Silvaticus

Chapter 12

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The two young women stood there, unsure of what would happen between the two wizards before them. Fleur and Hermione just waited in anticipation, but after a few seconds, the eldest Weasley didn't make a move. Hermione could only begin to imagine Bill's fury upon seeing the very man who had mauled him that night Professor Dumbledore was killed in the Astronomy Tower.

That must've been terrible, thought Hermione's as she began thinking of all the other things Greyback must do to his victims. The teenager was brought out of her reverie when she felt Fleur break from her to come in between her husband and the werewolf.

"My darling, please. Remus told us 'ermione was to be accompanied," Fleur said, lowering Bill's wand hand.

Greyback's expression instantly changed to one of lust, and began licking his lips once he saw the figure of Fleur. This movement didn't go unnoticed to Hermione, who muttered the word, "Pig," under her breath.

He's so perverted, and he doesn't even try to hide it!

"Bill, its fine," Hermione said, tired of the testosterone. "He's on our side now."

Fleur offered a quick smile to Hermione, as she gently grabbed her husband by the arm and escorted him back into the house while Hermione followed. As soon as Hermione's feet hit the stone floor inside of Shell Cottage, she felt comforted.

It's a nice feeling, being around people I know; even if that means that I can't be with my friends.

Hermione looked around to see Bill sitting at the table, sipping his hot tea. After a moment, he smiled at Hermione briefly, and explained how he received an urgent message via a patronus charm from Remus, stating how there were a couple of people that were going to apparate just outside of the cottage wards.

"I figured it might be Harry or Ron that was to accompany you ….the last person I was expecting was him." To emphasize his annoyance, Bill eyed Greyback disdainfully, and abruptly stood up from his chair, quietly leaving the room.

There was a nagging silence in the room, until Hermione could hear the soft, wistful voice of Fleur Weasley, "Remus said he would be contacting me after the rest of the Order members were out of harm's way."

As Fleur spoke, Hermione couldn't help but look on as Greyback's face changed from a sneer to one of pure and unadulterated lust.

There he goes again! He's worse than Ronald, for goodness sake!

That look brought her back to morning she walked in on him masturbating at Grimmauld Place.

Why is he looking at her that way? Men! He's no different than the rest of them when it comes to Veelas'. Gross.

Hermione didn't realize how much she was day-dreaming until Fleur motioned to stand up. "I'm going to set up your rooms," said the part-Veela, "We only had minutes notice before you two arrived and Bill's upset at ze moment."

With that, Hermione was once again left alone with Greyback. The two sat in agonizing silence for what felt like months to Hermione.

I wish he wouldn't stare. His eyes are worse than Snape's.

Deciding to be the one to break the silence, Hermione asked,"Back at Grimmauld Place, Remus said that you would explain what happened to me."

"He said that I would – doesn't mean that I will," Greyback responded with a smirk.

"I have a right to know why I've been forced to separate from my friends," Hermione said, turning in her seat to face the werewolf, "why were there so many Death Eaters at Grimmauld Place?"

With a sigh, Greyback asked, "If I tell you, will you finally shut up?"

Hermione opened her mouth to sling a retort his way, but was silenced when Greyback stated, "That was a rhetorical question, girlie."

Frustrated, Hermione turned back around, and inwardly cursed the werewolf, wishing his bits would fall off as a result.

"I left Headquarters to get some air, and I was spotted in Knockturn Alley," He said simply.

There…the half-truth should satisfy the little chit for now, thought Greyback.

"You mean to tell me, that all of this happened because you got cabin fever?" Hermione asked in anger, "I don't believe it!"

After finding out the truth, Hermione decided she needed to get away from the man before she exploded. She inwardly knew he was lying about something but didn't understand how or why she would know that. Walking up the stairs, Hermione didn't notice Greyback sitting in his seat fuming.

Girlie doesn't know her place yet.

Getting tired of Greyback's attitude, she went upstairs and began talking to Fleur, who kindly showed her to her room.

"You must forgive my 'usband. Bill 'asn't been ze same since zat night at 'ogwarts," Fleur explained, "I 'ope he didn't upset you, 'ermione."

After some small talk, Hermione was surprised to realize that she actually liked Fleur, and felt bad for all of her past assumptions of her. She's actually quite nice.

Saying goodnight to the young newlywed, Hermione decided to try and get some sleep and all but collapsed in her bed.

Hours pass by and Hermione woke up for the fourth time that night. Aggravated, Hermione decided to take a warm bath, hoping it would help relax her nerves. She was still thinking about her friends, as she made her way down the hallway towards the bathroom. I hope they're alright, she thought as she started her bath. As she undressed and slipped into the bathtub, she had the sickly feeling that she was being watched but pushed the feeling away and gave it to the simple fact that she was upset.

Feeling more nervous than she was before, Hermione made her way to her room, but heard the floorboards creak behind her. Spinning around, she saw nothing down the dark, narrow hallway and decided she was being paranoid after recent events. Still spooked, Hermione all but ran into her bedroom, slamming the door closed with her body. Breathing in and out, she placed her forehead against the door and cursed herself for being so childish.

"Afraid of the dark still, are we? Tsk, tsk!" a rasping, bark of a voice admonished behind her.

Jumping around, she was surprised and disgusted seeing Greyback, casually leaning back onto his elbows on her bed.

"I wish you had let me know the proper dress attire. I feel extremely over-dressed," said the werewolf taking in her lithe figure.

Hermione looked at her vanity table to the right of her and saw her wand sitting right where she had left it.

If I could just get to my wand …. He's too busy talking to see me go for the wand, Hermione thought as she pondered her options.

Surprisingly, the room went quiet, which caused Hermione to turn her attention back towards Greyback, who had silently made his way to stand directly in front of her.

"I can see all the thoughts in that pretty little head of yours," Greyback said looming over her.

Once again, Hermione felt as thoughshe was a lone lamb, standing right in front of the wolf her shepherd had been protecting her from. The young witch felt trapped, standing in the small corner by her bedroom door with the infamous Fenrir Greyback standing mere inches from her.

So….BIG, Hermione thought as she looked up at the frightening man before her.

Greyback was watching her face intently, and said with a toothy grin, "Like what you see, girlie?"

"W – What do you want?" Hermione stammered.

"Just to warn you about your tone with me. This will be the first and last time that I'll tell you to watch your tongue," Greyback said with a smile, "Or else I might have to put it to better use."

The werewolf licked his lips as if to re-iterate his threat, and slipped past Hermione and out of her bedroom door. Just like that, their exchange was done, leaving Hermione weak at the knees.

I never realized how big he really is.

Standing up on wobbly legs, she locked the door behind her and grabbed her wand off the dresser. Hermione got dressed for bed quickly, and slept with her wand next to her in bed. The question is - how did he get past me in the hallway?

Falling asleep, Hermione felt the unnerving feeling of being watched return to her once again.

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A/N:

Wow! I can't believe its June already. I hope everyone is having a nice summer.

First of all, I would like to give my thanks to the lovely Jamberine, who is a MAGNIFICENT writer and beta. She's really helping me improve this story, and make it come to life. Thanks to my beta, I'll be able to produce at least one chapter a week!

-Ice Demon Ranger: Well, that should answer your question for now. Greyback just glossed right over the topic….but trust me, the truth will eventually come out!

I would love to thank the following people for reviewing and letting me know what they think of the chapters (good or bad): LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL, Jamberine, cosmoGirl666, Ice Demon Ranger, takara410, ozlady80, Villains R HOT, and Blackmoonlite.