Howl at the Moon
Again last night I had that strange dream
Where everything was exactly how it seemed
Where concerns about the world getting warmer
The people thought they were just being rewarded
For treating others as they'd like to be treated
For obeying stop signs and curing diseases
For mailing letters with the address of the sender
Now we can swim any day in November
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping
(now we can swim any day in November)
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in
Hermione awoke in the middle of the night drenched in sweat and panting. The full moon was slowly drawing closer and she could feel the beginning effects. Although tonight she wasn't sure if it was the wolf inside or the nightmares that awakened her. Either way she knew she was not going to be able to go back to sleep.
Screams still haunted her. Malfoy Manor and the drawing room she was tortured in still haunted her. She felt broken.
Reaching for the bedside table she grasped her wand tightly in a white knuckle grip her senses on high alert as her new sense of hearing and smell tried to pick up any little thing that may not belong. Her instinct was to run, to get as far away as possible however she forced herself to stay reminding herself that she is in the hospital wing, safe at Hogwarts under Dumbledore's protection.
Slowly she slid out of bed, bare feet hitting cold stone floor. Hermione was getting restless, she needed to move. On shaky legs she forced herself out of the hospital wing and down a flight of stairs. Intent on going to the kitchens to see if a snack or a warm glass of milk might settle her nerves.
When she reached the fruit painting she stared at it owlishly trying to remember which fruit it was she was suppose to tickle. Her brain still sluggish from her lack of sleep and nerves.
"Trying to find the kitchens luv?"
Startled, a vicious snarl ripped through her as she spun, wand ready, hair fizzing with little magical sparks.
Sirius was surprised to find the new girl up and about in the middle of the night, especially in front of the entrance to the kitchens. He questioned briefly on how she may of knew about them but dismissed it quickly assuming Dumbledore probably gave her directions as she seemed to be hesitating on how to enter. When he called out to her though he was surprised by her immediate response.
The girl looked feral and ready to attack. Slowly as not to agitate he raised his hands in front of himself and showed the wild girl that he was defenseless. She blinked a few times and shook her head, sending her curls flying about as she tried to come to her senses. When she finally recognized Sirius she gasped, "I'm so sorry." He could hear the panic in her voice "I don't know what's happening I – I don't normally act...I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. There was no harm done." Sirius replied coming closer "Your name is Hermione right?"
She nodded, "I – Yes. I'm Hermione Granger."
"Sirius. Sirius Black."
Whiskey colored eyes drank him in as she looked him over, "You're the boy that took me up to the hospital wing aren't you?"
Sirius smirked, "That's me."
"Thank you. You know? For that."
"It's no problem. Couldn't leave a banged up bird out there alone could I? My mates and I made sure you made it up to the hospital wing alright."
"I need to thank them as well then." She mumbled
"You'll get your chance. They were all planning to meet you tomorrow...or today actually." Sirius looked at his watch "As it is now one in the morning."
"Oh. It's earlier than I thought. I couldn't sleep."
"Wanted a late night snack?" Sirius asked eyebrow raised,
"I – Yes. I was hoping a snack or a glass of milk might help me go back to sleep." Hermione replied, feeling self conscious and out of sorts. Her hormones were changing as the moon drew nearer and with the nightmares and everything else, emotionally Hermione just felt all over the place and not herself.
"Well, as I was also heading into the kitchen for a snack let me show you the way." Sirius winked at her before moving past and reaching up toward the fruit painting. With quick fingers he tickled the pear until it let them inside.
"Ladies first." He bowed and Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes as she made her way inside. Almost immediately an elf dressed in a tea towel approached, "What would missy like?"
"Oh um...maybe a glass of warm spiced milk if you please." Hermione requested making her way to the counter and perching onto one the many stools lined up there. Sirius joined her at the counter grey eyes watching her curiously.
"You and Lilly seem to get along alright." Sirius stated trying to strike up conversation.
The girl was a complete mystery and he really did want to get to know her better.
"Yeah. I feel like I would be having a tougher time with out her. She really quickly became my best friend."
Hermione yawned and stretched, her muscles and body still sore. She hoped the full moon didn't keep her out of classes much longer. Hermione was more than ready to jump back into something as familiar as school. Her mind wondered as a silence stretched between her and Sirius both unsure on what to talk about. The house elf that took Hermione's request introduced itself as Moopy and placed the milk in front of her inquiring if there was anything else Hermione would like.
Hermione smiled, "No thank you Moopy the milk is plenty."
"Listen...I know this isn't for polite conversation..." Began Sirius nervously no longer able to stand the awkward silence. "But can I ask what happened? When I found you, you were pretty bad off."
Hermione snorted into her milk as she took a sip, "That is a bit of an understatement."
"Was it...Was it the dark lord?"
"Yes. His followers did this." Hermione rolled the sleeve of her nightgown up and flashed Sirius the scar on her arm.
"I was caught and tortured because of what I am. I escaped but got caught again by Fenrir Greyback." Hermione said "My second escape was really a fluke. I honestly thought I was going to die, but I fought desperately and somehow ended up here."
Sirius's eyes hardened at the angry scar, his features twisting into something Hermione has not seen on the handsome face before but instead on Bellatrix. The anger there was unmistakable and Hermione had to talk herself into not running and screaming. This Black was not going to harm her.
"What happened to you isn't okay."
Hermione nodded taking another sip from her glass as a house elf placed a sandwich in front of Sirius."No. It isn't. But it happened and I'm alive and I can only be grateful for that."
"Can you live a normal life after what happened?"
Hermione laughed and it was hollow sounding even to her own ears. "No. Too many side effects. I'll suffer seizures now and joint pain. And you know I now have this whole ..." She trailed off and glanced at Sirius debating with herself over something before saying rather bluntly "Lycanthropy."
Sirius was surprised she told him, a secret that took Remus years to confide to him about.
"I figured you already knew." Hermione shrugged in answer to Sirius's surprised face. "You hang out with that sandy haired boy and I can smell what he is."
She hated she had to pretend she didn't know them from before, it felt almost like lying. But in a way she guessed she really didn't know him or the Marauders. Not them as they are now anyway.
"Ah. That makes sense." Sirius chuckled. "You were right we did know." He winked at her as he finally took a bite of his food.
"I'd like to meet him."
"Oh?"
"I would like to know if we can get along. Dumbledore mentioned I would be kept in the shrieking shack with another werewolf, I'd hate for it to be a dominance battle if we don't get along as pack."
"That's very logical of you."
Hermione grinned before finishing off her glass. "I'm a logical person."
"We'll be by later today. You can meet him then."
"Sounds good. Not too early I hope? I do plan to try and get some sleep."
Sirius chuckled, "I'll make sure it's after dinner."
"Sirius?"
"Yeah luv?"
"I'm really glad I somehow ended up here. I hope we can be friends."
Sirius wrapped an arm gently around her middle and gave her a companionable hug "Couldn't get rid of us if you tried. We'll be best friends yeah?"
Hermione, Overcome with emotion that she partially blamed on her overactive hormones felt the tears prick at her eyes as a tiny sob escaped. She stumbled into a second chance at life when she shattered that time turner and she couldn't believe how lucky she was. Sirius tightened his grip around her just a little bit as he comforted her while she cried.
Remus was awoken by her scent.
The gentle smell of Chocolate, cinnamon, and just a hint of something wild. Eyes springing open a soft growl escaped as he sat up when he realized it was Sirius sneaking back in their dorms with that scent clinging to his skin.
"What the hell Moony?!" Sirius hissed eyes darting around to make sure Remus didn't wake up any of the others in the dorm.
"Why do you smell like her?"
"Who?"
"Her." Remus growled, "Don't play dumb Padfoot."
"Hermione?" Sirius questioned blinking in confusion " I ran into her going down to the kitchen mate. We talked that's all."
Remus took a deep breath, trying to remember that Sirius is affectionate and that he hugs and touches all his friends. For some reason that thought didn't help. At. All.
"Padfoot?"
"Yeah mate?" Sirius asked perching on the edge of Remus's four poster bed.
"Until I figure out what the hell is going on with my wolf can you...not touch her?"
"I can... but Moony she's been in some bad situations. I'm not going to isolate her because you can't deal with another werewolf."
"I know, I just...I feel like I am loosing control and I can't tell what my wolf wants." Remus muttered frustrated before whispering "I'm scared Pads."
Sirius patted Remus on the shoulder "We'll figure it out. Do you think you can still meet up with her later today? She's been wanting to meet you. She can tell what you are too."
"I want to Pads but what if I try to attack her?"
"We'll be there to hold you back. Prongs, Wormtail, and I we won't let you do something you'll regret or hurt her."
Remus sat there staring blankly in the darkness. His wolf more restless and aggressive than usual constaly running towards the surface and he wasn't too sure what that exactly meant.
He could only hope it wasn't bad for him or Hermione.
A/N: Finally! A new chapter! Sorry this took so long and it is so short :( My laptop crapped out and I had to move everything to my gaming desktop as far as all of my fanfiction was concerned. But now I should be able to churn out chapters at a little bit of a better pace.
Also I noticed I am in terrible need of a Beta as my chapters are filled with mistakes. Sorry guys! I'll try to get them re -edited in the coming weeks without making it into a rush job lol.
Anyway R+R Flame too if you want! All reviews are welcomed!