Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery

Chapter 80 ~ A Decision to Make

Isadora apparated to Hermione’s and Severus’ house directly from her flat after Marcus left. She hadn’t made any tight female friends yet, so Hermione was her only option for a sympathetic ear. She appeared in the front yard, and waved at Severus and Albus, who were working on erecting the lab. She walked into the house and found Hermione sitting on the couch reading, Eli and Demetrius sleeping in their baby carriers in front of her. Hermione looked up and smiled.

“Hello Isadora,” she said, closing her book and setting it on the coffee table. The witch rose and crossed to her mother-in-law, giving her an affectionate hug. Isadora walked over to the babies and peered down at them, love evident on her face as she did so.

“The little angels,” she breathed. Then she sat down on the couch and didn’t say anything for a while. Hermione knew something was wrong immediately. She sat down beside Isadora

“Isadora, what’s wrong?” Hermione asked her, looking at the witch with concern.

Isadora looked at her. Hermione still couldn’t get over the similarity of her husband’s eyes and his mother’s. They were equally dark, deep and intense.

“Remus quit on me today,” Isadora said quietly.

Hermione’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Quit? Why? You said he was doing so well,” she responded.

“He was,” Isadora said. Then a pregnant pause filled the air.

Hermione studied her mother-in-law, then cast a silencing spell around them.

“What happened, Isadora?” she asked her.

Isadora looked at her daughter-in-law. She was young, but she had married her son, a wizard who was thought to be evil, cold and unapproachable. People had avoided and ostracized him, even as they admired him, because of his demeanor and because of what they saw him as…a dark wizard. Still, Hermione had seen past his coldness and his darkness to the real man he was. Maybe she could understand this, help her make some sense of what was occurring between herself and the werewolf.

“Hermione, I’m going to tell you something. I don’t want you to be shocked. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with me, I want you to let me know,” Isadora said earnestly.

Hermione nodded.

“Remus said he was leaving because of me,” she said.

“You? What? Did he think you were working him too hard?” Hermione asked her, perplex.

“It had nothing to do with work, Hermione. He is attracted to me,” Isadora replied.

Hermione understood immediately.

“And he’s a werewolf. So he left rather than risk offending you by acting on his urges,” the young witch said. “He doesn’t believe himself worthy of any witch…or love.”

Isadora nodded.

“He said he had dreams about me the entire week he was gone,” she said.

“Yes…it was near the full moon. His desires are intensified during those times,” Hermione said.

“He said it didn’t have to be near the full moon for me to affect him. He said I affected him all the time,” Isadora replied.

Hermione looked surprised. She always had the impression that Remus was a shy, retiring wizard. She couldn’t picture him making such an intimate confession to Isadora, or anyone for that matter. But then, she thought about Ginny and decided maybe he could if he were driven enough.

“I tried to talk to him, but he just said good-bye and disapparated,” Isadora continued. “He doesn’t know…”

“He doesn’t know what, Isadora?” Hermione asked her.

Isadora’s glistening black eyes met Hermione’s.

“He doesn’t know I’ve been dreaming about him too, Hermione,” she said, sighing. “Very erotic dreams…the kind that leave a puddle when you wake up.”

Oh shit. Severus’ mother had the hots for Remus Lupin? Severus would blow a torch if he found out. But Hermione remembered her horror at her first erotic dream about the Potions Master, and then how delicious they became…how they woke up a longing inside her. Was Isadora going through that for Remus? Gods help her if she was. Ginny had told her things about Remus.

“Oh, Isadora. What are you going to do?” she asked her.

“I don’t know. I haven’t felt like this about a wizard since before Severus was born. And I hardly know Remus. I’ve only known him a few weeks and I feel like someone’s slipped me a lust potion attuned only to him. It’s terrible, Hermione,” Isadora said, “I don’t even know why I’m attracted to him so strongly.”

“If you think about it, Isadora, you probably do. There has to be something about him that draws you to him,” Hermione responded.

“Maybe it’s because he is so quiet and gentle,” Isadora said. “He is a kind wizard and not the type to try and take advantage of a woman. I don’t believe he would ever purposely hurt anyone. He is the opposite of what my husband was. And he has such gentle eyes,” the witch said softly, picturing Remus’ face. “And he’s always so sad, Hermione. He makes me want to see him happy…”

“Or perhaps make him happy,” Hermione insinuated. “Is he gentle in your dreams, Isadora?”

Hermione had a reason for asking the witch this question. For the first time, Hermione saw her mother-in-law blush.

“No, Hermione. In my dreams he is far from gentle. Far, far from gentle,” Isadora said.

“Maybe it’s a warning,” Hermione suggested, “that you should avoid him.”

Severus was far from gentle as well, but Hermione loved that about him. She didn’t think Isadora would gravitate to a wizard who was, well, a bit much in the bedroom. Then she thought about what she saw and heard in Severus’ head…when Darius took her into the bedroom and Severus listened to her shrieking. Maybe her husband had married a woman like dear old mum.

“If it is a warning, it isn’t repelling me,” Isadora said softly, “it’s working more like a magnet. The dreams excite me Hermione. Remus excites me. I haven’t been excited by a man in so, so long.”

Hermione fought an internal struggle, trying to decide whether or not she should reveal to Isadora what Ginny had told her about Remus. Finally she decided the witch had a right to know, since she was obviously attracted to the wizard. She forced herself to think of Isadora as another woman, rather than as her husband’s mother. That made it easier.

“Isadora, I know someone who has been intimate with Remus,” Hermione said slowly, “about two years ago. Remus really isn’t gentle in intimate situations. Apparently, his animal side takes over, and he is…well insatiable. My friend couldn’t take him and after two minutes begged him to let her go. He only just managed to, roaring at her to hurry and get out, barely in control. He didn’t transform…he just…went animal on her. Later, he apologized but she was scared to death of him. It took a long time for her to come around and talk to him again.”

Isadora was silent for a moment.

“Did Remus pursue this witch?” she asked Hermione.

Hermione shook her head.

“No, she had been after Remus for a very long time. He knew about her infatuation with him, but told her he wasn’t interested and to stay away from him. But she kept trying, and one night she caught him near the full moon and seduced him. It didn’t take much. She said he was gentle and wonderful, if a little strange at first…but when they…when he…well, he was just too much. And my friend enjoys sex a lot. So…I don’t know Isadora. Maybe Remus is right to stay away from you if he is as attracted to you as he says.”

Isadora absorbed this and found she had a huge knot in her belly.

“What if I don’t want him to stay away from me, Hermione?” Isadora asked her.

Hermione blanched. She was not about to tell her husband’s mother to go fuck a werewolf.

“Then you have a decision to make, Isadora,” the witch replied.

Hermione knew when she was in that situation, she found the courage to tell Severus she wanted him. He hadn’t reacted favorably. Perhaps Remus wouldn’t either despite his attraction to Isadora. She wasn’t sure what the witch would do. But Hermione knew what she herself wouldn’t do.

Tell Severus.

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Rosmerta was behind the bar when the witch walked in. She was lovely, slim, pale with a large but beautiful nose, glossy black hair and black eyes. She looked vaguely familiar, but the innkeeper knew she hadn’t seen the woman before.

Isadora walked up to the bar.

“Hello. Are you the proprietor here?” she asked Rosmerta politely.

“Yes, I am. My name is Rosmerta. How may I help you?” she asked.

“Do you offer private dining?” Isadora asked.

“Yes, we do have a small room for private, intimate dining,” Rosmerta said.

“Is it available for tonight?” Isadora asked.

“Yes, it is,” Rosmerta replied. She was smiling broadly. The room was quite expensive.

“Does it come with a personal waiter?” Isadora asked.

“No, but I could arrange one for you,” Rosmerta said.

“He would be present the entire time?”

“Yes, if that is what you’d like,” Rosmerta said, “At your beck and call.”

“That sounds excellent,” Isadora said smiling, “I understand you have a Remus Lupin that works here. He is who I want for my waiter.”

Rosmerta’s blue eyes darkened.

“Remus usually doesn’t serve,” she began as Isadora reached into her purse and pulled out a handful of galleons. She placed them in Rosmerta’s hand.

“I’m sure you can spare him for one night,” she purred at the innkeeper.

Rosmerta smiled as she hefted the coinage in her hand. This was four times the price of the room and the private service.

“I’m sure I can,” Rosmerta agreed.

The two witches set the time of the reservation at eight o’clock. Rosmerta was a bit surprised it was a reservation for one.

“And the name?” Rosmerta asked her, writing down the details on her parchment pad.

“Isadora Snape. But I don’t want him to know that,” Isadora said.

Rosmerta looked a bit shocked, then looked at the witch closely. She must be Severus Snape’s sister. She certainly was a lovely woman. She had the same coloring and eyes as the Potions Master, but softer, more feminine features. Rosmerta wondered why she wanted Remus to serve her. Ah well, that wasn’t her business. Her business was collecting galleons. Actually, Rosmerta thought the werewolf was quite lucky to be serving the witch..

She looked like she tipped well.

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A/N: Ooh. Isadora is pretty conniving, isn’t she? Remus can’t run out on her if he has to wait on her. A private, intimate dining room? I wonder if that room has a couch or settee or something equally soft to recline on? Hmm. Stay tuned for the next chappie, ya’ll. Please review.

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The Burning Pen

Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery
by Ruth Solomon

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 81

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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