Chapter Six

"You can't defeat me, boy. I will never die." Voldemort enjoyed taunting his soon-to-be dead enemy despite the loss of his Inner Circle.

Sheik allowed Harry to return for a moment. His human understood this red eyed creature better. "Oh but you will. I've had help in discovering those seven pieces of your soul, Tom. Each one had been destroyed by Dumbledore or myself." He gently tapped a claw against his head, "Can't even use me. I willingly gave my entire soul to see you in Hell. I made sure you never returned to this land, ever."

Voldemort raged as he focused his wand upon the jeering boy, "You will die, boy! Crucio!"

Harry had known Voldemort would do something in return. As Remus had once said, Predator Hybrids had the ability to absorb most magical attacks, if they were prepared. /Go, Sheik! Show him who we really are./ Human and beast switched mental forms as their rival raised his wand for a second try. Voldemort never got the chance as the raging feline slammed into his chest. His screams echoed through the slowly dwindling battle as sharp teeth and claws tore through his flesh. Deep gouges poured his life's blood to the slick ground, adding to the remains from the fallen.

Sheik stood above his prey, body coated with dripping blood. His triumphant roar echoed, challenging the remaining Death Eaters and Dark allies. The Light members cheered as their enemy stood down, some escaping. But the disappearance of the bright moon worried the X-Men, forcing the werewolves to return to human. Sheik's head twisted, chest rapidly rising with each breath.

"Ah don' think it's safe, guys! Turn it off!" Rogue worried for Remus. Everything else was an illusion.

"Can't, Darlin'. Ain't allowed. I agreed to his rules." Logan never turned away his gaze, appreciating the feral creature below. The Wolverine shifted, eager to taste the blood.

"Harry?" Remus shook his head as he faced a feral Cub. The feline stepped closer. He understood. Sheik had cried out a challenge. The Order hadn't submitted to his roar. He fell to his knees, willingly showing his vulnerable throat. "Submit." The Order was confused but Remus had been the Second-in-command and his word was final. Each one slowly assumed the same poistion, all but one.

Severus Snape refused to bow like a common dog. He fought too hard to gain his freedom and Potter wasn't forcing him to give it up. Narrowed onyx stared into flashing silver, arms crossed as they faced off. Sheik snarled as the man refused to bow to him. If he wouldn't willingly, then Sheik would force him. Snape stood his ground as the creature raced his way. Inwardly he smirked as he readied his response. Just as Sheik dove forward for his throat, Snape rolled away and gracefully rose, holding a conjured weapon.

Sheik shook his head to clear away the pain from slamming into the ground. Silver eyes faced his challenger. Harry pushed forward, /Snape rather die than submit. He had submitted to two Masters and a demanding Father all his life. This is the first chance he's had to be free, to be his own man/. Harry took control of his body, "Snape?"

Severus relaxed marginally, "Potter. And the mangy feline?"

"Intrigued. Rather you live. I'm here to ensure that." Harry watched the usually controlled man lose face before nodding towards Logan.

Charles activated the com, "If you will, please see Hank." Both men were wearing tattered clothing and their own blood.

"Come, Cub, before you sneak away again." The team watched the two wizards slip away to the lab. Scott typed in a few commands, having Cerebro replay the scenario they had just witnessed.

"At least we know what they're capable of. I'm just not sure what we can do for them here. Obviously they've had training." Scott stared at the flashes of light and their results each time they hit their target. He had never seen powers nor thought they were possible. If their guests ever switched sides, he truly believed the X-Men and their allies wouldn't stand a chance. "What do we do with them, Sir?"

Charles pondered the answer, "I believe we should try to make them comfortable, especially Remus. If he does change with the full moon, then he might feel safe here at the Institute. I'm sure we are capable of keeping the children safe. We'll simply increase security duty those nights, keeping the children inside or have someone take the van or Blackbird to collect those out of grounds."

"What about Harry? He has the ability to become feral." Scott worried for their students. They came to the Institute in hopes of feeling safe and protected, to gain control over their powers. He wasn't about to make them feel unsafe, not if he could do something about it.

"It seems to me they have complete control. As a matter of fact, call the team to the war room. We'll discuss this there while Hank gives the two a complete physical." Charles floated away, leaving his son to prepare.

-----------------------------------War Room Meeting------------------------------------

"Unbelievable!"

"By the Goddess!"

Charles smiled as his older students had exclaimed their shock over the Danger Room session. None could perceive the possibilities their guests could perform. "Yes, it is amazing. And I'm sure we all have questions. That is why I had you all called here. I've already spoken about Remus' transformation with the full moon. If you are willing lengthen your nightly duties around those days, I believe we can create a safe haven for both students and Remus. I caught a few strands of memories that were unintentional. It seems Remus has been shunned for his ability to change only a couple days out of the month. People believed he was a dangerous creature even as human."

"What do we do?"

"I expect Rogue and Logan to keep a close eye around the woods, possibly patrol the borders. They will be able to sustain any damage the werewolf could cause. Ororo, Jean, and Warren can keep a close eye around the school. They can provide a quick barrier. Warren's wings are metal but to a werewolf they might remind him of silver." The team nodded at that. They remembered Hank murmuring about needing different supplies for Remus. He had used a needle engraved with silver and accidentally burned the man's arm. Remus had a bad reaction to the silver. Hank then had to use the adamantium needles, same ones that can pierce Rogue's invulnerable skin.

"The students?"

Charles nodded in Scott's direction. He was the one worried for them, despite the reassurances being taken for Remus. "Charles believes they should remain inside those nights. They should also be told why or at least what to expect if they wander outside those nights. And if any student has already left the grounds, they will take a communicator with them. When they are ready to return, one of us will collect them to insure their safety. As I may worry about the children, I have thought of this. We possibly won't need tight security on the woods as we'll have a roaming werewolf and Logan, maybe even Harry."

"Speaking of Harry, what do we do with him? He is feral or at least part feline. His owl is lovely and protective of him." Ororo desired to learn more of the snowy owl. Earlier that night, she had been visited by the curious creature and hoped for another visit.

Before Scott or Charles could answer, Hank slipped inside. "One of the children said you were all here, possibly reviewing something. Remus has taken Harry to his room. He then wishes to stop by here."

"What have you learned during their exams?" Scott was determined to discover if either were trouble or dangerous.

Hank settled in his seat, opening one of the two folders he was carrying. "I've learned quite a bit." Glancing up, "This file belongs to Remus. Just remember you're causing me to possibly break my oath as a doctor." Scott nodded solemnly. "Remus had undergone some trouble times. His current appearance has changed since his arrival. I did find a few silver hairs and ragged scars despite is still young age. He did have an old photograph depicting his original appearance. Due to his constant transformations, Remus suffered physical strain. His scars are of his own doing. It seems, unless he takes a certain potion, he cannot control the wolf. Like Logan, he remembers very little from the transformation without the potion. As he also put it, Remus was shunned by his community. Never allowed to have or hold a job, especially if they found out he was a werewolf. He suffers the pain of his body twisting from human to wolf and wolf to human. Through school he had to hide what he was or he could have been executed."

The team gasped, stunned that a community would try killing one of their members just because he changed once a month. Then again, their society was trying to eliminate mutants or control them because they were different. "Did he say how he became a wolf?" Logan questioned their curiosity. He had gotten his metal through lab techniques. He wondered if it could be the same for Remus.

"He has a deep scar upon his right hip in the shape of ripping teeth, as if an animal grabbed him and was forced to let go. Remus said it happened when he was a small child. He had gone outside during a full moon, not realizing the danger. His parents and neighbors came running when he started screaming when this wolf snatched him. The wolf had been attacked by the neighbors while his father yanked him to safety. They didn't take him to a hospital, simply used their own medical knowledge to clean and bandage the wound. They knew that their government could possibly take the child away and execute him before his first transformation. Any time a werewolf bites their victim and it survives, they will become a werewolf the next full moon. So far, there is no cure but several Potions Master," here Hank shared their confusion, "created potions to control their feral beast during transformations and to ease the pain of changing."

"Potions Master? Would that be some type of scientist?" Hank shrugged. Scott filed the question away in his mind to ask Remus later. "Alright then, would you consider Remus dangerous to remain here during the full moons?"

"No. Not with the right precautions. Remus used to lock himself in a spelled shack or cage to contain himself. Or if he was outside, he had several friends join him in what he called Animagus forms, their ability to become an animal at will. His friends would keep the werewolf under control, pretending to be a pack and keeping him contained within the woods. But after the deaths of his friends, one of which was Harry's father and the other his Godfather, he would keep himself in a cage made with silver bars to keep the wolf inside. If we can guarantee in keeping Remus deep within the woods and the children inside at night, then he won't be dangerous. But he did mention that Harry had been learning how to make this potion to control his beast. They just need to find out if there are similar ingredients and if it would work."

"Work on that project with them, Hank." The blue doctor nodded, scribbling down that notation of curiosity. He had been hoping to learn more of this potion business they kept mentioning. "But what about Harry?"

Hank opened the second file. "Their background is confusing. I'm hoping that with time we can learn more and it could help me understand who they are. I had compared their DNA samples when I drew blood last time. They have a similar genes, which I believe is what they call magic. They both can perform the same magical tricks but at different levels. Harry's casting is more devastating than Remus. That leads me to believe he is powerful, almost at an Omega level. And if his magic was an Alpha level close to tipping Omega then the mixture of magic with his beast pushed him into Omega."

"Oh praise the Goddess, he's that powerful!" Hank nodded at Storm's cry. "We can't let our enemies turn him!"

"There's more, my dear Windrider. I rechecked Harry's blood once more. He has much in common with a regular cat, more along the lines of a lion. His blood is also similar to Sabertooth's." This caused them all to freeze.

"In what way? Were they lying about a different time?"

"I don't believe so, Scott. Sabertooth and Harry have feline attributes, both physical and mental. Harry can turn his nails into unbreakable claws. The problem is this; his claws are much like Logan's. They can cut through almost anything but when it comes to metal, Harry employs his magical ability to back his slashing."

"That would explain how the kid tossed ol' Creed into a wall."

"Yes, it does, Logan. Harry agreed that the stronger he feels, the more powerful his magic, especially if it follows with his physical fighting. As I mentioned, Harry shares much with felines. His entire skin is covered with a very fine layer of gold fur, which wouldn't be noticed unless you actually touch him. He even has his own tail, elongated canines, and a set of cat ears. But as far as he knows, he's not a feral. He's what's called a Predator Hybrid. Almost like a werewolf; a human infected with animalistic behavior. Unlike Remus without the potion, Harry remembers what happens when he lets his beast free. But Remus mentioned there was more to a Hybrid than their community learned, something about being a true Hybrid. Harry's not sure upon that either."

"Basically Harry has a beast inside him and has yet to learn all he can do with that form?" Hank nodded. "Why do I get the feeling there's more?"

"Because there is, Scott. I found that Harry also possesses the ability to heal quickly as long as he hasn't tired himself. Not only that, he can heal himself with a simple word or potion. Both men can. They agreed that their innate magical ability allows them to heal quicker but Harry can heal deep wounds within seconds that would take a day or two for Remus. I've also learned that Harry's beast is rare in their community because of what it can do. I believe they were hunted and killed because Predator Hybrids were known to be vicious killers."

Scott frowned, "Remus isn't dangerous if we take the right precautions. But to learn we have a mutant with various abilities and hiding a feral can be as dangerous as Logan during his rages or Sabertooth during a rampage. How do we protect the children from Harry should he ever lose his temper?"

"A Predator Hybrid was feared in our world. Thought to be Dark Creatures bent on destruction. What little the scholars could learn didn't ease our world's fear. Predator Hybrids are possessive beings of pride, territory, and self. They are vengeful and terrifying should their pride be threatened. They will defend their pride to the death. To them, their territory and their bodies are nothing without their pride." Remus leaned in the doorway, eyeing the X-Men. "Despite what little we learned, the Ministry created Hunters. These Hunters had destroyed entire prides, not caring whom they eliminated. Instead of giving them quick and merciful deaths, the Hunters tortured the women and children, forcing the men to watch as they were captured. The only ones to have survived the massacres were the Ancients. Through the centuries the Ancients never forgot, they created more of their kind and tortured families involved with the Hunters. Like the Hunters did to their women and children, the Ancients had tortured the innocent. To Predator Hybrids, children were the most sacred of life, more sacred than the womb of the mother. It was rare for a victim to survive an attack by a Hybrid but to breed a child between two Hybrids and have it survive was just as rare. They became what was called Shapeshifters."

"Remus! I-I'm sorry, I didn't..."

Remus waved away the apology. "It's only right. I can understand. The Ministry wanted to be able to keep our communities safe as well but just didn't understand there were better ways than execution. But Harry won't. He already fears who and what he is, to hear you discuss him being a danger would cause him to flee."

"We weren't..." Jean's concerns to explain were cut off.

"This is my Cub we're talking about. His entire life had him believing he was the cause of every death in the war. We came from a war-torn world, just ending the battle between Dark and Light. Harry will do whatever it takes to protect someone. He's tried distancing his friends at one time because they had been targets for knowing him. He already tried committing suicide by going after his Godfather's murderer. He blamed himself for Sirius' death and those of everyone who died."

"Oh, dear. I didn't know. Is he..."

"He's fine, Hank. It's taken time for him to understand he can't protect everyone. That the only thing he could do was to stop the man responsible and his followers from ever claiming more innocent lives. I believe that was, why he was chosen by an Ancient. Harry believes that children should be safe and never harmed. He'd rather see himself hurting than a child. And if he heard your belief that he could harm a child, Harry will disappear."

Jean gave a comforting smile, "I'll keep Scott on a tight leash. I'm sure Betsy will do the same with Warren. Both worry for the children."

"Thank you. Just try being yourselves around him. Don't lie to him. He'll learn the truth somehow. Just let him in on the preparations you will create for my stay during the full moon. He'll give you ideas on how to keep the children feeling safe, even against himself."

----------------------Mansion at Night-----------------------

The night had quieted around midnight, allowing emerald eyes to flutter open. Harry growled, "Remus." His Guardian had once again drugged him to sleep most of the day away.

"Hoo." Hedwig had fluttered to a stop by his pillow with a freshly caught mouse.

"Hey, girl." She cooed beneath his touch. "Find a new friend?" Warm gold eyes blinked, coyly hiding her amusement, he chuckled in response. "I see. She treat you well?" A reproachful stare, "I'll be sure to ply her with your favorite treats. That is if I should meet her." Hedwig gave a gently hoot before crunching down on her mouse.

"Y' understand her?" Remy had slipped from his room to the roof and down to Harry's windowsill, watching with interest as the boy and his bird talked.

Harry gave an encouraging smile, "Yes. As we said before, she's my familiar. Also was my first friend."

"Oh." Then a coy smile crossed the Cajun's features, "And Remy not?"

"I'm sure you're heartbroken." Hedwig swallowed the last of her snack, fluttering her wings. "Oh, I thought there was only one." Remy tilted his head, watching closely as Harry continued to speak to the lovely owl. "Is he friendly?" She cooed, "Yes, I agree. Perhaps I shall meet with them another day. You enjoy your hunting."

Remy jumped lightly into the room after Harry carefully pushed him aside, allowing Hedwig to fly into the night sky, "She be makin' friends?"

"Yes. Do you run?"

Remy blinked slowly, "Remy play tag wit' de Wolverine."

"Is he awake?" Harry really wanted to run through the woods but not by himself. If he could get Remy or Logan to play, he'd get a better sense of his Predator instincts.

"Prowlin' de grounds."

"Come on." Harry dove out his window, glad he had magically enlarged it for such an occurrence. Remy rushed to the edge, staring down as Harry twisted in feline grace, landing on his feet. Emerald eyes glanced upwards, "You coming or not?"

Remy sighed in relief, his heart slowly falling into a steady rhythm, "Oui." He carefully dropped to the ground, barely making a sound. "We be findin' him near de forest."

Logan had been strolling the perimeter just at the edge of the wood line, deeply inhaling upon his cigar. Logan, the security's cleared. Scott's set the alarms. Angel and Rogue will be doing fly by's tonight.

Thanks, Jeannie.

Welcome. Oh! You have company coming your way. Scott noticed our two felines sneaking around the mansion on one of the cameras.

Probably out fer a run. Night, Jeannie. Logan stubbed out his cigar, opening his senses to find the two wayward feline inclined mutants. Let's play, boys. He loped into the woods, deliberately breaking some of the underbrush before hiding.

Harry and Remy appeared moments later, "He was just here. Looks like he wants to play."

Remy grinned, "Remy take de trees. You take de ground. Logan can' catch both." Harry nodded, waiting for the Cajun to leap upwards and swing away. Then inhaling deeply, he smiled at the lingering scent of pine and cigar. With his own feral grin, Harry silently rushed inside. Watching from his hiding spot, Logan grinned, Let's play, and loped after them.