XXXIV
Her Kind
Hermione bounced her knee nervously beneath the table. Her eyes were trained on Professor Dumbledore, standing at the head of the large table, calling the attention of the room. Everyone was here for the Order meeting, gathered in the small dining room of the Estate. She'd only spoken to Dumbledore fifteen minutes ago when he first arrived. It was a quick conversation, in which Hermione explained the alterations on the Wolfsbane and the success they'd found. She told Dumbledore that she wished to share it with the rest of the Order tonight in order to figure out how they were going to test it. Dumbledore had agreed, and now here they were.
"Now," the Headmaster sighed, eyes narrowing in on Hermione, "before we begin with the usual reports, I'd like to give Miss Granger a moment to make an announcement."
He nodded at her and she tentatively stood up, feeling reassuring smiles from Remus and Neville to her left and right. "Hi, everyone," she looked around the table, cursing this strange onset of anxiety. She paused, taking a deep breath, before she proceeded to explain, "As most of you know, I've been a werewolf for several months now. This has given me a lot of time to think about my condition, and the condition of others who share the same affliction." Beside her, Remus shifted uncomfortably as a few eyes were drawn his way.
"Anyway," Hermione continued, "I started looking into the Wolfsbane potion because, naturally, my interest in it increased the more it affected my life. After a lot of research, I decided to try experimenting with the potion. Professor Snape and Remus helped me a lot back at Hogwarts, and Neville started to assist here at the Estate. Earlier today we found success with an alteration on the potion. Together, we have created what seems to be an improved Wolfsbane Potion that stops the physical transformation from human to wolf."
The room went dead silent. People had been shifting around a moment ago, looking at Remus, Snape, and Neville. Now, however, they were all frozen still, staring at Hermione alone.
"W-what?" Bill Weasley was the first to speak, incredulity lacing his tone.
Hermione allowed herself a small huff of laughter. "I know it sounds insane."
"It does," Kingsley spoke next, "you mean to say that you've essentially cured lycanthropy?"
She shook her head, "I wouldn't exactly call it a cure. It's more of an improved way to manage the disease and we're still not entirely sure it'll work during the full moon-"
"It's a cure," Remus interrupted, "to all extents and purposes, this potion is a cure. Werewolves will still be werewolves, but there will be nothing about them, at least physically, that gives that away. No more transformations. No more pain. No more accidental victims." His words grew more and more emotional, and his eyes turned to meet Hermione's. They'd hardly had a moment to themselves since she'd dragged him into the lab earlier today. Still, he hadn't left her side or stopped praising her since. He looked happy. So happy. It was almost worth everything Hermione had gone through just for the happiness she saw in Remus now.
"That's what you were doing all that time in Snape's lab," Harry murmured, the realization hitting him. On either side of him sat Ginny and Ron, both gaping at her.
Hermione nodded.
"Bloody hell, Granger," George mused, "we knew you were smart-"
"But not a bloody prodigy," Fred continued.
"Language, boys," Mrs. Weasley chided, before turning to Hermione, who was now blushing. "Well done, Hermione," the woman said, "but I'm not surprised. You're a gifted young woman." Beside her, Mr. Weasley nodded firmly in agreement.
"I really can't take all the credit," Hermione said earnestly, "in fact, the potion would have never been even close to working without Neville. He's the gifted one."
Neville was blushing as well now, looking down at his fidgeting hands. Ginny gave him a firm pat on the back.
"Professor Snape and Remus deserve a lot of the credit as well. Without Remus' years of insight I wouldn't have known half the things that I do about lycanthropy. And without Professor Snape's support I wouldn't have even had a lab to work in."
There were several minutes more of congratulations and explanations. Finally, Dumbledore interrupted again. "I believe there is still one more thing we need to address, the reason Miss Granger has brought this discussion to us tonight."
"Yes," Hermione nodded, "of course." She turned back to the rest of the group, "we haven't conducted a physical test during the full moon yet. That will be the final proof of the potions success… or lack thereof. Therefore, Remus and I need to figure out how to test the potion and remain safe in case it fails. We won't take another form of Wolfbane, so it is possible that the potion will fail and we will lose our human consciousness."
"Then how do you know it's safe to test it?" Harry asked.
"We don't," Remus muttered, gazing at Hermione. He obviously was still upset about the idea of her testing the potion at all. But she simply had to. There was no other option in her mind.
"Remus and I are both willing to take that risk," Hermione said, "the only problem is that we need a safe location to spend the full moon. It would probably be wisest to leave the Estate."
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "I don't like the sound of this. Leaving the Estate is not safe at all. There are too many people trying to find us."
"But perhaps there is a safe location, unknown to any Death Eaters or…" Hermione trailed off, a brilliant idea hitting her. She whipped around to face Remus, "We'll go to your house!"
He furrowed his brow, searching her face. "I suppose that is a fairly secure place," he conceded after a moment, "although the wards would probably need to be redone."
"We can do that," Hermione said confidently, turning to look around at the rest of the room. Her eyes settled on Dumbledore, who sat at the head of the table, watching Hermione and Remus.
"Remus' house is indeed very well-hidden," Dumbledore said, "but I am cautious about having you leave the Estate."
"I don't like the sound of this," Mrs. Weasley spoke up, crossing her arms over her chest.
"But we need to test the potion," Hermione said, pleadingly, "It could change the world… at least for us." She knew she was trying to manipulate them by appealing to the emotional aspect of it, but it really was something she felt strongly about it. She didn't want to wait a single month longer to use the potion, and Remus certainly felt the same.
"I'd be willing to travel to Lupin's house and sort out the wards," Snape spoke up.
Hermione turned to him, grinning. It was perfect. Snape was probably the most skilled with wards out of anyone she'd ever met. Surely his handiwork could keep Remus' house safe and Hermione and Remus contained in case anything went wrong.
Dumbledore nodded his approval, "I trust your abilities, Severus."
Two seats down from her, Hermione heard Sirius murmur a quiet "I don't" before he cleared his throat and spoke up louder, "I'll accompany them, of course."
Dumbledore nodded once more, "yes, it would be safer with you there during the night, Sirius."
Over the next several minutes, the plan was solidified further. After Dumbledore agreed to it, no one else bothered to protest, though Hermione was sure Mrs. Weasley was seething on the inside at how dangerous she thought this plan was. Finally, though, they moved on. The usual Order business ensued and then the meeting finally ended.
Dinner followed the closing of the meeting. Mrs. Weasley levitated out dishes and plates of food while everyone else dug in. Dinnertime conversation mainly consisted of everyone asking questions about the potion and Hermione, Neville, or Remus answering them. Remus held Hermione's hand underneath the table, knowing that it made her a little anxious to talk about the potion when they still weren't one hundred percent sure it had worked. Hermione could tell that Harry, Ron, and Ginny were all a bit irritated that she hadn't told them, but she knew they would eventually understand why she'd wanted to keep it secret.
It was much later in the night when Hermione finally slipped away from everyone, creeping towards Remus' room with practiced confidence. She slipped inside and found him standing at the window, gazing outside at the moonlit gardens.
Hermione quietly sidled up to him, standing at his side and following his gaze. "Hello there," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and inclining his head to look down at her, "busy day, huh?"
Hermione chuckled, still studying the gardens outside, "you can say that again."
Remus turned so that he was fully facing her. His hand lifted and tangled in her wildly curly hair. "Hermione," he murmured, her name flowing from his lips in the most divine way, "you're such a wonderful, talented person. I don't deserve you."
She shook her head, finally tearing her eyes from the gardens and meeting his gaze with sternness, "you always say that and I don't know why. You deserve so much Remus. Much more than any normal person because of what you've gone through."
He smiled down at her fondly.
"And you know," she continued, "I didn't put so much time and effort into that potion just for you. It's for everyone; me and you and all the werewolves in the world."
"Of course," he conceded, "I was getting big headed there for a moment, thinking you did all of this for me."
She laughed, stepping forward and tucking her head into the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms around his torso. "I really hope it works," she whispered after a long moment.
His hand rubbed up and down her back slowly, "It will. Even on the slightest chance that it doesn't, I'm sure it'll only need a few minor alterations. There's a solution out there, and I really believe you've found it."
"Thank you for having faith in me," she said, pulling her head back to look at him, "especially after I thought I'd failed completely."
He shook his head, "you knew you hadn't failed. It was just a setback."
Another smile broke across her face, and this time she couldn't resist standing up on her toes and kissing him. He kissed back, lacing his fingers through her hair and cradling her head. The kiss quickly turned passionate. Hermione had been throwing herself into her work lately, without much energy when she spent her nights with Remus. She could never get enough of the moments like these, as seldom as they sometimes came.
He had her pressed against a wall in a matter of minutes, pushing his hips into hers. Hermione writhed against him as he kissed her neck, knowing just the spot to find.
"Want you so badly," he murmured, "always want you." His hips pressed persistently into hers, and she could feel his hardness against her stomach.
"Bed," Hermione whispered breathily, unbuttoning his shirt as she pushed him forward.
They fell onto the bed while hurriedly removing their clothing. In seconds Hermione was beneath Remus, tangling her fingers in his hair as he kissed down from her neck to her breasts to her stomach. One of his fingers was rubbing lazy circles at the spot where her thigh met her hip. That drove Hermione wild and he knew it. There was a smug smile on his face while he teased her further, kissing back up to her breasts and then down again to her stomach.
"Just get on with it already," she said exasperatedly, shaking her head at his smugness.
"Whatever you say," he whispered, trailing his lips down from her stomach abruptly.
Hermione nearly screamed when his mouth came to its destination. She restrained herself by tightly grabbing fistfuls of the duvet, unsure of whether Remus had cast a silencing charm and not wanting to actually scream.
His tongue was doing wonderful things to her, laving at her clit in a tender but effective manner. They'd done this once before, just last week. Hermione had always found it weird to think of someone pleasuring her with their mouth, but knowing Remus' general talents with kissing, she'd agreed to give it a try. The first time was a little awkward just because of Hermione's anxiety, but Remus had brought her to orgasm eventually with his mouth alone.
This time, her nervousness was long gone and she could simply focus on the divine sensation of his lips and tongue. She clamped her mouth closed tightly the whole time, only allowing small moans to escape her throat instead of the screams of pleasure that were fighting to get out.
Remus was a reverent, attentive lover. She'd not had experience with anyone else, but Hermione knew that he was still a level above many men out there (a conversation with Ginny and Tonks a few weeks ago had proved this). He was gentle and loving usually, but more aggressive around the full moon. She loved both sides of him equally, and a part of her wondered if he would lose some of his aggressiveness with the new Wolfsbane. It didn't matter, all worth it in the end.
Hermione was drawn from any semblance of thought when Remus let out a hum of pleasure against her core. She arched her back and opened her mouth to allow a quiet cry to escape. He was more insistent now, knowing exactly how to draw her over the edge.
It was moments before she was shaking and her toes were curling. Remus had to hold down her hips with either hand to keep her still. Yet he appeared to be reveling in her pleasure. When she came down from her climax he quickly moved up her body, lips falling on hers intently.
She could taste herself on his lips, and somehow that made any post-coital languor dissipate instantly. She still wanted him so badly. And he wanted her.
When he pushed inside of her in one steady movement, she was lost in the sensation. His mouth on her had been amazing, but nothing could compare to the intimacy she felt with him now.
Remus kissed her shoulder and then her neck before slowly beginning to move, rocking back and forth. Hermione resisted the urge to let out a low whine, instead deciding to grasp his shoulders firmly with her hands and hook her legs around his waist.
Her chest was heaving with all the overwhelming sensations. She felt a rush of intense emotion coupled with the feeling of Remus filling her completely.
"You're so amazing, Hermione," Remus whispered between kisses trailing her neck and shoulders.
Hermione let out a slight breathy laugh, "you're going to have to stop flattering me. I might get a big head."
He laughed in response, but the lightheartedness quickly changed into something much more intense. Remus pulled his head back to meet her eyes, "I wouldn't care. You'd still be perfect in every way."
She was caught up in his gaze for a long moment, only breaking the eye contact when Remus hit an especially sensitive spot and she had to tip her head back in pleasure. After that it was moments before she was toeing the line again, reading to dive over the edge of this wildly intense pleasure.
They came together, gasping quietly and holding onto each other tightly. After, Remus fell onto the bed beside Hermione. She turned and rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the simple feeling of being so close to him. That thought lulled her to sleep, and soon she was lost completely to sweet, vague dreams of Remus and herself like this forever.
Author's Note: I took a break from writing chapter 36 to post this because I've been writing for about two hours straight and my fingers ache. My four days of writing have gone very well, in case anyone was wondering. I'm going to try my best to finish everything up tonight and then move onto the final touches of planning my novel for Camp NaNoWriMo (which starts tomorrow- there's still time to join!). It's all very exciting. Leave me a review to cheer me on?