Two men, who had never gotten along, stood side by side in front of the casket of the woman they idolized, admired and loved. Both had stolen her heart, but only one was able to keep it. The other was left alone because of his inability to live with her desire, her need, to be with both men.
Hermione Jane Lupin lay in front of everyone, three days after her death. Always feeling the urge to help someone, everyone, Hermione had been trying to discover a way to make the lycanthropes have a painless transformation each month, had exploded a cauldron and a piece lodged in her heart. She had been knocked unconscious and died from the blood loss before anyone found her.
Many crying mourners filed past the men and touched her cheek or her hair as they passed. One man quieted his inner wolf's snarls at the invasion of the mourners while the other stood statue still and sneered at anyone who brushed against him.
When the friends and family were all gone, the two men pulled up chairs and simply sat, holding the hand of their beautiful witch.
"I was a complete idiot," Severus said, breaking the long silence. "A complete and total idiot. I couldn't get past a childish grudge and I lost 4 years with an amazing woman, and a great man, because of it," he said, hanging his head.
Remus placed his hand on top of Severus' and said, "I completely understand Severus. My friends were horrible to you and I sat by and allowed it. I wouldn't want to be in a relationship with me if I were you either. We both lost someone beautiful Severus, lets not dwell on the past."
Severus got up to leave the room, and Remus followed him.
As they reached the apparation point, Remus placed a hand on Severus' shoulder, "You don't have to go home you know."
Severus nodded and Remus apprated them both back to the flat that he used to share with Hermione.
Severus made a move to sit down on the couch, but Remus pulled him to the bedroom and allowed him to sit on the bed.
He went to the closet and pulled off his shoes before climbing on the bed and pulling Severus up next to him.
Finally accepting what he should have accepted 4 years ago, Severus held the werewolf, and allowed to wolf to hold him, and they lay there silently crying well into the night, until they both fell asleep.