12 July, 1995
The sun was hanging low in the sky as the Range Rover pulled into the same lot it had two weeks before. The two occupants once again climbed out and without a word started walking again in the same direction for the gathering. This time however they saw several others arriving and congregating in small groups before heading in the same direction. Their conversations tended to stop and wait until the pair had passed.
Harry was used to the same reaction from his time at Hogwarts. He barely even noticed now. Instead he noticed the mixed looks of fear, anticipation, and… hope. He distracted himself by thinking about the timing of this night.
Contrary to popular belief, the rising of the full moon was not what triggered a werewolf's transformation. Today was a super full moon. This meant the moon was at its closest approach to the Earth and at the same time was also a full moon. By the logic of a moon trigger, all of the werewolves should have been transformed at the point the moon rose, correct?
Wrong.
The moon rose that day in Britain at 5.15 in the morning and would set at 12.48 that night. The peak of the full moon had already passed at 11.49 that morning. So, it couldn't be the moon itself that triggered their transformation. The werewolves themselves weren't sure and wizards generally didn't take the time to study the why of the situation. It was just known that about 60-90 minutes after sunset on the night of a full moon, the change would happen. Tonight that put the transformation at roughly 22.30 to 23.00.
Harry's musing were interrupted by the approach of six men. Each looked aggressive and surly. None were dressed particularly well and were in need of a bath. Werewolves were not bothered by natural scents but these six took it to a whole new level.
"Potter," one of them snarled, "you actually had the stupidity to show up."
"Maybe Greyback will leave us something to play with?" another suggested with an odd giggle.
"Even if by some chance you win, boy, think you will survive the rest of us coming for vengeance?" the first one asked. "You only that traitor" he indicated Remus, " to watch your flank."
Harry smiled. "I'd take Remus over any of you anytime, but I think six on one is rather unfair. So, I brought a friend." Unseen, Remus pressed the hatch release on the Rover. The back had obviously been magically expanded as what emerged was much too large to fit in the back of a normal muggle vehicle.
"Say hello to my little friend," Harry offered in an odd accent.
The giant three-headed dog known as Fluffy had the build of a mastiff hit with an Engorgio spell. Each head was meaner than the next and sized to snap a human in half with a single bite. Thick leather studded collars protected each throat removing a canine's favourite target from harm. Fluffy was a ton of lean canine that had been living near feral in the Forbidden Forest surviving on Acromantulas, deer, and other creatures of the forest. The only contact the dog had with civilization came from Hagrid and Harry's visits.
All three of Fluffy's heads let out a growling snarl of their own at the six werewolves. All of them took a couple steps back and the four looked ready to run.
"You can't bring that beast here!" the first werewolf yelled. Harry suspected he was Michaels, Greyback's Second.
"Feel free to tell her that," Harry cheerfully offered.
"Really, Potter?" Harry turned slightly to where Dyfed, Alpha Male of Glyndwr Pack now stood.
"She followed me home from school. Can I keep her?" Fluffy's left head stopped growling, turned towards Harry and gave him a big, wet lick. Only the grumpiness of the coming change allowed the older Alpha to supress a laugh.
"She is a canine," Dyfed admitted. "Wolves and even some dogs have been allowed to join in on the hunts in the past. I don't know anyone had the nerve to bring a hell hound before though."
Dyfed turned back towards the watching werewolves. "We have a trial to attend. Get moving, now!" The last was a command that snapped out. The werewolves, even the Greybacks, responded instantly to the Alpha's command. Harry and Remus followed them and Dyfed fell into step with them. Fluffy reverted from attack mode to a curious puppy following along but dashing off to sniff whatever caught her attention.
"I've never seen a hellhound before but I've read on them quite a bit," Dyfed admitted as he watched Fluffy dash over to smell a particular boulder and mark it as her own.
"I understand they are rather rare," Remus commented.
"They were purpose bred as guardians by early Greek wizards," the Alpha supplied. "Cerberus was the most famous of the breed. He guarded the home of a particularly Dark and powerful necromancer. Several attacks on the wizard's home were destroyed by Cerberus alone. He was almost as feared as his master. The wizard became the basis of Hades, Greek god of the dead and the underworld. Cerberus became the guardian of the underworld.
"The ancient magics created a bond between the hellhound and its master, much like the bond between a pack and the Alpha. With you being an Alpha also, the bond may be even stronger." Harry considered the Welsh Alpha's information.
"I can see that," he said. "My First year at Hogwarts Voldemort was possessing my Defence professor. Fluffy ripped him to pieces. When I'd go run and hunt in the Forest, Fluffy would always show up eventually. I just thought she'd adopted me." That brought a laugh from the two older wolves.
"Will Fluffy interfere in the fight?" Dyfed asked. "Outside interference could cost you the decision."
"She knows not to," Harry answered. "Fluffy has three really large brains so she understands. Only if someone else gets involved will she act." Dyfed nodded in understanding.
"This should be a fascinating night," was his last comment.
It was the same clearing as before but now it was devoid of the bonfire and party atmosphere of a few weeks previous. The tents and tables were done to be replaced with a large circle of waiting werewolves. In the centre of the circle waited the 'neutral' Alphas. Harry could see Ian, Oliver, and Mac standing there simply waiting not speaking at all. Fenrir stood halfway between the Alphas and the ring of watching werewolves; his own pack stood in the ring directly behind the Death Eater werewolf.
Dyfed started talking in low tones as they approached the circle. "I am sure Remus has already informed you of the protocol here but he hasn't been amongst us in some time. He and your 'pack' must take their positions on the outside of the circle. You move to the position opposite Fenrir while I join the other Alphas. Once the change happens the Alphas back off and the fight for dominance starts. You must either submit to the greater wolf or kill him."
"And if he submits to me?" Harry asked. Dyfed frowned.
"I doubt that will happen. He's already submitted himself to another," came the answer. It somewhat confirmed to Harry that at least some of the other Alphas were looking to have Fenrir removed as a pack leader.
They reached the circle where there was an opening for Harry's 'pack'. It was somewhat amusing how the werewolves were eyeing Fluffy in some concern. For her part, Fluffy seemed to settle down with a surprising level of seriousness.
Remus stopped Harry at the edge of the circle.
"We don't have any time now," Remus said. "Be careful and don't underestimate Greyback. Finish it as soon as you can."
"I will," Harry promised. The two men embraced briefly before Harry turned as resumed his walk.
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