A/N - Thanks so much for all the reviews last chapter! I think that you all just might like this one. ;) Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 40

Denial

31 October 1999

Hermione grinned at Harry and Ron who were sprawled on the carpet playing dragons with Teddy. Arthur had found an old set of building blocks and Harry and Ron had promptly built a small city for the little boy. His dragon was currently destroying said city. Teddy would squeal and laugh every time he knocked down another building. Hermione saw Remus glance fondly at his son from time to time as he chatted with Arthur.

Remus was looking much more relaxed than he had in Godric's Hollow. Hermione couldn't even imagine how difficult it must have been for him to see the house again. She knew that while it was hard for Harry as well, it wasn't the same. She was sure that Remus had seen the smoking ruins of the house shortly after Harry's parents had been killed. Seen them and been told that another of his best friends had betrayed them. Hermione couldn't even fathom it.

He had had such a hard life, being bitten at such young age and then losing almost every single person that he loved. Of course, they had all suffered, they had all lost people close to them, people they loved. But Remus seemed to have lost more than most. And yet he still seemed to find some happiness in life. Hermione was somewhat in awe of his strength.

"Enjoying the view?" Ginny asked as she came up behind Hermione.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.

"Remus," Ginny said simply. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You're not going to start all that again, are you?"

"I saw the two of you holding hands today at the house."

"Yes, because Remus was upset and I was trying to offer him a bit of comfort, as a friend. I did the same for Harry in the cemetery, if you'll recall. Do you think I fancy him?"

"I don't know why you wouldn't," Ginny said with a smirk. Hermione groaned.

"You're impossible." Ginny laughed.

"Well, you are free now," Ginny said with a shrug.

"So?"

"So, maybe you should try to find someone who's a bit more suited to you."

"And you think Remus is that person?"

"Maybe," Ginny said shrugging again.

"You're mad." Hermione shook her head.

"Why?"

"For all the same reasons you were mad the first time you suggested this, plus the fact that I'm quite sure Remus would never fancy me."

"And why is that?"

"It might have something to do with the fact that he seems extremely uncomfortable around me in every social situation we've been in the last few months." Ginny's eyes narrowed and she looked across the room at Remus.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Hermione said. "At your Quidditch match, he was handing me a butterbeer and when he touched my fingers, he flinched and dropped the bottle so fast you'd think I'd burned him." Ginny's look turned thoughtful.

"Huh," was all she said.

"Even today when we got back to the cemetery, he dropped my hand as fast as he could and looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but next to me."

"Did he?" Ginny said absently, but Hermione was quite sure that Ginny was no longer paying attention to her. She was too busy studying Remus.

"Gin, stop being ridiculous," Hermione said in a huff. "I have enough to deal with at my stupid job. I don't need to be fending off your matchmaking attempts on top of it." Ginny turned towards her.

"What's going on at work now?"

"Just more of the same," Hermione said with a sigh. "They're scheduled to start the inspections tomorrow and I, of course, am not included."

"Bloody wanker," Ginny snapped, eyes blazing with anger.

"That's too kind," Hermione said with a scowl.

"Honestly, Hermione, why are you putting up with his shite?" Ginny asked. "I can't believe you haven't quit yet." Hermione sighed.

"It's my proposal, Gin, I can't leave before it's been fully implemented."

"But he's not letting you have anything to do with it!"

"All the more reason I need to stay," Hermione insisted. "I have to make sure it's done properly."

"Is Gwendolyn still keeping you informed?"

"As much as she can," Hermione said. "She said he's made comments about moving her somewhere else in the department once the inspections are done. He pretty much needs everyone he can get for those. Gwendolyn thinks they're just idle threats, but I'm afraid the fact that she supported my plan is going to get her into trouble."

"He can't just do this, Hermione," Ginny protested. "There are rules about firing people."

"Of course, there are," Hermione replied. "But that's why he's only threatening to move her somewhere else. It's completely in his power to shuffle people around within the department as long as he doesn't demote them. I expect he'll justify it by saying they don't need an entire subdivision to relocate House-Elves once the law is fully enacted."

"Gods, what a fucking tosser."

"Ginevra, language!" Molly said, hands on her hips as she walked into the living room. "There is a child present!"

"Sorry, Mum," Ginny muttered. Molly announced that dinner was ready and everyone began moving into the kitchen. Ron bumped into Hermione which jostled her into Remus. She gave him an apologetic smile. Remus nodded once, his smile tight, before hurrying around the table to sit next to Teddy's highchair. Hermione sighed and sat down at the opposite end. Ginny didn't know what she was talking about.

Remus tried to avoid looking at Hermione for the entirety of the meal. He had acted like an idiot when she bumped into him before dinner, practically running away from her as quickly as possible. When Remus chanced a glance at her, he saw her deep in conversation with Percy. Remus felt a flare of jealousy before he stamped it back down. He was being ridiculous, of course, Audrey had joined them at the Burrow after they returned from the cemetery and was sitting on Percy's other side, involved in the conversation as well. Percy was completely besotted with Audrey; anyone could see that.

This was getting out of hand. Trying to avoid Hermione wasn't working and if he didn't get his reaction to her under control, she was surely going to figure it out. Remus shifted his gaze away from Hermione and met Ginny's eye. The redhead smiled knowingly at him and Remus swallowed, looking back at his plate. He cursed in his head. Of course, Ginny knew.

What Remus couldn't understand, though, was why Ginny looked so pleased about it. Surely, she didn't want him dating Hermione any more than Harry would. He thought back to what she had said to him about Hermione needing someone more mature than Ron, but not as uptight as Anthony. Surely, she hadn't meant him.

Remus thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. Of course, she hadn't meant him. While he knew that Ginny liked and respected him, wanting her best girlfriend to date him was a completely different story. He was being absurd. A throat clearing caught his attention.

"Fleur and I have an announcement to make," Bill said. Molly gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "We're going to have a baby." Remus smiled at the whoops and cheers around the table as everyone stood and tried to hug both Bill and Fleur at the same time. Molly was crying and everyone else wore wide grins. It was a wonderful ending to a trying day.

3 November 1999

Hermione sighed as she picked up another stack of files from her desk. As most everyone else in the Being Division was out doing inspections, Hermione had been relegated all the tasks that they didn't have time to complete, which were usually the most tedious. It seemed that every time she returned to her office from the archives there was yet another pile of parchment to file. She had spent so much time in the archives over the past few days, she almost felt as if she lived there.

As she was leaving her office a memo flew in and landed on her desk. Setting down the stack of parchment, Hermione picked it up and opened it.

Please see Mr. Satterfield in his office at three o'clock.

Hermione sighed again. She didn't think it likely that the meeting meant anything good.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Satterfield," Hermione said as she entered his office.

"Yes, sit down, sit down," he said, moving aside a pile of parchment. Hermione perched on the edge of one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"I have been thinking about your future here, Miss Granger," he said leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers over his massive belly. Hermione said nothing, just continued to hold his gaze. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of begging for a job in the Being Division. She had resigned herself to the fact that it was not going to happen. Knowing that Mr. Satterfield couldn't fire her without cause, she was determined to stick it out until all the House-Elf inspections had been completed and the program was running as she envisioned it.

"There are two possible positions open," he said. "One in the Spirit Division and one in the Beast Division." Even knowing it was coming didn't make it hurt any less. Hermione managed to keep a neutral expression on her face, however.

"I have decided that in order to determine which you are more suited for, you will need to have a trial period in each. After which, we will decide where to place you."

"Yes, sir," Hermione said.

"I would like you to report to the Spirit Division tomorrow morning. You've met Jasper Nithercott, head of the Department. He will let you know what he needs you to do."

"Yes, sir."

"Good luck, Miss Granger," Mr. Satterfield said with a smug grin that Hermione wanted to hex off his face. She simply nodded and left his office.

Hermione was staring morosely at her desk when Gwendolyn walked in. The other woman looked exhausted.

"Trouble today?" Hermione asked. Gwendolyn sank into her chair with a sigh.

"Not until the last place." Hermione glanced at the list she was keeping for herself.

"Yaxley?" Hermione asked. Gwendolyn nodded. She knew the Yaxley in question was not the Death Eater that had grabbed her just before she'd Apparated away from the Ministry, but his mother. Corban Yaxley was in Azkaban serving a life-sentence.

"This is the first time I've had to call for Aurors since we began the inspections. She refused to answer the door and then tried to hex us from a window. Once we finally got inside, it became clear rather quickly that the woman has completely lost her mind. The house is filthy," Gwendolyn said. "When we were finally able to get the House-Elf, Tibby, to talk, she told us that her mistress only allowed her to clean one room in the house. That room was spotless and where Mrs. Yaxley obviously spent most of her time."

"Which room was it?"

"Master Corban's room, according Tibby. Mrs. Yaxley is anxiously awaiting her son's return." Hermione's brow furrowed. She knew that Corban Yaxley was married and had children. Many of the old families still had estates large enough that multiple generations lived in the same manor. But if that were the case, Yaxley's wife and children should have been present as well.

"It was clearly his childhood bedroom," Gwendolyn continued. "As I said, the woman is completely mad." Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"I'm surprised that Yaxley's family hasn't been caring for her," Hermione said.

"Yes, well, apparently we weren't the only ones that Mrs. Yaxley greeted with hexes. She has allowed her grandson in a few times, evidently he looks quite a bit like his father, but not recently from what Tibby says."

"Did you remove her?" Hermione asked. "Tibby, I mean."

"I wanted to, but Tibby refused to leave. Despite the state of the house, Mrs. Yaxley appears well-fed and Tibby herself was clean and nourished properly. There were no signs that Tibby has been ill-treated. I'm going to contact the younger Mrs. Yaxley and suggest she send in St. Mungo's." Hermione nodded. "If one of her grandchildren would like to take on Tibby's bond and they pass inspection, we will simply transfer Tibby to them. Otherwise, I'll have to relocate her."

Hermione shook her head. It was the worst-case scenario. When an Elf was mistreated or abused, the bond was immediately weakened and was much easier to sever when the House-Elf was relocated. Those that were treated well and had no desire to leave their families were much more difficult. It was avoided if at all possible. Transferring Tibby's bond to one of her Mistress' grandchildren would be relatively easy and cause little to no harm to Tibby. Hermione hoped that the younger Mrs. Yaxley would agree.

"You didn't look like you were in a much better mood than I was when I came in," Gwendolyn said as she pulled out an inspection form and began to fill it out.

"Mr. Satterfield is transferring me," Hermione said. Gwendolyn immediately stopped writing and looked up at Hermione. A drop of ink fell from her quill onto the parchment below, but Gwendolyn didn't seem to notice.

"When?" Gwendolyn asked.

"Tomorrow," Hermione said quietly.

"Where?"

"The Spirit Division, temporarily."

"Temporarily?" Gwendolyn repeated.

"He says there's also a position in the Beast Division and he's going to have me work in both and see which is the better fit."

"Oh, Hermione, I'm so sorry," Gwendolyn said. Hermione shrugged.

"It's not as if we weren't expecting it. I'm surprised it took this long, to be honest."

"It still doesn't make it right," Gwendolyn said.

"No," Hermione agreed. "But I want to see this proposal through, even if I'm not working on it."

"We'll have lunch as often as we can," Gwendolyn said. "And I'll tell you everything." Hermione smiled. She was glad the two of them had become friends. She knew that the House-Elf legislation was in good hands with Gwendolyn as long as Mr. Satterfield left her working on it. Hermione knew that he wouldn't do anything until all the inspections were done at least. He needed Gwendolyn too much.

"Thank you," Hermione said. She looked around her desk and realized she would have to clear everything away. Tomorrow, Hermione would be at another desk in a completely different division. Harry and Ron and a younger version of herself waved at her from their frame. Hermione smiled. She wasn't going to let this break her.

16 November 1999

Remus looked at the dwindling pile of galleons in his vault and sighed. He had only been up to Hogwarts once in the last month to tutor. Minerva had mentioned setting up study groups before exams, but that was nearly three weeks away and likely would only last a week.

Andromeda still took care of all their necessities and never gave Remus any indication that she couldn't afford it. But she'd had no income coming in for more than two years now since Ted had gone on the run and Remus knew that she'd inherited no money from the Blacks when her father had passed. Remus had never asked her about finances, of course, but he needed to get a job. He needed to be able to provide for his own son.

Remus bent and scooped up a handful of galleons, leaving a rather meager pile behind. He climbed back into the cart with the goblin. Perhaps being so close to Christmas some of the shops in Diagon Alley would be looking for help. Or he could always try Muggle London. Remus had taken many an odd job in Muggle shops or warehouses when he was younger and they seemed to be more flexible in their scheduling. He also wouldn't have to deal with customers and co-workers that knew he was a werewolf.

Climbing out of the cart when they reached the surface, Remus thanked the goblin and left the bank. Yes, Muggle London was likely a better idea.

3 December 1999

Hermione walked into the bookshop and headed for the mystery section. She hadn't been in a Muggle bookshop in ages but wanted to pick up a book for her dad for Christmas. Charing Cross Books was across the street from Leaky Cauldron, where she had Flooed after work. While her parents had invited her to Australia for the holiday, Hermione decided instead to spend Christmas at the Burrow and then go to Australia on Boxing Day. The Ministry was closed the week between Christmas and New Year's, so she would spend a few days in Australia and be back for Harry's New Year's Eve party at Grimmauld Place.

After finding the book for her dad, Hermione browsed a bit. Perhaps she would get Teddy a few Muggle children's books for Christmas. She doubted anyone else would buy the same thing and Teddy did love books. Got that from his father, she thought with a smile.

She hadn't seen Remus since Halloween, but he had often been in her thoughts. Mostly, she couldn't get Ginny's voice out of her head. Ginny wasn't wrong in that Remus' personality was much more suited to Hermione than Anthony or even Ron had been. But Hermione still wasn't ready to admit that there was even a remote possibility for a future between them. There was no way that Remus could think of her in that way. She was quite sure that he saw her as nothing more than a friend.

That was why his behavior at both Ginny's match and Halloween had confused her. She thought about the times he had hugged her when she had been upset shortly after the battle. He hadn't seemed to have a problem touching her then or even months afterward. Why did he seem so skittish around her now?

Maybe he had gotten the wrong impression from something she had said. If Remus thought that she fancied him, that would explain his awkward behavior. He was probably afraid of giving her the wrong idea. Yes, that likely made sense, except Hermione had thought about it and couldn't pinpoint any specific instance that might have made him think that way.

Hermione sighed. If that was the problem, she wasn't sure how to go about fixing it. It's not like she was just going to walk up to Remus and tell him that she didn't fancy him. Because you do, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Ginny said in her head. Hermione scoffed. She did not.

"Is there something I can help you with?" a voice said and Hermione whipped around, mouth dropping open in shock.

"Remus?" she said staring incredulously at him.

"Hermione," Remus said in equal surprise.

"What are you doing here?" they both said at the same time. Remus chuckled and Hermione grinned.

"I'm doing a bit of Christmas shopping," she explained. "You're working here?"

"Temporarily," Remus said, looking slightly embarrassed. She smiled widely.

"Seems like a perfect job for you." Remus chuckled again.

"It is a good thing it isn't Flourish and Blotts or I might spend my entire paycheck in the store." Hermione laughed. She would have the same problem, she knew.

"Remus?" a woman's voice said. Remus turned and Hermione saw a woman about his age smiling softly at him. "You may take your dinner break now, if you like."

"Thank you, Emily," Remus said. The woman's gaze lingered on him for a few more seconds before she nodded and turned away, moving towards the non-fiction section where another customer was browsing. Hermione stared after her, something twisting uncomfortably in her gut.

"Can I ring those up for you?" Remus asked, indicating the books in her hand.

"Oh, yes, please," Hermione said, following him to the till. Remus' eyebrows rose at the children's books she handed him. "Teddy doesn't have any of these, does he?"

"No," Remus said with a smile. "I'm sure he'll love them." Hermione smiled back as Remus took the money she handed him.

"How long is your dinner break?" Hermione asked impulsively as she took the bag of books from Remus.

"An hour," Remus said. "But I usually only take half that."

"I was thinking about getting something to eat myself," Hermione said. "Care to get a bite at the Leaky with me?"

"Oh, well, I," Remus hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "All right." Hermione smiled. "Let me, uh, just get my jacket." Hermione nodded and walked towards the front of the shop while Remus slipped into the back. This would be the perfect time to show Remus that she didn't fancy him.

As Remus approached, Hermione saw Emily glance her way with a frown on her face. Remus said good-bye to her and Hermione smiled at the older woman as Hermione left the bookshop with Remus. A smile that wasn't smug at all.

Remus walked into the back room and braced his hands against the wall, sighing. Why had he agreed to have dinner with Hermione? He knew that Hermione had sensed his awkwardness around her in the last couple of months. He was quite sure that he had seen a determined look in Ginny's eye on Halloween as well. Perhaps the best way to get over his infatuation with Hermione was to spend more time with her as nothing more than a friend.

Remus heard a laugh in the back of his head that sounded suspiciously like Sirius, but he ignored it and pulled on his jacket. He said good-bye to Emily, joined Hermione, and left the shop.

"So how long have you been working at the bookshop?" Hermione asked once they had ordered and were waiting for their dinner.

"A couple of weeks now," Remus said. "Emily, the woman that you met, is the owner and needed a bit of extra help for the holidays." Hermione scowled slightly at the mention of the other woman. "She's been very accommodating with my schedule around the full moon."

"She sounds like a great boss," Hermione said with a forced smile on her face. Remus frowned. Obviously, Hermione didn't like Emily, but Remus couldn't fathom why. She had only met the woman for a few moments.

"How about you?" Remus asked deciding to change the subject. "Is Satterfield still giving you problems?" Hermione sighed. Apparently so.

"I was transferred to the Spirit Division a month ago," Hermione said.

"What?" Remus said in surprise. Hermione nodded. "But what about your proposal?"

"It's still being implemented. I'm just not involved." Hermione proceeded to explain what she had done to get the proposal through and just how her boss felt about it. Remus had to admit that he was rather proud of her tactics. But he couldn't help being incensed on her behalf. After all the work she'd done on the House-Elf proposal, she should be the one in charge of carrying it out. He told her as much.

"I don't disagree with you, but right now, there's not much I can do," she said with a sigh. "Mr. Satterfield has the right to transfer employees within the department."

"You should speak to Kingsley," Remus said. Hermione shook her head.

"I'm not going to run and tattle to the Minister," Hermione said. "Gwendolyn is making sure that things are running the way I intended and she's keeping me informed of what's been going on with the inspections. Meanwhile, I'm keeping an eye on Mr. Satterfield." Remus wanted to argue the point with her, but he could see that she wasn't likely to change her mind, at least not now.

"So, how is the Spirit Division?" he asked instead. Hermione groaned and rested her forehead on the table. Remus laughed. "That good?"

"It's just so mind-numbingly boring," she said picking her head up from the table. "Honestly, if I have to banish one more Boggart, I might scream. I didn't even know people called the Ministry for that. I mean, the Ridikkulus charm isn't that hard." Remus smiled.

"Actually, it can be a bit difficult for many people," he said. "I think the fear overtakes them too much to allow them to properly cast the charm."

"I can understand that, I suppose," Hermione said reluctantly. "I guess you were just such a great teacher, I forget that not everyone was taught the way we were." Remus blushed slightly.

"Thank you, Hermione." Hermione smiled. Their food arrived at that moment and they spent the next few minutes organizing plates and beginning to eat. Remus glanced at her as he cut into his roast beef. She huffed in exasperation as an errant curl continually fell in her eyes. Tucking it behind her ear for the third time, she looked up and caught him watching her. He immediately looked back at his plate, hoping the dim lighting in the pub would hide his blush.

They spoke a bit more about his job and hers and discussed Teddy's increasing vocabulary. His constant babbling was becoming much more recognizable these days, Remus and Andromeda able to understand him more often than not. His new favorite word was biscuit, which he used often to try and get sweets from his father and grandmother. Harry was usually the only one Teddy could convince every time.

When they had finished and paid the bill, Remus found himself wanting to linger. He had very much enjoyed their dinner and felt he had been successful in keeping his feelings to himself. Perhaps it would get easier over time. A glance at his watch, however, told him he needed to get back to the store. Emily was used to him taking only half his break, even though she tried to convince him it wasn't necessary.

"I had better get back to work," he finally said when he couldn't stay another moment longer without being late. "Emily is likely wondering where I am." Hermione made a face which she tried to hide. Remus' brow furrowed. "Is there something wrong with Emily?"

"No, of course not," Hermione said rather quickly. "She seems perfectly lovely." Hermione didn't sound very convincing. Deciding not to press the issue, as he really did need to get going, Remus simply nodded.

"Thank you for the invitation," he said with a smile.

"You're welcome," Hermione said brightly. "I'll walk out with you. I have a bit more shopping for my mum that I want to do." Remus nodded again and the two of them walked back into Muggle London. They crossed the street and stopped in front of the bookshop.

"Enjoy your shopping," Remus said.

"Thanks. Bye, Remus," she said with another bright smile. Remus opened the door to the bookshop, gave her a wave and walked inside.

Hermione took a few steps away from the door, but stood near the corner of the shop, so she could still see inside. She watched Emily greet Remus and Hermione's eyes narrowed as the woman put her hand on Remus' arm and then laughed at something he said. Remus smiled and then moved towards the back room. Emily looked up towards the front of the shop and Hermione hurried away, shoving her hands in the pockets of her coat. No longer feeling like shopping for some reason, Hermione stepped into an alley and Disapparated.

25 December 1999

Remus watched as Harry glided over the meadow, Teddy in front of him on his broom. His son squealed in delight as Harry sped up slightly and then came to a quick halt.

"'Gain, gain," Teddy said laughing. Harry chuckled and repeated the action.

"Looks like someone might need a broom of their own soon," a voice behind him said. Remus turned his head to see a smiling Hermione.

"I'm hoping that I can hold off for a few more years," Remus replied.

"A few years, hm?" Hermione questioned. "Didn't Sirius buy Harry his first broom for his first birthday?"

"Yes, but Sirius was mad as we all know. And James wasn't much better." Hermione laughed and Remus realized that the pain from talking about his friends wasn't as sharp anymore. "Harry, thankfully, is not quite as reckless." The two stood in companionable silence and watched Harry and Teddy fly around the meadow. Ginny had joined them in the air and was currently entertaining Teddy with a sloth roll.

"Me, me!" Teddy called, clapping his hands. Harry glanced towards Remus who shook his head slightly.

"Maybe when you're older," Harry said as Ginny zoomed past them. Teddy pouted.

"Pease, pease, pease?" Teddy chanted. Ginny pulled up short beside them as Harry glanced at Remus again.

"We can use a sticking charm," Ginny called. Remus sighed in exasperation. Harry had a very hard time saying no to Teddy when he pouted, especially when he changed his hair to match Harry's as he'd done now. Remus waved a hand, knowing that neither Harry nor Ginny would ever let anything happen to the little boy. Ginny grinned and cast the charm, while Harry wrapped an arm tightly around his godson's middle.

"Hold on tight, Teddy."

"Go!" Teddy shouted before he gripped the broom's handle. Harry did a very gentle barrel roll which had Teddy giggling madly.

"'Gain, gain!" Harry repeated the action and laughed along with the toddler. Hermione shook her head fondly.

"He's incorrigible," she said.

"Which one?" Remus asked wryly. Hermione laughed.

"Both of them, I suppose." Harry flew towards Remus and Hermione as the Weasley men came out of the house en masse.

"Oi, Harry, are we having a game or what?" Ron called.

"Sure, Ron," Harry said as he reached Remus. "Hey, Teddy, I'll give you another ride later, yeah?"

"No, me," Teddy insisted.

"Time to go in, son," Remus said reaching for the toddler. Harry cancelled the sticking charm.

"Noooo!" Teddy howled. "Me go!" Remus ignored the boy's protests and pulled him off the broom. "No, Daddy!" Remus shook his head and turned and mouthed 'tired' to Hermione. She nodded.

"Hey Teddy, how about if I read you one of your new books," Hermione suggested as he continued to protest. Teddy stopped howling and looked at her.

"Bickie?" he asked. Hermione stifled a laugh and looked at Remus. He rolled his eyes but nodded.

"Sure, I bet Molly has some biscuits for you. Maybe some hot chocolate too." The little boy's eyes lit up.

"My-nee," he said reaching for Hermione. Remus passed Teddy off to her, noticing Hermione's look of delight when Teddy said her name, or half of it anyway.

"Thank you," Remus said with a smile. It was easier to be around Hermione than it had been two months ago, but he still felt a pang every time she looked at him.

"No problem," she replied. "You know they were going to try and get me to play, so now I have an excuse." She grinned before walking back towards the house.

"Remus, you're playing, right?" Ron asked. Remus watched Hermione disappear around the corner, then turned back to the redhead.

"Sure, Ron, why not."

Hermione sat with a very sleepy Teddy on her lap, reading to him from the book of Muggle fairy tales she had bought him for Christmas. She ran a hand idly through the chestnut curls on his head and smiled. He had recently begun matching his hair to whoever was paying him attention, gaining quite a bit of control over it for not even being two yet. Andromeda had said that Tonks was the same at his age.

The Burrow was quiet. Andromeda and Molly spoke softly at the kitchen table. Fleur had gone upstairs for a nap, her pregnancy tiring her more easily these days. Everyone else was out playing Quidditch. Ron had even convinced his father to play. Just as she finished The Ugly Duckling, Hermione heard the backdoor slam. Teddy jumped a bit, having been nearly asleep. Remus came into the room moments later.

"Game over already?" Hermione asked. Remus chuckled.

"Harry was the youngest Seeker in a century," he reminded her. "They're picking new teams and we'll have another round after I get this one into bed."

"No nap," Teddy protested half-heartedly. Hermione smiled and stood from the couch, shifting Teddy around as she did so. He sighed and settled against her, resting his head on her shoulder, his eyes drooping.

"I can take him if you like," she said, not quite ready to let go of the sleepy toddler.

"Are you sure?" Remus asked.

"Of course," Hermione replied.

"All right, then," he said. "Molly set the cot up in Ginny's room."

"No nap, Daddy," Teddy said around a huge yawn. Both adults laughed quietly. Hermione went to leave the room but was stopped by an invisible force. Confused, she looked up and saw the mistletoe hovering over her head.

"Not again," she groaned. This was the second time the enchanted mistletoe had caught her. It popped up out of nowhere and disappeared as soon as the person under it was kissed. The mistletoe had also caught Harry, Bill and Molly today. Harry hadn't complained when Ginny had enthusiastically snogged him, of course, and Bill certainly had no issue with his wife releasing him from the enchantment. Molly had huffed and scolded until Arthur had most thoroughly shut her up with a much deeper kiss than Hermione had ever witnessed between the two of them, although most of their children had made faces and even gagging noises, in Ron's case.

The first time, for Hermione, had been that morning as they'd opened Christmas gifts. Ron had taken a step towards her before Charlie had come to her rescue. He had dipped her and given her a dramatic, but chaste, kiss on the lips. She had thanked him later, knowing it would have been extremely awkward had Ron kissed her. While they were getting along much better, things were still not completely back to normal and Hermione had caught him looking at her a bit wistfully on occasion. Still, the mistletoe was the first thing George had invented since Fred's death and so no one had complained overmuch.

Now, though, Hermione was a bit exasperated. She bit her lip for a moment before an idea came to her. She didn't think it would work, but it was worth a shot.

"Teddy," she said and the sleepy toddler looked up at her. "Want to help me with something?" Teddy nodded. "How about a kiss, right here?" Hermione pointed to her cheek and Teddy dutifully bussed it, before resting his head on her shoulder once more. Hermione looked up, but the mistletoe remained and she was still stuck.

"You really thought that would work?" Remus asked in amusement. Hermione shrugged.

"Not really, but I figured I'd give it a go." She sighed. "Now what am I going to do?" Remus looked a bit uncomfortable and Hermione wondered if he thought she might ask him to help her. Hermione's cheeks reddened and something squirmed in her belly at the thought. She glanced at Remus from the corner of her eye. He was staring up at the mistletoe, looking deep in thought. For some reason, Hermione wondered if he were thinking about Emily. She scowled.

Remus looked up at the mistletoe, just so he didn't have to look at Hermione. His heart had sped up as soon as she discovered she was trapped under it. Remus, Andromeda and Teddy had arrived just after Charlie had released Hermione from the enchantment earlier. The full moon was only three days past and the wolf had growled when a laughing Harry had relayed the story to Remus.

The wolf was pacing now, urging Remus to do something about the situation. He could help Hermione himself, although he wasn't sure if that was the best idea. He had been successful at repressing his feelings and acting more normally around her since Halloween, but a kiss, however innocent it might be, probably wouldn't help things. No, no that was a terrible idea.

Not to mention that Molly and Andromeda were both still at the table drinking their tea. The last thing he needed was for either of them to walk in on him kissing Hermione. Molly would likely castrate him on sight and while he wasn't sure just what Andromeda would do, he had no desire to find out. His mother-in-law was still a Black, regardless of being struck from her family's tapestry. Still, he couldn't just let the poor girl keep standing there.

"Would you like me to get Charlie for you?" he asked, feeling like he was forcing the question out through gritted teeth. "Or Ron?"

"No!" Hermione said immediately and rather insistently. She blushed. Remus looked at her quizzically. "It's just, I wouldn't want to, erm, give Molly the wrong idea."

"Oh," Remus said, feeling immensely relieved. "Of course." He smiled at her stupidly for a few moments.

"Well, I suppose the both of us are ignoring the obvious answer," he finally said. Hermione looked at him in confusion. "Me."

"You?" Hermione repeated, shocked that he had suggested it. Remus rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable

"It's not the ideal situation, I know, but if you want to get out of here," he trailed off. Hermione bit her lip, wishing he didn't look as if he wanted to be anywhere else but there. A little thrill had gone through her when Remus suggested he kiss her and she was still trying to process that.

"Right, of course," Hermione replied, her face reddening slightly.

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable," Remus said, looking just as awkward as Hermione felt.

"No, no it's fine," she said, smiling and hoping it looked genuine.

"It's just a kiss," he said with a wry smile. "I'm not proposing marriage." Hermione laughed slightly, but it sounded a bit breathless to her.

"Of course not," she returned. "I mean that would be ridiculous, you and me and," she trailed off and reddened further as she saw the look on his face. He almost looked a bit…hurt. But that didn't make sense.

"Ridiculous, yes," he agreed with a laugh that sounded way too loud to his ears. Truthfully, her comment stung, but he shouldn't have expected anything else. Of course, Hermione thought the idea of the two of them was ludicrous. They stood staring at one another for few more awkward seconds before Hermione seemed to square her shoulders.

"Right then," she said taking in a breath and giving him a small smile. "If you wouldn't mind." She tilted her face up towards him. Remus threw one last glance toward the kitchen before he lowered his head. Hermione's eyes fluttered shut as his lips pressed against hers. Remus intended for the kiss to be chaste and last just long enough to hear the tell-tale pop of the mistletoe. But the moment his lips touched hers, he knew he had made a mistake. Unable to pull away, his lips softened and began to move over hers. Hermione shifted slightly towards him and one of his hands came to rest on her hip.

"No nap," Teddy said sleepily. Hermione's eyes flew open as Remus abruptly pulled away from her. He felt his face heat and there were twin spots of color on Hermione's cheekbones.

"I'm sorry, I," he trailed off, shaking his head.

"No, no, it's fine," Hermione managed. She glanced up. "The mistletoe is gone." Remus merely nodded. "I'll just take Teddy up, shall I?"

"Of course," he said, moving to the side so she could pass. "I should, erm, I should see if they're ready for the next game."

"Right," Hermione replied, not moving.

"Right," Remus repeated, staring at her for another few seconds. He felt himself take a step forward before he forced himself to stop. He shook his head as if to clear it. "Right. Thanks for taking care of Teddy." Hermione just nodded and finally left the room, looking back at him once more before climbing the stairs to Ginny's bedroom.

Remus scrubbed a hand down his face. What the hell had he been thinking? He should have known that there was no way he could have just quickly kissed her. And now she would know how he felt about her. It wouldn't be like before when he could hide his feelings from her and still have her as a friend. Now, she would know and she would likely be disgusted. Or worse, pity him. He had ruined everything.

Remus hurried from the house, wanting nothing more than to leave, but knowing there would be too many questions if he did. As he headed back to the meadow, he ignored the voice in his head that tried to tell him that Hermione had kissed him back and that the wolf was humming in contentment.