Rum & Raisin

Title: Rum & Raisin
Author: Wickedswanz
Disclaimer: I don’t own them.
Rating: N17
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Hermione had read the same line three times.

She sat in the living room of the Burrow with Harry, George, Fred, and Ginny. Fred and George were chatting quietly and Harry and Ginny were reading together. Hermione was reading…something. She had no idea what it was. To be honest she had forgotten the title as soon as she sat down in front of the fireplace.

Her mind just kept wandering back to the night before. Sirius had indeed punished her and Remus for leaving him alone in the morning like they had. He secured Remus to a nearby chair then tortured Hermione with his fingers and his mouth, bringing her to the brink of climax over and over but never letting her cross. Finally after an hour of teasing he had untied his friend and watched from the chair himself with a smug grin as Remus and Hermione devoured each other on the bed.

She felt her cheeks pinken and had to force herself to read that same line again. Afterwards both Remus and Sirius had cuddled her close between them and they’d slept as they had together for the past week. Never in her life had she felt so safe, so warm, so loved and adored as she did when she was with them.

“Oh for the love of all that’s magical Hermione! Will you cut that out.” Ginny cried from where she sat.

Hermione looked up shocked at her grinning friend, “What?”

“Yeah Granger that’s the 50th time you’ve blushed and hidden behind that book of yours.” Fred piped up.

“Which by the way is upside-down.” George finished pointing at the book in Hermione’s hand which was indeed upside down.

How the hell could I have read this line so many times and not realized that the book wasn’t up right?, Hermione thought and compressed her lips.

“Now come on Hermione, we all know what your thinking about so why don’t you just give us an updated blow by blow.” Ginny grinned cheekily, “You know you want to tell us all about Sirius and his…”

“Ginny!” Hermione cried but had to laugh as she felt her cheeks turn pink again.

“She has a point Granger.” Fred sat at her feet and looked up at her.

“Ooh Sirius_” George cooed and fell dramatically over her in mock swoon. “love me, love me, you big hunk of man candy.”

Hermione laughed and cringed at the same time, “That’s disgusting!” She went to push him off her only find that he was gripping her arm and fell with him to the floor, laughing and swotting him with both hands.

“Ah you love it.” George laughed and pecked her quickly on the cheek before climbing to his feet and stealing her chair.

Hermione rolled her eyes and settled herself comfortably on the floor. “I don’t have to tell you a perves a damn thing!” Hermione pouted and crossed her arms. “Besides it will all be over tomorrow anyway.”

“What!” Ginny was on her knees in front of Hermione within seconds, “What happened? I thought you guys were having such a good time.”

“We were…We are, I just.” Hermione paused to choose her words, “It’s the same as another relationship I was in not long ago,” her yes flicked towards George and had to smother a smile at his mock innocent shock on his face. “I want the whole package, marriage and children, and I‘m never going to find my future husband if I‘m too busy falling in love with two confirmed bachelors.”

Ginny sighed and lay down on the floor stretching her arms over hear head. “So you’re saying that’s a possibility? Falling in love I mean?” Ginny opened one eye to look at her friend.

Hermione took a deep breath, “More then a possibility, I’m gripping on to my sanity by a thread.”

Ginny laughed and rolled towards Hermione. “You know I can think of a worse fate then falling for two chiselled studs.”

Hermione smiled and shook her head, “I’m well aware of how lucky I am.”

“Can you at least stop grinning like a Cheshire cat.” George threw a pillow at her and she caught it and threw it back.

“I can stop smiling any time I want.” She forced her face into a serious expression by gritting her teeth, but it ticked at the edges of her mouth and before she could stop she was grinning again.

~*~*~

Remus and Sirius sat in the kitchen, each held a glass of firewhisky, and each brooded in silence. They had tried again to convince Hermione to move in with them. The idea of not being with her made them ill and the thought of her with another man had them both gritting their teeth to prevent themselves committing some insane violent act.

“What the hell is wrong with us?” Sirius growled, “We’re the bloody marauders. We are not bloody 17 any more.”

“It’s going to be strange sleeping in bed alone again.” Remus smiled ruefully and looked down at the table, “I know it’s only been a week but I’ve gotten used to sleeping with her in my arms. Hearing her breaths while she sleeps. That little mewing purr sound she makes when I run my hands over her soft…”

“Alright!” Sirius snapped, then patted his friend on the shoulder, “Sorry mate, I just…I get it.”

“I think she’s going to miss us as well.” Remus skulled his drink and refilled both glasses.

“You think so?” Sirius swallowed the contents of his glass and shook his head. “She said she’s looking for one man to spend her life with.”

“Yes she did and I believe that’s what she wants. Love. She want’s to love someone completely and have them love her.”

Sirius sighed and poured another drink. “She deserves to be loved.” He smiled and shook his head. “She deserves a hell of a lot better then us.”

“So your saying your not in love with her?” Remus raised a single eyebrow and smiled.

“For longer then I’m willing to admit.” Sirius shook his head. “It started as respect and admiration,” Sirius chuckled, “and a little fear. The first time I really saw her was just before we met. She was with Harry and Ron and that Malfoy’s little punk kid. He said something, I didn’t hear what it was but it must have been bad because she slugged him. I remember thinking “That girl has a mean jab””

“Oh yeah I remember Draco begging Poppy not to tell anyone that it was Hermione.”

Sirius grinned, “I bet he did.” his eyes went distant as he remembered more, “Then in the Shack, she and Harry came in after Ron and saw me for the first time. I must have looked a wreck.” He saw Remus nod. “The first thing she did when she saw me was throw herself in front of Harry. Arms outstretched and her hair flying and wild, I could feel the energy crackling around her. She was so afraid of me but she didn’t care, she had to protect Harry.” He ran a hand over his forehead, “I think that if I had taken another step forward she would have killed me, and if I had been who they said I was, she would have died to protect him.”

Remus picked up his glass and took a sip, “I’m guessing that would be a yes then.”

“What would be a yes?” Hermione’s voice came from behind and they both turned a little too quickly.

The two men looked guiltily at each other.

“Umm, Sniv…I mean Severus is coming round in a few moments with my Wolfsbane.” Remus spoke quickly and looked at Sirius for conformation.

“We’re just waiting.” Sirius nodded and then held up his glass. “And we needed a few shots to keep things pleasant.”

Hermione laughed and kissed them both on the top of the head. “How do I look?”

They both took in her red leather, hip hugging pants and black singlet with just a hint of the red bra beneath. Remus growled, a rumbling sound that seemed to come from deep in his chest. Sirius pulled her closer and they both nipped and tasted the tender flesh at her navel and waist.

She writhered and grinned down at her two lovers. “I just had to get involved with two wolves didn’t I?” At length she pulled back and started patting her hair and clothes. “Alright he’ll be here soon.” She took a deep breath and both men watched her with growing concern.

“Hermione?” Sirius asked tentatively and continued at her hummed response, “Are you trying to look good for Severus?”

“Yes.” She said brightly and held her arms wide. “I get the feeling that he’d be into the whole black and red leather thing.” She looked at them both and noticed their blank expressions and giggled, “Boys relax, I’m not into dark and broody. There is a method to my madness.”

“And what would that be.” Remus voice was husky but his face was well guarded.

She searched his face for a moment, “How do you feel about Snape making your Wolfsbane?”

Remus spoke through gritted teeth, “I hate it, maybe almost as much as he hates me.”

“Would you feel any better if I were making it for you?” Hermione sat down next to him and took both his hands in hers, kissing one then the other. She smiled as his face changed and his expression softened.

“You’ll need his approval and to prove you can handle the responsibility to Dumbledore.” Remus spoke quietly. “You know most wizards twice your age can’t make it. Are you sure your skilled enough to handle such a complex potion?”

“Are you kidding?” Hermione pulled back a little. “I learnt how to make Wolfsbane in 3rd year.”

Sirius threw his arms in the air and laughed, “Of course you did.”

“And I’ve spent the last 4 years perfecting it.” She smiled at Sirius, “You’re right Remus it is a very complex potion but I can make it, and I want to make it for you.”

She stood again and adjusted her clothing.

“So what’s the plan exactly?” Sirius rose from his seat and wound his arms around her.

“Well Last year I found out something rather interesting concerning Professor Snape and his general hatred of me.”

“Really?” Sirius’ started kissing her throat.

“Yes, as it turns out he doesn’t hate me quiet as much as he would have me think.” She shrugged, “So for the last few months of 7th year I threw him a few secret meaningful looks, and in one of my many detentions with him I expressed the need to be more useful and offered to take over the preparing of your Wolfsbane.”

“How long did it take to convince him?” Remus was behind her and he pulled her hair to the side so he could kiss the back of her neck.

“Five months.” Hermione pulled away from the two men and straightened her cloths again. “Now sit down.” she pointed to Remus. “You be polite and friendly.” she turned to Sirius. “You behave.”

They sat down just in time. Severus knocked and entered at almost the same moment. His eyes flicked over the two men and he nodded a brief greeting before his eyes fell on her. A slight smile ticked at the edge of his stern mouth.

“Miss Granger.” He bowed slightly. “I trust all is well with you?”

She smiled and her eyes stayed firmly on his as she spoke, “Hello Professor. I am very well, thank you.”

He stepped closer then circled her, his eyes raking over her alluringly dressed body. “I thought that maybe after we speak to Professor Dumbledore we could stop for dinner…somewhere.” That smile ticked again. “Perhaps you could show me a muggle restaurant.”

Hermione smiled brightly, “I’d like that.”

“Indeed.” He held out his arm to her and she took it.

“Ah Professor?” he looked down at her to see she was pointing at the package in his hand. “Maybe you should give that to Remus first.”

He looked at the package, slightly confused as to how he had forgotten that he was carrying it. “Of course .” He handed it to Remus. “Miss Granger has expressed a wish to take over the preparation of Wolfsbane. Would this be acceptable you?”

Remus nodded and smiled, “Hermione has expressed her wishes to me as well and I have faith in her.”

“I’ll inform Dumbledore of your consent.” Snape managed to get the words out without a single sneer. He looked back at Hermione, “Shall we?”

They walked out the door together while both Remus and Sirius watched.

“And she steps into the lion’s mouth again.” Remus took down his firewhisky in one swallow.

Sirius’ eyes followed them out. Without thinking he jumped to his feet and ripped off his leather jacket then ran to catch up.

“Mione!” He yelled to get her attention and they both turned.

“Sirius?” She let go of Snape’s arm and walked back to the other man, “What are you doing.”

He gave her a melting smile and handed her his jacket. “You forgot this.”

She took it and put in on. The jacket was too big but she didn’t care. “It’s still warm.” She spoke quietly.

“Yeah, how about that?”