More Than Just A New Beginning

Chapter 7


Harry had after quite a good nights sleep, despite his injuries, taken the level six pain reliver in order to Apparate himself to MACUSA. He had too much to do in a small window of time. Thus, he didn't want to be going at a snails pace, once there he went straight to see the healer, Jace, who was still unhappy with his decision but at least seemed to respect it now. His wounds were healing as well as one would expect. At the end of the appointment he was given seven vials of potions that would promote healing farther with his internal injuries.

Harry thanked Jace and sheepishly apologised for being childish, it seems, no matter how old one got, some fears never left and some things you dislike remain deep rooted. Oddly enough, he had no real reason to hate hospitals, Poppy was always kind to him, in her matron kind of way of course. He'd just tired of spending so much time in a Hospital wing, for the six years he'd attended Hogwarts…he'd ended up in it multiple times a year.

"Hey, you feeling alright?" Zane asked the second Harry stepped foot in the office. "I was just about to come visit you," good job he hadn't left early otherwise it would have been a wasted journey. Not that he minded although the food he would have picked up probably would have. "I just heard what happened," he added, roaming over Harry as if to make sure he really was standing and appearing in relative good health.

"I'll be fine, I've got to take a weeks medical leave though," Harry grumbled, he wasn't going to be allowed to work while injured, or worse, doped up on potions, which would slow his reaction times and he did need time to heal. "Which puts you in charge, tell Sally I'm sorry." He added wryly, as he made his way slowly to his own desk.

"She's more worried about you than pissed at the fact I won't be home as much," Zane admitted, as a healer she probably knew better than they did the sort of damage bullets did even with magic to help the process of healing along.

"Tell her I'm fine," Harry declared, already picking up his phone and beginning to dial numbers.

"Alright guys, we've got a new case, missing person, a seven-year-old witch Delila Moon," Zane informed the sleepy group, which had them all standing at attention immediately upon his announcement. "The mother and father Zoe and Mark Moon are in the hospital having been attacked. Zoe was able to tell the healers their daughter was taken and gave us a brief description of the attackers which admittedly isn't much to go on." while Zane spoke, he put everything they had on the board, while listening to Harry on the phone, apparently he was cancelling interviews and setting them back a week while he recovered. Upon hearing a familiar name, he realized, Jordan Parrish. The guy Harry was planning on sending to Beacon Hills. He would have offered to do it for him…but this case…he might not be able to.

"Daniel, Will, Jerry I want you working with me on this case," Zane informed the group, "John, Charlie, Adam I want you to oversee the rest of the investigation in the Calavera case. I've been informed that dozens of bodies have been found in two different states, Judi is currently overseeing the New Orleans point, I want he three of you on point in New Mexico bodies have been confirmed to be within the confines of the compound. The body count is unknown at this point."

"Do we have search warrants?" John asked, standing up, already beginning to prepare for the journey, as much as he'd like to protest and stay to find the missing girl…he knew Zane wouldn't change his mind and trying to argue was taking time away from the little girl.

"On your desk, Samara has already called in Russell Bushby to help, he's in New Orleans so Samara will be coming with you…unless I have to call her away." his tone grim, he certainly didn't want to have to do that, it would mean the girl didn't survive her abduction. They were all familiar with Russell, he'd been with them three years while learning everything he could under Samara's tutelage, he'd only just gained his Masters. With Samara's praise, Russell had been offered a job in MACUSA before he could finish.

"I'll head down to get her," Adam offered, "Portkey?"

"Yes, everything is set up in the office, you'll have everything you need to proceed." Zane called out as Adam had continued to move as he spoke.

"Has our scene been investigated?" Will asked, as John and Charlie prepared to head out to New Mexico where Calavera had lived years ago.

"Make sure to pack a lot of water," John murmured to Charlie as always health conscious. "We have no idea how long we'll be there."

"The healers got them out of there to safety, nobody has been in or out since." Zane calmly informed Will, as he shifted through the information putting what was prudent on the board. Barely registering the others talking as he focused fully on his task.

"There is water available in New Mexico you know," Charlie said amused, "Plus, we have our wands, which in a pinch can give us water as well." shaking his head at John, but Will noticed he had taken the suggestion to heart and put three bottles of water into his pack.

"Alright guys, lets go!" Adam called out to his group, his face peering around the door, making no move to re-enter the room. Samara peered around and grinned and waved, a frown settling on her face when she noticed their boss was there. "You alright, boss man?" teasing him with the name.

Harry merely arched a brow smirking at her, not at all ashamed of the title, "I'm fine, don't worry I don't intend to stay," he added, almost pouting, but everyone knew how difficult this was for Harry to stand aside and let them get on with it. Not because he wanted to be in charge, but because he loved his work, and especially with a case with a child kidnapped and in potential danger. Luckily he was smart enough to know he'd just keep them all back, and it might have serious consequences.

"I'll see you later," Samara promised, giving him a look to expect her at some point.

"I don't know about that," Harry said, frowning, the case might just be their biggest one yet. "You might be there overnight," depending on how many bodies they actually found. It made the last case pale into insignificance. A tingle alerted him to his wards being set off at home, shit, looked like he was going to have to head home then, sooner than anticipated. Probably for the best otherwise he'd sit here all day.

Samara grimaced, but shrugged, it wouldn't be the first time or the last.

A chorus of 'goodbye's and take care of yourself' later Harry found himself alone in the office.

Sighing softly, glancing at the picture of the little girl, praying that she'd be found safe and back with her parents. Although, history told them that time wasn't on their side. Blinking lazily, the pain relief was a welcoming distraction from the pain. He began to scoop up all his files, putting them in his bag, before swinging it onto his back and beginning his own trek out the building nodding at people he passed who wished him well or said hello, apparently everyone already knew about the injuries he'd sustained last night. Not that he was surprised really, gossip travelled extremely fast even in work settings.

He'd need to set about getting another emergency Portkey from MACUSA to his home. For now though, he just had to go the long way, at least he wasn't in pain. He wasn't happy at having to move his plans farther back, especially those for Beacon Hills, that place was a danger onto itself, for every single Mundane that lived there, living so close to an incredibly powerful nexus without a werewolf pack to protect it's boarders. Shaking off his thoughts, there was nothing to be done about it, for now he needed to get home and find out what had set off his wards…or more specifically who. It wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to enter his home in order to steal from him, all that had accomplished was being frozen on the spot for hours and then obliviated.

Finally outside, he shrunk his SUV and put it in his pocket before Apparating back to his building. He owed in all, but two elderly couples lived on the ground floor. They were probably the safest people in New York, with the amount of wards Harry had imbued within the building. "Derek?" he muttered in surprise, once he opened the door, finding the werewolf Beta shifted, blue eyes glowing ferally as he remained stuck in place, unable to go back out or further into his home. His bag fell from his fingers.

Licking his dry lips, Harry removed his wand and lazily flicked it at Derek, removing the wards surrounding him. Allowing the werewolf to move freely after being stuck for over ten minutes, the scowl on his face indicated he was not happy. "C'mere," Harry murmured, shuffling towards the kitchen, "Put your hand there, like this," Harry demonstrated, "It will feel like pins and needles for a few seconds while the wards accept you. It'll allow you to come and go as you please."

Derek didn't know what the hell to think, he'd been extremely terrified upon being unable to move, especially since he couldn't actually see the mountain ash. That terror had changed to fear, as silly as that fear was, considering Harry had saved his life twice now. Thinking he'd have hunters upon him, that his mate had betrayed him to them. Now he knew it wasn't mountain ash, since he'd used magic, it must be protections he had on his property. Deciding to forgo his distrust, since Harry had more than earned it, he pressed his hand against the wall, Harry pressing his hand against his, keeping it there. True to Harry's word, it did feel like pins and needles jabbing at him for a new seconds. He half expected a bloody hand print, but there was nothing when Harry removed his hand.

Inhaling sharply, trying to gauge what the hell Harry was on, and he was definitely on something. His eyes were slightly glazed, and the way he was walking was slightly off. He couldn't smell anything illegal, medication perhaps for his injuries? He was in a lot of pain, his chemo-signals were indicating that much. Although it wasn't as prevalent as it was last night, subdued and muted.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked befuddled, staring at Derek, as if just realizing he was there. If he'd been fully coherent it would have been one of the first questions he asked. As it stood he was slightly slower than normal, but still able to hold a conversation.

Derek shifted, face flushing red in embarrassment, shoving his hands into his jacket, hunching in on himself. He wasn't about to admit that he'd been worried, so much so that he hadn't slept at all after running out like a coward after finding out that Harry knew about his past. His mate, his mate was injured and he'd left him alone to fend for himself, not for the first did he consciously wonder if there was something fundamentally wrong with him that he could do that. His mom wouldn't have been able to leave his dad's side if he was injured lest it was in the midst of battle. Even then she'd stay nearby, protect him at all costs, he knew this from the tales he'd heard of things that had happened in Beacon Hills.

Of course, he wasn't even aware of the half of it, as the adults understandably kept the majority of it from the 'Pups' of the Hale pack, which basically meant everyone under the age of sixteen. Telling them only some of the less…violent altercations they'd had while defending Beacon Hills territory.

"You brought food?" Harry's voice became soft, noticing the paper bag and the coffee containers, that laid against the windowsill where he'd put them after presumably finding out he couldn't move.

Derek shifted farther back, clearly deeply uncomfortable, ready to run yet again.

Harry sighed, closing his eyes tiredly, "Go ahead, you aren't stuck here anymore," he told him, moving around him and making his way to the sofa and gratefully sinking into it. "Accio bag!" he intoned, snatching it out of the air before it could actually hit him, now even the potion wouldn't have him getting away with that without agony rippling over him. He wanted to get some reading done before the pain returned with a vengeance, which he knew it would.

I don't… trust people…" Derek finally worked up the courage to say grudgingly, as he moved to gather the food, just as awkward as he always felt in Harry's presence. Unable to look at Harry, his gaze remained firmly looking out the window at the busy New York roads and walkways. Hearing the shuffling of what was probably more folders and paperwork coming from Harry's bag.

Harry's green eyes wandered back to Derek, slightly surprised that he was still there. He pondered the meaning behind those words, was he implying that he would never trust anyone again? Or was it just a statement of a fact due to something that happened? The fire? Had it been someone the family made the mistake of trusting. "I get the feeling that the statement is supposed to be more important than you think I can fathom, right?"

Derek just stared broodingly out the window, he wasn't good at this at all, he'd been fighting himself on returning to his injured mates side all night. Now that he was here, he just felt inept, both socially and physically. He never used to be this way, and he didn't know how to be any different now.

Harry's stomach grumbled hungrily in the silent room.

Derek's mouth twisted into a wry smile, unseen by Harry, before he sighed and moved over to the sofa and handed the food over to his hungry mate. Part of him feeling smug that he could provide for his hungry mate, even if he tried to quash it.

"Sit and eat with me," Harry suggested, "We don't even have to talk if you don't want to," he offered up, there had been a time when he didn't want to be around people either. So he tried to draw his memories of those times, to see if he could help Derek .

When Derek sat, Harry happily handed over half the food, and accepted the coffee, he was going to enjoy this for as long as Derek allowed himself to remain. It was surprisingly still warm, lukewarm for sure, but still eatable. What had happened to Derek's family? Who had betrayed them? It could be the only reason for such blatant inability to trust.

"Thank you," Harry said, stretching back carefully after he was done, finishing off his coffee as he stared pensively at Derek. "I…have no way of gaining your trust, especially if you're not willing to give it. It has to be something you're ready for. Obviously something has happened that's…shattered your trust, you need to talk to someone who can help you in a way a loved one or mate can't. A therapist."

Derek snorted derisively, whether at the suggestion he'd ever give anyone his trust or the therapist bit Harry didn't know.

"I, myself, see a therapist, it was something I desperately needed after what happened to me. Mine is in the know and employed at MACUSA or rather many of those in MACUSA visit him, he consults from time to time, builds profiles and of course, gives our people the 'rubber stamp' to return to the field. He knows about the supernatural world, nothing you say would surprise him." Harry said, while most people would be horrified that someone was admitting to having therapy, Harry wasn't one of them. He had needed someone to talk to, someone who could understand, someone who helped him in turn. He'd let people back in because he had encouraged it, and he'd forever be grateful to him for that. "Back then I didn't trust anyone and made sure he couldn't so much as mention my name outside of our meetings. Otherwise the magic in the contract would act up. It's something I'd happily make for you when you're ready, if you're ever ready."

Derek stiffened once more.

"Know this Derek…moving on with your life isn't the same as letting them go, they will always be with you," Harry said softly, giving him the same advice as his godfather gave to him with a bittersweet smile on his face. He also knew how true it was as well, they'd watched over him always.

Unable to meet Harry's eyes, but sensing the truth in the statement, eased the ache in his heart just a little. While he was unable to meet Harry's eyes, his gaze was drawn to the pictures that adorned the wall, in the middle was his courting gift. These held a place of importance to Harry, he realized, and he also begun to realize a pattern. There were pictures of who he assumed were Harry and his parents, but they only went up until he was a year old, there was nothing until Harry was a teenager with friends, a teen with a guy in quite bleak settings but during Christmas. And then an adult, with a very large group at a picnic and in various other outings. None of the friends he had as a teenager were in those, and still none of his parents. His heart lurched at the thought, had Harry lost his parents so young? "You…you lost your parents really young?"

Harry followed his gaze, tit in hopes for a tat then? "I did," Harry confirmed, "They were only twenty-one years old, the both of them, there was a time where I thought I'd die a lot younger than them. They were murdered, there was an attempt on me, I was one and a half years old at the time. They died because I was born."

Derek bodily flinched at that pronouncement, how could a child be responsible for their deaths? It wasn't as if she'd died giving birth to him…

"Before I was born there was a prophecy made by a seer," Harry revealed, watching Derek closely to see how he'd react to more of the supernatural. He didn't seem overly surprised by the information but did seem to doubt their abilities it seemed. "This prophecy indicated that a boy born as the 'seventh month dies' would have the power to defeat the 'Dark Lord' I was born on July 31st a few moments before midnight, I later found out when I got my birth certificate. There were two boys born in those hours, one before midnight the other after, the Dark wizard got word of at least half the prophecy of course, naturally, and chose the one most like himself. A half-blood, and he killed my father then my mother before turning his wand upon me and the spell backfired. His body was destroyed that night, everyone assuming I had killed him. There is a lot more to the story than that, but for me…that chapter is a long and painful part of my life. I was sent to live with my ordinary Aunt, Uncle and cousin who detested the fact they had a wizard under their roof." Using Derek's term for the Mundane's.

He'd know there were other beings out there, but nothing had prepared him for this. Wizards, dark wizards, Dark Lords, seers, it was enough to blow his mind. Had he been that ignorant of everything that he just didn't know? Did Laura know about their existence? Did wizards just keep themselves off the radar so much so that not even his mother, a well revered and respected Alpha hadn't known of their existence? It wouldn't surprise him, anything supernatural tended to keep to itself, to avoid detection from the ordinary. Could he be the first Hale to have knowledge of the magical world?

"Considering your reaction to me and then my badge and not knowing about MACUSA you weren't aware of this element of the magical world?" Harry deduced, seeing that Derek was reeling over everything he'd told him. "It's nothing new, nearly every Were creature I've dealt with don't seem to be aware of it until they're informed."

What do you say to someone who lost their family so young? Was there anything he could say? I'm sorry seemed so…insignificant. He wanted to punch people who said it, with their empty or pitiful words. That pain, that ache in your heart, it never left you, he knew that, he still felt it two years on, the guilt choked him most days. Did Harry carry with him that same guilt? Was that the reason he needed therapy? He seemed to be coping well. "I…wasn't aware, no," Derek eventually spoke. "My family…was lost to me before I begun learning the duties of being the second-in-command," which was always going to be his position, a Beta who was second-in-command as his Alpha's brother. He'd had no interest in learning anything, choosing instead to fit in, be normal, as his mother always urged him to do so. His uncle Peter had detested that, they weren't normal and trying to be ordinary was insulting. Keeping themselves safe and hidden was different to trying to be one of them.

Harry's eyes lit up, "Ah," he murmured, realization washing over him, "Am I to assume your sister hadn't begun her Alpha training then?" feeling marginally a bit better about them taking off and leaving the territory undefended given its location. They were ignorant of their territory ways, it didn't make it all better, but Harry felt a little more gracious towards Laura Hale. Laura had to have graduated school though, why wasn't her mother making any attempts to begin her training? And why was the most important part not imparted upon Laura?

"It wasn't finished," Derek murmured, "I don't know much about it, that was between Laura and my mom," he admitted. His sister had been really smug and excited at the fact she was about to learn everything she needed to know. It made Derek blink, he'd been able to say something without feeling like someone was taking a hammer to his heart. It was…odd every attempt he made with Laura hurt immensely.

Harry made an acknowledging noise, letting Derek know he'd heard and understood. He wanted to ask so many more questions, but he didn't dare risk it. This was progress where Derek was concerned, perhaps there was hope for them after all. Wincing a little, as stabbing pains begun to make themselves known, and he had hours before he could take another pain relief draught too.

Derek felt himself relaxing farther at the rather friendly silence, grateful that there wasn't an outpouring of questions about his family. He'd been through that before…like an idiot he'd thought Kate was just interested in all aspects of his life…such a naïve fool then. No, he did not want to think on that, he absolutely refused, inhaling and exhaling, trying to ground himself, it was surprisingly much easier than normal. There was no foul odours, no deafening noises, everything was slightly muted even the traffic. The place smelt like Harry, like home. Just then Harry's chemo-signals changed, head snapping up, "Are you alright?" he asked, sounding like he'd just swallowed a particularly sour lemon.

Harry huffed out a little laugh, "I think it hurt you more to ask me that than the actual pain I'm in," he teased him a little.

Derek's cheeks went a little red, "I…I'm not used to this anymore," he said clearly defensive and uncomfortable but feeling the need to defend himself. "It's better on your own." No great expectations, no possible betrayals and no constant need to interact with anyone.

Harry nodded immediately, "I used to think that too," Harry said sincerely, "Used to train, come back home those were the only things I used to do for a while…I didn't want to let anyone in. Refusing invites to peoples night outs, get together and I began to realize it wasn't other people I didn't trust…it was me. My therapist suggested when I trusted myself I'll start to trust others again. He was right, of course, my life was empty for the longest time…and I'm only a wizard, Derek, you're a werewolf, you were born to be pack, to trust, to thrive, to be part of something greater"

Harry added quietly, green eyes reflecting, "There is no greater victim than yourself in all this." He'd take up one day and realize this himself, perhaps…maybe he'd just need a push like he himself had. Shifting uncomfortably, "Unfortunately, I'm not going to make good company for the new few hours," he didn't want Derek to leave, "You can stay if you like…I'll make us dinner later." All he could do was offer, Derek had to take that leap of faith and decide whether he wanted to let someone in or not.

Of course, Harry didn't know the half of it, when it came to the Hale house fire.

He'd soon find out.

Sleep claimed Harry before he could get any answer from Derek.

-0

Harry was jerked out of his sleep by the incessant ringing of his phone, groggily, his hand sought out the sound of the phone to grab it out of sheer habit. "'Lo?"

"Ah, sorry didn't mean to wake you up," came Zane's low soothing voice.

"S'okay, wazzit?" Harry murmured, still not really awake, blinking blearily, he found Derek still there, it made his heart soar, hope indeed. Removing the blanket, grimacing in pain, putting the speaker phone on, "Accio pain relief draught!" digging around in his bag, until he found the ones the healer had given him and swallowing both down as he listened to Zane give his report.

Derek of course, was listening making no attempts to conceal it.

"Thirty five bodies? Have any of them been identified yet?" Harry asked, sighing softly as the potion begun to work, thank goodness for that. It allowed him to sit up straighter without pain.

"Identified no, but we are aware of what they were, five of them were human, the rest are all Were's," Zane said, his tone grim. "Calavera isn't talking, not even when presented with the charges, not that she's walking out of MACUSA anyway, not with the list of her crimes, she's a damn threat to society."

Derek was startled to hear a Hunter family he actually knew.

"File the charges, we've got more than enough to hold the three of them," Harry told Zane, he was the senior officer in charge at the moment so he would be doing it. "How's your case? Did you find the little girl?" swinging his feet off the sofa, stretching out leisurely.

"We know who the culprits are, but we have no idea where they are, but we'll get there," Zane said curtly, pissed at himself that he hadn't been able to find the girl. "I do believe the husband is hiding something though, I believe he might know why this happened."

"You going back to talk to him then?" Harry said, knowing without a doubt that Zane would follow up on his suspicions.

"Yes, after this," Zane explained, "I'll find her boss," he vowed.

"I know, go talk to the father, update me tomorrow," Harry ordered with a softness to his tone. He knew how hard this was for Zane, he had kids of his own, near enough the same age as the kid who's disappearance he was investigating. "And if you need to talk…you know where I am." Offering himself as a sound post, knowing Zane did not discuss much of his work at home. He left his work at work, refusing to bring the demons home with him, although sometimes it happened regardless, for both Zane and his wife actually, who had difficult jobs.

"Thanks man," Zane murmured before the call ended.

Harry turned to face Derek properly, he'd evidently been and gone again. He had his belongings with him, they certainly didn't belong to him. He had an apple PC that was connected to the one at his office, but no laptop. He also had a few books surrounding him and the remnants of food presumably lunch.

"You investigate the Mexican hunters?" the Calavera's were prominently always in Mexico unless they were actually dealing with something big and bad. "My mom always said they stuck to the code."

"We're dealing with only one, she was disowned, changed her name, but not her ways, two others followed her lead." Harry explained, "She's been brazenly been killing Were's with a sniper rifle. Changing her MO significantly from her usual kill and bury policy. Hence the thirty-five bodies we've found buried in her former residences." It didn't need to be said that she was the one who had tried to kill Derek, judging by the way his eyes darkened he understood all too well.

"Would you like something to eat? I can cook us some venison, I still have plenty," Harry said dryly, a whole deer would see him not needing meat for at least another few months if that's all he elected to eat.

Derek nodded, cheeks a little red, figuring out why Harry would have 'plenty' of venison. Apparently he hadn't allowed any of the deer he'd caught go to waste. It made him and his wolf want to howl with the pleasure of his mate being so understanding of their ways.

"Pleasure reading? Or for college or university?" Harry asked, as he moved, flicking his wand, the potatoes, carrots and asparagus floated over to the kitchen island. The potatoes were swiftly peeled and cut up, as were the carrots and asparagus and put onto a oven pan and Harry placed it inside to roast.

It took Derek a few minutes to reply, as he watched the sight in front of him in fascination. "Online course, Liberal Arts Degree programme, from Harvard."

Harry nodded, not surprised he'd elect to take online courses, which had probably not helped Derek's seclusion any. "Do you enjoy it?" he asked, opening the fridge and taking out the preserved slabs of meat, which he then marinated and herbed up so that it would taste delicious. "Or was it done out of expectation?"

"Both," Derek admitted, it was eerie how perspective Harry could be without even knowing him.

"How far along are you from gaining your qualifications?" Harry asked, finding Derek was relaxing more when they were talking about information like this. So, he continued on in that vein, plus, he did want to get to know him and they had to start somewhere.

"Two more years," Derek informed him, he'd already done two years of it. He liked it, it was alright, the assignments were annoying sometimes but other times they were good, and it helped pass the time.

"You have something in mind for after?" Harry asked, not judging him at all, he could see how the desire to lose oneself in books with reality being so difficult.

"No," Derek murmured, he doubted very much he'd use the degree after he completed it. He didn't need a job, he didn't want one either, the thought of interacting with anyone made him shiver with revulsion. Surprisingly, Harry's probing answers didn't make him want to run. He wanted to stay here, watch over his injured mate, and watch his magical displays with a hint of reverence. He'd thought his mate was human, he wasn't, and that was a huge relief to him. instead he was in awe of him when he allowed himself to feel it. "He called you his boss," he said after a few moments of silence. The obvious going unsaid. Too young to be a boss.

"And what at twenty-years-old I'm too young?" Harry asked wryly, smirking at Derek from over his shoulder. "It was a new department and I was taught specifically to run it. Trust me I have more experience than most when it comes investigating crime and dealing with criminals." And wasn't that a sad reality?

"That why you moved?" Derek asked, closing his laptop, and setting it aside. The smell of the food causing his stomach to rumble, it smelt absolutely divine.

"Not the sole reason, no," Harry admitted, having no desire to talk about that particular part of his life, not yet anyway. Derek wasn't the only one with parts of his past that he didn't wish to discuss. The urge to ask Derek why he was still here was strong, but he had a feeling Derek would leave if he did. It was slow progress and he considered himself lucky that Derek had returned at all…was it because he was injured though? If that's what it took…well, he was glad he was shot then if that were the case.

Derek didn't ask the other reasons, instead elected to change the subject, a safer one, magic. Derek remained on the sofa, watching Harry cook, pain free and looking much better, both of them absently conversing.

Ten minutes later they were sat down to a full plate of food, roasted potatoes, asparagus, carrots and half the plate filled with a slab of venison that would fill any werewolves belly. A generous measure of gravy had been added also, mostly on the vegetables. It was the best meal Derek had had in two years, takeaways from shops and cafes paled in comparison really.

It might have been every day getting to know you conversation, but Derek did confess his biggest regret was not getting to say goodbye. Now Harry assumed he meant his the family lost to him, not the fact he'd left his uncle behind. Hence Harry was thinking of the resurrection stone…would it give Derek the peace he needs to move on or would it make the loss more prevalent?


A/N – So will we cheat a little and begin Derek's healing using the resurrection stone with forgiveness he never let himself feel in TW? Will it be Talia that encourages Derek to reveal all to Harry so that Peter can get the help he needs or will Harry find out that information from his informants? And only then Derek confessing all? Will more than Cora have survived? Will Talia confess to Derek that he has a cousin alive? Will we have a young Malia in this? Is so what age? Hmm it's too bad I actually wanted Harry to like Laura for a wee bit of time before he realized what she's like LOL oh well! what can you do! Will we see Peter as an Alpha? And taking over the Territory in beacon hills when he's better?