The relevant teachers began to enter the Headmaster's office along with Rubeus Hagrid who was still sobbing his heart out completely heartbroken and terrified. Armando claimed his seat; while waving his wand and the appropriate amount of seats appeared so all the teachers could sit down as well as one scared teenager. They all took seats apart from the current Care of Magical Creature's teacher, who was bent over examining the creature that had bitten a student. They all knew it wasn't a werewolf, the moon wasn't full.
Kettleburn brushed his hand over the fur, putting it to sleep with a spell so it wouldn't wake up - the pain it would be in was probably bad - better to do it humanely.
"What is it, Silvanus?" Dippet enquired his face a grim mask of worry.
"A werewolf cub," Kettleburn informed them, looking a cross between excited and aghast. He was known to be quite reckless, a prankster at heart, but he'd never gone as far to bring in a werewolf cub into a school full of children, it was usually himself the stunts he pulled backfired on.
"Isn't it a bit on the large side to be a cub?" the Head of Ravenclaw, Meadowes asked, glancing at the creature on the floor.
"Well, it has the name on a technicality; this creature was born to two werewolves who found each other on the full moon. The cubs were coined werewolf cubs and the name stuck, as it stands he is only nine months old, it still has some of growing to do." Kettleburn insisted, it was the size of a adult male human standing up, it was luck that Peverell was still breathing, he'd seen smaller animals maul a person in less time. "Where Mr. Hagrid managed to find one and get it away from its pack is anyone's guess." it was pretty damn reckless and that was saying something since he himself was impulsive.
"It's alive?" Beery asked, looking slightly uncomfortable at being in the room with it.
"Barely," Silvanus replied blankly. "He needs help or he definitely won't survive."
"Mr. Hagrid, where did you get him?" Dippet asked, staring at the Gryffindor with sternness that warned him against lying.
"I'm sorry!" Hagrid boomed out his terror, wailing, "I didn't mean for this to happen! He's a good boy; he didn't mean ter hurt anyone."
"Mr. Hagrid, answer my question!" Dippet's voice got a little deeper as he got more annoyed; it was hurting his ears having to listen to him shouting like that. "Where did you find him?"
"Near where I live, in the forest of Dean," Hagrid blubbered out, tears running down his face as he stared at the floor unable to meet any of their gazes.
"What made you think that it was okay to bring a werewolf cub into my school?" Dippet commanded.
"I didn't mean for this ter happen!" Hagrid said once more, shoulders heaving as he finally quietened down vocally and tried to breath and calm himself.
"Armando he is only twelve years old despite how big he is, he's made a mistake, I'm sure I can drive home how serious it was during detention." Albus said soothingly, "I will make sure nothing like this happens again."
"Is there a chance of infection?" Dippet ignored his deputy for a moment as he turned to Kettleburn.
Slughorn paled at that pronouncement, he hadn't even thought on that possibility. He was extremely fond of Hadrian, the thought of the bright future being snuffed out due to possible werewolf infection was daunting and horrifying - this was one of his Slytherins for Merlin's sake, and he prayed to whichever deity might be listening for Hadrian to recover fully without a problem.
"Well, they're the offspring of two werewolves, I've never heard of it occurring but these creatures are supposed to have near human intelligence and obvious be smart enough to avoid human detection…he must have felt trapped, lashed out." Kettleburn answered, "I cannot answer that accurately, only healer Chang can."
Dippet nodded, they couldn't come up with a punishment until they knew all the facts. But there would be a punishment; he couldn't believe a twelve year old had been so stupid as to bring a wolf cub into his school especially the size of it! Of all the things that had happened during his tenure as both a professor and Headmaster he hadn't come across a student doing something so reckless before. He honestly couldn't think of a punishment suitable, with or without the possibility of a teenager being infected with lycanthrope. Hadrian Peverell had nearly died again, this time under his care, he was furious. He was half tempted to think of expelled, but Albus was unfortunately right, despite his large stature he was just twelve years old - and they did make mistakes.
"If you will excuse me, I wish to check on my student," Slughorn declared, knowing nothing would be decided at the first meeting - it never did happen that way. He stalked out of the room, letting the door bang closed as he made his way to the hospital wing as quickly as possible.
"I assume Rubeus is free to go?" Albus stated, glancing around the room at the others in disappointment, Rubeus hadn't meant any harm; he was just twelve years old and had made a little mistake. The drama was unnecessary if you asked him, and his opinion did matter most to Armando, so he would have to come later and speak to him without the others around.
"For the moment," Dippet replied, glancing at the subdued boy. "Silvanus you know what to do?"
"Of course, I'll go immediately," Kettleburn said nodding his understanding. He guessed he was going to the forest of dean to find out if the pack of werewolf cubs were still there, so if they didn't kill it the animal could be brought back where he belongs to his pack and the wild not some cage in a dorm. The chance of it being allowed to live was slim, it had almost killed a student - a Slytherin to boot - who will probably order it to be put down. Although the boy was actually attentive in his class, and treated him and the animals with the appropriate amount of respect.
"Good," Dippet nodded, "You may resume your normal duties ladies and gentlemen," one by one they began to leave making sure all their students returned to their dormitories. Albus guided the guilt stricken student out of his office, causing him to shake his head once more. What a night, during Samhain too, or Halloween as the youngsters called it. He still celebrated the pagan holidays, as his family had done before him. Somehow he just wasn't in the mood tonight.
With a resigned sigh he stood up, and made his way to his fireplace, it was time to see how Hadrian was himself, as he used the Floo Network to call upon the healer from his office. One he was done with that he would need to get the House-elves to check every nook and cranny of Mr. Hagrid's Dorm room and make sure there was nothing else there.
Two Days Later
Harry inwardly groaned when he felt himself coming around, his neck felt like it was on fire, he was extremely thirsty and his stomach was complaining too. Why was it always him? He really, really had the worst sort of luck on Halloween, even when he wasn't Harry Potter. Next year he was holing up and not coming out until the bloody day was over. He wondered if it had happened in the old timeline and whether it had hurt someone or just been found.
'It got free the last time yes, but they weren't as severely wounded like you were.' Death informed Harry as he slid into his mind.
'Who got hurt?' Harry enquired curiously; obviously it had happened the last time around since Tom had found out about it. So that had been a stupid thought, during the whole first Horcrux/diary thing he'd said Hagrid had raised werewolf cubs and fought trolls in the forbidden forest, in his time there were no Trolls other than the one in his first year so was that true too?
'Aiden Avery and Mikhail Mulciber,' Death revealed.
'And Hagrid wasn't expelled then? With the influence their fathers have? They are pureblood's and that society is quite influential in this time aren't they?' Harry thought curiously. Not to mention the mothers, they would have been furious as well, they might not have political influences like their husbands but they were very protective of them children were cherished, loved and adored in the magical world each one was a blessing. Abuse didn't happen here, as odd as it sounded, it just didn't, although he would say what the bloody Longbottoms had done to Neville was abuse, they may not have lifted a hand to him but they'd scarred him for life that it took seventeen years for him to find himself and become a confident man under difficult circumstances too.
'The whole incident was swept under the rug, as I am afraid this will be too' Death told Harry sounding extremely vexed. Dumbledore was able to work his manipulations even now, without the aid of being the most famously revered wizard in all of the magical world. He really hoped Harry would ask his opinion on how to deal with him or come up with the idea he hoped and prayed he did.
'WHAT?!' Harry shrieked mentally, his body twitching as he tried to restrain his fury. He'd felt himself dying for Merlin's sake! And if he had been a normal wizard he would have bloody well died, Death had been keeping him alive he had felt that unique power of his. 'How the hell can he get away with that?'
'I would wonder why you suspect Dumbledore of all people, but you are smarter than you like to believe you are' Death replied amused, 'He didn't gain his manipulative tendencies when he won the war Harry, it was always there, his mother was much the same and raised them to lie, cheat and get their own way mostly to prevent the authorities ever finding out about her daughter. Albus being the eldest took to it like a duck to water, Aberforth was much younger and felt it entirely dishonest. Aberforth and Ariana took after their father.'
'I see,' Harry grumbled, 'How long have I been out? It's been longer than a night…'
'Close your eyes, dig deep inside you, the information you desire is there within you, use the full power of Death. You've been unconscious for two days, and quite a lot of people are worried about you.' Death said smugly, at least here Harry had the amount of friends he should have, not two who pretty much used him and kept genuine would be friends from getting near. Although Tom certainly scared his fair share away when they looked at him, it was quickly becoming his favourite thing to do watch the pair of them. Harry was so oblivious you wouldn't think he was out of his teens at all.
Two days? Merlin he's half expected it to be worse, so in that time he'd been bitten Dumbledore had convinced everyone that Hagrid deserved to be let off? Sighing softly, he didn't hate Hagrid, never had despite his hero worship of the old fool when his life had been torn asunder, but his penchant for dangerous animals had almost gotten him killed twice now. Sending him into a spider lair for information, and now with a damn wolf, he should have realized months ago, but he'd brushed it off like an idiot. If he brought in that damn spider next year he was going to go absolutely crazy. He didn't care if Hagrid was already the size of a damn bus.
The feeling of Death abruptly leaving had him frowning, he didn't normally leave without saying anything. Shrugging it off, he opened his eyes and was met with the hospital wing, it didn't escape him that he had been injured pretty much the same time last year and in the hospital wing for months recovering from all the spells Granger and Weasley had flung at him while he'd been in the future. Grunting in pain he sat up, his arms straining to take his weight but thankfully managing to do so. He blinked at the sight of the cards, flowers and sweets at the bottom of his bed. There were more on the table to his side he realized. Curiously plucking one from the table he read it, it was from Myrtle and Richard. Shaking his head at the poetry, he put it back on there was more here now than he'd ever gotten each time he landed in the hospital wing when he was so called 'famous' here he was just a regular student who had friends who actually cared and it made him feel…exhilarated, happy and more important content despite what had happened he was very happy to be here and now, his life was actually worth living.
He'd turned down his fair share of those asking him to the Yule Ball though. A few had asked him before their eyes had widened and they'd squeaked before fleeing, it reminded him of the time Weasley had tried to ask Fleur, but he was no vela so it was curious.
Swinging his legs out of bed, he looked around for any sign of his belongings; he found some things when he opened the cabinet he would bet it was Tom who had put everything there. Grabbing his things he stood up wobbly at first, before he regained his footing before making a beeline for the bathroom.
He locked it immediately behind him; before ambling over to one of the sinks, making sure it was dry he put his clothes and the shower bag in the bowl. Turning his head to the side, he grimaced he could see scarring, there was obviously nothing to reduce scars in this time, it might explain the state of Professor Kettleburn in future. Obvious the scar salve won't work on old wounds, it was ugly, and the bite mark had mangled his entire left side of his throat. Moody had been the same, so it must have been a new invention during his time…dittany didn't even get rid of scars just healed the wounds. With the wound so fresh it looked ten times worse, there were blots of blood all around his neck that had been missed but the immediate area was clean and sterilised.
Turning around he walked to the stall putting the shower bag in the slot and stripped off the hospital pyjamas and jumped in the shower and began to scrub himself clean. Being extremely careful with the delicate skin around his neck not wanting to tear it back open. He didn't stay in too long; the longer he stood there the more pain began to lash out from his neck and down his chest and arm.
Stepping out he dried himself off with a spell and packed everything away not up to doing it himself. Back at the sink he dressed slowly almost jumping out of his skin when the healer knocked on the door and admonished him for even getting out of bed. Harry just chuckled tiredly at that, she would learn he rarely did what he was supposed to. He'd only behaved the last time due to the fact his mind was in a bit of a spin and he had been grievously injured. He supposed the same could be said for this time, but if he counted how many times he'd 'almost died' he'd use every finger and then some.
"I'll be right out," Harry shouted through the door, scratching at his chin absently, he would need to shave soon, he thought as the prickly hairs tickled his fingers. Summoning his shower bag he opened the door and stepped out to face the irate healer.
"You shouldn't be out of bed young man," Chang said staring at him sternly, tapping her foot. She'd almost had a heart attack when she found the bed empty when the ward alerted her to students coming into the hospital wing.
What was it with people tapping their foot when they were annoyed? Poppy used to do it all the time. "I'm okay, I've had worse remember?" Harry pointed out, the wrong thing to do since her expression tightened considerably.
"I know," she replied, she'd had trouble keeping him alive until the experts arrived and everyone fought to keep Hadrian alive - she'd feared so many times that he was gone, that she should have defied Albus and taken him to St. Mungo's but somehow against all odds he'd fought to stay alive while they worked. "Are you in pain?" she belatedly asked, realizing he hadn't had any pain relief, and he'd been awake Merlin knows how long.
"A little," Harry said grimacing as he was reminded of the pain.
"On the bed, now, Hadrian!" Chang demanded as she rushed off towards her potions cupboard and collected the ones she needed for him.
Harry reluctantly did as he was told; he knew if he kept going against her he wouldn't get out any time soon. She wasn't as easy to sway as Poppy had been, or should he say would be? Either way, he slid back into his bed, rolling his eyes skyward. Tom was sitting next to the bed, a book in hand reading his face impassive.
"Hi, what's been happening?" Harry asked, turning to face the healer when she returned to his bed, handing over a potion, which he recognized and drank down, then another, the pain reliever which he snatched up immediately relaxing with a sigh.
"Do not get out of bed," Chang said giving him a pointed look, "Breakfast will be up in a few minutes."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said reluctantly. Turning back to Tom he found the teen staring at him intently, blinking in confusion he waited. "So?" he added urging him to speak.
"Nothing much," Tom replied, other than the fact he had thought up a million ways to make sure Hagrid paid for what he'd done.
"Hagrid is off limits," Harry warned.
"Excuse me?" Tom exclaimed harshly, unable to hide how surprised he was by that proclamation. Was Hadrian really giving Hagrid a free pass and actually protecting him from all Slytherin's that would want retribution?
"If anyone hurts him, they'll answer to me," Harry told him, but he couldn't help but wonder…would this truly move Tom to seeking another way to make him pay? What if he was making things worse by doing this? He hated not knowing, it was doing his head in.
"Why?" Tom demanded furiously.
"It's not his fault the damn teachers aren't doing anything about it," Harry hissed, "It's all down to Dumbledore as usual."
Tom blinked immediately confused, "You've been unconscious why and how would you know anything about the giant oafs punishment?" or lack of one, if you believe Hadrian.
Harry huffed in bitter amusement, "Do you seriously think Dumbledore would punish any of his sainted Gryffindors? No matter how bad the transgression is? The rest of the teachers probably bow to his every word." he was becoming more and more Slytherin he realized, sainted Gryffindors? Yes, he was going Slytherin, and guess what? He didn't give a crap because for the first time in his life he was living by his own rules.
"Professor Slughorn wouldn't stand for that," Tom waved the concern away not truly believing that a student could get away with almost killing another without some sort of punishment.
"You are aware that they're good friends aren't you?" Harry informed him sounding amused. "They started working at Hogwarts the same year."
"You seem to know a lot about everything, especially the past," Tom commented, leaving unsaid 'especially for someone from the future'.
"Yeah, well, it was needed," Harry replied honestly.
"Yes, but why?" Tom enquired, not even twitching when food appeared at the bottom of Hadrian's bed.
"Honestly? I don't think you want to know." Harry answered.
Tom was just about to open his mouth to demand an answer from him when the door opened and Slughorn entered. He looked relieved to see Hadrian awake, as he wandered over. "Hadrian, my boy, I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling?"
"I'll be fine," Harry said giving him a smile, "Although I was wondering if I could use one of the labs to brew a potion?"
"Well you have my permission, Hadrian just as long as I know you're a hundred percent healthy," Slughorn replied unusually serious for their Slytherin head of house.
"Thanks, professor," Harry said sincerely.
"You're most welcome, unfortunately I didn't come just to ask how you were, a decision needs to be made regarding the creature that bit you, and since it hurt you and you are emancipated it is solely your decision what happens to it." Slughorn informed him gently as if he was afraid of scaring Hadrian.
"It's still alive?" Harry asked surprised, the amount of magic he'd flung into it he was genuinely amazed it had survived.
"Yes," Slughorn replied nervously.
Harry zeroed in on that tick immediately, the teacher wasn't good at hiding his nerves especially when interrogated or asked questions that make him uncomfortable. "And what exactly does everyone wish to do with it?" as rumour went, a pack was supposed to live in the forbidden forest at the kindly permission of 'Albus Dumbledore' which if it was true meant it happened once Dumbledore became Headmaster so they couldn't wish to put it there surely?
"There are two options, send it back to its pack in the Forest of Dean or put it to sleep," Slughorn relaxed at this line of questioning.
"Forest of Dean? How the hell would he have gotten it from the Forest of Dean?" and away from the pack at that.
"He lives nearby," Slughorn confessed.
Well that information was new, he'd never really thought on where the hell Hagrid lived. "He took a cub away from its family?" Harry gritted his teeth at the stupidity of it.
"Yes," Slughorn said a scowl of his own appearing very briefly.
"Send it back," Harry said shrugging his shoulders, he knew the werewolf cubs didn't normally go for humans, it avoided them, so why it had decided to lash out was anyone's guess…perhaps fear? Being around so many humans locked up relying on a bloody giant to feed it and probably not getting the nutrients it needs.
Tom silently seethed, Hadrian was far too lenient on that damn creature, and he should kill it and be done with it. He hadn't slept too well since that incident, things did NOT get to him so he loathed the fact that this was. "What is being done about Hagrid, Professor?" Tom asked his head of house, none of his anger showing - as usual.
"Ah, yes, well," Slughorn said, clearing his throat, "He will receive detention, for a fortnight."
Harry gave a bitter chuckle, "Let me guess, Professor Dumbledore?" his anger suddenly mounting, he was so goddamned sick of Dumbledore and his leniency; he shouldn't be around anyone, never mind children.
Slughorn blinked in surprise, "Well, yes," he answered. "I did press for a harsher punishment," he felt the need to tell him.
Harry's face went stony, this couldn't continue, Dumbledore couldn't just let the Gryffindors off with whatever they wanted. Even as a Headmaster he had done the same thing, it would spiral out of control and make the prejudice between both houses so much worse. Here and now it was mostly Muggle-born Vs Pureblood other than all out hatred against Gryffindors etc… in his own time both problems were ten times magnified. Something had to be done now, he knew what would happen if it continued. Without further ado Harry stood up ignoring both his teacher and Tom before making a break for the door magic pouring off him temporarily with his short slip in temper.
Tom watched him go before he lurched from the seat, abandoning the book as he tried to catch up with Hadrian. The last time he'd seen him in a mood like that he'd levitated Avery for Merlin's sake, he didn't even want to imagine what he might do to Dumbledore. He knew Hadrian absolutely hated Dumbledore, he suspected even more than him, and that was saying something. Surely he wouldn't be stupid enough to do anything to the deputy headmaster where everyone could see him and when the man himself knew it was Hadrian?
He cursed when the length of the corridor leading to the great hall was deserted, he must already be in there. He ran faster, hoping he was overreacting and Hadrian was just going for breakfast or to let off some steam somewhere else…maybe the common room? Yet he knew his thoughts to be untrue, especially with the way Hadrian had left, he was after Dumbledore.
He slowed his pace down as he skidded to a halt outside the Great Hall, and slid into the room, unsurprised to find Hadrian there.
"Tell me, Dumbledore, if it had been any other student other than your precious Gryffindor would you have made sure the punishment was so lenient? Two weeks detention! TWO WEEKS DETENTION for almost being killed?" Hadrian hissed in his teachers face. "Or is your problem the fact that I am in Slytherin and you hate our guts?"
"Mr. Peverell, do not make this situation any worse," Dumbledore warned standing up at full height trying to intimidate him into silence.
"OR what? Apparently I can go around almost murdering students and receiving only two weeks detention!" Harry snapped out.
"Twenty-five points from Slytherin, Mr. Peverell for disrespect." Dumbledore cautioned.
Harry laughed bitterly, "So my disrespect is worth twenty-five lost points but almost dying I see isn't even worth a single lost point from Gryffindor? You're supposed to be teachers, a student almost died in your care and…that's all its worth? Two weeks detention and I'll bet my vaults that they're with Dumbledore a man who is evidently known for his favouring his own house!"
The Slytherin's watched wide eyed, they'd never seen anyone speaking to Dumbledore that way in their entire years at Hogwarts.
"Mr. Peverell, stand down," Albus warned.
"You shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children!" Harry spat, fighting against the arms that wrapped around him as he continued his diatribe. "You shouldn't be a teacher! Look at what happens to them when you're around! They get away with murder, or almost commit it and you just let them off! Ariana's death should have drove that home you-" Tom silenced Hadrian and wrestled him out of the Great Hall, but not before seeing Dumbledore swaying dangerously looking as though he was about to pass out in shock, terror and fear. Who the hell was Ariana? And more importantly what had happened to her?
"Calm down," Tom ordered, using that tone of voice on him for the first time, but Hadrian was beyond listening, slamming them up against the wall, the fire in Hadrian caused desire to lick down his spine, the defiance, the fact he could cause Dumbledore untold damage, his magic, everything just overwhelmed him about the teen and before he knew it he slammed his lips against Hadrian's and possessively kissed him, which ceased Hadrian's struggles. "Mine." Tom declared tightening his hold as if suspecting he would run.
Harry just stared his green eyes impossibly wide utterly stunned.