A/N: There is no known wolfsbane recipe found in any resource so I invented my own. The information has been garnered from random herb magazines and the nature of JKR's lycanthropy descriptions with the addition of my own beliefs concerning moon gathered stones, herbs, and metals.

All standard disclaimers apply.

The first few weeks of Hermione's employment was spent in the Basement, learning the ins and outs of day to day operations. She'd also set up one office for her notes and a small, personal lab, the better to work on her updated version of the wolfsbane potion. One of the very first things she'd done was switch the moonstone to freshwater pearls. (That particular change had been the first to suggest itself.) The young woman had spent two months collecting the pearls during the height of the full moon to strengthen their connection to the moon's energies. Another full moon expedition had been spent collecting moonwort, mugwort and valerian root from the Forest of Dean as well as getting special dispensation to travel to the Forbidden forest on Hogwarts' grounds. Of course, she could not replace the aconite and due to the perrenial nature of the flowers she had only three choices: have Neville grow some for her in the vast expanse of Hogwarts multiple greenhouses, buy them already prepared (an expense she would rather not incur) or wait until February and March to gather them herself. She chose two of the three options and after talking it over, with both Neville and the Headmistress, she'd decided that growing her own as well as gathering them would be for the best. However, payment for the use of Neville's expertise was needful and so she made an appointment to meet with both Theo and Draco to discuss it.

"Good morning, Draco. Theo," she began, her voice low and soothing.

The trio had decided to meet in the close confines of her office and within moments Draco had been overwhelmed by her scent and the urge to rope her into a tight embrace. There was also the low growl he'd had to fight off every single time Theo got too close but his eyes, bleeding from gray to a silvery and golden hue were the only things that gave away his agitated state. Neither Hermione nor Theo noticed.

It was now September and the first time the two gentlemen would learn of her plans. Both men were excited, though Draco was also slightly worried. The funding provided had not been as much as he'd feared, especially since Hermione had done most of the gathering herself. Regardless, his nervousness only added to his discomfort and it was not long before he'd been forced to open the office door, to get away from her scent, her aura.

"I wanted to make you aware of the provisions I've made concerning the Aconite, as that is one thing that can not be changed and is the most cost prohibitive." She then went on to explain her contract with Neville as well as the special trip she'd discussed with Headmistress McGonagall.

Both men nodded, pleased with the proffered solution, though it was Theo who broached the subject of building their own greenhouses and procuring the services of a Herbal Master to run it, in the event that her changes worked.

"I believe that solution would bring down costs considerably, though we would have to search far afield for the proper sort. A being would be out of the question unless you'd hire a Veela?" This was a query aimed directly at Draco. "Otherwise a Wizard or Witch who has at least ten years experience would have to be induced."

Again, nods of agreement.

"As for some of the changes? I am thinking freshwater pearls in place of moonstone and copper mined on the three nights of the full moon. That outlay would be negligible and might well work in place of the silver. If not, we'd have to switch the amounts, maybe mix the two as that would also bring the cost down." She smiled and pointed to the small cauldron, bronze in hue and bubbling lightly. "As you can see the initial color and scent are the same as the original, using some stores of my own with the copper as a binding agent."

Draco moved closer and bent over, his sensitive nostrils a keener judge than the woman who stood before them. He could smell a slight variation due to the copper and mugwort but not enough to change the overall composition and as he straightened, he told her so. Hermione nodded in turn and drew out two different parchments before handing them over.

"Here is my initial work around with all measures added. Most of these ingredients can be gathered by the wolves themselves and if I can cut both the brewing and stirring needed, as well as changes to the timing, the poorer wolves would also be able to brew it, thus leaving our business with wolves who are working and able to afford the week's worth needed. Of course, the poorer wolves would still have a cash outlay for the aconite and possibly copper/silver mixture but we'd be positioned for that as well."

Draco smiled, his eyes rapidly glancing over the work she'd already accomplished. Theo also grinned.

"It looks as if you've got things well in hand, Hermione. Matter of fact, I am unsure of what else we can offer to you outside of the monies needed for Aconite procurement." Theo's husky statement drew another nod from Draco as well as a languid wave of one large yet slender hand.

"I will approve Neville's payment and open the main Floo for trips to Hogwarts for you. Just allow our lawyers to oversee the contract negotiations."

"Brilliant," Hermione interjected, her excitement easily heard. "I can't wait to let Neville know!"

Not long after, both Draco and Theo excused themselves and Hermione was left alone to think about what they'd discussed. However, her thoughts soon drifted to the feeling of excitement she'd felt, every time Draco's gaze had settled upon her. There had also been the urge, almost a compulsion, to rub against him, to offer her throat, to crawl into his lap and allow him to pet her, to coddle and cuddle her, to take care of her.

Those thoughts brought on confusion and she did not like it, at all. It was at that point that she decided a conversation with Tobias was in order. Maybe he could explain it or, at the very least, direct her onto a path that would allow her to discover the answers for herself.

With that, the young woman sat down and drew quill to parchment, penning a quick note to be owled to the wolf later that day. Soon after, she allowed her fingers to trail upward, to the base of her nape and it was there that she discovered a very sensitive spot, a small bump, just beneath the skin.

'What in the blazes,' she pond€ered. 'That's never been there before.'

In another part of the vast building, on the top floor, a certain blond was also distracted by his emotional turmoil. It was one thing to think of his reactions to her while they'd attended school. After all, he'd always known they'd shared a sort of explosive chemistry, one that couldn't be denied, only hidden, at least on his end. But this new thing? It was disconcerting and left him hard pressed to decide where all of this had come from.

Was it a wolf thing? After all, the conversation held months ago had shed no further light on his feelings. Even Tobias had no knowledge that he could use outside of the mention of a bump which could relate to either Omega or mate status, maybe both. The questions he'd asked; "Does she strike you as submissive? Does she watch you?" had made him laugh. Hermione? Submissive? Not in this, or any other, lifetime. Yet, he'd noticed that her attention strayed to him, more often than not, though she invariably tried to hide it.

She couldn't though. He could smell her and hear her heartbeat, especially when they were close. He did notice that she tried to avoid the closeness, keeping chairs and desks between them whenever it was possible. What did that mean? Did she feel something? How could he learn the truth of it? Touching her was out of bounds and even if her scent changed, he'd have no idea what that meant beyond either mate or Omega.

'Fuck!' He railed at the idea of not knowing, of secrets he was not party to. He knew that he would need help but he had NO idea where to go for it, nor who to ask. 'Maybe I can get approval to check at the Ministry? They have the most books, even more than Hogwarts.'

The whole thing was a confusion of differing thoughts and opinions. Draco had no real idea of how to proceed...and he loathed it.

By the end of the work week, Neville's contract had been drawn up and finalized. Since Hermione had also finally finagled a meeting with Tobias in the Ministry's cafe, she'd told Theo that she would be happy to deliver the paperwork. He'd allowed it for expediency's sake and had wished her a good rest of her day since there was no real reason for her return. Though the brainy, not so bushy-haired (anymore) female did not understand why she'd been granted the rest of the day, she took it in the spirit he'd meant it and hurried away, first to the main floor and the large floo there and then to Hogwarts.

By mid-afternoon, everything had been signed and sent off to Malfoy, no addendums required. Neville, for his part, found himself quite pleased with the deal and was already planning a proper layout for the plants and cuttings he'd gathered and kept in stasis, long before. Since he had no classes for at least a few more hours, the tall, handsome junior professor had offered to see his friend to Hogsmeade and Hermione had accepted with a smile.

"How is it, working for Malfoy?"

Hermione thought it over as she linked her arm through his, her head tilted slightly to the left. When she chose to break the silence, it was hesitant, as if she could not find the proper words, though why she'd have such trouble was beyond her. "Well, he is very good at the running of the business and keen to stay abreast of each department. He and I have a," she paused, thoughtfully. "I feel an odd connection to him and I am not sure what brought it on. That's why I am traveling to the Ministry from Hogsmeade. I am going to meet with a friend there, who will hopefully tell me something that makes sense."

Neville nodded before he flashed her an impish smile and gave her a wink, "Well, best not let Ron hear you as it sounds like a bit of a crush!"

"Oh, hush you," she remonstrated.

As soon as the pair reached Hogsmeade, Hermione had hugged her friend and apparated away, all in the hopes of catching Tobias before he left for the day. Luckily for her, Friday's were always an early out so she caught him in the atrium before he'd made it to the large floo in the far corner, just past the guards' desk.

"Tobias!"

The stocky young male turned to face her, his head canted quizzically. As his cinnamon shaded gaze found her, a large dimpled grin settled upon his rounded features.

"Hermione, I thought you weren't coming," he teased, his deep voice at odds with the open expression.

"You knew I couldn't stay away! Anyway, since I missed meeting you for tea, would you like to come to my apartment for a bit? I really want to talk to you and I'd prefer privacy. I don't want anyone to overhear or bandy about your condition, especially since it's no one's business but your own."