Chapter 4

Remus couldn't remember ever feeling so angry. He was furious. His blood was still boiling and had been ever since he had seen Hermione lying on the foyer floor, abject fear in her eyes. His anger had raged even after he'd scared Ron off and had Hermione sleeping in his arms. And now, with both women in bed and his dinner rotting a hole in his stomach, Remus felt positively ill with fury.

He hadn't meant to get so out of control with Ron. Before today, he'd considered him a good friend...a little naïve and quite possibly wrong for Hermione, but relatively harmless. He knew Harry trusted the man with his life, and that had been enough for Remus. But Remus knew dark intent when he saw it and it had been abundant in Ron's eyes. He'd wanted to hurt Hermione, and would have if Remus hadn't intervened. Remus felt completely justified. Tonks had said she was going to tell Harry what had happened, as they worked on the same Auror squad. He was glad Ron was on a different team, because he doubted Tonks would be able to work with him after what Remus had told her.

Few things pissed Tonks off more than spousal abuse. Unfortunately, one of the things that did was infidelity, of which she promptly accused him once Hermione retired upstairs.

He'd dutifully listened to her scathing comments about finding his hands on Hermione when she'd walked in the door. He'd refuted each and every claim, but he was afraid things might get uglier for Hermione, despite his vehement protests against any improprieties.

This day certainly called for a Firewhisky. He poured himself a generous glass while sitting at the rarely used dining room table. He didn't want to sit at the table where he'd been forced to listen to Tonks' accusations only moments ago. He hated that she was so possessive of him. She was entirely correct when she told other women that she had worked hard to garner his attention. He hadn't given her a second glance, despite knowing she wanted him. She just wasn't what he looked for in a woman, though he'd long since given up on finding exactly what he wanted.

So, in a moment of desperate loneliness, by which he was assailed more often than he'd care to admit, he'd allowed her in his bed. The sex with her was good; it was regular and predictable, but not really boring. It was good. After the first time, it had become easier and easier to go to her when he was lonely. And when he had been tired of coming home to an empty house, it had seemed natural to ask her to move in. She'd been hinting at it for ages, anyway.

And now it seemed silly to dislike her for the same reason he'd noticed her in the beginning: her jealousy. He almost felt as if he'd encouraged it by not asking her to stop at first. Now it was a part of her, and he wasn't sure he could ask her to change that. But with Hermione it felt doubly wrong: Hermione was so young and a friend only, but she was also very newly single. He knew Tonks' discussion with the younger woman had devastated her...after all, she probably saw him as a father figure. But try as he might, Remus couldn't deter her, and he'd seen the familiar glint of determination in her eye as she'd kissed him goodnight.

He tossed back a second helping of libation, telling himself he would warn Hermione tomorrow and hopefully explain a little better what drove Tonks to act as she did. As if he himself knew.

Remus hauled himself to his feet, trying not to think of what he'd almost called Hermione instead of 'friend' when he'd been explaining his actions. He'd thought of her as a pack member. Like he was some sort of animal. He hadn't thought that way about anyone other than Sirius, James, and Peter... even Harry hadn't quite invoked those kinds of associations within him. Tonks certainly hadn't.

He'd really thought the wolf within him had been tamed.

*

Hermione awoke early the next day, making her way downstairs before showering. She hadn't eaten dinner the night before, and her rumbling stomach hadn't failed to remind her. She saw Tonks sitting at the kitchen table, eating toast and sipping tea.

"Morning, Hermione. How are you doing today?"

"Oh, I'm okay, Tonks. Thanks for asking."

"Good, good. Listen, can I talk to you for a second?"

Hermione's stomach dropped. Not again. But she sat at the table and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Sure thing. What's up?"

"You remember the chat we had the other day?"

Like I could forget. "Of course. And again, I would never, ever do that to you, or to Remus. He's just a friend."

"Well, that's just the thing. I know you were upset and everything yesterday, but I really didn't like seeing you and him touching like that. I mean, you knew I'd be home any minute...you could have waited for me to comfort you!"

Hermione felt her face flush. Tonks made her feel two feet tall and worth about a Knut. She didn't think the other woman was being reasonable, but couldn't see how to explain herself. She wanted to stay here at Grimmauld Place, but if this kept up, she knew she'd never be able to.

"Tonks, listen to me, please! I don't see Remus like that at all. And he was only hugging me because Ron had just attacked me! Otherwise, he would never even think to touch me. He loves you, Tonks, only you."

Tonks smiled widely. "I know that, dear! It's not him I'm worried about." Her smiled didn't fade, but her features hardened as she continued. "Remus is very attractive, both physically and as a partner. I know women are jealous of me for being with him; I've come to expect it. But I fought hard to win him, and I am not going to give him up any time soon. And I know you're probably on the rebound or whatever, but Remus is too smart to fall for your charms, so just... lay off. I don't want to see you two touching again. Okay, sweetie? Just for both our sakes."

Hermione only nodded blindly. This was far worse than the previous dressing-down. It almost seemed like Tonks wasn't all there. The accusations were completely unfounded and disturbing.

"Good girl. Well, I'm off to work now. See you tonight!" She walked off, and Hermione heard her greet Remus on her way out.

"Morning, love! How was your sleep?"

His voice came back, scratchy and low. "Just fine, dear. And yours?"

"I had trouble sleeping actually, but I think I solved what was bothering me. Have a great day, and don't forget to pick the paint for the bathroom and get started on the Crown moulding. Also, could you pick up some milk? We're just about out. Eggs, too, actually. Thanks a mil!"

Hermione knew Remus would be coming into the kitchen soon and slipped out the other door, hoping he wouldn't come into the connecting dining room. She quietly sat down, finishing her tea. She heard him bustling about the kitchen, muttering under his breath, but she couldn't quite make out the words. She thought she heard him say, "Nothing more than a fucking house-elf," but she figured she must have misheard. The Remus she knew never swore, after all.

She heard him leave the kitchen after taking his tea and making breakfast. She waited until she heard him running the shower before she slipped her cup into the sink and returned to her own room.

This time, she would remain there until she had to leave for work.

*

True to her word, Hermione remained locked in her bedroom until just before she had to Floo for work. Remus was working in another part of the house and therefore didn't see or hear her when she went to make herself a quick snack before work. She would be working late tonight and would be home long after Tonks already returned. She Floo'd as soon as the last bite of sandwich reached her mouth, not wanting to chance running into Remus.

She spent her time at work thinking about where else she could possibly stay until she found a place of her own. But even if she found someplace, it would take her some time to save up enough money to move out on her own. She was not in the best financial position right now. She and Ron had had money troubles for years, thanks to his well-meaning investments and an overall lack of proper budgeting (despite her best efforts), and she had almost no savings to speak of. She didn't really know anyone else who might take her in. All the Weasleys she was close to still lived at the Burrow, and she hadn't kept in touch with many other people from her school days.

Basically, she was stuck. Hermione was shocked that Tonks had such a jealous streak, but she had pursued Remus with such single-mindedness that perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising after all. Now that she had what she wanted, it appeared that Tonks would not put up with anything or anyone she deemed to be a threat to her happiness. Hermione couldn't be sure Remus was aware of the extent of Tonks' possessiveness, but she could only surmise that he knew what his girlfriend was like. They been together quite a while now; he couldn't be totally ignorant. He had tried to make Hermione feel better after the first talk, so he knew something at least.

The only thing to be done was to avoid Remus as best she could, get back on Tonks' good side, and tough it out. The situation couldn't last forever. Maybe once she proved herself to Tonks, she would no longer be considered a threat, and they could carry on being friends. She hated to think she might lose Remus as a friend over this. He was the only one with whom she'd felt a true affinity; their intelligence was matched, and they were both prone to introspection.

Hermione avoided the train of thought that suggested that perhaps she was a better match for Remus than Tonks. That was dangerous thinking and would only get her kicked out on her arse.

Hermione also avoided thinking about Ron. She hadn't reconciled his behaviour yet. He really had changed, more than she had realised. She felt lucky that she'd gotten out when she had, even though she'd never suspected he could be violent.

At her desk, Hermione let her head fall into her hands. So much had changed in such a short time, but the only thing that really mattered to her was that she keep Remus as a friend. She never felt as alone as she did when she thought about losing him.

Her boss walked out of his office and immediately inundated her with tasks. Hermione had no more time for self-pity and got to work with her customary enthusiasm.

*

Remus was aware that Hermione was gone the minute she exited through the Floo. To be certain, he checked the house for her, but knew she was no longer in it. Not only was her distinct scent absent, he almost felt liked he could sense her when she was here, and when she left, that sense left him. It made him feel empty, and he didn't like it.

By noon, when Hermione had not come down to lunch, Remus knew Tonks had submitted her to yet another talk. Remus had already decided he would not be putting up with this anymore and planned on having a talk with his girlfriend when she returned home. More than his happiness, Hermione's was at stake, and he wouldn't allow it to be sabotaged for the sake of Tonks' insecurity. It just wasn't right.

He felt unreasonably bereft without Hermione there, even if she'd only been with them less than a week. He enjoyed her presence and felt like she was a part of the family. His family.