Hermione was thrilled they were back, but the gravity of everything weighed on her. Did the sifting through her mind alone clear anything up? Not really, she still wasn't positive what it meant. Her survival, though relieving, left many questions to be self-evaluated. One that kept sounding was a horrendous inquiry and how it changed her from then on. Hermione was in the middle of scrubbing her feet through her mental war when there was a knock. She scowled at the barrier and thinned her lips. "Sirius, I'll be out in a moment."

"Not Sirius. Can I come in?" Remus asked.

Hermione's cheeks darkened as she cleared her throat. "Come in," she murmured and shoved the bubbles in front of her.

Remus walked into the small bathroom and sat down on the stool near the tub as if was routine. She ducked her chin toward her collar bone as she sat in the bathtub. The werewolf straightened his clothing before smiling over at her.

"How was your day?" he asked.

Hermione's eyebrows tightened as she shifted in the water. "It was fine. I cleaned the kitchen and dusted the bedroom," she voiced.

Remus bobbed his head. "That's good. I'm pleased you kept busy. I was worried about you."

"Remus, is there something wrong?" Hermione asked as her cheeks bloomed with another shade of color.

"Oh, no, nothing," he chuckled. "I just wanted some time to be positive you weren't upset and doing well."

Hermione relaxed her posture and exhaled. "Yes, it was alright. I spent some time reviewing what was in my bag. It was decent to have a bit of time to do so. I needed to absorb it and decide if I wanted to pursue my old memories."

"What did you conclude?" Remus asked.

"If it doesn't affect the outcome of this war, I don't think I need them anymore," Hermione sighed as she moved toward the edge he was sitting near. "Remus, you and Sirius are everything good about this world. Why would I want to see you any other way?"

Remus bent to her forehead and kissed it. "You're wrong, Hermione. You are everything good about this world. Through all of the pain, torment, and evil you've seen, you're still so kind and gentle. You just let us take care of you, and we'll keep you safe," he murmured while stroking her wet curls.

Hermione craned her face upward and kissed his chin. "Thank you, Remus," she whispered.

He caught her mouth with his lips and groaned. "You're welcome. Now, lean forward, let me get your back," he breathed when they parted from the innocent kiss.

Hermione complied and pressed her chest to her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs. Remus snagged up the washcloth and lathered it with soap. He tenderly moved her tresses and began at her shoulders above the water. "How about we have a picnic on the beach the day after tomorrow?" Remus suggested.

Hermione hummed as her head bounced. "That sounds lovely."

"And tonight, you're going to tell us how we can make you happy while we live together," Remus said as he traced the curves of her back.

Hermione glanced back at him. "Remus, what do you mean?"

"What you need from us, what are your limits that you know. All the important features that come into play with living around two blokes. Your safety and happiness are our utmost importance. In order for us to play the role of your protectors, we need to know where the lines are," Remus declared as he delved into the water and ran the sopping cloth against her skin.

She gnawed her bottom lip while looking down at the water in front of her. "I just need you both. That's all," Hermione whispered.

Remus laughed and set the cloth aside. "I realize that, but I don't know if you realize how convincing my friend can be. Sirius and I still require your limitations. What aren't we allowed?"

"You're not allowed to bite me," she teased while smiling back at him.

"Obviously," he grinned.

"And no hitting me," Hermione mumbled as her eyes went back toward the water.

Remus stroked her hair and sighed. "Never."

Hermione was quiet a moment as he caressed her curls. "The disregard of my soul was worse than my body," she confessed in a whisper.

"We never will disregard your soul," he stated.

"I know."

Remus knew she felt exposed and open, but this vulnerability had a different texture. As his fingers touched her, it radiated this warbling power she had tucked away.

Hermione shifted as she moved closer to him against the tub. "I didn't have to listen, you know? I could have been tortured or scarred. It was easier to do so, and I feared that before long, I wouldn't have minded had they not disregarded me so," her admission was calm despite the subject.

"Do you feel disadvantaged by how you responded?" Remus asked while continuing his combing.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I knew it was simply the path to take. I was willing to do what was asked so that I could collect my favor. With Abraxas, it was measured and simple. Lucius, though far less convinced, seemed boastful about my compliance. I knew from the beginning that life wasn't going to be joyous, but I left nearly unscathed," she explained and twirled her fingers through the bubbles. "Does that make me weak?"

Remus ran his fingers over her cheeks while sitting behind her and exhaled. "No, Hermione. You're stronger than any witch I've ever known. You're far more intelligent and sound as well. You did those things because it helped you survive. Nothing is wrong with surviving and using everything you can to do so. Sometimes power isn't within aggression or action, but in the decisions to know what battles are won with a decisive measure."

"What does that mean? That I could endure such?" Hermione questioned.

"Do you believe it means something to you?" Remus voiced.

She gazed up at him and tilted her head. It was a breathtaking view for the werewolf. Sometimes of a triggered effect that spurred him as she questioned him with large amber eyes. "Could it be something wrong with me? That I didn't mind such oddities beyond the abuse. In a context outside of what victimized me, that I am abnormal?"

Remus smirked as he thumbs traced her cheekbones. "Aren't we all a bit different? Isn't that what makes up the vast collection of humans? We ask why werewolves, for example, are seen as monsters, but as you've stated, that isn't what makes up the core of who I am."

Hermione dropped her gaze and breathed. "But this should have broken me to pieces if I wasn't already warped, Remus."

"Well, let's talk about Jane," Remus suggested.

"Jane?"

"Jane Eyre, your favorite muggle book. You tucked that precious photograph in it," he clarified.

"What about her?"

Remus's lips curled as maneuvered to the floor to meet her gaze. "Jane, by all accounts, is a compelling character. She has conviction, intelligence, and the cognitive ability to adapt. However, her position and station in society were never outright higher than those around her."

Hermione's brows tightened as she looked at him. "That's correct, but what does Jane have to do with me?"

"She also has a mild temperament that was most agreeable to Mr. Rochester. Compliance when needed to survive a situation and the intelligence to bargain through discomfort to find a medium that worked. Jane, though in servitude, still held power to declare where it ends. That was abnormal for the era of the work, but absolutely relatable even to the present time."

Hermione's expression lessened as her lips pressed together in a curl. "Remus, that analysis of Jane Eyre is quite appropriate."

"You're Jane, Hermione. Not Miss Ingram nor Helen. You're Jane. Don't forget that as you dissect how the last few months of your life have been. You intelligently conquered them by knowing when to pick your limits. What your allowance of their abuse was and how it affected you. You didn't permit them to harm you; you permitted yourself to adapt until assistance was given."

She moved closer to his face and pressed her arm and chin against the rim of the tub. "Why do I feel so absolute with you?"

Remus smirked and placed his hands on both sides of her. "Because, from now on, you won't have to worry about being disregarded again. Sirius and I will be yours. If that is what you need, we will oblige."

"You promise? Anything I need?"

"Anything, everything, whatever you request," He agreed.

Hermione breathed, and her smile brightened. "Then I suppose I better spend the day with Sirius. He seemed quite upset about being away so long."

Remus rocked his head. "He was. He doesn't verbalize much, but if he's insistent, it's because he was desperate to get back. I'm glad you understand him so well. He isn't easily understood."

"Yes, well, he also knows what it's like to be forced into being subservient. I remember a story, I don't know who told me, or exactly why the context was brought up, but it was horrid. His childhood saddened her. The abuse his parents bestowed on him, and Regulus was vast and unreasonable."

Remus nodded and breathed. "Yes, my friend is very much against abuse. He draws a line clear in the sand when it comes to forcing anyone. He would be the first man in a long line of people that would set Lucius's arse on fire for what he's done to you," he finished with a frown playing on his features.

She dipped her chin and stared at him with a doe-eyed expression that nearly stopped his heart. "You don't mind that I'm a bit altered?"

"Altered?" Remus breathed.

"Different from the norm? You and Sirius must grow tired of constantly reassuring me."

Remus ran his tongue along the roof of his mouth to resist temptation. "No, we don't. We both agreed that we feel this urge to nurture and care for you. I don't know why nor how, but you speak our language, Hermione," he murmured.

She reached out and touched his cheek. "You both are truly my saviors, Remus. I'm indebted to you for the rest of my life," she whispered while stroking her face.

"Then spend that debt by letting us be your protectors. We will hold the line," he agreed.

Hermione smiled and ran her fingertips over his jawline. "If you insist."

"I do," Remus said.

"Then let me get out of this tub, and we'll talk, all of us," Hermione spoke with a nod.

Remus bent toward her and moved his thumb to her chin. "Think hard on what this means, alright? We can do the work if you give us the outline," he breathed only centimeters from her lips.

Hermione's breath quickened as his fingers danced along the crease of her neck above the collar. There was this nonverbal spell he put on her. It had to have been. The simple action enlivened every cell from her lips to the skin he teased.

"Y-yes," she sputtered.

Remus smiled and climbed from the floor, leaving her space. "We'll have tea and some cookies," he announced before leaving the bathroom.

Remus took two steps before rolling his next and inhaling. Sirius was right, there was going to be plenty of groundwork to lay, but the result would be worth it. He cleared his throat and adjusted his clothing before bouncing down the staircase to join the animagus.