Chapter Five: Harry's Choice
The next few days were a time of heightened anxiety and near-panic. It was, Harry reflected bitterly, a return to the days of six years ago, when isolated people in Hogwarts were being 'petrified' by the Basilisk.
Being on the staff roll, even as trainees, did however allow Harry, Ron, and Hermione the opportunity to be fully briefed in the special staff meeting that Professor Flitwick called for. By this time, Professor Lupin had returned from his field trip with the Ministry of Magic, and was sat next to Tonks. Both of them looked just as disturbed as the rest of the horrified staff, as they listened to Professor Moody come to the end of his account. He was standing in the middle of the seated circle, in the general staff room.
"So far, the team I've led all over the castle has failed to find the cause of the infection. There is nothing to suggest that we have another basilisk within these walls. Master Horrobin and Miss Varner had no known links to each other, either in the school or outside of it. They were in different school houses. Both came from established wizard families. My suspicion is that they were random targets. Which, in turn, implies that there could well be more…incidents…to come."
"And…and this isn't the first occurrence of this disease, I've been given to understand." Professor Trelawney nervously raised a thin hand.
"No," Moody replied gruffly. He turned to Harry and his friends.
"Now, thanks to Mr Weasley having to…change…to order to try to save Miss Varner's life, everyone here knows about him and his sister sharing the same, er-humph, nature, as Professor Lupin. Young Ron is, in fact, living evidence that the physiology of a werewolf provides immunity against this unknown disease we are now faced with. That's not very reassuring news, I know – but it is something."
"And we are aware that, whatever killed those children, it's not transmittable by touch," Madam Pomfrey rose from her chair. "They had not been injected, as far as I could tell."
She sat down, and Horace Slughorn pulled his bulk up as he got to his feet. "We don't know how they were infected – we've checked the food and water supplies of the castle, and looked over the belongings of both pupils," the potions teacher announced in his rumbling voice. "There was nothing out of the ordinary there – and nothing was detected on a spell designed to examine their bodies."
The teachers and staff muttered amongst themselves, clearly unnerved. Then Professor Flitwick hopped down from his high seat and walked to the centre of the circle. Moody moved to one side. After a moment of whispering between them, Moody nodded to the headmaster, who then addressed those gathered.
"There is more to reveal about the bodies of the two pupils," Flitwick's half-squeaky tones rang out, cutting through the muttering and silencing everyone. "They were moved to a room which was acting as a mortuary for them. However, within an hour of the bodies being laid out on the floor, it was discovered that the clothes and shrouds around them had split, and that the rock-like skin tissue of the victims had somehow fused with the floor. In short, we can't move them! Nor can we perform an autopsy. The parents have been notified, of course, and they will come to grieve – but given those circumstances, unless we use muggle road drilling machines, I can't see how we can even pass the bodies over for burial or cremation."
Everyone in the seated audience, including Harry and his friends, reeled at this extraordinary news.
"This is looking really bad…," Hermione declared, in a hushed voice. "Any of us could be next."
"How did the Death Eaters get this…whatever it is…into the school?" Harry spat in anger.
No one was able to answer him – and the shadow of fear hung over all of those assembled for the rest of the meeting, and beyond.
* * * * *
Later that day, Hermione received distressing news from the Ministry of Magic – her parents had been attacked during the previous night at their home, by a couple of Death Eaters. Luckily, the Grangers had not been killed, but they were both injured and shaken by the assassination attempt. Their Auror guard, after being wounded, had managed to recover somewhat, and kill – by necessity – one of the Death Eaters. The other one escaped.
Having now learnt how to apparate skillfully though she hated doing it long-distance, Hermione disapparated from Hogsmeade and visited her parents at the Ministry's hospital, St. Mungo's - where the guard on them was being increased.
When Hermione came back to Hogwarts the next day she filled Harry, Ron and Ginny in on the story. By the end of her account, she was tearful, as she considered how she had nearly lost her parents. Ron went to comfort her, and led a sobbing Hermione away to somewhere more private.
More news came from the Ministry – at about the same time as the announcement for Hermione. This time Harry was the recipient. Thanks to Arabella Figg, a witch who was a neighbor in Privet Drive, the Ministry learnt of the abduction of the Dursleys. All three of them. There had been an attack during a parents evening at the school Dudley attended. Several dark-cloaked figures had appeared from nowhere, grabbed Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Cousin Dudley – then disappeared with their prey.
If the Death Eaters are hoping to hurt me by that daring move, then they'll be disappointed…, thought Harry. I hope Uncle Vernon is giving them earache with his indignant shouting…
Even so, the news was a shock – and Harry wondered where the enemy was going to strike next. And who was going to suffer. Despite the death of Lord Voldemort, the reign of terror and fear was clearly not over.
That afternoon, after school hours, Harry and Ginny spent an hour by themselves in a secluded spot, where the forest overlooked the loch. They took along a few items for a mini picnic, and had just finished eating, when Harry's owl – Hedwig – landed close by. Surprised, Harry took the message from the tube strapped to her leg, and read the contents.
Grimacing, he scrunched it up in his fist.
Ginny jumped up from the grass where she'd been eating. "Harry, what is it?"
"More bad news." He straightened out the message again and showed it to her.
'Harry [it read]
There's been another fatality of what we've now termed 'The Blight'. A second year Gryffindor lad by the name of Desmond Troy was rushed into the Infirmary with the same symptoms of seizure that the other two pupils displayed. He was with a group of friends at lunch time, in the House Common Room, when he took ill. None of the others were affected.
I was fortunate enough to take some blood samples from him before he died. Since none of us were able to save him, I wanted to conduct some experiments whilst the chance was there. I injected one sample into a rat, which soon developed the disease, and perished. The second sample I injected into myself.
Three hours later, as I write this message, I have not shown any effects of the illness. Therefore, although the Death Eaters may have refined their weapon (for I am certain this is their doing), it seems that werewolves are still immune to the Blight.
Please inform Ginny (who I understand is with you) of these developments, and see me at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Remus J Lupin'
Ginny sat back down, but was otherwise silent after she'd finished reading aloud the crumpled letter. Harry ceased his agitated shuffling and joined Ginny on the grass again, sensing her troubled thoughts. He lovingly stroked her long ginger hair.
"Hey… We'll find an answer to this, Ginny! How many times have we been besieged by problems?"
"The school's bound to close!" she sniffed. "No parent will want their son or daughter here, now! Last June, it was Vol…, Vol…, Voldemort and his army," she stuttered. "That day changed me, as you know. But I was lucky! There were too many deaths that day… Now the pupils are starting to die – again. What's to stop the staff from being next, Harry?" Ginny's eyes stared straight into Harry's. Her hand held his tightly. "I don't want to lose you," she whispered.
Harry felt a hard lump in his throat. He was about to say that he was capable of looking after himself. After all, he'd survived too many dangers – including Nagini, and Voldemort himself! But how was he to avoid a mysterious…plague?
How long will it be before my luck runs out…?
"I don't want to lose you either, Ginny." He kissed her on the lips. Ginny returned his affection in kind, and hugged him fiercely – until it was deemed necessary for them to both come up for air.
Once she got her breath back, Ginny stroked Harry's jaw.
"Harry…" She looked at him with moist eyes. "…let me bite you."
For a moment, Harry was too numbed to speak. "Sorry?" he eventually managed to say.
"I'm a sentient werewolf now – like Professor Lupin. So is Ron," Ginny announced softly. "It's only on a full moon night you need fear us. Become my werewolf companion, Harry. Please! Then you'll be immune to this…Blight."
"Crikey… Ginny!" Harry allowed the sudden dizziness in his head to subside. "What about Hermione…? She'll feel…left out…if I joined you and Ron…on that road."
Ginny gave a small smile. "Ron's told me he would love to have Hermione become his equal as a fellow werewolf. In turn, I said to him that I understood, and that I felt the same way with regard to you. We can be a pack together, Harry! The Professor, me, Ron, Hermione, and you. We'll be the werewolf protectors of Hogwarts. If you want to…"
"Er…Wow!" Harry felt himself blushing at the thought of romantic werewolves howling together at night, in the Forbidden Forest. "I.., I'll think about it! But what would the Professor say? And the Headmaster?"
Ginny's lips twitched upwards again. "He's already told me and Ron… Professor Lupin has argued for the provisional case of having a werewolf guard to help defend Hogwarts from a future invasion by the remains of You-Know-Who's armies. The Headmaster backed his case – and since there are few good werewolves around, the Ministry has reluctantly given authorization, in the current national situation, for a few people to be initiated and trained as good werewolves. Willing volunteers, of course. Those who pass the required aptitude tests. So…" Ginny rubbed her nose teasingly against Harry's cheek. "What do you say to that? I won't think any less of you, Harry, if you refuse the offer. "The apprenticeship in being a werewolf isn't…"
"…easy. I've gathered that." Harry held Ginny to him, as they lay down on the ground. He carefully thought the whole issue through.
"I just want you to be safe from this disease – like me! I want you to live," Ginny announced simply. She was struggling to hold back her deeper emotions now, Harry knew – fearful, no doubt, that he would respect her less, after her bold suggestion.
Harry pulled himself away from her and got up. He was silent for some minutes, whilst he walked over to the ledge that overlooked the loch. Ginny remained where she was, allowing him to mull her offer over. But after a couple of minutes she couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Take… Take as long as you like." Ginny's voice trembled. "Sleep on it."
Harry turned and redirected his clear green eyes towards her. "No need. I've decided, Ginny."
She bowed her head, awaiting his judgment.
Don't let her suffer for too long, Harry…, he told himself.
"I'll become your pack-brother."
Ginny raised her face, her eyes wide. She then leapt up, squealed, and hugged him. "Thank you!"
He squeezed her back. "On one condition."
"Name it." She smiled widely.
"Hermione must give her consent to be…initiated…as well. I don't want her to feel left out alone. Either we join together freely – or not at all."
Ginny nodded eagerly. "I accept! Let's tell the others…"
* * * * *
Three days later, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione entered the Shrieking Shack together as dusk fell, and the waxing crescent moon followed the sun towards the western horizon. Professor Lupin and Tonks were there to welcome them, and offer flasks of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate to help ward off both their nerves and the slight chill of the cool October evening.
"Well," Lupin began, as he nodded to Harry and Hermione. "I admire your bravery. If either of you wants to back out, say so now."
Hermione looked nervous as she swallowed – but she managed to smile. "We know that you're an excellent teacher on this subject, Professor. Ron and Ginny speak highly of you."
Both of the Weasleys smiled.
"You remember what I said about cats not taking kindly to werewolves, even in their human skins, Hermione?" Lupin pointed out to her.
"Yes…" She looked sad. "I've said my farewell to Cruckshanks, Professor. He's now being looked after by my cousin in Oxfordshire. Hagrid took him over there."
Harry felt sorry for Hermione having to part company with her feline companion at Hogwarts. But it would be for the best. "We want to do as much as we can to defend the school and those who dwell in it, Professor," he declared, changing the subject.
"We appreciate that, Harry. And you wouldn't be here if you hadn't passed the Ministry's aptitude tests for this…werewolf membership…scheme," Tonks pointed out. She looked wistful, and as Harry and his friends watched, the Animagus' hair changed colour from pink to brown, betraying her inner sadness. "As you know, I can't become a werewolf," she declared.
There was a pause, as the Weasleys and the two would-be initiates finished their drinks, and looked at each other expectantly.
"You know how it will work? And understand why I've not chosen a full-moon night?" Lupin quizzed Harry and Hermione.
"Yes, Professor," Harry answered first. "You're going to first inject a magical substance into us two, which will accelerate the werewolf condition in our bloodstream when Ron and Ginny…bite us."
"That way, we'll get in some experience in being werewolves, and attempting self-control – before the full moon," Hermione elaborated. "And, of course, Harry and I will only half-transform. We'll have to learn how to achieve the full change as we adapt and become more adept with our new natures."
Ron's hand found Hermione's. He kissed her on the forehead. "Thanks for agreeing to this, 'Mione."
She swallowed her fear. "I want to take a direct stand against the Death Eaters, Ron. Magic won't be our only defence against them. And, of course…I'm doing this for us. For all of us." Her eyes took in everyone present.
"Shall we get started?" Ginny twitched nervously. She stood up, not wanting to prolong the uneasy atmosphere in the ramshackled room.
Harry nodded. "Please do." He tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
Ron stepped forwards, and patted Harry on the back. "If a dunderhead like me can get used to it and progress…"
"You have, Ron. Admirably so," Lupin interrupted.
"…Well, there you go. It should be a doddle for you, Harry. We'll be wolf-brothers."
"Thanks, Ron." Harry shook his friend's shoulder in appreciation – and then he was ready for the needle. Lupin injected him with the accelerant, and then he was heading upstairs with Ginny leading him by the hand. He flashed Hermione a reassuring smile. She still looked uncomfortable, but her lips twitched and she raised a hand in response.
Harry and Ginny entered a shabby-looking room, with a simple wooden bed and some broken furniture. There were claw marks on the torn, faded wallpaper.
Ginny gently pushed Harry onto the edge of the bed, where he sat, eyes widening as she began to undress – starting with her shoes.
"Let me know where you want me to bite you, Harry," she said.
"You're…? You're going to change – here!?"
She paused, and giggled. "I guess human modesty has gradually become less important since I became I werewolf. Ron and I have already…changed…together. And after tonight, when you have developed self-control too, we can shape shift in each other's company. Don't be ashamed, Harry! Soon, you – like me – will be wearing nothing except fur… Now, where should I bite you?"
"Oh! Right…" He took off his jacked and rolled up his shirt sleeve, to expose the soft flesh of his left forearm. "Here will do."
Ginny nodded, then resumed her undressing.
Taking in her nude form, Harry swallowed, then got up and kissed Ginny on the lips. He kept his hands on her shoulders.
"Last chance to refuse my gift," she whispered.
"I'm glad you didn't say curse," Harry noted.
"It's a double-edged sword," Ginny reflected thoughtfully. "It can be a curse, or a disability. But to me it's a case of control, and accepting the wolf's power as an opportunity to do good things – not evil deeds."
"And an opportunity to be a creature in tune with nature itself," Harry added.
"Yes," Ginny agreed. "Do you want me to share my gift with you?"
"Definitely."
"Here goes, then…" Ginny closed her eyes and concentrated.
Harry retreated into a corner of the room as he watched his girlfriend's form blur slightly with the displacement of body cells. Ginny's bones, muscles, and joints all simultaneously – and smoothly – shifted into different positions. Ginger-brown hair began to grow from her limbs and flattening chest, before spreading out and joining up to form a thickening carpet of fur that covered her transforming body. Her tail formed, detaching itself from the base of her spine. Hands and feet shifted and turned into paws, even as Ginny's posture changed to that of a quadruped.
Fascinated by the transformation he was witnessing, Harry's heart hammered in his chest. Ginny gasped, then her voice became deeper, with the thickening of her now fur-coated neck. Her ears stretched towards the top of her cranium, developing arrowhead-like points – and her mouth and darkening nose pushed out from the rest of her face, with a series of 'crunches', to form a muzzle. The long ginger hair became shorter and retreated swiftly into her skull until it was less than an inch long, then it changed texture and blended in with her cranial fur.
Moments later, Ginny's eyes turned amber. Her slavering fangs grew into place. The same fangs that had ended the life of Lucius Malfoy. With a low growl, Ginny fell forwards onto her front paws. There, she panted and recovered from her exertions. She was now a fully-fledged, girl-sized wolf.
Summoning his courage, Harry nervously eased himself onto the floor on one knee, drawing up close to the Ginny-wolf. He slowly held out his hand, which his companion sniffed at, before licking it. She stared at him with her captivating animal eyes – eyes which seemed to reflect the human intellect behind them.
"You're…beautiful!" Harry breathed. "Even more so…than when you were…in hybrid form, Ginny." He gently rubbed her along the neck, finding the fur rough. He felt the muscles and warmth underneath. She rewarded him with a whine, then rubbed herself against his chest.
It was almost like having a pet dog – but, of course, she was far more than that.
I'll be like this soon…, he reminded himself. Do I want it? To be as kin to Professor Lupin, Ron, and Ginny?
Fingers trembling, Harry rolled up his sleeve and bared his forearm to her, as the wolf pulled back.
Yes, I do…
"Ready when you are, Ginny," he whispered.
She blinked, then stretched her jaws forward. Seizing his forearm firmly, she sank her sharp teeth carefully into his flesh.
Harry yelled.
It was not a deep bite, but Ginny held him in place for some moments – passing on as much saliva as she could. Then she released him, licked at the blood from the bite, and backed away, her pointed ears now twitching back and forth.
There were noises coming from elsewhere in the Shrieking Shack, but the two of them ignored the sounds. Harry reached for the prepared jar of cotton wool lying on the bed, to help stem the flow of blood. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw and heard the wonder of the transformation again – this time in reverse, as Ginny changed back into her human persona. Getting her breath back after the process, she slipped on her clothes again – then helped to dress Harry's wound, using the first-aid kit left in the room.
When she was done, she looked Harry squarely in the eyes. "Are you all right so far, Harry?"
"Yeah. I'm fine." He squeezed her hand to reassure her. "How long do we wait for the injection to deliver the goods?"
"Anything between half an hour to an hour. So the Professor told us…"
Ginny was interrupted by a knock at the door. She answered it, and stuck her head out. Harry heard Tonks whispering to her in an anxious tone. He tried to get up from where he was sitting on the bed, but the effort made him light-headed – and he decided to let himself recover from the bite by staying where he was.
After a minute, Ginny closed the door again, and sat down besides Harry. Her expression was glum.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Ron and Hermione were in their room downstairs, ready for the moment of…initiation. Ron had transformed, and was about to bite Hermione – when she panicked, and opened the window. She's left the shack!"
Harry's mouth dropped open. "What…!? Where is she now?"
"She's fled to another empty building and slipped into a storeroom. She's blocked the door. Ron and the Professor have tried to reassure her – but she's still in there." Ginny smiled sadly. "Guess I would feel the same, if I was preparing for something like a parachute jump from a muggle aeroplane. She told me that's what she was comparing this evening to."
Harry's face fell, but he nodded sympathetically. "We were supposed to transform together," he announced numbly. "To be like brother and sister."
"She may yet become our kindred, Harry. We've just got to help her conquer her fear. In the end, it's her choice. As for us, we're to stay here."
Harry felt Ginny lean on his shoulder, and his spirits lifted. As one, they lay down on the bed and snuggled up together. Nothing more than that. They simply kept each other warm in the unheated, dimly-lit room as they glanced at a wall-mounted clock, and waited for Harry's new nature to awake and assert itself.
"The first time is the most grueling, Harry," Ginny whispered in his ear. "I know you're brave. Be brave for me!"
"I'll try." He smiled nervously.
About half an hour later, it happened. First, the scent of Ginny's perfume seemed to become stronger in the room, and Harry thought he could hear the steady beat of a heart other than his own. Then he started to feel hot, and Ginny urged him not to be worried about modesty, but to completely undress. He did so – and left his glasses on the bed. Then suddenly he developed a fever, and he collapsed onto the floor. Ginny cooled him down with a prepared damp flannel – then took her clothes off again. She began to transform in time with Harry.
Feeling as though his blood was on fire, Harry cried out. His bones and muscles ached madly, as they dissolved enough to change shape and twist into new formations – the sensation accompanied by the gruesome music of his bones crunching and stretching inside of him, even as other parts became shorter. The pressure building up in Harry's lower spine was relieved as his tail erupted from above his rear – both it and the rest of his altered body grew a coating of dark hairs that fanned outwards to cover him, like a fast-forward cinefilm of grass growing. His fingers shrank, retreating into his hands – which were developing pads – and the nails became thicker as they changed into claws.
"Aaaggghhh!" Harry cried out, his voice beginning to sound deep. Guttural. The pores all over his skin prickled with the growth of myriad hairs that were joining together to form his pelt. His coat of fur.
His body twitching with the effects of the transformation, he felt the tightness in his skull start to ease off as his darkening nose and jaw pushed themselves forward to form his new muzzle. His now-longer tongue licked itself against the enlarged teeth in his mouth. Harry growled, and relished the power he sensed growing within him. At the same time, his pointed ears twitched in their new positions at the top of his reshaped skull.
The sensations of the final changes came to a merciful end. Harry rested on his side upon the floor, as he allowed his warmer body to recover. His tongue lolled out of his open mouth. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
The room now looked washed out. He saw the walls and furniture in shades of black, grey, and white. The only colour visible in the room was coming from both himself and the humanoid wolf that was crouched down before him.
Body heat, a tiny voice in his head announced. He was seeing the world as other lupines saw it.
Countless scents flooded into Harry's nose. He was now aware of the pitter-patter of a pair of mice somewhere underneath the floorboards. The room itself smelt of dust and neglect, and also of the humans that had been inside. One of him being his own, recent scent.
The dominant smell, however, was a musky animal one. It was female. He didn't know how he could tell that – apart from human logic – but his lupine senses knew, and so he accepted the fact. And accompanying that, there were more subtle scents – those of…yes, pride…and love.
The young wolf-woman before him growled and extended a half-paw to Harry. He managed to grab it with his stunted fingers, and was helped up.
Harry found himself balancing upon the balls of his rear paws. It felt strange at first, but then he began to slowly take a few steps. Gaining confidence, he walked with his companion over to the mirror set above the dressing table, close by. There, he saw the two humanoid wolves staring back at him. Harry was clear-headed enough to realise that the figure on the left was a reflection of the beautiful she-werewolf besides him. The other, dark-furred lupine was male – and Harry, in growing excitement, knew that it was himself. He ran his half paws along his altered body, feeling the thick fur, the taut muscles, his twitching tail, his muzzle and fangs, and even his whiskers.
The padding stuck over his bite wound had fallen off during the change, and Harry examined where Ginny's fangs had struck. The wound had healed totally. He now had the enhanced recuperation powers that were attributed to his new kind.
Harry gave a howl of happiness. He felt charged with energy, and a previously-unrealised sense of profound awareness.
I am…wolf… We are…wolf!
Harry turned to the wolf girl besides him. She was returning his lupine grin. They both sniffed at each other, then they rubbed noses – eager to exchange their scents.
Creator… Friend… Sister, Harry's now-animal mind reflected to itself.
Come… Eat… It wasn't a voice. The she-werewolf had titled her head and licked her fangs, before turning to the prepared portions of cold chicken and beef still in their plastic bags, in one corner of the room. Harry knew that he was starting to learn the body language – the non-verbal communication – of werewolves. And yet, he realized, there was an element of telepathy to it. Ginny's eyes and motions conveyed words to him. With time and practice, he would be able to 'speak' the same language himself.
His stomach rumbled. He was hungry after the energy-burning experience of his first change. The meat smelt appetising.
Growling together, he and Ginny snatched up the uncooked meat and tore into it eagerly.
* * * * *
After their meal, the two werewolves headed downstairs – Harry taking care with the rail, as Ginny led the way. On the ground floor, he sniffed at Tonks, who kept herself still – wand at the ready. She managed a smile, as Harry allowed her to gingerly rub his head.
Two leg… Fur on top changes tone…, he reflected to himself, as he regarded the Animagus. Not wolf… Human. But belongs with pack… Friend…
Harry shifted his attention to the adult wolf man who now confronted Harry. The elder lupine growled softly.
The part of Harry's mind that was still human remembered what he'd been told to do at this stage of the pack-forming process…
He suppressed the instinct to growl back, and instead allowed the Lupin-werewolf to hold him around the neck with his teeth. Harry did not offer any resistance, and fell upon his knees. He whined faintly.
Accept the pack alpha... The wolf half of him submitted to the command of his human voice.
After a long moment, Lupin released Harry and licked at the imprint left by his fangs. The wound soon healed.
Welcome, Harry, Lupin communicated to him. You are now our pack-brother.
Harry inclined his head forwards, to express his thanks.
Come – Harry, Ginny… We must join Ron and Hermione. Can you trail them, Harry?
Harry flared his nostrils, accepting the challenge. He raised his nose to examine the smells still present downstairs, and he soon identified a female human scent that was not Ginny's or Tonks'. He led his kin to the room which Ron and Hermione had retreated to. Here, he noted that Ron's human scent had turned wolf – and using his nose, he followed both of the invisible trails of his friends through the open window.
Outside, he loped across the dark, deserted alleyway, leading Professor Lupin, Ginny, and Tonks to outside the storeroom in the next building, where the Ron-werewolf was still whining.
He perked up upon seeing his new brother. Ron and Harry sniffed at each other, before nuzzling jaws, to affirm their pack allegiance. Meanwhile, Tonks used the light at the tip of her wand for everyone to see by in the darkness of the warehouse-like building.
"Ron…? Who-who's joined you?" Hermione's soft, fearful voice was clear to Harry. Watched by the others, Ron and Harry let out low whines at the door.
"Ha-Harry!?"
He whined again, in confirmation.
There was a long pause. Then Hermione spoke again
"All – all right. I'll…I'll open up." There was the noise of heavy boxes being moved aside, then the door swung open to reveal Hermione, still fully-dressed, staring wide-eyed at the two male werewolves who were her friends. Harry sniffed at her, taking in his friend's fear, and also registering her growing sense of wonder. She reached out a trembling hand and felt the fur around his right temple.
"Harry… It is you! You've still got your scar here! You've – you've not gone…feral?"
He slowly shook his head.
Hermione took in a deep breath, then addressed both Tonks and the four werewolves. Harry saw her eyes moistening.
"I'm…I'm sorry, everyone. I'm not ready for this. The thought of being bitten… It makes me squirm! I thought I could get through what I had to… I didn't even take the injection…"
There was a pause, which was broken by Ron's whining. Harry too, was feeling despondent now – and he sensed the disappointment of his fellow werewolves, as they hung their heads.
Tonks stepped over to comfort Hermione. "It's okay," she whispered. "It's your life, and your choice."
Hermione was silently crying now as she reached out and stroked firstly Ron, then Harry. "So…, so sorry Ron, Harry…, Pro-professor…, Ginny…" Her voice faded away as Tonks led Hermione back to the Shrieking Shack.
Ron raised his head and howled, to express his emotions. Then the younger werewolves turned to their alpha, for guidance.
Let us head for the forest and hunt, my young friends…, he decided. Do not resent Hermione. One day, she may yet conquer her fear. In the meantime, let us enjoy the night!
Ginny nodded, and added her 'voice'. Let us celebrate the addition of Harry to our company, she declared.
A glum-looking Ron and Harry acknowledged the wisdom of their alpha's decision. Keeping to the shadows, the werewolf pack slipped away from the building, on the edge of Hogsmeade, and sprinted away – on all fours – heading for the forest, ready to begin the night's hunting…