Chapter Ten

Harry was traveling alone through the jungle when two strange scents wafted past his sensitive nose. Just over a year ago Mama Rhea had given Harry another lesson, this one about natural Animagi. A natural Animaguswas a shadowy creature that chose its human counterpart. Once chosen the two would merge as one being with two separate entities inside the human's head. The two would act as one being, sharing senses, skills, and memories but could separate themselves whenever they wished.

Harry had been chosen by an ancient being called aDire Wolf. The entity had once belonged to the Underworld as a Guardian of the Dead, named Charon. And he had willingly merged with his entity.

At any time the two could change shape within a blink of an eye, never having to wait until the entire body merge into each part. Harry quite enjoyed beingfree as the entity roamed through the jungle without a care in the world. He also enjoyed learning of the lifetimes the entity had lived through long before he had been sentenced to his position as Charon and hadlived through after he was permitted to leave such a prestigiousposition.

But once again a tiny breeze, giving him only a few seconds to cool down from the steamy morning around him, brushed by his nose, giving him another noseful of strange scents. Harry frowned as he tried to decipher the smell of freshly turned soil and something bitter contrasting with the smell of moonlight nights and longtime illness.

Deep within his mind Charon, as he began to continually called the entity, growled possessively. This was his jungle now. He owned it by rights with the Amazonians and Anacondas. Besides he was on his way to see the two oldest Anacondas, who happened to be myths in their own right since the outside world of Muggle Science claimed that Anacondas couldonly grow about 30 feet long. But these two were over 50 feet long, as well as the two parents of almost every Anaconda of old age.

And he wasn't about to lose his 'family' to some strangers. It was time to let Charon out to play. Within a blink of an eye a very large, compact muscular wolf appeared with silvery gray and black fur. Greenish gold eyes lazily rolled about as the long snout pointed upwards. Sharp fangs peered out from curled lips as Charon dared to grin.

He got a deeper sense of his two invaders. Both males, one seemed to be a creature of rank, an alpha, while the other seemed to be drenched in a power struggle of shadows. He could feel his mortal counterpart's curiosity. He, too, was very, very curious.

With that in mind Charon began a lazy loping in the direction of his invaders, but beginningquite carefully to mask his scent and approach. His sensitive hearing could follow the low conversation about a foot away.

"Great landing, Lupin." Keen eyes watched as a tall, pale male dressed in black rosegracefully to his feet, brushing aside the few bits and pieces clinging to his clothing.

Another male hurried to his feet, long honey hair liberally streaked with silver and eyes flashing feral. To Charon it meant this mortal was hiding a creature deep within his blood. Quite right, my dear friend. His mortal companion readily agreed. He knew these men and trusted them but knew Charon was in absolute control.

"We haveyet to find Harry, Severus. This was the last place on the list. We've got no other choice since no one has ever been able to apparateor even port-key this far into a forest."

Time to meet our new 'friends.' And have a little fun, yes? Both human and entity mentally laughed as a low vibrating growl erupted, "Grrr." Severus immediately froze, his slight scent of acrid fear raced through their sensitive nose.

"Say that was you, Lupin."

The other carefully shook his head, using his own enhanced senses to find the creature hunting them. "No, Severus." Tawny eyes peered deeply into the shadows around them as one seemingly began to dance. They widened as the sunlight slowly poured over their hunter, swallowing, "Wrong wolf."

Severus slowly turned in the direction Lupin was facing. Just before them, about a good half foot leaping distance, was a very large creature. A creature currently snarling and having no problem showing his deadly fangs behind curled lips. Fur stood straight up as the creature began stalking even closer.

"Don't move." Remus recognized the features of the large wolf before them. They were believed to be mythical creatures, more likely extinct since many writings could be found including such animals than pictures. "It's a Dire Wolf. More dangerous than a werewolf."

Severus slightly trembled. His panickingmind recalled the one night he had met up with a werewolf, fearful for his life before he had been saved. But to hear this creature was worse, more dangerous, made him wish he never bothered helping to find the Potter boy. Remus could smell the fear layering Severus' usual scent of potions. He knew even if they tried to get away, Severus would remain stock-still, an easy target for their current hunter. And that was something he couldn't afford. Therefore, he quickly placed himself in front of the trembling Professor, effectively drawing the attention of the Dire Wolf.

Charon was curious. The creature-man had cut off his path to the sweet target of fear. He wondered why. And within seconds he had an answer. The creature-man had thescent of a pack animal when Charon grew closer. It was protecting a member of its pack, even if said member wasn't bearingany marks to prove his rank, meaning the male was either a temporary member or adopted into the pack. And he knew all about protecting pack members, or simply protecting his territory.

With that knowledge he lowered his raised hackles, allowing the snarl to die to a low vibrating whimper before sitting upon his haunches, curiously staring at the two confused males before him. But his attention diverted to the shadows around him when the scents of his pack surrounded them. He gave off a low whine, alerting them tohis presence and dominance. His pack lowered their defenses slightly, but not by much, content to let their leader take charge.

And take charge he did. Charon merged back with his mortal, allowing their shape to lengthen vertically, until a young man stood before the shocked Professors. "Harry!"

The young man staring back at the two shocked Professors simply smirked, head tiltedin canine curiosity. "And you've entered my territory, why?"

Remus frowned but didn't budge from his protective stance before Severus. "Territory?"

Emerald eyes focused onthe shadows behind the two males, staring at his tensed pack members. "Follow me." He turned away, not really caring if the two didn't follow. They would come sooner or later, especially when several armed natives pounced, natives that were specifically armed against magical intruders.

"Harry! The alert came!" Mama Rhea rushed to her charge's side, pausing briefly in confusion as the warriors trailedbehind two strangers at a slow and hidden pace.

Harry tipped his headin respect to the woman, "Yes. Charon had found them. We shall take it from here. They are from the past."

No one had to ask much more since they understood already. Harry had mentioned that he believed someone would come searching for him to return. He had already made plans to return to his old life, ready to lay the dark to rest.