A/N: I believe we'll soon be coming to an end to this fic. Don't know how many chapter are left, it just won't be a lot, maybe 3. Thanks as always to my fantastic and super speedy beta Clover Bay!

Flash Forward

Remus stopped running, his breath coming hard; it had been too long since he had gone for a real run. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed it. Of course, his knees didn't used to ache when he was younger and he could go so much further. Maybe he should make it a regular habit again.

Wiping the sweat and emotion from his face, Remus braced his wrists on his head and walked slowly back to the group; he didn't want to miss Hermione's return. He let his mind wander once again as his feet followed the familiar path.

He sat on the couch, flipping through a random book he had grabbed on his way into the library. Staying at Grimmauld Place was enough to wreak havoc on anyone's mind, but add to that Hermione was now living there too, and Remus had barely any concentration left to speak of.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Hermione stormed into the room, stopping, arms crossed, directing in front of him. Looking up, he nearly flinched at the anger boiling off of her.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked politely, needlessly marking his page.

"Is Ron in here?" she bit out.

"Why on earth would Ron be in the library?" He smiled, relieved when she sagged down next to him.

"Good point." The fury was gone from her in an instant. "Are you enjoying that book? I thought it was a bit prejudice, myself, the way the author describes centaurs."

"Hmm…I would have to agree, but it does contain some useful information; you just need to be able to recognize the difference."

"True. But I much prefer the Monster Book of Monsters, actually. Despite the title and barbaric cover, it's highly accurate. Good graphics too."

Remus chuckled. "I wouldn't have thought that you'd be interested in graphics."

She laughed. "I do enjoy artistry, but when in a textbook, it makes things easier to explain to Ron and Harry. Quicker too."

"I'll have to remember that."

They lapsed into an easy silence.

"Can I ask your opinion?" She shifted nervously.

"Of course." He closed his book again and angled himself on the couch to better see her face.

"Do you think I'm being silly to carry on writing Viktor?"

"…Krum?" He stalled for time to think.

"Yes. You see, I went to the Yule Ball with him and we…spent time together too, quite a few times before he went home."

"Why would that be silly?"

"Ron thinks I'm acting like some twittering fan girl. But I don't care about his Quidditch or fame or any of that nonsense. He's just really very nice. And I don't think he has many true friends."

"Then I think you have your answer," he said honestly, despite the twinge of jealousy in his gut.

Hermione smiled brightly at him. "Thank you Professor Lupin." She gave him a quick hug before whisking away out of the room.

If only she hadn't called him professor, he could have been quite happy in that moment.

He reached Hogwarts, terrified of what he'd find. He had already taken Moody to Saint Mungo's before he knew that Harry and Neville hadn't been alone in the Ministry.

"Remus!" Arthur called down the hallway, ignoring the dirty looks from Madam Pompfrey.

"How are they? What happened? Is everyone alright? Are they alive?"

"Calm down, old chap. Everyone's alive, they'll all heal. There'll be some scars naturally, but-"

"Dammit Arthur! Be more specific. Let me see them!"

"Not until you've calmed down or Poppy will have my head. Sirius is unconscious, Dumbledore was-"

"Able to pull him from the veil, yes I know. I was there. But no one told me the others went with Harry, Hermione-"

"Sorry, sorry. Hermione's not awake yet, but Poppy sorted her out. Nasty little homemade curse, but she'll be just fine. Ron's arms are scarred; he was attacked by some sort of rainbow brain, from what I'm told. Ginny's ankle's mending, as is Luna Lovegood's concussion and Neville's busted nose. Harry, you already know is fine. Well, as far as physical injuries go anyways. All in all, it's a miracle no one was killed."

Remus sagged against the wall. What had they all been thinking? "Can I go in now?"

"Of course, of course." Arthur wrapped an arm around his shoulders and steered him first to Harry. A few short words later and they were on to Sirius.

"Look at him," Remus muttered; his friend looked like hell. "You're certain…"

"I know, Molly and I thought the same. But Dumbledore's not concerned. And I think that's just about the best prognosis you could hope for."

Remus nodded, but took hold of his oldest friend's cool hand.

"Where's Hermione?"

"Other side of the curtain, here." He pulled it back to reveal the bruised girl. "She wants to keep these two close for observation. Although, Dumbledore insists they'll both make full recoveries."

"She looks so small," he whispered, pushing a curl off of her forehead.

"I know. Molly went spare when she saw her, all of them. Too young for such dangerous things. She's still smothering Ron and Ginny."

"Can't spell smothering without mother." They each attempted to grin, but fell short.

"I think I'll be staying. At least until they wake up."

"I'll let Poppy know you're security. Speaking of, Tonks is here."

Remus shrugged and Arthur wandered back to his family. Alone, he slipped his hand around Hermione's and kissed it very softly. Her eyes fluttered open for just a moment and she sighed softly.

"Hello love," he whispered, releasing her hand. Quietly, he pulled a chair between the two beds and relaxed into his seat. It would be a long night, but he would be there when both of them woke up.

Return to the Past

"No," Hermione said flatly.

"Oh, come on," Sirius pushed.

"No."

"Why not?" James asked, crossing his arms.

Hermione sighed. "Just…no."

They both groaned, Sirius throwing his hands up in frustration.

"Give us one good reason," he challenged.

"Fine. You want a reason? Because I don't want to."

"A valid reason," James complained.

"That is valid from my point of view."

"Ugh! Mooney, make her play," Sirius demanded.

"Oh, I don't think that's a wise choice of words," Remus mumbled as Hermione straightened indignantly.

"Make me? Did you say 'make me'?"

"Er…now, just calm down." He put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "That's not how I meant it."

"Oh, please, elaborate. How precisely did you mean it?"

"Well, James and I were merely saying-"

James coughed loudly and glared at his friend.

"Alright fine, I was only asking for Remus' assistance in convincing you. But, obviously you're a grown woman with a mind of your own."

She narrowed her eyes for a moment, then relented. "Thank you."

"Even if you are being a dull old maid about it," he grumbled.

"Excuse me?" She shot to her feet.

"Well you are," Sirius defended. "One time, that's all we're asking."

"And I said 'no', so quit asking."

"Remus!" Sirius turned to face the werewolf, but he was gone. "Where'd he go?"

"Remus?" Hermione called, brow furrowing.

"I'm setting up the game," Remus called back from the kitchen. "Got tired of listening to the arguing.

Hermione threw a glare at Sirius before joining her boyfriend. "I'm sorry. Do you want me to play?"

"I want to spend time with you, but I don't want you to be unhappy."

"I'm not unhappy! I could never be unhappy with you." She hugged him, tickling his neck with her nose. "I'll play if I can be on your team," she conceded sitting beside him.

"You don't have to."

"I want to,' she insisted.

A moment later she rolled her eyes at Lily when Remus threw the boys a not-so-secretive wink. She knew he was trying to trick her, but she had to let him win sometimes, it was only fair. Besides, he had a male ego that she was responsible to keep boosted; Lily understood.

A/N: Thanks for reading, don't forget to review!