The Awakening of a Magus

The Awakening of a Magus

Chapter 49 - Wed, Aug 9 - Day 20

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

"Well, Potter," said Draco, handing over several of Amethyst Malkin's design canvases, "I think your first order should include these. The colors are marked at the bottom."

"Oh good," commented Savannah, "I was hoping you'd include that one." She pointed to an emerald green tunic-and-trousers outfit. It was similar to the outfit Harry had worn that day in Diagon Alley, but the cut and the material were subtlely different, loose but hinting at the excellent figure beneath. Also, the trim consisted of a stylized black dragon instead of runes or a geometric design. "The colors match your eyes and hair perfectly, and that dragon design is the most original I've ever seen. Draco, zoom in on that, will you?"

Tapping his wand to the canvas just below the collar trim, Draco said, "Zoom In." Then with a second tap, he said again, "Zoom In." The close-up of the dragon embroidery invoked oohs and aahs from several at the table.

"No question, that dragon is an Amethyst Malkin original," a voice behind them stated. "I'd know Am's work anywhere," concluded Tonks, who had just joined them, along with Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Wotcher, Tonks," greeted Harry. "Do you know the lady well, then?"

"After rooming with her 7 years and playing manikin whenever she went into a creative frenzy, I'd say I know the lady well." Glancing archly at Harry, she added, "And she isn't always a lady, you know. She appreciates men the way Sirius appreciates women."

"Hey, I resemble that remark," quipped Black. "What's wrong with appreciating the finer things in life?" His wide grin smoothed into a quieter smile as he glanced at Addie. "I've learned to appreciate some of the finest, you know."

"In any case, there are a few things we need to go over before the open house starts," interrupted Kingsley. "First, Draco, this is yours, with the Ministry's apologies for the delay." He handed Draco a scroll with the seal of the Office of the Minister of Magic.

Puzzled, Draco opened the scroll, which included two parchments. The top one appeared to be a certificate. His jaw dropped as he read it, flipped it over to read the back, then stared again at the front. He tried to speak, but his expression just wavered between shock and pride. Finally, he just held it out for someone else to read.

Savannah grabbed the certificate and began reading.

[certificate]

The Ministry of Magic of Great Britain

hereby declares and confirms that one

Draco Salazar Malfoy

is a fully licensed, certified and accredited

Master Scanner of the Third Rank

with all priviliges and responsibilities of that rank.

Signed this day, 9 August 1995

Amelia Susan Bones

Interim Minister of Magic

[end]

Turning the certificate over, she saw a description of the current rankings available for Scanners. "The possible rankings for Scanner are First and Second; for Master Scanner, First through Third. A Third Ranked Master Scanner is the highest possible rating!" She gave Draco a wide grin, then leaned over to hug him fiercely. "I'm so proud of you, Drake. This is wonderful."

Draco was still in a daze, because he had started reading the second parchment. He numbly looked at Harry and passed it over to him to read aloud.

[letter]

Mr. Malfoy,

Based on the reports of Aurors Shacklebolt, Moody and Tonks, as well as the assurances of Headmaster Dumbledore, I regret that I am only able to certify you as a Third Ranked Master, as that is the highest available ranking at this time. Until such time as the ranking system for Scanners can be amended to appropriately reflect the abilities shown by the Magus, and even more by yourself, this will have to suffice. I solicit your assistance and that of the Magus in this review process when other priorities permit.

I commend you on your courage and dedication in stepping forward to offer your talents as we enter a new time of turmoil, so soon after suffering a personal loss as you have. With your permission, I plan to attend the memorial on Friday afternoon to offer my personal and official support. If you prefer otherwise, I will understand without offense, and ask you to convey your wishes in this matter via Auror Shacklebolt.

As Minister, and as former head of Magical Law Enforcement, I look forward to working with you professionally.

With deepest regards, I remain

Amelia Susan Bones,

Interim Minister of Magic

[end]

"We will, of course, need to schedule your professional engagements around your apprentice studies, Mr. Malfoy," said Snape in a stern voice but his eyes glowed with pride. "Though you are a Master in this area of expertise, you are still my apprentice in all others."

Standing beside Snape, Dumbledore nodded slowly, his eyes twinkling brightly. "Well done, Draco, well done." Seeing that Draco was about to be bombarded with questions, he raised his voice to address everyone in the Great Hall. "The doors will open to our visitors in 30 minutes. Please see that all personal possessions are secured in your rooms. Those who have assignments, please prepare for your duties. If there are any emergencies, you may request assistance from any portrait, ghost, or house-elf as well as any member of the Hogwarts staff. I expect this four hour period to be quite hectic. Miss Periwinkle, any last minute instructions?"

"Members of the press, and all visitors for that matter, must ask for and receive permission from their subjects before taking any photographs or initiating any interviews. No one is to sign anything, whether to autograph a picture or to sign a business contract unless cleared with the headmaster or myself. This is a standard security precaution. If an area is locked, it stays locked. Anyone wanting to view a secured area needs clearance, again from myself or the headmaster." Addie paused a moment. "The Magus will be available during the last hour of the open house only. Use common sense in talking about Hogwarts or Magus Circle business, people. The visitors don't 'have a right to know' everything, no matter what they may claim. That's all."

/- Thanks for the reprieve for Darius, Addie, -/ sent Harry. /- If something comes up that the Magus is needed sooner, though, let me and Tonks know. -/ Addie nodded in Harry's direction in acknowledgement, then headed over to talk to Kingsley about security.

The students were picking up after themselves and heading to their dorms to straighten up a bit. The House common areas and some of the unassigned dorm rooms would be open for viewing. Harry and Draco were heading for their rooms to put away the canvases and correspondence when Sirius and Remus stopped them.

"Can we talk before everything gets crazy?" asked Sirius. "Maybe up in the Magus Tower? It's about tonight," he said cryptically. Glancing around to confirm they weren't being observed, Harry nodded and the four of them disappeared.

The lounge in the Magus Tower was similar to the common rooms in the dormitories. Dumbledore insisted that Harry take more space than he felt comfortable with, knowing the young man's inclination to just barely accept 'enough' of anything. The most effective argument had been the need for the entire Circle to comfortably meet together in privacy. The décor in this area was simple, elegant but not too formal, and in House-neutral colors: black, white, gray, purple.

"Before we talk about tonight," Harry started, sitting in what he already considered 'his' soft leather chair, "I need to ask Draco about something. What was Madam Bones referring to ... a memorial on Friday? Is this about ..."

Draco nodded quietly. "It's the memorial for my parents. Is it safe to assume you don't know wizarding customs for such things?" As Harry nodded, his expression was full of sympathy and support for the young Slytherin. "It depends on how traditional the family is, and how prominent in wizarding society. For Malfoys, the answer is 'very' to both. The memorial can include extensive tributes, large gatherings, and, in a case like mine, acknowledgement of an heir or new head of family. I need to keep the inheritance ceremonies intact, but we planned to limit the 'tributes' ... all things considered ... and keep it 'invitation only', limiting it to the minimum participants necessary to satisfy tradition in wartime. After the ceremonies, I'll be closeted for hours with goblins, accountants, and lawyers finishing the legalities." Draco sighed and kept his eyes on Harry. "Now that the Minister has offered to make an appearance, this changes things drastically."

"Draco?" Sirius asked tentatively. "I know I've never gotten along with the Malfoys, but your mother -was- my cousin, so I have a family obligation here." Holding up a hand to forestall any comments or protests, he continued. "Also, I've seen how much you've changed lately, and that you are an important part of my godson's life now, and I've come to have a lot of respect for you. I know Snape ... Severus is your guardian, but if you have need of a family member to help with anything, I'll do what I can. Even though I was estranged from my family, I went through ceremonies for both my parents, and have a bit of practice walking that fine line between personal feelings and the needs of propriety and tradition."

"I ..." Draco was stunned at this show of support and understanding from such an unexpected quarter. "I know the rest of today is busy, but would you be able to join me and Severus ... and Harry, to help me rework things. Maybe tomorrow morning?"

"I'll be here. Just say when," confirmed Sirius. "So, will you be officially inviting the Minister to the memorial?"

Draco answered, "I think so. I want to think a bit more and ask Severus and the headmaster for their opinions. I'll probably send a reply to Madam, uh, Minister Bones by dinner time." Turning to Harry, he asked, "Is there anything else you wanted to know now?"

Harry quickly answered, "No, that's fine. You can tell me more tomorrow. But I'd like you to think about whether you'd like Harry Potter or Darius or both to attend Friday, so we can work out logistics. And don't you dare say I shouldn't bother," he snapped with narrowed eyes, sensing that the Slytherin didn't expect him to come. "The Circle takes care of its own. I can tell that even you aren't doing this to give tribute to ... what your father became. I'm going to be there for your sake, to support the future of the Malfoy line, just as the Minister will." /- Don't shut me out, Draco, -/ he finished quietly.

Draco nodded, wordless gratitude drifting out to those in the room. Taking a deep breath, he changed the subject. "So, Black, what's this about tonight? I thought this full moon ... exercise ... had been planned for weeks now."

Remus answered instead. "All things considered, I just wanted to make sure Harry wanted to proceed." He looked at the Magus with a rueful smile. "Knowing how well you can hide how you're really feeling, I wanted to let you know that, if you would feel better waiting until next month, I don't mind. If you're up to going through with it, we go through with it." Looking back at the young Master Scanner, he asked, "He seems to have recovered physically and magically, based on all the work he accomplished this morning. What is your advice, Master Malfoy, professionally speaking?" he asked with a half-serious, half-teasing tone.

"Vell, ve shall zee vat ve shall zee." Draco stood, walking around Harry slowly, affecting an old man's walk and lilting voice, 'hmm'ing and nodding and shaking his head at intervals, 'tsk'ing and making a hilarious spectacle. Amid the joking manner, though, he was using all his senses to check out Harry's magical and physical condition. He even opened his mind up to the Magus, to see if he could get a feel for Harry's emotional state. It seemed a bit shaky, but mostly stable. Suddenly, his manner went back to normal, he looked Harry in the eye, and said, "Go for it."

They could see some uncertainty, as though Harry's self-confidence was still shaken, but then all three focused on their confidence and trust in him, and he slowly responded to it. "Right. We go for it. The exact full moon occurs at 6:16 tonight, but moonrise won't occur until 7:30. Sunset should be at 8:13. Based on that night at the Shrieking Shack, I believe that the actual transformation occurs at moonrise. Is that correct, Moony?"

Eyes widening in surprise, Remus chuckled. "You've done your homework, Harry. I normally notice the 'full moon moment', though we were all distracted that night, for some reason," he said sarcastically. "However, the transformation itself won't begin until moonrise. Do we need any preparation time?"

"Not really. I planned to set up at my training area in the forest, put up some wards to keep people and animals out of the way, then just get comfortable and wait. I'll start focusing on you shortly before moonrise. Once you begin to change, I'll synchronize a shift to my wolf form into your shift to your werewolf form. I'll use my magic to modulate your change to match mine." Meeting the werewolf's eyes, already showing echos of the 'inner wolf' so close to the full moon, and without the Wolfsbane potion, Harry warned, "It may be more painful than usual, and we may need to shift back and forth more than once, but I feel sure this will work. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether this will negate the ... enhancements to your human form, or if we can preserve them."

Sirius, Remus, and Draco all were staring at Harry after that statement. "You mean," Draco drawled, "you think you can preserve the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages." He stared at Remus, then at Harry. "Shift to wolf form a moment, will you?" As Harry shifted to animal form and paced the room, Draco opened his senses, then Scanned both the animagus and the werewolf. "Done," he signaled quietly that Harry could revert. "It just might work, but it could be a dangerous way to go. Oh, no not for tonight, but for others. I assume that once you've proven your theory, you'll be offering it to other werewolves."

Harry nodded, trying to find the right words. He finished Draco's thought quietly, "Exactly. I am a bit concerned with the possibility that someone might feel being deliberately infected was worth the end result of an animagus form plus enhanced physical abilities in human form."

"That's a very Slytherin observation, you know," commented Snape, who had appeared with Dumbledore without the others noticing. "Perhaps the end result should depend on the person involved, though you could always say that the preservation of enhanced abilities was unpredictable."

"Well, considering we don't know for sure yet how much control I'll have over those characteristics, we'll leave that issue up in the air for now, shall we?" Harry answered. Looking at Dumbledore, he asked, "Who is going to be present for tonight's exercise?"

"I expect the six of us, plus Adelaide and I think Minerva as the only registered animagus of the Circle. We'll want two levels of warding, one to keep everything out, and one between the two principals and the rest of us." Dumbledore was in high-twinkle-mode. "I have the paperwork for animagus registration prepared, so it can be filed first thing tomorrow morning. There is one other concern when we report your success to the public."

"Sure of that, are you?" Sirius smiled.

"Oh, quite sure. However, if we reveal the details of the process, we reveal that the Magus has at least a third animagus form," Dumbledore concluded.

"Uh, oops?" commented said Magus.

"As I see it we have three choices," commented Snape. "We refuse to report details of the process, or we reveal that this Magus has more animagus forms than any other in history, or we say that someone else, perhaps 'Harry Potter' is the wolf animagus and was used to synchronize the magical patterns."

"Having 'Harry' as the wolf would be risky because Harry2 isn't an animagus," Harry reminded them. "I'm not sure how long we can get away with the first option. Admitting to a third form is probably the best option. In fact," one could almost sense 'wheels turning' in his mind, "in order to confirm to the Ministry that such a thing is possible, I or another witness will probably be asked to provide memories of the ... conversion. I need to work as Darius tonight, and Harry2 should be present as a witness." He looked around to see how the others felt about this logic, and watched as they all came to the same conclusion.

Dumbledore answered for all of them. "Agreed. I'll tell Dora about attending tonight, if you like. In any case, the gates will be opened any moment now, so if you would all join me in the Great Hall, we have quite a few visitors to welcome."

"I'm just not used to this," muttered Neville as yet another visitor moved on, having requested a picture with the Hufflepuff descendent. "Harry is the celebrity in Griffindor house; even Ron and Hermione get attention as Harry's best friends ... never me!"

Rachel and Ginny were swallowing down laughter. They glanced over to where said Trio and Draco Malfoy were dealing with their own fans. Rachel offered, "At least you don't have as many to deal with as they do," gesturing to the others, "and you don't get stupid questions like: 'How could Americans possibly trace their family back to Griffindor?'" She said the last in a high, snooty, whiny voice. "I mean, really! America started as a British colony only a few hundred years ago. Of course there would be families that go back to British wizards from a thousand years ago, even if many don't bother to keep track." Rachel looked up as she saw yet another student approaching with a camera. "Uh oh! Incoming!"

"Hi Ginny, Neville," bubbled Colin Creevey. Looking at the American witch, he stated, "You're Rachel Dragonrider."

Ginny laughed. "Yes, Colin. Let me introduce you. Rachel, this is Colin Creevey, Hogwarts' most prolific and tenacious photographer in decades." She smiled at her classmate, and, thinking about that awkward kiss they had shared the previous term, blushed slightly. "Colin, this is, indeed, the Lady Rachel Annamaria Dragonrider," she said formally, with a sweeping gesture.

"Wow!" he breathed. Then holding his camera out to Ginny, he asked, "May I have a picture taken with you, Lady Rachel? Ginny, please?"

It was all Rachel could do not to laugh at the poor fourth-year. "Ginny was teasing you. My family never uses titles except when required in special ceremonies. It's just plain 'Rachel'. And 'yes' to the picture. Ginny, you owe him one for that ... do a good job on this pic. Colin, do you want our resident Hufflepuff to join us, or will you do a separate shot with him?"

"Oh, right! Please, Neville! A picture with two Founders' Bloods would be so great!"

Ginny hadn't seen Colin this excited since the first time he met Harry. "Over here, Nev. Your public awaits," she grinned.

"This is silly, I'm still just me, you know," Neville grumbled. He looked up as Harry walked over.

"Hey, Ginny," Harry said, reaching for the camera. "Get in the picture beside Colin. Neville, move over to that side. Right. Now, everybody think of Neville's boggart," sending an image of Snape in a dress to Rachel so she could share in the laugh. "Great! Colin, I think that will be a keeper," he said, passing the camera back to its owner. "Now, I need to kidnap Rachel and Neville. There's someone here from some wizarding architectural journal doing a piece on the renovations. Dumbledore and Addie decided this is the only chance the bloke will have to speak to the student participants of the rituals. So, onward and offward to the staff room for a bit." He waved for them to follow him, smiling a goodbye to Ginny and Colin.

As the gates closed on the last visitor at just after 6 pm, there were numerous sighs of relief from wizards, witches, elves, portraits, ghosts, and even one poltergeist. Draco had asked Kingsley Shacklebolt to take the message for Minister Bones that he would be honored by her presence on Friday afternoon at the Malfoy memorial rites.

Since there had been a light buffet all afternoon for the visitors and the returning students, a normal sit-down dinner was skipped, but a few more substantial dishes were added to the buffet for the evening. At 6:30, there was a short Sorting ceremony for those few transfer students who had arrived early with some of the transferring faculty and staff.

Addie sat with Darius, Harry2, and those students who had been in the rituals that week. "Darius, I'm in public relations. I'm not a business manager, a financial consultant, or a lawyer. Today isn't the last time that you and the students will be getting business offers. I hate to break it to you, but you need to hire some advisors. Draco, what about the people who handle your affairs?"

"Not on your life, Addie," answered Draco fervently. "I'm looking for replacements for most of the Malfoy advisors myself. I don't trust my bunch not to funnel half the estate to a certain Dark Lord behind my back."

"I've got an idea for a legal office," offered Ron. As everyone looked at him in shock, he bristled. "Hey, just because the Weasleys are poor doesn't mean we're totally clueless. Actually, I know about these blokes through Percy. His girl, Penelope Clearwater, just graduated this year. She's hiring on with the family business: 'Clearwater, Clearwater & Boggs, Wizarding Solicitors for All Occasions'. I think her mum is a Boggs. I remember he said that 'they are uniquely diversified,'" Ron said in an exaggerated imitation of his stuffy brother. "I think he meant that they do most anything. Penny was in Ravenclaw, and I think all her family was, too. From all I've heard, they're all-right people. Has anyone heard differently?"

Everyone looked at Draco and Addie as the most likely to have some information. Draco spoke up. "Actually, I have had what you would consider positive feedback. Father positively hated whenever the opposition included them. In fact, most of the rare swearing and cursing I've overheard from him was regarding cases he lost to that firm. I'd at least say they're on the short-list for consideration. And they are very diversified. If they don't handle something, they have cooperative arrangements with other firms that do. Harry, remind me to call them tomorrow," he ordered airily.

Harry2/Tonks grimaced at the young Malfoy, knowing he was being deliberately obnoxious. "Since when am I your private secretary, Draco? Carry a recorder, why don't you," came the response with a growl. "Addie can probably tell you where she bought the one she uses at press conferences."

Addie grinned at the byplay. "Well, does anyone else's family have legal or financial advisors we should consider?"

Neville offered quietly, "I can owl my gran tonight and ask her who works with the Longbottom accounts. She doesn't usually talk about business to me, but I'll explain we all need some business advice. That is something she likes to do ... share advice, whether you ask for it or not," he finished with a shy smile.

At that point, McGonagall came over. "Adelaide, Darius, Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, we have some business to attend to yet tonight. Please come with me."

"What's going on tonight?" asked Neville.

"A confidential matter at this time, Mr. Longbottom," answered the deputy headmistress kindly, "but I'm sure that the participants will report to the rest of you after the fact, if all goes well. If there is a positive outcome, the information will be publicized tomorrow." /- Ronald, Hermione, you may explain to Neville and Rachel about tonight's plans, providing no one else can overhear. Is that clear? -/

/- Crystal! -/ both students answered.

/- May we also tell Ginny? -/ asked Ron. McGonagall agreed with a slight nod. The remaining students wordlessly agreed to meet in one of the dorm rooms and discuss matters under whatever warding spells Hermione could think of.

As McGonagall led her small group to the staff room off the Great Hall, she mentioned, "Albus, Severus, Sirius and Remus should already be at the clearing. We decided that once in the clearing, anything said or done there until this is finished is potentially public information at some point in the future. This should also include mindspeech conversations, since such would find their way into shared memories. Private thoughts should be safe," she said. Looking pointedly at Harry2, she finished, "So, be discreet, gentlemen."

Darius answered with a smile. "Always, Minerva. Always."

"There's an unusual ... intensity tonight," commented a worn-looking but calm Remus Lupin. "During the 'full moon moment' a short time ago, I could feel an unusual sense of anticipation, both within and around me. Even the wolf packs are gathering nearby."

Dumbledore conjured camp chairs around the clearing for everyone, and set a bug-repellant charm to protect the group from annoyance. "This is a remarkably beautiful evening: clear skies, mild breeze, comfortable temperature. It bodes well for our planned activities."

The rest of that night's participants and witnesses arrived at the clearing. The wolf packs that had gathered nearby began approaching the area, surrounding the clearing. From each group, the pack leader came to the very edge of the clearing nearest the Magus, seeking attention. There were three packs represented. Darius addressed the rest of the Hogwarts group. "For those of you who don't already know, I have been in communication with the local wolf pack several times since I arrived this summer. I usually meet them in my third animagus form, that of a black wolf. This form is a critical part of tonight's activities, so I need to reveal it in any case. Since the local packs wish to parlay, I'll take that form now and relay the conversation using mindspeech."

After quickly shifting into the form of a very large black wolf, Darius addressed the alphas. /- I stand before you and listen. I see you, Tanka, and know you. Speak to me of your brothers and tell me of your need, -/ he asked the pack leader he had already met.

/- I see you, Tantus, and know you. There has been great magic in the air from your pack, these past two turns, -/ stated Tanka. /- Now, the wrong-wolf is here and more magic stirs the air. It is not normal that you do your magic here during the night. What is happening? My brothers are concerned for the safety of their packs. This one is Lycos, -/ the wolf at Tanka's right nodded its head, /- and this one is Fenris. -/ The third wolf, large but rather young to be a pack leader, barely acknowledged the introduction and appeared very hostile.

/- The great magics have finished. I regret that I did not think to explain earlier. My pack will be growing in great numbers, and the magic was used to make larger dens for them, -/ explained Darius. He was slightly embarrassed to realize that the wolves had named him Tantus ... Great One. An alpha does not lightly name another as a superior, especially if that other is an animagus. Perhaps this was why Fenris was hostile ... he did not agree with the honor Tanka paid.

/- As for the wrong-wolf, -/ (what the wolves call werewolves), /- I seek tonight to use my magic to take away the wrongness, so that he will instead be man-wolf, as I am man-wolf and his friend is man-dog. We will raise magic walls to protect the forest from what we do. You and your packs, -/ Darius fixed his gaze on all three pack leaders in turn, /- may all remain and watch, or leave, as you see fit, though you must remain outside the magic walls I build. -/

Fenris growled at this. /- I do not see your right to do this, to build walls in our forest, to use man-magic, to hold yourself above true-wolf pack leaders. -/

/- I do not hold myself above you, brothers. I did not name myself. The name that Tanka gives me is of his choosing, -/ answered Darius, attempting to soothe the volatile young alpha. /- I fought with Tanka as tradition requires, and earned my right to be treated as pack leader of the territory called Hogwarts, to stand -beside- other pack leaders. If the word of Tanka is not enough, I will do the same with Lycos, and I will do the same with Fenris. -/ Darius knew that for some beings, a show of force was the only language they understood.

Lycos, a wolf significantly older than Tanka, responded, /- I hear the word of Tanka. I will accept your name, Tantus, and your words. I do not need to waste myself to play at fighting when there are true fights ahead. My pack will watch and study. -/

/- I do -not- take the word of another! -/ Fenris growled. /- I accept what -I- see and do. Face me, man-wolf. I am young and strong, stronger than these others. Face me and I will win and you will leave this place to true-wolves or you will die! -/

/- Fenris, be silent! -/ growled Tanka angrily. /- This place lies within -my- territory, and I say that it belongs to Tantus! -/

Darius answered, /- I thank you, Tanka, but I must accept the challenge of Fenris or others of the forest will deny me and mine. Fenris, I say that I will win, but I will not kill this night. Order your pack to stand back and we will fight as tradition and your challenge demand. -/

This entire conversation had been relayed to the people in the clearing. Sirius was very worried about the impending fight. Both Remus and Harry2 tried to calm him, reminding him that Darius (not 'Harry') was perfectly safe. Finally, Snape came over. "Black, will you be still?" He raised his wand in a relaxed but ready position. "Darius would win a challenge by all three pack leaders at once. He is in no danger, and there is still plenty of time to deal with these territorial squabbles before moonrise. However, if you try to interfere, not only do you put us all at risk, but you will destroy the delicate diplomatic balance he is trying to achieve. Restrain yourself, or I will!" Snape growled.

Still in wolf form, Darius herded the humans together and raised a shield to protect them. Lycos and Tanka arranged their packs around the edge of the clearing to ensure that Fenris' pack could not interfere. Then Darius met Fenris in the center of the clearing, about 10 feet apart. They were to wait for a signal from Lycos, who had seniority as the oldest and longest-reigning alpha of the three pack leaders.

Lycos howled.

It was obvious that Fenris didn't merely want to win a traditional duel, but wanted to destroy this upstart man-wolf. He attacked viciously. Fenris was not simply bragging about his strength; he was a remarkably powerful young wolf. He was a wily adversary. He was fast and agile.

He was no match for the Magus-wolf Tantus.

Since the mostly-a-formality bout with Tanka, Darius had grown in power: strength and stamina, speed and agility, characteristics that he retained in wolf form. He had suppressed his magic so that the fight would be as fair as possible, but it was no contest. At first, Darius evaded the attacks of Fenris, or demonstrated his speed and skill with light blows. After a time, he realized that the young alpha's pride was stung by the perception that he was being toyed with. Darius finally threw some strong blows to the head and body of his challenger. He pinned the young wolf to the ground, planning to carefully close his jaws about his opponent's throat to signify his victory. But, Fenris went into a mad frenzy, fighting to escape rather than submit with dignity. His struggles caused the teeth of the animagus to tear at his throat, nicking a major artery. There was blood everywhere, and Fenris' pack went wild.

Suddenly, Darius knelt over Fenris in human form. The bleeding wolf was surrounded by a purple light for long moments as the bleeding slowed, then stopped, and the torn flesh healed. Aloud, and mentally as a beastspeaker, Darius angrily shouted. "You arrogant, prideful fool! I said I would not kill this night and I meant it!" As the purple aura around the fallen wolf faded, the Magus stood, glaring at Fenris, then at his pack. "Take him and leave. He was not fighting an honorable challenge; he fought to kill and refused honorable submission. He is not welcome here." He then turned his back on Fenris, who growled and appeared to consider attacking.

Tanka and Lycos were furious. /- You dishonor all packs, Fenris, -/ growled Tanka. /- You and your pack are denied my territory from now until the next cycle. You will come alone at the next rising of the moon to prove your honor to me. Begone! -/

Sensing that moonrise was only a few minutes away, Darius said to Lycos and Tanka, "I must raise the walls now, brothers, to be ready when the moon rises. I ask you and your packs to go back beyond the edge of the clearing. As I said before, you may go or stay, but you must remain beyond the walls."

Lycos answered, /- My pack will stay. At the far reaches of my territory are other wrong-wolves who will be roaming this night. If you succeed this night, am I permitted to tell them to seek you out to have the wrongness driven out? -/

Darius smiled. "I not only permit, but I encourage this. If all goes well tonight, we will be telling others in human ways about this. We welcome your help in reaching those who may not listen to these human ways any longer." As the wolves moved back into the trees, Darius raised his arms, in a gentle circular motion. The entire clearing was warded with a transparent, faintly purple haze. The others were still protected by the shielding he had raised for his wolf-duel, so he only had to release Remus to join him.

Remus smiled as he approached Darius. The werewolf's eyes glittered as the transformation was about to begin. He first growled in wolf-speak, then spoke, "You speak and fight with much honor, and show mercy to foolish younglings. I am terribly proud to be of your pack, Tantus." He placed his hands in the hands of the Magus, and looked deep into the eyes of the young man within, a man he loved as a son and trusted with his very soul. Then with a mischievous grin, he said, "Let's get this show on the road."

Darius sent his thoughts, his magic, and his mind deep into his friend. He could see that the inner-wolf had already recognized the moment of the full moon and was poised to escape the moment the moon's light cleared the horizon. Remus' inner-wolf had a different ... flavor ... than the animal-instinct-presence he found within himself as part of his animagus gifts. He felt the magical residue that comprised the 'werewolf curse', that responded to moonlight and suppressed all humanity (unless the Wolfbane potion protected that humanity). He touched that magic which forced a painful physical change on a body that did not understand why it must change. He needed to 'teach' this transforming magic within Remus what the 'correct' path of change was ... the animagus path that worked in harmony with one's body, mind, and magic.

Tied so closely together, both Remus and Darius knew the instant the moon cleared the horizon. At that instant, both began to transform ... one against his will, the other by his will. As Remus changed violently, Darius surrounded the werewolf's magic with his own, protecting, demonstrating, gently guiding it along a slightly different path. Repeatedly, the pain of transformation receded, then flared many times stronger as the curse fought to maintain its original pattern. When Darius hesitated in response to his friend's incredible pain, he heard a thready thought, /- Now, dear friend, now. Set me free! -/

Darius was unaware of the tears that flowed even from his wolf's-eyes as he ruthlessly took hold of the curse's magic and forced it onto a new path. They were both in wolf form by now, but Remus' form flickered back and forth, alternating those characteristics that differentiated a werewolf from a true wolf. Remus howled in pain, and the wolf packs echoed his howls in empathy. The sound was so intense that Dumbledore had to add charms to their shielding to muffle the din.

Suddenly, Remus was silent. Noticing this, Lycos and Tanka signaled their packs to silence. Both wolves in the center of the clearing were panting. The Darius wolf stepping over to the Remus wolf to lick it's face in concern. Standing together, nose to nose, both wolves began a slow but smooth transformation to human form. Remus wobbled and stumbled, and Darius took him into a close embrace. Once steadied, Remus stepped back a bit, closed his eyes, and shifted smoothly back to his new true-wolf form and began to run joyfully around the edge of the clearing. By the time he approached the other humans, Darius had dropped the shielding, and Sirius had transformed into Padfoot and rushed Moony. The two of them were rolling and playing like a pup and cub rather than two adult animals.

As Darius came over to join the wizards and witches, Dumbledore commented wryly, "I believe I need to copy these animagus registration forms. I don't believe Sirius ever officially registered. As long as he files the application for registration before he is reported to the Ministry, he cannot be prosecuted for failing to register. I believe Miss Skeeter took advantage of that provision earlier this week, though Adelaide still had her banned from the open house on Hermione's advice."

Darius then said to everyone, "I would like to officially declare this procedure a success and close the session. Any memories used to report on this time will not extend beyond this moment." He then moved toward Lycos and Tanka, shifting into wolf form as he did. /- Brothers, rejoice with me! I have a way to drive out the wrongness. I ask you to tell this to any wrong-wolf you encounter. The only matter to deal with now is a way to help more than one each full moon, since this must be done as the change begins. I will be searching for magical means to allow this. -/

To his shock, Lycos lay before him in a pose of full submission, followed by Tanka. Behind them, the rest of their packs did the same. Not knowing what else to do, he leaned forward to both pack leaders in turn, licking their faces in friendship, urging them to rise.

As the elder, and since Tanka had followed his gesture of submission, Lycos spoke for both his and Tanka's pack. /- Tantus, you are first among the wolf-brothers, and you are first among the man-brothers. You show mercy in the face of an enemy's foolishness. You grieve in the face of your pack-brother's pain. Your honor and your power are great. We pledge our blood and our packs to your service. Your allies are our allies; your enemies are our enemies. Speak, and we will obey. Ask, and you shall receive. -/ Tanka joined Lycos and together they pledged, /- This I swear for all cycles to come. -/

Snape whispered in awe, "It's their equivalent of the Magus Circle Pledge. Has there ever been a totally non-human member of a Magus Circle, Albus?"

"I will go so far as to say that none but full humans are known to have been part of a Circle. Remus as a werewolf was probably a first as well," Dumbledore answered quietly.

The wolf Remus walked up to a point just behind Darius, then slunk into a position beside the Magus-wolf, in a posture of partial submission, waiting for acknowledgement. When his pack leader's eyes focused on him, he said, /- Tantus, they do you honor beyond measure. There can be no refusal, though you can set the degree of commitment. This carries the weight of a wizard's oath. -/

/- I thank you for your counsel, Moony. I think I understand. You may interrupt if you feel the need to provide other guidance. I trust that these will not take offense at my inexperience. -/ Darius thought to himself that this was an elegant, diplomatic way of begging his former professor to keep him from making of royal mess of the situation. He glanced at the moon, now well above the horizon, then at his friends across the clearing. He met the eyes of the one whose need had brought them to this place at this time. Then he studied the two who had just pledged themselves and their packs to him. He knew what to offer.

/- I accept your oaths, brothers. From this time you are both as my blood kin. I offer you all the honor and protection that is within my power to provide. By my blood, by my magic, I so swear. -/ He raised his head and let loose with a howl that echoed through the forest for miles, heard even by the dispirited and shamed members of Fenris' pack. /- There is another bond I offer you. To accept or refuse is your choice. My heart will bear no anger, my ears will hear no insult if you refuse. I offer you a bond that is like the bond I share with my pack-family, called among humans, my Inner Circle. If you choose this bond, you will share far-speech with me, with this my pack-brother, -/ nodding toward Moony, /- and possibly with others of your choice among my pack-family. This bond may protect you, as it does my pack-family, from those whose magic can command your will against your own choice. I do not require this, but I offer this. -/

Without hesitation, Tanka bowed in partial submission. /- I seek this bond, Tantus-brother. Let your magic make it so. -/

Lycos, however, was uncertain. /- Tantus-brother, you have my pledge. But I do not know you as Tanka knows you. I do not know men as Tanka knows men. His territory has long been beside the territory you now command. -/ His voice was full of regret and more than a bit of fear.

/- My heart will bear no anger, my ears will hear no insult, -/ Darius repeated. /- You may answer this moment or in a cycle of cycles, Lycos-brother, whenever your heart is certain of the answer. -/

He met the eyes of his first wolf-friend, Tanka, who began to fall into submission. /- No, brother. Stand with me, -/ he insisted. He raised a paw and gently touched the side of Tanka's head. Both wolves began to glow with a purple aura, startling a whimper from Tanka, which he quickly suppressed with a true pack leader's dignity. Darius reached out to the mind of this noble animal, forging a bond similar to that of the Magus Circle, adapted to the mind of a non-human being. He wasn't certain if all wolves were this intelligent, this aware, or if the magic saturating the Forbidden Forest had changed the packs that evolved here. He only knew that these were not mere animals. They were allies and friends, beings that the Dark Lord would never understand or appreciate, beings Voldemort was sure to underestimate. As he thought these things, he knew that Tanka heard these thoughts, and agreed.

Lycos and Tanka departed with their packs. It was time to hunt. The animagi returned to human form, and they all prepared to return to the castle. It was time to rest. Before they parted ways, Darius said, "Anything between the time I closed the session, and the time we leave this clearing ... none of that will leave the Circle, not even to family members who know other secrets of mine. Don't discuss the alliance aloud even if you believe you are secure. Addie, Dora, I will need to secure this in your minds. You may not speak of it to anyone at all until I release you."

"There is another way," Tonks said as she took her own form, "my Lord Magus." She dropped to one knee with a smile, holding out her right hand, palm up.

Addie, mirroring her actions, asked, "My Lord Magus?"

The features of Darius Magus melted into those of Harry Magus, and his eyes shone with unshed tears. "I ... how can I allow you to join me after what happened last night? No, I don't mean I blame myself for his death anymore, but afterwards. How can I risk harming anyone else with this too-powerful bond? You all could have been damaged! What just happened with Tanka, that was only a small fraction of what the bond entails with people. No matter how much I want to, I just can't ... "

Tonks took his right hand, Addie took his left. They repeated in unison, with conviction, "My Lord Magus."

Harry sent a wordless plea for advice to his Mentor, tears now streaming down both their faces. Dumbledore just nodded, as did the rest of those present, all part of his Circle. In soft whispers, Harry exchanged pledges with first Nymphadora Tonks, then with Adelaide Periwinkle. As each Circle bond was completed, he gently embraced the young women who had chosen to take the risk of being close to a Magus.

As he was hugging Addie, Sirius came up, clearing his throat he muttered, "Get your own girl, Harry." Harry obliged by releasing Addie with a laugh, and turning back to Tonks for another hug, one which felt very nice indeed, and lasted longer than the first one. They stood, staring at each other for some time, maybe moments, maybe minutes. When they both blinked to break the trance, they realized that they were alone in the clearing. Dora took the initiative, and gave Harry a gentle, but lingering kiss. "Sleep well, Harry. Tomorrow will be another busy day," she said, and disappeared.