Yes, I changed the name of this fic :)

The title for this story didn't suit the genre so I changed it to Circle. Why you ask? Because I'm basing this story on Flyleaf's song called Circle. The lyrics sum up this story if you want a spoiler ;)

Big thanks to my beta again! I had a writers block and couldn't phrase my words right :(

But she helped :)

Chapter Five - I Miss Naivety

Harry stayed in the Great Hall for as long as possible, not wanting to leave to see his professor.

However, before he knew it, students were slowly disappearing from the hall, leaving Harry with no choice but to exit with them.

He watched as most of them left to go outside, and felt a strange longing to be outdoors too... the sunlight looked so inviting as it lit up the grounds and lake. However, he snapped out of it when he realised he had to meet his Head of House. So, despondently, he made his way up the stairs to the seventh floor where Professor McGonagall's office was.

Just before knocking, he faltered, taking a few moments of control before his life was plunged into chaos… again. He savoured every bit of naivety he had for a few seconds or so before rapping his knuckles on the wooden door.

"Come in."

Hesitantly, he pushed the door open and peered round the corner. He received quite a shock at the number of people who were gathered there; Minerva McGonagall, obviously, but she was joined by Hermione, Ron, Remus, and Moody.

"Morning, Potter," said Mad-Eye gruffly.

Ron attempted a smile, but it wavered as Harry shot him a cold look. Hermione gave Harry a little wave while Remus sat very still on a chair, leaning forwards pensively.

"What's going on?" Harry asked, shutting the door behind him.

"Well, you see, we've discovered – or should I say, Miss Granger discovered – some more information on werewolf mates."

Harry smiled fondly at Hermione; he envied her ability to find information, even on the obscurest of things.

"Harry, come and take a seat," Remus said, kicking a chair out for Harry to sit on. Harry dubiously walked over to it before sitting down stiffly.

For a moment no one said anything; they all stared at Harry with small, supportive smiles on their faces. Even Moody attempted a smile – though on his scarred face it looked more like a grimace.

After a number of long, painful seconds, Harry spoke up.

"Well? What did you want to talk to me about?"

Lupin was the first to speak.

"Well..." His eyes flickered over to Hermione for a few seconds before continuing. "We found some more information on that mark on your neck." Harry's hand immediately went up to touch it, suddenly feeling very paranoid and exposed.

"You remember when I told you about the side-effects? The tingling, stinging and throbbing?" Remus asked hoarsely, and Harry nodded. "There are several more than just those three."

Harry swallowed; here was where his life would undoubtedly – if possible – become even more confusing.

"What are they?" he asked, not wanting to feel the nervousness or anxiousness anymore.

Remus grimaced and rubbed his eyes wearily.

"I can tell him, if you want, Remus?" Hermione asked shyly.

Lupin nodded and seemed to hide under his tangled, grey-streaked hair.

Hermione conjured herself up a chair and sat in it so she was opposite Harry.

"The side-effects aren't pleasant, Harry," she said, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "Basically, what will happen is that... well, during the night you'll become even more restless than you are now." Harry sent Ron another glare; he'd obviously told Hermione about his screaming. "Also, you'll want to... um... isolate yourself. You're mood will become extremely unpredictable and you'll get protective of the mark on your neck. Furthermore –"

"Wait..." Harry said before Hermione could continue. "What do you mean 'protective' of it?"

"Well, you'll feel anger towards anyone who insults it."

"Why?"

Hermione shifted and glanced around, as if hoping someone else was going to say it. Eventually she sighed and turned her gaze on Harry again.

"It's... well it's because of Greyback," she said hurriedly. "He gave you it, he's your mate, he's also your so-called alpha, and you subconsciously respect that. You don't want anyone to offend that mark because, in doing so, they will be affecting him, and because he is your mate, it offends you, therefore causing you to act awfully touchy and angry."

Harry could have sworn he felt his brain throb from all the information it was trying to digest.

"Don't ask me how all that happens in one little mark," she added. "I find it rather enigmatic, too."

Harry leaned back in his chair.

"Huh," he said indifferently. He could sense everyone else in the room exchanging worried glances at his passiveness, but he ignored it.

"Um... Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively. "There was one more thing..."

Harry nodded, his eyes unfocused.

"This one is the most dangerous side-effect," she said, her voice firmer than before. "You'll feel an urge to find Greyback. It will feel like the yearning for a drug, a craving for something good and addictive." She leant forwards and grabbed his hand. "Harry, you can't let that take over."

But Harry wasn't listening; at the word 'drug', his mind had gone somewhere else...

"Once I mark you, you'll need me like a drug..."

Fenrir's voice echoed in his head, and it seemed to drown out all other sounds.

"Harry!" came Remus' voice. "Harry, listen to me!"

"But why?" Harry asked in a small voice as he came back to the present. He looked into Remus' brown eyes. "I'm not even a wolf! How can I be his mate?"

Remus shuffled on his seat.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice that tiny flaw," he admitted. "I suppose I underestimated you." He smiled weakly before continuing. "The fact that you're not a wolf won't stop him, Harry. In fact, most mates are found before they are turned."

"So it's true then," Harry said monotonously. "I will be turned. It's inevitable."

Remus said nothing, but gave a small jerk of his head that Harry took to be a nod.

"Right." He stood up, not sure what he wanted to do.

"Harry, promise me one thing," Remus pleaded, grabbing Harry's arm. "Do not isolate yourself. That can only lead to the yearning for Fenrir, and we want to prolong that for as long as possible."

Harry nodded, his face stony.

"Now then, Potter," McGonagall said briskly. "I want you to go with your friends, relax round the lake maybe. Use the weekend to unwind and have fun – that ought to help."

"Yes, Professor."

"C'mon, mate," Ron said, his voice strained. "Let's find a sunny spot outside."

He moved closer to Harry but Harry flinched, still furious at his so-called friend for telling others his shameful secret.

"Hermione, can I have a quick word? Outside?" Harry asked, ignoring the confused looks from McGonagall and Remus.

"Um, yes, of course," she said looking quite bemused.

He took her arm and led her towards the door. Once outside the office, he slumped against the wall and closed his eyes.

"What is it, Harry?" she asked, standing in front of him.

"Ron," he said, eyes still shut wearily.

"Ron?" she repeated. "What do you me–"

"He told," Harry said simply as his eyes opened. He pushed himself off the wall and started pacing, trying to walk his anger out. "He told Seamus and Dean about the thing on my neck, as well as what happened with Greyback."

Hermione's hands flew to her mouth as she let out a gasp.

"He didn't! How could he?"

Harry chuckled bitterly.

"I don't know, but I needed to tell someone... I just feel so angry at him at the moment! What if Seamus or Dean tell someone?"

Hermione bit her lip.

"I... I don't know what to say; I would suggest that you try and forgive him, but I know that would be hard for you."

Harry shrugged and, suddenly overcome with so many emotions, felt his eyes sting and a tear ran down his cheek.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione sighed, rushing over to her friend and giving him a tight hug.

"Hermione, I'm fine," Harry mumbled, but he didn't push her away. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and took pleasure in the comforting embrace.

"HOW COULD YOU?!" shrieked a voice from inside the office, startling Hermione and Harry out of their peaceful state.

"What-?" Hermione asked, but was interrupted by another voice.

"What were you thinking?!" shouted Professor McGonagall.

"Idiot boy!" Moody roared.

Harry went back inside with Hermione, who was clinging to his arm. There he found Lupin, McGonagall and Moody all sending daggers at a red-eared Ron.

"Ron?" Hermione asked. "What happened?"

Ron looked up at Harry with a shameful expression.

"Well, they... they asked if I knew what you might... might be talking about... I guessed that you were telling Hermione about what I did?"

Harry nodded stiffly.

"Yeah, thought so," he said, his tone flat. "So... I, y'know, told them what I did."

"You idiot boy, Weasley!" snarled Mad-Eye.

"Ron, how could you? Harry's your best friend!" Remus spat, looking mad.

"I'm sorry!" he said, his voice breaking. "I didn't want to, but I couldn't cope with the questions Seamus and Dean were asking me!"

Harry looked at Ron's expression and saw that he, like Harry, looked as though he was going to cry.

"Leave it," Harry said suddenly, all eyes turning to him.

He didn't know why he stopped them; he thought it would be satisfying seeing Ron getting told how traitorous he had acted, but after seeing his best friend looking so ashamed and regretful, Harry found he didn't care what Ron had done.

"Just leave it. Remus, you said so yourself; I can't isolate myself and I can't afford to lose any friends." He paused and drew a shaky breath. "I need to forgive him if I want to live normally for the next few days, weeks... however long it is until the full moon."

*F-H*

Fenrir prowled around the outskirts of the grounds that held his mate, cursing his stupidity for going past the school's new Wards. Why did he leave after marking the boy? Why?

At least the full moon is only four days away, he thought to himself. Then those wards won't be able to stop me.