Harry stepped out from the crowd to directly face the Pack Alphas. Remus stood at his back but Harry was fully aware the pair would probably not make it out if it came to a fight. The entire area had wards, including anti-traveling, intended to protect the Gathering from magical attacks or interference. But the wards were just as effective at preventing their escape via portkey or apparition as well.
"I am Harry Potter. You requested my attendance here tonight." This simple statement caused some murmured discussion by the werewolves. By not waiting to be addressed and the word 'requested', Harry had put all on notice here that he did not accept the Pack as having authority over him.
"SILENCE!" Fenrir thundered. "You are here to answer charges of being an aberration! An affront to the gift all others here share! Such a thing cannot be allowed to exist!" Murmurs of agreement could be heard behind Harry. For his part, Harry merely shrugged.
"So, does every animagus get such an invitation?" Harry asked "Or are we really here on some other agenda - as someone's lapdog?"
"Whelp!" Greyback howled. "I will still your hide and wear it as a trophy when you are dead!"
"Fenrir, get a hold of yourself!" Oliver Westen snapped. "We are in the Gathering Council. No violence may be offered until the Council's conclusion. You know the rules!" Fenrir visibly pulled himself back and glared at Harry with his yellowed, pointed teeth bared in a silent snarl.
Surprisingly, it was the Alpha Female known as Queenie that spoke next. "Mr Potter, it was decided earlier that I would be the primary speaker for this inquisition into your status. Would that be acceptable to you?"
"Well, madam, I did not expect an inquisition but I have no problem talking with you." Harry was somewhat proud he got that out straight-faced.
Queenie smiled back (an intimidating sight) and almost purred, "Well, I'm not Spanish but almost no one ever expects me." Harry smirked but didn't doubt the woman's words at all.
"The Council has heard the testimony that you presented earlier to the Wizengamot and seen the memories of your transformation." Here the biker wolf actually smiled. "May I say your handling of Umbitch was particularly delightful? She was always a little piece of shite even back in school." Harry couldn't help the grin in response.
"Enough with the pleasantries," Greyback growled. Queenie nodded in response.
"Having seen your form, do you, Harry Potter, claim to simply be an animagus?" she asked.
"I've never claimed to be simply anything," Harry responded. "However, why should I answer your questions? Voldemort is back and one of his servants sits amongst you. Granted he's not marked (too low ranked for that) but he still came like a puppy when his Master called him. So why would I tell you anything that would help my prey?"
That scored some points with the listening Packs. Greyback looked furious and ready to pounce. "Potter only speaks lies. Give him Veritaserum and make him tell us the truth!" There were murmurs of agreement and not just in Greyback's Pack.
"I think that both their points are fair," Ian commented in a thoughtful voice. "Fenrir is right he says we need the truth. But so is Mr Potter. When stalking a dear only a puppy howls in excitement." Apparently that was some type of werewolf common wisdom from the few comments and chuckles Harry heard.
Oliver Weston seemed to agree. "If Mr Potter will give an Oath to be honest on this matter, I would suggest sealing today's Council under an Oath to Loki."
Even Harry looked a bit surprised at that, especially coming from the "pureblood" Pack leader. Loki, the shape-changing Norse god of mischief, fire, and ice and father of the Wolf Fenrir, was seen as the patron god of many Lycanthropes. According to Pack legend the mythological Fenrir was the first werewolf having inherited the gift from his father Loki. Fenrir then passed the 'gift' onto those he deemed worthy. The Oath was magically binding on the magical werewolves but only ethically binding on the mundanes. However, the magical wolves were bound to slay any that broke the Oath or encouraged it.
"I agree," Dyfed said.
"As do I," Ian added.
After a moment, Mac said, "I agree as well. The Packs need the truth."
"I am willing," Harry said.
"It is not what you are willing, boy," Mac snarled back. "If we decide it, you will go along with it or I'll hand Fenrir the gutting knife myself!" For a moment the urge to release the Beast was almost overwhelming but Harry reined it in.
The Council seemed to watch Harry as he pulled in the Beast. Then when it was obvious that he'd succeeded, Oliver spoke, "With four of the Packs saying 'Aye', I declare this meeting sealed under the Oath to Loki. Mr Potter, you will now give use your oath to answer Queenie's questions honestly." Fenrir looked furious but couldn't do anything with four Pack Alphas voting against him.
Very carefully, Harry drew his wand. "On my life and magic, I, Harry James Potter, accept the Oath to Loki in swearing to answer the questions given to me by Queenie, Alpha Bitch of the Brotherhood Pack, related to my shape-changing for the next hour." A pulse of light from the end of his wand showed the oath was sealed.
"Very well," Queenie accepted the oath. Harry knew the former Auror turned werewolf criminal would have caught the limits he'd placed.
"Are you an animagus?" she started.
"Sort of," Harry allowed. "To make this easier I will tell you a short story. Then you can ask your questions."
"Will all of the story you tell us by true?" Queenie asked. Harry knew that was for the Oath.
"Yes, to the best of my knowledge." After Queenie nodded, Harry started his story.
"One night I was out late when something attacked me. I was just shy of nine years-old. But one moment I am sitting quietly on a swing and the next I was injured and in a panic. I never really saw just what attacked me, based on what I know now; I reckon it was a werewolf. It got me by the ankle. In my panic, I accidently Apparated to my school. I could feel something cold moving through my body until it reached my head. That's when I felt something fight back. I was in agony. When it was done, I could change my form. Magical tests show I am not fully an animagus nor, as was shown today, do I test fully as a werewolf. I can change shape at will like an animagus but my clothes would stay behind without charms on them." Harry was proud of that statement. He'd worked the idea with Sirius and Remus. It never mentioned his scar, the black tar, or his circumstances growing up, but every word was true.
The werewolves looked a bit surprised at Harry's story.
"And you were able to change immediately?" asked Claire of the Alba Pack speaking for the first time. Harry shrugged.
"The first couple days were a blur. My first solid memory was waking up next to some dead rabbits. Then I walked home. I knew my other form was there and could call at will." Harry noticed the two pureblood exchanged glances at his answer.
"And what of your testimony today to the Wizengamot?" Queenie asked. Harry shrugged.
"Everything I said was true from a legal point of view. The law Umbridge wrote specifically stated what colour a werewolf would return from the detection charm. I don't turn that colour therefore by their legal definition, I am not a werewolf. I didn't bring it up there but, as I mentioned earlier, I have a similar result with the Animagus Detection Charm."
Ian laughed. "So, it was all true from 'A certain point of view'?" Harry caught the Star Wars reference. He smiled back at the Alpha.
.....
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