Chapter Text
Hermione watched Fleur being held down by one clawed and furry hand, tightening its hold on the blonde's throat as Fleur's hands gripped it in a desperate fight to make it stop. Hermione watched tears form in her lover's eyes as one of Fleur's hands dropped lower. Hermione followed the hand as it came to rest on the blonde's swollen belly. She looked back to Fleur and tried to pull her hand away, tried to stand up and get off the pregnant blonde under her, but she couldn't. She couldn't control what was happening. Hermione locked golden eyes with Fleur's blue and she saw so much fear in them that her heart clenched and for a second it stopped beating. Hermione hoped it wouldn't start again, if only to save Fleur from her.
But not a second later she felt the rhythmic pounding in her chest again. It started as a delicate hand slid over her shoulder and gripped her fur. Soft lips lightly pressed themselves against her ear and whispered lovingly. "Do it Hermione, this whore doesn't love you. She just wanted your family's blood. She lied to you. She never loved you." Searing rage filled her, but she couldn't tell if it was at Fleur or whoever was whispering into her ear. She felt dizzy, like her mind was fighting with itself, trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. She couldn't make heads or tails of what she was doing or why she couldn't stop herself.
She watched as both of her hands moved up to Fleur's neck. Hermione began to have a panic attack. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't stop herself. She looked at Fleur as both hands closed around her soft neck and she felt them begin to slowly crush the smooth flesh underneath. Fleur looked up at her, confused and scared, tears filling her eyes until her last breath was taken with a whispered 'I love you' on her lips. Hermione was plunged into darkness, her mind racing, trying to figure out what had just happened, her heart straining with each dull thud against her ribs. Every breath burned like she was breathing in fire as her body went numb.
She felt her world spin out of control, only coming back into focus when she heard the cries of a baby. Snapping her eyes open she looked down and found herself back to normal. Looking into a nearby mirror she saw that she was dressed up in some kind of formal suit. She didn't know where she was or what was going on. Cautiously she began to investigate her surroundings. Walking out of the room she had found herself in, she saw a staircase, and made her way down it as quietly as possible. Once at the bottom a door to her left opened, and out walked Aurora. Hermione watched in shock as she walked over with a smile on her face.
"Isn't she pretty, Hermione?" Her words caught Hermione off guard. She shook her head and looked back at the girl. Aurora was holding a baby. Hermione felt bile rise in her throat as she watched the woman smile down at the bundle in her arms. "She may have come from that whore, but she will be raised as my own. I'll never have to bear any of your children. My body will remain untarnished." Hermione looked on in complete shock as Aurora began to struggle with the fussing child. Eventually she sneered at the small person in her arms and thrust the child at Hermione. "I it think it needs a changing or something. You handle that; I must go and greet my mother at the door when she arrives."
Hermione watched as she stalked away before turning her eyes to the child in her arms. She looked down and saw Fleur's eyes. Hermione stiffened as the child locked eyes with her, their accusing stare burning through her. She felt her hands become moist and forced herself to look away from those piercing blue eyes. She lifted a hand to her face and felt her stomach twist and drop. Blood coated her fingers and arms, she watched as her nails lengthened and turned sharp. She felt the animal in her climb closer to the surface. Hermione turned to look at the child in her arms only to find Aurora's lifeless body hanging from her clawed hand.
Hermione felt her breathing become labored and she dropped the siren's body to the floor, turning to run. She felt her world shift around her, bringing her once more to the same forest she had been bitten in. She saw a ghostly figure floating further and further away, and giving chase she followed it through the forest, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She didn't even notice that she had stopped running on two legs, her body changing in an effort to try and keep up. She could see the pale figure getting closer and closer; finally Hermione jumped, claws and fangs ready as she tackled her prey to the ground. She got to her feet, hopping off her prey and turning her full attention to it. She felt her body freeze when she saw light brown hair and deep blue eyes staring up at her from the ground. The pale figure reached out a small hand towards her. "Momma….why?" Hermione tried to back away but hit something. Turning, she saw Fleur's dead body lying on the ground, her neck twisted at an odd angle and her stomach with a gaping hole in it, blood soaking her clothes.
Hermione felt sick as the smell of tears, blood, and decay hit her. She turned away from the body and back to the small girl. The girl was sitting up, her wild, light brown locks floating in the wind and her blue eyes staring into Hermione's soul. "Why Momma? Why did you kill my mother? Why did you kill me?" Hermione shook her head. Her vision became blurry as hot tears began to slide down her cheeks. She looked up when she heard the girl cry out in pain. Hermione sat frozen as slashes appeared on her child's body…..Her Child …Oh gods. Hermione closed her eyes and felt the world begin to shake and distort. She fell into the blackness again and fought to control her body once more. She needed to get out of wherever she was, she couldn't take any more. She felt like dying.
She heard it then. Fleur's voice joined her daughter's in calling her name.
"'Ermione"
"'Ermione…"
"'Ermione, please!"
Hermione gasped as she sat up, her heart racing and her eyes blurred with tears. She felt arms wrap around her shaking body and almost jumped out of them when Fleur's voice filled her ears. "Shhh itz okay, it iz okay. You were just dreaming, Hermione." Fleur tightened her hold on her lover, rocking back and forth with her while she whispered soothing words to her.
Hermione cried until she had no more tears left. Hermione turned in Fleur's arms, pulling her closer until she finally began to settle down. After a few calming breaths Hermione pulled back a little and wiped at her eyes. She looked over at her lover and brought a gentle hand to Fleur's face to make sure she was really there. Running her hand back into Fleur's hair, she curled her fingers though the silky strands before she pulled Fleur into a fervent kiss.
Fleur gasped for breath when Hermione abruptly pulled away. She watched Hermione as the girl pulled away from the kiss, she moved in closer and nestled into the girl and kissed her neck. "You want to tell me about it?" Hermione looked to the window and saw the first morning ray of sunshine shining into the room. She watched its slow trek across the room, watched it hit the ring on Fleur's hand, making it sparkle before she looked to her lover. She looked like an angel in human form, Hermione thought, and then flashes of the child in her dreams hit her when she looked at Fleur's face and saw those same piercing blue eyes staring at her.
Hermione turned away from Fleur and slipped out of the blondes' hold before saying "No…I don't want to talk about it." Fleur flinched back from the chill that Hermione's tone carried, pulling the bedcovers closer to her body she watched her lover look over a calendar and count the days till the next full moon before turning back to her. Those warm brown eyes, now cold and dark, rested on her for a moment before Hermione turned away and started gathering her clothes. Fleur was shocked when Hermione turned her back to her. Hermione pushed her arms into her shirt and stepped into her pants before stopping to take a breath. She clenched her hands tight and wanted to smack herself for the tone she had taken with Fleur. She almost jumped when she heard her wand going off on the desk. Turning around she walked over with her pants barely hanging onto her hips, and her shirt left undone.
Fleur watched with an ache in her chest when Hermione didn't even turn to her after she had pocketed her wand. Hermione buttoned her pants and fixed her shirt, and then, reaching for her black over shirt she slipped it on and went in search of her socks and shoes, finding both quickly and slipping them on. Fleur curled in on herself at the way Hermione refused to look at her. 'Were Aurora's warnings coming true? Was Hermione falling out of love with her already?' Fleur thought as tears made their way into her eyes.
Quickly slipping out of bed she refused to let herself break down in front of Hermione, even though she was sure the other girl wouldn't pay her any mind. Pulling on a clean skirt and blouse she went about getting ready for the day. She had pulled on her last article of clothing when she saw Hermione's tie lying on her wand. Picking up both items up she placed her wand in her pocket and just held in tie in her hands, she was fiddling with the soft fabric when she felt a warm body behind her.
Hermione had been looking for her tie as she gathered all her materials for today and was stopped from her search when she turned to ask Fleur for it. The girl's back was to her, her shoulders hanging low, in a defeated sort of way. Hermione felt her heart clench and realized she was being a prat. Walking closer she saw her tie in Fleur's hands, the blonde fussing with it. Standing behind her love she wrapped her arms around her and leaned into the trembling body in her grasp, nuzzling the soft skin she whispered "I am sorry." Gently she took her tie and used it to help turn Fleur around in her hold. She frowned at the tears that filled those beautiful blue eyes.
Hermione swiped her thumb across Fleur's check and whispered again "I am so sorry." Leaning in, she kissed Fleur's cheeks and then pulled back and sighed. "The dream…I-" she started, but found herself choking up as the images rushed back into her mind's eye. Swallowing her fear and self-hatred she went on. "I dreamed that you were pregnant with my child… she turned out so beautiful, Fleur, she had your eyes, your soft features, even her cute little nose was yours. She had my hair…well sort of; I think it was a little lighter colored then mine."
Fleur sniffled a little and nodded, silently urging Hermione on as she rubbed her hands up and down her lover's arms before she took the tie that was still in her hand and hung it loosely around Hermione's neck and started to fix it for her. Hermione watched Fleur with the tie and felt her throat close up, almost like she was being choked. An image of Fleur lying below her as she choked the life out of her flashed before her eyes and Hermione grabbed Fleur's hands and pulled away. "Stop…you probably won't want to be touching me after what I have to tell you."
Hermione sat on the bed and put her face in her hands, gathering her courage before saying, "I…I killed you in my dreams Fleur. I was transformed and I was choking you…I…" Hermione sobbed and clutched her head tighter in her hands, pulling at her hair. "I killed you and I couldn't stop myself!" Fleur felt her heart clench at Hermione's words, but she knew her lover would never hurt her or their child when they had one. "All I could do was watch…then she showed up, whispering in my ear…" Hermione growled in rage and got up from the bed, marching around the room, trying to put some distance between herself and Fleur in case she lashed out. "Aurora," Hermione spat the girl's name out like it was rotten meat. Fleur felt her own anger boil at the name that came from Hermione's lips.
Hermione fisted her hands and took a deep breath. "I…I think she made me kill you and then she had me …I was living with her and she had our child…she…." Fleur moved over to Hermione and wrapped her into a warm embrace "Gods Fleur….I killed her too. Aurora, I mean…I killed her…then I was chasing our child and killed her…I..." Hermione sobbed and pulled Fleur closer and hugged her tight to her body.
Fleur nuzzled Hermione's neck, kissing her lightly before pulling back and kissing away her tears as she lifted Hermione's face to look in her eyes. "Listen to me, 'Ermione, that will never, ever, happen. You will never do such things to anyone." Kissing Hermione more vehemently she pushed her body flush with Hermione's and didn't move until she had the girl's full attention. "Now that dream is nothing but that a dream, a nightmare. It will never come true. It's just your inner worries making themselves known."
Hermione nodded and smiled weakly before kissing Fleur softly on the lips. "You're right, I think my mind just was messing with me because of all the stuff I learned yesterday. And with it being so close to the next full moon I think my mind just ran away with me."
Fleur smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm sure that's it, my love." Hermione smiled and lifted the girl up into her arms,kissing her way along Fleur's neck and cheek until she reached her lips. Carrying her back over to the bed she laid her down. Fleur watched Hermione undress herself and then move to work on Fleur's own clothing. "W'at on earth are you doing?" Fleur asked but made no attempt to stop the girl.
Hermione grinned and pulled Fleur with her under the covers, "Starting this day over the right way and apologizing, all at once." Fleur snuggled up to Hermione's side.
"Well, apology accepted, then," Fleur said as she felt Hermione's arms wrap around her. Hermione sighed in content and held Fleur close to her while closing her eyes for a moment.
Opening them back up she smiled and said "Good morning, love."
Fleur chuckled and went along with Hermione, "Good morning to you too."
BREAK BREAK BREAK
The next few days went by without any more nightmares, something for which Hermione was grateful. The full moon was only two days away and the Yule Ball was the night after. Hermione hoped everything would go alright on both days. She was working hard to make sure that she learned all the proper steps to the dances while planning out her stay in her room for the full moon all at the same time. Fleur had promised her that everything would be fine, and Hermione had agreed, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad might happen. Her worries were only topped by her anger. It seemed that Aurora was everywhere Hermione went, and if the Gryffindor didn't see her she would smell her. That sickly sweet pheromone coated everything it touched and clung to it for hours on end. Fleur had picked up on it the first day after Hermione's nightmare. They had just sat down to have breakfast when the siren walked by, her noxious scent leaving a cloud behind her. Hermione felt her anger rise and was about to jump up and tell the girl off, but Fleur stopped her. Wrapping her arms around her Fleur planted a loving kiss on her mate and covered up the bile-inducing scent with her much more pleasant one. The rest of their friends had noticed the strange happening but wisely chose not to ask, at least not yet. Then finally on the day of the full moon Hermione was left alone when Fleur headed off to get ready for the night's transformation.
Hermione settled in to her usual corner in the library, she had been there for a couple of hours already when she felt the shift in the air. Hermione felt her anger rising again for what felt like the thousandth time, but she was trying to keep her cool. She watched as Aurora walked into the library. Her scent started to fill up the room until Hermione wanted to gag, and reaching over to the window near her spot she opened it in hopes of clearing the air. She watched Aurora go to a different aisle of books, taking her eyes off the girl she counted in her head and when she had calmed she turned back to her own tome on merpeople and other creatures of the deep.
Flipping the page she paused when she saw a regrettably familiar creature on one of the pages. It was a Siren. "Looking up on me, are you love?" Hermione felt her teeth and finger nails grow instantly. Gripping her hands tight in her lap she tried to hide her claws, taking deep calming breaths, she turned her head and came face to face with Aurora. Smirking, the girl leaned in a little closer to Hermione."I didn't know you wanted to learn about my kind," she said, and pulling out a chair close to Hermione's own seat she sat down and placed her hand on Hermione's thigh. "All you have do is ask, love, and I will answer your every question, or if you want we can leave this book and I can just show some of the more…interesting aspects of my kind." Aurora ran her hand a little higher up Hermione's thigh, cupping the girl's crotch. She expected to feel a hardness, but instead all she felt was Hermione's limp member in her hand.
She didn't get to feel it long, though, with a low growl Hermione's clawed hand gripped Aurora's arm and yanked her hand away. Pulling the girl's arm harder Hermione stood up and squeezed with a nearly bone-breaking force. Hermione locked her burning gold eyes on the girl's dark ones and spoke in a low hiss. "Listen here, you whore, if you ever touch me again I will rip your damn arm off, and I won't use my wand, I will use my bare hands and smile in satisfaction at your screams." Aurora felt her heart hammering in her chest and her mouth go dry. Hermione leaned in squeezing tighter and tighter as she spoke some more. "Secondly, stay away from me and my family. If I so much as catch you near Fleur, Gabrielle, Ginny, Harry, or Ronald I will make sure you regret it." Hearing a faint snapping sound, she let go of Aurora's arm.
Holding back her cry of pain, and fearful of being hurt more, Aurora backed up a little, shaking as those golden eyes burned into her. Hermione smiled in satisfaction when she smelt Aurora's fear, and grinning a little darker at the girl she showed off her fangs and slammed her clawed hands down beside Aurora's shaking form. Hermione leaned in to whisper one more thing. "Also, if you ever, and I mean ever, try to make me hurt Fleur or our child, I will kill you. Do you understand?" Getting a nod from Aurora, Hermione smirked and ran a clawed finger over the girls face. Pulling back when she smelt urine she looked down and saw the other girl had wet herself, laughing, she looked at Aurora. "Get the hell out of my sight, and remember, stay the fuck away from me and my family."
Aurora quickly gathered her things in her one good arm and ran away in shame and fear. Hermione watched her go before she quickly gathered her supplies and left before anything else happened or she lost control of herself. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was very satisfied with what had just happened between her and Aurora. Maybe now the girl would stay away.
BREAK BREAK BREAK
Fleur had just walked through the castle doors and was heading towards the library when she saw Aurora running out with one of her arms holding her books while the other hung limply at her side. The girl had tears in her eyes and what looked like a wet spot on the back and front of her skirt. Fleur paused and pinched herself, trying to see if she had fallen asleep or if this was all real. "Ow," she murmured as she rubbed the arm she had pinched a little too hard. She smiled, and turned to continue towards the library but ran smack dab into Hermione.
Both girls went tumbling to the floor. Fleur shut her eyes and waited for her head to hit the hard stone floor, but Hermione's hand shot under it and gently cradled her head, preventing that from happening. Smiling up at her lover, Fleur said, "Well hello to you too, Hermione."
Hermione had been running when she smelt the delicious scent of her mate nearby, she turned a blind corner and hit a soft body. On instinct her hand came up behind whoever's head it was as they hit the ground. Hermione raised herself up a little, only to pause when she felt warm thighs lock around her waist. Looking down she saw Fleur; she heard her speak, but Hermione was already lost in a wave of emotion. The animal in her was riled up from that little fight with Aurora in the library, so the only thing her mind was picking up on was how warm and soft Fleur's body was underneath hers.
Fleur frowned when Hermione didn't respond, but then she noticed the still-golden eyes looking down at her, and the clawed hand cradling her head. Reaching up in worry, she cupped Hermione's face, "Hermione, is everything okay?" This time Fleur did get a reaction out Hermione, just not the one she expected. Hermione had taken hold of one of her hands and pulled a finger into her mouth and began to gently run her tongue over the digit. Fleur felt herself become wet at the sensation; her inner Veela began its usual fight to get out of its cage, causing Fleur to release her pheromones at a rapid rate.
Hermione sucked on the finger in her mouth for a few more moments before letting it fall from her lips; breathing in deep she felt her inner animal howl with delight at the scent of her mate's arousal and pheromones. Grinding her hardening member into Fleur's center she saw flashes of what her animal wanted, Fleur on all fours, her ass in the air and her dripping center bared for Hermione. Fleur groaned and pushed up against Hermione, she felt her control slipping and gripped Hermione's shoulders with her hands and pulled her head down until their lips locked, her legs gripped Hermione's hips tighter and she let out a moan when she felt Hermione's member throb through her clothes.
Both were shocked to the core when they were yanked apart. Fleur turned to find her mother holding her, and then turned to see who had Hermione. She saw a man she had never seen before holding Hermione alongside Dumbledore. "Sorry to interrupt you two, but as much as I support your love I can't have that kind of… behavior going on in my halls. You two were lucky that it was us that found you and not someone else." A low growl came from Hermione, who struggled in the grip of the man that held her.
"Hermione, calm down, I am not a threat to you." Another growl came and Hermione pulled at the man's hold again. The ex-Professor knew that the wolf inside you would cloud your mind this close to a full moon, so he held on and spoke to her in a calming voice. "Shhh, hey, listen, it's me, Lupin. I am not here for your mate or to hurt you…easy yeah…there you go, easy, girl." Hermione slowly began to calm down, breathing in deeply through her nose before letting it out through her mouth. Lupin eased up his grip on Hermione when she sagged a little in his arms.
"Thank you….I didn't mean to get out of hand," said Hermione as she slowly came back to herself.
Lupin nodded and gently patted her shoulder. "It's okay, after all…it's my fault that you're…well it's my fault, I did this to you." Lupin pulled Hermione into a hug and began to sob. "I am sorry, so sorry Hermione… please ….please forgive me for placing this curse upon you."
Hermione sighed and hugged Lupin tight, "It's okay Professor, really it is. Some things just can't be stopped and I knew that night in the forest when I went to help Harry that something might happen, so I forgive you. I never even blamed you."
Fleur and her mother watched the scene unfold before them and both felt a little out of place at such an intimate exchange. It was clear that both teacher and student shared a bond with each other, Lupin was her sire, a concept not really understood by veelas, but nevertheless highly respected. Lupin pulled back after a minute or two and turned to Fleur and her mother, he gave a mischievous smile before turning back to Hermione. "You sure do have a pretty mate though, Hermione." Hermione nodded and walked over to Fleur and held out her hand to the other girl.
Fleur took the hand and let herself be pulled into Hermione's embrace before she was led over to Lupin. "Fleur, I would like for you to meet Professor Lupin. Professor, meet Fleur Delacour."
Fleur curtsied to the man, "It iz nice to meet you."
Lupin smiled and bowed slightly at the waist, "Likewise, mademoiselle." Lupin saw Fleur's mother and nodded to her as well, "It's nice to meet you too."
Hermione nuzzled into Fleur's neck before pulling back. "Wait a second, not that I am not happy to see you, but what are you doing here anyway Professor Lupin?" asked Hermione as she looked to Dumbledore for answers.
"He is here to help you, of course, because while it is true that you have excellent control over your wolf, there are still many things you can learn from him," said Dumbledore.
Lupin nodded "Yes, from now on we will work on your control on the days you don't have classes. I won't take up too much of your time though." He smiled as he looked to Fleur, "I am sure you have better things to do than spend your free days with a bitter old man like me."
Hermione nodded and gripped Fleur tighter to her, Apolline smiled and cleared her throat, "Well, gentlemen,if this all, I have another daughter to go and find, so excuse me please," with that the woman left.
Dumbledore looked over to Lupin and nodded, "Yes, I would say it's time for us to leave as well. Have a good day Miss Granger, and you as well Miss Delacour." With that Lupin and Dumbledore took their leave.
Hermione turned as they left and picked up her things before offering Fleur her arm. "I don't know about you love, but I think it's best that we head back to my room before something else happens today."
Fleur nodded and looped her arm through Hermione's, "I agree my love, now let's get going. I already have everything I need to keep a watch on you tonight, plus I think it's about supper time so let's get Muir to bring our meals up to your room and just stay in for the night."
Hermione grinned as they began their walk towards her room. "I think you just want me all to yourself tonight."
Fleur smirked and laced her fingers together with Hermione's, "Hmm, that could be true, or maybe it's you that wants me all to yourself."
Hermione leaned over to give Fleur a kiss on the lips and said, "I do want you all to myself." Both giggled at their little game before leaning against each other as they walked up the steps towards Hermione's room.
BREAK BREAK BREAK
Hermione had laid out her stuff upon entering the room, and she turned and kissed Fleur again before calling out for Muir.
"Yes, Mistress?" asked the house elf as he appeared.
"Could you please bring our supper up to the room tonight, Muir? Oh, and something for Crookshanks and Juliet as well, please."
Muir smiled and nodded, "Right away, Mistress." He popped out of the room the do his task. Hermione turned to Fleur and pulled her gently over to one of the couches. The two fell onto the soft cushions and wrapped their arms around each other, content to spend the rest of their lives there.
Fleur let out a sigh and broke the silence after a few minutes. "I think someone haz finally put Aurora in 'er place."
Hermione smirked but didn't say anything, merely asking, 'Oh, and how do you know?"
"I saw her running away before you tackled me and sexually assaulted me in the 'allway."
Hermione pulled her closer and placed light kisses on her neck up to her ear, stopping to whisper, "As I recall it, I tried to get up but you wrapped your legs around me, moaning and grinding yourself against me."
"And as I recall, you started it by teasing me with that talented tongue of yours."
"Talented, you say?"
Fleur giggled and leaned into Hermione, bringing her hand up to the girl's head and pulling her in for a soft kiss. "Yes, talented." The two sat lip-locked, lost in each other for longer then they knew. By the time they pulled apart both were breathless and their evening meal had arrived. They hadn't heard Muir pop in, nor noticed the heating charm he cast on the food. The two looked over to Crooks and Juliet and found the pair curled up with each other near two empty dishes. Hermione's stomach let out a rumble as the smell of stewed meat hit her nose. Fleur laughed at the rumble and climbed off of her mate. They ate in silence, each enjoying the wonderful meal that had been brought to them. As they finished up Hermione vanished their dishes and the two set about preparing the room. Casting silencing spells and sticking charms to various items in the room, they spent an hour doing so until Hermione began to feel a shift in herself. It felt like something was awakening within her and she knew the time was fast approaching. Looking over at Fleur, the sickening images of her nightmare once again entered her mind and she thought about sending the girl away.
"Don't even think about it, love," Fleur said with her back still towards Hermione.
"What are you talking about, love?" Hermione asked, feigning ignorance. Fleur turned and gave her a hard look. Hermione let out a sigh, "I'm just worried for your safety. I love you Fleur and I don't want to hurt you, ever."
Fleur stopped what she was doing and walked over to Hermione and pulled her into a soft and loving kiss. "You will never hurt me my love, whether you are in your human form or your wolf form, you will never hurt me. I know this, and so should you."
Hermione sighed and placed another soft kiss on Fleur. "I wish I was that confident in myself," Hermione said as she pulled away from Fleur and began to loosen her tie, suddenly feeling suffocated by it. Fleur eyed Hermione for a second but decided to leave her with one more kiss before walking off to double check their work. Hermione needed to see that she would never hurt Fleur, and Fleur had decided that the best way to do it was to stay with her tonight. Come morning, Hermione would see that everything was fine. Hopefully.
Hermione tossed her tie on the bed and sat down to take off her shoes. As the sun disappeared beyond the horizon and the moon began its slow trek across the sky, Hermione felt the now familiar shift within herself. Her body began to ache with remembrance of the impending pain and agony. Her breathing got shallow as she removed her pants and shirts. Fleur walked over and picked up all the crumpled clothes and put them in the laundry bin. She took Hermione's wand and placed it in her pocket for safe keeping.
"Fleur," Hermione called out, her voice sounding strangled and rough. Fleur looked over to her, worry etched in her eyes. "If something happens, you knock me out and run. I don't want to hear your objections, please, just run." Fleur nodded her head, knowing that she would do no such thing. Hermione gave her one last smile before white-hot pain shot through her entire body, hitting every nerve and breaking every bone in its wake. Fleur gasped as she watched Hermione crumple to the ground, and ran to her side. Hermione grunted and lightly pushed her away, crawling to the middle of the room she looked back at her love. "Don't, not until it's done." The words were an order and plea at once. Fleur fought with herself for a moment but eventually took a step back.
Hermione was relieved by the move for a second, and then her lungs started to burn, as if she were inhaling fire. Loud cracks echoed through the room and Fleur flinched at every one. She felt a lump in her throat as she watched Hermione's bones rearrange themselves under her skin. Hermione let out scream after scream, each one sounding more like a howl then the last. Crooks and Juliet backed into the corner of the room, hissing and whimpering at their owner. Fleur had forgotten about the animals and now she began to worry for their safety as well. She was trying to think of what to do with them while wiping tears from her eyes at the sight of Hermione. A soft pop, followed immediately by another caught her attention but by the time she turned both animals were gone, and she silently thanked the ever-attentive Gryffindor elf.
An ear-bursting roar shook the room, and Fleur turned back to Hermione. Fur had sprouted up and was traveling the length of Hermione's body as her left leg snapped in several places and elongated, her foot followed and her nails turned to claws. Another series of snaps rang out and her right leg went from a twisted lump to a toned, clawed, limb like the left. Hermione's arms followed one at a time and then her head snapped from side to side, her neck grew some and the fur made its way to her face, lightly dusting her cheeks and forehead. Teeth lengthened and sharpened, glinting in the candlelight. Another howl of pain rang out and Hermione's hand shot to her back, the claws tearing at the flesh there. Fleur hissed as blood soaked the fur and matted it. With a last howl Hermione's spine popped, snapped and lengthened, leaving her laid out on the floor whimpering like an injured animal.
Fleur stood back, frozen with fear at what she had just seen. Blood ran down Hermione's back and soaked into the carpet while ragged breathing filled the room. Hermione pushed herself onto her side, but quickly rolled back to her stomach when one of the deep scratches she had given herself touched the floor. The move brought Fleur out of her fear, and she rushed to Hermione's side. Hermione let out a low growl, but Fleur didn't stop or hesitate in pulling out her wand. She started casting healing spells on the deep gashes, making sure each one was healed completely before moving on to the next. Once the wounds were closed up, she cleaned Hermione's fur and the carpet underneath. Satisfied with her work she scooted up and cradled Hermione's head in her lap while the girl recovered from her ordeal. Fleur listened as Hermione's ragged, harsh, breaths eased into normal ones and she finally began to move. She stood up and walked a few feet away from Fleur to stretch out her new form, popping all of her new joints and releasing the tension from her muscles. Once her body relaxed into its new form she turned back to the girl in the room.
Golden eyes looked down on the small creature that sat on the floor. She looked so frail, so weak, and she smelled delicious. A hundred thoughts crashed together in Hermione's mind, but she focused on one. Fleur watched the animal stalk towards her, a look in its glowing eyes that she had never seen before. The towering animal crouched down in front of her and placed a powerful clawed hand at her throat, lightly curling it. It pushed her onto her back, and pinned her down.