Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Easter

Draco Malfoy narrowed his eyes as he saw Professor Lupin walk down the hall. (I've got the perfect plan. That besotted halfblood will have to be sacked now! Or better yet, sent to Azkaban like my father was! That would be the perfect revenge!) He nodded to his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. Silently the three walked up behind Lupin, wands drawn. It was late, so there were no people around. Malfoy gave the signal.

"STUPEFY!" they all shouted at once. Lupin was knocked out cold immediately. Malfoy sniggered as he picked up Lupin's wand. (This is too easy!) Crabbe and Goyle picked up Lupin, and the three dragged him, bound and gagged, into the Shrieking Shack. The three of them spent the night there, and all of the next day, guarding their hostage.

Pansy Parkinson was covering up for the three, saying they were away to attend a funeral. Everyone was glad that the horrible 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 thought 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.

It was now late, almost curfew. Hermione walked down the halls of the school for one last search for Remus, fingering the silver Valentine ring she still hadn't taken off. She was about to give up, when she turned the corner and entered a remote passage. The sight there made her freeze with fear, then tower with boiling rage. Sparks began to fly from her wand. That only happened when a wizard was feeling extreme emotion, and Hermione couldn't remember it ever happening with her before. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" she shrieked at the top of her voice.

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, wands drawn and pointing at a shape on the ground, which Hermione recognized as Remus. He was bound, gagged, and blindfolded. Hermione could see that Malfoy had Remus's wand in his pocket. "We were going to set him on the school, but for some reason, the dope isn't transforming," smirked Malfoy.

Hermione realized with a start that it was full moon. "OF COURSE HE ISN'T TRANSFORMING, HE ISN'T A WEREWOLF! YOU'RE REALLY SLOW, MALFOY! WHY DO YOU THINK HE HASN'T MISSED CLASSES SINCE DECEMBER! YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE MONSTER, YOU'RE TRYING TO GET HIM SACKED!" Hermione roared. She advanced on him, sparks flying. She could feel all her suppressed anger and frustration exploding out from her. She was on a roll.

Malfoy backed off a bit from the sparks, which gave Hermione the opportunity to get between him and Remus. She blocked him from the aim of their wands in a protective stance. "Out of the way, Mudblood. Even if he isn't a werewolf, which I doubt, we can still kill him. And you," he said, pointing his wand at her face,"Won't be remembering a thing, and I'm going to useyour wand to do it. Everyone knows how much you hate him, don't you?"

Something in Hermione snapped. "I DO NOT!" She shouted three stunning spells at them without even thinking. They were out cold in an instant. Hermione collected their wands from them, and put all of them in Remus's pocket. Shaking and sobbing, she untied Remus, and took his blindfold and gag off using her wand. (He came so close to being killed and sacked!) It forced into perspective how much Remus really meant to her. She cried into this chest, not realizing that Remus had been conscious the whole time.

Remus's head throbbed a bit. Malfoy had sent him several stunning spells that day, not to mention all the kicks aimed at him by Crabbe and Goyle. Gently he wrapped his arms around Hermione and massaged her back in a soothing fashion. "Hermione," he whispered, tearing up. He'd missed her terribly the past month, and it was nice to have her here when she wasn't angry with him.

"I'm so sorry, Remus, I've been an idiot," she choked out. Remus slowly pulled her to her feet with him. She still had her head buried into his shoulder.

"Would you like to go to my office, Hermione?" questioned Remus, completely forgetting about the still forms of Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. He felt her nod, so they set off to his office together. Upon arriving, he placed a strong sealing spell on his door. He guided Hermione to his room, and they sat on his bed. He took her hands in his and began rubbing them. His own pain faded to the background as he took in the stricken look on Hermione's face.

"Remus," she said shakily. "I've been a total idiot this past month. I - I didn't realize how much you meant to me. I won't make that mistake again. You're first, Remus. You're more important to me than all my friends put together."

Remus hugged her tightly and kissed her passionately on the lips. When they broke apart, Hermione continued. "I've been so angry at you, it just hurt so much when you broke up with me."

Remus regarded her sadly. "I'm really sorry, Hermione. I didn't want to do it. I've missed you very much." He glanced down. "I see you found another pair of socks," he said with a small smile.

"I'll take them off tomorrow morning," she promised.

"Does this mean you will come to Easter dance with me?" asked Remus, a hopeful tone in his voice.

She smiled and nodded. She began to realize that they were all alone in his bedroom, and it was getting dark. Nerves began to set in as she scrutinized his face. "What happened to you? Oh, no! It was Malfoy, wasn't it?" she accused, her temper rising again. "We have to ask Dumbledore to get him expelled!" She grabbed Remus's hand and lead him to the gargoyles that guarded Dumbledore's office. "Their wands and yours are in your pocket, by the way," she said. "Weasley gumdrops! Oh, he must have changed it. Chocolate Frogs! Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans! Oh, I don't know. Sugar Quill! Weasley powder!" The gargoyles snapped back, and the pair charged through. Remus rapped on Dumbledore's door.

"Come in!" called Dumbledore. The pair strode in, still holding hands. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled knowingly. "I am at your disposal. What's on your mind?"

"Malfoy and his two friends attacked me yesterday, and held me hostage in the Shrieking Shack until about a half hour ago. They think I'm still a werewolf, and attempted to set me on the school. Hermione, luckily, happened upon us and rescued me from their hands before they could wreck further damage."

Dumbledore turned to Hermione. "Is this true, Hermione?" Hermione nodded.

"This is quite serious, quite enough to expel them. Bring them to my office."

"Here are their wands," said Remus, handing them over. He left the office, Hermione trailing behind him. He'd let go of her hand when he had seen the look on Dumbledore's face. It was quite easy to find the trio, who were still knocked out cold on the floor. "You really must have been angry, Hermione," commented Remus with a little chuckle.

Hermione smiled. "I was afraid of what they were going to do to you," she confessed. Remus muttered a floating spell, and the trio drifted in front of them as they made their way to Dumbledore's office. When they entered, Remus set them down, and Dumbledore, Hermione, and Remus took out their wands, pointed them at the prostrate trio, and said, "Ennervate."

Replies to Reviewers:

Mithril-Moony: I didn't even think of that! I think you may be right. Oops. Thanks for reminding me. :)

Rane2920072: You've guessed my one remaining plot bunny. :) Only five more chapters. :( Thanks for reviewing!

MoonyNZ: Thanks! Yeah, gotta love those socks LOL. :)

BrennaM: Thank you so much! Ahh, I think she knew, she just didn't want to admit it:)

Aljinon: I'd have to agree with you there. :) As far as AIM goes, I don't have it. :( I do have MSN though, if you have that. My nick is Aelimir. Thanks for reviewing!

LupinLover99: Thanks for reviewing three times, I really appreciate that! Hehe, LOL, maybe if I write another story I can give you a cameo where you cheer him up. :) I have a few ideas for another one but not too much has developed yet.

Preview of next chapter: Ron recovered first. "I thought you hated each other," he blurted.

Remus and Hermione looked at each other with knowing smiles. "We made up," said Hermione simply.

"Evidently so! Nice hair, James," said Harry, smirking.

"Thanks," replied Remus, grinning despite himself.