HP: Night of the Wolf

September 24, 1994

Hogsmeade, Scotland

They apparated into a heavy downpour outside the Three Broomsticks. The second they hit the ground, she sank into the mud and pitched forward. She felt the strong hand of Remus catch her. "Easy there, Hermione," the man almost had to yell over the rain. Her hair was already weighing down with the water falling out of the sky. "Aquavorto," Harry said through the din and a second later the rain stopped around them. It hit an invisible barrier a few feet over their heads and drained off it like there was an umbrella over them. She was happy she had found that and taught that to him and Ron last year.

Hedwig started to flap wildly around her cage, not happy at all at the effects of apparation and the din of the rain. She sadly clutched her cage that should have held Crookshanks. Her orange half kneazle had disappeared that night Remus had turned into a werewolf. Sirius was pretty sure nothing bad happened to her familiar, but she had had to leave him behind when she couldn't find him. At the beginning of the summer, she had noticed his absence as a pain in her gut. After that night they had been attacked, Harry and her father had dominated her waking hours. Now they were back, she felt his absence. She had taken his cage in case she found him.

"Thank you, Harry," Remus said. "Impervius." Remus pointed his wand at her shoes. "That should help."

"Thank you, Remus."

Harry didn't say anything, instead moving to her side. Hermione could still smell the anger coming off Harry at his beta.

-FLASHBACK TO LAST NIGHT-

They sat at the dinner table. "I am sorry for not telling you this. I was trying to protect you as much as possible," Remus told him. "Part of why we are stuck here was from me trying to protect you. I am afraid it may have endangered you more."

She gave him a hard look. So far, she had thought Remus had always been straight forward with them and had been working in their best interest. Hadn't he? Her mother spoke up, "What are you talking about, Remus?"

Remus looked at Harry, pain and sadness in his eyes. "Harry, before you had fully decided to leave, I had a meeting with Dumbledore. I didn't want you to leave the country because of your inheritance. James and Lily wanted you to have it. You are the last Potter. Dumbledore was supposed to help you go to Hogwarts so you could at least get your OWLs. Once you turn seventeen, it would be up to you if you wanted to stay, but the laws are clear that you must remain on British soil to gain your inheritance."

She looked at him in shock. "As an Ancient and Noble house, even if you aren't one of the Sacred Twenty- eight, you would be eligible for a seat on the Wizengamot and could influence changes with our kind. I had no idea that this new law would be passed or that the Wizengamot would put the travel ban in. I thought Dumbledore would just get the required permits to allow you to go back. And no, it was not Dumbledore or one of his proxies who put the Travel Commission in the law." She had opened her mouth to ask. "It was Mr. Nott, probably at the urging of Lord Malfoy."

"Remus, why would you lie to us," Hermione asked hurt. "I protected you last year, not telling anyone your secret. Why is it so important for Harry to have his inheritance? It did not seem that important before. Dumbledore didn't even tell him he was considered one of the Old Bloods."

"Hermione, the Potters were extremely powerful both in the Wizengamot and as an old family. There are items in his vaults that should not be given to the Ministry. They would end up in the wrong hands when they auction the items in the vaults. This is all part of Harry's inheritance. For some reason Dumbledore didn't want Harry to have it," he told her frustrated. "For years, the Headmaster has been playing a game and isolating Harry from everything, even his inheritance. I don't know why, but the Headmaster is known to be a master stratagem and manipulator." Remus dropped his head at her hard stare.

"So you manipulate me just like Dumbledore and my relatives," Harry said in a hurt voice.

Remus head shot up to him. "I am trying to protect you. You and Hermione. That is my only intention. I don't play with people like Dumbledore, Fudge or others," he said testily.

Harry stared him down and Remus held his gaze. Hermione could hear his heart beating faster and Remus' racing with fear. "Remus, what exactly did you talk with the Headmaster about," she asked.

Remus didn't take his eyes off of Harry's. "I won't give you all the details. It is better that you don't know until we can work on ways to protect your mind. As a wolf, you will have some natural ability because most wizards won't be able to acclimate to your mind if they use legilimens, but there are those that can. Some wolves are trained wizards or witches like me."

"Are there any other secrets you are keeping from us," Harry asked deadpan.

Remus frowned. "No, Harry. None that affect you or Hermione."

She watched Harry. His eyes were intent. His face was tight and she was wondering what thoughts were in his head.

"You swear that you weren't doing this to control us? Remus, I can not have anyone that would betray me in my pack. My parents died trusting Peter Pettigrew. I am trusting you with Hermione." His voice was angry, and cracked with emotion at mentioning his parents and her. The way he said her name sent a thrill through her to know how important she was to him.

Remus took out his wand. The man looked like he had been punched in the stomach at the mention of Pettigrew. "I swear that my intentions were not to control you. I only wanted you to have your inheritance and an education. As your Guardian, I am responsible for your well-being. I thought that was the best route before you and Hermione found another. I also thought I was doing what your parents wanted." There was a light from his wand before he let out a breath.

Harry stood. "I'm going to pack my trunk."

She reached up and squeezed his hand. She knew his trunk was already packed. Harry squeezed back before walking out of the room. She understood how he must be feeling and would go find him in a few minutes. She turned her eyes to Remus. "I swear, if you ever hurt him again like that or betray him, the crows will be feeding on you while you still breathe." Her voice was low and dangerous.

"Hermione Jean Granger," her mother admonished.

She turned to her mother ready to go after her. Her father had put a hand on her mother's arm and she stopped, her mouth opening to say something else. "Jane, let it go."

Her mother turned to her husband with an angry face. "She just threatened to torture and kill someone and you say drop it?" Her voice had risen an octave.

Her father didn't back down. "Yes. To betray your pack is an offense worse than murder to a wolf. I think she was actually restrained."

-END FLASHBACK-

Remus had done what he thought necessary and she was between both of them. Harry felt betrayed right now. Remus would never intentionally hurt Harry, but Harry had a point that they should have been involved.

Hermione stiffened as the leathery winged horse pulled the carriage up. She hated seeing those things since their first trip to the Hogsmeade station end of first year. It had taken two trips to Diagon Alley to find the right books that summer and convince herself she hadn't been crazy. No one else had seen them.

"Hermione, what's wrong," Harry asked leaning down towards her. She grabbed his hand.

"Nothing," she told him. Thestrals were real, but not even Harry had believed her at first until she had made him touch one second year.

He squeezed her hand. "Please don't lie to me." It was the same thing she asked of him when he shut down on her.

"Thestral," she told him.

"I didn't realize you could see them," Remus said. "A very misunderstood creature."

Harry squeezed her hand. He knew she had seen her great-grandmother die after she had explained it second year. "I'll make the ratatouille when I can," he told her gently and she gave him a sad smile. "I would like that," she responded.

Soon, it was her and Harry alone in the carriage. Remus had stayed behind to wait for the other new students to arrive. The rain was still coming down in buckets and she was trying to stay far enough back on the seat to not get wet. Through the murky morning light, she could see the outline of Hogwarts. Hermione always felt a certain excitement at seeing the castle that overlooked the Black Lake. It was a bastion of knowledge that she found intoxicating the first time she had stepped into the doors. Since then, she hadn't been any less impressed with what she learned. The library had very rarely let her down. She waited with anticipation to walk back into its halls the second they left for the station every year.

This time, she didn't have that same feeling. She looked at the building with a certain apprehension she had never felt before. The fact that she hadn't wanted to return and what may await them in its halls was a pit in her stomach. Like Harry, she wouldn't run. They needed their wands and to do that they had be on a track to get their OWLs.

Harry put his arm over her shoulder and she sidled into him. He spoke very quietly as the cart jostled them on their way from Hogsmeade. "We'll be alright, Hermione."

"I just feel like we shouldn't be here this year. What do you think Ron will say," she asked.

"He seems alright with it so far," Harry told her. In the last month, they had corresponded with Ron by letter more than they ever had.

"What about everyone else?"

"Since when have you worried about that," he asked.

"I don't, really. Just don't leave me," she told him holding his hand tight. She didn't usually feel fear or apprehension, but something was bothering her about this place now. She also wasn't used to sharing her fears with anyone, but with Harry, when they were alone, it felt very comforting.

"Never. Even if I need to be late to my own classes," he told her.

She squeezed tighter. "You will not. I don't want you having any detention this year."

He chuckled. "Hermione, except for Arithmancy, we have the same classes."

She knew that, but Harry still had to follow the rules. After that, they sat quietly as the thestral pulled them up the causeway and the Main entrance. As they approached, the distinctive figure of Professor McGonagall was waiting for them at the opened doors. Harry unloaded the trunks and insisted on taking them both. She rolled her eyes, but let him as she held her wand over them to keep the rain off and Hedwig in her other hand.

McGonagall gave them a rare smile as they walked up to her. "It is very nice to see you back, Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter."

Harry frowned. "Not that we had a choice."

She elbowed him. "Thank you, Professor."

Professor McGonagall eyed them for a moment. "I can understand your sentiments, Mr. Potter. I hope you find Hogwarts as welcoming as ever. Most of the students are still at breakfast so I thought we could take this time to look at your new dorm and talk about a few items."

She frowned. "Professor, I thought we would be staying in Gryffindor."

McGonagall gave them a sad smile. "I am sorry, Ms. Granger, but after many parents complained and the Board of Governors voted yesterday, we were forced to setup new accommodations. I trust you will find them to your liking."

"We are in the dungeons, aren't we," Harry asked next to her.

"No, Mr. Potter. Part of the Practice Grounds Tower has been converted for this."

"Professor, does this mean we are in a new House," Hermione asked. She frowned. She was used to discrimination being a muggle-born, but to be separated from their friends and others didn't seem right.

"Ms. Granger ,you are still Gryffindors, and can visit the tower whenever you like." Hermione didn't like this. They would be guests in their own Den. McGonagall continued, "I can understand your concern, but I think new accommodations are as much for your protection as the other students."

"I won't start something unless someone else does," Harry told her and she reached for his hand. "Why require us to come here if people don't want us here? They could have just allowed us to go to Ilvamorny!" She knew he knew the answer, but he was still venting from last night. She just didn't like that it was on Professor McGonagall.

The Professor frowned. "Mr. Potter, not all of us share that view and would very much like to encourage changes to the law. I would also be very sad to see two such fine students as yourselves leave. It was a shock when I received your transfer requests over the summer." McGonagall looked down at him. "Now come."

"What about our trunks," Hermione asked.

"Right you are, Ms. Granger. Dobby," she called out.

Harry cringed. Hermione knew his last experiences with a house elf with that name had not been the best...

There was a soft pop. She hadn't seen a house elf before but the second she did, she didn't like the way he looked at Harry as though he was the Savior incarnate. His huge green eyes had tears in them as he hopped from foot to foot. He looked ready to jump at Harry. "Professor McGonagall call Dobby to Harry Potter?"

"I have. As we discussed, you are to take Mr. Potter's and Ms. Granger's trunks to their new rooms and bring Mr. Potter's owl to the owlery."

The poor creature looked besides himself. "Yes. Dobby will take Harry Potter's and Hermione Granger's trunks." The elf was still hopping from foot to foot. Professor McGonagall raised an eye at him. "Sorry, Professor. Dobby was hoping he may visit Harry Potter if he be willing."

She had had enough. "Of course you can visit. You are a free house elf, aren't you?"

The elf's face brightened. "Oh, Miss is kind. Dobby see why Harry Potter choose Miss." Dobby suddenly barreled into Harry. "Harry Potter is great wizard. Hermione Granger is good choice, sir."

Harry looked at her for what to do. She wasn't sure to laugh or cry at the situation. "Dobby serve Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."

"Dobby, you are supposed to take care of their dorms. Now, off with you."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall. Dobby visit Harry Potter and Hermione Granger on his next day off in two weeks. If that be alright, sir," Dobby asked.

"You only get one day off every two weeks," she asked incredulously.

"Oh, no, Miss. Dobby get one day off a month. Headmaster try to offer one day a week, but Dobby tell him that be too much. Dobby had to insist one day off a month and four hours off a day is all Dobby needs," he said with pride.

She blinked. "That's not right! No one should be required to work twenty hours a day. And one day off a month! That is just barely above a slave."

"Oh, yes miss," Dobby said as though hurt. "No self-respecting House Elf should be expecting more than that. Dobby doesn't usually work twenty hours. Headmaster usually only require fourteen from each elf."

She went to open her mouth again but Professor McGonagall spoke over her. "Thank you, Dobby. You may take care of your chores now."

Dobby smiled radiantly at Harry, not as much at Hermione and nodded with deference to Professor McGonagall before snapping his fingers. Their trunks disappeared and he followed a half second after. "Only getting one day off a month! And I suppose he doesn't get paid besides room and board," she said angrily. She wasn't sure why she was so angry at this.

"Ms. Granger, I would appreciate it if you did not upset Dobby or the other House Elves. They take great pride in what they do. And to answer your question, Dobby does get paid, but that amount is between him and the Headmaster," she told her. Hermione pursed her lips.

"Hermione, if he is happy, does it matter," Harry asked her.

She turned to look at him and saw a shy look to his face. It hit her why she was upset that the poor creature was being treated as a slave. Her Harry had been one for years. the fact they had both suffered at the hands of abusive masters was worse. Was she really upset about the elves or the green-eyed boy next to her? She was sure it was both. "Harry, it matters a great deal. No one, and I do mean no one, should be a slave. Working up to twenty hours a day! That should be enough to kill any creature after a while. Do they even have breaks during that time? How is four hours off to sleep and relax enough?"

"Ms. Granger, your sentiments are admirable, and I quite agree with them, but maybe this is a conversation for another time? I have some items I would like to talk to you about and would prefer to do this before the other students from the WRC arrive." Professor McGonagall had taken on her harder taskmaster tone now and was looking down at them with a severe look.

Harry took her hand. "Let it go for now, Beauty. We can talk about it later, maybe when Dobby comes to visit so you can talk to him. Maybe he really does like it," Harry said to her softly. She bit her lip. She didn't like it. She didn't like that Harry had been a slave and she didn't like that the House Elves were slaves. "Please, Hermione. You can talk to me about it all you want later."

Still biting her lip, she nodded. Perhaps in the middle of the Entry Hall was not the best place. "Fine. What is it you would like to talk to us about, Professor?"

McGonagall looked slightly relieved. "If you would walk with me." She didn't wait for them as she turned and started away from the main staircase. "We will head to the new dorms in the North Towers." She frowned. That was away from any other house. "Now, of the students that will be here, you two will be the oldest and I will expect you to set a good example. I know you are prone to getting into trouble, Mr. Potter."

"I never try to get into trouble," Harry protested.

"Well, it has a way of finding you," Hermione said matter of fact

"Be that as it may, I have a great deal of trust in you and Ms. Granger to follow the rules of this school and to ensure the other students of the Lobo Dorms do as well."

Being only a little past eight on a Saturday morning, the halls were clear. People were at breakfast, laying in or elsewhere.

"You said you would like us to set an example, Professor," Hermione asked, trying to keep Harry from retorting.

"Yes, Ms. Granger. I have an agreement with the Headmaster to give you a semi-Prefect position. While in the Lobo dorm, you will have the full rights of Prefects, you will also have access to the Prefect bathrooms and their curfew times of ten o'clock. Next year, you two will become the fifth year Prefects for this dorm. I trust you not to abuse this status," she told them stopping at the base of the stairs of North tower.

Hermione looked at Professor McGonagall with wide eyes. She had always dreamed of making Prefect when fifth year came around, but not like this. "But not for Gryffindor," she asked.

"If you are living in this dorm, I do not think it fair to deprive other students of the position. Prefects are supposed to be mentors and monitors of the House they live in. If you do not live in Gryffindor Tower, then you cannot fulfill that requirements," she told them sadly. "Know this, you are Gryffindors and you always will be."

She felt jaded by this fact. So much of what this school meant to her was being taken away. Being in the farthest area of the school away from the Great Hall felt like isolation. Not living in the same dorm, even if she didn't always get along with Parvati or Lavender, felt like isolation. When they had been at her house over the summer, it hadn't hit her what it would be like to be in the real world. They had originally chosen to stay at her house for protection. She liked that she had Harry all to herself. It was safer for them to stay at her house because of Harry. Now they were being kept away from others for their safety. It was not a good feeling.

When neither Harry or her spoke, Professor McGonagall gave them a sad smile. "I know this will not be easy. Know that I and others will do what we can to help you."

"Yes, Professor," she said.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Yes, right. Now, to the dorm." She started to walk up the stairs in the North Tower. She felt Harry squeeze her hand. She knew he didn't care for who called this tower home, but they would not be required to be with her, right? She did not like the Divination Professor.

"This is the main entrance to your dorm." She stopped about two-thirds of the way to the top. "This alcove is your entrance. You will notice the small silver wolf head in the seal at the base." She pointed to a silver seal about five inches across with a howling wolf. "It will only allow myself, Professor Lupin, Madame Pomfrey and any student that live in the dorm. Should anyone else try, they will find themselves outside on their behind."

"Will we be allowed to bring friends and how do we enter," she asked.

"What happens if you try," Harry said with a small smirk.

"I'll let you see the first time it happens, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall told him. "As far as friends, this place is meant to be a haven for you. We can look at changing the rules later. Sagitta," she said and the back of the alcove opened to a set of stair. She stepped into them and they followed.

The stairs opened above them and within ten steps they were standing in a common area with a few couches, two large study tables, a dozen large chairs, several tables and a large fireplace that dominated the center of the room. There were several alcoves with seats below the windows or with study tables big enough for two. He noticed curtains that could be drawn across the alcoves. The Common area was two floors high. Around the common area, in an L like shape, were eight doors on each level. To their right was a circular wrought iron staircase that led to second floor and eight more doors.

"Wow," Harry said. "You'll finally be able to stake a chair by the fire whenever you want," he told her.

She gave him a sly smile. "Or one of the couches."

McGonagall cleared her throat. "Yes. There are twelve rooms right now. More can be added if we get more students. Each floor has two bathrooms," she pointed at two doors far away from them. "That brings me to the second item I wanted to talk to you about. Professor Lupin has mentioned that you are mates. I understand what that means for a lycanthrope. Rooms in this dorm do not have the same restrictions as they do in the Houses. Mates will be allowed to enter each other's room, but not other males. I do ask that you not abuse it or advertise these lazing of the rules. Please, observe common courtesy in your Common Area. Those curtains are there for a reason. Outside of this dorm, the typical rules on student relations apply." She gave them a knowing look. "You will both have your own room next to each other. The Staff and the Governors have agreed we will not stand between your bond, but I think it would be better if you can control yourselves and wait."

She could feel heat rise to her face and she tried to fight it down as hard as she could. Had they just been given permission to share a room? Hermione wasn't ready for what that meant, but she would be fibbing herself if she didn't admit an urge to sleep next to Harry.

"Uhm, yes, Professor," an uncomfortable looking Harry said.

"Lastly, Madame Pomfrey would like to see both of you by tomorrow to discuss your reproductive processes and ways to prevent unwanted consequences," she said.

Hermione couldn't keep the blush coming to her face this time. Her mother had had a similar conversation with her about two weeks ago and Tonks had helped her learn a few spells. She wasn't sure about Harry, but he had seemed very flushed after a conversation with Remus about the same time. "Yes, ma'am," she replied seeing Harry had gone slightly pale.

Professor McGonagall nodded. She took out some parchments from her robes. "Here are your schedules. Mr. Potter, tomorrow morning at ten you will have your Runes Evaluation Test so that you can start next week. Our two new first years will arrive a little after lunch today, as well as a third year from Beauxbatons. Can I ask you two to be at my office by 1:30 and show them around with their Prefects once sorted? Sunday I expect Ms. Entwhistle to return."

"Of course, Professor," Hermione answered.

McGonagall gave them a look of sad pride. "I am truly sorry that you two have found yourselves in this position. You have been great attributes to this school and Gryffindor and I expect you to maintain that. Show those bigoted sons of Morgana what it means to be a Gryffindor and a Hogwarts student."

She couldn't keep a small smile off her face. "Yes, Professor."

September 26, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Hermione was already up and drying her hair from her shower. The sun hadn't risen above the mountains yet and the grounds were in early morning shadows as she looked out the window. She was able to see the Flying Practice field and just over the wall to the Forbidden Forest and the mountains beyond. It was a nice view. One she enjoyed better than her room in Gryffindor that looked out towards Hogsmeade. There was something about the dark trees and the forest that was calming.

She turned to look around the room. It was smaller than the Gryffindor dorms, but again it was only her. There was a desk with a chair, a dresser, a wardrobe and nightstand around a bed that was easily twice as wide as any bed she had seen in Gryffindor. Her mind wondering if it was to accommodate a second body with her...

Towards the front of the room, just next to the bed, was a door that linked her room to Harry's. They hadn't used it yet, but last night she had unlocked her side in case Harry needed to come in. She was going to leave it unlocked for now on.

A knock came at the door to the Common Room. She had expected the knock to be from Harry's room.

She put her hair up in her towel as she said. "Just a moment." She would need to ask Lavender how she dried her hair. Lavender had tried to show her last year, but Hermione wasn't interested at the time. Looking down, she made sure her shirt was buttoned up and her skirt smoothed before moving to the door.

Opening it, she found the newest Hufflepuff, an eleven-year-old girl with long, straight brown hair and hazel eyes. The girl had her wand in her hand and a bag over her shoulder. "Good morning, Hermione," the girl said radiantly. "Are you ready to go down yet?"

She tried not to laugh. The girl was just as excited as she had been her first day. "Can I have ten more minutes to finish getting ready? Breakfast doesn't start until 6:30 and it's only 6:10."

"Of course," Bonnie bounced around one of the posts that held up the walkway above them. Her hair was bouncing everywhere and looked like it needed a good brush.

She laughed at the girl. "You want to come in while I finish getting ready," she asked.

"Can I?" Her eyes were huge and she looked extremely excited.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Hermione did offer," she heard Harry from behind her. A smile spread over her face as she understood he had opened the door between their rooms. Bonnie looked at him with wide eyes.

"I don't have a door like that," she said. "Can I have a door into your room? We could be like sisters."

Harry shrugged and Hermione felt a flush run through her body. "Uhm, they only give older students those doors and under special circumstances." She tried not to think of what that meant.

"Oh. Is that because he's your mate? Mum told be all about that, but she hasn't found her mate yet. Someday I hope she does. I am just so happy she can work again. It's been a little hard the last year. She used to take me to a play on my birthday, but we couldn't afford that this year," Bonnie said moving into the room and plopping on Hermione's bed. When she moved back towards her desk to get a hair tie, Bonnie leaned forward and gave a furtive look at Harry. "Do you allow him in here at night? Mum said that is what happens, especially when we go into heat. She said I should stay away from boys while I am like that unless I am in a serious relationship. Though, I think I am still a few years from that."

She tried so hard to keep her flush down as Harry sounded like he was choking.

Her mind raced at what the girl had said. No one had mentioned anything like that would happen yet. She needed to find out, but Remus was not the one she wanted to find it from. Maybe Madame Pomfrey knew? "Maybe I should leave you two to talk," Harry said moving away from the door.

"Harry James," she turned to him. "You stay right there. Bonnie, is your mother a wolf too?"

"Yes. We were both bitten when I was only three. We move a lot because she doesn't want her old Alpha to find us. You know you both smell like Professor McGonagall? She is very powerful and smells of power." Bonnie didn't seem to want to be quiet. "You smell like power," she said to Hermione. "Harry, you smell like a lot of power. Hermione smells like you too. I like it."

"Bonnie, why don't you see if Jason is ready to go," Harry suggested. "We should head down in a moment."

When she was away, Hermione pilled her jumper over her head and put on her robes. "Talkative, isn't she," she said kindly. She had a feeling Bonnie had lived a lonely life.

"I can think of someone else who is talkative when she gets going," he said with a smirk. "You about ready?"

She huffed. "Not all of us just roll out of bed and are ready."

He chuckled. "I showered. I just learned long ago that it doesn't matter what I do with my hair. It just does what it wants."

She smiled and walked up to him, giving him a short kiss. "Don't change it. Though, I tend to like you more in those rock shirts Tonks kept finding."

He gave her a smile at sent a thrill through her. "Not sure the Professors would appreciate them in classes."

"Jason, get off the table," Bonnie yelled from the Common Area.

"We should go take care of the heathens," Harry joked.

She playfully hit him on the shoulder. "They aren't heathens. I remember you and Ron do something like that."

"I remember getting hit by a stinging hex when we knocked your ink bottle over."

"I know quite a few hexes now," she warned him. He held his hands up in submission before grabbing his bag and walking out of her door. She didn't miss that he left the door open between their rooms and shut her door behind them.

Jason was a small, wiry boy that reminded her of Harry first-year. He had obviously had a hard life so far and had eaten ravenously at the overloaded tables when he sat with them. She was pretty sure he hadn't been abused, at least not by his father. His father was a wolf too and she figured they just had a hard time being werewolves in Britain. "Jason, off the table," she told the boy.

He jumped down immediately. "Sorry, Hermione." The boy looked like he expected to be hit or something. She was wondering what type of pack or home he came from.

Then there was Pierre. He was a tall third year that had been sorted in Ravenclaw. He was British born, but had spent the last few years in France and had come back for the summer to visit his grandparents and then been stuck here. He was sitting in a chair reading a book. "You ready, Pierre," Harry asked giving Jason a chocolate frog. "You want one too, Bonnie?"

"Yes," she said as he tossed one to her.

"Chocolate is not a good thing first thing in the morning," Pierre told them. She could smell that Pierre was part of a pack he was very comfortable with. So far, they had gotten along well together, but she wasn't sure that in the future he might be an issue. He didn't smell like an Alpha, but he didn't defer to them like Bonnie and Jason did.

Harry shrugged. "Once in a while should be fine."

Pierre frowned. She regarded him closer. His sandy colored hair was cut very short, and his blue eyes looked intelligent and angry. She didn't blame him. He was being kept from his family and forced to remain in a country he didn't want to be in. She wasn't sure why he hadn't been removed by the French Ministry or the ICW yet except that he was still a British citizen.

She found herself upset that they were British citizens and trapped here too.

Harry smiled when he saw her. "You good to go," he asked looking at the two Hufflepuffs. She wasn't sure if this was right or not for them to belong to different Houses.

"Yes," Bonnie said excitedly. With the prospect of leaving their den, Jason didn't look quite so sure.

Hermione would never admit she was scared. She was a muggle-born. In their world, that was like having a Scarlet Letter. To make it worse, she was now classified as a dangerous beast with restrictions on what she could do. They all were beasts, but the others were all half-bloods. If Harry wasn't standing there, looking confident and strong for those that needed it, she might be tempted to crawl back into her bed and just hide. Harry would be dragged along to hold her.

Hermione was a Gryffindor, though, and would face the world with her chin up.

"We will go to the Great Hall and then we can walk you to your first class," Harry offered.

The five of them made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Pierre went to the Ravenclaw table to sit with a blonde girl Hermione had seen before, but didn't really know. There was a noticeable gap between them and the other Ravenclaws. Ron and Neville sat towards the end of the table and they joined them. She noticed that about a dozen other Gryffindors sat near them, while the rest crowded towards the far end of the table. Angelina nodded to her as she sat next to her and across from Ron.

"Morning," Ron said half awake.

"Morning Ron," Harry said sitting next to him. She would have preferred for him to sit next to her, but with Annabel on one side and Angelina on the other, it wasn't to be this morning. "Neville. You two have a mostly empty day, right."

"Morning, Harry. Hermione. Yeah. I was going to spend the morning in the greenhouses," Neville said happily to him.

"You have no idea how lucky you have been not to have been in classes," Ron said. "I need to finish my Divination homework this morning and the Transfiguration and DADA reports for tomorrow. Harry, can you come back up to the tower and do it with me?"

"Oh, yes, because what we have been doing is so much better," she said testily to him. In a little more than thirty-six hours, Ron had managed to complain about every subject and asked her to look over his papers. He had been upset when he found out that Hermione and him were not staying in the dorms and had gone back to the Lobo Dorm after dinner the last two nights. Deep down, she had missed him, and he was treating them like normal, but she wished he had grown up more.

"Can you two stop it for ten minutes," Harry said to them. "Ron, I can meet with you after Divination this afternoon, but I am not taking it this year. We are helping Bonnie and Jason find their way this morning."

She sighed. Ron had probably grown up as much as most of their other classmates. None of them had to deal with what they did. She wondered how many noticed Justin and Colin missing?

She had made it through some scrambled eggs and toast when she turned after someone cleared their throat behind her. She had smelt and heard the boy coming from the Hufflepuff table. When she turned he had an easy smile about him that reached his hazel eyes and his light brown hair had a semi-mussed which she suspected he did intentionally. He had a general good boy air about him. She found she had no real interest in the boy. He had nothing on Harry.

"Ced," Angelina said with a nod.

"Morning Angie," the boy said. Angelina moved over enough for him to take a seat between them. Harry didn't look happy that the Head Boy was so close to her. Maybe next time he should sit next me, she thought.

Hermione noticed that Angelina looked pleased with the name and the way his eyes lingered on her for a few seconds. He looked at the two first years before looking at them. "Cedric Diggory." Cedric held his hand out.

Harry reached across the table. They watched them and they both looked like they were trying to squeeze the lie out of each other's hands. "Harry Potter."

"Hermione Granger," she answered.

Cedric nodded after shaking her hand. He introduced himself to Bonnie and Jason. Bonnie looked smitten with him right away and Jason very weary. "Professor Sprout told me you two were sorted into Hufflepuff."

"Yes," Bonnie said with a broad smile. Hermione could see the girl liked him already. Most girls did. She looked at Harry to let him know it was only him she wanted. "We haven't been there yet though. No one agreed to take us Saturday."

Cedric looked a little abashed and ran his hand over the back of his neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. I was out for the weekend for a family thing and only heard late last night. I wanted to help and let you know we are here for you. Would you like to join me and my friends and we can show you around?"

Bonnie looked like Christmas had come and her eyes went wide. "Oh, yes, please. Can you show us to our first class?"

"If I can't, another Prefect or someone can," he said easily. "After Dinner, we'll take you to the Badger sett."

Jason looked very apprehensive. "I think I will stay with Harry."

Bonnie looked at him. "Come on, Jason. We are Hufflepuffs and we should introduce ourselves."

"Don't really want too," Jason told her.

Harry cleared his throat. She noticed the hard look in his eyes. "Cedric," Harry waited for the boy to turn to him. "If you take them, you make sure they are safe. I don't want them wandering the Halls without anyone." Harry had told her that he was going to do as Remus and Professor McGonagall had asked of them and help the younger wolves.

She watched Cedric give Harry an appraising look before nodding. "They are Hufflepuffs. We protect our own."

After that, Bonnie convinced Jason to go and they found themselves with only their Gryffindor friends.

-oOo-

September 27, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Hermione walked next to Harry, her arm brushing his as they made their way to Potions. It wasn't against the rules, but it was frowned upon to show too much PDA in the halls. She had to admit, though, that her mind was not on Harry that way right now. She was more worried about their next class. It was going to be the first class with Professor Snape. The looks of loathing that Professor Snape had been giving Harry every time he thought no one was looking worried her.

It was also the first time they would come into direct contact with Slytherin.

"How did you two get that so fast," Neville asked besides them.

They had just had Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Last week she had started the class on hedgehogs to pincushions, going over the theory and method, which they had both missed. Luckily, Harry and her were already half way through all their books from last month, so they knew the theory already. Hermione got hers on the first try and had made a perfect pincushion on her third attempt. Both earned them five points. Harry got his on his second, but he didn't have the skill Hermione did. She had to admit that there were a few envious looks at both of them. Only about half the class had successfully done it by the time they were done. Harry had tried to help Ron while she had helped Neville and Lavender. Ron had looked like he was constipated with how red he was and the look of concentration on his face.

"We read the books and did the assignments Professor McGonagall gave us," Harry answered. "It was really Hermione that made us."

"It was not," she told him. "You did the assignments without even prompting. I only helped when you had troubles. Though, I think we have most of the assignments done for the next month or so if we are only on pincushions."

"You two are mental," Ron spoke up. "You had that time off and you do schoolwork?"

She was about to open her mouth with an angry retort when Harry spoke up. "Ron, we were not going to waste that time. Hermione and I need to get at least five OWL's of Exceeds Expectation or higher next year or we lose our wands. I am not going to lose my wand if we get stuck in Britain," Harry told their friend with a great amount of determination. She felt a great deal of pride in her boy.

Ron and Neville looked at them incredulously. "You only need to get at least one OWL of Acceptable to keep your wand," Neville told them.

"What do you mean if you stay in Britain?" They hadn't told Ron yet of their plans.

"Not if they are mutts," a familiar drawl came to their ears and she had to sniffle a groan as Harry stiffened. Malfoy was standing by the door to the dungeon Potions Lab with his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Theo Nott.

"Get out of here, Malfoy," Ron warned. "You know what the Headmaster said would happen if you upset them."

She gave a quick look to Ron. Nothing had been said to them about that. Malfoy smiled and it sent a shiver through her. "Oh, I am not concerned about that, Weasley. If either of them raises a hand to me I'll have them walking through the veil."

"I think you have your facts wrong, Malfoy," she told him. "The law states that we fall under the Treaties of Intelligent and Near Intelligent Creatures of the ICW. If you read that, you will find that we can defend ourselves, whether the threat is real or perceived." She emphasized the last, definitely feeling threatened by the boy. She had to tamp down the growl that wanted to escape her throat. She would not act the way the prat wanted her too.

"Is that why the Prophet had an article this morning about his father being fined and an execution order for a hippogryph being overturned over the weekend? I heard the DMLE has been doing a review of treaties lately and I guess someone found out what you did last year, Malfoy," Harry said to the blonde prat.

Neville's eyes lit with understanding while Ron looked confused but delighted at the way Malfoy opened his mouth. She had found that interesting that Neville had come to them over the weekend and was with Ron more often than not.

Draco scowled after a moment. "I guess being a mutt means you are just a lowly creature of near intelligence, Granger. Just keep an eye on your mudblood bitch or she'll be like your parents," he said to Harry.

The second it was out of his mouth, Harry moved. She launched herself at Harry. "Ron, stop him," she yelled. Harry growled and tried to get out of her arms. Draco's eyes went wide, and he stumbled back into Crabbe. A fear smell like piss came from Malfoy. Neville was at Harry's side and trying to pull him back. Harry was strong enough to almost break out of both of them. Goyle stepped up, fist in hand. "Harry, stop! Please," she cried out.

He stopped at her plea. "You ever threaten her again, Malfoy, and you will find out how those treaties work."

"Potter," the oily voice of Snape snapped.

She kept a groan in at the gleeful look that quickly crossed Draco's face. Harry stood up. Neville let go and she kept hold of his arm. The look Professor Snape gave them was hard and hate filled. "You may be some uncontrollable beast now, but I expect you to be civilized in my class. Ten points and two nights detention for being uncivilized."

"Malfoy threatened Hermione, Professor," Neville said, cowering a little as Professor Snape glared at him.

"You can join him, Longbottom, for telling lies."

"He did not tell a lie. He said Hermione will be like Harry's parents," Ron told him. By now, the rest of the Gryffindors and Slytherins had joined them. "Headmaster Dumbledore said anyone that threatened them would have twenty points taken from their house and three nights of detention."

Snape scowled at him. "I only saw Potter trying to attack Mr. Malfoy. Ten points and detention, Mr. Weasley."

"We are protected under the Treaty of..."

"I do not need any know-it-alls, Ms. Granger." Snape's tone was quick and low. "Ten points. You will be reporting to me tonight while the others report to Mr. Filch."

"Hermione is not going to be alone," Harry said aloud, staring at Professor Snape with loathing. "I will be with her."

"Go find Professor McGonagall," she heard Parvati say behind her. She heard Lavender running away.

"Where are you going, Ms. Brown," Snape called after her. "You will be marked late for class."

"Professor McGonagall told us to get her if there was ever an issue with Potter or Granger," Parvati said, standing tall and moving close to Neville.

Professor Snape looked like he just swallowed sour milk. "I will be glad to have her join them in detention when she gets back and find I was within my rights."

"Hermione will not be serving detention alone with you," Harry reiterated.

"Three nights, Potter. You report to Filch. Granger here!"

"But what about Malfoy," Parvati persisted. "It was made very clear what the Headmaster meant about threatening or goading them."

Snape lost his temper then. "Twenty points and a week of detention, Ms. Patil!" The man spat as he yelled at her. "Everyone into class and sit quietly or it will be fifty points from Gryffindor and you all will have detention for a week."

Harry looked defiant at the man. She was tamping down her anger, not wanting to get into more trouble and trying to keep Harry from doing something he would regret. She pulled him into class and for once was going to sit in the back of the class to keep them away from the man. "Granger. Potter. Front Row, where I can keep an eye on you." Snape snapped at them. Harry took in a deep breath and took her bag. They sat in the front desk. When everyone came in, Professor Snape cast his wand as the door. Heavy bolts slid shut and she was certain there was a locking charm or two on it now.

"What about Lavender," Parvati said aloud.

"Ms. Brown knows my rules. She is late and receive no grade for the day and will serve detention tonight," the man said with a smile. His wand flicked at the board. "You will brew the Skele-gro potion. By end of class, you will be to step twelve and complete it Thursday. Any group that cannot make an acceptable potion fit for human consumption will receive a T. Begin."

"This is months early," Hermione whispered.

"I did not say you could talk, Granger. Five more points."

Ten minutes later, a knock came at the door. Snape acted as if he didn't hear it. He continued his prowl around the room. "You are not supposed to add the puffer fish spleens until the scarab beetles have stewed for ten minutes, Longbottom."

"They have only been stewing for two minutes and twenty seconds," Ron said next to him.

Snape dropped something into the potion. "As I said, they need to stew for ten minutes. Start again," he said as the potion turned a pearly white and started to smell of sulfur. He flicked his wand and the potion vanished. A knock came at the door again.

"You may enter after class," Professor Snape said at the door.

Hermione heard the bolts click open and the door swung inwards with force. A very angry Professor McGonagall was standing in the doorway with Lavender Brown standing behind her. "You are not supposed to lock this door in this manner, Professor Snape. Students are supposed to be allowed access in and out in emergencies or to visit the lavatory."

"This is my classroom and I can do as I wish," Snape said coolly at her.

"So it seems. I will be having a talk with the Headmaster later. Is it true that Mr. Malfoy threatened Ms. Granger?"

Snape snarled. The whole class had stopped their brewing to look at him. "I heard no such thing. Potter was trying to attack Mr. Malfoy when I walked down and took care of the situation appropriately."

McGonagall's nose flared. "I trust you questioned the people involved? A report will need to be made to the WRC and the ICW on this and I trust your events and verification are appropriate for this? I also assume the appropriate parties were disciplined as required by the Headmaster and Board of Governors?"

Snape's face looked white. If he had been upset with them before, she felt a whole new level of anger in the way his heart beat faster and the smell of repugnant loathing rolled off him as he cast a quick eye at them before turning his gaze towards Malfoy. "Did you threaten Ms. Granger?"

Draco looked uncertain; his smug smile gone. "No, Professor," he said smoothly, but she could smell his uncertainty.

"I will put that in the report."

McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "For your and Mr. Malfoy's case I hope so. It is a five-hundred galleon fine for the first instance of bating. I would hate for you to discover what happens by the third time. Are you certain he did not threaten Ms. Granger?"

Snape looked at her murderously. "Mr. Malfoy, did you threaten Ms. Granger?" He spoke through clenched teeth.

Malfoy looked like he considered his words carefully. "No, Professor," he said again. She could smell some fear as he answered and his heart thud in his chest. She hoped he did have to go before the ICW courts.

"I shall put that in my report. I expect your version by end of day. If you find any other information, please include it by then and no one will get in trouble this time. I will also be reviewing any punishment meted out for this, Professor Snape. If it is found to be inappropriate, then we shall have a discussion. Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger, would you pack up your items and come with me."

"If they leave this class then they will receive a no mark for the day," Professor Snape told her.

"These students will not be in your class to prevent any similar occurrence," she said in a tone that said she was irate at the man.

Snape looked like he was chewing on his tongue as they walked out of the room.