Marked by the Moon Chapter 3: 2008, a harry potter fanfic

hello. yes. it's still technically monday here, so I made it!

THIS CHAPTER IS A BEHEMOTH... clocking in at over 30k... I think you should think of "chapters" more like "parts" in this fic...

Welcome to more angst, this part is WILD ride. I hope you are ready for it...

THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH TO bam2305 YOU ARE A REAL HERO. I COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU AND LAUGHING AND CRYING ALONG WITH ME.

Enough capslock...

Please enjoy the chapter!

Hermione

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Hermione sighed and rested her head against her desk. Here she was on another full moon, feeling restless . By this point, everyone knew her story. Golden Girl Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of Her Age, Muggleborn Best Friend to Harry Potter, Staunch Creature Rights Advocate, and Just A Little Bit Wolfy™.

She scoffed at the list of titles she'd accumulated over the years. As she absentmindedly ran her fingers along the scars that bracketed her "Mudblood" scar. She took stock of all the things about her current existence that would have surprised nine year old Hermione.

Of course the Magic was a given, but in addition to that, she was covered in scars and tattoos, and for the most part she braided her infamous curls away. She was still an avid reader, but the career path towards the Youngest Prime Minister had taken a sharp turn.

Although she'd made major strides in her field and was set to become the youngest Department Head in the history of the Ministry of Magic, something was missing. She couldn't quite place what that thing was, but it was big, she could tell. Avoidance was often her go to these days. She rarely spoke with any of the Weasleys, although Bill and Fleur had become wonderful friends. She often partnered with George on some of his more female leaning products, but never attached her name to his brand.

Her romantic life was laughable. Since the Ron thing had blown up, she hadn't really dated. Well she'd tried , but most of the Wizards she met were too intimidated or too in awe of her titles. Muggles, as she already had learned with Christopher, left something to be desired. She'd gone on a series of blind dates set up by a variety of people, all ending in disappointment for them (when she was turned off by their hero worship) or her (when she took them home and they failed to totally scratch that itch).

Professionally, she was a superstar, according to her boss. All one had to do was look at her skin to see the proof. Each of her accomplishments was highlighted with a new tattoo.

2002

"I just think you should see if you can get it covered," Theo said offhandedly.

"But I'm not ashamed of it, Theodore," she responded hotly.

"Oh no, you're not going to come at me with that attitude, Miss Granger," he said sternly, "I'm the only one coming up with ideas. Nev said to try some random plant he'd heard about from Luna and Dean said to 'just embrace it.'"

"I know," Hermione sighed as she sunk back into the couch at Grimmauld Place.

"I just think you should talk to my artist, Hermione," Theo said, "you always said my tattoos make me look badarse, and maybe they'll help you feel more confident?"

She sighed again, "Am I that obvious?"

"Not to most people, but I'm your best friend so I pick up on these things. Please let me take you? You'll love him, he's a treasure."

"But does he know how to tattoo my skin? It's all good and well on your pasty arse, but on mine?" she chuckled when he looked affronted.

"I'll have you know, Hermione Granger, my arse is sunkissed , just ask your broth-"

"Nope. I can take a lot but I don't need to hear about Harry's…" she shuddered, sending him a cheeky wink.

"But in all reality, yes, he spent most of his life in Algeria so he's worked on all sorts of people," Theo said.

"Alright fine, you've convinced me. That was my last attempt. I have no more excuses," she said.

Theo let out an almost inhuman shriek and pulled her off the couch dragging her to the Floo. She followed him with a laugh, he really was a good friend, almost always picking up on her feelings, often even before she could describe them.

When they stepped out the Floo, Hermione could barely contain her excitement. The shop was exactly the type of place that felt homey. It had lots of clean lines and white walls, but the wood floors made it feel warm and the copious rugs and textiles made it feel cosy.

"That couldn't be my Theodore, could it?" croaked an old voice from the back room. "Come on back, I'm just finishing up!"

Theo pulled her towards the fabric curtain and into the back room. It felt like she'd walked into a tent. The walls and ceiling were covered with patterned fabric while the floor was covered with overlapping rugs. Hermione looked down from the lantern that lit the room and towards the two men in the middle.

An old man was hunched over chiselled muscles that were absolutely covered in tattoos. Hermione's eyes dragged up the body of the man in question until she made eye contact with Draco Malfoy. Honestly to say that her heart started racing and her mouth started producing an exorbitant amount of drool was an understatement. It felt like the whole world stopped turning for a long moment.

"Granger," he said after a few moments.

"Er, hello?" she squeaked. Motherfuck that was embarrassing. "I'll just- I need to-" she whipped around and left the room, practically running back to the Floo. She heard Malfoy laugh as she raced away and her embarrassment grew even greater.

Right as she was reaching for the Floo powder, Theo grabbed her hand and pulled her to the cosy looking pouffes.

"Come on, Golden Girl," he said with a soft smile, "we can wait out here. I didn't do all this work dragging you in for you to run off before you even talk to Salman."

"But it's… I'm…" she rested her head against her knees.

"Don't tell me old Draco's got you tongue tied?" Theo asked, eyes lighting up.

She scoffed, "Of course not, I just didn't expect him and he was practically naked Theodore!" she ended in a hiss.

"Don't go all shy on me now girl," Theo whined. "Harry never wants to talk about how handsome other men are, and Draco is a terrible gal pal. I neeeeeed you."

"You can't leave him hanging, Granger," Malfoy said, leaving the back room and buttoning his shirt, "who else is he going to gush over my muscles with? I always thought he was jealous, but it turns out he just thought I was handsome."

She tried to ignore the mouth watering sight of him buttoning his shirt and sat primly, "Not everyone is as focused on looks as you are, Malfoy." She sniffed crossed her legs, trying to ignore the way his eyes darted down to where they were crossed and licking his lips. "Some of us are more interested in mental stimulation."

"I think we both know that mental stimulation is my forte," he practically purred, taking a step towards her.

"Well fortunately for both of us, I have higher standards than you. Your idea of mental stimulation and mine are vastly different," she sniffed, shifting in her seat.

Salman, thankfully chose that moment to step out of the back room. "What are you still doing here, my boy? I think we both know that you have other things to be getting on with." He patted Draco on the shoulder and pushed him towards the Floo.

Theo was looking between the two of them with barely restrained glee, while Malfoy looked like he wanted to snark back at her. Thankfully, no one said anything as Draco stepped into the Floo, making long eye contact with Hermione as he did.

When he was finally gone, Theo turned to Salman who was fiddling with a kettle. "Hermione wants to talk about cover ups."

"I'm not sure if I want a cover up actually," she said, "but I would like to reclaim my scars a bit I think."

Salman sat down next to them and held out his hand for her arm. When she reached out he ran his fingers along Greyback's scars and nodded.

"Not yet for this one, but the time will come." He touched her "Mudblood" scar and shook his head, "that one can't be covered." He gripped her right hand and smiled.

"Out of Many, One People," she whispered.

"Right here on your wrist," he said, tapping her wrist with a wry grin.

"How did you do that!?" she asked.

"The body tells me and you when it's time," he said with a shrug.

It was odd, she could picture it already there. It was like it already belonged. She looked at Theo who grinned at her.

"There's a reason my first tattoo was a whole sleeve, but you wouldn't have believed me if I told you that Salman helped me See it, so I never said anything."

Hermione sat back and squinted at him. Was she that predictable? That close minded? Was she the problem?

Salman looked at her like he was reading her mind, he stood and made his way back to the back room, Theo dragged her up and pushed her down onto the chair.

"Now it's going to feel a bit odd," Salman said, "but most of it stems from your magic, so it will react more strongly to how your magic is feeling."

Hermione nodded, she'd seen how Theo's tattoos changed when he was feeling more like emotions. It did feel strange, it was almost like a buzzing in her skin, she could feel it drawing on her magic, but the relatively small surface area of this tattoo meant that it wouldn't draw too extensively. When Theo had returned from his first session, he'd slept for almost a full 14 hours afterwards.

When the buzzing stopped, she looked down at her arm and saw that the small motto was complete. She could almost picture the tattoos that would eventually spring up around it, but they were a distant thought that didn't quite click in her brain.

"It's beautiful, Mr. Al-Qadar," she gushed, running her finger along the sparkling black letters on her wrist. "My Mum, although never a great fan of tattoos, would appreciate the sentiment behind it."

"Please, call me Salman," he said with a grin. "I think I will be seeing you very soon, Miss Granger."

She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to sit up, but found that she couldn't focus on the papers spread in front of her. She looked down at the scars from Greyback, Salman must be some sort of Seer because she did in fact have almost a full sleeve of tattoos at this point. Almost immediately after she'd come back and gotten a series of pages that wrapped around her arm, each one had the first page of the books her Father and her had read in their Book Club when she was younger. It had taken ages, and was so intricate, but it wove in and out of her other tattoos, one for Harry, a stag that lept around the back of her bicep. When the Lupin Laws passed, Salman had woven Wolfsbane around Greyback's scars. They swayed more frantically around the full moon. And was her only tattoo on her left arm so far. It had been the only tattoo that she'd questioned getting.

She wasn't necessarily fond of werewolves, because of Greyback and other werewolves like him. Fortunately, they hadn't all been like him. Many were people like Remus who'd tried to live a normal life. Lupin's Laws allowed for many concessions that hadn't previously been available to werewolves in the past. She'd framed the original note she'd written after it had passed last February.

- Discrimination is illegal

- No one is required to disclose their status to their employer

- Werewolves are allotted Wolfsbane every month

- Registry?

There of course had been additions and changes. The Registry was confidential and only was able to be shared with the Record Keeper, who was the Head of the Department. Hermione had made sure to enchant the paper so that the names were unshareable. Everyone would be required to register by June 1st of this year, but people had only been trickling in. Hermione knew that there was a pack out there who hadn't come forward yet, but they were quite secretive and had sent a cease and desist letter when they were informed about the stipulation that they needed to Turn at a Werewolf Sanctuary.

One thing that had received almost unanimous approval was the creation of a specialised Werewolf Care Hospital. Andromeda was the Director and their Head Healer was a woman who Hermione hadn't met named Muller. Andromeda handled all the front end business and kept the whole affair exceptionally private. The law ensured that Werewolves got proper care and were transferred to the Wolverhampton Clinic.

She heard a knock at her door and looked up to find a grinning Theodore Nott. "Hello Golden Girl," he said cheekily, collapsing onto one of her chairs before she could even respond. "I've come with a list of families who are non-compliant with the Dobby Decree."

Theo Nott had been invaluable to her these last few years. After they'd hit it off during the Eighth Year, he'd become a bit of an Inside Man for her when it came to Pureblood Politics. It was, in large part, Theo's influence that helped create the aforementioned Dobby Decree. When Hermione had first joined the DRCMC, she'd been adamant that all House Elves needed to be freed.

As she fell down the memory rabbit hole, she rubbed her first tattoo, a bright purple sock that was constantly knitting and un-knitting itself on her right thigh.

One afternoon, she saw that almost her entire afternoon was booked with an off-site meeting. She'd gone to the cafe and was greeted by Theo who was grinning at her.

"Hello Theo," she said with a grin almost as big as his. "I wish I could stay and chat, but I have a meeting with a major donor today, and I don't want to miss them."

She turned away to scan the patrons, when Theo cleared his throat. "Hello, Miss Granger, my name is Theodore Nott and I am said donor."

She gaped at him. "Are you serious Theo? You're going to back my push to fully integrate S.P.E.W?"

"Ah, no," Theo said with a grimace. "I'm here to help you with your endeavours for better treatment for the elves, but in order to do that, you have a lot to learn."

What had followed was one of the single most perspective altering afternoons of Hermione's life. She knew that she was a bit of a know-it-all, but she's read countless books and when Elves were mentioned, it was said that they liked the situations they were in. It was barbaric.

Theo had dragged her on multiple meetings with multiple Elves and a House Elf Nursery. It turns out that it was the way the Bindings were corrupted that was wrong. House Elf Magic worked when it was fed by a family Magic or in the case of Institutions like Hogwarts or St. Mungo's the Ley Lines. In the last hundred and fifty years or so, the Binding had changed from a beautiful, Sacred ceremony to a mere shell of itself.

Ironically when the Bonding was done correctly both the Family and Elf Magic were stronger. That in addition to the in-breeding from Pureblood Supremacy had led to a dramatic increase in Squib births-

"Earth to Hermione," Theo said with a chuckle. Hermione blinked up at him. "It appears as though my best friend is in dire need of our monthly lunch date."

She scoffed playfully, "Don't even pretend that I'm your best friend."

"Alright, my best girl friend?" Theo said with a grin.

"Acceptable. Now I think I could use some lunch."

Every full moon, Theo took Hermione to a much too fancy restaurant that served extremely bloody steaks. It was one of the few things that got her back on track during a Full Moon. After work she'd go to Shell Cottage to join Bill, Fleur, and their daughter at a campfire under the Full Moon. It was much less stressful for both Bill and Hermione to be under the rays of the Full Moon than to be cooped up inside.

"When's the last time you ate red meat?" Theo asked conversationally as he pulled her out the door.

She frowned at him. "You know as well as I do that I'm pescatarian except for during the Moon. Theo sighed heavily, but didn't say anything. She'd read his pamphlets on Wolf Biology and she simply refused to let her more Wolfish traits take over the rest of her life.

As they made their way out of the Department, she tapped the sign twice as was her habit. Her very first move when she'd gotten to the Ministry was to petition for a name change for her department. After a shockingly short amount of time, the name had been changed from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (DRCMC) to the Department for Interspecies Cooperation (DIC).

Each grouping had their own division, led by a Deputy Head. The Office of Elven Affairs was headed by Winky, the first paid House Elf in the Ministry's history. It turned out that once she'd been Bound properly, she was an exceptional Businesself.

She blinked, and realised that they were already in front of the restaurant. She looked around in surprise and caught Theo's exasperated face. "You know if you ate more red meat you'd have less brain fuzz," he said as he held open the door for her.

"Theo, I'm sure that's all good and well, but I don't like red meat," she sniffed. They both knew she was lying, she loved red meat. On her first Full Moon at Hogwarts she'd practically eaten all the red meat off the Gryffindor Table.

"Then eat bloody rabbit!" he said quietly as they were led towards their table.

She scoffed, but didn't dignify his statement with a response. As if the rabbit would satisfy her. "Harry!" she shouted, running towards the table where he was standing. She wrapped her arms around him and he spun her around with a loud laugh. "I didn't know you'd be coming, Theo didn't tell me!" she smacked him playfully on the arm when he made it to the table.

The three of them sat at the table and Hermione beamed at them. After the drama that was her and Ron from Eighth Year, Hermione had introduced Harry to Theo after Christmas and to say that they'd hit it off was an understatement. Almost immediately they'd started dating, much to Molly's horror, yet another reason Hermione wasn't welcome at the Weasleys…

"I don't have class until later this afternoon,, so I wanted to come and have lunch with the two of you," he said, "I miss these lunches during the school year."

"We've missed you," Hermione said.

"Our gossip won't be nearly as good, but I suppose it's nice to have you around," Theo teased.

The waiter hadn't even taken their orders, they got the same thing every month. Hermione immediately dug into her steak, barely looking up while she dug into her food.. Harry and Theo kept light conversation until her steak was gone. When they'd wrapped up their meal, Harry offered to bring her back to work.

"I miss you," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I miss you too, Harry," she said tiredly.

"How have you really been, Mi? Theo tells me things about what he thinks but I want to hear it from you."

"I'm just so bloody unsettled," she groaned. "I can see all the things I'm doing to make the world better, but it doesn't feel like enough. I need to do more. I want to do more, but I don't know how."

"Any thoughts on that blind date Theo's been wanting to set you up on?" Harry said, grinning at her.

"I'm not going on another blind date set up by your fiance," she scoffed. "He's an absolute menace. He obviously has no idea the type of men I'm into. Oliver Wood? Seriously?"

"Ollie'd been asking about you for ages, and he didn't have the hero worship thing going for him!" Harry defended holding his hands up. "He still mentions you from time to time."

"Yes, well if his performance in the bedroom matched his performance on the broom we might have gotten to a fourth date," she smirked.

"I know that you and Theo have a don't ask, do tell every miniscule detail policy going for you," Harry said with a laugh, "but I don't need to know. I've seen what Ollie is packing and he's not exactly my type, if you know what I mean?"

Hermione held up her little finger and smirked at him. "Mine either."

"Yes I think you're into tall, muscular, book nerds ," Harry chuckled, pulling one of her braids. "I think you should let Theo try once more?"

"Harry, I'm perfectly fine being alone, I will excitedly await the prospect of little NottPotts running around Auntie MI's ankles causing absolute chaos until I promptly return them to you at the end of the day."

Harry snorted. "Don't pretend that you're perfectly fine, Hermione. I've known you for half my life, you don't even like your job, your only meaningful relationships are Theo and I and Andromeda when she's not tied up at work or with Teddy."

"I'll have you know, Harry Potter, that I am a strong, independent, totally capable, self-sufficient witch! I don't need anyone telling me how to live my life!" she whipped around and shut her office door firmly in his face and marched over to her desk sitting down heavily.

After a moment, she dropped her head to her arms and let out a sob. Who was she kidding? She wasn't any of the things that she'd practically shouted at Harry. She was struggling and it was apparently obvious to every single person that knew her. She had to get over this fixation on Dream Draco and find another wizard to focus on.

She conjured her patronus, which didn't have a concrete form any longer and with a huff sent a short, "Fine, one more chance for a Blind Date," to Theo before turning back to her paperwork.

The Merfolk were petitioning to have a fully Mermish representative that functioned at the Ministry, something that had been taken on, until recently by someone who was only half-Mermish. The logistics were an absolute nightmare, but she couldn't find it in herself to not help them. She was of the firm belief that everyone deserved to be able to speak for themselves.

When she arrived home, earlier than she normally did, it was to a surprisingly boisterous Theo in the living room of Grimmauld Place.

"Bloody finally, witch!" he practically shouted, dragging her towards the stairs.

"Why are we in such a rush, Theodore?" she asked. "I just need to change into my winter coat and fuzzy socks and we can go to Shell Cottage."

"We're not going to Shell Cottage," he said with a sniff, "I'm preparing you for your date tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" she asked, astounded.

"I've had this one waiting in the wings for years , Hermione," he said with a grin.

"Why bloody years?" she grumbled to herself.

"No whining, come along," he said primly, "we have to get you all ready since tomorrow you'll be meeting him straight after work."

She groaned but followed him towards the bathroom, when he made to come in with her, she put her foot down. "No way, I can do this on my own, I am a grown woman!"

"Yes a grown woman who hasn't been properly laid in… how long again?" he smirked.

She frowned at him and slammed the door in his face. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. She was pretty enough, she supposed. Her braids were looking a bit ragged, and she looked a bit crazy around the eyes, but she chalked that up to the moon.

She waved her wand over her hair and watched as her braids unwove around her. She grimaced at her hair and looked down at the full annotated skincare routine Theo had convinced her to start last fall. She groaned and stepped into the shower and began to clean off the stress of the day.

When she stepped out of the shower, Theo was already sprawled across her bed, a pile of new clothing already laying on the bed. "Alright, sit!" he said quickly, conjuring a salon chair in the middle of her bedroom. Hermione chuckled and obeyed. Theo had taken her hair routine seriously. He'd asked incessant questions about it until she dragged him to meet Celeste who promptly taught him everything she knew about Hermione's hair.

They would still go to see Celeste once every six months for a full hair consultation, but Theo had taken the reins almost completely. "How was work today?' she asked after a few minutes of companionable silence.

Theo was the preeminent Attorney of Muggle and Magical law crossover in Western Europe. He often had completely confidential cases that he couldn't discuss until after they'd wrapped up, and had one major client that he was sworn to secrecy on, but he was always good for a dramatic story.

"Dull," Theo said with a grin, "Mrs. Marples was out today, so it was just Cynthia ."

"Ugh, is she still trying to seduce you?" Hermione asked. "Why don't you get rid of her?"

"She really won't accept that I'm going to marry Harry. She's convinced that she can change my mind, which is frankly disrespectful, but she's literally the best assistant I've ever had, second only to Mrs. Marples. She's wicked fast with Muggle paperwork and helps my Muggle-facing clients feel more comfortable."

"If she was a man, that shit would never fly," Hermione said with a scoff.

"I've heard it all, and honestly every time she comes in with her shirt unbuttoned another button I think about firing her," Theo said, a hint of frustration in his humour.

"Doesn't she know you're more of an arse man?" Hermione said with a giggle.

"Yes the only female arse that could sway me from my one true love is yours, Hermione Granger, and don't you forget it," he winked at her in her mirror. "Alright I'm done with the curls, I've put some of the new curl cream Celeste provided. Now let's get your bonnet on so we can run through the outfit choices for tomorrow. You'll of course wear your matching Betrothal Set."

"Theodore, for the last time, it's not a Betrothal Set," she said, glaring at him, goodnaturedly. "You've looked over the paperwork too, it's protective. I would have at least triple the amount of scars I do without them, not to mention I'd be a brainless bimbo on Ron Weasley's arm."

"God have you seen his latest Muggle conquest?" he scoffed. "She's the literal budget version of you, it's pathetic."

Hermione laughed, "Well he couldn't afford me anyway." Ron's descent from Golden Trio to Cannon's mascot was embarrassing. He'd only worked with the Aurors for a month before he was kicked out. He'd worked with George at the joke shop, but George fired him after he was caught stealing from the register. That had caused a huge fight in the whole Weasley family, everyone took sides. Hermione was, not for the first time, glad to be far removed from the family.

He'd lived off of speaking engagements for a time, playing up his role in the War, but after Harry's (officially sanctioned) biography was released, Ron had quickly lost many of his speaking gigs. Theo had written up an Ironclad contract with Rita Skeeter that she'd only publish approved messaging, although the book was listed publicly as a covert book. It didn't paint Ron in the best light and had exactly 14 negative comments about Hermione, which was one fewer than she was allotted.

In the book, Harry came off as someone extremely lucky but also very dedicated to making the world better. Two years ago, he'd left his job with the Aurors to work at Hogwarts when their Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor wanted to start a family with her long-distance fiance in Taiwan. He'd flourished in his new role and gushed about the students whenever she saw him.

Ron had spent almost a year fighting the narrative in Skeeter's "Tell All" book, but had only come out looking worse and worse, adding credence to the way she'd written him in. Hermione refused to comment on the book, allowing a Muggleborn journalist to publish a companion book to Rita's about Hermione's life and upbringing. It, unlike Harry's, had only achieved modest success, but still provided Hermione with a fairly steady second stream of income as well as regular requests to speak at events and opportunities with higher profile donors at work.

Ron had landed with the Chudley Cannons, the worst team in the league. He'd originally been their Keeper, but after an injury became their Official Unofficial Mascot. He still made headlines fairly often, but generally only for his reckless and disgusting behaviour.

Theo thrust an outfit at her and sank onto the bed, putting his hands behind his head and crossing his feet at the ankles. She continued to try on outfit after outfit until he was happy with their decision.

"I'll be by tomorrow for lunch to bring you the change in shoes and blouse, and to do your makeup," he said grinning.

"Don't you have work to do," she groaned. "I can do my own makeup, Theo."

"No, I scheduled this blind date, therefore I want to be there to see my masterpiece before she leaves!"

Vali appeared in between the trees, after Rou had been outside their cabin for almost two hours. She'd waited patiently for him. She knew he was helping new wolves this Moon. It was the first Moon of the year, which was the time when they had the Turning Ceremony.

"I'd really like to attend this Turning Ceremony one day," she said.

Vali barked out a laugh. "Good luck convincing your human that some humans want to turn."

She grunted, "I know… Maybe one day?"

"Maybe," Vali said, uncertainty laced in his voice.

"Do you have the energy to run tonight or do you want to just sit here?"

"Can we just sit?" he asked. "I'm exhausted. The Young Ones are always so energetic."

When she stepped out of the office that afternoon, she couldn't tamp down the nerves that were threatening to explode out of her. Almost every part of her wanted to ditch the date. What were the chances he was anyone worthwhile? She did feel rather attractive today. She hadn't been sure about her hair, it had been so long since she'd worn it in curls, but it was too late to second guess now.

Theo had of course come during her lunch to help her get into her makeup, twirling around her office like the bloody Fairy Godmother. He'd insisted on a Muggle date, even though the man in question was a wizard, but he wanted them both to feel comfortable in anonymity. Everyone knew Hermione Granger, and that was a lot of pressure for anyone to face on a first date.

She ran her palms down the front of her blouse and tight skirt and pushed her shoulders back. She could do this. She gave herself the pep talk she always did before a date. Dream Draco didn't exist and he wasn't anyone to be compared to. He was a conglomeration of the things she found most attractive. This man would get an actual chance to prove himself and she wasn't going to look for flaws immediately.

She stepped up to the front of the restaurant and opened the door, "Reservation under Nott?" she said nervously.

"Oh! Of course!" the man said excitedly. "Right this way, Miss!"

She found herself fiddling with the strap of her purse and tried not to panic. Why was she so nervous? She was never this nervous. She'd accepted that these things were always awkward, but Theo had insisted that this would be the date to end all dates., Apparently, he'd consulted the cards or whatever bloody Divination bullshit he was spouting this week.

She stepped out from behind the host and looked at the table, there was already a bottle of red wine. It was a bottle of Chateau Margaux 1787 , which was her absolute favourite. Theo had stopped bringing it out so often when Hermione found out how much it cost. She looked up from the wine, to the man who'd stood abruptly.

In front of her stood one, ridiculously handsome, Draco Malfoy. "Granger," he said softly.

She tried to pinch herself as subtly as possible, but when she realised it was real, he was really here, she could swear the edges of her vision started to darken. "M-Malfoy," she managed to stutter out.

Well this would cure her of her Dream Draco fantasies. He moved towards her and pulled out the chair for her to sit. She sat without saying anything and looked at the centrepiece while he settled back in his seat.

"We'll have the octopus to start," he said confidently. The man nodded and stepped away quickly.

She still couldn't find the courage to speak.

"I'm surprised you agreed to this," he said after a few moments of silence. "You never responded to my letter."

"I-" she looked up at him, where he was smiling lightly. "Theo didn't tell me it was you," she said, watching as his smile fell off his face.

"Oh, I…" he finally seemed to be feeling just as awkward as she was. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time then, I didn't realise, I'll just- the meal is on me, have whatever you like-"

"Wait!" she practically shouted, after he'd already stood, pulling his coat off the nearby hook. "I- you- we can stay. I- Theo said this would be the best date I've ever been on and I…" he moved back towards the table. "He made me promise to give it a chance, I thought it was because it would be someone I wouldn't in a million years think about going on a date with like Nev or Seamus."

By this point, he'd sat back down, "Does that mean you've thought about going on a date with me, Granger?"he teased.

She felt her face flush and was immensely grateful to the makeup that hid at least a little of her darkening cheeks. "I well I- You…" He let out a laugh that was exactly the same as Dream Draco's and she melted a little bit. In for a penny in for a pound. "You know as well as anyone that you've always been a good looking man, Draco Malfoy! I refuse to be embarrassed by my normal teenage hormonal responses!"

"But you're not a teenager anymore, Hermione Granger," he said with a smirk.

"Which is why I'm giving you a shot. So far this date is not living up to Theo's promises.," she said, crossing her arms.

"Apologies my lady, sometimes I let my humour get the best of me. Can I fill your glass? Theo told me this is your favourite."

"It is and you may," she said with a small smile. The octopus arrived shortly afterwards and once their order was taken, a rare steak for him and a baked salmon for her, they settled into normal conversation.

He looked good . He'd gained quite a few more tattoos since she'd last seen him. She could see them poking out from his sleeves and a series of Runes ran down from behind his ear down the side of his neck. His hair was intentionally messy, she had to bite back the image of her fingers gripping it.

"So what have you been up to these past two years?" she asked. "I heard that they let you off your House Arrest a few months early."

"They did," he responded, "good behaviour and increasing responsibilities."

"Responsibilities?" she asked.

"Yes, being head of the Malfoy and Black name is a lot of work, but I've taken almost full custody over the Black Heir, so there are many things I have to get out and do," he said nonchalantly.

"You have an heir?" she choked out.

He laughed again, that same unrestrained laugh that made a shiver run down her spin. "The Black Family does, yes, my cousin, Teddy."

"You've taken Teddy from Andromeda?" she asked heatedly.

"No, of course not, Granger," he said, sharply. "I had been watching Teddy most days while my Aunt was at work, but then he'd get very fussy when she picked him up, so after a few weeks of no sleep for Andi, we moved him in almost exclusively to my home. We haven't looked back and he's almost 10 now."

Hermione wasn't quite sure what to say about that. She couldn't really picture Draco Malfoy as someone who had children that he was hands on with. Most of the Pureblood families she'd interacted with used House Elves almost exclusively to raise their children.

"What's going through that brain of yours?" he asked after a few moments of silence.

"I'm trying to picture it," she said with a smile. "Slytherin Prince Draco Malfoy and a baby ?"

"I rather like it, actually," he said, with a shrug. "My mum broke a lot of tradition and got a lot of grief for doing most of the childrearing when it came to me, and I didn't feel like it would be fair to Ted for some House Elf or Daycare to take him on when I had nothing else to be doing."

Hermione found herself gaping at him. He was serious. He flushed lightly and she picked her jaw up off the floor. She pinched herself again. This had to be a dream. He was nothing like the Draco Malfoy from school.

"What books have you been reading?" he asked.

"Oh nothing really," she said with a flush that she attempted to hide.

He looked at her curiously. "I've just picked up the third instalment of the Twilight series, myself."

Hermione nearly choked on the sip of wine she'd just taken. "You're reading Eclipse?" she sputtered.

"I try to keep abreast of things that are popular. The portrayal of Vampires is of course, atrocious, but the wolves aren't totally out of the realm of normal."

"What are you talking about?" she said with a scoff, "The werewolf portrayal is completely ludicrous."

"Well, they're not werewolves in the books, are they?" Draco said, folding his hands under his chin, just like Dream Draco did when they got into a book discussion.

"They're shapeshifters, but that's not the point, Draco!" she said, crossing her arms. "It's completely reckless to think of them like that! They can't control themselves on the Moon."

"Have you actually met a werewolf?" he asked, eyebrow raised.

"Of- What kind of offensive question is that?" she said, raising her voice. "Of course I've met a werewolf. I wrote the laws!"

"Oh yes," he sneered. Here was the Draco Malfoy she remembered. "The Lupin Laws , how could I forget?"

"Excuse you ," she said, frowning. "All of the werewolves I've spoken with are quite happy! They're pleased with the direction the law has taken. We're only waiting for one pack to respond to us, but they haven't been in contact."

"Oh I wonder why that is?" he scoffed. "Did you do any actual research or did you just read your books and assume that they told you everything?"

"Well that's all the options I had, if you have information to share, then spit it out, Malfoy!" at this point she was shouting. Fortunately they had a private room so it was at least muffled from any other guests.

"Like you'd bloody listen to me?" he sneered, standing. "No it's never going to be me is it, Hermione?"

"What are you even talking about, Malfoy?" she said standing as well. "I haven't seen you in six years and all I've heard since then is ghosts of rumours about you. I thought you'd changed, but I guess you're just the same boy from Hogwarts!" she whipped around, and grabbed her coat, aggressively shoving her arms into the sleeves.

He let out a growl and all of a sudden he was behind her. "Hermione please , let me try again, I let my anger control me and I'm-"

"No!" she said. "You've done it, you've cured me of whatever I thought about you. I'd hoped- no! You don't get to know about what I hoped or dreamed or anything else!"

"Fine, go, I was never going to be able to earn your forgiveness anyways," he sneered. "You'd already made up your mind when you sat down. There wasn't anything I could have done to change your mind, was there?"

She hadn't even turned around. "I guess you'll never know, will you?" and she swept out of the room and out of the restaurant.

By the time she'd made it home to Grimmauld Place, she stormed past Theo who was hovering and slammed her door, throwing up at least five wards to prevent him from coming in after her.

Draco Malfoy hadn't changed a bit.

Draco

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Salman was sick. Sicker than Draco had ever seen him. The last few moons had really taken a lot out of him. Draco had pulled a rocking chair up next to his bed and was rocking as the afternoon sun filtered through the windows.

"Son, I want you to know that I'm so proud of you. You've really built something here. Now I know you don't want to push her and you're convinced that she'll not want you, but you need to show her our way of life."

"The things she's said about us," Draco said softly, holding the old man's hand.

"Look at her examples, Draco," he replied, not for the first time. "Lupin never knew any better and she was scratched by Greyback. Her wolf is in chaos , constantly pushing against her rigid boundaries."

They heard Teddy putzing around in his room. He stood and looked down at Salman, who looked small . "Let me get him so we can spend some time with Jaddi (my grandpa) before we go to Gran's for the moon."

He walked over to Teddy's room and grinned at him playing loudly with his model quidditch set. "Hey pup," he said smiling, "Jaddi just woke up, he wants to see you before the Moon tonight."

"Thanks Papa!" Teddy said, looking up and subconsciously shifting his hair to Malfoy platinum blond. He scrambled to his feet and dodged around Draco before he could scoop him up for a hug. "Don't you think I'm getting a little old for bear hugs?"

"You'll never be too old for bear hugs from me," Draco said, chasing after Teddy and giving him a huge hug.

Teddy let out a squeal and the. A peel of laughter. "Papa!"

"Gods, Ted you're getting too big for this. Soon enough you'll be bear hugging me ."

Teddy scoffed playfully but hugged him back. When they'd made it to Salman's room, Teddy scrambled over to his bed, hopping up and cuddling into his side.

If you'd asked Draco eleven years ago if he wanted to be a parent he would have resoundingly said no, but once his Aunt Andromeda had reconnected with his Mum, he'd met Teddy and almost immediately fallen in love.

Aunt Andi still worked at St. Mungos, and had begun training under Healer Müller on specialised Werewolf care. Draco had offered to watch the baby during her shifts. After she'd finished her specialisation, she found that she couldn't keep up with work and Teddy.

Draco had offered to let both of them stay in a home in the small village he'd begun to build. She had kept her apartment near Diagon Alley, but had moved to one of the vacant homes in Volvelle Village. Narcissa was often found puttering around Andromeda's house working in the garden or the potions lab.

After a few months, they'd all realised that everyone was happier when Teddy was with Draco, so he'd moved in with Draco and Salman permanently. Andromeda spent slightly more time at her Diagon Alley apartment as it was an easier Floo ride for work.

As Salman and Teddy discussed the latest book they'd been reading, in Arabic, Teddy's second language, Draco found himself drifting off into his brain and to their cabin. She was of course at work so she wasn't presently at the cabin, but he didn't mind, it was still their space. He spun around the room, there were all sorts of additions that each of them had made over the years.

She almost always had a new book on the table, so naturally, Draco bought each and read them, adding them to the overstuffed bookshelves. He'd added a play rug for Teddy during her Eighth Year and she'd been alarmed.

"Draco I'm not…" she touched her hand to her stomach.

"It's for Teddy you silly witch!" He said with a laugh.

"Teddy?" she asked, confused.

"Yes, my cousin, Nymphadora's son. I watch him most days when Andi is at work," he said with a shrug.

"I'm glad you're connected with your Aunt," she said, patting his cheek and crossing to the kitchen.

Over the years he'd realised that she truly believed this was all a dream. It was more than a little frustrating as even after he'd saved her from Greyback and she'd spoken at his trial, she hadn't responded to his apology letter.

He hadn't visited her since the disastrous date the month before, but he couldn't stop coming here when he knew she wouldn't be around.

He was jolted out of his meditation by Teddy calling out to him. "Papa!" Teddy said, gripping his cheeks "Jaddi is ready for lunch!"

Draco smiled down at the boy who was flipping his hair between Salman's wavy black and his straight platinum.

Both Teddy and Draco helped Salman stand and get to his walker. They made their way slowly to the kitchen, halfway along the way, Teddy ran ahead, Draco could hear him banging around in the kitchen.

2001

Draco was moving around the kitchen preparing their afternoon snack while Teddy was pretending to cut his own sausage in his play kitchen. He'd insisted that he have a kitchen just like Papa's, which sent Draco on a quest to find a play kitchen that matched their own in the cabin. He smiled over at Teddy who was bringing a plate of the faux food to Salman. "Snack, Jaddi!"

Salman pretended to eat the food diligently, chattering away with Teddy in Arabic. Draco let the moment wash over him. He felt at home here, he was with Salman and Teddy, his mother would be coming over later and Andromeda was going to be Volvelle Village for the whole weekend.

She was missing of course, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. She was settling into her own life and according to Theo quite content to date around. She'd never responded to his apology letter so he'd resigned himself to life without her.

"Stop brooding, son," Salman said from the table.

He rolled his eyes playfully at the older man."I'm just making you lunch. Not brooding."

"She's your True Mate, no one else will do for her," Salman said sagely, "especially now with her wolf-soul rampaging inside of her."

"She'll never see me the way I see her," Draco said with a sigh.

"You have to show her that her dreams aren't pretend."

He was pulled from his musings by Teddy helping Salman into his chair. Draco opened the icebox and pulled out some sausage and cheese. He sighed. Right about now, Theo would be taking Hermione out for her monthly steak.

"Are you going to apologise to Auntie Mi?" Teddy asked from his perch at the table.

Draco closed his eyes in frustration, he knew that he should apologise to her. Although he wasn't sure exactly why. She'd assumed a whole slew of things about him and his culture and came swooping in like she knew everything.

"She doesn't know you're a Wolf," Salman said from his chair.

"I don't know why she doesn't! It's not like I haven't made it obvious!" Draco said, setting his knife down.

"Why don't you just tell her?" Salman asked.

"Because she thinks I'm a monster!" Draco shouted. Teddy and Salman just looked at him.

"Papa I know it's the Moon, but there's no reason to yell, it's just Jaddi and I," Teddy said with a small grin.

"You're so annoying," Draco barked out a laugh. "She's just so bloody stubborn!" Draco ignored Salman's raised eyebrow as he set the bowl of stew in front of him.

Draco sank into his own seat. "Gran thinks you're being ridiculous, you know," Teddy said with a sniff, "and I agree. As soon as I know who my soulmate is, I'm going to tell her."

"Oh yeah, how are you going to do that, pup?" Draco asked with a chuckle.

"I'll give her a code word to say to me when she sees me. We know Auntie Mi knew it was you the whole time, so mine will too."

"Seems wise," Salman said as he slowly chewed his food.

"Thank you, Jaddi. Does everyone have a soulmate?"

"I think so," Salman said, "but they could be anywhere in time or space, so we won't get to meet them."

"Space?" Teddy asked. And Draco was struck by the wonder. He was glad that Teddy was going to have an innocent childhood.

"You don't seriously think we're the only planet in the whole universe that has life?" Salman said.

Draco groaned. "No, I can't handle another Muggle Space lesson. I already took you two to NASA and to that launch in 2003!"

"But Papa, I WAS 5! I barely remember!" Teddy pouted.

"You're lucky you even know about space travel," Draco grumbled.

"Don't 'when I was your age' the boy, Draco," Salman scolded playfully.

"As I was saying before Oscar the Grouch joined the conversation," Salman sniffed. "There is no way that a Universe that is still expanding only has us ."

"So you think there is a Wolf World?" Teddy asked.

Draco looked at the two fondly as they slipped into space discussions in Arabic . As much grief as he gave them, he loved that they had such a close relationship. His own grandfather had been cold and stiff. He rarely deigned to speak with Draco except to yell at him about propriety .

After a few moments he finished the last of his stew and pushed his empty bowl towards Teddy. "Will you do the dishes? I have a letter to write."

"To Auntie Mi?" the boy asked hopefully.

"Yes I think it's time the Department of Werewolf Affairs heard from the Clan Volvelle don't you?" Draco said with a grin.

Salman rolled his own eyes, a behaviour he'd definitely picked up from Draco over the past ten years and stood to help Teddy with the dishes.

To Whom It May Concern,

The Clan Volvelle greatly appreciates your efforts to assist Werewolves who live a Captive Lifestyle, but request not to be added to the Registry or participate in Ministry endeavours. We are a recognized Clan with the Scottish Registry (tartan sample attached) and are a Recognized Sovereign Tribe with the International Confederation of Wizards (documentation attached).

In an effort to promote Intercultural Understanding, our clan leader and his Wolf agree to register with the Ministry of Magic. Any member of the tribe that was Turned before the passing of the law has fully registered as a member of the clan. Any clan member Turned after the passing of the law will sign the legally binding documents of understanding as well as take a vow to only Turn those who have given explicit verbal and written consent. Every clan member is required to be registered with us, the Clan Volvelle, through a series of records that they agree to share with proper Ministry of Magic Offices in case of emergency, including but not limited to homicide, suicide, or violation of Ministry Magic or United Kingdom laws (where applicable).

Our records contain paperwork crafted and reviewed by an attorney registered with the Ministry Bar and notarized by a Ministry Recognized Notary Public. The records kept on file include: status as Chosen or Forced Turn, clan registration and documentation, and bite patterns and DNA samples in both Wolf and Human form.

In the eight years that we've been a registered clan, we have not had a single instance of Forced Turning from a clan member and have fully weaned off of Wolfsbane. Our land is warded by a group of professional Ward Crafters. Members of our clan have performed over 10,000 hours of Community Service in both the Muggle and Wizarding Worlds, donated over 1 million gallons to various charities, and adopted 37 war orphans.

If you would like to learn more about the way our clan functions, please reach out and we're happy to send our information both qualitative and quantitative gathered and compiled by a team of scientists from Internationally recognized Universities including MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, University of Toronto, ETH Zurich, Tsinghua University, and the Sorbonne. In addition to the multi year study by the Wizarding team, we can send you the research on wolves in the wild and captivity with our qualitative annotations on the relevancy to our own experiences.

Our Clan leader will come in on the next Full Moon, 21 March 2008 to complete his paperwork with the Department of Werewolf Affairs at the Ministry of Magic. Any questions should be directed to our offices at The Volvelle Village at Fyfield, Marlborough SN8 1RU, United Kingdom. Our staff will respond to any further correspondence within 2 business days.

Clan Volvelle Council of Elders

Vali excitedly ran up to Rou, tackling her. "I'm so glad you came," she cooed. "I wasn't sure after…"

"Draco would never keep me from you, even if he's keeping himself from your human," Vali said, nipping at her neck fondly.

"She's been in an absolute rage of a mood for almost a month," Rou sighed. "Nothing I do is helping, she's constantly snapping at everyone. That letter today set her off again. She practically bit Theodore's head off, poor chap."

"Ah, yeah sorry about that," Vali said with embarrassment radiating from both him and Draco, "we wanted to tell her but we didn't know how. It'll all be out in the open next Moon, maybe we'll be able to spend more time together than just the Moons?"

"Even if we were to convince the humans to give up their stubborn mating patterns, I don't think my human would release me the way that she should," Rou said quietly.

"We'll convince her, Mate, don't worry, we'll come up with something!"

Hermione

Friday, March 21, 2008

Hermione could barely contain herself. She was finally going to be meeting with the mysterious pack leader. She'd petitioned to be the Head of Werewolf Affairs, and had received tentative approval, unless a Registered Werewolf decided to take on the mantle.

She'd accidentally made Theo aware of her pending meeting and he'd decided that she needed to have another makeover the night before. He'd poked and prodded at her and forced her into another pencil skirt, this one dark green with a silvery silk blouse. It was unseasonably warm so she'd left off her jacket at the last moment. She'd found that most werewolves were comfortable around her tattoos, she'd been told that it made her more approachable.

She'd been exchanging letters with Clan Volvelle's Archivist for the past month. They'd sent her a pamphlet of research that did make her question her previous assumptions about werewolves for a few days, but her own logic and observations won out. If their research was true, which she didn't believe, it would turn knowledge on Creatures on its head. She was interested to meet the leader, although she was nervous to explain to them that their Clan would not be exempt from the Lupin Laws.

Her supervisor and her had drafted a counter-plan that allowed for more restricted access to the Clan's members, but didn't allow them to skirt the bill. They'd allow for their team to observe the Clan's claims and check their wards to ensure safety. That had been the biggest concession, Hermione didn't want to take the wolves from where they were used to. Even she'd noticed how territorial she got over her own spaces. Having others come into her space, especially uninvited, sometimes caused chaotic responses.

She heard a knock at her door and called for them to come in. She looked up from her paperwork and saw Draco Malfoy smirking at her from the doorway. She huffed. She hadn't seen or heard from him since their disastrous date.

"Malfoy, I have a meeting starting in the next five minutes, if you have something work related you need to discuss, feel free to schedule something with my assistant," she said sharply.

"Ah, yes well, I can't be doing that, I'm much too busy," he said, stepping into her space.

She felt her neck bristle. "I am going to have to ask you to leave unless you'd like me to call security?" she sneered as he sat casually in one of the chairs on the other side of her desk.

"It's a wonder your department got any wolves to agree to your terms if this is the greeting they get," he sneered back.

She sputtered, "Y-You? You're Clan Volvelle's leader?"

"In the wolfy flesh," he smirked. "Come on, Granger, don't tell me you didn't wonder where this scar came from?"

"I-I…" she trailed off. She'd just assumed it was a souvenir from some battle, but apparently there was more to the story.

"Ah, I suppose I'm not privy to the Golden Girl's thoughts anymore, am I?" he said softly. "I was punished after failing my task Sixth Year. I'll have been a wolf for eleven years this summer."

"But your family?" she gaped.

"Mum's quite supportive, Andromeda as well obviously, Lucius' opinion stopped mattering to me long ago, and Ted thinks it's the coolest thing when Salman and I Turn."

"You've endangered a child ?" she shrieked.

He winced, "You really do assume the worst in me, don't you? Of course Teddy has never been endangered. Andi and him often stop by on the Moon to spend time with Salman and I's wolves."

"S-Salman?" she blinked at him. This meeting had to be the most unexpected series of events. There was nothing that could have prepared her for this.

"Ah yes, Head Elder of Clan Volvelle, Werewolf Mentor and Father figure I'd always hoped for," Draco said with a shrug, tossing one leg over his knee.

She just stared at him. "So you're a Werewolf?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"I prefer wolf-blood, but if you insist on werewolf, I can't stop you," he said nonchalantly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked quietly.

"When would I have done that, Granger? Before or after you stormed out?" he said, crossing his arms and frowning.

"I-" she huffed in frustration, "I might have been able to understand why you argued about the werewolf thing if you'd told me!"

"And tell me, Granger, what have you decided about the copious research we sent you? Did you pick it apart and decide that it wasn't worth your time? Did you decide that since you'd never read it in a book it couldn't be true?"

She squinted her eyes at him, "And if I did?" she asked.

"Then I'll do my Registration as promised, but Clan Volvelle will be moving to another more welcoming place. We've scoped out locations in Canada and Algeria and could be out before your June deadline, as I promised my Clan that they would not have to Register."

Hermione scoffed, "Why would it matter to me if you all choose to leave?"

He grimaced, but picked up the conversation almost immediately, "The average net worth of Clan members and the top 1%, is close to 65,000 galleons. The top 1%, excluding myself, has an average net worth of closer to 201,000 galleons."

Hermione quickly calculated, the average Clan member had an average net worth of almost 300,000 pounds, which was almost 2x the national average. And the top 1% was over a million. She couldn't even hold in her shock. "That could cripple the economy," she cried.

"Oh it assuredly would," he said with a shrug, "as I've only included official Clan members, you'd also lose people like Andromeda who would follow the Clan as well as an assortment of other notable figures who prefer to stay anonymous for now."

She looked down at the paper that informed the Clan of the need to adhere to the requirements, and swallowed heavily. "My supervisor has decided that we need to require compliance, but I think in light of your information, it warrants another look," she said quietly.

He snorted, "I'd say. Now didn't you say there was some paperwork for me to complete?"

She handed him the form woodenly, still trying to figure out just where she'd gone wrong. She sat silently, trying to figure out how to turn the situation around while he wrote. She'd have to discuss this with her boss, who was normally extremely reasonable. They should be able to come to some sort of agreement.

He looked up at her after a few moments, "You realise that most of the questions on here are offensive?"

"I worked very closely with a group of Werewolves to formulate the questions," she said, crossing her arms.

"How many editions were there?" he asked, eyebrow raised, making him look, if possible, even more handsome.

"...Two…" she said uncertainty.

He chuckled, "Do you really think one of the most historically marginalised groups is going to argue with the Golden Girl? You're smarter than that, Granger."

Hermione swallowed heavily. "Fine, what is so offensive?" she bit out.

"Mating status for one, it's extremely bad form to out someone on whether or not they have a Mate, especially if it's a True Mate or not," he said holding out a finger. He raised a second finger, "Pack status as well, it's actually rather uncommon to have a pack much larger than five and they're extremely private on their practices, including name. Lone Wolf is an absolute atrocity to have even listed. The reason most Captive Wolves die earlier is because they're lonely not because of whatever mumbo jumbo your books tout."

"Lonely?" she sputtered. "They're only werewolves once a month!"

He had the audacity to laugh. "You're so cute, Granger. Once a month! The wolf doesn't stop existing. I'm sure your wolf is extremely displeased with how you've been treating her these past ten years."

"What wolf?" she asked, trying to tamp down the hysteria in her voice.

She felt something pressing at her consciousness. "Can't you feel her?" Draco asked, squinting at her. "I can, she's aching to get out."

"I'm not a Werewolf, Malfoy!" she practically shrieked.

"No, but you do have wolf-blood, Granger. I'm not sure what they told you, but she's there and she wants to know you so badly. She's desperate really, haven't you ever heard her?"

Hermione chewed her lip, ignoring the way his eyes darted down and dilated at the movement. She had heard something, but she ignored it. She'd decided early on that it was just her imagination and had refused to entertain it.

"N-No," she said after a minute.

"You can lie to me all you want, Granger, but don't lie to yourself. Why don't you come out and meet the Clan, we'll have to lock you into some serious Secrecy Vows, but you could come and observe our regular life as well as observe on the next moon if you'd like? I know this isn't what you expected, but sometimes we all need a little push."

He stood abruptly, "I'm finding that my emotions are running high and I need to leave, feel free to reach out for a meeting later in the month if you'd like. I'd be happy to show off Volvelle Village and our Forest to you at your convenience. I'm sure Teddy and Salman would be happy to see you as well."

She didn't even have a response to him and just blinked as he walked out. He turned back to look at her once he'd reached the door. "Think about what I said Granger, your wolf wants you to know her as well as she knows you. I know I for one wouldn't mind taking you on a second date with none of the secrecy of our last."

She just stared at the door as it closed behind him. That was unexpected. She wasn't totally sure what to think if she was honest. She lifted his Registry application.

Name: Draco Lucius Malfoy Black Al-Qadar

DOB: 4 June 1980

Address: The Volvelle Village at Fyfield, Marlborough SN8 1RU, United Kingdom

Household Members, Relationship, and Lycanthropic Status: Salman Al-Qadar, Father, Werewolf Wolf-Blood; Edward Remus Lupin Black, Son, non-Werewolf

Turn date: 20 June 1998

Turned by: Fenrir Greyback

Pack Status: Pack or Lone Wolf Clan

Pack Numbers: 15

Mated: Partially

Mate name: N/A

Wolfsbane Use: Never

What in the world did partially mated mean? She sat back in her chair and considered his parting words. She'd be lying if she said she didn't want to see what a second date with Draco Malfoy was like. She had been a bit defensive on the first one. Going in knowing it was him would give her a chance to prepare, but there was the whole Clan business. She had already decided that she'd be going to do the tour of the Village as well as see their fortifications and potentially visit during the next Moon.

She felt the presence pacing in the back of her mind. Could it really be?

"Can you hear me?" she asked.

"Oh! Yes! Finally! Did he convince you to talk to me?" the voice responded. If she hadn't known better she would have sworn someone was infiltrating her mind with Legilimency.

"Who? Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, he's dreamier than you remembered isn't he? When he gets all worked up…" the wolf purred.

"Er, I don't think of him like that," Hermione replied defensively.

The wolf let out a laugh, "You can't lie to me, human. I know it seems like I'm not you, but I am. I'm just another part of you."

"So you know everything I think? How come I haven't heard you before? When I dream during the Moon I can never hear you. Do you talk to that other wolf?"

The wolf laughed again. "Yes, I am you , human. I don't let you hear me during the Moon because you didn't want to. Of course Vali and I talk. He's our Mate."

"M-Mate?" Hermione sputtered, sitting up straighter in her chair.

"Of course, he's even our True Mate, perfectly matched and balanced in every way."

It was Hermione's turn to snort. "How come I'm single if I have a True Mate ?" she sneered.

The wolf huffed in irritation, "Because you say things like that. You're literally having a conversation with me and you still don't believe it. I think you should go and visit their Village with an actual open mind. If it was Theo, what would he force you to do?"

"He'd show me enough evidence that I wouldn't be able to refute it," she said quickly.

"And how much more evidence do you need from the Clan?" the wolf asked smugly.

Hermione felt herself flush. The evidence they'd provided was extensive . There was a multi-year study from some of the World's most highly regarded institutions, on both Wolves and Werewolves. There was the qualitative data, and there was the conversation with Draco himself.

"But if all that is true , which I'm not saying I believe, why don't all Werewolves do that stuff?" Hermione asked.

"What did you think it meant to be Wolf-blood?" the wolf asked. "You've had me here for ten years and you've never once talked to me. You've ignored me and shoved me into the back of your mind. You've practically starved me with your seafood and plants. If you were a full Wolf-blood we would constantly be battling for dominance, like your Professor Lupin. He never accepted Moony so he led a fairly difficult life."

"How do you know all this?" Hermione asked.

"I've spent the last 10 years talking to Vali every Full Moon. He and his human have taught me so many things that you never wanted to hear," the wolf said, with a smirk.

"You keep calling him Vali, do you have a name?" Hermione asked.

"Of course I have a name," the wolf said, affronted. "I don't trust you enough to tell you though."

"You-You don't trust me?" Hermione sputtered in shock.

"What about our interactions would have ever encouraged trust?" the wolf asked.

"Alright, I'll work on it?" Hermione said begrudgingly, recognizing the stubborn streak. "What about Vali's human? Who is he ? Who is our True Mate?"

The wolf laughed hysterically. "Like I'd trust you with that information. You'd do some foolish thing and ruin everything. You can figure that one out yourself, human."

"Hello, Vali," Rou purred, "we have a guest with us this evening."

"Do we?" he asked, circling her. "Has your human come to her senses?"

"She's working on it," Rou said with a laugh. "Is your human there?"

"He's always here," Vali replied, sitting back on his haunches in front of her.

"She's trying to get me to tell her who he is, but I have already told her that is her task to discover," Rou said, sinking to her belly, encouraging him to lay with her.

"What else are we keeping from your human, Mate?" he asked with a laugh.

"My name," Rou said grinning. "She wants to hear more about your experiences with the Moon."

"Alright Hermione," Vali said, curling up with his head resting on top of Rou's. "Let's talk. What do you want to know?"

"How does it feel to be a werewolf?" Rou relayed with an eye roll.

"I wouldn't know. We're wolf-blood. Werewolves are what the Captive Wolves call themselves, my human and I are one, I am his wolf-soul and he is my human-soul. You and your wolf are our True Mates."

"Are you only my wolf's True Mate?" Rou relayed lazily.

Vali huffed, "Reach out and feel me, am I only your wolf-soul's mate?" he asked.

Hermione pushed out of Rou to feel the edges of their Magic. She could feel Vali. "You feel so familiar," she murmured.

"We're what the humans call Soulmates, Hermione," Vali said patiently. "My human wants me to tell you that you should trust your Magic more."

"I do trust my Magic," Rou relayed.

Vali scoffed, "We all know that's not true. You spend more time reading about your Magic and trying to quantify it than you do feeling it."

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"When you wake up tomorrow, I want you to feel your Magic. My human says he will send you a pamphlet about it."

Rou chuckled at the burst of excitement coming from Hermione. "Can everyone connect with their Magic?"

"Of course," he said with a shrug, "it's like feeling your arm or your leg, you never notice they're there until you think about them."

"What do you two normally do during the Moon?" she asked.

"Who me and my human or me and your wolf-soul?" he asked.

"Er both?" she asked.

"My human and I run with the others, but in the past few years we've taken almost full leadership. We will often spend time with our Father as he's getting older."

"So you're the Alpha?" she asked excitedly.

He growled, "I won't answer that. When we get here to the Dream Forest," he continued after a moment, "your wolf-soul and I usually run and talk, sometimes we swim."

"If I were to meet you when I'm in human form and you're in wolf form would we recognize each other?" she asked.

"Of course, you're our True Mate. I could never harm you even if I wanted to. I can argue with you and get frustrated, but never physically harm you," he said. "if you came upon me in the Forest, you would probably recognize me eventually as long as you felt out with your Magic."

"Will you allow me to speak with you again?" she asked.

"I have so little time with your wolf-soul, but we will endeavour to give you a little time during the Moon to chat with me," he said after a while.

"I reserve the right to some privacy until you prove yourself," Rou said to Hermione.

Hermione huffed, but decided that she couldn't be too upset. She'd be rather angry if someone had ignored her for ten years and then demanded countless questions.

Draco

Sunday, April 20, 2008

He paced in the cabin, Salman watched him from the couch, a small smile on his face. "There is nothing else you can do to prepare," he said.

"But she's coming here ," he said "to our cabin. What if she won't accept me?"

"She'll respond exactly how she always does," Salman said with a laugh. "She'll lash out at you and eventually she'll decide it's time to reach out and talk."

"Merlin I'm fucked aren't I?" Draco said with a laugh. "We both need help, don't we? I'd literally chase after her for eternity if that's what it took and she'll just continue to run away."

"Give her a little credit, abni," he said, letting out a wheezing cough.

Draco rushed over to him and thumped his back, helping to clear out his lungs. "I'm worried about you," he whispered.

"When it's my time, it's my time. I've been so fortunate to have found you and Ted. I thought after Nura…" he choked off. "Well I thought my life was over, and in many ways, it was, but with you and Teddy, it has been the Second Act."

"I wish you wouldn't talk like this," Draco said, feeling tears prick his eyes. He wasn't ready for Salman to go. He'd not had nearly enough time with him. He absentmindedly rubbed his fingers over the Al-Qadar motto.

"Look at what you've done. Look at my legacy," Salman said softly. "You'll carry on without me. I've had you and gotten to watch my grandson grow for so long."

Teddy had turned 11 a few days before. They'd celebrated his birthday just yesterday. The party was a strange mixture of Clan members and outside people, like Theo and Potter, who was finally invited to the village. Teddy had whooped when he'd gotten his letter, already excitedly talking about going to Diagon Alley to get his supplies and how Uncle Harry would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Draco sighed, "I don't want to carry on without you," he said. "You're my-"

"I know," Salman whispered, "but I'm not gone yet. Let's not mourn something that isn't gone. I think I have a few more tattoos for you."

Draco laughed wetly. "She's coming today, to really observe us."

"She is. I have a good feeling about this," he responded, patting Draco's hand.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Draco stood in front of the Floo of their small town hall, waiting for Granger to appear. She'd scheduled the first observation with the Clan that day. He'd scheduled a meeting with her to sign their modified Non-Disclosure Contract, it allowed some flexibility for her job, but disallowed her from sharing her knowledge beyond her boss who had signed the same contract.

He'd dressed in more casual Muggle clothes. A pair of black jeans and a well fitting sweater, his sleeves slightly rolled up. He brushed the non-existent lint from his chest and checked his watch. Granger would be there at any moment. He looked up when he heard the Floo. She stepped out, looking harried. She was balancing a notebook and quill in one hand, digging in her bag with the other. She wasn't looking up and her braids were flying around her, crackling with Magic.

She looked up after she bumped into the mantle. He was leaning against the doorway, legs crossed and eyebrow raised. She flushed and stopped digging in her purse. "Er, hello Malfoy," she said awkwardly. She must have noticed her braids floating around, because her face darkened even further and she batted them down with her free hand. "I've, er been practising feeling my Magic, something my er, my wolf encouraged me to do. It's been causing absolute havoc on my hair. Theo had to braid my curls away since they kept knotting around each other and getting caught on things. The braids are a bit sturdier…"

Merlin, she was cute when she rambled. She'd come wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a cardigan over her low cut blouse. He tried not to rake his eyes over her tattoos, but she looked delicious. He smirked as he watched her realise she hadn't stopped talking and closed her mouth. "Er, hello?" she squeaked.

"Good morning, Granger," he said, standing to his full height and stepping towards her. He leaned slightly forward, hovering in her personal space, "Don't worry, I know it feels overwhelming at first, but I know the Brightest Witch of Our Age will figure it out."

She looked up at him and swallowed heavily. His eyes darted down to her lips, subconsciously. Fuck she was sexy. "I…" she trailed off, looking down at his lips for a moment. He smirked and it seemed to snap her out of it. "Thank you for inviting me to come to your Village. I'm rather looking forward to seeing how everything runs."

He grinned at her and turned, stepping towards the hall. "This is our Town Hall of course. It houses our governmental offices as well as our Archive." He smiled to himself at how excitedly she took in the idea of the archive. "Our Archivist has agreed to meet with you later this afternoon to answer any questions you may have."

"Really?" she asked, he looked down at her and couldn't hold back his smile. She was finally showing interest.

"Yes, of co-" all of a sudden Teddy sprinted at him and practically tackled him. "Oof, Ted!"

"Papa!" he said grinning, "Can I join you and Auntie Mi on the tour?"

"Of course, pup," he said, starting to walk again.

"So now we're in the town square," Draco said.

"We have all the festivals here," Teddy added. "We celebrate all the traditional holidays. You should come to the next one, Auntie!"

Hermione blinked at Teddy. "I…. Maybe?"

Draco swept in, saving her from her own fumbling. "The Village offers a variety of things to its inhabitants. We have a grocery that doubles as an apothecary, an Inn that serves a delicious homebrewed ale as well as the best Shepherds Pie you'll ever eat, and a few other shops scattered around. He smiled as she diligently took notes and asked questions of the different people she saw walking around. She made note of the families she saw playing in the park and asked questions of all of them.

After a while, Teddy got tired of walking, and begged Draco to carry him on his shoulders. "You're really getting too big for this, Ted," he said, but lifted the boy up and let him ride on his shoulders like he was still little. Draco pretended not to notice the look of affection Hermione shot his way as he galloped around with Teddy.

They had a quick lunch in the Inn and then Draco dropped her off with the Archivist, making his way to his own office. He sat back and sighed, she was going to be the death of him. She had absolutely no idea what she did to him. He could just picture her asking the Archivist question after question, practically jumping out of her seat at all the new knowledge.

When her time with the Archivist was up, he went to collect her and could barely hold back his laughter. She was sitting at one of the tables with books absolutely piled up on either side of her. She had three books open in front of her and was bouncing from one to the other.

"Oh! Draco you're here!" she said. Merlin did he like hearing her call him Draco. Usually when they weren't in the dreamscape she called him Malfoy and it crushed him a little bit each time. "Can I have a bit longer before we go over to the Inn?"

He sat across from her, "I can give you another fifteen, but then we have to go, they're all expecting us."

She nodded and immediately dove back into her reading. Draco couldn't complain, watching her consume knowledge was amazing. She was voracious when it came to knowledge and knowing that he was the one who was providing her with all this new information definitely inflated his ego .

When it had been twenty minutes, he cleared his throat, pulling her from her reading. She looked disappointed but stood, "Could I-" she looked down, shyly. "Could I come back and do some more research? You all have so much information about different species from around the world."

"You can come back whenever you want," he said kindly, holding out his arm. She took it without thinking and he listened to her chatter on about the things she'd learned. They made their way across the Square to the Inn and entered. There weren't any decorations up that evening as it was just as the April Moon was a normal Full Moon and didn't have any attached meaning or celebration.

Food was laid out from all over the world. One of the things Draco prided himself on was the diversity in Volvelle Village. He'd been very clear from the beginning that there was to be no one who was considered better or worse because of anything they couldn't control (race, gender, sexual orientation, blood status, etc). Of course that didn't always go perfectly, as they were still human, but for the most part, the Villagers cohabitated peacefully.

He heard Hermione gasp when she took in the variety of food. "I made sure that we had some Jamaican food because I wanted to make sure that your culture was celebr-" she launched herself at him and hugged him.

"Thank you! It looks amazing!" she cried, quickly rushing towards the table, noting the different foods and joining the others in adding to her plate. He wasn't used to dramatic shows of affection like that, especially from her . It made his whole core ache. She was so close, but she was still oblivious to the truth. After a moment, he went to join Teddy and Salman who were sitting at their table, chatting amicably.

"How did it go, Papa?" Teddy asked slyly. "Did you tell her?"

"Tell me what?" Hermione said, appearing over his shoulder.

Draco shot a glare at Teddy who let out a giggle when he looked at Salman who was biting back his own smile. "Just that we've been preparing our Blue Moon celebration for next month and would love for you to join us. We have a few extra special things at our New Moon Celebrations for Moons that have special significance."

Hermione sat down and began asking questions breathlessly. Draco sent a smug look towards Teddy, who rolled his eyes and began to tell her about his favourite Moons. She'd left shortly after dinner, reminding him that she'd be seeing him on the Full Moon.

That night, he finally decided he could go back to their cabin. He'd almost given in a few times, but had always changed his mind before getting to the door. Seeing her today so willing to learn and feeling her arms wrapped around him, even momentarily had given him hope. Maybe they could do this…

He opened the door and saw her sitting there. She was wearing one of his old quidditch jerseys, knitting quietly. He had to bite back a groan when he saw his last name stamped across her back. He took a few breaths to calm himself and then took a step forward. "Hello sweetheart," he said.

She whipped around. "Draco!" she shrieked and stood and sprinting over to him and jumping up. He grabbed her and let her pepper his face with kisses. "I'm sure it's just because I saw the real you today and you seemed like you'd forgiven me, but I'm so glad you're here!"

Draco growled, "You're such an oblivious witch. Didn't you see the way I was watching the way those jeans stretched over your arse?"

She flushed and he pulled her in for a deep kiss. "Fuck I've missed this. I've missed you, but I couldn't…"

"I know I messed up," she whispered. "Theo was so disappointed in me. He's barely talked to me either. I was so sure I was right."

Draco just grunted but didn't say anything. While she looked up at him.

"This is where you are supposed to say you forgive me," she said hopefully.

He scoffed and let her go, taking a step back, "Ah, I see. You just like the way it feels when I kiss you. It was a mistake to come. I thought…" he turned away and moved toward the door.

"No, Draco, wait!" she cried, grasping his arm. "I'm sorry, I just- I- you're- I'm stubborn and it's been so long since anyone called me out on shit and since you came back into my real life everything has been so off balance."

He didn't turn. "I think it was a mistake coming," he said quietly. "You don't feel the same way as I do and seeing you like this makes it so much harder."

"Draco, please!" she said with a sob.

"I wasn't lying about that second date, Granger, but it can't be like this," he whispered. Trying to ignore the whimper that she let out as he opened the door. He rested his back against the closed door and tried to ignore the sobs he heard coming from the other side. He needed to be strong, she had to come to him this time.

He'd chosen to wear his best suit for her this afternoon. It was the Ermenegildo Zegna Bespoke 'd spent close to 50,000 pounds on it, and it definitely showed. He was sitting with his foot tapping in front of the Floo, waiting for her. Andromeda had picked up Teddy early and Salman was taking a nap. He'd finished another tattoo just that morning and had fallen asleep almost the moment Draco brought him home.

When the Floo activated he had to bite back the growl that threatened to come out of him. His control was hanging by a thread and here she was in a pair of Muggle leggings, arse looking made for his hands to smack. He dragged his eyes up her body and groaned when he saw the workout top that pushed her breasts up the zippered jumper hanging loosely around her shoulders. His eyes dragged up her neck and his mouth watered imagining his Mating Mark on her throat, she had no tattoos on her left shoulder, leaving the perfect space for his bite. Finally his eyes dragged up to hers and he could see she was just as affected by him.

"Granger," he said stiffly, "if you could zip your jumper I'd greatly appreciate it."

She looked disappointed in his statement. But begrudgingly did. If anything the zippered jumper drew more attention to her arse. He closed his eyes for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Before you show me to the Forest," she said, crossing her arms under her breasts. Fuck she must be trying to kill him. "I have some questions about your Registration."

"Ask away," he grunted. Fuck it. "Would you like some tea? I need to check on Salman, he's been a bit under the weather."

"Of course, I hope he's alright?" she asked, worrying her lip between her teeth.

"Stop that ," he hissed, staring at her lips.

"That is exactly what I want to talk about!" she said, stomping her foot. And Merlin, if it didn't make her arse and tits jiggle in the most delicious ways.

"What?" he ground out, holding the door so she could step in front of him. His eyes were glued to her hips as she fucking sauntered in front of him. He could feel Vali panting after the witch.

"This!" she said, turning around. "You, staring at me like you want to eat me!"

"Fuck don't say things like that, witch," he stalked towards her. "I've already told you I want another date. I'm not sure what I can do to convince you."

"But Malfoy?" She said petulantly, "you said you were partially Mated. How can you want to-"

He couldn't even let her finish the statement, he grasped her arm and apparated them to the cabin.

"Of course I'm only partially mated," he sneered, walking her towards the wall. "The human half of my Mate is a fucking stubborn, oblivious, irritating, witch."

His hands had found their way to the wall pressed on either side of her head. Her chest was heaving . She was looking up at him in shock.

"Just once," he whispered, "then I'll leave you alone forever if you want."

She nodded minutely and he pressed his lips against hers. And fuck it was better than he could have guessed. She felt so good against him. She almost immediately opened her mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deeper kiss.

After a moment she pulled away and looked at him in confusion. "Malfoy, where are we?"

He took a step back so she could take it all in. Their cabin. He watched her pinch herself and couldn't hold back a smirk. "You're not dreaming, sweetheart," he purred. He was delighted by the shiver that went up her spine.

After a moment, she whipped around. "You lied to me?" she shrieked. "This whole time you've been manipulating me into thinking you were someone you're not, but you're still the same arsehole who will do anything to get what you want aren't you?"

He laughed. "And what pray tell, do you think I want, Granger?"

"A Golden Notch in your bedpost? A little addition to the countless girls you've bedded? I thought I was dreaming all these years and it's just been you manipulating me."

He couldn't hold back his surprise. "Granger. Sweetheart. I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said quietly.

"Yes I'm sure you'll say whatever you want to get into my pants. You have quite the reputation you know."

"Oh yeah?" He said letting her anger wash through him, indulging in his own. "What reputation is that?"

"Slytherin Sex God Ring any bells?" she sneered.

He chuckled, "Fucking Blaise! You can think whatever you want about me, but make no mistake Granger. I am yours. I've never been anyone else's."

She scoffed, "And more pretty lies, did you know I always thought it was so romantic that you waited. Even if I don't understand the obsession with Virginity."

"Hermione. I did. I have waited. I-"

"Honestly I don't want to hear it,' she said. "I'll stay for the Moon because I promised my boss, but I'd like someone else to show me around."

Salman chose that moment to come out from his room. "Oh hello," he said. Draco couldn't fight back the grimace. He looked so weak. Salman ignored his worried looks and settled into his wheelchair. "I would be delighted to be your escort and show you our Forest."

Hermione sniffed and stood behind the chair pushing it towards the door and listening to Salman's words, ignoring Draco.

"Hermione," he called before she exited the cabin, "it's only ever been you." She paused but didn't reply or turn.

He collapsed onto the floor the moment the door closed, letting out a sob. Couldn't she see?

This Turn was one of the more painful that they'd ever experienced. Immediately when it was completed, Vali raced over to Reszo who was panting on the Forest Floor, he nudged at the old wolf whining softly.

"Abni," he whimpered. "I'll be alright, just give me a moment. Show her that we won't harm her."

Vali begrudgingly rose and went to the edge of the ward she'd created on the other side of the clearing.

"Is he alright?" She asked out loud.

"He's sick," Vali said. "Too long without his True Mate, Teddy, Draco and I provided a solid family system for him but without her…"

He watched her look at Reszo sadly.

"Would that happen to you?" She whispered.

He whined, "The longer you spend around us the worse it gets."

She looked down at him and fell to her knees. "Can he hear me?"

"We're not different people," he said.

"Sometimes you talk about each other like you are," she said, blinking at him.

"We're two sides of the same coin. Just like your wolf-soul is always around, so are we both."

She reached out a hand, letting him take the final step towards her. He stepped forward and pressed his muzzle to her palm, shuddering at her touch. He pushed their Magic towards her and felt their Cores touch.

"Oh my god," she whispered. He whined, Vali had never touched her. Draco barely had been able to touch her. She fell to her knees in front of him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting out a sob. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"There is nothing you could do to keep us away," Vali crooned.

"But I've been so stubborn," she cried. "He'll never forgive me."

"We already have."

The rest of the night was spent with Vali showing Hermione around, introducing her to different Clan members. She was soaking in all the knowledge like a sponge.

"So you're saying you're not a pack?" she asked.

"No, we're a Clan made up of individual families. That is Len and his mate Vivienne," he said, gesturing to the pair of wolves who were chasing a pup around excitedly. "Their pup, Thiago, just had his first transformation in January. We give all children the option of Turning when they turn 13 and again when they turn 17."

Hermione looked at the small family thoughtfully. "Can you be born a were- er Wolf-blood?"

He looked at her, appreciatively. "It's extremely rare, but it can happen. It usually only comes from two True Mates who are both completely Turned."

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully, running her fingers through his fur. "You're saying people really choose this?"

"Draco was shocked at the beginning too, but is this like anything you've been told about wolves before?" he asked, looking at her again.

"Well no," she whispered. "So it's really all been a lie?"

"Not a lie, necessarily," Vali said, patiently. "Werewolves are, in essence, the same as us, but they're Captive. They prescribe to a certain lifestyle. I'd recommend you read over the Wolf Biology books Draco had sent to you. They're not a perfect comparison but they're very similar."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "I see it now, it's… not what I expected."

He looked back at her and then led her back to Rezso, whining again and curling up at his side. "Can you-" he stopped and gathered himself. "Can you please fetch Teddy. I fear that this will be his last Moon and- Rezso will want to say goodbye."

Hermione nodded and apparated away. Not long after, she returned, holding the hand of a sleepy looking Teddy.

"Jaddi?" he asked quietly, coming to sit next to the old wolf.

Rezso lifted his head and placed it in Teddy's lap. The boy leaned over and held his head, crying softly. Draco curled up around Teddy's back pushing his affection through their familial bond.

At some point, he felt Hermione walk away, probably to observe the rest of the Clan. "I know that you're sick, Jaddi," Teddy whispered, "but I don't want you to leave. Papa said you missed Jadati (grandma) and that you'll need to go to her soon."

Rezso whined and leaned up to lick his face. "I won't be totally gone," he said quietly. I'll always be around if you need me."

"How can I talk to you though?" Teddy asked. "Papa isn't as good at giving advice as you are."

Rezso huffed a wheezy laugh. "He lets the anger out a little too much, doesn't he?"

"Will he settle when they finally complete the bond?" Teddy asked quietly.

"Yes, he will. I have a feeling that you'll have siblings too that you'll have to teach all the things I taught you. All of our little secrets from your father."

Vali shuffled, opening one of his eyes to glare at the old wolf. He'd been pretending to sleep to give them their privacy. Rezso saw his shift and winked. "He's going to have a really hard time when I leave, pup."

"I know, Jaddi," Teddy said wetly. "I'll look after him and I think Auntie Mi will as well. I can tell she's coming around to him. Uncle Theo was taking bets with Gran and Grand-mère about how much longer they'd take." Vali shifted again, pleased that others thought she was warming up to him.

"You promise to read stories to your siblings whenever they want?" he asked.

"I promise," Teddy said, burying his face in Rezso's fur.

"You promise to teach them the things I taught you? Your sister will be like me when it comes to tattoos."

"How do you know?" Teddy asked in awe. Vali couldn't help admitting that he was too. Rezso and Salman were easily the most mysterious person he'd ever met. There were so many things he hadn't gotten to ask, and he was sure that he'd never get an answer to even if he did ask.

"I can See it, pup," Rezso said quietly. "Now let us sleep. This may be the last time I see you, but you still have a bit longer with my human."

Teddy sniffled and burrowed against Rezso, looking over to Vali, who crawled over and tucked himself on Teddy's other side. And although he wanted to meet with Rou that night, he didn't want to leave Teddy alone, so he kept watch over the two as the Moon set over the waters of the pond, silently thinking about what life would look like when Salman and Rezso were gone.

That morning, after he'd carried both Salman and Teddy to their beds, he returned to the kitchen to see a note propped up against the book he'd been reading. He sighed as he took in the smell of her on the parchment. He traced the letters for a long time, thinking about what exactly it meant when she said:

"I need time to think."

Hermione

Monday, May 19, 2008 (Seasonal Blue Moon)

It was a Seasonal Blue Moon, which in her experience made her wolf, who still refused to share her name a bit edgier, this in turn made Hermione edgier. She often found herself wearing darker colours and snarking a bit more in the week before a Blue Moon. She hadn't been able to find anything specific that made her think anything was actually different, but she could feel it. A Blue Moon was a month that had two Full Moons, but a Seasonal Blue moon just meant that there are four moons in a season. This fourth spring moon was making her jumpy.

She hadn't made any decisions about Draco and when she'd appeared in the cabin, made sure to lock herself in their bedroom when she heard him in the kitchen. He came almost every time she was there, but she wasn't ready yet. She recognized that she wasn't being fair, necessarily, but she couldn't help herself. Her whole worldview had shifted.

She'd thought that it had all been dreams, that Dream Draco wasn't real. To find out that he was and it had been real all along was mind boggling. She couldn't erase the feeling of being lied to, but she'd begun to accept the shift.

She'd gone to see Salman, who looked weaker than ever. He'd patted her hand, knowingly, and she'd looked down at the touch. Moments later she found herself in his chair, a new tattoo being marked onto her ring finger of her left hand.

"Is-Is that a wand?" she asked

"Yes," Salman said, "I'd say a 10 inch Hawthorn with a unicorn core."

She didn't look back at him, because they both knew whose wand that was.

"He didn't know it was you until the Manor, you know," Salman said conversationally. "The ritual was done in a way that prevented him from remembering your face and identifying marks when he came out of them."

She just blinked at him, "Well then why could I remember?"

"Because you thought it was just a dream. He's worried, worried that you'll reject him," he continued, leaning back heavily in his chair. "I don't have much longer, but You'll look after them both for me?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"It's time for me to join my True Mate, she's been waiting for me for a long time," he slid her a handbound book and patted her hand. "You'd best be off, I think that you have some decisions to make."

She ran her other fingers along his wand on her finger and sighed. And looked down at the small book that sat on the table in front of her. She'd decided to spend this Moon in Australia. She'd managed to befriend her parents, claiming to be an orphan who'd lost her parents. They saw her as their niece and were always pleased to see her when she visited.

"Oh hello, dear," Monica Wilkins said, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "How have you been? You look a bit wan."

"I'm trying to decide…. About a boy," she said softly.

Monica's eyes absolutely lit up. "A boy! Tell me everything!" So Hermione did, within reason, she left out the parts about Magic of course, but informed her mother all about Draco Malfoy, the boy who'd gone from being her childhood rival to whatever they were now.

Monica looked at her knowingly. "It sounds like he always fancied you a bit."

"His parents weren't very supportive of… me or er my parents," Hermione winced.

Monica snorted, "Yes well, biracial relationships are still a bit of a taboo in some circles aren't they? Next thing we'll hear is that Prince Harry is marrying a Black girl." Hermione laughed along with her mother.

"Yes well, his family's very wealthy and mine, always did fine of course but would have never reached his level," she said after a few moments.

"But now, how does he treat you?" Monica asked, sipping her coffee.

"Like an equal," Hermione said with a sigh. "I'm not used to it. Mostly people are intimidated by me, so knowing that he doesn't feel that way is… strange? I feel like I'm still waiting for him to say something rude about my parentage or how I grew up."

"I think you need to talk to him about that," Monica said with a knowing look. "Oh goodness, Mia," she said looking down at her phone, "Wendell and I have a Dental gala to attend. I'm so sorry to be dipping out on you, but I need to get to the salon, you know how long our hair takes to do!"

Hermione nodded and stood, hugging her mother. "You think I should go for it?"

"I think you have already made up your mind," Monica said with a smile. "Send us an invite to the wedding?"

Hermione laughed as her mother flitted away. She opened the book for the hundredth time and skimmed the words again.

Finding your True Mate is a rare and awe inspiring event. When a wolf-blood finds their perfect match, they will instinctively know. Typically if they'd known each other before the wolf-blood is Turned, the couples claim there had always been an underlying tension. Often there is push back from one or both parties to settle the bond, but once it is solidified, there are never any regrets.

She sighed. She knew that she'd already made up her mind, but there would be no going back, ever. This was it for her, for him, for them. Good, bad, and ugly. She groaned, it was so much pressure .

If the bond is never settled, both parties could technically find other mates, although they would always be missing something. An unsettled bond can feel like anything from an unrelenting itch to a missing limb, especially when it has been acknowledged. Many people feel that a life without their True Mate is a punishment worse than death and will end their lives if their True mate cannot be part of it.

Historically, True Mates have died together, but in modern times with the advancements in medication and healthcare, they can live for a long time without the other. A life for one who loses their True Mate is often fraught with sadness and difficulties. It can be difficult to pull out of the depression that follows, although it can be achieved.

She looked up from the book when someone hovered over her table. She looked up to see a handsome man smiling down at her. "Hello, love," he said. "I was wondering if I could buy the prettiest girl in the room another cuppa?"

"Oh er," Hermione stuttered. She'd forgotten how forward Muggles were. "N-No thank you, I'm about to be off, actually. Thank you though."

He looked disappointed, but nodded. "If you change your mind, here's my number."

She looked down at the slip of paper and nodded. "Er, thanks…" he walked away confidently and Hermione couldn't help feeling like that interaction, more than anything else solidified her decision. .

"Just go to the cabin," her wolf said, rather unhelpfully.

"I can't just show up there!" Hermione responded.

"We're his True Mate," the wolf scoffed. "It's as much our house as his."

"I'll send him a letter," Hermione said with a smile.

Draco,

Can I call you Draco now? I've thought of you as Draco in my head for so long, but until recently I'd never thought of you as Draco, just him. But I suppose that's silly because you are him…. Now that just sounds silly.

Are you angry with me? I think if the situation was reversed I'd be quite angry. I know I've been avoiding you, but I haven't been able to think straight in so very long. You've had me absolutely tied up in knots. For so very long I've thought I saw Dream Draco in the little things you did, but you never said anything so I figured I'd just attached things to him that I saw.

Salman told me that you never knew it was me before I was tortured at the Manor. I'd like to pretend that if I'd known it was real I would have approached you, but I'm not sure if that's true. I always thought you'd never be attracted to me, and to find out that you are still throws me for a bit of a loop.

Sometimes I think about what it would have been like if you would have said something earlier. Could you have avoided the Mark? Could we have spent all these years together, or did it need to happen this way? I've spent the past month absolutely on edge trying to decide how I wanted to approach you. If I'm honest with myself, I know that I'd already decided that I wanted to pursue this before I left the Village, but that felt too rushed.

It's serious isn't it? Once I decide I can't change my mind, can I? Once we're together, we can't not be. Don't think I want to change my mind, but it's such a huge decision. I find that I'm worried about you changing your mind. What if I say something else insensitive and you're so mad that you don't want to be with me anymore. I know it's silly because every part of me is saying that you could never feel that way, but I can't help but worry.

I know I'm in, but I'm afraid to jump. I've always been rather afraid of heights. Falling is one of the worst nightmares that I have. I always used to blame that on why I couldn't meet someone. The idea of being so out of control was terrifying. Trusting so much of myself to someone else…

I've talked myself in and out of this a million times, but the out lasts such a very short time in comparison to the in. I want this. I want you and I'm willing to do whatever I need to to have you.

I accept your offer of a second date, and third and fourth and fifth and infinite dates, because although it's terrifying, I have decided to trust my Magic. It's pushed me towards you for years even if I've tried to ignore it. I know that you are mine as I am yours.

Yours,

Hermione

"I cannot stay long," Vali said quickly. "I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't avoiding you."

"What's happened?" Rou asked quickly.

"It's Rezso. He's dying. He won't last through the night. I need to be with him, but know that I will spend the hours thinking of you."

Before she could blink he'd gone and she settled onto the Forest Floor to wait.

Draco

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

He felt like he hadn't moved all week. Since the New Moon, he'd barely been able to get out of bed. He'd dragged himself to the funeral and couldn't remember a single word that he'd said. He could vividly remember Teddy, standing up, trying to be strong for both of them, but not much else. He could remember that Hermione was there, but even that hadn't really registered.

She'd sent him a letter during the last Moon, but it sat still unopened on his desk. He didn't have the courage to open it. Good or bad news wouldn't tear him out of this feeling. Teddy had slept with him every night since Salman had passed and Draco was only going through the motions.

He rubbed the wand that Salman had added to his ring finger, a vinewood with dragon heartstring. For she did have his heart on a string. He buried his face into his pillows and looked up when he felt the bed sink at his side.

"You need to pull yourself out of this after the Moon," Narcissa said firmly. "Everyone is worried about you. Teddy hasn't been able to change his hair from that dull brown since after the funeral. If nothing else, you need to pick up for him."

Draco just stared at her blankly. "After the Moon," he whispered.

Narcissa nodded and walked away, leaving the door open a crack. "Papa?" he heard a whisper from the doorway. Draco's heart clenched. Teddy looked so small. His hair was dull and flat, nothing like the shiny hair he normally sported. He could usually tell how Teddy was feeling or what he was thinking about just based on his hair colour. He held his arms out, and Teddy ran towards him, launching himself onto the bed.

"Shhhh, pup," Draco said softly. "It'll all be alright."

"He's gone, Papa," Teddy sniffled, "he's gone and now you're not well and Gran and Grand-mére don't know what to do. I don't want to be alone anymore. I want you to come back."

Draco's heart cracked. "I'm back, Ted. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. I miss him so much."

"I know," Teddy said, sobbing now, "I miss him too. He promised that he'd never really be gone, but he hasn't answered me at all since he died."

"Oh pup," Draco said, holding the boy tightly against himself. "He's here," he said, touching Teddy's chest. "He's with us and watching over us. Now he's with Jadati. I'm sure she was so excited to see him."

"Do you think he's telling her about us?" Teddy whimpered.

"I know he is. He's probably telling her all about how you aced your Maths test and how I'm stubborn as a mule. He's probably talking about the tattoo I know he gave you, even though you're much too young." Teddy flushed, but smiled softly.

"He told me that we couldn't tell you because you'd be mad, but Papa I wanted one from him too."

"I know, pup," Draco whispered. Salman had asked Draco to give Teddy the tattoo, which at first he'd adamantly refused. What kind of father would let his son get a tattoo at age ten? After a few days, he relented. It was a right of passage and not letting the boy get the art would have been cruel in its own way. "Can I see it?"

Teddy lifted his shirt and pointed to the paw print over his chest. Draco smiled and touched the matching print on his own chest. It was a print from Rezso's paw. Draco touched it and could feel the Magic radiating. It was rather small now, but he knew it would grow with Teddy until it was true to size.

"No more until you're seventeen at least, alright?" he said quietly.

"You're not mad?" Teddy whispered.

"No," Draco said. "Now we match. He's always with us."

Teddy looked at him and tears started falling from his eyes again. "I miss him so much."

"Me too," he said, letting his own tears fall.

"Do you think it will ever get better?" Teddy sniffled after a while.

"Yes and no," Andromeda said, standing in the doorway., "You'll always miss him and think about him, but eventually the good memories will outweigh the sadness. He loved you both a lot, he made me promise to remind you every day if that's what it took."

Draco looked at his Aunt thoughtfully. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"Papa," Teddy turned to him. "Can we take a nap before I have to go to Gran's?"

"Sure pup," he said, pulling Teddy closer and closing his eyes. He listened to Teddy's breathing slow and followed him into dreams shortly afterwards.

That was the first night where Vali was able to let out his pain completely. He knew he wouldn't be going to Rou tonight. He howled at the Moon for a long time, long, haunting howls, that pushed his sadness into the world. He ran for as long as he could, trying to get the pain to leave him, but that didn't work either.

He scratched at himself, knowing that he'd regret it in the morning, but he wanted his outsides to feel the same as his insides. Starting tomorrow he'd have to pick up the pieces of their life and face everything, but for tonight, he would feel all the pain.

Hermione

Friday, July 18, 2008

She'd given him space, she didn't want to push. She'd decided on him, good, bad, and ugly. She'd told him that nothing could change her mind and it wouldn't. But two whole months? She sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. She admired the tattoos that covered her skin.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

She stepped out of the Town Hall and into the Village Square, pressing the non-existent wrinkles from her black sheath dress. She looked around at the large crowd of people. She spotted Andromeda and Narcissa sitting in the first row. Teddy was between the two women, his hair a dull brown.

Draco was sitting on Narcissa's other side, looking lost. He was staring unblinkingly towards the forest. She saw Theo and Harry sitting off to the side and went to join them. When Theo saw her he wrapped his arms around her, "I can't believe he's gone."

Words didn't feel necessary in that moment so Hermione sat with Theo's arm around the back of her chair watching Draco who still hadn't moved.

"Is he alright?" she asked after a few minutes.

"He's barely left bed," Theo said quietly.

Hermione could tell, now that she was closer to him she could see the bags under his eyes and the wrinkles in his suit. His hair was flat and dull looking, which was much different than his typical devil may care look. He was sitting slumped in his seat.

Once the ceremony started, Hermione found that she could barely tear her eyes away from him. He and Teddy stood to offer up a sort of prayer. When they sat down for the eulogy, given by one of the other Elders, Teddy snuggled into Draco's lap.

Hermione wanted to be sitting next to them, she couldn't deny it. She'd hoped he'd reach out during this time, but she didn't want to intrude on the family time. Before she knew it the Elder had stopped speaking and Hermione joined the group and standing, the whole group followed Draco and Teddy towards their cabin. Outside, a new tree had been planted.

"Salman always believed that we were closest to nature in the forest," Draco said quietly. Teddy was gripping his hand tightly and looking out protectively over the crowd. "When I first met him, I wasn't totally sure what to make of him. He was frank and no nonsense. He wasn't anything like my birth father. At 17, I wasn't totally sure how to take him."

He paused and looked over the crowd, locking eyes with Hermione. "He often talked about the love of his life, Nura. It always felt like there was a piece of Salman that was missing. Teddy and I were so lucky to have him for so long. One of his favourite things to say was that he'd been forced to wander the world until he found his people."

Hermione felt tears prick her eyes. "Now he's in the afterlife and I'm sure, Nura has greeted him warmly. I hope you take care of him," he said softly. "I did my best."

"He died as he lived, always looking out for others. He never held with formal ceremonies so I won't go on much longer, but I will say he asked to be buried under this tree, one he and Ted planted together. He wanted to return to nature and be a place of peace for others. This place will always be a place any of you can come to speak with him."

"Until we meet again, Albatriark."

She'd sobbed. She'd never seen him look so broken, it was worse than 6th year. She had only been able to speak to him for a moment, but made sure to give Teddy an extra hug. She grimaced at the bags under her own eyes.

She pulled in her high waisted shorts and tucked in the t-shirt. Finally she cinched the belt around her waist and slid into her sandals. She'd promised Theo that she'd come for lunch at their house. She'd even called out that day, not feeling up to tackling the towering pile of paperwork on her desk.

She stepped through the Floo to Grimmauld Place and was greeted by a cacophony of noise. Theo was chasing an exuberant Teddy around the first floor.

Hermione couldn't help the smile that bloomed on her face. Everyone had been so worried about Teddy. He hadn't been as outgoing since Salman's death, often preferring to read under Salman's tree instead of play with the other children in the village.

She stood in the doorway and turned when she heard the fireplace whoosh behind her. "Ted!" Draco called without looking up. "It's time to go l, you know that Uncle Theo takes Auntie Mi-"

He stared at her like he was seeing a ghost. She hadn't seen him even in dreams since before Salman's death. "Draco," she whispered. "You didn't respond to my letter."

"I couldn't deal with the rejection," he said, flushing.

"Rejection?" She asked, confused.

"I'm hanging on by a thread," he said quietly, not moving any closer. "I couldn't handle you not accepting me with everything else…"

"Oh you silly man," she said, "I think you should read my letter."

He leaned back slightly and peeled his hand from her waist, reaching into his breast pocket. She watched him pull out the still sealed letter. It was wrinkled as if he'd been fidgeting with it. He looked up at her and looked down at the envelope in his hands. He took another step back towards the couch and sunk down. He looked down at the letter and swallowed heavily. She heard Theo and Teddy coming down the hallway and turned quickly, shaking her head. Theo, grinned at her and turned around, bringing Teddy back into the kitchen.

Draco opened the letter and began to read. His eyes darted to her quickly and then back down to the letter. She moved towards him and sat on the other side of the couch. Every few lines he looked back at her, surprise blooming on his face.

"I'd thought…" he said after he'd finished.

"Yes well, I suppose I deserve having to wait a few months after making you wait for years ," she said with a smirk.

"Hermione," he whispered. "Can I-"

She watched him get choked up and scooted forward, until her knee was pressed against his leg. After a moment of staring into his silver eyes, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. When he didn't reciprocate, she pulled away, embarrassed at misreading the situation.

"I- Oh, uhm, I'm sor-" she started before his look of shock disappeared and he pulled her in and kissed her firmly. She melted into him as he deepened the kiss. Moments later she found herself on her back with him hovering over her.

The kiss was everything she'd ever imagined. She could swear she heard violins and cellos in the background. Tingles that began at her lips erupted over her entire frame. She couldn't, for the life of her, remember why she'd waited so long to tell him. She could have been having this since Hogwarts?

"Am I dreaming?" he murmured against her lips when they pulled apart for a breath.

"No," she smiled softly. "This is so much better than our dreams, isn't it?"

He groaned and leaned back in to kiss her again, sliding his tongue against hers. He hitched her thigh up around his hip and ground against her. Her fingers went to his hair, intensifying the kiss even further. She moaned into his mouth when he ground against her just right.

"No, not like this," he said quietly, pulling away panting, "I want to properly court you, not rut against you on Theo's couch like a teenager."

"I don't need the courting and romance and whatever else," she huffed, "I'm ready, I've already decided, I want you."

"I'm not-" he cleared his throat, "I'm not ready, Hermione. I want-" he flushed and continued in a whisper, "I want my first time to be when I Claim you."

"You were serious?" she whispered. "You really haven't? With anyone?"

"N-No, I've waited for you, well I obviously didn't know it was you until later, but…"

She surged forward and kissed him again. "Does it bother you that I didn't?"

He grinned down at her, "Of course not, I rather fancy learning from you, Granger."

Hermione flushed, pleased with his response.

Draco

Saturday, August 16, 2008

He'd spent the past month absolutely showering her with dates. He'd made sure to take her on both Muggle and Wizarding dates, never sparing any expense. He loved watching her light up when she learned new things. She'd ask incessant questions about everything they learned and heard. They'd gone to the Muggle cinema and the Magical opera. They'd gone to a wildlife sanctuary in both worlds as well, an exuberant Teddy bouncing along with them.

They'd been photographed out and about, which Draco had been especially nervous about, but found that the reception that "The Golden Girl and the Boy Who Had No Choice," got was much better than he'd anticipated. He'd actually framed the photo that had been taken of him holding her hand and looking down on her fondly as she laughed with Teddy in front of Foretescue's.

Every day seemed like a new opportunity to show her how he felt. He made sure to send her flowers for both her apartment and her office. He sent or brought her lunch every day. She'd tried to protest how much he was spending, but he scoffed, reminding her that he had ten years to make up for. He had a million things he wanted to do with her and refused to take no for an answer.

Just the week before, she'd come to him.

"I have two questions for you," she said, uncharacteristically shy.

"Yes, sweetheart?" he asked, looking up from his papers.

"First, did you send me the Courting Jewellery?"

"It's not Courting Jewellry unless you say it is, Granger," he said with a flush.

"Unless we say it is, actually, Draco," she replied in her swottiest voice.

"Do we say it is?" he asked softly, standing and leaning against the edge of his desk.

"I think I'd like to say it is," she said, looking down at her hands that were twisting in themselves. "If that's alright with you?"

"Merlin, of course it's alright with me, witch," he fiddled with the chain around his neck. "I've been wearing these around my neck," he said gesturing to their rings, "since I could go and buy them myself."

She looked at the rings that were on the chain on his neck and then back up at him. "Draco," she whispered.

"I'm not asking you to marry me yet, Hermione, but make no mistake I will be."

She swallowed heavily and fingered the matching necklace around her neck. After a moment she looked up at him. "I think I'm ready for the Claiming."

He stiffened. "I- not yet. I need more time."

He couldn't help but feel a sting of remorse at the disappointment that spread across her face.

"Draco?" she called, coming in from the garden in her sundress. He looked up at her as she was adjusting her earrings and took in a deep breath.

"Yes, sweetheart," he responded, trying not to let his eyes dart to the shocking amount of thigh that could be seen in her short dress.

"Could you help me with my-" she finally looked at him and he watched her swallow heavily. "Are you sure we can't?"

"Fuck, I want you so badly," he groaned, standing and stalking over to her. "Seeing you in this dress knowing that the only jewellery you wear is mine …" he groaned as he leaned in, bringing his mouth to her neck.

"Then take me," she whispered.

"No, it's only been a month, I can't- not yet. I promise it won't be much longer, I can barely stand being around you knowing…" he took a step towards her causing her to be pressed against the wall. "You're fucking intoxicating, Hermione."

She moaned and lifted her leg to wrap around him. "Draco please, I can't just kiss you anymore. I need more. "

He grunted and took a step back, pulling her toward the living room. "I can give you more. I can barely refuse you as it is."

He sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap. She ground against him, and he could feel himself hardening against her instantaneously. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rocked her against him.

Her hands went to his hair and she pulled, sucking his neck harshly. "Oh fuck," he groaned.

"Mmmm, does that feel good?" she cooed. "I know you're not ready to Mark me, but I want to Mark you ." At that exact moment, his mind blanked. She snapped her fingers and he was nude. She pulled off the dress she was wearing and he groaned at the picture she made. She wasn't wearing a bra and her knickers were barely a scrap of lace.

"Y-You want to Mark me?" he stuttered.

"Mmmhmmm," she said, pushing him back against the couch. "I know I can't really do it until we both decide, but I can't help picturing it…"

He growled and surged up, pulling her down to kiss him. Her hands ran up his chest, causing goosebumps to blossom everywhere. "Draco, darling," she whispered against his lips, "who else has touched you here," she ran her fingers along his nipples.

"N-no one, just you," he groaned.

"Mmmm, I can see why people are so into the idea of Virginity," she smirked, eyes mischievous. "Knowing that I'm the only one who has ever seen you like this, is empowering ." She ran her nails down his abs and pushed them through the pubic hair at the base of his cock. "And this, darling, who have you let see this?"

"N-no one. Never, anyone else. It's all for you," he sounded like a lovesick fool, but he supposed that's what he was.

"So if I were to do this," she ran her thumb along the head of his cock, forcing his hips to thrust, "it would be the first time?"

"Salazar, Hermione, of course it is. No one else. Never anyone else. Please ," he groaned.

"Please what, Draco?" she said, hovering above him.

"Touch me!" he said.

She pulled him up to sit, his feet firmly placed on the floor. She sank to her knees in front of him and his eyes almost popped out of his head. She pulled her curls into a high ponytail and licked her lips, staring at his cock.

She stuck out her tongue and licked a strip along the underside from base to tip, "Merling fuck," he groaned.

She smirked up at him and opened her mouth, swallowing him almost whole. He let out the most undignified sound he'd ever made, something between a moan and a shriek as she began to move over him. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was fucking glorious. Her mouth felt euphoric .

He could feel his orgasm building embarrassingly quickly. "Hermione," he groaned, "I'm so close, sweetheart, you have to-" if anything the witch doubled down. She sucked his cock even more firmly and turned her hazel eyes up to meet his That was what did it. Her eyes locked onto his, he exploded in her mouth. After a moment she released his cock with a pop and sat back on her knees.

"So, what did you think?" she said cheekily.

"I want you so badly," he groaned.

"Well," she said, slyly, "we still have a few hours until Moonrise, there are many things we could do that don't involve penetration ."

What followed was the singular most erotic afternoon of his life. He was a diligent student and took every piece of feedback she provided him. He was dedicated to being the best she ever had, no matter how much time and energy it took.

As he stood in the clearing, he licked his lips, tasting the remnants of her. He looked over to where she was perched on the bench under Salman's tree. Suddenly the moon rose and he felt himself turning. Vali jumped up immediately and ran to Hermione, who dropped to her knees to greet him.

He sniffed her and growled playfully. "You smell like us," he said.

"Of course I do," she replied with a smirk. "I am yours."

Hermione

Monday, September 15, 2008

"You do realise," Theo said as they ate their steaks that afternoon, "that the Claiming Marks are equivalent to being married?"

"Of course I do," she scoffed. "I wrote the bloody law, Theodore."

"No need to bite my head off," he said with a smirk. "As the Clan lawyer I just wanted you to be aware of what that entails."

"What do you mean?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well if you're mated to the leader of the Clan you'll have quite a bit of authority. I suppose I have a few concerns with your Day Job…"

"What concerns, Theo?" she asked, "Spit it out."

"Hermione, you'll be making rules and regulations for your husband and dictating how he should and shouldn't be living, doesn't that feel a bit off?" he said, gently.

Hermione bit her lip. She'd gotten a bit stuck at the word "husband." Draco Malfoy would be her husband. She'd be married to Draco. She'd be married and her parents didn't even know they had a daughter.

She let out a sob and began weeping. Theo looked shocked at her response and rushed from his side of the table to hers. "Oh my god, Theo," she wept. "My parents don't even know who I am. I'm planning on making this life shifting choice and they won't even know what it means. What if we have children? Their grandparents won't even-"

"Oh, Mi," he said, "I didn't mean-"

"I know!" she cried, wetly. "I just- How could I be so ready to make such a life-altering decision and not even consider-"

Hermione was reeling. She hadn't really thought about the connotations for her job or not having her father walk her down the aisle. Did wolf-blood weddings even include an aisle? She'd only been seeing Draco for two months. Her normal, logic driven life seemed to have derailed in the past year. She'd spent so much time feeling she hadn't even considered the consequences.

She was falling in love with Draco, that was obvious to anyone. If she was really honest with herself, she'd already fallen in love with him. She stood abruptly and raced out of the restaurant, apparating the moment she was free to do so.

She heard Theo shouting after her, but didn't stop to wait for him. He wouldn't understand. He and Harry were perfect for each other and they'd been together for so long. They'd decided that they were going to have an intimate New Year's Eve wedding and while Hermione was glad for them, neither totally understood the pressure she was under with her and Draco's relationship.

She wasn't sure she understood the pressure of their relationship.

She found herself in front of Shell Cottage and raced inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, Fleur and Victoire stood to greet her. "Victoire," Fleur said, "get your father."

The girl raced out the back door to find Bill as Hermione collapsed on the couch, sobbing.

"'ermione," Fleur cooed, holding her against her shoulder. "What 'as 'appened?"

"I-I can't d-do th-this!" she sobbed.

"What did he do?" Bill ground out from the doorway.

His response only made Hermionen sob harder. She heard him apparate away and gasped, realising that he probably thought Draco had done something wrong.

"Oh no!" she shrieked, standing. "He didn't do anything, I have to go stop him!" Fleur was just gaping at her and then nodded, rushing her to the door so she could apparate outside of their wards.

When she appeared in front of the cabin, Bill had Draco pressed up against the siding with his wand at his throat. "Tell me what you did to her," he growled.

"To who?" Draco asked, eyes darting back and forth.

"She came into my house sobbing about how she couldn't do this. What. Did. You. Do?" Bill said, digging his wand deeper into Draco's neck.

"Stop!" Hermione shouted, pulling Bill backwards and standing in front of Draco. "He didn't do anything!"

Bill looked between the two of them angrily, and then softened his gaze, "Hermione, it's me, you don't have to lie, you know I'll be by your side no matter what."

She heard Draco growl behind her. She pushed her back against his chest, so that he was firmly against the wall. "No, it was a misunderstanding, Bill. I'm just feeling overwhelmed with the Bond and my parents and it all just hit me at once, so I came to talk to you and Fleur, since you've always been such good supporters."

Draco growled again and wrapped an arm around her neck and gripped her hip with his other hand. "What are you talking about?" he said quietly.

She felt a shiver go down her spine. The possessive hold and words did something to her. Draco, for all his inexperience, was a fast learner and had excelled at everything they'd done over the past month. She could feel him smirk against her temple when her hips pushed back into his.

Bill growled again looking even angrier than he had before.

"Can we maybe sit and talk?" Hermione asked. A moment later, Fleur appeared, with nine year old Victoire holding the hand of her younger sister, Dominique, while Louis slept in the carrier on Fleur's chest.

"What is going on?" she huffed, coming to a stop next to Bill.

"There has been a misunderstanding," Hermione said, "I got overwhelmed and didn't explain myself very well. Can we sit and talk?"

Bill loosened his stance when Fleur placed her hand in his. Draco removed the hand from her hip and gestured to the patio table that was sitting in the clearing. Fleur dragged Bill to the table and sat next to him. Draco followed behind, not removing his arm from her shoulders, but stepping next to her, wand hand at the ready.

She tried to sit in her own seat, but was pulled into Draco's lap.

"I think it's time for an explanation, Mi," Bill said, attempting to speak lightly.

"I-" she sighed. "I was having lunch with Theo like I normally do on the Full Moon. He mentioned that the mating bond was essentially a marriage and I started spiralling."

She felt Draco stiffen below her. "Not because I don't want to marry you, Draco," she said quickly. "It's because my parents won't be there. They still don't remember me. And then I started thinking about what a wolf-blood marriage looks like and that created a whole new train of thought. Then I thought about my job. Will they even let me keep doing it when we get married?"

She felt Draco relax slightly below her. "I reckon I should have explained myself better, especially with the Full Moon and all of our emotions running so high…"

Bill sighed. "I suppose I should have asked a few followup questions before jumping the gun, huh?'

"Well I think, we'll let the two of you talk," Bill said, standing and scooping up Dominique. "We'll see you later tonight?"

Hermione nodded, she'd agreed to spend time with them at their bonfire this Moon, before returning to the Village to spend some time with Vali. "Yes, I'll be there just after moonrise."

The family walked away leaving Hermione and Draco sitting in silence.

"So…" he said quietly.

She sighed and turned to face him. "You make me feel out of control, Draco Malfoy."

He just looked at her, and she could tell he was trying not to wince. "When I'm with you it feels like nothing could go wrong, but we both know that's not how the world works. It feels like since I've started embracing our bond, everything has been perfect. But today, Theo mentioned my job and working with the other wolves and it got me to thinking about us ."

He nodded, looking worried, but still didn't say anything.

"I know I want to marry you, it's inevitable, but three months? That seems so fast," she said quietly.

"That's why I didn't want to Claim you right away, sweetheart," he whispered. "I know we'll be together, but I don't want to rush it. I never want you to look back and think 'I wish we had waited.'"

"I…" she rested her forehead against his, "I suppose I never understood before, not really. I mean its just sex, afterall. But it isn't, is it?"

He shook his head. "No, its not just sex . It's a lifelong, unbreakable bond."

She sighed. "I want that, I crave it, but…My parents… I've been doing my own research for years. I want to try one more time to get their memories back. Monica and Wendell are great but…"

"But they're not your parents," he said quietly. "I know what you mean. You know, I always assumed Salman would be here when we…"

She rested her head on his shoulder and put her hand on his chest where Reszos' paw print was. "He is here," she murmured.

"Even if we can't get your parents back, Monica and Wendell can still come to the ceremony," he said. "Hermione I love you, a lot, but I know neither of us are totally ready for the next step, yet ."

She sighed but nodded. "That being said," he urged her off his lap and stood in front of her, dropping to a knee.

"Hermione Jean Granger, little did I know that you'd been chasing after Dream Draco since we were 13. I'm not sure what I would have done if I did know, but I've learned that everything happens for a reason. Since that day, you've been my reason, even if I didn't know it . When you defied my aunt, when you stood in front of the Wizengamot, when you fearlessly took on every challenge the Wizarding world threw at you. It's been you, since before I knew who you were. I can't imagine a life where you're not by my side, because I've lived it for ten years and while I think I see why, I know I don't want that again. You're it for me, and I'd wait a thousand years if that's what you decreed, but I don't want to wait that long. Hermione, will you marry me?"

She felt the tears pouring down her face. "Y-Yes!" she said, holding out her hand. As he slid the engagement ring onto her finger, she felt the tattooed wand spark.

She leaned down and kissed him firmly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Merlin, woman," he laughed, "let me stand!" She pulled away and shrieked when he lifted her and spun them around. "You're going to be my wife !"

Hermione looked down at him grinning up at her. It was odd how much more settled something as simple as the ring had settled her. "And you're going to be my husband," she said, leaning down to kiss the top of his nose.

He let her slide down his body and captured her lips in his own. "I love you," he said against her lips, "it's alright if you're not ready yet, but-"

"I love you too, Draco," she said. "I think I've loved you since I saw you on the Hogwarts Express, even if I didn't know it yet."

"You know," he said, "even if we do the Claiming, we can wait for the wedding."

She smiled up at him, still trying to figure out how she'd gotten so lucky. Sometimes it felt like they'd both gone through more in 28 years than most people went through in a lifetime, but knowing that he would be by her side made the worries float away.

Her watch buzzed on her wrist and she looked down, "Oh, Draco I need to go, I'm supposed to inspect the Sanctuary before this evening. I have to go, I'm already late."

Draco pulled her closer and kissed her breathless another time. "I'll see you for dinner? And Moonrise?"

"Of course," she replied, smiling up at him.

When she landed at the gates of the Sanctuary, she was greeted by a rather angry looking werewolf. "Ah look who decided to show up," he sneered, twirling his wand menacingly. "Too busy with your poncy werewolf boyfriend to do your job?"

She blinked at him and without saying a word, cast a wandless Stupify at him and stepped around where he'd collapsed on the ground. "That would be my Wolf-Blood Fiance, actually," she said looking down at him.

She looked up and saw the rest of the Werewolves watching her. "I'm glad you're all here," she continued as if nothing had interrupted her. "I'd like to check on your Wolfsbane consumption as well as the wards on the Sanctuary."

She went through each of the Werewolves who'd gathered, discussing their transformations and things that they'd found made things easier. A few asked questions about the Clan and she happily handed them the resources that she'd begun to carry.

"I've found the most helpful thing for me," she said to one of the younger Werewolves, "has been connecting with my wolf."

The young witch looked at her sceptically. "Er, what do you mean by that?"

"Just try talking to her," Hermione said, "it turns out she's a rather good companion for me." She felt the wolf purr in the back of her brain, content.

She handed the young werewolf a pamphlet called "Meditations to Connect with your Wolf," and moved on to the next werewolf. By the time she'd completed her checks, she was running late for dinner and didn't have time to change.

When she arrived, Teddy greeted her at the door. "Will I have to call you Mum, Auntie Mi?" he asked.

"Oh Ted," she said, hugging him. "I'm still going to be me, and I'm not sure when your Papa and I will be getting married. It doesn't have to change anything if you don't want it to. You could call me Hermione if you wanted."

He looked at her thoughtfully but nodded, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the dining area. Draco came out wearing an apron that had "Chef Papa" embroidered on the top. She knew that in the kitchen there was a Chef Teddy and Chef Jaddi apron that matched.

She sat down at the table with both of the boys and dug into her food. "Ted and I have something to ask you, Hermione," Draco said seriously.

"Yes?" she asked, smiling when Draco nudged Teddy in the arm.

Teddy cleared his throat and straightened his back dramatically. "Papa and I were wondering if you'd like to move into the cabin with us? I could give you my room if you wanted, you could paint the walls however you want to!"

Hermione looked to Draco, shocked. "Or you could share my room," he said with a wink.

"Y-You both want me to move in?" she asked.

"Yes, Papa and I were talking about how fun it would be to have you around every day. He said that you could help us make crepes if you wanted. Then you'll never miss a party or event!" Teddy rambled.

Hermione felt tears prick her eyes. "I think I'd like that, Teddy. What is your favourite crepe topping?"

"Papa likes Nutella best, but I think the strawberries are better," he said, continuing to eat as if their world wasn't about to totally shift on its access.

"You'd better hurry up, Ted," Draco said with a laugh, "your Nan is going to be here in a few minutes to take you to her apartment." Teddy finished shovelling the food in his mouth and bounced away to his room to pack his Moon Bag.

When Teddy had gone, Draco wrapped her in his arms. "I hope that wasn't too much, we don't have to do anything immediately, like I said earlier, we can take as long as you want with this."

She looked up at him and kissed him softly. "And that, Draco Malfoy is why I love you," she said. "I appreciate your concern, but I think moving in sounds like the right next step. I think it would help settle some of my nerves and I think being closer will make both of us feel better.

He groaned and sucked at the juncture of her neck. "Getting to wake up to you every morning, that sounds like a dream," he growled.

Watching Draco transform was nothing like what she'd been told. It was almost graceful watching him drop to his hands and knees. When his body shifted into Vali's there wasn't the painful screaming or the ripping and shredding of skin and bone that she'd been accustomed to.

After a few minutes, Vali ran over to her and circled a few times.

"I just wanted to be here to greet you," she said softly. "I have to go off to a bonfire, but I'll be back later."

"Try to enjoy yourself, Mate," Vali said before running towards Salman and Rezso's tree. "I can feel him," Vali yipped, turning back to look at her.

"Can you really?" she asked, moving to sit on the bench.

"He's still here," Vali lay at the roots of the tree. "Draco seems to think he's going to turn into Mother Willow."

Hermione snorted, "A Disney joke? I never thought I'd see the day Draco Malfoy knew what Disney was let alone made a casual joke about it."

"It's good to hear you laughing," Vali said. "Rezso is pleased too. Now you need to go, I'll be here when you're back but I'm going to run through the Forest for a bit."

Hermione stood and stroked his soft fur before apparating away.

"Hermione!" Theo practically tackled her. He held out her arms and looked at her up and down, "are you alri-" he cut off abruptly when he saw the newest addition to her jewellery set. "Engaged? He didn't even tell me, I wanted to be there to see you weeping!"

Hermione grinned at him. "I'm sorry for running out on you, it all just hit me that this ," she gestured to her new ring, "was real. It all feels so sudden and I freaked out because it didn't feel like we were rushing if that makes sense?"

"It does," he said, admiring her ring, "Trust the Magic and all that rot. You know he's had this thing for so long and I've never actually been able to look at it. He's kept it so hidden. I had an inkling that it would match the rest, but this is more beautiful than I imagined."

"I know!" she gushed. He tucked her arm in his and they walked towards the bonfire that was already burning away on the beach. When they arrived at the circle, Bill didn't have to say anything once he spotted the new addition to her finger.

Fleur and Victoire came over and gushed along with Theo about how beautiful the ring was.

She felt settled. And it was good.

Draco

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

They'd been preparing for most of the month. After her birthday, she'd started spending more nights at their house. She'd been introduced at Teddy's school as someone else who was allowed to pick him up. She'd only have her apartment until the end of October and then she'd be moved in full time.

He found that he was pacing, waiting for her to come home. She was going to do her monthly check at the Sanctuary and he was anxious. He hated sending her to a group of Werewolves Unclaimed.

She was his .

"Papa!" Teddy called from his bedroom.

Draco stalked over, trying to release the tension that had locked in his shoulders. "Yes Ted?"

"Uncle Theo and Uncle Harry asked if I wanted to be the ring bearer for their wedding, but what if I'd rather be the Flower Boy?"

One would think that after all these years of being Teddy's dad, he'd be used to questions like this. He stared at the boy who hadn't looked up from where he was playing with his sparkly pink Hot Wheels truck.

"That should be fine?" Draco managed to get out. I don't see why you can't be both?"

"Both?" Teddy finally looked up. "Is that really a choice? I don't have to pick?"

"Why would you have to pick?" Draco asked, starting to think they weren't talking about being a Flower Boy or Ring Bearer anymore.

"Well everyone else had to pick didn't they?" Teddy said with a huff.

"Pick what, Teddy?" Draco asked, coming to sit on the floor.

"If they're someone who'd rather be a Flower Girl or Ring Bearer type!" Teddy said, his forehead wrinkling.

"Who said you had to pick?" Draco asked quietly.

"Well everyone else already has! You and Uncle Harry and Uncle Theo would be Ring Bearers and Mu- Auntie Mi would be a Flower Girl, what if I want to be both?"

There were words for that in the Magical World and some in the Muggle. Third Gender, Two Spirit, Hijra. He'd never personally met anyone who identified like that, but yet again sent a grateful thought to Salman who'd given him a series of essays, poems and books on more "Nontraditional" Communities. Draco had always assumed that it was just another extension of Salman's quest to help Draco understand the wider world, but as always there was another motive.

"You can be both," Draco said, turning back to his son. "You can be neither also. You can be both, neither, or all."

"Does it mean I have to change my name?" Teddy asked quietly.

"Do you want to change your name?" Draco asked, leaning against the wall and smiling softly.

"Not always, but sometimes?" Teddy almost whispered.

"Okay," Draco said quietly, "what would you pick as your other name?"

"Talitha," Teddy replied quickly.

Draco knew this was an Arabic name for a star, and ruffled Teddy's hair. "And how will we know when you're Talitha and when you're Teddy?"

Teddy squinted at him thoughtfully. Suddenly Teddy's hair changed from the short teal it normally was to long dark waves that reminded him of Salman. "When I'm Talitha, can I be a girl?" Teddy whispered.

"Of course," Draco said. "Do you want to tell everyone or would you like me to?"

"Can you?" Teddy asked, hair shifting back to teal.

"Of course, Teddy," Draco said. "Can I have a hug, pup?"

Teddy set his truck down and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck. He let out a quiet sob and started to cry. Draco Rocked him back and forth and then pulled back.

"D-Do you think my Mum and Dad would have been okay with me wanting to be a girl sometimes?" he asked.

"I didn't know your Mum, but if your Gran is any indication, I think she'd be ecstatic. As for your dad, he was the best professor I ever had. He was kind to me even when I was a little shit."

Teddy let out a giggle and hugged Draco even harder. "And Auntie Mi, will she care?"

"Does she seem like someone who will care about something like this? She's the toughest witch I know. She had to deal with all sorts of things when we were kids and I have a feeling she'll protect you with her whole being if she has to."

Teddy looked appeased and stood, holding out his hand for Draco. "Can we make her dinner?"

"Of course we can."

He could feel when she passed through the wards to the house. He and Teddy were sitting on the couch curled up reading The Hobbit when she stepped through the door. She let out a strangled moan and Draco looked up to see her fall other knees, covered in blood.

"Hermione!" he shouted, scrambling to stand. When he made it to her side he gasped. "Ted, get your Gran, NOW!"

Teddy quickly ran to the Floo and called out "Tonks Apartment," and disappeared in a whoosh of green flames.

Draco cast a diagnostic and started trying to heal the wounds that were spread across her body. He barely looked up when he heard the fireplace whoosh again and Andromeda fell to her knees next to him.

"What happened?" she asked brusquely.

"No idea," he bit out. "She was at the Sanctuary ."

Andromeda hummed in response and como to yes casting spells. He heard a sniffle behind him and looked over his shoulder to see a pale looking Teddy staring at the scene.

He could tell that Andromeda didn't need him anymore and pushed himself back, wrapping his arms around Teddy and lifting him. For a moment he was reminded of me when Teddy was a baby and the first time Draco held him after he formally adopted him.

He was so small then, and he'd looked up at Draco with so much trust, he'd sworn that he'd never abandon him. Teddy was sobbing. "What if she doesn't survive?"

"She has to," Draco whispered against Teddy's hair, not tearing his eyes from Hermione's bleeding firm on the floor.

"She's stable," Andromeda said stiffly after much too long. "I need to bring her to the hospital."

"Do it. I'll see if Theo can watch Teddy," he said.

"I need to stay with her," Teddy whimpered.

"Okay, pup, let's go get Theo and we'll meet Gran at the hospital, alright?"

When Vali opened his eyes he howled. His mate was hurt worse than he'd seen since she was on the floor of the Manor.

He'd spent as long as he could by her side, Teddy curled up on the bed next to her, making sure not to bump her. She looked ashen, all the colour and vivality had drained from her face. Her hair was dull and lifeless. She'd looked so frail lying there on the hospital bed.

He ran through the trees, ignoring the way the branches ripped at his fur. He couldn't stand not knowing, but maybe… maybe he could talk to her in the dreams. He sprinted back to his den and curled up, preparing to sleep, hoping he'd see her.

He waited and waited for her to arrive. He had to force himself back into the dreamscape, finding himself waking at every crack of a branch or howl of the wind.

As the moon began to set, he launched himself out of the den and towards the house, he needed to get to her as soon as he could.

Hermione

Thursday, November 13, 2008

She flinched her eyes open, letting out a shout of surprise at the stark white ceiling above her. "Draco?" she asked frantically, her voice coming out as a croak. Her eyes darted around the room trying to find him.

Finally her eyes landed on him asleep, slumped on a couch, Teddy curled up with his head in his lap. moments later a Healer bustled in and let out a small shriek, jolting both Draco and Teddy from their slumber.

Seconds later Draco was standing at her side, and Teddy clambered up to sit beside her. The Healer must have rushed away because before anyone could say anything she was being surrounded by Healers in lime green robes, running diagnostics and asking questions.

"Do you know your name?"

"Hermione Granger."

"Do you know the date?"

"We'll it's light out so the day after the Full Moon, probably the 15th of October?"

"Who are these two?"

"Draco Malfoy, my fiancé and his son Teddy Lupin Black."

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"I was leaving the Sanctuary and someone attacked me. I threw a hex back and then felt another spell hit me, then a lot of pain , the. I was home and Draco was there…"

"Anything else, Miss Granger?"

"N-No? What happened?"

The Healer looked at Draco who nodded. As suddenly as they all appeared, they were all gone.

"Sweetheart, I'm glad you're awake," Draco said quietly, sinking to his knees on the side of the bed. "I've been so worried."

"What day is it?" she asked.

"It's the November Full Moon, Auntie," Teddy said helpfully. Hermione gaped at him.

"N-November? It's November 13th?" She stuttered.

"Yes," Drsco said quietly, grasping her hand. "It's been a long month."

"Oh my God!" Hermione said loudly. "What happened? Did they find who attacked me?"

"Er, yeah… about that," Draco said sheepishly.

"What happened? Draco?" she asked frantically.

"So Weasley…."

"Victoire's Uncle Ron attacked you," Teddy said, playing with one of her braids.

Hermione stared wide eyed at Draco. "He's in holding for now, but his trial is set for next month. They're hoping you'll testify?"

Hermione blinked at him. "I haven't heard hide nor hair about Ron in years, not really," she said.

Draco looked at his watch that buzzed "Let me get Ted to school and then I can come back and we can talk?"

"I don't want to go, papa!" Teddy said petulantly. "Now that she's finally awake I want to talk to her too."

"Why don't you go to school and then when you get back we can have dinner and you can read me a story?" she said, putting her hand on his cheek.

"Promise you'll be awake for dinner?" Teddy asked in a quiet voice.

"You can wake me up if I'm not," she said with a grin.

He threw his arms around her and whispered, "I'm glad you're awake Auntie, papa has barely slept all month."

She kissed him on the top of the head and watched as Draco and he left the room.

A few minutes after they left, a distracted looking Theo came into the room. He was carrying a fresh bouquet of flowers and had his nose pressed into a book. He absentmindedly banished the flowers that were currently in the vase and refilled it with water. He looked up from his reading to place the stems in the vase, adjusting them to sit perfectly.

She continued to watch him as he sighed and then turned to make his way to the couch where Teddy and Draco had been sleeping. He didn't even look at her, but she could see the bags under his eyes.

"Come on Mi," he whispered, "I need you to wake up. I know we always joke about Draco being my best friend, it's really you and-" he finally looked up and saw that she was smiling at him wryly.

"Good morning, Theodore," she said.

"You sneaky witch!" he shouted standing, the book falling to the floor and rushing to her side. "How long have you been up?"

"About an hour," she smiled, "they didn't tell you?"

"No, fucking Draco! Of course he didn't tell me . I've been here every day when he takes Teddy to school and showers. He didn't leave your side for the first week, but we finally convinced them both that they needed to shower as they were stinking up the room."

"What happened?" She asked.

"Well, er, I think that's better to hear from Draco when he gets back? For now, let's fix up this hair, I'll get the nurse to come in to help you take a shower."

He buzzed the nurse who came in quickly.

"Good to see you awake, Miss Granger," she said with a smile. "I think it's time for our shower, don't you?" She helped Hermione bring her legs over the side of the bed and stand, supported by steph on one side. They hobbled their way over to the bathroom, where Hermione dropped into the shower seat.

Theo stepped out and Hermione felt her hospital gown vanish from her body. She let the Nurse help her wash and noticed that Draco must have brought her soaps and hair products as they were all lined up on the ledge.

"I'll need you to tell me how to do your hair, Mr. Nott braided it a few weeks ago and has been doing some maintenance, but I'm guessing you'd like to wash it now?"

Hermione nodded and directed the nurse on what to do to unweave the braids. As she felt the hot water wash over her skin she paid attention to the sensations in her body. "How have they been, really?" She asked as the nurse ran the conditioner through the curls.

"It's been hit or miss. We had to restrain Mr. Malfoy when he heard about what happened. There have been a lot of tears, after a week we finally got him to take Teddy home to sleep."

Hermione grimaced, "And me? Will I be okay?"

"You probably won't walk very strongly ever again and you might have bouts of Magical Exhaustion. The spells that were cast tore apart most of the muscles in your right leg and drained a huge amount of your core. The only reason you didn't die was because of your betrothal jewellery."

Hermione just stared at the wall. She couldn't even imagine. Her Magic? Somehow Ronald Weasley had yet again swept in and left her life close to ruin. Why the fuck couldn't things just go her way, for once? Hadn't she suffered enough? Couldn't things just work ?

She sighed as the nurse finished with her hair and rubbed soap on her own body, cleaning the grime away. When she was done, the nurse cast a drying spell and helped her slide into another hospital gown. Theo returned to help her get back into the bed.

Draco was sitting, knee bouncing nervously, waiting for her. He looked reprieved to see her walking even if it was rather shaky.

When she'd settled back into the bed, she took in the fact that these were definitely not hospital sheets. She looked around the room and took in some of the details. A photo of her and her parents at a beach when she was a kid, a picture from Harry and Theo's first trip to an amusement park, and the framed clipping of Draco, Teddy and her in front of Fortescue's all sat on a table. The flowers Theo had brought were sitting on a doily that her grandma had made and a cloth rag rug that her and Teddy had been working on was on the floor.

When she'd settled in her bed, she looked over at Draco who was watching her anxiously. Theo stood next to her bed and began working through her hair.

"I'm thinking we go for locs or braids, they'll be easier to keep up with while you're here?" he said.

"Yes that works for me," she said "do whatever you'd like. Draco?" she called, patting the bed next to her. He stood and walked over quickly, sitting closer and leaning to grip her hand.

"Tell me what happened," she said quietly, running her hand along his cheek. He started crying almost immediately at the gesture.

After a moment he'd gathered himself enough to speak, "You arrived home and you were absolutely covered in blood. Teddy went and got Andromeda who stabilised you. We brought you to St. Mungos, but I had to leave because of the Moon. I- We, Vali and I spent every day trying to get to you, but you weren't at the house."

Hermione watched him talking and felt a pang in her chest, those months that he hadn't come to the dreamscape had been hard, but she'd still thought it was a dream then. Knowing that she couldn't reach him would have been awful.

"The next day, one of the Werewolves came forward and told the Aurors about overhearing a conversation between Weasley and another Werewolf."

Hermione felt her gut clench. She felt like she knew exactly what he was going to say.

"He was furious about our Engagement. He seems to still be under the delusion that you'll come back to him," Draco said. "He'd come to confront you, but after hearing you talk to one of the other Werewolves about me he-"

She pulled his arm so that he was forced to come on the bed with her. Theo took a step back and pretended to admire the photos lined up on the table. Draco collapsed onto the bed and let out a loud sob. "He almost took you from me, Hermione. I don't think I would have survived without you here…"

She cooed softly and stroked his hair, feeling his tears wet her neck. "I'm not going anywhere," she whispered against the top of his head. "I'm yours, and you're mine and there is nothing anyone could do to keep us apart.

Eventually the pair of them had calmed down enough for Theo to finish Hermione's hair and the doctors to check her vitals. She was told that she'd need to stay for another week as they wanted to monitor her Core strength and work with their Physical Therapist on her leg mobility.

That evening, Theo returned with Teddy and Harry in tow, both practically jumping at the chance to have dinner with Hermione. Harry sat Teddy next to her and sat cross-legged at the foot of her bed. "Auntie Mi," Teddy asked. "Can I sleep here tonight? I know I usually go to Gran's on the Full Moon, but I don't want you to be alone."

Hermione stole a look at Draco who barely even registered the conversation from his seat discussing the stock market with Theo. He'd told her again and again that they were on the same page and he wanted her to feel comfortable making parenting decisions about Teddy. It still felt a bit surreal that he was willing to give her so much authority, and more than a small part of her didn't feel qualified to make the decisions at all.

"As long as you ask your Gran, that is good with me, maybe we can see if your Uncle Harry can set us up a blanket fort before he goes?" she said , wrapping her arm around him.

"Can you, Uncle Harry?" Teddy asked, clapping excitedly.

"I absolutely can," Harry said grinning. Hermione loved watching Harry with Teddy. She was glad that Theo and he hadn't jumped straight into having children. He'd admitted to her that he had needed way more time to process and heal after the War than he'd been willing to admit. He'd come a long way from his cupboard under the stairs.

"Can I ask you something?" Teddy asked that evening when they were cuddled up in her hospital bed, brightly coloured blanket fort hanging from the ceiling around them.

"You can ask me anything," she said, turning to look at him fully.

"I know you said I could call you whatever I want, and I've been thinking about it alot. Well I have a dad and Papa and since I already have a Mum I was trying to decide what to call you, but it was hard," he said. Hermione could feel her heart melting at his words, trying not to jump to conclusions on what he was going to say. "So I was thinking about Jaddi and how when he talked about his own Mum he'd still call her Umi and I was wondering if I could call you that?"

"Umi?" she whispered.

"Yeah, but if you don't like that, we can come up with something else!" he said quickly.

"I love it, darling," she said. "Your Papa told me about how you sometimes want to be called a different name. I'm really proud of you for talking to him about it."

"Papa doesn't make anything scary. He almost always listens to what I think and makes sure to ask me before anything big happens," Teddy said. "I think tomorrow I'm going to feel like Talitha, just so you know."

"Can I still call you darling?" she asked.

"Of course, Umi," he said, testing out the name. He flushed when she let out a little squeal of joy. "Are you going to do that every time I say your name?"

She chuckled, "Of course not, it's just the first time I've ever been someone's Umi before."

"Can I tell you a secret?" he asked, looking at her seriously.

"I can't promise I won't tell your father, and I can't promise that I won't tell someone if you're in danger, but you can always tell me secrets," she said, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"I used to imagine you as my Mum before I ever knew that you were Papa's. I'd see you with Uncle Harry or Uncle Theo and think, 'that's my Mum-not-Mum.' Is that weird?"

Hermione felt tears running down her face at his words. "No, of course it's not weird, darling, " she said, "I always felt closer to you than all the other kids. There is something special about you and me, isn't there?"

"I love you, Umi," he said, leaning his head on her shoulder. Hermione kissed the top of his head and followed him quickly into slumber.

When Rou made her way tentatively into the Forest that night, she cautiously monitored her surroundings. It was quieter than usual, which frankly, unnerved her. Suddenly, Vali was standing in front of her, panting with excitement.

He launched himself at her and they rolled in the underbrush yipping happily. "You scared the shit out of me," he whined when they'd finally stopped.

"I didn't even know where I was," she said, "my human and I were just nowhere."

"Draco says that all your energy, magical and mental, on coming back to us. It was like we could feel you but you were really really really far away," Vali rambled.

"Well I'm back now and very soon we'll be fully Mated," she said slyly.

"W-We will?" Vali gulped.

"Mmmhmmm," she said, standing and running, looking over her shoulder to initiate the chase.

Draco

Friday, December 12, 2008

He took every complaint he'd ever made about anything back. There was nothing worse than sleeping next to Hermione Granger every night knowing that all she had on was a pair of panties and his Quidditch Jersey. It was a literal wet dream to wake up with her sprawled across him, or her sucking his cock as the sun rose.

Watching her spend time with Teddy and seeing how naturally she accepted his gender fluidity was mesmerising. Even hearing Teddy call her Umi was a fucking turn on. He'd never felt so much like a teenager in his life. His showers had increased in length because he couldn't stop jerking off to the thought of her. It was embarrassing really.

He'd waited almost 29 years to have sex for the first time, and it was happening that night . They'd sent Teddy away for the whole weekend, dropping him off at school together and depositing his bag at Andromeda's house.

Draco had made reservations for a full romantic dinner and spread rose petals all over their bedroom. He'd sent her with Theo to the spa for the day while he worked himself into a frenzy.

On the last Moon, Rou had mentioned that they'd be Mating soon, and Hermione had practically mounted him after he'd dropped Teddy off at school the next day.

"We can have a ceremony later," shed panted after kissing him senseless. "I can't wait anymore. I want you, Draco."

"We have to wait until the next Moon. Vali has to be very close to the surface before we Bond so that it can be a full Bond," Draco groaned, cursing the fact that he'd have to wait a whole extra month for her to fully be his.

She'd been discharged from St. Mungo the following week and tried to refuse his help until he sat her down and begged her not to overextend herself. She'd been given the rest of the year off, especially as she prepared for the trial of Ronald Weasley.

Monday, November 30, 1998

Hermione spent a longer than normal amount of time in front of the mirror that morning. There was nothing Draco could say that could convince her that she looked fine. It was odd, really. It was like she was trying to dull her natural sparkle. He pulled her up and stood behind her.

"Do you know what I see when I look at you?" he asked, pressing his cheek to her own.

"A brainy know-it-all, who is so stuck in her books and legislation she couldn't even see signs of danger until they practically sliced her in half?" she scoffed.

"Mmm, no," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "I see my future wife," he picked up her hand, fiddling with the ring. "I see the mother of my children," he rubbed her stomach gently. "I see the Brightest Witch of Our Age," he pushed a curl behind her ear. "I see Talitha's Umi," he placed his hand over her heart. "I see a successful, confident, no-nonsense witch," he said, pulling her shoulders back so she stood up straighter.

"But I never even thought Ron would try to harm me… and then…." she sighed.

"No one did," Draco said softly. They'd gotten a dossier of information the week before that was filled with a large amount of unsettling evidence against the red-head.

He'd been dating women and forcing them to Polyjuice themselves as Hermione, taking their memories when they tried to break it off. He'd make sure they remember that they'd been dating him, but kept a cabinet filled with the stolen memories in his bathroom. He had a whole wall of his apartment dedicated to all the newspaper clippings of Hermione over the years, often with notes about how proud he was of her and how he was so lucky that she answered only to him.

Hermione had looked at the evidence only once, before she handed it to Draco to get rid of. The papers infuriated him beyond anything he'd ever experienced. He wanted to eviscerate the man, for daring to think that Hermione was his. For daring to hurt his True Mate.

"We're going to go sit in that courtroom, side by side," he continued. "I'm going to hold your hand and you're going to use every Occlumency trick you've ever learned to keep your mask on. Then when it's over, we're going to come home and I'm going to hold you for as long as you want. We're going to watch Disney movies and eat a whole chocolate cake. Then we're going to pick up Talitha from Andromeda's house and we're going to decorate the house for Christmas and then we're going to have a family slumber party on the living room floor.

Hermione had nodded her head and moved towards the wardrobe. She pulled out a different set of robes, a custom set that were an alluring emerald and put them on. She let her hair fall wildly around her shoulders and put a layer of red lipstick on her lips. When she was ready, she held out her hand to him and then used the Floo to go directly to the Department of Interspecies Cooperation.

When they entered the chambers, they found a seat together towards the middle. Hermione nodded politely to Bill and George who were sitting close to the rest of the Weasleys, but kept a distinct separation that was obvious to anyone who was paying attention. Molly Weasley was sobbing and sent Hermione a sharp glare that was pointedly ignored by his Mate. Ginny Weasley looked between her mother and Hermione sheepishly, but didn't say anything.

When Ron was dragged into the room, he walked with a confidence that had no place on a man who was being accused of the crimes he had been. His lawyer looked more than a little miffed at the cocky walk the former member of the Golden Trio was using. Hermione gripped Draco's hand tightly, but didn't let the distress show on her face.

What followed was a mountain of evidence against the Weasel. Hermione, in true Golden Girl fashion, didn't bat an eye for the entire time, until he turned to look at her right when he got on the stand.

"You can stop pretending with the Ferret now, 'mione," he said with a grin, "Everyone knows you're my girl."

Hermione pulled Draco back so he couldn't jump up and curse him in front of everyone. She stood, and the whole room held their breath. "In fact, Ronald Weasley, as I told you ten years ago when you attempted to Obliviate me. 'I will never be with you, Ronald Weasley. I deserve better than that.' Fortunately for me Draco treats me better than you could ever dream of."

She looked down at Draco and held out her hand, turning on her heel and leading him out of the courtroom and back to their house. When they entered the cabin, she collapsed in a heap on the rug and sobbed. Draco knelt next to her and rocked her back and forth. Telling her just how brave she'd been and how proud he was to call her his .

He heard the front door open and stepped out of their bedroom where he'd been straightening his tie for the four hundredth time. He caught sight of her and felt his heart catch in his throat. He'd never seen anyone nearly as beautiful as her. He was happy to have her in sweatpants or old jeans, but seeing her in a tight, Muggle dress did something to him that he couldn't explain.

He held out his hand to her and pulled her in for a kiss. "You look gorgeous, sweetheart," he said with a smirk at her blush. "First we're off to our fancy dinner where I've made sure the chef prepared us both a juicy steak and provided some beautiful wine."

She nodded and tucked her hand in his arm, making sure that her engagement ring was prominently placed. He apparated them to Diagon Alley and made a show of accompanying her down the street. He held the door for her and pulled out her chair when they sat down.

Dinner conversation was tense , both of them wanted to get out of there as soon as they arrived, but they'd committed to being there. "You know," she said when they'd both finished half of their steak, "we could just get these packed up to go and have them later?"

"Y-Yeah?" he squeaked, his voice cracking embarrassingly.

"Mmmm," she called the waiter over and asked for the check. The waiter looked concerned, but after she assured him everything was lovely and they just needed to get home, he provided them with boxes.

Draco helped her get back into her coat and she practically dragged him out the door. The moment they reached the Apparition point, he was being pulled by her side along back to the house. When they appeared in their bedroom, she let out a gasp at the rose petals.

"Draco this is lovely," she said, and then turned to him, pulling him down for what had to be the most heated kiss she'd ever given him. She pushed him towards the bed and pulled his tie open, dragging his suit jacket and shirt open. She pulled her dress over her head and Draco's mouth practically fell to the floor. She was wearing a set of white lingerie that he knew cost a fortune because he'd paid for it, but hadn't had the pleasure of seeing it.

"Hermione," he moaned. "We need to slow down."

"I need you," she moaned, pawing at the placard of his pants. He put his hands firmly on her hips and lifted her, depositing her on her back on the bed.

"I need you too, sweetheart, but I need to savour you. This is the last first time you're ever going to have, and I won't let anything stand in the way of it being perfect ."

He watched her eyes dilate and she nodded, an uncharacteristically shy look coming over her face. She threw her hands over her head and arched her back wantonly. "Come on then," she murmured.

He pushed off his shoes, socks, and pants and crawled across the bed towards her. He nestled himself between her thighs and bracketed her head with his hands. He leaned down and kissed her, pouring every feeling into the kiss he'd ever felt.

He hitched her leg up on his hip and slowly ground against her. As he trailed kisses down her throat, he lightly nipped the spot he'd Claim her. He reached the cups of the lingerie she was in and pulled them down so he could suck a nipple into his mouth. She keened deliciously, and Draco had to squeeze himself from coming just at the noise.

He pulled the white lace further down until it was pooled at her ankles, dragging kisses down her soft stomach and over her freshly waxed mound. He ran his tongue along her seam and teased her clit which was already peeping out. He smirked as he sucked it into his mouth, feeling her hands lock into his hair. "Draco, please," she moaned. "You can go down on me for hours later, but I need to be filled."

He debated making her wait, but he was already resisting the urge to hump against the mattress, so he laved kisses all the way up her body until he met her lips. "Are you sure, sweetheart?" he whispered. "Once this," he dragged his cock through her folds, "enters you, You. Are. Mine. Are you ready for that?"

"Uhnnn, yes, Draco, I'm ready, make me yours," she shrieked.

He slowly pushed his cock into her and let out a groan of his own. She was so bloody tight, he could barely handle it. "Fuck, this pussy was made for me, wasn't it?" he groaned, leaning back in to kiss her.

"Yes, yes, yours. I'm all yours. Draco please, move ." He obeyed, dragging himself out slowly and pushing back in at an equally excruciating pace. "Draco, faster ," she moaned, digging her fingernails into his back.

He could only do as she said as he began to speed his thrusts. "Fuck Hermione," he said after only a few minutes, "We need to flip, I'm so close and I need to get you there so I can Claim you. Can you get on your knees for me, Sweetheart?"

She quickly scrambled to her knees and shook her arse appealingly. He placed his hands on her hips and sunk himself inside of her. She let out a long keening moan and he could feel how much deeper he went at this angle. "Gods, you're such a good girl, aren't you?" he murmured. He tested the waters and drew himself in and out feeling Vali skim the surface of his mind.

"Can you pull her forward?" Draco asked. "Pull your wolf forward, Hermione.'

"Uhhhh, she is, she's here," she panted as he sped his thrusts up

"Good, good," he grunted and wrapped his right arm around her neck, pulling her body flush with his. "Are you close, sweetheart?"

"Yes," she moaned again. He dropped his left hand to her clit and rubbed it.

"Will you tell me when you're about to come?" he begged, not slowing down for a moment.

"Yes, Draco , fuck, yes, right there, oh my- I'm coming!" she shrieked. He felt her walls begin to flutter and he bit down on her left shoulder, letting go along with her. As he felt his fangs dig into her shoulder, it was like a second wave of euphoria swept over him. He was sure she could feel it too, as she let out another moaning shriek.

He collapsed on top of her, his cock staying firmly planted inside.

"Holy shit," he panted after a few moments. "Is it always like that?"

"N-No," she chuckled lethargically, "definitely not."

I'm a bit on an emotional high at getting this chapter done. congrats we only have the epilogue left which I'm 1 million percent sure will be much shorter than this.

thank you again times 1 million to bam2305 they're my savior and greatest support 3

let me know what you thought. Were you surprised by anything? did you scream or cry or gush or cheer? Thank you so much for reading! I'll see you next week!