The Lambs

Sorry for the wait. I updated both Brothers In Arms and Soul Seeker though. That’s got to be worth some brownie points. Go take the Poll at my Live Journal, thanks.

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Words: 4,235
Chapter 12
Change Is Best
May 16th 1999.

It was completely silent in the Great Hall of Godric’s Hollow. The streets of Hogwarts were empty. All of the inhabitants of the town were gathered into the Hall, crammed in tight, pressed up against one another. They all stared toward the front of the Hall, wide eyed and amazed. It had never been done before, what was happening here that day, and none of them had wanted to miss a moment of history.

There were two thrones, large and made of gold. One of them was half covered by a dark brown fur throw, the edges sewn with purple velvet: the colour of royalty. It dangled off the edge of the throne, trailing across the ground, and covered the back of the seat, hiding the Potter crest, which was engraved there. On the larger chair sat a smallish golden crown. The Queen’s old crown.

Lily Potter watched from the edge of the room, her back as close to the wall as she could get. She stayed in the shadows; half afraid of her own people, but she didn’t want to miss the coronation either. Two months had gone by since her husband died and The Lambs had been in an uproar. It had been chaotic. No body wanted to take charge, or everyone did but no one could decide who was the best choice. Half of them wanted to kill Lily for treason, and the other half wanted to continue fighting the werewolves.

Harry had stayed in the Forbidden Forest, refusing to leave Fenrir’s embrace as he cried. Remus had stayed beside them both; even as Sirius ha wiped away his own tears and helped some of the others transport James’ body back to Hogwarts. Remus had watched his old friend go sadly. He knew there was nothing he could do to change Sirius’ mind about Fenrir. Black loved Harry, undoubtedly, but his mind would be too preoccupied with grief for James for him to be able to sort out his feelings for the mate of their Prince. James had his send off three weeks after his death as was customary, and Harry had appeared alone just as the pyre had been lit. The next three weeks were used by Harry to make changes, to force through new laws and orders, and to make people trust in him again.

The last week had been spent preparing for the coronation.

Sirius stood on the dais, silent and regal, dressed in full-length midnight blue robes. In his hands, he held the crown that had once been worn by James, and James’ father before him, and his father before that. His eyes were fixed on the simple brown door that was slowly opening. The crowd turned their eyes in that direction as well, looking away from the thrones towards the figure that had just stepped onto the dais.

In the front row, Snape and the Malfoys, and the Weasleys watched tensely. This was the first time any thing of the sort had ever happened at Hogwarts, this was the first time a Werewolf would reign over them, and sit upon their throne.

Harry walked towards Sirius, his head held high. He was dressed in royal purple robes, the edges trimmed in gold fur. The material was twisted around him; the style of the robe gathering the fabric above his stomach so that when it hung down it half concealed the large bump on his abdomen. It didn’t hide the fact that he was pregnant, but it helped. The submissive wolf, six-months gone with child, let his eyes rove over all those who had come to watch him. He met his mother’s eyes and Lily flinched back, lowering her gaze. He stopped just in front of Sirius, standing before the throne draped with the fur, and met his godfather’s grey eyes.

“Do you, Harry James Potter, son of James, swear fealty to your throne? To your people and your crown?”

“I do.”

“Will you, by whatever power you hold, strive to defend and protect your people from harm?”

“Those who are innocent, yes.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow at him, but continued to speak. “Do you accept the title of King and all of the burdens that come with it?”

“I do.”

Sirius moved forward, placing the crown upon Harry’s head. It fit easily, flattening his hair and falling to rest just above his ears. “Then, by the power in me, through me, and with me, I crown you, King Harry of Hogwarts!”

Harry sat down in the chair, and pulled the fur off the armrest to cover his lap. Sirius walked away from him, and then returned a moment later with a sword. In the crowd Draco gasped. It was the same sword that he had dreamed about, the sword that Lily had murdered Harry with. It was long and silver, and Harry winced at the sight of it. Werewolves were not fond of silver, for while it wouldn’t kill them, the burns the metal gave them hurt terribly. Sirius had wrapped the hilt of the sword with strips of purple velvet and he held the hilt in one hand, and lay his other hand beneath the tip of the blade.

“As son to the last King of The Lambs, you are charged with its continuation. You are expected to fight and defend, to kill and possibly be killed. Do you accept this responsibility and this risk?”

“Until death.” Harry answered solemnly.

Sirius held the sword out, holding onto the blade with both hands and offering Harry the covered hilt. The werewolf took hold of it, giving his godfather a small smile as the metal did not harm him. He held the sword up high, the blade in front of his face and the hilt balanced between his legs.

“Then rise.” Sirius said, taking a step backwards. He fell to his knees, and looking up at Harry with a smile, he said, “my Lord.”

“I am King Harry, of Hogwarts. I am the leader of The Lambs. Is there anyone here who contests my right?” His voice was soft but everyone could hear the underlying harshness, the silent promise of retribution to anyone who would cause him trouble or harm solely because he was a wolf. He was still the old King’s heir and he deserved to be there as much as anyone. And he was more than willing to fight and kill for his legacy.

Lily looked like she wanted to protest but she held her tongue. Almost two months had passed since she inadvertently murdered her husband, and yet no one had tried to punish her. Perhaps, she thought, Harry had forgiven her? If he had, she wished to keep his forgiveness and speaking out against him at his own coronation was not a good way to stay forgiven.

Everyone else in the crowd moved as one. When Harry had finished speaking, they all took one step backwards then lowered themselves to one knee. They waited like that for a moment, bowed before their King, until Harry sat back down. When he was seated, Sirius was the first to rise, and then the others stood as well following his lead.

“My King, is there anything you wish to address to the people?” Sirius asked in a whisper, leaning down so his lips were against Harry’s ear.

Harry’s hand rubbed his stomach unconsciously, and he had laid his sword down on the second throne. He looked over at it and frowned. It was the throne meant of his husband or wife, but not his werewolf mate it seemed. That would have to change, Harry promised himself silently. “Yes.” He stood again, eyes scanning the waiting crowd of Elementals. “All those who are members of The Lambs are to convene in Godric’s Hollow three hours from now. I need to leave Hogwarts for a time, but I shall not be far from home. When I return, the meeting will start.” He paused and narrowed his eyes. “And when I say Lambs, I mean Lambs. None of those who are not initiated members, regardless of whether or not you helped Pettigrew in his attempt to kill myself and my child, are to be present. You are dismissed.”

Harry remained standing as everyone filed from the room. Sirius reached over and gave him a one-armed hug, a small smile on his face. “Does it make you happy? Being pregnant?”

“It’s a gift, Sirius, not a curse.”

Sirius wasn’t sure if Harry was talking about the child or his lycanthrophy, and he didn’t ask for clarification as Harry walked of the dais, back through the plain brown door. In a matter of seconds, Draco had scrambled onto the dais and was chasing Harry out of the door. “Wait for me!” He yelled, and Harry’s laughter drifted back to those still within the Great Hall.

“He is happy and loved, Black.” Lucius watched his son leave and gave a small smile. “He is in no danger from Greyback, of that I can promise you.”

Sirius just gave a snort and left the room.

XXX

Earlier that day.

The sun was just rising when Remus went in search of his Alpha. Harry had gone back to Hogwarts a month ago, and Fenrir had been growing more and more agitated the more time that lapsed since their last meeting. The sandy haired werewolf gave a polite cough and entered his Alpha’s tent.

“Remus,” the wolf said with a strained smile. “Any news?” It was perfectly natural for the dominant to worry about his mate, especially since said mate was pregnant and trapped in a castle with a whole host of Elementals that made it their life goal to kill werewolves, such as his mate.

“Actually, yes.” Remus held out the sheet of parchment, holding back a snicker as Fenrir practically launched himself forward. He snatched the letter from Remus’ hand and devoured the words hungrily.

“My mate bids me to his side.” Fenrir said as he lowered the parchment. He scanned around the tent, spotting Charlie that had stepped away from the Alpha when the Beta entered the tent. Charlie came over when Fenrir nodded. “Your mate is an Elemental also? Am I right?”

“Yes, she is a ward of the Malfoy family. A friend of Draco’s named Pansy.” Charlie’s face split into a wide grin as he thought about the blond haired girl. She had fainted when Charlie had told her about their being mates. When she had woken, Bill was gone and she was left alone with the large red wolf. She hadn’t seemed so afraid of him then, though, he remembered.

“Very well. I am travelling to Hogwarts, and you are coming with me. Be ready to leave in an hour.” Charlie nodded his head, bowed slightly and ran from the tent.

“What were you speaking of, if you don’t mind me asking?” Remus said softly.

“He was begging permission to turn the girl.” Fenrir shrugged. “I suppose he got what he wanted. Thank you for the letter. Was there anything else you needed?”

“Yes, actually. I know who my mate is. I have known for sometime now, but I wasn’t sure whether I should say anything. Considering the pleasure The Lambs once took in killing us wolves, I feared that she would be in danger, as a young wolf. But, with Harry on the throne, it would be safe, right?” He looked imploringly at his Alpha and the larger man sighed.

“I don’t know. I don’t even know if it is safe for Harry, and that thought scares me. Remus, I can’t make you believe something if your hearts tells you it is false.”

“Her name is Nymphandora Tonks. She lives in Hogsmeade with her mother, and Narcissa.” Fenrir’s brow furrowed, he tried to remember if he should know these people. “Narcissa is Draco’s mother. My mate is Draco’s cousin, but she’s a human and she already knows I am a werewolf, and she doesn’t care, honestly, my Alpha.”

“Then turn her, bring her here to us. You have my blessing.”

Remus looked towards the letter in Fenrir’s hand. “What did Harry say?”

“Black is crowning him today. I hope to arrive just after the coronation. I’ve been invited, by the King,” Fenrir said with a chuckle, “to attend a meeting of The Lambs!”

Remus chuckled as well, leaving the tent. He changed into his wolf form and took off running in the direction of Hogsmeade. He had a mate to visit.

XXX

Fenrir and Charlie waited outside Hogwarts. The magic in the air crackled around them, trying to drive them back and protect the Elementals within the wall. One of the doors in the wall opened. Harry appeared in the threshold, his crown still upon his head, and he carried the covered sword in his hand.

“I, King Harry of The Lambs, grants entrance into the sanctuary of Hogwarts to Fenrir Greyback and Charlie Weasley, lycanthrope both of them.” Magic crackled around Harry, the sword in his hand glowing lightly before it dimmed. Fenrir took a step forward, and could no longer feel the oppressive magic pushing him back. He reached out to touch the wall and was amazed that it didn’t burn him like it once had. “Welcome, to my home.”

Fenrir pulled Harry into his arms, his mouth moving against his mate. Harry dropped the sword, his arms encircling Fenrir’s neck as he pulled the dominant deeper into their kiss. Charlie cleared his throat, his face flushing as he looked away in embarrassment. Fenrir was moments away from lowering Harry to the ground and taking him then and there. “I have miss you, love,” the Alpha murmured, his words for Harry’s ears only.

“And I you. Now, both of you come inside.” Harry led the way into Hogwarts, through the streets and the houses and the small clusters of trees towards Godric’s Hollow. The castle stood tall and proud under their gazes, it stone walls sparkling in the sun light and Harry smiled as he looked back at his mate. “What do you think?”

“Not bad,” he said gruffly. He had never been one for houses. For as long as he lived, Fenrir would prefer to sleep outside, in his tent or on the ground. But, if Harry liked the castle, then he supposed it mustn’t be too bad. “It’s nice,” he finally said. Harry laughed lightly, reaching back to take his hand and gave it a squeeze of thanks.

People stopped in the streets to stare at them, gasping and flinching in fear from the gaze of the notorious Fenrir Greyback. He watched them warily, pulling Harry against his side protectively. He growled at anyone who came too close.

Draco ran over, panting. “Son of a bitch,” he cursed, “how the hell do you walk so fast? You’re bloody huge!” Harry chuckled and let the insult pass. He knew Draco was annoyed because Harry had evaded him for the past hour. There were two hours left till the meeting, and Harry was glad Draco had finally caught up.

“Come on, you can help me show them around.”

“Yeah, whatever,” the blond grumbled.

“You aren’t very respectful towards your King,” Charlie noted with a frown. You could be killed for talking to the Alpha like that, yet Harry merely smiled and did nothing.

“He’s my brother. If I don’t keep him in line his head will swell up!” Draco protested, crossing his arms over his chest with a pout.

“Go get Pansy and make yourself useful.” Harry ordered. Draco didn’t question him, at least, instead turning on his heel and running back to Malfoy Manor.

“I thought Malfoys don’t run?” Charlie questioned in confusion.

“Malfoys don’t do a lot of things,” Fred agreed, popping up behind his long-separated brother.

“Unless Harry is around,” George finished, appearing on Charlie’s other side.

“Well, well.”

“Look at you.”

“You’ve grown.”

“Quite a bit, I’d wager.”

“Did you miss us?”

“Charlie, brother mine?”

Charlie looked between the two of them, eyes wide. His mouth hung open as he tried to keep up with what they were saying. “I’m sorry?” He asked eventually. He was about to ask them to repeat everything they had said, but Fred spoke first.

“No need to be sorry, old chap.”

George grinned, grabbing the werewolf’s arm, “Bill’s dying to see you.”

Harry watched as the twin’s led the other Beta away, a small smile on his face. The twins would have only been four when Charlie had been bitten, and Harry wondered how they and Ginny (who didn’t remember him at all) would deal with his appearance. The Twins seemed to be taking it in stride, like they did everything else, Harry noted with amusement.

“Come on,” he said to Fenrir, pulling the wolf after him.

XXX

They had toured the castle, the grounds and eventually ended up in Harry’s bedroom. He had tried to fix it up when he arrived at Hogwarts, but Lily had done quite a number on the place in her anger. It was relatively bare, because he had had to throw out most of his possessions that were broken, but he didn’t mind so much. He’d had months of living in the woods, owning nothing but the clothes on his back. He supposed he could live with owning a few more clothes and just a bed.

He led Fenrir now, the three hours having finished, towards the one room he had never been allowed to enter as a child.

Growing up Harry knew nothing of The Lambs or of werewolves. Everyone had been forbidden to mention it in his presence, his parents hoping that by keeping him ignorant it would be easier to protect Harry from Greyback. When his coronation was over, Harry came to this room. For the first time in his entire life he stepped foot inside the Fold. His father had always told him that it was called the Fold for a reason, a play on words James had said, a little inside joke that they would share with Harry when he was older. He smiled softly as he told Fenrir the name.

“The Fold?” The Alpha snorted. “Like, where you heard sheep into?”

“Or Lambs,” Harry grinned as he pushed the door open.

They were a little late. Everyone who had been initiated was there, and they turned to him with terrified cries and gasps as Fenrir shut the door behind himself and locked it. He grinned at them all, eyeteeth bared and one of his eyebrows raised. He fought not to chuckle, but the looks on the humans’ faces were priceless. Harry surveyed them all calmly. He walked toward the long rectangular table and took his seat at the head. Fenrir sat to his right, smirking, as Lily had to move. She moved to sit at Harry’s left, where Harry’s future child would be placed. That seat had long been empty, as Harry had never been allowed to attend the meetings.

There was a knock on the door, and Lucius waited for Harry’s eyes to meet his before he went to open it. Draco walked in, bowed to Harry in apology and took a seat at the table. Lucius and Severus sat on either side of him, followed by Sirius sitting next to Lily. Everyone else looked among themselves and slowly, cautiously lowered themselves into seats as well.

Harry smirked. “Did you think I brought you all here to kill you off?” Some people, Lily included, tensed. “The full moon is in three days, perhaps we can get together then?” Fenrir let out a bark of laughter when those who had tensed shot to their feet immediately.

”He is joking,” Lucius drawled. “Be seated.”

They slumped back into their chairs, eyes wide as they turned to look at one another, licking their lips nervously. Harry cleared his throat and all eyes immediately turned back to him. “As you are aware, since my father died, I’ve been making some changes.” There were some nods and murmurs throughout the room. Harry waited for silence, then said, “I have a few more changes to make. Firstly, I would like to call a vote. Please raise your hand if you wish to kill me.” No one moved, and Harry let out a sigh. “I won’t have you killed.” Still no one raised his or her hands. “Fine, who wants to kill my child?” At his side, Fenrir went tense. When three or four hands raised (Lily being one of them) Fenrir let out a snarl, and moved out of his seat so he was standing beside Harry. “At least you are honest. Now, let’s get one thing straight, any one who harms my baby will be tortured and killed. Is that clear?”

“Crystal,” Sirius answered for the group. “What are you going to do about the pack?”

“Fenrir and I will be living with them, at least until the child is born. In the mean time, none of you are allowed to attack or kill any werewolf unless they attack you first. Fenrir will give them the same order, so you don’t need to worry about them ganging up on you.”

“But, but,” one man stuttered. Harry remembered him as someone who used to argue with his father a lot. “That’s what we Lambs do! Kill werewolves!”

“Then I guess this is me disbanding you.” Harry stood from the table. Fenrir placed his hand on Harry’s arm, helping the pregnant male stand. “Has anyone else got a problem with my orders? Please raise your hand.” Harry’s gaze never left the face of the man who had spoken, and so he was too afraid to raise his hand. Lily narrowed her eyes at her son before turning her glare on Fenrir, but she held her tongue again. “I’m so glad we managed to sort out our differences. I’m sure you’ll all sleep much better from now on.”

“With both eyes closed,” Sirius joked, a grin crossing his face. “It is good to have you back, kiddo.”

They left the room, and every one left after them, except Lily. Lily watched them leave with narrowed eyes. Her mouth was set into a frown and she clenched her hands around the armrests of her chair. How dare Harry appear and change things like that? They had lived in that was for a centaury, and now Harry thought he could change everything in a minute? Well, it didn’t work like that! If no one would stand up for his or her beliefs, then she would have to do something alone.

Her eyes locked on Ginny Weasley as she finally left the room.

Or, perhaps, she wouldn’t be alone. She resolved to talk to Ginny about how she had helped Bellatrix in their last battle, and then she planned to make Ginny help her.

XXX

As Harry and Fenrir neared the wall, Charlie caught up to them. Pansy trailed along behind him, hesitantly. She swallowed heavily as Fenrir looked down at her. She seemed to be afraid of him, and Harry couldn’t blame her for that.

“A-Alpha,” she stuttered, her eyes fixed on the floor. Fenrir gave a grunt that could have passed for ‘what?’ “I formally request permission to have Charlie turn me.” No one said anything for a moment and Pansy started to breath faster. “Oh, please, oh please? Please let me be a werewolf. I promise to be good, and take orders, and not attack anyone. Please let me go with Charlie?”

Pansy and Charlie had been exchanging letters in the month that Harry had been at Hogwarts. Pansy, while at first slightly reluctant to have anything to do with a werewolf (especially after her family had been banished for supporting Voldemort who was a werewolf), had slowly fallen in love with the Weasley. Now she was highly reluctant to let him leave without her.

“Very well.” Fenrir said. He raised a hand and rested it on the top of her head for a moment. “Welcome to the pack, cub.”

“T-Thank you, Alpha.” She grinned at him, momentarily forgetting herself and meeting his eyes. Charlie coughed, and Pansy’s eyes went wide before she ducked her whole head, shaking slightly.

Fenrir rolled his eyes. While it was amusing to terrorize those submissive to him, it did get a little annoying at times, especially when he didn’t want to waste time with them. His mate would soon grow tired, and so they had to leave now to get back to the clearing. “It is fine,” he told her with a shake of his head. “Let’s leave. Are you ready, Harry?”

“Yes, let’s go home.”

As they left, Lily looked down at them from a watchtower. Magic crackled in the air around her, and far off in the distance a bolt of lightening fell from the sky.

In the opposite direction to Fenrir’s group, Remus was making his way back to the clearing as well. He held hands with a bubbly young woman. Her name was Nymphandora and she was his mate. Though she looked a little like a female version of Sirius, her cousin, Remus thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to his family.

“The pack will love you,” he promised. He knew, for a fact, that Harry certainly would.

XXX

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Also, no, Fenrir Greyback is not Peter’s father. His father was the first Werewolf Peter met, and his father rejected him. Greyback was the second wolf he met, who also rejected him. Peter has spent years trying to capture Harry so he would have a bargaining chip so he could make Fenrir change him. In the last chapter he decided it would be easier to have someone else kill Greyback and have Harry – the ‘weaker’ one – change him instead.

Lily will get hers soon I promise, so don’t worry about that. Some of the Death Eaters will be making an appearance in the next chapter: something to look forward to.

Thanks for reading, and please review.