A/N: Okay, I'm actually not really sure where this is going to go. I had most of the chapters pre-written, but the reviews I've gotten sort of suggest that I take it a different way. I think I'll write it first the way I had planned, with some small modifications. Then I'll take reviews into consideration and write an alternate version if I think it's necessary. Sorry about the super-slow updates. ~Dani
Disclaimer: I own none of this. The characters belong to the wonderful JKR, and I've probably inadvertently stolen ideas for this story from other fanfiction writers. Oh, and the whole thing is based on the song "Only Exception" by Paramore.
Only Exception: A Remus/Hermione Story
Chapter Two
"I've always lived like this, you know. Keeping a comfortable distance between me and anyone who entered my life. What happened between my parents was far too much for me, so I stayed away from boys and men particularly. Oh, yes, I never doubted, like some do, that I was as straight as a good ruler edge, so girls were never an issue, but they stayed away anyhow. Harry and Ron were a bit of a different situation because, from the moment I met them, they felt like brothers to me. I don't know for sure, but maybe I know somewhere, deep down in my soul, that love never lasts.
" And I've always thought that, as an entire species, we have to find other ways to go on alone or at least keep a straight face when things go awry, when love fades away or falls apart. It's just a philosophy I always adhered to, since that day. But I think it could change."
Five months ago
As I ran out on him, I could hear Remus (Moony?) calling out. It sounded like he was pleading for me to come back. Then I heard a loud barrage of cursing. It reminded me so much of the last time I saw my father that I almost turned around to go back and apologize. But it was too late. I couldn't allow any exceptions to my philosophy on romantic love.
When I finally reached my flat, the enormity of the situation still hadn't hit me, and it wouldn't for four more months. I had my place detached from the Floo Network in case he tried to reach me that way. I also double-checked that my Anti-Apparation wards were up. Then I owled Harry and Ron to meet me at the Three Broomsticks the next day for lunch. I felt like I needed to talk to someone about the situation and who better than my two best friends, parted ways though we had. After the meeting with Remus, I was exhausted, so I headed to sleep as soon as I had gotten their affirmative replies.
When I met them the next day, however, I found that I couldn't bring myself to discuss the situation with Remus. Instead we just talked about the "good old days" and agreed not to split up for too long ever again. It was nice, but it didn't really help me.
Then the owls started coming. Like an idiot, I didn't really consider what effect these letters from Remus and Moony would have on me. It was very stupid of me, really. I've always been greatly affected by the power of words.
Sometimes just Remus would write; sometimes just Moony would write; and sometimes the both of them would write. I could tell the difference between the two easily because Remus was always and apologetic and had handwriting that was fairly neat while Moony would just talk about being my mate and write in, ah, painfully clear phrasing about the things he wanted to do with me. Moony's handwriting was utterly terrible, worse than Ron's had ever been.
For three months I accepted, read, and filed away their (his?) letters, ignoring the feelings they elicited from me. Then I received the letter that changed everything. It was one of their shared ones. Moony wrote first, which was what caught my attention as it was odd; Remus always wrote first on the dual letters.
Mate, it read, I am beginning to lose the human boy. He is getting weaker and very ill. It is much easier for me to come out now. But this is not how it is supposed to work. In one month's time, he will no longer exist and, in another month's time, I will die with his body.
This part, obviously from Moony, was in itself worrying, but it was really what Remus said that struck me as being truly worrying.
Hermione, please, I still don't know what I did to chase you off so badly, but if you still want me to live, if you still care for me at all, there is something you must do for me. You must read the eighth chapter of the book whose Latin title translates to "From Man to Wolf" in English. Please.
For us,
Remus and Moony
I had no clue what they were referring to as it hadn't come up in my research, but I quickly pocketed the letter and apparated to the Ministry's library, where I had special research privileges. It took me several hours to find the correct book, but once I read it as directed, I was glad I had taken the time to find it.
Chapter Eight: Unresponsive Mates was highly dismaying, particularly given the current situation between Remus and I. It outlined, then went into detail about, what happened to a werewolf when his or her mate did not respond favorably to the introduction to the wolf-self. There would be a slow decline over five months, at the end of which the human-self would disappear.
It all followed what Moony had written to me. There were two ways to solve this problem before it was too late. If I decided to accept my role as Remus' mate, all I had to do was willingly kiss him on the lips. If I didn't want to accept such a role, there was a complex spell that reversed the degeneration, but there would no longer be a chance to tame the wolf.
For two and a half weeks, I weighed my practically non-existent options before I realized what the letters had helped to finalize: I was in love, and not just with Remus but with Moony, too. They were like Yin and Yang, but both loved me in their own way. They complemented each other, and both were made for me, just as I was made for them. Plus, what better way would there be to prove that my discoveries work than to be the mate for Remus, the most well-known (good) werewolf in Britain, if not the world?
The only thing that would make this union less than perfect was my philosophy on love. But from what I've read about werewolf mates, we were made for each other. Our love couldn't fade.
I decided that I would agree to be his mate, but I couldn't just track him down and tell him. I had to plan this, with what little time I had left.
A/N: I hope that's sufficient for now. I would like to thank all of my reviewers for the last chapter, particularly the anonymous reviewer "Anna", who inspired me to throw Harry and Ron back into the story, even if it was only for a few sentences. Thanks all. ~Dani
