Blood Moon Rising

Hermione Granger sat alone in the astronomy tower at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, looking out at the night’s sky sadly. Her eyes followed a shooting star across the horizon.

She recalled that silly Muggle saying about wishing on a shooting star. If only it was that easy, she thought despondently, one wish and he could be back here where he belongs. She was thinking of Harry Potter, one of her best friends, and boyfriend since the middle of sixth year.

Two weeks ago, Dumbledore had asked Harry and a few other members of the Order of the Phoenix to go on an assignment, which she knew close to nothing about. She had overheard something about a forest, but that was as far as her knowledge went.

She had asked Dumbledore of course, every other day since Harry had left, about his whereabouts. He hadn’t told her, but he had seemed calm and confident like he always did that Harry and the others were fine. Until this morning. He hadn’t given her any information but the look in his eyes frightened her. Dumbledore, for the first time in Hermione’s memory, looked genuinely worried. And that terrified her to the core. She had made it through her classes today (she was Hermione Granger, after all) but she kept thinking about what could possibly could have happened.

Someone entering the tower interrupted her from her train of thought. She turned to find Professor McGonagall walking toward her. She was about to come up with an excuse for being out of the dormitories this late, but the Professor raised a hand to stop her.

"Save the excuses Ms. Granger," she said, with a sadly sympathetic look on her face. "The Headmaster would like to speak with you."

Hermione couldn't form a response, but followed McGonagall out of the tower. In her shock, she absentmindedly noticed the full moon out tonight.

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“Professor Dumbledore?” Hermione asked as she entered Dumbledore’s office. She saw Ron sitting ramrod straight in a chair, his eyes trained on the Headmaster.

“Have a seat please, Ms. Granger. I am afraid I have some unpleasant news.” Hermione found her way to a seat, her hands and legs shaking.

“What’s happened Professor - where’s -” Hermione said before she was interrupted.

“I cannot give you every detail,” began Dumbledore, “But two weeks ago, as you know, Harry left with other members of the Order. Including Remus Lupin.”

“They were following a possible indication that Death Eaters were in hiding in the Black Forest. They set off for Germany immediately. As you might have noticed, tonight there is a full moon. Remus was instructed to owl me this morning with confirmation he had taken his Wolfsbane potion, and was being secured. The owl never came.”

“Of course, he could have forgotten to send the owl, or it could have been intercepted.” Dumbledore continued, “To make sure, I sent a trusted member of the Order to the groups last location. He just apparated back into Hogsmead moments ago.”

“Well?” said Ron impatiently, “What’d he have to say?” Dumbledore sighed and seemed to gather himself before speaking.

“The circumstances are not completely known as of yet, but Remus never drank the Wolfsbane potion. Trying to control him was useless, so the other members tried to protect themselves the best they could. Their efforts were in vain. A few hours ago, Harry received a bite.”

There was silence. Quite possibly the loudest silence Hermione had ever heard. It was throbbing in her ears, akin to too much blood rushing to one’s head. She tried to take a breath, but it was stopped by an obstruction in her throat. Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.

“No,” she whispered hoarsely, “It can’t be…not Harry…”

“According to accounts, Harry transformed almost immediately after receiving the bite. We’ll have to wait until morning to track him and Remus down.” Dumbledore finished, his eyes closed.

Hermione rushed out then, hurrying away from Dumbledore, and a shocked Ron, and went down the staircase to the corridor below. She wandered aimlessly through the castle, trying to absorb what she had just heard.

Out of everything that had happened over the years, and of all the things Hermione had seen in her nightmares, this was the one thing that was unbelievable. I mean, what are the odds of one of us getting bitten by a werewolf?, she had thought years ago, while doing research. It looked like she had gotten her answer.

“Hermione? What are you doing in here?” Hermione’s eyes shot open, as Ginny Weasley shook her awake. She wondered she was half laying, half sitting in a seat in the library, before she remembered the events of last night. She had sat down, and must have cried herself to sleep.

Thinking about last night however, brought tears to her eyes once more.

“Hermione, what’s going on?” asked Ginny worriedly as she watched Hermione get to her feet, “What’s happened?”

She of course knew about Harry’s absence, and realized that was the only thing that could get Hermione this upset. Ginny gave her a questioning look as she led Hermione to the common room.

“It’s Harry…he…he’s…” started Hermione in faltering speech.

“What is it Hermione? Is he alright?” asked Ginny gently, her voice not betraying her fear.

“He’s…a werewolf Gin…he’s been bitten by Lupin…” Hermione said with a small sob, as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Ginny turned to her friend with shock spreading across her features.

“What? Have you lost it? But...hang on…last night there was a full moon…and Lupin…Harry…the mission…oh God.” Ginny said as she put it together. She sank to the floor outside the portrait, placing her head in her hands.

“Where is he now?” she asked quietly, lifting her head no less than an inch.
“I…I…don’t know, Dumbledore said they would track both of them down this morning-”

“Ms. Granger? Ms. Weasley?” Both girls looked to see the Headmaster standing before them, looking very tired, “ Both Remus and Harry have been found, and have been transported by portkey to the school. They are resting in the Hospital Wing now.” Hermione was torn between feeling joyous that Harry was back, or terrified about talking about what had happened.

“Ms. Weasley, could you find your brother, and bring him to the Hospital Wing immediately?”

Ginny nodded, and with a quiet “Certamen” she disappeared behind the portrait.

“Come along Ms. Granger,” said Dumbledore as he made to walk down the corridor, “I think you should see him first.”

Hermione walked into the Hospital wing a few minutes later, followed silently by Dumbledore. Straight ahead there were two beds, both enclosed by curtains. Hermione heard a faint murmuring begin by one of them. Almost as soon as it started though, it stopped, and Madame Pomfrey walked quickly from behind the curtain, muttering to herself. She stopped when she caught sight of Dumbledore and Hermione.

“Poppy? What’s going on?” asked Dumbledore, stepping forward. Madame Pomfrey sighed, and motioned back to the bed with a jerk of her head.

“It’s Potter Albus - I mean I know what happened of course, but I’ve never seen him like this. Or any student for that matter. He’s completely unreceptive to anything I say. ” She said in a pained whisper, as her eyes turned to Hermione.

“Maybe you can talk to him Ms. Granger. He might listen to you.” she finished with yet another sigh.

Looking at the curtains Hermione had a moment of uncertainty before she pushed it out of her mind.

What’s wrong with you? , She asked herself, No matter what happened, he’s still Harry. He still your best friend and your boyfriend. You’ll be there for him whether he likes it or not. And with that, she strode purposefully toward the bed, not knowing what to expect.
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“Hurry up Ron! This can’t wait all day!” shouted Ginny as she quickly made her way down the Transfiguration corridor. Her older brother Ron was a few yards behind her, moving much slower. Some might even say he was dragging his feet. Ginny turned around and strode toward him angrily.

“Is he your best friend or not? Because right now, you aren’t acting like it!” She said in a huff, while Ron looked defiant.

“Not acting like it!?” replied Ron, incredulous, “What do you expect me to do? Go in there and act all sympathetic while I have to watch the ‘Harry and Hermione Snog-tacular’? He doesn’t need me there!” he finished taking a deep breath.

“I don’t think you have any idea what he needs Ron!” Ginny said, her voice increasing in volume with every word. “He’s going to be going through a lot -”

“Isn’t he always?” Ron replied just as loud, “He’s always going through a lot, and they always end up throwing him some award, or plaque, or -”

“Oh shut up Ron!” said Ginny, “Do you have any idea what you’re saying? I’m going to the hospital wing, to see my friend. You can come if you decide you deserve one.” And at that, Ginny continued briskly down the corridor, Ron storming off toward the common room.
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“Harry?” asked Hermione quietly as she pulled back the curtains surrounding his bed. He turned his head at the sound of her voice.

“ ‘Lo Hermione,” he mumbled quietly, “What’re you doing here?” Hermione shot him a disbelieving look she grabbed a chair and sat down.

“Harry…why wouldn’t I be here?” she asked as she laid a hand on his motionless arm. He stared at the ceiling as he answered her.

“Dunno…Thought the whole werewolf thing might’ve scared you off. I might slip and give you the bite you know.” he said, his words laced with a harsh cynicism.

“Harry! I would never be ‘scared off’! You know there are ways to…suppress…this. Just look at Remus - ” As soon as the name came out of her mouth she knew it was a big mistake.

“Don’t talk about him. Just don’t.” he said, his voice colder than ever, “You know why he transformed?” he asked as Hermione shook her head, fearing the answer.

“Harry!” came Ginny’s voice, as Hermione turned around, slightly irritated at the interruption. Ginny took a seat as Hermione wondered what could have possibly have prevented Remus from drinking the Wolfsbane potion. There was one way to find out.

AN: It’s good to know most of you like this story (and hopefully the rest of it). Some of you might think Hermione’s OOC in this chapter, but I think her actions are understandable, given the situation.

Disclaimer: Seemed to have forgot about this. I don’t own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and Scholastic.

After Ginny had left, and Harry had been given a dreamless sleep potion, Hermione got up and walked over to the bed next to his.
“Professor Lupin?” asked Hermione quietly as she slowly pulled his curtains back. She knew he hadn’t taught in four years, but she couldn’t help calling him Professor.
Unlike Harry, he was sitting up in his bed, his head in his hands. She watched as he took in one laboured breath after another, accompanied occasionally by an odd choking sound.
“How did it happen?” she asked softly, not bothering with formalities. He didn’t look up as he replied it a quiet voice.
“Snape sent me the ingredients to the potion -wrote the things as clear as day. Apparently I couldn’t read them as well.”
“But Professor Dumbledore said you never drank the -”
“Dumbledore’s intelligence was wrong then. I drank it all right. I just brewed it wrong. They secured me, but that was useless…” These words were followed by a small sob, and Hermione stood up in disbelief, not offering any comfort as she walked slowly from the bed.
On her way to the hospital wing, she had had time to reflect on the situation. She had figured someone had poisoned his potion, or he had been hurt, and had been incapable of taking it. Dozens of different scenarios had floated through her mind, but not this. He was a grown wizard, for Merlin’s sake, he should’ve known how to brew a bloody potion. She turned around, anger beginning to flow through her.

“How could you?” she hissed, with fire in her eyes. For once in her life Hermione Granger was completely infuriated. Whenever she had been angry before, no matter how bad it had gotten, there had always been that logic she was known for lingering in the back of her mind. That was gone now. She no longer registered the tears streaming down Remus’s face, Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore just a few yards away, or the boy in the bed next to her.

“You were a professor damn it!” she hissed as Lupin hung his head, “How brainless could you be?” The increasing volume of her voice had caught the adults’ attention and Dumbledore quickly made his way over.

“Ms. Granger -”

“No!” she shouted turning to the headmaster before he could finish speaking, “Are you saying nothing’s wrong? Look at what he’s done!”

“Ms. Granger that’s quite enough!” snapped Madame Pomfrey as she made her way over. Hermione looked angrily between Madame Pomfrey’s glare and Dumbledore’s typically unreadable eyes. All three however turned at the sound of a door opening.

Ginny Weasley walked into the wing, confused by the glaring match that was going on in front of her.

“I forgot my bag…what’s going on?” she asked as she picked her bag up from the floor.

“Nothing,” snapped Hermione, and with one last glare at Remus she headed toward the door.

“I’ll be back when Harry wakes up.” she added to Ginny tersely before she strode away.

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Ron Weasley lie on his bed in Gryffindor tower, staring out at the thick snow falling past the window. He was calmer now, his temper cooled considerably.

That’s a first, he thought to himself, Actually calming down before I break something. He didn’t know what caused his outburst earlier. He was supposed to be seventeen, not some second year that couldn’t control his emotions. In reality the past 24 hours had been a living nightmare for Ron. For some reason, old resentment had flared up this morning, at a most inopportune moment. He drew the hangings shut, hoping after a small rest, he’d be able to go to the hospital wing and visit his friend, not to mention his sister, with some pride intact.

“Has it gotten out?” Harry asked as he sat in the Headmaster’s office a few days later, Hermione and Ron sitting on either side of him. He had gotten out of the Hospital Wing yesterday (Lupin had left a day earlier), and was eager to get back into the loop.

“Surprisingly, it has not,” said Dumbledore slowly, his chin resting on one fisted hand, “Everyone involved has sworn to stay silent -”

“You know better than anyone that’s worth nothing,” Harry interrupted sharply, “Those tossers at the Prophet’ll catch it eventually.”

“That,” Dumbledore said, shooting Harry a look at his language, “Is something that cannot be controlled,” All three looked as if they wanted to argue before Dumbledore continued, “Either way, we have more pressing matters to discuss.”

“What?” asked Ron, “What could be more important?”

“The circumstances behind the accident, Mr. Weasley,” he replied patiently.

“I think we all know the ‘circumstances’,” Harry spat out, Hermione nodding in agreement, “He -”

“Ms. Granger,” Dumbledore cut in, “What exactly did Remus say to you when you asked him what had happened?”

“Well,” she started slowly, “He said that Snape had written the instructions for the Wolfsbane very clearly, but he couldn’t read them as well.”

“I see,” said Dumbledore, nodding, “Was there anything else?”

“No sir,” she said looking confused. Dumbledore stood up with an odd look on his face, and for the first time in Harry’s recent memory, the usually calm man began to pace edgily. Harry shot confused looks at Ron and Hermione, and was about to interrupt the Headmaster when the pacing stopped abruptly, and a look of understanding passed over the older wizard’s face.

“Sir?” began Hermione tentatively, but before she could get another word out, Dumbledore rose a hand to quiet her.

“You are all dismissed.” What? Thought Harry, That’s it? What does he know that we don’t? He was about to voice his question aloud when Dumbledore spoke again, “Rest assured if I have any substantial information, you will be informed immediately.” He said with an air of finality, and with a frustrated sigh Harry realised he wasn’t going to get any more answers today.

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“I officially call this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix to order.” Announced Dumbledore that night, to the crowd gathered in the Room of Requirement, “Would anyone like the floor to begin?”

“I’d like to say something Dumbledore,” said Mad Eye Moody, who was seated next to Harry. At Dumbledore’s nod, Moody stood up. While he gathered himself, Harry took a moment to take a mental attendance of the members who were present.

Dumbledore sat at the head of the table with Moody to his left. He, Tonks, and Bill and Charlie Weasley made up the rest of that side of the table. Across from Charlie was Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Mr. Weasley, Emmeline Vance, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Those members who couldn’t get seats at the main table sat in chairs spaced along the walls. Lupin was thankfully absent. Harry broke away from his thoughts as Moody began to speak.

“As some of you may already know, we’ve been noticing increased Death Eater activity in and around the Shetland Islands over the past few days.”

“Shetland?” asked Tonks, “That’s not to far from Azkaban - they can’t be planning another break could they?”

“I doubt it,” said Mr. Weasley, “Didn’t work very well the first time did it?”

“Would that really stop them?” asked Harry, “Hold on- maybe they don’t just want to stage a break - maybe they want something on a bigger scale.”

“He’s right,” said Charlie, “They’ve been trying to get the Dementors on their side for ages.”

“What’re we going to do about it?” asked Snape from a corner of the room, “ Have another truly exasperating talk with Fudge?”

“Not only that,” Dumbledore said quietly, “We’ll have to send a team to the islands - to carry out a hopefully pre-emptive strike. Informing Cornelius is unfortunately, only a formality.”

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“Are you sure you want to go?” asked Hermione, worry lining her features. It was two nights later, and Harry was carrying the little amount of supplies he had into the common room. He was set to go to the Shetland Islands for the weekend with six other members of the Order.

“Dumbledore assigned this to me Hermione,” he explained as he sat next to her and slipped an arm around her waist, “But even if he didn’t, I would have volunteered - you know how important this is.” She nodded in acceptance.

“Be careful,” she said as she gave him a goodbye kiss.

“When am I not?” he said jokingly.