A/N: I haven't the slightest idea of what JKR had in mind for what the Homorphus Charm was like. So, it's all made up, along with reasons as to why Dumbledore hasn't done it. The only information I have is that, if I remember correctly, you hold the werewolf down by the neck and do the incredibly complicated incantation. Gilderoy Lockhart mentioned that in COS, but I don't have the book to see for sure. Yes, I know he's a fraud, but I believe he was describing someone else doing it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Hermione's Scheme

Hermione sat in the library, reading intently a book titled "Transfiguration: A Book of Complicated Spells." She scanned through each spell, feeling quite over her head. She was about to return the book when a title caught her eye: the Homorphus Charm. She read it curiously. It was horribly complicated. If done correctly, a human could stop being a werewolf forever. If not - well, a brief scan of the list of side effects was quite upsetting. No wonder Dumbledore hadn't done it on Remus. It would be quite time consuming and risky, not to mention rather painful in some parts. (I wish I could do this for him)

She found herself reminiscing Hagrid's words of comfort to her in second year, when she was crying over being called a Mudblood for the first time. "Now, there isn't a thing Hermione doesn't know or a spell our Hermione can't do," or somewhere along those lines. It had been so long ago, she could barely remember. (Well, Hagrid, there are some things I just can't do. The complications of the Homorphus Charm is overwhelming)

She felt someone's presence behind her. She turned and saw it was Dumbledore. His eyes held a thoughtful expression. "Tell me, Hermione - I believe there's a muggle saying - How does one eat an elephant?"

"One bite at a time, Professor," she answered. (And ruin their teeth in the process) she could just hear her parents saying.

Dumbledore smiled, winked, and walked away, leaving Hermione feeling baffled. (I think he just hinted that I should give the Homorphus Charm a try. One step at a time.) She spent close to an hour studying it, weighing her options. If she looked at each step separately, like Dumbledore said, it did seem more doable. (There's no harm in learning it. When I've finished, I could go to Dumbledore and ask if I should do it or not.) Hermione proceeded to write her own lesson plan for learning it. She set a goal of having it completely learned by January's full moon.

Later on in the common room, Harry and Ron caught Hermione muttering to herself and making odd flicks and swishes with her wand. Completely wrapped up in her work, she stared at a book with a frown.

"Hermione!" said Harry, causing her to jump. "What in the world are you doing?"

"I'm not telling," decisively said Hermione. "It's going to be my own secret project. Oh, don't look at me like that, Harry, you'll find out what it is eventually, perhaps when the school year is over or something."

"Hermione, don't you trust us anymore? You've been so secretive, with Profess - I mean, James, and all, and now this," complained Ron.

"Sorry, it's just I don't know if what I'm planning is even going to work. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up," she said, looking directly at Harry. She knew how excited he would be if Remus was no longer a werewolf.

"Fine. Have it your own way," said Ron, turning to go. Luna stopped him.

"Don't get angry, Ron. She's preventing the return of the nargle race," she advised. For once, Hermione appreciated Luna's comments. Luna would stop him from bugging her about it. She watched the pair leave. Harry stayed, gazing at Hermione with a thoughtful expression.

"This has to do with James, doesn't it," concluded Harry.

"Yes, but that's all I'm going to say," replied Hermione.

"You know, Hermione, I'm not sure you should be going out with James," started Harry cautiously.

"You could get into a horrible mess. He's a teacher, you're a student. And he's so much older than you," he whispered. She probably would be angry, but she needed to hear this. Harry was sure the whole thing was going to bomb out.

"Harry, it's fine. This is REMUS we're talking about. He's our FRIEND. I don't really look at him like the other teachers, because we know him so well. And, there's plenty of girls who've gone out with guys much older than them," said Hermione stubbornly. In the back of her mind, she did feel those concerns, though. Especially, what would her parents think! (It's fine. He's REMUS. And I don't think I'll have to worry about my parents for awhile. I think I'll just stay here for Christmas. It'd give me more time to work on the Homorphus Charm that way, too)

"What are your parents going to think?" he whispered urgently. He knew how much she hated to disappoint them. Perhaps they would get her out of this relationship.

"I'll deal with that later. I'm not going home for Christmas. Face it Harry, I'm not breaking up with James. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some studying to do." She shifted her attention back to her book.

Harry shrugged helplessly and left. At least, when it all fell apart, she couldn't say he didn't try to stop it.

Hermione chanced a few more visits with Remus before he was able to return teaching. His whole class was happy to have him back, except for the Slytherins of course. Hermione overheard Malfoy talking to his thugs, Crabbe and Goyle, in the hallway. Evidently, he didn't think anyone could hear him. "Too bad our plan didn't work," he complained. "I was hoping that shrub would finish him off for us. Dumbledore wised up to us, that meddlesome mudblood lover. We'll have to think up something else."

Hermione shook with rage. She wondered who she would hex first - Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle. Before she could do anything, however, Professor Snape arrived. Hermione reluctantly continued walking down the hall, hoping to avoid him. She strode in the DADA classroom. She was several minutes early, but she needed to talk to Remus. Otherwise, she'd curse the living daylights out of that horrible trio and get in big trouble. There really wasn't anything she could do. No one would believe her, except for Remus.

Remus looked up from his desk with a smile. He still looked quite horrible, with bruises and scratches all over, but he'd insisted on returning that day. Hermione nearly exploded at the sight. Oh, if she ever had the chance...that trio needed to go straight to Azkaban.

His smile turned into a look of concern. (What did I do? She looks like she's about to erupt!) "Hermione, what's wrong? What did I do?"

Her eyes filled with tears. "Remus, of course you haven't done anything." She related what she overheard in the hallway.

Remus sighed and looked at his hands, deep in thought. "Hermione, I'm not really surprised. Unfortunately, the only thing I can do about this is keep a close eye on them. Please, Hermione, don't attack them. I don't want you getting in trouble on my account. Think of how it would look. Now, class is about to start, you'd better sit down."

Hermione obeyed. The class filed in, with calls of "We're glad to have you back, Snape was horrible!" and "Are you okay, Professor?" He taught the class while sitting in a chair, frequently asking questions so he wouldn't have to talk as much. He tried not to let it show how much pain he was still in.

Hermione could tell by how stiffly he carried himself that he was going to take a long time to recover. This only inspired her to double her efforts on the Homorphus Charm. He passed out papers, his walk a mere shuffle. Hermione saw a special brief note on hers. "ROR, 8:00" was all it said. She smiled eagerly. This wasn't the first time he'd given her a note. Her heart beat fast. She couldn't wait to be with James again.

Replies to Reviewers:

BrennaM: LOL I'm glad you found that funny:) Yes, I was quite mean to him, wasn't I? Well, I found it necessary for that to happen so the two little plot bunnies in this chapter could be born. :) Thanks for your review, it made me smile.

Lucidshard: Thanks so much for your two reviews! Hmmm...it sounds like you've caught on to all the hints I've been dropping with Hermione! Yes, they do have some rough sailing ahead.

sporty12gd4u: Yes, it definitely hurt! (glares at Malfoy) Thanks for reviewing!

Aljinon: Thanks, I really enjoyed writing that! (Remus snapping at Hermione) It's one of my favorite parts. In my original plot, I wasn't sure where to stick in when they found out, but it came out pretty naturally in this chapter so I left it that way. It is better that they find out sooner rather than later. :) Thanks a million for your long review! Hey, I just got your second one. I hope you pass. I was barely able to pass in that subject. :)

Thayet Conte: Thank you! Have a nice trip. :) The whole story will probably be up by then. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think!

Preview of next chapter: True to Dumbledore's word, when she exited the class, the Weasley twins were waiting for her, chewing gumdrops. People stared as their hair turned wild, random colors. "We've come," said Fred.

"At Dumbledore's request," added George proudly.

"Follow us," said Fred.

"To the room of requirement," explained George.

"We'll show you."

"Many interesting things."

Hermione grinned weakly. Normally she felt disapproving, but today was different.