The rest of January and February passed normally with one exception. Hermione spent as much time as possible in the school library researching Lycanthropy. However, there was not much to research. Not much was known about Lycanthropy. Either way, every new fact she learned made her see Remus in a new light. Despite the cards being against him, he was kind, compassionate, smart, and best of all, human. Yes, he turned into a Werewolf once a month, but that did not mean that he wasn't human, He still had feelings that humans have and had the same problems. Like alchohol addicton. She knew he expected her to feel disgusted the day he told her that he was once an addict, but she wasn't disgusted. It only reaffirmed that he was human.
She even found herself really liking his 'wolfish parts'. She found it absolutely adorable when he purred. Every time he did, he would slightly blush and rush out 'diversions' to cover his tracks and Hermione would have to desperately try to hide a smile.
Hermione and Remus continued their 'nighttime tea talks' and got to know eachother very well. They knew everything about eachother. Including birthdays.
"What do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow Hermione?" asked Remus.
Hermione blushed.
"I don't want to do anything for my birthday. Technically I'm already fourteen due to the time turner."
Remus chuckled and poked her in her ticklish spot which caused her to squeal.
"Alright we'll do something! Gosh thank goodness my birthday is on a Hogsmead weekend!"
Remus gave a victorious smirk which caused Hermione's breath to catch for a second. That had been happening a lot lately and it left Hermione confused. She knew that her small crush on him was finally fading and the only feelings she had for him were friendly ones. Hermione ignored her reaction and gave a smile back.
"So how is Harry doing? I haven't seen him in a while."
Hermione's smile turned into an annoyed frown.
"He's been just jolly," she said sarcastically.
"He's been going to Hogsmead with us and do you know how? He's been using a stupid, well it's actually quite clever but still, map that allows him to see everyone who is in the castle and it shows him all of the secret passage ways! He refuses to turn it in!"
Even though she was ranting, she was able to see Remus' smile falter for an instant and then was replaced by a curious one.
"A map you say?"
"Yes! In order to use it you have to give a code phrase and everything!"
"I see. Well, I'm sure he's using it carefully."
Hermione harrumphed and took a sip of her tea.
"Well, all I know is is that he should turn it in and be done with it."
The conversation turned to other things and was seemingly forgotten for the moment.
OOO
Remus waved said goodbye and closed the door after Hermione. He went to his bedroom and lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling contemplatively.
How in the hell did he get a hold of it?
Even though he was confused and slightly worried, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride. The invention of the Marauders Map was an ingenious invention and now Harry was using it. Yes, he felt a bit of pride. His thoughts turned to Hermione. His wolf purred. He had been doing that a lot lately. Sometimes Remus would purr out loud in front of Hermione and he would have to rush and cover his tracks.
'My scent. Mine.'
"Shut it Moony." said Remus out loud. His wolf's possesiveness of Hermione was starting to annoy him. And it made him feel ashamed. She was just a fourteen year old and he was thirty.
Normally, their difference in age never bothered him. His friendship with her was the best one he's had since his Marauder years before the War. He knew almost everything about her and she him. He loved being around her because it was easy and it made him feel good. He even told her about his addiction and how he came to be a professor there at Hogwarts. With her it was easy to confide things. Yes, let's see how easy it would be afterwards if you told her about your condition. She'd run for the hills. She'd hate me. No, he would never tell her about his Lycanthropy. The thought of losing her...was painful; the thought about her hating him caused his gut to clench.
Unable to stand the way his thoughts were going he stood up and walked out of the room and out of his office. A walk to clear the mind was in order.
OOO
Harry silently followed the map. His breath was coming in silent pants. How could Pettigrew be on the map if he had been dead for twelve and a half years? It was common knowledge that Sirius Black, Azkaban escapee, had not only killed twelve muggles but killed one of his friends, Peter Pettigrew. A noise made his heart thump. He held his wand higher in order to see better. He could see nothing. He look down at the map again. Pettigrew should be right in front of him. He looked up and again saw nothing. Confused he looked back at the map and then gasped. Snape was heading in his direction.
Quickly muttering a "nox" and a "mischief managed", he moved to back against the wall but bumped into something firm. Suddenly a light was flashed at his face. Even though he could not see, he knew who it was behind the light and wand.
"Well what do we have here? Out of bed after curfew Potter? Such a shame, just like your father."
Harry glared hatefully at the insult but kept silent.
"What is that you have in your hands Potter?"
Harry rushed to think of something good to tell the 'hateful bat of the dungeons'.
"It's just a parchment."
"Really. Reveal your secrets," Snape pointed his lit up wand at the parchment in Harry's hands and reavealed a written message.
"Read it."
"Sir-"
"I said read it you imbecile!" Snape snarled. Harry cleared his throat and looked down to read.
"Messers Moony, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs say hello to Severus Snape and also say to keep in abnormally large and oily nose out of other people's business."
The look on Snape's face would have melted all of the North Pole.
"Why you impudent son of a-"
"Professor Snape," said a voice. Harry and Sanpe turned to look and found Lupin standing there. Snape gave a wicked smile.
"Hello Lupin, taking a moonlight stroll are we?" he sneered. Remus gave a smirk and turned his gaze to Harry.
"Are you alright Harry?" he questioned. Before he could answer, Snape answered instead.
"I have caught him out of be after curfew obviously and have found him in possesion of a dark item. Here, take a look." He snatched the map out of Harry's hands and thrusted it to Lupin. Lupin read the message and snickered before giving a friendly smile that was obviously fake to Snape.
"Really professor, it doesn't look dark at all. Why it's probably a Zonko product. You know how these young boys are about Zonko's. Right Harry?" He gave Harry a pointed glance.
"Yes professor Lupin. Ron got it for me as a gift since I cannot go to Hogsmead."
Snape was silent.
"There now, now that this is all settled, I shall take over from here. Come Harry," Lupin had a firm grasp on Harry's upper arm and Harry followed. Lupin took him to his office and shut the door firmly behind him then gave Harry a scowl that had Harry gulping.
"What the hell were you thinking Harry Potter. Do you know what you did was incredibly stupid? I know you know what this is," Lupin held up the map, "but what I know you failed to think about is what would happen if this fell into the wrong hands!"
Harry looked at the floor slightly ashamed. Then a thought hit him.
"Sir, there was a very good reason why I was up and out of bed. You see, earlier this evening I saw somone on the map that I should not have seen." He looked at Lupin straight in the eyes.
"And who would that be?" He looked expectantly at Harry
"Peter Pettigrew," he answered. Lupin frowned.
"No. No, that's not possible."
Harry shrugged.
"I really did see him on the map. May I go now sir?"
Lupin nodded absently and Harry turned to walk out the room. He walked slowly just in case Lupin had more to say to him. When he was sure that Lupin was not going to call him back, he walked briskly out of his office and rushed back to his bed. He and his friends now had a mystery to solve.
A/N: SO I WAS REALLY INSPIRED TO WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER :) LET ME KNOW HOW I DID :) SO HERMIONE'S BIRTHDAY SCENE IS COMING UP NEXT. HMM, I WONDER WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? :P WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WON'T WE? AND FYI, NO, HERMIONE IS NOT FALLING IN LOVE WITH OUR DEAR REMUS JUST YET. SHE JUST HAPPENS TO FIND CERTAIN THINGS ATTRACTIVE ABOUT HIM AND CAN'T HELP HER BODY'S REACTIONS TO THEM. WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE RIGHT? I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WHENEVER I LOOK INTO HIS EYES MY HEART ALWAYS BEATS FASTER. BUT I DON'T HAVE MORE THAN PLATONIC FEELINGS FOR HIM. I JUST FIND HIS BLUE EYES ATTRACTIVE ;)
