AN: CHAPTER 20! WOW! Tbh didn't think I'd make it here this quickly. So happy with the response I've gotten to this story. It started as a self-indulgent, hey might as well publish it, and now here we are.
There's some lovely Remione moments in this chapter. The moments you've all been waiting for!
Thank you for the support. Hope you're enjoying the story!
DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything!
Chapter Twenty: Frustrated
Hermione knocked on the door to the Evan's home with Sirius and James standing behind her having some kind of conversation.
The door swung open and Lily threw her arms around Hermione immediately. She pulled away and frowned at the boys behind her before moving on to completely ignore them.
"Hermione! Thank you so much for doing this. Did you see the Prophet this morning?" Lily leaned forward and whispered the last part like some kind of secret. She had a grim look on her face.
When Hermione shook her head Lily pulled them all inside and towards the kitchen.
"Tea?" After they all confirmed yes and took a seat Lily went and began rummaging through her cupboards.
"Where's your family, Lily?"
She scowled as she put a kettle on and stared down at the stove top.
"My sister had some kind of showcase event at her school. Didn't want me to go." She smiled up at them then, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's why I suggested today for this! It's perfect. You really don't want to meet my sister anyway."
"Why didn't your sister want you to come?" James asked dumbly and Lily just sighed.
The kettle started whistling, and she began making their tea.
"Hermione, I was actually wondering how you were planning on putting up the wards?"
Hermione accepted the cup of tea and tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"The trace?"
Hermione nodded in understanding. "Right, not a problem. You were talking about the Prophet?"
James and Sirius both raised their eyebrows at her dismissal. That's when Hermione saw the paper sitting in the middle of the table. She snatched it and quickly scanned the first page.
Dark Mark Appearance Over Muggle Town
Last night what seems to be a Death Eater raid occured in Painswick. Many Muggle families were found dead of various causes. Most commonly seen was evidence of the Killing Curse and Torture Curse. No Muggle was spared on this tragic night. The Aurors are on the case to trace the crimes to the one's responsible.
Hermione's eyes watered and she silently handed the paper over to James before standing.
"I'm going to start on those wards."
She finished off her tea and quickly made her way to the backyard.
Lily wiped at her eyes, and they tried to hide their surprise when she actually sat down with them.
James pulled a handkerchief out and handed it to her.
Her eyes widened and she carefully took it. James face broke into a face splitting grin until Sirius whacked him on the back of his head.
"Get it together, Jamie." He hissed out the side of his mouth.
She dabbed at her eyes and gave both the boys an imploring look. "How is Hermione? She seems better." She got a sad look in her eyes when she said, "She was scaring me before we left."
"My mum is taking care of her. She seems to be better. Still has those nightmares though."
Lily gave them a confused look. "Is she staying with you guys?"
"Yeah my Mum and Dad just kind of brought her home one day."
Sirius stood and gave James a pointed look, "I'm going to go make sure she's doing okay."
Sirius heard a smack as soon as he left the room, and just assumed that somehow James had messed up already. Sirius took a deep breath as soon as he was outside, and then he paused right outside the door.
Hermione's hands were both up, and she was whispering under her breath. Every word out of her mouth could be seen in the cold air. The snow crunched under Sirius's boots, and he watched as slow ripples of magic emanated from her wand.
Once he was right next to her he waited as she finished the warding magic with her eyes squeezed shut. She stopped and he followed the track of a single tear down her ruddy cheek.
He reached out and caught it with his thumb.
"What happened to your parents, kitten?"
She let out a puff of air and slowly opened her eyes.
"They're gone."
His lips thinned. She turned towards Sirius and smiled up at him.
"I'm okay. I still have family. You and the Potter's."
She reached up and brushed her thumb across his stubble and he stopped breathing. He was trapped again, and he couldn't help thinking that meeting Hermione would somehow be the end of him.
He caught her hand and pressed a chaste kiss to her wrist.
"Come on, kitten. It's cold, and James is ruining all his chances with Lily."
She let out a laugh and wrapped her hand around his elbow as they began to walk inside.
"Oh dear. We're going to have to help him with that. Give him some tips."
Sirius guffawed and put his hand over hers.
"You don't think it's hopeless?"
Hermione gave him her mischievous smile and grabbed onto her pendant. "Something makes me think he still has a chance."
When they walked inside it was to James down on one knee, and Lily literally holding a chair up like she was prepared to hit him over the head with it.
"You sure about that, kitten?"
Hermione was shocked when on the morning of New Year's Eve she woke up to someone gently brushing the curls from her eyes. She opened her eyes and groggily said, "Still sleeping."
She closed them before they flew open again, and she gave a brilliant smile.
"Remus!" She threw her arms around his neck, and he laughed as he fell into the bed next to her. He pressed kisses to both her cheeks and her forehead before he pulled her face away to look at her.
"I didn't realize it was possible to miss someone this much after not even two weeks," he whispered.
She smiled softly at him and kissed him full on the mouth. He reciprocated immediately and before they knew it he was balancing his weight on top of her. Hermione shivered when his hands feathered over her ribs and stopped at the bare skin peaking out between her pajama bottoms and her shirt.
She rolled her body up into his, and he groaned and pulled away from her to rest his forehead against hers.
He peppered light kisses on her face and said so that the words ghosted across her lips, "Not a good idea."
She smiled and rolled her hips again, and he stifled his groan by burying his face in her hair. She smelled like cinnamon and evergreens. She could feel his arousal through his trousers. "You sure, Remus?"
He put gentle pressure on her skin to hold her down, and lifted his face. Despite her teasing words she was blushing and chewing on her bottom lip nervously. He used his thumb to gently pull her bottom lip from her teeth before his fingers grazed over her cheeks. He smiled when she sighed.
"Not a good idea because your very protective brother told me I could wake you up only under the agreement that he'd be back in five minutes to make sure I wasn't doing anything unsavory."
She rolled her eyes and moved her hands from his sides to wrap around his neck. "I think this is the first time James and Sirius have woken up before me."
Remus smiled fondly at her and pulled on one of her curls, "Yes, well, you've slept in quite late today. I've been here for two hours. Got here right at eight. Dorea insisted I let you sleep, but I found I couldn't wait any longer."
Hermione's eyes widened. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd slept that late.
"Plus, your mum would like help preparing for tonight's party."
"What party?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes, and Remus rolled off of her and pulled her with him.
"Did she not tell you about the party? The Potter's have a New Years party every year. Nice dresses, drunk adults, and lots of food."
Hermione groaned and rested her head on his shoulder. "That snake!"
Remus chuckled and pressed a kiss to her hair before pulling her to her feet. He pulled her into a tight hug, and she pressed closer to him when his hand ghosted over her spine.
"Your mum is in her room. Said something about you picking out a dress."
"Are you coming down?" She asked into his chest.
He coughed nervously and pushed her to arms length.
"I've got to take care of something first."
Hermione gave him a confused look before her eyes moved down and widened.
The blush from before crept down her neck and she forced herself to look back at his embarrassed face.
"It's close to the full moon… and…" He trailed off and Hermione actually giggled into her hand. He gave her a withering look and pushed her out the door.
Right before it shut she heard him mumble, "Saucy little witch."
She was still giggling when she made it to Dorea's rooms across the Manor.
"What has my darling daughter so amused?" Dorea took one look at her blushing cheeks and smirked. "Perhaps, it has something to do with the young Mr. Lupin that is taking up residence in our home for the next few days?"
"He's staying for a few days? That's wonderful!"
Dorea laughed at her and pulled her towards her large closet where she had three dresses hanging up, but Hermione only had eyes for one.
"The theme tonight is starlight. I've bought the boys ties that shine, and I must say, they look rather dashing."
"There's a theme?" Hermione said nervously.
Dorea smiled amusedly. "Quite. Now I found I was rather taken with this one."
Dorea pointed towards the one in the middle that Hermione had been staring at, and she gave Hermione a patient smile.
"The people coming tonight are all trustworthy. Members of the Order that you've met, and your dearest friends. I believe it is time you start wearing your scars with pride, dear."
Hermione's eyes widened.
It wasn't that she was ashamed of the scars. She just didn't like the stares, the pitying looks, the questions.
Hermione took a moment to look at the dress Dorea was pointing towards. It was black with small specks of silver that sparkled throughout the fabric. It was sleeveless and came down in a modest V with a very small tulle ruffle lining the hem there. The skirt itself was the same tulle material, but Hermione could see that it would still hang rather flatly at her ankles. It was A-Line style.
It was beautiful, and Hermione really, really wanted to wear it.
After only a moments hesitation Hermione nodded quickly. "Yes, I suppose you're right."
Dorea clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Tilly! Bring this dress up to Hermione's room please."
Tilly also started clapping her hands. "Oh… Mistress Hermione is to look so beautiful. She will shine tonight!"
Hermione blushed again and said quietly, "Thanks, Tilly."
But she spoke too soon because the tiny elf's hand flew up and she pointed at Hermione's head. "Only if Mistress Hermione deals with that mess. That is one mess Tilly won't fix, no she won't!"
Hermione threw her hands up and scowled.
Dorea gave a tinkling laugh before smirking at Hermione, "Yes I have a plan for that!"
Hermione's eye twitched as she stared at herself in the mirror. She could hear the party downstairs. People had started arriving half an hour ago, but she couldn't find it in herself to walk out of her own bedroom. Her hair was somehow tamed into loose big curls with the front pieces clipped back with shining star clips. Hermione didn't know how Dorea did it, but the dress fit her like it was made for her, and for the first time ever she felt like she actually had the curves of a woman. Dorea had smirked when she'd seen her in it and said, "I knew you had it in you."
Hermione was starting to think Dorea had wanted a daughter so badly just so she could play dress up with her. She knew that wasn't true though. Hermione's eyes dropped to her arms, and she sighed.
She didn't even move as her door creaked open and someone appeared in the door of the loo. Someone with distinctly green eyes. Hermione's closest female friend back in her timeline had been Ginny, and they still had never gotten as close as her and Lily already had.
"Lils!"
Hermione threw her arms around Lily before pulling back and looking at her friend. She was wearing a midnight blue strapless gown with a soft silver sash around the middle.
"You look beautiful, Lily. That dress is amazing."
Lily scowled at her and said, "Yes, well, James made sure to announce to the entire room that I was the most beautiful girl at the party."
Hermione laughed and said, "He's not teasing, you know? He means every word he says."
Lily gave her an incredulous look, and Hermione laughed again.
"I'm serious!"
"No, I'm Sirius."
Hermione gasped and stood on her toes to look over Lily's shoulder. "That joke is never going to be funny, Sirius."
He smirked and leaned against the doorway. "What are you beautiful ladies doing hiding up here anyway?"
Hermione ignored the way his eyes traveled up and down her form and grabbed her pendant. Both of her friend's eyes landed on her bare arms, and she sighed.
"That is why I am hiding. Lily is just hiding from Jamie."
Hermione turned away from them and took a few deep breaths. She could do this. Own it. Not be ashamed. Her scars were her business and that was that.
She felt a hand on her elbow and flinched, but the hand didn't let go.
"I don't think anyone will be staring at your arms when they see you in that dress, kitten."
Lily sidled up on her other side and smiled gently at her.
"He's right you now. That dress is incredible."
Hermione flattened her palm against her chest, so that the pendant was trapped underneath it. She took a few deep breaths and smiled up at Lily. "How did my brother manage to convince you to come?" Lily rolled her eyes at the change in subject and started pulling her towards the door. Lily and Sirius both held on to one of her elbows as they led her down towards the party.
"Actually it was Remus. He said something about you being in desperate need of a girly conscious or some another." Lily winked at Hermione who giggled.
"Will you stay tonight?" Hermione asked hopefully.
Lily simply stuck her chin up and said, "Already packed a bag."
Sirius snagged a glass of champagne off a passing floating trey and downed it in one go.
"Excellent! I love slumber parties."
Hermione laughed and narrowed her eyes, "You, sir, are not invited."
Sirius's hand flew to his chest and he managed to look properly scandalized. "I can be a girly conscious."
Both girls were laughing when a blushing Remus appeared in front of them.
"Hermione," he said softly.
Lily let go of her and grabbed Sirius by the back of his dress robes. "That's our cue girly-boy!"
Hermione laughed again before turning back towards Remus. His black dress robes had small silver bits all over it in the same fabric as her dress and Hermione smiled up at him. Dorea was too clever for her own good.
"We match, Remus."
He stepped up to her and tucked a curl behind her ear, "And you're still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
Hermione could only stare up at him. Her eyes watered and Remus gently brushed his thumbs under her eyes.
"None of that tonight, love. You'll mess up all of Dorea's hard work."
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest at the endearment, and she collapsed in his arms.
"Remus, I…" Whatever Hermione was about to say it was interrupted when she felt a tug on the hem of her dress.
"'cuse me!" Hermione pulled away from Remus and looked down to see a small red-headed boy smiling up at her with a toothy grin. "You very pwetty! My mummy said I can't talk to stwangers, but my daddy said to always act like gentlemen." Hermione giggled into her hand and the small boy held his arms out to both sides and wiggled his fingers. Hermione without a moments hesitation leaned down and picked him up. He was definitely a Weasley.
"Well hullo to you too. Thank you very much, you are a very good gentlemen. What's your name?"
The boy grabbed her cheeks between his tiny fingers and giggled. "Chawie!" Hermione could feel Remus's hand on her waist and his nose in her hair.
Hermione cheeks were pushed together when she said, "That is a very wonderful name! Very strong."
"Thank you vewy much. What's your name?"
"Hermione." Hermione turned slightly to the side and added, "And this is Remus." Charlie waved enthusiastically at Remus.
"Herminny and Wemus!"
Hermione laughed and Charlie reached forward and grabbed her dragon pendant.
"This is a dwagon! I love dwagons!" Hermione almost cried at that, and she pressed closer to Remus behind her.
"Yes I imagine you do, Charlie. I love dragons also." She took a deep breath and said, "Now did you run away from your mum? She must be worried sick!"
Just then a blushing Arthur appeared in front of her and said, "Charlie, there you are! Your mum is worried sick!"
Charlie giggled and yelled, "Minny just said that, daddy!"
Hermione smiled at the young and tired looking man. "Hullo, Arthur. Charlie here, was just telling me how much he loves dragons."
"Dwagons are the best!" His tiny fisted hands flew in the air at that right as a flushed Molly appeared with a one year old in her arms.
"Oh, Charlie! Don't ever disappear like that again, you understand?"
Hermione grinned at the woman and said, "It's quite alright, Molly. Charlie here was a perfect gentleman!"
That's when the fifth Weasley appeared by running right into Hermione's legs and wrapping his tiny arms around her knees.
"Mummy! Mummy! That man over there is missing a leg and an eye!"
"Bill, dear, let go of Hermione and come here."
"Bill, Minny likes dwagons too!" Charlie yelled.
Bill looked up and grinned at her.
He stepped back and gave a deep bow, "Hullo, Minny. My name is William Arthur Weasley."
"Hullo." Hermione turned towards Arthur and Molly and grinned. "You've got a small army of gentlemen on your hands."
"Yes, our hands are quite full, as you can imagine," Arthur sighed out.
Hermione just smirked at the young couple and wondered if they had any idea that they weren't even halfway there yet. Arthur reached out and took Charlie from her arms despite the toddler's protests. Hermione leaned fully back into Remus.
"You're looking well, Hermione," Molly said kindly. "You look beautiful tonight." Hermione realized then that Lily and Sirius were right when Molly and Arthur didn't even glance at her arms.
"Thank you, Molly. I loved the jumper you sent me. It's been a while since I've had a nice handmade jumper." Her eyes watered and Molly's keen eyes must have realized why she was crying because her own eyes teared up.
"I'll be sure to make you one every year then!"
Hermione beamed. "I would love that! In return, I'll babysit whenever I'm home, so you and Arthur can have some time to yourselves."
"Oh you don't…"
Hermione waved off her protests and gestured to Remus behind her. "Don't worry. I'd love to. I'll even make Remus come with me for some extra hands."
Remus laughed behind her and said, "Is that so?"
"Well, dear, I'll owl you!" Percy started crying in her arms, and Arthur whispered something in Molly's ear. "We'll leave you to socialize, Hermione. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!"
Once the Weasley's had dispersed into the crowd Hermione spun and faced Remus.
"Fancy a babysitting date?"
Remus smiled softly at her and said, "You're going to be a wonderful mum one day."
Hermione looked up at Remus's green eyes nervously. She'd never even thought about being a mum until that moment. Her eyes stung, and Remus held her face.
"Remember what I said, Hermione."
She blinked rapidly and stared at the ceiling which Dorea had forced Charlus to charm like the ceiling of the Great Hall. "Right. Don't ruin Mum's hard work."
Just then, James appeared and grabbed her hand to start dragging her through the crowd.
"Hermione, guess who's here!"
James gestured behind her for Remus to follow and soon they were dragged in front of none other than the Prewett twins who were already being accosted by a preening Sirius and anxious Peter.
When Hermione was pulled right in front of the twins they stood at attention and actually saluted her.
Peter, James, and Sirius all turned and looked at her with wide eyes.
She gave them a nervous look before scowling at the twins.
One of them dropped to one knee right in front of her and took her hand from James.
"Dearest Hermione!"
The other twin dropped as well and took her other hand. "Our joint heart yearns for you!"
"The one woman immune to our charm!"
"We vowed to never take another..."
"Until you accept our deepest love and affection!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled her hands away, "Stand up, you prats!"
They both jumped up in unison and winked at her. "We do everything-"
"Our dearest wishes of us."
She scowled at them and crossed her arms over her chest.
Sirius suddenly couldn't take it any longer and gestured between the twins and Hermione. "And how do you three know each other?"
Hermione said reluctantly, "We met once."
At the same time the twins said, "A soulmates spell led us to the abnormally small witch!"
"Not true," Hermione growled.
One of the twins smiled at her mischievously and leaned forward to whisper, "And how do you know that isn't true, little witch? Brother, I think her frail feminine heart can't handle the truth!"
She raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't endorse everyday sexism."
They both guffawed.
"Besides…" She turned around and said over her shoulder, "Even together, you half-wits wouldn't be able to keep up with me."
She began to walk away and could hear them yell behind her, "You wound us, little witch!"
She walked until she found Lily standing in a corner having a conversation with Professor McGonagall.
She started making her way over when she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She inwardly sighed before turning and finding a smiling Andromeda Tonks with a young Nymphadora in her arms. She looked to be the same age as Charlie.
"Sorry to bother you, Hermione. I just bared witness to that sad interaction with the Prewett twins. I think they received invitations purely based on their entertainment value. I can see they were giving you quite a show?"
Hermione smiled at the smirking witch and said, "Being right pains in my arse more like."
Andromeda gave a light chuckle and looked over Hermione. It was the first time someone had blatantly stared at her arm all night, but Hermione stood firm with a straight spine.
"I understand, that you might have been making a point at that meeting when you refused my apology, but I sincerely wish for acceptance."
Hermione started to speak, but Andromeda raised a hand up to silence her in a way similar to Dorea.
"I may not be directly responsible, but Bella was still my sister."
Hermione flinched at the nickname.
"I knew since we were children that something wasn't right with her. She bought in too easily to our parents blood-purist propaganda. Cissa sat prettily and never argued, but Bella took the ideas and ran with them. I should've known. I should've known what she would become, and I should have done something about it."
Hermione studied the tired Witch in front of her.
"I meant what I said then, and I mean what I say now. I accept your apology despite how unnecessary I deem it."
Hermione's gaze flickered to the young Nymphadora who was watching her curiously. Hermione grinned when her hair morphed to match Hermione's big curls.
"And you must be Nymphadora."
"Don't call me that!"
Hermione's eyes widened. "What should I call you then?"
Nymphadora hid her face in her embarrassed mum's shoulder. "Dora," she mumbled.
"Well, Dora. It was very nice to meet you." Hermione smiled kindly at Andromeda and said, "It was good to see you, Andromeda. Have you spoken with Sirius? I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."
Sirius materialized next to Hermione then as if he had heard her talking about him, "Say my name, kitten?"
Hermione blushed when Andromeda smirked at the pet name Sirius used. That's when Sirius noticed her standing there.
"Andy! I didn't know you were coming!"
He reached out and pulled the surprised woman into a tight hug with Dora sandwiched between them.
Sirius pulled back and did a double take between Dora and Hermione. It was then that Hermione realized she had changed her eyes to Hermione's brown and freckled her nose and cheeks to match.
"Kitten, do you have a kid?"
His eyes had noticeably softened at the small Hermione lookalike in his cousin's arms. It was uncanny to see a miniature of his kitten right in front of him. Hermione's eyebrows wrinkled when a small blush appeared across his cheeks. It was the first time she'd seen him blush.
Andromeda cleared her throat and said in a knowing nature, "This is my child actually, Sirius. Nymphadora."
"Don't call me that!" Dora changed her hair color and eyes to match Sirius's then and his grey eyes widened.
He grinned at her. "You must be little Dora!" He beamed at his cousin. "A metamorphmagus. I had no idea!"
Hermione smiled at the interaction and excused herself to find Lily again. She spent the next hour making rounds with Lily as they sneaked glasses of champagne and avoided all the boys.
They were giggling behind the draperies when Remus appeared and immediately slid between them into their hiding space.
"What are you two doing hiding behind Dorea's draperies?"
"I'm hiding from James. The boy is un... unrel... unrel... unstoppable tonight! That frustratingly adorable toe-rag!"
Hermione's jaw dropped and she placed a hand on Remus to hold herself steady before peaking around him and glancing at the oblivious Lily.
"You just called my brother frustratingly adorable!"
Lily gave her a confused look. "I would never! And what do you mean brother?"
Lily's cheeks were flushed, and Remus gave her a curious look before turning towards Hermione who finished off her fifth glass of champagne of the night, set it on the windowsill, and leaned her cheek against Remus's bicep.
Remus smiled happily at her and then turned his head back and forth between the two a few more times before saying, "Are you two drunk?"
Hermione smirked up at him and held her thumb and pointer finger up. "Just this much!"
Remus grinned at her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You know your toes are peaking out from under the draperies right?"
Hermione gasped and pulled away to look at Lily again.
"Lils! This spot is compromised. We have to keep moving! Constant Vigilance!"
Lily nodded seriously and said, "Perhaps we could hide under the dining room table?"
Hermione grinned and bopped Lily on the nose, "Brilliant! Just brilliant!" Remus laughed when he got pulled out from behind the curtains by Hermione, and he laughed even harder when Lily latched onto his other hand and said, "Don't leave me behind. James will find me and then I'll have to kiss him at midnight!"
Hermione paused in her determined walk.
"Merlin! Brilliant again!"
She then switched directions and led them like ducklings through the crowd until they were standing in front of James and Sirius.
Lily blushed madly and glared at Hermione as Remus gave Sirius and James an amused look.
"Remus, how long until midnight?"
Remus pressed a kiss on top of her head and said, "Actually just a couple minutes. That's why I came to find you."
"Oh, wonderful!" Sirius gestured at Hermione and Lily before mouthing the word drunk and Remus nodded with a huge smile on his face.
Hermione let go of Remus and pushed Lily in the direction of a very confused James.
"Jamie, don't let her leave your side until after midnight!"
James's eyes widened and before he could say anything Hermione grabbed Remus yet again and pulled him away from the two blushing teens and the clearly entertained Sirius.
"Where are we going now, love?"
Hermione stopped walking when they reached the small sitting room branching off of the main room. It was empty, and the only light and noise was coming from the open door. When she closed it the sound was muffled and they were bathed in moonlight.
Hermione smiled up at him from under her eyelashes, and Remus had to take a deep breath.
She pulled him to the burgundy, velvet sofa in the middle of the room. Remus sat down, and he gasped when Hermione climbed on his lap with both her legs folded up on his sides. Her dress was hiked up around her knees, and she was giving him that smile that always resulted in him melting into a gooey, devoted puddle.
"Hermione…"
She had her small hands resting on his shoulders when she said quietly, "I like when you call me love, Remus."
He smiled amusedly up at her. "You do?"
"Yes. It makes me feel all warm inside."
"Like champagne?" He asked cheekily and she swatted him. She sighed as she leaned her forehead against his.
They could hear a countdown begin in the other room.
He held his breath all the way up until the cheers began and watched her faithfully as she slowly leaned forward and kissed him.
It was slow and gentle at first. Remus tangled one of his hands in her curls and the other wrapped around her waist to pull her closer. Her breasts pushed against his chest as one of her hands snuck into the hair at the nape of his neck and the other landed on his cheek.
The kiss grew heated quickly and before she knew it Hermione was subconsciously rolling her hips on top of him and gasping at the friction. After a moment, Remus had to pull away.
"Hermione, I don't think…"
She interrupted him by crashing her lips against his again and slowly inching one of her hands under his suit jacket and tugged on his tie. He could feel himself losing control. The full moon was in a few days, and his frustration was peaking. When her fingers began to undo the top buttons of his shirt, one of his hands landed on her knee and began to snake up under her dress on her bare thigh. Her skin was so smooth, and she continued to rock against him. Remus groaned against her mouth, and his hand trailed up until he felt the lace trim on her knickers. His hand squeezed her hip before making it's way around to her bum.
"Remus," she whispered against his lips like a prayer, and he swore his heart was about to give out from how hard it was beating.
It wasn't until her other hand pulled his shirt out from his trousers and her fingers landed on the trail of hair under his belly button that he pulled away.
He moved both his hands, so he was stopping her movements and dropped his head against the back of the couch. He could smell her normal aroma of cinnamon and evergreens, but on top of that he could smell her arousal which wasn't helping his situation.
"Hermione," he groaned.
His own arousal was straining painfully against his trousers.
"Did I do something wrong, Remus?" She asked nervously when he didn't say anything.
His head flew up and he looked up into her anxious brown eyes. "No!" When she jumped at his exclamation, he removed one of his hands and smoothed her hair behind her ear. She was chewing on her bottom lip. "No, Hermione. You're perfect." She still looked anxious, so Remus leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss. When he pulled away he rubbed his thumb on her hip bone in gentle patterns. "You're drunk. And on top of that, the full moon is in a few days. I don't want to lose control with you. I don't want the first time we do anything to be on your parents' sofa with fifty people outside the door."
Hermione flushed and for the first time since she pulled him into the room, she looked ashamed.
"No, love, don't do that." He reluctantly pulled his hand from under her dress and smoothed out the wrinkle between her brows.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her nose against his neck. When she pressed a kiss to the hollow of his throat he groaned again.
"There's no way, I'm going to be able to walk out of here with all those people out there." He kissed the side of her head and said, "You saucy, little witch."
Hermione giggled against his neck and Remus's face broke into a smile.
Remus ended up having Hermione disillusion him to sneak upstairs for a cold shower, but not before he helped Hermione with her appearance and snogged her one last time against the wall.
When Hermione emerged she ran right into Sirius.
People were slowly starting to leave the party, and the room was mostly empty by this point. Sirius looked her over once before leaning forward and actually sniffing her. Hermione in her dazed state just stared at him. When he pulled away he was smirking, but there was something in his eyes that Hermione couldn't be bothered to identify.
"Why do you smell like sex, kitten?"
Sirius had watched as Hermione disappeared into that room with Remus, and then waited nearly a half hour for her to emerge. When she did, and he saw the tell tale ripples of a disillusioned form sneak out of the room, he'd frowned. He had walked up to her and immediately cursed his heightened senses from his animagus training when her scent had attacked him. When he'd looked at her, her entire skin was flushed and her lips were rose-colored and swollen.
She somehow managed to blush even more at his question, and he'd watched attentively as the skin beneath the dragon pendant started to turn pink.
"Have you seen, Lily?" Hermione asked shakily.
"I think James showed her where your room is."
Hermione nodded before reaching up and kissing him on the cheek. She patted his chest when she leaned away and smiled happily up at him, "Happy New Year, Sirius."
As soon as she was gone Sirius groaned and figured Remus had the right idea in sneaking upstairs.
Hermione opened her door and quickly shut it behind her. She leaned against it and slammed her head back into the wood.
"Oh, Merlin!" She breathed out.
"Hot night?" Lily asked from the middle of her bed.
Hermione rolled her eyes and launched herself onto the bed on her stomach. Lily laid down next to her and they stared at each other for a moment before breaking out into raucous laughter.
"I kissed James on the cheek," Lily said after they finally calmed down. Hermione grinned at her.
"I tried to assault, Remus."
That made Lily laugh again and she said quickly, "I don't think it's assault if they enjoyed it as much as Remus did." Hermione eyes widened and Lily added, "I ran into a very frustrated teenage werewolf on the stairs right after his disillusionment charm broke." It was Lily's turn to grin at her. "He was looking quite unkempt with a half-unbuttoned shirt and completely undone tie. His hair was also a right mess. All of that made complete sense, of course, when I saw his trousers." Lily whistled, and Hermione jumped up to hit Lily with a pillow.
Sirius, James, and a freshly showered Remus stood in the hall as they listened to the sound of the girls' screaming laughs followed by a few thuds.
"We're definitely doomed," said Remus nervously.
James just smiled at the door and said, "She kissed me tonight." He pointed at his cheek as both wizards spun on their friend. "Right here." He sighed dreamily. "I shall never wash this cheek again."
He cried out when both his friends punched him.
AN: I smiled nearly the entire time writing this New Years party. All the dialogue and interactions were so much fun to write!
Thanks, as always, for the follows, reviews, and favorites!