Hermione was sipping on her drink as she sat in the Potters' sitting room. The weekend was ripe with possibilities as Ginny sat with her, glancing longingly at the glass of wine. "Oh, I miss it," the redhead sighed before sipping her tea.
"I had many different drinks in Africa, but I missed the familiarities of home," Hermione responded before smiling.
Ginny rubbed her stomach and nodded. "So, speaking of home, have you decided when you're going to get your own flat now that your traveling is done for a while?"
Hermione tucked her cheeks within her hair and hemmed. "Well, no, I haven't spoken to Andromeda about it."
"Harry isn't using Grimmauld Place, you could always make it a pet project and fix it up for yourself," Ginny offered with a tilt to her head.
"Maybe," Hermione grumbled.
"You aren't going on another trip, are you?" Ginny was prying, Hermione visibly shrink at her questions.
"I don't know," she murmured.
"What's wrong with you today? You seem so odd," Ginny inquired as she rubbed her swollen stomach.
Hermione ran a hand through her curls and smiled. "Nothing, I'm just trying to get my mind around being home again. It was different from being there for so long," she said, but there was a deceptive tone to her voice.
A rough hand landed on her shoulder, causing Hermione to jerk. "Hermione, I was hoping you had remembered the quaffle for Teddy," Remus's voice sounded breathy over her shoulder.
She glanced up and saw him panting, causing the witch to jump from her seat. "Are you alright?" She gasped.
Her wine accidentally spilled on Remus's jumper, which only brought more color to Hermione's cheeks. The werewolf smirked as he caught his breath and rocked his head. "We were just playing on the brooms with Harry. I didn't mean to frighten you," He responded.
The witch nodded as she pulled out her wand and waved it at the stain. "Okay, I apologize about the mess, Remus. Yes, I brought the quaffle per Mr. Lupin's orders," Hermione teased with a toothy smile.
Remus reached over and tucked a wild curl behind her ear. "What would I do without you?" He questioned with genuine warmth to his features.
"Well, definitely not have an easier time with your son," Hermione retorted with an upward tug to one side of her mouth.
Remus took his thumb against her chin as he pinched her jaw affectionately. "You're most certainly correct, Hermione. Now, I have a quaffle to deliver, and I will leave you ladies be," he said with a nod.
Hermione pulled from his embrace and reached across the chair. That gave Remus time to note Ginny's shock and confusion splayed plainly across her face. The werewolf straightened his posture and stuffed a hand in one of his trouser pockets before Hermione handed him the ball.
"There you go, Moony," Hermione voiced with a stifled smirk.
Remus just cleared his throat again and cradled the object before leaving in a quick stride. Hermione watched his frame leave the doorway and sighed. The witch pivoted and regarded her friend, who was frowning. "Did you shag Remus?" Ginny murmured.
Hermione bristled and returned a mirrored expression. "No, now why would that be a topic of conversation?"
"Because that's the first time in years I've seen him physically affectionate with anyone outside his son!" Ginny growled and attempted to climb off the sofa.
Hermione drained her glass and set it down. "No, we did not sleep together. He's not even interested."
"Not interested my arse cheeks, Granger," Ginny huffed as she succeeded in standing.
"Harry says he still talks about Tonks all the time, of course, he isn't interested, Gin. He's been mourning his wife. What do you want me to do, dance around his room starks?" Hermione groaned as she shook her head.
"It's been six years! He's given her the respectable time, and it's apparent that you're interested," Ginny countered while wiggling her eyebrows.
"It is not!" Hermione snapped.
Ginny laughed with a wicked hint to her tone. "Oh, yes it is, Hermione. 'Remus, you're such an amazing father,' or, 'Remus, anyone would be grateful to have you as a companion.' The list goes on, my friend. We all have known your little school fancy has escalated to a full out single sided love affair for years."
Hermione's cheeks had fully bloomed with color as she stood there with the empty glass in hand. Her breathing was labored as she glowered at Ginny. "It's certainly not a love affair," Hermione hissed.
"It most certainly is!" Ginny argued as she waved her hand. "Hermione, wake up and smell the mandrakes, you're in love with him and don't know how to tell him because he's, well, Remus."
"Well, I might have some added advice," Harry's voice entered the sitting room.
Hermione turned to see her best friend holding onto his son in a sling. "What now?" Hermione moaned as she rubbed her face.
Harry approached her and exhaled with a smile. "Why don't you just ask him how he feels? It's pretty evident that you both give each other something. I don't know what, but remember, you were the one to release me from having to take care of him with you because you wanted to handle it."
Hermione dropped her vision and exhaled. "Harry, he's going to respectfully tell me I'm too young and then things will grow awkward. I don't want him to lose what little comfort he has left," she mumbled.
"I waited very patiently over the years to see if it was just a crush or a fantasy of yours even to say anything. It's evident it isn't just on your side, why don't you just tell him?" Ginny insisted.
Thudding was heard through the hallway, and soon teal appeared. "Hermione! Come look what dad is doing! He made me a dragon out of bubbles!" Teddy exclaimed with a wave.
Hermione nodded at the Potters and followed the child, who was nearly tugging her arm off in excitement. Harry glanced over at his wife and shrugged his shoulders before taking his sleepy son from the sling. "I don't know if she'll ever tell him, Gin. She'd rather admire him from afar than to make him uncomfortable."
"Then we have to find out from him what's the truth. I saw it clear as day, Harry. He's absolutely daft for her," Ginny said with a large breath.
"You couldn't be imagining it?" Harry asked with a frown. "Every time I ask him about her, he skirts the subject with a simple answer."
Ginny waved her hand before touching her stomach. "No, definitely not. He knew I saw him let down his guard and retreated. What if he's just worried?"
"About us? Why would he worry about that?"
The redhead snorted and sighed. "Because he's Remus, Harry. When has he ever thought he belonged?"
"True," Harry grunted and set James down on the sofa. "Well, we'll just have to see how it plays out at dinner. Maybe I can convince him to talk to me. I know her better than anyone, and I'd like to think he can trust me to be a confidant. Hopefully, I can find out more."
Molly had just sat down and reached for her glass when her eyes traced her adopted daughter speaking in hushed tones with Remus. The table was full; those that were in Britain were all there for Hermione's Welcome Home Dinner. The ambiance was happy and full, but the matriarch's eyes traced their oddity at the table.
Hermione was tucked closely to the werewolf, and they were in a whispered discussion, both grinning like fools. "You do know that if we take him, he's going to go mental," Hermione teased with a scrunched nose.
"Yes, but it would be well worth the sugar crash," Remus snickered as he reached for his drink.
She bent closer to him, seeing the beautiful golden flecks naturally in his irises. "If you promise that I won't be taking caring of a stomach ache for both Lupins, I will go with you," Hermione breathed.
"Hermione, darling, I was wondering if you were planning on staying in Britain for longer than a couple of months before your next trip," Molly declared loudly.
She snapped her view toward the older witch and smiled. "Oh, yes. Kingsley says other than my holiday time. I will be home for a while."
"Holiday? Hermione, are you going to go on holiday soon?" George asked, now aware of the conversation.
"I planned to take three weeks off soon. I wanted to visit a contact I made in Africa. He has a different view on certain magical creatures, and I find it spellbinding," she announced with a tilt to her head.
Remus scowled as he sipped his water. "You didn't tell me you were going to take a vacation to Africa," he grumbled.
Hermione touched his arm and pursed her lips. "It's not completely solid. I promise it will be well within the cycle," she whispered.
"Well, dear, are you going to find a nice place? I heard that Luna was looking to sell the land her father's house stood on," Molly said.
"Oh, no, thank you, mum. I'm going actually to clean up Grimmauld Place," Hermione responded with wide eyes.
Harry was about to respond, but he grunted as Ginny cleared her throat. "I'm glad you're taking us up of the offer, Hermione."
Remus was pinching his expression in her direction. Hermione swallowed hard but nodded with a smile in Ginny's direction. It was a moment of quiet, then Teddy clapped.
"Hermione! We're gonna move to Uncle Sirius's house?" Teddy asked as he stood up.
The witch's eyes grew as she blinked twice. What?
"Yes, we're going to help Hermione clean it up," Remus announced.
Then there was pandemonium. Molly stood up and scowled. George was clapping and nudging Teddy. However, Remus climbed out of his seat and motioned for Hermione to follow. They were called after, but Remus retreated with the witch out the back door and onto the patio.
"What were you doing?" Hermione growled as she yanked her arm away.
Remus scowled and threw a hand in the air. "What are you talking about? You do not need to live in a broken down house with heads on the wall by yourself!"
The witch groaned and scrubbed her face. "I only said that so Molly would leave me alone."
The werewolf blinked and winced. "I, it, that wasn't, but I only thought," Remus struggled and exhaled.
Hermione breathed and waved his awkward posture off. "I just don't understand."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply you couldn't live by yourself," he attempted while rubbing his face.
Hermione stared at him a moment and arched an eyebrow. "Okay, Remus."
His eyes darted toward her. "What?"
"Okay, we can live together, but I have a stipulation."
"What is it?" He voiced with doubt caressing his tone.
"You come with me to Africa. We'll fix up the house for a few weeks, and after the full moon, we'll go together."
His posture stiffened as he flailed a hand- a big alarm bell was going off in his mind. "No, wait, I only meant this to, Hermione, please."
"What's stopping you from at least going with me to meet the medicine man I told you about?"
"Well, I don't have the financing available for that. I cannot borrow any more from Drom than I already do for Teddy. That would be completely irresponsible," Remus scoffed and paced slightly. "Then there's leaving Teddy. I can't expect Drom to look after him that long. Also, what about living together. I can surely work off some of the debt I would earn by taking care of the restoration, but then after? Hermione, this is just too big."
She felt deflated by his arguments and was about to submit.
"I'll take care of all that, Remus. If Hermione says he can cure you, it's worth every sickle," Harry spoke from behind the witch.
"But it won't, Harry. That's what I'm trying to explain. There is no cure for lycanthropy out there. I have scoured books, tomes, and ancient scrolls," Remus sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.
"It's worth a shot," Harry insisted as he placed fingers over Hermione's shoulder.
"Please, Moony, I'll never ask for anything else ever again. Please?" Hermione begged as she held out her clasped hands.
Remus, who was disheveled by the quick turn of events, including his own participation in them, couldn't help but shudder at her plea. Her eyes glimmered in the waxing moonlight. The witch's darker skin seemed almost enchanted as it glowed. He couldn't agree, that would be a difficult task.
"Okay," he breathed, and his eyes grew.
Hermione clapped and leaped to him, grasping his shoulders in a massive embrace. "Oh, Remus! I promise this will change your life!"
He breathed deeply and pressed his nose into her hair to hide his grimace. What did he genuinely agree to? Harry noticed because he shrugged his shoulders and nodded. "Okay, we'll set up plans for you both to leave after the full moon. Three weeks," Harry agreed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Remus had seen this posture on James so many times. The uncertainty and mixed emotions of acceptance. As the witch clung to him and nosed his chest in contented relief, Remus could see the Potter putting things together. It looked so much different than it was, and he wished he could explain himself. Remind him that he wasn't as monstrous as his condition identified him as being. This young woman holding him wasn't his prey, and he would never treat her as such.
Hermione pulled away and touched Remus's cheek. "I know it's plenty to handle, but I promise you'll love it out there. We'll get started on the house if you sincerely want to live there. I never planned on leaving you and Teddy, but," she stopped as Harry cleared his throat.
"It's about time, Hermione. Remus, you too. You've been living with Andromeda for years. You and Teddy could use a change of scene. Even if you barely use the house, it will be your home. Sirius would have wanted that," Harry stated with a bob of his head.
Remus inhaled deeply while motioning agreement. "I suppose. My son seemed absolutely ecstatic at dinner, and I'd hate for him to be disappointed."
Hermione beamed and patted Remus's chest. "This is a good thing. It's time for you to know you're deserving, Remus."
The werewolf politely removed her hand and grasped it. "As long as you don't mind the tagalongs, I am at your service."
The back door sounded, and a redheaded Weasley stuck his face out. "Oi, you lovebirds getting back to dinner or not? Mum is twitching with annoyance," George snickered.
Hermione snorted but made a decent attempt to hide her evolving blush. Remus, devoid of being a tattler wouldn't admit to the giddy scent of joy surrounding her. Harry was grinning and waved them both forward. "Now that we are done with all of that let's go inside. Molly is going to be yammering away about this, I'm sure."
Hermione covered her face as she journeyed forth. "Let's get this over with," she groaned before walking inside.
Remus kicked at the wood and exhaled. "Harry, I promise," he stopped when the young wizard motioned him to halt.
"Remus, I know you'd never hurt her. Just please let her down easily if you aren't, well, you know," Harry sighed.
Remus's scowl was a pinched distortion as he approached Harry. "I'm not quite sure what you mean."
Harry chuckled and swayed his head. "Then I think we're alright. You have a large task ahead of you. Don't forget how things are going to change for her too. This will be the first time in years that she won't have to obey someone else's rules. It might be a bit different," Harry finished and ushered the werewolf inside.
