Children Of The Moon.

Chapter One: Settling In.

It was only once Hermione was in the back of a taxi that she realised how odd it was if a Werewolf like her, let alone a pack of them, would protect this Renesmee - especially if it was human. Perhaps they were using the Wolfsbane Potion, it was the most logical theory, but even so it was pretty unheard of for Werewolves to be taking up such a role. Sure, they protected their own, but this Renesmee from what she could gather from the research wasn't a Werewolf. Even after the death of Voldemort people were still prejudiced and laws had yet to be changed. It was a risk just living as a Werewolf still, let alone going out of your way as one to protect someone else and bring themselves into the spotlight. It was practically suicide if anything, and this sent Hermione's curiousity spiking upwards. They could be doing it so the public would see Werewolves are misunderstood and finally get their own equal rights. It was plausible but yet it was still such a very dangerous position to put yourself willingly into.

Seattle was overwhelmingly busy, but fortunately she wasn't going to be staying there. Her research had picked up that Forks, although smaller then the city of Seattle, was quite the hotspot for unexplainable activities. The most curious of which was the 'large bears' that had apparently picked off quite a few Forks residents. She wouldn't have thought much of it except according to a Police Chief there it had briefly been said his daughter thought they were 'large wolves'. Of course this had been a while back, and it seemed nothing had been done since the original surge of such information. This alone was fishy, and put with the information of Werewolves protecting a Renesmee in the area had piked Hermione's interest. It was the best lead she had come up with thus far, and what was even more spooky was the fact the Police Chief's house had been up for sale. She had bought it quickly, finding out that he had moved into the house his new wife owned on the indian reservation La Push.

A real life indian reservation! Of course, she knew it was probably a little silly to be excited about such a thing but it was such an exciting prospect! A whole new culture, and an old one too from what she had picked up over the brief conversations with Charlie Swan - the police officer. Every Muggle fairy tale, myth, and legend had descended from truth. Most of the time it was something simple just warped, like illnesses being claimed as demons. Sometimes though it could be traced back to the Wizarding World, and Hermione was hoping that maybe it would be the case in the two pieces of information she had found. Not only that but she hoped, or had a feeling, it could perhaps be traced to the indian reservation in someway.

Hermione snapped out of her thoughts as the taxi driver's gruff voice told her they had arrived at her brand new home.

"Oh! Thankyou."

She responded quickly, blushing a little in embarrassment, before handing over the required Dollars. Hermione wasted no time in jumping out of the back of the taxi, bag hung over her shoulder, and then walked right up to the front door. It was a nice, quaint looking place and at first glance she knew she would have no problem living here for any length of time. The fact it was next to a thick forest was a huge plus - she could easily escape into the forest on nights of the Full Moon to spend her time until she sun rose once more. Of course it would be nice just to explore even without her Werewolf state. That, and of course if there were other Werewolves around the forest would be a great place to start and so easy to access! She wouldn't have to go through other people and could easily keep to herself if she wanted. It was perfect.

Stepping inside, Hermione noticed it was a bit dusty and felt rather empty. Of course most of the furniture was still there but all the photos were gone and she knew she wouldn't find anything in any of the drawers or cupboards. Still it had everything she needed and that was what was most important. Well, there wasn't a basement or a decent ground floor room to use as a lab, but there was a second bedroom that could be used as one with the right amount of magical modifications. It was fortunate she was a year older then her peers due to that Time Turner Dumbledore had given her, and thus being of legal age to do magic she could do so without being traced. Well, at least not through underage magic anyway. There were other ways to trace her magic, but Hermione had always been an intelligent witch and thoroughly prepared for anything, so she had already found a charm that would block any attempts to trace her magic.

One day she'd go back and tell everyone what had happened. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Luna were her best friends after all and deserved at least that. She just wanted to do it after she had found a pack of her own and a place to call home. She wanted to be stable. She wanted to be settled. She knew her friends would be so upset for her and want to help, but that wasn't what she wanted. She was an independant woman, brightest witch of her age, and damn it she could handle her lycanthropy. She would embrace it, she would gain control of it, and she would master it like she did everything else. She wanted to be able to tell her friends that she was fine, she wanted to be able to show them just how fulfilled and happy her life was even with being a Werewolf.

Deep down she knew even the best of people needed help, but Hermione just couldn't go to anyone for help. To her it just felt like defeat. To her it felt like giving in, and damn it she hadn't given in when Bellatrix had tortured her with Crucios as well as that cursed blade of hers in Malfoy Manor. She was not going to give up now. No way. When she told her friends, when the Wizarding World inevitably found out, she was going to be able to stand tall and show them just how strong she was.

She would do what no one else had done before... She would be proud of being a Werewolf. She would find out everything she could, not only by analyzing herself as well as tests, but also others. She would find a pack, she would get a home - maybe a mate and pups if she was lucky - and she would prove to the world that being a Werewolf didn't have to be the end of the world horror everyone thought it was. Maybe she'd even make a better potion then the Wolfsbane and figure out just why it seemed the beast within appeared so murderous when in control.

After all, normal wild wolves weren't, so why were Werewolves?

Oh yes, Hermione Granger wasn't down or out. Sure, everyone expected her to do great things but she knew most assumed that with the war done with that was it. Over with. Even those who still expected she'd go on to do great things probably didn't even expect everything Hermione had planned.

S.P.E.W was just the beginning.

"Watch out world, here I come!"

Hermione grinned as she made her way from room to room as she unpacked her sequin covered bag. It was the first time she would be unpacking it completely, but once she was done it was entirely worth it. Of course all magical items were charmed to look like dull, every day Muggle items to everyone but her should anyone manage to break in or be invited inside. Crookshanks had been in a cat carrier that had been magically adjusted to not only have fresh oxygen circulating in it but also have a food and water bowl that refilled themselves when he was hungry. The cat carrier itself although it had windows they could not be opened, and inside the cat carrier it had its own type of gravity where no matter where the cat carrier fell inside the bag inside it always acted as if it was just sat on a flat surface and not moving. The new owl carrier was the same, and so when both animals had been brought out and set free inside the house neither were worse for wear. Infact it looked like both had thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

Unfortunately it had taken all day to unpack and so by the time she was done dark had descended outside. Yawning behind a slender hand, Hermione set to work cooking up a quick meal of spaghetti topped with grated cheese and tomato sauce. It wasn't much but it filled her up, and after a quick glance at the headlines of the local news - there might have been something related to the magical on it - she decided it was best to go to sleep now. It had been a long day, and she was exhausted. Besides that the full moon would be arriving soon, and Hermione hoped to have found out something more by then. Maybe even have found another Werewolf like herself.

Hermione wrote a brief note before attatching it to her owl's leg. She had bought the female owl for its massive wingspan and stamina since it was a long flight from America to England. The owl was rather gorgeous, she had to admit, with its smokey brown colour and white tips on each individual feather. It was a lot larger then Hedwig was, but fortunately with its colouration it could blend easily into nature.

"Take it to Harry, please Birdie."

She spoke softly, opening the kitchen window and watching the owl take flight. The owl had been named by the shop owner's little girl, and Hermione had never had the heart to change it despite how silly it tended to sound. With that done, Hermione went up to the master bedroom unsurprised to find Crookshanks on the bed already flat out. She found herself chuckling under her breath at the sight as she went about getting changed into a simple pair of black pajama trousers and matching short sleeved top, sans bra. The bed was a glorious double sized bed - something Hermione couldn't help but thoroughly enjoy - and the mattress was the comfiest she had felt in years. It didn't take all that long for her to fall asleep, and for the first time in quite a while she fell asleep with a smile on her face, the sound of purring the last thing she heard before sleep consumed her.

Dear Harry,

I know you all are probably worrying a lot about me right now but don't worry. I'm fine. There are a few things I need to do right now, and after all we have been through I cannot find it within myself to lie to you so I ask you to please just trust me. I'll try to keep in touch as best I can, but don't fret! I won't be gone forever. I shall return home to you, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and everyone else. It just might take some time. I'd really love to hear everything thats going on with all of you, so if you can find it in yourself to forgive me for my sudden disappearance please don't hesitate to send regular letters with updates on everything that is happening.

You simply must let me know when you and Ginny get married - and don't try to deny it! We both know its in the cards for you two lovebirds.

Tell Ron... I love him, and once it was more then a best friend, but we are best off as friends. Tell him its not him, its me. I want him to find someone simply amazing who can dedicate their heart and lives to loving him. I simply cannot. There is just too much in the world for me to learn and find out about. I could never be the loving at-home-wife he wants or deserves. I hold no bad feelings towards him, and that we will always be friends. His friendship is most important to me.

As for everyone else, tell them I miss them dearly and can't wait to hear of everything thats going on with them.

And in a fit of enlightenment - and no I am not drunk! tsk tsk - tell Draco Malfoy I do forgive him for everything in our past. He could have identified us Harry at the Manor but he didn't. Tell Narcissa I thank her for protecting you when she did infront of the Dark Lord. Should either go to trial let me know and I will send my statement in their defense.

All my love,

Hermione.


Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took me so long. The first draft just didn't settle well with me so I redid it, and I love this version a lot better. Thankyou all for all of your reviews! Don't hestitate to give me some helpful comments should anything not read well or make sense. I'd really love to be able to improve my writing and make sure this becomes - and is - the great story I know it can be (and is in my head!).