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Twice in a Blue Moon	By : UnseenLibrarian Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Bill Views: 19693 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters from it. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hello, folks. Had you given up hope? I've been caught up in a maelstrom of Real Life drama, writing original fiction for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and, of course, writing fanfiction. Balancing it all is not my strong suit!

Please enjoy this chapter. It is rather shorter than previous ones, but it answers some questions that I left hanging last time. The next chapter is already partially written, and will NOT take five months to post. :)

BETA: Thanks to dormiensa for her support, encouragement, and beta skills!

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this fiction except the plot idea, and make no money from it. JK Rowling's characters and locations are all hers.

CHAPTER 9

Malfoy Manor

Friday, February 9, 2001 – early evening

Moon phase: One night past full

The Firewhisky glowed in the firelight. Bill sat comfortably in a high wingback armchair; his legs were outstretched, and he studied his drink through the cut crystal glass, admiring its color. Hermione's eyes were the same rich, golden brown. He swirled the glass and smiled, picturing her. He was looking forward to getting home to his mate. The call of the moon was stirring his blood.

"How do you manage?"

His reverie broken, he looked at the questioner. Lucius Malfoy sat in an armchair identical to Bill's, but unlike Bill, Lucius was tense and edgy, perched on the very edge of his seat, his hands gripping the armrests. His grey eyes were wild and angry, and he looked ready to leap to his feet at any moment. He was panting.

"How do you manage?" he repeated. "How do you manage to keep your humanity, to keep the inner wolf at bay?" He waved an outraged hand at the low table between their chairs. A copy of the Evening Prophet, folded open to the sobering news of the day, lay on it. "He doesn't! He revels in this animalistic savagery."

Bill glanced at the paper; the headline announced that Fenrir Greyback had struck again during the previous night's full moon. He and Hermione had already read the story three times, analyzing it, trying to gain insight. The story, complete with photos, described in detail Greyback's attempt to get through the protective wards surrounding Hogwarts. The wards had held, and the enraged werewolf had turned and attacked Hagrid, who was unfortunate enough to be returning from the pub at that time of night, and his dog Fang. Poor Fang had been killed when the werewolf's claws tore his belly open, disemboweling him. A grief-stricken and enraged Hagrid had managed to shoot Greyback with his crossbow, wounding him, and the monster had fled. Unfortunately, his trail had been impossible to follow. His whereabouts were still unknown.

Soon after the Prophet had been delivered to Shell Cottage, Lucius Malfoy had sent an owl, ranting about the attack in his scrawled note and demanding that Bill come to the Manor. Bill felt empathy for the man. He'd met with Lucius several times since the attack on Malfoy Manor, and he knew the wizard was struggling to deal with the aftermath. Still, he hadn't wanted to go, his lupine side needing to assure the safety of his mate. Hermione, shaken but brave as ever, had insisted that she could protect herself just fine. He'd only growled, and refused to leave until Harry and Neville had arrived to guard her. After extracting a promise from her that she would stay indoors while he was gone, he'd left the three of them to discuss the attack as he Apparated to Wiltshire.

Upon his arrival, the normally-reserved Malfoy patriarch had immediately hurried Bill away to his study, where he had plied him with Firewhisky and then proceeded to rail at Bill about the latest attack. It was reprehensible, he'd raved, that Greyback had been able to escape. He'd ranted that the bastard should never have been imprisoned at all but, instead, should have been put to death for his war crimes and the misery he'd caused others. Why hadn't the Boy-With-Nine-Lives found him yet? What were the Aurors doing?

He'd then launched into a tirade on the indignities the werewolf had heaped upon him and his family. He was afraid to go out in public now, knowing how people would stare at him. His own son seemed unable to meet his eye, and would avoid being in the room with him. He was always so angry now, and he was always wanting, wanting something. He couldn't put it adequately into words."These urges, all of these physical needs. They are so strong," Lucius groaned, clenching and unclenching his fists.

He's resisting too much, the silvery git. He needs to find balance. He's not going to turn, but he needs to let his wolf lead for a while, remarked Bill's mental lupine companion.

Was I ever this bad? Bill asked in response.

Yeah, pretty much. Your main problem was you needed to get laid, Red. That's probably what's wrong with this pillock, as well.

Bill sighed. "I used to fight it, too, Lucius, but all that did was make me miserable and nasty. I finally found that exercise helps," he said. "Any sort. I run every morning. During the full moon, I run two or three times a day."

He studied the older man for a moment, noting his white-knuckled fists and trembling body. "The wolf inside you wants to move. Take a walk outside, or pace the floor. Fly on a broomstick. Just don't fight it. It makes the need worse and heightens your other cravings, too."

It was almost as though he'd been waiting for permission. As soon as Bill suggested it, Lucius jumped up and began to pace the width of the room. His robes came rather close to brushing the fire each time he swept over the hearth.

"I thought the Wolfsbane Potion would stop this poison of Greyback's," he exclaimed, whirling about at the edge of the rug to face Bill.

"It's not a cure-all," Bill said, flatly. "You were lucky, Lucius. You were dosed with the potion as a preventative from the start, and that has helped you to avoid becoming a full werewolf, but you are never going to be completely free of the curse."

At that, Lucius swore and strode away again across the carpet. He rubbed at his not-quite-healed right arm with his left hand as he did so.

He should go find his mate, have a little fun.

Bill nodded, thinking again of Hermione. He missed her scent. He wanted her now, needed her warm, welcoming body. He put down his empty glass and searched for something positive to say. "It isn't all bad. Have you noticed that your senses are keener, now? You can hear and see things you would never have noticed before. You'll be physically fitter, you'll have more stamina and endurance, and your libido will climb off the charts, if it hasn't already." He smirked. "Shagging by the light of the full moon is bloody fantastic."

Lucius stopped suddenly and visibly sagged. With a look of despair on his face, he whispered, "My wife. I'm afraid to touch her. I don't want to hurt her."

Ah. Bill knew some of what must be going through the proud wizard's mind. He thought back to his ex-wife Fleur's reactions to him when he was feeling amorous. "I see," he said carefully. "Does she seem afraid of you?"

"No. But she's a Slytherin and very good at hiding her emotions." He swallowed audibly. "Better than I ever was."

For the love of Loki! He ought to be able to smell fear on her. If he doesn't sniff it, she doesn't feel it.

Yes, but he's still learning, Wolf. Remember how long it took me?

Yeah, like it was only two moons ago.

Ignoring that last crack from his wolf, Bill stood up and approached the older man. "She may not be afraid, Lucius. You need to talk to her. It's been a month since you left St. Mungo's. Trust me, talking is important." He held a hand out in a gesture of support, but, even though he was younger than the other wizard by some sixteen years, Lucius backed away, lowering his gaze and showing deference to him. The pale-haired Malfoy seemed startled by his own reaction and scowled, but he did not attempt to make eye contact. Perhaps he couldn't.

Steady, big fella! Back off. This is his den. You don't want to take it away or challenge his authority. Do you?

No, of course not! This is… all new to me. I haven't met another male like me before.

"I'm sorry," said Bill as he stepped back, giving Lucius room. "I meant no harm; I'm still learning about all of this, too." He dropped his gaze and turned his head away. From the corner of his eye he saw the other man visibly relax. The light of the full moon shone in through the study's windows, causing the trademark Malfoy hair to glow with ethereal beauty.

"It really does get easier," Bill assured him, while studying the pattern in the Oriental carpet. "Talk to your wife, to your son. Having support from family and friends helps. And my mate – Hermione – has saved my sanity."

Lucius grunted at this, looking pensive. Bill sat down again while the other wizard resumed his pacing. A moment or two later, a soft knock came at the door. "Enter," Lucius barked.

The door opened to admit Narcissa Malfoy, dressed in a flowing robe of some diaphanous material. She nodded briefly at Bill before focusing all of her attention on her husband.

Instinctively, Bill sniffed the air, scenting for fear or disgust, seeking any sign from Narcissa that she was afraid of or turned off by her husband. On the contrary, the scent that reached his nose told him she was quite the opposite. He smiled.

Now you'll see something, Red. If he plays it right, that silver wolf is going to get some hot action from his female.

"You and Bill have been hidden away for over an hour, Lucius," Narcissa said quietly as she moved to stand next to him. She put one pale, delicate hand on his arm. "I'm sure he would like to get home to his own mate. Might I keep you company instead, husband? I've missed you."

Bill watched with interest as Lucius's face lit up. His nostrils flared, his chest puffed out, and his eyes snapped briefly from their icy grey to an amber hue. His upper lip curled in a slight snarl but not one of anger. There was no doubt about it: Lucius could finally smell Narcissa's arousal for what it was, and the man's own lust was rising to answer hers. He leaned forward to kiss his wife and drew her into a passionate embrace the moment their lips touched. A surprised sound of pleasure escaped Narcissa as she leaned into him.

Bill took that as his cue to leave. "I'll just show myself out," he said, standing up and striding quickly toward the exit. They didn't seem to notice him, wrapped around each other as they were. He grinned. At the door, he turned and said, "Remember, Lucius, the more exercise, the better. It'll be good for you," he added, noting that he was still being ignored. He chuckled as he made his way to the foyer, where he would be able to Disapparate safely.

Saved by the belle, he said to his wolf.

Right, his wolf said. Whatever that means. Now, go home and do some of your own exercising.

He did precisely that. Apparating into the living room of Shell Cottage, Bill found Neville stationed just outside the front door while Harry guarded the stairs. They said Hermione had gone to bed, so he growled his thanks and waved them away impatiently. He ran up the stairs two at a time, his need for his mate now urgent. How fortunate it was for him, then, that Hermione was waiting for him in their moonlit bedroom, lying back on their bed and wearing nothing but a smile on her face. He smiled back, his teeth glinting, and pounced.

TO BE CONTINUED…
- 8
- 9
- 10
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Twice in a Blue Moon