The Pet

The Pet – Chapter 3

It all belongs to Rowling, except what you don’t recognize.

Tonks had had it. Snape was being—Actually, he was being his usual self.

She walked outside the abbey for a breath of fresh air only to look up and remember him. The gibbous moon was huge in the sky. In two or more days it would be completely full. And that would mean--

She sighed. It was so wrong to take advantage of the situation. He had said he didn’t love her. And she didn’t love him either, but people had needs. All right, so they both would feel a bit degraded and depressed afterwards. Empty. But she knew him and how he feared the full moon. It was about now that his courage would fail him and he would search out others.

She sighed again. Well, she could use a long, hot soak. One that would get the cold out of her bones and leave her feeling like a woman again. And if he did happen to be there.

She didn’t bother telling Snape where she was heading. Let him stew was her philosophy on the matter. And so she Apparated to 12 Grimmauld Place.

&&&


Harry watched as Lupin morosely played with the food on his plate. He wasn’t sure how concerned he needed to be about his friend, after all he always got like this before the full moon and there didn’t seem much to be done.

“Harry,” said Lupin, pushing away the plate. “Up for some Exploding Snap?” He tried to smile but it faltered.

Harry made a quick decision. “No thank you. I’ll just head upstairs.” Harry was only going to be in Grimmauld Place one more night before being switched to another Order safe house even though he now owned the place, Sirius Black having left it to him in his will. Harry clung onto the house as his home now that Hogwarts was no more and he spent every spare second there cleaning and trying to endow it with some semblance of warmth. However, the building seemed to have a personality of its own that was determined to thwart every one of Harry’s efforts.

Lupin sighed. “Still trying to get rid of that infestation?”

“Right you are. Damned Doxies! See you tomorrow morning before I leave?”

“Maybe not.” Though Lupin had volunteered for duty as Harry’s protector these last two nights, his mind was back on the island with Hermione, wondering if she was feeling afraid or lonely without him. She was a singularly strong young woman, just like… He stopped himself. He wasn’t going to think about her.

&&&

Tonks Apparated to the entrance hallway of Grimmauld Place and immediately tripped on a worn part of the rug. Harry came out of a doorway at the top of the stairs.

“Looking for Remus? He’s downstairs.”

“Whotcher Harry? And what if I’m not looking for him? Maybe I just need to make use of the facilities, with your permission, of course.”

Harry smiled, and said, “Whatever you need.” and went back to working on the room.

“Thanks,” Tonks murmured to herself wondering if he was being cheeky.

She’d packed in a small carpetbag her bathrobe, shampoo and soap, washcloth and some magical bath salts she’d been saving for a special occasion. Letting herself into the bathroom, she locked the door and began letting the water run. She resisted the temptation to check on Remus.

Soon the room was steamy and filled with the scents of lavender and citrus. She stripped from her robes and got into the tub, almost screaming at the temperature, but still easing herself in.

She’d just closed her eyes when there was a knock on the door.

“Harry?” came the voice.

“Not in here, no,” Tonks laughed, “now go away and leave me in peace.” It had been Remus’ voice on the other side of the door. Tonks felt pleased and hummed a few bars from the latest Weird Sisters hit. Even if things didn’t work out with Remus, the bath felt so good that she didn’t care. She soaped up the washcloth and began scrubbing vigorously.

Outside the bathroom, Remus leaned his forehead against the wall and attempted to steady his breathing. He had thought she was here. His sensitive nose had picked up a trace of her, and of course the Harry wasn’t the sort for scented baths, or baths of any kind being a teenager. After a few minutes, he quietly headed downstairs and away from temptation.

Eventually, skin all prunish and water cooled and replaced several times, Tonks felt ready to get out. A hot cup of tea and she’d be all set to deal with Remus. She touched her breasts, tentatively, thinking maybe she didn’t want him at all. But no, there was plenty of opportunity to go solo back at the abbey. With any luck she’d have his warm body against hers in no time flat. She wrapped herself in her old shabby terrycloth robe of white and grey stripes and slipped her feet into her slippers.

She was careful to hold the banister on her way down. Her slippers and the worn out carpeting on the stairs didn’t make a good match. She made it all the way to the basement kitchen without mishap. But when she walked into the room, her heart gave her a little start. There he was, his head resting on his hands at the kitchen table.

“Remus?”

He looked up and seemed a bit chagrined to see her, “Tonks.” Standing, he took her hand in his. “Enjoyed your bath? It gave me quite the shock to think that Harry had become fond of lavender scent.”

“You certainly do have a sharp sense of smell,” she smiled.

His face was quite somber, “This close to the change, yes. Tonks, I thought we agreed--”

“To just be friends. And you look like you could use a friend right now. And I needed a bath.” She reached out and lightly caressed his arm.

Shaking his head, he exhaled. Then on impulse he pulled her into his arms and looked into her face. “You’ve been a good friend. I just don’t want to ruin it with my--”

“Stop it.” She touched his mouth with her fingers, enjoying his warm, slightly musky scent. “I’m fine with this. And when I’m not, I’ll tell you.”

“I was about to head to the drawing room.”

“Good. I wouldn’t mind some brandy.”

&&&

Snape noticed immediately that Tonks had left. His spells around the abbey were some of the best known to the Wizarding World.

Probably off to hold Lupin’s hand, he thought grimly. They had thought they were being discreet, but the whole situation had been too drole for words. Lupin was absolutely pathetic in his gratitude for any little scraps that Tonks might choose to dole out to him. Snape prided himself on being able to resist her advances. He didn’t understand why she was so attracted to older men and he chose not to look too deeply into his own heart about her own effect on him.

Suffice it that she was gone and he had an opportunity to go to visit Hogwarts and pick up some needed supplies.

He Apparated to the dungeons with ease. But after only a few minutes of the cold dampness there, stabbing pain troubled him in his leg. It had been a rather novel experience to Apparate directly to his dungeons and not to have to travel from the gates. With the way his leg was now, he would never have been able to handle the walk. He cursed the dragging noise he made as it rung hollowly around him. He’d been so proud of his former stealth.

His private stock of potions was warded from any vandal that might happen by, yet he sensed a curse which he had not put there. Tonks had been right about the Death Eaters. They had set a trap. Probably not for him, since as a Death Eater he easily disarmed it.

Smiling to himself, he continued to head deeper into his lair. Although the Death Eaters had been there, they had not despoiled his area. Snape found supplies of what he needed to brew his leg ointment. But even better, the stasis spell on his stash of Polyjuice had held. It gave him some ideas of how he could return to his spying. Lucius was dead and no longer a threat to him. And Draco was in Azkaban. However, Snape had no desire to return to the Dark Lord as himself. He was too ill to risk more torture and unsure whether his Occlumency would hold. But with the Polyjuice… Snape smiled.

&&&

Remus shot a side-glance at Tonks. They were sitting in two old, but comfortable, easy chairs in front of the fire and they both were on their second snifters of brandy, a rather expensive but welcome gift from Harry to the Order. Tonks’ bathrobe had slipped open a bit, displaying a tempting eyeful of both leg and cleavage.

She was beautiful. He always liked it when she chose to be a redhead. It suited her well, no matter how disconcerting it was to not be able to remember how she really looked. The brandy was affecting his inhibitions, telling him that if she wanted sex as much as he did, well, what of it? They were consenting adults. And, it wasn’t like he’d ever be able to tell Hermione how he felt about her. She was a child and in his charge.

It felt warm in the room and he surreptitiously eased open the top buttons of his robe. He needed to get out of there before he lost his resolve to be a gentleman. He stood up and stretched. “Well, it’s late. I’ll be getting to bed.”

Tonks smiled, “That’s a rather left-handed invitation.”

Remus felt like he’d been plonked on the head with a quidditch bludger.

“I wasn’t, well… what I’ve said… we’ve said.”

She got up and stepped into him. “But we are good in bed together.”

“Tonks,” his voice grew a little more hoarse than was usual. “You are sure?”

Nodding, she took his hand and the headed to the door. “At least this place has indoor plumbing.”

“And where you are, doesn’t?”

“No. And the company isn’t very pleasant either.”

Lupin stopped to stroke her cheek. She closed her eyes and a shiver went through her body. “Are you sure that you want this?” he asked again.

She took his hand and placed a kiss in his palm. “I need the stress relief.”

He brought her in close to him and pressed his lips on hers. He moaned from the softness of her lips.

She brought her arms around his broad back and felt him tremble with suppressed need.


&&&

Hermione got up from her desk. She had started a diary to keep her company. Fortunately, she was not the sort to mind being alone. And now that Remus had located Crookshanks from where he was hiding in the ruins of Hogwarts, she felt almost complete.

Remus came and left on a semi-regular basis. She was always a bit afraid when he left that he would never return. Yet once he was gone she had to admit, even if he was delayed or kept away for days, she didn’t really feel it. She had the entire island to explore, and the constant challenge of trying to get the house elf, who wouldn’t even reveal his name to her, to chat with her. She enjoyed collecting hazelnuts and rowanberries and taking long walks in the brisk island air. The livestock on the island had no fear of her and she had started naming the black-faced sheep that inhabited the place for famous magicians. There was something special about the island-- a secret to the place that begged to be unraveled. She could wander there for hours and not notice the passing of time until her stomach rumbled and reminded her to unpack her picnic snack. She still worried about her friends and how they were doing since the fall of Hogwarts, but Remus was quick to assure her that all was well, and she did trust him.

She found the magic section of the small library and set a study schedule for herself, even though she knew she wouldn’t be sitting the NEWTs anytime soon. And as a divertissement from her studies, Remus had presented her with an old sketchbook and watercolor box of his. Looking through the pages, she learned that he was actually not a bad artist. Hermione had wanted to try her hand at such things, but art was looked down upon in the Wizarding World in spite of the animated portraits around Hogwarts. Remus was quite willing to show her how to do the sketches, which could then be later filled in with vibrant colors.

When Remus was there, he worked to be a good host. They took long walks and shared meals together. He asked her as many questions about her interests and life as she had ever asked about him. She enjoyed his fellowship as much as he seemed to appreciate her. She had to wonder why she didn’t miss him more during his absences since their time together was so very amicable.

Sipping a cup of tea and nibbling on a biscuit, she endeavored to share all her feeling with the diary. She shared within its pages all her fears, her joys of being on the island, and with some trepidation, her emerging feelings for her guardian. This took the greatest courage to put down as she felt like a simpleton in her admission that was wished she could be much older and as interesting, though not as clumsy, as Tonks.

There was a crack of thunder and the patter of rain hitting hard against the panes of glass in the cottage. It was warm and comfortable where Hermione sat and wrote. Crookshanks purred loudly and then sneezed. Hermione laughed and fondled his matted ginger fur. She wondered where Remus was, if he was dry and safe or was he wet and cold and miserable, yet again putting his life on the line for the Order.

After a few yawns she put out the light and headed upstairs to her bed.

&&&

“Oooow, your feet are like blocks of ice.”

“And your bum is toasty warm, I bet,” said Tonks as she bit her lip and brought her toes further up Remus’ leg.

“Oh, is it like that then?” He smiled, feeling his sadness begin to lift in the presence of Tonks’ playfulness.

“Coo, warm ‘em up, love,” her foot briefly brushed against his thigh before he grabbed it.

Remus leaned over on his side, still holding her foot and allowed his erection to rub against her side.

“I think I know how to generate some heat.”

“I’ll bet,” her voice went low as he massaged her foot. She reached out and rubbed his hardness.

He let go of her foot and kissed her on the mouth. His kiss was gentle belying the urgency of his need. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and felt her body melt into his.

“Hold on a sec.” Tonks let go of him and started rummaging around under the bed.

“What? What did you lose?”

“Contraceptive drops,” she stretched further out and fell out of the bed.

Remus began to laugh as Tonks rubbed her elbow.

“Now, now, is that anyway to be? Just stopping you from becoming a daddy.”

“Are these the drops?” He held up a small bottle with a blue and white hand written label.

“Where were they?” Tonks stood up and got back into bed.

“On the nightstand,” Remus lay back and watched her open the bottle and dab it on her in a pattern, “Ready?”

“No, I have to remember the incantation,” she sighed.

“Ummm. You didn’t use this stuff when we used to be together.”

“Well, it wasn’t worth a contraception spell once we broke up.”

Remus felt the depression rise up and threaten to engulf him. “Maybe we shouldn’t.”

“Come on, I’ll remember in a tick. Ah. Got it.” She mumbled a few words and closed her eyes. “Done!”

“That’s nice.” He started to get out of bed.

“And where do you think you are going?”

“It’s a bad idea.”

“Okay, then stay here and just let me hold you.”

Remus froze. A look of pain crossed his face, “Tonks.”

She took his hand and pulled him to her. He let himself be brought over to her and then relaxed into her arms.

“We can just cuddle.”

He sighed. “Sure, that would be all right.”

“Who is she?”

“How did you know?”

She stroked his hair. “You’ve been acting guilty. Naughty you’ve been, eh?”

He rubbed his face against her skin, “She’s not anyone that I could have an affair with.”

“All right. Married then?”

“Too young.” He listened to her heart, finding himself beginning to relax.

“Really? My age?”

He kissed the breast that was nearest to him. “Younger.”

“Oooh, I don’t like being made to feel old.”

“You have nothing to worry about. You are much admired.” He kissed the other breast for good measure.

“And she’s not?”

Remus realized that he was about to tell her all about Hermione being at his cottage. A small panic ran through him. It wouldn’t be right, he’d have to explain why he hadn’t mentioned anything before.

“She’s young, that’s all.”

“And you are one pervy fellow.” Tonks kissed his nose.

Remus surprised them both by taking her face in both his hands and kissing her back.

“You are very beautiful, Tonks. I do want you.”

“Now that you’ve confessed,” she said with mock annoyance. “I’ll have to make you pay for your pervyness.”

A smile played about his lips, “Do your worst.”

She flipped him onto his back and straddled him. While running her fingers over his chest, she rocked herself on his half limp cock. He groaned and tried to take control of her hips. She firmly grabbed hold of his hands and placed them over her pert breasts. He took his cue and began fondling them, giving each nipple an occasional tweak.

Bringing her hips up, she placed the tip of his now quite hardcock just at the entrance of her cunny. She slowly smiled as she teased him by wiggling her hips over him. In revenge, he gave her nipples an extra squeeze.

He gasped as she finally allowed him to slide inside of her. She was very tight and very wet. He lifted his hips to force himself even deeper inside of her. Again she forced him back against the bed.

“Be good,” she whispered.

“You are determined to punish me.”

“Oh, you shall suffer,” and tightened her vaginal muscles around his cock.

He lifted himself and took a breast into his mouth, suckling it and rubbing his teeth over the tip. “Two can play at this,” he said.

In response she leaned down and kissed him deeply.

“Truce?”

“Truce.”

She ground herself down on his cock and took on a steady rhythm of riding him.

He watch her. While the rhythm was good for her, he felt like he really needed to be on top in order to climax. It was one of the things that he found frustrating yet exciting about her. Her breathing was becoming labor and he thrilled to the way she would close her eyes to lose herself in the sensations, only to open them again and kiss him, sometimes on the lips and sometimes on his throat. It was a gentle torment because he was so close to orgasm himself, only for it to escape him time and again as she shifted to change the pace or angle.

Tonks felt the first wave come up and she tried to suppress her scream, suddenly remembering that Harry could probably hear them. Her voice came out a high-pitched squeal as her muscles contracted and she felt herself go over the edge. She held very still, allowing the feeling to subside and then looked down on Remus.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Hmmmm,” he replied. And suddenly she was on her stomach and he was on top of her. He licked along her spine and caressed the skin behind her ear with his tongue. He grabbed a pillow and tucked it under her hips.

“Remus!” she screamed as he roughly entered her vagina from behind, his body covering hers.

“I need you,” his voice was hoarse and torn with desire. And he pulled out almost all the way, only to harshly thrust into her again.

She braced herself against his onslaught, remembering how close he came to losing control at this phase of the moon. Yet, he never had hurt her, at least not seriously. She flinched a little at the way his fingers dung into the flesh of her hips as he held her still for his frenzied lovemaking. It was getting very warm in the room and perspiration stung both her eyes and the delicate tissues of her sex. Arching her back, she did her best to match his rhythm and help him along.

“That’s right, Remus,” she called out to him just as she was surprised by a second orgasm rolling over her body.

“So, beautiful, you are—oh, by the gods,” he grunted and felt his balls tighten and his body go into a spasm. “Oh, no,” he cried again. Pressing himself as hard as he could against her, he ejaculated deep inside of her. He collapsed on top of her, still inside of her.

“Oooph,” said Tonks, “you’ve put on weight.” She laughed a little and snuggled back into his sweat-covered body.

“And you’ve lost a little,” he moved a strand of her hair behind her ear and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Pull up the covers, love. It’s going to get chilly.”

Remus grabbed the bedding that had fallen on the floor. He pulled it over them and they lay there quietly, both cooling off from the frenetic activity of their lovemaking.

Tonks sighed, “You know, I really needed that. I haven’t felt so at peace in ages.”

“Rest now.” And he moved to her side, and pulled her to him so that they were spooned together.

She smiled and put her hand on his arms. She closed her eyes and waited. They never stayed together until the dawn, never woke up in each other’s arms. Theirs was a relationship of convenience. Still, as she drifted off, she wondered what it would have been like hadn’t there been a war going on. Would they have never become lovers? Or would they have had a chance to become much more to each other than a mutually satisfying shag?

Once Remus felt her fall asleep, he carefully extricated his limbs from hers and got dressed. His heart filled with sadness, he kissed her on her temple and Apparated.

Minutes later, Tonks roused from her post coital nap and knew he was gone. She quietly dressed, carelessly swiping at the tear or two running down her nose. It was tempting to stay the night there, where the sheets were clean and the room was warm, but the smell of him and their sex lingered and it made her way too triste. Best to head back to the crabby professor and make sure he was safe.