Before anyone says anything, I do know that for Hermione to have become a full werewolf, Greyback would have needed to be in wolf-form but for the sake of this story we're just going to skip over that fact please! A bit of a filler, but hope you enjoy it nonetheless - please leave a review (if you want!)

- HermionesPolyjuice xo

Chapter 5

Hermione awoke the next morning to her stomach rumbling loudly for food. She hadn't eaten in almost 48 hours so hurried to the cupboards to find them almost bare. She managed to scramble around and find a few biscuits and tomatoes to satisfy her hunger but knew she would have to make a trip into the village to refill the cupboards.

Once she had showered and freshened up, Hermione quickly cast a glamour spell on herself so she wouldn't be identified and disapparated to the edge of the appeared by the side of a road and figuring it would lead her to the village she walked down it.

About half an hour later, Hermione found herself at the end of a small high street lined with shops and restaurants. She went into the first café she walked past and picked up a cup of coffee. Hermione wandered down the high street, peering into the shops and catching snippets of German and English conversations, sipping at her coffee. She was just about to turn into a second-hand bookstore when she did a double take. Standing just inside the door, browsing the shelves was the man she both wanted to see and didn't want to see. Her hesitation was what cost her as the man turned around inside the shop and spotted her staring in. He smiled at her pushed open the door, the bell sounding as the door opened. The man nodded at her as he took the few steps to where she was standing.

"It's good to see you, Hermione," he whispered in her ear. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and she stared up at her old professor. How on earth could he have identified her? She had cast a glamour over her that lasted up to 12 hours, which she had tried and tested multiple times. There was no way she looked like her.

"You forgot about your eyes," he smiled understanding the look of shock. Hermione groaned, of course she had. The one day she was coming to the village she had forgotten to glamour her rather recognisable round, chocolate brown eyes. He straightened up.

"Would you care to join me for a traditional German breakfast?" he asked. Unable to speak she nodded and took off following Remus Lupin down the street and into a small, dimly lit café.

"So, how are you Hermione?" he asked, ten minutes later once they had found a table and ordered a breakfast.

"All things considered, not too bad," she said shrugging off her coat. "How are you doing?"

"I'm well, thank you. I would be better if you came back to the UK if only to get Harry and the Weasleys off my back," he said with a lopsided smile. Hermione studied her old Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Despite the greying hair and ragged robes, he did look well, his eyes had an unnatural spark and his skin wasn't as pale.

"I'm sorry, but I…I need time. I can't go to them and tell them what happened, they'd never look at me the same. And I can't bear the thought of it getting to the press and everyone finding out and shunning me. Everyone already has negative feelings towards me because of my parents, being a werewolf will only make things worse – I won't be able to get a job or live a normal life or anything," Hermione said morosely, looking down at the table to avoid Remus' look.

"That would never happen, Hermione. The Weasleys love you all so much and would continue to despite what happened and they would help protect you from the press. You shouldn't let something like this stop you from being a part of the family. Everyone, and I mean everyone, misses you. They want to know you're safe. They haven't stopped looking for you, and I can't see them ever stopping." Hermione managed to look up and was surprised to see the ferocity in Remus' eyes.

"I can't do it, Remus. I just can't. I need a bit more time to myself." Remus frowned at her and she was saved a response as the waitress brought over their breakfasts in silence. Hermione started to eat straight away, still famished but also not wanting to continue the conversation with the elder werewolf. She was struggling to explain her reasoning for disappearing, even to herself. She knew she sounded pathetic and knew that the chances of the Weasleys not treating her the same was minimal, but she just couldn't shake the negative feelings away.

"How did you even find me?" she finally asked after a long while of quiet.

"It was difficult. But the other night helped a lot. As you are probably now aware, your senses are considerably heightened during the nights of the full moon and I was able to sense you a long way towards the east. I remembered you saying a few years back about how you preferred your holidays to the Black Forest in Germany than to France with your parents so I figured I may as well start here. And well the closer I got to you the stronger you were until I knew you were in the village this morning," Remus explained. Hermione nodded in understanding.

"There's something else as well. I'm sure you know everything about werewolves now, well let's be honest you knew everything before all this happened," Remus laughed, and Hermione couldn't hold back her smile. He wasn't exactly lying, she hadn't learnt many new things since she started reading more after the Battle. "So, you know about pack mates?" Hermione gulped as she nodded, she had a suspicious feeling she knew where this conversation was going. "Truth be told Hermione you're more than just an ex-student to me, I began to see you more of a friend, a rock really. You kept me sane during your third year, you were the one to get me buck up my courage and date, and later marry, Tonks." Remus' eyes twitched and they became laced with sorrow at the name of his now dead wife. He took a moment to recover before continuing. "You began to feel like a daughter I never had, and now…now, I think…no, I know…you're one of my pack mates." He let out a sigh and they locked eyes.

"Right," was all Hermione was able to say.

"But just to clarify that doesn't necessarily mean that I'll be one of your pack mates. It could take years for you to develop your pack, as I'm sure you know. Although you'll now have a stronger connection with me through my pack, I don't want to pressure you to do anything you don't want. I don't want to force anything upon you, and if you want you can forget about this new link. I was reading something somewhere recently about pack mates and how if you cease connection for about 6 months, the link never develops into the strong bond that would be normal of other pack mates so if that's what you want to do, we can. But I just thought you should know," Remus finished with a sigh. Hermione sat there, a little stunned. What exactly would it mean to be in Remus' pack? Obviously she knew the basics of a pack; like feeling the emotions of other mates, a the sense of duty and the ability to communicate non-verbally but other than that she wasn't sure what to expect.

"If we were to develop this bond, what would happen?" Hermione questioned.

"Good question. I'm not entirely sure as it varies between pack mates and would be different to what I get with my other mates but in short we'll have a closer connection, be able to experience each other's feelings, maybe communicate non-verbally but that's quite rare. I assume we'll know when each other are in danger, have even heightened senses towards each other and be able to get to their aid faster, and perhaps even when they're not in need," Remus explained. Hermione sat there for a while mulling over what he had said before asking a question.

"Who are you pack mates now?"

"I've got a very small pack. It's just you, if you accept, Bill, and one other half-werewolf a bit like Bill and one full werewolf like you and me. James, Sirius and Tonks were all part of my packs but obviously no longer and I reckon Teddy will become a member of my pack when he's older." Hermione nodded. Truth be told she was confused. She didn't know what to think. A part of her wanted to be in Remus' pack, she liked the thought of easy communication and such but the thought of feeling each other's emotions and knowledge of when they're in danger did frighten her a little.

"I don't really know what I want," she finally said after finishing her eggs.

"I get that, how about you think about it and let me know by owl or something over the next week or so?" Remus suggested. Hermione sighed but nodded, it would be good to think about it herself.

"It wouldn't have any negative connotations me 'rejecting' the connection?" she asked sheepishly and was slightly embarrassed when Remus let out a bark of laughter.

"No, none at all. We probably will still have a connection, but it will be minor." Hermione nodded. The duo sat in silence for a while, Hermione simply enjoying the company of another human being and Remus examining her carefully.

"I should probably get going. I need to get some food and head back so I can start to work on the potion again," Hermione finally said pushing her chair out and standing up.

"That reminds me, I brought you some extra Wolfsbane. I didn't know whether you had managed to brew any yet so brought some in any case." Remus pulled out a large vial from his overcoat.

"That'll do the next three full months, you just need to heat it up until it's boiling before taking it," he told her handing it over. "And if you need more, just ask. After so many years I've finally got the knack of brewing it and can easily send you some."

"Thank you. I've been trying but haven't succeeded yet, hopefully this month it will work," Hermione said gratefully as she took the vial and put it into her beaded bag.

"I have no doubt you will succeed," Remus said with a small smile. "I was great to see you Hermione. Please don't forget I am at only the other end of an owl. Stay safe, little one." Remus wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her close.

"I will," Hermione whispered into his chest, a lone tear trickling down her cheek. "See you, Remus." Hermione pulled away and with one last smile, pulled her jacket tight and left the café. Remus watched her walk down the street until she turned into the supermarket and out of his sight. Struggling to keep the tears at bay, he threw down a handful of muggle Euros and followed the bushy haired girl out of the café but turned left towards a deserted alley and disapparated back to the German Ministry.

[-||-]

The Sunday after the first full moon since the Battle of Hogwarts found Harry sat in between Ron and Ginny at the small kitchen table in the Burrow. As he took the carrots from Fred, the two empty chairs caught his eye, one belonging to Charlie, who was still in Romania, and the other to Hermione, who was still missing. Harry nearly dropped the plate of vegetables as his mind aimlessly wandered back to the days Hermione was around. He missed her dearly, and knew everyone else did, but he also knew she was still alive, wherever she was. He suddenly stood up, the chair scraping loudly on the lino floor. The chatter died down immediately, and Harry felt everyone's faces on him. He blushed.

"I need to go to Australia," he said looking around.

"What?" Ron asked from his left elbow.

"I need to go to Australia. It's where Hermione sent her parents, she may be there with them. I need to check she's OK," he said. "I'll be back, soon." He turned around and promptly left the kitchen. He had almost reached the fireplace before he felt a hand grab his elbow. He turned around angrily only to be surprised at the look on Ron's face.

"You really think you're going alone?" he asked. Harry stood there, not saying a word. "Well, mate, hate to break it to you but I was her best friend too. I'm coming with you." Harry smiled.

"Great, but no one else," he said raising his eyebrows as he saw the twins' open their mouths behind Ron. They shut them quickly, looking like blowing fish, and nodded slowly. Harry turned on his heel, threw a handful of floo powder into the grate before stepping in and shouting 'The Ministry'.

[-||-]

"Are you sure that's them?" Ron asked Harry, as they stood across from a small dentist in the outskirts of Melbourne.

"Almost 100%."

"Almost? ALMOST 100%. Bloody hell, Harry. If you've dragged me across the entire country for an almost, I swear to Merlin –"

"Ron, shut up," Harry cut across his best friend. The door to said dentist opened a middle-aged female with thick, brown hair and chocolate brown eyes stepped out into the sunlight. She pulled her sunglasses on and started walking down the road. Harry and Ron quickly followed her, making sure to keep a safe distance.

"Are we sure that's 'Monica Wilkins'?" Ron whispered.

"I feel the bushy hair, and the fact she works at 'Wilkins' Dentistry' is a bit of a giveaway," Harry growled back. The duo watched as Monica Wilkins turned into a small café. Harry looked over at Ron and nodded. Their time was now; it was now or never. They followed bushy-haired woman into the café and cast an eye around the cool, dark room. They spotted her sat in the corner reading down the dinner menu. They exchanged one more glance before walking towards the table.

"I'm very sorry to bother you, madam, but I was wondering if we could ask you a few questions," Harry said as they reached the woman they had been looking for for quite a while. Monica Wilkins looked up from the menu and peered through her thick glasses into Harry's bright green eyes. Harry was sure he saw a look of recognition flit across her face before she nodded and beckoned for him to sit down opposite him.

"What can I help you with young man?" she asked, an obviously British accent hidden behind a slight Australian twang.

"Do you recognise this girl?" Harry asked, pulling a photo from his pocket to show the dentist. It was a photo of Hermione he had cut out of The Daily Prophet a while ago and charmed to stop moving. He passed it across the table and waited with bated breath.

"I would be lying if I said she doesn't look familiar. But why I wouldn't be able to say," she muttered quietly after a while. Harry's heart leapt in his chest when she said she looked familiar but immediately sank as it made it sound like she hadn't seen her recently.

"This is Hermione. She knew you a few years back. She's our best friend you see but she's gone missing and we haven't been able to find her anywhere. She mentioned about some friends of her parents, they're dentists you see, in Melbourne and we thought there's a chance you may have heard from her or seen her recently, in the past 6 weeks or so," Harry explained. They had decided that telling her about Hermione as her daughter who was a witch would have been too shocking and probably not resulted in the right answers so had settled with a slightly different story.

"Yes, I have a vague recollection of her, those slightly larger front teeth and very round eyes are quite distinctive. But I definitely haven't seen her, or heard from a Hermione, ever since we came over here, and that was what 13 months ago or so. I'm sorry I couldn't be a help, and I really do hope you find your friend," she said, and to Harry the apology did seem sincere. It also seemed like the end of the conversation.

"Right, well thank you very much for your help and once again I'm sorry to have bothered you. Have a good day," Harry said pushing his seat back and standing up. They exchanged a smile and he and Ron headed back into the Australian sun.

"Well that was a bloody waste of time," Ron exhaled as they walked down the street. Harry groaned.

"Yeah, but she recognised Hermione. I think the memory charm will be easily reversed though," Harry added as an afterthought.

"I don't think we can reverse it, tell them their daughter is missing and just leave," Ron said.

"No, of course not. I have no intention of reversing the charm. But if the occasion arose, I don't think it will be as impossible as Hermione thought it would be." The two friends walked through the streets of Melbourne in silence, completely defeated. That had been one of their last chances, if not the last chance, of finding Hermione and it had failed.