Full Moon Rising: Part One

Disclaimer: It's not my creation, but I do enjoy manipulating things. No money for me though. Enjoy.

A big thanks goes to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay, and cheers go to my friends over at Potter_Place.

Severus followed Hermione into the sitting room, feeling as if he were about to be lectured. Many thoughts were running through his mind. He could hear her out and take into consideration the things she said. If things didn't work out, he could always Obliviate her. I can't do that. We'll simply have to work through this together. He would make her understand that he hadn't intended to hurt her. When she sat on the couch, he indicated to the space next to her and asked, "May I?"

She nodded. "Well, of course."

He noted that she was wringing her hands slightly. "Hermione, if you'll just let me explain, I could..."

"Let me talk first," she said, holding up a hand. "Severus, I need to know if you... what happened in there... do you think worse of me?"

"Worse?" he asked, puzzled.

"The crying," she said softly, looking away. "And the storming off to shower."

"No."

"I know you don't like me to act like a child, but it just felt as though something was lost that I could never have back." She sighed. "It did hurt and brought tears to my eyes, but it wasn't the physical pain. I was a bit shocked. When I saw..." Her voice trailed away.

"When you saw the extent of the damage?" he offered.

"Yes, I was overcome with a feeling of disappointment in myself." She shrugged. "I know my mum and dad wouldn't be too proud of me. It feels odd to no longer be innocent."

Severus sucked in a sharp breath. So she felt tainted. Damn. This does not bode well. "Hermione, listen to me. I didn't intend to hurt you. You were saying that it felt good, and I wanted to please you further. There is a certain method that allows a woman to have a longer, more pleasing climax. I sought to give you that, honestly not thinking about separating your hymen. I felt it was there and still didn't think to halt my ministrations."

Hermione smiled lightly. "I don't hate that I'm not exactly a virgin any longer. If this had to happen with anyone, I'm glad it's with you. I just needed a few minutes to get a handle on things." She pulled one of his hands into both of hers. "I was afraid you'd think me childish, yet again, and you'd begin to tire of me."

"I'll not ever tire of you," he admitted, bringing his free hand up to cup her cheek for a moment. He swallowed back emotion. "In a way, I am glad that I found it still intact. Do you understand?"

"You were still uncertain about Harry and me," she stated knowingly. Voice rising, she added, "Why can't you trust in me?"

"Do you trust in me?" he countered. He hated to see that she avoided his eyes. "You don't, do you? You think I'm using you." He pulled his hand from hers and scooted away. "To what end, Hermione? Why?"

"I don't know," she said, still not meeting his gaze.

"Well, we can safely say it's not for the sex," he said coldly, causing her to gasp.

"You horrible git!" she yelled and jumped up. "Take me back to Grimmauld Place. Now!"

"I will not," he said, standing and pulling her back down to the couch with him. She struggled to move away from him. "Stop fighting me and listen."

"You will not talk to me that way."

"What way? It's the truth," he said smoothly, trying to repair his mistake. "If I wanted sex, I would be with other women, Hermione. That is a good thing. Is it not? It must mean that I truly care for you."

Her struggling stopped, and she turned to look at him. "I don't completely trust you. I want to, but sometimes I wonder about things."

His eyes narrowed. "What things?"

"Did the Dark Lord really want you to be with me, or was our relationship truly your doing? Did you just use his name to convince Dumbledore to allow us to be alone together?" It was then that she met his gaze in hopes of discerning the truth.

Damn. He had to stall or try to change the subject. "I shall answer your questions if you answer mine."

"Fair enough."

"If you were in a position where you had to choose between Potter and me, what would you decide?"

"What do you mean? Choose how?"

"For instance, if Potter told you to stop seeing me, what would you do?"

"I would tell him that I can make my own decisions."

"And if I told you to stop associating with Potter?"

"But why?"

"For any reason." He raised an eyebrow when she didn't reply. "You would choose Potter," he stated flatly, loosening his hold on her.

"It would depend, Severus. You'd have to give me a pretty good reason why I shouldn't associate with Harry any longer. He and Ron were the first to befriend me in the Wizarding world. That's not something you can just turn your back on," she said firmly. "It would be the same if I told you to stop going to see the Dark Lord."

"Now, that is not the same thing, and you know it. Dumbledore, the Order, and even your wretched little Potter depend upon what I can tell them about him."

"Everything Vol...er...the Dark Lord does has to do with Harry. Isn't it nearly the same thing? It's their war, and we're just here. My loyalty is not to him but to Harry, as is yours." She frowned. "Even though you don't like Harry, he is the one you want to win. Right?"

Severus thought for a long moment. "Near the end of the summer holiday, I went to Grimmauld Place to meet with the headmaster to talk to him about Draco. I was annoyed at something he'd told me and ventured outside. When I went out near the stream, I heard voices...yours and Weasley's...and I was surprised to find the pair of you in a most compromising position." He looked away from her. "Weasley was trying to have his way with you, yet you refused. He went back to the house, but you stayed for a swim...naked. I watched you go into the water."

"I remember that night. On my way inside, I ran into you, and you touched my arms. I was embarrassed because my blouse was open."

"Yes, I was on my way to see the Dark Lord." He smirked slightly. "You were still on my mind when I went to him. How could you not be? I'd never seen you in such a way." His eyes dropped to the slight view of cleavage. "You'd not appealed to me sexually before then."

"And then?"

"He used Legilimency on me and noted that I wanted a woman. I told him what I witnessed, and he felt that having someone interfere in your relationship with Potter would work to our advantage." He brought his eyes back up to hers. "I thought he meant for Draco to do it. I was appalled and pleased at the same time when I realized he meant for me to seduce you. It's why I readily befriended you after Weasley became interested in Miss Parkinson."

She swallowed and bit her lip in thought. He remained quiet as she took in the information. Her next question made him feel guilty. "So that's really all it is then? You saw something that aroused you, and the Dark Lord told you to go get it. I'm nothing else."

How could he explain to her how he felt without appearing weak? Only the weak showed their more private emotions. However, he knew from the look in her eyes that to not tell her something of his feelings wouldn't bode well for their relationship. "That night, I'd gone to the castle thinking he was mad, but the more I thought of it, the more I wanted it." He leant his forehead against hers. "Now, you're all I think of in my spare time. Whether Dumbledore approves or not, I'll not let you go."

Hermione shivered lightly at the darkly spoken words. It was that instant that she knew without question that he would not betray her by going to any other woman or by harming her. However, he would forsake Harry if either he or Dumbledore tried to tear them apart. Exasperation took hold as she realized that she had no choice in the matter. If she ever became upset with him and wanted to end things, he would turn against Harry and that alone could lose the war for them. Or worse...get Harry killed, get them all killed. She didn't like feeling trapped.

"Severus, I would never want to live under the rule of the Dark Lord. Do you understand that?" she asked. When his eyes narrowed, she said, "It's not about Harry. It's about me. I disagree with so many things the ruddy bastard stands for. I'll not be a hypocrite to stay alive if something were to happen to my friends. I'll disobey and dare him to curse me."

He shook his head. "That is preposterous! You would not live on for me? You would give up your life just because my Lord would win? That is ridiculous."

"It's not ridiculous," she said heatedly, pulling back to look at him squarely. "It defines who I am. I made a pact with my friends, and I'll keep it." She swallowed. "I do believe that I love you, and if you feel for me some of what I feel for you, I would ask that you help Harry. By doing so, you'll be helping me. It's the only way I can be happy." She traced his lips with her index finger. "We can be together always. It's what I want."

She slowly brought her lips to brush against his. She knew a moment of uncertainty as his dark gaze bore into her. Had she gone too far? She had been honest with him and told him of her feelings. She felt that if he knew how things would be, no matter the victor, that it might trap him as he'd trapped her. It might force him to stand by the right side. All uncertainty left the moment he fiercely took her lips again, placing kiss after brutal kiss upon her mouth, hands digging into her arms as he kept her pulled roughly against him. The only thoughts going through her mind were those of glee. He felt the same. All would be well. She'd done the right thing.

A light moan escaped her as his mouth ravished her neck. "What... oh my... do you do... to me?" she managed between gasps.

With a final vicious suck, he pulled away. "I've marked you. You are my witch." He set her beside him and stood. "You will live," he said firmly. With a smirk, he walked towards the door. "If I don't stop now, I'll not be able to. Perhaps we should return?"

Hermione stood and smiled shakily. Even after what had occurred earlier, she would have allowed him to touch her again. In fact, her body seemed to want his touch. "About earlier," she began, "are we all right?"

He nodded and strode back to pull her to him. Tucking her head beneath his chin, he said, "You will never cry in my bed again. I promise you that, Hermione." He cleared his throat. "Earlier... that was an error on my part. You must think me a fumbling fool. Just know that I can do better."

"No, I understand. You didn't mean to do it on purpose, and I might have overreacted a little. We'll just move forward, all right?"

Placing a kiss upon her head, he murmured, "Agreed." In the next instant, there was a loud crack, and they were back in the secure wooded-area behind Grimmauld Place. "Come. Let us see what your troublesome friends are up to."

Reluctantly, Hermione moved away from him and followed his quick pace. Once they entered through the back way and went into the kitchen, they were met with the curious glances of her friends.

"Feeling better, Hermione?" Harry asked right away.

"Yes, much. Professor Snape was able to administer a potion to me."

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, placing his half-eaten pasty on the saucer before him.

Hermione shrugged. "Girl stuff," she said nonchalantly.

Ron's cheeks reddened. "Oh, right."

Pansy snorted. "That'll serve you right."

Hermione glanced around. "Where is Gabrielle?"

Harry frowned. "Sleeping," he said bitterly. "Girl stuff."

"Oh," Hermione said, stifling a giggle. Poor Harry looked as if Christmas had been called off. "Well, you could... er... always go read to her." She shrugged. "Had we known, we could have brought her a vial of the potion the professor made."

"Enough banter," Severus said. "Have you all eaten?"

"Just finishing up now, sir," Pansy said, smiling at her Head of House.

"Very well," Severus said. "We've yet to eat. Out so that I might have lunch in silence!"

"I guess I'll go see if Gabby needs anything," Harry said. "You two want to come along? She'll less likely throw me out again if you're with me."

Pansy smirked while Ron nodded. It was then that Ron turned back to Hermione. "You coming?" he asked, causing Pansy's eyes to narrow slightly.

"I was going to have a spot of lunch," she said quickly.

"We'll be up if you want to come," Harry said.

"I might curl up with a book, thanks. It's one of those days," she said noncommittally.

Harry shrugged and led the other two from the kitchen. Hermione looked to Severus nervously. "That went well."

"So it would seem," he agreed. "For now. " He stood and began to rummage about to fix them each something to eat. While he did so, he said, "I just have no idea what we can do to occupy the rest of the day. It's likely they'll be pestering us the entire time."

"I will have to spend some time with them, I suppose," she said. "Not that I want to," she added quickly when he looked at her. "Don't want Ron or Pansy to think anything, do you?"

Severus scoffed. "I don't think Weasley is as smart as all that, and as far as Parkinson, I'd say she would cheer us on and keep quiet about it, not wanting Weasley to find out."

Hermione giggled. "Too right."

To her pleasure, they passed the rest of the afternoon in relative silence. She pretended to laze about while reading in the study, and Severus remained in the study under the pretense of reading at the desk. Though they weren't sitting together for most of the day, the quiet company suited them and made each miss the privacy of their home all the more. When Mrs. Weasley finally returned, Tonks and Fleur in tow, Severus told Harry and Hermione it was time to return to their safe house.

"Do you have the box still?" he asked.

"Yes." She pulled it from her pocket. She'd forgotten all about it.

"Come on, Potter. I'm going to activate the Portkey." Harry put a finger upon the box, and to Hermione's pleasure, Severus joined them as well. The three of them were Portkeyed back to their common room. Once there, Severus eyed Harry. "I wonder if I might have a word with Hermione alone."

Harry nodded. "All right. Think I'll have a shower."

The moment he was out of the room, Severus used his wand to make certain that Harry wasn't spying on them. That done, he faced her, saying, "I would like for you to open the box."

"Sorry?"

"It's a gift," he said quickly.

"Oh," she said, completely shocked. She opened the box and smiled broadly. "Severus, I don't know what to say. Thank you." He'd gifted her with a silver triple-crescent-moon pendant attached to a long satin cord. "What is this for?"

He shrugged. "I was searching for something in my mother's room this past week, and it caught my eye." His lips quirked up slightly. "She said that the trio represents a woman's life-cycle...maiden, mother, and crone." He smirked. "I figured that whilst you are still but a maiden that you might enjoy wearing it." I came across some information on it once during research. It said that each of the three fates wore one."

"While controlling birth, life, and death," Hermione said. "I've read it as well." She held the cord out to him. "Would you like to place it upon me? I would like to wear it."

She could see his confusion, as she could have just as easily pulled it over her head herself, but he took the pendant and cord, placing it around her neck. Looking towards Harry's room briefly, he leant in and kissed her. It was nothing more than a brush of lips and a quick tangling of tongues, but it set gooseflesh upon her arms and made her stomach tingle.

"I must take my leave," he said regretfully. "I've a mission for the night."

"Severus," she said suddenly. "About the spell you have on me that shows you where I am at any given time... will you return the courtesy by teaching it to me?"

He looked at her oddly. "It's not exactly a spell. It's a spell and a bit of something else." He touched her face. "Christmas is coming upon us. I shall have it created for you by then, and we shall be on equal footing."

"All right."

His slight smile faltered. "You will be here for the holidays, won't you?"

"Yes, I plan to send an owl to my mum and dad on it."

He nodded. "Until tomorrow."

She watched him leave as she fingered the pendant he'd given her. He gave me something that had belonged to his mother! He'd decided this before today's mishap. She nodded to herself. It wasn't just a ploy to make an apology for the disagreement and bad experience they'd shared. He loves me. An interesting thought occurred to her. "Oh," she gasped aloud. "He gave it to me while I am still a maiden. The next step is motherhood." She blushed lightly. "After that, it's old age." She grinned. He truly did intend to make a life with her. He'd told me that I would be happy even after I told him that I would only be happy if Voldemort would be defeated. He'll see it done... for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucius couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He was uncertain as to what exactly, but something wasn't right. His last conversation with Severus had left him unsettled. The man seemed distracted, and he could only imagine that it was to do with that Mudblood. He snorted lightly. Severus always did take his bedding seriously. Just thinking of sex had his cock twitching slightly. He reached down to adjust himself and wondered what Narcissa was wearing.

"Is this what you do when you are alone, human? Fondle yourself?" Bane asked.

"At times, yes," Lucius said in annoyance. He would be glad to be rid of the centaur once their alliance was finished. "What is it?"

"I have traveled to my lands and found my home deserted. No others were present. They've migrated to another part of the forest."

And I should care because...? Lucius thought sarcastically. Sometimes it was hard getting things out of the centaur. He wished he would just talk normally and leave the riddles to those interested. "Do go on," Lucius said finally after a long pause.

"It appears that I have been left behind. There was no sign that I would be welcome to find them if I returned," he spat angrily. "I believe someone has carried the news to them before I could. They may believe me to have betrayed our herd by my association with your kind."

There was another long silence. "And?" Lucius asked. "What are you thinking?"

"The rising moon has an orange tinge," the centaur replied cryptically.

"And just what does that mean?" His patience was wearing thin.

"Something will happen tonight that is unintended. Something that will affect our world greatly."

Sneering, Lucius said, "I believe I learnt in Astronomy that the atmosphere is responsible for the moon's coloring as it appears to us."

The centaur gazed at him, apparently angry. "Do not mock me, human. My herd has fled to another place. I believe treachery is involved. One of you has been telling of our association, and it has reached the ears of Magorian. The tale was my own to tell when the time was right. They would have been able to see the good that I had done before making a decision of killing me or allowing me to live."

"Why have you waited so long to go to them and tell them of your findings?"

"My reasons are my own." The centaur stepped closer. "Know that I will seek revenge on the one that has betrayed me."

Shifting uncomfortably, Lucius said sarcastically, "You will find no betrayers amongst you here. Perhaps something in the skies told them that your absence was dishonorable."

Surprisingly, the centaur nodded. "It is a possibility." Without another word, the beast left.

"Good Lord," Lucius groused as he stood. Good riddance. There was something he had to do. He had a long night ahead of him. He moved to where Crabbe and Yaxley were and pointed his wand at the blond Death Eater. "Sorry, friend," he said softly before adding, "Stupefy!" At Crabbe's shocked expression, he simply shrugged and repeated the spell on him. "It's for your own good, you know." He worked quickly to hide them and reinforce their spells so that he could take his leave. As planned with Severus, he had a meeting with the Dark Lord.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So you think it is likely that they've stayed where Black found refuge," Snape said in distaste. "I find it highly unlikely that a Malfoy would stay in such conditions for very long."

"Well, Severus," Remus began in exasperation. "It's a hunch that I have."

Eyes narrowed, Severus asked, "Did you take your potion tonight?"

"I did," he replied shortly, and then added, "You've no reason to fear me tonight."

Sneering, Snape said, "I was simply hoping for the chance to hex you." With that, he stalked forward. "I shall leave it to you to find me. I will start on the cliff just there and work back this way."

"All right," he said, yelling to make his voice carry. To himself, he added, "I wonder why Dumbledore changed his mind about accompanying us." He wandered slowly towards the clearing and once there, waited for the full moon's rays to come down upon him. His transformation began the moment the wafts of light hit him. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, feel each drop of blood running through the veins within his body, and could feel the pain of his tearing skin and of his bones reforming. Panting for breath and hoping to die while the process continued, he groaned in agony and doubled over momentarily.

The next sound he made was a slight whimper. His head lifted, and his eyes sought the moon. Emitting a loud howl of disapproval, he straightened to stretch and flex his new body. The one good thing about Wolfsbane Potion was that he was able to keep his human mind about him while in his animal form. He began prowling the wooded area and found a faint familiar scent. Ginevra, he thought excitedly, running forward and sniffing as he did so. Another scent mingled with hers. The bastard.

This was the first occasion upon which he longed to take a page from Fenrir Greyback's book. He longed to maim and bite the boy, subject him to a cursed life such as the one he led. If the boy had harmed her in any way, he would suffer his fate. He didn't care what the consequences would be for him.

As he neared the first cave, he noted their scents deepened. They must have been about for a long while. He paused suddenly. There was another scent. He backed up to sniff a rock. Nymphadora. He followed the trail, and it led him to the cave. There were definite signs of recent inhabitation, but nobody was present any longer. What would his lover have been doing with them? Had she come upon the cave after they'd gone? Why hadn't she mentioned it to him? For the first time that night, he wished that Snape had been with him so that he could give his opinion. No matter. It would be easy enough to find the man and lead him back to the cave.

His mood darkened when he found where they'd been sleeping. It was apparent that they'd lain together. However, there was no true scent of arousal or bodily fluids. It appeared that nothing sexual had occurred. The boy didn't deserve her. He was a Malfoy, had bad blood in his veins. She was too pure for the likes of him. He slowly followed a path towards Hogsmeade, and just as he could see the backs of a row of buildings, he heard a branch snap behind him. He spun around.

Snape.

"So you've followed a scent here? I heard you traipsing about and figured that you wouldn't have come into town if you hadn't found where they'd gone."

Lupin wished that he could speak to the man, but as it was, he could only nod or point to convey what he wanted in his current state. At that moment, something alarmed him. There was something clinging about Snape or near them that bothered him. Another scent. Something like the Malfoy boy's, yet it was stronger. It could have possibly been his father. Rising to look around, Lupin realized that he and Snape were not alone.

Stepping from the shadows, Lucius Malfoy moved forward, pointing his wand at him. "Well, well, if it isn't the werewolf," he drawled in an icy tone. "You were right, Severus. He would lead us to Draco."

Lupin's gaze left that of Malfoy's and gazed upon Snape. The man had a smug expression. He had betrayed them. The bastard had been in on it with Malfoy the entire time. Emitting a loud howl, he drew back to hit the man with his paw, hoping to slice through his face and erase his smug smile. Before he could do anything a jet of red light hit him, forcing him to fall over backwards. The last thing he thought of before blacking out was Ginevra's sweet smile. He'd failed her, given her to their enemies.

Lucius moved forward. "He never stood a chance, did he?"

Severus chuckled. "Not at all. Let's get him back in the brush before we go in."

"I'm afraid that won't be happening," a voice from behind them said.

They both spun around and faced Dumbledore. Lucius' wand was drawn still, but he dared not point it at the man. Instead, he pointed it at Severus and said, "You've betrayed me, Severus. It was you that alerted the centaurs in the forest of our plans!"

"I did no such thing," Snape said smoothly. He turned to face the headmaster. "You've been following me."

"That I have," the man said.

Lucius was uncertain. Severus seemed angry and looked intent on hexing the old meddling fool. He told the headmaster, "I just want my son, Dumbledore. There is no reason to interfere. You can keep the girl."

"I am afraid that's impossible," Dumbledore said in a calm voice. A quick flick of his wand saw Snape crumpled. Lucius stepped back in horror. He stepped towards his fallen friend and paused, knowing that the man's wand was likely now pointed at him.

"Severus didn't betray me." Damn. We could have taken Dumbledore down together. As fast as he could, he rounded on the old man, but he was met with a jet of light.

Southern's Notes: Some say I am a wicked witch. I say indeed. This is only part one of what happens that night. There will be more to come in the next chapter. I do hope the chat that Hermione and Severus had eased your minds... for a little while at least. I shall try to have more on Tuesday, but my lovely beta is out of town. If she has time in the evening on Monday, she'll go through it for me.

Any speculation?