A/N - Hello all! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 82
Surprises
23 June 2000
Remus took a breath and followed Hermione through the Floo to the Leaky Cauldron. She was waiting for him when he stepped out. Smiling and taking his hand, she led him to the side room that Hannah had given them to use for the party. Because it was a Friday night, the pub was more crowded than usual. Hannah gave them a wave as they passed the bar.
"We'll see you later?" Hermione called out. Hannah nodded.
"As soon as it slows down a bit out here." When they reached the room, Hermione didn't even slow down, just towed him through the doorway.
They paused just inside, both looking around the room. Hermione was searching for Luna, but Remus was watching everyone else, wondering what they were all thinking. He had thought himself over this bit of anxiety and what he had told Hermione about the Three Broomsticks was true. He really didn't care what strangers thought. But, he realized, they had spent so much time around friends and family that accepted their relationship, he had simply forgotten what it was like to worry about it. Now though, he was.
"There's Luna," Hermione said, pointing to the other side of the room. "Let's go say hello." Remus followed her, sensing the eyes on him as they passed. He managed to nod a greeting to a person or two, but mostly kept his eyes on Hermione's back.
"Luna!" Hermione said, dropping his hand and pulling the blonde into a hug. "It's so good to see you."
"You too," Luna said when Hermione had released her. She turned to Remus. "Hello, Professor."
"Remus, please, Luna," he said. "It's very nice to see you." He held out a hand to her, but she reached up and hugged him instead. Remus was so surprised, he froze, not returning the embrace.
"Remus?" Hermione said in concern at the look on his face when Luna stepped back from him.
"It's all right," Luna said. "I don't think he was expecting that."
"I'm sorry," he said, not sure what else to say. He hadn't been expecting it, never having much interaction with the woman. She simply smiled at him in that way she had. He was never sure just what that smile meant.
"It's all right," she said again. "Rolf wasn't expecting it either."
"Who's Rolf?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, he's my fiancé," Luna said matter-of-factly. Hermione's mouth dropped open.
"Fiancé?" Hermione managed.
"Oh, yes," Luna said. "Here he is." A tall blond man walked up next to Luna and handed her a glass of wine, then kissed her temple. He looked to be a little older than her, maybe five or six years. Remus knew that he had never been one of his students when Remus was teaching.
"Hello," he said, holding out a hand to Remus. "Rolf Scamander."
"Remus Lupin," Remus said. "Scamander? Any relation to Newt?"
"He's my grandfather," Rolf said with a smile. He turned to Hermione who was still staring at him in shock. "You must be Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you." Remus nudged Hermione and she finally recovered herself, shaking Rolf's hand.
"Yes, I, erm, how did you know?"
"Luna has photographs of all her friends," he said.
"Oh. How did you two, I mean, when did this, erm," she trailed off, clearly still shocked.
"We met in a forest in the Carpathian Mountains if you can believe that," Rolf said with a smile. Actually, Remus could believe it. His parents had met a Welsh forest after all. "I was doing some investigating for my grandfather, I'm helping with his newest book, and Luna was doing her own research. We decided to travel together through the mountains and we just sort of stayed together after that. And now, well, here we are." Luna nodded in agreement and they smiled at each other.
"Well, congratulations," Hermione said, finally seeming to have recovered. "When Ginny said you had a surprise, this wasn't what I was expecting." Rolf laughed and Luna just smiled serenely.
"No, I imagine not," Rolf said.
Someone clapped Remus on the back and he turned to see Harry and Ginny behind them. They were followed quickly by Ron and Susan and then Neville, Seamus, and Dean. As introductions were made, Remus and Hermione moved to the side, along with Ginny who had seen Luna earlier in the week.
"Did you know?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"Not until I saw her a couple of days ago," Ginny said. "I went over to her dad's house to visit and Rolf was there."
"How long have they been together?" Hermione asked.
"Not long, less than six months, I think. He just proposed a couple of weeks ago." They all looked at Luna as she kissed Neville's cheek in greeting.
"Six months," Hermione repeated. Ginny nodded.
"You know Luna. She just knows things sometimes, doesn't she?"
"She does," Hermione agreed. Remus was watching her from the corner of his eye. She was still watching Luna and Rolf as they greeted Luna's friends. Remus was having a hard time reading the expression on Hermione's face. He couldn't tell if she approved or thought that Luna's engagement after only a few months was a terrible idea.
Talk shifted from Luna to other topics as the group around them got larger and Remus soon found himself separated from Hermione, standing between Harry and Neville instead. Someone had pressed a bottle of ale into his hand and he sipped at it, glancing around the room. It was getting a bit more crowded and a bit louder as more people arrived.
"Hermione told me you got the Defense job," Harry said. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Remus said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to it."
"You're going back to Hogwarts?" Neville asked. Remus nodded.
"Higgins is retiring and Minerva offered me the job last week."
"Well, I suppose we'll be colleagues then," Neville said, grinning when Harry choked on his ale. Remus looked at the younger man in surprise. "Professor Sprout offered me an apprenticeship. I'll take over for her when she retires in a few years."
"Congratulations, Neville," Remus said with a smile. It would be nice not being the youngest staff member in the castle."
"You're quitting the Aurors?" Harry asked, finally having found his voice.
"Put in my notice today," Neville said. "I'm moving to Hogwarts at the end of July."
"Who's moving to Hogwarts?" Ron asked as he walked up. He looked at Remus. "I thought Hermione said you were living in Hogsmeade?"
"Hogsmeade?" Neville questioned.
"I told Minerva I didn't think I wanted to raise Teddy in the castle. She offered me the use of her cottage in Hogsmeade."
"Who's moving to Hogwarts, then?" Ron asked again as Susan joined him.
"I thought you were living in Hogsmeade?" Susan said to Remus. He couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm moving to Hogwarts," Neville said, loud enough that Seamus and Dean, who were standing a bit behind them talking to Parvati and Padma, heard him.
"What are you moving to Hogwarts for?" Seamus called.
"I'm apprenticing with Professor Sprout. I'll eventually take over teaching for her."
"Good on you, mate," Dean said. The crowd of people around them had expanded, everyone congratulating Neville on his new job. Remus started a bit when he felt Hermione slide her hand into his.
"Hello," she said. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. When he looked up, he caught Parvati staring at them. His first instinct was to let go of Hermione, but he resisted it. Hermione was right. While it would be nice to get approval from everyone they knew, it wasn't likely. Remus had to accept that Hermione was sure when she said it didn't matter to her.
"Remus is going to be teaching again too," he heard Neville say and nearly as one, those that hadn't already known turned towards him.
"Defense?" Padma asked.
"Yes," Remus said, trying not to squirm under the scrutiny he was now under.
"Always were the best Defense professor we had," Seamus said, raising his glass of Firewhiskey in salute. More congratulations were passed around and everyone seemed to settle back into their own conversations. Remus caught Parvati looking at them again and this time she gave him a sad smile before turning back to her sister.
"All right?" Hermione asked when they were alone again. Or as alone as they could be with clusters of people around them.
"I'm fine, love," he said with a smile.
"Not as bad as you thought it would be?" He chuckled.
"No, it hasn't been." He glanced toward Parvati again. "Although, Parvati didn't seem overly keen."
"I don't think that's about us," Hermione said.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't believe I'm going to tell you this," she said, shaking her head with a little laugh. "Are you aware that there were more than a few girls that had a crush on you when you were a professor?"
"I might have heard something about it," he said, clearing his throat and shifting a bit in embarrassment.
"Well, Parvati and Lavender used to talk about how fit you were." Remus felt his cheeks heat and he purposely did not look in Parvati's direction.
"Hearing about you taking the Defense job likely reminded her. And since Lavender," Hermione trailed off and he squeezed her hand in support. "I think Parvati is probably just thinking about Lavender and remembering. She's always a bit down at gatherings like this. It's why Padma sticks so close to her instead of being with her own friends." Remus had noticed that the Ravenclaw hadn't left her sister's side since they walked in. The sad little smile that Parvati had given him made more sense now.
Remus looked at her again and saw that Dean and Seamus both had their arms around her. Seamus said something that made her turn and smack his shoulder, rolling her eyes at the same time. Seamus laughed and Dean shook his head at whatever Seamus had said. Parvati leaned her head against Dean's shoulder and he kissed the top of her head before squeezing Seamus' arm where it rested on her back. Remus was glad she seemed to have plenty of people looking out for her.
Harry rejoined the two of them, Ginny having walked off to talk to someone else. The three of them chatted for a few minutes until Hermione excused herself to use the loo. Remus leaned back against the wall, a bit relaxed by the ale he'd been drinking, and let his eyes roam around the room as he and Harry continued to talk.
Remus saw Hermione walk back into the room a few minutes later. He smiled at her as she walked towards them but frowned when a hand shot out and stopped her. She turned her head, looking a bit startled. Remus stared hard across the crowd, trying to figure out who had grabbed her, but there were a few people in his way. There was finally enough of a shift in the crowd that the other person's face came into view. Remus swallowed back a growl when he realized it was Goldstein.
Hermione was walking back from the loo when a hand shot out of the crowd and grasped her arm. She jumped in surprise, then looked to her left to see Anthony smiling at her.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi, Anthony," she replied. She'd seen him in passing a few times at the Ministry since they'd broken up last year, but they hadn't spoken. He was standing with Terry, Michael, and Sally-Anne, who Hermione said hello to before turning her attention back to Anthony.
"How have you been?" he asked.
"All right," she replied. "Bit of a crazy spring."
"Yeah, I saw that," he said.
"You're all right, aren't you?" Sally-Anne asked in concern. Hermione smiled. She always had been sweet.
"I'm fine, thanks," she said. "No permanent damage."
"That's good to hear," Anthony said. He took a sip of his drink and an awkward silence fell. Hermione glanced around, ready to excuse herself to find Remus when Terry spoke up.
"What about you and Professor Lupin?"
"Terry," Michael said, looking uncomfortable. Hermione ignored it. She knew that people would be curious.
"He's not a professor anymore. Well, actually, I guess he is again now." They all looked at her in confusion. Hermione laughed. "He just got rehired as the Defense professor."
"Oh, well, that's…nice for him," Terry said. Hermione's brow furrowed. She wasn't sure what was going on.
"What about Remus and me?" Anthony glanced at Terry looking nervous. Sally-Anne tugged on Michael's hand and with a muttered excuse, they walked away.
"It's just that, I wanted to make sure that you were…all right," Anthony finished lamely.
"I just said that I was," she replied completely puzzled.
"I wasn't talking about the attack."
"I don't under-" but Terry interrupted.
"You can't deny that Lupin had inappropriate feelings for you back when you and Anthony were dating."
"Inappropriate?" Hermione repeated, looking at Terry angrily. Anthony shot him a glare.
"It's just, I suspect that's why he was so angry with me that time he caught us snogging during N.E.W.T.S. I want to be sure that you aren't, that he hasn't," Anthony broke off and sighed. She got the impression that if Terry hadn't pushed the topic, Anthony wouldn't have brought it up. Then, he took a breath and looked her in the eye. "That you haven't been pushed into this relationship." Hermione was so shocked she didn't know what to say.
"He's much older than you, Hermione," Anthony continued.
"I'm aware of how old Remus is, thank you," she snapped, anger winning out over surprise. Anthony looked taken aback that she was upset.
"I'm just trying to-"
"I know what you're trying to do and you can just stop," Hermione said, keeping a lid on her anger by the slimmest of margins. "No one has forced me to do anything. Do you honestly think I would let something like that happen? Or my friends? Not to mention that Remus would never do anything like that."
"It's just not right, Hermione," Anthony continued. "That big of an age difference?" He shook his head. "What could you possibly have in common?"
"I'm aware that you have rather rigid opinions on the right and wrong of a lot of things," Hermione said, hand itching to grab her wand and hex him. "It's the main reason things didn't work out between us. Fortunately, most people aren't as inflexible as you. As for what we have in common, a hell of a lot more than you and I ever did." Anthony stiffened in anger and she saw Terry take a step forward out of the corner of her eye.
"That's taking things a bit far, don't you think?" Terry said.
"But telling me who I should and shouldn't date based on some ridiculous idea of age isn't?" she retorted.
"I'm just trying to tell you what I think," Anthony said.
"I don't really care what you think," she said with a shrug. "Either of you." She turned to leave, but Anthony grabbed her arm as Terry snorted in disdain.
"Hermione wait." She turned back to Anthony, furious now.
"Let go of me."
"Just listen," he said.
"I think I've listened for quite long enough," she said. She itched to draw her wand, but she didn't want to make more of a scene than they already were. She glanced once around the room. Those closest to them were watching avidly, although most people were still involved in their own conversations. Looking up, she saw Remus heading towards them.
"Hermione, please, I-"
"Anthony, mate, let it go," Michael said, walking up behind his friend and putting a hand on his shoulder. Anthony dropped her arm. Michael gave Hermione an apologetic look. She nodded, said a quiet good-bye to Sally-Anne and turned to find Remus standing in front of her.
"Are you all right?" he asked in concern.
"I'm fine," she said. "We were just talking."
"It didn't look like that to me," Remus said, glaring at Anthony. Terry took a step forward, but Sally-Anne stepped in front of him to stop him.
"Anthony was a little…overenthusiastic in trying to get me to listen to him. But I'm fine." Remus looked back and forth between the two of them. "Unfortunately for him, I couldn't care less what he has to say." She saw the initial flare of irritation in Anthony's eyes, but it died out the minute he realized Remus was still staring at him. She glanced over Remus' shoulder and saw Harry and Ron starting to walk towards them. She shook her head and they stopped. They were garnering more attention now. More people had stopped their conversations to try and figure out what was going on.
"Let's go back to Harry and Ginny," Hermione said to Remus, turning her back on Anthony completely. Remus stared over her shoulder for a few more seconds then nodded and turned with her. She wrapped her hand around his arm and led him across the room.
"You all right?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded.
"Anthony was just being an idiot." Ron snorted.
"Normal state of being for him, isn't it?"
"Ron," Hermione chastised, but she couldn't help the twitch of her lips. She felt Remus relax slightly.
"What did he want?" Ginny asked. Hermione glanced at Remus from the corner for her eye. She almost didn't reply, then remembered her promise from the day before.
"He wanted to express his disapproval of my dating Remus." Remus turned to look at her.
"Let me guess, that's not how things are supposed to be, right?" Ginny said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You know how he likes his rules and order," Hermione said with a sigh.
"Tosser," Ron said. "I'm guessing the rest of them agreed with him?"
"Just Terry, I think," Hermione said. "Although, I'm sure that has more to do with getting back at me for the break-up with Anthony than anything. Michael and Sally-Anne were trying to diffuse the situation." Hermione looked at Remus again. He didn't seem angry anymore, but he wasn't himself either. She needed to talk to him. She gave Ginny a look and the younger woman nodded.
"Harry, Ron, let's go get another round of drinks." She grabbed the two men by their elbows and led them away, leaving Hermione and Remus alone for the moment. Hermione pulled Remus back towards one of the tables and sat down, casting a Muffliato around them.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"I should be asking you that."
"I'm fine," she said.
"What did he say?"
"Just what I said. He doesn't approve."
"I want to know, Hermione." She sighed.
"He thinks you had feelings for me when I was dating him. And he thinks there's too much of an age difference," she said.
"Well, he's not wrong on one count at least."
"Remus," she said, a bit exasperated. "I'd thought we'd got over all of that."
"That's not what I'm talking about." Hermione stared at him in confusion for a moment. Then her eyes widened.
"You had feelings for me back then?" Remus looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Not that I admitted to myself at the time," he said. "But now that I look back on it." He glanced quickly at her, then away, as if he were worried about her reaction.
"Well, at least I know it wasn't one-sided," she said. Remus looked at her in surprise and she laughed. "I didn't admit it to myself either. Thought it was just a crush or something that I'd get over." She shrugged. He chuckled and took her hand in his.
"Did he say anything else?"
"No, that was his main sticking point." Remus shook his head.
"I'm sure he and Terry aren't the only people here that feel that way."
"You're probably right, but it doesn't really matter, does it?" Remus glanced around the room at the groups of people chatting with one another. Some of them sent surreptitious looks their way, but he was sure that had to do with being curious as to what the disagreement had been about. Those that Hermione was close to had accepted them already. Most of the rest hadn't seemed to mind one way or the other. Those that did, well, they weren't really friends of hers anyway. Not close friends at least.
He looked back at Hermione and while she smiled at him, he could see the worry in her eyes. He was sure that given the argument the other night, she was afraid he would tell her it did matter. He took a breath and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"No, it doesn't," he agreed. She smiled wider.
"Then let's forget about Anthony and just enjoy the rest of the night." He nodded, then kissed the back of her hand. Hermione smiled at him, dropping the privacy spell as Harry, Ron and Ginny returned with the drinks.
25 June 2000
The Burrow had quieted down a bit after the weekly Weasley family dinner. Remus had already gone home to put Teddy to bed and Hermione sat talking with Ginny, Luna, and Rolf.
"My grandfather was impressed with your House-Elf legislation," Rolf said.
"Oh, well, tell him thank you," Hermione replied, blushing slightly.
"He used to work in the House-Elf Relocation Office when he first graduated from Hogwarts."
"Really?" Rolf nodded.
"Hermione also wrote the new werewolf laws," Ginny said.
"Not by myself," Hermione said, blushing again.
"You wrote the initial proposal on your own," Ginny said.
"I don't remember your name being mentioned in the article I read about it," Rolf said in confusion.
"That's because I had my name taken off before the presentation was made," Hermione replied. "There was a conflict of interest."
"Remus is a werewolf," Luna said at Rolf's continued look of puzzlement. His eyes widened just slightly before he recovered himself.
"I'm surprised you didn't see the articles in the Prophet about us," Hermione said.
"I haven't been keeping up with it, to be honest. My granddad usually saves articles that have to do with creatures or creature rights. He showed them to me when we visited last week. I haven't actually read the paper itself in months."
"You're not missing much," Ginny said with a snort.
"Are you still in the DRCMC?" Rolf asked. Hermione shook her head.
"No, I moved to the Wizengamot Administrative Services. That's where I drafted the initial werewolf proposal."
"Nasty business about your old department head," Rolf said, shaking his head in disgust.
"He didn't get near the punishment he deserved." They sat in silence for a few moments.
"What are you working on now, Hermione?" Luna asked.
"Well, Kingsley, I mean the Minister, has asked us to start looking into some of the old laws that are biased in favor of Purebloods. I don't expect much cooperation from certain members in the current Wizengamot, but we're looking into the laws anyway."
"I thought you were doing that mental project," Ginny said. Hermione shook her head at her friend's description.
"Mental health, Gin. And I am, but it's a side project. Plus, it's pretty much stalled out." Hermione sighed. "What I really need is to find someone who's familiar with the magical world and the Muggle one. Which would point to a Half-blood or Muggle-born. Problem is, very few witches and wizards return to the Muggle world once they've left Hogwarts. I was hoping that maybe there was a Squib somewhere who was a therapist, but I have no idea how to go about looking."
"Therapist?" Rolf questioned. "Isn't that like a Healer for your mind?"
"Essentially, yes," Hermione said.
"My cousin does that." Hermione stared at him in shock.
"You have cousin that's a therapist," she repeated. Rolf nodded.
"He's my second cousin actually, but yes."
"Is he a wizard?" Hermione asked, still astounded at what she'd heard.
"Oh, no," Rolf said. "My great aunt Queenie, my grandmother's sister, married a No-Maj."
"A No-Maj?" Ginny questioned.
"Sorry, a Muggle. They're from the States, that's what they call Muggles there. I heard it so much growing up, I just use it sometimes. Anyway, Great Uncle Jacob was a Muggle. They had two children; their son is a wizard but their daughter doesn't have magic. None of her children do either, one of which is my cousin the therapist."
"So, your cousin lives in the States?" Hermione asked, excitement ebbing. She could still speak with him, but it was unlikely that she would be able to get him here to talk to Delia Wilkes.
"No, he lives in Manchester," Rolf said. "Uncle Jacob and Aunt Queenie weren't allowed to be together in the States, there was a law that forbade interaction between wizards and No-Maj's. After Granddad and Grandmother married and moved back to England, Aunt Queenie and Uncle Jacob followed so they could marry as well."
"So, does your cousin know about magic?"
"Of course," Rolf said. "In fact, one of his daughters is a witch." Hermione couldn't help the grin that formed on her face.
"Rolf, do you think he'd be willing to talk to me?"
"I don't see why not," Rolf said. "He's on holiday in France right now, but Luna and I are going there next week to visit. I can talk to him then."
"I'll be in Australia on my own holiday, but if he's willing to give me his phone number or even his address, I can speak with him as soon as I get back." Rolf nodded.
"And you're interested in speaking to him why exactly?"
"Right, sorry," Hermione said quickly giving him an overview of her Mind Healing project. She didn't mention Delia. Ginny was of a similar mind as Remus about the woman and Hermione didn't want to argue with the redhead right now.
"I'll let him know," Rolf said. "I'm sure he'd be interested in talking to you at least."
"Thank you so much, Rolf," Hermione said. She leaned forward impulsively and hugged him. He laughed when she released him.
"Sorry," she said. "It's just, for so long I thought I wouldn't be able to get this project off the ground. Having someone to talk to about it is a huge first step."
"Don't apologize," Rolf said. "I'm glad I could help." Hermione smiled at him again, nearly giddy with excitement. If Rolf's cousin was willing to help, this could be just what she needed to get the program started. The fact that his daughter was a witch would make it even easier to convince Margaret and Kingsley and whoever else she needed to that it was all right for him to be involved. Many at the Ministry would balk at a Muggle being involved in the magical world, but the father of a Muggle-born witch was a different story. Especially one that had the relatives he did. She couldn't wait to tell Remus.
Remus looked up, brow furrowed, as the Floo flared. He smiled when he saw Hermione's face appear, although he was a bit surprised that she was calling. When he'd left the Burrow, she hadn't said that she intended to leave anytime soon.
"I'm so glad you're still awake," she said, grin on her face. "I've got exciting news." Remus leaned forward on the couch, elbows propped on his knees.
"What's going on, love?"
"Can you come through?" she asked.
"Of course, let me just tell Andromeda and I'll be right over." Hermione nodded and disappeared from the fireplace.
"Was that the Floo?" Andromeda asked when Remus walked into the kitchen.
"Yes, Hermione apparently has some news. I'll just Apparate home if you want to reset the fireplace wards after I leave."
"Do not hurry back on my account," she said.
"I'll try to avoid the creaky stair like you did last night, or early this morning, rather," Remus replied dryly. Andromeda stared at him and Remus bit back a grin. This teasing could go both ways.
"How did you," she began, then trailed off shaking her head. "Werewolf hearing." Remus chuckled and kissed her cheek.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Her cheeks tinged pink. "I'll see you in the morning." Walking back into the living room, Remus dropped the wards from the fireplace and stepped through to Hermione's. He immediately found himself with an armful of witch.
"You'll never guess," she said, eyes shining in excitement, arms around his neck. He laughed, her enthusiasm infectious.
"You're probably right, so why don't you just tell me?" She dropped her arms and led him to the couch.
"Rolf has a cousin that's a therapist!" she blurted out, grin wide. Remus was stunned. Hermione had searched and never found a witch or a wizard that was a therapist or counselor. How had she missed it?
"I thought you'd looked everywhere to find a witch or wizard who was a therapist?"
"I did, he's not a wizard," she said, still grinning. "He's a Muggle." Remus' brow furrowed. He thought the Scamanders were Purebloods, albeit not Sacred Twenty-Eight, but Purebloods all the same. How did he have a Muggle cousin?
"Well, he's technically a Squib, I suppose," Hermione continued. "If a Squib marries a Muggle and their children don't have magic, are they Muggles or Squibs?
"Hermione, you've completely lost me," Remus said.
"Right, sorry," she said with a laugh. "Rolf's grandmother has a sister that married a Muggle." A look of understanding came over Remus' face as the pieces fell into place. "Their daughter is a Squib and none of her children have magic. So, it's Rolf's second cousin, actually. Anyway, he's a therapist and he lives in Manchester." She looked so thrilled that Remus didn't want to voice his doubt. If the man was a Muggle two generations removed from magic, he likely didn't know about it himself. Or shouldn't, at least, given the Statute of Secrecy.
"Hermione," he began, not wanting to be the one that disappointed her, although the fact that Rolf didn't tell her or that she hadn't figured it out herself confused him. Perhaps the Scamanders didn't adhere to the law as closely as they should. Still, if Hermione wanted to bring this man into the Ministry to possibly help her start a mental health program, there would be repercussions that Remus was sure she didn't want to come down on Rolf's family. The Ministry likely wouldn't even allow it.
"And we don't have to worry about the Statute of Secrecy because he has a daughter that's a witch," she said triumphantly.
"Hermione, that's," Remus trailed off unable to continue. She nodded vigorously.
"I know," she said. The grin hadn't left her face the entire time.
"I'm so happy for you, love," he said. She threw her arms around him again and kissed him rather thoroughly. When they parted, he smiled at her, tucking a curl behind her ear. "When are you going to speak to him?"
"He's on holiday right now, but Rolf and Luna are going to visit in a few days. There's a family vacation home in France somewhere. So, not until after we get back from Australia. And I don't know if he'll agree, of course, but if he does, Remus do you know what this means?"
"That you're once again going to single-handedly turn the Wizarding world on its ear?" he said with a smirk. Hermione slapped his chest and he laughed, gathering her to him again. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, slowly this time. She was nearly gasping when he released her. He rested his forehead against hers.
"I have no doubt that you'll be able to convince him and the Ministry and St. Mungo's and whoever else you need to get this program off the ground. You are, without a doubt, the most brilliant witch I have ever known." She stared at him for a moment before she threw herself back into his arms, pushing him onto his back. She straddled him and leaned down to kiss him again, her hair hanging in a curtain around their faces.
When she pulled back, she smiled down at him, then grasped the edge of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Remus' hands immediately went to her breasts and she leaned down to kiss him again. He somehow managed to roll them, not an easy feat on the couch without falling off, and they were both laughing as he hovered over her.
"I love you," he said. She smiled and reached up to pull him to her, hand on the back of his neck.
"I love you, too," she said before she kissed him again. Remus pulled his wand from his pocket and waved it over them, leaving them both bare, then cast the charm. Hermione's breath hitched as he began to kiss his way down her body.
Settling himself between her legs, he applied himself to his task until she was shrieking his name. He looked up at her and then made his way back up her body to kiss her. She rolled her eyes at his smug smile. They fluttered shut a moment later as he pushed into her.
He lavished her with kisses as he moved, picking up speed the closer he got to the edge. Hermione kissed him one more time as he shuddered against her, whispering her name into her neck. He collapsed against her, attempting to roll them to the side, but she held him tightly to her and he rested against her for a few minutes.
When he rolled them to the side, he kissed her temple and pulled her tightly to him, their legs still entangled. They laid there in silence, Remus' fingers tracing a path up and down her back, Hermione placing small kisses on his neck and chest every few moments. He closed his eyes, nuzzling his nose into her hair and thinking once again, how incredibly lucky he was.
1 July 2000
Remus stepped out of the Floo into an empty living room. Crookshanks looked at him indifferently from his place on the couch and went back to grooming himself.
"Hermione?" Remus called.
"Up here," she shouted. Remus climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor to her bedroom. An open case lay on her bed, but Hermione was nowhere to be seen. She looked as if she were almost done packing, the case was fairly full and there was a stack of books next to it.
There was a noise in the corridor and Remus turned. Hermione walked through the door, a bottle of shampoo and toothbrush and toothpaste in her hands.
"Hi," she said, setting everything down on the bed, then wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
"Hello," he replied with a smile when they parted.
"All packed?" she asked.
"Just finished. Andromeda is helping Teddy with his toys. He, of course, wants to bring everything he owns. Thank Merlin for shrinking charms." Hermione laughed and released him, walking over to her wardrobe to pull a few more things from it. As she placed them in her case, she looked up at him, biting her lip.
"Andromeda isn't upset, is she?"
"Why would she be?" Remus asked in confusion. "She's known about this holiday for quite a while."
"It's just, now that you're moving," Hermione said with a shrug. Remus stepped towards her and gently pulled her lip from her teeth.
"She's fine, love," he said. "She's been in better spirits this week, actually. I think she might be looking forward to having some time alone with Kingsley."
"Mm, alone time sounds wonderful," Hermione said with a sigh. They'd had little of it lately. Hermione had worked late every evening this week, trying to finish up a project before their holiday. Remus had been busy as well, starting to gather together his lesson plans for next year. He had met with Angus and was happy to see that the curriculum had been steady the last two years, with minor adjustments based on each class's performance and knowledge. Knowing how difficult the task must have been given the fact that some students repeated the year after the war, while others moved ahead even if they weren't ready, Remus was impressed the Angus had managed as well as he had. Remus knew that he would have to be sure that those taking O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. had all the knowledge they needed but didn't think it would be as difficult a task as it had been the last time he'd taught. Following Quirrell and Lockhart, things had been much more disjointed.
Plus, Remus had also been spending more time with Will, wanting to make sure that the boy was completely ready to start Hogwarts in September. Will had already gotten his letter and had applied himself even more vigorously to his lessons knowing that he'd be allowed to go to Hogwarts for certain.
"Not that I'm complaining, but why are you here anyway?" Hermione asked. "I thought we were going to meet at the Ministry."
"I wanted to double-check the time of our Portkey," he said.
"I told you that about five times," she said with a smirk, letting him know she didn't believe a word he said.
"Did you?" he replied innocently. "Must have slipped my mind." He leaned down to kiss her again. He hadn't been exaggerating about having time alone with her. He hadn't done more than quickly kiss her since last Sunday. And the more he thought about it, he wondered just how much alone time they would have in Australia with Teddy in tow. Not to mention that they were staying at her parents' house, which didn't bode well for more amorous activities. Even with silencing charms, Remus would feel strange about it.
Unfortunately, they didn't have the time now either. Their Portkey left in a little over a half hour and he still had to get home and pick up Teddy and their luggage. Given he had just seen the cat downstairs, Hermione still had to take Crookshanks to Grimmauld Place as well.
"Remus," she said, as he moved from her lips to her neck. "We don't have time." She sounded just as disappointed as he was. He sighed.
"I know, love. I've just missed you this week."
"I've missed you too, but you have me every day for the next five," she said, putting a hand on his cheek. "And did I mention my parents offered to mind Teddy one night so we could go out by ourselves?"
"You did not," he said with a smile. She returned it, then kissed him once more.
"All right," she said as she pulled away from him. He went to grab her arm, but she danced out of his reach, laughing. "You need to go home and get Teddy and I've got to finish this." She indicated the things on the bed. "And then take Crooks to Grimmauld. I'll meet you at the Ministry."
"All right," he agreed, not happy about it, but knowing they had no other choice. He managed to catch her long enough to kiss her one last time, smirking when she was nearly breathless after, and then left her to her packing.
When he reached the living room, he grabbed the Floo powder from the mantel. Before he threw it in, he glanced up the stairs, wishing again that they could be together all the time. Shaking his head, he threw in the powder and stepped into the Floo, whisked back to his house.
Hermione stumbled when they landed in Sydney, her breakfast threatening to make a reappearance. It was just as bad as it had been when she'd come here every other time. Remus grasped her arm in concern and led her to a chair along the wall. She sat down, resting her head against the wall behind her and closing her eyes.
"My-nee seepin', Daddy?" Teddy asked.
"She's not sleeping," Remus said, sitting down next to her. Hermione opened her eyes, suddenly concerned about Teddy. If she were feeling this badly, surely, he was ill as well. The little boy looked perfectly fine, however, no hint of nausea at all. None for Remus either, for that matter.
"Are you all right, love?" Remus asked.
"Peachy," she grumbled. Then, she huffed out a breath. "How is it that the two of you are perfectly fine and I'm afraid we're about to revisit my toast and eggs?" Remus chuckled.
"We Lupin men must just be made of stronger stuff," he teased. She rolled her eyes before she closed them again.
"Daddy, we go?" Teddy asked as the room began to empty of people.
"Let's just give Hermione a few more minutes, all right?" Remus said. Hermione opened her eyes to see him glance at his watch.
"It's only fifteen minutes until our Portkey to Melbourne," he said. "I can see when the next one is, if you don't think you'll be up to it." She shook her head.
"There's not another one until tomorrow morning," she said. "I checked when I made the reservation."
"We should have taken an airplane," she muttered under her breath. She'd strongly considered it when they first began discussing the trip. Knowing that Remus likely wouldn't be able to afford it, nor would he want her to pay for it, she hadn't even suggested it. But now, she was wishing she had.
"Almost twenty-four hours on an airplane with this one," Remus said indicating Teddy, "does not sound pleasant." Hermione laughed.
"I suppose not." She sat up straighter, the rolling of her stomach finally stopping. "Although, taking another Portkey doesn't sound very enticing either."
"It's a much shorter trip this time," Remus reminded her. "Did you have this much trouble when you went to the World Cup."
"No," Hermione admitted. "Nor when I went to France."
"You'll be fine, love," he said, kissing the top of her head. He stood and held out his free hand to her. Hermione grasped it and he pulled her to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned down to quickly kiss her. Teddy ignored them in favor of watching a woman with a large bird on her hat.
"Dat's birdie, Daddy," Teddy said rather loudly, pointing to the woman's hat. The woman turned around and gave him an indulgent smile. Remus gently pushed Teddy's arm down.
"Yes, it is," Remus agreed. "But it's not polite to point."
"You see, My-nee?"
"I do," Hermione said, smiling at the little boy.
"Me walk," Teddy said. Remus shook his head.
"Not right now. We have to take another Portkey."
"We'd better find our next station," Hermione said, slipping a hand through Remus' free arm. They walked out of the room into the Portkey office and she inquired at the counter about their Portkey to Melbourne.
"Ten minutes," the wizard behind the counter said. "Just wait right there." He indicated a row of seats on the opposite wall and the three of them walked over to sit down. Teddy immediately squirmed to be put down and Remus allowed him with the admonition to stay close to them.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Remus asked as Teddy began to flip through a magazine lying on one of the tables nearby. Hermione nodded.
"It's passed," she said. "It's been like this every time I've come to visit."
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" She shrugged.
"I suppose I'm always hoping that it will get better the more often I do it." He shook his head and put an arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. They sat quietly, watching Teddy until they were called for the next Portkey.
"Oh, we're so happy you're here," her mum said as she hugged her. Her dad was shaking Remus' hand and smiling at Teddy. The little boy laid his head on Remus' shoulder and looked up solemnly at Hermione's father. Hermione hugged her dad, as her mum moved to Remus. She gave him a quick hug, then stepped back and looked at Teddy.
"And this must be Teddy." Teddy gripped the front of Remus' shirt.
"Teddy, this is Hermione's mum and dad, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Remus said. "Can you say hello?" Teddy gave them a little wave and Hermione could see her mother's heart melt.
"Hello, Teddy, it's very nice to meet you," her mum said. "My name is Jean and this is Richard."
"Hi, Teddy," her dad said. Teddy looked back and forth between the two new adults, but still said nothing.
"He's a little shy around people he doesn't know," Hermione said.
"Oh, that's quite all right," her mum said. "Hermione was the same way, you know."
"Mum," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, you were, sweetheart. I remember when you hid behind your father's legs the entire time we were at the Stewart's for the first time." The Stewarts were her parents' oldest friends and Hermione couldn't remember a time that she hadn't known them. Apparently, there had been. Remus chuckled.
"Now, I know it's still the middle of the morning for all of you, but I've got a few snacks if you're hungry," her mum said. Teddy perked up at the word snacks and Hermione smothered a laugh.
"That sounds great, Mum," Hermione said. "We'll just go put our things away first."
"All right," her mother said. "Oh, I borrowed one of those portable cots from our neighbor that has grandchildren. It's set up in the guest room for you, Remus." Hermione looked at her mother in confusion. She had assumed that Teddy would be in the den, not in the guest room with Hermione and Remus. "Hermione, you're in your father's den. We didn't pull out the sofa bed yet. I didn't know if you'd want to sleep on that or just change it to a regular bed with magic." Her mum smiled and then went into the kitchen. Hermione looked at her father, who was studiously avoiding her gaze.
"Dad?" she said. He sighed.
"This is between you and your mother, Hermione," he said. She opened her mouth to protest but closed it again at the look on his face.
"Can you at least show Remus where the guest room is?" she said, annoyed with both her parents.
"Of course," her dad replied. Hermione caught Remus' eye. 'I'm sorry' she mouthed, but he just smiled at her and followed her dad down the corridor.
"Mum," Hermione said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Don't play innocent with me, Mum," Hermione said, irritated. "Why am I in the den instead of the guest room with Remus?"
"I would have thought that was rather obvious," her mum said, busying herself getting something out of the ice box.
"Enlighten me," Hermione said, crossing her arms in front of her. Her mother looked at her as she stood and set a bowl on the counter.
"Hermione, you're not married."
"So?"
"So, you won't be sharing a bed with Remus under my roof until you are." Hermione gaped at her mother.
"Are you having me on?"
"No, I'm not."
"This is ridiculous."
"I'm sorry that you feel that way," her mum said.
"Mum, I'm twenty years old!"
"I don't see what age has to do with it."
"You can't possibly think that we haven't slept together."
"What you do on your own time is your business," her mother said. "My house, my rules." Hermione ground her teeth together in frustration. That had been her mother's favorite saying when she was growing up whenever Hermione complained about not getting to do something other children her age were doing. "And don't grind your teeth." Hermione stared at her mother for a few more seconds, then stomped out of the kitchen. This was the most ludicrous thing she had ever heard.
"Daddy," she said as she met her father coming back from the bedrooms.
"Don't 'daddy' me, Hermione," he said with a sigh. "I'm not going to fight your mother on this."
"Why not?"
"Because it isn't worth it," he said. "Not to mention that my little girl sharing a bed with her boyfriend isn't something I want to think about." She rolled her eyes.
"I'm an adult, Dad."
"Really?" he said looking at her as she stood with her arms crossed and a defiant look on her face. "Because you certainly aren't acting like one right now." He smiled at her and patted her shoulder as he walked past. Hermione glared at his back and then stalked off towards the guest room.
When she stepped inside, Remus had already enlarged his luggage and was unpacking. Teddy's toys had been restored to their usual size and he was playing on the floor. He looked up and grinned at her when she stepped into the room. She smiled back and turned to Remus.
"Stop unpacking," she said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because we're going to a hotel." He looked at her for a moment before he sighed. He stepped away from the bed and wrapped his arms around her.
"What did your mother say?"
"Some rubbish about us not sharing a bed until we're married."
"We're not going to a hotel."
"Why on earth not?" she asked. Remus glanced at Teddy and lowered his voice.
"Hermione, this is your parents' house. They have every right to set whatever rules they like. I'm not going to argue with them."
"Even if you don't agree?" He stared at her for a few moments.
"Even if I don't agree." She sighed and rested her forehead against his chest. "It's only five days, love."
"I know," she mumbled. "But I feel like they're treating us like children." He tipped her chin up so she was looking at him.
"Listen to me," he said. "We're on holiday and I want us to enjoy it. I want to get to know your parents better. Don't let this one small thing ruin it." She stared at him for a few moments before she nodded. He leaned down and kissed her.
"Maybe it's better this way," he said. She looked at him quizzically when she saw the twin spots of color on his cheeks. He glanced at Teddy again and lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'm not sure I could shag you with your parents right next door." She laughed even as she blushed, then kissed him again.
"Maybe you're right," she said. "I was looking forward to just sleeping next to you though."
"Me too," he said. There was a peculiar look in his eye, but when she tried to figure out what it was, it disappeared.
"Daddy," Teddy said and they looked over to where the little boy sat. "Me has nack?" Hermione laughed and walked over to him, scooping him up off the floor.
"Let's go see what my mum has for you," she said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her suitcase. "We'll put this in my room and then we'll get something to eat, okay?" Teddy nodded enthusiastically and Hermione turned to smile at Remus before she left the room.