Coyote Tricks: A Coyote at Hogwarts

This chapter is rated R for violence and suggestive commentary.

Dannon

The early morning stillness in Hogsmeade was shattered by a sound never heard there before. The growling sound came from a racing car that almost carelessly wove through the narrow streets, then on up the roadway leading to Hogwarts leaving the residents of the village staring in wonder.

Kit, Shippo, Toshiro and Hanako had just come from breakfast in the main hall when their sensitive canine ears heard the sound and came rushing out to the front door. The car shot out of the gatehouse and pulled to a gravel-flying stop in front of the main entrance.

“Kit!” called the man stepping around the car. He was tall, with shoulder length blonde hair stirring in the morning breeze. He had a face and body that romance writers would give their souls to have on the cover of their books.
“D-Dannon?” Kit said slack jawed.
The man came up and embraced Kit. Kit’s mind was in utter turmoil, wrapped in Dannon’s embrace he suddenly found himself wrapped up in memories over 40 years old. ‘NO!’ a part of his mind screamed. ‘Its over!’

"Dannon, Please," Kit said pushing him away.
“Of course Kit, there is business at hand but first I must see to Swift Wind."
Kit turned and strode down to the car. Shippo watching from the steps was uncertain if Kit wanted to see the car closer or if he just get away from Dannon.
‘Who is this person and what is he to Kit?’ The elder Kitsune wondered.

Kit reached the car. It had a shiny black finish with a red racing stripe down the side. Kit stroked the side of the fender.
"Hello Swift Wind, did you miss me?"
The car lights flashed and a car alarm chirp came from it.
"Yes, I missed you too." He said then turned back to Dannon.
"You might as well let her park herself. They know she isn't an ordinary car." He said indicating the students crowding the windows and doorways of the castle.
"Oh?" Dannon turned and looked up at the castle. As he sensed the magical energies surging through the area he smiled, an effect that drew dreamy sighs from several of the female students. "I see what you mean; the magic is so strong here no ordinary car could function."
Kit turned back to the car.
"Swift Wind, there is a small hut around the side of the grounds near the forest. A half-giant named Hagrid lives there. If you deign to let him see your true form, I suspect he will lavish you with every treat he has to give."
The car started up again with an almost mirthful growl and drove away.

Kit turned to Dannon.
“Why are you here? Where is Master Llewellen?” Kit asked and added silently, ‘why can’t I talk to you without my voice cracking?’
“These are matters best spoken of in private, my Kit” Dannon said glancing at the numerous students watching them. “But first a gift from our lovely Kat.”
Dannon handed Kit a small silver mirror.
“A magic mirror tuned to one she carries. She said you were having problems with your phone and that you would know the phrase to operate it.”
“Yes,” Kit said with a grin. “I’m pretty sure I know what it is.”

“Good,” Dannon said. “Now, I bring greetings for Professor Dumbledore, can we go see him?”
“You only need turn around.” Kit said turning himself to meet the Headmaster as he descended the stairs. “Dannon, this is Professor Dumbledore Headmaster of this school. Professor, this is Dannon.”
Since Dannon was in Human guise, Kit left the introduction at that.

“Greetings Professor, I bring you a message for your and Kit’s ears alone.”
“Very well,” Dumbledore said. “Let us adjourn to my office.”
He led them up to the doors where Snape and McGonagall stood watching.
“Severus, Minerva if you would be so kind as to remind the students they are late for their first class.”

~~~

“Jelly Babies” Dumbledore said and the gargoyle statue started rotating to reveal a spiral staircase that rotated upward. Dumbledore led them onto the staircase and let it carry them up to his office. Kit found it fascinating but it was getting old hat with all the other moving stairways and magical passages throughout the castle.

They entered the office and Dumbledore settled himself at his desk while motioning for the others to sit. Dannon looked around the room with interest but did not sit. He turned to Kit.
“Kit,” he said in a tone that made the Coyote’s ears perk up.
“Yes.”
“Before I proceed, I must ask, do you trust these people?”
Kit ignored the haughtiness of asking this in front of the Headmaster. He recognized from Dannon’s officious tone that this was a direct question not just from Dannon but from Prince Terendil himself. By Elven standards, the Prince was still his liege lord even if he was currently living under the Sunset Clan. He looked at Dumbledore and then back to Dannon.
“I can’t speak for all of them but the ones I’ve gotten to know I trust; particularly Professor Dumbledore.”
“Very well,” Dannon said turning to Dumbledore. His image shifted as he lowered his illusions revealing the tall pointed ears and cat-like green eyes under his dark hair.
“Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts Academy of Wizardry and Witchcraft, I, Dannon Orophin Elendil, Knight of Elfhame Spirit Peak bring you greetings in the name of my liege lord, Prince Terendil.”

~~~

“He’s a what?” Ron said.
“A High Elf,” Hermione said.
Ron looked incredulously at her across the table in the library.
“Come on Hermione, no one has seen a High Elf in centuries. They’re extinct I tell you.”
“How do you know he is an Elf?” Harry asked.
“When he was hugging Mr. Coyote I thought he might be another Kitsune so I looked at him through the true-seeing glass.”
“Weren’t you supposed to return that to Flitwick?” Ron asked.
“I hadn’t had a chance yet,” Hermione said defensively then turned back to Harry. “He looks exactly like the descriptions of High Elves in the histories. There is nothing else he could be.”

“But why is he here now?” Harry asked.
“I don’t know but I bet it has to do with that door we’re working on. The inscription did say something about the High King of the Elves.”
“Say,” Ron looked around nervously. “You don’t think they are coming to take Hogwarts back do you? I mean after all Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw took this place away from them in the first place. Maybe they’re here to take it back.”
“I doubt it,” Hermione said. “If they intended to take the castle back I think they just would. Besides, the High Elves they took the castle away from were Unseelie Elves. We don’t know what this one is but if he deals with Dumbledore he is probably Seelie.”

“Sea Lee?” Ron looked puzzled; Harry seemed a little confused also.
“Seelie,” Hermione said sounding exasperated. “The histories say there are two types of High Elves. The Seelie are known as the Bright Court and the UnSeelie known as the Dark Court. The difference between the two was essentially how they felt about Humans. The Seelie favored order and are willing to live with Humans while the UnSeelie favored chaos and hate Humans. The High Court, ruled by King Oberon ruled over both.”

~~~

Dumbledore stood and responded to Dannon’s announcement with equal seriousness.
“In the name of the Hogwarts Academy I accept your greetings and welcome you.”
Kit silently sighed in relief as the Professor responded in kind. If there was nothing the Bright Court loved more it was protocol and pompous speech. Heaven help someone who didn’t take it seriously when they were in ‘formal court’ mode.
“My Prince has considered your invitation to reestablish relations between the Bright Court and the Wizarding Community at Hogwarts and your offer to assist in locating and return of a possible artifact of the High Court. Prince Terendil will accept your offer and wishes you to know that further relations will depend on the fulfillment of that offer and the protections of the secrets shared with you. We extend to you the hand of friendship of Elfhame Spirit Peak. Take it in trust and friendship and be rewarded in kind. Take it in deceit and betrayal and receive vengeance in kind.”
Dumbledore reached out to grasp the Dannon’s hand.
“I cannot speak for the entire Wizarding Community but as long as I am Headmaster the friendship and trust of Prince Terendil will be returned in kind at Hogwarts.”

~~~

Kit arrived back in his room after Dannon was settled and plopped into a stuffed chair.
‘Why did they have to send Dannon?’

“Papa?”
“Yes Hanako?” Kit said as he pulled his step-daughter into his lap.
“You promised we could go running.”

~~~

“I don’t know about Elves, I mean I never met one before have I?” Ron said as they went down the staircase towards the entrance hall.
Harry was toting his broom hoping to get some flying time in.
“Look out up ahead,” a student heading up the stairs said. “Peeves got into the potions supplies again and spread some ever slick potion on the hallway floor.”
“Thanks, we will.” Harry said.
“Well we will just have to meet and watch him and decide won’t we,” Hermione said as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Yea I can see that. Now I do like the Kitsunes. I think it’s so neat that they turn into Foxes. I like Foxes, they are so cute.” Ron said.
“They don't just turn into Foxes, they are Foxes.”
The trio looked up at the new voice to see Professor Snape looking up at them from the conversation he had been having with Professor Goodbody.

“Do not let their appearances fool you,” he continued. “You would be wise to remember that they are not…Human.”
“Are you trying to say they are dangerous?” Ron asked.
“I wouldn’t put it the way Professor Snape does,” Ms. Goodbody said. “But they can be.”
“They seem a lot less dangerous than many Humans I’ve met,” Harry said ignoring a glower from Snape. “They seem like very nice people to me.”

“They may be very nice,” Goodbody continued lecturing. “But you have to understand that shapeshifters, especially canine ones, are by their very nature very ‘chaotic’. They can cause great harm to those around them even without meaning to do so.”

“I don’t think Professor Dumbledore would have…” Harry started to say when they were all startled by a furry blur shooting between their feet.

They all turned to see a small red Fox running out the castle door. Behind them a large sandy furred Coyote came shooting around the corner following the Fox. Seeing the group ahead of him, he turned to go around them but hit the slick spot on the floor. As a result he fell into a sideways skid still heading for the group. With a yelp he desperately tried to stop, paws digging uselessly at the stone floor.

The sound of claws clattering against tile caused the group to turn just in time for Snape and Goodbody to be struck head-on by 60 pounds of flying Coyote. The three went down in a flailing pile of arms, legs, paws and tail. The Coyote stood up and shook out his fur before glancing to see the status of the others.

“See what I mean!” Goodbody said as she and Snape struggled to regain their feet. She let out a little shriek as she and Snape realized where his hands had accidentally settled as they clutched each other for support. The two leapt apart and Harry was certain that that was the most color he had ever seen in Snape’s face but he wasn’t sure if it was anger or embarrassment or both.

The group turned back toward the door as the Fox stuck its head in and started yapping at the Coyote then took off running again. The Coyote growled and took off after her.

Snape trembled for a moment and then wrapping his robes and the tatters of his dignity around himself stomped off towards his Dungeon office. Goodbody managed an equally silent but dignified exit in the other direction.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other and laughed.
“They look like they are having fun,” Ron said looking out the door.
“Yes they do,” Harry said hefting his broom.

~~~

The path of chaos was not hard to follow; one simply had to follow the shouts and squeals of surprised students. The small Fox took advantage of her small size to run under people’s legs while the larger pursuing Coyote had to zig and zag around groups of students. Thus the fox had a considerable lead by the time they cleared the buildings and started out across the grounds. Clear of obstacles the Coyote quickly began to make up lost ground. The Fox raced flat out in a desperate bid to reach the edge of the woods but the Coyote was gaining fast on her. Then a shadow passed over the two causing them to stop and look up. Harry turned on his broom and hovered looking down on them. With a bark from the Coyote, the canines scattered. Laughing Harry swooped after the Coyote who was now making for the woods himself to avoid his pursuer.

Kit thought he heard Harry shout something behind him as he dashed into the tree line but was enjoying the game too much to care. Now the ability to run low around the trees worked in his favor. He slipped around his airborne pursuer and circled to meet up with Hanako. He wasn’t so lost in the game that he missed the potential threats his senses, canine and magical, detected in this forest and he wasn’t about to let Hanako get out of nose range. The two of them proceeded to lead the boy on a merry chase through the trees.

Harry had tried to call Kit back when he realized the Coyote was heading for the Forbidden Forest but to no avail. He followed hoping to lead them back towards the castle but found the very difficult to catch. He lost sight of them and wondered what to do next when he saw Hanako-fox ahead in an opening of the foliage yapping at him and then disappearing into the brush. He was flying after her when Kit using a fallen tree as a ramp tackled him sending them both crashing to the ground. The Coyote stood in triumph over him with a doggy grin on his face.
“All right you win,” Harry said.
Suddenly Kit’s ears flicked up and he leapt off into the brush. Harry’s less sensitive ears heard the yapping and the sound of something much larger growling and rushed after him.

~~~

Kit followed by Harry broke from the bushes to stand and float beside Hanako-fox. The little Fox’s hackles were raised as she faced the clearing ahead of them. Kit shimmered and transformed into his natural form, tail bottle brushed as a moment later a long spear with a silver head appeared in his hand. Clothing appeared around his body a moment later.
“Harry, protect Hanako.”
Hanako changed back to her natural form with a puff of smoke. Kit looked down at her.
“Den Hide, obey Harry.”
She nodded and slid back out of sight into the bush as Kit strode forward.

In the clearing ahead of them ahead of them a Centaur with white blond hair and a palomino body stood surrounded by four smaller figures that harried him. Blood flowed from his flanks where the smaller creatures like Humaniod Hyenas prodded it with spears and knives. The Centaur stopped moving though as the band’s leader approached. The leader was a creature with a muscular Human like upper half like a Centaur but his lower half had the body of a lion rather than a horse. The leader chanted slowly and the Centaur swayed in sync with the chanting. The leader raised his already bloody sword for the killing stroke.
“Silver Fang!” Kit’s voice rang out and his spear haloed by Kit’s spirit energy struck the lion man’s flank and exploded. The creature roared in agony and badly wounded limped away rapidly. The other creatures turned on Kit, who pulled a shield and small dagger from the air and charged into their midst with a roar. Slipping around behind the harried Coyote, the largest of the creatures raised his sword to strike Kit.
“Expelliarmus!”
The sword flew from the creature’s hand as Harry’s spell struck it. It turned with a snarl and moved towards Harry and Hanako, one of the other creatures joining it.
“No!” Kit yelled but was unable to disengage from the other two.
“Locomotor Mortis!”
Harry’s spell struck the larger creature which fell with a yelp to the ground as its legs locked together. Harry couldn’t turn in time to stop the other however. It raised its short sword to strike the boy wizard.
“Foxfire!”
Hanako’s magical flames were small and light, not a real threat to someone expecting them. The creature was not however and they hit him right on the nose (literally). It dropped the sword and ran off yelping, hands covering its scalded nose. Followed closely by its companion hopping on its locked legs. Kit wounded both his opponents, sending them packing after the other two.

“Are you all right?” Harry asked running up to Kit.
The Coyote rounded on him.
“I told you to protect Hanako!” He yelled. “What did you think you were doing!?”
“He was going to stab you from behind!” Harry yelled back. “I just couldn’t let him kill you.”
“Yea well….” Kit said shaking his finger at Harry. “I…I…You…”
He dropped the hand.
“Thanks,” he said at last. “You did well. You too Hanako.”
The Fox child beamed.

They went over to check on the Centaur as he recovered from the trance he was in.
“Firenze, are you all right?” Harry asked him.
“It is good to see you again Harry,” the Centaur said. “Do not be concerned, it is not my day to die.”
“Could have fooled me,” Kit said.
“It was written in the stars that you would save me. And even though it was destined, you did save me and I would repay you with a warning. A great and ancient evil is returning to Hogwarts. An enemy of Wizards and Centaurs alike. It is brought by one who is a child of Coyote.”
He said the last looking at Kit’s ears.
“What do you mean?” Kit said.
“That is all I can say, I must go tend my wounds.”
“Hey wait!” Kit shouted to no avail as the Centaur ran off.

“I think we better get back to the castle,” Harry said.
“Yea,” Kit agreed staring after Firenze. “I need to talk with Dannon.”

~~~

Dannon, Toshiro and Yuki entered the main hall. Various students were scattered around tables studying. They were drawn to one table where Professor Trelawney, the school’s divination teacher was doing some tutoring.
“Now dear,” she said. “Concentrate on the crystal.”
Neville stared into the murky depths of the crystal ball sitting between them for several minutes and finally shook his head.
“I’m sorry Professor; all I get is a headache.”
“That’s alright dear. Watch how I summon the visions of the future.”
She leaned forward, caressing the crystal in her hands. Dannon standing behind her leaned forward to see the crystal himself. As he did so he brushed against her shoulder. Trelawney suddenly stiffened and a glow arose from the ball.
“Doom, doom comes upon us all!” She said then let out a shriek that brought Dumbledore, Snape and all the other students in the room running over.
The group saw the images filling the crystal ball. Images of the Great Hall covered in blood and filled with the bodies of students and teachers alike, including Snape and Dumbledore. The bodies were hewn and torn like they had been savaged by some great beast. Then the image was gone.
“Is something wrong?” A puzzled Trelawney asked the crowd around her.