Chapter 13: Times of Need.

Then. Cristmas eve 1979.

"Hello! Merry Cristmas! Is anyone in here?"

James Potter raised his eyebrows with confusion at the silence that enveloped him when he entered the small house that belonged to his best friend and his wife. Remus and Rose lived in a small and comfortable home and yet when he looked around him the house suddenly looked empty and cold.

The sound of whispers coming from the general direction of the kitchen made him feel even more tense and he headed that direction. When he entered the kitchen he saw Sirius and Lily sitting next to the table, talking quietly. Sirius looked furious and Lily obviously tried to calm him.

"Guys, what's going on?" James spoke and startled them. Lily got up from her sit and hugged him tightly.

"Where have you been all day?"

"One of the aurrors got sick and I had to cover for him. I've been on the knight bus all day, securing it. I feel sick to the bone. Where are Remus and Rose?"

"Best friend or not, he's an asshole and I swear to god he will pay for what he did today." Sirius spat and rose from his chair.

"What?" James exclaimed.

"Shh…be quiet, Rose is sleeping." Lily pulled her husband after her towards the kitchen table and handed him a worn piece of parchment. "Read this."

James scanned the parchment quickly feeling his heart rate growing faster and his eyes widening, he looked at Lily, completely shocked. "How could they do this?" he hissed. "That's horrible, where is Remus?"

"Rose said he ran away, saying that everything was his fault. He didn't show a sign since morning."

"How could he be so selfish?" James wondered. "It's not like Remus at all."

"You're taking this the wrong way." Lily sighed and looked at the two wizards. "He thinks it's his fault because he is a werewolf."

"Well done, Lils, as usuall you can read my mind." The tired voice of Remus Lupin interupted the conversation and his two friends glared at him.

"How could you do this, Remus? How could you leave her like that?" Sirius fought the urge to grab his best friend and shake him.

"Why do you care so much? What are you doing here anyway?" No one missed the cold bitterness in his voice and Lily looked away from him.

"She called us at noon, after you didn't show up. Where were you? We were worried." She whispered.

"I did some thinking." Remus moved to the sink and purred himself a glass of water. "I came to the conclusion that it was probably best if I leave her." he mumbled and Sirius moved forward and grabbed his friend's forarms.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sirius screamed.

"Why do you care so much for my wife, Padfoot?" Sirius's eyes widened as Remus continued to speak. "Today, I came to the conclusion that if you had married Rose then she could have lived much more happilly then she lives with me now."

"What are you talking about? Rose is my friend!"

"But you always wished her to be more, right?"

Sirius opened and closed his mouth several times before he spoke. "I don't know what you're talking about, Moony. Rose is like the sister I never had and if somewhere along the way I caused you to think that my feelings for her are stronger then I am sorry. But the fact remains that loves you, Remus and no one else."

Remus broke free from the black haired wizrd's grasp and sighed. "It's my fault. If I wasn't a werewolf…"

"Remus…I thought wolves mate for life." James spoke. "How can you leave her?"

"Well, I'm not a fucking wolf, James!" Remus slammed the glass so hard it shattered against the wooden table and he covered his face with his trembeling hands. "I'm not a wolf…" He whispered.

"Please, Remus, go and talk to her. You need to work things out." Lily spoke gently.

"Yeah." Remus nodded his head and rose from the chair he collapsed into. "I'm sorry, Sirius, what I said was uncalled for."

"It's okay, mate." Sirius smiled weakly and they all watched Remus going up the stairs. They looked at each other and quietly apparated from the house.

Today.

Remus Lupin looked closly at his best student as she cried on the shoulder of her best friend. Harry had his arms wrapped around her and whispered comforting words in her ear. But nothing seemed to work, the brown haired girl couldn't bring herself to stop crying.

"I didn't get the chance to say goodbye." She whispered. "I nearly missed the train because they were late for the station. They said that they would come and say goodbye but they were too late…I didn't say goodbye."

"I know, Mione, I know…" Harry stroked her hair lightly.

Remus felt his heart breaking. He never said goodbye either…to any of them. Seeing Hermione crying seemed to break something inside of him and he took a seat next to Harry who looked at him helplessly.

"Why does it hurt so much?" Hermione whispered.

"It will go away, Hermione." Remus whispered. "Time will eventually make it go away."

"But I don't want to forget." She raised her brown eyes and gazed at the older wizard.

"I know." Remus held her hand gently. "Come on, tell me about your parents." He asked.

"I cant…it hurts." She whispered.

"Tell me a little, then." Remus smiled gently. "I promise you it will help. Have I ever failed you before?" He challanged her and she smiled weakly.

"No…you havent."

She sighed and then started speaking. Harry and Remus listened carfully. They laughed and cried and after about two hours Hermione found that the pain was slowly leaving her mind. When she climbed with Harry back to Gryffindor tower she found that it was true. Remus Lupin never failed her before.

A little short I know. I had a little accident that makes it hard for me to write. I hope next chapter whould be longer. Please REVIEW!!!

Thank you's: Nutsaboutremus, Marlwolf, Chicablue18, Sarah, Vegea Kaloral, LOTRMoonyFanatic, Diosa Alexia, Remy's Gurl, Lucky Estrella, BlueMoon…