Review offering insight to the story:
"Oh my gosh, the scene with Remus dying is so sad! I don't know how you even wrote that! Very good writing, it was written excellent. I cannot wait until she goes back to the past! So many questions yet to be answered... will she allow herself to befriend Remus (& the other mauraders) or will her heartache and love for him be to hard for her. Will she tell them the truth about her? Cannot wait, I love this story!" - MoonNightLover of FanFiction net.
Thank you to the following reviewers: x-Lazart-x, LadyOfTheTwilight, Hotkat144, DeltaGamma Liv, Blair21, Viktor Krum's lazyllama101, Black-Rose23, MoonNightLover, bethygirl94 and especially galloping-goose (Zeus)
The Werewolf Tamer
Two
Hermione had devised a whole speech to give the three werewolves residing in her house. She had to explain her decision to them, not only because they deserved to know, but because she wanted their support. She would be destroying their world, and them in their current forms. And she'd be leaving them, which they wouldn't agree with, no matter what her excuse was. It scared her really. They were the last three people she could truly rely on anymore. She'd be leaving that safety behind to go to a world where nobody knew her at all. Where she would likely be considered quite insane until she was able to prove herself. Sighing, she shook her head, trying to rid it of doubts. She wanted to stay positive, even if she was doing something catastrophically dangerous.
She reread the book just to be sure she was absolutely right about everything she was taking from it. Her mind rebelled against the idea, telling her it was foolish and would only end worse than it started, while her heart yearned for it. The beauty of a new world sounded so wonderful that it felt dream like. Her mind was set and couldn't be turned around, she was going to do whatever it took to recreate a better future for all those that mattered to her. Picking the book up for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, Hermione left the study and made her way to the kitchen, where she could hear the men bustling around. They were the only three who came inside unless there was danger or Hermione insisted the others join her for company, or often dinner. If they were going to spend all of their free time guarding her, the least she could do was feed them.
Jacques' boisterous laughter echoed through the house and Hermione noted that she would miss the spunky young man. She would meet him one day though, for he would surely join the werewolf project when he was turned. It struck her that she could stop his transformation if he so liked, and she decided to ask him if it was what he wanted. While there were breakthroughs happening through her for werewolf clans, it would be easier not to be one at all. Part of her rebelled against the idea, thinking it was taking away a part of Jacques, but it was his decision to make, not hers.
Entering the kitchen, she was immediately bombarded by the worried French werewolf. "'Ermione, what are you doing awake? You 'ave suffered greatly, you should be sleeping away zee afternoon," he exclaimed, looking aghast as she shook her head and continued on her way to the large table. "At least let me take zat book from you, it looks far too 'eavy and you should be resting."
"It's fine, Jacques," she assured, placing it on the table and crossing her legs as she leaned back in a chair. "Good morning Darnell, Brighton," she greeted the two others. The older man gave her a curt nod while he sipped his tea and stared out the window with a pensive expression, watching the werewolves walk the perimeter. Brighton smiled at her from behind the Daily Prophet in his hands, tipping his cranberry biscuit at her in greeting.
"Are you 'ungry? Zursty? I can make you somezing to eat," Jacques offered, nearly bouncing on the tips of his toes anxiously.
"A cup of tea would be nice," she replied, giving him a small smile in thanks.
"You're in a fine mood," Darnell noted, turning to look at her speculatively. "What's caused it?" he wondered suspiciously.
Hermione sighed, always to the point Darnell was. "Recently, I've made a very life altering decision," she told him, her tone telling of how very important what she had realized was.
Brighton folded his newspaper, placing it on the table and turning his attention to her fully. His brow was furrowed with question, though he kept his silence.
Darnell frowned, folding his large hands on the table and leaning forward to hear her news. "How life altering?" he asked, his brow lifting with mild concern.
"Completely. It will turn everything I know upside down," she told him, her voice soft and thoughtful. Hermione gathered her thoughts and calmed herself down. It wasn't as if they could change her mind, she just wanted to be sure she said it all the way it should be explained. She couldn't stand it if they looked at her like she was truly and utterly nutters. This could logically work, she reminded herself. The research she did, the work she'd done to check sources and recheck the validity of what the author had said, it was all right. She could reverse time. Jacques came over to sit beside her, placing the steaming cup of tea in front of her and frowning with concern.
"Well, what 'ave you decided?" Darnell asked gruffly.
Hermione sighed, gathering her courage and lifting her eyes to look at each of them. "I'm going to change the past," she stated in a clear, no nonsense tone.
"What?" Darnell asked, his brow furrowing and his mouth curling into a scowl.
Hermione shook her head, wondering if they could really understand. "I've found a book, one that's completely reliable. Inside it offers the means to go back in time. It speaks of a possibility for a whole new world, Darnell," she told him, her voice laced with hope. She lifted her hands to halt their first response, wanting to explain it more, to explain herself. "I could really do it. I could save him and so many others. All it would take is a complicated charm, one I've nearly memorized. The books says that I can return to a certain time, but I won't ever be able to return. While there, this world would still exist, at least until I change something so drastic that this world couldn't possibly be what it is. Then it'll change and it will morph into what I make of it," she told them, admitting to herself that it sounded a little far-fetched.
She looked from each skeptical expression on their faces and felt rather deflated, but wouldn't allow them to dash her dream. "I know what you're thinking. 'She's finally lost it!' But I haven't." Opening the book in front of her, she angled it up so they could read the writing she was pointing to. "Time is more than a little tricky. Every move made in the past has to be carefully calculated. Only a person with a sharp mind and a vast understanding of the past, can truly think to change it. For if somebody with limited knowledge and reckless behavior returns, they could damage the world even more so than what it already is. Each word spoken makes a difference, each action made changes something. However, if the person returning has taken the time to examine the past thoroughly, then they could properly change it and truly create a world of possibilities. Time is not to be taken lightly though, dear reader, for in your palm you hold the lives of everyone around you, stranger and familiar," Hermione quoted, not having to see the words to know exactly what they said.
Brighton looked worried, and promptly said, "In the words of Harvey MacKay, 'Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back.'"
Hermione sighed, staring at him with a message of disappointment. "And Stacey Charter said, 'Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out. It's all about timing.'" Closing the large tome in front of her, she laid it gently back down on the table, as if mishandling it would cause her dreams to collapse. "I realize that I sound as though I'm reaching, but imagine it with me, for just one moment," she asked them, staring hopefully at each of them.
"But Mère Loup, we would never see you again," Jacques said, his tone telling of how hard that was for him to accept. "I know zat you 'ave been 'urting, but... what about zee rest of us. What will we do wizout you?" he wondered, his eyes wide and rather innocent.
"Oh Jacques, you'll be fine for the time being. I hope... I hope to change things quickly. You won't even know it's happening. I... I can change things for the better. You understand, don't you? I mean... I could even stop you from being changed, if you really wanted it," she offered, though she didn't sound happy by the idea. She tried to smile in encouragement, but it ended up a frown.
"But I do not want to stop zat... it would be giving up a part of me zat... well, zat brought me to you and Père Loup," he told her, referring to Remus. "Zis is my family now, I do not wish to give it up. I don't understand why you want to, I thought... I thought zat you wanted this too. I thought that you wanted freedom for our kind," he said, his face curling with hurt. "Why must you change zis? Time 'as made us what and who we are, what is wrong with zat?" he asked, his voice shaking, be it with hurt or anger, she wasn't sure.
"Nothing, Jacques," Hermione told him honestly, shaking her head slowly. "Honestly, I don't want you to give up being a werewolf. I don't believe it's a curse, but a part of you. I just... I wasn't sure if you wanted it. I'm not one myself, so I can't make an assumption as to how you feel about it," she tried to explain. Exhaling heavily, she smiled at him softly. "And I don't want to leave you, exactly. It's not really a matter of leaving, so much as creating something better for all involved. I know you must be thinking that this is just because of Remus' death, and I'll admit that losing him is a big reason as to why I want to change all of this. But... I could do so much good," she said, turning back to face Darnell and Brighton too. "Think of the world I could create. I could stop Voldemort before he ever made Harry or Neville the Boy-Who-Lived. I could save hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives."
"At what price?" Darnell barked finally, his expression a dark snarl. "You leave this world, 'ermione, and you leave all of us behind. You walk away from the werewolf packs who vow to keep you safe. You think this is easy for us, coming from all over the world to join in your dream of a real future? And now you decide that what you 'ave done isn't enough and you'll just walk away? You'll just disappear into the past to change all that we know?" He slammed his fist down onto the table loudly, leaning closer as he shouted, "We 'ave given all of ourselves to you. We lay down our livelihoods to support you. This perfect world you 'ope for, it's not reachable, not then and not now. You cannot save the world, nobody can. But you can make the best of the one we 'ave. It is lacking, I know. There is no Remus, no 'Arry or Ron, but you 'ave us. Why are we not enough for you?"
She stared at him, feeling the sting of his words and hating that at the tip of her tongue were the words, "You're not Remus, and he's the only one who understands..." She didn't say it though, thankfully, because she didn't want to hurt them. They truly had put everything in her and she hated that she was leaving them this way.
"Copil," he sighed, his anger dissipating, "You dream foolish and too big. "
"No, Darnell," she said, shaking her head. "I'm leaving you now, but I can help you then. I'll find you, I will. I'm not giving up on the project, I'm just starting it earlier than expected. You'll be twenty six years younger, and you'll be the first werewolf I contact, I swear it."
"And how will you find me?" he asked, nearly smiling but instead frowning with uncertainty.
"Well, you'll tell me where you were then, of course," she told him, staring at him directly. "And if you don't, I'll find you," she assured.
Shaking his head, he leaned back in his chair.
Brighton rubbed at his jaw, "I'll be nearly eighteen by then," he told her, staring at her with question.
"Where were you back in late August of 1976?" she asked him, feeling as though they were beginning to come around.
"Traveling Scotland with a small pack," he told her, clearing his throat. "Those were my more unruly days," he warned, frowning.
"Before you started quoting people all the time?" Darnell asked, gruffly.
Brighton frowned at him, "I quote only what needs to be said in times that are in need of wisdom."
"Then there are far too many of those times," he replied, lifting his brow at the younger man.
"I'd rather pass on some form of encouragement or understanding than bluntly tell a person what I believe is right or wrong," Brighton responded defensively.
"I won't even be born," Jacques said, interrupting the small row. He stared at Hermione mournfully, "And I will be much younger when I finally meet you. I wasn't bitten until I was nearly eleven years old, you understand. My parents, zey didn't want to have anyzing to do wiz me. I was forced out of my home and told to fend for myself. I lived on zee streets for the first few years, until I was picked up by a pack passing through. Zey offered me protection until zey made it to a 'olding in Romania, where zey told me I'd 'ave to fend for myself after zat." He shook his head, "It was difficult to do much of anyzing. Food was scarce, work even more so. I 'ad no one and nussing until I came 'ere and met you."
Hermione felt her heart clench and wanted very dearly to reach out and hug him, but knew he would back away if he realized he was showing so much weakness. "I'll find you before you have to go through that, Jacques. I'll come to France for you right after your transformation, I promise you. All I need is your address and the date, and I'll come for you immediately," she assured.
He brightened, his eyes turning off as if trying to think of what the world would be like if she came for him early on. A smile bloomed on his face and Hermione was encouraged once more with her plan.
She turned back to Darnell and Brighton, trying to read their eyes for their reactions. "I'm going to do this, no matter how you feel, but I would like your support in this," she told them, her expression open and hopeful.
There was a long, pregnant silence, before finally it was broken. "What does this spell involve?" Brighton asked, frowning.
Hermione explained to him how it would all go, "I must create a circle around me of items consisting of the four elements: fire, earth, water and sky. Inside this circle I can bring along anything I plan to take with me, except for anything human. Animals may accompany me, but the fewer the better. There's a potion I need to make which I have nearly all the ingredients for already. After I drink it, I have to chant a long spell, which is all written in Latin, but I've deciphered nearly all of it. When the spell is finished, I should then be transported back into time to wherever it is desire most to be. This world will continue on until I've changed it." She stared at them, waiting for a response.
"And how long does it take to prepare for?" Darnell wondered, his tone heavy with defeat.
"I can do it tonight," she told them, triumphantly. "All I need is a few ingredients from Diagon Alley, which I'll have no trouble finding, and--"
"Jacques will go for the potions ingredients," he interrupted, his expression showing that he was unmoving on the subject.
She gave a short nod, "And then I'll begin preparing the study for my departure. I'll need to gather my things, though I have to be careful what I take. I can't be too obvious in my being from the future or it will cause problems," she said, frowning. "There are some things though," she said, quietly, "that I just can't bear to leave behind." She rose suddenly, rushing over to a cupboard and looking around through it before pulling out a Wizarding camera. She came back to them, a small smile on her face. "Come on, you three. I want a picture of you to remember you all just as you are, right now."
Darnell shook his head, looking exasperated by her nostalgia. Jacques nearly hopped out of his chair, ready for his close up, while Brighton shifted awhile and finally resigned himself to the photo that would be taken whether he liked it or not. Sighing heavily, Darnell gave in and rose to stand between the two other werewolves. "Well don't leave us standing here alone, copil, you have to get in here too," he told her, roughly.
Hermione set the camera to hover and moved to stand in front of the werewolves. Darnell stood behind her, his hands lying heavy on her shoulders and his height making him a full head taller than her. Brighton stood on her left, and Hermione reached out to take his hand, bringing him closer as he was currently trying to lean away from the picture. Jacques, just the opposite, leaned in closer, already grinning from ear to ear. He picked up Hermione's hand and held it tight against his chest, as though worried she'd disappear while he wasn't looking. Hermione smiled softly, finding it rather funny that the only photo of them would be with their hair in a messy mass atop their heads from sleep and her swathed in a man's flannel house coat that dragged on the floor and covered her feet. The smiles around her varied, from Jacques's huge grin, Brighton's soft spoken smile, and Darnell's half-smile, half-frown. Three sets of amber eyes would flash as the camera did and the photo would show a devotion and comradery that Hermione would sorely miss.
Darnell squeezed her shoulders before stepping away and taking his seat again. He ordered Jacques to Diagon Alley to pick up the ingredients needed and the helpful werewolf nearly left before finding out what it was Hermione needed. After casting a spell on the camera to give her the new photo, she found a picture frame in one of the hall closets and admired it a moment. Inhaling heavily, she excused herself from the two werewolves company. They were both sitting quietly, frowns of disappointment on their faces, but they nodded for her to take her leave. With a heavy heart, Hermione then began searching the house for what objects she wanted to take with her.
She went to her and Remus' bedroom first, knowing that her most prized possessions would be there. She would need clothes and robes, she knew, and so she took the trunk out of the closet and sat down in front of it. On top, in curled gold writing, it read, "The Lupins." She considered charming it to say something else, but decided that nobody would likely see it and she could hide it away wherever she ended up living. She ran her hand over the title before opening the trunk and slipping her hand inside to pull out whatever might still be residing in the bottomless pit. Finding nothing but a chewed up pair of shoes that she had no explanation for and a moth eaten sweater she hadn't seen in five years, she clapped her hands of the dust that marred them and cast a Scourgify charm to clean the trunk.
Looking through the wardrobe, she searched for her favorite robes. Taking out only those in black and navy blue, she folded them and placed them inside the trunk before moving back to look at Remus' robes. They were much longer than hers, but the idea of having a wardrobe without his robes hanging next to hers seemed abnormal. Taking a few of his out, she put them too in the trunk. Gathering her clothes from the drawers, only those she was sure she'd wear, she folded them up and dropped them inside the endless trunk. She found her wedding dress in the closet, magically charmed never to tear, tarnish, or wear out. It was still as gleaming white as it had been on her wedding day, and it felt just as new as her hand danced over the lace and silk gown. She didn't want to leave it, and she wondered how crazy she would seem with a wedding dress hanging in her closet in the time she was going to. Deciding that nobody would ever know, she pulled it out and put it away to take with her.
Kneeling down beside the long dresser she and Remus shared, she pressed her wand against the middle drawer, chanting, "rainy day," under her breath. A popping sound could be heard before the door disappeared to reveal the charmed safe inside, which opened to the sound of her voice repeating the same two words. Inside was a small fortune, one her and Remus had been saving together since before they were married. Most of their money was left in Gringott's bank, but she knew that Darnell wouldn't allow her to leave the house. The money sitting in front of her would surely keep her comfortable however, and she had no doubts about that. She could easily live off of what sat in front of her, and splendidly at that. Her and Remus had never lived a lavish life, they were far more comfortable with something more regular. Sirius' death over eight years past, left Remus with a good fortune that would have kept his grandchildren well cared for. And with Harry and Ron's deaths, Hermione had inherited a startling sum herself. Most of their funds went into running the Lupin Werewolf Project, but they also bought their house and paid for the Order's hidden prison. Not to mention, regularly donating money to St. Mungo's for the victims of the war. Sighing, Hermione opened the small purple sack that sat beside the fortune and gathered the galleons, sickles, and knuts into the endless bag before putting it inside the trunk with everything else.
Walking around the room, Hermione slowly sat down on Remus' side of the bed. It felt awkward and wrong to occupy a space that had previously been all his, but she did her best not to pay attention to it. The picture sitting on the end table was sitting face down, and with a shaky hand she lifted it up. Inside stood her and Remus, four years younger and dressed for their wedding. The sun had fallen to twilight, where the dusky orange rays sent everything into a calming beauty. The wedding had taken place behind the Weasley Burrow, and the picture had been taken while they stood off to the side, beneath a tree. Remus' arms were wrapped around her waist as he stood behind her, his head bowed to lean against hers. Soft smiles adorned their faces as they swayed side to side to the music in the background, that couldn't be conveyed in the photo. Every once in a while, he'd turn his head and whisper three words against her face before kissing her cheek. "I love you." The light would always glint off of their wedding bands, and Hermione watched them wink out at her as the happy couple were oblivious to anything but each other.
Hermione's throat tightened and her shaking hand lifted to her neck, where the long necklace hung, Remus' wedding band hanging from it, against her heart. She closed her eyes as they filled with tears and hugged the picture against herself. That day had been, without a day, the most incredible in all her life. She felt herself shudder, her shoulders shaking violently as she tried to keep her cries of despair inside. She pressed a curled fist against her face, wanting to reign it all in and get on with her mission of gathering things that matter. Forcing herself off the bed, she put the wedding portrait in her trunk and then continued on to find what else she should take. She wouldn't let her emotions take her, not now, not until she was better able to handle them. They were too overwhelming and she just couldn't face it yet. Her tears never seemed to stop and the ache in her heart was painful and hollow, always.
Hermione stared at the bed awhile, tapping her chin before she decided she wanted the linens to come with her. Her and Remus had spent hours going over what blanket they wanted for their bed. He kept telling her that duvets were heavy but warm, while she continued to tell him that regular blankets would do the same job. Then they squabbled over colours, because she wanted a flower pattern while he thought it was too feminine. Finally, they came to an agreement over their beige and white duvet, which was thinner than most, but heavy enough to keep them comfortably warm all through the night. Many a time, Hermione found herself wrapped tight in the duvet, the cold winter atmosphere giving her reason to stay in bed all morning. Her and Remus would stay toasty warm beneath the covers, relishing in the lazy mornings and using the massive bed to their advantage.
Dragging the duvet off the bed, she folded it up and grabbed Remus' pillow from the bed before walking to the trunk and putting them inside. Changing out of her pajamas, she added Remus' robe and took off her favorite pair of slippers to add them to the growing pile of things she couldn't part with. Pulling on one of Remus' favorite sweaters, Hermione made her way out of the room, using a charm to hover the trunk to follow her out. She stopped on the stairs, inhaling shakily before she turned to stare at the backwards photos. With a quaking hand she slowly reached out to turn over certain pictures lining the walls. She decided to bring a photo of her, Ron, and Harry, which had been taken shortly before Harry's death. They had their arms around each other and were all grinning widely at the camera. They looked sweet and innocent, strong and confident, equal and bonded. Swallowing painfully, she took down a picture of Harry and Susan from their wedding, and Ron, Luna, and Brooke, from shortly after the baby was born. Also, she took down a photo of the entire Weasley clan from just before Harry's death, even Percy was there. And lastly, she lifted from the wall a large picture of her and Remus standing with the first few clans in the early days of their project, and placed them all inside the trunk.
Continuing on her way downstairs, Hermione then turned to go to the Study. There, she gathered all the information she had on the past she was about to change and charmed it not to tear or age in anyway. Going through her desk, she pulled out all the files she had on the Lupin Werewolf Project and placed them in the trunk too. Standing up, she made her way across the walls of books and felt a tug of remorse at having to leave her beloved home library. She could only take the most vital of books, seeing as how the more recent ones would cause suspicion. Taking some of her favorites, including, "Hogwarts: A History," and "Werewolves: The Untold Story, Told By A Werewolf," she stacked them together with various books on DADA, charms, transfiguration, and potions. She stopped when she came upon a photo album and slipped the dusty memory off its shelf. Pictures had been added over the years, but it hadn't been touched since shortly before Ron's death. It followed the years from 1997 to early 2003 and Hermione couldn't even consider opening it. Instead, she put it away with everything else she was taking, saving it for the day she would be able to face it.
Hermione walked through the house leisurely, picking up odd items that had deep sentimental value as she went. By the time night fell upon her, she had a trunk full of her life waiting to be taken with her. Jacques had returned long before and she set to work on the potion after she was sure she had found everything she needed. Hedwig sat perched on the windowsill of the Study as she worked, occasionally hooting, but more often just watching her. After Harry died, the loyal owl had stayed with Ron and Hermione, going back and forth and simply staying with them for awhile, as if passing on comfort in its attention. When Ron passed, she stayed with Hermione permanently, gaining a place at the Lupin house. Hermione had already decided to bring her, but she had awkwardly asked just to be sure, and received a generous hoot of appreciation in return.
When night fell, Hermione invited the three quiet werewolves into the Study. She had already created the circle of elements, dirt made the round shape, with water soaking the hardwood floor around it. She used her wand to create a ring of fire and a small conjured wind made the flames lick dangerously at the area. She had already cast a fire repellent to the room however, so she wasn't worried. With her trunk in front of her, Hermione held the potion up in her tight grasp, trying to look encouraging at the werewolves in front of her. "Remember that I care for all of you very much and I only want a better future for you," she told them, her voice shaking. "I will do all that is in my power to give you all better lives," she promised, looking from face to face slowly. Tears rose up in her eyes and she felt a moment of sorrow grip her. "I'm sorry I'm leaving you," she apologized, shaking her head. "You must all think I'm very weak, stealing away into the night and disappearing into the past, rather than facing the future."
Darnell sighed, stepping forward and ignoring the way the flames spat and hissed at him. "You are not weak, you're the strongest woman I know. I don't agree with you changing things, but I'm willing to let you do what you think is best. If we do not meet again, though I'm sure you'll search for me, then know 'ermione, that you were like my very own daughter and I couldn't be more proud of you, if you were my own in blood. You 'ave given an old man 'ope, and I can never repay you for that," he told her, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder. He gave her a tight, sad smile and then stepped back. "Take care of yourself, my little copil, and keep your eyes on the moon, for that is where you will find your peace."
Choked up, Hermione nodded, tears falling down her cheeks. "I'm going to miss you, Darnell," she whispered.
"Do not add me to your list of people to grieve over, pui de lup," he warned, his expression serious. "I'm not gone, 'ermione, simply waiting to be found. And you know, that no matter the year, I will protect you with my life."
She nodded, sniffling. Brighton caught her attention then as he stepped forward, his eyes downcast. "I don't like this. I believe time is something not to be tampered with. Things happen for a reason, though we are never truly sure until it is shown to us. Everything that has happened, it has done some good, 'Mione, remember that. While the path was paved with various pieces of glass that caught our bare feet unawares, it was the end that brought us our reward, and that was those we met along the way. Some were lost, some turned a corner along the path, but those who stood beside you at the end, they are who your journey was meant to inspire."
He sighed, reaching out and taking her hands, "I had a sister once. When I was turned, she wasn't so lucky. My maker only wanted male offspring, and so he killed her without a second thought. You remind me of her sometimes. She was very brave and outspoken, quite beautiful and incredibly smart." He smiled, though it was so sad it looked like more of a frown. "This journey you're about to take, you take for others. But remember, Mione, that, 'You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.' Allow yourself some peace and do not give all of yourself for those around you, for to sacrifice yourself would be the worst mistake you could make."
Hermione pondered his words, feeling rather confused but mostly contrite. He always said something to reassure her or provide some kind of hope for the future. While he could never instill the comfort Remus had, he managed to keep her going for a little while longer. She would miss his good timing for wise quotes and quick understanding of the world surrounding them. "I will find you, Brighton," she vowed, staring up at him. "Rowdy days or not, I'm going to find you and I will make sure that your life too is changed for the better."
"I have no doubt you will," he said, smiling lightly at her and stepping back.
Jacques was bouncing back and forth on his feet, wringing his hands and looking quite remorseful over what was happening. His eyes seemed to be shimmering, but he was blinking so much that Hermione wasn't quite sure. He wouldn't look straight at her, instead turning his gaze to anything but the witch waiting to say goodbye. Finally, he simply launched himself at her, holding her in a tight hug, as though he were a small child, scared of losing his mother in a crowd. "You 'ave the address, yes?" he asked, worried.
"I have it, and I'll come for you," she assured, rubbing his back like he was her very own son she was soothing.
"Be careful, Mère Loup, zee world is treacherous, no matter zee year." He squeezed her tight, sniffling against her shoulder. "I will wait for you, I know I will. When zee moon is full and bright, I will know that you are soon to come for me. Remember, 'ermione, that us werewolves saw you and Remus as the most trustworthy leaders we'd ever known. Give us 'ope, and we will bow to you again. 'Ave faith in yourzelf and all will be good, no?"
She nodded, detangling herself from him and stepping back near her trunk. "If I stay much longer, I'm afraid I may be tempted not to leave," she said softly. Wiping her tears, she looked over each of them. "Take care of yourselves and... and if something should happen and the world does not change for you..." She sighed, shaking her head, "Then know that you have the power to be free men. There are copies of my research in my desk. Give them to someone you trust and continue my research, for you deserve that world, even if I cannot give it to you," she told them, her chin high. "Until we meet again," she bid farewell, before turning around and drinking the potion quickly. The taste was foul and cold against her tongue, and she felt her mouth purse against the putrid flavor. Lifting her wand, her eyes closed as she began chanting the long spell that would take her from 2003 to 1976. She could hear the wind and flicking fire around her, and she was sure that she felt water and dirt against her feet. Hedwig gave a hoot as she sat on the top of the trunk, fluttering her wings at the commotion around her.
Suddenly there was a tugging at Hermione's temples, but she ignored it to finish chanting the spell. Another tug nearly made her fall over, but still she continued, determined to do what she set out to. As the last word exited her mouth, the flames rose up in the air and time seemed to slow down. Dirt particles and drops of water mixed with the flickering flames and gently moving wind. Another tug could be felt against her temples and her eyes fell shut tightly as her body felt as though it were being pulled through a very tight space. She clenched her jaw, her eyes scrunched closed and her hands curled in fists. As quickly as it had begun, the feeling stopped and she suddenly felt a soft breeze against her skin. Relaxing slightly, she was worried to open her eyes. The night air told her she was not inside her house and the soft rustle of noise around her told her she wasn't in a public place or even the school.
Very slowly, she let her eyes open, only to be confronted by the sniffing, angered form of a werewolf. She would have laughed had it not been such a shock. She looked around, trying to get her boundaries and wondering briefly if maybe she had apparated. It wasn't a full moon in her time though, she reminded herself, and she truly wondered if the spell had worked. When the werewolf in front of her dug his leg back in a familiar movement, Hermione felt a watery smile break out over her face. If she turned ninety degrees, she would likely see the Shrieking shack, because in front of her, was no other than Remus Lupin, aged seventeen. Though she couldn't really tell that seeing as he was in full out werewolf form, vicious and snarling at her. She heard hooves and padded feet coming closer and knew that the three other Marauders had noticed something was off. There was a shout of warning, telling her to back up slowly, while another voice told her to just run. She knew then that James Potter and Sirius Black had come out of their animagus forms to get her away from Remus.
She smiled then, recognizing the tight bond of friendship between the four people. Instead of heeding their warning though, she quickly remembered her work as a werewolf trainer. She had been studying werewolves for five years, and she knew Remus better than any other. Pushing away her fear at the knowledge that this Remus was much younger than the one she knew, she paid attention to what he was doing. The way he was shaking his head to one side and tipping it meant that he was battling against the wolf's hunger for her blood. And the way his right leg kept backing up and pawing at the dirt below told her that he was anxious and spunky that night, interested in going for a long run, rolling around in the brush and playing in the water. He had been in a playful mood, but the scent of human was confusing him.
Sighing, she lifted her hands, placing them on her hips and made a growling, gurgling noise from the back of her throat. It caught his attention almost instantly and his head stopped turning to one side. He suddenly stepped toward her, turning his head down to look at her face. Instead of turning away from him in fear, Hermione stared him straight on and made a motion with her leg, dragging it backward and kicking down at the ground. He snorted at her, sounding almost amused, before he shook his head and made a growling noise. Hermione glared at him, clicking her tongue before she shook her head at him and curled her fist, dragging it across her chest, from the top of her shoulder down to the side of her waist. Remus backed up, making a wheezing noise of annoyance. Hermione smiled, realizing that even the young Remus recognized when she told him she was his protector. Though it confused him, he accepted it at face value and backed down.
Hermione nodded before bending low and making a motion upward to the moon with her arms, howling from the back of her throat, paying homage to the source of his curse. Remus began hopping up and down on his hind legs, looking excited and playful once more. He howled along with her, before making a circle around her and sniffing her hair. She smiled lightly at the act, knowing it was an offer of familiarity. Her husband had done that the first time she had put him under only a half portion of Wolfsbane. She felt a wave of sadness slip over her and immediately wished she could've put it off as the werewolf before her made a mournful noise, able to sense her feelings. She reached out and ran her hand down his neck in gratitude and hoped he wouldn't look to make her feel better. Werewolves, she found, were far too rough when they were trying to cheer someone up. He leaned into her touch, his back leg tapping in the air as it lifted, while he made a low growl of appreciation for her action.
She heard the clearing of a throat and turned to see two very shocked boys standing before her, staring slack jawed as she tamed the werewolf they had known for years. She gave them a soft, understanding smile before scratching Remus' ears and charming her trunk to follow her as she began to leave. Remus made a disappointed noise and she turned back to motion with her hand that she would see him on the next moon. He hopped around and then waved his long arm in the air in acceptance before becoming distracted by something moving in the trees and hurrying off to attack it.
"Wait," one of the boys called out, turning on her suspiciously. "Who are you and how in the bloody hell did you do that?" he asked.
Hermione recognized him easily. Sirius Black. While he wasn't as gaunt or haunted as the man she had known in her time, he had short black hair, that only accompanied him when he was happy in life, and familiar, piercing grey eyes. Plus, he was blunt and good looking, which Hermione knew to be traits of the young Sirius. "I go by many titles," she replied vaguely, remembering how she was "copil" to Darnell, "'Mione" to Brighton, "Mère Loup" to Jacques and various other werewolves, and most appreciatively "Hermione Lupin" to most. "You may call me Hermione," she offered, before turning away and trying to continue on her way.
"Wait," he exclaimed and she could hear the moment he drew his wand. She also overheard a quiet row happening between Sirius and James, but decided to wait for the final decision. "I'm sorry, but we can't allow you to remember this. There's too much at stake," Sirius told her, sounding mildly contrite.
Hermione turned to him, "I understand, really I do," she told him, taking a step forward. "But I'm afraid my memory is very vital and I can't allow you to tamper with it," she said, her expression determined. "I can assure you that what happened tonight is strictly between us. I have no reason to turn R-," she cleared her throat, "any of you in and really don't care to." She had to be careful with her words, she had nearly said she had no reason to turn Remus in, which would surely cause suspicion, as she wasn't supposed to know who they were. Turning back around, she tried for a second time to leave, but Sirius just wasn't the trusting type.
"I'm afraid your word isn't enough," he told her.
Before he could utter a spell, Remus was standing in front of her, growling darkly at Sirius in warning. "I suggest you step back and bow your head," Hermione told him, stepping to the side so she could be seen around the massive werewolf form. "He doesn't appreciate your attacking me," she told him, sighing slightly.
Sirius glared at her, hesitating but stepping backwards and bowing his head, looking up through his long hair to stare at his best friend worriedly.
James turned to her, his expression quizzical. He looked so much like Harry that Hermione felt another wave of sadness consume her. Part of her wanted to hug him, if only to see if he felt anything like his son. Harry, after marrying Susan, became much more comfortable with hugging. Often catching her in a bone crushing embrace rather than vice versa. She missed him dearly but told herself to mourn later, she was in a sticky situation now. She hadn't planned on running into the Marauders until she had at least had time to talk to Dumbledore about her self proclaimed mission to save the world. On the bright side, she had quickly found out that her training would be just as potent in this time. Then again, perhaps it was because she knew Remus and his habits so well. The werewolves she'd be working with in this time would likely be entirely different from those she had in hers. Her werewolves pledged their loyalty to her and would willingly lay their lives on the line for her at the drop of a pin. There was no telling how the werewolves of this time would treat her though.
Sirius was still bowing, possibly waiting for further instruction. Hermione stepped up beside Remus and reached out to place her hand on his arm, a silent command for him to settle down. She wasn't sure if he would react as well as he usually did, but was pleasantly surprised to see him come down from his panting, snarling form to stand beside her simply baring his teeth at Sirius now. She could feel the muscle beneath the arm her hand sat on and knew without a doubt that even at the tender age of seventeen, he could shred Sirius into tiny, minuscule pieces. Sirius took Remus' quieting as a good sign and backed up a little more, relaxing his stance. It was obvious that neither boy was used to seeing calm Remus in werewolf form as they were still staring in awe at the both of them. Hermione looked around the ground, searching for Pettigrew but finding him nowhere. She wondered if perhaps he hadn't joined in that night, or maybe he was just hiding.
Shaking her head, she let go of Remus' arm and moved back to her trunk. "If you're quite done, I really must be going. I have to speak to Dumbledore."
"Hold on," James called out, not as direct as Sirius, but more imploring and hopeful. "I don't mean to be rude, but you showed up out of nowhere, tamed a werewolf, which isn't doable, and now you're walking away as if this is the more normal event you've ever been involved in." He stared at her, confused. "Now my friend here thinks we should wipe your memory clean of all of this and he has good reason to think so, so if you don't give me a logical reason as to why you're here and how you were able to stop him," he said, pointing at Remus carefully, his eyes watching his friend warily, "then I'm afraid I'm going to have to distract the werewolf while my friend over here goes through with what he plans."
Hermione, though she knew she could disarm Sirius within the blink of an eye, sighed, shaking her head. "I'm here because this was where I desired to be most. I was able to tame this young werewolf, because that is what my job is," she told them, keeping incredibly important details to herself.
"Your job?" Sirius asked, skeptically.
"I'm currently working on a project, one where I've found a way to control werewolves during the full moon. In turn, it makes my job a werewolf tamer. D'you understand?" she asked, looking back and forth between them.
"That's not possible! How come we've never heard of this project and why would you want to help werewolves?" Sirius shouted, still not trusting her in the least.
Hermione shook her head, knowing that getting close to the Marauders would be a hard task, to say the least. "It's very possible. In fact, I believe I just proved it," she replied pointedly. "You hadn't heard of it because it's really quite new. And why I want to help werewolves is really none of your concern," she told him, feeling defensive. Her emotions were becoming out of control and she could tell that Remus was noticing them too. She didn't want him to turn on his friends, especially not when they were in human form. "If you'll excuse me now, I'm really in quite a hurry." Hermione didn't wait for their reply but began walking away once more, just waiting for someone to stop her again.
"We should stop her," Sirius could be heard saying to James.
"And do what? Obliviate her?" he asked, sounding mildly worried.
"Well we can't just let her walk away. We don't know who she is or what she's capable of. She knows too much," he told his best friend, his tone angry.
Hermione heard the crunch of ground and knew that Sirius was raising his wand to do her mind damage. Instead of waiting for Remus to interfere which she knew he would, even though he was currently scratching his head with his back leg, she whirled around and said, "Expelliarmus," easily plucking Sirius' wand from his grasp and catching it as it flew to her.
"Understand this," Hermione said, her tone serious and unbending, "while you don't know me and you don't trust me, I have already proven that I'm far more advanced than you can imagine. If you think my skill lies only in calming down werewolves you are gravely mistaken. I have fought in a War, have training as an Auror, and have seen things your worst nightmares could never compare to. Now I've been patient and understanding, but try one more attack on me, and you'll be seeing stars and begging for your mummy," she spat, tired of their little game. Tossing the wand across to Sirius, never letting her eyes fall as it landed at the boys feet, she crossed her arms. "Are we going to have a problem or not, because time is truly of the essence," she told him, frowning as she tapped her foot against the ground.
Sirius cleared his throat before turning his face away in what Hermione judged as his compliance not to attack her again. Nodding, she turned around and finally managed to leave the clearing she had appeared in. She could hear Remus grunt in the background, a noise that he accompanied with a snort, meaning he was saying goodbye to her. A small smile nearly broke out over her scowling face, but wasn't able to battle the anger already forming in Hermione. Her plan for everything to go smooth had obviously been destroyed right from the beginning. While she had learned something useful involving Remus and his werewolf form, she also learned that the Marauders were a distrusting bunch, especially Sirius. She had her work cut out for her, that was for sure. Thankfully, her first conversation with someone from the past hadn't ruined her whole plan. She hadn't given away any vital information and there was no way they could possibly know she was from the future. Even if it was a little rocky, they would certainly remember her.
Sighing, Hermione made her way toward the tall school in front of her, nostalgia getting the best of her. She couldn't wait to see Dumbledore, there was so much to tell him, so much to plan. For the first time in nearly two months, Hermione didn't feel quite as empty as she had. Things were going to get better, because really, they couldn't get any worse. She hoped Darnell, Jacques, and Brighton were all right, they had all been quite worried and upset when she had left. Her thoughts turned to young Remus and she was overwhelmed with how nice it had felt just to be near him. Of course, it wasn't really her Remus, and the only reason it probably felt so familiar was because he was in his werewolf form, which wouldn't have really aged at all, or been changed by the bleak darkness of life.
As she trudged closer and closer to the school, she couldn't help but feel that things were looking up. A howl could be heard in the distance and it sent a familiar zing down Hermione's spine. Turning her eyes up to the sky, she stared at the moon. "Don't worry, Remus, love, I have this completely under control." A faint smile tugged at her lips and she wondered what Remus would say if he were alive to know she was doing this. He'd probably give her a whole list of reasons it could go wrong and then tell her that she had to what she felt was right Of course, at the last minute, if she was still going through with it, he would've talked her out of it, if only because he'd want to be with her and not left all alone. Her heart ached as she thought of him. Of his smiling face, his rumbling laugh, and his peaceful presence. She could still feel the way he used to run his hands through her hair or wrap his arms around her waist. A sob meant to break out of her throat, but she swallowed it down and raised her chin. She had a mission, and there was no time to feel sorry for herself. The future was waiting to be shaped, and she was the one who would shape it.
A/N Thank you for reading, and I hope you're enjoying this story. However, and I don't mean to be overbearing or review seeking, I would really like some feedback. I can tell from the hits that are being recorded that there are a fair few who are reading! I like to think that I'm slowly building up a good "Time Travel" novel, given that I've read many and found numerous quite lacking. I do my best to stay in character, I've researched as much as I possibly can, and I'm doing my all around best to give all you reading an enjoyable adventure in love, mystery, and friendship. I hope that you will give me the consideration of reviewing as it is really quite nerve wracking for me, a writer of Dramione love/drama/adventure epics, to hear what you all think of my first dabble in Hermione/Remus and time travel. So please, though I don't want to whine, let me know what you think!
Translations (as found on another site, so please understand if they are incorrect. This is what they are meant to mean):
Père Loup - Father Wolf
Mère Loup - Mother Wolf
Copil - baby, child, cub
Thank you so much,
Love,
-Amanda