UPDATED

We have a lot going on in this chapter and yet not as much as will be reveal in future ones either. We will be introduced to a new OC and Greyback finally makes his appearance. Because I don't want to give away this chapter I will continue my author's note at the bottom. For now, enjoy.

It had taken three calming draughts and a whole room full of broken furniture before Lavender, Holland, and David had managed to calm Hermione down. Now, she was pacing restlessly in front of the fireplace as they waited for whoever Harry would send to escort Hermione to London. Hermione had tried to get the identity of said person out of Lavender, but the blonde knew about as much as she did, and it frustrated the brunette to no end.

Lavender had already delivered the dresses to Number 12 Grimmauld Place so that they could prepare for tonight upon their arrival and the idea of returning to that house was both appealing and terrifying. So much had happened within its walls, both good and bad, and Hermione wondered how she would handle the onslaught of those memories. She prayed she wouldn't have another episode, but Lavender had made sure to pack extra calming draughts just in case. Sometimes she really hated werewolf healing; potions were absorbed and burned through faster than regular witches or wizards, making them less effective.

The pack had already said their goodbyes, only David and Holland remaining. The young pup had been opposed to not going to London with Hermione, but she didn't want to risk him being around unfamiliar people whilst she was at the ball. She may have known and trusted all of these people at some point in her life, but that was ten years ago; a lot could happen in a decade.

Suddenly, with a large burst of green flames, a head of blonde hair appeared through the Floo, followed shortly by a petite body. Hermione grinned widely at the woman grumbling complaints about getting her robes dirty as she dusted herself off before she looked up at Hermione and grinned just as widely.

"Hermes!" she exclaimed, Hermione mock-glaring at the ridiculous nickname she had insisted on calling her through Hogwarts before she found herself engulfed in a bone-crushing hug. "It's been forever! Merlin, you have no idea how much I've missed my favourite nerd!" the woman kept rambling as she tightened her hold on Hermione.

"I thought I was your favourite nerd," came a deep voice as a second body came out of the fireplace, "hey, 'Mione," he grinned as he hugged her when the woman dropped her hold.

"Neville," Hermione breathed, unable to compute that the man standing in front of her was the boy she had gone to Hogwarts with. Sure, he had grown up a lot during their seventh year whilst she, Harry, and Ron were on the run; but now? Honestly, if it weren't for the dreams of her mate and the wedding band on his finger, she may have just tried to jump his bones as Kyla would say.

Neville was tall, taller than Ron almost and just as muscular if what she felt under his robes was anything to go by. His hair was slightly messy but in a way that made it look intentional and Hermione could see the beginning of a five o'clock shadow. His teeth had been straightened and he practically exuded a confidence he didn't really have until his seventh year at Hogwarts.

"Handsome, isn't he?" came an amused voice and Hermione turned her gaze back to the first person to exit the fireplace as she smiled adoringly at Neville, "told you he'd be a catch when he grew up."

"Oh," Neville grinned playfully, "you could just tell that, could you?"

The blonde folded her arms across her chest and stuck her nose in the air, looking every bit the pureblood that she was born and raised to be. "I'm a Malfoy," she sniffed pompously, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "we're always right."

Neville shook his head, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her to his side in a move that surprised Hermione. "I think you're forgetting that you're no longer a Malfoy, love," he whispered into her ear. Hermione blushed at how husky he sounded, and her blush only deepened when she could smell their combined arousal.

"Really?" she questioned, mock-surprised, "since when?"

Hermione heard David cough from behind her, not having to turn around to know he was grinning amusedly at the couple in front of them. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised that Aurora Malfoy had married Neville Longbottom; after all, the woman had stated she would when she was eleven-years-old. Not that anyone believed her then; after all, she was a Slytherin and a Malfoy to boot. Hell, Neville had been downright terrified of her in first and second year; though, something had changed during their third year that she still didn't know about.

Regardless, it was clear to anyone with eyes and half a working brain cell that there had always been something between the two of them. It was made even more clear as day during the Yule Ball in fourth year, the D.A. in fifth year, the Death Eater ambush in sixth year, all of seventh year (according to Lavender), and during the final battle when, instead of choosing to go with her family when Voldemort had given the choice; Aurora had stood tall and proud beside Neville, her hand in his to show exactly where her loyalties were.

"Sorry," Aurora blushed, earning a chuckle from Neville even as the tips of his ears turned red as well. "Aurora Longbottom," she introduced, holding her hand out to David as she revealed her neck to show that she wasn't a threat to him or his pack. "This is my husband, Neville," she continued as Neville followed her example. "Are you ready to go, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest and her palms sweating profusely. She turned to make her goodbyes only to be almost knocked over by Holland as he crashed into her. His arms wrapped around her tightly and Hermione held him back with equal strength as she heard a small 'aww' behind her. She ignored it. As Holland hugged her, she could smell the salty tang of his tears before they hit her shoulder and she had to blink rapidly to keep her own from falling.

Ten years this place had been her home. Ten years these people had been her family. It wasn't like she was never going to see them again, but that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. She sighed heavily, burying her head into Holland's neck as she inhaled his scent. Her wolf whined, wanting to take care of their pup but knowing there was nothing they could do. Holland couldn't come with them; they had to protect him and keeping him here was the only guarantee they had that he would be safe.

She pulled back reluctantly. Her eyes were red, but it was nothing compared to his own and she tried to give him a confident smile as she wiped his tears away. "Don't worry, pup," she told him softly, "I'll be back soon."

We don't know that.

"You can't promise that," he sniffled.

"I can," she retorted.

Liar.

"I'll always come back to you, Holland."

We'll try but we may not always succeed.

He doesn't need to know that, she growled mentally, her wolf's hackles raising even as she looked proud at Hermione's outburst. Holland gave her a nod, his own smile making an appearance on his youthful face as he took a step back and allowed David to sweep Hermione up in a bone-crushing hug.

"Take care, pup," he breathed into her hair, "find Caleb and get back here safe, okay?"

"I'll do my best," she promised, "take care of Holland for me."

"You don't even have to ask," he assured her as he placed her on the ground, and she nodded at both of them before she faced Neville and Aurora.

Aurora opened her arms, smiling comfortingly at Hermione who allowed the blonde to pull her close. "Don't worry, Hermes," she assured the witch as they made their way towards the fireplace, "Harry's made sure Greyback won't get anywhere near you tonight. There's nothing to worry that pretty little head over."

Oh, Aurora, if only you knew, Hermione thought sadly before she followed her two friends into the green flames.

Hermione couldn't help but stare at herself in the mirror, her eyes trying to take in the woman in the mirror who couldn't possibly be her. She knew she had grown into her features over the last decade, but she still had trouble seeing herself as truly beautiful. And the woman in the mirror? Well, she was divine.

Not that she wanted to think that; after all, the dress she had been forced to wear by Greyback and every part of her wanted to rip it from her body and tear it to shreds. She didn't. She wouldn't risk Caleb's safety by doing something like that just to spite a psychotic werewolf with a strange obsession with her.

Ginny had done her hair; placing it in a low, formal bun with loose strands of hair curled to frame her face. It was simple and yet so completely beautiful. Lavender, of course, had called dibs on her make-up and, after arguing for thirty straight minutes, the younger witch had finally caved and agreed to make her make-up as natural as possible.

"I'm not trying to impress anyone, Lavender," she had told the younger witch, "so, I don't see the point in going all out on the make-up. Honestly, the dress is showy enough."

If Hermione had thought the dress was a little 'showy' when she had seen it in the box, it was nothing compared to how it looked when it was on her body. She hadn't really taken in just how low the neckline was until she realised she wouldn't be able to wear a bra. Not that she would have been able to with how low the back was.

She glared down at the front of her dress where the valley between her breasts was fully on display to the entire world. The plunging neckline stopped only an inch or two above her navel and, had she been as 'endowed' as Ginny or Lavender, her breasts would have been falling from the dress. As it were, they seemed to be mostly covered and the sticking spell Ginny had applied would make sure the fabric didn't move anyway.

The gown just skimmed the floor and would have dragged along it if not for the ridiculously high heels that Lavender had decided to shove her feet into. Thank Merlin for cushioning charms otherwise she would certainly be feeling the shoes before she had even made it to the ball.

It really did seem like the dress was tailored to fit her perfectly and it made Hermione shiver to know that Greyback had somehow gotten her measurements. What repulsed her even more was just how much skin was exposed. Hermione wasn't a fool, all of the places a marking bite could be placed were left bare and it shot ice straight to her heart to think about it.

"Hermione?"

Her head snapped up, the lock on the door clicking into place on its own as the mirror shattered. Her heart was pounding in her chest, had been the longer she had stood in her old room after she had asked Ginny and Lavender for a moment to gather her wits. As she looked down at the broken shards of glass lying about her feet, she realised that she didn't have any kind of control.

She breathed deeply, forcing the quickly rising panic back down as she made herself think of Caleb. Sure, the pup was a right pain in the arse, but he certainly didn't deserve whatever Greyback was doing to him.

"Hermione, you okay?" Ginny asked, her voice muffled by the door, "I heard something break; are you hurt?"

She couldn't help the small smile at the concern she heard in her friend's voice. Hermione had been downright terrified of how everyone would react when she came through the Floo with Aurora and Neville and was both surprised and relieved to learn that Harry hadn't really informed anyone about her early arrival. Ginny, however, had been all too eager to welcome her back and berate her for leaving at the same time.

Hermione stumbled out of the fireplace in Grimmauld Place, dusting herself off as she heard Neville calling out for anyone who was in the house. For a moment, there was only silence before there was an almost banshee like screech and suddenly, Hermione found herself coming face to face with a very pregnant Ginny Potter.

Anger, happiness, and relief seemed to war in the young witches eyes as she stared at Hermione before her hand was suddenly connecting with Hermione's cheek. The force behind the hit had her head snapping to the side and her hand coming up to gingerly touch the rapidly burning cheek that had just been struck. Ginny's anger hadn't surprised her; even with the letter she had received, Hermione knew that she had hurt the younger witch when she had left ten years ago. However, Hermione had been expecting a curse of some kind, Ginny was certainly famous for her Bat-Boogey Hex, but she hadn't been expecting a physical blow from the redhead.

Her wolf snarled in her head, but Hermione quickly hushed it; assuring it that Ginny had every right to be angry with her. The wolf huffed and turned away from her before Hermione was distracted as toned arms wrapped around her shoulders and pulled Hermione towards a buxom chest.

She sighed happily as Ginny's scent surrounded her, the hug made a little awkward by the sheer size of Ginny's swollen belly. However, Hermione knew not to comment on the size of the young witch. She had seen Henry make that mistake with Lisa and the results had not been pretty.

"You're not ever allowed to leave again Hermione Jean Granger; do you understand me? Never!" Ginny cried into her shoulder. "You missed my engagement, and my wedding, and you missed James being born! Don't even get me started on how much I could have used your brain during my pregnancy!" she continued as she buried her head in Hermione's neck.

"I'm sorry, Gin," Hermione sighed, wrapping her arms around Ginny and taking care not to hurt the pregnant witch. "But, I'm here now," she said. She hoped Ginny didn't pick up on the fact that Hermione hadn't really agreed to staying in London and relaxed a little when it seemed like the witch had remained oblivious to it. However, one look at Neville and Aurora's frowning faces told her they certainly hadn't missed it and she silently pleaded with them not to say anything to the emotional witch she was still embracing.

Of course, after that, Ginny had stepped away and her anger seemed to have returned. Hermione had stood patiently as Ginny ranted and raved at her for a solid thirty minutes before she was drawn into another hug. Afterwards, Ginny had made sure that everyone was comfortable in the sitting room before asking Kreacher to make a light afternoon snack for everyone. Apparently, dinner would be served at the ball and Hermione had doubted she'd be capable of stomaching any of the food anyway. Not with her stomach in knots as it had been since she had awoken that morning.

Aurora and Neville would be staying with them until they arrived at the ball. Even though Neville wasn't an Auror like Aurora was, Harry had enlisted the help of the of D.A. for tonight as well for added protection. Hermione had been happy for the chance to catch up with the married couple but all she really wanted was her pup who was back in Alaska; awaiting her return.

Thirty minutes. That's all she had left before her fate would be sealed. Plenty of time to climb out of the window and catch a cab to the airport to fly back to America. Not that she would. Caleb's life hung in the balance and, even if she wanted to be, Hermione knew she wasn't capable of being that selfish.

Though, right now she wished she were.

Another two calming draughts were needed to get Hermione in a state of mind where she wasn't about to pass out or blow up half of London. Now, her wolf was whining as they tried to sort through the various scents permeating the air and making her nose burn. She had sneezed several times when a particular witch had walked past, her perfume pungent and practically poured on.

She was thankful for the mask, although she wanted to reconnect with the people from her past, she was also terrified to do so. However, right now she needed to focus on the mission. Which would have been easier if there weren't so many conflicting smells. The masks made visual identification difficult unless you had Weasley-red hair, Malfoy blonde locks, or a lightning bolt scar on your forehead and dazzling emerald eyes. Yeah, Hermione had gotten pretty adept at dodging certain people based on distinct genetic features.

Like the young male Malfoy. Draco might have changed sides by the end of the final battle but that didn't excuse the years of relentless bullying she had endured at his hands. He certainly couldn't use his upbringing as an excuse considering Aurora had had the exact same upbringing and had never shown the same prejudices the rest of her family displayed. There were just some things she couldn't forgive and forget; her treatment at the hands of the Malfoy's for something she had no control over was one of them.

Aurora had found her earlier, assuring her that she held no grudge against Hermione for her hesitance around her family.

"If you can even call them my family anymore," she had sighed sadly, "Father refused to even look at me after the final battle and when he learnt that I had broken my marriage contract with Theo he was furious. Blasted my face off the family tree and disowned me the moment he found out I was engaged to Neville. Old bastard that he is."

Apparently, Narcissa and Draco still kept in contact with Aurora, but it was all done in secret and Hermione could see just how much it affected the platinum haired witch. Hermione suspected that her rollercoaster of emotions could also be contributed to the faint smell of warm milk she had smelt on the young witch earlier. She wondered if Aurora knew she was pregnant or if she had yet to notice the signs. Wolf senses did have their uses sometimes after all.

Her amber eyes searched the crowds from the dark corner she had found herself in. Honestly, she probably shouldn't be hiding where very few people could see her but the entourage of Auror's that had been tailing her all night on Harry's orders had become tedious. It had taken her a disappointingly short time to lose them and, even though she couldn't cast a Disillusionment Charm, she had managed to sneak around the ball room and avoid them quite easily.

Of course, she had managed to make sure someone had seen her slipping into the shadows and would notice how a masked figure would look at her every now and again. It was always a different person, sometimes a Weasley, sometimes Harry, even Neville and Aurora danced past her little corner every now and there to make sure she was okay.

Hermione wanted the entire night to be over with and as she nursed her fourth glass of Firewhiskey, she found herself contemplating sneaking out and heading to the library. However, she wasn't an idiot; she knew that the smartest course of action would be to seek out one of the Auror's on Harry's team and ask to be escorted to the library. She hated it; but it was the most logical decision.

Standing, Hermione threw back the rest of the Firewhiskey, barely flinching at the burn, before she set the glass on the table and made her way into the throng of people to find an Auror.

They weren't hard to spot, and she almost scoffed at how much they stood out. The only thing they had going for them was that no one knew which Auror was which because they were all dressed exactly the same. Same robes, same mask, same bored look and everything.

Hermione walked up to a particularly burling looking Auror who looked down at her with a thoroughly bored expression. "I want to go to the library," she stated firmly, not wanting to 'beat around the bush' and itching to get out of the crowded ballroom. She hadn't caught the scent of another werewolf except Remus and Greyback certainly had very distinguished features which she doubted could be easily hidden beneath a mask.

The Auror in front of her grunted and for a moment, Hermione wondered if he were a complete Neanderthal before she remembered that Harry had put this team together and he would have made sure the Auror's were at least competent. Regardless, the lack of an actual answer irked her, and she felt the corner of her eye twitch.

"Well," she huffed, "I obviously can't go on my own or Harry would flip out; wouldn't he? So, I need you to escort me to the bloody library."

She knew she was being rude, but she had been on edge all night and it hadn't helped her already sour mood in the slightest. When she received another grunt, Hermione had to resist the urge to growl at the Auror in front of her as she promptly turned and left the Great Hall; the Neanderthal closely behind her as she made her way down the familiar halls towards the only place she had ever found true solace during her time in Hogwarts.

The moment the smell of ancient leather and parchment reached her nose, Hermione felt all anxiety leave her. She completely ditched the Neanderthal and made her way down the familiar stacks before she reached the one area she just knew her answers would be located.

It didn't take her long to get into the Restricted Section and Hermione searched diligently for any book that would give her information on the Veil. Of course, it wasn't as easy as she had hoped but it wasn't completely pointless either and she gave a small cheer when she actually found something that looked like it would be of use to her.

The book was small, more like a journal that anything else, and had been wedged behind two large volumes on dark magic. Hermione ran her hands over the strange symbol on the front and was about to open it when she heard a heavy thud from within the library.

Her heart leaping into her throat, Hermione slowly left the Restricted Section. As she did, she resisted her natural urge to call out and ask if anyone was there. She knew there was, and Hermione just hoped it was the Auror she had come to the library with. Perhaps, he had dropped one of the books though he had seemed rather lost when she had left him standing at the doors.

The Auror was still where she left him; he just wasn't how she left him. Hermione quickly clasped her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming at the sight of the large, unknown man with his throat ripped out.

Every fibre of her being told her to run as fast as she could for the door, but her quick eyes immediately drew towards the dark shadow that a hulking body created not far from her only escape.

"I can hear you, little bunny."

His voice sent fear straight to her heart and Hermione felt her entire body shake as his deranged chuckle filled the air.

"And I can smell you," he continued, loudly sniffing the air to make his point as Hermione began to back down the aisle she was in. "You smell delicious," he growled, "just like you did the first time I caught scent of you."

Her eyes darted around, looking for any form of escape that didn't include jumping out of a window and potentially killing herself. She had planned on handing herself over to Greyback in exchange for Caleb; but now that she was actually faced with her impending capture, Hermione only felt the desire to get as far away from the deranged werewolf as possible.

"I wanted to take you right there when I smelt you in that forest," he taunted, "fuck you into submission before I marked you as my bitch."

Her wolf snarled at his audacity to even think he had a right to claim her in any way; even before she herself had become a werewolf. And, calling her a bitch only further pissed off the wolf and the witch.

"I can smell your anger, bunny," he almost sang, his voice coming from every direction but his faint scent only coming from one. "I'm gonna enjoy breaking every inch of you."

His rancid breath hit the back of her neck and Hermione didn't hesitate to bring up the heavy tome she had picked up and hit him across the face with it. Greyback stumbled from the impact and Hermione took satisfaction in the fact she had distinctly heard his nose break before she tossed the book on the ground and made a run for it.

She reached the door and screamed out her frustrations when it wouldn't budge. It had been spelled shut and without her magic being in control, Hermione had no way of getting herself out through the large doors unless someone came looking for her.

Her wolf howled out a warning just as her ears picked up the disturbance in the air and Hermione ducked the clawed hand Greyback had sent in her direction. She kicked him in the knee as hard as she could, not even bothering to take her satisfaction when she heard it pop and the male werewolf howl in pain before she was running back into the depths of the library.

An angry growl filled every available space in the cavernous room and Hermione felt herself shiver once more at the promise of pain the sound had reverberated. However, it was nothing to the fear that shot through her as the spicy scent of arousal reached her nose. Greyback was getting turned on by all of this and Hermione wanted to be physically sick just knowing what he had planned for her.

She had no doubt in her mind that, if the older wolf got a hold of her, that she would spend the rest of her, no doubt short, life in utter pain, misery, and humiliation. And there was no way she was going to let that happen.

Her eyes flashed gold, her teeth elongating before she raised her wrist to her mouth and bit into it. She screamed into her wrist, ignoring the metallic taste of her blood as it flooded into her mouth before she removed her wrist and wiped it against a bookshelf. Running further into the library, Hermione repeated the action on a few more shelves before she finally allowed the wound to close over.

She inhaled deeply, only able to smell her own blood and knowing it would confuse Greyback. He wouldn't be able to track her through scent anymore but she also wouldn't be able to track his scent either. As she moved, Hermione forced her heart to slow down using the meditation techniques David had taught her to help her deal with both her wolf and her PTSD. She felt her heart slow and knew it was quiet enough to go unheard over his own heartbeat.

Hermione found a dark corner in the back of the library, an area she would often go to when she wanted to escape everyone for a few hours. No one went back that far because no one was really interested in the history books that were back there.

Sitting down, Hermione closed her eyes and got into a meditative pose. She was confident that she was well hidden within the shadows and that Greyback would not be able to track her from smell or sound. It gave her the opportunity to try something that she desperately hoped would work and not destroy the entire castle.

Hermione dug deep, looking for the source of her magic. When she found it, she tugged on it gently, not wanting to have a dramatic outburst but hoping to trigger a small bit of accidental magic. At least, enough to get a message to anyone that could help her.

Expecto Patronum.

Never in her entire life had Hermione tried to attempt both a non-verbal and wandless spell. However, that didn't stop her from getting frustrated when nothing happened. She pulled on her magical core a bit more persistently before she tried again.

Expecto Patronum.

Nothing.

More magic.

Expecto Patronum.

A blue wisp and an influx of hope.

Another pull at her magic.

Expecto Patronum.

Expecto Patronum.

EXPECTO PATRONUM!

The wisp turned into her patronus but not the one she had had during Hogwarts. The otter was gone, replaced by a near replica of her wolf. Hermione didn't have time to think about what this meant for her as she only managed one word before a clawed hand was reaching in to the shadows and grabbing her arm roughly.

Hermione watched the wolf disappear through the wall and preyed it would get to Harry before this all went to shit.

Her back was slammed against the nearest wall and she felt all breath escape her as another clawed hand wrapped itself around her throat. Hermione clawed at the hand, trying to get in air as blackspots began to flitter across her vision. When she felt a nose near her neck, Hermione stiffened. Her senses were assaulted by the smell of corrupted Earth and death.

"It's a shame," Greyback breathed into her neck, "I do so love taking virgins. Their screams are music to my ears." He licked her neck, drawing a disgusted shiver from the petite witch. "Oh well," he growled, "I have other ways of drawing that pretty little scream from your lips, bunny."

When Hermione felt his clothed erection thrust against her stomach, she lost control of her magic. She didn't care if she blew up the school; there was no way she was going to allow this monster the satisfaction of thinking he possessed her body. Of thinking he could break her. She was Hermione Granger; she had survived Bellatrix Lestrange and she wouldn't be broken by some deranged dog in need of a neutering.

Unbeknownst to Hermione; her gold eyes turned a brilliant glowing white as her body began to exude an aura of power. The power fluctuated, causing goosebumps to rise on Greyback's flesh as his wolf snarled at the influx of power coming from the diminutive witch. With hands completely encased in glowing white light, Hermione grabbed the wrist of the hand still wrapped around her neck. Her eyes were distant yet filled with raw power and the young witch remained oblivious to the smell of burning flesh as it began to permeate the air.

"What the hell are you?" Greyback growled through tightly gritted teeth.

"We are more than you could ever handle," snarled Hermione, two layers to her voice as both the witch and the wolf spoke. "We are powerful and we. Are. Not. Yours."

Hermione shoved her opposite hand towards Greyback's chest. The strength of the wolf and the power of the witch worked simultaneously and Greyback was propelled through the air and straight through two bookshelves before he hit the opposing wall. He sat up with a snarl, glaring fiercely at the glowing woman who hadn't moved from where he had grabbed her in the dark corner that was now awash with light.

He remembered one of his betas telling him that the young witch hadn't used her magic in almost a decade which certainly explained the power he felt radiating from her in waves. His beta had also told him about the connection the American pack had with their wolves so the fact her wolf could so easily get control or even work with the witch shouldn't have surprised him either. Still, she shouldn't be showing physical signs of that power and it only made him growl louder.

"You think you can beat me?" he snarled as he got back to his feet, "I am the oldest werewolf alive you little bitch. If I want you, I will have you; your parlour tricks will not change anything."

Hermione smiled, her canines sharp and her smile cold as she felt her magic pulsing within her. She could feel magic surrounding the library; a deeper, much older magic than she or Greyback were capable of and she wondered what the school was up to. However, before she had time to question it further, Greyback was charging for her.

She didn't try to run away; instead, Hermione met him half-way. Their bodies collided with a loud thump as Hermione used her claws and teeth to tear into the deranged wolf. She wouldn't back down; adrenaline coursing through her veins as she bit into Greyback's arm only to be tossed from his body a moment later.

The young witch groaned as her back collided with the wall and she fell to the ground in a heap. Already, her body was healing the injuries and her magic was helping to speed it along as she glared up at the wolf towering over her.

"Lycaon," Hermione smirked, watching as Greyback froze in his steps, his face going pale at the simple word she had spoken.

"What did you just say?" he growled.

Hermione stood to her feet; her white eyes now surrounded by a gold ring as her wolf momentarily took over. "You are not the oldest werewolf alive, Greyback," she answered, "Lycaon still lives and so do his descendants." She walked towards him; her steps more confident than they had been earlier that night. "You crave power over our kind and yet you know only him, and his descendants have any real power," she purred, using magic to force him back against the wall and keep him pinned there.

"Lycaon and his descendants are dead," Greyback snarled, fighting against his invisible bonds as he glared down at the smirking werewolf, "they were hunted to extinction."

"Rumours," she replied simply, "nothing more than rumours passed around to make the Wizarding World believe they had a modicum of control over our kind. But Lycaon still lives and his descendants know that he will come back to crown his heir. You will never have the power you seek. There is more to ruling our kind than fear and anger."

"What would you know of ruling? You're nothing more than a pathetic beta," he growled.

Hermione was about to reply when there was a sudden influx of very dark magic and she found herself thrown against the wall; again. She felt like she was being smothered by the darkness that was surrounding her; stealing the air from her lungs and threatening to send her into unconsciousness.

"What are you doing here?" Greyback growled, "I had it handled. You're supposed to be making sure no one gets in here before we've left."

"Yes, well," came a deep, velvety voice from the shadows, "had I known you were going to play with her this long I would have enforced stronger wards and went back to the others. As it is, you have less than five minutes before Potter and his little sidekicks get here."

Hermione blinked the black spots out of her eyes and looked up as a figure emerged from the shadows. He was handsome and tall, with dark hair and even darker eyes. He couldn't have been much older than her and he was definitely the source for the increased dark magic. He was powerful; she didn't even have to feel his magic to know that because she could see it clear as day surrounding him.

He bowed to Greyback before he turned his gaze on her and smirked. Hermione wanted to shrink back as he approached her; stopping when their chests touched as he leaned over and inhaled deeply. "You really do smell divine," he purred into his ear; quiet enough so only she could hear, "don't worry, Hermione; I wouldn't let such a gift go to waste on something as pathetic as Greyback. But I can't have you giving me away so, for now; I think it's time to sleep."

His fingers pressed against the side of her forehead and she suddenly felt extremely tired. Hermione fought against the encroaching darkness as she looked up at the man standing directly in front of her.

That was when she noticed it.

Just above his eyebrow was a crescent shaped scar. A scar she was very familiar with.

Because she had been close enough to see it during the full moon and pack meetings.

But that was impossible. It couldn't possibly be him.

The darkness continued to pull her down to its depths and Hermione managed to utter a single word before her world went black.

"Caleb?"

The situation with Caleb will be explained, I promise. For now, don't forget to follow so you never miss as chapter. Leave me a review below and I will see all of you in the next chapter xx