A/N: I know nothing can make up for the lack of posts, but I've been having a terrible time with one of my roommates (which has now gone on to counseling, yuck) and there have just been a lot of things going on lately that I haven't been able to get my mind to focus on the story. That and I've had 3 symphony concerts the past two weekends! ah! But hopefully the extra long post will make up for some of it.

I hope this helps a little:
"Humans Talking"
Thinking
'Wolves Talking'

The morning after Molly's party, Remus had a small bag packed with enough food and clothing for a week. He had left the Burrow with well wishes from Molly, Ron and a few others. Harry and Nymphadora were still against looking for Hermione.

"Remus?" a call from his kitchen.

Speak of the devil, Remus thought. "I'm in my bedroom, Nymphadora. I'll be right there." He finished throwing a few things in his bag when he heard his bedroom door creak open. "Nymphadora, I thought I said—" he stopped suddenly when he turned and saw what she was wearing. The dress she wore dipped down too low, was way too short, and hugged too many curves. "What are you—" Before he could finish, Tonks tripped over her own feet—probably due to the heels—and fell against Remus. Unable to catch his balance, Remus fell back on the bed with the pink-haired witch on top of him. Tonks immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose against his neck. "Nymphadora—"

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" she whispered in his ear as she continued to nose her way around.

"Nymphadora," Remus said, stronger this time, "get off." It wasn't until he felt her tongue sweep across the shell of his ear that he jumped to his feet, resulting in dumping her on the floor. "What on earth are you doing?!"

Tonks jumped at his sharp tone and quickly composed herself. "I'm sorry Remus, I'm just nervous."

"Nervous? It didn't seem like it to me. Why did you come here?"

Tonks sighed and sat carefully on his bed. "I'm nervous this girl is Hermione," she said softly. "I know it must sound awful, but it's true. I know if it is her, there will be so much confusion and..." she paused for a dramatic breath, "if it is her, I'm nervous she'll ruin our relationship."

Remus snorted and without thinking, blurted, "We don't have a relationship." Tonks' jaw dropped slightly and she scowled at him. Remus smiled sheepishly and backed away, "That didn't come out the right way, but you have to understand that I'm not interested. You've let your infatuation go on long enough."

Tonks stood quickly and shouted, "It isn't infatuation! I love you!"

Remus shook his head and grabbed his bag, shrinking it to fit in his pocket. He stormed from the room growling, "You should leave."

"Wait, Remus!" Tonks was right on his heels. "Please give me a chance! You've never even thought about it!"

He spun around suddenly, almost causing Tonks to run into his chest, and glared down at her. "I have thought about it, Nymphadora. And I am not interested. Accept it."

Tonks face contorted as her anger rose. "Fine, go. When you give up looking for a dead witch come find me."

"Will do, now leave." His eyes burned into her until she disappeared into the green flames with a kiss blown at him.

At least when I'm gone I don't have to deal with her. With that thought his mood increased significantly.

=-=-=-=

When Remus apparated into the forest he groaned. All he could see in all directions was trees. He was in the middle of a dense forest. How on earth am I going to find her? Shaking his head of negative thoughts, he started walking in one direction.

The first two days consisted of Remus walking in what seemed like circles. He didn't find any path or opening; just trees beyond trees. The third day it started to rain, making Remus' search that much more difficult. The rain lasted until the fifth day. The sixth day Remus felt he was getting closer, but it was hard to move around in the forest due to the water-logged floor. He didn't give up though.

The morning of the seventh day Remus sighed during his breakfast. He was almost out of food. He had a small chunk of bread left and his water canteen was empty. If he didn't find her today, he was going to have to go back and restock. Then he'd have to start all over again.

I feel like she's close. Argh! Why can't I find her?!

Maybe I am just pulling straws here. I could be wrong.

But what about the girl I saw last week? She looked exactly like Hermione.

Remus growled lowly as the battle continued in his head. He wasn't going to be able to find her this way.

If only I had Moony's sense of smell. I'd be able to track her down easily. Where is Moony when you need him? he thought pathetically to himself.

'Here,' a voice echoed in his head.

Remus jumped. "Moony? How...?"

'You called me, didn't you? What do you want?' the wolf inside Remus yawned loudly.

"I'm trying to find Hermione."

'Still? It's been a week!'

Remus sighed. "I can't find her when I'm 'furless.' Can you smell her?"

'I smell her alright. She's to the West.'

That was all it took for Remus to leap to his feet and sprint through the forest. Five minutes later Remus slowed, slightly out of breath. "I thought you said she was to the West?"

'She is. It's distant, though. With your human legs it'll take you most of the day.'

"Great." After Remus caught his breath, he continued west at a slower pace. Finally, just in the final hour of light, Remus began to recognize some of his surroundings. He quickly made his way through the forest looking for the path with tall grass. Once he found it he fought his way through it and into the opening. He just registered the tall wolf and girl when she spoke.

"I know you."

"Hermione." One look at her dirt covered face confirmed it. But one scan over her caused him to blush scarlet and look away from her nudity. He remembered belatedly there was also a wolf in the clearing. "Quick, get away from it!"

Hermione cocked her head to the side and glanced at Tarak, who had sat close to her. Hermione leaned against the wolf, hugging him loosely as she stared at the strange man. "You know me?"

Remus glanced at her and saw the wolf had purposefully sat close to Hermione to cover her nakedness. "Yes. Hermione, what are you doing here?"

She cocked her head again. "Here is home."

"But why did you leave? You left right after the war; we thought you were dead!" Remus took a step closer, but Tarak's growl stopped him.

Hermione looked more confused than ever. "War? I don't know what you're talking about."

Now Remus looked confused.

'She not remember, Pup.' The low husky voice seemed to echo through the clearing.

Remus looked around wildly, but he didn't hear or see anything. At Hermione's laugh he looked back at her. Tarak was staring right at him. "Y-You?"

'Right. Kitten not know where she from.'

"What is your last memory?" Remus asked.

"Here; Tarak."

Remus sighed. No wonder she never came back. She doesn't remember anything. Did someone attack her? Is it Obliviate or just amnesia?

"How do you know me?" Hermione asked again.

"We were friends. You were one of my best friends."

Hermione cocked her head to the side again and Remus thought she was confused at what he'd said but he realized she was studying him. Then suddenly she stood up from behind Tarak, which caused Remus to look away, and walked up to him. It wasn't until he felt a tug at his clothes he looked back down at her. She's curious about my clothes? he thought before he realized he was staring at her again and looked away as she continued to pluck at his clothes. Finally thinking of an idea, Remus shrugged off his coat and gently wrapped her in it. "Much better," he said with a warm smile.

She looked down at the coat curiously. She fingered the frayed edges of the sleeves. "Why?" she asked and looked up into his face.

How do I explain this? "Well, where I come from, it isn't... decent to not wear clothes."

Hermione's face lit up, "Are you taking us to your home?"

"Us?"

Hermione sensed Tarak had moved closer and leaned back against him. "My brother, Tarak."

Remus let out a breath. She was quite a sight. Twigs in her hair, legs sticking out from his coat with her toes hidden by the grass. "Yes. I've been looking for you to bring home. Your, uh, brother may come too." Great, bring a wild wolf into my home.

'I resent that,' Moony growled lightly in Remus' head.

Tarak suddenly growled and moved in front of Hermione saying, 'Back, Kitten.' Hermione immediately obeyed and stepped back. 'I know you now. You are the whelp from other night.'

"What?"

'I smell werewolf in you. Not good. Hurt Kitten.'

"I control Moony. I wouldn't let him hurt Hermione," Remus assured the wolf. I'm talking to a wolf...

Tarak snorted and calmly sat back down. 'Wrong. You know not of how it works.'

"What's that supposed to mean?" Remus defended.

'You learn soon, pup. Listen to wolf.' Tarak looked back to Hermione and she came closer to the pair.

"Can we go to your home now?" Hermione asked.

"Uh, yeah. I don't know how to get you both there, though."

'I find you. Tarak smell Kitten.'

"I guess that solves it then. Come here, Hermione," Remus held out a hand invitingly to her. Once her hand was in his, he pulled out his wand to apparate.

As soon as the slender piece of wood came from his pocket, Hermione hissed and jumped behind Tarak, peeking back out to eye the wand frightened.

"What's wrong?" Remus took a step towards her, but she shrank away with a whine.

'She scared of stick. It hurt Kitten.'

Remus quickly stashed it away thinking sour thoughts. "I apologize, Hermione. I do not wish to frighten you." Remus eased the girl into his arms and held her tight. I'm surprised Tarak hasn't gotten upset yet. Remus looked at the wolf and was astonished to see him nod. Catching on Remus slipped out his wand, as Hermione face was buried in his chest, and gave Tarak another glance.

Just before Remus apparated, they heard Tarak say, 'See you soon.'

=-=-=-=

As soon as they landed in Remus' home, Hermione jumped away from him startled. Fortunately, Remus had already put his wand away so she wouldn't be scared. "Where are we?" she asked.

"This is my home. Feel free to wander."

And wander she did. She may not have had her memories, but she still had the old Hermione's spirit. In the kitchen she had rummaged through a few cupboards, but she soon found Remus' small library and was fascinated by the pictures in the books. Remus could barely contain a smile when he saw what book she looking at: Hogwarts, A History. Hours later Remus noticed the sun coming up. "We've been up all night," Remus commented.

"Hmm," Hermione commented absently as she turned the page.

"Hermione," he called a little louder to catch her attention. "What do you say we get cleaned up and get some rest? Are you tired?"

Her yawn answered him. He helped her to her feet and led her to the bathroom. "What do they call you?" she asked suddenly.

"I didn't tell you my name? Sorry, I guess I was too stunned that I found you I forgot. My name is Remus John Lupin."

"That's a long name," she commented.

"Not as long as yours. Your full name is Hermione Jane Granger." He stopped when they reached the bathroom and flicked on the light. "Let me show you how this works." Remus brought her closer to the tub and filled it for her and showed her the soap. "I'm going to find something for you to wear, alright?"

Hermione nodded as she stared at the new object.

Remus smiled and shut the bathroom door behind him. He found a shirt and a pair of sleeping pants that were too small for him and brought them back to the bathroom. He knocked on the door and called, "May I come in?"

"Yes," Hermione said between giggles.

Remus opened the door and muttered, "Oh, no," as he stepped into a pool of water. Apparently Hermione caught on how to turn on the faucets because they were on and water was running over the edge of the tub. The big problem was the massive amount of bubbles floating around. Hermione sat in the midst of the water puddle, still in Remus' coat, and was covered in bubbles. Remus quickly turned off the water and was about to vanish the water before he caught himself. I'll fix it after she's in bed. "You continue to have fun, Hermione. I'm going to go get one of your friends to help you clean up."

"Friends?"

"Yes; do you remember Ginny Weasley?"

Hermione shook her head.

"You two were very close friends. She'll be happy to see you."

Hermione smiled at him again before attacking the bar of soap with flourish again.

Remus closed the door and took a calming breath before flooing to the Longbottom residence.

=-=-=-=

Just like everyone thought Hermione would marry Ron one day, everyone assumed Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter would marry. Ginny had had a crush on Harry since she first laid eyes on him when she was 10. But the attraction was simply that: a crush. Ginny got tired of Harry's lack of commitment and moved on to a friend of both of them, Neville Longbottom. They'd married less than a month after Ginny graduated and lived on the outskirts of Hogsmeade with their four children: Frank, Markus, Connor, and Alice. Neville worked under Professor Sprout at Hogwarts while Ginny stayed at home with their young children.

Remus dusted the soot off his clothes and smiled at Ginny. She was already busy in the kitchen getting things ready for her family, even with her baby daughter cradled with one arm. "Let me take her for you." Remus gently took the smiling infant from Ginny and sat at the kitchen table.

"Sure. Come on it; have a seat," she said sarcastically as she put the last piece of bacon on the stove. She turned to him and wiped a strand of hair behind her ear before joining him at the table. "I'm surprised you're back already."

"I ran out of rations." Remus decided to play with her a little.

Ginny flicked her wand towards the stove and half a dozen pieces of bacon hopped up and settled on the reverse side. "When do you go back out to look for her?"

Remus kept his face downturned to Baby Alice to hide his grin. "I'm not."

"What?" she yelped. "What do you mean, 'I'm not?' You gave up already?"

"Nope," he looked up at her with the largest grin ever. "I found her. She's at my home right now."

Ginny gasped and covered her mouth with her fingers. "Really? She's alive?"

Remus nodded.

Ginny smiled then quickly turned her face to the door, "NEVILLE!!!"

Alice flinched at Ginny's voice, but it appeared she was used to her mother's yells. Soon three pairs of footsteps were heard in the hallway. Two young boys of the age of four and five stood in front of Neville, who held a diaperless two-year-old Connor in his arms. "What? I was changing Connor. Oh, hello Remus."

Remus smiled kindly.

"He found her, Neville. Hermione—she—I thought—" Ginny blubbered over her words as she started to cry.

Neville sighed and pulled out his wand. He charmed another diaper on his youngest son and set him on the floor before moving closer to his wife. He rubbed her back gently and let her cry on his shirt. "It's alright, love," Remus could hear Neville whispering to Ginny. "I'll floo Pomona and let her know I can't come in today. We'll go spend the day with Hermione."

"Uh, there's one small problem," Remus spoke up.

"What? Is she okay?" Ginny cried.

"Well, she doesn't remember anything. I think she was subject to an Obliviate during the battle. When I took my wand out to bring us back she panicked. She's been living in the forest with this wolf for the past five years."

Ginny continued to cry silently, only broken from her stupor by the smell of burning bacon. She quickly flicked her wand towards the stove and seven settings of breakfast made their way to the table.

"That's why I came here to ask a favor of you. She doesn't remember anything of our world, or even a civilized world. As we speak, she's probably still playing with the bubbles from the bar of soap."

Ginny stared at him incredulously. "You want me to help her bathe?" she asked.

"If you would. She's a mess," Remus sighed. It had been a long week.

Ginny grabbed two pieces of toast and made a bacon sandwich with it. "I'll head over there now. You can help Neville with the boys and come over later."

"Thank you Ginny. You're a lifesaver."

"You're such a flatterer," Ginny smiled and gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek as she left.

Remus helped the boys eat while Neville fed Alice a bottle. They were just about to leave when the floo activated and three figures came out: Harry, Ron, and Tonks. "Remus! You're back!" Tonks practically threw herself against him for a hug, but he evaded it.

"We stopped by your place and Ginny said you were here," Ron said.

"Why was Ginny at your place?" Harry asked.

Before he could answer, Tonks asked, "Why didn't you come to see me? I told you to find me once you'd given up."

"Because I didn't give up," Remus said simply. He stared at Harry and Ron and delivered the best and worse news to them. "I brought her home."

A/N: Hope all is well! :)