A/N - Hello all! Glad everyone liked the last chapter. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing.

Chapter 67

Protect

18 April 2000

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Remus woke. Hermione was still snuggled into his side, her arm slung across his stomach. The bandages were still on, of course, but the tips of her fingers looked nearly normal. He felt the ball of tension inside him relax just a little bit more.

He was glad he had been able to convince her to stay last night. Once they were back at the house with Teddy and Andromeda, the wolf had finally stopped his pacing. Remus wondered if that would resolve itself after the full moon. He figured that it would. By the time the next moon rolled around, Hermione would be completely healed and Delia's fate would likely have been decided.

Tonight would still be a problem. Remus couldn't very well ask Hermione to stay here again, given that he would be in the cellar, but the thought of her being alone in her house made that ball of tension tighten once more. Perhaps he could convince her to stay at Grimmauld Place.

He grimaced remembering that she hadn't spoken to Ron yet. Although the younger man had apologized to Remus, as far as Hermione was concerned, Ron still wasn't speaking to her. She likely would not want to stay with Harry and Ginny without that being resolved first.

Remus sighed and Hermione stirred. She yawned, but then settled back into his side. He smiled, running a hand down her hair.

"Wake up, love," he said quietly. She shifted again and muttered something under her breath but didn't open her eyes. Remus smiled mischievously. He ran his fingers lightly up her back and then down her upper arm. Hermione shuddered a bit but remained stubbornly asleep. He kissed the top of her head and then her temple, maneuvering himself to run his lips down her jawline. She sighed and he was quite sure she was awake, although she pretended not to be. He moved closer to her mouth, covering her lips with his and smiling as she finally responded to him.

"I know you're awake," he said when he pulled back and her eyes were still closed.

"M'not," she mumbled. "Need to kiss me again." He chuckled and did as she bid, kissing her quite thoroughly. She sighed again with a smile and opened her eyes.

"Good morning."

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Early," he said. She snuggled back into him and he kissed the top of her head. "I thought you wanted to sneak out before anyone was up."

"Mm, you're too warm. Don't want to move." He hugged her tighter to him and ghosted his lips over the side of her neck. She shivered and pressed herself even closer. Remus bit back a groan. Bloody hell, he needed to stop this before something happened in the middle of his living room.

"Hermione," he said, even as her hand snaked under the t-shirt he wore, moving up to his chest. He growled under his breath and kissed her deeply as her fingers traced over one of his scars. He put a hand on her bum and pulled her as close to him as possible, continuing to kiss her, all earlier reservations about their location completely fleeing from his brain.

He rolled Hermione to her back and broke away from her mouth to kiss and nip at her neck, grinding himself into her. She had wrapped a leg around his hip, hand moving down to his boxers before she suddenly stilled. It took him a few seconds to realize that she was no longer participating and when he pulled away from her neck and looked at her, she looked horrified.

"Hermione?"

"Remus, we're in your living room," she hissed. She dropped her arms from around his neck and covered her face, which he could see was turning bright red. Despite his current state of arousal, he couldn't help but smirk.

"Did you forget where you spent the night?"

"No, but I was half-asleep and," she trailed off shaking her head. "What if Teddy or Andromeda? Gods!" Her hands flew away from her face. "And you were going to just keep on!"

"I would have stopped," he said, a bit defensively, moving against her without conscious thought. She raised her eyebrows. He looked a bit sheepish and rolled to the side. "Sorry." He took a few breaths and tried to calm down.

She finally sighed and rolled to her side look at him, reaching out her hand to grasp his. He moved to face her, kissing her knuckles before entwining their fingers. A part of him still wanted to ravish her, regardless of where they were and who might interrupt, but he kept himself under control. If the look in her eye was anything to go by, she felt the same way.

"I should probably sneak out now," she said, laughing a little.

"If I know Andromeda, she'll know you were here anyway," Remus replied. Hermione looked a bit horrified and Remus chuckled.

"Don't look so scandalized, love. I've spent the night with you before and she was well aware of where I was."

"I know, it's just," Hermione shook her head. "Knowing she knows and actually being confronted with it are two different things."

"I suppose you're right," Remus said, still a bit amused. Although, he wouldn't want Andromeda to walk in on them either. He gathered Hermione to him, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She sighed into his neck and they lay there for a few minutes before she pulled back from him. She kissed him quickly and then crawled out of the bed. Remus rose as well and walked with her to the fireplace. He took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you to your appointment?" he asked dropping his hands to her waist. She shook her head.

"No, you should stay here with Teddy today. Ginny will come with me and then we'll go to the trial after." He nodded, but he didn't let her go. "I can Floo call after my appointment and let you know what the Healer said before we go to the Ministry."

"You don't have to," Remus said, feeling a bit guilty at the overprotectiveness.

"I don't mind," she said, smiling up at him and hugging him a little tighter. He kissed her again and forced himself to pull away from her, although it was difficult. He almost suggested following her through the Floo and resuming their earlier activities, but he refrained.

For her part, Hermione looked just as reluctant to leave, turning back to kiss him one more time before she threw the Floo powder into the fireplace.

"I'll stop by after the trial," she said before she stepped into the flames. Remus nodded and watched her disappear, then groaned and flopped down on their transfigured bed. He was obviously going to have a date with a cold shower this morning.

Hermione and Ginny walked across the Atrium to the lifts. Hermione didn't fail to notice the whispering and a few double-takes as people noticed her presence. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"For Merlin's sake, you'd think you'd been gone for weeks instead of a few days." Hermione shrugged.

"You know how gossip is at the Ministry." She pulled the sleeve of her robes down to cover more of her hand. The bandages were gone. Healer Spencer had given Hermione leave to attend the trial and even go back to work the following day. But you could still tell that Hermione had suffered some kind of burn, the skin of her hand and arm wouldn't be back to normal for a few more days.

She and Ginny stepped into the lift to head to Level Two. Hermione was going to stop in and speak with Margaret before they went down to the courtroom. There were two witches already in the lift, one of whom looked at Hermione, then immediately poked her friend. Hermione could feel them glancing at her out of the corner of their eyes. Just before the lift doors closed, a wizard quickly stepped inside.

"Hello, Mr. Nithercott," Hermione said. The Head of the Spirit Division was an odd little man, but he had always been pleasant enough to Hermione when she worked for him. He looked a bit surprised at being addressed but smiled when he realized who she was.

"Miss Granger," he said. "Good morning."

"I must thank you for referring Headmistress McGonagall to our department," he continued. "I've been enjoying speaking with Cuthbert immensely."

"Oh, well, you're welcome," Hermione said, unable to hide her smile at the wizard's enthusiasm.

"It's a fascinating case," he said. "Simply fascinating." Hermione heard Ginny snort and Hermione squeezed her wrist in warning. The lift stopped, and the two witches got out with a last glance at Hermione. She was sure the entire Ministry would know she was here in a matter of minutes.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Hermione said as the doors shut. "You're having some success, I hope?"

"Oh, most certainly," Mr. Nithercott replied.

"That's good to hear," Hermione said. The lift stopped again. Mr. Nithercott inclined his head at the two of them before he stepped out. When the doors slid shut, Ginny snorted out a laugh.

"Stop," Hermione admonished. "He's a very nice man and he's really good at his job."

"I'm sorry, but who on earth would call Binns fascinating?" Hermione couldn't help the small laugh that escaped.

"At least we know Binns will likely be gone after this year and Remus will have a job, even if it only is part-time."

"True," Ginny agreed as the lift stopped on Level Two. They stepped out and walked towards Hermione's office. "I'm just going to pop in on Harry while you talk to your boss. Meet me there when you're done?"

"All right," Hermione agreed. Ginny gave her a little wave and walked into the Auror offices as Hermione continued to her department.

"Miss Granger," Cecily, Margaret's assistant, said in surprise. "It's good to see you."

"Thank you, Cecily," Hermione replied. "Is Ms. Fawcett available?"

"She is, go right in."

"Thank you." Hermione walked past Cecily's desk and knocked lightly on Margaret's door. At her call to enter, Hermione opened the door and stepped inside.

"Hermione," Margaret said, eyes a bit wide. "How are you?" She stood from her desk and walked around the front.

"I'm fine," Hermione said. Margaret surprised her by pulling her into a hug.

"Mr. Potter has been keeping me informed. I was very worried." She released Hermione and looked her up and down. "You are truly all right?"

"Yes," Hermione said. She pulled up the sleeve of her robes to show her boss her healing arm. "It should be back to normal in a few days. My Healer said I can return to work tomorrow."

"Are you sure you're ready to come back so soon?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "I want to get back to work and put this all behind me." Margaret nodded.

"I understand. Please, sit. Would you like tea?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you." Margaret settled herself into the chair behind her desk. "I was wondering if you had finished reviewing my proposal."

"I have," Margaret said. "It's very well-researched and covers everything we discussed. Excellent work." Hermione could help but beam under the praise.

"You feel it's ready for presentation then?" Hermione asked.

"I do," Margaret agreed. "However, we still have the same issue we had before you were attacked." Hermione nodded, disappointed, but understanding her boss' position.

"I realize that Magical Law Enforcement has managed to keep your attack from the press," Margaret continued. "However, now that they have arrested the person responsible, that will no longer be the case." Hermione nodded again. Trials were public record. They wouldn't be able to convict Delia without the press knowing about it. "Your relationship with Mr. Lupin will be thrust back into the spotlight."

"I understand," Hermione said, feeling a bit sorry for herself. She admonished herself in her head. That the laws were changed was the most important thing. "Have you chosen someone else to make the presentation? I should probably work with them over the next few days to bring them up to speed."

"No need," Margaret said. Hermione looked at her quizzically. "I will be making the presentation."

"You will?" Hermione questioned, surprised.

"I did not always run this department, Hermione," Margaret said in amusement. "Your office used to be mine."

"Of course, I didn't mean," she trailed off, coloring slightly. Margaret chuckled.

"The Minister intends to put the proposal on the schedule for next Wednesday. Satterfield's trial will be over by then." Hermione nodded. "I assume that's why you're here today? To go to the trial?"

"Yes," Hermione confirmed.

"Is Mr. Lupin with you?" Margaret asked. Hermione tried not to bristle at the question. She knew why her boss was asking. Given Skeeter's ridiculous speculation in the Prophet while Hermione was in St. Mungo's, Hermione's arrival at the trial was likely to cause a stir.

"No," Hermione said. "With all the time he spent with me while I was in hospital, he wanted to spend time with his son today. It's also the full moon tonight."

"Of course," Margaret said.

"He won't be here tomorrow either, given his recovery from the moon. But I can't promise that he won't be with me later in the week, if it drags on that long." Margaret looked at her for a few moments before she inclined her head. Hermione let out a silent breath of relief.

"I will see you tomorrow morning then. I may have a few questions for you about the proposal."

"All right," Hermione said, rising from her chair. Her boss looked up at her.

"I am very happy you're all right." Hermione smiled and bid Margaret good-bye.

Hermione walked into the Auror offices and made her way to Harry's desk. Before she reached it, Ron stepped out from his cubicle, stopping short when he saw her.

"Hermione," he said. He made a move towards her, looking as if he wanted to hug her, but thought better of it and stepped back. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Can we talk?"

"I'm supposed to meet Ginny, so we can go to the trial together," Hermione said tightly.

"That's not for another half hour," Ron said. Hermione stared at him. "Just, a few minutes?"

"Fine," she said, not convinced this was a good idea. But she hadn't thanked him for his part in finding the antidote.

"Let's go in one of the interrogation rooms," he said, leading her down a corridor to her right. She followed him to one of the rooms. After he'd closed the door, Ron looked up at her.

"I'm really glad you're all right."

"Thank you," she said. "Harry told me you and Neville found the antidote. Thanks for that."

"You're welcome." They stood in awkward silence for a few moments before Ron blew out a breath.

"Look, I was an arse." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

"You can say that again," she said. Ron snorted. "Was it about Harry knowing?"

"Partly," Ron said. "I know I shouldn't have said those things that I did about you and Remus. I was just…worried."

"About what exactly?" Hermione demanded.

"About what everyone would say," Ron said.

"I don't care what people say."

"I know you don't," Ron said. "And I'm glad for that, but I see stuff everyday around here, Hermione. How horrible people can be, and I didn't want you hurt." Hermione opened her mouth to remind him that it wasn't Ron's job to prevent her from being hurt, but Ron held up a hand. "You know that I like Remus, but the fact remains that he is a werewolf and some people aren't going to like that you're dating him. Then there's the whole age difference and everything and I just, I didn't explain myself very well."

"You did more than that Ron," Hermione said. "You brought up things from ages ago that you knew weren't true."

"I know," Ron said. "I know I did, and it was stupid, and I never should have said it."

"Then why?" Hermione asked. When Ron didn't answer right away, she sighed. "Don't you want me to be happy?"

"Of course, I do!" he insisted. She looked skeptical. "Hermione, I do." He rubbed the back of his neck again. "I guess I was just, I don't know, jealous."

"Jealous? But you have Susan."

"I know and Susan is, she's," he trailed off, a soft smile playing about his lips. "She's amazing." Hermione couldn't help her own smile. "But Hermione, it's, it's hard to explain."

"Try," she suggested, none too gently.

"I loved you for such a long time," Ron said. "You were my friend and then I fancied you forever. And then you were finally my girlfriend and I always thought that, that we would end up married with a bunch of kids someday. And even though I know now that we never would have worked, would have probably been a disaster, actually," he smirked at Hermione's snort, "that doesn't stop me from loving you, Hermione." Hermione bit her lip, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm not in love with you," he said with a wry smile. "But it took me a little while to figure that out." Hermione let out a relieved breath. The last thing she wanted was Ron pining for her. "So, I'm sorry. I was an idiot." Hermione stared at him for a few moments before she threw her arms around him.

"I forgive you," she said. Ron hugged her tightly.

"I was so scared, Hermione," he said.

"Me too," she said.

"I apologized to Remus."

"You did?" she said in surprise, stepping back from him. "When?"

"The night before he caught Delia in your room." Remus hadn't mentioned it, although there had been a lot going on the last two days.

"What did he say?"

"That you were the one that needed the apology. Which I knew, by the way." Ron paused. "He's completely in love with you." Hermione blushed a bit.

"I love him too." Ron nodded.

"You two are pretty perfect for each other." Hermione looked up at him in surprise and he smirked. "I've expanded that emotional range of a teaspoon to a tablespoon now." Hermione laughed.

"You know that's how I feel about you and Susan right?" Ron got that soft smile again.

"Yeah, she's pretty great." Hermione stared at him for a few seconds.

"You love her!" she said. Ron reddened, but he didn't deny it. "Have you told her?"

"Not yet," Ron said.

"Why not?" He shrugged.

"I dunno."

"You know she loves you too, right?"

"How do you know that?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"She puts up with you for one thing."

"Hey!" Ron said, then smiled sheepishly when he realized she was teasing him.

"Bad things can happen that you never expected," Hermione said, taking a steadying breath. Ron reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Just, tell her, Ron."

"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, you're right." Ron squeezed her hand one more time before he let it go. Hermione smiled at him and glanced at her watch.

"Ginny and I should probably get going."

"Yeah, right," Ron said, opening the door. They walked back to Harry's desk in silence. Ginny was perched on the edge and Harry was looking up at her with a sappy expression on his face. His hand was on her knee, edging up under her robes.

"Oi, Potter, stop feeling up my sister at your desk." Harry jumped at Ron's voice and Hermione put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. Ginny glared at Ron, then her eyes widened when she noticed Hermione.

"Everything all right then?" she asked. Hermione smiled.

"Yes."

"Thank Merlin. I thought you were going to be a git forever," Ginny said to her brother. Ron scowled. Ginny jumped down off Harry's desk, leaned over and kissed Harry quite thoroughly, then stood and smiled sweetly at Ron. Hermione shook her head at the two siblings.

"No more bandages?" Harry asked Hermione. She grinned and pulled up her sleeve slightly.

"Took them off this morning," she said. "Healer Spencer told me I could go back to work tomorrow."

"That's great, Hermione," Harry said with a smile. Hermione pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you, Harry," she said. "For everything you did." Harry hugged her tighter.

"Don't ever do anything like that to me again," he said. She chuckled.

"I'll try not to." Harry finally let her go and Hermione smiled at him. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"We'd better get going, Ginny," Hermione said. Harry kissed his fiancée one last time and Ginny stuck out her tongue at Ron, who rolled his eyes. They made their good-byes and walked to the lift to go to the courtroom.

Given their stops beforehand, there were only ten minutes until the trial started once Hermione and Ginny reached the courtroom. Which meant, of course, that they were arriving around the same time as most everyone else. Ginny scowled at anyone who started whispering as they passed by. Hermione just kept looking straight ahead and tried to ignore it.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the wayward Miss Granger," Rita Skeeter said as she stepped into their path. Hermione sighed inwardly. "No werewolf escort today? Trouble in paradise?" Ginny rolled her eyes, as Hermione shifted to hide her arm in her robes.

"That desperate for stories, Rita?" Ginny asked, smiling sweetly. "Harry told me he rejected your request for an interview again. For the eighth time." She batted her eyelashes as Rita scowled.

"I thought you were playing professional Quidditch," Rita said scathingly. "Did they cut you from the team already?"

"I go back to practice tomorrow, actually," Ginny said with another sweet smile. "Thank you for being so concerned though. Come on, Hermione." Ginny pulled on Hermione's arm and they pushed past the reporter and made their way into the courtroom.

"You know she's going to write something horrible about you now," Hermione said. Ginny shrugged.

"She can give it her best shot," the redhead said. "The Harpies have someone for that."

"What do you mean?" Ginny waved a hand.

"Libel, defamation of character, all that. Barnabas Cuffe may be an idiot, but he's not stupid. He's not going to get the Prophet embroiled in a lawsuit to satisfy Rita's pettiness."

"Too bad the Ministry doesn't have someone for that," Hermione said with a sigh.

"You don't need the Ministry, you have Harry," Ginny said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Do you honestly think he just let those two articles Rita wrote while you were in Mungo's go? He went in and had a talk with Cuffe about it. Threatened legal action if Cuffe wasn't careful."

"You're joking."

"Nope," Ginny said with a grin. "Rita can speculate all she likes, but she can't write anything really spiteful. Cuffe won't print it. Rita knows it too; it's why she was so nasty today."

"She's always nasty," Hermione muttered. Ginny laughed. "I can't believe Harry had time to talk to the editor of the Prophet on top of everything else he was doing."

"He didn't sleep much," Ginny said with a shrug. Hermione immediately felt guilty. Ginny bumped Hermione's shoulder with her own. "You're family, Hermione. Harry will do anything for his family." Hermione smiled softly. The entrance of the members of the Wizengamot put an end to their conversation and Hermione sat up straighter as Satterfield was led into the courtroom.

Her old boss looked haggard and worn. Hermione wondered how much of that was living in a holding cell for two weeks and how much was alcohol withdrawal. She suspected it was mostly the latter.

The questioning began. Hermione knew that they had mostly covered Satterfield's drinking and misconduct on the job in yesterday's session. Today was going to focus solely on his role in the werewolf executions.

After an hour, Hermione was nearly as frustrated as Kingsley appeared to be. Satterfield continually ignored questions, instead, talking to specific members of the Wizengamot, which was not allowed, about previous meetings or lunches they'd shared. It did help to ferret out who would be an ally to him but did little to move the trial forward. No amount of warning from Kingsley or the Head of the Wizengamot had curbed Satterfield's behavior.

"Mr. Satterfield," Kingsley finally thundered. "If you continue, I will be forced to take you back to your cell and postpone these proceedings until you are ready to cooperate." Satterfield gave the Minister a smile.

"As you say, Minister."

"Are you ready to proceed?" Kingsley asked tightly. Satterfield waved a hand.

"You must answer verbally, sir," the court clerk said.

"Yes," Satterfield said. Kingsley continued with the questioning. Satterfield stopped talking to members of the Wizengamot, but he either refused to answer questions or meandered so far from the point, it had the same effect. Finally, growing completely frustrated, Kingsley called an end to the trial for the day and ordered Satterfield back to his cell.

"We will reconvene at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Well, that was a waste of time," Hermione said with a sigh.

"I don't understand," Ginny said. "I don't think he was like this yesterday."

"Yesterday they weren't asking him about facilitating murder," Hermione said.

"True," Ginny said. The two of them made their way from the courtroom and managed to avoid any of the reporters in the crowd of people that were exiting.

"It's almost lunch," Ginny said. "Want to see if Harry's free?"

"I'm going to go back to Remus' actually," Hermione replied. "I told him I'd let him know what happened." Ginny nodded.

"I'll walk with you to the Floo," she said.

"I can walk through the Ministry by myself," Hermione said in exasperation.

"It's on my way, anyway," Ginny said with a shrug.

"Not really," Hermione said. But she could tell by the look on the redhead's face Hermione wasn't going to dissuade her. Honestly, she wasn't a child.

They stepped into a lift and Hermione saw a few people staring at her. They averted their eyes quickly when she made eye contact. She sighed and rolled her eyes, wondering how long this was going to go on.

"Maybe you should just bring Remus to the Ministry and snog him in the middle of the Atrium," Ginny joked as they stepped off the lift and walked toward the Floos. "Might get all the ogling over all at once." Hermione snorted.

"Can I come over this afternoon and pick up Crooks?"

"Of course," Ginny said. "I'll be back after lunch." They had reached the Floos. Ginny hugged her good-bye and waited while Hermione stepped into the fireplace. Hermione shook her head at the overprotectiveness, suspecting that both Harry and Remus had a hand in it.

Hermione stepped into the living room just as Andromeda walked in from the kitchen.

"Hermione, we were not expecting you this early."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said. She should have Floo called before she just walked in. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Of course, you are not intruding," Andromeda said warmly. "You know you are always welcome anytime. I am just surprised that the trial is over."

"It's not," Hermione said.

"Oh, did something happen?" the older woman asked in concern. Hermione explained what had occurred at the trial.

"Kingsley sent him back to his cell and the trial will start again tomorrow morning." She looked around and realized it was awfully quiet. "Is Teddy napping already?"

"No, they were both full of nervous energy, so I sent them to the park," Andromeda said with a laugh. Hermione smiled. She knew how agitated Remus could get the day of the moon and Teddy was likely still excited to be home. "They just left a few minutes ago if you would like to join them."

"I think I'll do that," Hermione said. She transfigured her skirt into trousers and her robes into a Muggle jacket.

"It is just at the end of the street," Andromeda said.

"Thank you." Hermione stepped outside and made her way up the street to the park.

Remus watched Teddy as he climbed up the playset to the slide.

"Wat me, Daddy, wat me!"

"I'm watching," Remus said with a smile. Teddy sat down and pushed off, zooming down the slide into Remus' waiting arms. Teddy giggled like mad as Remus picked him up and tossed him in the air.

"Again!" Teddy said, squirming to get out of Remus' grip. Remus set him down and Teddy raced back to the steps up to the slide. When he reached the top, he stood there for a moment looking out over the park.

"My-nee, Daddy!" Teddy said.

"Hermione is coming over later, after your nap," Remus said.

"My-nee, dere!" Teddy pointed somewhere behind Remus and he turned around to see Hermione walking towards them. She wasn't supposed to be here for hours.

"Teddy come down the slide," Remus said, wanting to go to Hermione and see what was wrong.

"No, My-nee wat me!"

"Teddy, come down," Remus said again, more sternly. Something must have happened for Hermione to be here already.

"No!" Teddy insisted, stomping his foot for emphasis.

"Teddy," Remus warned.

"Hello, Teddy," Hermione said. Remus turned around and she covered the last few feet between them. "Hello, Remus."

"What's happened?" he asked immediately.

"Nothing," she said.

"Then why are you here so early?"

"I wanted to visit my two favorite men," she said with a smile.

"Hermione," he replied in exasperation.

"My-nee, wat me!" Teddy said. He sat down and pushed himself down the slide. Remus barely got back into position in time to catch him.

"Great job," Hermione said to the little boy. Teddy grinned and then squirmed to be put down. As he ran back to the steps, Remus turned back to Hermione.

"The trial was adjourned early because Satterfield wasn't cooperating." Hermione watched Teddy as he climbed the stairs again.

"My-nee, you cat me!"

"Okay," Hermione said, moving in front of Remus. "Ready, go!" Teddy came down the slide and Hermione gathered him to her and hugged him.

"Again!" Teddy said, and she laughed as she set him on his feet. She turned back to Remus and explained what had happened with Satterfield.

"You're all right?" Remus asked.

"I'm perfectly fine," Hermione said. She caught Teddy again and set him down. As Teddy ran back to the steps, Hermione took a step towards Remus and kissed him. "I'm fine." He hugged her and sighed in relief.

"Daddy, Daddy, you cat me!" Teddy said. Remus changed places with Hermione. When Teddy had finally tired of the slide, they wandered over to the swings. Putting Teddy into the swing made for toddlers, Remus pushed him with one hand and pulled Hermione into his side with the other. He breathed in her scent and felt himself relax for the first time since she'd left that morning. Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him.

"I talked to Ron," she said. Remus tensed slightly, and she looked up at him.

"How did that go?" he asked. He wasn't jealous, he and Ron had settled things days ago. But he didn't want the other man to have hurt Hermione again.

"It was good," Hermione said. "He apologized and I accepted."

"So, everything is all right between the two of you?" Remus asked.

"Yes," she said. "Why didn't you tell me he'd apologized to you?" Remus shrugged.

"Hasn't been the first thing I've thought about in the last two days." Hermione laughed.

"No, I suppose not," she agreed.

"He worked almost as hard as Harry did when you were hurt," Remus said.

"I know," Hermione said.

"I'm glad for you, love," Remus said, kissing the top of her head.

"Daddy!" Teddy shouted, trying to twist around in the swing to see them. Remus slowed the swing and they walked around to the front, arms still around each other.

"Yes?" Remus said.

"I done," he said. Remus chuckled and let go of Hermione to pull Teddy out of the swing.

"What now?" Remus asked.

"Dat!" Teddy said, pointing at the seesaw. Remus set him down and let Teddy run towards it. He took Hermione's hand and they followed. Teddy had climbed on the seat that was on the ground.

"Up, up!" he said, holding the handles and bouncing on his bum. Remus sighed. This was his least favorite thing that Teddy liked to do. Having only one child meant that Remus had to raise and lower the seesaw himself, all while keeping a grip on Teddy so he didn't fall.

"Here, let me," Hermione said. She stepped behind Teddy and raised the seesaw, settling herself on the seat behind Teddy.

"What are you doing?" Remus asked in confusion.

"Riding the seesaw, of course," she said. "Go over to the other side." Remus shook his head in amusement and walked around to the other side, throwing his leg over the other seat. Even the two of them together wouldn't be heavy enough to equal his weight.

"Hold on, Teddy," Hermione said, putting one arm around him and holding onto the handle with the other. Remus let his weight raise them up into the air and Teddy squealed in delight. He was much higher than he normally went when Remus raised and lowered the seesaw himself

"Ready to go back down?" Remus asked.

"Go, Daddy!" Teddy shouted. Remus chuckled as he pushed up with his legs. Hermione and Teddy only made it half-way to the ground before they rose up again.

"Should we make your daddy go up high?" Hermione asked.

"Yes!" Teddy said throwing up his hands.

"Hold on!" Remus admonished. Teddy regripped the handle. Thankfully, Hermione still had her arm around Teddy's waist. Remus' brow furrowed wondering how they were going to get him all the way up in the air when he still outweighed them by at least two stone. He saw Hermione flick her wrist and whisper something. Then he slowly rose into the air and stayed there.

"You up, Daddy!" Teddy shouted, giggling in delight. Hermione laughed along with him and Remus smiled at both of them.

"Should we let him down?" Hermione asked.

"No," Teddy giggled. "Daddy stay dere!" Remus pretended to pout, and Teddy laughed harder.

"It's almost time for lunch," Hermione said. "Should we let him down and go see what your nanna has made for us?" Teddy pursed his lips and stared at his father. Remus couldn't help but smile fondly. He looked very much like a mischievous Dora in that moment.

"Daddy come down," Teddy finally agreed. Hermione flicked her wand again and the extra weight she had added to their side of the seesaw disappeared. She and Teddy slowly rose into the air.

"I think I'll just leave the two of you up there," Remus said with a smirk.

"No!" Teddy said. "Want lunts, Daddy!" He giggled again. Hermione smiled at Remus over the top of Teddy's head and he winked at her before slowly standing up and lowering the seesaw. Hermione stepped off, taking Teddy with her.

"It's a good thing Hermione came with us today, isn't it?" Remus asked his son, who was still in Hermione's arms.

"Yes!" Teddy said. He hugged Hermione around the neck. Hermione kissed his forehead.

"I'm glad I came too." Remus put an arm around Hermione and kissed her temple. Teddy stared up at him.

"Daddy? You tiss My-nee?" Remus tensed for a moment before remembering Andromeda's advice.

"Yes," Remus said, waiting for his son's inevitable question. It wasn't what he expected.

"I tiss My-nee?" Remus bit back a laugh and looked at Hermione.

"Sure, you can kiss me," Hermione said with a smile. Teddy kissed her cheek and then hugged her again.

"Love My-nee," Teddy said into her neck. Remus saw Hermione's breath hitch and she hugged Teddy tightly.

"I love you too, Teddy." Remus tightened his arm around Hermione's waist and kissed the top of her head.

"Come on," he said after a few moments. "Let's go have lunch."

Teddy had been put down for his nap, after much protesting. It was only when Hermione promised that she would still be there when he woke up that he finally settled and went to sleep. Hermione was currently curled into Remus' side on the couch. Andromeda was doing something in the kitchen and had left the two of them alone.

"So, whose idea was it for Ginny to stay glued to my side today?" Hermione asked.

"What do you mean?" Remus said evasively.

"After the trial was adjourned, she wouldn't even let me walk to the Floo by myself." Remus opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. He stared at Hermione for a few moments before he sighed.

"In my defense, Harry agreed with me."

"Why am I not surprised?" Hermione said dryly.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"I know that you're worried after everything that happened and the moon isn't helping, but Remus, you're going to have to stop doing this." He sighed again and looked at his lap.

"I don't want you hurt again."

"I could have still been hurt by the letter even if you were standing right next to me. Neither of us thought anything about taking the letters off the owls."

"I know that I'm being irrational," Remus said. "I know that you can take care of yourself."

"You don't sound convinced."

"It's not that, it's just," he shook his head. "Sitting there watching you sleep and knowing there was nothing I could do. And then, when Delia was trying to, I thought, I thought," he trailed off.

"I'm fine," she said, putting a hand to his cheek. He covered her hand with his own.

"I know you are, love," he said. "And I do know that you can take care of yourself. It's just still fresh and with the moon, it's magnified." He kissed her palm. He studied her for a moment and Hermione saw the indecision on his face. He took the hand that was on his cheek and entwined their fingers, then looked at her resolutely.

"Speaking of the moon," he said. "Would you stay at Grimmauld Place tonight?" Hermione sighed.

"Remus," she began, but he interrupted.

"I know, Hermione and I wouldn't ask, it's just," he paused. "Tonight is going to be difficult for me, even with the Wolfsbane, because of all that's happened. If I know that you're not alone, that you're somewhere safe, the wolf won't be as agitated." She searched his face and could tell that he didn't really want to ask her, but his fear for her safety had overridden everything. He still had circles under his eyes from the little sleep he'd gotten while she'd been in St. Mungo's. The last thing she wanted was to cause him more restlessness and pain.

And, if she were being completely honest, she wasn't sure she was ready to go back to her house by herself. At least not overnight. She had been there this morning to shower and change before she went the Ministry, but that hadn't taken long. Ginny had arrived to go with her to the Ministry before Hermione was even finished. Hermione had purposely ignored the hole in the carpet. She had actually considered asking Ginny if she wanted to have a girls' night that night, so she wouldn't be alone the entire night. Now that Hermione had settled things with Ron, she wouldn't mind staying at Grimmauld Place.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Remus said after her long silence.

'No," Hermione said. "I'll talk to Ginny, but I'm sure it's not a problem for me to stay at Grimmauld."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked.

"Crookshanks is still there and I was going to go over there this afternoon anyway," she said with a smile. "It might be better until I can, can fix the carpet." Remus pulled him to her as she shuddered, thoughts drifting back to when the envelope started to smoke. She pushed her face into Remus' neck and breathed him in as he ran a hand slowly up and down her back.

Hermione shifted and kissed his neck, then moved up to his jaw and finally his mouth. He tangled a hand in her hair and grabbed her hip and pulled her closer to him as he kissed her. Hermione threw a leg over his lap and straddled him as he deepened the kiss. She finally tore her mouth away from his when she heard a noise in the kitchen.

"Shite," Remus said, breathing heavily. Hermione shifted in his lap and he groaned softly. "Hermione." He looked up at her, eyes completely amber and her breath hitched. She just wanted to forget everything that had happened and just feel. But she couldn't exactly do that with Andromeda in the kitchen.

"My house," she said, climbing quickly off his lap. She grabbed his hand and pulled him from the couch. He grabbed her and kissed her again before he pulled in a breath and turned toward the kitchen. He was back moments later and she threw in the Floo powder. She stumbled out of the Floo, purposely avoiding looking at the carpet, and then Remus was behind her. He pulled her back into his chest, kissing her neck and running his hand up under her top to her breasts. Hermione put an arm around his neck and turned her head to kiss him.

Hermione pushed everything from her mind except Remus and the delicious things he was doing to her. While he didn't vanish their clothes like he had the night before, it didn't take long before they were both naked and Remus had her bent over the back of the couch. She pushed back against him as he moved behind her.

Just when she thought her legs might give out on her, she tensed and cried out. Remus finished shortly after and collapsed against her back. Her cheek rested against the back of the couch as she tried to regain her breath.

"Gods, Hermione," Remus breathed, kissing her shoulder blade. She made a noise of contentment and then protest as he stood, leaving her to shiver in the cooling air. He helped her stand and then led her around the couch. He reclined against the arm and pulled her down with him, gathering her into his side. He pulled a throw off the back of the couch and covered them with it. Her fingers traced small circles on his chest as he ran his hand up and down her arm.

"Your arm looks much better," he said.

"It's almost healed," she agreed, stopping her movements so he could inspect it more closely. Remus entwined their fingers and then raised her arm, placing small kisses on the inside of her forearm. Hermione shivered again and then looked up at him.

"If you keep that up, we won't be leaving here anytime soon," she said and he chuckled.

"Sorry, love, you're going to have to give me a bit more time to recover," he replied. She looked at him and he grinned. "Teddy will be asleep for at least another hour."

"Oh gods," she said, turning red and hiding her face in his chest. "What did you say to Andromeda?"

"That you wanted to go pick up Crookshanks and that I didn't want you going alone." Hermione was shocked that he could have come up with a plausible excuse in the state he had been in. She had been sitting on his lap just before he talked to Andromeda, after all.

"I don't know if she believed me," he continued with a slight grimace. Hermione groaned and turned redder.

"I can never show my face in your house again." Having Andromeda aware that they were sleeping together was one thing. Running out of the house in the middle of the afternoon to have a shag was completely another. Remus chuckled and kissed her temple. They lay in contented silence for a few minutes before Remus spoke again.

"Well, since we're already here, we might as well take advantage." Hermione looked up at him, slightly surprised.

"I thought you needed a bit of recovery time?" He shrugged.

"Full moon," he said, then rolled them to the side until he hovered over her. Hermione smiled as he kissed her. The full moon definitely had its benefits.