Hidden Meanings

Disclaimer: I wish I could say they were all mine but their not!!! Lucky Jo has that privilege...

mary: Of course they are I'm trying to make this Jane Austeny...

pinkwands: I thought the striptease was a brilliant twist to the chapter...

Citten: I am sorry, just assume that whilst Hermione was in the bath he had taken his clothes off.

angel: I liked the conversation with Severus too... but then I love Severus.

Domine: More sorta Lime in this chapter, but more lemons forthcoming, I promise you.

BuckyCattGirl: Luscious Lucius is dominating my fantasies at the moment...


Grimmauld Place

Harry was glaring at Remus, he had yet to forgive his father’s friend for letting Hermione go on her own to goodness knows where, and the young teenager was livid. He knew Remus was under a lot of emotional pressure, losing Tonks was a big blow to the poor Werewolf who had lost so many of his loved ones. When Harry had returned with the Weasley clan he was expecting to see Hermione curled up in the library with Remus on another chair with Remus keeping a watchful eye on her. But when Harry could not find her Remus had to tell him the truth.

“She said she had to go somewhere,” Remus said.

“Did you offer to go with her?” Harry asked.

“She said she had to do something alone, and then she said not to expect her anytime soon,” Remus said. Harry’s frown darkened and since then he had been ignoring the poor man.

Remus was watching the hours go by, and when there was no sign of her after midnight, he began to get a little bit worried. He paced the carpet in front of the fireplace, up and down, down and up, but all he achieved with that was a hole in the carpet. At three in the morning he was getting scared, as visions of an Auror bringing in her naked dead body floated through his mind. Remus growled. He was not going to let another wonderful woman get away this time!

He sighed, as he licked his lips and remembered how sweet and warm her mouth was, and how his body shivered at the thought of holding her in a more intimate position. He did feel a bit perverted at having these feelings for an ex-student, but she had not been a student of his for five years. He sniffed the air in the house to scent her but her scent had vanished.

Another hour ticked by, and the sun began to creep up into the sky, and Remus looked out of the window and saw the silvery grey light of dawn sparkle, showing the world that it was time to wake up. Remus watched the sun rise and drifted off into a dream of when he and Tonks used to stay up just to watch the sunrise.

Another hour and the birds twittered in the sky, and now the early yellows and pinks of proper daylight shimmered through the curtains, and Remus stepped away from the window, and he kicked a chair in frustration.
He sank on his knees and held his head in his hands and started to send out the most heart-wrenching howl he had ever howled. This woke up the entire house. The Weasley’s and Harry had all run down the stairs and opened the door to find Remus in a convulsive fit as he was tearing of his clothes, and ripping hair out of his head. Molly stormed forward, her hair up in curlers and she slapped Remus good and hard across the chin.

“Its all my fault,” he sobbed, “if she’s dead I’ll never forgive myself.”

He clutched onto Molly and held her as if his very life depended on it. Harry felt a bit guilty for the way he treated Remus the day before, it was obvious Remus was suffering. Ginny saw something else, she took hold of Harry’s hand and dragged him out of the room.

“He’s in love with her,” she whispered harshly.

“You must be joking,” Harry said.

“Then explain the anguish he’s suffering? Remus and Hermione have been getting close, but I never thought that Remus had actually fallen in love with her.”

Harry looked down into Ginny’s eyes and he found she was being deadly serious.

“Do you think that Hermione returns his feelings?” Harry asked, some part of him would not have minded these two to end up together; after all, they had both suffered the loss of people extremely important to them. And they were both fairly similar in lots of ways.

“I don’t know,” Ginny whispered gently. “Poor Remus.”

Harry nodded. Poor Remus had obviously had another really tough night.

~*~*~

Hermione opened her eyes, blinked and then shut them and turned on her side to give herself a few more minutes sleep. She frowned as she felt something beside her, something rather solid, and rather warm. She opened her eyes again and immediately jumped out of the bed. It would have been perfect, had not the bottom of the sheet got twisted around her ankles and therefore caused her to land inelegantly on the floor.

“Good morning,” Lucius said peering over the side of the mattress and saw her trying to disentangle herself out of the heap.

“WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?” She yelled.

“Simple, you can’t have forgotten that we are engaged,” Lucius replied smoothly. “That you helped me escape and now I am forever in your debt?”

“Not that idiot!” Hermione snapped. “What am I doing HERE in your BED?”

“We had sex last night, it is what a couple do with each other when they are attracted to one another.”

“I am NOT attracted to you, Malfoy,” Hermione said firmly. “I am only doing this for the Order.”

Lucius decided he wasn’t going to be angry, if she wanted to be in self-denial then that was fine by him. He crossed his arms over his chest and decided to watch her make more of pig’s ear of getting herself free from the bed sheet. It was actually quite amusing.

“Really?” he asked. “What was it you called me yesterday… Luscious that was it.”

“That just slipped out,” Hermione said angrily. She had fallen on the floor again. Lucius rolled his eyes and sighed, although his shoulders were shaking from silent laughter. “And this is not funny.”

“On the contrary, I happen to find it hilarious,” Lucius said. He took her hand and pulled her back onto the bed. She tried to struggle free from his grip, but he was too strong for her. Lucius slipped down to the bottom of the bed and then with ease, and grace he managed to wrench her legs free from the sheet. “There, you see.”

“Show off!” She exclaimed.

“Now my dear,” he began, as he prowled up her body and looked at her with blatant lust flashing in his eyes. “As I was saying, when two people are attracted to each other this sort of thing does happen. The body can sometimes tell us more than the mind. At the moment your body is giving my body all the right signals. You might THINK that you are not attracted to me, but your body knows. I learnt a long time ago, just to listen to my body.”

Hermione found she could not tear her eyes away from his steady and controlling gaze, and his voice was falling on her ears and washing over her, making her body flush. She could try and fight it, but what would be the point? But then she wasn’t going to give in without a fight. She would make him chase her, if he liked her that much.

“I do not like you!” she snarled. She pushed him off, and stood up, she grabbed the same sheet she was imprisoned in earlier and covered her body in it. She stormed into the bathroom and had a bath. She saw her clothes were in a messy heap at the corner. She washed herself, and then she dressed herself in everything but the tights.

“Where are you going?” Lucius growled.

“I have to go back to Grimmauld Place, I know they would all be worried about me,” Hermione said. “The Order has lost a lot of people. I do not want them to think that I am a latest tragedy.”

“And precisely what are you going to tell them?” Lucius asked.

“That I have been doing some research for the Order,” Hermione replied. “That isn’t exactly a lie, because you ARE research.”

“If you think that you are denting my pride, Miss Granger, you have another think coming. It takes a lot to put even a slight mark on it,” Lucius replied. Hermione stared hard at him and shook her head, trying not to smile, she HAD dented his pride, she knew that.

“I will probably be back before the end of the day,” she said haughtily. “I suggest you keep yourself active. Didn’t you say you were going to employ a house elf? Take my advice and hire an elf called Winky.”

She turned around, and walked out of the door. Lucius watched her leave, and a feral grin spread across his face. He was actually enjoying himself. Deep down, he knew what she was doing. She was making him chase her. Little did the tiny shrew know but he had been chasing her for over three years. He placed his hands behind his head and rested them on the headboard. He was always going to be lucky somewhere along the line.

Hermione stormed out of the Mansion fuming. Who the hell does he think he is? The mere thought of Hermione Granger being attracted to an overdressed, self-absorbed peacock made her almost retch to the stomach. She had known genuine love with Ronald Weasley before he was killed. Ron was never as arrogant as that, he was just a bit of a dopey prat at times, but he NEVER assumed. She found the apparition point and gone before Lucius could chase her.

~*~*~

“I really am sorry, Harry,” Remus sniffed. “I know I should have been more careful. But Hermione looked so sure of herself, and grown up, I thought it might be a good thing to let her do her own thing.”

Harry had calmed down a lot since the previous day, and he accepted Remus apology. He even went as far as to hug him.

“Is it true?” Harry asked.

“Is what true?” Remus asked.

“Is it true that you have fallen in love with her?” Harry asked.

Remus sniffed again, and blew his nose on a handkerchief; he then stuffed the piece of fabric in his pocket.

“I have, Harry, I know I shouldn’t have, but she’s an extraordinary woman. She always has been rather exceptional.”

Harry smiled, and he squeezed his friend’s hand gently, his green eyes sparkling with sympathy, and empathy.

“HELLO!” A voice rang out.

“Hermione,” Remus said to Harry, and Harry nodded. Remus got up and the chair fell onto the ground, he rushed out of the door and Harry slowly followed, he picked up the chair and he saw Remus hugging Hermione ever so tightly. Hermione had returned the hug, and she clawed at his back fiercely. Harry decided to leave them to it.

“Where were you, Hermione?” Remus asked, nuzzling his face into her neck. He thought he could smell a man on her. Some part of him grew jealous with that thought, whoever had their paws on HIS girl would regret it soon enough.

“I was doing some research for the Order,” Hermione replied. She was actually quite pleased to be hugged by Remus like this. He didn’t send the same sparks that Lucius did, thank goodness, but it was homely, and safe.

“Next time, Hermione, if you’re going to be away for that long, at least find some way to tell us, I was worried sick about you.”

“I told you not to, silly dog,” Hermione chided.

Remus smiled and Hermione brushed aside some of his floppy brown hair, and kissed him on the lips.

“How long are you going to be staying here, Hermione?” Remus asked.

“I have to go back. I don’t how long I’ll be researching where I am, so I am going to take a Bed and Breakfast and I’ll just send messages to you when I can. I am continually working for the Order you know.”

“Can I come with you?” Remus asked. The idea of staying in a cramped bed and breakfast with Hermione rather appealed to the Werewolf.

“No,” Hermione said. “This is very, very painstaking and time consuming. It is better that I have my full concentration on it. But I will try to get into regular contact with you.”

Remus sighed. He could try asking her where she was conducting this research but he knew she would not reply. He brought her close to him, and then he leant down and kissed the sensitive spot under her ear. Hermione giggled.

“All right, Hermione, but if you get lonely, you know where I am,” he whispered in her ear. Hermione nodded and then she broke free from his embrace.

She walked up the stairs to pack. Remus watched her knowing with some strange intuition that she might possibly have already broken his heart. He sighed heavily and dragged himself towards the library. On the mantelpiece Harry had arranged various pictures of the Marauders, and his parents. Remus picked up a picture of Lily that was taken on her own.

“What am I going to do, Lily?” he asked. “I am in love with a girl that doesn’t love me like that,” he set the picture back on the mantelpiece. “Much like you.”

~*~*~

Hermione felt more than wretched. She knew that Remus had deep feelings for her, but she didn’t realise how deep they went until she saw the light in his eyes when she had returned. The way he had picked her up and held her spoke volumes of how he felt about her. It’s official, she thought, I am world class O bitch. I have just broken the heart of an already broken man.

She had unzipped a black packing bag, and started putting things in there. She put her underwear in that bag, and a few jumpers that she had along with a few pairs of jeans. She then brought out another bigger bag that matched the smaller one. She opened the wardrobe and took out her robes and packed each and every one of them meticulously, and carefully.

“Where have you been? And where are you going?” it was Ginny and Hermione turned around and faced her friend. Lying to Ginny was not going to be easy.

“Research for the Order,” Hermione replied. “I can’t give you any more details than that.”

“Does Remus know?” Ginny asked.

“Yes, Remus does know,” Hermione said. “And he also knows he can’t come.”

“Do you want him to go?” Ginny asked.

“For Merlin’s sake, Ginny, he’s just lost Tonks, and I have just lost Ron, why do you think he’s acting the way he is? It’s purely REBOUND.”

“Yeah right,” Ginny snorted. “Listen when you’ve finally come to your senses I know a good dress makers.”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed. She picked up one case and swore because of the weight. She took out her wand and placed a charm to lighten the load. She then picked up the holdall, and slung that on her shoulders.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” Hermione said, as she placed a kiss on Ginny’s cheek. “Just trust me. What I am doing it is purely to avenge both Ron and Tonks.”
Hermione dragged the big bag down the stairs, and she walked up to the front door, knowing that this could possibly be the last time she’d ever see this home again. And the last they’ll be nice to me, she thought sourly, as she opened the door and left Grimmauld Place.

~*~*~

Remus had sunk to a new low. Whatever hopes he had to be with Hermione he knew that they had dissipated rapidly to nothing. It seemed that he was doomed to perpetual loneliness. He should count himself lucky, he supposed. Love touched him, and left her mark on him, and he accepted the touch. He knew that if he truly loved Hermione he would have to let her go… but that was the problem; he had been letting women he loved go all his life. He could not do that much longer and keep his sanity. There would not be a next time. Hermione was the one, and he would be with her. He’d find her. He would use his wolfish senses and find her.

He got up and stormed out of the house.

“Where are you going?” Ginny asked, as he brushed past her.

“To find Hermione,” Remus growled. “And I am NOT letting go this time.”

Ginny smiled. It was about time someone shook some sense into her.

Remus knew that only ONE person would know where she was, and he decided to apparate to that one person.

~*~*~

Snape shook his head. He was a Potions Master not a Marriage Binder/Lawyer/Babysitter that he had become. He was just about to put the Wolfsbane potion in a big jar to send to Remus when Remus had appeared right in front of him. A very angry Remus at that!

“Where is she?” he asked, as he advanced on the dark haired man.

“Where’s who?” Severus asked.

“Hermione, where is Hermione?”

“And who is ‘Hermione?’” Severus asked. He was enjoying the wolfs distress.

“WHO IS HERMIONE?” Remus roared. “MISS GRANGER, YOU IDIOT!”

“I have absolutely no idea where the silly girl is!”

“She trusts you,” Remus snarled. “WHERE is she?”

Severus watched with cool detachment. He smirked, it was clear the Werewolf had fallen in love with yet another impossible dream.

“I have absolutely no idea, Lupin,” Severus said. This could be useful information to tell Lucius. Lucius had told him earlier that the girl was playing hard to get.

“When you find her, tell her that I’m not going to let go this time!”

Remus left but not before Severus had ladled the Potion into the jar and handed it to the Werewolf. As soon as Lupin had gone Severus walked up to door leading to the stairs.

“You can come out now,” he said. Hermione stepped out, and she was shaking.

“Not a bloody word,” Hermione snarled.

“Are you going to tell Lucius, or shall I?”

Hermione flashed him a filthy look and tilted her chin up.

“No one,” she said. “Lucius will only badger him. Remus has gone through enough without Lucius making it ten times worse when he can finally reveal himself.”

Severus sighed, the girl had to be right. He put a hand on her shoulder.

“Both aren’t really right for you, you know,” he said. Hermione shrugged his hand away.

“And who is right for me?” she asked.

Severus just looked at her; there was a self-mocking twinkle in his eyes. He then turned his back on her.

“You best go to Lucius,” he said.

Hermione nodded. She stepped into the fireplace and yelled out MALFOY MANOR – WILTSHIRE. She had disappeared and Severus sighed again. Even he would not want to kick Remus further down, she was right, damn her! He could pester Black as much as possible, but Severus had always felt a liking for Remus, and he wanted to be friends with the Werewolf. No, he couldn’t really tell Lucius. Besides, Severus thought, Lucius had already won.


A/N So, yes, Remus is this story's major plot bunny... which surprised me I can tell you, as I don't really go for Remus/Hermione, but hey the canon Remus doesn't mind her I suppose...