One Moment

Summary: Love can happen in one moment, one hour, one year, or even one decade, but it's not really the when that matters…it's the how. This is an incredible romance between two of my fav. characters. Enjoy! Plz R&R.

Rating: PG-13…it might change later, but I'm not sure yet.

Genre: Romance/Drama

Disclaimer: If I ever claim this story my own then may the flying monkeys with their evil pet squirrels eat me alive!

A/N: I know the time travel thing is a cliché, but to me it never gets old. I, myself, am completely in LOVE with Remus and because of the fact that I can't be with him, I've decided to take pleasure in writing a Hermione/Remus romance. I really hope all you other Remus Lovers out there can take pleasure in reading this as well, but whether you like it or not, PLEASE review. If you're a writer, you know how important feed back is especially if it's your first one…in which this is mine. Well, I don't want this note to drag on forever so on with the show!

Chapter One: So Many Hours

It was a long day indeed. The war was becoming more intense every minute she sat…solemnly dreading the day news would come. The daily prophet was nothing more than extremely detailed insight of the ghastly be comings of her beloved world. Grimmauld Place was a burial ground of the many secrets, memories, and horrors of her past. Mrs. Black took her last scream when Lupin finally lost it…venting out his concealed emotions built up over the years from the stress, solitude, weariness, worry, pain, and death which have consumed his very soul. He had been her refuge when she felt the heavy terrors of life weighing down on her…ripping away at her heart…tearing from her the strength that she has detained for Harry so many hours for so many days. She had never seen neither Lupin nor Harry shed a tear after all their loss and pain. Their faces became cold as stone. It seemed hard to determine who had it worse.

Harry had been fighting since the day he was born…raised without parents and without friends until the age of eleven. Even then he was constantly judged, suffering more criticism and anger and grief than no boy should indulge so young. He has never felt the playful innocence of a child.

Then again, Lupin's life could easily counter Harry's in the way he has felt implausible discomforts every month since the time he could begin to enjoy any of life's specialties at all. This alone had completely altered the judgment and iniquity of society itself before he was able to experience the joy of a careless childhood. Harry and Lupin were similar in so many ways as they have endured the same cruelties society has displayed upon them, though Harry has certainly partaken triumphs that Lupin has never come close to…never faced a virtuous, happy, normal, amorous life…suffered the same losses. But wait a minute…here's where another thought occurred to her. Harry has not suffered the same losses as him at all. Harry may have lost a good amount of extremely important people that have affected him deeply, but he still has Ron and Ginny and Dumbledore and the twins and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Neville and her…Hermione. He still has all of us to be there for him…comfort him…remind him of what he has and of the good left in this world, but who does Lupin have? Who in the world does Remus have to console and reassure him? What does he have left to be grateful for?

"Hermione!" someone called from a distance.

She was suddenly conscious of the hot, wet tears that streamed down her wind beaten face and took in the last moments of the ever beautiful sun reaching its horizon. After having known what it's like to think how you may never see something so striking again, you begin to take nothing for granted. Her toes curled in the soft, wet forest green grass as she leaned against an extremely aged oak tree. Its shade reached to the end of the small cliff-like edge, swaying in the light summer breeze. Its leaves were a golden yellow, reflecting the sky's oranges, purples and pinks. The air was unusually warm, leaving her with a romantically content essence within her. No matter what consequences or terrors she would have to deal with once back at the castle, she could set everything aside to think clearly and wondrously at that moment. Though her worries and questions still weighed upon her mind, they were at least partly subsided due to her breathtaking surroundings.

This was her place…the trees and logs and flowers and rocks never touched by human hands for many, many years…that is until Hermione had come across them during a very fortunate mishap. The scenery around her was abnormally comforting as the roses, daisies, carnations, tulips, jasmines, and other such flowers unheard of before were sprouting in every shape and color imaginable. Even the odd formations of cactus gave her a sense of gratification. It reeked of youth, life, and rebirth. She could almost see the faces of her parents and beloved friends and professors in the glistening sky and hear Harry's words of encouragement…. It was as if the trees were whispering sweet nothings in her ear. To be there felt unreal…she could practically feel, smell, touch, and taste the magic laid upon that holy ground. She imagined that it was much like the ground beneath the burning bush, in which God had created for Noah, that she read about in a muggle bible one evening. Yet in this place, she felt like God, almighty and powerful, as if not just any witch, wizard, or creature, could enter on her account. This magic was unlike any other she'd ever dealt with even amid all the spells she has learned and come across.

She has shared her discovery with no one, not even Harry and Ron. This was her secret…her one secret that could never be taken or forced from her. No one knew of the place so it held no value to anyone except her…therefore, it was hers to keep.

Hermione then made her way through a condensed pathway leading back to the castle along with the others calling her name. She cast a number of spells on certain bothersome green ivy that were slapping at her legs, in which she had researched to be called weaving whackers, a rare, highly venomous form of what muggles would refer to as poison ivy… silkily perilous. Yet however clever she was, in all her research and minor questioning among all aspects of Hogwarts' forbidden forest, Hermione could not find anything leading to the mystery of her hidden pathway to the velvety, ceasingly beautiful cliff side setting. There was something very special about this place and she was going to figure out what it was no matter what the cost. Since books would do her no good in this area, she would simply have to investigate the grounds which began with the peculiarly soft and eye-catching greenery she had first seen displayed about during her first encounter with the area.

Hermione felt her weariness turn to depression as she walked on. Her magic place kept her calm and comfortably drowsy, but now she began to feel the weight of her worry over her two good friends, specifically one, lonely professor. She was glad when he decided to join them back at Hogwarts because Dumbledore had requested that the school needed more protection. Lupin had proclaimed that it was his duty to come back as a teacher and considered it as purely out of business for the order or as a 'mission' rather. However, the trio knew that he needed the job…money was hard to come by.

Of course he also stressed over the fact that both parents and the ministry would be concerned about his being in the presence of so many kids during his transformations, but thankfully to both Dumbledore's constant reassurance and Arthur's new decree, he was able to take the job without much trouble. These were the two good things that had happened since their fifth year…Lupin's return to Hogwarts and Mr. Weasley's victorious promotion. Though his muggle obsession has not lessened in the slightest, Arthur knew it was time to make a change career wise and took the new position as Head of the Mistreatment of Magical Creatures department. Ever since, he has passed many new decrees giving extreme amounts of freedom to the werewolves, goblins, vampires, and giants who had kept a clean record.

Once she reached the edge of the forest, one especially cheerful redhead came into view and noticed her presence immediately.

"HERMIONE! Oh my god! I have been looking everywhere for you. What have you been doing in the forbidden forest?" Before Ginny even let Hermione speak she continued eagerly, "I've been wanting to show you my new dress robes mum just bought me for my birthday this Saturday…they're absolutely lovely! You've just got to see them!"

"That's wonderful Ginny. I'd love to see them…" her voice trailed off as she gazed at the lake for a moment.

"Are you alright Hermione? You look utterly exhausted…why don't we go back to the common so you can rest…? And then I'll get Ron to fetch some food from the kitchens since you missed dinner!" Ginny suggested, though clearly there was no room for objection so Hermione simply nodded.

Ginny thrust her arm through Hermione's and lead her to the Gryffindor common room absentmindedly as she obviously knew the way all too well. Ginny had become more and more of a good friend to Hermione each year she has grown and matured. She was the one girl Hermione could relate to and share both her worries and hopes. They could talk about love and life, dreams and fantasies…girly things…things she just couldn't discuss with Harry and Ron.

Another alteration which has happened since Hermione's new friendship with Ginny is her change in style sense. Although Hermione would have never considered herself a tomboy, in any case, she had simply found others things to be of a much greater importance. If anything, Ginny has been rather a relief to Hermione as she was able to take her mind off of other stressful thoughts about homework, the war, work for the Order, people in the Order, learning new spells…new potions…new remedies…the whereabouts of both the good and bad… Instead she was able to focus on what a normal teenage girl focus' on for once in her life…like makeup both subtle and vibrant, hair both girly and straight (or as straight as Hermione's hair will ever be), robes both dressy and casual, and of course the accessories which would fall into any of the categories in beautifying oneself.

During their walk through the halls, Ginny questioned Hermione more seriously once again on her whereabouts this afternoon. Hermione simply answered, "I was just getting some air…you know, finally taking that break you suggested after finding me in library at two o' clock in the morning."

"Gods Hermione! Don't you think I know you better than that! Maybe if that was the first time I'd found you wandering the premises, I would have believed you, but you've done this so many times. Some days you get so frustrated and run off so we never see you again till much later that night! Then I'll find you completely exhausted with this glazed look in your eyes. Are you sure there's not something you want to talk about?"

"No Ginny…I mean I guess it just relaxes me. I go on my walks so I can think and clear some things up, but then I'm fine…really." It was partly true as Hermione did feels much more relaxed afterwards, but so much detail was left out that it was almost a plain out lie and Ginny could sense it.

"Alright, I'll let it go for now, but I really wish you would talk to me about something if it was bothering you. I mean, do you really need to go into the forbidden forest to work some things out? Tell me what your worried about…is it Sirius because we all love and miss him so much, but there's not a whole lot we can do." This was not really a subject that Hermione felt like discussing at the moment, but she knew Ginny wouldn't cease to question her so she thought she'd tell her the truth for the most part.

"Well, yes I do miss him terribly, but it's not just Sirius it's everyth…" but just at that moment her sentence was cut off when someone bombarded them, causing Ginny to stumble down a few stairs with a death grip on Hermione's arm.

"Pardon me ladies! But I'm sure that you don't mind laying at the fffoot of a most dashhhhing young gentleman as I!"

"Why, you're so drunk, you can't even see straight Malfoy!" yelled Ginny disapprovingly.

"What's it to you, Weasley shmeasly! Your ol' dad gonna put me in Azzzkaban?" Malfoy slurred, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet…his usual roguishly handsome demeanor lost on the odd, glazed expression in his eyes and the overly-prominent movement of his mouth in order to pronounce his already inaudible words.

He had rather lost some of both his bitterness and sanity after his father's downfall and Mr. Weasley's up rise. The two girls couldn't decide whether this was a good or a bad thing. All they knew was that the insults were minimal, but the amount of times he had gotten caught for sneaking fire whiskey into the Slitherin common room were becoming far too frequent.

"Where's your buddies, Dumb and dumber? Out retrieving more whiskey? I hope you're not expecting to get away with this as it's my duty to report you being Head Girl. You've already lost any position of authority you might have had…don't lose your dignity as well." Hermione remarked as she and Ginny made their way back up the stair case.

"Very funny Granger….but it looks to me as I'm not the only one getting awaaaaay with things at this school. That's riiight…you know what I'm talkin' bout," Malfoy said as he advanced on her, coming far too close for her liking. She could smell his horrible, drunken breath as he pointed a finger at her, flipping his hair suggestively.

"You stay away from us Draco!" Ginny said as she yanked at Hermione, pulling her out of his grasp.

"Stay away? Why, we were just begiiiinning to have the looooveliest conversation. There's no need to leave jus' yet," he said before lunging towards them, but his feet had failed him when Hermione nonchalantly cast a small sticking charm on his shoes.

"Let's get out of here…" she told Ginny and they sprinted the rest of the way to avoid any other obstacles they might have to overcome.

Once to the common room, they found Ron's extremely tall and gangly, snoring figure displayed across the large and aged, but comfortable couch opposite a roaring fire. Harry, however, looked fully awake as he was sitting in his favorite chair, staring intently into the dancing flames. Besides the two of them, it was deserted…Hermione hadn't realized how late she'd stayed out. Apparently the boys had been trying to get some homework out of the way as it was disarrayed all around them.

Harry didn't seem to have noticed them enter until Hermione walked over to lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright Harry?" she asked as he then startled and looked around in surprise.

"Gods Hermione…don't scare me like that!"

"Geez, since when have you become so jumpy!" she proclaimed as she made room on the floor beside him.

"I'm not jumpy I was just…"

"In your own little world," she finished for him, "I'd just like to know what you were so absorbedly thinking about."

"Nothing…well, not anything specific, I was thinking that…" but then he quickly turned on her and changed his tone, "Now, don't you go changing the subject like that…all sneaky and making this seem like I'm the one with the problem! Where were you? It was getting really late so I sent Ginny out looking for you…"

"No, Harry…you've always been the one with the problem. Why would you think I would want to make this about me? It's about you…it's always about you! Everyone is worried that something is always going to happen to you! Besides, what does it matter where I've been…I'm here aren't I!" Hermione shot back angrily as they both stood up slowly.

"Always about me, is it! Do you think I like it…do you think I enjoy all the attention…all their bloody sympathy!"

"Well, maybe if you don't want them to be sorry for you, then you should stop feeling sorry for yourself!" Hermione yelled. Ginny tried to get in between them, but Harry pushed her aside.

"How can I help being sorry for myself. Why should I be happy about my life? I don't like being the strong, brave celebrity that everyone looks to. I'm sick of it…poor Harry Potter's lost another friend…I wonder when he'll finally lose it! Well, I hope their happy…I've finally lost it! I don't want to be responsible for everyone dying anymore! I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL!" he cried, falling to his knees. For the first time ever, Hermione watched her best friend fall to pieces before her…sobbing hysterically…letting it all out at last. She suddenly felt dirty and horribly mad at both the world and herself. Mad at what stress and sickening pain this world has put this incredibly strong and wonderful boy through that he has now collapsed, looking so entirely weak and vulnerable.

And then, she had said those awful things to him when he was only worried about where she had been.

Hermione sunk down beside Harry; placing her arms around him as he gave in to her, grasping her tightly…clinging to her like she would abandon him at any moment. She then looked into his face and saw how truly young he was…just a boy who wanted to be happy…to live happily…to love and be loved without constant anxiety.

Ginny simply watched…stunned, silently crying to herself.

"I'm sorry Harry…I wasn't thinking…I was just tired and upset", she spoke to him softly and soothingly, running her fingers through his hair, "But you can't just give up…I know how hard this is, but we need you. The survival of the wizarding world depends on you. You're our hero…"

He looked up at her, as if begging her to take it back. "But I don't want to be a hero…" he said, his voice cracking.

She took his cheek in her hand, wiping his tears away with her thumb and smiled at him softly as if to say it's going to be okay, "You don't have to be a hero right now."

So many hours, she had spent trying to understand him and for this one moment she finally did. She felt as if he was pouring out his soul to her through his gaze, sharing with her the feelings he has kept in for so long.

Ginny observed them happily and quickly dried her eyes.

Then all of a sudden, the moment was broken when the three heard a loud groan and the longest yawn in the history of yawns, which had come from none other than Ron himself.

He looked around stupidly before finally averting his eyes from Harry and Hermione embracing on floor to Ginny wiping her tear-stained face in the corner.

"Did I miss something?" he asked sleepily.

Harry broke apart from and Hermione and they all laughed softly until Harry told him, "No Ron…we just had a little disagreement, but everything's okay now…everything's okay."

Yet another A/N: Hey…hehe I hope you liked it. I didn't really intend on making that last scene so emotional, but you never really know what might come out when you're writing. I pretty much have an outline of what I'm going to write for the next chapter so I'll try and post it as soon as possible. And don't worry, we'll get to part when she goes back in time soon enough, but I'd rather not rush it cuz' will be good…and original!

Peace and Chocolate!

Lunatik (Russian for Moony!)