A/N: Wow, another post within a month! :) I'm stuck at a campground for another week, so hopefully I can get more done.


Draco Malfoy slowly set aside the article talking about Hermione Granger's miraculous return from the dead. Thinking about the Gryffindor Princess brought back a lot of memories to the Slytherin Prince. Most of them about a time he'd rather not think of.

However...

Draco picked up the paper again and studied the picture of Hermione. She was definitely quite different than she was in school. So different Draco had problems tearing his eyes away from the beauty.

"Well, Granger; I might just have to find a way to meet you again," Draco said with a gleaming smirk.

=-=-=-=

Surprisingly things started to settle down over the next couple weeks. Although Remus, Sirius, and Hermione often had to deal with several guests throughout the day. Sirius was tempted to close off the floo network just to get some peace and quiet. However he figured that's the price to pay for having the bright little witch living with him.

Hermione was still as bookish as ever, having already completed Remus' entire library. She was now asking several times a day to go buy more.

Remus was enjoying every minute spent with Hermione. They could now be seen always touching in some manner, either holding one another's sleeve or leaning against each other. Sirius was starting to get sick of watching the 'newlyweds' as he called them.

Although there was the one incident when Remus woke to find both himself and Hermione, along with the bed sheets, covered in red stains. That led to a floo call to Molly to explain the delicate nature to Hermione and teach her all over again. Molly then later gave Remus a talking down for being such a wimp for not being able to handle it himself.

Before any of them new it, it was the night before the full moon. When Remus looked at the calendar, he had to do a double take to make sure he saw it right. "Tomorrow's the full moon?" Remus asked stupidly to Sirius.

"Is it? I guess so," he said surprised as well.

"It's never snuck up on me this badly before. I'm glad I remembered, otherwise I'd have forgotten to take my potion." Remus absently stroked Hermione's curls as he sat next to her at the kitchen table.

Sirius groaned as Remus and Hermione stared at one another with small smiles. They're acting like hormonal sixth years! "You two stay cozy, I'll go grab your potion," he drawled.

'Tarak come too,' Tarak stated. 'Mating season mushy.'

"For once we agree on something," Sirius mumbled. Tarak followed Sirius down the stairs to the basement, where a majority of their storage was along with a small potions station and a door that led to Remus' transformation cell. Despite the Wolfsbane potion, Remus didn't like to be left out.

Sirius moved over to the potions station and began perusing the shelves in search of the potion. Finally on the top shelf he found a stash of them. He carefully picked up one vial and stepped back. However he didn't realize Tarak was sitting right behind him. Despite his being careful, Sirius toppled over Tarak in the process dropping the vial.

'Careful, Mutt.'

"You're telling me to be careful!? You're the one who decided to plant your fat arse right behind me!"

'You just blame Tarak for you clumsy.'

"What did you call me?!"

'Clumsy. Kitten say it mean stupid.'

"That's it, you stupid mutt!" Sirius scrambled to sit up and pounced on Tarak, causing them both to fall against the shelf. A loud crashing sound made them both to halt and look up. On the very top shelf the box of Wolfsbane potion teetered on the edge, one of the vials already falling to break next to them. Sirius scrambled to rescue the remaining vials, but his movement against the shelf only jostled the box to fall off the shelf. Before either Sirius or Tarak could react all of the vials crashed to the floor.

'Bravo, Mutt. You in trouble now.'

"You're the one who started this!" Sirius shouted.

"What's going down there?" Remus shouted from the top of the stairs.

"Nothing!"

'Nothing!' Both Sirius and Tarak said at once.

Knowing better, Remus bounded down the stairs with Hermione trailing after him. One look at the mess caused Remus to growl as he pushed them both aside. He checked all the vials on the floor before searching the top shelf for any remaining potion. Finding none, he turned on Sirius and Tarak. "Do you two know what you just did?! I needed that potion for tomorrow and now I have none left!"

"Remus," Hermione said softly, trying to calm him. "Can't you just brew some more?"

"No! He shouted at her. "The potion takes a month to create! Now I'll have to go through the transformation without control!"

"Calm down, Remus," Sirius said. "It won't have been the first time. Plus I'm here to help you through it. Just like old times."

'Tarak help, too.'

Taking a calming breath, Remus said, "No, someone has to stay with Hermione to keep her safe. Better yet, you should go to the Burrow tomorrow."

"But I don't want to go away," Hermione said.

"You'll go to the Burrow, that's final!" Remus shook his head. Being so close to the full moon made it harder to keep Moony's feelings at bay. "I'll go make arrangements with Molly." Remus quickly stormed up the stairs followed by Hermione, who was still trying to plead her case.

"This is all your fault," Sirius glared at the wolf.

'No, Mutt's fault,' Tarak glared back.

=-=-=-=

That night when Remus entered the master bedroom, Hermione was already in bed. She was lying on her back staring at the ceiling, but as soon as she heard the door she turned her head away from him. Tarak was lying between her legs with his head on her stomach. Remus wondered if they had been having a conversation. Probably about me, he thought. "Tarak, can you leave us alone for a while?" Remus asked wearily.

'Want Tarak leave so Pup can lay between Kitten's legs,' Tarak said, rolling his head to give Remus a lazy look.

"Get out, now," Remus barked. "I'm not in the mood for your crude remarks."

Tarak continued to stare lazily at Remus for a few moments before standing and hopping off the bed. 'Mutt not mean like Pup,' he growled as he left.

Remus shut the door and crawled into bed, but Hermione rolled on her side so her back was to him. "Come on, Hermione. It's our last night together."

"It doesn't have to be," she sniffed. "But you sent me away."

Remus tugged on her shoulder and she reluctantly turned to her back again. "I'm sending you away to keep you safe. I don't want you anywhere near me during my transformation."

"You're letting Sirius and Tarak stay here!" Hermione jerked her head away as a tear escaped from her eye.

"Hermione," Remus sighed. He gently reached over and brushed her tears away. He left his hand against her cheek, his thumb slowly brushing against her skin, as he hovered over her. "Sirius and Tarak can stand up for themselves, and Moony won't see them as a possible dinner option. You, however," Remus hesitated as his eyes roamed over her face. Her hair fanned out around her as she had forgotten to braid it before going to bed. Her eyes glistened from unshed tears, which also made her eyes slightly red. She also had tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Remus took a shaky breath and lowered his head. "You, however, look very delectable and smell heavenly. Moony wouldn't hesitate to gobble you up."

Hermione giggled, despite her tears. Then, suddenly, she lifted her head quickly and planted a kiss on Remus' lips. It had ended before it even started, but it left Remus frozen all the same. Hermione giggled again at his expression.

"Why did— How did—" Remus shook his head slightly. "Where did you learn that?"

"I saw Harry do that to Hannah at the Weasleys." Hermione yawned and pushed Remus on his back so she could get into her usual sleeping place: on top of him. As she snuggled into his chest, she said, "Harry said you do that with someone you love."

"Someone you—" Remus froze again. "Hermione you don't..." he drifted off when he heard Hermione's soft snore. He reached up and caressed her curls. "'Mione, you don't even know what love is." With one hand planted in her hair, Remus drifted off to sleep as well.

=-=-=-=

The next night Remus stood with Hermione in front of the fireplace. All day she had been glued to his side and not once did he complain, however he couldn't stop staring at her lips; particularly the bottom one, which she kept pulling between her teeth. Remus kept seeing their short, but none the less thrilling, kiss. He almost thought he had imagined the whole thing.

As if she read his thoughts, Hermione rose up on her toes to kiss him again, ignoring Sirius and Tarak's presence in the room. Again, before Remus had the chance to react Hermione slid back down to her heels. She cupped his cheek in one hand and whispered, "Be careful." Hermione then quickly turned away from him and disappeared in a swirl of green flames.

Remus was grateful she had gotten comfortable with using the floo network, because he wasn't sure if he'd be able to leave her at the Burrow.

"So, uh," Sirius stumbled, "When did that start happening?"

Remus didn't even notice when he answered, but broke from his thoughts of the bushy haired witch when he stood outside his cell. Having nothing better to do, Remus entered his cell and sat down on the pile of rags. Tarak followed him and fell gracefully next to him. Sirius made sure to lock and ward the door and remained standing, ready to transform into Padfoot.

It didn't take long before the slight burning within Remus exploded into a raging fire. Remus jerked to his hands and knees and tried to fight the screams that threatened to escape him. The pain proved too much, though, when his yells bounced off the walls.

'Don't fight, Pup!' Tarak said. He had stood next to Remus and was crouched low, ready for anything. 'Pup fight, Pup feel pain!'

Remus tried his hardest to listen. Although his screams continued, he stopped trying to fight Moony off. Instead he sought Moony out and allowed him to take over. The pain was still there, but nowhere near as painful as it had been. The transform happened pretty quickly and soon Moony was stretching his muscles before letting out a howl.

'Padfoot, it's been a long time,' Moony drawled. 'Although you are one of the ones who kept me in my prison.'

'There was a reason for that,' Padfoot said. 'You cause Remus pain,' he growled.

'Not now, Mutt,' Tarak ordered. He moved closer to Moony, every step showing his dominance.

Moony was not to be cowed though. 'Back off. You're not the one in charge here!'

Tarak did as he was told, lowering his head to show he submitted. 'Just as Tarak thought. Moony dominate. Pup submissive. Need to combine to stop pain.'

What is he talking about? Remus thought.

Moony ignored his human half, 'I know that. I've been trying to combine with the furless pup since he was bitten.' Moony's amber eyes turned to Padfoot. 'Enough talk for now. I've been dormant for years and I want to skirmish.' The next couple hours involved Moony fighting with Padfoot and Tarak. Nobody was seriously injured, but all supported scratches and bite marks.

When the three fell to the floor to rest, Remus was already fast asleep within Moony's mind. Sirius soon fell asleep—he sported the most injuries between them and was exhausted—leaving the two wolves alone.

'Alpha and Kitten linked, yes?' Tarak asked.

'Yes. The girl is mine. Ever since I smelled her in the woods I knew.'

''Knew', Alpha?' Tarak asked.

'Hermione is my mate. The furless pup is starting to notice it. It won't be long before they're—we're—mated physically.'

'Is Mutt to know?' Tarak looked at Padfoot, who whimpered in his sleep.

'It doesn't matter. If he knows, he'll tell Furless. Perhaps it'll make him act quicker. I cannot wait long for her.'

'Tarak help, Alpha?'

'Get Furless to use me as much as possible. The more he contacts me between the moons the more connected we will be. Sleep Tarak. Protect Furless and our mate. They're still in danger.'

Tarak bowed his head and went to sleep.

When Moony was sure Tarak was asleep he looked at Padfoot. 'Open your eyes, Mutt,' he ordered.

Padfoot opened his eyes, proving he hadn't been asleep. 'Remus isn't going to like the idea of being mated to Hermione. He'll say he's too—"

"Old, too poor, and too dangerous. Yes I know. However he won't be able to resist the pull to his mate. He's already drawn to her, as you've seen. Don't stand in our way of our mate.' Moony's eyes glowed for a moment.

'So you are the reason for Remus' mood swings. And his eyes flashing.'

'We're becoming more connected. He is starting to be unable to keep me contained.'

'Why?' Padfoot asked. 'What is so different now, besides Hermione.'

'He called on me between the moons. He brought me out of my prison to help me find our mate. It allows me to break free when his emotions are high. The more he contacts me, the more we become connected.'

'What makes you think Remus wants this? That I'll let this happen?'

'Don't you see what fighting me is doing to Remus?!' Moony snarled. He didn't even notice calling Remus by his name and barged on, 'He is becoming weak by fighting me. If he continues to fight me, we will not last much longer. If we were to be connected he would suffer less.' Moony smirked, 'We would even outlive a magical mutt like you.'

'Remus is dying?' Padfoot choked.

Moony closed his eyes and rested his head to sleep, leaving Padfoot to figure it out for himself.

=-=-=-=

Remus woke mid-morning. Although he didn't have the aches and pains he normally had, he noticed he had gashes all across his body. Tarak and Sirius were already gone, the door from the cell was cracked open. Remus reached for the extra pair of pants and painfully slid them on. He was only able to get one leg in before falling back in pain. He glanced at the door again before yelling, "Sirius!"

He heard frantic footsteps down the stairs and Sirius emerged. "Merlin, you look like you were someone's snack."

"I was," Remus glared at Sirius head. "You seem to forget that even though Moony may be controlling my body, I return to it in the morning."

"Sorry," Sirius ducked his head. "Do you need help?"

Remus nodded and blushed as Sirius helped him dress. Sirius helped Remus up the stairs and to his bedroom.

"Do you want anything?" Sirius asked.

Remus groaned into the pillows. "No, I just want to sleep."

"Alright. I'll go get Hermione later. She'll probably wake you up as soon as she's back."

"Hmm." Remus automatically answered. Something about hearing Hermione's name made him confused, or intrigued. Like he'd heard something about her recently, but he couldn't think of what. Brushing it aside, Remus fell asleep.


A/N: Hope all is well! :)