Third Year

Remus Lupin resident werewolf and professor of Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry was sitting in his room, his mind racing. His animal instincts picked up heat, the heat of a student. That could mean only one thing, his mate is here at Hogwarts. There was considerable debate in the werewolf community about the theory that there are mates that are born for each other, soul mates if you will, in addition to those mates created by taking them by the ancient rights of the pack. More and more believed that soul mates existed for the werewolf for they were as human as they were beast. The strength of the bond and sex of the participants varied in each lifetime.

The alpha male of his being was elated knowing that he had found his mate. The human part however was deeply disturbed. If he was correct, and he usually is, then his mate is in one of his classes at Hogwarts. At best the child was seventeen, at worst the child could be fourteen. He cursed his father for bringing this affliction on him. He was the one that angered Greyback so much that he bit him when he was five years old. The beast has taken so much from him, now it is driving him to be the worst kind of monster, a pedophile. He owed Dumbledore so much, he gave him the opportunity to go to school, now he had the opportunity to teach, a profession that he liked a lot. He also felt that it was his duty to look after Harry Potter, the son of his best friend James and his wife Lily. James took many risks for Remus, so he owed him. He growled at his impossible situation, there was no easy way to deal with this. The position was only for a year, so he stayed with the resolution to himself that if anything goes wrong that he would leave immediately.

4 months later

His worst fears where confirmed in the last lunar cycle. Hermione came to speak to him about something that she was unsure about in the last class. She was so innocent, so full of life and wonder about everything. She was truly the brightest student that he ever taught. He felt so dirty, so vile as his animal instincts where coming up from the depths of his soul urging him to do the unforgivable. take her mark her, have pups with her and never be alone again. No NO NOT AN INNOCENT CHILD. he screamed at himself struggling to keep his instincts in control he griped his desk and went behind his chair to hid the physical evidence of the beast's need for her.

"Professor are you alright?" She asked concern written all over her face. "Yes I'm fine Hermione, I just feel tired right now. If that is all that I can do for you…"

"Oh, yes it is," she replied, "I will let you rest. Good night professor." She gives him a strange look before she leaves the office. He breathes a sigh of relief, a few moments more and Merlin knows what could have happened. He quickly went to his quarters and ran a very cold shower for himself trying to get his body to relax a bit before he went to dinner. The last thing he needed was the professors see that he was getting so aroused over a thirteen year old girl. 'I will control myself, I will not let the monster near that girl' he told himself as he dressed again for dinner.

****

Hermione Granger, known as the brightest student of her age was sitting in the library researching cases for Hagrid. One of his charges, a Hippogriff, was charged violent behavior and could be executed if he lost. All knew that the 'victim' Draco Malfoy forced the violent reaction from the animal and exaggerated the injuries. She also wanted to take this opportunity to research werewolves to confirm or deny her suspicions about her favorite professor's behavior towards her. He was always calm, considerate and patient with her at all times, but she also noticed a purely feral glint in his eye when he was watching her when he thought she was not looking. She was almost 100 percent certain that he was a werewolf after the essay that Professor Snape set for them months previous. The only explanation for his behavior was that it was related to his condition. She found a rare book about mating habits of werewolves in the back the only book of its kind. It appears that the collection is small concerning them for there is little known about them as a whole. She found the section that she was looking for and began to read:

The mating habits of a werewolf are still commonly unknown. Theorists suggest that the mating binds individuals emotionally and telepathically after a ritual of some kind. In recent years there is a theory that suggests that in some cases that some mates where born to become mates and the ritual is only strengthens that bond. Age or sex does not appear to play a factor in act of mating…"

Hermione just sat and stared at the passage unsure of how to react. It felt like all her choice in her life had been taken from her. Not that she objected to the man, she liked him a lot. What really disturbed her was that she had no say in the matter. She shook her head. 'Don't think about it now. This is only speculation they don't know much about it anyway. And if it turns out to be true, it will be dealt with then' she opened the book on Hippogriff's again determined to do what she could for Buckbeak.

***

6 months later

Remus was studying the Marauders Map trying not to remember his love for Sirius and the deep betrayal he felt by killing the other people he loved, James Lily and Peter, the only family he knew. When he saw something that he never expected to see, the name of Peter Pettigrew as clear as day next to Ron Weasley and Sirius Black. It is impossible yet he knew that the map could never lie. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Sirius could very well be innocent. Oh dear Merlin Harry was out to kill him for what he thought he did to him and his parents. Sirius could seriously hurt him in self defense or worse allow Harry to hurt him for not being able to stop what happened.

Along with Severus need for revenge for a teen aged ill this all could end very badly. Then out of nowhere he felt fear in the pit of his stomach, not his own but someone else' s. From everything that occurred Remus could only deduce that the fear was coming from Hermione. Remus never really relied on his animal instincts in his life in fact he tried to suppress them out of the horror of what he was capable of. However it was the only way at this point to find the children and protect them from the chaos of what could happen. He grabbed his wand and allowed his sense of smell to guide him to the children praying that he would not be too late to save them.

***

Hermione was trying unsuccessfully to control her fear. She was trapped in the infamous Shrieking Shack with an escaped murder who wanted her friend dead and he did not care who got in the way of it. She then felt a calming thought help was on the way. How she knew that she did not know. The rest of the confrontation that came after, Hermione could not remember it was all in a haze. All that she could think about was how she felt to be in the same room as Remus. He confirmed that he was a werewolf, which was all Hermione needed to know. Everything that she was feeling became clear.

Then the transformation, the Dementor's and waking up in the infirmary. Then Professor Dumbledore suggests that they use the time turner and a wicked sense of Déjà vu. Before she and Harry knew it they where looking at themselves about to be attacked by Remus in his werewolf form. As if it was the most natural thing in the world she howled out to Remus distracting him from their other selves. "Hermione what are you doing? He will come straight for us now!" cried Harry. "Um I didn't think of that. Run Harry! Save Sirius!"as she ran in the opposite direction giving Harry time to save (the other them) from the Dementors. "HERMIONE NO!" but she ignored him and kept running as fast as she could. She didn't know where she was going she just ran, praying that her plan would work. If it didn't, it did not matter, her place was with Remus even if he made her into a werewolf. She didn't know how he managed it, but somehow Remus leaped right in front of her. He was on his two legs rather than four, his tail erect and the animalistic gleam in his eye. She knew that she was finished and part of her didn't care. He pushed her against the tree teeth bared. As if by instinct she turned her neck to the side, accepting his bite. She let out a scream as he started to bite down on her. The next thing she knew Buckbeak came out of nowhere and kicked Remus so hard he was out cold. She went down on her knees next to him checking his pulse. She was overjoyed to see that he was still alive. It was dangerous however to stay here. She got on Buckbeak and rode him to the riverbank where she knew he would be fighting Dementors. "Hermione thank Merlin! I was so worried…" He stopped at the blood on the collar of her sweater. "Never mind that Harry we need to get back to the castle before they give the kiss to Sirius" Then she put a spell on her sweater to clean the blood. He nodded and got on Buckbeak in front of her. They managed to break him out and take him out to the edge of the Hogwarts grounds where he escaped. " Oh bloody Hell! We have to move Harry time is almost up!" They ran to the castle just making it and jumping back into their beds.

***

The Next Morning

Remus woke up in the Forbidden Forest with a splitting headache and hardly any memory of how he got there. When he arrived back to the school the back way he then remembered. Sweet Merlin he did not take his potion, he transformed almost killing everyone there! Then his stomach lurched at the memory of pinning Hermione to a tree in the process of claiming her when he was hit in the head. He almost vomited at the thought of him almost defiling that poor girl. How foolish of him to allow the animal out. He should have known that it would have taken the opportunity to claim the wild-haired witch as his own knowing that human part refused. He sank to his knees and wept for her. He needed to get away from here and the memories of what he nearly done.

***

Harry at Hermione's insistence went to check up on Remus. He didn't want to, he was still angry at what he almost did, not Hermione. Hermione insisted that someone should check up on him. "Why me Hermione? If go there, I'll most likely want to take a swing at him!"

he angrily stated as he put slave on the mark on her neck where she were she was half bitten. It was an odd mark with one tooth imprint the other slid to the side in an odd angle evidence of the interruption. Harry shuddered to think at what could have happened if Remus's animal form was not stopped by Buckbeak. His thoughts were interrupted by Hermione's voice

"Don't be ridiculous Harry, it was not him that did it! It was the beast, it was not his fault!" exclaimed Hermione.

"You go then!" exclaimed Harry matching her annoyed tone

"I can't Harry! He sees me would feel so guilty! I don't blame him, he should not blame himself either!" I probably would not be able to control myself around him either. That would lead to dire consequences for both of us.' She thought as she rubbed unconsciously at her neck "Alright fine but if I get hauled off to Azkaban, it will be your fault!" replied Harry as he stormed out of the hospital wing to do the hated request.

His anger melted when he saw him. He was shocked to see him packing up his office. "Come in Harry," he smiled at his expression. "I knew you where coming," he said, pointing at the magical map.

He looked dreadful, bruised and scratched, his skin was more ashen than he ever saw him if it where possible. "You where sacked." he stated as he saw everything around him.

" Resigned actually," was his reply. "Severus let slip the nature of my condition at breakfast this morning to the majority of the staff. They in turn would tell their students who would tell their parents. The owls will come asking for my skin will come in no time."

"You can't you're the best DADA teacher we ever had! Dumbledore…" started Harry

Remus put a hand up to stop him. and said"Has risked enough for me as it is, I will not ask for more. I can't stay here Harry it is too dangerous, my control can slip at any moment, last night can never happen again."

Harry saw the guilt and remorse written all over his face. He knew that he was right. Even if Hermione forgave him, it could never be risked ever again. "She forgives you."

He just nodded and picked up her things "She shouldn't, I don't deserve it. I will see you again Harry before this fight is through." He summoned the map and handed it to Harry, "I am no longer your teacher so I bear no guilt handing this back to you. You will need it." With a pat on the shoulder, he walked out of the office and onto parts unknown leaving Harry with an uneasy and guilty feeling.

***

Hermione was organizing her things to return home when Harry came to her and told her what happened to Lupin.

It was so unfair that they would force him to leave becuase of his status as a wereolf. Society could be so stupid. Harry helped her carry her trunk to the great hall chatting about everything besides the things that was truely bothering him right now. Poor Harry finding family and being torn from them so cruely. THey both new that this was not the end and things will get worse. Hermione could not help but hope that she would see Remus Lupin again before the end comes