Now, I can reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally get going! Hello Remus Lupin! xo Thankyou for reading!
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Lunch, or breakfast in Hermione's case, was a casual affair. Molly, of course, fussed for what seemed like an eternity over how everybody wanted their eggs, how crispy they wanted their bacon, if they wanted orange or apple juice, what did they want in their sandwiches, did they want chunky peanut butter or smooth? The list grew much vaster. In the end, Remus prised a spatula out of a grip, that was somewhat vice-like much to his surprise, from her hand and quickly prepared a much more than edible lunch for the five of them. Consisting of a giant plate of man different sandwiches, in all sorts of bread, pumpkin juice and tea and walnut cake to end. Hermione hardly spoke the entire time. She had failed to realise how incredibly hungry she had become over the last few days. There had not been once moment where she had not wanted to dissolve into tears and food and nourishment in general, had not been top of her list. Her main priorities being to burn that Quidditch jersey, sleep and cry. Thankfully, she had regained her appetite with vigour. Much to Molly's delight.
"Remus, that was delicious. Just what I needed!" Hermione collected all their plates from the table and plunged them into the sink. Molly instinctively rose in order to assist her, although she was more likely to simply take over, but Lupin held out his arm before her. Hermione, you are quite welcome. And Molly, please, just sit down. And if you simply cannot, please go outside and enjoy the sunshine .. while it lasts" His small, sincere smile never failed to twist Molly's arm and she smoothed her skirts as she and Arthur made the decision to go outside for a stroll before it became to cold and the ground to slippery. It was approaching the start of November now, and there was no doubt snow on the way.
Ginny then excused herself after eating about six different types of sandwiches and announced that she was going to go and meet Harry for a small drink with Luna. Her invitation was passed onto Hermione, who politely declined. She wasn't ready for questions that Luna would no doubt ask .. questions that were meant in a totally innocent matter. But Luna had never grasped that idea of subtlety and Hermione found it straining when she was upset.
Remus stood beside Hermione. Still clad in her fluffy purple bathrobe, the sleeves rolled up as she methodically began to wash the dishes. After a few moments, he spoke. "
May I ask, why you do not choose to use magic?" He asked, leaning with his back towards the worktop near her.
"I don't know .. Well, I always did this job for my parents and it's a habit I suppose. I like putting my hands in the warm, soapy water too .. it's comforting" She smiled softly back at him. So pleased to look into his kind, blue eyes again. He was such a loyal friend, and she had missed his gentle demeanour and his presence in her daily life.
"I wish I knew a better way in which to comfort you, rather that let you scrub dirty plates," Hermione chose not to look at him anymore. "I know that this is probably the worst thing to say in situations such as these, but .. I can honestly say that I understand how you must feel .. in a way. I may have been left in a different way. But sometimes, it must be easier to have a cherished one die, because at least that way they can never be anyone else's .. that sounds so morbid and cruel. I hope you comprehend.." Lupin touched her shoulder with his hand and gave it a squeeze. Hermione leaned her cheek down to his knuckles and sighed.
"I'm still so sorry about Dora you know Remus .. you saying that makes me feel so guilty. Ron left me, but I am glad he is still alive. I can't imagine if he-"
"Oh no, Hermione! You must also understand that I said it with no intention to make you feel guilty! Heavens no! I just simply wish to let you know that, as much as you feel trapped and scared and alone right now. That life does indeed go on. I thought for months that, if Dora had died, why should I live at all? But life and love does indeed go on .. and I somehow feel that I'm living life for the both of us. Dora will always be around"
Lupin felt tears trickle down his wrist and down his sleeve and he pulled Hermione in for a rib-cracking hug. She lent her head on his chest and cried quietly for a while. "I'm going to get you all soapy and wet Remus" she sniffed, gingerly holding her arms away from him. "Oh shush, am I a wizard or am I not? It's fixable. Come here you daft girl" Hermione giggled and returned the gesture. Relaxing in his arms and sighing contently. It was comforting to know that some one else shared her pain. She didn't feel so alone in it all anymore. She was so thankful that he had come. Remus would never let her down.
"WAHEY! Get in there you old dog Don't hang about aye?
"You mean old WOLF don't you mate?" Remus and Hermione sprang apart and came face to face with the identical grins of the Weasley twins.
"No, no-"
"Don't mind us-"
"It's about time you moved on from our stupid brother!"
Hermione sometimes felt her brain want to shut down when they finished off one another's sentences. It confused her because she never knew which twin was which! Whilst they were silent, it was easy to tell because of their slightly different traits. Also once separated the distinction was clear to those who knew them the most, but their almost wicked games that they simply played because of their ability to literally be one another, was something that grated on Hermione. She loved them dearly, but Hermione was a girl who liked to always have the answers.
"Oh shut up you two, you're ridiculous. What are you doing here anyway?" She chided, plunging her hands once more into the warm, soapy water.
"Excuse me-"
"I think you'll find-
"This is OUR house Curly!"
Hermione pursed her lips and glared at them with a look that she had undoubtedly picked up from years of watching Molly reprimand her two wild boys as the sombered immediately.
"Mum told us that you were both here. Is that lunch's leftover's?" Fred sat down at the tabled and began stuffing entire halves of sandwiches into his mouth. Grunting in appreciation.
"Yeah, we thought we'd best pop in and see you old boy, it's been far to long. We have a few new products for the shop that we'd like to run the mechanisms of by you first. As long as you wouldn't mind taking a look?" Remus nodded enthusiastically and George thanked him hastily. "And you, Curly. We knew how much you desperately missed us both, so we thought we'd best come and grace you with our presence for a few hours. You know, just so you could get your fill" He winked and joined his brother with the sandwiches, which to their delight, restocked itself every time they cleared the plate.
"You're hilarious George, really. But to be honest, I think I've had my fill of Weasley men for a while. Sorry to disappoint,"
"We're gutted!" They said in unison between mouthfuls.
"Have you heard from the git by the way? What did he have to say for himself aye?"
Hermione just shrugged, and the twins silently agreed that it wouldn't be prudent to push her. Fred gave George a look that meant they would talk to their Mother later. Remus shook his head and mouthed "It's not good" behind Hermione's back. The twins faces both dropped and realised that this would totally dash their hopes of Hermione ever being their sister-in-law. They had grown incredibly fond of her and she was as good as family anyway. They both felt furious that Ron had to go and through a broomstick in the works. He must have been mental.
- The next morning, Harry arrived via the Floo network with Ginny. Hermione could not have been more pleased to see him. They sat in her room for hours discussing Ron and how small his brain seemed to be these days. Harry wrapped his arms around her when she told him about bumping into him a few days previously. He used many colourful words to describe what he thought of his other best friend. But Hermione reassured him, that she didn't expect him to take sides. She hope that he and Ron could remain fast friends, and dating a friend always does run the risks of a sticky breakup and an abrupt ending to what could have been a beautiful friendship. Hermione didn't wish for that to be the case for her two boys. Well, what had once been two. She just didn't want Harry to lose his best mate.
"I just don't get it 'Mione. He couldn't stand her! Nobody could!"
"I know, I don't get it either. But I am learning to accept it .. maybe it just wasn't meant to be for us. Maybe there is something he sees in her, that he just .. cannot see in me.."
"Like what? You're intelligent, funny, clever, kind, thoughtful, fiery, dependable, loyal .. you're basically everything that she is most certainly not!" Harry gushed, his cheeks flushing not from embarrassment, but from love for his friend and how anybody, could ever treat someone that he held so dear to him, so badly.
"Thank You Harry, that's incredibly sweet .. But, you must think all of those things about Ginny too? But there is something special about her that you cant put your finger on? Am I right? Something indescribable that pulls you too her?" Harry nodded .. his thoughts sliding away from the current situation his beautiful girlfriend, curled up in bed after a long afternoon of Quidditch with Harry and her brothers. He couldnt wait to slide into bed beside her. He was besotted.
"You're right, I'm completely in awe of her," Harry grinned. His signature green eyes going soft behind his circular glasses.
"Well then .. maybe it was just that spark, that awe .. that was missing for Ron.. He might have loved me but, something was missing. The more I think of it that way, the more it makes sense and the easier it becomes to cope. I understand that I am hurting now .. but there is someone out there who is in awe of me. They're probably closer than I think. I hope anyway!"
Harry gave Hermione a squeeze. "Of course there is Curly. How can there not. You're a knockout!" He winked and gestured towards her scraped back hair, makeup-less face and odd socks. She slapped him playfully and then squeezed him back.
Remus Lupin heard every single word. His wolf senses were heighten as he approached the full-moon. His chest ached as he thought of Hermione feeling so much pain, so much hurt. She did deserve someone who was in awe of her. And little did she know, that they were indeed much, much closer than she could ever imagine.