Tie Your Heart at Night to Mine, Love
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
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"What did you say to her?" he asked in a low voice. It was not an easy task to remain still, staring outside a window at a view he could not discern, while his muscles strained against his skin and his ears pounded to the pulsing of his blood.
There had been no sound or movement to indicate the intruder's presence, other than the smell of him – the expensive bergamot cologne mixed with the scent of skin that was particular to every being.
A combination he was quite familiar with.
"I assumed she would turn to you," the man's smirk was deeply embedded in his voice, a blend of amusement and conceitedness that would've earned him a place amongst the Marauders had they studied together, "To Harry first, but I guess she does hold you in higher account than I had imagined."
"Kingsley," Remus growled through clenched teeth. It was not an easy task to remain still, but Remus did so, on the odd chance looking at his aggravating friend would be the straw that made him throttle the wizard.
The werewolf had been happy, thrilled even, to receive Hermione's letter. Up until the moment he read its content,
How well do you trust Kingsley?
Utterly, completely. With his very life. But not with his mate.
The man knew too many of his secrets and had far too meddlesome inclinations to ever be trusted with her. And if Hermione had felt the need to question him about it, then perhaps there was good reason not to.
He had written her in return, an inquisitive and not at all reassuring note, and sent the owl on its way before his mind spiraled down with conjectures and both the fear and the urgency to learn what she knew. Anguish crawled inside his chest – despite his attempts to steel himself from what would be certain and perfectly justified rejection, he couldn't possibly survive her hatred. It was unreasonable to expect otherwise, yet if he was ever entitled a small grace, let that be never having to live with Hermione's revulsion.
He had posted himself by that window, the same he had broken during the full moon, as a penance of sorts. And though Hermione's answer never came, Kingsley did.
"What did you say to her?"
"I could say that I told her the truth about you. Guess I'm too fond of my bits and pieces to do so, my friend," he said with humor, wondering around the room with ease, "I asked her on a date."
A tremor ran through his arm. His face contorted as a guttural roar threatened to come up his throat. But something else broke the silence.
"It is not the time for teasing, Mr. Shacklebolt," McGonagall chided, "You should know better."
Remus had missed the witch's scent and presence entirely, and the surprise, coupled with years of her disapproving voice and severe scrutiny from his years as a student, sufficed to disrupt his rage. It helped, also, that her disappointment had been aimed at Kingsley.
"Minerva, you're late," Kingsley remarked, under the guise of nonchalance he most certainly did not feel.
"I am aware, thank you," she retorted with her eyes widened, and the slightest hint of guilt flashed in the Auror's face, "Now that we have established that and that you did no such thing as ask Hermione on a date, Remus, I trust you are well?"
"Yes, yes, I am."
"Very well, then," she said, taking a seat at Remus' belated offer. A courtesy he did not extend to Kingsley, "I thought it best to keep the news until Hermione was safe and the full moon had passed, but there's no reason for postponing it any longer. The Order met on the night Hermione returned. There were pressing matters to discuss."
It was Kings who addressed the issue, "Umbridge intends to petition the Wizard's Council for the position of Minister of Magic."
Something fouler than Wolfsbane Potion seemed to settle in his stomach, "She can't."
"And yet, she shall," Minerva sighed. For the first time since she arrived, Remus spotted the new wrinkles framing her weary green eyes, "Her…popularity has grown considerably since she started advocating strict punishments to Death Eaters—"
"—and werewolves," Remus finished, "And our plan? To prevent her?"
Kingsley stood straighter, unsmiling, "I will run for Minister as well."
"We stand a better chance with Harry—" Remus started.
"The children are not to be implicated," Minerva cut in, "Not directly."
"Not directly? As if they would stand by and tolerate—"Remus fell silent. He could feel his eyebrows drawing together as he reached into his pocket and took Hermione's letter out, "They don't know, do they? Is that what this is about?"
Kingsley finally answered his initial question, "I offered her a ministerial position."
"Oh, what a fantastic job, Kingsley!" Remus countered with a strained voice, "Truly! Apart from the fact that you got her to question your loyalties."
"I may have overdone it," Kingsley pulled at his robe's collar as if it had started to bother him, "The girl is too wary for her own sake and our piece of mind."
Minerva cocked an eyebrow, "The girl is too smart for you, you mean."
Under different circumstances, a mischievous banter between Minerva and whatever poor soul had dared cross her would have diverted Remus. It wasn't the case with Hermione. Remus ran a hand through his hair and fixed Minerva with a stare, "I need to tell her."
"You cannot tell her, Remus."
"She'll learn about it. It won't be long before it makes the news. If you had told her—If Kingsley had—"
"She would've accepted, despite her aspirations," the witch stated and her skin acquired an ashen shade, "They all would, that's precisely why we mustn't."
"And when the Daily Prophet publishes it? Will she have to learn about the possibility in that manner? Not just Hermione, this affects all of them."
"Hopefully we'll know their answers before. They are still students, Remus – seventh-years. They fought a war at what ought to be the tenderest age, and once again we're trying to rush them. We owe it to them for their future to be theirs. It's our duty to try."
"It feels wrong," Remus insisted, but his voice seemed weak even to himself, "They should know, they are part of the Order…"
"They are. But also they are the most willing to sacrifice, the three of them in particular. They have been asked to, continuously, and at all times they have proved themselves," her eyebrows gathered in a pained expression, "We will not make the same mistakes as Albus. We're not required to."
"And if they choose differently? If Umbridge gets away with it because we wouldn't involve them? They would never forgive us."
Minerva's stare turned cold, "Then we simply cannot let her."
Hours later, Kingsley's parting words kept sounding in Remus' mind.
"You're not her only protector, you know" he had said, "If you truly believe she's entitled to an informed decision, tell her about the bond. Otherwise, it's just hypocritical of you."
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A/N: And here's the new chapter (a few days later than I told Journalism13, but it's here)!
A lot of people were concerned that I would make Kingsley a downright evil – or at least a quite unprincipled – character, so I changed the outline a bit and placed this chapter a little early so you wouldn't suffer much. Well, no more than necessary, anyway.
I hope you enjoyed!
To guest: Glad you enjoyed it! I hope this one won't disappoint ;) Thank you for the review!
Wizochocs to…
My reviewers: Journalism13, GraysonSteele, Guest, and IrishIris.
To bluedove5345, Linnaa, heartsclock, jamie0fishie, Aylnia, sweet-tang-honney, Shola2001, and mewshoshe for adding the story to their favorites.
And to bluedove5345, Ella Sinclaire, BratGirl1983, FreeSpiritSeeker, Ninjela, Linnaa, jamie0fishie, lmr4893, MiniKitsuneChan, Aylnia, SaySomethingNiceOrIWillKillYou, sweet-tang-honney, Shola2001, Katt8500, Uruwhy, Meitschi-89, mewshoshe, and Mari SF for following the story.
Thank you all! Please review :)