Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Author's Note: I'm sorry for having posted this with plot errors before. I'd mentioned in chapter two that Voldemort was vanquished and then accidentally made him alive in this chapter. That has been corrected and a slightly different version of Lupin's explanation is told. Thank you to the reader who pointed this out to me…you know who you are!

Willows and Witches

Chapter 7

"Explanations"

Hermione was quite curious about Snape being on the premises. Remus had mentioned to her that he rarely had visitors and she wondered why Snape would suddenly be invited. She also hadn't realized that there was a basement. She'd have to do some snooping, er…sleuthing about. It was best to be vigilant and aware of one's surroundings after all.

She snorted to herself and began to busy herself, making tea. Remus usually took a cup before bed. She made enough for three and as she waited for the water to boil she stared out the kitchen window into the blackness. She sagged wearily against the sink. It was almost as though she'd had some kind of nightmare and couldn't wake up. How had everything gone to seed so quickly?

The hissing of the pot demanded her attention and she left her place by the window. Once she'd taken care to leave out a few extra cups she retired to one of the kitchen chairs. She sank down, and tucked her feet beneath her bum and sipped at the hot liquid.

Ron had been here. He'd apologized. He'd forgiven her. He still loved her.

A pang hit her chest. She told him that she didn't love him, that they had nothing in common and she didn't respect him. What a thing to do! He was sure to never forgive her now. A tear escaped her eye and she wiped it away, annoyed with her own weakness. If she'd been brave enough to say those things and refuse him, shouldn't she be happy? She'd saved them both a lifetime of misery for goodness sake! While Ron wanted a slew of children and expected her to be the dutiful stay-at-home wife, she envisioned something else entirely; a respectable career and an advanced education for starters. Just because he had supposedly achieved his "dream", didn't mean she had even begun to pursue hers. She wondered if he even knew what her dreams were about.

She sipped thoughtfully and lifted her head when she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Remus spied her and gave her a small smile before proceeding into the kitchen and pouring a cup of tea. He sat across the table from her and tried to look nonchalant. Hermione could tell he was dying to know what had happened.

"Out with it." She said, a sad smile playing on her lips.

"Shall you go first or shall I?" He asked, ever aware that he too had a tale to tell.

"I'll tell you about Ron and you'll tell me about Severus then?"

"That sounds acceptable."

"Right." Hermione set the cup down on the table and ran her fingers over the pattern of the wood grain as she organized her chaotic thoughts into sentences.

"I returned to the house as you'd asked me to. I did a bit of cleaning and then sat before the fire, just thinking. I suppose I'd been there an hour or so and I heard a creaking noise and a click that sounded like the door. I know that you have a very distinctive sound when you're walking around and I didn't hear the familiar sound so I stood up. I saw a curtain move and just to err on the side of safety shouted a few protective spells. I disarmed him and he fell to the floor. I ended the spells and he told me that he was sorry about everything and that he wanted to work things out. I almost gave in…the look he was giving me was heartbreaking…but I knew that we needed to talk. I aired my grievances and he aired some of his. It turned into a bit of a shouting match, I'm afraid. That's the way arguments tend to go with him. Anyway, he really lost it when I told him that I didn't love him anymore."

Remus sucked in a breath of surprise and Hermione met his shocked eyes briefly before staring down at the table.

"He was really upset. He began to kiss me and told me that he wanted to marry me immediately. I protested and he pushed me to the floor. He said that he was going to fix me and undo whatever you'd done. Stupid git. Anyway, he pulled out the bottle and I'm not stupid. I knew what it was and what his intentions were. I fought him off as best I could and tried to run but he caught me around the ankle. I screamed and that's when you walked in. I suppose you know the rest."

Remus' face had frozen. Inside he was seething. That little twat! It took Remus several moments before he trusted himself enough to speak. He didn't want to take out his anger on Hermione. She'd been through enough.

"I suppose it's my turn then?" Remus asked shakily. Hermione nodded, encouragingly.

"I was called away because Severus had been attacked. The lower ranking rogue Death Eaters arranged an ambush of young werewolves in the forest. This happened during the last full moon. I wasn't made aware of what had happened until tonight. Severus tried to keep the information to himself. He was lucky to have escaped with only one bite and his life. He's a fierce dueler, as you well know. He was found out by the inner circle, or what was left of it and his position was over. They treat werewolves quite poorly. Severus was kicked out of the inner circle, despite all of his years of service. Severus knew there was no other alternative and reported it to Albus. Albus has decided that Severus has paid his debt to the Order and has agreed that Severus is no longer required to act as our spy. Of course that should have happened with You-Know-Who's downfall, but having Severus play both sides was still beneficial. Many cells were filled in Azkaban because of his information…as you know." He cleared his throat.

"I was called because I am a werewolf and it is going to be very hard on him the first few times he has to transform. That is why he is here. He is to live with me until such time that he feels capable of controlling himself."

"Wow. That's terrible." Hermione's mouth hung open rudely but Remus didn't mind. She took excellent care of her teeth.

"After everything….he is now, like you?"

"Yes. I also feel obligated to make you aware of…certain aspects of my monthly routine."

"I know about the transformation and all that."

"It's more about the practical side of things. The basement is where I keep an enclosure. It can only be unlocked by me when I'm in human form. It is a bit of wandless magic that took years to learn. Anyway, Severus and I built a second enclosure tonight as well as another bedroom. In six days, the full moon will be upon us and he and I will change. It is a rather violent thing and we will be confined to the basement for two days. On the third day we will emerge. I hadn't really thought about what to do…with you." He scratched his stubble-covered chin.

"Oh. Well, I won't be a bother. I'll just stay out of the basement."

"Well, yes, that is one way. I was thinking of another, safer alternative."

"You want me to leave?" Hermione asked quietly. She'd been dreading this moment and now that it was upon her she felt tears threatening to overwhelm her. It wasn't fair!

"NO! I mean no. Of course not. I love having you here. I would be honored…if you'd consider this as your home. For as long as you need it, of course. I was thinking that during the transformation you might want to visit your friends or perhaps stay at Hogwarts. Albus has been hinting that Minerva would love to have you as a guest for a few days."

"This sounds a lot like leaving."

"It would only be temporary, a few days. Hermione…if he or I got out, somehow…and you were hurt…I don't know what I'd do." A haunted look came into his eyes and his face looked more haggard than Hermione ever remembered seeing. If just to cause that look to leave his face, she agreed.

"Of course Remus. I understand. I'd love to have a visit with Minerva. When do you think I should leave?"

"Friday evening would be best, I think. Also…I should warn you. Severus and I are likely to get a bit touchy in the last few days before the moon. It tends to bring out the more wolfish tendencies. I can only ask for forgiveness in advance if I am in any way rude to you."

"I understand." Hermione gave him a gentle smile, one that warmed his heart.

"You're a special witch." He blurted out unthinkingly.

"And you're a special wizard. Thank you, for everything." Hermione rose from her chair and walked around the table. She leaned over from the side and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. It was a bit of an awkward position with his face pressed against the side of her breast but he found himself sitting there with a silly grin for several minutes after she'd left for bed.