Chapter 3
Harry was mildly confused about why this hound didn't just shift out of its hellhound form and talk to them like normal instead of hoping that they could interpret barks and body language. Looking up to his bonded Harry found the others slightly more relaxed. "Why doesn't he just shift and talk to us?" Harry asked the room at large. He was pretty sure that at least one of his bonded had enough experience with hounds to know the answer.
"All hounds that are on realm during a reaping are forced into and stuck in their hound form for the duration of the reaping. Similar to how all shadow types and affinities are compelled to participate" came from Hadrian.
"So he won't be able to talk till morning?" Harry was slightly dejected at that answer. If this hound potentially knew Sirius, then Harry wanted to get all that information as fast as possible. The hound whined in response to his question, ducking his head and dropping his tail. "What are we supposed to do till morning then?" was Harry's next question, again answered by the hound. The hound shoved his nose softly into Harry's chest, then gave a series of barks and oscillating howls that sounded a lot like the complaining huskies that Harry had seen once at the park. "You want me to talk?" he clarified. The hound responded with its version of yes.
"Well if I'm going to be talking all night can we move to the couch? sitting on the floor isn't all that comfortable" This prompted another reluctant sulking yes. The hound turned back towards Harry's bonded, who were all watching with various combinations of confusion, concern, affection, and exasperation. The hound barked loudly at his Ghyos that were still encircling them despite their much-relaxed postures. Slowly Hadrian and Whikin parted, leaving a clear path to the couch that was currently empty. Seemingly satisfied the hound turned back and prompted Harry and Fred to stand and follow him. Fred kept his arm slung over Harry's shoulders making it perfectly clear that he would not be separated from Harry's side.
The hound moved hesitantly between Harry's Ace and King. Harry dropped his hand to lay it between the hound's shoulders, hopefully helping it settle in more comfortably. The trio settled onto the couch, Fred leaning his back against one armrest, and pulling Harry to settle in between his long legs. The hound sat facing them on the other end. looking around Harry saw that his bonded were trying to project a calm and relaxed air, but through the bonds, he could feel how tense they were. He looked back to the sound "So, what do you want me to talk about?" Harry asked, having no idea what this Hellhound could possibly want to hear while they waited for the end of the reaping. The hound looked at each of his bonded then back at Harry with a head tilt and a soft boof. "You want me to tell you about how I got here with a bonded circle?" Harry guessed this earned him a tail wag.
"Yeah, I guess that story would be long enough. It all started this past summer when my inheritance came in unexpectedly. My family don't like magic and stuff, so they were no help, and my mentor whom I didn't know I was supposed to have didn't show up, so I was kinda really in the dark about what had happened. I was able to find a book that talked about Dragels, but it said they were dark creatures and had gone extinct, so I thought I was all alone with these new freaky wings and an undeniable need to sleep at all times."Harry felt Fred's arms tighten around his middle and several of his bonded tense at his words, but he did his best to tune them out and focus on the calming grey eyes of the Hellhound in front of him.
"fast-forward to going back to Hogwarts, and I met Theo" he glanced at his Alpha with a shy smile "properly for the first time. I didn't understand until much later that he felt so comforting and soothing to be around due to him being a Dragel but more importantly, being one of my soul bonded. He did his best to try and help me during the year, and so did Fred and Gorge. Eventually, I bonded with Theo, shortly after there was an attack on the school, and we were all sent home. because I couldn't go with Theo, he was sorting stuff out at the bank I think, I went home with Fred and Gorege. Charlie was also home at the time due to an accident involving a dragon at his work. While we were staying at the burrow, there was an attack by death eaters, they are the followers of the man who killed my parents. I still dint have any magic at the time, so Charlie was protecting me when he got hit by a spell. I thought he had died, and I called him back, and the rest of these guys with a soul scream." The hound was listening intently, but his head whipped towards Charlie with a soft whine when Harry said he had almost died. Harry wasn't sure how the hound had known who Charlie was, but it could have been the fact that there were only 3 fire types.
When the hound looked back at Harry he continued. "Theo brought us to Hogwarts to regroup. while there Devrim and Hadrien found Hermione." again the hound perked up, he looked around as if searching, then looked back and whined softly. "ill get to that. She had apparently tried to kill herself and ran into a hellhound the day Hogwarts was evacuated. we brought her back with us but her hound took her from the hospital she was at, so I haven't seen her." Harry looked down at his lap sadly, wishing desperately that he could see his sister healthy and whole again. Harry startled slightly when a cold damp nose pushed into his palm.
The clearing of a throat startled Harry again. Looking up he saw Hadrian pointing to the window. Outside, the sky was starting to lighten. "The reaping will be called off momentarily, and then your, friend there will be able to explain himself." Harry grinned up at his Ace. The hound took that as his cue to step off the couch and shake out his shrinking coat, turning into a man mid-shake. A very familiar man. With a sob, Harry launched himself at his godfather thought long dead. Harry clung to the man as tight as possible whispering out apologies and pleas to stay between uncontrolled sobs.
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Sirius was only mildly surprised by Harry's greeting. He had a similar enough, though more canine, reaction to seeing his darling pup again. He cradled the boy to his chest with as much strength as he could manage. He ran his hands up and down his pups back trying to soothe. "Hey there pup, try and take a deep breath for me yeah? I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you. I think you might be worrying your bonded as well." Harry did take a deep breath but kept his face buried in Sirius' neck.
"I thought I killed you Siri" Harry whimpered into his neck. Sirius stiffened at the words, which caused Harry to tremble and clutch tighter, starting up his apologies again.
"Pup, I need you to look at me. Can you do that please?" Reluctantly Harry did so. "It was Not your fault. In any way. I went into that ministry knowing that I could be killed or arrested. I choose to do so, no matter the consequences. I made those choices as an adult. it was not your fault that you were tricked into thinking I was already there. nor was it your fault that Kreature lied to you and said I wasn't there. You did everything you could to avoid rushing into danger. And I am very proud that you did so." Both of their eyes were wet with tears, but Harry finally seemed to calm some and nodded. "Now, how about you introduce me to your bonded properly, Hmm?" With a tearful laugh, Harry did just that.