Strength of Will

Harry woke with a start. He tried to sit up but agony shot through his body, forcing him back onto the blanket he was lying on. Lying back trying to work through the pain Harry tried to remember what had happened, where he was. Drawing a blank from his muddled thoughts, he looked around. He was in a small dark hut, in the center was a small fire, and next to him was a water flask. Suddenly feeling very thirsty he rolled over and drank greedily from the flask, some of it sliding down his chin. Exhausted from even that small effort Harry laid back to rest.

Light suddenly blinded Harry as the flap acting as the door was pulled open. An old woman stepped through the doorway and came to sit down next to Harry. She reached into a bowl of water above his head and pulled out a damp cloth and began to wipe the sweat off his brow. Harry reached up to grab the woman’s wrist.

"Who are you?" Harry asked, his voice sounding weak and tired to himself. "How did I get here?"

"Easy young one, you've been through quite an ordeal, you need to rest," the older woman replied. "I'll answer your questions but first you need to drink this."

She had pulled a potion from her clothes, putting it up against his lips. Harry drank it obediently wincing at the vile taste, but it eased his pain and helped clear his thoughts.

"To answer your question, young one, you are staying with the Greyback clan. Our alpha brought you here after you were bitten. What you are feeling now is the first stage of your transformation, the pain will ease over the next few days and next week you will be ready to undergo your first Calling under the full moon." Her voice explained calmly.

Harry's brain slowly processed her words, "Wait a minute, Greyback? As in Fenrir Greyback? He's a werewolf!" His voice was slowly rising in panic as he spoke. "What do you mean I was bitten?!" He was working up to full-blown panic. He attempted to sit up but was once more forced back by his body’s weakness.

"Yes, you are becoming a werewolf. Don't worry the pack will help and support you, Fenrir is a good Alpha, and he will protect you." The older woman spoke soothingly. "I am the pack healer, Amaris. Until your first Calling you will be under my care."

The flap was pulled open admitting a large figure. Harry attempted to scramble away as the imposing figure of Fenrir squatted next to his blanket. Amaris easily held him still, grabbing his arms.

"How is he?" Fenrir asked his gravelly voice sending a shiver down Harry's spine.

"His transformation is on schedule, he should be ready to come to you tomorrow night if all goes well." The healer answered.

Harry finally found his voice. "Stay away from me!" He shouted still struggling to escape Amaris' grip.

"Quiet submissive!" Fenrir's voice was hard and commanding. "You will not speak unless spoken to." He leaned closer to Harry, nostrils flaring as he took in his scent. "You belong to me now little submissive. Harry Potter is dead. At your Calling you will be given a new name. Once you have recovered you will become my mate. Amaris will explain what is expected of you." He turned away and left the hut quickly.

Harry's struggling had exhausted him; he began to slip from consciousness. As he was overcome by the shock his last thought was to pray this was all a terrible nightmare.


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When Harry woke again he was feeling much better. He sat up, seeing he was alone. ‘How could this have happened?’ Harry thought to himself. ‘Why can’t I remember?’ He concentrated hard trying to organize his thoughts. He had been in the forest with Ron and Hermione, hiding out while searching for Horcruxes, they had been camping… Harry could remember screams and dark figures but everything was vague and blurred. He rubbed his head in frustration.

The door flap was pulled open and Amaris came in carrying a tray.

“Good you’re awake.” She said briskly. “You need to eat.” She put the tray of soup and steak down in front of Harry. “While you eat I will explain more about how you will live as a werewolf.”

Harry’s stomach growled at the smell of food and he immediately started to eat the soup hungerly.

“Now to explain werewolves,” Amaris started. “There are two types of werewolves, ones that are born and ones that are bitten. Most information published about werewolves are only about the bitten kind. When a human or wizard is bitten they will change at the first full moon. They will either become a dominant or a submissive, it is random chance. Most people that are bitten are men, they are more likely to encounter werewolves and have a higher chance of surviving the change. The dominant/ submissive relationship is natures way of compensating. Submissives always have the ability to carry young. Born werewolves are from two werewolf parents. Males are always dominant and females are always submissive, they have the ability to change into wolves at will rather than just on the full moon. The Alpha is a born werewolf. Unfortunately only one in four pups makes it to adulthood. Ministry policy is to kill werewolves on sight including our young. We have to infuse our numbers with bitten werewolves to survive.”

“That is a very basic introduction to werewolves I don’t want to overwhelm you.” Amaris said kindly. “Do you have any questions?”

Harry had been listening avidly while devouring his meal. He thought about what he had learned but asked first about something else that had been bothering him.

“Why don’t I feel more angry? I feel like my emotions have been cut off.” Harry asked.

“I have been feeding you calming and compliance potions. Your fear and anger would only hinder your healing. Once you are mated to Fenrir I will take you off the potions so you can begin to adjust emotionally.” She explained calmly.

Harry knew logically he should be angry with them for holding him captive and he should be trying to escape but his emotions felt far removed, too far away to act on them. “Ok,” he agreed resigned.

“Now I want you to go back to sleep. Tomorrow you will be introduced to the pack and Fenrir is going to claim you as his mate. I want you to be well-rested,” Amaris ordered.

Harry laid down obediently, immediately falling asleep.