Disclaimer: I own Nothing!
A/N: Here it is. The next chapter to my rather insignificant little story. Thank you to my reviewers. I know it is difficult waiting for the good stuff. But after this chapter the more interesting stuff starts happening... Just so you're forewarned, this chapter is a bit angsty...
On with the show...
Exiting the study and walking down the hallway towards the kitchen, Hermione is deep in thought, when she hears something. Pausing at the sound, she hears nothing. So, thinking that she just imagined it, she starts away; she hears it again. Pinpointing the direction of the sound, she realizes where the sound is coming from…
Making her way towards the one room everyone had been avoiding, she stops at the door to listen… Sure enough, the sounds emanating from the room are unmistakable…
She knocks on the door… No answer… So knocking again, she waits… Still getting no response, she turns the doorknob, slowly opening the door. Upon entering the room, she quietly closes the door behind her, giving her eyes a chance to adjust to the dimness of the room.
The unmistakable sound of crying is emanating from the vicinity of the bed in the corner. Walking over, she can make out a large form almost curled into a fetal position; recognizing the grey-flecked brown hair of Remus Lupin. He is sobbing brokenly, too wracked by grief to notice her approach.
Hermione's heart breaks at the grief and pain she hears in Remus' sobs. Gently placing a hand on his shoulder, she quietly calls out- "Remus?"
Startled by the hand on his shoulder, he flinches. Though after a few moments, he recognizes the scent of the one touching him. Turning towards her, he roughly pulls her against the bed, wrapping his arms around her waist as he continues to sob.
Meanwhile Hermione moves just enough to sit on the bed, with Remus still holding onto her. Leaning back against the headboard; Remus' head cradled in her lap. She softly hums a comforting tune, while running her fingers lightly through his silky soft hair; eyes filling with tears.
Shortly afterwards, the sobs die down, and Remus' breathing slowly deepens as he falls asleep still clinging to Hermione the way one would cling to a life preserver. So rather than awakening Remus by getting up and leaving; she decides to forgo dinner. And so settling more comfortably on the bed, she closes her eyes and is soon asleep herself.
Roundabout an hour later Remus awakens; slowly opening his eyes. Feeling slightly better, he momentarily wonders where he is. Then he remembers…
He came into Sirius' bedroom intending to pack away some of his things so that they could be stored in the attic. When he had stumbled across an old photo album, so out of curiosity, he had opened it… There he saw pictures of a happier time- the days of the Marauders. There were pictures from school dances, Quidditch matches, and pictures of the damage caused by some of the better Marauders' pranks on the Slytherins, especially to Snivellus.
And of course there were pictures of graduation from Hogwarts… and the day that Lily and James' got married… and also pictures of baby Harry. Then he came across a more recent picture of Sirius, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and himself. And it struck him like a wrecking ball at that moment… Sirius was never coming back… Sirius was truly gone for good… He, Remus, was the last of the Marauders… Overwhelmed, he had curled up on Sirius' unmade bed and cried.
Suddenly, a slight movement next to him startled him out of his musings. So grabbing his wand from the bedside table- he whispers "Lumos." Turning, he sees the sleeping face of Hermione Granger.
Panicking slightly, Remus wracks his brain as to exactly how she came to be lying next to him; then it slowly comes to him… He'd been crying on Sirius' bed, when a warm hand had touched his shoulder, and a soft voice had called his name. He had recognized the scent and then pulled Hermione towards him, and clung to her whilst he cried. She had been attempting to comfort him. And that is the last thing he remembers before apparently falling asleep.
Quietly rising from the bed, Remus heads to the bathroom to wash his tear-stained face. Splashing his face with cold water; he looks into the mirror and notices Hermione starting to stir. Wiping his face dry, he turns around to head back into the room, as Hermione sits up and looks around in apparent confusion. Turning on the bedside lamp, he sits on the bed next to her. She blinks rapidly at the sudden onslaught of blinding light. Then focusing on Remus she asks- "Hi, how are you feeling?"
"Surprisingly better, thank you." he answers, which is actually the truth. Well, after the initial panic of finding her asleep next to him. And he has to admit (to himself at least) that he felt safe, and at peace even. For the first time since Sirius died, in all honesty.
"I'm glad then." said Hermione.
"Thank you, by the way."
"For what?" asks Hermione; perplexed.
"For being here when I needed a friend." answered Remus, quietly.
"It's not necessary to thank me Remus. I'm glad I could be there for you. And I'm always willing to listen if you feel the need to talk."
"Well, in any case; thank you…"
"Not a problem."
Getting up from the bed to stand; Hermione raises her arms over her head to stretch her lean, athletic frame. Her shirt rises as she stretches, showing a glimpse of a well-toned stomach. Remus' eyes widen in surprise when he catches sight of her stomach.
Seeing the expression on Remus' face, Hermione laughs- "Considering all the books I tend to be carrying at any given time, I thought it would be a good idea to at least be in moderately good shape to handle the heavy load."
Blushing in embarrassment at being caught staring; Remus says-"Shall we head down to the kitchen for some food?"
"Definitely," says Hermione, "I am feeling rather peckish myself."
Opening the door, Remus gestures and says-"After you."
"Thanks Remus." says Hermione, she heads towards the stairs. Stopping her for a moment just before they head down to the kitchen, Remus whispers to her, "Perhaps it would be better if we didn't mention this to anyone, lest they get the wrong idea…"
"Sure, that's fine by me." answered Hermione.
Upon entering the kitchen, Hermione is immediately bombarded with questions. "Where were you Hermione? You've missed dinner." asked Ron.
"I was in the study, and I dozed off for a while." said Hermione nonchalantly.
"I looked in there, and I didn't see you."
"Well did you just poke your head in, or did you go all the way in to look?"
"I just poked my head in." said Ron sheepishly.
"There you go! I was stretched out on the couch."
Mrs. Weasly bustles over with a couple of plates of food, setting them down on the table for Hermione and Remus, "I saved some food for the both of you, so have a seat."
"Thanks Mrs.Weasley." said Hermione.
"Yes, thank you Molly." said Remus.
Sharing a brief glance as they both sit down to eat, not noticing that someone caught the look that they shared.
Hmm, I wonder what that was all about; thought Ginny, pondering the conspiratorial look between Remus and Hermione. Well, I'll just have to question her about it tonight!
A short time later, they both finish there meals, as Hermione stands to take her dishes over to the sink to clean them. As soon as she finishes cleaning her dishes; Ron, Harry, and Ginny stand up to head upstairs, with Hermione bringing up the rear. Before exiting though, she glances briefly over her shoulder at Remus.
Remus' POV
What was that about? Why did Hermione look back at me like that? Was it my imagination, or did she seem rather reluctant to go with the others? Perhaps I'm really starting to lose it…
At any rate, I suppose out of all the people to have found me in that state, I'm rather glad it was her. She is an extraordinary young woman. Supportive, comforting; without being too pushy. She really listens to what you are saying. She is a gentle soul, and she is quite perceptive and caring. The maturity level that she possesses often astounds me. Sometimes, it is hard to believe that she is only fifteen.
In so many ways, she reminds me of Lily. Both of them muggle-born witches; and extremely gifted magic-wise. Not to mention studious, intelligent, and above all, completely loyal. Harry and Ron are quite fortunate to have a friend like her…
Hermione's POV
After finishing dinner, Harry and the others decided to head upstairs. I really had no choice but to follow. What could I have said to them to justify not going with? Nah, you guys go ahead, I would rather stay here and talk to Remus. Yeah, I could see that going well… They (Harry and Ron especially) would want to know why. And I don't think they would understand. As it was, Ron was interrogating me about where I was when we got to his and Harry's bedroom. What a nosy prat! So, I decided to mess with his head a bit…
"So, Hermione, what were you doing in the study earlier?' asked Ron.
"Why are you so interested in knowing what I was doing?" countered Hermione.
"Well, you haven't been around all day, so I was wondering what you're up to."
"What I'm up to? Exactly what are you implying Ronald?" asked Hermione, ready to go off.
Seeing that she was about to explode, he stuttered, "J-j-j-just t-that you have been s-so withdrawn and you spend so much time in the study, was all."
"For your information Ronald, it is none of your business what I've been doing! But just too satisfy your curiosity, I've been in there trying to devise ways to seduce you, since you are such a stud, I find that I just can't seem to think of anything but you…" said Hermione sardonically.
Turning a brilliant shade of Weasley red, Ron just kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish, no words coming out. Meanwhile Harry and Ginny are laughing at his expression.
"Oh for pity's sake Ron; I was just writing in my journal, and reading."
"Oh, okay." Still blushing furiously, he turns to Harry and asks, "Care for a game of wizards chess?"
Still chuckling; Harry says-"Sure thing, mate."
So, with Harry and Ron occupied, I thought I'd be safe from the questioning. But I was wrong. Because then Ginny decided that she wanted to know if anything was up… I'm telling you, people just can't seem to take a hint. But, since I know that Ginny isn't likely to judge me like the boys, I decided it would be ok to tell her…
"Ok, 'Mione, spill." said Ginny, "Where were you really?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Ginny." said Hermione, not looking Ginny in the eyes.
"I know for a fact that you weren't in the study like you said, because I went in there to get you for dinner. And I, unlike Ron went all the way in there looking for you…"
"Yes, I was…"
"Oh come on Hermione, you know you can trust me. I won't say anything to anyone."
"Fine, I can see that you won't let it be… So I'll tell you…"
"Good!"
"Well, I was in the study in the beginning, but when I realized that it was almost time for dinner, I left to head down to dinner. But as I was walking I heard a noise in one of the rooms; at first I thought I imagined it. But when I heard it a second time, I tried to figure out where it came from. That's when I realized where the noise was coming from."
"So where was it coming from?"
"From Sirius' bedroom, so I decided to check it out. When I knocked no one answered, so I knocked a second time. Again I got no response. So I went in; and after adjusting to the darkness, I saw someone on the bed, crying."
"And who was it?" asked Ginny, though she knew.
"It was Remus. Apparently he was in there cleaning and it overwhelmed him. He didn't even notice me, he was crying that hard. When I put my hand on his shoulder, he turned and grabbed me, and he was clinging to me while he cried."
"Oh that's so sad; poor Remus!"
"Yeah, so I did the only thing I could; I just sat there and let him cry; trying to comfort him."
"What happened then?"
"Well, after a while, he ended up falling asleep, while still clinging to me. So rather than awaken him by leaving, I stayed with him. And I guess I ended up falling asleep."
"What happened when the both of you woke up?"
"Well, he thanked me for being there for him. As if I would have just left him in that state! Then we came down to have dinner."
"But what was that look about?" asked Ginny. "I saw the two of you exchange a look."
"Well, we had agreed not to say anything because it would be taken the wrong way, and we were just agreeing to keep quiet about it." explained Hermione.
Deciding to lighten the mood, Ginny teased Hermione by saying, "I knew that you fancied Remus!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you are just so smart." grumbled Hermione.
"I'm glad that you finally agree!" laughed Ginny, "The know-it-all finally has competition."
"Stuff it Ginny!" said Hermione sourly.