Moonlight Musings

AN: to avoid confusion I am keeping up the rearranging the events to accommodate the story. Thanks for to Slytherin_Lycan once again for the beta and sorry I forgot to acknowledge her in the first chapter that was also beta ed by her. I also noticed that I forgot the AU,character death oral and anal and angst warnings, sorry consider yourselves warned

Hermione Granger was packing her trunk for a trip to The Burrow, and then Hogwarts. She rubbed the mark on her neck, an unconscious habit that she developed since she was bitten third year. She normally used a charm to hide it, but she was too tired to do it today. Professor Lupin bit her after he was transformed into a werewolf. ‘Remus. Not professor anymore can't fit him in that category anymore, can I?’ Her mind flashed to the passage that she found last year.

"The matting habits of a werewolf are still commonly unknown. Theorists suggest that the mating binds individuals emotionally and telepathically after a ritual of some kind. In recent years there is a theory that suggests that in some cases that some mates where born to become mates and the ritual is only strengthens that bond. Age or sex does not appear to play a factor in act of mating…”

Her usual course of action in most cases was to think about things logically. ‘But there is nothing logical about this is there? What it comes down to is animal instinct. You showed yours that night when you howled at a transformed werewolf and bared you neck to him in submission.’ She did not know how she was to handle this situation. She was still in school learning about herself and where her place was in the world. ‘Your place is with Remus, he makes you feel safe and loved and will protect you till you die.’ She was a teenager, not even fifteen years old yet. She needed to find whom she belongs with. ‘You belong with him, who are you trying to lie to? Maybe not now, but you will end up with him, you belong together.’ She could not deny that she feels connected to him in some way, she always knew when he was around, and during the full moon she could sense some of his feelings. Sometimes she wondered where her feelings ended and where his began. She dreamt of him coming into her room and claiming her completely, making her scream and moan. She would wake up to the pressure and having to release the pressure herself. Other times she would dream of him coming to her with tears in his eyes, and crawling into bed with her, putting his head on her shoulder and weep for what he did to her. She would hold him and assure him that she did not blame him and would sleep together in peaceful slumber. When she woke up alone she felt sad and empty, like she was missing a piece of her soul. It was like he was two men. ‘Of course he is two men, one influenced by the wolf the other is the gentle patient and compassionate man you met third year.’

Her thoughts where interrupted by her father calling to her, “Hermione sweetheart are you ready? Mr. Weasley will be here to get you shortly.”

“Coming dad!” She would figure it out eventually, Harry needed her now.

She spotted Mr. Weasley in the living room, probably came by Floo powder by the look of him and his sons, and her mother and father looking at them in awe. They accepted and loved their daughter unconditionally, but wizarding practices where still bizarre to them. Then she spotted Ron and another Weasley, probably one of the two older Weasley's that have left home already.

“Hello, Hermione. Have you met my son, Charlie?” She shook her head no. He was stocky, shorter than Ron, with a sun kissed face, and burn scar on one arm.

He put out a callused hand to shake, “Pleased to meet you, Hermione. I've heard so much about you. Allow me to help you with your trunk.”

Ron came over to Hermione and grinned. “This is so exciting you coming to the Quidditch World Cup with us. Its been ages since it was here last and the teams really good, it should be a good game to watch.”

“Ron we're wasting time, talking. As you know, we need to pick up Harry as well.” Ron shrugged and helped Charlie with the trunk. Hermione picked up Crookshanks and covered him with a cloak, kissed her parents goodbye and walked into the fireplace.

Mr. Weasley shook hands with her parents before following, “Always good to see you Jacob, you to Jane. Till we meet again!”

Meanwhile

Remus was cleaning the kitchen of his small modest cottage. He didn't mind that it was small, it was comfortable and suited his needs. He had a small kitchen and living room area with two tall bookcases. Then there was a bedroom and a bathroom connecting to it. The room had queen sized bed with a blue bedspread. His record player was sitting on a table to the left, records neatly stacked at the foot of the table. A simple dresser and closet that held thread bare clothes and battered suitcase. He rubbed his eyes and went to his room and lay on the bed. The transformations have been harder and more tiring than they have normally. In his room he recalled the dreams he had of her in the past year, some of him dominating her completely, making her moan and scream his name. He would wake painfully hard either going for a shower or handling it the old fashion way, touching himself. Others he would go to her and cuddle weep on her shoulder for what he had done. She would hold him and assure him that she held no ill will they would fall asleep in each other’s arms. At these times he would wake with a feeling of emptiness in his soul.

*You know why you are so tired don't you? You fight me from completing our claim. You know that she would look so beautiful when she withers and moans under you.*

‘Stop it.’

*Why? The idea pleases you as much as it does me.*

‘She is not even fourteen years old! It is twisted and immoral.’

*Humans and their moral standards. In the pack she would be ours to take whenever we wished, society views be damned.*

‘I do not live in the pack, I will not do it.’

*You can fight me, but you can't fight me forever she will be ours.*

He closed his eyes and all he saw was her fear and fascination of him. She was too young to handle what it is required of a mate. Tears formed in his eyes and he cried himself to sleep over the damage he caused an innocent girl.

During the night he woke with a jolt. He had a sudden feeling of dread. He felt that feeling once before, when Hermione was in trouble. He felt a rage like he never felt before, someone was threatening his mate. *Let me out, you know that we stand a better chance if I am out.*

‘NO! I will not let you near her again!’

*Don't be a fool, she needs us! LET ME OUT!*

He felt so weak, he knew there was no choice, Moony had to be in control to protect Hermione.

‘Merlin please, don't let anything happen to her.’ He let the wall he built over the years fall. He saw her face in front of her before he saw blackness.

Hermione was in the woods of the Quidditch Cup, wondering how everything went wrong. She Harry and Ron had such a good time with the Weasleys and the Diggorys. They even saw fellow Gryffindors, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. Then out of nowhere Death Eaters came around and there was running and screaming. She lost Harry and Ron and was in the forest herself. She felt terrified and alone. Out of nowhere she saw a black robed figure smile coldly at her through his mask.

“Hello, Mudblood, lets go for a walk,” and he took her by the hair and dragged her to three other death eaters. They must have recognized her from seeing her with Harry, there was no secret about her being of Muggle parentage. She was vulnerable, she dropped her wand in the madness, and she was in a nightshirt with a sweater over it. She looked as vulnerable as she felt. She however would not show them her fear. She would not plead, she wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

She suddenly felt a feeling of calm, like help was on the way. She only felt that way once before, when Remus came to the Shrieking Shack. She held her chin up and stared at them defiantly as they pulled out their wands to do Merlin knows what. Then she heard a deep growl. Out of the forest came Remus Lupin with tight fitting jeans button down shirt open four buttons to reveal a tone scared and lightly haired chest. His hair was longer, he still had his moustache and some stubble around it. He wore a leather jacket on top of the shirt of Dragon hide. His walk was primal like he was stalking prey. What struck her most was the look in his eyes, his AMBER eyes. Feral looks of someone ready to kill.

“Step away from her NOW!”

They laughed, “What will you do all by your lonesome?” He pulled out wand and muttered green light flashed and the death eater fell dead. The rest pointed their wands at Remus and advanced. He put up his left hand, made a fire ball and threw it at a Death Eater before he blocked an attack with his wand.

Hermione managed to pick up the dead Death Eater’s wand and shout “Stupefy” at one, while the last started to duel with Remus. Remus managed to overtake him, she saw red light from an unknown curse coming out of the Lycan’s wand, as a faceless enemy fell. She ran and threw herself into his arms without thinking much of the obvious consequences. He hugged back before he nuzzled her neck. He then pulled back to appraise her for any damage. When he saw none he took his jacket off and put it around her shoulders.

He then tensed, "People are coming stand behind me.”

He pulled his wand out as he prepared himself for a fight. As predicted men rushed out of the trees in Auror uniforms followed by Harry, and Mr. Weasley.

“Professor Lupin? Is that you?” He gave a curt nod at Harry, but said nothing. His main concern was protecting his mate from harm.

“Remus? What happened?” asked Mr. Weasley.

It was Hermione who answered, “Death Eaters attacked me Mr. Weasley. He was only protecting me.” Harry looked concerned, “Are you okay Hermione?”

“I'm fine Harry, Remus came before anything bad could happen.” She turned to the Aurors, “It was mostly self defense, please, don't do anything to him.”

“ We at least have to question you Hermione.” Aurors began to advance on her getting a deep warning growl from Remus. Mr. Weasley went closer to Remus and spoke to him so only he could hear.

“Remus we will not hurt her. She has to clear you so no charges will be brought. You know how they are, they will take your wand and make it out to be a crazy werewolf rampage. It will totally devastate Hermione. Please trust me.”

“I will be fine Remus, please don't do anything rash,” said Hermione as she patted his arm.

He turned to look at her. *We should tear the throats out of the Aurors for trying to take her.*

‘NO! No more violence! We protected her as we intended, now go away.’

*No*

‘I SAID GO AWAY!’ Moony growled and receded in the back of Remus’s brain. He must have growled out loud, for Mr. Weasley jumped back a little. He turned to Hermione and pulled her away a little so only she could hear.

“Hermione we should talk about this I know, but Moony is a little too close to the surface right now. I don't trust myself alone with you. Don't worry about me, I will be fine.” Hermione needed to talk about this, but she knew she had to clear him first so she only nodded, kissed him on the cheek and went with the Aurors.

For three solid hours she was questioned about the attack, but she finally managed to convince them that Remus did not start the fight, he was only protecting her. As she was escorted back to the tent, she was informed of the Dark Mark and how Harry and Winky where accused of conjuring it. She was thankful that Harry was not taken into custody, but she was furious that Winky was thrown away for acting out of fear. Remus had helped Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie and Percy handle the rest of the Death Eaters. The ones that where hurt and stunned disappeared without a trace, as well as the one that Remus killed.

When Ginny saw her, she came and ran to her giving her a hug. “Oh Hermione. Harry told us what happened, are you alright?” She looked around to see the Weasleys looking at her with concern and interest.

“I am ok, thanks to Re.. Professor Lupin. Speaking of which, where is he?”

Harry came forward, “They escorted him away. Threatened him with Azkaban if he ever got near you again.”

“WHAT! What for?” Harry backed up with his hands up. “I am only the messenger Hermione. They know he is a werewolf there is no hiding it after last year. They where suspicious of his possessiveness of you. They think that he took advantage of you when he was teaching. The only thing that saved him from being chucked in was that he helped.”

“That is preposterous! He never acted inappropriately with me or anyone else!” Ginny nodded in agreement. Harry was about to bring up the Time Turner situation but thought better of it. He knew that he and Hermione, not to mention Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, would be thrown into Azkaban for their involvement.

“It doesn't matter Hermione, you know how they are. It could have been so much worse and you know it!”

She sighed, he was right of course. She stormed off to her room with Ginny and threw herself on the cot. First Sirius, now Remus being unjustly accused and persecuted, she wished they all burned for all eternity. She cried herself to an exhausted sleep thinking of the unfairness of it all.

Four Months later…

The school year was a particular hard one for Hermione and Harry. At the beginning of term there was an unflattering article about the security on the tournament and suspected bodies due to a werewolf attack headed by Remus. Then someone else put Harry in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but no one believed him but her. She was pleased that Cedric entered, he was a good wizard and an excellent choice. Ron was acting the child once again, refusing to believe that Harry did not enter the tournament on his own, and refusing to forgive her for taking Harry’s side. He was also irrationally angry over the article with Remus. If she did not know any better, she would say that Ron was jealous. Now Rita Skeeter had the audacity to pain another unflattering picture of her as a scarlet woman, toying with the emotions Victor Krum and Harry. She was receiving Howlers and curses as a result. Skeeter also was unfair to Hagrid, exposing his parentage as a half giant.

The only comfort she had was to research the tasks for Harry and talk to Sirius. He caught wind of what was going on and came back. She had became good friends with Sirius over the months, conversing over Harry and how to best prepare him for the tasks. This particular afternoon he asked her to come alone to Hogsmeade and meet with him.

She smiled as she spotted the familiar dark dog and followed him to his cave. He transformed into his shaggy, unkempt self before he gave her a hug and smile. “Hello Sirius. Good to see you.”

“Always good to see you Hermione.” He was casual but she could sense there was a tense tone in his voice,

“What is wrong Sirius?”

He sighed, “Remus tracked me down. He told me that I should keep an eye on you and to protect you from him, if the need should arise. He was really angry about the articles and it took everything he and I had to keep ripping that Skeeter woman and Victor Krum to shreds. He didn't tell me what happened, but something must have happened for him to act such a way.”

She nodded and took her wand out and took the glamour on her off. She bared her neck to him. Before she knew it she told him everything her dreams and her confusion. “I don't know what to do Sirius. I am just so confused.”

He patted her on the shoulder, “It will be alright. We will figure something out.”

“Thanks for listening Sirius. I have to go it is getting late.”

“Of course," he said, “Tell Harry to hang in there and to owl me if there is anything else that occurs.” She nodded and gave him another hug before she left for school again.


Yule Ball

Hermione was looking at herself nervously in the mirror after she finished dressing. She had robes of Periwinkle blue and her hair up in a bun. She hardly recognized herself. Victor asked her to the Ball and she, after much consideration accepted. The dress was an anonymous gift in owl post. She reckoned it was from Sirius with the Hippogriff feather attached to it. She could hear the girls rush out to go. ‘It's now or never.’


It was a wonderful feeling to be on Victor’s arm, to be envied and finally recognized as a girl by Harry and Ron. She still was too angry with him for insulting Victor and previous insults to pay him any attention. Near the end of the Ball, Hermione needed some air telling Victor she would be right back. He offered to get them some drinks. She thought she saw Remus in the corner. She went to find him on the grounds. Sure enough he was there looking more handsome than she ever saw him. He was wearing white shirt white bow tie and tuxedo. She smiled and walked over to him. She also saw Sirius in the corner in his own tuxedo with a black tie. He gave her a wink and settled into the shadows.

“Remus what are you doing here? They will chuck you into Azkaban if they see you near me!” he smiled at her.

“You look absolutely breath taking. I needed to talk to you about what happened between us.” The music started again and he bowed to her and said, “May I have this dance?” She smiled and bowed back and they started to dance talking as they went along.

“I know what happened. I went to the library and I found a book on it. We are mates destined from birth.”

Remus grinned at her knowledge. “I should have known you would have figured it out. You are the brightest witch I have ever come across. I am thankful that the claiming was interrupted. I would never been able to forgive myself if I...”
“Remus it is okay," Hermione interrupted. "It wasn't your fault. I understand that instincts are not logical in any way.”

“I don't have much longer. I wanted to see you before I go out of the country. I need to consult some pack leaders about this. To see if there is any way to control this instincts. I know you aren't ready for this. It is not fair to expect you to be. I hope that I will find a way to handle this situation till you're mature enough to make the choice on your own.”

The music stopped and they looked at each other. It was like the world stood still for them and them alone. Hermione wanted to protest, but deep down she knew he was right.

As if he read her thoughts he said, “You are not ready for this Hermione, for any of it. I have Sirius here to make sure I control myself around you. I have to control the urge to throw you against a wall and completely claim you. I committed murder in your name. I have to keep myself from ripping your date from limb to limb, and ripping my best friend’s son to shreds. It is not right at all.”

She sighed and nodded. He took her head in his hands and gently kissed her goodbye. It was evident someone was coming, so Sirius quickly kissed Hermione on the check and pulled Remus away by the arm and did a charm of some sort. They very nearly where caught by Victor coming with the drinks and checking up on her.


The next few months went by in a haze. Nothing was the same again and never will be. A Death Eater impersonating, Professor Mad Eye Moody, tricked Harry into meeting Voldemort in a graveyard. There he returned to his past strength and almost killed Harry. Harry escaped with the help of the ghosts of Voldemort’s victims, including Harry’s mum and dad. Cedric was not so lucky, he was murdered in cold blood for the crime of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Hermione didn't know where she found the time to get the information on Rita Skeeter’s illegal Animagus status. She did and was she ever glad she found out when she did. Skeeter was going to expose what she heard Hermione and Remus talking about. She got her revenge by bottling her in a jar and flashing her home and work Floo address. She informed her that her “boyfriend” would come and “talk sense into her” if she ever got out of line again. How she wished that she could use that sort of resolution in the other problems that she would face in the coming months. She was okay, though, if she had Harry, Remus, Sirius and Ginny by her side.