A/N: a couple of things- I have given up on writing long chapters it just doesn't work for me. Also I could remember if it was a wolfsbane potion that Lupin takes and I could be bother looking it up. oh well, here we go
Traveling with a werewolf- chapter 5
"Toiletries?"
"Yes…"
"Summer clothing?"
"Winter clothes?"
"Yes Hermione…"
"Wolfsbane potion?"
"Yep," called Lupin from the kitchen. "Enough for 3 months," Hermione frowned. "But we should be back earlier then that," Lupin said with feigned enthusiasm as he slapped Harry on the back. A lecture-tantrum from Hermione was definitely not what he needed right now.
Whilst Lupin turned to levitate their belongings into a trunk, and then subsequently reduced it to a pocket size item, Hermione took the advantage of him being preoccupied and dragged Harry into the hall. Harry, expecting she wanted to continue the kiss they had been enjoying before Lupin had interrupted, moved his lips towards hers.
Hermione put a finger to his lips and with a solemn look on her pale face, said,
"Please Harry, can't I come with you." he squirmed under her fixated, stern gaze.
He knew her brains would be an asset to their campaign. After all she was the brightness witch of their age, but he just couldn't bring himself to put her life in danger. Yes, he had done it before but this was different. Their travels would be long and strenuous, they could use her brains… but this was Voldemort. What if something happened to her? He couldn't, wouldn't be able to forgive himself if she was murdered.
Then again what if something happened to him in her presence. What if she witnessed his death? He knew Hermione as a woman wouldn't be able to handle that and he also knew Hermione as a person, as a human being wouldn't be able to either.
"Harry, please" she squeezed his hand for emphasis. I don't see why not"
"Hermione, I can't risk you. You're precious to me to everyone." Hermione let her hand slip from Harry's. Her eyes downcast.
"Hermione, please understand if – well it's probably more a question of when- we need you, we will call. I will call." She roughly pulled him into her arms.
"Fine," she whispered. "I love you"
"I love you too"
With one final squeeze he let her go and led her by the hand into the lounge, letting go as Lupin came into sight.
"Harry, what time is Ron arriving?
"Um… i'm not sure…"
"Why is Ron coming?" Hermione asked inquiringly.
"Um… well… Hermione…"
"You didn't tell her?" Lupin said astonished.
"Didn't tell me what?"
"Well… Hermione… you see…"
"Oh for Merlin's sake boy! Ron's coming with us Hermione"
"What! Harry!" she rounded on him. "How come Ron can come!"
"Hermione, please understand what we are setting out to do is going to take a lot of will power-"
"I have that, thank you very much."
"- and man power. Hermione it's not a matter of I like Ron more then you, or that Ron is stronger willed then you, or that he's just physically stronger then you. It's just… just…"
"Just what Harry?"
"I don't want to lose you."
"But you'd prefer to risk Ron instead?"
"No!"
"It was a rhetorical question Harry."
"Come on Hermione, its not like you want……"
Lupin stood and watched the two teens interact.
He also knew that Hermione would be a great asset to their travels. But he didn't want to risk her, any more then Harry did.
