AN/ Thank you for all the lovely reviews and I am glad that a few people
are coming around to the HG/RL pairing. Big hugs and cocoa to April for
betaing this chapter
Comfort Part IV
Acceptance-a : to endure without protest or reaction b : to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable c : to recognize as true
&&&
Entering the kitchen, she saw Arthur and Molly chatting quietly having a cup of cocoa. "Hermione dear, why are you still up?" Molly asked with a concerned look on her face.
"Just heading up. I don't suppose I could get a glass of Grammy's Cure- All?" she asked with a faint blush as she saw Arthur smile into his cup.
Giving her a sympathetic look, Molly told her it would take just a second.
Grammy's cure all was a concoction for cramps and menstrual pain which she had been introduced to while staying at the Burrow. The cure was nothing more than a liberal shot of firewhiskey in a glass of warm apple juice, with plenty of sugar added.
"Having a good holiday?" Arthur asked, smiling at her.
"Yes, thanks. Mum and dad took me to New Zealand to visit mum's aunt. I was glad I got back in time for Harry's birthday."
Arthur's face fell. "I am glad you did too. Harry needs his friends more than ever right now." He shook his head. "It just isn't right for that boy to have so much thrust upon him."
"Here you go dear," Molly interrupted, giving her husband a sharp look. "Now off to bed with you." Hermione bade them goodnight and headed up the long flight of stairs to the third floor.
&&&
Remus, his hands behind his head, lay in bed in his small room on the ground floor. He had opted for this room when he and Sirius had first moved into Grimmauld Place. Close to the front door, it was convenient when the need arose to move quickly, especially when dealing with the portrait of Sirius' mother, who screeched loudly when disturbed.
Staring into the darkness, he tried to keep the racing, nagging thoughts from flooding over him. It was his desire to stay calm and relaxed for Hermione's sake. The girl was overwhelmed and who could blame her? Sighing, he pushed away her image and focused on a mundane, peaceful scene.
During his childhood, especially when he became depressed and unable to sleep, his mother had gently taught him to refocus his thoughts. Her soft voice painted pastoral, soothing pictures in his mind until he felt as though he were truly in the scenes.
A large green field drifted through his mind and he imagined himself lying there amid the soft grasses, hearing the humming of the small insects flying around the flowers that dotted the field with a rainbow of color. Breathing deeply, he felt the warm sun stroking his skin, as a soft breeze stirred the grasses. He heard the soft lapping of water and now saw a pond sketched into the scene and could almost feel the water, warm and inviting.
&&&
Hermione sighed deeply as she sunk into the hot water in the large marble tub. Though Sirius' mother seemed to have been a bit deranged, she did have excellent taste, she thought. The bathroom was exquisite, done in pale blue marble. The bathtub was at least nine foot long and very deep. An impression had been made at one end that allowed the bather to rest their head comfortably back. Several silver taps lined the side each holding different additives for the bath preparations. Hermione had chosen a light- scented oil that smelled vaguely of rosemary and chamomile. The combination of Grammy's Cure-All, the hot water and aromatic oil was beginning to ease the tension from her.
Dipping a washcloth into a jar of creamy soap, Hermione began washing herself. As the cloth passed over her breasts, she noticed how tender she was and a small smile crossed her face as she thought of last night. Though she had never dreamt that she would be having sex yesterday, it had been a very worthwhile experience, except of course for the spell that had bonded her to Remus. Trying not to think of the aftermath of last night, she closed her eyes as she thought of Remus' kisses as her hand moved lower.
Her fingers touched the entrance to her sex. It just seemed different, opened. Hermione blushed as she remembered why it was different, though the blush was also part arousal that had begun to spread through her
Rubbing herself she thought of Remus, the way his body had felt in her, the exquisite sensations she had experienced, reliving ever detail until she achieved climax. Shuddering, she sunk low in the water as she came down from the orgasm, feeling sated and very relaxed.
&&&
Remus lay there panting slightly. 'Well at least she found a way to relieve her tension' he thought wryly as he looked down at the tented sheet. Groaning, he rolled to his side, thankful that Hermione seemed to have finally relaxed.
&&&
Hermione stretched languidly as she looked around the room. It felt late and she hurried to get dressed. Entering the underground kitchen, she saw Ginny and Molly were the only occupants.
"Bout time you got up, lazy," Ginny teased.
"Now Ginny," Molly scolded. "It is alright, dear. I'm glad you got some rest," she told Hermione who had mumbled an apology.
Hermione began munching on the toast Molly had set before her. "Where are Ron and Harry?"
"They went up to the attic to go over some Quidditch strategies for the new term. I thought I would wait for you," Ginny told her. Hermione knew that Ginny wanted to be in on any Quidditch plans as she was unsure of what position she would have now that Harry would be playing once more.
"Go on Ginny. I think I will look over some homework today anyway."
"I thought you might want to join us," Ginny said.
Hermione laughed. "I think you know me better than that. I'll catch up with you later." Ginny gave her a thankful smile and left.
Listening to Molly hum a tune, Hermione was lost in her own thoughts. She had woken up to the feeling of being safe, as if someone was holding her tight. It had been the first time in a long while she had felt that way and she couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the spell between her and Remus.
"Hermione?" Hermione looked up at Molly who was standing near her.
"Sorry, didn't hear you," she said sheepishly
"Evidently," Molly laughed. "I asked you if you would mind taking this to Lupin. I packed a few sandwiches and biscuits for him to take along."
"Along? Is he going somewhere?"
"Yes, I think he has something he needs to do for the Order." Molly clucked. "I hope he will take care of himself. He seems so tired all the time."
Taking the bag from Molly, Hermione hurried out of the kitchen leaving Molly to stare at her.
She found Remus in the entrance hall dressed in his Muggle clothing, the worn overcoat looking shabbier than she remembered. A broad smile lit up his face when he saw her, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Hermione, I'm glad you found me. I wanted to say goodbye."
Hermione handed him the sack. "Mrs. Weasley packed you a lunch," she said, her throat feeling tight. "Where are you going?"
"I told you it'll be easier on you if I am not under the same roof."
Feeling a twinge of loss, Hermione shook her head. "You don't have to leave because of me. Please, I can adjust to whatever happens."
"I know you are a very capable young woman, Hermione, but it does not change the fact that there are things I must do." Remus' voice grew soft. "And it will be better for both of us not to have the interchange of feelings. The distance will help." He hesitated a moment. "Remember the full moon is the fifteenth. I am so sorry." He touched her cheek briefly.
"You don't have to go."
"Yes, I truly must." He smiled, gave her a light kiss on her forehead and was gone.
&&&
The next two weeks passed in a slow haze for Hermione. She had not felt any connection to Remus during this time, except for when she had awoke one night to her heart racing as her adrenaline flowed. Feeling anxious and wary, she had stared into the dark room for more than an hour. Finally the feeling had passed and she was not sure if she had been feeling Remus or just anxiety for the coming full moon.
Finally the fifteenth was upon her. Hermione sat in her room flipping through her notes. She had gone over in her mind all that she could remember about Lycanthropy and the process of the metamorphosis that occurred. 'Surely the anticipation was worse than the actual event,' she thought wryly. Glancing at the clock on the shelf, her heart beat faster. It was almost time. Getting up she headed for the bathroom.
Locking the bathroom door, Hermione sat crossed legged on the floor in front of the full-length mirror. Her skin felt like little insects were crawling up and down in rapid succession.
"Okay, I can handle this," she told her reflection in the mirror. "Breath deeply, let it pass and it will be alright."
The first pain started in her jaw. It felt as if her bones were trying to stretch through her skin. She flinched as she put her hand up to touch her mouth expecting to find it stretched. Her vision was getting fuzzy, and her ears were ringing. "It's alright, I can handle this," she said loudly.
"Noooo." Hermione grabbed both sides of her face as she felt it twist and writhe within her, her fingers clawing at her skin, trying to hold on. 'My skull is going to burst,' she thought panic stricken, looking up horrified. She saw only her normal face, a few scratches on her cheek and was relieved but only for a moment as the pain ripped through her entire body now.
&&&
"What was that?" Ron asked. He, Harry and Ginny were sitting on Ron's bed playing a game of Exploding Snap when they heard a scream.
"Probably Mrs. Black," Ginny said, throwing down her card.
The scream resounded once more. Harry's eyes grew wide. "That's Hermione."
They scrambled off the bed hurrying to the door. "Get mum and dad," Ron told Ginny as he and Harry headed in the direction of the bathroom.
"Hermione!" Harry pounded on the door, trying to jerk it open. "Are you alright?"
Lying on the floor, Hermione was panting and gasping as another ripple of pain ran through her. "I can handle this," she said through gritted teeth, though another scream escaped her lips.
The grinding, pulling pain ripped through her. Her bones were shifting, changing, stretching, and shrinking. Muscles, skin and sinew protested at the transformation of the bones and their cry of protest was a hot, searing pain that washed over her like molten lava.
Crawling over to the door, she pulled herself up by the doorknob. With shaking hands she unlocked the door as another wave of pain shot through her shoulders. Opening the door, Harry and Ron stood with their wands raised. Harry barely caught Hermione as she gave him a horror stricken look and fainted.
Comfort Part IV
Acceptance-a : to endure without protest or reaction b : to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable c : to recognize as true
&&&
Entering the kitchen, she saw Arthur and Molly chatting quietly having a cup of cocoa. "Hermione dear, why are you still up?" Molly asked with a concerned look on her face.
"Just heading up. I don't suppose I could get a glass of Grammy's Cure- All?" she asked with a faint blush as she saw Arthur smile into his cup.
Giving her a sympathetic look, Molly told her it would take just a second.
Grammy's cure all was a concoction for cramps and menstrual pain which she had been introduced to while staying at the Burrow. The cure was nothing more than a liberal shot of firewhiskey in a glass of warm apple juice, with plenty of sugar added.
"Having a good holiday?" Arthur asked, smiling at her.
"Yes, thanks. Mum and dad took me to New Zealand to visit mum's aunt. I was glad I got back in time for Harry's birthday."
Arthur's face fell. "I am glad you did too. Harry needs his friends more than ever right now." He shook his head. "It just isn't right for that boy to have so much thrust upon him."
"Here you go dear," Molly interrupted, giving her husband a sharp look. "Now off to bed with you." Hermione bade them goodnight and headed up the long flight of stairs to the third floor.
&&&
Remus, his hands behind his head, lay in bed in his small room on the ground floor. He had opted for this room when he and Sirius had first moved into Grimmauld Place. Close to the front door, it was convenient when the need arose to move quickly, especially when dealing with the portrait of Sirius' mother, who screeched loudly when disturbed.
Staring into the darkness, he tried to keep the racing, nagging thoughts from flooding over him. It was his desire to stay calm and relaxed for Hermione's sake. The girl was overwhelmed and who could blame her? Sighing, he pushed away her image and focused on a mundane, peaceful scene.
During his childhood, especially when he became depressed and unable to sleep, his mother had gently taught him to refocus his thoughts. Her soft voice painted pastoral, soothing pictures in his mind until he felt as though he were truly in the scenes.
A large green field drifted through his mind and he imagined himself lying there amid the soft grasses, hearing the humming of the small insects flying around the flowers that dotted the field with a rainbow of color. Breathing deeply, he felt the warm sun stroking his skin, as a soft breeze stirred the grasses. He heard the soft lapping of water and now saw a pond sketched into the scene and could almost feel the water, warm and inviting.
&&&
Hermione sighed deeply as she sunk into the hot water in the large marble tub. Though Sirius' mother seemed to have been a bit deranged, she did have excellent taste, she thought. The bathroom was exquisite, done in pale blue marble. The bathtub was at least nine foot long and very deep. An impression had been made at one end that allowed the bather to rest their head comfortably back. Several silver taps lined the side each holding different additives for the bath preparations. Hermione had chosen a light- scented oil that smelled vaguely of rosemary and chamomile. The combination of Grammy's Cure-All, the hot water and aromatic oil was beginning to ease the tension from her.
Dipping a washcloth into a jar of creamy soap, Hermione began washing herself. As the cloth passed over her breasts, she noticed how tender she was and a small smile crossed her face as she thought of last night. Though she had never dreamt that she would be having sex yesterday, it had been a very worthwhile experience, except of course for the spell that had bonded her to Remus. Trying not to think of the aftermath of last night, she closed her eyes as she thought of Remus' kisses as her hand moved lower.
Her fingers touched the entrance to her sex. It just seemed different, opened. Hermione blushed as she remembered why it was different, though the blush was also part arousal that had begun to spread through her
Rubbing herself she thought of Remus, the way his body had felt in her, the exquisite sensations she had experienced, reliving ever detail until she achieved climax. Shuddering, she sunk low in the water as she came down from the orgasm, feeling sated and very relaxed.
&&&
Remus lay there panting slightly. 'Well at least she found a way to relieve her tension' he thought wryly as he looked down at the tented sheet. Groaning, he rolled to his side, thankful that Hermione seemed to have finally relaxed.
&&&
Hermione stretched languidly as she looked around the room. It felt late and she hurried to get dressed. Entering the underground kitchen, she saw Ginny and Molly were the only occupants.
"Bout time you got up, lazy," Ginny teased.
"Now Ginny," Molly scolded. "It is alright, dear. I'm glad you got some rest," she told Hermione who had mumbled an apology.
Hermione began munching on the toast Molly had set before her. "Where are Ron and Harry?"
"They went up to the attic to go over some Quidditch strategies for the new term. I thought I would wait for you," Ginny told her. Hermione knew that Ginny wanted to be in on any Quidditch plans as she was unsure of what position she would have now that Harry would be playing once more.
"Go on Ginny. I think I will look over some homework today anyway."
"I thought you might want to join us," Ginny said.
Hermione laughed. "I think you know me better than that. I'll catch up with you later." Ginny gave her a thankful smile and left.
Listening to Molly hum a tune, Hermione was lost in her own thoughts. She had woken up to the feeling of being safe, as if someone was holding her tight. It had been the first time in a long while she had felt that way and she couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the spell between her and Remus.
"Hermione?" Hermione looked up at Molly who was standing near her.
"Sorry, didn't hear you," she said sheepishly
"Evidently," Molly laughed. "I asked you if you would mind taking this to Lupin. I packed a few sandwiches and biscuits for him to take along."
"Along? Is he going somewhere?"
"Yes, I think he has something he needs to do for the Order." Molly clucked. "I hope he will take care of himself. He seems so tired all the time."
Taking the bag from Molly, Hermione hurried out of the kitchen leaving Molly to stare at her.
She found Remus in the entrance hall dressed in his Muggle clothing, the worn overcoat looking shabbier than she remembered. A broad smile lit up his face when he saw her, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Hermione, I'm glad you found me. I wanted to say goodbye."
Hermione handed him the sack. "Mrs. Weasley packed you a lunch," she said, her throat feeling tight. "Where are you going?"
"I told you it'll be easier on you if I am not under the same roof."
Feeling a twinge of loss, Hermione shook her head. "You don't have to leave because of me. Please, I can adjust to whatever happens."
"I know you are a very capable young woman, Hermione, but it does not change the fact that there are things I must do." Remus' voice grew soft. "And it will be better for both of us not to have the interchange of feelings. The distance will help." He hesitated a moment. "Remember the full moon is the fifteenth. I am so sorry." He touched her cheek briefly.
"You don't have to go."
"Yes, I truly must." He smiled, gave her a light kiss on her forehead and was gone.
&&&
The next two weeks passed in a slow haze for Hermione. She had not felt any connection to Remus during this time, except for when she had awoke one night to her heart racing as her adrenaline flowed. Feeling anxious and wary, she had stared into the dark room for more than an hour. Finally the feeling had passed and she was not sure if she had been feeling Remus or just anxiety for the coming full moon.
Finally the fifteenth was upon her. Hermione sat in her room flipping through her notes. She had gone over in her mind all that she could remember about Lycanthropy and the process of the metamorphosis that occurred. 'Surely the anticipation was worse than the actual event,' she thought wryly. Glancing at the clock on the shelf, her heart beat faster. It was almost time. Getting up she headed for the bathroom.
Locking the bathroom door, Hermione sat crossed legged on the floor in front of the full-length mirror. Her skin felt like little insects were crawling up and down in rapid succession.
"Okay, I can handle this," she told her reflection in the mirror. "Breath deeply, let it pass and it will be alright."
The first pain started in her jaw. It felt as if her bones were trying to stretch through her skin. She flinched as she put her hand up to touch her mouth expecting to find it stretched. Her vision was getting fuzzy, and her ears were ringing. "It's alright, I can handle this," she said loudly.
"Noooo." Hermione grabbed both sides of her face as she felt it twist and writhe within her, her fingers clawing at her skin, trying to hold on. 'My skull is going to burst,' she thought panic stricken, looking up horrified. She saw only her normal face, a few scratches on her cheek and was relieved but only for a moment as the pain ripped through her entire body now.
&&&
"What was that?" Ron asked. He, Harry and Ginny were sitting on Ron's bed playing a game of Exploding Snap when they heard a scream.
"Probably Mrs. Black," Ginny said, throwing down her card.
The scream resounded once more. Harry's eyes grew wide. "That's Hermione."
They scrambled off the bed hurrying to the door. "Get mum and dad," Ron told Ginny as he and Harry headed in the direction of the bathroom.
"Hermione!" Harry pounded on the door, trying to jerk it open. "Are you alright?"
Lying on the floor, Hermione was panting and gasping as another ripple of pain ran through her. "I can handle this," she said through gritted teeth, though another scream escaped her lips.
The grinding, pulling pain ripped through her. Her bones were shifting, changing, stretching, and shrinking. Muscles, skin and sinew protested at the transformation of the bones and their cry of protest was a hot, searing pain that washed over her like molten lava.
Crawling over to the door, she pulled herself up by the doorknob. With shaking hands she unlocked the door as another wave of pain shot through her shoulders. Opening the door, Harry and Ron stood with their wands raised. Harry barely caught Hermione as she gave him a horror stricken look and fainted.
