Chapter 14

An: Hey everyone, long time no see. Hope you enjoy the chapter. I would love to have some feed back from you guys too, because I really feel as if this fic is going no-where. So depending on what you, the readers want, I will decide weather to finish this fic or just abandon it.

Just a little warning, I know I should have put these up earlier but oh well: Violence, Mature scenes, and bad Language, if you don't like it don't read it. Simple as pie! Now does anyone know how to make pie?

Recap:

"Any better?" he growled. Nodding meekly Hermione held onto him tighter but still refused to look directly in his eyes. "Just a little bit." She responded softly.

Nodding Remus lifted Hermione into his arms ignoring her cry of shock at being suddenly grabbed. She looked at him for the first time curiously before asking. "What are you doing, where are we going?"

"You said you felt dirty." He growled moving over to the bathroom. Using one hand to hold her up, he used the other to open the bathroom door. Pulling his wand out he shot a spell at the shower, letting the water run. He led Hermione under the shower where the warm water ran over her skin.

"Hotter." Was the only thing she said, as Remus turned the heat up on the shower.

The steam coming from the water was fogging up the bathroom and the water was burning her skin but it didn't matter. They both sat under the water, Remus' arms wrapped tightly around his mate as she stared into space with out a word.

Day one

In the first 24 hours since Hermione had returned to the dorms in Remus' arms, she had successfully locked herself and Remus inside. Refusing to let any of the other girls in Hermione had wouldn't leave her room for anyone, still in shock from the attack on her the day before. Ginny had tried persistently to get into the room, using every unlocking charm she had in her arson. Just as she was about to blast the door open she heard some shuffling around in the room before the door swung open, revealing Remus.

Moving past the stoic werewolf, to her sister on the bed, she threw her arms around Hermione and the two sat there embraced in each others arms as Remus re-applied the wards.

No-one had seen anyone coming in or out of the room until later in the evening when Ginny walked out, no one following behind her.

Day Two

Ginny and Lily had tried rather unsuccessfully to remove Hermione from the room but ever since the first night when Ginny had gotten into the room no on else had even been allowed past the threshold. Madame Pomfrey had been informed by Ginny and Lily of what had happened in the hopes the school matron would be able to persuade Hermione and Remus to leave the rooms. So far they had all been completely unsuccessful.

Ever since Hermione and Remus had locked themselves in the room Ginny and Lily had had to share a room with the two marauders; taking over Remus bed in his absence. Sitting out in the common room Sirius, James, Lily and Ginny were planning how they would get into the room.

Ginny was thinking over exactly what had happened when Remus had let her into the room to see her sister and knew she would have to try something to get Hermione out as quickly as possible. Locking herself away in her room was not helping and neither was her overprotective werewolf mate.

Day Three

It was the third Day and still no one had seen hide or hair of Hermione. She had kept herself exclusively locked up in the dorm room with Remus, and made no move to indicate that she was ever going to leave.

Lily and Ginny were getting worried, at first, they realized that she would need some space to think and get her-self together but they didn't realize she meant three days of solitude. She had been in so much control of herself on the night of the attack that they had believed; she was not as affected as they might have thought of anyone else.

Lucius was still unconscious in the hospital wing from what Remus had done to him, when he found the blonde on top of his face. He had only regained consciousness briefly, and didn't seem to have any inclination that Hermione was a werewolf. They all knew Remus' secret was well and truly blown if the Slytherin told other what he knew, but if they could at least keep Hermione's secret then that would be enough.

Implementing plan, free Hermione from dusty dorm room, James and Sirius, used every trick they could think of to lure the two werewolves out of the room, even going as far as to black mail Remus, with taking away his chocolate if they didn't come out. Unfortunately nothing seemed to work. Later that evening they thought there would be some semblance of hope as the headmaster walked into the common room in his many layered multicolored robes. It seemed the students were getting curious as to why Hermione and Remus were locked up in the girl's dormitory and the headmaster had come to set them straight.

Telling the student's of the highly contagious bug that both Hermione and Remus had contracted he warned the students to keep clear of the room, that the two should be well again in the next couple of days If everything went well and in a couple of weeks if there were some complications.

Before leaving he pulled Ginny to the side, telling her to let the two be, that they would be out in their own time. Turning in a swirl of colorful robes, the headmaster popped a lemon drop into his mouth before exiting the common room, humming a merry tune.

Day Four

Day four and Hermione had still not ventured from the room. The only sign that anyone even inhabited the room was the occasional opening and closing of the door as someone retrieved the food left outside by the house elves in the hopes to entice the two werewolves into the open. Remus was the only one that had been seen since the incident two days ago and he was only now beginning to communicate with his friends again but still refused to let any of them anywhere near Hermione.

Inside the girls Dorm Hermione was sitting on her bed, in pretty much the same position she had been in when Remus had helped her out of the shower on that first night.

Sighing she stood from the bed, looking around the room, it was empty. Closing her eyes for a second and thinking back she realized Remus had gone to his dorm to get a change of clothes. Opening her eyes she threw a discreet glance towards the door, watching to see if anyone would try to come in knowing that Remus wasn't with her at the moment. She knew no one would since the door had been warded, but the fear was there.

Shaking herself slightly she walked over to the window pushing it open so she could breath in the fresh night air. The moon was almost full and she knew it was only a matter of days before the full moon would be upon them. The closer the moon was seen the further and further she would have to be away from Remus, and thinking of it now, she didn't think she would be able to handle leaving his side at the moment. They had planned to lessen their bond when the full moon came close, by distancing from each other, and making sure they were in separate parts of the castle for the transformation.

Taking in a deep breath, she sat on the windowsill balancing on the edge. Staring out at the moon she let the white rays wash over her skin with a blissful tingle. Shivering in pleasure she knew it would be a hard, transformation. It was the mating moon after all, and she didn't think she was ready for that type of commitment just yet. Especially after the incident with Malfoy she didn't think that she would be ready for a commitment like that anytime soon.

Shifting her weight on the ledge, she jumped a little when she heard the door to the dorm room open. Swinging her head around to see who it was she released a sigh of relief when she noticed that it was only Remus.

"Hermione?" He called out to her concerned.

Smiling slightly to herself, she stared into his gentle face before replying. "I'm fine Remus." She said softly, turning back to look out the open window.

"No, No you're not Hermione! If you were fine you would have left the room three days ago." He growled frustrated that there was nothing he could do for his mate but be there for her.

Frowning Hermione turned back to her mate, biting her lip in frustration, she knew she should explain, but what was there to say. She knew she had to leave, but it didn't stop her fearing it all the same. It was as if her mind and heart were warring against each other, and it didn't look as if either would be winning anytime soon.

"Remus, I…"she trailed off biting down on her lip. Turning away from her mate, she stared out at the moon gathering her thoughts. She could sense Remus moving up behind her, but didn't deter him in his effort to comfort her.

"You realize, ill have to leave in a few days Hermione. I'll have to stay in the hospital wing or the room of requirement, away from you completely, if we want this to work out." He whispered his breath hot against her ear. Wrapping his arms around his mate he let his head fall onto her shoulder, watching the moon as she did.

Lifting her hand, she rested it against his face, cupping his cheek, in an attempt of comfort. "I'll be fine Remus; it's just, nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I know I've been avoiding the subject, but I just can't be around them right now, what must they think of me." She said looking down ashamed of herself.

Remus looked up startled by what she said, "Hermione what…" he trailed off as Hermione spoke over him, the anger in her voice strengthening her words with each syllable that passed her lips.

Hermione looked at him with incredulous eyes. "I'm a werewolf Remus, no matter which way you twist it. I am now, and forever more a werewolf, and I, I couldn't even defend myself. I was weak, helpless, I just… I froze, I couldn't move I couldn't believe he was actually there in front of me, and that he was actually going to do what he was threatening I couldn't believe it." She said frantically, tears steadily building in her eyes.

"There was no way Hermione you…"

"No way what? Remus" She snapped turning all her anger at herself on him. "There was no way I could have defended myself, well if I was still human I would have believed that, but I'm not. I'm a werewolf, I have double the strength he could ever hope to have, and I could have crushed his skull against the wall if I wanted to, but I froze. Damn it! I froze." She shouted, tears running down her cheeks, in anger.

Jumping down of the window ledge, Remus backed up a little to allow her some room, to let her vent. He knew the worst was coming and braced him-self for it.

"Don't you get it Remus, you and I, were not like the rest of the student's in this school, no matter how much we'd like to think it. I could have, should have killed him for what he did to me. I never should have allowed him anywhere near me, But I just couldn't, I…I looked at him and forget who I was, WHAT I was. Ginny would never have let herself be taken advantage of in such a way and neither would Lily, and there both Human. I could have, I had the means, the motive, but I couldn't do it. I was weak." She trailed off tears running freely down her cheeks she collapsed to the floor on her knees, arms curled around herself as she shook off some invisible cold.

Moving toward his mate on the ground he wrapped his strong arms around her, careful to grab her wrists as she swung out at him in anger. Wrapping her arms back around her, he held her tight, unmoving as she struggled. Letting her cry, he whispered soothing words in her ear, rocking her slightly, trying to calm her down any which way he could. When he finally had enough of her attention, he tightened his arms around her slightly, making sure she was secure enough that if she didn't like what she heard she wouldn't be able to run.

Running one hand through her dark curls he whispered "Hermione, what happened was in no way your fault, and you know as well as I do that there was nothing that could have been done. Werewolf or not human or not, everyone is entitled to some weakness. No one is ashamed of you for what happened and no one is angry. If anything they wanted to rip Malfoy apart. You know after I was first turned I used to think that I was a monster, a weak disgusting monster, I was the stuff of nightmares to some children. I always thought I would be alone for the rest of my life, I mean who would want to be with a werewolf as weak as me. In the short time I've known you Hermione Dumbledore; you've shown me what strength is. You more than anyone I know, deserved a moment of weakness; you shouldn't have to be strong all the time. I should have been there for you, I should have stopped it, but I wasn't there when you needed me most." Remus paused as he ran his hand through Hermione's hair, listening to her soft breathing as she waited to see if he would continue.

Leaning down he pressed his face, into Hermione's hair wrapping his arms around her even more tightly, he squeezed a little. "I'm so sorry Hermione; I'll never fail you again." He whispered brokenly. Hermione squeezed the arm wrapped around her in comfort as she felt the hot tears on her neck, dampening her hair. She would let her mate have his moment, keeping his pride as he hid his tears.

The next few days were going to be interesting.

Day Five

Rolling onto her side Hermione stared out into the empty dorm, today she would take a step forward even if it killed her. After listening to Remus the night before she realized, she shouldn't pity herself in her moment of weakness, but she knew for one that it was never going to happen again even if she had to kill the bastard the next time he dared lay a hand on her, she swore to herself that she would never be caught in such a situation like that again.

Looking out once more into the empty room, she pulled herself into a seating position before dragging herself off her bed and over towards her wardrobe. Pulling the door open she stared at the clothes lay out before her and was starting to wonder if it was such a good idea to be leaving the dorm yet. Shaking herself she pulled all her Gryffindor courage to the forefront she would not have Remus to help her through this week, so she needed to pull herself together.

Pulling out some clothes she walked over to her dresser, sitting herself facing the mirror. Sighing she placed her hands over her face, blocking her from the reflection. "What have I done to deserve this." She muttered quietly letting her head fall, coming into contact with the hard wood of the dresser.

Resigning herself for the day and week ahead, she dressed quietly and made her way towards the door of the dorm room, ready to face her friends for the first time in five days.

-----HG/RL-----

The common room was silent as the students who deigned to get out of the bed early on the bright Saturday morning mulled about. Sitting in front of the fire was Lily and Ginny. Both girls had risen when they were woken earlier in the morning by Remus' rummaging through the room and James and Sirius, shouting as they gathered some stuff for Remus' stay in the hospital wing.

They already had everything worked out with Madame Pomfrey, telling her that this transformation had made him especially edgy, and was taking a huge toll on his body leaving the nurse to lock the unhappy werewolf in the hospital wing for the week coming up to the transformation and away from the unsuspecting children in the castle.

They were waiting for any sign of Hermione, as they had since she had locked herself in the room at the very beginning; they were hoping that she would bring herself out of the self induced seclusion in time for the transformation. Ginny had been working especially hard with Lily to perfect the transformation for the mating moon that was to come in a week. Though they had the actual transformation down Lily was still getting accustomed to her new senses in her animagus form, and was sometimes overwhelmed by them.

"…when she's ready, it will take time Ginny." Lily said patiently to her friend.

"I know, I know, it's just I can't seem to get her fright filled eyes out of my mind. I mean she's my sister, I should have been there for her." Ginny shuddered.

"There's nothing we can do, we just have to give her the time and space she needs, and hope she comes out soon enough." Lily said soberly.

"Lily you don't seem to be grasping the severity of the situation. Hermione already feels a pull towards Remus, do you realize how hard it is going to be to keep two werewolves apart, when their instincts are pushing them to mate." Ginny trailed off staring into the fire.

"Surely it can't be so bad, they will keep some of their minds won't they, I know you've mentioned before that Hermione can keep her mind on the full moon. What makes Remus so different?" Lily asked curiously.

"Well first of all, there is no real difference between Remus and I, except the small fact that I accept the fact that I am a werewolf, and Remus does not." A voice said from across the common room.

Ginny and Lily swung their heads around to be greeted with the sight of Hermione standing on the stairs of the dormitory fully dressed if looking a little drawn. Bolting from the couch, Ginny and Lily threw themselves at Hermione, embracing her as tightly as they could, sure that she would hole herself away again.

Once they let her go, Hermione let out a breathy laugh, earning sheepish looks from her two female friends. Looking around the common room she noticed that there was no one else there, turning back to her two friends, eyebrows furrowed she asked what she was thinking.

"Where's Remus and the others?" she was throwing cautious glances between the common room door and the boys dorm.

"He's not here Hermione; he's gone to the hospital wing. It was getting too difficult for him to be around you any longer." Ginny said quietly placing a comforting hand on her sister's arm.

"I understand Ginny, the moon is approaching, I can feel it's pull, I just never realized he would have to leave so soon." Hermione said softly.

Lily looked between the two and could already feel the heavy mood settling over the common room. Deciding there was a need for a change in topic she grabbed a confused Hermione's hand and dragged her over to the couch in front of the fire and threw her backwards making her land sprawled on the couch much to the amusement of Ginny.

"Stay there I want to show you something." Lily chirped excitedly as she watched Ginny sit beside her sister.

"Remember to concentrate." The red head warned the other from the couch. "You don't want to get stuck."

Confused Hermione looked between the two keeping quiet for now. Turning back to lily she waited as the girls face scrunched up in concentration before there was a sleek female tiger sitting in front of her.

Blinking out of her shock, Hermione reached out a hand to touch the majestic animal. Curling her fingers in her soft fur, Hermione looked the tiger in the eye "I can't believe you completed the transformation so quickly." She breathed stroking the fur between the tiger's ears, earning a rumbling purr in return.

Stepping back Hermione allowed Lily some room to transform back only to engulf her in a hug, just as she regained her human form. Holding Lily tight against her Hermione embraced the girl who had become like a second sisterto her. Finally letting go and stepping back she looked at Ginny and Lily, both of which were staring back with soft smiles on their faces. Smiling to herself Hermione knew that as long as she had her friends she could overcome anything.

--RL/HG--

AN:

Short I know and I know it kind of ended a little abruptly, but i really wanted to get a chapter out there soon, and there will definitley be another up soon. Since i have been getting a lot of grief about the time it is taking. Hope you enjoy the chapter, only one week left till the full moon.