HP: Night of the Wolf

Hogwarts, Scotland

Albus hit the grounds of Hogwarts and the old belt fell to the ground of the Entry Courtyard. The clock looked down at him as though mocking him that he was late. Albus felt that time was ticking by, by it was always disorientating to travel over 1,300 miles by portkey, no matter who you were. "Fawkes," he called out.

The notice that had reached him this morning when he had finally been able to leave the chambers of the ICW had sent a cold shiver through him. For the last four days, the ICW had locked itself behind closed doors with absolutely no outside communication as they debated a change that would force all governments to accept a new definition of magical and sentient creatures. It had been a hard-fought debate that would give far more rights to sentient creatures than current conventions. If it passed, it would overturn a century and a half of laws and treaties between a half dozen races. He was not a big supporter of it, but he didn't like the aspect of the Goblin threatening a revolt if it didn't pass. The little devils had control over most wizarding finances in Europe, Russia and the America's. In the end, the vote was called off until the next session just after Christmas to let a committee make a report...

Albus made an impatient sound. The fact that he had not known about Harry was galling. His alerts should have gotten through the ICW wards, after all he had designed some of them himself. After a quick look cursory at a Daily Prophet now two days old, all he knew was that there had been attacks, Harry was alive and others had been involved. After waiting a few seconds, he looked up towards his office. Fawkes had never failed to come to his call before.

Knowing it would be another few minutes before his magic was calm enough to apparate, he called again. "Fawkes!"

He stretched out his hand and after a few seconds, worry overtook him. He strode towards the main doors. The doors opened without a sound as he flicked his wand and he rushed up to his office. The gargoyle jumped out of his way as he approached the stairs and he took them two or three at a time with his long legs as they spiraled up on their own.

Opening the door, Albus looked around for his phoenix. The golden stand was not far from his desk but there was no beautiful bird on it. Instead, there was a pile of ash below the stand and no baby in it. Dozens of feathers lay on the floor. His heart skipped a beat. Fawkes was years away from another burning day, the bird had not sacrificed himself for him lately and Fawkes only dropped his feathers when he wanted, and never more than one or two at a time to someone truly deserving. Casting a quick spell, he could tell no one had come into the office since he had left five days ago.

Something was wrong. Striding over to his familiar's perch, he poked his wand in the pile of ashes. There was no sign of Fawkes, and a pile that big only occurred on a burning day. He frowned. "Fawkes," he called out again.

When there was no answer or fireball as the bird came back to him, he knew something was very wrong. He didn't have time to truly investigate it though.

Turning to walk out onto the balcony, the apparition point for any Headmaster in this office, he stopped. At first, he was unsure what had caught his attention until he saw a table. Where it should be full of humming and smoke emitting magical instruments, it was now quiet. There were several pools of molten metal, two that looked dull and lifeless where they once spun like gyroscopes and a last that was filled with a sickly green smoke.

"Merlin, no," he breathed.

Rushing out the windowed doors to the balcony, he turned on the spot. Albus popped out into the full sunlight behind a full bush. Not even thinking to cast any notice-me-not or disillusionment charms he walked out at a brisk pace, his stride reaching to its maximum and just short of running. When Albus Dumbledore needed to move, it was surprising how nimble and quick a 128-year-old man could be.

He strode up the street. It was midmorning on working day, so only face or two caught his walk up the middle of the road. They thought it odd to see the strange old man with a beard down to his waist, blue robes with silver trim and some blue gems. His pointed hat was even more unusual. The fact he was carrying a strange stick caused Mrs. Nash to scrunch her brow. This was a most unusual occurrence for the normally quiet and mundane street.

Albus could hear the muggle tele-radio-thingy from an open window. "How could you do that? Cheating on your lover with the man down the street. Tut tut," he heard the scandalized voice of Petunia Dursley

He looked around. There were traces of magic here. He could not feel that the normal power from the blood wards. It usually thrummed in him at the strength of Lily's protection for her son. It sent a rock to his stomach. He didn't bother to knock, just flicking his wand and then walking into the house. Without the wards, he was not bound to the niceties of whether he was allowed entry or not without permission.

"Dudley, is that you," Petunia asked walking into the hall. Her eyes went wide. Albus didn't wait for her to say anything before she was quiet and fell stiff against the door frame. He strode into the sitting room. The woman was a mousy looking thing, looking very thin for her modest height. Her curly brown hair was nothing remarkable and the fear in her dark eyes something Albus was going to use.

"You will answer my questions, Petunia Dursely. If you scream, you will find you will not like the consequences." Her round eyes told him what he needed to know and that she would not scream. "Where is Harry," he asked.

"T...t...taken."

The sinking rock turned into a boulder that threatened to collapse his knees. "What do you mean taken?"

"Some of your type," she said. "Red robes. Took him after that dog thing attacked us a few nights ago."

Albus took in a deep breath before diving into her mind. He could see a scene of them running into the upstairs bathroom as Harry stood his ground against a werewolf trying to break in. "Where did they take him?"

"I...I...I don't...t...t know," she said shakily.

Albus was unable to ask anything else when he heard the distinctive pop of apparition. It was five quick cracks, followed closely by a few more out back. Two full Auror squads. "Son of Morgana," he cursed under his breath.

In his haste to find out about the boy, he had forgotten all the standard precautions. He turned on the spot and was facing the front of the house. It was impossible for them to erect an anti-apparition ward that fast... unless they were already here. He touched a gem on his robes. "Hogwarts," he whispered. Nothing happened.

How could he have been so careless? The trace magic was not from a fight, they were lain down to keep people here and alert the DMLE. Something had really riled the Aurors and they weren't taking any chances. If he knew where Fawkes was, this wouldn't be a problem.

Albus flicked his wand. Petunia needn't remember this unpleasantness. He didn't have time for anything else.

An amplified voice came. "This is the Auror Corp, monitoring this house under the Underage Protection and Magical Act of 1974. Spells were detected in violation of clause 8. Please present yourself or you will be taken in by force."

"Can this day get any better," he muttered to himself before taking out a lemon drop and popping it in his mouth.

"You have thirty seconds before we come in," the voice said again. The only way they would be moving so openly in the daylight was that they must have repelling and notice-me-not charms up for muggles. He popped in two more lemon drops, crunching and then chewing them to release the creamy centers before stepping towards the door.

"Ah, nice day to see you, Aurors," Albus greeted kindly.

Albus recognized the lead Auror, Yaxley. He was a wayward soul he hoped could be redeemed. There was no use in spilling the blood of such an old family of magicals. He was an man a little past his prime with greying hair, standard height, calculating blue eyes and haughty expression. When Albus stepped out, Yaxley let a look of surprised show before evening his features. "Chief Warlock, I was not informed that you would be here today. May I inquire as to why? Notice of surveillance and noninterference was given to all departments yesterday."

"Ah, I am sorry, Auror Yaxley. I had just come back into the country and was checking in on a few students that had requested some special summer schoolwork," he lied smoothly. It wasn't a lie, per se, but it wasn't something he had wanted to grant Harry. He would need to change his mind now. "I was not aware of any special non-interference orders."

Yaxley regarded him with narrowed eyes and pinched mouth. A few of the Aurors looked uncomfortable. Good, his reputation still has a lot of sway. "Be that as it may, we are under orders to take anyone into the DMLE if they break the order."

"Do you care to tell me why and I do have much to do today. I must be back in Stockholm tomorrow." He knew full well he could not miss the rest of the ICW summer session. There were a few large votes he had to attend, but he could not leave without knowing where Harry was and to put him back under the protection of his relatives. Of course, with the blood wards broken, that wasn't really an option. They were the best people though to prepare the boy.

A small wry smile crossed Yaxley's face. "I take it being out of country you haven't seen the Prophet, Chief Warlock."

Yaxley pulled a paper out of his pocket and tossed it to Dumbledore. "You can read it while you wait to talk to an Interviewer."

Albus was happy he had three lemon drops in him or he would have cursed. This was a paper from yesterday morning. The top headline read WEREWOLF IN SURREY. BOY-WHO-LIVED ALMOST BITTEN. MUGGLE FIREGOON KILLS WEREWOLVES!

-oOo-

July 25, 1994

London, England

Harry sat on the edge of the hospital bed. It felt odd to be in clothes that fit well. Healer Tonks had made sure he had a change of clothes, a few actually, after he made the mistake of saying he didn't have anything that fit. It was during one of his delirious episodes during the purging. He wasn't sure how much he had said. He just hoped it wasn't anything bad or any of his secrets. He grimaced at the thoughts of the last few days. It had not been enjoyable. He was glad it was over.

Maybe twenty feet away, Hermione was quietly talking with her mum. She was looking better after taking a shower and in a new pair of clothes that Tonks had retrieved for her. He found himself looking at Hermione's legs, which were bare below her jean shorts. Her legs were swinging and he just found something about them that made him feel odd, in a good way, and he couldn't take his eyes off them.

"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks said waving a hand in front of his face. He shook his head and looked up at a slyly smiling blue hair woman with matching blue eyes today. "Looking at something you like?"

Harry fought to keep the heat in his neck from racing to his face. "No, just can't wait to get out of here."

She wagged her eyebrows before looking at Hermione. Harry followed her eyes. Hermione wore a slightly tight blue t-shirt that didn't hide that she was a developing woman, even if it didn't show any flesh. Her jean shorts were modestly short and her hair was pulled back and tied with a ribbon. He didn't miss how her long neck seemed inviting, or her lips. He had found himself tackling with these new unexplained attractions since the purging potions and charm work had been completed this morning.

They had been warned there would be side effects for a couple of days. Harry hadn't expected that to include a realized just how much of a girl his best friend was. Well, as he looked her, he realized he found her to be a very attractive girl. School robes hid a lot and he didn't remember her being this attractive last summer when they were at the Burrow

"I supposed that 'can't wait' includes a certain witch," she teased wagging her eyebrows again. "Her lips are looking much healthier."

Harry knew his face must be showing the heat he was feeling. He needed to change the subject. "Did you see a full list of what they did? Healer Tonks didn't fully explain everything." Hermione looked towards him and a small smile broke on her face, her eyes lighting up to see him looking at her, before she became serious again. It was the first smile he had seen from her in days.

"Not fully sure, Harry. Talk to my mother. I just know it's something to do with your Aunt and Uncle and someone else they couldn't identify. Some suppression charms, I think one including your girlfriend."

Harry nodded, trying to ignore her last taunt. That was all he had gotten too. Compulsion charms to make him go back to the Dursleys without complaint and to not report anything that happened while he was at his relatives. Another to not write to his friends. He didn't understand that because he had been writing to Hermione and Ron this summer. Well, one letter to Ron. He had written to Hermione many times, sometimes two letters before Hedwig came back from delivering the last letter. Now, he wished it had been more often, even if they had only been out of Hogwarts for a little over four weeks. Harry hadn't realized how lonely he was and how Hermione helped to fill that void with her letters.

Harry's good mood lessened as he thought about it. There had been a suppression charm, or three? It hadn't been made clear to him how many and whether that meant on his magic or something else. Healer Tonks had been upset over those. Even more upset at the potions to make him feel loyal, lazy and more susceptible to suggestions. Again, the loyalty focused on his Aunt and Uncle and some unknown person. The susceptibility easier for him to take the compulsion. Lazy? Harry didn't think he felt lazy. He did his work, most of the time. He did his chores, otherwise he wouldn't be fed. He liked his free time to fly his broom, play chess, exploding snaps or other games. He liked to talk alot to his friends and others in Gryffindor... alll right. Maybe he spent more time on the later activities than his school work most weeks. Was that being lazy? His grades were good.

What really bother him was that same person or people that were probably targeting him, had also targeted Hermione with many of the same things. He had heard loyalty and susceptibility potions, charms to suppress her curiosity and to also not write to him. Hermione was one of the most curious people he knew, how was that suppressed? There was also a very strong compulsion for Hermione to stay away from him for the summer.

"Healer Tonks won't tell me it all," he told her.

She nodded. "Harry, I know my mum. If she isn't telling you, then there is a reason. Even when I was young, she would only keep things from me when she had a good reason, even if I didn't think it was and we had a few rows over it." The last was in a low voice he wasn't sure if he was supposed to hear or she did it loud enough to get a rise out of him. He had found she liked to joke and take the mickey when she could.

Harry was still looking at Hermione when the door opened to the room. Tonks squared herself, obviously not expecting the door to open. Healer Tonks walked in followed by a man Harry knew. "Professor Lupin," he cried out happily, jumping off the bed and rushing towards the man.

The man looked gaunter than a month before and he had a sad smile. "Harry," the man greeted him extending a hand. Harry rushed into him, wrapping his arms around him and surprising them both. He quickly stepped back.

"Ah, nice to see you Professor," he said feeling embarrassed. He was finding his emotions were all over the place. Healer Tonks said that might be the case for a few days as his body settled. It didn't help that Professor Lupin was also an old family friend, about the only person he had left of his original family. Harry wished Sirius could be around.

"Professor," Hermione said coming up to him and hugging him. He noticed that Professor Lupin stiffened and sniffed her hair.

"Hermione, I am so sorry," he said sadly. "I am also not your Professor anymore. You both can call be Remus." The man looked around the room and Hermione released him. Harry saw that her eyes were shiny. Lupin's gaze stopped for a moment looking over his shoulder. He thought he heard a small, almost inaudible growl. After a second, he turned back towards Hermione as though it took all his willpower.

"Mrs. Granger," he said seeing the woman not far behind Hermione. Harry thought Lupin sounded distracted. He reached a handout to her. "I trust these two have told you about me?"

She shook his hand. "It is very nice to meet you, Professor Lupin. Yes, I have heard some interesting tales that had not been relayed to us before."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "I see. Please call me Remus. Maybe we can talk about that later. I think there are other pressing issues that must be handled before then."

Harry felt more grounded as Remus talked. The man was a kind person with a presence that instilled a sense of safety, even with his affliction. Healer Tonks spoke up. "Yes. I think we have some important stuff to talk about. My office is not too far from here and I think you two may like to be out of this room," she said looking at him and Hermione.

"Yes, please," Hermione said passionately. "Will I get to see dad?" She jumped like a little schoolgirl in her excitement.

"He will meet us there, Hermione," Healer Tonks said, eyeing Hermione.

Hermione smiled. Apparently, her side effect was happiness and giddiness while Harry seemed like he needed touches, reaching out for her hand to stop her bouncing. He had only seen her this way a few times and usually when she found some information she had been pulling her hair out over to find in the library, the Gryffindors won a game or they won the house cup. They were heading out the door when a new Auror, a tall black man with an embroidered cloak below his Auror cloak and a round embroidered hat, took up the lead. There was something about the man's non-assuming demeanor that instilled a sense of confident well-being. He had introduced himself earlier as Shacklebolt.

"Tonks, you coming," the man asked in a deep voice.

He looked back to see her shake her head and then steal another look towards them. Hermione pulled him. He tried to hold her back to wait for Tonks to fall in beside them. "See something you like," he teased her. He hadn't missed the look on the young Auror's face. He had seen it before on girls at school when they liked someone. He just wasn't sure if it was Shacklebolt, or perhaps Remus?

She looked a little flustered and her hair went back to her preferred pink. "You say a word of this and you may not like who I tell about you."

Harry swallowed hard. "Tell who about what," Hermione asked looking at them.

He shot Tonks a pleading look and she just smiled. "Oh, just something between Harry and I, if he doesn't want to hide under a rock for a while."

Hermione giggled. Harry shook his head before looking at her. Hermione never giggled. "I would pay you to see that," Hermione said.

"Well, if you insist..."

"Auror Tonks, why don't you like to be called Nymphadora," Harry asked quickly.

Her hair quickly turned red. "Don't call me Nymphadora, Harry. I warned you once. It's not good for your health."

Hermione's giggly mood dissipated. "You hurt a hair on him and I don't care how much magic you know," she threatened. Harry felt her squeeze his hand very hard.

"Oh, come on, Hermione. She already said she doesn't like to be called Nymphadora. Why would I try to do it again." Harry knew he was playing with fire, but there was something that made him more reckless than normal.

"Harry," Tonks said in a low warning voice.

"Is she upset with you because you didn't like the view," Hermione said with a smirk. Harry realized she must have overheard him. He hoped that she didn't know what she was talking about. It was Hermione though...

Tonks gave an evil grin. "Oh, I think it was more like he enjoyed the view quite a bit," she said with a wink. His face flamed and he sputtered trying to figure out what to say.

"All right, I think you two are still loopy. Jane and Remus, I think it is highly recommended we wait a few hours. I thought the worst had passed," Healer Tonks said in front of them.

"Andromeda, we need to get this done. I need to figure out where Harry is going, we have that other business to take care of and I should really should get to Gringotts today. Madame Bones said she could only afford a full detail for another day or two," Remus responded.

"The goblins and their curse beakers are supposed to be finishing today," Jane told him in a serious tone.

Hermione started giggling again. Harry tried hard not to laugh. It was a little funny. "Beakers," Hermione chuckled before starting to laugh. "Beakers."

Jane moved in and took her daughter's arm. "Right. Maybe this isn't quite the time. Healer Tonks, how long will this last?"

They got to a door and she opened it. "Potions and compulsions as strong as they had should have reduced them to mindless hulks when they they activated. The fact they were able to pull through them shows they are strong. Normally I would give them a week to a month to fully recover, but with how they are progressing, another four or five days. I expect they will have bouts of loopiness for a day or two, maybe three. Then it is not uncommon for them to show signs of depression for a bit after that. I really can't recommend anything to help with it. Their bodies and magic need to accustom themselves to being free of the charms and potions without anything else interfering, like another potion. We can keep them here another day."

"I would not advise that," Remus said. Hermione was still laughing and Harry was grinning from ear to ear. He chortled as he said beakers in his mind again.

"Daddy!" Hermione exclaimed and ran into the room to hug her father. The surprised look on the man's haggard face as she ran into his arms and they both fell into the chair behind him made Harry lose it. He had never seen her act like a little child and he started laughing so hard that after a moment, he sat on the floor in the middle of the room. He wasn't sure how long it took him to calm down. The only way he did was to have Hermione come over to him and sit in his lap. It was so unexpected he stopped. He was hiccupping and had tears on his face from laughing. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder.

"Shhhh. The adults want to talk now," she said like a little kid, putting a finger on his lips. He heard the giggle on her voice, but he was too surprised to have her like that.

Someone growled behind her. "What are you doing with my daughter," the voice was menacing and full of danger.

Harry, on instinct, pitched them both forward and rolled to protect her. "Petrificus Totales," someone cried out. Harry looked up to see a tall man with dark hair and angry set eyes staring at him. The Auror he didn't recognize was holding the man up. Remus had moved between Mr. Granger and them.

"Harry, can I get up now? My arm is caught and it doesn't feel good. We can roll around later," she said in her little girls voice.

His heart was racing from the danger and in a split second his face felt like it was on fire again, his eyes wide as the eyes on Mr. Granger took on a steely look towards him. "Ah, yeah," he told her, moving and helping her to her feet. She rubbed her arm and turned towards her father. "We should all take a seat. I thought we had important stuff to talk about," she bossed at them. With that, she sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

Most of the people were looking between her and her father. Jane came up to him. "Dan," she said gently. "Down here. Eyes here."

Harry didn't take his eyes off of the man. He reached for his back pocket to grab his wand. "Harry," Remus said in a calm voice. "Don't challenge him. The first cycle or two are the hardest and he will protect his pack."

Harry didn't look away as Mrs. Granger tried to get her husband's attention. Harry perceived he was in real danger. It was hard for him to back down. "I didn't do anything," Harry said.

"No, you didn't, but I think he is seeing you as a potential mate for his daughter, Harry. Werewolves are very protective of their pack and another male moving in on their territory or kin is a challenge." Remus was staying very calm. Harry didn't miss that Remus didn't take his eyes off of Mr. Granger. His heart started to race faster as he processed what Remus had just said.

"Dan. Oh, can someone release him," Mrs. Granger said angrily.

"Not until he knows Harry isn't a threat and Hermione is all right," Remus ordered. Harry was surprised to hear the steal in his voice. Remus had never sounded like that before.

"Of course Harry is my mate," Hermione said. He snapped his head to her to see her rolling her eyes. "He's my best friend."

There was an almost feral growl from Mr. Granger. Harry couldn't stop the groan escaping his lips. "Harry, get her out of here," Remus muttered from the side of his mouth.

Harry moved to her. "Hermione, I think the adults need to talk. Why don't we go out for a walk?"

She gave him a look as though she wasn't impressed. "If you want me to go out with you, all you have to do is ask. I'll say yes, you know."

He heard another growl escape her dad's throat. "Harry, now," Remus told him.

"Fine, will you go out into the hall with me," he asked. He was trying very hard not to say anything that would upset her father further. Hermione, on the other hand, was doing all she could make the man want to strangle him.

Her smile was brilliant. "Thought you would never ask. Though, that is odd you only asked me into the hallway. I thought it would be different, but I guess you being my mate and all means you'd rather ask in private." She stood up and pulled him into the Hall. Harry wanted to melt into a puddle at the louder growl that her father gave out. Trolls, basilisks and werewolves didn't scare him as much as her father's enraged eyes and features. Tonks followed them and he was met with the back of two other Aurors he hadn't noticed earlier when Hermione opened the door.

"Right. The room across the hall isn't being used," Tonks said. "Smith, Greenlee. We are just going to take a few minutes in this office while the adults talk things over." He heard the laugh at him in her tone.

"They finally decided you're not ready to leave the kiddy table," one of the men joked with her.

Harry didn't wait for a response and pushed Hermione into the room. She skipped in and jumped up onto the empty desk, crossing her legs and leaning towards him as she steadied herself with her hands on the desk. "All right, Harry. What did you want to talk about," she asked looking more serious. "I do hope it's about you asking me to go out somewhere."

"Ah, I didn't really want to talk about anything."

Tonks chuckled behind him. A much more normal 'I'm not impressed' expression took over Hermione's face. "Are you sure? My father looked pretty upset at you. I think he was trying to do that 'be nice to my daughter thing. You didn't mess that up, did you?"

"Me? I didn't do anything! You were the one asking to roll around and saying I was your mate and telling me just to ask you out," he said angrily to her. He wished he hadn't as soon as it came out of his mouth to see Hermione's confused and hurt expression.

"Smooth," Tonks said behind him.

He whirled around. "You! This all started with you." He felt his magic stirring.

Tonks held up her arms in submission. "Down there, Harry." Tonks nodded over his shoulder. "I don't think Hermione liked you blaming her."

He turned to see a crying Hermione.

-oOo-

Dan sat in the chair, face in his hands and Kingsley standing over him. Jane was kneeling at his feet, her hands on his legs.

"This is a pretty standard reaction until the lycanthropy settles. The wolf is settling in and Dan's natural instincts will be quite enhanced until he learns to control them."

"I wanted to kill the boy," Dan said sounding defeated.

Remus nodded. He figured the elder Granger might have tried if Remus hadn't stunned him. "You wanted to protect your pack. A very common instinct among our kind."

"Remus, I do not think your plan is safe given this last reaction," Andromeda told him.

"Bones wants to keep a two Auror detail on them, but I don't know if we would be able to react fast enough if we are stationed outside," Kingsley said.

"No. We will need to change the plan, but I am not sure if it is right to split those two at the moment," Remus answered. The man leaned forwards onto his knees. "I really should take the Entwhistle and Finch-Fletchley girls today. Is Mr. Ramos going to make it? I am not sure if it will be advisable for me to take him and Mr. Granger."

"Mr. Ramos passed this morning, Remus. There should be no conflict for Mr. Granger to go now," Andromeda told him.

Remus bowed his head. "I am sorry, but it probably a kinder fate."

"What do you mean you are taking my husband." Jane was looking at him with a fierce look. Remus could smell the connection between them. He was grateful that she was his natural mate, otherwise things would be more complicated.

"I mean, given his outburst and the way you have described how protective he is of you and your daughter, I don't think it's safe until after his first turn. Maybe not then either for a bit. As I have been trying to explain, the first cycle or two can be very hard until the infection and the person settle with each other. Having his mate around will help, but as I said, I am not sure if it is advisable to separate Hermione and Harry or to have Hermione around him right now."

"He's her mate, isn't he," Dan asked looking at Remus. It was a question between two creatures that were starting to understand each other. "As you said, I was reacting to a threat. I could... smell something. I have never seen her act so freely to anyone before."

"Much of that is still Harry and Hermione readjusting," Andromeda said. "They are too young to worry about anything like that."

Remus frowned. He had smelled something on them also, but he was mostly confident that it wasn't lycanthropy. It did have hints of the same pack that had attacked them. He was also confidant that all the crime scenes he had been asked to be at, that all the weres that had been there were from the same sire. Someone he didn't recognize. It sent his senses on full alert and ready to defend his own pack. Dan, on the other hand was so new to everything, he was probably still in some sensory overload and disorientation. Only years of dealing with his own kind had stopped him from trying to rip out Dan's throat for threatening Harry. Hermione may be Dan's pack, but Harry was his.

"Why don't you want to separate them," Jane asked him.

Remus shook his head. "I can't explain it. Just something is telling me that it is not advisable. It also isn't advisable for Dan to be in the same house with either of them for a bit. I really don't want him to have a repeat."

"I don't either. You don't think either of them have been infected," Andromeda asked.

"How much of a danger? Mr. Lupin, are you saying he would attack our daughter?"

"I am saying that he will protect his pack, and his mate overall. Werewolves and witches or wizard do not always get along, too much of an alpha mentality between the two. While he is still in his first cycle or two, he may not be able to discern between his pack and a threat. You, as his natural mate, would be safe, even if he was turned. We protect our mates."

"So, you would take him away? Should I not go with him?"

Dan put a hand on his wife's. "Jane, you need to be with Hermione. I can get through this. She is only fourteen and should be with you."

"Dan, are you all right with this?"

Remus looked at her before turning to Andromeda. "Did the ostendo potion show anything?"

"Jane, if this protects you and Hermione, then yes," Mr. Granger told his wife. "It won't be forever."

"No. They are both clear," Andromeda said.

Remus sat back in the chair. Something was bothering him. "Jane, I do not want to hurt you, but I agree with your husband, at least until the next moon. After that, we can reassess." The poor woman looked torn up.

"Jane. Please. It will be like when I was on deployment. It will only be about a month or two," he pleaded with his wife.

After a moment, she looked up at him. "I will tell you the same thing now as I did then. You come back to me in one piece or I swear to God I'll haunt you even in death."

He gave his wife a mirthless chuckle. "And people think our daughter get it from me."

She didn't look amused. He looked up at her eventually and kissed her on her head. "I will be back. Remus said that I am only really dangerous at the full moon and I will get better control over my reactions."

She looked at Remus after that. "You bring him back or you will find out what is worse than a werewolf." The fierce determination on her face left no doubt in Remus' mind that she would carry out her threat.

"I swear, Jane, that I will do everything I can to see him back to you. Now that that is handled, we need to decide on the next course of action."

"Well, Remus, you are his Guardian according to the listing obtained from Gringotts," Andromeda told him. "I agree with your current plan while you take care of Annabel Entwhistle, Theresa Finch-Fletchley and Dan. I have arranged for wolfsbane for this month, but after that, I am afraid I will have to ask for payment."

"I can't thank you enough for that, Andromeda. That will make this first transition so much more bearable. I have a source that I can talk to about more. Now, Harry. After what you told me what you found on them, I don't think it wise to send them to any house connected with the Order." He was feeling very bothered by what she had talked to him about. She hadn't been wrong that the two of them shouldn't have been able to resist those compulsion and potions.

"Harry is staying with us," Jane told him. "It was offered and that will not change."

"Will the wards be completed today," he asked her.

"I have two of my best at their house over seeing the Curse Breakers and Warders from Gringotts. They are establishing the full suite you requested and Bones approved the class IV wards you requested. Last word I had was that it should be ready today," Kingsley spoke up. "They have taken payment from the Potter accounts."

Remus let out a breath. He hadn't been sure that he would be able to authorize that. He guessed it was official now, he was Harry's Guardian and James and Lily had trusted him to manage things for Harry. Only if he had known all those years ago... "Thank you, Kingsley. I still need to make it to Gringotts today to complete the paperwork to take over full Regency."

Remus knew Kingsley was part of the Order, like him, but the man had not been impressed when he found out what was wrong with the two teens he had been guarding. "Of course."

"How much did all this cost? We can't have Harry paying this. He's only thirteen," Jane said. Dan looked at him.

"Jane, I assure you that guarding Harry and your daughter is worth any price. Harry is from a very old magical line and what the Goblins are doing won't even make a dent in his resources. As it is, I don't even think he is aware of all he has, and if he did, I don't see him arguing this."

Her eyes widened some. "The prices Hermione gave us were not inexpensive," Dan said to him, frowning.

"You are willing to take him in. That is worth more than any gold I could give you," Remus told them. "I know Lily and James would feel the same."

"Is that his parents," Jane asked.

Remus nodded. "They were my friends." He took a moment to gather himself. "Kingsley, as soon as the wards are ready, would you escort them. I want only their wands keyed to the ward-stone. They can modify it later when I can come to check up on Harry."

"I will ensure that is done. Did you want to talk about the Auror detail?" Kingsley responded in his soothing deep voice.

"Can you not come today," Jane asked him.

"I should, but I think it is better for me to get my new wards to the safe house I use. Ms. Finch-Fletchley has already tried to attack a few Healers, trying to get to her parents. She won't accept they are not coming back. Is Ms. Entwhistle ready to travel as well?"

Andromeda looked weary. She clamped her hand together. "Theresa is only seven, Remus. She is having a hard time."

"I know, Andromeda, but she is going to be a danger here if she stays."

Andromeda bent her head down in defeat. "I understand. She is ready. Annabel should stay another week or two. She only just survived and she still needs to get used to her missing arm, Remus."

Remus rubbed his face. "I understand, Andromeda, but it is not safe, mostly for them, to leave them here right now. If you want to assign someone to come with me you can, but I already have another caretaker I have been able to line up."

Andromeda sighed. "I know and she's a fine Healer. I just wish that our world wasn't so prejudice to your kind."

"You and me both. Jane, Harry has a few things that Andromeda and I have been able to hobble together. I don't plan to go to the Dursley's until tomorrow at the earliest. Can you ensure he has what he needs?" Remus was putting faith in people he didn't really know, but they were doing the same in him. So far, Jane had done nothing to make him doubt she wouldn't watch after Harry.

"I can do that. Am I allowed to leave our house? And what is the detail you are leaving us?"

"There is no restrictions on your daily activities. All we ask is that you let us know and an Auror will accompany you. The detail will be two Aurors at all times. We have six that will be rotating. You have already met Auror Tonks, Greenlee and Smith. When we get to your residence, I will introduce you to Thomas and Burke. Fawlsey won't be joining you for a few days, but I will be sure to introduce you when he comes on duty."

"Thank you."

"Kingsley, you are sure they are all trustworthy," Remus asked.

"They have taken an Oath to protect them until they go back to Hogwarts," the man responded.

"But what if I don't want Hermione to go back? She has almost been killed, petrified and attacked by a werewolf there," Jane said to him. She was looking scared while Dan looked at them confused. Remus couldn't help bowing his head. He was the one that had almost killed them last month.

"What do you mean she has almost been killed," Dan said getting out of his seat.

"Easy, Dan, those are stories we can talk about at the safe house."

Dan looked at him and then his wife. "What are you talking about," he asked her.

"The Healers and your wife were informed of some interesting occurrences over the last few years. We thought it best not to tell you until you were in a better state," Andromeda started.

"Dan. Hermione is safe. Harry is a big part of why she is safe. Remus knows all the details and can tell you. We can talk about this. Remus says he can take me out to see you when we need until you come back home."

Dan ran a hand through his hair. "I don't like secrets between us," he told her.

"I know, love. I don't either. And about them going back to Hogwarts, is there another place they can go?"

"Hermione can," Remus said. "She can transfer to Beauxbaton's or go across the pond to Illvamorny or anywhere else she wants, but part of Harry's inheritance requires him to remain on British soil. It is an old law meant to keep magical blood in Brittan. It was passed after the Great Migration in the 1800's when a Dark Wizard had tried to take over Brittan."

"So, Harry is stuck going to Hogwarts?" Jane did not look happy at that news.

"If he would like to claim his family's vaults, magic and other entitlements, then yes. If not, he could leave right now. I wouldn't recommend it though. The Potters were a very powerful family and Harry would lose much if he did leave," Remus said.

"Remus, he can't leave until he is Head of House. He's the last and sole heir. The laws won't allow it," Andromeda reminded him.

Remus looked at her a moment. "The Preservation of Magical Heritage Act," he asked. "Are you sure there is no one else?" Remus was not a fool to delude himself into thinking he knew all the old and pureblood laws and inter-relations.

"I am quite sure. Aunt Walburga used to bemoan the fact that the Potter's and a few others were in danger of dying out. She always blamed it on their blood leaning. You remember Aunt Walurga?" How could he ever forget her being the mother of one his oldest friends. He wasn't sure he would ever forgive himself for believing Sirius had betrayed James and Lilly for all those years. He nodded. "She was obsessed with that type of thing and always made sure to know the heritage of all the old and pure-blood lines and taught all of us that tripe. The Potters don't have another living blood heir in the direct Potter line for five generations, that would break the line and leave his inheritance to the Ministry. You know how the Minister would bite at that."

"Just how big is his inheritance," Dan asked. "You sound like he would be walking away from a fortune."

"I cannot disclose that. Let me say though, the Potters are somewhere in the top five families in the country and the top fifteen families in the magical world across the Isles and the Continent, as far as wealth and their old power matter. I cannot be responsible for denying Harry this."

Many people in the room looked at Remus in various stages of awe or shock. Only Andromeda did not seem surprised by that statement. "Now, it is getting close to noon and I should get Mr. Granger and my new wards to the safe house then get to Gringotts. I want to spend a little time with Harry to explain as much of this as possible before we go. Do you think he has sobered some?"

Andromeda shook her head. "I do not know. I can't guarantee he won't have another five minute laughing fit or another type of emotional swing."

"I understand. I will send Hermione over so she can talk with her father."

"Thank you, Remus," Dan said.