Chapter six – Protector of the Small
One year later…
A very nervous owl flew through the trees of the Ancient Forest. Every shadow was a new predator, watching, waiting. The owl reached a clearing where an unusual sight met him, a human was wrestling with a wolf, the wolf was winning, but only just. He hooted to get the attention of the two. The human and wolf stopped and looked up as the owl landed beside them. "It's a letter," said the human, "by the look of it it's from Dumbledore." The wolf growled and motioned to the letter and the human removed it from the owl, who promptly flew away.
The recently named Terje, or Sai to the forest animals, opened the letter and read it through. When he started to get angry the lean black wolf beside him put a paw on his leg. Terje looked at the wolf, called Torsten or Blade, and said, "Blade, he's asking a favour, h wants you to discuss it with your pack, and asks will your mother spare some of the Ancient wolves to help protect the school?"
I don't know, Sai, should we, replied Torsten, after what happened I'm not sure we can trust him.
"I suppose all we can do is ask the Pack."
Yes, agreed Torsten, let's go then. The two rushed into the trees, the human only a little bit behind the wolf.
When Terje and Torsten reached the clearing, the wolves looked up and wagged their tails in greeting, but their tails drooped again when Torsten threw back his head and howled an urgent note. An important meeting was to be held, and the whole pack was to be there. The wolves gathered as Torsten explained the situation to his mother and father. His mother, as reigning Alpha of the Pack, held the meeting.
It has come to our attention, she said, that the Headmaster of the school Hogwarts, wishes us to send several wolves to help protect the school. Our meeting today is about whether or not we send any of our Pack to help protect the children. I personally hate the Headmaster, but the souls we will help save will be nothing more than children, the oldest of them have not even seen three of our years. Now if you wish to speak, stand up.
Several wolves stood up and each argued why they should, or shouldn't send wolves to help. Finally everyone was done and Hunter then called, any who are opposed to sending wolves stand up. They stood up and were counted, it was less than half the pack. Then it is decided, we will send wolves, who will go?
I will go. Came a voice from her left, Torsten flicked his tail and walked forward.
I will go. Terje joined him.
I will go. Devaki stepped forward.
I will go. Duo trotted over.
I will go. Mariko Skipped into place.
Just before Hunter was about to confirm a new voice rose up. I will go. It was Cahira, someone who had hated Torsten when he first came to the pack. Someone has to keep an eye on the young ones, and I'm older than all of them.
Hunter nodded and said, Very well, you all will go, set out tomorrow, at dawn, but for now, we hunt. And hunt they did.
The next day, at dawn like they were instructed, the group of six set out for the school. Torsten was the leader, being an Alpha himself. After a few hours of walking and trotting, they reached the borders of the school.
Okay, said Torsten, It's about midday so they should be eating, why don't we give them a little scare? The wolves around him grinned, it was going to be fun. They walked up to the school and sneaked through the doors. The doors to the Great Hall were shut and they wolves looked at each other, then at Terje. Terje grinned and let out a howl, but the howl was different from a wolf's, it was the howl of a werewolf, and the teachers would know this. The wolves burst through the doors and stopped dead, they were at the wand point of every teacher there. They looked around and saw the students cowering under tables, then they looked at each other, and promptly burst into wolf-laughter. A human's laugh joined them as Terje walked into the hall as well. "Hello Albus, sorry about that, it was just a bit of fun," he said, walking up to the Headmaster.
"Fun! Fun! You think that was Fun!" He thundered. Terje appeared to think on it as the wolves finally stood up then said in a serious voice, "Why yes, yes I do," which then sent the wolves into another round of laughter.
"Only gone a year, and you've picked up their sense of humour," replied the Headmaster scathingly. The smile faded from Terje's face. "I am one of them now, Headmaster, and if I were you I wouldn't insult those who have come to help you."
"These are the wolves sent."
"Yes, all of them very capable warriors. I believe it is time for introductions then. Headmaster you know Blade," Torsten stepped forward, "Well these Ancients are a part of his pack. There's Battle," Cahira joined Torsten, "and Ethic," Duo stepped forward, "Darkness,"
Devaki stepped up, "Ring," Mariko trotted forward, "and I am Sai."
"Sai? Isn't that a sword, and what do you mean it's your name? Your name is Remus."
"Not anymore Headmaster, I joined the pack, so I got a Pack-name, I don't answer to Remus anymore, and yes, it is a sword. Now if you would introduce your staff."
"Of course, At the far end is Professor Snape, then Professor Vector, Professor Hagrid, Professor Sinistra, Professor Flitwick, then on my other side we have Professor McGonagall, Professor Tonks, Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout and Madam Hooch." Each of the professors inclined their heads as their names were said, except for Tonks who waved energetically.
Torsten let out a low growl-bark. "He says hello," translated Terje, Torsten let out a dragging low bark-whine, "and he hopes to get to know you all better."
"Well, Blade," piped up Tonks, "I for one certainly want to get to know you, it might be interesting to have a wolf as a friend." She sneezed and her hair turned green. Torsten stared for a moment, then let out a wolf-laugh. He let out a series of growl-howls. "He says it will be interesting having a curious Human such as yourself as a friend," said Terje, "and he would like to talk some time in future."
"Glad to," replied Tonks, "so what are you going to do here?" Torsten sobered, he quickly voiced a series of sharp commanding barks to his friends. They all nodded and moved to cover all of the entrances. He turned to Terje and let out a few questioning barks. Terje turned back to the headmaster, "He wants to know if there are any secret passages leading out of the school, as all of them need to be covered."
"There are a few, yes, and if you're in doubt, just ask the Weasley twins, I believe they have a certain… map of yours Sai."
"They have THAT map, wicked, where are they?"
"The twin redheads at the Gryffindor table." Terje practically skipped over to the named table, and the twins.
"You have the Marauder's Map?" He question, he tone leaving no room for lies (the same one he used with the new cubs).
"Yep!" They chorused.
"Can I perhaps have it? Please?"
"Well… I suppose," they replied and held out a ratty piece of parchment. Terje quickly grabbed it and cradled it like a small child, the students staring at him like he was mad (which he was). Torsten gave a questioning bark. Terje looked up, "Oh sorry Blade, this is the Marauder's Map." Torsten barked again. "It is not just a ratty piece of parchment, it's part of my legacy, Mine and James's, and Sirius's, and Peter's." Torsten barked again, amused. "Oh hush you overgrown mutt, remember I'm your Beta, that means I get to hit you over the head when you're being annoying." Torsten snorted and turned his tail on him. "Why you… Why do I even put up with you?"
The twins decided to interrupt at this point. "So…" they said, "which one are you?"
"Huh?" Terje replied, "oh, I'm Moony." Torsten snorted again. "Quiet, I'm still older than you, you know." Torsten just snickered.
"Well, I'm sure you want to get settled, we have provided rooms, unless you wish to stay on the borders of the forest?" Asked Dumbledore. Torsten shook his head and voiced a few barks, then, as an afterthought, let out a few more. "He says no, it would be better to stay inside the castle, but he asks to see the common-rooms tomorrow," translated Terje once again.
"Certainly, my dear boy, that can be arranged, will you take your meals with us?" Torsten looked around and asked his pack-mates. They thought and each replied it would be for the best. Torsten nodded at the Headmaster. "Excellent, I will show you to your rooms now, if that is okay." Torsten nodded once again, they had eaten on the way to the castle. "Very well," replied the Headmaster, "follow me."
The wolves surveyed their surroundings, picking up small details that would be useful in finding their way back to the Great Hall. Eventually they reached a portrait of a forest clearing filled with unicorns. "Lightning Bolt," said the Headmaster, and the portrait swung open. Torsten looked at him curiously. "The animals are there so you can access the rooms, they will understand your language, and I thought the password was fitting as it's the meaning of your name." Torsten nodded and they entered the rooms to find…
Sticks tongue out hehe, thought I'd be evil today, might as well make you people suffer as well, as I'm sick yet again, ugh.
Well, review questions-
Snuffles- Harry is actually a Beast-speaker, which will be revealed later.
Nix- three words – I Hate Dumbledore. Nuff said.
About Torsten returning, You'll just have to wait and see.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I'll try to update as soon as possible.