Disclaimer: Influenced and inspired by A Hazard of Hearts.


Prologue

The trees seemed to whisper in the cool night air. Fenrir Greyback couldn't make out what they were saying, but he had the sneaking suspicion it was about him. The thick hairs on the back of his neck stiffened at the thought of them mocking him. A deep growl emanated from his throat. He wandered over to one of his offenders and leaned slightly on it while lifting his leg.

"Aah." He sighed as he leaned his head back; utter contentment on his face as he relieved himself. "Laugh all you want, tree."

The branches shook harder as the wind began to pick up. Fenrir gave it no mind as he continued on, traipsing through the fields of Lupin Manor. The night was dark but no one had yet gone to sleep that night. The library windows, large and vast, were completely filled with light. Fenrir could make out the dim figures of Remus Lupin and his usual gang of friends. Fenrir made sure to keep out of sight as he circled around the house to find her window.

He had paid enough visits to know the intimate details of the house. None was attached so much importance by him than where her room was located. His lovely girl.

"Where are you?" His growl was soft as he impatiently waited. "Come on, come on, show yourself."

He thought he saw a shadow move. "Yes." He excitedly whispered. Quickly he leapt and deftly clawed his way up a tree before settling down on a strong branch. Perched comfortably, his heightened sense of smell caught that sweet musk that could only be her scent. He waited for her form to clearly show. If he gave in to the urge, he could easily hop from the branch and just barely land on her balcony.

"There you are lovely…" His breathing became quick, shallow, and excited. "My pretty…"

His beady black eyes surveyed her as she took off her nightgown and slid into her silk sheets. He closed his eyes briefly to capture that small moment in his head. Those brief snippets of forbidden flesh were a happy place he could go to when life became unbearable. He opened his eyes again, unwilling to miss his chance.

About an hour later a maid arrived to check up on her. Fenrir waited until after thirty minutes she came back again. "Right on schedule." Fenrir chuckled. He waited twenty more minutes just in case, his long shaggy hair teased by the reproaching wind.

"Ungh!" He grunted as he landed on all fours on her balcony. He stilled, becoming one with the marble floor, his ears picking up her steady breathing and judging her to still be awake. He slid through her balcony and quietly approached her bedside.

"So lovely." He longed to touch. He raised his hand; the dirty fingernails clear in the half crescent moonlight, and let it hover a breath away from her cheek. "No." He retreated. "Not tonight, love. But soon." He surveyed her form, the only restriction from they becoming one were the silk sheets. "You can bet on it."

Hermione Granger stirred and blearily opened her eyes. But the creature who'd invaded the night was gone.


Chapter One

"Another match?" Bill asked quietly.

"You can bet on it!" Remus Lupin shouted excitedly as he gathered up his winnings. Despite the fresh gash on his forehead, and the sweat matting his grey hair, he was feeling fantastic. "Who's the next sucker?"

Bill laughed and turned towards the crowd. "Did you hear that? He's mocking you! Who's not going to allow this insult to stand?"

Remus shook hands with his disgruntled defeated opponent before joining Bill's side and looked at the surrounding crowd; a mix of spectators and eager duelists.

"Me!" Shouted a member of the crowd.

"Who's me?" Bill yelled out.

The crowd briefly laughed. "Lockhart. Gildory Lockhart!" An eager tall good-looking man pushed his way to the forefront of the crowd and climbed onstage. Flashing them all a wide dazzling smile he turned towards Remus and gave a flourished bow.

"Lockhart." Bill bit back a laugh. "And how much are you willing to bet against Moony here?"

"A thousand galleons!" He proclaimed excitedly.

The crowd gasped. Lupin raised a brow.

"And, can you show us this money?" Bill asked.

Lockhart scratched the bridge of his nose. "Well, I figured he'd have a thousand galleons, and then I wouldn't have to pay up because I'll win."

The crowd laughed again. "Right, well, on the off chance that your plan doesn't fall through…" Bill shoved him off before rolling his eyes. The crowd easily caught the evidently confused blond man. "Any serious offers?" His voice boomed in the Dueling Room. "Who is finally willing to end the reign of Moony?"

Remus smiled and perched himself on the edge of the table where all his winnings of the night were placed. Piles and piles of galleons as a product of all his efforts that night. He was growing exhausted from the amount of duels he had participated in. He ought to have quit three duels ago, if not for his health than for Hermione, but he promised himself he would stop after this one last duel. One last proof of his strength.

"Any challengers?" Bill continued to search the crowd; they seemed unwilling to risk parting with their money. It was all a rather ironic place to hold the dueling club, in one of the many open spaces of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Now it was officially the Dueling Room – where any wizards and witches with a bank vault could join if they were of age.

Remus had made a name for himself as an expert duelist. He certainly wasn't the best, but he was a challenge for anyone. Bill had taken to the role of Master of Ceremonies quite well. He even made a few bets himself while urging other novice spectators to make opposing bets that he knew had a lesser chance of falling through. The goblins got twenty percent of what profit he'd made. They milled around the table, for the most part ignoring the duels and were instead content to count the money pouring in. A separate smaller pile contained Lupin's winnings.

"Any challengers?" Bill called again.

"Greyback." The growl disguised as a name rumbled through the stilled wide room. "Fenrir Greyback."

Remus stiffened as he sat on the table, casting his eyes over the crowd. Only the sound of a slight shuffle of robes increasing and the movement of people suddenly parting at odd intervals could clue Remus in onto where Fenrir was heading.

"Hello, old friend." Right to him.

Remus stared up into those dark beady eyes, and that grin of yellow rotting teeth. He remembered a night just like this one all those years ago. Only the moon had been brighter then. So bright, and full. Tonight the moon was only three quarters of the way in. There was still time.

Remus didn't know he was shaking until Bill's hand landed on his shoulder, steadying him. Fenrir shook off his long heavy coat and tossed it carelessly to the still silent crowd. People were starting to back away. Bill cleared his throat.

"What are you doing here, Greyback?"

Fenrir raised a heavy brow. "What is it that's confusing you, Weasley? The full moon isn't up, I'm bored, and I'm here to duel. Besides… none of those tasty children are around."

A shudder of disgust rippled through the crowd, but fear prevented anyone from lashing out at the werewolf. Everyone's eyes were fixed onto the trio onstage. Remus sitting on the table; his eyes fixed on Fenrir, Bill also looking at Fenrir; solemnly gripping Remus, and Fenrir smirking as he surveyed them both.

Remus swallowed and spoke. "You want to duel? With a wand?" His voice was hoarse, though not so much as Fenrir. There was something else in his voice besides the obvious trepidation. Bill didn't catch it but Fenrir certainly did. Desire.

Fenrir gave a wide feral grin; the tips of his sharp teeth were yellow with brown being the color of the rest. Remus felt sick as he looked at him. "Yes. With a wand, my dear friend."

Remus stood up and faced him. The crowd held their breath. Bill quickly whispered in his older friend's ear. "You know what he's capable of, Moony. You don't want to risk it."

"I have to." His eyes never left Fenrir. "This is the chance I've been waiting for." He drew out his wand slowly and addressed Fenrir. "Name the stakes, Greyback."

Fenrir drew out his own wand, and a bag of gold. He tossed it on the table for the goblins to count. "Three duels. Best out of three wins. Five hundred Galleons for the starting bid."

"Agreed." Remus parted some of his winnings from the rest and moved the five hundred galleons to the goblins.

They walked down together from the stage while Bill followed in their wake. The crowd parted as they continued down the hall with no sound but the tap tap tap of their shoes. Fenrir's excitement grew with every step they took, the urge to howl was strong but he held back. No need to betray himself yet.

Bill passed them briefly as they entered space in the widened hall. He swished his wand and an elevated dueling ring appeared. Remus waited for Fenrir to enter but Britain's most savage werewolf politely inclined his head. Remus climbed up the declining ladder and then Fenrir. Bill hesitated before sealing the ring behind him.

"Right. Usual rules apply. Any spells allowed save for Unforgivables. You must announce your spells, no silent ones. Fight with your wands, no muggle violence. The duel goes on until either party has been disarmed, becomes unconscious, or gives up. Three duels. Best out of three wins." He waved his wand at the ring, and the air shimmered around Remus and Fenrir. The view of the crowd disappeared from their view. They were left to themselves. Remus raised his wand, as did his opponent.

"It's been a long time, old friend." Fenrir's deep voice was mocking.

"Not long enough." Remus' voice was calm but his insides were screaming. For twelve years he had enjoyed normalcy. Then Greyback came. He and his father had gotten into an argument, which Greyback reacted to as he had all other past disputes. He bit Remus. Infected him with the curse. Luckily for Remus, no one knew what he really was. Greyback had yet to tell his secret. He wondered why that was.

"Shall we begin?"

"Ready when you are, Greyback."

They bowed low, and then – "Impedimenta!"

Remus' curse sailed just above Fenrir's ear as he spun out of the way and shot his own spell. "Stupefy!"

They dodged each other well in the enclosed ring. The unseen crowd watched, mouths parted, as Remus' figure became a flurry of light and movement. He was lithe for an aging man, and moved quickly. In comparison, Fenrir was wide and strong. The muscles of his bareback rippled as he slashed his wand in the air. Blue and purple sparks collided before Remus spun in place and apparated behind him.

"Incendio!"

Fenrir yelped as his torn trousers suddenly became encased in flame. "Playing with fire?" He screamed. He quickly cast "Aguimenti" before deftly leaping in the air before landing a foot away from Remus. "Don't you remember that's what started this twisted little game?" He leered.

Remus went red. "Reducto!" He cried. With a bang Fenrir was pushed by a force until he slammed into the invisible restrictions surrounding the ring. He crumbled in midair before collapsing in a heap.

"MOO-NY! MOO-NY! MOO-NY!"

Remus blinked before he recognized the sounds emanating from the now visible crowd. He had won the first match. Fenrir stirred once, then stood up, grimacing at the new dent in his bare chest. He looked up at Remus underneath his shaggy bangs. Remus stared into his black eyes. The cheers from the unseen crowd died down, and all Remus could see was blackness.

"Ungh!" Remus held back a whimper as something was literally crawling through his skin. He rolled over, rubbing furiously at his chest, cursing himself for being so easily distracted when the second match had begun. He could hear Fenrir's mocking laugh somewhere beyond him.

"You like that, pup?"

Remus was struggling as he felt his insides being scratched, something forcing its way up. He barely managed to gasp, "Vulnero!" before his mouth widened of its own accord, and something long and hairy crawled out of his mouth.

Fenrir howled in pain as something hot slashed across his eye. He clutched his hands to his face while Remus lay there in horror at the spider crawling away from him. He felt sick and stood up shakily. Fenrir was still clutching his face, unprepared for Remus' onslaught. "Fulgeri!" He shouted.

An artificial bolt of lightening struck Fenrir in the leg, though he attempted to dodge it. Remus gagged again and slumped to the floor. "F-finite Incantatem." He pointed the wand at his own mouth, cringing as a hot flash ran through his body. He looked up at Fenrir, but the werewolf was spazzing on the floor of the ring. The air around them shimmered and suddenly the crowd below came into view along with their cheers. The ring settled down before Bill climbed onto the ring and headed for Remus.

"All right. You've won. Let's go." He hauled Remus to his feet, wrapping an arm around his own shoulders and began to descend the ladder. They stopped at the sound of a voice.

"You did well, pup."

Remus bristled at the familiar taunt. "I did more than well. I defeated you."

"And you're content with that?"

"I am." Said Remus, a little too loudly. Bill urged him to move but he didn't budge, his back still facing Fenrir but his head turned just a little to the side.

"Oh, I think we both know that's not true. You cannot be content in just beating me in a duel. In taking my money. You want to destroy me. Take everything I have. At the very least, you want to bring me to justice." His voice was knowing. Remus detested how true the words were. And the words that Fenrir was not saying, out of whatever respect for Remus' secret he held. Had Bill not been there, would Fenrir reveal the dreams Remus had? Of nails savagely ripping open the werewolf's flesh, biting into soft skin, drawing so much blood he'd drown in it?

"Remus." Bill's voice was urgent. "You've won. He's only baiting you, let's go."

The crowd gathered around the ring stirred impatiently; wondering why the two parties did not exit. From beyond the crowd a woman entered silently; standing aloof. A man turned from the scene, catching sight of her, and headed over.

"Lupin has just won the duel against Greyback." He said in a slow drawl. "He's gained a thousand galleons and they should have ended but there seems to be some kind of hold up."

The woman nodded, focusing on the two figures. Lupin had just descended from the ladder, while a beseeching Bill Weasley followed him. Fenrir came down after, his normally wild expression suddenly cool and collected, as he stood impassive near his opponent.

"I need parchment, ink, and a quill." A table was set up at Lupin's behest while a house elf brought out the necessary items. Remus scratched quietly while the surrounding crowd muttered amongst themselves.

Bill gasped as he read over his shoulder. "Remus, you can't be serious."

Remus ignored him. "Come here, Greyback. Sign."

"No!" Bill stepped in front of Greyback and turned angrily to Remus.

"Step aside, Weasley." Fenrir growled.

"Moony, you've beaten him twice. You've got your winnings. You have no reason to do this."

"Don't you get it?" Remus hissed, grabbing Bill by the collar of his robes and pulling him close, their noses nearly touching. "He's taken everything from me. Stole my life from me – and countless others. I need only beat him once more, and then I can avenge them all. Bring him to justice."

"Justice?" Bill hissed back. "You mean satisfy your revenge. And at the expense of what? Remus, you have responsibilities."

Remus glared at him before letting go and nodding at his opponent. Fenrir sidestepped Bill and signed before heading back to the ring. Remus followed. The crowd poured over the parchment Bill now held in his hands.

I, Remus Lupin, do hereby bequeath all my possessions of state and property including the legal guardianship of one Hermione Granger if I shall lose the duel.

I, Fenrir Greyback, do hereby bequeath all my possessions of state and property and do swear to turn myself into the aurors for my crimes if I shall lose the duel.

"This is madness." Bill muttered to himself. He cast his eyes onto the ring, sending a silent prayer to whoever might be watching.


Hermione was unable to sleep. She'd been dreaming about Crookshanks, her errant cat that she'd assumed had been exploring for a few days, as she often did, testing her boundaries, but whom one of the servants had found in the forest seemingly torn to bits. Tonight Hermione needed her cat more than ever. She felt lonely. All of Lupin's friends had gone for the night, and when Hermione had last checked, Lupin himself had not yet come home. She knew of his dueling habits but he had never before stayed so late. She knew because he always made sure to come into her room and kiss her on the forehead to let her know he was back.

One night, when Remus thought she was sleeping, she had waited until he had bent down before raising herself, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, intending to kiss him on the lips. But he had quickly stopped her, calling her a "funny little girl." And then he left.

Tonight, Hermione was quite willing to just settle for one of those forehead kisses. She curled up in bed, her hands seeking for that place Crookshanks would lay next to. She imagined his soft fur comforting beneath her hands. She wanted only to know that Remus was all right.


The two werewolves faced each other. Remus ignored the feeling in his gut that was telling him there was still time to back away. Ignoring that voice in his head that said, Why is Greyback doing this?

The crowd had once again faded away. There was nothing but silence. Gradually Remus could feel his heart hammer against his chest; his opponent's ragged breathing. Sweat matted his temple. He felt tense. And excited. He locked eyes with Greyback. And in a split second, for the second time in their lives they were one.

"Unguis Dolorium!"

"Aero Puteo!"

Spells began to fly back in forth as the two apparated, rolled, and dodged each other. Gashes were beginning to run the length of Greyback's body while Lupin began to suffocate under an unfamiliar spell. He managed to counter curse it and threw more spells of his own. The battle continued for ten more minutes at what looked like a standstill, but Remus began to feel himself tire. He had exerted himself in the previous duels with Greyback, and before that he had fought and won three duels. It was beginning to dawn on him how stupid he'd been to enter in on a sixth fight, and he began to fear that perhaps Greyback had held out the first two duels in order to successfully bait him into a third. His fear was not well unfounded.

"Incendi – "

"Reducto!"

"Gah!" Remus reeled, crying out as his leg burst open. He fell to the floor but hardly noticed the impact as he clenched his eyes tightly against the pain of his leg. "God – you mother fucker!" He looked up to see Greyback staring down at him, a grin tugging at his thin lips.

"I told you once you were mine, pup. And everything you own is mine. I've won the girl."

"No." Remus gasped. "No. No, Greyback. You can't." Fenrir smirked, turning his back as the ring descended, showing a silent crowd coming into view. Remus continued to shout at his back. "No, Greyback. Listen to me. LISTEN TO ME."

Fenrir smirked, turning his back as the ring descended, showing a silent crowd coming into view. Even the goblins had stopped counting money and focused on the wizard drama enfolding in front of them. Remus continued to shout at his back. "No, Greyback. Listen to me. LISTEN TO ME. YOU CAN'T, DO YOU HEAR? YOU CAN'T." There was a sob and then the ring was quiet.

Bill stood frozen, and then strode over to the ring. His hand and foot on the ladder, he shouted at one of the wizards who looked capable. "Go get a medic." The wizard hurried out of the room and to the hall where the medics were gathered. Bill began to climb the ladder but paused at what he was seeing. "Remus – don't!" There was a flash of green light and everyone stared. Fenrir paused, and turned around disbelieving.

The wizard who had run for a medic turned to them and spoke quietly. "Never mind. You're not needed."


Bill knew he had to get to Hermione as quickly as he could. Knew that there was floo powder he could take to get to her in seconds. But he chose a broom instead, knowing that he would have to fly for hours before he got to Lupin mansion.

The night sky was clear as he passed over London. A flock of birds scattered in front of him but he hardly noticed. Hot tears slid over his cheeks but he wasn't sure whom he was crying for. Remus' cold face, frozen in apology and anguish flooded into his mind but he couldn't feel sorry for him. He wanted to curse the fool himself. The coward. The stupid selfish bastard.

Gradually English country began to emerge below him. The moon, three quarters of the way in, guided his path down to Lupin manor. Bill landed softly on a hill, then made the trek to the front door. He got there quickly, and still had no notion of what to say. He lifted his hand on the string, paused, feeling the rope raw against his fingers. He pulled.

DING DONG.

There was a slight pattering of feet. Then the door was opened. Bill looked down at the starled house-elf. "Master Weasley, sir?"

"Tori, I need to talk to your mistress. Is she up?"

"Yes, she has been unable to sleep, master. Shall I announce you to her?"

"Where is she?"

"The kitchens, sir. Fixing herself a midnight snack, sir."

Bill pushed past the elf, heading quickly for the kitchens. Swallowing hard, knowing he would not be able to go through with it if he hesitated for even a second, Bill pushed through the kitchen doors.

Hermione looked up in surprise, hands raised in the air as she paused in spreading the peanut brittle on the graham cracker in front of her. "Bill." She said in surprise. "Is everything alright?"

"Hermione." Bill strode over, placing his palms on either side of him as he leaned over the table, his eyes bearing into her own. "You must marry me now."


Author's Note: Fanfiction only lets us put down two characters so I chose Bellatrix and Hermione but there will be tons of Greyback and references to Remus in this one. Remus is one of my favorite characters and it's too bad I don't do anything on him. Greyback is pretty awesome too. For my Last Layer readers, don't worry. I'm still working on that one as well.

Review if you like, review if you don't like. Please, please, please offer me some constructive criticism.