Smells like teen spirit.

Chapter 1.

Hermione smiled as she walked into the great hall. This was going to be her year. For once she could actually have a normal school year, no interruptions from Voldemort. Professor Dumbledore had announced that he would allow anyone who had missed the year due to Voldemort's uprising to complete their education. This meant the introduction on an '8th year' or two seventh years. She had been given title of Head Girl, which meant the peace and quiet of her own dorm and common room. However there was one downside to this position...

Flashback...

She sighed, sitting down opposite Ron and Harry. This year was going to be brilliant, perfect in fact. What could go wrong? Sure some things had changed over the summer, but they could be worked around easily enough.

"So Hermione, good summer?" Asked Ron. "I'm surprised that you didn't come over to the Burrow for a few days like you usually do."

"It was great. I'm so sorry that I couldn't come over, I was just really busy. Visiting relatives and catching up on work."

"She's all work and no play! Even in the holidays!" Exclaimed Ron, looking at Harry in mock despair. Everyone laughed.

"What about you two? Did you have a good summer?" She looked between the two of them.

"Yeah we did."

"Played quidditch every day."

"Camped out in the back garden."

"And Harry taught us how to play...what was it? Rugby?" Hermione giggled.

"Sounds great." Just at that point the door of the compartment slid open revealing one Draco Malfoy. Flanked, as ever, by his two cronies; Crabbe and Goyle.

"Aww bless them, they're having fun already. Won't be for much longer." He smirked. Harry and Ron just glared at him, whilst Hermione stared deliberately out of the window.

"Any why not Malfoy? Planning to become the new Dark Lord are we?" Snapped H1arry, obviously annoyed. Malfoy just smirked, his attention turning to Hermione instead. She continued to stare out the window, although she was fully aware of the icy blue gaze that was focused on her. Taking in every feature. Taking in too much. His gaze made her skin crawl. It was like he knew. Like he knew everything that she wanted...needed to hide from her friends. Like he could see into her soul.

"Jesus, what's happened to Granger over the summer?" Mused Malfoy to Crabbe and Goyle. Everyone looked at him blankly, except for Hermione, who knew exactly what he was talking about and continued to stare out the window.

"What the hell are you on about Malfoy?" Snapped Ron, his complexion reddening by the minute.

"Surely you've noticed...then again...maybe not. You're not very observant are you?" Ron growled. "Surely one of you has noticed her attire? No? A low cut top and mini skirt. Now that's not how the Granger that I remember dressed. Nothing shorter than knee-length and definitely not low cut tops. Not to mention that she looks a damned sight better than she did at the end of last year...she was all pale and deathly looking, now look at her...not bad. Not bad at all...for a mudblood." He sneered. Ron and Harry jumped to their feet, ready to defend their best friend until the end. Hermione sighed and got to her feet, standing with deliberate care and grace, before turning to face Malfoy.

"Watch your mouth ferret-boy. Someone might think that you were complementing me." Malfoy's upper lip curled in disgust but before he could reply, Hermione tossed her newly cut hair over her shoulder and spoke. "Is there a reason you're here or is it just a casual visit to irritate me?" Malfoy seemed to regain his composure and smirked.

"Yes, actually. I just came to introduce you to your new Head Boy. Things at Hogwarts are going to change this year, have no doubts about that."

"Really? Well good luck with that, to make any major changes at Hogwarts, you need the agreement of the Head Girl too." Replied Hermione coolly, looking at her black painted nails.

"Well, that won't be too hard will it? I didn't get a reputation for nothing."

"Mmm, indeed. But I'm Head Girl" Malfoy's whole face dropped. As indeed, did those of Ron and Harry. Crabbe and Goyle, being the genii that they are, were still trying to work out if Malfoy had been complimenting the mudblood or not. Hermione looked up from her nails and took a step closer to Malfoy, meeting his icy gaze straight on. The height difference didn't seem to bother her. "And I can't see your reputation working it's charm on me, can you?" Her eyes never left Malfoy's. He could have sworn that he saw blue tints in her hazel eyes that had never been there before. He broke away from her gaze, flustered. No, it was impossible. She couldn't be. "No, I thought so." She smiled smugly and picked up her bag. "Now I'm sure you've got some poor innocent first year to terrorise and I need to go and change." She breezed lightly past a stunned Harry and Ron and waved cheerily goodbye to a seething Draco.

She shook her head lightly and began marshalling the first years for Professor McGonagall. She was gently reassuring some first years about the sorting when Professor McGonagall appeared.

"Ah, Ms Granger. Can I have a word please?" Hermione straightened and nodded, following her Head of House to a quiet corner.

"I really don't want to have to do this Ms Granger, but in light of your ... condition ... I don't have much of a choice." Hermione felt the smile sliding off her face.

"What, Professor?" She asked quietly, her throat dry.

"You are unique within Hogwarts, although there are some like you in Gryffindor, they aren't as experienced as others within the school." No! Hermione screamed mentally. No, please, anything but this! "Unfortunately, there are less like you in Hufflepuff and only a handful more in Ravenclaw. I'm afraid that none of them would be able to help you understand what you have become as well as those in Slytherin can. So, after conversing with Professor Slughorn and the Sorting Hat, it has been decided that you are to transfer to Slytherin. Please, be assured Hermione, that this will not affect your school life at all. You will remain Head Girl, it's just the Slytherins' will be able to help you more than any of the other houses. I'm sorry."Concluded McGonagall, looking at the floor. Hermione was numb. This couldn't be happening to her. How could she explain this to Harry and Ron?

"How will the other students be told?" She asked quietly.

"Professor Slughorn will make an announcement at dinner. He will also address the Slytherin's after dinner and explain that you are to be accepted and any prejudices to be put to one side." Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but realising that it would make no difference, she quickly shut it again. "If you don't mind me saying so, your condition may help you to settle in. Most Slytherin's will know and there is a large community among them. You should be fine Hermione."

"At least I have my own dorm and common room. I have somewhere to retreat to, if things do get out of hand."

"If anything gets out of hand, you will go to Professor Dumbledore or Professor Slughorn immediately. Do you understand me?" Hermione nodded.

"Yes Professor."

"Good. There will be new robes awaiting you in your dormitory. The password is Basilisk. Now go and enjoy your last evening in my house, Ms Granger." Hermione nodded again, smiling slightly at the password. She turned and began to head for the Great Hall when Professor McGonagall called after her.

"I strongly suggest that you and Mr Malfoy befriend each other, Ms Granger, he can help you greatly." Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes at that. Yeah, he could help make her life a living hell. Not that it wasn't already.

Chapter Two.

Draco hissed the password at the portrait of a hunting lord. How dare they move her into his house? Why would they move a Mudblood into a Pureblood house? And how dare Slughorn expect him to befriend her. He stopped in the portrait hole and smirked. This was what he'd been after for the past seven years. The head boy and girl's quarters. Peace and quiet. All he had to do was put up with that insufferable know-it-all Granger. He was still stood there looking around the room, when Hermione came in through the portrait hole.

"Ow!" She exclaimed, falling to the floor. "What the hell are you standing there for?" She growled, getting to her feet as Draco turned.

"I don't have to explain myself to a mudblood like you." He snarled. Hermione felt the rage boiling up inside her. How could she become friends with that? She glared at him and shoved past him, pushing her bag higher up on her shoulder. She headed for the flight of stairs on the left, where the Head Girl's dorm lay. Unfortunately, he followed. "God only knows why they've moved you into Slytherin. It's beyond me." A growl began to travel up her throat and she turned so quickly that Draco hardly saw her move.

"You think that I want to be in your filthy house? You think that I want to be moved away from my friends and forced among people that wouldn't care if I was dead? I've got to put up with abuse being hurled at me from every direction for a whole year! My friends all hate me! I've got to lie me way around for the rest of my life. And to top it all off, we're supposed to make friends! You think I asked for all of this? Do you?" She was struggling to keep the hurt out of her voice and the anger in. Her eyes were becoming glassy and it took all of the strength that she had to stop them from overflowing. Draco, on the other hand, looked completely stunned. He had never seen this side of Hermione before. All he'd seen was the obnoxious know-it-all who traded insults with him. Never this, softer, emotional girl. He was confused beyond belief. He took a step towards her, narrowing the gap between them to a few centimetres.

"Granger..." He whispered softly, staring into her eyes. Their eyes locked again. There were definitely, light blue, almost white tints to her irises. "Your eyes..." Hermione suddenly flushed red and looked away suddenly. She closed her eyes and swallowed. He had to know, but she was in no place to talk about this now. She began to turn to head to her new dorm, but a strong grip on her forearm stopped her. "Granger, wait." His voice was so soft that it was barely a whisper. She pulled her arm away and began to walk.

"Just leave me alone Malfoy." She murmured, as the tears began to fall from her eyes, which were now completely pale blue.

Chapter 3.

Hermione didn't see Draco at all until the next evening. Which was mostly because she stayed in her dorm until late the next morning, hoping to avoid him. And thankfully she only had two classes, neither of which had him in. She was sat studying when he walked in through the portrait hole, she closed her eyes and sank in her seat, praying that he wouldn't notice her in the corner. Thankfully he didn't. About half an hour later, Hermione's stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since last night. She'd decided to skip breakfast and lunch, still unsure at how she would be welcomed at the Slytherin table. Her stomach growled again. Frosty reception or not, obviously she was going to have to eat. Ignoring the odd looks and glares she got from everyone in the Great Hall, she sat at the deserted end of the table and began to help herself to the mushroom risotto. Hermione stared at her food intently, ignoring the constant stream of glares and odd looks being thrown at her from around the room. She barely even noticed when someone sat in the seat next to her. It wasn't until his knife and fork began to clank that she looked up. And jumped with shock. The tall, dark haired, dark eyed guy just smiled at her and smiled.

"Sorry, I should have said something." He grinned. "I'm Blaise." He offered a hand. Hermione smiled happily and set her fork down.

"Hermione. Don't worry about it, I just wasn't expecting anyone to sit with me." He frowned slightly and started eating his pizza.

"Because you've been transferred?" She nodded. "It's not usual, but it has happened before. I don't see what the big problem is." Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"I was a Gryffindor. And best friends with Harry Potter."

"You say that as if it explains everything."

"Doesn't it?"

"No not really. They don't even know you. No-one can judge..."

"A book by its cover." They both broke off laughing. Silence descended on the two as they continued to eat.

"You referred to your friendship in the past tense?" Blaise looked up curiously and Hermione just shrugged. "They've deserted you because you were transferred?"

"No. I've just...not spoken to them since it was announced. They'll probably hate me." Hermione pushed her plate away, suddenly losing her appetite. "Anyway, it was nice talking to you Blaise. It's really good to know that there's at least one person who doesn't hate me. I might see you around." She got up from her seat and was surprised to find Blaise walking next to her, a stack of pizza in one hand. He smiled happily at her.

"Sorry, I was kind of hoping that you could let me into your common room. Draco's been really off all day and I've decided to annoy him until he either talks or lightens up." He apologised.

"I didn't realise that you were friends with him." Commented Hermione, turning down a corridor.

"Don't tell anyone, but I'm his best mate." Hermione must have looked shocked because Blaise suddenly laughed. "He doesn't like people knowing because of his 'I'm-a-tough-guy-with-no-real-friends-act'. He's really a cool guy. You'll get to see that one day." Hermione snorted derisively.

"Yeah right!" Blaise just looked at her coyly, a nagging feeling poking around in his brain told him differently.

"Just wait."

Draco was sulking in the common room. He stretched languidly out over the sofa and growled. She was avoiding him. Typical, yesterday he would have loved for her to avoid him for the rest of the year, but now he was itching with questions to ask the irritating girl. The portrait swung open and quiet footsteps entered. Finally. He vaulted off the sofa and blocked the entrance to her room. Her eyes widened as she took in his appearance. He had always been most comfortable in sweatpants and nothing else.

"We need to talk."

"No, you need to put some clothes on." Commented a voice behind her.

"Blaise? What the hell are you doing here?" Draco forgot all of his questions as his best friend walked in through the portrait hole.

"Visiting you. Pizza?" He offered, taking a seat in front of the fire. Draco just frowned and took the offered piece of pizza. "Nice set up you have here."

"Look, great as it is to see you, now really isn't a good time."

"Really? I think it's perfect." Draco let out a frustrated breath, he really didn't have time for Blaise's crypticness tonight.

"What are you on about?" Blaise just smiled and looked at Hermione, who was quietly trying to get upstairs. Draco started to go towards her, but Blaise's word stopped her just as easily as he could have.

"How long have you been a werewolf Hermione?"

Chapter 4.

Hermione froze. Draco froze. The air in the room almost froze. Blaise was the only one unaffected. Hermione turned slowly and stared at him coldly.

"How did you know?" Blaise took another bite of pizza and swallowed before replying.

"Some of us can tell wolves apart from humans." He looked at Draco. "I'm surprised that you didn't realise sooner." Hermione breathed out.

"Just promise not to say anything to anyone else, ok?" Blaise frowned. "Only you guys know. I haven't told anyone else yet." She turned and walked up the stairs dejectedly. Draco suddenly snapped out of his state and turned to Hermione.

"Hermione Jean Granger stop right there!" Power rang out of his voice and washed over Hermione, making her stop. "Now come back here." Again the power swept over Hermione, making her want to walk straight over to Draco. But then something else stirred inside her. She could walk over and stand in front of Draco, but she didn't have to. Omega. Something whispered in her brain.

"No, I don't think I will." She replied, crossing her arms, allowing the new compulsion to surround her. Draco scowled.

"Come Here." There was more power this time and it seemed to be actually coming from him. Alpha. Whispered that same voice.

"No." She hissed, turning round and stalking upstairs to her room and slamming the door. More to show her defiance that out of anger. She turned round and stared in the mirror. Her eyes looked almost ghostly against her skin. Had her complexion been as pale as it had been at the end of last year, it would have been ethereal. She inhaled deeply and thought of her parents, soothing the wolf enough for her to take control again. A knock on the door startled her.

"Granger, will you please come downstairs. We need to talk." Malfoy being polite scared her more than he did when he was angry. When she didn't reply, he sighed and headed back down the stairs. With him gone, Hermione could think. She couldn't hide forever, although she wanted to. But were these the right people to talk to? Could they help her?

Draco and Blaise were sat on the sofa, talking quietly, when Hermione silently entered the room.

"What do you need to talk about?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"It's going to be a long talk. Why don't you come and sit down?" Suggested Blaise kindly, smiling gently at her. She sighed and sat down in the nearest armchair to her.

"How long have you been a wolf?"

"Two and a half months." Both Draco and Blaise's eyes widened and they looked at each other with shock.

"You need to tell us how you became a wolf." Murmured Draco, still shocked.

"Why, what is it to you?" She retorted sharply. That was a particular memory which she did not want to relive.

"Because I want to know what kind of sick fucker could turn an Omega." Replied Draco hotly, springing up off the sofa.

"Dude, chill." Suggested Blaise. "Draco's the Slytherin Alpha. It's his duty to protect all of the Slytherin wolves. We've never had an Omega before."

"Why?" Hermione was genuinely interested. They kept repeating the word that had appeared in her head and settled into a small corner happily. Omega. What did it mean? Blaise bit his lip and looked at Draco for help. He sat down on the armchair opposite Hermione.

"Omega's are rare among wolves. Mostly because it is exceptionally hard to turn one. They can be born, but it's rarer than an omega being turned."

"Werewolves are born? I always thought that they were turned," Hermione paused then added quietly. "like me."

"Most wolves are turned, but you get some like Draco, who were born a wolf." Blaise glanced at Draco, who was staring at his clenched hands. "I know that it's hard, but can you tell us how you were turned? It's important that we know if you're going to join the pack." Hermione closed her eyes as the memories poured back into her mind from the corner in which she had hidden them.

"It was July 17th, my birthday. It was late and it was raining. I'd gone out into the garden with Tizzy and Tucker after watching TV. They must have smelt something because they froze and wouldn't move from under one of the trees. I went out to try and get them in when it attacked me. He came from the opposite end of the garden to the dogs and was easily three times bigger than a Great Dane." She swallowed heavily, trying to hold back the tears and the pain of the attack. Draco moved over next to her. Sitting on the arm of the chair he quietly whispered.

"Do you remember the colour of the wolf?" Hermione nodded.

"Dark brown. It was a lot darker than a German Sheppard and mottled with bits of black."

"Eyes?" Hermione began to shake as she thought of those huge amber eyes staring at her as she screamed... "Hermione? Sweetheart, it's ok." Murmured a voice she recognised and Draco's. "We're not going to hurt you." She realised that she had been growling and swallowed more tears.

"Amber...they were detached. Mad." Draco swore viciously next to her. She breathed in deeply, trying not to remember the feel of his teeth on her throat, the smell of his fetid breath on her face as he tore at her throat...she wasn't meant to have survived that.

"What happened after he attacked you? Did another wolf come and drive him away?" Asked Blaise, who was kneeling in front of her. She shook her head.

"Tizzy and Tucker drove him off, with the boxers from next door." Her voice was barely a whisper. Blaise squeezed her knee gently and smiled reassuringly at her.

"Dray, could dogs have driven a mad dog off a kill?" He asked quietly, looking briefly at Draco, who seemed to be battling not to wrap his arm around Hermione's shoulder in reassurance. He shrugged.

"Could do. What breed are Tizzy and Tucker, Hermione?" He asked, looking at the shaking girl next to him.

"Tizzy's a German Sheppard cross Collie and Tucker's a purebred Rottweiler." She mumbled. Draco looked thoughtful and nodded.

"Dogs of that size could probably drive a mad dog away, especially with the boxers. Four large aggressive dogs would spook any wolf, even a moon called one." He looked down at Hermione, who was now silently crying, mouthed a few choice words an put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. Blaise smiled. Draco was a strong alpha and making his need to protect what he viewed as his exceptionally powerful. Having an Omega in the pack would increase his natural protective instincts. But something tells me that it's more than her being an Omega that makes him want to protect her. He thought, trying not to smile. "I promise that I'm going to find him Hermione. Nobody deserves to be turned by a mad dog, least of all an Omega." She nodded shakily.

"Can you explain what an Omega is? I don't understand. Why am I so different?" Blaise just looked blank, it was Draco who answered her.

"It's complicated, but I'll try and simplify it. I don't know how much you've been told but in a wolf pack, the wolves are split into two; dominant and submissive. Subs are less common than dominants, but you'll usually get one or two in a pack. The alpha is the strongest, most powerful dominant. We're governed by our need to protect those weaker than ourselves. We protect our own ... aggressively, I guess. We're very possessive and easy to anger. Dominant males, particularly, will fight a lot to maintain their place in the pack. In a good pack, official challenges take place that are governed by the Alpha. Less damage is done that way. Submissives are kinder and gentler, with less of an urge to fight. Dominants relax around them because they are no threat to them. They don't have the urge to fight for their place in the pack, they're comfortable with their place. All submissives are equal in the eyes of the pack, but you do get more submissive wolves. Omegas are outside the pack structure. Or that's what I've always been told. They're dominant with the need to protect the whole pack, even from each other, but without the aggression." Blaise nodded.

"Like a kind of Zen wolf." Draco nodded.

"Exactly. Omegas aren't that rare in the human population, but as wolves..." He shrugged. "you hardly ever see them. Sometimes they're born, but it's rare. I don't know why, but... Changed Omega's are rare because it's hard for any wolf to physically hurt them. Submissives could never hurt an Omega, and the dominant's urge to protect is very strong around Omega's so they have a hard time hurting one."

"So why was I changed?" Whispered Hermione, her head resting on Draco's chest, tears drying on her cheeks.

"The wolf that attacked you was probably what we call Moon-Called. Mad dogs will attack anything that moves. They're humans who have little or no control over their wolf and the basic instincts of the predator take over." Explained Blaise quietly. He looked over at the clock on the wall. "Shit! It's almost curfew! I'd better run. I'll catch you both tomorrow?" He asked, getting to his feet and heading for the door. Draco nodded and Hermione smiled at him.

"Definitely. I never thought that I would meet a nice Slytherin, I've got to see more of him." She laughed slightly and he pulled a face at her and left. Draco moved, sinking to the floor in front of her, where Blaise had been. He looked up at her, his hand resting gently on her knees.

"I've still got a few more questions, you ok to answer them? Then I'm sure that you've probably got some for me." He whispered, his eyes locked with her hazel ones.