DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 10 - One Big Herd
Draco snarled angrily as he stormed around his bedroom, bare feet padding silently across the stone floor. The confrontation with Harry had left him angry and slightly disconcerted. Hissing again, he ignored Beau's happy rumbles and focused on his own thoughts. Tipping his head, he turned slowly to face the door and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the door to open before his friend.
A light knock heralded the arrival of Blaise. Dark curly hair was mussed and damp with sweat, face flushed red from the exertion of trailing Ron through the forest. Stepping into the room, he closed the door and leaned against it tiredly. Running a hand over his face, he ignored Draco's questioning growl and plodded towards the softly crackling fire.
"Well?" Draco demanded as he followed Blaise across the room, rumbling impatiently when the other wizard took his time settling into one of the chairs before the hearth. Curling a lip, he threw one arm across a corner of the mantle and drummed his fingers on the stone.
Blaise snorted and straightened his slacks, frowning at a wrinkle that marred the dark material. "Let's just both be happy Weasley has a very shrill voice when he's terrified." He stated, rolling his eyes when Draco raised a pale eyebrow. "He ran all the way from the Forbidden Forest to Dumbledore's office."
"You managed to overhear what was said?" Draco asked, fingers keeping their steady rhythm as his eyes narrowed.
Nodding, Blaise huffed a deep breath and ran both hands over his head, sighing sad acceptance over his tangled hair. "We ran as wolves all the way into the castle. He didn't stop to change, just kept running like the devil was chasing him. We were both lucky we weren't seen." He murmured softly, slumping deeper into the chair, a tanned hand rose to brush against his throat. "We were almost to the headmasters office, when he turned on me. He hit me in the side and knocked me back into one of the alcoves along the hall. I though that damn Gryffindor was going to kill me."
"Blaise, would you get on with the damn story." Draco hissed, fingers clenching around the smooth stone as he attempted to restrain himself from pounding the information out of his friend.
Holding his hands up in calming manner, Blaise growled in warning. He would not be intimidated by the stronger Slytherin. "He changed back to his human form and stepped out of the alcove just as several Ravenclaws passed by, which meant I had to wait until the whole group was further down the hall before emerging. I made it to the stairs leading up to the Headmasters office just as the Gargoyle was starting to slide back into place. The door was open a crack and Weasley was already starting to explain his reason for being there, which was actually quite amusing."
Draco leaned forward eagerly, teeth raking at his upper lip. "What happened then?"
"Weasley said something about Potter and a vision about a Death Eater attack. Dumbledore seemed to understand his babbling because he immediately flooed some other wizard." Waving a hand in exasperation, he tunneled his fingers back through his hair as his mind worked over the conversation he'd overheard. "From there it was mostly questions, half of which Weasley didn't know the answer to."
"You learned nothing else?" Draco whispered in disbelief, tipping his head as he loosed his grip on the mantle.
"No. It was very strange, like Dumbledore didn't want Weasley to know what was going to happen. He seemed highly concerned about Potter though, asked several questions regarding his safety and well being." Blaise said, stretching slowly and rising from his chair. Yawning widely, he headed towards the door but paused with his hand on the door knob. "Have you seen Pansy?"
Draco dropped into the chair Blaise had abandoned, peering thoughtfully into the fire as he rubbed his chin. Shaking his head absently, he crossed his ankles and glanced at the clock above the mantle; they had missed dinner but it was still to early to go to bed.
"Blaise!"
The angered bellow had both wizards flinching and whirling to face the door. Shuddering, Draco allowed himself to slip lower in his chair and peered anxiously at the portal as the distant roar was repeated. Blaise flipped the lock and scurried towards Draco, whimpering when the doorknob was shaken forcefully.
"Zabini! Malfoy! Do you know what I'm going to do to the pair of you when I get in there? How dare you both run off and leave me standing in the middle of the damn forest with Granger!" Pansy shrieked from just out the door, one hand pounding the wood as the other continued to rattle the door knob.
Draco flew from his seat and tore the door open, grabbing a handful of the witches dark robe and yanking her into the room. Slamming the door closed, he pinned her against the wood and growled softly. "Do you wish to expose us to the entire House?" He hissed, the words spoken softly against her cheek. Beau rose up inside him, baring his fangs in silent agreement with Draco's words. A quiet growl from behind the still pair had Draco releasing Pansy.
"Let her go." Blaise growled, lips curled up to expose his teeth. He snarled again when Draco hissed, taking a slow step towards him.
"Who holds your leash Blaise?" Draco asked softly, skirting around the wizard as he made his way back to the warmth of the fire. His words broke the tension that had settled upon the room, reminding Pansy of exactly why they were arguing.
Her eyes narrowed and her index finger rose slowly, pointing at Draco in accusation. "You left me with Granger so you could race Potter back to the castle! I'll never understand you! First you're arguing with him then you're purring over his every action." The finger changed targets quickly, teeth gritting as she narrowed in on her boyfriend. "And you! You just had to chase Weasley!"
"Pansy, luv-" Blaise began, smiling and extending a hand towards the witch in unspoken apology. His hand was slapped down before it made contact.
"Don't you 'Pansy luv' me, you testosterone driven troll! It's going to take more then some sweet words to make me forget this one. I want chocolate. And poetry! Chocolate and poetry everyday for the next week!" Putting her nose in the air, Pansy twirled around and swanned from the room.
"And I ask again Blaise, who holds your leash?" Draco purred softly, settling himself gracefully into the chair before the fire. He smiled as the other wizard cursed loudly before storming from room; most likely in pursuit of his girlfriend.
No wonder his life was so screwed up, he thought. With friends like Pansy and Blaise the drama never seemed to end. He smiled to himself as his sensitive ears picked up the argument occurring between the lovers. Closing his eyes, he allowed his head to drop back against the chair, waiting patiently for Beau to join him. The tiger glided into his mind cautiously, unaware of the welcome he would receive. Holding his breath, Draco began to carefully comb his mind through the cats memories, looking for anything vital he may have misplaced during the change. His eyes opened as he glared into the fire, feeling Beaus anger rise over the image of the writhing stag. They both wanted answers and they wanted them soon.
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Harry lay on his bed, fingers gently messaging his temples as he watched Ron pace back and forth beside hum. Emerald eyes were slit as he fought back the burning pain caused from the rays of light falling through the open window. His head pounded and his vision seemed to blur every so often.
"Would you please sit down Ron? You're making me dizzy." Harry whispered, dropping his forearm across his aching eyes.
Ron immediately froze, halting like a deer in the headlights. "Sorry mate, wasn't thinking." Waving his hand, Harry gestured Ron towards his own bed, smiling when the red head settled himself on the edge of the mattress, one foot bouncing in agitation. "How far did Zabini follow you?"
"All the way to Dumbledore's door; he's fast." There was the slightest hint of admiration in Ron's voice as he stared at Harry in thought. "I'm surprised I was able to throw him earlier, tossed him right into a thorn patch yet he still chased me all the way up to the castle."
Harry chuckled, feeling pride rush to the surface of his mind. He frowned when he realized it wasn't his own. Odin rose in his head, the stags many pronged crown held gracefully as the animal murmured his pride over his herds actions. Harry groaned loudly at the stags chatter, jerking Ron's attention back to him.
"Sure you're okay, Harry? Maybe you should go down and see Madame Pomfrey." Ron suggested, standing and beginning to pace anxiously again, his attention darting around the room. He turned suddenly and tipped his head, listening carefully before gliding forward to stand between Harry and the closed door.
Harry shifted uneasily but remained silent, eyes locked on the portal and the wizard who guarded it. When the door swung open under their cautious eyes, both heaved deep sighs of relief and flopped backwards onto their beds.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at their actions, entering the room and closing the door. Leaning against a bedpost, she narrowed her eyes. "The next time you leave me alone with Parkinson I'll hunt you both down." She didn't end the threat, choosing to leave the ending open to interpretation by the over active imaginations of the wizards lying before her.
Ron smiled apologetically and beckoned her closer, accepting the proffered hand. He dragged her to sit on the bed next to him, placing a light kiss on the back of her hand before nodding towards Harry. "Past. Present, or future?" He whispered, leaning into the fingers stroking his matted hair.
"Hard to tell really. Voldemort was taking pleasure in it though; people were running in fear." Harry mumbled, closing his eyes again, the fingers of one hand knotting in the blankets beneath him.
"We've done all we can, Harry." Hermione murmured in assurance, trying to smile bravely as she stared down into her boyfriends eyes. "There's nothing else we can do but wait. It's in the Order's hands now."
Harry sighed before sitting up, tipping his head and chewing his lower lip in thought. "It was strange though; I've never been able to see what Voldemort's doing during the day. Generally stuff like this only happens when I'm sleeping."
"Odin's mind is that of an animal, Harry. He was not built to repel magick's or fight mental battles. A stag is simply a stag; it's mind and heart are open to the others around it." Hermione reminded them, smiling at the snort of indignation both wizards gave. She tugged on Ron's hair and grinned at Harry, the smile vanishing at the strange look on his face.
"Odin is more then a stag, Hermione. He is a king among animals." Harry attempted to explain, hands fluttering before him. Rolling off the bed, he pushed the window between the beds open and gestured to the forest beyond the rolling lawn of Hogwarts. "Whether our home is here or there, it's still our job to protect those living within the area."
"You can't save everyone Harry." Hermione pointed out, eyebrows drawn down as she ignored Ron's attempts to free himself. "Even the strongest witches and wizards can't save those who don't want to be saved."
Nodding his head in agreement with her words, he sat down on the edge of his desk, eyes glazing over slightly as he peered out the window. "I can try, Hermione." His words were spoken softly, a mere whisper carried on the evening breeze.
Ron rolled his eyes, before pushing on the arm wrapped around his neck. He growled softly, when Hermione flashed her teeth at him in warning. "I'm hungry." He whined plaintively, pouting out his lower lip and sniffling loudly.
"Aren't you always?" Hermione grumbled, pushing him away and standing slowly. She frowned when Harry remained silent, eyes half closed as he peered at the setting sun on the horizon. "Are you sure you're okay Harry?"
"I'm fine. You know you don't always need to mother me Hermione, right?" Harry responded, head tilting slightly while his gaze remained locked on the fading red light.
Hermione sighed and waved Ron on his way, knowing he'd bring both her and Harry back some small treat from the kitchens. Moving towards Harry, she dropped her chin onto the top of his head and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Tell us what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong." Harry muttered, stiffening under the witch's touch.
"Don't lie to us. We know something is wrong." She murmured loudly, giving him a light squeeze in hopes of relaxing him a little.
Snorting at the words of the witch and knowing he was dealing with the vixen, Harry had no choice but to answer. "Earlier, Odin referred to Zabini as a member of the herd. Later he did the same thing for Ron."
Hermione burst into laughter at the embarrassed words, allowing Harry to shove her away. Settling back on the edge of Ron's bed, she wiped a tear of mirth away. "That's natural Harry. Stags and deer live in herds, just like wolves live in packs. We're the closest thing Odin has ever had to a family. Ron and Zabini probably see each other as opposition for alpha of their pack, which would explain the constant fighting between them."
"Tigers and foxes are solitary animals, explain that one." Harry demanded, his eyes finally leaving the red sky to focus on the curly haired witch.
"Ginger and I may prefer to be alone but we've accepted the fact that we're under your protection. We choose to see you as a larger older brother rather then a stag." Hermione offered easily, rising to brush at her robes as she padded towards the door. "The tiger I can't really explain. Any other large cat would have eaten you by now, perhaps he just likes you." With a shrug of her shoulders, Hermione disappeared around the door.
"Like to eat me." Harry called loudly after her retreating footsteps, rolling his eyes before turning back to the open window. The sun had vanished behind the Forbidden Forest, streaks of pale pink clinging to the slowly darkening sky. Breathing in the crisp air, Harry decided it was in his best interest to finish his assignment for tomorrow. Then again, one always thought better after having a nice long nap.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed!
NinjaoftheDarkness – lol, totally know where you're coming from there, I live in the middle of nowhere as well . . .but you gotta admit it does have its perks. Besides there's no party better then a bush party!
LandUnderWave – aw, you made me blush.
rayama – Blaise is white purely because I wanted him to be white. Then again, a white wolf always seems to look stronger and prouder then its pack mates so I figured it kinda fit with the personality I was trying to enforce.