A Midsummer's Journey

If then true lovers have been ever cross'd,
It stands as an edict in destiny:
Then let us teach our trial patience,
Because it is a customary cross,
As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs,
Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers.- A Midsummer's Night Dream

Remus lay there, a slight smile on his lips, as the dawning sun slowly chased the shadows from the room. Sleep had not came to him, but he didn't mind. He was quite content to lie there holding her, studying her features as she slept. Amazement still flooded through him at the thought of last night, what they had shared, what she had so willingly given. Any thoughts of guilt that tried to push through were quickly brushed away. There was nothing to feel guilty about.

A sudden noise caught his ear. He stiffened. It couldn't be, but he heard again, the faint creak of a board downstairs. Gently, he entangled himself from her, throwing on his robe and grabbing his wand. Stealthily, he crept out of the room and went downstairs.

Stretching languidly, Hermione was disappointed not to find Remus still next to her. Pulling on her robe, she grinned at the aches she felt. The night had once again been magical, so much more so than she ever dreamed. Opening the door, she paused. She heard muffled voices coming from downstairs. The radio, perhaps. Smiling, she hurried down.

"Morning," she called brightly as she stepped into the room. Her face froze as she saw Remus sitting at the table talking with... Snape! What was he doing here?

Snape looked up when she had spoken. His eyes were sweeping over her, taking in her disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, swollen lips, moving down to her bare legs beneath her robe. His eyes glittered maliciously as he looked between her and Lupin.

"Hermione, leave us, please." Remus said quietly. He had not missed the Potions master's mind putting the pieces together. Turning, horrified, she fled back up the stairs, stopping with her hand on her door, listening.

"Well, well," she heard, Snape's silky voice full of smugness, "seems the wolf did manage to have a bit of lamb for dinner." Hermione thought she would faint.

"You don't know what you are talking about," Remus said calmly.

"Don't I? Come now, I am not such a fool that I don't know what sordid little games you two have been playing here."

"You are quick to jump to such conclusions. Perhaps, could it be because you had such thoughts yourself?"

"How dare you! You filthy creature, tell me, did you manage to seduce her into your bed or just forcibly take her? When Dumbledore told you to hone her skills while here, I am sure he didn't mean teaching her to be your whore."

Sounds of chairs being scraped on the floor and a thud alarmed her. She hurried down the stairs, afraid Snape had done something to Remus. Stopping halfway down, she crouched down and saw that Remus had the taller man pressed against the wall.

"Get your filthy hands off me!"

"Never say a disrespectful word against Hermione again," Remus growled, and she thought she saw a brief flicker of fear pass over Snape's face.

Releasing his hold on Snape's robe, Remus turned away and spoke coldly. "Go, run back to Dumbledore and tell him whatever you think may have happened here. I am sure you will make it sound convincing. Just leave my sight."

Straightening his robes, Snape regained his composure along with the sneer on his face. "Am I also to tell the Headmaster you will return your charge as instructed, or shall I make your excuses?"

"You know I will do what is asked of me."

"Really?" His words dripped venom, noting the slump in Remus' shoulders. "You aren't worthy of Dumbledore's trust."

"Just go, Severus," Remus sighed.

A triumphant look passed over Snape's face a moment, knowing his words had hit home.

"You will be expected then," he said, eyes glittering as he spotted Hermione crouched on the stairs. His eyes raked over her once more, making her feel exposed. "Good day, Miss Granger, pity you did not have the sense of mind to use the object I gave you," he sneered, then turned and left, the door slamming.

Knees weak, she went to stand near Remus, watching him struggle with his thoughts. "Remus?" She reached out to touch him, but he moved away. Tears flooded her eyes. He didn't look at her.

"We need to get packed. You will be returning to Hogwarts tonight," he sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"I... don't understand."

"It's actually a nice surprise; we had planned to bring your parents, Ron, Harry, and Ginny to school so that all of you might spend your last few weeks before the semester together, if it worked out, and apparently it has."

Finally, he looked at her. Seeing the tears falling, he felt like a bastard.

"Oh, love, I am so sorry," he said, pulling her into his arms. "I'm so sorry," he said again as she shook slightly. He caressed her gently, nuzzling her hair. The accusing words still echoed in his head and he pushed them away angrily, not wanting them to rebuild the wall that she had broken through. Lifting her chin, he gazed into those lovely brown eyes, and kissed a tear from her cheek, kissing his way to her mouth. Claiming her mouth hungrily, he shuddered as he felt her return his kiss with the same urgency. Hands moving over each other intimately, they caressed and touched each other desperately, etching the feel in their minds, knowing that this was the last day they could be like this. Sweeping her up in his arms, he carried her over to the sofa.

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As they lay on the sofa, Remus threw the thin coverlet over their sweaty bodies as he hugged Hermione close. She laid her head on his chest, feeling his still racing heart beneath her cheek.

Not wanting to break the content silence they fell into, Hermione knew she must ask.

"Will you be staying at Hogwarts, then, when we go back?"

"Afraid not. Severus' visit was twofold. The Order has a matter they wish me to attend to. I am sorry." She could hear the pain in his voice.

"Just wishful thinking on my part," she answered, disappointment clear in her words.

"It probably would not be wise, even if it was possible for me to spend time at Hogwarts. I could not be around you and not let my feelings show."

"What feelings are those?" she asked quietly.

Pulling her face up to look at him, he kissed her lightly. "That I love you."

Her eyes brightened as she threw her arms around his neck. "I love you too," she said shyly.

Those simple words shot fire through him, and he kissed her deeply, hungrily, once more.

Hands caressing and guiding her movements, he stared intently at her, never breaking his gaze, even as he lifted her hips to settle around his. Her desire increased to a new level from that penetrating look which seemed more intimate than their love-making.

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"Hermione, we really should get ready to go," he said, trying to keep his tone light.

"I think I will just stay here, thanks," she mumbled, not wanting to leave his warm embrace.

He smiled. "Alright, though I think you should be the one to explain to Severus why he had to return to collect us."

"Oh, that is not funny, Remus," she said, biting him on the chest.

No, he thought soberly, not funny at all, wondering what repercussions would follow after Snape told Dumbledore about his suspicions. He wasn't worried about himself, only Hermione, not wanting anything to mar this time she had spent with him.

"Okay, if you want to play rough," he growled, as he ran his hand down her side, finding the ticklish spot below her ribs that he had discovered last night. He tickled her mercilessly as she laughed and protested. Finally he stopped, giving her a swift kiss and a swat on the bottom. "Miss Granger, I really must insist we pack and," looking down at her arching his eyebrows and grinning slyly, "get decent."

Still smiling, though sober, she reluctantly got to her feet, pulling on her bathrobe. Taking his hand, they went upstairs to pack.

___________________________________________________

Dressed in her schools robes, and he in his tattered ones, they stood by the door of the cottage. She looked around the room, taking in every memory she would take with her. Moving behind her, he encircled her with his arms.

"Regrets?"

"Never."

Taking his arm, they walked silently through the gate. He turned to look at her, her face radiant in the moonlight. She reached up and pulled his face down to hers. They kissed slowly, sweetly, lingeringly.

"Si ce soit un reve, donc cedez a mon ame, pour que mon amour et moi-meme soient unis dans un sommeil sans fin," he murmured as he pulled away.

She looked at him quizzically. Smiling at her, he put his finger to her lips. They Disapparated into the night.

Fini

Seigneur, que ces mortels sont fous!