Tuesday, 4th May 2004

Hermione would not describe herself as a rule breaker. In fact, technically, in this circumstance, she hadn't actually broken any rules. There wasn't a sign above the Ministry potion stores that read "Caution: For Authorised Personnel Only", and there was no clearance system either.

Therefore, when she had returned home with enough Wolfsbane to keep Malfoy going for at least three months, she shot down everyone of his misgivings and snide taunts with a superior look and a sigh of derision; he soon stopped trying to goad her into kicking him out of her house.

However, as was the norm between two such strong willed individuals, it did not take long for them to come up with another topic for contention. Hermione, having become quite accustomed to Malfoy's presence - though he was more often 'Draco' in her thoughts now, something she refused to acknowledge - and even enjoyed the time they spent together in the evenings. And so, on the evening of his transformation, she made it known that - in no uncertain terms - she would be staying with him for the duration of his change.

"Stay with me? You want to stay with me while I turn into a beast?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Hermione jutted her chin and folded her arms in her lap, preparing for a fight.

"It's a total Lunar eclipse!" he shouted, throwing his arms wide. "Who knows what might happen!"

"I've done the research," Hermione said calmly. "There is no link between the eclipse and werewolf transformations; it will be the same as every other time."

"Every other time I've turned into a crazed monster hellbent on finding food," he growled, his eyes narrowed into slits. "This is the first time I've taken Wolfsbane, Granger, so forgive me if I'm not exactly sure what to expect here."

"You can expect that I'll be here with you through it all." She made a stiff movement, as if she wanted to go to him but then thought better of it. "Whatever happens, I'll help."

For a long time he was silent, but then he dropped his gaze and murmured, "You don't need to stay with me."

Hermione fought the urge to reach for him. "I know," she said. "I want to."

"I'd really rather you didn't," he retorted, his voice hard and determined.

"I'd really rather you accept that I'm going to do what I want, regardless of what you say."

His mouth twitched at that, an infinitesimal movement that Hermione only just caught. She fought her own smirk as he fell silent, settling himself on the floor of the spare bedroom. Turning slowly, she locked the door behind her before mimicking his movements.

"If I didn't know any better," he drawled, his head lolling back against the wall, "I'd say you were trying to seduce me; you don't have one of those weird lycanthropy fetishes, do you?"

Hermione snorted indignantly. "If I did, Malfoy, I still wouldn't be into you." She tried - and failed - to ignore the way her heart sped up at these words.

He was silent for a few moments, before he turned to look at her. "In all seriousness," he said, "you'll need to move away a little before my transformation; I'm not an occamy."

Hermione tried to focus on his attempt at humour, but as she shuffled away from him she couldn't help but feel that maybe he just wanted to put some distance between them. Had she been too obvious before, when she'd said she wouldn't be interested in him? Was she interested in him?

Her head spun as she continued to slide her bottom across the carpet, putting a couple of metres between her and Malfoy. She rested against the adjacent wall, across from the bed. From here she had a good view of his profile, and she watched, mesmerised, by the truly relaxed expression on his face. Deciding that silence was probably better than speaking at this point, Hermione drew her knees up to her chin and waited.

Forty-five minutes later, Malfoy broke the silence, panting as he spoke. "Granger?" he rasped. "It's happening."

Hermione could make out the pain etched on his face as his features contorted, but she was grateful for the verbal warning anyway. Part of her wanted to look away; she felt that this was a private moment she was encroaching on, as if he were undressing in front of her rather than transforming into a beast. The stronger part of her, however, was struck with complete fascination as Malfoy's features distorted and he all but vibrated off of the floor.

His face elongated first, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as a snout sprouted. His limbs followed, lengthening and shortening until he was forced onto all fours. Claws were the last to spring from large, padded paws as Malfoy fell still and Hermione released a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

He was beautiful.

There was no other way to describe the wolf in front of her. He was decidedly larger than a regular wolf, with pale white fur that looked almost clear beneath the slivers of moonlight streaming through the window. His eyes were the slate grey Hermione knew as human Draco's, and as he cocked his head to the side, as if appraising her, Hermione could have sworn he was challenging her in the way only a Malfoy could.

"Shut up." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You know you're pretty."

He growled, though Hermione was sure it was meant as a wolfish laughter rather than a sound of warning. She sat once more, her eyes still trained on the wolf. As she settled, she patted the floor beside her. His indecision was obvious, but she was insistent and so finally, with a sound of frustration, Malfoy made his way over to her.

Between the dresser and the corner of the bedroom there wasn't a lot of room, especially with Malfoy in wolf form. Hermione didn't mind being pressed up against him, though.