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Transitions

Hermione woke up the next morning, disoriented. She had the feeling that when she came to, she was going to remember something very unpleasant. She struggled to stay asleep, but it was no use. Her eyes opened. Around her, she could see the bleak room she'd chosen last night. It had nothing but a couch and a few blankets in it. The walls, ceiling, and floor was all - you guessed it - black. She stared at the ceiling, the events of last night raining upon her memory. She stared at the ceiling, her eyes blank and glassy. (Maybe I'll play hookey from school today, especially since I have DADA class)

She felt a quiet sort of peace, the kind you get after you've cried a great long while. She sniffed dejectedly. Harry and Ron, and her roommates Parvati and Ginny, would probably start looking for her soon. They would probably ask Remus where she was. (Then they'll know, too. At least HE could tell them and not me)

She pulled her blankets tighter around her and snuggled up to the pillows. They were mildly comforting. She sighed, debating what to do now. If she stayed here too long, Remus would come and get her, in all probability. (I think I'll go to the kitchen to see if Dobby has another pair of A.A.B. socks for me)

She walked into the kitchen, a defeated air about her. "Hello, Dobby," she said.

"Hello miss! I have your socks! Here they are, miss!" Dobby said excitedly.

"Thanks, Dobby. You've really made my day," she said kindly. "Goodbye. I'll visit you soon."

"Yes, miss, Dobby always enjoys seeing you!"

Hermione slipped on the AAB socks, and stuffed her old ones into her pockets. She then apparated into her own bed, pulling her covers over her head, trying to decide if she wanted to show her face that day. It certainly didn't sound appealing.

Meanwhile, it was after breakfast, and Harry still hadn't seen Hermione since supper the previous day. He was worried. (Remus might know where she is) he thought. He hurried to Remus's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," called Remus. He didn't feel like having visitors, but he didn't have a good excuse to turn them away.

Harry entered, gaping at Remus. "I thought you might be asleep. You look really good for it being full moon last night," complimented Harry. He mistook the bleak look in Remus's eyes for sleepiness.

"Thank you Harry. I assume you came in here for something other than seeing how I fared the night?"

"Yes, actually I was wondering where Hermione is. I haven't seen her since dinner last night. I thought you'd probably know. She was in detention with you last night, wasn't she?" asked Harry.

"She was," he confirmed, his voice cracking. "I don't know where she went afterwards."

"Did something happen?" inquired Harry, concerned.

"We - we broke up. I decided she was too upset about what people would think if they found out, well, about us, and I - I let her go. She was pretty upset about it."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. "I don't know what to say. I'm really sorry, Lupin. I can see she means alot to you." Harry stood silent for a moment. "I should go. Goodbye, Lupin."

"Goodbye Harry."

Harry continued his search through the castle, and the ROR, which was empty. Hermione was nowhere to be seen. He felt a bit relieved that the situation was at an end, and yet, Remus had been so happy when he was with Hermione. Maybe the pair weren't so bad together. (Seems too late now) mused Harry. He bumped into Ron, and updated him on everything that had happened.

"You should ask Ginny to search the girl's rooms," suggested Ron.

"Good idea," agreed Harry. Ginny found Hermione curled up under her covers, stubbornly refusing to leave. She reported this to Harry. (She must have gotten another pair of socks) he concluded. That was the only way she could have gotten to her room without him seeing her last night. "I think we should leave her be until lunchtime. Then Luna and you could go back up there to get her out of bed," he suggested to Ginny. Ginny nodded in agreement.

As Hermione wasn't with them when they sat down at lunch, Luna and Ginny entered Hermione's room, prepared not to leave until Hermione went with them. Luna, of course, had her own bright things to say.

"Hermione, if you keep this up, the nargles will come back!" protested Luna. "You must get up. Daddy would be upset."

Ignoring Luna, Ginny whispered encouragement to Hermione. Harry hadn't told her what was the matter, but she was determined to get Hermione out of bed. "Hermione, if you don't get up, I'll hex you," she threatened. "You know I know some good ones! I'll use the one I did on Bellatrix Lestrange!"

Hermione remembered what she was talking about. It certainly wasn't something she'd want done to her. Reluctantly she got up, changed into some presentable clothes, and sat down in the Great Hall with Ginny and the rest. Firmly ignoring the teacher's table, she picked at her plate. Nothing seemed appealing at the moment, especially since she had DADA class right after lunch. She sighed, remembering the good old days when she'd had a more normal relationship with Remus, and it had been her favorite class. Now it was the last place she wanted to be.

Harry and Ron dragged Hermione into DADA class, insisting that she couldn't afford to miss a lesson, since NEWTS were coming closer by the day. Hermione sat at her desk, staring blankly around the room. She absolutely refused to meet Remus's eyes. She merely listened to the class, not participating at all, and Remus left her alone. She left his class without a word.

Later on, in the hallway, she bumped into Colin Creevy. "Hey, Hermione, something wrong? Did James break up with you?"

"Leave me alone, Colin," she sniffed.

"I was thinking maybe we could go for a walk around the Quidditch field. You know, Griffindor is practicing today."

"No THANKS, Colin. I'm - I'm not going out with anyone!" She turned around, disgusted, when she was stunned by the sight of Remus looking at her. He'd seen the whole thing. She turned back to Colin. She felt anger build against Remus. He'd let her go - just like that! After all she'd done for him! "Actually, Colin, a walk sounds NICE. Why don't we make a day of it?"

Colin stared at her, wide-eyed. Although he had hoped she'd agree, he hadn't expected her to actually say yes. "Great. Um, let's go." He grabbed her hand, surprised when she accepted it. What he didn't see, though, was the last little cold glare Hermione sent Remus. She felt her anger waiver when she saw his deeply hurt expression. (He deserves it after breaking up with me like that! I wish he wouldn't look at me like that, though. It makes it hard to be angry with him.)

A week later, she and Parvati were walking along the hall. "Hermione, whatever happened to James? You two seemed to be so serious about each other! Oh hi, Professor Lupin!" called Parvati.

Hermione felt a well of confused emotions spring up. (Why did he have to show up!) She still had feelings for Remus, but she was also still smarting from the break up. "We broke up," she said coldly. She tried not to look at Professor Lupin, who was staring at her.

"Why did you break up? You were great together." Parvati grinned slyly. "Sometimes I thought I could detect wedding bells."

Hermione felt poised between rage and embarrassment. (Parvati is such a gossip!) "Honestly, Parvati." She felt her anger and frustration begin to bubble over. Tears welled in her eyes. "Can we go?" (If we don't, I'll do something I'll regret later!)

"Why? It's only Professor Lupin here, and he's hardly a gossip, is he?" she said, suppressing a giggle.

"LET'S GO!" Hermione shrieked, and dragged Parvati as far away from Remus as she could go. "We broke up, and that's the end of it, all right?" hissed Hermione. Parvati nodded, confused. However, Hermione didn't seem to be in the mood for questions.

Over the next couple weeks, Hermione cooled down and tried to treat Remus as she would any other teacher, calling him Professor, and never Remus. He, catching on, tried to do the same. Harry and Ron could tell though, that they still harbored feelings for each other. The two boys began to feel that maybe it would be better to have them together. Sure, it was an unconventional match, but at least they were happy while it lasted. All hope of them getting back together seemed lost, however, when Hermione's eyes hardened every time his named was mentioned. They gave up. NEWTS were looming closer, and the two boys were beginning to grow worried about them. Having much on their plate, they abandoned all else.

Replies to Reviewers:

Nevnarial: Actually, I think I've used up all my sock giggles when Andrea wore her holey Christmas socks to the bridal store and was forced to take her shoes off...man, it was so tempting to tease her about Dobby socks then! Thanks for your kind words Nevvy!

BrennaM: That's exactly how it was sometimes for me too! Thanks for reviewing!

MoonyNZ: Thanks for your kind words. :) Thanks for reviewing!

Lucidshard: Thank you! Yes, I like how the last chapter (18) turned out, it was one of the few that turned out on the dot the way I wanted it to. Thanks for reviewing!

Rane2920072: Being sucked in is fun:) Thanks for reviewing!

Inu-Korkoro: Sorry about Hagrid's speaking patterns. Unfortunately, I do not have the books for reference, and I've forgotten what his speaking patterns were exactly. :( Thanks for reviewing!

Aljinon: Thanks so much for your two reviews! Yes, funny thing is, ever since I read about Remus I've paid more attention to when full moons are, LOL. I'm happy that chapter is one of your favorites. :) Thanks again for reviewing!

Preview of next chapter: Pansy Parkinson was covering up for the three, saying they were away to attend a funeral. Everyone was glad that the nasty trio was gone, so they didn't pay much attention. However, as the day progressed, people began to worry about the absence of Professor Lupin. A search was made, but no one bothered to look in the Shrieking Shack. He did have the day off, so they didn't search too hard.

Hermione's raw anger at Remus had long since abated. She slowly, reluctantly, began to admit to herself that she was indeed the cause of the breakup. So when she heard that Remus hadn't been seen all day, she was worried. Between classes, she looked around for him. However, he was no where to be seen.