True to his word, Remus was out of Hermione's room before the sun had been up for a half an hour. He got dressed then wandered through his home feeling a peace he hadn't felt in weeks. Part of him wished he didn't have to go back to Hogwarts in a day and a half. He indulged himself in a brief fantasy where Hermione lived with him in this house and he spent every night with her in his arms.

Remus went to the kitchen where he poured himself a glass of juice and sat quietly at the table. He was mentally planning all the things he wanted to do with Hermione today. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice when his father entered the kitchen.

Mr. Lupin watched his son for a few minutes before Remus noticed he was there. "Dad," said a startled Remus. "I didn't see you."

"That much was obvious," returned Mr. Lupin with a smile. He sat next to his son and reached for the container of juice. "I'm glad I caught you alone. I wanted to talk to you."

"About?" asked Remus cautiously.

Mr. Lupin cleared his throat. "I went to check on you last night and you weren't in your bed."

"Oh," said Remus uncomfortably.

"Son, I understand that you're not a child anymore, but that young lady is a guest in our home."

"Dad," Remus cut him off. "Nothing happened. Hermione and I aren't... doing... anything." His father raised his eyebrows at him. "Honest dad," continued Remus. "I was in her room last night, but we were just sleeping. I promise." When his father didn't respond Remus felt the need to continue. "Hermione and I aren't... we haven't...," Remus took a deep breath and lowered his voice. "We're not having sex," he finished almost painfully.

His father chuckled lowly. "Remus," he began putting his hand on his son's arm. "I trust you to act appropriately and to treat Hermione with respect. You've never given me any reason to think less of you."

"Thanks," mumbled Remus.

"Having said that," continued his father and Remus groaned, sensing an impending lecture. His father laughed. "Hear me out, Remus. I just wanted to remind you to be careful. I was a young man myself once."

"I know dad," said Remus, cutting him off. "We already had this conversation a few years ago."

"I remember," his dad returned with a smile. "But you didn't have a girlfriend at the time, nor did you seem particularly interested in getting one, if I remember correctly."

"Well things have changed," acknowledged Remus.

"Yes," agreed his father. "I can see that. And so can your mother."

"Mom still thinks I'm ten years old," said Remus bitterly.

"You can't blame your mother for being protective of you," said his father firmly. "When you've buried one child and nearly had to bury another it changes you. She carries a lot of guilt over what happened to you."

"I don't know why," said Remus. "It was my own fault."

Mr. Lupin put his hand on Remus's and squeezed it tightly. "No, it wasn't. It wasn't your fault and it wasn't hers. It just was. And I will never be able to tell you how proud I am of the man you've become despite of what happened to you."

"Thanks dad," said Remus and they smiled warmly at each other.

"Do you have any plans for today," asked Mr. Lupin, sitting back in his chair.

Remus shrugged. "I thought maybe I might show Hermione around town."

"Okay, but be sure to be back in time for dinner. You can't keep her away from your mother forever," said Mr. Lupin with a smirk. "Besides, think of the hard time her father is going to give you when you're introduced.

"That's a sight I'll never get tired of seeing," said a voice from the door. Both Remus and his father looked up to see Daphne Lupin leaning against the doorway smiling happily at her two boys.

"Morning mum," said Remus.

"Good morning, darling," said Mr. Lupin.

She moved over to them and kissed her son on the cheek. "Did you sleep well, sweetheart?"

"Yeah mum," said Remus. He felt heat flood his cheeks and hoped his mother didn't notice.

"Is Hermione still asleep?" she asked.

Remus glanced at the clock. "That's weird. She's usually up so early. I almost always have to drag her out of the library in the morning so she can get breakfast before class."

"Why don't you go check on her," suggested Mr. Lupin.

Remus immediately stood and went to the guest bedroom. He knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," Hermione called from inside. Remus entered the room to find Hermione fully dressed and sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Morning," he said softly.

"Good morning," she returned with a smile.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"No, I'm afraid I had an elbow in my back most of the night."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"I'm only teasing," she grinned. "I slept very well." She got up and went to Remus kissing him lightly. "You?"

"Other than the fact that I was in constant danger of being strangled by your hair, I slept fine."

She smacked him playfully on the shoulder. "Seriously though, no one saw you leave this morning, right?"

"No," said Remus quickly. "Our secret's safe." He didn't think she'd care to hear that his dad knew they had shared a room last night. He took her hand and pulled her toward the door. "Come on, you can't hide in here forever."

Hermione followed Remus into the kitchen where his parents were sitting enjoying some coffee. "Good morning," she said brightly.

"Good morning, Hermione," they returned. "Did you sleep well?" inquired Mrs. Lupin.

"Yes very well, thank you," she said sitting down.

"What do you two have planned for today?" asked Mrs. Lupin.

"I'm not sure," said Hermione, glancing over at Remus.

"I thought we'd go for a walk after breakfast," said Remus. "If you want."

"Sure," agreed Hermione. "Sounds like fun."

Once their plans were settled, they were eager to begin their day. They ate breakfast quickly and were out the door in less than thirty minutes.

Mr. and Mrs. Lupin stood inside the house and watched them from behind a large picture window until they had disappeared from view.

"He seems happy," said Mrs. Lupin, but her comment was more of a question than a statement.

"Yes, he does," her husband assured her. "Very happy."

"Why is it that I have a bad feeling about her then?" asked Mrs. Lupin quietly.

"Daphne, the girl seems perfectly pleasant to me. And our son is clearly enamored with her. I think you should give her a chance."

"Call it mother's intuition, but I have a terrible feeling that she's hiding something from us."

"Let's hope you're wrong," said Mr. Lupin gently, before moving away from the window.

"Yes," agreed Mrs. Lupin. "Let's hope."

Remus spent the morning showing Hermione all his old haunts. They walked for miles enjoying the scenery and each others company. He took her into the tiny muggle town a few miles from his home where they had lunch and went window shopping.

Hours later they were on their way back to the house. Remus and Hermione walked hand in hand down a small dirt path that wound its way near a thick forest. "It's beautiful out here," commented Hermione.

"I know," agreed Remus.

The sun was high in the afternoon sky and Hermione began to feel uncomfortably warm. "Do you think we could walk through the woods for a little? It's so hot out here and the trees will give us more shade."

"Okay," said Remus easily. Remus seemed to know the woods well and he led Hermione off the path and threw the thick trees. In the near distance she could hear the sound of water running. Before long they reached a gently flowing stream.

"Want to go for a swim?" suggested Remus.

"We don't have any suits," Hermione pointed out rather obviously.

"So," Remus shrugged. "Who needs suits?" He kicked off his shoes and headed for the water. When Hermione didn't follow him immediately he went back for her and grabbed her around the waist. "Come on, you said you were hot." Hermione shrieked when she realized he had every intention of throwing her into the water.

"Remus I swear I'll hex you into next week," she threatened, but he didn't let her go. He dragged her further into the stream laughing all the way. When they were far enough into the water, he plunged her into the water. Hermione came up sputtering and spitting water out of her mouth. She gave Remus a murderous stare. "You are so dead," she laughed and swam out to where he was treading water a few feet away from her. She had nearly reached him when he dodged her and swam a few feet away from her. They continued chasing each other in the water until they were both exhausted. When they tired of their game, they swam to the shore and rested on the grass allowing the sun to dry them.

"Hermione," said Remus softly.

"Hmm?" She had her eyes closed and there was a happy smile on her lips

"I've been thinking a lot about us lately," he began and she smiled happily. "I've been thinking about the future," he continued.

"Have you?"

"Yes, and I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes," she said opening her eyes.

"I was wondering, after we graduate, do you think maybe you might want to..."

Hermione let out a great shriek and sat bolt upright.

Remus jerked himself up in shock. "What the..."

Hermione scrambled to her feet and laughed. "Did you see him?"

"What? Who?" asked Remus surveying the sky. Then he heard it. It sounded like the dull roar of some distressed animal was coming at them from behind. He whipped out his wand and turned to the noise.

Pulling up to their side atop a large black motorbike was Sirius. Hermione rushed toward him. "I saw you flying overhead. Have you lost your mind?" she said with a laugh. "Do you have any idea how illegal this motorbike is?"

Sirius pulled his helmet off and set down the kickstand. "Sometimes you have to live a little, Hermione. It's a beauty isn't it?" he said patting the bike.

"Hey, Padfoot," said Remus joining them.

"Hey Moony," replied Sirius. "What do you think?"

"It's nice," said Remus slowly.

"Nice," said Sirius incredulously. "Nice? Here I've been searching for the two of you for nearly an hour and all you can say is nice."

"Where'd you get the bike?" asked Remus.

"Bought it today as sort of an early graduation present for myself. Do you want to go for a ride?"

"No way," said Remus with a laugh.

"Okay," said Hermione excitedly.

Remus stared at her in shock. "You want to ride that thing?" he asked incredulously.

"Why not? I had an uncle who had one and when I was younger he used to take me for rides on it around our neighborhood. I loved it."

"Yeah but you don't like to fly," Remus pointed out delicately.

"We don't have to fly," injected Sirius. He handed his helmet to Hermione. "We'll ride along the stream."

Hermione accepted the helmet. "Do you mind?" she asked Remus. "We'll be right back."

He smiled at her excitement. "Go ahead. In fact, why don't the two of you ride back to the house and I'll meet you there."

"How are you going to get there?" asked Hermione. "You can't walk by yourself. We're at least an hour away on foot."

"I'll apparate," he said simply.

"I didn't know you could apparate," said Hermione.

"I got my apparition's license as soon as I turned seventeen," he replied.

"Oh, I didn't have time to. I didn't turn seventeen until mid-September."

Behind them, Sirius had jumped on his bike and revved the engine. Remus and Hermione turned and laughed. "Okay, I'm ready," said Hermione. She put on the helmet and jumped behind Sirius, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "See you at home," she called to Remus, before Sirius took off.

Remus watched until they were out of sight before apparating to his house.

"Remus, is that you?" called his mother from somewhere in the house.

"Yeah, it's me," he called back. She emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands on a tea towel.

"Did you have fun?" she asked. "Where's Hermione?" she continued in the same breath.

"We ran into a friend of ours from Hogwarts. She's with him now," explained Remus.

"Really," said Mrs. Lupin, raising her eyebrows.

"Mom," said Remus warningly. "Don't."

"What?" she said innocently.

"Sirius bought a motorbike and he's taking Hermione for a ride. They'll be here soon," he explained.

"I see," said Mrs. Lupin, but Remus could clearly see that she didn't. "Is your friend Sirius going to stay for dinner?"

Remus shrugged. "I'm not sure if he can stay."

"I'll set an extra place just in case." She scanned her son. "Why do you look like you've been wet?"

Remus laughed. "I'm nearly dry. Hermione and I went swimming."

"Well you better change. I don't want you to get sick."

He wanted to remind her once again that he wasn't a child, but he didn't feel like arguing so he went to his room and changed. Meanwhile, Hermione and Sirius were nearing the house.

Sirius slowed the bike down just outside the gate and Hermione pulled her helmet off. "That was great," she breathed. She slid off the bike and waited for Sirius to dismount. "Thanks for the ride."

"Sure," said Sirius.

"So, did you come by just to show off your bike or was there something else?"

Sirius smiled sheepishly. "I couldn't stop thinking about you all night," he admitted. Hermione blushed and turned away. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, I'm not mad at you. I wasn't mad at you yesterday. I was just... I don't know."

Sirius got off the bike and leaned against it. "You do want to go. I can see that you do."

"But I can't," she returned firmly.

"I don't get it. Why?"

"Because I've made a mess, Sirius. You don't know, you can't know what I've done."

"Then tell me."

"I can't. It's my problem to deal with."

Sirius laughed. "Haven't you figured out how we work yet?" Hermione looked at him quizzically. "We, the five of us, are a team. We don't have individual problems. If something's wrong, then tell me and we'll fix it together."

"It can't be fixed," she said with some difficulty.

"You know, some people think you're pretty hard to understand, but I think I've got you figured out."

"Is that so," said Hermione indignantly. "Then please pass on your wisdom."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "It's really easy. You want people to think you're so put together and on top of things, but really deep down you know you're just winging it. And now, you're in panic mode because things aren't going the way you thought they would."

"That's ridiculous," scoffed Hermione. "I'm going inside," she said turning on her heel.

"You think it's your fault Peter ratted out Remus." Hermione stopped dead and turned back to Sirius slowly. Sirius sighed and walked over to her. "Don't act so shocked. It's not that hard to figure out what's going on in your mind. But how could you know it would happen."

"No one was supposed to know for years," she choked out. Sirius pulled her around and into a tight hug and Hermione cried against his shoulder.

"He doesn't blame you. Nobody does."

"I blame me," she replied. "For everything, for Remus, for Peter."

"What about James and Lily and me." She shrugged. "You can't just dismiss that, Hermione. You saved our lives."

"Maybe, but you understand now why I can't go to the Department of Mysteries."

"Not really," said Sirius releasing her. "I think you got scared and now you're using this thing with Remus as an excuse."

"He needs me," argued Hermione.

"He's a big boy," countered Sirius. They stared at each other unblinking.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I care about you, Hermione," he said stepping closer to her. "And I know you need this, even if you say you don't. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to leave. I can't even begin to tell you how much I would miss you, but it's all selfish emotions. You shouldn't be kept away from your family just because we want you with us."

Hermione didn't say anything. She couldn't. Everything he was saying was true. She didn't know if she would ever be able to get home to her friends and family again, but she did know the answer was at the Department of Mysteries in the room with the time turners behind the door Harry had described in her vision.

"But what about Remus," she said softly.

"If he loves you like he says he does, he'd want what was best for you."

Hermione didn't say anything for a long time. They just stood there in silence as she made up her mind. "Come back tonight after everyone's asleep," she said softly. "I'll be waiting here for you at two."

"Then you're not going to tell him?" questioned Sirius.

"I'll leave him a note," she replied. "It'll be easier that way."

"Okay," agreed Sirius. "I'll see you at two." Sirius got back on his back and started it. "Tell Remus I had to get back to the Potter's."

"I will." Hermione stepped away from the bike and Sirius sped off. A few feet down the lane the bike lifted into the air and in a matter of seconds he was no longer visible.

Hermione took a deep breath before heading back into the house. She stepped into the front hallway and headed for her room, but was stopped by Mrs. Lupin who called to her from the kitchen. "Is that you, Hermione?"

"Yes ma'am," replied Hermione.

"Is your friend with you?"

"No, he had to go back to the Potter's."

"Oh, that's too bad. Well, why don't you go freshen up and then get Remus. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes."

"Okay," agreed Hermione. She went to the guest bedroom and changed her clothes. She was just shrugging on her shirt when there was a knock on the door. Hermione pulled her shirt down the rest of the way before saying, "come in."

Remus opened the door and let himself in. "Hey, where's Sirius?"

"He had to go back to the Potter's," she replied.

Remus crossed the room and sat on the bed. "So, how was the ride?"

"Good," she replied. "Nice and smooth, although I imagine he was taking it easy for my sake." She pulled her hairbrush out of her bag and attempted to set her hair right.

"That was odd how he just showed up like that. Do you think everything's all right?"

"Yes," said Hermione calmly. "I imagine he just wanted to show his new toy off."

"Hermione," said Remus softly.

"Yes?"

"Today was probably one of the best days of my life."

She turned and smiled at him. "You need to get out more."

He got up from the bed and approached her slowly. "Don't make fun of me."

She bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, I wasn't. Today was wonderful. Every day with you has been wonderful." She pulled him into her arms and rested her cheek on his shoulder. One of his arms encircled her waist while his other hand tipped her chin back. He kissed her softly at first and then more energetically. Her arms went around his neck and she pulled him closer against her.

They moved as one until they were next to the bed and then they were on it. Remus stretched out over Hermione moving his lips from her mouth to her neck. She lifted her head slightly to give him better access, breathing deeply. Hermione's hands roamed under his shirt reveling in the feel of his skin. She gripped his back holding him tightly.

Remus worked his mouth from her neck to her jaw agonizingly slow. When he went to kiss her cheek he felt it wet against his mouth. He lifted his head to examine her face and saw that she was crying. "What's wrong," he whispered.

She shook her head. "Don't stop." Remus rolled off of her. "No," she protested trying to hang onto him.

"Why are you crying?" he questioned.

Hermione sat up in bed wiping the tears from her face. She smoothed her shirt and stood, purposely ignoring his questioning eyes. "Your mother has dinner waiting for us," she said quietly before making a quick exit.

Remus was stunned. He jumped from the bed and hurried after her. Halfway down the hall he caught up with her and pulled her to a stop. "I don't understand."

"Not in the hallway," she hissed. "Come on, they're waiting." Hermione pulled him along into the dining room where Remus's parents were waiting patiently. Hermione smiled and took her seat.

The whole dinner was agony for Remus. He could see that there was something wrong with Hermione. She avoided his eyes all night. He was glad when dinner was finally over, but he didn't get a chance to talk to her even then. His mother monopolized her with questions and stories until late in the evening. And then before he could stop her she said she was tired, excused herself and went to bed.

Remus excused himself as soon as he could, but he didn't go to her. Instead he went to his own room and changed for bed. He sat on his bed thinking about the girl across the hall and wondering what was wrong with her. When he was sure everybody in the house was tucked in he quietly opened his door and snuck into her room.

Hermione was lying in bed with her eyes closed. He moved closer and whispered her name, but she didn't wake up. Slowly he got into bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her. He rested his head next to hers on her pillow and watched her until he fell asleep.

When Hermione was sure Remus was asleep she opened her eyes. She could only make out the shadows of his features in the darkness of the room, but she stared and tried to memorize everything she saw.

When it was nearing two o'clock, Hermione extricated herself gently from Remus's arms. She got dressed in the dark as quietly as she could. Then she sat at a small writing table in the room and penned a quick note to Remus, crying all the while. She picked up her letter and placed it on the pillow where her head had been only five minutes before.

Then, before she could change her mind, she hurried from the room. She crept quietly to the front door and opened it carefully.

"Hermione?" came a whisper from behind her. Hermione turned, feeling her heart pounding in her throat. Mrs. Lupin was standing behind her in her dressing gown. "What are you doing, Hermione?" she asked.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I have to go." Hermione took a few steps out of the house before Mrs. Lupin stopped her.

"Where are you going?" she said from the door.

"There's something that I have to do. I'm sorry. It was wonderful meeting you and thank you for having me over, but I have to go now."

"Does Remus know about this?"

"No, and please don't wake him up. I left him a note explaining everything. I'm sorry," she said hurrying away. Sirius was waiting for her on his motorbike. Hermione jumped onto the back of the bike and gripped him tightly.

"Everything okay?" he asked watching Mrs. Lupin watch them.

"Yes, just go, please."

Without needing to be told twice, Sirius hit the gas and they were on their way.

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A/N: Okay you all caught me in a fairly obvious mistake, or at least some of you did. Yes, Sirius's brother is younger, not older and it is a little too soon for him to be dead. It just served my purposes to change those details. Mea Culpa. But it got me thinking that since Regulus (Sirius's brother) was younger, then that means he went to Hogwarts with Sirius and he was probably in Slytherin and if he was then maybe he knew Snape or was even friends with him. What an interesting story that would be.

Hope you liked the chapter, it was murder to write. It's very piggy to still beg for reviews but I'm going to anyway. Review!