Rules Were Made to be Broken

AN: Sorry for the long time between updates…got a little distracted with a certain Mission. Back I’m back now, and hopefully posting a little more frequently…


Thou Shalt Not Flirt with a Married Woman in Front of her Husband


“Hermione! You’re soaked!”

Remus is at my side moments after I step in the door, but I can’t face him. What have I done?

“Mione?” His voice is full of concern now as he pushes strands of hair plastered to my face away.

I have got to answer him. I have got to come clean. After all, it was one little kiss. Not much more than I’d share with, say Harry or Ron. However another voice pops into my head and screams ‘LIAR!’ “Um “Um, I went for a walk,” I reply, still not looking at him. “Got caught in the rain, was all.”

Remus follows me like a lost puppy as I trudge exhaustedly to the sofa and plonk myself down with an audible squelch.

“Come on, we’d better get you changed. I’ll run you a bath.”
I nod silently.


I slide into the warm bath and close my eyes, blocking out the world for if but a moment. And that is all it is. I feel as if the universe has cheated me. I do indeed love Remus, but that pact was made on the understanding that Severus wanted nothing to do with me. And now I am torn – between two men who would quite happily rip each other limb from limb. Rock and a hard place doesn’t even begin to describe my pcamecament. Feel as though my heart has been wrenched out and ripped in two.

“Herm? You okay? You’ve been acting a bit odd ever since you went to see Snape this afternoon.”

My eyes fly open in panic. Shit, he knows! He knows!

“What’d he say to you?” Remus asks, flipping the toilet seat down to sit on.

Ah, relax a little. Now, pick your words carefully, Hermione.

“Uh, we just…discussed a few…issues.”

Yeah, nice one, Herm. Very concise. That’ll put him off the trail.

“Like what?”

“Cleared up a few…problems from when I was at school. Nothing really, it’s all very silly. Took back some of the things he said.” I pick up the bottle of shampoo and squeezing a copious amount onto my hand I begin to rub it into my hair, hoping that I can use the suds as an excuse not to have to answer any more questions. GladGlad to hear it. I know Severus is a bit of a pain, Herm, but really he’s okay.”

Bite my bottom lip to hold back the tears. Remus hasn’t the foggiest. Poor, naïve man.


I spend the next day moping around our quarters while Remus is teaching. My mind wanders to Severus far more times than what could be considered healthy. Even consider for a moment g tog to visit him, but I know that will only drop me further in the crap.

Finally dinnertime arrives. I am eternally grateful for a distraction. Grabbing up my robes I hurry to meet Remus outside his office so that we can attend the meal therther. Like a happily married couple, because that is what you are, Herm, and don’t you dare forget that!

“Heya,” Remus grins at me as I step into his office. He’s on his feet and planting a loving kiss on my lips before I even get the chance to reply. “Shall we?”

“Definitely,” I reply, hoping outward enthusiasm will rub off internally.

Plaster big smile on my face as we walk into the Great Hall, Remus’ arm is wrapped tightly around my waist. Yes, good evening everyone, I am Mrs Lupin. Not Hermione the whore.

Well, would’ve pulled that off had Severus not met my eyes right then. I bite my bottom lip and look at the floor as Remus leads me to the only two empty seats. Unfortunately the Universe is in a particularly sadistic mood today. Am now sitting stiffly between said Potions Master and my wonderful husband.

“Evening, Hermione.” God bloody damn him!

“Good Evening,” I reply curtly. Turn to Remus, hoping to blot Severus out, but Remus seems quite intent on utterly destroying me, though I’m sure not intentionally.

“Glad to see the two of you are getting along so much better,” Remus informs Severus with a smile.

Severus raises one amused eyebrow at me. I glare back in return. No, I have not told him, you great greasy git!

“Indeed. Hermione, I believe I have some information you will find quite interesting. Perhaps you would care to stop by my office after dinner so that I can grant you with it.”

“I’m fine, thanks,” I snap. Don’t you dare! Don’t you DARE! Think you can sit there and talk to me with your bloody innuendoes, Professor! In front of my husband and all!

“Hermione,” Remus says in a warning tone. “Perhaps it would be of some use.”

“I think not!”

Remus gives me a harsh look.

“Fine, fine,” I mutter. “I’ll be there. Perhaps you would like to join us, Remus?”

Severus is looking quite amused by this whole situation. Oh, to be able to slap that smug grin from his face!

“Would love to, but I unfortunately have a couple of Slytherin’s for detention this evening. Seems Severus caught them breaking into my office, isn’t that right, Severus?” Remus informs me as he scoops up a fork full of mashed potato.

“Indeed. Three hours should suffice,” Severus says to Lupin, but he is looking at me.

“Five minutes will be more than enough,” I hiss back. Low blow, I know, but he asked for it.

“he che contrary, Hermione, I believe silly little girls need to be taught a lesson. Wouldn’t you agree, Remus?”

A clearing of her throat brings my attention to Madame Hooch who is seated on the far side of Severus.

“I was hoping, Severus, that you would be working on that potion to rid the gnomes from the quidditch pitch.”

“So sorry,” Severus replies sarcastically, “have already made plans with Miss Granger, Rolanda.”

“MRS Lupin!” I snarl.

“Sorry, my mistake, Mrs Lupin,” Severus corrects himself, but there is absolutely no sincerity within it. “For some reason that slipped my mind.”

“Come on, Herm, I’ll walk you down to Snape’s office,” Remus informs me. I am glued to the seat before my desk with absolutely no intention of visiting that bastard.

“It’s okay, I think I’ve got it figured now,” I reply, doodling away on the parchment before me.

“For Merlin’s sake, Hermione, he’s not going to bite! I thought the two of you had sorted out your misgivings?”

Ah, right. Yes, that was what I said, wasn’t it? “Still, no need to bother him…”

“Hermione,” Remus says patiently, “you have made no progress in over a week. Put your pride away for a moment.”

Damn, damn, damn! Seeing no other way out I sigh and follow Remus from our quarters. He has no idea what he has just done to himself.

“Right, here you go.” Remus stops in front of the door to Snape’s office.

“Thanks,” I reply. Thanks for pushing my fragile restraint right over the bloody edge! No, this is far from Remus’ fault. Perhaps now is the time to tell him the whole sordid tale… I could just leave out last night and …

“Must go, don’t want to leave those two alone in my classroom too long. Heaven knows what sort of state the place will be in!” He gives me a quick peck on the cheek and he’s off down the hall. Ah, perfect, just stand here till he’s out of sight and then I can go back to our rooms having never had to face Severus!

“Ah, Miss Granger, how nice of you to stop by.” Bugger. Severus is standing behind me in the doorway to his classroom.

“Look, I don’t know what you are playing at,” I growl, “but that really wasn’t funny!”

“Strange, I found it particularly amusing.”

“Bastard!”

“Well, you going to stand in the hallway and throw insults at me all night, or do you want that book?”

There really is a book? I’m sceptical.

“Fine, just give me the fucking book and let me go.”

Severus leads the way into his office, while lecturing me. “You know, Miss Granger, it really isn’t very polite to insult someone who is trying to do you a favour.”

“Favour? You can hardly tell me that you asked me down here for anything other than your own sordid reasons! And it is MRS LUPIN!”

Snape chuckles. God bloody fucking damn him all over again!

“As I said earlier, Hermione, it is quite easy for that fact to slip my mind. Heaven knows why that might be, huh?” He turns to give me a sarcastic glance from where he stands pouring over his bookshelves.

“Look, last night was simply a slip of the mind. I got caught up in all the memories and forgot who the hell I was for a moment. Nothing more!”

“Mrs Lupin, right? Is that all you want to be, Hermione? Someone’s wife?”

I chew on my lip and look away. He’s hit me right where it hurts. All Remus talks about nowadays is how wonderful it will be when we have children, how I will be able to give up my studies and he’ll support us and… It’s not what I want, it truly isn’t. But I can’t bring myself to tell him that, to crush his dreams.

Snape hasn’t even turned around to look at me, yet he knows my answer.

“I thought not.”



AN: Don’t forget to vote for who you want Herm to stay with at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fervescosfics/. Poor Sev has no votes, and Remus only has one. Course a lot of you are just as dirty minded as me and want her to have both of them, but somehow I don’t see that working!

Hugs to…

DharmasMomma – hm, might have to do the make up sex soon! Thanks!

RedWritingHood – I’d choose Sev too, but I’m just going to let this story go where it wants – it’s taken on a life of it’s own…

Shem - Ah, Shem. First up – ha! You lot lost the Rugby! Don’t care that is wasn’t us who kicked your sorry arses, you still lost! Ahem, okay. Back on track. Eww! Hairy men? Rather you than me, my dear! Have to agree – would have an affair with Sev any day of the week. Actually, would probably tell hubby to fuck off completely! Herm, however, probably has slightly higher morals than the pair of us (wouldn’t be too hard now, would it?) but then again, this is my story so…. Well, you’ll have to wait and see (and continue corrupting me…) Oh, and about bloody time you admitted I had far superior judgement than you! *cough*Filch*cough* Hufflepuff! Hufflepuff!!! Once again, back to that superior judgement thing – given the light that you think placing me in HUFFLEPUFF is a good idea!

Shaz – Wow! Thank you! Hope this chapter helps!

Rilla – ah, he’ll get a couple more yet!

Lily Malfoy – Remus will also get another opportunity. Have actually come to quite like the wolfie…He’ll never replace Sev though, at least not in my…mind (yes, mind, that’s the appropriate word)

Deb – Mm, yes, she’s going to have to tell Remus sometime. Might wait a bit yet though! Poor Herm. Poor Herm? Wait, she’s got two delicious men after her! I rephrase that – poor me! No matter who I pick for her I am bound to get hung!

Andrian – I’ll join you in that scream!

Tradilien – Thanks! Feeling like a right little bitch writing this story. Poor, poor boys, someone is going to be very upset!

MaddyRIddle – MM, no one is going to die. Decided that was the wossie way out right at the beginning. Damn me – that would have been so much easier!

Corazon – Thank you! I really don’t know who I feel sorrier for – Remus, Severus or Hermione for having to choose…

Minerva7 – I’ll pass that on to her!

Gwennavierre – Mm, thinking about the two endings myself, but shhhh, don’t tell anyone!

MissCrystalix – Okay, okay, it’s out. I’ll write a couple of endings! Thank you!

Seva – ah, now that’s an idea! Though you’re right – can’t see Sev going for that for one minute, but then if it’s that or no Herm…

HPGirl – another for Lupin, eh? I really think this is a fifty-fifty split…

Onesnowyowl – Thanks!

Natalie – Will do! And damn that challenge! Must make sure I can go through with it before I take on the next one!