Disclaimer: I own my plot, Johann, Vera, Ivan, a nice hat, and a chocolate bar. Harry Potter, alas, I do not.
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I suggest you stop kidding yourselves and admit it.

Admit what? Hermione was indignant.

You know what he is implying, Hermione.

So what if I do.

Oh come now, I know this is difficult. It's difficult for me too you know. But getting angry is not going to make anything go away.

Fine, I do know. And it's not the implications of the prophecy that get under my skin, it's knowing that Dumbledore and probably Snape, Snape, have read it. Then she blushed, realizing belatedly just how much she'd said.

What is there to say after that? A lie? Tell her impossible, tell her I don't believe the prophecy or her. Tell her the truth? That's dangerous too. Damn. This is complicated. And Snape, curse the old bat. He has a knack for finding information he oughtn't. I bet he's amused. Then, Hermione, I find I can't lie to you. The, his ears went pink, the implications, are not as troubling to me as they should be. There, it's out. done. Now what are we to do.

And they sat there, across from each other in the tiny kitchen. Hermione picked at a fingernail. Remus was absolutely still. Finally he stood up. He offered both hands to Hermione, and she took them. She smiled, Joy. Joy is a nice name.

Yes, it is.

Hermione gave him a swift soft kiss and left the room.

Remus leaned against the doorframe. He shook his head, still feeling more than a little stunned. he whispered to himself.

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The next day, December 12th, it snowed. Well it started as snow, then turned to nasty gritty sleet. It was nearly the full moon, Remus did not look so good. Johann's usual bounding enthusiasm was muted. Even his suggestive comments lacked there usual energy. In the morning, Hermione tried to work properly but had given up by afternoon.

At two o'clock. Johann motioned Hermione to a corner of the living room. This forest is my home, he said, And something feels wrong about it. Stay on guard here. I'm going to do a little, . . . investigating

Okay. . . Now Hermione was really a mess. She was pacing around the house looking out of each window as she passed it, always straining her eyes out into the murky woods. The minutes ticked by. Hogwarts seemed very far away. This is awful. What is he doing, what if he doesn't find anything? or . . . Hermione gulped What if he does?

Now it was getting dark; the sleet intensified. Remus tried to look encouraging and not terrified, which was how he actually felt. It was horrible for both of them to just sit there, waiting. How about a game of chess? Remus's attempt at a joke fell flat. Suddenly there was noise outside the door. Wand out. Be ready to disarm and stun.

They both faced the door as it banged open. Johann entered first dragging someone along. Is that? Remus exclaimed, No it can't be, why?

It is, Johann replied dully.

I don't know why.

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a/n: Who's it gonna be? Please review! You'll find out sooner that way. Next chapter will be really long. I promise.

Woodelf193: thank you!