Drekes
*****
Harry wandered aimlessly down the street, not paying any attention to his surroundings. He was too deep in his thoughts to realize where he was going. Stupid Snape doesn't even know what he's talking about, Harry thought. He doesn't know anything, he has no idea what it's like; nobody does.
Harry never noticed that he was walking into a forest that was about a block from Hermione's house. He could hear them calling for him, but he paid them no attention. He didn't care.
There was something in the air here, and it seemed to be pulling Harry along. The forest was covered in mist, objects impossible to make out from the foggy blanket. But something was leading him the right way, and he did not trip over any branches or roots. He just kept walking.
An unwelcome tingling went down his spine. He had a feeling: a dark one. There was something else in this forest. Something was following him; or leading him, for that matter. He could sense it; they were around here somewhere.
There was a rustle of leaves, and the snap of a twig. Several more twigs gave way after that. There was a scratching sound, a horrible sound that made Harry shiver. There were scratching sounds all around him, and a shuffling sound, as of someone trying to maneuver through a barricaded path.
Harry made his way to the forest until he reached a clear path, one no longer overshadowed by mist. There was an uprooted tree in the center of this clearing, and Harry sat on it, twisting his head in all directions, looking for the thing (or things) that were after him. There was a low sound coming from behind him.
Growling.
He spun so fast he saw black spots in front of his eyes. He cleared his head, and then looked into an opening through some trees, and saw what made his heart freeze: eyes. Silver, glowing eyes, with black pupils that were like a cats. The eyes were giving off a sense of untamable hunger and ruthlessness.
There were more eyes surrounding that first pair, four in all. They all had the same look about them, one of a malicious hunger for flesh.
The creatures to which the eyes belonged to stepped into the clearing, and Harry felt an iron fist clench down upon him. They were like a mix between a jaguar and a wolf, standing three feet at the shoulders, with black fur that blended completely with the shadows, and large ears. They had a long snout and inside their mouths were sharp, pointed, cone-like teeth. There was a faint red tint on the teeth, and their breath smelled like decay.
The largest one, probably the leader, glared at Harry, making a sort of snarling sound. They sat there for a while; silver eyes meeting green ones. Without warning, the jaguar-wolf lunged at Harry, and bit down on his forearm with its massive jaws. Making a surprised yelp from the pain, Harry grabbed the snout of the creature and pried open its jaws with a strength that did not match a skinny boy his size.
Obviously impressed with their prey, the creatures gave a toothy grin (which looked really strange on a deadly killing machine) and began circling him, trying to find a weak point. They would attack in a random format, from the right, then from behind, and then right again.
But Harry would not go down without a fight. Something snapped inside him, and he could sense things differently. His hearing was phenomenal; he could hear a rabbit bouncing along miles away. His sense of smell was heightened, and he could decipher the scent of the jaguar-wolves from the rest of the animals and plants in the surrounding area. His vision was like looking through a sniper scope, and he could change how far he could see. And his sense of taste: oh yes, he could taste things. He could taste things he had eaten weeks ago. But he could also taste flesh; not flesh he had eaten, but flesh that he wanted to eat; flesh of these creatures.
He let out a roar.
*****
"Harry! Harry where are you?"
The members of the Order of the Phoenix were having difficulty finding one Harry Potter. The last they had seen him he had been facing off with Severus Snape. Now, there was no trace of him.
The Grangers, Albus Dumbledore, and Minerva McGonagall, were all one team in the huge search party. They had split off from the main group and were trying to locate Harry using some advanced tracking spells.
They were all worried for Harry, especially now that Voldemort was back and wanted Harry dead. They had to get him back to the Granger's house before Voldemort found him.
Still there was no trace of him, they had searched all around the house and surrounding neighborhood. They all froze when they heard it. A low, frightening roar.
*****
Harry was transformed; he was no longer self-conscious, but run on animalistic instinct. He tore through the creatures ravenously, like some crazed beast. But the only problem was that these things didn't have normal flesh. Their flesh was like the shadows, when torn, they would come back together. That didn't stop Harry though, for his flesh too acted like that, so the creatures weren't able to stop him.
When the creatures looked into his eyes this time, they weren't green; they were red, with black, cat-like pupils, burning with a manic desire to destroy.
*****
The Order entered the forest, and was drawn to the clearing by the sounds of battle. As soon as they entered the clearing, however, they found nothing there.
There was a low howl from behind them, and when they turned, they screamed.
*****
The creatures sensed that a group of people were coming, and instantly vanished in a puff of dark smoke. Harry sensed it too, and ran out of the clearing into the misty forest.
He could not control the animal inside him now; it had been in charge for too long. It now discerned that the group coming was new prey, and Harry went into hunt mode. He took a detour in the forest, and using his enhanced senses, snuck up on the group from behind. He could not help it though when he saw the people, saw how delicious they looked, perfect for a good meal. He let out a howl, and was on the charge.
*****
Dumbledore wasn't a powerful wizard for nothing. His reflexes put his wand in his hand before he even had time to think, and he without delay shouted a very complex and powerful stunning spell, "Attonitus Stupefactus!"
The curse hit Harry right in the chest, and he was knocked backwards. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.
*****
The spell did not last very long. Not two minutes after it was cast Harry awoke; but this time, there was no dangerous animal controlling his mind.
"Sorry about that," he muttered.
"Harry, we need to know what happened," said Dumbledore, worry lining his face. Harry recounted the whole story, a little reluctantly at first, but then gave in. When he was finished, Dumbledore was looking grave.
"Harry, this isn't good. Transformations like that are dangerous, and sometimes fatal. The animal instinct is not something that is easily overcome. If it controls you again, you may never be self-conscious again," Dumbledore cleared his throat, "now, tell me more about these creatures."
"They were black-furred, and blended with the shadows perfectly. Their teeth were large, and sharp, with red stains. The eyes were a glowing silver…" Harry trailed off as he recounted the horrifying image.
Dumbledore made a simple reply, his face stricken with fear, "Drekes."
"Drekes?" asked Harry.
"Yes, they are they shadow creatures. They are born from the shadows, in places where there is no light. They are drawn to feelings of anger and hatred. Those who are victims never survive." Dumbledore said.
"But, then, why did I?" Harry asked, confused.
"There is but one creature they fear; the Black Tiger, the lord of all shadow born monsters. It seems the Tiger has risen," Dumbledore looked at Harry, the twinkle back in his eyes.
It was then that Hermione came storming through the group of people, worry evident upon her face. She grabbed him in a rib-crushing hug, and then let him go, her face showing anger this time, "Don't you ever run away like that again, Harry James Potter! What if Voldemort found you, or the Death Eaters captured you? You could have gotten hurt!" She gripped him in another hug.
"Come on, Harry, Hermione, let's get you both home," said Dumbledore.
*****
Harry was running through a forest, his massive paws making no sound as they hit the forest floor. He could smell his prey in the air; it was only a few hundred meters away.
Up ahead he saw it, a figure in a black cloak. Something about it made Harry want to tread cautiously around the thing. Unsheathing his dagger-like claws from his paws, he walked cautiously up to the figure, ready for any surprise attack.
The figure turned around, and dropped the hood of its cloak, revealing white skin, and demonic red eyes. The cloaked body was none other than Voldemort himself.
"Hello there Harry, I see you've discovered your new form. Ah, yes, you are always full of surprises. To tell the truth, I never thought you would be the one to control the Drekes, but I guess I was wrong. No matter, being the Atrum Cattus does not mean you can defeat me, for I am the serpent. But together, Harry, think of the things we could accomplish! With our combined powers, there would be nothing standing in our way! I could train you in the ways of power and control, and you too will learn to be a Lord. The Serpent and the Tiger, the two most powerful wizards in the history of the world, together, and immortal! Yes, Harry, immortal! Just think, forever will we govern over those weaker and less worthy than us. We will be the Dark Lords, masters over all wizards. You will be able to protect those you love, especially that girl. I do know about the girl, Harry, for I always know what you are thinking, what you are feeling, and the anger inside of you is empowering me! My power is something that even you cannot match, so think wisely, if you choose wrong, know that I will find you, and kill you. You can not beat me Harry, but you can join me!"
Cruel, cold laughter rang throughout the forest, causing blood to stop in its veins, and for fear to clench the hearts of those who know what the laughter meant. And one of those persons was Harry Potter.
Voldemort touched a long, spidery, pale finger against Harry's scar, causing it to burst open in pain. But Voldemort held him there, keeping Harry from escaping, just enough to drill a message into his head, "If you try to fight the darkness, the light will burn out."
*****
Harry awoke, both hands clutching his scar, not realizing he had screamed. His breathing was short and shallow, and he felt something liquidly run through his fingers.
A few moments later and Hermione burst into his room, looking fretful.
"What is it Harry, is it your scar?" She rushed over to Harry, and grabbed his hand, but pulled her hand away. His skin was burning hot!
She got a rag, and rinsed it in some cold water, and began tending to Harry, the rag cooling him.
When Harry had calmed down, and his scar wasn't hurting as much, he answered Hermione. "Yeah, it was my scar."
"What happened?" Hermione asked concernedly.
"It was Voldemort. He wanted me to join him, or I would die," Harry answered softly. "He gave me an offer, if I joined him I would get power, if I didn't, everything and everyone I love will die."
Hermione could not fight back the tears. She grabbed Harry in one of her trademark hugs, and began sobbing onto his shoulder. Once she had stopped, she looked Harry in the eyes. His eyes were so lifeless; there was no joy or happiness. They were empty: dead: barren.
"I'm not going to join him Hermione," Harry suddenly spoke, "I'm going to fight him."
"But Harry," Hermione said, "you won't need to fight him, Dumbledore will take care of that."
"That's where you're wrong."
*****
A/N: Okay, I am having an extremely difficult time trying to get my ideas down. There are like a trillion little plot bunny things hopping around, but they don't want to go into the story. I can never write the story like it appears in my mind, so if you have any tips on how to get past this, please let me know!
Thanks,
The Dark Sorceror
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