The Hog's Head Inn had never looked inviting, but that evening it felt particularly grim. The upstairs room Harry and the Serpent Court had secured was small, dusty, and smelled faintly of spilled ale soaked deep into warped floorboards. A crooked lantern hung from a ceiling beam, casting uneven yellow light that made every shadow look suspicious.
Still, secrecy mattered more than comfort.
Jason had spent nearly fifteen minutes layering wards across the room — muffling charms, anti-scrying runes, disturbance alerts, and a reinforced privacy dome that shimmered faintly whenever someone moved too close to the walls. Even Cassandra, an Auror trainee accustomed to professional ward work, looked impressed.
"No one hears us," Jason finally said, lowering his wand. "And if anyone tries, we'll know before they do."
Harry nodded, then took the central seat at the battered table. Everyone else gathered close: Cassandra, Jason, Cassia, David, Charles, Joseph, Sam, Regina, and two newer Court members acting as logistical support. Ten people total.
Ten against forty.
He didn't need his gamer system to tell him those odds were terrible.
Harry rested his hands on the table and spoke quietly, but every word carried weight.
"I found them."
The room immediately stilled.
"They're deep inside the Forbidden Forest," he continued. "Hidden camp near a river clearing. Strong concealment wards. Professional patrol rotation. And…" — he hesitated briefly — "…I overheard them talking."
Cassandra leaned forward. "About Lily?"
"Yes. They're moving tomorrow. Either relocating her or splitting the group. If that happens, tracking her again will become almost impossible… and her safety drops drastically."
Silence followed. Heavy, thoughtful silence.
Because everyone understood what that meant.
Tonight was their only window.
David broke the quiet first. "So we attack tonight?"
Harry shook his head slowly. "We can't rush in blindly. There are around forty trained foreign wizards. Probably mercenaries. If a fight escalates, Lily becomes leverage. Or collateral damage."
Joseph muttered softly, "And we're only ten."
"Exactly."
Cassandra exhaled, clearly thinking through Auror protocol. "We could involve the Ministry. Official rescue operation."
Harry's gaze sharpened.
"And explain how we located them? Explain blood magic tracking?"
Cassandra grimaced. She already knew the answer.
"And worse," Harry added quietly, "we don't know if the Auror department is compromised. Too many pureblood political influences. Too many leaks historically."
No one argued.
Because they all knew he wasn't wrong.
The conversation stalled again, tension thick enough to feel physically.
That was when Sam spoke.
"The werewolves will help."
Every head turned toward him.
Sam didn't look nervous. If anything, he looked resolved.
"Tonight is full moon," he continued. "And whether Britain admits it or not, there are hundreds of us living quietly across the magical world. Many here in Knockturn Alley and Gothic Alley alone. Most owe Harry more than they can repay."
Harry immediately shook his head.
"No."
It came out instinctively.
"I never helped anyone expecting repayment."
Sam smiled faintly. "That's exactly why they'll come."
Regina leaned forward beside him. "They trust you. Respect you. You gave them Wolfsbane when no one else cared. Protection. Work. Dignity. Tonight, they can protect you."
Harry's expression tightened.
"I don't want them die for me."
"They won't," Sam replied immediately. "Werewolves are naturally resistant to magic, especially during full moon transformation. They can draw attention, scatter enemy focus, disrupt spellcasting lines. That gives you space to rescue the girl safely."
Strategically, it made sense.
Emotionally, Harry hated it.
Using people — especially ones society already marginalized — went against everything he stood for.
But Lily's life outweighed his discomfort.
Slowly, reluctantly, he nodded.
"Minimal casualties," he said firmly. "No unnecessary killing. And if things go wrong, we pull back immediately."
Sam placed a hand over his heart in silent agreement.
"Then we'll gather them," Regina added. "No need to travel far. Between Knockturn and Gothic Alley, there are already dozens. Others will arrive quickly once word spreads."
Plans began forming rapidly after that.
Unlike earlier discussions, this time there was clarity.
Harry would infiltrate first — same strategy he'd used successfully during Fleur Delacour's rescue. His shapeshifting ability made him uniquely suited for silent extraction. Once Lily was secured somewhere safe inside the forest, the werewolves would engage the kidnappers directly, creating chaos but avoiding lethal escalation whenever possible.
The Serpent Court themselves would remain backup only.
That decision wasn't easy for them.
"You're telling us to sit this out?" Cassia asked.
"I'm telling you to stay safe," Harry corrected gently. "If something happens to the mission, you'll need to stabilize the aftermath."
Jason nodded slowly.
"That's… unfortunately logical."
By late afternoon, Sam and Regina had already slipped out to begin recruitment. Word spread faster than expected. Loyalty, it seemed, traveled quicker than owls or Patronuses among the werewolf community.
By sunset, quiet reports filtered back.
Seventy confirmed werewolves within immediate reach.
Possibly more by nightfall.
Harry stepped outside briefly as dusk deepened, the cold Scottish air biting slightly against his skin. From distant treelines and shadowed hills, he could already sense them arriving — cautious, disciplined, not the feral monsters wizarding propaganda loved to portray.
People.
All of them people.
And they were coming for him.
That realization sat heavy in his chest.
Cassandra joined him quietly.
"You're thinking too much again."
"I always do."
"You also always take responsibility for everyone."
Harry didn't deny it.
"They trust me," he said softly. "That means I have to deserve it."
Cassandra smiled slightly. "Then rescue the girl. That's all anyone expects tonight."
He exhaled slowly.
"Yes… tonight we rescue Lily."
The Forbidden Forest never truly slept, but that evening it felt especially watchful.
Harry could sense it even before they crossed the broken Hogwarts ward — a subtle shift in the air, like the forest itself understood that seventy transformed predators were about to walk through its heart. The narrow crack Jason had opened in the ancient Hogwarts barrier shimmered faintly behind them, barely visible unless one knew exactly where to look.
One by one, the werewolves slipped through.
Harry came last.
A faint pulse brushed his senses the moment he crossed.
[Area Warning Detected]
Hostile Territory: Forbidden Forest (Outer Sector)
Threat Assessment: Potentially Severe
Recommendation: Maintain Group Formation
He dismissed the translucent system prompt with a blink. He didn't need a magical interface to tell him the obvious — the forest was full of predators, territorial magical creatures, and ancient wards layered over centuries.
Still, the system's warning confirmed what his instincts already screamed.
This would not be simple.
Behind the barrier, the Serpent Court remained mounted on broomsticks, hidden high among the clouds. Jason had insisted on that compromise — they wouldn't interfere unless absolutely necessary, but they would maintain overwatch.
Insurance.
Harry appreciated that.
The trek itself was slow. Painfully slow compared to flying.
Werewolves moved fast, but stealth mattered more than speed tonight. Leaves crunched underfoot, roots twisted like traps, and thick mist clung to the ground as if reluctant to let them pass.
Every few minutes Harry cast Observe instinctively.
Small blue text flickered faintly in his peripheral vision:
[Detected: Mooncalf Herd — Passive]
[Detected: Centaur Patrol — Avoiding Engagement]
[Detected: Acromantula Cluster — Hostile, Retreating Due to Numerical Disadvantage]
That last one made him glance toward the trees.
Dozens of enormous spider eyes glowed briefly between branches — then disappeared. Even creatures as dangerous as acromantulas knew better than to challenge seventy soon-to-transform werewolves.
Sam walked beside him, voice low.
"Forest knows we're here."
"It does," Harry replied. "And thankfully it prefers distance."
"Smart forest."
The deeper they went, the thicker the air became with anticipation. Harry could almost feel the magic building, reacting to the approaching full moon.
Then suddenly, he raised his hand.
Everyone stopped instantly.
The discipline impressed him.
He pointed forward through the trees, where faint torchlight flickered in the distance.
"That's them."
A subtle system ping confirmed it:
[Quest Objective Nearby]
Rescue Lily Longbottom — Target Proximity: 420 meters
Warning: Warded Encampment Detected
Harry crouched beside a massive oak and gestured toward a specific twisted pine tree ahead.
"See that tree? That's their ward boundary. I observed it earlier. Step past it now and alarms will trigger. Their patrols deliberately stop short of it, which means they rely heavily on perimeter wards."
Several werewolves sniffed the air instinctively, already half-responsive to the rising moon.
One older werewolf — Geoffry, former pack alpha — spoke.
"So we wait."
"Yes," Harry answered. "Transformation first. Then attack."
He hesitated briefly before adding, "Drink Wolfsbane. It'll help maintain control."
That suggestion was met with quiet chuckles.
Sam shook his head. "None of us brought it."
Harry frowned. "Why?"
Regina answered softly.
"Because tonight… we don't want to remember."
The statement hit harder than any spell.
"There will be fighting," another werewolf added. "Maybe killing. Better the beast carries that burden than the man."
Harry didn't like it.
Not at all.
Still, Sam stepped closer and spoke directly to him.
"When we turn, we may not recognize you. Or the girl. Rescue her before the attack begins. Once instincts take over, everything moving becomes potential prey."
That added a new layer of urgency.
Protect Lily from enemies… and allies.
His gamer interface pulsed faintly again:
[New Tactical Condition Added]
Allied Units (Werewolves) → Temporary Hostility Risk During Full Moon
Recommended Action: Secure VIP Target Before Engagement
"Already planned," Harry murmured.
Inside, though, tension coiled tight.
Because this time, there would be no margin for mistakes.
Time passed slowly after that. The forest grew eerily quiet, as if holding its breath.
Harry ran quick mental checks:
Inventory — broomstick ready.
Ward stones — prepared.
Emergency potions — accessible.
Escape routes — mapped.
He flexed his fingers unconsciously and activated Skin Changer, the system responded instantly:
[Skin Changer: Eagle]
Stealth Bonus: Active
Detection Risk: Reduced
Flight Speed: Enhanced
Feathers replaced skin. Wings spread wide.
From high above the forest canopy, Harry's eagle eyes scanned the clearing once again. The camp was exactly where he had seen it earlier — a cluster of tents arranged in a cautious defensive circle, lanterns dimmed deliberately so they would not attract attention from Hogwarts' wards. Patrols moved in predictable routes, clearly experienced but not expecting infiltration from above.
His system flickered faintly in confirmation.
[Quest Objective Located]
Target: Lily Longbottom — Confirmed]
Threat Level: High]
Harry didn't hesitate.
Mid-flight, feathers rippled into scales as he activated his shapeshifting ability. The transformation was smooth now, almost second nature. One moment he was an eagle slicing through the cold night air; the next, a slim snake dropped silently into the shadows below. Fallen leaves cushioned his landing, and he immediately began gliding toward the encampment.
The wards surrounding the clearing shimmered faintly to his magical senses. They were intentionally minimal — likely placed to avoid disturbing Hogwarts' ancient magical barrier. That caution had created a weakness, one Harry exploited without difficulty.
He slipped through the wards like mist.
Inside, the camp smelled of woodsmoke, potion residue, and nervous tension. Harry headed straight toward the largest tent in the center, trusting both instinct and prior observation.
Through a small opening in the canvas, he saw her.
Lily sat curled in a corner, arms wrapped around her knees. She wasn't bound, but the forest itself was prison enough. Her eyes were swollen from crying, cheeks still streaked with dried tears. Every few moments she glanced toward the tent entrance as if hoping someone kind might appear.
Instead, two witches sat nearby watching her.
Their German accents were unmistakable.
"Tomorrow we leave," one said bluntly. "No payment. Your parents don't care enough to pay for a squib."
The second witch laughed, the sound sharp and cruel.
"Maybe the forest will adopt you. Or something worse."
Lily's voice trembled. "They… they do care…"
"If they cared," the first witch replied coldly, "you wouldn't still be here."
Harry felt anger rise inside him, cold and uncontrolled. He forced himself to remain still. Acting too soon could ruin everything. Timing mattered.
Outside, the moon was rising steadily.
Then the forest answered.
A long howl cut through the night. Another followed. Then dozens more joined until the air itself seemed to vibrate with the sound. The witches inside the tent froze.
They knew that sound.
Werewolves.
And not a small pack.
Panic spread instantly through the camp. Wizards rushed out with drawn wands, shouting warnings in multiple languages. Defensive spells flared. Explosions of colored light illuminated the trees as battle erupted almost immediately.
The two witches guarding Lily rushed out to join the others.
"Move!" one shouted.
They didn't even look back.
The tent fell silent.
Harry transformed again.
Scales dissolved into skin, and within seconds the hooded figure of Lord Blackfire stood where the snake had been. His small stature might have suggested youth, but the magical presence he carried was anything but childish.
Lily gasped softly when she saw him.
"Don't be afraid," he said gently. "I came to rescue you."
She hesitated, fear and hope fighting across her face.
"Who… who are you?"
"I am Lord Blackfire."
That name clearly meant little to her, so he added quietly:
"Your friend Harry sent me."
Recognition sparked immediately.
"The boy with the grim pup?"
Harry nodded.
"Yes. Shadow's friend."
Relief flooded her expression so quickly it almost hurt to watch.
"No bad wizard would know that," she whispered. "I never told anyone."
"Your mother asked for help too," he added.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though fear still lingered in her eyes.
"Then… how do we leave?"
Harry glanced toward the tent opening. The battle outside had intensified dramatically. Werewolves tore through outer defenses with terrifying efficiency while the foreign wizards retaliated with disciplined spellfire. Several tents were already collapsing, and the night sky flashed constantly with curses and jinxes.
His interface pulsed again.
Harry reached into his inventory and withdrew a broomstick.
It appeared instantly in his hand.
Lily stared at it, surprised.
"Ever flown before?" he asked calmly.
"Once… with my father."
"That's enough. Hold tight."
She climbed on behind him without argument, arms wrapping firmly around his waist. Fear made trust come quickly.
Harry kicked off hard.
The broom shot forward like a launched arrow, bursting straight through the tent opening. Cold night air rushed over them as they cleared the canopy. Below, the forest clearing had become a battlefield of chaos — werewolves clashing with armed wizards, spells exploding in brilliant colors, shouts and howls blending into a single violent symphony.
Almost immediately, spells were fired upward.
Harry leaned sharply left, the broom responding instantly. A slicing curse passed dangerously close to Lily's shoulder.
She gasped and held tighter.
"Don't look down," Harry advised gently.
Another spell detonated nearby, shaking the broom. At the same moment, a massive werewolf leapt from a fallen tree, claws snapping inches from the broom's tail.
Harry surged upward with all the speed the broom could give.
Two more curses streaked toward them. Harry raised his wand instinctively.
"Shadow Veil."
Dark mist briefly swallowed them, reducing visibility just enough for them to break above the tree line safely.
The noise of battle faded slightly as distance grew.
Lily kept her face pressed against his back.
"Are… are we safe?"
"Almost," he said softly.
He didn't slow until they were far beyond the clearing, hovering near the edge of Hogwarts' outer magical boundary. The distant flashes of combat still lit the horizon behind them, but immediate danger had passed.
Harry finally exhaled.
He lowered the broom gently toward a quiet clearing.
Lily loosened her grip slowly.
"Harry really sent you?" she asked again.
"Yes."
"And… you'll take me home?"
"Tomorrow."
For the first time that night, Harry allowed himself a small smile beneath the hood.
The rescue had succeeded.
Exactly as planned.
Behind them, the battle would continue for a while yet, but that was no longer his responsibility. The werewolves had chosen that fight willingly.
His mission had always been simple:
Find Lily.
Protect her.
Bring her back safely.
And now, that part was done.
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