Staying Strong

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own Harry Potter, I do not own a thing.

"Professor," Hermione said a couple of hours later. "Can I ask you something?"

Lupin looked up from his book. "What is it?"

"Why do I have to stay here? Do you really think that Draco would try to hurt me?"

"You, Hermione, are very special to Draco, and that is why you must hide. You and Draco share a close bond, and in the state that Draco is in now, he might just take advantage of that."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that if Draco ever returned to Hogwarts, he could take you with him to where ever he is hiding and you could possibly be in serious danger."

Hermione shook her head, looking down at her shoes. "Draco would never do anything to hurt me."

"We just can't be sure of that, Hermione. That is why we are going to take every precaution to him ever tracing you."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and pressed the back of her head against the wall. So many feelings were flowing through her then that she felt as though she could take no more of it. It hurt her more than ever to hear that Draco would ever think of hurting her.

Just then, Tonks and Snape burst into the doorway, both wearing long black hoods covering their faces.

"Tonks, Snape." Lupin got to his feet to greet the two.

"Remus, we came as soon as we could. Is she all right?" Tonks said, looking around the room.

"I'm right here," Hermione said from the floor.

Tonks let out a small chuckle. "Sorry Hermione, I didn't see you there."

Snape removed his hood that he had been wearing and glared at Hermione. "Hello, Miss Granger."

"Hello, Professor Snape." She replied.

Lupin pulled two chairs from the closet and sat them down next to his. "So, any news about Draco?"

Snape shook his head, sitting down on the chair. "I'm afraid not."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

Snape sighed. "Yes, Miss Granger, I am sure of that. If I hear any news, you will be the first one to know."

Hermione nodded her head and, deciding not to listen to them chat, went into her room. Closing the door behind her, she fell back on the bed and brought her hands to her face.

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"Remus, have you told her everything?" Tonks asked.

Lupin nodded his head. "Yes, yes I told her everything."

"Dumbledore strictly told you not to tell her anything until he returns." Snape spat.

"I know Severus, but she has the right to know why she is being held here."

Tonks nodded in agreement. "I agree with Remus, it's not like we can keep something as important as this from her. I mean, the girl is in love with the bloke. What do you think is going to happen if he ever comes back and tries to take her? Of course she's going to go with him."

"Excuse me, but if Draco Malfoy ever returns, he is to never lay a hand on Miss Granger. That is why we are here." Snape replied.

"I know that Severus, I was just saying that Remus did the right thing, telling her the truth."

Lupin held up his hand. "Al lright you two, we have more important things to discuss. Now, what are we going to do about guarding the area around the house?"

"That has all been covered." said Snape.

"All right then what about taking shifts?"

Tonks raised her hand high. "I'll take what ever hour you need me."

Snape nodded his head. "I will, also."

Lupin began to count on his fingers, deciding how long each shift should be. "All right, Severus, since my condition prevents me from being around people at night, you will take the night shift. Tonks, you will take the afternoons, and I will take the mornings. Does that sound all right?"

Both Tonks and Snape nodded their heads.

Lupin smiled and looked down at his watch. "It looks like my shift is over. Tonks, you can take over from here."

Tonks got to her feet and followed Snape and Lupin to the door.

"Good luck." Remus said.

"Goodbye," Tonks said softly, waving goodbye. Shutting the door behind them, Tonks curiously peeked inside of Hermione's room.

"Hermione, is it alright if I come in?"

"Yeah, sure." Hermione replied.

Tonks shut the door behind her and walked over to Hermione's bed, sitting down beside her. "Have you been crying?" She asked, noticing the tears stains that ran down Hermiones rosy cheeks.

Hermione shook her head, quietly snuffing her nose. "No, no I just had something in my eye."

Tonks sighed and pulled Hermione into her arms. "It's alright to cry, Hermione. You know, you have every right to let it out. You have been very strong through all of this. It's good to cry once in a while."

Hermione smiled and closed her eyes. "I don't know if I can do this much longer. I just can't keep sitting here, waiting for something to happen."

Tonks placed her hand on Hermione's head. "I know it hurts Hermione, but you have to keep staying strong."

"How do I do that?" Hermione whispered.

"You have to believe that there is still hope, that Draco will be innocent. If you really love him, you have to stay strong, just for him. He would want you to do that for him."

Hermione nodded her head as tears spilled from her eyes. "I'll try,"

A tear ran down Tonks cheek as Hermione wrapped her arms around her. "All you have to do is believe and keep believeing, no matter how hard you want to break down or run. Keep believeing, and everything will be alright. I promise you that."

Authors Note: Aw, poor Hermione. Now, it might not seem like a Lupin/Hermione ship right now, but believe me, it will in the upcoming chapters. Thanks a bunch to everyone that has reviewed! And a big thanks to Lyra Parry! Your reviews always make me smile :D. Love ya all!

Oh, and thanks to Lyra for pointing out that I spelled Dumbledore wrong :D. I totally didn't see that!

Love

Jess