Through the Forbidden Forest, a large black wolf ran free. Some times it stopped to smell the air, other times it just watched the brilliant full moon. The moon filled the wolf with a savage joy, a joy that the wolf could only express by howling. And so it did. A small part of the wolf's mind tried to formulate more coherent thoughts, but it was lost in the overpowering sense of freedom it felt for the first time ever.
The wolf had been running free for the better part of an hour when a new scent hit its nostrils. It was the scent of musk and fur and sinewy meat. The wolf grew silent as it started stalking. Its yellow eyes almost shone in the moonlight as its eyes fell on a flock of deer. The impulse to run forward was almost too strong to bear, but the wolf's instincts told him NO. It hunched down and cautiously crept forward, stopping every time the deer looked up.
The wolf kept downwind and in the shadows, closing painfully slow on the deer. And then it struck. In a frenzy of fangs, black fur, hard muscles, and sharp claws, a deer fell prey to the werewolf. It roared its triumph before starting in on the feast. The coppery blood tasted sweet, as did the innards and the meat of his rightful prey. As it feasted, the werewolf sensed sentient beings nearby, a confusing scent of two-legs and four-legs mixed together. The sound of hooves and subdued human-like voices. And the damnable smell of moonmetal that could hurt the werewolf. Reluctantly, the werewolf abandoned his prey and stalked off.
Off in the distance, a large structure filled with lights loomed. The wolf felt somewhat troubled when watching the structure. He wanted to investigate the structure further, but the closer he got, the more scared he felt. And so he slinked away again to enjoy the forest in the night.
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Filius Solwer awoke with a start. He wondered dizzily where he was and what he'd been up to last night. He always did the mornings after a full moon. It took him a few seconds to remember where he was and what he was. As his eyes opened fully he found himself lying on top of moss and dead leaves in a forest. No, not "a" forest. The Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. That's right, he was about to start working as a teacher at Hogwarts. Muggle studies. The sun stood low in the east, meaning that it was early morning. Good.
Filius yawned and stretched. There was a foul taste in his mouth, which told him he'd been successful in hunting last night. He stood up, stretching his lean and muscular 6' frame. A bloodied hand ruffled his black and unruly hair and his grey eyes surveyed his surroundings. Her wasn't too far from Hagrid's rebuilt hut where he'd left his clothes last night. As he started walking towards the school grounds he absently noticed several hoof imprints in the soil. A weak smell of blood and the sound of carrion birds confirmed his suspicions; he'd killed last night. He had to know... Following the scent, he came upon his kill. The deer was grotesquely mangled and torn apart, a mute testament to his power when in wolf form.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Filius continued towards Hagrid's. He hadn't killed a sentient being. The wards that had been placed at the edge of the forest to drive him away from the school apparently worked. Drawing nearer to the wards now, he had to fight to pass them. It was wolfbane flowers mixed with silver dust and compounded with warding spells. In wolf form it was intolerable. In human form it was a real effort to pass them.
Filius, not for the first time, cursed Fenrir Greyback. He had been attacked and bitten by the infamous werewolf that joined sides with the Death Eaters during the dark years when Voldemort tried to conquer all of wizarddom. It was a source of pride for Filius that another of Fenrir's unwilling acolytes, Remus Lupin, had been instrumental in Voldemort's downfall, giving his life in the process. Filius hadn't taken part in the battles. He'd had enough trouble getting by as it was. There had been offers, of course. But Filius had vowed to never take the life of a sentient being, magical or not. In his 29-year long life, Filius had so far kept that vow.
Nearing Hagrid's hut, Filius and Fang caught scent of each other at the same time. The large boarhound started barking as Filius fought his way through the last of the wards, their scent and their magic filling him with a feeling of both revulsion and panic. At last he was through, and Hagrid had managed to silence Fang. "Ye'll be wanting yer clothes, Professor Solwer. How did the night go, then?"
Filius smiled at Hagrid. He was one of the few of the staff that treated him with any kind of friendliness and respect. As he dressed, Filius told of what he knew. There was a feeling of elation bubbling in him, but he was also tired and scared. He didn't remember anything from the night, other than the rush of wind past his ears and a feeling of unmitigated joy. "I killed a deer. And I think the centaurs were watching me. The wards are powerful enough that I don't want to go near them in human form, much less in wolf form. You can tell McGonagall that the wards were successful."
Hagrid nodded, a smile creeping across his face. "Would ye care fer a cuppa tea, professor? I hear running as a wolf really takes it outta yeh." Filius smiled back at Hagrid. "It's too close to the wards for me even now, Rubeus. But the offer is much appreciated. If you want to come visit me when the moon ISN'T full, I'd much appreciate the company." Hagrid nodded before heaving his crossbow over his shoulder. Even now, Filius could smell the silvertipped bolts in Hagrid's quiver. A necessary precaution should the wards fail.
Saying his goodbyes, Filius walked back to Hogwarts. He managed to dodge Peeves and get back to his chambers where he collapsed in a snoring heap on his bed. He was woken up a few hours later by Filch, the caretaker. Everyone on the Hogwarts staff had been informed of his condition, and although most were civil enough around him, he sensed their mistrust and fear of him. But this was the only place he was allowed to run free in wolf form as long as precautions were taken.
Filch couldn't be considered civil in the best of circumstances, and if he felt superior to someone he could be downright nasty. "Back from the forest, are you? Did you kill anything? I bet you can't wait to start in on the plump succulent children starting school today. Me and Mrs. Norris will be watching you, professor. And when you kill one of the children we will be there with our silvered weapons to finish you. Mark my words. How the headmistress allowed a werewolf as a teacher is more than I can comprehend..." Muttering, Filch left with Mrs. Norris in tow.
Filius surveyed his spartanly furnished room. A bed, a desk, an office chair, a comfy chair with a small table and a bookshelf constituted all of his furniture. On the walls hung diagrams and maps from the muggle world, as well as a poster of the Wyrd Sisters. Sighing, Filius went to shower before donning his robes and walking down to the dining hall. From afar he could hear the buzz of voices, a buzz that was almost deafening as he entered the hall. His senses were assaulted by the sound and smell of so many people packed into one room, and Filius started to wonder whether taking on the job as a teacher had been such a good idea after all. But being a muggleborn werewolf, teaching Muggle studies was somnething he was actually qualified to do. And Hogwarts had shown some understanding concerning his condition. It was either that or starve. Or worse, become a feral mankiller like Fenrir.
He gave an inward shudder at the thought. And then, something distracted him. There was a scent. It stood out from the rest of the smells in the room. It was almost intoxicating, a sweet sensual smell of woman and flowers unlike anything he'd ever smelled before. Filius stopped and sniffed openly. As far as he could tell, the scent drifted over to him from the Slytherin table. Its effects on him were immediate and potentially embarassing. He flushed. He grew dizzy. His member sprang to attention, making Filius doubly grateful his robes were a bit on the large side.
Collecting himself, Filius walked to the staff table and took his seat next to Hagrid, the only member of the staff that was genuinely friendly with him. Minerva McGonagall favoured him (as she did with all the staff) with a brusque nod as he sat down. The sorting ceremony began. In its poem, the hat urged for continued harmony and co-operation between the houses at Hogwarts. The first-years were duly sorted and seated, and then the feast appeared before them, accompanied by cheers and gasps of wonder from the first-years.
After puddings, Headmistress McGonagall rose and called for silence. Filius had dreaded this moment, but the school had to know, seeing as they didn't have a potions master clever enough to brew the anti-transformation potion. "Welcome all," she began "to a new year here at Hogwarts school of wizardry. Before the usual reminders and information, there is something you all must be aware of. Professor Filius Solwer, would you stand up please? School, this is the new teacher in Muggle studies. Muggleborn himself, we look forward to gain new insights and to see a renewed interest in the muggle world."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "In agreement with Professor Solwer, I will now tell you this: he is a werewolf, and-" there was a sudden outburst of murmurs as the students started discussing this little tidbit of information. Filius could hear snippets of conversations: "...a bit risky, don't you think?" "My father shall hear of this. A WEREWOLF!?" "Cool!" "...just look at him, he looks about ready to pounce..." "I'll send for my silver dagger at home, I will!"
McGonagall raised her voice: "You will all please BE QUIET! We have taken the necessary precautions to ensure that the students will come to no harm. As the Forbidden Forest as a rule is out of bounds for students unless accompanied by a member of the staff, there should be no trouble if you adhere to that rule. Heavens know we've had enough trangressions in the past," she added with a small smile. "Now, on the nights of the full moon you will more than likely hear the professor's howls. rest assured that there are wards in place to keep him in the forest when he is in wolf form. Isn't that right, Professor Solwer?"
Filius nodded, then spoke: "That is indeed correct, headmistress McGonagall. I have trouble moving past the wards in human form. In wolf form it is a more formidable barrier than the Great Wall of China. You are quite safe. It is not my wish to harm any of you, so I must beg you, no implore you to stay away from the forest. especially during the full moon. I have never killed a sentient being, and I don't intend to start here. Adhere to the rules and you will be quite safe." McGonagall gave him a curt smile and a nod: "Thank you, professor Solwer."
Filius looked out over the crowd. There were many that looked at him with suspicion, fear, even hatred. A few seemed awestruck while others seemed curious. Much as he'd expected.
Above it all, that intoxicatng scent teased him. He zoned out as the usual information was given by the staff.
The wolf had been running free for the better part of an hour when a new scent hit its nostrils. It was the scent of musk and fur and sinewy meat. The wolf grew silent as it started stalking. Its yellow eyes almost shone in the moonlight as its eyes fell on a flock of deer. The impulse to run forward was almost too strong to bear, but the wolf's instincts told him NO. It hunched down and cautiously crept forward, stopping every time the deer looked up.
The wolf kept downwind and in the shadows, closing painfully slow on the deer. And then it struck. In a frenzy of fangs, black fur, hard muscles, and sharp claws, a deer fell prey to the werewolf. It roared its triumph before starting in on the feast. The coppery blood tasted sweet, as did the innards and the meat of his rightful prey. As it feasted, the werewolf sensed sentient beings nearby, a confusing scent of two-legs and four-legs mixed together. The sound of hooves and subdued human-like voices. And the damnable smell of moonmetal that could hurt the werewolf. Reluctantly, the werewolf abandoned his prey and stalked off.
Off in the distance, a large structure filled with lights loomed. The wolf felt somewhat troubled when watching the structure. He wanted to investigate the structure further, but the closer he got, the more scared he felt. And so he slinked away again to enjoy the forest in the night.
-----------------------------------------
Filius Solwer awoke with a start. He wondered dizzily where he was and what he'd been up to last night. He always did the mornings after a full moon. It took him a few seconds to remember where he was and what he was. As his eyes opened fully he found himself lying on top of moss and dead leaves in a forest. No, not "a" forest. The Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. That's right, he was about to start working as a teacher at Hogwarts. Muggle studies. The sun stood low in the east, meaning that it was early morning. Good.
Filius yawned and stretched. There was a foul taste in his mouth, which told him he'd been successful in hunting last night. He stood up, stretching his lean and muscular 6' frame. A bloodied hand ruffled his black and unruly hair and his grey eyes surveyed his surroundings. Her wasn't too far from Hagrid's rebuilt hut where he'd left his clothes last night. As he started walking towards the school grounds he absently noticed several hoof imprints in the soil. A weak smell of blood and the sound of carrion birds confirmed his suspicions; he'd killed last night. He had to know... Following the scent, he came upon his kill. The deer was grotesquely mangled and torn apart, a mute testament to his power when in wolf form.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Filius continued towards Hagrid's. He hadn't killed a sentient being. The wards that had been placed at the edge of the forest to drive him away from the school apparently worked. Drawing nearer to the wards now, he had to fight to pass them. It was wolfbane flowers mixed with silver dust and compounded with warding spells. In wolf form it was intolerable. In human form it was a real effort to pass them.
Filius, not for the first time, cursed Fenrir Greyback. He had been attacked and bitten by the infamous werewolf that joined sides with the Death Eaters during the dark years when Voldemort tried to conquer all of wizarddom. It was a source of pride for Filius that another of Fenrir's unwilling acolytes, Remus Lupin, had been instrumental in Voldemort's downfall, giving his life in the process. Filius hadn't taken part in the battles. He'd had enough trouble getting by as it was. There had been offers, of course. But Filius had vowed to never take the life of a sentient being, magical or not. In his 29-year long life, Filius had so far kept that vow.
Nearing Hagrid's hut, Filius and Fang caught scent of each other at the same time. The large boarhound started barking as Filius fought his way through the last of the wards, their scent and their magic filling him with a feeling of both revulsion and panic. At last he was through, and Hagrid had managed to silence Fang. "Ye'll be wanting yer clothes, Professor Solwer. How did the night go, then?"
Filius smiled at Hagrid. He was one of the few of the staff that treated him with any kind of friendliness and respect. As he dressed, Filius told of what he knew. There was a feeling of elation bubbling in him, but he was also tired and scared. He didn't remember anything from the night, other than the rush of wind past his ears and a feeling of unmitigated joy. "I killed a deer. And I think the centaurs were watching me. The wards are powerful enough that I don't want to go near them in human form, much less in wolf form. You can tell McGonagall that the wards were successful."
Hagrid nodded, a smile creeping across his face. "Would ye care fer a cuppa tea, professor? I hear running as a wolf really takes it outta yeh." Filius smiled back at Hagrid. "It's too close to the wards for me even now, Rubeus. But the offer is much appreciated. If you want to come visit me when the moon ISN'T full, I'd much appreciate the company." Hagrid nodded before heaving his crossbow over his shoulder. Even now, Filius could smell the silvertipped bolts in Hagrid's quiver. A necessary precaution should the wards fail.
Saying his goodbyes, Filius walked back to Hogwarts. He managed to dodge Peeves and get back to his chambers where he collapsed in a snoring heap on his bed. He was woken up a few hours later by Filch, the caretaker. Everyone on the Hogwarts staff had been informed of his condition, and although most were civil enough around him, he sensed their mistrust and fear of him. But this was the only place he was allowed to run free in wolf form as long as precautions were taken.
Filch couldn't be considered civil in the best of circumstances, and if he felt superior to someone he could be downright nasty. "Back from the forest, are you? Did you kill anything? I bet you can't wait to start in on the plump succulent children starting school today. Me and Mrs. Norris will be watching you, professor. And when you kill one of the children we will be there with our silvered weapons to finish you. Mark my words. How the headmistress allowed a werewolf as a teacher is more than I can comprehend..." Muttering, Filch left with Mrs. Norris in tow.
Filius surveyed his spartanly furnished room. A bed, a desk, an office chair, a comfy chair with a small table and a bookshelf constituted all of his furniture. On the walls hung diagrams and maps from the muggle world, as well as a poster of the Wyrd Sisters. Sighing, Filius went to shower before donning his robes and walking down to the dining hall. From afar he could hear the buzz of voices, a buzz that was almost deafening as he entered the hall. His senses were assaulted by the sound and smell of so many people packed into one room, and Filius started to wonder whether taking on the job as a teacher had been such a good idea after all. But being a muggleborn werewolf, teaching Muggle studies was somnething he was actually qualified to do. And Hogwarts had shown some understanding concerning his condition. It was either that or starve. Or worse, become a feral mankiller like Fenrir.
He gave an inward shudder at the thought. And then, something distracted him. There was a scent. It stood out from the rest of the smells in the room. It was almost intoxicating, a sweet sensual smell of woman and flowers unlike anything he'd ever smelled before. Filius stopped and sniffed openly. As far as he could tell, the scent drifted over to him from the Slytherin table. Its effects on him were immediate and potentially embarassing. He flushed. He grew dizzy. His member sprang to attention, making Filius doubly grateful his robes were a bit on the large side.
Collecting himself, Filius walked to the staff table and took his seat next to Hagrid, the only member of the staff that was genuinely friendly with him. Minerva McGonagall favoured him (as she did with all the staff) with a brusque nod as he sat down. The sorting ceremony began. In its poem, the hat urged for continued harmony and co-operation between the houses at Hogwarts. The first-years were duly sorted and seated, and then the feast appeared before them, accompanied by cheers and gasps of wonder from the first-years.
After puddings, Headmistress McGonagall rose and called for silence. Filius had dreaded this moment, but the school had to know, seeing as they didn't have a potions master clever enough to brew the anti-transformation potion. "Welcome all," she began "to a new year here at Hogwarts school of wizardry. Before the usual reminders and information, there is something you all must be aware of. Professor Filius Solwer, would you stand up please? School, this is the new teacher in Muggle studies. Muggleborn himself, we look forward to gain new insights and to see a renewed interest in the muggle world."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "In agreement with Professor Solwer, I will now tell you this: he is a werewolf, and-" there was a sudden outburst of murmurs as the students started discussing this little tidbit of information. Filius could hear snippets of conversations: "...a bit risky, don't you think?" "My father shall hear of this. A WEREWOLF!?" "Cool!" "...just look at him, he looks about ready to pounce..." "I'll send for my silver dagger at home, I will!"
McGonagall raised her voice: "You will all please BE QUIET! We have taken the necessary precautions to ensure that the students will come to no harm. As the Forbidden Forest as a rule is out of bounds for students unless accompanied by a member of the staff, there should be no trouble if you adhere to that rule. Heavens know we've had enough trangressions in the past," she added with a small smile. "Now, on the nights of the full moon you will more than likely hear the professor's howls. rest assured that there are wards in place to keep him in the forest when he is in wolf form. Isn't that right, Professor Solwer?"
Filius nodded, then spoke: "That is indeed correct, headmistress McGonagall. I have trouble moving past the wards in human form. In wolf form it is a more formidable barrier than the Great Wall of China. You are quite safe. It is not my wish to harm any of you, so I must beg you, no implore you to stay away from the forest. especially during the full moon. I have never killed a sentient being, and I don't intend to start here. Adhere to the rules and you will be quite safe." McGonagall gave him a curt smile and a nod: "Thank you, professor Solwer."
Filius looked out over the crowd. There were many that looked at him with suspicion, fear, even hatred. A few seemed awestruck while others seemed curious. Much as he'd expected.
Above it all, that intoxicatng scent teased him. He zoned out as the usual information was given by the staff.
