Remus stood in shock and disbelief. Something was wrong and he actually feared for his own sanity. He stood there, in the all too familiar kitchen, wondering what in the hell had just happened to him. Only moments ago, he had left his room; leaving his fully clothed wife, with whom he had not had sex with in quite a while, in their bed. Now, however, he was standing in the kitchen he vaguely remembered entering and it reeked of recent sex. The scent filled his nostrils and flowed through his body like an aphrodisiac, causing him to harden instantly. Whoever had been in here, he mused, smelled like heaven.

He quickly turned around and walked upstairs, trying desperately to shake off the strangeness of the situation. Assuming a cold shower would help his 'problem', he made his way to the bathroom in the hallway, so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realize the door was shut and the room occupied. He absentmindedly turned the knob and pushed the door open.

"Remus!" she hissed, making him jerk his head up and his eyes widen. He noticed she stared at his eyes, but then he noticed the rest of her--all of her.

Damn it, if he wasn't rock hard before, he certainly was now! Hermione stood at the counter, wrapped in nothing but a towel as she used a second one to dry her hair. She grinned up at him while he tried to stammer an apology.

"It's quite alright, Remus, you just startled me is all. I thought everyone else was asleep and when I spilled tea all over myself, I had to take another shower," she lied. It's not like she could actually come right out and say, 'I fucked your wolf and had to take a shower so you couldn't smell yourself on me.' That would seem a bit strange, she thought.

He blushed and she smiled at the sweetness of it. "Um, yea, I couldn't sleep so I thought a shower would help. I…I'll just leave now."

"Don't be silly," she chided. She grinned at him mischievously, eyes raking across his naked chest as she licked her lips and replied sweetly, "I won't look."

"Hermione, I hardly think that's appropriate," he said in shock.

Her laughter filled his ears as the scent of her shower filled his nostrils, making them flare in response and he tried to hide his erection. Being attracted to another woman was not what he wanted, especially if it was Hermione--the one the wolf hated.

'Smell her. She doesn't even use the perfumes that other witches bother themselves with. She's just natural. Can you smell her?'

He bit back his sharp reply and watched as Hermione clutched her towel and walked up to him. "It's all yours," she said coyly, and if he wasn't so aroused he would have missed the unintentional innuendo as he stared at the drops of water across her shoulders. A small scar that he had never seen was on her shoulder, but instead of looking at it, he closed his eyes and waited for her to slip past him. When her hip grazed his, he hoped she didn't hear his sharp intake of breath. Whatever was going on, or not going on, between them, he knew he had to stay away from her. The thought was solidified the second his hand almost reached out to wrap around her waist. His unexplained thoughts and actions were simply insane.

He turned on the shower and stepped out of his pants, wondering briefly why he didn't feel right. It reminded him of the days when he had went underground with the other werewolves and a quick Scourgify was all he could manage to clean himself at times. Nothing felt quite like a shower though, no matter how cold it needed to be.

His hands were braced against the wall as the freezing water poured over his body, eliciting chill bumps, but having no other effect otherwise. He was still rock hard after the smell in the kitchen, and taking a shower after Hermione wasn't helping.

'Do you smell her soap? Can you imagine the way she must look while she bathes her young body? Suds sliding down between her breasts, along her flat stomach, and down…'

'SHUT UP! Just shut up!'

'Angry, human? I was just asking a question. It's not as though you can hide things from me.'

'If you hate her so much, why do you taunt me with her? Why can't you just leave it alone?'

A chuckle was his only response and he slammed the water off and quickly dried himself, before going back to his room and crawling in bed with his wife. His wife…the woman he loved, wanted, and the only one he needed. Somewhere deep down he heard the wolf laugh at him, mocking him.

Hermione looked up sharply at the sound of banging coming from across the table only to laugh out loud at what she saw. Remus, in his frustration, had suddenly taken to banging his head on the table.

"I have a headache potion in my room you might be able to use later," she laughed.

His eyes snapped up to hers at the mention of her room, but then he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm just really frustrated."

"We've only just really started, Remus. Surely you're not that frustrated already." Her smile slipped a little as she looked at him questioningly.

He assessed her for a moment before replying. "No, it's not just this. Sorry, I really shouldn't bring other things in here. We're working for a good cause…I hope, and I need to concentrate."

"Yes, you do. A lot could go wrong with what we're planning and you need to stay focused. But I'm here if you want to talk about other things."

"Thanks," he murmured, "but I'll be fine." He couldn't exactly tell her that she was driving him crazy; that would be rude. More rude would be telling her that he actually wanted to take her, right there on this very table, vows and wolf be damned, and the guilt was eating at him. "I think Dora and I will be moving out soon," he said suddenly.

"What?! Why?"

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "It's just not working here. I don't know what the problem is for sure, but I think it would be best if we got our own place."

Hermione's heart beat out of her chest and she was certain her face was showing her feelings. She tried to keep her face blank and listen to him, knowing that this is what Moony was trying to tell her last night. "Have you talked to Sirius about this? He'll be devastated if you leave." Quietly she added, "We all will be."

His eyes narrowed momentarily before he responded. "No, I've not even told Dora yet. I just don't know what she wants, I guess I never have. All I know is that right now, something's not working. She blames the fact that we haven't had kids on me as well." Remus was shocked at his own admission. He had just bared his heart to her and had no idea why. She was the one person he wanted to keep at arms length and yet, here he was, spilling his inner most thoughts to her.

"Oh honestly, Remus," she said, surprising him with her anger. "You cannot be serious about this. You're leaving everyone you love, everyone who loves you, because your wife isn't happy? She's never happy, Remus, she never has been, and it has nothing to do with you. Sirius was right, you both only pretend to be happy and everyone can see that but you."

Anger bubbled inside of him. Why her? It was bad enough he had to spend so much time with her, but now she was going to insult him as well? "Had I wanted to be insulted, Hermione, I doubt I could have found someone more willing to do the job," he spat, and then watched as her face fell.

She stood up and walked around the table to him, crouching down so that she was only a bit shorter than him. "I'm truly sorry, Remus. Insulting you was never my intention," she said, leaning over to cup his cheeks. "But you deserve better. I hate seeing you so unhappy, but the thought of not seeing you at all is even worse. You are the one that holds us all together, Remus. You keep the boys in line and you're always there for me and even Daphne as of late. I guess I've just come to rely on you and when you said you were leaving, I overreacted. I shouldn't have. You'll do what's best; you always do."

His gaze softened as he looked at her and then he gently brushed a lock of hair from her face. Her hands slid down his cheeks to his neck and settled on his chest. They stared at each other intently until their close proximity registered and they pulled apart. "Thank you for that, Hermione," he said softly.

Both pulled books closer to them, ignoring the other as they studied tombs and tombs of books about lost souls and such. Each made notes where they saw fit and it would be up to her to compile the list of notes and see what else could be done with the veil. Sirius coming back was miraculous enough, but if they could free all the souls, she firmly believed it would help him to heal. She knew his drinking binges had little to do with women and a significant amount to do with realizing he had survived the veil when many others had not. Survivor's guilt. Finding an in-depth section, she continued to take notes, overlooking Remus' restless movements that is, until he spoke to her…his voice raspy.

"I want you," he said simply, making her smile as she continued to look at her book. He stood up and walked over to her. "I want to throw you on top of this table and fuck your delicious body until you can no longer walk," he rasped, sending shivers along her skin as she continued to smile and look at her book. Soon, his fingers brushed her neck as he moved her hair out of the way and lowered his mouth to her skin. Growling softly at her, he continued, "I want to taste you, mate. Lick your enchanting little body until you scream my name." And it could happen; they had been left alone in the house for hours, with many hours left to go. "I smell your desire and yet you continue to toy with me."

She gasped when he jerked her head back and ravished her mouth with his own, slowly drawing her up to stand before him. "I cannot be ignored," he said hungrily. Her whimper was lost in his mouth when his tongue attacked hers.

"You want me?" she asked innocently, pushing him back slowly until his knees hit the sofa and he sat down, pulling her on top of him.

"Always," he murmured against her neck. "I find I can't get enough of you."

"Mmmm," she moaned, concentrating on the voice and not the fact that it was Remus' neck she was slipping her arms around as she straddled him. His hands skimmed up her hips, his lips never leaving her tender flesh as he slowly raised her shirt over her ribs and then her breasts. His fingers feathered against her hot skin and she ground herself into his erection.

"My perfect mate," he growled, throwing her shirt to the side and lowering his head to her mark. He licked her gently, and then slowly made his way to her breasts, tearing her bra from her body. His teeth grazed her flesh and she threw her head back in ecstasy, moaning and begging for more. When his arm wrapped around her and pulled her even closer to him, she felt her knickers soaking through to her jeans. She held his head close to her, thankful for the gift Moony was giving her and trying desperately not to hate herself for taking advantage of the man.

"He wants you as well, mate, and before this is over, you will have us both," he said, his voice rough as he read her mood and quickly flipped her over onto her back. His lips blazed a trail down her stomach and his hands quickly undid the snap of her pants. He looked at her hungrily and she felt bare to her very core. The fabric slid down her hips and legs, landing on the floor with her shirt and leaving her naked before him. Rough hands skimmed her calf muscles, then her thighs. He gently parted her legs and knelt between them, his tongue following the path his hands had just taken.

Her body shuddered at his gentle touch and when he lifted her leg to lay on his shoulder, her eyes met his and held. He held her gaze even when his tongue skimmed her calf and his hands splayed once more along her thigh, holding her close and making her entire body flush with desire while her hands grabbed the cushion tightly. When his finger grazed her curls and softly pinched her clit, he held her gaze, keeping her a prisoner of her own yearnings. Her hips bucked slightly and she whimpered in need when his finger slowly slid inside of her. Amber eyes bored into her very heart. Another finger slid in her tight heat and he moved them slowly in and out of her, watching in awe as she writhed beneath him. His thumb brushed her clit…once, twice…desire and need tightening the coils of her body until she thought she would explode. One more brush of his thumb, amber eyes holding her own, and she was gone. Her body convulsed, tightening around his fingers as she threw her head back and screamed his name in ecstasy.

When she regained her senses, he was standing before her naked. For the first time, she saw the man in all his glorious nudity and was dumbstruck. Lithe and strong muscles rippled gently under pale and scarred flesh. His legs were lean and with Moony in control, he brimmed with confidence and a touch of arrogance. When she looked at his erection, she was taken aback by the sheer beauty and amazed that her body could accommodate him. Simply put, Remus Lupin was the sexiest man she had ever seen.

Rising up, she stroked his erection with her fingers, reveling in the way his body shivered at her touch. Her touch was soft, but sure. Flicking her tongue over the tip of his cock, she slowly lapped the liquid away before taking him into her hot mouth. He moaned loudly, cupping her head in his hands and pulling her to him, directing her movements as she sucked his thick cock with abandon.

"Gods yes!" he growled, watching as her head bobbed up and down and the most amazing sensations flooded his body. When her free hand cupped his balls gently, his growl grew louder. "Stop," he hissed, pulling her head back and looking into her confused face. "If you continue that wonderful display, this will be over much too soon. Do not forget, my animal tendencies are very strong."

She smirked up at him, taunting him for his lack of control. Quickly, he pushed her down on the sofa and covered her body with his own. "Ah, my beautiful mate, do you think this is nothing more than a bit of harmless fun?" he asked, licking and nipping her pulse point while she shook her head in response. "I wasn't lying when I said you were mine. Mine to do with as I please," he murmured against her breast, suckling her nipple and making her cry out in pleasure, "Whenever I please."

He spread her legs and slid between them, the tip of his cock brushing against her wet skin before slowly sliding inside of her. The torture was maddening bliss and she wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him forward to take her completely.

Without hesitation, he complied, thrusting his hips forward and sheathing himself in her tight passage. "Mine," he moaned softly against her ear. Her arms came around his neck and she met his thrusts with her own. Time seemed to stop and they moved with each other slowly at first, teasingly, then with an urgency neither could deny. "Fuck," he hissed, one hand resting by her head and the other cupping her breast roughly as he licked and suckled its' twin. "So perfect," he moaned, thrusting faster and faster. His head came up to hers and his hand skimmed down to her hip, holding her still as he pounded into her relentlessly.

Hermione felt the fire burning within her body, felt the waves of desire wash over her and pool in her center as every muscle tightened. All feelings were overshadowed by her need for the wolf above her and once again, their eyes met and held.

His voice was gravelly and rough as sandpaper when he spoke, but his intention was clear. "I want to watch as you come undone beneath me. I want to see your beautiful face flush from the pleasure I give you. I want to know that you realize it's my cock inside your willing body and no one else's. And I want you to realize that no one but me will ever fuck you like this ever again."

His possessiveness should have angered her, but instead she found herself responding to his words with wantonness. And then…the fireworks exploded, the coils snapped, and the heat flew around her body; engulfing her tight muscles as they strained against each other and his thrusts continued. "Come for me, mate, show me that it's me you'll think of every night." And she did. Eyes locked, she screamed his name as her second orgasm rocked every inch of her body and her muscles pulled him inside her with a vise-like grip, milking the seed from his body. He threw his head back and his sudden howl surprised her, but sent her body shaking and convulsing in another strong orgasm that followed right behind the last.

He collapsed on top of her, both shaking and weak and neither wanting to move from their tight embrace.

"My gods, you're amazing," she breathed when she finally came to her senses.

His light chuckle met her ears and she looked over at him, his head cradled beside her neck as his tongue lightly traced her mark. "The wolf is only as intelligent as the man and only as gifted as well," he said, making her laugh at his response as she held him to her.

"I never expected to find my mate," he said after a moment, "and I'm honored to know that you are her."

"Thank you," she said softly.

He leaned up on his elbows then; his limp cock fell from her body as he lightly traced her face, neck, and breasts. "The full moon comes soon."

A sad smile graced his face and it confused her. "I thought that would make you happy. The one night a month you're allowed to be…free."

"I could be free at any time, just as I am now, if the human would only accept me, accept what he is."

"He's scared you'll hurt someone he loves," she said softly.

"I won't hurt anyone unless they give me reason to, especially now that I found the one that completes me."

She smiled at what he said, slowly coming to realize what the wolf was really about. Was it possible the 'monster' wasn't a really a monster after all?

He nuzzled her neck once more, licking her scar and whimpering lightly. "What is it?" she asked concerned, pulling him up so she could see the pained expression on his face. "What's wrong? Tell me."

For the first time, he refused to meet her eyes. "You make a potion," he finally said, "that hurts me. The human takes it, but it's me that it hurts. The first couple of days are bearable, but then the pain becomes worse. It weakens me, dulls me, and I become a shell of myself."

Actual guilt tore through Hermione's heart as she looked at him. "Don't feel guilty, mate, you didn't know."

Then she smiled at him, gently stroking his scarred cheek. "No, I didn't know, but I do now. I won't hurt you, love, not any more. As long as you promise not to hurt Remus."

Gratitude flashed through his eyes and he slowly nodded his head. "The transformations can be relatively painless. I will see to it."

She pulled his head down and kissed him then, lovingly, longingly. He drew back and stood up, bringing her up with him as well. "You must get dressed; I can't hold him off much longer. The happier I am with you, the less I can resist his control. He doesn't know, Hermione, he doesn't understand what is at stake."

She shivered at his voice, loving the way it washed over her, caressed her like his hands had mere moments ago. "What doesn't he understand?"

"Without you, my beautiful mate," he rasped, his hand cupping her cheek in a loving manner, "we will slowly die. It happens to us all at some point if we can't find our mate, so he must accept you as well. He was raised with humans, by humans, so he doesn't understand these things. We must make him accept you or you will be burying our body, instead of bearing our children."

"Children? But Remus said it was his fault they couldn't have children."

"Ah, he does not understand many things and that is only what that woman told him, but it is not the truth. It is I who chooses our mate and it is I who allows conception. That woman," he spat, "will never bear our children. That pleasure is yours alone."

"Amazing," she sighed, reveling in the knowledge she was gaining from the wolf before her.

"You must hurry," he said urgently.

She put her clothes back on, smiling slightly when she noticed him tucking her knickers into his pocket. "Better not let her see those," she chuckled, laughing when he growled at her retreating back.