Disclaimer: I love Remus! Sorry, random moment. Now to continue with the show, I do not own anything.

Author's Note: I would just like to thank all of you that reviewed, your comments were wonderful. Also, I can't remember how much the twins knew about the Marauders, so if they knew anything in the books, they don't know anything in this story.

Chapter Seven

Remus Lupin stood waiting for Hermione in the lightly falling snow. Finally, the correct carriage pulled to a halt, and the door opened to reveal Ginny Weasley, her boyfriend, Harry Potter, her brother, Ron Weasley, his girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, and Hermione Granger. Apparently, they had been discussing something, though their mouths flew shut when they saw Remus standing there, and Hermione blushed.

Remus quirked an eyebrow and said, "I guess you were talking about me then, you might as well tell me, you know I'll find out anyway."

Hermione glared at her friends and warned, "You tell Remus anything about what was just discussed and I will personally kill you, resurrect you, and then kill you again."

Ron and Harry burst out laughing, while Ginny shook her head and Luna stared dreamily in Ron's direction. Hermione rushed out of the carriage, grabbing Remus' arm and trying to pull him away. Over her shoulder, she called, "We'll meet you later in front of the three Ws."

Stopping to shake the snow from his hair, Remus asked, "Mind telling me what that was all about, sweet? I could order you to; I am still your professor after all."

Hermione shook her head, trying to settle her hair from their near jog. "Ron and Harry were just teasing me about us. You know guys."

"I should hope so, I am one," Remus chuckled.

"Yes, a very intelligent and handsome one at that. So tell me, Remus, what do you have planed for us today?" the girl replied.

"I figured that first we would go for a nice little walk before going to lunch and wherever else you wanted to go. When are you supposed to meet the others?"

"First off, we're supposed to meet them in front of Fred and George's shop half an hour before it's time to leave. And where would we go for lunch? Please don't say Madam Puddifoot's."

"No, I was thinking more along the lines of the Three Broomsticks," Remus grinned.

"Thank Merlin. I can't stand that tea shop."

Remus wrapped an arm around Hermione and started walking, not paying attention as people swarmed or stared. Kids were running everywhere, some pushing their friends into snow banks while others made snowmen or snow angels. Before long Remus and Hermione found themselves at the Shrieking Shack.

"Remus, are you all right?" Hermione asked when she felt him stiffen slightly.

"I'm fine, sweet. It's just there are so many memories here. So many things I want to forget and so many things I want to hold on forever," he sighed.

"Just remember, Remus, what happened in the past is what got you here today. If you changed one thing, everything else would be affected too. That's why they don't approve of time-traveling."

Remus gave her a slight kiss on the forehead before focusing on the old house again. "I know, sweet. I just hope all the pain will be rewarded justly. Especially for the three of you."

Hermione hated to see Remus like this; she picked up a handful of snow while he spoke and suddenly shoved it down the back of his clothing. Remus jumped at the unexpected coldness, shouting, "Hermione Jane!"

The girl just shook her head and laughed, "Lighten up, Remus. I'm fine right where I am, and I know they wouldn't want you to be like this."

Remus growled and three a handful of snow at Hermione, hitting her right in the face. That started a full-fledge snowball war between the pair, which only ended when Hermione managed to pin Remus to the earth. The couple laughed at their antics, Hermione moving when she realized what a position she was in. After that, Remus and Hermione made their way back to the main village and into the Three Broomsticks. Hermione went to find a table in the crowded pub while Remus ordered their meals.

She just sat down when she heard a silky voice say, "Mudblood, whore, and werewolf, what will you accomplish next?"

"Bugger off, Malfoy," Hermione replied, not even bothering to look at him.

"Isn't that for the half-breed and you to do, Granger? Can't believe you found anyone for it, but then who else besides the pathetic would so much as risk a second glance at that demon?"

Through gritted teeth, Hermione retorted, "At least Remus has something to speak of down there, unlike you. Besides, you shouldn't insult the rest of your master's followers; they might decide that you aren't worth the trouble."

Malfoy opened his mouth to reply, though it was cut off when Remus returned. Sensing a mental duel between the two students, he asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Malfoy?"

The boy pulled away, saying, "No, I was just leaving."

"Would you like to tell me what that was all about?" Remus asked when Draco Malfoy had indeed left.

"Just Malfoy being the prat that he is," Hermione answered. "Don't worry about it."

Remus looked curious, but let it pass for the moment. "I brought us some hot chocolate and a couple bowls of vegetable soup."

Hermione smiled and eagerly took the offered food, replying, "Thank you."

The meal began relatively quietly, but then Remus said, "I've been thinking, Hermione Jane."

Hermione lowered her spoon, and turned her full attention to the male werewolf, fearing the worst. She expected anything, that he was going to quit Hogwarts, that he was going on an Order mission, or that he had simply rethought the whole dating idea. But he just sat there, calm as can be, still eating his soup. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" she asked.

"Don't worry, I'm going to do or say anything stupid, for once in my life. Actually, how long have we known each other, Hermione?"

"Four years, though you might say three since we didn't see or hear from you at all during fourth year."

"Yes, sorry about that, but I had Order business to attend to. Now, in theses three years, I've gotten to know you three very well, correct?"

"Yes."

"And you've gotten to know me?"

"Yes."

Remus smiled and turned to face the girl for the first time. "Good and we both know that I have some difficulties with the past, along with relationships. Just look at this morning."

"Remus that wasn't your fault, you can't move a building," Hermione replied, now really concerned about where he was going with this.

"Yes, well, but we also know that I completely think things through before acting."

"Yes."

"Well, I've thought about it, and I want to be Moony again."

Hermione was shocked to say the least. After Sirius's death, Remus refused to even acknowledge that he had once been Messer Moony. "You mean, you want us to start calling you Moony?"

Remus nodded. "Yes, out of class of course. I actually sort of miss being Messer Moony, one of the great Marauders, it's such a large part of who I am."

"I'm glad to see that you're finally seeing things my way, Moony, can't run from who you are. How about after we finish, we go visit Honeyduke's before going to see Fred and George at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?" she asked with a smile.

Remus picked up his bowl, and downed the rest of his soup. He then grinned, "I'm ready."

Hermione shook her head at his boyish antics but did the same with her bowl. She allowed Remus to pull her out of the Three Broomsticks and down to Honeyduke's. The place was packed but still they wove in, trying not to jostle the other customers. Hermione lost Remus for a moment but found him almost instantly. "Ah, the chocolate display. I should have know, Moony."

"Honeyduke's does have the best chocolate around."

"Well then pick whatever you want. I've gotten everyone else's Christmas present, but not yours. Therefore, you will get your favourite thing in the world, any kind," she announced.

Remus sheepishly replied, "You don't need to get me anything, Hermione Jane."

"I don't need to, but I want to. Just think of it as a thank you, for everything you've done for me. Don't try to get out of here cheaply either, or else I'll pick everything out, and I have no idea what you like," she advised.

Remus still looked a bit reluctant about it, but seeing Hermione's stubborn resolve, sighed and began to pick things up, one he had a good amount of chocolate, he led Hermione up to counter to allow her to pay.

"Thank you," Remus said, opening a truffle and biting half while slipping the rest in his robe pocket and offering her the other half.

The chocolate was smooth and deep with a hit of raspberry on Hermione's tongue. "You certainly know how to pick your candy, Remus. And you're welcome."

"Shall we see what the wonder twins are up to then?"

Hermione slipped her arm through his. "Let's."

At the end of last summer, the Weasley twins had done well enough with their shop in Diagon Alley to buy bout Zonko's and open another shop in Hogsmeade. Since George returned to school, Fred ran the Hogsmeade branch, it was near impossible for the twins to be separated everyday, at least now they could see one another on each Hogsmeade trip and whenever Fred was able to sneak out of the castle.

"Hermione—glad to see you," Fred greeted as the couple walked into the store. The redhead walked out form behind the counter, leaving the brunette girl to deal with all the paying customers. "Oh, hello Remus."

"It's nice to see you too, Fred. I suppose you dad told you about my little condition then?"

"Nope, George did, though he forgot to mention this little development," Fred replied, motion between the pair. Waggling his eyebrows, Fred asked, "So, should I be expecting a wedding invitation anytime soon?"

Hermione let go of Remus and went for her wand, threatening, "Fred, don't make me hurt you."

Fred held up his hands in mock surrender. Seriously, he said, "Actually, I wanted to talk with you. George and I feel horrible about what happened. It wasn't for us causing your embarrassment; you wouldn't have been out at all that night."

"How does George know the whole story anyway? I don't remember every telling him."

"Yes, but you told Ron, and we all know that with the right persuasion, Ron would tell anyone anything," Fred answered with a wicked grin.

"Well, I assumed as much, George practically follows me everywhere now, making sure no one gets too close."

"Why? Have people been harassing you?" Remus demanded, his tone angry and concerned.

"Moony, I'm fine and I can take care of anyone that tries something," she retorted. "Fred, I don't blame you or George, if it was anyone's fault, it was mine. So you can stop feeling guilty and go back to being your usual obnoxious selves."

Fred looked relieved to hear this/ "All right, well how are you doing? And who is this moony person? Only people here are Remus and me."

Hermione grinned, "Fred, you know that Marauder's Map that you gave Harry?"

"Yeah, I loved that map, brilliant thing, really, but Harry's need was greater than our own."

Hermione pushed Remus in front of her slightly. "Well then, meet Messer Moony, co-creator of the Marauder's Map and one of the three original Marauders."

Fred's jaw dropped, and few moments later, when he finally seemed to gain control of his facial muscles again, he asked, "Are you joking?"

Remus shot Hermione a look before replying, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Fred's whole face lit up and he shouted, "Gred, you'll never guess what I just learned."

George, who had apparently been helping a woman find something, joined the group at his brother's side. "Have you discovered how to use that pea-sized thing you call a brain? Or have you finally realised that I am indeed, the better looking twin?"

For once, Fred didn't take the bait, instead, he said, "George, you'll never guess who Remus is."

George pretended to think about it for minute. "Ah—my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? Harry's only nice relative? An old family friend? A werewolf? Hermione's boyfriend? The only cool professor in Hogwarts? Next to Professor Dumbledore of course. All of the above?"

"Nope, Remus is Messer Moony of the Marauder's Map!"

"Bloody hell! That true, Remus?" George questioned.

Remus simply nodded and waited for the onslaught of questions. He was not disappointed.

"Who's Prongs?"

"And Padfoot?"

"And Wormtail?"

"How'd you create the Marauder's Map?"

"Did you guys really do everything they say?"

"Why'd you become a professor then?"

"Who else knows this?"

"Hold on, boys. One question at a time," Remus replied. "First off, Prong's was James, Harry's father, while Padfoot was Sirius. Wormtail was that slime ball backstabber, Peter Pettigrew. I am not telling you how we created the map, you'd probably use the information for something ten times worse, and yes, and we did actually do everything they say, though it was mostly Sirius and James. I became a teacher because I love the students, and I love Defense Against the Dark Arts, unlike my other friends, I actually enjoyed most of the subjects they taught us. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Severus, and you two know though, so don't be spreading it around, I do still need to teach the students, and I don't need people calling my a hypocrite."

"Wicked," the red-haired boys said simultaneously. "This is going to make classes a lot more interesting," George added.

"Hey you two, anything you want in the store, just take. Excluding the cash register, can't even think of charging you anything now," Fred stated.

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Fred. We're just going to look around for a while, okay?"

"Course, yell if you need anything," with that the pair was gone.

Remus sighed, "Why did you have to tell them? I'll never have a moment's peace again."

Hermione laughed, she could tell by Remus' tone that he wasn't really angry with her. "You said you wanted to be Moony again, and if Moony is returning, you're going to have to tell his two biggest fans. Besides, I could just imagine what was going through their heads about us."

"Oh? And what were they thinking?"

"That it's funny that one of the most famous pranksters in Hogwarts history is dating the school's biggest bookworm. But it's true what they say about opposite's attracting."

"That's certainly true. Wasn't Luna in the carriage with Ron and you today?"

Hermione asserted, "Yes, Ron and her have started dating, but don't tell the twins, they'll never let him live it down. I think it's kind of sweet, personally."

"Well, I'm glad to see them happy. On the day you returned from the woods, Dumbledore told me that love has no age, money, or species."

"And he's right too," Hermione replied with a smile and kissed him softly on the cheek.

The store was much like the one in Diagon Alley, with products ranging from simply immature to strange and unusual. Hermione and Remus ventured around the entire store, quietly checking to see what things did what in case something was tried on them, though in the end they only left with a pack of Muggle playing cards.

"So? How did everything go?" Ginny asked when Hermione climbed into the carriage with her friends after saying goodbye to Remus.

"Fine, Gin. Where's Luna?" Hermione replied.

"She went to go talk with some of her classmates from Ravenclaw, she's really starting to get out there and make new friends, I'm really proud of her," Ginny answered, then nagged, "And what do you mean by fine? You're not fooling anyone, Hermione. So how did it really go?"

Hermione grinned, "Went absolutely wonderful, Gin."

"I want to hear everything, and yes, I do mean everything, Herms."

"Can we please save the girl talk until we're at the castle and me and Harry leave?" Ron groaned.

"It's Harry and I, Ronald, not me and Harry, and if you don't want to hear it, don't listen. It's not as if guys don't do the same thing after their dates, don't even try lying to me and saying they don't."

Neither Harry nor Ron said anything; they both knew Hermione was right, just like she always was, in fact, if anything, they boys were worse than the girl. They couldn't believe what Dean or Seamus told them after one of their dates, therefore, they just kept their mouths shut and tried to block out the girls' talking.

"What did you do?" Ginny questioned.

Hermione laughed at her friend's enthusiasm, but she always knew that Ginevra Weasley was a bit of a romantic, even though she tried her best to hide it. "We started with a walk around, which eventually ended at the Shrieking Shack."

"How did Remus take to seeing it again?" Harry interjected.

"Didn't want to listen huh?" Ginny asked, slapping her boyfriend lightly on the arm.

"He's family, I just want to know how he took it," he replied, looking as though he had every right in the world to know.

"Well, you might as well listen to the entire conversation then, besides, I have something to tell you," Hermione replied with a shake of her head. "Remus actually acted okay seeing the shack, he just said something about good memories and bad memories, to which I reminded him that it's those memories that got us where we are today. Then he said that he just hoped it was worth all the pain, especially for us three."

"That's a depressing way to start out a date," Ron commented, apparently listening as well.

"Yes, Ron, and you would know all about what is appropriate on a date," Ginny retorted. "The only thing you ever did with your first girlfriend was snog, and your second girlfriend is practically your sister."

Ron narrowed his eyes. "Hermione, what does Harry smell like?"

The brunette rolled her eyes. "I'm really starting to tire of this. I'm limiting your sniffing of Harry to once a week, starting after this one. Okay—let's see, blood, sweat, soap, and bit a polish. Harry smells like his normal self. But then there is a slight undertone as well."

"Really? And what is that?" Ron asked with an evil smirk.

Hermione sniffed harder. "Happiness. He smells happy. I think I'm able to smell emotions now."

Harry grinned; glad Hermione didn't mention anything about smelling anything like Ginny. "Wicked. Hey, what does Ron smell like?"

"I shouldn't have mentioned anything. Ron smells like—content, with a little bit of suspicion."

Ron looked taken aback, but didn't say anything; apparently, Hermione had hit the nail on the head. Ginny asked Hermione to smell her as well, and after replying that she smelled happiness and curiousness, the conversation once again turned to her date.