I work nights and cant sleep on my days off so enjoy the repercussion lol

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Remus didn't come back to class all day. Hermione tried not to be worried about him but the way the boys were talking had her nervous. She found herself walking unconsciously to the hospital wing more than once before realizing that really, she had no right to do that. In this time, they barely knew each other.

No matter how much she wanted to.

In any case, she was helping Peter with a Charms essay when he came in. If the three boys looked bad – he looked like shit. There was a deep claw mark that started at his neck and went down into his robes. He did a good job of trying to hide it but Hermione knew what she was looking for. His eyes were bruised and he was walking like he just drank a couple bottles of skelegrow.

He looked like he hurt.

Hermione had never seen the Marauders so serious before. Sirius immediately unwound from Marlene and James put his snitch away to go get Remus and shuffle him quickly upstairs to their dormitory. Peter sent Hermione an apologetic look and gathered his things up off the table.

"Sorry, Mione. I have to go," he tilted his head up towards his room. "Thanks for your help."

"No worries Pete." Her eyebrows were furrowed in worry. "Is he okay?" The question slipped out – and was super dumb. Obviously, he wasn't okay.

"Oh, um, I'm sure he's just tired from going to see his Grandma. He'll be better tomorrow." She nodded and watched him go. He waved as he ran up the stairs following his friends. She noticed that Marlene and Lily were looking in the same direction that she was. It was obvious that she wasn't the only one who knew.

Remus was so different here, so much more alive but also violent. The wolf was young and strong. It was easy to see how precipitating factors could and do influence transitions. That would make sense for Greyback's plans regarding turning children. There were so many ways Hermione could think of, legislation that could be passed once the Wolfsbane potion came around and now, to make life easier for werewolves. To make it possible for him to have a life after school.

A hand on Hermione's shoulder surprised her. She was halfway through her third amendment for a werewolf rights campaign.

"He'll be just fine, Hermione. He always is."

Obviously, Alice knew too.

oOoOo

She wasn't wrong.

The day of the match came and Remus was going to be heading down to the pitch with the rest of the team. He had been taking it easy since the moon but healed up so much faster than Hermione had ever seen him. She tried not to stare at him too much but she couldn't help herself. The more she got to know him, felt him knock his leg against hers under the table with a one-sided grin and an insincere 'I'm sorry', showed her that she really didn't know him at all. He was still brilliant and able to challenge her on any subject but he wasn't withdrawn or riddled with self-hatred. James and Sirius may have shined brighter, but he was a supernova.

Breakfast on the day of a match was always loud but on an undefeated Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw match day, it was downright wild. Hermione, Lily, Alice, and Peter made their way down early so they could finish and get a good seat. It wasn't the first time Hermione would be cheering on a Potter at the pitch or have eyes for the Gryffindor Keeper.

Lily was telling them a story about James' latest attempt to get her to go to Hogsmeade with him which was surprisingly tame when the doors opened to a rousing round of applause. The Gryffindor team, dressed in their uniforms, sans robes, had come in to eat before the game.

To Hermione's eternal and overwhelming surprise, James looked like he was going to throw up. Sirius was almost forcing him to walk to the table and sit down. Marlene was saying something in his ear but Hermione was unable to concentrate because her eyes found Remus and if there was something that Hermione had a thing for, it was Quidditch uniforms.

"Morning honey," he said with a smirk, sliding into the seat beside her. She felt her cheeks get red and she looked away from him as quick as she could. Not that it mattered because he made sure to press his leg up against hers under the table. She didn't move it away.

"Good morning, sleep well?" He rolled his eyes at her good naturedly and shoveled some food onto his plate. Obviously, he didn't have a nerve problem.

"Better than James that's for sure." Hermione looked over and saw that even Lily was attempting to talk him down off the ledge.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"Ravenclaw got a new seeker. Nobody knows anything about her. He's freaking out because they didn't train for her, they trained for Jodie." He took a bite of his eggs before continuing. "It'll be fine regardless. Ravenclaw sucks." Hermione looked towards James who seemed to be coming around somewhat. She had a sneaking suspicion that it had to do with Lily's hand on his arm.

"Just like Harry," Hermione commented before she could stop herself. She slammed her hand to her mouth, making the comment even more suspicious.

"Who's Harry?" Remus asked, eyebrows up in question. She shook her head, unshed tears in her eyes.

"Just an old friend," she said quietly, taking a bite of her Danish. "No nerves for you?" Remus shrugged.

"No, they don't do anyone any good, do they?" There was the old Remus. Logical to a fault. She laughed which made him smile for real.

"No, I guess not." James had obviously been talked around because he stood up quickly and called for the Gryffindor team to go down to the pitch. Remus took one last drink of his orange juice and swung his leg out from under the table.

"Just know that each and every goal is for you, Evans." James declared dramatically grabbing her hand and putting it over his heart. She snatched it back quickly but she was laughing.

"And he's back," Sirius said, clapping him on the back. "Let's go guys." The group gathered their stuff and walked out to lots of good lucks and cheers. Remus squeezed the back of Hermione's neck lightly on the way by. For some reason, it felt like the most intimate thing he had ever done.

"See you after," he said, leaning down next to her ear as he grabbed one more biscuit from the middle of the table. She got goosebumps all over.

"Good luck." He sent her one last smile and followed his friends out of the hall, catching Sirius as he jumped on his back.

Alice, Lily, and Peter were all staring at her when she finally looked back up.

"What?" she asked but it came out more like a squeak. They just smiled and shook their heads before gathering up their stuff and following the team outside.

It was an unusually warm day for March which suited Hermione just fine. She had charmed one of her white blouses red and Alice had put gold stripes under all their eyes. Lily had offered to charm Remus' number on her back but Hermione said only if she could put James' on hers.

The stands were packed early with everyone clamoring in to get a good seat. The sixth year Gryffindors had left early enough to get a front row bench. There wasn't a better seat in the house. Hermione had sat in this particular section when Harry had fought the Horntail during the Triwizard Tournament.

The thought snuck up on her but was gone just as quickly.

"Here comes the undefeated Gryffindor team!" The announcer called. Hermione's heart clenched missing Lee Jordan enthusiastic voice. "Beaters Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon mean as a couple of feral werewolves." Hermione threw a look in the direction of the voice. He was in yellow robes. "Seeker, Justin Rucker. Interim Keeper, Remus Lupin in for suspended Michael Keates." Hermione tried not to make a noise but she gasped all the same. Lily smiled next to her and bumped her shoulder.

Remus looked … fit as hell. Crimson did wonders for his healthy skin. He was smiling wide and he looked, well, he looked happy. He flew over to his rings with a speed that seemed unnatural for someone so big. The number fifteen stood out in sharp relief on his back. He was scanning the stands like he was looking for something or someone. Hermione swore that she could see the color of his eyes from her. She knew that they would be light blue –the ocean on the calmest day. She found his gaze and he sent her a lopsided grin that she had to return.

"Last, greet your chasers! Tyler Houston, Leanne Beams, and Captain James Potter!" James was obviously in his element. He did a fast lap around the pitch and stopped beside Remus, saying something to him before taking his spot in the middle to meet with Madam Feist for pregame rules. He reminded Hermione so, so much of Harry. James would have been so proud to watch his son.

The Ravenclaw team was introduced and then the game was off. Hermione couldn't help but watch in awe. She had heard that Harry had received his flying talent from James but they hadn't been lying. James was incredible. Where Harry was all Wronski Feints and terrifying, James was strategy and teamwork. He weaved through the Ravenclaw team so fast that Hermione was having a hard time keeping up.

"Potter with the Quaffle again. He tosses to Beams who dodges a poorly hit bludger from Wilson. Beams with it now, back to Potter, now to Houston, back to Beams." They were so in tune to each other. They were at the Ravenclaw hoops now. "Houston with the Quaffle now, back to Potter who shoots, easy ten points to Gryffindor! It is plain as day why this Gryffindor team is undefeated!"

They weren't wrong. Fifteen goals later, Remus hadn't even been tested. Every time Ravenclaw got the Quaffle, it was either intercepted by one of the chasers or they were annihilated by a perfectly aimed bludger. Hermione was pretty sure that the whole team as a unit could go pro.

"They are amazing," Hermione breathed out a few minutes later. Alice nodded her head enthusiastically, already hoarse from yelling so loudly. Hermione took a minute to find Rucker. He was circling the pitch, eyes sharp. There wasn't a time that he couldn't catch the snitch. His grin could be seen from any part of the pitch.

"They train hard enough," Lily said but it wasn't unkind or condescending. There was a respect there.

"It shows."

"Gryffindor with another ten points!" Beams put the Quaffle through the left hoop. For all that James was the most talented, his other two chasers had more points to his astonishing amount of assists.

Ravenclaw all of a sudden had the Quaffle and was tearing up the pitch. Sirius knocked a bludger at him but it didn't connect.

"Peterson with the Quaffle now for Ravenclaw! Finally it seems that Lupin the interim Keeper for Gryffindor will be tested." Houston tried to grab the Quaffle as Peterson tossed it to one of the other Ravenclaw Chasers but he missed. "Quaffle to Roy now who fires and-"

Hermione held her breath and grabbed Lily's hand.

Remus blocked it easily, like it was something that he did all the time. There were groans all around the pitch and cheers from the Gryffindor section. She let out a big breath and smiled. Lily squeezed her hand and let it go.

"Easy save for Lupin. They probably should have just recruited him to begin with." They have no idea. "Oh! It looks like Rucker and Everly have seen the Snitch!" Sure enough the two seekers were speeding across the pitch. Hermione knew that Harry would have caught it already but he also had a broom that was 20 years newer.

"Everly is a new find for Ravenclaw who shows a lot of promise but can she keep up with Rucker who is seven inches taller than her?" Hermione had never really thought about that before. Would arm length trump lightness? They were neck and neck. Even the rest of the players had turned to look.

The snitch dove and so did the seekers.

"Sharp dive. Both seekers are still with it. Neck and neck now."

"Come on!" Hermione yelled. They were all screaming and jumping. Her heart was beating wildly. "Wronski Feint!" She didn't even know if that was a thing yet.

"They're reaching for it now! And up they come!" Both seekers rose in the air. One looking sour, the other had their fist closed triumphantly around the snitch.

"Rucker with the snitch! An absolutely decisive shut out for Gryffindor! 570 to nothing! Incredible!" Hermione and the other Gryffindors were going wild. It was a record and one that Hermione knew wouldn't be beaten for at least 21 years, not even one that Harry could beat.

The Gryffindor team met on the ground and thumped their seeker on the back. The rest of the school following. Hermione was tugged along behind Lily and before she knew it felt herself be scooped up into two huge arms.

Remus was warm, sweat plastering his blonde hair to his forehead as he swung Hermione around. She smiled and held onto him, laughing until he put her down.

"Congratulations!" she said, just a little breathless. He tried to say something but was pulled backwards, stumbling by an arm around his neck. Sirius and James were yelling at him, already planning an after-win party in the common room. Hermione didn't remember having this many parties in her time. She guessed the legends about the Marauders were true.

He shot her an apologetic smile as he was dragged away. She smiled and waved him off to go have fun with his friends. James was getting a piggy back from Peter as the crowd seemed to move as a unit back up towards the castle.

Hermione wondered if anyone would miss her if she snuck upstairs to the sixth floor. Dumbledore might not want to do anything about the diadem but that didn't mean she couldn't check and see if it was still there and put it somewhere that she knew she would be about to find it later. The thought made her feel better and when she got to the entrance hall, she started moving in that direction.

"Hermione! Where are you going?" Alice called, coming over to stand with her. "Come on back up! We have a win to celebrate!"

Well, Hermione thought not really all that disappointed, there was always tomorrow.