It Happened One Night

CHAPTER 15: On A Snowy Night in December





It had been nearly a week since the night in London when the Potters had discovered that Hermione Granger was in fact Hermione Lupin. They had taken it better than Hermione and Remus would have guessed, in fact they seemed supportive. Hermione and Remus had joined them for a holiday concert after dinner and then retired to their hotel room where they had ended up sleeping very little.





They had spent the following night apart and Hermione had hated every moment of it. She hadn’t slept a wink and had been at his house before the sun had even peeked over the horizon. Remus had stumbled into his bedroom after leaving the cellar to find her curled up in his bed waiting for him and for once in a long life of misery he didn’t feel alone. He had crawled in behind her and fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.





Remus had recovered from the fatigue and achiness that followed his transformations and was spending a quiet evening at Hermione’s. They had enjoyed a quiet dinner and were having hot chocolate curled up on her sofa before a roaring fire as the snow fell softly outside.





“I think that perhaps we should move in together.” Remus said softly. Hermione sat up so that she could look at him.





“Are you serious?” She asked.







“We already spend every night together, I just thought that maybe it would be something you would be amenable to. I understand if you don’t want to…..”







“No, I want very much for us to live together…..I’m just surprised that you do.” She said, smiling softly. “To be honest with you, I was hoping to talk to you about something.” She reached for his hand and threaded her fingers through his.





“You can talk to me about anything, love.” He said, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand.







“I know we didn’t go into this with a relationship in mind and we clearly didn’t expect to end up married……but I would very much like for us to try and make a go of this, for us to make this marriage work.” She nervously chewed on her lower lip as she waited for him to respond.







“I want that too, love.” He tugged her forward against his chest and kissed her lightly. “So, I actually own the house I live in and since this is a rental, perhaps you could move there…..or we could look for something bigger someplace.”





“No, I like your house.” She said laying her head on his shoulder. “And you have it outfitted to suit your needs on the full moon. It is plenty big enough for us.”





“What about in the future……I mean do you want to have children?” He wasn’t sure if he wanted to have them or not, but he wasn’t completely against to the idea.





“Maybe, not anytime soon, but your house has three bedrooms and I wouldn’t want more than two children I think.” She said listening to his heartbeat.





“I’m sure you would like to redecorate…….incorporate your things with mine.” He said, looking around her little cottage.





“This furniture came with the house. I pretty much only have my personal belongings to move. I like your taste just fine and I can always incorporate my taste over time. Right now I am just happy to be moving in with you.” She said.





“I’ll reinforce the cellar doors more to protect you. The potion keeps me lucid as the wolf, but knowing my mate is near could encourage the wolf’s baser instincts.” He didn’t like thinking he would have to make arrangements to protect his wife from himself, but it was worth it to have a chance at a future with her.





“I’ve seen you as the wolf before, I’m not afraid of you and I am perfectly capable of protecting myself, even from you.” She said as she slid her arms around him and embraced him tight.





“So we are going to do this then? Mr. and Mrs. Lupin out in the open?” He asked, returning her embrace.





“I guess we are.” She lifted her head and smiled up at him. Their eyes met and Hermione knew without a doubt that she had fallen in love with him. “Remus, I….”





A sudden knocking on the door interrupted the intimate moment. Hermione frowned and looked up at the clock on the mantel.





“Are you expecting company?” Remus asked, staring over her shoulder at the front door.





“You are the only person who ever comes over. I don’t know who it could be, especially so late.” She said moving away from him.





“Maybe you should let me answer it.” Remus said as he got to his feet and withdrew his wand. “Why don’t you take our cups to the kitchen, love?”





Hermione gathered the empty mugs and carried them into the kitchen. Remus went to the door and with his wand in hand opened it slowly. Ron was standing on the front stoop and he did not look happy to see Remus answering Hermione’s door.







“What in the hell are you doing here?” Ron asked.







“I was invited. What are you doing here so late, Ron?” Remus was not looking forward to the young man discovering that he was now Hermione’s husband.







“I came to talk to Hermione.” He said, frowning.







“Remus, who is it?” Hermione asked, walking up behind him to peek around Remus.





“Ron.” Remus said, stepping back so that the younger man could step inside and out of the cold.







“Why are you here so late, Ron?” Hermione asked, it was after eleven already.







“Why is he here so late?” Ron asked, looking at Remus.







“Because I invited him to be here, not that it is any of your business. What did you want?” She asked, annoyed.







“To talk to you, but you haven’t been home. Where have you been Hermione?” He asked suspiciously.





“I’ve been away. What do you need to talk to me about?” She asked.







“Does he have to be here?” Ron was glaring at Remus.







“Yes, he does. If you can’t talk to me in front of him then perhaps what you have to say shouldn’t be said.”







“I think we should talk in private, about us.” Ron heard the soft growl from Remus and he stepped back in shock and a little fear when he saw the angry glow in the Werewolf’s eyes. “Bloody hell, Lupin, what is your problem?”





“Ron, you should leave. Now.” Hermione said, opening the door and shoving Ron out into the snow.





“But we haven’t talked….”





“We have nothing to talk about, Ron. There is no us, not any longer. Stop trying to fix what was broken beyond repair. I want to be your friend, but nothing else. I’m sorry, goodnight.” She shut and locked the door. Ron stood outside staring at the evergreen wreath on her door in complete shock. She had kicked him out without hearing a word he said.







“Remus, calm down.” Hermione said, stroking her hands over his shoulders and down his arms.





“He is overstepping, Hermione.” Remus growled softly. Hermione was stunned by his aggressive reaction to Ron and wasn’t quite sure what to do to calm him down.





“I know, sweetheart. He’s going to find out soon enough that he isn’t going to win me back and he will cool it.” She put her arms around his neck and leaned against him. “I’m yours, for however long you want me I belong only to you.”





“And if I say I want you forever?” He asked, putting his arms around her and pulling her tighter against him.





“Then I am yours forever.” She smiled. “Besides, don’t wolves mate for life?”





“Can I interest you in a little mating behavior, wife?” He asked, waggling his brows and smiling down at her. Hermione laughed and Remus lifted her into his arms. “Oh you are going to pay for laughing at me witch!” He said, carrying her over to the couch and sitting down with her in his lap.









Ron shoved his hands in his pockets and started to walk away from Hermione’s little house. He couldn’t believe she had made him leave. He looked back over his shoulder and stopped in his tracks. He watched her put her arms around Lupin’s neck and then he picked her up and carried her to the sofa, holding her in his lap as he sat down.



“Well I’ll be damned.” He said quietly.