A/N: The big chapter you've been waiting for:) Originally I didn't have Peeves in here, but I have a soft spot for that naughty little ghost, and I just had to include him, LOL. Hope you all like this chapter! Sorry that it's kind of short. I tried adding more to it, but it just didn't flow right, so I left it like it is.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the glass of water that shows up periodically. :(

Insufferable Malfoy

Draco Malfoy smirked as he watched the Mudblood. He usually didn't pay much attention to her, but he'd noticed that James wasn't around her lately. This would make the perfect bullying point. She was alone in the hallway, without her thugs Harry and Ron. He had Crabbe and Goyle with him. Oh, this day was going to be the brightest of all the days since his father escaped from Azkaban. He spotted Peeves. Hmm, maybe he wouldn't get have to get in trouble for this. "Hey Peeves. Why don't you start throwing things at that girl over there?"

Peeves rubbed his hands together and cackled eagerly. Oh, this was going to be good! He picked up an abandoned cup of water and poured it on Hermione. She shrieked in surprise. "PEEVES!" she screamed in fury. Peeves whooped with glee and proceeded to throw the cup at her. It crashed a few inches from her foot as she tried to run away. Unfortunately, she ran smack into Draco Malfoy.

"Watch where you're going, Mudblood. Or are your eyes too clouded with tears since James left you? About time he realized what a rotten girlfriend you make. You don't deserve a pureblood for a boyfriend."

"He didn't break up with me, Malfoy," she snarled.

"Really? How come I haven't seen him with you? He's probably seeing another girl. Would serve your right after what you did to my father."

"I won't explain it to the likes of YOU, Malfoy!"

"Shut up, Mudblood," he said, drawing his wand. Peeves poured another glass of water on Hermione's head. Hermione tried to get away, but Crabbe and Goyle blocked her path. She was about to draw her wand when she heard a very familiar voice. Her heart leaped.

"What are you doing to my girlfriend?" demanded James. Hermione turned towards him, and barely noticed when Peeves dumped more water on her. (Great, he comes and I look horrible. I'm soaking wet!)

"You! How come I haven't seen you too together then?" Draco snapped.

"Nice to know you care, Malfoy," James smirked. "Perhaps you could give us some relationship counselling. But then again, I think I'd prefer to take Hermione for a walk. Shall we?" he said, reaching out for Hermione. Hermione beamed and walked up to him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. James widened his eyes and stared at her for a second, before grabbing her hand and leading her away from Malfoy and his cronies.

(Was this just some sort of ruse to get me away from Malfoy, or did he really mean what he said? If it was just a ruse, wouldn't being Remus be more effective?) Hermione wondered. "James" didn't seem interested in talking at the moment, and she could feel his hand shake with nerves.

He stopped abruptly, and she realized he was opening the Room of Requirement. She curiously looked around the room to see what he chose it to be. Maybe it'd give her some sort of clue as to why Remus had done this. It, however, looked like an ordinary living room. Remus sat down on a couch, pulling Hermione down with him. "I need to talk to you," he said tensely.

Hermione was shivering with cold. She grabbed a blanket and pulled it around herself. "Go ahead," she said softly.

He offered her his jacket, and she took it. "Horrible Malfoy," he muttered. "I bet he set Peeves on you."

"I'll dry off," she said, staring at him expectantly. She was sure she hadn't been dragged all this way just to talk about Draco Malfoy.

He formed a bridge with his hands and stared at it, twitching. Idly he wondered what James Potter would have thought about him asking his son's best friend out. He took a deep breath. "Hermione, I was wondering..." Silence. "Will you go out to the Christmas dance with me?" He gazed at her intently, his eyes wide with expectation.

"Why, Remus," she said, surprised. Even though she thought he would ask, she somehow didn't believe he'd actually do it. "I was wondering when you were going to ask." She grinned. "Of course I'll go with you! You mean, as your girlfriend?" she asked shyly.

He reddened. "Yes," he admitted, elated. She was coming!

"Doesn't this pose a problem for you though? I mean, it's risky." Hermione hated being so practical, but she didn't want Remus to get sacked on her account.

"I talked to Dumbledore. He basically told me, not outright of course, that if I drank Aging potion he'd look the other way."

"It's on, then," she beamed. (If Dumbledore said it's ok, it must be)

"Can I visit you again? As James, of course," he asked hopefully.

"Of course," Hermione said brightly. "Whenever you like. I think we should talk about how we're going to behave in class, so there's no misunderstandings and no one gets suspicious."

"Right," agreed Remus. "I think it would be wise to pretend that we dislike each other during class."

"You mean," clarified Hermione, "You would treat me like Snape does or something?"

"No, I couldn't treat you THAT badly," said Remus, grinning. "I was thinking more along the lines of calling you an unsufferable know-it-all, and things like that. I'm not going to take points off you for breathing, like Snape does."

Hermione giggled. "And I suppose I should complain in class, and complain when you chew me out for it. If I'm lucky," she joked, "I just might get detention."

Remus knew she was joking. It was extremely rare that Hermione got detention, and he didn't think she would misbehave on purpose just to see him. In fact, he could hardly believe she'd agreed so readily to go out with him at all. "You really want to go out with me? Even though I'm, well, nearly twice your age, and you have plenty of other guys to choose from?"

"Why, do you want me to reconsider?" she said teasingly. "Remus, don't worry about it. I don't like any other guys. I've - I've liked you since third year," she confessed, blushing. (It is rather strange that he's older - I'll get used to it) she thought, brushing it off. She held a deep admiration for all her teachers, and it didn't occur to her that they could ever steer her wrong.

"You really want to be my girlfriend, then?"

(This is a bit surreal) flitted across Hermione's mind. She chose to ignore it. "Yes, Remus."

He smiled ecstatically. Hermione had accepted him, Wolf and all. He hugged her and checked his watch. "It's getting near curfew time, Hermione."

Hermione nodded. "Goodnight, Remus," she whispered. She was going to sleep well tonight!

Replies to Reviewers:

Rane2920072: Thanks! The other day I asked my friend why she'd asked me "How many cups of sugar does it take to get to the moon?" (that's where I got the title from, when she asked me that) and she told me she'd gotten the phrase from Goof Troop. LOL Not exactly the place where I'd expected it to come from. Thanks again for reviewing!

BrennaM: I was greatly amused by the image of Moony acting like a puppy and I had to put it in. Yes, Peeves and Draco are quite a dangerous combination, aren't they?

Lucidshard: You're welcome! Yes, it is cute. :) I got the idea of her being frightened of the Wolf from another fanfiction, but instead of being afraid of being attacked by him like it was in that one, I made it so she was afraid he'd die. I liked that much better.

LupinLover99: Here it is. :) I hope it lives up to your expectations.

Phoenix Sworn: Just when I thought my smile couldn't get any wider, I get your review! Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. You know, I've never considered myself an expert in romance, especially since I've never come even close to having a boyfriend. I'm flattered you thought I handle it well. :)

Thayet Conte: Welcome to my "family of reviewers!" :) I'm glad you like it.

sporty12gd4u: I hope you liked how he asked her in this chapter. :) This update would have been sooner if my mom hadn't insisted on going to the barn early. But I reckon it's still considered quick. LOL

Aljinon: Yes, it is cute. :) I hadn't planned on writing it that way but it naturally came out like that.

Preview of next chapter: "Over there," she pointed. "If he's sleeping, don't wake him up. He's had quite a rough night. Several bones broken, bruises everywhere and some nasty scrapes. I was able to fix most of that rather quickly, of course, but he's definitely not in good shape."

Hermione stared at her, horrified.