A/N: Thank you to those that have been reading and found my mistakes. I have been looking for a beta for a while and have not found one. I will continue looking.

I will also remind, this is M rated.

A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 12

-oOo-

October 12, 1994

Hogsmeade, Scotland

It was a nice fall day. The temperature was cool, the trees of the Forbidden Forest were darker. She had always thought it odd that the old alder and oaks that dominated the wood didn't lose their leaves. But again, it was only a handful of places that were still like the old world where magic roamed the land. So many Muggle places had lost that mystique and wildness.

Amelia wasn't here to ponder the dark trees though. Her gaze turned to the castle in the distance.

She was there to check up on the Auror Office in Hogsmeade and review security for the Triwizard Tournament that opened in sixteen days. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were to arrive after classes ended Friday the twenty-eighth. Susan was up in the castle. She was excited to see the tournament and about the upcoming Winter Ball. In the few letters she had gotten so far this year, she could also see her niece's anxiety with the news of attacks and what people were saying about the 'creatures' in the school.

She was proud of her niece. She had stood up for the young Hufflepuffs against some girls that had been bothering them. Susan would make a good Lady Bones someday. She had also said she had been talking with the older wolfs. She knew Hermione Granger was smart, but she hadn't realized that the girl was top of their class and was running the highest average in more than twenty years. Apparently, the girl's boyfriend, Harry Potter, seemed to be doing much better this year as well. In just a few weeks, he had jumped to be in the top five or six students.

From the reports she was getting from Minerva, the two had taken well to the responsibility they had been given over the Lobo's, as she heard they were calling themselves. They were also taking the law very seriously. The few incidents she had reports on, none of the Lobo's had started anything and they tried hard to restrain themselves. It was also evident they too their studies very seriously. Even the young Hufflepuffs were in the top ten of their year. She had a feeling Harry and Hermione were a big part of that.

"Madame Bones," Auror Fawlsey interrupted her. The man was one of her best, thus he had been assigned to the Hogsmeade Division. Five of her top eight or nine Aurors were here. She didn't trust this to anyone else. Her niece and the children in the Castle were too important. She also liked having a permanent attachment up here. She was going to the have to add the office in her budget for the future.

"Yes, Fawlsey," she asked.

"Captain Le Brun just arrived. He is accompanied by a third squad of ICW Aurors. He would like to meet with you as soon as you are available."

She nodded. She knew the ICW was provided another five Aurors. There was much trepidation of holding this event at Hogwarts given the issues Britain was experiencing. A third dark mark had been found two days ago. An eighty-five-year-old muggle-born wizard and his twenty-year-old grandson had been found. There was evidence that the grandson's fiancé was taken. She didn't want to know what would happen to the poor woman. Amelia's gut was telling her there was going to be a new werewolf soon or her life would be miserable and end horribly in eleven days if they didn't find her.

This had the Minister in a tizzy, trying to deny that anything serious was going on. Meanwhile, her Aurors had killed three werewolves, and arrested three wizards, two hags and four werewolves in the last week found to be part of an underground smuggling ring. What she didn't like was that they weren't smuggling anything that was really dangerous, but it was illegal to import certain living plants because of their invasive properties. They were also incredibly valuable to potion making.

"I'll be in in a moment. I was hoping Scrimgeour would be here by now," she told her Auror.

"Of course, Madame Bones."

She had hoped Scrimgeour would be here, but she also knew he was working with Yaxley and Green group on the leads from the busted ring and a few other deep investigations that had not found their way to the press yet. She hoped it stayed that way. After waiting five more minutes, she turned and walked in the house that was now the Hogsmeade Auror Offices. She could feel when she walked over the wards the layers of Goblin, Ministry and ICW wardweaving.

Walking into the house, the sitting room had been extended with an undetectable extension charm. It was a large meeting room easily capable of holding the thirty-four people in the room in chairs. Against the far wall, two tables lay stocked with quick foods, tea and coffee. One of the two house elves in the offices was trying to take an old pot of coffee off the table and put a new one on without being seen.

Seeing the gathered Aurors, she was thankful to the ICW. It meant she could put resources where she needed them.

"Good morning, Director," the French ICW Captain said to her, reaching out a hand. She was as impressed now as she had been the first day she had met him. His English was as impeccable as the other five languages she knew he spoke. The man shook her hand and she returned his semi-firm handshake. "I trust you are well?"

"Yes, Captain," she responded. "I trust we are still going with the plan we discussed two days ago?"

"Yes, Director. The ICW Council has approved the extra personnel."

The man tilted his head to her and stepped off to the side. The ICW was the largest presence here, but they were still letting the Ministry take the lead. Looking around the room, she noticed that some of the teams were mingled, having already formed some professional relationships over the last two months. Three squads from the ICW, one from France and two from Britain was a large contingent to have in one area like this.

She moved to the small podium in the front of the room and people quickly settled down. "Good morning," she started and received some greetings back.

"Now, I am not going to bandy around the bush. We all know why we are here and what is going on. In sixteen days students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang shall be joining us with their Headmasters and possibly a few other delegates. It was agreed that the visiting schools could bring up to twenty students each, but after some of the other events around Britain in the last few months, I think far fewer students will be coming.

Our jobs are to keep them safe and provide a haven for them on the Grounds of Hogwarts and in Hogsmeade. Headmaster Dumbledore has told us that he plans to keep the same rules about students visiting here. In short, that means any student over seventeen is allowed to come and go from Hogwarts as they please. I can tell you, that means there will be some students down here most days, mostly after classes. The rest of the students will be allowed every other weekend. Due to fears, the Headmaster has held off on letting this happen. This will be the first weekend."

"And what of those students from the visiting school," a man she recognized as the Lead Auror from one of the ICW squads asked. He had a heavy German accent. "Are we to escort students back that are in violation?"

"Keep them from getting into trouble. If any student is out after ten, then they can be escorted back to the school grounds or the castle. Discipline should be in the hands of Hogwarts or our visitors, unless they break the law. As far as visitation rights, Beauxbatons has agreed to the same rules as Hogwarts, but all their students will be seventeen or older. Durmstrang has not given us any policies yet." That was an annoyance, especially since she had been trying to organize that since June.

"Now, starting tomorrow, we are going to be starting a schedule of patrols. All patrols shall be two person teams. If your partner is missing, you find another one. Period. The patrols will be mixed and there will always be at least four. Two here in Hogsmeade, one for the grounds of Hogwarts and one in the castle. We will also keep two on duty Aurors and a few other personnel in this Office during the days. Yes, Tonks," she said to the Auror that was in much more modest chestnut hair and brown eyes today. She knew Shacklebolt was trying to keep her undercover at the moment.

"This sounds like you are expecting trouble up here, Boss."

Amelia frowned. "I am not sure what to expect. As you heard, we broke up a smuggling ring the other day and a third dark mark has occurred with victims. There is no evidence that Voldemort," there was a shiver by many of the British Aurors, "is alive. For the record, he died Halloween thirteen years ago. We do not know yet what is going on except many of the werewolf packs are riled up right now. The WRC has not seen the numbers we had hoped, but there are more than thirty that have accepted the Ministries new law."

"Vill the students be save," a man asked. He was a big man with broad shoulders and a heavy Bulgarian accent. "My son vill be here."

"That is our responsibility. To keep them safe. So far, the attacks have only been on the full moon or on isolated homesteads. I do not believe anything will happen in Hogsmeade or at Hogwarts," she told him.

-oOo-

Hogwarts Grounds, Scotland

October 19, 1994

Andromeda had been very happy to accept the position of Potions Professor for the six students in the Lobo dorms. It was even more surprising when Beauxbatons had contacted her too.

She wasn't sure how much she liked the name Lobo, but the six of them had taken to calling themselves the Lobo's. It was like a dog calling itself a Dog. She didn't think it a compliment, but they wore it like a badge of honor.

Watching them, it was obvious that Harry and Hermione led most of them, even Remus at times. The younger ones stuck close to them and looked up to them like an older brother and sister. Bonnie and Jason were interesting first-years. Where Bonnie was bouncy, full of life and talkative, Jason was quiet, reserved and shied away from everyone except Harry and Hermione. At times, she had noticed Bonnie got too riled for him.

She was glad to see that Annabel was looking healthier and happier. Her brother was being a large influence of that. Kevin still wanted her to come home, but Andromeda knew that couldn't happen. The new WRC would not allow that. She had met with her parents last week to explain things. They were not happy but had been pleased to see their daughter. She hated to take Annabel away when they had to leave.

Pierre was the odd duck out. He didn't interact with the others much, but he had seemed to make a core group of friends in the last few weeks among the third years of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor that he seemed content with. If things went well, he could go back to his family in France around Christmas, if not sooner.

The last of the group was Remus. The man looked better than he had just a month ago and for the first time she could remember, his eyes didn't look as haunted and he smiled. She suspected her daughter had much to do with that. She didn't miss the looks they gave each other or the way her daughter would take any opportunity to spend time with him or the Pack. If that is what they wanted, she would be happy for them. Nymphadora couldn't do much better than a man like Remus. Even with his affliction, he was kind, generous and caring.

She just wished that the seven people in this room didn't have to go through what they would tonight. This was the first time they would all go through the change together and she wasn't sure how the mixing of different packs, ages and longevity as a wolf would work. This was to be as much a study as a guard job to ensure they didn't cause issues in the school.

That was why they were in the well of an old storage house on the other side of the Quidditch pitch. It had been transfigured to hold fourteen cages with a walkway over them and guardroom on either side. Tonight, two other Healers and four Aurors were to observe.

At their request, Harry's pack was close to the door, with the other three close by. Pierre requested a cell at the far end. She thought that all best.

"I still don't know if it is wise to have so many in one place," an Auror she didn't recognize said as she crouched down close to her two favorite wolves.

"It is safer here than in the school," another said. At first, she hadn't realized they spoke French.

It was close to sunset and she could see they were all starting to feel the affects. The moon had already risen over the mountains and their magic was just waiting for the sun to set to start the change. "Hermione, are you alright," she asked down into the pit.

The girl had sunk to her knees and was panting. "It's getting close," she said between breaths.

"Does your blood burn again?"

"Yes," the frizzy hair brunette responded.

"And how about you, Harry," she asked. Within the next minute the sun would sink below the mountains.

"Burn, yes," he said. She could see the others, and while in pain, they didn't double over like her two Gryffindors. She really wished she could stop their pain. The others acted like she expected them too while using wolfsbane potion. Annabel was under a double dose for her size, but this time she seemed to be handling it much better. After a few minutes, she was looking at seven werewolves.

Annabel and Jason looked worse for wear. Their furs were more matted. Both had dark fur and she thought it interesting that they walked around their cages like sullen children. Bonnie looked more like Remus with a lighter brown fur and looking healthier. She had curled up on the floor, content and just laying down against the bars close to Hermione's cell.

Harry and Hermione were both sitting at the front of their cages, close to Bonnie and Remus. They had reached their hands out and were resting their clawed hands on each other. She had a feeling that wolfsbane was doing nothing for them.

"Amazing," a man said next to her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see her boss, Healer Jasper Pickerel, looking at the two Alpha's. "I have never seen anything like it. These two are closer to them than the others. Have you seen Mr. Trelew? He is acting agitated."

Jasper jumped as Jason suddenly stood up on his hind legs and howled. There was an answering howl from Pierre and then Harry and Hermione stoop up. There was a few quick barks and growls from Harry and Jason turned to him. His body language looked defiant for a moment and he snapped back. Hermione growled while Harry stared the boy down. After a moment, Jason backed away and lowered his head. When he looked back up, Harry growled at him until Jason dipped his head again and then sat.

"Did he just make Jason back down and submit without any violence," Jasper asked. She watched as Harry and Hermione settle back to where they had been. Hermione reached over and tried to touch Bonnie. When she couldn't, she whimpered and Harry yipped. "Incredible. I have never seen the effects of wolfsbane potion, but this is far more than I expected."

"I am not sure it is from Wolfsbane," she told her boss.

Thinking of her research over the last few months, she was starting to get an inkling that Hermione had been onto something. Her largest issue was where was she going to get Hagsbestian silver? That was only made by a Hags' coven and with the blood of a virgin. She knew of only three practicing covens in England and she would never condone the murder of a virgin.

-oOo-

October 22, 1994

Hogwarts, England

For a few weeks now, Hermione woke in the arms of her favorite person in the world. He was spooned behind her, his arm over her and the heat of his hand across her lower stomach. She gently wove her fingers into his hand and pulled it to her chest, holding his hand tight.

After their last turn, she was finding it harder to resist his touch. He had finally been bold enough, with her encouragement, to finally touch her more womanly parts within the last week or so. Clutching his hand, she held it tight between her breasts. She found his explorations were extremely pleasurable, if shy, and she had been tempted a few times to come to bed with a much flimsier shirt or nightdress. Or maybe none?

She knew they were moving much slower than she heard other girls in the old Gryffindor dorms, but she was quite happy with their progress. No other girl could cuddle like this whenever they wanted. Maybe that was why she didn't feel like she had to rush things that one of them may not be comfortable with yet.

Content, she wiggled in closer to Harry, wanting to be closer to his warmth on the cool Autumn morning. As she did, she felt something long and stiff press into her bottom. Harry gave out a groan in his sleep and she felt a flush go through her.

Was he really that excited to have her that close? She wondered how much of her awareness of him in his thin shorts or the fact her nightdress had ridden up and he was pressing into her knickers. Either way, she felt a heat forming in her lower sections. Her hands had started to drift some too, but she hadn't remembered him feeling this full or hot through his jeans. Surprisingly, most nights and morning they didn't do more than share a few kisses.

When she squirmed her bum again, he groaned louder. She smiled to know Harry liked her that way. When he moved, he pulled her in closer and opened his hand, resting it on the top of her chest. Her heart started to pound at the sensations.

Her mind fought her body. She was only fifteen. Was she ready to be this close yet? They were mates. She knew she would never leave him or him her. They had years to explore this and take their time. Her body, on the other hand, wanted to know what it would be like if she undressed and lay against him. His chest was bare and laying skin to skin was so tempting...

No! She berated herself. That wasn't decent. Again, though, sleeping with Harry, his morning hardon pressed into her bum, his hand on her chest and the wetness forming between her legs wasn't entirely decent either.

Harry let out a moan and she shifted his hand lower, so that it was now cupping her breast. A smell came to her that was intoxicating and went right to her core. It was something from Harry. She didn't know what, but it made her want more. She let out her own contented sigh when his hand tightened a little. Her rational mind was telling her she was going too far. Her body squirmed her bum again and she let out a moan that matched Harry's.

When Harry pulled his hand down, she held it tight against her breast. He shifted and a second later, she felt his lips on her neck. "Do you like my hand on your chest," he asked in a tired voice. A smile crossed her face.

"I won't say no if you want to explore more," she told him trying to shift enough to kiss him without moving her bottom. He groaned as she shifted. She thought she felt him grow harder against her.

His breath was hot on her throat as he kissed it again. He slowly kissed up her neck as his hand started to roam over her chest and she released his hand to let him. He sucked in her ear lobe at the same time he circled her nipple and her breath hitched before she let out a moan that sent a hot heat to her core. He was being slow and lazy about it, so unlike their more desperate snogging sessions after a long day in the halls and classes. Those times were mostly snogging, sometimes leaving love bites on their necks and hands roaming some. This time, it felt so much more intimate and excruciating as he took his time.

She let out a growl of need as he gently pushed her nightdress lower over her shoulder and started kissing her collar bone. He snaked his other hand under her, so that he was holding both breasts in his hands. He smiled into her shoulder and she moved her hand down to rub his calf. She wanted to touch him, but he was holding her too tight and the way he gently explored around her nipples with his fingers was starting to make her pant. She moved her legs. "I love you, Hermione," he whispered to her.

She whimpered at the words and his body against hers. "Say it again," she told him. He told her every morning they woke and every night before they went to bed, but the intense feeling it evoked was better than anything she could remember experiencing.

"I love you," he said into her ear before sucking on it again.

A knock came at the door and she growled at the interruption. Harry let out an annoyed sound. "What time is it," he asked.

"Does it matter," she said breathlessly as he pinched her nipples gently. She let out a squeak of pleasure.

The knock came again at Harry's door. "We are the Prefects. At least I should answer it," he told her moving away. She groaned as he pulled away, not happy to lose his warmth or the warmth he brought out in her. With how she felt, she was going to have to take a shower and relieve her tension. She wanted to be that close to him, but neither of them had been willing to cross that bridge yet. "Put a shirt on," she told him as he opened the curtain on the side of the bed. Early morning light flooded into his room.

The knock came again. "I'm coming," he said out loud taking a Gryffindor jumper off the chair at his desk and pulling it over his head. She squirmed, still feeling hot and bothered. He closed the curtain as he moved to his door. "Morning, Bonnie," Harry said still sounding tired as he opened the door.

"Morning, Harry," Bonnie said in a way to chipper voice for the morning. "Is Hermione in here? She didn't answer her door and Professor Lupin dropped this off for her today. Said he would like you two to meet him at the Three Broomsticks at noon. I wish we could go into Hogsmeade this morning too. Are you going to breakfast soon? Meghan, Quincy and Trevor should be here soon to go with us if you don't want too."

Hermione liked Bonnie, but she could talk. She also didn't want to get out of bed. "Thank you, Bonnie. I will make sure Hermione gets this. Anything else?"

"No. Should I tell Jason and Annabel they should go with us? It is going to be such a nice day. Do you think Madame Hooch would let us borrow school brooms today? Unless you know something else we can do."

Harry sounded a little gruff when he answered. "I don't know, Bonnie. Ask Madame Hooch. If you don't mind, I was going to go back to bed for a while. A little tired this morning."

"Oh. Yeah, I can ask her." There was a pause and she just barely heard Bonnie whispering. "Is Hermione ok? She smells, ah, different. You do too. It's a good smell."

Hermione flushed as she realized what Bonnie was probably smelling. Her panties were damp now, she realized in both the crotch and the back. Bonnie was too young to know about this stuff. In the back of her mind she counted eight tolls from the clock tower. "Thank you, Bonnie. We'll, ah, see you later."

"Sure, Harry."

The door closed. When he came back to the bed, she took the parchment, threw it to the side and moved to her knees. "Where were we," she asked wrapping her hands around his neck and kissing him hard. It was time for her hands to roam some.

A little before noon, Harry, Neville, Ron, Seamus and Dean walked into the Three Broomsticks with her. Remus met them and had the boys take a seat in the pub while he led her to a private room. Before the door even opened, she could smell the other werewolf. It was a feminine smell that wasn't unpleasant, but she could smell that it was part of her father's pack.

Remus opened the door. "Would you like me to stay," he asked her.

She examined the small room. There was a table with two chairs and a woman. The woman had a broad-shoulder Russian look to her. Her strong chin and dark hair had strips of white in it. She had a task master feel about her, but there was nothing about her that worried her. The smile was as friendly as she ever pictured the woman could be.

"No, I think I'll be alright," Hermione told him. "I know you and Harry aren't far away."

The woman snorted. "If I meant you harm, your father would rip my head off," the woman said in a matter of fact voice. "I am disappointed in you Remus. Why would you not trust me."

Remus gave her an easy smile. "Alexandra, I trust you with my life. I trust you with the life of this young woman. I would trust you with the life of anyone in our pack. That does not mean Ms. Granger has seen the same things we have."

Alexandra snorted again. "You need to come by the house. I miss your dry humor. Would you like me to call you Ms. Granger, Hermione or something else?"

Hermione blinked and looked at her. This woman was not whom she thought she might meet today. "Hermione, Mrs. Grinin." She stepped in and extended her hand, which was stared at.

"You will excuse me if I don't shake hands. I was not raised that way and don't believe in friendly greetings until I know you," Alexandra told her. "You can call me Alexandra. Mrs. Grinin was my mother."

Slightly taken back, she dropped her hand. "Yes, ma'am, I mean Alexandra."

The woman nodded and motioned for the empty chair. "Please take a seat. I think we have some very important things to talk about and I suppose your mate would like to spend a nice afternoon with you."

She blushed to know what they were to talk about. The door closed as she took a seat. "Yes, ma'am. There is a younger girl that made me realize I don't know much about how we, ah, those inflicted with Lycanthropy, go through our reproductive cycle."

"And the Healers at the school and St. Mungo's don't know much about it, do they? They know about your typical cycles. Do you experience them before or after the full moon?" She looked at the woman. She talked to her mum about this, a few times with Madame Pomfrey or Healer Tonks or her muggle doctors. Never a stranger that she knew nothing about. Her uncertainty must have shown. "Hermione, you asked Remus if there was someone you could talk to about being a female wolf. I am here to answer any and all questions you have, but you must answer mine in return. If it helps, I was a Healer before I was bitten, and worked for many years before retiring about a decade ago. What we talk about is only between us and whomever you tell. I would recommend telling your mate."

She flushed some. Would Harry talk with her about this? It was going to be a conversation she would have to have with him now. "I am sorry, Alexandra," she said. "You are right. If I am asking you it is only fair I reciprocate." She took in a breath. "Before the full moon. The last two months it ended the day before," she told her.

Alexandra nodded. "Good. That will reduce the possibility of your mate and you conceiving on nights of the full moon when you become active. It will also mean the months you experience heat you will have a warning and be the most fertile at the new moon."

She couldn't keep a flush coming to her face. "How do you know? And what happens when I experience heat?"

The woman looked at her. "It is very simple. It goes by your cycle. Moon cycles you go into heat, you miss your normal cycle. About twelve days after your typical bleeding ends, you will be at your most fertile. The wolf will want to breed within the few days around it. You will have an urge, no matter what you try to do, to be with your mate. If you don't have a mate, it can be a dangerous time where you may seek out whomever you think the most suited to sire your children. How old are you?"

Hermione was taking in what the woman was saying. "When you say I'll have an urge to mate, what do you mean?"

"I mean that your body will feel as though all it wants is to feel your mate in you and take his seed. For a wolf, your mate will feel the same need. You will release scents that will call him to you, and he will do the same to you once he realizes you are at your time. During that time, it is not recommended for you to be around anyone until you satisfy the lust at least once. A wolf in heat will do what she can to find her mate. You will also find that you may be very dominant over your Alpha and he will react to any threat to your safety. Now, how old are you?"

Her research on wolves had described something like this, but she had not found anything about this in books about werewolves. She was starting to think that the majority of wizarding books on werewolves were not researched on real werewolves or were colored by the author. Her eyes were wide to look at the woman. "Fifteen."

Alexandra nodded her head. "You are about the age a wolf might experience their first heat. For a witch, it is typically about the time her core has fully stabilized and starts going through its first power growth. That is typically between fourteen and sixteen. Since the moon just passed, it is too early to tell if your first heat will start soon, but I can smell your attraction to your mate. Experimenting before your first heat may not be a bad idea if you wish to be in control of the first time you have sex. Once in heat, the urge will guide you no matter what."

The flush in her cheeks deepened. She wasn't sure if she, or Harry, were ready to go that far yet, but by the sounds of it, they may not have a choice. It also struck her that she had never been this open about her future sexual life with anyone before. "How many times a year does this happen," she asked trying to distract her thoughts.

"About every six or seven moons until you reach your last menstruations," Alexandra answered. She knew that would be the next thirty to forty years. Madame Pomfrey was very clear about their reproductive systems, even what would happen when they eventually experience menopause and could no longer have children. For witches, it was typically later than muggles. "Remus may not have told you yet, but a wolf looks at the moon, not dates on a calendar. All our cycles run around the moon. Your heat. The way we change."

Hermione sat in her chair for a few. Her mind was swirling around this information. She wasn't sure how she felt about the fact that about every six moons she would lose herself like that. It was good to understand how her body worked, but it wasn't the way she knew it had before. "Alexandra, you talked about the wolf wanting my mates seed. Does that mean I will become pregnant?"

The woman gave her what she thought was a reassuring smile. "There are ways to protect yourself so that happens when you want. Do not use muggle condoms or drugs. The seed of a wizard will dissolve condoms, even if you somehow had the presence of mind to do that when turned. Muggle drug contraceptives do not work the same in a witch and will not work in a wolf. Your magic and body are not different than what you were born with."

She wasn't sure if she should panic or not. "You also can't use a typical contraceptive potion. They are developed for humans with a magical core. A wolf's reproductive system is not the same. A seed blocker or seed killer charm will work, but it is not likely you will remember to cast it every time when in heat. It is important to know for a wolf it will only work once. The safest way is a contraceptive drought I know how to brew for wolves. It will only last about nine days though, so you need to take it three times every moon cycle. Since most only experience about five or six days of heat, it is the best way."

There was a knock on the door. "I hope you don't mind, but I asked for stew and butterbeer for us."

Hermione shook her head distractedly.

-oOo-

Three Broomstick, Hogsmeade, Scotland

Remus sat at the bar. He was watching the five Gryffindor boys talking and laughing as they drank bottles of butterbeer and ate some sandwiches. Harry was calmer after his second turning. It was warming to see that he could act like a normal fourteen-year-old boy at times. Remus remembered fondly how James and Sirius treated him like any other person. Peter had always been reserved around them, and he had to admit not paying the boy as much attention as his other friends.

A man in a light winter cloak and dark hair came into the pub and sat next to him. The man looked to be in his late twenties with high cheek bones and light brown eyes. "A shot of Fire whiskey," the man said as a barman came up to him.

"I have it. Ten sickles," he said putting the required amount down. The man took the shot glass and downed it in one gulp.

It was a few minutes in the crowded and loud bar before Remus heard the man say, "He looks good."

Remus nodded. "James and Lily would have loved to see him with friends like that."

As they spoke, Harry looked towards them, a smile on his face as he looked at the man next to him. He went to get up and Remus motioned for him to stay for now. Harry gave them both a look before slowly going back to his conversation with the redheaded Weasley. Sirius sighed. "I want to spend time with them," he said sadly.

"I know, old friend, but it is too dangerous right now. Have you found out anything else," Remus asked.

"The rat has been around here recently. I've been tracking him, but he is allusive as ever. You ever hear of a town called Little Hangleton," the disguised Marauder asked.

Remus scrunched his brow. "Can't say that I have, why?"

"Not sure. I heard him muttering about it when I got close one time about three weeks ago, but I haven't seen or heard anything about him since then. The underworld has gone quiet on him." Sirius looked at Harry for a long few minutes. "Are you sure I can't see him, even for a few minutes? Where is his girl? I would like to get to know her better."

"She's talking with Alexandra and I think it's too risky. The WRC is keeping a very close eye on him and Hermione. Even having you here right now is a risk," Remus commented. "Speaking of which, Dedalus should be here soon for his monthly check on us."

Sirius nodded sadly. "Give him my love then."

Remus nodded. "Of course. We will find a way for you to see them again soon."

Sirius got up and made his way out of the pub. There were some Aurors outside the door. Remus loosened his grip on his cup as they didn't pay Sirius any mind. Remus let out a breath when he saw Sirius walk away past the windows. Remus continued to nurse his mead and ate a bowl of his favorite stew while he waited for Dedalus. At close to one, Remus could smell the man before he entered the pub. Glancing over at Harry and his friends, he noticed Harry had turned to the door and a moment later he was excusing himself.

"Afternoon, Remus," the man said with cheer as he shook his hand. "Ah, and Mr. Potter. Always a pleasure." Harry still looked apprehensive at the exuberant way that the man greeted him, shaking his hand with fervor. "And where is Ms. Granger? The appointment was for the three of you."

"She is here, just in another private meeting. Rosmerta has a room reserved for us down the hall and we can get her on the way," Remus told the man. It had been generally agreed upon that Remus would speak for them. A few minutes later, they had settled into a small private dining room and Dedalus was unpacking his satchel. Hermione and Harry were sitting up straight.

"Now, I assume you have your proof of confinement and the wolfsbane potion available," Dedalus said placing a printed form on the table with a quill and ink.

Remus took out six parchments from his pocket. "Signed and confirmed by Captain Shacklebolt of the Hogsmeade Auror group and Healer Tonks of St. Mungo's."

"Excellent! I hear you are also representing Ms. Annabel Entwhistle, Ms. Bonnie Green and Mr. Jason Wilmont?"

"I am. I have their certified papers as well."

"Very good," Dedalus said filling in lines and a list of names on the forms. "Any change in pack status?"

"The Pack now claims Nymphadora Tonks," Harry spoke up. Remus looked at him. He knew the other two knew that Tonks and him had started to spend time together, but he had not discussed this yet with Harry. Technically, Harry didn't need to claim her, not being a werewolf, but it would extent some extra protection to the pack if it came to her defense.

Dedalus looked shocked for a moment before nodding. "I assume she is with you, Remus," the man said writing on his parchment.

"For now, she is just part of the pack," Remus responded. He didn't need them knowing more than they should and he was still very uncertain about this relationship, even if he could tell she was his mate.

After a few more questions, Dedalus put his quill down, folded his hands on the table as he regarded them. Remus didn't care for how often the man's gaze fell on Harry or searched his forehead for his scar. After a moment, the man sighed. "I do have one important item to talk to you about before I can let you go today."

Remus could smell how Harry and Hermione went on guard. "What is it you want to talk about? We are following all the rules and restrictions."

Dedalus smiled congenially. "Oh, this is nothing to do with that. I find it very satisfactory how your pack is performing. No, this has to do with your Asylum request and a response we received. Now that the WRC is fully intact and the ICW has certified the law."

"When did this happen?" Remus was suspicious and Hermione stiffened.

"Three days ago. Albus was able to get the Council to approve the law, and make it so that it would not be able to be reversed without the ICW approval." Remus frowned. It was a masterful ploy. By doing this, the Wizengamot could not make the law any more restrictive than it was. They could make it less restrictive, but that was highly unlikely. In that way, it would protect Harry and Hermione or other werewolves. He was not breaking his oaths.

"And what of the anti-werewolf laws," Hermione asked.

Dedalus looked at her. "I don't think you need worry about that Ms. Granger. You are being compliant with the Reform Law so there is no concern," he told her.

"How could the ICW approve of this law, but still have the Ministry under warning from the last law," she pressed.

His brow scrunched. "How do you know about that, Ms. Granger. There has been no official release about that."

"Not in Britain, Mr. Diggle," Harry said. "But we are allowed to get papers from other countries and information directly from the ICW. Did the ICW remove its warning?"

Dedalus frowned. "No, Mr. Potter. That is not what I am here to talk to you about though." He unfolded his hands and opened a folder. "Since the WRC is now recognized as the controlling body of the creatures classified as werewolves. Now that you are a controlled creature..."

There was a growl from Remus and Harry. Dedalus looked at them wearily. "We are people," Hermione voiced up over the males. "I would appreciate you calling us as such. And this control better not mean more than is already in place."

The look from the girl was as hard as the others. "Quiet, yes. Well, the law has not changed. But all official ICW requests and correspondents related to your status are to be passed through our office now. We received this mail from the Control of Creatures Department and the Department of Magical Rights."

"That is illegal to receive and open mail that is directly addressed to a witch or wizard. The Codes of Magical Communication of the Ministry and Treaties of International Magical Communication forbid this. Those requests were sent directly to the MACUSA and the ICW under our direct names. Where is the envelope in which those letters came in," Granger said irate.

Harry put a hand on her arm to calm her down before turning a very critical eye to him. Before Harry could say anything, Remus spoke up. "Who told you you could do this? We may be classified magical creatures, but each of us in this room holds a wand. That classifies us as a wizard or witch first. Ms. Granger is correct that this in an illegal use of the law and any certifying body of the ICW or the Ministry. You will have the envelopes and any other communications you may be holding to me by dinner tonight."

Dedalus looked at them. "I am not sure what laws and treaties you are referring too, but these are the instructions from Head Selwyn and in the official letter of certification from the ICW. All future communications of this will have to go through our office. Would you like these that I have?"

"Give them here," Harry spoke grabbing them and handing them to Hermione.

"Dedalus, I understand you may be following your instructions, but you must realize that this is illegal? Can I obtain a copy of your instructions and your rules? You can send them directly to me or our solicitor, Ted Tonks," Remus said trying to keep the anger out of his voice. He was not happy with this latest development.

"They are delaying Harry's Asylum date until the new year. Ilvamorny will still accept him start of winter term in January, but only if the claims of Harry's blood and family status are settled under the Preservation of Magical Heritage Act. Remus, you and I are cleared to leave," she said in an incredulous tone. "These are dated October 3rd. Why haven't we received our mail for nineteen days? Remus, we need a meeting directly with Madame Bones today."

"I agree. Dedalus, is there any other business we must complete for the WRC today?"

Dedalus again felt flustered. Four times now he had met with them, and most of the meetings had gone this way. "No, Remus. That is all I needed to do today."

"Thank you, but we must leave then. Harry. Hermione. Let's go. I will let Minerva know you are leaving Hogsmeade for a few hours."

-oOo-

October 31, 1994

Great Hall, Hogwarts

The chatter in the Great Hall was louder than normal tonight. It was Halloween. One of the largest days of celebration in the wizarding world and the names of the Champions were to be called tonight. Looking around the hall, he saw the mostly burly looking Durmstrang lot sitting amongst the Slytherins. They didn't talk much, and when they did, it was mostly in Polish or Bulgarian. Many of the Slytherin tried to engage with them, but the Durmstrang students were not taking the bait.

Albus was not sure which of them would get to represent them, but he figured Victor Krum was better than even odds. Benjin Greive was another good option.

At the Slytherin table, he knew four had put their names in, but he didn't consider any of them contenders.

Next was Ravenclaw and Beauxbatons. In the center of the table, the Beauxbatons contingent were surrounded by the students of Ravenclaw and easily fit in. Many Ravenclaw knew French or other languages, and he could easily hear four going at any time. Fleur Delacour was at the center of the attention, but to the annoyance of many girls around the area. He had heard she was quite skilled, but Yorgen Schmeit was the favored, according to Madame Maxime. He had a feeling the Headmistress would be pleased with either champion.

Looking at the contingents from both schools, his regret was that so few where here. Originally, it had been planned to allow all students who would be seventeen by Halloween to enter. He had planned on upwards of twenty students from each school. When Durmstrang arrive with twelve and Beauxbatons with eight, he had been most displeased.

Looking around the room, he found some of the issue at the Gryffindor table. All six wolfs sat at the end of the table. It was supposed to be a house feast, but at some point over the last month, the students had decided the Lobo Dorms were their own house. He was most displeased by this, but he didn't risk stopping it after Remus and McGonagall blamed him for not standing up to the Board and allowing the beasts into the normal dorms. He didn't trust them in the normal dorms.

He tried to ignore that as he looked around his students. Of the dozen or more that had entered, he had his eye on three. Angelina Johnson had turned seventeen yesterday. She was very skilled for her age, brave as any Griffindor should be, had led a bit of the response to the Lobo students in protecting and accepting them and was in line for Headgirl next year.

Then there was the current Headboy. He was a Hufflepuff that had worked hard to be top of his class, on track for a mastery in Magical History or Charms and the son of a semi-prominent Ministry Head of Department. Cedric Diggory had also had the same response to the Lobo's, especially after Harry had very publicly called out his lax in duties. Albus didn't agree with the boy's method, but Harry was going to be ruled more by the beast now.

The last one was a Ravenclaw that very few knew, being very quiet and only just missed making Headgirl. Racheal Wood was the younger sister of Oliver Wood. Where Oliver had been a very athletic and mildly good student, she was very bright and a crack at her wand, being President of the Charms club and part of the English Unprofessional Dueling Team.

After that, he just hoped the rest of the tournament and year went to plan. Whose plan, he wasn't sure on yet.

His plans had finally turned around over a week ago and he knew that Harry would be trapped here now. It had been nice to be able to read his letters and correspondence again. He hadn't known how far and close they had gotten to leaving the country tomorrow. He was doing as Remus asked and helping Harry get his inheritance. Remus didn't tell him how.

The feast was getting close to being completed and he would get the honor to announce the champions. Given the start of the year, he was hoping this would get things back on track.

"It must be getting close," an annoyed Kakaroff said.

"Patience, by dear Karkaroff," the deep, accented voice of Headmistress Maxime tried to calm him.

"I agree with Kaka'off," a balding Ludo Bagman said. "We should end the feast and get on with this."

Dumbledore sighed. "It is not time yet. There is still ten more minutes that a potential Champion can still submit a name. The rules state not until eight tonight," Bartemius Crouch said with annoyance.

It felt like he was babysitting children!

"I agree with Mr. Crouch," Albus said with a sour taste in his mouth. "The flames have not yet turned blue. Until then, a last-minute entry can still be submitted." He looked at the red flames dancing merrily in the wooden cup.

At a few minutes 'til, he motioned for the tables to clear themselves and all the students turned to him with rapt attention as he walked to the cup in front of the table. "Thank you all for your attention. As the hosting school, it is the honor of the Headmaster to call out the Champions."

He clapped his hands together and looked. "Everyone that has entered, will acknowledge that they are signing a magically binding contract. If your name comes out, you will be required to compete to the best of your ability. Anything less and the contestant will have to answer to the Cup with their magic. Anyone that has submitted their name, may remove it right now by raising their wand."

He waited a moment and gave a grandfatherly smile when no one's wand rose. He had hoped that wouldn't happen, but there had been instances in the past. "Any moment now, the cup should change its flames to blue, signifying the official start of the tournament. They will not extinguish until the tournament is complete. Ah, I believe that is the signal," he said drawing everyone's attention to the Cup. It had started to spark and sputter in a moment had changed from red to a iridescent blue. He had been waiting for this moment for a while.

He only had to wait seconds before the flames flared up to a good three feet tall and a piece of parchment about ten centimeters long came shooting out. He reached out to grab it. His eyes lit with the name. "Fleur Delacour will be representing Beauxbatons."

There were cheers from much of the hall and he had to internally chuckle when many of the male population followed the pretty little half-vela. If he were years younger, he would have the same feelings. The blonde young woman walked up to the front, proud and dignified and walked out the side of the Great Hall to a side chamber.

As soon as she was out of the hall, the Cup flared again. "Victor Krum will be representing Durmstrang," he announced clearly. The applause was much the same. The bowlegged Bulgarian lopped to the side door. There were a few girls that looked at the International Quidditch Player longingly. He could see a few good matches that would certainly add new blood to the magical houses of Britain.

Again, as soon as Krum was in the door, the cup flared again. He caught a piece of parchment. "Hogwarts Champion shall be Cedric Diggory!" The cheers were deafening. Yes. At least one thing was going well this year.

"This way, Mr. Diggory," he said gesturing towards the door as he walked up to the front of the room. "Congratulations," he said jovially. The Headboy nodded with a dignified half smirk.

"Now, the Triwizarding Tournament has officially begun, and the contestants have been chosen. In a little while, they will be given instructions on how to prepare for the first task. As said before, each task will test the knowledge and determination of each contestant. I must tell you; the contestants will not be able to ask for help from any Professor or Official involved in the tournament. With that said, I think I can dismis..." He trailed off as the cup flared again. His eyes went wide. He had placed enchantments around the cup that should have only allowed those over seventeen and under twenty into the circle. It was a perfect opportunity for the Death Eaters that were becoming active again or for a resurgent Voldemort to get at Harry. His life debt made him do things to protect the cup in ways that he would never have before. How did someone get past his wards? No one besides a student approached the cup. He was sure of that. The cup should have only allowed students from officially recognized schools and only students from three schools were present.

The fire spit out a piece of parchment that flew up high and slowly fluttered down. He felt his heart beat in his chest. His magic flaring trying to protect himself. He knew the name on the slip was going to be another student of his school. He hoped magic would recognize that he had done all he could to keep Harry Potter out of this, as much as he might have wanted the boy to be in the tournament when he had agreed to this.

The Great Hall was silent as he waited seconds for it to finally be within reach. He grabbed at it, hoping that he would still be standing after reading the name. Taking a breath, he held the paper up, his eyes going wide as he read the name. He blinked. "Well, Dumbledore, what does it say," Crouch said walking over to him.

Albus looked up and scanned the hall for the boy on the list. "Champion for Calperth Preparatory School, Draco Malfoy."