Of Veela and Wolves - Part 3

Sirius finally had a trial and was acquitted. The Mot practically tripped over themselves to get in his good graces. There was a standing warrant for the capture of Peter Pettigrew. This also led to some Werewolf Legislation being passed without anyone really looking at it. Remus was shortly moved to a minimum-security preserve that had been created to exclusively hold werewolves. The fact that there were about a hundred acres of land that had plenty of game animals was lost on them. They also didn't notice that the wards that kept any werewolves inside the preserve also protected them from outside interference. In essence, Sirius had created a haven for werewolves. The actual criminals were held in cells on the preserve that had even stronger wards. What was pitched as a prison complex was actually a small starter village. Werewolves with minor infractions were transferred to the preserve and given the option of staying. Soon enough, The Black Wolf Facility had the biggest population of werewolves in Europe.

There were old laws that severely restricted what type of office werewolves could hold. Even as the last surviving member of an Ancient and Noble House was effected. The news of the attack at Hogwarts was public knowledge these days, but who had been infected had not been released. With the rapid recall of Pureblood students, it was whispered that perhaps an heir to a noble house had been the victim. Faced with the chance that their bloodlines could potentially be usurped; the Mot adjusted the laws. The Purebloods, regardless of the faction they claimed, were in shock. As long as the Lord, or Lady, infected proved to be of sound mind, they held their position and privileges.

Harry stood beside Sirius. The wizard looked much healthier now. Madam Pomphrey had him on a strict schedule of potions and the fresh air had done wonders. The fact that there was a couple dozen werewolf ladies who thought he was rather dashing in human and Padfoot form may have played a part as well.

Remus still couldn't look him in the eyes.

"Come on, Moony." Harry sighed. "I said I forgive you. We know someone sabotaged the potion. It wasn't your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's Pettigrew. And if you're worried about after you transformed, I would blame Hermione."

"How can you say that?" Remus finally looked at him.

"We studied werewolves." Harry rolled his eyes. "She should know that it would be dangerous to approach you. Even if you had taken Wolfsbane, the first few minutes after the shift are confusing. She should have stayed away until it was clear you were in control. I saved her from her own foolishness." He paused. "Don't tell her I said that. She's scary with a wand."

Remus let out a loud laugh that startled a few others nearby. Sirius and Harry joined him a moment later.

"I really am sorry, Harry." Remus had tears in his eyes. "I swore I'd never pass this curse to another. Instead, I attacked one of the people I love."

"This isn't a curse." Harry chuckled. "I don't need my glasses anymore, I'm stronger and faster than I ever was, and I don't look like I'm ten years old now."

Remus stared at him for a moment, incredulity clear on his face. Conversation stopped as a group of ladies passed by. Even Sirius caught the subtle scent when the wind shifted. Remus swallowed loudly.

"Go on, you old mutt." Harry bumped Remus with his shoulder. "Let yourself be happy for once."

Remus didn't have enough willpower to focus on Harry and the ladies nearby. Instincts won out in the end. Harry chuckled as the two Marauders headed over to the group of women.

He wasn't sure why, but Harry didn't feel the same pull as they did. There were a couple of ladies among the group that caught his eye. It just didn't feel right. He hadn't spent a full moon among them yet. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if he ever would.

It wasn't the same as using his fame to get a girl. They were as different as a human was to a chimp. Not in a bad way, if that was possible. He was separate from them. They could somewhat keep their minds with the use of Wolfsbane. Without it, they were basically beasts. On the opposite side of things, he was still himself regardless of his form.

Harry wasn't sure what that meant for him in the long run.

And so, he stayed at Hogwarts on the nights of the full moon. He told Remus and the others that if he was going to be in the Shrieking Shack every full moon, he wanted to make it feel like home. They weren't happy, but they bought the excuse.

He hadn't told anyone that he was still himself when he shifted. Not even Hermione. His little slip with Hagrid about his memory was quickly forgotten in the rush of activity. He kept it a secret for selfish reasons. If they knew that he was still capable of complex thoughts, they would probably come up with better ways to keep him trapped. He told them his writing on the walls came from the times before his shifted, or on the first and third night of the cycle when he didn't transform at all. So far, they didn't have a reason to check the locks on the doors, or if the trap door to the tunnel fit perfectly.

Another thing he had kept secret was his control. Not just of his urges, but of the transformation. He could switch between his human and wolf form at will. During the full moon there was a desperate need, but even then, it was a choice. The urge eased once he changed to his wolf form, and he could swap back to human after about an hour. He had decided not to explore Hogsmeade those nights. Rumors of a naked wizards wondering the streets on the full moon were sure to spread fast.

~§~§~

"Harry!" Hermione yelled as she rushed over to him.

She wrapped him in a tight hug before she stepped back. Ron and Ginny were there a step behind her. He was surprised to see Ginny, she hadn't talked to him much, if at all, last year. She gave him a nervous smile and a quick hug.

"The summer was good to you." Ron hit him on the shoulder. He leaned in close and dropped his voice to a whisper. "Is it because of the?" He mimed biting.

"Some." Harry chuckled. "Three full means a day and exercise helped too."

He walked with his friends into the Great Hall and took a seat. His enhanced senses caught a few underlying scents of fear around him. There were some from Gryffindor, but the strongest came from the Slytherin table. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

Oddly enough, Katie and Lavender sat on either side of him. He wasn't sure he had ever seen the two of them together in the last three years. The fact that they were practically drenched in pheromones made him blush. Hermione and Ron have to sit across the table from him.

"Monster fuckers." Someone in Hufflepuff whispered.

A round of laughing followed the comment. There was too much noise for Harry to pinpoint it, but he would remember the voice. He was pulled from his thoughts as Dumbledore started his speech.

The Tri-Wizard Tournament. That was why the professors and extra staff had been around. His attention shifted to Hagrid who had a wide grin on his face. Harry took that to mean they had brought some seriously dangerous creatures for the tournament. He snorted a small laugh. Technically, he was a seriously dangerous creature now.

"And this year the Defense of the Dark Arts will be taught by Alastor Moody." Dumbledore announced.

A wizard covered in scar with a wooden leg and false eye stalked into the Great Hall. Harry cocked his head to the side as the man walked by. He didn't smell right.

Over the summer had had come to learn that everyone had their own scent. Under the soap, clothing, and the remains of the day there was something unique. This new professor was a jumble of scent. The only thing that made sense was if he had extended physical contact with another person. Not something as simple as being next to someone on a train. It had to be skin to skin. Even married couples didn't have such a strong crossover in scent. There was a lingering familiar smell about the wizard as well. Harry couldn't place it, but he knew it from somewhere.

"That's Mad-Eye Moody." Ron whispered with a hint of reverence.

"Ron." Hermione chided. "Don't talk like that."

"It's what they call him." Ginny spoke up. "He put away more Death Eaters than anyone in the last war."

Hermione didn't look convinced but didn't say anything more.

"What's wrong?" She studied Harry for a moment.

"I don't know." Harry shrugged.

Hermione waited for an answer. He didn't have one.

"So." Katie leaned over and whispered in his ear. "What does your wolf look like?"

"I bet you have black fur." Lavender spoke up.

"It's obvious he has black fur." Ron rolled his eyes. "He's got black hair."

"What does it feel like?" Katie ignored the interruption. "You know, when you change?"

"You don't have to answer that." Hermione glared at the older girl.

"It's fine." Harry soothed his friend. "I'd rather answer some questions than have people scared of me." He turned his attention to Katie. "You know that feeling when a muscle is about to cramp? That build-up before it hits. It feels like that all over your body. Then, it's like your skin is too tight. Your bones start to grow and shift. That is the worst part. By then, all your senses are in overdrive so you can hear it."

Katie shuddered.

"That sounds horrible." Ginny whispered.

"The first one was the worst." Harry shrugged. "After that it wasn't so bad."

"Yeah." Ron winced. "Sounds like a walk in the park."

"Do you turn into a wild beast?" Lavender asked with hooded eyes.

Harry could hear her heart beating fast. He could feel the heat coming off of her. Her scent made his mouth water. Female werewolves didn't get a rise out of him, but it looked like humans did.

He gave her a roguish smile in reply.

~§~§~

Harry stared at Professor Moody as the old man stalked back and forth in front of the class. The feeling of wrongness about the wizard was stronger than ever. Without the interference from the noise and smells from the Great Hall the signs were even stronger. There was no possible way the scent of two people could be that mingled. Even the students he found leaving broom closets didn't have the same saturation. On top of that, every breath Moody let out was laced with that familiar smell he couldn't place. It wasn't until the man popped the seal on his flask that the memory clicked.

"Polyjuice." Harry yelled as he snapped to his feet.

Everyone else in the room stared at Harry like he was crazy. On the other hand, The wizard that looked like Mad-Eye Moody had his wand trained center-mass with a spell already alight.

"Sit down, mongrel, or I will put you down." Moody snarled.

"Harry." Hermione spoke soft and slow beside him. "What are you doing? Sit down."

"His flask is full of Polyjuice Potion." Harry didn't take his eyes off the wizard.

Hermione made to ask something. Her words were drowned out by the imposters yell.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" The fake Moody bellowed.

Harry grabbed the edge of the table and upended it. The spell cracked the thick wood as it made impact. Harry shifted into his wolf form and launched himself through the table. He was vaguely aware of his clothes being torn to shreds. It didn't matter in the moment.

The imposter swept his wand aside, removing the threat of a sheets of pencil-thick shards of wood. With one hazard out of the way, he turned his attention back to the abomination that had disrespected the Great Lord Voldemort. He reveled in their screams. They would see how this impudent child was nothing compared to the might of a single Death Eater. Instead of a young wizard, the imposter found himself face-to-face with a seven-foot-tall monster.

A swipe of claw removed the hand holding the wand. Another backhanded the wizard which sent him spinning through the air. The false eye popped from his head as he crashed against the wall. Thankfully, someone hit him with a stunner and the world faded to darkness.

"Harry?" Hermione tried, and failed, to keep her voice from shaking.

He turned to look at her. She flinched as the familiar green eyes met hers. Every single instinct in her body was shouting for her to run. This didn't make sense. Werewolves could only change on the Full Moon.

Blood dripped from one of the clawed hands. The wolf shuffled his feet for a moment. She watched in fascination as its form smoothly returned to her best friend. Her VERY naked best friend.

"HARRY!" She yelped as she scrambled to get her robe off. "Cover yourself."

"Thank you." Harry blushed as he turned around to put on the robe.

It only served to flash his nude rear at the class. Hermione had never seen him as anything more than a brother. She was pretty sure the same went for him. Under no circumstances would she admit to taking a peek at his tight bum.

"Can someone get Professor Dumbledore?" Harry spoke up.