Heat

CHAPTER 3: Newlyweds





By the time Hermione returned from her walk the train had arrived in Galway, and they were on their way to the port to catch a ferry to the island of Inis Oirr (Inishere). Once on board the ferry, they made their way to the front so they could take in the scenery. Remus found himself watching her, mesmerized by her profile as she tilted her head back and let the wind and sea spray blow in her face. She was smiling as she swiped at the long strands of hair whipping at her face and he wished that it did not affect him so much.



Her eyes widened and she pointed to the rocky coast of the island as they approached.



“Remus, look! O’Brien Castle and Tower!” She said excitedly.





“Perhaps we can visit once we settle in.” He told her. There was no reason for them not to enjoy the local culture and scenery. It was hard to say just how long they would be required to remain on the island, and he knew that it was cruel to expect them to stay holed up in their house. Not to mention unwise, all things considered.





“Oh, I would love that.” She said, turning that sweet smile in his direction. He was barely sane most of the time, the years of dealing with his affliction had taken its toll and he was weary. But when she smiled at him like that, it made him fell as though everything would be alright. It was unnerving.





The ferry docked and Remus gathered their luggage and followed her down the walk and onto the dock. A little old man with pale green eyes was holding a sign with their new “married” names on it.



“Hello, I am Remus and this is Hermione.” Remus said, extending his hand to the elderly man.





“Cead Mile Failte.” The little man said, smiling brightly. (A hundred thousand welcomes) “I am Angus, and it’s a pleasure to welcome such a lovely young couple to our island.” He replied in a heavily accented voice.



“Thank you very much Angus.” Hermione said, smiling at the little old man who reminded her somewhat of Dumbledore.



“Well now, if you follow me I can get you set up and on your way. I was a newlywed once, I know you don’t want to be wasting time with an old man when there are better ways to spend your time.” He laughed, a light tinkling sound that had Hermione laughing with him, despite the slightly bawdy comment. Remus and Hermione followed him up a small set of wooden stairs to an office.



“Alright then. Here are your keys, the house isn’t large, but it is modernized and perfect for a young couple such as yourselves. It is fully furnished and my wife took the liberty of stocking a few days worth of meals for you, so there is no need to rush into town if you get my drift.” He nudged Remus gently with his elbow and winked. Remus just smiled, not quite sure what was expected of him. “The car is in the lot, as requested. And other than having you sign off and cover the expenses…” The old man shrugged.





Remus withdrew his wallet and passed a credit card to the man. Sirius had set up accounts under the name Williams for them to use with plenty of funds to keep them in comfort for the duration. When the business was completed, he took the keys and a map to their new home and stood.



“Thank you for your help, Angus.” Remus said as he collected their bags, wishing he could use his wand to transport them, it was starting to wear on his back.



“Of course lad! We are all so happy to have newlyweds come to live for a bit, most of the young ones move off to the mainland now looking for fancy jobs and more excitement. I’m told the two of you are writers?”



“Yes.”





“Inis Oirr is a good place for that, nice and quiet. There will be a small gathering in the pub tomorrow night, you should come and meet the locals.” He reached for the largest suitcase that was on casters and tugged it along behind him as he followed them to their car.





“Remus?” Hermione whispered. “Do you drive?” She hadn’t learned, and wondered if a wizard who was used to travel by means of magic possessed the skill. Remus shivered a bit as she whispered close to his ear. He cleared his throat and leaned in.



“Yes, I can drive a car.”



“Now none of that! You’ll be in your new home soon enough.” Angus laughed as he opened the hatch and shoved the suitcase into the small vehicle. Remus took a deep breath and plastered on a tight smile. If it were under different circumstances, he would have found the playful old man funny. But in the current situation, it was annoying him.



Remus opened Hermione’s door and once she was settled inside he went to the driver’s side and with a wave to Angus, he climbed in and they were off, following the map to their new home.





“Remus, the people in this town think we are newlyweds.” Hermione said, staring out the window at the quaint little shops and buildings as they made their way through the town.





“Are you trying to make a point about something?” He asked, maneuvering the automobile around some people on bicycles.





“People are going to expect us to behave as such.” She said. “They aren’t going to believe we are in love if you avoid me as though I were infested.”





“What? I don’t avoid you. I’ve been right beside you the whole time, well except for your little jaunt on the train.” He said as the cobblestone street opened up to a long narrow road that was winding through fields of brightly colored flowers.





“Remus, have you ever been around newlyweds? Or a young couple in love?” She asked.





“Sure I have, James and Lilly.”





“Think back to that time and tell me what you remember about them when they were together.” Remus frowned slightly and began to search his memories while Hermione watched him from the passenger seat.



“What I remember most was their constant debating, Lilly was very opinionated and James as well. When they weren’t arguing over some idiotic thing or another, they were always touching and kissing.” He said the last of it softly. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to be touching and kissing you Hermione.”





“Why? Are you horrible at it?” She asked, laughing softly. He snapped his head towards her and noted that she was jesting before smiling slightly.





“I don’t think so, but then again is anyone an adequate judge of their own technique?” He asked, returning his attention to the road.

“Good point. I didn’t mean that we should be all over each other. Unlike some people I will not name, I am not comfortable with public displays. But these people will expect to see us holding hands and the like.” He blushed slightly and took a deep breath.





“I suppose.” He said, turning sharply onto a small unmarked road.





“Why are you so afraid to get close to me?” She asked.





“Why aren’t you afraid of getting close to me?” He said, wincing as the small car rattled along the bumpy unpaved road.





“You are harmless Remus, I have nothing to fear from you.” Sadly, she thought.





“Harmless am I? Is that what you call a man who loses all sense of who he is and what he does when the moon is full?” His head hit the roof of the car as they drove over a particularly nasty bump and he swore softly.





“Yes, harmless, as long as you take the potion. Luckily for you Snape brewed you a surplus and sent along the ingredients I will need to make more should you run out. And don’t forget, I have seen you change, I have no fear of it.” She said, bracing herself on the dashboard as they drove through a small wooded area.





“You should be afraid of me Hermione. Don’t get too comfortable with the professor you remember, I am not always that man.” He told her.





“And you should realize that I am no longer the little girl you were teaching either.” She intended that he learn that lesson quickly, for she fully intended that Remus Lupin would be hers alone.







A/N: Inis Oirr(Inishere) is a real place, the smallest of the Aran Islands. It is a real place, though I haven’t been there since I was very young and have taken some licensing with the location and culture. Technically Clare is the nearest port, and you wouldn’t actually ferry from Galway as it would take longer LOL but again, artistic licensing was taken. (And I was quite fond of Galway)