Hermione stretched and blinked her eyes to see the dying embers in the fire. It was early; the sun wasn't glowing through the window enough to declare morning. The witch sat up to see Severus was propped against the table with his elbow. He was sleeping with his hair dangling around his cheeks.

For a moment, Hermione examined the man. When he wasn't scrutinizing things like a bird of prey, he was plotting. There was nothing gentle about his tendencies, but at this moment, he was a blank slate. The ease in his expression was stunning.

The witch shook herself and crawled away from the bed. Hermione snuck from the room and padded up the staircase. The house was quiet, eerily so. It wasn't until she made it to the master floor that she heard anything.

"Ballocks and bloody fucks," Remus's voice echoed in the stairwell.

Hermione quickened her pace and met them on the flight below. Remus was leaning on Sirius in a pair of sweats. His sides were scratched and bleeding down his bruised ribs.

"Remus!" Hermione gasped as she raced to them.

"Hold on, love. He's sore," Sirius grunted.

Hermione checked his abdomen and scowled. "Remus, what happened?"

"Love, let's get him down, eh? He needs rest," Sirius insisted.

"Let's get him to my room. It's closer. I can mend him in there," she murmured while touching the sunken face of the werewolf.

"You're too kind," Remus grunted.

The witch moved from them and skipped to her bedroom. Sirius was nudging the werewolf. "Remember that time in the astronomy tower with that redhead from Hufflepuff?"

Remus coughed out a chuckle. "Yes, she was sweet. Wanted a puppy for Christmas."

They took a few more steps before Remus shuddered. "Or that time in the pumpkin patch writing love poems for James to give to Lily?"

Hermione, at first, didn't understand what Sirius was achieving by mentioning the past. However, noting the ease, Remus would have when walking while answering gave her the answer. Sirius was distracting his friend from the pain long enough to get him situated.

"I remember hearing about the time you convinced Peeves to turn all the Christmas trees purple," Hermione mused as they reached the doorway.

Remus breathed with a smile. "It cost me two dung bombs."

Sirius nodded and helped the werewolf inside, assisting in placing him on the bed. "Alright, mate. Stretch out and let her have a look."

Remus grimaced as he maneuvered to the pillows, slumping to the bed. Hermione gave Sirius a bounce of her head before patting his arm. "Get some rest, I'll take care of him," she whispered.

Sirius bent and kissed her forehead before escaping the room. Hermione lifted her shirt to reveal the wand tucked in her waistband. She flicked it to her desk and rose it to the ceiling before focusing on the werewolf. She touched his scorching skin and scowled while looking at his wounds.

"You smell like lavender and vanilla," Remus sighed and winced while moving.

"And you smell like you could use a bath, Remus," Hermione said with a small smile.

Remus coughed and nodded. "Yes," he huffed.

Her wand touched a few of the scratches. "Remus, what happened?"

"This is my life, Hermione."

A crate of potions and a towel floated to the bedside. Hermione got to work cleaning up the wounds before shifting the werewolf toward her. Remus's forehead pressed into her neck and groaned.

"Come on, take your potions, Remus," Hermione whispered as she stroked his hair.

"You smell like home," he breathed.

"Remus," she paused when he lifted his face to her and kissed her lips.

Hermione stiffened, and Remus used the bulk of his reserves to pull her into his lap. Her legs curled around his sides as he forced her to straddle him in their coupling.

"Remus," she whispered when they parted.

"I just need you. I felt it all night. Hermione," He breathed as he nuzzled her neck.

"I need you to focus and take your potions," Hermione murmured as she ran her fingers through his hair.

He stuck his hand under her shirt and ran it over her left breast. "Do you feel that? The thrumming of this string connected from mine to yours?"

Hermione smiled and sighed. "A nod to Jane Eyre?"

"I love you," he whispered.

Hermione pulled from him enough to meet his eyes. "Why do you say that?"

"Last night, all I thought of was you. Hermione, you captivate me," he expressed with a deep breath.

"Do you," she was stopped when he kissed her.

This man, he knew what soft and subtle meant. Remus gripped her chest and groaned as she whimpered. His hand caressing her back, gripped her shirt and pulled it up and over her. Hermione panted and pressed a hand to his chest. "Remus, you have to take your potions and recover some. I have to go get Teddy today."

"I will if you stay with me until you have to leave," Remus sighed.

"I will."


Hermione shifted and scrubbed her face as she stood in the King Cross Station. What the fuck was she thinking? She had to have lost her mind. Her fingers rested over her forehead as her thumb dug into her temple.

"Are you alright?" Ginny's voice broke the ambiance.

Hermione jumped and turned to the redhead. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you could use a friend," Ginny sighed. "I don't seem far off."

Hermione waved her hand, then rubbed the side of her neck. "It's just been a rough couple of days. How's Harry doing?"

"Oh, he's fine. Sirius plans to go out with him and the children next weekend."

Hermione just nodded as she breathed. "I hope Teddy adjusts alright. I haven't told him yet."

Ginny moved to stand next to her and frowned. "Not the type of news you can say in a letter."

Hermione resituated her magenta turtle neck and coat. "No, it is not."

"Tell me, why do you seem so haggard today?" Ginny asked as she scowled at her.

"I was up late," Hermione murmured. "Severus and I were in the dining room all night."

Ginny rose her eyebrows and huffed. "Well, it seems your hands are full. How has Snape been handling things?"

"Surprisingly well," she responded.

She took Hermione's discomfort into account and pursed her lips. "What happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"Something has made you extraordinarily off," Ginny mused.

Hermione scowled at her and exhaled before waving her hand in the air. "I don't know what I'm doing. Remus told me this morning he wanted me to go with him to the Burrow. He wanted to escort me with Sirius, and for the life of me, I can't find a reason to tell him no."

Ginny leaned into her and laughed. "It just figures. You bring them back, and they vie for your attention like schoolboys with a crush on the professor."

Hermione narrowed her gaze at the redhead. "I don't find that funny in the least."

Ginny subtly reached over and pulled down Hermione's collar of her turtleneck, gasping at the hidden evidence. "How did that happen?" she hissed.

Hermione groaned as she covered the silvery mark. "It was an accident. One of which I refused to blame him for."

"What were you doing that it was an accident?" Ginny growled while nudging her.

Hermione's jaw jutted forward in the slightest. "I really don't want to talk about that."

Ginny covered her mouth. "You didn't!"

"No, I didn't. He was recovering from the moon for Merlin's sake. He was, well, it happened," Hermione sputtered and then waved. "It was an accelerated reaction due to tension, alright?"

To Hermione's relief, the Hogwart's train sounded outside the station and brought them back to the task at hand. Ginny took Hermione's hand and squeezed as the locomotive pulled into the platform. It was a nerve-racking moment for Hermione. The last time she saw the boy was when he was at school asking her if she was any closer to solving this.

She knew that he was worried about his cousins. He missed his grandmother. Teddy pined for normalcy. It was difficult for Hermione to not have any answers for him yet, on top of announcing his father's arrival. Would he be upset? Would he ask why his mother was missing? Hermione was afraid most of all, in disappointing him.

Hermione was chewing her lower lip as the train came to a halt and settled in the station. Children of all ages started to pour from the doors, but Teddy hadn't appeared. Where was he? Then, with a flash of teal across the side of Hermione's vision, there he was.

Teddy raced forward, and Hermione tore from Ginny to meet him. "Aunt Hermione!" Teddy shouted.

"My Teddy Bear!" She cried when they hugged.

He laughed and kissed her cheek. "I missed you so much."

"Your Aunt Ginny is here," Hermione whispered and pulled from him.

Teddy arched an eyebrow and glanced over at Hermione. "Did something happen to Grandmother?"

"Oh, no, Teddy. I'm just here spending time with your aunt before you head home. Did you want to get some hot chocolate and tell me about school?" Ginny inquired as she approached.

"Yes, hot chocolate sounds good," Teddy smiled with a nod.

"Okay," Hermione voiced as she rubbed his back.


Sirius handed Remus another vial before sitting down at the table. "Are you nervous?"

Remus rocked his head. "Yes."

"Do you think she explained everything to him?" Sirius questioned.

"I hope not everything," Remus hummed.

Sirius leaned over the table and scowled. "What happened this morning?" He whispered.

The werewolf looked away and breathed. "I did something horrible."

"What?"

Remus was silent a moment before exhaling. "I bit her," he said.

The animagus slammed back against his chair and shuddered. "On accident?"

"Yes."

"I thought you had it under control? We agreed that you were fine with this plan before we went down from the attic," Sirius declared with a pinch to his brows.

Remus scrubbed his face and groaned. "I know, but it just happened. Padfoot, she was in my lap, and her scent was begging for more attention. I wanted to consume her in more than just a bite but hadn't the energy to follow through."

"Well, I suppose that was a different way to go about it. How did she take it?" Sirius questioned.

Remus tossed his fist to the table and huffed. "Like usual. Brilliantly and with compassion. She pulled out the powdered silver and dittany with a casual air. While I dressed it, I apologized, but she told me not to. Then I asked her what I could do for her, and she told me, just to rest so I was alive for Teddy. I asked if she would let me escort her to the Burrow, and she explained you had asked. So I suggested we both do."

Sirius barked out a stream of laughter with a nod. "Oh, that's brilliant, Moony."

"I thought so too. She wants us to step up so we shall," Remus sighed.

"Snivellus told me he kissed her."

Remus swigged down the potion and shrugged. "Would it be so awful to have him around? He can take care of her on nights like last night. Someone to be her sentry when we are unable. If he really is attracted to her, and she's willing, what do we have to lose, Padfoot?"

"I just don't like it," Sirius replied.

Their conversation was interrupted when the front door opened. Remus stood from his chair and straightened his jumper as Sirius reached for the teapot. There was laughing, and broken conversation as the pair made their way into the house.

"I can't believe you told Professor McGonagall that," Hermione giggled from the hallway.

"She asked me if I planned to be late to her class again, I only was being honest, Aunt Hermione," a young boy's voice responded.

They entered the dining room. Remus's palms were sweaty as he took in the appearance of the blue-haired boy. He had green eyes and his nose. This was his son, and even by smell, he could identify him. No one spoke just yet as the boy examined the werewolf.

"He's taller than you said," Teddy whispered to Hermione.

Hermione sprung to life and walked next to Remus. "Teddy, this is Remus Lupin. Remus, this is your son, Edward Remus Lupin."

Remus chewed the inside of his cheek as he took a step forward. His arm was extended with his hand offered. "I'm so beyond elated to finally meet you, Teddy."

Teddy grinned as his hair melted to the lovely brown of Remus's. "Dad, I'm so happy I get the chance to see you!" He exclaimed and raced into the werewolf's body.

Remus choked on an emotional laugh and embraced him. "Oh, I wasn't expecting this."

"Aunt Hermione always says hugs are better than soft words," Teddy murmured.

"I have to agree," Remus voiced before clearing his throat. "Do you want to get settled so you can tell me about your school year?"

Teddy pulled away and nodded. "Of course! Let me take my trunk up to my room. Aunt Hermione and I have been living together for a year," he beamed.

"Good, she needed someone to take care of her, kid," Sirius declared.

Teddy laughed and walked up to the animagus. "Uncle Sirius! I'm so happy you're here too," he voiced while hugging the man around his shoulders.

"Me too, kid. You go ahead and get set up for the two weeks' home. We have a fun amount of things planned," Sirius chuckled as he patted the boy's hand.

"Okay, I'll return," Teddy announced as he pulled away.

When the boy disappeared, Hermione exhaled with a nod. "He took it far better than I thought."

"How so? What kid wouldn't be excited to see his dad?" Sirius snickered.

"No, it's not that," Hermione sighed. "I was worried he'd be upset that I didn't tell him before."

Remus caressed her shoulder. "You did just fine, Hermione."

Hermione smiled and touched his fingers. "Thank you, Remus. Now, I'm going to make myself scarce for a little while. Why don't you both spend some time with him?"

"Why wouldn't you join us?" Remus asked.

"Because he deserves a moment in time unencumbered by others. Remus, he should get to know you both first hand. You'll do just fine."

Fred stuck his head into the doorway. "You ready, Hermione? We are on a bit of a time crunch."

Hermione nodded and pulled from Remus. "Yes, I'll see you outside."

"Where are you going, love?" Sirius questioned.

"To go pick up a few potion ingredients and some items for the party tomorrow," Hermione answered with a grin. "Fred and George have a plan."

"Well, have fun," Sirius pouted.

Hermione bounced over to him and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back for dinner. Behave."

"You know I won't," Sirius chuckled.

"Have fun with Teddy!" Hermione exclaimed and bounced from the room.

Remus breathed with a nod as he rolled his neck. "I suppose we have plenty of time to get to know my son."

"Your son," Sirius snickered. "Moony, you actually have a legacy."

"Shocking, but relieving at the same time," Remus hummed.

"Agreed. We'll talk about the heavy stuff later. Let's enjoy the simple things today."