Chapter 13
Present Day
Artemis Home
Hermione could often be found in one of two places in her free time: outside in the garden, sitting beneath a tall willow tree or perched in one of the library's oversized armchairs. Today the rain outside made the library the perfect hideaway for the werewolf. In the days that followed a full moon she learned the Artemis Home became quiet as most of the residents slept off the residual exhaustion of the transformation. Even her friends had retired to their rooms, only coming out reluctantly to eat in the dining hall during meal times. To the staff's surprise Hermione did not require such down time; she felt fine, even rejuvenated, after her transformation. Her muscles were sore but only from the sensation of running and running into the early hours of the morning. Within a day or two that too would fade.
The silence in the home was eerie compared to the normal clamour of children squealing in the hallways but Hermione was soothed by the steady fall of rain against the windows. The staff had become more permissive with how she passed her time in these slow days so long as she stayed out of trouble. Hermione, to her credit, was content in passing her time flipping the pages of ancient books. As her finger scanned the words, her lips moved to pronounce them softly to herself. She only understood a sliver of the content she consumed but each day her vocabulary and comprehension grew as if the old bookworm was just beneath the surface waiting for her time to appear once again.
There was a knock on the door and Hermione looked up at the intrusion to see Lupin and Malfoy appear in the corridor. The older werewolf entered the library, positioning himself in such a way that he stood inconspicuously in front of Malfoy as a preemptive measure in case Hermione decided to follow through with their previous interaction.
Hermione did not stir; she did not even close the book in her hands as the two men entered the room.
"Good afternoon Hermione, Madame Wright said you would be in here this this afternoon," Lupin said as he walked casually forward. "What is on your reading list today?"
Hermione responded by wordlessly lifting the book to reveal the cover.
"Ah, Frankenstein. Interesting choice."
There was an obvious air of wariness in her posture as her gaze shifted between Lupin and Malfoy. She guessed that neither of them were there to discuss Mary Shelley's use of literary devices. Malfoy had only taken a few steps into the library and was still careful not to approach Hermione too closely. Smart, she thought.
Hermione perceived the paleness in Malfoy's gaunt expression and the dark rings that lurked under his pale blue eyes. She faintly recalled an image of him in their youth at Hogwart's, a memory plucked from the mind's eye that still kept Hermione much too blind to her previous life. She recognized the same sneer but there were subtle fundamental differences in this person and the one old Hermione had hated too.
She could see it but also sense it too. He was deeply troubled.
This invoked only the briefest flash of sympathy in the woman. In truth, she cared very little as to his emotional turmoil. It was self-wrought and by her perception easy to remedy: he rejected his wolf side and it was wreaking havoc on his body and soul. Why could those around her not see this as easily?
"I know you two got off on the wrong foot last time but I am hoping we won't have a repeat of that," Lupin eventually said. Malfoy clenched his fist, prepared for Hermione to spring to violence at any moment. For her part, Hermione merely blinked at the pair.
"Especially because I do believe you made a request to visit Diagon Alley with the others and I would not want anything to disrupt that," Lupin added and Hermione conceded with a nod. It was a fair trade off to tolerate Malfoy's presence if it meant she got to join her friends for the week's outing.
"You smell," Hermione said as Malfoy finally approached. He did not take a seat in one of the arm chairs as Lupin had done but had cautiously put the wand in his hand away.
"I beg your pardon?" Malfoy said, his face contorted in indignation. Despite her words Hermione had not meant that in a childish derisive way. Malfoy did smell. They all did; each individual in Hermione's world carried their own distinct scent too.
"You smell like an omega," Hermione responded in the most matter-of-fact tone.
"I don't even know what that means," Malfoy said heatedly. He didn't understand her words but they felt like an insult. Turning to Lupin he said, "This is a waste of my time. She has clearly gone mad."
"I'm not mad," Hermione interjected, closing her book. "You do smell like an omega."
"Hermione, could you explain? We don't know what that means. Are you speaking in terms of pack?"
Hermione was confused: were they not werewolves themselves? How could such basic knowledge be a mystery to either of them? For Hermione the division of ranks among their kind felt instinctive.
"Omega," Hermione repeated and pointed to Malfoy. After a deliberate pause she pointed to Lupin, "Beta. It's where you fit."
"Fit?"
"In the…" Hermione struggled to find the correct word and made a motion with her hand. "In the ladder. You don't like your wolf it makes your magic weak."
She turned to Malfoy and matched his gaze. Subconsciously, he found himself forced to break from the staring contest. "And you hate your wolf and it makes you weakest."
Malfoy was annoyed but Lupin was fascinated, learning more about pack hierarchy magic in a single conversation than all he had in years of research. "And how do you know all this?"
Hermione shrugged as if the question itself was preposterous. "I just do."
"So what does that make you, Granger?" Malfoy said.
With a knowing smile Hermione replied: "The Alpha."
"Oh son of Salazar," Malfoy muttered. "This is the most ridiculous conversation I have ever had. I don't know why I came here expecting answers to anything. I don't care about pack magic or any of this rubbish. And just so we are clear, I do hate my curse. That's not weakness that's a sign of sanity."
Malfoy was about to leave but in a flash of movement Hermione was out of her chair. She moved too quick once more for anyone to react in time before she grabbed him by the arm. Lupin rose to his feet and Malfoy froze.
Hermione narrowed her eyes in scrutiny, as so though she were looking not at Malfoy but something far beyond the visible eye. After a pause she spoke, "it isn't a curse. He saved you."
Malfoy pulled his arm away but did not have the words to reply. He reminded himself that this woman before him was not in her right mind and spoke of things she did not know anything about. He looked at Lupin who stood by, unsure of how to handle the exchange. "We are done here."
Lupin looked at Hermione as though there were a million more questions he wanted to ask but as Malfoy hastily left the library the older werewolf felt obligated to follow after and see to it that the young man wasn't too rattled. As Lupin departed one matter was becoming clear in that he would need to get to the bottom of how much Hermione knew sooner rather than later. The older werewolf looked over his shoulder as he left and couldn't help but perceive the triumphant subtle smile Hermione wore as she settled back in her seat to read in peace.
Malfoy was disappearing in Apparition by the time Lupin caught up to him. The Slytherin alumnus didn't want to speak any further with them and was eager to put the sight of the Artemis Home behind him. His vision swirled as he Apparated, reappearing outside his family home. That was the second time he had left the werewolf rehabilitation home in haste only this time he was occupied by Hermione's words. Somehow he knew precisely that she had been speaking of Greyback and the revelation shared between them was at once unsettling.
He should have stayed and demanded what she knew of the creature. It is because of him I have this wretched curse, he seethed. Malfoy stalked up to the familiar doors of the Malfoy family residence, whisking by a House Elf that stammered something about a guest. If he had paid any attention to the creature's squeaky words he might not have been caught so off-guard by the sight of his mother having tea with Theodore Nott in the family's formal sitting room.
His mother wore the polite practiced smile, setting her cup down at the arrival of her son. "Draco, darling look who stopped by? Theo was just telling me about his travels in Africa. Come have a seat, won't you?"
Malfoy was not in the mood for entertaining guests, least of all Theodore Nott. As children their friendship had been circumstantial and based entirely on the fact that their parents were close. Their fathers had fought on the same side of both the first and second wizarding wars, their mothers throwing countless parties together. Anytime there was a gala and the children were to occupy themselves while the adults entertained, Theodore was always thrown into Malfoy's little social circle. As a youth, Malfoy had found the other boy strange and his very presence uncomfortable. Deep down he knew it was because Theodore Nott wasn't like him at all. He enjoyed the dark arts and possessed a cunning mind and skewed morality to wield it. Which is why Malfoy had never understood why then he did not ever join Lord Voldemort's ranks.
When Theodore had disappeared after graduation Malfoy had been a little relieved.
Theodore rose from his seat, reaching out to shake Malfoy's hand with a congenial air that Malfoy found to be insincere. Rehearsed. "Draco, so good to see you old friend."
"Likewise," he replied but his tone was lukewarm at best.
Narcissa could sense the unease in her son but her cordial smile never faltered as she too stood up, smoothing away the wrinkles of her gown. "I am going to let you two catch up. Theo, you are more than welcome to join us for dinner tonight. I will be in the study if you need me."
"You are far too kind," the dark-haired wizard said. At that she gave a subtle curtsey and departed, leaving her son with his unwanted guest.
As both men settled into their seats. Malfoy was the first to speak as he poured himself a cup of tea. "How long has it been? Last I heard you were somewhere in the jungles of Africa."
"Tanzania to be precise actually. Marvelous place. I've been doing philanthropy over there with the indigenous wizarding population. Your mother tells me you have been keeping busy here as well. I've heard great things about the Artemis Home."
Malfoy took a long sip from his tea. He never knew Theodore to be one for small talk and hoped the other wizard would reveal the real purpose of his visit soon. "I cannot take much credit, I merely provide the funds for them to do their work."
"Oh why I didn't know you had a modest streak," Theodore said with a mirthless laugh. "Come now, I have reason to believe you are quite involved with your charity."
"What are you getting at?"
"Nothing but the hopes we might work together. Like yourself I am just trying to make a better world for the less fortunate and perhaps take away the notoriety of the family name in the process. That's something you surely could understand as well as I."
Malfoy bristled. He was aware that like Nott, the Malfoy name had been tarnished by the war. Escaping convictions did not mean that his family had escaped public scrutiny and disdain. Malfoy did not like to be reminded of his fall in social standing.
What sort of philanthropy did you say you did in Tanzania?"
Theodore shrugged. "Humanitarian work with the local werelion population. We established centers to help. Not too different than what you have been doing here actually. We are not like our fathers, Draco; we can use our statuses for making something better."
"That sounds a bit too noble for my taste," Malfoy said and added with a sharper edge. "And I hope to be half the man my father is."
"I see," Theodore replied and a thoughtful silence settled between them. With a nod to himself, Theodore retrieved a business card from the inner pocket of his robe. The black matte cardstock was embossed with silver print:
THEODORE NOTT
THE KNIGHT OF WALPURGIS, FOUNDER
Underneath in shimmering script was his contact information. Malfoy knew very well how to get ahold of the wizard and found the gesture to be unnecessary but took the business card if only it meant he could be rid of the other man sooner.
"The Knights of Walpurgis?"
"It's bit archaic I know but branding wise it's got a bit of intrigue, wouldn't you say? We would be pleased to have you join us. The Knights are a network of wizards looking to make a difference.I am hosting a fundraiser in a few weeks and it would be good for you to see some of what we do."
"Thank you for the offer but I am not-"
"Consider it before you decline, Draco," Theodore said, cutting him off. "Think on it and I will touch base with you soon."
Theodore didn't give Malfoy any opportunity to protest before he was making his exit. Malfoy considered thoroughly telling the odd man he had no desire to ever work with him but was also grateful to be done with the conversation. He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Theodore say his goodbye's to his mother followed by the silence once the front door closed.
He looked down at the card still in his hand, turning it over several times before tucking it away. Theodore had never struck him as the type for philanthropy but then again neither was he himself know for such pursuits. Despite his reluctance, Malfoy did find himself thinking over Theodore's words.
5 Years Prior
Centaur's Territory
Another day in captivity was another one spent wondering what the centaurs had planned. Neither Hermione nor Greyback wished to find out but the full moon loomed closer and it felt like the approaching date was important to whatever the centaurs intended to do with them.
"You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to escape," Greyback said.
"I will," Hermione affirmed.
"Even kill," he said.
"I will do what it takes but I don't want to do that," Hermione said firmly. She was sitting cross-legged beside the other werewolf. She squirmed slightly at the idea of taking another's life. Hermione had long relied on her wits to get her out of situations more than might.
"The world has teeth and claws, pet. You might have to," Greyback said..
"Then I will cross that bridge when we come to it," she said. "I have my morals, Greyback."
"And your morals might cost you one day, my girl," he said. "Sometimes good people have to do bad things just as a bad person might do a little good. I've told you before that the world isn't so black and white."
"Because I am sure there are plenty of Death Eaters that aren't so bad," Hermione said with an eyeroll.
"I can name one or two," Greyback said. It was clear neither were going to back down from this conversation.
To pass the time Hermione and Greyback would debate over one topic or another although today's subject seemed to have veered closer to the list of taboo areas in their companionship.
"The Malfoy bloke isn't as terrible as he seems," Greyback said. "A bit of a wuss but not deranged like his aunt."
Hermione was fairly certain that not being of the same caliber as Bellatrix Lestrange hardly made one the beacon of what is considered morally good.
"We are not going to agree on this, ever," Hermione replied and hoped that would be the end of the conversation. It went without saying that they were going to have differing opinions on what constituted as terrible. For instance, killing was definitely terrible by Hermione's standards whereas Greyback would likely ask: "Did they deserve to die?"
"I never got the impression he wanted anything to do with the Death Eaters to be honest. He never had a taste for violence. Maybe if his father hadn't been so spineless his son wouldn't have had to bear the burden of atoning for his failures," Greyback said. "Voldemort had wanted to kill Draco before everyone, he likes to make a spectacle and he is a master at inflicting pain. He knew that there would be no greater agony for Lucius than to see his only child slaughtered for his mistakes. Which is why he must have thought my idea would be more long term in torment when I suggested having him join my pack. Maybe it amused him. Whatever sold him on the idea it doesn't matter. I turned Draco to save him."
"I can't believe Malfoy is a werewolf too," said softly as she processed the information.
Greyback nodded. "He didn't take the change too well. Last time I saw him I could tell he had been fighting the transformations. It wears down on the body month after month, makes each full moon more painful. After the war was over I was going to help him, maybe have him join the pack and teach him that the wolf isn't something to fear."
Hermione wasn't sure about this information. It made her uncomfortable to think a single empathetic thought about Draco Malfoy. He had not just bullied her all their school years, flinging hurtful slurs at her whenever he could; they had fought on opposite sides of a war. A war, that in Hermione's mind, might still be going on even now.
"If I don't make it out of this can you look out for him?"
Hermione wanted to answer, 'absolutely not' but resisted replying in haste. Greyback had done a great deal on her behalf and therefore it was worth considering his request, even if the mere idea of being around Malfoy made her skin crawl. And yet if living side by side the fearsome werewolf had given her a change of heart as to the kind of person he was, perhaps there was something to be said as to who Malfoy might become. Strangely though it was easier to accept Greyback as an ally in this case than Malfoy.
"Don't give me that look," Greyback said with a frown. "You have kept up with worse company."
He did have a point.
"Let's not focus on such things, we are both going to escape. Together," Hermione punctuated the word 'together' by taking Greyback by the hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. The affection that had grown between them would have surprised anyone but especially Hermione and Greyback. In honesty, the thought of trudging onward in the journey without him didn't seem comprehensible now. They had gone too far together. Besides each day Greyback grew a little stronger and Hermione had faith he would have the strength to escape when the time came.
"You're something special," he said suddenly with a wolfish grin and laughed when Hermione's face turned slightly pink. It wasn't long before they were back to more light topics of conversation. Even though dark clouds lurked on the horizon, both werewolves acknowledged privately to themselves that at least their prison cell didn't feel quite so lonely.