"Hermione," Sirius tried to start again.
She just ignored him with a smile as she cooked lunch. Her humming became louder as Teddy stifled a laugh behind his hands. The animagus was desperate for her to acknowledge him, but the witch pretended as if he was invisible and remained undisturbed by his shouting.
"Teddy, my love, shall we go wake up your dad and Uncle Sirius?" Hermione asked the boy.
"Uncle who, Hermione?" Teddy asked with a mischievous smile.
"The man who gives you the best candy," Sirius hissed at the boy with a narrow gaze.
Hermione flourished her hand and hemmed. "Oh, nevermind. I must have been dreaming," she snickered as she eyed the wizard through the side of her vision.
"Do you think that dad hated being alone last night?" Teddy asked with a toothy gleam.
"I suppose. It's hard to miss someone," Hermione mused and tilted her head.
Sirius had quite enough. He yanked the woman from her stiff posture and dipped her down before kissing her deeply. Hermione dropped her wand and wrapped her arms around him with a sound of approval. "Now that I have your attention," he growled when pulling away. "I bloody fucking missed you," he snapped.
Hermione laughed as she caressed his cheek with her fingers. "Calm down, all you had to do was tell me you missed me," she murmured with a bright grin. "I missed you too."
Sirius's lips curled into a toothy expression. "I missed you more. Enough to show you how much later," he whispered as he righted the witch on her feet.
"Uncle Sirius, we got you so good," Teddy teased with a laugh.
Hermione smirked and nodded. "We did. If he didn't kiss me we could have continued until he was nearly crying," she taunted as she cleaned the counter.
Sirius stepped behind her and nuzzled her neck. "Don't be so bloody feisty, witch. I might excuse the boy so I can show you how much I hate being ignored," he breathed near her ear.
Sirius was craned over her shoulder as his chin rested on her collarbone, but Hermione smelt a new fragrance on her partner. Something she wasn't used to detecting on the carefree animagus. She knew he showered; he didn't smell of the stale attic like Remus had complained she wore on long nights. However, it was underlined with a rather large question mark.
Hermione kissed his cheek and pulled away, taking the plate to the boy. Teddy was happily absorbed in his book as he ignored his food momentarily, but the witch turned to the marauder.
"So, why did you ask me to come home so soon?" Hermione asked with a small raise to one of her eyebrows.
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck with a curl to his lips. "Can't a wizard miss his witch?"
"Surely," Hermione said as she picked up her wand and nabbed another plate of the counter. "I'm going to go check on Remus."
Sirius swatted her bum playfully as she edged around him. Hermione rolled her eyes with a significant smile before leaving the kitchen. She knew that the marauders were always weird and a bit off kilter after a full moon. Actually, that's the reason why she wasn't expecting Sirius to ask her to come home until tomorrow. However, his persistent letter was enough to spark a bit of suspicion as to his need.
The witch dropped her confident posture as she neared the master bedroom. She curled her shoulders forward and tilted her head down just a fraction as she knocked. Hermione heard a grunt of approval and entered the room with her teeth sunk into the flesh of her inner cheek. The day after was always a bit of a toss-up. He could be a bit menacing or the gentlest wounded wizard.
When Remus caught her in his gaze, his tired expression grew a tiny amount lighter. "Hello, Hermione, you're back early," Remus remarked as he stretched across the pillow next to him.
"Sirius asked us to come home. How are you feeling? Can you stomach some food?" She whispered; trying not to grate his sensitive ears.
He welcomed her over, and she sat down next to the lounging werewolf. Hermione abandoned the plate on the night table as her arm went to the werewolf's forehead. Remus was always naturally warmer than anyone she knew, but he was unusually warm today. That made her scowl and maneuver to touch his neck. "Remus, you're feeling especially ill today?" She asked, reaching for a pain draught on the nightstand.
"It's nothing, Hermione," he huffed as she offered him the potion. "You know I do have nights were nothing eventful happens, and I'm still sick as a dog the next day."
Hermione coaxed him to take the potion before he settled on his pillows, patting the bed next to him. "Come here a moment? I miss our mornings," he grumbled as he winced at the pain from moving.
The witch flopped gingerly next to the werewolf, and his fingers went to her hair. "You realize a nice hot bath will do you some kindness, Remus," Hermione said as he was staring at the ceiling.
"You always say that," he chuckled and pulled her closer. "Hermione, tell me. What did you do while you were gone?"
Another portion of grounding the werewolf enjoyed. His mind was always so muddled after the full moon; they often talked about books, food, and Teddy the day after. "Well, I read the theory of magic to Teddy last night. Drom and I organized her study after he was in bed. She's thinking of getting a cat, so we talked about that. Then I fell asleep in the library, reading about Hogwarts."
Remus ran his fingers through her curls a bit more before humming. "That sounds like a good night."
"Remus," she started as she glanced up at him. "Can I do anything to make you more comfortable?"
He eyed her with an exhausted smirk. "Just stay with me a little longer? I know you have a list of things you want to do today, but can I borrow ten more minutes?"
Hermione relaxed while rocking her head. "Of course, Remus. Whatever you need."
He pulled her closer to him with strained effort and kissed her forehead. "You're a wonderful companion and friend, Hermione. WIthout you, I would have never been able to make it."
She hid her blush by tucking her chin against his clothed chest. "You're a remarkable friend as well."
"Are you in love with Sirius?" His voice was low and soft in the air.
Hermione gulped as she placed a hand on his chest. "Yes, I am."
"Good," he sighed. "He needs you. Sirius will make mistakes because love doesn't come easily to him. He has difficulty accepting that he's loved by someone. Try to remember that as you manifest a life together."
"Remus," Hermione whispered.
"Yes?"
"Are you upset that we're together?" Hermione inquired as she dared not look up at his expression.
Remus's free hand went to her cheek and tilted her vision upward. "Hermione, I'm relieved you both found what you needed in each other. It's difficult to stomach that when you make a mistake such as I have, there is no repentance that can fix it. I hurt him beyond belief with my actions, and it gave way to something he needed more than me. It's humbling, but I would never wish for you two to separate on my account, understood?"
Hermione bolstered forward and kissed his cheek lightly. "Thank you."
"Thank you for caring so much about my wellbeing, Hermione. I know that's why this has been so hard on you."
"You remember two years ago on Christmas eve?" Hermione questioned him with a grin.
Remus chuckled and bobbed his head. "Teddy tried to state his case on why he needed to open up a present."
"And when it was plausible to the weak-willed werewolf," she paused with a playful smile. "He gave you that wonderful picture framed with us at the Burrow all together."
Remus grunted as he reached over and plucked the frame off his nightstand. "It was a terribly sweet gift that Harry helped him with."
Hermione sighed as she settled next to him, glancing down at the picture. "What a lovely scene."
It was some birthday or holiday, and Teddy was still a toddler. Hermione held the teal-haired boy on her lap as Remus was leaning over and chuckling at the boy. It was a picturesque moment caught by one of the Weasleys.
"I loved moments like this when he was a baby," Hermione sighed as she touched the child in the picture.
"I loved them too. I was so lost at how to be a good father, and you helped me take it in stride. Andromeda always did tell me how much of a gift it was that you implanted yourself into our lives so firmly."
Hermione smirked and shook her head. "Remus, why wouldn't I take care of you? Harry would have been so furious if something happened to you. Plus, Teddy is the greatest child," Hermione laughed.
Remus nuzzled her hair and sighed. "You're this monumental witch, and I'm lucky to have you in my life."
She relaxed against him until he fell asleep. Hermione thought as she stared at her hand on his chest. What was she going to do about the werewolf? She feared about many things, but mostly she worried about his loneliness.
Hermione was pursing her lips as she stared at the mess of her library. Well, not hers. Theirs. She was picking up the magazines and books off the table, placing them in their proper homes manually. Today was difficult, and she felt lonesome for conversation. Sirius was spending time with Teddy most of the day, and she tidied up.
Something odd was going on, she could smell it. Why was her partner acting so strangely? The difficulty of blending lives; it made her exhale at the weight of it all. The door creaked behind her, and she glanced back to see Remus. He was dressed comfortably in a pair of sweats and a jumper.
"Afternoon," he murmured as his arms were close to his chest in a wounded fashion.
Her smile dropped as she saw his pallor. "Remus! What's wrong?"
When the witch got to him, he shook his head. "I just haven't felt up to snuff, don't worry. I wanted to come to see what the house was up to."
She helped him to the armchair and moved a small ottoman over for his legs. "Remus, what are you doing out of bed? You should be resting."
"I felt like this shouldn't wait," Remus murmured as his grimace evolved while settling in the chair.
Hermione was bent in front of him as she placed his legs on the ottoman. "What shouldn't?"
"Well, we should have a conversation about what we talked about the other night," the werewolf murmured.
Hermione's vision met his with her eyes nearly bugging out from her face. "It can wait. I wouldn't want you to stress over something so simple."
"Hermione, we both know that what happened was the least bit simple," Remus grumbled as she stood away from his form.
He could sense she was trying to decide if it would be best to leave the room. Her eyes kept tracing the doorway and then returning to Remus. The wizard was anything but patient after the moon, especially about this. Hermione exhaled and collapsed on the sofa with a scrunched expression. "Okay, what is wrong?"
Remus didn't want to scare her and delicacy would be the only answer. "There's something that happens when a subject with Lycanthropy happens to attach themselves to another individual — bonding of a kintype. When the wolf actively claims that person, it can be in several ways," he started while rolling his neck.
Hermione bobbed with a huffed. "Yes, I know that, Remus. The marking is determined on how the feral identity decides they perceive said person of interest," she murmured.
"Which is influenced by the conditioned individual," Remus added.
That caused the witch to jerk into a stiff posture. "Then that means we're alright, right? Nothing difficult about being a bit attached."
Remus scrunched his nose as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, usually, yes."
"Usually," she echoed.
"Merlin, Hermione, why does this have to be so difficult."
"Are you saying that Moony was influenced by hidden feelings?" Hermione's voice was nearly a whisper.
The werewolf scrubbed his face roughly. "I didn't put it into perspective. I never have. We were just who were are and will remain. However, things are different now; more focused. I have to be honest with you because I never intended on our lives changing. I zealously kept you to myself."
Hermione's cheeks reddened further as she tried to dampen her tongue. "But things don't have to change. Why would we have to change? I'm still here and you and Sirius… Teddy," she sputtered with a scratchy voice.
"I'm going to tell you a story," Remus responded as his fingers traced the stubble on his face. "When we were in our sixth year together, Sirius and I had been seeing each other on and off for a year then. Moony must not have appreciated that Sirius was dancing around getting exclusive with Marlene and I had similar feelings I suppressed," He paused with a deep breath. "I've never been a person to express my feelings that would cause someone issues."
"What happened?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione, Moony bit him, and he experienced things very similar to what you had," He mumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You questioned why he never was devoted to anyone besides me several years ago, that's the reason why."
Her eyes grew as she cleared her throat. "So, are you saying his relationship with me is forced?"
"No, of course not!" Remus huffed as he scrubbed his face. "I'm explaining to you why he finds it easier to be with you. Moony had marked you."
Hermione just stared over at the werewolf with wide eyes. "That? That's why? You're the reason why?"
Remus paused his flustered motions to glare at her. "Not exactly."
The witch physically slumped at the weight of the conversation. "You're telling me there's more between us than we addressed?"
What was he to say to that? He never imagined in his years that he would have to express the fact that his love and devotion ran deeper than he was willing to admit. That it spurred him to see her with the Weasley boy after taking such great care of his son. When she would hold him after the full moon, he felt whole. The very same feelings he had when he was with Sirius. It was this distracting and torn sore at the back of his mind he couldn't itch or soothe.
"I would like to apologize for biting you, Hermione. I know it's much to take in. Nothing has to change, I accept and celebrate your relationship with Sirius, but I felt it was important to ensure you know how much I care about you both. Obviously, my instincts are far more apparent than my willingness to confess," Remus finally settled on voicing.
"Remus, why didn't you tell me?" Hermione questioned, her cheeks red and the scent of shame filled the room.
"Would it have changed anything?" He asked with an arched eyebrow.
Hermione covered her lips with her hand as she stared across the room. "Maybe," she muffled through her fingers.
"Ah, well, there are some tricks an old wolf has yet to learn. Sirius called me a bloody wanker after the full moon I bit him. I can only assume you hid it to spare me my guilt," Remus sighed with a nod.
Hermione shook her head and released her mouth from her fingers, displaying the grimace fully. "Remus, I didn't tell you so you wouldn't feel obligated to me. I love you, always. You have been my greatest companion and doting father to your son. I never wanted to change your decisions based on Moony's actions."
"Did you ever feel I compelled you to change your life after I bit you?" Remus dreaded the question.
The witch's lips curled as she shook her head. "No, never. I felt compelled under my own fruition. My service to you as a partner has always been what you allowed me to give."
Remus swallowed roughly as the blood pooled in his cheeks. "Hermione, I don't deserve someone like you in my life. You've always been so extraordinary, so patient and kind. Now that you know, I only hope you can promise that the events of what happened will release you from what obligation you think you have to me and live a fulfilling life with Sirius. That's why I wanted to talk about this. I want you to know that I have seen you serve me loyally for years, it's time for you to be happy for just your own sake."
"And you?" she whispered, her eyes dancing around the woven design of the carpet.
"I will remain your faithful friend and companion, as I always planned to be. I threw a fit after what transpired; I can't fully blame that on Moony and our possessive stance on you both. However, there comes a moment of clarity when I see the potential those I love to have contentment and when I'm getting in the way of it. I want you to promise me that you will let go of your plight for my happiness so you can have yours. Regardless of what's to come," Remus finished with a nod.
"But that's just it, Remus. I'm not happy if you can't be happy," Hermione declared as her honeyed eyes met his.
"I'm happy with what I have. My family," he confirmed with a slow nod.
"And when you slept with Sirius?"
A heated relief. A wonderful feeling of connection. "A muddled event of imperfection. I know now what my struggle was and can't change my actions to before and after," the werewolf sighed.
Hermione walked over and hugged him tightly. "I promise, we'll always take care of you, even if you tell us not to, Moony," she breathed as his hands coiled around her.
"I love you both; I hope you know that," he responded and kissed her cheek. "Now, let's go see what my dear friend is getting my son into."
Hermione helped the werewolf up with a bright smile. "Hopefully nothing we can't unteach him," she snickered and helped the wounded werewolf from the library.
