A/N - Hello all! As always thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 50

Dinners

12 March 2000

Hermione stood in the kitchen, chatting with Molly and Ginny as they finished making dinner. Hermione couldn't help but glance at the living room every time she heard the Floo, or the back door every time it opened. So far, Remus hadn't arrived. She caught Ginny's eye at one point, the younger woman giving her a knowing smirk.

"Everyone coming today, Mum?" Ginny asked, innocent look on her face that Hermione didn't trust at all.

"Percy wasn't sure if Audrey would be here, but I think everyone else is coming, yes."

"Even Remus and Andromeda?" Hermione gave Ginny a glare behind her mother's back.

"Oh, yes, Andromeda sent an owl this morning," Molly said.

"Oh, good," Ginny said. "Isn't that great, Hermione?"

"Of course," Hermione said, plastering a smile on her face when Molly looked at her.

"You can talk to Remus some more about your werewolf proposal," Ginny said, mischievous grin on her face. Hermione gave her another glare.

"How is that going, dear?" Molly asked.

"Oh, um, pretty well," Hermione replied. "The Board of Governors is voting Tuesday on the seminar I've proposed for Hogwarts."

"Well, I'm sure that Remus appreciates what you're doing," Molly said.

"Oh, Remus appreciates it all right," Ginny snickered. Molly looked at her daughter strangely for a moment, then moved to check the roast. Hermione pinched Ginny's arm when Molly had moved away.

"What are you doing?" Hermione hissed under her breath.

"Just having a conversation," Ginny said with a smirk.

"Well, stop it."

"All right, girls," Molly said, standing and wiping her hands on her apron. "Things are done in here, you can set the table now." Hermione and Ginny both drew their wands and directed the dishes to the table. The back door opened and Andromeda walked in, followed by Remus who was holding Teddy. Hermione caught Remus' eye and smiled.

"My-nee!" Teddy cried. "Ginny!"

"Hey, Teddy," Ginny said as she moved toward the little boy. She took him from Remus and tickled him before she pulled off his cloak.

"Where Ha-wy?" Teddy asked.

"He's in the living room. Should we go find him?" Teddy nodded enthusiastically. Ginny winked at Hermione before she took Teddy into the living room. Andromeda glanced between Hermione and Remus, knowing smile on her face.

"I'm just going to say hello to Molly," she said and walked into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.

"Hi," Hermione said as she moved towards him.

"Hello," he replied with a smile. "Did you sleep well?" She nodded. He looked around the room, then reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze, before dropping it again. They stood and stared at each other until there was a noise at the door. They stepped back quickly as Bill and Fleur walked in.

Hermione thought she saw Bill glance curiously at Remus for a moment, but Bill turned back to Fleur seconds later and Hermione was sure she had imagined it.

"Fleur, you look wonderful," Hermione said, greeting the blonde.

"You are sweet, 'ermione, but I am as big as a 'ippogriff," she groaned. Hermione laughed as she hugged her.

"No, you're not, love," Bill said, wrapping his arms around her.

"I feel like eet." He kissed her forehead and then took her hand to lead her into the living room. Hermione watched them fondly.

"I suppose I should go and say hello to everyone," Remus said.

"Yes, Harry's probably wondering where you are." He walked past her, brushing her arm with his. Hermione sighed. This was going to be a long afternoon.

Remus ending up sitting next to Hermione during dinner. He was quite sure that Ginny had orchestrated it. Still, when Hermione pressed her thigh against his, he didn't complain. When her left hand came to rest on his leg, just above his knee, he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from reacting.

Dinner seemed to last an eternity, Hermione's hand burning into his leg. Thank Merlin she hadn't moved it. If she'd started stroking his leg, he knew he wouldn't have been able to stay still. As it was, he was having a hard time concentrating on what Arthur was saying to him.

Mercifully, Molly brought out the pudding. Remus turned to help Teddy and Hermione's hand fell away. He missed the contact, but it was far easier on his mental state.

When they were finally finished, Andromeda went into the kitchen to help Molly clean up and Teddy went with Harry back into the living room to play with his toys. Remus excused himself to go to the loo, wanting a few minutes to get himself back under control.

When he exited the bathroom and passed Ginny's bedroom, a hand shot out and grabbed him. Startled, he drew his wand on instinct, but lowered it when he saw Hermione's face, her finger over her lips. She pulled him inside Ginny's bedroom and closed the door. She pushed him against it and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. Remus put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

When they finally parted, she rested her forehead against his chest, while he ran a hand up and down her back.

"Thank Merlin you went to the bathroom," Hermione finally said. "I wasn't sure how much longer I could have waited." He chuckled.

"We'll be missed soon," he said. She sighed.

"I know." He kissed her again, more slowly this time and she sighed when he released her. He kissed her forehead and squeezed her hands before letting her go. Hermione opened the door a crack and seeing no one, ushered Remus out. He glanced around and kissed her quickly one last time before he headed for the stairs.

When he reached the living room, Ginny was watching him. He colored slightly at her smirk, but she didn't make a move to come and speak with him. Remus moved across the room to where Harry and George were playing with Teddy.

"All right there, Remus?" George asked.

"Yes, why?" Remus asked in confusion.

"Your face is a bit red."

"Oh," Remus said, feeling his cheeks heat further. "I'm fine, just a bit warm." Harry's brow furrowed and George gave him a searching look, likely because it was perfectly comfortable in the room. Remus cleared his throat and turned his attention to his son. Teddy's hair was a quite comical at the moment, mostly black and unruly, with a bit of red thrown in here and there. Remus chuckled. Teddy looked up at him and grinned.

"Where My-nee, Daddy?" Remus tried not to react to Teddy's question. He knew there was no way Teddy knew that Remus had just been with Hermione. The little boy had likely been looking for her already. Still, it was a bit disconcerting. Remus cleared his throat.

"I believe she is upstairs." He felt George's eyes on him. "I passed her in the corridor when I was coming back from the loo," he said by way of explanation. Harry seemed satisfied, but Remus could tell that George was still looking at him speculatively. Damn it, this family was too observant by half.

"My-nee pay?" Teddy asked.

"I'm sure she would love to play with you," Remus said. Teddy smiled happily and turned back to his blocks. Remus asked the younger men about their respective jobs, hoping to get George to focus on something else. Remus had to force himself not to glance at the stairs every few seconds.

He could sense when Hermione walked into the room and he felt himself tense. He hoped that Harry and George hadn't noticed. From the corner of his eye, he saw her walk over to Ginny and Angelina. Remus' thoughts went back to the kiss and it was all he could do to keep his attention on his conversation with Harry. When Hermione laughed, Teddy looked up.

"My-nee!" he called, scrambling to his feet and running across the room. Hermione picked him up and kissed his cheek. Remus watched as Hermione paid close attention to what Teddy was saying. Teddy's hair slowly turned brown and curly. Remus couldn't help his smile.

"I see how it is," George said. Remus glanced sharply at him, heart pounding.

"Me too," Harry agreed. Remus felt his mouth go dry and his palms began to sweat.

"H-how what is?" he managed to ask.

"Teddy," George said, motioning with his head. "Switches his hair the moment a female pays him attention." Harry laughed. Remus closed his eyes in relief.

"Yes," he said, trying to chuckle. It came out a bit garbled. George gave him an odd look, but Harry didn't seem to notice.

"You sure you're all right?" George asked. "Now you look a bit pale."

"Fine, fine," Remus said, resisting the urge to wipe his hands on his trousers.

"Maybe you're coming down with something," Harry said with a frown. "I'm sure Molly has some Pepper-up."

"No, that won't be necessary," Remus said. "I honestly feel fine."

"All right," George said, not looking convinced.

"I think your father wanted to speak with me about something," Remus said, excusing himself and searching the room for Arthur. Maybe the Weasley dinner hadn't been such a good idea.

Hermione looked across the room at Remus and frowned. He looked a bit pale. George was giving him a strange look and Harry looked concerned. A few moments later, Remus left Harry and George and walked towards Arthur, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. Hermione bit her lip. She hoped that George and Harry didn't suspect something.

"My-nee," Teddy was saying, poking at her shoulder. She turned her attention back to him.

"Yes, Teddy?"

"Pay me?" Hermione smiled.

"Of course, I'll play with you." She set the little boy on his feet, then followed him to where George and Harry were still sitting on the floor. Hermione sat down beside Harry and took the Quidditch figure that Teddy presented her with, flying it through the air on Teddy's instruction. George excused himself and went to join Angelina on the couch.

"Did Remus seem all right to you at dinner?" Harry asked.

"Yes, why?" Harry shrugged.

"He was all flushed when he came back from the bathroom and just now, he went pale," Harry said. Hermione fought her own blush. She was well aware of why Remus might have been flushed earlier.

"I'm sure he's fine," she said, not meeting Harry's eye.

"It was a bit odd though," Harry said. Hermione shrugged, setting the Quidditch figure down on one of the block towers Harry had built.

"Maybe he's just tired or something. The moon is in a week."

"Maybe," Harry said noncommittally. Hermione looked up at him and Harry was watching Remus as he spoke to Arthur. She could almost see the gears turning in Harry's head. Before Hermione could think of something to draw Harry's attention away from Remus, Teddy jumped into Harry's lap.

"Whoa, mate," Harry said with a grimace. Teddy's knee had apparently hit a rather sensitive spot. At the pained look on Harry's face, Hermione laughed and reached over to take Teddy from Harry's lap. Harry turned to the side, drawing his legs up a bit and closing his eyes.

"You have to be careful when you jump," Hermione said to Teddy. "You gave Harry an ouch."

"Me tiss?" Teddy asked innocently. Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth to hold in her laughter. Harry cracked one eye open and glared at her.

"How about just on the cheek?" Hermione suggested with a grin. She held onto Teddy and leaned forward, so he could reach Harry's cheek. Harry smiled at his godson.

"Owts all gone?" Teddy asked.

"Yeah," Harry said, although Hermione could tell he was still in pain. "I'm much better, thanks." Teddy grinned and squirmed in Hermione's arms. She set him back on the floor and he ran happily back to his towers of blocks.

"You might have to start casting a protection spell on your bits when Teddy's around," Hermione said with a grin.

"You're hilarious," Harry said with a scowl. Hermione really did feel badly for Harry, but at least Teddy had been successful in getting his attention off Remus.

"We should get Teddy home," Andromeda said to Remus a bit later. Remus glanced over and saw that Teddy was nearly asleep where he sat on Ginny's lap.

"I'd say so," Remus said with a fond smile. "We had better go through the Floo. Apparition will likely wake him completely." Andromeda nodded. "I'll just get our cloaks."

As Remus turned to head to the back door, he noticed that Hermione wasn't in the living room anymore. He hadn't seen her leave, but he had been talking with Arthur and Percy for quite some time. He didn't think she would have gone without saying good-bye, however.

Stepping into the kitchen, Remus nearly ran into Hermione, who was standing with their cloaks in her arms. When he looked at her quizzically, she smiled.

"I told Andromeda that Teddy was getting sleepy," she explained. "I figured you would be coming out for these." He smiled at her and stepped closer. Taking a quick glance around, he leaned down and kissed her softly, then took the cloaks.

"Thank you."

"The Board of Governors vote is Tuesday," Hermione said.

"It is."

"So, we both might have something to celebrate, mightn't we?"

"I suppose so," he said.

"Maybe you should come by after Andromeda gets back from the meeting." Remus couldn't help his smile.

"Perhaps I should." She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him quickly.

"Have a good night, Remus." And then she hurried back into the living room. Remus watched her go and waited a few more moments before following with the cloaks. Andromeda gave him a knowing look that he ignored as he gently took Teddy from Ginny. As he glanced at Hermione one last time before he followed Andromeda through the Floo, Remus thought that it might be a good idea to skip the Weasley dinners until they had told everyone. He wasn't sure his nerves could take another one.

14 March 2000

Remus looked up from his book as Andromeda came through the Floo. The smile on his face slid away as he realized how angry she was. Before he could ask, she had summoned the bottle of Firewhiskey from the kitchen and poured herself a glass. Drinking down half of it, she slammed the glass down on the end table.

"Things did not go well, I take it," Remus said. He tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. Despite what he had said to Hermione in her office that day about the job, he had been looking forward to teaching again.

"That is an understatement," Andromeda said, scowl on her face. Remus' brow furrowed. While he knew she would be angry about him not getting the job, she seemed more upset than he would have expected.

"Did something else happen?"

"You could say that," Andromeda said with a disdainful snort. "Not only did you not get the job, but the entire thing failed, four to three. Augusta, Griselda and I were the only ones to vote yes." Remus' eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"I thought the vote was just a formality for the seminar?"

"So did I," Andromeda said with a sigh as she sat down in an armchair.

"What happened?"

"Hubert Fawley happened," Andromeda said in disgust. Remus frowned. He knew that Fawley was one of the two Board members who had no intention of voting for the seminar. While never a professed Voldemort supporter, the man was one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and had always supported Pureblood rights. How he had gotten the others to change their minds, however, Remus had no idea.

"I don't understand," Remus admitted.

"When Minerva called for a vote, he expressed his 'concerns' that the seminar was only going to be about werewolves. He said if we were truly interested in teaching the students about equality, then we should include all sentient beings. Why weren't giants or goblins or centaurs in the curriculum? Did they not deserve to have the erroneous information about them dispelled as well?" Andromeda sighed and looked down at her glass, swirling the remaining liquid around.

"As if the man cares whether any other magical being or creature is understood or not," she said derisively. "But he managed to sway the other two and they voted against us." She drained the rest of the Firewhiskey. "Of course, Alford Kershaw was quick to tell me that he still supported the werewolf class and he would vote in favor of it if the other beings were included as well. It was all I could do not to tell him to go bugger himself." Remus spluttered out a laugh and Andromeda turned towards him, faint smile on her face.

"I am sorry, Remus," she said. Remus waved off her apology.

"I'm just concerned about Hermione," he said. "She is going to be devastated." Andromeda nodded.

"Minerva was going to Floo her to let her know," Andromeda said. "Perhaps you should go over there and make sure she is all right." Remus nodded.

"Teddy is asleep," he said. "I won't be long."

"Do not worry about that," Andromeda said. "I plan to have a soak and then go to bed myself. It has not been a pleasant evening."

"I'm sorry, Andromeda," Remus said. She waved him off as he had done earlier.

"Invite Hermione to dinner later this week, won't you?" she said. "Teddy would love it." Remus smiled.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Andromeda bade him good night and got up to go upstairs. Remus rose from the couch and headed to the back door for his cloak, deciding to Apparate in case Hermione was still talking to Minerva. He only hoped she wasn't too upset.

Hermione looked up from her book as the Floo flared. She smiled, expecting it to be Remus telling her he was on his way over. Instead, Professor McGonagall's face appeared.

"Professor," Hermione said in surprise.

"Hermione," the professor said. Hermione was immediately alert. The professor usually called her Miss Granger.

"What is it?"

"It is not good news, I'm afraid," Professor McGonagall said. She proceeded to explain what had happened at the meeting. "I am so very sorry, Hermione."

"It's not your fault," Hermione said quietly.

"Please remember that the class still has the support of the majority of the Board," Professor McGonagall said. "Just not in its current form." Hermione nodded. "Perhaps we could meet sometime this week to discuss other possibilities."

"I'll check my schedule," Hermione said, resigned.

"All right," the headmistress said. She paused and looked at Hermione. "Do not give up." Hermione nodded. "Good night, Miss Granger."

"Good night, Professor." The professor disappeared from the fireplace and Hermione stared at the now empty space. She couldn't believe it. She had been positive that the seminar would pass.

There was a knock on the back door and Hermione stood, walking toward it woodenly.

"Who is it?" she asked dully.

"It's Remus, Hermione." Hermione flung open the door and looked at Remus, tears beginning to shimmer in her eyes. She bit her lip and fell into his arms.

Remus wrapped his arms around her as she threw herself at him. He held her tightly and shuffled inside so he could close the back door.

"I'm sorry," he said as she sniffled.

"Andromeda told you?" she asked, her voice muffled in his cloak.

"Yes. She was quite incensed about it." Hermione sniffled again and pulled away from him, swiping at her eyes.

"Here, let me take your cloak," she said, trying to smile and failing miserably. Remus took it off and allowed her to hang it up and then took her hand, steering her towards the couch.

"It's all right to be upset, you know," he said. She shrugged.

"Crying about it isn't going to change anything."

"No," Remus agreed. "But it might make you feel better." She shook her head.

"I won't give them the satisfaction," she insisted.

"They're not here, Hermione." He saw her lip tremble and pulled her to him. He put an arm around her and she snuggled into his side.

"I shouldn't have gotten so confident about it," she said. "I should have known that something like this was going to happen."

"It doesn't sound to me as if the two that switched sides are against the seminar itself," Remus pointed out. "They just want it to be more comprehensive."

"I don't know that we can do that," she said with a sigh. "The reason the werewolf seminar was going to work was that it was only six weeks long. We were planning on running it multiple times over the year to be sure that all the students would be able to take it.

I don't object to a class on magical being and creature rights. In fact, I completely support it. But I don't know how to fit it into the curriculum without either overloading the students or taking something else away. The Board wouldn't go for either of those options anyway. Something I'm sure Hubert Fawley was well aware of when he made his objection," she finished bitterly. Remus hugged her closer to him.

"Perhaps Minerva has an idea," Remus suggested.

"She wants to meet with me sometime this week to discuss it."

"I'm sure the two of you can figure something out." He kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry about the job," she said quietly.

"That isn't your fault." Instead of replying, Hermione sat up and looked at him nervously. At his quizzical expression, she bit her lip and looked down at her lap. "Hermione, what's the matter?"

"Not getting the job isn't going to change anything, is it?"

"Change what, exactly?" he asked completely confused.

"You and I." His brow furrowed.

"Why would it?"

"It's only, when we talked the other night, you told me that you changed your mind because some of your reasons didn't seem valid anymore and, well, now that you're not going to be working," she trailed off, biting her lip again. Remus finally understood. Not being able to find a job had been one of the reasons he had convinced himself to stay away from her. He leaned forward and pulled her lip from her teeth before he kissed her. Hermione seemed to sigh in relief and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him. When they parted, he cupped her cheek.

"I told you I didn't want to run away anymore and I meant it," he said. She smiled and kissed him again. He reclined back into the arm of the couch and she snuggled back into his side, waving her wand to light a fire in the fireplace. They sat in companionable silence as Remus idly played with one of her curls and she rested her hand on his chest.

"Andromeda would like you to come for dinner later this week."

"What?" Hermione exclaimed, sitting upright again and staring at Remus. He frowned at her change in position. He had rather been enjoying playing with her hair.

"Unless you'd rather not," he said, unsure why she was upset.

"No, it's not that, it's just," she shook her head. "It's just…strange, I suppose."

"Strange how?"

"She's your mother-in-law, Remus," Hermione said in exasperation.

"I told you that she supported our relationship," he said. Hermione looked skeptical. "Do you think she isn't being genuine about that?"

"No, of course not," Hermione said, but she still looked hesitant.

"Hermione, Andromeda is my only family besides Teddy and Harry," Remus said. "While she is technically my mother-in-law, she's more like…an older sister to me than a mother figure. We're too close in age for that. She is truly happy for us, I promise you. And she likes you very much."

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm so nervous about this," Hermione said. "Andromeda has never been anything but kind to me." Remus smiled and took her hand.

"I know it's a bit of a strange situation," he said. "But I'd really like it if you would come. Teddy would too." Hermione smiled.

"All right," she agreed.

"Thursday?" he suggested. Four days before the full moon would be long enough that he wouldn't be too restless yet. She nodded. He held an arm out to her and she smiled and leaned back into him. He relaxed back into the couch in the original position they had been in before her outburst. It was also a rather ideal position for snogging, as Remus soon discovered.

16 March 2000

Hermione nervously checked her appearance in the mirror once more. She had fretted more about what to wear to this dinner with Remus and Andromeda than she had before her date with him. She was being silly, Andromeda had seen her in all manner of dress over the last two years and Hermione knew she wasn't going to be attending some fancy, formal dinner.

As she had said to Remus previously, she wasn't sure why she was so nervous. Andromeda was a lovely woman and Hermione got along well with her. Hermione was sure it had something to do with the fact that Remus didn't have other family. Hermione felt like Andromeda's approval was akin to Remus' parents' approval, had they still been alive.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione threw the Floo powder into the grate and stepped into the fireplace.

When she stepped out into Remus' living room, she was alone. Hermione could hear sounds coming from the kitchen, but Remus and Teddy were nowhere to be seen. She looked around nervously for a few moments trying to decide if she should just walk into the kitchen. Before she could determine whether it would be rude or not, Remus walked into the room, carrying Teddy. Hermione released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"My-nee!" Teddy shouted, squirming in his father's arms to be set down. As soon as Remus did so, Teddy ran towards her and hugged her around the legs. Hermione laughed.

"Hi, Teddy."

"I'm sorry we weren't here when you arrived, but Teddy needed a change," Remus said, stepping forward and kissing her on the cheek. He let it linger, but Hermione knew he was being careful in front of Teddy. The little boy had no way of keeping a secret, after all. She squeezed his hand in understanding.

"I thought I heard the Floo," Andromeda said as she stepped into the room. "Hello, Hermione."

"Hello," Hermione said. "Thank you for inviting me." Andromeda smiled and Hermione relaxed a fraction. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, no, you and Remus visit," Andromeda said, and Hermione thought she saw the beginnings of a smirk on the woman's face. Surely, Hermione was mistaken. "I am just about finished with everything." She turned and walked back into the kitchen. When Hermione glanced up at Remus, his cheeks were slightly pink.

"My-nee?" Teddy said, tugging on the bottom of Hermione's skirt. "Pay?"

"It's almost time for dinner, Teddy," Remus said. "We can play after."

"Pay Daddy," Teddy whined.

"After dinner," Remus said again. Teddy pouted. Hermione reached down and picked him up.

"How about you tell me what you would like to play after dinner so I'm all ready for it," Hermione suggested. Teddy grinned.

"Pay tase!" he said immediately. Remus rolled his eyes and Hermione bit back a laugh. Chase was definitely Teddy's favorite game.

"I'm beginning to regret reading him that book about the prince trying to slay the dragon," Remus said, but he was smiling at his son as he said it.

"Let me guess," Hermione said. "The dragon chases the prince somewhere in the story?" Remus nodded.

"And while I have tried to convince him that we can play the game using magic, he insists that we actually run."

"My-nee pay tase!" Teddy said again, throwing up his hands in excitement. Hermione laughed.

"We'll play chase after we eat, all right?" Teddy nodded happily. Hermione hugged him closer to her and kissed his forehead. He was such a sweet little boy. She looked up and saw Remus smiling at the two of them. There was something else in his gaze, something that she couldn't identify. She looked at him quizzically for a moment, but he simply shook his head. Perhaps she would ask him about it later.

Remus watched as Hermione cuddled with Teddy, unable to keep the smile from his face. He was so glad that Teddy liked her so much and that the feeling was mutual. Dora would likely approve, he thought.

The thought of it hit him squarely in the chest and it was all he could do to keep the smile on his face. Hermione glanced up at him and gave him a wondering look, but he shook his head. There was no way he could communicate this to her without making her feel guilty. And that was the last thing he wanted her to feel, although he couldn't prevent it in himself. He suspected that guilt would be an emotion he would be feeling on occasion for quite some time.

Before he could dwell on it further, Andromeda called them to dinner.

Remus watched in amusement as Hermione's dragon "chased" Teddy's Quidditch figure. Teddy squealed in delight when Hermione got closer to him. Just as it looked as if the dragon might catch the wizard on the broom, Hermione would slow down and let Teddy get ahead of her again. After a few rounds of this, Teddy abruptly spun and pointed at the dragon.

"Me get!" he said, and Hermione's dragon went into death throes.

"Oh no, Sir Teddy has slain me," Hermione said, gasping few more times before the dragon dropped to the ground. Hermione slumped back against the front of the couch and closed her eyes, sticking her tongue out of the side of her mouth. Teddy giggled and ran towards her. When he reached her, Hermione's eyes snapped open and she grabbed him, pulling him into her lap and tickling him. Teddy shrieked with laughter.

"I see that Teddy has taught Hermione his favorite game," Andromeda said, coming in from the kitchen.

"That he has," Remus replied. They watched as Hermione stopped her torture and Teddy caught his breath. When the boy had recovered, which took a remarkably short time, he jumped up and ran to his father.

"Daddy, pay tase!" Teddy insisted.

"No more chase tonight, Teddy," Remus said. "It's time for your bath."

"No baf," Teddy insisted. "Tase!" He turned and looked at Hermione. "My-nee, tase!"

"It sounds like it's time for your bath," Hermione said. Teddy pouted for a moment, then brightened.

"My-nee baf?"

"I am going to give you a bath," Andromeda said, holding out her hand to her grandson.

"No!" Teddy protested. "My-nee!"

"Nanna is going to give you your bath," Remus repeated firmly.

"No!" Teddy said, beginning to cry. "Want My-nee!" Hermione bit her lip, clearly feeling sorry for the little boy. She looked at Remus and mouthed something over Teddy's head. Remus smiled and nodded.

"Teddy," Hermione said. Teddy stopped his tantrum to look at her, still sniffling. "How about if you go with your Nanna and take your bath and then I'll come up and read you a story when you're finished?" Teddy thought about this for a few moments before he nodded his head.

"Come with Nanna, now," Andromeda said, bending down to pick Teddy up. They began to walk from the room.

"Boo, Na-na? Boo?" Teddy asked. Andromeda chuckled.

"Of course, you can have the blue bubbles," she said. Teddy seemed happy with this development and grinned as Andromeda carried him out of the room. When they were gone, Hermione turned and smiled at Remus.

"Thank you," he said.

"For what?" she asked. He moved towards her and wrapped his arms around her.

"For indulging Teddy."

"He makes it easy," Hermione said. "He is rather adorable, you know."

"Yes, I'm aware," Remus replied with a smirk.

"Hm, must take after his father," she said with a cheeky grin. Remus chuckled and leaned down to kiss her. She sighed happily when they parted, smiling and resting her cheek against his chest. They stood that way for a few minutes until Remus released her. He took her hand and led her to the couch.

"Thank you for coming tonight," he said.

"I'm glad I did," she replied. "You were right. I didn't have anything to be nervous about." He refrained from telling her 'I told you so'. He was just glad she had been able to relax and enjoy herself. She leaned against him and took his hand, entwining their fingers.

"I spoke to Professor McGonagall," Hermione said. "I'm going to go up to the school tomorrow after work."

"Have you had any further thoughts about how to get the class approved?"

"I might have a few ideas," she said. "I haven't worked any of them out yet though." Remus nodded and kissed her temple.

"I'm sure between the two of you, you can come up with something."

"I hope so," Hermione said with a sigh. She looked up at him, mischievous smile on her face. "How long does Teddy stay in the bath?" Remus grinned and lowered his lips to hers.

Teddy grinned as Hermione and Remus walked into his room. He was in his pajamas; his hair still damp from his bath.

"My-nee read me!" he exclaimed.

"Have you chosen a book?" she asked. Teddy ran to his bookshelf and pulled a familiar looking book from the top shelf.

"Dis," he said, handing it to her. Hermione smiled as she saw the book of fairy tales she had bought him for Christmas. He toddled over to the rocking chair and Hermione sat down, setting the book on the table next to her while she helped Teddy climb into her lap. She picked the book up, but before she could open it, Teddy scrambled down from her lap.

"Pa-foot," Teddy cried, reaching into his cot and trying to pull the black dog free. Remus walked over and picked up the toy, handing it to Teddy. The boy then ran back to Hermione and climbed into her lap once more. He tucked Padfoot under his arm and settled himself back into Hermione's arms. She picked up the book again and opened the front cover.

"Which story would you like?" she asked. Teddy began flipping through the pages until he found "The Gingerbread Man."

"Dis," he said. Remus snorted and Hermione looked up at him quizzically.

"I'll tell you later," he said. His voice caught Teddy's attention and he looked up at his father and scowled.

"Go Daddy," he said. "My-nee read me." Hermione bit her lip to keep from laughing and when she looked up at Remus, she could tell he was trying not to do the same.

"All right," Remus said. "I'll come back up to tuck you in."

"Go," Teddy said again when Remus hadn't moved fast enough. Remus held up his hands in surrender and backed out of the room. Once he was gone, Hermione began to read.

Remus peeked into the room. Hermione was on the last page of the story and Teddy's eyelids were drooping heavily. Teddy had been so excited when they reached the page with the illustration that looked like Hermione. He had pointed to it and said her name no less than four times. Hermione had been infinitely patient with him, agreeing that it did indeed look like her, every time Teddy said it.

She finished the story and closed the book. Teddy mumbled something sleepily and Hermione leaned down and kissed the top of his head. Remus eased quietly into the room and she smiled at him when she saw him.

"Time for bed," Remus said quietly to Teddy. Teddy made a half-hearted protest before he yawned widely and allowed Remus to pick him up from Hermione's lap. Remus carried his son to his cot and laid him down, pulling up a blanket over him and making sure Teddy's wolf and deer were within reach. There were many nights when Remus came to check on him, that the boy had all three toys snuggled up next to him.

Remus put a hand on his son's shoulder as Teddy rolled to his side, cradling Padfoot in his arms. Watching him for a few seconds as his breathing evened out, Remus finally pulled his hand away and put an arm around Hermione. They walked silently from the room.

"Thank you for doing that," Remus said once they were on their way downstairs.

"I enjoyed it," she said with a smile. "He really is incredibly sweet."

"Even when he's throwing a tantrum?" Remus joked.

"Even then," Hermione said with another grin.

They reached the living room and found Andromeda reading a book. She looked up at the two of them and smiled.

"Asleep then?" she asked.

"Yes, just," Remus replied.

"Thank you for reading to him," Andromeda said to Hermione. "He was very excited about it. It was all he talked about during his bath."

"It was no trouble," Hermione replied. She looked at Remus. "I should probably get home. Work and all tomorrow."

"All right," he said, although he was a bit disappointed that she was leaving already. Hermione turned back to Andromeda.

"Thank you so much for inviting me," Hermione said.

"Of course. You are welcome anytime," Andromeda replied with a genuine smile. She glanced at Remus and then stood. "I'm just going to get a bit of tea. Good night, Hermione."

"Good night, Andromeda."

"Well, that wasn't at all obvious," Remus said wryly when Andromeda was gone. Hermione laughed.

"I can't say I'm upset about it." She smiled up at him.

"I suppose I can't either," he replied, leaning down to kiss her. The kiss was slow and languid, and Hermione sighed contentedly into his mouth as he pulled her flush against him. She was breathless when they finally parted.

"I had better go," she said, although she had no real desire to leave.

"Yes, I suppose so," Reus replied, sounding just as unconvinced. Still, he let her go.

"I'll let you know how my meeting with Professor McGonagall goes?"

"Please," he said. She nodded, then went up on tiptoe to kiss him once more.

"Good night, Remus."

"Good night, Hermione." She grabbed a pinch of Floo powder before she changed her mind and just stayed there to kiss him for the rest of the night, Andromeda or no. She smiled at him one last time before she spun away from his grate and into her own.