Hellhounds are not Emo II

09

ISDH

HANE

The Atrium was packed this Morning.

It was not just the Weekly Press Conference, but word was leaked that every news outlet in the Western Hemisphere would want a reporter in place. Something big was going to hit.

Upon seeing the size of the turn out, Fudge called Crouch and Bagman up, to blow a little excitement over the Triwizard-Tournament, and the coming School year…

He stood in the Shadows of the Stage, Weezy, Crouch's Personal Aid, hovering just feet away. Fudge had spent five minutes looking for Deloris, but had to mark her as not necessary, as he had to dash back to the Atrium… just as the Great Clock clicked … and Struck Nine O'clock.

HANE

Padfoot sneezed, and awoke across the foot of a deep, soft mattress, covered with a worn quilt, covered in patches shaped like dragons. The scents in the air; a cool breeze from the open window, carrying the smell of a small orchard, baking bread goods, and chickens. In the room, he noticed Moony, at peace, yet close to needing a 'Run', a lizard of some sort, and … 'Pup!'.

He jerked up to see the mess of black hair burrow deeper into the pillows.

Woof.

The thread-bare robed wizard grumbled as he shifted on the camping cot. He did not awaken.

The youngster yawned, before smacking his lips, and hitching the quilt higher over his shoulder.

A black triangle head popped up, glared at him, hissed, and snorted a plum of black smoke in his face.

Pup started laughing. He too hissed, not quite asleep…, before he too sat up. "Right. Breakfast." He scrambled from the bedding, and threw open his trunk. Selecting a set of silk robes, trews, and an ascot, he quickly dressed. Once dressed, he started to pick up behind himself, but forced himself to stop.

A deep breath, "Dobby?"

"Master Harry called?" the Elf popped in beside the shaggy dog. "And he left a mess for Dobby to clean." The Elf sniffled.

"Dobby. I need this room cleaned, new linens, and the works. Tonight, I am going for a Run. Tomorrow, I will need everything packed, and a set of school robes on top. I will be changing into my school robes on the Express. I expect my Elf to be able to handle everything."

"Yes Master Harry."

"I won't be coming back here, but I am still calling this place, Home. That means this House is under our Care."

"Dogfather? Professor Wolfy?"

"Kreature's." Harry rubbed the little guy's head. "If he is able. Any word on Winky?"

Dobby bowed his head, "Given Clothes."

"Find her. She will learn the way of House Black. Kreature will treat her as I expect you to treat her. Her Master failed her." Harry sighed, "She will not fail us."

HANE

Breakfast was quick, and Harry ducked out to the Alley.

From the pet Emporium, a heated dove cote, and a doggy bed, sized for Fluffy. Both of these Harry pulled through the shadows to the 'Dog House'.

$whatcha doin?$ Speaker chirped as Harry pinned the cote to the wall.

$personal caves, as needed.$ a double tap of the wand triggered the runes in a 'perma-sticky' array. $Returning tonight, the Big Dogs need to Run.$ He stepped into the shadows.

HANE

The Sun was setting as Harry tucked the black Drake into Ginny's arms, and passed the well fed dragon her 'shinies' pouch. "Take her lessons to the next level. 'Trick shot' and 'Called shot' only. Use her stones." She hissed, but Harry tapped her on the nose. "Tonight she is hunting skills, not shinies. She already has all the stones she needs. If she wants to trade… that is up to you three."

He stepped back, "Snuffles, Professor. It is time." A hand on the arm of each wizard and they faded away.

Only to phase out of the shadows before a hut with the moon rising behind… the full moon.

Mooney panicked before he felt the calming effect of an alpha. His Alpha. Moony began to disrobe, as Black blurred into Padfoot. The Pup/Cup just shimmered into Grimjowl Hound. The Gruncles stepped out onto the porch, looked the wizard over, sniffed the Grimm, just as the change overtook Moony.

HANE

The Doe sipped from the pond, as a breeze rippled over the water. She froze, her ears twitched first one way, then another…

She broke and ran… six four legged shadows exploded into motion in her wake. For three hours, she led them on a chase. Finally, her enhanced cardio-vascular failed, and she fell dead at their feet.

They howled at the moon. Howled in thanks for the Hunt. Howled in thanks for the Prey's sacrifice, her time, her life, her flesh, and her 'Spirit of the Hunt.'

They ate of her flesh, as was the way.

As Is the Way.

They then came together as Pack and slept.

As Is the Way.

HANE

An Hour before 'Dawn' the group roused, as Moony was once again Human. Those that could take human form did, and washed the blood from their flesh and clothing. They hurried to the Burrow, where Harry changed into his school uniform, tucked his 'wand' into his holster, and ate a quick breakfast.

Black and Lupin cuddled the teen, taking turns sniffing the lad's hair, before using the Floo to return to Grimmauld Place.

The whole Family Flooed to the Express Station, by half 8.

By agreement, the twins were to keep 'mum' about the mini-dragon and her skill at 'stones. Ginny got to carry her in her hair, as they ran about catching up after the Summer Holidays.

Ron was given three gold to be elsewhere. "Mate, this is a Game of a higher order. Besides, you need to be seen stepping out of my shadow. How else are you going to win the Keeper's spot?" Harry walked Ron towards the rear of the Car, "You need to be seen as Ron Weasley, friend of Potter, not Friend of Potter, Ron Weasley. How else are you going to earn your place on the Cannons? Are you Ron or Goyle to my Malfoy?"

Ron took the Coins, and moved to chat up Seamus and Dean.

Hermione just shook her head, and released Shanks as she curled up with one of her new books. Her Cat soon crawled into her lap, and settled in for a long nap.

At 9am, Neville Longbottom opened the door, "may I…" Harry had already levitated the trunk into the overhead rack.

"Neville. Got you something while I was away this Summer, but as Your Birthday is before mine, and I saw this beauty on my way home…" Harry reached into his rucksack, pulling out the bonsai tree. "I thought now would be a good time to share it with you." The Rucksack was then rolled up, and set in the racks by trucks.

The 'sculpture' of the tree brightened the hefty lad's face. "A bonsai wiggentree!" running his fingers over the leaves… "Bound in 'puter' wire, and spent decades soaking in magic…" he pulled a leaf off, laying it on his tongue. His eyes glowed for a minute. "Potter...Harry… a gift of this…"

"Only to you." Harry clapped the bigger boy on the shoulder. "To me, and the witch I bought it from, it is just a funny little tree." He pushed the large lad to lounge across from Hermione, "Join us. Game is afoot."

At 9:15, a blonde with a very surprised look on her face opened the door. "Sorry, I was told to come here…"

"Welcome." Harry smiled at the witch, "Join us! It is good to see you again Luna. About time for the Games to begin." Harry stood, waving Luna into his former seat. "Hey Neville, Did you hear? Potter missed the train this year." and a pale yellow Dogo stood where he once stood. His black leather collar hung a name-tag.

Hello my Name is;

Slobberjowel

I am friendly.

Luna shrieked with joy, before grabbing the dog by the Ears, pulling the beast close. Resting his head on her lap she began to scratch and milk his ears.

At 9:55 the whistle blared, as the Engine began to build up steam.

At 9:59 the whistle screamed one last time as the engine leaned into its harness, and the train started to move…

Luna sat quietly, listening to Neville wax and wane about his new gift… as she worked the velvet of Slobberjowel's ears. The Dogo was happy to let her.

By 10:30, Luna was reading a Quibbler, Hermione was nose-deep in a text-book, and Neville was prodding his pet tree with his wand. Slobberjowel had crawled under the Bench to 'nap'.

Suddenly the Door was torn open, as Draco swaggered in. "Squib. Mudblood." the Albino sneered, "Where is that Half-Blood Potter?" He crossed his arms over his Silk-robed chest. "Did he run away?"

Suddenly a Pale yellow Dog had Draco by the throat, knocking the lighter human to the floor. When Crabbe and Goyle moved to enter, the beast growled and tightened his grip. Malfoy waved them off.

Hermione put a coloured feather in her book, and closed it. Slowly. "Malfoy. Allow me to introduce Slobberjowel. He is bonded to Potter. While you will not see them together, they know everything the other does." She smiled down at the white haired wizard, "No Doubt Potter will be wanting to talk to you about this."

"Call this beast off of me!" the wizard seethed.

"How can I?" Hermione smiled gently down at him. "Potter controls him."

"But Potter Listens to you!"

"Sometimes." Granger scratched the ears of her pussy. "And what if I have him bite?"

"You wouldn't!"

The dog growled around his mouthful..

"Just wait until My Father hears about this!" Draco yelled.

"Ah… Malfoy." Neville leaned over to peer down. "You waved your Daddy's wand too soon. You should have waited until you were outside the Door to threaten us."

"Pull your wand slowly." Luna spoke softly. "Any use that we do not like, and 'Puppy' here will rip out your throat." Slowly Draco complied. "Now, on your magic, swear that you will not provoke, seek to provoke, or speak a slur to Potter or his Friends. We will allow a time limit of 'to the end of the year'."

Draco sneered, before 'Jowel growled again. "I, Draco Malfoy swear on my Magic, not to Provoke or Slur Potter or his Friends until the end of the Year." he flashed white. "There, now get off me!"

Slobberjowel released his hold, and backed off.

Draco scrambled out of the chamber, where Crabbe grabbed his collar, and hefted him to his feet, as Goyle slammed the door shut.

'Jowel just rolled under the bench, pulling the shadows around him.

Two minutes Later, the sixth year Slythern Prefect ripped the door open. "I received a report of a dangerous creature in here."

"Draco?" Longbottom sneered at the Sixth year. "Crying about something Potter related?"

"Yeah." the South Londoner drawled. "But he has an 'in' with Snape…" he trailed off.

"And We have an 'in' with McGonagall and Flitwick." Neville rebounded. "Now you have done your duty, but it seems that Draco is just waving his Father's Wand."

The Wizard snickered, and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

A smell from the door caused Harry to return to his Human form, just before Ginny opened the door, only to slam it behind her. "Somehow, Brown was told that Harry was staying at our place for the last two weeks. She kept hounding me until 'Smudge' here hissed and blew her a kiss." She gently pulled her hair away from Verdiem. $Go to Harry.$

The black mini-dragon bolted from the witch's shoulder to her Human's chest, where she quickly burrowed under the robes, into her 'pocket-den-pouch'. Her sack of shinies smacking Harry hard enough to cause him to wince.

"Ginny, sit with Luna." Harry sat beside Neville as the Longbottom heir shifted closer to the window. "The Trolly lady is coming."

"Sugar-quills and liquorice wands, please." Hermione had reopened her book.

"Yes please." kooed Luna.

"Same plus a box of Berties?" inquired Ginny.

Everyone but Hermione looked at Neville.

"Frogs, Berties, and a couple cakes?"

The door opened, as Harry stood to face the trolly-witch. "Morning Ma'am. 12 wands, 12 quills, a case of Frogs, 4 cakes, and four boxes of beans, please. Do you have butter-beer?"

"Unchilled bottles, dear." the witch scratched out the numbers… "single or…"

"Case please." Harry dug out his pouch, what do I owe ya?"

"Thirteen Galleons, eleven sickles and 15 knuts, Luv."

Harry counted out fourteen gold coins into a cup on her cart, before shifting everything to the table. "Keep the change, meger as it is." the witch just smiled and tuttled down the way. Harry closed the door, before fishing Verdiem out of her silk cave. "Wands and Quills can be packed away, but the beans, frogs, and cakes need to be left on the table. Now who wants a beer, and do you want it chilled?"

"Yes!" choursed around the cabin.

HANE

Dusk was Falling across the Castle as the wind carried the scream of the train's whistle, announcing that the Students had arrived.

Harid was there waving his Lantern as he called all the First years to him.

Harry smiled as waded through the group of shorties. "Hey Hagrid!"

"Arry! Ow ya doin?" the brute thundering joyfully.

"Good. I was hoping to have a word with Snuffer. Just to see how he is doing."

A smoky blurr exploded from the Massive Man's beard, and hit Harry in the chest. "I'll get 'im back after the Feast." Hagrid boomed, as he waved his lantern again, before calling again for first years.

Harry turned towards the carriages intent on joining his friends.

$Hey there little guy.$ he stroked the drakes spine with a forefinger. $Has the big guy been taking care of you?"

$He makes sure One is well fed, and oiled.$ the grey and rust dragon crooned. $One is pleased with the choice. Lord was correct about He being a 'Tender'.$

Harry climbed into the carriage with his coven, as the hairless winged horses leaned into their harness.

"Well Harry." Hermione looked up from scratching Crook behind his ears, "Another Year at the Great School of Hogwarts.