Venom Kisser

by VampyricRedemption

Harry has a past with two individuals that no one knows about. He's played the good kid for three years, but now he wants to leave the wizarding world to home study and finish his muggle education. Vampires, Werewolves, the works. Slash...

10. Chapter Nine: Rave of Death

Chapter Nine: Rave of Death

I was on all fours, scrubbing the tile of the kitchen floor, feeling moody as hell. For some reason, I was extremely angry at myself and everyone and in that, brought on the cleaning. The floor of the kitchen was scrubbed clean, the counters, and cabinets shining brilliantly, making my hard work incredibly obvious. I had already gone through the bathrooms and other rooms, dusting, scrubbing, washing devoutly. I reeked of cleaning chemicals and it made me feel noxious, but I ignored it as I finished scrubbing, sitting back, observing my work.

It didn't help that the house was empty, nobody around. I couldn't distract myself from my utter compulsion. It was late in the evening, darkening twilight pastels casting their shine through the opened windows, letting a cool, fresh breeze run through the house. Mentally, I berated myself for quickly finishing all my studies for the week. Currently, I felt extremely glad (and irritated) to be alone at the same time. I was not looking forward to the mess that would be brought. I already cleaned my fair share of the house.

To be perfectly honest, I cleaned the entire house. I even cleaned everyone's laundry and reorganized their rooms. I was desperate to be kept busy and it didn't help that I had finished cleaning everything.

Rising to my feet, I started to clean the cleaning items I used. Normally, I would've knocked myself around the bend for channeling my Aunt Petunia's cleaning compulsion, but today was just not one of those days. If I kept busy, I wouldn't have to realize how utterly a freak I really was.

Damn those nightmares. They really did influence my actions through the day. It was starting to annoy me greatly. Gods, I was beginning to think amnesia would be a great course of action if possible.

Or would I just carry on all these nifty quirks of mine?

I growled as I finished cleaning the items and then put them away in their proper places. I cleaned my hands and then went about closing all the windows that I had opened. Then I went to take a shower. By the time I had gotten out, I heard voices downstairs, signaling that everyone was home finally. I hurried to pull on a pair of jeans and whatever t-shirt I grabbed. I met Mira in the kitchen, her standing with a cocked hip and her arms folded over her chest, a brow raised in bemusement.

"I leave you just finishing the tending to the rose bushes out front which you got up to do at three in the morning for some bizarre reason after you went for your morning run and come back to the sterilized house with everything in order," she stated softly, calmly as though she was talking to a really small child. "I'd like to know what provoked this compulsion of yours however I do realize I should not push you in this state so we will discuss this later at a more appropriate time. Am I understood?"

I nodded, sheepishly reply, "Yes, ma'am."

"All I want to know is are the bed sheets done and placed back in their appropriate locations?" she asked, remembering the last time I had done something along these lines.

"Your clothes are in their appropriate locations as well," I muttered, deciding that the floor was slightly more interesting.

"Honestly, I don't know what to do with you sometimes," she laughed softly, pulling me into a hug. She put me at arm's length and waited until I met her eyes. "Let's make dinner, shall we?"

"Mess," I moaned in reluctance, following her to the stove and started to make steamed vegetables with a side of spiced chicken.

"Who put my bookshelf out of order?" Remus asked, stepping into the room with a confused expression. "And why's all my clothes in perfect order and everything folded? And who did the sheets?"

Sirius followed him in and looked just as confused, "I didn't know there was a house elf working here."

"As if a house elf would fold everything in a militant fashion," Amar scoffed as he entered the kitchen, carrying a book in his hand, looking at me with bemusement. "I really dislike trying to figure out the order you decide to put things in, my little one. It's like you randomly change the types of orders you put things in on purpose to drive us all batty."

Knowing he was only teasing, I felt a small smile curve upon my lips and I felt a bit light-hearted at the joke. At least he wouldn't force me to talk about it. Amar had a funny way of letting everyone deal with their own problems. It was something that drove everyone batty in and of itself. We were, however, sometimes grateful for it, too.

"Sorry," I apologized sheepishly as Remus and Sirius stared at me with shock. "I can't help it sometimes."

"It also doesn't help that you put all those essays in ordered folders either," Remus stated seriously.

"They're in their subject folders, ordered by date," I stated matter-of-factly. "Amar, yours is the same."

"At least I don't have to figure it out," Amar chuckled, his eyes glowing with amusement.

"Shall we proceed doing your animagus potion-taking tonight, then?" Remus asked, looking at me with a softer smile.

My eyes lit up in excitement, "Really?"

"I can't wait to see what you'll be," Sirius stated with laughter. "You'll probably be a kangaroo with how bouncy you are."

"I doubt that," I mumbled, suppressing my urge to bounce around geek-wise in joy. "I'd probably be a bunny. It'd prove ironic."

"You'll be a cute bunny, though," Mira teased, bumping me with her hip, as she passed by with the finished meat.

I followed, carrying the large bowl of steamed vegetables as Remus stated, "I don't think you'll be a bunny. Probably a snake."

"That'd be interesting," I laughed, eyes gleaming with joy as I started to retrieve the pot of spiced tea.

"Where's your werewolf stalker?" Sirius asked with a smile as I poured him a cup of tea.

"Don't know," I replied with a roll of my eyes. "However I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up sometime soon since you brought him up. He has a rather impressive habit of doing so. I think he's psychic or something."

"He's not psychic," Amar stated pointedly.

"I know that," I chuckled. "It is just that it sometimes feels like he is."

I sat down and began eating the plate I made for myself. Looking down at the small portion of meat and vegetables, I started to feel somewhat ill. Though I kept eating, knowing it was better than naught to do so. When I finished eating my food and drinking my cup of tea, I went to the sink and cleaned. Mira pushed me aside with the playful shove of her hip and took over, shaking her head and muttering about strange teenagers. I would've taken it personally if I didn't know she was right.

I retrieved the potion and met Remus in the kitchen where he wanted it to take place. He then started to lecture on the appropriate protocol. Lapse into a meditative state and take each change in, remembering the feelings. I nodded, listening closely. I'd be in animal form for the next hour, learning to adapt and take in the senses I felt. Then I would change back. It was important that I remembered everything.

I took a deep breath and nodded to Sirius who demonstrated a slow change to and from animal form. He ruffled my hair, giving me a reassuring smile. I uncorked the vial and downed the potion hastily.

I felt my bones beginning to snap and reform as I shrunk down. Noting the changes as they occurred, my eyesight shifted to black and white and became sharper. Considering that I had removed my glasses before changing, I was happy to note the sharper vision. I felt the fur start to sprout as the change began to affect my face, giving me a muzzle and changed my teeth. My hearing became sharper as well as smell. By the time I had finished changing, I felt slightly in pain and slightly tired.

Ignoring this, I tried to get to my feet. It didn't help that I had four legs and it was giving me a new appreciation toward all animals in general. Once I was standing, I turned in the direction that Sirius was laughing. I looked over at him with a soft growl.

"He's so cute!" Mira cooed, her arms wrapped about Amar's shoulders, her chin on one, looking down at me with bright eyes.

I felt something moving behind me and I looked to see a brush-like tail which then I avidly tried to grab with an excited yip. Remus started to laugh at this as did Sirius. Amar rolled his eyes as I walked clumsily over to him and sat down, placing my head on his leg, wagging said tail with glee.

I smelt his familiar scent that was now stronger and then sniffed at Mira, making her giggle. She smelt of spices, sugars, herbs, blood, and a fainter scent of something musky that I wasn't going to think on. I got up and headed over to Sirius and started to sniff him as well. However Remus smelt like something wild and magical. I rubbed my body against his leg, enjoying the smell.

"You must smell good, methinks," Sirius chuckled as Remus picked me up by the scruff of my neck, hauling me up off the floor.

My tail curled up and I snapped at it in a joking gesture. Remus rolled his eyes and stated matter-of-factly, "Do not put your scent on me 'less you want your mate to kill me."

I whined, putting all my apologies in that one gesture before feeling a compellation to lick the side of his face tasting his salty skin in full effect. Then I caught a new, albeit familiar scent and wiggled my nose, trying to smell more of it. My hearing picked up footsteps and then a knock on the door. My tongue lolled out of my mouth and I realized I was some sort of canine. It hadn't caught up to me until now.

"I do think it is a rather proud animal for him," Amar conceded as Mira went to get the door. "A coyote is a trickster in folklore."

A coyote, huh?

It felt kind of fitting in a peculiar way. Survivor, Charmer, Joker. The coyote presents two sides of one whole issue.

I barked in reply, grinning at them. Amar rolled his eyes, "I know you're pleased. I could see it in those unusual eyes. Rather eerie green. You're darker than a normal coyote." He looked at Remus. "Would you set him down already?"

Remus placed me back on the ground and I looked up at him with a grin before exploring with my brand new senses. I followed the familiar scent to the foyer and looked up to see Anicetus and Mira in a whispery conversation that even my hearing had a hard time sorting. I returned into the kitchen and decided to crawl under Amar's chair and curl up. My tail laid over my nose. I could smell the cleaning chemicals and it was bothering me. I whined as Sirius looked at me sympathetically.

"That's what you get for cleaning," Remus stated without sympathy. "Feel my pain."

I bared my teeth at him and snarled. His brows shot up in surprise. I looked up to the entrance of the kitchen and met Anicetus's gaze. I curled my tail about me tighter, trying to look small. Gods, I had no idea what he'd think. Padfoot blocked my view of him a second later, bumping noses with me, before tugging my tail with his teeth.

I crawled out from my hiding spot and got to my feet. Padfoot tackled me. From there it dwindled into an all you can wrestle match. I whined with frustration as he trotted off after pinning me to the ground.

Getting to my feet, I trotted over to where Anicetus was sitting on the floor watching and buried my nose in his hair, smelling him. His normal scent was stronger now. For some odd, infuriating reason, he smelled really, really good. I rubbed the side of my body against him as I decided to trail onto greener patches, hoping that maybe something besides the smell of him would catch my attention. Though it didn't help that he tugged lightly on my tail to get my attention.

I whacked him in the face with my tail with a warning growl before trying to get away. He dragged me into his lap and had my face held up to look into his own. He did something odd then and I might add reprimanding. He bit my muzzle.

"Anicetus," Remus growled, "Don't do that."

I bumped my muzzle under Anicetus's chin and whined. He chuckled, his finger's running through my fur in an affectionate manner. "Don't hit me with your tail, Suren. It's bad etiquette."

Padfoot trotted up and sat in front of Anicetus and I. He growled as he looked at the werewolf disapprovingly or as much as a dog could. I buried my nose in his neck.

I bared my teeth against his neck and growled, telling him to let go. He lightly smacked my nose in reply. I proceeded to press my forepaw against the side of his face and shove with annoyance. He rolled his eyes and let me go.

I proceeded over to Remus and curled up at his feet, taking a moment to listen to the sounds around me. Noting Anicetus growling lightly at my actions, I listened to the breathing of each member of the room. Letting the sounds drift around me, soaking in them, I fell into a lulled state. Padfoot joined me and laid down beside me, watching me carefully. It was in case I got too overwhelmed, which I was, but he didn't really need to.

The last five minutes, I decided to drive everyone batty as I tested the vocal system of my coyote form. Everything from whimpering to howling, I tried it. Anicetus grabbed a hold of my muzzle and clamped my jaw together after the chilling howl that sent what sounded like all the dogs in the neighborhood insane. I let out a muffled whine and started to feel the change.

When the change had finished, I stated matter-of-factly, "That sense of smell is going to lead me into trouble."

"Feeling a bit overwhelmed?" Sirius chuckled.

"Yes, but, at the same time, no," I answered honestly. "It doesn't help that you all smell really, really good. Especially the werewolves in the room." I looked at Sirius. "And why do you smell like dust? And for that matter, get in the shower before I hurt you for ruining all my efforts of cleaning this room!"

Amar chuckled, "We'll never be able to get away with being dirty again."

"You're not helping," I growled warningly. "And you reek of gasoline."

"Not my fault," he muttered, refusing to look up this time.

"And Mira, you're not to tell me anything of what went on today at work," I pointedly stated, watching her eyes narrow slightly.

"I wasn't going to say a word," she stated with an admonishing tone.

"Good because I don't want to know," I muttered ruefully, shaking my head while grinning. "And whatever Remus has been rolling it, they should make it an oil or something for it because it'll certain get someone jumped and possibly shagged rotten."

Remus coughed, flushing bright red as Sirius burst into laughter. "That's not something you should tell a person."

"No, no," I laughed. "It needs to be told." I yawned suddenly. "I think I'm going to bed."

"Well after all that cleaning, I would think you mad not to be tired," Sirius admonished jokingly.

I got to my feet and bid them a good night before heading upstairs. I switched into sweats and pulled off my shirt, folding both the jeans and shirt and setting them on the seat of the chair. I paused for a moment before grabbing the sketchbook and a pencil. Settling down on my bed, I flipped to a clean sheet and started making the outline basis of a coyote at the top left corner.

"That's not called sleeping," Anicetus teased as he entered the room and came to sit beside me.

Not looking up, I replied, "I'm sleeping thoughtfully."

"Well literally you're not," he stated matter-of-fact as he crawled over to the corner the wall provided, lying on his side, propped up by his elbow, watching me. "I've heard you cleaned today. How'd that go for you?"

"Spectacularly well," I replied with a pause, looking over at him with raised brows. "Why do you ask?"

"Because nobody cleans that much without something bothering them," he answered with a concerned gaze.

"You've never met my Aunt then," I stated seriously. "That's where I get the compulsion from." I sighed after a moment of having a staring contest with him. "I just didn't sleep well and I'm a bit restless and needed to do something, anything than sit still all day." Then I started to ramble. "And I keep having this nightmare."

"Nightmare?" he asked, sitting up instantly. "What nightmare?"

In my defense, I was surprised at his behavior that I had just answered truthfully, "It's silly really. Voldemort is in this old musty room in a large chair. I can't see him in it, I just know that's where he is. Wormtail is crouched down before it and blocking the view of another person in a black, patchy robe. They're discussing something about getting me. They need to get me for something. Then there was this old muggle at the door, listening. Voldemort kills him once Nagini, his large snake, tells him of the old muggle listening to them. It's always the same." I took a deep breath. "I don't know what it means, but I'm quite sure I don't like it."

"Have you told Mira or Amar?" he asked, his eyes suddenly calculating.

"I told Amar in passing and he to Mira," I replied, feeling like I shouldn't have told him. "Hermione, Luna, Roni, and Daphne are the only others that know about the dreams."

"I do not think you should go to the Quidditch match tomorrow, luv," he stated softly, eyes filled with worry.

"They wouldn't do something so risky," I stated matter-of-factly. "Riddle isn't stupid, he's only criminally insane. Big difference."

He rolled his eyes, "They're borderline, luv."

"No, they're not," I argued lightly. "You've never once picked up a psychology or criminology book. Trust me when I say they're different. I have at least some mediocre understanding of this subject topic and I know I'm right and you're wrong."

He pulled back, looking bemused. "I think you're becoming a bit too passionate on the subject, Suren-baby."

"Well honestly," I growled, "you're arguing that there's little difference when there is a major difference. Besides, you were born and raised in the wizarding world where they do not credit sciences of any sort in the muggle realm of reality and therefore lack the proper thesis to make a valid argument. I, on the other hand, have read many subjects in both psychology and criminology and know a lot of what I'm talking about. So there can be no argument on your part to even sustain the hard evidence I bring to the table, so to speak. Therefore, I'm right, you're wrong, and don't you dare try to argue with me."

"There's a mean streak in you," he chuckled as I set the sketchbook and pencil on the desk and returned to the bed to sit down, cross-legged, facing him. "No wonder Remus gets frustrated with you after he tries to have debates with you."

"I like when he gets frustrated," I admitted sheepishly. "It's funny to watch him fumble about, trying to keep up at the speed I argue at."

"I'm aware of your love for arguing," he chuckled, rolling his eyes.

I looked up at the arrival of a black owl. "Ooh, it's from Daphne."

I retrieved the letter and opened it after getting back up onto the bed, this time turned away from him, leaning against him casually. She had replied with little information on Umbridge, not finding any sort of scandals in the old newspapers her father had archived over the years. I paused as I read over the list of laws that had been passed due to Umbridge's lobbying. I noted Anicetus reading the letter as well, albeit trying not to look too obvious.

"You're still on about that law?" he asked with worry.

"I have a disliking for such laws," I stated matter-of-factly. "I'm going to overthrow her new one at the drop of a hat. I just wanted to see if I can defame her as well." I shrugged. "I might as well ruin her while I'm at it."

"Did I ever mention that you're pure evil when you dislike certain things," he pointed out with a laugh.

"I'm going to need the goblins to help me with this," I muttered darkly, feeling like I was giving away a favor for something I could use it for later. "Lord Dalca is perhaps needed to play a part as well. Only how do I get him to play a part?"

"He can stop funding the Minister's campaign if he does," Anicetus suggested.

"He doesn't fund it at all," I stated, lightly admonishing the thought. "He and the clan donate money to the poorer institutions throughout Europe, making sure they're taken care of. He's also known for adopting human children into the clan from orphanages, giving them educations, and getting them jobs. That's how the clan is one of the better off ones in Europe. It's because we all work in a very nice, neat network and protect one another. It's kind of like the Mafia without the sudden murders." I sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to throw a curve ball if I can't use something movable." I raked a hand through my hair. "It does help that Lord Dalca helped gain the clan the right to administer their own type of judicial system. It keeps us out of the corrupted court system the Ministry offers. So if we do something illegal, we cannot be charged with anything outside of the clan's judicial system. Good thing is that Lord Dalca will probably let us off with a light smack on the wrist with a suggestion to try not to get caught next time."

"You can always use your fame," he suggested jokingly. I could tell he didn't mean it.

I winced, "I hate that option, but it does make sense." I smiled at him. "I can send a protesting letter to the Daily Prophet. Everyone reads it and it'll definitely be helpful to point out the pros and cons of the law including the list of that woman's lobbying history. All of which seems to be centered on passing negative laws on those of the non-wizard party which does show a surprising amount of prejudice on her part if you think about it. I'll have to send Daphne and Hermione off to research again. This'll be like an extra credit assignment. Only I get to ruin someone royally." Then I turned retrospect. "Albeit, the karma on a whole is going to be quite alarming, to say the least."

He rolled his eyes, "Only you'd think of this like a research project."

"Well it is," I pointed out with a laugh while setting the letter on my desk and crawling back onto the bed with a sudden yawn. "Now what's your purpose being here in my bed?"

"Why do I have to have a hidden agenda?" he asked with a lazy grin.

"Because everyone has a hidden agenda," I replied pointedly.

"Oh, and what's yours?"

"Oh, I don't know," I growled sarcastically, rolling my eyes, "mayhap trying to keep you in my bed for the night or up until I leave for the Burrow tomorrow morning?"

"I shall give in to that request," he stated immediately in a serious tone.

"I was being sarcastic," I growled.

"Well you weren't doing a very good job of it, were you?" he replied before yanking me to him.

I rolled my eyes, "You're just fumbling about for an excuse to stay with me."

"I do not fumble for excuses, luv," he pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Oh, right," I muttered, closing my eyes as I let myself relax. "Alphas do not do such things."

"Indeed," he chuckled, pushing my hair out of my face. "You make for a striking coyote."

"Sure I do," I muttered dryly. "Right up till the point I howled."

"You did scare the dogs in the neighborhood, you silly coyote," he chuckled, tracing patterns on my face now. "And it did frighten your godfather some, if you recall."

"I just had to," I muttered sheepishly. Then I felt my eyes open and widen. "I forgot to clean the--"

He cut me off with a long kiss before pulling back and stating, "Rest now, clean later."

"B-but--"

"No," he growled, pinning me to him with his arms wrapped tightly about me. "Stay put."

"But why?" I asked, confused. "It'll only take two seco--"

"Just rest, luv, and stay with me," he murmured before kissing me.

I grumbled after he pulled away and decided not to argue for once. I was tired and didn't feel like trying to one up the werewolf. So, instead of arguing like half of me would have liked to, I let my eyes close and I slowly relaxed. Instead, I decided to poke fun.

"You smell like garbage," I murmured, smiling as I buried my face in his neck.

"Oh?"

"Yes," I replied reassuringly. "Like sweaty mold mixed with rotten eggs, sulfur, and vinegar. Gross."

"And yet you're lying next to me," he mused. "Why is that?"

"I have a trashy sense of taste, apparently," I replied teasingly. "Or the trash just prefers to run with me."

"I will not dignify that with a reply," he stated with bemusement.

"Just did," I pointed out, smiling tiredly. "I should probably throw you out of my bed."

"So why don't you?" he asked with a low laugh.

"I'm too tired to be ruthless for the time being," I murmured.

"Does that mean I can do whatever I want to you without you protesting?" he asked, joking.

"I may be tired, but I still am magically strong," I replied dryly. "I could toss you out of the room and then ward it from your entrance." I smiled sleepily. "Magic's a wonderful tool."

"You would think so, of course," he replied rather dryly, sounding for all the world like he hadn't thought of that possibility until now.

"But out of the goodness of my heart, I'm letting you stay," I chuckled softly.

"But of course," he laughed, pulling me tighter against him.

"What's Greece like?" I asked sleepily.

"It's Heaven," he replied passionately before telling me of the land, people, the air.

I relaxed against him, listening to his voice. He had a nice voice. Especially when talking about Greece. It was filled with passion. A lilt of a Greek accent tinged his voice and I wondered why I had never noticed it before. A very exotic accent, in my opinion. Sexy.

---

I awoke with startle, sitting up automatically and reaching for my militant stiletto under my pillow. Instead I felt a warm arm there and another about my waist. I pondered the circumstance with a half awake brain before concluding it was my werewolf. Taking long, deep breaths, I slowly relaxed, laying back down, closing my eyes.

His arm grew tighter about my waist and he sleepily asked, "What's wrong, my love?"

"Just a bad dream," I murmured. "What time is it?"

He turned his head to look at the clock on the desk and turned back, replying, "It's three in the morning. Go back to sleep, luv."

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep after waking up," I groaned, rubbing my face with a free hand before yawning. "I can still smell cleaning chemicals."

"That's what you get for that compulsive cleaning you have," he teased, more awake as he sat up and loomed over me.

"Yeah, yeah, bad me," I grumbled, sitting up slightly.

He kissed me gently. "What do you plan to do until you have to leave?"

"I think I'm going to take Asha out and do my morning run," I replied, smiling up at him before slipping out of bed and grabbing a used shirt, pulled it on, before grabbing socks and shoes.

Pulling them on, I went to retrieve Asha in her little doggy bed. She was already stretching, wagging her tail, and giving me a doggish grin. I caught her when she jumped up into my arms and let her lick my chin excitedly. I walked over to Anicetus as he sat up, watching the puppy with a glower. I tugged on a loose strand of hair.

"You're not jealous of Asha, are you?" I teased, catching his full attention.

He let out a breathy laugh of incredulousness. He pulled me to him and kissed me long and hard. I blinked when he pulled back, smiling in pleasure as I let out a shaky breath. I blinked again before straightening and stepping away from the bed. One of his brows rose and he started to give me a wolfish grin. I cleared my throat and immediately headed out of the room.

I went out for the morning run, or rather jog, as I tried to keep Asha at a pace she could handle, and headed back inside once I was finished and let her go to the loo, so to speak. Dripping sweat, I paused as I heard movement in the kitchen. I peered in to see Sirius shuffling about in the fridge, looking for something. I leaned against the doorframe and quirked a brow and a grin as I watched him.

"Looking for something, Paddy?" I asked with a low chuckle, and then burst into laughter as he let out a startled scream in surprise, whirling about to glue his eyes on me.

He placed a hand against his heart and breathed heavily as I pursed my lips. He narrowed his eyes, "Sneaking up on people is not a nice thing to do this early in the morning."

I shrugged, gesturing lazily, "Oh, but it is." I laughed. "It's very rewarding especially when they shriek like little girls."

"That was a manly scream and nothing you can say can prove otherwise," he growled, blinking tiredly at me.

"Except that you and I are the only two Homo Sapiens in the house," I pointed with a chuckle. "Everyone heard that no doubt." He gave me a long, pointed look that made me put both my hands up in surrender. "I'll just be taking that shower then. Good will hunting on your early morning brunch."

"Thank you," he called as I disappeared up the stairs and decided to take a quick shower.

I had the towel wrapped about my waist when I headed to my room, going for my clothes, but paused at the sight that greeted me. Anicetus was doing push-ups. Real, militant, one-armed push-ups. My mind had wiped clear of any thought whatsoever and I just stood there watching, fascinated.

I shook myself out of my daze and slowly grabbed a pair of clothes and headed back to the bathroom to pull them all on. I pulled on a pair of loose light blue jeans over a pair of boxers, my black tight-fitting t-shirt, and my socks. Heading back, I found him doing sit-ups now. I rolled my eyes and started to pack my backpack with what I needed.

Pausing, I ran my fingers over the leather of the sketchbook in contemplation before tucking it along with the pack of pencils and pens with it in my bag. I put the bag on the desk and looked suddenly at the mouse cage. I glared.

"Damn you, Wally," I hissed, now in search of the devil mouse. "Where did you go now?"

It took me nearly half an hour to find the mouse. He, though, was on Asha's back, hanging onto her as she tinkered on in. Anicetus was chuckling under his breath as this went on. I huffed and ignored the mouse, knowing he'd return to the cage once he was finished doing his daily expeditions of the outside world.

I looked down at Anicetus who had just moments before finished his sit-ups. "Do you want something to eat, Ani?"

"I believe I'm already salivating at the mere mention," he joked, grinning up at me before yanking me down on top of him.

"Vukasin!" I hissed softly in surprise, laughing. "You're covered in sweat, no!" He rolled us over, now lying on top of me as I snickered madly. "Bad wolf. Very bad."

"I wonder if you're ticklish," he mused aloud before tickling me in the sides.

"S-s-stop," I laughed, trying to push him off of me, but not succeeding. "S-stop it, Ani!"

Once I could escape, I raced out of the room, him following close behind. I slid into the kitchen, nearly falling as I lost my balance if it wasn't for Anicetus grabbing me about the waist and twisting me about. Too bad that he had slid as well where it led to him and I on the ground, our limbs tangled, laughing. I pushed his hair back and kissed him, acting upon the sudden need to do so. He returned it without any hesitance.

I moved to his neck where I licked the tendon hesitantly and nipped at it making him growl. His skin was salty and warm; delicious in the oddest sort of way. He pulled me back into a longer, harder, dominatingly bruising kiss. A few minutes later when he bit into my neck, I could've sworn my vision blurred from the pain of it, but it was a sort of pleasurable pain. I gripped his upper arms and let out a low hiss.

"Surendra Harrison James, Anicetus Vukasin!" I heard Mira hiss dangerously. Both of us paused and looked up to see her in her flannel shorts and white top, crossing her arms over her chest with her hip cocked. "You will desist this instant. This is a kitchen, not a bedroom. I will not tolerate it."

"Sorry, Mira," I apologized sheepishly, hastily getting to my feet and giving her doe eyes and a pout. Albeit inside I was in a panic about losing all senses and kissing him.

"Don't give me that look," she sighed before yawning. "It's too early to deal with that look. I need my tea and blood first."

She grumbled as she headed to the pot and filled it with water, yawning once more as she put it on the stove with tea packets inside. I noticed Anicetus glowering in her direction, but shrugged as I flustered about, heading to the fridge. I pulled out the bread and then retrieved the toaster, putting the slices in.

"Where's the jam?" I asked, peering into the fridge with a glare, searching for it.

"I haven't opened any," she answered off-handedly, yawning again. "It's in the cupboard. You know which one."

I grumbled as I went to the cupboard and opened it. My eyes widened and sudden merriment filled me. Anicetus peered in beside me, his arms wrapping about me.

"The Holy Grail of jam cupboards," I breathed excitedly.

"Don't open more than two, Suren," Mira called lightly, and probably rolling her eyes.

I grabbed a strawberry and another of raspberry, humming with delight. Anicetus chuckled, letting me go as I practically skipped over to the toaster that went off, placing the jams beside it. I then retrieved a large plate and came back, making a simple, yet somewhat crumb-messy breakfast.

"Want some?" I asked Anicetus and he nodded with a smile.

After all the toast was toasted and jammed, we began to eat. I hummed happily, enjoying the raspberry. The entire thing was simple, relaxed. Mira rolled her eyes as Anicetus snatched my wrist and pulled it up to him before licking jam from my fingers. He licked the pulse at my wrist before letting me go. I rolled my eyes, muttering about dogs and their eccentrics, blushing madly.

Mira turned on the CD player and it let out a tribal tune out. I started to grin as she started to belly dance. It was a talent of her. She knew several types and used them effectively. After living so long, it was no wonder she perfected them. I went to clean up the mess I made and finished quickly enough before being pulled into the dance.

"Mira, no," I groaned, ruefully smiling as she made me dance with her.

I hated to belly dance in all honesty. Or, at least, not in front of others besides Amar and Mira. The fact that I was being dragged into it… well… I wasn't happy, but nonetheless did as forced.

She leaned backwards, undulating her stomach, spreading her arms and moving them like snakes. I imitated fairly well, using the flexibility that practicing yoga in passing gave me. I straightened up and rubbed my stomach, feeling the muscles react to the movement.

"I hate doing that," I muttered to Mira as she paused to look at me.

"You just need to practice more," she pointed out. "Besides, your work as a thief has been getting a bit sloppy from what I heard from Amar."

"I knew he was following me!" I hissed in outrage.

"He was just keeping an eye on your night job," she laughed, dismissing my outrage with a wave of her hand. "You nearly got caught."

"I tripped over a ruddy cat," I pointed out with a hiss. "Then it started yowling and woke up the shopkeeper." I ran a hand over my face. "It was embarrassing."

"I'll bet," she giggled, going for a cup of tea now.

"At least I got the dagger without much trouble," I pointed out with a Cheshire grin. "The goblin's were ever so happy."

"Wait a moment," Anicetus chuckled, his eyes lit up with keen interest. "You're that thief?"

"Oh, gods," I groaned, "there's gossip about it now?"

"Told you that you're popular," Mira pointed out with laughter.

"Oh, shush," I groaned, "it's not that great. I'm the laughing stock of the thieving underground. I tripped over a stupid cat."

"We never said you were graceful," she pointed out with a small smile.

"You're the Goblin Thief?" Anicetus asked.

"Yes, he is," Mira answered with a fond smile, patting my arm.

"It certainly explains why you know so much about law in particular," he chuckled, pulling me to him. "Especially when so few your age do not."

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not," I stated hesitantly, looking up at him.

"Mmm, I think you should," he murmured, leaning down to bump my nose with his own. "It would also explain how you know about the list I carry in my back pocket."

I blushed and pointed out meekly, "Raccoon."

"Coyote, methinks," he murmured against my lips before kissing me.

The doorbell went off and I ducked away from him. Hermione met me at the other side of the door with a bright smile and a bouncy attitude. She currently had on light blue, low-riding boot-cut jeans that were held up with the help of a belt with a skull buckle. Her cami shirt was black and had a lacy hem that ended just below her navel. The grey sweat jacket ended above her navel and was tight-fitting. Her hair was partly pulled back, but her fringe framed her face while a leather stringed choker emphasized her delicate throat. She had a similar backpack slung about her shoulders.

"Are you done with your staring?" she asked with a roll of her eyes.

"What can I say?" I chuckled. "You're worth the long staring sessions."

It was true. Hermione was wearing clothes that emphasized her slim, slightly curvy figure. It was enough to make an older man stop and drool.

"You're such a peeper," she giggled, hitting me in the arm before leaning forward and sniffing me. She pulled back and suddenly smiled mysteriously.

"What?" I asked with a perturbed glance over my shoulder, seeing Anicetus leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, watching with wolf eyes. I glanced back at her Cheshire grin. "What?"

She took me by my arm, dropped her bag at the side of the door, closing it behind her before dragging me upstairs. I kept glancing with confusion at her. We entered my room and she closed the door, warding the room effectively, using the advantage the house's wards gave her and I.

"He's rubbing his scent all over you," she hissed, smiling.

"What?" I asked, bemused and perplexed at that statement.

"I just noticed it," she laughed, bemused at the mere thought, walking over to my bed and sitting down. "I never noticed it before." She shook her head, laughing. "I mean, it just didn't occur to me that was what he's been doing."

"What the bleeding hell are you bloody well on about?" I growled, impatient.

"He's sweaty, right?" she asked pointedly.

"Yeah, he was doing pushups and sit-ups earlier, why?" I asked, confused, feeling as I should know the reason behind this entire conversation.

"Wolves are very territorial, Harry," she stated pointedly, smiling at my sudden comprehension. "He's been rubbing his scent all over you as much as he possibly can since we told him we were joining Ron and his family and going to the Quidditch World Cup with them. He's marking you as his. If there are other lycanthropes around, even vampires, they'll know that you're not to be touched."

"He's inadvertently, so to speak, staking his claim," I stated as much to myself as to her.

"And, Harry, you're plastered with his scent," she pointed out. "I can smell him all over you. Which begs the question: What have you been doing with him?"

Therein laid the story of what had happened the night before and this morning. She was grinning wildly, taking it all in with mirth-filled eyes. I finished with a glower in her general direction.

"You kissed him?" she asked with mirth. "You kissed the man who you are trying not to get with?"

"Oh, shove off," I growled, sitting down beside her with my head in my hands. "You know as well as I do about the bond between mates and thanks for not sharing, by the way."

"You're welcome," she laughed in amusement. "I'm sorry about not telling you. I thought you knew. I mean, you're the one with the mate and all. You should've hit the library as soon as you knew about it."

"The library is not the answer to everything," I grumbled darkly, glowering. "And at the time, I refused to believe the utter nonsense that it is as you well know."

"It's not utter nonsense, Harry," she admonished casually, giving me a pointed look. "You and I both know that it isn't. Even Mira and Amar know that it isn't. You're just afraid of letting someone in and I don't blame you. Letting people in is hard enough. Letting someone in that could and most likely will hurt you has got to be utterly difficult. You could lose yourself in someone like him and that scares you, doesn't it?"

I looked at her with a softened expression, "I can't lose control."

"There's this thing I was reading by Neil Gaiman," she told me with a small smile, wrapping her arm about me. "Do you want to hear it?"

"Sure," I replied with a hesitant smile.

"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses. You build up a whole armor, for years, so nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life... You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' or 'how very perceptive' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a body-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. Nothing should be able to do that. Especially not love. I hate love."

I looked at her long and hard and came to one conclusion, "That's fucking depressive, Hermione Jean Granger."

"It's true nonetheless," she pointed out with a glare at me. "You know it."

"Why do I get the feeling this is going to get harder before it gets better?"

"Because nature demands nothing less."

"That's dreary."

"Dismal."

"Utterly depressing."

"Honestly true." She sighed and suddenly brightened. "Let's go wake up Remus."

We did just that, however, we were beaten to the punch of pranking him awake by Sirius who poured ice cold water on him. Exiting the room quickly, I went to put on my leather jacket and my boots before slinging a backpack onto my shoulder as I headed downstairs.

I met Hermione downstairs in the kitchen as Mira gave her some toast which she ate with a smile. Anicetus put away the jam as I went to put the toaster away. He then took my backpack and put it on the ground beside us and proceeded to put me up on the counter and kiss me. I pushed him away so as to breathe.

"You need to stop kissing me," I stated matter-of-factly in a low voice.

"And why should I?" he asked, clearly amused by the idea.

"I have an explanation, but it has yet to be properly worded," I told him, taking a deep breath, leaning away from him. "I'm sure however that it involves on an entirely too fast moving pace and not pushing your luck."

"Spoken maturely," Mira commended with a smile, taking my hand in her own.

I looked at her and practically melted under the praise; my inner child simpering after it like crème de la crème. I ducked my head after a embarrassing shy smile appeared on my face, covering it quickly with a blank expression. Nodding, I glanced back at her as she squeezed my hand gently before letting go.

"My sweet childe, it's all right," she murmured with a smiling gaze. "It's almost time for you two to be on your way."

"Actually, I think we're late," Hermione stated as she hurriedly finished eating and went to get her bag; Mira followed after her quickly.

I looked up at Anicetus and smiled slightly, "I think that's my cue to follow."

"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" he asked, suddenly concerned.

"You could try, but I don't think you'd get very far," I replied, nervous.

"I think I'll keep my hands to myself in that respect," he stated in a serious voice. He shot me a cheesy grin. "Otherwise you'll find your godfather beating me to death with a shovel."

"A shovel?" I asked, confused.

"It was his weapon of choice, if I recall correctly," he answered with thoughtfulness. "I think he'd do it, too."

"I wouldn't doubt it," I murmured. I forcibly brightened and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Finish your work and don't worry about me. I can take care of myself." I looked meaningfully at him. "Trust me."

I slid down off the counter and picked up my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. He leaned down and kissed me one last time before bidding me farewell with his gaze. Then I headed out of the kitchen, but not before I brushed past Remus, murmuring a goodbye and hugging Sirius, giving him a proper farewell, knowing it'd make him smile at the gesture alone. He ruffled my hair and sent me on my way, telling me that he would see me tomorrow.

I rolled my eyes before heading into the living room where the fire place sat. Hermione looked over her shoulder and grinned. "You might want to cover that other nasty bite on your neck, Harry, or the Weasley family will spend all day asking questions." The healing vampire bite was under a heavy glamour and she knew it.

"Wouldn't want that," I muttered as I readjusted my jacket nervously.

"Are you sure you both will be okay?" Mira asked nervously as she came up to me and readjusted the jacket on me, straightening my clothes methodically.

"We'll be fine, Mira," Hermione laughed assuredly. "This is Harry and me we're talking about."

"That's why I'm worried," Mira stated dryly. "The two of you get into more trouble than it's worth."

"OI!" we both cried in outrage before turning to look at each other.

We burst into laughter while Mira crossed her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes, "See what I mean?" She sighed. "I guess you should go now before you miss out. You're already a couple minutes late."

"We'll see you tomorrow, promise," Hermione reassured as she waved at the woman and flooed over to the Burrow.

I looked at my guardian, "I promise we'll be fine."

"I know you promise, but that doesn't keep me from worrying," she sighed tiredly before pulling me into a hug. "May the gods keep you."

"And you," I murmured before kissing her cheek and flooing over to the Burrow after pulling away from her.

I tumbled out of the fire place, landing forward to the ground, bracing myself on my arms with a grunt of annoyance. I popped back to my feet and sheepishly smiled as I heard Hermione went into a fit of laughter. The room was empty for once except for Mrs. Weasley who came into the room immediately to greet us.

"Could never perfect my landing," I snickered, winking at Hermione who giggled before turning to Molly Weasley. "Top of the morning to you."

"Oh, you look good, dears," she greeted, hugging the both of us to her before letting go and then went to get something before returning to shove a muffin into our hands. "They left a second ago. You can catch up if you leave now."

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said before pulling me with her as we raced to catch up with the others.

Laughing, we caught up with the group with shouted greetings and apologies for being a few minutes late while shoving the muffins down our throat hurriedly. Everyone seemed shock to see the both of us since we both changed dramatically, but it would have to wait as we hurried to the portkey. We met up with the Diggorys before all gathering around a boot and placing a scrap of skin against it.

Next thing I knew was Hermione landed on top of me as I hit the ground. The both of us laid there for a second, wondering how we managed a move such as this. All that we felt was a horrible tug at our navels. Hermione shoved up off of me and got to her feet, dusting herself off with fluster. Cedric Diggory helped me up with a laugh.

"I'll have you know this is normal for me and traveling devices," I muttered as Ron started laughing at my clumsiness after Hermione blamed me for her falling over. "I just can't get it to work for me."

"Perhaps you just belong in the muggle world," Hermione laughed, nudging me in the ribs as we followed Arthur Weasley as he led us through the camp site.

I muttered in Arabic and wrapped an arm about her shoulders as we followed slowly behind. She leaned into me and started to whisper, "You know sooner or later you're going to have to tell Ron, right?"

"Honestly, it's crossed my mind," I murmured dryly, before smiling and waving at one of our fellow Gryffindors we passed. "I just don't want to do it here."

"Then when?" she asked. "You know it's only going to be worse if you wait to tell him."

"I think I've realized that," I replied with a chuckle.

"I'm sure," she stated dryly. "And that's why you have told him of your plans."

"You just want to see the explosion," I accused with a laugh.

"That's beside the point," she replied while smiling wickedly.

"I wash my hands of you, Ms. Granger," I laughed, pulling her along hurriedly as we almost lost track of the group.

"And I you," she replied sweetly, pecking my cheek before pulling away from me, racing to catch up with Ginny.

I frowned suspiciously before hurrying after the group. It was as we made it to a small tent that my worry grew. Did the head of this group forget how many people were actually here or did they think one tent would actually suffice?

I lifted my brow questioningly at Hermione who shrugged in reply. Ron looked between us with confusion as he followed his family members inside. I gestured to Hermione.

"After you, my lioness," I stated with a flourish of a bow.

"Why thank you, kind serpent," she laughed, lowering her head in reply before entering the tent with a gasp. I followed quickly to find a large room with beds and a living space and a kitchen.

And a… wow!

"This is so cool," I heard Hermione whisper lightly to no one in particular.

"Awesome," I breathed as I stood beside her, nodding in reply to her statement.

"I'm guessing you two weren't expecting this?" asked one redhead with a stocky build like the twins.

His fringe hung in his eyes while the rest was trimmed short. The color of his hair was more of a red-brown like Ginny had compared to their other siblings. He wore a loose white t-shirt and light blue jeans with black boots. Guessing from the burn marks, this was Charlie, the second oldest brother.

Hermione stared at him for a moment before gathering herself with a smile. "Quite."

"That is Hermione," I laughed as I greeted him with a nod. "I'm Harry."

"My brother made you sound shorter," Charlie greeted with a grin.

"I've gone through a growth spurt, so to speak," I chuckled in reply. "My guardians panicked when it happened."

"I'm sure," he replied with a calculating stare.

Hermione blushed as he turned to her with a grin much to my great amusement. She was caught staring at him. I could tell this was going to be an interesting day. I pulled her along and toward where Ginny was placing her stuff on one of two beds. I set Hermione down on the bed and patted her on the head. She glared in reply.

"You're going to be teased to the full extent," I stated lightly before heading over to where Ron was and placed my bag on a free bed.

"Harry has--" one twin began.

"--Gotten taller." the other ended.

"Yes, I have," I stated shortly.

"Is that--"

"--A bite--"

"--Mark we--"

"--See?"

"A bite mark?" Bill asked, frowning down at me.

"That looks to be quite fresh," Charlie added with a smile and wink at me.

"Who bit you?" Percy asked with curious confusion.

I muttered in Arabic, cursing the werewolf in question that left the mark. I was just glad I already covered the other bite mark from Malachi with a heavy glamour. Hermione plopped down on the bed, pulling off her sweat jacket and laying it beside my backpack before shooting me a smirk. I began to curse her in Arabic as well.

"I can answer that," she sang with a wickedly pleased smile.

"So can I," Ginny giggled.

"And I," Bill added with a roll of his eyes after he looked over at his sister.

"Pray--"

"--Tell?"

Ginny plopped down beside Bill while Charlie went to take the space beside Hermione, shooting her a grin. I smirked in triumph as Hermione blushed and shot me a glare. I gave a look that promised a painful downfall on her part if she said a word. I'd take her down with me if I had to.

"It was someone very tall and frisky," she stated mysteriously, shooting me a challenging smile. "Although the person wasn't the only one being frisky from what I know of the situation."

"I dislike you momentarily, Ms. Granger," I stated with a playful sneer.

"Just momentarily?" she asked with a giggle.

"I might extend it if you continue on that path of telling secrets," I muttered as I shrugged off my coat, not caring if they saw the impressive bite mark on my neck now.

"H-Harry, do you k-know there's a snake about your shoulders?" Ron stuttered in surprise.

I shot him a confused expression. "Shouldn't there be?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. Isa is harmless."

"That's an Egyptian Cobra," Bill pointed out with a playful smirk. "Very poisonous, but still just a baby."

"A baby, yes," I replied while turning to look at him. "I'd appreciate it if none of you touched her though. She doesn't like much of anyone besides Uncle Remy, Anicetus, Hermione, and I. She'll only tolerate you if I beg her to, but that's only if I can manage to sway her."

"You're a parselmouth?" Charlie asked with surprise.

"Is that a problem?" I asked, raising a brow in silent challenge.

He winked at me, "Not at all."

I narrowed my eyes as Hermione stared pleadingly at me. I rolled my eyes before handing her Isa who slithered up her arm and flicked her tongue against the girl's cheek. I smiled softly at the sight.

"--Issa, love,--" I hissed affectionately, sliding a hand across her scales before pulling away and setting my backpack beside the bed and under it.

"Ron, could you go fetch us some water," Arthur Weasley asked as he handed two gallon jugs to the youngest brother. "Take Harry and Hermione with you."

"Off to see the wizard," I began singing as I followed Ron out of the tent.

"The wonderful wizard of Oz," Hermione finished as she raced after us after letting Isa wrap about her shoulders.

She jumped onto my back making me give her a piggy back ride as we laughed and waved at the people we knew from school. Ron kept shooting us suspicious looks. Hermione and I gave each other a pointed look before engaging Ron.

"Ron, we're not dating if that's what has got you worried," I stated clearly.

He whirled around and sputtered in surprise, a blush covering his features. "That's not what I was thinking."

"No?" Hermione asked as she looked over at him as I walked beside him.

"I was thinking you two are acting very strange," he stated with a smile. "More… what's the word?"

"Care-free?" Hermione and I suggested together.

"Exactly," he replied grinning.

We continued, laughing and telling each other about our summer so far. Albeit, reasonable telling of course. Didn't need Ron freaking out over the bigger things. Vampires, Mates, injecting venom… it tends to make people freak out if not in the loop.

After getting the water, we headed back while pausing once in awhile to say hello to those we knew and met with. Stopping at a vendor, Hermione and I got some things before we continued on. We arrived back just in time to stop Mr. Weasley from lighting a match. Hermione got back on her own two feet and hurried over to him to show him the proper way in lighting a match.

"So how is your Mr. Abandonato doing?" Bill asked as he snuck up behind me.

I looked over my shoulder at him, shooting him a disgruntled smile. "He's fine, if you must know. The Ministry however is harassing him about the club though."

"They just don't like anything non-human in charge of anything," he stated with a chuckle.

"But he's still human," I argued. "Maybe not three times a month--" He shot me an amused smirk and in reply I glowered. "--Okay, not completely human. More like an evolved human."

"Don't go all scientific on the wizards, Surendra," Hermione laughed as she appeared next to me. "You'll confuse them."

"Sorry, forgot," I laughed as I tugged on her hair in reply.

"Surendra?" Ron asked with confusion.

"My guardians call me that," I answered sheepishly.

"They call you a girl's name?" Percy asked with distaste as he joined us.

Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed, "Honestly, you of all people should not jump to conclusions, Percy. It's an Indian name for boys."

"Oh?" he asked with a superior tone.

I was barely able to stop myself from baring my teeth in warning, but instead I calmly replied, "Yes."

Isa hissed at him, flaring her hood as she raised up from where she was wrapped about Hermione. Percy's eyes widened and he went for his wand. I let out a hiss.

"--Don't you dare hurt her,--" I hissed, startling him.

Hermione placed a comforting hand on my upper arm and murmured, "In English, Harry."

My eyes widened. "--Cursse it!--"

"Still not speaking English," Hermione teased gently.

I closed my eyes and counted to twenty before opening them again and smiling sheepishly, "That's been happening a lot lately."

"Indeed," Hermione laughed, patting my arm sympathetically. "Since the night of your birthday no less."

"What happened on your birthday?" Ron asked with concern.

"Something we're never discussing," I replied, rubbing the spot where the teeth marks were left.

Hermione glanced at me with concern, "You're sure you are okay? You've been off since then."

"Off? How?" I asked in slight nervousness.

"Well you did throw yourself at that werewolf of yours this morning," she pointed out, lightly swatting at the place where the visible bite mark was located.

"Don't remind me," I muttered, disgruntled. "I'm repressing."

"You shouldn't have told me about it then," she laughed. "I'm not letting you live that down."

"Of all the stupid, Gryffindor things I do," I muttered, raking a hand through my hair sheepishly. "It had to be throwing myself at that arrogant tosser, Satan Spawn."

"You threw yourself at him?" Bill snorted, laughing at that in hilarity.

"Well, not literally, anywise," I growled, glowering at him. "It's not funny."

"No, it was mostly hormones," Hermione giggled, leaning into me. "Anicetus keeps chasing his tail and Harry just sways in a borderline pattern that is utterly amusing to witness."

"I'm not telling you things anymore," I growled playfully, crossing my arms and pouting.

"Who's Anicetus and--?" Ron asked, but Ginny motioned me to ignore the questions her brother was asking.

"Nevermind that," I replied sheepishly, raking a hand through my hair. "Let's talk about what you all have been doing this summer."

---

We were making our way up the stands of the stadium, breathing heavy as we did so. All right, not true. We were just getting tired of the winding stairs of endless steps. Ron finally let out a question.

"Dad, how far up are we?"

"Well put it this way, if it rains, you'll be the first ones to know," Lucius Malfoy replied on the stairs below us.

We all paused to look down at them; I leaned over the railing to peer at them with raised brows. I replied seriously, "Then we'll be sure to give you a good holler. That way you can run for cover and not melt under the rain."

Hermione, who was next to me, started laughing. "Harry, that was a mean implication."

"Well it's true," I snickered back. "I'm melting, I'm melting--AHHH!"

Every one of the purebloods gave us a strange look before Draco decided to boast about being invited by personal invitation by Cornelius Fudge himself to the Minister's Box. Big whoop. Lucius told him not to boast. We all turned to leave, but Lucius used his cane to snag my sleeve. That was his mistake.

I grabbed it and slammed it back into his chest, knocking him literally aside. He lost grip on his cane and I ended up holding it. Hermione let out a shriek of surprise before placing a comforting hand on my arm. I tossed the cane to Draco who stood there, staring in open shock. I was never known for being particularly violent.

My hands shook and my breathing was heavy. It was still a bit too early for me to get used to people making sudden gestures toward me. I now struck out like a cobra, striking before they could strike me. It was leftover from my recent venture with Malachi.

"I suggest you never, ever do that again," I stated in a too calm of voice, now enraged at being treated in such a way by that blond prick. "I will not be so lenient the next time." I lowered my voice, leaning against the railing in a lazy fashion. "Consider that your last warning."

I pulled away, brushing by the others, passing them at a casual pace. Hermione followed closely, her hand on my back. Bill and Ginny were the first to catch up.

"What was that?" Bill asked with worry and surprise.

"Harry's been having problems with certain gestures," Hermione explained quickly. "He's all reaction and later he'll ask questions. It's been a bit of a dilemma on how not to sneak up on him."

"I'm fine," I breathed heavily, pausing, running my hand over my face. "I'm going to end up killing someone if I don't stop these reactions soon."

"Considering that what you went through is the cause of these reactions, I'd say you're doing pretty well in the handling department," Hermione soothed kindly. "At least you didn't hit Anicetus this week."

"He's been hanging all over me," I pointed out. "It wasn't like I couldn't tell if he's nearby or not."

"Are you that aware of him?" Ginny asked with a grin.

I glowered at her, "Please do not start with that train of thought. I'm repressing."

---

We ended up back in the tent and celebrating after the event. We could hear the celebrations outside loud and clear. I hadn't any doubt that we'd be hearing the celebrations all through the night.

I stood behind the couch Hermione was sitting on, reading quietly from a small book. Ginny was watching from her perch on the table in the kitchen. The twins and Ron were standing at the other end of the couch, away from Hermione and I. Bill sat at a nearby chair, watching us all with amused eyes. Charlie and Percy were in a corner, talking furiously to one another about something.

"There's no one like Krum!" Ron gushed, making Hermione look at him with raised brows. "He's like a bird the way he rides the wind! He's more than an athlete... he's an artist."

"I think you're in love," Ginny stated gently as she jumped off of the table to walk past the twins and Ron, coming over to sit next to Hermione.

"Shut up," he growled while he still gloated.

"Victor, I love you," George began singing.

Fred followed, "Victor, I do."

I joined as the twins sang, "When we're apart my heart beats only for you!"

We all looked up with smiles at the sounds of a large explosion and yelling outside. Fred responded, "Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on."

Mr. Weasey rushed in, breaking up the pillow fight between the twins and Ron, and hurriedly stated, "Stop, stop it!" His voice was filled with panic. We all paused with a level of unease. "It's not the Irish. We've got to get out of here, now." He gave us a quick stare of fear. "Grab your stuff and get outside, quickly!"

Thankfully, none of us had unpacked so we grabbed our stuff quickly. Bill shrunk our bags with the help of Charlie as we rushed outside. We put our bags in our pockets and raced the rest of the way out of the tent. The sight that greeted us was of raging flames and mass crowds of scared people racing out of the campsite in mass panic. I noticed a group of people dressed in an outfit similar to those of the Klu Klux Klan, but their outfits were black and the group was shooting spells of destructive magnitude. They were floating a group of muggles that we had seen earlier today about in the air above the crowds.

Mr. Weasley told us to get to safety and then ran off with Bill, Charlie, and Percy to aid the Ministry officials that were trying to stop the large group. The twins grabbed Ginny and started racing into the woods. Hermione, Ron, and I followed after them.

Having gotten torn from the two within seconds, I entered the forest by myself. Looking around, I could hear the crackling of flames and shouts of panic from all directions. Taking another step into the forest, I peered around me, calm-as-you-please as one could be in such a situation, letting the sounds of the night surround me, taking it all in.

I leaned against a nearby tree, slipping out a knife from my jacket's sleeve while pawing for a minute, looking confused. My dagger wasn't on me. I stiffened until I remembered that I had slipped it to Hermione earlier in the first few moments before being torn apart.

"--What'ss wrong?--" Isa hissed with impatience; she had been asking since I entered the forest.

"--Forget about it,--" I replied coaxingly. "--I thought ssomething was losst.--"

I peered around again. It didn't help to panic now. All I could do was search for the others. Before I took another sep, I paused before swinging around, cursing in Arabic. Gods, I was going to be under supervision because of this.

This certainly would set the others to keeping a closer eye on me. Especially a certain someone who'd throw a bloody fit. Gods, I'd never get that man off my arse.

Metaphorically speaking.

"--Where are we going?--" she hissed in concern.

"--We sshould look for the otherss,--" I answered softly.

"--But where do we sstart?--"

"--From sscratch.--" I chuckled, raking a hand through my unspiked hair which was flat for once; a rare occurrence in itself.

I started heading to the line of trees and peered out to the camp, watching the growing flames with hesitance. I readjusted my bag, wondering how Hermione was doing. I gripped my katar's handle as Isa wrapped about my neck, rising to peer at everything.

The shouts grew slightly less. I wanted to move, but then I remembered that it was always wise to stay in one place when you're lost. I spun around at the sound of a breaking twig.

Keeping still, I moved my eyes back and forth, surveying everything. I slowly put my back at a nearby tree. Beginning to sing to calm myself, I kept still.

After awhile when everything seemed to die down, I headed into the camp. Keeping an eye on everything, I noticed a dark featured person draw their wand out and point it to the sky. The person cried, "MORSMORDE!" A colossal skull appeared with a snake protruding from its mouth. It was green, sparkling, bright. No doubt it'd be seen from a couple of miles around.

Then the person noticed me. I stilled with the held breath tight in my throat as they started stalking toward me but paused. I heard someone yelling from a distance. Then the man apparated with a pop.

"Harry!" Hermione cried as she threw herself onto me with hugging arms. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I replied as we both looked up at the symbol floating about above us.

"That's a symbol of Voldemort's," she breathed in horror as she let go of me.

Then we jumped when we heard pops from wizards appearing around us. I pulled Hermione to the ground with me. She shrieked with surprise as the men yelled, "STUPEFY!"

"STOP! STOP! They're with me!" Mr. Weasley yelled as he appeared with Ron out of nowhere. The older man hurried to us once the others stopped trying to curse us. I got up slowly, then I helped Hermione up with a quick look around. Ron came to stand beside her as she eyed the wizards with terrified eyes.

"Which one of you did it?" Mr. Crouch, a man we'd met with earlier, an official of the Ministry, snarled madly as he stalked toward Hermione and I. "Which one of you conjured the Dark Mark?" He pointed the wand right at me and poked it harshly toward my chest.

"We didn't do anything," I replied calmly.

Crouch shouted, "Do not lie, sir! You were discovered at the scene of the crime!"

"I am not lying," I stated honestly.

"Barty," a witch in a woolen dressing gown whispered, "they're kids, Barty, they'd never have been able to--"

"Where'd the Mark come from, Harry, Hermione?" Mr. Weasley asked quickly as he noticed Crouch's face was getting redder with frustration.

"It came from over there," I replied. I then pointed at where the man had been standing. "But you won't find anything. Whoever the man was apparated away when Hermione found me here."

"Oh, did he?" Crouch growled angrily as some of the wizards went over to where I pointed.

"By the gods, I am telling the truth," I swore with conviction. "Give me truth serum if you don't believe me, but if you don't knock off the bull then by all means, piss me off. I can have you charged with battery and mayhap harassment." He puffed up like an angry bird, his face turning plum.

We all turned when one of the wizards said he found something. A female house elf by the name of Winky was there and gushing sobs. Hermione gripped my arm as she watched Mr. Crouch throw something of a fit. Apparently, it was his house elf. He gave her clothes for not staying in his tent as he had ordered her.

"You can't be serious?" I asked with indignation. "She could've been killed staying in the tent during tonight's activities."

"Have you no heart?" Hermione asked with fury.

"She was told to stay," he stated matter-of-factly like that was all there was to it.

"You cruel bast--" I covered Hermione's mouth with wide eyes at her sudden outrage. "Winky, stop crying, please," Hermione soothed after I whispered a few warnings in her ear. "I know of a family that'll take you in. You'll be a good house elf to them. More respected."

Winky looked up curiously as Mr. Crouch glared at Hermione. I dropped to my knees beside Hermione and pulled Winky into my lap, wiping away her tears with my sleeve. I noticed Hermione shooting an annoyed look at Crouch as he watched with a growl.

"The Dalca-Singh family would be honored to have you," I whispered in the elf's ear. "I would be personally honored if you joined. I was hoping to find a house elf that could take care of a house I plan on getting. Until then, you can join Ginger in my cottage in Ireland. I think the two of you can get a garden started there."

It was official within five minutes. I had another house elf within my family which made a total of a dozen. I bonded with her and she disappeared off to Ireland to help Ginger. I smiled as Crouch sputtered in surprise.

"She will disappoint you," he warned.

"I look forward to it," I laughed. "I look forward to self-preservation. I find it a lovely quality." I turned away from him in insulting dismissal and looked at Hermione. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she stated seriously. "And you?"

"I appear to be in perfect health as I can be," I replied, slinging an arm about her shoulders. "So are we petitioning the rights of House Elves now?"

"Certainly," she conceded fiercely.

"Sounds fun," I laughed before turning to look at the forest. "Are we sleeping tonight?"

"I don't think so," she replied with a heavy sigh. "I'm too buzzed."

"Gods, I wish I had a cigarette," I grumbled before rubbing at my mouth.

"I thought you said you were quitting?" she asked in bemusement.

"I am," I admitted lightly. "I just want one momentarily."

"Really?" she asked as she tugged me away from the forest to follow Mr. Weasley and Ron after they told us we were leaving back to the tent which supposedly survived the flames.

"Just one."

"I'm sure you'll survive."

"I know I will, but I still have a craving for one."

"When are you taking the potion?"

The potion to get rid of the black gunk in my lungs. The stuff to get rid of any evidence that I smoked at all. It was a potion that was recently made for the wizards and witches that liked to smoke and died early from it due to the effect it had on the lungs. I took it every beginning of the school year and ended up in the loo throwing up the gunk for a few hours. It was another reason why I rarely ate at the beginning of the school year.

Hermione had recently caught me carrying the labeled bottle of potion one evening to put in one of my dresser drawers. She had been made aware that I smoked, but not that I took the potion. She informed me from thereon that she was to be there when I took the potion just in case there were problems.

"Maybe later next week," I replied with small chuckle. "I have to make sure Anicetus is nowhere nearby nor Sirius or Remus."

"Then why not take it during the full moon?" she asked with confusion.

"Sirius is staying apparently," I muttered unenthusiastically. "I promised to stay up with him and talk."

"You really shouldn't hide your lack of healthy behavior," she pointed out. "It's not healthy to keep all that's you hidden from the world."

I looked at her and smiled sadly, "I wish I could do that, but it's harder than you'd think."

"I know," she sighed heavily, rubbing circles into my stomach as she leaned into me. "I just think you shouldn't bottle things up."

"I can't help it," I murmured. "It's hard to tell you guys things. Especially when I know how you're all going to react. I don't know what to do with those reactions. It's more confusing than it's worth."

"So what about this cottage in Ireland?" she asked softly.

"You know you're practically one of the few that I actually trust with these sort of facts," I pointed out casually, smiling at her. I laughed. Then I lowered my voice and leaned down, my lips barely brushing her ear. "I have a seaside cottage on one of the Aran Islands. I've only been there once and that was to make sure it was in shape. It's my safe haven."

"I'm glad you told me," she sighed. "I'd hate to have to track you down, wasting my time with other places."

"Maybe one day I'll take you with me," I chuckled in relaxation. "It's gorgeous there."

"Mmm, I look forward to that," she replied with a dreamy smile.

"Why are our lives so fucked up?" I asked suddenly.

"Perhaps you're viewing it negatively and that is the cause of it being messed up," she replied.

"I have a reason to view things in a negative light," I pointed out.

"Perhaps you do," she conceded, "but do remember that things happen for reasons that are sometimes out of our control. It's life. It's messy. It's going to scar you till you wish for death and then some, but you can't let it take what little control you have in this world. Give yourself reason to keep fighting. To keep on living. That's all we can pray for."

"You know what?" I asked with a serious tone.

"What?" she asked.

"I love you," I answered truthfully. "You may be this little Miss Know-It-All, but you're my little Miss Know-It-All."

She gave me a serious look, eyes glittering warmly, "I love you, too."

---

We arrived back at the Burrow the following morning. It was early, you could smell the morning dew, and it was chilly. Hermione leaned into me, yawning as we walked toward the house, but I pulled to a stop. Hermione paused, looking blearily around until her eyes landed on the taller figure next to Mrs. Weasley.

"He doesn't look happy," she stated softly, burrowing into my side as we started to walk again.

"Who is that?" Ron asked as he looked at the tall werewolf that had his hair braided over one shoulder.

"It's Ani," I replied with a frown. "I hope he hasn't been here all night and morning."

"Do you really think that the news already reached him?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

"I think so," I replied with a darker frown. "I noted that there were some reporters on the scene last night. I think I also heard somewhere that a radio host was there staying the night."

"How did you hear this?" Ginny asked with confusion.

"It pays to be me sometimes," I replied with a smirk.

"Harry locates everyone that could be a reporter in the crowd before going into a situation," Hermione supplied. "I never noticed it until I spent most of the summer with him. He can pinpoint them without much trouble."

"And I like to eavesdrop occasionally," I added with a wide grin.

"It's really rather sad," Hermione added before poking me in the ribs. "He's never letting you out of his sight again, you realize?"

"Clearly," I muttered as we drew closer to the house. "I'll be lucky if I escape without any serious bruising hugs from both parties standing there." I shot her a conspiring grin. "Do you think I could outrun him with the head start."

"I think it could be possible if you didn't insist on smoking," she replied wispily.

"I don't smoke," I stated seriously.

"Of course," she snorted delicately. "That's why there's a cloud of smoke about your head at every party I've went with you to."

"I get moody," I explained.

"Then maybe you should stay away from Blue-Hair," she stated seriously. "All you two do together is cause trouble. It's like placing black powder next to a bonfire. Not smart."

"Doesn't that mean that we made sparks fly?" I asked with a bemused grin.

"No, it means that you both are a disaster waiting to happen," she replied darkly, glaring up at me before yawning. "It's remarkable how you two still remain on relatively good terms since your last quarrel to end all quarrels together. Albeit you two still argue like cats and dogs." She yawned again.

"You're taking a nap when we get back home," I stated with all seriousness. "You need to sleep before tonight's party."

"Will you make me blueberry muffins?" she asked sweetly as she yawned again.

"Sure," I chuckled before she stepped away from me and leaned into Ginny.

"We need to have a long discussion," Anicetus growled as I stepped within about two yards away from him.

I paused, cocking my head slightly, looking at him cautiously. "And exactly what does that entail?"

"Hermione was correct," he growled. "You're not leaving my sight again. You somehow get into trouble when you do."

I rolled my eyes and gestured at the both of us, "And us being together doesn't add up to trouble?"

"Not when you're being nice," he stated lightly as he closed the distance between us.

"Have you gotten any sleep?" I asked as I peered at the dark circles under his eyes.

"I think that is beside the point," he scoffed.

"I don't think it is," I stated darkly as I grabbed the braid and started to undo it. "You shouldn't keep your hair yanked in a tie most of the day. It causes headaches."

"And to think you don't care," he chuckled as he cupped my chin, making me look up at him. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," I replied dryly.

"I know that," he stated, swiping the pad of his thumb across my lower lip. "But are you okay?"

"Seriously, I'm doing great," I replied, smiling slightly. "A bit worse for wear, but I'll be fine."

"You smell like a forest," he murmured before kissing me gently, his undone hair hiding his actions from the others.

I flushed a bright red as I heard Hermione laughing sleepily. "You know, telling people what they smell like tends to creep them out a bit."

"Indeed," he conceded as he pulled away, wearing a thoughtful frown. "We should be going home."

"Who's home?" I asked, smirking before allowing myself to be pulled into the mothering hug of Molly Weasley.

"You tease me so," he chuckled from behind me.

"Are you all right?" she asked in concern, putting me at arm's length and checking me over.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley," I replied sheepishly.

"Are you sure dear?" she asked as she pulled me along into the house after everyone went inside, excluding the werewolf behind the both of us.

"I'm quite all right," I laughed as I frowned with annoyance mentally. "I'm a little worried for Hermione though. She didn't get much sleep last night."

"Oh, poor dear," she cooed to Hermione as she went over to the fiend that now glared sleepily at me.

"I win," I told her lightly as an arm wrapped loosely about my shoulders.

Thank goodness that Hermione had Isa wrapped about one of her arms.

"When did you hear--"

"About the Death Eaters?" he finished for me. "Late last night."

"And how--"

"Long was I here?" he finished again. "Since I heard about it. Molly has been kind to stay up with me. She also somehow convinced me not to go after you."

I mouthed 'thank you' to the older woman with a cheerful grin. She nodded in return before setting out to make sure that everyone was eating the food she spent cooking on. I found myself being pulled into Anicetus's lap as we all sat at the table. Hermione was teasing me silently with her eyes.

"What is on your neck?" Molly asked with surprise.

"You know, I believe we're going to have to go over ground rules again," I stated kindly and yet in a low murmur to the werewolf as I looked over my shoulder at him. "Especially the ones on biting."

"I refuse to listen to such a conversation on the grounds that we've already established the ground rules," he replied with a smirk.

"I'm thinking we're going to have to add more," I told him with a firm tone. "Otherwise you're in the doghouse."

Hermione giggled sleepily again, closing her eyes, smiling in contentment. "You two are too much."

"Quiet, lioness," I growled playfully as Molly Weasley looked between Anicetus and I with a calculating gaze.

"You're a werewolf, right?" Charlie asked carefully, sounding as if it was considered a good option to ask now rather than later.

"Yes, I am," Anicetus replied with a smirk.

"How'd you know he was a werewolf?" Ginny asked curiously.

"It's their eyes," I stated carefully. "It's always an unusual color. Anicetus has autumn gold eyes."

"Autumn gold?" Hermione asked, shaking with laughter.

"That's what I thought of when I first saw him," I admitted sheepishly, much to my chagrin.

"He also thinks me pretty," Anicetus stated with a smug smirk.

"Anicetus, I'm warning you," I growled, but he interrupted chidingly, "Yes, yes, I know that your accidental magic will cause a knife to be embedded into my face."

I turned to look at him as he smirked down at me. "You're a bloody nuisance."

"Language, Surendra," he admonished, grinning wolfishly before trying to bump noses with me, but I pulled away.

He growled low in his throat as I asked thoughtfully, "Did you finish your work at the very least before you barged on in last night?"

"I did," he answered lightly, narrowing his eyes as I pulled away from his next attempt.

"Did you get everything done?" I asked with an admonishing glower. "I mean everything. Did you get them done?"

"Yes," he growled.

I pulled away again and patted the side of his face teasingly. "Not at the table, you chimpanzee ridden wolf."

"The correct term would be Homo Lupis, you deranged psychopath," he stated through gritted teeth.

"Now, now, Ani," I replied, smirking. "The preferred term is deranged anomaly."

"Do they always fight?" Charlie asked Hermione who perked up at the sound of arguing, watching like an avid spectator.

"This isn't really an argument between them," she replied with a sleepy smirk. "This is the turning point in their conversation. They'll poke and needle each other until it dissolves into an argument."

"They provoke one another?" Bill asked, laughing, knowing exactly what was going on, but not letting it show.

"Essentially, yes," she replied.

"Stop it, Abandonato," I growled, noticing him sniff my neck and then swiping his tongue along it, making me shiver.

Ginny was pursing her lips, her eyes gleaming with mirth and I couldn't help, but glower at her. Hermione giggled sleepily, gaining a glower in her direction as well. Bill just looked down, shaking his head, smiling ruefully at the table. Everyone else looked confused, not quite catching on. As soon as he nipped at my neck, I made to get out of his lap, but he wouldn't let me go.

"You, me, outside, now," I hissed, catching everyone's attention.

"Yes, little coyote," he agreed, letting me go and we both headed outside, disappearing to the back of the house where he backed me up against a wall and pulled me to him, kissing me furiously.

His kisses were of the bruising variety and more of the worried and thankful type. I kissed him back, feeling like I should reassure him somehow. More like melting into him if I was to be perfectly honest. Conveying that I was perfectly all right. Anything to keep him calm this close to the full moon which happened to be tonight. His wolf was closer to the surface than I was comfortable with and that made me concerned. I had no idea exactly how he'd be today. Albeit, he'd become more touchy-feely than usual.

Eventually, I found myself on my back on the ground with him on top of me. A slight cough interrupted us. Anicetus whirled about, his face wolfed out and snarling. I looked around him to see Bill with his hands up in surrender, looking apprehensive. His eyes landed on me and I waved him away, gesturing that he should leave. He nodded and slowly backed out of view, Anicetus watching him predatorily.

Reaching up, I yanked him back down to me by his hair. I nipped his ear. I pulled back, breathing lightly.

"Calm down," I breathed in his ear. "I'm safe, remember? I'm here with you. Everything's all right."

"I was so worried," he growled lightly, breathing heavily, his tension leaving. "When I recalled your nightmare, I panicked. I almost went after you. That woman talked some sense into me where your would-be blood-sucking bastard of a father couldn't."

I started laughing. "Wouldn't, you mean?"

"He's not very concerned about anything, I'll have you know," he pointed out, looking down at me now with a pointed look. "I don't think he's a proper model for a father figure. Your godfather, though, sure takes to the role splendidly. He'd be here beside me had not Remus tied him to a chair."

"I'm glad you approve," I chuckled, amused. "Now we might want to return before the others come out to get us."

"And why would that be a problem?" he asked, nuzzling my neck.

"Frankly, if I want to see Mrs. Weasley violent, I'd rather not see it with you and that cast iron skillet she's got lying around," I replied dryly, pushing him off of me with a roll of my eyes.

"Do you really think she'd do that?" he chuckled, leaning forward to nip at my neck.

"If you had a kid that you considered your own being snogged by a man in his early thirties, what would you do?" I asked him logically.

He paused, pulled back, and gave me a thoughtful look, "Point taken."

We both got to our feet and brushed the dirt off ourselves. I gathered an altogether confused glance as I picked up my jacket from the ground. Looking over at Anicetus, I noted that he was looking up into the clouds with a suppressed smile.

"I was sure there was no pushing off each others clothing," I stated as I glowered up at him. "But it appears that I was mistaken." I shrugged into my jacket and sighed. "I swear the full moon is a device for utter weird peculiarities."

"What does that mean?" he asked with a bemused glance.

"In the muggle world, they say the full moon brings out the crazies," I explained with a small smile. "The days before and after the full moon are no exception, I've noted."

He chuckled, "What happened?"

"The liquor finally caught up with me," I replied, shooting him a sheepish grin. "Well not really." I ducked. "I take a sobriety potion beforehand." I smiled up at him. "If you take it beforehand, I've read, you won't feel the full effects of the liquor. It's true."

"Where did you hear that?" he asked, bemused, crossing his arms over his chest.

"My mother left her diary in a family cottage that I visited after my first year," I replied. "I picked it up and read it over the next few days. She wrote her secret down in it along with many other things."

"And this night of where the liquor finally caught up with you?" he asked, smiling.

"Well the party of the summer after second year came around and James and I had finally called it official," I explained, smiling. "And let's just say I conveniently forgot to take the potion and ended up dwindled into a I don't kiss and tell scenario."

"You didn't--"

"No," I laughed, lost in thought. "Although I'd have been better off rogering the prick than how I ended up, methinks."

When my Uncle had caught Blue-Hair and I kissing and quite drunk, he had the nuclear fit. He had been so angry that he didn't bother trying to keep the hits in the non-visible sections of my body. Add that he was a homophobe and that equaled disaster.

The next day when I met up with Blue-Hair, he'd made sure I was actually okay. He took me to Roni's and we all three had stayed there, safe and secure in the knowledge that nothing could come after us at her house. They had tried to get me to talk about it, but it was still a shaky topic, even now.

"Surendra, luv, what's wrong?" he asked, catching my attention.

I shook my head, waving at him dismissively, "Nothing." I shot him a small smile. "We should be going back in. They'll wonder what we're about."

I brushed past him and he followed, his hand tight on my shoulder. We entered the kitchen quietly and sat down as if we didn't do anything besides argue. I shot Ron an impatient look.

"Werewolves are so touchy near the full moon," I stated off-handedly with an amused tone. "It's no wonder Professor Lupin took the days off otherwise he'd be cuddling one of us during a lesson."

"I see," he chuckled, nodding in understanding.

"I see, too," Hermione commented with a pointed smirk.

"Hermione, don't even go there with me," I growled warningly, "or I'll tell everyone what you did to Uncle Remy."

"That's low," she noted with a glower before taking a sip of her juice.

"I dish it out lower if you say anything," I pointed out with a similar glower at her. "Remember when we first met?"

"You say anything and I'll have you castrated within a second," she hissed, eyes narrowed.

"Will you two please stop arguing?" Anicetus asked with bemusement.

"But we like to argue," Hermione pointed out, pouting dramatically at him. "Come on, Ani. Please let us argue?"

"I hate to let you know this, Hermione, but not every adult is charmed by your stunningly pouting intellect," he stated dryly. "Especially when you're arguing with Suren here."

We started to eat the breakfast that Mrs. Weasley forced us to eat. Especially me. Anicetus poked me in the side, making me eat the extra helping that he and she piled onto my plate. I smacked his hand when he tried to give me a third helping.

"If you're trying to fatten me up, you might want to stop trying to steal from my plate all the time," I pointed out to him. "You nuisance of a wolf."

"Me?" he asked with mock aghast. "A nuisance?" He shot me a quirky grin. "Never."

"I assure you, you're a nuisance," I stated with a smirk, turning to look at him.

"How big of a nuisance?" he asked, amused.

I leaned back into him and looked at him with a smile, "Oh, the biggest, I assure you. Blue whale big."

"Okay, even I know I'm not that big of a nuisance," he chuckled in amusement.

I patted the side of his face teasingly, "Eye of the beholder, Satan Spawn."

"I'll remember that," he laughed, his canines still a bit. "How was the game?"

"It was amazing," Charlie inserted with a grin.

"The Irish--" one twin began.

"--Were really--" the other followed.

"--Good," they finished together.

"Merlin, another pair," Anicetus groaned with sudden despair.

"What does--"

"--He mean?"

"Veronica, my neighbor, and I talk like that a lot," I admitted sheepishly. "It throws Ani for a loop because sometimes he can't follow. Though, given, he was born in the wizarding world. He doesn't understand a lot of what we talk about. Albeit, it is funnier."

"You shouldn't prey upon other's ignorance, Harry," Percy admonished with a pointed look.

"Anicetus, stop grinning," Hermione admonished with laughter, looking at the werewolf pointedly. "You're not helping."

"I'm a wolf, little lioness," he pointed out, chuckling. "It is in my nature that I prey upon the weak."

"And bunnies," I grumbled with an impatient roll of my eyes.

"They are considered of the weak," he noted, his lips brushing my ear.

I shivered as he definitely smiled, one long canine against my ear suggestively. I caught sight of Arthur Weasley and stilled. He was leaned over on the table, propped up by his elbows, smiling knowingly at me with raised brows. I cleared my throat.

"The Bulgarians won the Cup though," I stated, hoping to distract Anicetus before he grew even more touchy.

"Their seeker Krum won the game for them," Ron followed. "It was an amazing catch."

"The veela, however, took the show," I noted with a smirk at Anicetus. "They were completely and utterly fascinating to watch."

"Oh, really?" he asked with a playful jealous tone.
"Indeed," I replied with a smile. "Gorgeous women by the truckload. Never knew they even existed this pretty in this dimension." Hermione coughed. I licked my lips before looking over at her. "Of course, the women in this room sure could give them a run for their money."

"Nice backtracking, Potter," Bill chuckled.

I winked at him. "I know."

"Mr. Abandonato, may I please have a word with you?" Mr. Weasley asked politely, rising to his feet.

"Yes, you may," Anicetus answered as I got to my feet to let him stand.

They both left the room and Hermione breathed, "Someone's about to be lectured."

"We should be going once they come back," I noted sullenly. "You need to sleep and I think Ani needs a couple of hours to sleep before the moon rises."

"I think the inner eye is opening up to me," Hermione sighed. "It says there's to be no blueberry muffins in the near future." She breathed. "Oh, the inner eye is fading." She waved drearily at something imaginary. "Bye."

I cocked my head to the side, "That's not funny."

"You didn't sleep any last night," she pointed out. "I bet you ten to one he can tell you haven't."

"If he couldn't already tell, he probably heard," Charlie inserted with a chuckle.

"She does this purposely," I pointed out dryly. "She knows he can hear these conversations."

"That's plain rude if you ask me," Ron noted, defending me from Hermione's machinations.

"Ani forces healthy behavior on Harry," Hermione explained. "If no one else can, Ani can. If he can't, nobody can."

"Except Veronica," I noted dryly. "She can just about force silver nitrate in my lungs if she willed it so."

"Yes, but we're not counting Veronica," Hermione pointed out with a low laugh. "We're talking about the sane."

"Yeah, I suppose," I mumbled, feeling suddenly tired.

"Is everything all right dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked with a concerned look.

"I'm fine," I replied, smiling warmly at her. "I think the activities of last night have finally caught up with me and now I'm just tired. I'll catch a few Z's once I get home and to bed." I backtracked after they all gave me a confused look except for Hermione who giggled. "Catch some sleep."

It was half an hour later when the two joined us back in the kitchen. Hermione was leaning against Charlie, asleep. I was reclined in my chair, eyes closed and keeping an ear open for any questions thrown at me. I felt someone behind me and snatched the person's wrist before it touched my shoulder. I pulled him toward me and rubbed the side of my face into his wrist, enjoying the warm smell of him. For some reason just the smell of him was relaxing to me.

Then I realized what Hermione was talking about earlier. When she had stated that I was acting weird, she wasn't exactly wrong. I had changed since the vampire attack and I came upon a sudden epiphany.

I had been allowing myself to hide behind others and not put up much of a fight. I was being severely introverted, more so than was usual. It hit me like a freight train. Herein lies all damnation.

Looking up at him, I met his gaze steadily and gave him a clearly pointed look. He looked confused momentarily before understanding shined in his eyes. Then he smiled, baring his canines that had lengthened since I saw them last.

"Is our war to be continued?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"I assure you, you will not win," I growled throatily, tossing him wrist back to him, making him smirk.

I was allowing way too much to go on. I wasn't about to lay down anymore. I wanted to fight and I'll be damned if I didn't. Especially since he was intentionally using my weakness to his advantage. Not anymore, though.

"Would you care for another cup of tea before the three of you leave?" Mrs. Weasley asked suddenly, distracting us from our staring competition.

"Yes, please," Anicetus replied politely, placing his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it to let me know that this wasn't over by a long shot.

---

Hermione, Roni, and I were all sitting outside on a blanket, enjoying the warm summer afternoon. I was currently working on my workload of math that Amar conveniently piled on, glowering with annoyance as I scribbled through calculations, occasionally resorting to using a calculator. The girls were playing an odd card game that was distracting at times and the werewolves had yet to make their appearance.

Asha was sleeping beside me, her tongue sticking out slightly which was extremely adorable. Wally was perched on top of her, surveying the area with mischief. My boas were out in the garden while Isa was slithering between the two girls and their card game.

Lying on my stomach, propped up by one arm, I scribbled an equation down and snarled in frustration, throwing my pencil down and hitting my head repeatedly into the ground. I felt someone crouch down beside me and grab my book, paper, and pencil. I was nudged in the side and I looked up to see Blue-Hair.

"Sit up, you twat," he chuckled.

I sat up and looked at him expectantly. "And what are you doing?"

"I'm going to help you with your math," he replied as he set the stuff in front of us and started showing me how to do the equation, step-by-step.

"This lessens my pride, but thanks," I stated sheepishly as I went through the steps he showed me and did it correctly.

"De nada, mi amigo," he chuckled, putting his arm about my shoulders and pulling me to him. "So how's your relationship with the wanker that's chasing your tail like a rabid dog in heat?"

"It's fine, James," I told him seriously. "A bit much at times, but still fine."

"I'm sure that's not what you really mean," he stated matter-of-factly. "Nothing's ever just fine where you're concerned."

"What am I?" I asked in bemusement. "A doomsday device?"

"I was thinking pincushion personally," he replied with a wicked smile.

I shoved him off of me, laughing, "Bastard."

"Right back at you, mate," he laughed, shoving me. "I've got something you need to hear."

"Oh, and what's that?" I asked, my curiosity peeking through.

He plopped headphones on me and turned on his CD player. Music pounded in my ears and I listened, my face instantly taking on a bemused smile. I rolled my eyes once it ended and leaned into him, laughing. He grinned winningly.

"That's wicked," I stated matter-of-factly. "What was that?"

"Animal (Fuck Like A Beast) by W.A.S.P.," he replied, laughing.

"Well it certainly is up there with Closer by Nine Inch Nails," I snickered.

"You two are certainly more friendly today," Roni noted with a glower at Blue-Hair.

"I've decided to let live and let die," Blue-Hair announced. "Albeit if that man hurts little Harry, I'll certainly put him in the ground."

I rolled my eyes, "He genuinely doesn't seem like the type to go about hurting others."

"I should think so," Hermione giggled. "He doesn't have the willpower to harm Harry. Exactly the opposite, I would think."

"He's been nothing, but an absolute sweetheart," Roni followed with a pointed look at me.

I shrugged. "If you were the one he was chasing, you'd feel differently. So no making such attempts at pointing out how nice and sweet he is." I lowered my voice. "It's a bit harder than you think. He may be quite the polite sir, but let's not forget his ultimate goals here."

"And what are my ultimate goals?" I heard Anicetus ask from behind us.

"Getting little Harry's arse on a silver platter," Blue-Hair replied meaningfully.

I whipped about and smacked him in the chest, "Shut up."

"Personally, I prefer gold," Anicetus chuckled.

"Don't help," I growled, looking up at the werewolf with a warning glare.

"Do I detect blushing?" Blue-Hair teased, laughing.

"James, I will murder you," I threatened in a hiss, "be quiet or so help me…"

"Don't make idle threats," he admonished, getting to his feet. "You're never going to follow through with them anywise." He gave me a pointed look. "You know where I am if you need any other help, sugar-baby." My teeth gritted as I glowered at him. "And don't give me that look, baby."

He passed Anicetus and I continued to watch him. Hermione was muffling her squeaks of laughter. Roni just looked pointedly at me.

"He still has a great arse, huh?" Roni asked pointedly.

"It's all in the jeans," I muttered ruefully, laughing as Anicetus sat down behind me, pulling me into his lap as his arms wrapped around me. I rolled my eyes as he set his chin on my shoulder. "We're going to be having one of those serious discussions, aren't we?"

"Indeed," he replied, smiling against my neck.

"I can honestly say there is nothing to be worried about," I pointed out happily making both girls roll their eyes. "Not even a scratch or bruise."

"I can see that," he chuckled before licking my jugular. "I can even smell that you're perfectly fine."

I didn't stop the shiver that went through me, "Telling people what they smell like is rather off putting, I'll have you know."

"Is it?" he questioned with a chuckle. "I wasn't made aware of such things."

"Anicetus, idiotic mutt that you are," Hermione placated dryly, "you would've ignored such things like you always do."

"Very true," he laughed. "I have done so before many times."

"Prat," Hermione muttered as she ignored us and concentrated on the game she and Roni were playing.

"She's not in a good mood, is she?" Anicetus asked with a bemused voice.

"She and Amar got into an almighty argument about house elves and their treatment in the wizarding world," I replied as I started doing my math again. "Hermione is of the opinion that they should seek better standards which I fully agree with, but Amar is of the opposite… well, not complete opposite… Do you get what I'm saying?"

"Quite," he chuckled. "Though they do like working, I'd see it as a better idea to give them work, but not treat them improperly. It's distasteful how some of the older purebloods treat the house elves."

"That's what I'm saying," Hermione exploded. "They are slaves in all reality. They are not aware of how badly they are treated. They all think it's normal. They're in a constant state of slave mentality. It's disgusting!"

"And here it goes," Roni muttered dryly, picking up the cards and putting them away.

I elbowed Anicetus in the ribs. "Thank you so much, you bloody halfwit. You just got her started again after much hard work of getting her off the topic."

He chuckled with bemusement, "Sorry?"

Hermione launched into the story of Mr. Crouch and his house elf. She then went into full depth about house elf history, using pros and cons of their situation. I rolled my eyes while Anicetus looked perplexed at the young witch. He looked like he didn't know how to make her quiet and was growing a bit shocked at how fierce Hermione was about the topic.

Roni finally pulled Hermione away with a hand over her mouth. "Shut up, lioness. We all understand your concerns. Now is the time to write it all out and mail it to the Daily Prophet along with Suren's letter tomorrow."

"You're quite right," she conceded, pulling away and running toward the house, Isa about her shoulders.

"Veronica Althea Malfoy-Delacroix," I growled, "you just made sure she didn't leave off with the topic for the next decade!"

"At least she isn't out here and harassing us about it," she pointed out with a cheeky grin.

I paused and nodded. "Marry me?"

"No way," she laughed, sticking out her tongue. "Gross."

"At least have my children?" I asked, pouting.

"I'll think about it," she conceded jokingly.

"You're the best," I chuckled, continuing with my work.

"I know I am," she laughed, sitting down and petting Wally and Asha. She gave me a thoughtful look. "Grandmere would adore the idea of us being together."

"Your grandmother is a complete witch," I muttered lightly, writing down a long equation. "The perfect Malfoy, so to speak."

"She does send the apologies about the marriage contract," she giggled.

"I'm sure," I muttered darkly, blushing as Anicetus went completely still.

"Marriage contract?" he asked with a dark growl.

"My grandmere has been of the opinion since I was little and knew the Boy-Who-Lived that he and I were meant to be together," she explained with a small smile. "I told her that her thoughts were distasteful, so to speak. She's been sending marriage contracts every year since."

"This last one arrived yesterday in the middle of my last hour of work," I grumbled. "I exploded, to say the least."

"From what I heard, you did more than explode," Roni giggled. "I heard you tore the kitchen apart for a pen and wrote back a note and sent it back to her. She gave us a fire call this morning about it. She wants to know who's the werewolf."

"I had to get her off my arse somehow," I muttered ruefully, smiling at my work. "At least now I have a valid excuse."

"Werewolf mate is a convenient excuse, eh?" she asked with a giggle.

"Shush you," I chuckled, completing the last piece of the assignment.

"I probably should be insulted that you used me as an excuse to get out of a marriage contract, but rather I'm flattered at the notion," Anicetus stated with an intrigued tone.

"As you should be," I joked, turning to give him a peck on the cheek before turning to start on my next assignment.

"Well she's on a new course, I'll have you know," Roni inserted delicately. "Broodmare status. Arranged pregnancy."

Choking with laughter, I looked at her with a large smile. "That's awful."

"Tell me about it," she muttered ruefully. "My grandmere just wants to beget a magical heir to the family through you and me."

"Well you can tell her I don't mind breaking you in," I joked, laughing. "But babies right now are not on my current agenda. I want to get a stable life set before having kids."

"I would blush if I didn't know any better," she laughed, ruffling my hair before gathering Asha and Wally and headed toward the house.

"You want children?" Anicetus asked quietly.

I resisted the urge to look at him. "Yes."

We both sat there quietly, our thoughts our own. I continued to do my work, silently contemplating on what could be running through his mind. Once I finished the last assignment, I closed my book and pulled away from him. Crouching down in front of him, I took hold of his chin.

"Are you going to sit here being depressingly thoughtful or are you going to come inside?" I asked, smiling.

"It's saddening that we cannot have children," he stated softly. "I can't imagine either of us having an affair with any chosen lady. It's quite distasteful in my mind."

I laughed, "Don't be dramatic. There are ways of having children without having sex."

He gave me a bemused look, "You don't honestly think the muggle story of the stork is true, do you? Do I need to retrieve one of the others to give you the talk?"

I burst into laughter after a moment of letting his words sink in. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. Artificial insemination, you silly gorilla. I've already gotten the talk from Roni's mother."

He gave me an odd look, "What is that?"

I had to just smile. This was too good. I sometimes loved the ignorance of those raised in the wizarding world. They were just so naïve. It was adorable.

I gave him a quick peck on the lips and shook my head, laughing. "You're so cute when you're naïve."

He frowned, "What does it mean?"

I rolled my eyes, "Ask Hermione. She'll give you the talk."

"I don't need the talk," he pointed out seriously. "I just want to know what that is. I mean, I have some inkling of what it is, but I'd like to compare notes here on the artificial part. What does that mean?"

He got to his feet as I motioned him to get off the blanket. I gathered it up and headed toward the house while laughing. He followed, wearing a look of utter confusion on his face. Once we entered the house, I headed to my room to put away my work and then went about putting the blanket, folded, in the laundry. Anicetus had disappeared and I could hear Mira and Amar both laughing hysterically downstairs. Rolling my eyes, I made my way to the living room where everyone was located and leaned against the back of the couch, hugging Anicetus about his shoulders, putting my chin on his shoulder.

"You asked, didn't you?" I chuckled in his ear.

"I have the feeling this will be joked about for quite some time," he chuckled darkly, turning his head to look at me.

"I think a bit more than that," I laughed, pulling away, but he tugged me back.

"How much more?" he asked, smiling.

"Until it's no longer an issue," I replied. I gave him a wicked grin. "If ignorance is bliss, you must be euphoric."

"That's truly mean to say," he pointed out with a frown.

"Mayhap," I conceded before pulling away and coming around the couch to sit between Remus and him. "But I've a bone to pick with you two werewolves."

"Oh, and what's that?" Remus asked, curious.

"I was thinking about the whole lycanthrope issue and came up with a question that needs answering," I sighed heavily, suppressing the smile that threatened to spread on my face. "Are there any other types? You know like were-penguins, were-whales, were-quails… I think it'd be awesome to see a were-Tasmanian devil."

At the same time, both took a deep breath and closed their eyes. I looked at Sirius and winked at him, making him snort with laughter. Mira and Amar shook with laughter as I shot them a mischievous grin, sticking out my tongue in humor. Roni and Hermione looked at me and shook their heads, giggling ruefully.

"How about were-bunnies?" I asked with a wicked grin at Anicetus as he turned to look down at me.

"There are no such things as were-bunnies, penguins, whales, Tasmanian devils, and quails," Remus replied with a stern look.

"No Tasmanian devils?" I asked, pouting at Anicetus.

"None whatsoever," he replied, giving me a pointed look.

"Are you sure?" I asked, feeling like I was suddenly channeling Luna. "I mean, they could be keeping out of the lycan spotlight."

Remus rolled his eyes, "I think we would know if there were such a creature."

"No, not really," I pointed out. "They live in Tasmania. Have you ever visited Tasmania?"

"Have you?" he shot back with a glower.

"Don't get scrappy with me, Uncle Remy," I chuckled. "I'm just saying that there is a slim possibility there are Tasmanian devil lycans out there." My eyes widened. "I should ask Mr. Lovegood. He'd know for sure."

"Mr. Lovegood is out of his mind, Suren," Amar pointed out with a grin. "He doesn't know much of anything besides what he makes up half the time." He rolled his eyes. "I honestly don't know why you read that rag of nonsense."

"Dad, please," I chuckled. "It's not nonsense. We all know the article about Sirius is true."

Sirius burst into laughter, "Yes, I am a rock star."

"See," I laughed pointedly, leaning into Remus with a grin.

"You're completely barmy," Roni laughed, grinning up at me.

"When I told you to come up with a few questions about the wizarding world, I meant serious ones," Remus followed sternly.

"You just have no sense of humor," I chuckled, looking at him with a quirky grin.

"I do have one," he pointed out, "but not when it comes to that."

"But you still haven't answered my question," I pointed out.

"Yes, I have," he replied.

"Not really," I replied. "You answered that none of those examples existed, to your knowledge, of course, but what about other types?"

"There are were-lions, tigers, and bears," Remus stated with a roll of his eyes.

"Lions?" Hermione sang softly.

"And tigers?" Roni followed in a musical whisper.

"And bears?" I followed with a low laugh.

"Oh my," we all sang together before we all went in a fit of laughter.

"I don't see the hilarity in that," Anicetus stated with utter confusion.

"You weren't suppose to," I laughed.

Notes:

I don't know about this chapter; maybe later I will be able to tell whether or not I like it. Whether or not it is good. Hope you liked it. Thank you for the comments.

PLEASE COMMENT! It's helps... leave ideas if you want... it does helps give me different points of view...