Propensity
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
A/N: Thanks to aikakone for beta'ing this chapter and for her continued encouragement!
Chapter Fourteen
"Are you serious?" Ginny demanded. "I have to stay in bed for three days?"
"Ginny, I'm sorry, but that's what Madam Pomfrey and Healer Blanton want. They think you've been doing too much and need a break," Remus replied. "Besides, I'll stay with you the whole time."
"But I don't want to," Ginny whined.
"Well, I'm sorry, but that's how it's going to be," Remus said sternly. "I'm putting my foot down."
"Fine," she grumbled. "Can I walk to your chambers alone or is that too much as well?"
"Ginny, that's enough," Remus said, "or I'll be forced to carry you."
Ginny couldn't help but giggle as they left the hospital wing for Remus' chambers.
"I'll make up the bed for you, and I'll sleep on the sofa," he said as he set her bag down. Madam Pomfrey had taken the liberty of putting a few of Ginny's personal items in a bag, so Remus wouldn't be forced to go back and forth to get what she needed.
"Remus, I'm pregnant with your child. I believe we can sleep in the same bed," Ginny said with a devious smile.
Remus blushed, but nodded in agreement. "Now, I have to go talk to Severus about my classes, so you can settle in, but do try and rest. I don't want to get a lecture from your Healer for not taking care of you."
"Don't worry, Remus," Ginny said. "Your honor will be protected. I promise."
Remus left the room, and Ginny wandered about his chambers briefly. She found Remus' robe lying on the foot of his bed, and she picked it up and smelled it. She closed her eyes as she took in his scent.
She loved the way he smelled, especially right after a shower, like soap and burnt wood and after-shave, all in one. She set the robe back down and retreated back to his sitting room.
On the side table there was a scrap of parchment with several names written on it in two columns. In one column, it read: Thackery, Jack, James, Sirius, and John. The other column read: Jane, Catherine, Ella, and Darby. She made a mental note to ask Remus about this later. She couldn't imagine what this meant, and she couldn't think of any Hogwarts students with those names.
Later that night, as they were getting into bed, Ginny remembered the list.
"Remus," she said lying back against the pillows, "I saw a list of names earlier. What is it?"
Remus looked quite bashful before reaching up to place his hand on her belly. "I was thinking of names for the baby," he said. As soon as he spoke, the baby gave his hand a swift kick.
"Well, he definitely recognizes his father's voice," she said giggling. Remus beamed with pride.
"Did you like any of the names?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," Ginny replied. "For a boy, I especially liked Thackery, and for a girl I loved Jane. Which are your favorites?"
"Those two," he replied honestly. "Those are my parents' names."
"Oh, Remus," she said, bringing her hand up to stroke his arm, "I'd forgotten. I'm so sorry. Those are beautiful names."
"I'm glad you like them," he said.
"You know, they would be so proud of you," she said quietly.
Remus chuckled and said wryly, "For getting a former student of mine pregnant out of wedlock? Yes, I'm sure they would."
"No, you git," she replied. "For all you've done…helping to defeat Voldemort and for returning to teach. You're a wonderful man, Remus. I wish I could tell your parents they did an excellent job raising you."
"They would have loved you, you know," he said with a smile. She smiled shyly at him in return.
As she stroked up and down his arm, Remus suddenly became slightly uncomfortable. He enjoyed her touching him, but if she didn't stop soon, he was going to have some explaining to do!
He was quite relieved when Ginny lightly kissed his cheek and turned over. Unfortunately, she snuggled her back directly against the front of his body and waited for him to put his arms around her.
He did, if slightly reluctantly, and tried not to think about what was happening in his lower body.
"Remus?" asked Ginny.
"Hmmm?" he replied quietly.
"Did you bring your wand to bed, or are you just glad to see me?" she whispered.
Remus stiffened, and she giggled before turning over to face him.
"I'm sorry, Ginny," he said ashamedly, "It's just a typical male response to have a woman in bed with him."
Ginny looked up at him through hooded lashes. She brought her hand up to his chest and lightly stroked it. "Is that all it is?"
Remus gulped before responding. "Er, no?"
"Good," Ginny stated.
Suddenly, Ginny's lips were on Remus' and she was kissing him hungrily. Remus, being no fool, responded eagerly and opened his mouth. Without hesitation, Ginny's tongue darted into his mouth and caressed his passionately, causing Remus to moan loudly.
Her hand was still stroking his chest, but it soon moved to his waist, where she kneaded the muscles there. Remus' had one hand tangled in her hair and the other slowly snaked up her arm to her shoulder.
Ginny's lips left Remus' and went to his neck where she firmly kissed his pulse point before abandoning that spot for his shoulder. The hand on his waist wandered around to his back, then down to his bum. Remus flinched, and Ginny realized he was ticklish there. She giggled into his chest, which she was now showering with soft kisses and tongue flicks.
Remus, meanwhile, could hardly believe what was happening. All he knew was that Ginny was ravishing him and his hand had now strayed to her breast, making Ginny's breath hitch as he gently massaged it.
She continued to kiss down his torso. Remus soon took stock of the situation. Though his breathing was now quite labored, he managed to speak.
"Ginny," he said huskily, "While I'm enjoying this, do you think this is a good idea? I don't think this qualifies as bed rest."
Ginny, who was now situated between his legs, looked up from his chest and smiled. "Remus, darling," she said, "just because I can't do anything doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself." She grinned deviously as his eyes widened at the realization of what she was going to do.
"Are you sure?" he asked. He mentally slapped himself senseless for asking that question.
Ginny slowly crawled up his body and kissed him passionately on the mouth again. "Positive," she stated before returning to her earlier position of kneeling between his legs.
"I'm sorry, but these pants are in my way," she teased. "Do you mind if I remove them?"
"By all means," Remus chuckled.
After she'd divested him of his pajama pants and silently thanked the gods for his aversion to underthings, she gently pushed him back so that he leaned against the pillows just as he felt the first touch of gratification from Ginny.
This was, by far, the best pleasure Remus had experienced in a long time, save for shagging Ginny in the dungeon. He gripped the headboard of his bed fiercely. He figured that was a better place to put his hands. He was afraid if he'd reached down to Ginny's head, he'd be a little too forceful. After he finished writhing and moaning and choking out her name, Ginny lightly kissed his inner thigh before coming back up to lie beside him.
"If I'd known werewolves tasted this good, I would have done that a long time ago," she teased. Remus was still unable to respond.
She reached for her wand on the side table and performed a quick "Scourgify" on them both.
"All right?" she asked him. He was still breathing hard and hadn't spoken since she'd finished. He nodded meekly before turning to give her a soft, tender kiss.
"Merlin, where'd you learn to do that?" he asked breathlessly. As she opened her mouth to answer, he amended his question. "No, I take it back. I don't want to know."
Ginny giggled at him and snuggled closer to him. "Glad you enjoyed it," she said. "I've wanted to do that for quite some time."
He looked at her incredulously. "Have you really? Since when?"
"Since the morning I saw you naked after the full moon," she replied with a yawn. "You're a very attractive naked man."
Remus blushed and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "As soon as your imposed 'bed rest' is over, I promise to make it up to you."
Ginny smiled, and they soon both drifted off to sleep.
Remus awakened Ginny with a passionate kiss. "Good morning," he said before shifting to kiss her neck.
She wrapped her arms around him. "Mmm, yes it is."
"Ginny, I want to make last night up to you," he murmured in her ear. "But it'll have to wait until the baby's born."
Ginny's eyes snapped open and she raised her head. "Why that long?"
"Well, I don't think we should do anything until then. I mean, what if those pains come back?" he explained.
"Remus," Ginny said, sitting up all the way, "you can't do that to me. Besides, lots of women have sex while their pregnant. It's perfectly safe. I agree we should wait until my bed rest is over, but believe me, in two days, I'm going to want to pounce on you."
Remus blushed and tried to hide his embarrassment by looking down at his hands. "Ginny, believe me. I want you to pounce on me. I'm just afraid for you and the baby."
"Perhaps we should ask Healer Blanton," she suggested.
"Ginny!" he exclaimed. "I don't want to ask the Healer if I can have sex with you!"
"Why not?"
"Because, that's private," he replied shyly.
"Remus, darling," Ginny patronized, "you've been with me during the exams. Is there anything less private? The man knows everything anyway. If you're too embarrassed, I'll ask him."
"No!" he cried. "I'll do it. I'll ask him." He rolled his eyes at her. "You know this must mean I really want this."
Ginny leaned over and kissed him. "I know. Me too."
Remus grinned and kissed her back with fervor. Unfortunately, he had a meeting with Professor McGonagall followed by one with three six-year students that he couldn't avoid.
"I promise I'll be back after lunch to entertain you," he said, getting up to begin his day.
Ginny glared at him, but he merely chuckled. "I don't need someone to entertain me, Remus," she said grumpily. "I just need to get out of this bed and get to the hospital wing."
He shook his head at her. "No," he said emphatically, "we both know that's not going to happen. And since you claim to not need company, I'll Floo Hermione and tell her not to come after all."
"I never said I didn't want company," Ginny replied hastily, "just not a baby-sitter."
Remus continued chuckling as he made his way to the shower.
An hour after Remus left, Ginny had finished her breakfast, brought to her by Madam Pomfrey. She was sitting on Remus' sofa attempting to read when her best friend knocked on the door.
"It's open!" Ginny called. Remus had insisted on leaving the door unlocked so Ginny wouldn't have to get up, since technically she was supposed to be on bed rest.
"Ginny!" Hermione cried, hurrying into the room. "How are you?"
Ginny smiled at the girl. "I'm fine," she said, "perfectly fine. I don't see why I can't do anything."
"Remus said you're supposed to be in bed for a few days," Hermoine explained.
"Don't take his side!" Ginny shouted.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm just saying what I was told," Hermione explained gently. "Oh, Ginny, I was so worried when Severus told me."
"Snape told you?" Ginny asked incredulously.
Hermione nodded. "He Floo'ed me the night you fainted. He said Remus was beside himself with worry." She looked shyly at her friend. "So, has he been taking care of you?"
Ginny snickered to herself as she remembered the events of last night. She winked at Hermione and said, "Well, in a way I took care of him last night."
"How so?"
Ginny situated herself on the sofa and looked at her friend. She couldn't help blushing slightly. "Things got a little…er…randy after we got into bed last night."
"You were in bed with him? And what do you mean 'randy'?" Hermione asked with wide eyes.
Ginny proceeded to tell her about the previous night, though she left out some intimate details. Hermione was blushing and coughing nervously throughout the entire conversation.
"He says he wants to make it up to me," Ginny concluded. "To be honest, I can hardly wait."
"So does this mean the two of you are involved, or are you just shagging?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, Hermione," Ginny admitted. "I honestly don't know. I'm crazy about Remus. He's incredible, and he loves this baby so much. But I don't think he loves me."
"Ginny, how daft can you be?" Hermione asked with a sardonic laugh. "Remus loves you. Severus said he was so worried about you the other night."
"Really?" Ginny asked in disbelief. Hermione nodded.
"He dotes on you so much, too," Hermione continued. "He didn't have to ask you to stay with him. Madam Pomfrey could have easily watched over you. But he wanted you here with him. And the way he looks at you…"
"How does he look at me?" Ginny pressed.
Hermione sighed and took her friend's hand in hers. "He looks at you the way I look at Severus, like I love him."
"Merlin's beard, you love Snape?" Ginny asked, changing the subject.
Hermione blushed and looked down. "Yes, more than anything," she admitted softly. "And he loves me, just as Remus loves you." She sighed and looked up at her friend. "You need to tell him, Gin. You need to tell Remus you love him."
Tears filled Ginny's eyes as she reached to hug her friend. "I'm so happy for you, Hermione, even if it is Snape." Both girls giggled.
Meanwhile, Remus was dreading his meeting with the students. The three Gryffindor boys were the school's biggest mischief-makers since Fred and George Weasley, and Remus couldn't help but think of his school chums when he saw the trio together.
David, Jason and Alan were the brightest boys in their year and were destined for greatness…if they could stay out of detention long enough. Professor McGonagall had washed her hands of the boys after their latest incident- setting the school's thestrals free the morning of a Hogsmeade trip. With no thestrals to drive the carriages, the trip was cancelled. Not to mention, it took Hagrid and his students several hours to round up the invisible creatures.
McGonagall met with Remus early in the morning. The Heads of Houses had elected Remus to talk to the boys. After all, he was one of the famous…or…infamous Mauraders. Surely he could talk some sense into them…
The boys were already waiting in Remus' office when he arrived. They smiled impishly at their professor, who tried his best to produce a frightening, Snape-like glare. It didn't come off that way, however.
"Gentlemen," Remus began, "I've barely slept last night, and I have absolutely no patience today. So I'm going to make this quick." He paused to look at each of them in turn. "Stop fucking around and be serious for a change."
The boys' eyes widened at the use of such roguish language from the mild-mannered professor.
David, the ringleader of the group, cleared his throat nervously. "Sir, we're really sorry-" He didn't get to finish his statement because Remus interrupted him.
"Mr. Whittle, you're not the least bit sorry. You might be sorry you were caught for the five hundredth time, but don't mock me by apologizing," Remus said tersely.
He sighed and finally sat at his desk. "You and Mr. Wells and Mr. Pierce have got to grow up at some point. Trust me, I know. I've been where you are. Pranks are fun and exciting, but you have to be serious adults at some point."
Jason Wells looked at his comrades, then at their professor. "You're right, sir. We'll try; we promise," he said earnestly.
"See that you do," Remus replied. "The next time you three get into trouble, I'll not come to your defense. It'll be up to the Headmaster to decide what to do with you." He gazed intently at them again. "That's all. You may go now."
However, Alan had a question. "Sir, can I ask you a rather personal question?" Remus nodded, and Alan continued. "Is it true that you're the father of Ginny's baby? That's the rumor going around."
"Mr. Pierce, first of all, though you did attend school together, her name is Miss Weasley. And yes, we are having a child together. What concern is it of yours?" Remus asked, slightly perturbed.
David spoke for the group again, "Well, we just wondered. The two of you seem so happy and lovesick. It's rather disgusting actually."
Remus tried not to smile at the boys. "You gentlemen won't feel that way about women in the future." He stood, noticing someone standing in the doorway. "Off with the three of you now. And stay out of trouble, or it's your own arses!"
The boys smiled at their professor again before turning to leave, barely bumping into their Potions Master on the way out.
"Severus!" Remus announced. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Oh, stuff it, Lupin," Snape retorted. "I just wanted to know if you'd seen Hermione yet. I know she was visiting Miss Weasley this morning while you tended to your hoodlums."
Remus chose to ignore the comment about the boys, but Snape continued. "I never thought I'd agree with a Gryffindor, but they're right about you two." At Remus' puzzled expression, he rolled his eyes. "You and the Weasley girl!" he snarled. "You're annoyingly happy."
Remus blushed and decided turnabout was fair play. "Well, what about you and Hermione?"
"I beg your pardon?" Snape said indignantly.
"Talk about annoying," Remus said cheekily, "the two of you can't be in a room together without snogging. Merlin only knows what you do with the door closed!"
Snape gaped at him with an open mouth. "Well, I never…Lupin, what happens between Miss Granger and myself is private! Besides, not that it's any of your concern, but we're quite serious. So therefore we have a right to be happy. You can't even admit you love Weasley."
"Severus, I don't know what you mean," Remus denied.
"Really?" Snape asked dryly. "You know, I heard you the other night in the hospital wing, after she was asleep. I quote…" He cleared his throat. "'Ginny, I can't bear to lose you. I don't know what I'd do without you.'"
Remus looked at his colleague with an expression of both shock and embarrassment. "You eavesdropped?"
Snape smiled deviously. "Poppy and I both heard. We were watching to see if she was okay."
"I'll ask you to please keep that to yourself, then," Remus requested. "It just slipped out. I was worried."
"Oh, come off it, Lupin," Snape scoffed, "you're in love with her. Just admit it. Tell her, for all our sakes." He didn't bother to wait for a response before striding out of Remus' office.