(A/N) I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters read below. I aslo don't make a profit out of this. I do, on the other hand, hope you will all enjoy this little fic. It is my first. I will greatly appreciate reviews since they let me know how I'm doing. Enjoy! -Rain of Freedom.

This chapter was edited by the wonderful Of-butterbeer-and-frogs

Strength of the Wolf's Heart - Prologue

'It's late.' –the Gryffindor girl thought as she sat on the four poster bed, unable to sleep due to the worry that haunted her dreams.

She shivered at the memories that swept into her mind when her eyes captured a glimpse of the full moon outside her window. Despite her principles to follow the rules of the school, she swung her legs to the side of the bed and covered her mouth to stifle a yelp when her sensitive toes touched the cold marble floors. Successfully finding her slippers, she slipped them on and, with all the skill that could be mustered, silently crossed the dorm room and out the door.

Clad in her pajamas, she took a cloak from the hangers and wrapped it around her shoulders. She ran down the stairs as silent as a cat and through the portrait hole. The Fat Lady cocked an eye open and lazily raised a brow when she saw who had gone out so late. The girl paid no attention to the old painting, just resumed her way towards one of the classrooms. The halls were silent, and only her quick steps could be heard in the distance. Pushing the doors open of her destination; she peeked inside and looked around. No sign of movement. Not that she expected any. She hurried along to the professor's private office at the far end of the classroom and found it locked. But that certainly didn't stop her. Rarely anything did.

Wand out and at the ready, she pointed it to the lock and whispered her favorite incantation as of late. "Alohamora." The lock gave in and opened up. She pushed the door open and was confronted with yet another empty room. She began to feel a little distressed now. Thinking her way through this one, she turned towards the fireplace. It wasn't alight. So it meant he wasn't in his quarters either. Her lips parted then and she sighed, wondering what to do now. She looked out the window, towards the now hidden moon. The sensation came slow. It began like a cold shiver, running up her spine, then it became warm and made her cheeks flush. It traveled further up to make her eyes flutter shut and her lips curve. Her heart began to take flight; her feet complied.

"Pray tell why you are up so late, Miss?" -came the low, casual, voice.

The owner of the voice didn't move. He merely stared off into the night sky, to the heavy clouds that covered the full moon, and to the stars in the horizon from where he sat beneath a tree. His heavy breathing, ripped clothes that hung loose about his shoulders, and absent gaze were a physical testament of what he's been through. The girl that had tried to approach without him knowing it suddenly stopped and looked at her slippers. She hesitated as to whether answering or to simply wait. When she realized how childish she was acting, she decided to move forward, hoping it was not too late to answer.

"I couldn't sleep, professor." -she murmured softly from beside him, knowing he would hear her.

At that long awaited reply, the man turned his head towards her and offered his hand. The girl took it without hesitation and gasped when he pulled her towards him. With a fluid and graceful motion, the professor settled the girl beside him. The girl immediately wrapped her arms around him, sighing softly. The man tensed for a brief moment. He was a bit hesitant, not only because of her absurd timing but the dangers it meant. Nonetheless, he decided by the circumstances to allow the affection he was receiving in the open and to offer her his own affectionate ways. Relaxing his muscles, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"You shouldn't be here; it's a full moon out tonight. It's dangerous." –he said, resting his chin on her head. The moon was hidden still behind a dense covering of clouds. Even so, he wondered if the small reprieve would last long to warrant her safety.

"I was worried about you." –she countered, burying her head on the crook of his neck. The professor nodded and sighed.

"You never sleep when there's a full moon out in the sky. Don't you?" he asked softly. The girl shook her head.

"How could I?" –she whispered.

He fell silent. So did she.

"Will you ever stop worrying?" –he asked, after a while, drawing her back to look into her eyes.

His lips curved when her sleep glazed eyes began to turn bright with what he knew too well were signs of vexation.

"Will you ever stop asking me that same question?" –she countered; the corners of her lips beginning to curve.

"No." –he replied sincerely.

He chuckled then at her reaction, which was to stare at him agape. Surely she was thinking of something to say to that. He didn't want her to think; not when everyone else was about to do so for them in a matter of hours.

So he silenced her with a kiss, ending whichever retort she would offer and, by her surrendering shudder, knew he and his Wolf were at peace. He smiled then.

"Will you ever stop loving me, Hermione Granger?" -he whispered.

"No…Not even after I die, Remus Lupin."