Six

Thank you so much for the outpouring of support and encouragement you have given me over this story. I don't think I can ever convey how much it means to me.

All early disclaimers still apply.

The champagne cork popped and they all laughed as Severus filled three flutes with Dom Perignon. "Tonight definitely calls for celebration!" Hermione declared, trying to keep the bubbly from foaming over the top of the glass.

Remus was so happy he was nearly floating off the ground. "Hear, hear! To the formidable team of Snape and Snape: The greatest Potioneers the Wizarding world has ever known!"

"Oh, I'm sure there is at least one other Potions Master in the world who could have cracked the Mela-Wolfsbane Serum," Severus replied smugly.

"Of course, Professor Modest," Hermione teased gently. "Which is why you're receiving another Order of Merlin, while this other poor, talented, unknown Potioneer is living in complete obscurity in a tree in the Trossachs."

The trio downed their champagne in one gulp, then threw their glasses into the fireplace, where they made a satisfying smashing sound. Hermione cheered, and Severus allowed himself a smile as she threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly on the lips. "I'm so proud of you I could burst," she said softly, and over her shoulder, Severus met Remus' eyes. The look of joy in them matched the content in his heart.

~o0o~

Remus' transformation the first month after his return was horrific. Even with the most potent Wolfsbane they could brew, the full moon nearly ripped the man in half. They chained him down in their cellar with strong, magically-reinforced shackles, and still Severus had to guard him. He never reverted back to human form during the entire full moon period, even during the day.

They tried Calming Draughts, Dreamless Sleep, even Seditivo Elixir, a potion used in the Janus Thickey Ward on the most violent mental patients. These seemed to actually agitate him further. When the full moon phase was finally over, Remus was so exhausted and magically depleted Hermione remarked he looked worse than she did during her cancer treatments. He was also ravenous.

As they sat by his bedside, watching him sleep, Hermione and Severus talked about what they could do. "It could be his upset over Tonks has caused some sort of chemical imbalance. That can trigger depression in Muggles," Hermione said absently.

"Don't chew your lip," Severus said just as absently. "I insist on doing any lip-chewing, Madam." The joke brought a ghost of a smile.

The next day, while researching ideas on how to strengthen Wolfsbane, Hermione asked, "What if it does have something to do with Melatonin levels, Severus? These chemicals and hormones trigger all sorts of chain reactions in the body...cause and effect. Melatonin regulates the body clock.

"Remus was almost malnourished when he came back; you need Tryptophan to produce Melatonin. Melatonin acts to regulate Leptin, which is an appetite inhibitor. Without Melatonin, Leptin can't suppress the appetite, which, in a werewolf, is its driving factor. Maybe that's why his transformation was so severe."

"It's a plausible theory," Severus mused. "We could try adding synthesised Melatonin and Leptin to the next batch of Wolfsbane."

Remus was only too happy to be their guinea pig. In addition, they placed him on a special diet, with heavy amounts cherries, bananas and grapes, rice and cereals, certain herbs, olive oil, and wine. They tried using several different enzymes and hormones, opting to increase the Feverfew and St. Johns Wort ratios in the original potion.

When they discovered that depletion of Melatonin and Leptin affected chemotherapy, they consulted with Healer Blyte on the treatment used for Hermione's cancer. An agent in the treatment, closely resembling chemotherapeutic drugs, was isolated, and it was hypothesised that the same cancer-producing cells that had threatened Hermione could indeed be related to the cellular metamorphosis that took place in werewolf transformation.

Mela-Wolfsbane Serum was created, which allowed the werewolf to complete a series of intravenous treatments which kept the transformations at bay for eight months at a time. The results were astounding. Remus declared he'd never felt better, and Severus was awarded a second Order of Merlin, First Class.

~o0o~

After the awards ceremony and their own private celebrations, the three of them sat happily staring into the fire in their front room.

"So, what now?" Remus asked, looking content and healthy as he stretched his legs toward the fire's warmth. "Still planning that trip to Sri Lanka?"

"Perhaps," Hermione said lazily, and laid her head on Severus' shoulder. "With the extra money coming in, perhaps we'll extend our trip. Japan, Uruguay, Africa..."

"I knew you'd throw that one in," Severus drawled, toying with one of her curls. "Admit it, wife of mine, you only wish to visit Africa to have a chance to play in your Animagus form."

Hermione nodded sheepishly. "Well, I won't deny there's a bit of truth to that."

"Here now, what's this?" Remus asked good-naturedly, his eyes full of curiosity.

Severus explained, "Hermione was in the final stages of registering as an Animagus when she got ill."

Hermione took up the story, as was her wont. "When I was ill, I couldn't transform at all. It was so frustrating...all that work and preparation, and I couldn't so much as transfigure a toe. But since I got the all clear, I've been able to transform without any hitch whatsoever."

Remus nodded. "Ah, yes, an otter, I believe."

Hermione shook her head modestly. "No, that was my Patronus. Turns out I'm a Multi-magus."

Lupin's eyes grew wide with surprise. "Well, well. That's very rare, especially in witches. I've heard of a few wizards, but never a..." He shook his head, marveling. "Trust you, Hermione."

"Once an overachiever, always an..."

"Yes, thank you very much, O supportive one," Hermione sniped, playfully swatting Severus' thigh. "Anyway, as I was about to say: when I was ill and couldn't change, I started obssessing about trying to join a den and see if I could somehow communicate or be accepted as one of them. Who knows?" she smiled. "Perhaps I can now."

Clearly intrigued, Remus drew near. "Well, go on! You can't have a build up like that and not perform the big reveal."

Hermione turned to Severus, a mischievous glint in her eye. Severus felt a little thrill. "Go on, then," he rumbled, feigning indulgent sufferance. "But don't get too boisterous, or you'll likely hurt one of us and not even be aware of it."

Remus laughed. "Would you two stop teasing me and get on with it? I'm breathless with anticipation."

Severus smirked. "Brace yourself, Lupin." He nodded to Hermione. "Go ahead, Lass. Show Remus what a true Gryffindor Animagus witch can do."

Hermione looked into his eyes and Severus tried to convey to her all he was feeling. There was immense pride, and love, and that frisson of arousal he always felt when her...

...body trembled, and she began to change. Her eyes were the first to transform, changing from their lovely amber brown to a deep golden, growing larger into a face that was elongating and enlarging, her entire body growing so heavy the sofa sagged with her weight. The tawny head looked down at him, and the huge tail thumped so hard against his leg he winced.

"Sweet Neptune and the Naiads," Remus breathed, his eyes round with wonder.

Severus couldn't help but chuckle at the fully grown lioness sitting beside him on the sofa. Hermione nuzzled her massive head against his. He could feel her deep rumbling purr vibrating through the sofa cushions.

As if mesmerised, Remus sat down on the opposite side of Hermione. "Gods, her Animagus form is stunning."

Severus smirked. "Just you wait," he promised, and stroked Hermione's tawny neck. "Show him, my love," he whispered. For a moment, the look on the lioness' face was so implacably Hermione that he laughed. "Well, go ahead, my little show-off!" The thrill changed to arousal. "Show him," he whispered.

Hermione threw back her head and roared. It was the most beautiful, sexy sound in the world to Severus. It was deep and full of power and magic and it rattled the glass in the windows.

"Bloody hell!" Remus exclaimed, and the second roar was as fierce and thrilling as the first. Remus stared at Hermione's transformed body in wonder. "You are amazing," he said, unabashedly, and stroked her body as if she were a cat.

Watching him, Severus felt a sudden, stunned realisation. It wasn't just him. Remus was just as aroused by this magical creature, alchemised from his wife's body, enormous and beautiful. His hands shook as he, too, stroked her flanks, and as he and Remus petted and stroked her, she nuzzled against Severus' face, her purr deafening in his ears.

"The heat," Remus marveled, now stroking her with both hands. "The heat from her body is tremendous. And the fragrance is like nothing else I've ever encountered."

He closed his eyes, and pressed himself against her, unmindful of anything but the animal's warmth and scent and acceptance. He moaned softly as the big cat purred and preened beneath both men's hands. "That is the most delicious scent."

Severus watched, his arm around Hermione's neck as she lolled her huge head against his shoulder. Remus looked almost rapturous, and Severus knew his own expression would no doubt be similar. Anytime Hermione transfigured into her Animagus form, when she returned to her human form they were both so randy and aroused they usually made love where ever they were, not bothering with trying to even locate a bed. Hermione would be wet and ready for him, and Severus would be bone hard, as hard as he was growing now.

As if on cue Remus' eyes opened, and he straightened, though his hands stayed on Hermione.

"I can smell her," he said, and swallowed. "And I can smell you, too, Severus." His words were barely a whisper. His eyes were glazed with arousal. "You're both so beautiful, and you want each other." He sagged, as if his good humour and joy were draining from him. "I'll leave you now..."

"Stay." The word was out of Severus' mouth before he could think, before he wanted to think. "You love her."

Remus froze, but refused to look away. "You know I do. I love you both dearly."

Don't think don't think don't think..."Then stay. Stay and make love to Hermione with me."

To Be Continued...