"Behind Closed Doors" By Kross

A/n: I don't own Harry Potter…I simply enjoy using the characters conjured up J.K. Rowling for my own sweet pleasure.

NOTE: There was some confusion in the last chapter for readers who had not gotten around to reading the fifth and sixth books. Kreacher is a house elf who Harry inherited from the Black family. Because Kreacher belongs to Harry, he has to obey his every command (like Dobby had to obey all of the Malfoys' demands). Additionally, Kreacher hates muggle-born or blood-traitor witches and wizards.

Pairing: Hermione/Ron and Hermione/Mystery man

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Hermione heard the door stick in its frame. There was a dull, wood on wood noise that reverberated in her ears. The noise reminded her of being beneath water, like resting on the bottom of a rippling pool while someone yelled to get her attention in the distance. She rose up on her feet, reaching out to the door. There was a quiet thump noise, and the door slid open. A cool air burst in, immediately lowering the temperature in the room.

He stood with his back to the door. He closed the door behind him without taking his eyes off of Hermione's naked form. He waited for the surprise to find its way into her eyes; he waited for her to yelp in embarrassment. His back pressed against the door. He stood calmly there, waiting for her to move. Hermione's large eyes looked back at him, momentarily stunned, like a deer in headlights. She blinked once and then twice before moving. She slowly backed away from him, on and up under her covers.

"I'm sorry to have encroached like this," He said slowly. "I didn't know you would be…like that." His cheeks shimmered with a light blush.

"I should have locked the door." She answered swiftly, trying to take the blame away from him.

"I came to see the baby," He whispered. "…If I'm allowed."

"Babies." She corrected. "They're twins."

"Incredible…"His mouth gaped open slightly. "I should have guessed when I saw how large your belly was, yesterday." He was still a deep shade of pink.

"Remus, don't be embarrassed about this…whole…situation." She said, speaking of him walking in on her naked. "I'm almost entirely belly. There's nothing attractive to see, anyway."

He didn't speak. If he contradicted her, it would seem inappropriate. If he agreed, she would feel hurt.

"I had to come." He said after a deep breath. "I had to see how you were doing."

"You worry too much, Remus." She laughed quietly as she pulled the covers higher on her body. "I'm in good hands, everyone's looking after me."

"Your belly shakes when you laugh." He smiled widely. It made her laugh even harder. "Good Lord…" he said, seeing a picture of Sirius Black on the mantelpiece.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" She seethed, wanting to stand and take it down. She couldn't get up, for fear of embarrassing Remus again. "I…it…shouldn't be there."

"I never got a chance to tell him…" She could see the tears in the corners of his eyes.

"Tell him what, Remus?" She asked, knowingly.

"That I loved him." He whimpered. "I really did love him. He was like a brother to me. He was my best friend. He was…my lover."

"I'm sure he loved you, too, Remus." Hermione was quick to add, hoping to stave off his sadness.

"I'm never going to let that happen again." He interjected, sternly.

"Let what happen, Remus?" She asked.

He moved forward, towards her. He bent over her, looking her in the eyes. A tear dripped from his right eye, sliding across his cheek and down his neck. Another dropped from his left eye, landing on her jaw line.

His eyes sparkled with tears that he could no longer hold back. She could hear the breaths catch in his throat and see the tension in his chest. "Remus…" she whispered up to him.

He stood again, grabbing up the edge of the covers she held in her hand. Hermione yelped as he whipped them back, down toward the foot of the bed. She was naked, exposed. She looked up at him fearfully. His lower lip quivered as he sighed out, telling Hermione that she was beautiful. He dropped, suddenly, to his knees. He bent over her belly, kissing her skin tenderly. His hands gently caressed her pregnant stomach.

He cried into her skin, letting tears fall from his eyes onto her flesh.

"I won't let it happen again, Hermione." He sobbed quietly out. "I won't miss out on the chance to tell someone I love them."

She couldn't speak. It felt right.

"Remus…" She whispered.

"Hermione…These babies are mine. I was the one who sneaked into your room that night, before you'd even made love to Ron. That was ten weeks ago, almost to the day."

"Why wouldn't you have told me?" She cried, now, too. "I told Ron he was the father…I didn't know who it was!"

"You can't marry him, Hermione." Remus cried out. "These are our children. They're my children! I want to raise my babies…I won't let them go throughout life without the love of their father!"

The last word struck Hermione like a battle axe. He was their father. There was no more guessing, no more suspecting. No more dream future with Ron. Remus Lupin was the father of her children. A man who was old enough to be her own father. A man who was now crying into her pregnant belly. It made sense. She thought her lover was familiar. Remus was someone she saw so often he was a permanent fixture in her life. He fit the description. Bearded with curling hair, soft eyes and a strong body. His voice was deep, smooth and inviting. She wondered why she hadn't seen it all along. She wondered what she would do now.

"What will we do now, Remus?" She inquired, slowly. "Will you be their father?"

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So, now you know. Are you disappointed? Are you pleased? Please continue to Read and review. The story is by no means over.

Meg