Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter's world. That is the property of JKR, a most talented woman. So, don't sue me.
Plot: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger are normal talented wizards who, on their 16th birthdays, learn otherwise. They are now burdened with family secrets that no one can ever know. They return to Hogwarts and struggle to get their lives back on track. However, both vows to find out one another's secret when they notice something different about each other.
A/N: Hey, two chapters, huh? Again, you can choose to review both chapters or just this one and include what you thought about Ch. 10. Now I'm going to introduce Draco's other partner in crime. I really have no recollection of seeing her in the books and so, do not have any image of her to go on. So if you're the kind of stickler for specific details, I make my apology right here. Oh, and if you could correct me on what she really looks like, that would be all right and appreciated.
The Moon's Call
Chapter Eleven
He couldn't believe his ears. Draco rubbed at them to make sure he was hearing correctly.
Down the corridor, at the far end, Blaise was giving money to the Weasel. From what he had heard, Blaise had paid the Weasel to break up with Granger last week. He had to admit Blaise was a slick one. He probably had more cards up his sleeve that he had yet to reveal. The trick he pulled was brilliant. Too bad Draco didn't think of that, though he should have.
Concluding their business, Weasley went one way and Blaise started towards him. Draco made use of Blaise's little trick of standing downwind a lot. He managed to surprise Blaise more often than not.
Draco moved away a bit from the corner and leaned against it. When Blaise rounded the corner, he stopped short. Draco glanced at him and clapped. "Amazing play, Blaise. Absolutely brilliant. Who knew you had it in you to arrange for the break up?"
"Stop it, Draco." Blaise passed him and stopped. He turned to him. "I kissed her."
He inclined his head. "I know. I could smell your scent on her in Arithmancy."
"She's accepted my invitation to mate, Draco. Back off now," Blaise warned.
Draco only smirked. "I hate to point out the obvious, but she doesn't know about your little invitation, so how can you say that she's accepted? I highly doubt she'll spread her legs for you once you tell her."
Blaise scowled. "Don't be crude."
"As far as I can tell, I'm still in the running. This is, after all, a bet. Not a race to claim her as a mate. It's for," he grimaced, "her heart."
"That's claiming her as a mate for me."
Draco clenched his jaw. "Then I'm sorry, Blaise, but I'll have to stand in your way."
"You are not going to take her away from me," Blaise snarled.
Draco took a moment to gaze at his friend intently. Blaise's arms were thickening and he was growing a bit taller. His face became slightly animalistic. He scented the air and caught elevated levels of aggression and adrenalin. Draco could remember the one time he had smelled something quite similar. He didn't know what it was at the time, but he soon found out. It was his first change, the night when Lucien had attacked, intent on teaching Draco to defend himself.
Cursing, he also realized it was the night of the full moon, and it was rising. He could feel it with some unknown sense. They had to get outside before Blaise could change and attack him.
"Blaise, come on." Draco tugged him outside the castle and pushed him into the Forbidden Forest. Blaise all but ripped off his clothes before throwing himself to the ground. Draco yanked off his and fell to the earth on all fours. He let the change happen swiftly without forcing it. It was just a flexing of a clenched muscle and it was done.
Draco took a second to adjust and he turned, only to have Blaise plow into him. Draco scrambled to his feet and faced a growling, snarling Blaise. The gray heather of Blaise's coat seemed to bring out more of his gleaming blue eyes. Unholy eyes, if Draco was of the religious sort.
Blaise stood there waiting.
Draco cocked his head. Is he challenging me?
It was all so reminiscent of his first change. Lucien had stood there as well, waiting. Draco hadn't understood, so he had growled a warning. It seems that he unknowingly accepted and Lucien attacked. When did this become about dominance?
Blaise was entirely serious and most likely knew what he was doing. He had two choices: he could either accept the challenge and quite possibly injury himself and/or Blaise or walk away, giving Blaise the right to dominate him. His stomach jumped at this last option. There was no way he'd give up without a fight, and if it's a fight Blaise wanted, then a fight he'd get.
Draco snarled right back. His throat vibrated as he growled low. He had accepted, so who would make the first move?
Blaise began to circle and Draco kept up. Suddenly, Blaise charged. Draco jumped to the side and snapped at Blaise's neck. Blaise twisted away and snapped back. They stood there, staring each other down, waiting.
Draco moved first, feinting to the left, but then going to the right. He managed to get behind Blaise and went for his flanks. Blaise twisted around and snapped at Draco's neck. When Draco felt teeth at his neck, he let go of Blaise and struggled to twist out of Blaise's hold. When his throat threatened to close up, he redoubled his efforts and escaped.
Blaise seemed to look at him in shock. If they had been in human form, Draco was sure Blaise would have seen the smirk on his face. Draco flew at him. Blaise met him and they snapped and snarled at each other. Draco rose up on his hind legs to pounce on Blaise, but Blaise countered by also rising up on his hind legs.
Probably looks like we're boxing, Draco thought off-handedly.
When Blaise dropped back down, Draco lunged at his throat and shook Blaise. He didn't let go, even when Blaise tried everything to escape. Then somehow Blaise managed to wiggle out of his hold. Both panting harshly, they stared at each other, fangs bared, growling low. It was a stand off. It seemed no matter what they did, neither could one up the other.
Draco chuffed and padded away. He heard Blaise turn away and leave through the underbrush. He looked back in time to see the tuft of Blaise's tail disappear among the trees. He had used some of Lucien's tactics and Blaise had fended them off. Draco threw back his head and howled a song of respect. Blaise echoed his howl a distance away, acknowledging him.
No one had won this round and Draco felt it wouldn't be the last. Lucien had said there could only be one Alpha of the pack. He didn't feel he and Blaise were a pack and so didn't think more about leadership. Perhaps he should have given it some thought.
A breeze flowed through the trees, slightly ruffling his fur. Draco sat there and debated whether or not to follow Blaise. He scented the air and caught a familiar scent. He whipped around and followed it on the wind. It had to be that wolf! The one he encountered on his second full moon, it had to be! Draco ran silently, trailing her.
He came upon a small stream and put his nose to the earth. He caught a trace of her scent and followed it upstream. He rounded a bend in the stream and saw her. Yes, it was she, the same wolf he had met. He took in the same ebony coat and form as she lapped water from the stream.
He went forward, careful not to step on any twigs. His paws were silent on the leaves. When he was close enough, he growled low in his throat. She whirled around, amber eyes wide in surprise and recognition. He went closer and she growled lightly in warning. He stopped and couldn't help the lolling of his tongue. He was pleased to see that she remembered him. How could she not remember him? His "greeting" was surely something she could never forget.
She snorted in disgust and turned away to go further upstream. Draco bristled at being brushed off.
Who the hell does she think she is? Draco thought angrily. He was sure she was a werewolf. Her behavior spoke of an intelligence higher than a slathering beast. He trailed her, disregarding her warnings. Mentally smirking, Draco abruptly burst into running, and nipped at her shoulder as he passed her. He heard her intake of breath and the pounding of paws coming after him.
Come and get me, he thought. Since Blaise was in a snit, Draco wanted him to cool off for a bit before he went looking for him. He absently wondered how the outcome of their fight would affect their blooming friendship. He sincerely hoped it wouldn't. Draco quite enjoyed having a intelligent individual to verbally spar with as well as a partner-in-crime.
Suddenly, he felt her teeth on his tail. She gave his tail a quick yank and she sprung away in the opposite direction.
So, you want to play, huh?
Draco raced after her. Her sleek black form loped ahead at an easy, swift pace. He wondered who she was and if she was a student at Hogwarts.
Amber, that's what I'll call her, he decided. Her regal amber eyes floated in his mind's eye. She changed direction and headed into the forest. He easily caught up to her. It was clear to him that she didn't know the forest that well. He licked at her muzzle playfully, and he gently bowled her over. She rolled and gained her feet, looking slightly ruffled and indignant. If he could have laughed, he would have.
Amber slowly got back up and circled him warily, as if trying to gauge what he was doing. He let her circle him. She wasn't a threat. Abruptly, she gave his tail a quick yank and she dashed away towards the stream. Confused, it took Draco a few seconds to understand. She was taking the initiative.
He liked women who took charge. They were unpredictable. Draco ran after her, his feet barely touching the ground. He practically flew, eating up the distance between them. He caught up with her easily enough just before the stream and buffeted against her as he passed. She yipped in surprise. Water came into view and he suddenly found himself pushed into the stream.
Draco found his feet and he glared at her, fur dripping. Amber sat on the bank, her whole form innocently deceiving except for her amber eyes, glinting mischievously. He waded through the water to the bank right next to her. An unholy idea came upon him. A split second later, he shook himself. He heard her intake of breath and the sounds of her retreat. He glanced around for her and found her a few yards away, vigorously shaking herself. She glared at him, but her regal stare was ruined by a sneeze.
They chased each other all through the night. Draco didn't spare a passing thought about Blaise until he felt the coming of dawn. In the moment he stopped to get his bearings, Amber disappeared in the underbrush, back towards the stream. He started to follow, but Blaise crowded his thoughts. He hadn't caught sight or scent of him all night.
Sighing, Draco turned towards he last remembered where his clothes might be. Perhaps Blaise would be there.
Blaise hadn't said anything about that full moon in September. Draco waited for him to bring it up, but the whole of October had flown by without so much as a word about it. By mutual consent, they had suspended their bet about Granger, although they both watched one another with sharp eyes and sharp noses.
It seemed that somehow Granger had known there was something going on between them. It had only occurred to him just now that she was very tense during September and October and was slowly relaxing. Draco rather thought that she knew subconsciously than consciously. If she really knew, he had no doubt that she'd send her two watchdogs after him and Blaise.
As it was, though, she had settled in a routine that never allowed her to come into contact with either of them. She always sat with her back to the Slytherin table. It had disturbed the seating arrangement at the Gryffindor table with a little grumbling, but otherwise, it was quickly accepted.
Now that he and Blaise had backed off, Draco saw it as his golden opportunity to reassess his options of eliminating her. The bet with Blaise was a way to keep Blaise out of the way, but that was taking too long and was a bit too direct for him. Draco normally worked below the surface of things, so no one would be the wiser. He had perfected that skill, but he had to be careful now. With the danger of Blaise finding out what he was up to significant, he had to tread carefully, more than he ever has before.
He smirked. Draco rather relished the challenge.
Throughout the whole day, he carefully drew up a mental list of potential accomplices from Ravenclaw to draw in Granger and just as carefully evaluated and shortened his list. He operated automatically in all of his classes and instinctively when addressing his Housemates. He paid no attention to Blaise's inquires about his health, mental and otherwise.
At dinner, he scanned the Ravenclaw table. Ravenclaws were a quiet bunch, he mused. They were the brains of the school. In all actuality, they were very much like Slytherins, but with a dash of Gryffindor qualities. They viewed their choices with a near cold-heartedness that would have done Salazar Slytherin proud. Their emotions had no part in their decisions. Usually, that is. That is where their code of ethics, so like that of Gryffindors, came in.
He shook his head and sighed, turning back to his packed plate. Blaise caught his eye and he raised a questioning brow. Again, Draco shook his head. Then he took to roving the other table once more. He compared his now shortened list to their faces. He decided it had to be a girl, someone Granger was more likely to trust. She had to be an excellent actress as well as to have something actually in common with her to make it all the more real.
His eye settled on a girl with straight black hair and dancing blue eyes. She could probably pass as a relative of Blaise's if she had the mind to. He smiled. Yes, she was perfect for the part. Lisa Turpin.
"What are you smiling at?" Blaise asked suddenly.
Draco looked at him and said, "Nothing much, really."
"Stop it. I think you're scaring our House."
He glanced around to catch several Slytherins exchange worried and fearful looks, especially Pucey and his court. That made him smile even more. Let them think what they will: plots against the current self-appointed ruler of Slytherin. It was a good cover actually.
He took a few more bites and pushed his plate away. Draco looked forward to enlisting Turpin in his services. Their acquaintance wasn't known and he wasn't going to broadcast it in public. He would send her an owl to meet him somewhere to talk and only talk.
Draco excused himself. He felt Blaise's gaze on his person as he left the Hall, no doubt looking over to see if Granger was still at the Gryffindor table. She was, but Draco had no desire to start up their bet so soon yet.
Taking his time walking to the Owlery, Draco worded his letter in his mind. He had to get it just right, so she would not mistake his wanting a meeting for the wrong reasons. While she was attractive enough, he didn't feel the need to relieve any 'pressure'. Also the risk of losing control and biting her was to be considered. He didn't want any complications.
Owls fluttered gently in the night. Draco ruthlessly held his impulse to kill a bird (or two or three) and eat it. He patted his robes and found a spare piece of parchment. He conjured up a quill and ink and began to write.
Lisa Turpin,
You are invited to participate in a new venture I will be starting. I will not give out details for this venture is of great importance. You may meet me by the lake at 1 a.m. to discuss your potential assistance. I trust you will keep this correspondence confidential.
Sincerely, Draco Malfoy
He scanned the letter once more and nodded to himself. There was no way she could discern any sexual meaning from this. He sealed it and whistled for his eagle owl, who came at great reluctance. Draco enticed him nearer with treats and the owl ate delicately while he tied the letter to his leg. When he was done, he gave him instructions to deliver it to Turpin. The owl flew off with obvious relief.
Draco shook out his robes and left the Owlery. He returned to his dormitory with no incident. He sat by the fire, calmly biding his time. The common room was filled with students talking or studying. He stared into the fire, content being left alone, listening to the conversations around him. He heard Pucey whisper worriedly about him, about what he was planning and if Blaise was in on it. That made him smirk.
But his listening was cut short when he heard someone walking up to him. Draco kept his gaze on the fire, but sensed him sit down at the other chair facing him.
"So, what are you going to do about these rumors?" Blaise asked, settling comfortably in the high-backed green chairs.
"What rumors?" Draco turned his gaze to Blaise.
Blaise smirked. "Don't play dumb, Draco. You know they," his eyes went to where Pucey and his court were before meeting his once more, "are talking about you and your grand plans of taking over Slytherin House. What are your plans?"
"Well, I figure let them sweat a little before I start doing something myself. Nothing worse than being on alert 24/7 with no relief. They won't last four days before collapsing in exhaustion," Draco sneered.
"I completely agree. Have you made up your mind whether or not I'm your partner?" Blaise glanced down at his hand, touched by firelight.
Draco tipped his head. "What do you think?"
"I want to have a little fun," he simply said. "Nothing of interest is happening and it'll be a good exercise."
Draco inclined his head. Very true as his two plans will be implemented simultaneously. Blaise could absolutely NOT know of his goal with Hermione. He would fight him to the death if necessary. The other…Draco would try to share the reins, try to include Blaise in the planning of overthrowing Pucey.
Pucey had it coming. He terrorized Slytherin to the point of absolute fear and loyalty. Draco was not amused. Pucey had ruled Slytherin for two years. He had been approached to join Pucey, but declined. Draco was a leader and he knew it. He would not have been allowed to rule his own direction if Pucey was above him. Perhaps because he had the balls to decline, Pucey had never given him any true trouble as long as they stayed out of each other's way.
"Very well." Draco turned to look into the fire. "Now, other than coming over and confirming my goals, what do you want?"
Blaise smirked wickedly. "Well," he started, "I know students aren't supposed to when which prefects are patrolling, but I couldn't help but notice something very important. To you, anyway."
"And what is that?" Draco asked in a bored drawl.
"You patrol this week, no?"
He nodded. "Yes. Thursday. Why do you have a problem with my patrolling schedule?"
"No, but you might," Blaise said. "Do you know when the full moon is this month?"
Draco scoffed. "Of course I know when it is. It's this…"
Oh, shit.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's this Thursday, the night I patrol. Fuck, I'm screwed."
Blaise, the traitor, nodded in agreement. "Royally."
"Shit," he hissed under his breath. "What am I going to do? I can't very well cry off or switch nights with someone else. That would reflect badly on me."
"So what?"
"I've actually been on pretty good behavior lately. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs have exhausted themselves trying to stay on guard around me." He smirked. "I'll deal with them when I have time." He settled down even more in the armchair. "What the hell am I going to do? I can't just take off in the middle of my patrol either. We have to stay with the new prefects all night. Damn it!"
Blaise jumped. Draco had hit the arm of the chair forcefully. Blaise hadn't been expecting that. "Are you sure no one else can take your night? Perhaps Pansy can…"
"No fucking way," Draco sneered. "No way in hell am I going to indebt myself to her. Who knows what she'll ask for in return." He shuddered.
"You do have a problem."
"Me? Don't you mean we?"
"No." Blaise shook his head. "I'm not a prefect. This is your problem."
"It'll be your problem if I'm discovered. We are seen together so much that they'll undoubtedly suspect I've changed you as well. They'll do a check on you and/or watch you. You'll be seen one way or another."
Looking away, Blaise asked, "How much of that is bullshit?"
"A fair amount of it," he said truthfully. "But you must admit that the theory behind it is sound. It will occur to them sooner or later."
Blue eyes hardened and his lips thinned. "Well, then. I guess that means I'm in for it, too." Blaise fell silent. A log popped in the fireplace. Draco watched him carefully. Then Blaise said, "Quidditch practice has started up, hasn't it?"
"Yes. Why, are you thinking of trying out finally?"
Blaise shook his head sharply. "No, but why don't you fall and break your arm or something? Do something that will guarantee a full night in the hospital."
"There's one flaw in your plan, though. There's no practice that day."
"So what? Everyone knows that Slytherin wants to beat Gryffindor, so there's no reason why you can't practice by yourself. Under the impression that we're friends, I'll be there watching, pointing out what you're doing wrong. Then at that point, you'll be in a perfectly common accident."
"And what sort of accident am I supposed to have? Breaking an arm, a leg? It'll have to be something serious, but not so serious Madam Pomfrey will check on me all through the night." Draco was beginning to believe that it was possible he'd be able to get through the night of the full moon without losing his position. It was the perfect set up, so believable that no one would suspect the truth.
"We'll think about that, don't worry," Blaise said.
"What time is it?" Draco looked over towards the clock on the mantel. "Fuck."
He stood and straightened his robes. It was 12:30. Where had the time gone? It didn't seem like he'd been by the fire that long. Then glancing around the common room, he was startled to find that it was deserted.
"Where are you going?" Blaise stood as well. "Are you going to run tonight?"
He shook his head. "No, I've a business meeting to attend." Seeing the interested look on Blaise's face, he added, "It doesn't concern you."
"Fine. I'll just go to sleep then." Draco watched Blaise go upstairs. He heard the door to their shared room open and shut firmly. He seriously doubted Blaise would let it be, but it was slightly possible he'd actually go to sleep.
He left the common room and walked through the cold corridors before ascending the staircase leading up to the ground level of Hogwarts. He kept his ears and senses open for anyone and anything. Draco managed to avoid Professor McGonagall and Patil. By the time he reached the lake, the moon was already beginning its descent in the sky. He felt the time to be about ten to twelve. Enough time, but a little close to comfort.
Draco found a vantage point where he could see all possible ways from Hogwarts, and settled down to watch. A few minutes passed before he saw a slim figure in a cloak emerge from the shadows of the courtyard. If she was coming, then it was certain she would agree regardless.
A triumphant smile emerged.
YES! ALL RIGHT! I FINALLY UPDATED!
True, the story hasn't progressed that far, but give me a little more time and yes, I know I'm cutting the deadline a little short. So review it, yell at me for not updating sooner, whatever, just as long as you drop me a line.
Love, peace, and frybread - TG