A/N: Okay, okay…I know this story is over and all…but I had to do this. It's been plaguing me for the past few days, and I thought since I wrote it I'd share it. I really needed Hermione's reaction to fulfill and complete this story for me; since I did decide to post the alternate ending. So realize this is an extension of the second (original/alternate) ending. I was happy I got to do some Draco/Hermione interaction. Okay this is it on this story though…it's done now. I hope y'all aren't too mad that I brought it back from the dead in the first place…hehe. Well, enjoy. Thanks for reading and please review. ~Jo
Oh, and by the way, just in case anyone's interested I am working on another MWPP story so if you liked this one, keep your eyes open a second that one in this genre.
Hermione was sitting in the library when Ron and Harry found her. She hadn't spoken to either of them since before Christmas. In fact, neither of them had seen her. She was leaning over a little tattered book.
"Hermione?" Harry announced he and Ron's presence as he took a seat next to her.
Hermione peeled her eyes from the pages.
Ron and Harry both drew back, Hermione's face was gaunt and pale. Her eyes were red as though she'd been crying, but there was no indication that there had been tears on her face.
"Hermione?" Ron questioned patiently.
"I'm sorry," she said slowly.
"Hermione, what's the matter?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we haven't seen you since the first day of the Christmas holiday. You've been stuck in that book for the past few months. Are you alright? It's not cursed or anything, is it?"
"No." Hermione shook her head. "But I wish I'd never found it." Hermione slammed the book closed and picked it up as if she were going to lob it across the library.
"Hermione!" Harry grabbed her arm. "I've never seen you like this."
Hermione sat the book back down and gathered herself. "I just want to be alone."
"No." Ron told her pointedly. "You've been alone for too long now. We're your friends, and as your friends it's our responsibility to help you."
Harry nodded.
Hermione looked between each of their determined faces before heaving a great sigh. "Did either of you know that Professor Lupin was married?"
Ron and Harry exchanged confused glances, and then turning back to Hermione both shook their heads. "He was married?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. She flipped open the book and read…
"My heart stopped, I couldn't breathe, he offered his hand to me and I couldn't move to take it. Though I'd seen Remus before, and even had him address me on occasion it was like I'd never seen him until that moment."
She flipped a few pages forward and went on…
"I can't help it. He is my waking dream moment, my closing thought, and my obsession. Sissy would call me crazy, Bell would sneer, but Lily would say it is love."
Hermione sighed, "She was friends with your mom and dad Harry."
"Professor Lupin's wife wrote that about him?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "In her sixth year at Hogwarts. She was a Slytherin."
Ron and Harry both gasped despite themselves.
Hermione shook her head, "She was friends with Sirius too. 'If I could have chosen my house on merit it would have been Ravenclaw, if it had been for the boys it would have been Gryffindor.'"
"What?" Ron asked.
This time a few tears did escape her eyes and she frowned at her friends.
"Hermione you have to tell us what this means. Have you talked to Professor Lupin about this?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded and sobbed a little harder. "He misses her." Finally she dropped her head into her hands and let the tears come.
Harry patted Hermione's shoulder and Ron reached over putting an arm around her. Hermione smiled weakly up to them and reached over flipping to the back page.
"I love him like I thought I would from the moment I realized there was something there. Despite all we've been through my love remains strong, and like James finally asked Lily to marry him, Remus asked me. Its silly being in school and even considering it, but it's going to happen."
"What happened to her?" Ron asked.
"You sure she was a Slytherin?" Harry asked.
Hermione flipped to the front of the book and handed it to Harry. "Your mom kept it for her so Narcissa Malfoy wouldn't find it."
As Harry looked at the picture of the girl with the name Bethany Spence written under it Hermione dug through her bag and came out with a picture. She sighed and touched the people in it. Hermione handed it to Ron first.
Ron looked at the picture. He recognized James Potter right away, holding about a one year old baby in blue. Next he looked over to the woman tucked under James's arm, which he deducted was Lily Potter. Aside Lily was a youthful looking Professor Lupin. There was no premature aging in his young face and he was smiling and happy. Professor Lupin was holding a baby too, also somewhere near a year old. The child Professor Lupin was holding was a girl, dressed in pink. Aside him was a pretty little lady leaning her head on Professor Lupin's shoulder holding a newborn wearing blue.
"Is this Professor Lupin's family?" Ron asked pointing to the three surrounding him.
Harry got up and went around to look at the picture over Ron's shoulder. "Is that me?"
Hermione nodded, "Just a few weeks before your parents died."
"Professor Lupin has a family?" Harry echoed Ron.
Hermione leaned around and pointed, "That's me, and this is my brother Remy." Hermione's voice cracked when she said Remy's name.
The picture drifted to the floor as Ron and Harry stared open mouthed and wide eyed at Hermione. Their expressions did nothing but bring more tears.
It took Harry a few minutes to gather his thoughts, "I'm sorry Hermione."
"What happened to your mum?" Ron asked.
"Bellatrix Lestrange murdered her. That's why I was sent to live with Muggles, the Ministry thought Professor Lupin was unfit to raise children because of his condition."
"What about Remy?" Harry asked.
"He…he…" Hermione paused, taking a moment to gather herself. "He was like my father, and died when the first lunar cycle came around. Why couldn't I have known? Why couldn't I have stayed? Why did they have to torture Professor Lupin worse than he already had been when his wife died?" Hermione shook her head anger welling in her chest, "I'll tell you why, because she was fighting for Sirius to be released! She was right about Peter! She was smart, and they were punishing him for her actions! He didn't deserver that. The Ministry is corrupt, it's always been corrupt!"
"Oh, what's the little Mudblood complaining about?" The drawling voice of Draco Malfoy interrupted the conversation. Hermione was on her feet with her wand drawn before anyone could blink.
"I find your attitude to be a bit discerning Malfoy." Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"What are you going to do? Curse me?" Draco smiled maliciously.
"I'm seriously considering it."
"Oh." Malfoy puckered out his bottom lip, "I'm not concerned you filthy Mudblood."
Hermione ground her teeth together, "Your insults to me are of little concern to my patience. But I take your slur as an attack on my parents. I'm no more Mudblood than you are!"
"Right." Draco sneered with a snicker.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Next time you get to visit your home, since your father won't be there to discuss it with you, ask your mother which of her friends betrayed her, turned on Voldemort, and married an enemy…at least that's how your mum will see it. Then ask about her family."
Draco stared at Hermione who had withdrawn her wand and was turning back to her friends. He blinked, hiding his slight concern that Hermione wasn't really a Mudblood. Draco decided against saying anymore and tried to make a quiet exit.
Ron and Harry followed Hermione's lead in ignoring Draco.
"So," Hermione told Harry, "the tally of victims Voldemort has taken is getting bigger."
"Hermione." Harry reached out and took her shoulder. "I know it won't mean much now, but maybe later when you need strength know that I understand what you're feeling. He ruined my family too."
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thanks Harry."
Ron shot Hermione a lopsided grin, "We're here for you Hermione."
Hermione returned Ron's grin. "Thanks Ron."