• Remus Lupin || Time Travel || Marauders Era Hogwarts 
• Rated m for language & explicit sexual content, read at your own discretion!  

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶

-- HOGWARTS 1973

Her life was an absolute disaster. 

She'd always been loyal to Harry- she'd do anything for her best friend. She'd fought through a bloody war with him only to come out on the other end victorious but heavily scarred. But even the golden witch felt a little over her head with this. 

It was an unfortunate accident in the Ministry's Department of Mysteries that made her fall back in time. She knew the moment she landed in front of a much younger Professor McGonagall that something had gone seriously wrong. She'd pleaded to be taken to Dumbledore immediately, who only confirmed her worst suspicions. There was no way to send her back. 

When she told him about the future she'd come from, he'd paled at the prospect of the long fight ahead of them. It was only 1973, after all. The birth of Harry Potter was nearly a decade away, and there was no guarantee that Voldemort had even created all of his Horcruxes yet.  

So he offered to de-age her. Part of her knew it would probably be smarter for her not to take that offer; her very presence at Hogwarts while the marauders were there could alter the fabric of time. The smallest action could cause her best friend to never be born. But stranded in the past all by herself, she couldn't help but make that one selfish choice for herself. At least she'd get to see and grow with the marauders- at least from a distance. She took that risky choice with a promise to herself. She wouldn't interfere with the timeline during her time at Hogwarts. She couldn't risk erasing Harry. 

She went about it precisely how Hermione Granger would- systematically and meticulously. Dumbledore insisted on having her sorted, despite her pleading for him to just place her in Hufflepuff. 

Bargaining with the Sorting Hat was not easy- especially in front of the whole school right before the opening feast. The wretched thing refused her Hufflepuff simply because she had the audacity to try and tell it what to do. He almost put her in Gryffindor just to spite her, spouting how only a Gryffindor could be foolhardy enough to demand something from the Sorting Hat. Perhaps it was the paralyzing panic that struck her when the hat suggested such an outcome that changed its mind. There would be no way for her to blend into the background if she were in the same house as the marauders. She could already see their curious faces watching the uncommonly long sorting of the transfer student from the Gryffindor table. The bloody hat finally relented, showing her some mercy as it sorted her into Ravenclaw. 

She snuck a few glances at them throughout the feast that night, watching them laugh together. That was when she made herself a second promise. While she wouldn't interfere during Hogwarts, she would do everything to prevent the dark fates she knew awaited them in adulthood. They deserved that chance.  

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶ 

-- 3RD YEAR
 (Hermione's First Year with the Marauders)

Classes were boring, to say the least. Having already done it once, she didn't find it challenging to do the bare minimum for her classes. She didn't risk making any friends, portraying herself as an awkward and quiet girl. She easily blended into the noise of the daily happenings of Hogwarts. Most of her days were spent visiting Hagrid or compiling lists and research for when the war would eventually hit. 

The days blended into weeks, weeks into months. 

Until one month, she noticed something she couldn't ignore. She'd known Professor Lupin had been a werewolf since he was a child, but that hadn't prepared her for his disappearances, nor the haggard state in which he came back. Perhaps it was because she was hyperaware of the marauders, but she could track every scar she saw on him. 

As the months came and went, winter blooming into spring, Remus' condition only worsened. 

Hermione recalled the marauders didn't become animagi until their fifth year. Which meant Remus had a whole two years of suffering on his own. She knew she couldn't offer him comfort herself, so she did the next best thing. 

Every month thereafter, an assortment of chocolates would be waiting for Remus the week leading up to the full moon. The first time he received the package of sweet concoctions, the marauders all whooped and teased. 

"Moony's got an admirer," Sirius whistled. 

"Who's the lucky witch?" James bumped his friend on the shoulder. 

Remus blushed, scratching his head in confusion. He wished he knew. Though he loved his friends and wouldn't trade them for anything, it was always Sirius and James who drew the ladies' heads. 

After the full moon that week, an owl flew up to him as he lay in the hospital wing in the early hours of dawn. Despite it being a school owl, it landed very carefully, waiting for him to untie the package. Inside was steaming hot cup of cocoa with a small note tucked next to the mug. 

You've been so brave this month. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be going through the transformations alone. I hope you feel better. 

P.S. Please don't worry, your secret is safe with me. And please don't try to find me. 

His friends had been just as confused as he at the mystery note he'd received. If it was an admirer, why in the world would they not want to reveal themselves?

"Maybe she's shy?" James suggested. 

"Or terrified to be around me," Remus muttered.          

"None of that!" Sirius reprimanded, smacking his friend with a pillow. "She clearly sees what a catch you are." 

"If only I knew who she was," Remus sighed.

But every route led to a dead end. He'd made a note of checking the penmanship of every girl he interacted with, but none of them matched the clean, precise strokes of his mystery girl. He'd tried to track it by scent, but the sender had been smart enough to mask the smell on whatever she sent him. She must be rather sharp to anticipate masking her scent, Remus noted with respect. 

Every month thereafter, the chocolates came without fail. He especially found himself looking forward to the notes after his full moons- it was all that gave him a little light at the end of the tunnel when he crawled into the shrieking shack every month to transform. It was painful- almost unbearable. But if he just withstood it for the night, he'd get to receive another one of her notes in the morning. 

Even in the summer, the monthly owls never stopped. 

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶    

-- 5TH YEAR

Fifth-year came with a shift. Hermione suspected it was sometime around the winter holidays that the marauders finally completed their transformation into animagi. Now not only would Remus return from the full moons with the occasional scar, but so would Sirius and James. 

Yet some things never changed. Her only friends were still Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. 

But when the time came for O.W.L.'s, she was torn. She didn't want to do badly, simply because the scores and records would later determine her adult life. Despite being in a different house, Professor McGonagall still became a close mentor to her and advised her sternly to do her best and not worry about scores. She was the only one aside from Dumbledore who knew the truth. 

When the scores were released, she was the only one in the entire school to get eleven Os. Unfortunately, Dumbledore and McGonagall were not able to keep that quiet- not when all the other Professors could see no reason not to publicly commend Hermione for her spectacular work. 

The whispers spread faster than Fiendfyre. 

Who is she? 

I didn't know she did so well in her studies- she rarely speaks. 

Do you think she'd tutor me? 

Which family is she from? 

Has anyone actually talked to her?    

To her relief, Ravenclaw provided her the perfect cover. She was easily able to blend herself into the crowd of intellectually oriented students, forcing herself back into the background noise. She'd almost succeeded had it not been for that one fateful day. 

Hermione was sitting on one of the window sills in the courtyard when she approached her. 

"Hello there." The friendly voice made Hermione freeze. No. She'd made it 2 years. Not now.  

"Hello," Hermione replied shortly, glancing up at Lily. 

"Urm..." Lily shuffled uncertainly for a moment, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I don't think we've ever really met. I'm Lily." 

"Hermione," she nodded briefly, praying the girl would get the hint and leave her alone. 

"Evans!" A voice boomed from across the courtyard. Hermione looked up, her heart stuttering to a halt as James Potter strolled up to them, with Sirius and Remus flanking him. 

Lily rolled her eyes at James. "Potter. Hi Remus, Sirius," she nodded to the others instead. 

"Anyway," she turned back to Hermione. "I was wondering whether you'd be interested in studying together for the upcoming arithmancy exam. Gryffindors have that class with Ravenclaws." 

Hermione looked up at Lily blankly. She could feel the curious glances of the marauders on her. 

"Sorry," she replied blandly. "I can't focus in groups." 

There was a moment of awkward silence before Lily let out a forced laugh. "That's okay, I understand. How about lunch or dinner instead?" 

Hermione's jaw clenched. She wished he didn't have to do this. 

"Sorry I'm busy."  

Lily's jaw dropped slightly in surprise as the marauders recoiled in confusion. Hermione quickly began gathering her things, hoping to get out of there before she left more of an impression. 

"She didn't even say when," James scoffed, appalled by the rudely brief response Hermione offered. 

"Do you not need to eat ever?" Sirius exclaimed in sarcasm. 

Hermione ignored them, swinging her bag over her shoulder. 

"Excuse me," James exclaimed. "That's a bit rude of you to ignore us!" 

Hermione didn't even pause as she weaved her way past the group. As she walked down the corridor, she heard Remus mumble to Lily in assurance. 

"Don't pay her any mind, that was out of order." 

Gulping down the bile in her throat, Hermione forced herself to walk away. She still had to wait. At least until James and Lily were together. 

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶          

-- 6TH YEAR 

Up until that point, Hermione had been vicariously living through the marauders- silently watching them. It was the one thing that gave her solace- the irrefutable reminder of the people she was doing all this for in the first place. 

Yet after that encounter with Lily at the end of the previous year, they'd all taken a cold interest in her. She could no longer risk watching them because now, when she entered the room, they'd glance at her with a wary expression. She was no longer invisible. The best she could do was remain inconsequential. 

With the transition into their sixth year came the tide of hormones and teenage foolery. At least some things never changed, whether it be the 70s or the 90s. Everyone was dating. Every week there would be a new couple in the spotlight or another rumor circulating. Luckily James's infatuation with Lily was only growing, regardless of their constant bickering. Sirius Black had already gotten a head start to the rest of the school, and had frequently been dating with various partners since the fifth year. But that was hardly surprising. Even in the future, Sirius's reputation with the ladies was no secret. 

But the one thing she hadn't expected was to see Remus get in on the action. 

It'd been a coincidence she found out at all. But one night she'd taken a trek up to the astronomy tower to clear her head- a horrible decision in retrospect given it was one of the most popular destinations for couples second to broom cupboards. 

She'd opened the door to find Remus Lupin plastered to a seventh-year Hufflepuff. He had her up against the wall, nipping at her lips as she whimpered in pleasure, pulling him closer by the strands of his hair. They'd turned to Hermione in surprise. Remus' hair was mussed, and she could see the predatory gleam in his eyes in the moonlight. 

"Sorry," she mumbled immediately, backtracking hastily as she closed the door. 

She supposed she knew sexual exertion could help keep the wolf at bay. She simply hadn't expected to see it in action. For some reason, Remus was exclusively set aside in her mind for Tonks. Despite the infatuation she'd had for her Defense professor back in the day, she was far too young to think of him that way back then. But now she couldn't get the image of the younger, more virile Remus out of her mind. 

At first, she tried to push it out of her mind. Perhaps that girl was his girlfriend. Maybe they were in an exclusive non-relationship type situation. But it didn't take long for the rumors to catch up to her. Sitting in the Ravenclaw common room, she overheard the whispers about the usually level-headed Gryffindor. 

"He was absolutely wild when we were together," someone whispered. "I would've never expected it, he seems like such a gentleman."               

"Oh, he is," someone responded. "He tried to apologize the morning after until I demanded a repeat performance. It was bloody hot." 

"Lucky witches," their friend grumbled. "You know how rare it is to find one of these boys who actually knows what they're doing? I've been dating the same guy for weeks, and he still only manages to fumble around enough to cop a feel. Clumsily at that."  

Hermione inhaled sharply. She'd been in the middle of writing her monthly note to Remus, but her quill hovered above the paper in indecision. It seemed like he found another outlet for his werewolf symptoms. Perhaps it was time for the notes to stop. Besides, he even had the marauders out on the full moons with him now- he was hardly alone anymore. He probably didn't even think twice about her silly notes. If anything, he might find them creepy after so many years. 

She tucked her quill away, taking the half-written note, hesitating for a moment before she slipped it into the fireplace. The flames took to the parchment immediately, erasing the traces of her words as it burned and crumpled to ash. 

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶

-- 7TH YEAR 

Her Hogwarts years were finally coming to an end once again. To her extreme relief, James and Lily finally started dating after a few weeks of working together as Heads. Dumbledore had offered her the position. He'd been obligated to, after all, given her high rankings academically. But she'd promptly refused, insisted she wasn't active among the student body. 

The entire school knew the day Lily and James had started dating- the man was flying high as a kite in his happiness. Hermione had stumbled out onto the grounds, finding shelter near a tree by the lake. The tears came without warning, but once they started, she couldn't stop them. It had been five long years of isolating herself, and it had finally happened. Harry's parents were finally together. She could see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

But her persona was already solidified. Everyone thought her an aloof, cold-hearted witch. Doing a complete change now would only seem more suspicious. Besides, after so many years of pretending, she didn't even know who Hermione Granger truly was anymore. 

Hermione sighed, realizing it wasn't over yet. Maybe she could relax a little now. But she couldn't tell them the truth until after they married. Perhaps even after Lily got pregnant. She'd have to work behind the scenes with Dumbledore the best she could. 

*~*~*~*     

Remus could feel everyone's high emotions as the year came to its end. They were so close to graduating, but the looming war also had everyone confused about the future ahead of them. It wasn't helping that the full moon was in a week- his emotions and usually impeccable patience were frayed.  

An owl interrupted his thoughts, flying through the open window and landing smoothly on his bed. It waited patiently, giving a gentle hoot towards Remus. It was a school owl, he realized with recognition. It'd be her then. 

At some point last year, he'd stopped receiving notes from his mystery correspondent. At first, he was concerned something had happened. She'd never missed a note for four years. Every morning after a full moon, there would always be an owl waiting with a letter from her. 

But the month after the first absence of her note, he received a single bar of chocolate the week before the full moon. No note. That month, there was no owl the morning after his transformation. And so it continued every month thereafter. A single chocolate bar the week before rather than the usual assortment he used to receive, and no note. He hadn't heard from her in over a year now. His only reminder of her now was the monthly chocolate bars. 

At first, he'd been too frustrated to even talk about it. He felt bad for Padfoot and Moony, who'd been his punching bags the first few months after the notes stopped. How could she just stop? No explanation. No goodbye.            

But the package today was bigger than the usual bar of chocolate he received. Curiously, he untied it from the owl, giving him a treat from the stash James kept for his owl, Athena. Tugging the strings on the box loose, he flipped it open. Inside, multiple lay vials of a smoky blue potion and a note. Remus snatched the letter out of the box heatedly, tearing it open. 

It's been a long time, but I had to share this. It took a few years to perfect, but the potion will allow you to keep in control during the full moon and retain your memories. It's not a cure, but it's the least I can offer you. One dose a day every day for the week leading up to the full moon. Only then will it work. 

I hope this helps. 

Remus stilled in disbelief. It wasn't possible. How in the world could such a potion exist? Yet he knew instinctively that it wasn't a hoax. He trusted this person he had yet to meet. 

His nostrils flared, and Remus brought the slip of parchment up to his nose. He caught a whiff of warm vanilla and sugar that sent blood rushing to his head. His lips pulled up into a satisfied grin. In her rush to get him the potions, she'd forgotten to mask her scent from the note. It would be her first and biggest mistake. 

He could track a scent. 

Remus could recognize the honeyed scent clinging to the parchment. It was familiar. Yet not so familiar that he could immediately place it. It was on the tip of his tongue. Perhaps he passed her in the halls. Maybe he had a class with her. But he would find her if he had to go through every bloody student to do so. 

*~*~*~*  

He was on his way to the Great Hall when he saw her on the other end of the corridor.  

Hermione Clearwater was a mystery all on her own. She'd transferred to Hogwarts in their third year with no story- the student who seemed to pop up out of nowhere. She'd had the longest sorting he'd ever seen. He'd had a few classes with her over the years, and she'd always kept to herself. He'd thought she was merely shy. One time he'd seen her with Hagrid, helping feed the thestrals- though he couldn't see them himself. Because of that, he'd thought she'd have a kind heart. But after seeing the cold manner in which she treated Lily a few years ago, the marauders had all been wary of her- himself included. He didn't think she had any friends unless you counted the thestrals. 

Hermione staunchly kept her gaze averted from him, her eyes seeming to look right past him as she made her way across the corridor. She passed him quickly, yet that brief moment in her proximity had him halting in his tracks. Her scent hit him with the force of the full moon, his breath stuttering to a stop as his nostrils flared. 

The stale, fading scent of vanilla sugar on the parchment he received was nothing compared to the warmth and vibrance of her. It was like she'd stepped straight out of a bakery. How could he never have noticed? 

Hermione was oblivious as Remus turned, his eyes narrowing on her retreating figure. 

The realization of her identity hit him like a thousand stones with even more questions. No one as cold and unfeeling as she pretended to be could've sent him chocolates and comforting notes for years. She didn't even stop sending letters after their awkward encounter in the fifth year, so why did they stop? She did so much for him, but he didn't think they'd had a single conversation with each other- so why?  

Hermione made her way to the library, oblivious to the young werewolf stalking her. She'd been a lot less paranoid after James and Lily started dating, slowly opening herself up to the world once again. She nodded to Madam Pince on her way in, offering her a small smile she would've been too scared to try even a few months ago. She was browsing through the book stacks for a bit of light reading when she felt someone approach her. 

She whirled around, exhaling as she saw him. 

"Amos," she breathed in relief, holding a hand to her chest. "You scared me." 

"Sorry, Hermione," the young wizard said sheepishly, turning a charming smile on her. It was uncanny how much Amos Diggory resembled his future son. "I just wanted to thank you for agreeing to tutor me for the potions final. I know you usually don't like working closely with people." 

Hermione held back a grimace, unable to offer him any excuses. "I'm glad I can help," she merely said, giving him a genuine smile. It felt good. She finally felt like herself again, helping others. 

Remus watched from the other end of the library, his heightened hearing picking up on their conversation. What he heard did not make him happy. If anything, the mere thought made his blood boil. Hermione rarely lets anyone converse with her longer than one minute, much less offer to help them. Unless it was him around a full moon. How long had this been going on? Was this why she stopped writing to him?

"So..." Amos chuckled as he ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "I was wondering if you had any plans this weekend?" 

Remus' eyes darkened, and he started walking straight towards them before he'd even decided what he wanted to do. 

"I don't yet, no," Hermione said with a small smile. 

"Would you-" 

Remus came upon them, his hand circling Hermione's wrist in an unrelenting grip. "Excuse us, Diggory." 

"Remus," Hermione breathed in surprise.  

Without waiting for a response, he dragged her out of the library. Hermione was too baffled to protest as he led her to the nearest classroom, closing and locking the door behind them. He didn't know whether Diggory had tried to follow them, but he certainly wouldn't find them now. 

"What in the world?" Hermione protested, finally jerking her hand away as she collected her wits. 

Remus dug the note out of his pocket, throwing it on the table beside them. Hermione's eyes followed the movement, and she paled as she realized what he was showing her. 

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" She asked shakily. 

Remus' eyes narrowed in annoyance. He took a step closer, but she only stepped back immediately. "Nice try, Hermione. But you forgot to mask the scent on this note. It only took you five years to slip up, but I finally found you." 

He advanced on her until she was caught between him and a desk. 

"Why?" He bit out. 

"Why what?" She asked with a weary sigh. 

"Why'd you do it? Why'd you stop?" 

Hermione averted her eyes from his piercing hazel ones. "You just seemed like you could use a pick me up," she said tiredly. "It wasn't a big deal," she shrugged, trying to play it off.    

"Wasn't a big deal?" He growled, his voice dropping an octave. 

Hermione's gaze flew to his in time to catch his eyes flashing gold. "Remus," she said cautiously. 

"Wasn't a big deal?" He took a step closer. "Those notes were the only thing that kept me sane back then, and you're trying to write them off?" 

"That's not true," she insisted quietly. "You have supportive friends. You would've been fine." 

"I do have supportive friends," he nodded. "But they were not who I thought of as I felt my consciousness slip away every full moon." 

Hermione's eyes widened. 

"Do you even know how much it affected me when you stopped writing?" He pleaded. "I was going insane- I was rough with Sirius and James, I was a moody arsehole, and nothing made it bloody better- not even chocolate!"  

"I'm sorry," she whispered, looking genuinely regretful. "I had no idea." 

"Why'd you stop?" He demanded. 

"I still sent you chocolates every month," she said weakly. 

"Damn the chocolates," he replied in an uncharacteristically frustrated tone as his eyes flashed gold once again. "You think it's the chocolates I cared about after all these years?" 

"It just seemed time," Hermione shrugged defeatedly. She could hardly admit hearing about his trysts had made her reconsider whether her notes even made a difference. Clearly, she had assumed wrong.        

"Is it because of Diggory?" He inhaled tensely. 

She wanted to laugh at the mere suggestion, but seeing his eyes switch rapidly between gold and hazel made her realize he hadn't been joking. 

"No," she assured fervently. "I just- You seemed to be doing better around the full moons, and I know you have James and Sirius there for you now. I just didn't think the notes did much for you, I guess." That was close enough to the truth.

"I'm not even going to bother asking how you knew about my being a werewolf, much less Sirius and James," Remus rolled his eyes. 

"I'm just observant," Hermione shrugged.   

"You made me that potion," he pointed out, watching her closely. 

"I did," Hermione nodded reluctantly. "Don't worry, I've checked the balance of ingredients probably a hundred times. It works."

"I never thought it wouldn't," he admitted. 

Remus took one step closer until she could feel the heat of his body. Hermione stopped breathing entirely, looking up at him warily. The slight movement didn't escape Remus' notice, who froze a foot away from her.  

"Are you afraid of me?" Remus asked in concern, his brows furrowing conflictedly. 

"Of course not!" Hermione bristled indignantly. 

The pieces of the puzzle fell into place as he picked up on her racing heart. The faint blush on her cheeks and neck disappeared under the neckline of her shirt, making him wonder how far it went. The way her breath hitched whenever she met his eyes, the way she gulped every time he took a step closer. If she wasn't scared of him, there was only one other explanation. Though he wasn't as public about it as Sirius, Remus had his fair share of experience with witches. 

The realization that Hermione wanted him tugged his lips into a satisfied smile.  

Hermione stared at his eyes, wholly entranced from finally seeing him up this close. She'd watched them from a distance all these years, but Remus was the only one of the group with whom she'd genuinely been friends in her own time. She and Sirius were friendly, but they mostly bickered and teased each other. Seeing him this close disarmed her. 

Remus' precariously held control dissolved when Hermione started nibbling on her lip as she stared at him. Something in her gaze felt familiar like she knew him- really knew him. With a groan of defeat, he closed the remaining distance between them, pulling her to him in an urgent kiss. 

Hermione gasped as Remus pulled her flush against himself, his lips molding over hers, coaxing a response. He took advantage of her surprise, immediately deepening the kiss as he made her dizzy from the onslaught. His kisses peppered down her neck as she gasped in a breath, and he smirked as he felt her tremble under his hands.    

"You should've come to me if this was how you felt," he whispered against her neck, pressing his lips to the blood rushing right under the surface of her soft skin. Her scent was intoxicating. 

His hands clenched on her hips before his fingers ghosted under her blouse, fluttering over the warm skin there. His hand moved up her sides until he splayed his fingers around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He basked in the sensation of Hermione shaking under his touch. 

"Wait," she suddenly pushed him back, stepping aside to un-wedge herself from Remus and the table. "This isn't a good idea... the full moon is in a week." 

Remus stilled. "I thought you said you weren't afraid of me." 

"I'm not," Hermione argued hotly, the hesitance in her voice gone, replaced with the long-dormant assertion of Hermione Granger. "But I refuse to be one of your full moon flings," she pointed out, crossing her arms over waist protectively. "That's not why I helped you." 

Remus raised an eyebrow curiously. Full moon flings? His widened in realization. How could she know? 

"Rumors spread faster than fire at Hogwarts," Hermione shrugged, anticipating his question. 

"That's not what this is," he choked out. How could she think that? 

"Look, I know you and your friends don't particularly like me." Hermione tried to hide the small wince that came instinctively, but Remus' eyes narrowed on her as he picked up on her reaction with curiosity. "I know I made it rather easy for you all. So I don't want some misplaced gratitude," she insisted stubbornly. 

"Gratitude?" Remus laughed in disbelief. Leave it to this enigma of a witch to get everything so horribly wrong. "You ridiculous witch. Do you know how many nights I spent thinking of you? Wondering who you were? Trying to find you? Wishing you'd reveal yourself?" 

Hermione's closed her mouth, her protests slipping out of her mind. 

"You're not a fling," he emphasized, advancing on her once again as Moony rose to the surface, his eyes bleeding into gold. Hermione didn't retreat this time, watching his eyes, entranced. "You've been more like a bloody obsession. And to be honest, I don't know who wants you more anymore- the wolf or me." 

"You want me?" Hermione asked quietly. 

He understood what she meant. Did he want her? Or did he just want another witch to satiate the nerves before the full moon? 

"You." 

Hermione froze. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. She assumed she'd end up changing the timeline eventually when saving the Potters, but she'd never anticipated this. Remus was supposed to be as off-limits as James. He was supposed to be with Tonks, wasn't he? What about Teddy? Yet the part of herself she'd been repressing for years soared in happiness. She's lived for others all this time. Could she live for herself now? Even though it could change so much? There was no way back to her own future, anyhow.  

Maybe it was time she started living for herself?                

A small smile graced her lips as a whimper of relief escaped her. One moment Remus was watching her contemplate his answer, and the next, his arms were full of the witch. She jumped into his arms, her hands twining around his neck as she sought out his lips eagerly. 

Remus readily obliged, maneuvering them until he had her seated on the edge of the table. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him into the cradle of her thighs. Remus groaned, instinctively pushing himself against her, smirking when she felt her breath hitch. 

"Like that, do you?"  

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You're very different from what I remember." 

Before he could ask, she pulled him back down, nipping at his lips as her fingers latched onto her hair. His hands wandered to her legs, trailing up her thigh until his hand brushed against her underwear. He could feel the heat emanating from her. When she felt her hips rise to meet him, he boldly drifted under the fabric, groaning as he tore his lips away from her. 

"You're already so wet." 

"Best make use of it then, shall we?" She grinned saucily. 

Her hands flew to his buckle, making quick work of the buttons on his trousers. His breathing stuttered when she reached into them, wrapping her fingers around him as she squeezed him curiously. 

"Bloody hell, witch. Do you even know what you're doing to me?" 

Hermione looked up at him with an impish smile. "I'm starting to." She stroked him firmly, loving the way his eyes shuttered in desire, and his breath came out in small pants. 

"I want you," she admitted softly. 

"As the lady commands." He gently knocked her hand out of the way, pushing closer to her. He moaned in surprise as he was immediately met with the warmth of her bare flesh, surprised that she'd already vanished her knickers. Had she even had her wand out? 

He teased the tip of himself at her entrance, relishing in the way her breath hitched with anticipation. It was all he could do to hold on to the fraying threads of his control; luckily, Moony was as curious about her reactions as he was, which bought him some much-needed patience. Hermione, on the other hand, had lost the last semblance of hers. Wrapping her legs around him, she pulled him forward in one smooth stroke, moaning as she fell back on the table with her eyes fluttering closed. She was surprisingly more than ready for him, but that didn't ease the sudden fullness she felt as she adjusted to him.  

"Fuck," he grunted. Remus' hands flew to her hips, holding her still as he struggled to collect himself. 

After a moment, Hermione started twitching in his hold. "Move," she whispered breathily. "Please."                        

"I- I," he looked up at her, and Hermione watched as his eyes flipped between their normal hazel and bright gold. "I don't think I can be gentle," he warned her. "Not now." 

Hermione nodded, knowing the full moon was only a week away. "There's time for gentle later. I just want you- as you are." She lifted her hips in invitation.

His eyes narrowed in approval before he took control. His hands tightened on her hips, pinning them against the table. Pushing her skirt up to her waist, he snapped his hips against hers, watching himself disappear within her. Hermione whimpered, squirming under him as he picked up a punishing pace, unable to do anything but take his thrusts as the pleasure stoked her higher and higher still. 

He could feel her walls fluttering around him as her eyes closed. She was close.   

"Look at me," he demanded.  

Her eyes flew open, and though it was gold eyes that stared back her, she knew it was Remus' gaze. He released her hips, drawing her up so he could claim her lips in a desperate kiss. His hands found their way to her arse, fingers gripping the supple flesh as he drew her up to meet his thrusts. 

The new angle made his pelvic bone brush against hers with every stroke, the added friction sending her soaring. She tore his mouth away from his a high pitched moan escaped her. 

He dug his fingers into her arse, driving into her even harder. "That's it," he whispered into her ear. "Come, Hermione. I've got you." 

His breath at her ear and his hands on her body pushed the pleasure to its crest. Hermione cried out as she felt herself shatter. Remus' movements stuttered from the sheer force in which Hermione pulsated around him, drawing a groan from him as he lost himself in her.  

Their thundering heartbeats quieted until the only sound left in the room was the sound of their recovering breaths. He stroked her back gently, holding her close as he buried his head in her neck. 

That was bloody fabulous. 

"Where did you come from?" He asked reverently.   

Hermione laughed, hugging him back. "It's a long story, you wouldn't believe me." 

Remus pulled back, his once again hazel eyes assessing her sharply. Hermione's gaze was filled with a relaxed warmth, only magnified by her easy smile. This was who she really was. This was the girl who fed thestrals in her spare time. This was the girl who would send a scared and struggling third-year boy chocolates and notes of support, expecting absolutely nothing in return- not even a thank you. 

"Try me."   

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Welp. That was fun to write.  
What'd you guys think?