Chapter 2

Hermione woke up the next morning feeling drowsy regretting staying up so late last night. The feast had lasted longer than usual and she and Ginny had made the poor life choice to stay up talking until three in the morning. She sat up rubbing her eyes trying to wake up. She took a deep breath and stood up about to step into the bathroom.

But as soon as she caught sight of the the clock sitting next to her bed, she froze.

She was late, VERY late.

How could this happen! It was her first day of school and she was already going to be late for her first class. Why did Ginny not wake her?

Unable to get properly ready, she settled for throwing on her robes and quickly brushing her hair and teeth. With that, she grabbed her school bag and rushed out the door.

The corridors were empty besides a few lagging students. Hermione was practically running she was walking so fast. She hoped that the professor hadn't started class; if they had Hermione would surely get points taken away for being late.

She rounded the corner hoping she wouldn't run into anyone. But Hermione emotions grew unnerving as she started to notice something odd. People weren't just looking at her, they were staring at her.

Hermione started to grow self-conscious, was there something wrong with her face? He quickly lifted her hands to her face trying to see if she could feel anything. But she couldn't feel anything out of the ordinary. In fact her skin was smoother than it had ever been. Hermione tried to shrug off their looks but as much as she tried, she couldn't.

After what felt like ages, she finally made it to the door. She took a deep breath collecting herself as she tried to control her breathing. She looked confidently at the door handle and with a slight pause; she opened the door slowly hoping to go unnoticed.

Her hopes sunk as soon as she saw the new Defense against the dark arts Professor standing in front of the room. She froze as she caught sight of him. The new dark arts teacher was a tall masculine man with jet black hair and dark skin. In short, he was surprisingly handsome. Hermione's eyes grew in confusion, how is he a teacher? He couldn't be a day older than thirty.

Hermione had forgotten all about the door behind her as it slammed shut. She winced at the sound. Just like that, her wishes of going unnoticed vanished.

Everyone's eyes snapped toward her as some of their jaws dropped. Hermione felt her checks grow warm.

The Professor's green eyes pierced hers as she realized just how attractive he was.

He seemed frozen as he starred at her for a moment. Hermione couldn't find her voice desperately try to explain why she was late.

"I'm sor-sorry Professor, I seemed to have slept in," Hermione said hoping that he wouldn't punish her.

He closed the book closed he was holding in his hands quickly.

"It's quite alright, but don't let it happen again," He said his voice soft but stern.

Hermione nodded understanding quickly wanting to find a seat.

She took the first one she saw not bothering to see where any friends might be.

Hermione had hoped that everyone's continued stares were from amazement of her being late to a class. But from the way they were looking at her, it wasn't.

"Ok class let's pay attention," The Professor's loud voice rang brining everyone's attention back to him, "Since your knowledge of the Dark Arts has been lax…" He began.

Students finally averted their eyes from Hermione backed to their new and interesting teacher. The girls in the class were paying particularly special attention as he began to explain the course.

Hermione on the other hand quickly looked down at herself wondering if she had a rip in her clothes or an unbuttoned cloak. But as she searched she couldn't find anything wrong with her appearance. Until she noticed her finger nails.

She usually kept her nails short and trimmed but somehow they seemed to have grown over night. They were long and perfect, looking like she had just got them done and polished. She then noticed some of her had hair fallen out of the elastic she had quickly put it in. Her dark hair looking ten times longer than it had been yesterday. She ran her hands through the hair carefully as the silky dark brown locks seemed to glide through her fingers.

How could this be happening to her? What in the heck was going on!

Hermione grabbed her Defense against the dark arts book and opened it. She quickly looked up to see if the teacher was looking. He wasn't.

She then got out her wand and pointed it at the page. "Reflecito" She whispered as a silver liquid split onto the page. The liquid took an oval shape, and suddenly hardened into a mirror. She slowly tilted the book up to see her own reflection. Hermione sucked in a sharp breath as soon as she saw herself. She was stunning. She could still defiantly recognize herself; she was still the same Hermione.

But somehow her features had been perfected overnight. Her hair was richer, shinier, thicker and longer. Her eye lashes were fuller and darker than they had ever been. Her skin was perfect, the signs of her previous blemishes we gone without a trace. Her lips a darker pink color than before. Her dull brown eyes now had a hint of a gold ember in them.

Hermione dropped the book with shock. Her insides were screaming. This could not be happening! What had made her this way? Was this some sort of sick trick or something? Did someone do this?

"Granger relax everyone is late to class, in fact its normal, get over it," A voice whispered in her ear.

She jumped as she finally noticed her surroundings. She was sitting right next to Malfoy.

She glared at him hoping that he could feel her gaze.

He picked up her book that she had dropped on the floor sighing loudly. He went to hand it to her but he froze as soon as he looked at her.

His wolf was instantly on fire. His grey sliver eyes met her dark gold brown eyes, the eyes that had always challenged his. Her beauty was stunning, he had seen his fair share of attractive women, but there was none that could compare to her. She had always been attractive but now, now... something was different. There was only one reason that Granger could look like this so suddenly.

Malfoy had to suppress his wolf that threatened to surface.

Hermione watched his body freeze, Malfoy's eyes locked on hers. Why was he looking at her that way? Suddenly it made sense why everyone was staring at her. Everyone else must have noticed too. She instantly felt a flame of heat burn with in her chest. She felt his hands grow pale from squeezing on the book he was holding.

They stayed like that for a long time. She was just staring into his eyes trying to discern what he was feeling, and trying to read Malfoy's expression.

Malfoy's wolf was close, so close to coming out. He was screaming at himself, had to do something, anything.

She finally came back to her senses and reached out to take her book back from his clenched hand.

"Thank you," She said. Her long elegant fingers wrapped themselves around the book, accidently brushing his hand as she did so.

Malfoy's hand burned with desire as soon as she had touched him. But as soon as the moment had come, it had gone.

Hermione turned away from him trying to turn her attention back to the class.

Malfoy however was furious at himself. What was happening to him? Why was he losing control? But deep inside he knew the answer. No! he screamed at himself, I am in control; I'm not letting Granger make a fool out of me.

He couldn't take it anymore. He had to get out. Now.

Hermione suddenly felt Malfoy stand up his chair screeching loudly as he did so. She jumped at the abrupt sound almost knocking her book over again.

Without another word Malfoy strode out of the room, not even caring if he wasn't subtle. He swung the door open and left the room closing the door loudly behind him. She was once again, the center of attention.

The students started to whisper to each other.

"I wonder what Granger did this time," One of them said snickering.

"Is it just me or does Hermione look different to you?" A Neville said behind her.

"Seems like Malfoy and Granger are getting along great this year," A Slytherin said sarcastically.

"Alright you lot that's enough," Professor Stroud said so loud it made them all jump, "Can we please bring our attention back to the board?"

The class sheepishly turned their heads back toward the front brining their attention back to him.

Hermione was still lost in deep thought. What had she done to make him leave so angrily? Was it something she did? The rest of the class period she tried to pay attention, but she couldn't bring herself to focus on the material. She was still relaying the scene that had just occurred.

"Can you believe how gorgeous he is?" She heard Padma whisper brining Hermione out of her own thoughts, "It's like he came out of Wizards model agency," she sighed dreamily.

"I know how did he get so ripped? An enhancing spell I bet! Those are awfully tricky to perform right though. He must be brilliant," A blonde girl sitting next to her responded.

Hermione rolled her eyes at them. But as much as she hated to admit it, they were right. She couldn't help but observe their Professor more carefully herself.

His eyes were vibrant dark green with jet black hair. His skin was a dark tan color that seemed unquestionably natural. His body was muscular; you could see that even with his baggy cloak on. But Hermione found that even his voice was entrancing. It was as if he could captivate an audience through his simple presence. To top it off he really knew his stuff, he wasn't like the other professors they had had previously. As she listened to his lecture carefully, he could answer every question they had with ease. Explain concepts in a different light. This class would defiantly not be painful. But she had to remember Lockhart, he seemed pretty dreamy too but he turned out to be a complete fraud. Hermione was secretly hoping that he wouldn't be a disappointment.

As if he knew she was thinking about him he looked at her for a brief moment. Hermione's seemed to freeze under his dominant eyes. But as soon as the moment came, it passed. Hermione was able to breathe normally.

Suddenly the clock chimed to signal the class was over. Everyone started to gather their things leaving the class room happily on their way to their next class.

Hermione gathered up her things as well. Her thoughts going back to Malfoy's sudden disappearance. She wanted to know where he had gone off to. Why was he so persistent to talk to her yesterday and then today he couldn't seem to stand her.

She swung her bag over her shoulders to leave the class but she was stopped by an alluring voice.

"Miss Granger," Professor Stroud called.

Hermione spun around surprised, "Yes?" She asked.

"Could you come here for a moment," He said making it a demand more than a question.

Hermione groaned inwardly, she was defiantly in trouble. Slowly she made her way to the front desk while the last couple students trickled out of the room.

The Professor gathered up his things to put into his suit case, not acknowledging her until they were alone.

She waited for him to speak.

He finally brought his strong green eyes to meet her fragile ones. His face more relaxed than when he was teaching.

"You must be the famous Hermione Granger," He started, "I've only heard of you through the daily prophet but now it seems I have the privilege to meet you in person and to be your Professor."

Hermione found her checks growing red.

"Uh, thank you," Hermione said a little taken aback from the complement.

"But I would advise you not to be late again," He said with a stern voice, "Fame doesn't mean I can favor you no matter how much I want to."

Hermione's stomach did a flip flop, blood rushing to her cheeks.

"Of course not, I'm sorry Professor I won't let it happen again," She said.

"Can you give me any reason for your tardiness so I don't have to take point away on the first day of school?" He asked his green eyes seeming to pierce into hers.

Hermione felt trapped. Should she tell him of her bizarre morning? She was almost tempted to, but she felt as though she better not. After all, she didn't have any idea that she could trust him.

"I could try to make up a better excuse Professor, but the truth is that I just slept in," Hermione said.

He gave her a questioning look that made it seemed like he didn't believe her but he pressed about it no further.

"Alright, I will let you off the hook this time. Don't let it happen again," He said.

"Yes sir," Hermione said.

He responded with a small crooked smile. Hermione's eyes were instantly entranced. She lied; his smile was the best part about him.

She smiled back as she turned to leave but his velvet voice stopped her.

"Miss Granger, do you know why Mr. Malfoy left so abruptly disturbing my class?" He asked his voice smooth.

Hermione shook her head truthfully, "I don't Sir. One moment he was fine then he looked at me and…," Hermione felt his eyes narrow at her as she decided to cut out the details, "He kinda froze up I guess. I thought he was fine but then he got up and left."

"Hmm.. well I will have to ask Mr. Malfoy to not do that again either," He said as his eyes kept locked on hers, "Are you two friends?"

Hermione's distasteful face must have given her away because he gave a harsh laugh that made her insides melt.

"That would be a hard no," He said with a broad smile.

Hermione rushed in, "I'm sorry Professor. We just have some… rough history together you could say."

His eyes were still wrinkly with a smile, "So it would seem…you know speaking of history, he has quite the interesting heritage Mr. Malfoy. You should ask about it sometime."

Hermione sighed, "Actually I already know all about it, he's a Malfoy which means he is a pureblooded wizard… he won't let any forget."

"No I don't mean his father's side, I mean his mothers," He said.

Hermione's eyes furrowed, "I know that his mother's a Black, I've seen the family tree in Grimmauld Place. What's so interesting about that?"

He paused for a brief moment as if studying her, "That's something you'll have to ask Mr. Mafloy."

Hermione was about to reply, but suddenly another student walked into the room. It was a pretty blonde girl that Hermione recognized from Ravenclaw.

"Oh I'm sorry am I interrupting?" She said innocently flipping her hair obviously not really caring if she did.

"No, I was just leaving," Hermione said.

"Oh good, I just wanted to ask you a few questions about our homework Professor," She said smiling.

Hermione grabbed her bag rolling her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye she could see his crooked smile.

"Thank you," Hermione said to Professor Stroud.

"If you have any other questions feel free to come talk to me," He said.

Hermione nodded and left the room past the blonde.

"Nice try," She whispered so only Hermione could hear.

Hermione felt her anger flare. But not a moment later the blonde strolled over to him, "Professor Stroud, I should introduce myself..."

Hermione reached the door and glanced back at him. He staring at her with an expression that she couldn't make out, but as soon as she caught him he quickly looked away at the blonde girl in front of him.

She gave him a curious look as she then opened the door and exited the room.

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Draco heart was pounding. It felt as though he had just been brought to life for the first time. It was scaring the hell out of him. He didn't like this sense of losing control. He didn't want to have any feelings for Granger. He wouldn't allow himself. But his wolf knew better as he growled.

He shoved the library door open stomping over to the W section. Student's eyes following him down as he made his way through the aisles. Girls stopping to swoon at him, but he was too distracted to even notice them.

He finally got to the W section and he immediately went to work. His eyes were scanning the books and scrolls. Werewolf, werewolf, werewolf he repeated over and over in his head. Almost missing it he saw the book he was looking for.

'The magical life of a werewolf'. He opened it quickly not bothering to go sit down at a table. He found the mate sections and started to read.

The time will come when a werewolf at full maturity meets his or her mate. Usually the mate is werewolf themselves but in rare cases, mates can be human. Once a mate is found, the process will start, there is no going back once a wolf has picked its desired mate. Signs of a mate are clear; the wolf will have a clear desire to be in the mate's presence, possessiveness will ensue, and the mate will even show signs of a rare physical transformation if human. They will not be able to be separated for extended periods of time, usually a week at most. The werewolf's mate will feel the same attraction. Once they meet, they will bond over time.

Malfoy skipped down the page.

As stated before, there is a rare case that a human is the mate. The process can be somewhat difficult for the two mates. The first thing that will appear will be the physical transformation in the human's appearance, becoming part wolf themselves. Some human mates become frightened of the change that takes over their bodies. They become strong and fast like any other wolf. If the human mate accepts the werewolf mate the sacred bonding ritual will be able to be performed. But be warned, the human mate can be reluctant. Sometimes he/she will have a hard time accepting the transition and might even totally reject the werewolf mate. Werewolves who have human mates must be cautious of that since the female mates are so rare, it is often that two males will pick the same mate.

Malfoy stopped reading. Panic started to consume him. Hermione Granger really was his mate, and according to the book, there was nothing he could do about it. It would be like cutting of his own arm to try to suppress these feelings. He cursed in his mind. How on earth was he supposed to get her to fall in love with him? He was pretty sure of the fact that she wouldn't mind if he had died in the war. She hated him. How was he supposed to get her to change her opinion? And what the hell was a mating ritual? His mother had never told him any of this.

He growled in frustration slammed the book closed not wanting to know anymore.

It was then Malfoy noticed a boy looking like a first year staring at him with wide eyes.

"What are you looking at," Malfoy snapped angrily.

The little first year looked scared to death as he scurried off in the other direction.

Malfoy gave a loud sigh as he ran his hands through his thick hair.

What in merlin's name was he going to do?

"Malfoy?" Hermione's voice rang behind him.

He froze at the sound of her voice. His wolf came to the surface as he tried to gain his composure. Malfoy turned back around to face her, but as soon as he did he wished he hadn't. She was absolutely beautiful.

"What are you doing here Granger?" He asked coldly.

Her eyes immediately sharpened, "It's a public library Malfoy, I don't think I need to explain the reason," She snapped, "The real question is what happened back there? The professor questioned me and everything," Hermione said almost concerned.

She turned her eyes to focus on the book he was holding.

Malfoy instantly hid it from her view.

Malfoy did everything he could to keep himself under control. He was going to try to fight this off... at least for now. But even he knew that eventually, he would break.

"I don't think it's really any of your business," He said icily.

Her face turned vile, "You don't have to be rude I was just-"

"Yeah well I don't need it." He said boldly. His wolf was screaming in anger for treating her in such a way.

Hermione glared at him her eyes built up with anger, "You're right, sorry. I forgot who I was talking to," and without another word she sharply turned away from him making her way through the aisles.

Malfoy cursed to himself as she left, running his hands roughly through his messy hair. He was losing it. He needed to talk to his mother, and soon.

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Later that night Hermione sat in front of the fire alone. Her legs curled up against her small body. She starred into the fire as she let the warmth of the flames envelope her. Hermione was trying to figure out this puzzle, trying to think of an explanation for everything that had happened the past couple of days. What was happening to her? Was it some sort of spell? Potion someone had slipped her? She tried to test some theories out in her mind that might be able to help explain this physical transformation but she couldn't think of any.

She had searched as searched in the library for hours that day. She had to have gone through every book known to wizards on the subject of Transfiguration. The closest thing she could even come to is beautifying spells which only a few wizards in the world knew how to even perform. Certainly no one would waste their efforts on her. She had racked her brain all day and was starting to feel the effects of her obsession start to ware on he.

It must have happened when she came to Hogwarts, but what? Something wasn't right and she was betting it had something to do with Malfoy. He was hiding something that much was certain, but what? Was he starting up some rebellion again related to the Dark Arts now that Voldemort was gone? She crossed that off the list. He was stupid but she did think he was that stupid. The real question is what book did want to keep hidden from her?

She tried to keep focused as her eyes started to droop, but all she could see was Malfoy's face in her mind...

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The next morning Ginny and Hermione made their way down to breakfast together. Hermione had woken up this morning hoping that yesterday had all just been a terrible dream but when she looked into the mirror, she was still the same.

They took their normal seats in the great hall in the middle of Gryffindor table.

"Ugh good food, I'm starving," Ginny said as she dove into the pancakes.

Hermione smiled picking up a piece of toast herself as she looked up scanning the sea of student. She became uneasy as she did so. She realized that she was the center of attention. Boys and girls were staring at her, and they weren't even trying to hide it. But as soon as she would make eye contact with them they quickly turned their eyes away. Hermione felt sick to her stomach. She was going to go crazy.

"What do you mean you want to break up?!" A voice shrieked across the great hall.

Hermione knew that voice anywhere, it was Pansy Parkinson.

Malfoy took a deep breath and looked her in the eye, "I told you Pansy don't make a scene and embarrass yourself," He said walking away from her trying to leave her. But she followed, not caring that she had the entire school for an audience.

"Why would you do that?!" She asked on the verge of tears.

Malfoy stopped lowering he voice so that only pansy could hear, "I told you pansy I don't feel that way about you anymore, it's not your fault it's just who I am," He said.

"But you did before," Pansy said a tear going down her cheek.

"I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore," Malfoy said.

With that he turned to leave the great hall.

Hermione watched him as he walked out.

But just then Malfoy's eyes met Hermione's. She felt that fire that she had felt before, she wanted to run to him and comfort him but she stopped herself. What was wrong with her? Did she really just think that?

Malfoy couldn't help but let his eyes roam to Granger. She looked beautiful as always. His wolf whined to be close to her but he suppressed his crazed desire for her.

He had to get out of here.

Hermione then regrettably lost eye contact with him as he went through the large doors.

Ginny turned to Hermione, "Wow," She said simply, as the great hall filled with whispering students.

But Hermione was still staring at the doors.

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