Chapter Six
Tanner stormed off after Draco quickly grabbing him by the shoulder watching Snape run after Dumbledore to the Champions Chamber.
“Draco show your face in Slytherin, then go to my rooms, Harry will need us tonight. You mustn’t judge this as you see it all will be explained.”
The blonde seemed to glare at the Professor shrugging off the man’s hand with a sneer of disgust, “As you wish Professor,” Tanner could see the flicker of apology hidden behind the steel blue eyes and nodded.
Rushing after Snape and into the chamber he listened to the squabble happening in the room over Harry’s future participation. Sighing deeply he left them to the fighting after making sure to make eye contact with Harry and give the boy a small nod.
Stalking down the halls he could already hear the talking, the gossip, the stupidity of the other students and even a few Professors. Slamming open the doors of the Hospital Wing he came face to face with a frustrated witch.
Looking at the small plump witch he smiled gently, “Madam Promfrey! I came to ask you something!”
The woman looked back at him and rolled his eyes, “And that would be Mister Tanner?”
Tanner blushed, “I need Harry to be excused from classes for the next week for medical reasons.”
Pomfrey looked at him in amazement, “What on earth for!”
The young man smiled, “We are going to be correcting his eyes! He can’t do classes blind my dear lady.”
The medi-witch thought it over a few moments before pulling a small piece of parchment from her desk writing down a small note. Waving her wand she duplicated it and sent them flying, “There his Professors will be alerted. You take care of him now. I know eye correction can be difficult if you need assistance ring this bell and I will come to your rooms. I am to assume Harry will be recovering there?” she asked politely handing him a small bass bell with runes along the handle.
Tanner took it gently, “Yes he will be. It will be easier instead of him trying to get around the Gryffindor’s and what not. Thank you for your help with this!”
He rushed out and ran to his rooms meeting Draco at the door. They nodded to each other and went into the room silently. Draco stormed over to the couch and collapsed onto it in a very un-Malfoy manner almost causing the wolf to laugh out right.
He watched as the blonde grabbed a chocolate frog and devoured it within seconds before having the piercing blue grey eyes look straight at him. Freezing awkwardly he gave a sheepish smile at the deadly glare.
Draco stood carefully, “What the hell is going on! Why did Harry’s name come out of that Goblet! What happened to the age line?”
Tanner sighed deeply, “I don’t think it was Harry who did it. I caught a scent off the parchment with Harry’s name on it. It didn’t have his scent on it at all and I didn’t recognize the scent on it” he winced inside his mind really hoping he wasn’t caught in his lie. He knew exactly who had done it.
The aristocratic Slytherin glared at him, “Ya, I figured. Harry isn’t one for his fame and that is what this contest is all about isn’t it? I can’t believe this. Who would want to put Harry in the contest?”
The wolf shrugged, “Someone who has a very distinct plan. Draco I am not naïve. Your father has taught you many spells. I need you to help Harry. He will need to every spell you know in his arsenal.”
The two nodded at one another before sitting around waiting patiently. It wasn’t till a good two hours later did the portrait fly open and Harry came running through his eyes red and a large red mark on his cheek.
Draco swore loudly and pulled Harry into his arms tightly as Tanner slipped to Harry’s other side laying a hand on the boys back. No tears were shed, the Gryffindor seemedtoo proud to let them shed. Silence was the only thing talking in the room. Silent comfort.
After awhile Harry finally spoke softly, “He hit me.”
Tanner growled as Draco murmured back, “Who Harry?”
Bright green eyes look up, “Ron.”
Tanner tried to calm some his clawed hands clenched tightly in a fist, “Why?”
Harry looked down, “He is mad about my name coming out of the Goblet. H…he thinks I did it on purpose. Then I messed up. I shouted that if he was a true friend he would know I hadn’t. He said he was my only friend and I let slip about Draco.”
Draco bit his bottom lip his shoulder shaking gently.
Tanner looked at him pointedly but that seemed to only egg the other blonde on into full blown chuckles.
Harry stared at him before also slowly breaking down into soft laughter.
Tanner groaned putting his face in his hands before standing and grabbing the bag of meds.
“Alright Harry we will talk more on this. It has been a rough night for you. So let’s give you your first drop treatment and potion. No worries I handled the school issue. Now are you sure you want to do this?”
Harry frowned and nodded, “Yes I am sure. It would just be a smart idea right?”
Draco smirked and grabbed the hair potions as well and the three went into the large bathroom and Draco proceeded to get bossy, “Alright off with your shirt and sit right here,” his voice demanding as he pulled a chair to in front of one of the sinks.
Harry grumbled and sat down leaning his head back against the sink.
Tanner laughed at the position as he removed Harry’s glasses carefully. Opening the case he began to prepare the drops as Draco was already rubbing in the hair lengthening potions with vigour. Dropping two drops in each eye careful he eased the Gryffindor’s eyes shut as he glanced at the other blonde, “How long are you making his hair?”
Draco frowned, “I am going to shoulder length then rub in the hair streaks then we will cut and style it to a good length. I am very good at this; my mum always talks me into helping with her hair. It’s relaxing.”
Harry snorted and downed the eye potion he was handed opening his eyes to a fuzzy surroundings. Then even as the sting began in his eyes his vision began to darken and finally go black the stinging fading to a dull throb.
The two blondes laid Harry down in Tanner’s room he wouldn’t mind sleeping on the couch. Tanner looked down at Draco and whispered, “So, do you by chance know the Gryffindor password?”
Draco got a cruel smirk across his face, “Oh, I might”
The wolf blinked down at the Slytherin before crossing his arms, “Draco, I need to go handle Mr. Weasley so please give me the password.”
The Slytherin scoffed, “Fine, its password is The Lazy Snake.”
Tanner help back a laugh and left the room giving Draco a look that clearly said ‘don’t follow me’. The wolf stalked down the hall his eyes turning red, fists clenched. Glaring at the Portrait his growled out the password eyes slitting.
When he walked in he found the entire house at war. Screaming and yelling matches. The three main people seemed to be Granger, Weasley, and Longbottom. Weasley stood off on one side screaming wildly at Hermione and Neville who were on the other side screaming back. Raising an eyebrow he crossed his arms and watched. Clearly Weasley was bad mouthing Harry while the other two were defending him.
Ron bit out suddenly, “You stupid Mudblood! You know nothing! He is a spoiled worthless attention whore!”
Tanner let out a harsh growl and silence fell on the room as every eye turned toward the professor. A clawed hand lashed out grabbing the red head by the collar of his robe slamming him roughly against the wall a snarl on his face, “Care to repeat that!”
Ron’s eyes widened and he let out a whimper of fear.
Enraged further he shoved Ron harshly against the wall again getting a cry of pain from him, “You, where meant to be his friend! But look at you! Squirming on the wall like the little BUG you are! Tell me Weasley did it make you feel like a man when you hit Harry! DID IT!”
His nose twitched as he caught a disgusting smell and Tanner looked down and a smirk grew on his face, “Oh look the little Weasley wet his pants! How laughable! You will have detention with Snape I will inform him of what you will be doing. And believe me when I say that the blisters on your fingers will be the LEAST of your problems by the time you are done.”
He dropped the red head onto the floor and left not even bothering to look at the other students but the silence was deafening. Instead of heading toward his rooms he went the opposite direction and scurried down the steps and out the doors of the castle. Before he was even in the forest his hands had morphed into paws. Clothes, skin, and hair smoothed into beautiful chestnut brown fur his front white paw was a deep red colour in anger.
Up in the chamber Draco was looking out the window and his eyes narrowed when he saw Tanner burst out of the doors and shift into the chestnut wolf. His frown deepened when his eyes caught the reddish paw when he passed under the light of Hagrid’s Hut. Why was his wolf a chestnut brown instead of a light tan that would relate to his blonde hair and what was up with that paw?
He heard a soft voice behind him and Draco turned back to Harry who was lounging on the bed. The blonde smiled and climbed up onto the bed next to the other boy and whispered, “It’s nothing Harry. Tanner just went to the forest to run. I think he is very upset about The Weasel. You just sleep love,” he laid his lips gently against Harry’s smaller ones and smiled as he got a response.
The two curled up together Draco’s arms wrapped tightly around Harry’s waste and the two slipped off. It wasn’t till hours later did Tanner finally return still in wolf form he was so tired he just curled up at the end of the bed and slipped off into a deep slumber.
To Be Continued…
Day One:
Draco awoke and looked about himself, smiling as he noticed Harry was curled into his chest. Slowly moving away from the smaller teen he sat up and almost jumped at the large chestnut wolf at the foot of the bed. Leaning over he smirked before giving the wolf a harsh shove sending the wolf yelping and rolling off the bed.
Tanner cursed loudly and stood up his chestnut hair in turmoil. At the sound of a gasp he turned to see the shocked look on Draco’s face. Frowning he turned to look at the mirror and swore loudly darting into the bathroom slamming the door behind him.
Draco walked over to the door and banged his fist on it, “TANNER! You got some explaining to do!”
Harry groaned and sat up his vision completely blackened by the blindness of the potion. “Draco what are you yelling at Tanner about now?”
The blonde pointed at the door, “He is a liar! His hair is chestnut when he shifted back the same colour as his wolfs fur! And his eyes are far from the colour blue! He lied! I bet his name isn’t even Tanner!”
The Gryffindor looked in the direction of Draco’s voice, “Tanner, is that true?”
Tanner opened the door slowly and stepped out his blonde hair and blue eyes set in place, “Partially. Let’s put those drops in your eyes and I will explain. Tonight is your second potion.”
Draco sneered at the man and helped Harry into the living area and onto the couch while Tanner slipped behind them with the eye drops.
The blonde ripped them from the morphers hands and began to ease Harry into the treatment while glaring back at the ‘Professor’ with hate and clear distrust, “I suggest you start talking.”
The wolf sighed deeply, “I am a born werewolf that is no lie but that is not all I am. I am also a wizard and a Metamorphamagus. I was also born many years from now.”
Harry raised a brow, “Time travel?”
Tanner sighed, “Yes, it was just after my father died. I had heard tales of the great Harry Potter and I wanted to know the truth. Everyone had so many stories so many different variations of the same history. No one really knew the truth. So the night my father died I made up a plan to find the truth. After all I had yet to find my mate. I didn’t have a job I had no ties to anyone. I was just starting to plan how I was going to discover the truth when something happened I found myself here at Hogwarts. I changed my name and my appearance with my abilities so I wouldn’t be recognized because I would look like someone.”
The two students stared at him before Harry finally spoke up, “Who where your parents? And why would no one know my true story?”
The wolf winced sharply, “Who are my parents will just have to wait. And the reason no one knows your story is because you aren’t around to tell it. In my future…you’redead.”
Silence hung through the air before Harry literally went crazy, “What the hell do you mean I am dead! What about Draco!”
Tanner winced, “Your death was of your own choice. No one knows why but you just shot yourself. You left your fortune to Draco and just shot yourself with some silly muggle gun. Draco is married to Ms. Parkinson and they are expecting their third child. You must understand I am risking everything by telling you this!”
Draco frowned, “Wait a second…you said Harry left his fortune to me right? And that he shot himself with a muggle gun? That doesn’t sound like Harry at all. Tell us everything maybe then we can see this through.”
The wolf nodded and took a large breath, “According to my father during this year you and Harry began to get along and become friends. Some people say it’s because of people turning on Harry because of the goblet and others say a Professor helped you two. Harry goes through the trails with the help of his more loyal friends and in the final round… Cedric and Harry are taken to a graveyard and Voldemort comes back from the dead. After Cedric’s death Harry somehow kills the Dark Lord. No one knows how! Even Harry himself couldn’t say how. Then the worst happens. The public began to turn against Harry and Dumbledore and the Minister wanted to turn him into some permanent weapon. It was then that Harry began to withdraw from everyone but two people Hermione and Draco. Harry suddenly made Draco his heir and then one night after Draco had left to go back to Parkinson he just…shot himself.”
Harry looked pale as if the truth was so startling, “So I was right Dumbledore isn’t the man he claims to be. I knew it! But that still doesn’t sound like me I wouldn’t commit suicide! I would probably fake it instead with the help of friends and the goblins and vanish to the muggle world…”his voice trailed off suddenly as two sets of eyes looked at him.
Draco stood up suddenly, “Now that sounds like Harry!”
The wolf smiled and looked down at his watch and swore loudly, “Shit classes! Harry may be excused but I am not. Draco stay with Harry, I will write you out!”
The door slammed behind him and he was gone leaving the two teens to simply turn to each other in contemplation. They had a lot to think about.
As the day went on the two saw no sign of the wolf almost as if he was giving them space to think. Draco did leave the room but only to grab food and come back.
Later that night Tanner came back to the rooms pacing back and forth in front of the door. Slowly entering the rooms his mouthed dropped open at what he saw. Draco was sprawled out on the couch his right arm hanging off it with a book looking ready to fall from his finger tips. His shirt was unbuttoned and Harry was leaned against it his shirt also unbuttoned and sprawled across Draco’s lap. He put a hand to his mouth trying not to wake them up.
Looking around his sharp eyes caught sight of the empty potion bottle and finally a blanket. Smiling he covered the two up gently and walked into the study to work on the schedule for his class. Hagrid still hadn’t fully recovered yet and wouldn’t for at least another week. Sighing he set to work not even realizing when his head finally hit the desk in exhaustion.
Day Two:
Draco was once again the first to wake up and looking down at Harry his eyes widened. The hair potion finally had taken effect. The boy’s hair now hung loosely about his shoulder and the red highlights helped accent his features just so. He was surprised to find a slight curl. Carefully he manoeuvred himself from beneath the smaller teen.
Standing he got ready for the day to begin, but for that he had to go back to Slytherin. When he got back he found Harry and Tanner across from each other and the silence and tension where almost unbearable. Rolling his eyes he sat next to Harry whispering a gentle I love you in his ear.
The three sat there in silence Tanner seemed to have buried himself into a book and with a sigh he slammed it down causing the other two to jump, “If you two don’t want to be around me then go! I am tired of this silence! I am not a patient creature!”
Harry nodded, “I am upset you lied, I won’t lie about that. But you did tell us and I understand why you had to hide. Draco understands to, but after the life I have had it is hard to take such things. I will need time but I believe we can still be friends.”
Draco shrugged, “I am not as upset about it I had a feeling that what was going on. Severus kind of been dropping me hints. Among other things,” the blonde seemed to lean back thinking, “You haven’t told us everything have you? There is still something…isn’t there?”
The wolf stood and began to pace, “Yes there is more but it must wait till I know for a fact that I am correct. It would be pointless to tell you if I am wrong.”
Harry looked at where Tanners voice was coming from, “How would you know if you were right?”
Tanner winced, “In order to determine if I am right I must go out into the woods on the next full moon and release a very specific howl. If you two hear it and come to me my suspicions will be confirmed. If I am wrong…then I am truly lost.”
Draco’s eyes widened, “You think we are you mates?”
The wolf cleared his throat, “Oh looky its time for class! Good day!”
Tanner got up to go for the door. He was not ready for this talk, they were far too young! Slamming the portrait behind him he headed for classes leaving two teens to stare at his exit and Draco to throw a glass at it.
Hours later late into the night Tanner returned once again to see the two had already occupied his bed. Sighing deeply he laid on the couch and fell into a troubled sleep.
To Be Continued…
Chapter Eight
Day Three
Tanner awoke well before the other two boys and left immediately after a quick shower and dressing. When he got down to Hagrid’s hut he was shocked to find someone already there. The tall women had cropped grey hair and a very prominent chin. The woman was standing next to a beautiful fully grown male unicorn who seemed quote content to eat the treats from her hand.
Smiling the wolf drew closer and met the Unicorns eyes. He gave a polite head bow and the pure being snorted and struck its hoof on the ground.
The woman turned and smiled at him her voice soft and gentle, “Oh hello, you must be Mr. Tanner. I see Dumbledore was not lying when he said you where a unique man.”
Tanner smiled, “Yes I am Tanner and may I ask whom you are?”
She seemed to smile, “I am Wilhemina Grubbly-Plank I am here to replace Hagrid until he returns.”
The wolf smiled, “Ah, well the students are currently working on essays and learning about darker creatures of the world. I am assuming you’replanning on introducing Unicorns?”
The woman nodded, “Yes, and I am afraid that I have already told Dumbledore that I do not wish for an assistant for the class. You need to go speak with him about your new assignment.”
Tanner frowned, “Excuse me?”
Grubbly-Plank gave him a gentle glare, “You are a dark creature you will make the unicorns uneasy. Therefore you will have to find a new assignment.”
The wolf growled low, “That is completely ludicrous!” his voice raised dangerously.
The unicorn struck its hoof harder and lowered its head threatening Tanner with its horn. The wolf took a few steps back his eyes going a bright yellow. Turning his back on the two he stalked up to the castle, slamming the doors open. Several students moved out of his way as he went to the gargoyle in front of the Headmasters office.
The gargoyle took one look at his expression before jumping to the side. A pissed of werewolf meant a broken statue in his book. Flinging the door open to Dumbledore’s office he stalked up to the man’s desk ignoring the now frazzled looking McGonagall and Snape.
Slamming clawed hands on to the desk his coming out in a snarl, “What is the meaning of this! Why have I been removed from Care of Magical Creatures! I am far more qualified than some Unicorn loving old witch!”
All three of the elder magic user stared at him in slight shock. However, Dumbledore recovered quickly, “My dear boy you must understand that you lack the necessary teaching degree to teach the children on your own. And with Hagrid unable to return till next year I needed to bring in a new teacher. You will be working with Snape for the rest of the year”
The born wolf posed in his spot his eyes turning a bright carnal yellow with animalistic rage, “You will regret this decision mark my words,” the wolf stalked out slamming the door shut behind him causing the others to jump at the loud noise.
Slamming the door open to his private quarters he found the two younger teens talking softly while Draco wrote on a piece of parchment. They turned to stare at him and he passed back and forth growling darkly in his throat.
Harry frowned his sightless eyes turning towards the growling, “Apparently we missed something?”
Tanner’s voice was barely human when he responded, “Dumbledore has gotten you a new professor for COMC. She is some unicorn loving old HAG! Her little beast tried to attack me!”
Draco stood carefully, “Maybe you should calm down? It’s not like you’re really a professor.”
The wolf shifter paused in his pacing before almost laughing, “Ya, I am over reacting aren’t I?”
He collapsed onto the couch and looked at the two teens with a soft smile as they murmured to each other. A sharp pang in his heart was all he could focus on. How could he even attempt to get between them when they were just so close? Turning his face away he let his wolf side war against his human side. One wanted to claim them both and never let go while the other wanted to just walk away and let them have their life.
Day four
Tanner awoke to an excited set of teens who were practically shouting in the other room. Groaning he staggered into the other room to see Harry looking around his eyes wide and focusing on everything. Blinking the wolf watched as Harry’s eyes fell to look at him and the teen seemed to just blush and turn away.
Blinking the wolf looked down and cussed loudly and darted back into his bedroom to put on the clothes he had discarded the day before. Ignoring the laughter of the other two and grumbled about his stupidity. Walking back out into the common room he found the two had already curled up on the loveseat and sighed lightly plopping down on the couch putting a hand over his eyes.
Jumping his eyes shot open as he felt two other bodies curl up next to him on the couch. Looking down he found a head of black hair and a head of blonde hair pressed up against his chest. Blinking in confusion he blushed brightly when he felt two sets of hands tracing along his lower stomach.
“We have been thinking lately,” stated Draco calmly.
“About?” the wolf’s voice quivered slightly as he attempted to keep his composure.
“You of course, silly wolf,” Harry teased playfully.
Tanner cleared his throat, “Is that so. What exactly have you been thinking about?”
Draco snorted, “A way to woo you.”
“A way to convince you to not wait till the next full moon” Harry whispered.
The wolf whimpered lightly and let his head fall back with a whine of desperation. This was a trick it had to be. There was no way these two boys could be doing this, deciding this. He looked down to see the two looking up at him as if waiting for an answer. Carefully he removed the two teens from his chest and stood.
Looking back at them over his shoulder he murmured, “Do not tempt the wolf. The path with me is one way there is no turning back. You choose me and it is final. You are far too young to understand the consequences. I will wait till the full moon for you to decide again. Only then will I cave to the call.”
Draco growled darkly as Tanner stepped out of the dorm room and turned to Harry, “How the hell are we supposed to convince him we already know?”
Harry blinked, “What do we know again?”
The blonde raised an eyebrow before responding almost viciously, “That we are his mates. Don’t you think we should tell him that spell we did? How are we suppose to convince him to see past the age gap if he won’t even give in to his wolf!”
The Gryffindor shrugged, “By making that age gap nonexistent?”
Draco’s eyes widened before a smirk formed across his face, “Harry I think I give your brain less credit than it’s worth.”
Harry’s mouth fell open, “HEY! That’s not exactly nice! And what are you thinking some aging potion?”
The blonde shook his head, “No those ware off eventually. What I am thinking is a very specific ritual that is borderline dark. It is suppose to age you to match your mate. It isn’t a Wizarding type of magic though.”
Green eyes turned to stare into grey, “Then what type of magic is it?”
The Malfoy heir smiled, “It’s called Wicca and it’s normally forbidden to cross magic but we could still do it. Since when have you been one to follow the rules?”
“Wicca? Isn’t that a religion?”
“Kind it’s a different type of magic that is popular in America. They harness magic differently than us. Normally is highly illegal to mix the magic but the great thing about Wicca is that it can’t be detected by the ministry. “
Harry frowned, “Let’s do it then. Do you know the specific ritual?”
Draco nodded, “Yes my father’s younger sister was a squib and when she moved to America she married a Wiccan Witch. Over there by the way witch is more of a title and can be male or female. Anyways she sent me a copy of her husband’s Book of Shadows so I could learn more about it!”
The two nodded and Draco ran out the door while Harry went to clear an area for the ritual. When Draco returned he was carrying a large back and a book that looked far heavier than it should. The two set about placing the green candles in the five locations and lighting them. Setting the cauldron in the centre they quickly memorized the words before holding the athames’ high.
“Magic High and Magic Low
We are not of age of our chosen
Caught between child and adult
We wish to equal our loves”
Cutting a clear line across their fingers they let a few drops of blood fall into the cauldron and the resounding explosion sent them hurdlingbackwards knocking the candles from their positions and their senses into darkness.
