Shout outs for this chapter go out to jess moony and trevor-bruttenholm for reading and reviewing. As before, I don't own these characters. I just like to write about them.
Hermione Granger was downstairs in her house watching some television. There was really nothing on, but after being deprived of it for a school year, she just enjoyed being able to watch it if she so desired.
Suddenly, a knock came at the kitchen door. Rising from the sofa, she frowned. She wasn't expecting anybody, and wondered who on earth it could be. Opening the door, she soon got it answer. It was Albus Dumbledore. Gazing at her frankly, he spoke. "Hello Ms. Granger. I hope I am not catching you at an inopportune time. I have something that I wish to discuss with you, and it demands immediate attention. May I come in?"
"Of course you may, professor." Hermione replied, now curious as to what was so urgent that it had dragged Dumbledore away from Hogwarts. He stepped into the kitchen and sat down regally at the table. "Hermione, I must be completely honest with you, and ask you to tell no one of what I am about to tell you." "You have my word, sir."
He sighed heavily. "Several nights ago, a Squib of my acquaintance brought a very badly injured man to Hogwarts. He had 3 broken ribs, several deep cuts, and many bruises. Too many to even measure." "Who was he?" Hermione asked softly, wondering who would do something like that to another human being, and more importantly, who the person was. "Remus Lupin." Dumbledore replied.
Hermione's vision went temporarily hazy. "Remus? Oh god no..." she whispered. "He's all right, my dear. Madame Pomfrey patched him up quite well, but he is still having nightmares about his ordeal. He will speak to no one about what happened to him, and he grows weaker by the day. We have tried everything we can think of to help him, but to no avail. I know that you love him, and that he loves you as well."
She gasped, her mind whirling and trying to process everything that she was being told. "I am not here to tell you if this love you two have for one another is right or wrong, but I believe that it is the only thing that can save the life of Remus Lupin. I beg you, please come to Hogwarts and see if you can reach him. You may succeed where we have failed." He finished.
"I'll come." She answered immediately. "Do you not need to ask your parents?" he replied mildly. "I can tell Mum and Dad that someone I deeply care about needs me. That won't be a lie. Besides, this is Remus. I can't sit by and let him waste away without trying to do everything within my power for him."
Dumbledore rose. "Then let us be off, as soon as you have contacted your parents. Taking her cell phone out of her pocket, she called her mother. "Mum? It's Hermione. Professor Dumbledore is here, and told me that someone I really care for is sick and needs me. Is it okay if I go to Hogwarts with him?" "Yes dear. Is it this Remus Lupin you're always talking about?" her mother teased. "Yes Mum. Something really awful happened to him and he won't talk to anyone. I'm going to see what I can do."
Her mother immediately turned more serious. "Hermione, take a word of advice from someone who has done what you're about to do: Whatever they say, no matter how hurtful or mean, do not leave their side for anything. It may mean digging in for the long haul, but it's worth it. I've got your father as proof." "Thanks mum...I knew you'd understand." She replied. "Love you. Bye!"
Turning off the phone, she raced up to her room and began to throw clothes into a bag. She didn't know how long she would be away, but she would stay, no matter what it took. Remus Lupin just meant too much to her.
Dumbledore took her to Diagon Alley where they traveled by Floo Powder to the fireplace in his office at Hogwarts. They were barely there 2 minutes when Minerva McGonnagall came running in. "Oh Albus, it's Remus! I tried to get into his room to take him some breakfast, and he's got the door looked! He wouldn't answer when I spoke to him and I'm afraid he may have done something rash."
Looking at Hermione, she asked, "Why is Ms. Granger here?"
"I have brought her here because she may be able to reach him." "How?" McGonnagall sputtered. "Surely we his peers would have succeeded by now!" "Not necessarily, Minerva." Dumbledore replied. "You see, Remus loves Ms. Granger, and she returns his affections."
The Transfiguration professor was shocked silent. "Go to him child." Dumbledore urged. "Go to him before it is too late."