Hermione stirred and sleepily glanced around, rubbing her eyes. She was not sure of the time, but she flung her feet from the bed and padded slowly into the rest of her flat. Sitting in the armchair, she saw the werewolf patting the dog on the head while reading the paper. It made her smile and leaned against the wall to admire him.
Kurt did have this magnetism about him, and she recognized it from the first time she saw him. His serene smile and the way his hair seemed to be at war with his forehead at times. The crisp way he sat or positioned himself, proper yet a touch of defiance; very much how she pictured the marauders in their early years… well, him at least. Sirius would have been the improper bloke who lounged and smoked cigs out the window.
"How long do you plan on admiring me, Hermione?" he asked gently and made her jump. "Still a werewolf," he remarked, and she smiled.
"I didn't wake you again, did I?" she questioned as she entered the room entirely.
"Yes, you were having heady dreams about some Padfoot and begging him to do it again. I must say, it was quite awkward," he teased and smirked at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Sirius Black would have never had that effect on me."
"If you were in our year he likely would have. He did with all the other little innocent witches." Kurt murmured and turned back to the paper. "Tea is on the table if you are interested."
Hermione strode to the table and hemmed. "I would not have given him the time he so desperately would have wanted from me. My books were more interesting than boys trying to con me out of my knickers."
He watched her dress her tea and tilted his head. "We would have been friends, I think." He said, and she beamed at him.
"I think so too. It would have been nice to have another studied person around in Gryffindor." She responded and sat down on her sofa.
Snuffles jumped down and barked at her before climbing into her lap and licking her face. "Traitor. Always the ladies man." Kurt grumbled and set his paper down. "I think I would have liked that. Possibly too much, to be honest. It is a rarity to find someone with compatible interests."
Her eyes drank in his form, and her head slanted. "I have to agree." She said, and her lips thinned. "This is a bit odd, isn't it?" her voice quivered a little.
Kurt smiled and picked his cup off the table. "Are you worried about the big bad wolf?" he teased, suppressing a sizeable wolfish grin he would have liked to give her.
"No, I am certainly not," she bristled then sipped her tea. "It is just not a norm for me to be so comfortable with someone."
"Me too," he admitted, and she had donned a genuine smile at his words.
Snuffles moved from her lap as Kurt set down his cup. The dog was acutely aware of the tension the werewolf was holding onto, or it knew what he was going to do. Kurt moved to sit next to her on the couch, and her cheeks tinted as she gazed up at him. Why did he so urgently want to kiss her again?
"Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice a tremble.
"Yes, I did," he replied gently.
"Remus," Hermione breathed.
She didn't have to ask; he could see her lips parting in desire. It was the most excellent view he had ever absorbed with his sight. He leaned down to close the distance and the fireplace went off, making both of them jump apart. Ginny was standing there with her arms hooked and her hands planted on her hips.
"Was I interrupting?" she asked and giggled. "I can come back to get you for breakfast when you are done snogging if you like."
Hermione was almost the color of eggplant. "No, it is quite alright." She mumbled and stood up. "Let me get into a clean set of clothes, Gin. I will be back." She said and disappeared from the room at a fast pace.
"Mr. Lupin, you are by far my favorite, you know," Ginny said with a grin.
Kurt's cheeks tinted slightly, and he hemmed. "Ginevra, your timing is a bit too punctual. I told you nine, and it is on the dot."
"Remus, if I would have tarried, she would have been waist deep in that little come hither you were displaying." She retorted with an arched eyebrow.
"I have been a fairly proper and presentable guest I assure you." He declared as he pulled the cups from the coffee table.
Ginny's smile grew, and she folded her arms across her chest. "I don't blame you. She is set on denying it, but she fancies you. We all know it, and Harry won't hex you if something comes about. Fair warning, you hurt her, and you have a line of wizards who would gladly go to Azkaban for her… Time traveler or not, she is our family."
"Thank you for the cautionary, I appreciate your care for her immensely. She had a night terror last night," he murmured and heard her finishing up her dressing in the bedroom. "A topic for another time, she is coming now." He stated as he stood with cups in hand and took them into the kitchen.
Hermione bounded out in a pair of jeans and a pink jumper. "Alright, I am ready. Where is Remus?"
"In the kitchen finishing up the dishes," Ginny declared and bent close to the other witch. "Listen, I am not sure if anything came about last night, but you both looked cozy this morning."
"Well, a trick of the eye, I assure you." Hermione dismissed her and Ginny shook her head.
"I am not going to judge you, Hermione. If he brings you a bit of pleasure, I think we would all give a giant sigh of relief that you are interested in someone."
The girl walked over to her bookcase and absentmindedly pulled a few from her shelf. "I like him. It is a curious thing. He doesn't quite know who he is, and it would be wrong to pursue anything in his state. Not that my attraction is based on who we once knew."
"Well, that was evident when you nearly tripped over yourself at your birthday dinner. No one cares who he is; they care that you both clearly have something evident. Just food for thought," Ginny said with a smile.
Hermione bundled the books to her chest and sighed gently. "I suppose we shall just find out."
Kurt reappeared and rubbed the back of his neck. "What are we having for breakfast?" he said with a guilty smile.
"Something delicious that you will love," Ginny replied with a large smirk. "Come on, you two. Let's go make sure Harry and Ron haven't eaten all the food."
Ginny went through the fireplace again with a pinch of floo, and Hermione felt a tug at her sleeve. She glanced down and saw that Kurt had offered his hand. The witch glanced up at him, and he tilted his head. "You mind? In case you change your mind about me once around your friends?"
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips softly. "I won't," was her response and he wound his fingers into her hair.
He closed the gap and embraced her tenderly while his mouth pressed against hers. How much did the werewolf want to say bugger it and steal her away? Tell everyone they would just have to wait until he found out why kissing her tasted like home.
~O~O~O~O~O~
Ron tossed a piece of parchment at the werewolf sitting in an armchair. They were still at Harry's, and it was late in the afternoon. Hermione had gone over the basics, but she was worried about the possibility of the whole going to Azkaban if they did not register. That wouldn't be a problem except for the chance of the press.
"I will send a letter to Kingsley and ask him to make the registration private. Several animagi have done that, including Rita Skeeter. No one needs to know our reasoning or our animals." Hermione declared, and Ron threw another piece of paper at Kurt.
"Wanker, read it," Ron hissed, and the werewolf continued to read his book.
"I am quite positive Kingsley won't mind. He knows Minerva has a werewolf at Hogwarts again and might be relieved that we are assisting." Harry ignored Ron's nagging.
"Moony, please read the damn note," Ron growled, and Hermione snapped her head back at the Weasley.
"Ronald, if you are going to ask him about anything outside of animagi, I suggest you stop your incessant whining!" Hermione snapped, and Harry snorted.
Kurt picked up the note and read the one line. "Did you actual snog her?"
Hermione groaned and threw a book at the Weasley. "It is none of your bloody business, Ron!"
The werewolf waited for her to turn back toward Harry and smirked at Ron with a small nod. There was a part of him that knew she wouldn't have wanted her ex-boyfriend to know. However, this felt more like the wispy memories of his marauders and it made the scene more playful. He enjoyed Harry and Ron's presence.
"So, if we start the ritual this week, we won't be able to change until the following month. Meaning we will miss the full moon, but at least we won't in September." Hermione told Harry.
"Hermione, I already told you that you aren't coming, remember?" Harry sounded nervous, and the witch nodded.
"I know Harry, but if I become an animagus, then I know I can help if there is ever a need," Hermione replied with a smile.
"A whole month with that shite in my mouth?" Ron asked with a frown.
"Yes, and a potion you have to drink every night. If you swallow the leaf, you will have to restart the ritual." Hermione responded, and Ron groaned.
"You will need to take this seriously, Ron. If Sirius and my dad could do this in their fourth year, we can do it." Harry told him, and Ron bobbed his head.
"Alright, alright. Did you say mood swings? I am not a girl," Ron grumbled.
"You are a very pretty looking witch, Ronald," Kurt murmured flipping the page in his book.
Ron threw the book that Hermione did at him. "You are a cock, Moony," Ron spat, and Kurt laughed.
"It won't change his personality much, will it?" Harry snickered, and Kurt grinned down at the Potter.
"Mood swings and personality traits heightened. It won't be the most outstanding form of magic at first, but at least once it is done, we don't have to do this again." Hermione sighed and rubbed her face. "I might take some time off of work."
Harry and Ron both gasped. "What?" they said at the same time.
"I take this very seriously!" she hissed, and Harry grinned. "I honestly don't want to have to restart something because of an argument with my boss."
"I am all for it! I wasn't about to agree to you doing this, but now I will have mum bake you a cake!" Ron exclaimed and Hermione rolled her eyes.
Kurt placed his book down and tilted his head as he stared at the witch with her back to him. "I don't want anyone to change their lives for my comfort," he announced and she glared back at him.
"Did you really just say that?" she hissed and he gave her a guilty expression.
"Well- I- Hermione," he said with a frown.
Harry tried to discreetly place a finger to his own lips to signal not to argue with her. "If you ever say that again I will be livid with you, Remus," Hermione spoke flatly and turned back to the books in front of her. "I will brew the initial potion, and we can meet at my flat for it. It seems I will have to brew a batch every week." She finished and nodded.
Kurt shifted in his seat and Ron smirked at him. "What do you think we all are?"
"You are probably a weasel," Harry teased Ron, and the Weasley sneered.
"Well you're probably a small poodle, Harry," Ron snickered, and Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose.
Kurt arched an eyebrow and smiled despite himself. "I bet Hermione is going to be a cat." He murmured, and she glared back at him.
Harry and Ron burst into laughter and nodded. "Oh, she told you? Isn't that the best?" Ron asked thought his enjoyment.
"When did we end up back at Hogwarts?" Hermione groaned, and Ginny poked her head into the room.
"I am back from mum's, how is it going?" Ginny muttered and Hermione waved her into the room.
"Please come save me from these… children," Hermione hissed, and Ginny grinned as she strolled into the room.
She flopped down in between Harry and her with a smirk. "Have we gotten to the fact that everyone is going to be mostly silent for a month?"
"Hermione is going to take time off work," Ron replied, and Ginny gasped.
"A holiday on a beach with a hot towel boy offering you drinks?" Ginny squealed, and Kurt glared slightly.
The redhead smiled back at him, and he hemmed. "If you really want to deal with crowds and elderly men clawing at you." He said crisply and picked his book back up.
Hermione pinched down a smile and turned to Ginny. "No beach holidays. I am going to see if McGonagall is going to let me learn from Professor Slughorn how to make Wolfsbane Potion."
Kurt jerked and tilted his head. "Why would you want to learn how to brew such a difficult potion?"
"Because if I have the time, I should attempt it." She responded, and Ginny ruffled Hermione's hair.
"I asked Ginny to marry me at dinner the other night," Harry announced, apparently changing the subject.
Ginny clapped and turned the band around on her hand. "I can finally show it off! I just went over to tell mum and dad. Harry didn't tell me he forewarned them."
Hermione gasped and looked at the beautiful engagement ring. "Oh, Ginny, it is beautiful! Harry, you did a perfect job picking out the ring."
"Ron helped," Harry simpered with pink ears.
Hermione kissed the redheaded witch on the cheek and sighed. "So lovely. I am so glad you two are finally taking the next step."
"Be my maid of honor?" Ginny asked softly and Hermione gasped.
Her eyes grew glittery with tears. "Of course! I would be honored!" Hermione exclaimed and tackled Ginny and Harry in a huge hug.
Kurt watched, and his mouth fell open. This was precisely a mirror of a memory he had. Her curly hair wrapping around the Potter and a redheaded girl. James's glasses tilted in a frenzied fashion from the embrace. Giggling and a feeling of elation. This happened before…
"Trying to catch flies?" Ron asked him and brought the moment to a close.
Kurt bristled and gulped before smiling. "Congratulations you two," he said gently, and Harry smiled at him.
"Don't think you are getting out of being a part of the wedding party, Moony. You haven't a choice." Harry told him.
"I am honored, but Harry, don't you think that will cause question?" Kurt murmured and Harry waved him off.
"Someone needs to walk Hermione down the aisle," Harry snickered, and Hermione shoved him.
She did not look back at him but ran her fingers through her hair. "Ronald, how did your date go?" Hermione asked, and Ron choked on a laugh.
"Oh, she was great. We have another one tomorrow."
Ginny smirked over at her brother. "Good, Ron. Someone who actually can tolerate your dunderhead for longer than two hours."
Harry laughed and shook his head. "Oh, Gin, you are wicked."
Ron snorted and rolled his eyes. "I cannot believe we are even related." He grumbled to his sister.
"We have to get ready to have dinner with mum and dad soon, love," Ginny told Harry then kissed Hermione's temple.
Harry groaned lightly and nodded. "Best do all the chatting now so we can keep talking to a minimum this next month. Luckily my job isn't as busy these days," he snickered, and Ginny climbed off the ground.
Kurt erected himself from the chair and smiled at Ginny. "I imagine this next month we will be speaking more than they will," he said with a wink.
Ginny arched an eyebrow and smirked. "Are you planning on sticking around this next month?" she asked and he nodded.
"I will be the only one able to talk to you after all," He said and she clapped.
Hermione hid her blush amongst her hair. "We can talk, just not well or often," Hermione murmured.
Harry glanced over at her hidden face. "I suppose we best teach you how to play wizard chess properly."
Ron stood up and clapped his hands together. "Well, I have to meet George for closing up shop. I will see you all tomorrow morning at Hermione's to go over the plan." He murmured and Ginny dashed over to her brother.
She hugged him and laughed. "I love you, brother. Even if you are still a wanker."
"I love you too, Gin. Tell mum and dad, and I will be by soon," He muttered and reached over to Kurt.
"Don't go running off, mate. We need someone that can talk this month." He snickered, and Harry chuckled.
Ron soon took his leave, and Hermione flicked her wand at the books. "Alright, I have tons to go over tonight." She declared, and Harry rose from the ground.
"Are you going to help her?" Harry inquired, gazing at the werewolf.
"Help her?" he echoed and Ginny snorted.
"You are thick. She never asks for help, just help her," Ginny hissed and Hermione shook her head.
"He doesn't have to, Gin. Stop guilting him to do so. He probably has to get back to Hogwarts." Hermione grumbled, and Kurt shook his head.
"No, I can come help. I would be more than happy to do so," he said, and Ginny smirked over at Harry.
Hermione's cheeks bloomed, and she swallowed. "Well, alright," she declared, and Kurt smiled.
He reached for her books and took them with his own in hand. "Let's get these back to your flat and leave them to their domestic business." He snickered with a smirk.
Ginny hugged Hermione and giggled. "I am getting married!" she squealed and the older witch beamed.
"Have fun," Hermione said to Harry who chuckled.
"See you bright and early. Try not to prep all night," He warned her, and she nodded.
"I promise. I will get some sleep so we can be ready tomorrow."
The werewolf and the curly-haired witch left through the fireplace one at a time. Once they were gone Ginny sighed and gazed at her future husband. "They do make the cutest couple, don't they?" she asked, and Harry nodded.
"Don't push them too hard, Gin. Let them decide if it's going to work. I have a feeling Moony isn't saying as much as he should." Harry murmured and his fiancé frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I will know more tomorrow," Harry declared and nodded. "I imagine he won't leave her if she had a nightmare while he was there last night."
Ginny made a face and exhaled slowly. "I hope he can help her, Harry."
"I hope she can help him too. That's why I don't want her to join us on full moons. He needs someone to be whoever he wants to be with her." Harry declared and kissed her cheek. "Come on, love. Let's go have dinner with your parents."