Kain was apparated to Hogwarts by Sirius later that day. Dumbledore had given permission for Kain to come to the school. He cast the spell and was able to understand the wolf. "Come Orian we must get you a place to stay." Dumbledore said.
Who will you be putting me with?
"Professor Snape. I'd place you will Minerva but she has a cat which does not like canines."
Not all us canines are bad.
She walked the halls with Albus Dumbledore down to Snape's classroom. It was after dinner and a student from Hufflepuff had just left from detention. They walked into the room. "Headmaster?" He hadn't seen Kain walking behind the man.
"We have company my boy." Snape looked at the headmaster. Kain moved to stand next to the old wizard. Severus studied the wolf the now yellow eyes watched him. Orian was a beautiful wolf. Her coloring was a bit strange but it didn't matter. Orian was ashen gray over most of her body the tip of her tail and ears were a dark storm cloud gray. "Orian." He looked at the wolf and the elder wizard.
"Point your wand and say: commuicus furus. You will be able to under stand her." Snape did so.
I take it you didn't miss me.
"Still a brat I see." He grinned a bit. "Orian will be staying with us this year. She will go on patrol like Filch's cat . She'll stay with you since McGonagall does not want wolf fur about her rooms nor does she wish for her cat to get hurt." Albus explained. "So I'm saddled with the mutt."
Hey! I may be a wolf but I don't have greasy hair or a hooked nose.
"You can sleep in the cold if you keep it up. Guess it would be time to head down to my rooms then." Snape said. "Thank you Severus. Good night to the both of you. Remember Orian you will be patrolling the halls Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights."
I remember Professor. I'll begin my patrol Monday after dinner.
The man left. "So how did you manage this? You're a werewolf not an animagus, how in Merlin's name did you manage this?"
I'll explain on the way down.
Kain now being called Orian, as was her wolf name explained to Snape what was happening. That night Orian was aloud to sleep on the cough while Snape retired to his rooms. Severus got up the next morning and got dressed for the day. It was Saturday so he wouldn't have to let the students see Orian now.
He summoned a house elf whose name was Dusty. After breakfast Severus spelled the doors to open when Orian put her paw on them. "I'm going to keep you hidden till Monday when we go to breakfast." Severus said.
So I get to scare your first years. They've never seen a wolf up close. Maybe I should bare my teeth.
"You will do no such thing. Speaking of which you'll be needing this." With a wave of his wand a leather collar appeared around Orian's neck. On a small silver plate her name was engraved.
I'm a wolf not a dog.
Orian scratched at the collar to dislodge it. "It stays or you don't leave this room understood." The wolf nodded.
Now what do we do?
"There's wizard chess or we can trap ourselves in the lab and work on potions. I have some that I need to get done any how." Severus said getting up.
Anything for the smell of potions.
"Try not to get fur everywhere." Severus worked while Orian watched from where she sat.
I know how old Dumbledore is.
Black eyes looked into yellow ones. "Are you telling the truth or lying?"
Lying.
Snape growled.
How about another bet? Whoever gets Albus' age first gets three galleons.
"Deal." Yet another bet with an unseen outcome.
Monday came and Orian couldn't wait to get out there. "Come along now." Snape was walking to the Great hall and Orian tailed after him. Using the teachers door Snape sat down for breakfast along with his colleagues. He sat at the end of the table Orian staying out of sight. Snape began to eat. Orian whined at the professor. "I didn't know you were an animal lover Severus." Professor Flitwick said looking at Orian.
"I'm not Orian is simply in my care." Severus said trying to keep his usual sneer. He placed a plate of eggs, bacon and sausage on the floor. Followed by a bowl of water. "Try not to get it everywhere." He said.
Hey I may be in wolf form but I can still eat without spilling food everywhere.
He wouldn't that risking everyone but McGonagall and Dumbledore looking at him strangely. As the students began to leave Dumbledore ask that the teachers stay a few minutes more. When all the students had gone from the room Dumbledore spoke. "Everyone I'm sure you've all noticed Severus' furry friend." Snape glared at the man.
"Orian is really our dear Kain. She'll be staying here this school year. She has agreed to take up patrolling the halls on pre-collected nights. If you find that you wish to talk to Orian simply point your wand at her and say: communicus furus. You may go." They were dismissed. "Orian." Severus began walking at his usual speedy pace to his classroom.
That went well. Now whom do you have first?
"Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years. Then sixth year Slytherin and Gryffindor then lunch."
Food?
"Is all you think is your stomach?"
For the current minute yes. I'm walking on four legs not much I can really think about. I might be able to use thing to get Dumbledore's age.
"Then why aren't you?"
All in good time Sev.
Snape walked into the classroom his students kept their eyes forward. Eyes widened as they saw the large wolf walking behind the man. Orian sat next to Snape's desk. He glared at the students who all had their eyes on the large animal. "Stop gaping as if you've never seen a dog before. I want all essays handed by the end of class. Your work is on the board get to work." they all got started.
Still scaring your students. Shame they don't know that I'm a former student who knows just what to say to make you laugh.
""Don't you dare? Shut up and do something with your time." He would sooner kiss a hippogriff then laugh in front of his students.
Alright ya overgrown bat I'm going to Visit Hagrid. I'll be back before you sixth years get in.
Orian stood and walked to the door the students all watching and waiting to see what the wolf would do. "Stop gawking and work!" Snape snapped. Orian put her paw to the door. As Severus said it would it opened. The halls were empty as the wolf walked her way around to get outside to Hagrid's hut. He would be with his first class now.
Following his sent it lead her to the lake where Hagrid was holding out a very interesting creature. Looked much like a selkie. Maybe it was a beached mermaid. It was rare to find one but every now and again you did. Hagrid spotted the large wolf sitting by a tree watching quietly.
Hello Hagrid. I'm only watching please continue.
Hagrid went on specking the first years watching in wonder. He told his students to look around the to see what other interesting things they could find. Many creatures roamed the area so it would be good if they found things that belonged to them. Feathers, teeth, fur and such.
"What are you doing out here?"
Snape said I should do something so I came to visit.
"Well we'll be done soon you best be heading back. I got third years next. Going to take them to the hippogriffs today.
Yeah I'll leave for that one. Well see you later.
Orian stood and headed for the school again. Taking her time as she walked thought the still empty corridors. Reaching the door to the potions classroom Orian let herself in. As the bell rang the students quickly put the essays on Snape's desk before hurrying out.
"I'll be back in a moment." He said leaving the room. Orian went up to the desk and lay under it where no students would see her. The class began to fill with students again. They sat and waited for Snape. The door opened and in came the snarky potions master. Orian came from under the desk all the students began to stand. "Sit down she's harmless." To prove his point Snape patted Orian on the head.
You will pay for that. I'm far from harmless. I bit you remember?
"You didn't even know you bit me till two days after it had happens. Shut your mouth."
Don't worry I'll get my payback. You just wait you greasy git.
"Sir?"
"What is it mister Garfer?" Snape looked at the boy. "Where did he come from?" the boy pointed at Orian.
He? Do I look like some blucky male to you?
"She is none of your concern. Stop asking question and get back to work. Any other questions as to why she is here you will lose five points each time."
What the hell did I get into? Severus thought.
October passed into November and by this time everyone had gotten used to seeing the large wolf walking about the corridors. Orian was happy to be part of it. She walked the halls now with out students watching her like she would attack them. Many of the students had now felt at ease with the large wolf. Many days Orian could be found talking with Dawn over in the hospital wing.
She was even present for Quidditch games cheering Gryffindor on. Dawn or Severus would write out her letters for her so they could be sent to whomever. Bill and the others minus Arrum had all come by the school to visit. The boys looking a bit shocked at the size of Kain to Orian. It was something they had never seen before and wished to see again. Snape had already made the wolfsbane potion for Orian to drink the day of the moon. Orian made it thought the night but at sunrise had to fight to stay in her fur.
~.o0o~o0o~o0o.~
Bill had come to the Hogwarts to kidnap Dawn for the day. The went down to Hogsmeade for butter beer and lunch. "So how's the resident wolf?" He asked. "Orian is fine. For a while before the change it was pretty dice-y. She said she gave him the necklace back and told him to go away." Dawn said.
"That's all she told you? She punched him in the face, threw the necklace at him and let Harry and Sirius chase him down the road and up a tree." Bill said. "Better then it being Remus. She told me he was on a bloody warpath he was so pissed off. Professor Snape had to stun him." Dawn said. "Okay getting chased isn't so bad. She looks happy in her fur."
"She is. Orian loves walking about the halls. The students have eased up around her no longer afraid of her. Since she started watching the potions classes, Madam Pomphrey and I don't see as many students in the hospital wing because of botched up potions. But I think she's starting to miss her hands. How's Arrum?"
"He's fine. Last I saw him he was in Diagon Alley having lunch with a witch from our year Ravenclaw I think. HE said they were going out." bill was disappointed in his friend. Arum had let a great person go because of what they really were on the inside. Orian had moved on but slowly. Arrum after the encounter when Harry and Sirius wanted to keep his life thinking it better if he stayed away from Kain and tried not to make friends with her.
He had begun going out on a string of dates with young girls muggles too. The two had moved on. Kain was walking around on four legs and would start teaching next year. Arrum wanted to play in the muggle world for a year working odd jobs. This month it was cab driving. Bill and Dawn walked back to Hogwarts. I'll see you next Saturday. I'm working on getting here for the Winter Solstice." Bill planted a kiss on Dawn's cheek before disappearing with a pop.
~.o0o~o0o~o0o.~
Orian sat in the dungeons with Snape. It was quiet but cold. Thank Merlin for fur and warming charms. The dungeons were freezing. Snape had been grading papers for a while. The two had lunch and were now sitting in silence.
"Severus my dear boy are you there?" Albus' face appeared in the fire. "Yes head master?" Snape had starting dozing on the couch. "I know you are doing anything down there. Why not join me for a cup of tea and a game of chess?" Orian barked that she had not been invited. "Yes Orian you too."
"Stand back then. You first." Severus said to Orian who stepped into the fireplace appearing in Dumbledore's office. Snape was just behind her.
I can't wait to see you lose.
"Which one of us will be losing?" Dumbledore asked.
Don't know we'll find out when you one of you two loses.
"Do you know how annoying you are?"
No but I'm sure you'll tell me.