AN/ thanks so much! I cannot believe all the wonderful reviews. Thanks to AprilGrey for beta services

Comfort XV

Trepidation-A state of alarm or dread; apprehension.

Hermione, feeling a bit guilty, snuck back to her bedroom before her parents woke. Remus was her husband, but still she felt shy about sleeping with him under their roof. Her faced burned as she remembered the way he had her screaming with pleasure and hoped her parents had slept through it.

Breakfast was a pleasant affair, with Hermione's parents treating Remus more congenially than they had last night. She was surprised when her father asked Remus if he would like to meet him after work for a drink. Remus thanked him and agreed, but only if he weren't called away for the Order.

After her parents had left for work, Remus kissed her longingly. "I must check in." He caressed her cheek. "I would rather stay with you." With a small smile, he Apparated.

****

Remus returned several hours later looking solemn. "I have an assignment," he said softly. "Will you let your father know?"

"Yes."

"Hermione, while at Headquarters, I told Molly about our marriage and the baby."

"How did she take it?" Hermione asked nervously.

Remus grinned. "Like I knew she would. She is already knitting blankets and booties." Hermione smiled. "Of course she scolded me at first, had to be the mother hen, then hugged me. She told me to tell you if you need any advice or help not to hesitate to let her know and that she loves you."

"Oh," Hermione felt tears in her eyes. "I will owl her immediately."

"Molly was very miffed about not being invited to the wedding until I explained we were married the Muggle way. I am under a death threat if we do not include her in planning for the Wizarding ceremony."

Remus wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Please be careful," Hermione said steadily.

"I promise." He cupped her chin and kissed her sweetly. "Take care of yourself and the little one," he said gently. Hermione watched him leave, a feeling of trepidation running through her.

****

Two figures crept quietly across the roof, hiding in the shadows. At the edge, the first man leapt across the gap to the next roof, landing deftly on his toes. The other followed, sliding a bit when his feet touch down on the shingles that were damp from the misty rain. The leader motioned to a window on the left. With skill, he eased his body down until his legs were level beside it. With a flick of his wand, the window slid silently up. Swinging his body, the man propelled himself through the window, landing in a crouched position his wand at the ready. His mate swung through moments later scraping the side of the window frame and landing with a thud. A spell hit him squarely in the chest. The crouched figure heard another spell being cast, dropped his left shoulder and rolled, coming up on one knee. He caught the spell caster in the chest with his own spell.

"You're dead, Weasley," said a gruff voice, "as are you, Dung."

Bill pulled off the black wool hat, freeing his long mane of hair. He wore a bright red X on his chest as did Dung. "No fair," Bill complained. "Mad Eye could see us with that magical eye."

Standing, Remus grinned. "You are doing well."

Moody snorted. "So well that you are dead. It sounded like a herd of hippogriffs on the roof."

"Mad Eye," Remus chided, "don't overwhelm him with your praise."

"You only get one chance in this game," Moody growled. "Unless you have the luck of the Irish like this oaf does," he said nodding towards Mundungus.

"'Tis all in knowing when to run," Mundungus chuckled while offering Bill a drink.

Remus smiled as the men traded barbs. Bill was learning fast. After the botched job in the Ministry of Magic last year, Voldemort and his Death Eaters were on the offensive. Every week there was an attack on a wizarding family, every week more deaths. There were now more assignments than Remus could handle alone. It was urgent that Bill be trained in reconnaissance especially with Podmore's death. Sturgis had been the one to fill in when Remus was unavailable or incapacitated.

"If you are ready, shall we try again?"

Bill nodded, pulling the black wool hat on and stuffing his long hair up in it. "I think Moody should pop his eye out this time," he grumbled, following Remus out the window.

****

The rest of July passed quickly for Hermione. She busied herself by doing all the summer assignments and reading everything she could on childbirth and pregnancy. Trying to keep her mind off of Remus, she asked her mother to give her cooking lessons. It was during one of these lessons that the subject of her parents' vacation came up.

"We are going to cancel," her mum said.

"No, please don't," Hermione argued. It gave her the perfect opening to bring up something she had wanted to discuss, but was reluctant to. "I will be going to Headquarters at the end of the week."

Her mum dropped the dish she was wiping. "Hermione, you can't," she said worriedly, picking up the pieces of the shattered plate. "It is too dangerous."

"Headquarters is the safest place in all of England," Hermione explained, telling her how it was protected. "And in truth, I'm only in danger if I stay here."

****

"I will be going into Diagon Alley next week," Molly told Ginny and Hermione, who were setting the table for lunch. "Ron, I need to take your measurements. Everything is too short," she said in exasperation.

"I think mum must have had an affair with Hagrid," teased Bill, who had joined them for lunch.

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry who grinned back at him. "She should have put a rock on my head," he muttered, going into the pantry to fill a pitcher with butterbeer.

"He is a tall drink of water, isn't he," Tonks agreed. Tonks and Moody had arrived early and was joining them for lunch. "Nice to have a day off," Tonks said with a grin, knocking over a stool as she headed for the table.

There was the sound of footsteps on the stairs. "Arthur?" Molly asked.

"Sorry Molly, just me," said Remus. Hermione's heart leapt. She turned to look at him. It had been five long weeks since she had last seen him and three since she had received a short note from him saying he was all right. Hermione's smile was wide and her eyes sparkled. Remus returned her smile as he tried to control the urge to rush over and kiss her. Ginny covered her mouth to hide her grin.

"Get on with it you two," Moody grumbled, as he stomped by Remus to take a seat by Tonks.

"Whom are you talking to?" Ron asked, as he sat a pitcher of butterbeer on the table.

Molly was giving Moody a scathing look and shaking her head, but he ignored it.

"Remus and Hermione. If you want a bit of snogging before we eat hurry up so we can get on with it."

Harry and Ron's mouths dropped.

"Mad Eye whatcha on about?" Tonks asked as Hermione blushed. "Why would they...oh." She grinned broadly as Remus blushed also.

"Hermione? What are they talking about?" demanded Harry.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Molly said irritably. "Ron, Ginny, Harry, I want your word you will not make a fuss about this."

"'Bout what?" Ron asked.

Molly gave Hermione an apologetic glance. "Hermione is pregnant," she said calmly.

"Yeah. We know," Ron said. "Some Muggle boy."

"No, Ron," Hermione said nervously. "Not a Muggle boy, but by my husband."

"You got married?" Harry gasped. "To whom?"

"To me," Remus said quietly with a note of pride.

"Oh!" squealed Tonks, knocking her chair over as she ran over to Remus and hugged him. "I knew it! I knew it! Well, not everything, but I knew you and Hermione were crazy about each other."

Bill was smiling broadly. "Well done, old man," he said shaking Remus' hand and giving Hermione a kiss.

"Have you all gone mad?" Harry asked coldly. "This is so wrong. How could you do that to her?" he shouted at Remus as he stood. "She is my age. You are old enough to be her father."

"Harry, don't," Hermione pleaded.

"And you. Couldn't even tell us who the father was, could you. Can't blame you. I would be ashamed to be shagging a...a... half breed like him."

"Harry Potter!" Hermione said angrily. "Don't talk about Remus like that."

"And I thought you were suppose to be the responsible one," Harry snarled turning on Remus. "Should have been you that went through the veil that night."

"Harry!" Molly said aghast.

"It's okay, Molly. Harry we need to talk about this," Remus said softly, his face pale.

"I don't want to talk to you! Not now, not ever," Harry shouted as he raced up the stairs. Remus started to follow, but Tonks stopped him.

"Let me. He's too angry with you right now. Besides, I know you are going to have to go after tonight's meeting. You should spend the time with Hermione," she said gently.

Remus looked quizzically at the pink haired witch. When had she become so level headed? "Thank you." he walked over to Hermione and put an arm around her.

"Ron? Ginny? Are you upset?" he asked the two Weasleys.

"I already knew," Ginny admitted hugging him. "And I think it's wonderful."

"I think it's bloody creepy if you ask me," Ron said truthfully. "I mean Hermione is my age, but I am not mad or anything. If she had to marry anyone, well, I am glad its you."

"Thanks Ron," Hermione said gratefully.

Ginny moved over to allow Remus to sit beside Hermione. "Lunch first," Molly told them with a wink.

****

Tonks found Harry in the large bedroom that housed Buckbeak. He was sitting on the bed watching Buckbeak rummage in the hay on the floor for bones.

"Harry? Want to talk about it?"

"No."

She walked over and sat down next to him. Buckbeak eyed her suspiciously and ruffled his feathers. "I don't think he likes me," she said waving at the hippogriff. Tonks studied Harry a minute. "Why were you so angry at Remus, Harry?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno."

"Way I figure it, you feel like you've lost one of your best friends and your connection to Sirius."

"No," Harry snapped. "Lupin had no right to...to,..."

"Betray you?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "It's just so wrong. He's so old."

"Nothing wrong with that," Tonks said, leaning back on her elbows. "Girls mature faster than boys. I reckon Hermione wouldn't have been happy with anyone but an older man."

"But she's my age," Harry protested.

"Love does funny things to people," Tonks said with a grin. "Makes you forget things like age, propriety, you know, those silly rules people like to live by."

Harry didn't say anything. After a few minutes he turned to look at Tonks. "Think she really loves him?"

"No doubt about it mate," Tonks said with a smile, sitting back up.

He nodded. "Still, the age difference..."

"Listen, I know you respect Remus and he thinks the world of you. Give them a chance." She looked at him, a sly grin on her face. "How would you feel if an older woman liked you? Would you be freaked about the age difference or see what was what first."

Harry blushed. "Dunno. I mean it isn't likely to happen, so never thought about it. Guess it would depend on who it was and if I liked her." Tonks smile widened. "Okay. I get your drift. I suppose it wouldn't matter."

"Good," she said getting up. "Don't know about you, but I am starving."

"Thanks, but I want to be alone for a bit."

"Right." Tonks walked over to the door. "Oh, by the way, Harry. That question about an older woman liking you had a double meaning."

His eyes widened. She gave him a wink and left. Harry flushed to the tips of his ears.

****

Sated and tired, Hermione lay on her back, Remus' head on her upper stomach as she stroked his sweaty hair. "Hermione," he said hesitantly. "If the baby is a boy..."

"I think Sirius is a lovely name," she said quickly. She could feel him smile against her stomach.

Remus laid his hand on her lower abdomen. "I hope he has your brilliant wit," he said lazily.

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps she will have your eyes."

"He, of course, will be a Gryffindor," Remus continued.

"Maybe she will be in Ravenclaw instead."

Remus laughed. "As long as our child is healthy and happy I don't care what sex it is. A dozen daughters would be fine with me."

"A dozen?"

Remus chuckled. "Okay, seven then," he teased. "Enough for our own Quidditch team."

Hermione giggled. Remus rose and moved up to kiss her. Though they had just made love, he felt the stirrings of hunger for her once more.

****

Three nights later...

Remus shifted in the small nook behind the painting, trying to give his legs some relief from the cramped position. This had been a very boring assignment thus far and he hoped Dumbledore would it give to someone else soon. He chided himself for such thoughts. Albus was generally always correct in his hunches. Jonas Hardwick, a healer, had been researching a potion that would give the drinker immunity to the Imperius Curses. If it was successful, the potion would be made available to the Wizarding Community and Voldemort would lose a very effective weapon. The Minister had supposedly been the only one privy to the information, but Severus had informed Dumbledore at the meeting three nights ago that the information had been leaked.

He looked at the doppelganger sitting before the fire. The false Hardwick appeared to be reading a book and relaxing before bed. During the day it was programmed to go to the lab and sit at a table full of beakers and instruments. The real Hardwick had been whisked away to a safe house after the meeting where he worked on perfecting the potion.

Sighing softly, Remus closed his eyes a moment as he thought of Hermione. Never had he hoped to feel so whole, to have someone as wonderful as she was to love him in return. He had long ago resigned himself to being alone because of his Lycanthropy. Then Sirius had broken through his defenses and taught him it was all right to love and to accept love. When Sirius had been taken to Azkaban, Remus had once again built those walls around his heart.

After finding Sirius again after all those years, the walls had begun to crumble but not completely. Yet a young woman, innocent and honest, had broken them apart more fully than anyone ever had. How lucky he was that she loved him.

His eyes flew open. Holding his breath he listened hard. A soft creak sounded on the stairs. Remus heard the soft click of boot heels now and he surmised there were three persons climbing the stairs. Pressing his eyes to the portrait, he stared into the room.

The door swung open and three Death Eaters entered, two men and one woman. Remus felt his stomach tighten. There was only one woman Voldemort would entrust with this responsibility. He watched as the woman raised her wand and pointed it at the doppleganger.

"Jonas Hardwick," said Bellatrix Lestrange. "Our Master has requested an audience with you. You can come willingly or not, but you will be going to see him."

'Not likely,' Remus thought, putting the tip of his wand out the eyehole. "Impedimenta," he said quietly. The three Death Eaters were knocked off their feet, dazed. Remus pushed opened the portrait and cast Stupefy at the first one getting to his feet.

One of the Death Eaters cast a spell at Remus, who ducked and aimed another Stupefy spell, catching him full in the face.

"You again," hissed Bellatrix. "Annoying little flea. I think it's time to squash you." She cast the killing curse at him. Remus dropped and rolled behind the sofa. The sofa exploded, sending stuffing into the air. He sent a spell at her, which she reflected with the shield spell.

"Are you sure you are not a cat, werewolf?" she asked mockingly. "A cat with nine lives?" Another jet of green light soared towards Remus. He tumbled away as it passed over his head.

"'Fraid not, Bella," he said bitterly, casting the Expelliarmus charm at her. It rebounded on another shield charm and Remus sidestepped the jet. She shouted another curse at him at the same time he cast the Impedimenta jinx once more. The beams of magic passed so closely to each other, that the colors were blended for a moment. Taking a deep breath, Remus waited till the last second to fall to the floor, allowing the curse to hit a grandfather clock. The face of the clock shattered and it began chiming. Lying flat, he pointed his wand at her feet. "Stupefy!" he shouted. The spell struck home and she fell hard on her back.

Getting to his feet, the clock still chiming loudly., Remus walked over to her. "It's over Bella," Remus said grimly, as he wrapped the unconscious woman in magical bonds, feeling deep satisfaction. He jerked as a sharp pain ripped through his side.

Grimacing at the pain, he gripped at a hand that was twisting the handle of a knife, driving the blade deeper under his ribs. Suddenly the hand pulled away as someone gave a triumphant cry when the handle of the broken knife fell to the floor with a clatter.

Putting his hand over the wound, Remus turned to see a short, stocky wizard. "Peter?" he gasped, as a fiery burning sensation radiated from the wound.

"Hello Remus," Peter said with a sly grin. "And goodbye." He walked over to Bellatrix. Bending down he pulled out a small object from his pocket and touched it to her hand. She disappeared. With a pop, Peter Apparated.

Remus could fell feel the blade still within him as he began gagging, spraying the floor with bloody foam. 'No' he thought wildly as the fiery burning spread faster through him. His vision swam as he staggered towards the fireplace. If only he could send a message or floo to safety...He didn't feel the pain of his knees striking the stones as he fell. Lying on his side, he tried to crawl forward, but didn't have the strength. "Hermione," he whispered as darkness flooded over him.