The last trimester proved to be the hardest for Hermione. She was tired and her back ached, her breasts seemed to be growing to feed a litter instead of just one baby and what she hadn't read about in any of the muggle books was the witches symptoms. Molly and Kalina had prepared her for the extra bursts of energy in her magic, the slightest unpredictability that occasionally flared up in her spells and the inability to apparate, the feeling of being a whale with an alien dancing in her belly and beating her bladder like a drum. What no one had mentioned was the cravings. This time it wasn't for bacon covered in chocolate, no Hermione craved Charlie, he smelled so good she wanted to rub against him like a cat and when he'd wrangle the dragons and strip off his shirt, Hermione wanted to lick the sweat that gathered in the creases of his muscles and dripped down his ton tummy. Avoiding Charlie and his panty dampening body and pant worthy scent would be bad enough but Remus smelled just as good, like soap and parchment. He'd tap his chin when he thought and she found herself imagining nibbling the pads of those fingers and trace his scars with her tongue.

Hermione wasn't sure who to talk to about this, Charlie was Molly's son so telling her that she was half way to using her wand to bind him to the bed and ride him like a bronco would not be such a good idea. Nor could she talk to Kalina, she felt guilty enough about desiring a man other than Kiril so soon after having lost him. None of her friends had children yet, except Fleur, who although not a friend was technically family, but Fleur might tell Bill who might tell Charlie and that would be awkward.

This left Lara. She'd been able to talk to the older witch about so much when all of this started perhaps she would help Hermione with this so she arranged a visit with her in-laws in Bulgaria and took a day to visit with Lara.

Unfortunately Lara was also a muggle born and didn't know that much about it though she'd heard early in the pregnancy, lust hormones could become more pronounced she knew nothing really about it, especially not the differences that might be caused because she was a witch.

Running out of options Hermione, embarrassingly asked Kalina. The witch just smiled warmly and chuckled.

"This was the same for me."

"Really?"

"Yes. If Yesen was in the room with me it was all I could do to keep my hands from him and his scent would both calm and excite me." Kalina nodded, "I also found myself very attracted to another man, his best friend, though at the time he and I did not get along. I was warned of this stage but not prepared for it to affect me so much and was ashamed when I dreamed of Ivailo. When I could not stand to be in the same room I admitted this to Yesen. He laughed and kissed me and told this was nothing. Our magic and hormones are just to high and anyone with similar phermones to our mate or that prove compatible with ours it affects us. I would not worry much about it. Any time with them even around my son would have been the same only Kiril would have made it better for you. Now he is gone and there is no shame in finding a friend to help with such urges."

"It's just that…"

Kalina smiled sadly at her, "Desiring another does not take away from the love you shared with my son nor will it be so when you love another. What you shared with Kiril might be matched but it will never be the same. Do not close yourself to love because of this my daughter. Kiril would never want that. You and my grandchild deserve love." The older witch gave a sly smile, "You also deserve a little satisfaction until that love comes along."

Hermione blushed and looked away. "I'm not sure I could…"

Kalina sighed, "Did you know Kiril's father was married before me?"

"He was?" Hermione gasped.

Kalina nodded and met the young girls eyes, "Her name was Drusilla and she died in childbirth."

"Yesen has another child?"

Kalina shook her head sadly, "Neither Drusilla nor the boy lived. He was very broken when we met."

"How did you…"

"Our families were friends, his wife and mine, I came for her funeral and stayed for her husband. We never planned to fall in love but within the year, we were married. Silla would have been happy that I took care of him because she loved him and I know Kiril would be happy for you too." The woman reached over to grip her hand, "It is ok to miss him. We all miss him. Iliyra especially, they were always so much a part of each other, they knew each other best of all and she will say to you the same, miss him, yes but do not spend your life in only his memory. Now you must live and love and laugh for the both of you. Honor him by being happy."

Hermione hugged her tightly, "Thank you."

Kalina hugged her as well, rubbing her back gently a moment and when they pulled apart they both took deep breaths and smiled.

"So how long do these cravings last?"

Kalina laughed, "Mine induced my labor."

Hermione groaned, "I don't think I can live with them like this, I might do something crazy."

Kalina laughed, "Blame it on pregnancy hormones and do anything crazy you desire. It is the best part about being pregnant."

They had talked for a while longer before Yesen got home and they all sat down to dinner. It was Hermione's last night in Romania and she was looking forward to getting home since the baby seemed to like to practice martial arts at night.

Mia Sistra ~ my mother says you were in Bulgaria for a visit. I'm sorry I missed you. Keo read to me your notes on our project, I'm sorry I haven't been any help. Life has become infinitely harder without sight and though I am often harsh with him Keo has been so good to me. My father has gotten me this muggle recorder, so I can speak my letters and then he and mother can listen, they have one as well and this one is for you so you keep the recorder and just send me tapes like letters. It's a very fascinating muggle invention and it will be so nice to hear your voice. I wish I had one before and then I could have Kiril's voice. Wouldn't it have been nice for the baby? I know you miss him terribly. You and the baby are all we have left of him and I hope you know just how much he loved you. We all love you. There is nothing about my brother I did not know, nor him me. We were always the same so please believe me when I tell you Kiril would want you to move on, live your life and yes to fall in love. If your heart is not ready for that then fall in lust. Mother says you were having trouble adjusting to having Kiril in your heart but letting go of him. He will always be with us and we will always love him. I promise you nothing can diminish that. We want you to be happy and I know in time you and I both will be again. As for the specific cravings you talked with mother about, I'd offer Keo's help but I can do little for myself, he's become my sight. He does have a brother though and the elves have ways of making things better. I miss you mia sistra. Send me a tape soon and take care of yourself and my niece or nephew.

Hermione listened to the tape twice before picking up one of the three blank tapes that had come in the box and putting it in the recorder.

Iliyra, mia sistra. I miss you too. Hearing your voice and how… at peace you seem with what happened to you, amazes me. I know losing Kiril has been hard on us both, I can hardly imagine what it must be like for you and I'm glad Keo has been there for you. I'm glad you are adjusting so well and do not want you to worry about the project. I only sent my notes so you knew what I was doing, it was after all your brilliant plan and I didn't want you to feel I was pushing you out. Do the elves have magic to stop the cravings? That would be incredibly helpful. Both the baby and I are doing well. I'll keep you updated with these spoken letters on that as well. Would you like to hear the heartbeat? I can record that at my next appointment for you. I've also been trying to think of names. I know if it's a boy I will call him Kiril. I hope it is because I want a little boy who looks just like Kiril but I also know that it would make me sad to look at my son because I miss his father so much and then I think Kiril wanted a girl so I want it to be the girl he dreamed of. We talked about names very little but we said the middle names would come from my family, my middle name is Jean after my mother and hers is Ellen after my grandmother so I suppose my daughter should be something Hermione to follow in the tradition but I would rather name her after my mother or even use Granger. For a boy I think I would, Kiril Granger Valko? No that doesn't sound right at all. Kiril Michael Valko? Yeah, I think that's better. Michael is… was, my dad's name. What do you think? Kiril suggested Nevena or Nedelya. Nevena Jean Valko? Nedelya Granger Valko? I don't know. Take care of yourself, I miss you and will send an update soon. And, thank you. I miss Kiril everyday and I love him so much but I am trying to move on with my life and make a good one for our baby but sometimes I feel guilty for just being happy when he isn't here to share it with me. Knowing you believe he'd want us to be happy, to move on with out him, makes it easier.

Hermione turned off the recorder and carefully wrapped the tape in a pouch before giving it to the owl to bring back to Isle Mars for Iliyra.

The next morning Hermione returned to the reserve and spent the day with Teddy and Andromeda. It was the full moon and Remus was sitting out front when they got home.

"Daddy!" Teddy let go of Hermione's hand and ran to the wolf wrapping his arms around its neck and squeezing him tightly.

Remus let the toddler pull his ears and kiss his head before Hermione took him into the house. Charlie was still away, brining a new dragon in so Hermione put Teddy to bed and curled up in her own before drifting off to the most peaceful sleep she'd had in weeks.

The feeling didn't last. Remus stumbled into the kitchen with the dawn, recovering from the pain of the transformation back. He wore nothing but loose fitting sweats. Remus was much leaner than Charlie but no less ripped and Hermione felt the room growing hotter and an overwhelming desire to lick the round little nipple and nibble along his hipbone.

If that weren't bad enough Charlie came stumbling in, shirtless, sweaty and exhausted looking and collapsed in a chair next to Remus. Hermione had to clench her fists to keep from jumping him.

Instead she practically ran from the room. Two and a half months to go of this. Hermione thought she might just go insane.

It was not getting easier the fatter she got. Every day she looked in the mirror and was sure she'd gained another thirty pounds. She was so big she needed to use magic to put on her panties and shoes because her tummy was getting so large. Hermione felt like a blimp, unattractive round and unbearably horny. Stupid magic messing with hormones and pheromones! She lived completely in Charlie's shirts now, grateful his broad chest meant they fit over both her new double DDs and her massive stomach but his scent clung to the material and it was all she could do not to sniff the material and purr. They were a touch short to wear as dresses but unless she was leaving the tent that was exactly what she did. Neither wizard complained about her high jacking their clothes, or anything else for that matter. Charlie would gently rub her back so she could relax and if she couldn't sleep she'd go wake him up and he'd move his head to her belly and hum gently. The baby liked this and would stop with the gymnastics enough to let Hermione sleep. Remus tugged her up from chairs or couches because she couldn't quite manage it, he'd read to her belly or take her turns cooking if she looked tired.

Life with them was simple and good, when she thought about it she cried, she wasn't sure how she would have gotten through this without them. Of course if they had been women the lust might have been more manageable. At least she thought that until she spent the day with Theo and Juliette and found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss the pretty blonde witch.

Iliyra's next tape was two weeks in coming though Hermione had already sent her two others, one with the heartbeat and the second with just chatter about pregnancy and the werewolf project. The letter took so long because it was delivered in person but a very attractive man, Hermione recognized him as an elf the moment he removed his hood from the silver lilac eyes and pointed ears.

"I am Landren." He told her before holding out the little pouch.

"Hermione." She smiled at him taking it and finding the little tape inside.

"Please come in. It was nice of you to bring this by, what are you doing in Romania?"

Landren nodded to the tape. "Mia petite nova sistra asked me to come."

Hermione blushed and led him into the sitting room. "Would you like some tea?"

Landren nodded again and sat down, "If it is not over troublesome."

Hermione went into the kitchen area and made them both tea. They sat rather awkwardly for a few minutes and Landren gave her a small smile, "Kiril's baby grows well. Did they tell you its gender?"

"I'm getting fat." Hermione made a face, "And no, I asked them not to."

Landren nodded, "It will be healthy. Small but healthy and you are not fat. Life grows in you and I have seen many who gain much during this time, you are still very fit. Only baby grows."

"Thank you." Hermione blushed.

Landren nodded and then stood up. "You're leaving? What about your tea?" Hermione frowned at him.

"You listen to letter. I will return for tea."

"Oh, ok." Hermione stood and led him out of the tent again.

A moment later the kettle borrowed and Hermione set about making tea while the letter played.

Mia sistra. I'm sorry it took me time to write. Things have been busy here. Listening to Kiril's child's heart meant more to me than you know. I'm having Landren bring this to you instead of sending it because then you cannot over think and tell me not to. He is already there and he will help you. Actually two of Keo's brothers who saw you when we met offered but Landren is the eldest and Keo thought best suited. I have news as well. Keo and I completed the elvish bonding ceremony and are fully married now, his people have accepted me as there own though I may not leave Isle Mars for two years. Please come visit me though both you and my parents have full permissions to come any time. Keo and I must have a child in that time as well, it is the way here, only viable matches can be united in permanent bonds but Keo's mother says it will not take us much time and I am still adjusting to this new life so we are going to wait to try until next year. Whatever the sex of the baby I know Kiril would have been happy and if it is a boy or a girl they will be loved greatly by all of us. Enjoy Landren and relax. Soon the baby will come and your futures begin. I miss you and love you both. Until we meet again, be well.

Landren returned and Hermione made him tea.

"Iliyra says you have magic to, um… help?"

Landren smiled at her his eyes dancing, "Did she tell you nothing about how?"

Hermione shook her head and blushed, "Um, well, no. Just that she sent you so I couldn't think to much about it and tell her not to send you."

"You have not read to much on elves?"

Hermione shook her head, "There aren't that many books though Kiril gave me some and I was hoping to learn more from Iliyra."

Landren nodded and set his tea down, "Our phermones are different than a wizards or any other form of humanoid male really."

Hermione nodded and then blushed, "You don't make me feel crazy."

Landren nodded, "Close your eyes." His voice was hushed and after only a moment Hermione obeyed.

She felt him take the tea cup from her hands and heard it set on the table. He moved and she could feel his presence behind her and heat began to build in her. It seemed to spread slowly through her veins but within only a moment she was panting. His fingers moved to her temple as he massaged in slow circles building the heat in her until she let out a whimper.

Landren bent down and whispered in her ear, "We can suppress them is all."

Hermione swallowed down the lump in her throat and bit back a moan as his breath washed over her ear. "I can also cover yours, so your magic does not pull at them the way it does."

Hermione frowned and shook her head, "They aren't affected."

Landren chuckled and it sent a shiver through her, "It does, Zana. As your magic pulls the phermones it mixes them, driving all of you higher, you affecting them affects you more and this affects them more. It is a cycle that will push at you all but I will make it better for you." He pressed his lips gently to the hollow on her neck behind her ear. Hermione shivered at the contact and as the current moved from that spot through her body she came.

Shocked Hermione jumped, her eyes bursting open and her face as red from embarrassment as the after effect.

Landren chuckled, his eyes dancing at her even as she felt the air almost stir and the incredible scent of him, the scent of summer rain and earth faded away. "Trust in me Zana. I am here to care for you. Iliyra does not think you are ready to let the lust take you to the bed of another man though Kiril understood such things, I will keep this from happening before you are healed in your heart enough for more."

"You mean until after the baby? Do you have to stay here or was that it and now its all magicked away so I'm normal again?"

Landren shook his head, "I must stay, all of your excess will be focused on me this way. You must simply trust me Zana."

"What is Zana?"

Landren smiled at her, "It means…" He tilted his head in thought, "I think you do nt have word for it, but something like, sister to my sister but if you were Iliyra's blood you would be Sanza because Keo is my blood. You share no relation to my line and yet still to my family so you are Zana. This I could do for you if you were Sanza but I could never bring you into our line, as Zana I could."

"You mean if we…" Hermione blushed motioning between them.

"There are other ways as well Zana but elvish families and bonding is very complex and you need rest. I have permissions to teach you any you would know of us and we will have much time to talk this year."

"Year!" Hermione gasped. "I'm due in ten weeks." She shook her head. "Kalina said it lasted until she went into labor, not after!"

Landren chuckled with a shake of his head. "I bring you book from Madrena. She say it will help you to understand differences in magic child. Kiril was more than wizard, he went through elvish rights and bonding, he and Iliyra both were gifted by the elves as children and upon adult rights. This will affect you as well so Madera has given book as well." He pulled two books out of the satchel he left on the ground.

"Madrena and Madera?"

"Madrena is mother to my sister and Madera is mother." Landren smiled at her and shrugged "My English is good but some words are harder or slip naturally, some you have no true alternative for and names are just natural for me to use. If I use words you do not understand I will always try to explain as I hope you will."

Hemrione nodded taking the two books from him, "Thank you." Her cheeks still felt flushed.

"Go and rest. I will return tomorrow."

"Where are you going?"

"I have not adjusted so well as Keo, being outside is still easier for me, nature is part of us and all of this…" He waved his hand around the tent, "Can… overwhelm my senses. I will go and talk with the dragons and explore my new home. We can talk more after you have read. Call out to me in the wind and I'll hear you but for tonight you should feel no discomfort around your friends."

Hermione watched Landren leave and then sat heavily on the couch with a sigh. An elf had made her orgasm just by kissing her neck. What else could he do? Hermione blushed and then bit her lip as tears stung her eyes. She loved Kiril. How could she so easily have forgotten him and let another touch her? Natural. They all told her it was natural and that she should move on but so soon?

Pulling herself together a little while later, Hermione curled up with the books. Remus returned with Teddy first and they had supper together. Hermione blushed as she tried to think of something to tell him about Landren but things seemed so easy between them tonight she didn't want to change that.

Charlie came home a little later and kissed the top of her head before his large hand dropped to her tummy, "You two have a nice day?"

Hermione blushed and nodded, "We had a visitor."

She finally told them.

"Oh?" Remus set a cup of tea down for her.

"The elf?" Charlie nodded, "We met. My boss is overjoyed he'll be sticking around."

"Why?" Hermione frowned.

"Elves are different from us, they have different magic and are more connected with the earth, they have special connections to all magical creatures." Charlie explained lifting Teddy and tossing the boy in the air making him laugh. "Time for bed buddy."

Teddy pouted at him and then wriggled to get down. He ran to his father for a hug and then hugged Hermione before kissing her tummy and running back to Charlie who lifted him with another toss in the air making the boy giggle and scream.

"Thank you." Remus sighed taking another sip of his tea. Charlie just nodded and carried the boy to his room.

"So we've an elf come to stay." Remus nodded.

"Is that alright?"

"Of course." Remus nodded at her with an almost relieved smile, "He should move in, right away."

"What?" Hermione pressed him at his smile.

Remus blushed, "This… um… it was… with Dora… I knew but… I wasn't… prepared."

"You have been affected!" Hermione screeched with a blush.

Remus went bright red as Charlie came in laughing.

"Let's just say hot water has been a thing of the past for us the last several weeks." Charlie told her coming back in the room.

"I'm old enough to be her father." Remus grumbled making Charlie laugh. "That could be a grandchild." He huffed pointing to her tummy.

"Yet only a few years younger than your boy and there is a good two hundred years left in you Remus." Charlie told him smacking his back. "Eventually you'll need to get back out there."

Remus snorted, "Not with my former student, twenty years my junior and because her magic is messing with both of our pheromones making our hormones go crazy. I'd never be able to look her in the eyes again."

Charlie chuckled shaking his head, "Relax Remy, no one is suggesting you give in to them."

"I know why I wouldn't…" Remus pressed the younger wizard.

Charlie shrugged and winked at her, "Another week and I might have." Hermione blushed crimson and stared at her hands. "Kiril would have understood Hermione. He was a pure blood. We all grew up knowing about this." Charlie told her gently.

"I know and I know he'd want me to move on and be happy, his family has told me a dozen times but I…"

"Feel guilty for it?" Remus suggested softly.

Hermione nodded and licked her lips, "I miss him."

"I miss Dora but she's gone and she wouldn't want me and Teddy to spend our lives mourning her. I have a new life, not just my son but this cure you and Iliyra have built."

Hermione blushed, "It's not a cure."

"My son hugs me and I can play with him on the full moon. So I turn into a wolf once a month, you have cured me from becoming a monster. I will never forget that Hermione. It would be a disservice to you not to take the new life with both hands and live it. It would be a disservice to Dora to spend my life in misery, her son deserves to be happy and to have a happy father." He blushed, "I feel like a lecher with the way you have been affecting me but I do not feel guilty for desiring someone who is not Dora and I will not be lessening what we shared if I ever found love again, the same is true for you and Kiril." Remus told her before standing and putting his mug in the sink. "I'm going to get Teddy back into bed. He's snuck out to play with his toys. Then I will be reading if either of you needs me."

"Thank you Remus."

"Night Remy."

"I might point out while conversation was pointed at me, you are not twenty years her senior." He replied with a chuckle as he left the room.

Charlie went bright red and stuttered, "I… I… uh…"

"It's ok Charlie." Hermione blushed. "I know under the magic you don't think of me like that. Besides that I'm fat now, I've never been very pretty and I'm also the brainy friend of your baby brother, more like a sister or something."

Charlie stared at her a minute and shook his head before standing, he leant down and kissed the top of her head, "You aren't fat and you have always been gorgeous." He walked away but Hermione heard him mutter, "Nothing like my sister" and "cold shower again" but missed whatever else he was saying.

Hermione tidied up and went to bed, relieved that the all consuming lust hadn't been making her crazy being in the room with them. Maybe having Landren around would be a good thing. Of course it also made her face the fact that she was still very attracted to the red-headed wizard and repeated over and over again in her head, it's just the magic, it's just the magic and though his shirtless image still flashed behind her closed eyes, she almost had herself convinced that another day… maybe two, with Landren and that would be gone just like it was with Remus.