Amarantine
Chapter 7:
A Good Morning Kiss
It was Sunday morning and Hermione had been awake for hours. Sleep had evaded her so she'd gotten up and headed to the kitchen. She sat there silently, a cold cup of tea in front of her and her chin resting in her hands. Wadded up tishues were scattered across the tabletop as well as the remains of a peanut butter and jam sandwich. She looked out the window, watching the sun rise. It was beautiful. She closed her eyes suddenly, not wanting to look at something so lovely when she felt so lousy.
It was now a month since Ron had tried taking her out to lunch and she couldn't get him out of her mind. Memories plagued her, the pain still fresh in her mind. She wore long sleeves all the time now her glamour was gone and was only now just starting to gain back the weight she had lost. Remus was making sure she ate
Hermione sighed and stood, gathering up the mess. She poured the tea down the drain and tossed the tissues in the trash, then sat back down and rested her head on the table. Today was her birthday. One year ago today, Ron had come back home drunk, climbing into bed with her and pawing at her like some animal. The sex was rough and the pain almost unbareable. He bit her, made her bleed. When he finally let her go, she stumbled into the bathroom and cried in the shower, washing away the blood. She hated birthdays. She had never had a single good one.
To her, a birthday was like any other day. She ignored them and went through her day without a care whether someone would remember or even think about getting her anything. She thought about that for a moment. No, she decided. She did care what Ron and Harry thought. A pang went through her as Ron popped into her head once more. To hell with him. He did not matter. He was careless, irresponcible and a loud waste of space. Harry, she could understand. He had never had a good birthday until he got into Hogwarts. He never thought about birthdays except to resent that his cousin got something and he never did.
She felt a presence behind her but didn't lift her head. She didn't want to deal with Remus. She wished he'd go away and leave her in peace. A warm hand settled on top of her head, fingers combing through her messy hair. It was soothing and comforting. She didn't want comfort right now. She wanted to be alone, maybe go curl up and hide her face in a book. Remus didn't say anything, just continued to stroke her hair.
"Go away Remus," said Hermione in a tired, hoarse voice.
A simple no was all the reply she got. Remus lifted his hand and pulled out a chair next to her. He sat and pulled her into his arms, leaning her head on his chest. He was warm, thought Hermione. He was warm and he smelled good. She blinked. Had she only just now noticed how good he smelled? He smelled like chocolate and something else she couldn't put a name to. He smelled faintly like an animal too, warm and wild.
"Today is your birthday," said Remus.
"Today is my birthday," Hermione agreed in a monotone. "I hate birthdays."
"This one will be special," said Remus softly. "I promise that you will enjoy it. No Ron, No Mrs. Weasley—"
Hermione flinched and Remus caressed her cheek. She sighed again and rubbed her sore eyes.
"I have never had a good birthday," said Hermione. "Before Hogwarts I never had any friends who would celebrate it with me. During Hogwarts, no one even thought to ask me when it was. A birthday is just a day like any other. They're not important. They're not worth my time."
"Not even Harry?" asked Remus gently.
Hermione noticed he didn't mention her last birthday. She wondered if he knew what had happened or if he only guessed. She was greatful for that. She did not relish the thought of telling him the details of that night. He would only get angry and storm off to go do whatever he did when he was angry.
"He had too much on his plate," said Hermione simply.
Remus nodded. He settled her back properly in her seat and stood up. He stretched then moved to the stove.
"What would you like for breakfast, my flower?"
"Just toast please," said Hermione, attempting a smile. "I'm not very hungry."
She loved it when he called her his flower. It made her sound dainty and delicate. When people thought of Hermione, they thought of books and bossyness. They thought of research and a hand constantly raised in the air. She liked being dainty and delicate. She hid her softness under the armor of books, a wall ten feet high. Remus saw through that wall. He saw the sad petals wilting there in the sunless place behind the books.
Remus didn't listen to her as he cracked two eggs into a bowl. He looked sexy with an apron, thought Hermione idly then blushed faintly. Ten minutes later he slid a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and a slice of toast toward her. Suddennly, Hermione felt her hunger return and dug in greatfully. Remus sat back down, his more considerably portioned breakfast in front of him. Hermione reached for a slice of bacon from off his plate and Remus growled.
"Sorry," mumbled Hermione. "Forgot, the full moon is tomorrow."
Remus didn't say anything as he gobbled his food. Hermione smiled secretly then. She had been working on becoming an animagus like Serius and Harry's father. It was taking up a great deal of her time but was keeping her busy and that was what she needed. With her job and studying to become an inimagus, her mind was too busy to think of Ron. By Remus's next birthday she should be able to transform. Pushing herself toward that goal was also helping.
Remus was staring at her now. There was an expression on his face she'd never seen before and his amber eyes were full of heat. He leaned toward her and she shifted nervously. Then his arms snaked out and she tensed, expecting a rough pull toward him. What she got was a gentle pair of arms around her, pulling her slowly to him, holding her gently but firmly against him. His lips descended and butterflies began dancing in her stomach then and her heart rate rose.
"I'm going to kiss you, my flower," he said in a low voice with a faint growl underlying it. "I have wanted to kiss you for months now. I have given you space, respected your wishes but—"
"I understand, I think," said Hermione slowly. "Is.. Is this full moon taking a harder tole than usual?"
"No, flower" said Remus. "I just can't wait anymore. I love you, my flower. I want you, need you. I want to make you bloom, see you in all your glory. You are beautiful Hermione."
She stiffened again. He wanted her? Was he going to try to force himself on her? How could he want her when she was all scarred up? Hermione thought longingly of her wand sitting on her bedside table. Remus must have seen the fear on her face for he unwrapped an arm and gently caressed her face.
"No Hermione, my sweet flower," he said. "I will not force you. I will not take more than you are prepared to give. All I want is a kiss. I do not care that you are scarred. I have twice the scars you have. You are beautiful despite your scars."
His eyes pleaded with her. She took a few deep, clenzing breaths and then nodded. His face descended the last few centimeters and his lips pressed firmly against hers. She kissed him back, her lips lingering on his for a few seconds before she pulled away nervously. He tasted as good as he smelled. She wanted to part her lips, taste his tongue but hesitated. Not now, she decided. This was enough. Remus hugged her tight before letting go and moving away from her. He relaxed slightly and smiled.
"Thank you," he said, the faint growl still there. "Thank you So much, Hermione. I love you."
"You're welcome," said Hermione with a soft smile. "It was.. It was a very nice kiss. It was sweet and good. I-"
"Hush," he said softly. "I understand you do not quite love me. Don't force it, Hermione. It will come in time."
Remus smiled and stood. He ruffled her hair then walked over to the door, taking his jacket off the peg near it. He slipped into his shoes and turned to her.
"I will be back around four, love," he said. "See you then."
Hermione smiled and stood. She walked over to him and gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and walked out the door, more relaxed than he had been before. Hermione turned and cleaned up the breakfast dishes. She then went to her room to get ready for work. She had acquired a faint blush in that heated moment when he'd kissed her and the thought of it made it deepen ever so slightly. It had certainly been an eventful morning and she was much better now. A happier Hermione got more work done than a sad one. She only hoped the rest of the day would go as well.
A/N Hello everyone. I hope you're all enjoying the story. Thank you for your favorites and follows. What form do you think Hermione's animagus should be? Please read and review.
