Chapter Four - The Explanation Disclaimer: nothings mine ):
I realise that their ages and events do not comply with the book, but I thought it worked better if Hermione came of age after the Final Battle. In this fic at least.
He moved his arm, directing her to take the seat opposite to where he had been sat before she had spilt the tea. "I haven't been totally honest with you recently Hermione," his faced crinkled as he tried to think of the best way to explain their current predicament. "When you came of age, something changed for me. I always knew that Fenrir left a lasting impression, my face is proof enough of that. But theres something else as well, Remus came to me about it soon after I changed. On a full moon I was in incredible pain, but Remus seemed to be getting through his transformations better and better, I wanted to know how he did it. That's where you come in..." He looked across at her, making eye contact for the first time in his little speech. She seemed to be keeping up with him, and nodded at him to continue.
"Remus he told me that he'd been finding it easier because Tonks was his mate and she was with him during these transformations. That her presence soothed him, made the full moon less painful, less traumatic." By now he could almost see the cogs going round in Hermione's head, as she put two and two together. "When you came of age, I was attracted towards you, as though you were the most important thing to me, and the only thing that makes sense is that you're my mate."
His final sentence lingered in the air between them, a deafening silence surrounding them. "O-oh," she stuttered.
"It's a lot to take in, huh? I didn't want to pressure you, but I didnt want to lead you on, you know?" he was staring at his hands, not knowing what he would do if he looked up and found rejection in her eyes. "It's okay Bill, I understand." she smiled sweetly at him, and stood up walking over to where he was pacing, pulling him in to a tight hug.
Having Hermione so close was causing Bill's insides to battle, the wolf sensing that he finally had his mate. As a battle raged inside of him, Hermione was watching his eyes flicker from their usual green to a vibrant yellow-grey. She'd seen this side of Remus before, especially in the final battle. Surprisingly it didn't scare her, she was more curious than scared. That wasn't normal was it? Most people didn't find it interesting, Fleur defiantly found it scary, but to her it was intriguing. It was another part of Bill she'd have to accept, now she was his mate. Mate. The word seemed strange to her, who would think she was someones mate, and Bill too! Sure she'd always found him alluring, his broad shoulders and ruggedly handsome good looks, but his mate. As she pondered this thought she remained cuddled in to his shoulders.
Bill did all he could to keep his wolf locked deep inside him, not wanting to scare away Hermione the way he had many other people. He was winning, just. He stepped out of her embrace wanting to remove the temptation before it became too much. "I just thought you should know what you're getting in to," he said while leaning casually on his mother's spotless counter. "So Tonks helps Remus on a full moon? What does she do?" Hermione's mouth was trailing behind her brain, spewing the questions she was thinking at an alarming rate. "Whens the next full moon? Its two nights away, isn't it. Well, two nights bit short notice..."
"Hermione!" Bill grabbed her arms, shaking her slightly, "Hermione, I don't expect anything from you, you can turn around and walk away if you want. I hope you don't, but I'll respect your decision."
"If I decide I want to carry on with this, what would that mean?" she asked, her brain finally asking something sensible.
"Well, I'd like to keep getting to know you," he spoke with a timid smile across his face, "and maybe we could try been together on a full moon? You wouldn't be in danger, and you could have Harry on call in case you get scared? But I don't want you to feel like you have to do this Hermione, I want you to do this, because you want to do this."
"I want to Bill," she smiled her own timid smile reflecting Bills'. "I'll come with you on the full moon. I already liked you before tonight, I guess this is just pushing us in the right direction."
Hermione moved from leaning against the counter, moving to stand back in front of Bill, feeling significantly short. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Bill arms wrapped around her and she leaned in and rested her head against his chest. "I don't think I'll be at dinner tomorrow Hermione," she looked up, her eyes wide. "It makes me adgitated, by all the noise and people close to the full moon. You're more than welcome to come visit me though." He said kissing the top of her head.
"Maybe I'll take you up on that," she smiled, leaning up to kiss his lips once again. "Night Bill." With that she took her leave, leaving through the same crooked door she'd entered by.
Know it's a tad short, but hey-ho they'll be longer chapters as well!
I'll try to update quicker this time!