2

A/N: I don't own anything but the plot, and even that is questionable. Thanks again to ScatteredLogic; any mistakes remaining are mine.

Chapter 2

After Hermione and Ginny left me in the Leaky Cauldron, I finished up my shopping as soon as I could. I had been away for the full moon for most of the week since classes were over. Although Severus and Hermione had made improvements to the Wolfsbane Potion, it still took a lot out of me to transform and recover each month.

I missed my witch and was aching to get back into her arms as soon as possible. I say ‘my witch,’ but I don’t really know if that’s the case. We’re fond of each other, true. We have a deep bond as friends – and a similar one as lovers – but to say we have a formal arrangement would be incorrect. I knew she carried a torch for Severus, and when she told me about what had happened in the Malfoy dungeons, I wasn’t surprised. Amused, yes, that Severus thought of me as her ‘pet werewolf,’ but not surprised.

I expected her to break off whatever we had so she would feel free to pursue the taciturn Potions master. I would have been right depressed about it, too. Hermione is a wonderful witch and a giving, energetic lover. No, she told me that she had no intention of stopping our liaison and she would go after Severus in addition, confessing that she hoped the two of us could, in time, come to respect each other enough to share her fully.

It may have been better at that point to tell her that Severus and I had been intermittent lovers for the past five years, but she was so excited and idealistic that I couldn’t bring myself to burst her bubble and take away her self-assigned challenge. Hermione has never been one to do things by halves, and if she wanted both me and Severus, she would find a way.

I managed to make it back to Hogwarts just in time for the Leaving Feast, sliding into my seat between Hermione and Rolanda Hooch as Albus started nattering on about the House Cup.

“Welcome back, Remus,” Hermione said warmly as she reached past me to pour herself a glass of pumpkin juice. “I hope your week wasn’t too tiring!” She was the picture of perfect concern for a colleague, yet I knew if I looked to her other side where Severus was seated, he’d have some scowl or another on his face. I couldn’t tell from day to day if it was Hermione or me he was peeved at. I just smiled and laid my hand across Hermione’s in a friendly fashion.

“It was a bit strenuous, but I’ve managed to recover. Thank you for your concern, dear Hermione.”

Our conversation was interrupted at that point by loud, raucous screaming and clapping from the Gryffindor table. I can only presume that meant they won the House Cup. It would be just like Albus to award points to Gryffindors who had left school. I don’t mean to malign my own house. Maybe they did win it on their own; but Albus is a Gryffindor and he’s also very sneaky.

The rest of the meal passed in polite conversation and the usual delicious food. I rather enjoyed watching Hermione baiting Severus. When did she become such a Flirtations Mistress? Maybe the seven years of living with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil had finally sunk in now that she wasn’t trying to stuff her brain full of every book in the Hogwarts Library. Poor Severus. He’d have an easier time of it if he’d just admit he fancied her instead of denying his attraction at every turn; I know by experience. It took the better part of first term for Hermione to convince me that she wasn’t the bushy-haired third year I had first met any longer.

The object of my affections pushed her chair back with a sigh and rose from the table. “Coming by later for a cuppa, Remus?” she asked, her hand on my shoulder.

“I should be there around eight,” I answered in the affirmative. “I’ll see you then.”

She strolled out of the great hall, chivvying a couple of erstwhile first years to go and get started on their packing.

“Lupin.”

Ah, Severus. Got your knickers in a twist, do you?

“Yes, Severus?” I asked, turning my attention to the dark man.

“Could you come by the dungeons before your rendezvous with Miss Granger? I’d like to get a blood sample and a report from you so we can see how the latest version of Wolfsbane worked,” he requested, raising an eyebrow at me. “I promise to not keep you too long.”

Severus shows his jealousy in the most subtle ways. He did, of course, need a blood sample and a report. It was the raised eyebrow and the promise to not keep me too long that told me he was feeling just a little neglected. At that moment, I could really appreciate Hermione’s desire for a triad.

I walked with Severus down to the dungeons and let him draw my blood for testing.

“Do you have time to give me a report now, Remus?” he asked, offhandedly, as he labeled the phial of blood.

“I have plenty of time for you, Severus,” I said softly, catching hold of his hand.

“Don’t patronize me!” he snapped, yanking his hand away. “The students may think I have no friends and need none, but you, of all people, should know better!” He turned, in a perfect whirl of billowing black robes, and stormed into his private sitting room. I followed, watching as he threw himself into an armchair before the fire.

For someone who led a double life for twenty years, Severus is a bit of a drama queen. It makes him an excellent potions brewer and a passionate lover, but tends to get in the way of what should be rational conversations. Then again, when are matters of the heart ever rational?

I went to the liquor cabinet and poured two glasses of brandy, handing one to Severus as I went to sit in the opposite armchair.

“I’m not patronizing you, Severus. You should know me better than that by now. You’re the one who drew away when I got involved with Hermione over the winter hols,” I pointed out. “Has she talked to you since that night two weeks ago?” I carefully watched his expression, which only became darker. Apparently she hadn’t! The naughty little minx! “Then she didn’t she tell you she wants us to get along enough to share her?” I sat back in the chair with a smile.

He glared at me over the rim of his brandy snifter. “She wants what?!” he sputtered, setting the glass down, a look of genuine amusement and mirth spreading over his features. Severus is very attractive when he smiles. “Didn’t you tell her that we’ve been ‘getting along enough’ since you came to teach here her third year?”

“I didn’t tell her anything. She’s taking it up as a personal challenge, so I didn’t want to ruin all her fun. You know how much she likes to be in charge, and I thought it might be a pleasant,” I leaned forward in my chair, grinning conspiratorially, “surprise for her, if we approached her together.”

Severus smirked, standing and tugging me to my feet. “You have an hour before you said you’d meet the witch for tea. Let’s go and discuss this in the bedroom,” he suggested, wrapping an arm around my waist, his other hand cupping my cheek. He rubbed his thumb over the slight bit of stubble along my jawline. “I admit I’ve been remiss in attending to you, wolf,” he growled into my ear.

“You daft idiot,” I muttered affectionately as I turned to kiss him, catching his lower lip between my teeth, “I thought you’d never shag me again the way you’ve been acting.” I flicked my wand at the door, casting a silencing and locking charm, and followed him into the bedroom.

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An hour later I was off for tea with Hermione, feeling again very much at rights with Severus. I felt a little dishonest for not telling her right away that Severus and I had been involved when she mentioned pursuing us both, but it really had taken me by surprise. Hermione loves the chase, though. If anything, I thought she might be pleased that I took a little initiative to bring her desires closer.