Taming the Beast

Chapter 12

More Than Friends

Harry had seen a werewolves transformation before, but seeing his friend of six years suffering like she had was too much to comprehend at once. He looked at Ron and his face was ashen. The feminine screams and moans they had been hearing had been replaced with growls and grunts. A long howl pierced the air.

"The hell is going on there? Potter! What are you doing in the Slytherin area?" Malfoy had put his head in the corridor, an incredulous expression on his face. Harry said the best possible thing he could think of at that momen: "Not that it's any of your business, Malfoy", he spat, "but we are doing a favour for Hagrid, checking on his new Siberian wolf for him."

"A WOLF," Malfoy asked incredulously. "Just 'a wolf'? Sure you aren't missing a syllable, along with your wits, Potter?"

"You know perfectly well that Professor Lupin is in the Screaming Shack every full moon," Ron said indignantly

"Yes, and I also know perfectly well that there has been a lot of screaming and howling coming from this hallway, and as much as Parkinson might like me, I can assure you that I'm not the cause of it. And by the way, where is your buck-toothed, bushy-headed brainy little friend?" Malfoy said all this with venom and a sneer.

Harry looked at Ron and shrugged.

"Think she said that she was going upstairs to change......?"

Idiot, thought Harry. "I'm sure she's busy with something that is none of your business."

"Oh, I'm sure you would think so, but might I remind you that I, not you, am the prefect here, and perhaps I have a very good reason for wanting to know exactly where Granger is."

Ron stepped up to the challenge. "Hermione is around the castle somewhere. May I suggest that you seek her out yourself? After all, you ARE a prefect, as am I!

"What is behind that door?" Malfoy demanded.

"Told you that already!" answered Harry

Malfoy shrugged. "Well, I suppose it doesn't make any difference does it? Think I'll be getting an early start tomorrow morning. Never know what I'm going to find, and I always do enjoy a sunrise. Mister Potter...Mister Weasley...good night!"

It was the most civil thing Harry and Ron could remember hearing from Malfoy's lips that had been directed at them since the first meeting on the Hogwarts Express. And among the most threatening at the same time. They rushed up to Gryffindor Tower.

"That git is going to expose her, Ron. You know that, don't you?"

"Absolutely, so what are we going to do about it?"

"We could talk to Professor Lupin, couldn't we?"

"You're a Parselmouth, Harry, ye don't speak wolf." Ron chuckled.

"Guess it has to be Dumbledore then."

Klatu Barada Nikto were the words that allowed them access to Dumbledore's office.

"Mister Weasley, Mister Potter. What can I do for you this evening?"

"It's about Hermione Granger sir. We saw her down to the dungeon, and Draco Malfoy saw us leaving the cell. I told him that Professor Hagrid had sent us down to check on his new Siberian wolf, but he didn't really believe us. We think he's going to wait till Hermione comes out and he'll expose her." Harry looked at Dumbledore with concern.

Dumbledore exhaled a deep sigh. "Yes, I'm afraid that sounds just like Draco Malfoy. A brilliant boy, you must admit, but directing that intelligence into bigotry against muggles. It's a shame you know?"

"Sir, is there anything that can be done to prevent his exposing Hermione?" Ron asked him.

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "It will be risky, but you two are used to it. I should tell you, that Hermione might consider letting people know of her condition. The parents are aware that Lupin is a werewolf, as are the students. I think Hermione would be best served by letting others know. Right now, it is only myself, Professor Lupin, and her closest friends that know that Hermione is now a werewolf."

Ron was stunned. "You're going to let Malfoy tell everyone??"

"No, Mr. Weasley, it is Hermione's right to tell everyone or be silent. Tomorrow, I will send Severus down to make sure that the Slytherins are on their way to breakfast, not hanging around Hermione's cell. Hermione will remian in her cell till the Slytherin dorminory and common room are empty. Breakfast is at 7.45, the sun will be well up by then."

Harry asked. "What if Hermione leaves immediately?"

"She won't." Dumbledore got out a sheet of parchment and began writing. "My Dear Hermione, please remain in your till 7.30. We wish to make sure that your condition remains secret until you are ready to tell more people. Please come to my office immediately after dinner tonight. There is no trouble, but we have some things to discuss. Very Sincerely Yours, Professor Albus Dumbledore."

"Gentlemen," said Dumbledore. "I give you permission to enter Hermione's cell, and leave this for her to read. Mr. Lupin tells me that she retains her intelligence, so you probably won't be attacked." He signed. "However, 'probably' is not a guarantee. This is still a risk, one that I would not ask you to take, but I'm asking you to do this to protect your friend's dignity. Ron, Harry...be careful!"

They were at the cell within minutes. "Don't say her name," warned Harry. He knocked on the door. Nothing. He took a deep breath and entered the combination.

"I'll go in," Ron said. "No sense in both of us taking the risk."

Ron entered the cell, locking it behind him. Hermione, a beautiful large wolf at least six feet long lay sleeping next to an empty, bloodstained, steel platter. He placed Dumbledore's letter on the bed and started towards the door. No, no he'd say goodnight to his friend first. Ron walked slowly towards the werewolf. He put his hand on her shoulder, stroking the thick brown fur.

"Sweet dreams. I love you, Hermione Granger." Ron spoke quietly

Quiet or not, or whether it was the touch of another creature, Hermione awoke with a start, snapping at Ron!

"RRAAARRRRRRR!!" She snarled. Ron jerked his hand away, tried to get up, stumbled, got up again, and stumbled to the cell door. It was locked. He pounded frantically.

The werewolf sprang up, growling, snarling at Ron. "Harry!!!! Hurry!!!"

Harry was working the combination feverishly, but his hands were slipping.

Hermione sprang at Ron. Her teeth grabbed him by his robe. She shook her head, tearing it. She stared hard at Ron. Then sprang at his face.

She licked him.

Hermione then growled angrilly. With his robe still in her mouth, she nuzzled her head against his thigh and trotted back to where she'd been sleeping, laid down and closed her eyes.

The door opened, allowing a white faced Ron to exit and face a white faced Harry.

"You all right mate?" Harry asked.

"I'm fine." Ron said in a voice that resembled Hannah Abbot's. "I woke her up accidentally. I think she would have gotten me, but I guess she recognised me in time. Let's go back to the common room. I think I'm going to be sick.

Harry shook his head in amazement.

Hermione was at Ron and Harry's bedsides before breakfast, her face was expressionless.

Seeing Harry and Ron, she hugged them both tightly. Then she wheeled around on Ron.

"YOU STUPID FOOL," she whispered fiercely. "YOU IDIOT!! I could have KILLED you, you know that?? Don't you know what that would have done to me!?! Ron, Ron, if my fangs had so much as SCRATCHED you, you'd be cursed like I am." She hugged him again. "Don't ever do that again, OK?"

"Dumbledore asked us to do this, you know, Hermione." Harry defended Ron.

"Oh, I assumed as much, and I really appreciate it. What you did last night, staying with me, was wonderful. It's just that Ron, instead of just dropping off the letter and leaving, decided to pet a werewolf that was sleeping. I was startled, and the animal instincts took over." She squeezed his arm gently. "Ron, you were very VERY close to being bitten.

Ron nodded silently.

"Let's go eat." Hermione commanded. As Harry and Ron started out the door, she grab Ron's arm, and whispered to him.

"Ron....I love you too!"

Ron's heart pounded. He grinned, took her hand and followed Harry down for breakfast.

"Hogsmead this Friday night then?" Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were sitting in the common room.

"Sounds like fun," Ginny said. She turned to Ron. "So Ron, you and Hermione together at last, hmmm?"

"So Ginny, you and Harry together at last, hmmm?"

"INDEED, I assumed the prat would figure it out sooner or later!"

"Forgive me my fair Weasley, but I was distracted by a Chinese siren a year older than me." He kissed her on the forehead. He turned serious. "You always did like me, I wish I hadn't worried so much about Cho."

"All forgiven and forgotten Harry." Ginny stuck out her tongue teasinly, then turned to Hermione. "What was it that Dumbledore wanted with you?

"Oh, nothing much, just suggested that it might be a good idea let the entire school know that I'm doomed to become a wolf every month for the rest of my life."

"Hermione, that is an idea worth considering. Werewolves get enough bad press. If you can show that, true, you are a werewolf, but there is so much more to you, that may be the key to getting you to a good WIZARDING university." Harry spoke passionately.

Hermione considered this. "Maybe," she said slowly.

Authors Note: Looking for reviews!! Also looking for suggestions on where I should go with this. I'm looking to make this a bit more fluffy, but don't want to hit an R rating....I'll push the limits of PG-13.