"And that why we keep Harry around," she laughed. Seeing the question in the Westen party's eyes she elaborated. "Put a book of theory in front of Harry and he needs all his will power to keep from nodding off. Give him a practical demonstration or a mystery to solve and he's his own special brand of genius." Harry flushed at the pride he heard in his girlfriend's voice.
"A kinetic learner, perhaps?" Smithe suggested. "However it came to him, Mr Potter's suggestion does have a significant amount possibility behind it. They would not be the first wizards to forget to incorporate outside influences on new rituals or potions. The Bubonic Plague, or Black Death, started in Asia and was an attempt to create a plague that killed off all the rats in a particular wizarding town. Researchers there were working on healing spells and potions and the rats were eating the bodies they were using in their research. Unfortunately, Venus was diametrically opposed to Earth on the other side of the Sun and caused a slight fluctuation to the ritual. That allowed the plague to jump from rats to humans via their bite or other vector such as fleas. The point is there is historical basis for the scenario that Mr Potter suggests."
The man paused and then added, "In fact, it may help answer some of the questions I myself had. What if the curse actually supressed that portion of the brain we noted that the moon's positioning irritates. What if instead of the moon's influence activating the curse, it instead was irritating the curse and allowing some of the original shape-changers' abilities to resurface! Oh, I must get back to my lab and share this with my team! Come, come, we must go now!"
The professor quickly gathered up his notes and materials and all but ran out of the room while exhorting his employees to please hurry them back to his lab.
"Funny guy," Harry commented. "I kind of like him but no one introduce him to Flitwick." The girls and Remus laughed at Harry's comment.
The Westens smiled and rose from their seats. Oliver said, "It seems that our meeting has come to a rather abrupt end. I suspect once he finishs with this burst of enthuesasm that Prof. Smithe will ask for a follow up session if that would be agreeable to you."
"Of course," Hermione answered before Harry could. "I would be fascinated to hear what he comes up with after today. We didn't get to really touch on the data Padma and I developed on Harry. Oddly enough, Hermione's observation caused Colleen to laugh.
"And in three days when Doc Emmitt comes up for air and realizes that fact he will be demanding a new meeting and whinging over the lost time." Colleen seemed to be complaining over the human researcher but her voice also had an air of fond exasperation. Claire laughed with her niece.
"We can try to set something up before they return to Hogwarts," Remus allowed. "If not, maybe during the Hogsmeade weekend."
"If we meet during the school year we will have to Floo somewhere else," Harry inserted. At Remus's look he added, "Dumbledore told us last night when you were out that the Hogsmeade weekends were going to be cancelled due to security risks. McGonagall suggested some of the shops set up stalls near the Quidditch pitch but inside the wards once a month as a faire of sorts."
"A sensible precaution," Oliver allowed in an approving tone. "It reduces the number of people traveling between the school and the village and keeps the students in a more controlled area. Wards can be bypassed but it would take a significantly higher effort to get any real numbers in to Hogwarts."
"Studied that have you?" Harry asked with a small grin. Oliver's return grin was decidedly wolf-like.
"The hunt is the best part of being a wolf. The common animals of the forest are not much of a challenge for us. The Dark creatures are much more fun. Humans can be the best though - the most dangerous and unpredictable. Of course I study where that prey sleeps and lives. I know you understand this, Potter."
"You hunt humans?!" Hermione gasped.
"Hunt yes, Hermione but he doesn't mean he kills," Harry said before Hermione could go any further. "There is a thrill in the hunt. But a true wolf only kills for food or to defend the pack, not for sport. That is a human trait."
"Goblin too," Claire added. "They are a warrior race for all their avarice. They often hunt the more dangerous magical creatures to prove themselves to each other. Every few years they show up in one of our Pack ranges on the night of a full moon. We lose a few pack members but not as many as they do." Hermione and Padma looked shocked and appalled at that news.
"We've gotten off topic here," Remus said pulling them back. "Maybe we can choose a location after the school year has started and the security measures are a little more known?"
"That seems reasonable," Oliver acknowledged. The Alpha stood and gave Harry a short head nod of acknowledgement. Harry stood and returned it politely.
Claire walked around the table and surprised Harry with a quick hug. "When you arrived at the Gathering, I was prepared to side with Greyback against you. The Wizarding World hasn't made any friends among the Packs but I admit to being impressed by you and your friends. Thank you, Potter, for being willing to share with us and make our dream a little closer to reality."
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