Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of the characters and places therein belong to JK Rowling.

Author's Note: Okay, before you read the fic and flame me read this first. Firstly: I'm a Hermione/Anyone shipper, which basically means I really don't care who Hermione ends up with. I'm a slashy. Anyway, the point is I don't really think of Remus or Hermione this way, but deep down they're both EXTREMELY vulnerable, and I wanted to experiment with it. It's just…death can change you. Especially the death of someone as close to Remus as Sirius was. Okay, hope you got that. Read on.

Chapter One: Seeds of Betrayal

It was mere months after Sirius's death. Harry was back at Privet Drive, Ron was with his family at the Burrow, and Hermione was with her parents in France again. No one was speaking to each other, until it was time to return to The Order. Everyone was in a right state, and consoling each other, and yet, no one could find it in their hearts to console Remus. So he was left to slouch back into his room, and cry himself to sleep, as had become his daily routine.

He resided in Grimmuald Place, despite Harry's avid protests, and never came out. He wasn't even asked to do missions anymore. He just stayed in the house, and let Kreature return it to the state it was before Sirius's war upon it.

"Has anyone spoken to Mr. Lupin?" Hermione whispered over the table.

"No, don't reckon they can, can they? Start crying all over them." Ron sighed.

"That's a terrible thing to say! How would you like it if Harry died and no one offered you any comfort?"

"Hermione…Lupin and Sirius weren't exactly…friends if you know what I mean." Ron retorted with an eye brow raised.

"What's that got to do with anything?!"

"Well…"

"Harry-" She began, but Harry looked away quickly, and shoveled porridge into his mouth. "You're being childish you know! You two used to be really close-"

"He took this place for himself!" Harry spat suddenly.

"Why are you fighting over a stupid house!? Sirius hated it here anyhow-"

"He could have at least invited me to stay." Harry finished through grit teeth, and didn't say another word.

"You're both a pair of wankers!" She shouted, slammed her spoon onto the table, and stomped up the stairs.

"…….did she just call us wankers?!" Ron gasped, completely flabbergasted.

"Don't act surprised, she's wanted to for years."

Hermione's anger had no ends, and yet it just came, out of no where. How could those two be so….inconsiderate!? She continued to stomp until the second door, on the right hand side of the third landing swung open. Standing there was a puffy eyed and starved Remus Lupin.

"Mr. Lupin!" Hermione gasped.

"Hermione-" He croaked.

"Are you all right-oh God that's a stupid question! Of course you're not! How have you been?"

"Miserable." He chuckled weakly. "How are your studies? Last I heard you had decided to go into Muggle Relations?"

"Er…yes. Being a muggle-born I might be able to shine a little more light on the subject."

"Changing the world. I always knew you would. Would you like to come in? Have some tea?"

She didn't really need to think about the answer to that question, she smiled widely, and waltzed into his room. Giving his wand a little flick a handsome tea set worked away on one of the dressers. Hermione fixed her cup, and sat in an ancient velvet upholstered chair, at which Lupin took a seat opposite her.

"I was really beginning to worry about you Prof-er Mr. Lupin."

"Please, just Remus is fine." He sighed.

"Well, yes, you know, no one has seen much of you since Sirius's…ahem…passing."

"How's Harry?" He asked.

"Harry? Urg, being a wanker."

Lupin was in mid glup, and nearly choked on his tea as he stifled his laugh until he could swallow, at which, a wonderful sound erupted from him. It came from the bottom of his stomach, and made his face hurt.

"Oh…oh thank you. God knows when was the last time I had a good laugh."

"It's good to see you smile again Prof-ack! Remus." Hermione gave him one more broad smile, and excused herself. "I still haven't finished my essay." She said, thanked him for the tea, and let herself out. Remus remained in his chair, horrified at his new string of thoughts. Hermione had developed into quite a young lady. Her eyes were sharp, her smile was welcoming, and her wild mane of hair had calmed. Not perfectly, it just became a little more delicate, like the rest of her. Her body had smoothed out, gently falling into the place of womanhood-

You shouldn't be noticing things like that. The evil little voice in his mind cackled.

Please leave me alone…I only want to rest…He pleaded, shutting his eyes tight.

We're so lonely aren't we Luppy? It taunted back.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He cried as he stood up. He rushed to his top drawer and grabbed the powder hastily. Tossing it into the fire and damn near shouting the destination, until Snape's face appeared.

"Severus…thank God your home-"

"Still having trouble sleeping Remus?" Snape sighed.

"Quite…" He sighed.

"Meet me in Diagon Alley in three hours."

"Thank you Severus…"

"Of course." And then he was gone. At least one good thing came in light of Sirius's demise. Remus had finally made amends with Severus.

End Chapter one. Feel free to review or flame.