Chapter 4- Bitten
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Remus had tossed and turned the rest of the night as Mooney's last words were stuck on his mind. His skin warmed as the sun shone through the window hitting his skin. He outstretched his hands over his before pushing the covers back and swung his feet over the side of the bed and into his slippers. Dressed in a plain white t-shirt and loose cotton pajama bottoms that hung off his slim frame he headed over to the small table, sitting down as he conjured a hot cup of tea and stared out into the distance, preparing for the journey back to Hogwarts and what the future held.
No surprise to anyone that Hermione had been up for the last hour checking and double checking that she had all her things that she needed. Confident that she had everything that she needed she moved all her things next to the door before heading down stairs to find the others. As she started to descend the stairs she was hit with a tidal wave of smells hit her, overwhelming her. She stopped before hitting the last few steps, grabbing the hand rail as she tried to steady herself.
She started to turn around and head back up the stairs away from the smell that had suddenly caused her to become almost nauseous. As she took her first step she saw Remus heading down the stairs. He saw the colour had drained from her face. "Hermione, are you okay?" He asked as he rushed down to meet her, examining her face with a concerned look. "Sit down a minute." He said as she eased her down onto the stairs as he knelled in front of her.
Hermione nodded her head. "I'm fine, it's just the smell. It just hit me all at once."
Remus smiled. "It can be overwhelming can't it?" He said. "The smell. It hits like you a wave on the beach on a summers day."
"Yes" She whispered.
"Unfortunately it will get worse the days closer to the full moon. I'm surprised you didn't experience this before your first transformation."
Hermione looked away from Remus as she spoke. "I uh, didn't go out much. Hardly ever actually after I was bitten." She said softly.
"I see. Well, unfortunately there are still a few days to go before the full moon and the heightened sensitivity to smell isn't going to get any better until the moons over. Best to face it head on I think." He said as he looked at Hermione.
Hermione started to pull herself using the hand rail. "Are you right?" Asked Remus who begun to stand as she did.
Hermione nodded and began to walk down the stairs and Remus walked sideways down the stairs, waiting to assist her if she needed it.
Hermione inhaled deeply as she smells got stronger as she got closer to the bottom of the stairs.
"I know it's overwhelming, I was the same after I was bitten, you get used to it, it just takes time. Remember (Remus paused) breathe, nice deep breaths. I'm right here with you." He said as she reached the bottom and looked around when Ron and Harry spotted her and Remus.
"Never thought I'd see the day where I beat her Hermione down stairs for breakfast." Said Harry to Ron Thanks so her wolfish tendencies she heard every word.
Hermione smiled as she walked over to them with Remus next to her. "Yes well you best take a photo of it. It can't expect it to happen again."
"Hang on a minute, you heard that?" Asked Ron.
Hermione nodded and smirked.
"But how could you? You were all the way across the room." He replied.
"Well contrary to your belief's Ronald you are not exactly quiet." She said causing Harry to chuckle as Hermione greeted everyone before sitting down at the table to have some breakfast.
An aura of happiness and excitement filled the air as everyone was preparing to head back to Hogwarts for another year of magical learning.
Hermione and Remus sat across from Ron and Harry. "Hermione are you okay? You look a little peaky."
"I'm okay, just not feeling too great, that's all." She replied as Harry turned back to Ron.
Remus turned to Hermione and whispered. "You'll need to eat something." He said. "Something to keep your strength up. It will help especially after the event." He said low enough so that the boys couldn't hear.
Hermione nodded and began to slowly eat as Remus, Harry and Ron followed, enjoying conversation as they began their start to the day.
After about 20 minutes Mrs Weasley began hurrying everyone along to make sure they had everything packed for their trip to Kings Cross, Harry, Ron and all rest of the Weasleys began to rush back up the stairs to finish packing or Ron's case, start packing. Hermione smiled as she watched the chaos unfold in front of her as Remus turned to her.
"I've also got to finish packing up. Will you be alright down here?" He asked.
"Yes, thank you Remus." She said, shocked that she had called him Remus instead of Professor. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
Remus put his hand up to stop here. "Think nothing of it Hermione I think it the last 24 hours can warrant you calling me Remus, but just outside Hogwarts. We wouldn't want anyone else thinking they can get away with it do we." He said smiling softly as Hermione smiled "No Remus we wouldn't."
She said as he got up and headed towards the stairs.
"Did I just flirt with Hermione Granger?" He thought to himself. "Get a hold of yourself man, she's your student!" He said as he kept his eyes forward and begun to climb the stairs.
Meanwhile Hermione was thinking the same thing. "Did you flirt with Remus…Professor Lupin?" She thought. Then she remembering what was he had said to her the night before about her sexual urges and then the argument began to take her over in her head as her wolf began to make herself known. "No, no. I'm not attracted to Remus. I mean, yes, he's handsome, refined, a kind man." Hermione smiled as she thought to herself.
"I can tell you want him." As the wolfs voice came through her head for the first time causing Hermione to jump. "We want him and come the full moon, we will claim him."
Hermione knew about wolf telepathy, knowing that the wolf was inside her mind she responded with her thoughts. "No! I won't let you I'll take the Wolfsbane potion."
Her wolf chuckled. "Silly human. That might stop me from taking over completely, but I'm still in your mind I'm a part of you all the time and remember human the moon heightens everything." Said the wolf slowly. "How long do you think you can deny your attraction to him?" Said the wolf. Hermione had become so distracted by her argument with her wolf that she didn't even see Mrs Weasley standing in front of her.
"You're all packed Hermione; you have all your books, your robes your wand."
"Sorry, what?" She replied distractedly.
"I was just checking you had everything dear. Your books, robes, wand." Said a concerned Molly. "Are you alright Hermione?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes, sorry Mrs Weasley. Just got distracted that's all."
Mrs Weasley smiled. "Right, well now. Since you are all packed and ready to go would you mind going and hurrying Ron and Harry, dear."
"Yes, of course Mrs Weasley." Said Hermione as she got up and headed up to Ron and Harry's room where they were busily packing everything up.
Hermione got to the door and tapped softly when Ron's voice came booming from the otherside.
"We're almost done Mum." He yelled
"It's Hermione. Can I come in?" She said.
"Yeah sure." Said Harry as Hermione pushed the door open and entered what looked like a disaster zone.
"Ron, your mum sent me up here to hurry you along. Have you even started to pack?"
Ron started to make up excuses "Well, it's quite hard to get innit and I mean there are a lot of things to pack and.."
Hermione couldn't listen to him make excuses. She stepped forward and whipped out her wand. "Move aside" She said as she uttered a spell. Immediately Ron clothes started folding themselves into his trunk, followed by his shoes, coats, scarves, gloves and everything else he needed for school.
"There done." She said as she turned to Harry. "Do you need me to pack up your things as well?" She said as she stared at Harry with an angry look on her face.
"No, no. I'm good." He said quickly and he quickly picked up the remainder of his clothes and put them in his trunk. "There done." He said as he closed the trunk.
"Good" Said Hermione as she returned her wand to her coat pocket and turned to exit the room. Harry and Ron looked at each other with Ron encouraging Harry to ask the question that was on both their minds.
"Errr, Hermione?" Said Harry
"What" She snapped as she turned around to face them.
"Erm, nothing, it's just you seem a bit, uh angrier than usual. Are you alright?" Asked Harry.
Hermione paused for a second thinking about what Remus had said to her earlier about her emotional balance. "I'm sorry" She stuttered. "I didn't mean what I said." She said, embarrassed about the way she had spoken to Harry and Ron. She knew she had to tell them about her lycanthropy before her emotional balance got any worse.
Hermione sat on Harry's bed. "I need to tell you two something but you need promise me that you won't tell a soul. That's your folks included Ron. This has to stay between us."
They both nodded. "What's going on Hermione?" Asked Harry.
Hermione sighed. "I have lycanthropy." She said as the boys stared at her.
"I'm sorry Hermione I don't know what that is." Replied Harry.
"I was bitten over the summer." She said.
"Bitten?" Queried Ron.
"Wait. Hermione. Bitten? As in by a werewolf.
"Yes" She replied.
"So, does that mean you're the same as Remus?" Asked Harry
Hermione nodded.
The three of them sat in silence.
"Dumbledore was alright with you coming back to Hogwarts. What with you being a werewolf and all? I mean isn't that kind of dangerous, two werewolves on campus and one of them living in Gryffindor Tower" Said Ron, completely unware of what he had just said.
"Ron!" Exclaimed Harry.
Hermione got up, shocked at what Ron had said. "Yes why wouldn't he be Ronald? I am only the wolf 3 times a month and besides Remus will be there to help me and I him. He actually wants to help me unlike you!" Said Hermione who got up and stormed out of the room.
"Hermione!" Said Harry as he began to approach her.
"No! Stay back Harry. I can't be responsible for my actions this close to the moon. It's best if you stay away."
Hermione felt the wolf come forth. "No-one insults us like that and gets away with it human."
"Calm down." Snapped Hermione and she tried to control herself and her breathing.
Harry nodded backing away slowly as Hermione moved passed them slowly, before rushed back to her room, grabbed her trunk and waited down stairs whilst everyone finished packing up.
Meanwhile Remus who was in his room had listened to the entire conversation unfold. He had wanted to go and confront Ron, but didn't want to let Mooney take control and do something he'd later regret. He instead picked up his things and went down stairs were he found Hermione waiting.
"Remus?" She queried.
Remus smiled. "Yes".
"Sorry, it your scent I could tell it was you." She replied
"You're a fast learner Hermione. I heard your conversation with Ron and Harry. Wolf hearing." He said with a small smile.
"I see Mr Weasley did not take the news well."
"No, he didn't, but then again I didn't know how they would take it. I was scared at how they would take it."
"Mmm, people react differently Hermione, this isn't your fault." He said as he smiled down at her.
"I also heard you say to Harry that you couldn't be responsible for your actions this close to the moon."
"Yes, I was scared at what the wolf would do if she felt threatened." She whispered.
"I see. I understand and that can be quite scary Hermione, but it's all about control.
"Can you teach me?" She asked.
Remus smiled and nodded, which caused Hermione to smile.
Harry and the Weasley families started to descend the stairs, Harry and Ron first and then the others. "Thank you Remus" She whispered as she put her hand on his shoulder causing his heart to skip a beat. Mooney came to the front of his mind. "You won't have to wait much longer Remus, only a few more days til the full moon and she'll be ours." Whispered Mooney. Remus gulped hard as he watched Hermione walk away.
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