IMPORTANT NOTE: I need your help! I was really sad to hear about Terri Schiavo today and got the idea of a plot bunny I could write in honor of her. So here's where you come in! I have three ideas, and I want you to tell me which one you would prefer (I'm pretty neutral, there's pros and cons to each) 1. I could use the plot bunny to add chapters to this story. If not, the next chapter is the last one, and no Snape, sorry BrennaM. 2. It could be a new Remus/Hermione story. 3. I could have it be a Harry/Hermione story. Please let me know, I can't decide! I won't post the next, possibly final chapter until I do. (I thought about adding it to "A Wolf for Your Scar" but it didn't fit in with the overall tone I chose for that story)
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Time Won't Change Us
Hermione bit her lip, pausing before knocking on Remus's door. (He might be asleep. Well, I'll have to risk it) She paused again. (I wonder how he's going to react to seeing me) Taking a deep breath, she threw caution to the wind and knocked in his door.
There was silence, and Hermione was about to leave when she heard Remus speak up. "Come in," he called.
Hermione slowly opened the door, not looking at him, and closed it behind her. She walked up to his desk and met his eyes, which were wide in surprise. "Hello Remus," she said quietly.
"Hermione," he said, standing up and approaching her. "You're back."
"What day is it?" Hermione asked.
"November 25th," he said. "You've been gone for two months and six days."
"You've been counting?" she said, smiling uncertainly.
"Indeed I have," he said, smiling lopsidedly. Now they were facing each other, standing very close. "I've missed you."
"I can't say I missed you, since I was with you the whole time," said Hermione, her eyes wide in questioning. Did he know? Did he still feel the same?
"Indeed you were," he said, slowly reaching out for her cheek. "I remember everything." He laid his hand on her cheek, his face edging closer.
Hermione stood frozen, trying to find the right words. "I'm sorry I left like that. I couldn't control it, it just pulled me away."
"I know," whispered Remus. "Just don't do that again." His lips met hers in a gentle kiss.
It entered Hermione's mind that now he was older, wouldn't that be a factor? (I don't feel that much younger than him, since I was there with him in his seventh year) she concluded. She kissed him back. When they broke apart, Hermione murmured, "You feel the same, then?"
"I've always felt the same," he responded. He sighed. "I don't know if we'll be able to be boyfriend and girlfriend right now, though. I have certain duties as a teacher, and if we were caught, I would get fired."
Hermione stared dejectedly at the floor. She reached up and fingered her necklace. (Wait - my Time Turner!) "Remus, I have an idea. I could use my Time Turner to see you! I'll be in the common room, then sneak out under the Invisibility Cloak and turn back time. People would not grow suspicious about where I am because they'll think I'm in the common room when I'm really with you too." She smiled hopefully.
"That might work," said Remus thoughtfully. "So you're sure about this?"
"Of course, Remus," said Hermione firmly.
"What do you see in me, Hermione?" he asked. That had been something he'd wanted to say since he was seventeen years old.
Hermione searched for the right words. "You're always so kind and understanding. You never complain, even though you have the most to complain about. You're so patient and dependable. You just - do a the nice little things that most guys don't."
Remus smiled. "And when I look at you, I see a smart, generous, loyal, thoughtful girl. I'll never forget how I felt when you made Wolfsbane potion for me all those years ago."
Hermione blushed at his words. They stood silent for a moment. "What's happened while I was gone?"
"We figured out the day after you disappeared what had happened, so we spread the word around that you were visiting your ill cousin. We didn't want it generally known that you have a Time Turner. Harry and I, in the meantime, have been incredibly worried about you. Whenever you were with me in the past, I would get an altered memory of it, so at least I knew how you were doing. Harry asked me at least once a day if I'd remembered anything more."
Hermione blinked back tears. Harry made her think of James, Lily, and Sirius. They were all dead.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Remus, wrapping his arms around her.
"It's just, now that I've seen James, Lily, and Sirius, I understand how much you must miss them. They were such wonderful people, and now they're all dead." Hermione cried into his chest.
Remus massaged her back soothingly. "I do miss them very much," he confessed. "It'll be okay, Hermione. At least we have each other."
Suddenly a knock sounded at the door. "Get in my bedroom and seal it shut!" commanded Remus, pushing her in that direction. Hermione hastened to obey. When she was safely inside, Remus sat by his desk. "Come in," he said.
It was Dumbledore. He entered with a light smile on his face. "I just read in my journal that Hermione returned to her own time," he announced. "Have your memories concurred with this?"
"Yes," admitted Remus.
Dumbledore gave him a keen, impenatrating look. "I think the feelings between you and Hermione haven't changed in eighteen years, am I correct?"
Remus knew it was useless to say no. "Correct."
"Remus, you must be careful. If anyone finds out about this, I'll be forced to sack you. Something I do not wish to do in the least. Now, I should be going. I daresay Hermione doesn't wish to stay sealed in your room all night." Dumbledore winked and left.
Hermione, meanwhile, stood gaping at Remus's room. (It's a complete mess) she observed. (You'd think that since he can use magic, he'd bother to clean it up. I'll do it for him) She listened to Dumbledore's conversation while she magicked things back to their places. On his dresser, she found a bloody handkerchief. (It's the one I used to wrap his paw with eighteen years ago) she realized. (Funny how time works.) She sat down on Remus's bed, looking it over. On one corner, he'd put her initials, H.G.
Remus entered his room to find Hermione on his bed, looking at her old handkerchief. She looked up and met his eyes. "You kept it," she stated, a light smile on her face.
"Yes. I treasured it because that was the only remainder of you I had," answered Remus. He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. Hermione laid her head on his shoulder tiredly. She still felt rather confused. She felt like if she just looked out the window, she'd see Lily and the others. But they were gone, long gone.
"You seem tired, Hermione. I think it's time you go to bed."
"All right," Hermione reluctantly agreed. "When can I see you again?"
"Tomorrow night, if you use the Time Turner," said Remus. "I expect we'll see each other in class though. I have the seventh year Griffindor class tomorrow. We're studying Jennyfishes."
"I can't wait," said Hermione, standing up.
"Don't I a get a goodnight kiss?" said Remus, his eyes twinkling.
Hermione giggled and gave him a brief kiss. "Goodnight," she said, walking out of his room.
"Here," Remus said, scribbling a note. "If Snape or somebody stops you, show them this." He handed her the piece of paper. "Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione made her way to her own dorm and snuggled into her own bed. She couldn't wait until tomorrow when she'd see Harry again.
Replies to Reviewers:
Radingsouls4u: Glad I have you captivated:) Thanks a bunch for reviewing!
BrennaM: Sorry, I don't really have anything planned with Snape, as the story is now, but if everyone wants me to do "number one" (in my "Important Note") then Snape will come into play. Hope you liked how the Remus/Hermione reunion went. :) Thanks for reviewing!
MoonyNZ: Sorry. I guess my only excuse is, that's where the natural chapter break seemed to be, LOL. Here's your update! Thanks for reviewing!
HarryPotterknoitall: Ugh, cleaning house. That's my least favorite thing, I'd rather clean horse stalls than that, I'm serious. Cleaning horse stalls really isn't that bad. Anyway, yes, that would be an interesting twist. :) Perhaps I might use it in a future story. Thank you for your review!
Shimmer of an Angel: Oooooo now I'm curious! What was your assumption:) I'm so glad you'll help me with ideas if need be, usually they're hard to come by with me. Today, at work, when I got that plot bunny (In my "Important Note") I was so excited I nearly started jumping up and down, LOL. Didn't want my co-workers thinking I'd finally lost it, so I kept it down to a giddy smile and an excited giggle. Let me know which one you want of the three! I'm very slightly leaning towards "2" but I don't have enough of a preference to make the decision. I'm terrible at decision making, LOL. Thanks for reviewing!
Skittlesdog: I'm glad you found it interesting. Thank you for reviewing!
LupinLover99: You're welcome. :) I'm relieved you liked it. Thanks a million for reviewing!
Preview of next chapter: Hermione felt such a rush of feelings at seeing Harry again, that she nearly forgot about Remus sitting at the teacher's table. For two months, she'd tried to push her feelings for Harry aside. It feel wonderful to have them bubble to the surface without feeling pained at not being with him. "I wish you'd come with me! I saw your parents and Sirius! They were such fun to hang out with."
"Remus was too, I've heard," Harry said.
