A/N : This was one of the hardest chapters to write! So many decisions had to be made. Also, if you're curious, "Veritatio" I derived from the Latin word "Veritatis" which means "truth." I converted it into a verb command for the revealing spell I have Hermione do. I don't remember if anything like it was in the books or not. Review responses at the end of the chapter. Thanks everyone, they're very motivating! (YES! The commas and everything have miraculously returned!)

Disclaimer: I believe there is a Latin saying : "O praeclarum custodem ovium lupum." Doesn't apply here. I own nothing!

Hogsmeade Halloween

When Ron, Luna, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione stepped through the portrait hole, they met James, who looked tense. "Hello," he greeted them.

(He doesn't look very glad to see us) thought Hermione, taken aback by his cool welcome. The group greeted him back, and they set off for Hogsmeade. James tried to make his conversation with Harry first, then Ron. They both purposefully brushed him off, talking mostly to their own girlfriends, so James was forced to make conversation with Hermione.

"James, I forgot to ask yesterday. What house were you in when you went to school here before?" questioned Hermione.

"Griffindor." He gave her a strained smile.

"Do you have any pets?"

"No. Animals don't like werewolves," he said sadly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that, I didn't even think of it." (No wonder Lupin doesn't have any pets) "What's your favorite holiday? Happy Halloween, by the way."

"Happy Halloween. Probably Christmas or Easter."

"Mine's Easter. I love spring! Winter's too cold for me." (I wish he would ask ME a question! I'm running out of things to say!)

James noticed the look on her face. Although he didn't wish to talk to her at the moment, he didn't want her angry either. "So, do you have any pets?"

"Yes, Crookshanks. I wasn't going to talk about him if it upset you."

"No, no, it's fine, I'm used to it. What is Crookshanks? That's a neat name."

(A record! He said three sentences!) "Crookshanks is a cat. He's quite smart. He knows how to press the knot on the Whomping Willow so it freezes. On the next full moon, I can send him out with you, if you like," Hermione offered kindly.

"Thanks, but Dumbledore has it under control."

They both were saved from making more idle conversation by arriving at Hogsmeade. "Let's get some butterbeers," suggested Harry. They all agreed and sat down at a table in the Three Broomsticks. There was no room for James and Hermione, so they sat at a separate table for two. James could see Ginny looking their way and whispering to the others. (This is getting out of control. Maybe I should say something) he thought to himself. Somehow the words wouldn't come out, and he sipped his butterbeer, feeling very awkward.

Hermione noticed his mood. (He's so cute when he's nervous) she mused, suppressing a giggle. (If he would just talk a bit more, I think I could like him.)

(This is so wrong) thought James, noticing Hermione eyeing him. (But I must admit, I'm quite enjoying this. Oh, I don't like to think about what's going to happen tomorrow night, she's going to KILL me. But that almost might be a good thing, it would settle matters. I don't want make her upset. Doesn't seem avoidable now, though. I'm getting tired of holding myself back. I think I'll just act normal now.) "Hermione," he started, smiling disarmingly.

(A real smile! He looks ten times better when he smiles!) Hermione thought, her crush on him beginning to grow.

"Have you ever read Hogwarts, a History?" he asked. They got into deep conversation about books they'd read, recommending titles to each other. Hermione felt pleasantly surprised to when he suddenly began gadding away as if he'd never been nervous, shy, or awkward. For once she'd met a guy who liked books and schoolwork as much as she did, and didn't laugh at her.

Harry and Ron exchanged high fives when they saw how well James and Hermione were getting along. Ginny grinning, but Luna looked concerned. "Daddy said the flying newts are going to attack tomorrow," she said loudly. Harry and Ginny ignored her, used to her odd comments. Ron felt a twinge of concern. He knew this was her own way of saying that trouble was coming. His eyes travelled around the room. He didn't see anything amiss. Well, he'd just have to wait and find out tomorrow.

"What do your parents do for a living?" James asked Hermione.

"They're dentists. Even though they're Muggles, they've been quite good about my magical attributes. How about yours?"

"No wonder you have such a nice smile," commented James. (Oh no, I should NOT have said that, she's blushing!) "Mine, well, I'm not sure what they're doing now. My mom died when I was younger, and my dad. Well, he left."

"I'm so sorry!" apologized Hermione. (It probably happened when he was bitten. I should really keep my big mouth shut about these things! A change of subject is in order.) "Are you going to the Halloween dance tomorrow night?" She smiled shyly. (Maybe he'll ask me out!)

James groaned inwardly. He should have known she'd bring this up. How in the world was he going to wriggle out of this? (Do I even want to?) he realized. (I can't like her, I just can't. It would ruin everything.) "I hadn't really thought about it," he responded honestly. He crossed his fingers. Maybe she'd forget about it. "What do you think? Are Harry and Ginny going to get hitched?"

Hermione felt startled at this change of subject. James was beginning to be a real puzzle. "Probably, but it's not likely to happen very soon. Harry has other things he needs to sort out first, before he can make any decisions about Ginny. I think Ron is getting serious about Luna, though. I personally can't stand her, she's a bit out there, don't you think?"

"She can be rather, er, random sometimes," James mused thoughtfully.

"So, what about the dance? Are you going?" Hermione pressed.

"I don't think so," he said, his voice strained. He seemed to be battling with himself.

"Why not? I thought you liked to dance."

To James's immense relief, they were interrupted at the moment by Colin Creevy. "Hey Hermione!"

Hermione tried not to glare at him too fiercely. He'd kept on bugging her about going out with him, and this was definitely NOT the time she wanted to see him, of all times! "Hello, Colin."

Colin ignored her cold stare. "I was wondering if you've like to go to the dance with me tomorrow night?"

James felt himself well up with jealousy, his thoughts getting irrational. He tried to reason with himself. (I should really encourage her to go out with Colin, then everything would be solved!) he thought. His heart quite disagreed with that thought, however.

Hermione got a feeling of satisfaction at the look of jealousy on James's face. (I think I'll play this up) She turned to Colin with a smile. "Give me a minute to think about that, Colin." She paused, watching James out of the corner of her eye.

James stalemated himself in his struggle between thoughts of propriety and his emotions. Oh, what would she say tomorrow? Oh, wouldn't it be fun though? (Maybe I should just tell her about me right now)

Harry had been studying them closely. (This calls for an intervention) he decided. He stood up and walked over to them. "Actually, I think James was going to take Hermione out," he said quite boldly. Colin glared at James; James glared at Harry; Hermione gazed hopefully at James.

(Oh, I've put my foot in it now) gulped James. "It's up to Hermione, isn't it?" he said, realizing that

everyone was staring at him.

Hermione beamed. He hadn't asked her out EXACTLY, but he'd come close to it. "Of course I'll go with you, James," she said, smiling sweetly. Colin stormed off. "When are you going to pick me up?"

"Um, six o'clock at the portrait hole," said James, in shock. (There's no denying it, she likes me. What am I going to do? I really have to tell her.) He drank the last of his butterbeer. (Not now, it can wait. Tomorrow, like I planned, will be the time.)

Hermione stepped out of the portrait hole at precisely six o'clock. "Hello James," she said, her eyes widening. James looked positively sick. "Are you okay? You look unwell."

"It's just some, some full moon side effects," he stammered, grinning weakly. "You are gorgeous." His voice sounded genuine.

Hermione blushed. "Thank you," she said. "You're not looking too bad yourself."

He gave a small smile before hesitantly taking her hand. The pair strode into the Great Hall and seated themselves at a table. Harry and Ginny joined them. (I was able to get these two together) Harry smirked inwardly. He noticed that James had a terrible case of nerves. "James, what part of the castle are you staying in? You don't seem to be in any of the dormitories."

James stared at Harry. If Hermione didn't know better, she could've sworn his face wore a guilty expression. "I'm staying with Professor Lupin," he said, looking away awkwardly.

"Really?" said Hermione brightly. "How's his housekeeping skills?" Hermione burst out laughing. She imagined that, as a bachelor, he probably was pretty messy.

"You don't think my - I mean his - housekeeping to be THAT bad, do you?" he burst out, before chuckling a bit himself.

Hermione fell into helpless giggles. "I bet he's hard to get up in the morning."

"He gets up in his own time," James commented, raising his eyebrows. Hermione laughed harder. James felt his face going red. (Oh my, I hope they don't figure it out before I can tell them)

"Do you mind me asking you something, though? You don't seem to like Lupin very much. Why don't you?" Hermione demanded, her giggles gone. James had that strange, almost repulsed look on his face again.

James froze, desperately trying to think of something to say. "He's - he's hard to talk to."

Hermione tried not to smirk at the irony. James seemed harder to talk to sometimes than Remus. "He just has alot on his plate. You know, he lost all of his best friends in the war. And you could probably relate to what he has to go through as a werewolf. I feel rather sorry for him. It's too bad that people look down their noses at someone so heroic and kind. I'm sure he'll get easier to talk to after awhile, when he starts feeling better." Hermione eyed James in puzzlement. Was he - blushing? Why would he be, it wasn't like she'd complimented him or something.

The music started, and the couples got up to dance. James was quite glad of the interruption. As they began dancing, James was forced to look at her full in the face, something he'd tried to avoid doing. Hermione was looking into his eyes with a shrewd expression. "Maybe it's a bit silly, but you look so familiar, and I feel like we've met before. Like we've known each other a very long time."

James's heart sank. This was it; if he didn't think of something fast, he'd have to tell her here and now. "Hermione," he started shakily. She was going to KILL him, and he was SO going to get sacked. He just knew it. "There's something - something I should have told you since we first met. I didn't tell you then, because I didn't think things would end up like this. I've been foolish and naive for the past two days, and I need to stop. Can you come outside with me for a minute? I can tell you there."

"Yes, of course," she whispered, concerned. James looked very upset, like he was going to cry almost. The pair walked outside and sat down on a private bench. James was holding her hand quite hard.

"Hermione. Take out your wand, point it at my throat, and say 'Veritatio.' "

Hermione's mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. The puzzle pieces were all falling in place, she just couldn't believe it was true. She just couldn't! He wouldn't do something so naughty, would he? There was only one way to find out. She took out her wand, pointed it at "James's" throat, and said, "Veritatio." Hermione held her breath, watching a dramatic change come over him. It couldn't be, it just couldn't.

But it was indeed, Remus J. Lupin! He'd evidently taking Aging potion to make himself look younger. Hermione felt her face grow so hot, she could've easily fried eggs on it. All those things she said, all those things she did. She scanned her brain frantically for all the things she'd said about Remus. She hadn't said anything too embarrassing, had she?

"I bet you hate me now," Remus surmised, his voice cracking. "I never meant for things to happen this way. I thought being young again for a few days would be fun and take my mind off things. It never occurred to me that anyone would want to become my girlfriend, especially in such a short time. Nobody had wanted to when I was younger, except for one girl, who dumped me when she found out about, well, my condition. I know forgiveness is quite a bit much to ask for right now. I should probably resign for doing something so irresponsible. I should be an example to the students, and I haven't been."

Hermione felt her initial shock and anger melting away as she listened to him. She knew that he was being sincere from all the time she'd spent with him over the years. "Remus, don't resign," she said in a small voice. "You're right, I rushed into the boyfriend thing way too fast." She could feel her face heating up again. "I wondered why you acted so strange whenever I mentioned you," she said, chancing a laugh.

"You - you aren't upset at me?" queried Remus, feeling immense relief.

"Well," started Hermione. It HAD been rather obnoxious of him to do this. But in a way, looking back, it was neat to interact with the younger Remus. He'd been one of them for awhile. "I can't honestly say that I'm not. I don't blame you, Remus. It's just this whole situation." (Oh no, I shouldn't have said that, it implies too many things. He's going to think I'm SO silly!)

Remus thought he knew what she meant by that, but he hardly dared believe it. Besides, if he went any further down the road he was on, he'd certainly have to resign, whether Hermione liked it or not.

"You're not going to resign, are you?" pleaded Hermione again.

"I'll have to think about it, Hermione." He looked away.

"I should really be going," stated Hermione. "Goodnight, Remus." As she turned away, Remus caught sight of a tear rolling down her cheek.

Hermione hurried up to her room, wiping away tears. Griffindor Tower was completely empty. She curled up on her bed, thoughts whirling. She was still quite shocked to know Remus had done something like this, which was quite out of character for him. She'd always revered him for his many admirable strengths, especially his patient endurance through his pain. (He's had enough, that's probably why he did it, as he said, to take his mind off things. Then I came along and messed it all up!) She groaned in frustration. She cared alot for Remus, and hated to know that she was making him feel worse, even enough to resign. (I won't let that happen!) Her eyes closed wearily, and she fell asleep.

Replies to reviewers:

First off, I know you're probably thinking that Snape or someone should have recognized him. Well, let's just say he has a bad memory, or maybe Remus put mild Memory Charms on people who would have recognized him.

Hyperlitegurl: Thanks! Yes, everyone seems happy that's it's a finished story! I'm quite proud of that, it's the first time I've done it, as I've said before.

BrennaM: Hello my faithful reviewer! I hope you liked what happened, it was difficult to write.

Lucidshard: Wow! Thanks for your kind compliments. You think it has a good plot? Great, I was hoping it came across with a good sense of plot.

Sporty12gd4u: Thanks, I tried to make "James" come off that way. Mysterious, and a bit strange. :)

Preview of the next chapter : "Imperio!" shouted Lupin. Harry stared at Lupin unblinkingly, his arms crossed. The Imperius Curse made him think of Cedric's death, and he was barely able to concentrate enough to resist it.

Members of the former D.A. did the best. Lupin had Ron tapping his foot before Ron managed to start resisting. Hermione was one of the last to go, and it was now her turn. Unfortunately, her nerves were returning, and she wasn't sure she could trust herself not to blush. She didn't quite look Remus in the eyes and smiled lightly, arms crossed, waiting for him to start. (Let's just get this over with, Remus) she pleaded silently.