Werewolf in Disguise

May finally came and another full moon was around the bend. They were all, with the exception of Lily, very excited about the new adventure they had planned. They decided to go into Hogsmeade after midnight and just walk around, basically to see if they could do it with Hermione there as well. They had made the trip a few times in the past, but this would be a longer outing. Everyone came to a silent agreement to not discuss the events with the Pendants and although Lily and Hermione never took them off, no one asked what Oath they had taken.

“Here Gyps, have some tea,” Sirius said as he handed her a cup.

She took a drink and spit it out all over him as he chuckled at her and cleaned himself. “Sirius! What is this?”

“Tea, of course,” he said innocently.

“Here, love, try this,” James said, bringing her another cup and laughing at Sirius. This one was normal and she began to drink it, hoping to calm her excited nerves.

“Do be careful,” Lily said worriedly as they all stood in a group in the Common Room.

“Not to worry, Lily dear,” Sirius said dramatically. “Careful is my middle name.”

“I thought it was..” Peter began, but was cut off with a look from James .

“Thought it was, what, Peter?” asked Lily curiously.

“Um, never mind. I was going to say um, lady killer, yea that’s right,” said Peter excitedly, thinking he had come up with the perfect cover.

“Sure, Pete, whatever. I’ll get it out of you one day,” Lily laughed as Remus and Hermione got ready to leave.

“Ok, we’ll see you guys a little before midnight, right?” Remus asked.

“Right, Moony!” James said excitedly. “Take care of our girl, ok?” he said, hugging Hermione tightly.

“Always, as best I can,” he replied, looking at Hermione with love and adoration.

“Bye” they both said as they walked out the portrait hole and headed to the Shrieking Shack.

They went into their room upstairs and waited. Hermione had learned long ago not to be nervous, only excited. After the first one, her transformations weren’t painful anymore. The worst part, worse even than going through it herself, was watching Remus transform. He seemed to handle it with dignity and calm, but the pain would soon become evident and he would start screaming in agony. The last two times she had been with him, she held him as long as she could, then cried through the rest. Her transformation would come automatically with each full moon, but otherwise she could control it, just like an animagus.

She and Sirius had made a game of going into the forest and running around a few days a week. Remus was never jealous, he only laughed at their antics. That was another thing to add to the long list of things she loved about him. She was affectionate with all her boys, and Remus never took it the wrong way. The boys now called her ‘pup,’ because they said that’s what she acted like when she transformed. This only made her mad, which only made them do it all the more.

As she was waiting on his transformation, she started thinking about their last fight. Although there were very few, Hermione always seemed to start them, and it was usually over something she had taken the wrong way. She trusted Remus with her life, and knew he’d never cheat on her, so she didn’t make that mistake again. However, a few days ago, they were discussing her views on house elves and she let other things get to her.

“Hermione, that’s just ridiculous,” Sirius said, “they wouldn’t be happy if they were free. Kreacher would go bonkers without his mistress there to boss him around,” he added rolling his eyes in disgust.

“How do you know? Have you ever met a free one?”

“Hermione, he has a point. House elves need work to do, it’s in their blood,” Remus said.

“Blood?! Is that what it comes down to? What someone’s blood is or is not, doesn’t make them who they are!” she yelled.

“No one said it did,” Remus said, wondering why that comment made her explode.

“Just forget it, Remus. I know what you really think now.”

“Hermione, come with me,” he said tensely as he pulled her, reluctantly, up the steps and to his room.

“What the hell are you on about? You know blood doesn’t matter to any of us!” Remus said, his voice rising in anger.

“Blood seems to matter to everyone!”

Down in the common room, James and Sirius were looking worriedly at each other as other students tried to listen in on the argument.

“Do you think we should go up?” James asked.

“No, I think there’s something wrong besides what they’re talking about. They’ll make up soon enough,” Sirius said, grinning.

“Remus, don’t patronize me. I may not be a pure blood, but I’m smarter than most of them!”

“I know you are! I happen to know how smart you are, and I know what you don’t show everyone in class,” he said as he lowered his voice. He suddenly realized this was the problem she was having, and it had nothing to do with house elves or blood.

“I’m sorry, Remus,” she said slowly, “I just hate having to act stupid in front of everyone,” she grinned up at him.

“No one, and I mean no one, thinks you unintelligent. Looks at Professor Slughorn. And McGonagall practically worships you. Hell, you’re even better then me in Arithmancy. We all know you’re smart, Hermione. You probably had 15 OWLS, right?”

“Funny, I don’t remember,” she said laughing as she walked over to him and kissed him deeply.

He moaned low in his throat and pulled her over to his bed, sinking onto it, with her on top of him. Neither heard the door open, then shut quietly again.

“Um, you were right, Padfoot, they’re, um, making up now,” James said, still slightly dazed by what he had seen.

“I guess you got an eyeful, eh Prongs,” Sirius grinned.

“I just want someone to Obvliviate me now, is that so much to ask? It’s ok with me that they do that, I just don’t want to see them, do that.”

“Did you at least have the decency to lock the door, and maybe silence the room?”

“Er, no. I was a bit, well you know,” James said, slowly shaking his head.

“Allow me then. While you try to erase your memories,” Sirius said laughing as he walked to the door and cast the charms.

Hermione jerked as Remus screamed in agony again. She was blushing slightly as she recalled Sirius’ rather detailed account of the conversation with James. Suddenly, her own body changed of its own accord, and there she was, a full werewolf. A few feet from her lay Remus. He was shakily starting to raise to his feet. He shook himself off and looked around the room for her. Each time he would turn one way, she’d go the other, keeping out of his vision. Soon enough however, the effects of the transformation had worn off and he found her easily. They started to romp and play while waiting on the others.

Hermione and Remus decided to lay down and wait. There was only so much two werewolves could do in the small shack and they would be rather busy soon. They had drifted off to sleep, with Remus’ head across her shoulders again, when the door burst open and Padfoot came bounding in. Right behind him was Prongs, but Wormtail was nowhere to be seen. Hermione looked at them questioningly, but they acted like it was no big deal and walked back out the door with the werewolves following them.

The funny looking group of four walked down the path and into Hogsmeade. The street was deserted. It had been that way for some time, well since Voldemort had appeared in the middle of it and scared everyone. All Hogsmeade weekends for Hogwarts had been cancelled as well. They strolled down the street, then started barking and running playfully. Suddenly Moony stopped and sniffed around. Hermione could smell it too! The scent of human was strong to her, but, unlike Remus, she had no desire to attack. Prongs and Padfoot clued in immediately to what was going on and tried pushing Remus back to the shack.

He growled angrily at them and started stalking his prey. The other three were starting to panic as their distractions were failing left, right, and center. It seemed their only chance was to actually attack Moony first. They knew he’d be injured, and maybe them as well, but he would be absolutely devastated if he bit someone.

Hermione and Sirius started to flank Moony, as James hung back slightly. He had powerful weapons, but not nearly as good as the other two and it would be safer if he didn’t have to join. Hermione took the lead and growled at Moony. This failed to get his attention, so she ran ahead of him and stopped in his path. As he started to go around her, still sniffing, she growled louder and with authority. Moony’s head jerked in her direction and he growled in answer. He still didn’t take lightly to someone questioning his authority, even if she could be considered the other alpha, and he would defend his position. All traces of prey forgotten, he started to advance on Hermione. She immediately bowed in submission, but it was too late! He lunged at her, teeth bared and lips snarling. She met him midair, ready for the fight if it kept him away from humans. They rolled over and over each other, this time remarkably different from the first. It seemed the werewolf had taken control of Remus and he was led by instinct alone, while Hermione was led by survival instincts. They weren’t establishing dominance as they had that first night, they were fighting fiercely for their very lives.

Finally he pinned Hermione by the neck and was tightening his hold on her, when he was attacked from behind. Sirius, taking the first opportunity to join in, rolled Moony off Hermione. He was trying not to hurt his friend, but he had no desire to get bitten by a werewolf either. Hermione, regaining her composure, rejoined the efforts with Sirius. She lunged at Moony and knocked him off Padfoot as he was about to sink his teeth into his shoulder. Moony let out a loud ‘yelp’ and lay still on the ground.

Panicked, Hermione ran over to him. She could smell the blood, but couldn’t see it. Looking him over, she noticed his head was bleeding, but only slightly. Remus, however, was out cold. There was a gentle hand on her back and she looked over to see Sirius and James, back in human form, standing over her. Running back and forth from Remus to the general direction of the shack, she finally got them to understand that they had to take him back. The sun would be coming up in a few hours and he had to be taken back. They got the message and Sirius swung Moony up on his shoulders. This was no easy feat, since a full grown werewolf can easily weigh over 50 kilos.

Entering the shack, they both carried him up the stairs, with a very concerned Hermione following. She could understand the conversation, but until the sun rose again, she couldn’t join in.

“He’s never done that before. What got into him?” James asked.

“I dunno, Prongs, but I’m glad Hermione was there,” he answered seriously.

“Me too! He didn’t get you, did he?”

“Almost, but Hermione got him first. You know he’s going to hate himself when he wakes up in the morning. How do we handle that?”

“I have a feeling we won’t have to,” James said, nodding to Hermione as they lay Remus on the bed and she joined him. “You know she tells him what’s what and that’s all there is to it.”

Sirius chuckled, “she tells us all what’s what and that’s all there is to it!”

“Good point,” he agreed as he grinned at Hermione. “Wonder when she’ll change back.”

“Probably when Remus does. I guess we should head back to the castle. We still have classes to get to. Since no one knows about us, we don’t get a free ride like these two.”

“Ok, let’s go,” James said as they looked over to Hermione. “Take care of him. We’ll come back here if we don’t see you two by lunch. Oh and good luck.”

“See you soon, Pup,” Sirius added as he patted her head and she growled making him laugh.

Hermione laid down beside Moony. She licked his head affectionately and willed him to wake up. Eventually, she gave into fatigue and lay her head over his shoulders protectively. When she woke up, the sun was coming up and Remus was laying underneath her in his human form. He had shifted when he transformed, so that he was holding her and…petting her head? It was then she noticed that she hadn’t automatically regained her own human form like she usually did. Maybe she needed to make the conscious decision to do so.

She looked into Remus’ loving eyes and noticed they were full of guilt. Hoping to delay the apologies that were sure to come, she licked his face affectionately. He started laughing and pushing her gently away.

“That’s enough,” he laughed. “Pup, ok, don’t drool all over me. Eww! Stop!” he said, laughing harder.

She regained her human form and began laughing with him. He slowly stopped laughing and she could see the guilt taking over.

“Hermione, I’m so, so, sorry,” he started, then stopped when he noticed she was a wolf again. “I’m trying to apologize here,” he said seriously as she started licking him again.
“Ok, I give, you win!” he said grinning. “You don’t want to hear it, eh?” he asked and she returned to her human form.

“I don’t want to hear apologies, Remus. I want to know what caused you to act that way. I know you’re a werewolf and all, but I’ve never seen you so wolf like.”

“I caught a scent of one of the Death Eaters that was at Hogsmeade the last time we went. I don’t know what happened, it was like I couldn’t control myself and I wanted to go after him. I don’t know what I would have done without you stopping me. I’m really glad you were there. I also hope I didn’t hurt you,” he added lovingly as he looked her over.

“Nope, not hurt. Although there were a few close calls. You can be right scary when you want to be, Remus Lupin.”

“You’re one to talk! What about Sirius?” he asked worriedly. “I didn’t well, you know.”

“Of course not, love. That’s when I, uh, knocked you out,” she said, grinning at him.

“So, that’s why my head is pounding and I feel like I’ve been hit by the Hogwarts Express?”

“Probably. You took a lot of convincing.”

“Well, shall we head up to the castle?”

“I suppose. Although, it is still early and we are alone,” she added suggestively.

Several hours later, they both walked into the common room and over to their friends.

“How did you two get out so early?” Sirius asked incredulously.

“Well, we stopped in and told her we were fine, and Hermione said we were old enough to know if we needed help. We promised we’d be back if we needed her. It was really that easy,” Remus said, looking amused.

“So,” James began slowly, “you just popped in for a quick chat and came straight up here?”

“Well, yes. What did you expect, that we walk around the grounds for a few hours?” Hermione asked confused.

“Nope,” said Sirius, “it’s just that, here we are, planning your escape from the hospital wing, since breakfast. And you two have actually been missing, and alone, for several hours.”

“Oh,” Hermione said as realization dawned on her and she grinned at all of them. “Well, we got reacquainted with our human selves before coming back.”

“Ok, enough already!” said James, reliving the earlier images. It was bad enough he had to think of that every time he looked at Remus’ bed, he didn’t want to think of it at other times too.

“So,” Remus broke in, “where was Peter last night?”

“We don’t know. We went to look for him, and he said there was something he had to take care of, but wouldn’t tell us what it was. He was very sketchy about the whole thing too,” Sirius said.

“Well, like he said, we can’t keep secrets, so we’ll have to make him spill his soon,” Hermione said.

“HERMIONE!” someone screamed and then engulfed her in a hug.

“Hey Lily!” she said smiling at her best friend. “I was only gone for the night!”

“I know, but I missed you. I didn’t even have these two to keep me company. What was I supposed to do?” Lily asked pouting as she wrapped her arm around James’ waist.

“Um, sleep,” Hermione suggested as she yawned.

“Sounds good to me!” Remus said, smiling broadly as he grabbed Hermione’s hand and pulled her up the steps.

“Oy! Moony!” came a shout from Sirius. “Her room is up the other way!”

“Yes,” he said loudly, “but her bed is this way!”

“Just make sure it’s your bed and not mine!” James said.

“Remus,” Hermione said as they closed the door and got ready to sleep.

“What, love?”

“I’ve been feeling weird all day, do you think it could be the effects of the full moon?”

“Define ‘weird’ first,” he said cheekily and grinning at her.

“Well, it’s hard to explain, but I feel like my body is being tugged on. Kind of like a portkey, but not as strong and I’m obviously not going anywhere.”

“I’ve never heard of that before, love,” he said, contemplating what she was saying. Being a werewolf for her, was unlike any other he had ever heard or read about, everything was different with her.

“Um, it feels like I’m being pulled away, Remus. What if it’s happening? What if someone thinks it’s my time to go back?” she said as her eyes filled with tears.

“Shh, love, don’t cry. You know I can’t stand to see you cry. It’s probably the strain of last night, you really took a beating from me, you know. Maybe it’s that,” he said gently as he pulled her into the bed and into his arms.

“You’re right,” she agreed as she snuggled closer. “I love you, Remus.”

“I love you, too. Sweet dreams.”

In the common room, the portrait door was swinging open to reveal, “Peter!”

“Uh, what? Oh, it’s you guys.”

“Yes, it’s us! Where were you last night? What’s going on? You have to tell us, you know,” Sirius said as he walked over to the other member of their group.

“You’ll just laugh at me, like you usually do,” Peter sighed.

“Nope, promise,” James replied with his hand across his heart.

“I had another detention, with McGonagall. Why is she so hard on me?” he asked pathetically as he sat down.

Sirius sat on one side with James on the other. Their best friend looked so upset, they didn’t have the heart to laugh at him.

“I don’t know, mate. But we don’t have much longer until we’re done for good. Besides, a true Marauder gets detention!” James said, making Peter smile, no one bothered to notice that Minerva McGonagall wasn’t in the castle last night and therefore couldn’t have given a detention.

After their last class, Sirius, James, and Lily went to wake Remus and Hermione up. They quietly opened the door, levitating a bucket of very cold and very muddy water above them.

“Hermione is going to kill me, James,” Lily whispered, grinning broadly all the same.

“Shh, no she won’t,” Sirius whispered back.

The couple was snuggled very closely in Remus’ bed. Hermione was tucked into his arms protectively.

“They really are perfect together, don’t you think?” Lily asked as the boys agreed.

“Yes, I’m glad they have each other. I’ve never seen him more content than he’s been this year,” Sirius agreed. “Shame it has to end right now,” he added, grinning as James moved the bucket closer.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” Lily said. “I know I’m not a Marauder or anything, but with the way she calls you ‘her boys’ you should probably think twice about making her angry.”

“Aw Lils, lighten up a ….”

“AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” the two sleeping figures screamed in unison as the water splashed down onto the bed.

“I’m going to KILL you! Lily, how could you?!”

“This is gross! The lake I assume?” Remus asked as he surveyed the damage and looked at his best friends.

“So, Remus,” Hermione said sweetly as she looked over at him and grinned, “looks like I need a shower. I might need help with those hard to reach spots though.”

“Ok, you win! We’re sorry!” James said quickly. “How does she always manage to do that? How can she always turn things back on us?”

Hermione walked over to James and hugged him tightly as he grimaced at the mud now on his shirt. She then took her very muddy hand and patted Sirius’ cheek lovingly.

“We’ll be back soon,” she said, as Remus said “scorgify” and cleaned their hands. Rummaging through their clothes, she found her favorite t-shirt, which happened to be James’ and a pair of Remus’ boxers and headed to the showers.

“My boys will need to clean up this mess while we’re gone,” she said thoughtfully to Remus as he nodded his head, grinning at her.

“Have fun,” he threw over his shoulder on his way to take a shower as well.

“Well,” Lily said, laughing at the boys, “better get to work. I’ll sit over here and supervise!”

“The boys had the room cleaned up in no time and were waiting patiently for their return.

“Has anyone seen Peter?” James asked.

“Nope, bet he’s in detention again,” Sirius replied. “You would think, having been with us for seven years, we’d know more about it. Course, you’d also think he’d know more about, well, anything.”

“Sirius, I know what you’re saying, but you have to realize that Peter just can’t compete with you three. You shouldn’t be so hard on him.”

“True Lils, but you don’t understand what he’s like sometimes. It’s like he has so much potential, just like with becoming an animagus, but he’s afraid to really push himself to do it.”

They were suddenly interrupted by the figure of a man, about the same age as themselves, suddenly appearing in front of them. The two immediately jumped in front of Lily and watched as he fell to the ground.

Meanwhile, coming back from the shower, Hermione and Remus were laughing about James and Sirius having to clean up the mess they had made.

“You definitely smell good after a shower love, good enough to…” he broke off in front of the door. “We’ll hold that thought until later, ok?”

“Can’t wait!” she grinned as she opened the door and turned to the others. “Hey guys, I‘m clean now!” she laughed, before seeing the strange boy in the room. “Who are you?” she asked as she felt Remus tense beside her, his grip on her hand becoming almost painful when the stranger screamed her name.

“Hermione!” he yelled as he ran to her.

He was stopped abruptly by Remus’ hand closing around his throat and throwing him to the ground.