A/N: You can all thank my friend Nevnarial for this update...she was most insistent. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Moony is Gone!

Hermione stumbled into the Great Hall for breakfast rather late. She rubbed her eyes with her right hand. Her left hand was wrapped tightly in a bandage. Exhausted yet exhilarated, she sat down and began to pig out. She was starving from not eating much over the past few days, and she just couldn't eat fast enough with one hand. Suddenly she felt someone sit down next to her. She turned and looked into the eyes of an ecstatically beaming James. "Hello, Hermione," he almost giggled.

She'd never seen him so happy in his life. In fact, happy didn't cover it. GIDDY was a much more accurate description. "Hello, James," she said with a tired smile. She felt her face grow hot when she remembered how he'd kissed her last night.

"Do you need help with anything?" he asked eagerly. "I can help you eat, now that you just have one hand."

"Thanks, but I can manage, James." Seeing him looking a bit disappointed, she added, "But I'll need some help with my school books."

"Sure thing. I can teach you some charms that will help," he said, and launched into them. Hermione knew most of them, but kept quiet. She finished her breakfast. James didn't leave her side until after lunch. "I have to prepare your class," he said, before dashing off.

The class had a fair shock when they entered DADA class. There sat Remus Lupin, when they had expected a fill in. Not only that, he didn't have a scratch, and appeared to be in the perfect state of health. If that wasn't enough, if he smiled any wider, his head would crack in two. "Welcome, class," he started giddily. "I figure today we'll cover Patronuses! Great day don't you think, the weather's lovely outside, and the birds are singing!"

The class smiled hesitantly, wondering if someone had performed a strong Cheering Charm on their professor. "A patronus is a shield that protects you from a dementor. A fully formed one will turn into an animal. All you do is, think of a strong, happy memory, and say: Expecto Patronum! Repeat after me: Expecto Patronum!"

"Expecto Patronum!" said the class. The DA members had already covered this, making it easy for them.

"Harry, come up here and show them how it's done," beckoned Lupin, rubbing his hands together with an excited grin on his face.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" shouted Harry, and a stag leaped from his wand, shining brilliantly before fading away.

"Here, let me have a go," said Lupin. He thought about last night, when he'd realized that Hermione had successfully done the Homorphus Charm. Before, his Patronus was a wolf; he was curious to see what it'd become now. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he shouted. A brilliant light shone from his wand that dazzled everyone in the room. Through the glare, they could make out a large leapord. Slowly the light faded.

Hermione tried next. She shyly thought about how Remus had kissed her last night. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" An otter appeared, glistening brightly. The rest of the DA members conjured Patronuses flawlessly, so Lupin mainly coached the remaining class members while the DA members stood and chatted. Mostly, the conversation was about what had happened to their professor. He was here, healthy, and giddy! Had someone used polyjuice potion or something? Hermione kept quiet. It had been previously agreed not to mention the fact that she had performed the Homorphus Charm to anyone, at least until the end of the year.

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.

"I was using a spell, and it backfired so that my hand will be like this for at least a month. There isn't anything Madam Pomfrey can do," she said truthfully.

"What happened to Professor Lupin? I bet you have something to do with that," said Ron.

"It's a secret. Don't worry, you'll find out eventually," assured Hermione.

Harry felt irritated that he couldn't know, but at least Lupin seemed to be the happiest he'd ever seen him. They left the room, and Hermione headed to the library. After supper, she entered the ROR, feeling nervous. James sat there waiting for her.

"Hermione!" He greeted her, beckoning her to sit down next to him.

She complied. "Hello, Remus."

"You know, today, when we had to conjure our Patronuses, I thought about when I realized you have successfully done the Homorphus Charm. What did you think of?"

She felt butterflies in her stomach. "I thought about how you'd kissed me last night," she admitted shyly.

At the moment, all Remus wanted to do is make Hermione as happy as he felt. He drew her close and kissed her like he had the night before. He gently drew back, and asked, "How about a dance?"

Hermione breathlessly agreed. Remus had prepared for this moment. When he'd envisioned the ROR, he'd included some dancing space and a record player. He put on some music, and they began dancing.

"What put it into your head to learn the Homorphus Charm?" wondered Remus.

"When I saw how you looked after you got beaten up by the Whomping Willow. I never wanted to see that again," she murmured back. "Dumbledore encouraged me to do it, so I practiced every day from then until now."

"We have much to thank Dumbledore for," mused Remus. "And I can't possibly thank you enough." He stopped, gently picked up her injured hand, and kissed it. He found himself fingering her ring finger.

Hermione noticed this as well. (He really must be getting serious about me) she realized. A part of her felt thrilled, to be sure. The more practical side tried to tell her she was headed into deeper trouble than she'd ever been in, but she refused to listen. This was REMUS. She'd learned the Hormorphus Charm because she loved him, and that's all that mattered, right?

Meanwhile, it occurred to Remus that Valentine's Day happened in a couple weeks. He even tossed around the idea of giving her a ring as a gift. "Hermione," he started, still cradling her left hand. "I want to ask you out for Valentine's Day. We could spend it in Hogsmeade."

"Of course I'll come. Just let me know what time," responded Hermione.

"I'll give you a note," promised Remus. "I hate to leave, but I have papers to grade. I'll see you soon, Hermione." He gave her a goodbye kiss before leaving the Room of Requirement. Hermione stared after him, a dreamy smile on her face. She couldn't wait until Valentine's Day.

Replies to Reviewers:

BrennaM: Thanks! Yes, things are going to get interesting:) I really appreciate that you've reviewed every chapter.

LupinLover99: Thanks so much, I'm glad you thought this story was an exception. I can easily see why you think it'd be unrealistic. I enjoyed writing it but it's not something I'm going to do again. Thank you for reviewing, you made my day:)

Nevnarial: Target practice huh? Then you won't get any more stories! Won't you be sad! Besides the fact you don't have a BOW and ARROWS, that could be a problem! I think...hmmmm...actually, last time I spoke ill of your dog, you hung up on me, so I think I'll save this next comment huh? You know, if you stopped IMing me it would go faster!

sporty12gd4u: Thanks, I'm glad you found it exciting. It was supposed to be a climax so that's what I was aiming for. Thanks much for reviewing!

Preview of next chapter: Remus felt disappointed. She seemed pleased, but he could tell she was less than happy. "Is something wrong, Hermione? You don't have another charm for me up your sleeve, do you?" he joked. She was beginning to look like she had on the day before she'd performed the Homorphus Charm on him.

"No, Remus," she said, forcing a laugh. "I'm fine! It's lovely." Her injured hand began to throb, something she found it doing whenever she got upset about something. (This is not good. I need to calm down. I'll get over this)