Ed, thanks for the review (you were first on that last chapter)! Joots, glad you're still around, that's about as far into Callah as we'll get, so no worries… Hippiechick, I'm relieved that you liked the twist since you were the primary reason it made it into the cut.

Hand3, thank you for your review as well, and thanks for reminding me—I was meaning to insert some stuff into another chapter about the casualties and totally forgot. Don't worry, they're mostly nameless people since I can't think of 300 characters off the top of my head without making a complete Armageddon out of it. A few of the more familiar people who get knocked off are mentioned both in this story and 'Normal.'

Welcome Neko-P, a very big hello to you! Your review made me blush; glad I've made an addict out of you! Is the effect like caffeine or weed? Or really good wine? Am I making you into a story alcoholic? Okay, I'll stop now, I make no sense at all.

In other news, I've made it to chapter 16, where I'm diligently avoiding the boudoir scene…they're hard to write! I'm pretty sure this thing will be finished at 17 chapters, so we're almost done, kiddies!

Here's another question for everyone: I've got a pretty much complete story that's HG/SS. However I feel like there's already a huge body of work in that department with authors much more talented than myself (coughHayseedcough). I could shift it to be Remus/Hermione or I could post it as is or I could leave it between me and my computer. Any votes?

And has anyone noticed that the author's notes just keep growing?

--Aimes

ps--you know what's really sad? I just discovered the quick edit function on ff. on my third posted story. how lame am i?

Another Month Later:

"So that's it then?" asked Hermione, exhausted.

"Seems like," Callah said, seeming surprised. "Didn't actually think we'd ever finish."

"Indeed," rumbled Snape. Callah glanced at him and looked back at her computer quickly. The look did not go unnoticed by Hermione. Nor did Snape's penetrating gaze as it lingered on Callah.

"A week, then," Hermione said flatly.

"Yeah," Callah managed wearily. "Look, I'm beat. Can you guys finish up on your own?"

"Yeah, we're cool," Hermione said easily. "Get some sleep, hon." Callah and Hermione had bonded to the point of sisterhood, once Hermione had dealt with her initial trepidation. Over the course of two months, Hermione, Callah, and Snape had planned the offensive. It was finally close to finished, a multi-tiered incursion using all of the allies of the Order of the Phoenix, and none too soon. Voldemort was getting ever stronger, drawing closer to an overt takeover of the magical world. Hermione, Callah, and Severus had stepped up the pace.

And now? They were finished. It was three in the morning. Hermione looked at Severus and sighed.

"We'll present it in the morning. I must return to Hogwarts." Snape turned to leave. Hermione grabbed his wrist.

"Please be careful, Severus. I can't lose you," she said desperately. Where did THAT come from? He looked down at her, calm, quiet…then something sparked in his eyes.

"You won't lose me, Hermione. You're stressed out, on edge. The plan is dangerous, we all know that. Callah is losing herself in sleep; you may not realize it but it is an escape tactic. You needn't worry, I shall be fine." Hermione stood and hugged him tightly. He embraced her in return, before mumbling soothingly in her ear, "It will work, Miss Granger."

"Yes," she replied faintly, releasing him. "Severus, about Callah…" She'd been waiting quite awhile to ask him about it. You've turned into such a nosy little thing, Hermione Granger. Oh wait, you always have been, haven't you?

"You eventually accept that she is what she is, Hermione. Does her lack of guilt somehow make her more responsible than the rest of us? I don't know and it is surely not for me to decide. She is good to you and that is all that truly matters."

"Thank you…now go," she ordered with a wan smile. "Ignore my insanity. Good luck." He nodded and exited swiftly.

Hermione poured herself a glass of wine and walked outside as she'd been doing every night for two months. Tonight, again, Remus joined her. He'd made a habit of it when he was not away doing work for the Order.

"It's finished," she said, not looking at him. You never look at him. What are you afraid of seeing, Mya? Are you afraid of how he might look back at you? Are you afraid he might care? Yes, but I'm much more scared that he might not. Go, go Gryffindor! You've got about as much courage as the Cowardly Lion.

"How does it feel?"

"Terrifying. We're about to put everything on the line…lives will be lost, blood will be on my hands. I…shouldn't say it." Hermione settled into his embrace, his arms around her, her head on his shoulder.

"Shouldn't say what? Blood will not be on your hands, Hermione. You've done all you can. The rest is out of your control."

"I know," Hermione said softly. They sat in a silent embrace for several moments. "Walk me to my room?" She stood up and offered him her hand.

"Always," he murmured in response, rising. Remus' arm settled about her waist and she relaxed against him. They walked in silence into the house. When they reached the hallway, Hermione turned sharply, away from her room, into his.

"Hermione, what are you—" he was silenced by her lips on his. Hermione's rational thought centers shut down. As though they ever functioned. She gave herself over to the kiss, allowing her body to engage in it. Her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him down to her and his hands slid down to her bum, shifting to knead the pliant flesh of her hips. Hermione groaned against him, lifting a leg and hooking it round his hips. One of his hands shifted to support her. Remus emitted a low growl and sucked on her lower lip, begging for permission to enter her mouth. Hermione gasped as he nibbled lightly and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into the warm, wet heat of her mouth. Hermione kneaded his shoulders desperately and tangled her fingers into his hair. How did I end up against a wall? …Why do I care? Suddenly, Remus stopped.

"Wha--?" Hermione moaned.

"Hermione, we've got to stop," he whispered. "This is wrong. You should go back to your room…and…"

"And we should never speak of this again?" she challenged. "Why? I want it, you want it, where's the trouble?"

"I was best friends with your best friend's parents, for one."

"Age is hardly an issue here, Remus." Why are we having this conversation backed up against a wall with my legs wrapped around him? Hell, why are we having this damn conversation at all?

"No," he growled suddenly, "it's not. Do you want to know why we shouldn't be doing this, Hermione? Because I won't be able to stop. I'll tear off your clothes and…I don't want to hurt you," he pleaded, desperate. "But I…if I spend another moment here with you, I'll lose what little control I had in the first place. I don't want it, not like this." He released her and she slid to the ground, looking down. I really don't want to have to look him in the eye. This is such an embarrassing moment. I should win an award if I survive it.

He cupped her chin and forced her gaze to him. Naturally. Why do they always do that?

"Not like this," he whispered, kissing her gently.

"No," she agreed calmly. "Goodnight, Remus." She walked away with her head held high and her nerves in her stomach. I will not run, I will not run.

"Did you shag him?" came the sleepy inquiry, as it did every night.

"No, go back to sleep," Hermione replied crossly. Callah was instantly awake.

"What happened?"

"I threw myself at him and he rejected me. I'm a fucking idiot. Why oh why do I do this to myself?"

"This has happened more than once?"

"Well, no. Good point. Where's the commiserating sympathy?"

"Hey, I haven't even done it once. I've done far, far stupider things. What do you mean he rejected you?"

"There are stupider things? I mean he rejected me. I mean, we kissed, we were getting kind of…intense, and suddenly he stops."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah. Says something about the age difference. I told him that age was hardly an issue…"

"And?"

"And he told me that the real reason is that he wouldn't be able to stop. I mean, that's the point, isn't it? If I'd wanted to stop, I wouldn't have started to begin with!"

"I see your point. Did he say anything else?"

"Umm, yeah," Hermione blushed. "He said 'not like this.' And then he kissed me and I left."

"That's hardly rejection, Hermione. More like self control. Rejection is the last time I made a move on a guy: he told me to get out, remember? That's rejection."

"Ouch," Hermione said sympathetically. And then, "See, that's the commiserating sympathy thing I was talking about."

"I think he's just concerned about hurting you," Callah considered, ignoring Hermione's comment. "You've been through a lot…he wants to take it slowly. Seems to me like he just wants things to be…right. Also, have you considered that wild passionate sex might hurt? Your last sexual experience from what you've told me was far from fairy-tale. Maybe he was afraid he'd get carried away in the heat of the moment and do something that scared you or caused you pain."

"You make such an infuriatingly logical argument," Hermione groused.

"Don't I, though? You want my opinion?"

"Yes," Hermione deadpanned. Callah grinned cheekily.

"He's afraid he's in love with you. He's even more afraid of doing something to ruin it before it's started. All in all, he's just got a lot of fears."

"Figures I'd end up with that kind."

"Don't we all? No, I ended up with someone who hates himself and hates me even more…I think you got off easy. Goodnight."

"He doesn't bloody hate you…although he does hate himself, you're right about that. G'night," she yawned. There was silence. "Christ, what am I going to do when I see him tomorrow?"

"Guess we'll find out. Go to sleep."