Hell & Bliss

Hell & Bliss

Part One

~ Afternoon ~

Remus closed his eyes, trying to avoid looking at the agonising sight before him.

Reopening his eyes, squinting from the bright sun, he looked around. There were the boys, along with Ginny, playing a game of backyard Quidditch. Molly and Arthur were at the back of the yard, talking amongst themselves while setting up lunch.

And in front of him lay Hermione. She had been lying on her stomach reading a book, but had long since fallen asleep, her head resting on her folded arms. The shade had moved on from over her, the summer sun now belting its rays down upon her skin. Remus didn't have the heart to wake her, so he simply cast a charm to prevent sunburn and let her doze on.

I'm going to hell, he thought miserably. And when I do, it's gonna be just like this.

Hermione was wearing a handkerchief top, tied at the small of her back and her neck, leaving her alabaster back available for all to see. And see it Remus did. In fact, he was preoccupied with it. He stared at her tiny freckles and gazed at the small beads of sweat running down her spine. And when he imagined removing the sweat with his tongue, he physically shook himself, feeling like a creep.

She's too young, his mind screamed. She doesn't see you that way. You have nothing to offer her. Just leave things be.

Molly was calling out to everyone. The kids got off their brooms and went over for lunch. With a shaking hand, Remus gently gripped Hermione's arm and shook her awake.

"Remus," she said sleepily, smiling sweetly at him.

Yep, I am so going to hell.

"Hey. Lunch is ready."

"Okay," she said, rubbing her hands over her face. She slowly got up onto her knees. Remus, who had just stood up, held out a hand, which she accepted to help her stand. Smiling, she briefly squeezed his hand before letting go and heading over to join everyone for lunch. He followed slowly.

Part Two

~ Night ~

Remus stood outside the worn, wooden door, a rush of thoughts running so quickly through his brain that he struggled to hold on to any one of them.

I shouldn't be here. The way she smiled at me. It would never work. I think I'm in love with her. Is it worth trying and failing? Her hands are so soft. This could ruin everything. She's a tactile person - those touches could mean nothing. Or they could mean everything. They're gonna kill me.

With a shaky breath, he knocked on the door. He didn't know what he was going to say or do when she opened the door. All he knew was that it was nearly midnight and he couldn't go another minute without seeing her.

Hermione opened the door. And even if Remus had prepared something to say, those words surely would have died in his throat when he saw her. She stood in the doorway wearing a simple yet beautiful blue dress. The sight took his breath away.

"Hi," she said softly, a mischievous smile on her face.

Remus was staring. He knew it. She knew it. He wanted to look away but he couldn't seem to force his eyes from the slender curve of her neck, the hollow of her throat, the places her dress clung to her body.

Hermione laughed softly. It was this that finally broke the spell Remus was under. His eyes snapped up to hers. She looked so relaxed and happy and Remus couldn't help but smile at her.

"Took you long enough," she whispered.

Before he had time to wonder what she meant, she took his hand, pulled him into her room, closed the door, pressed her body against his and kissed him soundly.

Remus responded in an instant, almost scaring himself with the intensity of passion he felt for this girl. He felt her arms around his neck and he placed his hands on the small of her back and pressed her even closer to him. She moaned at the contact.

Remus left her mouth and began kissing a column down her neck. Hermione stood with her eyes closed, enjoying the sensation for a moment, before placing her hands on his cheeks and pulling him back up to her mouth. As their tongues happily battled for dominance, Hermione's hands moved to his shirt, which she unbuttoned quickly.

Remus broke their kiss and shrugged his shirt off. They looked at each other for a moment, cloudy and dazed eyes saying more than any words ever could. Remus leant down and placed an open mouth kiss on the spot where her neck and shoulder met. He kissed along her collarbone, his fingers deftly pushing the thin strap off her shoulder. He could feel Hermione trembling under his ministrations and smiled at the feeling. This was pure bliss.

He claimed her mouth yet again and they stumbled across the room. Hermione broke the kiss and pushed Remus onto her bed. She hiked up her long dress a bit so she could climb on top of him, one leg on either side of his body, straddling his waist.

The bed was soft and warm and Remus felt a thrill up his spine at the idea of Hermione waiting in this very bed for him to come to her. But all thoughts soon vanished from his mind as she kissed him and he reached for the zip on the back of her dress.

Part Three

~ Morning ~

The guilty get no sleep.

Remus wasn't sure where he had heard that from but he knew it was absolutely true. Which was why, even with Hermione in his arms, her hand on his heart, he couldn't sleep. Guilt.

Logically, he knew he shouldn't feel that way. They were both single, consenting adults. What did he have to feel guilty about? Was it because she was younger than him? Was it because she was best friends with the son of his own best friends. Or was it simply that he felt he didn't deserve her and was waiting for the earth to rebel against the happiness he found with her?

Having her in his arms was pure, unadulterated bliss. But his mind kept going back to the idea that the two of them, with their limbs wrapped around each other, sweaty and sated, was akin to being safely wrapped in the wide open arms of hell. It felt good but you knew trouble was coming.

Hermione stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, a smile lighting up her features.

"Hi," Remus whispered.

She didn't reply. Instead, she grinned, shifting her body so she lay atop him and pressed her lips to his.

As Remus succumbed to her kiss, his hands in her hair, all he could think was: So what? So what if I'm heading for trouble. So what if the world is gonna ask a big price for this moment? So what if I'm going to hell? It's worth it.