Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling, therefore these characters are not mine. Of course, you'll see them doing things they definitely didn't do in her novels, so… well, those ideas are mine!
Chapter 7: Research
Hermione's insomnia cure had worked again. She had replayed the fantasies she had created earlier in the evening, and pretended her fingers belonged to Remus and Sirius, who desired nothing more than her complete satisfaction. It wasn't long before she was crying out in sweet, total release. After her body had stopped quivering, she found that her limbs felt heavy and immobile, melting into her mattress. More importantly, her mind was similarly calmed, and her thoughts melted into nothingness as she dropped into a heavy sleep.
Unfortunately, there just weren't enough hours in the night. It seemed as if she had only just fallen asleep when Ginny was shaking her shoulders. "Get up, sleepyhead! It's Christmas morning! Mum's got Christmas breakfast ready, there are presents to open, and we get to visit my dad in St. Mungo's!"
"Mmmph? Oh, yeah… Christmas," Hermione muttered, as she dragged herself upright and pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a soft pink jumper.
The presents were fun, but she didn't know what to make of Ron's gift. Perfume – it was unlike him. It didn't have anything to do with food or quidditch. Is he, she asked herself, finally starting to recognize that I'm a girl? Well, buddy, you're late. I have two handsome men who have offered to fulfill my fantasies, and all I have to do is give the word. Maybe it's your turn to wait for me, Ron, 'cause I'm tired of waiting for you. You snooze, you lose! And she headed happily down the stairs.
At breakfast, everyone was in a great mood – smiling, laughing, patting each other on the back, and hugging. Hermione noticed that her Christmas morning hugs from Sirius and Remus were held about a millisecond too long to be completely appropriate, but she didn't think it had caught anyone else's attention.
That afternoon, after the St. Mungo's trip, it was quiet in the house. Ginny was in the kitchen helping Mrs. Weasley prepare Christmas dinner. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George were all up in the twins' room doing Merlin-knew-what. Probably discussing quidditch, or maybe talking about running into Lockhart and Neville at St. Mungo's.
Hermione had managed to find some time to herself in the library again. She needed it. Her situation with Sirius and Remus had been on her mind all day, but there had been so many distractions that she hadn't had time to really think things through.
Was it true, what they said about almost everyone swinging a bit both ways? Could Harry have a crush on a boy at school as well as on Cho Chang? Maybe Draco, she thought, with an evil smile. Harry had always taken the Slytherin boy's taunts a little too personally.
And what about Ron? She knew he liked her, even if he didn't know it himself. But if she had to pick a bloke for Ron, well… It could only be Harry. Harry had always been the sun in Ron's sky, and she'd seen how hurt he had been last year when he thought Harry had joined the TriWizard Tournament without consulting him or confiding in him.
Okay, but those are all males. What about females – if she was honest with herself, if she really opened her mind to the possibility, were there any girls at school that she considered attractive? Well sure: the Patil twins were gorgeous, there was no denying that. But that didn't mean she liked them as anything more than just friends. And, inexplicably, her mind turned to Luna Lovegood. Luna? Infuriating, daft Luna? She may be intelligent enough to be a Ravenclaw, but with her crazy beliefs in things that are beyond proof, she is almost an anti-intellectual. Head in the clouds, that dreamy disposition of hers… that over-the-top independence, her absolute refusal to bow to social conformity, her quirky sense of humor, her ridiculous optimism, her long blonde hair, her soft-looking lips, and her delicate hands… Fine, fine. So the girl had some appeal. Hermione decided to pay a little closer attention to Luna when she got back to Hogwarts, and just see if there really was any kind of spark there, and if she got any encouragement to explore a more-than-friends relationship.
But back to the task at hand. If she did buy Sirius's assertion that they could really be as attracted to her as she was to them – and as they were to each other… If she could trust that their offer was genuine… Should she take them up on it?
Shortly before tea, the men had come by to say hello, and she had sent them away, but asked them to meet her again at midnight. They grinned at her, and then at each other, and left her alone.
Hermione still hadn't a clue what would happen at midnight. Would she tell them she was up for some sexual exploration, or would she tell them that, for now at least, fantasies would have to remain fantasies?
Just in case, because Hermione was nothing if not practical, she had been researching contraception charms in the healing arts section of the Black family library. She hoped Sirius and Remus hadn't noticed the book she was reading and made any good guesses about her research aims.
As she worked, Hermione made mental lists and charts to help her figure out what to do. Pro's versus con's. Risks versus benefits. Flow charts, probability grids, and best- and worst-case scenarios.
Of course, it hadn't been easy to stay focused, either on the contraceptive research or on the rational decision-making strategies. Her newly-awakened libido kept interrupting, providing either images of Sirius and Remus together in the kitchen firelight – the moans and sighs, the licks and nibbles, the playful nuzzling, the arched back and the clutched armrest – or images from the fantasies shared in this very library, on this very couch, just last night – Remus kissing his way down her stomach as he followed his nose, Sirius lifting her blouse and lowering his head… But even with such delicious distractions, Hermione had no intention of showing up at midnight without a carefully thought-through plan.
By suppertime, Hermione was ready. She had always found there was nothing as effective as a deadline for getting her best work done. She joined the others in the kitchen for the meal. It was a sumptuous, but somewhat subdued affair. Everyone seemed to be emotionally exhausted from the trip to St. Mungo's. Hermione had no doubt that the entire household would turn in early, bellies full, and minds and hearts in need of rest. Everyone, that is, except herself, Remus, and Sirius, both of whom had been sneaking glances at her all through the meal, as if trying to read her mind. She smiled to herself, enjoying keeping them in suspense.
Midnight found Hermione sneaking down the stairs for the third night in a row. Apparently, misbehaving was habit-forming. She might have to be a bit more understanding of a Prefect in the future, she mused, unless she wanted to be a hypocrite.
Sure enough, when she arrived, both Sirius and Remus were waiting for her. They scooted apart on the couch to make room for her, and she sat between them. She wasn't sure exactly how to start, and it seemed like they were all three holding their breath, waiting for some signal. The longer they waited, the more entrenched the silence became, and the greater the daring required to break it. Hermione looked from one to the other for some sign of imminent speech, only to find them both gazing at her intently. How long could this continue, she wondered. If she didn't say something, would they just sit there in silence for the rest of the night? And without warning, Hermione burst into laughter. Sirius and Remus joined in, but from their faces, she could tell they had no idea what was so funny to her, and that made her laugh all the harder. She shook with mirth until she had to wipe at her eyes with her sleeve. Finally, gasping for breath and trying hard to regain control, she apologized. "I'm so sorry, you guys, but we were all taking this far too seriously. If we're going to have any fun with this, we're just going to have to relax!"
Remus grinned at her. "So then, we are going to have some fun together, eh?"
"Oh, yes," chuckled Hermione. "Definitely."
"I knew it, Moony," Sirius crowed. "It was an offer she couldn't refuse. So this is excellent! Shall we go up to my room together, and see what happens? Shall we bring the firewhiskey along?"
"Hold on there, hot stuff," Hermione protested, as Sirius was already on his feet and was dragging her up to standing, as well. "Remus told me last night I'd be able to set the pace and parameters of anything we did."
Sirius sat, and pouted dramatically at Remus, who laughed.
"Yes, Hermione, I did say that. I take it you have some boundaries to set?"
"Well, Remus," she said, sitting down next to him again, "it was actually something you said that helped me figure out what I wanted to do."
"Oh, please, let it be when Moony used the word 'simultaneously'…" moaned Sirius, perhaps partly in jest.
"Shut it, Padfoot, and let the lady talk," said Remus, but he smiled indulgently at Sirius, more amused and sympathetic than irritated.
"Actually – and don't laugh at me! Promise!"
Both men nodded.
"Actually," continued Hermione, "it was when Moony used the word 'education.'"
Sirius smirked, but managed not to laugh.
"I mean it, Sirius, don't laugh! It really was a great idea. I know people think I'm a little obsessive about school, and I can see the humor in my turning the opportunity of a wild three-way into another educational undertaking – really, I can. But it actually makes perfect sense."
"In what way, Hermione?" asked Remus.
"Well, think about it," she said, getting up again and turning to face them. "You two have a great relationship already. You don't need me complicating things by getting involved with you on a long-term, or even an intermediate-term, basis. Why don't we consider this a temporary arrangement – only until I get back on the Hogwarts Express in two and a half weeks? It'll be an intensive course. I think it will be a much healthier arrangement for all of us if it's only for a limited time, and we all know the time frame up front. I'm protecting myself here, too. If I know this is short-term, I won't be as likely to let my schoolgirl crushes turn into falling in love with either of you, and set myself up for heartbreak down the road."
Sirius looked a bit put out. "I can see the sense in looking at a time-limited adventure, but I still don't see why it has to be two and a half weeks of schooling, instead of just two and a half weeks of fun!"
Hermione laughed. "Sirius, for some of us, schooling IS fun! But really, there's more to it than that. What I need you both to know is that I am in need of some schooling in this arena. I have plenty of theoretical knowledge, but very little practical experience. So I think it would be very helpful to start with the basics, say, for instance, kissing, and work up to the more advanced material over time. That also gives all of us the chance to slow things down if anyone starts to feel uncomfortable at any point. I think the two of you would be wonderful teachers. And you know… I've always been a very good student!"
Remus's eyes were shining with excitement. "Hermione, you have always been an apt pupil. All of your professors say so – yes, even Snape, though he'd kill me if he knew I told you. You probably are the only other person he would trust to make the wolfsbane potion… You know, I think it's an excellent idea to look at this as an educational opportunity – oh, stop groaning, Sirius – because, for one thing, we'll be sure to be thorough. We'll make sure you get a comprehensive initiation this way. If we just went about it as pure fun, we'd probably stick to a smaller repertoire, and you wouldn't learn as much. I don't mean to suggest that I'm a sexual expert, but… well, Sirius is!"
"A sexual expert!" Sirius barked a laugh again. "Fine, fine, make me out to be a slut puppy!"
"I'm sure he just meant that you're, erm, adventurous," Hermione chuckled.
"No, I meant that he's a slut puppy. But you're my little slut puppy, aren't you, Padfoot?" Remus put his arm around Sirius's waist, and pulled him close.
"Hmph," Sirius pouted again, but still managed to look pleased with himself. "So are you suggesting, Moony, that you and I could demonstrate some of the finer points, and then our pupil would get a chance to try her hand?"
"Gentlemen, the thing is, I'm not sure your relative experience or inexperience matters all that greatly anyway. Sure, I think the occasional demonstration of technique might be useful. But if we go into this as researchers, we can learn together all we need to know, don't you think? I mean, we've got all the equipment we need for experimentation, don't we?" She was now pacing back and forth in front of the couch in her excitement.
"Hmmm, I'm liking the sound of that. Maybe you two are onto something with this educational approach after all. Experimentation – and I'm liking the options for lab partners!"
"So," said Hermione, all business for the moment, "are we agreed? Until it's time for me to go back to school, we three agree to do primary research on sexuality and lovemaking, in a more or less progressive manner, in the spirit of exploration, experimentation, and education. We agree to have fun together and to be respectful of each other's bodies and emotions, and if any one of us wants out at any time, that needs to be all right. Yes?"
"Yes!" agreed Remus, readily.
They both looked at Sirius, who seemed to have a concern. "When you say 'do primary research'…what exactly does that mean?"
Remus chuckled, and brushed Sirius's hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry, love. There won't be any books involved. Primary research means you do the experiments yourself, instead of looking up other people's writings on the subject."
Sirius sighed in relief, and smiled at them both. "Then yes, absolutely – I agree to the terms!"
"Let's drink a shot to seal our pact," she suggested.
The men wasted no time in conjuring glasses, summoning the firewhiskey, and pouring the shots.
"To sex education, especially the lab portion," said Sirius, raising his glass.
"Hear, hear," cheered Hermione and Remus. They all drank.
"Hermione, I do have a question too, and I may well hate myself for asking it…"
"What is it, Remus?"
"If we are to take full advantage of these two and a half weeks, and I really hope we do, we'll need to meet most, if not all, nights – either here in the library or perhaps up in Sirius's room. And we've all been up half the night for the past three nights already… I mean, I really don't want to slow down the plan, I'm very excited about the plan, and very much looking forward to the first lesson, but… have you thought at all about sleep?"
Hermione sat on Remus's lap, pulled his face to hers, and kissed him hard. Although he was taken by surprise, he quickly relaxed into the kiss, cupping her face in his hands, and returning the kiss enthusiastically. When Hermione released him, she looked hungrily at his lips and then turned her gaze to Sirius's mouth, and growled, "Let the lessons begin. I can sleep on the damned train!"
A/N: Reviewers may design their own research projects with whichever character(s) they choose.
