Author's Note: Again, as this being uploaded at the same time as the others I don't know about any feedback at this time. Regardless I hope you enjoyed the previous 2 Chapters!
Chapter 2:
The silence stretched out for a time whilst the Grangers and Harry waited for the Headmaster to return. Mercifully Hermione broke the increasingly awkward quiet before it could extended to the point of being truly uncomfortable. "Harry, would it be okay if we borrowed Hedwig tomorrow?" Hermione asked tentatively. "We need to send a letter to Healer McKinnon telling her we want to meet the Alpha…"
Harry smiled wanly, it was killing him the way these events had apparently damaged much of Hermione's hard won confidence. That she sounded uncertain while asking this simple thing hurt in more ways than one. "Of course Hermione." He said softly.
She smiled shyly in return and cuddled into her mother's side. "Thank you Harry."
Harry decided to try and keep the conversation flowing, perhaps by keeping her occupied they could keep her doubts at bay. "I was just wondering…" Harry ventured, "Is it okay if I ask who this Alpha you are meeting is? You don't have to tell me of course, I just —" He hurried on to assure her.
Hermione smiled slightly in amusement, "It's okay Harry, you can ask." She said soothingly. "You might as well know I suppose, there's no good reason to not tell you, and besides…" She murmured shrugging. "If you're around my house enough you may well meet them some day…"
Conceding that was likely the case, Harry nodded. Hermione looked reflective as she recalled what the healer told her about the Alpha in question and nodded slowly. "The Alpha of the pack whose territory our house lies in is female. We're actually somewhat fortunate from the sounds of things, she's supposed to be relatively new, and seems to favour female members for her pack." Hermione mused. "Healer McKinnon told us she is a good Alpha…"
Harry nodded understanding, "What would you have done if the Alpha in your area wasn't a good one?" He asked curious.
His friend frowned uncertainly and looked to her parents, who sighed. Emma smiled ruefully. "We don't know for certain honey, we haven't had a chance to really think things over yet. It's just good to know that this Alpha has a reasonable reputation."
Both their daughter and her friend were nodding enthusiastic agreement with that statement, and Hermione was about to respond to that when there was a tap at the door which cracked open to reveal Dumbledore. At a gesture from the Grangers encouraging him to enter he stepped into the room leading a procession of luggage which floated behind him.
The last piece to hover slowly into the room was Hermione's cat carrier, with a supremely displeased Crookshanks lurking within.
"Your belongings have arrived." Dumbledore announced somewhat unnecessarily. "Thankfully, you two seem to be fairly tidy, it took very little time to gather it all."
The two students bobbed their heads in gratitude. "Thank you professor…" they chorused.
He smiled benignly at them, "You are most welcome. Now, if you wish I can have you all home in short order. Unless of course you would prefer to wait for some reason?" He suggested curiously.
Dan and Emma glanced at each other before nodding resolutely. "I think we're ready to go home Professor." Dan said firmly.
The elderly wizard nodded easily, "Very good, I should think using a portkey would do nicely under the circumstances…"
Harry didn't know what a portkey was precisely, but he had figured out it must be a form of magical transportation considering the context. "Your backyard again Mister Granger?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
Dan nodded firmly. "So long as we won't be noticed of course, just popping in like this…"
"Ah, yes of course." Dumbledore said after blinking a moment in consternation, "The charm I used to conceal your back yard from prying eyes earlier this evening will still be in effect, you need not fear on that account." He assured Hermione's father.
The headmaster then pulled a long tatty section of fabric from his pocket, it took a moment but Harry soon realized it was clearly a very old Gryffindor scarf. He wondered if perhaps it was the Headmaster's own from his time at Hogwarts as a student?
Dumbledore smiled knowingly at Harry, a fond smile on his face. "Now, if you would gather around…Harry, Hermione? If you would be so good as to grab your trunks…" He suggested. "And Mrs Granger if you would perhaps take Crookshanks —" He said eyeing the carrier cautiously as Emma grasped it. Then paused. "Ah — yes, I'd forgotten, Harry. With your permission I'll have dear Hedwig fly to the Granger residence instead, Owls rarely handle portkeys well I'm afraid."
Harry nodded, he had indeed been wondering at Hedwig's absence. "Yes sir, that would work nicely." He agreed.
The headmaster clapped his hands together in satisfaction. "Excellent." He murmured before withdrawing his wand from his sleeve and tapping the scarf with it, causing it to briefly glow a faint bluish white. "Now, if everyone would kindly grab hold of the scarf, we can be off." He instructed. All those present gathered around and grasped a section of the ragged old piece of knitted wool. "One-Two-Three…" Dumbledore counted off absently, before tapping the scarf again.
And they were off.
—-
Harry really was having to fight the urge to curse effusively as he crash landed in the Granger's back yard. Mostly he was resisting because every person in the yard with him would likely react poorly to his swearing a blue streak in response to his latest adventure in magical transport.
Dumbledore? Nope, wasn't going to swear in front of him. And Hermione always got this disappointed look whenever someone swore in front of her, then of course there were the other Grangers, whom Harry could be sure were who their daughter had learned it from.
Still, he couldn't help but grumble a bit under his breath as he slowly climbed to his feet again after eating turf thanks to the portkey.
Why was it that every type of magical transport except brooms seemed to hate him on principle?
Flying car? That had sucked, the thing had conked out mid-flight plowing them into a murderous magical tree. Floo? That sucked too, he always shot out the other end like he'd been fired from a cannon.
The train was mostly fine he had to admit, but that was because it was mostly just a train when it came down to it, not a lot of extra magic thrown in. Even then the last time he'd been on the thing he'd been accosted by Dementors.
Finally, as he finished dusting himself off, he looked around at their destination. It was mildly gratifying to find that he wasn't the only one who had experienced trouble this time around. Hermione too was staggering to her feet, and judging by the way the Granger adults were staggering about it was a reasonable bet that they had only remained on their feet because they had leaned on each other.
Only Dumbledore seemed unaffected and if anything looked mildly bemused at the troubles his traveling companions had experienced.
"Ah, here we are then…" The headmaster declared eventually, looking pleased that everyone was back on their feet. "Now, as per our agreement I will be seeing to some more temporary protections to tide you over until tomorrow evening." Dumbledore assured them pleasantly.
Dan nodded muzzily, clearing the cobwebs from his brain. "Good, good…we'll uh, just get out of your way then and see about getting settled in. Er—just knock if you need anything?"
The Headmaster nodded agreeably, allowing them to wander off while he pulled out his wand and paced towards the fence line.
Harry took the time to take in the Granger house properly as he and the others trooped back towards it. The evening light was slowly fading by this hour, but even still he could tell it was a nice home. Well cared for, but not in the obsessive way that Number 4 was.
Dan fished out his keys and set about unlocking the back door, stepping through quickly once it opened to turn on the lights for everyone else.
Harry and Hermione were promptly led through the comfortable little house to the front door where they deposited their jackets and shoes. Along the way Harry got his first real look at the home his best friend had grown up in.
Just as with the outside, it was clearly neat and well kept, but with the little touches which gave it personality in a way that the Dursley home had lacked. While still being more orderly and comfortable than the Burrow.
He spotted numerous pictures of the family together. It was obvious just by looking at the happy smiling faces in the pictures that Hermione's parents cared for her a great deal…
A gentle hand on his elbow stirred him from this revery, and he looked up to see Emma smiling at him kindly. "Come along Harry, we'll get the guest bedroom sorted for you shall we?"
He nodded but heard a polite cough from the side and saw Hermione standing looking a rather amusing mixture of sheepish and hopeful. "Mum, would it be okay for me to show Harry my bedroom?"
Emma nodded slowly, "Yes, though if Harry is staying here, I think we'll need a rule of no closed bedroom doors while you're together."
The two teenagers blushed spectacularly at that. Harry was not always the most…aware of individual when it came to etiquette nuances and social niceties, but he knew of that rule all the same…And what it implied.
He followed Hermione upstairs a minute later and Emma left them in the hall before venturing to a different room. Hermione's bedroom was easily identifiable by the sign on the door.
However he didn't need that in order to understand the room within was Hermione's. The place was comfortable and warm in a way which was undeniably Hermione Granger. A small desk rested near the window, and a single bed dominated the centre of the room's far wall. It was decorated rather tastefully with a number of summery paintings, and possessed a glut of books shelved on various surfaces and book cases around the room.
He smiled fondly taking the space in, before looking to his friend who was observing him hopefully. "It's very nice Hermione." he promised her and she beamed in gratitude before looking a bit rueful.
"I can't imagine it's nearly as exciting as Ron's…" She offered uncertainly.
Harry couldn't help but snicker a little at that, "Sorry, that's funny. Ron's room is basically wallpapered in Chudley Cannons stuff…Honestly, I love Quidditch, but it's a bit much even for me."
Her smile was genuine in response to that and she chuckled. She probably recognized he was exaggerating his reaction to the place a bit to make her feel better, but was pleased he seemed to like her room the better of the two.
There was a knock at the door and the two of them looked around to see Emma standing there in the doorway a small smile on her lips. "Okay Harry, I think I've got the room sorted, you can take your things in there now." She told him, referring to the small pile of luggage he'd left in the hall.
He nodded his thanks to Hermione's mother. "Thank you Missus Granger… I really appreciate you agreeing to have me stay now and then." He told her sincerely, looking down at his feet a touch embarrassed.
Emma just smiled, "It's not a problem Harry. Now, I understand you two have already had dinner as have Dan and myself. So we won't worry about that, but we don't have a curfew here like you do at Hogwarts, so stay up as late as you want…" She told them kindly, then frowned slightly, "Though I imagine after last night you might be ready for an early evening today."
Both teenagers nodded ready agreement at that. Harry for his part could already feel the weariness settling in, despite the relatively early hour.
Hermione he noted stifled a small yawn herself when she checked her watch and nodded slightly. "You're right mum, it is starting to get a bit late…and I could use a good night's sleep. Though I might read a little bit first…"
"I'll probably do something similar Missus Granger. Do you mind if I leave a window open for Hedwig?" He asked tentatively. Hoping they were not so uptight about the wonderful bird as the Dursleys were.
Emma smiled reassuringly. "You have a window in your room Harry, it should do nicely…although how the neighbours never seem to notice a snowy owl visiting our house during the summer I'll never understand…"
Hermione perked up slightly. "It's the familiar enchantment's mum," She explained hurriedly. "It keeps people who aren't supposed to see them from noticing them. It helps prevent theft and keeps other muggles from reporting them either."
Her mother smiled fondly at her daughter. "That makes sense I suppose. Alright you two, Dan and I will be down in the living room for a couple hours yet I think, should you need us. Have a good evening you two." She told them before padding off.
Harry looked to Hermione who waved him off, "It's okay, go on, we both need our rest, and you have to sort out your luggage anyways right?" She encouraged prodding him gently to get him moving.
Her friend headed for the room Mrs Granger had indicated, hearing Hermione's bedroom door close behind him. He hauled his trunk into the room, and after some deliberation pulled on his pyjamas after packing away things into various drawers. He opened the window for Hedwig and sorted some of his books which had been jostled around in transit.
A thought struck him then and he padded back to Hermione's door and knocked. "Just a minute," his friend called, and after some rustling sounds and the sound of feet beyond it cracked open. Revealing her standing there in her pyjamas. "Back already Harry?"
He rubbed sheepishly at the back of his head. "Er, yeah — I was just wondering, do you have beginners books for Ancient Runes or Arithmancy?"
This question apparently surprised her as she blinked in consternation. "Of course…why?" She asked confused.
"I uh — I may have discussed switching from Divination with Professor Dumbledore."
She lit up at that, "Oh! Excellent choice Harry, here, just wait a moment…" She instructed before stepping back into her room, and he waited patiently. She returned a few moments later with a pair of books which she handed to him eagerly.
"Those are my textbooks from this year, they're really good actually. Just don't skip the introductions, they tell you a lot more about what either can be used for…" She trailed off looking at him curiously. "Harry?"
"Yeah?" He acknowledged looking up from the pair of books in his hands.
"I'm just wondering, why the change of heart?" She asked, an unreadable expression on her face.
Harry pondered how to answer in such a way as to avoid totally embarrassing himself. "Well, you do always say they are interesting…" He pointed out, "And Divination is decidedly…not, and well — I figured you might need some company going forward so I thought I'd give it a look." He offered.
Hermione stared at him in surprise for a moment, before grabbing him in a hug, before backing off and pecking him on the cheek. She wiped a small tear from her eye and smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you Harry. That's very thoughtful…" She croaked sounding touched.
He smiled in return, though he was sure he was blushing. "Hey what are friends for right?" He asked rhetorically. "Night 'Mione." He offered,
"Mione?" Hermione questioned cocking her head at him.
His blush was decidedly deeper this time. "Sorry…"
She rushed to reassure him. "No, no — it's okay, from you I'll take it!" She said hurriedly. Before smiling again. "Night Harry."
"Night…" He murmured before returning to his room, after waving goodbye.
He entered his room, closing the door quietly behind himself before sitting on the bed.
Things made little sense to him these days, with what had happened with Sirius, the Ministry and the Headmaster, he was confused enough. Now, Hermione had actually kissed him. On the cheek it was true, but it was still a kiss. He'd never had someone do that before. Not that he could recall anyways.
He shook his head tiredly, clearing that away somewhat, she was just grateful for his support he supposed, still it was nice…
Picking up the first book he looked at it speculatively, before picking up the other and looking it over. Which to try first he wondered.
—-
Waking up in your own room can be a somewhat startling occurrence when you've been rooming in a dormitory for the last several months. Thus when Hermione woke up the next morning in her bedroom back in London, she was understandably confused.
However, due to her quick mind and good memory she managed to bludgeon an answer out of her grey matter about her new situation in short order. Of course this meant remembering the day before, and the night before that…
Hermione lay stiffly in her bed, hand fisted in her sheets, eyes screwed tightly shut as she fought down the wave of hysteria which threatened to rise as those memories and their implications fell upon her. She ended up dashing away the tears that leaked out irritably as she finally began to regain control.
She couldn't stand it, being so afraid, beings so lost and uncertain. So weak. She hadn't been this prone to tears in years, not since she was a child in the first years of grade school. It frustrated her to have lost all those years of progress at the hands of a single event.
It was hard not to be upset though, as much as she wished it were not so, this was a life changing event. Being infected with Lycanthropy had effectively smashed all her dreams, and canceled all her plans.
She'd had thoughts of one day working from within the Ministry of Magic, changing their society for the better. Improving the lot of muggleborns without destroying the things which made the Magical world unique. But now….
No, she couldn't dwell on such things, or the tears would come again. She rolled out of bed and grabbed up some clothing from her drawers before hurrying to the bathroom. Perhaps things would look brighter once she'd woken up a bit more and showered?
She closed and locked the door behind herself and started to strip out of her clothing, only to pause when her eyes fell on the raw red scar on her side. That….would be there forever she knew. Werewolf bites and scratches never healed fully. Their scars cannot be removed, even by magic. It'd be an unending reminder of her new reality.
As if she'd needed another blemish on her appearance, she thought as she finished stripping down and climbed into the shower to begin washing.
Not that she'd been particularly beautiful beforehand she reflected bitterly while she scrubbed. She tried to tell herself that it was early days yet, that she still had a lot of growing and changing to do, but it rung hollow to her ears.
She washed for a good ten minutes, before stepping out of the shower, drying off and getting dressed. It had helped a bit though, so that was something. Feeling clean always helped. So, in that same vein she saw to the next step in her morning routine. Brushing her teeth.
Finally a couple minutes later she left the bathroom, pulling open the door to almost run headlong into Harry, who had just left his room.
Harry, blinked at her looking mildly concussed at running into his best friend. She smiled to herself Harry wasn't exactly a morning person. "Morning Harry."
"Morning Mione." He greeted before collecting himself.
That was the second time she could recall him calling her that. Normally she didn't like nicknames, but this one…it was clearly a term of endearment, and coming from him she had to say she liked it.
"Shower's clear now, you can use it if you want…" She offered.
"Thanks." Harry murmured bobbing his head.
Hermione smiled, Harry could be a bit awkward sometimes but it was nice having him here, now. "I'll see you downstairs." She promised then got out of his way, and heard the bathroom door close behind her as she headed down towards the kitchen.
She was about halfway down the stairway when she heard her parents speaking. Her father's deeper baritone murmuring to her mother. "I'm sure I can be back by noon. We're already cleared out for the summer, what's another week after all. Just need to talk to the others and see about moving our appointments around to them."
This caused Hermione to pause and listen in interest. Her parents had been planning on taking the summer off to be with her? A small pit formed in her stomach, she couldn't help but wonder what they had been planning, how her condition affected those plans…
She shook that thought off and continued down the stairs and down the hall walking into the kitchen, causing her parents to look up. Her mother smiled at her. "Hello honey, have a good sleep?"
A small shrug was her answer. "Fairly good I suppose…"
Her parents shared a look, clearly sussing out her meaning just fine. "Worrying then?"
She sighed, she was smart, but so were her parents, she'd never managed to keep things like this from them successfully. "Yes."
Dan smiled sadly at his daughter. "We understand…" Then corrected himself, "Well, as much as we can, given the circumstances I suppose."
"We'll figure it out sweetheart." Emma promised. "Harry's owl showed up last night we noticed, once he gets down here we can ask to borrow it and see about meeting with that Alpha"
Their daughter sat at the table considering that, "What if she's dreadful? I know that she shouldn't be from what Healer McKinnon said, but…"
Dan grimaced "Well, like you say Healer McKinnon seems to think highly of her, so we can hope she's not dreadful. But if she is…well, we will find an alternative."
"That would mean moving…" Hermione whispered, hating the thought of her parents losing their home because of what had happened to her.
Emma smiled consolingly. "We know honey,"
"But you love it here…" She protested.
"Not as much as we love you," Dan said firmly, and his wife nodded agreement. "So don't worry about it."
Emma sought a method to pull her daughter out of her maudlin thoughts. "Do you have any ideas what you'll be doing today?"
Hermione paused considering that. "I don't actually know…I er, forgot to ask about homework over the holidays." She admitted blushing.
Of all the qualities they'd imbued in their daughter this was one of the few they were conflicted about. Their intent had been to instil a work ethic, not to create an obsessive need for completion and superior grades. "Well, Professor Dumbledore will be here tonight," Emma noted nonchalantly. "I'm sure if it bothers you that much you can just ask him about it then."
Hermione nodded cautiously, chewing her lip in thought. "What about Harry?" Emma asked. "What do you think he'll want to do?"
That worked, Hermione snorted in dark amusement, "Knowing Harry, he'll just be happy not to be at the Dursleys, no matter what we end up doing."
"It's that bad for him there?" Emma asked concerned, wondering just what her daughter's friend had endured.
Hermione hesitated, "He—really doesn't like to talk about it. He barely even mentions it to me, but yes, I think so…" She admitted.
Hermione didn't know it but Emma felt a little ball of anger ignite in her chest at Harry's relatives. She didn't know just how bad it was, but on some level those people had mistreated a boy who in her experience was kind, generous and polite. "Well then, I think one of your missions this summer, besides getting this new situation sorted out, should be ensuring your friend has the best summer he's ever had…"
Hermione nodded quick agreement at that, it was something she could gladly get behind. Then paused as the sound of the shower upstairs stopped.
They returned to silence as they went about their business, Hermione pondering ideas to accomplish those goals, her mother preparing breakfast for the two teenagers and herself while Dan prepared to make a quick run into work.
Finally the sound of feet could be heard on the stairs and Harry soon edged his way uncertainly into the room, as if unsure as to whether or not he was welcome there. He stopped upon entering and his eyes zeroed first on Hermione, then on her mother at the stove, and a worried expression settled over his face.
"Morning Harry," Hermione greeted, and was soon echoed by her parents.
"Er—morning everyone…Uh, missus Granger, do you want me to help you with that?" He asked looking worriedly at the stove.
Emma smiled, but her daughter could tell she was fighting the urge to shoot her a pointed look. If her mother had actually looked at her the way she clearly wanted to she would have shrugged. "No, that's fine Harry, I've got it handled." Her mother assured him happily.
Harry blinked in what appeared to be surprise. "A-alright, I just…I want to pull my own weight of course, I wouldn't want to be a burden." he blurted, then winced. "If I can help in any way…"
That made a little more sense to Hermione, and she had a good guess just whose feet she could lay the blame Harry's near obsessive need to be helpful in such circumstances.
Emma just chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the context of that message. Not that Hermione believed her mother was actually that unaware. "We can figure that out later Harry, if we need to. Don't worry yourself over much about it right now."
Soon enough Harry, with a little encouragement from his friend, was seated at the table alongside her and Emma was dishing out the food onto plates. Dan paused by his wife on his way to the door and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be going now, see you later Em" He murmured before pacing out the door.
Harry was looking uncertain again, however this time he noted her questioning look and he sighed. "Sorry—just, surprised is all, the Dursleys weren't big on displays of affection. I'll get used to it I'm sure."
This time her mother and her actually did share a look. "So Harry, Dan mentioned that he noticed your owl showed up last night…" Emma ventured.
Harry perked up, at alert immediately. "Hedwig? Yes, do you want to use her?" He babbled hurriedly. "I can go get her if you want?"
Hermione frowned as her mother assured him it could wait. Harry wasn't usually this nervous, was it just the anxiety of being in a new situation? "Not just yet Harry. You can have some breakfast first, and then I'll write up a note for Healer McKinnon."
"Okay…" Harry said, settling a bit.
Breakfast itself was eaten in comfortable silence, her mother tidying away the dishes after they were done into the washer before bustling off to write out the note.
Hermione considered her friend for a bit in silence as he fidgeted in his seat. "Anything you want to do today Harry?" She asked, finally thinking back on her discussion with her mother.
The boy looked surprised at being asked that and blinked numbly at her, "I er—I don't know, what do you want to do?" This response couldn't help but draw an amused smile from her. Harry was generally pretty good about being accommodating, add to that that he was almost certainly unused to being able to do what he wanted…
It was kind of adorable in a strange way just how confused he looked. "Well, we could try watching a movie I suppose…" She speculated, "Or I could show you around the neighbourhood."
He considered that, his eyes briefly flicking to the kitchen window to take in the weather outside. "It's fairly nice outside," He noted tentatively.
In the end the agreed to take a walk together around the neighbourhood. But first they needed to see to sending off that letter, thankfully they could already hear her mother returning.
"Harry, could you help me send this note off. I always have trouble with owls…"
—-
Ronald Weasley was not a very thoughtful young man. Or rather, he was filled with thoughts, but these thoughts were mostly about Quidditch, Food, Chess and Girls. Which to be sure many would tell you was about average for a hormonal teenage boy.
This isn't actually the case, teenage boys think about many other things in an ongoing basis. Usually…
Ronald however preferred to keep things simple. Which is why he'd acted the way he had the day previous. It wasn't that he didn't like Harry and Hermione well enough. He did he supposed, they were his friends.
Hermione made school a lot easier, and it was nice getting some attention now and then thanks to Harry.
But then things went and had to get complicated. Ron Weasley didn't do complicated, it made his brain hurt. Which if one were feeling vindictive would be said to be a surprise, because surely it is surprising Ron Weasley in fact had a brain.
Part of it was that it made him nervous. He spent a lot of his life nervous, or scared. Scared of being forgotten, left behind, abandoned because he wasn't his big brothers. Merlin knew his absent minded parents had accidentally left him behind a number of times on various trips to Diagon Alley and such as a child.
Why was he afraid of such things? Well aside from the aforementioned incidents involving being forgotten in the toy section of a store in Diagon Alley, Ron in his heart of hearts believed he wasn't good enough. That he was second rate and would never measure up.
Now if he'd actually used this fear to better himself, as a driving force towards change, that would have been something. He might have actually overcome the notion of being inferior and made something of himself.
Unfortunately Ron as mentioned, didn't do complicated. And the process of bettering oneself is certainly that. But it was all too much effort for Ron. He couldn't be bothered to put in the hard work necessary to reshape himself into the person he wished he was. It was so much simpler to…well, frankly to run away.
This latest incident was a fine example actually. Hermione was infected with lycanthropy. And such a change in things greatly altered the group dynamics of the golden trio, and required a lot of adaptation to get used to. Ron had two problems with this. First and somewhat understandably, he was afraid of werewolves.
Second, and much more disappointingly, getting over this fear to help a friend who deeply needed his support in a time of struggle...was frankly too hard for him. He was good at a small number of things and they came naturally to him. He'd never really had to work hard for something before so…yeah, change was a concept Ron disliked.
He'd made all the right noises when asked for his support, then, when the opportunity arose he ran for it. Metaphorically running hell for leather for the hills. He'd headed to others whom he sometimes spent time with, and took up in their company instead. Then when he'd been forced to be in the same room as his supposed best friends he'd studiously ignored their presence and thus problems.
A neat little solution as far as Ron was concerned. More disturbingly were two additional issues. A) that he actually thought this proved his problem solving prowess and just reaffirmed his vision of himself as a master tactician. And B) that he was actually somewhat hacked off at Harry and Hermione for trying to draw him into their mess.
It wasn't fair, by his reasoning. His life was hard enough, why should he have to shoulder the burden of Hermione's little problem? And Harry shouldn't have expected it of him either! Where did he get off asking for him to risk it all hanging out with a werewolf - who wasn't even particularly pretty - when there was nothing in it for him?
Harry just had to be in the bloody spotlight all the time. It was downright infuriating. Left no time for him to shine it did!
Now, this is more or less what Ron had been telling himself to assuage his guilty conscience while he sat eating lunch the next day. He might have even apologized for being a berk and even promised to do better to keep them off his back had they actually bothered to show up for meal time.
Actually them not showing up just frustrated him more. After all it wasn't fair that he had to go looking for them surely?
Selfish gits, he thought to himself stuffing another forkful of food into his mouth. He'd make them come to him, that's what he'd do! See how they liked it!
—-
Belsize park London, was almost exactly the sort of place Harry could imagine Hermione having been raised in. A nice reasonably busy neighbourhood with nice little shops and restaurants secreted about it in small shopping complexes.
While they explored the neighbourhood they kept the topics of conversation light, sticking to Hermione's memories of growing up in the area, and occasionally discussing Harry's early thoughts on Arithmancy.
Arithmancy, it had to be said was not what Harry had been expecting. The pamphlet they'd read on it did the field of study a serious disservice by speaking only of it's use in predictive magics and in the magic of significant numbers.
In actuality it was much more complex and interesting than that. Arithmancy was the method used to define, design and craft magics from the ground up using mathematical equations. In effect being almost like the study of physics for Magic.
If one wanted to know what spell had been used, what counter was applicable or how to make a new incantation you needed arithmancy.
Hermione assured him as they returned to her house that it was even more interesting when used in conjunction with Ancient Runes. This would mean allowing him access to the field of enchanting and ward crafting among others.
As they walked back into the small cul de sac where Hermione's home was situated they noted that Mr Granger's vehicle was parked out front once again. When they actually reentered the house it was to find him relaxing on the couch. "Mum, Dad we're home!" Hermione called.
Dan craned his neck to look back over the couch at the, "Hey you two. Have a good time?" He asked.
His daughter nodded easily. "Yes, it's a nice day out actually, perfect for a walk."
There was the sound of footsteps and Emma stepped into the room. "Hello you two, we got a reply while you were out." She noted holding up an opened envelope.
"Already?" Asked Hermione sounding surprised. "What's it say?"
Emma pulled out the letter and handed it over but summarized it anyways. "If you're willing, Healer McKinnon will arrange an appointment for tonight at around five pm."
Again a blink of surprise from the teenager. "So soon?"
"Apparently so."
Hermione was silent for a time, pondering that, "I'd—I'd like to do this as soon as possible." She made a rueful face and gestured vaguely. "I just feel rather lost at the moment with everything…" She admitted.
Dan was nodding. "And this might help you catch your bearings…" His daughter simply nodded agreement.
Her parents shared a pointed look before Emma finally shrugged. Dan nodded absently to himself. "I'll stay here tonight then and meet the Headmaster so we can have the Wards installed." He looked back to Hermione. "Leave a list of any questions you want me to ask him."
Hermione sagged in relief, then looked to her friend hopefully. "Would you be willing to come with me? To see the Alpha I mean?"
To her everlasting relief Harry nodded immediately, not hesitating a moment and she felt a warm comfort fill her at his quiet support.
"Alright, I'll send the letter then," Emma agreed noting the interaction with interest. "According to the letter, the plan is to meet up with her near the Pack's headquarters, and she'll walk us in…"
Hermione was almost looking forward to it. "Where are we meeting them?"
"A small pub near here actually," Emma noted happy she wouldn't need to navigate half of London to get them to their appointed destination.
"Oh?"
"Yes, it's on the other side of the neighbourhood, you've probably seen it. The Wolf's Head?" Emma noted ironically. "In retrospect that really should have been a dead giveaway…" There was a pregnant pause at that which gave birth to lots of little rambunctious pauses before Emma shook that off. "Come on you two, get yourselves washed up and come back down here, lunch is just about ready anyways. We can talk more about everything over lunch.
—-
Katelyn Bennett, or Katie as she preferred to be called. Sat quietly at a table in the back corner of the Wolf's Head Pub. It was her usual space, all but reserved for her on the pub's main floor. The perks of being the Alpha she supposed.
She liked this place, the pub as a whole that was, it was quiet, and comfortable, a place where her pack could meet and be virtually unbothered by outsiders.
And that was just on the main floor, where the regular folk were allowed to mix and mingle with them. Not that those folk were ever actually aware just whom it was they were mingling with…
The second and third floor however were different, the lower of the two holding a private bar for the pack, and the third housing secure rooms where pack could relax and not have to worry about acting like everyone else.
This pub wasn't ACTUALLY headquarters for the pack of course, that distinction went to her own place a few blocks away. However the pub was better suited to holding meets. It wasn't truly neutral ground seeing as the pack owned the place, but it was close enough for most purposes.
What was more, the Wolf's Head was more secure than it appeared, the second and third floor could be entirely isolated from the first, and had been reinforced sufficiently to hold in a whole pack of raging werewolves were the worst to happen. The rooms on the third floor could be individually isolated, in case a pack member needed a safe room on full moon.
Most of the staff here were wolves, or the family of wolves. Excepting Big Yan of course. And the less said about what exactly Big Yan was the better. Though he acted as an excellent bouncer from time to time. Even Weres couldn't really threaten him.
Add to that, the fact that few were truly aware this place belonged to a pack of weres and it was safe as houses. Though she and the rest of her pack always packed enough heat and tricks about themselves that trouble always seemed to find somewhere else to be when confronted.
Katie sighed, she hadn't really noticed it until just then, but she'd been caressing the butt of her handgun under her coat while she thought. She flicked the holster shut before relaxing more naturally into her seat.
When it came down to it, it was simply too soon after the full moon, yesterday had been the worst of course, coming down off the change. As it always was. Today was much better comparatively but she was still a bit edgy.
Not that she really needed to be given the circumstances, Karen McKinnon was a good one, and one of the few outsiders she allowed near her pack on a regular basis. Not a bad sort for a Witch.
And from what she knew, the ones the Healer said she was bringing in weren't big trouble either.
Pair of magical kids, and maybe a mundane parent or two. Only the girl was a new turn. That wasn't to say that she took any magical lightly of course.
Weres were fast after all, in addition to being durable and strong. Vamps were just as fast, though not quite so durable, however they were undisputed masters of stealth. Then of course were Goblins…well, she'd only ever met one of those, but they were reputed to be faster than they looked and deadly with blades and nasty magic traps…
The bell above the door tinkled and she rolled her head lazily on her shoulders to eye the new comers, speak of the devil as they said.
Four people had just entered the pub. Two adult women, one she immediately recognized as Karen McKinnon, despite the more normal clothing she wore so as to blend in with the crowds of mundane people.
The other was almost certainly the girl's mother, and remarkably looked fairly calm under the circumstances.
Then of course was the lad…Pale, a kinda runty kid honestly, but nice enough in the face, aside from that scar…glasses and hand me downs, didn't smell or resemble the others though, a friend then? She could smell him from her seat though, same as all of them.
McKinnon smelled of antiseptic and ozone, the trademark of a Healer really. But this lad…smell of general maleness, nothing of note there but the ozone smell off him was virtually overpowering. More than met the eye in the magic department then.
Which of course left the newbie. Healthy young lass, wavy brown hair which bordered on bushy…Brown eyes, pale skin, slight frame, already smelled of the change. Not bad in the magic department either actually.
Looked a bit bookish, which wasn't a bad thing, was always good for a wolf to have more brains than brawn as far as she was concerned.
She watched them stand about uncertainly in the doorway, she knew Karen had seen her already, but knew the woman wouldn't push her to reveal herself just yet.
But Katie didn't really need the time to dig deeper on this bunch, she smelled about what she'd expected, nothing really surprising. Teen angst, hormones, nervous energy, a little excitement and the smell of the change in the girl.
She shook her head subtly at the two pack members who were situated near the door and they eased at her reassurance before she pushed to her feet and wandered over to the strangers.
They looked up as she approached, only briefly making eye contact with Karen and nodding. "This way, second floor's all ours."
Making her way on towards the stairs she didn't wait to see what they made of her brusque approach and was gratified when she heard them move to follow at a whispered word from the Healer.
She paused only briefly at the base of the stairs and caught Big Yan's eye. "Yan!" She hollered. "I'll be upstairs if you need anything, and give Yvette a call would you? She needs the wakeup call today." She called waiting just long enough for his nod and wave of acknowledgement before continuing up the stairs.
Silently, she drew little breaths in as they climbed the stairs, nothing that would draw attention to the fact she was actually scenting them out. The stress and nervousness had clearly ratcheted up somewhat from the new change.
Oddly enough it was her friend's smell which was more interesting. Determination of some variety, concern, affection for his friend, you could practically see the supportive hand he had on her shoulder.
She opened the door to the second floor, after typing in the passcode into the lock. "Nobody else is in at the moment, most are still sacked out after the Moon at their own places." She explained casually after everyone was inside and she'd closed the door.
She sat at a large table she'd reserved for the meeting and kicked up her feet. "Have a seat grab a drink." She suggested indicating the pitchers of water in the middle. The others complied one by one, though none were quite so relaxed and casual as herself.
Considering the group across from her for a while she smiled, directing it at the now tensed teenage girl. "Relax kiddo, stress is half the curse for our kind. I'll give you a free piece of advice, regardless of the fact we're meeting to see if you'll be a good fit for my pack. Invest time and money in method of stress management."
The girl was clearly surprised by her suddenly friendly attitude, and put somewhat off balance by it. "Er—Thank you, I'll bear it in mind?" She offered uncertainly.
Katie just smirked in mild amusement, "In case you were curious, I was testing you a bit back there, making you wait a bit, being a bit rude…just seeing how you react under stress." She admitted. "I'll be keeping an eye on you a lot while we speak, getting an idea for who you really are okay?"
The girl nodded a little more certainly now, tests seemed to be something this one understood so that made her a little more calm. "Anyone can put on a smile and look friendly, but nobody can hide their smell." She advised, and got another nod in response, the girl setting her shoulders and looking determined.
The Alpha turned her attention to Karen and nodded, "McKinnon." She greeted shortly.
"Bennett."
She made a sweeping gesture at the group across from herself "Introductions if you would?"
"This is Hermione Granger, our newest infected Witch, with her are her friend, Harry Potter and her mother Emma Granger." The Healer introduced pointing out each in turn. "This is Alpha Katie Bennett of the North West pack of London."
Katie nodded back at each of them. "Was under the impression a father might be coming as well?" She asked curiously.
McKinnon shrugged easily. "He opted to stay home and meet the warder team."
All werewolves were required by law to have their residence warded by a witch, wizard or Goblin, per the treaty. At least in Britain. Not all followed through on this of course, but most packs did it on spec, it was just good sense after all.
"Fair enough," She agreed settling a bit more into her chair. "Well then, I suppose we'd better get started? Maybe a bit of pack history. Then a bit about what it means to be one of us, followed by some Q&A?" She suggested.
Everyone across from her nodded easily. "I'll start us off then. My name is Katelyn Bennett, though I prefer to go by Katie. I was as you magicals say, a muggle. I was infected about oh…ten years ago now, just outside Manchester. But I'll leave the details on that for another time." She said waving that off. "I learned soon enough that while many werewolf clans or packs are civil enough in there own way, many more were not."
She grimaced, reflecting on the truth of that statement. "It's a hard life, and breeds hard people. It's not easy on the women. Male humans have a greater capacity for aggressive instincts as it is, but add in the wolf and sometimes the being you get out of the mix is a really bad person."
"Like Fenrir Greyback?" Hermione asked tentatively.
Her eyes snapped to the girl and she nodded firmly. "Aye, and Greyback's about as bad as they come…but I'll come back to that in a minute or so."
Katie shrugged. "I felt it was about time a pack which favoured females was put together and, after going it on my own for a bit, hooked up with the packs here in London to negotiate some turf." She explained, "I picked up the girls from the other packs who've either had enough or are vulnerable enough they'd be a target in short order. We get a lot of new turns, or girls who've been beaten up one too many times."
She paused. "I've taken in a couple males too it's true. Steven and Cole. But they're good blokes, not really dominant types." She assured the girl, considering her reaction and her background.
"Just what have you been told about weres up at that school of yours?" She asked eventually.
The girl brightened at being asked a question. "Weres, or more specifically werewolves for the sake of this discussion, are people who have been infected with a disease known as Lycanthropy." She recited in a firm voice, her eyes going unfocused as she recalled what she'd been told. "It's effects are fairly well known even in the muggle world, on the full moon an infected person will transform into a near wolf creature. This creature is almost always violent and without the use of Wolfsbane potion are exceedingly dangerous. Wolfsbane potion allows a werewolf to remain calm and controlled after the transformation."
She paused taking a breath, slowing slightly as she realized she was babbling a bit. "Those bitten by a werewolf in human form pick up wolf-like tendencies instead of becoming fully infected. Lycanthropy cannot be transmitted by birth to their young, in fact if two werewolves should mate whilst in their wolf form the offspring will in fact be wolves instead of humans. Albeit very intelligent wolves…It is also not known why some werewolves almost completely transform into a wolf, whilst others obtain what is referred to as a half form…"
Katie smiled ruefully, raising a hand to stop her. "That's more than sufficient…not bad actually, considering the wizarding world's attitude towards our kind. Hmmm where to begin…" She speculated aloud.
"You already know how the infection is spread and how it is not. Which is good, I'll just add that sexual contact with a werewolf in human form has no effect and as far as any of us are aware no one has seen fit to test that in wolf form. As for Wolfsbane…"
Here she sighed tiredly. "Ironically wolfsbane is actually made up of materials which are toxic to us on some levels. Aconite being the most common. Brewed by a magical into a potion however and it is no longer poisonous." Here she made a face. "Although I admit it tastes utterly foul and can't be sugared up to improve it's taste. Oddly enough it is not because it weakens the wolf that we appear more calm. I would in fact say it is that it calms the human inside us."
She saw this was met with confusion, even from the healer so she explained. "Are any of you familiar with wolves, the normal kind I mean?" She got a couple nods. "Are they uncompromisingly violent, vicious, do they kill for sport, do they attack and kill others of their kind to prove their dominance? She asked.
"No…" Ventured Hermione. Wolves might fight for dominance but it rarely resulted in death, and they certainly weren't any of the others. Unless they were rabid of course.
"What about humans? Humans commit murder don't they?" She asked rhetorically. "Kill for sport sometimes? Kill and fight constantly to prove who should rule?" She sat forward and stabbed her finger onto the table pointedly. "It is not that the Lycanthropy brings out the wolf in specific. It's that it brings out the animal, in both sides of us. And the human animal is a very different beast from man or wolf."
She smiled as Healer McKinnon seemed to be following. "The animal side of the wolf is just a wolf. As that is all they are. Smart animals, but animals all the same. Have you ever heard about some of the things Chimps do to each other and people who cross their path?" She asked.
The girl and the mother shuddered and she grinned darkly. "Chimps are a good metaphor they're our closest animal cousin…"
"Yes, I think I get what your driving at." Hermione noted. "Chimps are known for their violent and seemingly irrational behaviours. Even to those who have treated them well in the past…"
She nodded in satisfaction. "Good. My point in all this is that it is not the wolf you need to fight so much as the human when transformed, and as that part is subdued by the potion we become more docile." She explained, "Which brings me to something else. You mentioned that it isn't known what makes some transform more fully than others. The wolf who attacked you? How wolf-like did he appear?"
"It was a half form…" Hermione relayed quietly.
Katie nodded sympathetically. "Some of us need the potion more than others, and some transform more cleanly than others for some very specific reasons." The Alpha explained. "Simply put it has to do with how much they have accepted their situation. If they fight it, struggling to remain human despite the inevitable they will almost certainly become violent half-form beasts. As for the other factor. You mentioned Fenrir Greyback…" She murmured thinking of the monster in question.
"Do you know why he is appears monstrous even in human form, or in his half-form?" She asked. Hermione shook her head, looking interested. "It is because when it comes down to it he is a monster. Not because of his disease, but because that is who he has chosen to be. He accepts the change gladly yes, but he isn't looking to become a wolf, not really, he's looking to become the powerful monster he envisions himself as."
She saw nods of understanding, "The wolf who attacked you, do you think he accepted what he is?"
Hermione and Harry both shook their heads simultaneously. "No…he didn't seem to like what he was…" Hermione said firmly. "In fact he seemed to hate it."
The Alpha nodded soberly. "And so he hates what he becomes, and fights it with every fibre of his being. I know Remus, yes Healer McKinnon informed me who it was." She said raising a hand to stall any objections. "He hates being a werewolf, he sees himself as a monster, a disaster waiting for a place to happen."
A sigh accompanied her reflections on the man in question. "He's shunned the pack life in the mistaken belief it will make him like Greyback if he starts to accept who he is. He fights it every time he changes, and because of it, it nearly kills him each time he does so. You've no doubt seen him in the days following a change, how does he appear?" She asked.
To her surprise Harry was the one who spoke this time. "Weak…tired, frail and grey."
She smiled slightly at the lad in thanks. "And yet…here I am, I went through the change a day and a half ago too. Yet do I appear as poorly off as he?"
She already knew the answer but was gratified they seemed to agree that she didn't look as badly off as Remus Lupin. "I know what I am." She said firmly. "I know that what I can become is dangerous, and yes if I don't take the potion I'm violent. But I'm not as violent as I would be if I were to fight it or revel in it."
Hermione was nodding now looking thoughtful. "Now, you no doubt know the physical changes a Werewolf experiences yes? Better sight, better hearing, better smell, stronger, faster, more agile, more durable?"
Katie received nods in return. "Those are what could in a way be considered the upsides of the disease. With the one night a month change being the cost we pay for it. But there are some additional downsides." She admitted. "We can be killed without silver, but it is far more lethal to us than other metals. It's not instant death like in the stories but it burns like hades and causes much more damage that will last. Aconite is poisonous if left unrefined into a potion, and the change is an obvious downside."
They were nodding and judging from the way the girl was twitching she wished she had something to take notes with. "Male Werewolves tend to be more aggressive or dominant, but this is not always the case. They tend to feel the need to challenge each other regularly. As for females…" She said leaning back again. "It can go one of three ways. The first possibility, and unfortunately the most common, is that our DNA becomes too hybridized to allow us to become pregnant." She noted Hermione flinched in response to that and pressed on.
"The second possibility, and the second most common outcome for us it that we sometime experience reduced menstrual effects but are still fertile, albeit at a reduced rate." She paused to see them take this in. "The final and by far the most rare effect, present in one in perhaps a hundred females, is that they are fertile, avoid menstruation in the traditional sense entirely and effectively go into heat. Becoming randy once a year during which time males of our kind tend to be drawn to them." She noted the general concern that seemed to settle on most of the others at the table with her.
"Now, as I said that last one's uncommon. Do you have any other questions? Anything at all?" She asked relaxing a bit now they were past the really hard parts.
Hermione looked a bit surprised. "Actually you seem to have answered most of the already but…" She trailed off looking thoughtful and Katie grinned, this owe had a good head on her shoulders she'd ask some good ones she was sure.
"What would my place in the pack be, what would be expected of me as a new member? What concessions are made for the full moon and how do we get a hold of Wolfsbane?" The girl babbled. "Is travel possible as a were, between countries I mean. What do you do for a living?"
She couldn't help but laugh and the girl paused, looking worried. "Okay, okay! Slow down lass, let's see what was the first one? What would your place in the pack be?" She asked confirming.
"I'm Alpha, meaning I get final say in all disputes and pack decisions. Though I will educate you further in the way the hierarchy is maintained in different groups just in case you end up meeting them at some point." She shrugged. "In addition, the question of punishment for infractions such as criminal offences and fighting fall to me. As for your place. You hold the same position as any other wolf in the pack besides myself."
Her eyes watched the girl carefully to see how she was taking this, "What would be expected of you? That's a little more complicated, we tend to levy a small tax of whatever income you make, about 5% to pay for providing pack resources, this pub and it's saferooms, Wolfsbane, what have you." She rolled her shoulders easily. "That said, this tax is contingent upon your ability to meet the basic costs of subsistence. You are a student after all, if you can't pay the tax without going hungry and such, then the tax is either reduced or removed entirely."
Here she locked eyes with Hermione to make sure she would be understood. "You will come when called by myself, and you will defend your fellow pack mates should it come to that." She stated firmly. "From there it is mostly a matter of keeping your nose clean and making sure you don't cause general havoc or infect people. As a witch-blood however I may approach you about more magically inclined duties in the future. I have only one other witch-blood in my pack and her particulars precluded her from proper magical education."
At Hermione's interested expression she elaborated. "For example, are you any good at potions?"
Hermione nodded hurriedly, and her friend snorted in amusement causing everyone to look at him. "Er—sorry, Hermione has the best score for potions in the entire school dating back decades. I know for a fact she can brew NEWT standard potions already."
Now that was an interesting tidbit. "Good, perhaps as your training continues you can brew Wolfsbane for the pack." Katie speculated hopefully. "Now, as for concessions for the full moon, this pub's upper two floors are reinforced and secured at moonrise on the full moon, in addition there is an extra safe room at my place. That being said it would be preferable for you to construct one of your own at you place."
"Otherwise, try to be somewhere away from people you could infect if your caught away from a safe room. Always carry a current supply of Wolfsbane around the full moon, and finally you will need to be absolutely perfectly aware of exactly when the full moon is each month without fail. Understood?"
Hermione was nodding. "Yes."
She eased a bit at her easy agreement. "As for how we get a hold of the potion. It's handled at cost to the pack by Healer McKinnon here."
She sighed, standing and stretching. "Now as for the last two questions. Travel if you want to go elsewhere for an extended period of time, particularly over the full moon. You will need to be aware of the location of other packs territories, and their tendencies and alignments. You need to know where you will be as exactly as possible on the full moon so that you are either in unaligned territory away from those who you could harm, or in a guest safe room provided by a friendly pack. Most importantly, DO NOT, attempt to travel too close to the moon itself as travel delays could end in you being trapped in an airport or worse on board a plane when the change hits."
This got a very heartfelt nod of agreement from the teenager and her mother. "As for what I do for a living. I work for a division specifically tasked with handling the weird and wonderful side of the world. That is all I'm cleared to tell you. Any further questions?"
The teenage girl chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I'm sure I'll have more…" She ventured.
"Well hey, you don't need to think of them all right now right? If you have an owl and address it here I'll get it. But I have a cell as well." She assured her. "Now, I'll tell you what I observed while sitting here speaking with you okay?"
The girl nodded, looking curious now. "You're calm and intelligent, and apparently don't get totally bent out of shape easily, despite what's happened to you. I'd have to test you out with the rest of the pack to be sure, but I think you might be a good match for us. The moon is on the third of next month. We can of course meet again sooner than that, or put it off until then…"
"I think I wouldn't mind meeting again some time sooner than that, to ease into things." The girl ventured.
"Fair enough, we can see about setting up a date and time." Katie assured her, fishing out a list. "In the mean time, this is what you will need to make a safe room for yourself. It'll be expensive, but it's important." The girl took the list and peered at it. "Just reminding you though, we've got safe rooms here, or at my place if you can't have one ready in time for your first moon."
"Thank you Miss Bennett," Hermione ventured gratefully. "This has been a real help."
She smiled benignly at her, "Call me Katie, here's my contact info, mail, owl, cell, whatever…" She said handing across a business card, then checking her watch. "It's near supper time, if you want I can instruct Big Yan to give you a meal on the house?"
Hermione looked to her mother who was shaking her head. "If you wouldn't mind, I think we'll head home now, I have supper planned already and there is a visitor due this evening that we'd like to meet if we can. May myself or my husband call if we need to ask questions as well?"
"Of course, and no problem." She assured the woman as the others went to rise.
She tipped her head at the girl. "See you around kiddo."
—-
"So, what do you think honey?" Emma asked her daughter, as she carefully slipped her car through traffic on the way back to their home. They had parted ways with Healer McKinnon at the Pub, thanking her for her time.
Hermione, she noted in the rearview mirror, was nodding thoughtfully. "I think that their pack might work well. It'll be interesting to see how the fit is with them…" Harry was nodding thoughtfully too, a small frown on his lips and Emma wondered what was worrying him.
"What's wrong Harry?"
He looked up in surprise at being addressed. "Hmm, nothing! Nothing actually, just thinking." He said regaining himself.
"Oh, what about?" Her daughter asked curiously.
He shifted uncertainly. "Just a couple random ideas I had, nothing important. If they come to anything I'll let you know."
Hermione nodded slowly in return. "Okay,"
It was only a short while later that they finally pulled up in front of their house, piling out of the car and walking back up the steps. It was here that Harry and Hermione paused.
"Well, I'd say the wards are up." Harry noted seeming pleased.
Emma moved to follow them and felt the barest hint of static pass over her before her world shifted slightly. Where before her front yard had been empty aside from themselves now there were a pair of warders standing in the yard working busily at the edges of the property.
"Come on mum, I can hear dad in the back yard." Hermione encouraged leading her around the side of the house.
Sure enough as they came around into the space behind the house, they found her husband and Dumbledore speaking with each other, whilst a couple more warders worked about the house. The old wizard looked over at their arrival and beamed happily at them. "Ah, here they are."
He nodded pleasantly at them. "Good evening you three, might I ask how your meeting went?"
In all honesty Emma Granger was conflicted about the old wizard, she knew both teenagers respected him deeply, and knew that he had a powerful reputation. However his handling of affairs concerning their daughter and her friend has been…less than impressive. Still despite this, he seemed to genuinely care for their wellbeing and had gone out of his way to help them when the opportunity presented itself. She would keep a closer eye on affairs going forward however, for the sake of her daughter if nothing else.
"Well enough headmaster," She offered stoically.
He nodded seriously, acknowledging her before turning his attention to Hermione, "They might be a good fit sir, but we need to meet with them a couple more times to be certain." Her daughter explained.
The aged man smiled slightly at her, "Very good Miss Granger, I am most pleased to hear that." He said sincerely, before turning his eyes to her friend. "And you Harry, how are you doing today?"
"I'm fine sir."
Dumbledore smiled a bit more broadly at the boy's reserved tone. "I get the feeling there is more you wish to say however."
Harry nodded, looking a bit rueful. "I uh—I was wondering if it would be okay for me to visit Diagon Alley tomorrow." He asked hopefully.
The older wizard blinked in surprise, "But of course Harry, so long as you are cautious you need no permission from me. However this is rather timely…As it would be a good idea for you to prepare the way for perhaps donating those funds for the wards here. If you would allow me, I would happily accompany you?"
Harry smiled a bit more certainly at that. "Thank you sir, I'd appreciate that."
Emma noticed her daughter was fidgeting now, "I'm sorry sir, but I have to ask, did my father ask about our summer homework?"
Dumbledore shared an amused look with Dan and herself. "He did indeed. I decided however that in the wake of what has happened to you, to let the two of you ignore those assignments. You and Harry both will have enough to be getting on with I believe?"
Her daughter nodded conceding the point though it was hard to tell if it pleased her or not. "However I did have a thought. Has young Harry talked to you about his change in electives?"
This was news to Emma but Hermione was nodding. "Yes Headmaster."
"I thought he might have, if I might, perhaps I could arrange a meeting with the Professors for the courses he is switching to. Perhaps tomorrow morning before we visit the Alley? Professor's Babbling and Vector do not have classes at that time so it'd be rather ideal…"
Harry looked hopefully to the Grangers, and Emma had to smile. "That should work nicely I think, what do you think Dan?"
Her husband nodded and Dumbledore looked pleased. "Thank you," Harry said looking grateful.
"It's not a problem Harry," Dan assured the boy.
Dumbledore looked around and noted the warders appeared to be packing up. "Very good, now I believe the first ward scheme we agreed upon is almost finished. I will speak with them and add a couple of my own to the mix once they are complete." He promised. "Once finished I will be on my way. I look forward to meeting you all again tomorrow."
They nodded understanding, and after saying their goodbyes, they parted ways and returned to the house.
—-
Ron was concerned, he didn't like being concerned, it made his meals sit poorly in his stomach. He hadn't seen Harry and Hermione all day, and was beginning to suspect that it might in someway have been related to why they had not approached him.
How was he supposed to apologize to them if they weren't bloody around to hear it?
Just where did they get off skipping classes too? Sure Hermione had that thing he didn't like to think about, but it didn't seem fair that they got off classes and he didn't. He'd hurt his leg for Merlin's sake. He should get time off too.
It wasn't fair. Potter and Granger always got special treatment.
Still, it was hard to apologize so they wouldn't be angry at him, when he couldn't bloody see them now wasn't it?
He hoped he ran into them soon. He would likely forget about all this if they took too long showing up.
—-
Remus and Sirius looked up at the knock at the door. "You know she's just going to keep coming around until you actually open the door and talk to her right?" Sirius noted tiredly from his place on the couch.
The werewolf sagged in defeat. "I know, I just…I don't want other people around me right now Padfoot. It's not safe." He flinched at the glare Black shot him at that as the other man went to go hide.
"Answer the bloody door Moons."
He sighed and pushed to his feet before padding to the entrance and pulling it open. Sure enough it was Karen McKinnon. "Karen…" He greeted soberly.
He and Karen had known each other a long time. Since school really. She was one of the few people, prior to the paper's latest expose at least, who had known he was a werewolf.
"Remus," She greeted a touch stiffly. "Mind if I come in, Dumbledore already warned me about the identity of your guest." She informed him and he blinked in surprise.
"He did?"
She nodded sternly. "Yes, explained the whole sordid affair, I have to say it makes a lot more sense than the story the Ministry believes…" She grumped. "Now, as I said, are you going to let me in, or are you going to make me wait on the doorstep again?"
He had the good grace to look bashful and stepped aside waving her in and she stepped smartly past him. "Might as well come out Padfoot," she called. "I just informed Remus I already knew you were here."
The rough and careworn face of Sirius Black slowly appeared around a corner before his body followed. He looked like hell, then again that was basically where he'd been the last thirteen years. Still the smile which lit his face was the same as it had ever been when he saw the healer. "Karen." He greeted stepping forward, before pausing. "Er—I'd give you a hug, but I'm a bit wiffy right now." He admitted looking down at himself. "I've showered, but…well Azkaban's stink seems to be hard to wash away."
She smiled a bit. "Black, it's good to know you didn't do those things they said you did. I never wanted to believe you'd have done that."
His expression grew somber and he offered a small smile. "Thanks Karen," He jerked his chin at Remus who was still standing there uncomfortably. "You here to see this great lump?"
She nodded. "Yes, I heard what happened naturally." Her eyes moved to the werewolf who wilted looking ashamed. "Oh please, don't look like I just kicked you." She snapped.
"What happened was an accident, resultant from a high stress situation and poor conditions. Should you have remembered your potion? Yes, but things distracted you, I'll note Severus Snape, who was late bringing your potion in the first place didn't bring it along when he chased after you and Black either." She remarked sternly.
This drew a thoughtful pause. "I still infected someone with this curse Karen…" He murmured.
Karen sighed, nodding. "You did, though it was not your intent. Which matters more than you give it credit." She eyed him darkly. "You're so afraid of becoming the monster who infected you Remus that you are slipping into patterns which all but ensure that outcome."
He looked up sharply at that accusation. "You won't join a pack for fear of becoming too wolf-like. You're alone, isolated and living a high stress lifestyle. These thing put you and other at greater risk than anything else."
She paced over to the couch in the small living room and sat. "We had an interesting conversation today with Alpha Bennett." She remarked and he looked up tilting his head in curiosity. Katie Bennett wasn't a bad sort the few times he'd met her.
"I was aware of what was discussed for the most part. Hermione Granger was very interested to learn some things from the Alpha. Advice on reducing the impact of the change, some ways to retain greater control of the wolf with or without the potion…" She said her tone leading.
Try as he might, Remus couldn't help but perk up a bit at that. Before becoming suspicious. Many Alphas claimed that they knew the secret to control, when really they were merely self indulgent monster in disguise.
"You fight the change Remus, it's natural given your fear of Greyback and those like him. But ultimately fighting it makes it that much worse when the change completes." Karen explained.
Remus snorted derisively. "More give in to the wolf nonsense I—"
"Shut up Remus and actually listen." She barked and he flinched. "Sorry, but your inability to listen to sound advice is really grating on me. That was not what she was saying."
"Just hear her out Moony," Sirius advised tiredly, "Worst case nothing changes."
She nodded firmly. "I've long had a similar theory, but Katie put it into words better than I. Tell me Remus, what are wolves like? Natural wolves I mean, the kind you see on the muggle telly chasing deer in the forest?"
"They're reclusive mostly, tend to stay away from humans…" He remarked.
"Yes, it's true, they fight for dominance yes, but do they tend to kill each other?" She asked. "Attack humans without need?"
He shook his head. "No, Wolves avoid humans for the most part. While technically no wolf on human attacks have been recorded, they are believed to hunt isolated humans if they are starving. As for dominance fights. No they don't tend to kill each other." He sighed. "What is your point Karen. Weres are not natural wolves."
"You are right, they aren't. But something about the way Katie described how she perceived the problem made something click for me. You perceive your wolf as a monster correct? A mix between yourself and the wolf?"
He nodded that was essentially correct. "This might not be the way to look at it. Wolves are animals, plain and simple, they are what they are. But humans are a dichotomy, we are both human civilization and the human animal. What is the natural man like? Not what society tells us what we are, but how we behave when we're at our worst, our most primal. Are we gentle and reclusive?"
He shook his head, curious now where she was going. "No,"
"Do some of us kill for reasons not to do with necessity." She asked, and he nodded. "The way Katie explained it Remus when you change and fight the wolf you allow the human animal, the uncivilized man to take over in it's place. It's not the wolf you should be fighting, so much as the ape."
He blinked in surprise. "I'm not telling you to deny your humanity and abandon it. I'm telling you to embrace the wolf and fight the savage ape inside you." She smirked. "She made an example one I had to look up a bit before coming here. Chimps."
Both wizard's cocked their heads at her and Sirius interrupted. "Er—I hate to ask but what's a chimp?"
"A Chimpanzee, or a chimp, is an ape, just as we, gorillas and orangutans are apes. In fact they are among the closest related species to humans. And their natural behaviour is just about as repugnant. They are prone to killing for sport, attacking without provocation and are known to mutilate their foes and fallen enemies." The others winced. "Now, I don't know about you but that sounds very much like the worst of humanity, and very much like Greyback."
"I saw her myself earlier today as I was telling you. Katie's just been through the change too you know? And while she appears tired she isn't as badly off as you are Remus." She sighed seeing that she was slowly getting through to him. "Look, the simplest way to put this is that you've been fighting the wrong animal in the effort to maintain your humanity. Embracing the wolf won't make you peaceful and perfectly safe. I won't tell you that. But it'll be a vast improvement over the beast which gains dominance when you try to cage the wolf inside you." She explained gently.
"The civilized man can't come to the surface with Lycanthropy Remus, but you can choose which animal it is that you become. The wolf or the ape." She pushed to her feet. "Look I only meant to come tell you that and check in on you. I just thought you might benefit from trying that out next moon. You never know maybe it'll help. Katie suggested a more natural wolf-like form might come along with it…" She shrugged.
"Now, Sirius, you watch over this guy okay?" She instructed and his friend nodded. "I'll stop in again tomorrow with some supplies and see about getting you both recovering a bit. Until then, try not to beat yourself up too much Remus. As I said you weren't the only one making mistakes that night. And at least with you I know the mistake was an honest one."
She headed to the door and let herself out without saying goodbye.
"What do you think Moons?" Sirius asked eventually leaning against the wall. "Worth a try?"
Remus considered that, then nodded slowly. "At this point I'll try it. I'm not sure I buy it yet, but…"
"Fair enough. That's all anyone can ask at this point. Now come on, let's get some chow, I've been surviving off garbage for the last ten months, I could use a real meal, even if it's canned soup." He encouraged.
That was something he could focus on Remus supposed. Sirius needed him as much as he needed Sirius. The rest could wait a bit.
Author's Note: Please PLEASE provide me with the wondrous fuel of imagination that is ratings, reviews, comments and predictions about what is to come.