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CHAPTER 4: Thou Shall Not Taunt The Big Bad Wolf







Hermione and Remus stood outside the small cottage and stared in amazement. It was tiny, no doubt about that. Made from gray stones quarried from the island with a thatched roof, it was quaint and rather reminded Hermione of a fairytale cottage. Blooming beds of flowers lined the front of the house along with the walkway to the entrance. From the front of the house one could look out and see the small copse of trees that hid the cottage from view. From the back you could see the sea along with the rocky cliffs of the island shore.





Remus reached into his pocket for the key, and then withdrew his wand. He was thrilled to be away from muggles so he could use magic to transport the luggage inside. Hermione took the key from him and opened the door. The inside was fairly modern, just as Angus had said. It was wired for power that she suspected came from a generator. The walls had been plastered, and the floors were hardwood covered with a smattering of braided rugs.



It was just as tiny as the exterior implied. When you entered, it was one large room. At one end was a small kitchen and dining area, and at the other was a small seating area around a fireplace. It had a small television, and a love seat, along with a bookcase and a couple of tables and lamps. A small hallway could be seen with two doors, one to the bedroom and one to the bathroom. She smiled when she noted that there was only one bedroom.



Remus stepped into the small cottage and looked around. It wasn’t grand, but it would be comfortable enough, he had stayed in worse places.



“Where is your room, I’ll put your bags in there.” Remus said, his wand raised as the luggage floated behind him.





“There’s only one Remus.” She said, pointing in the direction of the bedroom.





“Are you kidding?” He asked, walking across the cottage and looking into the other rooms. “Well that is inconvenient. I’ll sleep out here.” He said, stepping back into the sitting are and staring down at the small, two seat sofa.





“Nonsense, you won’t be able to sleep on that loveseat.” Hermione shook her head and walked into the bedroom. There was a large, king sized mission style bed in the center of the room. No doubt chosen especially for the “newlyweds”. “Look that bed is enormous Remus, we can both sleep there and not worry about touching, I know it bothers you.”

“It should bother you too, Hermione.” Remus said grumpily as he brought their luggage in. “Unpack!” The cases opened and their clothes and belongings made their way into bureau and closet quickly.





“I suppose I’m just not as stuffy as you Remus. I’m not worried about something happening against my will, you would not do that.” Of course it wouldn’t be against her will, she wanted it, wanted him.





“You’re too young for me.” He said, grabbing his shaving kit and carrying it to the bathroom and stowing it under the sink.





“Age is but a number Remus, it’s what is inside that count. And on the inside, I’m at least twice my age.” She said cheekily as she grabbed her cosmetics case and a clean nightshirt from the bureau. “Since you are being such a pain, I’m bathing first.” She said, following him into the small bathroom and crowding him against the sink. She reached into the tub to turn on the taps and push the stopper into the drain of the old cast iron tub.





“Are you going to make this difficult Hermione?” He asked. She had never flirted so openly with him, had never been so suggestive.





“That is entirely up to you Remus. It can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be.” She said as she twisted her hair on top of her head and reached into her case for a clip. When she reached around him, her breasts pressed into his chest and he growled softly. She smirked when she heard the low, involuntary rumble. “See Remus, if I thought you were completely indifferent, I would leave you be. But I sense that you merely need a little convincing.”





“Might I suggest that you read a book or two on the mating habits of the lupine species before you continue to taunt me Hermione, you may not like it when the big bad wolf calls your bluff.” His eyes flashed red momentarily before he stalked from the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.





Hermione giggled and began removing her clothing. She heard him exit through the front door and knew she had won a small victory. She thought about his parting comments as she stepped into the tub. The mating habits of wolves? She knew that they tended to mate for life, but was there something more to it that she needed to be aware of? She settled into the hot water and closed her eyes, letting the steaming water ease the stress of the day.









Remus was walking along the rocky cliff side. The wind coming from the sea was brisk, even for summer, and it caught his robes and blew them around his tall, lanky body. The little minx inside was playing with fire and he feared she wouldn’t back down. She was too young to know what kind of danger she was courting. Damn Sirius and his stubborn hide! He wouldn’t be going through this torment if it weren’t for him.





If she continued, he wouldn’t be able to stop it. He would have her, and that would be disastrous for everyone, especially him. His noble intentions would only take him so far, his patience and self control had their limits. He stopped and looked back at the tiny cabin he would be sharing with his “wife” for lord knew how long and he wanted to weep.





How was he supposed to resist the temptation he presented when she was with him constantly in such a small space? Sharing a bathroom, sharing a bed? He was destined to fail, everything was conspiring against him just as it always had.







A/N: Short chapter, I know, but I wanted to set the stage and establish Hermione’s intentions. SO…..on to the seduction of a certain wolfie. : )