Max claims his dance. Philip stakes his claim.
That evening, Hermione found herself back in her little red dress as Katie dressed in a classic little black dress. They fixed their hair and makeup as they heard music start playing outside the tent. Scabior was waiting for them in the main room. He offered an arm to both Hermione and Katie.
Scabior looked at Hermione and shook his head with a smile. "Well, it was nice to see you for a bit, sweetheart. Once Max has danced with you a couple of times, Philip will no doubt find a way to disappear with you for the rest of the evening." Katie laughed as Hermione turned red.
Max, Philip and Thorfinn were standing in a group with Greyback and a few of the snatchers. They were discussing their next target, a wizard who had gone on a killing spree. It wouldn't be so urgent to capture him, except that he'd killed a muggle couple and broken the international code of secrecy. Now the muggles were also on the hunt for him.
Philip was dreading the next day because he was going to have to leave Hermione tonight. He knew she'd be gone by the time he returned. He always had to leave the very first day of the full moon week because he became completely uncontrollable. Even his father couldn't keep him from attacking anyone who irritated him.
Max wouldn't be far behind him as he went into the same uncontrollable state three days later. But Max would have an extra day or two to get cozy with their young mate. Just knowing he was missing out on getting to know Hermione better was already weighing heavily on his mind. He knew he'd have to make the most of tonight.
Dad had told them not to burden her, but he hadn't said they couldn't take her. A good, strong contraceptive charm would keep her safe from being burdened. He still wouldn't get to bite her until after the blasted war was over, but hopefully Scarhead and Snakeface would soon fight it out and end this whole thing.
When he heard Max whistle appreciatively, he knew Hermione was there. He turned to see her, and his jaw dropped. Max and Finn snorted with amusement as Philip almost fell against the table behind him. He cleared his throat, crossed his legs and casually dropped his hand down to loop behind his belt buckle, very glad he's chosen a loose pair of pants to wear. They were softly laughing, knowing the young wolf had just popped a boner at the sight of Hermione in that short, red dress. Philip playfully swatted at Max, telling him to go claim his dances.
Max wove his way through the crowd and came up behind Hermione. Slipping his hands over her eyes, he leaned in and whispered, "Guess who?"
Hermione shivered as his breath wisped across the back of her neck. She grinned as she answered "Hmmm, is this Max, by any chance?"
He whirled her into his arms and left her to the dance area. "C'mon, sweetheart. I only get you for a few minutes. Then Philip gets you the rest of the night."
"He does? But what about-?" Hermione asked, not knowing what to say. Max tapped his finger on her chin as he explained.
"Philip has to leave by tomorrow, sweetie. First day of full moon week. I'll be leaving in three days. Believe me, unless you're prepared to turn werewolf immediately, you don't want us near you. But trust me, you'll be safe while we're gone." Max didn't tell her that his father was already planning to reunite her with her friends.
Greyback had finally revealed his plan to them. He was going to return Hermione to the Order with the conditions that Max and Philip be allowed to see her with unlimited access and no fear of arrest. He also planned to let them know the wolves were on their side but couldn't show their hand until the final battle.
Philip watched and waited patiently as his brother danced with their mate. Greyback hooked his hand around his youngest son's neck. "I know it's going to be tough, not being able to bite her yet, but we need her to stay intact. Potter needs her intact."
"So, I can't be her first?" Philip tensed up. Greyback chuckled as he ruffled the boy's hair.
"Now, I didn't say that did I? You can be her first, just don't impregnate her and don't bite her, yet. But she will belong to the two of you, just as soon as this war is over. Even if the Dark Lord wins, she'll still be going with us." Greyback watched Max and Hermione dance.
Hermione peered over Max's shoulder. Philip was watching them from the sidelines. She looked back at Max and smiled. "It's hard to believe that he's going to be uncontrollable tomorrow. He looks so calm right now."
"Believe me sweetie, he may look calm right now, but tomorrow morning he'll be attacking everyone around him, including you. That's why he's getting you first. Not to mention that he's also going to be your primary mate." Max held her close as he twirled them around. He wasn't going to keep her much longer. Philip only had tonight with her before he had to leave. Any further visits would be after Hermione was back with her own side.
"Katie mentioned that. Primary and secondary mates. What is that? We never learned anything about it in school." Hermione asked him.
Max snorted and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no, that's not common knowledge. It's werewolf heritage. Some werewolves are loners. Others want to be in a pack. Dad prefers being in a pack, having a mate, having pups."
"And you and Philip? How do the two of you feel about it?" She stared at him wide-eyed. Max rubbed noses with her as he smiled.
"Until now, Philip and I were both happy being footloose and fancy free. But then, a little Muggleborn witch fell into our lives. I bet you wouldn't believe me if I told you he's liked you ever since Hogwarts. Your second year, to be precise. We were what, a year ahead of you? He laughed for weeks after you popped off at Malfoy about buying his way onto the team. I don't suppose you remember all the times you'd catch him staring at you, in the library, the Great Hall, or the Quidditch pitch. We all tried to get him to tell you how he felt last year. We've been trying since the Triwizard tournament. You know, Viktor Krum and Ron Weasley were lucky to survive that year. Philip hated them! He wanted so badly to kill them both for being able to lay hands on you anytime. It was all Slytherin house could do that year to keep him safely out of Azkaban." Max chuckled at the shocked look on her face.
Hermione thought back. She did actually remember catching him staring at her throughout her fourth year. She'd been so busy trying to keep Harry alive all this time, she hadn't paid much attention to anyone, really. "So, explain to me about primary and secondary mates."
Max shrugged. "Basically, it's exactly what it sounds like. Your primary mate is going to be the one you're with the most. He'll be the first one you have pups with. He'll be the first one who defends you in an attack. He'll be the first one to bite you. The secondary mate will be there on and off. You might have pups with him, or you might not. He'll be your second bite and the next level line of defense in an attack. So, in this case, Philip will be the first one to bite you. Philip is the one you'll be with the most. Any pups you have will be his first. And gods forbid anyone try to attack you. I won't have a chance to back him up. He'll have them torn to shreds before I ever get there. Most importantly, Philip will worship the ground you walk on. But I will be around, ever so often. Don't you worry about that. I'll be your second bite. We'll have plenty of time to play around, after this damned war is over."
Hermione bit her lip in thoughtful silence. "You said Philip will be leaving tomorrow and you'll be leaving in three days? You'll be back, though? You won't leave me alone in the camp, right?"
He pulled her close and nuzzled behind her ear, breathing in her scent. "Of course, we'll be back. You don't really think Philip's going to forget about you now that he finally has a chance with you, do you?"
"And you?" She asked coyly. Max ran his hand down her back and squeezed her bum.
"I'll have two days with you before I have to leave. That's why Philip gets you for the rest of the night tonight. He's got to make the most of it, you know." He grinned wickedly at her before twirling her around, right into Philip's waiting arms. He clapped his brother on the shoulder as he walked back to the table.
Hermione gasped as she stared up at him. She still couldn't get over how much Max and Philip both resembled their distant ancestors. Philip, in particular, looked so much like Ivar, Hermione had trouble believing it wasn't him standing in front of her, on his own two feet, no crutch, no braces. Especially when he stared at her with those electric blue eyes of his! He had his dark hair loose tonight. It was swaying well below his shoulder blades. He ran his hand into her hair and tightened his other arm around her waist.
"You look so beautiful, little lioness. I'm looking forward to removing that dress." He tilted his head down to whisper in her ear. Hermione smiled and pushed his arm playfully. He laughed as they kept dancing. She didn't resist as he slowly aimed for the tent. Just before they reached the entrance, he pulled her off her feet, tipping her head back as he kissed her, sweeping her into his arms as he ducked inside. His father and brother smiled as they watched him disappear.
Philip carried Hermione across the main living space into the room where he slept. He laid her in the center of the bed and joined her. Hermione's heart was suddenly pounding. Max had told her that Philip would have her tonight, but she hadn't realized he'd meant Philip would actually 'have' her. He leaned down and laid his forehead against her own. His hands were tracing up and down her arms.
"There's something I've been wondering, ever since you dropped in." He spoke softly. She suddenly realized he had an accent. Max had a very light accent, but Philip's was quite pronounced. She knew from school gossip that they didn't live in England, Scotland or Ireland. That meant his accent was most likely influenced by the region he lived in. Strangely enough, he and Max sounded almost like Ivar and Hvitserk. When she'd been in the past, she'd noticed that Torren had sounded a lot like Thorfinn. Now, it had her curious as to where they'd all grown up to sound so similar to each other.
"Where did you live, when you weren't at school?" She avoided his question by asking one of her own. Philip arched a brow at her questioningly. "I'm just asking because you have the same accent as Ivar did."
"Ivar must have grown up in Norway, then. Our village was located on the banks of the Kattegat strait. Between my brothers and I, we had a Swedish mother, two Norwegian mothers and two Danish mothers." He laughed at the incredulous look on Hermione's face. "Father liked his women. My mother and Max's mother were his primary and secondary mates. He met the other three before he met our mothers. So, growing up we bounced around five different families when our mothers would go home to visit their families."
He pinned Hermione's hands over her head. "Now, I've answered your question. Time for you to answer my question." Hermione's breathing quickened as he laid his lips against her ear. "When you went back in time, wearing this little number, what did Ivar think of it, hmmm?" He lightly nipped her ear, careful to not break the skin. Hermione shivered as goosebumps raced up her arms.
"Quite frankly, Ivar wasn't sure what to think of it. He kept rubbing it as if he'd never felt anything like it before. Hvitserk and Torren were the same way. It really startled them when I showed them my stilettos. Of course, I wasn't there long enough for him to really investigate it." She answered breathlessly.
"And if you had been, would you have wanted to come back or stay there, with him?" He stared at her intently. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, dragging him down unexpectedly.
"Wait a minute! Are, are you jealous that your ancestor saw this dress first?" Philip's eyes narrowed at her. "Philip Greyback, you are! You're jealous that Ivar saw this dress first!" Hermione giggled at the sheepish look on his face. "Well, if it's any consolation for you, there is a dress I wore that you saw first." At his raised brow, she elaborated. "My Yule ball gown. Ivar never saw that one. And if I'm not mistaken, you were in the hallway when I came down those stairs."
Philip smiled as he remembered how beautiful she'd been, that night. Hair piled up and tamed into a loose bun, just the slightest makeup, just enough to enhance her beauty. The way the dress had hugged her from shoulders to hips, then flared out to swirl around her ankles. "I remember that. All I wanted to do, as soon as I saw you, was fling you over my shoulder, run out the door and hide away with you, in the forest. If Max hadn't held me back most of the evening, I still might have done that if I'd gotten my hands on you. Most of Slytherin house had to hold me back every time Krum put his hands on you. Ron Weasley almost lost his head after arguing with you, literally almost lost his head."
He abruptly sat up, pulling her with him. He stripped off his shirt and tossed it into a corner. Then he eased the straps off Hermione's shoulders, dropping her dress down to her waist. Hermione crossed her arms as he guided her back down to the bed. He didn't try to force her arms away. He simply smiled as he started kissing her. Hermione relaxed and draped her arms around his neck once more. Much as he was dying to touch her, Philip wasn't going to rush her. He knew this was more than likely going to be her first time and he wasn't going to ruin it for her. He'd take his time and let her show him when she was ready to go further. He reached behind him, blindly grabbing her feet as he unbuckled her shoes.
Hermione pressed up against him as she tightened her grip. He savored the feel of her soft skin as he gently massaged her back. She pushed against the bed as she urged him over to his back. He waited patiently as she hugged his hands and leaned down to kiss him. She didn't flinch as he rubbed his palms across her peaks. He ran his hands down her sides until he felt the dress again. He grasped it and the tights she wore under it. She raised her hips as he pushed them both down. He rolled her back over as he removed them entirely. Now she was staring up at him in just a pair of lacy white knickers.
Hermione watched him hook his hands around his belt buckle. He removed it but left his pants on, clearly still leaving the decision up to her. She knew instinctively that if she put up any kind of resistance, he would leave her untouched. All he was waiting for was for her to say yes or no. She had to admit, she'd always had a crush on him. As she'd gotten older, she'd thought more and more about him. It always seemed like he was attached every time she'd considered trying to hook up with him. Now, he was unattached and making it perfectly clear that he was focusing all of his attention on her.
She reached up and laid her hands on the waist of his pants, tugging down and making it clear she wanted him out of them. With a wave of his hand, his pants and her knickers both disappeared. He leaned down as he pulled her closer. She gasped as he nuzzled behind her ear. She could feel his fangs lightly scraping her skin. She hadn't thought about the possibility of him involuntarily biting her while he took her.
Philip couldn't believe she was actually going to accept him. He pressed his cheek against hers as he whispered in her ear. "Last chance to back out, sweetheart. I'll take you as fast as I can. That will help ease the pain, but it won't take it entirely away."
"I'm ready, Philip. I know it will hurt. I just want to be yours in every way." She whispered back. He smiled as he pulled her legs up and settled himself against her.
He knew he was playing with fire, staying with her tonight, but he couldn't resist the chance to be her first. With one quick move, he was buried to the hilt within her. One quick gasp was all she allowed to escape from her. He held himself still, giving her body a chance to adjust to him. He kissed the tears off of her cheeks. To his relief, she was smiling up at him.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him as she felt herself relax into the pillows. As he started moving again, he ran his hand up her ribs. It surprised a laugh out of her. He did it again, this time deliberately. Before they knew it, they were both giggling and trying to find ticklish spots on each other. Their playing had completely driven the pain away from her. As the pain faded away, their focus on each other intensified. She gripped his hair with one hand and kept an arm wound tightly around his neck. He tucked his face into the side of her neck as he curled his body into hers. Before they knew it, they were both falling over the edge.
Hermione had completely forgotten about Max's warning. Philip had fully intended to slip off after she was asleep but couldn't manage to drag himself out of her arms. Instead, he also fell asleep, forgetting why he should have already left. Hermione woke up the next morning and worked her way gently out of his arms. She noticed him softly growling but never thought anything about it. After she washed up, she went to the kitchen where she and Katie began fixing breakfast. She was feeling a little down in the dumps as she told Katie she would miss Philip while he was gone.
"Don't worry, Hermione. There will be plenty enough times to tell him goodbye after the war is over." Katie said. "He'll be back before you know it. Scabior hates to leave me asleep too, but he always makes up for it when he gets back." She noticed Hermione looking at her strangely. "What?"
"Philip is still here. He hasn't left yet." Hermione told her, not understanding why Katie's face was suddenly pale with fear. "Katie? What's wrong?"
Katie rushed over and knocked on Thorfinn's door. The blond wizard looked out as Katie began talking. About that time, Max, Greyback and Scabior walked in. Max smiled at Hermione and started across the room. She came to greet him. Thorfinn spoke five words that chilled them all. "Philip is still here, Greyback."
Max's smile faded as he looked towards his brother's bedroom. He pushed Hermione towards Finn as he, Scabior, and his dad tensed up. In the room, Philip opened his eyes, the scent of the girl he'd bedded last night still lingering on his pillow. He rolled out of bed and donned his pants. He tracked the scent from the bathroom to the hallway. There was something niggling in the back of his mind, but he was too fixated on the smell to remember what it was. He walked out the door, into the main room and saw her.
Hermione turned towards him and smiled. "Philip! Good morning! How-?" The words froze in her throat at the look on his face, the intent look in his eyes, his amber colored eyes! He didn't even seem to see anyone else as he jumped the couch heading right for her.
Grabbing Katie and throwing her behind him, Thorfinn yelled, "Accio, Hermione!" The young witch flew across the room into his arms. He jumped back into his room, slamming the door and sealing it with an Unbreakable charm. Hermione was still gasping in shock at the sudden turn of events. NOW, she understood what Max had meant! Now, she remembered the warning he'd given her last night. That's why he'd given Philip the first night with her. According to Katie, Philip should have been gone last night after she'd fallen asleep.
In the main room, Max and Scabior both jumped Philip bringing him down. It was all they could do to hold him down until Thorfinn got Katie and Hermione safely hidden away in his room. Greyback shook his head before kneeling beside them. He laid his hands on Max and Scabior's backs before Disapparating them all out of the tent.
They reappeared in a meadow. The boys made sure Philip was calm before they released him. Philip laid there with his eyes closed. "Did I bite her? Did I scratch her? Is she ok?"
Greyback knelt. "She's just fine. You never even got close to her. She's perfectly fine. Don't you worry about Hermione. Max and Scabior will be back the day after tomorrow and I'll take her back to Order before I join you. We'll get your visitations all straightened out, so you'll still have time with her, ok?" Philip sighed in relief.
"She's going to be scared of me, though. I tried to jump her." He worried about how Hermione would feel about him after he made it back to her. Max patted his shoulder.
"Hey, brother, don't worry. I already warned her last night about how this week affects you. She might have forgotten this time. Next time, she'll remember." He told him. Philip leaned against him.
"Take care of her. Tell her I'll see her in a week." He stared pointedly at his father. Greyback chuckled and ruffled his hair. He and Scabior stayed with Philip as Max popped out of sight. He was going to check on Hermione and return to give Philip the OK.
"I'll make sure they know you'll be on your way. In one week." Greyback promised.
Max popped into the tent. He walked over to Finn's door. Finn was listening for a signal and still jumped when Max pounded on the door.
"Finn! How is she?" Max yelled through the wood. The door opened and Hermione rushed into his arms. He held her tightly, thanking the gods that he and Scabior had been quick enough to catch Philip. It would have broken his brother's heart if he'd realized he'd just killed his mate. "Hey, darling, how are you? That was a little bit of a close call, aye?"
"I'm sorry. I forgot what you told me. I should have made sure he left after we, oh!" She realized that she'd almost blurted out what she'd been doing with Philip, to his brother. "How is he doing?" Max laughed merrily at her.
"It's OK, darling. I know what you were doing. Philip knew the risk he was taking. No doubt, he intended to leave after you were asleep. I'm guessing he probably fell asleep, too. As soon as we were at the meadow, you're the first one he asked about. He was afraid we hadn't got to him in time." Max rested his cheek on her hair. "You know, you'll be going through this again the day after tomorrow when I leave, too."
"I'm already missing him, Max. Don't remind me that I'll be losing you soon, too. But he's okay? He's not mad at me?" Hermione twisted her head to look up at him.
Max smiled at her reassuringly. "Philip is just fine. You are just fine. We'll be just fine. He told me to tell you he'll see you in a week." Hermione nodded. "Now, I have to go back and let him know you really are ok. You were worried about him, and he was worried about you." He stepped back and popped out of sight. Finn came up and slung his arm around her shoulders.
"You caught a couple of good ones there, Granger. Take care of them. Philip will worship the ground you walk on, and Max will tear the hell out of anyone who even looks at you wrong." Hermione smiled at him teary-eyed. "Hey, a week will be gone before you know it."
Max reappeared beside his brother. "Hey, big boy, you didn't scare her. She's already missing you. She was worried that you were mad at her." Philip sagged as he laughed. 'Of course, his little bookworm would think she'd done something wrong.'
"Be good to her. Be gentle with her." He shook a finger at Max, who laughed. 'He did tend to be on the rough side. Philip was right to remind him'. "If she starts getting scared, tickle her."
The brothers hugged and parted. Philip settled in for a long week away from their girl. Max headed back to make the most of his own time with their girl. Scabior and Greyback talked about the terms and negotiations they needed to empathize with the Order. It would be a fight to make sure the boys got time with Hermione. Greyback knew that would be the biggest sticking point. But for the sake of his boys, he'd make sure they got their visitations.