His Will Be Done
By: TaiYoukai
AN: This is an experimental fic with some Harry Potter characters being tossed into Anita Blake-verse. I hope you enjoy this random trip through my head.
Disclaimer: Fortunately Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter is owned by Laurell K. Hamilton and Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. If I owned them I would only screw up the whole thing. I pretty much own nothing in this whole story but the slightly overused idea of a crossover between these two great pieces of fiction. Enjoy! Oh, and this is un-betad so there might be a few mistakes, but I hope you like it nonetheless.
Anita coughed nervously, her eyes darting around them, wondering if everyone was who they seemed or if there were ‘others’ around them. Seeing as who the will reading was for, it was safe to assume anyone with an English accent was quite possibly a wizard, as her cousin had been.
She had been seventeen when her cousin had first contacted her, desiring, as she had, someone in whom he could learn to trust completely. He had come at a perfect moment in her life, when she was just discovering her necromancy and was still quite frightened by her ability. He introduced himself as Sirius Black, and within a few weeks had explained to her the world in which he had grown up and the brewing war that he chose to think of as little as possible. They had been close for a few years until he sent word of his prison internment and the crimes he was accused of. He never outright said it, but she never believed he had committed said crimes.
Twelve years later she was contacted once more (by owl, no less) to say he was on the run. He came and stayed with her for a few weeks, looking more haggard then she would have thought possible of the vibrant handsome man only a few years older than herself. He was introduced to those she had come to care for and he soon won nearly all of them over with his charm and mischievousness.
Two years later, here they were. They, including her, Jean-Claude, Nathaniel, Richard, Micah, Damian, Zane, Jason, Byron, and Asher, not to mention a few bodyguards to sweeten the pot, were all gathered in a large room in which folding chairs were distributed. Yes, Sirius had certainly won over those she cared about. He had become friends with the highest and the lowest, closer to some rather than others; subs as well as doms.
“It was very…understandable of your cousin to chose a time most convenient for all for this reading, ma petite.” Jean-Claude’s voice curled over her, comforting and almost touchable.
“Ah, Mr. Potter, I do hope your trip to these United States has not caused you too many problems.” One of the American bankers said jovially, shaking the hand of the young man who had just entered the room. The boy shook him off politely, a depressed aura settling over him as he took stock of the other occupants of the room. His companion, a man with prematurely graying hair, took him gently by the upper arm, pulling him further into the room.
“No, our trip was just fine.” The dark haired boy answered quietly, his English accent obvious as he was pulled towards Anita’s group.
“Ms. Blake, I’ve heard quite a bit about you. I am Remus Lupin and my young charge is Harry Potter. When Sirius’ lawyers insisted we come to St. Louis for the reading, I could only assume Sirius had had some plan involving you. If you truly knew him, you will understand I that I was a bit wary of any of his plans, even in death.” The man chuckled sadly, and Anita let out a surprised bark of laughter, nodding her agreement as she shook his hand. Just as she had expected, lycanthrope energy crawled up her arm as she grasped his.
“The lawyers said it’s going to be a video reading, so even I don’t know why he dragged you both here instead of having two separate readings, unless he just wanted us to meet.” She shrugged, reaching over to take the younger man’s hand. He shook hers, refusing to look her in the eye.
“I’m sorry,” he finally blurted. Remus shook his head sadly.
“Excuse me?” Anita asked, startled by the outburst. Nathaniel, Jason, Byron, and Zane, the least intimidating of the St. Louis group, joined them.
“It was my fault, Sirius’ death. He wouldn’t have been there if I hadn’t gotten myself in trouble yet again.” His grief was almost palpable. Anita frowned, shaking her head.
“From what I heard, he wasn’t all that content where he was and probably would have found another excuse to get out if you hadn’t gotten into trouble. Look at it this way; Sirius was a very active person and being cooped up was probably driving him nuts. He went out in a way he could be proud of and you should be proud of; fighting till the very end.” He nodded, still not meeting her gaze.
“Hi,” a cheerful voice said, causing him to look up. He was startled by the presence of four men only a few years older than himself, or who had the appearance of being a few years older than himself in the case of the vampire.
“My name’s Nathaniel Graison. I’m assuming that you’re Sirius’ godson? He might have mentioned you a few times…every hour or so.” The were leopard laughed. Harry smiled half-heartedly, turning to join Remus. Remus shook his head, shoving him toward the young men, who all grinned and dragged him off to talk.
“How long has he been that depressed?” Anita asked after introducing Remus to Jean-Claude, Asher, Damian, Micah, and Richard. There was a tense moment when the strange werewolf and Richard were introduced, but both seemed to decide to save their discussion until after the reading.
“I assume you know how Sirius’ death came about? You’ve heard the story?” They all nodded their assent. “I was forced to hold Harry back from going after him into the Veil. The one who killed Sirius, his cousin Bellatrix, went straight from her fight with him to a duel with another. She continued to fight while I tried to reason with Harry. Albus Dumbledore arrived not long after and she took that as her chance to flee. I had relaxed my grip around Harry, and when he noticed Bellatrix making to run, he took off after her before I could stop him.” He shook his head at his own folly.
“Did Sirius ever mention to you the three Unforgivable Curses?” Anita frowned in confusion.
“The first is the Imperius Curse, which controls all of your opponents actions. The second is the Cruciatus Curse, which causes your mind to feel every imaginable torture, pain beyond anything you have ever felt. The third is called Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse, which instantly kills the opponent. They are all three punishable by a life sentence in the wizarding prison of Azkaban. Harry attempted to use the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix. Luckily he doesn’t have what it takes to properly use the curse, which is the ability and strength to outright torture another being. I don’t believe he will ever forgive himself Sirius’ death until Bellatrix is dead.” He looked sadly over at the young man, who was in an animated conversation with the three young weres and vampire.
“The reading will commence in a few moments, if you all would take your seats.” The English voice of one of Sirius’ lawyers caused them all to come together once more, Harry seating himself between Remus and Jason, still listening to a whispered joke from the younger were. They all hushed as the T.V. was turned on.
Sirius Black sat in a comfortable chair, feet propped up on an antique dining room table.
“If you all are watching this, I am probably dead…or I gave it someone as a joke.” He laughed. “If I am dead, I just hope I went out kicking with my boots still on. If I didn’t, then Moony made good on his promise to make me live to a ripe, boring, old age. For my sanity’s sake, Moons, I hope that wasn’t the case. Ten to one you and Harry are blaming yourselves for my death, so I’m just going to say, before I continue, to knock that off. More than likely it was one of my own bullheaded ideas that got me in this mess, and neither of you should blame yourselves.
“Alright, so you are all here either because you miss me, in which case I don’t blame you in the slightest, or because my lawyers contacted you. More than likely you are all here because I left something for you. Moony, sit back down. You’re taking what I have to give, you old wolf, whether you want it or not.” The embarrassed werewolf sat back down, holding back a smile as he forced himself from making a witty retort to a video of his best friend. He flushed as he heard many stifled laughs.
“Anyway, moving on. I leave the contents of Vault 783 at Gringotts to Jean-Claude, Master of the City of St. Louis, and his little empire. There is quite a bit of a library included in that, since I know all you older vamps can resist a good read about as well as Ms. Granger.” Harry laughed unexpectedly. “And since I doubt Hermione could make it, be sure to give her the contents of the library at Grimmauld Place to her, Harry. As well as a portion of Vault 918, the rest going to the Weasley family. Richard, I know you and the pack could use a house to meet at outside of the Lupanar, so I give you my five bedroom house located about ten miles from the Lupanar along with the contents of Vault 244. Hope it does you guys some good.” He grinned, almost as if he could seen Richard’s stunned expression.
“In return I hope you won’t be too bothered by a strange wolf moving into your territory, seeing as construction for his new business has already begun. Remus John Lupin, dearest and closest companion, often called Moony by a few select people, I leave you the Café, made especially for you so you have a place to call your own. It is to be located a few blocks from the University here in St. Louis. In light of this arrangement, I hope you will settle here and learn to love it as I have.” Remus smiled slightly, sighing in relief. “Before you sigh in relief, oldest friend, I also bequeath to you Vault 985 and Vault 749. You can’t protest this with a dead man, Moony, and you can’t return anything. Your name has already been signed to all the forms. Vault 749, you will be happy to know, also holds 500 of the rarest books in the world.” Remus frowned, fighting back tears. Harry smiled, fighting tears of his own.
“Anita Blake, one of the few relatives of whom I actually give a damn, I leave you Vault 586, though you will probably insist you don’t want it, it is already signed over to you. I also leave with you every correspondence between the two of us from your sixteenth birthday on up. I also leave you with something more important than all of this which I will explain towards the end of this recording.”
“Last but not least I leave every other thing I own to my godson, Harry James Potter., with the exception of a manual of every joke idea your father, Moony, and I ever came up with, which I will leave with Fred and George Weasley. Don’t worry, you will get a copy of this as well. Anyways, I leave you with Vaults 732, 751, 963, 968, 989, 1009, and 1012, many of which I have never even laid eyes on myself. Along with this, I leave my second residence in St. Louis to both you and Remus, along with a flat in London that I once shared with Remus when your parents were still around, also Grimmauld Place, which I ask you to leave to the Order. There is also a residence in Moscow, which is being rented to a family as I speak. There are many investments both that I have made and my family have made. A goblin will go over them with you on your seventeenth birthday at Gringotts. You better take Remus with you. He’s already helped me with that same thing a few times over the last few years. I know you’re responsible, but I’m still locking a majority of the vaults until you’re of age. Along with all of this I leave you with a key to your family vault that will be open to you on your seventeenth birthday. Your school vault is still open, of course.” Harry looked too stunned to move, his jaw open in astonishment.
One of the lawyers stepped forward, a small chest in his hands. He handed the stunned boy a key.
“This holds as many personal items as I could think to keep over the years, many of them involving your parents and myself and Remus. Look over it tonight, if you want.”
“Now, for the last order of business. Anita, I can understand if you would like to say no to this last request, but it is the only way I could come up with to keep a promise I made to Harry when he was thirteen.” The boy’s head shot up, eyes wide again.
“By wizarding law, no werewolf can claim legal custody of a child. Remus, you know this law, seeing as the two of us discussed this not long after Peter escaped us, in the off chance that my name was never cleared and the only way to keep Harry from those Muggle relatives of his was to name you his guardian in my stead. The only way I could find around this law involves having Harry move to America…I applied for his citizenship when he was fourteen…and have his guardianship switched to my cousin in the case of my death. All I need from you, Anita, is to have you sign the guardianship forms. Harry will live with Remus, still attend Hogwarts until graduation, but under the law he will be yours. Please trust me in this, all of you, and my lawyer assures me that Harry will be able to live a happier and more stable life here in America. Away from Voldemort and his ilk and away from the stardom of being the Boy-Who-Lived.” He sighed…looking ten years older than his mid-thirties.
“Harry, remember that night when we first met and Peter escaped and Remus almost ate us?” Harry laughed while Remus took on an almost pained expression, still managing to smile at his friend’s typical joke. “I promised you that when everything was cleared up and I was proved innocent that I would take you away from your Muggle family and you could come to live with me. Remember that this was only about a half an hour after you tried to kill me because you thought I had betrayed your family to Voldemort. I thought you might hate me when I made the statement that you might come live with me after everything, but you turned to me and said ‘are you kidding me? Of course I want to live with you.’ I think that that was my moment of clarity. In prison I had had no hope, only thoughts of those who were dead and those who hated me. Only a few months after I had escaped that hellhole I found hope in the familiar eyes of a child I hadn’t seen since he was a year old.”
“That night was so different from so many in my life. I was reunited with my godson and with the only person whom I could trust with everything, even the child of our best friend. As we walked through the tunnel toward the surface, all I could remember was a day when I was eleven years old. It was my first day to Hogwarts and I got on that train, hoping with everything I had that I would not end up in Slytherin, partially out of spite for my family and partially out of fear that I might be like them. Remus, you always told me that I had a mean-streak to me, almost always taking my jokes just a little too far. Always on the brink of being a true Black. That day, I entered a compartment and was startled by a boy sitting by himself near the window. His black hair was a mess, almost covering his blue eyes. He grinned at me cheerfully, standing with a hand outstretched. ‘Name’s James Potter,’ he stated, eyes sparkling. All I could think was, was this a boy who might actually be my friend, someone who was not just interested in my family’s money? Before I could answer him, another boy entered. Even then, Remus, you looked like a good little student, brown hair brushed back from your face. He introduced himself to you the same way he had with me, wide grin and all. You stuttered as you said your name. By that point I was relaxed enough to tell you both my name. As expected, James had heard my name before, just as I knew his. Both of us were purebloods, after all. You, darling half-blood that you are, showed no recognition, which I think endeared you to both of us. We were all quick friends, despite your desire to remain apart from everything, eventually meeting and befriending Peter Pettigrew, our final dorm mate, after we were all sorted into Gryffindor. Those first few months before we discovered what you are were a little bit rocky, but you opened up after you learned we would hold to judgment on you for being a werewolf.” He chuckled, one hand brushing at the goatee covering his chin, the other behind his head in a brash pose typical of him.
“All of my favorite memories involved you, me, and James getting into some sort of trouble. After Harry was born, we would all spend at least two or three days a week hijacking him from Lily’s watchful eyes and going on what grand adventures having a baby with us would allow. After they died-” He choked on his words, blinking back tears. “I never thought I’d ever be that happy. I hope that I was once again able to find that happiness with you both but even if I didn’t, I want you both to know how much I loved you. I want you both to stay together as long as your lives allow. Remus, you look after him. He’s the last of the Marauders, aside from you, you know. Harry, look after that old wolf. He needs you to liven up his life. If he didn’t have me to keep him on his toes his whole life, he would have ended up as nothing more than a good student who never found himself in detention. Thanks to James and I he had his fair share of detentions and adventures. I hope you both decide to stay in St. Louis. The people here were good friends to me after I escaped Azkaban and the dementors at Hogwarts. Take care, all of you.” He reached forward and the screen went blank.
Harry and Remus weren’t even bothering to hide their tears at this point. Anita, despite her reputation as a tough as nails vampire hunter, joined them in the tear fest. Everyone else, aside from Nathaniel and Jason, both of whom had near adored the dead man, looked away to save their pride.
“What papers do I have to sign for custody?” Anita said suddenly, startling everyone. Harry looked at her in askance.
“Unless you don’t want to live here?” she added unsurely.
“No, I would love to stay here. That is, if none of you have problems with Remus and me living here?” Richard stood, looking them both over silently. Harry refused to fidget, staring him eye to eye, the will reading giving him closure and strength he never thought he possessed.
“I have no problems with you both staying in our city, though we should have lunch tomorrow to discuss things.” His tone brooked no argument, nor did they offer any, simply nodding.
The lawyers, four in all, came forward, each carrying stacks of paper. Jean-Claude, Richard, Anita, Remus, and Harry were handed their appropriate papers that were in need of their signature. Harry passed the papers for the Weasleys, Hermione, and the deed for one motor bike for Rubeus Hagrid on to the wizarding lawyer, along with smaller items left for various Order members and teachers at Hogwarts.
“Harry, I will leave you here for a few moments while I call and inform Dumbledore of the proceedings. Even he cannot argue for your safety if you are here rather than living with your mother’s sister. Legally, Sirius was your guardian, only opposed because he was a wanted criminal. His name was cleared in his death, and so he can pass on guardianship to anyone of his choosing.” He smiled sadly. “Except in the case of a werewolf, of course.” He left to firecall the headmaster. Harry frowned, turning to Anita.
“Thank you for doing this, even though you don’t know me. Other than Sirius, Remus is the closest thing I have ever had to a father. That law is ridiculous and completely prejudiced.” He shook his head irritably before Jason and Nathaniel’s bickering caught his attention.
“Who are you calling a lapdog, you housecat?” Jason griped good naturedly. Zane barked out a laugh.
“Everyone knows cats rule and dogs drool,” Nathaniel replied sweetly, flipping his long braid behind him.
“You can’t really argue with someone who has that great hair, puppy.” Byron’s English accent was sharp and obvious.
“Haha…everyone turn against me, I see how it is.” He ruffled Nathaniel’s hair, causing the other to fuss until it was back in place.
“They all get along so great,” Harry said softly to Anita, choosing to ignore the heated glares Richard throwing at Micah and Jean-Claude.
“Yeah, most of the submissives, whether they are were or vampire, get along great. It's those that are dominant that can’t play nice.” She pointedly looked at Richard; he turned his glower onto her, finally deciding he had had enough and getting up to leave. Harry hurried to him before he reached the door.
“Mr. Zeeman, what time would you like to meet us for lunch tomorrow?” he asked quietly.
The alpha looked down at him, surprised by his boldness. Most of the younger members in his pack were as submissive as their age suggested.
“Lunatic Café at three thirty. I’m done teaching by then. Those three will be able to show you the way.” He nodded half-heartedly at the younger weres. Harry nodded, stepping out of his way.
Remus returned, a frown on his face. Harry and Anita joined him near the door.
“Albus is not happy, but it has nothing to do with the will reading or Sirius’ little games. Apparently your aunt and uncle packed and moved without word to anyone as soon as you left with me. We don’t believe they are planning to return.” Harry just shook his head, hardly amazed at all.
“Seems like something they would do,” he said finally, looking down at the chest he still clutched to him.
“Mad-Eye and Kingsley are tracking them down as we speak. They still have to sign over your guardianship in order for everything to become official. In the eyes of our world, Sirius was your legal guardian but they raised you so it looks better if the records show that everyone agreed to the change in guardianship.” He was interrupted by Harry’s wide yawn. He smiled indulgently.
“I suppose that’s our cue to bid you all good evening. We must be off.” The werewolf smiled at the remaining occupants in the room. Everyone said quiet good byes in return. Nathaniel, Zane, and Jason surrounded Harry.
“What hotel are you guys at? We’ll come by and grab you early in the day and show you around before we bring you by to talk to Richard.” Nathaniel frowned. “If that’s alright with you both?” He asked, looking over his shoulder at Remus. The wolf smiled at him, nodding.
“That would be wonderful. Neither of us have been to America. You three can show us around so we don’t look completely like bumbling fools.” Nathaniel ducked to hide a smile. Jason grinned.
“Name a time and place, and we’ll be there. Can’t let future friends look like idiots.” Zane let out a sharp laugh.
“Crypion Hotel, around nine am sounds good. Good night to you all.” He steered Harry out the door as the boy muttered a soft good night to the room at large, brilliant green eyes lingering on Nathaniel, Zane, and Jason.
Remus sat up for another few hours after they arrived, watching the boy who was like a son to him toss and turn under the covers. There were a few murmurs pleading with Sirius not to go, not to leave him alone again. More repetitions followed of him begging Remus not to leave him as well. He brushed the raggedy bangs from Harry’s head.
“Of my own free will, I will never leave you, Harry James Potter,” he said softly. Harry relaxed in his dreams, falling into a more restful sleep, putting Remus at ease enough to try for some sleep of his own, curling on top of his coverlets like the canine he was.
They were awakened early the next morning by a sharp knocking on the door to their room. Remus groaned as he realized the clock read only eight thirty, but he gave in to the persistent knocking and stood, throwing back the coverlet carelessly. Harry moaned into his pillow, burrowing deeper in his own bed, curling up to the point where he appeared no more than a pile of blankets. The werewolf shook his head in amusement, opening the door. He was greeted by the site of the three weres from the night before, Zane and Nathaniel looking almost at ready to catch Jason, who appeared to be in a state of sleepwalking. It was obvious who were the morning people in the room.
Jason grumbled something under his breath, walking in with no invitation to toss himself carelessly on Harry’s bed, nearest the door. Harry yelped as the small wolf landed on his legs and Jason shot up, wide awake in an instant.
“Bloody hell, can’t a guy get some rest!” Harry’s shout was muffled by the many blankets and Remus couldn’t help but let out a sharp bark of laughter. His laugh was soon overrun by Nathaniel and Zane’s, both leopards leaning against the now closed door and each other, laughing helplessly.
The blonde werewolf growled half-heartedly at them, finally deciding sleep took more precedence. He reached over and grabbed a fistful of covers, yanking them from Harry’s grasp and over himself, leaving Harry to fall to the floor at the force of his thievery. He cursed under his breath, rubbing his head irritably and glowering at the lump on the bed. Then he grinned deviously, catching Zane and Nathaniel’s eyes and making sure they knew immediately what he planned.
Remus sighed…he was really just too old for this nonsense. The wolf left to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day, grabbing comfortable clothes on the way to the door. He heard Jason cursing loudly as all three of the other occupants of the room leapt on him in unison. He couldn’t help but laugh…they all reminded him of getting James up each morning for class. Harry was like his father in that he loved his sleep, especially when it was time to get up for the day.
By the time he was finished showering and dressing, all of the young weres and Harry were sprawled on Harry’s bed watching early morning cartoons. It was obviously a new experience for Harry as he kept asking questions. Jason finally covered his mouth.
“The point of watching Spongebob in the morning is that it is meaningless and requires little thinking for those who are still trying to wake up. Just enjoy this immature comedy and hush.” He grinned. Harry laughed, despite his indignation. He was hit full in the face with the clothes he had pulled out the night before.
“You’re the only one not dressed, runt.” Remus said off-handedly. Harry scrambled over Jason’s back and almost fell in his effort to avoid stepping on Nathaniel’s long hair, as he was half laying on Jason, his feet laid out over Zane’s long waist, the other leopard propped up on a multitude of bedding. The lime-haired leopard quickly filled the gap that Harry left behind between him and Jason; the subs had filled him in before the cartoons on the fact that weres of any species liked the closeness and comfort of big ‘puppy’ piles. And, despite growing up in a society where touching others was usually not commonplace, he found himself, just from one episode of Spongebob, warming to the idea. It was almost like being a puppy, like they said.
He dressed and groomed himself quickly, in a hurry to hang out with his new friends as soon as possible. Everyone was waiting and they headed out immediately after he joined them.
The young men took them everywhere they could think of that would be good for newcomers to St. Louis. Firstly a bakery for some delicious baked treats as a sugary sort of breakfast, though due to the metabolic rate of the weres, they were stopping at a drive through only three hours later for something that could sustain them a little better. Harry just enjoyed a iced mocha as the others munched down what Jason called their Second-Breakfast, apparently a quote from a movie called Lord of the Rings. The zoo was a riot, almost literally, as all the animals seemed to go just a little crazy at the presence of the wolves and leopards. Harry nearly lost a finger in the petting zoo. Then Jason got the idea in his head that they might like to visit the Circus of the Damned.
“Why are we going here, exactly?” Remus asked, eyeing the fanged clowns as they parked.
“Because we have another three hours to kill and I live here. Well, downstairs anyway. We’re only going to visit the Circus for a bit and it won’t be too bad; most of the good stuff happens at night, when the vamps are up and about.” They by-passed the ticket booth and the large blonde at the door, who was obviously a bouncer.
“Hey, Clay! How’ve things been today?” Jason asked cheerfully, gripping the man’s hand tightly as they nearly hugged in the sort of way most men seem to.
“Quiet. Boring. Almost wish I was working nights again. Screwed up my whole internal clock.” He politely nodded to the two were leopards before turning his attention to the strangers. He frowned, obviously realizing what Remus was, which made him a were of some sort, probably wolf by the warm greeting he gave to Jason and the neutral one he gave to Nathaniel and Zane.
“They're meeting with Richard in a couple hours, Clay. We’re gunna head in and see what’s going on. Later.” He casually positioned himself between his new friends and the weak dom, letting them through the doors before him.
“What was that all about?” Harry asked when he felt they were a safe distance away.
“Sorry. Clay isn’t quite dominant but he definitely isn’t submissive either. He’s kinda working his way up in the pack. So he is pretty paranoid when a strong wolf comes into our territory that he doesn’t know. It’ll be easier after everything is sorted out with the Ulfric in a couple hours.” He shrugged but noticed the Brits’ confusion instantly.
“What’s an Ulfric?” the dark-haired boy finally asked. Remus’ expression mirrored his, throwing the subs’ heads for a loop.
“Um…maybe they call them something different in Europe? Ulfric is leader of the wolf pack. Every wolf in St. Louis and the surrounding areas belongs to the Thronnos Rokke Clan, which is lead by our Ulfric, Richard. We have some five hundred wolves in our pack.” This last was said proudly. “All animal groups have their own leader. The shorter man last night with the kitty eyes is the leader of the local leopard group, or pard. His name is Micah Callahan. There is a large were hyena group, were lion group, and were rat group here too. Not to mention all the small groups numbering anywhere from one to six or so each. What do they call a pack leader in Europe?” Harry looked to Remus to explain everything.
“Where we come from there are no packs. I’ve never been a part of one. Closest I had was Harry’s father James and Sirius back when we were in school. They ran with me every full moon and forms they magicked for themselves, the animagus forms of a stag and large black dog.” He shrugged after his explanation as if it meant nothing, but the three younger weres stared at him in astonishment. An alarm startled them out of their disbelief. Zane cursed, grabbing his phone from his pocket, almost dropping it in his haste. He cursed again when he looked at it.
“Time for work. I’ll catch up with you guys later. See ya at the café.” He jogged off, dodging the groups of families on his way out.
“He’s going to see us at the café?” Harry queried after the leather clad leopard ran out the doors.
“He works as a waiter at the Lunatic Café. Just started there, in fact.” Jason said distractedly, still back on the subject of the life of wolves outside the states. He finally made a decision and bustled them over to an abandoned set of bleachers that were usually used for the shows that didn’t start until nightfall.
“You’re serious then? You never had a pack? How long have you been a wolf?” he asked curiously. Harry, who was seated next to Remus a few steps above and facing the correct way while Nathaniel and Jason sat cross-legged the opposite way facing them, looked behind them curiously. Jason whirled and was immediately face-to-waist with the Skoll of the pack.
“Don’t you think those are questions for the Ulfric, little wolf?” Jamil asked, his voice so deep it was nearly a growl. Jason would have been a little more put out and even frightened if he didn’t know it was the alpha’s usual voice and didn’t mean he was angry.
“I’m asking as a friend. He doesn’t really have to answer like he would if Richard asked.” Jamil raised an eyebrow at Jason’s straight forward answer. He, like everyone else in the pack, knew the blonde wolf could be a dom if he wanted; he had the strength and personality. But for some odd reason he preferred to be a sub. It was a curious thing. Jason noticed his questioning look and turned his gaze to the ground immediately.
“Sorry, Jamil. This is Remus Lupin and his charge, Harry Potter. We’re showing them around until their meeting with the Ulfric later this afternoon. Guys, this is Jamil, the Skoll of the pack.” Remus frowned at the unfamiliar term and Jason hastened to explain that it meant chief bodyguard of the wolf king.
“Hm…is that right? I get back in town and all sorts of things are turned upside down. Strange wolves running around our town? I’d almost suspect that our dear Lupa was involved in some way.” Jamil chuckled, taking a seat alongside Jason, putting the younger wolf in a friendly headlock for a moment, relaxing him so he practically leaned against the dark wolf for a moment in comfort.
Nathaniel laughed at Jamil’s comment and the alpha’s look was a slight bit unfriendly but Jason’s ease around the leopard must have rubbed off, because he half grinned at the cat within seconds.
“You’re right, Anita is involved in a way.” Jamil frowned for a moment.
“Remus is Harry’s godfather, and Harry is soon to be under Anita’s guardianship,” the leopard explained, blowing a strand of his long auburn hair out of the way.
The alpha snorted.
“Someone actually gave that crazy woman a kid to take care of?” His words were insulting, but the underlying affection in his voice gave him away. Jason nodded like an excited pup.
“Yeah, while you were out of town there was a meeting involving Sirius Black’s will.” He noted the frown on Jamil’s face for just a split second and remembered the Skoll had gotten on with Sirius quite well.
“So I’m to take it you two are the infamous Harry and Remus that we all heard so much about?” Harry smiled sadly in reply as Remus studied the crowds behind the other weres with seemingly rapt attention. “It’s good to finally meet you then.” Harry shook his hand robotically and Remus followed suit. Jamil frowned when he realized just how much power Remus was hiding just beneath the skin. Enough power to possibly overthrow Richard as Ulfric. Jamil frowned as his protective instincts sharpened his awareness of the wolf before him. But no, this sad shell of a man didn’t seem to desire to lead. He only looked as if he wanted a peaceful life, away from the war he had been fighting internally for years.
“So, Remus, how long have you been a wolf?” He asked, turning back to the topic he had interrupted.
“Since I was seven years old…I’m thirty seven years old now so thirty years.” Harry frowned at him, doing some math in his head. He turned to face his godfather.
“They were twenty one then? My parents and Sirius, when everything happened?” Remus nodded, his depressed aura settling more firmly around himself. The three weres knew this was something that was a private matter between the two and Jason looked down at his phone as if just realizing the time, so as to dissipate the awkwardness.
“Three fifteen, guys. We better get to the café. Least we can get some lunch while we’re there.” Harry grinned, shaking his head.
“You guys sure know how to pack it in here.” Jason put him in a headlock, roughing up his already messy hair, happy that the younger boy was out of his funk. Remus and Jamil followed the pair and Nathaniel out to the jeep that Jason had parked out in the employee parking lot. The black wolf motioned toward his bike parked a little ways away and told them he would beat 'em to the Lunatic Café. Jason grinned and waved him away.
Nathaniel and Harry situated themselves in the back seat, shoving some of fast food trash into the back from the floor to give themselves some leg room. Nathaniel threw an empty pop container at Jason’s head in retribution for the messy way he kept his car.
“Doesn’t the smell get to you, Mr. Oh-so-sensitive-nose?” The leopard complained. Jason flicked him off and pulled out onto the busy street that would give them the fastest route to the café.
They made it at three thirty on the dot, parking in the conveniently empty spot next to a familiar motorcycle. A majority of the weres in the café hushed when they walked in, sensing the strange alpha and wondering, many aloud, what he was doing there. Their questions were answered when he took a seat on the outside across from Ulfric. Shang-Da had squeezed his large frame on the inside on the same bench as his Ulfric and was directly across from Harry. Jamil pulled a stool up to sit at the end of the booth. Richard jumped right into the root of the problem.
“I knew Sirius, and despite all the problems I’ve been having in St. Louis the last few years, I knew he was a good man. And a good friend to the pack.” He motioned down to the deed for the house that had been left for the pack. “I want to trust his judgment and believe that you are no threat to my pack, in spite of all the power I can feel roiling under your skin. Sirius was a man of honor and I want to know that you are as well. Would you swear to try and learn all the rules that comes with being a Thronnos Rokke Clan member and honor them as a pack member would? And would you consent to bow down to me as your leader?” The words had a very formal undertone, as if Remus were about to be initiated. He thought about it for a tense moment before nodding to himself.
“As long as nothing interferes with taking care of Harry, I consent to your rules. I will even go out of my way to understand the culture the wolves seem to follow over here. If Sirius felt I would find a home here, then I will trust in his instincts.” Richard half smiled.
“As your godson, Harry will have the protection of the pack as well. Welcome, both of you, to St. Louis.” Remus took his proffered hand in his own, matching Richard’s smile.
AN: alright, yeah, that’s the end. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This was a one-shot and may more one-shots may be continued in this same universe. Actually, there is a good chance of that happening.
Tai