Disclaimer: I own nothing; I bow down to JK and her amazing talent.
Note To The Reader: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. I am so glad that you guys are enjoying the story. I won't be able to get another Chapter up this weekend since I will be out of town. Hopefully I will be able to get one up on Monday, if not Tuesday at the latest!
"I sure hope the Teddy Bear is sound asleep, I wouldn't want him to get me." Hermione spoke loudly to make sure that Teddy could hear her since he was buried under the sofa pillows as if he were in a cave. She was crawling on the floor moving slowly past the front of the cave. Teddy did his best to shoot out from the barricade of cushions, trying not laugh but failing miserably as he wrapped his little arms around her arm and growled at her. "Oh no" she said falling onto the ground "The Teddy Bear got me!"
Teddy laughed and growled at her again. Hermione was about to shift then when she felt Teddy start to climb on her back. She chuckled and when she knew he was situated she straightened up so that she was on her hands and knees. He squealed and then grabbed handfuls of her shirt laughing. She carried him around the house for a good half hour until she felt like her legs were going to give out. "Alright Teddy Bear, time for dinner." She waited for him to bounce off of her and then she stood up and winced, she was too young to hurt like that she thought to herself.
"Wat we ave?" Teddy asked as they walked into the kitchen. Hermione leaned down and lifted him up and set him on the counter.
"What about Hamburgers?" She asked but Teddy shook his head and made a face. "What about Spaghetti?" Teddy's eyes light up and he nodded his head and clapped his hands. "Spaghetti it is" she said with a grin. "But you have to help me."
When Hermione watched Teddy they had a good routine. They played; she did her best to keep him active before dinner, in her mind that meant that when dinner rolled around he would start to calm down. Then they would fix dinner together, Hermione giving him simple jobs to do, like setting the table with plates charmed not to break, and stirring things when they needed it. He really seemed to enjoy it.
"Help me get the sauce from the freezer" she said. Teddy lifted his arms up as she reached down and picked him up. She opened the door and Teddy didn't hesitate to reach in and grab a small container. "Perfect" she said with a smile. She set Teddy down and took the container from him, "Get me a pot?" Teddy nodded and waddled over to a cabinet and pulled out all the pots. Hermione couldn't stop herself from laughing as she picked up two she would need, one for the sauce and another for the noodles.
It took a few minutes for her to get everything going, knowing that she wouldn't have to wait too long considering she could use magic to speed the process up.
"Alright Teddy Bear, let's set the table while all this stuff is cooking." She gave Teddy the silverware and the grabbed the plates. She set the two plates down and watched as Teddy reached up putting a fork and a butter knife at each place. She frowned though when he moved to the seat that Remus usually sat at. He frowned and looked up at her and smacked the table lightly.
"Daddy?"
Hermione shook her head "It's just you and me tonight buddy" she said, he frowned and smacked the table again. "He'll be back tomorrow." Teddy sniffed and smacked the table again. "What if we made him a big breakfast tomorrow, then we can all eat together?" Teddy seemed to think about that for a minute and then nodded.
"K" he said sounding somewhat defeated. Hermione wondered while they finished dinner together, what Teddy was thinking about when his Daddy disappeared every month like this. Sure he wouldn't realize that it happened for a reason, all he knew was that his Daddy wasn't here. When she glanced across the table as Teddy shoved a handful of spaghetti into his mouth she noticed that his hair which had been dark brown was now sandy blond. She smiled lightly; it was obvious that her little Teddy bear missed his father.
After dinner she cleaned up the dishes while he watched his show on the television. When she walked into the living room and took the spot next to him, and it only took a few minutes before he crawled into her lap to finish his program. They lingered for a minute but when she heard him yawn she picked him up and gave him a quick bath. He splashed around like he always did and laughe. She was glad that he seemed to been able to take his mind off of the fact that his Dad wasn't home.
When she got him into bed she pulled out three small books and told him to pick one. She had picked them up at a Muggle bookstore not too far from her parent's house. "Alright, one bed time story, you pick." She said settling in on the side of his bed. Teddy looked at the books with a big smile on his face, he couldn't read but he was looking at the cover art on each one, he picked on up and handed it to her. "The Three Little Pigs huh" she said finding it fun that he would pick a story that had a big bad wolf in it. "Alright settle in and I'll read it to you."
But Teddy took his head and stood up on his bed and pointed to a spot on the wall above his bed. "Ight Mum" He said reaching for a picture of Dora that hung above his bed. Hermione smiled as she watched him. Remus had made it a point after he had gotten things together to make sure that Teddy knew who his Mum was. She couldn't believe that she had forgotten about his night routine. Every night he would stand up, reach for the picture and tell her goodnight, likewise in the morning he would do it again, but telling her good morning.
Teddy spun around and grinned then fell down onto his bed and buried himself underneath the covers. "Edy" he said with a nod.
Every time when Hermione got to the part where the wolf would huff and puff Teddy would puff up his cheeks and let all the air out. She wondered if his active nature would ever wear off, but she had a feeling it was just uniquely Teddy. When she closed the book she heard him yawn. "Goodnight Teddy Bear" she said leaning down and giving him a hug. She tucked him in and then headed back to the living room.
She wasn't sure how long she had zoned out in the living room working on some paper work, sure it was true that she had had time off from work, but just like when she was back in school, she liked to stay ahead. It wasn't until she heard a loud howl from outside that she looked up from her proposal. She sighed lightly stretching and rolling her neck from side to side, before getting up and heading toward the picture window. She leaned against it and looked out into the dark night sky. It was a clear night, no clouds in sight, she shifted her gaze up and noticed how bright the full moon was, it dimmed the stars it was so bright.
Her thoughts drifted to Remus, wondering how the transformation went, and what he was doing now. She had only ever seen him once after he changed, during her third year, and she remembered her foolish attempts to talk him, to hopefully calm him down. She chuckled at the memory and leaned her head against the window. There hadn't been any further improvements to the Wolfsbane Potion, something that she had kept up with ever since the end of the war. She heard another Howl and thought about the small Shrieking Shack that Remus was in. She had wondered why he went all that way just for transformations. When she asked he had said that it was familiar and far enough away that there would be no chance of an accident around Teddy.
She wandered back across the living room grabbed a blanket and settled in on the sofa with a book in hand. She needed to read, it would be the only thing that got her mind off of Remus. She still couldn't believe what had happened this morning. He had pretty much caught her with her pants down, in a manner of speaking. And then to top it all off he just had to see Dean. It was like she was living a real life nightmare. She didn't know what he was thinking but she wished that he hadn't trailed off when she had come in through the Floo. A skank, a tramp, a slag, she wanted to know which of those terms he was going to use to fill in the blank.
She sighed and shifted further into the sofa, who was he to be mad? They had only shared a kiss; a kiss that he thought was nothing more than a mistake. He had no right to be mad at her or judge her for what she decided to do with her life. She had had a good time with Dean, and she was open about it just being a onetime thing. She had enjoyed herself too, sure Dean was a good guy, but she just didn't see a future with him. She figured it was because of the sexual tension she had been feeling from her kiss with Remus, that had finally been released and that's why she had enjoyed it so much. Ah Remus' kiss…
"No Hermione, don't think about that" She said out loud, but her thoughts were already drifting to the feel of his lips against hers and his strong hands. She sighed burying her nose into the pillow that Remus had left out of her. She groaned though and took a deep breath. It had to be from his bed, she thought to herself, it smelt of Remus. There was a strong masculine scent mixed with a woodsy smell. She let her eyes flutter shut. He probably didn't think about it, he just wanted her to have something to rest her head on. With her eyes closed she fell into her memory of their kiss, his hands on her bum, the growl that escaped his lips. She groaned again this time in frustration as she felt a tingle in her lower belly. "Can't deny it anymore" she mumbled "I want him."
"Miney…Miney…MINEY" Hermione jumped and her eyes flew open to find Teddy standing next to the sofa his stuffed wolf in hand. "Mornin" he said with a smile. "eafast" he said with a nod reaching out and taking her hand and tugging on her gently. She chuckled but stifled a yawn and got up.
"Give me just a few minutes please" she said. After a short trip to the bathroom she almost ran into Teddy as she headed back to the kitchen. "What should we make then? Pancakes?"
"No"
"Waffles"
"Yes"
"Bacon?"
"Yes"
"Alright, we better get going then." Normally after the full moon Remus would be back by 7 or so, and since it was a little after six, she would have enough time to get everything ready. Normally Teddy would be really helpful, trying to get into everything but not this morning. No, he was planted at the kitchen door which was wide open. He was sitting crossed legged on the floor staring out into the yard with his stuffed wolf in his lap. Remus wasn't sure about the stuffed animal when he got it on his first birthday, but with a little convincing from pretty much everyone, he got used to it.
Hermione was just about to put the finishing touching to the table, after putting the food on it when she heard Teddy yell "Daddy." She looked up in time to see Teddy fly out the door barefoot as he launched himself at his father's leg. She laughed but when they got inside and she glanced up and saw Remus wincing as he took a step she frowned. Her eyes racked over his face which looked more than exhausted, and as her eyes travelled down again and she saw that his arm was bandaged up with part of his shirt.
"Remus" she said moving forward reaching for his arm, which he pulled back before she could get her hands on him.
"It's nothing." He said smiling almost politely at her. "I see breakfast is ready" he said moving toward the table with Teddy still attached to his leg.
"You should let me look at your arm, and what's wrong with your leg?"
"I'm fine Hermione, really. Now let's eat before this gets cold." She wanted to argue with him, but she didn't. What she wanted to do was cast a warming charm on everything and set Teddy up in front of the TV, and then take care of Remus. She couldn't remember a time when he had come back from a transformation like this, she wanted to know what happened, but had a feeling that he wasn't going to tell her.
When Remus woke up this morning and shifted from his position on the ground he couldn't help but wince, last night had been the roughest Transformation that he had had in a while, and he wasn't really sure why. Well that was a lie, he knew why. Normally with his ability to control his temper and the Wolfsbane, he had a relatively slow night after he transformed. Apparently his mind had been able to work its self up because as he was pacing the floor of the shrieking shack his mind racing. What was she thinking, having random sex with a boy she wasn't in a relationship with, he thought she was better than that.
Of course she is better than that, you are just Jealous
He hadn't had an inner conversation with Moony since before Dora died, so the fact that he was pacing the floor talking to himself was somewhat disheartening.
I am not jealous.
Of course you are the thought of her wrapped around another man makes you jealous.
I have no claim over her; I shouldn't care what she does.
But you do, just admit it.
It doesn't matter, I just can't believe she would do that.
You just want her to do that with you.
Remus had been so irritated with that revelation that when he changed he sort of let the more rambunctious side of Moony take over, and for a majority of the night he ran around the house smashing into everything trying to climb up the walls. It reminded him of when he was a teenager playing with his friends, only this time he done it to himself. He wouldn't be able to tell her about it, he'd have to keep it to himself and try to forget about it.
His night alone had only left him with one question, a question he couldn't seem to answer: Why couldn't he be with Hermione?
"Alright little man, go get cleaned up okay." Teddy was covered in syrup with waffle crumbs stuck to his mouth. He laughed but slid out of his chair and headed to the hall bathroom. Hermione didn't wait another minute. "I know you won't tell me what happened, but can I at least take a look at the cut on your arm." Remus didn't say anything; instead he just nodded his head. She moved from her chair and knelt beside his and reached for his arm. This time he didn't pull away. She moved his sleeve up his forearm and as her hands ghosted down his arm to take off his make shift bandage she missed his intake of breath, but not the goose bumps that appeared on his arm. She examined is arm closely, he knew that she wouldn't find anything in it, he had taken care of that this morning, he just didn't have any healing potion on him at the time.
"I did what I could" he said finally saying something. She nodded still looking at it carefully before she summoned her bag. She reached inside and pulled out a small bottle and dabbed his cut with a purple liquid that both smoked and stung. Was she always this prepared for everything, he thought to himself as she placed her wand gently on his arm and his cut healed. She looked up at him his arm still in her free hand.
"I keep some on hand incase Teddy has an accident." She said simply sliding her hand from him as she stood up and started working on clearing the table. That was it? She wasn't going to press him for details? Nag him until he caved and told her that she was the reason he couldn't settle down last night. He found that he was somewhat bothered by this, but he figured, in the long run, it was for the best.
"That's not a bad idea" he said finally standing reaching for a plate that was still on the table.
"Daddy pay wit me" Teddy called from the living room.
"I'll take care of this, you go, he missed you last night." Hermione said looking over her shoulder at him before focusing her attention back on the breakfast dishes. He turned and headed toward the living room doing his best to shake the feeling that she was upset with him. She seemed to be somewhat colder toward him since he got home, though what he had implied when he left last night surely wasn't helping matters, but she had commented before he left. I thought you wouldn't care. Of course he cared; he just didn't want to admit it to himself.
He had been playing with Teddy for a good twenty minutes before Hermione came out of the kitchen pulling her hair back into a loose pony tail. "I need to get going," she said not looking at them but heading for her bag that was next to the sofa. "Teddy, I had allot of fun with you" she said as she picked her bag up and reached out for a hug as Teddy made his way to her.
"Ove ou Miney" he said giving her a squeeze before diving back into the sofa cushions that were on the floor again.
She was almost to the Floo when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Hermione wait." She bit her lip taking a breath as she turned around to look at him. Her eyes were wide and glistening, she didn't know why but she felt like she might cry. "I'm sorry about what I said last night…"
"You didn't actually say anything remember?" She said cutting him off. "Besides why would it matter to you anyway?"
"You're important to me; I don't want you to get hurt." She hung her head for a moment and then after getting her thoughts straight she looked back at him with a determined look on her face.
"I get that, but that doesn't give you the right to judge me, or imply that I would act to inappropriately while I'm watching Teddy. Do you think that little of me?" She crossed her arms over her chest, proud that she had been able to keep her voice down; since Teddy was still in the room she didn't want him to know that they were probably on the verge of a fight.
"That's not fair Hermione." He said running his hand through his hair. "You've got to understand that it was shocking for me, to see you like that, with a boy in your bed."She didn't fight the eye roll this time.
"There is nothing wrong with what I did. I'm a grown woman and I am more than capable of making my own decisions." So what if she slept with someone, it shouldn't matter he told himself over and over, but he couldn't stomp down the jealousy that he was feeling.
"I know that, I just didn't think that you could be casual about it, that's all." His eyes locked on hers and she felt something pass through them, though she had no idea what it was. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"You know as much fun as discussing my private life with you is, I really do need to go" she said taking a small handful of Floo powder and tossing it in the fire. She turned around to face him as she stepped backward into the fireplace. "Besides you're the reason it happened anyway." And with that she announced her destination and disappeared leaving Remus standing there staring at an empty fireplace.
What did she mean I was the reason it happened?
Honestly even you know the answer to that, if you think about it. Remus took a minute and recalled their encounter, he didn't like to let himself get too lost in that, she had felt more than good, she was warm, and fit perfectly against him. She was responsive too and that was the thing. That's right, she wanted you then and you left her high and dry.
"Daddy…Daddy…DADDY!" Remus came out of his thoughts and looked down at his son who was pulling on his pant leg and holding a book in his other hand. "Ook pease" he said looking up at him with a grin.
Remus reached down and picked up Teddy, walking to his recliner he glanced down at the book and felt a deep chuckle pass through him, "The Three Little Pigs, isn't that the one with the Wolf?" he asked looking at Teddy as though he would know the answer. Teddy nodded then proceeded to puff his cheeks up like he had last night.
"Merlin what's wrong with me" Hermione said out loud as she collapsed on her bed. She laid there for a minute just looking up at the ceiling. She hadn't meant to say that to him, but everything seemed to build up in record time and she just couldn't help herself. "He's going to avoid me again" she spoke out loud again, talking to herself. "I can't help it if it's the truth." She rolled over and let her face rest against the sheets and then let out a muffled scream, which didn't help like she was hoping it would. She regretted almost instantly taking in a deep breath of her sheets.
They didn't have their normal clean scent, they were ruffled, and smelt of Dean's cologne, and sex, the last part making her cheeks flush. She was still somewhat surprised with herself, she had done it, gone through with casual sex, and at the time she thought it had done just the trick. She hadn't felt any more sexual frustration. That was until she had settled on the sofa last night and inhaled Remus' scent from the pillow. She could feel that tingle all over again. She groaned and ran her hand through her now loose hair and took a deep breath. She shouldn't have to do this again, since she had just been sated last night, but she couldn't resist the urge to touch herself.
Even though she had done this before, on many occasions in fact, the knowledge of what she was about to do made her flush. Her hand snaked its way down from her hair grazing over her breast as she slipped it between the waist band of her jeans. She bit her lower lip anticipation as her middle finger found her clit. She applied a little pressure and closed her eyes images of Remus strong hands replacing her own and she groaned loudly. Just as she was about to slip her hand lower to dip her fingers between her folds, a tapping at the window made her jump.
She felt like a little kid that had just been caught doing something wrong. She removed her hand and got up going over to the window to let the owl in that was perched on her window sill. She pushed the window up and the unfamiliar owl flew inside perching on her desk chair. She untied the letter from around his foot and before she could offer him a treat he flew back out the window. Leaning back against her desk she opened the envelope and recognized the handwriting right away.
Hermione,
Hope you don't have plans for tomorrow, we are having dinner at the Burrow and we want you to come. Ginny says that you really won't want to miss this, most of the family will be there.
See You Then,
Harry and Ginny
Short and sweet, Hermione thought to herself as she folded the letter, but then she squeezed it in her hand and let out a squeal. This was so exciting, Harry and finally popped the question!
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