A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment #9 – Ballroom Dancing -Task #2 - Dancing the Tango on Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons:Write a fic with the theme of Successful Perserverance.

Writing Club April

Showtime: 19- King Herod: (plot point) challenging someone

Scamander's Case: 13 - (setting) Hogwarts grounds

Word Count: 648

"You're not a stranger to me," Hermione whispered, running a hand over his cheek. She paused at the scars crossing his face. They were standing next to the remains of the Whomping Willow. The tree had fought valantly in the war, but had lost in the end. Hermione and Remus had both returned to the school to teach. Headmistress McGonagall had assured Remus he would not run into the same situation as last time.

"You could never understand, Hermione. You could never understand what I truly am. You only see this side of me, the human side," Remus said, trying not to meet her eyes. He could tell what she was thinking, and he already had a hard enough time telling the witch no.

"Then let me stay next time. Let me see the side of you that you keep hiding from me. Let me get to know the monster you claim you are. I saw a glimpse when I was in school, I know you're not that though."

"I can't. You'd hate me." Remus tried to ignore the love in Hermione's voice, the caring. How could a witch like her feel that way about him? He was a monster. She knew that, she knew what a werewolf could do. She was too smart not to realize that.

"I could never hate you, Remus. Never," she promised, turning Remus to face her.

"It's too dangerous," Remus argued. Hermione shook her head, a slight smile playing on her face. Remus stared at her for a moment. Had she figured out a new way to brew the wolfsbane potion? He knew she'd taken to brewing it after Snape's demise.

"And how many times did Sirius and James and Peter stay with you?" she asked, a knowing tone in her voice.

"That's different. They could - " Remus started to say. He stopped. Hermione knew about Sirius, he was pretty sure she knew about James.

"I know what they could do, Remus. I know they were animagi. Did you really think I'd forget something like that? James was a stag, Sirius a dog, and Peter a rat. Kind of fitting now. Remus, think about this for a moment. Why do you think I lost my voice for three months? You really, really think I was hexed by Ginny?"

"She does have a habit of hexing people that piss her off," Remus muttered. He stared at Hermione for a moment, at the not quite arrogant expression on her face. No, that was her I did something amazing face. She couldn't have?

" Wait, no, you!? You did it?!" Remus yelled, staring at Hermione in disbelief. She nodded, closed her eyes, and a minute or so late, a furry brown otter sat in front of Remus. He looked down at her, a smile playing across his face. She squeaked loudly at him before turning back into herself again.

"Although, unlike your friends, I'm actually registered," Hermione explained. "Since you let them stay with you in animal form, even before the potion, I figured that with the potion, I would be safe enough," she explained. Remus nodded, still in awe of new ability.

"You learned to do that, for me?'

"Of course, now can I please meet the wolf you claim is part of yourself? I want to get to know all of you Remus, not just the nice friendly parts," she asked.

"You'll need a nickname. James was always better at coming up those," Remus whispered, his eyes watering at the memories of his old friends. Hermione nodded.

"I know, it will never be the same, but we'll figure it out, Remus. Just like we've figured out everything else. Together," Hermione replied, taking his hand in hers and smiling at him. He nodded, kissing the top of her forehead.

"We will," he agreed, taking her hand as they walked back inside the castle.