Chapter 21
Harry took the corner quickly and paused when he heard a whimpering sound. He turned back and saw two children come running down the same alley being chased by a man in blue robes. Quickly he stepped out and grabbed the two, “This way!” The two flung themselves down the alley with him and the three immediately started taking off, “Where are your parents?”
The little girl looked at him as she ran, her little white shoes clicking on the stone, “We got separated.”
“It's okay. Stick with me.” They took a turn and a spell shot from the alley they turned into and clipped Harry’s shoulder. He quickly got the two kids behind him and glared down the two men that were advancing with their wands drawn, “Why are you doing this! They are just kids.”
The first man stepped forward, his face set in a grim line, “They are dangerous creatures. Step aside boy.”
“Like hell. They are just kids. You have no right to do this.”
The second stepped closer and raised his wand, “Step aside or we will arrest you for preventing us from doing our job.”
Harry narrowed his eyes and kept the two kids behind him and drew his dagger, “Give it your best shot.” He couldn’t use his wand but he could use his dagger and what little wandless magic he had at his disposal.
A spell and raised shield the fight started. The two aurors were skilled and he was well out of his league as he kept the shield up trying to protect the two of them, “Keep hold of my shirt. Stay close.” He told them and hissed in pain when a spell got past the shield slicing into his hip. He went on the offensive and flung a cutting curse back and smirked when he clipped the aurors wrist and he lost hold of his wand.
“Fucking brat!” The nest bludgeoning spell ripped down his shield and slammed into his chest.
Harry gasped as he felt something snap or crack. Black spots came to his eyes as the pain overwhelmed his senses but he bit his lip and shook it off and threw a spell back. A scream had him turning and he punched the auror that went to grab one of the kids behind him. He bit the other in the neck snarling when a sharp pain struck his head and the black spots returned. He turned and grabbed the kids and pulled them close, preventing them from being taken as he blocked access to them with his body.
“What the hell is wrong with this kid they are just a couple of animals!”
“I don’t know, just knock him out.”
He felt the spell strike him in the side and he gripped the kids tighter to him as his vision swam and he fought against the stun spell. Biting down on his tongue till he tasted blood. A second stunner and his vision swam as he swayed forward. The two kids grabbed him.
“No! Mister!” the little girl sobbed and clung tighter to Harry.
A snarl came from the left and the green eyes closed as he slid to the ground, his head smacking against the rock.
“Get away from my pups!” A tall muscled man came barreling down the alley and slammed into the first Auror hands taking on sharp claws as he sliced the first man's belly open. Blood splattering across the wall from the spray.
“Alpha! He is hurt. You have to help him.” the little girl sobbed as she held Harry to her smaller body.
“Stay down Claire. You to Daith.” Then he was howling as he pounced on the second man tearing at his throat not caring about the cutting curse that clipped him in the chest. The scream and squelch was enough to cause most to lose whatever food was in their stomach. Once the man was sure the two were dead he grabbed their wands and stuffed them in his pocket before turning to the two children, “Are you both alright?”
The little girl nodded her curls bouncing, “We are, but he isnt! He helped up and didn’t let the men take us. Please Alpha, you have to help him.”
The child next to her nodded, “I think he hit his head.”
The man knelt next to them and looked at the unconscious man. He didn’t look anything special and used a dagger instead of a wand. How odd. He sniffed at the other and frowned, “Odd… he smells muggle.” Muggles always had that strange static smell to them that made his nose burn. He ran a hand through the gray hair on his head, “Alright. We will take him back to the pack but you are both to stick close to me and stay quiet, you understand?”
The little girl Claire nodded happily, “Yes alpha!”
The man nodded and tucked the dagger away before scooping up the unconscious body and pulled the other two children close leading them out of the alley and to a hidden sewage entrance. Together they went down it and used the tunnels till they were out of the magical town and heading to a set of woods not far out of the city. There were no real paths as they walked and soon the moon was showing its face in the sky. It took a few hours more of walking before the signs of fire were spotted in the distance.
“Claire! Daith!” A woman came running out of one of the constructed tents and pulled the two children to her, “Oh thank you alpha. Thankyou.”
The man nodded, “Of course Delia, once you get them settled I need the healer in my tent.”
She nodded and led the two quiet children off leaving the tall alpha with the man in his arms. He stepped to the largest tent and entered it with a grunt of content. Looking at the male in his arms curiously before settling him down on the large fur pile. “Now to find out who you are, hm?” Not many were willing to risk their lives for werewolf pups. He sniffed at the male again then jumped back as the face began to bubble and change, “what the fuck.”
Slowly the potion wore off to show a different face. Slim with high cheekbones and pale skin. The blonde hair fading to pitch black. The alpha stepped close again and sniffed, “Polyjuice. Interesting. Just what were you doing in the alley under a potion I wonder.”
“Alpha?” A soft call came from the entrance.
“Come in.” Once the man entered the Alpha stepped over and rubbed cheeks with him, “The pup on the bed protected two of our own. I want him cared for. Let me know when he wakes.”
“I will alpha.” he rubbed cheeks back before ducking his head and stepping over to the unconscious teen. “Well now let's see what shape you're in pup.”
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Harry groaned as he slowly came to. His ribs ached and he felt like his head had been hit with a bludger. He lifted a hand and rubbed at his head hissing in pain.
“Careful pup, you have a rather nasty bump on your head.”
Green eyes opened at the soft voice and he turned to see a young man sitting next to him. He was thin and beautiful with soft brown hair that fell in ringlets about his face, soft amber eyes and tanned skin that spoke of days in the sun. Harry sat up quickly and went for his dagger as he backed up, the bed under him warm and silky.
“Easy, easy, you're safe. You're in our pack camp. The alpha brought you back with the two pups you saved.”
Harry looked around and noted the tent and under him, furs. Okay. “Were is here exactly? Who is your alpha?”
The man just gave him a soft smile, “I can’t tell you where we are. For the safety of the pack of course. As for our alpha, he will tell you himself. Would you like some water? He asked me to get him once you woke up.”
“I’m fine.” It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them, he just knew he had to get home soon. He was worried about Barty and hoped he got away but he also knew he had to thank the alpha. It wouldn’t do well to upset a possible alpha of a pack so close to home. He looked down at his wrapped chest and touched the gauze carefully. His shirt and robe had been removed but they at least left his pants on. He could see his stuff in a basket near the door. His watch sitting on top half wrapped in a piece of leather.
“Good, you're awake.” The deep gruff voice came from the entrance of the tent and Harry looked up to see a tall muscular man that only wore a pair of ripped jeans. Scars along his torso and shoulder, a torso that was peppered in thick gray hair that matched the hair on his head. He stepped over to the bed and looked down at him.
“I am. Thank you for bringing me to your pack camp and healing me Alpha.” He nodded his head and kept his gaze a bit lower.
“You're not one of us but you know the mannerisms at least.” the man stepped closer and lowered enough to scent at the exposed neck, “So, who am I hosting?”
Harry debated, “Unfortunately my identity would best not be spoken. For your safety and my own.”
“On the run then? Little pup like you? My pack is full of pups looking for good homes. You got a story pup?”
“Not really. I have a home to return to, but it is best for all parties that I do so anonymously. Sir.”
“Greyback. You may call me Greyback pup.”
Harry blinked and frowned a moment, “Fenrir Greyback?”
The man looked at him and raised a brow, “You know who I am and you're not screaming or stinking of fear.”
Green eyes looked up a moment as he grinned, “Father told me about you. Says you are a good alpha. I am honored to meet you, Alpha Greyback.” He nodded his head a bit lower.
The man grinned showing sharp teeth, “Then your father must be one of the Dark Lord’s followers. Only they really speak well of me. So which is it then. You're not Malfoy’s pup, hair doesn’t match. You could be a Lestrange with that head of hair, but last I checked both were in Azkaban.” He stepped towards the door and flicked a leather strap and the entrance was covered with a fur flap.
Harry glanced towards his things debating if he should tell the others or if he should continue with being anonymous, “As much as I would love to tell you.”
“Yes, I suppose there are far too many ears and though I trust my pack, children often have a hard time keeping their mouths shut. It seems though, I am in your debt. You saved the life of two of my pups.”
Harry shook his head, “No, I was only doing what anyone would. Are they okay?”
“A few minor bruises and scrapes, they were more scared than hurt. They asked how you were. I know they would like to see you, if you are willing.”
“Of course, but I should send a letter to my Father. He needs to know that I am safe. How long was I out?”
“You slept the entire night and half the day. You had a pretty big knock to the head, two cracked ribs and a few lacerations. There was also evidence of several stunners.Your body needed the rest to heal.” The man grabbed the pile of Harry’s things and brought them over, setting them down next to him. “We have an owl for emergencies. Dress and join me outside. You can write to your father then eat with the pack and meet the pups you saved.” He walked out the door without another word, a palpable force to be reckoned with.
Harry took a few deep breaths before putting his shirt and robes, strapping his dagger back in place, watch, and other things he had with him. The man had even brought the bags he had while shopping, how. He swore he had dropped them when he started running. Barty… He really hoped the other wizard was alright. He took a few deep breaths before stepping out of the tent and into the camp.
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Voldemort paced angrily as he waited for word from Barty, and the Flints. He had even dragged Rowle and Lord Lestrange into the search. Though Barty was lucky to still be alive after separating from Harry and leaving him alone.
Lord Lestrange came into the room, “No one has seen him. Lucius says the raid was done by a Lady Umbridge in the ministry. She is the undersecretary for the Minister and got him to sign off on it claiming that they were planning a riot.”
The Dark Lord turned and snarled, “Why wasn’t I informed before the raid happened?”
“Lucius said that it was kept under the radar. She has always hated creatures and it seems she is stepping up in her plans.”
The curse flew from his wand and the man hit his knees writhing and gripping his chest. Voldemort stepped close and canceled the spell before leaning down, “Find my son Lestrange. I don’t care about the bitch and her plans. I want my son!”