Written for Harry Potter Halloween Collection Challenge - October Event.

Prompt used: Creepy

His Past is Her Future

Her Amusement

The next morning, Hermione woke up to knocking on the door. Keeping the cover wrapped tightly around her, she called for Remus to come in.

He walked in, freezing at the sight of her huddled under the cover. "Are you alright?" he asked, rushing to her side. "Feeling worse? Do you need a pain potion?"

Hermione shook her head. "I can wait," she mumbled. "Just too comfortable."

Remus grinned. "Yeah, I agree with you there," he said, perching on the end of the bed. "Should I come back in later?"

"Actually, since I was able to get up and about yesterday, I'd really like to take a shower today, maybe do some walking," Hermione suggested, snuggling further into the pillow.

Remus chuckled. "Are you sure? You seem quite attached to that pillow."

"So soft and comfortable," Hermione repeated.

"Yeah, the pillow has a few cushioning and softening charms on it," Remus told her. "It's the perfect pillow."

She sat up, scratching her neck. "Cleaning charms are never quite right," she muttered. "Is there something on your mind?"

"I was just curious actually," Remus said. "I'm just wondering how you ended up at the lake?"

Hermione was silent for a moment, realising that it wasn't time to tell Remus the truth just yet.

"I was... somewhere and was being hurt- tortured. My friend, my old Professor... well, he found me. He stopped it. He told me he was going to send me somewhere safe, that I'd be found by people who would protect me, who would help me. Just as he was sending me, people burst through the wards he set on the room, and he was... possibly killed. I was hit with a slicing hex of some sort just before I was transported away."

"But the only person who ever goes down to the lake is me?" Remus murmured, mostly to himself. "Was it someone I know, or were the calculations off, sending you to the wrong place?"

Hermione looked down at the bedsheets. "He's not the type to make mistakes," she said. "I don't know why I was sent to the lake - I wasn't expecting this, but he made a good judgement, sending me to you. Because who else would have saved me and protected me like you?"

Remus couldn't help but smile shyly at her.

"As for where I was before... right now, that's between me and the Headmaster," Hermione said. "I can't talk about it... but I promise to tell you one day. Don't be mad at me," she whispered the last bit, worried that Remus would be annoyed that she hadn't told him.

Remus was pensive, his gaze on the bedcovers. "I trust you," he said after a moment, meeting her gaze. "I trust Dumbledore too. I can wait to know."

"I trust you too," Hermione whispered. "More than I can explain."

Remus' smile widened as he heard the truth in her words. "I'm glad that you trust me too," he told her. "Right, let's get you up and to the bathroom."

...oOo...

"Can you manage?" Remus asked. "I mean, undoing your bandages?" He gestured towards where her bandages were.

"Why? Are you offering to undo them?" Hermione looked amused for a moment.

Remus was a bit confused - he couldn't work out why was Hermione so amused at the suggestion.

"Yeah, if you need me too," he said. "Aren't they awkward to undo by yourself?"

She let out a small giggle, confusing Remus even more. "You want to unwrap the bandages covering my chest?"

His gaze moved down to the bandages for a moment before he realised exactly where he was looking, and exactly what Hermione meant. He couldn't help but blush, because the answer was still yes.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking... I mean, I could get my mum..." he quickly backed out of the room.

"Remus, I'll be fine," Hermione said, trying to stop the laughter. "But I may need help re-wrapping them afterwards. Maybe your mum will help me?"

Remus nodded his head and quickly left the room, blushing more when Hermione giggled behind him.

When he returned to Hogwarts, he would need Sirius to teach him just how to be smooth! He was certain that he was coming across as creepy or weird.

At the thought of his friends, Remus realised that he hadn't replied to the last message - it had been five days now, he headed to the bedroom to write a letter.

Prongs/Padfoot.

Sorry I haven't replied. I've been looking after Hermione. She's actually really nice and sweet.

Dumbledore stopped by yesterday and he's accepted her into Hogwarts, so she'll be in our year. I'm thinking she'll end up in Ravenclaw, from our conversations, it's clear just how smart she is.

Because of her stay, I won't be coming up for the last week of the holiday, I'll be spending it at home, helping her recover. She was tortured, and I can't abandon her when she needs someone - after what she's been through. She's lost so much!

Maybe we could meet one of the days before heading back?

I'm trying to work out what to do about the full-moon tonight! Maybe she won't notice that I'm not around? Any thoughts?

Moony

Review Please :)