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"You must spill every detail. I don't care that we're grown women. I want to hear everything - where you went, what it was like, do you like him, what about Ron? Hermione, I need details! And a diagram, if you can manage it. Right now, please." Lily looked at Hermione expectantly. Hermione had to laugh; Lily was really channeling Lavender and Parvati.

"We just kissed, Lily. It's not that big a deal," Hermione lied. It was a very big deal, of course. Hermione doubted that Umbridge herself could cause the trouble that Hermione was in right now.

"Not a big deal?" Lily asked incredulously. "Are you mad? I don't think Moony's ever liked a girl before, Hermione. I'm completely serious. I was even wondering, just a little bit, mind you, if he might not be the teeniest big gay."

"Lily!"

"Well, I did! Okay, I guess not really, but there have been plenty of girls who've been interested. Sirius is the heart-breaker, but Remus has had a few admirers as well. I know he's paranoid about the whole werewolf thing -"

"Imagine!" Hermione said dryly

"But werewolf doesn't equal eunuch," Lily continued. "If you kissed, it's a big deal."

Hermione's heart sank at Lily's words. She had already know that Remus was not taking his interest in her lightly. She had only to remember that amazing kiss to confirm this. Still, hearing Lily put it all so bluntly… It wasn't that Hermione was taking him lightly, either. Her feelings for him were genuine. But this was not her time. Someone - Ron, Remus, Hermione, quite likely all three - was going to get hurt. Period. She'd had a chance to keep things simple; it was not like he'd forced his affections on her. But she had been weak, and now the stakes were much higher. Whatever happens, it's your own fault. Remember that, Granger, she thought ruefully.

"Hermione," Lily sighed. "You must give me something."

Hermione looked at Lily. Her green eyes were bright with anticipation. What the hell, she thought. I can't exactly take it back. I might as well give her a little thrill. It certainly was a kiss to brag about.

"Fine," Hermione said, with a small smile. "You want details, I'll give you minutiae. We were talking in the library, about nothing really, just chatting, and I guess he admitted he liked me -"

"You guess?"

"Can I tell the story?"

"Go on."

"Anyway, we were talking about Sirius, and whether I liked him, and when I assured him I didn't, he was pretty happy." Hermione found she was enjoying this girly play by play. "Then he took me to the Room of Requirement."

"Whoa."

"And he kissed me. I kissed him back. We came back here and you immediately started grilling me."

"That's all? That's all I get? Hermione, that's not minutiae, that's a summary. And a rubbish one at that. How was the kiss?"

"Incredible," Hermione said truthfully.

Lily squealed, throwing her hands up in the air, victory-style. Hermione laughed again. Hermione had experienced her fair share of boy talk with Ginny, and one could hardly avoid it rooming with Parvati and Lavender. But it still tickled her to see Lily get so excited about her romance (It's not a romance! she thought furiously) with Remus. She knew Lily and Remus were close - it was only natural that she would be interested. It was funny, though, to see Harry's mother act like such a teenager. Every moment she spent with the charming witch made her more and more real to Hermione.

"What now?" Lily asked.

"I don't know. It happened so fast, I've barely had time to process everything, despite the dramatic retelling. He said he needed to talk to Sirius and he brought me back here."

"I guarantee you he's got the three of them in their dorm, telling Sirius hands off and giving the boys all the details. They're no different than we are, you know. James is a hopeless romantic. A bit of a scoundrel, yes, but a complete sap nonetheless. Honestly, he gave lovesick puppies a bad name before I agreed to go out with him. Lucky for him his ego deflated enough for me to see that side of him."

Hermione giggled, thinking of Harry's reaction to this.

"Well," Lily said, turning the conversation back," do you like him?"

"Of course I like him."

"There's a huge 'but' in there," said Lily. "Is it Ron? Really, Hermione, I warned you about this!" Hermione blinked at Lily's change of tone. A lecture was coming, and deservedly so. "You cannot lead him on. If you have that other boyfriend, you have to come clean before it's too late. He'll be upset, sure, but it'll be a lot better coming now before it goes any further. Do you want to go further?"

"I don't know!" Hermione said miserably. "Yes, I do, but also no. I just don't know what to do. It's not Ron. I mean, obviously that's part of it. I can't really say Ron's my boyfriend, though, more like pre-boyfriend, or maybe-someday-boyfriend, or - that's not the point! Honestly, Ron's not the issue. Not really."

"Another boy should be an issue, Hermione," Lily said, raising her eyebrows. Her excitement certainly had faded a bit. "I know you're young and free, but -"

"Lily! That's not what I mean. Honestly, don't make me out to be some sort of, of - scarlet woman!" Hermione choked on the words. Thank Merlin Ron wasn't around to hear her use that phrase. Lily stifled a laugh at Hermione's earnestness. "I just mean my issues with Remus are more complicated than just whether I like him more than Ron or not. Remember why I came here? I still have this whole dream thing to work out. I don't know how long I'll even be here!"

"Dreams or not, you're here to stay, Hermione," Lily said, firmly, beginning to thaw again. "I need you to balance these crazy boys. Figure out what you want, and fast. As much as I like you, I'll not have you trifling with Remus's heart."

"I know."

X X X X

"Color me impressed, Moony," Sirius said. "The Room of Requirement on your first date. Tres scandale."

"Shove it, Padfoot," Remus said, grinning. "Really now, you all know I'm a perfect gentleman."

"I don't know if virgin is the same as gentleman, but okay," said Peter.

"Well, if it is, you must be the finest gentleman in Britain, Wormtail," said James, raising his eyebrows at him. "I wasn't aware you'd reached the rascal level yet."

"Whoa whoa whoa," said Sirius. "Unless someone's been majorly holding out, I think it's safe to say we're all the chivalrous type." The boys exchanged sheepish smiles. "However, our collective and embarrassing lack of sexual misadventures is not the point. The point is, our fine friend Moony has decided to stop being a puppy and start living life as a wolf." He let out a long howl.

"You're an idiot, said Remus, still grinning. "I've always been a wolf. I'm loads more imposing than your flea-bitten doggie, anyway. So, you don't have a problem with me and Hermione?"

"Of course not," Sirius said, slapping him on the back. "I couldn't be happier. Granger's a doll, but she's hardly my type, if you get right down to it. Bit of a bookworm. I mean, yeah, I'd snog her, but then where would it go?" He ducked as Remus punched his arm. "Besides, we've always followed the Marauder's Code: 'Thou shalt not covet thy fellow animagi's woman.' What kind of best friend would I be if I begrudged you a brainy brunette? I'm just glad you finally made a move. You don't know how long she'll be here, Moony. Time's a-wastin'."

Remus acknowledged Sirius's words with a slight nod and smiled some more at his friend. Really, why had he been so touchy about the whole thing? Obviously Sirius would have never made a play for a girl Remus liked. He felt a bit stupid for being so concerned.

"So what does this mean for you two now?" James asked. "You know she's regaling Lily with all the gory – I mean lovely – details as we speak. Don't start showing me up, Moony. I don't want Lily thinking she got the rubbish boyfriend."

"Well, unless I spend the next seven years worshipping her blindly, I think there's little chance of that, Prongs. I'd have to write her about fifty love and Quidditch poems in the next week, too. I don't know what's next. More snogging, I hope."

"I assume you came to terms with your trust issues," Sirius said.

"I did," said Remus. "I decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth anymore. Honestly, could there be a better girl for me? She might not grow fangs in the moonlight, but she's as close to perfect as I can ever hope to find. Until she betrays us horribly to the Death Eaters, I'm keeping an open mind."

"There's the spirit!" cried Peter. "Always look on the bright side, Moony. When that day comes, you'll owe us all a big 'I told you so.' Meanwhile, enjoy your new – is girlfriend jumping the snitch a bit?"

"It is," said James. "One kiss does not a girlfriend make. You need two, at least."

"In that case, I have about five girlfriends right now," Sirius smirked. "I have a sixth one planned for tomorrow after lunch."

"Thank Merlin Hermione didn't want to join your harem," said Remus. Nothing Sirius had said so far could wipe the grin from his face. He hadn't been this happy since Peter had finally made the transformation to rat and rounded out their full moon gang.

"Our newest Gryffindor seems like more of a one-man woman," said James. "Just keep Padfoot away from the Polyjuice Potion and you'll be all set. Wormtail, too, come to think."

"Hey!"

"That's not a bad idea, Prongs," said Sirius. "I wonder if Lily would be able to tell the difference. All I need is the Marauder's Map to make sure you'll be well out of the way. I'll splash some Eau to Quidditch Stench on, and she'll be none the wiser."

"Inadvisable," said James. "I might be forced to gore you with my antlers. What would your fickle followers think if you weren't quite so pretty?"

"I can bite a lot harder," said Sirius, snapping his teeth. "I am telling Lily you think I'm pretty, though. Alright, no Polyjuice-induced liaisons. I can't brew the bloody stuff anyway."

"I'm sure Snivellus has a secret store," said Peter. "Perhaps if you ask nicely?"

"That reminds me, I'm mad at him," said Remus. "More so than usual, that is. He's been rude to Hermione."

"Shocker."

"Extra hex, I think, Prongs. I'd love to do it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the opportunity," Remus said. "Head Boy's gone to your – well, head. You need to get back in the Snape-baiting game."

"I didn't think you went for all that, Moony," said Sirius.

"Well, I must defend my fair lady."

"You mean you must get me to defend her," said James. "Fine, but don't expect me to enjoy it. Snape's become a close friend. I'm thinking of replacing Sirius with him as my future best man."

X X X X

It was well after midnight when Hermione and Lily finished their talk. She felt a little better, but was still shocked at her reckless actions. She made a firm decision with herself to nip her blossoming romance in the bud. She didn't want to hurt Remus, but it would hurt him a lot more if she allowed his attentions to continue and then disappeared. She hinted as much to Lily, who merely cautioned her to use extreme tact and grace. She also told Hermione to get a good night's sleep before she made any rash decisions. Hermione agreed, but quickly realized sleep was not forthcoming. After tossing and turning for an hour, she arose from bed and crept downstairs into the common room. She was well versed in late night studying, and it was best to conduct her time turner research away from prying eyes.

Hermione settled on the couch in front of the fire, and opened one of her books. She was reading for some time when she heard a creek behind her. She whipped around, wand trained, and froze when she saw Remus. He was wearing pajama pants and nothing else. Her eyes widened at his muscular chest and she blushed furiously. Calm down, Hermione. Keep your wits about you. This is hardly the first half-naked man you've seen. First half-naked professor, yes, but you've seen Harry lots of times after Quidditch practice. Ron, Fred and George, too. She gulped. Somehow, these comparisons (even Ron) were paling in front of the handsome Gryffindor before her.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "I didn't think anyone would be up. I have trouble sleeping sometimes. I'm glad to see you."

"Me too," she squeaked. Blushing again, she cleared her throat. "I have trouble sleeping, too. Lily kept me up late, and then I couldn't sleep."

"Lily kept you past your bedtime? Whatever were you talking about?" he asked with innocent eyes.

"Same thing you, Sirius, James and Peter were discussing, no doubt," she smiled back at him. Damn! What happened to let him down gently but firmly? Don't let him distract you, Granger.

"Really?" Remus sat down on the couch, sliding close beside her. His fingers grazed her arm, raising goosebumps.

"Uh huh," she managed.

"And what was that again?"

Her mouth was dry. He was looking at her with heavy lidded eyes, the fire making the gold flecks in his eyes sparkle and dance. When did Professor R.J. Lupin turn into a master seducer? She was quickly losing control of herself again.

"I was telling her about our kiss," she admitted. His fingers were making lazy circles on her bare shoulders and he slid, if possible, even closer to her.

"And what did you tell her?"

"I told her it was amazing."

It took less than a second for him to crash his lips to hers again, leaning into her and pushing her back onto the couch. Her hands roamed his chest as his found their way to her hair again. She could feel a bulge in his pants, and wantonly she pulled him closer, reveling in the feel of his lips on hers. His kisses got more frantic as he moaned against her. After what seemed like hours, she finally pulled away, pushing him up and off of her. She stared at him, mesmerized by his swollen lips and tousled hair. He was staring back at her with lust and hunger, making every part of her tingle.

With a sigh of regret, she kissed him softly on the lips and rose from the couch. "I'm going back upstairs. A cool shower, perhaps. I'll see you in the morning?"

"Of course. I have my own appointment with some freezing cold water," Remus smiled and climbed to his feet as well. He kissed her forehead and touched her cheek. "You look beautiful in firelight, by the way." He turned and climbed the stairs to the boys' dorm, giving her one last shy smile before he was out of sight.

Merlin. This isn't good.