Summer

Later that day saw Professor McGonagall, Madam Bones, Mrs. Granger, Harry and Hermione back at Privet drive. The scene that unfolded was eye opening to the four women. Vernon Dursley's instant assumption that Harry had been a nuisance and assurance that he'd be thoroughly punished were bad enough. The door slammed in Mrs. Granger's face before she could even say a word was worse. The resulting discussion the Head of the DMLE had with all three Dursley's put paid to any regrets Hermione had about not having her wand, she'd have ended up in Azkaban for sure. Seeing Harry's cupboard had Hermione attached to his arm as they packed his meager few belongings and school supplies. A muggle restraining order later and the group left, with Madam Bones' assurance that charges would be forthcoming.

The next few weeks flew by for the Grangers and their guest. Once Hermione's' dad had driven home from the Leaky Cauldron, he agreed to his wife's demand that Harry stay with them for a few days until his home situation was resolved. After Madam Bones and Professor McGonagall had escorted Harry to Privet drive and had seen his living conditions, he became a 'for the rest of the summer' guest. Madam Bones was working through her contacts in Muggle law enforcement to get it resolved legally but it would take time.

Hermione had almost fully recovered her usual features the next morning, the only issue being she still had ears and a tail. A few more tests from Madam Pomfrey indicated that they were effectively permanent, not affected by the moon. Harry assured her they only enhanced her looks, but she still felt like a freak. Not that she'd ever use that word around Harry again after the visit to the Dursley's. Working with Madam Pomfrey and Amelia Bones found that the tail was able to be hidden by wrapping around her waist and securing with a special wrap. The ears were mostly covered by her hair and only stuck out a little. Hats could cover it, but in the end, she was granted special dispensation from Madam Bones to cast Glamour charms to conceal them. It wouldn't last at Hogwarts, the wards and ambient magic would interfere with the charm long term, plus a simple finite would cancel the charm, but it worked for the muggle world for now.

Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey became regular guests at the Grangers, as well as Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. At first it was checking up on Harry and Hermione, but eventually they were being invited over as friends. The teens had even seen Minerva McGonagall smile, something both would swear was impossible for the stoic Scotswoman.

Spending the next month with Hermione had resulted in the best summer Harry had ever had, hands down.

They'd finished their homework first. Well, Hermione helped Harry finish his since she'd already finished hers, but it was still done. Then they'd explored Crawley together, finding new ways to spend time together. Harry's favorite was the ice cream parlor three streets over. Hermione's was still her local library. Anne and George, Hermione's father, spent some time with them in the beginning, but slowly left them alone during the day as they returned to their surgery. Weekends saw them taking small trips to local attractions. They missed the pool and the beaches as Hermione's glamour charms just weren't up to beachwear, and Harry finally admitted to not being able to swim.

Harry's birthday was one of the best days of his life, the Grangers took them to a large amusement park, fighting the summer crowds to give Harry his first taste of muggle roller coasters. Hermione drug him from one ride to the next, trying to find one that would scare him. She failed as each ride just plastered a bigger and bigger smile on his face, which was actually her true goal. A lunch of chips and burgers slowed them for a bit, but after several games were played it was back to the rides. Anne and George joined them on the bumper cars, which was George's favorite ride, and he was a menace to all. The other three finally teamed up to trap him and get their revenge. The thank you Harry had bashfully said to Anne and George at the end of the day made everyone's heart melt. When he started to tear up when they responded that 'that's what family is for', Hermione wrapped him up and held him until he got himself back together. Unbeknownst to each of the others, every member of the Granger family swore to themselves to show Harry what it really meant to be family.

The ride home from the amusement park saw Anne grin as she looked in the back seat. There, two exhausted teens sat, Hermione curled into Harry's shoulder, Harry's head resting on hers, and both sound asleep. She commented on it to George, who merely said it was good for them.

"You're not worried?" Anne asked her husband.

"No dear," George replied, "The boy tried to put himself between a werewolf and our baby. How can I be worried when the boy is willing to do that?"

"I know," Anne sighed, "But I just don't want to lose our little girl."

"We won't dear," George reassured her, "At worst, we gain a son in a few years."

"Thank you once again for a lovely meal, Anne" Minerva McGonagall sighed, sitting back from the table. It had been over three weeks since Hermione's full moon episode, and the family had once again had a wonderful meal with the Deputy headmistress and the Hogwarts healer.

"Thank you Minerva," Anne said, "It's always a pleasure to have you over."

"Thank you," Poppy answered for them both, "However tonight isn't just a social call."

"Sunday?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, Sunday," Pomfrey confirmed.

"What's Sunday?" George asked confused.

"The full moon sir." Harry supplied, "I assume you want to be here to monitor us?"

"That would be our preference," McGonagall agreed, "Part of me wants to do it at Hogwarts, but I still haven't been able to talk to Albus as he's been on the Continent for the last month."

"Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey addressed Hermione, "There are at least three things we'd like to try over the next few full moons. The first is an unrestricted change, that is, one where there is nothing to prevent or calm your change. Unfortunately that means no Mr. Potter as well. This is to see just how the change affects you."

"I'm not sure about that one," Hermione said in a scared voice.

"It is actually the last one we wish to try," Poppy reassured the girl, "We hope after several, call them restricted transformations, that it will be easier to handle."

"Can I think about it?"

"Absolutely Miss Granger," The healer replied, "Now the second, actually the first to be tried, we'd like to try is having Harry with you from the start." She paused, looking at the Granger parents, "This will likely entail them being in that same room, possibly sleeping there. We thought that this would be more acceptable to you, if we did this first, while you're here as well. I'm hoping that it will allow Hermione to merely sleep through the night, once the transformation is complete."

"It certainly is an interesting theory," George stated, "And something that would obviously be helpful to Hermione." He paused, looking at his wife before continuing. "They'd be monitored the entire time?"

"Of course sir," McGonagall supplied, "Both Poppy and I will be there; nothing inappropriate will happen."

"DAD!" Hermione whined,

"Sorry pumpkin," George grinned, as Harry turned beat red, "You two are of that age, and close enough, that I worry. There's also the, I guess I'd call it Animalistic, side you described that could influence you."

"Sir," Harry cut in, still red, "While I do care for your daughter, we are not in that kind of relationship," Harry paused his blush deepening, then pressed on. "Yet." Hermione's turn to blush. "But even if we were, I would never do anything with Hermione, unless I was sure she wanted it and was in complete control of herself."

"Yet, Harry?" Hermione asked softly.

"Later, please" He sighed, knowing delaying was all he could do.

"Fine, but we will talk about this."

Harry's "Yes, Dear" had the adults at the table chuckling. His frightened "Yes, sir" to George demanding a talk with him later as well, had them holding their sides. Hermione squeezing his hand in support saw his smile return, before Anne continued the conversation.

"You said there were things you'd like to try, what is the third?"

"Since the infection is Lycanthropic in origin, we'd like to try using the wolfsbane potion. We would administer it beforehand, and observe if any difference is evident."

"What exactly does this potion do?" George inquired.

"Normally a werewolf transforms and the wolf takes over, the wizard or witch has no control and no memory of what they do while a wolf." Hermione explained, "By taking the wolfsbane potion, a werewolf still transforms, they just retain their human minds when they do."

"I had a question about that." Harry said, "Something that has been bugging me actually."

"What's that dear?" Poppy asked.

"Well, Lycanthropy is only infectious to wizards and witches, not muggles or animals. That's why my dad and his friends became animagi, so they'd be safe around Moony when he changed, right?"

"That is correct." McGonagall agreed, then looked over her spectacles at Harry. "Not that I approve of their doing so without guidance."

"Message received Professor, but could becoming an animagus stop the werewolf transformation, if they did so before the full moon?"

Dead silence answered him. He looked around the table to see George and Anne looking at the shocked professors. McGonagall's jaw was somewhere in the basement in astonishment, while both Hermione and Madam Pomfrey were deep in thought.

"I… I've never considered that," Pomfrey stuttered, "I don't know if anyone has."

"Harry, that's genius!" Hermione called as she jumped at him and bowled him over in a hug.

"Indeed, Mr. Potter," McGonagall finally answered, "I am unaware of any research or even attempts to counter the werewolf transformation with an animagus transformation. It certainly has merit."

"I agree, I hope Mr. Lupin may be able to shed some light on this," Poppy continued, "He may have tried when his friends did, or know more. But if he doesn't, perhaps we can convince him to try."

"If he hasn't, maybe we could try it?" Harry ventured, "We may not have a full transformation, but we feel the effects."

"Mr. Potter, are you requesting Animagus training?" McGonagall asked cautiously.

"I'm not sure professor," Harry answered honestly, "I won't deny it'd be nice, both to alleviate the effects of the change and as a connection to my dad. But it's a lot to take on, and while I've always been decent at the practical side, my theory level of transfiguration hasn't been the best."

"Harry," Hermione said softly, "I think you're brilliant. You may not be able to put it in words, but you have always been able to understand the magic. And…" She paused, "And I think part of your issue with the theory is Ron."

"Ron?" Harry asked thoughtfully.

"Yes Harry," She sighed, "You have to admit he is rather distracting."

"I believe Miss Granger has a point Mr. Potter," Minerva interjected, "Last year when you were having your… disagreement, your grades actually improved. Whereas when Miss Granger here was petrified second year, the quality came up while the quantity went down. I believe that was because you spent so much time reading to Miss Granger. Your retention went up, but you lost track of time and weren't able to apply it."

"I never really thought about it," Harry said softly, "Do you really think being his friend is bad for me?"

"No Harry," Hermione quickly reassured him, "He's still our friend, we just… we just need to reduce his influence on your school work is all."

"So you are both saying I need to spend more time with Hermione in school?" Harry asked with a crooked grin, causing Hermione to blush.

"That is not how I would put it Mr. Potter," Minerva fought a grin, "I would however say Miss Granger is a positive influence on your schoolwork while Mr. Weasley is not."

"I don't know," Harry said thoughtfully, pausing, obviously reflecting over his history with Ron. "He's my first friend, my first one ever. I get that you're looking out for me, and that you have a point about him being distracting. But i also don't have very many friends, real friends I mean." he rubbed the back of his neck, fidgeting, not wanting to voice the next bit. "Almost everyone likes me for being the boy-who-lived, not for being Harry. Ron does… I think. I just don't know."

"It's okay Harry," Hermione squeezed his hand, "I know it's a lot to think about it, but you will think about it, won't you?"

"Well, in either case Mr. Potter," McGonagall returned to the original point of the discussion, "I believe your theory has merit. And while neither of you are affected to the point of change, the full moon is definitely an issue for you both. If either or both of you decide to pursue this possibility, I shall make myself available to you."

"Thank you professor," Hermione answered for them, "We'll think about it, and let you know when we arrive at Hogwarts."

"Very well, Miss Granger," Minerva continued, "Back to our original topic, however, if your parents are willing, we'd like to try seeing how you are affected with Mr. Potter near you from the start this full moon. Poppy and I shall, of course, be here the entire time. Then on Monday, Arthur will arrive to pick you both up for the Quidditch World Cup."

"I think that would work out well Minerva," Anne confirmed, "I'm glad this Quidditch thing is after the full moon."

Later, Harry got pulled aside by George for their talk. It went about as Harry expected.

"Harry," the older man began, "I'm going to start by saying that you are welcome here, no matter what you answer. I know you care for Hermione, and you would never hurt her intentionally."

""Okay" Harry responded nervously.

"Given what you said earlier, I have to ask this: What are your intentions towards my daughter?"

"I'm not sure sir," Harry sighed, then held up a hand to forestall George while he continued, "I don't know because I'm still trying to figure out what I'm feeling and what it means. She is my best friend, I know that for sure now. But what is that supposed to feel like? It's not like what I felt towards Ron. Is it because Ron's a boy? Because he never was my best friend? Or because I want to be more than just best friends with Hermione?"

"And you don't know?"

"No, sir," Harry sighed, "I wish I did, because I really don't want to hurt her. But I was not raised in a way where I know what love or even affection is. Not personally. I know what everyone says it is, but I've never experienced it. Hermione is the first person that I can remember giving me a hug." He rubbed his cheek, "First kiss, too." His eyes shot wide as he realized who he'd just admitted that to. He quickly added "On the cheek, sir, it was on the cheek."

George had to chuckle a bit. "I understand Harry, and it's good that you realize that. What do you plan to do?"

"The first thing to do is to talk to her," Harry admitted, "Though I'm not sure how. I also need to ask her what she wants, because if she doesn't want more, this whole thing is moot."

"I'm not sure that's entirely accurate," George countered, "Sometimes a woman needs to be shown what she's missing. Shown that a man really is interested."

"She does?" Harry asked, "Isn't that like getting her to do something she doesn't want to? I don't know that I could ever get Hermione to do something she didn't want to."

"I'd say you have a better chance than most," George commented. "I think talking to her is a good starting point, and while I understand it would be awkward for both of us, I promise to at least listen if you need help or advice." He grinned, "And I also promise not to kill you for asking about anything of an intimate nature should you two decide to be more than just friends. I'd rather have you ask and we both be embarrassed, than to screw something up. Especially if you make me a grandfather before you both graduate."

"No, sir I'd, uh" Harry stammered, unsure how to respond, "Sir, I appreciate your openness, and well, I'm not sure if I'll take you up on your offer, but I appreciate it."

"I understand that, and appreciate your honesty." George said, "Now that you have a plan, go talk to my daughter."

"He doesn't have to, Dad," Hermione called from the doorway, causing both to turn quickly towards her, "I'm right here, and I heard everything."

"Everything?" Harry asked nervously, "And… "

"Before this gets even more awkward, I'm going to let you two talk without an audience." George cut in, "Just be sure to listen to each other before you decide."

Hermione slowly walked into the room, her eyes flitting between Harry and the floor. Harry seemed to be trying to figure out what to say without getting in trouble. As George closed the door, he thought back to his comment to Anne on the drive back from the amusement park and wondered if he was a prophet.

"Y-you," Harry stammered, swallowed, then began again, "You heard?" Hermione Nodded, not trusting herself to speak. "So, you know where I'm at now or at least what I'm trying to figure out." Another nod. "Well, I guess the big question is, what do you feel towards me?"

Hermione stopped just in front of Harry, a half step away, and looked into his eyes. He saw her wonder in those eyes, and her brain working behind that wonder. Slowly, she smiled at him.

"Harry, I'm sorry i listened to your talk with Dad. I just came to be sure he didn't go into overprotective dad mode and scare you. When i heard what you said i couldn't stop listening." She paused, waiting for him. His nod of understanding helped her continue. "There has been a lot of change for us recently, so much change… I know I think the world of you, how could I not? You tried to put yourself between me and a werewolf." She grabbed his hands, "I understand you need time, that you need to process everything. I understand, and I will be here for you. I know this whole Werecat or whatever thing we have probably isn't helping, but I need you to understand one thing: like everything else, we can figure this out together."

"Hermione..."

"No, Harry, Let me finish." She cut him off, "When you saved me from the troll, I discovered. When you went ahead in the potion room, I feared. When I messed up my polyjuice potion, when you took me to the infirmary while Ron laughed at me, I felt. When you sat with me, day after day while I was petrified, I realized. When you placed yourself between me and Professor Lupin, I knew. I knew Harry, that I'd be by your side forever, that no matter what, we'd be together. I'm just starting to realize what that means, that I meant more than just as friends. But when you ask what I want, it's you Harry. When you ask what I feel, it's this Harry." And she slowly brought his head down to hers, and kissed him lightly. "When you figure things out, I will be here. Until then, just do what feels right."