Hello everyone, I am back again with a new chapter. YAY! I just want to thank all new and returning followers seeing the notices pop up in my e-mails make me so very happy. Right on with the chapter because that is enough from me. ENJOY!

Allons-y

It had been four days since they fought and Remus had been in a foul mood ever since. His usual disheveled look had evolved into an unkempt mess. To make things worse people were now afraid of him. After the events with Peter, he had heard whispers. People thought he was a rabid animal that could attack at any moment; they finally saw the monster that he was. The hollowness in his chest had gnawed and festered within in him adding salt to his already open wounds. Remus wanted to see her, but he felt eminence guilt for the way he had left things. Only her forgiveness could lift the weight from his shoulders. Not that he had done anything to earn it…yet. Remus hated himself for causing her more pain. He was supposed to be protecting her instead; he only caused her more hurt. He'd been pacing around the boys dormitory for the better part of the night, going over everything repeatedly.

"You're going to wear a hole in the floor Moony just go and see her, the worst she can do is tell you to piss off. If it helps she asked about you today" James was lounging on his bed snapped Remus from his destructive thoughts. They had been to see Hermione before dinner, in fact they had done so every day since they'd found out where she was. She asked about him, did she want to see him? Had she wondered where he'd been? Was she ready to talk to him again? The other side of that of course could be she wanted to tell him that they were over.

"What did she say?" Remus tried not to sound too keen for the answer, though in his heart he was going to be hanging on James' every word.

"She asked if you were ok and if we'd seen you" James' inability to be articulate was frustrating. Was that really all she had said or was there more?

"Prongs I need to borrow the cloak"

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It had been four days. Four days since Remus' visit. Four days since he beat Peter. Four days since he had spoken to her and Hermione had, had enough. Come hell or high water she was leaving the infirmary today, and her first port of call was to find the wolf and give him a verbal bitch slap so hard his ancestors will feel it. He came, ranting like an egotistical moron chest puffed thinking he could control her, when realistically everything she had done up to this point was to save his life. Well not just his but that was beside the point. To make matters worse beating Peter like that would give the rat a reason to hold a bigger grudge against his former friends and Hermione. Honestly was he so thick that he could not see the ramifications of his actions. Every day she moved through the motions, taking her potions, doing her homework and plotting what she would say to Remus when she got the chance. The creaking of the hospital wing doors echoed through the room snapping Hermione from her thoughts. What possible concoction could Madame Pomfrey possibly have for her at this hour? As the partitions opened, Hermione was confused as they had seemingly moved on their own.

"Who's there?"

"Hi beautiful" his voice rang out in the silence. He had finally gathered enough of the Gryffindor courage to face her. The other option of course was James and Sirius had forced him into coming. She

"Don't hi beautiful me Remus John Lupin, come out this instant" she strained trying to tell where he was. It was hardly fair that he had the cloak; she would have to talk to James about that later. His voice had been so low and brittle that she wondered if he was fighting to keep himself composed.

"In a minute, I just want to look at you for a moment"

"That doesn't sound creepy at all" a small chuckle came from the foot of the cot. Hermione was not trying to be humorous. She imagined the smile on the young wolfs face. Her feelings betrayed her as she took pleasure in his laughter. Shaking the image from her mind Hermione tried to remember that she was mad at him. He'd forbidden her to try to save his life.

"What I meant is I want to see you without pity, in your eyes" as quickly as the pleasure had come it was gone. He honestly though she would pity him for what he had done. Clearly, he had not taken the time to get to know his girlfriend. Hermione knew the look he was talking about, it was the same look she had encountered for many years.

"I promise when you come out you will not see pity on my face" and with that Remus left the security of the cloak. The boy that stood in front of her took Hermione aback. He looked as though he had not showered or slept in days. He reminded her so much of the older weathered Remus from her timeline. He was missing the spark Hermione had come to know, in that moment all the pain and anger Hermione had accumulated towards him washed away. Hermione had spent so much time festering on the anger that she forgot to look in front of her. Was he stupid? Absolutely. Did he deserve to be hexed into next week? In her opinion yes, yes he did. Was she going to add more pain and guilt to Remus's already full plate? No, Hermione was not going to do that instead, she was going to give him another option, it would be completely his choice to take it or not. "It's good to see you"

"Please Hermione don't pretend like you are happy to see me" Hermione moved her legs to make room for him to sit. He hesitantly accepted. Reaching for his hands Hermione wanted to reassure him that this was not an act that she was genuinely happy to see him. He recoiled from her touch. Did he really think so lowly of her?

"Who said I am pretending to be happy Remus"

"We both know you are unhappy, with me after everything that happened I'm sure you want to tear me a new one" this had been true. There had been so much unsaid it would take some time to work through it and it would not be easy, but Hermione was willing to do the work. Only if she had a willing participant in Remus.

"Do you still want to be my boyfriend? It is as simple as that. If no then we can try to be friends, because I cannot imagine my life without you in it. The other option is that we stay together. This will involve a certain level of trust. You cannot be protective idiot who forbids me to try to save his goddamned life. You also cannot beat someone every time things get hard. You Remus John Lupin are completely and utterly frustrating in the way that I cannot hate you because I love you. Therefore, if I am still your girlfriend I deserve at the very least an apology"

"You're right you deserve that at the very least. I understand that you are protecting all of us past and future but Hermione I worry about who is protecting you. Forbidding you to do anything is pointless, you will do what you are going to do and I love you for it. If you can ever forgive me Hermione, I would still like to be your boyfriend"

"I am all in Remus; this is the final chance for us" Hermione meant this deep down in her bones. This also meant that whatever was going on between Sirius and herself had to stop. Being perfectly honest Hermione wasn't even sure what it was between her and Sirius. What she did know was to give into Sirius would be an invitation to be hurt. He was like an open flame, warm, fascinating to watch but if you get to close, you will be burnt. Hermione was not going to be burnt. Instead, she had the smart, considerate and brave Remus and she was going to be happy. Because he made her happy.

"I understand. If you don't mind I would like to give you a kiss now"

"I think that would be alright"

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She was finally leaving the hospital wing today, with both Dumbledore's and Madame Pomfrey's permission. Hermione had spent a grand total of seven days three hours and forty-eight minutes in the infirmary. It was in her humble opinion seven days three hours and forty-seven minutes too long. She missed the simple things like her own bed and hot showers with somewhat decent pressure. Hermione was positively jumping out of her skin when Poppy finally made her over to her (forty-nine minutes). Her face mirrored the same frustration that Hermione was currently feeling, as she looked over her paperwork once more (fifty minutes).

"Well Miss Granger you are free to go, I am satisfied with your recovery. You can tell your friends that too, they have been pestering me every five minutes for the last hour. I hope you don't take it harshly dear but I will be glad to be rid of you because it means they will leave also" something told Hermione that she truly meant that statement. Something the Marauders knew how to do better than most was pestering, pranking and irritating the general population.

"Thank you for everything Madame Pomfrey and I am sorry for my friends" Hermione did not need to be told twice. Hermione made her way to the heavy double doors. Pushing them open, she was glad to be free. However, what she was not prepared for was the shower of confetti and glitter thrown upon her exit. Adding to the already surprising moment James, Sirius, Remus and Lily created an enormous amount of sound with their muggle noisemakers. How the boys had convinced Lily to join in the festivities Hermione would never know.

"What are you all doing here?"

"We wanted to give you a proper welcome back Foxy" Sirius winked at Hermione and all she could do was shake her head and as for foxy she had been called many things by Sirius but never Foxy. Remus stood behind Hermione wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him.

"Oi watch it that's my girlfriend you're talking to and veto" it was easy to be swept away in that title. Especially when he snaked his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. Just as Hermione promised, she was going to give her relationship with Remus her all, grabbing his shirt Hermione pulled him down to her eagerly awaiting lips.

"Gross it's like watching your parents kiss" Sirius's expressed his disdain for the very public display of affection. Hermione still in Remus's arms decided it was time to have some innocent flirtatious fun with her friend.

"Don't hate what you can't have Sirius" Hermione winked at Sirius whilst biting her lip. Watching his face closely Hermione could have sworn that she rattled his cage at least for a second. With a cocky lopsided smile Sirius

"No need to worry love I have enough girls to warm my bed" Hermione was sure that this was the truth. Not just because she had heard it from older Sirius on more than one occasion, but Hermione could see how girls would be attracted to him. The slate grey eyes, broody personality and all around flirt. Yes, Sirius would never have a shortage of women to grace his bed.

"I bet none of them know my tricks," Hermione said suggestively. James looked uncomfortable by the whole exchange I mean here she was snogging Remus while having a flirting competition with Sirius. It was a god sent that Remus was not the jealous kind otherwise that would be another issue entirely.

"Alright, enough already with the flirt fest but can someone please explain the Foxy thing" Lily had obviously been holding in her question for a while, by the look on her face she wanted the answer and she wanted it five minutes ago.

"Thought it was obvious Evans every Marauder needs a nickname" James replied and a swell of pride and fear rose in Hermione's chest. She was proud to be called a Marauder, the first girl ever to carry the title; however she was fearful of an initiation that they had once joke about. Not that she would chicken out of course, but she hoped this was not a sorority situation

"There no initiation is there?" Hermione blushed remembering that they had once joked about Marauders initiations. If she recalled they said something about a paddle.

"I am sure we can come up with something Vulpix," he laughed as he kissed her forehead.

"Veto, Vulpix" James quickly answered, and Hermione was incredibly grateful she would have hated it. What was a Vulpix anyway?

"Not that the flirting isn't fun and all but how about lunch?" Lily asked and Hermione swore no sweeter words had ever been spoken. As if on cue, Hermione's stomach grumbled rather loudly and obnoxiously.

"Oh good I am famished" finally breaking away from Remus's warm embrace, Hermione linked arms with Lily, however before they had the chance to move more than two steps towards the Great Hall Sirius just couldn't let a potential for sexual innuendo pass him by.

"High five Remus, you must have done well if she's starving" stopping dead in their tracks Hermione winked at Lily and a smug smile crossed the red heads face. Turning on their heels Lily and Hermione closed the gap between them and the devilish dog. With Hermione on one side and Lily on the other both girls placed a hand on Sirius's chest leaning into his ear Hermione whispered seductively as lily mimicked her movements.

"Oh yeah Sirius honestly there was this one thing" Hermione's feather light touch drifted up and down his side.

"Is that the ice cube thing?" Lily asked as her hand caressed his defined arms.

"Thanks for teaching me that move Lily

"You're welcome" They kissed Sirius's cheeks and Hermione welcomed the awed looks on all three of their faces. It felt good to get back to have fun at Sirius' expense again. Hermione and Lily laughed as they practically skipped away leaving the astounded and frankly turned on boys in their wakes. They were just within ear shot when the girls heard an exchange between James and Sirius.

"I'm going to marry that girl one day,"

"If you don't Prongsie I certainly will"

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Hermione had been to see Dumbledore every day since her release. With each visit she could tell he was becoming consumed by the cursed object. The dark circles under his eyes and his disheveled appearance caused some alarm bells to ring for Hermione. However, each conversation followed a similar pattern. She would ask for the ring and he would deny her. This was their fifth visit together and Hermione's patience was becoming very, very thin.

"Where is the ring headmaster?" her tone held a certain amount of contention towards her Headmaster, after all she was no saint. Sitting at his desk he looked over his glasses at Hermione whom had been pacing for the better part of their meeting.

"It is safe I assure you Miss Granger"

"With respect Sir that is not what I asked" Hermione could feel a headache beginning in her temple. This was not an uncommon occurrence, before, during and after her meetings with Dumbledore. He always gave her the same answers repeatedly, no matter the phrasing of her questions.

"Hermione please, it is in safe hands I cannot stress this enough to you"

"I would feel better if it was in my safe hands Sir; I hope you can understand why I am being insistent about this matter" there was an air of mistrust on both sides of the conversation, after all before they set out to retrieve the object Hermione and Dumbledore had some choice words to each other.

"You garner such distrust towards Miss Granger, would you not believe I could keep such an object safe?" no matter how many times he assured her of this fact Hermione couldn't let him keep the ring. To him she must seem like an insistent and annoying child, but to her he was a flawed man whose death was attributed to the power that the Slytherins ring held.

"It is not that I don't believe you could keep it safe, I am sure you could but..."

"But nothing" he snapped at Hermione. She knew why he was protecting this particular horcrux. She had read his autobiography whilst on the hunt for the horcruxes. Hermione knew Dumbledore's desires for the magical item and unfortunately, she was going to have to play dirty if she ever wanted the ring in her possession.

"It won't bring her back"

"I beg your pardon" Hermione knew she had struck a nerve in him. As shock and sadness crossed the often un-unnervingly calm man's face.

"The symbol on the ring, it's the Deathly Hallows. Please don't look at me like that Sir." So much pain plagued her Headmaster's eyes. With a furrowed brow and an annoyed expression he made no objections or retorts to her words. "We both know what it is, but it will not bring Ariana back to you. The longer you have it the more I fear you will give into the temptation that killed you"

"Then you know of why such an object would be alluring to me Miss Granger"

"Yes I do, just like how I know that you are in possession of the elder wand. Having two of the three, Hallows would be tempting for anyone whom had a thrust for power. To be a master of death is a supremacy that no one should possess. It does not matter which way you achieve it whether with the Hallows or horcruxes. So please Sir I implore you to just give me the ring before I am required take it by force"

"You would do such a thing?"

"I would if it came down to it though if you truly believe in the greater good then you hand it over Sir" sinking further into the ornate chair Hermione could see the defeat on the older wizards face. Opening the top draw of his desk, he slid the unassuming object across to her.

"You know so much Miss Granger, you should be careful with the information you possess. A man like Tom torture you for even the smallest pieces of intel"

"Is that a warning or a promise" slipping the ring into her pocket Hermione turned on her heels and left the office and her headmaster behind. If Voldemort found out about her knowledge of the future, she knew his words would be an assurance. She just needed to stay under his radar for a little while longer, and then she would take the fight to him.

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Hermione had fallen into an easy routine once more. Eat, sleep, study and socialize. It was simple, and for that, she was grateful. The Marauders made everything feel lighter for Hermione and for just a moment, she could imagine that she had always belonged here with them. Pushing the breakfast around her plate Hermione was away in her thoughts when Sirius plopped down beside her in an annoyingly chipper mood even for him. Although it was a welcome change from the usual brooding.

"Hey there Vixen, guess why today is a monumental occasion?" groaning aloud Hermione did not know where Vixen had come from but she hated it nonetheless. It was just a pity that all three of the boys loved it so much. She knew this was the one that was going to stick but she did not have to be happy about it.

"Stop calling me that, it makes me sound like a cheap stripper"

"Are you offering something Vixen, cause I am game if you are" a daring smile crossed his face. His stormy grey eyes made Hermione wonder if he was envisaging, her as a preforming or perhaps just strippers in general. Either way the heat rose in her cheeks at his implications.

"If anyone is getting a lap dance, it's me. Good morning by the way" Remus kissed her fiery red cheeks only adding more to Hermione's already flushed face. Clearing her throat out of discomfort Hermione tried to return the conversation to its intended course.

"Anyway, why is today so special"

"Really are you that oblivious Hermione, Sirius has been dropping hints for days" James exclaimed sitting across from her. Hermione of course had not forgotten this occasion because Sirius had indeed been dropping an offensive amount of hints about today. November the third.

"Happy Birthday Sirius"

"Aww… You remembered, thanks Vixen" he winked at her and all Hermione could do was shake her head. This young and virile man was so different from the one she had known. Although it is hardly surprising given what he had been through by the time they were introduced. She would do anything to keep the essence of this Sirius alive. Even if it meant adopting the overly sexualized nickname. Turning to Remus, Hermione needed to ask just once before she accepted her Marauders name.

"Is that really the one that stuck?"

"Hey don't blame me it's not my fault that your form is a fox. Sirius actually picked up a book to find your name" Whipping her head around quickly Hermione saw him nod acknowledging the statement to be true. Clutching her hands to her chest Hermione, feigned herself fainting falling back onto Remus out of shock that the Sirius Orion Black not only entered the library but actual read from a book.

"Be still my beating heart, is that true. Oh, Sirius I am so proud. I didn't know you could read" James laughed at her dramatized acting, while Remus fanned her face trying to stimulate her back to life.

"Ha-ha very funny bravo, anyway tonight Room of Requirement, with the usual suspects for my birthday bash pajama party" sitting up Hermione knew she would not miss his party for the world. Looking to James and Remus, she had only one question to ask them.

"This is going to get messy isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so Vixen" James smiled deviously.

The next chapter will be a short one and solely focuses on the birthday of one Sirius Black. Please review telling me three things. 1. Predictions going forward 2. Favorite line (if any) and 3. What kind of pajamas should Hermione wear to the party?

Thank you and I will catch you on the flip side. BBBBYYYYYYEEEEE