A/N: As said, this is set after DH, however there is no Teddy (I do like him though), Tonks (DUN DUN DUN) and Remus are still alive. This is my first Remus/Hermione fic, been wanting to do one for about 3 years, also the first HP I've written on this site, so reviews are much appreciated, if it is no good.. I won't continue. I have a lot planned for this story as it aims to portray that things do not always plan out as hoped. This aims to be realistic and well.. not as simple as we all would want for them!
Hope you enjoy, let me know. EDITED
Remus sat in his arm chair, scanning the letter over and over again. He was disturbed from his thoughts as Tonks entered the room. Her hands slinked down around his shoulders and her breath tickled his ear.
"What's the letter about?" Quickly her eyes glanced over it, taking in a few complete words.
"It is about Hogwarts. Not pleasant at all." He considered throwing it in to the fire.
"What do they want?"
"As of September, all creatures much be accompanied by a human in their class. The ministry are introducing it, another one of their bullshit prejudice ideas."
Tonks took the letter from the hands of Remus and looked it over once, confirming his words.
"Accompanied doesn't mean they'll take over the entire class, Remus." She kissed him on his left cheek lightly. "You will be fine, you know you're a brilliant teacher."
"I only came back for a favour, Nymphadora. This is just putting horrible unnecessary pressure on me."
"Do you know who it will be? Can you choose them?" Her hand absently played with his thinned hair.
His eyes devoured the letter for the last time, delicately removing it from her view. "Well only if they are qualifying or have, of course."
"Plenty of your Hogwarts students have started to go on to teach, just choose one of them. That way you won't need to worry.. Are you coming to bed now?" She removed her hands from him after tugging gently at his ear.
"I suppose that could work." Remus flared his nostrils for a moment, clearly still affected by the parochial nature of the letter. He pushed himself out of the chair, running a hand through his hair which had acquired much sweat from the news he had received. Tonks strolled along the hallway of their home and he followed her up the stairs. Both preparing themselves for bed. They indulged in the usual foreplay and eventually reached an enjoyable experience, much more tame than if there was a full moon creeping. Remus thought that it could not get any better. He settled gently, Tonks resting on his shoulder as they drifted off to sleep, he pushed the worries out of his head.
Hermione awoke with the sound of a tapping at her window, her eyes groggily scanned the room, Ron slammed his arm over her, letting out a low-pitched groan.
"You get it.."
Hermione waited a few moments before forcing out of her bed, the brown owl was sitting at the windowsill, staring at the two of them barely clothed. Hermione opened the window with one strong shove and plucked the letter from the creature, it flew away. Her head pounded from the night before. She sat on the end of the bed and read the letter.
"Ron, wake up." Hermione stared over at the sleeping man, who grumbled on hearing his name.
"What..what?"
"Do you want to go back to Hogwarts to teach?" She tried to show the letter directly to his weakened eyes.
"No no..I want to go abroad, why? What do they want? A DADA teacher?" He rolled onto his stomach, mumbling into the pillow from annoyance.
"No Ron, it is a new policy, all creatures much be accompanied by a human during lessons, it's an assistant position. Teachers like Hagrid or Lupin will be needing someone, won't you help? McGonagall has written to past students?" Her eyes watched him as he breathed down into the sheets.
"I've told you 'Mione, I want to go somewhere far and exotic, not stay in blooming Hogwarts..Now come to bed since you've made me wake up." Ron reached for her forearm, tugging her down towards him.
"Get off!" Hermione tried to sound resistant but gave in eventually, the letter fell gently to the floor as the couple engaged in morning exercise.
Harry and Ginny had of course planned a very big party for their upcoming engagement. There was press itching to get in the doors and those who had, were snapping all of the witches and wizards who attended. Remus Lupin arrived alone. He smiled for a millisecond to the photographer stationed at the entrance before entering the gazebo at The Burrow.
"Remus!" Harry was glad to see one of his friends as Ron was late, he embraced the werewolf and patted him on the back. "Where's Tonks?"
Remus pulled a sad face. "She's sick. It may have been my fault, my cooking."
"You old dog, listen get a drink and something to eat." Harry pointed towards the large buffet table that was already swarmed on by the rest of the Weasley family, including Ginny, Remus made his way over to the table, starting to pick at the hardly touched Flobberworm fritters.
Ron and Hermione entered the tent shortly after, Harry embraced both of them.
"You two took your time! Start drinking now, we've already consumed nearly all the food so what is left is the alcohol." Potter patted the couple on the back.
Remus turned towards the pair, his eyes drifting from Ron to Hermione. He bit into the crunchy fritter, watching the other guests who were dancing to the impressive sounding music, the tent looked superb. Molly and Arthur were already in full swing, why did he arrive late? He decided to locate the bar, using his sense to sniff it out. Remus ordered a large Firewhisky and continued to for the rest of the night.
There was nothing awful about this gathering, nothing dark or heartbreaking loomed over it. The ones they had lost could have almost been riding in the music and laughter of the songs, everyone was just grateful to be there. He tried in vain to cross the dance floor, his Firewhisky escaped the glass, collecting on the shoulder of Hermione Granger.
"Hermione! I'm so sorry." Remus tried to brush her shoulder off in vain.
"Professor Lupin!" Her eyes drank him up. "I haven't seen you in so long, no no, it's alright, I actually wouldn't mind some." Hermione smiled at him whilst trying to keep up with the music, she turned round to look for Ron who was smoking outside the tent.
"I've been well Hermione. What are you doing with yourself nowadays?" Remus leaned closely to her ear to be heard over the music.
Hermione turned her head back towards him. "I'm still completing research, I do want to go into teaching soon, it's just taking a lot longer than I thought."
Remus smiled at her. He stood rigid and stationary, watching as she bopped to the rhythms, enjoying the rather carefree side to her, this was a far cry from the bushy-haired, 'self-confessed' know-it-all he knew from class. The swing dress she had on swayed in the air, gently waving up her thighs for brief moments, he could not help but feel he was staring too long. He felt two hands land on his shoulders, shaking him from these thoughts, it was Molly.
"Now don't think you can get away without dancing Remus, put that horrible drink down." Before he could protest Mrs. Weasley placed his glass on a nearby table, clasping both his hands in hers. They began to dance, Molly leading mostly, loosening him up bit by bit, the others laughed at the scene. He was not much of a dancer, especially in comparison to the exuberant moves of the Weasley's, George made his way across the floor, spinning Hermione gently before waltzing to the pair.
"May I cut in?" George clasped the hand of his mother, taking over from Remus with one less than swift move. Lupin was tired, deciding to take the nearest seat. The ceiling of the tent turned into a night sky, an obvious tribute to the Great Hall, he smoothed his thinning hair down with his hand, feeling a thin layer of sweat again form on his brow. His eyes were drawn back to Hermione as she started to approach him, he cursed himself, she just seemed to be the best looking woman there, that was all.
Hermione tugged on his hand. "Come dance again, the Weasleys are showing the rest of us up." She smiled at her old professor.
"I've done my dancing enough to last me until the next party, which I presume will be yourself and Ronald?" He did not withdraw his hand from hers, leaving it there and enjoying the heat.
With a rather impressive yank, the slightly intoxicated Hermione Granger caught him unaware, he almost stumbled off the chair. "Merlin, alright, alright, just let me-"
Remus finished off the drink, he was unable to refuse her, she tugged him along to the middle of the dance floor. As the music changed, it became less desirable for the older generation, Remus felt awkward.
Hermione let go of his hand, dancing with a gentle sway and her eyes closed, he glanced down to watch her hips moving. He was enjoying himself like everyone else, badly dancing closely to her, Hermione's eyes opened, laughing at him.
She was unsure if she was imagining how his eyes were trailing her as she moved, her heart beat slightly faster as the music drowned over the pair. She gently pushed at his chest when he goofily danced closer to her. Remus felt a jolt as she did this, wanting to move nearer again. Hermione laughed, spinning around, he reached out and grabbed her hand, moving the other on her hip as he reduced the space between them.
"Professor! Suddenly you're an expert?" She quite enjoyed the feeling of her hand on his arm, why was she thinking about his bicep?
"I am giving some competition." The two were staring face to face, swaying slightly out of time with the music, laughing even harder. He picked up on the smell of her perfume with the hint of alcohol mixed together as their cheeks drew closer. She felt his fingers tickle her waist.
Remus did not realise he was stretching his fingers out to the beat. He talked into her ear, his hot breath tingled. "Today I received a letter, from the Ministry. Have you heard about the new educational guidelines?"
Hermione leant up on her tip toes, drawing herself even closer to him so he could hear. "I did, it's absolutely ludicrous. Creatures? You are very much a human!"
He felt a rumble inside him, as if the wolf had an objection. "It is very unfortunate." The pair remained silent as Hermione lent away for a few moments. Remus closed his eyes and felt the inevitable dizziness of too much toxins.
"I would be willing to help you, if you haven't already found anyone." The words made him shoot his eyes open, Hermione was looking up at his face.
"You would? That would be entirely selfless and wonderful of you Hermione." He cursed himself for not showing more resistance. "You were always there for help."
Their fingers twined together as their breath tickled each other's skin, she felt her hairs start to stand up. Alarm bells began to ring in his Remus' head when their bodies drifted inappropriately close, he could feel her breathing quicken and his own became much shallower, Moony yearned in his mind.
Hermione enjoyed the closeness and steadiness as she began to feel sleepy, wanting to rest her head by his neck. Remus then felt her nose brush his nape and this touch made him chew his tongue. He had to back away, suddenly he let go of their hands.
"I really must be going now, how about we meet at some point this week to discuss the plans? We can decide if it was just the alcohol talking." Hermione looked slightly jolted, as if she had just woken up.
"Well yes, of course! Be safe on the way home!" Be safe?! What an awful goodbye.
Remus quickly made his way across the dance floor, the music began to pound at his head in an awful way, although leaving Hermione behind, unfortunately she had clung onto his thoughts, there was a deep surge stumbling in his body, imagining her, imagining them, wanting. He did not even say goodbye, trying desperately to gain control of his brain as he felt dangerously close to some kind of insane arousal. The cool air helped slightly, he needed to get home.
Perhaps Miss Granger is not the wisest choice to have around.