A/N – I just want to start by answering a guest review wanting to know why Hermione went down the route of attacking Ginny and having her turned into a werewolf. I have to admit this question is hard to answer without giving away the contents of a couple of the companion pieces I'm planning involving Ginny.
Very simply – it was the most effective way of ruining her life without having any come back on the dark side. All Ginny knows about being a werewolf is what she was taught, and what she saw from Lupin – so unlike Draco she can't embrace the positives of being a werewolf. As for the future when it is known that Draco is a werewolf, and they hopefully have a lot more rights and more about them is understood – that is a long way off, and by that point Ginny will have been suffering for years and probably unable to take advantage of the changes. And don't forget that the dark aren't just going to let Ginny go wandering off into the night, they'll still be keeping an eye on her and her family, and will be able to step in if they thinks she's becoming a threat again. Hermione's decision is mainly about perception, and how at this moment in time Ginny and the world in general view being a werewolf as the worst possible thing to happen to you. To turn Ginny into a werewolf at this moment in time breaks her completely and cuts the Weasleys off from the rest of the world – and any small stirrings of support they might have been able to muster.
And also lets not forget that as a few reviewers have pointed out – Hermione is pretty cocky by this point. There's a good chance she hasn't thought too far into the future, and is focused on her revenge rather than what might happen in years to come with Draco's condition. Don't forget Hermione is still a teenager, and no matter how smart she is, she is still capable of making choices that aren't necessarily the right ones. Hermione's cockiness could also be the answer to the people wondering why she showed herself before Ginny's attack when it would have been simpler to stay hidden. (Plus it was much more fun to have Ginny know who was behind her attack).
But as I mentioned earlier, I don't want to go too much into details about Ginny here as she's going to be the focus of a couple of the companion pieces, and that's where her story is carried on. I hope this answers questions some people might have, but I just want to make it clear that I don't regret taking the choice to turn Ginny into a werewolf at this point in the story. The alternative was to kill her, but after so many other deaths, (and after years of being annoying) I felt that something more painful was in order for Ginny.
Also, just a reminder that this story is reaching it's conclusion and it'll be finished next Friday. Anything that isn't fully dealt with in the last four chapters (including the results of a conversation that takes place in this one), will be featured in the collection companion series. Basically, I couldn't cover everything or else the series would go on forever and last well into the trio's older lives. I hope people enjoy the end of the series and the collection pieces that will continue to be posted, even when I'm working on other stories.
After leaving Severus's office, Hermione invited Pansy back to the head dorms. She knew all their friends would likely still be there, and it seemed mean not to include Pansy. Besides, she had her own story to tell about Ginny and the wild accusations she'd thrown in her direction.
"Granger," Pansy called, stopping Hermione just as she was about to say the password to the head dorms. "Thank you."
"What for?" Hermione asked with a frown.
"For sticking up for me, and not believing Weasley," Pansy replied. "I know we've never really gotten along, but I appreciate the fact you didn't think the worst of me."
"You're right, we haven't really managed to get along, but I know you well enough to know you're not stupid enough to align yourself with the enemy," Hermione said, wondering if she'd misjudged Pansy and if it was worth giving her a second chance. "Besides, I'd like to think that you hatred of me wasn't strong enough to warrant trying to kill me."
"I don't hate you," Pansy admitted. "Well, not that much," she amended when Hermione gave her a surprised look. "I'm more jealous of you. It's no secret I had a crush on Draco, but then you came along and he was gone. And Theo and Harry haven't exactly jumped at my advances."
"Maybe it was because they both thought you were using them," Hermione suggested gently. "I know Harry felt that way. Until you found out who he was, he didn't exist in your eyes. And it was the same with Theo. Your interest in him started after his father became minister. I mean, did you really like either of them for who they really are?"
"I don't think I did," Pansy confessed with a sheepish shrug. "But I did like Draco for who he really is. And because of that, I never gave you a chance and I'm sorry."
"You're not entirely to blame, Pansy," Hermione conceded with a rueful smile. "I could have held out the hand of friendship, but it was easier for me to hate you and push you out. How about we make a fresh start?"
Hermione held her hand out for Pansy. Pansy looked at it for a couple of seconds before reaching out and taking it in hers. With a firm shake, the past was put behind them and the witches vowed to start afresh. Neither of them were naive enough to believe they would become best friends overnight, but hopefully the animosity that existed between them would go and it would make things a whole lot easier for their friends, who'd often been stuck in the middle of the warring pair.
With a truce made, Hermione led the way into the head dorms. As expected, everyone was waiting for them and they didn't even manage to sit down before they were bombarded with questions.
"Just calm down and we'll tell you everything," Hermione said as she settled onto the sofa next to Draco.
"Don't leave anything out," Blaise urged, obviously eager for the gossip.
"We won't," Hermione vowed. "Last night Ginny left the castle and ended up getting attacked."
"And what does that have to do with you two?" Theo asked.
"Patience, Theodore," Pansy tutted, giving her friend a sharp glare.
"Sorry," Theo muttered as the others laughed at Pansy's rebuke.
"This morning Ginny woke up and she gave her version of events," Hermione continued. "According to her, she was meeting Pansy, but I was the one who showed up."
"Seriously? She expected people to buy that?" Draco snorted. "Why would she be meeting Pansy?"
"That's what we said," Pansy said. "She was trying to claim that I'd been talking to her for weeks, building up a friendship based on our mutual hatred of Hermione. According to her, I tempted her out of the castle with a plan to bring down Hermione once and for all."
"And did you?" Harry asked, playing the part of the concerned nephew to perfection.
"Harry, of course she didn't," Hermione scolded. "Ginny clearly picked Pansy to use as she knew we've never really gotten along. I think we all know it was me she was trying to get into trouble."
"That sounds like that tart," Harry snarled. "Getting herself hurt and then blaming other people."
"Was the attack deliberate?" Daphne asked.
"I never thought of that," Hermione said, wondering if they could plant the seed that Ginny had set up the entire incident to try and cause trouble for the dark. "But it's very possible. Especially with what she's claiming happened."
"What is she claiming?" Blaise asked.
"She was attacked by a werewolf," Pansy announced with glee. "She said the wolf was with Hermione. I mean, does she know nothing about werewolves? Everyone knows they're wild and not pets. Any wolf would have attacked Hermione as well."
"Wow, what a nerve," Draco said with a low whistle. "But I suppose Daph is right, it could be a deliberate attack. They might have used Lupin to attack Weaselette, just to try and make us look bad."
"Yeah, Lupin's been keeping a low profile just lately," Harry added. As far as he knew, no-one knew about Lupin's death, so they might just be able to pass the attack off as being his work. "I'm sure he'd be happy enough to heap some payback on us."
"Ginny's trying to say it was Greyback," Hermione said.
"She's already trying to shift the blame," Blaise said.
"But would the Order really go as far as to attack one of their members?" Daphne questioned. "Especially Ginny as she's just a kid."
"Who's to say she was really attacked?" Draco mused. "She might have just been scratched. Only a bite turns a werewolf."
"They all seemed pretty convinced she was genuinely attacked," Pansy said. "Including Professor Snape. If it's a fake attack, it's a good one."
"If it is genuine, it's all her fault anyway," Hermione said with a shrug. "If she hadn't left school grounds, nothing would have happened to her. And if it's fake, it's backfired spectacularly. She's going to be the one everyone is talking about."
"Yes, she is," Pansy announced with glee as she got to her feet. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to spread the word."
"About what?" Daphne asked.
"The fact that Ginny Weasley was bitten by a werewolf," Pansy said. "Fake or real, everyone is about to discover what happened last night. By the time I'm finished with Weasley, no-one will want her in this school. I'm going to run that little cow out of Hogwarts."
"Nice one Pansy," Harry chuckled as the raven haired Slytherin left the head dorms to spread the word.
"By the end of the day, everyone will know what happened," Draco laughed.
"That's what happens when little girls go walking in the middle of the night when it's a full moon," Hermione replied. "You never know what might be lurking in the shadows."
"Or who," Draco said mysteriously. "Does anyone fancy a drink?" He asked, suddenly jumping to his feet.
"Yeah, drinks sound good," Harry said, shooting his friend a puzzled look as he darted into the small kitchen alcove.
"I'll help," Hermione offered, following Draco. When she arrived in the alcove, she found her fiancé leaning against the bench biting his lower lip. "What's wrong?"
"I want to tell them," Draco announced nervously. "I trust every single person in that room, and I'm tired of hiding secrets."
"We don't know how they're going to react, Draco," Hermione warned, taking hold of his hand. "Are you ready for if they react badly? They might need some time to come round."
"I've thought about what could happen," Draco admitted. "I've been thinking about it all morning. It's what I want to do, Hermione."
"Then I'll be right there at your side," Hermione promised, giving her boyfriend a kiss. "You never know, I might even tell you what I was thinking about last night."
"In front of everyone, won't Harry get embarrassed?" Draco joked.
"Ha, ha," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes. "Not every thought in my head about you is sexual."
"Shame, because most of mine about you are," Draco replied with a smirk. "But seriously, what were you thinking about?"
"Our situation," Hermione said. "How would you fancy a playmate on a full moon?"
"If you're going to suggest what I think you are then the answer is no," Draco growled, slamming his hand down on the bench behind him. "I won't turn you."
"I didn't mean that," Hermione replied, just as Harry poked his head into the alcove.
"Is there a problem?" He asked, fully entering the small alcove.
"No, Draco just got the wrong end of the stick," Hermione replied. "I didn't mean I wanted you to turn me," she informed her fiancé. "I was thinking about becoming an animagus."
"Cool," Harry gasped. "Count me in."
"What? The pair of you would learn to turn into animals, just to keep me company once a month?" Draco asked, looking between his fiancée and best friend in genuine shock.
"I would," Hermione said. "To be honest, I can't believe I didn't think about it before. I guess I've just been so caught up with thinking about our plans for Ginny. But last night as I was watching you, I wished I could join you, and then I remembered something Harry had once told me that Sirius had told him."
"How Sirius, Potter and Pettigrew became animagi for Lupin," Harry said, recalling the story Sirius had once told him when he was trying to bond with him. "Well, I would do the same for you, Draco. I just hope I don't end up being something pathetic."
"I don't think you have any control over what you become," Hermione said. "But I'm not sure, I need to do some research."
"Of course you do," Harry chuckled, sharing an amused look with Draco over Hermione's obvious excitement at the prospect of research.
"Hey, what's going on in there?" Blaise suddenly called, interrupting the trio.
"Let's get back to it," Draco said. "We can discuss the animagus thing later. Right now, I have an announcement to make."
"Announcement?" Harry questioned.
"I'm coming out," Draco said, heading back into the common room.
"Now that could be taken a lot of different ways," Harry chuckled to Hermione.
"Idiot," Hermione replied with a roll of her eyes as she lightly hit her nephew and followed Draco into the common room.
"Where's the drinks?" Theo asked as Hermione and Harry followed Draco out of the kitchen alcove with no drinks.
"They can wait," Draco said. "I've got something to say."
"Don't tell me, you've knocked up Hermione," Blaise said with a laugh.
"Not that I know of," Hermione replied with a grin.
"I'm going to tell you all the truth about what happened to Weaselette last night," Draco said as Hermione stood at his side and slipped her hand into his.
"So you were involved," Blaise said, turning to Hermione.
"Guilty," Hermione admitted with a smirk. "But for the record, Pansy wasn't involved. I used polyjuice potion to get Ginny onside, and when the time was right, I lured her out of the castle."
"Why?" Theo asked.
"So she could meet me," Draco answered with a vicious smirk. "Or rather, so she could meet the new side of me. The wolf with Hermione wasn't Greyback, it was me."
There was a stunned pause at Draco's announcement, and Draco, Hermione and Harry used the opportunity to study their friends and watch their reactions. Thankfully, no-one seemed disgusted or repulsed by Draco, they all just seemed shocked and unable to believe what they were hearing.
"I guess you want to know the full story," Draco said, breaking the silence.
"That would be good," Blaise said, the shock still evident in his voice. "I admit, I'm rather stunned here."
"I know that feeling," Draco said with a low chuckle as he and Hermione sat down on the sofa. "Now let's go back to the beginning, and I'll tell you everything."
For the next half hour Draco told his entire story with the help of Hermione and Harry. He started in the summer, and the attack from Lupin, right up to what had happened the previous evening. He explained all the differences about their perceptions of werewolves and the reality, and what being a werewolf really meant for him.
"Wow," Theo said with a low whistle. "You make it sound so cool."
"It is now, but it wasn't when it first happened," Draco admitted. "It's not always easy, and it's not something I would want you all to experience, but I wouldn't change it now. Being a wolf is part of who I am, and since you're my closest friends, I want to be honest with you. If you can't accept it, that's fine, but I would ask you to keep my secret. Even if you want to walk away from me, I would hope all the years of friendship would be enough for you to keep quiet."
"No-one is walking away Draco," Daphne stated. "Or at least, I'm not."
"Nor me," Blaise added.
"Or me," Theo said. "The fact you're a werewolf doesn't change who you are."
"You're really not repulsed?" Draco checked, looking between his three friends.
"No mate, I'm rather jealous," Blaise said with a grin. "Do we get to see you in your wolf form?"
"In time," Draco replied, pretty surprised by how easily his friends had taken the news. "I've only just gotten used to having Hermione around me when I'm a wolf, and that's easier because of our connection."
"The hot biting thing," Blaise said, giving Hermione a wolfish grin. "I wouldn't mind a bit of that."
"You mean the mating principal," Draco corrected his friend. "And yes, it's easier because of that. I'm no risk to Hermione because I love her. I would kill anyone who put her in danger."
"No change there then," Theo snorted. "We all know you would kill for her now, let alone when you're a wolf."
"Romantic, isn't it?" Hermione joked, grinning at Draco.
"It is actually," Daphne said.
"So when will we see you in wolf form?" Theo asked, returning the conversation back to Blaise's question.
"I'm not sure," Draco admitted. "But I promise you, you will get to see my inner wolf."
"Actually, Hermione and I have an idea," Harry said. "We're thinking about becoming animagi to spend time with Draco in his wolf form. Is anyone else interested?"
"It could be cool," Blaise said. "How much work is involved?"
"I'm not sure yet, I haven't started my research yet," Hermione said. "But I'll let you know when I have more details."
"Excellent," Theo said with a grin as he turned back to Draco. "Now tell us more about being a wolf."
Draco smiled as his friends returned his attention to him, all eager to learn more about his life as a wolf. He was relieved that things had gone pretty smoothly with filling his friends in on his big secret. It was certainly a weight off his shoulders now his friends knew the truth. Now they could move on with no secrets between them, and see what the future held.