InsaneJournal

[FIC] No Better Time: Remus/Hermione
Originally posted here on 11 September 2007

Title: No Better Time
Requestor: rose_whispers
Author/Artist:
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Remus/Hermione
Summary: Hermione is convinced it’s a bad time to be in love. Remus doesn’t think so.
Warnings (if any): AU with as much canon as possible (i.e., if you haven’t read Deathly Hallows, it’s not AU), Deathly Hallows spoilers.
Author's Notes: rose_whispers, I tried to include most of what you asked for. I hope you like it.



Hermione Granger thought she knew those closest to her very well. She knew she could count on Ron to be horribly insensitive, but ultimately supportive. She knew she could count on Harry for anything, including things that Ron overlooked because, as an abused and neglected child, Harry was more aware of other people than Ron. She knew Ginny, her best female friend, would always be there, to talk about anything and everything, including Ron and Harry, which the boys were no good for. Luna, she knew, could be counted on for random comments and far-fetched theories. She even knew what to expect from Neville, the dear self-conscious sweetheart.

Hermione had always thought she knew what to expect from her friends. But lately, one of her friends had no interest in meeting that expectation.

Remus Lupin, former professor turned fellow warrior, turned lover, turned ex-lover, refused to accept that Hermione no longer felt she could continue their relationship. A fact which Hermione found exceedingly ironic given that he was usually the one running from such things.

Tonks had died shortly after the start of what should have been Hermione's seventh year. Not long after, Death Eaters found and murdered Hermione's parents. She and Remus had found comfort in each other, both grieving in a way that their friends could not relate to. The "I'm here if you ever want to talk"s eventually became something more. At the start of the battle, it seemed right. They both needed someone, and they trusted one another.

But when Voldemort took control of the Ministry, and those opposed to him starting falling left, right, and center, Hermione began to have second thoughts. She'd lost her parents, could lose Remus, and she couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. She knew she could lose Harry and Ron, but at least she was going to be with them in the Horcrux hunt, at least she'd know what was happening to them. Remus was going to be off doing other things in the war and she couldn't bear to have his fate, potential or otherwise, distract her. And she couldn't ask him to let hers distract him.

She, Harry, and Ron did eventually find and destroy all the Horcruxes, and the wizarding world was slowly rebuilding itself. It had only been two months since Harry had used the Elder wand to destroy Voldemort in front of all of Hogwarts. Only two months since Fred's funeral, the death of whom Ron was still mourning each time she saw him. The world was in no condition to foster anything resembling a loving relationship.

In the Three Broomsticks, Hermione, Harry and Ron sat at a table in the corner, Hermione's back to the door. Ron was slouched in his seat, staring disinterestedly at his firewhiskey. They'd kissed once, just before Voldemort entered Hogwarts, but nothing seemed to be coming of that. Not that Hermione was eager for anything to come of anything anyway. Harry was trying to be upbeat. He had defeated Voldemort. Again. And he and Ginny were trying to make a real go of it. Though she tried to tell herself different, Hermione's heart always ached when she saw them together. She missed Remus, no matter how much she pretended otherwise.

"Hello." The voice was both solemn and nervous.

Hermione's stomach twisted as she looked into Remus' face. Ron took another swig of firewhiskey, grunted in Remus' general direction, and continued to stare moodily at the bottle. Harry smiled and was the first to speak.

"Hi! How are you? Have a seat."

Hermione shot Harry a look of death. He was aware of the situation with Remus, and quite infuriatingly took Remus' side. "There's no better time to be in love," Harry had said. But what had annoyed her the most was when he'd added, "You still want him. You're just afraid." Because it was true. And because Gryffindors shouldn't be so scared. Ginny had told her much the same thing, and added, "He's pushed people away before, and it only made him more alone. He's trying not to do that, now. I imagine feeling lonely is horrible for him."

Remus smiled, too, and visibly relaxed, sitting down beside Hermione. She pulled her bottle of butterbeer closer to her, and did not look at him.

"Kingsley is finally settling into his new role," Remus told them after a silence. "As Minister, Harry, he says he'd be delighted to have you in the Auror department, whether you go back for your final year or not. And the same goes for you, Ron."

Ron merely grunted, but Harry said, "That's great. I'll keep that in mind. What about Hermione? She was there, too."

"Of course." He took that chance to look over at her. "You, too, Hermione. But we thought you'd want to do something else. Take S.P.E.W. further, for instance."

"Maybe," she answered with a forced attempt at casual. "I'm going to finish my seventh year first, though." He was trying to find a way to bring up their relationship again. She knew it. She decided not to give him the chance. "I have to pee." She left her butterbeer and disappeared into the crowd of people, reaching the solitude of the girl's loo.

Leaning against an empty stall, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could still feel the way his presence affected her; stomach full of butterflies, heart fluttering in anticipation.

The door opened, but she did not look around until she heard a male voice speak her name. She stared at Remus, then glanced back at the door.

"What are you doing here? This is a girl's toilet, Remus.

"You won't talk to me." He said it simply, but failed to hide his hurt.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"The war is over, Hermione. Life is going on. You can't use that as an excuse anymore."

"Life is not going on. Ron is still a wreck, and-"

"I'm not here to talk about Ron," Remus cut in, moving closer. "I'm here to talk about us."

"We ended a long time ago. I told you that."

Remus did not stop moving until he was directly in front of her. She could smell his scent, and her heartbeat picked up.

"What you said," he corrected her, "was that you couldn't get close to anyone until the war was won." He grabbed her face gently in his hands. "I miss you, Hermione. Don't you miss me?"

She closed her eyes, thought carefully of her answer, and said, "There's still a lot to do. There's a lot of damage-"

"That's not what I asked." He had tilted his head so far down that his lips brushed hers.

Her stomach jolted as she said, "There's a lot of damage to repair. And-"

"Hermione," he said firmly. "Hermione, look at me." She did. "If you don't want me, I mean if you really don't and you're not just saying it, then tell me. I'll leave you alone. I'll walk out the door and I won't bother you ever again, and we can both move on. But if you're just saying it because you're afraid..."

She hesitated. Remus didn't lie, and if he said he'd go if she told him this last time, he would. She considered how she'd feel if that happened. Would he find someone else who wasn't running away? Would she be able to get him back? Or would this conversation truly be the end? The thought made her heart ache again.

"I... I want you. Don't go."

He smiled widely. It was so rare these days that it took Hermione off guard. He seemed years younger, though he probably hadn't looked young since he was a teen. He leaned down and kissed her hungrily, as though he were starving and she was a feast.

She returned the kiss with just as much eagerness, sliding her arms around his neck. He'd grown stubble in their time apart, and it scratched against her skin, but she didn't care. One of his hands left her face, resting instead on the waistband of her skirt. She felt his fingers pulling the fabric away and sliding inside, and pulled back.

"People might come," she warned.

"That's the idea." He grinned.

She smiled. "Okay." She reached for her wand to cast a Colloportus on the door.

He grabbed her wrist and said, "Leave it open."

Hesitating, she eyed Remus carefully. He grinned back at her, and she remembered that, however he might behave these days, he was once a Marauder. He wasn't above the occasional risk. Gently, he took her wand from her tossed it a few feet away.

She glanced nervously at the door. Then, she nodded and repeated, "Okay." If they were quick about it, everything should be fine.

Remus kissed her again, slower this time, and she let his tongue part her lips. His hand was at her chest, kneading her breast through her top. She let one hand cup the back of his neck, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. The other she used to unbutton his shirt, her knee rising just a little to rub against his erection. He groaned, and stepped forward, pushing her back against one of the stalls, supporting his weight with one arm.

Once she had regained her balance, she did it again. Her hand played lightly over his chest, caressing the flesh with no particular goal in mind. His hand slid underneath her shirt. He slipped it underneath her bra to cup her breast directly, his forefinger and thumb rolling her nipple between them. She moaned and increased the pace of her knee against his crotch.

He broke the kiss, his breathing heavier than usual. There was an obvious bulge in his trousers, and his eyes were overbright. His hand left her breast, sliding instead into her skirt as he began to kiss a light trail down to her neck. His finger traced over her knickers, rubbing back and forth right over her clit. The roughness of the fabric was wonderful, and she thrust her hips forward.

He pressed harder, and she could feel her arousal seeping onto his hand. Usually, she liked being teased. Today, however, she was worried about unwanted company. She wanted this, but they had to hurry.

"Remus," she whispered. "Please. Don't tease. Hurry."

She didn't wait for him to stop, but instead reached for his trousers, quickly undoing the fly. He grabbed hold of her knickers and pulled them down until they are at her feet. When he stood again, she reached inside his trousers and y-fronts and freed his cock. It was leaking pre-come and darkened beautifully.

Wrapping one leg around his waist, she guided him inside her. She'd forgotten how good that felt, as her cunt stretched to accommodate him. He pulled out and pushed back in quicker than she was used to, but she had told him to hurry.

Speed, it seemed, had no detrimental effect on how well Remus pleasured her. When he thrust in, he angled up just enough to hit the one spot that made her moan so loudly it echoed in the room, and push her hips forward to gain more contact. He licked the hollow of her throat, and she lifted her head to make it easier for him. His way clear, he burrowed deeper, licking in earnest. She cupped the back of his head to hold him there, even as she began to find it harder to breathe.

His hand returned to her cunt, stroking her clit, pinching it as fast as he was fucking her. She leaned further back as she came, the room spinning in a colorful mass. As she began to descend her blissful high, she felt Remus still inside her, still thrusting in that rapid rhythm. She came again moments later, and he joined her, a low grunt the only noise escaping his lips.

They stood interlocked for a few long moments. Then, Remus stepped back enough to free himself of her. Hermione was sure she could hear someone approaching; the voices outside the door were loud and female. She gasped, but Remus remained calm. Several spells later, they were both clean, and Hermione had her wand back.

She took his hand and led him to the door. Opening it carefully, she peered out. Three girls were chatting animatedly right outside. Not seeing any other option, Hermione pulled them both out and proceeded back to her table as casually as she could.

Ron had started a fresh bottle of firewhiskey, yet managed to remain slouched in his seat as though he hadn't moved at all. Harry was talking, but stopped as Hermione and Remus approached.

"Must have had a really full bladder," he commented with a smile.

"Oh, hush," Hermione said playfully, taking her previous seat.

Remus sat beside her, and she wrapped her arms around one of his, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Did I... miss something?" Harry asked, looking uncertainly from one to the other.

"Not that I can think of," Remus answered, smiling.

"Yeah, Harry," Hermione added. "It's like you said. There's no better time to be in love."