A/N Tad-ah! Next chapter! Cough cough

This chapter is inspired by the horrific head-cold I have right now. Don't you just hate them? They knock you on your be-hind and leave you feeling like death warmed up.

The next morning Remus woke up in a right foul mood. He paced around his room for an hour, silently cursing Sirius to the depths of hell for putting him in this position.

He couldn't figure out why he was so angry. On more then one occasion Harry had joined him and Sirius on the night of the full moon, so what if he had asked Hermione to join him. She was capable of protecting herself if anything went wrong, probably more capable then Sirius as a dog.

What was wrong with him? Last night when he had asked her it seemed like a perfectly sound idea. A natural conclusion to an annoying problem. He hated being alone during the transformation. It was his one weak spot when it came to his lycanthropy. He didn't like to imposition his hurt or his needs onto anyone but all that was thrown out the window at the thought of stalking around the basement alone like an animal in a cage. Even if that's how many people saw him he had worked very hard to rid his own mind of that label, and having someone with him helped reinforce his beliefs.

Finally after a stern talking to from himself Remus made his way down to breakfast to find everyone minus the witch who had been occupying his thoughts present.

"All set for tonight?" Harry asked as Remus took a seat next to him.

Remus simply nodded, grabbing some eggs and toast.

Talk continued on around him and Remus ate his food in silence. Normally he would talk with Bill or Arthur but both men had already left for work and he didn't feel like joining in Harry, Ron and Ginny's discussion about the latest broom in the Nimbus range.

He was about to get up to place his plate in the sink when Harry again engaged him in conversation.

"What are you going to do if Sirius doesn't get back in time?" Harry asked, reaching for more food. He was getting as bad as Ron.

"I've, ah, organised alternative companionship," Remus said, casting a worried glance at Molly. She disapproved when he, Sirius and Harry would crash around Grimmauld Place for the night, he knew she would downright forbid Hermione to do the same.

"Oh, who?" Harry asked curiously. Remus was saved by Molly who placed a hot toddy down in front of him.

"Will you take that up to Hermione please Remus? Seeing as your done and all? The poor dear came down with a cold overnight. Can hardly speak to save herself and she's sniffing and sneezing all over the place."

Remus nodded and with a 'sorry, duty calls' look at Harry picked up the steaming mug and made the journey upstairs to the room Hermione shared with Ginny.

He knocked lightly on the door and received a sneeze and a groan as invitation into the room.

Hermione was propped up in bed, a box of tissues in her lap, her hair all over the place. Remus gave her a weak smile and handed her the cup. She took a sip, gasped and placed it on the nightstand.

"Whisky," she wheezed. "I didn't think Molly would be into such old wives tales."

Remus laughed softly and took a sniff of the drink. He pulled it back quickly as the fumes enveloped his senses.

"Phew, that's strong. The woman does have seven children though so it will probably help," Remus offered. Hermione nodded and took another sip, her face screwing up as the concoction hit her throat.

"Bleh," she said hoarsely. She was happy to see Remus. Hell, she would have been happy to see Snape right then. Hermione knew what the boys were like, they dreaded illness and would refuse to visit her, scared to get sick themselves and as sweet and sensible as Ginny was, her and Harry were going through a phase where they couldn't stand to be apart for more then an hour at a time if they were both awake. Nope, Remus was likely to be her only visitor today, apart from Molly fussing over her.

She patted the edge of the bed for him to sit on and after hesitating a moment he joined her.

"So what happened? When I left you last night you were fine."

Hermione shrugged and pointed to her throat.

"Sore yesterday."

Remus nodded in understanding.

"I'll still help tonight," she rasped.

"No, no, don't even think about it. I want you to stay in bed and get better. Besides, I don't want your germs all over me," he joked. Hermione smiled weakly and coughed into a tissue.

"I'll leave you be, do you need anything?" Remus asked, heading for the door.

"Book," she asked, smiling hopefully.

"Sure, any one in particular?"

Hermione shook her head and Remus nodded and ducked out to retrieve her a book. He'd just finished one on the effects of lunar eclipses on werewolves that she would probably enjoy. After some searching he located the book under his bed and returned to Hermione's room to give it to her. When he opened the door though it was to find her fast asleep, tissue box cuddled in one arm, a spare pillow in the other, snoring lightly. He chuckled softly and left the book on her bedside table next to the half drunk toddy.

He let his eyes graze over her upper body, the blanket coming to her waist. He always had trouble controlling his urges around the full moon. He chastised himself for such an act even as the wolf in him leapt to attention, salivating at the though of possessing the young, innocent girl.

But she's not so innocent, the wolf reasoned. Go for it.She's battled death eaters, been on the run with two boys, men and read every book in the Black library. I'm sure she could tellyou some things that would make your toes curl.

Innocent in the ways of men, Remus reasoned quickly exiting the room and closing the door behind him.

"I hate the full moon," he whispered before going downstairs to check everything was ready for that night.