Hermione remained at her desk, lost in her research. Vaguely, she was aware of
Jilly performing her cleaning tasks, clearing the remnants of breakfast and changing her linens. She kept a careful eye on the elf as she levitated Lupin to his bed with a look of disdain on her small features. She did manage to get all of him onto the pile of blankets Hermione kept for him in the corner, so hopefully her dislike of him was lessening. Considering he killed her cousin during a full moon, perhaps not. As though to confirm Hermione's inner dialogue, Jilly kicked his shin with her bare foot, nodding in satisfaction at a job well done. Smiling at Hermione, Jilly popped away. Waving her wand, a blanket settled over the werewolf, and Hermione left him to sleep on. Returning to her notes, the morning passed quickly.
She was just beginning to organize her findings to give Voldemort the next day when Jilly popped into the room with a small covered tray.
"Jilly is bringing her 'Mione a snack because she has been working for four hours and takes no breaks. Missy 'Mione needs to eat!" The elf declared, setting the tray on the low end table next to her arm chair.
"Has it really been four hours? Thank you Jilly! You take such good care of me!" Hermione exclaimed, standing up from her desk and groaning as she stretched out her back. She never understood how she could feel no discomfort while she was researching, only to feel all of it the moment she looked up from her books. Sliding her notes into her desk drawer and locking it wandlessly, she walked into her en suite bathroom to wash the ink from her fingers. Looking at her reflection, she paused to scrutinize the image looking back at her. She hadn't changed much from her last year at Hogwarts, not really. While some of the less savory followers of the Dark Lord claimed otherwise, Hermione knew she was plain. She had the same brown eyes, although she had come to find the beauty in their doe-like qualities. Her hair was absolutely unchanged, and it had drawn some unwelcome comparisons to Bellatrix when she first arrived. As a result, she wore it most days in a braid. Now that she had started assisting Severus, it was much more convenient. Her body was shapely, that was true, but the wizarding robes she now wore almost daily concealed that from view. Aside from the occasional Revel, and her own ceremony, she remained covered. As much as she had changed from her school girl days, she still didn't enjoy having her body on display.
Smiling at her vain thoughts, she turned from her reflection and dried her hands. As she came back into her room, she noticed Lupin had sat up on his bed, and was blinking his eyes in confusion. Hermione smirked at the look on his face. The last thing he would remember would be kneeling at Voldemort's feet, but he was familiar enough with the Cruciatus to recognize the after effects. Hermione wondered who he would blame for that as she allowed a smile to fill her voice.
"Good morning again, sleepy head! It's already time for lunch! Jilly," the elf popped back in, looking slightly confused but eager to please, "please send up the normal lunch. Rice today, I think." The elf nodded, sparing a single glare to the corner of the room.
Snapping her fingers as the elf vanished from sight, Hermione continued her path to her arm chair, smiling down at Lupin as he settled at her feet. As the tray with a rare steak, green beans, and the requested brown rice appeared in it's customary place on the floor, he started to lean forward. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping his movement. Leaning down she picked up his tray and set it temporarily on the seat of the larger armchair. Conjuring a wooden crate, she Summoned the lace runner from her desk. Laying the runner on top of the crate, she placed the tray on top of the makeshift table. Looking over the spread, she frowned as she tapped her wand on her chin. Pausing to remember the charm, she waved her wand. Sitting back on her heels, she laughed delightedly as silverware, a goblet of water, and a candle appeared on the crate. Lighting the candle with a flourish, she looked at the werewolf. Smiling at his bewilderment, she reached out to grasp his chin. Her thumb traced his jawline, feeling the gentle tremors still afflicting his frame. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.
"I am proud of you. You did so well. Even the Dark Lord was pleased! This is your reward. I apologize for the lack of wine, but I don't think your stomach can handle that." Hermione smiled gently. "I know it wasn't easy for you, but I am truly delighted with how you handled yourself. Please, eat!"
She rose from the floor and settled back into her chair. Gazing into the fire, she bit into one of the tea sandwiches Jilly had brought, thinking wistfully about muggle crisps. As she pondered how to explain a salt and vinegar flavored crisp to a house elf, her hand threaded it's way into Lupin's hair. Smiling as she felt him relax into her, she continued to stroke his hair. Taking another bite of her sandwich, Hermione caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Subtly turning her gaze to the wizard, she watched him meticulously cut up his steak, hands trembling slightly, seeming the savor the feel of silverware in his hands. As he set the knife to the side of the tray, Hermione mused over how long it may have been since he had used utensils. She knew they weren't used among Greyback's disgusting pack, but she wasn't sure if he had gone from that assignment directly to the Astronomy Tower that fateful night. He had been captured by Gibbon who brought him to the cells below Malfoy Manor about three years ago. Taking the last bite of her lunch, she sharpened her gaze as she watched another spasm hit his body, causing him to spill rice all over the makeshift table top. Sucking in a breath, he lifted his eyes to meet hers. Shaking her head, she clicked her tongue. Lupin leaned forward, his tongue flicking out ready to clean the lace. Hermione tightened her grip on his hair and pulled him back flush with the arm of her chair.
She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "Lord Voldemort isn't here anymore. I'm not upset, I know you're out of practice. Just try your best and do better next time." Loosening her grip, Hermione sat back in her seat. Lupin stilled, bowing his head before leaning back down to clean the grains of rice from the cloth. Hermione's eyes sparkled as she watched him, pride filling her chest. "Good boy," she whispered, her hand finding it's way back into Lupin's hair as he nuzzled into her leg. "Finish all your lunch and I'll make us some tea. I'll even get out your chocolate biscuits." Looking up at her, Lupin smiled softly, a blush still on his cheeks from her praise. As he resumed his meal, Hermione Summoned a book from the shelf next to the fireplace. Reopening her birthday present from Thorfinn, Hermione let herself get lost in the journal of the first Abbess of Kildare Abbey, an Irish Monastery that was destroyed in the 12th century. She was a witch and a Druidess who kept her identity a secret in an attempt to protect the old ways of the Druids as the Romans tried to stamp them out. Her journal was fascinating, and she couldn't wait to thank Thorfinn again when she saw him next.
Startling slightly as Lupin dropped his fork onto his place, she looked over to see he had cleared his plate. Banishing their plates and utensils back to the kitchen, she filled her teapot with boiling water. Knowing he preferred her bergamot scented blend, she placed the leaves in the diffuser, closed the lid and allowed it to steep. Rising from her chair, she crossed to the cabinet built into her bookcase. Removing the tin of biscuits, she shook it lightly, listening to the rattle. The wizard on the floor perked up at the noise, and Hermione suppressed a giggle. She poured two cups of tea, and placed one on his impromptu table. Dropping three sugar cubes into his tea, she laid a spoon on the saucer. Opening the tin, she took out 2 biscuits, smiling at the bone shape the elves cut them into. Holding one of the treats between her thumb and index finger, she dangled it just above Lupin's nose.
"Do you want it?" She smiled as he nodded his head. "Beg for it. Sit pretty Moony."
Rising up on his knees, the wizard sat up straight. "Good boy!" She laughed light-heartedly, feeding him the biscuit. As he sat back on feet, chewing, he returned her grin. Returning to her seat, she poured a cup of tea for herself. Stirring in a little milk, she took a drink before dipping the remaining biscuit in her tea. Nibbling on the edge, she heard the clock on the wall chime. Looking up, she sighed as she saw the time. Watching the werewolf stir his tea, she took another drink of her own before setting her cup back on the side table. Giving Lupin the remainder of her biscuit, she smiled as he took a long drink of his tea. Rising again, she walked to her closet. Choosing her clothes, she walked out and laid them on her bed. Turning to the mirror, she began to undo the plait in her hair.
"I'm afraid I got a bit lost in my research today. Can you believe it's already time for me to go visit our friend? I know we usually take a walk before I go, but there is so much to learn about the effects of brain hemispheres on spell casting. I still think I've barely scratched the surface. Would you like to take go with me? It's still early, we can take a walk in garden after. Wouldn't it be nice to see all the flowers in bloom? I'm sure he would love to see another friendly face." Watching the wizards face pale as he set his cup down, hands shaking for a new reason, she bent at the waist and tousled her curls even more. Straightening, she took a critical look in the mirror. Satisfied with the unruly mass of curls she saw in her reflection, she resumed her train of thought.
"He's all alone down there, Moony. He must be so scared and lonely. Think of how much it would mean to him to see us both! But because you have been so good today I will offer you a choice." Pausing to undo her robes, she let them fall to the floor. Sucking in a breath, the werewolf's eyes fell to the floor. Grabbing her jeans from the bed, she continued. "You can go with me and then take your walk in the garden. We will come back here and I'll even let you pick a book to read while I'm at dinner." Watching his eyes turn longingly to her bookcases, she fastened her jeans and took the jumper from the bed. Looking in the mirror, she watched him in the reflection. "However, if you do not wish to accompany me, you can remain here while I visit our friend. I will give him your regards. Instead you will join me for dinner, and you can take your walk with myself and the Dark Lord afterwards." Pulling the jumper over her head, she turned back to Lupin, a wide smile on her face. He sucked in a breath, eyes filled with terror.
Glancing down at the large H emblazoned on her chest, she pouted at him. "Is the sweater too much? It was Harry's you know," she mused, turning back to the mirror. "That old bitch never made me one." Turning back and forth in the mirror, she shrugged. "I think you're right, it is a bit much." Laughing, she walked back into her closet, emerging in a simple t-shirt. "Which will it be, pet? Would you like to spend the evening reading by the fire?"
Shaking his head frantically, he curled in on himself, refusing to answer her question.
Eyes flashing, Hermione crossed the room and knelt across from him. Holding her wand in her left hand, she raised it slightly, noting with interest the barely perceptible flinch he gave when he saw the wand in her non-dominant hand. Filing that information in the back of her mind, she laid it down and picked up his discarded spoon instead. Toying with it, she spoke softly. "I couldn't hear you, Moony. Is that how we ask for the things that we want?" Placing the bowl of the spoon in the candle flame, she grabbed his chin with her other hand. Forcing him to meet her gaze, she purred. "We've talked about your manners before, haven't we? I thought you had learned this lesson." Dropping his chin, she grabbed his left arm and laid it flat across the crate, the force of her action sending his tea cup crashing to the floor. Watching it shatter, she looked back into his eyes. "Ask me nicely, Lupin."
"H-h-hermione, please," He stammered, eyes wide with fear.
Removing the spoon from the flame, she pressed it into the flesh of his inner wrist. As he cried out she said, "What was that, Lupin?"
"May I go to dinner, please!" he screamed as his flesh burned.
Releasing his arm, she smiled at the oval marking his flesh. "Now was that so hard?" She asked, Summoning some burn paste from the bathroom. Rubbing it into the burn as he cried softly, she murmured soothingly to him. After his tears dried, she climbed around the crate and into his lap, pulling him into a hug. His head lay on her chest as one hand rubbed his back and the other toyed with his hair. Rocking him slightly, she hummed an old Muggle tune.
"You know I hate hurting you, Moony, but sometimes you leave me no choice. Is it still very painful?" As he shook his head, she smiled down at him. "You are so strong. Do you know ow how much you mean to me? After everything that's happened, everything's thats changed, I am so happy to have you here with me."
After his breathing slowed and he relaxed into her, she stood, adjusting her shirt. Crossing the room, she replacing the paste in the medicine cabinet, before leaving the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
"I'll be back in a few hours. I don't think I'll have time to take you for your walk before dinner, so don't make any messes for Jilly. You know how she hates to tidy up after you." Nodding his head, Lupin crawled back to his bed and laid down, his injured arm extended out in front of him.
Turning on the wizarding wireless for him to listen to while she was out, Hermione paused to pet him before she left. Smiling faintly, he nestled down into his blankets. "That's it, take a nap. I'll be back soon." Walking to the door, she paused to Ward her desk and the bookshelves before heading into the hallway. Locking the door behind her, she grasped her wand and Apparated to Malfoy Manor.