The Leader

Chapter 57

"Do you have something I can do?" Remus asked as he approached Harry, who was seated in the warehouse. It wasn't until Harry turned to face him that he realized how tired he looked. Considering vampires did not sleep, it spoke a great deal of the pressure that he was under. "Maybe something that will ease the burden you're under?" he felt useless stuck as he was, in the cabin, he shared with Sirius. He loved him, don't get him wrong, but damn, putting up with him twenty-four seven, was definitely not what he wanted. If he didn't find something to do, he was going to go stir-crazy. Even if it meant seeing Fenrir Greyback when he was out and about.

"I'll be fine," Harry stated seriously, not giving his offer a seconds thought. These were all things he had to do himself, but that was his life. Drowning in constant paperwork, in order to get everything done. He often wondered if Voldemort did this much paperwork if he did, he felt pity for him, a very miniscule amount of pity mind. Then again, he had many more people under his care than Voldemort could possibly dream.

"Is there anything I can do?" Remus questioned, he had healed up nicely from the fight with Greyback thankfully. He had expected to take two steps back after the full moon, but he had not. If anything they were saying that his wolf form was beginning to peek through. That they would know what he was going to look like as a real wolf, soon enough. "It's just…well, I'm bored and tired of sitting in the cabin.", especially while everyone else worked or did chores around the place.

Harry paused what he was doing and twisted around to stare at Remus with an impassive gaze. He wasn't sure why neither had returned to Grimmauld Place or the magical world in fact. Sirius was free, Pettigrew had been handed in, Black had his fortune, they could be anywhere in the world. Yet they remained, why? "What would you say your skills and talents lie in?" Harry questioned, there was no denying Lupin was intelligent. He was, he had done rather well with his O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's but he had never held down a job.

Remus shifted, caught by surprise at what Harry had asked of him, "How do you mean?" Remus asked, not sure in what kind of way he was referring to his abilities. Magically? Mentally? Any tasks he had seen the others accomplish around here? He knew Harry would prefer a concise answer, so to do that, he must first understand it.

"What do you enjoy doing, Remus? Reading? Learning? Teaching? Creating spells? Making potions? What do you like? And if so, do you see it as a skill or talent?" Harry asked, finally putting the quill he had been fiddling with during their short conversation. He had to admit, he was curious to know the answer, mildly, but still curious nonetheless.

"I like doing all those things," Remus admitted, eyes gleaming happily as he thought on good days. "I did all those things while I was at Hogwarts. Those were the happiest days of my life," he confessed. It was true, nothing even came close in comparison. Then again, he had left Hogwarts and was immediately immersed in a damn war. Doing all he could to end it, wishing for it to be over. Never once did he take into consideration the end result, losing everything in the process. He would have rather the war continued on, as horrid as that seemed. He'd lost his entire pack, so yes, he would have preferred it that way.

"What gave you the greatest joy?" Harry queried, very surprised by the admission that he had created spells. He would need to sit with Remus and find out just what he had created. To see if perhaps he could sell them, with Remus getting the credit and earnings, of course. Give him his own fortune, it truly did depend on the creation.

"Helping the others with their spell work," Remus answered after careful consideration, "Also reading anything new."

"Do you think you could refrain from loathing what you are long enough to teach the youngsters?" Harry asked bluntly, ignoring the flash of shame and surprise that overcame Remus' features at his words.

"I don't…" Remus sighed, unable to lie, he did wish and had always wished he was just a normal wizard. That he hadn't been bitten by a werewolf, let alone at such a young age. The self-hatred wasn't quite so bad these days, the pain he endured lessened significantly, especially having a pack and Sirius with him during the full moon. He knew there was no point to wishing such a thing, it was pointless. "I would never do that, not to others, everyone's entitled to their own opinion and thoughts,"

"They might be yes, but people can smell what you think of yourself, Remus, including children," Harry told him seriously. "Admittedly, it isn't quite so obvious these days, but we are trying so hard to get them to accept what they are, I will not allow anyone, especially here to let doubt spread." this was their safe heaven for Merlin's sake and he'd damn well keep it one.

"What do you teach them?" Remus asked, his eyes dimming as he realized not every single one of his kind was lucky enough to be admitted into Hogwarts. He was very privileged and lucky to have gone, his life would have been so different otherwise. Not in a good way either. "Are you going to make it so that they can go to Hogwarts…without prejudice?" the prospect almost boggled his mind.

"Yes, not just werewolves, Remus, but all kinds of creatures that are considered too dangerous or too dark to be around normal people," he derisively snorted after speaking those words. What the hell was normal when you had the ability to cast magic? It was prejudiced plain and simple and he would not allow for it. All children would be given an equal chance under his regime, of that there was no question. "As for what we teach them, everything, so they are prepared to go out in the world educated,"

"I'd like to help with that," Remus said, eyes giving away his eagerness to educate, to aid their education, to see them flourish thanks to his help. To do something, anything, that wasn't sitting in the cabin all day. He didn't care if he wasn't paid for it, just knowing he was doing something would be a big relief.

"Very well," Harry conceded to Remus' wants. "They will be in the library today in exactly thirty minutes, on the desk will be every spell, every scrap of information they've learned over the course of the year. Find something new for them, teach them something useful, I'll give you three weeks then we will find out if it will be permanent or not." this was just to see how the children and teens reacted to him, see how good he was at teaching.

As George Bernard Shaw once said, 'Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." which wasn't always accurate, Severus was a very accomplished Potions Master, but he definitely couldn't teach. Remus couldn't do anything due to his own belief, because he was a 'werewolf' it was ridiculous. He had the ability to do things, yet he wanted to teach because he didn't do things. They were opposites he believed. Remus would probably make a good teacher, he would soon find out for sure. He was hoping that he could turn Remus into a 'doer' some day, especially if he had already created things in the past.

Remus nodded, a little too eagerly, but he didn't care about the amused look on Harry's face.

"They're currently watching the dueling tournament that's going on, why not make it a defense class first?" Harry suggested, meanwhile gesturing with his hand for Remus to go ahead up the stairs.

Remus moved to head up stairs, somewhere he hadn't actually been yet. This room was the farthest he had been in the warehouse actually. Was it right to call it a room when it was really four rooms packed into one? Just open planned so that every room showed. "Thank you," he added quietly at the bottom of the stairs.

Harry smiled at Remus, a genuine one, giving him a nod, silently thanking him for his gratitude then he turned back around to the paperwork in front of him.

Truthfully, Remus wasn't the only one who had come to him asking for something to do. Everyone did it eventually, or rather, most of them did. Others actually watched and adapted themselves, May was one of those people. She'd just suddenly started helping once she gained the courage to do so. Revealing more and more of her true character as time went on. Meanwhile, others who had joined him without injuries had immediately begun helping.

Shaking off his thoughts, he got back to his work, the prisoners were beginning a long arduous recovery to becoming healthy. It was going to be a long recovery time for most of them. If it was just broken bones, they may have been in with a chance of having them recovered within a few weeks. Unfortunately, it wasn't as simple as that. Those bones had been broken for years, and their health was just diabolical. He had demanded a healer and a Medi-witch to be present in the prison at all times. Going so far as to suggest Darius and Rachel who despite the fact they didn't have a piece of paper showing they were healers and such, were fully capable as any other healer or Medi-witch.

In his hands were the contracts for both Darius and Rachel, giving them both a job, steady income signed by both Minister Fudge and Madam Bones. He had retrieved it while handing over a copy of the files he had on the prisoners, more accurately their health, making sure that he got his way. Fudge had probably required some coaxing to sign the contract but in the end, if he didn't want the public finding out…he had to. He now had all their names, details and what they were imprisoned for and for how long.

He also wanted a mind healer for the prison, to aid them with the damages the Dementors had wrought in their fragile minds. Yes, he was aware that many were murderers, bad people, but that didn't mean they deserved to be tortured for the rest of their lives. Just as many of them were in prison for stealing, attempted murder, which some read self-defense to Harry, but they hadn't cared.

Sliding the information on the prisoners back into the folder he had. Harry burnt the letters belonging to Granger, he just wasn't in the mood to listen to her rambling on. She was utterly intolerable and just didn't seem to get a clue. He would have admired her tenacity if it was any other thing other than annoying the hell out of him. Even with the smell of burning paper, he could smell Greyback approaching the door.

He turned as the muscular werewolf entered.

"She's awake," the slow rumbling voice murmured, for such a big man he could be quiet when he wished to be.

"Has she said anything?" Harry asked, very aware of which 'she' he was referring to. Greyback couldn't care less about Tonks, but others of his kind…he most definitely did. He seemed to care about the girl almost as much as he cared about the rest of his Beta's. Nothing compared to the love and adoration he had for his son. He reckoned to Greyback his son was probably the only real good thing he'd ever done in his life.

"No," Greyback answered, shaking his head as well, to emphasis his answer. Seeing as he was done with the conversation, he turned and began to amble away again. He had been asked to let Harry know when she was awake, and so he had done that. Surprisingly he didn't mind doing it, you'd think as an Alpha he wouldn't. Then again the other Alpha - Jack - did exactly the same, reported to Harry so that made them both equals of sorts.

Harry stood, leaving his paperwork where it was, knowing the others wouldn't dare snoop around. Well, with the exception of Severus, who had done it once, and only once. Hopefully, Severus had a bit more respect for him now and definitely wouldn't do it again. He shouldn't have been surprised, the wizard was a spy, it was usually his only way of gaining information. Severus knew he would just ask him, and nine times out of ten he would answer.

It was no difficulty catching up with Greyback, he was the faster species of them both. Even under the full moon, he could outrun the wolves. Even knowing he was safe, Greyback kept himself tense and alert, Harry noticed. Maybe one day that tenseness would abate, although he genuinely hoped he'd never lose that alertness. It never hurt to always be aware of your surroundings.

Before long they both entered the cabin, this one was bigger than the others, they'd added additional expanding charms he noticed, two additional rooms. Wyatt must had done it, it was his magic that was imbued into the walls. Aaron cheerfully waved excitedly at Harry as he determinedly made his way over, batting Linus' hands away as he tried to prevent his 'Little Alpha' from moving.

Harry crouched down so that he was face to face with the three-year-old, a small smile on his face. "Hello, Little One," allowing Aaron to hug him, as he blabbed on about his day, what he was doing if Harry was able to deduce what he was saying properly. "Do you?" he added thoughtfully, as Aaron declared he liked his toy cars better than his Lego and building blocks half speaking half pointing towards his aforementioned toys.

"Come on, Little Alpha, time to get something to eat," Linus told Aaron as he took the boy from Harry's arms with an apologetic look. They knew how busy Harry was, and the fact he wasn't just brushing Aaron off meant a great deal to both Linus and Greyback.

"Mmm, food," Harry said teasingly, causing Aaron to giggle helplessly, finding it utterly hilarious. Say what you like about the kids' father, but that boy was completely adorable.

"How has he been?" Harry asked once the boy and the Beta was out of the cabin.

Greyback's eyes flashed, the only show of anger he had, with the exception of his hands being balled into fists. "Can't stand the dark. Won't sleep without light. Rest of the time you'd think nothing happened." Greyback grunted, Aaron refused to sleep anywhere but with him, not that he minded, it settled his own mind having his son so near. He had missed out on a lot of his life, he'd be damned if anything else happened. It was his main reason for staying here until he did whatever he wanted to do to the magical world.

Shaking his anger off, he opened the door to one of the original rooms the cabin had housed. The little girl lay amongst the fur covers, an empty plate lying nearby. Eagle eyes watching every move they made, she was tense, wary and fearful, whatever that had happened to her, couldn't be good.

"Hello, Little One," his voice calm and soothing, just as he had been with Aaron moments earlier. "Are you in any pain?" he asked her as he remained a foot away from her, she was extremely skittish. He knew she wasn't, she definitely didn't smell as though she was yet he wanted to ask so she understood she was safe here. That her needs were going to be met.

It took a few moments, but she shook her head, no.

"That's good," Harry said, "Can you tell me your name?" wondering if she even remembered it. She'd been out there (presumably) for a good long while. Unless she had gotten away from a scrupulous character, hell, even her own parents, look at what had happened to Reg.

"Edith," the girl whispered, unconsciously relaxing at the lack of violence or anger.

"It's good to meet you, Edith, you have a pretty name," Harry said quietly before he regretfully had to ask the questions, "Do you have parents who are worried about you?"

Edith gave a very real, very violent flinch at the mere mention of 'parents' that revealed a whole lot more than her lack of an answer. In fact, it was so violent she smacked her head against the wall, she rubbed at her new sore without crying out.

"Don't worry, you won't have to go back to them," Greyback scowled, a deep grumble in his voice, that soothed Edith, or perhaps it was his words - could have even been both. "You can stay here, you're part of the pack,"

Harry listened, Greyback seemed to have a different yet in some aspects similar way to Jack.

"That you can," Harry agreed, he wasn't going to damn well send her back to her parents now was he? "Do you know what age you are?"

Edith held up both hands, seven fingers up, indicating that she was seven years old. Whether it was her real age, Harry wasn't sure, children often guessed their ages without being truly conscious of what their age actually meant. To them, it was just a number, at least until they got older.

"You're a big girl then," Harry said, watching as she lit up, a shy smile coming to her lips although it wavered when Harry moved slightly. "Do you know your last name?" he asked soothingly.

Edith swallowed thickly, relaxing at the purring coming from her Alpha - not that she knew that was what he was - just that she felt very safe around him. "Lockhart,"

Harry reeled back, blinking at her in shock, "Is Gilderoy Lockhart your dad or brother?" he asked, suspecting that he was her father the age difference was just a tad too much, although it wouldn't be the first time. Magical folk often had difficulty conceiving, due to all the inbreeding no doubt.

"Dad," was whispered so lowly that if they had been human, neither would have heard it.

"Did he hurt you?" Harry asked, his tone becoming protective.

Edith found herself unable to reply.

Eventually, though, both Harry and Greyback detected a small movement of her head, in a downward motion that indicated 'yes' he had.

Harry stared up at Greyback, eyes glowing with power and anger, it said everything that was needed. Lockhart was going to pay for hurting his child. He himself gave Greyback a nod of permission, to get the bastard and make him pay, find out exactly what had happened to this little girl.

All Harry got back, in turn, was a bloodthirsty grin that showed Greyback's much darker nature.

Standing up, Harry moved forward, drawing a 'Silencio!' over them both so the little girl couldn't hear. "Nobody innocent gets hurt, I mean that you don't need to wonder what I would have to do," he said seriously, "Come to me before you go, especially if you're bringing him back here, I have something that will erase his scent entirely, so she doesn't become utterly petrified." she would probably hone on it immediately if he came nearby.

Greyback grudgingly nodded, realizing that Harry was not only serious but would probably have to do something to prove he could control his own people. That something was, probably kill him, but he valued his own life now, he had to be there for his son. He would do as he was told, he only cared about Lockhart anyway, he had hurt one of his own. For that Lockhart would pay for it with his life.

Giving a grim nod, he turned his look fading into a small smile, his magic breaking through the silencing spell he had up easily. He waved goodbye to the little girl, waiting until it was returned before leaving the cabin. All the while hoping that he wasn't going to regret allowing Greyback to do this. If he did hurt someone…someone innocent he would have to keep his word, Aaron's father or not.

"Rick, it's almost time, gather Lestrange as well as the newest prisoners, put them in the room near the cells, I want the two to hear and see everything," Harry declared, knowing that the vampire would hear him without much difficulty. He continued to walk towards the main warehouse.

He had just entered it when the sound of Apparation alerted him to someone coming in, the smell of Severus followed soon after. He could smell that Severus was distressed, "Severus? Come here," Harry called as he sat down, knowing he probably wouldn't get much done in the way of work. He did begin though, he managed to get through three reports from Alphas of three different packs, all updating him on what was happening, including whether they had newcomers into their packs or not.

A subtle sniff at Severus told him who this was going to be about, "How are they?" he asked, hiding his resignation.

"He's dying and there is not a damn thing I can do about it," Severus bit out, stressed and unhappy. "He's begging me to bite him, to turn him, anything to stop the pain, but I cannot, his mother is…worse," he slumped down on the chair next to Harry, his hands on his face feeling like a hundred-year-old and not the forty-eight year old he was…at least mentally.

"I am sorry, Severus," Harry said, he was sorry for Severus, but not the Malfoy's they'd brought their own fate to their door. Although he would admit he was just slightly prejudiced, only because the Malfoy's thought they were so superior to him and his people. Too good to be bitten and saved, look what had happened? It was Karma at it's finest in his grand opinion.

"Is there truly nothing we can do?" Severus asked glancing up at Harry, a desperate pleading look on his face. He couldn't stand to hear more of Draco's pleading. Yes, he was a spoiled young man, but he was also his godson. He loved him in his own way, enough to sacrifice his own life for him, but not to live with him let's put it that way. "You read everything to find a way for me to survive, if you can think of anything…anything…please," also not above begging Harry, who he knew would do anything he asked, or rather he was beginning to realize it, and was going to use it to his advantage right now.

Harry shook his head, hating the fact the first thing Severus was asking of him was something he couldn't give. "He's got Vela blood if we try to give him vampire venom or blood it will just kill him quicker," he explained quietly, a thoughtful frown appearing on his face as his mind mulled over potential ways they could save the arrogant sod.

Severus slumped further down, sighing softly, he knew there was nothing, he'd just hoped for a miracle. He just couldn't get the image of his godson out of his mind. He wasn't sure how many more times he could visit before he just couldn't bear it anymore.

"Unless…" Harry murmured thoughtfully, his head cocked to the side, reliving what had occurred just days ago, "I doubt he'd go for it though,"

"Go for what?" Severus sat up straighter, staring straight at Harry, silently demanding answers.

"There is only one way conceivable…" Harry said slowly, "That the poison be drained from the wound, before chopping off his arm…I do hope he had nothing he wanted to do career wise that would require two arms." he didn't feel sorry for Malfoy, but nonetheless, he was giving Severus a way to save his godson. "Thank Tonks, I wouldn't have thought of it otherwise."

Severus just stared at Harry aghast before it turned thoughtful.

Harry stood, gripping Severus shoulder tightly, giving him some form of comfort against what he had endured today. "I am going to find out just who those Hit Wizards are working for and take care of a particular Lestrange problem," he informed Severus, knowing without a doubt that he'd desire to come.

The words were barely out of his mouth before Severus was standing, more than ready to follow him.

Heh will Draco go for it or will his pride get in the way? :D Read and Review, please