Harry learned two very important things about Faith in the next week. One, she hogged the covers, and two, she was heavier than she looked. She slept in his bed for a while, then went back to her room without a word. There weren't any longing looks or lingering kisses. Their relationship was best defined as friends with benefits. It was a nice change from ducking potential marriage agreements in his mail.
The more pressing matter was the approach of the first full moon since his time in Sunnydale. He had finally completed the Wolfsbane Potion to his satisfaction. Transport across the ocean, and then the continent, hadn't been kind to the ingredients. Most required an extra step in preparation. It was annoying that the two magical worlds were so different. The fact that both seemed to be equally ignorant of the other showed just how much he didn't know. Originally, he planned on doing some more traveling rather than settle in Sunnydale. There were other places, even just in America, that he wanted to visit.
Harry arrived at the library after school was out. He wanted to avoid the principal if he could. Oz, Willow, and Giles were all waiting for him.
"Do you finish it?" Oz asked.
Harry nodded, "sorry it took so long."
"Are you sure this will work?" Willow asked.
Harry sighed, "Oz isn't the same sort of werewolf I've encountered before. Lycanthrope is a disease; this could be a different strain."
"Like a flu shot," Willow offered.
Harry smiled, "right. It could work just fine, or it could do nothing."
"Or it could make it worse," Oz added. "What do you think, Giles?"
The Watcher took a sip of his tea, "I have no experience with this."
"Ready?" Harry asked. "I did my best about the taste."
Oz sighed, "bottoms up."
The others waited to see what would happen. Harry subtly let his wand drop into his hand, just to be careful. Oz winced as he drank.
"How did it taste before?" Oz asked.
Harry nodded, "how are you feeling?"
"Fine," Oz shrugged. "There isn't really a change until the moon… Moooon. Did they think the moon was made of cheese because it sounds like moo?"
"Oz?" Willow placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you're ok?"
The werewolf smiled, "Willow. Will-Oh. Like the tree. Or the movie. I love that movie."
"Let's get you inside," Willow guided him over to the cage.
Oz went willingly. He started to strip without needing to be told. Willow let out a little squeak and fled. She did remember to close and lock the gate.
"I'm going to stay the night," Harry said. "Just to be safe."
He held up his hands to show the others that his fur was starting to grow.
Oz started to giggle, "it's on my palms. Hairy palms."
His transformation changed the giggles into little chuffs. Werewolf Oz rolled on ground with his hands and feet in the air. He wiggled his toes and cooed. The noises continued, sounding more like a house cat that got into catnip rather than an apex predator.
"Is this normal?" Willow asked.
Werewolf Oz began chirping when he caught the sight of Willow. He rubbed his chin along the grate trying to mark her with his scent.
"I think it will need some adjusting," Harry said. "Weight isn't the issue, it works on children just as well as adults."
"Children?" Willow squeaked.
Harry nodded, "it happens. Can you get close enough to get some light in his eyes?"
Willow nodded. Oz actually purred as she got closer. A silent Lumos created a floating orb of light. The new shiny thing caught Oz's attention. His eyes were wide with wonder, leaving only slivers of his iris.
"At least we don't have to worry about him being aggressive," Harry muttered.
Giles stepped up beside him, "I'll make a run to the butcher for some nibbles."
Willow and Harry looked at him in silent question.
"The 'munchies' as you call them are quite real," Giles added.
"Why is there a butcher open at this time of…" He caught himself. "Never mind."
Willow pulled a chair over to the cage. Oz chirped and purred at her while giving her slow blinks.
"You don't have to stay," Willow said. "We usually take shifts. I like to read to him."
Harry waved away her concern, "I'll give you two some space while I work on the potion."
"You'll need sleep," Willow argued.
Harry pulled a potion that shouldn't have fit from his pocket, "Pepper-Up Potion."
"Are you sure that will work the same?" Willow asked.
Harry nodded, "I've made a couple of them already. They work fine."
He removed a tome from his pocket, followed by a journal, and finally a fountain pen with some spare ink.
"Are those magic pants?" Willow asked.
Harry nodded, "there is a space expansion charm on the pockets. It's also self-repairing for minor wear and tear, can adjust up to three inches in length and width, and about as protective as treated leather."
"Neat," Willow said. "Do they come in skirts?"
Harry chuckled, "give me your measurements and I can send an order to my friend. She's dragging fashion to the modern era kicking and screaming." He paused for a moment of thought. "I should order some for everyone. The extra protection alone is worth it."
Harry almost called out for Dobby. The name caught in his throat as the memories of the strange elf caught up to him. He took a deep breath to keep himself from spiraling. Kreacher had passed a few months after the war. He could never bring himself to forgive the elf for the part it played in Sirius' death. The body was cremated and the ashes were placed in front of the portrait of Walburga Black before he sealed the room. Enchanted masonry did wonders to block her screaming.
"Are you ok?" Willow asked.
Harry blinked as the question pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Yes," he answered. "Memories caught up to me for a moment."
Willow nodded. She looked like she wanted to ask but held back from pressing.
Harry opened the tome and his journal. He scanned through his notes on the Wolfsbane Potion as well as the treatments he had to use on the ingredients. Neville had authored a book on Herbology that went into the intricacies of the preparation, storage, and treatment of magical vegetation. Years of mistreatment made him nearly have a panic attack he was around a cauldron, but his knowledge pertaining to the ingredients was top-notch.
He checked his formula against the original as well as the alterations to revive the ingredients. Everything looked like it should have worked. The only difference was the strain of Lycanthrope.
"Willow," he called.
"Yes? She giggled. "Sorry. I'm being too loud. I didn't mean to be. Oz is just so silly."
Harry shook his head, "no, you're fine. Could you do me a favor?"
"I'll try," she replied.
Harry gave her a smile that he had perfected during his time training students in DA. It was a comforting one that he wished all of his professors would use. He did his best to mimic Flitwick considering how much the man loved teaching charms. Sprout was pleasant outside of the greenhouse but brokered no nonsense during class.
"Do you think you could get some of his fur?" Harry asked. "No rush, I can wait until morning."
Willow giggled again, "no problem."
She plucked a tuft that had come off during the multiple attempts to rub his chin against her through the cage.
"Thank you," Harry said. "Place it there for now."
Willow put the chunk of werewolf fur near the open tome before returning to Oz.
"Could I read that later?" She asked.
Harry nodded, "I don't see a reason not to. It's a treaties on the treatment, care, and processing of plant-based potion ingredients. Again, be careful, this is my sort of potion. I have no clue how it would translate to the ones you brew."
He stood once more and removed a small chemistry set from his pockets.
"Do you have a cauldron in there too?" Willow asked.
Harry smiled, "I forgot it in my other pants."
He got to work examining the fur in detail. The chemistry set worked better than the classic potions tools for the minutia of creation and identification. He poured a measure of solution in three of the vials.
"What is this?" Giles asked.
Harry looked up, "when did you get here?"
"About five minutes ago," Giles motioned to the package wrapped in butchers' paper. "You've been rather focused."
Harry nodded, "I'm trying to identify the difference between Oz and the werewolves I have encountered in the past. This is a base solution that will transfuse the elements of the fur into the liquid for analysis. It will take a few minutes and will provide some details as well."
"Interesting," Giles adjusted his glasses. "May I borrow that book once you're finished?"
Harry tapped his journal, "this one is my own notes on various potions, spells, and runic arrays. I wouldn't recommend it without previous knowledge of those subjects. Tonight, further proves that our approaches to magic need some translation to work as intended." He tapped the other book. "You'll have to wait on this one. Willow asked first."
Giles gave the girl a disapproving look.
"She's going to learn with or without your help," Harry chuckled. "Don't you think it would be better to be there to teach her?"
Giles removed his glasses and cleaned them while he thought.
"If you'll excuse me," Harry turned back to the vials. "I have a feeling I'm going to be busy."
~
It was amazing the things a shift in color could tell you. This strain of Lycanthrope was 'gentler' than the kind he had encountered previously. The fatality rate was due to events after the transformation and the actions that the werewolf took rather that exposure to the disease. No wonder the potion reacted differently than expected. It was the equivalent of giving a shot of whiskey to a child. He would need to dilute the potion significantly or figure out a new formula from his own research.
He was actually pretty good with potions, but he wasn't beyond asking for help. Daphne Greengrass was the same age as Snape when she got a Potions Mastery. She had been hired to teach at Hogwarts once the school opened again. They knew each other via reputation and a few Ministry fundraisers. He would have to get her input on his work. Their personal relationship, or lack thereof, shouldn't matter once she saw what he was trying to do. He would add that to the list of letters he needed to write.
Oz snorted loudly, his feet kicked in the air as he chased dream rabbits. Harry stood and stretched then downed a Pepper-Up Potion. He walked over to the cage to check in on him. Oz had been asleep for two hours now. Harry collected a bit of residual drool in fresh vials that covered a patch on the cage. He would run another round of testing with the new material. It should provide some more information.
Harry noticed a slight breeze. The window inside the cage was open a little. Oz would have no problem reaching it and getting outside if left alone. Harry flicked his wrist, closing the window and locking it without a word. He sighed as he turned around to look at the other person that had shown up to watch Oz.
Xander was stretched out on a nearby table using a stack of books as a pillow. The guy had shown up about an hour ago for a shift-change. He fell asleep within a few minutes after he arrived.
He sighed as he started the process of testing the saliva. This could probably get him an Honorable Potions Mastery if he figured it out. He would have to dedicate it to the memory of Snape. Anyone that had the unfortunate experience of being his 'student' would get the joke. The downside being that once that generation moved on it would actually be a boon to the memory of Severus 'step over your dead husband and ignore your crying baby to cradle your body' Snape. That was something he couldn't risk.
~
The concentration of the virus in the saliva provided plenty of data. All of it pointed to the fact that he was out of his depth. The best he could do now was observe Oz for any lingering side-effects for the remaining days of the full moon.
"Ah, Harry!" Giles said as he entered to library. "You're still here?"
Xander sat up, "I'm awake."
The two others gave him a look.
"I wanted to keep an eye on him in case the situation changed," Harry replied. "You look haggard."
Giles raised his eyebrows in a shrugging motion, "I came to recheck the possible avenues of exit."
"Why?" Harry asked.
The conversation was interrupted as Oz and Willow joined them in the library.
"There is no need to panic," Giles said once he saw the duo.
Oz's eyes narrowed, "poker, not your game."
"What's the deal, Giles?" Willow asked.
"Nothing," Giles shook his head. "Probably. If there was a deal then it would concern a murder last night. A male student was found in the woods."
"Which student?" Willow asked.
Giles sighed, "Jeff Orkin."
"Jeff?" Oz blinked. "He was – I knew him."
Giles suddenly found the papers on the card catalogue beside him very interesting, "I'm afraid he was terribly mauled. Now, as much as I hate to think, it could be the handiwork of-"
"Me," Oz finished.
Harry cleared his throat, "not possible."
"How do you know?" Oz asked staring at Harry with an intensity that was unlike anything he'd shown so far.
Harry smiled, "I was here all night. Aside from Sleeping Beauty here," he motioned to Xander. "It was just me and you." Harry paused. "You saw what the potion did to him, Giles. The only person he was a danger to last night was himself. Pretty sure he hit his head a few times chasing his tail."
"I don't have a tail," Oz said.
Harry's smile broadened, "I know."
"So, it wasn't you," Willow said. "See. No issue."
Giles turned to Harry, "are you certain he was here all night? There was no possible way he could have escaped?"
"The cage was locked," Harry counted off. "I locked the window with magic. Oz was asleep once Willow left. All that purring must have worn him out."
"I purr?" Oz asked.
"Last night you did," Harry nodded.
"It was rather adorable," Willow added.
Harry cleared his throat, "like I said, no possible way he got out." He moved closer to Oz. "How are you feeling, by the way? Anything new symptoms? Weird urges?"
"I was really hungry this morning," Oz replied.
Harry nodded, "good news, you didn't murder anyone last night. Bad news, the potion was catnip for your type of werewolf."
Oz sighed.
"Nothing else?" Harry asked. "I'm going to send my findings to an expert for more input. Until then, I'll need to keep an eye on you’re the rest of this full moon."
"What are we thinking, then?" Xander asked. "Another werewolf? Some new beastie running around? Boring old vampires?"
"I wouldn't call vampires boring," Giles muttered.
"You know what I mean," Xander rolled with it. "It's always vampires."
Further conversation was interrupted by the morning bell.
Giles let out a relieved sigh, "well, time for class. Harry, you'll be here tonight?"
"Yes," Harry nodded as he packed away his things. "Have a good day. Don't forget your number two pencils."
He went home to find Faith lounging on the couch.
She looked up as he entered, "how's little red and the wolf?"
"Good," Harry chuckled. "I have to rework the potion. Question, have you ever seen a stoned werewolf? I did last night."
Faith wiggled her eyebrows at him, "would it work on me?"
"No," he chuckled. "It would taste weird and give you a stomachache."
"Bummer," Faith sighed.
"What were you up to last night?" He asked.
She shrugged, "the usual. Staking vamps, kicking ass."
"I'm going to go to bed before my potion fades," Harry kicked off his shoes and took off his shirt. "Want to come?"
Faith licked her lips as she took in the sight of him, "just for sleeping?"
"Yes," Harry nodded. "I'm already feeling it fade."
Faith hopped to her feet, "don't worry, Merlin. I'll catch you."
~
Harry arrived at the library the next night while Faith returned to her patrols. Willow was there to greet him. Oz was already transformed and in the cage.
"Any signs or lingering symptoms?" Harry asked as he entered.
She shook her head, "he seems fine tonight."
Oz hopped to his feet and growled as Harry approached.
"Well, as fine as he gets as a werewolf," Willow shrugged.
"Good," Harry let out a sigh of relief. "I was worried the potion would take longer to work out of his system. The werewolves I've worked with in the past have to take a dose every night. Then again, they don't turn into kittens either."
"Kitten Oz was cute," Willow looked fondly at the cage.
"Any luck on the murder side of things?" Harry asked.
Willow shook her head, "Giles is checking it out tonight. He has a contact at the morgue. It will take a little longer, but we don't have to sneak in. I was not looking forward to getting close to a dead body." She looked at Oz once more. "I would have if it proved Oz was innocent."
"I'm glad you didn't have to do that," Harry said. "How long are you staying?"
Willow looked at the clock, "I wanted to be here when he changed and when you got here."
"I'll keep an eye on him," Harry began to remove supplies from his pockets.
She came over to inspect his selection this time, "no chemistry set?"
"No," Harry smiled. "I'm writing letters tonight. Letting my friends know I'm still alive and contacting a Potions Master for some help."
Willow perked up, "what are your friends like? Are they witches too? Or warlocks? Are you a warlock? Is that what they call boy witches?"
"Yes," Harry chuckled. "They are witches. We call ourselves wizards, not warlocks. Warlock has bad history attached to it."
Willow nodded, "can any of your friends tell you if I'm a witch?"
"You are a witch," Harry corrected. "It's just a different approach."
She deflated a little, "yeah, but I want to be a real witch with a pointy hat, wand, and a broom. Maybe a toad."
"We only wear the pointy hats for special occasions," Harry laughed. "Now that I think about it, a broom might help things. I have one at my house, come by in the next few days and we'll see if you can ride it."
"Really?" Willow brightened.
"Really," Harry nodded. "It would also tell us if you had potential for my school of magic."
"Thanks, Harry," Willow hopped in place before she hurried out of the library.
Oz whined as she left. He sat back on his haunches and looked at Harry.
"Don't worry," Harry soothed. "She'll be back in the morning."
Harry went to work writing the letters. He would occasionally check on Oz to see the werewolf pacing, studying the window, or watching him back. It was around three in the morning when Buffy arrived.
"Hey," she called. "How are things going tonight?"
Harry motioned to Oz, "fine. Why are you here?"
"Couldn't sleep," Buffy shrugged.
Buffy wandered around the entry pretending she didn't know what she was really here for.
"You're looking for something," Harry said. "Go for it, I'm busy with my own things."
Buffy let out a breath as she jogged to the raised area. She muttered the titles of the books as she looked through them.
"Did you want to talk?" Harry asked.
He didn't need to see her to know she froze.
"You're most likely to understand than anyone," Buffy joined him at the table. "Do you have experience with people coming back from the dead?"
Harry shook his head, "I'm usually the one dying."
"Oh," Buffy's shoulders slumped.
"Someone came back from the dead?" Harry prompted. "Is this a new one for you?"
"Kind of," she shrugged. "I thought he was dead. I killed him myself and he was sent to the demon realm."
"The one with the sword?" Harry asked.
Buffy nodded, "Angel."
"Ouch," Harry muttered. "Are you sure it's him?"
She nodded, "I don't know how, but it's him."
"He came back from the demon realm," Harry repeated.
"Time passes faster there," Buffy said. "I've seen people go from homework to old-folks home after a night in there. He's been gone for months. Or…"
"A century or two to him," Harry finished. "That is a new one for me."
"Wonderful," Buffy grumbled. "I came here to do some research on all of it."
Harry pulled a couple of red potions from his pocket, "these are Pepper-Up Potions. They'll keep you going for eight hours. You will pass out once it runs out."
"What does that mean for a slayer?" Buffy asked.
Harry shook his head, "I have no idea."
"I'll stick to coffee," Buffy gave him a weak smile. "Thanks."
"No problem," Harry said turning back to his letters.
~
Simply having Buffy there helped him hold off the need for the Pepper-Up Potion for a couple hours longer. He was wide awake when Giles arrived. More importantly, he was awake when Willow arrived with fresh doughnuts.
He did his best to ignore the conversation Buffy and Giles were having. It was an edited version of the one they had at the start of last night. He packed up his supplies. The letters were complete and ready to be sent. Now he just had to wait for the Magic Box to open. The potion would keep him awake for a couple more hours. He doubted it would last long enough. Most stores in town didn't open until ten or eleven. The potion would last long enough for him to see the place open only to pass out before he could get inside.
"I'm off," Harry said as he finished packing. "I'll be late tonight."
"Did anything strange happen last night?" Willow asked.
Harry shook his head, "no. I just want to be careful. The potion seems to have worked its way out of his system. It's about noting anything odd about his behavior. During daytime as well. Have you noticed any differences?"
"Oz just being Oz," Willow shook her head.
"I feel fine," Oz said.
Harry nodded, "good. I don't know if I'll be able to make a potion that works for you."
"I'm good," Oz said easily. "I've got my cage."
~
Harry set an alarm for four in the afternoon to give him time to get to the Magic Box before sunset. Stella was polite but clearly in a rush to leave. He paid extra for her time to say thank you. It was important to get the letters sent as soon as possible. With the urgent matters handled he had some time to spare.
He stopped by a restaurant to pick up some take-out for himself and whomever would be there tonight. The fast-food places around town gave him a bad feeling. Literally, the food didn't agree with his stomach. This left him with sit-down places and take-out options.
Harry arrived at the school in time to see Oz, in wolf form, bounding down the hallway with Willow and Faith in pursuit. He sighed, shifted the take-out bag to his other hand, and drew his wand. Oz let out a growling roar when he saw him. The werewolf charged straight for him.
Oz dodged the Stunner, but the not the Body Binding and Levitation charms. The werewolf growled as he tried to wiggle out of the summoned ropes.
"Heads up," Faith called.
Harry caught sight of her raising a rifle. He stepped to the side of the hallway. Oz yelped as a tranquilizer dart hit. The drug worked fast, turning the growls into snores.
"Did I miss something?" Harry asked.
"We found the real murderer," Faith answered. "He decided to pick a fight with Oz when the moon was rising."
"Where is the murderer?" He asked.
"Buffy went after him," Faith replied. "We were on wolf duty."
Harry floated the slumbering werewolf back toward the library, "I brought Chinese."
"Are there eggrolls?" Willow asked with forced cheer.
Harry nodded, "and crab rangoons."