Heat

CHAPTER 7: Mischief





Hermione had a difficult time containing her excitement when Remus parked the car at the end of Maine Street. She was almost bouncing in her seat when he came around to open her door. She had lived in most of her life, and small towns fascinated her. She and Remus had slept a little late, the travel to Inis Oirr having exhausted them the day before, and when they got to town it was already bustling with lunchtime crowds.



“Wow, it’s amazing!” Hermione said, staring down the cobblestone street at the old fashioned shop-fronts and roadside vendors. “It looks like something out of a picture book!”





“It’s a typical small town Hermione, not a fairytale village.” Remus said as he closed the car door and shoved his hands into is pockets.





“Well I have rarely been outside London with the exception of school and the magical world, so this is amazing to me, almost like Hogsmeade.” She said, smiling as she came closer and wrapped her arms around one of his.





“What are you doing?” He stiffened when she pressed close to his side.





“Newlyweds, remember?” She tugged his reluctant frame along beside her as she made her way down the street.





“How could I forget?” He said, trudging beside her and trying to ignore the fact that she was pressed so close. “Tell me again why you wanted me to bring you into town today?”





“We need groceries, and we will need some first aid supplies, and a few things to make the cellar a bit more comfortable for you. Plus, we were invited to the pub if you recall.” She said, stopping at a small vending cart loaded with fresh produce.





“Surely you don’t intend to go?” He said, his eyes wide and slightly panicked. “You can’t by groceries and leave them in the car…”





“Remus….I have ways of getting them home.” She said. “And yes, I fully intend to go to the pub.” She reached for his hand and pulled him into a small café. “Let’s have lunch, maybe you will be less grumpy once you eat.”









“I’m not grumpy.” He said, frowning as he was led through the small eatery to a wooden booth in the back.





“You are grumpy Remus. You can be the grumpiest person I have ever met at times.” She said, reaching for the menu. She peeked over the top of it and smiled at him. “But I like you anyhow.”





“Bloody fabulous. Not only am I a raving lunatic on the full moon but I am also a cantankerous ass the rest of the time.” He grumbled as he opened the menu.





“Oh, not all the time. Mostly you seem to be grumpy around me. I’m beginning to think you don’t like me Remus.” He lowered the menu and focused his gaze on her.





“You know that’s not true Hermione.” Remus said quietly. She looked up, setting the menu aside.





“Do I? You have a funny way of showing that you like me Remus. In fact over the last several months you have gone out of your way to avoid me.” She said, pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes.





“So what are you saying Hermione? That because I have not succumbed to your flirtation it means that I don’t like you?” He asked, setting his own menu aside and returning her stare. “Is that how you determine if someone likes you? You grade them on their willingness to shag you?”





“Now what makes you think I’m interested in shagging you?” She asked, her brows lifting.





“Because, my little witch, you talk in your sleep.” Hermione did not get the chance to answer before and elderly woman in a black apron approached their table.





“Hello there, what will you be having today?” She asked.





“I’ll have the Ploughman’s Sambo and a Coca-cola please.” Hermione said. Remus ordered the same and handed the woman their menus.





“You the newlyweds that moved into the cottage up the road?” She asked curiously.





“We are. I’m Hermione and this is my husband Remus.”





“Well it’s glad I am to meet you! You seem a wee bit unhappy, having a row are we?” She asked, giving them a sad look.





“No, he’s always this contrary.” Hermione said with a smile, causing the woman to laugh as she walked away to turn in their order. When they were alone once more, she turned her gaze back to her frowning companion.





“So if I talk in my sleep, then you were privy to my dreams.” She said, watching his face for his reactions.





“I was able to get the gist of it, as well as my involvement.” He said. He could tell the full moon was approaching, he tended to become more aggressive as the moon became fuller.





“Is that why you are so grumpy today? Because I had a naughty dream of you?” She asked, sitting back in the booth and tilting her head to the side, deliberately baring her jugular to him.





“I told you that the scent of your excitement affected me. I also asked you not to present your throat to me that way.” He said rather forcefully.





“You know Remus, there is no law that says we can not…offer comfort to one another while we are here.” She fought the smirk tugging at her lips.





“No.”





“Why not? I have a cousin in America who has what she likes to call a “friend with benefits”. They are good friends, and when they have no significant other, they satisfy certain needs…”





“No.” His nostrils were flaring softly and she could see that his pupils were dilating.





“Aren’t you just a little bit curious? Haven’t you wondered what it would be like between us?” She asked.





“Stop it.” He said tightly.





“You’ve thought about it, haven’t you? Tell the truth.” She was goading him.





“Of course I’ve thought about it! I’m a man for Merlin’s sake. But thinking and doing are miles apart.” He said. He looked away when the server approached with their drinks, giving them a little wink before waddling off again.





“How was it?” She asked.





“How was what?” Remus took a long drink of his soda and put the glass back to the table with more force than was necessary.





“When you thought about it, how was it?” She was smiling mischievously at him from across the table.





“What has gotten into you Hermione? What happened to that brilliant young witch who cared only for her books and studies and could care less about men and sex?”





“Oh, poor Remus. She grew up I’m afraid, though I still enjoy my books and studies, I just like them a little spicier on occasion. As for men and sex….well it was bound to happen eventually.” She said, shrugging her shoulders.





“Why me? Why set your sites on someone who can not give you a future? Look to Harry or Ron, or any number of young men your own age.” He asked.



“I don’t want them.” She said.





“We can’t Hermione. Desire fades, and despite your cavalier attitude and flirtatious behavior, I know that you are yet untouched, my senses are heightened enough that I can sense the slightest change in a person. I would not have you hate me in the end.” He said. The little woman delivered the sandwiches with a smile and left them alone.





“Say what you will Remus.” She said, unfolding her napkin and placing it over her lap. “I need to go to the bookseller as well.” She told him.





“Very well, no more of those novels you were reading on the train I hope.” He said, biting into his sandwich, happy for the change of topic.





“No, I need some books on the mating practices of the lupine species, just as you suggested. After all, if I intend to bed a werewolf…” She looked pointedly at Remus. “and I will. I suppose I should know what to expect.” She turned her attention to her food and missed the shocked expression on Remus’s face.