Moonlight Madness

By shadowlessphantom

Warning: This is about REMUS and HERMIONE, in case you're just a stray dog who happened to 'stray' here. If you don't like what you see, what you read, or just in case you don't like it for no reason, you're free to hit that Back button and depart to other fan fics. It will clearly be my pleasure to see you leave. YOUR OWN FLAMES WILL BURN YOU IN HELL. See you there mate.

Later update than usual. Sorry about that! My Mom was sent in the hospital, for stroke and the week has been sort of depressing with school mixing up with the condition of my Mom. Enjoy the story though, I've been putting extra effort in it for all of you guys!!

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Chapter Eight: Secrets

Night came slow, and Hermione and Remus had settled in his room, lying down side by side and simply talking. Hands still clasped and intertwined, they faced the hangings of Remus' four-poster, laughing sometimes, and quiet at another.

He glanced at her and saw her asleep already. They had been talking for a while now. He smiled at how peaceful she looked—and how she was smiling as she dreamed on.

Turning to face her, he placed an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She stirred and turned to face him, eyes half open with her mind in the clouds. She snuggled close to his chest and fell asleep again.

He just watched her sleep, stroking her hair, kissing her forehead once in a while. Not long, he himself fell asleep and they were in each other's arms with no care in the world.

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"I wonder what they're doing now." Ron muttered, as he and Harry walked the familiar corridors of the castle, after asking McGonagall where Remus' room was. Fred and George had informed them that the two went in together.

"In his room, weren't you listening to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry replied, feeling a little bit tense. His thoughts couldn't help straying to the fact that they could be making love, and he wasn't ready to see that yet. The kiss was bad enough, but in bed together was worse.

Ron knocked on a door. According to McGonagall, the door, if you came outside, needed to be knocked on three times. There was a loud click. The door was now open and Harry turned the knob.

He half expected two naked forms wrapped in a blanket on the bed—or worse seeing them in the action—but what he saw made him relieved and somehow happy for their best friend. With the look on Ron's face, he too, Harry knew, was happy for Hermione.

Hermione was on Remus' chest, and he was hugging her close. They looked so peaceful—so contented. They were together and they looked happy as the lay there, asleep, not knowing Harry and Ron were watching them.

"I think we better go." Harry said, nudging Ron. He nodded wordlessly and both of them walked out of the room silently, lost in their own thoughts.

"They're so happy."

Harry's words came out as a whisper, as he and Ron made their way to the Great Hall for lunch. He admitted to himself that Hermione wouldn't have been happy with him after what he had just seen.

"Yeah mate. I don't know how we'll let her know about—" he cleared his throat as if afraid to say it. "That something. Maybe we should ask Dumbledore." He continued. Harry nodded. "Yeah, I think so too. So we can break it to her the easy way. Even McGonagall has figured it out, and so she knows it now too."

They fell silent again, and this silence was heavier than the first one. "But I think Remus will want us not to tell her. Maybe he wants to tell her himself if ever." Harry added. Ron shrugged. "I suppose so."

With these heavy thoughts, they went to Dumbledore's office, weighed with emotion on what they had seen. There was only happiness between Remus and Hermione—but Harry and Ron didn't want her to feel the sadness it would soon bring.

And Harry had started to think how life would be so unfair to Hermione after she finds out everything.

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Hermione woke up, feeling a little unsettled. She instantly knew why. She was in someone's chest—and that someone was hugging her tightly, one arm around the waist, and the other underneath her head.

Winter breeze. Men's cologne. Remus.

She looked up at him and smiled. He looked... different. Not just different, but REALLY different. What the hell, he had even lost his scars. The scars that marked his werewolf years. The scars that marked his curse.

They were gone, but she hardly cared. She only knew how glad she was to be in his arms—to be near him.

She remained that way for a long while until Remus stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at her sleepily, but soon that was gone and they looked at each other for a long time, Hermione pushing his hair out of her face. At length, Hermione leaned towards him and kissed him sweetly.

It took all of his breath away. Every time they had contact, Remus could feel a thousand emotions scattering inside of him like a whirlwind—she made him feel. She made him.

When she had pulled away, he chased her lips, not wanting to stop the kiss. She smiled and the kiss soon turned passionate. All both of them could feel was the heat, the love and the passion. All he could feel was her. All she could feel was him.

They pulled apart again and Remus sat up. "I have to go to the Shrieking Shack." He said quietly, averting his eyes from hers. She too sat up and sighed. "Can't I stay with you?" she asked, her hand now on his.

He played with it and shook his head. "No. I don't want you to see me like that. I'll be in the Hospital Wing tomorrow anyway." He replied and looked in her eyes. "Promise me you won't go to the Shrieking Shack."

Hermione stared at him for the longest time. She breathed in his scent. "All right." she finally answered, turning away and regarding the window and the falling snow. "Come on. You can eat and I would have to go."

Both of them stood up silently but before they stepped outside, Remus wrapped Hermione in a hug and kissed her sweetly again. She smiled as they ended the kiss and he smiled back. There was only silence as they walked towards the Great Hall, but it didn't matter.

No words could explain how happy both of them felt.

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Hermione parted with Remus outside the huge double doors of the Great Hall, where he kissed her again. They lingered for a moment but soon, Hermione urged him to go.

"Go on. I'll see you tomorrow. I might just want you to stay." She said with a smile. He smiled back and kissed her one last time. "See you tomorrow. Happy Christmas." He whispered.

She kissed him on the cheek. "Happy Christmas to you too."

Hermione watched him go. Before he disappeared in the grounds, he turned back and waved. She laughed and waved back. Soon, he was gone and Hermione turned to enter the Great Hall, a little hungry as she had skipped lunch.

"'Mione!" called Ron. He was seated with Harry and Ginny and was eating. She smiled and went over towards them slowly, sitting down beside Harry and across from Ginny. "So, where'd you two go?" asked Ginny.

"His room. We talked about a lot of stuff." She replied, smiling like she'd never smile again. She could hardly contain herself. She wanted to just jump up and down with joy. Being with Remus Lupin made her blissful.

"Hey. You have the weirdest smile." Teased Harry, grinning lightly at her. She just shrugged and the smile didn't disappear from her face. "I'm just happy."

There was a lot of chatter, but when Ginny left, the three best friends remained silent as they ate. Only the occasional clink of the goblet when it was placed down the table could be heard, and the accidental sound of the utensils hitting the plate.

"Hermione, can I talk to you?" asked Harry out of the silence. She looked up and nodded. "Sure. Where?" she asked. "Astronomy Tower. If that's fine. And then we can go join Fred and George down the Quidditch Pitch." Hermione turned to Ron.

"How about you?" she asked. "I'll be waiting with the twins and Ginny. You two go and talk." He said. They continued the rest of the meal in silence.

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Hermione watched the falling snow, and Hagrid working near his hut in a very furry coat as usual. The only sign that someone else was beside her in the Astronomy Tower was the body heat and the sound of another breath beside her.

"You're happy with him." Harry said softly, looking in the same direction as his best friend. She glanced at him and nodded. "Yes, I am." She replied. A lengthy silence, which was uncommon between the two best friends, fell, not for the first time in the past few days.

"I just want you to know I'm happy for you." He continued. Hermione's head snapped up from looking down at the cold tone floor and stared at Harry. "No, really." He added, thinking she didn't believe him.

"You—you're okay with us now?" she asked, her voice shaking. Harry's face broke into a smile and he nodded. "Yeah."

Hermione burst into tears and she hugged Harry fiercely. "Thank you! Oh my god, I love you and Ron!" she said, sobbing on Harry's shoulder. He hugged her back, smiling all the while. "Come on Hermione, we're your best friends." He said, patting her back lightly.

When she pulled back, her tears were still flowing. "You don't know how much this means to me." She said, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. Harry grinned and pulled Hermione by the shoulders, lightly kissing her forehead.

"Anything for my best friend." He said, and Hermione started crying again. As both of them stood near the window, Harry couldn't help but think of what he had said. Anything for my best friend.

That was what they were meant to be all this time. And he was glad that it remained that way.

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Soon, night came and everyone was too busy chatting away to think of sleeping. Hermione, having just talked with Harry and after, Ron too by the Quidditch lockers, couldn't help feeling happier after the depression she had felt for days.

The clock ticked nearer to twelve, signaling Christmas was near, and there was a growing longing in Hermione's heart. Her eyes kept straying outside the double doors to the violent tree inside the grounds and the little, dusty old shack by Hogsmeade. She wanted to be with Remus when the clock strikes twelve.

Excusing herself for some fresh air, she stood up and took one last look at the clock. It was 11:50. Ten minutes to Christmas. She would make it on time to see and greet Remus, even in his werewolf form.

Walking towards the Whomping Willow with the full moon shining brightly and knowing exactly which branch to tap with her wand, she had it frozen in minutes.

11: 54.

Through the hole, now smaller than usual because she had grown up, she quickly made her way to the Shrieking Shack. The silence was a bit odd. Too silent. Something didn't feel right, but Hermione ignored the feeling.

11: 57.

Hermione made her way quietly towards the upper floors, going slow as not to cause any creaks and alert Remus of her presence. She stood in front of the door of the upper room, debating if she would go in. She did promise she wouldn't go.

Maybe she should just explain that she couldn't help it after he'd transform back to human. Yes. She'd say that.

11:59.

She opened the door and was shocked at what she saw. It wasn't her idea of a Christmas present at all.

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A/N: I know, I left you hanging there again. I just wanted to thrill you, but don't worry, I'll update as soon as I can. My schedule is so hectic; I'm going to die, so please bear with me. Any suggestions, comments, should be posted as usual at the Review section of the story. Thanks for the wonderful reviewers! I love you all! Rock on!