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Lupine Dreams	By : Wolfling1972 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 11118 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe, that belongs solely to JK Rowling, neither am I making money from this story. I just enjoy playing in her world

Chapter List
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- 2
- 3
(AN 1: Classes noted were actual NEWT level classes for Hermione. Draco's shared course load is my prerogative. The date for the Dept. of Mysteries battle is correct as is the probable timeline for Hermione's healing. No scar noted from the curse as there was NO scarring mentioned in either OoTP or HPB novels. The curse suffered by Dumbledore remains. Racist themes and language.)
While Draco dealt with the changes that had taken over his life, Hermione was spending the last few weeks of summer with her family. Her mother, Jane, had been determined that they would spend those few weeks in travel, hopping from one family member to another, adamant that they touch base with anyone who happened to be home from vacation. Aunts, Uncles, cousins? Yes, the trio went to see them all, traveling into the wilds of England before they returned home a week before the start of a new school year.
Once September first drew near, the young muggle-born witch felt an inkling of worry. Every single year she, Harry and Ron had ended up involved in some sort of misadventure with each year getting darker and more dangerous. Just a few months ago, June 18th to be exact, she had gone with Harry and their friends to the Department of Mysteries to save Sirius (who, as it turned out, wasn't even THERE at first), a ruse dreamed up by Voldemort in an attempt to gain the prophecy about Harry and himself. Who knew exactly what that vile person hoped to learn from it? Of course, they had stopped him and in the process, the whole of wizarding London had learned of his return but at what cost?
She'd been injured during that particular battle and had spent just over six weeks taking ten different potions a day, all to heal an injury that no one could see as the wordless curse had left nary a mark behind, only gut-wrenching pain. What that meant was that the idea of returning for her sixth year filled her with dread, loathing and a need to ask her parents to allow her to return to Muggle school to avoid more drama. Of course, that wasn't feasible. Harry needed her logical brain far too much. However, it was nice to think about, a year with no fear, no drama.
"Mum, when are we going to Diagon Alley for this year's school supplies," Hermione asked, two days before school was due to start. "I want to be sure that I get all the books I need."
"How many do you need this year, dear heart," was the response.
"Seven, mum. I received the list when I got my O.W.L. results. Do you want to see it?"
"Yes, please."
With no further discourse, Hermione ran upstairs and rummaged in her desk for the piece of parchment which listed her upcoming courses. A moment later, the young woman returned to the kitchen, the paper fluttering in her hand. "Here." She offered the page to her mother who took it and allowed her dark chocolate eyes to peruse the words. The letter itself was straight to the point and only mentioned the books needed:
a. The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 (Charms)
b. Advanced Potion-Making
c. Confronting the Faceless (D.A.D.A.)
d. A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration
e. Advanced Arithmancy and Numerological Compendium
f. Flesh-Eating Trees of the World (Herbology)
g. Advanced Rune Translation
"Oh, well this seems clear cut enough," her mother murmured. "We can get these today. Do you still have some galleons in your trunk or do we need to do an exchange?"
"I have some but we will need more. The books are rather expensive this year and I also need parchment, ink, quills and the like."
Her mother nodded and wrapped one of her dark curls around one slender finger. "Well, you and I will go to the Leaky. I am sure you remember how to get to Diagon Alley from there, right?"
Hermione gave a bright laugh and a nod. All her mum would have to do was drive into London proper and park. The pub was located between a music shop and a book seller's but only noted by those with magic and could only be entered if a magical sort was present. Once that was accomplished, it was the work of but a moment to use the brick wall behind the pub to access Diagon Alley. All in all, it would be a rather short trip, considering where she lived in correlation with where they would end up, just over eight kilometers away, not even a twenty-five-minute drive.
It was while the pair were exiting Gringotts, as they needed to exchange Muggle money for ga$lleons, that Hermione noticed Draco and his mother. The pair looked more rumpled than she had ever seen them before with a furtive air, their forms seemingly hunched and skulking but why? After all, school was due to start soon. Wouldn't the so-called Prince of Slytherin be here to get his supplies, just like her? The sneakiness made no actual sense! The young woman paused at the foot of the steps leading into the bank, her gaze following the two blonds until her mother directed her attention to the closest store.
"Come on, love. Let's start with your robes and clothing for school. Madame Malkins?"
Hermione nodded and spoke softly, her gaze still focused on the spot where she had seen the two Malfoys. "Yes, mum. Best to make this journey as quickly as possible, right?"
The next two hours were spent doing just that. Hermione had to be fitted for new uniforms as she'd grown two more inches during the summer, giving her the whopping height of 5'5". (Her mother informed her at that point that she doubted the poor girl would get any taller...) So new robes (which were fitted, much better for her form), two new skirts, three blouses, two ties and a new scarf in Gryffindor colors had to be purchased. Luckily, her mother had exchanged more than enough, otherwise, they would have had to go back to the bank, and that would have made the shopping trip even longer.
It was while the pair were in Flourish and Blotts that Hermione noticed Draco and his mother for the second time. Like her, the blond boy seemed to be gathering the books needed for the upcoming school term though his stack seemed just a bit heavier than her own. Could he be taking more N. E.W.T level classes than herself? At that moment, when she was practically burning him with her gaze, the youngest Malfoy turned around, his gray eyes meeting her whiskey-colored orbs. An automatic sneer flitted into place and with a roll of his eyes, he turned away. Since that was not an unusual reaction from him, she paid him no more mind and resumed gathering the books she would need.
It was while she was in the section dedicated to the various forms of Arithmancy that she felt his presence behind her. Hermione glanced around and searched for her mother, who was speaking with a harried-looking clerk, before turning to face the tall, slender young man who seemed to suck all of the air away from her.
"Granger, come to sully the place with your muddiness?"
"I'm here for supplies, Malfoy, same as you," she responded, her voice tight with disapproval.
"You were staring hard enough. I didn't realize I was on your supply list," he bit out in response. "Not that you could afford a highly sought after perfect specimen of manhood such as myself. With that rat's nest you call hair, I highly doubt you could pay anyone enough to be seen with you in public."
Hermione choked back a laugh. "Really, Malfoy, you a perfect specimen of manhood? Ferrethood more like. You are the only one who thinks you are worth more than a knut or two. Frankly, I don't see how you could give yourself away to a decent female, slag that you are." She paused and gave him a slow once over, starting at his head and ending at his feet before dragging her gaze back to his face. "You look a little scrawny. Maybe it's your clothes? Anyway, leave me be, ferret. I have things to do."
The sneer morphed into something which resembled a smile, a cold thin smile rife with hateful words hidden behind it. "Listen, you mudblood swot, if I wanted your opinion on my appearance, I'd give it to you. I swear one would think, given your inherent dirtiness, that you would have learned how to speak to your betters by now."
She could do nothing but giggle. "You? My better? Is that why I have a more intricate grasp on magical theory than you do? Perhaps that is why I have the highest grades in our year? OH, it must be why you are no more than a close third or fourth, you know, because you are my better. Seriously, Malfoy. You need some new material."
Her giggling stopped as he stepped closer, his lithe frame blocking her view of the rest of the store. "I am your better simply by being born. Everything you just named comes from your memorization of books, not inherent ability, mudblood. Gods, you make me sick, the way you come here as if you belong."
Hermione drew herself up, her head tilted back so that she could look him in the eye. "Well, if I make you so ill, why are you over here bothering me? " She took a small step closer, a wicked grin blooming upon her features as she noted his step back. "Terrified I am gonna rub against you with my dirty body? Possibly infect you with my muddy blood?" She sniffed. "Go away, Malfoy." With that, she turned back to the bookshelf she had previously been perusing, proud of the way she'd gotten him to shut up.
A few moments later, he was gone and her mother was peering at her. "Did you find the last book you needed?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Okay, let's pay for this mess and get out of here. It's getting close to dinner time and I need to start cooking before your dad gets home and throws a fit."
Hermione spun on one heel and handed the book to her. "Okay mum, I'm ready."
The pair, looking more alike than not, soon exited the shop and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. It was, after all, the quickest way to return to Muggle London. Unbeknownst to either female two pairs of eyes, one gray the other bright blue, followed them as they went their way. Once they were gone, Narcissa turned to her son with a small frown.
"Why did you go and bother that girl? Things will be difficult enough this year without the additional drama if she remains that aware of you."
Draco shrugged. "I don't know. I never know. I've spent years mocking her, degrading her...and it doesn't affect her in the least, not that I can see. Once I noticed her watching us, I had to go over there. I have never ignored her, doing so this time would have just looked more suspicious."
His mother sighed and wiped one small hand over her face in an attempt to school her features into an implacable mask. "Well, let's return home. Twilifitt and Tattings will be sending your robes and such to the Manor directly so there is no point in remaining."
Draco nodded in understanding and soon enough, Narcissa had grasped him for a side-along apparation and they were gone.
Upon their arrival at the Manor, the pair parted ways. Draco had just crossed the vast entryway when he heard the gruff growl of Greyback. "Come here pup, let me look at you."
The young man paused, his heart raced and he forced himself to turn toward the hulking figure. The man, bulky and disheveled, leaned against the door frame of the parlor, his face almost bestial in appearance especially given his sharply pointed teeth and clawed hands. Draco felt the breath captured in his throat, even as he stepped forward, his face still and without expression.
"Yes?" There was a hint of a growl hidden beneath that softly spoken syllable.
"You can not avoid what you are and who made you that way. It only makes you appear to be weak."
Draco grimaced. "I had no choice in what you made of me nor do I fancy myself in need of your direction. Now, if you are finished? I have things to attend to for my return to school. Excuse me." Of course, the words were harshly spoken but there was a flutter of fear, of trepidation, hidden deep within. After all, wasn't Greyback his alpha? If that was true, shouldn't he feel some sort of affection or need for approval? He didn't but shouldn't he? The young man continued to contemplate this turn of events, even as he meandered up the grand staircase and turned toward his wing. Best to pack up his trunk, otherwise he'd put it off to the last moment and that would do him no good at all.
September 1st, 1996
Draco was still tired. The full moon had been just a few nights ago and his body ached, throbbed, as he settled back into his human-seeming. He was also worried, very worried. There had been a note from Dumbledore asking him to come to the headmaster's office after the sorting feast. Surely the man wanted to talk about his new condition and the young man didn't want to have to say the words out loud.
He would have to though, he knew this.
By ten thirty, he was more than ready to head for King's Cross Station and his mother had checked repeatedly to see if he was sure about his return to the school. Finally, he'd snapped at her, reminded her of what Snape had told them the night of his attack. Staying at the Manor would only hasten his demise and he was not yet ready to die. She had frowned, schooled her features into blankness and gave a brisk nod.
"Let's go then. We will use the same alley as usual for us to side along. Let me shrink your trunk, dearest."
With a nod, he waited for her to do just that and when they were finished, she had wasted no time in directing him to the door so that they could get beyond the Manor's wards. Five minutes later, and with the feeling of his stomach being turned inside out, they appeared in a small cul-de-sac hidden behind a large dumpster. She checked him over, used her fingers to fix his hair and then they stepped out, only a few blocks from where they needed to be.
By quarter until departure, the pair were on the platform and his trunk was once more the proper size. He had decided, before he left home, to dress appropriately minus his robe, but that was soon remedied before the train's arrival. Of course, Pansy, Blaise, and Theo soon found him and once the foursome was together, he'd said goodbye to his mother and made his way to the train.
Soonest began, soonest done.
Meanwhile, Narcissa had noted the arrival of the Weasley family along with the addition of the muggle-born witch and Harry Potter. She stepped to the side, her eyes glued to the girl with the wild curls as she gave thought to interrupt the lively conversation being had by the two youngest Weasley children and their friends but had almost given up when she noticed the bushy-haired, golden-skinned girl looking at her. With a faint frown, she motioned the girl over.
Hermione looked around and with a small shrug wandered toward the older female, keeping her face turned away so that no one would notice the conversation to be had. "Yes, Mrs. Malfoy? You did want me, did you not?"
"Yes. I know that I've never spoken to you, not without rudeness being exchanged, but I have a small favor to ask and I think (don't ask me why, possibly a mother's intuition?) that you might be the best, given the purpose."
Hermione gave a small shrug and waited.
"Draco has had some...difficulties over the summer. I wanted to know if you could keep watch for me, perhaps write to me every once in a while to keep me aware of his needs. Of course, you wouldn't be able to sign your name but I know my boy. If he finds himself in trouble, he won't tell me. Since you've shared a goodly portion of his schedule for the past five years, you would be in place to study him."
Hermione glanced at the worried-looking woman and gave a brief nod. At that moment the conductor gave a call for boarding and without turning, the young woman strode away. Narcissa heaved a quiet sigh and apparated home. Maybe the girl would do as she had asked, maybe not, but she'd done all that she could to keep abreast of Draco's mental health; it would have to be enough. After all, if the young woman figured out Draco's difficulties, she would keep quiet. The woman had proof of THAT when Remus Lupin had taught during Draco's third year.
As for the young woman in question, her mind was ticking away as she filtered through the request, thinking it over. As she settled in the coach she shared with Harry, Ron, Luna, Neville, and Ginny, she gave another momentary thought to the reason WHY Draco's mother had asked this of her. She couldn't come up with one.
"Did you see how pale Malfoy looked? He was rubbing his chest and shoulder, too," Harry opened the conversation. "Do you think he's been inducted into the Death Eaters or something, like his father and Aunt?"
Hermione shook her head. "I doubt it, he's only sixteen. No way they'd ask for him that young."
Harry's bright green gaze flitted to her whiskey-colored orbs. "What did his mother want?"
'Dammit,' she thought. "She asked me to keep an eye on him without his knowledge."
Harry and Ron both started sputtering but she forestalled them with a wave of her hand. "Shut it. What better way to prove he's no death eater? Me watching him..."
"Yes but what if he notices you," was Ron's ill-tempered question.
"I'll figure it out if that happens. Anyway, I don't want to talk about Malfoy...what classes did you choose?"
With that particular conversational gambit, talk soon turned to more important things, well at least according to the others~ quidditch try-outs, Harry's unlikely chance of passing potions without a severe amount of help, and Ron's lack of common sense. Neville started in about Advanced Herbology and Ginny and Luna were discussing some stupid articles in The Quibbler. Finding the noise more than she was ready for, the young lady stood up and made her way to the sliding doors.
"I need to use the loo..." she muttered. "Be back soon." Then she was gone.
at that moment, in the Slytherin car, the initial foursome had been joined by Daphne Greengrass. The blonde witch gave the group a quiet hello and then asked about their summers. While the others discussed the past few months, Draco found himself staring out of the window, watching the passing countryside, his eyes contemplative. His thoughts, never far from his impending doom encompassed by his two different tasks, soon meandered toward the way his mother had hesitated until he'd gained the train with his friends. Why had she waited? Was she making sure he remained safe, maybe meeting with someone? If so, who?
"Drake, why is your face so screwed up? You look far too deep in thought," Blaise nosily inquired, his deep baritone husky.
"Just thinking about the summer."
Theo glanced at the blonde witch who was now deep in conversation with Pansy before he leaned forward so that he could give voice to the question both he and Blaise wanted to ask. "Did you get the you know what?"
Draco shook his head. "No. I refused. It didn't do me any good though. I should have taken it." He paused and then nodded to the girls slightly. "We will talk about it when it is just us, okay?"
Both young men, one dark the other pale, nodded and settled back before they turned the conversation toward the upcoming school year. Draco tuned them out and once more his thoughts drifted to the way his mother had waited. It didn't bode well, not for him. He knew his mother and she never did anything on the spur of the moment. She plotted and planned everything, always. 'Well, not everything. We were both unprepared for the things HE did.' The thought came and went and he had to admit the validity of it. Maybe that turn of events changed how she reacted now?
Best not to contemplate it.
Draco rose from his seat and gave a long stretch, noting for the first time the fact that he'd grown just a bit more across the shoulders. His height remained the same, a touch shy of six feet, but his weight had fluctuated upward yet again. He had noticed that he tended to lose weight before the full moon and gained it back after the sickness passed but his shoulders had never been so broad. With a low groan, he turned toward the exit.
"I'm going to look for the snack cart, possibly hit the head. I'll be back."
(AN 2:The decision to have Narcissa approach Hermione made sense to me, especially given the way this story will progress. For myself the reason for it was twofold: a young woman would, supposedly, be easier to constrain AND the young woman in question knew about Lupin earlier than anyone else and kept quiet so would be more apt to do so in this case, as well. Obviously, with NM being married to LM who was involved with Governing body for Hogwarts, she would have been aware of the second fact as soon as it became available and being the pureblood wife that she is, she would have remembered. The fact that there will be overlap elsewhere is discussed next chapter)
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Lupine Dreams