Author's Note: It has been two weeks since I've updated! Ugh! Let me tell you, I never thought my senior year would be quite this busy with work, school, internship, and life basically. Hope that you are all well and enjoying what I've written and above all that you continue to remain patient! Sending you all much love as a late Valentines! Enjoy!
oOo
Luna breathed in the lovely smell of fresh morning air that she loved so much.
She opened her eyes and blinked, letting her eyes adjust to the leftover winter sunlight as she searched Remus out. He was a little ways away at his desk, a quill in his hand as he scratched away at some parchment. Luna had seen him doing that quite a bit lately when she woke up in his room but she had always tended to fall asleep.
Luna let her body slowly wake up as she stared at Remus, his dark brown eyebrows furrowed as he stared down at whatever it was that he was writing. He was shirtless, only wearing the pajama bottoms Luna had given him for Christmas. Luna loved admiring Remus when he wore next to nothing, though not entirely for sexual reasons. Remus always dressed very proper, rarely even pushing up his shirt sleeves to reveal his forearms. Luna knew it was mostly because he was embarrassed by his scars, but Luna didn't mind them. Luna appreciated these moments when Remus was comfortable enough to relax in his own skin. He looked most beautiful to her in these moments.
Luna loved waking up in Remus' bed because it always smelled like morning air, even in the middle of the day. Of course, Luna knew the reason Remus' sheets always smelled like that was because that scent came from Remus himself. Luna smiled as she noted that his bed must hold traces of her own eucalyptus scent by now from how frequently she had been sleeping at his place.
Fleur knew that Luna was sleeping over at Remus', the Frenchwoman much more understanding of what Luna did in her relationship with Remus. It had been a month since Bill had found out about Luna and Remus, and three weeks since Bill had finally begun to be comfortable with their relationship. They were all in very good standing now and things were back to how they had been before Bill and Fleur found out about them, with the exception that now Remus and Luna felt comfortable holding hands and sharing short kisses in Fleur and Bill's company. Luna would go so far as to say that Bill was even happy for them.
Still, both Fleur and Luna agreed that perhaps it was too soon for Bill to know that Luna had been sleeping over at Remus' flat at least three times a week since Luna's seventeenth birthday.
Things had been developing nicely between her and Remus. Luna was so completely in love with Remus, she had trouble thinking about how there was once a time that she had thought nothing of him but as Bill and Fleur's good friend, a forgotten professor from long ago.
Finally, Luna got tired of simply looking at Remus and got up, letting the bed sheets slip from her naked body as she made her way over to Remus, a testament to how comfortable with Remus she was that she was not at all concerned with her nudity.
Luna sighed, wrapping her arms around Remus from behind, her chin resting on his shoulder as she placed a kiss on Remus' jaw.
"Darling," Remus rumbled happily in greeting as he stopped his writing to place a hand affectionately over Luna's.
"Morning," Luna replied, her voice husky with sleep as she let her hands massage slowly over Remus' chest. "Have you been up very long?"
"About two hours," Remus admitted.
"Loony," Luna laughed. Remus smirked and twisted his neck to look at Luna.
Luna grinned and captured him in a kiss. That kiss quickly became more and Luna pulled away for a moment so that she could sit on Remus' lap, the small of her back against the table's edge. Luna wrapped her arms around Remus' neck and continued their kiss, sighing as Remus placed his large palms on her waist.
It didn't take long before Luna's naked hips began rolling against Remus while his hands traveled up her smooth stomach to cup her breasts, his prick hardening beneath her. Luna moaned, feeling her body burning up as Remus's mouth closed around one of her breasts while his hand squeezed and massaged the other. When Remus' lips sucked on her nipple and then released it with a little pop Luna gasped and reached down to push down Remus' pajama bottoms down and take him in her hand.
Remus groaned and rested his forehead against her breast as he watched Luna stand a little to align herself with him before impaling herself on him. They both moaned at the sensation of being joined, Luna's position allowing for Remus to stretch and fill her more deeply than usual.
Luna continued to roll her hips, locking her lips with Remus' as she moved. When Remus grasped Luna's hips again and began to hold her a little higher so that he could thrust up into her, his breath catching in his throat, Luna knew it wouldn't take long.
As Remus came inside of her she kissed along the column of his throat, nibbling along his jaw. Remus groaned, his thrusts becoming more sporadic as he spilled the last of himself into her.
Luna could feel her own orgasm approaching, her breath getting heavier and heavier as she pulled away to look down at Remus. He'd told her once when he'd been inside of her that he loved staring at her face when she was cumming, and ever since then Luna loved to look at Remus' face whenever her orgasm was near. She loved looking at Remus' awed expression as he stared at her, his jaw slack and his eyes hooded as he seemed to commit her expression to memory.
Luna tried to maintain her gaze on Remus but soon she could feel her stomach fluttering and her walls clamping down harder and harder around Remus. The pulses of pleasure she was experiencing were spreading throughout her body and she could feel herself growing restless as her body came so close. Finally, Luna felt it, that indescribable release that had her arching her back and throwing her head back as she came with a cry before becoming a mess of limp bones leaning against Remus as she caught her breath.
Remus chuckled deep in his chest, his hands stroking her sweaty back and hair until Luna finally had calmed down enough to kiss his temple.
"You alright love," Remus asked kissing her cheek.
Luna smiled happily, more than sated, "I'm alright, just in need of a shower now."
Remus laughed and Luna wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Luna loved these moments when Remus was content just wrapped up in her embrace and the fact that Remus was more than happy to hold her for so long did things to her smitten heart.
When Luna finally pulled away and her back brushed against Remus' desk she was reminded of how she had come upon her wizard.
Luna twisted a little, her arms still around Remus as she looked down the many sheets and sheets and sheets of parchment Remus had laid out.
"What are you working on Remus," Luna asked.
"Take a look," Remus encouraged.
Luna grinned at Remus then turned around on his lap and started riffling through the papers as Remus wrapped his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.
Luna's brows furrowed as she quickly noticed a trend in what Remus was writing.
"Why is this all about werewolves?" Luna asked.
Remus was quiet and for a moment Luna thought he hadn't heard her until he said, "I'm writing a book."
Luna eyes widened and she turned around to look at Remus who was looking at her with somewhat nervous eyes, but he was also biting his bottom lip to contain his smile.
"You're writing a book," Luna said slowly. As soon as she said it aloud it all processed for Luna and she practically bubbled with pride and excitement for Remus. "Remus, that's amazing! How long have you been working on this?"
Remus laughed appreciatively at the excitement in Luna's voice and kissed her shoulder before explaining, "A little after we talked about the wolf, I was thinking about all that I've learned about being a werewolf and how I'm still learning things and I thought about all the other werewolves out there who know just as much as me or less or more and then I thought about how despite there being a considerable werewolf community out there, there's very little written on lycanthropy. And what is out there is considerably old."
"So you decided to write a book," Luna said in awe, running her hands over the parchment.
"That's the idea. I mean, this all just a very rough first draft at the moment, and I haven't spoken to anyone or shown anyone this yet, but I thought it might lead somewhere."
"And after the war, you're seen in a very different light than you were before. People are calling you a war hero! I'm pretty sure you'll find a publisher who would be interested in this, not to mention an audience," Luna thought of all the possibilities that were going to occur for Remus, and how this book might change another werewolf's life.
"Exactly, this idea would have never even been feasible less than a year ago," Remus agreed and Luna nearly melted at the excitement she heard in his voice.
"Remus I think this is so wonderful," Luna said. "You've combined your love of teaching with writing and now you're going to share it with the world."
"I would have never thought of it if it hadn't been for you," Remus said. Luna blushed and looked over her shoulder back at Remus, feeling her heart flutter when he leaned in for a kiss.
"I actually have some news too," Luna said when Remus pulled away. "It's not as big as this at all but, I've finally put up a notice for the Quibbler's sale. It'll be on the Daily Prophet on Thursday."
Remus grinned, "That's great Luna. This is what you want?"
Luna nodded, "Yes, honestly I felt so relieved when I finally sent it in. I'm excited to hear back from interested buyers."
Remus smiled and kissed her cheek, "Well it looks like we have an interesting few months ahead of us, don't we?"
Luna smiled and leaned back against Remus' chest, wrapping his arms tighter around her as she thought about the future. It pleased her to know that wherever she was in it, she knew Remus would be there as well.
oOo
Remus finished putting up his portion of the wards around the beach shore that he and Luna would be transforming in, in less than an hour. When he had begun working on the wards it occurred to him that this was his first time alone with Bill since before he had found out about his relationship with Luna.
As Remus peered over to where Bill, a skilled curse-breaker, was still painstakingly setting up wards, Remus could tell that Bill was very aware of this fact as well.
Remus waited patiently. There was only so much checking and re-checking of wards that Bill could do before he had to finally face Remus.
Bill finally squared his shoulders and turned around to face Remus, his face not giving much away.
Remus waited expectantly but soon grew weary.
"So is this really how it's going to be from now on? We're friends in public but now you won't even speak to me in private?" Remus asked, not angrily, more hurt.
"We are friends Remus," Bill said unconvincingly.
"Oh really, because the friend I remember used to drop by unannounced at my flat or at work, or invited me to go for a run every week. It's been a month and I've gotten nothing but silence from you. I hope you're not treating Luna this way when I'm not around."
"Of course not," Bill retorted sharply, clearly a nerve was hit at the mention of Luna. "I told you I apologized haven't I?"
"Yes, but you've said nothing on whether or not you're alright with me and Luna," Remus pointed out.
"I am! You must know I am," Bill protested in that same unconvincing tone.
"Then why won't you speak to me?" Remus asked, finally raising his voice.
Bill looked away, and for a few moments Remus thought the younger man would walk back up to the cottage with a huff, as most angry Weasley's were prone to do.
"I've been ashamed," Bill said so quietly that Remus almost wouldn't have heard him if it hadn't been for his keen senses.
Remus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "What?"
"I've been ashamed alright," Bill said, more loudly this time as he glared at Remus. Instead of anger in his eyes, however, Remus saw something closer to guilt in his green eyes.
"Ashamed by what, by me?" Remus asked, still unsure where Bill was going with this.
"No! I was ashamed of myself," Bill corrected, taking a deep breath. "I've always prided myself on being open-minded and accepting, Merlin knows I'm the most open-minded of my family."
Remus could not disagree there, noting Bill's long hair and the dragon fang earing he still wore.
"I've worked with and gotten along with goblins, I married outside my country to a younger woman, I'm a pureblood who fought on Harry Potter's side, while I may have not wished it I'm alright with my werewolf tendencies, and I'm best friends with you. Then the moment I find out about you and Luna I lose it and when I think about it now, I can't believe what a tosser I've been. I treated you so unfairly, with so much anger. I can't believe that I would ever contemplate treating you like that."
Remus softened a little at the clear turmoil his friend was in. "You were being protective of Luna," Remus pointed out, not faulting Bill completely. Who was to say he wouldn't have acted exactly the same, or worse, had their roles been turned around.
"It's no excuse," Bill shook his head. "Fleur is incredibly protective of Luna as well and she did not hesitate to accept you both with open arms. I couldn't even apologize to you properly."
"I forgive you nonetheless," Remus insisted. "It's not as if I have done no wrong either, Bill. You and Fleur welcome me into your home and trusted me to watch out for Luna, and instead I start developing feelings for her. I could have tried harder to stay away, to ignore those feelings."
Bill shook his head, "You can't help who you fall in love with."
Remus stilled at the omission, reading this as more acceptance that Bill had ever demonstrated to his relationship with Luna.
Bill looked directly at him, "This past month I've seen how much you care for Luna, and how much she cares for you. The more I watch you two the more I can't help but see how well-suited you are for each other. Honestly, I'm not sure how we didn't see it before. Fleur was right. You're both our friends, we should feel nothing but joy that you've managed to find love in each other."
Remus instructed his eyes not to tear up and sniffled, nodding appreciatively at Bill. Bill came closer to him to clasp his hand on Remus' shoulder, "Shall we get a drink in a few days? After you've recovered from the full moon."
"I'll be looking forward to it mate," Remus told him.
Remus sensed Luna drawing near and sure enough, looked up to see Luna approaching dressed in a t-shirt and loose-fitting shorts. She skipped down to the sand to them, completely unaware of the conversation he and Bill had just had and leaned against Remus' side, standing on her tip-toes to press a hello kiss to Remus' lips.
When she pulled away Remus was glad that Bill had not looked away or looked uncomfortable. Instead he sported a slight smile at the sight of them.
"Well, I'll be going up now," Bill told them. He nodded at Remus and kissed Luna's cheek before going up to join his sleeping wife, the both of them no longer finding it necessary to watch over Remus and Luna during the night, confident that they would remain safe.
"Is everything alright," Luna asked Remus, her blue eyes reflecting the sunset as she stared up at him, her hands wrapping around his waist comfortingly.
"Better now," Remus smiled at her, squeezing her shoulder as he held her with one arm.
Luna grinned at him but before Remus could bend down to kiss her he caught something in the air. He had not time to be impressed when Luna's nose crinkled, also catching something amiss in the same moment he had.
"Harry," Remus said identifying the leather and fire smoke he smelled. Remus turned around, his arm slipping from Luna's shoulders to look up to where Shell Cottage stood. Sure enough, there stood Harry and Ginny staring down at them with what looked like a bottle of firewhiskey.
Remus' heart pumped wildly at the look of confusion and anger set in Harry's face as he began to charge down the hill to the shore.
"Harry," Luna gasped quietly and moved to meet him halfway but was met with the invisible wards stopping her in her path.
Remus hissed when he felt the first bone crack. The full moon was about to begin.
"Harry! Ginny! Get out of here," Remus shouted which only resulted in Harry's staring at him with outrage and moving quicker towards them.
"Leave now!" Remus shouted just as Luna collapsed to her knees from the pain.
"Luna!" Ginny shouted, running after Harry.
Remus could take the pain no longer and fell to the floor, the world a complete blank to him as he passed out and transformed.
oOo
When Remus came to he saw that Luna was already up, and she was restless. He could see her whining and pacing along the border of his and Bill's wards, and it did not take long for Remus to see why.
A ways off Harry was arguing with Bill, Ginny nearby as she stared at Luna and him in shock.
Luckily, it appeared he and Luna had both transformed before either Ginny or Harry had made it to the shore, as they appeared to not have a scratch on them.
Harry was screaming his head off at Bill, "Why did no one tell us!"
"It was not our place to say," Bill insisted, calmly, rationally.
"Harry, maybe we should go inside," Ginny said looking at Remus now that he was awake. Remus could sympathize with the youngest Weasley. From he could tell Ginny had always exuded bravery but he knew it could be daunting seeing a werewolf for the first time, two at that.
Harry looked over at Luna and Remus before stomping off to the cottage with Ginny trailing after him. Bill looked over to Remus and Luna sympathetically before following after them.
Remus wanted to shout in frustration.
So Harry and Ginny knew that Luna was a werewolf now too, that was irrefutable. The question that was at the forefront of his mind however, was whether or not they had guessed the nature of his relationship of Luna. He knew it must have been a sight for the young couple to come upon seeing their ex-professor with their friend on a romantic beach during nighttime with his arm around Luna's shoulders. Remus only hoped Bill had the sense to cover for them.
Remus looked over to Luna and knew that she was worried as well.
Remus waited a little for Luna to relax and not worry, but she was restless. Remus snorted in his wolf form and got up, nudging Luna's shoulder and then pouncing away playfully. Luna stared at him only for a moment, as if not in the mood to play, but finally she seemed to realize that there was nothing they could do for the next few hours so they might as well play and pretend to enjoy themselves for a while.
oOo
When Luna woke up she groaned. Her body was really aching this morning, and she wondered if it had anything to do with the stress of worrying over what Harry and Ginny were currently thinking.
When she blinked her eyes open she turned her head to see a robe folded neatly beside her. Luna grabbed it and sat up, covering her body as she looked over to where Bill was helping Remus up.
When Bill saw Luna was up he rushed to speak, "Don't worry, they don't know about your being together. Obviously I couldn't deny that you're a werewolf now Luna."
"Do they suspect," Remus asked at the same time that Luna asked, "Are they angry?"
Bill shook his head as he hand Remus a pair of sweats, "They were angry at first, Harry mostly, that you hadn't told anyone about having become a werewolf. I managed to calm them down and I explained everything about Greyback. They were a little upset but they calmed down after that. They're still here, they're wanting to apologize and see how you are. Fleur is with them.
As for whether or not they suspect, at first I think they did. Quite frankly, Harry was shocked to see you on the beach, he said you two were hugging. He said that when he saw Luna not able to go past the wards we set up his first instinct was to help her. Seeing you two turn quickly made him forget whatever suspicions he might have had I think. I explained to them that you've been teaching her about the ways of being a werewolf, Remus. I told them what a great help and comfort you've been to her. I think that might have explained a lot to them."
Luna felt some relief at the knowledge that her friends were not upset. She would not have wanted them to have found out about her relationship with Remus in this way, it was bad enough that they'd had to find out about her lycanthropy like this. Luna looked over to Remus and frowned slightly as she noted how his first question had been whether Harry and Ginny knew about them.
Luna knew that this was a logical question to ask and it was a concern she had as well. Still, she couldn't help the slight hurt she felt at how that was the first thing Remus had asked.
The three made their way up to Shell Cottage where they found Fleur serving tea to Harry and Ginny where they sat at the kitchen table.
As soon as they saw Remus and Luna enter they leaped to their feet and Ginny was lunging at Luna to embrace her in a hug, bursting into tears.
"Oh Luna, I'm so sorry," Ginny hiccupped. "I'm so sorry this has happened to you."
Luna did not hesitate to return Ginny's hug, "There's no need to be sorry Ginny."
"Are you alright," Ginny asked, pulling away to clutch Luna's shoulders as if to inspect her.
Luna's heart melted at the clear concern on Ginny's face, as if Luna had only just been bitten. "I'm fine, honestly. I've been fine, with Remus' help."
"Oh Remus, you wonderful man," Ginny cried then, remembering Remus and clutching him in a hug as well.
Luna tried not to laugh at how uncomfortable Remus looked, patting Ginny's shaking shoulders.
"Why wouldn't you tell us," Harry asked, a little hurt.
Luna's smiled sympathetically at the Boy Who Lived, already imagining how Harry must have been beating himself up over the knowledge that yet another person had been hurt during the final battle for him.
"I just wanted no one to worry," Luna said honestly. "At The Burrow, everyone was already dealing with so much loss and pain. I didn't want to add my own problems on top of them."
"Luna, we never wanted to make you feel like that," Ginny said, pulling away from Remus then to wipe at her eyes.
"I know," Luna nodded in understanding. "But you all needed time to heal, and I needed to take care of myself. That's part of the reason I agreed to move in with Bill and Fleur."
Ginny looked over at her eldest brother with adoring little-sister eyes. Bill smiled and placed his arm around Ginny's shoulder.
Luna saw how Harry caught the gesture and then looked at Remus, no doubt recalling the scene he had stumbled upon last night. "I'm sorry I shouted at you," Harry said guiltily to Remus. "I thought…I don't know what I thought."
Remus blushed a little, knowing what it was Harry had probably thought though he did not say it. "It's alright," Remus said clearing his throat. "You were worried about Luna."
Harry nodded, as if convincing himself that was what he had been thinking the whole time.
"So you're alright now," Ginny asked Luna, wanting to be sure.
Luna nodded, "I swear, I'm completely fine. Remus has been a good teacher, helping me learn everything I needed to know. Honestly, I'm not even sure why I've continued to keep this a secret for so long."
Fleur seemed to think this a good time to offer breakfast. They all sat and enjoyed a hearty meal of potatoes, eggs, and ham.
Luna did her best not to glance too much at Remus, worried about what was going through Remus' mind. She could only imagine how shaken he must be by having been so close to being found out by yet another one of their friends.
When Remus excused himself to go home Luna was quick to be the first to walk him out. Once they were out of the kitchen and by the front door Luna cupped Remus' face and whispered for him to wait for her.
Luna went back to the kitchen and excused herself to go up and sleep before returning to Remus and taking his hand to lead him out and apparate to his flat.
Once there Remus sighed heavily, exhausted, falling onto his bed and rubbing his face, his knees propped on his knees as he groaned, "That was so close."
Luna felt her heart beat nervously and quickly went to kneel before Remus, taking his hands away from his face so that she could look at him.
"It's fine Remus. They don't know," Luna assured him, though it pained her that she had to reassure him like this.
"I know, I just…did you see the way Harry looked at me before he saw us transform? I'm not sure he wouldn't have drawn his wand on me," Remus said quietly, and Luna could see the pain in his eyes.
"Harry would never do that. He was just in shock," Luna tried to convince him.
"Is it going to be like this every time if we tell people about us," Remus asked.
Luna did her best to contain herself at Remus saying 'if' instead of 'when.'
"If they continue to find out by walking in on us like that, then yes. They wouldn't react nearly that terribly if we sat down and told them," Luna tried weakly.
Remus shook his head slowly, "I suppose we'll just have to be more careful then. We can't afford any other close calls like that again."
Luna wondered if Remus knew how he was breaking her heart right now. Clearly Remus was now wanting them to remain a secret for longer after this scare. She had hoped that with Bill and Fleur knowing about them now that soon they would tell others, but after what had just happened she worried he would never want to.
But it was late, they hadn't slept all night, and the exhaustion from the transformation was weighing heavily on them. They needed sleep and this was not a good time to discuss this.
Luna licked her lips and got up.
"Let's sleep now," Luna said, climbing into Remus' bed and lay down on her side, pulling him close to her. Remus wrapped his arms around Luna's waist and pressed his face to her chest sleepily.
"I love you," Remus said sleepily, pressing a kiss to the skin between her breasts where her robe had parted.
Remus' breathing slowed to that of sleep and Luna said nothing as she stroked the hair on his head and closed her eyes, her tears disappearing into Remus' pillows.
oOo
It was a few days later that Luna was sitting on the sea shore by herself, dressed in a warm parka to shield away some of the lingering cold March wind. She hoped April would be warmer.
Luna held her knees closer to her chest as she wondered about what April might bring. Would she and Remus have told others about them, or would they still be where they were now? Luna clutched the stack of post in her hands tighter.
Stuck.
Ever since Ginny and Harry had found out about her being a werewolf, the news had spread and now practically everyone she knew was aware of what she had turned into. She had gotten quite a few letters and visits from a flurry of Weasleys and school mates wanting to know that she was alright and whether or not she needed anything, all of them mentioning what a great man Remus was for being so kind as to help her during this difficult transition.
Every time someone came to talk about her lycanthropy, Luna felt worse and worse. Not because people now knew about it, but because she felt like she was lying more and more to the faces of all their friends, especially Ginny and Harry.
It was one thing to hide their relationship, but to outright redirect Harry who had suspected that there was something more? It felt more and more like betrayal. Luna could only imagine how Harry might feel once he did learn about Remus and Luna and that his suspicions had been right all along.
Remus however had not thought about any of this or was otherwise more content to continue hiding their relationship from their friends.
Luna wasn't sure how to go about convincing him that they should tell other people about them now. He was right, Ginny and Harry had been a very close call, but while for Luna it was a sign to begin telling others before they dug themselves a deeper whole, for Remus it was a sign to become even more secretive.
These were the thoughts weighing heavily on Luna's mind when she caught the scent of two friends drawing near.
Luna turned around, happy to see Ginny and Hermione making their way down from the cottage, a wonderful way to get her mind off of Remus.
Luna did her best to put on the most genuine smile that she could.
"Oh Luna" Hermione said as the two older girls sat on either side of her on the sand.
"How are you doing,"' Ginny asked, her hand reaching for Luna's.
"I'm fine," Luna responded honestly. She held up the stack of post she had in her hands, "Getting a lot of fan mail."
Ginny took a few of the posts from Luna curiously, skimming through them.
"What do they say," Hermione asked.
"I gave Bill and Fleur permission to start spreading the word about me being a werewolf," Luna explained simply.
"This is basically fan mail," Ginny snorted, riffling through the papers and then handing them over to Hermione to see.
"There's some lovely letters in there," Luna pointed out. "From your parents, Ginny. Neville sent some lovely words too, and Professor Flitwick."
"Did Fleur and Bill mean for everyone to find out," Hermione asked, a deep frown set on her face. "There's something here about the Daily Prophet here inquiring whether you'll do an interview with them."
Luna laughed lightly, shaking her head, "Bill and Fleur didn't but I did. It was only a matter of time before the entire wizarding community found out. Honestly, I'm glad it's all out now. I didn't quite like having secrets."
"Wow, I wouldn't have thought there would be so much positivity in these letters," Hermione murmured before she blushed and looked at Luna. "I just mean that, with the prejudice against werewolves and magical creatures."
"Oh no, not anymore Hermione. Haven't you been reading Witch's Weekly?" Ginny asked eagerly.
Hermione scoffed, "You know I hate that rag Ginny."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Well anyway, according to Witch's Weekly there's a lot more interest in magical creatures than there ever has been. Spreads on famous vampires, elves, and werewolves. There was even something in there about Remus, praising him for being a war hero and all that. He's becoming a bit of a teen heartthrob."
Luna's eyes widened at Ginny's information. Granted she wasn't a follower of Witch's Weekly either, but she was still surprised to hear that apparently her boyfriend was being fancied by the young fan base reading the magazine.
Hermione burst out laughing, "I can't believe what's being allowed to be published these days. Looking at werewolves as sexy, forbidden creatures to lust after is only marginally better that ostracizing them."
"You're one to talk!" Ginny laughed, pointing her finger at Hermione. "Who was the one who was lusting after Professor Lupin all third year through fifth?"
Luna's eyes widened even more in amusement as she turned to look at the busy-haired girl who was currently becoming more and more flushed and sputtering nonsensically.
"I-I never saw Professor Lupin as a forbidden creature to lust after," Hermione finally sputtered.
Ginny was beside herself with laughter, "Maybe not as a forbidden creature but you certainly thought him fit and attractive with his books and his height and his intelligence. Oh admit it Hermione! You had a schoolgirl crush on Remus Lupin."
Hermione blushed even harder if possible, her intelligent mind scrambling for a response. Finally, Hermione sniffed primly and turned her nose up and away, "Well, that's all it was anyway, a schoolgirl crush."
Ginny was snorting with laughter at this point, and Luna couldn't help but giggle as well, having been completely unaware that serious and level-headed Hermione had harbored a crush for Remus during her Hogwarts years.
Ginny nudged Luna gently in the ribs, "I bet Hermione would love to be in your place right now, huh Luna. Getting to see shirtless Remus every month."
Luna blushed and was thankful when Hermione admonished outraged, "Ginny! Professor Lupin is helping Luna transition into her lycanthropy. He's not a juicy steak to slobber over."
Nothing got past Ginny however who pointed a thin finger at Luna's cheeks, "Oh, what's this? I think Luna's has something in common with you Hermione."
Hermione's eyes widened as she too noticed the blush Luna was trying to hide, but quickly pulled herself together again, "Oh stop Ginny please. You see, you're just embarrassing Luna."
Ginny laughed and lay back against the sand, "Oh fine, well if you two won't admit it I will. Remus may be shy and gentleman and all that, which is all fine and good, but I can admit he's also a fine-looking man. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him naked every month."
Hermione groaned and covered her blushing face, no doubt ashamed for having such lurid thoughts about a former respected professor.
Luna was still blushing heavily as well but couldn't help but laugh as well and lay back the same as Ginny. Eventually, Hermione got over her sensibilities and lay back as well, the laughing bug catching her as well, and soon all three girls lay on the sand giggling and whispering about other men they thought attractive.
Luna enjoyed her time with her friends, their laughter and gossiping helping to lift her spirits a bit. Still, there still weighed heavy in the back of her mind the matter of Remus and where he stood on the secret that was their relationship.
oOo
Author's Note: Anyone got any good recommendations for Remus/Luna fics? I know they're far and few in between. I'll even take adequate recommendations at this point!