Chapter 20

After spending altogether too many hours shopping, Ginny had finally approved of the yellow dress Hermione had chosen. It was tea length with a fitted bodice and lightly flaring skirt. Its thin straps accentuated her delicate shoulders and collarbones, and if she wore her hair up, her claim mark would be clearly and proudly visible. Remus would love the dress, they were sure.

Hermione spent the next two days slaving away at work. She was in the running for one of the only full-time positions available, and it would be a bloodbath before the victor was chosen. She knew she was the best person for the job, the most experienced and the most qualified, but such matters were rarely taken into account in the nepotistic and opportunistic Ministry. She could only put in her hours, do her work, and hope for the best possible outcome.

She'd been afraid to ask for the weekend off, but when she'd finished her projects in record time, handing them in early and flawless, she'd been granted her request with the caveat that she remain available in case of an emergency. She had no compunction agreeing to this request, especially as it meant she would be called in to fix a mess before another employee made it entirely unfixable.

When she finally arrived at home on the eve of their impending binding ceremony, Hermione felt uncharacteristically nervous. She wanted this, more than anything. But it seemed like it had happened so fast. In the span of only about two months, she'd moved in with, began a relationship with, and fallen in love with Remus Lupin.

It had been exhausting. But despite the speed, nothing had ever felt so right. Looking back, she could respect Ron's sweet and safe love. She could easily picture another witch being more than happy with everything he had to offer. But it just wasn't for her. She needed to be challenged, and Remus certainly did that, both intellectually and sexually. She had never imagined doing the things she did with him, but now she couldn't picture life with him. He had truly ruined her for any other wizard, so he'd better follow through with this whole 'until the end of time' bit, or she'd be extremely disgruntled.

She was disgruntled anyway, but for a different reason. She'd been so worn out at work that she simply didn't have to energy to engage in any kinky, animalistic sex. And as they got further from the time of the full moon, Remus' wild, uninhibited, and downright dirty side was being pushed aside by a more regular sexual side. Which was completely fine with her...she needed to recuperate, after all. But she'd wanted to make the most of their completely unhindered nights together, and now it appeared that the next time she'd be up for it would be when she was a bonded woman.

"Excited?" Remus' soft voice broke through her reverie.

"Yes," she admitted. "And a little nervous."

"Why nervous? It's only a formality, really. And it'll just be me beside you, and Harry, Ginny, and Mr. Johnstone."

"Mr. Johnstone?" Hermione asked, surprised. "That crazy old guy who sells you the Wolfsbane? Why would he be there?"

"Well," Remus said, smiling as he led her up to their bedroom. "He happens to be a very competent Officiant. He can perform a number of wedding and bonding ceremonies, not least of which is the very werewolf ceremony we need. I hope you don't mind. I thought he'd be rather perfect."

Hermione smiled softly, undressing quickly in an effort to get to cuddle with her soon-to-be-bonded mate. "I don't mind. I do think he'll be perfect."

"Good, because I don't think I've ever known him to be so excited. His owl was so smothered in exclamation points I nearly went deaf reading it," Remus said wryly.

"If anyone could do it, it would be him," Hermione agreed, holding the covers back.

Remus crawled into the bed, immediately taking her into his arms. His chin rested on the top of her head, and she could hear him inhaling her scent.

"Are you sure this is how you want to do this? It doesn't feel very fair to you."

Hermione tilted her head up for a kiss and was obliged. "I only want you. I know it's seems sudden, but to me, nothing's ever felt more right. I really love you, Remus Lupin, and I want to be bonded to you. More than anything."

"I want that, too," he whispered, trailing fingers over her collarbone and following the path with little nibbles. "But I hate thinking that one day you'll regret doing it like this rather than having a big day like you deserve."

"It almost sounds like you're the one who wants the big day, Remus," Hermione probed, watching his face for clues.

He hesitated, before shrugging one shoulder. "In a perfect world, maybe. But, like you, I can't stand to think that we're affecting the free will of our friends, even if they are exes. I'll always care about Tonks. She was the first woman to ever show me I was desirable. I don't want to hurt her."

Hermione nodded. Ron had played a huge role in her development, and he, too, was the first man to ever make her feel like more than just a head full of knowledge. She knew he would make another woman very happy one day; but that didn't stop her from being incredibly grateful that it wouldn't be her. What she had with Remus went so much deeper than happiness. It was a soul-deep sense of rightness and belonging.

No one had ever made her feel so good. Remus made her whole.

"It's going to be fine, I promise. This time tomorrow we'll be bonded, our friends will go back to normal...whatever that is...and we can start the rest of our lives together."

"You're such a romantic," he teased, nuzzling her neck and nipping at her claim mark. The scar remained, and she hoped it would forever. She never thought she'd be the type to want to be marked in such an obvious and permanent way, but it made her feel wanted, needed, safe. And she knew Remus loved it, if the way he was always touching it, looking at it, and baring it was any indication.

"We should probably get some sleep," Hermione weakly protested. Her body was dead tired but awakening with a speed only Remus could induce.

"Probably," he agreed, pushing her gently onto her back and cupping her breast lightly with one callused hand.

"We have a long day tomorrow," she reminded him.

"And today was quite long as well," he rejoined, though without stopping his actions as his words would suggest, rolling a taut nipple between skilled fingers, making her stomach quiver.

"Well," she breathed, "another hour shouldn't make that much difference."

"No difference at all."

His mouth slowly lowered onto her, and he took his time with his sweet seduction. Though they made love as often as they fucked, it still wasn't usually slow. Remus always made every move, every gesture count, and by the end of any unhurried foreplay, she was always begging for harder, faster, more. But this time she was determined to let him take her at the pace he chose. She knew that despite his leisurely tempo, dominance was at the foremost of his mind, and he wouldn't appreciate her taking charge tonight.

In a week or so, toward the middle of the moon phase, he would have absolutely no issue with her exerting herself a little more. But right now, she was his to play with.

His hand left her swollen nipple to traverse her ribcage and belly, gentle fingers making every movement feel like sex itself. She loosely wrapped her arms around his neck, not trapping him, merely letting him know she was involved. She wanted to pull on the hair at the base of his skull, but she intuitively knew better. She gently ran her fingers through it instead, returning his kiss with fervour, but careful not to try to overpower him. There would be a time when these thoughts would become second nature to her, as her body and mind became as attuned to the lunar phases as his, but for now, her overactive left brain made sure she made the right moves.

Hermione moaned softly into Remus' greedy mouth as his fingers lightly slid between her lower lips. She was ready for him, so ready, but his hand was teasing, circling her clit without any satisfying pressure.

Her hips rolled lightly, and her arms moved from his neck to his shoulders, with one hand reaching straight for his already straining cock. They both sighed as she enclosed it in a tight fist, knowing he liked the firm grip.

The kiss still did not break as he gently parted her thighs and moved between them. She immediately bent her knees, gripping him tightly and trying to entice his cock into her body with slow gyrations. His hand, no longer teasing, rubbed her clit and set off quick lights behind her eyelids.

"Remus," she whispered against his lips, her hand attempting to guide him within her. He drew it away, however, and draped both her arms around his neck again, where she clasped them tightly together to stop her from gripping his arse and forcing him to fuck her. She wanted to beg, to plead, to demand, but she did none of these. She felt like any dirty words from her would ruin the sweet, lingering lovemaking, and she didn't want it to turn into something tawdry.

Finally, she felt his arousal press against her wet entrance, and she nearly groaned with relief. He slid within her, slower than he ever had, making her feel every inch of penetration. The gradual insertion made her more aware than ever of his size, of his power. That he could hold back when she was shaking with the effort not to thrust herself onto him was awe-inspiring.

When he was fully sheathed, he hesitated, resting inside and kissing her languidly. She was sure she'd never been kissed for so long or with such precision, such passionate intent. They broke only to breathe, and even then, he didn't stray from her lips; instead, he exhaled softly against her wet mouth, cooling the swollen lips and making her crazy with his sweet breaths. She could feel him throbbing inside her, but this intimacy of being so closely connected but not actually moving was the most intense sensation.

Remus gathered her small body into his arms, holding her against himself under her shoulder and back until she rested on his arms instead of the bed. His body was pressed perfectly against hers, and they were connected in every possible way. Hermione felt as though her mind was completely exposed, that if he opened his eyes for a moment, he'd know all her secrets, and she wouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed because she would know his, and together they were more than just a man and woman with decades of baggage and mere minutes of love comparatively. But for the two of them, in this beautiful moment of life on pause, it was more than enough, more than they'd ever need to get through the inevitable trials ahead of them.

"I love you," she gasped, unable to keep her eyes open against the onslaught of emotions. Making love had never seemed so poignant, so meaningful, and she fought to keep her poise as he slowly ground into her body.

Remus neither slowed nor quickened his pace, and the steady thrusting caught her in a storm of sensation. Her orgasm was unexpected, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming, feeling as though any overt expression would make the moment disappear.

He must have come at the same moment, because his gasp reached her ringing ears, and his body stilled as he filled her with warmth.

"I love you," he finally whispered, his voice raspy and reverent. He looked down into her eyes, and she was struck, as always, by how much of himself he allowed her to see. His eyes were open and warm, and he looked completely awed. She smiled self-consciously under the scrutiny, and he dropped small, gentle kisses along her lips and jaw.

"My mate," he said softly, giving her the Remus smile.

"Yours," Hermione agreed, safe under the comforting weight and protective gaze of the man she loved.