I had this idea, and with Beauty and the Beast coming to theaters soon I thought I'd run with it. Loosely inspired by the story. This will undoubtedly be very "fluffy" with minimal angst. This is a another Hermione pairing, with the Beast role being filled by none other than Remus Lupin. He's obviously alive, and was never with Tonks. Please review and feel free to PM me any ideas you may have for the story. I don't have any real idea where I might take it yet. Edited.

All H.P. related things belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

oOoOoOo

Tale as old as time

True as it can be

Barely even friends

Then somebody bends

Unexpectedly

oOoOoOo

Hermione shuffled the stack of papers in her hand, searching for the ones that needed her Department Head's signature. Finding what she needed, she knocked on the door that said "R. J. Lupin". He was currently the head of the recently renamed Department for the Care of Magical Beings, formerly the Department for The Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. In the five years since the war, the Ministry of Magic transformed from a farce to an actual governing body. Hermione still thought there was plenty room for change but had to admit it was much better than it had been. A person could actually be proud to work here.

"Come in," a deep voice called through the door. She pushed the heavy door open.
"Hello, Mr. Lupin? I have a few papers that need your signature."
Remus looked up at Hermione and smiled. "Haven't I told you that you can call me Remus? We're colleagues now, not to mention you've known me for years."
She shot him a wry smile. "You're right, it's just a habit. First you were my professor and now you're my boss. Anyways, there are two indictments and one order for Wolfsbane that need your autograph." Remus motioned her over to his desk. She positioned herself next to him to point out where he would need to sign. Remus stiffened and looked up at her, seeming to search her face. "Everything alright Remus?"
"Oh, yes. I think I just got a whiff of your perfume is all. Very lovely smell by the way."
"I don't wear any, tends to put off some of the creatures and beings I work with. Thank you though." Remus looked at her for another moment before turning back to his desk. With a flourish, he finished the last signature and handed her the small stack.
"All set, see that you don't stay too late tonight. It's Friday and you should be out having fun with your friends," he said. She merely waved a hand as she exited the office.

The whole time she was in his office, she had been fighting with herself. Something about Remus beckoned to her. She wanted to run her hands through his hair and rub her cheek against his chest. He had always been a handsome man, but the years were kinder to him now than ever. He cut quite the figure to Hermione and today he was just practically irresistible. He just looked so strong. Like he could protect her from anything.
Her inner-feminist began chastising her. She didn't need protecting. She'd brought down her fair share of foes and was the brightest witch of her age.
Shaking her head, she made her way back to her cubicle. What had gotten in to her?

Remus puzzled over the small encounter. Something about her was different. Lighter than he remembered. Not to mention her smell. He had never been so enticed by something before. His every instinct demanded he stand up and bury his face in the crook of her neck.
No matter. That was something he wouldn't ever do. They had a very good working relationship but rarely spoke outside of the Ministry and the Weasley gatherings they attended. It was getting close to the full moon, he reasoned. That had to be it.

The rest of the day was a blur of meetings and memos. The department had a very large case coming up There was a dragon egg smuggling ring and the man behind it all had finally been caught. Hermione was spearheading the investigation and indictment. To Remus, there was no other option for a case of this caliber. Remus sniffed, catching the scent he got off her earlier. It was as if thinking about her brought it back.
Like a forest after a storm, fresh and heady all at once.

Remus came back to himself with his hand on the doorknob. Had he really been going to go find her? There was something strange going on and he vowed to get to the bottom of it. After he found her. She had a habit of skipping lunch and he wasn't having it. There was a cart down in the atrium that sold sandwiches.

He made his way down and got one for the both of them. Perhaps she would be up to take a lunch break with him. Merlin knows, she deserved it. He made his way through the department until he came to her cubicle.
"Knock knock. Taken lunch yet?" he asked. Hermione turned in her chair to face him, arms crossed.
"Haven't yet. Why? Got any food to go with that chipper attitude?" He laughed as he took the chair next to her desk.
"As it happens, I do. I know you don't always take the time to eat so I took the liberty of getting you a sandwich from downstairs."
"Thanks, Remus. I was getting pretty hungry so you have perfect timing. With the Kelly case going on I've been so swamped. Don't always remember to slow down until I've gone back home." She took the sandwich and unwrapped it, signalling to Remus to do the same. They spent an hour chatting comfortably about work and eating together. The entire time Remus kept catching the faintest whiff of her scent. It had his wolf pacing, trying to find a crack in the confines of his mind to engage Hermione.

As he was leaving back to his own office, Moony was howling the same word over and over again to Remus. Mate.