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Lunaticus Book Two: Moonstruck	By : JBankai89 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Remus Views: 5768 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter, I gain nothing from this but a way to pass the time.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
STOP! This is book TWO of the Lunaticus series! Go back and read Half Moon first, then come back to this!
A/N: Aaaaaand we're back! Welcome to book two, I hope you guys enjoy where I take the story. This book won't be as long as book one, it's sort of a bridge connecting books one and three. (The first draft came out to a little over 50K, and depending on rewrites and edits, it may not get too much longer than that.) Anyway, as always comments and concrit are lovely. Also, it's mentioned in the tags, but I'm gonna mention it here too: While 90% of the story is in Harry's POV, there will be a segment of the story where the POV will switch for a couple of chapters. I know this bugs some people, so I figured I'd warn you guys in advance so when we get to that point you're not like, wtf?
Italics in this fic will be used for dream sequences and flashbacks, but I'm pretty sure I did an okay job at making the distinction between the two so it doesn't get overly confusing. If anyone finds it hard to follow please let me know and I'll fix it.
I am participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) at the same time as I post this, so while I will do my best to keep up with everything, if I miss one of my self-imposed deadlines it's because I'm doing too many things at once and my whole brain may have fallen out. For the moment I'll be posting every Tuesday, and more frequently once I have more of the final draft ready to go.
Tl;dr, thank you so much for taking an interest in my stories, and I hope you guys enjoy it!
“I had voluntarily stripped myself of all those balancing instincts, by which even the worst of us continues to walk with some degree of steadiness among temptations; and in my case, to be tempted, however slightly, was to fall.”
-Robert Louis Stephenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Chapter One – Surprises

The scent of the forest weighed heavily upon him. The leaves on the trees, the damp of the mulch beneath his paws, the prey animals scurrying from sight as night set in. Above him the full moon's light embraced him like a lover; Harry tilted his head back and howled.

The answering cry was not far from him, and he broke into a run, his heavy limbs pounding hard against the forest floor and yet made no sound. The wind whipped through his fur, and Harry leapt over logs and ducked under branches, never stopping, never—

Harry woke.

It took every ounce of strength he had to bite back a groan of frustration. Remus lay at his side, fast asleep with one arm draped across Harry's chest. His gentle puffs of breath warmed Harry's bare shoulder, and he looked so peaceful that Harry was loath to disturb him.

Harry shifted a little, turning to watch his partner sleep, and he smiled despite his frustration at the confusing dream. Remus looked so peaceful; a stark contrast to how he looked when he was awake these days—stressed, thoughtful, and incredibly tense.

Even after months of peace and quiet, Harry still felt uneasy. Living his life reacting to one crisis after another, he was wholly unused to things going so well. Things had been quiet—too quiet, ever since The Letter.

“I can't accept it, I won't accept it,” Remus raged, pacing back and forth before the fire while Harry looked on helplessly. “Greyback only sent that invitation because I transformed outside the moon once. He only wants the strength I'd supposedly lend to his pack; he doesn't care about me.”

“But isn't it worth trying?” Harry asked timidly, afraid of overstepping his bounds with the conversation, and winced at the sharp glare Remus shot him. “I mean, Remus—you've always had...difficulties with accepting that side of yourself. Joining his pack may be good for you, help you better understand what you are or—or something.”

“And you suddenly have a convenient out,” Remus said acidly, more hurt and venom in his tone than Harry had expected. Startled, he took a small step back.

“What d'you mean?”

“Greyback's pack does not allow human-werewolf pair bonds in,” Remus said, brandishing the letter, “If I were to join his pack, you would not be able to come with me.”

The implication still made Harry's blood run cold, and he had found himself caught between wanting Remus to do something that might help him accept himself, and the agony at the thought of losing him. After all they'd been through, the thought absolutely terrified him. More than that, the clear indication that Remus feared losing Harry as much as Harry feared losing him was both sad and heartening.

Following that conversation, it had taken a long time for Harry to convince Remus that he did not want out as he had put it. A year and a half ago, Harry could not fathom a life with Remus—now he couldn't imagine his life without him. The permanence of the bond was the only reassurance Harry had that Remus was unlikely to take off at the drop of a hat, and both of them knew—though did not dare voice the unspoken implication—Greyback had clearly hoped that Remus would turn him. Remus's vehement refusal to accept it and leave him seemed genuine, but Harry had caught sight of him more than once pulling the letter out and reading it over, his expression pensive.

Harry glanced down as his thoughts drifted, and he caught sight of the glint of white gold on his ring finger, and smiled faintly at it.

Remus had given him the ring over Christmas, following a string of apologies as he explained that he'd intended to give it to Harry for his birthday, but it hadn't been ready in time.

“Our bond is more or less a marriage,” Remus had said sheepishly as Harry stared in wonder at the little piece of jewellery, a perfect rendering of a wolf with amber set in the eyes resting in a bed of velvet. Remus lifted his hand to, show him an identical ring, with the wolf upon it bearing emerald eyes in place of the amber. “It seemed fitting that we should have them, I meant to give them to you sooner, it just took longer than I—”

Harry cut off Remus's explanations with a kiss, and he felt the older man slide it onto his ring finger, the cool metal resizing to fit perfectly.

“It's perfect, Remus,” Harry murmured, and Remus smiled at him warmly.

Harry hadn't dared ask how he could have afforded such an extravagant item; it had been clear to Harry that Remus had been working on getting them for a long time, and was incredibly nervous about how Harry would receive it. It was a beautiful piece, and Harry never took it off except for field missions, when he'd transfer it to a chain around his neck and tucked under his robes for safekeeping. His reluctance to be parted from it seemed to hearten the older man, and in the weeks following his gift, Remus appeared more cheerful than he had in a very long time.

The pattern of the breaths on Harry's shoulder changed slightly, indicating to him that Remus had begun to wake. Harry's eyes fluttered shut when he felt a trail of butterfly kisses brush the back of his neck, and a slow smile spread across his lips.

Harry rolled over and caught Remus's mouth with his own in a slow, languid kiss. The action was effective at pushing back his worries over the invitation, and as with every intimate act with his lover, the world seemed to fall away.

“Morning,” Harry murmured softly, grinning a little as Remus seemed to be still caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness.

“Hmm,” he intoned, his hand brushing along Harry's side to rest at his hip, his callused palm tickling the sensitive skin and making Harry shiver, “perhaps it is a good morning after all.”

Remus's thumb pressed into Harry's hipbone, eliciting a soft groan from him as he pressed his forehead against the centre of the man's chest as it began to sneak inward towards his (for the moment) flaccid cock.

“We better not, we've got sort of a busy day coming up,” Harry mumbled, but his words did little to deter Remus to stop his inching hand. Chuckling, Remus kissed Harry softly.

“You better not be,” Remus murmured as their lips parted, “or this might get a little awkward.” Harry snorted.

“That is a terrible joke.”

~*~

Under the warm shower spray, Harry was able to calm himself down as he reflected over the events of the last months. It had been both shaky and peaceful in a strange way, tense whenever the subject of Greyback or his pack came up, but peaceful in the way that neither needed to worry about the looming threat of Red Moon, and Remus had even begun looking for work. This was impeded somewhat by the fact that despite all Kingsley's positive changes towards how werewolves were treated legally, there were still a number of professions that werewolves were barred from, making his search a little difficult.

Harry often wondered if Remus was using his employment search as an excuse to keep himself from thinking about the invitation. Harry hated how scared he felt when mention of it came up, and he often wondered that if given the choice with no negative repercussions, would Remus truly choose to stay, or would he leave to be with his own kind? Harry hated how uncertain of the answer he was, and he forced his thoughts away from it for the hundredth time in as many months.

Harry massaged the shampoo into his scalp as his thoughts strayed to the dream he'd had the night before; the latest in a long line of unsettling, recurring dreams. Harry did not like how reminiscent they were of his nighttime visions that Voldemort had beamed into his head in his teens. Regardless of how harmless the content of the dreams themselves seemed, Harry had a feeling that their presence at all was not a good thing. He'd often toyed with the idea of mentioning them to Remus, but his ever-present worry that Remus was some sort of flight-risk, he kept his mouth shut. He knew he was being selfish, but he refused to risk pushing Remus away, not after everything they'd been through.

~*~

Harry stepped downstairs twenty minutes later, and felt his face grow warm at the unabashed way Remus's honeyed gaze raked over his body. Even after all the things they'd done that would positively traumatize Ron if he ever dared speak of it, being looked at like that was still a strange experience for him.

“And how do you propose I keep my hands off you, when you look so damnably edible?” Remus asked, and Harry couldn't help but bark a laugh. Remus drew him into a lazy embrace, his hands resting over his left buttocks, giving it a short squeeze as he pulled Harry in for a kiss. Harry could feel his arousal pooling in the pit of his stomach, and he let out a soft groan. It was still another week until the next full moon, and it seemed as though Remus's reaction to the phase—in particular, the sex-drive-of-a-sixteen-year-old part of it—was already in full swing. Normally, this would be a nonissue, but not when they were expected to spend the better part of the afternoon at the Burrow.

“Remus,” Harry protested feebly, pressing his hands against his chest, “I really don't fancy wandering around the Burrow all afternoon with a glamour on my crotch to hide the raging hard-on you're giving me right now.” Remus ignored the protest in favour of kissing him again.

“I'm sure there's something we can do to relieve you of that particular problem before we're due to leave,” he purred in Harry's ear, causing him to shiver with delight.

“Well, one must always start the day with a balanced, high-protein breakfast...” Harry began, and Remus's placid smile was replaced by a rather wicked grin as he dragged Harry to the waiting breakfast table.

~*~

“Harry dear, it's so good to see you,” Molly said as she pulled him in for a motherly hug, and Harry reluctantly let go of Remus to accept it.

“Thanks Mrs—er, Molly,” he smiled at her. She looked a little more strained than usual, but that was to be expected. It wasn't every day that Ron and Hermione wanted to throw a dinner at the Burrow, and the Weasley matriarch was both confused and curious about what the couple might be up to.

“Oh please dear, we're always happy to have you,” she replied warmly, though Harry did not miss the look she cast towards Remus, and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from saying anything. Harry had realized that despite all the literature Ron and Hermione had offered her, as well as the shifting attitudes towards werewolves, it was still a bit of a learning curve for her. The type of magical bond he shared with Remus simply did not exist in wizarding society, and because of that it was very difficult for her to comprehend. She was trying however, and Harry had to give her points for effort.

Remus had sidled off quickly to talk with Bill, who had been sitting by the fire with his daughter, who was brandishing a plush gryphon in one hand, and a bright red building block in the other. Ron and Hermione approached him as Molly stepped back, giving Harry one last long look before bustling back to the kitchen. Ron was ginning widely, and Harry had the good grace to flush slightly. It wasn't often that he showed up at the Burrow looking so well-shagged.

“Have a fun morning?” Ron asked with a short laugh as Harry stepped further inside, and Hermione huffed a little at Ron's complete lack of tact.

“I did, as a matter of fact,” Harry replied with a grin, “would you like me to tell you all about it? There may have even been toys involved.” Harry barked a laugh at Ron's face going—if possible—redder than his hair. Hermione looked like she was battling between joining in with Harry's laughter, and feeling scandalized by his words.

Highly amused though he was by their reactions, he was quite keen to steer the conversation away from his sex life. He glanced down to Hermione's right hand, which looked bare, but Harry knew that under a small glamour, a diamond ring lay hidden. He was almost as excited about it as they were, if nothing else to see Molly's reaction to the news. “Ready to tell them?”

“No,” both Ron and Hermione answered at the same time, and they all laughed.

“Just because mum is going to be a right terror, if Bill's wedding was any indication.”

“She just wants your big day to be special,” Harry said, unable to wipe the smile off his face, “You know, white dress, tux, all that. Normal life stuff, especially after the screwed up adolescence we had.” Harry felt a small twinge of jealousy at the pair of them; their relationship would be—and had been—celebrated, while his seemed to be under constant scrutiny. He did his best to keep his tone light, but he doubted that he'd fooled either one of them. Harry didn't want his own problems to overshadow them, especially on today of all days. They were nervous enough about announcing their engagement without Harry having to add to it.

“Screwed up is putting it mildly mate,” Ron replied with a short laugh. “At least things are finally starting to settle down, and we can get back to normal life stuff.” He shifted his glance to Remus, and Harry followed his gaze. His partner was talking softly with Bill, handing back the building blocks that Victoire chucked away as hard as she could, chuckling softly as they chatted.

“How are things going between you two anyway?” Hermione asked, her tone aiming for light, but failed miserably. Harry's gaze whipped back to her as she spoke. “I looked into the—er—stuff you wanted me to research.” She said as she went a little pink, and looked back over at Remus significantly. Realizing what she meant, Harry grabbed both his friends by the arm and dragged them out of earshot.

Harry only stopped when they'd made it to the second landing of the house, and he crossed his arms as he turned to face her. “What did you find out?”

“Harry, I really think you're overreacting,” Hermione said with a frown, while Ron looked between them like a Quidditch referee. “Things have been going well since he got that invitation, haven't they?”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“Then why do you think that Remus is going to leave you?” she asked, and Harry frowned at her words as he crossed his arms. He had told both his friends what the letter had said almost at once—or rather, what Remus said that it said—and he was almost embarrassed at how paranoid he had become since then. He couldn't quite explain it, but he had a feeling that there was more to it than what Remus was telling him. He didn't answer Hermione's question, and instead frowned at her.

“Just tell me what you found out, please?” Harry's gaze flicked momentarily to the stairs, his thoughts returning to Remus, and the unsettled twist in the pit of his stomach over the fact that from where they stood he couldn't see him.

“I didn't bring my notes with me,” Hermione began, her tone impatient as her eyes followed Harry's line of sight. “But there aren't a whole lot of instances of abandonment with these bonds. It's not explicit, though.” She frowned and stepped in front of Harry, blocking his view. Harry frowned at her, but she crossed her arms and did not move. “There's some stuff about it in those notes I gave you when all of this began...but, Harry, I think you're just being paranoid. Remus adores you. He loves you. Just let the bond be, for once. Just...be happy.”

Harry knew that she was right. But no matter how much he reassured himself, and no matter how logically he went over it in his mind, he could not rid himself of the ever-present worry. Because of this, his time spent with Remus had increased to the point where he saw his friends less and less. While they seemed to understand where he was coming from, they didn't exactly approve of his behaviour either.

Deciding to change the subject before Hermione could launch into another lecture, he began to head back down to rejoin the festivities with his friends in tow, and as his eyes scanned the assembled crowd in the sitting room, he realized that someone was missing.

“Hey, where's Ginny?” Harry asked, and Ron snorted disdainfully as he crossed his arms. Harry blinked in confusion at the sudden reaction, “er, did I miss something?”

“She's er—seeing someone new,” Hermione said as she went a little pink, while Ron huffed again.

“Nott didn't last, then?” Harry asked with a grin, “Who is it this time, another child of a Death Eater?” Harry's laugh died in his throat when he saw the look on Ron's face. “Oh God, who is it?”

“Let me give you a hint,” Ron said with a tone as though he'd swallowed a lemon, “if he had an Animagus form, it would probably be a ferret.” Harry's eyes bulged and his mouth dropped open, looking from Ron to Hermione and back again, but neither of them were laughing.

As if on cue, Harry saw Ginny step in to the sitting room from the opposite side of the space, calling a greeting to her nearby family members with a familiar blond in tow.

“I must've hit my head or something, and I'm hallucinating right now,” Harry said as he stared, while Ron huffed a little.

“Mate, I wish,” Ron grumbled while he glared at his sister, his arms crossed. Harry blinked a few times, unable to do anything but gape at his ex and his old school rival arm in arm.

“So is he dosing her with love potion, or is it the other way round?”

“Would you two stop?” Hermione snapped, and Harry turned to her. She was clearly far from approving of the relationship, but seemed more irritated with Harry and Ron than anything else in that moment. “Draco has been really good to her, and if your dad, who hates Lucius Malfoy can accept him, why can't you?”

“Because he's a git,” Harry and Ron answered together. Hermione rolled her eyes and stalked off, going to greet Ginny and Malfoy as though there was nothing weird going on.

“Y'know, Ginny's going to kill me if I hex him,” Harry muttered while he watched as Remus broke away from Bill to shake Malfoy's hand, and fingered his wand that had been tucked into the waistband of his jeans. He felt a stab of irrational jealousy in the pit of his stomach at the sight of it, but Harry forced himself to keep still.

“I can distract her if you want to get it out of your system, but she'll probably notice if you make his nose fall off or something.”

“I'll call it The Voldemort look,” Harry said with a grin as Ron snorted. His smile fell, huffed a sigh, and straightened up while he crammed his hands into his pockets. “Well, I better get this over with,” he muttered while Ron grunted his agreement, and fell in step with Harry as they made their way across the room.

“Harry!” Ginny smiled brightly when she saw him, while Malfoy appeared to be struggling to bite back a scathing remark. She let go of her new boyfriend and hurried over to give him a hug, “Sorry we weren't here earlier, the practice ran late,” she pulled back with an apologetic smile, while her eyes flitted nervously between Malfoy and Harry. Harry could not shake the distinct oddness at seeing Draco Malfoy hand in hand with Ginny, moreover standing in a sea of redheads. It was like some sort of bizarre, extremely vivid dream.

Determined to keep things civil for Ginny's sake, he extended his hand to the blond.

“Malfoy,” Harry said with a nod.

Malfoy's mouth stretched into an amused smirk as he stared for a moment at Harry's outstretched hand, then reached out to grasp it.

“Potter,” he replied with a chuckle, “it only took you eleven years to shake my hand.” Harry mirrored his smirk.

“Well, it only took you eleven years to make friends with the right sort,” Harry replied in a perfect imitation of the Slytherin at age eleven. Malfoy's mouth twitched into something that was less of a smirk and closer to a genuine smile as he caught Harry's meaning. He let go of his hand, and at once Ginny took it, looking between them with the same look of don't-you-dare-start-anything. “How'd you two meet, anyway?”

“Quidditch match,” Ginny said with a shrug and a faint smile—clearly it was a good memory for her. Harry was still having a hard time processing the Ginny is seeing Malfoy thing, despite the physical evidence that stood before him. “I was in the top box with the others after a match, and Draco was there with a few other Ministry officials. He asked me to join him for a drink, and things sort of went from there.” She smiled, while Malfoy maintained his cool aloof demeanour, though if Harry wasn't mistaken, there was a softening of his features as Ginny recalled their first meeting.

“So I see,” Harry replied as he eyed Malfoy dubiously through Ginny's recollection as he struggled to get past his initial shock at seeing them together. Of course, it had little to do with his affiliations during the war—Harry wasn't so thick as to realize that that hadn't exactly been his fault—and more to do with Malfoy spending their entire schooling career belittling and insulting the entire Weasley clan. That fact alone made it extremely strange to see him surrounded by Weasleys without being hexed. Ginny watched the pair worriedly, her arm tucked into her robes where Harry knew her wand was hidden.

“Ginny, Hermione!” The group's heads all swivelled towards Molly, who was standing by entryway to the sitting room. “Would you two come and help me please?” Hermione huffed and Ginny rolled her eyes, giving Malfoy one meaningful glance before she slipped off towards her mother. Harry watched Malfoy watch her, but didn't know what to make of the expression he saw in those normally cold grey eyes. Could it be affection? Harry shook his head a little to rid himself of the bizarre thought. He waited until both girls had disappeared into the kitchen before he spoke again.

“Malfoy,” Harry said, and Malfoy's steel gaze refocused on him as he spoke his surname, and the familiar detached expression was back in place upon his face. “Just know that if you ever hurt her, I will hunt you down and kill you.” Harry smiled and spoke in a level, polite tone, as though he was discussing nothing more serious than the weather.

“Duly noted, Potter,” Draco drawled, “however, I believe you would be relieved of that particular task, given that she is more than capable of exacting her own revenge.” Malfoy spoke in his usual cold tone, though Harry was certain that there was an air of confidence in his voice. Harry stared, shocked into silence by the statement. He was relieved of the burden of coming up with a decent comeback as Malfoy abruptly switched topics.

“It's true, then?” He asked as he nodded his head in Remus's direction, “Of course, Ginny told me all about it, but I have a hard time believing it.”

“It's true, all right,” Harry replied as he glanced towards Remus who had been not-so-subtly watching him over Bill's shoulder. He caught the older man's eye, and he grinned. He turned back to Malfoy, who looked a little shocked at the exchange. The look on his face gave Harry a deep sense of satisfaction, and he struggled with the urge to torment him further with intimate details that would likely send him howling to the Obliviators at the Ministry. Ron's presence at his side and the fact that Remus would not be pleased with Harry sharing such intimate details of their love life were the only things that held him back.

“I dunno,” Harry continued after a moment, “it was an accident—at first, I mean—but now...” He smiled a little wistfully, and bit his bottom lip as his mind went back to their morning, “it was a nice accident.”

“I—I see...” Malfoy still looked a little unnerved at Ginny's story being validated, as though he had thought she had been having him on. Molly poked her head into the sitting room again, relieving Harry and Malfoy from continuing their painfully awkward conversation.

“Come along, everyone,” she called, “while it's still hot!” Malfoy seemed relieved for an excuse to end their tense, awkward conversation, and hurried out to the kitchen with the others.

At the promise of food Ron took off ahead of him, while Harry trailed behind, amused at Malfoy's hasty escape. A sudden hand at the small of his back stilled his movements, and he paused to grin up at his partner.

“Behaving yourself?” Remus asked, falling in step with him as they headed to the kitchen, which had been magically enlarged to fit all thirteen dinner guests. No one passed the sight of them together a second glance anymore, and even Molly had grown more or less used to seeing them together. Malfoy, however, had not, and seemed incapable of not staring at them, his mouth gaping like a fish out of water.

“Don't I always?” Harry asked with a grin, and Remus snorted.

“Do you really want me to answer that?” he asked and Harry barked a laugh at the question. He sat down with Remus on his left, and Ron on his right, and under the table, Harry slipped his hand into Remus's and gave it a small squeeze.

“Probably not,” Harry answered with another grin. He squeezed his hand once more and moved to begin serving himself. Harry caught the lurch in Remus's movements, and had to struggle to hide his smile. The knee-jerk reaction of the bond making Remus want to take care of Harry was endearing at the best of times, but in the presence of his surrogate family—and Hermione in particular—it wasn't a spectacular idea. Harry was not unused to the push of Remus wanting to serve Harry his portions for him, but he was aware of how strange it must look to an outsider. It wasn't a common occurrence, but with the coming moon and Malfoy's nearby unfamiliar scent to Remus's wolf, it made things complicated.

After helping himself to all of his favourite things, he shifted to rest a reassuring hand on the older man's thigh, and he felt some of the tension between them melt away. Harry bounced between talking with his friends and sharing a few silent moments with Remus, which, it transpired, wasn't a brilliant idea as it left him wanting to do much more with his partner than just talk.

As the meal wound down and it was replaced with coffee and chocolate torte, Hermione and Ron stood up, both of them looking absolutely terrified. Grinning, Harry turned to watch.

“Um, everyone? Could we have your attention please?” Hermione asked, her voice carried a squeak of nervousness as she spoke, and slowly the lull of conversation died down as all head turned towards the pair. Harry and Remus exchanged a knowing smile as they waited for the couple to announce their big news.

“Um, we asked you all here today because we have an announcement to make, and we thought a dinner would be the best way to tell you all,” Hermione said, then fell silent as she went a little pink. Ron took over and reached for her left hand, and tapped it once with his wand to remove the glamour.

“We're engaged,” Ron said as he showed the assembled family the ring that glinted on Hermione's third finger.

The reaction was instantaneous. Molly let out a cry of joy as her eyes filled with tears and clapped her hands to her mouth, and all others clapped and cheered.

“Oh, oh what a surprise!” Molly wept as she jumped up and hurried around the table to hug the pair. “Oh Ronnie...I'm so proud of you! And Hermione, of course we're so happy that you'll be part of the family...officially!”

Everyone got up in turn to congratulate them while Harry and Remus hung back and watched. Harry was happy for them—it was about time, as far as he was concerned—but he couldn't help the small twinge of jealousy as he watched their relationship so celebrated in contrast to how most viewed his and Remus's.

Harry felt Remus's lips brush his temple and he looked up, a question in his eyes.

“Don't let it get to you,” He murmured, snaking an arm around Harry's waist to squeezw him gently and reassuringly. “Our relationship is unconventional, to put it mildly. It's something of a given that theirs would be more embraced than ours. It's not fair, I know, it's just how it is.”

“I know,” Harry murmured back, softly enough that the others wouldn't overhear, “It's just frustrating, is all.”

Harry felt some of his frustration leave him as Remus pressed another kiss to the top of his head. He managed to get a handle on his emotions just as Ginny walked over to them and swatted his arm.

“You tit. You knew, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me?” She demanded, but the laughter in her tone told Harry that she wasn't actually angry.

“They told me last week,” Harry replied with a short laugh as he rubbed at his arm where she'd hit him. “Hermione would've killed me if I let her and Ron's big news slip early.”

“Don't tell me you're afraid of Granger, Potter,” Malfoy sneered as he stepped up to stand at Ginny's side. Even after seeing them together all afternoon, Harry still found it incredibly weird to see. “I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave.”

“As someone who's been on the receiving end of Hermione's wrath, I thought you'd know better than to take her lightly,” Harry replied, laughing as Malfoy went a little pink.

Laughing a little, Harry pushed back his own hurt at the stark contrast of acceptance between his and Remus's relationship and Ron and Hermione's, and forced a smile as he took his turn congratulating them.

“Good on you mate,” Harry said, pulling Ron in for a hug, then did the same for Hermione. “You guys did great.”

“Thanks Harry,” Hermione said, her eyes sparking a little with unbridled joy.

“Now we just need to duel to find out who gets you on our big day, so which will it be, Harry? Best Man or Man of Honour?” Ron asked, and Harry snorted.

“Oh don't be silly Ron,” Hermione said with a laugh, and Harry grinned at them. “I could take you wandless and you know it.”

Ron appeared caught between taking offence and amusement as Harry and Hermione laughed at his expense, and instead settled on smiling sheepishly.

All the physical contact seemed to be wearing on Remus's instincts, and it reached its peak by early evening. Upon stepping from the loo, Harry was startled slightly to find Remus standing there, and he covertly dragged Harry off to the next landing.

Harry grunted as Remus pinned him to the wall and devoured his mouth with a soft growl. Despite his initial surprise, Harry was all too happy to return the domineering kiss.

“You know as far as hiding spots go, this isn't a spectacular one,” Harry panted, tilting his head up as Remus trailed wet kisses along his jaw and down his throat. Harry reached up to rest a hand on the back of the older man's neck; despite his concerns, he wasn't ready to stop yet.

“Well I would have suggested the orchard, but that didn't work out so well for us last time,” Remus murmured against his skin, and Harry snorted a laugh.

“Yeah, that would be an understatement...” Harry mumbled, hissing a little as Remus's hand snaked under the front of his jumper and tickled the flesh of his abdomen.

Remus descended upon him, intent on capturing Harry's mouth in another kiss when he heard a soft sound of surprise coming from the stairwell they'd just taken. They turned at once to see Malfoy standing there looking rather uncomfortable and very red.

“Aha!” Ginny thundered up and stopped next to Malfoy with a grin, then feigning ignorance to the awkwardness between the three men she turned and cupped her hands around her mouth, “Muuuum! Found them!”

With a defeated sigh, Remus retracted his hand from under Harry's jumper, took his hand and they headed back downstairs. Ginny fell in step alongside him, and Harry leaned in close enough to mutter to her, “You'll pay for this,” to which she grinned wickedly but didn't answer.

It was clearly no secret what they'd been up to, if the looks on everyone's faces were any indication, and only Ron and Ginny seemed to be unbothered by their not-so-covert rendezvous.

The babble of talk quickly broke out again, but it was strained and almost everyone seemed unable to meet Harry's eyes. Harry grimaced, and caught Ginny's arm before she could leave.

“I think we better go,” he said softly to her, pulling her aside as returned to clustering around Ron and Hermione, offering them congratulations and unsolicited advice on the when, where, and how of their big day. “Say goodbye to the others for me?”

“'Course,” she replied with a smile, and pulled Harry into a tight hug. “Don't let them get to you Harry,” she said softly as she pulled back, “I know it's hard, but those that can't accept your relationship weren't your friends to begin with.”

Much to Harry's surprise, after Ginny let him go she turned to Remus and hugged him too. She whispered something in his ear that caused him to smile and nod, squeezing her shoulder once after she'd pulled back. Remus took Harry's hand in his, brushing his thumb reassuringly across the back of it, and with one last smile to Ginny, they slipped out of the house and off the property, then Apparated home.
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Lunaticus Book Two: Moonstruck