January's full moon fell on a Saturday, and Hermione was especially anxious about what would happen. Draco had spoken to Greyback before they'd returned to school, and Lucius had been in touch with the werewolf since their return, making sure everything was set up for the evening, although Hermione still didn't know how things were going to run.
"I'm not sure," Draco admitted when Hermione asked him while they were getting dressed.
"How can you not know what's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure everything will be explained when we get to the manor," Draco replied. "Speaking of which, father says he'll take us home this afternoon. We just need to make sure no-one comes looking for us and finds the head dorms empty."
"Severus can stop the staff looking for us," Hermione said. "We can tell our friends we're studying, and get Harry to ensure they don't try and find us."
"Will they really think we're studying all afternoon and night?" Draco questioned.
"I'm sure we can imply we'll be doing other stuff as well," Hermione replied with a smirk. "I'm sure they won't want to disturb us if they think we're in bed."
"I wish we were going to be in bed," Draco remarked, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist and nuzzling into her neck.
"I'm sure we can make up for it tomorrow," Hermione replied. "I've got my potion now, so we don't need to worry about the biting."
"How sure are you that it works?" Draco questioned.
"Both your mother and Severus are sure it will work perfectly," Hermione answered, turning around and wrapping her arms around Draco's neck. "Trust me, Draco. Don't worry, and just do what comes naturally tomorrow."
"And today?" Draco asked, slipping a hand down Hermione's back to cup her backside.
"I'm sure we can skip breakfast," Hermione laughed as they tumbled back onto Draco's bed.
By the time the couple finally tore themselves out of bed it was nearly lunchtime. Ironically their lie-in worked in their favour and when they headed back to their dorms after lunch claiming they had to work all afternoon, all their friends decided they were heading back to their rooms to carry on with what they'd started that morning. Now all they had to do was hope Harry kept everyone away, which he'd promised to do when Draco had a quiet word with him over lunch.
It was nearly an hour after lunch before Lucius appeared in the head dorms, ready to escort them to Malfoy Manor. Draco had half expected his mother to be with him, but Lucius explained that he'd persuaded Narcissa to remain at Hogwarts. Draco was secretly pleased his mother wasn't going to be around the first time he was in contact with anyone in his wolf form.
"Come on then," Lucius said, connecting the floo network.
One by one they travelled to the manor, landing in the room Lucius and Narcissa used for floo visitors. No sooner had they arrived then the floo lit up again and Greyback emerged, followed by Voldemort.
"Daddy," Hermione cried, hugging her father. "What are you doing here?"
"You couldn't honestly expect me to miss this, could you?" Voldemort replied, arching an eyebrow at his daughter.
"I guess not," Hermione conceded. "But shouldn't you be with Mum and Lottie? They're both okay, aren't they?"
"They're both perfect," Voldemort replied. "And I'm sure they're both quite happy having an afternoon with Rosmerta. Let's focus on what's going to happen here, shall we?"
"Let's go through to the living room," Lucius suggested.
The group decamped to the living room, and Lucius got one of the elves to bring them all drinks. Once they had refreshments, talk turned to what would happen that evening, and Voldemort began by asking if Draco was ready for what was about to take place.
"Only Draco himself can answer that," Greyback replied. "But in my opinion, I think he can handle it."
"Draco?" Voldemort questioned.
"I'm ready," Draco announced with a nod. "But I need to know there's protection for Hermione, just in case things go wrong."
"We're taking precautions," Lucius reassured his son. "Do you want to know how this evening will work?"
"That sounds good," Draco said, reaching for Hermione's hand.
"Firstly, we're going to erect a safe boundary around the manor," Voldemort began. "Draco and Greyback will still have free roam of the manor grounds, but they won't be able to get too close to the manor. We're going to give Draco and Greyback a couple of hours after their transformation before we go outside. Only once we're sure Draco is calm, will Hermione leave the safe haven around the manor we've created."
"But once she's passed the boundary of the safe haven, I could still hurt her," Draco pointed out. "Even if we stayed really close, she couldn't cross the boundary line before I got to her. before we do this, I need a promise that if the worst looks as though it's going to happen, you'll do whatever it takes to protect Hermione."
"Just what are you asking, Draco?" Voldemort questioned.
"That you put Hermione before me," Draco said. "If I look even the least bit threatening, I want you to hex me. Do whatever you need to, to keep Hermione safe."
"Not that it will be an issue," Hermione interjected. "This is all going to run smoothly."
"Even so, I need the reassurances," Draco said.
"You have my word, Draco," Voldemort said seriously. "I won't let anything happen to Hermione."
"Thank you," Draco said. "And I will do my very best not to hurt her."
"In my opinion, that won't be an issue," Greyback said. "I've been looking into the biting that you told me about, and your mother's right. It's not a form of aggression, it's a form of love. You bite Hermione because she's your mate. I've been a werewolf for decades, and I've never once felt the urge to bite one of my lovers. You two have a connection, and I would bet anything, that instead of being a threat you'll be protective of her in your wolf form."
"Will that be an issue with you also being here?" Lucius questioned with a frown.
"It might be," Greyback admitted with a grimace. "However, the grounds are large so if I'm as far away as I can be when Hermione is outside, it should help."
"So we'll sort a place for Hermione to leave the manor. If you know where Hermione will be, you can ensure you're as far away as possible," Lucius said.
Greyback nodded, and the three wizards got up to make preparations. While Voldemort, Lucius and Greyback headed outside to ensure everything was ready for when the moon rose, Hermione and Draco remained in the living room, preparing for the night ahead.
"You need to promise me something, Hermione," Draco said.
"What?" Hermione asked warily.
"Don't put yourself at risk," Draco replied. "If you think I'm going to be dangerous, you back off. Don't try and calm me down, just get away from me."
"But what if I can calm you?" Hermione questioned.
"Maybe you can in time, but not right away," Draco said. "Don't push this, Hermione. Greyback has made it clear we need to take this in small steps. If we push too hard early on things could go wrong. Just be cautious."
"I'll be careful," Hermione promised. "And I won't push you."
"Thank you," Draco said, pulling Hermione into his arms.
The pair were still hugging when Voldemort, Lucius and Greyback returned and announced that the wards around the manor were in place. Now when Draco and Greyback were in their wolf forms, they wouldn't be able to get too close to the manor.
"What happens now?" Hermione asked, looking at the time and finding it was still a few hours until sunset.
"We wait," Voldemort replied with a shrug as he sat back down. "You can fill me in on school. How are things going?"
"The same as normal," Hermione replied with a shrug. "I'd rather hear about Lottie. I bet she's grown so much in the last couple of weeks."
"She has," Voldemort confirmed with a low chuckle, as he began to talk about his youngest daughter.
While Voldemort and Hermione were catching up, Lucius and Draco talked quietly together while Greyback had a quick nap. The time flew over and all too soon, Greyback and Draco were preparing to go outside and get ready for the full moon.
"Two hours," Greyback warned Voldemort. "I'll be well away from the back garden by then. Don't come out earlier in case I'm too close."
"We'll be on time," Voldemort promised.
"See you soon," Hermione said, giving Draco a kiss.
Hermione watched nervously as Draco left the front room. She was half tempted to follow him through the manor and watch out of one of the back windows, but Draco was adamant he felt more comfortable with her in the front room.
"Come and sit down, Hermione," Voldemort urged his daughter. "We've got two hours to kill before we can go outside."
"This is going to be the longest two hours of my life," Hermione muttered, settling back on the sofa.
"So dramatic," Voldemort said, sharing an amused look with Lucius. "Why don't we pass the time by you telling us about your plans for the future? Have you given any more thought to your plans for overhauling the school system?"
"To be honest, no," Hermione admitted. "I've sort of been busy this year. I did speak to Neville about going into teaching, and I do have a few more ideas for staff. Maybe I can get moving with my plans as I'm dealing with Ginny. Although, it is going to be a long process and it will take years to fully implement."
"All good things take time," Lucius said.
"Speaking of good things, I was hoping you might consider staying on the staff after this year," Hermione said, bestowing Lucius with a dazzling smile. "You're a great Professor, and I'm going to need staff who are on my side as things start changing. I'm also going to make the same plea to Narcissa. Please Lucius, I need you both."
"I can't answer without speaking to Narcissa, but I can promise we'll talk about it," Lucius replied.
"That's all I can ask," Hermione said as she glanced at the time. "It still hasn't been two hours."
"Of course not," Voldemort replied, shaking his head. "Stop watching the clock, Hermione and relax. Just talk to us, and before you know it, it'll be time for you to go and see Draco."
Hermione did her best to follow her father's advice, but time still seemed to drag. Eventually her father announced it was time for them to move, and Hermione followed Voldemort and Lucius towards the back of the manor. Lucius led the way out of one of back doors, and the trio stood just outside of the manor.
"What now?" Hermione asked, scanning the grounds for Draco but seeing no sign of any movement.
"We wait," Voldemort replied. "Greyback assured me that he and Draco would know we were out here. We're to wait for Draco to approach us. He might be a while, as he'll only do that once he's confident he won't hurt you."
Hermione nodded as she silently continued to scan the grounds. Despite Voldemort's warning that it might take a while for Draco to put in an appearance, it was under five minutes when Hermione spotted a stunning grey wolf loping into sight. Even though she'd seen Draco during his first transformation, it was still an awe-inspiring sight to see the majestic wolf and know it was her boyfriend. To be honest she wasn't sure how much of a wolf Draco would still look like, or if his humanity would be making an appearance, but she was pleased to see he was still in his full wolf form. Hopefully it was sign he was adjusting well and wasn't fighting the lycanthropy.
Hermione waited with baited breath as Draco slowly strolled towards them. He stopped a few feet away, and lay down on the grass, cocking his head as he watched Hermione. Hermione was surprised by the connection she felt to the wolf. Even though as a wolf Draco's eyes were black, she still felt as though she was looking at her boyfriend when she looked into them.
"I think he's ready," Lucius said gently.
"Just remember to be calm and don't push him," Voldemort advised. "We have to take this is small steps."
Hermione nodded as she took a couple of deep breaths. Fully aware that both her father and Lucius were watching her every move, ready to protect her if needs be, Hermione made her way towards Draco. She felt a small ripple when she passed the protective boundary, but she pressed on to where Draco was still lying.
"Hey gorgeous," She whispered, kneeling down beside him.
Not really sure how to proceed, she carefully reached out and stroked his fur. For a second she felt Draco tense underneath her hands, but then he relaxed and pressed himself closer to her. Hermione smiled at the subtle gesture, and stroked his soft fur with less hesitance.
"You really are a gorgeous wolf," Hermione told him as she continued to stroke him, and give him the occasional scratch behind his ear. "And see, you don't want to hurt me, do you?"
Draco looked at her with his soulful eyes, and Hermione could have sworn he shook his head. Laughing lightly, she leant down and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. In response Draco let out a noise which sounded like a contended hum, and Hermione could feel how relaxed he was. It looked like Greyback was right, and their close bond helped Draco control his animal instincts around her.
"Hermione," Voldemort called quietly, his voice barely reaching Hermione's ears.
However, the sounds had reached Draco's ears and he immediately lifted his head and stared at Voldemort. Hermione held her breath, wondering if Draco was going to turn violent, but he merely continued to watch her father.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Hermione said with a sigh. "You have fun, and I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
Hermione gave Draco one final stroke, before she got to her feet and headed back over to where her father and Lucius were standing. After confirming that the meeting had gone as well as it looked to have, Hermione waved goodbye to Draco and headed into the manor. From there she flooed back to the school, leaving her boyfriend to enjoy the remainder of his evening in peace.