Chapter 17

Hermione and Remus slept half the day away. Apparently, sleeping on unforgiving stone was not conducive to a good night's sleep, so the pair took comfort in one another's arms in the sinfully soft bed.

Hermione woke first. Stretching so fiercely that her limbs began to shiver, she thought about the book she wanted to read. Even if it gave fallacious or misleading information, Hermione had been sincere when she'd mentioned writing her own book, and this other book would give her an idea of what information was out there. She had a perfectly articulate and brilliant werewolf from whom to gather research, and she expected they could fill a niche in the mating literature market.

Sighing softly, Hermione pushed the hair away from Remus' face. He didn't even stir, and she knew he must be exhausted. She wished that he would allow himself some comfort in his cage, but she knew he so vehemently rejected his werewolf self that any pain was perceived to be deserved.

Kissing him briefly on the lips, Hermione left the bed, putting on pyjama shorts, as they seemed to drive her lover mad with lust, and Remus' oxford shirt. It smelled just like him, musky and woodsy with maybe some citrus and sandalwood in there as well. It was uniquely Remus and completely erotic.

Hermione quietly left the bedroom for the sitting room. She wanted to have a look at that book now, so she got her parchment, quills, ink, and notebook ready before she went to find it on Remus' desk.

Uncovering it quickly among a number of other new books, mostly fiction but some biographies and historical texts as well, she sat on the couch and was just about to crack the spine when someone knocked on the door. Hermione hoped the tingling wards hadn't awakened Remus. She couldn't feel them since she was technically a guest, so the knock startled her.

Answering the door, she was surprised to see Harry standing there. He looked a little sad and maybe even nervous. She silently held the door open for him, and he came inside. She led him to the study because it was far from the stairs and Remus wouldn't be disturbed by the noise, and she sat him while she made some tea. Hermione wondered what had her friend looking so down.

Bringing back the tea service, she sat beside him. "How are you, Harry?" she asked, embracing him tightly because he looked like he needed it. He returned the embrace, hugging her so securely she wasn't sure she'd make it out.

"I'm doing okay. I just wanted to see you and make sure everything's all right. Where's Remus?"

She sat down on the leather loveseat and patted the seat beside her. "He's sleeping. We had a long night."

Harry blushed, making Hermione laugh. "Full moon," she explained. Though where his mind had gone was not exactly incorrect.

"Ah. Well, maybe it's good that I came today, if he's weakened."

"What do you mean? And Remus isn't weakened. In fact, after the full moon, he's more tuned in to the wolf than ever. If you've come to yell at him, you'll need to leave. He's not himself on the days before and after the full moon. Well, he's himself, but he's not the way we always thought he was."

"I haven't come to yell at him. Like I said, I'm just checking to make sure you're okay. Hermione, what happened last time I was here was really scary. I was terrified for you. It was like he was controlling you or something. And then I got his owl saying he was sorry, and I just don't buy it. Why has he changed?"

Hermione sighed. It was hard to explain when she didn't have all the answers. Remus would be better able to tell Harry exactly what was going on, but not today. "Harry, I'm fine. Things got a little out of control. I was scared, too, to be honest. But I trust Remus, with my life and with my heart. And I don't think he's changed, I just don't think we knew him as well as we could have. Or rather, I think he hid it really well."

Harry didn't look convinced. "So he didn't hurt you? After I left?"

She blushed a little, remembering just what he did do. "No, he didn't hurt me. He just alarmed me. Being his mate is hard, you know. It's unusual, strange and new. But I really don't want anything else. He's what I want."

He slowly nodded. "You love him, then?"

The two were quiet for a few long minutes as Hermione thought about her feelings. She knew, of course she knew. But would saying it aloud change anything? Would she be jinxing it? She smiled at her childish thoughts.

"I do love him, Harry."

Harry sighed, long and slow. "I thought so. Does he love you?"

Hermione could only shrug softly, looking away. "I don't know. But it doesn't matter. We have a lot of time for that, if he doesn't. If he does, lucky me. But he hasn't told me, nor I, him."

"I think he does. Remember how wild he went after Tonks punched you? He was beside himself!"

"I didn't see it, but I heard about it. Are you okay with this?"

Harry only smiled softly. "Okay with one of my best friends falling in love? How could I hold that against you? I love you, Hermione, and your happiness is so important."

Hermione hugged Harry again, though the embrace was slightly abbreviated. She didn't want to get Remus into a state when he found out Harry was here. And just at that moment, she heard her name called by the man she loved.

"In the study, Remus!" Hermione smiled at the suddenly nervous and alert Harry before standing up to open the study door.

Before Remus even reached her, he asked, "Harry's here?"

Hermione nodded, trying to warn him with her eyes that she didn't want any repeats of his last visit. Thankfully, for whatever reason, Remus seemed to be in a better position to control himself this time.

He pulled her into a hug, inhaling her scent before pushing her away almost roughly. His nose wrinkled, and he looked disapprovingly at her, but didn't say anything. She went to sit in one of the armchairs, leaving the sofa open for Remus.

"Hi, Remus," Harry said, his voice quiet but steady. He looked posed to fight, and Hermione had to be thankful of how protective he was of her.

"Harry, I'm glad you're here. You got my owl?" Remus took the seat next to the younger man.

"I did. And at first I wasn't willing to listen, but I think Hermione's explained things to me in a way I can understand. And I'm glad you two have one another. I think I'll just make it a point to stay away before and after the full moon."

Remus was looking at Hermione, who was trying to rein in the possibly overflowing amount of love she felt for Remus. She'd avoided the words so long, even inside her head, and now they just wanted to spill out.

"I think that would be for the best. But I do need you to know that I would never hurt Hermione. Even if I could, and I don't think I can, because of the mate bond. It's stronger than anything I'd anticipated, but it is not unwelcome. I'm grateful to have been... accepted."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "You know, both Ron and Tonks were suspended from Auror duty. It's very strange how all this happened at once." Harry's tone was pensive, and Hermione wondered exactly what he wasn't saying.

Remus agreed, "It is rather a coincidence. Though I knew about Tonks' jealousy before, I'd never known her to be violent outside of her job. I still can't believe the things she said and did."

Hermione bit her lip lightly before softly adding, "It's the same with Ron. He had a temper but it was never directed at me. His behaviour was really unexpected. I can't explain it."

She looked to Remus who appeared to be attempting to contain his anger. Hermione hastened to add, "But at the same time, I wouldn't change what happened. I'm sorry it came about the way it did, but I'm grateful because now I have you, Remus."

He stood to cross the small space between them and pulled her up into his arms. Her body was sore and protesting, but her heart was willing. Holding her tightly, he leaned in and captured her lips in a possessive declaration of their feelings. He continued to ravage her mouth, and she continued to let him, until their noises became nearly obscene and Harry's throat-clearing sounds brought them back to reality. Remus pushed her gently back into the chair, and she fell gracelessly, catching her breath.

"Thank you for coming, Harry. And thank you for the second chance. I promise I will make her happy, and I will try to keep the wolfishness to a minimum." Hermione whimpered lightly at this, and Remus continued with a mischievous grin, "At least while we have company."

Satisfied, Hermione sighed softly. Harry looked a little uncomfortable, but otherwise content.

"I know you'll make her happy...just be sure you keep her that way." Remus nodded, apparently deciding to take the words as a helpful suggestion rather than the censure they sounded like.

"Let us walk you out, Harry. And maybe you could come with Ginny for a longer visit in a few days?"

"I'd like that," Harry said, leading the way to the front door, where he stopped and shook Remus' hand.

However, when Harry reached for another hug from Hermione, Remus stepped slightly in front of her. "She already smells of you; there's no need to mark her further," he said disapprovingly.

Harry looked at Hermione aghast, shaking his head as if to tell her that wasn't what he'd intended, but she only smiled and shrugged.

"We'll owl you with dinner plans, Harry," she told him, reaching around Remus to touch his arm gently. Harry nodded and slipped out the front door.

"I can't believe I can't even hug my friends. You know, Remus, this might get a little old," she said, half serious.

"You already hugged him...twice, if my senses are correct. That's more than enough. Now, I think you should get out of those clothes. I don't like my mate smelling like other men, even if that man is Harry."

"Remus, I was going to get started on that book. The smell will wear off. I'll have to do laundry every single day if you keep this up." She was walking back toward the study to tidy up the unconsumed tea she'd made.

Remus stopped her from picking it up, holding her arms and looking seriously into her face. "Hermione," he said in a low voice, "take off those clothes."

She felt a thrill of excitement that directly contradicted the annoyance she probably should have felt at the soft command. Meeting his eyes, she slowly stripped off the shirt she'd borrowed from him, baring her breasts and ridding herself of the aroma of Harry. Looking at Remus challengingly, he only raised an expressive eyebrow at her and indicated toward her shorts. She took them off too, standing bare naked in her lover's study while he remained fully dressed and staring.

"Very good. You smell much better now," he told her lightly, taking her slightly chilled body into his arms. He kissed her chastely, at first; small pecks on her neck, cheeks, and lips, pulling away when she tried to deepen them.

"Remus," she whined a little pathetically, but with no real care. He took pity on her, as he almost always did, and kissed her softly on the lips. She opened her mouth to admit him immediately, but he took his time, exploring her lips and tasting her teeth, gently delving until his tongue only just flicked the tips of hers. She tried to draw him back into her mouth, but he controlled the kiss entirely. Her denuded body was shamelessly pressing against his, trying to entice and seduce him. She felt his growing hardness and tried to slip a hand between them to caress it, but he held her still.

Finally, he pulled away from the teasing kisses and growled, "Lay down on the sofa."

Hermione hurried to do so, her body teased and ready. She wanted his real touches, his hard, firm and sure strokes of her yielding form. She lay back on the sofa in what she knew must have been a suggestive pose from the wildness in his eyes as he looked at her.

But he shook his head and amended, "Facedown."

Hermione paused for a moment before turning over, laying flat on her stomach with her head cradled in her arms. Her legs were together and her arse exposed to his perusal.

"You're so good to me," he whispered, coming up beside her and tracing her body lightly with a callused hand. His fingers slipped between her thighs and spread her wetness, any soreness from earlier completely forgotten in her desire for him now. He spread her legs until one was off the couch entirely and knelt on the sofa between them.

Hermione only heard the whisper of a zipper being pulled to warn her before her body was filled in one sure thrust. "Remus," she gasped, hips automatically rotating to adjust and entice.

"So wet for me, love. Tell me why you're so wet," he whispered roughly, slowing withdrawing and filling her again.

"You make me that way, Remus. When you tell me what to do, I want to obey. I have to. And you're so gorgeous, so strong, so I let go. I can lose myself with you and know you'll find me."

"That's lovely, but that's not why you're wet. Tell me why you want me to fuck you harder, Hermione."

Her breath was becoming short as his thrusts became deeper and deeper, grinding into her as he bottomed out. "Because you make me feel like an animal, like all I'm made of is need and desire. And your cock is so perfect; it fills me just right, like it was made for me. I always want you. I think I walk around wet with the hope that you'll fuck me." She might have felt embarrassed by her crass words, but his mastering of her body was too efficient, and she could only answer his demands in the hope that he'd fuck her harder. The soft, slow pace was punishment as much as pleasure.

"My cock was made for you, just for you," he panted, picking up speed slightly and slipping a hand beneath her hip to manipulate her clit. He didn't have to move his hand at all; the movement of his hips caused her body to surge forward, again and again, over his hand until all her thoughts were centred on the orgasm she could practically taste.

With his other arm braced on the arm of the sofa, he began to pound her in earnest, each thrust earning a cry from her and a grunt from him.

"You like feeling like an animal?" he demanded of her, his punishing cock drilling deeper until she saw stars flicker into her vision.

"Yes! Gods, yes. Only with you, only you," she moaned, rocking back into his body, grinding mercilessly against his hand beneath her.

Remus laughed breathlessly and leaned in to bite her neck. As his teeth clenched over her hypersensitive claim mark, Hermione screamed. Her body shut down, stiffening to prolong the intense feelings flooding her until she remembered that she had to breathe. A rush of warmth inside her told her Remus came just as she did, and her clenching walls milked his cock for every drop of offering.

Remus stayed inside her for a few long moments, licking her neck and kissing her shoulders and back. "So beautiful, so mine," he told her, a soft claim that she knew was undeniable.

"Yours," she agreed, sighing contentedly and wriggling beneath him to get more comfortable. Pulling from her wetness, he rotated them both until he was on his back on the sofa and she was reclining on top of him. She cuddled into his neck and exhaled warmly into his sweaty flesh.

His hands roamed her body in an exploratory way, not meant to create desire, just comfort. She kissed his throat and lightly bit his neck at about the same place as her claim mark was. He chuckled and held her body tightly to him.

They fell asleep together yet again.