HP: Night of the Wolf

September 1, 1994

Devon, England

Harry sat at the desk that the Grangers had decided was his and was now in his room. He felt a little guilty about that. It had been Dan's desk, but he had let Harry have it when he had visited the house yesterday. After insisting, Remus had moved it up to his room. He hoped that after his first change it was easier to get along with the man. Being the reason to have the Grangers separated was not a good feeling.

On his desk were all the books they were supposed to be using this year. It felt wrong to have them on the desk and not in his trunk. Somewhere out there, the Hogwarts Express was steaming north to a place he had considered home for the last three years. Going back to his Aunt and Uncles was just a cruel prank between terms. He had thought the Granger's house would be a true home, but he couldn't accept that if he drove a wedge between them.

He could smell her before a knock came at his door. "Mind if I come in," Hermione asked moving into the room and to his back. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her head on his shoulders. Harry had to catch himself to not lean his head into hers. "You were looking at the books. I have already read a few of them."

Harry shrugged. "Feels odd to not be on the Express today."

"I know. I wonder what the Sorting hat will say tonight."

"No idea," he responded. "I've only heard it our first year."

She squeezed her arms around him. "I know. It's hard to forget when you aren't there."

He put a hand on her arm. "I didn't know you cared that much."

She squeezed him harder. "Of course I care. You and Ron have been my only real friends and do you not think I wouldn't keep an eye on you with the trouble you get up to?"

He chuckled. "Can I just live a normal life?"

"Doubt it. Are you sad we are not on the Express?"

He sighed. "I wouldn't go without you and I don't think I'm safe to be around all our classmates."

She kissed him on his cheek. "You better not go without me."

"Hermione, I don't want to break your family," he told her, the heavy thoughts in his head finally breaking out.

"Harry, you are not breaking my family. This is what family does at times. We have disagreements, find a way to make it work and then go on." She said it matter of fact, as though she knew this was just a temporary issue and that she would find a way for them to get along with her father.

He shook his head slightly. "Hermione, because of me your father is still at the Safe House."

She sighed. "Harry, it isn't just you. I am struggling being around my father too. Remus said this is common until Alpha's can find a way to work together."

He reached up and put a hand on her arms where they crossed below his chin. "He also said that some Alpha's never get along. I can't be your Alpha if it means you can't be around your father. He's your father. I can tell he is a good man, but I won't give into another man. I just can't. I'm sorry."

As she breathed across his cheek, he could smell she didn't have the same conflict in her as he did. "Harry, I am not leaving my father or my family, but he is not my pack. You are. Remus is. Sirius and I am suspecting Tonks. I will not give that up. We will spend time with my father, but it may just have to be shortened at times. It can't be much different than when we are at school."

He sighed. She was accepting all this, and he still felt guilty. "You are my Alpha, Harry. It is part of who we are now. I would not be happy with anyone else and I will not willingly submit."

He squeezed her arm. "I am sad about your father and you. If you ever want to leave, I will not stop you." He leaned his cheek against hers. When he spoke next, it was only Hermione's enhanced hearing that allowed her to hear him. "A part of me wants to be very selfish though and always be with you."

She squeezed him tight before moving around him. He felt a certain heat enter him as she straddled his lap, sitting her bum on his knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. He quickly looked into her intense brown eyes after seeing how her jeans hugged her hips and the slightly wide neckline that allowed him to see the top of her chest. "You listen to me, Harry James Potter. You are my pack. You get that? We are a pack. I don't care if it is the wolf or something else that is the cause of this."

"You are the most self-sacrificing person I know and if you want to be selfish to have me around, then be selfish for once. I will not leave your side and you should never ask me to leave you again. Do you understand?"

Looking back into her burning eyes, he saw no uncertainty, no remorse or sadness at her statement. He couldn't deny that the thing in him that he saw as the wolf gave a very satisfied nod. After a moment, he decided to go with his instincts and leaned forward. She didn't hesitate to meet him halfway. When their lips met, Harry knew that he may be the Alpha, but Hermione would have equal say.

It was several minutes of bliss, where Hermione sidled up his lap until she was crushing her body against his. She moaned as he ran his hand up her sides. His blood ran hot at the sound and he hoped she didn't notice the problem that was tight against his pants and pressing into her. She kept moving her lap into his every time he would move his hands on her side or back. His groan was as much pleasure as it was pain when she pressed against his lap. Hermione pulled back. They were both breathing heavily. "Harry, am I hurting you," she asked leaning her forehead against his.

He took in a few breaths, trying to get his hormones under control. His hands wanted to wander more than they had and anything that kept her this close to him was worth a little pain. She had stopped in a position that he could feel her lap pressing against him. "It's fine," he told her, not wanting her to move away.

She pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "Don't lie to me, Harry. If this is uncomfortable, you tell me."

He knew a blush came to his face and in response he put his hands on her hips and moved her back slightly. She looked down as he moved her and an equally attractive blush came over her face. "That's better," he told her trying not to make a big deal out of it.

"Oh," she said before getting a grin on her face that sent a heat through him that made him grab her hips tighter. He let out a small growl of need and her eyes closed slightly in a way that generated even more heat. He strained heavily against his jeans. She moved in to kiss him and soon they were snogging. She let out a moan as he licked her lips and soon he found her tongue dancing with his. She pressed her body against him. It left little doubt she had developed some very attractive curse and he found his hands stroking very near to them as he ran his hands up and down her side. She groaned and he joined her as she pressed against his lap again. It was a heady kiss that left him lightheaded when someone cleared their throat.

Hermione let out a groan and pulled back to put her forehead on his again. "Go away, Tonks," Hermione said irritably.

Tonks tsk'd. "At least you are following your mother's rules of door open and clothes on. Though, there are still some fun things you can do with clothes on."

Hermione groaned again. "What do you want Tonks," he asked harshly, not looking away from the sultry browneyes that were locked on his. His hands were on her sides.

"You mean besides enjoying this nice 12 A rated snog session," Tonks teased. Hermione moved her head to his shoulder and let out a muffled scream. Tonks chuckled. "Harry, if you want to learn a few things to make her really scream, come find me later."

"Will you get out," Hermione said testily.

Harry turned to look at the pink hair Auror who was twirling her wand and looking pretty happy with herself. "What do you want, Tonks," he groused.

She gave him a wink. "Mrs. Granger called and wanted to know if you wouldn't mind pizza tonight."

"I didn't hear the phone," Hermione stated from his shoulder.

Tonks shrugged. "I don't think you two would have heard an explosion. I called up to you two for five minutes before I stood at the door for almost ten."

"I hate her," Hermione's muffled voice came to him.

He didn't chuckle. His mind was still more on the way her lap was pressing against his. Tonks knowing smile did nothing to help his situation. "Yes. Pizza is good."

Tonks nodded. "Good. I already told her so. Thought you might like these letters too. Hedwig brought one from your friend Ron and I have two more from the new Werewolf Reform and Integration Commission."

Hermione sat up and he bit his lip at the extra weight in certain areas. "Can I see them, please?"

"Oh, I already opened the ones from the Commission. Needed to make sure there wasn't anything bad on or in them."

"It's from the Ministry," Harry said. "You work for the Ministry. Why wouldn't they be safe?"

"Yes, but I have a very paranoid mentor and we have intercepted a few other letters meant for you two that weren't good."

"What do they say then," Hermione huffed.

"You two have a meeting with your new WRC Representative on Monday at 8:30 in the morning." She held up the opened letters.

Harry glared at her. He had been enjoying his time with his girlfriend. "You had to interrupt us for that? You did it on purpose, you hag!" Hermione didn't look friendly at her as he realized the same thing Hermione just had.

Tonks laughed. "You two get cranky when someone interrupts your snogging. Harry, I would move your hands higher and, Hermione, yours lower. "

Hermione turned three shades of red and opened her mouth a few times before putting her head back on his shoulder and screaming into it. "Tonks, go," Harry told her roughly.

She laughed again. "Sure thing, Harry."

-oOo-

September 5, 1994

London, England

Today was going to be a big day. Dedalus Diggle woke up and made sure he was wearing his best dark suit, plum colored robes and top hat. Today was going to be a big day. Yesterday he had been reassigned to the new Werewolf Reform Commission. He was going to be a Senior Case Worker. It was work that he thought suited him after fifteen years working in the Magical Reversal Department. He wanted a change, and when Dumbledore contacted him to transfer and take the case of Harry Potter he jumped at the opportunity.

He felt sorry the poor boy was now one of those beasts, but he had known and worked with many werewolves and found that many just wanted to be left alone. Now, he was to work with perhaps the greatest hero of their time, the boy who killed the darkest wizard since Grindewald.

Dedalus had met the boy once three years ago. He had seemed small for a boy of eleven, but once he saw his scar and his mother's distinctive green eyes, Dedalus could see the boy was meant for something special.

Dedalus walked into the sitting room of his flat. It was at the end of Diagon Alley looking at the side of Gringotts. Today was not a day to practice his gobbledygook. It was a day to meet Harry Potter and help him become a useful member of society. He could hardly contain his excitement. He would have to thank Dumbledore the next time he saw the man for suggesting the transfer.

He double checked his satchel. The files that he was required to have where there. He was to take the Lupin pack. Of course, they were one of only two packs to register so far, but that should change quickly once they saw Harry Potter was being treated well, and he was going to make sure he would be.

What he couldn't understand was why Dumbledore wanted to give Harry a new set of Quidditch gloves was beyond him. It seemed odd the Headmaster would only give a gift to cheer only him up when three of his students were recently afflicted. Something made him feel odd it, but Dumbledore had never led him wrong in the past.

Satisfied that everything was good, he looked at the clock. He was to meet Mr. Lupin at a pub in Wimbourne at eight-thirty. It was ten past. "The early hippogryph gets the ferret," he told himself and stepped up to his fireplace. A moment later, he was standing in the Black Wand. It was a typical wizarding pub and inn, looking much like any building would have in a mill town a hundred and fifty years ago. He looked around and saw one wizard in black robes sitting in a corner, his face and everything covered in a large hood. A rather young and attractive woman with chestnut hair and wearing a traditional barmaids uniform stood behind the counter doing the tallies in an old-fashioned till. The clunk of knuts was very distinctive as she muttered in a fast clip, "one hundred eighteen - one hundred nineteen- one hundred twenty."

The only other occupants were a younger couple with a baby who were having a quiet moment as the infant slept. They had a plate each of rashers, eggs and beans, but neither were eating much, looking exhausted themselves. Dedalus could remember when his sister and her husband looked that way when his niece was young. It was part of why he never felt like having kids and had remained a bachelor. It didn't mean he didn't appreciate the sacrifice the young couple was making.

He walked up to the bar and waited for the barmaid to finish her tally. When she did, she wrote down the number in a black book and turned to him. "Good Morning. What can I do you for," she asked in a heavy Welch accent.

"I am waiting for a fellow."

"Are you Dedalus Diggle?"

"I am, Miss," he said to her. "Is a man by the name of Remus Lupin here?"

She laughed. "That's Misses. I know the man you are talking about. You from that new Werewolf Reform Commission?"

"I am, ma'am. I am here to meet with Mr. Lupin and his wards."

She looked him up and down. Dedalus felt like he was being weighed from a girl a third of his age and coming up lacking. He didn't like the feeling.

"You know what they truly are," she asked him. The look she gave him told him that they were welcome guests and she wouldn't put up with any issues.

"They are lycanthropes that have registered to follow the new law," he told her with a scrunched brow.

"Mr. Lupin is a longtime friend of my family and I know who the teens are. They are just people who got into a bad situation and you can spit on your laws. I don't want any issues."

He was used to being threatened in is years in the DMLE, but this one felt extremely personal and made him actually think about it. "I wish to help them."

She looked him up and down again. "You better. My family owes Mr. Lupin and they were supporters of the Potters. Still are."

Dedalus gave her a smile. "My dear lady, I will never wish Mr. Potter harm. He saved us all and I would do what I can to help him. Who is your family?"

"Thomas Figg be my father and my Aunt is Arabella Figg. My husband is David McKinnon." Dedalus knew both of their names. He knew Arabella Figg and he had thought all the McKinnon's had died that night. Before he could say anything, she spoke again. "I know who you are, Mr. Diggle. I don't support what happened in the last war. I do support Mr. Lupin and his wards."

He held her eyes for a moment. "I understand, Mrs. McKinnon. I intend no harm to any of them."

She nodded before leading him to a door on the other side of the fireplace and taking him to a hall. She knocked at the door to her left and opened it a moment later. Dedalus looked around the room quickly. There was a round table that could easily fit six people and a few high back chairs off to one side. The burgundy color robes of an Auror were easy to pick out. He recognized Auror Tonks with her distinctive bubblegum hair. He had worked with her a few times in the last year. He knew Remus from the Order in the last war. The man looked healthier than he ever remembered seeing him. His green eyes were intent and focused.

Between them was a young witch with frizzy hair, large front teeth and intense brown eyes. She eyed him and he had to admit feeling a little bothered by her look. Her eyes seemed hard for her age. Next to her, Dedalus couldn't keep a large smile off his face, was the boy he had been waiting to see. The boy still looked short for fourteen, but he had filled out much more than he remembered.

"Harry Potter, such a pleasure to meet you again." He immediately moved into the room and around the table, his hand outstretched and ready to shake his hand. This was just as exciting when he had ran into the boy by chance that time in the Leaky Cauldron.

Remus was out of his seat and standing in his way before he made it half around the table. A chair fell over and Dedalus was suddenly facing two riled werewolves with an Auror trying to place herself between the emerald green-eyed boy and him. The two teens were both growling and sounding dangerous. "Harry, Dedalus Diggle means you no harm. Down, both of you," Tonks told them.

Dedalus was unsure what had happened. He wasn't trying to be threatening or anything. "Dedalus," Remus said and he looked to see the man's hand out. "You will have to excuse us for right now. Harry has not had his first turn yet and is being very sensitive to those he doesn't know."

Dedalus, feeling a little shaken, took Remus hand. "I didn't mean to rile him. Is he alright."

Harry was standing still, the girl at his side and Auror Tonks staring him down. After a moment, the boy shook his head and took in a deep breath. "Mr. Diggle, I apologize for my reaction."

"It is quite alright my boy. Quite alright. I should have known how excitable you should have been. Would you agree to a release of your medical records? I noticed that Wizard Child Services put a seal on your records and St. Mungo's would not release them without Healer Tonks and your Guardian's approval."

"Why would you need his records? That is not required per the law," the girl said.

"I do not know, is it Ms. Granger? It was part of my instructions," he told her. It was written in the boys file. He had thought that odd too, like why Dumbledore only asked to give the gloves to Harry.

"And was it part of your instructions for all of us," Remus asked with a great amount of suspicion.

Dedalus put his satchel on the table. "My instructions are for the full medical records of the pack Alpha. You did not file who that was."

"So you assume a fourteen year old boy is the Alpha when there is a thirty-four year old werewolf that has been one for over twenty years? How do you get to that," Ms. Granger said with narrowed eyes.

"Hermione, calm down," Harry told her. She didn't look ready to back down.

"I was only doing what my instructions are. Do you declare another Alpha?"

"No, we do not," Remus told him. "We do not declare any Alpha. That is allowed per the law. Do you need anything else?"

Dedalus nodded. "I do need a blood sample from the three of you."

"No," Hermione told him. "That is not a requirement either. If Madame Bones wants us to keep playing her game then she will honor the law."

Remus put a hand up and tried to calm her. "Hermione, easy. Please let me handle this."

"Let him talk, Hermione," Harry told her, and she sat back, hands across her chest. The look Harry was giving him made him very uncomfortable.

Dedalus was not liking this meeting. He had expected to have a very nice meeting with the Boy-Who-Lived, strike up a nice accord with the boy and have fun checking up on him. "These are not instructions from Madame Bones. This comes from my new boss, Senior Undersecretary Corbin Selwyn, Head of the Werewolf Reform and Integration Commission."

"Selwyn is a Death Eater," Remus said with disdain.

Dedalus shook his head. Dumbledore had vouched for the man, like he had Severus Snape. If Dumbledore trusted them, then he could too. "That was dis-proven, and he has served in the Ministry with some distinction since then."

"You are not getting my records or our blood. I will be filing a complaint directly to Madame Bones the second I can get a parchment and my owl, Mr. Diggle is it?" Harry was looking at the man with obvious distaste and anger. Dedalus was so confused at these reactions. From what he heard the boy was usually polite and shy.

"It is, Mr. Potter. I apologize, this whole meeting has gotten off to a bad start. Let me restart and I can explain what is going on," Dedalus said to them.

"Unacceptable. If the Commission is asking for these things, we will not be part of it, Mr. Diggle," Ms. Granger said to him in a cool voice that caught his attention.

Remus held his hand up again. The two teens looked mutinous, both sitting in their chairs with arms across their chests. "Let us hear his instructions, then we can decide what to do.

Dedalus looked a little more hopeful. Once he read his instructions things would get better. Yes, that would work. He opened his satchel and took out the four folders he needed today. After opening the red one, he took out several parchments. "I don't think I need to read all of this, but I have been instructed to give you your wants after obtaining an Education Permit. I need to obtain Mr. Potter's Medical records and blood samples as the designated Alpha to confirm his identification and his pack. Once that is complete, I can complete the permits, go over the rules and you can have your wands back. Ms. Granger is to report to Hogwarts by September eleventh and start September twelfth. Mr. Potter is to undergo his first change on September nineteenth and report between September twenty-third and twenty-fifth and start September twenty-sixth."

"No," Harry said.

Dedalus blinked at him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. No to what?"

"You will not get my medical records. You will not get any samples of blood from my pack or the Granger pack. Hermione will go to Hogwarts at the same time I do. Remus, I think we're done here," the sloppy haired boy said getting up. Ms. Granger was up as well and Auror Tonks moved to around the table to let them pass and stay between him and the teens.

"Remus, you are just going to let him do this," Dedalus asked, starting to feel panicked. He couldn't fail on his first day as a WRC Representative. He watched Harry gently lead Ms. Granger out the door. Auror Tonks followed and shut the door. Once they were out, Remus sat back in his chair.

"Who gave you those instructions and what else do you have," Remus asked him coolly.

"You just let them walk out? You realize now they will be hunted if they step out of line or anything else? You can't let him do that. He's the Boy-Who-Lived," Dedalus said in a panic. "He never should have been in this situation in the first place. Dumbledore said you left him..."

Remus slammed his hand on the table. Dedalus had known Remus for years and had always respected his even and calm stance. Never once had he ever seen the more violent side of his kind in the man. This was something scary to see Remus regarding him with an angry stare and Dedalus moved his chair back. "I told Dumbledore to stay out of this. Is he the one who gave you those instructions? You know as well as I do that Medical Records are sealed documents unless released by their Guardian or a DMLE warrant. You shouldn't even be requesting them. You also know the things that can be done with blood. This is not part of the law or its requirements. I pray that when the MACUSA grants those two and the rest of us Asylum that you are ready to present yourself to the ICW courts."

He felt a shiver of fear go through him. No one had mentioned they had filed for Asylum. That was a three year stay in Numengard at the least if found to have obstructed any extraction of one granted Asylum. "I am only following my instructions. These were given to me by Under Secretary Selwyn yesterday. Chief Warlock Dumbledore had nothing to do with this," he told the man in a small voice.

"I hope not for his sake. When you have the proper paperwork and instructions, we shall meet again. In the meantime, I will be contacting Madame Bones about this. It was nice to see you again, Dedalus, but I will warn you only this once. If you or the WRC messes with my pack, you will not like what happens." Remus pushed out his chair and stood up. He looked down at him. Dedalus had rarely felt fear, but he knew Remus was a werewolf still in the prime of his life, the man was looking healthier than he ever had and he was pulling on instincts that he had never seen Remus use before. He could tell just by looking at him that the reputation of how good a charms master and duelist he was from the days he ran with Sirius Black and James Potter were not exaggerated.

"Of course, not, Remus. I only wish to ensure Mr. Potter and you are well served and safe."

Remus nodded. "See to it that is the only goal you are serving. Do not be afraid to question other's motives. Good day."

Dedalus watched as the man got up and walked all the way around the other side of the table. He let out a sigh when the room was empty. It was only then he realized that his hand was on his wand in his pocket and that Remus had never even reached for his. After a moment, he put a shaky hand on the table. His hero and the savior of their world had just walked out on him and he wasn't sure what exactly went wrong. He was only following his instructions.

-oOo-

September 6, 1994

Early morning

London, England

Amelia Bones sat in her office. The Head of the new Werewolf Reform Commission was in front of her, flanked by the Head of the Wizengamot Relations Department and the Head of her Aurors. Selwyn, recently promoted to Under Secretary next to Umbridge and given the Head of the Department as a deal with Fudge, was a solid looking man with a bald spot and hard eyes. He had a reputation as an exceptionally talented Barrister in the Minister's personal law department and had served clients such as Lord Malfoy and Mr. Nott. She didn't trust him one bit. It was the only way she had been able to get Cornelius to sign off the required changed to the new law so that the ICW didn't sent in a small army of Aurors to take care of it.

The man sitting next to him, Caradoc Dearborn, was one of Dumbledore's stooges and thus had secured the Head of the Wizengamot Relations Department. It was a small department of about ten employees that handle all the day-to-day business of the Wizengamot and acted as personal secretaries to the Chief Warlock. She didn't trust the man as far as her wand could throw him.

Lastly, and certainly not least, was her Head of Aurors, Rufus Scrimgeour. As grizzled and jaded a man as Moddy, the mane of hair on the man reminded her of a lion on the hunt. She trusted him and he had never let her down. That was part of why he was here, besides the fact she was happy to return the reigns to him after his two-month trip for training and tactics in Australia.

"Now, explain to me why I received a patronus directly to my office from Auror Tonks and two letters sent by floo to my office from Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin about requests that violate the new WRI law?" She was not good at hiding her anger. She looked directly at Selwyn first.

"Madame Bones, members of the Wizengamot requested additional..." Dearborn trailed off as she held up a hand to him.

"Under Secretary Selwyn, I believe that was directed at you," she said in a low dangerous voice.

The man didn't look very bothered, instead bored. "As Head Dearborn was saying, new requirements were passed down yesterday from the WRD with the Chief Warlock and Minister's signature. I was instituting those requirements."

She took in a deep breath. "You will remove those requirements within five minutes of leaving this office. Have you collected any medical records or blood samples?"

The man had the audacity to sit up and look down his nose at her. "If I did, that is the business of the WRC."

"Wrong, Head Selwyn. It is the business of the WRC and the Head of the DMLE. You report to me now and will follow the rules and Laws we swore to uphold. Did you collect any medical records or blood samples?"

The man didn't look very happy, he could tell that his handlers from before were not here to protect him right now. "No, Madame Bones. The two packs we saw yesterday refused."

She pursed her lips. "Do you have any more appointments?"

"We only have seven who have registered to date," he told her.

"I am not surprised if this is the treatment they are to expect. A signed order from the Chief Warlock and Minister cannot change the rules set down by the law without the Wizengamot itself voting on it. Is that understood, Head Selwyn?"

"Crystal," the man's rough voice said.

"Good. Now go change those rules, issue new instructions and beg those people to see your representatives again today. If you do not, I do not care who protects you. You will be out of the Ministry and banned from ever entering again unless summoned." Her voice was hard. She knew she had the authority to do this, but she didn't want to burn down those bridges till she had too. She had grown to expect this type of backstabbing, but typically she was there to stop the bleeding as soon as it happened.

When the man left, she turned her attention to Head Dearborn. "You are a representative of the Wizengamot. You do not get to bring signed changes like that directly to a department, Head Dearborn. It is either to go directly through my office or the DMLE Rules and Regulations Office. That chain of command is clearly spelled out in the DMLE Rules and Conduct passed directly by the Wizengamot and has not been changed. Tell Dumbledore if he tries something like this again, he will find the consequences not to his liking."

Head Dearborn didn't look quite as cool and collected. The man was used to dealing with the strong and powerful, but he was finding himself in the middle of a power-play between the three top people in the Ministry and she could tell he didn't like it. "Yes, Madame Bones."

Quickly she was left with Scrimgeor in her office. "Is Shacklebolt in," she asked him.

"He's in Hogsmeade as Head of Task Force Blue two, as you instructed. Shall I recall him?"

She shook her head. "You know as well as I do, Rufus. This needs to work. To lose Harry Potter's support would kill any inroads we might make with the werewolves. There is something going on. Something big. Have you and Yaxley been able to find out anything about the suspected Death Eaters or who is riling up the packs?"

Scrimgeour leaned forward. "We thought we had finally cornered Fenrir Greyback last night, but he got away. He is carrying a wand now. Not sure where he got it, but someone is teaching him and a few others how to use them. They are becoming dangerous," he told her.

Her lips pursed even more. This was not good. "I hate doing this, but maybe we could use this to scare up those underground that don't want to be involved in this. Get a printing of the laws and violation repercussions. I want it out there and into every den. Those that are found to have wands and resist, will have a lethal force allowed label. I won't hamper our Aurors that way."

The grin Scrimgeour gave her would make a wolf cringe if they gave him trouble.

-oOo-

September 9, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Remus was disappointed as he reread the official letter from the MACUSA. They were going to be granted Asylum, but not the emergency status he so wanted. As of September 6th, they had been granted Asylum and temporary citizenship starting November first. They stated some treaty and laws of ICW that meant England had to have a chance to appeal the decision because they were not in immediate threat of death.

Letting out a deep breath, he would need to talk with Albus after his class today. He had been surprised at the outpouring of support he had received when Dumbledore announce that alternative and advanced courses would be offered this year. He had three sections of DADA, a section of Advanced Dark Creatures and a section of Advanced Charms and Wards. Eighty-seven students had signed up with him across six years. It was more than he had ever expected.

That was one of the reasons he needed to talk to Albus, besides the temporary status of Harry and Hermione being at Hogwarts for a little over a month so that they could keep their wands. After Dedalus has contacted him and they had met with him yesterday evening, he was relieved they both had their wands again, but they had to report to Hogwarts by the Twenty-fifth or they would not keep them for long.

The clock on his wrist chimed and he put the letters into a draw he had charmed and protected to ensure he was the only one to open it.

Picking up the Defense book he had assigned last year, he walked out of his office into a room on the first floor just down from Filius' room. His fourth-year students were filing in. He was impressed to see all seven Gryffindor students front and center. Five Hufflepuffs and four Ravenclaw students filled out the rest of his class. They were a good bunch of students who listened well and showed they had learned from him last year. It was their third class. Having so few students and sections, he had convinced Minerva to let him hold two classes a week.

Ronald Weasley was front and center with Ms. Patil sitting net to him. The boy had proven to be quiet and sullen so far this year, seeking him out a few times to learn how Hermione and Harry were doing. He had been happy to pass a few notes between the friends. At the next table was the shy and awkward Neville Longbottom. Remus thought the boy just lacked confidence. The few times he had been able to coax him out of his shell last year, the boy showed promise. Next to him was Terry Boot.

Remus liked Boot. He liked all the fourth years that had joined him. Susan Bones. Parvati and Padma Patil. Hannah Abbot. Anthony Goldstien. Ernie Macmillan. Dean Thomas. Seamus Finnigan. Lavender Brown. Megan Jones and Micheal Corner.

He didn't miss that they were all half or pure blood. All their parents support the current bill and none of them were Slytherin. That didn't matter. If they were willing to learn, he was willing to teach. "Alright, class. Books and parchment away. Fridays will be practical experience. Place your bags in the cupboards. No, you won't need your wand, Mr. Longbottom. We will be starting with a series of exercises I expect you all to perform at least three times a week. The more the better."

Most of them looked at him very dubiously. It wasn't a large surprise when Ron and Neville stepped up with the Patil twins. So far those four had been the most forth coming. "Professor Lupin, why are we doing exercises," Ron Weasley asked him.

Remus gave him a friendly smile. "Because most witches and wizards don't and it will give you and edge on stamina and power. One thing most don't realize is that a healthy body will generate more magical power. It may not be a great deal over your typical power, but it is a boost, and in a duel, just a little boost can help." He talked them through the explanation as he moved the tables to the side and conjured three dueling runs in the class. "It also gives you other options. What if you were able to dodge a spell and launch your own at the same time. Or what if you distracted your opponent, and then threw a hard ball, or a knife, or a rock, at them. They would be expecting a spell, not a physical object."

After thirty minutes, they were all cursing him when they thought he wasn't listening. "For those that are interested, I have worked out with Gladrags to come on Sunday and offer some work out gear. One outfit will be offered as part of the class. I would recommend three if you can. Now, take five minutes for a drink, and then we do some stretches before taking out your wands."

He heard some groans and smiled. He would find out soon if any of them wished to go to Moody.

-oOo-

September 12, 1994

Devon, England

"Harry, she's going to like it," Mrs. Granger told him.

He felt like he was doing something that was so below what she had done for him on his birthday. The kitchen smelled of what was supposed to be her favorite foods. There was a pizza loaded with vegetables, a simple salad with a balsamic that Mrs. Granger had taught him to make and a ratatouille that he had made from her Great-grandmother's recipe book. "But this seems so simple."

Mrs. Granger smiled. "Harry, you are still young, but sometimes it's the simplest things that we remember for the rest of our lives. I haven't made that ratatouille since her great-grandmother passed five years ago. She loved it as a child and would ask me to make it all the time. I think she will be asking you to make it again soon."

He gave her a shy smile. "Let me go get her."

Harry had been nervous before, but never quite like this. He had wanted to take her to a theater. He knew she liked that. He wanted to take her to a nice restaurant with her friends and family. Instead, he was trapped here. He so hoped that she would like this. When he got to his door, he could hear Tonks and her talking, but it was too low for him to really make out what they were saying.

It seemed to take all his courage to lift his hand and knock on the door. There was a commotion and a moment later the door opened. Tonks was there in her Auror robes with long spiky hair that was a blue at the base and purple at the tips. She smiled and winked at him. "You look handsome. You two be good tonight. I'm going to take up residence on the deck for a few hours."

Harry looked at her confused. "Tonks, this was supposed to be a dinner with all of us."

Tonks gave him a knowing look. "Just bring me some cake. She's all yours now." With that, she moved out of the room.

He looked at her for a moment. Something seemed so off. She didn't make fun of him once and she was too nice. "Harry," Hermione's voice called him back to what he was doing. "Yeah, Hermione..." he asked before trailing off. He felt his throat tighten and his eyes grew wide.

She was standing in her room looking at him with her big brown eyes. Her hair had been mostly tamed and she was wearing a simple white skirt with a black diamond pattern and a black top. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was Hermione and she was beautiful. After a moment, she gave him smirk, but her eyes still looked uncertain. "Do I look alright? Tonks said you would like it."

He blinked rapidly a few times before a small smile came across his face. "You look beautiful, Hermione."

Her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink. Her eyes changed to show her satisfaction. "Glad you like it. Can I come out of my room now?"

"Yes. I hope you like it," he told her holding his hand out and taking hers.

"I told you don't have to do anything big."

He shrugged as they walked down the stairs. "I wanted too. Besides, I don't remember celebrating your birthday once at Hogwarts."

"My parents did something for me before school and we were always busy with classes," she told him.

Mrs. Granger was at the bottom of the stairs. "You two enjoy what Harry made for you."

Harry looked at her confused. "I made enough for all of us."

She gave them a smile. "I think this would be better just the two of you. Call me down when you're ready for the cake. I'll get a plate later. Happy Birthday, princess."

Hermione hugged her mum. "Thanks, mum."

"Thank your boyfriend. Enjoy," she said before moving up the stairs.

"I really meant this for all of us. Remus was supposed to come over too," Harry said confused. "I wanted to give you a good birthday. I even made your great-grandmother's ratatouille."

Hermione gave him a radiant smile as her eyes were suddenly filled with excitement. "Is that what I have been smelling! Harry, how did you get that recipe? I haven't had it in years!" She was very happy and grabbed his hand, dragging him into the kitchen. "Oh, Harry," she said breathlessly. Harry stood still for a moment. He had laid out the table for five of them. The pizza was on a nice stand while the salad was in a crystal bowl he had not seen earlier and the ratatouille was already served at two table settings. It was lit by two candles and there was a very nice embroider tablecloth.

She turned and kissed him. "Thank you."

He gave her a smirk. He was going to have to thank Tonks later. "Happy Birthday, Hermione."

-oOo-

September 19, 1994

Ponterwyd, Wales

"Bottoms up," Healer Tonks said passing a vial of disgusting purple looking potion.

"That is vile," Hermione said from the cell next to him. Looking at his girlfriend, he saw she was standing with a blanket wrapped around her. Harry and Remus had one as well. It was the best solution to not ruin clothes and keep their modesty.

He tipped the vial in his hand into his mouth. It was horrid. It was like taking a mouth full of some metallic swamp water. He had to choke it down. "That was worse than polyjuice," he said.

Healer Tonks raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know why you have tried polyjuice?"

"No, not really," Hermione told her. This caused the woman to purse her lips. Hermione held her gaze.

"We will talk tomorrow, Hermione," Healer Tonks told her. The frizzy hair brunette stuck her chin up, as though saying she wasn't going to say anything. Harry wasn't either. Healer Tonks pursed her lips. "We will talk. That is a hard potion that can go disastrous if not done properly."

Harry remembered what happens when it goes wrong. She had made a cute cat, but it was not her. "I am well aware of the consequences, thank you. It is only a few minutes before sunset. Maybe you should lock the door now, Healer Tonks."

"Healer Tonks, thank you," he said holding the vial out. "Please don't open that door before morning."

She eyed Hermione before eyeing him for a moment. "Don't think I will forget by the morning, but you are right Harry. About ten minutes. Remus, is there anything else I can do to make it better for you all?"

"No, Andi. I agree with Harry. You should lock up in here and not come back in until morning."

"I will check in on you three once or twice," she told them.

"Mum, it would be better that we don't," Tonks said from the door. She was leaning against the door, her eyes on Remus.

"I need too. I need to see what happens with Harry and Hermione and would like to see the effects of the wolfsbane potion. I have not had a chance to do a clinical study on this yet and St. Mungo's has very little data on this. Do you not trust these cages?" She looked to her daughter.

"I don't know what I trust. You still can't confirm Harry or Hermione are infected or figure out how she was infected," Tonks said.

"Dad said one of the werewolves fell towards me when he shot him. Could it have bled on me or drooled on me? I know you said I had some abrasions," Hermione asked.

Harry was losing his concentration on this conversation as his body began to feel like it was burning those few days after he was bitten. His skin was starting to itch. "Please close the door now. Harry is starting to show signs of the turn. Sunset is soon and the moon is up all night."

"Perhaps you are right, Remus," Healer Tonks said.

Harry had sunk to the floor. "Harry," Hermione asked.

"My blood burns," he told them.

There was a silence for a moment. "I never felt my blood burn," Remus said with some concern.

"It is what I felt too the first time. I can feel it now, but it isn't as bad as last month," Hermione said.

"This isn't common," Healer Tonks asked.

Harry groaned. It felt like a fire throughout his body. "Andromeda, out now," Remus told her. "Harry, what is happening?"

His hands clutched into claws as the burning turned into a fire. He heard Hermione grunt. He didn't have the energy to see how she was doing as his skin started to roll and bubble. His blood was painful. The rest of his body felt like he was using Polyjuice potion. Remus screamed out a growling sound.

Memories of that night on the grounds of Hogwarts flitted through his mind before he felt his skin stop crawling and his blood lowered to an annoying uncomfortableness. He lay panting on the floor, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and curled up his knees to his chest. Someone nearby whimpered.

"Hhhhemione," he tried to say. His voice was rough and it hurt to talk.

Harry she barked softly.

He unfurled himself and pushed himself up on shaky arms. He didn't really look at himself before turning towards Hermione. As he thought about her there was a scent that filled him. It was a sweet musk that caused him to take in a deep breath. His nostrils flared and he felt the cool air of the room rush up the length of his muzzle and fill every pore in his nose. It was a heady scent that excited him and drove the uncomfortable feeling in his body away.

He let out a small growl of need looking at her. She was just as beautiful as she had been as a human. He loved how full her chestnut fur was, the sleek lines of her body and the brown eyes he liked so much.

Hermione looked at him intently. Wow, she yipped. Harry, your marvelous.

He looked down and for once saw the changes. His limbs were longer, but he looked so much more healthy and full than Remus had that night. It was obvious he had muscles under his sleek black fur. Flexing a hand, he saw the thick, long claws and pads on his tips and palm. He was also looking down a muzzle with the same black fur. Feeling that his body felt larger and more powerful than before, he stood up.

Harry looked down from a height that was not his typical. He stood a good head or more above Hermione, who had stood up too. She moved to lean against the bars. Are you alright, he yipped.

My blood doesn't hurt anymore, she answered. Do you feel better?

He flexed his hands. Yes. Hermione, I can see without my glasses. Remus? He turned to their friend and Professor. The man was curled up into a ball whimpering some. He looked much healthier than he had in June. His fur wasn't mangy and ragged. Instead, it had filled out and had taken on a sandy brown. Harry could only think it was the potion. Remus?

This time, Remus lifted his head and looked at them. Harry let out a sigh. Last time the man had the look of a feral wolf with glazed green eyes that didn't show anything of the moral man he knew. This time, his eyes were more animal, but his green eyes showed that the man was in the front, not the wolf. Remus, are you alright, he barked the question. He needed to know if Remus was alright.

The wolf whimpered. Yes, Harry. You look better than almost any other wolf I have seen.

Harry watched as Remus slowly moved into a sitting potion against the wall. You both look fit and healthier than any wolf I have seen.

Harry nodded. His ears perked as he heard metal sliding against metal and then a few clicks. She should leave the door shut, Hermione yipped. Harry turned towards the door.

When it opened, Tonks was holding her wand and looking in the room. She had a very set determination on her face as she scanned the room. Do not harm her. Back up Harry barked at them. He stepped back, wanting to make sure that they posed no threat to her.

"Merlin," she whispered looking at him and Hermione before turning her head to Remus. There was a sadness and understanding in her eyes and Harry could smell the attraction between them. He knew he would never endanger her. Hermione had been right. Tonks was pack.

"What is it," her mother asked.

Tonks lowered her wand and moved into the room. Harry barked, out. She didn't listen though. The cages were supposedly separated enough so that they could walk down a narrow strip without being in danger, but he didn't like them being there. He felt no urge to attack them, but he didn't want to risk it either. He let out a small growl as Healer Tonks walked into the room. Her eyes fell immediately to him. He watched her grey eyes go wide as she took him in. "I've never," she said in disbelief.

"I know. I have faced werewolves before and never seen them that fit or nice looking," Tonks said indicating Hermione and him.

Hermione smelled relaxed and hadn't questioned his command. Remus, on the other hand, had lost some of his focus and was standing up. His eyes were locked on Tonks.

They both stood there for a few just looking at him or Hermione. In that time, Remus had taken two steps towards the woman. "Why won't the potion and charms detect the infection? It must have something to do with the silver. Harry, can you understand me?"

He nodded his head. Why wouldn't he be able to understand her? She regarded him. "If you can truly understand me, then bark twice," she asked. Harry did as instructed. "This is unbelievable. Harry, will you allow me to cast some diagnostic charms on you and the others? Bark once for yes."

He barked a Yes.

She nodded and took her wand out of her robes. Remus growled and launched himself towards the woman. Harry saw it happening in slow motion. REMUS NO! He snapped at his Beta, standing up tall and putting all the force into it he could. Healer Tonks let out a small scream and stepped back away from the cage. Tonks was moving and her wand was swiping up. Remus' head snapped up to Harry and he stumbled before crashing into his cage. Harry growled at the man, moving forward. You will not harm anyone.

Remus shook his head as though dazed. After a moment, he bowed his head and whimpered as he backed away from Harry.

"Mum, don't move," Tonks said in a low voice.

Harry hadn't noticed that Healer Tonks had just about backed up to his cage. When Remus had finally backed up to the wall again, Harry let his growl fall and he leaned back onto his haunches. His muzzle was at the bars and Healer Tonks only a few feet away, her back to him. Tonks had kept her wand at her side as she regarded Harry. "Harry, my mum is going to slowly walk away. Will you let her?" Her eyes had turned a grey he had only seen once. Last time they looked sad. This time they looked determined and full of fire.

Harry nodded and backed away a few crawling steps. "Mum," Tonks told her and Healer Tonks moved to the center of the room again. When she turned, she looked at Harry with wide eyes. "Incredible," she said through her fear.