1,858A/N - Hello everyone another chapter for you all. Hope you enjoy. As I said my wonderful Beta and I are currently re working previous chapters so over the next few weeks we will be updating these.
Thank you all for your lovely reviews you have really made my week and its so nice to see that so many of you are still enjoying thie fic.
Hope you are all safe and having a lovely day.
Bit big beta puff love.
And as always, I own nothing.
Coming Home - Chapter 46
Snow
18th Jan 1978 - 4 months and 24 days
Hermione groaned in annoyance at the sound of alarms going off in the room that morning, still far too tired to get up and get ready when she felt Remus reach up to turn it off and then settle back down next to her, kissing her gently in an attempt to encourage her to wake. She wasn't having any of it.
"Too tired," she mumbled, snuggling back down into his chest making Remus laugh.
"Well, if you weren't up till FIVE in the morning doing wolfboy, maybe you wouldn't be!" shouted James from the other side of the curtain, making Hermione turn bright red and lift the covers up over her head in an attempt to hide from the voices.
"Thought you put up a silencing charm-" she began to say from where she had retreated.
"Nope, you definitely didn't," shouted Sirius this time.
"Sorry," whispered Remus, though still smiling at Hermione's expense, "wasn't really something that was crossing my mind when you snuck in here last night, was a little preoccupied."
Hermione groaned in embarrassment.
"Hey, what did we just say?" called out James.
Hermione sat up quickly looking around for her pyjamas. "Where the hell are they?" she said, lifting the covers and trying her best to look around the edge of the bed without disturbing the curtains.
"Kitten, if you are looking for your clothes, they are out here," Hermione glared at the direction of Sirius' voice, all too aware of the smug smirk he was sporting.
"How on earth did they get out there?" she asked turning to Remus, and then wishing she hadn't when she was greeted with the sight of her boyfriend sitting there with the sheets pooled around his waist, neck peppered with marks and a sleepy but satisfied smile.
"Might have been when you demanded Moony just 'rip the damn things off for all I care', that was it, wasn't it?" she heard James asking.
"Yep. Someone gets bossy when they want some."
"Don't you dare," she ordered when she caught sight of Remus trying his hardest not to burst into fits of laughter. "Give me that," she snapped leaning up over him to grab a jumper of his she could see haphazardly thrown across the headboard, biting back a moan when Remus captured a nipple in his mouth.
She threw on the jumper quickly, pulled out her hair and pulled it down so that she was covered. Within seconds of doing so, Remus leapt forward and captured her mouth with one of the softest kisses she had experienced from him.
"Never had someone wear my clothes before, I like it. Looks good on you." Hermione couldn't help but smile back before she flung open the curtain and hopped off the bed. She stormed over towards Sirius who was standing there smiling gleefully, her pyjamas held out in one hand for her.
"Here you go kitten, oh-"
"Not another word," she interrupted before quickly exiting the room.
"Guess she doesn't want these then?" Sirius asked out loud, holding up Hermione's knickers in his other hand, before gesturing that he was about to pocket them.
Remus jumped up out of bed and snatched them right back. "Don't you even think about it," he growled.
"Hey, hey, hey, I'm just messing. And if anyone should be grumpy, it should be us, an hour and a half we had to endure last night."
"You could have put up a silencing charm-"
"We did!" interrupted James. "We tried to just ignore you, thought oh it won't take long, how bloody wrong were we!" he exclaimed. "You, Remus, have got some serious stamina."
Remus flushed red. "How long did you listen for?" he asked, curious as to how long his friends had been perverts for.
"About half an hour or so, until it got really loud and Sirius threw up a charm," answered James.
"And then we just heard the constant sound of the bed thumping against the wall," continued Sirius. "Tried to silence that too, but it was dark and couldn't get the aim right-"
"Does that happen often?" asked James with a cheeky smile.
"Ha, bloody ha!" replied Sirius.
"I would apologise, but…. not going to happen," said Remus with a smug smile of his own, before grabbing his towel and heading towards the shower.
"Git!"
"Also your neck looks a mess!" he heard them shout as he closed the door behind him.
As soon as he was in the bathroom, Remus took a moment to look at his reflection. They were right, his neck was a mess. Covered in lovebites of all varying shades. He couldn't help but smile. Not only was he on top of the world it seems Moony was also in a blissful state, the sensation of 'claim' that it provided him with was borderline intoxicating. Remus reached up and ran his fingers over the marks, the skin still sensitive and the memories of the night before being brought up to the surface was enough to stir him.
Remus walked towards the shower, flicking it on and waited for a moment for the water to warm, images of Hermione gripping on to him as he thrust into her, her mouth latched on to his neck as he did, small gasps coming from her mouth and breathless cries of 'don't stop' replaying. Remus stepped into the shower, instantly his hand sought out his now straining cock, slowly stroking it as the water above cascaded over him. Images of Hermione under him the previous night replaying over and over again in his mind. The way she gasped and called out his name. The way her hair looked splayed out on his pillow. The way he fought to hold back his full force with more struggle then he had ever experienced.
Remus's hand continued to stroke his ever hardening cock, with each movement his mind bringing forward a new memory. One particular favourite was one where Remus had pinned Hermione's arms above her head, her legs wrapped around his hips, her eyes open and never breaking from his as a dim glow from his wand lit the curtained bed. At one point Hermione drew her bottom lip between her teeth and closed her eyes as she struggled to control herself, making the glamours she still wore flicker before falling completely. Remus then spent a considerable amount of time kissing the top of her scar as his thrusts became harder and he watched in awe as Hermione came undone for the first time that evening.
Remus's hand quickened its pace when his thoughts flickered back to the image of Hermione on top of him, back arched and her hands on his chest as she rode him for all he was worth. The memory of how she clenched around him as she came again then being the image he came to that morning. His breath heavy as he rested his forehead against the cold tiles whilst he came down from his high, this woman really was the woman of his dreams.
The wizard finished up his shower and continued to get ready for the day, brushing his teeth before stepping out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, Sirius and James almost fully ready, Peter only just having woken up stumbled into the bathroom after him. It seemed that he had slept through the entirety of the previous evening. Remus threw on his underwear and trousers before sitting on the end of his bed to pull on his socks.
"Are you going to be smiling like that all day?" asked James, peaking over the tops of his glasses. Remus didn't say anything, he just smiled brighter and pushed his damp hair up and off his face.
"Not sure if I prefer him like this or miserable," said Sirius whilst looking in the mirror and faffing about with his hair, taking a little more time than usual with his preening, Remus noticed.
"Ha, Ha. Who are you trying to impress anyway?" asked Remus as he reached into his wardrobe for a clean shirt.
Sirius looked back over his shoulder. "No one," he said a little too quickly and both Remus and James shared a quick look of 'yeah right'.
Before the two could question him further there was a knock on the door. "Come in," shouted James, whilst slipping on his shoes.
Remus couldn't help the bright smile from gracing his face when in walked Hermione, robes on and hair tied in a messy bun atop her head, secured with its usual quill. He also very much enjoyed the way her eyes looked over him appreciatively.
"Oh for the love of- will you two please stop eye fucking?!" shouted James, throwing his arms up in the air dramatically.
"We were not-"
"Oh shut up," interrupted Sirius. "James is right, I know eye fucking, and that, was it."
Remus rolled his eyes and walked over to Hermione as he slipped his arms into the sleeve of his shirt, giving her a quick peck. "Miss me already?" he asked gleefully and laughed when it was her turn to roll her eyes.
"I didn't know I was dating Sirius now-" Remus silenced her with another kiss.
"Not funny," she interrupted.
"I mean, kitten-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," snapped Remus, sending a playful glare in the direction of his friend.
"No, I came to bring you a present," said Hermione.
"A present?" asked Remus, his brow furrowing with confusion.
"Yep, just wanted to make sure you were still here. Wait a minute?" and with that Hermione disappeared out of the room and back to hers.
Remus turned to James and Sirius with a questioning look and both returned with a shrug of their shoulders, suggesting that they had no idea what was going on whilst Remus began to button his shirt. They didn't have to wait long until Hermione returned with that familiar looking goblet and instantly Remus pulled a face at it.
"Ta, da!" called out Hermione excitedly, laughing when she saw the face Remus was pulling.
"What on earth is that?" asked James when he caught sight of the smoke billowing goblet.
"That potion," answered Remus.
"Why does it look so awful?" continued James.
"Because it is."
Hermione frowned, placing a hand on her hip. "Stop whining and get it down you," she scolded and with heavy feet Remus plodded over, gave her a kiss and took the goblet. He pinched his nose in the hope that it would help and began to drink. It did not help. It was just as disgusting as he had remembered it, and yes, he did wretch once he had finished.
Remus handed Hermione back the goblet and tried to steal one more kiss. "Oh no you don't, not with that stuff, you can brush your teeth again before you come near me."
"Really?" he asked pouting.
"Really. Right, I'm off down, see you guys at breakfast."
21st Jan 1979 - 4 months and 21 days
Hermione stood in her bathroom brushing her teeth, Remus leaning against the door frame watching her with a pout whilst she finished up, rinsed her mouth and turned back towards him, shaking her head at his puppy eyes. "So much pouting."
"I'm not pouting," he grumbled, placing his hands in his pockets and hunching his shoulders. "Just wish I could come down with you."
Hermione walked past Remus, slipping on her shoes and grabbing her cloak from where it hung over the back of a chair. "Well then stopping being such a good prefect and tutoring others. You could have tagged along then," she smiled at the look he gave her, one that clearly said 'well we both know that's not going to happen'. "Look, I'm not going to be too long, I'm just picking up an order for Professor Slughorn and I want to pick Lily up a birthday present as well a few other bits."
"Can't you just order a gift? And anyway what other things do you need? I'm sure someone has something you can borrow whatever it is. And why on earth does Slughorn need you to pick up and order for him?"
Hermione turned to look at him, arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face. "One, your whining is making you sound like Sirius and two, did you really just tell me to owl order something for Lily?" she shook her head. "Also, I need to go to the apothecary; I have an order I need to pick up." She answered, turning her back to him for a moment whilst she looked for her bag.
Remus was by her side within moments "You ok? What do you need from there? Do you need to go to the hospital wing? And you didn't answer my Slughorn question," Hermione could feel his eyes raking over her as though he was assessing her state of wellbeing, she couldn't help but laugh as she reached out to him and wrapped her arms around him looking up at his worried face. "And I don't sound like Sirius," she heard him grumble under his breath.
Hermione chuckled. "I have no idea why Professor Slughorn has asked me to do it, but I am perfectly ok with going into Hogsmead to do so, and I'm perfectly fine, it's just a refill of my contraceptive potion I need to collect." Hermione really did have no idea what she was picking up or why Slughorn couldn't do it himself, but being able to go into Hogsmead this way meant she could do her other jobs without having to sneak out of the castle to do so.
"Oh," Remus replied, his cheeks a little red with how over the top he had just gone.
"Yep, oh. I trust that's ok with you right, I mean we certainly don't want any Mini Moony's any time soon," she teased.
"I-" Remus began before stopping himself and releasing a large sigh.
Hermione's brow furrowed with concern. "What's wrong? I'm just joking, I di-"
"It's fine, I just don't think I want children."
Hermione remained confused. "You do know that I'm not asking for them, right? I don't want children right now. I mean, you're only 17, I've just turned 19, still in school-"
Remus silenced her waffling with a kiss, "I didn't mean that." He answered softly as he pulled back from her. "I mean I don't think I want them ever, now, in the future, I- just - you know, what with my affliction, I don't want to pass that on –"
"I have to stop you right there," interrupted Hermione abruptly. "Do you think you can pass on your lycanthropy to your child?" asked Hermione, taking a step back a little so she could get a clear picture of the worrying boyfriend's face.
Remus sighed deeply. "I just don't want to risk it in case there is any chance I could."
"You can't," said Hermione, shaking her head in the process. "It's not physically possible, you have to be bitten."
Hermione waited a moment for Remus to think about what she said, his head cocked slightly to the side still looking somewhat confused. "There's no chance?"
"No, none at all," she replied her brow still furrowed, her heart once more aching for the poor man before her and the constant worries that he must have continuously running through his mind.
"How do you know?" he asked.
"You-er- John, John the wolf I live with, he told me. Why do I feel like there are so many more questions you have or theory's you think in that pretty head of yours?" asked Hermione looking into Remus's sad and worried eyes.
He smiled gently at her, "probably because you are right."
Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around him once more, her hands reaching up to pull him down into a gentle and loving kiss. "When I get back we'll talk, you can ask me all the questions you have and I'll answer them the best I can."
"Thank you," said Remus, stealing another kiss.
"You don't have to thank me, I guess I forgot that you haven't really had anyone to talk to about this stuff before, I promise we'll talk when I get back. Want me to bring you back some chocolate?"
His face brightened. "Please?"
There was a part of her that felt a little uneasy, being in Hogsmeade on her own after last time, but every time she thought back to those memories there was something there in the back of her mind, almost a whisper, telling her to calm down and to not overthink anything or worry about it, that it was ok and silly to be thinking such things. She tried to shake those thoughts from her mind as she held her cloak close bracing herself for the cold January air.
As beautiful as the village and castle were all covered in thick snow, the strong winds that would often rush through would make things feel far colder than they actually were. At times she was sure there was ice forming on the tip of her nose. As she stepped out, the same wind she had been thinking about blew a gust so strong the brooch sprung open and her cloak threatened to blow away. Quickly grasping at it Hermione hissed in pain when the pin of the brooch pricked the tip of her thumb drawing blood, as pretty as the damned thing was it was a liability often when it came to her fingers.
"Fuck!" hissed Hermione to herself as she brought her thumb up to her mouth sucking it in an attempt to ease the sting before securing her cloak around her shoulders once more. She hoped that this wasn't the start of a series of events that would put a damper on her day as she began walking over towards the shops littered with everyday patrons.
No she was here on a mission and was not going to let anything ruin her day. Despite the love she had for her friends, Hermione was looking forward to some time on her own. A chance to browse the shelves in her own time without the worry of taking too long, or in some cases, not long enough for others. Her first stop was the apothecary, her collection wouldn't take long and it was far better to get it over and done with then risk bumping into students another weekend and have the childish gossips spreading ridiculous rumours. She'd make it herself but there was something far more reassuring about having a professional provide it then having even the margin of risk and worry that she would be burdened with if she chose to make it herself. She would have asked Madam Pomfrey, but the knowledge of the disapproving look she would receive just wasn't worth it either. Whilst she was there she also collected Professor Slughorn's package, a rather small box that most certainly looked like it could have been sent via owl post. She would be lying if she wasn't the least bit interested by what was in the box and very tempted to open it, but of course, she knew better than that, and she wasn't Harry or Ron.
Hermione stepped out of the shop, putting her purchases into her bag and continued down the street, choosing to walk past the bookshop, even if it did pain her to do so. She wasn't here for books, she was here for a gift and for collection, she reminded herself as she fought the urge to turn back and go in anyway. Hermione spent her time popping in and out of shops in search of the perfect gift, but still nothing jumped out at her. She may not have known Lily quite as well as she knew the guys but she was still an extremely important person even if she may not know it. After all, the witch did give her one of the best friends she could have ever asked for. In all honesty she could have probably done with Severus's help on this occasion, but he had promised to help Killian tutor some third years that afternoon, though she was sure that wasn't all he was doing with his time. She would question him properly later.
She continued to walk the streets of Hogsmeade still in search of something that she would believe that Lily would like, which was providing much more of a struggle that she had originally anticipated. So she thought this would be the best time to take a moment and perhaps go and warm up with a nice Butterbeer. Good job, too, as the skies opened up and fresh snow began to fall, coating the cobbled streets and covering the many footprints left behind by the locals roaming the small village. She was just walking past one particular shop, when a pair of familiar small yellow eyes caught her attention from the window and she turned to look. Her eyes lit up with glee and without a second thought she entered the shop and to make her purchase and arrange for its special delivery.
Hermione was just stepping out of the shop when she lost her footing on the icy step, her arms flew out to either side of her in an attempt to catch her balance, failing miserably and causing her to topple forward, yet, just before she hit the ground she was caught by a rather strong set of arms.
"You should watch yourself, Hermione, or you will get a reputation for being clumsy," said an unfortunately all too familiar voice.
"I guess you are right," replied Hermione, brushing off Dolohov's hands from where they still held onto the tops of her arms. Her skin hadn't prickled with revulsion this time, but the feeling of dread was still there when Hermione looked up at the wizard before her.
He smiled at her, his smile seeming somewhat softer than she was used to, which unsettled her nerves even more, "I will admit that I am surprised to see you here this weekend."
Hermione straightened herself out. "I'm collecting something for Professor Slughorn," she replied, suddenly aware of just how quiet the cobbled streets had become.
Dolohov raised an eyebrow and cast a glance to the shop sign above her, "and Slughorn needed pet supplies?" His mouth turning up every so slightly at the corners, showing he was amused.
Hermione hesitated for a moment, the softness to his features surprising her. "No, just having a look, making the most of having the opportunity to be here on my own," she found herself answering.
"Ah, I must say I don't miss the lack of privacy at Hogwarts, so I don't blame you for making the most of your time down here," said Dolohov. "Do you have much more to do?" he asked, and Hermione was surprised somewhat by the lack of her nerves at staying within his presence.
She shook her head. "No, I believe I'm all done now, I guess I'll be heading back," she answered, her voice strong and confident.
"Perhaps I could walk you to the edge of the wards?" suggested Dolohov and it was now that Hermione's confidence began to waver slightly.
"I-It's ok, you don't have to," she replied, annoyed with herself at her slight stutter.
"I will walk you to the edge of the wards." It was not a question and so Hermione found herself giving a curt nod and began to walk back in the direction of the school, Dolohov walking closely next to her.
Hermione didn't say much during their walk, and was somewhat pleased when Dolohov did almost all of the talking. Most of the topics he chose revolving around him and his apparent expertise. It was the kind of conversation where a well timed nod, slight grunt, or sound of approval was more than enough to encourage him to keep talking and allow her to focus on her own nerves. To be honest she wasn't too sure what it was he was talking about, something or other about his father's business, from the small fragments she did catch. Though Hermione managed to keep most of her nerves under control there were brief moments of time during her small walk with Dolohov where the nerves and underlying fear would begin to surface, only to moments later be calmed and pushed back down. She wasn't sure what was causing it, but in the end her mind came to the conclusion that it was simply a matter of practice controlling her nerves after prolonged exposure to the wizard.
When they parted at the edge of the wards, Dolohov had given the back of hand a quick kiss and she had left not completely repulsed, something else that had taken her by surprise. Her thoughts and mind seemed somewhat distant and vacant, as though she was simply going through the motions and not really focused on anything else around her.
Once she had arrived back at the castle itself she made sure to drop off Slughorn's small package, barely even interested in its contents anymore and headed straight back to the common room. The moment she walked in she spotted Sirius sitting at his usual spot by the fireplace, lazily sprawled out much like a cat, half attempting to do some homework. Hermione headed over to say hello, unfastening her cloak. The moment her cloak was off it was as though the stress of the day came rushing back and whatever dam had been keeping her emotions in check simply broke. She found herself struggling to breath. Everything after that was a blur, she didn't notice Sirius rushing to her side, she didn't hear him calling for Lily or James, didn't hear him shout at a first year to go and get Remus, and wasn't aware of anything other than the air was too thick to breath and that her cheeks were wet.