Severus had walked her to the door of Remus's home before stopping her. Hermione gazed up at him, and he tucked a curl behind her ear. Their morning was quite enlightening with the slow hum of the day. He instructed her on a "proper" English breakfast. Yes, he was potent about the lesson, but Hermione enjoyed it immensely, and he was quite pleased she wanted to learn.
Their conversations stayed light and mostly about life before Hogwarts. He had mentioned Lily several times, and it was clear she was vital to his childhood. Hermione spoke about the memories she had uncovered about her average childhood and when she was given her Hogwarts letter.
It was a warm morning that led into the afternoon.
"I promise I'll see you tonight," Severus nodded.
"I know you have duties, Sev," Hermione agreed.
He bent to her and touched her lips with a gentle caress. It was the type of kisses that sapped her breath. It clearly commanded her not to forget him.
He pulled a fraction from her lips. "Try to have a good day," he whispered.
"I will," she smiled.
He smirked and kissed her forehead before pulling away. Hermione watched him wander back up the path and glance back before disappearing from sight. She breathed and shook her head as she blushed and grounded herself.
The tapping at the window caused Hermione to pivot to see Sirius waving. Hermione beamed and walked into the cottage before he tugged her toward the kitchen in a swift motion. Sirius was shirtless and propped her onto the counter.
"Okay, I think this could work," Sirius said as if they were continuing a conversation.
"What?" Hermione questioned as she swung her feet.
Sirius went to the ice bin and pulled out some chocolate ice cream. "Well, obviously Snivellus isn't going to stop doing… that," he gestured toward the front door with a waving hand and grimace.
"Not likely," Hermione snorted.
"Okay, see, then I think we can make this work," Sirius voiced while grabbing the ice cream scoop and bowl on the counter.
"Make what work, precisely?" Hermione questioned.
Sirius groaned as he scooped out the ice cream and slid it into the bowl. "You and Moony. Half the week with each."
Hermione rubbed her face and exhaled. "Sirius, please don't make this harder on me than needed. I'm confused as it is about my feelings."
Sirius filled the bowl and waved the scoop at her. "Listen, I still think it's plausible that you are desperately in love with my best mate. I would love to hear more stories like him making a meal out of you in the meadow," he finished with a smile.
Hermione couldn't get any darker with a blush that stretched immediately from her cheeks to her neck. "He told you about that?"
"Of course he did," Sirius chuckled while shaking his head. "He was wiping his face when walking into the sitting room. Besides, I know that's his preference for gratification around the full moon."
The witch moaned and shook her head as she jumped off the counter. "Sirius, it really doesn't help that you're sitting in the bleachers cheering for him."
"It does," Sirius nodded and licked the scoop. "Because without me, he'd be running from you, Addie. Moony is many things, but self-induced torture is his favorite kind."
Hermione walked over and swiped up the bowl, digging for a spoon in the drawer. "Sirius, I'm beyond confused at my own feelings. I can't handle two very potent wizards arguing over me either. I have tons on my plate, including a new identity."
Sirius rolled his eyes while putting away the ice cream. "Don't worry about everything else right now. Just go wake up the werewolf from his nap and give him the ice cream, alright?"
The witch sighed and marched out of the kitchen and into the sitting room. That pushy animagus and his ideas. Actually, it was sweet in a weird way. As selfish as she knew Sirius Black could be, he was adamant about his friend's happiness.
Hermione approached Remus's bedroom door and licked her lips before walking inside. He was stretched out over the blankets and cuddling against his pillow. The light grey shirt and sweats looked beyond comfortable. The thrumming confusion melted, and her lips tugged into a curl while approaching him.
"Remus," Hermione whispered and stroked his hair.
He grunted, and his brows tightened.
Hermione set down the bowl on the night table. "Don't be a grumpy werewolf," she murmured.
Remus growled and buried his face further.
The witch rolled her eyes and climbed on the bed, crawling over him. "Remus, wake up."
He sighed and relaxed under her as his nose worked through sleep. Hermione slid her arm in the opening of his elbow and rested against his cheek. Remus's lips twitched, and she nosed his flesh.
"Moony, wake up," she breathed near his ear.
"No," Remus grumbled.
She lifted her face and beamed. "I brought some ice cream," Hermione voiced as she stroked his arm.
"Ice cream?" he whispered with the flicker of his eyebrow.
"Chocolate ice cream," she smiled.
Remus groaned, and his hand found hers. "I like waking up to you," he mumbled.
"I'll keep that in mind." Hermione slid over his back and grabbed the bowl. "Well, this ice cream is going to melt if you ignore it."
He chuckled and maneuvered with a growling stretch. Remus managed to twist under her body and prop up on the pillows, leaving her to lean into his side. Hermione was smiling as she scooped up some of the ice cream and offered it to him.
Remus took the spoon in his mouth and sighed. Hermione giggled and took some for herself as she moved closer. The werewolf wrapped his arm around her while repositioning her legs over his own.
"This is great," Hermione sighed and offered him another spoonful.
The werewolf hummed and rocked his head. "Yes," he said after swallowing.
"How did you sleep last night?" she asked before taking a spoon for herself.
He snorted and stole the spoon from her. "I didn't."
She twisted and frowned at him. "Why not?"
Remus held the spoon to her lips, and she took it. Before she could press further, the werewolf ducked closer and kissed her mouth. Hermione sighed and wrapped her free arm around his neck. The bowl was removed, and Remus pulled her onto his lap. Not only did it give Hermione better leverage, but it gave her control.
"Is this alright?" He asked as she pulled from his mouth.
Hermione's cheeks were practically glowing. "Yes, I'm fine."
"I'm sorry, it's getting closer to the full moon," He puffed and looked away from her.
Hermione touched his face and directed his vision back at her. "I'm not uncomfortable, Remus. I promise I will tell you."
"You're absolutely perfect," Remus whispered as his cheeks bloomed with color.
Hermione reached over for the bowl and scooped some for him. "I'm nowhere near perfect, and I most certainly border on insanity," she smiled.
Remus swallowed the ice cream and hummed. "Insane for being on a werewolf's lap."
"No," Hermione laughed. "I just feel as if I don't give either of you justice."
"Oh, this is about Severus," Remus said.
"How do you feel about this, Remus? This entire situation," Hermione shook his head.
Remus took the spoon from her and gave her another scoop of ice cream. "Well, I'm not a jealous prat by nature, Hermione. I never planned on you even considering me as a permanent fixture in your life."
"That didn't answer my question," Hermione sighed.
"Yes, well, I support you in your journey, Hermione. That's what this is about. Since you've been here, you've given me more than you even know. How could I not just be satisfied to be in your company whether you spend your time with someone else or not?"
She pulled closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder. "Remus, you are what I need in my life."
He chuckled and nosed her hair. "You have been what I've been missing in mine."
"Shall we get you in a bath, and I'll start dinner? Merlin knows Sirius can't make more than steak and potatoes," Hermione teased.
"Yes, a bath," Remus grunted.
Hermione kissed his chin before handing him the bowl. "I'll start the water for you."
"Wait," Remus breathed as she pulled away.
She glanced back at him, and he licked his lips. Hermione tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
He caressed her cheek and coaxed her to his mouth. The slow and tender kiss was toe-curling as he slid his fingers against the side of her neck. Hermione whimpered and shifted her thighs closer together. Remus moaned and nipped her lower lip before pulling away.
Hermione huffed and shivered as she slipped off his lap. "I'm going, well, to make dinner, yeah," she stammered and marched to the door.
Hermione was in her bedroom and towel drying her hair while her body was still covered with her larger purple one. She was reading through her syllabus as she sat on her bed. It was some downtime before Severus arrived.
Her bedroom door slammed open as Sirius stomped into her room in nothing but plaid pajama pants. "I have to talk to you, Addie."
Hermione pulled her towel closer and scowled. "There is a mannerism invented centuries ago called knocking, Sirius."
Sirius snorted and moved her books from her bed and sat down. "So, I have to ask you something. Would you take me somewhere tomorrow?"
She arched an eyebrow. "Why me?"
"Because you're a Black. It would look quite appropriate for you to head there," Sirius declared.
Hermione tilted her head. "You want to go to your childhood home."
Sirius nodded and gestured to her. "I want to get something important, and I know that Aurors are watching it. So, I could go as your scruffy dog."
She shifted and bobbed her head. "Okay, I'll take you."
Sirius leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, love. You're a lifesaver. I have something that's going to help Moony for the moon."
Remus poked his head into the room and scowled. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, Sirius just was asking me to take him to Grimmauld tomorrow," Hermione said as she shifted.
The werewolf lingered at the door and glanced between them. "Alright, as long as Sirius isn't overstepping."
"Oh, he did, but I'm quite used to it," Hermione laughed.
Remus stepped into her room, and Sirius winced. "Now, Moony…"
The werewolf growled and tugged Sirius off her bed. "Get out. She's a lady."
"Alright, okay, I'm going!" Sirius puffed and skipped from the room.
Remus scrubbed his face and paced to the door. "I'm so sorry about him."
"It's fine, Remus," Hermione declared as she bunched her towel closer to her chest.
He glanced back when he reached the door and rolled his eyes with the hint of a smile. "He truly doesn't have any etiquette."
"I know, and I do love him regardless," Hermione laughed.
"I'll leave you to relax. Severus will be here soon," Remus declared and shut the door.
Hermione tilted her head and thought. There were different layers of things she really loved about this timeline. Things that she knew she couldn't live without. Sirius added to that, and even when he was doing things that made her uncomfortable, it still felt like a breath of normal in an odd way.
There was a clatter, and Hermione rushed to her door. She snatched up her wand and yanked open the barrier. There was scuffling, and Hermione raced toward the sitting room to see Severus holding Sirius Black up by his neck against the wall.
"How dare you," Severus snarled.
"Severus Snape!" Hermione snapped.
He glanced at her and dropped Sirius to his feet. "Hermione."
"What is the meaning of this?" She questioned with a sharp glare.
He looked chagrined, and Sirius crawled around him to bounce on his feet. "Just a misunderstanding, love."
"Sirius, you will stop jabbing at him for whatever item of taunting you're using today. I will hang you by your toes on the pine tree outside if you keep this up. Do you understand me?" Hermione growled as she stomped up to him and waved her wand under his nose.
"Yes, of course, Addie," Sirius pouted.
Hermione rolled her eyes and dropped her wand to her side. "Honestly, I was just thinking how much I was enjoying today when you had to pull this immature behavior. Sirius, you have to learn to accept him. He's not going anywhere. None of you are."
Sirius ran a hand through his hair and puffed. "Okay, Adhara."
Severus hummed and straightened his robes. "Understood, Hermione."
She exhaled and pivoted on her bare toes. "I'm getting dressed."
The witch marched into the bedroom and slammed the door. She slumped against the wood and closed her eyes. This whole business of fixing and mending while trying to find her own way through this time was exhausting.
"I'll have tea ready for you," Remus whispered through the door.
Hermione smiled and breathed. "Thank you, Remus," she breathed.
"Anything for you, Hermione," he voiced, and she heard his faint footsteps down the hallway.
Well, it had its moments… She pulled from the door and dressed for the evening. Hogwarts wasn't that far away, and hopefully, life would smooth out the ruffles when everyone was occupied, and Sirius had his freedom. Just ticking boxes off the list. The next was the full moon.