Hermione felt herself being shaken violently. After such a peaceful night of sleep it wasn't the nicest way to be woken.
"Wake up, Hermione," demanded James.
Hermione opened her eyes groggily. "What's the matter?" She could see James and Sirius standing over her.
Remus sat up sleepily next to her and said through a yawn, "What's going on?"
"Dumbledore's coming," they said together. Remus and Hermione immediately threw the covers off themselves and leapt out of bed.
"Here, Hermione," said James handing her his invisibility cloak. She threw it over her head and backed into a corner of the room. A few seconds later, Dumbledore entered the room.
"I'm glad to see the three of you are awake," he said grimly. He approached Remus. "How are you doing, Remus?"
"Fine, sir."
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "Well, it appears your secret is out."
"Yes sir."
"And is it true that it was Mr. Pettigrew who told everyone?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore shook his head. "That is most disappointing."
"Professor, what happens now?" asked Remus.
"Happens?"
"Yes, to me. Am I going to be expelled?"
"Of course not," said Dumbledore quickly. "You've done nothing wrong my boy."
Remus smiled widely, his relief was evident.
"But I'm afraid to say that these last days at school will be rather difficult for you."
Remus nodded. "I always knew I might have to deal with this."
"Fortunately," said Dumbledore, placing one hand on Remus' shoulder. "There are only a couple of months to go before you have to take your N.E.W.T's. I know you will deal with this in a responsible manner. But I have to urge you not to respond to anyone if provoked. Your actions will be more closely watched than any other students."
"I understand, sir. I won't let you down," said Remus firmly.
Dumbledore patted his shoulder and smiled. "I know you won't Remus. You've never given me any reason to be anything but proud of you," he said warmly and then he left.
As soon as she was sure he was gone, Hermione whipped off the cloak. "Thanks," she said gratefully to James as she handed him back his cloak.
"Anytime," replied James.
Hermione turned and picked up the clothes she had tossed by Remus' bed the night before and went to the door.
"Where are you going?" asked Remus.
"Back to my room to get dressed," she answered. "I'll be back in twenty minutes, so you three better hurry up."
"Why?" asked James.
"So we can get to breakfast," stated Hermione, as if the answer was obvious.
"No," said Remus. "I'm not going."
"Yes you are," said Hermione turning back to him. "You're not going to spend the rest of term hiding up here. We're all going to go to breakfast and then to class like nothing happened, because you don't have anything to be ashamed of."
"Hermione," protested Remus. "Everyone will be talking."
"They'll talk more if we go into hiding." She went back to him. "Look, I know you're nervous, but we have to face this. We won't give anyone the mistaken impression that they can hurt us," she said stubbornly. His heart melted a little bit at her use of the plural pronoun. She gave him a quick hug and kiss. "Now, hurry up and get ready. I'll be right back." She hurried from the room, leaving the three boys speechless.
Sirius was the first to voice what they were all thinking. "Today's going to be fun," he said sarcastically. They all laughed. His comment seemed to drain the tension from the room somewhat.
"I suggest we do what she says," said James and they all proceeded to get dressed. "I have a feeling she's serious about being back in twenty minutes, whether we're dressed or not."
True to her promise, Hermione was back in twenty minutes flat, but with an addition. Lily was still pulling her hair back into a ponytail as Hermione dragged her into the boy's room. "Ready?"
James was still dragging a brush through his hair.
"It'll never lie flat, James," teased Lily.
He smirked at her and threw the brush down on his bed. Then he brought his hand to his hair and tousled it.
"Stop," giggled Lily, coming forward and pulling his hand away from his hair. "You know how much I hate when you do that."
"That's why I do it," he said, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. "Morning," he whispered.
"Morning," she whispered back.
Hermione moved over to Remus. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded, but his face told her that the last thing he wanted to do was leave the room. She smiled sympathetically and gave him a quick kiss. "It will be okay," she whispered to him. "I promise."
"No kiss for me," grumbled Sirius from across the room. James blew a noisy kiss at him and they all laughed.
They made their way down to the Gryffindor common room. There were only a handful of first and second year students milling around and they quickly left when they saw the seventh years approach. Hermione set her jaw and glared at them until they were gone. She could feel Remus tense beside her. "Remus," she said suddenly. "I think I left my sweater in your room last night. Could you go get it for me?"
"Yeah sure," he mumbled and quickly went back upstairs.
Hermione watched until he disappeared up the last step. "Listen up, you lot," she said quickly turning to James, Sirius, and Lily. "I have a plan that I think will guarantee nobody messes with Remus after today."
"What?" they all asked eagerly.
Hermione took a deep breath. "The four of us are going to curse, hex, and jinx anyone who looks at him cross eyed today."
"You can't be serious," said James with a smile growing wide on his face.
"I'm dead serious," returned Hermione. "After we're finished with everyone today, nobody will dare mess with him again."
"Hermione, do you know how much trouble we'll get in," said Sirius.
"Of course, but I'm willing to risk it."
"So am I," spoke up Lily. They all looked at Lily in shock. "Don't look so surprised," she said. "What's a week of detention if we can guarantee Remus won't be persecuted." Hermione gave Lily a quick hug. She had never been more thankful to her. Lily hugged her back. "You're not the only one who loves him, Hermione."
"I know," said Hermione smiling. "I'm glad I'm not."
"Wait a second," interrupted James. "You heard what Dumbledore said this morning. He said we can't respond if provoked. It will only make things worse."
"No, he said Remus couldn't respond. Remus won't raise a wand. That's why we have to," returned Hermione.
"You don't know Remus," said Sirius. "If we whip out our wands so will he."
"Then I'll disarm him. He's not going to throw one spell today," said Hermione simply. "Look, its only one day, two at the most." She waited expectantly and her friends didn't disappoint.
"We're in, Hermione," said Sirius smiling as if he was really going to enjoy himself.
"Us to," said James answering for Lily.
"I knew I could count on you," she glanced to her left to see Remus coming back. "Not a word to Remus," she said under her breath.
"Hermione, I couldn't find your sweater anywhere. Are you sure you left it up there?" he asked.
"Huh, that's weird. I guess it doesn't matter. Let's just go to breakfast. I'm starved."
They walked into the Great Hall flanking Remus as if he were some head of state. Each one of their hands held their wands tightly beneath their robes. The Great Hall had never been quieter. It was almost unnerving, but they did their best to ignore the silence. Once they had taken their seats, the normal noise level returned and though they listened carefully, they couldn't make out any individual conversation.
As it turned out, nobody had any appetite. They were all too keyed up. After about twenty minutes of strained conversation and pushing food around their plates, they decided to leave and get to class early.
Just as they had reached the double doors someone behind them let out a long wolf call. Before any of the others could react, Lily threw a jinx toward the Slytherin table. It connected with an oafish looking boy with grotesque results. His muted brown hair that had been matted on his head was now sprouting all over his face and hands.
"Miss Evans," came an angry shout from the teachers table.
Lily was seething. "If he wants to act like an animal, then he can look like one too. She turned toward her friends and smiled. "That's one down. Go on guys. I'll catch up with you at class." James gave her hand a squeeze before Lily headed up to the front of the Great Hall. Hermione couldn't keep back her grin as she herded the boys out into the hallway.
"That's my girl," said James proudly and Sirius and Hermione cracked up.
Remus looked very solemn. "She'll get detention for performing magic in the Great Hall."
"Maybe," admitted Hermione. She patted his shoulder and then slipped her arm through his. "We'll find out when she meets us in class." She ushered him forward, leaving James and Sirius to follow.
They were the only ones in the Transfiguration classroom and took their usual seats at the back of the classroom. This was something Hermione always hated, but today she was grateful. It would be a lot easier to keep an eye on the other students from the back rather than the front of the classroom.
The other seventh years filtered slowly into class. Some passed them quickly without saying a word, but a few slowed just to pass them an encouraging smile. Lily arrived at the same time Professor McGonagall arrived. She took her usual seat by James and they all leaned in to see what her punishment was.
"One night of detention," she said, almost proudly. "And well worth it."
"What were you thinking," hissed Remus. "That was stupid."
Lily looked at Remus sternly. "No, what he did was stupid. And he'll never do it again."
"Miss Evans, Mr. Lupin, class has started," said Professor McGonagall sharply from the front of the room. They all turned their attention to the front of the class, all of them willing to risk a lot today, but not Professor McGonagall's wrath. None of them were that brave.
They managed to get through all of their classes without any further incidents. Hermione suspected that Lily's fierce response at breakfast had stilled the tongues of all but the boldest students. By the end dinner they were all tired.
Remus stood before anyone else and held his hand out to Hermione. "Ready?"
"What?" asked Hermione, confused.
"We have a standing date, don't we," he said smiling.
A look of worry crossed Hermione's face. "Maybe we shouldn't tonight. Maybe we should all stay together."
"It's Thursday, James and Sirius have Quidditch practice," stated Remus, still holding out his hand.
"We don't have to go," offered James. "I think Hermione's right. We should stick together tonight. Maybe go to the library and study."
Remus looked at his friends incredulously. "You'd rather go to the library than play Quidditch?" He sat again and looked sternly at them all. "I know what you're all trying to do and I appreciate it, really I do, but the four of you can't be my bodyguard's for the rest of your lives. I wouldn't even want that. Besides," he said turning to Hermione. "You said we should act like everything's normal. Remember, no hiding."
"You're right," agreed Hermione, but she still felt nervous.
"Of course I'm right. Come on," he said standing again. Hermione joined him reluctantly and with a backwards glance she allowed him to lead her out of the room.
They made their nightly trek around the edge of the lake. "Today wasn't so bad," commented Remus. "It could have been worse."
"Yes," agreed Hermione. "It could have been."
"You've been great today," he said softly. She only smiled. "Better than I was to you," he finished with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione.
"Don't you remember what we were doing forty-eight hours ago in almost this very spot?"
Hermione shrugged. "We were having a discussion."
He laughed. "Isn't that a polite way to say I was being a pig headed jerk."
"Remus," she said laughing. "You're not a jerk. I wasn't being very understanding about what you were going through. I was only thinking of myself."
"That's not true," interrupted Remus. "The thing is, you almost never think about yourself. And the one time you needed something from me, I was too selfish to give it to you."
"It doesn't matter now," said Hermione. "It turns out that I don't really need what I thought I did."
"What are you saying?"
Hermione paused. "I guess what I'm saying is that I've decided not to go to the Department of Mysteries."
"I don't understand. Why the sudden change of heart?"
She shrugged. "It's just not important to me anymore." His brow creased with concern. She stopped walking and pulled him around to face her. "You're important to me, Remus. I don't want to leave you." She took a deep breath. "I love you."
He smiled softly. "I know, I love you too."
"No, I mean I really love you. Even more today than when I first told you," said Hermione. "I've tried picturing what it would be like to go home and I know if I ever had to leave, I'd be miserable. I don't want to leave you. But I'm so afraid."
He stepped forward and put his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. "What are you afraid of?"
"Losing you," she whispered so low that he barely heard her.
"I'm not going anywhere, Hermione," he reassured her.
"Remus, awful things happen to wizards who try to change time. I've set things in motion and now I'm losing control." She could feel the vibrations of his laughter against her chest and she pulled away. "What?"
"You never had control," he said.
"It's not funny," she said. Her voice trembled when she continued. "Something's coming. I don't know when or what, but I can feel it. I think before it's all over, I'm going to pay for what I've done."
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
A/N: Hey all. Wow 200 plus reviews. You guys are the best. Now for another survey question. When the Marauders catch up with Peter (If they ever do) what should they do to him? I'm leaning toward feeding him to the Giant Squid, but I'm sure you all can come up with something much cleverer. Also, wasn't Timothy Spall a great Peter Pettigrew. And two huge thumbs up for Gary Oldman and David Thewlis, the new loves of my life. The scene in the Shrieking Shack was very cool. If any of you haven't seen POA in the theatres, drop what you're doing right now and go. Love to all in Potter land and remember(greedy, shameless plug coming up), review, review, review!
"Wake up, Hermione," demanded James.
Hermione opened her eyes groggily. "What's the matter?" She could see James and Sirius standing over her.
Remus sat up sleepily next to her and said through a yawn, "What's going on?"
"Dumbledore's coming," they said together. Remus and Hermione immediately threw the covers off themselves and leapt out of bed.
"Here, Hermione," said James handing her his invisibility cloak. She threw it over her head and backed into a corner of the room. A few seconds later, Dumbledore entered the room.
"I'm glad to see the three of you are awake," he said grimly. He approached Remus. "How are you doing, Remus?"
"Fine, sir."
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "Well, it appears your secret is out."
"Yes sir."
"And is it true that it was Mr. Pettigrew who told everyone?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore shook his head. "That is most disappointing."
"Professor, what happens now?" asked Remus.
"Happens?"
"Yes, to me. Am I going to be expelled?"
"Of course not," said Dumbledore quickly. "You've done nothing wrong my boy."
Remus smiled widely, his relief was evident.
"But I'm afraid to say that these last days at school will be rather difficult for you."
Remus nodded. "I always knew I might have to deal with this."
"Fortunately," said Dumbledore, placing one hand on Remus' shoulder. "There are only a couple of months to go before you have to take your N.E.W.T's. I know you will deal with this in a responsible manner. But I have to urge you not to respond to anyone if provoked. Your actions will be more closely watched than any other students."
"I understand, sir. I won't let you down," said Remus firmly.
Dumbledore patted his shoulder and smiled. "I know you won't Remus. You've never given me any reason to be anything but proud of you," he said warmly and then he left.
As soon as she was sure he was gone, Hermione whipped off the cloak. "Thanks," she said gratefully to James as she handed him back his cloak.
"Anytime," replied James.
Hermione turned and picked up the clothes she had tossed by Remus' bed the night before and went to the door.
"Where are you going?" asked Remus.
"Back to my room to get dressed," she answered. "I'll be back in twenty minutes, so you three better hurry up."
"Why?" asked James.
"So we can get to breakfast," stated Hermione, as if the answer was obvious.
"No," said Remus. "I'm not going."
"Yes you are," said Hermione turning back to him. "You're not going to spend the rest of term hiding up here. We're all going to go to breakfast and then to class like nothing happened, because you don't have anything to be ashamed of."
"Hermione," protested Remus. "Everyone will be talking."
"They'll talk more if we go into hiding." She went back to him. "Look, I know you're nervous, but we have to face this. We won't give anyone the mistaken impression that they can hurt us," she said stubbornly. His heart melted a little bit at her use of the plural pronoun. She gave him a quick hug and kiss. "Now, hurry up and get ready. I'll be right back." She hurried from the room, leaving the three boys speechless.
Sirius was the first to voice what they were all thinking. "Today's going to be fun," he said sarcastically. They all laughed. His comment seemed to drain the tension from the room somewhat.
"I suggest we do what she says," said James and they all proceeded to get dressed. "I have a feeling she's serious about being back in twenty minutes, whether we're dressed or not."
True to her promise, Hermione was back in twenty minutes flat, but with an addition. Lily was still pulling her hair back into a ponytail as Hermione dragged her into the boy's room. "Ready?"
James was still dragging a brush through his hair.
"It'll never lie flat, James," teased Lily.
He smirked at her and threw the brush down on his bed. Then he brought his hand to his hair and tousled it.
"Stop," giggled Lily, coming forward and pulling his hand away from his hair. "You know how much I hate when you do that."
"That's why I do it," he said, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. "Morning," he whispered.
"Morning," she whispered back.
Hermione moved over to Remus. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded, but his face told her that the last thing he wanted to do was leave the room. She smiled sympathetically and gave him a quick kiss. "It will be okay," she whispered to him. "I promise."
"No kiss for me," grumbled Sirius from across the room. James blew a noisy kiss at him and they all laughed.
They made their way down to the Gryffindor common room. There were only a handful of first and second year students milling around and they quickly left when they saw the seventh years approach. Hermione set her jaw and glared at them until they were gone. She could feel Remus tense beside her. "Remus," she said suddenly. "I think I left my sweater in your room last night. Could you go get it for me?"
"Yeah sure," he mumbled and quickly went back upstairs.
Hermione watched until he disappeared up the last step. "Listen up, you lot," she said quickly turning to James, Sirius, and Lily. "I have a plan that I think will guarantee nobody messes with Remus after today."
"What?" they all asked eagerly.
Hermione took a deep breath. "The four of us are going to curse, hex, and jinx anyone who looks at him cross eyed today."
"You can't be serious," said James with a smile growing wide on his face.
"I'm dead serious," returned Hermione. "After we're finished with everyone today, nobody will dare mess with him again."
"Hermione, do you know how much trouble we'll get in," said Sirius.
"Of course, but I'm willing to risk it."
"So am I," spoke up Lily. They all looked at Lily in shock. "Don't look so surprised," she said. "What's a week of detention if we can guarantee Remus won't be persecuted." Hermione gave Lily a quick hug. She had never been more thankful to her. Lily hugged her back. "You're not the only one who loves him, Hermione."
"I know," said Hermione smiling. "I'm glad I'm not."
"Wait a second," interrupted James. "You heard what Dumbledore said this morning. He said we can't respond if provoked. It will only make things worse."
"No, he said Remus couldn't respond. Remus won't raise a wand. That's why we have to," returned Hermione.
"You don't know Remus," said Sirius. "If we whip out our wands so will he."
"Then I'll disarm him. He's not going to throw one spell today," said Hermione simply. "Look, its only one day, two at the most." She waited expectantly and her friends didn't disappoint.
"We're in, Hermione," said Sirius smiling as if he was really going to enjoy himself.
"Us to," said James answering for Lily.
"I knew I could count on you," she glanced to her left to see Remus coming back. "Not a word to Remus," she said under her breath.
"Hermione, I couldn't find your sweater anywhere. Are you sure you left it up there?" he asked.
"Huh, that's weird. I guess it doesn't matter. Let's just go to breakfast. I'm starved."
They walked into the Great Hall flanking Remus as if he were some head of state. Each one of their hands held their wands tightly beneath their robes. The Great Hall had never been quieter. It was almost unnerving, but they did their best to ignore the silence. Once they had taken their seats, the normal noise level returned and though they listened carefully, they couldn't make out any individual conversation.
As it turned out, nobody had any appetite. They were all too keyed up. After about twenty minutes of strained conversation and pushing food around their plates, they decided to leave and get to class early.
Just as they had reached the double doors someone behind them let out a long wolf call. Before any of the others could react, Lily threw a jinx toward the Slytherin table. It connected with an oafish looking boy with grotesque results. His muted brown hair that had been matted on his head was now sprouting all over his face and hands.
"Miss Evans," came an angry shout from the teachers table.
Lily was seething. "If he wants to act like an animal, then he can look like one too. She turned toward her friends and smiled. "That's one down. Go on guys. I'll catch up with you at class." James gave her hand a squeeze before Lily headed up to the front of the Great Hall. Hermione couldn't keep back her grin as she herded the boys out into the hallway.
"That's my girl," said James proudly and Sirius and Hermione cracked up.
Remus looked very solemn. "She'll get detention for performing magic in the Great Hall."
"Maybe," admitted Hermione. She patted his shoulder and then slipped her arm through his. "We'll find out when she meets us in class." She ushered him forward, leaving James and Sirius to follow.
They were the only ones in the Transfiguration classroom and took their usual seats at the back of the classroom. This was something Hermione always hated, but today she was grateful. It would be a lot easier to keep an eye on the other students from the back rather than the front of the classroom.
The other seventh years filtered slowly into class. Some passed them quickly without saying a word, but a few slowed just to pass them an encouraging smile. Lily arrived at the same time Professor McGonagall arrived. She took her usual seat by James and they all leaned in to see what her punishment was.
"One night of detention," she said, almost proudly. "And well worth it."
"What were you thinking," hissed Remus. "That was stupid."
Lily looked at Remus sternly. "No, what he did was stupid. And he'll never do it again."
"Miss Evans, Mr. Lupin, class has started," said Professor McGonagall sharply from the front of the room. They all turned their attention to the front of the class, all of them willing to risk a lot today, but not Professor McGonagall's wrath. None of them were that brave.
They managed to get through all of their classes without any further incidents. Hermione suspected that Lily's fierce response at breakfast had stilled the tongues of all but the boldest students. By the end dinner they were all tired.
Remus stood before anyone else and held his hand out to Hermione. "Ready?"
"What?" asked Hermione, confused.
"We have a standing date, don't we," he said smiling.
A look of worry crossed Hermione's face. "Maybe we shouldn't tonight. Maybe we should all stay together."
"It's Thursday, James and Sirius have Quidditch practice," stated Remus, still holding out his hand.
"We don't have to go," offered James. "I think Hermione's right. We should stick together tonight. Maybe go to the library and study."
Remus looked at his friends incredulously. "You'd rather go to the library than play Quidditch?" He sat again and looked sternly at them all. "I know what you're all trying to do and I appreciate it, really I do, but the four of you can't be my bodyguard's for the rest of your lives. I wouldn't even want that. Besides," he said turning to Hermione. "You said we should act like everything's normal. Remember, no hiding."
"You're right," agreed Hermione, but she still felt nervous.
"Of course I'm right. Come on," he said standing again. Hermione joined him reluctantly and with a backwards glance she allowed him to lead her out of the room.
They made their nightly trek around the edge of the lake. "Today wasn't so bad," commented Remus. "It could have been worse."
"Yes," agreed Hermione. "It could have been."
"You've been great today," he said softly. She only smiled. "Better than I was to you," he finished with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione.
"Don't you remember what we were doing forty-eight hours ago in almost this very spot?"
Hermione shrugged. "We were having a discussion."
He laughed. "Isn't that a polite way to say I was being a pig headed jerk."
"Remus," she said laughing. "You're not a jerk. I wasn't being very understanding about what you were going through. I was only thinking of myself."
"That's not true," interrupted Remus. "The thing is, you almost never think about yourself. And the one time you needed something from me, I was too selfish to give it to you."
"It doesn't matter now," said Hermione. "It turns out that I don't really need what I thought I did."
"What are you saying?"
Hermione paused. "I guess what I'm saying is that I've decided not to go to the Department of Mysteries."
"I don't understand. Why the sudden change of heart?"
She shrugged. "It's just not important to me anymore." His brow creased with concern. She stopped walking and pulled him around to face her. "You're important to me, Remus. I don't want to leave you." She took a deep breath. "I love you."
He smiled softly. "I know, I love you too."
"No, I mean I really love you. Even more today than when I first told you," said Hermione. "I've tried picturing what it would be like to go home and I know if I ever had to leave, I'd be miserable. I don't want to leave you. But I'm so afraid."
He stepped forward and put his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. "What are you afraid of?"
"Losing you," she whispered so low that he barely heard her.
"I'm not going anywhere, Hermione," he reassured her.
"Remus, awful things happen to wizards who try to change time. I've set things in motion and now I'm losing control." She could feel the vibrations of his laughter against her chest and she pulled away. "What?"
"You never had control," he said.
"It's not funny," she said. Her voice trembled when she continued. "Something's coming. I don't know when or what, but I can feel it. I think before it's all over, I'm going to pay for what I've done."
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
A/N: Hey all. Wow 200 plus reviews. You guys are the best. Now for another survey question. When the Marauders catch up with Peter (If they ever do) what should they do to him? I'm leaning toward feeding him to the Giant Squid, but I'm sure you all can come up with something much cleverer. Also, wasn't Timothy Spall a great Peter Pettigrew. And two huge thumbs up for Gary Oldman and David Thewlis, the new loves of my life. The scene in the Shrieking Shack was very cool. If any of you haven't seen POA in the theatres, drop what you're doing right now and go. Love to all in Potter land and remember(greedy, shameless plug coming up), review, review, review!
