The Leader

Chapter 61

Gilderoy Lockhart had nearly had a heart attack when he had turned around from his latest venture to see Greyback standing up close in his personal space. He'd simply been watching and waiting, learning the hags schedule so he knew best when to approach her and get the story he so desperately desired from her before Obliviating her. He didn't want a repeat of what happened the last time. He'd almost been bitten by a damn werewolf, the thought was abhorrent to him, filthy creatures, and with him so firmly in the light and watched, envied and adored he simply couldn't risk it getting out. His popularity would have taken a nosedive. And nothing was more important to him than his fans, the adoration, the admiration and envy made him feel so good, so happy.

Jerking back trying to get away, ready to scream and shout even if it did give him away. He was currently dressed up in a way that avoided him being detected. He couldn't be seen actually hanging around this part of town after all, it was filthy and disgusting. The things he did to write books. His werewolf one would be on the selves in less than a month, it was currently being polished by an editor – not that he truly needed one – he was quite good at the written word after all.

Any word he wanted to get out was choked off by the hands that grasped onto his throat, Gilderoy began to scratch and scramble trying to dislodge his sudden attacker as he struggled to take in air. He couldn't breathe! His mind shouted out, as his flailing became more urgent and less effective. Black spots began to descend over his vision, wordlessly open and closing his mouth as his eyes bulged in true fear. After what felt like an eternity of not being able to breathe, terrified that he was going to die, his eyes slid closed as he fell unconscious.

Greyback let the disgusting thing fall to the floor, making no effort to stop his decent. Surprisingly it wasn't him that had found out where this worm was. It seemed that Harry had a progression of people loyal to him on the outside of the warehouse too. Josh was in charge of that, since he spent the most time with them, just like they all had their own side ventures. When the word went out they were looking for Lockhart the news spread swiftly, and before they knew it, they had his location the honing beacon that this piece of shit had stuck to him by whoever Josh's contact was had worked wonders.

He could sense whoever it was, was nearby. Their magic had a distinctive taste, it was a fellow werewolf he realized, and already in a pack judging by the scents lingering around him, claiming him. He knew what the werewolf was waiting on, Greyback dug out the bag of gold and ordered his Beta to give it over. Josh had given it over to him before he left with orders to give it over. Smart really, it gave them money they needed, while securing their loyalty for further use.

Nobody could say this group he was now with was stupid. The extent of their network and their reach was…overwhelming to say the least. He didn't even think the Dark Lord's reach was quite so extensive that they could find anyone, and even in a different country. It gave him confidence that he had chosen well for his pack, and that they would for the first time actually flourish. That one day he'd actually be able to give his pack the home he had promised them.

Once his Beta approached him, he took the pouch without even looking inside, but his shoulders relaxed as if a burden had been removed from him. Giving both him and his Beta a nod, he disappeared into the crowd, their ears picking up the sound of Apparation the werewolf was gone.

"Well, that was different," Michael commented, and what was more surprising was the fact everyone had seen the attack and done nothing. It truly showed just how bad this part of town was here in France, either that or they sensed the predators that they were and their instincts were screaming at them to move along lest they become the focus of this new attackers attention. "We heading back first or are we going to have some fun?" Linus wasn't the kind to put up with this sort of thing. He was the more humane out of them all, its how he was so good at reigning in their Alpha when it was required. He was calm, collected and nurturing, very different from both him and the Alpha. Oh, don't get them wrong, he wasn't sweet and innocent, he killed when it was required, but something like this would probably be over the top for his brother. Not his brother by blood naturally, but they were brothers in all other ways that it mattered. They would die for each other. That was how strong their bonds were to one another.

Greyback grunted before he wrapped the necklace around Greyback's bruising neck. Almost immediately the scent of Lockhart disappeared as if he wasn't even there.

"Whoa, well that works," Michael said in awe. "I've never seen one that works so well, especially up this close." Or at all really. The urge to grab it and tinker with it until he figured out what made it tick was strong. Uncommonly strong actually, but he refrained. He would ask for a copy or just grab it from his dead corpse once it was over.

Greyback looked over the pathetic form of the unconscious wizard, eyes narrowed dangerously as he thought on what he wanted to do. Oh, he had something in mind, but did he do it away from the prying eyes of the group or see what they were made of? Truly made of and whether they could survive a world with the Dark Lord at the helm. After all they could talk the talk…but could they walk the walk? Not that he truly cared, they had saved his son and he'd always be grateful – loyal – to them for that. Yet he couldn't help but hold a desire to test them. It was the Alpha in him.

"Head back, make sure the cubs in the cabin," Greyback ordered with a grunt, eyes gleaming ferally. His protective streak for anything he considered his showing through. Edith was his, she had been from the moment he decided so. She would grow up along side his son, he wouldn't grow up alienated or despised neither of them would. The youngest cub aside his son and Edith was Reg, and the boy was enchanted with his own Alpha but he did take time with the youngsters. Whatever that had happened to Reg had traumatised the boy, so much so that even he curbed his tongue near the boy. "I'll remain here with this…piece of filth,"

Michael didn't blink at the order from his Alpha, he merely apparated on the spot.

Greyback grimaced before he hauled the unconscious wizard into his arms and slung him over his back like a sack of potatoes. Grinning ferociously at the fact the other wizards avoided both his gaze and him. Creating a ring around both him and Lockhart. Honestly, he was sort of surprised no Aurors had burst on the scene yet. Not that it would matter, if they did – not only would he hear them – but he would Apparate before they could get near. Before they could even think of putting up any wards to prevent him escaping. The beauty of being a werewolf, and fully accepting himself, he could hear spectacularly.

He was beginning to get impatient though, it was thankful for all concerned that Michael chose that moment to return.

"We're good to go, Linus and a few others are taking the kids somewhere…" Michael informed his Alpha. Where that somewhere was, he had absolutely no idea, he hadn't stuck around to find out. He'd been satisfied with the knowledge that they were being taken elsewhere, somewhere far enough they wouldn't hear anything even if the spells somehow failed abysmally.

"Let's go," Greyback barked at the sound of at least three pops simultaneous, he wasn't waiting around to see if it was law enforcement Apparating or not. He disappeared with a pop along with Linus, and the most certainly unwilling Lockhart being side-long apparated to his new…abode.

The second Greyback appeared in the centre of the warehouse, which ironically wasn't in the actual warehouse. It was outside in the middle of two buildings, where he could see the guards on duty but nobody else. He had little doubt that Harry already knew what was occurring. If someone hadn't told him, he could make a very accurate guess by the feelings gleaned by the wards.

"Want any help?" Wyatt asked, creeping out of the shadows, and if Greyback had less composure he would have jumped. Wyatt's scent wasn't quite so easy to pick up, he didn't scream 'human' or 'vulnerable' to Greyback nor did he shout 'Vampire' despite being half one. It was softer than the others and less easy to pick up, nonetheless he didn't show any surprise on his face at his intrusion. "Not that it matters much…you'll have help soon, Harry will be back." Their Leader would have sensed the threat coming through the wards…not that Lockhart could be considered a threat to anyone. Not right now. No, he was only a threat to little girls, the disgusting piece of trash that he was. He hadn't even reported his daughter missing, although people would have had to know about her, but there was nothing to indicate he had a daughter except from a deeply buried birth certificate. Even then Harry had done testing to ensure she was Lockhart's daughter just to be on the safe side. Also to see if she had any other family except Lockhart's elderly parents…who oddly enough could not be found. It didn't bode well. Not that it really mattered, Wyatt reckoned Greyback probably wouldn't hand her over. He hated wizards, especially prejudice ones, and believed werewolves should be raised by their own.

He did have a point, 99.9 percent of the werewolf population were abandoned or abused after being 'infected' by lycanthrope. It was a fact, not just something he believed or picked up by prejudice Were's. And there were a lot of prejudice creatures out there, with an ingrained bitterness that wizards had caused. He had to deal with the aversion for the ministry on a daily basis, not that he argued the point.

The rumble of a lone bike detonated Harry's return, evidently Rick and Severus hadn't had a chance to find him. unless they were coming back as well, but after a few moments and the lack of any further engines he nixed that idea immediately. Then again the second the wards warned their Leader of someone being in the warehouse he will have made his way directly back home. He was bordering on possessive when it came to their protection. "That's Harry returning," Wyatt warned Greyback, urging him to at least be respectful, there were times everyone was sure Greyback was going to go too far and Harry's patience was going to snap. Not that Greyback was outright disrespectful he was verging on it though. It wasn't out of concern for him, but for the son he professes to love so much. Everyone loved the little boy, especially the woman, May most of all, she'd taken a shine to him, and Greyback too as a matter of fact. Not that Greyback noticed it, and if he did, he was pretending not to see it. Everyone knew better than to get involved in other peoples love lives, it never ended well. Although they'd all tried it a time or two, even with their own Leader, not that he and Severus needed help they'd made it work on their own terms.

Greyback didn't bother waiting any longer, instead he poured freezing cold water – that was just on the side of being frozen – across the unconscious wizards face. It didn't have the desired effect, Lockhart remained unconscious, not even a twitch of a muscle occurred at his actions.

"You choke him unconscious?" Wyatt asked, eyeing the bruises that were now branding themselves around his red swollen neck.

Greyback grunted in affirmative.

"He'll be out of it for at least twenty minutes then," Wyatt declared, even with water being thrown over him he reckoned. "You're probably better of using the Rennervate spell," it would give him the jolt he evidently needed to be roused. The guards were splitting their focus between what was going on and their duty, something that wasn't allowed. Not that they did it long, the second Harry's presence was felt, they straightened up and looked resolutely ahead. Wyatt's lips twitched at the sight, they were newer recruits, not quite used to so much drama. They could always feel Harry, even with his magic contained, it was unmistakable. He was a powerful being, and anyone who crossed him…well let's just say they got what they deserved in Wyatt's opinion.

"Rennervate!" was grumbled out though Greyback's lips, he didn't much like using magic. he'd use it when he had to, but in his opinion magic and wizards – which he didn't consider himself as just a werewolf – were foul and disgusting. He used it sparingly and only to protect his own. This fell into that category.

Harry watched from the shadows as Greyback roared at Lockhart, half transforming in his anger as he stared at the wizard who had already wet himself at the sight of the werewolf. The smell of ammonia was strong and almost made every werewolf and vampire in the area gag at the disgusting scent hitting their delicate nostrils.

It took one word, just one word from Greyback to have Lockhart confessing everything. "Edith," his daughters name. Instead of concern disgust and fear were the only reactions Lockhart portrayed to the world. "Who is her mother?" not that Greyback cared all that much, but all children needed a mother, he had to know if she had walked away or not.

Lockhart tried to skitter away from the hulking figure, his daughter had been the product of a one night stand. He had all the girls begging for his attentions, and he gave it freely and without fear of reprisals. Then one day he was approached by a woman he had slept with nine months previously, whom he barely remembered in the long line of girls who clamoured for his attention. He had refused to believe her, when he realized his name was on the birth certificate he did the only thing that came naturally he spilled the entire tale in terror. "I obliviated her," he squeaked out, his entire body shaking as he tried to make himself a smaller target, even his teeth chittered, "I couldn't risk the world finding out about it! We're so old fashioned still, I'd lose credibility, I didn't want a kid, but I took her, I looked after her!" he scrambled back as Greyback kept advancing. "It's not like I dumped her in an orphanage!"

"Only because that would bite you in the ass eleven years later," Wyatt stated sharply, his face filled with disgust. This piece of shit had obliviated a woman who had only wanted him to know he was a father. By his own admission she hadn't wanted anything from him. Not a damn single Knut. To have her entire life wiped from her and stuck in St. Mungo's…his depravity knew no bounds. Wyatt wanted to be horrified, and in a way he was, but knowing the depravity of the human race…even the wizarding race…nothing truly surprised him anymore.

Still the questions kept coming, and Lockhart was too terrified to even think of lying let alone scrambling what little braincells he had left in order to think up a decent one. All the laws he'd broken, the people he had hurt all spilled out of his guts, as his terrified eyes darted around the area as if he was looking for an escape route to just appear in front of him to save him from the beast that was Greyback.

There was no sympathy on anyone's faces, just grimness and disgust and it took Lockhart too long to realize he was utterly surrounded by creatures, vampires and werewolves alike. If he hadn't been so fearful for his life, he would have found the combination odd, since both creatures did not get on at all. By the time Greyback was done terrorizing Lockhart there were dozens of creatures surrounding him on all sides.

Greyback heart Harry's words about his cub, it didn't matter if she wasn't his by blood, she was and would remain his cub. "Agreed," they didn't want Edith to know that this piece of filth had been anywhere near her sanctuary, her safe place where she was slowly spreading her wings. To smell him nearby well, they may as well clip her wings if such a thing occurred. He stretched out to his full height, his bones creaking as he stretched languidly for someone who was about to torture another being.

"Oh, no you don't," Howard growled, grabbing hold of Lockhart and yanking him back into place with a rare show of delight. It was very difficult to get Howard to show anything, he was a very impassive man, more so than his leader, preferring to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. evidently he was feeling particularly vindictive right now, as a pleased smile lit up with features when they all heard the tell tale sound of a cracking bone as Lockhart choked out a cry as he was thrown back to the floor with strength only a vampire could accomplish.

Greyback's eyes observed everything around him just as his ears picked up every word around him. Some of the people were leaving, not having the stomach to personally witness this punishment first-hand. Electing instead to protect the women – not all of them had gone but Greyback noticed May was one of them - who had left and the children. Contrary to popular belief, he knew she was interested in him, but he wasn't a kind man, and May had been though some kind of hell, she deserved someone who could help her recover not someone who ultimately would terrify her. He believed that he would. This was a reminder that she deserved better.

Lockhart looked around, trying to find someone who looked as though they would take pity on him, but there wasn't one such person here to be found. Even in his panic though, he noticed that there was one leader, that was evidently not Greyback. Someone was in charge of this entire gang of creatures, "I can give you money! Lots and lots of money, I can go get it, you can get everything, everything, please…" he scrambled towards the 'leader' in a bid to plead his case.

He got within a foot before he was grabbed and held in place, with a single flick of the Leader's fingers they ceased trying to pull him back. Relief flowed through him, money, of course, it would always come back to money, everyone could be bought. "I have millions of Galleons, they're yours if you let me go, a fair trade!" he said eagerly, the pain in his wrist couldn't distract him from the renewed hope. "Six million, think of everything you could buy!" he had quadruple that, but nobody need know.

Harry squatted down next to Lockhart, the profound look of hope and eagerness turned his stomach. Green eyes gleamed as he observed the wizard before him. This wasn't someone he wanted in his world, so even if he was tempted by the money, which he wasn't, he would have still killed him. "All the money in the world won't save you," he said coolly. He knew what was coming next before he even spoke. People like him were predicable.

"Okay, okay, twelve million," Lockhart said desperately, still under the belief that this leader could be bought.

Harry chuckled dryly, "You realize I could have it all regardless? I have your daughter, as your only heir she receives every. Single. Knut." Lockhart paled at an astonishing rate as he realized the truthfulness of that statement. Rather enjoying playing with Lockhart.

"You'll have to wait until she's seventeen!" he squeaked out, "I'm offering you it today! Right now!" his mind whirling as he felt his hope beginning to wane. He refused to give in, "Twenty million, just for not killing me, not bad in a days work!" he said, a twisted smile on his face, trying to lay on the charm but failing spectacularly.

Jack – the Alpha – laughed out a vicious steely sound, "I don't think he realizes who you are," he said sounding deeply amused, as he glanced down at Harry who was still kneeling before the doomed wizard. He just didn't seem to get that through this thick skull. A quick glance to his side when he heard a sound, he noticed Greyback returning with one of the biggest knives they had in the kitchen – a hunting knife – looking quite smug and pleased with himself.

There was a sense of restless anticipation and amusement coming from everyone.

"No, I don't suppose he does," Harry said ferally, "That's the way I like it," even though he was back in the magical world, had his picture taken, still people didn't often recognise him, and he preferred it that way – for now.

"Okay, okay, how about forty-five million?" Lockhart said breathlessly, pleading with his eyes and in his mind for this to work out in his favour. Praying that this vampire would just take the money and let him live, that was all he was asking. "I'll even swear an Unbreakable Vow never to speak of this again, never Obliviate anyone else…I'll…er…even turn myself in!" now he was just lying, he'd rather die than end up in Azkaban which was most certainly where he'd end up.

Harry chuckled dryly, sensing the lie for what it was, a dying mans last attempt to live. "Do you even know what my estate is worth?" he taunted the wizard. "Billions." He added smugly, "That is just the one estate."

Lockhart swallowed thickly, his beady eyes growing nervous, the vein in his neck was pounding violently. Each vampire in the area could smell and sense just how terrified he was by the rushing of blood around his body.

"It was helped along by the fact the Potter estate hadn't been touched for a decade," Harry added wryly, which had just added to his fortune.

Lockhart's eyes bugged out at the news when it penetrated his frazzled mind. Potter? This was Harry Potter? The-Boy-Who-Lived? He was a filthy disgusting creature? He had been so envious of the boys fame, which only grew to epic proportions as he aged without returning to the magical world. Especially when he had disappeared without a trace, well little wonder if he had been bitten, but the thing in front of him wasn't a child, so evidently he hadn't been bitten. The Potter fortune had always been said to be immense, like the Malfoy fortune, if it was true… then money wouldn't help his cause.

"And the Knut drops," Wyatt murmured with a chortle. Watching the wizard slump with his remaining energy waning away as he realized the direness of his situation once more. The scent of terror so strong was bringing out the vampire in him and he was revelling in it.

"You're supposed to help people!" Lockhart protested, as he was dragged back, screaming at the top of his lungs, trying to fight back as he was forced onto his stomach. What the hell was going on? Why were they throwing him onto his back, grunting out in pain as a knee dug into the base of his spine temporarily winding him. "You're the Boy-Who-Lived! You stopped You-Know-Who! You're a hero, you're meant to help!" trying to fight again when he felt himself being stripped of his clothes with something serrated by the sounds of it. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, willing to do anything.

"Don't you know by now? Never believe everything you read," Harry said derisively, watching in morbid fascination as Greyback began to dig the knife into Lockhart's spine, beginning to break his ribs from the back, one by one. Wyatt sneakily snuck in a spell that prevented too much blood loss. The bloody eagle was just as bloody as it was declared. There had never been evidence found of such an action taking place, the bloody eagle execution that is. Not outside literary invention, or TV series, it was a debate that carried on to this day whether it was an authentic historical practise or a mistranslation from original text from Skaldic poetry.

Jack continued to revive Lockhart every single time he passed out, a rare show of aggression that didn't normally happen with him. Harry narrowed his eyes speculatively at the werewolf, it took a lot to piss of Jack to the extent he was this cruel to anyone or anything. He had to learn something so diabolical that he couldn't contain his mounting fury. He had only seen it unleashed twice in all the years he'd known him. Jack was just listening to Lockhart screaming, which was becoming more rattled and weak as the assault on him continued.

Jack's eyes shot to Harry's when he sensed himself being watched, or rather watched more vehemently than just frivolously. Just like the others were now and again when he continued to wake the wizard up. They all knew how laidback he was, how much they had to piss him off for him to snap, especially those who had been there since the beginning. When he had found out about Reg's parents that had been one of those times. He'd mauled the motherfuckers to pieces, made sure they died in agony for their crimes against his cub.

This was why he understood Greyback's rage and the feral need to enact retribution in the most painful way he could imagine. Not all werewolves were lucky enough to imprint themselves on an alpha, like Reg and Edith, not so quickly and not so that they were so possessive over them. Reacting as though one would as if the cub was their own blood.

Harry arched an eyebrow, silently demanding an explanation, he wanted clarification from Jack.

Jack left his spot, and moved over to the only Leader he answered to, "Reg has spoken to Edith quite often, him telling her about his life had Edith trusting him, he got some of the truth from her." He said through gritted teeth, and it had been so difficult to remain calm both outwardly and inwardly as his cub explained.

Everyone of course, heard the words except Lockhart who had stopped screaming, he was just making a 'ahhh' sound as if he had been winded and unable to stop the sounds coming from him. Despite themselves, most of the others cringed as Greyback used his hands to pry back Lockhart's ribs, the noise just one of those grating sounds that gave you the willies.

Instead of flipping out the lungs Greyback plunged his hand into his open rib cage and grasped a hold of the weakly beating heart and ripped it from his chest. He stood there afterwards, heart clutched in his hand, his massive chest moving quickly as he breathed heavily. It was almost as if Greyback was preventing himself from transforming into his wolf. The vampires would have said it was a blood lust look.

The heart stopped beating almost immediately, a few moments later, Lockhart's eyes became vacant and dead as his body stilled completely for the first time since Greyback had begun his punishment. Greyback dropped the heart carelessly to the ground, most of his anger and rage at the world gone and his wolf quietened down after the blood lust. Leaving him feeling cold and empty, he just wanted his son right now, and Edith, to know they were alright. He didn't like his cubs being out of his reach, especially with Voldemort still on the loose.

"Howard, Rick take the body away and dispose of it somewhere he will be found, Edith deserves to get the fortune when she's ready to claim it." Harry stated firmly, they'd know to ensure there was no trace of any of them on the dead corpse. He wasn't going to touch the money like he'd made Lockhart believe. He had no need to. After all her father had done to her she deserved some compensation. It wouldn't bring her mother back regretfully.

"Jack, Shade clean this place up thoroughly, I don't want a single trace of his presence here by the time the others come back." Harry ordered. And just like that everyone did their bit meanwhile the others who had watched the spectacle left seeing as they had no orders of their own to perform.

"Well…that was…something else," Severus stated as he finally approached Harry who was the only remaining figure except Greyback in the area.

Harry's lips twitched, "Any regrets?" he asked, arching an eyebrow as he glanced at Severus curiously.

"None," Severus said immediately, "I don't think I'd regret this self-made family we have here,"

Harry dipped his head in agreement, approving his words green eyes warm and affectionate. Severus was beginning to understand what they were truly about.

I would have written all Lockhart confessed too but honestly...we already know what he did the insane lunatic that he was lol so I elected to do it this way! I'll need to re-read the story to see if I have any loose ends before I continue it I want to make sure to smooth it out before the last stages begin! Is there anything you'd like to see before it's all closed up? ANNND I think I'll update another chapter of Embracing His True Self next :) I'll try not to make it so long before I update anything again I'm afraid RL has just been...well ugh, real life I suppose! Read and Review please!