Hermione sat hunched against the counter, staring into her firewhiskey and ignoring the messy locks of hair that continually fell into her face. She rolled the tumbler in her hand, curving her wrist gently and watching the amber liquid swirl in the smoky dark light of the bar.

She wondered when her life had become so complicated. Things seemed so much easier when she had a defined path.

Save the world with Harry Potter, be with Ron, marry Ron, become a housewife, have Ron's children, support Ron, die. The only alternative path she ever considered was the possibility that Harry would not succeed in vanquishing Voldemort, and that path was ever more simple: death.

She thought back to Ron, eager to remember a time when her life was not such a complicated mess.


I'm in love for the first time,

Don't you know it's going to last?

It's a love that lasts forever,

It's a love that has no past.

Three Days After the Battle of Hogwarts (Six Years Ago)

The door slammed open, hands in a flurry as Hermione pulled Ron into the bedroom, smiling all the way. Hermione slid her mouth down his neck, biting lightly at him. He laughed and pushed her to the bed, throwing off her shirt as they went.

Hermione grabbed him by his belt, pulling him on top of her and throwing his shirt off to savor the feeling of skin to skin. She lightly tongued his freckles on his collarbone, smirking when he shivered lightly against her. He smiled widely, kicking off his pants and tugging hers off from the ankles. They were both blushing brightly, thrilled with exhilaration and anticipation.

The world was theirs. There was no jealousy of past lovers, no question of their love or loyalty and no pain of the fights soon to come. Their love was pure. It was whole. She was whole.

In that moment, nothing mattered. It didn't matter that he was going to cheat on her, that he would hit her, that she wouldn't be able to submit to his desires for her life, that she would leave him.

Nothing mattered.


She missed that insular bubble where everything was okay. Hermione sipped from her firewhiskey, grimacing at the burn running down her chest. She looked down at the glass, lightly fingering the lip of the tumbler.

Sirius always said her eyes reminded him of firewhiskey.


Nobody ever loved me like she does,

Oh she does, yeah she does.

And if somebody loved me like she do me

Oh, she do me, yes, she does.

Grimmauld Place (Four Days Ago)

Hermione sat in the library late at night, leaning her head into her palm and fighting off sleep. She felt so warm and cozy, wrapped in a soft throw from the couch. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun, her glasses almost falling off the tip of her nose and her large shirt slipped over a dainty and pale shoulder. Her fingers were dotted with black ink and her legs were curled up under her in the chair.

She shook her head gently, hoping to wake herself so she could continue working. Her research wasn't due for another few weeks, but she wanted to have it done with plenty of time to adjust her findings. She scratched her cheek and yawned delicately.

"I told you to stop staying up so late."

Hermione's head turned to see him, his broad dark form leaning against an antique doorframe. His stormy blue eyes were fixed on her, his expression nonchalant and relaxed, but his eyes exposed his passions.

She fidgeted slightly in her seat; uncomfortable with the heat and attention he was aiming at her. She tucked a wayward lock behind her ear and stood up, lightly shuffling her papers and trying to organize things slightly before he ushered her to bed.

"I had some work to do, Sirius." She replied.

Sirius walked over to her, his tall frame towering over her slender one. She stiffened, her exhaustion taking the form of irritability and she fought the urge to snap at him. She absolutely detested people who commanded things of her, especially men. This instinct exaggerated by her lack of sleep.

Sirius laid a hand gently on her shoulder, but she felt suffocated and stifled. "Listen, kitten. I know that you're job is important, but you really should be sleeping more. This research is not time-sensitive. Stop staying up so late." His words started out tender but his last statement felt far too close to an order.

She snapped.

"Sirius, I don't have to be a bloody auror for my job to be important." Hermione bit, turning away from him to sit back down at her desk. She had been ready to head up to bed, but now she wanted to fight.

She had been so confused about Sirius and Remus and so tired from her whole ordeal with Ron, and she really just needed a win.

"What are you talking about, Hermione?" Sirius frowned, trying to pull Hermione back from her desk to meet her eye but she determinedly stared at the desk. She resisted and he put his hands on the back of her chair, swinging her around to face him.

She continued to give him the silent treatment and he found his temper quickly escalating past his control. He stood staring down at her, his arms crossed over his chest and his normally friendly face turned down in a deep glower.

"Hermione, what the fuck is wrong with you? You know that I think your job is important. Why are you being so bloody difficult?" He squatted down to face her, but she stubbornly refused. "Well, okay. I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm tired so you can just talk whenever you're ready." He growled and Hermione felt a surge of satisfaction at his admission of defeat.

Her pleasure was cut off sharply when he pulled out his wand and immobilized her.

She let out a loud squeak and her eyes were comically wide. Sirius let out a dark chuckle and threw her over his shoulder, walking proudly to his room. She continued to let out muffled shouts and miniscule wiggles, but his spell held firm and her exhaustion was prohibiting her from using nonverbal magic.

Sirius kicked the door of his room open and strode across to his large bed, tossing her down onto the soft white sheets. She laid there, still frozen and unable to look away as Sirius pulled off his shirt.

The long muscles of his back coiled and shifted in the dim light, scars stretched across his skin and tattoos decorated his shoulders and back. Her mouth watered, but she blamed it on her mouth being open when she was immobilized. She couldn't help but want to lick the pale spaces between his tattoos. His experience tempted her. He walked back to the bed, put his hands down and paused to look down at her.

She admired the dimples and dips of his shoulders and collarbones, her mouth begging to slid up his skin and discover whether he tasted as good as he looked. His dark hair contrasted his pale skin, his aristocratic features warmed by the mischievous grin on his face. Her eyes fell to his lips, approving of his smooth white teeth and plush lips.

His mouth opened and she snapped out of her trance.

"Are you ready to be released, kitten?" He grinned when she let out a muffled yet undeniably affirmative shout, "Oh no? I guess I could let you stay like this if that's what you wanted…" He smirked, his eyes glinting with flirtation. He dropped his head down to her exposed shoulder, letting his nose run the trail of her soft collarbone and neck. "You smell delicious, love."

Her face flushed bright red and she whimpered, his closeness bringing his dark woodsy scent with a hint of something darker. He was warm and firm and her body answered his call, an insistent ache throbbing between her thighs. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When his eyes opened, his pupils were large and his mouth curled into a satisfied smile.

He rolled off of her and released his spell. She lay there for a moment, her mind reeling from the combined arousal and exhaustion.

She turned her head and met his dark eyes. They glinted with the promise of something deep, something that frightened her, something that thrilled her. He waited for her to decide whether or not to stay, determined to make her decide. That way she would not be able to blame this on him, as she had their first night together.

She met his eyes cautiously and tentatively reached her hand out to cup his cheek. She ran her fingers over his stubble unhurriedly. His eyes were firm but reverent and he tugged her closer to his side.


There were so many reasons that Sirius and Hermione would never work. He was temperamental, promiscuous and damaged. Their friendship was intimate, but they could have vicious fights and have issues seeing eye to eye.

Sirius was fire. He was intense, argumentative and unfamiliar with commitment. How did she know that he wouldn't just take her for a night and then see her as a notch on his bedpost? What if he was repulsed by her inexperience or unimpressed by her lack of finesse?

Hermione shook her head and motioned for another shot. While waiting for the bartender, she thought about the more lupine man of her home.


And from the first time that she really done me

Oh, she done me, she done me good.

I guess nobody ever really done me,

Oh, she done me, she done me good.

Grimmauld Place (Three Mornings Ago)

The full moon was tonight, and Remus was clearly slipping. She knew that Draco and Sirius had been doing there part to keep Hermione clear of the wolf, but she didn't know whether they were afraid of the wolf pushing Remus to make her feel pain or pleasure. Ever since their encounter a few days ago, Hermione felt herself getting hot and bothered around him and she found herself needing to take long walks to soothe her aching thighs.

Hermione could hear the low growl emanating from Remus' chest whenever she came near. She played it off as humorous or cute, but she knew that she wasn't fooling anyone.

She woke up with Sirius this morning, knowing from their weeks living together that he wouldn't wake for many hours and that she was better off slipping out early. She straightened out her outfit and left his room, stopping in hers to grab her toothbrush and an outfit. She made a quick stop in the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed and then went to the kitchen.

She spotted Remus sitting at the table in the kitchen, buried in a thick book. She hesitated in the archway, unsure of whether or not to enter without Draco or Sirius. She shook her head after a moment, reminding herself that she didn't need protection from anybody. She could handle herself.

With this confidence in mind, she strode confidently to the cabinets and gathered the makings for her breakfast. She threw a typical morning greeting to him, hoping to be casual although she knew he could hear her heartbeat accelerate.

She couldn't help it. She'd been without him for a few days and while she knew it was just 'the pull' that Sirius and Draco mentioned, it was very tempting. She couldn't help but notice a pale pink scar trailing down from behind his ear to end underneath his collar, and she was drawn to trace it with her tongue.

"Damn, what is it with tongues, lately?" She muttered to herself, clashing two pans together due to her preoccupation.

Remus' ears perked at the mention of a tongue. His eyebrow raised and he turned to her, her heart speeding up and she realized that she had gravely underestimated his power over her.

"What about tongues, love?" He smirked, his eyes half blue and half amber. He closed his book with a subtle snap.

Hermione blushed dark red and tucked a hair behind her ear. "Oh, nothing, Remus. I didn't realize that I was thinking out loud." She pushed herself to focus on her cooking and not bypassing breakfast to devour him instead. "Goddamnit, what is wrong with me?" She muttered again, and this time, Remus pretended not to hear her.

Remus decided to turn back to his reading, but he realized belatedly that he was already standing. He fought to gain control over himself, but things quickly went downhill and he found himself taking the backseat.

Moony stood tall with his head cocked, watching Hermione with interest. She noted the different color in his eyes and changed her mind about cooking. She turned sharply, and began returning things to their respective cabinets. He watched her reach high to the cabinets above her, smiling at her going up onto her tiptoes. She was adorable.

He savored the view she made while bending down to put away the pots and marched towards her when she made to leave. He pushed his front against her back, savoring her soft curves and he buried his nose in the nape of her neck.

Hermione yelped quietly at his sudden presence, but her research on canines kicked in and she stayed calm. Fighting him would only further rile him.

He pulled her hair back from her ear and licked a steady line from shoulder to earlobe. His hand came up to grab her hip tightly and he delighted in her light moan and ground his growing hardness into her bottom.

"Fucking hell, love. You taste delicious." Hermone's heart stuttered at the similarity to her experience with Sirius the night before, and she felt her stomach drop. She moved away from him and spun around to push him away, but he pushed her back into the cabinets again.

"Remus, I-I'm sorry but I can't." She tried to remain firm, but his woodsy and dark scent surrounded her and made her knees shake. She yearned to wrap her legs around his waist and feel him over her, but she knew that she needed to focus on being independent again. She was already frustrated because she planned on being single for a year or so, but she already needed to figure out what was happening with Sirius. She hated when things didn't go according to plan.

Remus picked her up by her hips and slammed her on the counter behind them, swiftly separating her legs and stepping in between them. He yanked her core closer to his and cupped the back of her head in the palm of his large hands, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"You think that I don't know what you're thinking?" He whispered gruffly, "You think I can't smell him all over you?" He growled, the vibrations travelling down her skin to settle deep in her womanhood. Hermione gasped, completely clueless as to what to do with a jealous, very aroused werewolf. She slowly reached for her wand, hoping to catch him by surprise.

Her hope was dashed when he snatched the wand out of her back pocket, throwing it over his shoulder. He let one of his hands slip from behind her head to rest on her throat, not squeezing tightly, but firmly enough to maintain her attention.

"I don't care that you've been cuddling up to the dog, love." His smirk was confident and self-assured. "I know that it's my name that you'll be screaming when I'm buried inside of you." Hermione's eyes went wide and she froze. He grinned wolfishly and thrust against her shallowly. "What, you thought that I would be 'sweet and kind Remus?' You thought that I would be docile and let you walk all over me?" He gripped her neck tighter and kissed her hard. "I am not a little boy. I am a man. And I will have you."

He released her suddenly, his eyes returning to their natural blue-green color and he stared at her. He was still in between her legs, but he stared at her and it was clear that there was a completely different identity in front of her.

"Hermione," Remus' voice reached for her, but he retreated physically. She blinked blankly back at him.

Hermione hopped off the counter and looked up at him, analyzing the fear and apprehension in his eyes. She stepped closer.

"Don't apologize." She glared at him. Remus' mouth opened, but she put her hand against his lips.

"What?" He gaped, his stomach fluttering with poisoned butterflies when he assumed that he had disgusted her.

"I don't know what is happening between us, but don't you fucking apologize, Remus Lupin." Hermione glared up at him, before storming out the door.


Remus wasn't right for her either, she decided. He was too apologetic and unable to reconcile his lupine side with his human side. She didn't know how to make it work with one entirely human man, how could she make it work with his two personas?

She supposed that that idea wasn't fair, but her issue wasn't with his condition, it was with his inability to accept himself that gave her pause.

Hermione got up, swaying side to side with tipsiness and made her way to the floo. She knew that she wasn't sober enough to apparate, so she dug out a handful of powder and threw it into the fire with a shout. She disappeared into the green flames with a drunken giggle.


Sirius, Draco and Remus were sitting in the parlor, waiting for Hermione to come home. They were sitting together under the pretense of a friendly drink by the fire, but they all knew why they were there.

Hermione rarely went out alone in the weeks that she lived with them, and the house felt empty without her warming presence. Sirius missed her in his bed, and Remus missed her scent. The past three nights she went out straight from work, coming home very late with the stench of firewhiskey thick around her.

A loud giggle startled them out of their conversation, and they turned just in time to see a drunken Hermione fall out of the floo.

Sirius and Remus leapt to her aid, each taking an arm and pulling her to her feet, but she swayed nauseously and shook out of their grasp.

"No!" She shouted, pointing at each of them. "I will not be rescued like some –hic- some damsel!" She growled, and Remus and Sirius raised their hands in defense.

"Hermione-" Sirius and Remus began, trying to calm her down, but she was further incensed.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Hermione pushed Sirius' chest, then shouted at Remus. "Why are you both so confusing?" She growled, displeased when Draco nudged his way between his two confused roommates and gathered Hermione in his arms.

He tossed her knees over his elbow and tucked her head into the crook of his neck, commanding her to be silent before sweeping her up the stares and to her room. He distantly heard Remus and Sirius calling for Hermione, but she weakly fought him for only a moment before falling asleep in his arms.

He smiled down at her, enjoying the drunken flush on her cheeks and her disheveled state. He had planned on throwing her callously into bed, but she was too peaceful and he couldn't make himself do it.

He gently set her on the bed, pulling the covers over her and left. Remus and Sirius were waiting for him outside the door, wanting to check up on her condition.

"Is she alright?" "Why was she so upset?" "Is she too drunk? Did you put her on her side in case she vomits?" "Oh gross, Remus, what the fuck?" "It's a muggle medical technique, Sirius, shut up!"

Draco massaged his temples while they bickered in front of him, opening his mouth a few times to answer questions, but he quickly lost his patience.

The former Slytherin ignored his concerned roommates while they followed him with questions, and he threw his door open and shut it in their faces.


Lyrics are from "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles. Let me know who you're shipping, I'm trying to decide where to go with this. Thanks and goodnight!