claw via a fully transformed werewolf and only during the full moon), how lycanthropy
could be cured (it could not), and far too much prejudiced information regarding how to
capture, maim, kill, and ultimately cast out werewolves. It sickened her—most especially
when, while reading about how to rid werewolves from society, she spotted a handwritten
note in one of the margins that said: Just like Mudbloods.
"How are these even allowed in the school?" Hermione wondered aloud, making a
mental note to add it to her growing list of books she found inappropriate for students. It
was a list she planned on eventually giving to Professor Dumbledore in the hopes of having
them either removed entirely or, at the very least, placed in the Restricted Section.
Turning her attention back to her essay, she scowled at the title: How to Recognise and
Kill Werewolves. She shook her head. Professor Snape might as well have asked them to write
a confession of premeditated murder. Did he really expect a group of teenagers to willingly
learn how to kill someone?
A werewolf is a human being who, during the monthly full moon
transforms into a deadly and terrifying monster.
Hermione frowned, tapping her wand on the parchment to erase the last four
words.
—transforms into a potentially dangerous creature resembling that
of an actual wolf with varying differences including a shorter snout, more
human-like eyes—though the colour is almost always gold—and a tufted
tail.
Werewolves suffer from a condition called lycanthropy which is
incurable, though a potion invented by famed Potioneer Damocles Belby
called Wolfsbane Potion helps werewolves retain their human mind during
the transformations.
She briefly looked over her history regarding the Wolfsbane Potion, which in itself
was limited other than to say how expensive it was and near impossible to brew without
being a Potions Master. Though it was not a required part of the essay, she included what
little information she found regarding werewolf packs and mating habits.
The safety of a mate is a werewolf's primary instinct. It goes above
and beyond that of the need to hunt, even. Rivalled only by the need to protect
one's pack. Werewolves mate for life, though often until the proper mate is
found, an Alpha wolf will engage with another female of its pack, generally