UPDATED

Next chapter will be a time skip to a couple hours before the ball and we'll finally have Hermione face off with Greyback; then, it's only a few more chapters before Sirius makes his appearance. Well, real Sirius and not dream Sirius.

Holland awoke again some time later, still wrapped in Hermione's arm with the older woman softly snoring into his neck. He remembered the events of before he went to bed and could feel the tingling sensation from the mark. His heartbeat sped up at the idea of being bonded to Hermione, his wolf more than happy for the turn his life had taken.

He looked around as best he could at the place that had been his home for so long. In truth, he was embarrassed and scared. For over a year he had lived in their small village in this decrepit little cabin without anyone knowing about it. Now? Now, Hermione had found out his closely guarded secret and he was afraid about how she would react. Would she think less of him knowing that he didn't have the money to find a place of his own? Or would she be disappointed in him for not seeking out the help of his pack mates?

He had thought about it; telling David about his living situation. But he knew David and Kathy would offer their home and it had never felt right to Holland. He had had a home; a nice home, with a nice mom and a nice dad. All of that had been stolen from him the night he had been bitten. When he had come home, crying about being attacked by some kind of animal because he had wanted to stay out after his own curfew, his mother and father had been understandably worried. By the time the next full moon had rolled around and he had gone through his first transformation, his parents had been disgusted and afraid of him.

Holland could still remember his mom screaming when he had tried to hug her; had recalled staring down the barrel of his father's shotgun as he was threatened within an inch of his life if he didn't leave their home. They hadn't even given him enough time to pack his things; his dad had merely thrown him a roll of cash he had been saving and sent him on his way.

So, no, asking David had always been completely out of the question and Holland knew if he asked anyone else than word would get back to David anyway. So, he had kept it hidden and he had been doing so well; until last night. Something in Hermione had awoken last night; Holland didn't know what, but he knew that his wolf now called to hers. He wanted to be close to her, to make her happy, to keep her safe, and to show her just how much he valued her. The affection wasn't instantaneous; out of all of the pack members, Holland had always been closest to Hermione. She was kind to him in a way the others weren't, not that they were mean or anything, but Hermione just seemed to go that extra mile. The fact that both of them were potentials helped to bond them as well.

"Why didn't you tell anyone you didn't have a place to stay?"

Holland would have jumped at the sound of Hermione's voice if her arms weren't still wrapped around him.

"I'm sure Kathy wouldn't have minded you staying with her and David."

After a moment's hesitation, Holland proceeded to explain everything to Hermione. He watched her face closely as he spoke; watched as her eyes flashed gold and her canines elongated at the mention of his parents. Heard the low, dangerous growl that offered him more comfort than it did scare him. Her arms tightened around him as he went on to explain why he hadn't sought out their alpha and when he was done, they fell into a comfortable silence.

"Do you still feel that way about Kathy and David?" Hermione eventually asked.

Holland sighed, not wanting to sound ungrateful towards their alpha but not wanting to lie to Hermione either. "Yes," he replied solemnly.

"What about me?" she asked, surprising him and making his eyes snap to hers to see her already watching him closely.

"What?" he asked dumbly.

Her lips twitched at his question before she continued. "If I were to offer you a home with me," she said, "would you feel comfortable enough taking it?

Holland fell silent as he thought about her question. He was thankful when Hermione remained quiet, not trying to get him to reply when he wasn't ready. She simply ran her fingers through his dark curls, humming a tune he didn't quite recognize as she allowed him to think. As he had thought earlier, there was something different with Hermione. Something that had come on suddenly last night and whatever it was, his wolf called for hers. But it was more than that; because he called for her too; and it wasn't all because of their newly established bond. Hermione reminded him of the best of his mother; kind, caring, intelligent, and humble. She didn't coddle him, but she was always there when he needed her too, the incident with the rogue werewolf yesterday was just one of many examples.

Yesterday was the first time Holland had ever seen Hermione look so fierce and dangerous. When she had stood protectively in front of him and faced down a werewolf much bigger than her, he had felt his heart swell with affection. Holland couldn't help but compare her to a mother in that moment; she truly had resembled a mother wolf looking after her pup.

"Yes," he found himself saying before he completely finished his own thoughts, but he wouldn't have taken it back; especially when he saw the bright smile that practically lit up her face at his answer.

"Good," she nodded, resuming the gentle motion of running her fingers through his hair. Her whole body seemed to relax, and so did Holland as Hermione continued to speak. "We can organize the spare room a little later," she told him softly, "Lavender can conjure up anything we'll need until we can go shopping for new stuff."

"That's really not necessary, Hermione," Holland tried to protest only to be cut off by the witch shaking her head.

"Maybe not, but I want to do it, Holland," she told him simply, "please, allow me this much."

He was going to say something else but was stopped when Hermione sent him a pleading look. With a reluctant sigh, he nodded his head and watched as she smiled lovingly at him; a smile that had his eyes watering.

"Shh," she comforted him, "everything's going to be okay, pup; I'm going to take care of you."

Holland buried his head into her neck, inhaling her scent deeply as the tears finally fell from his eyes. She shushed him gently before she started humming to him. When Holland was calm, Hermione fell silent for a moment before she said, "let's go home, pup."

Home. He couldn't remember the last time he had officially called something home and actually felt like it was true.

Lavender was waiting for them when they got back to the cottage and Holland's eyes immediately zeroed in on the bite on her neck. It explained the third connection and how the gold ring around Lavender's eyes seemed much brighter as Hermione approached.

"How are you feeling, Hermione?" Lavender asked after a moment.

"I'm fine," she answered softly, finally letting Holland go as she approached Lavender and touched her forehead to the other witch's, "thank you for your concern."

Lavender preened at the thank you. "You're welcome," she said, "Ron left for London before you came back so you don't need to worry about him finding out about anything."

"I'm not sure I even know what happened" Hermione replied.

"You should ask David at the bonfire," Holland inserted, gaining the attention of both women. He knew what had happened and he knew that Hermione unconsciously knew what happened; but Holland also knew that Hermione would deny it until David practically spelled it out for her. He was concerned about that though. Hermione was now an Alpha of her own pack and Alphas didn't like other Alphas encroaching on their territory; even if they had been friends for almost ten years.

"Bonfire?" Lavender asked, her curiosity peaked.

Hermione nodded, "it's something we do when pack members go away for any amount of time; we do it in the field we use for our transformations. David already said you and Ron were welcome to come, I just forgot to bring it up.

"Why did Ron go to London, by the way?" Hermione asked, not recalling having heard of any reason for him to need to go to London.

"He needed to go back to plan a few things with Harry for the ball," Lavender explained, "he might not make it back tonight, but I'd be more than happy to see a pack bonfire. I've only read about them."

"Packs are private about these kinds of things," Holland explained to Lavender, "we don't tend to like outsiders witnessing them."

"Why?" Lavender questioned, "if more people were allowed to witness these things, Werewolves wouldn't be considered the monsters everything seems to believe they are."

Holland fell quiet at her words, his mind going back to his parents and the way his mother had screamed at him after his first transformation. Hermione, sensing his distress, whined softly to get his attention; her eyes flashing gold when he looked at her. His own eyes glowed a similar gold and she watched his body slowly relax as their pack bond calmed him. "You'll see why we keep these things to ourselves tonight, Lavender," Hermione told her, "but you are not to speak a word of it to anyone else unless David says you can; understand?"

Lavender nodded quickly, too excited about the prospect of witnessing a werewolf ritual to realize she had felt compelled to follow Hermione's order. When Lavender was finished looking over Hermione, she left the two werewolves to rest as she made her way into the kitchen.

Hermione waited for the sound of Lavender beginning to make tea before she turned to look at Holland. She laid back on the bed, her arms held to the side in a silent offer and preened when Holland immediately moved to huddle up beside her. She held him closely, moving her hands through his curls as her eyes became heavy.

This wasn't her usual dream. Not even close. She was in the woods surrounding their village, running through the trees as light footsteps trailed behind her. Hermione took a moment to register that she was as naked as the day she was born before she focused back on running. She could smell her mate behind her, chasing her, and her wolf howled at the thrill of the chase.

She took a right and broke the tree line, stopping in the middle of the pack's usual clearing. He entered a second later, but she didn't run; he had proven himself worthy of her when he had kept up easily with her. Her gold eyes kept forward, her wolf more than aware that she had to let her mate come to her and needed to show her trust for him.

That didn't mean her heart wasn't threatening to beat its way out of her chest in anticipation for what was to come.

Her eyes fluttered closed when his calloused hands lightly touched her bare forearms, gently stroking the warm flesh with his fingers. He took a step closer, his chest flush against her back and his arousal rubbing against her backside. Hermione tilted her head, exposing her neck to him in a sign of trust and moaned when his blunt teeth lightly bit at the skin before his lips gently kissed the heated flesh.

His hands had moved from her arms to her shoulders, pulling her impossibly closer as he continued to pepper her neck and shoulder with kisses and nips. Hermione growled when he bit a particularly sensitive part of her neck before it quickly teetered off into a moan as he thrusted against her.

His hands gently urged her to her knees and Hermione eagerly obeyed, impatient and wanting to move this along. She knew better though, her mate needed to set the pace; it was him who got to decide how fast or how slow they went. This time.

He was kneeling behind her, one of his hands moving to press gently between her shoulder blades as he urged her to lower the top half of her body. Hermione did so, pressing her chest into the warm earth as she raised her hips; her hands gripped the rich soil beneath her palms as she preened for him.

"So beautiful," he whispered as his hand trailed languidly down her spine, drawing a shiver from Hermione. His other hand was tightly gripping her hip, his fingers digging into the skin tight enough to leave bruises if she didn't have advanced healing. He leaned over her, pressing his full weight against her back as he bit at the back of her shoulder and Hermione rocked back into him, moaning as her sex rubbed against his hard cock. When her mate groaned, she repeated the action her body reacting to the physical contact. "Patience, love," he groaned into her ear before he straightened himself.

"Please," she moaned, begging for him to do what they both wanted him to do. She was ready, oh Merlin was she ready. Repeating her earlier action, Hermione felt her mate's cock twitch and his breath hitch.

"Fuck it," he muttered croakily before he was suddenly thrusting into her.

Hermione was awoken by the wards Lavender had set up for her warning her that someone had come through her Floo. Her body was soaked by sweat and the wetness and tingling between her thighs forced a groan from her lips as she buried her head in her pillow. The room smelt of her arousal, but Hermione detected the other scents from whoever had come through her Floo.

She was out of her bed and down the hall before the newest occupants even had time to greet Lavender who had come out of the kitchen. Hermione shot forward, wrapping her arms around Remus' shoulders before she buried her nose in his neck and inhaled deeply. Her wolf whined as it smelled the wolfsbane Remus poisoned himself with every month before it preened at the familiar Earthy smell that all Werewolves had. She felt her eyes change and her teeth elongate as her wolf urged her to mark the omega like she had done Lavender the previous night.

Before she could follow through with her wolf's wishes, Hermione jumped back from Remus; rushing to the opposite side of the room as she breathed heavily. Her wolf was growling angrily in her mind, demanding that she mark the omega and make him a part of their pack.

"'Mione?"

Her head snapped up at the sound of Lavender talking to her and her golden eyes locked on the young witch who had moved to stand in front of her. She growled lowly and watched as Lavender exposed her neck to her, her wolf preening at the show of submission and the visible mark. She hummed at the witch, her body calming enough for her canines to retract and her eyes to flicker back to their original amber tones.

Hermione looked past Lavender and smiled sheepishly at the two adults standing by her Floo. Remus seemed dumbstruck, but Tonks returned the smile brightly before she bounced across the living room, tripping over the coffee table before righting herself and closing the distance between her and Hermione.

"Watcha, 'Mione," she grinned, throwing her arms around the witch without any hesitation, pulling her close to her in an almost bone-crushing hug.

"Tonks," she breathed, inhaling the smell of warm milk and spiced apples. The warm milk she had smelt on several other mothers, but the spiced apples was inherently Tonks and Hermione revelled in the smell as she returned the hug eagerly.

"Mia."

Tonks stepped back and Hermione looked to Remus who was cautiously making his way towards her, his movements exaggerated so not to startle her wolf. The action wasn't needed, her wolf was playfully bouncing around in her head at the sight of the other werewolf and Hermione had the sudden urge to play. "Remus," she smiled softly, her eyes flashing gold again as her wolf begged her to let them play with the older wolf.

Hermione placed her hand on the back of Remus' neck and pulled him down so their foreheads were touching. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, hearing him do the same for a moment before they both opened their eyes and gold connected with pale yellow. Her wolf whined at the sight, saddened that Remus was choosing to poison his wolf instead of embracing him. It made Hermione frown, but she quickly replaced it with a tender smile as she watched his eyes change and confusion etch itself across his face. Poor Remus had no idea why he had reacted to her the way he had; no idea why the instincts he tried to fight had suddenly reared up at the sight of her.

Remus took a step back and Hermione wanted to pull him back to her and scent mark him so that others would know he was a part of her pack. "I… uh… what just happened, Mia?" he asked softly.

"It's pack reaffirmation."

Everyone looked to Holland who had just entered the room, his hair wet and wearing nothing but a pair of black sleep pants. She heard Remus growl at the unknown wolf and Hermione returned it with one of her own; her eyes flashing in warning as she took a step towards Holland. Remus looked at her before he stopped growling and tilted his head in submission. Hermione nodded, the urge to mark him still strong but she fiercely ignored her persistent wolf in favour of moving over to her pup.

"You weren't in my room when I woke up, pup?" she said, the questioning lilt clear in her voice as she waited for him to answer her.

Holland blushed a deep shade of red and looked down at his feet. "I, uh, thought I'd leave you alone when you began… moaning," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he tentatively met her gaze.

She could hear Tonks, and Lavender snickering and sent them all a glare over her shoulder before she looked back at Holland. Seeing and smelling the boy's embarrassment, Hermione decided to change the subject. "What did you mean by pack reaffirmation?" she questioned him as she motioned for everyone to take a seat and watched as Lavender moved into the kitchen to make some tea.

"When pack members haven't seen each other in a long time, they spend time scent marking one another as a way to reaffirm their bonds," he told them all, his eyes on Hermione even as he felt every other pair of eyes boring into him. "Usually, the alpha instigates the scent marking and the beta will follow their lead," he finished simply.

"But I'm not an alpha," Hermione stated firmly, her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes moved to the three adults sitting across from her, "and Remus is an omega."

"Your wolf doesn't think so," Holland retorted, "she wants Remus in your pack like she wanted me, and she wanted Lavender. It's why you marked us both last night," he explained.

"But you feel different to Lavender," Hermione informed him confusedly, "I don't understand."

"Your wolf has decided the roles your betas will play in your pack, pup," came a deeper voice from behind them, "she sees Lavender as the Den Mother and has bonded with Holland on a more maternal level. This is what I was going to talk to you about after the full moon."

Everyone had moved at the sound of David's voice; Tonks and Remus raising their wands and Hermione moving to protect Holland before she realised there was no threat to them. Her body relaxed inch by inch and Hermione moved back to her previous position on the sofa as she exposed her neck to David. Her wolf growled at the action, no longer happy being so submissive to the older man now that they had their pack to protect and nurture. She needed to show her pack who was in control and it was not the alpha standing in front of her.

"I don't understand," she muttered, motioning for the others to put away their wands and sit down.

"For the last few months, I've noticed you've been exhibiting more and more signs of a natural born alpha. Have you not noticed your wolf has steadily been getting bigger over the last few full moons?" David asked as he moved to sit next to Hermione. "Kathy and I have been talking," he continued, "we have plans to retire; to travel and see the world a bit."

"But the pack needs you," Hermione argued.

David smiled, "not if they have you," he retorted.

The abrupt laugh that fell from Hermione's lips made everyone jump save for David who had already expected a similar reaction. He hadn't been lying when he had said she would be the next alpha. For months now, he had watched her and how she interacted with their pack and had known that she would be the best option for alpha once he relinquished his status. He wouldn't fight her for the position and had planned to give it to her willingly but it would seem her wolf was done waiting.

David had sensed the Alpha presence before he had even reached the door. The only thing that had kept his wolf calm was the fact that it had already decided that Hermione would be its successor. The fact that she became an Alpha all on her own simply made the wolf prouder of the pup he had nurtured over the years.

"You can't be serious," she said once she had stopped laughing. When David merely glanced at her, Hermione felt her heart stutter, "you can't be serious! I-I'm not an Alpha, David!"

"You're lying to yourself, Hermione," he replied simply, "you solidified your new position when you marked your first two betas."

Hermione groaned, placing her head in her hands as a weight fell onto her shoulders. "Will I ever be able to make my own choices?" she asked resignedly, "my whole life; all my choices seemed to have been made for me, when will my life be my own?"

David sighed heavily; he knew the responsibility he was placing on the young wolf, but he and Marcus had agreed that there was no one better to take up the mantel of Alpha. The fact that she was already an Alpha simply made that easier. However, she needed to know that the choice was still very much hers. He'd never dream of forcing her to do something she didn't want to do, not with everything she had been through in her life.

Kneeling in front of Hermione, David placed his large hands on her small knees and squeezed them gently. "The choice is yours, pup," he told her gently, "and you have time to make it. If you chose not to take up the position, I'll begin training one of the others to do so."

"Why me?" she asked, her voice small like a child as she peaked out between her fingers, "why am I an Alpha? Why would you want me to lead our pack?"

David gave her a soft smile, "because you're everything an Alpha should be. Kind, loyal, protective, intelligent, and a natural born leader. You encompass everything I had spent years trying to do so and you had done so long before you had received the bite, Hermione.

"You don't have to decide now," he told her, "enjoy tonight and get everything sorted with Greyback before you chose what you want to do."

"And I can say no?" she asked delicately.

"I'd never force you to do anything you weren't comfortable with," he assured her, wrapping her up in his large arms as Hermione buried her head in his neck and inhaled his soothing scent.

"What's happening tonight?" came Tonk's voice, drawing David and Hermione's attention.

Hermione sent David a questioning look and he smiled and gave her a nod in reply. She grinned, practically bouncing in her seat as she turned to look at them, her earlier stress and sadness gone for the time being. "We're having a bonfire," she beamed, "and you're all welcome to come if you'd like."

Remus' eyes widened at the words. Pack Bonfires were a very private event, usually only reserved for pack members and their mates. It was a very rare occurrence when outsiders were actually allowed to witness one and, as reserved as he was about being around more werewolves, the scholar in him wished very much to attend the nights festivities.

"I only ask that no one reveal our secrets," David rumbled in an authoritative tone, "Hermione tells me you have a pup of your own; you're more than welcome to bring him with you tonight. I'm sure the other pups would be thrilled to meet him."

Tonks was smiling but Remus was furiously shaking his head. "Absolutely not," he said, "my son is not going anywhere near a pack of werewolves."

Hermione, David, and Holland frowned at his words and Hermione felt hurt blossom in her chest that he didn't trust her to be around Teddy. He hadn't outright said it, but if he were against Teddy attending tonight because of werewolves than what chance would she have of seeing the young boy? She didn't allow the hurt to show on her face, however, and instead, turned to look at David who was giving Remus a look of annoyance but understanding.

"The pup hasn't shown signs of his Lycanthropy yet, has he?"

Hermione didn't think Remus could get any more tense, but she was proven wrong after David had asked the question. Tonks was no longer smiling; her face having taken on a look of confusion but her body remaining relaxed as she looked between David and Remus. "What are you talking about?" she asked, "Teddy was tested when he was a baby; he doesn't have lycanthropy."

"Lycanthropy can't be detected before a child nears puberty," Hermione informed them gently, "once they do, they'll either come into their werewolf inheritance or they'll merely develop lycanthrope traits."

Tonks seemed to be taking everything in stride; however, Remus was the exact opposite of his wife and had paled several shades. The paleness of his face made his scars more pronounced and Hermione watched as a mirade of emotions crossed his face.

Fear. Anger. Horror. Guilt.

"Remus," Hermione tried, standing to approach the older man only to frown as he flinched away from her. Hurt blossomed in her chest once more but she backed away and sat back in her chair once more as she watched Tonks turn to him.

"Remus," Lavender began, walking over to her old professor and placing her small hand on his shoulder, "you okay?"

"Am I okay?" Remus scoffed, glaring at Lavender, "I've cursed my son to become a monster like me, Lavender, do you honestly think I'm okay?"

Hermione's eyes widened when Lavender suddenly slapped Remus, her eyes alight with fire as she glared down at him. She looked to Tonks to see the older woman had leaned back in her seat and was allowing the next series of events to unravel in front of her.

"How many times do all of us need to tell you that you're not a fucking monster, Remus?!" she hissed, "and how dare you call Teddy, your son, a monster. There's not a monstrous bone in that boy's body and I will not let you take home that stupid guilt I can see in your eyes.

"So, you're a werewolf," she continued, her voice softening as her eyes did too, "so, Teddy-Bear might become one too; or he might just pick up a hankering for raw meat. So what? You think any of us would love you any less? You think anyone will love Teddy any less? You're one of the smartest people I know, Remus; but sometimes you can be so fucking stupid."

Remus didn't say anything; he just looked up at his old student like he'd never seen her before, holding his reddened cheek as he did so.

"Well," David cut in, "you're very much welcome to bring the pup but I have to ask you to refrain from calling us monsters. We're not monsters. Our wolves are not something to be feared."

"How can you say that?" Remus asked, his shoulders sagging as he looked at David with a look of total despair.

"Do you think Hermione is a monster?" David asked instead, looking at Remus as if he were studying him under a microscope.

Remus had a look on his face that expressed just how stupid he thought the question was. "Of course not," he replied vehemently.

Hermione smiled softly at him, happy that being a werewolf hadn't changed the way the older man saw her. "It's the same thing, Remus," she said, "the wolf inside of me is just like the wolf inside of you; the only difference is, I've bonded with my wolf where you deny and poison yours."

"The wolfsbane gives me control," Remus argued.

"The wolfsbane is killing you," Hermione replied fiercely.

"What?" Tonks and Lavender asked simultaneously; looking to Remus with twin looks of horror written on their paling faces.

"Wolfsbane slowly poisons the wolf," David began explaining, "once the wolf dies, the host dies with it. It's why Remus has yellow eyes instead of gold; his wolf is dying."

This seemed to be news for all three of the people in front of them and Tonks grabbed Remus' hand as if she could protect him from the news.

"Let us help you, Remus," Hermione pleaded, "let me help you."

The room filled with silence as everyone waited for the older man's answer. "Please, Remus," Tonks said, "I can't lose you; Teddy can't lose you"

Remus looked down at his wife, his mate, and felt the familiar urge to mark her that he had ignored all these years in fear that marking her would turn her. He saw the genuine fear in her expressive eyes; saw her reflecting on the memory of believing him dead during the war. Remus recalled when he had thought she had died in the battle too; remembered the crippling fear that had shot through him when he had seen the flash of green light heading towards his wife seconds before it connected with Cassie's chest as she jumped in front of her best friend to take the curse.

He remembered the pain he had felt as he watched Tonks leaning over Cassie's lifeless body as she screamed and begged for her best friend, her magically bonded sister, to get up. The pain of losing Cassie had been almost unbearable, but it was nothing compared to seeing the look of total loss in Tonks' eyes; a look he never wanted in her eyes again, whether he was there to witness it or not.

"Okay," he whispered, nodding his head as he kept his eyes locked on his wife's face, "I'll try; for you and Teddy."

"You'll try for you," Tonks retorted as he placed a soft kiss at the corner of his lips.

Hermione smiled when Remus turned to her. "Will you teach me, Mia?" he asked softly, his eyes flashing a pale yellow as his wolf also begged for the help it so desperately needed.

She looked at David who raised his hands and shook his head, "not my beta, pup."

Her heart lurched at the idea of being an alpha; the idea utterly terrifying to the rest of her. But Remus needed a pack; he needed an anchor to help him nurse his wolf back to health and gain control over his transformations. She had been in his position; denying her wolf and in desperate need of guidance. Hermione had had David there to help her, to teach her everything she had needed to know; now, Remus was in need of the same guidance and he was looking to her to get it.

"I'll do my best," she promised.

"I'd expect nothing less," Remus smiled, this one more playful than the last and Hermione found herself grinning as the mood lifted.

"Now," Tonks began, the previously heavy topic making her uncomfortable, "tell my more about this bonfire."

The sun had set, and the moon was high in the sky as Hermione led her small group through the forest and towards the clearing the pack used for their transformations. Teddy was beside her, the ten-year-old holding her hand as he walked comfortably through the woods. Her meeting with the young boy had gone better than she had expected, and she smiled as she thought about it.

Hermione was nervously pacing in front of her fireplace as she waited for the others to come through. Lavender was sitting on the couch, reading one of Hermione's muggle books and occasionally looking at the pacing witch every now and again.

"Relax, 'Mione," she said after a moment, "everything's going to be fine."

She was about to reply when the Floo flared up and Remus stepped through followed by Tonks and a short, scrawny boy with bright blue hair.

"Watcha, 'Mione!" Tonks grinned as Teddy looked up at her with wide eyes that looked exactly like his fathers. "Say hello, Teddy," Tonks encouraged when her son continued to look at Hermione.

"Hello," he said, smiling shyly at the older woman.

Hermione smiled softly, "hello, Teddy."

Both of them stood there for the longest time, simply studying each other as everyone else watched in anticipation. Suddenly, Teddy grinned widely, his hair darkening to brown as it curled wildly. Freckles appeared on his cheeks and his hazel eyes darkened to amber. Hermione's wolf became intrigued by the boy who suddenly looked like he could be Hermione's son. She ignored her wolf in favour of watching as Teddy suddenly flung himself at her and wrapped his arms around her stomach.

"I like you," he breathed into her shirt and Hermione smiled as a tear fell from her eye and she wrapped her arms around the small pup.

Pack, her wolf stated tenderly; protective instincts flaring within her as she held Teddy to her body. She looked at Tonks and Remus, the two parents smiling proudly as they watched the two embrace.

"I like you too," she replied to him.

She felt Teddy squeeze her hand and smiled down at the ten-year-old who still wore her features. "Are we there yet, Aunt 'Mione?" he asked, his eyes eager as he looked around the forest.

"Almost, pup," she replied moments before they broke the tree line and entered the clearing. The rest of the pack was already present, a roaring fire already lit in the middle of the clearing. Near the tree line, the pups of the pack play fought and laughed as the adults sat closer to the fire and conversed with one another.

Conversation fell quiet as Hermione and her small group of six entered the clearing. Everyone eyed the newcomers wearily and Hermione was thankful when Holland suddenly ran forward, dragging Kyla with him as he did so. "Hey, 'Mione," he grinned, wrapping his arms around her and giving the older wolf a hug that had both of them relaxing instantly.

"Hello, pup," she sighed, pulling away and raising as hand to his cheek as she looked him over with a soft smile that didn't go unnoticed by the other packmates. "Holland, I'd like you to meet Teddy," she began, looking at the younger boy who was still by her side, "Teddy, this is Holland."

"Hi!" Teddy replied eagerly and Hermione smiled at the young boy only to frown when she didn't hear Holland reply.

She looked up, prepared to scold the young beta for being so rude, when she was his face had paled several shades as he looked at the younger boy. Hermione's frown deepened as she dropped Teddy's hand and moved closer to Holland. "Holland? Are you okay?" she asked softly as the boy continued to look at Teddy with wide, unblinking eyes.

He's found his mate, her wolf supplied when the silence continued to drag on, he's scared.

No shit, Hermione exclaimed as she watched Holland stutter out a quick hello before he practically bolted back to Logan. How the hell am I going to explain to Remus and Tonks that my pup found his mate in their pup?

You know mating doesn't work that way, her wolf scolded her, just because the pup recognizes the scent of his mate, doesn't mean the bond is ready to be completed. They're both too young for that.

I didn't even know Holland liked males, Hermione replied curiously as she watched Logan and Kyla trying to get Holland to tell them what was wrong.

Does it repulse you? her wolf asked curiously.

Hermione shook her head, oblivious to the strange looks she was receiving as the people around her witnessed her dual coloured eyes. Of course not, she answered, the wizarding world isn't as restrictive as the muggle world in terms of who we chose to seek as a partner. Even my muggle parents taught me not to judge others for their choices in life. I care for Holland; I'd never turn him away for something like this.

I know, her wolf replied proudly, our pack is in good hands; they're ours to protect and we will protect them. Just as we will protect their mates and ours when we find him.

Hermione's heart leapt at the thought of her mate before she shook it off and looked down at Teddy to see him sadly watching Holland. "Did I do something wrong, Aunt 'Mione?" he asked her as he looked up at her with big innocent eyes that were quickly filling with tears.

She kneeled before him, taking his hands in her own as she met his gaze with her own. "Of course not, pup," she assured him, "Holland isn't feeling quite like himself tonight; but I'm sure if you give him a few moments, he'll be right back over here to apologize."

Hermione made sure her beta could hear her, and the small growl that echoed her words, too low for human ears. She watched as Teddy smiled at her before his eyes brightened as she heard Holland, Logan, and Kyla approaching once more.

"Hey, Teddy," Holland said softly, a touch of guilt tinging his voice, "s-sorry 'bout before. Do you wanna come play with us?"

Teddy turned to look at his parents, his eyes alight with excitement. "Can I?" he practically pleaded, and Hermione watched as Remus, even with the hesitance shining clearly in his eyes, nodded his head. Tonks grinned as she watched her son run off with the three teenagers as Hermione once again got to her feet and dusted her clothes off.

"Wanna tell us what that was all about, 'Mione?" Tonks asked as she and Remus looked over to the young witch.

"I will, I promise," Hermione assured them, knowing it would be better for them to learn the truth as quickly as possible, "but after the bonfire; when we return to my cabin. Without a whole pack listening in on it."

Tonks and Remus nodded before the group made their way over to the bonfire and sat down on an empty log.

BREAK

Hermione watched Remus carry a sleeping Teddy towards the fireplace as Tonks made herself comfortable on the sofa. Remus was going to drop Teddy off with his grandmother before he returned so they could talk. Hermione was nervous about the approaching conversation but knew it was necessary. Holland was in her room and she could hear the pup pacing back and forth.

"Should I be worried?"

Hermione looked up at Tonks' question and saw the older witch looking at her curiously.

"That really depends on your perspective of what I'm about to tell you both," she replied.

"You mean that Holland found his mate in Teddy?"

She felt her eyes widen at Tonk's words and heard the witch laugh at her gobsmacked look. "Remus won't tell me but I know I'm his mate; I researched everything I could find on werewolves when I fell in love with him. Holland's reaction to Teddy was similar to the reaction Remus had when he met me," she explained to Hermione gently.

"Are you mad?" Hermione asked.

Tonks shook her head, "I think they're both too young for it to go anywhere."

"It won't," Hermione assured her, "Holland may have found his mate but his wolf won't feel a need to bond with him until they're both of the age of maturity."

"That's good," Tonks breathed, "I don't think I would be comfortable with Teddy and Holland mating now."

"What are you talking about?"

Hermione and Tonks stiffened at the low growl from the fireplace. Both of them turned to see Remus breathing heavily, his shoulders hunched and his eyes glowing a pale yellow. Hermione felt her own wolf react to the obvious threat and returned the growl with one of her own.

"Remus, calm down," Tonks tried only to fall silent when another growl fell from her husband's lips.

"Enough, Remus," Hermione demanded, "you're scaring your mate."

"Don't tell me what to do Hermione," Remus replied angrily, "whatever claim Holland thinks he has on my son, tell him to end it now."

Hermione heard her pup whimper from the room and felt her wolf growl angrily in her mind. "You know he can't do that Remus," she retorted, "nothing can the mate bond once it's been realised."

"My son will not be a werewolf's mate."

"That's Teddy's choice and you know it," Hermione answered.

"Not if the werewolf is out of the picture."

His words surprised both Hermione and Tonks but before they could say anything, Remus was moving towards the hall that led to the bedrooms. Hermione was moving the moment her wolf recognised the threat to her pup and she tackled Remus to the ground with a furious yell.

"Touch my pup and I'll end you Remus, friend or not," she growled.

Remus, in a burst of surprising strength, managed to buck Hermione off of him before he was suddenly on top of her.

"Stop it!" Tonks yelled, going ignored as the two werewolves struggled for dominance in the living room.

Hermione gave a cry when Remus bit into her arm before she got the upper hand and sunk her teeth into his throat. She didn't relinquish her hold until she felt Remus go slack beneath her, his struggling ceasing as his mind had enough time to process everything that had just happened in the last few minutes.

"Mia, let me up," Remus croaked hoarsely. Hermione didn't relinquish her hold until she felt calloused fingers running through her hair. "I'm sorry," he cried softly, "I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry, Mia."

Hermione released his throat with a pitiful whine, licking the bite to close it. She felt her own tears falling down her cheeks, collapsing into Remus' hold as she took comfort from the only father figure she had left. "We don't get to choose," she cried, "you know that. Please don't punish him for something he couldn't control. He's already scared enough."

"I know," he sighed, "tonight's been a long night; I'm trying to adjust."

"I'll help you," Hermione assured him, sitting up to look down at him, "I promise I'll help you, Remus; but I need you to promise me that you'll keep open minded about all of this. Our pack do things differently to the ones you've witnessed; you need to let go of the past so you can learn from the future."

Hermione moved off of Remus and held out her hand to help him stand. "Holland and Teddy won't feel the mating pull until Teddy reaches maturity; after that, it's their choice whether they mate or not."

She helped Remus off of the floor and let him go so he could sit next to a crying Tonks before she made her way into her kitchen and started on some chamomile tea. Hermione could hear Tonks and Remus talking but chose to ignore it as much as possible to give them the privacy they deserved. Instead, she listened to the quite sobs of her pup and sighed heavily; her heart aching for her child. The only thing stopping Hermione from ignoring he guests and rushing to her pup was the fact that she could hear Lavender comforting him. Her wolf knew that her pack den mother could tend to her pup until she was free to do so herself. Right now, her newest beta needed her and she wouldn't ignore him after what had just happened.

When the tea was prepared, Hermione moved back into the living room and handed Tonks and Remus the tea before she sat on the sofa opposite them. "I'm really sorry that you had to learn everything the way you have today, Remus," she began softly, "but I also hope you understand why I was forced to attack you just now."

"I don't know what came over me," Remus groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Your wolf reacted to what you perceived as a threat to your pup," she explained, "but because of the Wolfsbane potion, it couldn't recognise the signs of another wolf finding their mate. All it could recognise was that you were distressed and perceived Holland and me as the threat to Teddy."

"How'd you stop the wolf?" Tonks asked.

Hermione blushed embarrassedly. "I… um… I marked Remus," she told the older witch, "I claimed him as a beta in my pack."

"But I'm an omega," Remus argued.

"Not anymore," Hermione replied, "though, you do have the option of rejecting the bite and becoming an omega again."

Remus and Tonks were silent for the longest of time before Remus looked up at Hermione and smiled softly, "I'd be honoured to be in your pack, Mia."

Hermione felt her eyes tear up before she flung herself into Remus' arms and hugged him tightly. She felt Tonks wrap her arms around the both of them and felt happy tears falling freely from her eyes. They sat there, on her sofa, with Hermione explaining to Remus and Tonks everything she was going to help them with.

She made sure to explain mating to them at length. Most wizards and witches didn't quite grasp the true meaning of a mate to a werewolf. Sure, they were destined for one another in a romantic sense but that didn't mean that was how the bond started; especially with the younger wolves. For now, Holland would become close friends with Teddy and, later, when both members of the bond were old enough; the wolf would begin to seek out a more romantic connection. Of course, Teddy could reject the bond; whilst not pleasant for Holland, it wouldn't kill him if Teddy decided he only wished to remain friends. Holland could even find someone else to spend his life with; however, the relationship would never be as fulfilling as the one a wolf would have with its mate.

It was a good hour before Remus and Tonks were giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and a simple goodnight before they stumbled through the Floo.

Hermione let out a heavy sigh as she turned her head towards the hall. She could smell Holland's tears and hear Lavender trying to soothe him and her wolf whined at her pups distress.

Slowly, she made her way down the hall and towards her bedroom; shedding her outer-clothes as she did and leaving herself in her black boyleg panties and a black camisole. She chucked the dirty clothes in her clothes hamper before she walked into her room and leaned against the frame of her door as she watched her pup pace as his eyes continued to produce the salty tears.

"You'll wear a hole in the floor if you keep up with that," she said after a few minutes of silence.

Holland jumped, his head snapping to look at her. "Sorry," he muttered even as he went back to pacing as he muttered to himself.

Shaking her head, Hermione made quick work of crossing the room to him and placing her hands on his shoulders to stop him in his tracks. "What's bothering you, Holland?" she asked softly, "you knew you'd find your mate one day; why are you freaking out now that you have?"

"Besides the fact my mate is a ten-year-old kid?" Holland snapped, his eyes flashing. Hermione didn't reprimand him for the tone he used on her; the witch and the wolf understanding that he needed an outlet for the frustration he was currently feeling. "I-I'm scared," he whispered, his eyes tearing up.

"Of what? Teddy not returning the bond?" she asked.

He shook his head, "that's not it. I know I can still find someone to love if he chooses to reject me."

"Then, what is it?"

He looked up from where he had been staring at his feet, his dark gaze meeting her own as his heartrate increased. "Do you hate me?!" he finally blurted, tears beginning to fall from his eyes as his knees practically gave out on him. Hermione hurried forward to catch him, both of them falling to her floor as Holland wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. Over his shoulder, Hermione watched as Lavender silently left the room to give them privacy. "Please, don't hate me," he cried, his tears running down his face and onto her shoulder.

Hermione and her wolf whined at her pups distress and she wrapped her own arms around him as she ran her fingers through his thick curls. "Why would you ever think I'd hate you, pup?" she questioned, her voice barely a whisper.

"B-because I l-like…" his sobbing got louder.

"Because you like males?" she finished tentatively, feeling him nod against her shoulder, "oh, honey; why would I ever hate you for that? Who you like or love doesn't change who you are, Holland. Being gay isn't something to be ashamed or scared of and I'd never hate you for being yourself. Please know that. Know I love you as you are, and I'll never expect you to be anything less than you. Okay?"

Holland nodded, wiping the snot and tears from his face as Hermione helped them both to their feet and motioned for him to take a shower. She sat at the edge of her bed as he showered in the bathroom, wondering what the poor pup had faced in his short life to think she could ever hate him for something as simple as his relationship preferences. He was her pup and she'd love him regardless of who he chose to be with.

She wouldn't think about it too much. Besides, in two days she would be returning to London to face old friends, old enemies, and a psychotic werewolf who seemed to have a major hard-on for her. She shivered at the thought of what Greyback probably had planned for her as her eyes moved to the little beaded bag she had placed on her bedside table. The charms she had placed on it during the war were still there and everything she had needed for her plan just so happened to be in there as well. Now, she just needed to get around the entourage she was sure Harry was putting together for the ball.

When she heard the water cut off, Hermione shook away the depressing thoughts and crawled under the covers of her bed. Holland came out a few minutes later, grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips as he dried his hair and threw the towel in the clothes hamper. Hermione didn't say anything further about their earlier conversation; she merely lifted the blanket and gave her pup a soft smile as he laid beside her.

"Go to sleep, pup," she whispered softly, watching his eyes flutter closed as exhaustion began to take him over.

"Night, mum," he muttered before his body fell lax as he finally gave into his exhaustion.

Hermione blinked at the title he had, most likely unknowingly, given her as her wolf practically purred its pleasure. A soft smile stretched the corner of her lips as she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Holland's forehead before she moved back to her side of the bed.

Rest, witch, her wolf told her gently, the coming days will hold many trials for us.

Do you know something I don't? Hermione questioned curiously.

We will find him soon, was her wolf's cryptic reply and Hermione huffed. Sleep, her wolf ordered lightly.

So, she did.

Changes to chapter:

+ The previous edition of this chapter it was pointed out to me that I had actually forgotten to add a scene where Hermione told Remus and Tonks that Holland had found his mate in Teddy. Remus' reaction may have seemed a little OOC but I hope you all like this chapter anyway.

+ I didn't show the pack bonfire in this chapter because I want all of you to experience it with Hermione and Sirius. So, there will be another bonfire and I will go into depths when that comes around again.

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