XI. March 27, 1996 – April 9, 1996

Hermione had spent most of the new term, not studying for her classes but corresponding with Remus. She continued with her studies nevertheless, but instead of spending her extra time studying and reading ahead, she spent talking with Remus. He was unlike any boy she had ever met. He was funny, witty, sensitive, caring. Despite her thoughts against it, she found herself falling in love with him and she didn't know how to stop it. She tried an experiment one evening when he asked to see a picture of her. She used cut out herself from a picture of her, Harry and Ron and used the Sticking Charm to paste it to the paper. She was careful not to put Harry in because she knew his striking similarities to James would raise many questions she didn't want to answer.

But sure enough, the picture sunk into the paper and he said he had gotten it. He did the same with a picture of him, Sirius, James and Peter all sitting underneath a tree by the lake. She smiled when she saw them waving up at her. Remus looked so young. He looked so carefree, less scarred. She couldn't stop smiling when she looked at it. She decided to take it with her when she went to classes so she stuck it in a pocket inside her book bag.

One evening he requested something else of her.

'Will you go on an adventure with me?'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean, let's go for a walk.'

'How?'

'Do you trust me, Hermione?'

'Yes.'

'Then get some extra sheets of paper and go down to the Great Hall.'

'But it's after hours. I'll get in trouble.'

'Oh, Hermione, you can't tell me there's no way to get out of bed. Just do it. Take a chance once and a while.'

She stared at the writing before her and took a deep breath in. She quietly tip toed out of her dormitory and up to the boys'. She opened the door as silently as possible careful not to wake up her snoozing classmates. She quietly walked to Harry's side of the room and crouched down next to his trunk. She slowly reached in and pulled out the swishy weightless material and threw it over herself. She was almost at the door when someone began to talk.

"Who's there?" someone said. Hermione froze and carefully turned around to see who had spoken. It was Ron. He was sitting up in his bed with his arms raised in a fighting position. His eyes were closed. He yawned sleepily and then fell back onto the bed snoring loudly. She felt her pulse lower and she quietly left the dormitory and rushed out the portrait hole and downstairs to the Great Hall.

'Ok, I'm here. What are we going to do?'

'I want to show you my favorite places in the castle. You ready?'

'Yeah, let's go.'

'Alright, first go out of the castle and make your way to the Quidditch pitch.'

Quietly, she followed his directions. The spring air was chilly but not terribly cold. The moon was almost full, and she knew she'd go through a period without speaking to him. He had never told her about his mysterious disappearances once a month, but he didn't need to, for Hermione already knew. She hated those times because it would be three days before she could talk to him. Those three days were murderous for her.

'I'm nearing the Quidditch pitch.'

'Good. Now make your way to the northern quadrant.'

'Ok I'm there. Now enter the teacher's seats and sit in the first row, second seat over.'

She moved to where he told her and sat down in his particular seat. She looked out onto the black field. It was lit by the light from the moon casting a cool glow on the goals and the posts.

'It's beautiful here.'

'Hermione?'

'Yes?'

'I'm sitting right next to you.'

She smiled and looked to her left. He hadn't told her which seat he was in, but she knew he was sitting there. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to have him actually sitting next to her. He'd put her arm around her and she'd nuzzle up to his chest. He'd be playing with the curls in her hair and she'd look up at his calm and collected face. She shook herself out of her reverie and looked back at the parchment.

'When you're done here, walk towards the lake.'

She followed his instructions and left the Quidditch pitch and made her way down to the lake. The water was crystal clear and reflected the night sky in its depths.

'I've never really looked at it during the night. It's enchanting.'

'It really is isn't it?'

'Where are you standing?'

'On the north side under the large elm tree.'

'Stay there. I'm coming to stand with you.'

She walked over to where he was standing and imagined his arms around her as they looked out at the water.

'Now follow me down to the large tree on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest.'

'

As she walked she imagined her holding his hand.

'Now pick up a long branch and poke the knot at the trunk of the tree.'

She followed his instructions and immediately the tree stopped swinging. She knew what the tree's purpose was, but he didn't know she knew. She didn't ask him to explain it to her.

'Walk around to the back and look near the bottom.'

As she did, she saw words being etched into the bark.

"Thanks for joining me on this walk together," it read. She smiled then turned back to the paper.

'You're welcome.'

'I have one last place for you.'

They snuck back into the castle and Hermione followed his directions through the corridors. She wasn't sure where she was going.

'Watch out for Peeves on the sixth floor.'

'How did you know he was here?'

'He loves the sixth floor.'

'He wasn't there.'

'Then he must be off tormenting the House Elves in the kitchens.'

'Where are we going?'

'It's a surprise. Now make a right and open the door and go up to the top of the stairs.'

'Alright, but you're starting to scare me.'

'I told you it was going to be an adventure. Take a little risk in your life, Hermione.'

After climbing up the spiral stairs she ended on a heavy door.

'Now, close your eyes and open the door. Then take five steps forward and open your eyes.'

With her heart pounding she did what he told her. And when she opened her eyes she let out a sigh of amazement. They were on top of the astronomy tower which overlooked the entire grounds. She stood awestruck for a few moments taking in the entire scene. She could see the Quidditch pitch where she had just been, and the lake, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest. She looked up at the sky and saw about a million little stars. She could even make out the Milky Way. And as she stood looking out at the scenery, she could imagine him standing next to her kissing her. This would have been the perfect moment.

'This spot is my favorite.'

'I thought you'd like it. It's my favorite too.'

'I wish you were here with me.'

'I am Hermione. I'm always here with you.'

'Thank you for taking me here tonight. I had a great time.'

'You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it.'

She smiled as she read this and closed her eyes imagining his face and thinking what it would be like to be standing there kissing him.