which made it look like it was caused by bird talons. He also had the line painted down his legs, but he had four on each leg instead of just one. Strangely enough he was still well muscled even though he looked quite old.
Kash gave Harry and Dak matching knives, and held out a bowl which was Dak, and Harry's blood mixed together.
"Dip your knives in the blood, bow to each other, and then stab your knives straight into the tree." Kash directed. Harry and Dak both dipped their knives into the blood, than Kash backed away. They turned and bowed to each other, each with a determined look on their faces. Harry's life depended on what was coming up soon. Harry approached the tree, and he nodded at Dak. At the exact same time, they stabbed the tree in their blood covered knives.
The tree groaned loudly, and the trees around it also started to groan. The tree with the knives remained in one spot, but the other trees seemed to be movie. Their roots ripped up from the ground, and the trees seemed to grow legs. With slow movements the trees started to back away and create a tight circle around Harry and Dak, blocking them from the watching Tribe members. The ritual was over, the magic space was created.
"It's just you and me now, Harry," Dak said in a low voice.
"Yes, it is. I'm ready." Harry raised his head defiantly.
Dak circled around him, like a stalking leopard. Hunting, watching. The way he did it made Harry feel inferior and useless. He was the alpha male, and as old as he was, he was powerful enough to make the most confident crumble. Like what Harry as doing now. But there seemed to be an evil glint in Dak's eye, what was he planning?
"Harry. . . I know who you are," Dak whispered
"Who am I then Dak?" Harry taunted, not willing to cower.
"You forget who the heir of Slytherin was. You must realize something Harry, the Wolf Tribe are the strongest of all the tribes, not because of how many members we have, in fact we have the most inferior, but because we are ruthless in our ways. We have followed the way of Salazar Slytherin for a thousand years, and believe me Harry, he was Not. A. Nice. Man." Dak smiled darkly.
"What are you trying to say Dak?" Harry was growing steadily more fearful.
"As the strongest tribe of all, the heir of Slytherin has spoken to me, and me only. He was to be the leader of the Pure-Blood Army, but you destroyed him, and now I will avenge him. That's right Harry Potter, I know Lord Voldemort, and I know what you have done to him. And now you will die, your mudblood mother isn't here to protect you now. It's just you and me, separated from everyone by these feeble trees. The great and powerful forest, I would more like to burn it down. No, when the battle ends, and I am victorious I will tell them that I had to kill you, you were trying to kill me. They will never be the wiser. Harry you are going to die, do you have anything to say?" Dak smiled readying himself for the battle.
"Dak, I've beaten your heir of Slytherin more than once, what makes you think that you can beat me? I will not die Dak, I have already lost two families, I will not lose this one, even if it was once lead by the 'great and powerful' Salazar Slytherin. I am not a Gryffindor anymore, I am not courageous, I do not need to be a hero. I'm in a place where no one knows me but you. And I will see to it that you don't spill a single word. I finally can thank Voldemort for something, for being so arrogant to only confide in you. When I beat you, I will be accepted into the clan and there's nothing you can do. I'm not a hero anymore, I'm not afraid of having to kill you. In fact I'm looking quite forward to it. I left Voldemort behind, but he still chases me after death. So you ask if I have anything to say before I die, yes Dak, I have two words for you: Avada Kedavra."
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Kash heard a fearful scream from inside the trees, she knew that Dak was ruthless underneath. He would do his best not only to win the duel, but to kill the boy. Dak may seem like the perfect person on the outside, if a little stubborn, but on the inside he was as dark as hell. Appearances can be deceiving, and that boy who looked like he would fall over from a single gust of air, could beat Dak once and for all. Kash clearly hoped so. Dak had always been nice to her in front of the tribe members, but he would hit her, and insult her when no one was around. To tell someone was to lose face, and respect. No decent Medicine Woman could do that. No she needed to be strong, for the people, because Dak was a good leader. Status means everything.
"Kash, I think the trees are opening, do you think the duel is done already?" Wen asked impatiently.
"Quiet woman, have you no sense?" Kash hushed Wen, sometimes she could be so nerve-wracking.
What the trees opened up to was a truly horrifying sight. There Harry stood in the middle of the ring of trees, tattoo's bleeding rapidly, the tattoo's that would stay there forever, the tattoo's that branded him part of the Wolf Tribe. He looked like he was in a red haze, a haze of anger, and distrust. Like and avenging angel he stepped out of the circle of trees blood running down his chest, forehead, legs. Nothing so beautiful and terrifying had ever been seen before by the tribe. And on the floor lay Dak, his tattoo's sunken in and the skin crumbling. His body was decaying at such a fast rate, he was soon just a pile of bones and tattered skin. The only thing left was his heart, amazingly still beating, such is the power of the forest.
"Kash what do we do?!" Wen asked fearfully, her husband dead on the floor.
"It is custom for the Wolf Tribe, that when a warrior slays it's leader, the warrior must eat his heart. That is why the heart is still preserved. Harry you must eat it." Kash motioned towards the heart. Harry stared at her dispassionately, and walked to Dak's slowly beating heart. He bent down slowly, picked it up, and bit into it. He slowly devoured the whole thing, the tribe looking on in fear.
A fearful vision flashed through Kash's mind, Harry's totem. His totem had shown true, Harry had killed a person, and he looked very, very angry. But this time Harry's totem was not only growling and his fangs covered in blood, he was leading an army of wolves against outsiders with fire, and axes. A snake was wrapped around the wolves neck, and a black ring around the wolves neck showed kingship. And Like custom dictated, he who eats the heart of the Tribe Leader, must become the next Tribe Leader. Harry who knew nothing about their tribe, was now going to have to lead it.
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author's note: Well I know that this one was wayyyy shorter, but I'll make it up to you. I'll do a 10,000 word chapter, and add the length of this one, which is. . . 3,591. so.. that's a total of 13,591 words. Yeesh. Writing a lot is hard.
So the next chapter will skip a few years. It'll get more interesting I promise.
Author's note: Technically I just finished writing the last chapter about Ten hours ago. I dunno I'm really bored, and I don't want to go to the beach. So I'm hiding in the computer room.
K, this chapter may be shorter than the first one, but you never know. I don't think I'll make it any longer.
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, than. . . Hermione wouldn't be in the story. Seeing that she is, well then it is obvious that I DO NOT own Harry Potter. Nor am I making any money off this story. No one would pay to read it anyways.
Savage, Chapter 2
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"A Wizarding Duel?!" Harry gasped.
"Yes, that is precisely why it hasn't been done in so many years, no one knows how to use the spells anymore," Dak explained.
"But, I thought magic can't be used in the forest," Harry said confused.
"No, it can't by any natural means, but with the proper preparations, rituals, and offerings, then the forest will grant us space in the forest where magic will be permitted for a short while. There is where we will do the duel." Dak explained.
"So who will I be dueling then?" Harry asked expectantly.
"You will be dueling me. I am Dak the Tribe Leader," Dak bowed.
"Alright then, but you said that each tribe only had one wand, we will need two to battle," Harry was trying to figure the whole thing out.
"Inside the magical space that the forest will grant us, no wands are needed, the forest will grant us the ability to do magic without the use of the wand. The wand is only to be used to carry out Salazar Slytherin's plan. But enough questions, just know that it will be possible. Do you know the magic? By your familiarity with the subject of wands, I thought that you might know how to use magic. If not then I don't think that you can join our tribe," Dak asked him.
Harry thought back to Hogwarts where he was the champion of the Dueling Club. In fact he had beaten Dumbledore himself in a duel.
"Yes, I know how to use magic. But have you ever actually used it? Or have you just studied it?" Harry asked Dak.
"I have never actually used the magic. But I am sure that I will be a worthy adversary. Salazar Slytherin left us all his books so that we would not lose the knowledge that he has. I have memorized them off by heart, like all the Tribe Leaders before me. I am sure that I can use the magic. So, Kash will come and help you prepare, and I will go do my own preparations." Dak said as he left the room.
"Oh this is so exciting! Nothing like this has happened since the knowledge of magic started to die out around the clans! I have to go tell the women!" Wen squealed with delight, acting like a young girl instead of the elderly woman that she was.
"No need for that Wen, the village has already been notified," An amused voice said from the mouth of the cave. It was Kash, and she had what looked like a bowl of red paint in her hands.
"Kash! The best gossip all year, and I don't even get to spread it!" Wen complained.
"Oh stop being so childish Wen, go out and help them prepare for the ritual!" Kash scolded, her status of being the Medicine Woman showing.
"Yes Kash," Wen bowed her head ashamedly.
"Right, now Harry, I'm here to prepare you for the ritual, and battle. As the Medicine Woman it is my job to direct you in the upcoming ritual, but don't be alarmed, your job will be simple." Kash smiled.
"Alright, I'm ready whenever you are," Harry smiled, wondering what the red paint was for.
"Alright, first thing you need to know is that this is a ritual. There is no talking from the beginning of the ritual to the end, meaning as soon as I start, you can't say a single thing, and neither can Dak. I will be able to speak so I can direct you along the ceremony. If you were to mutter a single word, or make a single sound, the ritual will be stopped, and you will be killed. Do you understand?" Kash asked.
"Yes," Harry nodded nervously, "But what about the spells I need to say during the battle?"
"The ritual ends when the forest makes the magic spot, you will then be able to speak. Just know that you will be cut off from all the others, the only one you will be able to see will be Dak, and we will be able to see nothing until one of you is beaten," Kash smiled.
"Alright, anything else?" Harry asked, not sure he wanted to hear what was coming next.
"Yes, during the ritual, you must be completely naked and painted by this blood that I am holding." Kash held out the blood for Harry to see.
"Who's blood is it?" Harry looked at the blood feeling faint.
"Dak's of course, and we will need a sufficient amount of your as well," Kash said, bringing out a very sharp knife.
"You're kidding right?" Harry eyed the knife nervously.
"If you wish to be in this tribe, you must learn not to cower at a little bit of pain. If you are accepted we will need to train you in the ways of the tribe. For the time being I could give you a little painkiller after I cut you, but that's it." Kash looked at him sternly.
"If I'm going to be part of this tribe, then I better start now. No painkiller is necessary," Harry bowed his head.
"Good, you are already learning. Now give me your hand," Kash held out her hand impatiently. Harry slowly placed his hand in hers, and waited for the pain.
"Right, before I cut you, I need to tell you that you may not cry out. The ritual starts here, and you cannot make a single noise. OK? Ok." Kash looked Harry in the eyes, making sure he understood. Harry nodded his head, and squeezed his eyes shut.
After a few moment, he felt his hand being cut open. It hurt a little, but it was bearable. He opened his eyes to see Kash draining his blood into a wooden bowl. He whitened at the sight of all the blood that was being drained from him. Didn't he need that blood to live? But soon it was over, and the wooden bowl was filled with his blood. He wanted to sigh in relief, but he didn't know if that was a 'sound' or not. He decided against it.
"Alright Harry, I'm going to go give this to the Clan Leader, you stay there and meditate," Kash told him, and then she carried his blood to the Clan Leader's tent.
Harry remained sitting on his bear skin. What had he gotten himself into? Hopefully it was something good, but how did they train the tribe people to not cower at pain? It must be dreadful training, but it was going to be worth it. To have a family who wouldn't abandon him again. Nothing could stop him from winning this contest. For the battle he already had a few curses already picked out, but were the Unforgivables, crucio, imperio, and avada kedavra, actually unforgivable with the Tribes? He didn't think so, except for Avada Kedavra of course, that would have to be outlawed. But of course, Dak had the magic of old, which had probably died out long before Harry himself went to school, what would Dak know that Harry didn't? would it be powerful? He couldn't lose, he just couldn't.
Kash returned and motioned from Harry to stand.
"I am now going to paint the symbols for the ritual upon you, so you will have to take off your . . . loincloth," Kash pointed to his boxers.
Harry blushed profusely, but obediently slid them off so that he was now standing start naked in front of an elderly woman, not exactly the most desirable place to be, but tolerable nonetheless.
"No need to be embarrassed, I'm a medicine woman Harry, seeing naked men comes with the name," Kash smiled kindly, then took the red blood, and coated her fingers with it.
"I must see what your totem is, before I can do that, I need to have a little bit of your blood again," Kash pulled out her knife.
Was that what it was last time, a 'little bit'? Harry didn't want to know what a lot was, but obediently he once again gave her his hand. Kash swiped a little gash in his palm and held it to the blood that was covering her fingers. She ten lifted her bloody hand and drew a single line across Harry's forehead.
"There, now close your eyes and tell me what you see," Kash directed him.
Harry closed his eyes and was immediately bombarded by a picture of a growling wolf with a bloody muzzle. He opened his eyes in shock, and was about to tell Kash what he saw when he remembered the no talking rule. He closed his mouth quickly.
"Let me look into your eyes," Kash said as she pulled him toward her so she could peer into his eyes, "Very interesting, you're totem is the wolf, but his fangs are all bloody. This means that in the future you will kill someone, but that is not surprising, most men have killed someone. The fact that it is growling means that you have a strong spirit, and an angry one as well. Beware Harry, anger can kill."
Kash then drew wolf prints on each side of Harry's chest, and put a single handprint on the top of his back just under his neck. She then drew a symbol on his stomach in the form of a scratch from and animal with four large claws, and one identical on his arm. She put two more symbols which were just lines which ran from his hip bone to his ankle on each side.
"I must warn you Harry, if you are accepted, than these marks will remain there forever. I have put on the minimum of symbols needed, but they will be there for life. Same with the one across your forehead," Kash told him.
Harry didn't know what to say to that, although, he couldn't say anything anyways. He just nodded blankly. It was like getting a tattoo without a needle, if he wins the duel. If not he's dead anyways. Well at least the symbols look masculine he thought with a grimace. If that's any consolation at all. . .
"Now you are ready for the ceremony. Come with me," Kash lead him out the door.
Harry took a deep breath. 'this is it,' he told himself. Then he stepped out of the cave that he had inhabited for three days, and into the darkness of the night.
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"You have no idea where he went?" Ron asked Dumbledore for the seventh time in that single meeting.
"No Ron, I'm sorry. We would be able to trace him from his magical signature, so if he did any magic we would be able to find him. But so far he has done no magic at all," Dumbledore explained to him for the seventh time.
"But, that means he could be dead," Hermione put her head into her hands and wailed loudly.
"Now, now Hermione, Crying isn't going to help," McGonagall scolded.
"Yes Professor," Hermione raised her head.
"Now, I must press that that was a horrible thing that you did to Mr. Potter. But I don't think he would've ran away unless he was under some severe emotional stress," Dumbledore continued, "Did he say anything before he left? Anything that might've been upsetting him at all?"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other guiltily. Then they lowered their heads once again.
"Hermione?" Dumbledore pressed.
"He told us that he was gay, sir," Hermione said.
"Ah," Was all that Dumbledore said.
"That should be enough children, now please go back to your common rooms," McGonagall told them.
"Yes Professor," They said weakly, and then they turned and left the room.
"Minerva, I'm sad to say that I think we have a suicide case," Dumbledore said sadly.
"But Mr. Potter would never do something so horrible!" McGonagall gasped, refusing to believe.
"We will wait Minerva, perhaps he will use some magic soon," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Yes Albus,"
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"Kneel Harry, bow your head to the Forest," the Medicine woman directed Harry.
Harry knelt and bowed his head to a great tree that stood before him. It looked like it was there for eternity. It was a great tree, a tree that looked as if it held the knowledge of the world. It was so old, and gigantic, but it wasn't the tallest tree that surrounded them.
"This tree has been chosen to stand and bear witness to this duel. May it live forever to tell the tale of it's outcome." The medicine woman bowed towards the great tree.
"Now Harry, stand up and touch the tree," Kash directed.
Harry touched the rough bark that surrounded and protected the great tree. Dak on his right side did the same.
Dak himself had no blood marks on him, except for one of his fingers was covered with Harry's blood which was starting to dry somewhat. Although Dak had no blood marks on him, his tattoos stood out clearly. He had what looked like wings painted across his back, and a mark across his stomach which made it look like it was caused by bird talons. He also had the line painted down his legs, but he had four on each leg instead of just one. Strangely enough he was still well muscled even though he looked quite old.
Kash gave Harry and Dak matching knives, and held out a bowl which was Dak, and Harry's blood mixed together.
"Dip your knives in the blood, bow to each other, and then stab your knives straight into the tree." Kash directed. Harry and Dak both dipped their knives into the blood, than Kash backed away. They turned and bowed to each other, each with a determined look on their faces. Harry's life depended on what was coming up soon. Harry approached the tree, and he nodded at Dak. At the exact same time, they stabbed the tree in their blood covered knives.
The tree groaned loudly, and the trees around it also started to groan. The tree with the knives remained in one spot, but the other trees seemed to be movie. Their roots ripped up from the ground, and the trees seemed to grow legs. With slow movements the trees started to back away and create a tight circle around Harry and Dak, blocking them from the watching Tribe members. The ritual was over, the magic space was created.
"It's just you and me now, Harry," Dak said in a low voice.
"Yes, it is. I'm ready." Harry raised his head defiantly.
Dak circled around him, like a stalking leopard. Hunting, watching. The way he did it made Harry feel inferior and useless. He was the alpha male, and as old as he was, he was powerful enough to make the most confident crumble. Like what Harry as doing now. But there seemed to be an evil glint in Dak's eye, what was he planning?
"Harry. . . I know who you are," Dak whispered
"Who am I then Dak?" Harry taunted, not willing to cower.
"You forget who the heir of Slytherin was. You must realize something Harry, the Wolf Tribe are the strongest of all the tribes, not because of how many members we have, in fact we have the most inferior, but because we are ruthless in our ways. We have followed the way of Salazar Slytherin for a thousand years, and believe me Harry, he was Not. A. Nice. Man." Dak smiled darkly.
"What are you trying to say Dak?" Harry was growing steadily more fearful.
"As the strongest tribe of all, the heir of Slytherin has spoken to me, and me only. He was to be the leader of the Pure-Blood Army, but you destroyed him, and now I will avenge him. That's right Harry Potter, I know Lord Voldemort, and I know what you have done to him. And now you will die, your mudblood mother isn't here to protect you now. It's just you and me, separated from everyone by these feeble trees. The great and powerful forest, I would more like to burn it down. No, when the battle ends, and I am victorious I will tell them that I had to kill you, you were trying to kill me. They will never be the wiser. Harry you are going to die, do you have anything to say?" Dak smiled readying himself for the battle.
"Dak, I've beaten your heir of Slytherin more than once, what makes you think that you can beat me? I will not die Dak, I have already lost two families, I will not lose this one, even if it was once lead by the 'great and powerful' Salazar Slytherin. I am not a Gryffindor anymore, I am not courageous, I do not need to be a hero. I'm in a place where no one knows me but you. And I will see to it that you don't spill a single word. I finally can thank Voldemort for something, for being so arrogant to only confide in you. When I beat you, I will be accepted into the clan and there's nothing you can do. I'm not a hero anymore, I'm not afraid of having to kill you. In fact I'm looking quite forward to it. I left Voldemort behind, but he still chases me after death. So you ask if I have anything to say before I die, yes Dak, I have two words for you: Avada Kedavra."
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Kash heard a fearful scream from inside the trees, she knew that Dak was ruthless underneath. He would do his best not only to win the duel, but to kill the boy. Dak may seem like the perfect person on the outside, if a little stubborn, but on the inside he was as dark as hell. Appearances can be deceiving, and that boy who looked like he would fall over from a single gust of air, could beat Dak once and for all. Kash clearly hoped so. Dak had always been nice to her in front of the tribe members, but he would hit her, and insult her when no one was around. To tell someone was to lose face, and respect. No decent Medicine Woman could do that. No she needed to be strong, for the people, because Dak was a good leader. Status means everything.
"Kash, I think the trees are opening, do you think the duel is done already?" Wen asked impatiently.
"Quiet woman, have you no sense?" Kash hushed Wen, sometimes she could be so nerve-wracking.
What the trees opened up to was a truly horrifying sight. There Harry stood in the middle of the ring of trees, tattoo's bleeding rapidly, the tattoo's that would stay there forever, the tattoo's that branded him part of the Wolf Tribe. He looked like he was in a red haze, a haze of anger, and distrust. Like and avenging angel he stepped out of the circle of trees blood running down his chest, forehead, legs. Nothing so beautiful and terrifying had ever been seen before by the tribe. And on the floor lay Dak, his tattoo's sunken in and the skin crumbling. His body was decaying at such a fast rate, he was soon just a pile of bones and tattered skin. The only thing left was his heart, amazingly still beating, such is the power of the forest.
"Kash what do we do?!" Wen asked fearfully, her husband dead on the floor.
"It is custom for the Wolf Tribe, that when a warrior slays it's leader, the warrior must eat his heart. That is why the heart is still preserved. Harry you must eat it." Kash motioned towards the heart. Harry stared at her dispassionately, and walked to Dak's slowly beating heart. He bent down slowly, picked it up, and bit into it. He slowly devoured the whole thing, the tribe looking on in fear.
A fearful vision flashed through Kash's mind, Harry's totem. His totem had shown true, Harry had killed a person, and he looked very, very angry. But this time Harry's totem was not only growling and his fangs covered in blood, he was leading an army of wolves against outsiders with fire, and axes. A snake was wrapped around the wolves neck, and a black ring around the wolves neck showed kingship. And Like custom dictated, he who eats the heart of the Tribe Leader, must become the next Tribe Leader. Harry who knew nothing about their tribe, was now going to have to lead it.
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author's note: Well I know that this one was wayyyy shorter, but I'll make it up to you. I'll do a 10,000 word chapter, and add the length of this one, which is. . . 3,591. so.. that's a total of 13,591 words. Yeesh. Writing a lot is hard.
So the next chapter will skip a few years. It'll get more interesting I promise.