Taming the Beast
Chapter 16
Kill The Rabbit
Hermione was stunned. "How can I...I used protection...we.."
"I'm guessing that it has something to do with your new body chemistry, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagel replied softly. "Go on to class. We will get this sorted out shortly."
They were in the middle of a blood-thickening potion that was to be used for temporarily patching wounds of hemophilliacs when a note arrived for Professor Snape. He read it quickly. "Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore wants you in his office immediately." Hermione cringed. She didn't want Ron involved this, but she knew that he had a right to know.
"You know what this is about 'Mione?"
"I think so Ron, I don't think you're going to like it. But lets see what he has to say."
When they entered Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagell, Madame Pomfrey and Remus Lupin were waiting for them. This could not be good, Ron thought.
"Sit down please, Ron and Hermione." Ron searched Dumbledore's face, but saw no anger. Remus Lupin looked uncomfortable though, and Professor McGonagell had an expression of shock.
Dumbledore spoke. "Mister Weasley, it would appear, my boy, that you are going to be a father."
Ron immediately felt ill. His parents were going to moidalize him. "A father?" He considered this. "But we used magic to prevent that kind of thing from happening." This time Remus spoke, "You have to understand, Ron, that werewolves are very rare. Not as rare as some may like, but rare enough that the....I suppose 'species' would be an acceptable term for it...feels threatened enough that it will do whatever it takes to perpetuate itself.
His child was going to be a werewolf. He was dead meat when Mom and dad found out. Remus continued speaking.
"...feels threatened enough that it will do whatever it takes to perpetuate itself, including not be affected by contraception spells. That also means that once the seed takes root, the child will be carried to term, or it will kill the mother."
So abortion was not an option? Dumbledore began speaking, "I had hoped that you would be able to continue your studies at Hogwarts, Hermione. You would undoubtedly have graduated at the top of your class..."
"YOU'RE NOT GONNA EXPEL HER, ARE YOU??" Ron shouted, panicking.
"Certainly not, Ron. Sit down. Hermione, I would never expel a student for the creation of new life, goodness knows we've seen enough death. But I am afraid that you won't be graduating with your class. There are complications, it seems, that would be best explained by Professor Lupin."
Professor Lupin looked at Hermione with sad eyes. "I have to apologise, Hermione. I never told you what happens when a werewolf gets pregnant, I guess I never expected it. Like I said before, we are a rare being, and will do everything possible to perpetuate the species. A werewolf gets pregnant, the term of pregnancy is about eight months, followed by perhaps another five months before the pups are properly weaned." He held her hand. "During this time, the mother remains in wolf form. Hermione, it pains me to say this, but after the next full moon, you won't be human again for at least another year."
Chapter 16
Kill The Rabbit
Hermione was stunned. "How can I...I used protection...we.."
"I'm guessing that it has something to do with your new body chemistry, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagel replied softly. "Go on to class. We will get this sorted out shortly."
They were in the middle of a blood-thickening potion that was to be used for temporarily patching wounds of hemophilliacs when a note arrived for Professor Snape. He read it quickly. "Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore wants you in his office immediately." Hermione cringed. She didn't want Ron involved this, but she knew that he had a right to know.
"You know what this is about 'Mione?"
"I think so Ron, I don't think you're going to like it. But lets see what he has to say."
When they entered Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagell, Madame Pomfrey and Remus Lupin were waiting for them. This could not be good, Ron thought.
"Sit down please, Ron and Hermione." Ron searched Dumbledore's face, but saw no anger. Remus Lupin looked uncomfortable though, and Professor McGonagell had an expression of shock.
Dumbledore spoke. "Mister Weasley, it would appear, my boy, that you are going to be a father."
Ron immediately felt ill. His parents were going to moidalize him. "A father?" He considered this. "But we used magic to prevent that kind of thing from happening." This time Remus spoke, "You have to understand, Ron, that werewolves are very rare. Not as rare as some may like, but rare enough that the....I suppose 'species' would be an acceptable term for it...feels threatened enough that it will do whatever it takes to perpetuate itself.
His child was going to be a werewolf. He was dead meat when Mom and dad found out. Remus continued speaking.
"...feels threatened enough that it will do whatever it takes to perpetuate itself, including not be affected by contraception spells. That also means that once the seed takes root, the child will be carried to term, or it will kill the mother."
So abortion was not an option? Dumbledore began speaking, "I had hoped that you would be able to continue your studies at Hogwarts, Hermione. You would undoubtedly have graduated at the top of your class..."
"YOU'RE NOT GONNA EXPEL HER, ARE YOU??" Ron shouted, panicking.
"Certainly not, Ron. Sit down. Hermione, I would never expel a student for the creation of new life, goodness knows we've seen enough death. But I am afraid that you won't be graduating with your class. There are complications, it seems, that would be best explained by Professor Lupin."
Professor Lupin looked at Hermione with sad eyes. "I have to apologise, Hermione. I never told you what happens when a werewolf gets pregnant, I guess I never expected it. Like I said before, we are a rare being, and will do everything possible to perpetuate the species. A werewolf gets pregnant, the term of pregnancy is about eight months, followed by perhaps another five months before the pups are properly weaned." He held her hand. "During this time, the mother remains in wolf form. Hermione, it pains me to say this, but after the next full moon, you won't be human again for at least another year."