Disclaimer: I, Natalya Shae, do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters used, unless of course I create them.
Guardians of Hogwarts: Chapter one
Forming a pack
The wolf was probably the size of horse if not larger. The color of his fur was a dark brown, almost black with the exception of the scarred area on part of his back and his forehead; those areas were a russet color. His eyes were probably the most noticable thing about him, they were a striking green. The wolf looked towards the moon and howled. Harry James Potter was a werewolf, but not your average werewolf, no. He was an evolved form of sorts. He could change at will and he kept his mind...mostly. He had to change on the full moon like other werewolves...it was also on the full moon that he wasn't quite...himself. He was more aggressive and he acted more like the wolf he was supposed to be.
Tonight was a full moon. He was in a clearing not far from the grounds of Hogwarts. He had marked a good part of the forest as his territory. He had been in a few fights with other species that roamed into his territory, but he quickly fought them off. The centaurs, when he first turned, were not pleased with him for not only being what he was, but that he had dared marked the area that he did, his. It was only after he saved a young foul from another werewolf that they changed their minds about him. He was able to roam upon their land in wolf or human form.
Harry sharply turned his head to a the noise of a branch snapping. He stood up from his sitting positions and causiously walked towards the sound. He let out a low growl as he edged closer.
"I would appreciate it if you stopped growling at me Mr. Potter." A voice sneered. Harry stopped growling but that didn't stop his animalistic side to be any less wary or on guard. Severus Snape came out from behind the tree that he been behind and straightnened his robes. He watched the wolf in front of his cautiously. He was no fool as to what Potter could do in this form on this particular night.
"The headmaster wanted me to check on you...why I don't know seeing as how you can take care of yourself." Snape sneered. The wolf just starred at him.
"So I take it I can tell the headmaster that your fine? Not about to go psycho werewolf are you?" Snape asked curiously. The wolf snorted, good. That meant Potter was still in control. However when Potter started to growl at something behind him, Snape couldn't help but turned his back on him, which wasn't something he really wanted to do regardless if he thought Potter was still sane. He almost face palmed himself when he saw the blond hair that was trying to hide behind the very tree he had been. Potter moved foward to lunge but Snape positioned himself in front of the him, blocking his path. Harry glared.
"Draco, come out here" Snape ordered his godson. Said person poked his head out from the tree and merely glanced at the wolf who was still growling at him before going back behind the tree.
"Now Draco!" Snape ordered more harshly. Draco gulped but did as he was told. The wolfs growling got louder as he neared the Potions Master.
"How much have you heard?" Snape asked, not at all pleased with his godsons behaviour.
"Not much...just the bit when...that thing snorted" Draco admitted honestly. The wolf took a step towards him which made Draco yell and stumble backwards.
"Enough Nightshade, or the headmaster will hear that you are frightening his students." Snape said still blocking the wolfs way from his godson. Harry rolled his eyes. They were both on his territory and Snape dared to tell him what to do. However, Snape did call him by the name he went by when he was a wolf, he could have exsposed him to Malfoy but he didn't. Harry stopped growling but settled with a glare before turning his back on the two to go deeper into the forest.
"Don't forget to go to the Headmaster first thing tomorrow morning before breakfast. Merlin knows he worries to much about you" Snape yelled to him. Harry turned his head towards him and bowed his head a little to let him know he heard. Snape seeming satisfied grabbed the young Malfoy by his upper arm and dragged him out of the forest. Oh, Malfoy was going to get it.
Harry followed the two to make sure they got out okay with out any problems. He knew Snape knew what he was doing because he spotted him watching them from a little ways away. Once they were out of the forest Snape gave him a curt nod. Harry watched as Snape dragged Malfoy up to the castle, he heard a few threats tossed in as well. Harry turned back to the forest and darted off into the darkness. He protected the twins and any other student that dared cross into his territory while it was the full moon; he wouldn't let Dumbledore down on that regard. It was an unspoken rule between them; protect the students of Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore waited in worry for Harry Potter. Although Severus had assured him that he was fine, though perhaps a little mad that Draco was on his territory, but all the same, fine. He knew how fast things could go wrong, exspeacially with Harry. However his worries ceased when he saw Harry walk into the infirmary tired. Tired but fine. Poppy immediatly made him sit in one of the beds and cast several spells on him to see if he was okay.
"Harry my boy, how are you?" Dumbledore asked. Harry looked up at him and smirked.
"Tired and mad. Did you know Draco Malfoy was in my territory...bloody git. I should've ripped him to pieces." Harry growled the last part. Dumbledore lost a little twinkle in his eyes, which didn't go unnoticed by the werewolf.
"Relax Professor, I wouldn't hurt Malfoy. What happened with Snape was an accident...neither of us knew how the full moon would effect me." Harry said wincing as he remebered biting into Snapes leg. It hadn't healed for weeks. Harry had refused to go to his classes or be anywhere near him for over a month. It wasn't until he was made to take a wolfsbane potion for the full moon that he had to interact with the said Professor; and even then he had stayed on the otherside of the classroom. According to Snape he was being ' absolutely rediculous' as he put it.
"Do you know what Professor Snape did to Malfoy?" Harry asked rubbing his eyes.
"I do believe that it between Professor Snape and Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said.
"If Snape wants me to butt out of his bussiness then he should butt out of mine. In case he had forgotten, please remind him that how I deal with intruders, be it students or not, is my bussiness." Harry snarled. Dumbledore sighed.
"Harry, please understand-"
"I understand perfectly well. I was in control last night. I remember exactly what happened and what my intections were Professor. I wasn't going to harm Malfoy, just scare the shit outta him. He had no right to be on my territory. It's not like it's school grounds where Snape would have been justified to intervene! No, I was three miles into the forest!" Harry said standing up from the bed and standing right in front of the Headmaster. And then it clicked at what he was doing. Harry immediatly bowed his head a little to the side and avoided looking at the man he considered his grandfather. Albus Dumbledore placed his hand onto Harry's shoulder in a sign of comfort.
"It's alright Harry. I'm not mad at you. You've had a long night, go eat and then get some rest. I excuse you from the todays classes." Dumbledor said. Harry slowly nodded his head and whispered a thank you before sharply turning and leaving to the Great hall. Dumbledore watched Harry leave. Poppy came to his side and handed him a piece of parchment. There were no open wounds or any bodily harm done this previous night. So far, everything was okay.
Harry walked with his two best friends into the Great Hall. They had literatly ran into him outside the infirmary. Ron grinned and wrapped an arm around him.
"What has you so upbeat?" Harry asked.
"Well, Hermione and I have managed to discover our animal forms...We're both wolves...or at least I think they're wolves." Ron said. Harry paled and stopped.
"Wolves?" Harry questioned.
"Yes Harry, wolves. To be honest though, I think you influenced that." Hermione said.
"How could I influence what animal you become?" Harry asked curious but slightly feeling guilty.
"Well...Think about it. Ron and I are both loyal to you and for the most part do what you want us to...just like a pack would their Alpha. Ron, I think would have been a lion or something along those lines but instead he became a wolf. And myself...I think I would have been a cat of some sort, I'm not sure." Hermione said.
"I could have been a lion?! Wicked" Ron drawled.
"So you're saying that because of your loyalty towards me and the fact that you guys normally do what I ask, you became wolves...and my pack?"Harry asked. Hermione, however shook her head.
"We're not your pack Harry. You haven't approved of us. You don't automatically get a pack just because wolves are at your disposal...in a sense Harry. You want to be cautious as to whom you have in a pack. Wolves generally protect their own and stick together. However, you don't want someone who is weak, you'd have to eventually run them out..." Hermione said. Harry raised an eyebrow.
Ron and Hermione starred at him for a few seconds before Harry broke the silence.
"I wouldn't want anyone else than the two of you. I trust both of you with my life. Hermione, will you be my Advisor?" Harry asked. Hermione blushed and nodded, a smile gracing her face.
"Ron, will you do me the honor of being my Beta?" Harry asked his first friend. Ron went mad red but nodded and bro hugged Harry.
"We've got your back mate" Ron said. Harry smiled.
The golden trio made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. When they entered they went to the Gryffindor table and sat across from Neville and the twins.
"Bloody hell mate; you look terrible" Fred said biting into a piece of toast.
"Didn't sleep well" Harry said.
"Where were you anyway? I didn't see you in the dormitory." George asked curiously.
"He came in late. He got detention with Snape for calling Malfoy a -"
"RONALD, language!" Hermione scolded.
"What you know it's true. Besides, just think of what that greasy haired-"
"RON! Don't talk about a teacher like that!" Hermione reprimanded again. Ron rolled his eyes. The twins talked about their future pranks with Ron while Hermione scolded them.
"Are you alright, Neville?" Harry asked. Neville looked down and he wanted to know why.
"Professor Sprout cancelled this afternoons classes. I was just really looking forward to it...especially scense we have potions right before it. Herbology helps me after potions, ya know?" Neville said sadly.
"Don't worry Neville, I'm sure you won't be on Snape's rage tonight. I think he's more mad at Malfoy at the moment." Harry said smirking.
"Really? Wait, what'd Malfoy do?" Neville asked. Ron, Hermione and the twins stopped their conversation to listen. Harry glanced at Snape and saw him scowling at Malfoy who starred intently at his plate.
"I heard he went into the forest last night." Harry said.
"What's the big deal about that?-"
"Yeah, we go in there all the time" Fred finished for his twin. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Last night was the full moon. You heard Professor Dumbledore two years ago, one of the students at Hogwarts is a werewolf. Now even the wolfsbane potion can completly enable the werewolf to stay...human." Hermione said glancing briefly at Harry. Suddenly Ron whistled beside him.
"So that's why Snape's been glaring daggers at Malfoy all morning." Ron said.
"Not only that but it explains why Slytherin house lost 150 points overnight. I heard two fifth year Slytherins complaining in the hall about it. Their not too pleased. I reckon when they find out it was Malfoy that cost them those points...well lets just say I heard shady stuff happens in Slytherin." Neville said after he pointing to the four hourglasses made for showing points that each house gained and lost. Harry raised and eyebrow at that. He knew Snape was mad, but he had thought he'd let Malfoy off the hook NOT deduct 150 points from his own house!
Harry glanced up at the staff table to see Snape gazing at him with curiousity. Harry groaned lightly and turned away.
DRACO POV (Breifly)
He couldn't believe it! He just could NOT believe that his own god father would not only punish him with a months worth of detentions with Filch, but also taking 150 POINTS from his own house. It was just absurd!
One thing was clear though, That wolf in the woods was no ordinary wolf. For one, it was the size, if not bigger, than a horse. Secondly, it understood and some what responded to Sev, and lastly, Sev talked to it! Could it be-...No. It couldn't be that the wolf was a werewolf? Or that Sev knew who the werewolf was?
Draco would find out on the next full moon, he would be there when that...thing shifted back into a human! Draco smirked and began to eat his breakfast.
NORMAL POV - Next week
Harry smirked as he entered the Great hall for breakfast. Draco was still being alienated by his house all because he lost them 150 points. He sat down next to Ginny and smiled softly at her, which she returned. Harry watched her turn back to her food to eat. She was beautiful. Her red hair was pulled back into a ponytail so that he could still see her face. She wore some sort of lip gloss but that was it. She didn't need to. She was perfect with out make up and to be honest, he didn't like her wearing it. To him, it tarnished her beauty. She wore a white blouse and her Gryffindor tie and robes. Instead of pants she wore black capree's. On her feet were her usual red vans, though she spelled gold to replace the white. Suddenly she looked back to him.
"What? Is there something on my face?" Ginny asked. Harry went red and shook his head and turned away.
He didn't see the smile that graced Ginny's lips after he turned away or the smirk the Weasley twins gained after watching his display...
Hermione nudged him in hall before the Potions classroom. They were waiting for Snape to come so they could go in but that wouldn't be for another five minutes or so. Harry glanced at her but she pointed towards where Malfoy stood. It wasn't really Malfoy that caught his attention though, It was Neville. Neville was on the ground trying to recover his fallen books back into his bag, but Malfoy and his...goons kept spelling them away. Harry's eyes narrowed. He walked forwards but then glanced behind him at the sound of footsteps. Ron and Hermione were behind him. Hermione nodded her head in approval...that was new. Ron smirked and whispered
'' We got your back mate" causing him to smile and nod.
Harry spelled the book back into Nevilles bag for him. Neville looked up in suprise as well as relief.
"Thanks Harry" Neville said happily. Harry nodded.
" You're a wizard Neville, you could have done the same." Harry said. Neville blushed and nodded.
"Come on Potter, we were just havin' a little fun" Malfoy mock complained. Harry glanced behind him but then turned back to Neville. He was blocking him, he wanted him protected, he just didn't know why. Hermione helped Neville to his feet and handed his bag over. Neville thanked her while continuously blushing.
"Potter, why do you always play hero? Trying to be like your mum? Want to get killed just like her do you? She didn't even stand a chance-" Malfoy was cut off by Harry choking him with one hand while raising him up off the floor. Harry was shaking with anger, and with him that wasn't a good thing. One bad thing about his ability to shift was that he couldn't control it when he was angry and at the moment, he was just that. Ron and Hermione who had been closer to Neville rushe over to his side grabbing onto him trying to pull him off of his prey...NO, off Malfoy.
"Stand down!" Harry yelled out them. Immediatly they let go and took a step back. Students in the hall looked at them as if they were crazy. The Slytherins were surrounding him and Malfoy but he wasn't paying attention to them, he was replaying what Malfoy said in his mind. How dare he!
"Get...o-ooofffff me P-Potter!" Malfoy choked out. Harry glared at him.
"How dare you talk about my mother!" Harry growled. He roughly pushed Malfoy to the ground. Malfoy started to cough at the sudden ability to breath. Malfoy rubbed his throat tenderly and glared at him. However, Harry's expression stopped him cold of what he was going to say. Harry's face was menacing to say the least. He was starring down at him...like a hawk would a fish. Harry took a single step forward but he was instantly flying backwards into the the classroom door, which was shut and solid metal. Harry recovered quickly, his shaking was worse now. He glarred at the cause. There, standing tall, was the Potions master.
"Get inside, all of you!" Snape snapped, he was watching Potter closely. Everyone ran into the now unlocked classroom, around Harry. All that were left were Granger, Weasley and Malfoy.
"Professor, h-he's-"
"Save it Draco, go up to Madame Promfrey to get healed of your bruises." Snape sneered. Draco opened and shut his mouth but he decided against trying to get Potter into anymore trouble, mainly because his godfather wasn't really paying attention to him. Draco nodded and dashed off to the infirmary.
"You two, get inside the classroom." Snape sneered at them. Ron opened his mouth to reply but Hermione cut in.
"We can't. Harry hasn't ordered us to..." Hermione trailed off suddenly looking very guilty. Snape snapped his eyes to her.
"What did-" But he didn't get time to finish his sentence.
Harry snarled as a familiar being ripped through his body. There, in the middle of Hogwarts, he shape shifted. He took a step towards Snape. Snape tensed but raised his wand.
"You need to leave the castle Nightshade, to calm down. I don't know what Draco did, but you are going to hear about this when you get back." Snape stated calmly. Harry glanced at his two friends, they nodded in understanding. The walked over and climbed on his back.
"Nightshade, what are you doing?" Snape asked causiously, he still wasn't sure who was more 'in' there; Potter or the wolf...
"He want's us to go with him." Hermione stated still looking quite guilty. Snape was about to object but Nightshade growled and took off running. Snape hissed and marched into the potions classroom.
Harry ran as fast as he could away from Snape. He was about to bite him but he had felt Hermione tug his fur which made him growl a little before taking off running. As soon as he hit the edge of the forest he stopped. Ron and Hermione got off and shifted into wolves. As soon as they did so Harry was hit with thoughts...no...memories.