Chapter 5

Percy took his time in washing, dressing and making himself feel slightly more human after a night spent far from it. With the dirt removed from his person he looked more civilised. However he also looked rather more damaged. The scars that littered his face were far more obvious; still red and angry after so many years. His choice of clothing also spoke of the harsh life that he had lived. Black combat robes that were created with spells woven into them, down to the very stitches. The robes spoke of violence; however not of a chosen lifestyle of such. More of decisions made of necessity.

As Percy made his way back toward the manor he lamented the fact that he had not been able to participate in the post-full moon rituals. Usually the mornings were spent in a rather relaxed, if productive fashion. The pack woke late, usually not before dawn. Most of the pack would still be in the realm of Morpheus and Percy found himself wishing he were in their place. The pack would spend their time after waking, making sure that there was no injuries sustained during the night as well as taking a count to ensure that all members of the pack were accounted for.

After that the wolves would all make their way to clean themselves up and dress before heading to the kitchens where there were large amounts of food made the day before. The day would mostly be spent eating and bonding over the night before. Any new ranking that may have been decided the night before would be addressed. Any new relationships that had blossomed would be debated. It would just be a time to spend in each others company. With the look on the faces of those that had arrived at the manor, Percy would not be able to attend the celebrations until rather late in the afternoon, if at all.

Percy strode through the doors that indicated the meeting room. Percy's bare feet thudded lightly on the stone floor. Percy may have dressed in a rather formal fashion, but his wolf protested the uncomfortable constriction of shoes so soon after the full moon. Bare feet was the only option.

Five sets of eyes pinned him as he walked through the wooden doors. They all held conflicted emotions; anger, frustration, relief and confusion. All but those of the youngest of the group, her eyes held only curiosity.

"Percy" Molly broke the silence, before Percy had even seated himself at the table.

She stood up, drawing all attention to her as she marched her way toward her son. She forcefully pulled the much taller man into a hug. Percy stood awkwardly as the arms wrapped around him. Hugs were something that he had never really become accustomed to, especially forced ones. As a child and a young man he had avoided them; the contact making him uncomfortable. As a wolf hugs were very rarely had. Most physical contact was far more aggressive; although not violent. It was merely that the way they showed each other affection was through seeing who could wrestle whom to the floor more quickly.

The hug finally ended and Molly stood back, taking a long look at the man that stood before her. Percy could see the sadness in her eyes. It was obvious that she was upset by the fact that he had left without a word. Percy brushed it off. He had accepted that his life had not been one that his family would have wanted to be a part of. The first few years and he would have most certainly killed them all. The years following that and he had made his own family. He had found people that accepted who he was. He had never found that in his family.

Percy had, of course, loved the members of his family. But his childhood had not been an easy one. He'd just been so, different. He had found it difficult to connect with those around him. He had not enjoyed playing quidditch, or playing pranks. He had not enjoyed chess or animals. He had had nothing in common with his family. No, Percy Weasley had adored his studies. He was not loud and boisterous. His voice was quite and his words were thought out before he spoke. That had not been the way to fit in with his family. He had been mocked by his family, the butt of every joke. He had known that it had not been malicious; it was meant to be in good humour, but to Percy it had only further cemented his position as an outcast. It had been difficult.

Percy had joined the ministry after graduation as a sort of refuge. He had wanted a place where he was valued for his intelligence; where he could work as hard as he liked and rather than receiving ridicule he would receive praise and promotion. Of course, blinded by this fantastical view of the ministry, one that almost verged on hero worship, he had made some mistakes. He knew that he had ignored the truth when it had been evident before him. Yet he did not think that he now regretted it. It had made him who he was. It had allowed him to be where he was now; in a place where he was respected and every decision that he made was regarded with appreciation and taken into consideration in any situation.

Percy sat down at the table, Molly soon following. He looked around at the people that all pinned him with their eyes. His nostrils flared as Bill's scent. He knew of the circumstances surrounding the man, yet his scent was a tad overwhelming for a wolf that had only recently had a night of freedom. He had to grit his teeth, repressing the urge to pin the man to the ground and demand his submission.

"I believe" Percy spoke, as his eyes pinned the blonde who's name was still unknown to him. "that introductions are in order." He gave a small smile.

"Percival Weasley" he nodded to the young woman "but please, call me Percy." The girl gave a small smile in return.

"Ah" she said as she nervously twisted her hair through her fingers. "Victoire Weasley" she said, averting her eyes in obvious embarrassment and nervousness.

Percy looked to Bill.

"Your daughter I assume?" he questioned with a raised brow.

"Oh yes" Bill said with a small nod. The look on Victoire's face was one of relief; glad that the attention was away from her.

"Her mother, my wife, Fleur, you met her a couple of times. We-we have two others, boys. Dominique and Louis; they're sixteen and fourteen. Victoire was eighteen last month-." Bill spoke rapidly and finally trailed off; unsure of what to say next. He cleared his throat giving him a second to consider his next words.

"Do you-have any children? Or a partner?" Bill stumbled awkwardly. Percy blinked.

"A partner, no. But I do believe that many of the younger members of the pack would see me in a parental role."

"Percy" Molly barked out, interrupting what was attempting to be a rather civil conversation. "Don't use such a word to describe yourselves. You are human beings, not animals."

Percy's eyes flashed dangerously as he looked toward his mother. A slight twinkle of amber flickered across them at the words. Percy couldn't repress the small growl that rumbled at the back of his throat.

"I am a wolf, mother." He said with his teeth clenched. "We are a pack. We spend one night a month as literal animals." His eyes then zeroed in on Bill. "At least I'm not repressing my nature so much that I can no longer transform." His eyes were now bright and sparkling in anger. This was what he had not wanted to put up with. This was how he knew his family would react.

"I don't have all that anger, all that repressed rage, that urge to rip the face of everyone you see. I don't have that because I am a wolf that lets himself be a wolf. I am a part of a pack and I shall not let it be called otherwise."

Percy was left with his eyes amber with anger. Every muscle in his body was clenched and his fingers were clawing at the table; his sharp nails leaving gouges in the wood. The rest of the room remained shell shocked as they stared in disbelief and uncertainty at the man before them.

However the moment was interrupted from a knock at the door. Percy sighed in frustration as he turned to the door.

"Enter" he barked out, taking out his frustration on the person behind the wood. The door creaked open and a slightly frustrated face met Percy's own. However as they saw the utter look of fury on their Alpha's face their eyes widened and they took a slight step back through the door way.

"What is it Oakley?" Percy gritted his teeth. He wasn't frustrated at the young person before him and was trying not to take it out on an innocent victim. However his anger was reaching breaking point.

"Ah, sorry to interrupt Alpha, but Samuel has gone missing." Oakley rubbed a hand through the shoulder length brown curly hair.

Percy felt the anger leave him, like air from a balloon. He took a deep breath and blinked the amber from his eyes.

"What do you mean Sam's missing?" He questioned. How was it that the young man that he had seen only hours ago had vanished? He had seen the boy when he had left that morning to greet the family he had not seen in years.

He knew that he should not have left such a young pup after the boy's first transformation in his new pack. It was a strange time for one so young that had been around a violent wolf in the past. Percy's fists clenched in frustration. He took a breath before looking to Oakley who was still frozen, searching for a response to the Alpha's question.

"Right Oakley, the grounds have been searched?"

"Yes Alpha"

"As have the manor and the village?"

"Yes Alpha" Oakley nodded vigorously. The young wolf was only seventeen. Percy was surprised Oakley had not run at the sight of an infuriated alpha. He was impressed at the courage of the wolf.

"Who is still searching?"

"Scar, Ross and Jazz have taken several of the pack to search the grounds further. Jason, James and Emily are directing the searching of the village. Dante and Emile are downstairs caring for the rest of the pack. I also believe that there were several injuries last night so Victoria is caring for the injured and has asked for Draco's help."

Oakley then rubbed at the curled hair again; before mumbling the finishing words.

"But…I don't know where the others are…I think Aaron may have taken them to the village to gather some more supplies. But they wouldn't tell me now would they, I mean-"

"It's okay Oakley, no need to explain." Percy pursed his lips. Where in the hell would the young pup be hiding?

"Oakley, I want you to tell Dante to keep everyone out of the upstairs rooms, while I go and search for Sam."

"Yes Alpha" Oakley barked out with a shy grin before running from the door and down the stairs.

Percy turned to the members of the room that were still looking at him with uncertainty. Victoire had something that also resembled awe in her blue eyes.

"You need to stay-"

"No" Harry interrupted for the first time. He stood and set his eyes firmly on Percy. "I'm not here to persuade you to rejoin the family or to try and get you to come home. I came here to get Teddy."

Percy let out a sigh. Oh look, here was Mr Potter interrupting yet again. The man just couldn't avoid putting in his part and getting involved in things that he didn't understand.

"I think there are more pressing matters at the moment Mr Potter." Percy scowled at the black haired man before him.

"I think that my Godson is-"

"But" Percy interrupted "If you insist on checking on him, I believe that I can send him to one of the other rooms on this floor so that you can see him."

Harry gave a disapproving scowl at being interrupted. It was not a normal state of affairs for him. He was used to respect within his day to day life. However so was Percy. It seemed that there was going to be a little conflict between the two. Both unwilling to give, even a little.

"I will send Oakley to get you, Mr Potter, as soon as I find him." Percy made to leave the room.

"How do we know that you wont just leave us here for hours? I insist on coming with you" Harry scowled. Percy clenched his teeth. He was not used to having his orders questioned.

"Harry, Percy" Arthur interrupted soothingly. "Why don't we all go together to find Teddy?" Percy scoffed at his father's suggestion.

"That is not a good idea. The wolves are rather temperamental at the moment. After all, you did choose the morning after the full moon to have an uninvited visit. If Bill were to wonder through the house then he would almost inevitably be pinned down by almost every wolf in sight." Percy sighed and rubbed a hand across his face.

"That's why Oakley was sent up here. Oakley is rather submissive within the pack and is unlikely to attack anyone. Any other members of the pack would have already forced Bill to the floor. I, myself, am having a hard time in not doing exactly that." Percy then looked to Harry again.

"You, Mr Potter, may come with me to find Teddy. The rest of you must stay here. No arguments!" Percy growled.

'Morning Alpha' and 'Hi Percy' echoed through the room as Percy walked into the kitchen that doubled as a dining room. Around seventy werewolves filled half of the tables, eating and chatting amongst each other. Percy gave a few nods of acknowledgment to the greetings.

Harry followed a few steps behind Percy and gained a few suspicious looks from the wolves around the room. However due to his position behind the Alpha, most of them ignored him. They knew who he was, of course, but cared not for his presence.

Percy headed toward one of the tables near the back of the room where Teddy sat, along with several other members of the pack. They looked up as he approached. Teddy was the only member of the group that rocketed to his feet. Teddy titled his head to the side; his neck on show as he kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

"Good morning Alpha" he whispered out.

Percy knew the feelings that the young man was having. After a lifetime alone, he was finally a member of a pack. It was strange to have an Alpha after being a lone wolf. Teddy's wolf would be screaming at him to submit to Percy. In fact Percy was surprised that the young wolf was not kneeling before him. He had had many a wolf press their forehead to the dirt before his feet. It was not, however, something that he encouraged. But Percy supposed that Teddy was attempting to hold some restraint in front of his godfather.

Percy took a step forward and ran his nose along the revealed neck. He then pushed the young man's head straight with his own. He did not like to see those around him acting submissively unless he demanded it. Some Alphas forced constant submission from their subordinates; Percy was not one of those wolves.

Teddy let out a small whine as his eyes were forced to meet those of the man before him. Percy gave a small growl in return before gently rubbing his stubbled cheek along Teddy's own. He then gave the younger man a playful nudge and brought a hand up, thumping the young wolf on the collarbone. Teddy shook himself before giving a small nudge with his head into his Alpha's chest in return.

Harry was standing behind the pair, watching the interaction in confusion. He was used to some of his godson's less than normal behaviour, especially when the young man was around his uncle Bill. The two of them had had many arguments devolve into growls at one another. Those were occasions where they were quickly separated from one another. However he had not seen the young man look so natural in these types of movements before. He had always been resisting his urges in the past.

"Teddy?" Harry questioned as he stepped forward.

"Oh, hi Harry" Teddy said with a small smile. He seemed nervous and more awkward than Harry had ever seen him. His hair went an anxious yellow as he looked at his godfather.

Percy recognised the behaviour. Having been put in a position of submission for what must have been the first time, Teddy's wolf would be rather put out and confused for the next few month. It would take him a while to adjust and figure himself out once again. In fact, many newly turned, or newly recruited members of the pack would spend the first few months merely finding their place and their way in such a new environment.

Percy had, on several occasions, seen wolves that had refused to come inside or interact with any other pack members for several weeks after their first full moon with the pack. Percy usual kept an eye on those members and had people ensuring their safety, no matter their location. Percy thought that Teddy was adjusting rather well at such an early stage. Him being able to interact with a non-pack member so soon was a rather big step.

"As you can see, Mr Potter, Teddy is perfectly happy. I suggest that you go back to the others before one of my pack decided to challenge you." Percy looked at Harry meaningfully.

"What do you mean, we've barely spoken a word to each other! I'm not leaving till I know for certain that Teddy is not here against his will and till he agrees to come and visit the family. They are worried about him." Harry turned his attention toward his now orange haired godson. The young man's features had altered slightly, now favouring more the look of his alpha.

"Teddy, why don't you come and see the others upstairs? Molly, Arthur, Bill and Victoire are up there and they are all worried about you. Why don't you-"

Percy growled in frustration.

"I do not have time for this." He turned and looked at the others in the group that were looking with curiosity at Teddy and Harry.

"Make sure that Mr Lupin is not forced into anything against his will." The three nodded, wide eyed at their Alpha. "If you have any problems get Dante" He bared his teeth at his next words "and no fighting. Am I clear?"

"Yes Alpha" the three barked out.

"Also Teddy, this situation is up to you, they are your family. But you will not and I repeat not be permitted to be anywhere near that room or Bill until I say so. Am I understood?"

"Yes Alpha" Teddy nodded obediently. Percy hoped that his message had sunk in. But that would be up to Teddy. Right now he had more important matters to deal with.