a/n : Thanks to those who reviewed! I love hearing your feedback. I feel that I need to now justify my reasoning for putting Halle and Remus in that situation. Let me emphasize that nothing happened (as you will learn in this chapter). I'd also like to point out that there are many a fic that contain Remus/Hermione or Sirius/Hermione so just trust me when I say that it will all make sense in the end and everything will be wrapped up neatly with pretty pink ribbon (okay so maybe no literally lol but ya'll get my point). One last thing I'd like to add is that all of the kids (excluding Ginny) are 16 and in the U.S. 16 is the age of consent ( in most states ). This does not mean I condone relationships with these ages but ahhhh I don't need to continue for I believe you understand what I am saying. Anyway hope you enjoy this chapter… btw the song from the last chapter is that of the AMAZING Kelly Clarkson and it's called Hear Me. If you don't have her album… buy it! There will be a couple different lyrics in this chapter just to make you aware. Enjoy!

Chapter 9 : Responsibilities

You walk in

And my strength walks out the door

Say my name

And I can't fight it anymore

Oh I know I should go

But I need your touch

Just too damn much

He awoke to the sound of his door quietly clicking shut. His thoughts immediately flashed back the events of the night before. He slowly rolled over to see that she was no longer there. A piece of paper lay in the indentations that her body had made in the sheets. He picked it up and unfolded it. It was one simple word but it made him beam all the more.

Thanks

Someone told me love would all save us
But how can that be, look what love gave us
A world full of killing, and blood-spilling
That world never came

And they say that a hero can save us
I'm not gonna stand here and wait
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles
Watch as we all fly away

"Harry." He heard a female voice as he was slowly awaken by light shaking. "Harry, get up." He groaned trying to push whoever it was away. He suddenly felt a punch in his arm which caused him to finally open his eyes.

"Halle, what are you doing in here?" He questioned.

"Come with me." She replied quietly grabbing his hand and pulling him out of bed.

He grabbed his invisibility cloak and the marauders map seeing as everyone was asleep in the castle but them.

"What is so important that you have to show me this early in the morning?" He grumbled as they made their way outside, fresh dew seeping its way through his slippers.

They made their way up a large hill that overlooked in the entire grounds. "Look." She replied pointing towards the east where sunrays poked their way over the horizon.

"Yes Halle it's a sunrise." Harry replied mocking her.

"Harry!" She exclaimed punching his arm again.

"Bloody hell that hurt!" He exclaimed.

"Just listen to me okay." Halle stated. When he nodded his head, she continued. "Harry what month is it?"

Harry looked her dumbly. "October."

"And what's the date?" She asked.

A realization suddenly came over Harry. "The 31st."

She nodded. "I realized that yesterday evening. After that I just walked around thinking before I went to bed." She conveniently left out the place where she slept fearing that it would cause trouble that didn't need to be started. "I had an idea Harry. Now I know I'm not the smart one like Hermione, but I came up with an idea that might just work."

"What exactly is this idea Halle?" Harry questioned, slightly worried at what was coming next.

Halle turned back towards the rays of light. "Many people will be patient Harry. They'll sit on their lawns and wait for the sunrise to come to them. We however went to the sunrise Harry."

"Have you been spending time with Professor Trelawney?" Harry questioned.

Halle frowned at her brother. "Harry would you let me finish!" She huffed.

"Sorry." He muttered, not wanting to have his arm writhing for the entire day.

"All this time you've been told that you're supposed to be ready when Voldemort attacks. Why should he be the one that attacks Harry? Why can't we? If we wait he'll be ready; he'll have his army of Death Eaters all together. But what if," she paused. "What if we bring the fight to him?"

"How are we going to find him Halle? We have no idea where he is. Lupin and I were going to try and find Snape in order to find you." Harry pointed out what he felt were obvious flaws in her plan.

"That Harry, is where I finally come in. I've found my place in this war." Halle replied.

He looked at her and knew exactly what she was thinking. He didn't like it at all. "No Halle."

"You have no choice in this Harry. Voldemort thought he was going to use me as a weapon? Well he thought wrong. We'll use his weapon against him, and right under his nose." She replied. "Of course we'll have to train with Dumbledore in order for this to work and it will take some time but at least we'll be doing something instead of waiting for his impeding attack."

He shook his head. "I don't like this."

Halle stared at him and replied flatly. "I don't care."

Living in the shadow

Of someone else's dream

Trying to find a hand to hold

But every touch felt cold to me

Living in a nightmare

A never-ending sleep

He walked through the hallway towards his classroom. His first class wasn't for another hour however he wanted to get everything prepared and mostly, he wanted to occupy his mind so it didn't' wander to the events of the previous night. His hope of brief obliviousness was shot when he entered his classroom to see her standing there.

"Yes Ms. Potter, how can I help you?" He asked in the most professional tone he could muster.

"I wasn't Ms. Potter to you last night Remus." Halle stated

His face fell as he looked at her. "Last night was a mistake Halle. It should have never happened and it will never happen again."

"It was only a kiss Remus, and I don't think it was a mistake." She replied, following him into his office and shutting the door behind her.

Lupin sat at his desk and stared at the picture that sat in the corner. "The past few years, Harry has been mine and Sirius's connection to your father, our best friend. Molly used to tell Sirius that he looked at Harry as another James." He paused and looked up at the girl in front of him. "I fear that I am doing the same with you."

"Are you? Or is that your excuse?" Halle retorted walking over and standing in front of his chair.

"Whatever the reason, this can't continue." He replied. "I'm your Professor. I'm 20 years older than you."

Tears began to swell in Halle's eyes. "For a few hours I actually believed that I had finally found someone who understood me. Who cared about me just as equally as they care about Harry, maybe a little more. I guess I just have an overactive imagination."

"Halle, I do care about you, it's just. . . I can't." He exclaimed.

"Can't what Remus? Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't want to kiss me right now." She instructed.

He avoided her gaze and looked down at the floor.

"Remus, look at me." She said softly putting her hand under his chin and slowly lifting his head so their eyes met.

He touched his hand to hers and reached his arm around her waist. He leaned in a lightly kissed her forehead, moved down to the tip of her nose and finally he placed a gentle kiss upon her lips. He pulled away to see the tears drying and a smile dancing across her face.

"God, your parents would kill me right now if they could." Remus muttered.

"Hmmm really? Cause I'm thinking their friend and daughter happy would be a good thing." Halle replied.

He cocked his head to the side. "And what exactly is it that is making us happy?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure, but can't we just focus on the happy for now?"

"We need to focus more on the extreme trouble that will stir if anyone would find out that. . ." He started.

"That what Remus? That we're friends? Oh no pull the guillotine into the square for a public beheading." Halle joked.

He shot her a stern look to get serious which she immediately did. "It'll be our little secret. Whatever it is that we have will remain between just the two of us." She smiled a mischevious grin. "Plus I mean secret rendevous, making out in your office, sleeping in your room when I have bad days, it's kind of hot don't you think?"

Remus smiled at the girl whom he could not understand what would draw her to him. "I believe those muggle soap operas have fried your brain."

Halle shook her head. "Nope. If anything, they made me smarter." She looked at the clock and then back at Lupin. "I need to get back to the tower. Potions starts in an hour and I promised Harry that I'd cram with him for our exam today."

"You two really need to get a head start on your work." He replied.

"Yes Remus we know. Remember we live with the younger female version of you. You may know her, goes by Hermione?" Halle retorted.

Remus laughed and motioned to the door. "Go on, get out of here before I throw you on my desk and ravish you." He said laughing.

Halle wiggled her eyebrows. "That sounds much more fun that an exam." She began

"Halle." He warned.

"Alright I'm going." She skipped over to him giving him a quick yet sweet kiss and then turned at left the room.

a/n : I really wanted to make this chapter longer however I felt that I left you guys waiting long enough so I will definitely post ASAP. Hope you enjoyed and please review.