Three days had passed since the ritual and Harald was very happy, so far. Njord and Karina had been really nice to him… especially the latter who had always wanted to have grandchildren. His grandpa had commented that he looked a bit like Leif, his mom's dead husband, was at his age… and despite not having met the guy, Harald was proud to be compared to such a good person.
His granduncle Einar sadly left a hour after the ritual alongside his Elk familiar Gunnar. Harald got to meet his grandparents' own familiars. Karina had a bobcat named Eira and the feline seemed to like him… a lot.
Munin, Njord's qrow, (named after one of the All-Father's qrows) was more reserved but clearly the black bird seemed to like the child as he secretly bring him cookies from the kitchen when no one was watching.
Another thing about Harald was how often he would use an opportunity to shift into his Bear Form. The morning following the ritual, he asked his new mother if he could because he wanted to be used to his second form. Seeing nothing wrong with it, Astrid accepted… as long as he didn't went to far.
Harald's Bear Form had the same color than his hair : dark brown. But when he looked at his reflection in the lake, he had noticed that a patch of fur around his neck was lighter in color. Not that it was a bad thing.
Then he tried to turn into his other form : the anthropomorphic one and it had been a success ! Turned out that he could speak normally in this form but his voice sounded a bit deeper.
Einar returned in the afternoon of the same day and had apparently a friend who helped him create legal papers for Harald. He was officially an American Citizen with a new birth date : the 1st of September 1987. The young boy had been overjoyed to be related to James and Lily Potter anymore but did was a bit sad to not be related with his brother William.
He still missed his older brother even if he knew that he would never see him again. Each night, he prayed the Great Bear for his brother's happiness… despite being with him any longer.
Back to present, Harald was excited as he and Astrid were making their ways deep in the forest near Njord's and Karina's house. As both of them walked in a world of trees and grasses, Astrid was greatly amused by her cub's excitement as he looked around with hopeful expressions on their faces.
Why we he so excited you may ask ?
Because the day before, Einar said that, now that Harald was a Werebear, he had to be taught how to act and behave like a Bear. Astrid had promised to teach him the moment they return to their home in Montana. But then the shaman said that the boy needed a familiar…
That's why they were in the forest…
Harald had been excited when he heard that he was about to look for his future companion and his little mind was wondering which animal would accept to become one with him.
Deep down, he hoped that he wouldn't get a wolf or a coyote… A fox maybe but not the others. Harald wished that he got a bear as familiar as if would make things easier for him but it was unlikely from what his new family said.
Back to present, dark brown haired child's blue-green eyes scanned the area : while he did caught the eyes of several animals such as squirrels, rabbits, woodpeckers, porcupines, and some deers , not once did he felt the shiver that his mother (and grandparents) told him about.
Suddenly, a large moose appeared a few feet away from them. It was an 6 feet old male whose body was filled with scars, clearly showing his struggle to survive. He turned his large head toward them and seemed to just observe the two, possibly to determine if they were threats to him or not.
Astrid narrowed her eyes at the large animal who seemed to understand the message and left without giving a fuss. Harald glanced at his mom with a questioning look on his face but she gave him a warm smile patting his head.
Shrugging, the dark brown haired child then saw something in the corner of his eyes : a cougar. The biggest cat in North America and who had the proud nickname of 'Mountain Lion'. The feline stepped closer and Astrid growled threateningly at it while gently pushing her charge behind her.
Despite his fear, Harald looked at the feline in the eyes and was a bit sad to not feel (again) the connection. Astrid's growl turned more feral and the cougar backed away in slight fear… before rushing away when the woman opened her mouth to released a guttural roar.
"Good riddance !" Astrid inquired with a huff toward where the feline left
"Let keep going dear~" she said to her son who smiled back at her.
The next few minutes were fruitless and Harald was beginning to lose hope that he might find his familiar in this forest.
"Its okay sweetie… You will find your companion sooner or later~" Astrid cooed to him in comfort at the look of defeat he harbored after 30 minutes of searching.
Harald looked at her with a thankful smile but his eyes were filled with nothing but disappointment. But then he froze as he heard something to his left and quickly turned his head into this direction.
Concerned by this strange behavior, Astrid opened her mouth to ask something but was ignored as her son walked away from as if he was following something. The light brown haired woman followed him to make sure that nothing would harm him while wondering what the hell was going on ?!
For what looked like an eternity, Astrid followed after her strange behaving son who still walked to 'Kallisto-knows-knere' in those woods. But then, he suddenly, his blue-green eyes looking at something in front of him.
Following his gaze, Astrid gasped softy by what she saw : bears ! Grizzly bears to be exact and even better, it was a mother and her cub ! After a quick inspection, the mother seemed to be heavily wooded as she was laying on her side while her cub was pawing her nose with pitiful cries.
Her attention instantly went back to Harald when her son stepped closer to the two. Seeing him, the mother bear growled at him threateningly
["Stay back human ! Don't come any closer !"] the mother grumbled at the little human in a threatening but pained tone.
Of course, being in her human form, Astrid couldn't understand what she was saying and whispered to her son in alarm
"Harald come back here !"
He ignored her as he stopped a meter or two away from the mother bear
["I'm not here to hurt you ma'am..."] he whispered to her but to Astrid, it sounded like a soft growl.
["A speaker ? My apologies young one, I thought you were with those cursed hunters !"] the mother bear explained in a deep tone, growling a bit as she said the word 'hunters'.
The little 3 months old blond cub (yes blond bears exist) ,who had been hiding behind its mother, slowly stepped out of her hiding place to look at the strange human before it. When their eyes met, Harald felt a strange sensation passing through his body as if his soul was mixing with someone. With a gasp, the dark brown haired boy realized that he unconsciously found his familiar !
The mother bear looked at the two with confusion at first but then a smile grew on her muzzle as she realized what just happened… however, before she could voice what she had in mind, her breath became faster and deeper and she caught the attention of the two who turned their heads to look at her.
The little cub cried out in alarm as it approached its mother. Harald stepped closer to and saw a large wound on the large female's flank and knew what caused this : a gunshot. Turning his blue-green eyes away from the bloody wound, Harald looked at the following scene with tearful eyes.
["Mommy ! Please don't leave me !"] a girl-voice escaped the cub's mouth as 'she' nuzzled her mother with despair.
A soft growl escaped the she-bear as she weakly nuzzled her cub back before she opened her jaws to say
["I'm sorry my sweet but I have too… I feel my life slowly slipping away… but I'm not afraid… because I know you will be well-taken care of..."] the mother bear whispered to her cub before turning her large head toward Harald who was standing right behind the cub.
["I know you will do it… because… she is your familiar… but I beg you… Take care of my daughter !"] she whispered the dark brown haired child who wiped his eyes with a finger before answering with determination
["With my life..."]
The mother bear shot a look toward Astrid and the two stared at each other in the eyes for a few seconds before the latter slowly nodded her head. Nodding back, the dying bear looked one last time at her daughter before saying in a whisper
["Goodbye my cub… we will see each other again~"]
One last breath… and it was over.
The female cub cried out as she buried her face against her mother, whining pitifully. Harald looked at the cub with nothing but pity as he slowly caressed the brown fur of the mother
"I will take care of her..." he whispered softy as tears fell from his own eyes.
Then the dark brown haired boy looked back at the still unnamed bear-cub before gently caressing her back. The she-cub turned her head toward him with sorrow in her orange eyes… before she pounced on him. Harald, at first stunned by the sudden action, slowly pulled the poor cub into a hug, caressing her back with his hands.
["I'm sorry for your loss..."] he growled softy to her and she looked up at him with shining eyes.
["Thank you… speaker..."] the blond cub responded in a saddened tone.
["Harald… my name's Harald..."] The boy responded with a soft smile.
["My name's Aiyanna… It mean 'Flower Blossom'..."] the little bear-cub responded with a soft smile of her own.
["Pretty name… nice to meet you Aiyanna… and welcome in the family~"] Harald replied with a smile while caressing her head gently.
She released a small growl of pleasure at the gesture and in exchange, she licked his face. Groaning in slight disgust, Harald didn't said anything as he turned his head toward his mother who had an expectant look on her face
"I think I found my familiar Mom..." he said to her with a sheepish grin.
Astrid blinked a few times at those words before a happy smile grew on her face
"You never cease to surprise me dear…" the brown haired woman replied to her son before her dark green eyes landed on the cub in her boy's arms.
"What's this little one's name ?" she asked him with slight curiosity.
"Aiyanna..." Harald replied with a smile before giggling when the blond cub licked his face again.
"Gorgeous name… Welcome in the family Aiyanna~" Astrid replied warmly to the little ursine who looked back at her with curiosity.
00/(Time Skip)/00
Needless to say that both Karina and Njord were dumbfounded when they saw their daughter and their grandson returning with an adorable blond grizzly bear cub. After all, it wasn't everyday that a Werebear get a BEAR as a familiar ! It is usually another animal like a Deer, a Wolf or a Fox… Heck even rabbits !
However, they congratulated for it despite being saddened to hear that the cub's mother had been killed by hunters. Aiyanna, at first wary of the humans, slowly became more accustomed to them. They were nice and they even buried her mom as a sight of respect.
Being a cub, she got to play with some of the other familiars especially Eira as the bobcat was really maternal both to her and a certain brown haired 6 years old child and when the feline was unavailable, Harald would HAPPILY play with her.
She had been explained what they were and she felt proud to be the familiar of someone like the dark brown haired boy who was not only a Werebear as they called themselves but also blessed by the Great Bear herself !
7 days after the ritual, it was time for Astrid and Harald to go back home… but this time, they had a little bear cub along. The problem was going on the road with a little cub in the car where people could see her.
The solution of the problem ? Hiding Aiyanna.
The plan was to place bear cub in a bag right next to Harald (of course it was open so she could breath) and, after being told of it, she was instructed to not get out until they reached home. Frustrated at first, the blond cub quickly accepted when she was told that if she got caught, she would be taken away from Harald !
Back to present, it was time to leave… and needless to say that some were more emotional about it than others.
"You are free to come back anytime dóttir !" Karina cried to her daughter as she hugged Astrid tightly.
"I know Móðir and I will~" Astrid responded as she hugged her back.
Njord, him, ruffled the top of his grandson's head in an affectionate manner
"Hope to see you again little drengr !"
" Me too afi and stop with the hairs !" Harald replied back with a pout as he mock-glared at his grandfather who only chuckled a bit in amusement before the young boy found himself engulfed in a tight hug from Karina
"I will miss you so much cutie !"
"I will miss you too amma !" Harald replied with a giggle before hugging her back… much to her delight as she instantly kissed his face over and over again.
Astrid watched the scene with amusement mixed with love as she then faced her father who smiled back at her before the two of them shared tight hug
"Be safe bairn…you and kid~" Njord whispered to his daughter who smiled warmly at him as she replied back just as softy
"We will Faðir ~"
"Now I think you should free the kid from your mom… I don't know how long he would be able to 'bear' her hugs..." Njord inquired to Astrid with a smirk.
His daughter snorted at the pun but did approached her mother to take back Harald from her. Karina pouted at Astrid for this but didn't say anything.
"It is time..." Astrid explained softy to her son when he looked up at her with confusion.
She carried him toward her green four wheel-drive where Aiyanna was waiting for them. Harald petted the blond cub's head before looking through the window at the people outside.
"Bye grandma bye grandpa !" the dark brown haired child waved at his grandparents who waved back at him with fond smiles on their faces.
Astrid herself waved at her parents before starting the vehicle. Njord and Karina watched as the engine left their domain to soon be out of sight.
"I miss them already..." the 47 years old woman whispered softy to herself but her husband heard her.
"Me too but hey ! I'm sure they will come back soon !" Njord whispered back to her while giving her a sideway hug she happily accepted.
Smiling at him, the two of them then made their way back inside with their familiars in town.
In the vehicle, while Astrid had her eyes on the road, Harald was chatting with Aiyanna
["What does your home looks like ?"] the blond cub asked her human with some curiosity while still making herself comfortable in the bag.
["Well… its similar to grandpa and grandma's house but bigger… There is a big forest around it and a river where we could swim or fish !"] Harald responded to his familiar with a happy smile at the thought of all the fun they will have together.
["Its sound incredible ! I wish Momma was there..."] Aiyanna cried out in joy at first before going sad at the mention of her mother.
Feeling sympathetic to the blond cub, Harald gently petted the top of her head and in appreciation, she licked it back, giggled a bit at his groan of disgust. Looking at them through the rear-view mirror, Astrid internally giggled in amusement before her eyes went back on the road.
However, in her mind, she was thinking : Harald had a lot to be taught… not only about how to be like a Bear but also the Werebears' traditions AND how to be a proper civilian of the modern society.
But then she shook her head to chase those thoughts away as she was 100% sure that Harald would be fine. He was an intelligent and fast-learning boy even before his adoption.
However, her soft smile quickly turned serious as she remembered a particular moment with her beloved uncle Einar after Harald's adoption.
00/(Flashback)/00
"Bróðurbarn…Can I talk to you ?" The shaman asked his niece in a serious tone as Astrid stepped out of the guest room where she and her newly named son Harald will sleep from the duration of their stay.
The light brown haired woman had just putted the boy to sleep but when she saw her uncle standing at the door, she had been curious of the why, while having a feeling a dread at the sight of his stern bearded face.
Nodding at Einar, Astrid gestured to another part of the house where they wouldn't be interrupted. Njord and Karina went out to stare at the stars so it was only the two and a sleeping Harald.
"What is it uncle ?" she asked him with a sigh while narrowing her eyes a bit.
"I think you already know what I am about to say..." Einar responded with calm.
Astrid didn't answer to this but the fire in her dark green eyes burned brighter. The shaman sighed deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose before looking back at his niece with a serious expression on his aged face.
"Astrid… I know you want him to have a normal childhood… I want it too… but you cannot ignore the fact he had to be train-" Einar began to explain before stopping as the person in front of him interrupted him.
"Do you think I don't know it ?! Do think I don't know that one day, because of his birthmark, he will become the leader of all Werebears ?!" Astrid hissed at her Uncle in slight anger while trying her best to not be heard by the boy sleeping in the next room.
Einar looked impassible as she ranted and once she stopped, he spoke again in a soft tone
"Astrid… Take a deep breath..."
The light brown haired woman gave him a sharp glare but reluctantly did what she was told. Closing her eyes, she slowly started to inhale before releasing it in a soft breath. After a minute of this, she looked calmer but her eyes still burned with fierceness.
"I will train him… once we return home, I will start his training… But only the basics… I will will wait until he is at least eleven to teach him more..." Astrid said to her uncle in a firm tone and with a look of seriousness on her face.
"The basics ?" Einar asked her with a raise-brow.
"How to act like a Bear, how to defend himself, how to track animals,… and a bit about our customs… except this !" the light brown haired woman responded in a sharp tone at the word 'this'.
Knowing what she was referring to, Einar nodded in acceptance
"What about his schooling ?"
Astrid took a moment to think before answering with a shrug "I will enroll him in one of the Elementary schools don't worry about this..."
"And his familiar ?"
"I will make the necessary arrangements at home once we return… When he is at school, I will take care of her..." the 27 years old woman responded with another shrug.
Einar nodded once again in acceptance before saying "Well then… I said everything… Now… Good night to you bróðurbarn !"
Then he left without saying anything more. Astrid watched him leave before sighing deeply as she re-entered the room her son slept in. Sitting on the bed, she extended an arm toward his sleeping face, caressing his cheek (the right one) with a hand. A coo escaped the child's lips as he leaned closer into the touch.
A warm smile grew on her face at this cute gesture and she lowered her head down to kiss his forehead, earning another coo from the sleeping boy.
"Oh my son… There is so much to do… and you don't even know it… yet..." Astrid thought to herself as she looked at the sleeping face of her little boy.
00/(End of Flashback)/00
Sighing again at the memory of this discussion, Astrid's mind went back on the road, ignoring the chatting duo at the back of the car. However, that didn't stopped her from glancing up at the rear-view mirror from time to time to check on them. A smile grew on her face at how quickly this two bonded and knew that it will forever staid like this.
00/(Time Skip)/00
"Home sweet home !" Astrid cried out in joy as she parked her vehicle in the garage.
"YEAH !" Harald cried in equal joy from his seat which amused his mother to no end.
["Come on Aiyanna you can come out now !"] the dark brown haired child said to the blond bear who had pulled her head out of the bag he hid in.
["FINALLY !"] Aiyanna shouted with joy and relief as she jumped out of the bag and out of the car when Harald opened the door for her.
["Come on ! I will show you around !"] Harald shouted in excitement to his familiar who growled in equal excitement as she was curious of this new area.
"Hum hum..." a clear of the throat stopped the two from bursting out of the garage.
Turning their heads to the source, they found Astrid with her arms crossing over her chest and giving them an amused raise-brow. Instantly, Harald's cheeks reddened in embarrassment as he looked at the ground, finding it pretty interesting all of a sudden. Even Aiyanna lowered her head down, trying to not look at the woman in front of her.
Giggling at their behaviors, Astrid smiled at them before saying in a gentle tone
"Come on little ones, you can go… but don't wander too far understood ?" the last part was said with sternness.
Harald and Aiyanna quickly nodded their heads before bursting out of the garage to the outside. Astrid watched them with a grin before she opened the car boot to pull out some of their stuffs.
Outside, Harald and Aiyanna were playing to their heart-contents under the sun. Both of them knew nothing of the things that will happen to them in the following years… and maybe it was to the better.
(To be continue…)
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A/N: Hey guys here more chapters of 'Vampires, Shifters and Teddy Bears' ! After the number of messages (private and reviews) I received about what animal should be Harry's familiar , it had been decided that our hero got a BEAR as his companion !
The cougar had been second in the votes and because of this, I plan to make this gorgeous kitten as someone else's familiar…Someone who will become Harald's mate in the future .
Here a little vocabulary for the words you don't know :
-dóttir : daughter
- afi : grandfather
- amma : grandmother
-bairn : child
-drengr : warrior
Little warning = the next chapter is actually NOT a chapter but an interlude.
I hope you enjoy this story so far and if you aren't following and/or favoring it yet then… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ?!
(This is not an obligation of course )