Chapter 2

"Alpha" Percy's eyes snapped open from the light doze that he had been having in the corner of his cell. The voice had come from Aaron. Percy looked to the man who had a slightly nervous look in his eyes. That put Percy on edge himself.

Percy took a deep breath through his nose, scenting the air as his eyes looked around for a possible threat. As the scents were recognised he realised the reason for the nerves that the Beta in the next cell was displaying on his face. There were the normal smells of dirt and sweat radiating from the two betas. There was the smell of the ministry guards, milling about; some eating lunch, others chatting amongst themselves; all not doing the work that they were supposed to.

However there was a scent there that was not like the others. It had a sharp tang to it, that made Percy's nose itch and left a bad taste in his mouth. Anger. It originated from several men who were seemingly proceeding closer toward the cells. Percy exhaled, before breathing once again. Their progression was getting steadily closer. Closer toward the three stilled figures; trapped behind bars.

Soon enough the door at the end of the corridor was slammed open and the two men that reeked of anger powered through it. Percy tensed and looked with suspicion at the two men. One pulled a set of keys from his pocket as well as his wand. A magical prison meant magical locks. The second man removed his own wand as they both approached Percy's cell.

"Petrificus Totalus" The second man growled out, his nostrils flaring in obvious frustration. The spell hit Percy in the chest, forcing his body to thump to the floor. Even if he couldn't move it didn't stop the pain that radiated through his back and head as it connected with the stone.

Ignoring Percy's obviously uncomfortable position, the two men dragged him from the cell; forcing his unmoving body along the filthy stone floor.

"This is not our fucking job" one of the men muttered to themselves. The other snorted.

"It might not be, but what else are you supposed to do when the fucking Minister demands a task be carried out. She's not one that likes to be kept waiting." the man sneered. "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be fired, Rich."

Percy could do very little as he was dragged through the corridors of the ministry toward one of the courtrooms. He was pulled through a door with the number five emblazoned on it. His unresponsive body was manoeuvred into a chair that sat at the centre of the room. Straps were tightly and magically fastened around his wrists, ankles and neck. Now, even if he had the ability to move, would he be able to.

"Look at this piece of scum" the man, Rich, Percy believed he was called, spat. "Amazing how much shit such a mere animal can cause." The man looked at Percy like he was dirt on the bottom of his shoe.

"Yeah" the other man said with equal distaste. "Disgusting. But at least our job's done. Let's go. The others can deal with the mutt." With that the two left the room. Percy was left, restrained and hardly able to breath due to the paralysis spell still in place. He found himself once again cursing the prejudice of the society that was the wizarding world.

Several minutes passed, Percy remaining in the uncomfortable position, before people began to enter the room. Several members of the Wizengamot filtered in, some looking at Percy in visible distaste as they took their seats. Many of the audience seats were also filled. However it seemed that the ministry had been prepared for such an occurrence. Several guards had been placed around the entrance; guiding people to their seats.

Percy felt a spark of annoyance mingled with frustration as several people entered the room. He could only see them out of the corner of his eye. However he recognised their scents strongly. He was going to have harsh words with them if he ever got out of this less than optimum situation. The three that had entered were all members of Percy's pack. Victoria Mason, one of Percy's betas, was accompanied by Caspian Mitchell and Kaia Okereke. Victoria was definitely the member in charge of this outing. However Percy was glad that she had not taken another Beta along with her. The pack was already lacking their Alpha and three Betas. They couldn't afford anymore losses at the moment.

However Percy's attention was focused on another smell. One that was definitely wolf, however it was not one that he recognised. Percy was frustrated with the spell that held him in place, as he desired to discover the source of the smell. However was unable to find the person it originated from. Other than the fact that the mysterious wolf had entered behind him, he knew little else. It was extremely unusual for Percy to encounter a wolf he was unfamiliar with.

Percy's attention was once again changed as a silence spread across the room. It seemed that the minister had arrived. Percy had been placed so that he could look nowhere else as she arrived. For the first time in over twenty years Percy was met with the sight of Hermione Granger as she sat in the seat reserved for the leader of the wizarding world.

Percy felt a wave of magic run over him as a guard scuttled toward him before scuttling back. It was a relief to finally be able to wiggle his fingers and toes again. However Percy was able to do little else. As predicted the restraints were almost as demobilising as the spell itself.

"We are here today" the minister began "to judge the guilt of this man in the assault of one Simon Cook." Hermione's voice was neutral as she spoke. "However due to your lack of cooperation the man before you has been willing to give, we have little to no information on how the situation enfolded. Therefore it has been deemed appropriate by the Wizengamot that we allow the use of veritaserum in this case."

As the minister finished her words the same guard approached Percy, a vial in his hands. His fingers forced their way onto Percy's face, forcing the ginger's mouth open, pouring the clear liquid into it, before covering Percy's mouth and nose with his hand. Percy had no option but to swallow the liquid. A few seconds passed before the hand was removed. However Percy barely noticed. His mind was fuzzy, his head seemingly no longer put on straight.

"You are the Alpha werewolf of the UK pack, known as Marrok?" The Question pushed at Percy's brain. Forcing the answer out of him. He had no option but to respond truthfully.

"Yes"

"What is your real name?" Another question, by the same voice. Percy, in the back of his mind, knew that he did not want to answer the question. He knew that it was not something he wanted the non-werewolf community to know. However he had no option but to answer.

"Percival Ignatius Weasley" Percy couldn't hear, or at least did not fully recognise, the gasps and murmurs that filled the room at his response. He did, however, recognise the next question.

"Why did you attack one Simon Cook?"

"He's a rouge werewolf. We were to capture, punish and contain him. He had bitten a child. The punishment needed was harsher and more extreme." Percy's voice did not change over the course of the statement. The potion allowed him no display of emotion.

"Shit" was the mumbled response that greeted Percy's answer. Several members of the Wizengamot went pale, while others let out sighs of frustration. It seemed they had fucked up.

According to wizarding law the only situations that the Ministry could involve itself in, with regards to werewolves, were those that involved a member of another species. Werewolf politics were a separate matter entirely. If one werewolf were to kill or hurt another, the only authority that could control their actions was the man that sat before them, chained and under the effects of a truth serum. Many now feared the consequences of the unjustified imprisonment and arguable torture of the leader of the werewolves that resided in the British Isles.

"Give him the antidote."

Percy's mouth was once again forced open, this time with much more gentleness. Another liquid was poured down his throat; Percy swallowed. His mind quickly cleared, his eyes once again seeing more clearly and his senses returning to him.

Percy's eyes met with those of the minister.

"Now that your illegal use of veritaserum has come to a conclusion, I believe that these restraints are unnecessary." Percy was annoyed with the use of the truth serum. Such a method of interrogation had not been permitted since the final Death Eater had been jailed. It had not been something that Percy could have predicted. Unless the use of the potion allowed for the confirmation of guilt that was already nearing certainty, but the individual was unwilling to admit to their crimes, its use was illegal.

"Release him" the minister conceded.

The binds were quickly released, Percy stretching his neck and rubbing his wrists as he was. Percy stood from the chair, his level becoming closer to that of the seated minister. His eyes were hard and filled with fury.

"I believe that you have discovered what you wished to; more so in fact." Percy's voice echoed the haughty attitude that he had held in his youth. However, it now also held power that had been absent in his school days.

"You have unjustly held both myself and my betas. I would rather prefer that you release them without too much of a fight." Percy's blue eyes resembled ice with his words.

"Yes" Hermione responded "It seems that you are correct" With that Percy heard the door behind him open, footsteps quickly exiting.

"I believe that this trial is over." Hermione spoke again. "You are all free to go." With that the Wizengamot stood and retreated. Many needed to fix the damages that word of the catastrophe that the trial had been would have to their reputations. With a place such as the Ministry many were sure that the press would catch wind of the story within the hour.

Percy ignored the members leaving the room. Instead he looked for the smell that he had been focused on before. He ignored the three members of his pack that approached him; instead focusing on the shock of blue hair that the smell of wolf originated from. However the young man before him was obviously aware of the attention. The brown eyes looked to him with something akin to awe. However it was mixed with fear and trepidation. Percy could smell the sweat on the young man's skin.

Percy let out a small growl. One that would go unheard by the non-wolves in the room. It was that of an Alpha demanding submission from those below them. Percy heard three answering whimpers from the three wolves that stood behind him; that was expected. However he also heard a much smaller whimper from the young wolf that also stood before him. Percy let out a slightly feral grin as the young man brought a hand to his mouth; shock in his eyes.

It seemed that the man subconsciously accepted Percy as his Alpha. Although the expression on his face clearly revealed that the young man had no understanding of why it was that he was reacting in such a way. It seemed that Percy needed to teach him the proper way to be a werewolf.

Percy raised a hand, palm out, an invitation to the young man that sat before him; several rows back. As soon as he saw the hand, the young man seemed to bolt out of his seat without the permission of his legs. His body seemed to lean into Percy's without his consent. His feet took him down the stairs and toward the ginger Alpha that stood in the middle of the courtroom as though he owned it.

"Percy" his concentration was broken. Percy turned to the voice, met with the face of the Minister of Magic.

"Miss Granger" Percy responded indifferently.

"Percy…we all thought you were dead. Percy, I…" However the woman was unable to get any further. A whine interrupted whatever she had been about to say. The whine immediately drew Percy's attention. It was filled with confusion and fear. Percy immediately turned to the blue haired young man. However as he looked at him it was as though the young man had become another person. His hair was black and flopped over his face and his eyes seemed to be several shades darker. It was that moment that Percy realised who it was that stood before him.

Percy took a step toward the young man that sounded utterly lost with the new emotions that he was obviously feeling. Percy set a hand on his shoulder and gently nudged his head against the young man's. Werewolves embraced some of the instincts of their animal counterparts. They found great comfort in physical affection with each other. Many werewolves preferred to spend their nights sleeping in large groups, finding their bonds formed far stronger as they spent time in close proximity to one another. Spent in such an environment, mostly segregated from the rest of the world, it was normal to have such seemingly intimate moments between near strangers.

The young man seemed to settle slightly at the touch that Percy seemed to provide. His hair regained some of its height and his eyes grew lighter.

"I…I don't understand" the young man murmured. However there was no longer fear in the words, only confusion. Percy once again rubbed his head against the young man's, giving him some comfort.

"That's okay." Percy hummed. "How about we start with an introduction, that seems a good a start as any."

However before the young man could respond Percy's interactions with him were once again interrupted by a rather insistent Minister of Magic.

"Teddy what are you doing?" her voice was filled with accusation. She made a step forward, her face filled with frustration at her inability to understand. "How do you know Percy?"

"He does not" Percy interceded. Teddy looked as though he was a fish out of water as Hermione made her approach.

"What do you mean? You two seem to know each other pretty well if you're that close." Hermione responded, a hint of anger in her voice.

"He is a wolf" Percy explained. "This is simply how one introduces themselves to another."

Hermione still looked unsatisfied with the answer. However she had already made one extremely bad decision today. She did not know enough about the culture of werewolves for her not to make another one.

"Well Teddy, maybe you should head back home. I know you were only here to watch the trial and it is over now." Hermione's voice was that of a minister. However Teddy looked rather reluctant to do as she bid. Instead he looked pleadingly to Percy. The young man had only just had his first encounter with another werewolf. He was confused and intrigued. He didn't want the experience to end so quickly.

"I believe that Teddy is able to do as he pleases. He is an adult after all. I have no problem with Teddy staying. He was just saying that he had a few questions that he wished to ask me."

Percy took satisfaction in the ruffled look that temporarily engulfed Hermione, before she regained her composure.

"Percy, I think you should go home too. Arthur and Molly, they…"

Percy interrupted "I believe that I too am an adult, Miss Granger."

"Percy, please listen to me." However before Hermione could make her point, the doors of the courtroom, opened once again. Aaron and Ross walked in with grins on their faces.

Ross ran toward Percy, arm dramatically outstretched. Percy scowled as the man got closer. He sidestepped his insane Beta.

"Awww Alpha, you're so cruel" Ross sighed dramatically. Percy only rolled his eyes, before gently rubbing his cheek against that of his subordinate. Ross let out a small satisfied whine. Being so close to one another and yet unable to share the usual physical contact that wolves had with one another had been a struggle over the past few days. Aaron approached his Alpha at a more sedate pace. However Percy could see similar desire for physical contact. So as Ross made to greet Victoria, Caspian and Kaia, Percy greeted Aaron in a similar fashion to Ross.

A guard approached the group. "You can collect your affects from the main desk." The man was evidently nervous as a hand rubbed across his stubbled cheek. "I also have this formal letter of apology from the justice department that I have been asked to give you." His less than steady hands handed Percy the letter.

"I believe that's our cue to leave." Percy pushed past the guard as he snatched the letter from the man's hand.

"Teddy, are you coming?" Percy questioned as the young man seemed to hesitantly titter between following and staying where he was.

"I…I, yeah" Teddy replied nervously as he followed the group of werewolves that he barely knew. However it was the first group of people that he had ever felt an instant connection with. He had never felt as though he belonged with the people around him. There was always a distance, a fear that they seemed to hold toward him. Even with the anti-discriminatory laws that had been slowly introduced, it still seemed that people judged his very existence as something to be feared. He felt nothing like that from Percy. He felt accepted; in an instant he felt safer than he ever had.

Percy pushed the doors of the courtroom open for, hopefully, the last time. The members of his pack and Teddy followed behind him. However as the doors revealed the space behind them several bright flashes blinded their vision. The noise of a camera shutter clacking was soon followed by the shouts of questions. Reporters bombarded the group; all attempting to gain attention. Percy let out a sigh. It seemed the press had found the news of his identity far quicker than expected.