HUGE AU!
As this is an AU, Fenrir's character is different from the books.
Warnings: CHILD ABUSE
Written for the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
House: Thunderbird
Class/Task Number: Potions. 3 [Dittany] Healing
Bonus Prompts:
[action] Brewing
[object] cauldron
[colour] acid green
Word Count: 4069/4500
The Alpha's Little Matilda
An abused Hermione is taken in by Fenrir Greyback and his pack.
Fenrir Greyback had never thought he would be in such a position. He was the strongest Alpha in the entire country, for Merlin's sake! He was the top dog, the head honcho, the most masculine werewolf ever!
He wasn't supposed to be seated at a table too small for him — a table which made his muscles cramp up. And he definitely wasn't supposed to be discussing a children's book with the pretty little brunette across from him.
He didn't even know how the tiny little chit had managed to invite him into her home, offer him chocolate biscuits and start a discussion on the latest book she'd read. The girl was just six years old, damnit!
But there he was — and he didn't even have the heart to leave.
She looked so pretty seated across from him, with that little red frock and the red bow wrapped around her long brown curls.
He had a feeling she was lonely.
When he heard her parents enter, he stiffened. He thought they would obviously object to a strange man dressed in rags alone in their home with their only daughter.
But he was horrified when her mother walked in, took one look at him awkwardly seated at the little chair, and said, "Oh, Hermione, dear, you brought another one home?"
"This is Fenrir!" Hermione murmured shyly, as she gazed up at Fenrir with adoration.
Mrs Granger stared at him for a few moments and then, introduced herself, "I'm Rhea Granger. This is my husband, Philip."
"Did our daughter trouble you, sir? We've told her so many times not to bring strangers home — she never listens, does she?" Philip drawled, as he walked over to Hermione and patted her shoulder a bit too roughly.
Fenrir noticed Hermione slightly flinch and he bristled with suppressed fury.
Fenrir's heart pounded in his chest — did her mother just say she'd brought another man home? How many people had the little girl brought home with her before him?
"No.. she hasn't troubled me," he replied, and watched as Hermione's mother nodded and walked into the kitchen with her father right behind her.
Fenrir was stunned when her parents didn't even ask for any information regarding how he'd met their daughter or why he had agreed to come home with her. How neglectful were these Muggles?! What if he was a murderer? Wait, he did kill people now and then, after all — he was a murderer!
"So, Mr Greyback, what do you think of Mrs Phelps?" Hermione asked him, as she tried to get him to look at her again.
Fenrir glanced at the door where her parents had disappeared through.
He turned to Hermione and said, "Cub, I need to —"
Hermione's eyes suddenly filled with tears. "You don't want to be my friend either? I knew it! No one wants to be my friend — everyone thinks I'm weird because I like reading so much! Please say you'll be my friend!"
"I was going to say.. I need to go to the loo," Fenrir lied.
"Oh."
"Yes… now, where's the loo?" He asked her.
"To the right," she replied, as she ducked her head, embarrassed at her sudden outburst.
Fenrir told her he would be right back and slipped out the door to the toilet.
His mind raced — he couldn't believe how nonchalant her parents were about their six-year-old daughter bringing a stranger to their house. Didn't they know what kind of predators could be lying in wait for such children?
As he washed his hands, he heard soft whispers. He could hear Hermione's parents talking in the hallway.
"Phil, get rid of him soon. I don't want that freak in my house," Rhea hissed under her breath.
"Me neither, love — but how do we do that?"
"Just tell him to leave. Be direct about it!" Rhea demanded.
"He'll be suspicious of our sudden change in behaviour," Philip pointed out.
"Just talk to him in private then. Tell him you didn't want to break Hermione's heart by kicking out her new friend or some rubbish — he'll fall for it," Rhea advised.
"Fine, but first let me go upstairs to smoke," Philip muttered.
There was a shuffling of feet and soon, the two had left.
Mind racing with different possibilities, Fenrir exited the toilet and went back to Hermione.
She was still seated on her little chair, with her current read, Matilda, in her hands as she glanced at the kitchen nervously from time to time.
Fenrir felt something stir in his chest — something he'd never felt before. Affection. He liked this little kid, he realized, as he watched her fidget anxiously. For some reason, he felt a connection to this child — and he always followed his gut instincts. His gut had never steered him wrong.
"Kid, I need to go now, I'll see you later, yeah?" He walked over to her side.
She didn't look up at him. "Okay," she whispered sadly.
"Hey, look at me," Fenrir prompted as he crouched down beside her. "I'll come see you later, I promise, okay?"
"Everyone says that," Hermione mumbled weakly as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"What? What do you mean?" He frowned. He grabbed her chair and turned it so she could face him.
"It's nothing — I'll miss you, Mr Greyback," Hermione whispered, before she suddenly shot out of her chair and ran away, as tears streamed down her face.
Flabbergasted, Fenrir stood up and thought, "I really need to station someone here. See what the kid meant."
The moment he reached his pack, he yelled, "Toni!"
A blond-haired teen dressed in a t-shirt and jeans rushed over to Fenrir, and panted, "Yes, sir!"
Fenrir barked, "There's a girl named Hermione Granger in Hampstead. Here's her address." He handed the boy a piece of paper with the address scribbled on it. "Keep an eye on her, and report back to me directly."
"Are we going to —" Toni trailed off when he saw the rage bubbling up in Fenrir's eyes.
"Just do as I said. No questions!" Fenrir snarled.
"Y-yes, sir!" Toni quickly ran away, the address clutched in his fist.
A week later, Toni came back, a scared look in his eyes.
He went straight to Fenrir but didn't speak.
"Well? What did you learn? Tell me!" Fenrir snapped at him, impatiently.
"I — she's a good kid," he started in a defensive tone.
"Don't tell me she's a good kid. Tell me what you learned!" Fenrir scowled, irritatedly, as he glared at him.
"She goes to a school near her house – it's called North Bridge. She's top of her year — brilliant, actually. She has no friends, though. She spends most of her time reading books in her room. Her parents are dentists; they leave home at around 7 and come back at 6 in the evening," Toni answered carefully.
"What else did you learn? Speak up, boy! I haven't gotten all day!" Fenrir spat, as he leaned back against a tree.
Then, Toni hesitated. He stared at the ground, nervously, and finally whispered, "She's a muggle-born, sir."
Fenrir looked surprised at that news.
"Really?"
"Yes, b-but… her parents…" Toni hadn't seen her parents do it, but he'd heard the soft whimpers and cries from her room at night. He had a very good idea of what her parents did to her every time she used magic.
"Her parents what? Tell me! It's an order!" Fenrir suddenly lunged forward, and used his Alpha strength to grab Toni by his collar and shake him furiously.
Toni whimpered and blurted out, "She's punished every time she uses magic."
"She's what?!" Fenrir's roar reverberated through the forest and almost deafened the entire pack of werewolves.
The youngest members of the pack whined and dropped everything to cover their sensitive ears.
"I h-heard her father.. hit her with his belt," Toni admitted.
"And you did nothing to stop it?!" Fenrir snarled, his eyes had gone black with rage.
He threw his head back and howled with fury; his pack instinctively lowered their heads in deference to him.
"I – I couldn't just rush in there," Toni stammered out, terrified Fenrir would kill him on the spot.
Fenrir's temper was legendary; many werewolves had lost their limbs — and lives — opposing him.
"Fine!" He whirled around and roared, "Jenkins!"
A short and stout woman with grey hair and black eyes stumbled out of a tent and hobbled over to Fenrir.
"Yes, Alpha?" Her tone was meek and her head was lowered in submission to her Alpha.
"Put a bed in my tent — make sure it's clean. Transfigure something into a blanket, too," Fenrir ordered Krista Jenkins.
"Yes, Alpha," she mumbled as she hastily backed away from Fenrir.
Fenrir turned to his pack and barked, "Morgan, Green, with me!"
Cole Morgan and Declan Green, two bloodthirsty teenagers, joined their Alpha.
Cole asked, "What are we doing, boss-wolf?"
"Are we going to kill someone?" Declan hoped.
"You two are. We're getting that kid out of there — that is no place for a witch to live!" Fenrir growled, as he grabbed the two teens by their arms and Apparated them to Hampstead.
Hermione sobbed pitifully; she covered her face with her hands as her father's belt hit her.
She'd accidentally summoned her storybook from her bedroom and her mother had seen it.
She'd instantly shrieked, "PHILIP! HERMIONE DID IT AGAIN!"
Philip Granger had stormed into the living room, his belt already fisted in his hand, with a feral look in his eyes.
"Turn around, you little brat!" He had snarled, as spit flew from his mouth.
Hermione had whimpered, "I'm sorry, it was an accident! I won't do it again, I promise!"
"That's what you said the last time — and you still broke that promise, didn't you? Now turn around!" Philip had spat, as he'd raised his belt over his head.
Hermione had known better than to refuse; she still remembered the last time she'd protested and had gotten punched in the face for her refusal. It had taken a long time for that bruise to heal.
"I'm going to make sure you never.. ever.. ever do something freaky like that again." Philip yanked her up by her arm and whipped her back three more times.
All of a sudden, the door slammed open with a loud bang.
Hermione heard three wild snarls — sounds she'd never heard before — and then her parents shrieked. She heard the sound of ripping and she almost turned to look, but she was stopped by a gentle hand on her head.
"Don't turn around, cub," the voice murmured in her ear, before the person scooped her up into his arms and bolted to the door.
Hermione whimpered as he jostled her slightly against his chest. For reasons unbeknownst to her, she felt like she knew this man — but she couldn't look up at him.
She heard her parents' muffled screams and she buried her face against the man's chest, scared.
Hermione shivered when the cold wind hit her hard, and the man pulled her closer to offer her his own warmth.
When they were at a distance from the house, Hermione peeked up at the man who'd just kidnapped her — but also saved her at the same time.
It was Mr Greyback, the man who'd promised her he would be back for her!
"What are you doing here, Mr Greyback?" Hermione whispered shyly.
"I told you I would come back, didn't I?"
"Yes, but where are you taking me?"
"Someplace magical," he replied.
"Where?" Hermione prompted, hopefully.
"You'll see," Fenrir murmured.
Cole and Declan appeared beside him with a murderous look in their eyes.
The moment they saw Hermione, their whole demeanour shifted.
"And who do we have here?" Declan smiled down at her.
"I'm Hermione Granger," she introduced herself, her hand automatically stretched out towards the boys.
Cole pushed Declan to the side, dramatically bowed over her outstretched hand, and said in the most outrageous French accent he could muster up, "Enchanté, mademoiselle! I am puh-leased to meet you!"
"This idiot's named Cole and this is Declan," Fenrir introduced them to her. He didn't add that these two goofy teenagers had just killed off her parents at his orders.
Declan shook her hand and thought, 'Merlin, her hand's so small and delicate — I just want to eat her up! In a good way, though.'
Cole grinned at her and cooed, "Aren't you such a sweet little baby?"
"I'm almost seven, mister," Hermione corrected him from her place against Fenrir's chest.
"Ignore him, doll." Declan rolled his eyes and smacked Cole's head.
"Don't hit me, Dec! He's so mean, isn't he?" Cole grumbled, as he gazed at Hermione, hopeful she would agree with him.
Hermione simply giggled and buried her face in Fenrir's shirt, shyly.
"Aww!" Cole squealed, his heart was already filled with love for the little brunette with the beautiful brown eyes.
"Alright, you two — break it up," Fenrir growled, secretly happy she seemed to like the two wolves.
"Sorry, Alpha," Declan apologized as he straightened up.
He asked Hermione to close her eyes, and she quickly did as he asked her to; she trusted him immensely.
He Disapparated with a thunderous crack that terrified a cat in the tree nearby; the boys followed right after.
Hermione opened her eyes and gasped loudly. She couldn't believe her eyes!
They stood in the middle of a large clearing with several tents lined up on either side. The mahogany-brown trees stood like a heavy fortress around them, seemingly impenetrable. People dressed in an assortment of clothing rushed by them
It was impossible!
"How is this even possible?! How did we get here? We were at my home and —" Hermione was interrupted by Fenrir.
"I'll explain to you later, cub. First, we need to get you healed."
He carried her to one of the large tents and entered it swiftly.
Hermione's eyes bulged out of her head when she saw the flimsy tent was nothing like she'd expected.
A few hospital beds, a large cupboard, a broken clock and a copper cauldron were placed strategically around the tent.
"Is this the child?" A man with thick corded muscles rushed up to them, a concerned look on his face. He looked nothing like a nurse, but Hermione knew better than to judge a book by its cover.
"Yes, heal her." Fenrir gently placed Hermione on the table.
"Don't worry, cub, this is Reginald Frost. He's our resident Healer," he explained, his tone soft and gentle.
Surprised, Reginald glanced at Fenrir's sudden change in tone when he addressed the little girl.
"Healer? You mean doctor?"
"I told you we were going someplace magical, didn't I? Well, don't tell anyone, but.. Reginald here's a wizard!" he mock-whispered to her, his eyes filled with affection.
Hermione gasped and squeaked out, "Really? You mean wizards are real? What about witches? A-and fairies? What about dragons?!"
"Yes, cub, they're all real. And guess what? You're a witch too! You can do magic!" Fenrir said, cheerfully, as he took her hands in his.
Hermione looked stunned. "You mean I can do magic? Like..?"
"You're my little Matilda, cub," Fenrir said, proudly.
Hermione burst into tears at the compliment.
"Hey, why are you crying? You're a brave little girl, aren't you?" Reginald quickly took over from Fenrir who suddenly looked worried.
Hermione sniffled and turned to Reginald. "N-nice to meet you, Mr Frost," she mumbled.
"Pleasure to meet you, my dear." Reginald smiled as he shook Hermione's hand. "Now, please lie down on your tummy — don't worry, I won't hurt you, okay?"
Hermione nodded, and slowly rolled over onto her stomach. Fenrir sat down on a hard-backed chair beside the bed to watch Reginald work on Hermione.
Work-toughened muscles rippled and bulged under his suntanned skin as Reginald bustled around the tent to pick up different jars.
"What's that?" Hermione questioned.
"That's a Bruise Removal Paste. It'll tickle for a bit but it'll heal you in a jiffy," Reginald answered.
"What's in it?" Hermione prompted.
"Well, it's got Shrivelfig, Dittany, horned slugs, lacewing flies, pomegranate juice, dried nettles, caterpillars, powdered sulphur and Flobberworm mucus — oh, and water," he answered.
Hermione stared at him bewildered. "I have no idea what you just said. Can you tell me what those things are?"
To Reginald's disbelief, Fenrir chuckled and said, "You can learn that later. First, let him heal you."
"Okay!"
Reginald carefully applied the Bruise Removal Paste to her back and she squeaked.
"It's so cold!"
Reginald grinned and asked, "Is it ticklish?"
"Not really," she mumbled as she placed her head on her forearms.
"Sit up, you need to drink this potion now," he advised her as he helped her sit up.
"What's it called?" Hermione questioned.
"It's called the Wiggenweld Potion," Reginald responded as he picked up a small vial of acid-green liquid and popped its cork off.
"What's in it?" Hermione asked, hesitantly, when she saw the colour of the potion.
"How about you drink this first? Then, I'll tell you everything — in fact, you can help me brew some more Wiggenweld Potion! Deal?" Reginald suggested.
Hermione's eyes widened with excitement at the compromise and she quickly chugged down the green potion. She gagged and almost threw up at the bitter taste.
"UGH! WHAT IS THIS?!" She shrieked, as she stuck her tongue out and attempted to look at it.
"Yeah, about that — there's a lot of ingredients in that… How about you lie down for now, and when you feel better, you can help me brew some more?" Reginald hedged.
"Okay," Hermione muttered before she fell back onto the bed.
Fenrir said, "If you need anything, tell Reggie."
Hermione thanked him quietly before she closed her eyes.
"Okay, first we'll add salamander blood into our cauldron until the potion turns red," Reggie instructed his little apprentice.
They stood behind a large copper cauldron, Hermione on a small stepladder with Reginald right behind her for supervision.
"Why salamander blood? Isn't that disgusting?" Hermione frowned.
"It's because the blood has healing properties, love. Now, focus and stir the blood until it turns orange," he continued and watched Hermione peer over the cauldron to stir the potion properly.
A few moments later, she squealed, "It's orange now!"
"Very good, Hermione. Now, add some more salamander blood, this time until it turns yellow. Keep stirring it until the potion turns green." Reggie stood beside her and continued giving instructions.
"It's green! What do I do now?"
"Add more, until the mixture turns turquoise blue," Reggie replied as he peered into the potion to make sure it was perfect.
"Now?"
"Hold on, let me heat it up a bit more until it turns indigo," he muttered as he quickly ducked and turned the flames higher.
"Okay, I know you're getting tired of the blood — this is the last time. Add more until it turns pink. It's going to be a very nice sort of pink, okay? You like pink?"
"Pink is beautiful! I love pink, but I also love red and blue! And also green! Ooh, and purple is also very pretty!" Hermione exclaimed as she continued to stir the potion.
"Is it supposed to turn red, Mr Frost?"
"Yes, it's perfect, sweetie. Now, we'll add five lionfish spines. And then, heat it until the potion turns yellow." He handed her the lionfish spines, and she counted them out before she added them to the cauldron.
"Why lionfish spines? And what do lionfish look like, Mr Frost?"
"Well, lionfish are venomous. Their venom is stored in the spines that we're using. I think they're usually maroon or brown, and they've got white stripes like zebras. They also have fleshy tentacles. Keep stirring — it's yellow now? Good, now, add the rest of the lionfish spines," Reggie instructed.
"If lionfish spines are dangerous, then how can we use them in potions? Isn't that bad?" Hermione didn't glance up from the potion.
"It's not venomous when we add it with the other healing things in the potion like flobberworm mucus — keep on adding it until the potion turns purple. And now, stir carefully until it turns red."
"What's a Flobberworm? What does it do? Is it dangerous too?" Hermione barraged him with questions.
Reggie laughed and said, "Flobberworms are useless mostly, but their saliva is useful in some potions. Oh, add some more mucus, dear, this time until it turns orange. And then, stir till it turns yellow."
"I can't believe I'm making a potion! This is so cool!" Hermione grinned as she looked up at Reggie for a quick second.
"I'll teach you to brew more potions, if you want," Reggie blurted out suddenly. He didn't know why but he felt bound to this tiny, little girl. Maybe because his Alpha himself had chosen her.
Hermione almost fell into the cauldron in her excitement. "Yes, please! Teach me everything!"
"I will, but for now, focus on your potion or else it can turn the wrong colour and you'll have to start all over again."
When Hermione quickly turned to the potion, Reggie said, "Add Honey Water until it turns back to a turquoise colour. Then, when it does, add a few drops of boom berry juice."
"What's boom berry? Does it go boom?" Hermione asked, innocently.
Reggie chuckled and said, "I've never had a boom berry in my life, so I wouldn't know that — but the juice can go boom if you don't pay attention to it."
Hermione quickly turned and continued to stir a few more times.
"Okay, now we'll let it simmer for thirty minutes. Then, we'll take the potion away from the fire and allow it to cool. And when it's cool enough, it'll be ready for use!"
"This was so easy! I want to try out more potions!" Hermione pleaded, her eyes wide with hope.
Reggie didn't want to refuse her, but they were low on ingredients.
He gently coaxed her away from the stepladder near the hot cauldron and said, "It's getting late now. How about we make another potion tomorrow?"
Hermione looked up at him curiously, and asked, "What about my parents? Will Mr Greyback have to take me back now?"
"Do you want to go back, love?"
"Um, no.. not really," Hermione mumbled, embarrassed at her answer.
"Really?" Reggie prompted her gently.
"I like Mr Greyback — he's my only friend. I don't want to leave him."
"Well, I'm your friend now, too. And you can call me Reggie, or Uncle Reggie, if you want," he suggested.
Hermione beamed up at him, her toothy smile brighter than the moonlight that caressed the werewolves once every month.
"Okay, Uncle Reggie!"
And Reginald's heart melted at the phrase.
Just then, Fenrir entered the tent.
"Mr Greyback!" Hermione squealed as she rushed over to him and lunged into his arms.
Fenrir didn't even hesitate to pick her up and gently press his lips to the side of her head.
Reggie still couldn't get over how comfortable the little darling was with Fenrir — it was really weird.
"Hey there, little cub, how was your first Potions lesson?"
"We made the Wiggenweld Potion!" Hermione announced proudly as she threw arms around Fenrir's neck.
"That is wonderful, cub! I'm so proud of you!"
Reggie watched as Fenrir carried her out of there. Reggie suddenly realized that his Alpha resembled a proud father as he gazed down at Hermione, and Reggie smiled as he followed the duo out of there.
He watched as Cole and Declan asked Fenrir permission to take their newest cub around the tent to introduce her to everyone. He watched as the two boys swung her in between them as they walked off. He listened to Hermione's gleeful laughter and he noticed the soft smile on Fenrir's face — a smile so rare it looked incredibly painful. And he knew. He knew life was going to change with their little friend around — possibly for the better.
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