Four

Author's note: This story was written for Potter Place's Winter, 2007 Challenge. However, contrary to a message that I posted on Potter Place, this story was not written in response to prompt #31, but rather in response to prompt #33. Mistakes like this are what happen when middle-aged women try to do things from memory rather than actually look at the list of prompts.

At any rate, this is the prompt I used to inspire this story:

Typical someone-walks-in-on-someone-else-bathing

situation. But instead of the typical reactions (they are mortally embarrassed or they start to shag like bunnies immediately), Remus, in the true spirit of the '68 sexual revolution, tells Hermione that he is sexually liberated, being naked is only natural and that he doesn't mind her seeing him naked at all. So Hermione takes her robe of as well to call his bluff. What happens then? Does she succeed and

fluster him? Do they shag like bunnies anyway? Do they have an in-depth discussion about the pros and cons about the sexual revolution – with a take on the impact on the Wizarding World? Your call, though romance would be nice.

I don't know who left this prompt, but I hope that person is pleased by my interpretation.

As always, I am grateful to my beta, JuJuJenn. She never lets the prose get too purple or the dragon dung too deep. Thanks, honey.

I would also like to thank Janine and DawnEB for responding to a question I had about British television.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Four

It was a long night. By the time the party was winding down, the story of Remus's encounter with the Cornish Pixie had been told and re-told so many times, it seemed it had already passed into legend.

Reactions had been varied. Mad-eye Moody was of the opinion that Remus had paid a small price for his lack of vigilance.

The twins had just about fallen over themselves laughing. Remus didn't say anything to them about their part in the debacle, but he took a small measure of satisfaction in knowing that they would have their own run-in with the pesky Pixie later.

Hagrid had volunteered to take the Pixie away. Remus assured him that it had already been disposed of.

Neville, nearly in tears, confided to Remus that he still had nightmares about his encounter with the creatures back during his second year. He added that he sincerely hoped that Remus wouldn't suffer the same fate.

Luna Lovegood looked at him solemnly and told him he should be glad that it hadn't been a Wrackspurt hidden in the drawer.

"They're invisible, you know," she said. "They float into your head through your ears and make your brain fuzzy."

Remus didn't know how to respond to that remark, so he merely nodded.

With all the interest in Remus's run-in with the Pixie, his and Hermione's arrival together hadn't caused a ripple. The fact that they drifted through the party side-by-side and sat next to each other to eat didn't seem to engender any interest, either. By the time they were ready to leave, most of the guests had already left, so their departure together went largely unremarked upon, as well.

As soon as they Apparated into Hermione's parlour, Hermione went to the thermostat to adjust the air conditioning.

"Those cooling charms were wearing off faster than we could re-cast them," Hermione said.

"It's because there were so many people there," Remus said.

"I know, but it was nice to see everyone come out for Harry. He never got to celebrate his birthdays when he was living with the Dursleys," Hermione said. "And this is his first birthday since he killed Voldemort, so it was special."

"It certainly was. I just hope Harry doesn't think that my adventure today made people forget that it was his party," Remus said.

"Oh, Harry thought it was funny. He really hates being the centre of attention, you know, so I think he was glad there was something else for everyone to focus on," Hermione assured him.

There was a sudden silence between them.

"Well, I guess I should be going," Remus said at last.

"You're welcome to the couch again," Hermione said. "It'll still be like an oven at Grimmauld Place."

"I appreciate it, Hermione," Remus said. "But I need a good, long soak."

"The Bruise-Be-Gone didn't help?" Hermione asked.

"The Bruise-Be-Gone helps the blood under the skin to reabsorb quicker; it helps with the appearance of the bruises, but it doesn't do much for the soreness. Since the bruises are located in places that don't generally show, at least not in the wizarding world, there's not much point in using it."

"What will help?" Hermione asked.

"I've some healing oils I'll put in the tub."

"I have a tub," Hermione said.

"I don't have the oils with me," Remus said.

"You could go get them and come back," Hermione suggested.

"It's late, and you were up so early this morning," Remus said.

"I've put a Silencing Charm on my alarm clock," she said. "I can have a lie-in tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked. He recognised that he was making a token protest, at best.

"I'm sure, but only if you want to," she said.

"I want to."

Hermione let out the breath she'd been holding.

"I'll fill the tub while you pop back to Grimmauld Place and get what you need."

"It won't take me long," Remus said.

"You could bring enough for tomorrow," Hermione said. And then she blushed slightly. "I thought maybe we could spend the day together. I mean, if you don't have any other plans."

"At this moment, I can't think of anything I'd rather do than spend the day with you."

"I'm glad."

"Me, too."

Hermione smiled and Remus felt a jolt.

"I'll be back in ten minutes," he said.

"I'll be here," Hermione replied.

It took him seven minutes. When he reappeared in Hermione's parlour, he was carrying a small bag. He could hear the water running in the bathroom.

"Hermione, I'm back," he said as he approached the bathroom. He knew how quick she was with her wand, and he didn't want to startle her. He was sure that the sound of the running water had masked the small sound of his Apparition.

"Hi," Hermione said as stepped out of the bathroom.

"Hi, yourself," Remus replied.

"The water's good and hot," she said.

Remus reached into his pocket and brought out a small vial.

"What's in it?" Hermione asked.

Remus opened the vial and held it out to her.

"Why don't you tell me?" he said.

Hermione took the vial and lifted it to her nose. She took a small sniff.

"Peppermint and ginger," she said. She took another small sniff. "And pine?"

"You could have gone into Potions instead of Charms," he said with a smile.

"I like Potions well enough, but I prefer Charms," Hermione replied. "How much should I put in?"

"Half the vial," Remus replied. "That'll leave me enough to have a soak tomorrow, as well."

"Did I get the ingredients right?"

"Spot on," he said. "The carrier is almond oil and grape seed oil. Both are excellent emollients, but don't contribute much scent."

"And why that combination?" Hermione asked as she poured half of the vial's contents into the tub.

"Peppermint oil is an anti-inflammatory and also an analgesic. Ginger oil is warming and helps heal damaged muscle. Pine oil helps improve the blood flow to injured areas, which promotes healing. And they smell good," he said with a smile.

"Yes, they do," Hermione agreed as the fragrant steam billowed up from the tub.

"Anna and I experimented with a lot of combinations. When the properties of the ingredients were similar enough to use them interchangeably, I went with scents I really liked."

"I'll leave you to it, then," Hermione said. "I'll make up the couch for you."

"Hermione ..." Remus reached out a hand and touched her lightly on the arm. "You could join ..."

"I don't think that's a good idea right now," Hermione interrupted. "We've moved past the casual, haven't we?"

"You're right, we've moved past the casual, but we haven't quite arrived at the intimate, have we?"

"Not quite," she agreed. "But I think we're moving in that direction."

"Oh, gods, I hope so," Remus said with a small groan.

Hermione smiled. "Have your soak. I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

She slipped past him and headed into the parlour to make up the couch.

"Thank you, Hermione. Sleep well," Remus said.

"You, too. Good night."

"Good night."

Remus closed the bathroom door, undressed, and slipped into the soothing, healing water of Hermione's tub.

Once again, it was the fragrant aroma of freshly-brewed coffee that woke Remus the next morning.

He sat up on the edge of the couch and stretched. He glanced towards the windows. In spite of the drawn drapes, he could see bright light spilling in around the edges. It was much later today than it had been when he'd awakened yesterday.

"Good morning," Hermione said as she stepped into the parlour. She held a steaming cup toward Remus.

"Good morning," Remus said as he took the cup.

"Did you sleep well? How's the soreness this morning?" she asked.

"I slept great." He lifted a hand to his chest and rubbed it experimentally. "The soreness is nearly gone. Another soak tonight and I'll be as good as new – relatively speaking, of course."

He smiled and took a sip of his coffee. "How did you sleep?"

"Like someone slipped me a dose of the Draught of Living Death," she replied.

"What time is it?" Remus asked.

"It's nearly eleven."

"Really? I don't think I've slept past nine o'clock since I was a student. Well, except for the mornings after my transformations."

"Are you hungry?" Hermione asked.

"Famished," Remus said.

"I'll go see what I can scramble up for breakfast."

"Why don't you go have your shower first," Remus suggested. "I'll prepare breakfast and then shower while you're fixing your hair."

"You cook?" Hermione asked.

"You don't think Molly comes to Grimmauld Place every day to cook for me, do you? I'm no cordon bleu, but I know how to scramble an egg."

"And you can probably do it better than I can," Hermione admitted. "I'm not fond of cooking. I eat a lot of take away."

When Hermione entered the kitchen thirty minutes later, she was wearing a terrycloth dressing gown, and her hair was wrapped in a towel.

She went to the coffee pot and poured herself a second cup as Remus put two plates down on the table.

"Scrambled eggs, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, bacon and toast. Where did all this food come from?" Hermione asked as she sat down.

"You had four eggs left in the carton. At the back of the fridge, I found a tomato, which was about twelve hours away from being inedible," Remus said. "The mushrooms are tinned, but the tin wasn't bulging, so we're probably safe from botulism. The bread and the bacon were both in the freeze drawer. You really don't cook, do you?"

Hermione gave a small pout. "I cook."

Remus just grinned.

"I do. Sometimes." She paused. "All right. When I have absolutely no other choice, I might scramble an egg or throw together a bacon and tomato sandwich," she said as she picked up her fork.

Remus laughed and picked up his own fork.

After a few bites, Hermione put her fork down. "Does it matter to you that I don't like to cook?"

"Why would it?" Remus asked.

"Sometimes when people find out that I don't like to cook, or that getting married and having babies isn't my primary goal in life, they think there's something wrong with me."

"I don't think that at all. You obviously can cook enough to keep from starving," Remus said.

"Just barely."

"Maybe so, but you're not completely hopeless in the kitchen. Cooking is just not something you enjoy, and so you use your time and energy on things you do enjoy. There's nothing wrong with that. As for the other, well, you're still young. You have plenty of time for that."

"That's what I told Ron," Hermione said.

"Is that the real reason you and he broke up?" Remus asked.

"Well, it was certainly part of it," she admitted. "He was always talking about having a big family. I would be miserable if I were like Molly."

"Do you think Molly is unhappy?" Remus asked.

"No, no, I don't. She was born to be a mother, and she's a good mother. It's just not a role I see myself in. I want a career, and I want to travel. Is that wrong?" she asked.

"Not at all. And since you and Ron had such widely divergent ideas about the matter, it's probably best that your relationship didn't progress any further," he said.

Hermione bit her bottom lip thoughtfully for a moment before she spoke. "How ... how do you feel about it? Or is it too early in our relationship to discuss it?"

Remus reached across the table and took her hand in his. "I don't mind discussing it. As a matter of fact, it's probably good that we do. I'm not opposed to marriage. I rather like the idea of it, actually. I like the concept of being part of a couple, of having someone to talk to, of having someone to trust and confide in."

"I'm not opposed to marriage," Hermione said. "It's the babies part I can do without."

Remus smiled. "Perhaps we're made for each other, then; I'll never be able to father a child."

"Because of your lycanthropy?"

He nodded. "Yes. Had I been bitten as an adult, I wouldn't have been rendered sterile. The genetic changes that take place when a person is bitten before puberty result in sterility."

"Does it bother you? That you'll never have a child, I mean?" she asked.

"I've had many years to come to terms with the knowledge. I'm very grateful that I wasn't rendered a eunuch; at least I'm capable of performing sexually. Not all werewolves are, you know."

"Well, I certainly didn't come across that information when I was researching werewolves for the paper Severus made us write back in our third year," she said with a smile.

"Imagine that!"

"Maybe I should write letters to the authors and tell them that their information is incomplete."

"I'm sure that would go over well," he replied, and then he chuckled.

"Finish your breakfast before it goes stone cold," he said as he released her hand and picked up his own fork again.

They chatted as they ate, and when they were done, Hermione cleared the table.

"I'll do the washing up while you shower," she said.

"Did you have anything in mind for today?" Remus asked

"Not really," Hermione replied. "Any ideas?"

"I haven't been to the Victoria and Albert in a while," he said.

"You like museums?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I do. And I like libraries and lots of other stuffy places, as well. At least I like them better than Weird Sisters concerts and nightclubs."

"I hate the Weird Sisters' music," Hermione said. "And I dislike nightclubs. The music is always too loud, the air is always full of smoke, and the drinks are always over-priced."

Remus nodded in agreement. "I'd much rather go to a nice dinner club, have a good meal with a decent glass of wine, and then enjoy a nice slow dance to something soft and romantic," he said.

"So would I," she agreed.

"Why don't we plan that for next week, then?" he asked.

"I'd like that. And the Victoria and Albert sounds wonderful for today. I haven't been in some time, either."

"Go get ready, then," he urged. "I'll finish the washing up and take a quick shower."

"I'll be ready in forty minutes," Hermione said.

"So will I," Remus replied.

It was nearly two o'clock when Hermione and Remus entered the Victoria and Albert.

They spent the better part of three hours walking through the photography gallery where the Breathless! Photography and Time exhibit was on display.

"That was amazing!" Hermione exclaimed as they exited the gallery.

"It certainly was," Remus agreed.

"Who would have thought you could 'grow' a picture?" Hermione asked, referring to the photograph they had seen of a 'picture' made by planting different flowers, plants, and grasses and photographing the area from above.

Remus leaned down to whisper into Hermione's ear, "Wizarding photographs would have been an excellent addition to the collection, don't you think?"

Hermione laughed softly. "Well, they certainly would have caused a stir."

"Would you like to take a walk through Hyde Park before we head back?" Remus asked.

Hermione looked up where there were a few clouds starting to roll in. "It looks like it might rain," she said.

"Not for hours yet," he said. "Besides, a little rain never hurt anyone."

"Let's go then," Hermione said. She took his arm as they stepped onto the pavement.

It didn't take them long to reach Hyde Park. It seemed that the persistent heat wave had driven many Londoners from their homes in the hopes of catching a breeze in the open area of the park.

They walked along the Serpentine for a little while, and then they made their way to Speaker's Corner. They stopped and listened as a short man wearing a bowler hat ranted about the NHS. Hermione thought the man looked a lot like Cornelius Fudge, but she doubted that the former Minister of Magic would ever stand on a soap box in Muggle London – regardless of his current status as a persona non grata in the wizarding world.

As they resumed their walk, the sound of distant thunder could be heard.

"It's going to pour buckets," Hermione warned as she glanced upward.

Thick, grey clouds had completely covered the sun. People sitting on blankets and benches were beginning to gather their things in preparation for leaving the park ahead of the impending storm

"There's still plenty of time to get back. Are you hungry?" Remus asked.

"Ravenous," she replied.

"Do you like pizza?" he asked.

"I'm Muggle-born. Of course I like pizza," Hermione said with a smile.

"There's a place on Knightsbridge called Pizza on the Park. I've had a slice there a time or two," he said.

It was only a short walk to the restaurant. A number of people had the same idea, and there was a wait for a table. After about twenty minutes, a small table near the front window became available.

Hermione looked outside as they sat down. The clouds had thickened even more, making it seem like deep twilight rather than late afternoon. The air was still and expectant as though the atmosphere was literally holding its breath.

The wind began to swirl, setting the trees limbs in motion and pushing dirt, grass clippings, and bits of litter along the pavement. They placed their order just as the first fat drops of rain began to fall.

Bright flashes of lightning could be seen striking closer and closer. Even from inside the restaurant, the distinctive scent of ozone could be detected. Thunder boomed, rattling the windows. The noise frightened a small child at a nearby table, and she burst into tears.

Then the skies opened, and the rain began in earnest. In a matter of seconds, the gutters were overflowing. The rain came down so hard and so fast that it formed a nearly impenetrable curtain, blocking the view of the park right across the street.

Remus watched Hermione watching the storm. She had her elbow on the table, and her chin rested on her palm as she stared through the window.

"It's very powerful, isn't it?" Remus remarked as he leaned slightly across the table to speak to her in a quiet tone.

"It's magnificent," Hermione said, her eyes never leaving the spectacle of the rain and the lightning on the other side of the glass. "As long as I'm inside and safe, I love storms."

The storm moved through quickly. By the time they finished their pizza, the clouds were breaking up, and the sun was peeking through.

Remus paid for their supper, and they walked outside.

The air was fresh and clear, the oppressive humidity washed away by the storm. It was so much cooler that Hermione shivered slightly in her sleeveless summer blouse. They walked along the edge of the park trying to find a spot they could use to Disapparate. They finally ducked behind a high hedge, and with two soft pops, they disappeared.

When they reappeared in Hermione's parlour, the first thing she did was move to the thermostat and shut the air conditioning off. Then she went to the two windows at the front of the house and opened them wide to let the cool, clean air into the room.

"Would you like some tea and biscuits?" Hermione asked as she moved into the kitchen and filled the kettle.

"I never say no to tea and biscuits," Remus replied. "What kind of biscuits?"

Hermione laughed. "I keep a tin of chocolate biscuits in the fridge. It keeps them fresh. Not that they're usually there long enough to get stale."

"I didn't see any chocolate biscuits in here this morning," Remus said as he followed Hermione into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"They're in the tin marked, 'Doctor Delmore's Digestive Drops'," Hermione explained. "Ron was always eating the last biscuit and leaving the empty tin in there. Worse, he wouldn't tell me he'd eaten them all. Sometimes after work, I'd go looking for a biscuit to go with my tea and all I'd find was the empty tin. I started putting the chocolate biscuits in that tin because I knew Ron wouldn't touch digestive drops."

"I wondered why you had digestive drops; you don't seem the type to suffer from indigestion," Remus said with a smile.

"I don't. I asked Minerva to give me the empty tin. She doesn't suffer from indigestion, either; she actually likes Doctor Delmore's Digestive Drops. She goes through at least two tins a month."

Remus made a face. "Remind me never to go to tea at Minerva's."

"Disgusting, aren't they?" Hermione said as she prepared the tea pot and brought cups down from the cupboard.

"Let's go in the parlour and have our tea and biscuits," Hermione suggested as she poured a splash of milk into two steaming cups of tea.

Remus had arranged the biscuits on a small plate.

"I noticed you have a lovely armoire in the parlour," Remus said as he grabbed some napkins and picked up the plate of biscuits.

"It was among the things my parents gave me," Hermione said.

"Do you happen to have a telly behind there?" Remus asked in a hopeful tone of voice.

Hermione smiled at him. "You like watching the telly?"

"Another of my secret vices," Remus said as he moved toward the parlour.

"Lily introduced us to the telly the summer after we all finished at Hogwarts. She was Muggle-born, like you, you know."

"Yes, I know," Hermione replied as she followed Remus out of the kitchen.

She placed the two cups of tea on the coffee table, and then she straightened and went to the large armoire that stood against the wall opposite the couch.

"As a matter of fact, I do have a telly," Hermione said as she opened the doors of the armoire. "What would you like to watch? I have Freeview, so I've got a bit more of a selection."

"Anything, anything at all!" Remus said.

Hermione couldn't help but smile at Remus's exuberance. She picked up the remote control and turned the telly on.

Remus was sitting on the edge of the couch, leaning forward eagerly as he watched the screen come to life.

Hermione walked over and sat down beside him. She handed him the remote.

"Have fun," she said as she reached over and picked up one of the chocolate biscuits.

Remus spent the next three hours watching programs in ten minute stretches. As soon as a commercial came on, he switched to a different channel. When a commercial began on that channel, he would switch again. Ordinarily, this type of behaviour would have had Hermione going spare, but she found Remus's boyish enthusiasm about the telly endearing rather than annoying.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when Remus finally switched the telly off.

"Had enough?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"I didn't realise how late it was," Remus said as he stood up. "I should be going home."

"You're welcome to spend the night again," Hermione said. She had got to her feet, as well, and was now standing in front of him.

"The heat wave has broken," he said. "I can't use my stifling room as an excuse for staying here again."

"You don't need an excuse to stay," she said in a soft voice. "I like having you here."

"I like being here," Remus replied.

"So, will you stay?" Hermione asked.

"I'd like that very much," he said. He turned and made a move to open the couch.

"You ... you don't need to sleep on the couch."

He straightened and turned back to Hermione.

"Hermione, are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm sure," she replied. "But, if you don't want to ..."

"I want to. Believe me, I want to," he said.

"I should warn you that ... that Ron said I was a blanket hog," she said as she bit her bottom lip nervously.

"Did Ron live here – never mind," he interrupted himself. "It isn't any of my business."

"No, it's all right. Ron never lived here. I may not like to cook, but I'm neat and organised. I wouldn't pick up after him, and I wouldn't let him hang his Chudley Cannons posters on the walls, so he stayed at the Burrow. Molly doesn't seem to mind that he's a slob."

"I'm neat, as well," Remus assured her. "And I've no posters to hang."

Hermione smiled. "Anyway, Ron would stay over once in a while, but not very often, actually. Not even sex seemed to hold his interest as much as Quidditch did. At least not sex with me." She blushed and let her gaze drop to the floor.

Remus put a finger under her chin and raised her head.

"Ron was a damn fool," he said in a hoarse whisper. And then he ducked his head and brushed his lips across hers.

The tip of his tongue teased her lips, urging her to let him in. She parted her lips slightly, and Remus deepened the kiss. He nibbled her bottom lip gently between his teeth. His tongue swept over hers lightly. He sucked softly, drawing her tongue into his mouth.

Hermione felt an electric jolt that started at her lips, rushed through her belly, and ended by curling her toes.

"Oh, my," Hermione breathed when Remus lifted his lips from hers.

"You'd think you'd never been kissed," he teased.

"I've never been kissed like that," she said as she lifted a finger to her lips.

"Never?" Remus asked, genuinely surprised.

"Never like the person who was kissing me wanted to please me rather than himself," she said.

"All I want is to please you, love," Remus whispered. "I want to spend the next several hours pleasing you, if you'll let me."

Hermione smiled, and then she took Remus's hand in hers and led him toward her bedroom.

Outside, the heat wave was over, but inside, it was just beginning.

Mischief Managed

Author's note: First: I have absolutely no idea if the 'facts' I submitted about werewolves' sterility or their ability to perform sexually are true. I used those 'facts' merely as a literary device. Second: After I wrote this story, I discovered that air conditioning is not common in Great Britain. I did read that some high-tech companies do have air conditioning in order to protect delicate electronic equipment, such as computers. Since it was vital to the story that Hermione's flat be air conditioned, I solved the dilemma by stating that the building Hermione lived in had once been a computer software company. I also assumed that a hotel that caters to tourists would have air conditioning. That may or may not be the case. Again, I took some literary licence.

The moderators of The Petulant Poetess have graciously granted me Validated Author status. I am grateful and humbled by their faith in me. In an effort not to 'blow it', I would like to ask my readers to let me know if they find any spelling, grammar, punctuation, or Canon errors that slip by me or my beta. I hope there won't be any, but if there are, and I am notified, I will correct them as quickly as possible. Thanks so much!