Hermione was sitting quietly in bed, reading a pregnancy book and enjoying some quiet time when Remus came home. "Hey honey," she said, setting her book down and smiling up at him.

"Hi," he replied. His voice sounded tired. He climbed into bed next to her and kissed her cheek, then her belly.

"Long day?" she asked.

He nodded. Remus had been doing a lot of extra work for the Order lately. "Honey, I have to tell you something and I want you to promise not to get upset."

"What?" she asked tensely.

"That's not a happy, relaxed tone," he teased.

She gave him a pointed look. "I hate when people begin sentences the way you just did. You're guaranteed to tell me something that's going to make me upset. So you might as well just say it."

He sighed. "I'm going on a mission for the Order."

"What? Why?"

"I'm the only one available." He moved closer and put his arm around her. "I have to leave in a few days."

"How long will you be gone?"

He didn't want to answer.

She saw and frowned deeply. "Remus John Lupin, how long will you be gone?"

"Hermione," he sighed, hating the way she had said his name. "It won't be too long," he said, but she could tell he was lying.

"I don't want you to go," she said. "I don't think you should be away while I'm pregnant."

"I know and I don't want to, but Dumbledore needs me to do this. I'll be back way before the baby comes."

Hermione's eyes went wide and Remus knew he had said the wrong thing. "How long are you going to be gone," she insisted.

"A month or two," he replied reluctantly. "Maybe three."

"Three months," she shouted. "No, no no no."

"Hermione…" he began.

"No," she repeated. "I'm three months along now. You'll miss the entire second trimester."

"It's not a sure thing that I'll be gone for three months. It might only be one," reasoned Remus.

"And just where might you be going for one possibly three months?" she asked sarcastically.

"Dumbledore is sending Hagrid and I to the Giants."

"The Giants," exclaimed Hermione in alarm. "No, you can't."

"Voldemort is getting stronger and our forces are starting to dwindle. We have to have new allies."

Hermione shuddered, remembering how Hagrid had returned from his visit to the Giants. "There's no guarantee they'll join us," she said.

"I know," agreed Remus. "But we have to try."

Hermione knew it was true, but she wasn't giving up yet. "What if I went with you?" she suggested.

"No," he said immediately.

"Oh, so it's okay for you to risk your life, but not me," snapped Hermione. "Hagrid can't do magic and I'm better at Charms and Defense than you."

Remus laughed. "There's no way you're better at Defense than me. If I remember your history correctly, I'm the one who taught you."

"Yeah, in about fifteen years," she countered.

"There's no point arguing. You're pregnant and you're not going. Beside, Dumbledore needs you here. The bottom line is you're more necessary to him than I am. And you said it yourself. Hagrid can't do magic. He needs a wizard to accompany him. I'm the only member of the Order who won't be missed for a couple of months. We can't raise suspicions."

"Being separated for months isn't an option," insisted Hermione.

"It's done, Hermione. I've already agreed," responded Remus almost sadly.

A spark of anger flashed over Hermione. "Without discussing it with me," said Hermione.

Remus immediately became defensive. "We're both members of the Order. You know what that means."

"We're married. You shouldn't be making these kinds of decisions without me."

His shoulders slumped. "I don't want to fight," he said hollowly. "I'm leaving in three days. I'd rather leave on good terms with you."

"So that's it," she said. "You're leaving and I just have to accept it. I have to play the dutiful wife and wait for you to return."

"No," said Remus, his voice full of frustration. "I don't want it to be this way. I want you to understand that I have to feel useful. If there was anyone else who could be spared I wouldn't go. But you and I both know that there's no one."

Hermione turned away from him and tried to hide her face behind her hand. Remus could see she was crying and felt like the world's biggest jerk for making his pregnant wife cry. He put a hand on her back, but she jerked away from him.

"Honey, please don't cry."

"Don't leave and I won't cry," she said thickly.

"Hermione," he begged. "Please understand."

She got up off the bed angrily. "No," she said stubbornly. "I don't understand and I won't." She went to the door, opened it and slammed it behind her.

Remus counted to three before slowly following her. "Hermione," he called out, but there was no answer. "Hermione, c'mon, don't be like this."

"Remus," called James from the front of the house. "What happened?"

"Did you see Hermione?" he asked.

"She just left," replied James. "It looked like she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she just said she needed to take a walk."

Remus sighed and stared at the front door. He wanted to talk to her, but thought it might be best if she had some time to herself to process everything.

"What happened?" asked James.

Remus turned to his best friend. "I need a favor, James," he began.

"Sure, anything," replied James immediately.

Remus smiled. "Dumbledore's sending me on a mission for the Order in a few days. I need you to keep an eye on Hermione while I'm gone."

"Of course," said James. "You don't even have to ask."

"Thanks," said Remus. "I'm going to be gone for a little while."

"How long?" asked James.

"Maybe three months."

James whistled lowly. "No wonder she's upset," he said.

"Yeah," agreed Remus.

"Can I say something?" asked James carefully.

"Of course."

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Are you sure going away right now is the best thing?"

"There's no one else," said Remus. "You, better than anyone, know how things are. We're in trouble. Voldemort is getting too strong and if something doesn't turn the tide soon, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble."

"I know," said James. "Believe me, I know, but Remus," he paused, trying to find the right words. "You have to have priorities. Lily and this baby are my priorities. They come before everything."

"Hermione's my priority," said Remus defensively.

"She's pregnant and you're leaving for three months," countered James.

"I already heard this from her," said Remus. "I don't need to hear it from you too."

James put his hands in the air. "I'm not trying to lecture you, Remus."

Remus felt bad. "Listen James," he said, lowering his voice. "I know what you're saying. I had this argument with myself. But you have to understand. I am doing this for her and the baby. If we don't do something about Voldemort soon, there is a very real chance that our children will have no future whatsoever. Every decision that I make is for Hermione and our baby. Everything."

James nodded in understanding and clapped Remus on the shoulder. "I'll keep them safe while you're away," he said.

"Thank you, James," said Remus. "You're a good friend."

"The best," said James cheekily and the two friends laughed together.

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James, Lily, Remus, and Hermione sat around the kitchen table like they tried to do at least three times a week. It wasn't always easy to be together with their schedules, but it somehow seemed necessary to cling to familial traditions.

Usually dinner was a happy, relaxing time, but tonight everyone was tense.

"So," said Lily awkwardly. "How was everyone's day?"

There was a long pause before James cleared his throat. "Good, how was yours?"

"Good," replied Lily. She glanced across the table at Remus and Hermione and waited.

Hermione set her fork down and pushed her plate about an inch away from her. She had no appetite. Remus watched her furtively and wished she would look up, but she persisted in looking down at her plate, her mouth turned downward and her brow slightly wrinkled. He reached out and put his hand over the top of hers. Hermione pulled her hand away and set it in her lap. Then abruptly, she pushed her chair back and left the table.

Remus sighed and set his own fork down. Then, with an apologetic smile to James and Lily, he stood as well.

"Wait," said Lily. "Let me talk to her."

"I don't know if it will do any good," said Remus quietly.

Lily stood. "It can't hurt," she said with a small smile. She went to Hermione's room and knocked lightly on the door. There was no answer.

"Hermione, it's me Lily. Can I come in?" Lily waited and then the door slowly swung open. Lily slipped into the room and closed the door behind her.

"Hi," she said quietly.

Hermione looked up at her. "Would you let James go?" she asked immediately.

"Hermione, I…"

"There's no point beating around the bush. It's why you've come. You want me to accept this and send him on this suicide mission with my blessing."

"I do not," said Lily. "You're my best friend and I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

"Of course I'm not all right," shouted Hermione.

"Hermione, please," hushed Lily. "You can't get yourself all worked up."

Hermione stared at Lily, but she wasn't looking at her. "I think I've sacrificed enough," she said hollowly. "I shouldn't have to let him go." Her eyes focused on Lily. "You wouldn't let James go," she said almost accusingly.

"You're wrong," said Lily softly. "I do let him go, everyday."

Hermione started to shake her head, but Lily cut her off. "Everyday," she continued. "He goes out there and he fights. Being the wife of an Auror is so…" she searched for the word, but couldn't find it. "I wonder every morning when I kiss him goodbye if it's the last time I'll do it." She moved closer and put her hand on Hermione's arm. "You're not the only one who's been asked to sit home and wait."

Hermione began to cry and Lily gathered her into her arms. "He'll be fine," she reassured her. "I know he will."

"How?" gasped Hermione. "How do you know?"

"I know because no two people ever risked as much as the two of you have to be together. No couple ever traveled further or fought harder for love than the two of you." Lily stepped back and took Hermione's face in her hands. "Not even time could separate you from him."

Some time later, Hermione went in search of Remus. She found him at the edge of the woods, sitting quietly, alone. He heard her approach from behind, but didn't turn.

Hermione stepped closer and put her hand on his shoulder. "Remus," she said softly. He looked up at her expectantly.

"Promise me you'll come back as soon as you can," she said.

He stood and took both her hands in his. "I promise," he said readily.

"Promise you'll be careful."

He nodded. "I will."

"Promise…," she trailed off and hugged him tightly.

Remus closed his eyes and rested his cheek on the top of her head. He loved how she fit so neatly into his embrace, like a puzzle piece. He stroked her unruly mass of hair, twining one brown strand around his index finger.

"Tell me you love me," he said quietly.

"I love you," she replied.

"And you understand?"

She paused before answering. "I do."

"Thank you," he said. "Now promise me one thing."

She looked up into his eyes. "Yes?"

"Promise you won't put yourself or our baby in danger, no matter what happens."

She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his chest.

"Hermione," he prompted.

She shrugged, not lifting her head. "I'll do my best," she said into his chest.

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Remus was gone three days later. Hermione did all her crying in private and sent him off with a kiss and a smile on her face.

She spent the first few days moping around the house, but then in true Hermione fashion, she pulled herself together and started working. She threw herself into her work for the Order and even started a second job brewing potions for a mail order service.

James worried that she was doing too much, but Lily assured him that Hermione would be fine. Lily knew that Hermione needed something to distract her from worrying about Remus, neither one of them anticipated exactly how far she would go to distract herself.

"You did what?" shouted James

"Rented a flat," answered Hermione.

"Why?" asked James.

She laughed. "James, we can't live here forever. We need a place of our own for when the baby comes."

"You don't need to move out now? You're not even four months along."

"We'd have to go eventually, it might as well be now," she replied.

James frowned. "But I like you living here," he said sadly.

Hermione smiled and gave James a quick hug. He reminded her of Harry so strongly sometimes. "I know and that's why I need to leave now. I want to go before the welcome is worn out."

James turned serious. "I promised Remus I would take care of you while he was gone."

"I know," said Hermione.

"How can I watch over you if you live somewhere else?" asked James.

"I'm not leaving the country," Hermione reasoned. "You know I can't cook to save my life. I'll be over here for dinner all the time."

"It won't be the same," he pouted.

She hugged him again, this time holding on. "You knew this day would come eventually."

"I suppose," he said.

"You'll never know how much I've appreciated all you've done for Remus and I."

"You're my best friends," he said.

She nodded. "And you're mine."

Lily entered the room and smiled at her husband and Hermione. "Did you tell him?" she asked.

James pulled away from Hermione. "You mean you knew?" he accused his wife.

She nodded.

"And you think this is a good idea?" he asked incredulously.

"Well I wish she wouldn't go," admitted Lily. "But I understand her need for a home of her own for her family."

"Well I think it sucks," said James.

Lily moved to her husband and rubbed his shoulders. "I know, honey. But she'll be over all the time."

"Just do me a favor," said James.

"Anything," replied Hermione.

"Tell Remus I fought this all the way."

The girls laughed. "I promise," said Hermione.

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Hermione pulled the laundry from the dryer and dumped it into her basket. She lifted and carried it into the next room, but dropped it on the floor with a gasp. Both of her hands instinctively went to her abdomen. She had felt something, not pain, just a flutter. She stood very still and waited. She wasn't disappointed. In seconds, she felt the flutter again.

"Oh," she gasped. A slow smile spread across her face. It was the first time she had felt the baby move. She looked around her empty home and felt a pang of loneliness. Remus should have been here with her. They should have been experiencing this first together.

Hermione was interrupted from her reverie by a knock at the front door. She stepped over the fallen laundry and went to answer the door.

"Who is it?" she asked through the closed door.

"Hermione, please open the door," begged a desperate voice, a familiar voice.

She unlocked the door quickly and swung it open. "Severus," she exclaimed.

He looked pale and was breathing heavily. When Hermione opened the door, he rushed forward, pushing her back into the house and quickly closing the door.

"What are you doing?" asked Hermione in surprise.

"I had to see you, had to warn you," he said between gasps.

"Warn me?" questioned Hermione in alarm. "Warn me about what?"

"It's Remus," he explained. "He's in danger."

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "How do you know?"

"Voldemort knows where he is," said Severus. "He's going after him personally."

"Oh no," gasped Hermione. "I've got to warn him." Hermione rushed past him.

"Wait," he said, grasping her arm. "You can't go by yourself."

"Then come with me," she said.

"I can't," said Severus immediately. "I was barely able to get away to warn you. I might have even been followed."

"Oh my God," said Hermione, going completely still. "I can't believe you risked coming."

Severus didn't respond. "Just get some help. No matter how good you think you are, you're no match for Voldemort."

Hermione nodded. "I'll get James and Sirius," she said.

"I was thinking someone a little less," he paused. "Well, you know," he said disdainfully.

"Now is not the time," she snapped. "If you were followed, you shouldn't leave from here. Stay for a little while," she instructed. "Then take the floo to James's house and then get back. Hopefully, that will give you time to get back before you're missed. I'll tell James and Lily to expect you."

"Hermione, be careful," warned Severus.

She hugged him impulsively. "Thank you, Severus," she whispered. "I know what you risked." She released him without a look back and left the apartment.