Once Bitten, Twice Shy

A/N: Here\'s the next chappie for ya. It may suck a little... I just got of work, Midnights, and I\'m really really sleepy. lol And we all know the disclaimer.



Hermione tossed and turned all night. Alternating between crying from embarrassment, being mad at herself for lack of control and angry at Remus for what he did. Then she\'d come to her senses and realize it could have been much much worse and was fine. Until the cycle started all over again. So it was a sleepy, puffy eyed Hermione who greeted the two in the kitchen the following morning.


\"Morning,\" she said and looked between Remus and Sirius. \"I wanted to apologize and to say thank you.

\"First to Sirius. Sorry for attacking you like that and thank you for calling Remus before things got out of hand. And thank you, Remus, well, you know why.\"


And he did know. Because he could have taken advantage of her, but he didn\'t. He also saved her from making more of a fool of herself with Sirius. He gave her a smile and a nod to let her know he understood. Deciding it was better than talking, Sirus followed suit.


\"Well, I didn\'t get much sleep last night, so I\'m going back to bed for a bit. If you could wake me for lunch?\"

\"Sure.\" Remus said. \"You\'ll need all the sleep you can get for tonight.\"


Hermione grimaced and made her way back upstairs.


\"Seeing her reminds me of something,\" Sirius began. \"You didn\'t bother with a Silencing Charm yesterday and I couldn\'t help but hear. I have to ask, is she as good as she sounds?\" He gave Remus a cheeky grin.


\"I suggest you forget that question and never mention it again unless you want me to rip out your tongue,\" Remus responded.

Sirius laughed at him and left the kitchen to get ready to leave, though he was a little unnerved by what Remus had said. He didn\'t know weather his old friend was joking or serious. He walked back into the kitchen to tell Remus bye.

\"I\'ll be back in a bit. I\'m going to get some stuff that will help you two tomorrow.\"

Remus nodded his head again and continued to read his copy of the Daily Prophet.

For lunch, Remus fixed steak and potatoes. Afterwards, Sirius left again, destination unknown and Hermione wanted to turn in again. Before going, she turned to Remus.


\"Um, Remus? I know this sounds silly, but I\'m really nervous and truth be told, very scared right now and I don\'t want to sleep alone.\" She kept her head hung, as though ashamed.


\"No, it\'s not silly. I understand completely.\"

Taking a deep breath for sanity, he followed her upstairs and led her into his room. He pulled back the sheets and blankets for her to get in then got in after her. She rolled to the side, facing away from him and he crawled in behind her. Getting as close to her as possible, without actually touching, he put his arm around her waist.

She snuggled closer to him and he had to stop himself from jumping away. After she fell asleep, he lay away and watched her, vowing to protect her. Finally, he drifted into a dreamless sleep as well.

Sirius woke them both up when to was time to take their Potion.

\"Ugh. This stuff is awfull.\" Hermione said.

\"No one ever said it tasted like cherries, now did they\" Sirius quipped.

Giving him a dirty look, Hermione had to hold her breath for a moment to keep from vomiting it back up. When they were ready, all three went down to the basement where two would stay for the night.

\"There\'s two rooms in here. One for you and one for me. We\'ll have to be separated for the first time. After that, you won\'t have to be alone. Normally, I run out on my lands with Sirius, but since this is your first time, I thought it would be best if you had some sembalance of company.\"

She gave Remus a tiny smile and entered one room with stone grey walls and a metal door. Inside, there was a small rug, and she was surprised to see, a couch, a bed and a small coffee table. She knew the bed was for her to sleep in, but why have the other furniture? \'Guess I\'ll have something to chew on\' she thought to herself.

Once they were locked up tight, Sirus said his good nights and left. Now all there was to do was sit and wait for the moon to fully rise. All too soon, it happened.

Hermione felt a sliver of pain start in her abdomen. Next, she doubled over with it, crying out. Dropping to all fours, she felt her bones popping and reshaping. Next she felt fur. Almost as soon it started, it ended. Standing in her place was a honey-brown wolf.


A/N: Okay, sorry to end it there, but I\'m tired and can\'t think straight anymore. Next chapter soon. Either later today or tomorrow morning.