Everything Happens for a Reason

Disclaimer- Not mine, as usual

Chapter 4

Hermione stood beside Remus, her legs shaking madly. It was a week after the incident in the forest; a long week spent recovering, both mentally and physically, from her attack. Her shoulder healed well, once Madam Pomfrey knew what bit her and how to treat the bite. All that remained was a wicked scar marking the bite.

She was still a bit wobbly on her legs, since she wasn't able to walk until yesterday. She clung to Remus' arm for support, which was the only way she was able to walk to the Great Hall. She and Remus planned to go to Hogsmead and, from there; they would apparate to Remus' cottage in the country.

As they were standing in the Great Hall, Severus Snape walked in.

"So, I'll have to make wolfsbane for 2 half breeds now?" he asked with a sneer.

Remus felt Hermione stiffen slightly and saw tears in her eyes at the man's cruel accusation. He knew what she was feeling, for he had felt it himself all those years back.

"Severus," Remus warned with a growl. He didn't like how Snape was treating Hermione.

"Oh look, the werewolf is sticking up for his mate. Tell me Remus, how did it feel to sink you're teeth into her young flesh?" he asked with a glimmer of hatefulness in his voice, looking at Remus and Hermione as if they were something to be hauled out on to the streets and shot. A brief look of shock crossed his scowling features, however, when Remus stood there and took it.

"You know damn well I didn't bite her, Severus. You quickly forget that you brewed me the potion that night, so I was safe and sound in my cottage. It couldn't have been me." He said calmly, but Hermione could sense the fury beneath his calm exterior.

Severus looked at him with such loathing, that the looks he gave Harry resembled that of an adoring father. Hermione looked between them and cleared her throat in an effort to diffuse the situation. They looked at her and she blushed with the sudden attention. She wanted nothing more than to be rid of the surly Potions Professor and his demeaning words that she looked at Remus with such pleading in her eyes that he couldn't say no.

"Alright, 'Mione, let's get going shall we?" He gently grasped her hand and led her out to the grounds where a 'horseless' carriage was waiting. He helped her climb up into it and off they went. Hermione slumped back in her seat, as she was still slightly unsteady from the exertion. Remus pushed a stray lock of hair away from her face and looked in her eyes.

"It'll be ok, 'Mione. You'll see." He said, watching her carefully as she looked away and nodded.

It was 2 weeks until her first full moon, and she was extremely worried. She wasn't sure if she could handle the pain included in this horrid little package that life sent her way. Hermione trusted Remus with her life though, and knew that he would help her through this. She needed to stay strong too, for she knew if she broke down, she might do something drastic. 'I need to be strong, I can take this! I helped Harry to get the Philosopher's Stone, I helped him in the Department of Mysteries…I can take this!' She thought as the carriages came to a stop and they stepped out.

Hermione walked slowly next to Remus to the apparition point, her head held high. Remus looked at her in astonishment and felt a surge of respect for the young woman. About five minutes earlier, she had been trembling and almost in tears, now she was walking with her head held up high, looking the world in the face. Maybe she was going to get through this all right.

Hermione still had her uncertainties though even with the little talk that she had with herself. 'What are people going to think? How are Harry and Ron going to react? Where will my future go? Will anything change between Remus and me? Wait, where did that come from?' she thought, a slight blush coming up to her cheeks. She hoped Remus didn't notice, but, naturally, he did. The man doesn't miss a trick.

"Something wrong, 'Mione?" he inquired.

"Nothing, Remus, why?" she asked looking at him.

"You're cheeks look a little flushed, I thought something was wrong." He replied as he shrugged his shoulders and glanced sideways at her 'Wow, she had really grown up. I would love to run my fingers through those long tresses. Alright, you old wolf, enough of that,' He mentally scolded himself, starting to get flustered with his thoughts.

He wasn't supposed to have feelings for Hermione. It wasn't proper. What would Dumbledore think? What would everyone else think? What would she think? Oh, too many questions hurt the brain. He rubbed his temples, trying to get the hurt to go away.

Hermione noticed this and looked at him with worry, observing that he grimaced with every bump.

"Are you ok, Remus? You don't look so good." She said with concern in her eyes. He saw this and grinned, the ache in his head suddenly gone.

"Never better now that I'll have some company! It's been lonely since Sirius moved out to live with Harry in January. It'll be nice to have someone that I can talk to, and have an intelligent conversation with." He grinned, looking noticeably happier.

"Oh I know! Try having an intelligent conversation with Harry or Ron…All they think about is Quidditch. And we all know that I don't like flying." She said with a sigh. They didn't understand her need for knowledge; the need to know what is happening or going to happen. She was beginning to realize that the man before her understood this need perfectly.

A/N…and that's it…short, I know, but I've been busy with school. English and Comm. Tech, Civics and Math…Along with the renovations that my family is doing with my house…it's sad really… I'll try to update soon…no promises though