Chapter eight – The Importance of Being Alpha

It was breakfast time at Hogwarts and the students and teachers were all in the Great Hall. Some of them were wondering where the strange wolves were when the doors to the Great Hall opened and instead of three wolves and a human led by a black wolf, a large white wolf led in the others. The black wolf called Blade was missing. "Ah, welcome lady," said Dumbledore, standing up, "where is Blade today?" Hunter let out a low growl and a bark, holding her tail boldly erect. "She says it's none of your business," said Terje, "and I am inclined to agree with her." Unlike with the black wolf, Terje stood near the back. He may be a Beta in Torsten's Pack, but he certainly wasn't in Hunter's.

Dumbledore looked taken aback for a moment then said, "Well, may I at least know the lady's name. Hunter sniffed disdainfully and voiced a small grunt. "She says I may tell you," replied Terje, "though I do not wish to. Her name is Hunter."

"Hunter, a beautiful name for a beautiful wolf, my dear," replied Dumbledore. Hunter just snorted and walked to where a small, low table was set up. As soon as she sat down, all sorts of cooked and raw meats appeared on the table. She raised a brow and looked at the Headmaster, who just raised his goblet to her and smiled. Hunter shook her head, snorted and started to eat. The other wolves hung back until Hunter raised her head and beckoned them over, they may have been in a different place, but she was still Alpha. After breakfast was over, Dumbledore walked over with four other people.

"Ah, my dear, will you and your friends be inspecting the school now?"

Hunter just looked at Terje, turned and walked out of the hall. Dubledore looked at Terje, puzzled. "That means ask me, and yes we will," replied Terje, "Torsten will inspect the Slytherin common-rooms later."

"Of course, my dear boy," replied Dumbledore, his cheerfulness almost sickening to the wolves, "Severus, you may go to your class then." The sneering Professor swept out of the hall, shooting a small glare at the Headmaster. "The other teachers behind me are the heads of the houses, Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor, Professor Sprout is head of HufflePuff and Professor Flitwick is head of Ravenclaw."

"Alright, Ring go with Professor Sprout to the HufflePuffs, Ethic with Professor McGonagall, Battle with Professor Flitwick, and can someone show Darkness around the classrooms?"

"Of course, I will be happy to escort Miss. Darkness around the school. Do you wish for me to show the library as well?"

"Yes," replied Terje, "and the kitchens and all the greenhouses, please."

"Of course let us go." So everyone went their respective ways, with Terje going back up to the rooms they were given to plan the patrols, and think over what happen that morning.

That day, when everyone sat down for dinner two of the wolves were missing. Hunter had gone back home, and Torsten was still asleep when they checked. Half way into dinner, Torsten walked through the doors, yawning widely. He trotted up to the table his friends were at and started eating. One particular Gryffindor had been watching the wolves since they first came through the doors the night before, she wondered if the lean black wolf still remembered her, not that there was anything memorable about their meeting, but it would be nice if he did. Torsten looked up, he felt eyes on him, and he scanned the hall for any danger. His emerald green eyes locked on with soft chocolate brown eyes. Torsten's eyes widened for a moment in memory then he gave a joyful bark and bounced over to the curly-haired female who had scratched behind his ears the year before. He wondered if she would do it again. She gave a laugh as he licked her face and sat down, looking at her. "So you remember?" She asked. Torsten nodded his head and looked at her with wide puppy-dog eyes. She giggled and reached to scratch the spot behind his ear. The wolf immediately melted. Not that he meant to let his guard down, but it felt so good. The girl was laughing softly at the 'cloud nine' type expression on his face, he looked like he was in heaven. Terje laughed as he walked over, he knelt beside Torsten, whose tongue was now lolling out the side of his mouth. Torsten pulled his will together and removed his head from her scratching. He barked a question. "He wants to know your name." Translated Terje.

"Oh," replied the girl, "My name's Hermione." Torsten barked again.

"He says it suits you."

"Hmm, why?" Torsten barked cheekily a few times, and Terje smacked him across the head. "He says Hermione was the daughter of Helen of Troy, and was very beautiful." Hermione blushed and hit the wolf across the head herself. Torsten whined and rubbed his head with a paw, wolf-pouting. Hermione laughed and scratched him again. "Would you like to join me over here to eat?" She asked, she wanted to spend some time with this strange animal. Torsten nodded eagerly and bounded onto the open seat beside her, baking cheerfully. Torsten turned to Terje and barked a few times, Terje nodded and turned, walking back to the table where the other wolves sat. "Why didn't he join us?" Asked Hermione, watching him leave. Torsten looked at her, he had forgotten Humans didn't understand their ways. He thought about how to answer. He touched his paw to her head, thinking the answer. It's because I am Alpha, He is Beta, there is no real reason but when one pack joins another, only Alphas eat with the other Alpha's pack, it's confusing.

"Did you just…" Asked Hermione staring at him. Torsten let out a bark-laugh and nodded. "Wicked." Torsten just laughed again and started eating.

After dinner the Headmaster motioned for Torsten to stay. "Ah, Blade how nice of you to join us, I was wondering if you'd like that tour of the Slytherin common room now?" Torsten thought about it, he should really get it done as soon as possible. He nodded. "Excellent, Severus, would you show Blade there and stay until he's finished?" Asked the Headmaster, turning to Professor Snape. "Of course Headmaster," replied Snape tightly, "Follow me." They walked out of the hall and down a flight of stairs into the dungeons. A few corridors later and they came to a portrait of a tall man with black hair and an aristocratic air to him. "Password?" Asked the portrait.

"King Cobra," replied Snape. The portrait swung open and all noise from within stopped. Torsten walked in with his tail mid-level, showing authority but making no threat, until, "What's that mutt doing here?" The question came from a young blonde, he had a sneer on his face and was staring at Torsten with nothing less than utter loathing. Torsten bristled at the tone. "He is here, Mr. Malfoy, because the Headmaster has permitted the wolves to have tours of the common rooms, and the Slytherin common room was assigned to Blade here."

"That doesn't matter, he shouldn't be here now, he's seen it, he should go." Snape was about to reply when a growl came from beside him, the black wolf was furious. How dare this Human child talk this way to him, he may not be the same species, but he was still an Alpha. He walked towards the youth, tail and ears fully erect, teeth bared. The youth backed up a few steps then stood his ground. Torsten growled at the youth and barked, telling him to submit before he forced him to. He saw the boy go for his wand and jumped, knocking the boy to the floor, holding him there with his front paws. He growled again, telling the boy to submit. After fighting a bit the boy quieted, Torsten enclosed the boy's throat with his teeth gently and got off, tail and ears returning to normal. He walked back to the Professor, who was standing at the door looking slightly skeptical. "What was THAT!" He shouted. Torsten's ears and tail immediately went up and he growled a warning at the Professor. Professor or not, he was still only a Beta.

Snape, unlike Malfoy, backed down at once, then proceeded to show the wolf around the common-room. After they were finished Snape led Torsten out of the dungeons and left him in the entrance hall. Torsten was deep in thought as he trotted up to his rooms, the Malfoy boy was good at heart, in seemed, but something was herding him in the wrong direction, if he let it go on then he was sure the boy would join this 'Dark Lord' everyone was talking about, honestly what kind of name was Voldemort. Torsten sniggered and made up his mind, he would try to become the boy's friend. He quickly ducked into the pack's room to tell them he was going out for a bit then ran back downstairs and out the doors of the school.

Ack, sorry it's been so long, I've had the flu, third time I've been sick this month, and I had the dentist and the doctor to go to, I want to hurt something, it's been a bad few weeks. Anyway, reviews.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and for those questions:-

Greg – not just yet, but I'm hoping my mind will slot Torsten being revealed to everyone soon, as for house and friends, it sort of answers that in this chapter, I think Tor's been through too much to be a Gryffie, but Herm's smart enough to be Ravenclaw-esque sooo, yeah.

Herectic – would you believe me if I said I didn't exactly know? I think he's just going to talk with Tor and see his side of the story.

Evergreen – Ya know, those aren't bad suggestions, thanks I think you helped with the next chapter, after Tor gets back of course.