Rum & Raisin

Title: Rum & Raisin
Author: Wickedswanz
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters
Rating: N17
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Hermione walked through the kitchen door just after midnight to find both Harry and Ron sitting at the table drinking coffee. From the way they looked up when she entered, Hermione knew that they had waited up for her. She closed the door silently and slipped Sirius’ jacket of her shoulders. Instead of hanging it on the coat rack though she chose to hold it in her arms. After another moment she sat down at the table and looked expectantly at her two friends.

Harry spoke first, his voice hushed, “What did Dumbledore say?”

Hermione smiled, though her eyes were down turned. “He said yes. Snape gave his approval and I am now in charge of Remus’ Wolfsbane, and any other werewolves will have to the choice of either Snape or I making it for them.”

Ron was glaring at her and she raised her chin slightly as she looked back at him.

“What did you have to do to get Snape to agree to that?” Ron’s lip sneered up slightly, reminding her of Malfoy.

“Ron!” Harry nudged his friend but then looked back at Hermione, his eyes concerned. “Did he hurt you?”

Hermione shook her head, “No, he was a perfect gentleman. I didn’t have to do anything.”

Ron looked down at the table and gritted his teeth. “But you would have.” It wasn’t a question.

Hermione looked at him for a long time. “Yes.”

He jumped from the table and his chair fell back with a loud BANG. “Why?!” he yelled, his face a mask of rage and what she thought might have been disgust. “So you can be just a little more of a know-it-all? What, now you’re not in Hogwarts you need to find other ways to show off what a bloody swot you are!?”

She bit her lip and at length forced herself to meet his eyes. She hated what she saw there.

“Do you know what Remus’ worst fear is?” She spoke quietly and her voice shook. Both boys shook their heads so she continued. “He is terrified of losing control of his beast.” she looked at Harry, “You’ve seen what happens to him if he doesn’t take his potion. He has no control over the wolf and he gets to watch from inside while it kills.”

A single tear escaped and slid down her cheek. “Have you seen that look that Snape gives Remus when he hands over his potion?” The boys shook their heads again. “He looks into his eyes and he gives him this kind of smug sneer, and every time I see that look of fear and apprehension on Remus’ face.”

“So what?” Ron sat back down but his voice was terse, “Remus is afraid of a look?”

“No Ron, Remus is afraid of what he will do if the potion is made incorrectly.”

Harry piped up, “But Snape would never do that. I mean the guy is a prat but he would never put us in danger that way. And besides Dumbledore would know and he’d be ousted.”

“I know that Snape would never do that.” Hermione’s voice was still shaking, “He’s a good man. A prat and a bastard, but a good man all the same and I trust him.” She held up her hand to stop Ron’s outburst. “I don’t like him, but I know he would never in a million years do something that despicable.”

Harry was confused, “So why then?”

“Remus doesn’t trust him. They have too much dark history together. Too many broken bridges as it were.” Hermione ran a hand over her forehead. She was so tired.

Harry’s eyes suddenly lit, “Snape knows that Remus doesn’t trust him and he uses it.”

Hermione nodded, “That bastard holds it over Remus’ head like the sword of Damocles because he knows he can.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I did what I had to do and would have done what ever was necessary to stop him. I will never let him hurt Remus again.” she shook her head, her eyes distant and totally unaware that another tear had escaped and was making it‘s wet trail down her cheek. “Never.”

Hermione brought the jacket she was holding to her nose and smelt the wholly male scent along with the leather. It was calming and she gripped it closer as she breathed deeply.

“It’s late.” Harry spoke quietly. “We mainly just waited up to make sure you were alright.”

Ron looked like he wanted to say more. A lot more, and for a moment she thought he was going to, but he just nodded and climbed to his feet and left the room. Hermione looked at Harry and half expected him to be glaring at her as well, but he wasn’t. Instead he was smiling.

Harry kissed the top of her head then dropped to his knees before her and stroked her cheek, his eyes full love and admiration.

“Ron will be fine. I think that you and I both know that our lives are never going to be perfect and fairytale like. It‘s like what Dumbledore says, the difference between what‘s right and what‘s easy.” As he spoke he framed her face in his hands. “Thank you Hermione.” He kissed her cheek and smiled again.

He sat back on his haunches a little and looked into her eyes, “You would walk through fire to protect those you love.” he looked down for a moment, “Just like my mum. I think that‘s why I was drawn to you as a friend in the first place, but you know…” He was cut off by the sound of barking, growling and howling from outside.

~*~*~

The grim and the wolf stood together in the fenced back yard. Both silent, watching and waiting.

Soon after midnight an enormous black bat appeared out of thin air with an audible *POP*. The two creatures of the night growled and lowered their heads dangerously as the bat opened it’s wings and stood up straight, revealing a pretty, curly haired woman.

She stepped back and he pulled his jacket closed and looked down at her for a long time.

“Congratulations Mis… Hermione. It seems that Dumbledore has as much faith in you as I.” His voice was deep and hushed.

“Thank you Pro… Severus.” She smiled and let him take her hand and watched as he placed a light kiss on the back.

“You are a very clever witch Hermione but do not mistake me for a fool.” He reached out to open her jacket and let his eyes rove over the body beneath. He closed it again and met her eyes.

Hermione stepped closer and reached out her hand to stroke his cheek. “I never thought you were a fool Severus. I mistook you for a different kind of man.” she looked up at him and lifted her chin slightly. “An assumption that was not unfounded.”

He tipped his head to the side and looked at her more closely, something passed over his eyes. “And yet here you are, willing to put yourself in such a situation and even dressing the part.” he flicked his finger towards her. “You risk your virtue for one man while you cling to the jacket of another. Beware the Marauders Miss Granger, they are notorious for breaking hearts and have used young ladies such as yourself for their own means, many times.”

Hermione looked down and had to bite her lip to stop the tears that were pricking her eyes. She felt his fingers under her chin and her face gently pulled up to meet his eyes. He searched her eyes for a long time but she didn’t feel him probing her mind.

He took a deep breath and sighed, “That of course was many, many years ago. They appear to have grown up a great deal since then.”

She smiled then covered his hand with her own. “Thank you.”

He looked up at the window and tilted his head again, “You should go inside, your two friends have waited up to make sure I didn’t molest you.”

Hermione turned to see the light in the window and smiled, “Would you like me to tell them you did?” she leaned closer to him and hushed her voice, “You know, to protect your reputation.”

The edge of Snape’s mouth ticked and again. His shoulders began to shake and he laughed. A deep rumbling sound that was completely foreign to both her ears and his own.

“Goodnight Miss Granger.”

“Goodnight Severus.” She smiled and turned towards the door. “You should laugh more often.” she turned her head slightly as she spoke then opened the door and went inside.

He watched her go and for a moment he stood in the darkness and let the silence envelope him. After a another minute he turned and walked towards the back fence and leaned close. He grinned at the black dog and the wolf.

“Listen to me you two mongrels. When you tire of your new toy and break her heart as you always do, I have no doubt in my mind that she will have you both neutered. My only wish is that I will be there to see it happen.”

Padfoot and Moony growled at him, but he grinned and chuckled, and with another loud *POP* he was gone.

~*~*~

It was still dark when Hermione felt herself drift upwards and out of her sleep. She couldn’t have been sleeping long, maybe two or three hours at the most. She flickered open her eyes to see what had awakened her and smiled when she felt the bed dip as someone kneeled and lay down behind her.

A coarse male hand caressed down her arm, followed closely by his mouth. Hermione closed her eyes and moaned as she felt his tongue flick out to taste her as he followed his hand. His hand slid under her arm and along her waist, over the curve of her hip, and down her thigh before slowly stroking back up to cup her full breast, which fit perfectly in his large hand.

Hermione arched against him, thrusting her hardened nipple against his palm and gasping as the pleasurable thrills this movement sent through her.

“Sirius.” She moaned and trembled as his mouth explored the sensitive flesh of her back and shoulders. She felt him chuckle against her and shivered.

“How were you so sure it was me?” he nipped her shoulder and soothed the red mark with his tongue, sucking gently.

She sighed again as his hand moved over her waist to rest on her almost flat abdomen and his fingers caressed in slow deliberate circles.

“No one makes me feel the way you do, Sirius.” She gasped as he pulled her onto her back and was on her immediately, his mouth taking hers in a deep, demanding kiss.

The room filled with the sounds of lust and sweet endearments as Sirius spent the remaining hours till sunrise exploring her body with his mouth and hands. He brought her high over and over, growling and crying out as she brought him with her again and again.

They watched as the sun rose and Sirius asked her again to come with him when he left. Hermione looked at the man who had haunted her dreams for so long and bit her lip.

“Why?” She had to know what she was to him. To be honest she wasn’t sure she wanted to know but she knew she needed to.

“I can sum it up in five words.” He grinned roguishly and held up his hand to count off his fingers. “You. Rock. My. World. Sweet thing.”

Hermione giggled and looked down, “That’s six. Sweet thing is two words.”

“Not if it’s hyphenated.” The voice came from behind her and she turned to see Remus lowering himself carefully onto the bed. Both she and Sirius moved and adjusted the pillows so he could rest more comfortably. Hermione pulled the blanket up and over him so he’d be warm and smiled when he nuzzled her shoulder.

“But won’t it be awkward for you Remus? You know with Tonks there and me there?” She stroked a loose hair from his face and tucked it behind his ear.

“Not a chance honey, we’ll make it work. You and Sirius are way to sexy together to end it all just yet.” He smiled as his eyes drifted closed. “Besides, my library’s there.” he chuckled as he felt her sit a little straighter.

Hermione turned towards Sirius and kissed him. Teasing at first then deepening.

“Yes, I’ll go with you.”

He pulled her to him and settled them both under the covers. They were both smiling as they drifted off to sleep.


AN: I've had some interesting reactions to this chapter, so let me just say: This is a HG/RL/SB story - just relax and see how it all unfolds lol ;)