Haunted Memories

-Chapter Two-

Of Good Friends and Merry Memories

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters within J.K. Rowling's story.

Hermione awoke the next morning trying to grasp the last images of her dream. It had been a tiring week and the sight of Snape last night made her more than apprehensive. It was never good to see the ghosts from the past. Sighing, she started towards the bathroom hoping to wash away her worries.

At the Great Hall, Hermione sat on the right hand side of the Headmistress and surveyed the children in front of her. She smiled as she saw some of her students reviewing a text book. Their N.E.W.T classes would start progressing faster and more difficult than the last few months. Hermione sighed. She could teach them how to study for their N.E.W.Ts but she also needed to guide them and give them ways to relieve their stress. This would be one tiring month.

While she was drinking from her goblet, she looked out the window to her right. Though some trees obscured her view, she distinctly caught a black robed figure striding away. Hermione rubbed her eyes tiredly. Was she imagining things or was that just Severus Snape looking into the Great Hall?

Staring through the window, she watched for any signs that someone was there; unfortunately her mind was playing tricks on her. Sighing yet again, she looked down at her goblet. Trying to clear her mind of all worries. A warm hand fell upon hers and Hermione looked up.

"Is everything alright, Professor Granger?"

Hermione smiled at the elderly woman sitting next to her. "Everything is fine, Minerva. Thank you for your concern."

Headmistress McGonagall nodded briefly before excusing herself from the table. Hermione watched the woman walk away. There goes a woman with too much responsibility in her hands.

The morning passed uneventfully. At times, Hermione found herself drifting away into thought. As her N.E.W.T class packed up their books to leave, a knock came at the door. As if on signal, the class trickled out the door. Hermione was surprised to see her old friend, Remus Lupin standing at the door with Professor McGonagall.

"Hermione! It's been a long time!"

Hermione smiled. "Remus!"

Hermione welcomed in her visitors and with a wave of her hand, transfigured two desks into comfortable armchairs across from her desk. "Please sit down, Remus, Headmistress."

"What a surprise to have you back Remus."

The elder man smiled. His hair was splashed with more grey than before. The years had done him good though, seeing as he seemed to be well fed and his clothing looked far better.

"I see Tonks has been taking care of you."

Remus looked away as color spread through his face. Headmistress McGonagall chuckled. "It's been five years Remus, when will you and Nymphadora finally marry?"

Remus smiled shyly. "It's been five years, Minerva. I'm still coming to terms that we're together."

Hermione smiled cheerfully. "Will you be staying for dinner, Remus?"

Professor McGonagall nodded, "Yes, you must stay." Then she grinned slyly, "Unless of course, Tonks is waiting for you."

Remus laughed, "Tonks is busy with some affairs at the Ministry, but I would love to stay and catch up with what Hermione has been doing all these years at Hogwarts."

"And I would love to hear of your travels, Remus." Hermione replied.

Together the old friends walked towards the Great Hall. Along the way, Hermione looked at an ancient grandfather clock in the hallway and was surprised to see a dark haired man reflected in the glass furnishings. Hermione turned around and stared at the empty hallway behind her.

"Hermione? Are you alright?"

She smiled as she took the arm of the Headmistress and nodded. "I'm fine, Minerva. I'm just a little tired from today's classes."

"So…eventually she had to pull the poor guy away from the chicken." Finished Remus. They were discussing the merits of having a muggle bewitched with a hex to make him think that the chicken would give him golden eggs every time he stroked its behind. "Tonks has been having a hard time trying to unhex the poor man, and then eventually they will have to obliviate him."

Hermione laughed and drank from her goblet generously. Never had she laughed this much in the last five years. Headmistress McGonagall stopped trying to hide her giggles and looked at Remus, "Have you heard of where Harry is planning to visit next? He hasn't been in contact for what seems for ages!"

Remus sighed. "No, he hasn't owled me either. He wanted some time off ever since the fight and only recently, have people stopped reveling the very ground he stands on. Honestly, the poor boy can't get any peace around us, magic folk."

Hermione nodded seriously. "Neville has been faring much better. I hear he's going to come back and work with Professor Sprout as her apprentice. He's already earning himself a name in the Herbology field. I believe his house is now littered with numerous rare and delicate species of herbs."

Professor McGonagall nodded, "Yes, Pomona did mention such a thing and I have already consented to the request."

"It would be nice to hear from Harry soon. I'm worried about how he's doing."

"Aren't we all?"

After dinner, Hermione spent the evening chatting with Remus while Professor McGonagall had matters to deal with. It had been a long evening and eventually Hermione found herself walking Remus to the front doors.

"Remus, it's been a wonderful night. I would love to have tea with Tonks sometime this week."

"We'll be happy to have you over, Hermione. Anytime."

Hermione looked into Remus' tired eyes. "I'm glad to see you so happy, Remus."

Remus smiled and looked up at the moon, which was hidden behind the clouds, but Hermione knew that it would be a full moon in just a few weeks. "I'm glad you're happy too Hermione. Of the three of you, I've always worried most about you."

Hermione was startled as she turned towards her old friend. "Me? I would have thought you would have worried about Harry or Ron!"

Remus laughed. "Ron was always a bit clumsy but he was strategically prepared for the war. He knew what had to be done and was backed up by Harry." He sighed, "And Harry was always the more serious one. He had so much responsibility on him. Of course I would worry that he had too much to handle, but Harry's a remarkable boy. He had a strength, that no one had and the friends to keep him going."

He turned around and looked at Hermione, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You on the other hand…"

Hermione smiled. "I can take care of myself, Remus."

Remus chuckled. "But you had so much to deal with. You're a woman of courage and bravery. But you had so much stress to handle. I wasn't ever sure if you could do that and keep the boys in check as well. You know how much trouble they are."

Hermione laughed. Her hands pressed against Remus' on her shoulder. "Thank you. It was hard those years back. I've always wondered how I could have done it. If not for the help of everyone around me."

Remus smiled and looked at the moon again. Hermione led the way towards the gate. Tears came uncontrolled as she thought back to Ron and her friends. Looking back towards the Forbidden Forest, she remembered Hagrid's hut which had stood there before the war. The blood shed upon these grounds.

When they reached the gate, Hermione wrapped her cloak more warmly around herself.

"Well goodnight, Hermione. I look forward to your visit sometime this week."

"I'll owl you of my visit. Tell Tonks, I'll look into that hex and see if I can help her out."

Remus grinned. "Yes. Thank you Hermione."

Remus leaned in and gave Hermione a hug. "See you."

She looked at the moon when he disappeared down the road towards Hogsmeade before apparating away. "Good night."