Hermione was snuggled against Sirius and the Prewetts on the sofa. She was lounging into Sirius's body as her legs crossed Fabian and Gideon was rubbing her feet. It was more than evident to all connected that the twins were satisfied with this arrangement; small subconscious claims of someone desiring their company and physical comfort. Sirius kept his own smugness at bay even though he was surprised at her increased desire to rely on him.
However, Remus sat in his armchair and stewed. Yes, he opened the door for her to seek Sirius's companionship because he was the only other animagus here who was of canine affiliation. Yes, he insisted they work together on dinner and dessert. It just made sense for her to seek comforts from him. He muted these contemplations from the others as he flipped through his book half-heartedly.
The only person to truly pick up on these emotions was Sirius. That made him more subdued in his doting, but not for jealousy. He slowed it down so that Remus could adjust. It was hard to have such a roller coaster of emotions, especially after coming back to this new development. Everyone's role is different. Remus and Moony's position is different.
The only way to describe the wolfish personality of his friend was primal. Moony was primal and always had been. When he was sore, he was fucking sore. When he was hungry, he was ravenous. When he was randy, the bloody wolf was ready to nail a witch to the ground. Remus had become flexible and stronger from it, but it also was a hindrance when the allowance of space was needed.
Sirius wasn't sure what Moony's real problem was with Hermione. It wasn't aggressive, but not possessive either. It was some angst just under the surface because of her lack of compliance. However, not because she wouldn't let him shag her until he was panting from enjoyment. No, this was something else. Something primitive.
"Well, I'm going to go get some air," Hermione murmured flexing her legs off of the twins.
"Mind if I join you, Granger?" Draco questioned as he walked into the room. "My son is tucked in, and I need some adult time."
She smirked at him as her form erected from the couch. "Of course. Maybe we'll walk down to that corner store and get some juice the muggle way."
Remus flicked a page and eyed the twins who suddenly seemed annoyed with the other werewolf. "Maybe Sirius would like to go," He suggested, meeting the dark-haired animagus's vision.
Sirius jumped up then leaned his chin on her shoulder. "That sounds fun."
"You're coming as a dog," Hermione grumbled, and Sirius chuckled.
"If you want, love," Sirius declared.
Draco smiled and pulled out his wand, waving it at her pajamas. "Now, Granger, you need to dress prettier if you think we're walking together," He snickered, and her clothes changed to a green dress.
Hermione glowered at him. "Draco," she seethed, and he quirked a grin.
"Come on, Granger," he offered and waved her to follow.
Sirius nosed her leg as a dog and huffed. Hermione yanked her dress closer to her leg while glaring down at the mutt. "Stop that."
"We'll be waiting for you, Luna," Gideon murmured, clearly pouting.
"Just waiting," Fabian clarified with his nose scrunched.
The witch approached them and kissed each of their foreheads. "Behave please," she said as she caressed their cheeks.
When she turned to Remus, he was still thumbing through his book. She took a moment to admire him with a smile before padding over to him. "You still need to show me the book you were talking about, Remus," she whispered, touching his shoulder.
His green eyes met hers, and she felt a spark sent through her spine. Her mouth watered and it stunned her enough to pull away. There was a feeling; a tension. She knew it to be his as she touched him and met his gaze. Was this the bond that they speak about so often?
"I'll go get my shoes," Hermione exhaled and left the room swiftly, her blush was bright on her cheeks.
Draco shrugged his shoulders and waved for the dog to follow as he disappeared from the room. The twins were looking at Remus with a question, but he ignored them as he skimmed his book again. It wasn't until James appeared with Regulus, Lily, and Severus in tow that he made any more movement. Severus slid into an armchair and Regulus collapsed in front of him, but the Potters stood as they stared at the older werewolf.
"You summoned us why?" James questioned with a yawn.
"Hermione," Remus mumbled, not glancing up. "She won't be an alpha," he stated.
"Of course not, that little animagus isn't a werewolf, Moony," James responded with a frown. "But why is that an issue?"
"She's not a beta either," Remus declared glancing over at Snape.
The Potion master sneered and shrugged his shoulders. "I never agreed that this would be a brilliant plan, Lupin."
"I'm not sure what you wanted me to do, Severus. It's clear there isn't really a choice in the matter. She's already imprinted," Remus huffed while rolling his eyes; a very contradicting reaction for him.
"So, if she's not an alpha," Gideon paused.
"Nor a beta," Fabian continued.
"Then what is she?" they asked together.
Lily covered her mouth in shock, and her red hair shook as her head swayed. "She's an omega? Remus, that just doesn't make sense."
Regulus glanced up at Severus with a frown. "How is that?"
"Moony, we don't have an omega. We have never had an omega. Not even the twins are omegas." James growled.
Remus scrunched his nose in displeasure as he flipped to a page in the book on his lap. "I have been digging, and I can't find anything on a possible answer of clarity. Her personality is far from an omega, but stranger things have happened. Most new werewolves would begin with a pack at that stage until granted more ranking. It might be as simple as that," He exhaled and scratched his scalp with frustration.
"But how do you know?" Regulus insisted with a frown. "I'm just a subordinate, but it would be effective for all of us to know how that works."
Remus pinched the bridge of his nose in a grimace. "Her actions. It's effortless to see around everyone. My only issue is if that is her standing, then she isn't just another person to add to the lupine order. She's not just a female alpha, that is evident."
"Okay, explain something to me, Remus," Lily sighed as she padded up to him. "If she is an omega, it doesn't make a stitch of sense that she would volunteer for that. They are a lower rank, correct?"
He huffed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, it isn't different on that front. However, you talk about an emotional and tender buffer for the pack, and you turn to the omega. Consider them more of the flex member. There is no vicious aggression toward an omega physically during the in-betweens. However, they become the caretaker of emotions and relieve stress for the pack. The glue. In some ways, they hold more power than an alpha does for success."
Lily frowned and tilted her head. "I'm a little confused. As much as Hermione is more than willing to take care of us, she also is very clear on her limits."
"He's saying she is everyone's emotional healer," Severus declared with a glare. "Which she should have never been. Miss Granger doesn't need to be subjected to this," he finished with a cringe.
James tilted his head. "What is your problem, Snivellus?"
"Hermione went through a lot," Regulus mumbled holding a hand to his cheek. "She told me about it today."
Remus shuddered and sighed. "That's why we're talking tonight while they're out. I need everyone to respect her space, even if she seems willing for whatever," he paused and glowered at the twins. "I mean it, boys. No impressing anything intimate. I want to talk to her about it," he mumbled, and his cheeks tinted slightly.
James bit down on a smirk. "Moony, is there something you want to talk about?"
Remus squinted his eyes up at the animagus. "James, I'm going to have to tell this witch she's a submissive emotional buffer for our group. You want to trade positions with me?" he challenged, and James laughed, throwing his head back.
"No, not even close."
"You did this, Lupin. You put her in this position," Snape growled as he stood up. "That girl wouldn't have elected to place herself in this position if it weren't for you."
Remus snapped the book shut and met the looming pale werewolf. "Are you challenging me, Snape?" he breathed in a deadly tone.
The potion master bent just enough to be eye-level. "Are you going to make decisions based on greed or the betterment of the whole?"
James tugged Lily toward the empty sofa. The rankings were all individual, but clear. Remus held power for the most part, with James and Sirius still directly below him. Severus held an elder subordinate position, followed by the twins and then Regulus at the bottom. Regulus's role was closer to the snippy youth, but charming when needed. Lily was a side step of Severus, but less assertive. There was an amount of respect given to her by the others just for being James's wife.
Draco was another story entirely... he was still finding his way.
"I haven't proven to be selfish with any of you," Remus breathed, releasing some of his aggression.
Severus poked his chest with flared nostrils. "You best take care of her, Lupin. That witch suffered far more than she deserved."
Remus displayed his teeth which only caused the twins to jolt up and come between them, back to back so they could address each of them. Fabian was facing Severus and Gideon was toward Remus.
"Let's take a tick and relax. She isn't in danger," Fabian murmured meeting Severus's eyes.
Gideon patted Remus's shoulder. "Just relax."
The older werewolves peeled off to their chairs and the twins exhaled. It was going to be a long night.
Hermione was walking arm in arm with Draco as she held onto Sirius's lax leash. Draco grinned and nudged the pretty witch next to him. Her energy is infectious, and it calmed him to be around her.
"You look tenfold prettier in green than that pink attire," He teased, and Hermione snorted.
"I don't like green, Draco," she said, but her tone wasn't as believable.
"Can I ask you an intimate question?"
Hermione bobbed her head as she glanced up at him. "You will regardless."
"Do you ever miss sleeping next to someone?"
Hermione sighed and fiddled with the leash. "Yes, all the time."
Draco nodded and squeezed her arm. "It doesn't ever seem to get better."
"Do you feel differently now?" She inquired softly as they turned the corner.
"Yes, it has been different, to say the least. I caught myself snuggling my son's shirt because he smelt of home. I enjoy sitting out in the garden and listening to the owls in the trees. The sound of my father's voice makes me want to bite his throat open. It has been harder than anything to get used to."
Hermione moved closer to him, and he wrapped his arm around her. "Hermione, do you think we can try this, you and I?" He mumbled, his cheeks bloomed with color.
Hermione jerked away from him and frowned as they neared the stop. "Draco, this whole thing was fake. We can't do this; you know that. Remus would be furious," she insisted with a contorted expression.
Draco snarled and tossed his head. "I don't give a shite about his opinion."
The dog snarled and stopped them. "I know, Sirius, I'll explain," Hermione declared and reached down to pat him. "You have to understand, Draco. Remus is your leader; you have to care about his opinion. This week will help you. You will get a chance to really understand what he is as an alpha." She insisted and that only made Draco more frustrated.
"I don't care what he is; I'm not asking him."
Hermione sighed as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Draco. This is all new for me too. There isn't resolve for your question."
The blond werewolf had enough and stomped back to the house in a state of frustration, but Hermione just expired and shook her head. "It shouldn't be that hard to understand. This isn't something he can sweep under the rug," she told the dog who snorted in agreement.
She left him outside so she could pretend to care about grabbing items from the corner store. Hermione thought about what Draco had asked her, and it hurt her heart. She didn't want to make him upset, but the truth was, she wasn't sure how she felt about him and his interests. Hermione wasn't blind; she knew the blond werewolf had more than his fair share of interest in her but was that enough? Likely just infatuation due to his situation.
When she exited the shop with a couple of bags, Sirius was waiting for her as himself. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, but he still grinned. Cupping her underneath his arms, he nuzzled her hair and exhaled.
"A bit stubborn they are, aren't they?" He asked and shrugged his shoulders.
Hermione chewed her lip and shook the curls on her head. "I don't know, Pads. It's awkward as it is and now he is being like that. What does he want me to say to him? I can't just visit that concept with Remus nearly cursing the twins for provoking me. It's all too much. I think I just want to go home."
"Come hide in my room, love. I'll make sure the werewolves leave you be tonight."
Hermione paused their journey and her head slanted in curiosity. It was the first time Sirius had seen this expression creep on her lips. "You want to take me to bed, Sirius Black?" she asked with a small giggle.
He shuddered and was thankful the night was dark because the heat from his cheeks brought color to them under his black mane. "Well, I just mean, it, well, Hermione," he sputtered then swallowed the lump in his throat.
The look of gratification was purely glowing from her as she laughed. "Sirius! You look so scared. I don't have scales on my skin nor do I carry some illness. It was a joke after all," she murmured and nudged him; glad to be released from the hard conversation from earlier.
Sirius walked alongside with her and kept glancing over. "Love, were you actually propositioning me or just yanking my collar?"
"I was just joking, Pads. I don't see myself sleeping with you any time soon. However, I will take you up on your offer to let me sleep in your room. I need a time out from the werewolves."
He just bobbed his head and pulled her under his arm again. Despite her bristly nature, they were similar. That must be where the wolf part came in he assumed. Remus held the same sharp textures, and somehow he felt more at home with the curly-haired witch than he had in a while. Being more than just Padfoot at times was excellent. It was an occurrence of his that quite possibly this was why she needed to be here. She gave them each something.
