Chapter 4

Hermione Granger was blessed in many ways. She was intelligent, but she also had common sense. A thing many geniuses could sometimes lack. Her friends weren't many, but those she had were loyal and cared about her. Her parents had never mistreated her, and Hermione's upbringing had been full of love and care.

However when Harry or Ron came to her with one of their hair brained schemes, Hermione Granger felt like her luck had left her.

So here she was sat in the library, two weeks before Christmas, trying to aid Harry in becoming an Animagus. Hermione was a good student, faithful in her studies and never slacked. But even a genius such as she wanted a break during the run up to Christmas.

But no, when Harry came up to her, begging for her help she had told him yes. Damn the female curse of not being able to say no. But as she sat listening to Harry explain his night with the Werewolf Artemis to her, she had begun to question her judgement.

"Harry," She held up a hand to make him stop. He was excited and when Harry was excited he tended to ramble. "You sound as if you're infatuated with this being, which has to stop."

"Hermione! I can't believe your prejudice against a werewolf, after knowing Lupin and all the hassle he has!" Harry whined which only increased her impending headache. Harry most of the time was an intelligent student, not as much as she, but he frequently bested her in Defence against the dark arts. Which was why she was getting irrated.

"Harry I'm not prejudice, its you I have the problem with. You don't even know who the person is inside!" Hermione could have torn her hair out in sheer frustration. She tried to calm herself down, anger was never the way to go with Harry. "Just listen to me alright?" She pleaded.

Harry waited and she rapidly thought how to best phrase what she was about to say. "Harry you may feel empathy towards this werewolf, but that can't constitute as feelings for it. If you knew the human behind the Wolf then I would understand. But Harry you seem to have feelings for Artemis, and he is a very small part of the human behind him."

Hermione stood and gazed at the bookshelves. Harry was silent which could be a good or a bad thing, so she decided to press on. "From what you've told me, yes it does sound like the werewolf is courting you Harry. However how do you know it's not a Death Eater trap? There isn't any reason to know that its intentions are good."

"Hermione your not there so you can't know. When I'm with Artemis, it's like everything feels sane in the world. No I don't know who the man behind the wolf is, but I don't care. I need to save Artemis from the Ministry, and if his human part isn't going to explain things to him, then I want to try in animal form."

Hermione sighed and placed her forehead against the cool window, just left of the bookcase. Harry made sense, she had not heard of a registered werewolf at Hogwarts, so it was safe to assume Harry's warning had gone unheeded by the human. Hermione had her suspicions as to who it was, but that was what they would stay until she proved otherwise.

She had been there when Sirius had explained to the three of them about werewolf courting rituals. It hadn't started as a conversation about that, Sirius had been talking about his school days and their adventures. Hermione and Ron had been interested in Harry's parent's lives as well. But Sirius could only fill in bits and pieces from after the graduation.

How James had supported Lupin finically, how Lupin had acted when he met Tonks. There was more to the conversation then that, but at the moment Lupin's lifestyle was more prominent in her mind.

She also had Tonk's account of the story. How she had pined after Lupin for years even thought he wasn't interested. He had told her he was too poor and too old for her. But in reality the lyncanthropy had been too much for Lupin to even consider a relationship. But Tonks in that reckless way of hers had bombarded Lupin until he had backed down. Bill Weasley as unfortunate as he was had aided her. Fleur's declaration of love had shown Lupin that he could love Tonks, if others were willing to have relationships with those infected.

It was dangerous for Harry to peruse a relationship with the werewolf, but Harry had a knack for getting into dangerous things, and he quite often came out unscathed. Hermione was powerless to stop him, but she had to protect him.

This might mean she would need to aid him into becoming an Animagus after all.

"We need to speak to Lupin about becoming an Animagus. I can look in the library, but I doubt there will be anything there, and I'm not going into the restricted section. I assume that becoming an animagus is some sort of transfiguration? Or maybe an extended form of charms?" Hermione muttered to herself now, more then Harry. "No it must some sort of transfiguration charm, otherwise it wouldn't have interested McGonagall."

Hermione looked up at Harry, her chocolate eyes curious. "Isn't Lupin coming for Christmas at the burrow?" she asked softly.

Harry nodded, eagerly accepting her train of thought.

"Lets ask him then." Hermione concluded the discussion there. It was probably possible that she could discover the ways of becoming an Animagus herself without Lupin's help, but Hermione had never felt easy about breaking rules. Becoming an unregistered animagus was a pretty large rule to break.

But if someone else gave Harry the means…Well then Hermione had nothing to do with it.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Severus stood stirring his cauldron, trying to let it relax him. Usually making his potions soothed him. No matter what the day held, irritating students, Voldemort, anything could be alleviated by the art of potions. Except for this time. He was making careless mistakes in his brewing. His ingredients weren't cut thin enough; he wasn't stirring as vigorously as he needed.

In short his mind was just not here today. It had been lost in the forest with Artemis and Potter.

That blasted woman Umbridge. He knew she was part of the Death Eaters, she may not have been marked physically but she was as bound to the Dark Lord as much as he. The Death Eaters had a powerful ally in the woman, but Severus could not understand the reason why she had brought that blasted new law in.

It was no secret Voldemort wanted the werewolves on his side. Greyback was a trusted Death Eater, and had passed on the message to other wolves. Voldemort was insane yes, but Severus did not believe he had fully lost his marbles yet. There must have been a reason he allowed Umbridge to pass the law.

Thoughtfully he looked into his potion, which was completely ruined.

Sudden clarity hit him, clear as Veritaserum.

The werewolves didn't know Voldemort was behind the current ministry. With Voldemort and the Ministry of Magic on two opposing sides, many werewolves would be tempted by Voldemort's offer. His own little canine army.

That alone could tip the scale of the war, in Severus' opinion at least. Legions of hungry wolves unleashed into the Wizarding world. Werewolves were not always as easy as wizards to kill. There only weakness seemed to be silver and when you were in a panic, Severus doubted that many people would remember that.

Severus knew it was time to speak with Albus, the elder wizard probably knew of his predicament already, but Severus did not know what he should do. Should he ignore the ministry's new Werewolf legislation? Would Albus protect him from it? Or could he hide out at Hogwarts unwilling to abide by the new law and face the consequences?

As always it all came down to his spying abilities. If anyone did in fact discover he was a Werewolf he would have to go on the run, leaving the safety of Hogwarts. Then he would be of no use to either of his masters.

No use to anyone at all.

Severus picked up the cauldron and placed it in the sink, for disposal later. He left the safety of his classroom and headed for the tower.

It was dark outside now; Severus could see the darkness from the windows in the castle corridor. The lamps were all lit, offering light to all those who walked in the late hour. A few shafts of quarter moonlight beamed in from the dark night, saturating the concrete floor with its power. Severus avoided it like it was acid.

The moon would be full just after the Christmas holidays, when all the students would be back, Severus calculated quickly in his head. He would have to devise another way to keep Artemis and Potter apart.

Eventually and without meeting another soul, Severus appeared at the Headmaster's tower and spoke the password to the bronze griffin standing guard. It was late but Severus had no doubt Albus would be awake at this hour. Even without his new heightened sense of smell.

The stairs he walked also had patches of moonlight splayed across them and Severus eventually had to place his boot in one. Nothing happened of course but his heart rate speed up regardless. Artemis was anticipating his next taste of freedom, growling joyfully at the growing moon.

The wooden door swung open before he raised his hand to knock and revealed the tired face of Albus Dumbledore. He said nothing but left it open to admit him, and sat back down at his desk.

He sat opposite the Headmaster and declined the usual offer of tea. Severus had never been one for tea, Irish coffee perhaps but not tea.

"Severus to what do I owe the pleasure? So close to Christmas as well."

For once Severus was lost for words. Dumbledore was not prejudice, but Severus wanted desperately to keep this one aspect of his life secret. Every other aspect of his life has been bared for Dumbledore to see, he was a man without secrets to Albus Dumbledore.

"I know about your problem Severus." Dumbledore told him softly.

Severus had let his guard down. Dumbledore was if not more talented in the art of mind reading then himself.

"Therefore Albus you know about my predicament with the ministry?"

Dumbledore nodded and drank from his cup. "I'm afraid there is nothing I can do Severus."

Severus fought against the urge to rage and stamp his foot. Dumbledore always annoyed him like this. Oh he was supportive Dumbledore in front of other members of the Order, but pretences aside Dumbledore did not respect Severus. His left arm burned with shame, as Severus recalled past mistakes.

"You are one of the most powerful and respected wizards in our community. You who sits upon the Wizengamot council, who has a whole legion of people willing to follow you into battle. How is there nothing you cannot do about this situation?" Severus spat, angry magic crackling around the room.

Dumbledore simply placed his black gnarled hand that was held victim to that damn Horcrux upon the table. "You made a vow to me and the Malfoy family to kill me if Draco could not. Either way I shall be dead soon and I am depending on you to look after the students when I am gone. You swore sixteen years ago to help protect Harry Potter, and to help him win the war."

Sighing he continued. "Tom as you are well aware, already has his hand in the dealings of the ministry. I trust that you have realized that this werewolf law is a ploy to win the support of the werewolf community." Dumbledore stood and looked out of his window, idly stroking Fawkes. "I cannot interfere I'm afraid, not this time. My main concern is Harry and the destruction of the Horcrux's. With Tom destroyed, the corrupt Ministry will fall and so will their ridiculous laws."

"The choice is yours Severus. Bond with someone you trust in order to keep the werewolf tame, just in case you are discovered. Or do not, and try to remain hidden. However someone will discover your secret eventually. What are you to do if Tom holds a Death Eater meeting on a full moon? Or if Greyback or Remus sense you? The law will only hold strong until Tom is gone."

"So once again I am being forced against my will to do something. Just because I am a werewolf, I can allow myself to be treated as a second class citizen? I'm still a person damn it!" Severus snarled.

"As I recall Severus you are the one who treated Remus as someone underneath you. You placed hints for all the students to work out what he was. When that did not work you allowed malicious rumours to run rampant, costing a man his only source of income and the respect of many witches and wizards."

Artemis growled in his head at the mention of Lupin once again.

"I cannot tell you what to do Severus, but this is another sacrifice until the war is over."

"Sometimes Albus I feel like I have nothing left to sacrifice."

"Then you have more in common then Harry Potter then I originally thought. But I'm not asking you to give up your life, am I Severus?"

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Harry loved Christmas, the food the decorations but most of all the feelings of family. Currently he was sitting stuffed to the brim with pudding, relaxing in an arm chair. Ron was asleep next to him with Hermione discreetly stealing glances.

He was waiting for Remus to show so he could ask about becoming an animagus. It was close to a full moon though, and Harry was worried he wouldn't be able to make it. Harry was desperate to speak to him but he knew how ill Remus got before a full moon.

Harry hoped the full moon would occur when he was at Hogwarts, he wasn't confident in his abilities to predict the next full moon Astronomy was not his strongest subject. That was of course if none of his present friends were Artemis.

Suddenly he had a vision of a ginger werewolf as Ron snored.

No it was someone at Hogwarts, but whoever it was wanted to keep it a secret. Either that mean the human was not fond of Harry, or it was just a very secretive person. Either way it led Harry to believe Artemis was a Slytherin. The human may have believed that it disliked Harry, but it was unlikely that he did. Artemis would not have picked him otherwise. Harry did not believe the human and werewolf mind were that far apart.

The human aspect had his feelings buried very deep indeed. Perhaps so deep they were easy to ignore and unrealised.

There was a knocking at the door and Harry jumped in his chair and rose, followed by Hermione. Mrs Weasley beat them to the door however and let in Lupin and Tonks.

Remus smiled as Harry gave him a handshake and pulled him in for a hug. Harry let Lupin sit down and accept a drink from a smiling Mrs Weasley but he was brimming with anticipation. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

Lupin must have picked up on the energy Harry was giving off in waves, and deducted that Harry desperately wished to speak to him. The tired wizard whispered to Tonks who nodded and left to mingle with the other Weasley children. Lupin stood and gestured for Harry to follow him.

Harry leapt to his feet and tried not to push Lupin from the room.

"Is everything ok Harry? You've been staring at me intently ever since I got here. Usually that means you wish to speak with me?"

Harry nodded.

"And it isn't something you can say in front of the others?" Lupin questioned. "Is it about Sirius?" Lupin responded when Harry shook his head.

"In a way I guess so. I want to learn how to be an animagus." Harry clutched at the flint in his pocket, hoping Lupin would not see through his lie. "I want to learn, just in case I ever have a need for a quick escape." Harry felt physically sick to be using the war as part of his lie, but Lupin would hardly agree if he explained it was to communicate with a werewolf.

Lupin just gazed at him a long time, amber eyes swimming with fatigue. A ghost of a memory floated across for the barest of seconds and he nodded his tawny head slowly.

"Becoming an animagus is often seen as another form of Transfiguration. Your Father who was top of our year found it easy as did Sirius. Peter however took months to learn. As you know your form will take on the form of your patronus, so you will become a stag." Lupin paused and grasped Harry's shoulders, pulling him away from the closed door.

"To become an animagus is not quite the same as transfiguration. The spell needed is an enabling charm, and once activated you can change at will, without the use of a wand. Your animal form will be a creature which represents your inner animal in a way. As you know in times of extreme stress and sadness the patronus can change."

"Like what happened with Tonks." Harry responded in understanding.

"Exactly. Whilst your form was a stag I would not be surprised if it has changed into a dog because of your grief for Sirius."

"I've performed the spell since Sirius died. and it was still a stag."

"Well I can tell you the enabling charm but it requires a hell of a lot of magic to activate it. If not done properly you might just end up with antlers on your head." Lupin paused and sternly stared at Harry. "This isn't to be used for pranks or escaping the castle just because you feel like a run. I trust you to only use this ability if absolutely necessary."

Lupin looked around the gloomy room. "When we learnt it at school it was so I could have company and people to speak to, whilst I was a werewolf, if Peter hadn't learnt, then maybe things might have turned out differently. What I'm trying to say Harry is that this isn't something you learn just for the fun of it."

"I understand Remus. But I want every tool I can access."

Lupin nodded and bent to his ear, whispering the enabling charm.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

"You're worried about what?" Hermione demanded. It was late, she was tired and dealing with Harry Potter was more then she could handle right now.

"Just come here would you!" Harry pulled her into his bedroom and locked the door. "Expecto Patronum!" Thinking of his new happy thought, the silvery light expanded into the darkness in every corner of the room.

"Oh Harry." Hermione whispered flabbergasted.

Harry merely blinked in shock as his wolf patronus wagged its furry tail in excitement.

TBC