Thank you guys really, the reviews/comments/thoughts you all have is great to read through.
They had gone over the plan in the office, there going to let Saeva in the Hall first and then they were going to go in with Vi. They made their way down to the Great Hall, Poppy and Minerva with them. Stopping they pushed the door open just enough to let the dog in and left it ajar. They could hear several gasps and comments about the strange dog, some of the girls let out a soft cry of surprise. Finally though they heard what they had been waiting for and smiles spread out on all of their faces.
"Saeva?" Jays voice could be heard in the sudden silence of the hall and Vi gasped softly just outside.
"Go on, Vi." Pansy urged gently and they pushed the door open more the group turning and stepping in.
They could see Jay on the floor between the tables hugging the visibly excited dog that was licking at her face when she wasn't pressing her rather sturdy body into the small girl. They were almost half way to Jay when the little Gryffindor looked up and saw sister. The expressions on her face passed rapidly, surprise, confusion, shock and finally happiness as the little girl let out a squeal and launcher herself off the floor toward her sister. The silently sobbing Violet met her sister half way and they fell to their knees clinging to each other and crying.
"Merlin's balls." Pansy choked out covering her eyes and looking down at the floor, her shoulders shook slightly.
"Pan I had no idea you were such a..." Hermione trailed off searing for the word.
"Softy?" Lavender supplied mildly amused.
"Shuddap." Pansy mumbled and stalked over to Slytherin table and sat down heavily.
The two teenage witches remained standing by the Headmistress and the Mediwitch and were just turning back to look at the twins. Lavender was slightly behind Hermione so when Jay ploughed into the brunette they both fell into Lavender and all three went sprawling on the floor between the two older witches. Hermione was giggling as Jay squeezed her and Lavender with all her might half mumbling and half sobbing words that neither witch could understand.
"Jaybird, you got to let us up. Hermione is squashing me." Lavender gasped out playfully.
"Are you calling me fat?" Hermione retorted mock glaring at the blonde behind her when Jay got to her feet moving back to Vi and snuggling into her twin sister.
"You and I both know there isn't an ounce of fat on that body." Lavender says seriously only to quickly notice the shocked looks on the people closest to them.
"You ok that sounds worse than it really is." Lavender clarifies only for Hermione to laugh and kiss her on the cheek which only seemed to shock them all the more.
Hermione just grinned and stood up helping Lavender with her before Minerva ushered them all to sit down, it was the middle of dinner after all. The four Gryffindor witches took a seat at the table and began to eat ignoring the voices around them. Lavender in particularly ate like she was starving but for once Jay joined the wolf with her voracious appetite. Sensibly enough Violet ate slowly and only light foods that wouldn't upset her stomach. They all enjoyed several glasses of pumpkin juice before the end of dinner.
When they were back in the Head Girls room, the twins had gone to Gryffindor tower together, Hermione walked in and slumped back on the small sofa. Lavender took to the time to kick her shoes off before moving over and with a smirk she settled herself down on top of Hermione. Hermione had dropped one leg off the couch so her foot rested on the floor and wiggled a little until Lavender was nestled between her legs, when she was comfortable the brunette pulled Lavender down so the blonde head was resting on her chest.
Both witches let out soft sighs as they relaxed Hermione into the couch and Lavender on Hermione both rather content. In the backs of their minds they realised things were going a little quickly in regards to their relationship though now Hermione knew she was the wolf's mate she didn't care a little bit. She also realised that she didn't care one little bit that she effectively belonged to the werewolf now. She knew they would be together, she felt that much and she had no intention of fighting it.
"Today was... how did you do that kind of thing for a whole year?" Lavender asked after a while her voice sounding as relaxed as she felt.
"It was easier then. I always had something to distract me. What would we eat? Where were we going next? Were we safe enough with the wards we had? Its easier to worry about yourself than it is to worry about someone else. It was hard you know..." Hermione trailed off even as she seemed like she would continue.
"What's that?" Lavender prompted gently after a short while.
"It was hard to see that... to see the way seemingly pleasant people could treat those poor sweet little girls. They were true monsters." Hermione's tone had a slight edge to it as she thought about the people, the Walkers, that they had liberated Vi from today.
"Aren't I a true monster?" Lavender lifted her head and looked down at brunette.
"No. You are a wolf, instinct guides you during the full moon, you don't hide your true intentions. As far as I am concerned a monster is someone who can smile at your face but stab you in the back the moment you turn around." Hermione was serious and it made Lavender smile. The blonde was continuously astounded Hermione's depth of understanding.
"You... are incredible. I'm legitimately ashamed of not noticing before this year." Lavender confesses gently looking down at the witch beneath her.
"Don't be. We got there eventually. Besides I thought you were a complete prat when you were accusing me of wanting to steal Ron from you." Hermione chuckled at the disgusted look that crossed Lavenders face.
"What was I thinking." Lavender asked rhetorically only to be pulled down into a kiss by a soft hand tangled in her hair at the back of her head.
Unlike the first kiss they shared earlier that day this one was a whole new level of intimate. Their lips meshed and parted enough to allow tongues to connect and tangle, brush and explore. Neither knew who it had moaned softly into the kiss when their tongues had first touched but they had both decided that it must have been both of them. Hands didn't wander but the kiss lingered for a long while officially turning it into a heated make out session. One that broke all too soon.
Lavender had pulled back abruptly sitting back on her knees with her eyes closed she grabbed at her head. Hermione immediately realised something was wrong and voice her concern only it seemed to go ignored. Lavender dragged herself off the couch onto the floor gasping softly.
"Merlin... no... Hermione you need- ah!" The rest of what ever the young witch was going to say came out as a loud animalistic growl and when Lavender looked up with yellow wolfs eyes Hermione understood.
Hermione sat frozen unable to move as she watched the werewolf begin her change. They had been so distracted and so busy today, Lavender had forgotten to go to the dungeon to get her potion. The transformation seemed to be happening quicker than Remus' had the on the one occasion Hermione had witnessed that. Instead Lavender was already mostly changed her blonde hair receded and seemed to spread out over her lupine body.
Breathing heavily the wolf looked up from where it had been faced towards the floor and gazed right at Hermione. Hermione didn't know what to do, she knew how dangerous Remus had been and even though she had tried to get through to him she was still terrified. This was different, Lavenders wolf didn't terrify her as Remus had, instead it was oddly exciting to be gazed at so intently by the wolf. Taking a deep breath Hermione reached out with her left hand slowly reaching towards the wolf.
The yellow gaze didn't waver but the wolf quickly reached up and caught Hermione's wrist making the brunettes heart leap. The wolf slowly slid her fore-paw up the brunettes arm and pushing the sleeve up with it before finally looking at the demeaning scar and leaning forward a little licking an nuzzling the aching forearm. Hermione let out a soft moan full of relief as inexplicably the pain began to ebb if only momentarily.
Lavender looked back at Hermione again before lifting her large wolfish head and howling loud enough that no doubt everyone in the castle heard. Hermione was surprised by the desire to answer the howl that rose up in her chest. She bit it back but lifted her free hand to curl around the wolf's neck and pull her back down. The wolf went willingly and melted into Hermione looping long arms around the brunette and climbing onto the couch curling around Hermione.
Hermione for her part felt more safe right then than she had in a long while and she willingly snuggled down into the wolf glad that Lavender and her wolf agreed on Hermione being their mate.
It really didn't take long at all for Hermione to drift to sleep right there on the too small sofa with the distinctly wild werewolf wrapped around. Lavender remained awake for a time but she took soon fell asleep.
Hermione woke the next morning with a groan of pain clutching at her arm only to have her hand brushed away when the wolf moved around her whining softly. The wolf nuzzled and licked gently as if it knew it was soothing away the pain and Hermione quickly relaxed. The wolf how ever did not stop whining and whimpering resting its large head over Hermione's arm and looking up at her with adorable eyes considering how dangerous the wolf was.
"I know... but she cant fix it, wolf. I can only control the pain and with how its getting stronger I don't think that will last long. I don't know what can fix this..." Hermione spoke softly to the wolf rubbing her free hand over the velvety head.
The wolf lifted its head after a while and nuzzled into Hermione's tummy for a moment before pulling back and regarding its mate closely before its lips curled like a snarl, teeth bared. Hermione tilted her head and watched as the wolf opened its maw and with incredible gentleness took the brunettes arm between her powerful jaws. Hermione tilted her head as teeth gently clamped down on her arm without breaking the skin or hurting her and the wolf looked back up almost imploringly.
"You... think the curse could be broken with another one?" Hermione asks when understanding slowly dawns on her.
Gently the wolf released the arm and looked up at Hermione with large eyes as if looking into the brunettes soul. Hermione smiled and rubbed the soft ears gently and nodded leaning forward and nuzzling the wolfs soft muzzle. Lavender whined softly and Hermione stood and moved to the window looking out of the window, the moon would be going down in a few minutes.
"I will talk with Lavender about it ok? I promise." Hermione says softly to the wolf standing tall directly behind her.
As the moon started to dip below the horizon long wolfish arms wrapped around Hermione from behind pulling her back against a firm body. The minutes didn't seem long and soon Hermione could feel the form against her back shrinking and becoming softer, the arms under her own no longer covered in soft fur and were decidedly more human.
"She wants to turn you." Lavender spoke first.
"She thinks it will help with my cursed scar." Hermione points out just as soft as Lavender had spoken.
"Why didn't you run?" Lavenders breath brushes over Hermione's neck.
"I didn't have time." Hermione retorts gently.
"She could have killed you." Lavenders lips move on Hermione's skin now making her shiver.
"She loves me." Hermione sounds only as confident as she can while her voice is so husky with arousal.
"We do." Lavender confirms and confesses at the same time.
Hermione turns in Lavenders arms and wraps her own around the werewolf's neck leaning in and kissing the blonde deeply. Lips melding and tongues meeting as their bodies pressed together firmly. Hermione was hyper aware of the fact that the wolf was naked and one of her hands moved seemingly of its own accord. Sliding her hand down Lavenders back Hermione relished the shiver that ran through the wolfs body her hand only stopping when it was squeezing a firm buttocks. Lavender gasped into the kiss as Hermione pulled their hips flush against each other.
Things may have escalated, both witches wouldn't have minded even a little bit, except just as Hermione was pushing her knee between Lavenders there was a loud urgent knock at the door. Groaning in frustration they pulled back, Hermione's hand going to Lavenders hip as she took a brief moment before they broke apart completely. Lavender was standing there is all her glory not looking even a little bashful and Hermione openly looked her over.
"Maybe you should go up and toss something on? For some reason I hate the idea of anyone seeing you like this." Hermione confesses seriously.
"Possessive little witch." Lavender husks out pecking Hermione's lips before turning and walking upstairs. Hermione watches the sway of her hips until the blonde disappears.
Another knock sounds before Hermione can open the door and look out a little startled to see Minerva, Poppy, Auror, and Rolanda all looking concerned and immediately relieved upon seeing Hermione safe. Minerva reached out cupping the back of the witches head and pulled her into a firm hug that Hermione hesitantly returned.
"Oh Merlin, i'm so glad you're ok. Horace came rushing to my quarters last night after that howl and said that Lavender hadn't been down for her potion." Minerva explained hurriedly.
At that point Lavender came waltzing downstairs pulling a purple polo top on over her pale pink bra finishing her outfit of jeans and said top. Lavender ran her fingers through her hair as she came to stop beside Hermione whose eyes were will a little dark. Lavender gave a bashful smile and rubbed the back of her neck as she looked at the professors.
"Yeah with everything involving Vi yesterday I forgot all about taking the potion until it was too late. My bad." Lavender explained shrugging.
"I'm wondering how Hermione isn't dead." Rolanda speaks up and Hermione grins.
"She wouldn't hurt me. I'm the wolf's mate." Hermione's confession has all the women gaping at them before Lavender clears her throat.
"Kinky." Rolanda pipes up after a moment and Hermione just rolls her eyes.
"Yes anyway... Would you mind coming in for a moment?" Lavender asks the professors not only startling them but also Hermione who looks confused until gentle cool fingers brush over her scar.
With confused frowns the four older witches move into the room and take a seat when Lavender gestures the sofa and seats. Poppy and Minerva take the sofa while Aurora sits on an armchair and Rolanda perches on the arm. Hermione remains standing as does Lavender but the blonde moves herself and her mate into the space between the professors.
Looking at Hermione for permission Lavender smiles when her witch nods and then she slowly raises Hermione's scarred arm and the sleeve covering it. The professors knew of the scar so they regarded the two younger witches with curiosity until Lavender began to speak again.
"Since the first morning here Hermione has been waking up in pain, lately she wake with a scream and I am sure even Fleur and Bill will tell you this has been going on for a while now. Hermione says the pain is getting worse. The blade she was carved with was cursed, I can tell you for a fact it was imbued with a blood magic i'm not sure anyone has ever heard of. I can feel wolf blood in it." Lavender explains being met with the gasps of the faculty.
"Hermione why haven't you said anything?" Minerva asks seriously and the brunette shrugs.
"Because its increasingly worse, it wasn't always this bad. Only in the last week have I been waking up in agony. Its just... Bill and Fleur are trained curse-breakers and I have spent weeks with them going over all the possibilities but everything we tried just... bounced off. I can only hope to control the pain not stop it." Hermione admits after a moment.
"My touch, I assume because of the wolfs blood in the curse, seems to sooth the pain and though I don't mind touching Hermione it can be a little bothersome while trying to do spell work or write essays. The wolf though, wants to bite Hermione, she thinks it will take the pain away. I guess I just wanted to ask you all for help before we go to that. Replacing one curse with another seems mildly counter-prodictive." Lavender explains noticing the women watching her stroking Hermione's arm.
"Of course. I will make up some potions for the pain and we will look into it." Poppy says immediately the others nodding their agreement.
"Thank you." Hermione says softly slightly leaning into Lavender.
"Don't worry, 'Mione, we will figure this out and if not the wolf can have you." Rolanda chuckles teasingly.
"If you lot hadn't shown up she would probably be having me right now." Hermione speaks up smirking when the older women's jaws drop.
"On that note... we're leaving. I'm on Hogsmead duty today so I expect to see you both at breakfast in a half hour." Minerva says sternly though her eyes are sparkling with ill concealed amusement.
Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes as Lavender chuckled and the two girls wordlessly showed the professors out of the room. When they were alone Hermione turned and regarded her wolf for a moment before smiling and kissing her cheek as she proclaimed that she was going to show before breakfast.