Chapter 22
Harry laughed as he watched a few of the pack pups run around playing tag, changing from wolf to child flawlessly. Their change was so effortless compared to the change he had seen once with Remus. He followed the large alpha to a simple wooden stand where a pretty tawny owl sat. She looked to him and her head tilted to the side, “Hello pretty lady.” He cooed rubbing under the owl's beak. She hooed at him and preened at his hair before looking at him expectantly holding out her leg. “Alright.” He attached the small note he wrote and whispered low, making sure to check that Fenrir was distracted by the kids, “Take this to the dark lord sweet thing. Quick as can be.” then watched her fly off.
Turning he looked to the large man, “Done.”
He looked back as he lifted two cubs up letting them hang off his arm like monkey bars, “Good. Now. Let us eat! We feast in honor of our guest who saved two of our pups!” he shouted out to the pack. There were multiple cheers and laughter as people seemed to go into overdrive. Some prepped large carcasses for cooking while others got fires going and two young men began gathering up the pups and taking them to a large tent off to the side.
“Where is he taking the pups?”
Fenrir glanced over, “Ah, pupsitting. Everyone in the pack has a role. They do that role without complaint. They are pupsitters. Too young for adult tasks but too old to need looking after. We have hunters, gatherers, those who make and craft. Today everyone is preparing a feast in your honor and to celebrate the return of our pups and everyone in the pack.”
Harry sighed and glanced at the man, “You don’t have to. All I did was do what anyone else would have.”
“No.” the man looked at him, “Noone would have stepped up for those two pups because they are werewolves. That raid was targeted to the creature section only to remind us that we are not safe. Even in areas where we should be.”
“Does it happen a lot?”
“This is the third raid so far this summer. The ministry has been attacking more often. Arresting us for no other reason than being creatures. Just last month they sentenced an innocent werewolf to Azkaban.”
“Why would they do this?” Harry frowned, stepping closer to the man as he was led around.
“Because they fear us. They fear what we can become. They don’t understand so they choose to hate.”
The wizard nodded, “I’ve seen that first hand.” He shuddered at the memories of his own family reacting to what they deemed wrong and freakish.
“Precisely. So accept our thanks the only way we can give it.” Fenrir laid a hand on the younger’s shoulder and gave him an odd smile, “So where will I be taking you to help you get back home? I destroyed that portkey you had on you.”
Harry blinked and looked down at the bracelet and noticed it was indeed cracked, “I hadn’t noticed. I guess the closest floo would work.”
The man shook his head, “Wizards and your transport. Fine. I will take you in the morning. Tonight, we feast!”
----
Voldemort still paced, it had now been almost a day since Barty had come back and his son had gone missing. The longer he was gone the more he felt his mind slipping back into the dark hole he had crawled from. He turned and stared out the window, he should be out there himself.
“My Lord.”
He turned to stare down Rowle as the blonde man stepped into the room and kneeled, “A letter came from Fenrir’s owl. It’s from Potter.” He held out the slip of paper.
Voldemort stormed over, his robed billowing about him as he pulled the parchment from the man, “Let me see. Fenrir has him?”
Father,
I am safe with an ally. I will return as quickly as I can. Please do not worry.
Your Son
Short and to the point. No hint of who he was with in case it had been intercepted. Smart. He grinned and set the note on fire before looking down at the kneeling man, “Well done. You will remain here. I will no longer wait for him to be properly guarded.”
“I am honored, My Lord. I will guard him with my life.”
“Yes you will. Now, time to go grab my son.”
-----
Harry laughed as he was tackled by a couple pups and playfully wrestled with them. They were gentle and cautious of his wounds but so full of energy. The feast was in full swing and he had already met with many of the adults and the two betas that served under Fenrir. He had heard there was an ambassador there as well but they had yet to come out of their tent. Apparently he was a bit of a lone wolf.
He tickled Daith till the little one was squealing and had tears in their eyes then let them go to watch them run back to a lovely woman with bright red hair and shining amber eyes. The pup’s mother perhaps. The night was slowly winding down and he watched the Alpha stand and raise his arms calling for silence.
“My pack, tonight we celebrate the return of two of our youngest and the one who saved them from the aurors. He fought for ones not his own and bravely stood between the pups and their wands. Tonight we honor him!”
The howls that tore through the air had a cold shiver run down Harry’s back. “Tonight I offer this brave pup an honorary place in our pack. He is a friend of the pack and will always be welcome here and in all packs allied to our own. Stand friend.”
Harry looked around at all the eyes staring at him and stood walking up to the large man. “It is an honor, Alpha Greyback.”
The alpha grinned, “Will you accept the mark of pack friend?”
“I will.” If he remembered right that meant he would be marked but not turned.
“Then welcome pup.” Fenrir gently moved Harry’s shirt out of the way to expose his collarbone and used a claw to cut the pale skin. Then nicked his own thumb and pressed it against the cut and howled. The howl was soon answered by everyone in the pack and Harry could feel the magic rise in the air and surround him before i faded with the howls on the night air.
Harry looked down and put a hand over the cut that felt more like a raised marking now. Slowly two women approached him, one he recognized as the beautiful red head who was the mother of Daith.
“Please accept this as a thankyou for saving my pup.” She held out a wrapped gift.
He took it and nodded his head, “I am glad Daith is home safe.”
She smiled and backed up letting the other woman approach. She didn't speak. A large scar going across her face and throat that looked like a severing hex gone wrong. She handed him a gift, then bowing before skittering away like a terrified pup clutching her daughter tightly.
Harry felt awful for her and only hoped she recovered and knew that he meant her no harm. Holding the two parcels he looked up at Fenrir but the man was no longer looking at him but off to the side. Harry followed his gaze to catch the eyes of a very familiar amber.
“Harry?”
The young wizard took a step back, unsure of what to do. Why was Remus here of all places and why did he look like some beggar? The wolf had never looked very healthy but now looking at him… the man looked terrible. His hair greyer and there were more lines on his face, heavy set on a face that should look decades younger. “Remus.”
Fenrir’s eyes narrowed as he took in the body language and slowly slid his body between Remus and the pup now under his protection, “You may address me and my betas. That is pack law. You are not permitted to speak to pups or those under protection of the pack.”
Remus frowned the lines growing heavier, “protection? Why would you protect him?”
Harry watched the exchange and laid a careful hand on the alphas arm, “He was my Professor at school.”
Fenrir looked down, “Yet you are cautious and tense. Why if you know him?”
“I admit I am not on the best of terms. Mostly, I am unsure of where his loyalties lay.”
“Harry, I would never hurt you.” Remus started taking a step forward, “Harry, you should come with me. Dumbledore wouldn’t want you here.”
Harry whipped to look at the man, “I don’t care what that old man wants. He isn’t my guardian or my parent. He has no say in what I do with my life.”
Fenrir growled and pulled Harry closer to him, “Watch your words Lupin.”
Remus took a step back and held up his hands, “Harry, he only wants what is best for you. Your relatives must be worried sick with you being here and not home.”
Harry flinched, “I never want to see those muggles again. They are no family of mine.” Then stood firmly, “Dumbledore does not control me. I will live the life I want.”
Amber eyes darkened, “Like dating that Flint boy? Do you really think your parents would be happy with you dating a known enemy?”
“I can date whoever I like. Marcus has been nothing but kind to me and I love him. I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks. Why can’t you just be happy for me? I am safe and I have people who love me.”
Fenrir watched carefully, his eyes narrowing. He held up his hand to stop a few of the wolves from attacking.
Remus sighed, “So you would abandon everyone for some death eaters son?”
“I am not abandoning anything. You're the one who is drawing the line.”
The alpha wrapped an arm around the thin shoulders of the wizard, “You have your answer Lupin. The pup knows his own mind. Return to your tent or I will have to make you.”
Remus snarled, “Get your hand off him.” reaching for Harry, “Harry, you're coming with me. We are going to Dumbledore now.”
Harry’s eyes widened and flinched away from the man he called Professor. “I’m not going anywhere with you and you can’t make me.”
Fenrir snapped and had Harry behind him claws and fangs on full display as a deep guttural growl began to sound. One that was answered by most of the pack. Several of the larger male and females were now standing and in their own positions ready to attack as they put themselves between younger or weaker members of the pack.
“Leave now Lupin, or your life is forfeit and you are no longer welcome on pack land.” Fenrir snarled, “The pup has made his statement clear and it will be respected.” Fenrir wasn’t stupid he knew well who the Flints were and if the pup was dating the Flint Heir, like hell he was letting the pup get taken.
“Yes Lupin, do run back to your master.” The hissing words caused ice to run through the veins of many wolves present. A tall man stood at the edge of pack territory grinning darkly. Sharp teeth flashing in the fire light, “Actually. I do believe I have heard enough. Letting you go crawling back to the man would put dear Harry here at risk. I can’t allow that, you see.”
Remus trembled, “You… no.” He turned to look at Harry and reached for him again, “Harry we have to go now.”
Harry glared at the man, “I am not going anywhere with you.” then stepped out from behind Fenrir and ran toward the tall man, “Father.”
The color drained from Remus’s face, “What. No. Harry. No!”
Fenrir on the other hand was now laughing loudly as he watched, “Ah Lupin. How wrong you were to come here. The Dark Lord is right, we let you go now and it would endanger dear Harry.” He rolled the name in his mouth enjoying the feel of it.
Voldemort embraced Harry to him, cupping his cheek, “Ah my son. You are well. Come, we must get you home now. Have you anything you need to grab?”
Harry looked down at the two parcels in his arms and nodded, “Just my bags in Alpha Greyback’s tent.”
“He can bring them when he joins us for breakfast in the morning.” Sharp eyes catching the man letting him know it was an order, “I need to get you to safety and away from the deranged mutt. Fenrir, I trust you can handle the mongrel?”
Fenrir grinned, “With pleasure.”
Harry winced, “Are you going to kill him?”
The alpha looked to him and sighed, “No, but this whelp needs to learn his place. Worry not pup, you go with your father. He isn’t your concern any longer.”
Voldemort pulled Harry to him and did not wait before apparating them from the pack camp.