Taming the Beast
Chapter 5
Harsh Reality
"Oh, Mummy, Tris is just gorgeous!" Hermione cooed excitedly. She stepped backed, stunned with pleasure. SHE WAS A BIG SISTER! She had an idea of what it would be like when she was a prefect, but this was totally different.
Oh, but there was something else, wasn't there? Something she had to say? But couldn't it wait another day?
"Hermie, I know you've been looking forward to this for a long time. We all have...but even so it seems like something's not right. Are you okay?"
OK...so it wouldn't be another day.
"Mom, I didn't want to say anything that would make a mess of anything, but I have to tell you sooner or later. Dad doesn't quite believe it and I'm barely able to come to grips with it myself." Her stomach squirmed as her mother's eyes widened with concern and...fear? "That thing that bit me...it was a werewolf, a real werewolf." Her mother looked up sharply. She knew it was true, but wasn't altogether sure of the implication.
"A werewolf bit you", she said slowly. "What does that mean?" "I'm going to be a monster Mommy", and Hermione couldn't hold the tears. "I'm going to change into a wolf when there's a full moon, and...oh, God...I don't know what else!" "Mom, I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I.....oh Mom I'm so scared." Kathleen Granger was hardly in a position to comfort her daughter, but she did her best. "It wasn't your fault, dearest. We'll make do. It will be all right, it will be all right."
Remus sat at the Granger's kitchen table, deep in thought. He really loved Hermione, it was as if she were his baby sister. Such a waste of a brilliant mind. He sighed. The girl and her father would be back from hospital, and hopefully they would be ready to learn more about lycanthropy. That damned disease! How many lives had it ruined? How many would follow from the past night? Some irresponsible fool hadn't taken the proper precautions with himself, and now a the future of a girl he loved like a sister was permanently darkened because of it. He sighed with resignation. Getting angry at the world wasn't going to help Hermione, the wolf that attacked her was probably as innocent as she was. What would help her would be full awareness of her new body and mind.
The three made small talk for a few minutes, Mrs. Granger and Tristan would be home in two days and she was quite well under the circumstances. Hermione's eyes were red from crying, but typical of Hermione, she was ready to understand. Remus started, "You have to understand that I'm somewhat fortunate. For all intents and purposes, I've been a lycanthrope all my life. Fortunately, I've met quite a few who have been forced to adapt." They sat down in the living room, Mr. Granger's arm around his daughter. "Hermione, your first transformation will happen in 24 days. I'm afraid it won't be like anything you might have experienced in transfiguration, your body will change slowly over the course of three to five minutes, and there will be a lot of pain. There will be some pleasurable sensations as well, but it really depends on the individual." Hermione bit her lip, wincing. "At the end of it, you'll be a very large wolf, and that will happen every full moon as soon as the moon clears the horizon. Once you get used to your new matabolism, you'll be able to shorten the time it takes to change, but the time that it starts is pretty much fixed. I can't tell you how much you'll remember, it is different for everyone. It is essential that you are locked up securely when this happens. I don't recommend you have your body actually restrained with chains or handcuffs or anything of that sort, I've seen some pretty gruesome examples of what can happen...but a securely locked and solid room will be fine"
"Ok, Professor, I kind of know about that part. What about the other 27 days?"
"Yes, I'm afraid that your body changes even when you aren't under the full moon. Hermione, you can expect to see some reaction from animals that might be around you. You will always be a wolf as far as they are concerned, odor is the key. You can expect your senses to be hightened, that will come in time. Your teeth, your normal teeth will become a bit longer and sharper, possibly a bit darker. If you notice some bleeding, that's perfectly normal." Lupin glanced up at John. "It won't be gingivitis, she's pretty much immune to that now." He looked back at Hermione who was staring down with resignation, or posibly acceptance. He had more information that would hit her hard, no matter how he put it. "Hermione, you're going to get pretty hairy. Everyone is different of course, but every female werewolf I've seen would have a single thick eyebrow without some intense plucking." He smiled gently. "You've always had beautiful bushy brown hair, young lady. I'm afraid you can expect more of the same. After your first transformation, you'll probably find that your index finger is as long as your middle, and your nails will become harder and sharper."
It was enough for the teenager. She began sobbing again and ran.
John Granger was shocked. FINALLY, the reality of this situation dawned on him. His daughter's life was forever altered, tragically most likely. He buried his face in his hands, trying to accept, yet forcing accceptance away at the same time. He looked up at the weathered, compassionate face of Remus Lupin.
"Can you help us", Granger asked pleadingly. "I can't change what is, but I can help your family adjust. I'll be as gentle as possible, but there are realities that can't be softened. The life of a werewolf is a horrible existance. Your daughter needs as much support as you can possibly give her. She must know that she is worthy of life, even if she's not always human. You've raised her so well, she can accomplish anything she wants in the time she has available to her."
"Time available to her?"
"We age quicker than human beings, Mr Granger. Fifty is a healthy lifespan for a werewolf."
A/A/N - Well, this is the first chapter of my own work. Presumably you've already read it, but if you'd like to review, that would also be greatly appreciated.
Chapter 5
Harsh Reality
"Oh, Mummy, Tris is just gorgeous!" Hermione cooed excitedly. She stepped backed, stunned with pleasure. SHE WAS A BIG SISTER! She had an idea of what it would be like when she was a prefect, but this was totally different.
Oh, but there was something else, wasn't there? Something she had to say? But couldn't it wait another day?
"Hermie, I know you've been looking forward to this for a long time. We all have...but even so it seems like something's not right. Are you okay?"
OK...so it wouldn't be another day.
"Mom, I didn't want to say anything that would make a mess of anything, but I have to tell you sooner or later. Dad doesn't quite believe it and I'm barely able to come to grips with it myself." Her stomach squirmed as her mother's eyes widened with concern and...fear? "That thing that bit me...it was a werewolf, a real werewolf." Her mother looked up sharply. She knew it was true, but wasn't altogether sure of the implication.
"A werewolf bit you", she said slowly. "What does that mean?" "I'm going to be a monster Mommy", and Hermione couldn't hold the tears. "I'm going to change into a wolf when there's a full moon, and...oh, God...I don't know what else!" "Mom, I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I.....oh Mom I'm so scared." Kathleen Granger was hardly in a position to comfort her daughter, but she did her best. "It wasn't your fault, dearest. We'll make do. It will be all right, it will be all right."
Remus sat at the Granger's kitchen table, deep in thought. He really loved Hermione, it was as if she were his baby sister. Such a waste of a brilliant mind. He sighed. The girl and her father would be back from hospital, and hopefully they would be ready to learn more about lycanthropy. That damned disease! How many lives had it ruined? How many would follow from the past night? Some irresponsible fool hadn't taken the proper precautions with himself, and now a the future of a girl he loved like a sister was permanently darkened because of it. He sighed with resignation. Getting angry at the world wasn't going to help Hermione, the wolf that attacked her was probably as innocent as she was. What would help her would be full awareness of her new body and mind.
The three made small talk for a few minutes, Mrs. Granger and Tristan would be home in two days and she was quite well under the circumstances. Hermione's eyes were red from crying, but typical of Hermione, she was ready to understand. Remus started, "You have to understand that I'm somewhat fortunate. For all intents and purposes, I've been a lycanthrope all my life. Fortunately, I've met quite a few who have been forced to adapt." They sat down in the living room, Mr. Granger's arm around his daughter. "Hermione, your first transformation will happen in 24 days. I'm afraid it won't be like anything you might have experienced in transfiguration, your body will change slowly over the course of three to five minutes, and there will be a lot of pain. There will be some pleasurable sensations as well, but it really depends on the individual." Hermione bit her lip, wincing. "At the end of it, you'll be a very large wolf, and that will happen every full moon as soon as the moon clears the horizon. Once you get used to your new matabolism, you'll be able to shorten the time it takes to change, but the time that it starts is pretty much fixed. I can't tell you how much you'll remember, it is different for everyone. It is essential that you are locked up securely when this happens. I don't recommend you have your body actually restrained with chains or handcuffs or anything of that sort, I've seen some pretty gruesome examples of what can happen...but a securely locked and solid room will be fine"
"Ok, Professor, I kind of know about that part. What about the other 27 days?"
"Yes, I'm afraid that your body changes even when you aren't under the full moon. Hermione, you can expect to see some reaction from animals that might be around you. You will always be a wolf as far as they are concerned, odor is the key. You can expect your senses to be hightened, that will come in time. Your teeth, your normal teeth will become a bit longer and sharper, possibly a bit darker. If you notice some bleeding, that's perfectly normal." Lupin glanced up at John. "It won't be gingivitis, she's pretty much immune to that now." He looked back at Hermione who was staring down with resignation, or posibly acceptance. He had more information that would hit her hard, no matter how he put it. "Hermione, you're going to get pretty hairy. Everyone is different of course, but every female werewolf I've seen would have a single thick eyebrow without some intense plucking." He smiled gently. "You've always had beautiful bushy brown hair, young lady. I'm afraid you can expect more of the same. After your first transformation, you'll probably find that your index finger is as long as your middle, and your nails will become harder and sharper."
It was enough for the teenager. She began sobbing again and ran.
John Granger was shocked. FINALLY, the reality of this situation dawned on him. His daughter's life was forever altered, tragically most likely. He buried his face in his hands, trying to accept, yet forcing accceptance away at the same time. He looked up at the weathered, compassionate face of Remus Lupin.
"Can you help us", Granger asked pleadingly. "I can't change what is, but I can help your family adjust. I'll be as gentle as possible, but there are realities that can't be softened. The life of a werewolf is a horrible existance. Your daughter needs as much support as you can possibly give her. She must know that she is worthy of life, even if she's not always human. You've raised her so well, she can accomplish anything she wants in the time she has available to her."
"Time available to her?"
"We age quicker than human beings, Mr Granger. Fifty is a healthy lifespan for a werewolf."
A/A/N - Well, this is the first chapter of my own work. Presumably you've already read it, but if you'd like to review, that would also be greatly appreciated.