At almost exactly 21.00, a pair of men parked their hired Range Rover in a small clearing just off a country lane somewhere in the north of the village of Greenhow Hill. The sun sat low on the horizon where it blazed in an orange-red glory with some low clouds framing it. In twenty minutes it would set and this remote area would soon be left in total darkness. The clearing they'd parked in hosted more than twenty other vehicles including several cars, motorcycles and a few Lorries. The Range Rover the older man had hired for the drive from London was definitely on the higher end of the spectrum.
"Well, let's be off," the older man said. "The Gathering will be just over that rise. We need to make sure we are seen as being there before the sun sets completely." The two men started to walk.
"Now remember, tonight starts with something of a reunion banquet. It's the only time that all of the Packs meet in one place so it's a chance for most of the werewolves to catch up. At midnight the meeting starts between the Alphas but everyone stays to watch. I want to have you meet at least a few of the 'friendlier' Alphas before the meeting starts. Last night was the First Quarter of the moon's cycle. The full moon is on the 12th. That night the Packs hunt as one. Between then and now, we have to get the Alphas to either accept you as a Pack member with full Pack rights or say you are an Animagus outside the Pack. Fenis and his allies will try to cast you as an abomination or flawed wolf. We really won't know the Alphas' decision until we arrive for the hunt. Plus, this month is a 'Super Moon'; that means the moon is both at its closest point to the Earth and a full moon at the same time. It's a double-whammy for werewolves and will make them even more vicious than normal. As a Pack member you'll be safe and an animagus would probably be safe. Anything else and we have a fight on our hands."
Harry merely nodded and made the appropriate noises to indicate his understanding of Remus's explanation. This was the fourth time the older Marauder made the same speech. Harry reckoned it was simply nerves and resisted the impulse to roll his eyes and make a snarky comment.
Ahead of them Harry could hear a number of people talking and laughing. An enhanced sense of smell was not required to smell the wood smoke coming from the large bonfire that was burning. Unlike the Wizengamot earlier that day, here Harry had no real plan. The Wizengamot had rules, procedures, and tradition could be predicted and manipulated. Dumbledore wove a magic there almost equal to what he could do with a wand. True, Harry had lost some in the forced revelations on his animagus status but they had managed to mitigate that damage and keep the focus on Tom's return. With the werewolves that had no firm plan or allies to support a plan if it did exist.
By now Harry was sure the Packs had heard about the Wizengamot meeting and Harry's revelation. Remus had no idea how the Packs would react to that information. They had to play it by ear and hope for the best.
Remus and Harry entered the large clearing just at sunset with the sun setting to their backs. Harry appreciated that as it gave him time to look over the gathering while preventing anyone looking at him from seeing any details.
The clearing was dominated by a huge bonfire filling the centre. It was at least three metres high and the fire blazed brightly. Harry wondered if it was a magical fire or petrol-fuelled it burned so bright and hot. The perimeter of the clearing was lit by torches on long poles. Clustered near some of the torches were heavily-laden tables filled with food; mostly meats of various types. Harry could easily detect the scents of beef, venison, and pork. Smaller campfires with logs for benches were located not too far from these tables.
But the most remarkable thing was the people to be found within that clearing. Harry reckoned there were close to 200 people standing, dancing, and talking around the fires and tables. Harry was slightly surprised to see that roughly half of them were women. Most of the crowd wore the rougher clothing of outdoorsmen but Harry spotted a few in more traditional kilts and others dressed in Muggle biker jeans and leathers. Not a sign of fine clothing or court shoes in sight.
The pair walked down and into the crowd of people. Most stood in small clusters talking and laughing. It felt like a reunion of sorts to Harry. As Remus and Harry passed several of the groups, Harry noted that while several people gave Remus simple nods of greeting, their gazes at him were speculative and almost openly hostile.
Harry was still taking in the sights and trying to get his bearings when he noticed a solitary man approaching. He was not the largest of the men about but he had an air about him. Something about the dark-haired man seemed familiar too. The man came to a stop a safe distance from Harry and Remus. Near enough to talk but not close enough for a surprise physical attack.
"So you're the one that gave my nephew such a hard time," the man said with a light Irish accent. The werewolf looked like a construction worker wearing a flannel shirt and well-worn jeans. His hands were rough from work and strong. While the man seemed friendly, something about him made the Beast wary and cautious. Then Harry had a moment of epiphany.
This man was an Alpha.
From his position next to and just behind Harry, Remus said, "Harry, may I introduce you to Ian, Alpha of Mic tíre na hÉireann. Ian, I introduce you to Harry Potter." Harry remembered from Remus's briefings that this was literally the 'Wolves of Ireland'.
The man nodded at Remus's introduction. "Well met, young Harry. I've heard much about you."
"It is my pleasure, sir," Harry commented with a returned nod of his own. Shaking hands was too dangerous between werewolves so a respectful nod was the polite replacement. "May I ask who your nephew is?"
The Irish werewolf smiled broadly. "You may indeed. Roger Davies is the son of my older brother. Good lad. I saw the pictures you took after the Yule Ball."
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