A/N: Some of my readers (Nevvy in particular) have expressed doubt that this will have a happy ending. I just would like to say that this will indeed have a happy ending, I just felt like I needed to write the next few chapters to be realistic. Know that I couldn't keep them apart for long. :) Also, I know the Dobby sock thing is rather lame but it amused me at the time. I can't take it out because it would change too much.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Avoidance

Hermione walked as quickly as she could. Remus was following her, she knew, and she didn't feel like facing him right now. She tickled the pear on the wall and entered the kitchen. (He probably won't think to look in here) she hoped. Dobby waddled up to her eagerly.

"Anything we can help with, miss?" he asked. "Dobby is always happy to help."

"I'm don't think you'll be able to help me with my problem, other than not telling anyone that I'm here. Thanks, Dobby," she said.

"Dobby knows many things others do not. Dobby wants to help!" he insisted. "Dobby won't tell you're here, oh no, miss!"

"I'm trying to avoid someone," admitted Hermione. "I don't think I'll be able to do it successfully, though. He knows about the ROR, and I don't have anyplace to hide out other than the kitchen."

"Dobby knows!" he squeaked excitedly. "Dobby knows apparation spell! Only Dobby knows it!"

"I thought no one could apparate in Hogwarts, other than house-elves," said Hermione skeptically.

"Dobby knows his way around it, miss. I will give you Dobby socks! Apparation magic is woven into them. The castle cannot block it, miss!" He pulled a pair of wild, mismatched socks from a pile. One was bright orange with purple hearts, the other neon yellow with lime green moons.

Hermione stared at them. Normally, she wouldn't be caught dead in them, but under the circumstances..."Thanks, Dobby. You're really kind," she said gratefully.

"No, Dobby thanks you, miss. You helped vanquish Voldemort. Dobby will be forever grateful!"

Hermione took her own socks off and put on Dobby's socks. To her embarrassment, they were partially visible under her robes. (I'll just have to deal with it!) she thought. She put her old socks in her pocket and left the kitchen, heading directly to the Griffindor common room. She saw Remus coming. (I'll have to give these socks a try. I've passed my apparation test) She was pleasantly shocked to find herself suddenly in the common room. (I'm going to have to buy him socks for every day of the year!)

Remus, meanwhile, rubbed his eyes in confusion. Hadn't he just seen Hermione? How did she vanish? No one can apparate in Hogwarts. (Maybe this is one of the side effects of being in love) he thought sheepishly. (I'm imagining her here, when she's not)

Some days later, James managed to find Hermione in the library, reading. She'd been unusually scarce these past several days, and his mind seemed to be playing tricks on him. Often, he'd think he saw her for a moment, then she was gone. "Hello, Hermione," he greeted her quietly. "I haven't seen you for awhile. I've missed you."

(Don't panic. It's okay. I'll be able to work this out) thought Hermione. "Hello, James. Sorry about that. It's just, I'm studying for my NEWTS. I really want to do well."

Remus frowned. NEWTS were months away! (I can't exactly discourage her from studying. I'm a teacher. But I want her to spend time with me, too) He noticed that she was still wearing his ring. He glanced down, and grinned at the sight of her socks. "Nice socks, Hermione!" She reddened, and he swore he could detect a guilty expression. (What would she be guilty about? They're only socks)

"Thanks," she said, smiling sheepishly.

(She doesn't seem to want to talk to me. That's strange. You'd think she'd be happy to see me, since we haven't been together for awhile) "Something wrong, Hermione?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," she said absently. Her voice seemed a little cold. He doubted she was telling the truth. He shifted on his feet. Should he press the matter, or let it drop and hope it goes away? He gazed at her as she read, trying to decipher her expression. He felt rather clueless, as he didn't have much experience in romantic relationships. Was it normal for the girl to act like this on some occasions? (Maybe I could talk to Harry. He might be able to tell me what's wrong, or if this is normal. He might be no genius when it comes to girls either, but at least he's had more experience) Remus stood up, his mind made up. "I'll let you study, Hermione. I'll hopefully see you later."

"Goodbye, James," she said. He noticed the relieved expression on her face, and it hurt him. He turned quickly away and started searching for Harry.

He found Harry on his way from Quidditch practice, Firebolt in hand. "Hi Harry, how did it go?"

"Wonderful, as usual. I caught the Snitch in five minutes the first time!"

"Listen, Harry, can I talk to you?"

"Sure," agreed Harry. He followed him to an empty hallway, where James transformed back into Remus. The two entered Remus's office quietly.

"I need some advice," he admitted, chuckling a bit at the irony of the situation. Harry should really be asking him for advice, since he was younger!

"Go ahead," directed Harry, raising his eyebrows.

"I think Hermione is avoiding me. She didn't seemed too happy to see me today. She wouldn't tell me what was wrong, and insisted she needed to study for NEWTS, which are months away! Is it normal for girls to sometimes act like that? Do you know what's wrong?"

Harry shifted uneasily. Hermione had, indeed, told him what was wrong, and even about the Dobby socks. He'd sworn not to tell Remus though. What was he going to say? "Girls are really mysterious, aren't they? They're hard to make heads or tails of sometimes. I can't say Ginny has ever done that, though," Harry said, attempting to dodge the question.

"She hasn't told you what's wrong?" asked Remus.

(He looks so upset) Harry noticed. He felt torn between his promise to Hermione and helping Remus.

"Not - not everything," he stuttered.

"There is something wrong, then," concluded Remus.

(Oh no, I've said too much. Hermione's going to kill me!) "I'm really sorry, Lupin. I - I can't really say."

Remus felt a flare of jealously. Hermione would tell Harry everything, but not him. Didn't she trust him? Why wasn't she being honest with him? (She should go out with Harry instead, evidently she feels closer to him!) "You two are really close, aren't you," Lupin growled, his eyes narrowing.

Harry leaped up from his seat. "Lupin, it isn't like that, and you know it! She's isn't telling you what's on her mind because she's afraid of hurting you. If you wish to have an easier time getting more out of her, get her to take those socks off. Now that's all I'm going to say. Hermione's my FRIEND. I would never dump Ginny, and you know it."

Lupin smirked. "Really, Harry? Socks? What would they have to do with anything?"

"I'm not telling, if anyone's going to tell, it's going to be her. You should be grateful, this will really help. Get her to stop wearing them, and you'll have a much easier time getting her to talk. I'm going now, Lupin." Harry stormed out of the office. Lupin was being ridiculous. He had no reason to be jealous of Harry.

Lupin stared after Harry. Socks? He shook his head, bewildered. Nothing was making sense. (I'm at my wit's end, though. I think I'll follow his tip on the socks. I wonder how I could get her to stop wearing them?) Suddenly an idea popped in his head that made him grin mischievously. (The Weasley twins send products by owl, do they not? Perhaps they will help)

In the next DADA class, Remus spent alot of time eyeing Hermione's socks. He was just waiting to follow the Weasley twin's instructions. They'd given him an itching powder that would only activate when a certain spell was said. All he had to do was get close enough to Hermione to sprinkle the powder on her socks. He found that, try as he might, he wasn't able to get close to her other than in class. He hated to do it while he was teaching, but he had no other choice.

He soon had his chance. He saw Neville, who was sitting next to Hermione, shift in his seat. Naughtily Remus flicked his wand, and the books on Neville's desk went flying onto Hermione's feet. "Oh no, Neville, here, let me help," Remus offered, trying not to look guilty. When nobody was looking, he reached into his pocket and sprinkled the itching powder on Hermione's socks. He put Neville's books back on his desk, and nonchalantly continued with his class. When he dismissed his class, he pointed his wand at Hermione's feet, and whispered so no one could hear, "Commoveo semper."

Hermione stopped walking. Out of the blue, her feet were itching like crazy! She looked around for a culprit, but no one seemed likely. She walked to a remote place and scratched and scratched, but to no avail. (Oh no, it looks like I'm not going to be able to use these socks anymore. I'll have to go to Dobby for another pair) She apparated to her room, and put her normal pair on. Then she walked into the kitchen. "Dobby, do you have any more anti-apparation-block-socks?"

"No, sorry, miss," he apologized. "I can make more, miss! It will take at least a week."

"Thanks, Dobby. This other pair started itching for some strange reason," she explained, giving them back to him. She left the kitchen with a sinking feeling. (I guess I'll just have to use Harry's Cloak now. I haven't been able to sort things out yet.)

Replies to Reviewers:

LupinLover99: You're not the only one. :) However, I felt like I needed to move her to a more serious mindset. It's necessary to have this happen in order for the happy things later on to happen. :)

MoonyNZ: Thanks for reviewing again. :) I think my author alert isn't working either. Haven't bothered to fix it, though, I'm very lazy. Yes, I do update fast, but only because I've finished this story already. Hmmmm, it remains to be seen if she'll realize she can't be without Remus. :)

Nevnarial: Happy? Thanks Nevvy! Yes, I am evil. (mwhaha!) You probably know what I have planned. You should! LOL Anyway, things are going to get worse before they get better.

sporty12gd4u: I'll just say that despite what happens in the next few chapters, they will indeed end up together. I can't stand sad endings. Thanks for reviewing!

BrennaM: Thanks for your review! Yes, everything will turn out all right in the end. :)

Preview of next chapter: Suddenly a knock sounded on the door. "Under the Cloak with you!" hissed Hagrid. "With you in a minute!" he shouted to the knocker. When Hermione was safely under the Cloak in the corner, Hagrid opened the door. "Oh hello, Professor Lupin. Nice to see yeh," greeted Hagrid. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Hello, Hagrid. I thought I'd drop in for awhile," said Remus.

"You're always welcome to, Professor. Here, I'll get yeh some tea."

Remus raised his eyebrows at the sight on the table. It looked like there had already been someone here recently.