Greetings Everyone! Please review this chapter, and I hope you like it! I just got a HUGE muse for another fanfic, so I'm pretty excited to show you guys that one…Anyways, tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter world.
Hermione's POV
It was easy to say that Hermione spent most of her time in the Room of Requirement. Most of the time it transformed itself into her childhood bedroom, but it also changed into another library, seeing as Hermione had read most of the books in the Hogwarts Library. The room had even turned into a wide vast field, letting Hermione taste the outdoors without the risks. However, it was never quite the same. The smells were different and the sky glittered unnaturally, shattering Hermione's dreams.
Today however, Hermione grumbled up the stairs to the Room of Requirement, with Khons right on her trail. She stood in front of the door and closed her eyes for a single moment, a technique she was an expert in. Hermione opened her eyes and before her was a small door, one she was not familiar with. She glanced down at Khons, who purred a reply and padded towards the door. She smiled as she followed that cat and slowly turned the door knob.
The room was large and tall, and the first thing Hermione noticed was the amount of things that were in the room. Piles and piles of books stacked nearly ten times the size of Hermione lined the walls. Broken chairs and tables were haphazardly thrown into random piles that were nearly as high as the books. The smell of the room was musty and old, obviously apparent that no one had been in here for a long time. Broken Potion bottles laid limply on the ground, causing Hermione to cringe when Khons sprinted out in front of her and ran down the small path disappearing into the piles of clutter. Hermione groaned loudly as she looked around. And odd feeling plagued her, and she desperately desired to be gone.
"Khons!" Hermione hissed at her cat. "Come here!" She stomped her foot down impatiently. The room was definitely giving her a bad feeling. Eventually, the cat made its way towards her, walking slowly with a small mouse hanging from its mouth. Hermione cringed at the sight and made her way out of the door with the cat following her closely. Hermione shut the door to the room and leaned against it, her heart beating fast. She wasn't sure what was drawing her to the room, but she had a hunch that it wasn't anything good.
Remus' POV
Remus was marking down the days till Hermione was to visit him. It had felt like it had been forever since he had last seen her, but soon enough she was to be coming the next day and he was ecstatic to see her. His mother frantically ran around the house cleaning it the muggle way, seeing as Remus' father was at work, and Remus was still underage. The Lupin household hardly saw any guests since Remus was bitten. It was a miracle that they had lived in this specific home for nearly seven years. After Remus was bit, to avoid the obvious detection of his lycanthropy, the Lupin family moved from home to home often. That pattern eventually stopped once Remus started school at Hogwarts. Being gone from your home nine months out of the year took away a lot of the suspicions your neighbors may have. It also helped that there wasn't anyone that lived within five miles of the Lupins. Seclusion and secrecy were necessary for someone with lycanthropy. To even think about living a semi-normal life with lycanthropy was unrealistic, and it always sent Remus on edge.
He paced around his small kitchen, and then paced around in his small living room. He dragged himself up his small steps and into his small bedroom. He moved around the small hallway and then back down his small steps before residing in his small living room. It was all so…small. Hope must have realized something was wrong, because she stopped cleaning and walked into the living room, with her hands on her hip she raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Remus dryly asked and Hope let out a laugh before she rolled her eyes.
"Care to share why you are moping around the house?" She cocked her hip out and crossed her arms.
"I'm not." Remus lied and his mother let out another dry laugh before she through the dish towel at Remus. It hit his chest and slowly fell to the floor. Remus sighed and picked it up.
"Spill it, Remus." His mother pressed and he shrugged. "Remus, you're just like you're father, its okay to show a bit of emotion every once in a while." She emphasized as she sat down next to him. The truth was that Remus didn't like showing any more emotion than necessary. He already felt like a burden enough, he didn't want anyone to have to pitty him for other things as well.
"James' house is large and extravagant and amazing. He lives in a bloody mansion for Merlin's sake," Remus shook his head as he threw up his arms in defeat. He rubbed his temple and his mother gave him a knowingly sigh. "We—we live here." Remus gestured his hands around the house.
His house wasn't anything to be ashamed of. He was actually quite fond of it in his own way. It was small and cozy, but it always felt like a home. In fact, the only part of the house Remus particularly didn't like was the basement, and that was due to the numerous full moon's spent down there.
"And you don't think she'll like it here?" Hope raised an eyebrow and Remus nodded his head slowly.
"I'm afraid she'll hate it here." Remus confessed, still not making up eye contact. He felt his mother place a reassuring hand on his back and she squeezed him tightly.
"Remus, do you like this girl?" Hope asked.
"I love her," Remus responded instantly and he felt his mother go rigid next to him. He turned to look at her finally and Hope gave him a tight smile and nodded. His mother tried to hide the shock in her face, but it was pointless. Her tight smile faded into a softer one and she planted a kiss on her son's cheek before pulling away and smiling up at him.
"Remus, if she's as wonderful as what you say, you could be homeless and she wouldn't think any less of you." Hope said after a moment, and Remus nodded his head slowly. "And if I'm being completely honest, they don't deserve you if they are the slightest bit ashamed of you." Hope added as she pulled her son into a hug.
Remus shook his head and smirked, "You'll love her; I know you will." Remus said finally as he planted a kiss on his mother's forehead.
Hermione's POV
Hermione had all of her bags packed for Remus a complete thirty-six hours ahead of time; she really had nothing else to do. Dumbledore had situated a plan for Hermione to leave only just that morning. Hermione was to be escorted from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley by an Order member, and then she'd meet with Remus.
Hermione was beyond nervous. She had bitten down on her bottom lip raw, and she paced all throughout the castle. Relieved when it was finally time to go, she quickly walked up to Dumbledore's office and hissed the password to the Gargoyle before heading up the stairs.
She heard the chattering before she reached the door.
"Ah, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore greeted the girl with arms wide open, beckoning her to step further into his office. Hermione noticed the two Prewett twins lounging in both the chairs. Fabian noticed her first and gave her a friendly smile, Gideon followed suit soon after.
"Mr. and Mr. Prewett here will be escorting you to Diagon Alley. I think you should see them quite fit for the job." Dumbledore explained to Hermione, who only nodded. "Please be safe Ms. Granger, I'm due to expect you back in a week?" Dumbledore clarified and Hermione nodded.
"Goodbye," Hermione awkwardly told the old wizard, who merely smiled at her.
"We'll take good care of her," Fabian grinned as he put an arm around Hermione's shoulders. Gideon followed suit and lead her out the door. Once the door to Dumbledore's office was shut, Hermione cleared her throat.
"Do you two always travel in a pair?" Hermione asked dryly as she raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," both of the twins said at once, causing the three of them to burst into giggles.
"What have you done to get yourself locked up in here?" Gideon questioned.
"I heard a rumor that you like to pick fights with certain Death Eaters?" Fabian smirked as he raised an eyebrow. Hermione rolled her eyes and stared at both twins. Now that she got an actual look at them, they didn't look as much like the Weasley twins as she had originally thought. They were both a bit leaner than Fred and George had ever been. Their hair was more reddish brown than orange, and they lacked the galaxy of freckles that had plagued the Weasley twins.
"I do not pick fights with Death Eaters!" Hermione hissed at the twins as they walked down the castle corridors. "Death Eaters pick fights with me!"
"Always the victim," Gideon sighed dramatically causing Hermione to scoff.
"It doesn't matter if you pick fights with them anyways," Fabian said and Hermione raised a brow.
"Yeah, we heard you could hold your own quite well." Gideon grinned and Hermione blushed, wondering who told her about the duels.
"I manage," She retorted quickly, causing both the twins to laugh. The rest of the way carried on like this; friendly conversation and numerous jokes.
"Where are we going from Hogsmeade?" Hermione wondered, she had heard the basis of the plan, but she didn't know the details. Hermione enjoyed the sunlight that poured onto her skin; it had been too long since she had felt its warmth.
"Apparating to Diagon Alley," Fabian announced as they walked into the nearly deserted village. The twins must have noticed Hermione's face pale, because they shared a glance and chuckled.
"I take it Dumbledore didn't tell you?" Gideon smirked.
"And I take it you don't like to apparate?" Fabian finished with an equally as mischievous smirk.
"You'd be correct," Hermione choked out faintly, trying to hide the deepening nauseating feeling that grew deep within her. The twins shrugged and Fabian stepped closer to her.
"Ready?" Fabian grinned as he held out an arm to Hermione. She reluctantly took it and sighed.
"Meet you there," Gideon grinned and then with a loud snapping sound, he disappeared. Hermione was about to say something to Fabian, when she felt a familiar tug on her stomach, and then tightly closed her eyes.
When she opened them, she was definitely in Diagon Alley. It was great being out in public. Dumbledore had been a bit stricter in the past week, and she hardly was able to leave the castle. It killed her to not socialize with others and be locked up in the castle. She had no idea what it would have been like to be Sirius, locked up in Azkaban for twelve years, then forced to be imprisoned in your own home for the last few years of your life. It wasn't much different than in her own time, a few stores were different and the structure of the shops were a little off, but other than that it was exactly how she remembered it. She could feel her stomach do flips as she took in the world around her. Fabian and Gideon were talking next to her, but Hermione wasn't listening, only desperately trying to not vomit.
"Hermione!" A familiar voice snapped Hermione's attention away from herself as her head lifted up quickly. Remus was waving at her frantically, a wide grin spread across his face. He sprinted up to her and wrapped both of his arms around her tightly, lifting her up and twirling her around. Hermione struggled against his chest as she felt a sudden upheaval. Remus didn't get the hint until it was too late, because as soon as he let go, Hermione retched forward and vomited. All over Remus shoes.
"Oi, I'll get that!" Gideon announced as he flicked his wand down at Remus' feet and muttered, "scourgify."
"Thanks," Remus replied politely and Gideon nodded his head happily. Hermione cringed as she looked up at Remus, embarrassment embedded in her face. He smirked at her then let out a chuckle.
"Not the most romantic reunion, but I'm glad you're here." He said thoughtfully, causing Hermione too blush. "Are you feeling alright?" He added a bit hastily, checking over Hermione a bit more protectively this time, causing the twins to laugh.
"I'm fine, not very used to apparating is all." She explained quickly, sharing a glance with Fabian. On her words, Remus pulled Hermione into a tight hug and kissed her forehead, holding her tight into his chest for a few moments. When she was with Remus, she was at home. It was different with him; it was like she had a familiarity with him. Something in this time that was rare. Remus was a constant; he had always been there for here.
"I've missed you." He admitted and Hermione giggled into his chest.
"I missed you as well," She laughed and he kissed her forehead again.
"Er—That'll be our cue, Fabian." Gideon smiled at the happy couple and elbowed his brother in the ribs. Fabian rolled his eyes at his brother, but slapped a hand on Remus' back and patted it.
"Make sure to write and owl to the Order when you get back to your house safely," Fabian warned a bit seriously and Hermione nodded her head.
"We will," Remus answered for her. The two parted with the twins and continued their way further down Diagon Alley.
"I'm surprised Dumbledore let me travel alone with you, he's becoming a bit stricter." Hermione noted as they passed a few familiar shops.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the Order was trailing us. It'd make sense, wouldn't you think?" Remus questioned and Hermione frowned. She didn't like the idea of being followed, even if it was by the Order. The urge to tell Remus about the upcoming Horcrux news rose in Hermione's throat, but she held back. That was a topic to be spoken in complete privacy, not in the middle of Diagon Alley. Hermione muttered an answer as Remus made his way through the crowd toward the Leaky Cauldron.
"Are we flooing from the Leaky Cauldron?" Hermione raised a brow as entered the dingy inn.
"Yes, you don't mind, do you?" He asked hastily and Hermione shook her head.
"I'm just wondering as to why I didn't floo directly from Dumbledore's office," Hermione frowned and Remus blushed.
"I sort of figured you could use some time in the world, after being trapped inside Hogwarts." He shrugged and Hermione jumped at him and wrapped her arms around him tightly, squeezing as if she'd never let go.
"So you got me out of the castle?" She raised a brow.
"I may have mentioned that it would easier to track you if you were to floo directly from Dumbledore's office." Remus shrugged with a smile. Hermione stared at him in awe.
Remus grinned and handed her the address and nudged her into the fireplace.
"You want me to go first?" She quirked a brow at Remus, who sheepishly nodded his head.
"I don't want to leave you here alone," He admitted and Hermione rolled her eyes as she cleared her throat and spoke the address.
The Lupin house was much different than the Potter Manor. The first thing Hermione noticed was the cozy appeal, it was comforting and warm.
Much like Remus, Hermione thought happily as she smiled at the small living area. She looked around and saw small steps of stairs towards the right of her and a kitchen that was just beyond a wall in front of her. She heard cluttering in the kitchen, and a woman humming. Remus entering the room brought her attention back to him, and she grinned widely.
"What?" He asked a bit hesitantly, and Hermione shrugged biting her lip in a weak attempt to keep herself from smiling like an idiot.
"Remus, is that you?" A woman's voice called from the kitchen area and Hermione froze. With her eyes wide and her mouth slightly opened she turned to Remus frantically.
"What if she hates me?" Hermione hissed quietly as she looked over her shoulder towards the kitchen.
"She won't," Remus said in a casual tone, causing Hermione to inhale sharply at him. She grasped him by his elbow and squeezed it tightly, purely out of nerves.
"But what if she does!" Hermione hissed again, but Remus' attention wasn't on Hermione anymore.
"Ah, mum—this is Hermione," Remus said brightly as he motioned between the two women. Hermione turned towards Hope Lupin slowly, a nervous smile was planted on her face.
"Hello, Mrs. Lupin. Pleasure to meet you," Hermione's voice shook as she stuck out a hand anxiously. Hope Lupin was a short woman who had the same friendly smile as Remus. Her eyes were a soft brown and her hair was pulled back into a bun on the top of her head. She reached out her arm and smiled tightly at Hermione.
"Just Hope, dear." She told Hermione, who blushed. "And it's very nice to meet you as well; Remus hasn't shut up about you since he got back from school." Hope snorted a laugh and put her hands on her hip.
"Mum—," Remus warned and all of Hermione's anxiety faded as Remus blushed.
"Please go on," Hermione pressed as she followed Hope into the kitchen. Remus trailed after the two women, his face paling.
"The brightest witch I've ever met!" Hope said in a deep voice, mocking her son. Hermione doubled over in laughter as she raised an eyebrow at Remus, who blushed and shrugged sheepishly. "Remus said that you're related to er—muggles?" Hope raised a brow at Hermione. "I'm a muggle you see," She added hastily to Hermione.
It annoyed Hermione to not be able to tell the truth, it would be nice to relate to someone. She bit the inside of her cheek and nodded, deciding to go along with the lie she had created. "Yes, my father was a muggle, and my mother a witch." Hermione said, quickly glancing at Remus, who softly nodded his head.
"I heard what happened to your family, Hermione. I'm terribly sorry," Hope exclaimed quickly as she beckoned Hermione over to her and pulled the girl into a comforting hug. Hermione melted into the woman. It had been a long time since she had felt the nurturing touch of a mother. She willed the tears in her eyes to disappear before Hope pulled away from the hug.
~Until Next Time~
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