A/N: I'm not entirely satisfied with how this and the next few chapters turned out...but here it is anyway. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Homorphus Charm

Hermione trailed behind Dumbledore, her heart thumping loudly in her ears. She vaguely wondered if Dumbledore could hear it. Now they were marching through the DADA office door. How did they get there so fast?

Through the windows, Hermione could see that although the full moon wasn't visible yet, it's appearance was imminent. She glanced around and found Remus standing in a corner, chains piled around him on the floor. He looked extremely perplexed. "Dumbledore, are you sure this is safe?" he questioned anxiously, his eyes wide with fear. "I don't want to hurt her."

"I assure you, it will be quite safe." Dumbledore attached the shackles to the walls in various places.

"Now I will take my leave. Good luck, the both of you." Then he was gone.

"Has he told you what I'm going to do?" asked Hermione.

"No, he just said I'm going to be chained up and you're going to be here," explained Remus. "Get to it, Hermione." He held his arms out, waiting to be shackled.

"This must be really embarrassing for you," said Hermione, tearing up. (He must feel like such a horrid beast)

"Sympathy won't matter to the wolf, Hermione," he said urgently. "The full moon's almost here!"

With the greatest reluctance, she chained Remus securely to the wall. She especially hated the neck chain; but she couldn't risk getting bitten. She blinked away tears, feeling new determination. If she succeeded, he would never have to go through this again. "Remus, I'm going to do a test that hopefully we can finish before the full moon comes. I need to grab a hold of your neck, but wave your hand if I'm choking you." Her hands were sweating, and she was unable to get a good grip. She wiped her hands on her robes and tried again with more success. He began to wave his hand. She let go.

"I was fine with the grip, but when you pressed down I began to choke," he explained.

"All right, now we wait," she told him. "Remus, I just want you to know," her voiced cracked. This could be the last time she talked to him, if the worst happened. "I love you."

"I love you too, Hermione," he said, smiling lightly. "You look so serious, you're worrying me. Are you sure you can't -" Suddenly, they both spotted the full moon rising. The moment it touched Remus, Hermione grabbed his neck and pointed the trip of her wand at his heart. "Principius mandatum," she gasped. It had begun. "Occupo homo."

The transformation into a wolf was soon completed. Moony snapped and snarled at her, enraged at his confinement. She could feel his drool trailing down her arms, and soon she was covered in it. She desperately wanted to let go, but she couldn't, it would ruin everything. Hermione sweated profusely. Minutes stretched into eternity, as Moony's strangled howls echoed into the night. Her left hand, which was holding his neck still, screamed with pain after ten minutes of strain. Had it been ten minutes, or ten hours? She couldn't tell. It might as well have been ten days. She continued with the incantation, swishing and flicking her wand periodically, and pointing at different parts of his body.

Now for the critical part. Moony needed to recognize her in order to change back to human. "Venis mens statim!" she gasped, poking her wand into his forehead. It was a very difficult task to concentrate on what she was asking and avoid being bitten in this position. Now was the time; if he recognized her, it would work. If not, then who knew what would happen.

With an almighty howl, she felt Moony break free from his chains and her tight grasp. Overcome with horror, she fell down, curling up in a ball and waiting for the worst. (It failed) she thought, sobbing miserably. (I'm going to die, and who knows what's going to happen to Remus) She felt oddly peaceful. (I hope I'm going to die quickly and not painfully)

She felt Moony land on her. It went oddly silent, except for Hermione's sobs. (I wonder why I'm not dead yet) She peeked up, and the sight she beheld astounded her. Remus was lying on top of her, looking very disoriented. "Remus?" she queried, hardly daring to believe her eyes.

"Hermione," he said slowly, as if trying to recall something. "I had an odd dream - I was a werewolf - chained up and attacking you." He gazed out the window. "It's full moon." His voice was filled with extreme confusion. "How come I'm not -" his voice trailed off.

"I performed the Homorphus Charm, Remus," Hermione explained. "It worked. You aren't a werewolf anymore."

She could almost feel Remus's shock. "I'm - not a werewolf?" his said disbelievingly. He had lived for over twenty years with that condition. He couldn't imagine living without it. New possibilities and a new future began to occur to him. He wouldn't have trouble finding jobs - people wouldn't sneer at him anymore - and he could marry without guilt.

As Remus was slowly collecting his thoughts, Hermione grew aware of the close position they were in, and pulled herself from under him, beginning to feel nervous. They were all alone in his office, which was only lit by moonlight. Her one good hand helped to push her up into a sitting position. Remus sat up as well, staring at her. "You learned the Homorphus Charm?"

"It took me two months of daily practice," she told him. "It was worth it." She beamed as reality began to sink in. She'd succeeded...

It sank in with Remus as well. He knew, if he ever married, it would be her and no one else. Age, professionalism no longer made any issues for him now. He felt overwhelmed, wishing there was some effective way to thank her.

Hermione felt the air grow heavy. Suddenly Remus pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the lips several times, before gently breaking apart. Hermione vaguely wondered if it was just her, or had someone set off some Weasley fireworks. "I can't even begin to thank you enough, Hermione," he said huskily. He could feel himself beginning to cry. He squeezed her tight and buried his head in her shoulder. He just couldn't get over his shock. Twentysome years of slavery, and now he was free.

"Remus," gasped Hermione after a few minutes. "You're choking me." She felt him loosen his grip immediately. "I need you to escort me back to the portrait hole. It's late."

When she tried to stand, she slipped and fell down, remembering too late that she was covered in slobber and some of the floor was too. "Ew!" she said in revulsion. "I'm covered in your SPIT!"

"I'm sorry, Hermione," said Remus, holding back a laugh. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh, I know you didn't mean to do it, Remus," said Hermione. "Do you think you could take me to the prefect's bathroom first, then to the portrait hole? I REALLY don't want to sleep like this!" Her voice dripped with disgust.

"Of course, Hermione. I'll wait for you." He took her good hand and helped her up. "What happened to your other hand?"

"I had to hold you by the neck with it, and it's strained pretty badly. According to the book, it won't heal until the next full moon. Then there will be no more side effects after that."

"And you knew about that all the time," said Remus softly. "I can't begin to describe how much I appreciate this."

"Don't, just take me to the bathroom," said Hermione, feeling impatient and embarrassed. The drool began to smell.

Remus obliged. Hermione bathed as quickly as she could, before returning to the portrait hole with him. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was all over. Remus drew Hermione to him, kissing her on the lips again.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

"Goodnight," Hermione said back, feeling breathless. He reluctantly let her go and faded into the night.

Replies to Reviewers:

BrennaM: Thanks so much for your review!

Rane2920072: Yes, she has. It's actually in the books. (the charm) Thanks for reviewing!

Lucidshard: I know, I left a cliffie there didn't I:) Thanks for your review!

Aljinon: Thank you! I'm glad you're still hooked. :)

Nevnarial: Finally you review! Took you long enough! Thank you Nevvy! Don't you love your new nickname! (readers: she's my best friend)

LupinLover99: Thanks for your two reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

slytherinstargazing: Thanks, I'm happy to hear from you! The best thing is hearing how other people enjoy reading what I wrote, thanks:)

Preview of next chapter: At the end of the class, when Lupin passed out papers, Hermione received her usual note about meeting in the ROR. With her one good hand, she used her wand to put it in her bookbag. When class was dismissed, Harry and Ron immediately started questioning her. They hadn't been able to talk with her until then.

"What happened to your hand?" asked Harry.