Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I am writing this fanfiction for my own amusement and make no profit, all characters in this story are the property of J.K Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Brothers, ect.
AN: Pretty easygoing chapter, bit of fluff mostly Harry and Lavender bonding.
AN: I know some of you were disappointed Harry became a werewolf but I thought it would be more fun to go this route, Harry and Lavender will be much closer as they suffer through the same affliction. There is also the fact that Harry turns into a five hundred pound killing machine, is resistant to most spells, and has enhanced senses and strength in his human form and I always loved werewolf horror movies.
Great Hall, 1/27/1997, 09:34
Harry was having a pretty good morning, he had slept most of the day yesterday and felt full of energy, it had been four days since the full moon and he was back to normal, or rather his new normal.
The hall was emptying as classes were about to start, he didn't have transfiguration until lunch so he was eating at a leisurely pace enjoying the quieter atmosphere.
He had been called into the hospital wing to have a lycanthrope test this morning, it was completely unnecessary in his opinion but the governors wanted the results on file.
"You're running awful late this morning," Lavender said cheerfully before taking a seat next to him.
"I had to get tested this morning," Harry said with a shrug.
"Can I ask you a question?" Lavender asked.
"You just did," Harry said with a grin.
"Smartass," Lavender huffed good naturedly as she swiped a piece of bacon from his plate.
"There is a platter of bacon over there, what is your question?" Harry asked exasperated.
"What do I look like as a wolf?" Lavender asked curiously.
"Well your massive like the size of a tiger or large lion, you have snow-white fur and a poodle tail," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Your making that last part up," Lavender protested.
"Your tail has a tuft at the end and it reminds me of when people style a poodles hair," Harry said seriously.
"Hm, I hope your serious because the poodle jokes are getting old," Lavender warned pointing a strip of bacon at him threateningly.
"I promise I am being serious, you'll be able to remember the next transformation so you can see for yourself," Harry said seriously.
"I just wish I knew which one of us ripped the cage door open," Lavender said thoughtfully.
"Some mysteries are never solved," Harry said sagely.
"Do you want to eat with me in the kitchens tonight, I hate being stared at through dinner?" Lavender asked hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe we can get something better for dinner like a nice big salmon fillet," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I thought you liked steak?" Lavender asked.
"I do but I can't spend my whole life just eating steaks, and rare pork is a bit risky. I hear you can eat fish on the raw side pretty safely, ever heard of sashimi?" Harry asked.
"No, what is it?" Lavender asked curiously.
"It's a Japanese dish, it's basically just raw fish usually tuna you dip in soy sauce," Harry said.
"Hm, I think I will stick with a steak or maybe some rare lamb chops," Lavender said thoughtfully.
"That does sound pretty good," Harry said nodding.
Their conversation was interrupted when Daphne walked by their table and dropped a note on Harry's plate before continuing on her way. Lavender's eyes followed the girl until she had left the hall not that Harry noticed as he was busy reading the short letter.
Potter,
It arrived this morning, meet me in the room in ten minutes.
D.G
P.S Sorry it took longer than I originally said.
"What was that about?" Lavender asked.
"She acquired a very expensive book for me, she just let me know it arrived," Harry said standing up.
Lavender stood as well and walked with him out of the hall.
"Why didn't she just give it to you?" Lavender questioned.
"It's not a very pleasant book and I'm pretty sure it's banned inside the school," Harry said as they started climbing the stairs.
"Why would you want a book like that?" Lavender asked suspiciously.
"Would you believe me if I told you Hermione is the one wanting it?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, that doesn't sound like her at all," Lavender said.
"Tell me about it, still I am making three and a half galleons playing the middle man," Harry said with a grin.
"Wow, that's enough to buy a new dress," Lavender said hopefully.
"I don't wear them," Harry said feigning ignorance making her glare at him in annoyance.
They arrived at the room, it had the same door as the last time he met Daphne here, Harry opened the door and they both stepped inside.
This time it was just an empty room, stonewalls with torches on them for light with no furnishings of any kind.
"Potter, you know we do our business alone," Daphne said testily.
"She's cool I can vouch for her," Harry assured her.
"Fine, but if anything comes back to me... well I don't have to tell you what will happen," Daphne said ominously.
"It won't," Harry said confidently.
"Very well, here is your book. You'll be pleased to know it's a first edition and in very good shape given its age," Daphne said proudly holding out the leather-bound tome for him to take.
Harry looked the book over and whistled in appreciation, this book had to be four hundred years old and was in better shape than his first-year potions text.
Harry conjured a large square of cloth and gently wrapped the book in it before placing it in his bag.
"Did you turn?" Daphne asked curiously.
"Yeah, I am definitely a werewolf," Harry said unabashedly.
"Damn, now I will have to pick my own moonflower petals," Daphne said.
"Well I can watch your back as a wolf provided I have some wolfsbane," Harry said half-jokingly.
"Hm, that might work," Daphne said as if seriously considering it.
"We've got until September to figure it out," Harry said with a grin.
"True, I gotta run but enjoy the book," Daphne said before briskly heading towards the door.
"Thanks again," Harry called after her getting a hand wave from the girl as she walked through the door.
"I didn't mean to cause any problems," Lavender said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, she's just very cautious about this kind of thing," Harry assured her.
"Are you sure she seemed pretty irritated," Lavender said sounding skeptical.
"It's fine, she is always on edge," Harry said dismissively.
"I have to head to divination, I'll see you at lunch," Lavender said checking her watch.
"Okay, see you at lunch," Harry said as she headed out of the door leaving him alone in the room.
Harry checked his watch and made sure he had enough time, he closed his eyes imagining a large couch with plenty of light for reading. Harry heard a wooshing sound and opened his eyes to see a large comfy leather sofa under a chandelier with dozens of candles set into it bathing the room in an orange glow.
He plopped on the couch getting comfortable before pulling the book from his bag and carefully perusing it.
This book was disgusting, there were all sorts of rituals detailed in the book that required human sacrifice, summoning rituals, instructions on how to create inferius, a ritual to split your soul to make a person immortal, and some truly evil spells that had no real purpose other than to cause a person unimaginable pain. Whoever wrote this book was a truly despicable human being.
Harry finally had enough when he came across a spell designed to be cast on a pregnant woman. The spell would turn the woman's unborn child into a flesh-eating monster that would eat its mother from the inside out.
Checking his watch Harry saw he had ten minutes to get to transfiguration, putting the book away he left the room, he could pass a message to Granger as they shared the class or better yet he would find her in the library later on.
'Now I get why Sirius didn't want me reading that,' Harry thought to himself as he made his way to down the third floor.
Library, 18:45
Harry spotted his target sitting at a table near the back of the library.
Harry walked over casually and plopped down beside the bookworm and across from Neville Longbottom.
"Harry, good evening," Hermione said her tone questioning.
"Good evening Granger, your package has arrived, come to the statue of Farquaad the filthy before curfew to pick it up," Harry said quietly.
"Okay, are you sure it's the right book?" Hermione asked licking her lips excitedly.
"Yes, I looked through it when I received it this morning and felt like I needed a shower by the time I got halfway through it," Harry said seriously.
"It's that bad?" Neville questioned.
"Yes, that book should never have seen the light of day," Harry said in disgust.
That seemed to be the right thing to say as Neville dug a leather money pouch out of his bag and handed it to Harry.
"Eighty-five galleons," Neville said sliding the pouch to Harry.
Nodding Harry pocketed the pouch and rose before stopping and looking at Hermione, "The password is treacle, use a disillusionment charm when you come by." Harry said before leaving the library.
Lavender was on her way back to her dormitory after joining Parvati to practice reading the crystal ball. She felt so much better since the full moon, her whole body felt as if it were thrumming with energy and all her senses were working better than ever.
One of those senses was smell which had just picked up a familiar scent on this corridor, Hermione Granger was close by. Scanning the corridor closely she made out a distortion in the air heading towards Harry's dorm.
A low growl resonated from deep in her throat echoing eerily in the high ceilinged corridor. The distortion froze in its tracks and Lavender moved forward towards the last place she saw it. Her hackles were raised so to speak but she couldn't understand why, some things she did nowadays felt like instinct more than by choice.
Before she got close to Granger the statue in front of Harry's dorm sink into the ground and Harry stepped out looking around confused.
"Is something the matter Lavender?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Yes, I can smell Hermione sneaking around this corridor," Lavender said quietly.
Harry shook his head in amusement before saying, "Come inside, I'll explain."
Harry had been reading when he heard a deep growl coming from the hall outside, he assumed it was Lavender but couldn't think as to why she would be growling in warning in the middle of the hallway.
Once he had gotten her to come into his dorm he held the door open and Hermione snuck in still concealed under a disillusionment charm.
"Well that was fun," Harry said as he closed the door.
"I knew it," Lavender said smugly when Hermione dropped the charm.
"Yes, you have a gifted nose," Harry said with a smile.
"You about gave me a heart attack," Hermione groused.
"Sorry, the growl was involuntary, Lavender said sheepishly.
" She's not lying you wouldn't believe how many quirks our wolf side has," Harry said candidly.
"Okay, now where is the book?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"On the desk," Harry said pointing with his thumb.
Hermione rushed over and found the book wrapped in cloth sitting on the desk, she gently unwrapped it and looked it over critically.
"This book is in remarkable condition for it's age," Hermione said in awe.
"Yes, and it's a first edition as well, though personally I think you should burn it when you're done with it," Harry suggested.
"Burn a book are you insane?" Hermione exclaimed as if the very thought was painful to hear.
"Some books should never be read," Harry said cryptically.
"Whatever, I had better get back before curfew," Hermione said as she wrapped the book up and slid it in her bag.
"Don't forget the disillusionment charm and if you get caught you didn't get it from me," Harry warned.
"Okay, thanks by the way," Hermione said before casting the spell on herself and slipping out of the door.
"I can't believe she actually bought that book, I thought you were having me on," Lavender said in surprise.
"I was a bit shocked as well but Longbottom paid for it so I think it's for something important," Harry explained.
"Well, that does make sense, whenever something happens around here Longbottom is right in the thick of it," Lavender said after some thought.
"He is a bit of a trouble magnet," Harry agreed.
"So are you," Lavender pointed out as she kicked off her shoes and flopped onto his bed.
"Fair point but I really do try to avoid it," Harry said with a shrug.
"You are always in trouble," Lavender said with a giggle.
"I am not very good at avoiding it," Harry confessed.
"How did your studying go?" Harry asked as he took a seat in his desk chair.
"Okay, thought I was reading in my journal about my past predictions and I found an entry on the twenty-eighth of September where I saw a wolf under a fir tree," Lavender said quietly.
"Wait a minute, I remember you telling me about that when we had lunch in Hogsmeade," Harry said after thinking on it.
"Yes, I thought at the time it had something to do with that werewolf chasing you through the forest but now I think it I was seeing the attack at Christmas," Lavender exclaimed.
"That's why I never took divination, the readings can be perceived a hundred different ways and you only know for sure after it happens," Harry said.
"I've always found the idea of knowing the future fascinating," Lavender said with a grin.
"That's basically what arithmancy is about only it's very limited and does work on a personal level," Harry said.
"That's how they predict the weather isn't it?" she asked.
"Yeah, but predicting the weather is a nightmare, we have been working on calculating the weather a month in advance and it is really tedious," Harry explained.
"You can lay on the bed with me I don't bite... often," Lavender corrected.
Nodding Harry kicked off his shoes and lay on the other side of the bed staring up at the canopy.
"Have you heard from your parents?" Harry asked.
"My mother still writes to me, she says my dad is a mess since the attack," Lavender said softly.
"Do you know where you're going over the summer?" Harry asked.
"No but I hope it's somewhere with a forest, I didn't like having to change in that shack," Lavender confessed.
"That's where Remus used to change when he was in school. My dad and Sirius found out what he was and became animagus to keep him company on the full moon. They used to sneak him out of the shack and run around the forbidden forest during the full moon," Harry said sharing the short version of the story Sirius had told him many times.
"I wish we could run through the forest," Lavender said with a sigh.
"Dumbledore set up wards that prevent us from leaving when these damn bracelets are active, that's why they only activate on the full moon," Harry explained.
"That bastard," Lavender exclaimed making Harry snort.
"Yeah I don't like him very much either," Harry said.
"I used to until he set up that tournament in our fourth year and Neville got entered right under his nose," Lavender admitted.
"Yeah that was pretty fishy, I still don't believe he couldn't have found a way to get him out of that," Harry agreed.
"Exactly and then last year he let that awful woman run roughshod over the school," Lavender added.
"Ugh, I hated they cough of hers," Harry exclaimed.
"I heard Hermione gave her over to the centaurs and they... well you know the myths about centaurs," Lavender said shuddering at the thought.
"Did you see the woman? Personally, I feel sorry for the centaurs," Harry said causing Lavender to giggle and scoot closer to him and resting her head on his shoulder.
"You asked me the other day what I do for fun but you never told me your hobbies," Lavender said as she snuggled closer to him.
"I was into dueling, I won't be able to compete professionally now but I used to do that every summer," Harry said very conscious of her body pressed against his side.
"That sounds kind of dangerous," Lavender said softly her breath tickling his neck.
"It can be, but I never got hurt too badly," Harry said only to hear soft snoring coming from Lavender.
Harry lay there reveling in the feel of her against him her slow breathing was very soothing and Harry's eyes started feeling heavy.
'I could get used to this,' Harry thought as drifted to sleep dreaming of runs in the forest and chasing the white wolf, this time he got closer than ever to catching her.
Harry's Dorm, 1/26/1997, 07:38
Scent that's the first thing he noticed when he regained consciousness, the distinct smell the could only belong to Lavender. Harry kept his eyes shut and reveled in her scent before he became aware of her body pressed against his own.
He could see daylight coming in through the window over his desk, Harry wondered for the dozenth time how that window word as it was not set into an exterior wall.
Hae had missed his morning run but he honestly wasn't too bothered about that at the moment. Lavender was sleeping in the same position she fell asleep in last night her body pressed into his side.
Harry couldn't feel his left arm as it was very much asleep, he almost dreaded the pins and needles he would be feeling shortly.
Harry gently shook the girl sleeping peacefully beside him and whispered, "It's time to wake up.'
"Hmm, but I'm so comfy," Lavender mumbled her eyes still closed.
"It's time for breakfast," Harry said gently and watched her eyes flutter open.
"Sorry I fell asleep on you," Lavender said not moving an inch.
"Somehow I don't believe you, Harry said with a grin.
" I was just being polite, you're a wonderful pillow," Lavender said as she sat up.
Harry had to roll onto his right side as his left arm just flopped, as soon as he stood up he was assaulted by the intense tingling sensation all through his arm starting at his fingertips.
"Is something wrong?" Lavender asked amused as he flapped his arm around.
"My arm fell asleep," Harry said as he started regaining the use of his arm.
"At least we didn't wake up naked," Lavender pointed out.
"I wouldn't have minded that," Harry mumbled making Lavender blush.
"Don't get your hopes up Potter," Lavender said still blushing.
"Sorry I forgot you could hear so well," Harry said sheepishly.
"It's fine you're a guy they only think about three things according to 'Teen Witch Weekly,'" Lavender said with a grin.
"What three things?" Harry asked as he pulled some clothes from his wardrobe.
"Eating, sleeping, and sex," Lavender said bluntly.
"You forgot quidditch," Harry pointed out.
"You don't even follow quidditch," Lavender said in amusement.
"Well no I don't, but that just proves that magazine is complete tripe because most guys do," Harry said stubbornly.
"Sure whatever you say, I need to get back to my room and get ready, I'll see you at breakfast," Lavender said with a shake of her head.
Thirty minutes later Harry was seated and enjoying a large bacon sandwich when Lavender came over and took her seat.
"Parvati caught me leaving your room, this morning," she said ruefully.
"So? Nothing happened," Harry said nonplussed.
"She'll still be unbearable for the next few days," Lavender said grumpily.
"Just be glad it wasn't Luna," Harry said seriously.
"Just be glad it wasn't Luna what?" Luna's voice asked from behind him.
"That found a spell to turn your enemies into pudding," Harry lied.
"There is no such spell, I've looked," Luna said taking a seat across from them.
"So you finally stopped avoiding me," Harry said with a grin.
"I figured if you were really mad Colin would have felt your wrath by now," Luna answered.
"We both know it wasn't his idea," Harry said dismissively.
"So you're going to yell at me now in front of Lavender?" Luna asked deflating.
"You're almost sixteen what you do is your business," Harry said with a shrug.
"Wait, What?" Luna asked incredulously.
"You're old enough to make your own decisions and I like Colin," Harry said matter of factly.
"Luna's already large eyes had doubled in size and her pale eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline, " Your teasing me aren't you, this is some elaborate payback for me selling your underwear to Ginny Weasley," Luna exclaimed suspiciously.
"You what?!" Harry demanded.
"Nothing, never mind. So you really do mean it?" Luna asked hopefully.
"Yes now back to my underwear, why would you sell them to Ginny Weasley?" Harry demanded.
"I may have told her they were Neville's and you really don't want to know anymore," Luna confessed.
"That's it, I've had it with your shenanigans," Harry exclaimed.
"Harry would you mind coming to the library, I need to finish Transfiguration homework before lunch," Lavender said cutting off Luna's rebuttal.
"Right," Harry said glaring one last time at Luna who was looking back at him innocently Harry got up and headed towards the library with a giggling Lavender in tow.
Library, 2/7/1997, 18:13
"We're planning a birthday party?" Lavender asked surprised.
"Yes, why does that surprise you so much?" Harry asked.
"You just don't seem like the type," Lavender said with a shrug.
Normally you would be right but Luna really enjoys birthday parties," Harry said looking pointedly at Colin who was sitting across from him.
"So where are we going to have it?" Colin asked.
"There is a large abandoned classroom on the third floor, I can have my elf clean it up pretty easily," Harry said after some thought.
"What about the cake do you know what kind she likes?" Lavender asked making notes.
"Chocolate pudding cake," Colin said beating Harry to the punch.
"That is pretty easy to make thought the elves would probably be happy to do it, what about guests?" Lavender expectantly.
"Most of that defense club, with the exception of Cho Chang, Marietta Edgecombe, and Lauren Pippers," Harry said after some thought.
"Why aren't they invited?" Lavender asked.
"In Luna's first year those three were tormenting her, stealing her clothes, ruining her homework, and locking her out of Ravenclaw Tower. I didn't find out about it until November when I was coming back from detention and found crying outside the entrance wearing only her nightgown," Harry said angrily.
"That's why she followed you around everywhere," Lavender said.
"Yes, this year is the first time she has gone off on her own, I have you to thank for that," Harry said looking at Colin.
"I didn't mean to-
" It's fine, if I didn't like you then you'd know about it," Harry said cutting Colin off.
Harry didn't notice the tender look he was receiving from Lavender while he had been talking.
"So that just leaves the music and snacks, I think Parvati and I can find a gramophone and some 'Weird Sisters' albums which only leaves refreshments," Lavender said making notes on a piece of parchment.
"We can probably arrange that with the elves as well, they love this kind of stuff," Harry said with a grin.
"Alright, we have our plans we have six days," Lavender said excitedly.
"I hope you all remember presents as well," Harry said looking at Colin who nodded his understanding.
"Of course," Lavender said as if it were obvious.
'I can't wait to see the look on her face,' Harry thought with a grin.
R.o.R, 2/13/1997, 15:32
Harry, what are we doing here?" Luna pouted.
She was getting quite irritated which was unusual for her but Harry hadn't wished her a happy birthday once today, Colin had been busy all afternoon and there was no pudding on the tables today.
"I need to practice a spell and need a human guinea pig I mean partner," Harry explained as he opened the door and Luna stomped inside.
"SURPRISE!"
Luna jumped a foot in the air as the dark classroom was illuminated in bright light and a chorus of people had shouted in greeting.
Looking around Luna beamed a few tears running down her cheek as she saw most of the defense club wearing birthday hats grinning at her, she could see a massive pan of chocolate pudding cake with sixteen candles lit on top of it, off to the side of the cake was a sizeable pile of presents and 'Do the Hippogryff' was playing in the background.
She hadn't had a birthday party like this since she was nine, her mother used to do it for her every year until she had died. Her father loved her very much and was always there for her but he forgot her birthday half the time as he was so focused on his work.
Luna threw her arms around Harry, sniffling into his chest, she mumbled her thanks.
Harry grinned as he watched Luna mingling amongst her guest, most of them gave him and Lavender a wide berth but this was Luna's party so as long as she was happy he could care less.
Looking over he saw Lavender watching the group with a wistful expression on her face, Harry could tell she missed being part of the crowd so to speak.
"Do you want to dance?" Harry asked catching her attention.
Lavender beamed at him and nodded, "I would love to."
Harry offered her his hand and led her onto the tiny dance floor as the song changed to 'This is the Night' which was a slow number, Harry placed his hands on her waist while hers were resting on his shoulders. They both swayed to the music and Lavender sighed happily.
"It was really nice of you to set this up for her," Lavender said softly.
"Yeah she looks happy," Harry said as he watched her dancing with Colin further down the dance floor.
"I hope you plan on throwing me a party in November," Lavender said teasingly.
"Maybe I will", Harry said pulling her tighter to him so her head rested on his chest.
" So are you ever going to kiss me or do I have to make the first move?" Lavender asked softly.
Harry's heart sped up at the question, he looked down at her she was looking up at him, her eyes almost sparkling in the light from the candles floating overhead. Harry leaned down slowly having to force himself not to rush this, when their lips touched he was gentle, kissing her softly not trying to dominate her but to convey his desire for her.
Lavender's hands slid from his shoulders to loop around his neck as she deepened the kiss, sighing into his mouth as they both got lost in the moment. They were brought back to reality when they heard clapping and wolf whistles in the background, the pulled apart faces flushed but both wore matching grins.
"It's about time," Luna's voice cut in.
"Tell me about it," Lavender sighed.
"Happy Birthday Luna, I'm sorry I had to trick you all day," Harry said with a sheepish smile.
"Have you seen that cake, you are so forgiven," Luna chirped happily.
"Happy Birthday Luna," Lavender said pulling the smaller girl into a hug.
"Thank you, and thanks for snogging Harry it might put him in a better mood," Luna said with a grin making them both blush
"Do you mind if I have a quick word with Parvati?" Lavender asked and darted away before either Luna or Harry could answer.
"Way to go Luna you scared her off," Harry complained.
"She's just going to brag to Parvati," Luna said dismissively.
"So how was it?" Luna asked with a smirk.
"Amazing," Harry said with a goofy grin
"You can be such a girl sometimes," Luna said with a sigh.
"Alright birthday girl that's enough out of you, go enjoy your party," Harry said with a grin.
"Oh, I am. I can't believe almost the entire D.A showed up, though I am glad Ron and the three bitches did not," Luna said happily.
"Well I made sure the three bitches didn't show up," Harry said with a grin.
"Daddy sent me a card this morning, he's been staying with a large pack in Germany documenting their social habits. They were pretty welcoming from what he said in his letter," Luna told him excitedly.
"Too bad the British packs are being persecuted because of Greyback, " Harry said sourly.
Harry had talked to Sirius a couple of days ago on the mirror, the order had finally confirmed that Greyback was behind all of the attacks in the last four months. There was an attack on the Scrimgeour residence but the werewolves were quickly pushed back, two were killed with a new weapon the Aurors now carried on the night of the full moon.
A third werewolf had been captured and interrogated under veritaserum, the ministry and the order finally found out without a doubt who was responsible for the attacks, Fenrir Greyback and his pack of thirty some odd werewolves.
"No frowning, come on let's go get a piece of cake," Luna said eagerly.
A few hours later after the party had broken up Harry and Lavender were walking back to their dorms. They had just turned onto the second floor corridor when Harry stopped them.
"Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Harry asked nervously.
"I would love to," Lavender said smiling at him.
"We can have dinner in the room again," Harry said feeling a bit more confident.
"That will be nice, should I dress up," Lavender asked hopefully.
"Yes," Harry said after some thought, "I will as well it can be like a real date."
Lavender smiled and nodded her agreement, " I would like that." she said softly.
Harry lead them the rest of the way to their dorms and stopped in front of Lavender's room.
"Good night, I will see you tomorrow," Harry said before leaning in and capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
Harry pulled back before they got to into it, tomorrow was Valentine's day so there was no reason to rush this.
Harry watched Lavender enter her room before he made his way to his own, 'What have I got myself into?' Harry wondered as he stepoed into his dorm.