The Leader

Chapter 40

When Harry heard what happened at sanctuary he was partly angry, exasperated and annoyed. He'd expected it really; it had only been a matter of time. There was too much anger between Lupin and Greyback, and to add to the fact he'd been beaten to a pulp Lupin had also been told something that had been kept from him by the light side for many years. The next morning he immediately Apparated to his sanctuary, making his way to the cabins, he knew which one Lupin was in, he had told them where to put him after all. He wasn't comfortable with pack life, and wouldn't do well sleeping with the others in the dens they made for themselves.

Giving the wooden door three loud thumps, he could smell both Lupin and Black were inside and awake judging by the faint noises he could hear. The cabins had been build by hand, by both vampires and werewolves, originally for those unaccustomed to pack life…or rather that's what they'd become, when more were built, the first two were built for those who were sick and injured. It had a basic layout, a bedroom, small living room, fireplace, kitchen, or rather a place for eating, but there was no cooker or appliances in the cabin to use, no that was available in the warehouse.

The door swung open, and Harry had to suppress the snort of amusement at the look of shocked surprise on Black's face. "Harry!" he said, standing there unsure of what to do. He didn't know his own godson, and honestly? Since meeting him he didn't know how to act around him.

"Are you going to invite me in or am I going to stand here with you gaping at me all night?" Harry stated, his stance screamed impatience.

"Um…er…come in," Sirius said blinking owlishly at Harry, standing aside to let the vampire in.

"Much obliged," Harry said his tone wryly, a small smile appearing on his face.

Harry moved into the cabin properly, observing Remus from where he was sitting in the 'kitchen' a cup of coffee in his hands. Wrapped in a blanket, his face wasn't a pretty sight, bruised in various degrees, his body was stiff and Harry had no doubt that it was just as bruised and battle sore. "I often wondered if you were truly a Gryffindor, you seemed to me more of a Ravenclaw, but after what I heard last night…I no longer hold any doubt that you are a Gryffindor. Charging in where even angels fear to tread. You couldn't have thought it would go any other way, you are weak, weaker than Reg I would say, and yet you thought for a second you'd get the better of Fenrir Greyback?"

"Leave him alone," Sirius snapped, defending his partner, although it had been a long, long time since they had done anything even remotely partner like. No they were more like friends trying to survive a war they were losing. Or had been in the Order…things were different now. He had no idea how different, but it definitely tipped the scales in the balance for this war.

"Sirius," Remus warned him, "Do not disrespect Harry, he's a leader, if anyone heard you he would have to act, and you wouldn't like the outcome do you understand? You aren't in school and it wouldn't just be detention you'd get."

"But…" Sirius felt hurt deep in the pit of his stomach, he had only been defending him, since Remus rarely defended himself.

"Even you probably thought the same thing, he's only saying the truth," Remus said in defeat, "You are safe here, please try to think before saying things like that in future." while he was proclaimed innocent, and that the public knew, Dumbledore would not give up, he was after them with a vengeance with only death for them in mind out of fear of what they knew - what they could reveal.

"You forget how everyone else would react against the disrespect against me," Harry added thoughtfully, leaning against the cabin wall curiously. "Have you taken something for the pain?" he'd learned his lesson, there was no need for him to remain in pain, it would likely be a lesson he would never forget due to the information divulged during their brief battle.

"No, and I don't intend to," Remus said bleakly, never once meeting Harry's gaze.

"Oh, stop feeling sorry for yourself," Harry scoffed, causing those defeated amber eyes to glance up at him. "You may well just cut your own nose of to spite your face."

"Did you know?" Remus asked, his eyes still staring at Harry, unconsciously begging for information.

"Do I know what exactly?" Harry asked smoothly, heavily suspecting what he was asking but he wasn't one for assuming anything.

"What my father did," Remus said, a grimace of pain flashing across his features.

"I don't think there are many who don't," Harry said bluntly, "Especially those who work within the Ministry, those tales are passed down to each new generation of Aurors, as if it was something to be proud of. So yes, I knew what your father had done; I knew before I even met you, many of the Lycans here were subjected to the hunter's cruelty, barely surviving by the skin of their teeth. They considered themselves the lucky ones, others weren't so fortunate to get away with their lives intact."

"Then why bring me here? Why force them to endure the knowledge that his son is here," Remus asked through gritted teeth, as pain and self-disgust became a little too much.

"You believe now that they hate you because of who your father is?" Harry stated, understanding dawning. He had no doubt the self sacrificing idiotic Gryffindor had plans to leave when he was sure Sirius wouldn't follow - he was an idiot. "Let me correct you on that front, their hatred stems from the fact you cosy up to Dumbledore despite the fact he has never lived up to his promises to make life easier for the Lycans. They hate you for the fact you continued to take the Wolfsbane potion despite the danger it posed to your health. And they hate you because you hate what you are, it offends them greatly, your father doesn't factor into it at all, all Lycans consider themselves kin. Then there is the fact you are weak, not in mind but body, even our youngest Lycan is stronger than you, Remus."

"But why try and bring Remus onside? I mean you didn't even try with me, which I understand but Remus isn't all that different from me." Sirius asked, finally sitting down, his mind whirling with this new information. He knew, Remus had told him as soon as he woke up, and Sirius hadn't been sure what to do, he'd never seen Remus so broken down before.

"Because I was a moronic idiot," Harry stated sharply to the surprise of both men. "I thought telling him would be a good thing, that he would actually think on his own two feet, join the other Lycans and become more than just a 'sickly wizard' and be a werewolf he could be proud of, I underestimated his lack of self-confidence, his utter belief in Dumbledore." which was what many thought of him as 'a sickly wizard' usually his employers.

"So it wasn't for a spy in the Order?" Sirius blurted out in surprise.

Harry scoffed, "Hardly," as if he would have needed him for anything, no he had simply extended a hand to a werewolf in need of a wake up call. "If he had agreed he would not have returned to the Order, he would have remained here, given sanctuary." plus he already had Bill for anything he required of the Order, which wasn't much they were all talk no action.

Sirius nodded, having no doubt that Harry was speaking the truth, he told you it without care whether you were offended or not.

"Know this, if you leave, then you leave, you will be on your own, I cant and wont risk my men to keep you safe if you are so insistent on doing something incredibly stupid." Harry was speaking to Remus here. "You aren't responsible or held so for what your father did not by the people here, the other packs will not harm you either, not without fear of retribution from me, but antagonise them then there truly will be nothing I can do for you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Remus asked, his tone cautious, suspecting there was more to it than what he said.

"Harry knew what you were doing for the order, he gave warning that they weren't to hurt you or face retribution," Sirius informed Remus, he himself had just been told the other day by Rick. "He knew they would sooner kill you than put up with you especially while you were trying to get them to join Dumbledore's cause."

Remus' heart sank, "You protected me even after I practically spat at your feet and called you a liar?" he guess he owed Harry more than he realized.

"I am not Voldemort or Dumbledore, as I have explained numerous times in the past," Harry stated sharply, when he put his mind to something he did it, what the other persons reactions to it was well it was their problem. No matter what Remus had done, he was a werewolf, a Lycan, and he deserved protection - especially as seeing he hadn't hurt anyone and only wanted to see what was best in everyone as nauseating as that was. Speaking of Dumbledore, he had somewhere else to be this morning, so he couldn't remain here. "Take the damn potion, do not wallow in self-pity, we all have family we would rather not acknowledge or admit being related to, I'm sure Black here has a list longer than both arms. You don't see him complaining about it now do you?"

"How did you know I wanted to leave?" Remus asked stiffly.

"Because all of you Gryffindors are easy to read, even easier to anticipate." Harry said wryly, "Go get both of you something to eat and the potions, maybe now you'll stop trying to fight Greyback like an impudent pup," with that Harry turned and left the small cabin, not seeing Remus flushing red in embarrassment at the fact it was a teenager saying such things to him and worse that it was true. Well except the pup part, he hadn't been a pup in a long, long time.

Harry made his way to the centre of his sanctuary in a few swift steps, taking no time at all due to the fact he was a vampire and speed was his friend. Without raising his voice, he called out the names of those he wanted here with him right now. They would know to come immediately; he did not call on the others often without cause.

"Rick, Josh, Brecon, Alan, Jessie, Howard, Rachel come here,"

It was breakfast so he wasn't surprised when most of them came out of the warehouse before he even finished calling the last name. "Brecon have someone take your watch, Josh inform Takumi continue the shift until you return and take over."

"I'll take Brecon's watch," Rachel informed them, the werewolf stepped forward, "That is if it wasn't me you were calling?" she turned to her leader awaiting confirmation. There was two Rachel's, her obviously and her friend, thankfully there wasn't anyone else with the same name or it would have gotten annoying fast.

"Take the watch," Harry stated, giving her a nod of thanks. Both of them were fighters, but there was no doubt Rachel number one (due to the fact she had come for sanctuary first - it was how he kept them divided in his mind) was faster and more lethal, but that was to be expected as she was a vampire.

"What's happening?" Jack asked, never demanding answers from Harry but asking was allowed of course.

"I am meeting Dumbledore in the Leaky Cauldron, I need you all to go there and take up vantage points, and I have no doubt Dumbledore will have Order members with him." Harry explained seriously, "If he tries anything do not do anything that will bring the Aurors down upon you, stunning spells only. Do not reveal yourself unless you must, by that I mean if things look dire. I do not want him to know just how many people I have in my corner, preferably have him none the wiser actually."

Rick held his tongue as everyone made their understanding of their Leader's orders clear. Each of them moved away to get ready for their journey to the Leaky Cauldron, and Brecon and Alan had already left. Once everyone had left, Rick wandered over to him. "I am not questioning your decision…but why are you meeting up with that old man? You know how tricky he is. If he's arranged a meeting then there is a reason, and something behind it."

"Actually I chose the meeting place and the time, he will get it in time to only gather a few of his followers and meet me, and there is nothing he could hope to arrange before hand. Either way I will remain cautious, and I do have you at my back don't I?" Harry said seriously, "I do not do this lightly, believe me, I have taken all necessary precautions." Harry thumped Rick's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"What times the meeting?" Jack asked watching two of his comrades give Harry a nod, before they Apparated away as well.

"Ten minutes," Harry informed him, glancing at his watch, well less than that now.

"Am I to go with you or will I join the others?" Rick asked, just as the sound of Apparation caused them to look up. They weren't alarmed, if it had been someone not part of the group the wards would trap them, and then sound an alarm letting everyone go into battle mode.

Rachel and Josh nodded to Harry and joined the others in Apparating to the Leaky Cauldron.

Severus' eyes narrowed seeing this and knew immediately something was going on. The urge to demand answers from Harry was extremely strong but he also knew it would be a bad idea. "What's happened?" and the amount of worry squirming in his gut over the people here surprised him immensely. "Nobody is hurt, are they?"

"No, do not worry," Harry said, not surprised by Severus' worry, when he gave himself to a cause or person he gave it completely. Just like he had with Voldemort until he threatened the one person he cared more about than his own life. Then he had proceeded to do the same with Dumbledore until the old man decided Severus was useless. "Just preventive measures I've put in place for a meeting I have with Dumbledore." he truly would be perfect at his side, who better than someone who would lead, care and ease the burden?

"Please tell me you set it up?" Severus sighed; it had to be Dumbledore of all people.

"Do you think I was born yesterday? I know exactly what Dumbledore is capable of, the chances of him trying anything are low at the moment, and he needs me too much." Harry said dryly, that was twice now that others were showing concern over his meeting with Dumbledore. "Have you forgotten I outmatch Dumbledore both in powers and speed?" he was beginning to feel extremely insulted now, or would if he knew they weren't just concerned. They knew his anger at Dumbledore was intense, but he was old enough to know better than to try anything in public - his entire plan would crumble if he did.

"I know you do, but Dumbledore rarely plays fair, the downside is that he knows you are a vampire, knows your weaknesses," Severus informed him, "Our weaknesses,"

"It's curious isn't it…" Rick said something dawning on him, "I mean he knows you're alive, why hasn't he made contact? It's clear that you're with Harry…and you could have potentially told him every dirty little secret he knows."

"He will assume we cannot stand each other," Severus replied immediately, "The first time we met…left a lot to be desired, I had a pretence to keep while at Hogwarts. He will believe that history will prevent Harry from trusting me and at the meeting even if he observes it from someone's mind or a pensive it gives nothing away."

Harry snorted a little at the word 'pretence' no Severus' hatred of him had been very real, passed on from father to son. He held no grudge; he hadn't been there long enough really. His mind drifting to the second time they'd met after an extended period of time, the duel then Severus kneeling before his feet, glaring defiantly. He certainly hadn't seen it coming, but nonetheless he was glad things had worked out. The vow, his appearance here, being turned, it was as though it was meant to be, and he wasn't one to believe in things like that - he made his own fate.

Rick made a thoughtful noise at the back of his throat, with a nod to both men he Apparated away, knowing it would be Severus who entered with Harry. He wasn't stupid, Severus would argue it until he got his way, that or Harry would be glad for his assistance. Judging by the way they were behaving, they hadn't resolved everything yet, but that wasn't a surprise both of them was stubborn to the core. Although Severus' worries were somewhat legitimate if only to the vampire himself, one couldn't easily discard their own feelings, but hopefully he would realize they were moot.

"Can I help you?" Tom asked, gazing at the vampire.

"A glass," Rick stated the wizard would know what he wanted, he noticed the others were hiding under cloaks to obscure their nature; too many vampires suddenly in the one room would make Dumbledore realize something was amiss after all. They also had bottles of Butterbeer they were pretending to drink while they waited. He could smell the anticipation in the room.

Handing over the right amount of sickles, he accepted the glass of blood, peacock by the smell of it. Glancing around he found a good spot and wandered over, sliding into the booth, mostly in the shadow but not too obvious about it that anyone would become concerned. It was mostly quiet, not too many people there, just a few wizards at the front of the bar eating their breakfast presumably before departing for work at the Ministry judging by their clothes. There wasn't a single Order member there, not that he could see.

Absently sipping at the glass, it was absolutely awful drinking blood that had been chilled for days, especially considering his diet was usually fresh blood that was still pumping through the veins of some unsuspecting Muggle. He adhered to Harry's rules, and gladly, he took his fill and left them alive…even if some didn't deserve it. Even heating it now would do no good, grimacing a little, he decided against drinking any more of it, instead he just swirled it around in his glass waiting impatiently now for this to be over and for Harry to get back to the safety of either Potter manor or the base.

He did notice the time, neither Dumbledore nor Harry were there yet, and it was the allotted time Harry had said. Unless…just as he thought it, Dumbledore did indeed make a dramatic entrance into the Leaky Cauldron, looking around, his blue eyes flashing in confusion and irritation when he noticed that Harry wasn't there yet. Rick had to suppress his sardonic huff, he'd shown up late to a meeting in order to seem all powerful and dramatic, and Harry must have known. Dumbledore predictably wasn't alone, that was the confusing part, he had two young teens with him, while the girl had moderate powers (when compared to the magical cores he'd seen in his life) the boy was practically a squib, he had absolutely no flare at all around his magic, it was dull and practically lifeless.

"Where is he? I thought you said he'd be here," the boy, Rick observed, whined like a petulant child. Grimacing in disgust, this boy had to be at least seventeen years old, yet he was whining? A Weasley, Bill spoke about his so called family briefly, one was pride and vain, Percy, two were mischievous, the twins, one was proud and strong, Charlie, a girl, his sister who hew as most fond off, Ginevra, there was only one younger Weasley not mentioned, Ronald, this must be Bill's youngest brother. It clicked immediately, this boy was the same age as Harry, had been friends with him briefly, bloody hell, that made him nineteen years old, which made his words and whining even worse. It was hard to believe his Leader was ever friends with such a disgusting creature.

"Quiet now," Albus said soothingly, but underneath it held a note of warning, that probably went over Ron's head.

"Maybe he's just running late," Hermione said, trying to diffuse the tension she could sense in Dumbledore and stop her husband's mouth from running. "Should we get a seat before the bigger ones get taken?" there were only two tables big enough for at least four or five people.

Rick and the others felt Harry's presence outside the pub, judging by Dumbledore's straightening spine he too had felt the powerful shift in the air. The eyes remained clueless to the fact that he had felt it before, there was nothing but hope in those eyes no dawning realization. It didn't escape his notice that he refused to sit either, while this Ronald and the girl took a seat, gazing at their leader in confusion; they had no sense of self awareness if they couldn't sense the magic in the air.

When the door opened, the two teenagers weren't quite able to disguise their grimaces, and Rick wondered briefly if it was who Harry was with or the fact the pair of them were vampires. They definitely wouldn't do well in the new world once it was taken, and it would be, his leader had come too far to fail now of that he was certain.

"Ah, Harry my boy!" Albus called joyfully, not even pausing when he saw Severus with him, for that many would give him at least a minuscule of respect.

"That will be Lord Potter to you, and I am not your boy," Harry stated sharply, his voice loud and clear making no effort to talk quietly. He knew Dumbledore's game; he was trying to orchestrate this as a grand reunion between friends with Dumbledore being the benevolent old headmaster playing grandfather to the now 'found' Harry Potter.

"Told you, you now owe me ten galleons," Severus whispered, causing the others to suppress chuckles of amusement. In fact Howard was currently whispering the words that Severus had said to Alan and Brecon who didn't have the superior hearing all the others did.

Harry made no effort to hide his amusement, in fact he went far enough to remove the galleons from his pocket and hand them to Severus without preamble to Dumbledore who was watching them half cautious half curious.

"Shall we sit?" Albus suggested quickly recovering from the contentment he could see between both men and the fact Harry had publicly shot him down. He wasn't one to give up easily, he would have Harry onside, and the Order had already been warned against antagonising him including the two Weasley's at his side, the newlyweds. He did however have a burning curiosity as to how Severus had found Harry and his new…looks and his obvious turning. He honestly couldn't quite decide on what he wanted to ask first but Harry Potter was needed.

Hmm I had to stop here, I'm not sure how I want the conversation to go, whether to have Dumbledore play it cool and try and manipulate Harry emotionally or try something outright...either way would work but I definitely look forward to writing it! :D would you like for Fred and George to corner Bill and realise what's going on and they demand to join? Or will their snooping get them killed? R&R please