...
Jacob Stryker was the first out of his Common Room that morning. He was a tall burly teenager. Even though he was only two years older than Harrison he stood a good head taller than him. It was nearly five in the morning by the time he came out. When he saw Harrison there was a slight widening of his mercury eyes.
"Potter?" He questioned, "What are you doing here so early? We didn't have a meeting I am forgetting about? Did we?"
"Sorry," he answered with a shake of his head, "We didn't have a meeting this morning but something happened last night. Something I'm hoping you might have answers to."
Stryker yawned, "If I can help you, Potter. I will. We have been friends for years since we started here together."
With the permission given he explained what happened. The dream and the voice. It still haunted him even now hours later. The more his friend listened the wider his expression became.
When Harrison finished he stalked right up to Harrison and grabbed him by the front of his robes. The wolf medallion under his shirt that he never took off clinked with the sudden movement. He was drawn close so that Stryker could get a strong amount of his scent. It wasn't quite as personal as scenting him in the crook of his neck but it was still more personal than Harrison was comfortable with.
He watched Stryker's expression closely waiting for any change that might indicate he was in danger. Stryker was a skinwalker and a powerful one at that. Like werewolves, skinwalkers were children of the moon. They shifted between this world and what was called the spirit realm. Their strength came from that of the wolf they were connected to. No one got to choose their wolf they were born with them. Skinwalkers had their first and most dangerous shift in puberty. No one outside of the clans knew what the signs were of an upcoming shift.
By Stryker's reaction he could very well be showing the signs. Which didn't make any sense whatsoever. Neither the Potters nor the Evans had any skinwalker in them. Nor did he have enough of a connection to the Moon to be one of the few chosen. He made sacrifices to Mother Magic during the holidays. Those who wanted the favor of the Moon made sacrifices to her.
As suddenly as he was grabbed Stryker released him. A confused scowl painted its way across his face and Harrison knew instantly. He wasn't a skinwalker despite the signs. That was something at least.
Stryker said still staring at him with confusion, "You are not a skinwalker. But that doesn't make any sense."
Harrison sighed and rubbed at his eyes, "I didn't think I was. My family isn't part of the skinwalker clans. Is there anything else this could be though?"
Stryker hummed his mercury eyes glazing over with thought. Then a look of knowing overcame him.
He declared, "I might have an idea. It's an old story told to us pups. I need to send a message to our clan historian to be sure."
Disappointed Harrison sighed and gave his consent. It would seem he was in a waiting game now.
...
Later that morning found him eating breakfast in the Great Hall. The Black Hawks Battle Mage Group all sat around him. His group including him were seven witches and wizards of varying talents. Battle magic was one of the many electives in Nightingale. Harrison had taken it every year since he arrived. Every year there was something new to learn and opponents to face.
XIII was to his left scarfing down a high protein meal. He was a Blood Mage of the highest degree. According to Durant there had not been a Blood Mage with such strength in over 100 years.
Stryker was to his right eating a very similar meal. Was a Rune and Inscription Master and preferred to keep himself to the books. Harrison could understand that wanting.
Blue their only witch was directly across from him eating a small amount of toast. Harrison was sure he had never seen her eat anything more than that. While curious about it he never asked and she never volunteered. It wasn't any of his business as long as it didn't affect her work. She was their shield and protection specialist. Anything they wanted to know about shields Blue was the one to ask. On either side of her were Kavar and Eon. The two were twins though their personalities were completely different as was their magic.
Kavar specialized in all forms of Battle Magic. Combat was everything to him and he planned on entering the French Magical Military Forces. Harrison didn't have any doubt he would succeed if anything he expected his friend to go straight for Officer's Candidacy. If it wasn't for Harrison and Kavar's loyalty to him Kavar would be leading his own team.
Eon on the other hand was laid back. He was a Master Enchanter and Ward Master. Most of the time he didn't actually fight in the Battle Mage duels. He would break the wards of the defensive group or set them up if they were on the defensive. That wasn't to say he couldn't fight. He could, he just chose to hang back. Most of the time they didn't need the extra pair of hands.
Harrison sipped on his bitter black coffee as he checked over his homework for Summoning. As usual it was near perfect but it never hurt to double check.
"Potter," came a gruff Australian accented voice from behind him.
Harrison turned his head to face Nathan Adams, a tanned older man with blond hair bright green eyes. He was turning 21 in a few weeks and would be leaving the school. He worked as an Inscription Master helping students get their apprenticeships. Despite only taking two classes he still wore his school robes showing the black crest of the House of Styx.
Harrison fully around and gave the man his full attention asking, "Adams what can I do for you? You don't usually approach me."
Which was true. Even when Harrison took the title of King of Nightingale in his third year most of the upper years ignored him. There were a few exceptions. Mostly those who thought they could take him in a duel.
"Potter," he answered, "The Headmaster wants to see you right after breakfast."
Well great. That was exactly the last thing he needed. With a sigh he finished his coffee and headed for the headmaster's office on the second floor.