Chapter 10 – Jailbreak

"Mya."

"Yeah?"

"What's with the sudden interest in time travel?"

Hermione felt her heart speed up as she realised what Remus had just asked her. The past few days they'd spent most of their time in the common room chatting about friends and family or reading. While she knew that she probably shouldn't read books on time travelling in front of the marauder, she honestly thought that he wouldn't notice. She didn't have a clue what books he was currently reading.

"Oh I just wondered. I guess most muggle-borns think of it at some point."

"Why?"

"Because for years we are brought up to believe that there are certain things that just can't be done. Then suddenly, one day, you find out that all of these impossible things aren't impossible after all. I just wondered how it all works."

She thought that was a pretty good explanation, considering it was all off the top of her head.

"Oh."

Remus didn't believe her. He had gotten to know a bit about Hermione in the past couple of months and she was not the type of girl to get caught up in pointless flights of fancy. If she read about something, it was for a reason. She'd even admitted that the only reason she read muggle fantasy fiction was to compare it to the wizarding world. But he couldn't just accuse her of lying. If she wanted to keep it secret that was her choice. After all, he hadn't exactly told her all of his secrets.

"So how is your mum doing?"

"Great. They love Italy. I just got an owl this morning. They've been there two days and have hardly stopped. They go out all day looking at all the old buildings and museums, and every evening they go out to this little restaurant."

"Is it really a good idea for them to be doing all that walking around?"

Remus looked at Hermione in confusion. "Why wouldn't it be good for them?"

"Doesn't it tire your mother out?"

"No. She's fine. Why would she not be?"

"Well considering 2 weeks ago you had to go home for two days to be with her, and the same a month before. I assumed that whatever illness she had was serious. Too serious to allow for an active holiday."

The werewolf paled at the realisation that he'd told Mya his mum was ill during the last full moon. He'd got his stories mixed up.

"Well at least she's better." Hermione added, sneaking a look at Remus. They'd become close over the past few weeks and she'd hoped that he might confide in her if she gave enough hints. Plus, she desperately wanted to move the focus away from her current choice of reading material.

Remus sat in silence for a few more minutes before closing his book, sick of rereading the same paragraph over and over without actually taking any of it in. He put the book down and sat watching Mya. Contemplating what to tell her.

"It's fairly obvious."

She said it very quietly, barely a whisper. It was almost as if she were trying to say it to him, without actually saying it to him.

"What is?"

Suddenly both students were aware that the comfortable, relaxed feeling in the room had been replaced with a great tension. Hermione looked up in surprise, she hadn't really been talking to him. But when she met his eyes she realised that they were about to have a very serious discussion. One that would risk their friendship, which was not something she was ready to lose. Especially as she had finally accepted that she was gonna be stuck here for a while. She decided to avoid this talk at all costs. It wasn't her place to trick him into telling her something he wasn't ready to tell. So raising her voice and adopting a tone that belied the serious thoughts whooshing around her head, she answered,

"It's fairly obvious that we are wasting our holiday reading and as much as I am enjoying having some time to relax, I think we should really be doing something, anything, that will get us up and moving around. I don't want the other lads accusing me of turning you into a bookworm behind their backs."

Remus visibly relaxed and grinned at her.

"Well come on then Mya, if you're so full of ideas, what should we do?"

Hermione thought quickly before announcing her plan.

"Jailbreak!" With that she jumped up, flung on her robe and grabbed Remus' robe and hand before pulling the startled boy out of the common room and sneaking down to the ground floor. She stage whispered to the highly amused brunette "Now we just need to make it out of the grounds without anyone seeing. Be Very, Very quiet!"

Remus fought back the laughter that was bubbling up at the sight of the usually sensible Mya suddenly acting like, for lack of a better description, James. Joining in the game, he made a quick decision and pulled Hermione over to the secret entrance to Honeydukes. Glancing around he opened the entrance and gently shoved the young witch into the opening.

Once they were a fair way through the tunnel, Hermione burst into laughter, joined soon after by Remus. Hermione hadn't felt like this since she'd arrived in 1973. It was almost as if Harry and Ron were with her, she would never have pulled a stunt like this without them before. But maybe in some way they were with her. Because she couldn't come up with another reason for her sudden uncharacteristic actions.

After a few minutes Remus lead Hermione out through the cellar of Honeydukes and they snuck out the front door before running into the street.

"Freedom!" Hermione giggled as she whirled around laughing in the pouring rain. Remus smiled happily at the excited girl before him, replying, "Freedom sure is a lot wetter and colder than I remember!"

"You're absolutely right! I think we need some butterbeer. Pronto!" Hermione smiled again, exhilarated by the sudden exercise and by getting out of the castle for a while.

"I think we'd best avoid The Three Broomsticks. If any of the professors are in there and we get caught we could be in serious trouble."

"The Hogs Head?" Hermione questioned, not totally certain that she really wanted to go into such a seedy establishment, but understanding that it was really their only other option.

"Sounds like a plan." Remus replied calmly, belying his own nervousness.

Quickly they walked towards the pub, taking a peek through the grimy window for any professors that may be inside, however unlikely the chance was.

As they walked into the pub, Hermione held Remus' arm tightly, not letting go until they'd purchased their drinks and seated themselves at a table in the very back of the bar.

"So… this place is nice." She said quietly.

Remus chuckled at the look on her face.

"Don't worry Mya, there's no-one else in here. We'll be fine."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, taking in the 'décor'. Finally Hermione spoke again.

"Have you heard from the boys?" she asked, eager to hear what her friends were up to at home.

"James wrote to me yesterday. He's having a great time by the sounds of it. He keeps trying to find his mum and dad's present stash. Every year he tears the house apart looking for a glimpse of his presents, but every year he never finds more than one. And personally I reckon his mum leaves that one out to keep him happy."

Hermione laughed at that.

"Have you heard from any of your friends from home yet?" Remus asked, hoping for her sake that she had. None of the boys had asked but Lily had told James that Mya's friends hadn't owled her since she came to Hogwarts. He watched silently as her face adopted an almost mournful look. After a few moments pause the young Gryffindor spoke again, gently saying, "I'm sure they'll write eventually. It is Christmas after all, they're probably really busy with family stuff."

Hermione gave him a tiny smile, saying, "Thank you Remus. But it's fine really. I don't think I'll be hearing from them for a while, but I'm getting used to it. And it really helps having you and the others here. I doubt you'll ever realise quite how much you've helped me adjust. I'm almost scared to leave."

Remus choked on his drink, slammed the glass down to the table and stuttered. "L… l… leave! Why are you leaving? Mya when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me? Can't you stay here at Hogwarts?"

Hermione smiled gently, "I'm not leaving now you great prat! I just meant that eventually, when I do have to leave, I'm going to miss you all so much." There it was again. That ache in her stomach that threatened to break down all her carefully constructed barriers. The feeling that made her want to tell him everything, or burst into tears or even both. Her eyes began to burn with the strain of keeping them free of tears and her cheeks felt as though they were cracking from the constant smile she'd forced on her face.

Remus stared hopelessly at the girl in front of him. He could tell that she desperately wanted to tell him something. The unshed tears in her eyes moved him to reach across the table and hold her hand. He gently stroked her palm with his thumb, muttering comforting words, his whole being urging her to just let it go, let it out, get whatever was hurting her off her mind.

Hermione realised what was happening. Remus was staring deeply into her eyes, and she was drowning in his. His thumb smoothly caressing her palm. He leaned in slowly towards her…