Chapter twelve – An Illusion of Peace
It had been a month since the attack on Hogwarts, and the majority of the school was at peace. The wolves spent most of their time outside, playing with the students. One day Torsten and Devaki decided to join one of the Big Man's (Hagrid's) classes on magical creatures. When they got there the students were twittering with excitement. Ginny Weasley happened to be in this class so the two made their way over to her. She greeted them quickly then turned her attention back to an empty paddock. Torsten made a questioning noise to which Ginny gave a reply that shocked the two wolves – Hagrid was bringing in unicorns from the forest for the class. Torsten and Devaki looked at each other. The unicorns and the wolves of the forest had a pact with one another - if either of any species saw another of the other species either being captured or in confinement, they would help. A rustle in the bushes brought the attention of the wolves back to the paddock; Hagrid was leading in two unicorns, one white and the other an almost unheard of black, who looked strangely familiar.
Torsten let out a loud, excited bark and rushed towards the two unicorns. The unicorn's heads shot up and they voiced loud neighs. They broke out of Hagrid's grasp and the four animals rushed towards one another. They greeted each other and each explained why they were here. The wolves outlined their assignment and the unicorns explained the agreement they had with Hagrid. The unicorns had agreed that they would allow Hagrid to show them to his classes in exchange for a ban being placed on the forest unicorns that stopped tail hairs or horns being taken forcefully. Hagrid taught his class while the two unicorns were caught up on the events that had taken place at Hogwarts in the past year – including Torsten's capture. Needless to say Hagrid was interrupted many time by indignant neighs. All four had a good laugh as the unicorns explained trying to get Dumbledore to explain the bargain they wanted to make, and all four were sober as the wolves recounted the battle. Eventually the class ended and the two wolves left for lunch.
When they arrived in the Great Hall they immediately brought the other wolves up to date about Dusk (the black, male unicorn) and Dawn (the white, female unicorn). Torsten was great friends with the two, and they often commented on the fact that the White Moon pack leaders (Hunter and Ink) and the Silver Leaf herd leaders (Dawn and Dusk) were so similar. Both black males were calmer and more collected than their white, female counterparts, and both females were motherly beyond the extreme. After lunch all the wolves rushed outside to play with the unicorns and they were soon engaged in races and mock fights. The unicorns requested one of Torsten and Devaki's mock fights, as both were good actors and put on a brilliant show. The two looked at each other, nodded and walked so they were ten paces away from each other.
Torsten and Devaki bowed to one another, looking each other in the eye. Then, with an unspoken agreement they leapt at each other, Devaki going under Torsten and grabbing his back leg. Torsten rolled onto his back as soon as he landed and kicked Devaki in the snout. Devaki let go with a grunt and backed off slightly as Torsten got to his feet, circling. Torsten jumped for Devaki as soon as he was stable and caught her by the throat, but was nearly slashed by her front dewclaw so he let go. Devaki pounced on him, knocking him onto his back, but he used his back legs to push her off. Devaki slammed into a tree where Torsten grabbed the back of her neck and dragged her away from it. Devaki struggled but she couldn't get free so she let out a defeated howl and let Torsten close his teeth over her throat. Then the two stood and faced the unicorns and bowed. The unicorns expressed their delight vehemently. The wolves and unicorns talked until dusk then the wolves invited the unicorns inside for dinner. They agreed and the eight friends trotted inside, Terje closing the large door after them. The students seemed surprised as the unicorns joined them and gave the wolves ample opportunity to snatch bowls of salad for the unicorns as they passed. Each unicorn also snatched an apple each. Then they all sat down to dinner at the wolves' table. After dinner the wolves invited the unicorns up to their rooms. The unicorns agreed and the night was spent recalling tales of younger years.
The next day was a Hogsmeade visit so the wolves were up early to supervise the students. Everyone was having a good time when, halfway through the visit, an enormous bang sounded and the screams began. The wolves immediately ran to the scene and saw the streets already lined with bodies Torsten stepped forward a few paces but stopped when he stepped on something. He looked down and saw red. It was a doll, in the hand of a young girl, no more than five. He snarled and barked at the wolves to get the people out, he would take care of the Death Eaters. The wolves looked at him, hesitating but moved when he barked at them to get moving, they wouldn't want to see this. He stalked up to where the Death Eaters were crowded around a group of students and villagers. The screams were deafening. He let out a howl, blood chilling and long. The Death Eaters turned to him and laughed when they saw it was a single wolf. They started to turn their backs on him when Torsten howled again and started to glow. A bright white light surrounded him and when it faded he looked the picture of majesty. His wings were unfurled and his silver fangs glistened in the fading light. His claws scraped the dirt as he walked slowly towards the Death Eaters. Eventually they put their victims in front of them and Torsten howled for the wolves to come. They arrived and, ignoring the fearful glances of the Death Eaters, got the victims out. When the street was clear Torsten started to walk towards the Death Eaters again, taking slow deliberate steps. When Torsten was about twenty paces away one of the Death Eaters yelled out a killing curse. Torsten just let out a wolf-laugh that ended in a slightly maniac tone. He snarled and fire erupted around his paws, black as his fur, and his wings seemed to turn to metal. His feathers hardened and sharpened as he resumed his course. The Death Eaters were torn between fear of Voldemort, who would torture them, and fear of this wolf, who would probably kill them quickly. They decided that dying quickly, while having a chance of winning, was better than being tortured with no chance of survival. So the Death Eaters stepped forward instead of backwards and raised their wands, shooting off either the Cruciatus or Avada Kedavra. Torsten just laugh again, fire erupting to block the spells. He howled again, whipping his tail in circles. He rose up and smacked his still-flaming paws on the ground, completing the spell. A loud roaring came from behind the Death Eaters. They turned and, upon seeing what was there, promptly ran in the opposite direction, right into Torsten's flaming claws. He cut down the fleeing Death Eaters, letting the large tornado he had conjured take care of the rest. Finally after nearly fifteen minutes of bloodshed the tornado disappeared and Torsten stood in the middle of the street covered head-to-toe in blood and panting. He looked around at the blood-splattered windows and the burnt doors and sighed. So much for peace and quiet.
Kk people, sorry this is a bit late, but a lot has been going on. I don't know when my next update is going to be since I start my exams next week an I'll be revising. Which reminds me, thanks to everyone who wished me luck, and again to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate both. Kk reviews…
Helkardowen – Sorry I don't know any more, and if I have time I'll do that.
Sweet as lemonz – I suppose I should have explained that, the black letters were students being informed of a family members death.
Bluefire – He is going to change back eventually, but I'm not sure when or if there'll be a pairing, and Harry is an Animagus of a sort, so none of the other wolves can, I don't think. I really have no idea where this story is going so… who knows.
Lilyseyes – It's wolf-magic. Ancient wolves are so in tune with nature that they're able to harness the power of the elements themselves. Ok, maybe no H/G but I really don't like H/Hr, they seem too brother/sister to me.
Evergreen – Okay, get ready for a ramble. You already asked me the question about retaining the powers in human form, I answered in Chapter ten about the powers being so ingrained that they were now a part of him, so yes. The reason that the killing curse doesn't work on the wolves is because the wolves aren't just magical creatures, they are a part of magic and nature itself, so magic can't harm, or help, them. Finally, no. Harry's will to be like his friends and parents forced his magic to accept the Ancient form as not only an Animagus form, but as a part of who he is.