Hermione spent the days following the full moon in a daze. She never left Remus' side. She ate her meals in the room and at night slept in the bed next to him.

The day after Remus fell into his coma, she sent Sirius back to Hogwarts with a list of books to bring from the library. It took James, Sirius, and Lily to bring them all back. Then Hermione locked herself in the sick room and began pouring over the books. She occasionally emerged from the room, but it was only ever to ask someone to fetch more books for her or to give them lists of ingredients she needed.

By the end of the first week, James, Sirius, and Lily were getting extremely worried about her. They each tried in their own way to get Hermione to take a break, but she refused to leave Remus.

"It's not healthy for her to stay locked away in that room all day," said Lily in a whispered conversation with her husband and his best friend.

"We know that, Lily," replied James. "But what can we do?"

"She's barely eating, I know she's not sleeping," sighed Lily. "And I keep telling her if she doesn't take care of herself then she's not going to do Remus any good, but she won't listen."

"She feels responsible for what happened to him," said Sirius.

"That's ridiculous," said James.

"I know," returned Sirius.

Lily shook her head. "You two don't understand her. I'm not sure I understand her myself sometimes. I think we forget sometimes where Hermione comes from. She must know things, things she wishes she didn't know." Lily's eyes grew bright. "Maybe she knew what was going to happen to Remus. Maybe she came back to save him."

"I don't think so," said James gently.

"No really," Lily insisted. "Think about it, she never really told us why she came back. She's left out so many details. There has to be a reason."

James and Sirius shared an uncomfortable glance. Lily caught the glance. "She never told you anything about why she came back, did she?" she asked suspiciously.

"No," said James quickly. "She never told us."

Lily looked into her husband's face and for the first time since they were married she didn't think he was being honest with her. "James," she began, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Sirius, can you get the door?" Lily requested.

Sirius wordlessly obeyed her request.

"James," she continued. "Did Hermione ever tell you why she was here?"

"Lily," he began.

"Before you say another word," she interrupted. "Make sure it's the truth. If you're going to lie to me, I'd rather you didn't say anything."

"Lily, I…" James trailed off. He couldn't lie to his wife, but at the same time, it wasn't his place to tell Hermione's secrets. He was beginning to see that it was bad enough that he knew them himself. The hollow look in Hermione's eyes that he had seen in the last week showed him how high the penalty for changing time was. The last thing he wanted his wife dealing with the responsibility of that knowledge.

James and Lily were interrupted by muffled voices in the front hall. They moved as one to it.

Sirius was standing in the doorway with an older couple.

"We want to see our son," said the woman. "Headmaster Dumbledore told us he was here."

"Hermione's with him right now," Sirius was explaining. "If you'll just give me a minute, I'll let her know you're here."

"Move out of the way, young man," said the man. "You can't keep us from him."

"Sirius, let them in," said Lily immediately. She recognized the people as Mr. and Mrs. Lupin. Sirius stepped aside and the Lupin's entered the house.

"Welcome to our home," said Lily stepping forward extending her hand. They each shook it briefly in turn. "I'm sure you're eager to see Remus, but as Sirius was saying, Hermione's in with him right now. If you'll just wait in the living room…"

"We've had enough of waiting," interrupted Mrs. Lupin. "We were told he's been unconscious for a week and before that he was kidnapped by Death Eaters. How is it that one of you didn't come to tell us right away? You're supposed to be his best friends."

They all exchanged guilty looks. They had discussed seeing the Lupin's and telling them about their son's condition, but Remus hadn't been on good terms with them and they had all wanted to wait and see if he would come out of the coma.

"Just let me go get Hermione," said Lily.

"That won't be necessary," said Mrs. Lupin. "Just show me to my son. Now."

Lily nodded and led her through the house to Remus' room. She knocked lightly on the door, but got no answer. She knocked harder the second time, calling out Hermione's name.

"Come in," came Hermione's reply.

Lily opened the door. Hermione was sitting on a chair next to the bed. She had one of Remus' hands in her own and it was apparent to Lily that she had been crying. Lily's heart broke a little for her.

Remus' parents brushed past Lily and moved toward their son.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lupin," said Hermione, shocked to see them.

"Oh Remus," cried Mrs. Lupin. She knelt and covered her son's body and began crying. Her husband stood behind her gently stroking her back. Hermione stood and allowed his parents some time with their son. Lily approached her and put a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"How did this happen, Hermione?" asked Mrs. Lupin.

"He was badly injured before his transformation last week. Madame Pomphrey said that he had some broken bones that injured him internally. The transformation aggravated those injuries."

"You mean my son has only been seen by a school nurse?" asked Mr. Lupin, clearly outraged.

"He can't be admitted to St. Mungo's," said Sirius. He and James had entered the room and were standing behind Lily and Hermione. "They won't allow the admission of a werewolf."

"Madame Pomphrey is very good," said Hermione. "And I've been reading everything I can get my hands on and trying some potions. I'm with him every second."

"Dumbledore said he was caught trying to rescue you," accused Mrs. Lupin. Hermione didn't know how to respond. Mrs. Lupin stood and glared at Hermione. "I wish he had never met you. You've brought nothing but trouble into his life."

Hermione forced herself to remain calm. "I'm sorry you feel that way," she said. "Remus is my life and I'm his."

"Not anymore," said Mrs. Lupin.

"What?"

Mrs. Lupin looked at her husband. "Hermione," he began in a gentler tone than his wife had used. "We're taking Remus home with us. We're arranging for full time care."

"You can't," protested Hermione. "I won't let you."

"You don't have a say in this," replied Mrs. Lupin. "We're his parents and we know what's best for him."

"I'm his fiancé," objected Hermione. "I have just as much right…"

"No you don't," Mrs. Lupin interrupted.

"Wait a second, everybody," said Lily. "We all want what's best for Remus. Can't we all sit down and talk about this?"

"No," said Mrs. Lupin coldly. "We've made the decision. Remus requires more care than you kids can give him. We thank you for trying, but unfortunately it's not enough."

"Get out," seethed Hermione. She pushed past the Lupin's and placed herself between them and Remus. "I won't let you take him out of this room. We may not have gotten married, but as far as I'm concerned we've been living as man and wife. The only reason we didn't make it official was because of the restrictions against werewolves marrying."

"Hermione," said Mr. Lupin. "Please don't make this difficult. Daphne and I truly believe this is the best course of action for him. You'd be welcome to visit him. All of you would. But he needs special care. You can't provide that for him."

"I can and I have," she replied.

"Robert, don't try to reason with her," said Mrs. Lupin. "It's her fault he's in this condition."

"That's enough," said James loudly. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Lupin, but you can't talk to Hermione that way, not in my house. She hasn't slept in days. We can barely get her to eat regularly. She's devoted herself to caring for your son. Remus wouldn't want this. Have you even considered what he'd want? He's devoted to Hermione. He'd want to be with her."

"Unfortunately," said Mrs. Lupin angrily. "We'll never know what he would want. I won't lose my son again." She looked around the room at the stricken faces around her. "I'm sorry this is causing all of you pain, but we've made our decision. We'll be back with a mediwizard in a few hours to transport Remus to the house. I would appreciate it, if you wouldn't make the transfer difficult," she said quietly, before leaving the room.

Mr. Lupin turned to Hermione. "I know you've done your best, dear, but Remus does need professional care. Remus is our only child and my wife can't lose another one. It would kill her. That's why she's so angry. She doesn't really blame you."

"You could have fooled me," said Hermione shakily. "I know that I gave you both the wrong impression about me when I went to visit your home, but I do love your son."

"I know that," said Mr. Lupin. "And I know that he loves you. I meant it when I said you would be welcome to come and visit him. Daphne won't stop you from visiting."

"A half hour visit in the evening isn't enough," said Hermione. "And forgive me for saying it, but Remus made his choice a long time ago. He wants to be with me. I can get him through this."

Mr. Lupin sighed. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said quietly before following his wife.

When they were gone, Hermione turned to Sirius, James, and Lily. "James, you won't let them, will you?" she asked desperately.

"Hermione, I don't know how we can stop them."

"Sirius," she said, turning to him and begging him silently with her eyes.

He shook his head sadly. "I think James is right. They are his parents."

"Some friends you are," she accused angrily. "I would never let them take Lily from you, James or vice versa."

"That's different, Hermione," said Lily, stepping forward. "James and I are married." It was the wrong thing to say and they all knew it as soon as she said it.

"Get out," hissed Hermione. "Just get out."

Lily looked at James and Sirius and they all silently left the room, closing the door gently behind them.

"I shouldn't have said that," said Lily immediately after they closed the door.

"It's okay," reassured her husband. "We know you didn't mean it that way."

"I don't know how much more stress she can take," said Sirius worriedly. "There's only so much a body can take before it starts shutting down."

"We better see if Dumbledore will come and talk to her. I don't want to think what will happen if the Lupin's tryto come and take him while she's in this state."

"I think it's a lucky thing she hasn't had a chance to replace her wand yet," commented Sirius. "Or we would all be in a lot of trouble." He sighed deeply. "I'll go let Dumbledore know what's going on. I'm sure he'll come back and see her." Sirius went to the fireplace and dipped his hand into the pot of floo powder that was placed next to it. He tossed it into the fireplace and stepped in. "Professor Dumbledore's office," he said clearly and with a woosh he was gone.

Less than an hour later, Sirius returned with the professor. James and Lily were standing outside of Remus and Hermione's room, trying to get her to voluntarily open the door.

"Excuse me," said Professor Dumbledore. He knocked gently on the door. "Hermione, its Professor Dumbledore." He waited a few seconds and then the door opened. Dumbledore held his hand up to James, Lily, and Sirius, indicating that they should wait and disappeared into the room.

As promised, a few hours later, Mr. Lupin arrived with a mediwizard. "I left Mrs. Lupin at home," he said quietly. "I didn't want to make this harder on Hermione than it has to be."

"Won't you please reconsider?" begged Lily.

"I'm sorry," said Mr. Lupin genuinely. "But this really is best for Remus."

"She's in with Dumbledore right now," said James coldly. "You'll have to wait until they're through."

"That's fine," agreed Mr. Lupin easily. "Believe me, kids this is not what I want. It's just what has to be done."

They waited for at least forty minutes before Dumbledore finally emerged. "Robert," he said acknowledging Mr. Lupin's presence. "Thank you for waiting."

"Of course," he said immediately. "How is she?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice.

"She's a strong young woman. But she feels their impending separation very strongly. I trust there will be no problems with her visiting Remus as often as she likes?"

"My son would never forgive me if I denied her."

Dumbledore turned to Lily, James, and Sirius. "Hermione will be returning to Hogwarts with me."

"Oh," cried Lily. "No, she should stay here. We want her to stay."

Dumbledore smiled kindly at Lily. "I know and so does she, but there is much for her to do at Hogwarts and it is best that she keep busy whileRemus is recovering. Come Mr. Lupin," commanded Dumbledore. "Your son is ready to be moved." Dumbledore led the way back into room.

Hermione was sitting on the bed next to Remus. She had clearly tried to make herself presentable. She was wearing a little make-up and her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. Her eyes were bright and clear. She placed one hand on his cheek and leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips. "I love you," she whispered. "And I'll always be with you no matter how far apart we are." She rose from the bed and backed into a corner of the room while the mediwizard levitated Remus onto a stretcher and floated him from the room.

"Hermione, I'll wait while you say goodbye to your friends," said Dumbledore leaving the four remaining friends alone.

"Hermione you don't have to leave," said Lily immediately. "James and I don't mind if you stay and live with us."

Hermione hugged her friend tightly. "I know," she said. "But I can't anymore." She released Lily and turned and hugged James. "Take care of everybody," she said. She turned to Sirius and gave him an extra tight hug.

"I'm worried about you," he said softly into her ear.

"Don't be," she replied. "If I've learned anything it's that time and distance can't separate you from the people you love. And I do love all of you."

Sirius stiffened in her arms. "Hermione," he began.

"I have to go," she said, cutting him off. "Lily, will you send my things to Hogwarts. I'm not sure if I'll have time to get them later."

"Of course," said Lily miserably. She was going to miss her best friend more than she could say.

"Hermione," repeated Sirius, his entire body betrayed his uneasiness.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," said Hermione and they could tell she was barely holding it together. She rushed from the room and took the floo back to Hogwarts.

James, Lily, and Sirius stared as Dumbledore followed her quietly without another word to them. They found themselves suddenly alone in a too large house that was now unbearably quiet.

"I have a bad feeling, James," said Lily, wiping tears from her eyes. "She seemed so strange."

James hugged his wife. "Its okay, Lily, we'll make sure to go visit her after she's had a chance to settle in."

"If she's really going to settle in," said Sirius.

"What do you mean?" asked James and Lily at the same time.

Sirius turned to them, his face pale. "I think she was really saying goodbye to us," he said. "I think she's going home for good."

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A/N: Wow! That chapter received one of the best responses I've ever had. I'm sorry I didn't relieve everybody's anxiety in this last chapter, I think I may have added to it.