Hermione woke with a start, the remains of a nightmare slipping away as her eyes adjusted to the evening light slipping through her window. The clock hanging on the wall read just after 6pm, and the warm smell of Molly's dinner was wafting under her door. She slipped from her bed, jumping slightly as her feet touched the cold ground. Someone had brought her trunk in from the entryway, and after slipping on some jeans and a tank top (Where are all of my t-shirts? Mother...), and running a brush through her hair, she made her way downstairs.

Most of the Order sat around the table, finishing the re-telling of the war for an awe-struck Sirius. Hermione gave them a quick wave, before slipping past the kitchen and into the library. She'd been hoping for a few moments alone, but as luck would have it, Professor Lupin was seated at the desk, a mess of books scattered around him as he scribbled on a piece of parchment.

He turned as she stepped in, flashing her a welcoming smile. For a split second she could have sworn his eyes had strayed to her chest, but she dismissed the thought, blaming it on the dim light of the library. Still, a blush crept into her cheeks as she moved to sit on the couch.

"I hope I'm not bothering you Professor." she said, using her wand to light the fireplace and brighten the room slightly. Professor Lupin folded up his parchment and moved to join her on the couch, a book and quill in his hands.

"Of course not Hermione. I was just adding a few last minute touches to my syllabus before the new term starts." Hermione's eyes lit and she clapped her hands together gleefully.

"Oh I had heard a rumor that Professor McGonagall had asked you to take over the Defense class again. I so hoped you would accept it. You were the best instructor we had." Professor Lupin smiled again, rubbing the back of his neck slightly.

"Thank you Hermione. That certainly means a lot coming from you." He sat up straight again and cleared his throat, his posture taking on a more business like appearance. "Actually, I was hoping to get a few minutes alone with you. I was wondering if you could tell me again exactly what happened with the Veil. I think it is something we should keep a record of."

Hermione felt her throat close and stiffened, remembering the lie she had told the Order. She knew the moment she hesitated that Professor Lupin would notice her reservations.

"Hermione, is something wrong?" he asked as a tear began to slide down her cheek. She couldn't lie again. The first time had been hard enough.

"Professor, I lied about Death. When it told me I could have someone back, it didn't just pick someone for me. It chose someone I had already been looking for. The moment I approached the Veil, I heard Sirius' voice. He was the one I was looking for, and I asked for him back. I could have asked for anyone. Lily, James, Fred, Moody, even Dumbledore. But I chose Sirius. Harry had been so sad, and even though Lily and James were his parents, Sirius was the only parent he'd ever really known. Maybe I should have left the Veil intact. We could have gone back to it and brought everyone back." She sniffled and Professor Lupin pulled her into a hug, one hand stroking her hair lightly.

"Oh Hermione, you did the right thing. Death does not freely speak to the living. You know this. And you know what Death is capable of. I know most believe the Deathly Hallows to be just a story, but after all we have experienced, I do believe Death could easily take its revenge, and would have had you not kept your end of the bargain. As for choosing Sirius above anyone else, you were doing what you believed to be best for your friend. And I for one think you made the right choice."

Hermione pulled back and wiped her eyes, smiling hesitantly at him. "You do?"

Professor Lupin nodded and closed his book, setting it aside. "Let's forget about writing this down, and we'll keep your little secret between the two of us." Hermione nodded and sighed, feeling like a weight had been lifted. However, she was suddenly noticing how haggard her Professor was looking. Concerned, she moved so she could see his face more freely and squatted on the floor before him.

"Professor Lupin, are you feeling alright? You look awfully tired." she asked, absentmindedly placing her hands on his knees. He shrugged and stood, moving to stand next to the fire.

"It's nothing Hermione, just nerves I'm sure. A new term in front of a school full of students who are completely aware of my unique condition; it's a daunting task." he said, running a hand through his tousled hair. Hermione wasn't taking that answer and stood, following him to the fireplace. He felt like her eyes were boring into his soul and finally he relented.

"Since Sirius is gone, and Slughorn has avoided the Order like the plague, there hasn't been anyone to make my potions. Molly, bless her heart, has tried, but it's such a complicated potion and we just don't have the knack for it. I must say, I've always been terrible with potions. Lily and Sirius were the best, and I don't think even they could make it." Hermione gasped, one hand covering her mouth in shock.

"How long have you been without it?" she asked, almost afraid to hear his response.

"3 months." Faster than he would have imagined, Hermione was suddenly right in front of him, her hand connecting hard with his shoulder.

"Remus John Lupin! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have been making it for you this whole time!"

"I'm sorry? I didn't think... I don't want to bother you with my problems." he said, his hands once again running through his hair.

"Professor, the thought of you going through that transformation every month is torture enough. Knowing that you don't have control of your actions afterwards is more than I care to think about. You forget, I've seen you transform... I'll have your potion for you every month from now on." He knew there was no arguing with her, and so he nodded, smiling as she turned to leave. He heard her voice join the others in the kitchen, and once again he was alone.

His head connected with the mantel and he groaned inwardly. "What is wrong with me?" When Hermione had first entered the room, he'd been unable to keep himself from eyeing her body. She'd changed over the summer, and was no longer the bookish girl he remembered teaching. Her wild mane had been tamed to soft honey colored curls, and her clothes hugged her in all the right places. She looked like a woman, one that the wolf seemed to hunger for.

When she'd knelt before him, his mind had conjured wicked images of that beautiful mouth... and when her hands touched him he'd felt like a horny school boy again. And then she'd mentioned his transformation in her third year. As ashamed as he was, something during that night had plagued his dreams in the years following. Something or someone had called to him that night, and even the slight memory sent chills down his spine and caused his blood to pump southwards. The wolf longed to hear that call again, and Remus couldn't deny that he ached for it as well.

He shook his head and took a few calming breaths, silently blaming his actions on his sex life, or lack there of, since his separation from Tonks. With one final breath he squared his shoulders, ready to join his friends in the kitchen once more. As he stepped in and took in the sight of his young friends surrounding Sirius, Hermione perched precariously on the edge of the table, her legs dangling next to Sirius's lap, one final thought crept into his mind before he joined the conversation. "Somehow I know it's going to be a very long, interesting year."