Restoration of the Heart

**
Five days went by and Remus was moving around the cottage with ease, he still occasionally would stumble down the small step to the fireplace area, but only when he wasn’t fully concentrating and he would just shrug it off. He loved to help Hermione in the kitchen, although he refused to use the oven or stove. He didn’t want to burn down her home. With magic, he would help her prep all the food for cooking.

Hermione took a week off of work to settle in her new home, but she had to return to work on Monday. She has worried about Remus being there by himself most of the day. Harry said he would drop in and see how he is doing, but they didn’t want Remus to think she didn’t trust him alone.

Remus and Hermione were sitting in the living room listening to Brahms. They both enjoyed a wide variety of music as it was something that they could both enjoy. Their favourite was classical and opera.

All of a sudden Hermione had a brilliant idea. “Remus, I’ve been thinking about getting another pet, would you like to come with me to the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley to pick out one?”

Remus didn’t say anything. Hermione sighed, when they first moved in Hermione immediately noticed a change in Remus, but a few days later, he snapped back into his depression and it hurt Hermione to see him like this.

“Remus you need to get out, come with me to Diagon Alley,” she urged.

“No,” he whispered.

She pressed him. “Why not?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

Fed up, Hermione threw up her hands in defeat. “Fine just stay here and shut yourself off from the rest of the world. I thought bringing you here would help you but obviously you don’t want to heal.”

Remus didn’t say anything. Hermione got up and walked to the front door turning back to Remus before she left, “What would Tonks think if she saw you like this? Maybe you should have died that night too,” Hermione spat, her anger reaching new levels. She didn’t know how to help Remus and had tried everything she knew to try and reach him.

Before Remus could respond, Hermione had stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her. He wept in agony for his dead wife, for his friends and for himself.

Hermione angrily Apparated to Diagon Alley, she was lucky she didn’t splinch herself.

She was irritated at herself more then she was at Remus. She was just so frustrated at him and snapped.

Hermione walked into the magical pet shop. The owner of the shop Mr. Rugbell greeted her. “Hello Miss, how may I help you today?”

Hermione offered him a small smile. “I am looking for a pet.”

“Well, Miss, you have come to the right place. What type of animal were you looking for?”

“I am not sure. I was hoping that one would pick me.”

Mr. Rugbell laughed, “Well, why don’t you go through that curtain and look at all the animals that are back there? Maybe one will want you to take it home.”

“Thank you Mr…?”

“Rugbell, but please call me Nathan. If you have any questions, let me know.”

“Thank you.” Hermione walked to the curtained area in the back of the shop. The area was filled with animals in large cages.

“Wow,” she thought, “How in the world will I be able choose one?” Hermione made her way around the room. Mr. Rugbell had all kinds of animals there. She wasn’t even sure what she was looking for.

She wandered for a few more minutes almost ready to give up then she heard a soft voice in her head, “I would love to come home with you.”

Hermione whipped around, keeping a hand on her wand, ready to draw it if necessary. “Who’s there?”

The voiced chuckled, “I’m down here.”

The witch looked down at the cage by her feet. There was a shabby looking black dog staring up at her. “How are you talking to me?” she crouched down to get a better look at the dog.

The dog cocked his head at her. “I was wondering when you would come in here.”

Hermione looked confused, stood up and started to back slowly away from the cage. “Okay, what are you?”

“I am your familiar,” he said nonchalantly.

Hermione knew that familiars of wizards and witches could communicate with their owners, but she had never met anyone who had a familiar. Although Crookshanks was a beloved pet, he never tried to talk to her.

“How do you know that you are my familiar and not some other witch or wizards?”

“Because you are talking back to me. My Master or Mistress in this case, is the only one who I can send my thoughts to.”

Hermione smiled. “Of course. I should have known that. You look like Padfoot,” she whispered.

The dog smiled up at her, or at least Hermione thought it was a smile.

“Take me home with you. I will keep you warm at night.”

Hermione shook her head and smiled. “How do I know you are not an Animagus?”

“I wouldn’t be able to send you my thoughts.”

Hermione thought on this; she had never heard of a witch or wizard that could talk to each other in his or her minds.

“How long have you been here?” she asked.

“A while.”

“Why has nobody bought you?”

“I didn’t want them to. I was waiting for you.”

Hermione smiled. “I hope I don’t regret his. I’ll be right back.” She walked back to the front to get Nathan and tell him she had found an animal she wanted.

An hour later Hermione returned home. “Remus where are you?” She didn’t get answer.

“Who is Remus?” the dog asked.

“Remus is a friend who lives with me.” Hermione explained what had happened to him and how she brought him here to live with her while she tried to break him out of his depression.

“He seems like more than just a friend.”

Hermione ignored the comment. “He must be sleeping.” She stared at his closed bedroom door.

“I am going to explore my new home.”

Hermione laughed. “Okay. Do you have a name or did you want me to pick?”

“You may pick one if you like, or maybe Remus would like to pick it?”

“We will decide together,” Hermione said as she carried her items that she purchased for her new pet to the kitchen. She set down the bowls for food and water on the floor. She put the food that Nathan gave her in one of the cupboards.

“I’m out here Hermione,” Remus called from the outside.

“Oh, I thought you were taking a nap,” Hermione said as she walked out to the porch.

“No, I tried, but I needed to think.”

She sat down on the swing. “I didn’t mean to yell at you. I just hate seeing you like this.”

“I know. I don’t like what I have become. I just lost so much. I didn’t think I would survive.”

“But you did.”

“Barely, if it wasn’t for you and Harry, I think I would have…”

“Please, don’t. I don’t want to hear you say it.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been such a burden,” Remus replied, cupping his head in his hands.

Hermione sighed. “You are not a burden. I don’t know how to convince you otherwise.” She placed a hand of his back and started to rub small circles into it.

“Why do you put up with me?” he whispered lifting his head up.

“Because you saved me.” Hermione put her head on his shoulder and silently cried.

Remus chuckled and put his arm around her. “I’m not much of a hero, am I?”

“Yes, you are.” She sniffled.

They sat in silence for a while before they were interrupted by Hermione’s new member of the family. Hermione turned her head as the dog trotted to the porch.

“Mistress, I like my new home, there is plenty of space, and I am going to enjoy the woods.”

“I’m glad that you like it,” Hermione said as the dog jumped in her lap, lying across her and Remus.

“Who just spoke?” Remus was startled at the warm body that was on him. “Who is this?”

Hermione sat straight up. “You can hear him?”

“Well that is something I didn’t expect. Normally familiars can only communicate with their masters and nobody else,” the dog said.

“He is your familiar?” Remus asked in shock

“Yes, and I think he is yours also,” Hermione replied in disbelief.

“Is that even possible?” Remus asked in awe placing a hand on the dog.

“Apparently,” the dog commented.

Remus started to pet his head. “What does he look like?”

“Actually, he looks a lot like Padfoot. He is all black; his fur is a little shabby, he is quite a bit smaller, though.”

Remus laughed, a rich hearty laugh. “It would figure. It is almost like he was meant for us.”

“I think he is. I have no idea what to name him. What do you think?” Hermione asked.

“I think we should call him Snuffles in honour of Sirius.”

Hermione petted Snuffles. “Do you like that name?” she asked the dog.

“It seems a little childish, but I will endure it if that is your wish.,” Snuffles commented.

The trio sat there in silence, enjoying the peace and quiet.

**
Hermione went back to work a few days later. Harry dropped by the cottage to look in on Remus. He was a bit surprised to see the black dog. At first, Harry thought that Sirius had come back from the dead. He was in shock for a good hour before he realized that was impossible. Remus explained that Snuffles was his and Hermione’s familiar. Harry thought that it was odd that the dog could communicate with both of them but gave up trying to figure out why.

Harry updated Remus on how the renovations of the Manor were going. He even found a way to remove Mrs. Black’s portrait from the stairwell; although she and Kreacher were not happy about it.

Harry noticed the change in Remus. He was still depressed, but Harry could see the light returning to his face. He still had a long way to go, but he was finally taking those steps to move on.

“I wish you would reconsider. I really want you to stand up at my wedding.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea I would probably trip going down that aisle and take out half of the wedding party and guests with me.”

Harry tried to suppress a chuckle. “I really don’t think that would happen, besides you could bring Snuffles. He could be your seeing-eye dog, like Muggles have.”

“It sounds like fun Master,” Snuffles said.

Remus smiled. “I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t take too long to decide. It is less then five months away. Wow, I still have so much to do.”

“How is Luna doing?”

“Surprisingly well, I don’t think she is stressed at all. Me on the other hand, I think I am about to go insane. There is still so much left to do.”

Remus and Harry were just finishing up lunch when they heard the front door slam shut, and an irate Hermione screaming.

“Infuriating Purebloods. If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have half of the potions they do now!” Hermione picked up a glass vase she had bought a few days ago and hurled it across the room. It smashed against the fireplace. She let up a huge scream as it broke into pieces.

“Hermione, what happened?” Harry asked as he rushed into the living room.

“What happened? You want to know what happened! I’ll tell you. Because I decided to take time off, the Ministry decided to promote a new hire to head position of Potions Master, even though I have been training for it since the war ended!”

“Did they give you a reason?” Harry asked.

“Oh, yes, they did. They said they needed someone who was committed to the job. And because I had taken excessive time off lately, they didn’t feel I was totally committed to my career! Since when does taking a week off, which by the way was cleared by the Ministry, constitute taking excessive time off? I haven’t even called in sick since I started working there! The only other time I took off was when my Aunt died, and that was over two months ago! I just can’t believe they did this to me.”

“Did they fire you?” Remus asked.

“No, I quit!”

“Why did…”

“Because I wanted the satisfaction of walking out on them myself. Let’s see how well they do now without my notes or research!”

“Who got the promotion?” Remus asked timidly.

“Draco Malfoy,” she said through gritted teeth.

“He wasn’t even studying potions, last thing I knew,” Harry commented.

“He wasn’t, but something tells me that ‘daddy’ might have something to do his sudden career change.”

Hermione plopped herself down on the couch, and Snuffles jumped in her lap to comfort her.

“What will you do now?” Remus asked sitting down beside her.

“I think I am going to take a break and figure out where to go from here. I do have some options. But tonight I think I am going to get drunk.”

“You don’t drink,” Remus said.

“I’ll make an exception for tonight.”

**
Hermione managed to polish off an entire bottle of wine by herself. Remus listened to her talk about injustice for Muggle-borns and all magical creatures even after the war. At one point, she talked about opening up her own potions business. Remus knew that she could pull that off. With her knowledge and patience, she could really build a nice business. Hermione informed him that she had enough money to get things started. Between what her aunt Laura left her and the surprise trust fund that her parents had for her, she had more than enough to start a business. Nobody knew how well off Hermione was financially. She didn’t live as if she had money to spend.

Halfway through the night, Hermione started to toss and turn violently in her sleep.

“No, please don’t,” she screamed.

Snuffles was lying at the foot of her bed when she started to scream. He jumped on her, licking her face and nudging her head trying to get her to wake up. “Mistress, please wake up.” he pleaded with her sleeping form.

Hermione let out a high pitched scream, like she was being tortured. Her body jerked violently.

Remus stumbled through the door in a rush to get to her. He located her bed and tried to find her hands. “Hermione, wake up! You are dreaming,” he begged her as he grasped both of her shoulders slightly shaking the witch.

Hermione sat straight up, and her balled fist connected with Remus’ jaw. He was knocked back for a second but managed to keep himself on the bed. “Don’t touch me!” Snuffles started to lick Hermione’s face to try and comfort her.

“Shh, Hermione, you’re safe. You were having a nightmare,” Remus said as he rubbed her back trying to comfort her.

She clung to Remus and sobbed into his chest. The nightmare was more real than it had been in a while.

“Shh, it’s alright I’m here. Don’t worry; nothing is going to harm you again. I won’t allow it,” Remus whispered.

Remus had no idea how long it was before Hermione cried herself to sleep clinging to him as though he was her lifeline. He laid her down gently, but she wouldn’t let go of him in her sleep. Not sure what to do, he decided to just lie down with her. He drew the covers up and fell asleep with her in his arms. Snuffles settled down at the foot of the bed so he could keep an eye on his Mistress.

The next morning Hermione woke with a terrible headache and a warm body next to her.

At first, she was confused, but then she remembered her nightmare. Mortified for crying into Remus’ chest, for letting the dream overpower her again, she looked down at his sleeping form. He looked so peaceful. Her brows knit in confusion as she saw the purple bruise on his chin. She carefully ran her fingers over the bruise. Remus’ eyes fluttered open.

“I’m sorry. Did I do that to your jaw?” she whispered.

Remus sat up and took her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I was run over by a dragon,” she laughed without humour. “Thank you for staying with me last night.”

He kissed the inside of her hand. “Don’t scare me like that again. I felt so helpless.”

Hermione felt more then a twinge this time. She closed her eyes and gave in to the feeling of his lips on her palm. “I’m sorry. It’s been a while since I had a nightmare. I forgot to warn you about them.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not right now. I don’t want to relive it.”

“Okay, but I am here if you want to talk about it.”

“Thank you.” Hermione stared at the large purple mark. Again, she ran her fingers over it. Remus winced at her touch. “I have a salve that will help with the pain and bruising. It’s in the bathroom. Let me get it.”

Remus was touched by her concern. “You don’t have to do it right now.”

“Um, I need to use the bathroom anyway. I will grab it on my way out. Just wait right here.”

Hermione got up and practically ran to the bathroom. Remus leaned back against the headboard of the bed. Snuffles picked his head up and looked at Remus with his curious dog eyes. “You have feelings for her.”

Remus shook his head. “I’m not sure if I will never get used to you talking to me. Yes, I have feelings for her, but it is nothing more than just friend feelings.”

“I may just be a dog, but I know that it is not true. I’ve seen the subtle way you smell her hair after she takes a shower, or how you always find an excuse to hold her hand and kiss her fingers before you let them go.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Yes you do. She is more than just a friend to you. You may ignore your feelings but you do have them.”

Before Remus could comment, Hermione returned with the salve. “Here let me rub this on your skin. Hold still.”

Hermione dipped her finger in the cold salve and gently applied it to his jaw. Remus closed his eyes and let her work in the ointment. He could feel a faint tingling sensation, and it wasn’t just the magic in the cream. Snuffles words coming back to haunt him. He abruptly pulled away from Hermione’s fingers. “Thank you that feels better already. Did you create this yourself?” he asked trying to gain some control.

“Yes, it is one of the products that the Ministry didn’t steal from me. Maybe I can market it,” she laughed.

Remus felt a slight warming sensation and then the pain was gone. “I think you should,” he add seriously.

“It is something I have been thinking about for awhile. There the bruise is already almost gone. It will probably disappear before this afternoon.”

Remus smiled at her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Why don’t we get started on breakfast? Although I’m not sure I could eat anything. How much did I drink last night?” she chuckled.

At the mention of breakfast, Snuffles jumped off the bed and made his way to the kitchen. Hermione laughed.

Remus snorted. “He acts like Sirius when we were at Hogwarts. He always was the first at breakfast.”

Hermione shook her head. “Let see what we have to make breakfast with.”

A/N: Again I thin my betas and everyone involved with helping me with this story.