DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER NOR THE BEASTMASTER SO THERE
A/N: beta! I need a beta reader one whose email address is legitimate! The last person who told me this had an email address I could not send my stuff to and half the time they did not answer back. So please people if you like you can copy and paste each chapter and do a grammar correction. Thank you
I apologize again for any misunderstandings through out the story. Remember they are unedited beta versions until I can find a beta reader.
A slight warning about this chapter it will be long
THE MASTER OF BEASTS
Chapter Ten: Sheroc's Training
The students gathered around the eagle as he began his first lesson, the first thing I want you to do is to gather your magic and begin a healing trance. I know I healed some of your injuries but the rest will have to be done on your own. For you Mr. Potter you have to feed to refuel you magical reserves. For the moment you can reset your bones and repair damage to you organs. Alright everyone we will start with the magic part first and it will be exhausting but you will eventually get used to it.
Right now I want you to close your eyes and focus on your body every cell, organ, bone and blood vessel. I don't want you to heal just yet but just focus on your body get the feeling of every thing in it and get to know its wants and needs. That said the group began to focus. Harry in particular began to focus on his body and for the first time noticed how malnourished it is. He noticed that due to the lack of food in his system he could not heal properly; is that what Sheroc meant! He knew that Harry needed food to heal properly that is why he can't heal right. His organs are on the verge of self collapse because his cells are hungry for nourishment. He was killing himself slowly and eventually but that is about to change. He felt where his uncle had broken his bones and the damage that the rape had done to his body.
He felt every wound and internal injury he had gotten that had not properly healed yet. Have you noticed the differences in your bodies yet? The eagle asked and slowly Harry pulled out along with the others, good now focus on each other's bodies and get to know theirs he said and Harry like before began to focus his mind on the body of the person next to him, which is Hermione. He began to search her body and felt embarrassed because she is female after all and the more he probed the more he began to realize the differences in male and female anatomy. He could see the injuries done to Hermione but they were not as bad as he was. She had a few bruised ribs and a cut on her forehead as well as the twisted ankle but nothing compared to him. His bones are brittle and easily broken compared to hers.
Harry then went to Ron and found his fractured leg to be a problem as bits of bone were everywhere in the leg. His broken arm was no different as well. His other ankle was swollen due to injuries. He wondered why they were able to walk through the forest without feeling the pain but after Sheroc had told them the extent Harry must have realized that he temporarily took away the pain. Now that it was returning he could see the nerves working to show pain. He saw how healthy Ron was other then the broken bones and slight internal bleeding but he felt that the majority of the injuries have been healed by Madam Pomfrey's potions. From the new bone on Ron's arm Harry could tell that something happened that took his arm away and that he had to use the skelegrow potion. The last person was Malfoy as he turned towards the young Slytherin and was surprised at what he saw.
It turns out that Draco had nearly as many injuries as Harry! He could see the scars from old wounds as well as where ribs had been broken and recently mended internal injuries. Draco had a broken leg and a broke ankle as well as numerous fractures on his arm and collar bone. Some are already healed but not properly corrected to show bad growth that will hinder him in years to come. It was then that Harry began to see a new light in Draco Malfoy.
Draco was a lot like him in a ways as Harry pulled out, as they both have a thing in common. Are you done? Sheroc asked and they nodded, good how do you feel? He asked and for once everyone agreed that they do feel a bit tired and exposed. Good that is what you are supposed to feel now then since you all are back to the outside can you tell me your own injuries and health problems. He then turned to look at the group and it was Hermione who raised her hand first. The eagle cocked his head and blushing Hermione lowered it, "Sorry old habits," she said, "Well since I am the only female it is plainly obvious that my body is different then the others. For starters my organs are set differently then that of the other members of the group. Because I am a mammal my reproductive organs are internalized and my bones are different lengths and mass. A males bones are broader on the shoulders as mine are more towards the hips." She said, good now then tell me what injuries you have and that includes ones that are already heal or ones that will effect you in the future Sheroc said and Hermione started, "Well I have a twisted ankle but that was from walking here, a cut on my forehead and I don't know what else," she said and it was then that Sheroc turned to the others, any one of you want to see what else is wrong that she missed? He asked and it was Ron that spoke. "Your eyesight because you read too much your eyes are having a hard time adjusting each time so sooner or later you are going to have to get reading glasses." He said and she nodded.
Good that is good of you to notice; you see in healing magic one has to learn every odds and ends of a person's or animal's body. For a beastmaster it is his duty to help and because one of the powers of a beastmaster is communication among different species he can ask where the creature hurts and try to help as best he can. Because you are all magical in nature you can do a bit more. With that said Sheroc then shifted his from to that of a man surprising the group. "This trick you will learn later but for now you will continue the healing training," he said and everyone stood shocked at his appearance.
Sheroc changed into a man with no shirt on and small golden feathers behind his ears and eyes. His closed cropped dark hair and tanned skin shows a man that has been out a lot. His long homespun leather pants and shoes make him more so. Just for a piece of mind he conjured up a vest to put over him. The vest was sleeveless and also made of homespun leather. In other words he looked sort of like one of those classic Hercules kind of character. He was young in appearance around early twenties but his eyes and the way he talked spoke otherwise.
"Master Sheroc?" Hermione said and true enough the man turned, "Yes?" he said and everyone stood shocked. "How did you do that?" she said when she noticed his shadow, "This is some of the magic you will be learning but later on. I figured this would be a good enough lesson for you children. This is an illusion made from wolf's magic," he said, "Wolf's magic?" Draco asked, "Yes wolf's magic the magic of a wolf or from a wolf taught to another besides his own species. In places where wolves are scarce they create these realistic illusions of themselves but their shadows and their reflections reveal their true selves. Wolves use this to hide from humans so that way they can be protected. The illusion allows humans to feel them as humans and not wolves." He said and the others nodded, "Only a beastmaster or another animal would see through the illusion as you have, but because I am more powerful I can adjust this," he said and then the others nodded. "Now then shall we eat?" he said as he heard the others stomach's growl.
After a while Sheroc began to teach them about healing magic so they can heal their injuries. To do so they had to picture what their body should have looked like and what they can remember what their bodies are supposed to look like. After some time and exhaustion when they awoke hours later their bodies were fully healed. Sheroc explained that they need to become familiar with their own reserves of magic before they learn to pull magic from all around them. He had them do each other afterwards earning another few hours of sleep.
When they woke next it is well into the next morning and Sheroc only sat on a rock highly amused along with Hedwig, Pig, Crookshanks and a raven that has made its presence known just now. When all four finally fully woke it was Draco that noticed the bird first, "Nightshade!" he said his voice went up a few octives before the raven fluttered down to Draco's outstretched arm, so it is true! You really are a beastmaster! The raven was more then happy to preen her master's hair. "Yeah well it wasn't exactly a choice," he said with a smile, oh really you should have been there that giant Hagrid was really a healer. He got me fixed up from that curse in no time even though he could not do any spells. Nightshade said flapping her wings to show that she was happy.
It was after Nightshade's return that true training began. Nightshade being just fully healed had to catch up to the other familiars but soon became quiet adept at flying as well as Hedwig and Pig. The group under Sheroc's tutelage began to recover from their injuries. He taught them how to hunt, gather, create shelters and other methods of survival. He taught them magic that they have never heard from as the eagle spread his knowledge to his students. With the help of the wolves they learn to run, from the cat Crookshanks they learned how to be silent when they walk. From the centaurs they learned about the stars and such and much to their surprise was visited by a spider on how to weave silk and how to hang upside down from bats.
During the course of the summer they have been taught with Sheroc as their lead teacher. The eagle would soar overhead and supervise in their training. He would watch as the other animals would teach the four teens and their familiars how to move, fight, hunt, and what plants are good for medicine.
The regime was vigorous and tiresome as the group adjusted to the training. They started at dusk as the last light of the setting sun set behind them as they waited for the moon to rise from the east. Nearly a month has passed since they started training. It was hours of vigorous training nonstop and almost eight hours of rest each where they spent sleeping. "I swear to god Sheroc is a slave driver," Ron complained as he and the others returned to their cave to rest. Draco nodded as he fell down on the ground completely exhausted and covered in sweat, "I know for a fact he is a slave driver," he said and both he and Ron shared an agreement for once.
Even with all apologies aside both Ron and Draco constantly argued more then the rest of the trio combined. Harry knew not to interfere in their arguments as did Hermione. Both being from the Muggle world looked at each other and smirked, "They may fight a lot because of their different points of view but they are closer than his brothers," Harry said one night when Ron and Draco got into another one of their arguments, "Yes Harry I've noticed and I think they will be good friends it just shows that they can be," she said, "I noticed that you and I being of Muggle origins and they being pure bloods are in this together eh?" she said, "Yeah I think Sheroc did it to balance things out," Harry replied, "You know like how he tells us that Nature is balanced with both good and evil, life and death, day and night everything must have a balance." He said, "The same with Muggleborns and Purebloods," Hermione finally realized this, "This whole war is about the end of Muggleborns and Purebloods by destroying Muggleborns the wizarding world gets thrown off balance and the eagle knew this," and Harry interjected, "And so when he made the four of us Beastmasters. He needed two of each side to create the balance to represent it," he then pointed at Draco and Ron, "he also needed a balance with rich and poor because Ron's family is in poverty and Draco's is wealthy and with me being a half breed and you being Muggleborn it makes sense," Harry said as he leaned back against a tree.
"What do you mean I am too slow?" Ron yelled as Draco said the comment, "I mean it Weasley you were at the back of the group today and you know how that old wolf wants us to run. I saw you huffing and puffing and you know that Sheroc wants us in top condition. I bet you ate before the run that is why you are such a pig," Draco yelled and Ron saw red, "I am not a pig Malfoy!" he growled, "Oh I know you are not a weasel for weasels don't eat as much," Draco said, "Only pigs and whales do," "THAT'S IT!" Ron yelled and jumped on Draco and they fought it off.
Harry and Hermione seeing them fight again only rolled their eyes but when it turned into a fist fight they made ready to split them up, "Leave them," said a voice and they both turned to find Sheroc in his human form. He frowned at them as they fought until he took a pole from the side and walked up to them. With lightning speed he hit them both on the side and from behind with that stick. Ron and Draco doubled over in pain as a trickle of blood began to pour from their mouths. The welts on their backs were enough to let the shirtless wizards know that master is back. "Get up both of you!" Sheroc said in a very low and dangerous tone.
Both boys got up surprised that Sheroc was able to do that as the man stood before them. His shadow showing his real self as both boys rubbed their sore spots. "Now tell me what gave you two idiots the right to start a quarrel like this," he said and both looked down. "How many times have I told you about this?" he said and both answered, "We lost count," they said, "Now you both will have to do fifty pushups and seventy flips backwards and forwards," he said and both boys groaned, "Oh and one more thing you will both stand on the poles and hold buckets for four hours," he said, "Till you both learn your lesson is that clear?" he said and both Ron and Draco nodded.
Sheroc was fierce when punishing pupils as it was clearly shown. When he punished they were both long and painful. Harry remembered his punishment all too well even from the eagle and would remember them clearly. Unlike the Dursley's punishments for his magical abilities and their hatred for him in particular, Harry learned that Sheroc only punishes if he deserves it and only punish according to the crime. Harry's punishment at the time was because of his tardiness and for that he had to suffer nonstop swimming lessons with the merpeople. That punishment lasted all day and by the time Harry returned he was tired and sore. When Sheroc meant nonstop swimming he meant it and Harry remembers swimming from one end to the other of the Hogwarts Lake. It was on the verge of suicide but the eagle had been quite clear on punishment. He doesn't know how he did it but he managed to do the entire lake by swimming from one end to the other in a day.
Harry shuddered at the memory of Sheroc's punishment and found that his punishments have a lesson to them and a bit of training as well. Harry might not have known it at the time but when he showed up for his punishment and had actually swum the distance he was surprised by the stamina that was there. He was even more surprised that he had swum the entire distance. When he returned he was confronted by Hermione and it was then that they realized that Sheroc's training was not only in the training itself it was also in the punishments.
He realized with a start that Sheroc had the other animals help him in building up their stamina. In the two months since they started all they ever did was run, swim, attempt to fly, practice magic, spar, potions making, martial arts training with various creatures etc… he realized now that Sheroc was making them stronger a lot stronger. He could leap higher then normal humans which is around twenty five feet and can run faster too. He noticed now that his arms and body have filled out and is no longer just bones. They are covered in fine toned muscles not the type like body builders, but more lean and fit for someone who was really athletic and fast. Harry began to notice the changes in his friends as well. Ron was now at his full height of six feet two inches and Draco around the same height leaving Harry to be the shortest at Five Ten.
Thinking of Ron Harry grimaced at the punishment his friend is serving now. Ron had toned out as well though he has a little more mass then Harry his baby fat was replaced by fine cheek bones and a rather slightly chiseled face. He was all together a good looking bloke for all he care and his red hair now shoulder length reminded him of his brother Bill. Speaking of Bill Harry was glad they have received an owl telling them that the Weasley's are all right. Ron was happy to hear that comment and danced around till Draco insulted him. He tried not to laugh at what Sheroc made the two of them do afterwards. Harry at the moment was standing on one of the poles perfecting his balance as he held two buckets of water over on each arm. He thought it was good practice for him since it would help strengthen his muscles.
Draco on the other hand was the same as Ron though a little more chiseled out. He looked more like a Black then a Malfoy anyways taking on his mother's side of the family tree. The only thing that separate him from being distinguished as a Black is his hair which shown nearly silver instead of platinum now. He looked more like a Veela then anything except his more masculine looks.
Harry looked at Hermione and was surprised by what two months did to her. She indeed grew taller but was the same height as Harry at Five Ten but her figure clearly showed. She was curvy but graceful with her face well defined now and her hair now at her waist and not as bushy. Harry admitted that she was beautiful but he did not think of her in that fashion at all. He Ron and Draco thought of her as a sister and nothing more even Ron's little crush was squashed and they felt sorry for the bloke who will break her heart. Ron even joked it would be Victor Krum once.
Speaking of Ron,"My arms are killing me!" He yelled from a few poles away. "Well if you kept your mouth shut Weasley then we would not have been stuck like this!" Malfoy yelled back from the other side of the field. The field that they are currently in is covered in bamboo poles that go from ground level to around twenty five feet high. One has to learn how to balance on this with one leg and currently Draco and Ron are experiencing that as they stood for nearly four hours with large buckets of water and stones which by now made their arms ready to fall off. Harry shook his head, "Practicing again Harry?" Hermione asked she came out of the brush her hair in a braid that went down to her waist. She smiled at Harry as he switched feet while looking at Ron and Draco on the highest poles both of them ready to fall off. "Want to spar Hermione?" he asked and the girl smiled, "Why of course Harry!" she said.
When Ron and Draco were done it was well into the night and both of them were exhausted. Both had received extra time on the poles because of a few trade insults to each other when Sheroc returned. They waved their hands to conjure a few beds as they fell into them and into a dreamless sleep. Meanwhile in the trees above them a rather amused eagle sat watching as his fellows sleep through the night. You really do bring down the house eh Sheroc? Asked Fawkes as he sat down by the golden eagle, ruffling his feathers in amusement, indeed I have Fawkes, indeed I have so tell me my fellow immortal what has our esteemed Dumbledore been up to now? He asked, well the old man is certainly got his work cut out for him. Numerous letters are fluttering in, many of them black as night meaning that someone has died. Tomorrow's the full moon so he is letting Lupin have a run in the shrieking shack.
The shrieking shack? Sheroc asked, it was the place where Dumbledore kept Lupin for the poor fellow can't be trusted to run the woods for a while and back then when he was a student he had his friends who are fellow animagus run with him. Now though nearly all of them are gone and one is a traitor, Fawkes said the last statement was said with a tint of sadness in his voice. The eagle looked at him with questioning look, Fawkes is Lupin a werewolf? He asked and the phoenix nodded, well that should be no problem then he said, what do you mean? Asked the phoenix, well I can help Lupin with his lycanthrope to the point where he would not be a danger and he wont infect anyone else if he bit anyone. He said and Fawkes was surprised, you can do that? Asked the phoenix, yes but we have to see him first as a wolf it would also be good training for the new Beastmasters. Don't worry the wolf will know who they are and thus not bring harm to them. Fawkes was reluctant at first but nodded his head, if you say so Sheroc with that he fluttered his wings and in a burst of flame vanished.
Sheroc watched as the phoenix went and flapped his wings before flying off.
Now to say that Dumbledore was surprised was an understatement but when Sheroc flew through the window he was even more surprised. "What brings you here this lovely night Sheroc?" he asked the eagle as he transformed into his human shape. "I came here because I was recently informed that you have a werewolf in your custody," he said, "Why yes a young Remus Lupin I believe," Dumbledore said, "Would it be possible to let him come to the training ground?" replied Sheroc, "What about the children?" Dumbledore said the twinkling in his eyes had gone down a notch, "They will be fine after all they are no longer human, they are Beastmasters and the wolf will know so by their scent." Sheroc said, "Really?" said Dumbledore, "Yes so I suggest refraining from giving him that potion until after I speak to the wolf," he said and Sheroc turned to leave. "I will inform my potion's master then," Dumbledore replied as the eagle flew out the window.
"I sure do hope you know what you are doing Sheroc," he said
TBC
