It's early in the morning when Hermione sneaks out of the room. She still feels a little drunk, and yet she feels the creeping fingers of her hangover beginning at the same time.
She's still riding the high of sneaking off to have sex with Remus, but there's also a sense of shame – maybe getting laid in the house of her ex-fiancé wasn't exactly the classiest move. But then again, Hermione reasons, neither is cheating on your fiancé in the first place. So maybe her and Ron were somewhat equal.
In the eerie stillness of the AM, Hermione makes her way into Ginny's room and eases herself into the bed on the floor as quietly as she can.
'Dirty stop out,' Ginny mumbles.
Hermione looks up to see her smiling sleepily in the half light. 'Sorry,' she says quietly.
'Don't be daft,' Ginny sighs and her eyelids flutter shut again. 'If anyone deserves some fun this Christmas, it's you.'
'Love you,' Hermione whispers as she settles down under the covers.
'Love you more,' Ginny replies and almost immediately, Hermione can tell by her breathing that Ginny is already back fast asleep again.
She turns over feeling satisfied, exhausted, and with her heart full. She closes her eyes and thinks of Remus's body pressed up against her and her stomach flips pleasantly.
Hermione falls asleep wishing he was beside her.
…
'Girls!'
The banging on the door jerks both Hermione and Ginny awake and they sit bolt upright in their beds.
'The fuck,' Ginny croaks.
Molly's head appears looking red and somewhat irritated. 'Girls, I need you up — Percy just sent an owl and he and Penny are coming earlier than expected.'
'What time is it?' Ginny rubs her eyes.
'Seven o'clock,' Molly says tersely. 'I want you both downstairs in half an hour,' she then looks down at Hermione and manages a somewhat tight smile. 'Sorry about this, dear.'
'No worries,' Hermione says and forces a smile back.
Molly leaves and they hear her banging on Ron and Harry's door with the same level of completely unnecessary urgency.
'She's losing the plot, that woman,' Ginny says darkly. 'Some people go home for Christmas for rest and relaxation. I come away feeling more exhausted than when I arrived.'
Hermione giggles. 'Come on,' she says. 'Let's not give her another reason to be stressed.'
They force themselves out of their warm beds and traipse downstairs to where Harry and Ron are both sat at the table looking shell shocked with exhaustion and definite hangovers, hands gripping mugs of coffee.
'Yes,' Ginny yawns, pointing to the large pot in the middle of the table.
Harry nods and silently pours them both a mug of their own.
'Bloody ridiculous,' George comes down the stairs with his red hair sticking up and looking murderous, Angelina behind him. 'Anyone would think that we're preparing to welcome royalty into the house.'
'Morning,' Ron manages.
'And where the hell is Remus?' George demands.
'In bed,' Molly says absently as she chops mushrooms and tomatoes. 'I thought he needed more sleep.'
'Woman, look at us,' George says crossly, gesturing to the table. 'Harry looks like someone's hit him over the head with a frying pan.'
'Molly Weasley,' Arthur enters the kitchen suddenly. 'Put these children to bed again right now.'
'But Arthur,' she says. 'Percy and Penny —'
'Are coming one hour earlier,' he says gently. 'There is nothing that needs doing and it is Christmas Eve.'
Molly dithers, looking from her husband to the group of six twenty-somethings chugging coffee like their life depends on it.
'Oh but —' she begins and then sighs. 'You're right. Go back to bed.'
'Is this a trick?' Ginny asks.
'No,' Arthur says. 'All of you – go back to sleep.'
'Thank f—' George begins.
'Language,' Molly hisses.
They jump up from the table before she changes her mind and almost race back to their respective bedrooms.
'You're all up early,' Remus is stood in the bathroom doorway, hair slightly wet, looking bright and alert as they file past him.
'Don't talk to us, Remus,' George mutters.
Hermione and Remus catch each other's eye and look away immediately trying to hide smiles. She lingers in the hallway until everyone else has disappeared. Ginny gives her a sly dig in the ribs as she passes.
'Morning,' she says.
'Hello you,' he smiles. 'Everything okay with you lot? George looked mutinous.'
'Molly got us all awake before we needed to. I think it's fair to say that no one was exactly thrilled. Why are you up?'
'Oh I managed to sleep pretty well,' he grins at her.
'Yeah,' she says. 'Me too.'
There's a slight silence and they look around them.
Hermione suddenly steps forward and pulls him down to kiss him before pulling away almost immediately.
'Come back to my room?' He asks. 'Everyone seems pretty set on sleeping.'
Hermione hesitates. They had gotten away with last night and no one seemed to notice when they were all drunk, but this is broad daylight. On the other hand, Remus was right – everyone had gone straight back to bed. 'Okay,' she says finally, biting her lip. 'But not for long.'
Remus gives her a conspiratorial smile. 'Excellent.'
They make their way up to his room, Hermione with her heart beating in her mouth all the way until the door is shut and she releases a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding.
'This is so new to me!' She whispers. 'I never sneak around!'
Remus laughs quietly. 'Come here,' he says.
He leads her over to the bed and they lie down beneath the covers.
'I missed this,' she says as they wind their limbs around each other and rest their foreheads against each other.
'Me too,' he says. 'Hey – what did Ron want with you last night? I felt so bad for leaving – I tried to stay.'
'I know,' she sighs. 'It was the usual speech – he wanted to get back together. I said no. It's … so exhausting — having to have the same conversation with him. I just … don't want to do it anymore.'
'I'm sorry, darling,' he says. 'Are you okay?'
'Yeah,' she says. 'I am now.'
They kiss. It's gentle – soft and experimental. Remus passes his hand over her face and holds her tightly. They stop, pulling away only millimetres. 'You are …' he sighs and shakes his head. 'There aren't enough words to describe you.'
'You've read enough books,' she teases. 'Try.'
He hums in thought. 'Can't I just show you how I feel?'
'Professor Lupin!' She gasps quietly. 'So salacious.'
He kisses her again and Hermione pushes herself up against him and runs her hand over his chest.
'I should go soon,' she says reluctantly. 'I don't want to push our luck.'
'I can't wait until we're back,' he says, kissing her forehead. 'I really appreciate everything Molly's done for us. But being back in the castle and being able to spend nights with you again … that can't come soon enough.'
'I know,' Hermione sighs, gently brushing hair out of his face. 'Soon though. Let's enjoy the last few days. Christmas Eve is always my favourite day.'
'Oh really?' Remus gives her a curious smile. 'Tell me more.'
'I like the build up and the atmosphere. It's the closest we get to Christmas Day before all the excitement is suddenly over and we're on the other side of it. Christmas Eve is all about snowy walks and warm fires and being a little too drunk a little too early in the evening. The smell of tinsel and pine trees,' she shrugs and blushes, suddenly aware she's been speaking for what feels like forever as Remus watches her intently. 'Sorry,' she says suddenly. 'I'm probably still drunk.'
'Don't,' he says. 'Ever apologise for speaking. I love listening to things you love.'
She looks down to conceal the smiles creeping over her lips. Her heart feels like it could burst.
'Remus,' she says suddenly looking up at him.
'Yes?'
'I —' she stops suddenly and sits bolt up right, turning to stare at the door. 'Did you hear that?' She breathes in panic.
'Hear what?' Remus sits up now, frowning. 'What did you hear?'
'Sh —' she holds up her hand and they both freeze, barely even breathing. 'I think I'm going to vomit.'
'It's okay,' Remus says gently. 'Here, let me go and have a look.'
She nods.
He moves around her in the bed and stands up, heading over to the door quietly and opening it slowly, looking around the landing before closing it again. He looks back at her and shakes his head.
'I swear,' she says so quietly she's almost mouthing the words silently. 'I heard someone at the door.'
'It could have been anything,' he assures her, coming over to the bed and sitting beside her. 'It's an old house.'
Hermione shakes her head. 'Someone was listening,' she says. 'I need to go.'
'Hey,' he catches her hands. 'Look at me.'
She lifts her anxious eyes up to his steady gaze. 'Nothing bad is going to happen. I will not let anything bad happen to you today. No one is ruining your Christmas Eve whilst I'm around.'
Despite her anxiety, she gives a slight laugh. 'Thanks,' she takes a deep breath. 'Okay – really should leave.'
'Okay.'
She gets out of the bed and drops her head to kiss Remus on the mouth. 'See you later,' she says.
'Bye, darling,' he smiles. 'And don't worry, please.'
She gives him a smile before slipping out of the room and making her way as silently as possible back to Ginny's room.
'Oh hello you,' Ginny smirks as she enters.
'Don't even start,' Hermione says. 'Why are you still awake?'
She shrugs. 'I slept for a little but Mum really ruined that great sleep I was having and it was hard to recapture the magic. How was your morning?' Ginny pats the bed. 'Hop in and tell me all.'
Hermione slips into the bed next to her. 'It was … really nice,' she admits.
'Oh don't be coy with me,' Ginny digs her in the ribs lightly. 'You snuck in at goodness only knows what time this morning and you snuck off again later! Who even are you anymore?! I'm totally fucking with you — I love it — tell me about the sex.'
'It was so hot,' Hermione says practically melting at the memory. 'It was … intense. And we had to be quiet. And … fuck. Yeah.'
Ginny gives a little squeal of joy. 'Amazing,' she says. 'And what did you do this morning?'
'We just cuddled,' she says. 'It was nice. Until …'
'Until what?'
Hermione gives a sigh and looks towards the door, suddenly paranoid at being overheard again – and wondering if she's been overheard at all whilst she's been here. 'Look, this is going to sound really weird,' she says quietly.
Ginny leans in. 'Go on,' she says.
'Okay — it was really nice this morning and everything, but then I swear I heard something outside our door — like, someone standing there and listening in?' Hermione shudders. 'I'm probably being ridiculous but …' she looks to Ginny expecting her to immediately dispel her worries, but instead, Ginny looks concerned.
'Do you think someone saw you going into the room with him?' She asks.
'I have no idea,' Hermione replies. 'I thought we were so careful — we waited until everyone else was gone and —' she stops, unable to think of anything else to say.
'I mean,' Ginny starts slowly. 'The house is old as fuck.'
'Am I being insane though?'
Ginny doesn't reply for a second. 'Your concerns are valid and there could be a lot of reasons why you heard something,' she says slowly and diplomatically. 'But as your best friend, I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't noticed Ron watching you all the time and trying to be near you.'
'Oh my fucking Godric,' Hermione says suddenly. 'I didn't even tell you about last night!'
'What?'
'Ron cornered me last night and gave me yet another speech about getting back together,' she says.
'No!'
'Yes!'
'Why? What did he say? What did you say?!'
Enjoying the enthusiasm of Ginny's responses, Hermione turns to her more and settles into her rant in a way that she can't do with anyone else. 'Well – he said all this stuff about being unable to lie in his bed here knowing I'm so close but not with him, that he's a mess without me, that he wants to work through everything, ad infinitum — so I said he could have worked things out with me at any point and I'd have been there —'
'Right!' Ginny says, nodding along with a righteous and proud look on her face.
'— and I reminded him that he was sleeping with someone else and he could have just chosen not to and —'
'Hang on,' Ginny shakes her head. 'Ron was … sleeping with someone else? Whilst you were engaged?'
Hermione gapes at her and grimaces. 'Yes … he was.'
'Why didn't you tell me?' Ginny looks murderous.
'Are you mad at me?'
'No! You idiot! I can't believe him!' She gapes. 'I truly … do not know what to say. Fuck. But why didn't you tell me?'
Hermione struggles for something to say. 'Because …' she sighs. 'I didn't want any of you to know. He's your family. I didn't want to tell you something like that and … I don't know. I had a good reason at the time.'
Ginny hugs her. Suddenly and hard. 'You are such a good person,' she says fiercely. 'You deserve better than that.'
Hermione holds her. 'I'm sorry there's so much I didn't tell you. I love you. So much.'
'Don't apologise,' Ginny pulls back and looks at her. 'You don't owe me anything. I love you.'
'You ready to head back downstairs?' Hermione asks.
Ginny snorts. 'Absolutely not,' she says. 'I'm going back to sleep.'
They curl up in the small single bed and fall asleep together.
…
They wake up hours later feeling more alert and in a better mood than their previously very aggressive awakening.
'Morning babe,' Ginny says. 'You're such a pretty sleeper.'
Hermione snorts with laughter and hits her in the arm. 'Shut up,' she says.
'Ready to get up and face the world?'
'Ready as I'll ever be.'
They get up and pull on warmer clothing before traipsing downstairs. It's 11am and the house is filled with cold, bright, winter sunshine which streams through the windows in the kitchen and lights up the room.
'Morning all,' Molly says sheepishly, clearly having the time to reflect on her previously rude awakening.
'Mother,' Ginny greets stiffly, clearly not quite ready to forgive her yet.
Arthur and Remus are already sat at the table sipping coffee. Arthur is turning through the Daily Prophet whilst Remus reads a book which he's levitated to hover in the air in front of his eyes.
'Morning all,' he says brightly. 'Feeling better?'
'Yes thanks,' Ginny drops onto a chair and Hermione slides in beside her.
Molly fills their plates with eggs, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms, and even drops an extra bacon rasher onto Ginny's plate by way of a peace offering.
'Morning,' Ron and Harry enter the room now, looking only marginally better than they had done hours earlier.
Hermione looks to Ron to search for any suggestion that he might have been the one listening at the door, but he doesn't look at her or Remus, and instead pours them all a glass of orange juice. Hermione is only slightly soothed by the mild normality.
'So Percy and Penny are coming at midday?' Arthur asks, shaking back his watch.
'Yes,' Molly says. 'So if you could all be showered, that would be ideal. But it is …' here she looks to Arthur for her prompt of what they've clearly been rehearsing. He mouthes it along with her as she speaks: 'it is also your holiday too, and I want you all to relax.'
Ginny coughs into her glass of juice and Ron chokes on a tomato.
'Thanks,' Hermione comes to the rescue as Harry hits Ron on the back. 'We appreciate it.'
'Let us know if there's anything we can do, Molly,' Harry smiles at her.
She gives him a grateful smile and he is also treated to an extra rasher of bacon.
They eat breakfast in companionable silence before traipsing upstairs to get showered and dressed. After an hour, there's noise at the door and Percy and Penny have arrived.
Percy, stoic as always in a sharp suit and horn-rimmed glasses with his thinning red hair pushed back, and Penny looking radiant with bright blue eyes and long blonde hair which fall in curls down her back.
It's another reunion with a lot of hugging and laughter. Penny, Angelina, Hermione and Ginny separate to one side of the room whilst the men go to the other.
'Gosh it's good to have you back, Pen,' Angelina says. 'Always nice to have another woman to fill the ranks.'
Ginny nods. 'How do you think I feel? I'm just grateful that my brothers managed to pick such delightful women to give me some company.'
Hermione swallows hard.
'Who wants a drink?' Angelina says. 'Ladies, I brought vodka.'
'Yes please,' Penny says. 'It's been a nightmare of a morning.' She rolls her eyes and lowers her voice so they all have to lean in closer to hear her. 'Percy is always so sensitive when we're coming here. I've had enough babysitting.'
'Noted,' Angelina laughs. 'Give me a hand, Gin?'
They head off together leaving Penny and Hermione alone. Hermione has always liked her – at Hogwarts, Penelope Clearwater was somewhat of a role model for her.
'How's it going?' She asks. 'I know you're probably sick of people asking, so I won't, but I hope you're okay.'
'Thanks,' Hermione smiles weakly. 'I appreciate it.'
Angelina and Ginny return with drinks and they all clink their glasses together.
'Here's to dealing with Weasley boys – in all capacities,' Angelina says. They laugh and drink. Hermione drinking deeper than the rest of them.
'Hermione,' Percy has come over to greet them. 'Great to see you.'
'You too, Percy,' she smiles and gives him a hug. 'How are you doing?'
'Well, thanks,' he says and clears his throat. 'And … how are … you? I know about —'
'Wrap it up, Perce, everyone knows,' Ginny says, snapping her fingers.
Percy goes crimson. 'Yes, well,' he stammers. 'I'm sorry. And I'm glad you're here.'
'Thanks,' Hermione gives him a kind smile. 'It really is great to see you.'
He gives her a smile and moves over to where Molly is chopping veg.
'Sorry about him,' Penny shakes her head. 'He means well. He was really upset when he heard.'
'Yeah no kidding,' Ginny mutters. 'He was probably looking forward to having someone else in the family who is as passionate about boring law-making as he is.'
The girls snigger and Hermione rolls her eyes with a smile. 'Very droll,' she says.
'Just kidding, babe,' Ginny slings an arm round her shoulders. 'You know I love how nerdy you are.'
'Also congratulations on the Transfiguration position!' Penny says. 'Gosh – I could not have thought of a better replacement.'
'You're not the first to say that,' Hermione says. 'And thank you.'
'And working with Remus!' Penny says. 'He was a great teacher,' she sighs. 'Shame we didn't get him for longer, but I'm so glad he's got his position back.'
Hermione takes another deep drink and looks over to where Remus is chatting with Percy. He turns and catches her eye and winks at her before turning back to his conversation.
How she wishes she could be by his side.
