Chapter 21

"Oh, my gods, I'm so nervous!"

Hermione smiled as her friend frantically tried to pin up her long red hair. For once, Hermione's hair was behaving, and it was Ginny's that gave her a hard time.

Hermione patiently extracted a few ill-placed pins and reinserted them, firmly securing the mass of curls.

"Why are you nervous? You're not the one getting bonded today," Hermione teased, knowing full well that her friend was nervous on her behalf.

"I know, it's just... I'm so happy for you. For you both! I can't believe this is happening. I mean, it feels like just yesterday you were telling us you were together. And now you'll be as good as married!"

"Yes," Hermione agreed softly. "As good as."

She stepped into the pale yellow dress she'd chosen for the day's ceremony. It had a fitted bust and waist, dropping into a full flare with several layers of crinoline, before ending with a lacy trim just below her knees. It was a very pretty dress, and Hermione was pleased with how it showed off her delicate frame. Her hair was tied into a French braid on Ginny's insistence...any other style would not be borne. Her make-up was understated, as it always was. Only a light blush and some eye make-up adorned her face. She left her lips bare, anticipating the kiss that would seal their bonding.

Ginny also looked beautiful in a dark blue gown with lace overlay. It was almost too dressy for the occasion, but Ginny wouldn't be deterred, and Hermione didn't mind. Ginny was essentially a bridesmaid, and she knew her friend would want to play the role seriously, short though the courting, 'engagement,' and ceremony all were.

After slipping her feet into delicate strappy stilettos, Hermione stepped in front of the mirror in her bedroom. Remus and Harry were getting ready in a spare room the next floor up, and Mr. Johnstone was waiting patiently in the parlour, where the ceremony would take place. The furniture had been moved or Transfigured so that the room was basically empty. Ginny had gone candle-happy, and hundreds of soft white candles were lit, scattered on every available surface and floating in the air. Hermione had only seen it for a moment when she'd shown the Officiant to the room.

He'd been thrilled to see Hermione, remembering her from the day they'd met in alley when Remus had purchased the Wolfsbane from the man. He was more subdued that she remembered, or perhaps he just knew it was an important day. Either way, the small, white-haired inventor had kind words for her and Remus, and he'd immediately put her at ease.

Once she was satisfied that her appearance was acceptable, Hermione cast a Tempus spell. Only a few minutes to go. At that moment, she heard Harry's voice, followed by a soft murmur that she immediately recognised as Remus. Hermione ran to open the door, but Ginny grabbed her arm and swung her around, leaving them both tottering dangerously on their heels.

"What are you doing?" Ginny stage-whispered. "You can't see him!"

"What do you mean? I want to!"

"I don't care what you want!" Ginny exclaimed incredulously. "You cannot see him before the wedding!"

"Ginny," Hermione sighed. "For the last time, this is not a wedding. It's a simple ceremony. It means the world to us, of course, but the traditions we're used to don't apply."

"Please, Hermione," Ginny whispered, looking dangerously close to tears. "You only get this day one time. What harm will it do to stick to a couple old traditions? For my sake?"

Ginny looked so earnest that Hermione really had no choice but to capitulate. Not that it mattered, because she'd heard Remus and Harry walk down the stairs anyway.

"Are you ready?" Ginny asked, all smiles now that she'd gotten her way.

"Yes," Hermione answered.

"Just one more thing," the redhead said, presenting Hermione with a smallish box. She looked at her friend questioningly, but Ginny only smiled. Hermione opened the box, unsure of what she was looking it. It appeared to be some sort of netting.

"Gin?" she asked, feeling silly for not knowing what the gift was.

But Ginny smiled understandingly. She picked the small piece of fabric up and placed it on Hermione's head, fitting it so the netting covered Hermione's face to the tip of her nose. There were small diamonds glittering in the netting, which was large enough that Hermione could easily see through.

"It's a birdcage veil," Ginny explained. "It was my mother's. I know that... that your parents couldn't be with us, but my mum had always considered you a daughter. And she wanted you to wear this. It would... it would mean the world if you did. I know you don't think you're a bride, but you are, Hermione. You are."

Hermione's eyes were sparkling as much as the accents of her veil. "It's absolutely beautiful. And I would be honoured to wear it." And it was true. But as much as she loved the accessory, seeing Ginny beam as tears spilled over and dropped onto the silk of her dress was the real gift.

"You're ready now."

*

Remus wasn't nervous. In fact, he couldn't remember a time in his long and listless life where everything had fallen into place so seamlessly.

For a man who never truly believed he deserved love, he was incredibly fierce about never letting it go, now that it was his.

He'd had to laugh when Harry had come over early to 'help him get ready.' Apparently, this meant dressing the older man. Remus' chosen robes had been tossed aside for brand new, deep chocolate brown dress robes. They were crisp and sharp and everything his usual attire was not. He couldn't say how much he appreciated the gift, but he tried. Harry's acceptance and approval meant the world to Remus, as he was his old friend's son, his best friend's godson, and the best friend of the love of his life. They were all connected in so many ways that Remus knew he would never be without family again. Having Hermione in his life had changed more than just his sex life. The love of his amazing woman made him strong, capable, worthy.

When he and Harry had descended the stairs to wait for Hermione in the parlour, he'd stopped outside her room, wanting to make sure she was okay. Harry had been completely aghast, telling him he would be permitted to do no such thing. Remus had been swayed, and now he stood with Harry and Mr. Johnstone amidst a glimmering sea of candlelight, waiting for the moment when all his fears were put to rest.

For Remus did have fear. He couldn't help the niggling feeling that unless he declared their love official, Hermione would leave him. This bonding would set their friends to right, and that was the main reason for doing it so quickly.

But that was not the main reason for doing it at all. After today, Hermione was his in the eyes of the entire werewolf community. No other wolf could smell her enticing scent; no other wolf would see her on her knees, on her back. This was the true claiming. And maybe it was primal, maybe it was archaic, but he didn't care anymore. After a lifetime of trying to outrun his lycanthropy, Remus had finally accepted that this was who he was. And Hermione loved him for that. Not despite it.

He heard their bedroom door open and the clacking of high heels on the hardwood floor. Harry met his eyes, and they both smiled anxiously. Mr. Johnstone was practically bouncing in place.

When Hermione stood at the top of the stairs, Remus' world disappeared.

My mate.

He'd never seen her look so beautiful; he'd never seen her look so sure. Her smile was pure sunlight, and it warmed him even from the distance between them, which she was closing eagerly. In her pale yellow gown and glittering hairpiece she looked solar, and suddenly it all came together.

The only thing that can defeat the moon... the sun.

She was smiling shakily as she walked to her place beside Remus. Ginny's broad smile was contradicted by the flood of tears on her face, and he absently heard Harry laugh softly at the sheer volume.

Remus immediately reached for Hermione's hands, and she lifted her face to him. Had Remus had any reservations beforehand, they would have been washed away in the radiance of her eyes.

Mr. Johnstone began talking in a low, sure voice, outlining the ceremony in which they had to do little else but repeat his words and seal the bond with a vow of intention and a kiss.

"Remus John Lupin. Do you take into your heart Hermione Jean Granger, to honour, protect, and cherish, until rendered incapable by the strictures of death?"

"I do," Remus said firmly, not looking away from Hermione's beatific face.

"Will you renounce all others, remaining faithful both in body and spirit?"

"I will."

"By ancient Werewolf Law, will you love this woman wholly and unreservedly until the transitory parting of death?"

"I will," Remus whispered earnestly, his grip on Hermione's hand enough to hurt her, but her face showed only elation.

"Hermione Jean Granger. Do you take into your heart Remus John Lupin, to honour, protect, and love, until rendered incapable by the strictures of death?"

"Yes, I do."

"Will you renounce all others, remaining faithful both in body and spirit?"

"I will."

"And by ancient Werewolf Law, will you love this man wholly and unreservedly until the transitory parting of death?"

"And longer," she promised.

"Excellent. I am honoured to proclaim you Bonded in the eyes of werewolves, Mated by ancient Werewolf Law. Please state your vows of intention. Remus?"

Remus took a step closer to Hermione. Harry and Ginny could hear only if they strained, and Mr. Johnstone, while close enough to overhear, looked at the ground to give them privacy. This part of the ceremony wasn't imperative to the outcome; it was simply a declaration, a promise made by two parties to begin as they meant to go on.

"Hermione... I have loved you..." Remus stopped, taking a deep breath before lifting her hands to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. She smiled encouragingly and with just enough of a glint of humour that Remus felt ready to go on. "I have loved you since before I knew you. You were the ideal, the one I always wanted and never believed I deserved. And when you took me into your heart, I knew peace in a way I never thought possible. I will honour you, I will make you proud. I will make you happy. I will worship you, earn you, fight for you, and make love to you until the day I die. You are my equal, my perfect other half. You make me whole. I love you."

Ginny snuffled loudly and Harry sighed, whether at his wife's loud noise or the romance of the moment, Remus wasn't sure. A single tear had finally dropped from Hermione's glittering eyes, and he smoothed it away with the pad of his thumb under her veil before brushing his thumb over her lips. He knew it wasn't time yet, but he leaned in kiss her softly, tasting the salty wetness he'd placed there and knowing it meant that she was happy.

"Hermione?" Mr. Johnstone prompted.

"Remus," she whispered, her voice barely a breath across his cheek. "You were the man I dreamed about when I was old enough to know what I wanted. Someone to challenge me, to teach me, to learn from me, to love me. Before you, I didn't believe love could be so honest, so pure and yet so... real. Having your love makes me feel capable of anything. I want to see the world with you and never leave our bedroom." The tension in the room lifted a little as everyone chuckled, and Remus smiled, despite his eyes blurring. "I will love you, desire you, stand for you, kneel for you, and expect all of that in return. You are my one true love, Remus."

Remus drew a sharp breath when a golden light seemed to effuse from Hermione. It gave her a gentle, throbbing glow before it expanded, tendrils forming and encompassing him. He met her widened eyes, and when he looked down at himself, a similar glow, only silver, was surrounding him. The magic sparked and tickled along their skin as it caressed them, entwining and twirling in a carefree fashion, both colours enveloping them both until all they could see was one another.

As though he was born to do it, as though there was no other choice, Remus leaned in and kissed Hermione. Her lips were soft but sparkling with magic, and it took his breath away. She gasped into his mouth, and he knew his lips must have felt the same. As his tongue gently touched the tip of hers, he had two simultaneous thoughts: Mine, and Finally.

The first was certainly his, but the second had a more feminine cadence to it. It was Hermione's.

When he broke the kiss, she was smiling shakily, nodding to confirm she'd heard the dual thoughts as well. But when Remus reached out to hear another, there was only the tumult of his own mind. He felt a momentary loss, but he couldn't be sad for long, with the woman he loved in his arms, his in the eyes of ancient law.

Suddenly, the gold and silver swirling lights drew in closer before exploding in a brilliant firework, showering the witnesses with their bond. Remus slowly became aware of the room around him once more, dimly hearing Mr. Johnstone speaking.

"Beautiful! Just beautiful. Don't get to perform many of these, indeed not. But when I was young, your age, son, I performed a few, and I can honestly say beyond a shadow, a shadow of a doubt that those were the brightest auras, the most secure magics I've seen...the loveliest and most sincere. And I swear I've never said those words to another soul, no, certainly not."

Harry was nodding rather dumbly while looking at Remus and Hermione, who had eyes only for one another.

"Best be off, kids, best take my leave. I expect these two'll be wanting some privacy, kids, yessir! I do believe that'll be just the ticket. An honour, it was! An honour, indeed."

And with that, Mr. Johnstone was off. Remus absently heard the front door closing, but he saw only for the woman in his arms. Harry cleared his throat in the background, and Ginny shuffled her feet. Remus bent to take Hermione's lips again. There was just no way he could leave them so bare and lonely.

Whispering voices had an iota of his attention, somewhere behind him and far away, but only Hermione mattered. She was making that whimpering noise that made him absolutely fall apart, and her hands were gripping his robes as though she was drowning.

"Time to go, Harry," Remus murmured, breaking the kiss only to move his lips to that bare, delicious neck.

"Thank you both so much. We'll owl you later. We should... have dinner, or... something..." Hermione trailed off, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back.

Remus heard more whispering, but he didn't care. He lowered Hermione to the floor where they stood, neither one having the inclination to traverse the steps to their bedroom.

"Okay!" Harry exclaimed. "At least wait until we're gone to consummate!" Ginny cried out as Harry grabbed her hand and sped them both to the door. "Animals," he muttered under his breath, an amused chuckle taking any sting out of his words.

Hermione's legs fell open as Remus settled between them. He tried to think about why getting her to their bedroom was a good idea, why taking her right here on the floor of their parlour was rather unseemly, but reason failed him. Why not here? he thought. Why not here among the flickering glows of a hundred candles, here in the very room where they had been bonded for life?

Truly, there was no better place for a consummation that the exact spot in which the vows themselves had taken place.

With his decision made, Remus brought his attention back to Hermione's silky neck. She always knew just how to tilt her head so the long, creamy column was exposed, that vein lightly pulsing, a dark purple buried beneath the honey of her skin. He nipped it solidly, feeling the pounding of the blood against his lips as she became excited.

"Remus, shouldn't we..." she began, trailing off again as his hand slipped between her thighs, her dress raised lewdly around her hips.

His fingers slid without preamble into her body, moving the thin lacy panties to one side to access her more quickly.

"We should do nothing but this," he whispered, mouthing her claim mark, which seemed to be glittering with the remnants of their bond's fireworks. Her moan was an aphrodisiac, her fluttering pulse a drug.

"Yes," she agreed mindlessly. "Just this."

Then she was pulling at his robes, stripping them off of him in record time. She was usually so willing to play the submissive role that this aggression was both unusual and highly arousing. Though he may have preferred to take complete control to the point where she couldn't even move except to writhe beneath him, her frenzy was proof of her desire for him, and that was a very potent and heady feeling. He was willing to let her take charge for the moment...she would, of course, remain beneath him, however.

She made short work of his clothing, and he removed her dress and undergarments. He sat back on his heels, taking in the unbelievable sight before him. Hermione, his Hermione, lying on the floor, legs wantonly splayed, arms above her head, hips moving as though he was still touching her. Completely naked except for the mesh veil over half her face and her white high heels. A more debauched angel was never seen. And would never be.

And she was his.

Lightly holding her arms in their position, Remus entered his mate slowly, making sure she felt every inch as he claimed her. The ceremony was words and pretty sparkles, but this was the real magic.

Remus thought about making love her to slowly, as he had the night before. Showcasing his love through gentleness and quiet passion. But that wasn't who they were, not really. And he had promised to begin as he meant to go on.

So his thrusts were immediately punishing, both to himself and to Hermione's delicate body. He gave no care to the brutality he laid upon his knees, her back, their bodies.

Her soft cries made the wolf roar. It was so close to the surface right now, he could practically taste the bristling fur, the cracking bones, the torn clothing. The wolf was howling, pining, desperate to be released, to be freed in a way Remus had never allowed.

But now was not the time for such selfishness. Not when he couldn't control or predict the outcome.

"Love you," Hermione gasped breathlessly as he pounded his unyielding cock into her body. He coaxed her legs to clamp around his waist, driving deeper than before. Her veil was slightly askew but he made no effort to fix or remove it. This was an image he would remember for the rest of his life. His mate, the formerly prim and proper Hermione Granger, willingly and greedily accepting his cock, body flushed with desire, shaking with the force of his thrusts. White shoes pressing painfully into his arse, sparkling veil crooked because of the way her head tossed from side to side in her ecstasy.

She was so completely his. It was irrefutable, now. She was marked. No wolf would ever come near her.

And he would make it so no man would ever come near her, either. At least, no man with lascivious intentions. But that was for another day. Right now, all that mattered was the boiling blood in his veins and that sweet metallic taste near her neck.

Remus, driven by instinct as he had been only once before, timed his next move to perfectly coincide with Hermione's agonizing orgasm. When she cried out his name, he bit down...again...into the soft flesh of her neck, indelibly marking her in the exact same place.

He would have chosen a new place, had he been in control, but his actions were guided by ancient forces beyond his control.

"Goddamn it, Remus!" she shouted, exasperated but still obviously taken away by her orgasm.

Remus, job done, thrust into her lazily until he came hard and fast, pulsing his seed into her and marking her inside and out. Breathing heavily but somehow keeping his weight off of her, he tried to follow the instincts that were telling him to stay inside her as long as possible, because he was supposed to breed with her, now that they were bonded.

And since he'd marked her for the second time, it was possible that his first claiming had been... premature.

"What did I say about biting people?" she demanded, not looking very authoritative with her wedding attire and flushed cheeks.

"That I should ask first?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed incredulously. She slapped his arm lightly and he chuckled, leaning over her to lave the freshest wound. It wasn't bleeding as badly as the first one had, but there was another set of teeth marks slightly off to side from the last. They would scar separately.

"You said it was okay," he informed her, swallowing to clear his mouth of the heavy taste of her blood.

She was silent and most likely fuming, so he elaborated. "When you promised to 'protect, honour, and love' me."

"That wasn't permission to bite me all the time, Remus," she said impatiently, wrapping her arms around his neck. He knew she wasn't too mad because she was embracing him, but he knew he'd gotten carried away again. He would have to work on that.

"You honour me by allowing my claim to rest upon your body. I love you. Thank you."

Hermione sighed loudly. "No more claim marks, okay? They really do hurt, you know."

He didn't know. But his mate wouldn't lie. He rubbed their noses together in apology before returning to the mark and licking it thoroughly, beyond what was necessary to clean and heal it. Before long, his attentions on her unique erogenous zone elicited mewling noises that roused his cock.

They made it to the bed that time, but only just.