Bill gazed upwards. The night sky was clear and bright; the few clouds little more then streaks of fluff, chased away by the chill winter breeze. The bright light of the moon was reflected in his eyes and he stared up at the glowing semi-circle, feeling the Beast prowl in the back of his mind.
The bay at the base of the cliff was calm: the chill breeze was not enough to disturb the water, though the sand flowed, parting around his boots and forming swirling patterns in the near dark. It was a nice night, all in all, he mused.
He no longer felt like the moon was taunting him. Now it felt more like a companion, a distant friend even. The full moon caused some concern and it was hard to resist the urge to run, feral and savage, but things were improving. Every month the Beast was stronger, stirring his blood to fire and his mood was more volatile. Each time though there was an anchor, something to help him hold it together.
Mating with Hermione had soothed the wolf within, allowed it to be more controlled and almost peaceful. It was still a force of nature within him that needed to be studied but Hermione was enjoying the challenge. She had known all about the bite, what it meant for both of them. After her third year she had spent time with Professor Lupin, learning more about werewolves and their habits. She had discovered herself to have an affinity with wolves, having called to Remus when he was transformed and having him respond to her.
And they had spoken about the bond that a wolf or werewolf bite created between two people; an emotional tie and an almost psychic connection, in the loosest possible sense. It helped her to develop the potion and modify it to his needs.
He still wasn't turning, not the way Lupin had when he was alive, but each month showed further development. What this made him, neither of them really knew but he was with his mate; his soul mate, his witch, and that was all that mattered.
"Bill!"
Speak of the devil, he thought with a grin, turning to see her walking towards him, the small cottage visible behind her, all lit up for Christmas. It had taken him ages to attach those fairy lights to the roof, he thought, and they looked bloody good, if he did say so himself.
Beside Hermione walked Luna, and Bill was genuinely pleased to see the strange, almost prophetic, witch. He moved to meet them; hugging Hermione fiercely and planting a firm kiss on her mouth before hugging Luna and lifting her off the ground. The petite blonde let out a delighted squeal and slapped him on the shoulders.
"Let me down, you big ruffian!" she said, laughing.
"You're part of my pack, Luna," Bill said with a grin, setting her down, "and you're going to get hugged like that every time! So get used to it. Now, where's that big hunk of a man of yours?"
"Harry's already inside, with George and Ron," said Hermione, brushing her hair out of her face as the breeze picked up.
"How is he?" Bill asked, concerned.
"George?" Hermione sighed and shrugged. "He keeps himself a little bottled up these days but I think he's okay, a little depressed tonight, I think."
Bill nodded and the three of them started walking towards Shell Cottage. "Understandable. He still misses Fred. I do too if I'm honest. Never thought that'd be the case but I do."
"It's been a while now, since George was left on his own," said Luna, "what's happening with the shop?"
"Well," said Bill, "It's shut at the moment. George is spending Christmas away from it and Verity is on maternity leave. I know Ron can't stay long tonight, but he wanted to stick his head round the door and wish us a merry Christmas before he returns to her side."
"It's nice that those two got together, isn't it?" said Luna happily. "So then after Christmas…?"
"Yes," said Bill, "Fred's due back from America just before New Year. No doubt laden with stories and pranks, strange devices and Merlin only knows what! Can't believe Weasley Wizarding Wheezes is going international."
"Still find it strange that they didn't go together," said Hermione, linking her arm through Bill's and snuggling into his side. "It's been difficult for George. You'd have thought Fred had died, the way he's been moping around."
"I think they wanted to keep the shop open over the school holidays, when all the kids are getting ready to go back to Hogwarts; first new term since the War and all that."
"It is strange being back, after being on the run for so long," said Hermione quietly and Luna nodded her agreement. "But I need my NEWTS and I'm not going to get anywhere in this world without them." She reached up and ruffled Bill's hair. "Besides, they might give me some ideas on how to deal with this little furry problem of mine."
"Oh, is he growing hair elsewhere now!?" said Luna, stepping around Bill and pulling Hermione away from him. "Excuse me Bill, girl talk… carry on." She linked arms with Hermione, waving for Bill to walk on.
The older man grinned and rolled his eyes, continuing towards the cottage while the girls dawdled behind. His sensitive ears picked up some of the conversation though.
"Yes, the last potion, I think, with some slight modification, might help him keep more control during the full moon," said Hermione.
"That's good," said Luna, "but how is it being linked to him? You know… with other things."
Hermione laughed and Bill felt his face start to burn. "Well, he can't hide things from me, nor I from him. I know that he's blushing like a tomato right now, for example. We're still working though our various issues but… this emotional connection? The sex is fantastic!"
Can't argue with that, Bill thought to himself.
*Mischief Managed*
