Tonight she had her answer.

For too long now Hermione watched Remus. At first she believed it to be a manifestation of her former (alright present) crush – but it wasn't. Nor was it a spell, potion, allergic reaction or an effect of being muggle-born and more susceptible to his animal magnetism. Some how in the course of the six years they worked together she had bonded herself to him. She essentially became his mate unintentionally and indeed unknowingly.

She sat at the kitchenette with the text with which she garnered this information from and a very cold cup of tea – for she had been there for quite some time staring into oblivion. She simply could not figure out how or when it happened. According to the text, Magical Metaphysical Bonds for Muggles: Even You Can Understand, which she had picked up for some light reading and had unwittingly revealed her current dilemma, a magical bond may appear between two individuals under specific circumstances involving a blood ritual - Dear Lord! Surely she hadn't done that – the major effect however was the telling factor: increased awareness of the mate.

Her awareness was perfect. She could anticipate him seamlessly out in the field she always seemed to know exactly how and what he was going to do, no matter what it was. She was also acutely attuned to his emotional state and his presence. Apparently the bond could only strengthen with time and as far as this book was concerned it was unbreakable.

Unbreakable – Gods! It was a total invasion of privacy even though it was unintentional and worse yet Remus had absolutely no idea. She had no idea how to broach the subject but hopefully he could find it in his heart to forgive her. What if he couldn't? What if he hated her? She did after all infringe on his privacy.

Did this affect other relationships? Is this perhaps why she had not dated in so long? Did this mean she had personally ended his love life? Oh No – She didn't want to think about him with other women it was bad enough he was going to hate her without adding jealousy to her despair.

Slipping further into depression she was surprised to hear footsteps in the hall, it was much to early even for an early riser. The hair on her nape stood on end. The door swung open and in the doorway stood a wiry frame she knew well. Although the light from the hall cast a shadow upon his face she knew that posture, that stride – so markedly agile, that golden hair flecked with silver that just now shone as a halo crowning his head, even his scent was familiar to her. She knew his presence indeed she knew it before he entered. Yup, her Remus - Radar was in full working order.

Hermione was royally screwed-

Remus knew he was screwed long ago-

He fell for her – Hard, and still hadn't recovered yet. He always had a soft spot for the brilliant witch even when she was a student but he never really saw her as a child. She was intelligent, brave, honest to a fault, and surprisingly athletic.

He attempted to stomp down the feelings he had but they grew in spite of the daily pruning. He was older than her by close to twenty years, admittedly that was normal in the wizarding world but she was muggle-born – her parents would likely have a stroke, but he was also a werewolf and he would never drag her into a union with him for that reason alone. Make no mistake, he wasn't trying to fool anyone not even himself– if he had a chance to be with her she wouldn't freely give her up- he would want it all.

Remus knew Hermione was upset and had been for some time now, however he could not pinpoint the cause. When he found Hermione she was seated in the kitchen an looked up at him as he entered the kitchen he saw her eyes widen slightly, goose flesh break out on her skin and the pulse jump in her throat and assumed he had startled her at his quick entrance – almost as if she would bolt. The beast within him stirred at the thought of a chase.

She looked heavenly sitting there in her nightgown with her hair mussed, her eyes sleepy and goosfleshed skin. It had been two weeks since their spat and his beast reminded him that she was healthy and female and to both is man and his beast utterly edible. Taking a claming breath he entered and took a seat opposite her to find out what was causing her distress.

Tonight he would have his answer.