Wednesday. Five days in each other's company. Most days progressed the same as the day before. Hermione had spent lunch with Ginny again that day. Ron sent four more owls requesting Hermione speak to him. Two in one day. She started returning them after the second. She was on the second to last shelf. She'd stopped to take a break and sat on the opposite end of the couch from him, one of the books from the collection open loosely in her lap.
"Remus?" he looked up from his book to see her looking at him intently. "Yes, my dear?" he closed his book, sensing a conversation coming. Hermione did the same, discarding the book on the table beside her before pulling her legs up underneath her. He'd noticed it was an action she did most often when nervous.
"Can I ask your opinion on something?" she was worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. He found it highly distracting.
"Of course."
"You'll be completely honest with me?" now he was getting concerned. Where was she going with this? Not sure if honesty was the best policy, he nodded anyway. "Always."
"I love books." Remus snorted, covering his mouth when she glared. "That's not exactly a question, more of a statement. Yes, I'm aware."
She rolled her eyes and shifted, now sitting directly on her knees. He suppressed the growl that threatened to escape. Did she intend to torment him when she did that?
"I've always loved books. I forgot how much. Until I was here, working on this library. I've been thinking about this for some time now, and I think I know what I want to do." Remus nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"There are still some empty shops in Diagon Alley. I want to buy one and open a bookstore. What to do you think?" There went her lip again. She was going to cause it to bleed here soon if she didn't stop. His face was passive for a moment before breaking into a beaming grin.
"I think it's brilliant!" he reached across the space between them to squeeze her arm to emphasize. Her doubt disappeared and she bounced slightly on her knees. "Really? There's an open shop with three floors, the top is an apartment. I thought I could even do a muggle fiction section, put some lounge chairs out for people to sit and sample the books before they buy."
Remus tried to remain excited, but the mention of an apartment caught in his mind. Of course, she won't want to live here forever. "It sounds perfect Hermione. It's right up your alley. Who better to bring muggle literature to the wizarding world than the resident bookworm?"
She smacked his arm as she stood and returned to her position at the bookshelves. "I think I'll go to the commerce building tomorrow and see what I need to make it happen. I have a large sum saved from my war award; I don't think I'll need a loan. Perhaps it'll be…" her voice trailed, her hand hovering over a small black book. "Remus? This book won't come out."
He moved to sit next to her, covering her hand with his. He tugged and as she said, it remained firmly in place. "I had Bill come over before I got started and double-check that nothing was cursed." Remus pulled his wand and tapped the spine of the book. "Revelio."
There was a clicking sound as the book shifted, slid into the bookshelf, and disappeared. Remus jumped back, pulling Hermione with him. Both had their wands raised, Remus' arm draped over Hermione's chest protectively. They watched as the entire shelf shifted, sliding across the shelf to the left revealing a stone door. Hermione stepped forward this time. "Alohamora." A seam appeared in the center and the door split, swinging open toward them. "Hermione," Remus said with warning. "It's alright Remus. Lumos." Her wand alight Hermione entered the dark hidden room. A large crystal sat in the center on a raised pedestal. Save for the crystal, it was completely empty. "Fascinating."
Hermione circled the crystal while Remus cast detecting charms. Nothing. She started to reach out to touch it and Remus moved like lightning, grabbing her hand, and pulling it down.
"Absolutely not. We'll send Bill a patronus and ask him to come to take a look before we do anything else." Hermione rolled her eyes but assented. There was a mystery in front of her and she was dying to solve it. He led her from the room and cast a few wards ensuring nothing would be leaving or entering, the room. Hermione cast a patronus, sending a silver otter with a message to Bill Weasley, asking him to join them at his earliest convenience.
Bill's German Shepard patronus responded quickly, informing them he had some free time the following evening. Remus smirked. Though Bill was not completely afflicted with lycanthropy, his patronus still reflected in some form, the disease. The evening was still young, and Remus knew that leaving Hermione here to stew over the new discovery was likely the wrong decision.
"Come. Let's go get some dinner. Go on up and get changed and we'll go find something in muggle London." Hermione flashed him a smile before running up the stairs.
Hermione settled on a light blue summer dress and a pair of white flat slippers. Her heart was fluttering as she tried to remind herself that Remus was just trying to keep her away from what he perceived as danger. He was not, in fact, taking her on a date.
The last few days had found them in constant proximity. Light touches, hands brushing the others when they reached for the same book. His breath ghosting over the exposed skin on her neck as he peered over her shoulder to see what she was working on. Every action set her skin alight and fire pooled in her belly. It felt like a coil that was ready to snap.
She'd admitted to Ginny that she'd had a crush on the werewolf when they were children. His intellect was near unmatched, and he was, as Rita Skeeter so kindly pointed out, dashingly handsome. He'd changed little since those years. Fresh scars littered his skin, more fine lines at the corners of his eyes, and more grey peppering his sandy brown hair. But each time she brushed against him, touched a shoulder while passing by the couch, or grazed a leg against his she could feel the lean muscles hidden beneath his clothes.
He'd not broached what had been coined "the incident" again. Part of her questioned if she remembered it as it happened or if her sex-deprived brain imagined it. But then occasionally, when she shifted to her knees, she would see his pupils dilate, just as they had that night. Slightly breathless from the memory, Hermione reached the foyer and stopped in her tracks.
"Wow." How woefully uncharacteristic of her, she thought. But it was all that came to her mind. Remus was standing at the door in a pair of snug black jeans and a fitted grey t-shirt. She'd never seen him dressed down so. He grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. Silver scars danced across his arms, but she was happy to see no fresh ones. Since the advent of the newer wolfsbane, the transformations had become much easier on werewolves. While they were usually still sore after a full moon, most rarely injured themselves anymore.
"I take it you approve? I don't typically wear denim." Hermione twirled her hand, telling him to give him a turn. He groaned but acquiesced. "Very nice Remus, but I'm curious. Those jeans don't exactly have deep pockets. Where do you keep your wand?"
Remus smirked and lifted his shirt. His wand was tucked into the waistband of his jeans. Her throat went dry as her eyes followed the trail of hair below his belly button that ran down the center of his toned stomach. "You?"
Her eyes snapped back to his and she squeezed her legs together carefully. "Hmm?" he tilted his head, smiling. "Your wand. You're in a dress, does it have pockets?"
"Oh, no," she said with a breathy laugh. "I have a thigh holster for it." Something flashed across his face but was gone as quickly as it came. He extended his arm to her before leading them out the door.
It didn't take them long to reach a little Italian restaurant and Remus steered them in. The waitress led them to a little table and left them to make their selections. Soft lights gave the restaurant a warm glow. Across the dining room, only one other table was filled. An old couple, holding hands as they ate their food. Hermione gave them a small wave before picking up her menu.
"What are you in the mood for?" Remus asked. Hermione noticed he hadn't opened his menu. "I'm not sure." He was smiling. "You have a recommendation I'm assuming."
"Try the wrapped shrimp and vegetables." Hermione gave him a nod and put the menu to the side. While they waited, she pulled a small notebook from her enchanted bag. He watched as she sketched in it for a moment. "What have you got there?"
Hermione scooted her chair closer to his and extended the book out. She had roughly drawn the hidden room. "Did you notice the runes on the walls?" Remus nodded and took her pencil, tracing out three out of the four symbols he'd seen.
"One on each wall and I'm fairly certain they sat center at directly north, east, south, and west." Hermione nodded, sliding closer to look. "But I don't recognize them, and I'm fairly good at ancient runes." He handed the pencil back to her and turned to watch her face as she studied it. Her brow furrowed. "As am I, and I don't know them."
She sat back, frustrated. Remus closed the book and slid it back into her bag. "It's a mystery to be solved tomorrow." At that moment the waitress returned to take their order. She also carried a bottle of red wine.
"We haven't ordered any drinks." Remus said, confused. The waitress smiled and giggled lightly. "That couple over there," she pointed to the older couple, "ordered it for you. They sent a note." Hermione took the note and Remus watched a blush spread across her cheeks. She passed it to him before waving back at the now grinning couple.
We don't mean to intrude. We've been together a long time and can recognize a new couple when we see one. We wish for a long, happy life together. Just as we have had. Please enjoy this bottle, on us.
"Oh, I do apologize, please tell them…" Hermione reached across the table and grabbed his hand, interrupting him. "Oh honey, nonsense! Please tell them thank you so much, it's a lovely gift." The waitress nodded, took their orders, and left. Hermione leaned in closer, still holding Remus' hand.
"This bottle is over £250. They've already paid for it. If it makes them happy to believe we're a young couple in love, what's the harm?"
With a lopsided grin, Remus leaned in and brush his lips across her cheek. Hermione's breath hitched and she tried to loosen her now vice-like grip on his hand. He pulled back and her eyes were wide. "Just selling it. Don't want to embarrass them if they learn their mistake of course." Time felt still as they sat in silence, faces inches apart. Someone cleared their throat, and both jumped. The waitress had returned with their dinner.
Separating to give each other space to eat, Remus shifted the conversation to the bookstore. Hermione was thrilled to have someone to talk to about it. She'd been considering it for some time, but after the reaction, most of the order and her friends had after she left the ministry, she had second-guessed herself. Remus however was animatedly offering his opinion and advice.
"Muggles have fascinating theories on the magical and mythical. I would wager a muggle fantasy section would garner mass curiosity." Their plates finished and the bottle near empty Hermione felt comfortable studying the older man as he talked. He was relaxed and leaned back in his chair. His hair was messy from running his hands through it. It seemed he wasn't good at keeping them still and when he wasn't waving them as he spoke, they inadvertently found their way to his head.
"Remus," she interrupted. He stilled and leaned back forward to rest his head on his hand. "Would you be interested in working with me on the store?" she'd clearly taken him by surprise. His mouth now hung open and he seemed at a loss. "I know I'm going to need some help; this is a large endeavor. And I can't think of anyone else who will show it the same care and concern as I."
Remus sucked in a breath and shook his head slightly before finishing the last of his wine. Hermione thought she saw something shining in his eyes but said nothing. "Hermione I would love to assist you with this. I'm on board if you'll have me." Hermione felt her stomach flip. She'd become almost addicted to the feelings she got when with him. She knew moving forward with her shop would have meant time away from him. Now she could have her shop and still be near him. She should have been alarmed by the intense need to be with him; the slow burn that built in her body with every minute until she found herself behind a silencing charm crying out his name with her pleasure.
Suddenly his eyes narrowed, and he looked around the dining room. Hermione perked up, recognizing the change in his posture. "What is it, Remus?" he cocked his head, listening. "Do you hear that buzzing?" Hermione shook her head and looked around. The older couple had now left, and they were alone.
"Perhaps you're hearing one of the staff's cellphones." When he couldn't locate the source of the buzzing Remus shrugged and pulled out his wallet. "We should probably be getting home anyway."
Hermione stood and swayed slightly. She giggled, thankful that she hadn't chosen to wear heels. "I think it's probably best we don't apparate. We can call the knight bus, or I can get us a cab." Remus paid for their meal and offered her his arm. His nose crinkled at the mention of the knight bus.
"Not the bus. It has too many smells. I'm not sure Stan ever sees to cleaning the beds." Hermione gagged a little at the thought of what might be on those beds. "Right, cab it is." The air outside had cooled with the arrival of night. Hermione shivered, wishing for a moment she'd brought a cloak or at least a cardigan with her. Remus must have noticed and moved to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, resting his head atop hers. Heat radiated from him, enveloping her.
"You're so warm!" she felt him shrug behind her. "Werewolves run hot." Despite all her knowledge and time spent on werewolf laws, Hermione was constantly surprised by the lack of general knowledge available about them. Most of what she learned from him was not something she'd ever read, not even during her research at Hogwarts for the essay Snape had set in third year. She wanted to melt into him. Instead, he released her as their cab arrived.
Remus opened the door for her and ushered her in. Hermione gave the driver their destination and turned to look at him. Shooting the driver a quick glance she bent forward to whisper. "So, what else don't I know about werewolves?"
She was so close. Remus bit down a groan, remembering how the last conversation educating her on werewolves went. He leaned back like he was stretching, slid his wand out, and draped his arm over her shoulder casually before casting a quick silencio. The driver would now think the couple was just whispering too quietly to be heard. He then pulled her tighter to him, allowing him to talk directly down into her ear.
Hermione's blood was pulsing in her ears. "There is so much I could teach you, but where to start?" Was it the wine that had the car spinning around them, or him? She swallowed heavily, trying to wet her now dry throat. "You said Tonks wanted you to mark her, do you mean bite?" She kept her eyes trained on his chest, her hands twisting the hem of her dress in front of her. She listened as he took a deep breath.
"Yes. The mark of a wolf's mate comes from a bite. It's different than being bitten by the wolf in form, or even from Bill's injury by Greyback. It does come with some of the side effects of being bitten, however. Heightened senses and sensitivities. Craving for meat. The mark signifies the mate belongs to the wolf, other wolves will see it and know. And the wolf will forever love and protect its mate." Hermione knew all werewolf bites caused injury. They scarred no matter what form the wolf was in. It was also supposedly an excruciating experience.
"Does it hurt? I've read the bite hurts no matter the circumstances." Remus nodded. "That is usually the case. Now, I've never marked anyone, so my experience is limited." He shifted, turning toward her and lifted her chin to meet her eyes. He needed to keep her eyes cast up. Damn the jeans. "I have seen it happen though." Her eyes widened.
"When I was with the packs it wasn't uncommon to see it happen. Sex amongst the packs isn't like sex in wizarding or muggle society. It's wild, free. It's not some dirty act that has to be hidden. Many wolves will bond with other wolves, making the marking less… intereresting? They're both already lycanthropes so there's no new exposure. But I saw one human marked. A woman." She was breathing heavily now.
"So, it happens during sex?" Remus nodded, twirling a strand of her hair in his fingers. "At the height of pleasure when both parties climax. If both partners are wolves, they'll mark each other simultaneously. From what I saw, it doesn't hurt like other bites. In fact, I'd say she quite enjoyed it." Hermione's hands fisted in her dress, raising it enough to expose the holster on her thigh containing her wand.
Holding her eyes with his Remus reached down and moved her hands, smoothing her dress back out over her lap. His fingers traced her wand through her dress. He watched her pupils dilate at the touch and heard a small whimper escape her lips.
The cab came to a stop. The driver announced they had reached their destination and Hermione jumped out of the car. She moved as if she'd been burned. Remus took a calming breath before paying the driver. He was thankful he always carried muggle cash; it came in handy. The cabby gave him a wink as he took the money and nodded toward Hermione. She was standing on the curb with her back to the car, hands on her hips as she looked up at the night sky.
Her skin was on fire again. The wine, his voice swirling in her head. Was it the alcohol that did this to them? He was a right proper gentleman on any other occasion. She'd not seen him with a drink beyond tea since the incident. If he was affected by her presence at any other time like she was his, he hid it well. He only reacted in the most imperceivable ways; when she was on her knees.
Remus stepped up beside her. Hermione waited a moment for the cab to be gone before waving her wand, exposing the hidden door to Grimmauld Place. She dashed into the house two steps at a time. She was at the base of the stairs by the time Remus closed the door behind them.
"Thank you so much for a wonderful dinner, Remus. I should head up to bed, I want to be out first thing so I can be back before Bill arrives." She started up the steps before pausing and turning to look at him over her shoulder. "Maybe we can continue the lesson another time, Professor."
Before he could regain his composure, she was gone. He followed her up the steps, pausing for a moment at her floor before shaking his head and continuing his path up. One of these days there isn't going to be an interruption to this little game you're playing. What will you do then mate? Remus could imagine Sirius sitting in an oversized armchair, leg crossed over the other with an amused look as he questioned him.
"I'm not playing any game." He believed himself less than he wanted to. As he stripped and threw himself onto his bed, he questioned what exactly he was going to do about one Hermione Granger.
Remus woke with a start. The sun was just filtering in through the window. He listened for a moment, trying to catch what had woken him. He heard it again. Whispering. He grabbed his wand from the bedside table and scooped his pants up as he ran from the room. He had his pants up by the time he hit the stairs. He stopped at her floor as he had the night before, this time listening intently. He heard the floor creak in her room. She was awake. The whispers continued, further down the stairs.
He followed them into the library. Wand held tight he pushed in, finding no one. He padded through the rest of the house, his heart pounding. Nothing. They were completely alone. He stopped in the foyer and listened again. This time the only sound was that of Hermione coming down the stairs.
"Remus? Is everything alright?" He realized he must look a sight. Barefoot in just his jeans. "Yes Hermione, I'm sorry. I thought I heard someone." Hermione pulled out her wand and cast a detection charm. "No, just us Remus."
He chuckled and shrugged, tucking his wand into the front of his jeans again. "Must be hearing things in my old age. Headed off then?" Hermione was dressed in a black pencil skirt and cream blouse. She looked every bit the professional he knew her to be. "Yes, I want to be there when the office opens. I'll grab a bite and some tea while I'm out. Wish me luck!"
She was gone through the floo before he could respond. Remus shook his head and went to the kitchen to make his tea. Taking it with him to the library he sprawled out on the couch, contemplating the voices he'd heard. Some sounded familiar, fragmented in his memory. From his spot on the couch, he could see the hidden room, the large point crystal centered. He was sipping his tea when he heard it again. He dropped his cup as he shot up to stand, spilling the hot tea on his bare feet. The crystal, clear and dim, flashed a brilliant blue the moment the voices sounded.
"Fucking hell." He was starting to think he needed to take a break from tea, it was resulting in burned appendages far too often. Against his better judgment and knowing Hermione was far away and safe, Remus lowered the wards to the hidden room. He circled the now dim crystal again. He walked along the walls of the room letting his fingers trace the runes engraved in the stone. Hermione would be furious that he was doing the exact thing he prevented her from doing.
"Hermione. What am I going to do about you?" he stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose. For once, he missed Sirius' unsolicited advice. He was always better with women than Remus. "Sirius, I never thought I'd miss you telling me what to do. I truly wish you were here my friend."
The crystal flashed again. Brilliant blue pulsated and a high pitch reverberated from it. Remus covered his ears, the ringing painful to his sensitive hearing. He started to move toward the door when it swung closed. Remus cast his patronus just in time, sending a message to Kingsley before it shut completely. He dropped to his knees in the corner, the ringing getting louder as the crystal flashed between blues, reds, and yellows.
Of all the ways to die. Two wars and I get taken out by a trap in Sirius' house. I just hope Kingsley finds my body before Hermione.
The deafening sound reached a zenith. Remus was positive it couldn't get louder. The crystal was so bright he could no longer look at it and he turned to shield his eyes. Suddenly, it shattered. The room went dark for a moment before the door swung open again. Remus stood, his ears still ringing from the sound. His eyes focused on the light coming through the door, where a shadow now stood just inside the threshold. He raised his wand.
"Lumos." The man was now illuminated. There, arms crossed and standing tall, was Sirius Black.
