Mending The Wounds

A/N at the end...


Chapter Five: Christmas

Not long after the Hogsmead trip it became official public knowledge that Professor Lupin and Professor Granger were a couple. Remus and Hermione continued spending their nights after dinner talking, only now their conversations were a little more intimate. It was a cool day near the middle of December when one of these conversations was taking place. The happy couple was in Re liv living quarters, sitting together on the rug in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate.

“So what do you think I should get Harry for Christmas?”

“You’d do better to ask Ginny.” Hermione laughed at him.

“Yes, but I wanted a guys point of view.”

Remus raised an eyebrow at her. “What do you think I should get Ginny for Christmas?”

“You’d do better to ask Harry.” Hermione said, trying not to laugh.

“Oh, but I want a ladies point of view.”

Hermione blushed, realizing that Remus knew exactly why she’d asked and that he was teasing her by asking the same thing.

Remus leaned down and kissed Hermione softly and passionately. They pulled apart and looked deep into each other’s eyes.

“I love you Remus.”

Remus smiled and closed his eyes, loving how it felt to hear her say those words to him for the first time, loving how honest it sounded and felt.

“I love you more than I could even say Hermione.”

Remus kissed her gently, then stood up and offered a hand to help her up. She took it and after she was up he led her to his bedroom. Hermione felt her heart start to race. She knew exactly what he wanted and she wanted it too. She knew that she loved him and that she wanted to give this to him.

They entered Remus’ room and he led her to the bed. She looked up into his eyes, the unasked question for permission clear in them. She smiled at the love shown in them and leaned up and kissed his lips gently. Remus slowly pulled Hermione’s robes from her body and steps back to look at her properly.

“Merlin Hermione, you’re beautiful.” As he said this while studying her body, Hermione felt her face flush crimson.

Hermione closed the space between them and kissed him tenderly. She then pulled his robes off and tossed them aside. She ran her hands down his taut chest muscles.

Being a werewolf for all those years was definitely good for this body.

Hermione kissed his soft lips, down his face, along his jawbone, down his neck and chest, taking a nipple in her mouth and sucking softly. She traced her hands lightly along the waistband of his boxers whilst moving her mouth to his other nipple.

Remus was running his hands up and down her back. When she stuck her fingers in his boxers to pull them off he stopped moving his hands at her bra clasp. He undid it and slid the straps from her shoulders, the garment falling to the floor.

Hermione pushed his boxers down and he stepped out of them, then stepped back a step. Hermione felt a tingle of desire run through her body at the sight of his erection standing proudly. Remus, likewise, felt himself harden at the sight of Hermione’s small, but desirable breasts, the nipples hardened with desire. Remus closed the space between them again and leaned in to her ear.

“Now these are just in the way,” Remus said huskily, fingering her panties and nipping her ear softly with his teeth.

Hermione ran her hands down his chest and waist and grasped his hard cock lightly in her hand.

“Maybe you should remove it.” She said softly.

She started to gently stroke his hardening member while he pushed her panties down. He grabbed her hand and leaned in to her ear.

“Bed.” He led her to the bed. There he gently laid her down and lay down next to her on his side. He reached over her body and took her hand in his. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Are you sure?” He asked softly.

“I love you Remus, I want this.”

Remus leaned down and kissed her lips with as much love and passion as he could. He ran a hand along her body reaching her dark curls just above her pleasure. His fingers found their way to her slick folds, she was ready for him already. He slipped one finger into her, then two. Hermione closed her eyes and threw her head back, moaning softly.


As he did the same to her other leg, his fingers found their way to her hot, already wet clit. His thumb rubbed at her folsprespreading the slick juices around. She felt as though an electric shock coursed through her body when his thumb touched her most private region. Her body squirmed, whether out of discomfort or pleasure, he didn’t know, and he didn’t care.

His lips reached the top of her leg and he moved his hand away from her pleasure. He replaced it with his lips, kissing the folds, spreading them with his hot tongue. He pushed his tongue into her and she gasped loudly. He licked, sucked, and kissed her, getting even more aroused by her gasping and deep breaths.

Hermione, all the while, was trying her hardest to contain herself. She had never felt something like this before and she hated the fact that her body was enjoying this while her mind and will were trying to keep hold of the reality of the situation. He was doing this to her against her will, and even in the Wizarding world, that was wrong.


Hermione quickly opened her eyes, her body extremely tense. She saw Remus looking at her concernedly and she felt tears come to her eyes. Remus removed his fingers from her and pulled her body to his.

“Shhh, it’s ok Hermione.”

“No it’s not!” Hermione cried into his chest. “I can’t even be with the man I love without remembering what that jerk did to me! It’s not fair and it’s not ok!”

Remus kissed the top of her head. “I know, I know.”

And that’s how our happy couple fell asleep that night. Hermione, gathered in Remus’ arms, cried herself to sleep, while Remus held her until sleep overtook him.

~*~*~

“Remus?” Hermione said softly as she looked up at the man next to her.

Remus smiled at her and kissed the top of her head.

“Good morning love.”

“Only because I’m in your arms.”

“Well yes, it was definitely nice to wake up with a beautiful woman I love in my arms.”

Hermione smiled as she buried her face in his chest.

“I’m sorry Remus, I wanted last night to be special.”

“I love you Hermione, that’s what matters. I can wait until you are ready.”

“I thought I was.”

“Last day of classes is today.”

Hermione smiled again. “I know.”

“We should probably get up.”

“I don’t want to.”

“But what would your students do without their History teacher?”

“I don’t have any classes until after lunch.”

Remus playfully glared at her. Hermione looked up into his eyes and smiled deviously. Remus captured her lips in a very pleasant good morning kiss.

“I’m going to go visit Ginny before she has class.” Hermione said as she pulled on her clothes.

Remus was still in bed watching her dress, wondering where the luck came from that brought him his Hermione. He loved her so much and was willing to take anything she was willing to give, as long as he didn’t lose her. Hermione pulled her hair back into a messy bun and Remus stood from the bed, in all his naked glory, and walked to her. He pulled her into a passionate kiss.

“I love you,” he said when they came up for air.

“I love you too. Have a good day love.”

Hermione then left his quarters and went to find Ginny. She found her in her rooms.

“Hey Hermione, what brings you here this early in the morning?”

“I just wanted to talk.”

Ginny looked at her friend. “What is it?”

Hermione walked over to the chairs in front of the fire and sat down.

“Well, Remus and I, you see, we’re ready to take things a step further, if you know what I mean.”

Ginny smiled at her, then sat in the chair next to hers. “Keep going.”

“Well, last night we were about to when I, well, I – I saw Malfoy instead of Remus. I remembered what he’d done to me and I couldn’t follow through with Remus.” Hermione started crying and put her face in her hands.

“It’s ok Hermione. It was your first time doing anything since. I’d be surprised if it didn’t happen. Just give it time, ok? Remus didn’t kick you out did he? Because if he did I’ll have to do something to him that I might regret latter!”

Hermione smiled weakly at her friend. “No, he held me while I cried and we fell asleep together.”

“You see, he understands! Just give it time.”

“Thanks Ginny.”

“No problem. Now, what do you say we go to breakfast?”

“Ok.”

The two girls went down to breakfast after Hermione cleaned up her face. After breakfast Hermione went to her quarters and took a long bubble bath, then went over her lesson plans for the day. When lunchtime came around, she didn’t go to the Dining Hall, preferring to eat in her classroom. She was just settling down to start a book when her door opened and a timid young girl came in.

“Professor Granger?”

Hermione looked up and smiled. “Hello Carrie. How are you?”

Hermione regretted her question once Carrie came a little closer and she could see that her cheeks were stained with tears. Hermione got up and walked to her. She knelt down in front of her.

“What’s wrong hun?”

“My – my parents,” the young girl covered her face with her hands. It was only then that Hermione noticed an official Ministry letter.

Hermione led the distraught girl to a desk and had her sit down. Carrie’s sobs eventually subsided and Hermione took the letter from her.

“May I read it?”

“Yes,” Carrie sniffed.

Hermione opened the letter and read it.

Dear Miss Rodsworth,
It is with my deepest regret that I am writing this to you. Last night, December 17, your home was attacked and your parents were killed. We do not know who did it, but we are working on finding out. As you have no other family I think it is best if you stay at Hogwarts over Christmas break.
Sincerely,
Mr. Arthur Weasley
Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin Second Class

“Oh Carrie, come here,” Hermione brought Carrie to her in a hug, “I am so sorry.”

They pulled apart.

“What am I going to do Professor? I have no other family to go home to.”

“You’re going to stay here, at least for Christmas and Easter break, ok? We’ll see about the summer when the summer comes.”

“Thank you Professor.”

“Have you told Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall?”

“No, you’re the first one.”

“Would you like me to go with you when you do?”

Carrie looked up at her with so many emotions in her eyes. “Yes! I would love that!”

“We’ll go tonight after dinner, is that ok with you?”

“Yes.”

“Now, you have a class to go to if I’m not mistaken?”

Carrie smiled, “Yes I do, but I’m already here.”

Hermione smiled, “Oh yeah.” Giving her one last hug before her class came in, Hermione walked to the front of the room to begin teaching.

~*~*~

“Hello love, how was your day?” Remus asked as Hermione sat next to him for dinner that night.

“Interesting. Did you know that Carrie Rodsworth’s home was attacked last night? Her parents were killed and she has no other family.”

“No I didn’t. What’s she going to do?”

“I don’t know. We’re going to talk to Albus and Minerva after dinner.”

“Why are you going?”

Hermione shrugged. “She came to me first, before she told anyone else.”

Remus nodded his understanding. “You said she has no other family, do you know who her guardian will be?”

“No,” Hermione blushed a little, “but I was thinking that maybe I would offer to be.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re young still. To take on an 11 year old would be a big thing.”

“It would only be the summers, and her parents weren’t poor. She’ll get a good inheritance so I wouldn’t have to worry about financially supporting her, I’d just have to be there for her, which I am more than willing to do.”

“You have an amazing heart Hermione.”

“What do you think about it?”

“I think you should do what you think is right.”

“If I were to do it, where would that put us?”

“If you’re asking if I will leave you, you don’t have to worry. I am not going to stop loving you or put our life together on hold because Carrie will be in the picture.”

“I was hoping you’d say that, but do you really mean it?”

“With all my heart.”

~
~

“What are we going to do about her Albus?” Minerva asked after Carrie left his office.

Minerva, Hermione, and Albus were all sitting around his desk.

“She will, of course, stay here for the remainder of the school year, but when summer comes she will need somewhere to go. She needs a guardian.”

“But who Albus?”

“I would be more than willing to do it.” Hermione piped in.

The two older Professors turned to look at her.

“Are you sure Hermione?” Albus asked.

“Absolutely. She’s seemed to have taken a liking to me and, if I am to admit it, I to her. I still have my home in Hogsmead that we can stay at over the summer.”

“I don’t mean to pry,” Minerva started, “but how does Remus feel about this?”

“He’s ok with it, I talked to him about it at dinner.”

“If you’re sure,” Albus started, “then all we have left to do is see how Miss Rodsworth feels about it, then draw up the contract.”

“I’m sure,” Hermione rose. “If that’s all, I think I am going to go now. Good night.”

Hermione went to her living quarters that night sure of the decision she’d made. The next day the papers were drawn, signed, and magically bound. Hermione had written to her parents to let them know that she’d be bringing some people for them to meet for Christmas Eve dinner.

~*~*~

“Carrie! Are you ready to go?” Hermione called from her sitting room. A minute later Carrie came in.

“Thank you so much Hermione! I’m really excited, but I’m nervous too. What if your parents don’t like me?”

“Once they get one look at you, they’ll love you.” Hermione said while hugging her. There was a knock at the door and Hermione opened it and let Remus inside. “Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Let’s go.” Hermione moved to her fireplace and took her floo powder from the mantle. “I’ve connected their home to the floo network for now. All you have to say is the Granger residence. I’ll go first, then let Carrie go, ok? And don’t you dare get cold feet and not follow.” Hermione said smiling.

Hermione gave Remus a quick kiss, Carrie a quick hug, then flooed to her parents home. Hermione stepped out of the fireplace at her childhood home. No one was in the living room.

“Mum! Dad! I’m home!” Hermione called out.

A short, slender woman with long brown hair and green eyes came into the room.

“Hermione! Dear, it’s so good to have you home again! But where are the people you said you were bringing?”

Hermione gave her mum a hug, then answered, “They should be here - ”

Before Hermione could finish, Carrie stumbled out of the fireplace, closely followed by Remus who stopped her from falling face forward.

“Hello my daughter.”

“Daddy!” Hermione smiled when she saw her dad walk into the room, a tall man with graying hair and chocolate brown eyes.

“And who are these pleasant looking people?” Her dad asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Hermione turned and motioned for Remus and Carrie to come over to her. They stood on either side of her and Remus put his hand on the small of her back, while she put her arm around Carrie’s shoulders.

“This is Remus, a very special person to me. And this isrie.rie. I am her guardian now.”

Her parents, to say the least, looked surprised at this announcement, but her father stepped forward and held his hand out to Remus. Remus shook his hand.
inneinner should be ready soon, why don’t you all sit down until then,” Mrs. Granger motioned the couches and chairs in the sitting room. She then left to the kitchen.

“Carrie, why don’t you and I go help my Mum in the kitchen?” After squeezing Remus’ hand reassuringly, Hermione and Carrie went to the kitchen to help with the rest of the preparations for dinner.

“Hermione dear, how old is he?”

“40 Mum, he is 19 years older than me. But I don’t really care, I love him and that’s all that matters, right?”

“Yes dear. And how old are you darling.” She asked Carrie.

“I’m 11, my birthday is next month though.”

“And what would you like for your birthday?”

“I love books!” Carrie said excitedly.

Mrs. Granger’s eyes filled with happy tears. “So much like my Hermione was when she was younger.”

“Mum!”

“You just feel free to call me Grandma, ok?”

“Ok.” Carrie’s smile, if possible, grew even brighter.

Mrs. Granger turned her attention back to Hermione. “So do you plan to marry him?”

“I would like to very much. But you know me, I’m an old fashioned girl, he has to ask me.”

“I should hope so.”

Soon everyone was at the dinner table, happily eating and conversing. Remus and Mr. Granger seemed to be getting along well. Both Mr. and Mrs. Granger adored Carrie. After the dishes were cleared away, cleaned with a swish of Hermione’s wand, and put away, Remus, Hermione, and Carrie flooed back to Hogwarts.

“I’ll walk her back to Gryffindor, ok?”

“Yeah, meet me in my rooms, ok?”

“Ok,” Hermione gave Remus a quick kiss, then left with Carrie on the walk back to Gryffindor tower.

“I really like y-yo-our parents ‘Mione,” Carrie said through a yawn.

“I told you they’d love you. Good night Carrie.”

“Night ‘Mione.” Carrie gave her a hug, then went to her dorm. Hermione made her way to Remus’ quarters.

~*~*~

Hermione woke up the next morning to an empty bed. She distinctly remember falling asleep in Remus’ arms, yet he was now no where to be seen. She looked around. On the pillow next to hers was an envelope with her name written on it and a long-stemmed red rose. She curiously picked up the envelope and opened it.

Good morning love,
Merry Christmas! As much as I would have loved for you to have woken in my arms, I’m afraid that would have ruined the surprise. What surprise, you ask? Well, perhaps you should find out. Oh, and take the rose with you.
My heart is soaring with the love I feel for you!
All my love,
Remus

Hermione smiled and looked out the window. It was snowing lightly over the already snow-covered grounds. She got up and took a quick shower, then dressed in her nice crimson robes and put her snow colored cloak and gloves on. She went out on to the grounds and to the quidditch pitch, leaving small footprints in her trail. Hermione reached the quidditch pitch and looked around.

She gasped when she saw a very large box covered in dark red and gold wrapping paper floating in the air. Above it “To My Dearest Hermione” was written. When she walked closer to it, it came closer to the ground. By the time she was close enough to touch it, it was on the ground.

She tore the wrapping off, eager to know what Remus had done for her. She opened the box. Inside was a lot of tissue paper, which she quickly pulled out only to find another box inside. She shook her head humorously, but pulled the box out and opened it. Inside was once again tissue paper. She kept doing this through no less than five boxes. She pulled the last box out saw saw that there was another envelope on it.

Well Darling,
I knew that one would be too easy. Did you enjoy the boxes? I thought you would. Open the last box…

Hermione opened the box, because there was nothing else written on the letter, and was surprised to see two pieces of parchment and two more roses. One was apparently blank while the other had the rest of his note on it.

The other piece of parchment will lead you to your next surprise. All you have to say is “I love Remus Lupin” to get it to work. Don’t forget the roses love.

Hermione chuckled at his cleverness. She held the “blank” parchment out in front of her.

“I love Remus Lupin.” Suddenly a blob of ink in the shape of an R, H, and heart all entwined together appeared.

The ink spread until it formed what looked like a map. It showed the castle, lake, quidditch pitch, forbidden forest, Hagrid’s hut, and the whomping willow. There was a heart in the middle of the quidditch pitch with the words “you are here” written just above it and a rose with the words “you should be here” inside the castle.

Hermione banished all the boxes and tissue paper, then made her way back to the castle, keeping an eye on the map thing. The heart was moving, just as she was, as was the rose. When she entered the castle she saw that the rose on the map was inside Remus’ classroom. She quickly made her way there. She made to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. She looked at the map. “Say it!” Was written next to her heart. Hermione smiled.

“I love Remus Lupin!” The door opened and she went inside. tingting in the middle of the room was a small box with three more red roses on top of it. She went over to it and opened the box. Inside was another parchment and a beautiful silver bracelet with their initials on it. She put the bracelet on, then looked at the parchment.

No, you aren’t finished yet! I do think silver is your color darling. Take another look at the map, it’ll show you were you ought to be.

Hermione looked at the map and saw that the rose was now somewhere on the grounds that she’d never been. Hermione gathered her roses and put all his letters in her pocket. She looked at the map and saw rose petals leading her toward the entrance hall. She looked down at the ground and saw that there were indeed rose petals making a path. She followed the rose petals out to the entrance hall. She kept following the rose petals, which led her around the castle and to a wall she’d never noticed before. There was a door on the wall and she went to open it. It wouldn’t open, so she said “I love Remus Lupin!” It still didn’t open.

“Ok, maybe I should look at the map,” so she did. Next to her heart were the words “Remus and Hermione forever.”

“Remus and Hermione forever!” The door clicked open and she went in.

“Wow!” Hermione gasped when she saw her surroundings. She was in a beautiful rose garden. There was a small, frozen lake on the left side, next to which was a weeping willow covered with snow and crystals. There were roses of all colors, all in full bloom. There was a stone-looking bench in the middle of the garden, upon which lay a ring box.

Hermione felt her heart start to race as she walked to it. She picked it up with shaking hands. She suddenly felt someone turning her around. She found herself facing Remus. She sat down on the bench that, while it looked like stone, was more comfortable than the chairs in her sitting room. Remus knelt down on one knee in front of her, took the box from her and took her hands in his without breaking eye contact.

“Hermione, my love, my life. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. I know that we haven’t been together very long, but I cannot imagine my life without you in it. Hermione,” Remus opened the box, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Hermione felt tears streaming down her face.

“Yes Remus! Yes, I’ll marry you!”

Remus pulled the diamond ring out of the box and put it on her shaking hand. He then scooped her up in his arms and kissed her passionately. When they let go of each other for air, Remus picked up her six roses and added six more, then tied the bundle with a dark red ribbon and handed the bouquet to her.

She smelt the roses with her eyes closed and smiled. Remus lifted her in his arms and she laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He walked with her in his arms back to the castle. He walked them to his quarters and opened the door to his rooms. He put her down once they were inside and she gasped.

“Remus, it’s beautiful!” There were red roses all around the room. His beds had beautiful crimson satin sheets and comforter. Hermione walked over to the bed and sat on it, kicking her shoes off. She beckoned him with a finger and a smile. He went over to her and she pulled him down into a kiss.

“Make love to me Remus.”

Remus pulled her cloak off, then his. He managed to remove their robes and undergarments. He looked deep into her eyes as he positioned himself between her legs. She smiled at him and he gently and agonizingly slowly pushed himself inside her. He stayed still so she could get more comfortable. She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him fervently, rocking her hips against his. He began to move within her, she moaned and, encouraged, he picked up the pace. Soon they were a tangled mess of passion. Hermione felt her body start to tremble and her walls clamp around Remus’ hardness. She climaxed and he did not slow his pace one bit. She rode her orgasm out until he felt his orgasercoercoming him. He spilled his life-giving seed inside her, then semi-collapsed on top of her.

“That was amazing,” Hermione gasped out.

“Yes you are,” Remus said, then kissed her.









A/N: Wow! That was an amazingly loooong chapter! It\'s the longest chapter I\'ve ever written! It was six pages on Microsoft Word... LoL... anywho! I wouldn\'t advise getting used to chapters being that long! Please put \"red roses\" in your review! I hope you all liked this chapter, it took me forever tote! te! Believe it or not, this was my first time ever writing a consensual love scene! I hope it came out satisfactory!

A special thank you to all my reviewers!

Deb: Have I mentioned how wonderful your comments are? I love readers like you because you understand the point I\'m trying to make... I didn\'t rush it with them getting engaged so soon did I?

SandraM: Don\'t we all wish we could have our very own werewolf? Only Remus isn\'t a wereworlf anymore... I relieved him of that burden, though he now has a sexy strong body from all those years of being one......

animegrl: Even better now???

slytheringriffendor21: So you liked Harry\'s proposal? Did ya like Remus\'? So glad you\'re enjoying this as much as SMFMP...

Flick: How\'s the pacing now? Is it still satisfactory?

Tatia: Kissed.... mmm.... lots! LoL... and more....

Again, please remember to review and tell me what you really think about it!
Tanya~