Author Notes: The beginning of this chapter is so darn spicy it's triple X. NSFW.


Hermione had managed to struggle from his pin, scrambling toward the edge of the bed. This survival mode built up in her body as she was almost out of reach. The ragged shirt was torn from her body as a rough hand grasped her hair, pulling her backward. She was crying and was flipped around as her legs were forced apart. "Mine," the werewolf hissed.

"Sirius, stop!" she cried before a tongue started lapping at her core.

Her body was hoisted off the bed, leaving her shoulders bearly holding support for her neck as he yanked at her. The werewolf was groaning and slurping away over her. His tongue left a coating of saliva as he moved to her arse cheeks. This was preparation for a rough fuck, and Hermione was confident he wouldn't take her comfort or limits into account. "Remus!" she called out, hoping he would hear her.

The arm that held her leg only enforced her need to cling to his shoulder, and the other was nearly in spasms as his fingers entered both openings available to there werewolf. Despite the invasive and rough fingering, they slid and moved with the lubrication of his saliva dripping down her spine. Hermione was fighting between crying and gasping at his rough handling of her. His mouth had returned to the knotted flesh above. The werewolf bit and sucked with vim, growling over her while forcing his fingers in deeper.

"Remus," She called out again, her voice ragged with breathing.

The werewolf pulled his fingers from her and turned the witch. This was it, he was going to fuck her into the bed, and she wouldn't be able to stop him. He scooped her body with an arm, and Hermione felt the massive tip touch her wet opening.

The door slammed open, and the animagus growled. Soon a dog had launched himself at the werewolf, knocking him off the bed. Hermione scrambled toward the head of the bed, clawing for the wand on the night table. The dog and man grappled a bit before the werewolf howled and slammed against the wall, knocking over a vase.

Hermione watched as her hand shook, holding the wand out in front of her. The animagus's familiar form appeared and looked upon her with pity. "You're alright, he's knocked out," Remus whispered.

"Remus," Hermione breathed.

Hermione didn't move. He paced toward her, and she shuddered as he reached for her. "Trust," he reminded her.

She broke her defensive posture and flung herself at him, bawling her eyes out. "He, it, almost," she struggled through tears.

"Sh, it's alright, let's get you mended," Remus murmured.

The animagus lifted the witch off the bed and carried her out of the room. Hermione clung to him as her sobbing was hiccuped whimpers while blood dripped down her bare chest. Remus had brought her to the bathroom and placed her on the toilet. She rocked as he pulled from her and dug through the cabinet.

"I'm sorry," Remus whispered.

Hermione shook her head as he pulled out two vials. "It's my fault. I should have known."

He went to work, mending her neck before speaking about the event. The animagus seemed more reflective than usual. The bite was healed with a sizzling of skin and Hermione calmed as the intense burning was reduced to dull pain. Remus turned on the tub and plugged it before helping the witch into the basin.

"Remus," Hermione murmured as he reached for vials by the tub.

He was silent.

Hermione waited as he continued his task.

"What happened while you were in my body?" Remus asked as he dashed the potions into the water.

The animagus still wasn't meeting her eyes as the water splashed and filled the bathtub.

"He examined me, thoroughly," Hermione murmured.

"Why were you concerned you weren't going to make it through the transformation?" Remus questioned as he reached for a cloth.

Hermione relaxed against the back of the tub as he wiped away her blood. "Because, Remus, he was going to rip me apart. I wasn't really the conditioned human who hosted him for years. He knew I was a witch, and it drove him to insanity that I was out of reach."

Remus cringed and ducked down to her eye-level. "I'm so sorry, Hermione. This is all my fault."

"What's going to happen, Remus?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know. I've never bit anyone like that before," He said.

"Was that a marking?"

Remus exhaled and tilted his head. "I think so. I wasn't in my body to know the influence, but it seemed like it."

Hermione watched his hand, caress her neck through the washcloth and exhaled. "Then what does that mean?"

His hand dropped the cloth and touched her cheek. "Are you alright?" He asked.

It was a change of subject.

"I'm feeling better," Hermione sighed and shut her eyes.

Remus turned off the water and puffed out a breath. "I better check on Pads. He might be hazy on the whole thing."

"Please don't go," Hermione murmured.

The sound of him standing gave Hermione the fear that he would leave, but when she glanced around for him, he walked to the back of the tub. Sitting on the edge, he worked his fingers over her shoulders, gentle touches. Had she seen precisely what portion of her body, he was stroking, she might have known just how dangerous the situation was. It was the two indented crescents on her neck.

"I promised I would never bite anyone," Remus sighed.

"It wasn't your fault," she voiced.

"I wasn't honest with myself," he stated.

Hermione looked up into his scrunched expression. The animagus always housed a bit more vivid details in his features. Less composed that the werewolf. Hermione like that about Sirius, but with Remus now wearing that expression, she noted the extremity of his statement.

"What weren't you honest about?"

"You, Hermione. I wasn't honest about my warring feelings. This is my fault for not voicing my concerns," He murmured as his fingers traced her jawline.

"His intensity wasn't because I was a witch."

Remus shook his head. Dark curls swayed as he exhaled. "No, it wasn't."

"How long?" She breathed.

Remus turned his vision to the wall as his eyes searched for an answer. The child that she was when he was alive last was far from what they were now. Somewhere, his admiration for her strength, intelligence, and heart grew to something else. When? The mourning he had for his old life and late wife was a wisp in comparison to the intense conflict he felt for Sirius and her.

She had facilitated a loving home for his son. The witch even took care of him in his discomfort. Standing on the edge of his back and forth with Sirius. The secrets she kept for him. All of it blended to the absolute- he adored her.

"When we came back. The life you created and the affection you give so freely was something that stirred those average feelings of polite affection into something confusing. I'm so apologetic for even thinking that way, Hermione. I know that you deserve so much better and my disrespect for your being is inexcusable."

Hermione reached over and gripped his hand. "I care for you deeply and would never want to harm your person, Remus. It's horrible that you would even think to apologize for it. I also know that Sirius very much would like to try again. You love each other, and no matter what this alters between us, I know you love him more than any person who could stand beside you."

He couldn't see her face as she tucked her hair around her cheeks. There was a strain to her grasp, but Remus hadn't the heart to ask why she was casting herself aside so quickly. Not after what she just went through because of his own turmoil.

"Do you need anything?" Remus asked.

Hermione shook her head. "Just go check on Sirius," she whispered and released his hand.

Remus stood up and stared down at the witch balled up in the bathtub. Her knees were tucked to her chin and her long curls he found so pleasant were curtains to block out the world. He had wronged her so severely. He rose a hand to bend and touch her but knew it wouldn't be well received. Nothing that happened now would benefit the witch. His trespasses were far too high.

The animagus left the bathroom and stood at the door after closing it behind him. The soft sounds of weeping were heard from inside, and that crushed him into pieces of useless flesh and bone. He didn't protect her from his savage nature. The monster he had become.

Slumping off to check on his counterpart, he felt more substantial than he had even as himself. The master bedroom was still open, but the view was hardly delightful. The werewolf was crumpled over the side of the bed, holding his head in his hands. "Padfoot?" Remus asked.

He glanced up with a contorted expression. "Is she alright?" Sirius asked as Remus approached.

"She's a bit banged up, but it could have been far worse," Remus sighed.

"I'm sorry, Moony. I swear I didn't mean to bite her," Sirius grumbled.

Remus sat down on the mattress next to the werewolf. "Yes, I know. It wasn't you. It was him."

"What does it mean? Why did he act like that?"

The animagus winced and exhaled. "I wasn't truthful about my feelings, and he found an opening to express himself. I've spent a great deal of time learning to control my urges, you've only had days. I should have been more careful," Remus finished.

"Now what?"

"Now we leave her be, Pads. I have done worse to her than I could have ever done by letting those feelings be. I don't want to hurt her again."

"But you didn't, I did," Sirius grumbled as he scrubbed his face.

Remus shook his head and touched the werewolf's shoulder. "You couldn't help it. You called me a possessive, jealous prat, and it's true. Those feelings I can only suppress so much with my condition. My mistake was not voicing them so they wouldn't have manifested like a dark curse."

"Marauders, I'm going to get an early start on some research. Could you both make breakfast?" Hermione asked.

Both of them looked over to see the witch was dressed and standing at the doorway. Her expression was stoic as she stared at them.

"Yes, of course, love. I'm sorry about earlier," Sirius sighed.

Hermione straightened her form and cleared her throat. "Well, let's try to forgive and forget, alright, Sirius? We still have six days to figure out how to switch you both. Focus on the research and let's fix this mess," she declared with a nod before disappearing from the doorway.

"Is she alright?" Sirius questioned.

Remus shrugged and scratched at his chin. "I'm assuming she's going to deal with it by herself."

"I really buggered up," Sirius huffed.

"No, you didn't, Pads. We won't have her at arm's length anymore. That's over with," Remus replied.

"What a pity, I was growing on her sticking around," Sirius grumbled.

"Me too," Remus agreed.


The witch was digging through all the books littering the drawing-room. "Where is it!" She growled.

She barely touched her food as she dug through the countless books. The marauders hadn't bothered her since leaving the tray. Who could blame them? She was this horrible wedge between them. That thought caused her to falter. A tear left her eye, and she dashed it away with quick recourse.

Hermione just had to solve this so she could leave. She nodded once in agreement. That was the most sound for them all — no lingering confusion. The pains and discomfort from this whole situation would disapparate. They could finally figure things out.

Hermione's hand touched the scar on her neck, and she quivered. He had bitten her. The inescapable feeling of wanting more caused her breathing to shallow and abdomen to tighten. This wouldn't work if she reached out for those feelings. Mentally shoving it all into a box in her mind, she continued her task.

"Where is that bloody book!" Hermione shouted and tossed a smaller volume across the room.

Poor Sirius. Hermione couldn't imagine the guilt he must have gone through. She longed to help him and comfort him through this, but there wasn't any possible way. It was so muddled.

There was a knock at the door, and Hermione exhaled. "Come in."

"Love, are you alright?" Sirius asked as he came into the room.

The werewolf stayed posted at the door despite his expression of concern.

"I'm just digging through books," Hermione sighed.

His eyes examined the untouched food, and his brows lowered and contorted. "Darlin', you need to eat something. You've been at it for two hours."

"Sirius, I have to find that bloody book," Hermione huffed.

"What one?"

"The one you showed me. The," Hermione paused as her cheeks darkened. "The magical sex rituals."

Sirius blinked and smirked. "Sex rituals? You think Moony, and I could bounce each other back by shagging now?"

"Maybe it was a catalyst to speed things up. You didn't before, and it took four days," Hermione groaned.

Sirius hemmed and shuffled his feet. The werewolf had the tell-tell signs of guilt. "Well, about that."

"You didn't?" she questioned with a glare.

"We were worried about you, so I pushed Moony into it. But I swear it wasn't like last time, you were the only one to receive full satisfaction. Well, I did. Who would have thought that it felt the same no matter what tools you provide," Sirius snickered, but worry lingered in his features.

Hermione grunted and flopped to the ground. Sirius raced to her, and she huffed. "It is about shagging then. I hate that I was wrong," she grumbled.

Her pout was about the cutest thing Sirius had ever seen. He laughed and sat down next to her, minding the looming wolf on the edge of his thoughts. "Well, I had to be right about one thing eventually."

"So, I bounced back, but you didn't, why?" Hermione questioned.

"Well, I'm quite sure that Moony got off the last time we fooled around. He was too embarrassed to admit it to you," Sirius said with a shift of his head.

"But then we just were shuffled the next time you did," Hermione added.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, love, but maybe it needs group participation?"

"You would suggest that," Hermione grumbled and nudged him. "Magic is fickle."

Sirius shrugged and reached under the sofa. "I was hiding it so George wouldn't steal it before I finished it."

He produced the book in question. "I can't believe I even think this is the answer," Hermione huffed while taking the volume.

She flipped to the page he had pointed out and read a bit. Connecting souls. The concept was gritty. Magic can only sustain life, not bring it back from the dead. However, there were old myths about a healer that could bind souls together. Given the right amount of magic and time, a 'soul healer,' the book coined, would be able to retain the lives brought back only by connecting them to the caster.

"I didn't bloody cast any spells," Hermione huffed.

"Did you use any magic? Maybe the veil played a part in that?" Sirius offered as he leaned close to read the text.

"Why the shagging? Why couldn't it be a hug?" Hermione complained.

"The term sexual healing comes to mind," Sirius snickered.

Hermione handed him the book and shook her head. "Alright, Sirius, but I have terms." She stood up and stretched.

"Terms for what, love?" Sirius asked as he continued reading.

"Neither of you are going to tell anyone about this when it's over. This will be my secret," She voiced.

Sirius finished the page, and his cheeks darkened as he glanced up at her. "You're going to do this?"

"What do we have to lose? Getting jumbled again? We've done that already so it's safe to say that this would be the next choice."

"Wait, you're really playing with this idea?" Sirius asked as he climbed to his feet.

Hermione tapped her chin and sighed. "You'll have to be secured. I don't need Moony to rear his head up and cause trouble. Remus will do just fine with the assistance I'm sure."

Sirius scrambled to the door. "Moony, I think I broke her!" He yelled in a panic.

The animagus skidded into the room, pale and disheveled. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"She's talking in tongues. I'm usually on board with this, but this is mental."

"What's going on?" Remus gasped and touched Sirius's shoulder.

Hermione snorted and picked up her plate. "I'll finish my lunch and digest, then we can meet in the master room," she announced and left them.

Remus glanced out the door and watched her disappear down the staircase. When he turned to the werewolf, he was confused as ever. "What is she talking about, Pads?"

"She's going to shag us, both of us," Sirius huffed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"What?"

"She's read that book. Seems to think we all need to participate."

Remus waved a hand and gasped. "What? What do you mean? This is mental."

"That's what I'm saying!"

"I'm not fucking that witch," Remus growled.

Sirius smacked the animagus's arm and huffed. "You are if I am. She thinks it might work."

"Merlin's bloody ball hairs, what makes her think that?" Remus snarled.

"That book," Sirius groaned. "I'm going to go take a nap. Hopefully, she comes to her senses, so we're not poising for a bloody orgy."

Remus shook his head and exhaled. "First time I've heard you complain about that."

"Yeah, well, when's the last time we fucked a witch and I was you?" Sirius retorted.

"Never," Remus said and smiled despite the insanity.

"My point exactly. Wake me up when she comes to a sane thought process," Sirius responded and left the drawing-room.

Remus stood there and glared at the book on the floor. He better figure out what spurred this thought and douses it before they attempted such madness.