514Summary: FG/HP. Though discriminated against, werewolves have established intricate politics in the Wizarding World. When the public finds out Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, was bitten by a werewolf, there is a cry of both outrage and overwhelming pity. But who would take more interest in the news than the prestigious Alphas of Britain? Greyback is especially interested in obtaining the young wizard for himself and will go through any means to obtain and keep him.
Notes: Begins in Harry's Third Year (but accelerates time-wise with time skips). Will focus predominately on Harry as a young adult outside of Hogwarts. The storyline won't follow Canon.
Warnings: Slow Burn FG/HP {destined mates}, though Harry won't 'feel' the connection until he's older. [Harry/Others] [Fenrir/Past Others]
Also, this is akin to a coming of age. Harry will experience *character growth* as he ages and matures. What does that mean? He's prone (just like the rest of us) to be ignorant and foolish as he endeavors to find himself. If it bothers you that he's not perfect in the beginning, then this story is not for you.
This will be a dark story.
[Chapter One. Four Power Alphas]:
Everything had happened so suddenly that even Harry struggled to come to terms with it himself.
The events, in no particular order, had occurred so forth: he'd been bitten by Remus, he had been rushed unconscious to the hospital wing, Sirius had been captured and Kissed without any sense of fair questioning, Pomfrey had tearfully explained that Harry was now a werewolf, and somehow, the public had already gotten wind of his lycanthropy.
The public also reeled over the 'fortunate' death of Sirius Black, the supposed traitor to the Potter family.
Shredded howlers and cards of both sympathy and cruel disdain crowded his hospital bedside. In an attempt to stop the ridiculous number of voiced opinions from the public, Pomfrey had tried her best to conjure wards that stopped the flow of Howlers and mail. Unfortunately, there were a handful of clever owls able to slip past.
Harry had sat there, void and numb to the harried proceedings happening around him. He preferred to dwell in his mind. If he listened close enough, he could hear Sirius' hoarse voice anxiously—and rather timidly—invite Harry to live with him. The arm that had wrapped around Harry's shoulders was now a ghostly weight, a painful reminder that Sirius was no longer there.
The man had been so hopeful, so very fortunate that he was free.
His life had been hell. He had deserved more.
Only, his happy ending had lasted all but a handful of minutes.
He swallowed thickly, staring at the wall across from him. The lycanthropy poison coursed through his bloodstream and he already felt the subtle changes in his body and his demeanor. His intensified hatred was new and so very consuming. He hated what he was turning into, only because it represented everything that he had lost.
He hated that he was a werewolf. He hated Remus Lupin for being the one to do it. He hated Dumbledore for not speaking up for Sirius. He hated Snape for letting his childhood prejudices blind him to the truth.
Dumbledore!
Harry blinked, his breathing growing heavy. Leaning his head against the pillows, he tried to control his rage and steady his trembling body. Madame Pomfrey calmly explained that Harry needed to check his anger. Outbursts would encourage his wolf-like tendencies to rise to the surface. His increased strength and fury could harm any innocent bystander, she'd said.
Before Harry could dwell further in his anger and self-hatred, the sound of soft footsteps roused him from his trance. Green eyes—that no longer needed spectacles to see—swiveled across the hospital wing and towards the late-night visitor. His lip curled in a silent snarl as he watched Remus inch forward.
"Hello, Harry," the man cautiously greeted. It was the first time he'd visited Harry since the incident, and his shame was evident as he shuffled his feet. There were deep, slowly-healing lesions across the man's face, most likely from the night of the full moon. "How are you?"
Harry simply stared at the man, thinking that question couldn't be any more unwelcome and unnecessary. In response, Remus looked away. For a brief second, Harry's lips curled in primitive victory. Lupin was a submissive wolf. With a bit more experience and age, Harry could and would easily dominate him.
He blinked at that line of thinking before pushing it away angrily.
Where had it come from with its rudimentary, natural ease?
"I'd thought you were sacked from Hogwarts," Harry said.
Remus flinched at the sour tone before nodding as if a resigned martyr. The man looked almost as bad as Harry felt. His skin was waxy and pale and there were heavy, dark shadows beneath his eyes. The warm amber eyes were hollow and filled with such grief that they were difficult to look at.
"I was," his tone was even. "I am no longer teaching here, but I'm not leaving until the term ends. There is some unfinished business I must attend to." Here, he looked pointedly at Harry as if to say he was the unfinished business. "The public may be in an uproar about your condition, but it is the Alphas who have taken an active interest. They wish to see you."
The thirteen-year-old wizard fisted his sheets. "I don't know what you're talking about. Alphas? What about them?"
"There are a few prominent Alphas located in Britain, Harry. Four of them to be exact. They rose to power during the First War."
At Harry's blank look, the tawny-haired werewolf stepped further inside the hospital ward.
"During the First War, the population of werewolves increased immeasurably." Remus readily adopted his instructor role, seemingly determined to educate Harry as quickly as possible with a palpable air of anxiety. He was in a hurry. He was hiding something. "Fenrir Greyback, along with three other Alphas, was the spearhead of the werewolf rebellion. He opposed the restrictions the Ministry placed on werewolves that prevented many—most—werewolves from obtaining jobs to provide for themselves. With his perseverance, he was able to dismantle most of those restrictions and give werewolves a semblance of…equality in the Wizarding world."
Harry was reluctantly engaged with the information, but he sensed the unspoken words. "And how was he able to do that?"
Remus sighed and finally relented. "Greyback infected as many people as possible—children included—with lycanthropy. Eventually, the number of werewolves increased and they were no longer a major minority."
He ignored Harry's look of extreme disgust and abhor.
"It was horrible, yes, but it was effective," Remus stressed, stepping closer. "The Ministry loosened their restrictions and the Alphas became representatives in the Wizengamot. Greyback gets reimbursed a hefty amount of gold each month for housing and controlling a large pack."
"So, essentially, they rewarded a man who destroyed countless lives," Harry murmured bitterly.
"Yes," Remus agreed quietly, "but it is not without reciprocity." The werewolf paused, considering. "The attacks during the full moons have decreased drastically as the Alphas keep a tight rein on their members. However, you should know that even with improved regulations, and with the Ministry recognizing werewolves within a Power Pack, the general public still discriminates against them. Extensively."
A heavy silence spread between them and Harry wasn't inclined to fill it.
He didn't want to hear all this, but it was useful to know something about what he was now. They didn't learn any of this in class. Werewolves were just thought of as dangerous and Dark creatures. Before the incident, Harry hadn't thought any less of Remus when he found out the man was a werewolf. And now—now he didn't know what he thought besides the overwhelming sensation of hate.
"It's considered an honor to be a member of a recognized pack, Harry. The four Power Alphas have influence and they have money to support you. They even offer political advantage. If you ever required connections inside the Ministry, the Power Alphas would be able to assist you."
Green eyes turned into slits when he realized Remus' motive. "Why are you telling me this? I'm not going to be a part of their pack."
Remus straightened, sighing. "It would be good for you—"
"Are you part of a pack?" Harry demanded.
The older man hesitated. "Not originally, no. I could have been in Greyback's pack by proxy, seeing as he was my sire, but I refused to accept my fate as a werewolf." Amber eyes searched Harry. "After this incident, after biting you, I swallowed my pride and asked for his protection. I will need his financial assistance. No one will hire me again."
Harry had to remind himself that he shouldn't feel pity for this man. He was the victim in all this, not Remus.
And yet that did not stop the lick of regret.
For everyone involved in this mess.
There was a heavy pause, a pregnant silence. "They're waiting to see you. Now, near the wards of the castle." Remus appeared guilty.
Angry, Harry sat up. "I'm not going—"
"I know you don't want to see them, Harry, and I don't blame you. You haven't come to terms with what happened yet, but they won't stop until they speak to you. It's better to do it now when they're all gathered then to have them approach you separately."
With an unexpected and uncontrollable swing of emotion, Harry's face crumbled and he gave a dry sob. He looked away from Remus, refusing to let the man see his vulnerability. "I never asked for this…" he whispered hoarsely.
Remus crouched down next to Harry's bed. "And I am so incredibly sorry, Harry." The man's words were broken. Shattered. "You don't realize how remorseful I am for taking away your chance of normalcy. I know how much you must hate me and I can never make it up to you—"
"It's not about me!" Harry flinched away from Remus before the man's hand could touch him. "It's about Sirius. T-They celebrate his death without even knowing anything about it. About him." The silence that met his statement was even heavier than the ones before it. Remus' grief joined Harry's, shepherding in a dark atmosphere to the already grim room.
"I know, Harry."
Those simple words were enough to convey his deep, unsettled understanding.
The rich grief reminded Harry that Remus had also lost a good friend. For twelve years, the werewolf had believed that his best mate had betrayed the people they'd both loved, only to find out that he had passed too quick of judgment. Not hours later, before they could truly reconnect, Sirius was all but dead.
Somehow, losing a potential father, a man he had never known, seemed dull in comparison to that.
Minutes later, Harry forced his somberness away and threw off his blankets with reluctant obedience. His fevered skin clashed horribly against the stale, chilly air. "Does Dumbledore or Pomfrey know you're bringing me out of the castle?" While he was angry with Remus, he never stopped believing that he was an honest man who would never intentionally put Harry in danger.
"No," Remus responded tightly. "I will be accompanying you. We will stay on one side of the wards and the four Alphas will stay on the other. Under no circumstances will you put a hair past the wards. They're all interested in possessing you in their pack and they—Greyback especially—do not play fairly."
The words sent a chill down Harry's spine.
He didn't want to go. This was all happening so fast, so surreally. But he could sense the distress and the urgency in Remus' tone. This was something that may have to be done despite his qualms. As Remus had mentioned earlier, it was better to do it now with all of them than having to face these…these monsters individually.
He'd tell them he wasn't interested in a pack.
And then things could go back to the way they were before.
But things would never be the same, would they?
Remus transfigured a blanket into a black cloak and easily draped it over Harry's small frame. He secured it underneath Harry's neck, his fingers lingering around the younger wizard's throat as he raised the hood. The touch set Harry on edge and he stumbled backward, a lousy and pathetic growl escaping his lips.
"I'm sorry," Remus apologized again, offering only the smallest hint of an understanding smile. "But you feel abnormally warm, Harry. The curse isn't known to leave you bedridden this long." He peered at Harry's subdued form. "In all actuality, you should be feeling vigorous."
Harry shrugged, fisting the transfigured cloak. "Madame Pomfrey said the bite was infected." He paused, giving Remus a pointed look. "Infected with more than just the curse, mind you."
Despite the cutting words, Remus' deep-seated concern for Harry's wellbeing did not falter. He held out a hand. "Then we should make this quick so you can get back to bed. I will make sure they don't keep you long."
Bypassing the hand, Harry walked across the hospital wing with Remus at his shoulder. Pushing his nausea and fevered-illness away, Harry focused on the task at hand. He was more irritable than nervous, though the nervousness was also present.
He didn't understand why the Alphas would want him in their pack.
It left a bad taste in his mouth as he considered the possibilities.
"You said that werewolves have more rights than they had before, but you also said that the public still looks down on them." Harry frowned, becoming more nauseated by the second. "The Alphas wouldn't happen to want me in their pack just because I'm Harry Potter, would they?"
Remus closed his eyes. "I have no reason to lie to you, Harry," he started unexpectedly. "The Alphas would and will vie for a chance at having you in their pack. It will bring extra publicity, extra sympathy, and high prestige." The man was quick to soften the words. "But in the end, they also want to protect you. You are one of them now. It is the pack mentality."
Clenching his jaw, Harry followed Remus out into the summer night.
Even without a lantern, Harry was able to see his way around the grounds. It didn't look like daylight, but he was able to discern colors and fine lines. The world was more vivid, more surreal. He would have liked to marvel at it, but it just reminded him how different he was.
As they turned and looped around the entrance to the castle, Harry could see the start of the forest. He couldn't distinguish them, but he could sense them. The closer they approached the forest line the more unnerved Harry grew. Surely, they would be like Remus. He'd never encountered another werewolf before, and he couldn't imagine anything different from Remus' gentle and self-loathing persona.
Harry would soon realize they were everything opposite of Remus.
The four figures began to take shape and Harry was excruciatingly aware how they carried themselves like predators, like superior beings.
Two of the Alphas leaned against a tree trunk—a man and a woman who were evidently twins. The woman had a tall and muscular frame, though she still carried a shocking amount of femininity. The man next to her had a similar build, and both siblings possessed shocking blonde hair and cold, gray eyes. They watched Harry's approach with attentive eyes, yet their faces remained particularly impassive.
Another man sat on a low-hanging tree branch. His legs swung back and forth merrily and he bobbed his head to an imaginary tune. His brown hair fell to his compact shoulders in wild, crimped waves. A wide grin settled across his face as he watched Harry with bold, amber eyes.
Something drew Harry to this man.
It was a sort of wild, carefree thrill that promised excitement and adventure.
For a moment, Harry thought this lithe and springy male was Greyback, but then he immediately thought otherwise when he noticed the fourth and last figure among the group. The man was huge, not Hagrid-huge, but just as impressively-built. There wasn't an ounce of fat on the man. His limbs were robust, and his chest and shoulders strong and proud. He was tall too, intimidating Harry with his looming height.
Despite the muscle, there was also grace in his posture, a sort of predator and feline—no—canine poise. His face was also noticeably attractive. He had strong cheekbones and a square and chiseled jawline. Unlike his companions, who possessed long hair, his black hair was short and his beard was just a dusting of stubble across his cheeks and jaw.
What frightened Harry the most about this man, besides his stature, were the eyes.
They were arctic-blue and the depth of their intensity made them gleam.
"Oh, you already frightened the poor boy, Greyback," the man upon the tree sang merrily. "He's absolutely petrified."
Harry stumbled behind Remus, suddenly uncertain. His pulse raced through his chest and up his throat. He didn't know how they could identify his fear. It was his pulse, surely.
They could all hear it…!
"Harry," Remus called softly. He reached out and placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder. "You are behind the wards. They won't touch you. They can't."
"For now."
The amusement in those words was nearly engulfed by the deep, predatory growl. Greyback prowled closer to Remus and Harry, suddenly forsaking the shadows in favor of getting as close to the wards as possible. He stalked the length of an imaginary line, trying to catch as much of Harry's shy, concealed form as he could manage.
"Just what did you bring me, Lupin?" He sounded oddly pleased. "Come closer, pup."
With his confidence gone and hiding, Harry reached out and fisted Remus' cloak. He didn't want to be here. This had been a mistake. When he envisioned the Alphas, he imagined a figure similar to Remus. Only, he recognized on a very primitive level that all of them were incredibly dangerous. They were all predators beneath human façades.
And he—
He was just a cowering and weak little puppy.
Remus took out his wand and cast a spell Harry didn't recognize. The spell seemed to attach to the wards and lighten them into a noticeable wall of glowing purple ripples. As soon as the wards became a physical barrier, Harry lessened his clutch on Remus' cloak and tried to recollect some of his courage.
Somehow, it seemed difficult through his fever and nausea.
"There," Remus said, satisfied. "You can stay as far back as you want, Harry. They can't cross over." He looked pointedly at Greyback. "They just want to speak with you."
Harry stepped away from Remus and surveyed the four Alphas from beneath his hood. They appeared wary of the wards, and most of them maintained a respectable distance. Only Greyback was bold enough to stand toe-to-toe with the wards, and his eyes never wavered from Harry.
The female Alpha stepped forward, wearing an inviting smile.
"I would first like to say that it is an honor to meet you, Harry Potter. I've heard great things about you." She bowed only a fraction, unwilling to reveal any more submission than etiquette demanded. "I am Adeline Verity, one of Britain's Power Alphas. There is no short supply of children your age within my pack, and I know you will be comfortable there. You can be certain you will have a wide-range of political power at your beck-in-call if you choose to join me."
At her words, the other Alphas snapped out of their observation.
A heavy air of competition settled amongst the group as they planned to vie for Harry's favor.
Adeline's twin stepped forward with an air of cool nonchalance. "And I am Alston Verity, another Power Alpha." He and his sister not only shared an aura of power, but of regal dignity. All four Alphas were dressed richly, but the twins were almost Malfoy-like in their narcissist pretentiousness. "If you join my pack, you will be guaranteed over fifty Galleons a month."
Cries of uproar and disgust spread across the group at Alston's bribery.
Harry stood before the Alphas, unimpressed and exhausted. "I have more money in my vault than I know what to do with," he said quietly, though his voice seemed to carry as the Alphas turned silent. "I don't plan on joining any pack."
The Alpha on the branch—the one with the wild chocolate-colored hair—grinned widely. "That is a rather bold and ignorant statement. A boy your age should be surrounded by family, by pack members."
Harry's eyes swiveled up to survey the Alpha in the tree. The werewolf didn't seem too concerned with being stared down by a child, for he continued cheerfully kicking his legs back and forth. "What's your name?" Harry asked curiously. "You haven't offered me anything yet."
"Harry…" Remus warned quietly from behind him.
The shaggy-haired Alpha leaped from his branch with ridiculous grace and lunged toward the wards with impossibly fast reflexes. Inches before crossing over, he stopped, crouched down, and peered up at Harry with a toothy-grin.
"You can call me Caleb." He wiggled his finger at Harry, a gesture to come closer. He grinned wider when Harry unquestioningly stepped forward. "I wish you all the luck in the world," Caleb breathed, catching Harry's appearance in the light of the wards, "but my pack is full. I can't offer you anything but companionship. Because we will keep in touch regardless of your pack loyalty. It was predestined."
He was insane, Harry thought as he stared down at the lithe and lanky Alpha.
Besides his suspicions on the man's mental health, there was also a flicker of disappointment rushing through him. If he had to choose one of the Alphas, this man seemed a likely candidate. There was something about him—
"He's part Seer," Remus explained from behind Harry. "Or, he believes he's a Seer."
Caleb held up a finger to halt any sense of rebuttal. "I am a Seer. I just don't share my visions with outsiders."
"Your pack is not full," Adeline exclaimed suspiciously. "Just who did you see him going with, Caleb?"
Harry watched Caleb open his mouth in mock indignity. "I simply don't want to thwart Fate and stand in the way of the Alpha who does get him. It's a butterfly effect, don't you know? If he goes to a different pack than what I've foreseen, then the future would turn out remarkably different from the way it's supposed to go."
He swung his head back around to look at Harry.
"And trust me, pup, you will enjoy this future. I know I will have a hell of a time watching it. You are destined for great things—explosive— but great and exciting things." He pointed his finger at Greyback. "And you, Fenrir? Just what will you give the boy? He doesn't seem to want political power or money. It's up to you to tempt him with something he'll agree to."
All eyes turned to the silent Alpha.
Even Harry found himself looking away from Caleb and toward the intimidating figure, wondering just what the Alpha would offer.
Greyback cocked his head to the side, reaching toward the wards and barely brushing his fingertips against the magic. His blue eyes stared directly into the young teen, striking a chord so deep, Harry hadn't known it was there.
"A home."
Harry took a step back, emotion thick in his throat.
"Well… your parents appointed me your guardian. If anything happened to them…"
"I'll understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle," said Sirius. "But…well… think about it. Once my name's cleared…if you wanted a… a different home…"
He wanted nothing more than to have a home, but it wasn't with this man, this monster. This man had turned Remus into a werewolf. This man was responsible for Remus becoming a werewolf, and in turn, directly responsible for what had happened to Sirius. Remus probably talked with Greyback beforehand and told the Alpha how pathetic Harry was, how much he just wanted a place to belong.
How easy it would be to sway him, twist him.
"No," Harry choked out. "I don't want to go with any of you. All of you are idiots!"
"Harry!" Remus scolded, reaching to warningly restrain Harry's shoulder.
The young wizard ducked beneath the hand and backpedaled away from the wards. "All of you would choose prestige in having Harry Potter in your pack over protecting the ones under your care. Voldemort is not dead. He's coming back!" Hysteria made it difficult for him to breathe. "And when he comes back, you can be sure he'll come after the pack who houses me. He'll slaughter all of you. Is that something you want?"
The Alphas hardly seemed fazed at Harry's outburst, though they appeared far grimmer than before. Even Caleb straightened from his crouch and lost his grin. All of them looked at Harry with varying degrees of pity.
"You poor child," Adeline gushed.
"REMUS LUPIN!"
The school grounds trembled with undeniable fury. Harry whirled around, watching as Dumbledore all but glided down the grounds. At his back, the distant figures of Poppy Pomfrey and Snape followed. Green eyes widened a fraction at the sheer anger exuding from Dumbledore. If the situation weren't so severe, Harry might have thought the man's flapping beard and robes were somewhat humorous.
Dumbledore's gnarled hand grabbed Harry firmly around the shoulder. The Headmaster nudged him into the unsuspecting arms of Snape. After registering Harry's presence, the Potions Master sneered and quickly pushed him into Madame Pomfrey.
Through the whiplash, Harry heard Dumbledore reprimanding Remus. No matter how angry Harry was with Remus, he felt sorry for the other man. He heard phrases like 'emotionally unstable' and 'vulnerable to deception'. After registering the words, Harry had a sinking feeling that Dumbledore wasn't talking about Remus, but about Harry himself.
"Come now, Albus, you didn't honestly think you could keep us from the pup, did you? You are now on turf that you hold no legal ground," Greyback calmly interrupted Dumbledore's tirade.
"Take Harry back to the Hospital Wing, Poppy. Make sure there aren't any more unwelcome visitors tonight."
Harry bowed his head, far too fatigued to care if he looked like a pathetic, weak child. Because, in all actuality, he was a child. And for the first time in ages, he was willing to step back and let the adults take care of matters. Though, in the back of Harry's mind, he knew of the dangers of trusting adults to take care of things. After all, everything that had recently transpired was from the adults' lack of attentiveness.
Never before had he felt so alone, so lost.
EDITED: 7/22