DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters used hereafter.

CHAPTER 6: CONVULSIONS

That night, after her first meal at Hogwarts, as the group made their way back up to the common room, Hermione was more tired than she ever remembered being. She had to use all her energy to keep walking. Lagging behind the others she was completely lost in her own thoughts about everything that had happened so far. The chase, the torture, getting stuck between dimensions, never being able to see her friends and family again. It was too much.

Suddenly, as though she was in a dream, Hermione felt herself falling to the floor. Everything was moving in slow motion. She was only vaguely aware of the others running to her side and calling her name. She rolled over on her back, unable to breath, gasping for air. Her eyes darted wildly reaching each of the concerned faces around her. Their lips moved as they called her name but she heard no sound. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut tightly as a wave of pain washed over her already battered body. She tried to scream out but her vocal cords weren't cooperating. What was happening? She felt someone lifting her and then running with her.

Almost as suddenly as it had started the pain stopped. Hermione gasped air into her lungs and began to cough violently. With all her strength Hermione forced her head up to see who was carrying her. Looking up she could see that it was Remus. Behind her she could hear the sounds of running footsteps and could make out the outlines of the others sprinting behind them.

"Stop…" she croaked. Remus kept running apparently unable to hear her. "Remus… Stop…" she croaked louder.

This time he heard and skidded to a halt, laying her down gently.

"Hermione! What happened? Are you okay? You stopped breathing!"

The others were all kneeled around her now looking down at her concerned. Lily pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Hermione's sweat drenched forehead with it. Hermione coughed violently again and Remus moved to lift her.

"I'm taking you to the hospital wing." He said.

"No, don't. Stop." Pleaded Hermione. She was only just out and she didn't want to go back any time soon.

"But you have to go Hermione. You stopped breathing and you went so pale we thought you were dead!" he said his voice full of panic.

"I'm fine." Said Hermione, "Really." She added when she saw the look on their faces.

They stared down at her disbelievingly. "Are you sure?" asked Remus. "You were having some sort of fit or something. It's not normal you know."

"I know. It's just given my circumstances anything is possible." Hermione froze. Had she just said that?

"Circumstances?" asked Lily curiously. "What sort of circumstances?"

"Come to think of it, you never did tell us much about how you got here or anything." Said Peter quietly.

They all turned to him and then looked back down at Hermione who was now feeling very uncomfortable.

She tried to stand but Sirius pushed her back down. "Don't try to stand. And what circumstances?" he said echoing Lily.

"Um… well… it's just that… I've been through a lot and I've come a long way to get here." She muttered

"Come on Hermione, do you really think we're going to fall for that? We're not that dumb." He said calmly.

Hermione felt herself blush. "I'm sorry. I'd rather not talk about it now. Maybe later."

Although she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to have to explain everything to them. She would deal with that later though. Right now she just wanted to get to her bed and sleep.

"You don't have to tell us anything yet. It's your business and we'll respect that." Everyone stared at James in disbelief. "Well it is." He said firmly helping her to her feet.

Hermione swayed slightly as spots danced in front of her eyes. James put one of her arms over his shoulder and started helping her back to the common room.

"Are you lot going to stand there or help?" he yelled over his shoulder at the others.

Remus hurried forwards and put Hermione's other arm over his shoulder. Together he and James carried her back to the common room where they laid her down on one of the couches in front of the fire. Lily ran upstairs for a blanket and placed it over her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Remus again, full of concern.

"Yes, thank you." said Hermione groggily as she drifted off to sleep.

The others all stood around and looked down at the strange new girl. What had she meant by circumstances? Was there something about her past she was hiding from them?

"Come on guys, we should leave her alone. She'll talk when she's ready." Said James.

Lily nodded to show she understood and Sirius and Peter walked towards the boys' staircase grudgingly. Sirius was curious about Hermione. She interested him. Peter's mind was reeling with thoughts. Was Hermione some sort of dark wizard? The two disappeared up the staircase leaving James, Remus and Lily standing around the couch.

"Someone should stay with her." Said James shortly.

Remus looked up at him. "You guys have head duties. I can stay with her." He said.

"Are you sure it's okay?" asked Lily.

"Yeah, it's no problem. I can miss a nights sleep."

Lily and James smiled at him. He was always so loyal. "Okay." Said James. "If we get back soon one of us will take over for a bit."

Remus nodded his understanding. "See you guys later."

The two left the common room leaving Remus alone with the sleeping Hermione. He looked down at her. She was really beautiful when she slept. Just like when she was awake. Her curly brown hair falling around her face and framing it perfectly and she breathed evenly. He stared at her for a few more moments before sitting down on the chair opposite her to keep watch. She seemed so peaceful.

It wasn't long before Remus himself fell asleep.

He was awoken shortly after by a loud thudding sound. Hermione had fallen of the couch and was lying on the ground in a similar state to earlier. He scrambled over to her side and grabbed her hand willing her to snap out of it.

"Come on Hermione… Come on…" he muttered as she writhed around in agony.

After what seemed like forever she was still twitching madly. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't stand by while she was in so much pain. Lifting her gently he hurried her out of the common room and made his way in the direction of the hospital wing. Just as he arrived at the door to the hospital wing he heard her take a gasp of air. Looking down he saw she had stopped twitching uncontrollably and was looking around disorientated.

"Hermione?" he whispered.

She looked up into his eyes. "Oh god." She said weakly. "Not again."

"You scared me so much." He whispered his voice hoarse. "Come on, I'm taking you to see Madam Pomfrey."

Hermione's eyes widened, "Please don't, I'd rather not let anyone else know just yet."

He looked down at her, "You have to. There's something seriously wrong with you."

She looked away from his gaze. "If it happens again I promise I'll go."

He lifted her again and turned around. "You had better."

The next morning Hermione silently pleaded that Remus wouldn't say anything to the others. James and Lily didn't get back until late and they were too tired to ask, but Sirius and Peter were a different story.

"How did you sleep Hermione?" asked Sirius.

Hermione looked at Remus expecting him to say something but he didn't. He just stared back at her with his jaw clenched. She tried to smile at him and then turned back to Sirius.

"Fine. Just fine. All I needed was a good nights sleep."

"That's great. Ready for classes tomorrow?" He asked smiling.

"Yeah, I guess. Well I mean, it's going to be a bit weird at first." She said quietly.

"How do you mean weird?" asked Peter.

"Well, it's a new school isn't it? Bigger classes and all" lied Hermione.

"True." Said Sirius shortly. "Well, I'm going down to breakfast. Is anyone else coming?"

The others all got up to follow him out through the portrait hole and down to the great hall. Remus however didn't move. He just stared at Hermione who stared back.

"Thank you for mot saying anything." She said.

"I didn't do it so they wouldn't bother you. I did it so you could tell them yourself." He said quietly.

"I will." She said, "Just not right now, they'd fuss over me."

"And with good reason." He almost shouted back. "The second time was much worse than the first, I though you'd never snap out of it!" he stopped and looked at her, then sighed and continued more quietly, "I don't want to see you get hurt anymore. I don't know everything you've been through but what I know of is more than anyone should have to go through."

With that he walked out of the common room leaving Hermione standing staring after him.

"If only you knew" she whispered to herself. "Why do you care so much Remus? You hardly know me at all."

There was something about Remus Lupin that intrigued her. He shared some of the same characteristics his future self had, but there was something about him in this time that was different. He was more… lively somehow. More energetic and determined than the Remus Lupin she knew. Her mind still spinning from everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, everything that had happened leading up to it and Remus. Hermione walked silently out of the common room and made her way down to the great hall. Classes tomorrow would be… different…

A/N: I want to apologize to you all for not updating sooner. I would have updated Sunday but I had a lot going on and when I sat down to write it I just couldn't. Writers block I guess. It took me a few attempts to get a beginning I was happy with tonight too. I'm not even that sure about it. This is really where it starts to begin for Hermione. Everything should start to happen now. Hopefully. Anyway, sorry again, please read and review!

need-courage-to-write: aw, bless your little socks. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thanks for the review and keep 'em coming please. And post that story you were telling me about. I wanna know who the people you based it on are!

Remmy's Gurl: finally, I'm glad it's sorted. I cant tell you any more about Peter or about Hermione and Remus, you've just gotta keep guessing. Which, you're disturbingly good at might I add. More updates should start this time next week. I gotta work this week. Thank you so much for your review and I'll try to update soonish. Maybe Wednesday.

amrawo: here's the update finally. Glad you like it. Your review is appreciated as always.

PaulC: Chapter 3: I'm glad you think I got the atmosphere right. I'd die if it was all wrong. Me the perfectionist…

Chapter 4: I haven't got a clue what she agrees with you on. I don't think I would to tell you though. It might inflate your head even more ;). I'd never send her back that fast. After 4 chapters? Are you crazy? Glad you prefer my way though.

Chapter 5: Her comes the action… sort of… I'll review your latest chapter as soon as I get time to. Update it soon! Your reviews are appreciated as always!