Their shopping completed, Hermione and Remus dragged their bags up the steps to their house. Hermione started to unpack Harry and Ron's gifts.
"Remus, can you find the wrapping paper? I left a roll of it in the closet I think."
Remus started digging through the closet, found nothing, and headed upstairs to check Hermione's study. Hermione had just finished unpacking all the bag when an owl thudded against the window. Hermione ran over to let it in.
"Who made you deliver mail in this weather? And who are you from?"
The owl dropped the letter and flew off. The letter was addressed to her, sealed with a Ministry insignia. It wasn't unusual to get Ministry mail, although she was no longer officially employed, she still offered advice to those in her office during her one year leave. Interviews and reporters also mailed her, Harry, and Ron frequently looking for an interview or a press opportunity. Hermione had written up default letters she then gave to Harry and Ron, all of them politely stating they were flattered, but would rather avoid the publicity.
Hermione had just slit open the envelope when there was another knock on the window. A small cluster of birds were pecking at the window and as soon as Hermione opened the window, they dropped their letters and flew off. Confused, Hermione decided to leave the window open and went back to the Ministry envelope.
Mrs. Hermione Lupin,
It has come to our attention that Remus John Lupin, a registered werewolf, has been exhibiting dangerous signs of aggression and violence. It is a commonplace event for those inflicted with lycanthropy to become dangerous and abusive to those closest to them, even in their "human" state. Remus Lupin has experienced previous violent outbursts, two on record. He almost killed Severus Snape in 1972 and, neglected to take Wolfsbane during his last teaching stint at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, purposefully endangering the entire student body. He was, of course, also friends with notorious mass murder Sirius Black and is also undergoing investigations of sexual assault on Auror Nymphadora Tonks.
The Office for Werewolf Registration and Control as well as the Witches Union Protection office would like to remind you that you have our continual support. Werewolves are dangerous, unreliable creatures and should you wish to testify or bring forward allegations of his abuse against you forward, we will be more than willing to support you in court. Based on witness testimony and previous incidents, Remus Lupin would be looking at ten years to life in Azkaban. Aurors can also be assigned to your protection against the possibility of Remus Lupin's continuing abuse.
Best wishes,
Helena McNair and Dolores Umbridge
Office for Werewolf Registration and Control
Hermione was shocked. What dangerous signs of aggression? And when did Tonks file a case against Remus? She started opening the other letters. All of them were messages of support for her: you deserve far better that him – werewolves should all be locked up in Azkaban – I can't believe that man is allowed to teach at Hogwarts – my husband used to hit me, I could recommend a few good curses – a drop or two of poison wouldn't go amiss – the best thing you can do is let the Ministry lock that monster away for good – Hermione, you are my hero for what you did during the war, stay strong and provide an example for all the other girls that look up to you – that's filthy half-breed will get what's coming to him – we support you and if Dumbledore doesn't sack him we're going to withdraw our son and daughter – running about with Sirius Black and assaulting that Auror – you're his student – should just be killed – no good werewolf – beast – monster….
More owls were streaming to the window, dropping off letter after letter of these messages and Hermione couldn't make out where it was all coming from. She and Remus were hardly ever seen together at Hogwarts. This outing was the first time they had spent together in month and Remus hadn't – Remus wouldn't – ever do anything to her that would be seen as abuse. Hermione's questions were answered when that afternoons Daily Prophet came flying in the window.
Under the title, Remus Lupin Abuse Scandal. Hermione Granger's husband is proving more beast than man, was a moving picture of Remus and Hermione. Remus was shouting angrily, grabbing Hermione's hair with one hand, pinning her to a brick wall outside of Ollivander's, as his other hand rammed into her stomach.
"Remus! You need to see this!"
Remus came running down. "I couldn't find the – "
" – never mind that." Hermione thrust the newspaper and the Ministry letter into his hands. "Look at this! That's us! Today! Same clothes and bags and everything!"
Remus' expression got darker and more furious as he continued to read. "I would never...how…I would never hurt you! I wouldn't touch you! You don't – you don't…"
"Remus, I trust you. I know you. You wouldn't hurt me. And if you tried, I would have hexed you into a wall."
Remus was going through the pile of letters to Hermione.
"At least you have fans and support."
"That's fantastic. I have fans, who are almost all ready to have you sent to Azkaban."
"If I ever did that to you, they would be correct."
"Except for the fact you didn't. So whose been going around impersonating us? They must have seen us today. How else would they know what we were wearing?"
"Tonks," Remus said grimly, "somehow I'm sure it must be. She's still furious that I broke up with her – even though she was the one who was cheating. That's why she filed a complaint – she – she said I was being abusive and taking advantage of her – that my…my lycanthropy made me so much stronger and she couldn't fight me off."
Another owl flew through the window, this time dropping a red, smoking envelope in front of Remus.
"I suspect these will all be from your fans…"
"I wouldn't open anything but Howlers. The hate mail I got from Rita Skeeter's articles had some nasty curses in them."
Remus nodded. "I guess opening this is unavoidable then." He tore open the Howler and readied himself for the shouting that followed.
"MONSTER! HERMIONE GRANGER IS A BEAUTIFUL, SMART, AND TALENTED WITCH. ANYONE IN THE WIZARDING COMMUNITY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HER AS THEIR WIFE. YOU DON'T DESERVE HER. SHE DESERVES SOMEONE BETTER THAN A FILTHY HALF-BREED WHO TREATS HER LIKE TRASH. THE DEMENTOR'S KISS IS MEANT FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU! YOU AREN'T A WIZARD. YOU AREN'T HUMAN. YOU ARE THE SCUM OF THE EARTH AND IF YOU TOUCH HERMIONE GRANGER AGAIN I HOPE YOU ARE ARRESTED AND LEFT TO ROT IN HELL!"
The Howler exploded and Remus and Hermione sat there in silence, until about a dozen other owls streamed in, all clutching red envelopes.
"Why don't I open these? You should go find Dumbledore and the others so we can figure out what's going on. I don't fancy a Christmas plagued by hate mail."
"You want to stay and open my hate mail? They are aimed at me, I can stay and open them."
"Exactly. Like I'm going to let you listen to this? I'll deal with it."
Remus grabbed his cloak. He had to stop somewhere before finding Dumbledore.
A/N: Sorry this chapter has been so late in being posted! I hope everyone affected by Sandy is safe and has power!