A/N - I think that there are a few things in this chapter that many of you have been waiting for. ;) I hope you enjoy and as always, thank you so much for reading and thank you to those who review!

Chapter 57

Love

8 April 2000

Remus continued to try and soothe Hermione, rubbing a hand up and down her back and kissing the top of her head. When he had arrived, he hadn't missed that she had been holding her arm in the exact spot he'd seen the glamour. She had been doing the same thing at his house.

Remus wasn't sure what had happened, only that Hermione had been standing alone in the living room with Narcissa when he walked in. Narcissa had been saying something to Hermione, but Remus had interrupted, seeing that Hermione was already upset. He had no idea what Narcissa had been going to say, but Remus intended to find out.

"Hermione," he said again, hoping that she had finally calmed enough to tell him what was wrong. "What happened?" Hermione said nothing, just tried to burrow closer to him. Remus wrapped one arm more tightly around her and kissed the top of her head again.

"Please talk to me, love." The term of endearment was out of Remus' mouth before he could stop it. He froze for a moment, hoping that he hadn't just made things worse. Then he felt Hermione shift and she finally looked up at him. He put a hand on her cheek and wiped away a tear with his thumb. She sighed and closed her eyes for a few moments, leaning into his hand. He wanted to tell her, wanted to say the words, right then, but held back.

"Did Narcissa say something to upset you?" he asked instead. Hermione shook her head. Remus moved his hand to her arm and held her wrist lightly in his hand, running this thumb over her forearm. She flinched and tried to pull away. He loosened his grip so she could, but she stopped before she had completely pulled away from him. Remus nudged the cuff of her sleeve up with his thumb and saw the edges of the glamour charm.

"Does it have something to do with this?" he asked.

"Yes," Hermione said quietly.

"We've all got scars, Hermione."

"I know," she said with a small sigh. "But this is…different." He waited and when she didn't continue, he kissed her forehead and gave her hand a squeeze.

"You don't have to tell me."

"It's not that," she said immediately. She bit her lip. Remus gently pulled it from between her teeth. Hermione gave him a small smile.

"I want to tell you, but, I," she shook her head again and took a shuddering breath. She looked nervous and a bit…self-conscious? Remus wasn't sure why. It wasn't as if he didn't have a myriad of scars on his body, some of which Hermione had already seen. Save the small scar at the base of her throat, her skin was completely unblemished. Well, what Remus had seen of it so far anyway. He forced those thoughts from his head. Now wasn't the time.

"Whatever it is," he said. "It's not going to make me think any differently about you."

Hermione pulled in a breath, then sat up on the couch. She shifted so she was facing him. Remus reached over and took hold of her hand, rubbing his thumb along the back of it to try and continue to soothe her. She glanced at the fireplace as she opened her mouth to speak. Her eyes widened when she saw the clock on the mantel.

"Oh no, Ginny's game!" Remus' brow furrowed.

"You're still intending to go?"

"No, but," Hermione bit her lip again. "I told Harry I was definitely coming. He'll worry." Remus nodded as Hermione worried her lip with her teeth.

"I'll have to send him a Patronus," she said with a sigh. There was no way to Floo-call the stadium and she didn't have an owl. An owl would take too long to get there anyway.

Hermione drew her wand and was silent for a moment before casting the spell. Nothing happened. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out, she tried again. She managed a bit of white mist, but no otter appeared. Eyes filling, she tried again and again, with the same results.

"It's all right," Remus said, putting a hand on top of her wand and slowly lowering it.

"Why can't I do it?" she demanded, teary and angry in equal measure.

"You're not exactly in the right state of mind," Remus said gently.

"But Harry will worry and I don't want him to leave and come here to check on me. He'll think he needs to stay and he's never missed a match and he hasn't seen Ginny for nearly two weeks and-" Remus pulled her back into his arms to cut off her babbling. She sniffled against his chest, even as he took his own wand out of his pocket.

"Expecto Patronum," he said, using the same memory he had for the last two years, the day he held his son in his arms for the first time. The wolf formed and looked at him expectantly. Remus cast another charm before speaking softly to the wolf and sending him on his way. He turned back to Hermione and kissed her temple. "Taken care of."

"Thank you," she said, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. Remus conjured a handkerchief and handed it to her. She smiled gratefully and dried her face. She sat up again and began toying with the handkerchief in her hand.

"The last few days," she finally began, "I've been having…nightmares again." Remus moved a bit closer to her. If her dreams had been anywhere near as bad as his, he knew how horrible these last few nights must have been. He tucked a curl behind her ear and she managed a half-smile. "They've been about Umbridge and…you and Will." Remus' hand moved to her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"But also," Hermione pulled in a breath and let it out. "Greyback." Remus' hand stilled on her arm. Hermione looked up at him. "He, he was with the Snatchers when we were captured in the forest. He was the one that decided to bring us to Malfoy Manor."

"Bloody hell," Remus swore.

"He was there when, when Bellatrix tortured me. She told him that he could h-have me when she was, when she had gotten what she w-wanted." Hermione shuddered and Remus couldn't stop himself from pulling her into his embrace. He needed it as much as she did because if left to his own rage right now, he might go and do something stupid. She rested there for a few moments, blowing out a shaky breath before she pulled back from him. She squeezed his hand.

"I, you know about the Cruciatus, but," she paused and bit her lip again. Remus held his breath. What the hell had Bellatrix done to her? He watched as Hermione pushed up her sleeve to fully reveal the glamour that was cast over her forearm. She picked up her wand and her hand shook as she pointed it at her arm. Remus wrapped his own hand around hers to help steady her wand and Hermione drew in a deep breath. Her wand now steady, she whispered 'Finite'.

Remus watched as the glamour disappeared and his eyes widened in horror as he saw the word carved into her skin.

Mudblood.

"Hermione," he breathed. "What is this?"

"Bellatrix wanted, she wanted to know about the s-sword we had," Hermione continued, and Remus tried to concentrate on what she was saying. He was having a hard time over the roaring in his ears. He focused in on Hermione's face.

"She thought that we'd, we'd gotten into her vault and wanted me to, to tell her how. After, after she c-cursed me a few times and I wasn't telling her what she wanted to know, she, she pulled out a kn-knife." Hermione reached up to her throat and ran her fingers over the small scar there. "She gave me this, later, but first, she, she, did, this." She held out her arm again and Remus had to swallow back his anger. He wanted to kill Bellatrix, if only Molly hadn't already done it for him. Her death hadn't been nearly as painful as it should have been. He wanted to go to Azkaban and drag Greyback from his cell and beat him until he begged for mercy. Remus' hands curled into fists on his lap. Hermione was talking again, and he tried to concentrate on her words, but the blood pounding in his ears made it difficult.

"I guess, because of, of everything with the werewolves, I've been dreaming about Greyback and that, that day. And then seeing Mrs. Malfoy today, just brought it all…back." Narcissa. Narcissa had stood by and let this happen. Hermione had not only been tortured, but her skin had been carved into and Narcissa had stood by and done nothing. Nothing!

"Remus?" Hermione said in confusion. She tried to catch his eye, but all Remus could see was Hermione lying on the floor of Malfoy Manor while Bellatrix cut into her arm with Narcissa watching. He stood abruptly from the couch and turned away from Hermione. He looked at the mantel where the Floo powder sat. Narcissa was likely still at his house. He could go there right now and, and-

"Remus?" Hermione said again, but this time her voice was shaking. He turned back towards her and forced himself to look at her. Her lips were trembling and there were two tears making their way down her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry." Remus' brow furrowed. She was sorry? What on earth was she sorry for?

"I know it l-looks awful, that's why I usually keep the gl-glamour on it and I should have w-warned you or something, I-"

"No!" Remus said as he pushed his anger aside. She thought he was upset with her? Gods, he was an arse. "That's not, that's not why I'm upset." He sat down on the couch and reached for her, shoving his anger aside. Later. He would think about that later. She flinched and he cursed himself again. He looked up at her for permission and when she finally nodded, he gently grasped her arm. She was trembling.

Remus studied the horrible word on her arm. The letters were still red, although he suspected that they had faded somewhat.

"It was a cursed blade," Hermione said, so quietly he had to strain to hear her. "Madame Pomfrey said it won't ever go away completely." Remus ran a thumb over her forearm and she flinched again. He frowned.

"Does it hurt?"

"No," she whispered, looking at her lap. "It's just, I don't, no one usually…touches it." Remus' heart broke a little at that. Ron must have known what happened, he was there, after all. Had he made her feel as if she was lesser because of the word on her arm? And Anthony? What had his response been to seeing it? Remus felt his anger growing once more, that she might have been rejected because of something that wasn't at all her fault. After a few moments, he collected himself. He had no idea what Hermione's exes had thought about the scar. Perhaps, she hadn't even let them see it.

"Hermione," he said softly, but she wouldn't look at him. He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up, but she refused to open her eyes. Two tears leaked from beneath her closed eyelids and ran down her cheeks. Remus cupped her face in his hands and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. He took a silent breath and gathered his courage.

"Please, open your eyes, love," he said. Hermione's eyes popped open and widened so quickly, he wondered if she even realized that he'd called her that earlier. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think that I was angry with you or disgusted that you showed this to me. I am angry. But not with you." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Hermione gave a shuddering little sigh as she sat back. Remus took her arm in his hands again. He ran his fingertips over the scar and he saw her bite her lip, trying to fight back more tears.

"I hate it," she said.

"Sirius told me once that I should look at my scars as badges of honor."

"This is anything but a badge of honor," she said in disgust. Remus nodded.

"I told Sirius the same thing, but he pointed out that I'd survived. Despite everything Greyback had done, despite ripping into myself in the Shack every month, I lived to fight another day." He looked at her. "You showed her how strong you were, Hermione. You endured this and the Cruciatus curse and you beat her. She's gone, but you're still here and her side is either dead or locked up. This, this is tangible proof of your bravery."

"I don't want tangible proof."

"I know that you don't," Remus said with a sad smile. She sighed and glanced back down at her arm.

"You don't, it doesn't, doesn't…repulse you?" Her voice sounded so small and unsure that his heart ached.

"What happened to you was horrible, but this," he paused and ran his fingers over her scar, "this doesn't change anything about who you are or how I feel about you." Her head snapped up and she stared at him. She looked uncertain, but also a bit…hopeful. Remus opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. His heart was pounding and he could feel his palms getting sweaty. For fuck's sake, what was wrong with him? After a few moments, Hermione sadly dropped her gaze. Remus heard Sirius' voice in his head.

'Excellent job there, Moony. First rate.' Making a face, Remus swallowed and gathered his courage.

"Hermione." It took her a moment, but she finally looked up at him. "I love you."

She stared at him for what felt like forever before she launched herself into his arms and kissed him. Remus pulled her to him and enthusiastically kissed her back. When they broke apart to breathe, she smiled.

"I love you, too." Remus' heart soared as he kissed her again.

Harry started as the large wolf Patronus appeared in their box at the Quidditch stadium. The wolf looked at him and then delivered his message.

Hermione won't make it to the match. She's all right, but something has come up. I'm with her.

Harry glanced at Ron from the corner of his eye, but besides looking confused as to why Remus' Patronus had shown up, Ron didn't seem to have heard the message. Remus must have cast the extra privacy charm before he sent it. Developed by Dumbledore during the second war, the privacy charm allowed only the person whom the message was for to hear it.

Despite what Remus said, Harry was worried. He had spoken to Hermione the night before and she had told him that she was sure she would be able to make the match today. She was planning on working this morning to finish up a few things on her proposal, but she was ahead of where she expected. And even if something had changed and she needed to continue working, why hadn't she sent her own Patronus?

"I didn't think Remus was coming today," Ron said.

"He wasn't," Harry replied.

"Then why send a Patronus?" Harry racked his brain for an excuse and came up empty. Besides, the game was supposed to start in ten minutes. Ron was going to start wondering about Hermione soon.

"It was for Hermione, actually," Harry said. "She's not going to make it. Work." Ron's eyes narrowed.

"I thought she said she was ahead of where she wanted to be."

"She did, but I guess something came up."

"But why did Remus send the Patronus?"

"I don't know Ron, I guess he's working with her today."

"That still doesn't explain why Hermione didn't send it."

"Maybe she was busy," Harry replied, getting a bit irritated. He was worried about Hermione and Ron's questions weren't helping. Ron stared at him for a few moments.

"Why the secrecy?"

"What?"

"The privacy charm, the Patronus only spoke to you. If they're working, then why not just have it be a general message?"

"I don't know, Ron, why don't you go to the Ministry and ask them?" Harry said, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation.

"Maybe I should," Ron said, starting to stand. A hand grabbed his arm and pulled him back into his seat.

"Ron, I'm sure Hermione is fine," Susan said. "If you bother her at work, she's just going to be cross with you."

"But, why did Remus-" Ron began but Susan interrupted.

"Didn't you say that he's been helping her with her werewolf proposal?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then, they're obviously working on that. I remember how Hermione used to get in school around exam time. If she's that focused on this project, then she probably didn't even think of taking a break to send a message. Professor Lupin probably just did it for her." Ron frowned. Harry didn't think he was convinced, but he didn't make a move to get out of his seat again. Thank Merlin for Susan.

Somehow, Harry suspected that something more serious was going on. Something that had kept Hermione from being able to make her own Patronus. He knew that Hermione had been upset and out of sorts the last few days. Still, Remus was with her and he was obviously able to form a Patronus, so he couldn't be hurt or in trouble. Remus wouldn't say she was all right if she wasn't. Harry trusted him to take care of her.

The announcer began introducing the teams and Harry sat back in his seat, still warily glancing at Ron from time to time. Harry wasn't convinced that his friend wouldn't change his mind and try to find Hermione, regardless of what Susan said. Harry really wished Hermione had had a chance to talk to Ron.

Hermione pulled back and looked at Remus. His lips were swollen and his hair was in disarray from her hands running through it. He looked thoroughly snogged and she couldn't help but smile. Remus smiled back and leaned forward to nip at her bottom lip. Hermione let herself fall back into the kiss, while maneuvering herself until she was straddling his lap. Remus' hands immediately went to her hips and then one slid under her top. Her hands went to the buttons on his shirt.

They finally broke the kiss and Remus moved to her neck. Hermione shuddered and lost her concentration as Remus lips and tongue worked over her neck. When he kissed the hollow of her throat, she might have whimpered, but she renewed her attack on his buttons when he moved back to her mouth. His hands were wandering as well and when Hermione finally got his shirt undone, he was cupping her breasts. She looked down at him.

"You don't," she gasped and rocked in his lap, "have to leave, do you?" She had no idea what he'd said to Andromeda before he left.

"No, Remus mumbled, against her collarbone.

"Good," Hermione replied, pulling him back to her and kissing him again, her hands moving to his chest. When they broke apart to breathe once more, Hermione's hand was on the buttons of his trousers. He looked at her.

"Hermione, are you sure?"

"Gods, yes," she said a bit breathlessly.

"It's been an emotional day," he said, gently grasping her wrists in his hands and keeping them still. Hermione was almost hurt for a moment, thinking that perhaps she wanted this more than he did. But then she looked in his eyes and there was no doubt that he wanted it just as much. She leaned forward and kissed him gently.

"I love you, Remus," she said. "I have for weeks. This isn't about anything else but that." He let go of her hands and cupped her head, kissing her slowly, languidly. Hermione felt a bit drugged when he pulled back from her.

"I love you," he said. She smiled and pulled her wand from her pocket, casting a spell at the fireplace, the door and then the telephone. When she looked back at him, he had an eyebrow raised.

"I'm tired of being interrupted," she explained. Remus laughed and stood, picking her up with him. Hermione shrieked in surprise, wrapping her legs around his waist. She grinned at him. He kissed her again as he walked towards the stairs.

Remus wasn't sure how they had finally made it to her bedroom. He had stopped to snog her against the wall so many times, he was surprised they were actually in the bed and not on the floor. His shirt was somewhere on the stairs, hers on the floor in the hall. Trousers had been shed the moment they stepped into her room, although he had had to reluctantly put her down to do so.

Their frenzied snogging had slowed slightly once they made it to her bedroom and lost the rest of their clothes. Now, she lay bare beneath him and Remus was simply taking in the sight of her. He still couldn't quite believe that she was here, that she wanted this as much as he did. She stared up at him, blush on her face. He leaned down and kissed her in reassurance and she sighed into his mouth. A few more minutes had her hips bucking against him and he broke the kiss and looked down at her. She put a hand to his cheek and smiled. He grabbed his wand, whispered a contraception charm and threw his wand to the floor.

Looking down at her once more, he pushed into her with a groan, and then held himself as still as possible. It had been a long time and he was afraid it would be over before it began. Hermione indulged him for a few moments, kissing his shoulder and running a hand down his back.

"Remus, please," she finally said, shifting her hips and making him groan again. He began to move and she sighed, her breath hitching slightly as he picked up his pace. Her nails dug into his back as she moved with him. He kissed her, drinking in all the noises she made.

"Hermione," he managed, his breath coming faster. She shifted again and he moved faster, gritting his teeth to hold himself back until he felt her freeze and then call out his name. He moved again, twice, three times before his own shout and then he collapsed against her, whispering endearments and kissing her temple, before rolling to the side and pulling her with him. She kissed his chest and wrapped an arm around his waist, then rested her head on his shoulder. He ran a hand lightly up and down her arm, smile on his face. Hermione hummed in contentment.

"I love you," she said around a yawn. Remus smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep, love. I'll be here when you wake up." Her felt her eyes flutter shut and heard her breathing even out almost immediately.

Hermione whimpered in her sleep. Remus tightened his arm around her.

"Shh, love, it's all right," he mumbled sleepily. She sighed and pulled herself closer to him, relaxing back into sleep once more. Remus squeezed her shoulder, yawned, and closed his eyes again.

Hermione's eyes opened slowly, and she glanced around the room, taking in the waning light outside. It must have been close to dinner; they'd slept most of the afternoon. She turned to look at Remus and smiled. His mouth was half open and he was snoring lightly. If his sleep had been anything like hers these past few days, he needed the rest.

She turned her arm where it lay across his torso and stared at her scar. Remus's words, well, Sirius' really, she supposed, echoed in her head. Badge of honor. To her, it was still an ugly slur, a constant reminder of the fact that there were those who didn't think her worthy. But Remus hadn't been disgusted by it and she knew that there was truth to his words.

Despite everything that Ron had said to her that day at the Burrow, she knew he couldn't stand to look at it. Not because of what it said, but because he had never been able to forgive himself for not protecting her. Hermione had never expected the protection, had been glad that it was her and not Ron or Harry that were tortured, but Ron could never fully let it go. Had they stayed together it would have become one more thing that drove a wedge between them. She had never even shown it to Anthony. That alone should have made it clear to her that they would never work long-term.

Hermione propped herself up on one elbow and watched Remus sleep. He muttered something, his brow furrowing. She reached up and gently ran a hand down the crease in his forehead and his face relaxed. He stirred in his sleep a few minutes later and his eyes blinked open. She smiled. He returned it and reached a hand up, cupping the back of her neck. He pulled her slightly forward, so he could kiss her.

"Sleep well?" he asked when they separated.

"Better than I have in days," she said. "You?"

"Very well," he replied. He stared at her until Hermione began to squirm under his scrutiny.

"What?" she finally said.

"I love you," he replied with a smile. She laughed and leaned down to kiss him again. He pulled her on top of him and deepened the kiss. His hands stroked up and down her sides, making her shiver. When they broke the kiss, she rested her chin on his chest, finger running over one of his scars. It looked different than the others, one thin line instead of claw marks or slashes.

"Antler to the chest," he said in response to her unasked question. Hermione's eyes widened as she ran her finger over it again. Remus chuckled.

"It was early on; he didn't have much control over himself yet. Sirius said the first time James transformed, he was so unprepared for the weight of the antlers, his head dropped immediately. He's lucky none of his points stuck in the floor." Hermione laughed. "That first month, in the Shack, he gave me this. Poppy was quite suspicious the next morning when she was healing all my injuries."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I must have cut myself on a broken chair leg. I'm not sure she believed me." Hermione grinned and then kissed the scar. When she looked up at him, he pushed the hair back from her face, leaned up and kissed her.

Rolling them to the side, he continued kissing her as his hands began to wander. Hermione thought that she would be completely fine with never leaving her bed again as he broke the kiss, his mouth following the path of his hands. She buried her hands in his hair as his lips moved to her breasts.

"Remus," she breathed.

"Tell me what you want, love," he said from somewhere around her navel.

"I, I," she stuttered, unable to form words. Then, her stomach growled. Loudly. Remus paused and looked up at her. She took her hands out of his hair and covered her face, turning red. Remus chuckled and gently pulled her hands away.

"I did ask you what you wanted," he said with a smirk.

"That's really not what I had in mind," she said and he laughed again.

"Let's get you some food," he said, kissing her neck. "And then you can tell me exactly what you had in mind." Before Hermione could protest that food was really overrated, and she didn't need to eat right now, her stomach betrayed her and growled again.

"When did you eat last?" he asked in concern. She shrugged.

"I had a bit of toast on my way to work this morning."

"Hermione," he admonished. "It's nearly seven."

"I wasn't hungry." Remus sighed and then kissed her lightly on the lips. Standing, he held out a hand to her and helped her up. He pulled her to him and kissed her breathless.

"I'm a bit hungry, myself," he said. He reached over and picked up an oversized jumper which was lying on the chair next to her bed. She pulled it on as he stepped into his trousers.

"Will Andromeda be expecting you?" Hermione asked.

"I'll Floo when we get downstairs."

"But it's Teddy's birthday."

"Which we celebrated today at lunch." Hermione bit her lip, still feeling guilty.

"None of that now," Remus said, gently pulling her lip from between her teeth. "Teddy is most excited about his party tomorrow, anyway." Hermione still wasn't convinced.

"Teddy and Andromeda will have already had dinner, at any rate. Why don't you and I get something to eat and then I'll call her. I'll decide then, all right?"

"All right," Hermione agreed. He kissed her once more and they left the bedroom hand in hand.

After searching through Hermione's ice box and cupboards and realizing she hadn't been to the market in some time, they ordered Chinese food. While they waited for it to be delivered, Remus got dressed and went through the Floo to speak to Andromeda. Hermione had insisted that he speak to Andromeda in person instead of through the fireplace.

"Daddy!" Teddy called as Remus stepped into the living room. He was surrounded by the new toys he had been given by Remus and Andromeda, as well as Narcissa. Remus jaw tightened as he thought about his mother-in-law's sister, but he forced himself to remain calm. Later. He would deal with Narcissa later.

Teddy ran towards him. Remus picked him up and threw his son into the air as Teddy shrieked in delight.

"Daddy, pay!" Teddy insisted.

"In just a minute, all right? I need to talk to your nanna." He set Teddy on his feet and the little boy ran happily back to his toys.

"Remus," Andromeda said. "Is Hermione all right?"

"She will be," Remus said.

"What happened?" Remus glanced at his son and then back to Andromeda.

"It's a rather long story and parts of it are Hermione's to tell," he said. Andromeda looked at her grandson, then lowered her voice.

"I know Narcissa was here when Hermione arrived, but Narcissa swore that she didn't know what had upset Hermione." Remus' expression hardened.

"She was…a trigger." Andromeda looked pained. Remus' face softened.

"Andromeda, like I said, it's a long story and there's more to it than just Narcissa being here. I," he blew out a breath. "We're going to have to have a discussion, but…not tonight." Andromeda nodded.

"Where is Hermione now?" Andromeda asked.

"She's still at her house. I, she's," he rubbed the back of his neck and felt his face heat. Andromeda's lips twitched.

"You shouldn't keep the lady waiting," she said with a knowing smirk. Remus' face turned redder and he swore in his head. He wasn't a teenager anymore for Merlin's sake. His private life was his own business.

"We're going to have a bite to eat. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right here."

"As you can see, your son has virtually ignored me since he got up from his nap, in favor of his new toys." Remus smiled at Teddy who was deep in concentration as he moved his dragons and knights around the floor. "I could barely get him to the dinner table earlier." Remus chuckled.

"You're sure I shouldn't stay?"

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of my grandson for the evening," Andromeda said tartly.

"That's not what I meant," Remus said. "It's his birthday."

"Which you've celebrated with him," Andromeda reminded him. "He's going to be in bed in less than an hour. We'll be fine."

"Teddy," Remus said, and his son looked up.

"See, Daddy, see!" Teddy indicated the toys scattered all around him. Remus smiled and walked towards him, settling down next to him. He listened to Teddy chatter about all his toys, only about half of which Remus understood, then played with him for a few minutes when Teddy handed him a knight.

"Teddy, Nanna is going to give you a bath and put you to bed tonight."

"No bed," Teddy said immediately. "Me pay!"

"You don't have to go to bed right now, but I'm going to say good night to you because I have to leave." Teddy looked up him in curiosity. "I'm, erm, helping Hermione." Remus ignored Andromeda's snort, but knew his face had colored again.

"My-nee?" Teddy questioned. "Me go!" He jumped up. Remus took hold of his arm.

"Not this time," Remus said.

"See My-nee, Daddy," Teddy whined.

"You'll see Hermione tomorrow," Remus replied. "Remember, it's your party?"

"Ha-wy!" Teddy shouted. "Gin!"

"Yes, Harry and Ginny will be there too. And there will be more cake and presents."

"Take!" Teddy said with a grin.

"Yes, cake," Remus said with a chuckle. "Now, give me a hug and be good for Nanna." Teddy threw himself into his father's arms. Remus hugged him tightly and then kissed his forehead.

"I love you."

"Love you, Daddy." Then Teddy happily returned to his toys. Remus stood and walked back towards the Floo.

"We'll see you in the morning," Andromeda said with another smirk.

"I, that's," Remus blushed again and Andromeda chuckled. He cleared his throat.

"Thank you," he said. He turned and picked up the Floo powder from the mantel.

"Give Hermione my best," Andromeda said with a wink. Remus, sure his face couldn't be any redder, turned and stepped into the fireplace and called out for Hermione's house.

Hermione padded back into the living room after having gone upstairs to put on a pair of sleep shorts. The jumper covered her bum, falling to mid-thigh, but the last thing she needed was to give the delivery person a show when she paid for the food. Her stomach growled again and Hermione huffed in annoyance. She had intended to eat at Ginny's match, although Hermione couldn't say she was sorry that she hadn't made it. Smiling to herself, she moved toward the kitchen to get a little something to tide her over until the food arrived.

There was a knock on the door and Hermione turned, brow furrowed. They should have come to the front door, not the back.

"Hermione!" a voice called as the knocking got louder.

"Shite," Hermione said when she recognized Ron's voice. What was he doing here? Hermione bit her lip. The Patronus. Of course, Ron was going to be suspicious about why she hadn't sent her own. Swearing again, Hermione moved toward the door. Remus hadn't been gone that long. She could probably get rid of Ron before Remus got back.

"Hermione!" he shouted, and Hermione hurried to the door before the neighbors called the police or something.

"Ron," she said as she pulled the door open. "Why are you shouting?"

"Are you all right?" he demanded, looking her up and down as if for injuries.

"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine," Hermione said, crossing her arms over her chest, wishing she had put on a bra when she'd been upstairs. Ron stared at her, eyes narrowed.

"You said you were coming to Ginny's match," he said, sounding a bit accusatory.

"I planned on it," Hermione replied.

"Instead, you don't show up and Remus' Patronus is how you let us know?" Damn it, she'd forgotten to ask Remus what he'd told Harry. Although, it was likely that Harry had told Ron something different. Why did Ron have to show up here?

"Ron, I'm fine," Hermione said. "Something just came up and I wasn't able to make it to Ginny's game. I appreciate you coming to check on me, but-"

"Something at work?" Ron interrupted. Hermione tried to read his expression, but she couldn't tell if that was the answer he was expecting or not.

"I, well, yes," she finally said.

"You don't sound sure."

"Is there a reason you're interrogating me?" Hermione demanded, hands on her hips. She felt badly for lying to him, but she wasn't ready to deal with his reaction right now.

"I just want to know what's going on with you." Ron's expression softened. "I know this has been a hard week for everyone." Hermione sighed.

"I'm fine, Ron, honestly. I intended to come, I just, I need to be sure this werewolf proposal is perfect. I'll explain to Ginny tomorrow. Did they win?"

"Yeah," Ron said with a smile.

"Congratulate her for me. You should probably get back to celebrate with everyone."

"Why don't you come with me?"

"I'm tired, Ron. Like you said, it's been a hard week. I'm just going to eat something and then go to bed." Ron studied her for a few moments, then nodded and turned toward the door. Hermione breathed a silent sigh of relief. When they reached the door, Ron turned back.

"Hermione," he began, but was cut off by the sound of the Floo. Hermione swore in her head and spun around just as Remus stepped from the fireplace.

Remus pulled his wand from his pocket and began siphoning the ash from his clothes. He saw Hermione from the corner of his eye and began speaking before he looked up.

"Teddy is fine. Is the food here yet, I'm-" he trailed off as he caught sight of Ron. "Oh, hello, Ron." Remus glanced at Hermione, still wearing the jumper she had been in when he left, although she had put on a pair of shorts. Remus stamped down on his possessiveness and told himself to stop being stupid.

"Remus," Ron replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "What are you doing here?" Remus glanced at Hermione, who looked a bit terrified. Ron looked between the two of them, eyes narrowed.

"Hermione, maybe you should get dressed," Ron said. Remus held back a snort by the slimmest of margins.

"Ron, honestly," Hermione said rolling her eyes.

"What is going on, Hermione?" Ron asked.

"I don't see how it's any of your business," she snapped. Before Remus could say anything, the doorbell rang. Hermione jumped and it took everything Remus had not to put an arm around her.

"Do you want me to get that?" he asked.

"Please," she said. "Here, wait." She grabbed her bag from the end table and dug through it, pressing Muggle pounds into his hand. "That should cover it and the tip." Remus managed to stroke her hand with his thumb without Ron noticing. She smiled at him before she turned back to Ron.

Although they lowered their voices, thanks to the wolf's senses, Remus was still able to hear everything as he answered the front door and paid for the food. Ron was still demanding to know why Remus was there and Hermione was still refusing to answer him. Remus carried the food into the kitchen and set it on the table, casting a stasis charm on it before he returned to the living room.

"Hermione," he said quietly. She looked at him, then closed her eyes, resignation on her face. She gave an almost imperceptible nod and Remus walked to her side. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he felt her lean into him slightly. Hermione took a breath and looked at Ron. He looked confused for a moment, but then his eyes widened in realization.

"What's going on?" He demanded.

"Remus and I are together." Ron stared at her for a moment.

"What do you mean 'together'?"

"I mean exactly what you think I mean, Ron," Hermione said. If the situation hadn't been what it was, Ron's expression would have been comical. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head and his mouth opened and closed like a fish.

"What the hell are you talking about, Hermione?" he finally managed. Hermione sighed again.

"I mean, we're dating. A couple. You know, you and Susan, Harry and Ginny? Me and Remus."

"You can't be dating Remus," Ron said.

"Why not?" Hermione asked, as Remus bristled a bit. He felt her hand slip into his and give him a squeeze.

"Because, because, he's, he's Remus."

"Well that clears everything right up," Hermione said dryly. Ron glanced at Remus and then back at Hermione. He looked nervous but soldiered on anyway.

"Hermione, he's, the age…thing."

"What of it?" Hermione asked.

"He, I mean," Ron glanced at Remus again. Remus could tell that Ron didn't want to say it in front of him. But Remus was not going to leave Hermione to deal with this on her own.

"I'm aware that Remus is older than me," Hermione said. "I don't care." Ron continued to glance between the two of them and Remus finally took pity on him.

"Ron, we know that this is a surprise and that there are things about our relationship that will make it difficult for some people to accept. The age difference being one of them."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Hermione said. Ron's eyes suddenly narrowed suspiciously.

"How long has this been going on?"

"About a month," Hermione said.

"A month!" Ron repeated. "You've been dating for a month and you're just now telling me?" Hermione grimaced.

"I, we didn't tell anyone at first."

"At first." Ron said, crossing his arms in front of him. "Who else knows then?"

"Ginny," Hermione said. "And Andromeda." Ron was clearly surprised that Andromeda knew.

"And," Hermione hesitated, biting her lip. "Harry." Ron's anger was apparent immediately.

"Harry knows?"

"Only because he walked in on us once and," Hermione trailed off as Ron put his hands up in front of him.

"I don't need to hear about it." He glared at Hermione for a few moments. "How long has he known?"

"A few weeks," Hermione said quietly, looking defeated.

"So, Harry has known for a few weeks and you didn't think you should tell me?"

"I was going to, I just," Hermione trailed off again.

"Just what, Hermione?" Ron's voice had risen again, and Remus stepped closer to Hermione, giving Ron a look as he did so. The younger man didn't seem particularly affected by it.

"I wasn't sure how you'd react," she finally said. She looked up at him.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," he snapped. Remus could see the muscle working in his jaw.

"Ron, I'm sorry." Ron was looking between Hermione and Remus again and Remus could tell that his anger hadn't abated at all. In fact, he seemed to be getting even more upset. Remus didn't want either of them to say something they might regret later.

"Perhaps we should talk about this tomorrow," Remus suggested. "Once everyone has had a chance to calm down and think about things."

"No," Ron said. "I think we should keep talking about it right now." Hermione looked at him warily, obviously concerned about what he was going to say.

"Ron, I think Remus is right."

"You do, do you?" Ron said. "The two of you have only been together for a month, huh?" Hermione's brow furrowed.

"Yes," she said, unsure. Ron snorted derisively. Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"I don't understand what you're implying."

"I think you do," Ron said, looking angrier by the second. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, jaw clenching and unclenching. Hermione stared at him in confusion. Then, suddenly, her look of confusion changed to one of fury.

"You complete arse, Ronald Weasley! I can't believe you would even suggest that!" Remus knew he'd missed something.

"Why not? I suspected it back then and now here the two of you are."

"Back when?" Remus asked, completely confused. They both ignored him as Hermione spoke again.

"In case you've forgotten, I dated Anthony after you and I broke things off. Well before I started seeing Remus. I told you that we were just friends back then and I meant it." At Hermione's last statement, realization dawned on Remus. Ron thought that there had been something going on between Remus and Hermione before she ever dated Anthony? Maybe even while she was still dating Ron?

"I," Ron began, but he sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face moments later. "I shouldn't have said that."

"Wait just a minute," Remus said, still stuck on the fact that Ron had accused Hermione of cheating on him with Remus, only weeks after Dora had been killed. Remus could feel his anger rising. Hermione put a hand on his arm and Remus tried to rein it in.

"Ron was just being an idiot," Hermione said. "Weren't you, Ron?"

"It was stupid," Ron agreed, looking a bit fearful of Remus. "Like I said, I shouldn't have said it."

"No, you shouldn't have," Remus said flatly. He turned away from the other man before he did something stupid like killing him. He didn't think Molly and Arthur would appreciate that.

"I think you should leave, Ron," Hermione said.

"Hermione, I'm sorry about what I said. But this, this isn't a good idea."

"I really don't care what you think," Hermione snapped.

"Hermione, please," Ron said. "Just listen."

"Just, just go, Ron," she said resignedly. Remus turned slightly, and Ron met his gaze.

"I believe that Hermione has asked you to leave," Remus said tightly. Ron stared at the both of them for a few moments.

"I'm sorry for what I insinuated," he finally said. "But we need to talk, Hermione." With that, Ron turned and left, closing the back door quietly behind him. Hermione turned to Remus and put a hand on his arm.

"Remus?" she said softly. He said nothing, just pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked when he had calmed a bit.

"Tell you what?"

"What Ron suspected back then?"

"Because it was too stupid to repeat." Remus snorted and felt more of the anger drain from him.

"Is that what came between the two of you?"

"Not really," Hermione said with a sigh. "I mean, the row we had about it didn't help, but there were a lot of bigger reasons. It came down to the fact that Ron and I just weren't suited. We never would have lasted and likely would have made each other miserable in the process." Remus pulled back from her and looked into her eyes.

"How do you feel, now that he knows?"

"The fact that he acted like a complete prat should make it easier not to care about what he thinks," she said.

"But you do," Remus guessed. She sighed.

"I don't know why, but I do."

"He's one of your best friends, Hermione. Of course, you care about what he thinks."

"It would be a lot easier if I didn't," she muttered. Remus couldn't help his smile. She looked up at him.

"Are you all right?" At his quizzical expression, she continued. "I don't think I've seen you that angry. Well, maybe in the Shrieking Shack third year." He pulled her closer to him again.

"I admit, my first instinct was to punch him in the face," Remus said. Hermione laughed. "But I do believe he was sorry that he said it at all."

"He was reacting to Harry knowing when he didn't," Hermione agreed. "He lashed out because he was jealous. It's probably his worst fault."

"Do you think that he was angrier about the two of us being together or that he didn't know?"

"That he didn't know," Hermione said immediately. "If it had just been Ginny and Andromeda that knew, he wouldn't have gotten so upset."

"I thought he had gotten over being jealous of Harry."

"He has, for the most part. He's not jealous of Harry's celebrity anyway. But when it comes to the three of us." Hermione shook her head. Remus waited while she collected her thoughts. "Harry and I are very close, but in a sibling kind of way. Ron and I, well, we're friends, close friends, but after things didn't work out between us romantically, we won't ever have as close of a relationship as Harry and I do. I think it's hard for Ron still, sometimes." Remus studied her for a few moments.

"Do you think he still has feelings for you?" Hermione pursed her lips in thought.

"Not exactly," she said. "I think that he still has a…fondness for me, I guess. But I think that has more to do with the fact that I was his first love, than anything." Remus nodded, swallowing down the bit of jealousy that had reared its head again. He was being ridiculous; he had no suspicions that Hermione still harbored feelings for Ron.

"You don't think I still have feelings for him, do you?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not," Remus said immediately. A bit too quickly, apparently. Hermione stood up on tip toe and kissed him.

"I don't," she said.

"I know," Remus replied. "I'm sorry." She smiled, then laid her head against his chest. Remus kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She leaned fully into him and Remus knew she was exhausted.

"Let's eat and then you should get some sleep."

"I'm not hungry," Hermione said, her voice a bit muffled in his shirt. He pulled back from her and forced her to look at him.

"You need to eat something, love," he said. "Please."

"All right," she finally agreed with a sigh. He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. Despite her protests, Hermione ate quite a bit. When he gave her a knowing look, she stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled.

"Fine, you were right, I was hungry," she huffed. Remus said nothing, just stood and gathered up what was left, putting the containers into the ice box. He felt Hermione's arms come around him and she rested her head against his back.

"It's all right, if you need to go home," she said, but he could hear the small tremor in her voice. He hadn't planned on leaving anyway, but there was no way he was going to now, after everything that had happened with Ron.

"Andromeda isn't expecting me until the morning," he said as he turned in her embrace. Hermione's face colored slightly before she laughed, shaking her head.

"Isn't that strange for you?"

"Extremely," he replied. "Which is why we are not going to talk about it. Ever." She laughed again, and he leaned down to kiss her, then scooped her up into his arms.

"Remus, put me down!" she insisted.

"You're nearly asleep on your feet," he said. "It's my responsibility to get you to your bedroom safely."

"Oh, really?" Hermione replied, eyebrows raised.

"Absolutely," he replied, completely serious. She smirked and leaned her head against his shoulder as he carried her out of the kitchen. She whispered in his ear and his eyes widened, even as his feet moved more quickly. Hermione's laughter echoed off the walls as he nearly ran up the stairs and into her bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.