Chapter Text
Harry woke up to a scream.
Hermione tortured in the Manor made him jump out of his bed, but then he remembered, where he was.
London, Islington, Nr. 12 Grimmauld Place.
But the scream held on. It was high, anxious, and made him break out in cold sweat. He didn't know if he run or apparated, but one second later he stood in front of Teddy's bedroom, slamming the door open. The sudden noise seemed to freak Teddy out because the screaming calmed down to whimpering and growling. Harry had seen it before when he felt scared or threatened.
Harry stood, ready to do whatever, but Teddy wiggled further into his blanket, with just his head out, and openly snarled at Harry. He put his hands up, palms open, showing that he wasn't threatening him, that he had no wand. Teddy only watched him warily, not trusting him a second.
"Teddy, it's me, Harry. Come on, buddy, it was just a dream, calm down," he tried to soothe his godson, but Teddy didn't take kindly being talked down like this. A growl was all the warning Harry got, before Teddy pounced on him, nails out, biting whatever he could reach. Harry could only do so much, without hurting Teddy to protect himself and so he had to body bind him. Teddy screamed and trashed, furiously trying to get out of the hold, throwing his head back, attempting to bite him again. Harry could only stare and try to understand, what was happening.
Teddy had obviously a nightmare. He must have been scared out of his mind and couldn't recognize Harry in his fit. Something or someone must have told or shown Teddy a scary thing about his parents or the war, but this was the first time that Teddy wouldn't take Harry's hand or accept help and comfort.
Teddy continued to trash in the spell, glaring at Harry with such contempt in his eyes, that he recoiled. He growled, whenever Harry moved, following every motion with hawklike eyes, narrowed distrustfully.
"Teddy, it's me. Wake up, come on," he tried again, reaching out slowly, but Teddy snapped at him and so he had to give up. He conjured a Patronus, instructing him to get Hermione as fast as possible. He tried to calm his godson the following minutes, without success.
The sound of the Floo relieved him more than anything ever did.
"Harry?" Hermione's worried voice tinged through the house.
"Teddy's bedroom!" he yelled back, nearly hysterically, holding his eyes on his godson, who was still trashing and turning.
"I'm here, it's okay, Harry, I'm here," Hermione whispered, rubbing his shoulders.
"Look at him, he won't calm down, what's wrong with him?" Harry cried, gesturing wildly.
"Let me see, Harry, you need to let me go," Hermione said gently, and only then he realized, that he was holding her wrist rather tightly.
"Sorry," he mumbled, releasing her.
"It's okay, Harry, you're worried, I understand. Let me take a look at him, yes?"
Harry only nodded, making space for her. Hermione fussed over Teddy, obviously shocked by his aggression and inability to understand simple words or gestures. She cast whatever she could think of, but Teddy stayed uncooperative.
"Harry," she said softly, turning to her friend, who was watching anxiously.
"What? What's wrong with him?" he asked, distressed.
"Harry," she repeated, "it's a full moon."
"And? What does that have to do with Teddy? He was just having a nightmare, he screamed and yelled!" Harry said, looking at Teddy frantically.
"No, Harry," Hermione said, "he wasn't having a nightmare. He's turning."
"Turning?" Harry asked, his voice suddenly very small.
"Yes. We have to bring Teddy to St. Mungos. He needs Wolfsbane, or he will be in tremendous pain after turning back," she explained, nudging Harry to stand up.
"Wolfsbane? Merlin, he's not a werewolf, Hermione! He's a normal boy!" he yelled now and Teddy growled, agitated by the loud sound.
"He's a perfect young boy, you're right. But he has needs and we will make it as easy for him as we can. Teddy is family," Hermione said resolutely, not taking a no for an answer. She pointed her wand at Teddy, casting Wingardium Leviosa .
"I will take him. Please calm down and follow us. He will need you when he wakes up," she added and then apparated with him, leaving Harry distraught and alone.
He felt better after three cups of tea and a short shower. Teddy's episode had scared him and brought unwanted memories back to mind. Especially third year. But he was getting better, he thought. The nightmares of the war were far and in between. Having a nine-year-old in his house was busy at best and exhausting at worst. But he improved with Teddy there. He was distracting, funny, lovely, and affectionate. He loved Harry with all his heart and never complained, why he couldn't do some things other children on the telly could do.
"I'll explain it when you're older," Harry said then and Teddy looked pensively, before accepting it with a shrug.
"Pinky promise!" he would demand, but he never said any more than that. Harry also never really told him about Remus' lycanthropy because he figured that Teddy would be normal.
A completely healthy and normal boy, living a boring and normal life.
But life wasn't like that. Not for Harry Potter and seemingly also not for one Teddy Lupin.
"Are you absolutely sure, Healer?" Harry asked for the third time, but Healer Harper never showed any sign of annoyment with him and just nodded calmly. After he calmed down, Harry had joined Hermione at Teddy's bed, holding the young boy's hand. The nurse had sent him sleeping after they got in, Hermione had said.
"They couldn't control him. He tried to bite several nurses and healers. They had to sedate him," Hermione added, dabbing tears from her face. Harry hugged her tightly, watching Teddy with worry.
Healer Harper came after a few minutes, introducing himself quietly, before explaining Teddy's episode.
"He shows every symptom of lycanthropy. Heightened senses of smell and sight, he's forming claws and teeth and the aggression is very normal too."
"Why isn't he transforming?" Hermione asked carefully and Healer Harper turned away from a sleeping Teddy Lupin to smile at them gently.
"My theory is as follows: that he wasn't feeling safe there to transform completely. To my knowledge, he's the only werewolf in the immediate family?" he asked and Harry nodded mutely.
"He has no pack. When werewolves are turned later in their life, they have more social contacts and are firmly integrated into society. Children are very dependent on their parents. They require safety, comfort, food, etc. And werewolf children are even more dependent. That is one of the reasons many families live in packs. They offer a sanctuary, where children bond with parents and other youths of their age. It's important for them, and it facilitates them to grow as normal children would," Harper explained.
"Teddy is normal," Harry growled. Hermione put a hand on his arm, squeezing tightly.
"Yes, Mr. Potter. Apart from his lycanthropy, he's very healthy. But he needs wolfsbane and Teddy needs a pack, a family," Harper said dryly, pointing to his chart. "Or he will never be able to live for himself. The next full moon will be even worse. He had no one to guide him or to calm him down," he clarified.
"I am there," Harry countered. Harper nodded.
"Yes, I imagine, your presence has helped somewhat. But would you say, that he listened to you? That he was behaving how he normally would?"
Harry didn't say anything but it seemed he didn't need to because Harper was already talking on.
"Werewolves are more in tune with their wolf side on a full moon. In the best-case scenario, they turn and sleep. In the worst-case, they are aggressive with fellow wolves or humans. They don't recognize friends or family. Do you know, why that is?"
Harry didn't know, but Hermione did.
"It's because of the smell, right?" she said, softly.
"Yes," Harper agreed, "pack smells like family. They instinctively know, not to hurt their pack. But humans seldom smell like pack. The longer the human stays, the more they smell. But humans normally don't remain with werewolves. Sadly there's still a lot of stigma in Wizarding society."
"I will help him," Harry declared determinedly, "I will be his pack or whatever, but there's nothing I wouldn't do for Teddy."
"It's not that I say, you can't," Harper responded, "I'm telling you that you will never be really able to. He needs company, especially on a full moon. One werewolf would be good already, but a pack would be even better. And Mr. Potter," he paused and leveled a serious expression, "This is not something magic could solve. And however much you may love your godson, there are some things, only a werewolf can provide."
"I'm the only family he has! I will be his pack!" Harry said, agitated. He had to stand, all this talk about his inability made him mad.
"Harry," Hermione said, plucking at his shirt, "Nobody is saying, you're not family. But he needs something else."
"No," Harry yelled, "there's nobody better than me for this!"
"I disagree," Harper said sharply, "Kindly sit down and calm yourself, Mr. Potter. Your anger won't help your godson in the slightest. And I understand that you want to be there for your charge. I admire your resolve, but I repeat. Teddy needs another werewolf, to learn how to cope with the transformation- how to be in tune with the beast inside, and how to learn to survive in human company. You won't be able to give him that, Mr. Potter, because you, frankly, are not a werewolf."
Harry had enough. The audacity of this healer, questioning the bond between Teddy and him! Harry was Teddy's only family, they were closer than Harry was with his other godchildren Rose and Hugo. Harry had cared for him since Teddy was a baby, visiting him at Andromeda's until she died three years ago. Teddy had moved in with Harry even before that, but the death of his grandmother made him even closer to Harry. He trusted Harry. And they loved each other. How dare the Healer claim, that was not enough?!
Hermione didn't follow him, but she was there when he came to the hospital the next morning.
"Harry James Potter," Hermione said slowly, glaring at him, "if you ever run again, just because you don't agree with the Healer's professional opinion, I will never let you babysit my children ever again. Teddy was beside himself, Harry. Absolutely mad. He only calmed down, after Malfoy came."
"What? Malfoy? You let Malfoy near Teddy?" Harry gasped, already angry again but Hermione only glared harder.
" I didn't let him do anything! Teddy woke up and just bolted out the door. He went into the spell damage ward and Malfoy was there, visiting his mother, she's in a coma, you know? Well, and Teddy wouldn't let anyone near him until Malfoy came. I don't know, how he did it, but Teddy was so meek after that. He let me hug him, but he was totally fixed on Malfoy, looking at him whenever someone asked him something. It was cute though disturbing. You just missed him actually. He left ten minutes ago."
Harry could only listen and gape. What the hell was Draco Malfoy doing with Teddy?! And how could Hermione just sit there and let Malfoy touch him?!
"What did the Healer say?" Harry asked, trying to be calm.
"Oh, now you're trusting them?" Hermione asked snidely, but Harry wouldn't have it. "Hermione..."
"Malfoy is a werewolf, Harry. Teddy formed a slight bond with him apparently. Healer Harper was most pleased."
"Yes, I imagine, he would be," Harry couldn't help but snark, but the information sent him reeling. Draco Malfoy, a werewolf? How? Since when? And why didn't Harry know about it? He had to sit down.
"Did Malfoy say something?"
Hermione shook her head, "He was very polite though. He calmed Teddy down and took him back here. He gave me his mobile number and said, you should call him." Harry snatched the paper out of her hand and read the note.
Potter,
color me surprised. I was of course aware, that my cousin had a child, but Mother wouldn't tell me about the father. Lupin, was it? Nice man, but completely incompetent. But, well. If you ever need help with young Lupin or if you have questions about lycanthropy, I will give you my number and I will do my best to help. Teddy told me, you live in the old Black house? We could meet there.
Call me and don't send any owls. They won't find me.
With regards,
D.M
+44 5844 798622
"What a prat," was all Harry could say. Malfoy didn't seem to have changed much, apart from the werewolf thing Harry could still not comprehend.
"I think, it's nice of him to offer help. We could really use it," Hermione said softly, but Harry just creased the paper in one hand angrily.
"Malfoy is a Death Eater. It's not in his nature to help," Harry said flatly, but Hermione just offered him the look .
"You spoke for him at his trials. I'd say, that counts for something," was all she said, but Harry ignored it. Hermione didn't know, what she was talking about. Harry knew people like Malfoy the best. He was a slippery snake, cunning and awful and he would do anything to stand a little bit better in society. Well, bully for Malfoy, because Harry refused to become that opportunity for him. And he would protect Teddy from Malfoy, he swore, and if that was the last thing he would do.
Time seemed to work for Harry. After his almost transformation, Teddy returned to normal. He didn't seem to remember much and was a bit more clingy. Harry observed with delight, that Teddy seemed to seek more contact with him, but then his heart pinged with worry when Teddy pulled back immediately.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Harry would ask and Teddy would wrinkle his nose.
"You just smell a bit weird, Harry," he said with youthlike honesty and that was that. He still came for a hug, but they were shorter than before. Hermione would eye them knowingly, but Harry still refused to believe, that Teddy would ever need someone more than him. It was just impossible.
"He will get better, you'll see," he said, completely out of context one evening and Ron looked up from his beer.
"Whatever you say, mate," he murmured, but Hermione looked disapproving.
"I don't think, you're fit to make that decision alone," she said and Harry glared at her, enraged.
"Why the hell wouldn't I be? He's my godson, my responsibility," he seethed and Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.
"You were always obsessed with normalcy, Harry. I don't say, you're loving Teddy any less, but you're conveniently are forgetting, that the full moon is next week. Did you even prepare for that?" she scolded and Harry frowned.
He wasn't obsessed with normalcy. Teddy was normal. He was everything Harry could ever wish for. Why wouldn't Hermione understand that?
"There's nothing wrong with Teddy! And I didn't forget about the full moon!"
He totally forgot.
"I will stay with Teddy the whole night, so he won't be surprised when I come in. He will be used to my smell and then I can be his pack. See? I have it all planned out!" he said, but Hermione pursed her lips, looking pensive.
"You know, that's not how it works, Harry. You can't decide for Teddy, who and what smells like pack. He has to find out himself. And what if he can't calm down again? We can't always bring him to St. Mungos. If we go too much, the press will have an absolute field day. We are working so hard to keep him out of the papers, Harry, but this isn't something we can control."
"Hermione," Harry said slowly, "I have it all planned out. Teddy and I will cuddle the whole day and I will call you if something happens again, alright?"
"No," Hermione cried, "it's not alright! We're not equipped to handle a werewolf. And we can't always knock him out!"
"You knocked Teddy out?" Ron asked, looking confused between Harry and Hermione.
"I told you, they had to. He wanted to bite and scratch them, it wasn't safe for all people present." Hermione explained and Ron nodded, remembering that discussion. He was so glad, Rose and Hugo wouldn't have to deal with any of that.
"Teddy wouldn't hurt a fly," Harry stated confidently, and Hermione just glanced at his arms in reply. He was lucky, the wounds weren't deeper or Teddy might have turned him.
"Nothing happened," he repeated, more insistent, but neither Ron nor Hermione seemed convinced.
"Let's hope, you're right, Harry," Hermione said and then pushed a piece of paper over the table. "Promise me to call Malfoy if something happens."
"What?!" - "Malfoy?!" Harry and Ron spluttered simultaneously and Ron swallowed his beer, coughing.
"What has the ferret to do with this?" Ron wheezed and Hermione looked vaguely apologetic.
"He's a werewolf and offered help for Teddy."
"Sorry, 'Mione, I'm with Harry in this one. We can obviously not trust that snake," Ron said and Harry crossed his arms, pleased.
"Oh, honestly, one would think, we're above childishness now," Hermione huffed and tipped on the paper, "He wouldn't have offered if he didn't care. And he knows more about werewolves than us."
"Nobody knows more than you, Hermione," Ron stated matter of factly, making his wife blush.
"Thanks, Ron. But Malfoy has firsthand information and everything I have is at least ten years old and filled with superior world views and bigoted comments. I can't trust a lot of them and werewolves don't really write books about themselves, do they?"
"Remus would have..." Harry mumbled, suddenly sad. Ron squeezed his shoulder and Hermione's eyes looked moist.
"He would have, Harry. But he always transformed alone before Hogwarts, your father, and his friends, didn't he? And he said, how much better company made him feel. Teddy is a werewolf, Harry," Hermione said gently and took Harry's hand, "and you're human."
Something in Harry broke and he openly sobbed into his hands. Ron and Hermione offered silent comfort and Harry was glad, they didn't try to argue more.
"I hate, that this happens to him," he cried, "He lost his parents and Andromeda died before he could really get to know her. He's so much like me and I wish he could just have a carefree childhood without any more pain and sadness. And now," he wailed, "now he has this werewolf thing that he will never live without. Why is the world so unfair?!"
"He's not alone, mate," Ron said, voice soft but allowing no rejection, "you may not be what he needs on a full moon, but you're everything to him for the rest of the month. He knows you're there for him and he never doubted your love for him. He's happy with you, Harry, and lucky to have you. Don't try to minimize that."
Harry cried on his friends' shoulders for the whole evening. The reality of their situation slowly settled in. Teddy would turn. He may or may not transform, but the wolf inside would be in the driver seat for the whole night and Teddy couldn't do anything to stop it. It depended on Harry to comfort him and make him feel safe.
Could he do it? Could he be pack for Teddy? And more importantly: Would Teddy accept him as pack?
Teddy was a bit tetchy the day before the full moon. He argued with Harry about the smallest things: refusing to get dressed, to eat, to bathe, to sleep, to do his chores, or play with Harry. At the end of the day, Harry was happy that the child exhausted himself with arguing so he went to sleep. The next morning would be even more challenging, Harry knew. He briefly wondered, how packs handled cranky children, but he dismissed it as soon as it came. That was ridiculous He was enough for Teddy and it didn't matter, how and what packs did differently. Teddy had no experience with them and nothing to compare to.
Oh, how Harry wished, he would be enough.
They slept in that morning. Teddy, because he was still exhausted from the day before, and Harry, because he wanted to get as much rest as possible.
But the fights started as soon as Teddy woke up. He seemed very moody and Harry tried to be more understanding.
"I want pancakes," Teddy demanded and Harry sighed, praying for patience.
"You just five minutes ago that you wanted toast, buddy and so you'll get toast. I'll fry eggs and bacon and we can have pancakes for lunch, alright?"
"No," Teddy pouted, "You said, I can have whatever I want. And I want pancakes!"
"Teddy," Harry repeated firmly, "for lunch, we can have pancakes. Eat your eggs."
But Teddy wouldn't eat his eggs. He argued and cried and then argued some more until the smell of the bacon calmed him down.
"I hate you," he grumbled after and Harry sighed. "I love you too, bud."
The rest of the day went even worse. Teddy fought Harry tooth and nail in every way possible, changing his mind deliberately fast to keep Harry on his toes and he showed no remorse for something he would usually feel guilty for.
"Apologize!" Harry said, putting his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes when he saw Teddy's defiant expression.
"It's not my fault, you left your wand in the open. I just wanted to try the spell I read about," Teddy argued, but this was a situation Harry couldn't give in.
"I told you, you're free to try some minor spells, but only when I'm there and only if you ask me first! You could have hurt yourself!" Harry scolded and regretted, that he didn't listen to Hermione. She warned him, that Teddy was far too mischievous to not try anything, but Harry believed and trusted Teddy. It had worked before and Harry couldn't understand, why Teddy didn't ask this time.
"I just wanted to try Lumos ! I wouldn't have hurt myself with such an easy spell!" Teddy claimed as if Harry thought him incompetent,
But he really wouldn't accept his fault in this. Harry was forced to take some action.
"No movie then tonight. And now, please go to your room and think about the consequences of your actions and why I'm angry with you. We will talk later again about this," Harry said, and Teddy miraculously listened and stomped out of the room, making more noise than usual, and then slammed his door. Harry was tempted to yell something back, but he knew, why Teddy acted like this. Harry had to be more compassionate towards Teddy, but by Merlin, Teddy really wasn't making this easy for him.
He floo called Hermione that evening to vent. But Hermione wasn't showing much sympathy either.
"You knew, it would be hard, Harry. He's nine, he's the son of a Marauder and Tonks and he's a werewolf," Hermione said and she was right, Harry knew all this. But he was so used to the sweet and nice child that he missed him dearly.
"He will come back, Harry. Teddy is a well-behaved child. I was always jealous because Rose is such a terror," Hermione said and Harry gasped. "Don't talk about my goddaughter like that! She's an angel!"
"Only when you're there," Hermione sassed back and Harry laughed. He had missed joking around with his friend. The children took a lot of their time and Ron and Hermione were both working. It was already hard to find time to just meet up and talk, let alone go out.
"I have to go, Harry, Hugo is screaming for his bottle, the menace," Hermione sighed and Harry grinned.
"You love him," he said and Hermione's smile went dopey. "Merlin, yes I do."
They said their goodbyes and then Harry was alone again with his moody godson. Speaking of him, he should really check on him. The sun would go down in an hour and Teddy would turn. Harry felt bad for dreading it. Teddy had it much harder than him. His godson had to go through all the pain and confusion.
"Why was I in the hospital?" Teddy had asked when they went home but Harry couldn't explain it. He promised to tell him later and Teddy eventually forgot about it. But now Harry was unsure how to proceed. Teddy was still in his room, probably sulking and he wouldn't listen to Harry no matter what.
And so Harry had to resign himself to concur this round to Teddy and went up to cuddle with him.
But as soon as he opened the door, he was growled at. Harry panicked. Teddy wasn't supposed to turn for another hour! The young werewolf wasn't taking Harry's invading too nicely, because he snarled and showed off his long nails and teeth. And Harry knew that Teddy's instincts were screaming at him now. Teddy himself didn't seem so sure if he should attack or stand back, but he stayed in his bed under his blanket and observed his godfather.
"Teddy," Harry called softly and went on his knees to look less threatening. Hands weren't a good idea last time and so he just left them beside his tighs. Teddy wasn't speaking and Harry assumed, that he wasn't able to and so he tried to be as nonverbal as possible. He came nearer very slowly and attempted to hold eye contact with his godson. Teddy made no move on his own, but his eyes never left Harry. But just when he was near enough to touch the bed, Teddy sniffed the air and then snarled viciously. Harry knew immediately, that he was in danger and that Teddy would attack. Harry didn't smell enough like pack for him to trust his godfather and Harry's heart broke at that.
"It's alright, I'll go," Harry said hastily and left, not showing his back. Teddy didn't follow, but he howled and whined the whole night.
Both were exhausted the day after. Harry felt emotionally drained and only halfheartedly listened to Hermione's ranting.
"For the love of Merlin, Harry, you knew he would be unstable, why did you go in his room like that? That's his safe space and you just went inside like a blind gorilla!"
"What's a gorilla?" Ron asked, mouth full, and Hermione swatted his arm.
"Focus on the more important things!" she yelled but looked down guiltily when Teddy protected his ears from the noise.
"Sorry, Ted," she said quietly.
"S'alright," Teddy mumbled and shoved more bacon on his plate. "You want more?" Harry whispered and the child nodded.
"No, no, I shouldn't have yelled. That wasn't okay," Hermione insisted, but Teddy only shrugged.
"I don't remember much, but I had this smell in my head and I knew that Harry smelled good. But Harry doesn't have the smell I wanted and so I got angry. Sorry, Harry," Teddy said meekly and Harry could see Hermione's brain working.
"It's alright, buddy. We can focus better on what you need now, okay?" Harry offered and Teddy agreed. They still sat together, after Teddy excused himself to play.
"He already had a smell in mind?" Hermione wondered and Harry hoped, it wasn't what he thought, it was.
"It was Malfoy's, wasn't it?" Ron asked, always proving to be insightful and Hermione beamed at him proudly.
"Yes, it must have been! Healer Harper said that they formed a bond. Teddy must have yearned for Malfoy last night. It's the only explanation, that makes sense!" Hermione declared and Harry threw his head in his hands.
"Merlin, I hoped, it wouldn't come to this," he said, muffled.
"Well," Hermione said cheekily, "better you than us."
Harry needed two days to steel himself. He really didn't want to do this, but they were out of options. "And he's family," Hermione pointed out, but Harry wasn't listening to her right now. He stared at the number on the paper, Malfoy's posh handwriting, and Harry could imagine him sneering while writing this. He breathed deeply, once, twice, and then felt strong enough for everything Malfoy may throw at him. He was doing this for Teddy, Harry reminded himself.
For Teddy.
He held his breath while he waited. When the call connected, he sighed relieved.
"Good day," the posh drawl on the other side said and Harry snorted.
"Who the fuck answers a call with a 'good day'?" he asked and Malfoy shooted back, "Those with manners."
Harry snorted again.
"What can I do for you, Potter?"
"You said, you were a werewolf," Harry began.
Malfoy chuckled. "Well, yes, I still am. What about it?"
"Since when?" Harry asked and on the other side, Malfoy huffed.
"None of your business, is it?" he uttered and Harry cursed him for being difficult.
"It is if you're doing something with my godson!" Harry snarled and Malfoy laughed heartily. It was deeper than Harry remembered.
"Ah yes, young Lupin. The reason for your call, I presume? The night went badly, hm?"
"Fuck you, Malfoy!"
"Oh please, Potter, just state your business. I don't have all day."
Harry breathed deeply again, willing his annoyance down. Malfoy was exactly as he remembered. Posh, sarcastic and a pretentious prick. Oh Merlin, how badly did he want to hang up.
"Yes, the night went badly. He's confused, angry, and moody and he won't let me near him," Harry explained lowly and Malfoy snorted.
"I would have been very surprised if he did. You're not pack," he said flatly and Harry seethed.
"What the fuck would you know about my family?! I'm the only one he has!" he yelled and Malfoy chuckled again.
"Oh Potter, still so easy to rile up. The boy doesn't need family, he needs pack ," and he stressed the word so much, Harry would have throttled him for it.
"I always hear people yapping on and on about pack, but what even is that?!" Harry asked angrily.
"That is not a conversation we should have over the phone," Malfoy decided. "We can meet up and I'll explain the best I can."
"You're not coming here," Harry growled.
"Tragic. I always wondered if Aunt Walburga was as depressing as I remembered. No matter. If you would like to discuss your godson's lycanthropy in public, be my guest. When and where?"
And Harry realized Malfoy had a point. As much as he hated to welcome Malfoy into his home, public places were a no-go.
"Fine," Harry gritted out, "You can come here."
"So generous, Potter. Like I wouldn't do you a favor here," Malfoy drawled again.
"Merlin, grant me strength," Harry prayed and Malfoy laughed.
"Who is that, Harry?" A meek voice asked suddenly and Harry turned on the sofa.
"Why aren't you asleep, buddy?" Harry asked, forgetting about Malfoy.
"Everything is really loud," Teddy said cryptically. "I heard you talking. Who is that?"
"Erm," Harry stuttered and Malfoy snorted. "Eloquent, Potter. Put young Lupin on the phone."
"Why?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"So that I may kill him through it," Malfoy groaned, "No, you wanker, so that he can hear my voice and go to sleep. It's far too late for a pup to be up."
Harry eyed the phone with suspicion and put it on speaker.
"You can talk," he grunted and Malfoy huffed.
"Good evening, Teddy," Malfoy said smoothly and Teddy beamed suddenly.
"Hello! I-I mean, good evening!" Teddy stuttered and Harry wondered, what Malfoy had done to have such an effect on his godson.
"How are you feeling? Was your night alright?" Malfoy asked and Teddy pondered.
"I fought with Harry, but I relaxed and smelled before I attacked as you told me!" Teddy told him and again, Harry wondered. Malfoy must have talked with Teddy about his turns in the hospital. Did that mean, that Teddy remembered?
"Do you know him, buddy?" Harry asked and Teddy nodded excitedly.
"He's so cool and strong and he smells so good! " Teddy gushed and while Malfoy chuckled goodheartedly, Harry went red in his face.
"You're a nice pup, too, Teddy. I'm glad, you listened to my advice," Malfoy said and he sounded sincere. Teddy blushed at the compliment and shuffled closer to the phone.
"Can you come to visit me again?" he begged sweetly and this time, Harry's face burned with jealousy. He never had to share Teddy's affections before. Of course, Teddy loved the Weasleys and Andromeda, but Harry always fancied to have a special place in Teddy's heart. He felt replaced.
"I don't know, pup, your godfather and I were just talking about it. What do you think, Potter? Can you tolerate me for a few hours?" Malfoy asked with his stupid deep and smooth voice. Teddy rounded to Harry, making puppy-eyes.
"Oh please, please, Harry, let him visit! I'll eat even the veggies!" Teddy begged and that was a high promise. Malfoy must be really important to Teddy for him to promise to eat vegetables.
"You should eat your veggies, even if I don't come, Teddy. Just meat isn't good for you and you might get sick," Malfoy said gently and Teddy nodded immediately and then registered, that Malfoy couldn't see him.
"I promise, I'll be good. I'll be the best boy, so can he visit, Harry? Pretty please?"
Oh, Harry was weak. Even if the jealousy was still burning, he couldn't deny Teddy anything. Especially if he promised to eat his veggies. Damn Malfoy, being better at telling people, what to do.
Teddy could see the moment, Harry's resolve crumbled to dust. He jumped up and down, laughing in triumph.
"Fine," Harry said, trying to sound reluctant, "you can come. Is Friday alright?"
Malfoy consented and then proceeded to talk Teddy from his screams of joy into sleepiness in under two minutes. He said goodbye and goodnight to Teddy and the child went without complaining once.
"You bastard," Harry said when Teddy left the room, "how did you do that?"
"Talent, Potter," Malfoy quipped, "You ought to try it."
"When are you coming?" Harry asked blandly, to calm himself.
"Teatime, I think. Is four alright?"
"Fine," Harry grunted, wishing this conversation was already over.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Potter. I'm doing you a favor here," Malfoy warned him cheekily.
"As you never fail to remind me. I'm hanging up," Harry said and did just that.
"Fucking Malfoy," he mumbled five times on the way to bed and felt, he hadn't said it nearly enough.
Draco looked amused down at his phone, applauding silently at Potter's audacity. He really hadn't changed, Draco mused. Still an arrogant prick.
But he was an arrogant prick with a werewolf child. Draco wondered, why Andromeda hadn't told him. They were on speaking terms when she died. He could have taken Teddy in, raising him alongside his pack.
"Who was that?" Mary, a petite young woman, in her early twenties, asked. She was the newest of the pack and took to follow him around. She was curious and sweet and Draco was still reeling from her story. Why anyone would wish evil upon this girl and even pay someone to inflict lycanthropy on her, was beyond him.
"Harry Potter," Draco said. He didn't like lying to his pack. Most of them could smell lies pretty quickly, but they didn't call him out on it. Being the leader had its perks.
"Harry Potter?" Mary repeated surprised. She was a squib before she was infected and never went to Hogwarts.
"Yes. He has a pup as his charge and doesn't know what to do with him," he explained and Mary's face clouded in worry. Everyone in their pack liked pups and they looked after their own. Draco's pack was on the larger side, almost sixty wolves followed him and he was responsible for every one of them.
His own story was similar to those of his pack. Greyback escaped before they could arrest him and the wolf found him, just a week after he'd been released. The whole thing was bloody and cruel and Draco had fought bitterly, but the wounds were too deep. He liked to be positive about it. Draco was infected, yes, but he was alive. That was more than Greyback had.
His mother had healed his wounds. She'd done it, without looking at him once and he knew, she would never look at him again. The son she knew and loved was dead, left was only a beast she didn't want to see. Draco could understand that. Greyback hadn't only threatened him, he also had threatened his mother. But while he chose to take it and get out stronger, Narcissa went down with it. And while Draco couldn't resent her for not looking, he could resent her for throwing him out.
He took as much money as he could before she froze his vaults. They were empty when she looked into them and a small smile went over her face at her son's ability to plan. He had thought of everything.
The stigma after the war had been too hard for him. He couldn't go out without being hexed and getting wolfsbane was out of the question. Not only was it far too expensive, but the apothecary also wouldn't even take his gold if he offered. Brewing it himself was impossible. Staying in London was not happening.
So he packed his few things and his new wand and vanished. The papers were printing about him, speculating if he left the country (he hadn't been allowed that time), what he was up to, whether he was engaged or already married, how much money he had, and so on.
They still printed about him from time to time, mostly on the day he had left, his packmates told him. Draco found this incredibly funny.
Nobody suspected him, Draco Malfoy, former Death Eater and elite of Wizarding Britain, to lead a sixty-man strong wolf pack in the woods of Wiltshire. They moved around a lot and Draco's goal was the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. Then they could send their pups there, without raising too much suspicion. Draco was already negotiating with Headmistress McGonagall, but it looked promising.
While musing about the current events, he strolled through the camp. A part of the pack was hunting for dinner, another was working on new clothes and blankets and the pups were screaming and playing. Draco was very grateful to his pack. When he fled into the forest, he hadn't even dreamed about an opportunity like this. They all found each other while he went through the woods. Liam, his brother Nathan and their cousins were abandoned and joined him after he saved them from a fire. He had been so scared, the memory of the Fiendfyre still on his mind, but he pulled it off. He must have looked dependable even to the smallest child and so he let them join. His pack grew and fought other packs and he dueled and killed other leaders.
And with the size, the respect grew too. Nobody in these woods tried anything. Because Draco fought to protect. And he fought to win.
"Alpha!" Two pups separated from their playmates and jumped to hug him. Most of the time Draco didn't tolerate such display. But the pups knew he was soft for them and they exploited that shamelessly.
"Evening, Tracy, James," he greeted them, tickling their bellies. "What were you playing?"
"Alpha! I already told you to call me Jamie!" Jamie complained and Draco chuckled, teasing him a bit more, "Really, did you? How curious, I can't seem to remember."
"Alphaaaa," Jamie whined, "Don't tease."
"Oho? A pup is telling me, what to do?" Draco asked, mock sternly, but Jamie cowered right away, taking a step back, exposing his neck, looking at his feet.
"No, Alpha, sorry," he apologized and Tracy looked back and forth worriedly, hoping that they weren't in trouble. They didn't mean to annoy Alpha, he just seemed so lonely, they wanted to play with him.
"Alpha, don't tease the pups," Igor scolded and the pups huddled together, afraid of Alpha's reaction. Everyone had to respect him, he didn't like it when packmates talked to him like that.
"Alright, alright," Alpha said, chuckling and he ruffled through Jamie's and Tracy's hair, "sorry for teasing you both. You're fine. Go play."
And so they went, almost falling over themselves, gushing to their friends about head pets.
Igor and Draco stood together just for a moment and observed the pups while they played.
"I'll never take this for granted, Alpha, thank you," Igor gruffed and then left. Igor was a man of few words and when Draco found him, he was quiet and mostly stayed for himself. Draco only knew snippets of his story, but Igor had been tortured by his family in Russia and then he fled to Britain. But his timing was the worst. Voldemort just got back to power and Igor had to flee again. He was a Muggleborn and didn't want to join Greyback's pack, because Fenrir was known for being especially cruel to Muggleborn werewolves. So Igor wandered around the woods until he bumped into Draco's pack. He just went with them for a while until he heard of Draco's story.
"You're just like me," were the first words Igor had spoken to Draco. "I would like to join." And so he did.
Draco loved and respected everyone in his pack the same amount, but he would always have a soft spot for Igor. They were the same age, had a similar history, and shared their interest in men. Sometimes they lay together under the stars and just loved one another to cope with everything. And sometimes they just held hands to feel grounded. Was he a friend, Draco mused. It didn't really matter if he wasn't, Draco decided. Igor and everyone else was his, his to protect, his to love, his to care for. It wouldn't do to complicate things like that.
His council was already waiting for him as he strolled to the main fireplace at the center of their tent cycle. Eight werewolves, picked randomly by Draco or sometimes voted by the pack, sat together, warming their feet at the fire.
"Hello Alpha," Elenor, the eldest werewolf in his pack, greeted him softly. She was a robust woman, nearing sixty, but still very quick on her feet. She came with her two children and her mate Frank, who was heavily injured when Draco found them. Draco saved his life and Elenor swore loyalty on the spot. At her greeting, the conversations died down and they all stood to greet him.
Louis, a french man in his late twenties, stood as tall as Draco. He had dueled Draco for the Alpha position before but had lost. Draco liked to remind him, whenever he got a bit too cheeky.
Penelope, called Penny, was a seventeen-year-old in her last year at Hogwarts. Her parents had disowned her and McGonagall couldn't find a family for a lycanthrope of age. Draco took her in and used her Ravenclaw brain shamelessly.
Ben, the same age as Draco, was Draco's first friend. He was Nathan's cousin and took to Draco like a duck to water. Draco liked to compare him to Blaise. They had the same attitude and they looked even similar. Ben resented the comparison since he'd seen a photo of Blaise, but he joked about it on a good day.
Charlie, a funny man, was in his early forties. Draco had been attracted to him since the first time they met. Charlie was a wizard of high standing, and he had fallen from grace when he came out as trans. Charlie had sat down with Draco and told him, that he didn't have a penis yet and Draco asked, why that would matter to him. Charlie had been gobsmacked. And although they had never slept together, Draco knew that Charlie's reason to stay was Draco's acceptance of him.
Finnian was still a bit of a mystery for Draco. He joined just three months ago and then asked to be put on the council. Draco lived by the motto, hold your friends close, but your enemies closer and agreed, but Finnian hadn't tried anything funny yet. He was quiet, a bit like Igor, but when he talked, he was very sarcastic. Draco liked outspoken people and maybe that's why Finnian wouldn't stop smirking at him.
Morgan was non-binary and the most ridiculous person Draco ever met, and he met Potter. But Morgan was so contrary and interesting, that Draco found himself watching Morgan, whenever he was bored. Morgan bought a bit of life and drama into the pack and their stories were the highlight at every feast. Also, Morgan fancied to be the secret boss of the pack and liked to talk like it too. Penny had dueled them because of it and won and so Morgan had to cease talking like that. Draco requested it as a gag sometimes to indulge them. Nobody could say Draco didn't do anything the keep his packmates happy.
Julie was the newest member of the council. The pack had voted her at the last moon and she was still trying to fit into the role of a consultant of the Alpha. She was a bit afraid of him, Draco thought idly, as he went past her and she flinched as they made eye contact. She flushed and huddled closer to Penny, her best friend. Penny glared at Draco, but he wouldn't take responsibility for everything. He never did anything to Julie, that would explain her fear of him, but he decided to speak with Julie about it soon.
"Hello, Alpha," they said in unison and Draco waved a hand and they all went back to sit down.
"Good evening, I hope you're all well? Anything you would like to talk about?" Draco opened their meeting, which happened every following day after a full moon. Penny raised her hand and Draco gestured her to talk.
"McGonagall told me, that the pups can enter Hogwarts after we register them at the Ministry. They need a permanent place of residence for owls and such," she reported and Draco pondered the idea.
"Absolutely not," Louis said, "The Ministry is still hunting minor werewolves and put them in foster families without a packmate. I won't watch them take our pups too."
"Nobody is taking our pups, Louis," Penny said, "But maybe we have to register them because they won't have a future in society if they don't."
"That's how they began in France too. They forced us to register, then took our home and money, then forced us to do jobs nobody else would do and you only got wolfsbane if you spied for them. What stops them from doing that here?" Louis seethed and Draco was reminded of Louis's tragic backstory. He lost his family and home to his own government and he didn't want to lose his new pack too.
"France isn't Britain, Louis," Elenor said resolutely, "and France didn't fight a war eight years ago. The government is still too weak to do something like that. And people like Harry Potter or Hermione Granger wouldn't stand by and see that happen."
At the mention of Potter's name, Draco had to chuckle. The council stopped talking and whipped their heads around.
"Ah no, I agree, continue. I'll say something on the matter when you're finished," he said and Louis's surprise morphed back into disgust.
"Politics are politics. What will we do, when it happens?" he asked and Julie and Penny glared, clearly upset at the oversimplification.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. No use in dwelling over possible future events without any known parameters," Finnian said quietly and Elenor and Morgan nodded, agreeing. Draco saw the matter finished.
"I agree. While it sounds dangerous and definitely possible for such a thing to happen," Draco paused and glared at Elenor, who opened her mouth to argue, "because the government has been compromised in the war and used for superior bullshit, Elenor. But this isn't war. And I agree that resident heroes like Potter or Granger would fight tooth and nail to prevent something like that from ever happening again. Nonetheless," he adds, "it won't do to just sit and let them walk over us. We won't register them, but a permanent residence is alright. We plan to move to the Forbidden Forest anyway, so we will just put up a notice and inform the important parties of our move. Satisfactory?" Seven nods, but Louis still looked put out.
"I take your concerns seriously, Louis, but I try to be realistic. You may make a plan for such a situation and present it at the next meeting if you like," Draco offered and that seemed to appease him.
"On the subject of Potter," Draco began and paused to see if everyone listened, "his godson, my cousin, Teddy Lupin seems to be one of us."
"What?" - "How is that possible?" - "Poor pup." - "We ought to take him in." were the responses he got.
"Quiet please," Draco said and noticed with satisfaction, that they followed his order without complaint, "I'm not quite finished. The pup isn't infected, he was born with it. Some of you might have heard of Remus Lupin, who fought with Potter and died at the Battle of Hogwarts. They left their child in the care of my Aunt, Andromeda Tonks, who died three years ago. I wasn't aware of the pup's lycanthropy because his mother was a normal witch. Potter, as his godfather, took Teddy Lupin in and raised him as a normal wizard for the past eight years. He was seemingly surprised by Teddy's transformation and he can't deal with it because the pup has no pack," he paused and listened to the enraged reaction of his council. Pups were the most protected wolves in their pack and Draco took extra care to let them grow without worries. A big part of that was the pack dynamic. A pup without a pack would be lost and even under peers, it would feel alone.
"What will you do?" Elenor asked, ever so pragmatic. But that's why she was a member of his council.
"Potter is still suspicious, but I will meet with him and the pup and assess the damage. The pup is turning way too late. If we don't do something soon, he will turn volatile. But I have a connection with the pup, I try to get him to join," Draco said and Elenor nodded, convinced. She was one of the primary caretakers in the pack and pups were her priority.
"Will Potter just let you do that?" Finnian asked and Draco paused. It was a legitimate concern.
"I wonder," Draco answered because he wasn't sure himself, "We'll just have to wait and see."