"Sweater Weather"

Disclaimer: still don't own anything except this computer and the downloaded music on it.

Chapter 10: a second chance well used

Many weeks had passed since Hermione had read through the diary but Remus still lingered in her mind. One morning when she was drinking her tea and reading the Daily Prophet, an owl flew in the window. She didn't recognize it but she took the letter it had tied to its leg. It patiently waited for her to read it, obviously expecting a reply.

She opened it and almost fainted, it was from Remus! She began to read.

Dear Hermione,

I know I haven't contacted you or even seen you in about two years. For that, I am sincerely sorry. I must admit that I was afraid to talk to you. I don't know where you are in your life or even if you are married for that matter. But please owl me back and let me know if you would be interested in meeting me in Diagon Alley for a cup of tea, or even cocoa. Please reply, I miss you Hermione.

Remus

Hermione smiled. She knew right away she would love to see him and talk in person so all she wrote back was,

See you then!

Hermione

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Hermione entered Diagon Alley with butterflies in her stomach. She'd been so nervous this morning that she'd almost worn two different shoes! But here she was, fully clothed and matching and ready to see Remus again. No, that was a lie, she wasn't ready to see him again but it was too late for doubts.

She stood outside the tiny tea shop they'd agreed to meet at, looking at him through the window, gathering her strength. He hadn't changed from what she saw. He sat, sipping his tea, or cocoa, and reading his Prophet absently. He was adorable. Finally, she took a deep breath and entered the shop. He looked up as soon as he heard the little bell ring. His face glowed with a smile just for her and she returned it as she walked over to him.

"Hello Remus." She said nervously when she came and sat down across from him at the spindle legged table for two.

"Hello Hermione. I've missed you so."

"I've missed you too Remus but why did you wait until now?"

"I was scared. I was not as scared of you as I was of rejection. Not from you but from the community. I get enough of that from my lycanthropy."

"I know, I know, but at least now it's legal! People won't think you're some pervert!"

"True," he replied, clearing his throat. "That's not exactly the reputation I was going for, a lycanthropic pervert!"

After that, the ice was broken and they enjoyed a nice lunch, talking about their lives. Remus, she found, was living in a flat all alone except for that once a month when he retreated to Grimmauld Place where Harry resided and he chained himself in the cellar.

After they had ordered more cocoa and were waiting for it to arrive, Hermione leaned forward and said, "I have a secret."

"You too?" he said.

She leaned closer. "Do you remember that night you were fighting Voldemort?"

"Yes."

"And he tortured you and you passed out?"

"Yes, I remembered thinking I was dying and then suddenly waking up."

"It was me." Hermione said, her eyes tearing up. "You weren't breathing…….I gave you CPR….." she trailed off and hung her head, crying.

"Hermione….." he clasped her hands in his, pulled the clump of hands toward him and gently kissed hers. "Thank you for saving my life."

She smiled shyly. "Why wouldn't I?"

As they left together, it began to rain lightly. Remus gave Hermione his cloak and she draped it over her. As they walked, she rested her head on Remus' shoulder.

"Remus, I love you." She whispered in his ear, nuzzling his neck with her head.

"Oh Hermione," he loved the feel of her hair on his skin. "Will we ever have a love like we had that year? So pure?"

"If we work at it, yes." She smiled at him. He smiled back and put his hand gently on the back of her neck. Slowly, he leaned into kiss her.

They stood there like that, in the light of the lamppost, as the rain got harder. Hermione wished it would last forever. The kiss deepened and became more passionate. Hermione felt a thrill as Remus' hands worked their way down to her waist. He licked her lips suggestively and she parted them, letting his tongue in. He backed her up against a nearby wall and pressed her gently with his body as he explored her mouth. She tangled her fingers in his soft brown hair. Suddenly, thunder clapped overhead and Remus tore himself away from her.

"The hell with age." He said breathlessly, and then stopped to think. "Are you sure about this?"

"Oh, yes Remus!" she said, nodding.

"Then let's go to my place." He smiled sexily at her.

Hermione sighed and put her arms around Remus' neck as they walked in the direction of his flat. She noticed that the rain had soaked his sweater. The same sweater she'd given him that Christmas five years ago. She smiled and thought, it certainly was sweater weather.

end

A/N: good ending? Need an epilogue? I won't know until you tell me. Please review!