A/N: Sorry it took so long to update, I've been really busy in this particular week, and I had to write a chapter for my other fic. Whew! Lot's of writing!

Chapter Five

"Well, that's obvious, isn't it? It's got to be Wormtail," Lupin said, looking at both of thir faces.

"Not exactly. See, it seems like a perfect explanation, but I have a feeling Voldemort would not be sending his servant to do this dirty work, and he wouldn't send him alone, either. But it seems curious, doesn't it? He is the only Animagus that we know of that is in the Dark Lord's ranks," Dumbledore explained.

"I think we've got a spy in our midst," Snape added.

"Are you sure?" Lupin asked. He really could not believe there would be a spy. If there was, how could they find out?

"No, we know nothing at this point, we are just trying to consider everything." Lupin sagged into an armchair, exhausted. Dumbledore was right, as always.

"Well, Remus, I'd like to request a small favor of you," Dumbledore continued.

"Well, sure. Anything, Albus."

"I want you to follow Harry tonight. If he leaves his room, I want you to see where he goes. He cannot go anywhere alone," and Remus nodded.

"Okay. Maybe if I catch him in the act, he might be able to explain what he's been doing this summer sneaking around at night."

"Thank you, Remus." Dumbledore nudged Snape, who only nodded. "Severus will be on watch from the house, so in case you need help, he will assist you." Remus looked at Severus, and saw that he clearly was not happy about babysitting him, as he probably thought it was. Oh well. They were in the Order for a reason, and Remus now felt rejuvenated, because he felt needed, useful. He had not felt that way in a long time.

Later that day, Harry was sitting on his bed, reading through some material he was supposed to absorb for Potions. He had to do really well in that class and in N.E.W.T.S in order to go to Auror School. Then Hermione came in the room, obviously surprised that he was actually working on homework. She sat on the end of the bed, peering at the other books lying at Harry's feet. Her curls fell gracefully over her face, and Harry found himself staring at her. When she looked up, he looked the other way, embarrassed. He continued to read, not feeling like talking, and just enjoyed her company. Suddenly she was right next to him, her body extremely close to him. He turned his head to find her face very close, and she laid her head on his shoulder, looking at the book, which he had dropped on his lap. His breathing became faster, his heart pounded.

"Harry?" Hermione said weakly.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, uh, never mind." More silence, but this time it was uncomfortable. Hermione had pulled away and simply sat next to him, looking out the window. Harry found himself staring at her again. He couldn't help but notice that she had curved out really well since last year, her hair more tame, and her face more beautiful because it wasn't always scowling all the time anymore. She looked at him again, but this time he didn't look away, but blushed profusely. Then he remembered, Ron had probably noticed her too. This thought made him look away. Pull yourself together, Harry, you've known her since your first year at Hogwarts, why are you all of the sudden shy?

"Harry, is something wrong?"

"Um, I don't know." He bit his lip, and then suddenly blurted out, "Do you like Ron?" Hermione gave him a surprised look, and then it was her turn to blush.

"Why are you asking such a personal question?"

"I just want to know."

"No, I don't. We're just friends, Harry. Good friends," she answered after a long pause.

"Okay." Idiot, is that the best thing you can say?

"Well, I'm kinda hungry, I'm going to go down and see if lunch is ready." As she got up to leave, her hand rested on top of his. They looked at each other. Harry closed his fingers around hers. This only lasted for a moment, before they broke away and Hermione walked out of the room, leaving Harry with very mixed feelings.

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Remus sat underneath the staircase, waiting to see if Harry came out of his room. He looked at the grandfather clock on the other side of the room. One o' clock in the morning. He couldn't help but yawn. But then he silenced himself when he heard footsteps. They were quiet, if it was Harry; he seemed to know exactly where to step so the stairs wouldn't creak. Like a true Marauder, Remus mused.

Then, sure enough, Harry's dark form came into view. He quietly made for the door, and cursed when it was locked. He withdrew his wand and mumbled something, and the lock on the door made a sizzling sound. He gave a sigh of satisfaction, and then opened the door. As he slipped out, Lupin stole silently after him, unseen, as he had borrowed Harry's invisibility cloak.

Harry took a deep breath of the crisp and cool night air. He loved coming out here at night; it was the only time he could really be alone and think about things in peace. However, tonight he felt that he was being watched. Silently, he stole behind a bush and hid.

Remus stopped. He couldn't see Harry anymore. Not wanting to suddenly trip over him, he crouched under the cloak, listening carefully for sounds. Hearing a slight rustle in the bushes, he moved toward it carefully. His foot stepped on a twig, snapping it. The sound in the silence was almost deafening. Then something stepped out of the bushes that made Remus gasp.

Standing serenely, framed by the moonlight, stood a wolf. It wasn't a werewolf, just an ordinary wolf. But the longer he looked, the more he realized it wasn't normal. It was pure black, and large for a wolf, muscular and tall. When the wolf turned his head in his direction, Lupin froze. Above the wolf's right eye was a jagged amount of white hair, unmistakably in the shape of a very crude lightning bolt. Remus then looked at the wolf's eyes, and the jade green pupils looked towards him. Lupin walked cautiously forward, the wolf stayed absolutely still, now looking directly where the cloak covered him. Then he was only ten feet away from the magnificent animal.

"Harry?" Remus croaked.

A/N: I just want to say thank you to CTHKSI, hp-lover-fifi, nuwie, and Versipellis for reviewing chapter four! You guys rock! And it would be so super if I could get more reviews! Please? ::furry black doggie gives a puppy face and whimpers::