synopsis: Professor Lupin has startling dreams of Hermione, and things become shall we say very...heated.
rating: R - content and language
warning: Hermione/Remus! If age difference bothers you, do not read!


Wolf in the Fold
Chapter 3

Remus couldn't get the blasted dream out of his head for the rest of that day. Class was unbearable, and he couldn't even watch Hermione hold a quill in her hands without thinking something completely inappropriate. But perhaps worst of all was when she had looked up at him, and had seen him watching her.
What had she made of that look? He certainly hadn't meant to be watching her at the time, but it seemed that's all his eyes wanted to do.
He really needed a woman.
Yes, that's exactly what he needed.
A very specific woman
Remus let out a breath of frustration and stepped outside of his chambers, practically slamming his fingers in the door he was so agitated. He strode down the hallways, what he needed right now was some fresh air and then a very, very cold shower. Fantasizing about students was not something he was sure was highly regarded among the instructors at Hogwarts. Especially when that instructor also happened to be a werewolf. Two strikes against him.
"Get a grip Remus," he muttered to himself. Nobody knew anything and that's the way it was going to stay.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


He didn't know how long he walked around the Forbidden Forest. He felt no fear from the monsters that dwelled there. He had found in his travels that beasts tended to recognize another predator and generally avoided him, even in his human form. After some time he began to calm down and his thoughts seemed to make more sense. Rationally, he supposed, he was attracted to Hermione because she definitely was an attractive girl. There was nothing wrong with that. But acting on those impulses, that was where the trouble could start. So, really, the only course of action there was available was to simply ignore his feelings, and move on.
And that was that.
The wind rustled the leaves overhead and he glanced up at the fat moon that seemed to taunt him, promising him that it would be back next month, make no mistake. Letting out a sigh, Remus decided to head back to the castle.
He had almost made it out of the forest when he saw a figure, her back to him, walking along the edge of the forest. Her hair shone in the moonlight and she moved lightly along the grass, her steps almost ethereal.
He blinked.
She was still there.
He flared his nostrils and breathed in. His senses waxed and waned with his change and they were still somewhat sharp. He nearly groaned in disbelief when he caught a small fragment of her scent.
It was Hermione.
Questions flew through his mind. What was she doing out here so late? Was she waiting for someone? (an uncomfortable twitch of annoyance at that thought) Was she mad, there were dangerous creatures out here!
He could only think later that his mind was so thouroughly occupied with questions that his body acted on its own accord. That would explain why he found himself, only a few minutes after promising himself that he would not act on his impulses, standing right behind her, his hand reaching for her shoulder.
If he hadn't been mortified at his actions, he would have found her small scream of terror somewhat amusing.
"Professor Lupin!" she exclaimed.
Was it so wrong to want to ravish her on the spot?
He took his hand from her shoulder as though he'd just been burnt.
"Hermione," he said lamely, mentally cursing every indecent thought he'd had about her.
Her breathing slowed and she seemed to get over her fright. She looked up at him, "Professor, what are you doing out here so late?" she asked, taking a step closer to him.
"Just getting some fresh air," he replied, taking a step back, "More importantly, what are you doing out here...so late? It's very dangerous to be out here alone at night." Then why was he the one who sounded frightened?
She stepped closer. Oh Gods, didn't she know she shouldn't do that? He could feel the heat from her body and he seriously considered, right then and there, trying making a run for it. But then she'd know something was really wrong.
"Professor, give me a little credit, I am a grown witch you know."
As if he needed to be reminded.
"You...er...you should really get back to the castle now, Hermione, I was just headed that way myself." He turned and began walking away, hoping she would follow him quietly.....and at a distance.
"Wait! Professor Lupin!" she called.
He stopped, closed his eyes and silently prayed for willpower before turning around. She was half running to catch up with him and stopped a short distance from where he stood. He could reach out and grab her if he really wanted, he supposed for a split second before squelching the thought. He put on a politely interested face.
"Yes Hermione?"
She cast her eyes down coyly, and fiddled with a stray lock of her hair, as if embaressed to speak. She looked positively delicious.
Yes, good enough to eat.
"Well I was thinking Professor...." she trailed off, still looking down.
"Yes?" he croaked.
"You know I'm graduating this year, and I'm no longer going to be a student, and you're no longer going to be my teacher."
Dear Gods. What was she saying?
She glanced up at him shyly, "Well I was thinking..."
"....." was all he could manage.
She let out a shuddering, deep breath, "Could I call you Remus?"
He blinked at her stupidly for a moment, before her words managed to filter into his blood starved brain.
Remus? Remus who?
Oh.
"Er...yeah." he said, "I mean, of course." Good save there, Remus, real smooth.
She looked up at him, concern on her face, "Professor Lupin, are you alright?"
He coughed in his hand, "Yes, I'm fine, just...you know...tired and all." he faked a yawn.
"Oh, okay. Well I guess we should head back now."
"Yes, well...okay." he said and turned back to the castle.
And because his back was to her, Remus didn't see Hermione smile.



A/N: Well there's chapter 3. I hope you folks enjoyed. Chapter 4 should be up fairly soon. Thanks for playing, come again, and leave a review or Hermione and Remus might not want to come out and play....^.^