Hello! So this popped in my head while working on a WIP and I thought it would be really interesting to explore.
Fenrir Greyback watched the little girl curiously. She couldn't be more than six years old, yet every day for the past week, he watched as her parents dropped her off and left her by herself for hours each day. His lip curled in disgust. Filthy muggles.
He knew he would have to wait just a little longer and the other children would leave. Normally he wouldn't care, but he was waiting for a reason. It was his life's mission to overrun the wizarding world with werewolves by stealing their witches and wizards. It was better when they were young; much easier to train in the ways of the Pack. He felt an outburst of magic recently and pinpointed it to the little girl he was currently watching. He had to be careful though. It wouldn't do to lose her because he scared her away just yet.
He tilted his head, hearing a couple of the parents asking about the girl. They assumed another parent was hers. He snorted. Stupid and unobservant the whole lot of them. Fenrir shifted easily, and laid on the forest floor, placing his head on his paws. He could wait patiently.
xXx
Hermione smiled softly at the boy on the swing next to her. He gave her an ugly look and jumped off the swing. She pointedly turned away, refusing to be hurt by the action. If he wanted to be mean, then fine! Hermione jumped off the swing and went to the empty sandbox. Other kids always left toys here, which suited Hermione just fine. She would play with them.
It wasn't until the sky started to gradually get darker that Hermione got up from her play space. She admired the rather detailed castle, knowing it would be gone tomorrow. She looked around and saw that all the other children were gone. Her mother and father would be back soon to get her. Hermione went to the center fountain and began to wait patiently like she has been since this routine started up. Her eyes widened considerably when she saw a really big dog, with bright golden eyes slowly walk closer to her. Her mouth opened wide in a grand smile when she realized it wasn't a dog at all but a wolf.
Hermione hopped off the fountain and approached the animal - who was taller than she was! - putting her hand out like she's been told to with dogs she's never met. She figured it would work with this wolf too. It would smell her and then she could pet it! Hermione flinched when instead of sniffing her hand like she expected, it put it in its mouth. She frowned at the wolf. "That's not nice." She was bringing her hand back when the wolf bit her hard enough to draw blood. Hermione tensed instinctively, tears coming unbidden to her eyes. "Not nice!" She cried. She shoved the wolf away, cradling her bloody hand to her chest, wailing loudly at the burning sensation, tears streaming down her face.
Fenrir growled, shifting back to his human form, furious at his wolf. He cursed at the wailing child in front of him, the scent of her blood making his own race in excitement. He breathed in deeply. He hadn't been able to smell a lick of magic until his wolf bit her. Now though, it surrounded her. She was witch. A muggle-born naturally, but a witch. He supposed it wasn't much of a loss since he would have bit her later regardless. If she died because she didn't have a magical core, then oh well. Muggles can't survive the bite.
He let out another curse and roughly picked the girl up, scowling at the way she immediately curled into him. Didn't she have any self-preservation? He nearly sagged in relief when her wailing eventually ceased to just the occasional sniffles. "What's your name pup?" He asked, voice gruff. He wondered at her seeking comfort from him, seeing as he had just bit her. He wondered if she was just stupid because of the muggles that reared her. "Hermione." She answered quietly, her bloodied hand still close to her chest. Fenrir grunted in response, looking around the now dark park. He should really take her now. The full moon was in a few days. He looked down at her, with her ridiculous amount of hair that was both curly and bushy. "I'm Fenrir. I was the wolf." The pup immediately started squirming in his grasp, trying to get free. So he dropped her.
He dragged a hand over his face when the little chit started crying again. He felt his wolf wanting to take over and almost decided against it. Another look at the crying child again though and he wholeheartedly gave control to the wolf.
"You're mean!" Hermione glared at him, standing up before kicking him in the leg. The wolf merely chuckled and kneeled down to her level. He brushed her hair back behind her eyes, finding amusement in the way she glared at him. "There pup. He is a mean one. But we'll keep you safe." Hermione pouted and crossed her arms. She pointedly looked down making her hair fall around her face. The wolf chuckled. "You're a feisty little pup. Come on. You don't need to be with those filthy muggles." Hermione couldn't help but look up at that. "Muggles?" She stared at him curiously, thinking his eyes were a really pretty color. "Your parents pup. They're muggles. People who without magic." Hermione's eyes widened. She uncrossed her arms and grasped onto his coat. "I can do magic?" He grinned ferally at her. "Yes pup. Now come along." She raised her arms wanting to be picked up and the wolf obliged her. She immediately laid her head against his chest. "Don't be mean anymore. I won't be friends with mean people." The wolf laughed heartily at that. He could feel Fenrir's amusement as well. "We shall endeavor not to be mean." Hermione's nose scrunched up. "What's endeavor mean?"
xXx
Fenrir growled at the wolves surrounding the girl his wolf chose for the Pack. They backed off, though stayed closer than he'd like, in case the pup turned out to be too weak to handle. He felt rage coursing through him at the blatant disrespect and knew it was from his wolf. He was Alpha – he deserved to be respected! Fenrir subtly shook his head, focusing on the young pup turning. It's been only days since she's been taken, and she's proved to be a little spitfire. He personally didn't care for it, but his wolf seemed to actually like the tot. His hackles rose as another wolf stepped too close to the girl. He let loose a deep, rumbling growl that had the wolves in the vicinity slink further back.
He watched her carefully, apathetic to the screams of agonizing pain. If she survived, she would bond with her beast so there was no pain. She would accept it. If she doesn't, her wolf would be weak. Just like that ridiculous pup he sired not that long ago. Worthless. Growls escaped the changing child. Her desperate cries falling on deaf ears. Cracking bones filled the silence that had settled over the Pack.
It felt like hours had passed when the girl finally completed the change. He slowly went to her, sniffing her new body. She was small. Larger than what the other children turned into, but still small. He nudged her with his nose and a small growl came from her. Fenrir felt his wolf take over. He clamped his teeth down over her throat, and bit down softly, earning a low whine. He let go and nudged her harder than Fenrir had. 'Get up.' Alpha watched apathetically as his pup struggled before managing to stand on all fours. He sat on his haunches and howled, feeling the pack bond surge through his veins when the rest of them howled along with him. The pup watched him carefully before instinct took over and she too joined the howl. A noticeable link formed between them, bonding her much more tightly to him than any of his other packmates.
'We hunt!' Excitement filled the air as he took off, the rest following. He could feel the little one determined to keep up and felt pride warring with satisfaction. Fenrir could rage all he liked. He would decide who was pack and who was not. He let loose another howl, his pack following faithfully as he led the hunt.
xXx
Hermione gnawed on the bone gradually growing frustrated when it refused to break. She growled at it before throwing it to the side where the rest of her unbreakable bones were in the small cave she claimed. She heard a chuckle and immediately reached out through the bond, wrapping herself in the feelings of safety and comfort. She grinned wildly when Fenrir's hand came down on her head, leaning into the touch. He went to his knees, kneeling in front of her. Hermione raised her hands to his face, exploring the familiar planes. It was comforting. Contentment ran through them both.
It's been six years since he had snatched her from the muggles she was birthed from, marking her to be almost twelve. She was still of small stature, something the other wolves had tried to take advantage of. She didn't let them. Her muggle family were appalled when she fought back against the mean children who made fun of her. Her Pack encouraged it, liking when she bit and snarled at the ones who dared to say she wasn't worthy to be one of them.
Hermione preened when she felt the subtle shift of Alpha taking over. She instinctively bared her neck, showing her submissiveness. She ran her fingers through his hair. 'Come. It's time.' Hermione paused, while her own wolf inside whimpered softly. "Yes Alpha." She closed her eyes and gently pushed the magic languidly swirling inside her into doing what she wanted it to. Just how Fenrir taught her. She hid the pack bond under layers of her magic, feeling strangely muted from them. Fenrir said the werewolf she would be going with, would smell that she was a werewolf but wouldn't be able to tell from what Pack. He called the werewolf weak and soft. Hermione had asked why he was alive if he was weak, knowing as she did that weak wolves didn't last long in the Pack. He had only growled and shook his head, Hermione picking up on the Alpha's rage through the muted bond and didn't ask again.
Alpha gave way to Fenrir, who immediately hoisted her up on his shoulders, holding her securely. Hermione smiled brightly. "Do it just like we practiced little star." Hermione concentrated hard, her wolf helping with making the image clearer. She could feel Fenrir's own magic helping steer hers just the right way. They left the cave with a loud pop.
Fenrir gently removed Hermione from his shoulders when they arrived in the sparsely populated village. He kneeled in front of her, giving a lazy smile. Hermione felt flutters of panic starting up again. She didn't want to leave the Pack. They were her family. They were hers. Fenrir picked up on her panic and laid his hands gently on her shoulders. "You will be fine little star. The pack bond is still there. You will still be with us." Hermione whined, her amber eyes shining brightly. "Why am I the only one? There are two others with magic too. Why me?"
Fenrir stared evenly. "You know very well why you have to. Your link to us is strong. Much stronger than any other in the Pack. You are a werewolf Hermione, have no doubt. But you have strong magic. I despise wizards – ", he spat the word viciously, "– but you still need to learn like them. You protect yourself, you protect the Pack." Hermione nodded, her stomach feeling like lead. She knew that. She did. She just didn't want to live away from her Pack in favor of some weakling werewolf. Hermione shuffled her feet when she felt Alpha take over again, his bright golden eyes replacing Fenrir's own icy blue. He brought her into a hug where she took a deep breath, memorizing his scent, knowing he was doing the same. 'Don't be weak little star. Do not disgrace your Pack.' Hermione nodded. Alpha cared about strength. She would have to excel in her magic studies. But she knew he wouldn't care even if she weren't the best. She was predominantly a werewolf. Not a witch. Wizard tricks would help protect her yes. But if it came down to it, her claws and teeth worked just as well.
He stood them, absently noting the way her eyes raked over him, imprinting his image and scent into her mind. He stroked her cheek lovingly, Hermione leaning into the touch. He stepped back and shifted, needing to leave soon to lead the pack here. He had made sure whispers went to the one he intended to attract, and he nudged Hermione. He growled softly at the one he privately considered his daughter. 'Go.' Hermione obeyed.
xXx
Remus threw up at the sight that laid before him. He had caught wind of a werewolf attack in the Daily Prophet and was horrified to note it was near his home. He thought the aurors would at least clean up the village. His stomach rolled viciously with fear, when he saw the distinct bite of Fenrir Greyback, the most vicious werewolf alive.
He carefully didn't look at any more of the bodies as he searched the small village for any hint of werewolves still in the vicinity. He knew the auror department would no doubt have already checked but he knew they always ended up missing something. He swallowed nervously. He shouldn't even be here, he wasn't even a teenager yet. The boys would kill him if they found out.
There was a loud shuffling nose, and Remus's heart dropped to his stomach. He shakily raised his wand and slowly walked out of the torn-up house he had been in. He slowly walked to the side of it, and faintly heart crying. He kept his wand up though, only dropping it slightly when he noticed it was a girl. Remus blinked, face blank as he took in the fact she was bleeding, with tear tracks all on her face. He observed the way she held herself; arms wrapped around her middle, head bowed down, covering her throat. His eyes widened minutely when he realized she was covering her weak spots. He lowered his wand and cleared his throat, feeling extremely unsure of the situation. His heart skipped a beat when startling bright amber eyes met his. Just like… He gulped, hesitantly stepping forward.
"He-Hello. I'm Remus. Are… are you okay?" Remus felt highly uncomfortable when her eyes only seemed to train on him more intensely.
The discomfort cleared when the girl closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. Remus let out the breath he had been holding and cautiously walked closer until he was almost directly in front of her. He felt… odd. There was something in him that urged him to reach out, that she was familiar, she was safety. He could smell she was a werewolf. Like him. He froze when a growl permeated the air. He watched her, eyes wide. Her amber eyes seemed to glow as they bore into his. He forced himself to look anywhere else but at her, feeling afraid. "I'm Hermione." His eyes shot to hers once more at hearing her speak.
Remus cleared his throat nervously as he sat on the ground. "Hello Hermione. Are you okay?" This time she nodded. Remus sighed in relief. "The blood… Is it yours?" He paused. "Did- did Greyback do this?" Her eyes did the strange glow again. "No it's not mine." He waited for her to answer the second question. When it became clear she wouldn't, he went to ask another when she smoothly interjected. "You're afraid of your wolf." He froze momentarily, before realizing she likely smelled it off of him like he had her. Remus gave a jerky nod, hands beginning to shake when he recognized he might have royally screwed up. He shouldn't have come here. He shouldn't have approached her after knowing she was a werewolf. "You're afraid of me." His eyes widened but this time she smiled. He absently noted her teeth were oddly enough straight, though her canines were definitely longer than even his.
He felt a strange push against his magic and looked down at himself confused. He looked back at Hermione and found a frown on her face. She raised her eyes, meeting his. She bared her teeth and Remus felt the strange urge to bare his back. He stamped it down as he's always done with his werewolf instincts and scrambled to get up, wiping his hands against his jean pants. "You're Pack." She stated, slowly standing up herself. Remus was surprised. Her frown grew. "Your wolf is weak, but you're Pack." Remus wasn't sure how he felt hearing that. He took a step back when she walked forward, earning a sneer. He looked down nervously, feeling small under her gaze.
"It's pathetic to be so afraid." Something in him wanted to rage at the comment, but Remus only looked away. He heard her sigh. "Remus." He glanced at her, and noticed she was gritting her teeth. "You're Pack. Don't be afraid." He raised an eyebrow at her continued emphasis on 'pack'. She had said it three times now. "Is that supposed to mean something?" He asked, genuinely curious. Hermione's face twisted in a fierce look of anger and Remus knew he should not have asked that. "Pack is everything." She growled at him. A growl escaped him before he could fight it down, surprising him when it seemed to calm her down. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Remus watched her warily, not sure what was even happening.
"I… am lost to my pack right now. But you are Pack which is confusing." She shook her head her rather impressive amount of hair bouncing when she did. She stared intensely at him. "I'm staying with you." She declared. Remus gaped at her. "You can't just- you can't stay with me!" He spluttered, his hands waving about for emphasis. "Why not?" She asked in a drawling tone. Remus groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "My parents would not let you." She raised an eyebrow and Remus had a sudden, heavy feeling of dread.
xXx
"Of course you can stay dear! That is quite sad to hear your family was killed in the attack on that village. I'm glad Lyall agreed to take you in." Hermione smiled softly at the woman, smelling the genuine concern underneath her smiling face. Remus looked down at his feet, refusing to look up lest he give away the game. His father had been terrified of the small girl smiling sweetly at his mother, knowing instantly what she was.
"Hermione… I'm not going to be here all the time. I go to a school called Hogwarts." Remus explained, the two sitting on his bed. It had taken nearly all day to get her cleaned properly, dirt and grime reluctant to part with her. She had effectively stolen all the extra blankets his parents had in the house and made herself a rather comfy looking 'bed'.
Hermione stared at him with a blank expression, her eyes looking too large for her thin face. Remus shuddered and continued. "If you aren't a witch or wizard, you can't go." She raised an eyebrow. "But I can do magic." He looked at her in confusion. "What –." He stopped and watched in astonishment when the pillows around him slowly lifted up. She was levitating them.
"You can do wandless magic?" Remus asked breathless, leaning forward in his excitement. Hermione's brows furrowed. "You can't?" She sounded about as confused as he felt. Remus shook his head. Hermione jerked back in shock. "But- but it's simple!" She exclaimed, sitting up straighter. Remus shook his head, grinning at her. "No. It's actually supposed to be some of the hardest ways to use magic." Hermione huffed at him, not believing it. She flopped backwards on the bed.
They sat in in companionable silence for a few moments. "You know… the full moon is in a few days." Hermione said softly, biting her lip. Remus stiffened. He watched her cautiously, not sure on where she was going with this. She huffed, turning on her side. "You're Pack Remus. It doesn't hurt as much when you're with Pack." Remus scoffed, stomping on the fledging flame of hope that lit at her statement. Her eyes narrowed as she sat up. "I'm serious Remus. You can't possibly find the pain bearable?" She asked in disbelief. Remus rolled his eyes. "There isn't a way. The pain is there because of werewolves being vile, unnatural creatures. It's their curse." He was numb to the words his father had frequently said, not thinking his son could hear him.
He regretted it immediately when her eyes shone brightly, hurt and anger plain on her face. She growled at him and went to her 'bed', pointedly not facing him. Remus kicked himself mentally. He knew she was a werewolf. A proud one too. She had talked reverently about her pack, and the bond all day. She had been amazed to find he was part of it. And then he had screw it up, not even thinking about how she would feel. That wasn't how he was. Remus was the one who thought things through and strictly avoided hurting others.
He sighed and got ready for bed himself. Maybe he could convince her to come to Hogwarts with him. Even if she wasn't a student. She could do magic. Pretty hard magic too. She could talk to Professor Dumbledore and he'd help her out, just like he helped Remus out. His eyes slowly began to droop as his thoughts stuttered to a stop. He fell into a deep sleep, waking up the next day somehow snuggled up to Hermione. He screamed.