Howl at the Moon

Forget about the dirty looks
The photographs your boyfriend took
You said you read me like a book
But the pages all are torn and frayed
I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay now (I'm okay now)
But you really need to listen to me
Because I'm telling you the truth
I mean this, I'm okay! (Trust me)

The last twenty four hours with Hermione had been the best in Remus's short life. She was so open and care free despite all of the horrible things that had happened to her. It really made him realize that maybe the werewolf thing wasn't the worst that could happen. And maybe...just maybe he could have a fairly normal and full life with it.

"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked, snuggling up to him and slinging a bare leg over his torso. He smiled and absently ran his hand up and down her arm in gentle motions.

"You." he answered,

"What about me?"

"Just how amazing you are."

Hermione huffed out a little laugh. "It's funny because I think the same thing about you."

"Is this what a honey moon phase feels like?"

"I think it's a little stronger with us because of the whole wolf mate thing." Hermione mused, " I wonder what it will be like when we transform tonight."

"Hopefully not terrible."

"Is it usually terrible?" Hermione asked,

"For me it has been." Remus admitted,

"I'm not sure if it is because of the circumstances in which I was changed, the fact I grew up in wizarding society and carrying all this self loathing or if it IS really that terrible. But every month it is usually the worst pain I ever experience."

Hermione gently pressed a kiss to this throat and hummed, "Well, you'll have me now so you won't be alone. Maybe with another werewolf around you won't be so rough on yourself."

"I don't want to be rough on you though. I would hate myself if I ever hurt you."

"You're terribly sweet. I don't deserve such a nice boyfriend."

Remus snorted, "I think you're starting to sound like James."

Hermione laughed, "Lily was telling me how he used to chase her around all the time."

"Oh he had it bad since the first year he laid eyes on her on the first train to Hogwarts."

"I think it's lovely that they found each other so young."

"Tell that to Lily. James about drove her mad. Especially when he acted like a jealous git over Severus."

"I hope Lily works it out with Severus." Hermione replied, "I know he said something terrible, but I also understand how accidents like that can happen especially being embarrassed and in a house full of people that hate your best friend just because she has muggle parents."

Remus turned his head to lock eyes with her, "It sounds like you know from experience."

"In a way I do." Hermione admitted, "Being in the middle of a war you learn a lot about people you think you hate." Hugging him tighter to herself she continued, "There was a boy that used to be a right git to me in school. But when I was dragged into his house and tortured by his aunt I could see how much he didn't want to be there. There was twice I saw his mother pull him back to stop him from coming to me. Because she knew him interfering would just mean both of our deaths. So he had to stand there and watch. As his crazy aunt craved this into my arm."

She held up her arm that held the crude letters that spelled out mud blood. Remus's stomach turned in disgust as he silently vowed to get revenge on the very person that did that to this vibrant girl who now has to carry a racial slur on her arm.

"I'm glad you escaped."

"Me too." Hermione whispered, "I very nearly didn't. But if the worst that happened from that escape is that I'm a werewolf now. I consider myself lucky."

"How can you consider yourself lucky?" Remus asked bewildered, He knew since becoming a werewolf at the young age of four that he has done nothing but felt sorry for himself and his parents.

"Well I'm alive." Hermione began, "And because of that I got to meet you and Lily and the others. Getting a job will be difficult in the wizarding world sure. But if worst comes to worse I can get a decent paying job in the muggle world. Really if we can get through this damn war I'm sure we can figure out all kinds of things to do and be thankful for. You know, I used to go to Paris with my family. I'd very much like to go again."

"I'd like to take you." Remus mumbled, "But Dumbledore already had me promise as soon as I graduate and settle that I join the werewolf packs. He's hoping I could convince a few to our side."

"What?" Hermione asked, suddenly sitting up, "You didn't say yes did you?"

"I did." Remus answered slowly also sitting up from his position on the forest floor. From the past twenty four hours they had been running around, playing in the forbidden forest naked as the day they were born. " I owed Dumbledore a lot, especially with him bending the rules so I can get an education."

"But he has to see it's a lost cause for you to join. These werewolves are led by Fenrir Greyback. They won't go against him and even the few that may not like him still won't switch sides. I hate the dark lord but he's promising a freedom to the werewolves the light side isn't offering." Hermione explained, " Unless we take measures to allow werewolf children into the school, and give them proper rights like a normal wizarding citizen there is no convincing them."

"The dark lord isn't going to fulfill any of those promises."

"Of course he isn't." Hermione replied, "but he's the only one offering anything to them. If you grew up in a werewolf pack would you rather stay how you are as an outcast or take a chance and align yourself with some one promising change?"

Remus paled, " Then what does Dumbledore want me to do? What you say makes sense..."

"He probably wants you in there as a spy. The thing about Dumbledore is that whiled yes he is a great man, he sometimes loses sight of people especially when it comes to something he considers as the greater good."

"What do I do?"

"He's been very sweet with me." Hermione soothed, "Plus I brought him a lot of Intel about the war. I'll talk to him and change his mind about having you sent to the werewolf packs. Worse comes to worse. I'm going to the werewolf packs with you."

" I can't have you do that."

"You won't be able to stop me Remus. Remember we're mates. I'll follow you anywhere you go." Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand lacing her fingers with his own. Besides even without the werewolf thing I certainly wouldn't let you go into that den alone."

He leaned down and kissed her sweetly. "You are an angel."

Hermione laughed, "I'm really not. But I'm happy to have found you all. It makes me feel less homesick being surrounded by all these new friends."

"You're definitely one of us now. You couldn't get rid of us even if you tried."

"I really like that." Hermione murmured, "Despite everything that has happened, I like feeling that I belong."

Remus held her close as they watched the sun set through the canopy of trees. He could feel the moon drawing closer and he knew Hermione must be feeling it to by how fidgety she was getting. This will probably be the first full moon without his friends since they became animungus and surprisingly he felt okay. After all he wasn't going to be alone, Hermione will be there and they'll have a whole forest to run in instead of being locked up in a small shack.

Hermione shivered and Remus knew it wasn't from the cold. He could feel the wild magics flaring around them and before too long they'll both be transforming.

" I'm really nervous." Hermione admitted,

"It will be alright." He promised, " I'll be with you the entire time."

Darkness was slowly descending and his spine rippled.

With a piercing howl he felt the transformation take hold and the last thing he consciously saw was Hermione as she writhed on the forest floor.

AN: This was just a quickie. Hopefully I'll have a meatier update next time! We'll see!

R+R :)