All my love to you guys for reviewing :) And all my love to Catherine Morgenstern, who takes time out of her life to read my nonsense :)

Chapter Six

26 Days to the Full Moon

When Hermione woke it was to flickering orange light, the crackle of fire and the acrid smell of smoke, tickling the back of her throat. Remus wasn't beside her. Hermione lifted her head, grimacing when her neck twitched painfully. Her former professor was crouched by a miniscule fire, carefully feeding it small lengths of what looked like wood. But of course that was impossible. She took a puzzled look around and saw that they were still underground.

She eased herself into a sitting position, studying him intently. "Are you okay?"

Remus glanced up, the shifting flames causing odd shadows to form in the dips and hollows of his face. It made him look dangerous, like someone she didn't know. "I'm fine."

Hermione didn't believe him. He looked pale and utterly exhausted. Dark smudges rimmed his eyes and his hair stood up in messy tufts atop his head. Like he'd constantly been running his hands through the sandy-grey strands in agitation.

"The venom's out of your system?" she asked, swinging her legs underneath her and sitting on her knees.

Remus nodded. "It's gone, but I do feel a little weak." At Hermione's concerned look, he smiled wryly. "From the change."

Hermione scooted closer, remembering the days spent at Grimmauld Place. They very rarely saw anything of Lupin in the days before the change, but as soon as the full moon had passed, he'd return and eat masses of almost raw meat throughout the day. Hermione had always suspected that he'd wanted the meat completely uncooked, but was too embarrassed by what they'd think or say.

"You need protein don't you?" she said softly.

Remus grimaced and gestured to a lumpy pile next to him. "I think we have that covered."

Bile rose in her throat as she studied the pile. "Are those rats? Please tell me those aren't rats."

"I could, but I'm not in the habit of lying to you," he said, feeding more wood into the struggling flames. "I'll burn them to a crisp and we'll never know the difference."

Hermione snorted and forced her gaze back to the flames, refusing to think about the dead rodents. "Where did you get the wood from?"

Remus jutted his chin upwards. A tangle of tree roots, so knotted it was impossible to tell one from another made up the roof. Here and there she could see where Remus had snapped off some of the small pieces, leaving behind fresh wooden scars.

Hermione pointed to the rodent pile. "And the rats?"

"One will scuttle by every five minutes or so." He picked up one of the small carcasses and put it as close to the fire as he could. Eyes flashing with hunger.

The smell of burnt hair filled the tunnel as they silently watched the rat cook. Each lost in their own thoughts. Hermione wanted to tell Remus that he should just go ahead and eat. That she didn't care if it was raw. The most important thing was that he regained his strength. But mostly she was wondering why on earth he'd dragged them into that Acromantula nest. Unarmed and defenceless. Her gaze flicked up to him. He was eyeing the rat hungrily, almost licking his lips in anticipation.

"I think it's cooked enough now," she told him. When she saw that he was about to protest, she quickly added, "Besides, I don't want to go first."

He nodded reluctantly, taking the first rat from next to the fire and replacing it with another. His eyes darted almost guiltily towards her as he picked it up and began to eat. It took every bit of composure Hermione possessed to keep her face impassive. But at least he wasn't tearing into it, instead pulling the meat off the bones and popping it into his mouth in quick, neat movements. He was finished in under a minute, discarding what was left.

"Well?" Hermione asked, wrinkling her nose.

Remus shrugged. "I've had better."

Her mouth opened to give a pithy reply, but what came out was, "Why did you take us into that nest?"

Lupin seemed to sag into himself. Chin dropping almost onto his chest. "Kara," he muttered.

Hermione frowned. "But we could have just gone around, caught up with her on the other side."

"She screamed," he said, hands held in tight fists by his side.

Suspicion rose inside her. "She had a wand and would have been more than capable of defending herself." Hermione swayed forward, determined to make him look at her. "What aren't you telling me?"

A long tense silence. Broken only by the occasional crack from the fire and their soft breaths.

"Remus?"

His head lifted and he regarded her with a panic-stricken gaze. "She's the only one who can break the bond. If she dies then..." His voice trailed off as he dropped his head.

"Then we're bonded for life," Hermione finished with growing alarm. "But that would mean we'd have to be together, practically in the same room for the rest of our lives!"

Remus nodded his head miserably. "It goes beyond that, I'm afraid," he whispered softly. Almost like he didn't want her to hear.

"Tell me," Hermione demanded, shifting closer to the fire, trying to warm her suddenly chilled body.

"If one of us dies then it will pull the other into death with them." Bitterness gave his voice a rough edge.

Hermione blinked. The meaning of his words swirling around her head in a manic dance. Quite suddenly the reason for Remus' desperate need to reach Kara became very clear and the consequences should they fail to do so a frightening prospect. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to reign in her horror and concentrate on the task before them. The first thing they would need to do would be to get moving again. She flicked her eyes to Lupin, who looked like a stiff breeze could knock him over.

Hermione climbed to her feet drawing Remus' attention. "Eat the rats." At his startled gaze, she gave him a fierce glare. "Burn off the fur and eat them. We don't have time to cook them any more than that. We have a witch to catch." Before he could reply she turned away and began to tear some of the roots from the ceiling. Twisting and tugging until they snapped free.

She purposely ignored the wet squelching sounds as Remus tore into the rats. Telling herself that it was just the same as when people went to posh restaurants and ate cappaccio or sushi. Only it wasn't the same. Not with the smell of burnt fur and the sharp crack of tiny bones breaking.

Hermione regarded the root-covered ceiling thoughtfully. "Do you think we'll be able to break through?"

"No. I already tried." A rustle of clothing as he pushed to his feet. "Hagrid once told me that he'd stumbled on some tunnels beneath the forest." He came to stand beside her. "I'm guessing we've found them."

Hermione snorted softly. "At least we know there's a way out." She bent down to pick up the handful of root pieces that she'd managed to pull free. "Have you eaten enough?"

Remus ran his hand along the back of his neck, cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "For now. But you haven't."

"Maybe later," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Will you be able to see well enough to lead us out?"

A predatory smile curled his lips, eyes flashing amber. Bleeding back to green almost instantly. "I will."

"Then let's go," she said, walking towards him and grabbing the back of his shirt.

Ten steps later and they were in darkness. It was so deep that Hermione couldn't see her hand in front of her face. Her grip tightened on Lupin's shirt, fear of losing him threatening to close her throat. The air smelt of damp earth, but underneath that a musty odour of long dead things. Several times she almost tripped, managing to catch herself at the last moment and wishing that she wasn't holding the handful of roots in her other hand. But she refused to drop them, knowing that when they stopped, they'd need something to start a fire with. At least water wouldn't be a problem. Every few hundred metres the sound of trickling water reached their ears. Seeping through the ground and into the tunnel.

Her toe nudged a rock and only the grip on Remus' shirt kept her upright. Hermione scowled as she regained her balance. Once again setting off into the dark. Remus had no such problems. He glided across the floor, seemingly able to miss all of the dips and hollows. His stride as sure and steady as if he were walking in daylight. A squeak sounded ahead of them and she gasped, pulling on Remus' shirt.

"What was that?"

"That would be the rats," Lupin said, an amused lilt to his voice.

Hermione shuddered. "Well at least we won't run out of food."

A chuckle floated towards her. "No. That shouldn't be a problem, Love."

Another few minutes of walking, or in Hermione's case stumbling, passed. "Do you think they're looking for us? Harry and the others, I mean."

"Of course they are. And they won't stop until they find us," Remus said reassuringly.

Hermione nodded into the darkness. "Once we find a way out of here, will you be able to find Kara's trail again?"

"She's going north." His voice hardened as he spoke the witch's name. "Always north."

Silence fell between them. Hermione was wondering if he was aware of how often he allowed Moony to slip out. Not that she cared. She had the feeling that they'd need him to survive this mess.

Hours passed. Hermione was almost hypnotised by the constant thud her footsteps made on the ground. Her calves and thighs ached horribly and she'd long ago closed her eyes to the darkness. She was so lost in the rhythm that she didn't notice when Lupin stopped, banging into the hard planes of his back.

"We'll stop here, get a few hours sleep and then carry on." Remus shifted away from her, tugging his shirt from her grip. A warm hand brushed her's, unfolding her clenched fingers and taking the tree roots from her.

She stood perfectly still as she listened to him shuffling about. Stacking the wood and preparing to light the fire. And then suddenly light filled the tunnel. So bright that Hermione had to lift her hand and cover her eyes.

"Okay?" Remus asked.

"Just give me a minute," she said, blinking rapidly and watching Lupin through squinted eyes. He was tearing more roots from the ceiling and throwing them down next to the fire. A little ways from him she could see a thin trickle of water running down the wall to form a small puddle on the ground.

Hermione immediately walked over and scooped some into her mouth, relishing in the cool, but slightly brackish-tasting liquid. Thirst quenched, she returned to Lupin.

"You keep an eye out for dinner. I'll do this." She stood on the tips of her toes, reaching upwards to tear the roots. Tiny showers of dust fell down onto her head and face. Coating her already dirty skin. A grimace crossed her face when she heard a squeak that was quickly cut off.

Burning fur reached her nose and in the effort not to gag she switched to breathing through her mouth. "You take that one." She tossed over her shoulder to Remus.

"Hermione-"

"No really, you have it, I'll take the next one," she muttered, wanting to put off having to eat it as long as possible.

She sat by the fire. Ignoring Remus when he took the carcass and turned away from her to eat. Her mind drifted, worry nipping at her. Wondering what they'd do if they couldn't get to Kara in time or if they were lost in the forest when the full moon arrived.

"Remus? Do you think we'll make it?" She almost wanted to take the words back as soon as they were spoken. Dreading what answer he'd give.

For a moment she didn't think he'd say anything. But then his tense muscles loosened and he twisted to face her, reaching out to pull her into his side. "It'll be fine. We'll be fine."

She nodded her head against his shoulder. "I want to believe you so badly," she whispered.

He pressed his lips against the side of her head. "One day at a time, that's how we'll take it." He let her go and tipped his head to the side. "I hear your dinner coming."

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "How good is your hearing anyway?"

"Better than anyone assumes," he said, getting to his feet and nearing the side of the tunnel. A second later his hand shot down, scooping up the rat and breaking its back in one swift move. It had happened in the blink of an eye, so quick she almost doubted that it had happened at all.

"Quicker as well, not to mention how well you can see in the dark," Hermione said as he placed the rat next to the fire.

Remus gave her a soft smile. "You forgot my sense of smell."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "How rude of me." She brushed her hand over the top of her head, sighing when she felt the matted mess it had become. She doubted that she'd ever be able to get a comb through it now.

As she waited for her food to cook, she regarded Lupin. He still looked bad. But the food seemed to have helped him regain a little of his strength. His shoulders didn't hang quite so low and the lines on his face were less pronounced. But despite all that, he still didn't look...right. There was a discomfort about him, like he was forcing his body into a skin that didn't quite fit.

Hermione had always suspected that the Remus he showed to the world wasn't the Remus that he secretly wanted to be. That was why he blushed. He was ashamed of himself. Ashamed of the wolf. And ashamed of wanting to be the wolf. Hermione just wished that he could see that it was okay to be both.

"Here." Remus gave her the blackened rat.

She took it between the tips of her fingers, refusing to look at the tail, feet and head. Instead picking the meat away from the back and thighs and placing it on top of her knee. It was a pitiful amount, and somewhat crispy, but she popped it into her mouth, knowing that she needed to eat. It had a strong gamey taste that stayed imprinted on her taste buds long after she'd swallowed. Even after she'd rushed over to the water puddle and washed out her mouth.

"You didn't enjoy it?" Remus asked, humor lacing his voice.

Hermione scoffed. "Not particularly. But needs must be met and all that."

"Indeed they must," he shifted uneasily, a blush creeping into his cheeks. "And speaking of needs, I...umm...have to relieve myself."

Hermione's blush matched his. "I could use the loo myself actually. Maybe at the same time? Backs turned?"

"Of course. Yes."

Remus shuffled as far away as the bond would allow, before turning his back. Hermione did likewise. It was oddly intimate listening to another person piss. The loud sound of a zipper being lowered and then the wet splash. Hermione was sure that Remus' face would be just as red as hers was.

When they were finished, they quickly washed their hands before meeting back at the fire, each avoiding the other's gaze.

"Well. Shall we move a little further down the tunnel and rest?" Hermione asked, aware of their earlier conversation on his senses. Specifically smell.

Remus bent down to pick up some of the root pieces. Then gestured for her to follow. He led them a little ways down the tunnel. Hermione once again using his shirt to guide her.

"We'll stop here," he said. "Do you want me to start another fire?"

Hermione frowned. "There isn't much point. Not if we're sleeping." She dropped to her knees and searched for a place that wasn't too bumpy. There wasn't one. Sighing, she gave up and lay down, shifting until she felt somewhat comfortable, tucking her elbow under her head.

A second later she heard Remus lay down somewhere behind her. She wasn't aware of falling asleep but she must have done, because suddenly she was back in the cell. Only this time it was her and not Lavender that was locked in with the wolf. A wolf that was crawling towards her. Blood dripping from yellowed fangs. Fear held her immobile as it came ever closer, breath puffing against the skin of her neck.

Her eyes flipped open, darkness surrounding her. Warm breath on her neck. Something heavy across her waist, pinning her in place. A startled gasp fell from her lips as she jerked upright, seeking to scramble away.

"Mione. It's me, Remus."

Panic fled as quickly as it had arrived, leaving her shuddering and confused. "I...was I dreaming? I think I was dreaming."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have...well...been so close to you." If a voice could blush then Remus' was.

Hermione scrubbed a hand down her face. "It's fine." And it was. She'd never minded being close to him. She trusted him, almost as much as Ron and Harry. "But I don't think I'll be able to go back to sleep now."

"Do you want to walk a little more?"

"Yes. At least if we're moving then we're getting closer to Kara," she said, feeling the sudden urge to move. To do something. Anything. Even if deep down she didn't believe that they'd manage to catch the witch. And if by some miracle they did, then she didn't know how they could force her to remove the bond.

They trudged on, questions and worries circling her mind in an endless carousel.

Please review and tell me what you think :)