Chapter 2: The First Encounter

She was back, but something had changed. If it hadn't have been for the smell Remus didn't think he would have noticed her at all. Even through the remnants of the glamour he recognised her and now he knew why she was back. All he had to do was find her again.

The problem with finding someone who has been missing for so long is when you do find them, no one believes you. Remus had informed the Weasley's and Harry of her return yet no one offered him help to track her, but even if they had he would be the only one capable of following that scent. Hermione had always smelt different, it was only a subtle difference between her and the others but Remus had noticed it when they first met and it had continued to intensify over the years. Now that scent had changed and he knew why, evidently she did too and Remus wondered how long this had been happening for. He hadn't told any of the others; it was her secret to tell, just as it had once been his.

It had been over a week since Remus had seen Hermione and he had begun watching out for her at Diagon Alley, she would need to return to buy more potion ingredients soon. Then suddenly he smelt that intoxicating smell again and was convinced something had changed. He noticed a blonde haired woman leaving the Leaky Cauldron and heading into the alley and was certain even with the glamour it was Hermione. After quickly finishing his drink Remus began to follow that scent.

It had been just over a week since Hermione had last been at Diagon Alley and with another glamour she had returned to buy her potion ingredients and this time was planning on bypassing Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes completely but knew that just couldn't happen. As she walked down the Alley after leaving the apothecary she decided it would be impossible to pass the opportunity by and paid a visit to the twins. The shop was as busy as it had been the first time however Hermione didn't see any Weasley's, Fred and George were obviously out the back as Verity was working the till. Hermione felt a twinge of disappointment but decided to take some time to browse anyway. She noticed a product that was aimed to render the victim unable to use magic for up to an hour; it looked potentially dangerous but now there was no threat to the magical community, joke products like this were becoming more widely available. Thinking it may be useful for controlling her magical outbursts Hermione brought a few and then left the shop, managing to walk square into someone in the process.

'Sorry about that,' She said frantically gathering her things.

'Don't worry it was totally my fault.' A familiar male voice replied and Hermione looked up to see Remus Lupin.

'It's was me who walked into you.' She pointed out, wanting to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. She could smell him so vividly it was difficult to try and walk away.

'I was in your way then,' Remus replied as charming as ever. 'Therefore I feel I owe you a coffee to make up for it.'

Hermione was torn, she desperately wanted to talk to Remus and see how he was, she may even find out about some of the others if she asked carefully, however if she could smell him he could smell her.

'Thank-you for the offer however I must be going. Perhaps I shall bump into you some other time.' She replied before turning to leave.

'That sounds good.' Remus replied smiling to himself. He was sure it had been her, now all he needed to do was persuade her to return.

'I'm telling you it was definitely her!' Remus tried to explain to Harry, Ginny and Ron. They had been Hermione's closest friends and he was sure they would want to help him find her now he was sure she was back.

'We have no proof other than you claiming you smelt her.' Replied Ron, 'She was under a glamour at the time and didn't say nothing out of the ordinary. We know you want her to return more than most Remus, I hope this isn't affecting your senses.'

'I wasn't aware my feelings for Hermione were public knowledge and I don't see how they would make a difference.' Remus replied. Hurt by Ron's low blow. Yes he had feelings for the witch, but had only ever told Sirius. He was going to give him a serious talking to next time he saw him.

'The simple fact of the matter is, after trying to find her for so long, unless you have some definite proof we don't want to raise our hopes again.' Harry stated, trying to be diplomatic. 'We all care for Hermione and want to find her safely however after all this time it may not happen. It's difficult to find someone who doesn't want to be found.'

Remus gave up trying to persuade them. It was fruitless and if he wanted help he would have to find more proof. They had searched far and wide for Hermione and been all over the globe in an effort to find her. After visiting Australia to find her parents were dead they had worried about her but as Harry said it would be difficult to find her if she didn't want to be found. Remus could understand their hesitance in taking his word for it that she was back.

'In that case I shall get her to come back myself then.' Said Remus. 'I know she's here and I shall prove it.'

'Please let us know if there are any developments?' Asked Harry. 'However don't get your hopes up. Even if it is her she may not want to return.'

As they began to leave the room Ginny hung back, she leant over to Remus and whispered 3 words that made him stop any feeling of doubt that was beginning to form.

'I believe you.'