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Thanks again for supporting this story. This is probably the fluffiest chapter…just a little something to lull you into a peaceful state before all heck breaks loose in future chapters.
Chapter Nine: Prelude
It took Remus some time to fully recover from his self-inflicted wounds. The combined expertise of both Poppy and Severus ensured that his stay at the infirmary, while longer than that of Hermione's, was at the very least comfortable. Poppy tutted around Remus as if he were a china doll and admonished almost everyone if they spoke to him for more than five minutes. Severus brought him his Wolfsbane Potion as the full moon approached and Remus continued to complain of its awful taste, earning a wry smirk from the Potions Master.
"Sometimes I wonder if it is true that sugar would negate the beneficial effects of the potion, Severus. I would not put it past you to slightly misrepresent the truth just to watch me grimace over the foul taste," Remus gasped as he drained the smoking goblet.
"My dear Remus, are you questioning my abilities as a Potions Master?" Severus asked with a mocking lilt in his voice.
Remus grinned cheekily, wiping his mouth deliberately with a nearby cloth.
Although the scars on his wrists quickly vanished, Remus' strength was slower to return. Hermione visited him whenever she could, at mealtimes and in the evening. Poppy had resigned herself to the fact that the young Charms professor stubbornly marked homework assignments and prepared lesson plans at the bedside of the recuperating patient. The mediwitch did not complain overly much because Hermione's presence had the added benefit of calming him so that he did not require a sleeping potion and that, in itself, was something to be hoped for given the circumstances.
Sirius Black stepped in to assist teaching Remus' classes for as long as might be necessary, giving the students the excitement of having Azkaban's most famous inmate as an instructor in Defense Against the Dark Arts. When he was not teaching, he was assisting the Headmaster in designing wards to protect Remus from being detected. His formidable knowledge of the Dark Arts gave most of the professors some reassurance that Remus might be safe from Voldemort's awful plan. Severus and Hermione did not agree and continued to work on possible modifications to the Wolfsbane Potion in an attempt to find a cure.
Finally, Poppy reluctantly discharged Remus and gave him a stern talking-to as to what was permissible and what was not over the next few days. Remus was sorely tempted to ask her if the list of forbidden activities included snogging but decided against it, reasoning that the mediwitch might very well forcibly confine him to the infirmary for several more weeks.
The next few days were filled with walking throughout the castle and on the grounds, building up his strength. Sometimes alone and sometimes accompanied by Hermione or Sirius or even Severus. He felt completely refreshed after a late-afternoon walk and decided to pay a visit to Hermione in her classroom.
Hermione grinned as she watched the seventh-year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws rushing out of her class to hurry towards another engrossing lesson with Sirius. He had quickly become a very popular member of the Hogwarts faculty, much to Severus' chagrin.
"They seem to be in an awful hurry to get to class. I don't remember any class being that interesting." Remus stepped into the room, trying to avoid being overrun by eager students and not succeeding particularly well.
"I seem to remember several classes that were, as you put it, that interesting," Hermione picked up her assorted parchments and textbooks and threw them into the old satchel that served as her bookbag.
"Here," Remus walked over quickly, "let me carry that for you."
Blushing slightly, she handed the heavy parcel to Remus.
"Does Madam Pince know you are carrying half of the Hogwarts library in here?" Remus asked mockingly.
Hermione laughed.
"You have to promise not to tell her…she might forget that I am a professor now and take points from Gryffindor."
Remus grinned as he shouldered his burden willingly.
"Are you done for the day?" He asked, walking closely beside her.
"Thankfully. That last class tired me out somewhat. They always have so many questions."
"I don't think that really bothers you. I remember you being the same way."
"Curiosity, thy name is Hermione Granger," she giggled.
They walked along in comfortable silence until they reached the door to her chambers.
"Well," Remus handed her the bulging satchel, "I suppose I will see you at dinner?"
"Did you want to come in? I have a bottle of Aberlour malt whiskey that Severus gave me recently. It's quite good...just the thing to spark the appetite for dinner."
Remus noticed that she was still blushing and fingering her satchel nervously. He reached up to touch her shoulder, caressing her neck softly with his thumb.
"Yes, I have heard of Aberlour although I admit that I am somewhat surprised. I always thought Severus to be more of a Glenmorangie sort of wizard. I suppose he thought you would like something more…bittersweet."
Biting her lip, she hesitantly lifted a hand to caress his cheek. "Yes, sweetness with a touch of bitterness for balance."
"Hermione…" he stepped closer to her, moving the hand up her neck to entwine in the luxurious golden brown masses of her hair.
She smiled at him and reached behind her back to turn the handle on the door, opening it in a clear invitation she hoped he would not refuse.
"Hermione…" his tone was slightly more guarded as she stepped away from him and entered her chambers, depositing the satchel on the floor and turning to look at him.
"Hermione, I don't think…"
She ignored him and proceeded to a cabinet in her small parlour, pulling out a crystal decanter and two cut-glass snifters. Pointedly refusing to look at him, she proceeded to fill the glasses with the honey-coloured liquid. To Remus' heightened senses, it seemed that the very air was perfumed with the subtle herbal tones of the drink.
"I think," she stated suddenly as she picked up one of the glasses and walked back towards him, "that I have waited a very long time to try…this. It looks innocent, tastes innocent, sliding easily down the throat and yet it has a dangerous quality to it."
"Perhaps all the more reason to avoid it," Remus murmured as the scent of the liquor, combined with the headier scent that was uniquely Hermione mingled in his nostrils. He couldn't tell which was more intoxicating…
"No, it is all the more reason to savour it." She deliberately sipped the drink and held up the glass to him. Her hand trembled slightly, causing the liquid in the glass to ripple gently. "Would you care for a taste, Remus?"
Remus stepped into the chamber and closed the door quietly behind him. He walked over to her and took the glass from her hand….setting it down carefully on a nearby table.
"Yes…I would…very much," he murmured before drawing her to him and, leaning down, kissing her deeply.
Hermione's arms moved to encircle his neck as she opened herself to him and allowed him to thoroughly explore her mouth with his tongue. Waves of desire coursed through Remus' blood and he wanted nothing more than to make love to this beautiful, remarkable and utterly desirable woman.
He pulled away slightly and gazed at her flushed face.
"Why me, Hermione?"
She looked puzzled, her brow furling slightly at the question. "Why not you, Remus?"
He sighed slightly, caressing her cheek softly and pushing several wayward tresses back behind her ears.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered.
She smiled. "A woman in love is always beautiful."
He looked at her very intently. "Are you in love, Hermione?"
"I have loved you for a very long time," she replied, undoing the clasp on his cloak and letting it fall to the ground. Shakily, his hands fumbled with hers and soon it joined his in a rather undignified heap.
With growing confidence, Remus slowly began to work the fastenings of her robes and managed to undo them without too much difficulty, the black garments pooling around her ankles. For a moment, he simply marveled at her beauty. His gaze caused her to blush becomingly and that, if at all possible, made her even more wondrous in his eyes.
She attempted to do the same, raising her hands to disrobe him in a similar manner, but his hands automatically came up to stop her.
"Remus," she pleaded.
"I…I'm sorry. It's just that…the scars…"
"The scars mean nothing to me," she replied lovingly. "I want to see you just as you can see me."
He nodded and watched Hermione gently remove his robes and let them fall. She looked at him and, for a moment, he was sorely tempted to hide himself…hide the evidence of what had made him the monster he was…hide the evidence of what he had done to himself all those years ago.
Hermione quickly took in the scar on his shoulder; a lasting reminder of the bite that had condemned him to this life of sorrow. There were other marks as well, crisscrossing lines of silver that appeared on his chest and arms. She felt a wave of sympathy for the man but that was immediately replaced by an admiration for his strength. To endure so much for so long was remarkable. He was a much hardier individual than anyone realized.
She reached out her arms and wordlessly invited him to embrace her. He held her close, reveling in the feeling of her skin against his. He felt his body react to her closeness but did not shy away…and neither did she…
Her hands wandered over his back, feeling the strength of the muscles, wanting to know every inch of this man. He shuddered slightly as her hands trekked lazily up and down.
"Make love to me, Remus," she said in a voice that trembled with desire.
He did not answer; he simply reached down and lifted her in his arms, carrying her over to her bed. He put her down gently before lying down with her.
"I love you, Hermione," he murmured as he embraced her and began kissing her smiling face…
****************************
Remus woke first, wondering for a moment where he was as the light was coming in from entirely the wrong angle. He felt languid and content and, as he moved, he heard a soft sigh. Smiling now, he turned his head to look at Hermione, who was still fast asleep and breathing softly. Her head rested on his chest and one arm lazily draped across his waist.
He still could not believe it and, as he softly kissed her forehead, he thanked whatever deity was responsible for bringing her into his life. He had a purpose now in his life. He had a reason to continue to fight. Oh, there had always been Harry to watch over and he certainly cared about the young man but this was different.
He loved her.
And she loved him.
In the grand scheme of things, nothing else remotely mattered as much.
Caressing her shoulder softly, he closed his eyes to remember…the way she had said his name in that throaty drawl…such a lovely voice for lovemaking…the way she kissed his chest that made him gasp…the way she made him forget about such things as full moons…the way she made him feel…like a man…and not a monster.
A slight frown appeared on his face.
She had never able to do that.
************Flashback*****************
Remus was pacing at the foot of the bed nervously as the woman lay sleeping peacefully. Every so often he would stop and look at her with sadness and longing. He wanted to be lying next to her but…soon…
Finally, he sat down next to her and gently touched her shoulder.
"Please wake up, love," he murmured as he tried to wake her.
She mumbled something incoherent and turned on her side.
Remus sighed and shook her gently.
"I need to go," he said quietly as she slowly opened her eyes, batting them becomingly at Remus, causing him to blush somewhat.
"Can't you wait until morning?" She asked petulantly. "The moon will be coming up in a little while. We can watch the stars from the Astronomy Tower, if you like. There will be no students tonight. Thanks to upcoming NEWTs and OWLs, we professors have a bit of leisure on our hands."
"No, I cannot. I have to go. I will see you tomorrow…if you like," he said haltingly.
She smiled and sat up in bed.
"I do like but I would like it better if you stayed with me tonight," she murmured seductively.
Remus felt his body react to her flirting but knew he had no choice.
"I'm sorry…I have to go. I will see you tomorrow." And, with a kiss and an embrace, he hurried out the door.
He felt her gaze on his back but did not turn around.
He found the tunnel and hurried along. Voldemort had been defeated, thanks to little Harry. Peter, James and Lily had died because of Sirius but the former Marauder was serving a life sentence in Azkaban and so received his just punishment. It was rumoured that Severus would be granted a teaching position and Remus was nervous about that.
Despite all the sadness in the recent months, Remus felt happy. He had found a special woman, one he loved dearly and who loved him back.
Perhaps she was the one for him.
He certainly hoped so.
He reached the door and looked at Poppy who was holding the door open for him. She always looked so sad when she saw him…one of the few people who truly understood what he went through.
"Everything is ready for you, Remus," she said softly.
"Thank you, Poppy."
"I wish there were more I could do for you," she sighed as she closed the door.
"I know." His voice carried through the barred opening in the door.
"Severus Snape is returning to Hogwarts in the fall. Dumbledore has vouched for him and the Ministry has agreed. He is an adept at potions…perhaps he might discover something…"
"Perhaps, Poppy. Good night. You should be going."
Another sigh from the mediwitch. "Of course, Remus. Good night. I will come for you in the morning."
Remus sighed as the sound of receding footsteps told that he was alone. He sat down in a dusty chair and waited.
He did not have to wait very long…
The next morning, Poppy came and brought him a restorative elixir which revived his flagging energy somewhat. He stumbled through the corridor and made his way to his chamber, intent on sleeping the day away.
That did not happen. She had been waiting for him. When he saw the look of horror and disgust on her face, he knew immediately what must have happened.
"I followed you," she yelled as she turned away from him, "I saw you with Poppy and thought that, perhaps, you were dallying with her. She hurried back and I ducked into the shadows so that she did not see me. "
She turned to Remus with hatred in her eyes.
"You're a werewolf," she fairly spat out the words.
"Yes, I am," he replied quietly, feeling the dreadful ache in his chest as he realized where this was going and that his life at Hogwarts was over.
"You are a monster…a hideous being that preys on innocents. I let you make love to me and, all the while, you are a disgusting creature of darkness!"
Remus felt the tears pricking at the back of his eyes.
"I have never harmed anyone," he said quietly but emphatically.
"Why should I believe you? For all I know, you have murdered babies in their sleep. How could you do this to me?"
Remus moved closer to her, "I did not…"
She held up both hands in a clear gesture of self-preservation and he stopped immediately.
Looking at her, he could see that there was no love in those eyes any longer. Perhaps there never had been. Perhaps he had only been fooling himself.
"Get away from me, Werewolf!" She hissed as she brushed past him…
…and out of his life forever…
**************End of Flashback**************
Opening his eyes again to look at the sleeping vision of loveliness in his arms he held her just a little closer to him.
No, Hermione was not like her. Hermione had witnessed his transformation years before…had kept his secret for almost an entire school year. She knew what he was and had never shied away. She had been willing to give him a chance to show her the man he was rather than the werewolf she knew he was forced to be.
And she truly loved him. Of this, he was certain.
Her eyes fluttered open and sparkled as she looked at him quietly. She placed her hand over his heart and felt its steady beating beneath her fingers.
"You do realize that we missed dinner?" He teased gently as he stroked her hair.
She smiled at him as she traced circles on his bare chest. "I'm not very hungry, I'm afraid. I have everything I need right here."
Remus kissed her forehead gently. "I was thinking the very same thing."
"Severus is going to be simply awful to deal with," she whispered as Remus' kisses traced over her cheeks and down her throat.
"We'll simply have to bear his superior airs for a time," he murmured between kisses.
"I suppose. What do you say we go down to the Great Hall at breakfast?"
"Breakfast? That's such a long time away, Hermione."
"I know but I don't think I can bear to be away from you tonight. Don't send me away, Remus."
He embraced her fiercely. "I promise you I won't ever do that again, Hermione." And he began to kiss her all over again…
A/N: The idea for the malt whiskeys belongs to Jaded Green (cheers, mate!)
A/N2: Special thanks to my goddess of a beta-reader, Tessie!!