A/N - Hello all! Continued thanks to everyone who is reading and to those who are reviewing! I love hearing your thoughts. Enjoy!

Chapter 15

Moon

11 May 1998

Kingsley adjourned the Wizengamot for the day, likely to gather more information from Lucius Malfoy before beginning the rest of the trials. Remus, Harry and Hermione stood to leave.

"Shall we get a bite to eat?" Remus asked. He glanced at his watch and realized it was nearly two o'clock. The Wizengamot had worked through lunch to finish Draco's trial.

"Sounds good to me," Harry said.

"All right," Hermione agreed. They made their way down the stone steps to the door of the courtroom.

"What time should I be at Grimmauld tonight?" Harry asked Remus as he pushed the door open. They were immediately assaulted by flashes of light and a cacophony of sound. Harry and Hermione instantly pulled their wands and Remus stepped in front of them as he reached for his own wand. His hand had just settled on it when a voice rang out.

"Mr. Potter, is it true you testified on behalf of the Malfoy family?" Remus frowned. The press had apparently arrived.

"Miss Granger, how do you justify Mr. Potter's testimony for a family that wanted to exterminate all Muggle-borns?"

"Mr. Lupin, is it true your wife died trying to save your life?" Remus faltered for a moment.

"Mr. Potter, is it true you faked your own death?

"Miss Granger, have you and Mr. Potter rekindled your romantic relationship?"

"Mr. Lupin, what is your relationship with Miss Granger?" Remus glared at the reporter and kept walking. "The two of you seem rather…close." Remus growled low in his throat, holding back a snarl by the briefest of margins. The flashes from the cameras continued going off and he could feel Harry flinch each time. Remus moved back slightly, slipping Hermione's hand through his arm and putting his other hand on Harry's shoulder.

"We won't be answering any questions today, excuse me," Remus said as he began to propel Harry and Hermione through the crowd. The questions, getting even more ludicrous, if that were possible, continued to be shouted at them until two Aurors arrived. They shoved through the crowd and Remus followed in their wake, shielding Harry and Hermione as much as he could. Hermione still held her wand in front of her and her left hand gripped his elbow tightly. Harry had closed his eyes, counting on Remus to get him through the crowd safely. One of the Aurors directed them into a small conference room, the other holding the press at bay until they were safely inside.

"I'm sorry about that," the deep voice of the Minister said. Remus looked up sharply at Kingsley who was still dressed in his Wizengamot robes.

"What the hell, Kingsley?" Remus snapped. Harry blew out a breath and sunk down into a chair, putting his face in his hands. Hermione was still clinging to Remus' arm. Remus managed to get her into a chair next to Harry's, but he kept a hand on her shoulder. He could feel her shaking.

"I'm sorry," Kingsley said again, taking off his cap and running a hand over his bald head with a sigh. "I left instructions to keep the press in the Atrium, but someone obviously did not follow my directive. The Aurors were coming to bring you to my office so you could use my Floo. Are you all right?"

"Fine," Remus said shortly. "Harry?"

"It was just a bit surprising, but yeah, I'm all right." Remus looked down at Hermione who still hadn't said anything. He crouched down beside her. "Hermione?" Her hands were still shaking, but Remus could tell by the look on her face that she was angry. Extremely angry as a matter of fact.

"Those, those, vultures!" she finally exclaimed. "How could they ask you those things?"

"It's the press, Hermione, they ask a lot of stupid things."

"But to assume, to insinuate," she trailed off as she rose from the chair and began to pace. Remus was a bit surprised there wasn't steam coming out of her ears.

"Insinuate what?" Kingsley demanded. Remus shook his head.

"It doesn't matter," he said.

"Yes, it does!" Hermione shouted and they all jumped. "To think that you would, do, do that only a week after Tonks died. It's disgusting!"

"What am I missing?" Kingsley asked. Harry sighed.

"First, one of the reporters asked if Hermione and I had rekindled our nonexistent romantic relationship. Then, another," Harry's eyes flicked to Remus. "He asked if Remus and Hermione were in a relationship."

"He implied that we were sleeping together!" Hermione snapped.

"Hermione, I'm sorry he brought you into it," Remus said, misunderstanding her anger.

"Me?" she exclaimed. "What about you? They can't slander you like that!"

"They slandered you too, Hermione," Harry pointed out. Hermione waved a hand as if it didn't matter.

"They've said worse about me," she said. Remus stared at her incredulously. She was angry, not because of what the reporter had implied about her, but what was implied about him.

"Hermione, I," Remus faltered. "Thank you, but it doesn't matter what they say about me. It's your reputation I'm worried about." Hermione snorted.

"Don't bother," she said. "The press has always had a field day speculating about my 'relationships' and whose heart I'm breaking at the moment. I don't even pay attention to it, honestly." She shrugged. Remus stared at her for a moment. She was truly remarkable.

"Regardless, I do apologize again," Kingsley said. "I did not mean for the three of you to have to deal with that. Come with me, you can use the Floo in my office." Kingsley pulled his wand and muttered a spell. Moments later, there was a door at the back of the conference room. When he opened it, it led straight to his office.

"Perk of the job," Kingsley said with a grin as he saw the surprised looks on their faces. "I can always make a quick getaway." He waggled his eyebrows a bit and they all laughed.

"Where to?" Harry asked picking up the pot of Floo powder once inside the office.

"If we go to the Leaky, we can eat in Muggle London," Hermione suggested.

"If we can get out of the Leaky," Harry said grimly. Hermione drew her wand and grinned.

"Come here, Harry."

A few minutes later, the three of them, looking nothing like themselves, emerged into Muggle London.

"I'd forgotten how good you were at this," Harry said. "This beard itches though." His fingers rubbed at the blonde stubble on his chin.

"Do you want me to switch you back?" Hermione asked. She hadn't done much to herself, just pulled her hair into a twist on the back of her head and changed her nose and chin a bit. It was always her hair that made her recognizable.

Remus was wearing a copy of Harry's glasses, although Hermione had spelled the lenses clear and changed their shape. She had made his hair longer and nearly black. He didn't look like himself at all and Hermione wasn't fond of the change.

"No," Harry said in answer to her question. "Then you'd just have to change me back before we went home. I'll deal with it." Hermione led them towards a small pub where she and her parents had eaten the first time they'd come to Diagon Alley. Her mother had been afraid that wizarding food would be odd or something and had wanted a 'regular' lunch before they shopped. Hermione felt a pang at the thought of her parents. She really needed to start working on finding them.

They were seated at the pub and after they had ordered, Harry got up to use the loo. Hermione turned to Remus in concern. He had been awfully quiet since they'd left Kingsley's office.

"Remus, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Hermione," he assured her.

"You don't seem fine." He sighed.

"I suppose what the reporter said bothered me more than I let on," he said.

"I'm so sorry about that," Hermione began, but he held up a hand to stop her.

"Not what he said about us," he said quietly. "The other question, about, about Dora." Hermione's brow furrowed as she tried to recall the other question. When she did, her eyes widened.

"Oh, Remus." She reached out and took his hand.

"The worst part is, it's somewhat true."

"How do you mean?" Hermione asked. Remus took in a breath.

"Dora was supposed to stay home with Teddy, but she came anyway. She wanted to know what was going on and she was, was worried about me."

"Well, of course she was," Hermione said. Remus shook his head.

"But if it hadn't been for me, she wouldn't have come," he insisted. Hermione cocked her head and studied him for a second.

"I don't think I believe that." He glanced up at her, brow furrowed in question.

"If it weren't for you, then you wouldn't have Teddy and so Tonks wouldn't have had a reason to stay home in the first place," Hermione explained. Remus opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. "She was an Order member. She would have been there." Remus said nothing, but Hermione could tell that he couldn't find anything to refute what she'd said. Instead he squeezed her hand as Harry came back to the table.

"Everything all right?" Harry asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.

"It's fine, Harry," Remus replied with a smile.

"Two years?" Andromeda repeated. "That is all?"

"Yes," Remus replied. "A year without magic and he's confined to the Manor." Andromeda snorted.

"Such a punishment."

"While I agree with you, I'm sure Kingsley had his reasons," Remus said. Although, at the moment, Remus was having a hard time justifying those reasons.

"And, and Draco?" Andromeda asked quietly. Remus informed her of his sentence, as well as Narcissa's. Andromeda nodded.

"I suppose having Draco finish his schooling is the best thing for him."

"I do believe that he was forced to take the Mark," Remus said. "I don't think anyone was lying about that."

"No, I am sure they were not," Andromeda agreed. She fell silent. She hadn't asked any questions about her sister and Remus didn't press her about it. If she wanted to renew their relationship, it would have to be on her terms, he knew.

"We were accosted by the press on our way out," Remus said. Andromeda looked up sharply. Remus explained what they had asked, not wanting her to find out somewhere else if the ridiculousness did end up in print.

"Is Hermione all right?" she asked. Remus smiled.

"Besides being angry on my behalf, she is fine."

"Your behalf?" Andromeda questioned. "Isn't she upset about what they suggested about her?"

"According to Hermione, no," Remus said. "She has been insulted by the Prophet before and said it doesn't bother her. She was incensed that I would be treated that way, however." Andromeda smiled and shook her head.

"Well, with everything I have heard about her from you and Dora and Harry, I suppose I should not be surprised."

"And yet, she continues to surprise," Remus said and Andromeda laughed.

"Yes, I suppose she does."

"But why, Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley said again. "I just don't understand why Kingsley would do it." Mr. Weasley sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face.

"Believe me, Molly, I'm not any happier about it than you are."

"Then why would you sign off on it?" she demanded.

"We need information," Mr. Weasley said. "The younger Lestrange brother escaped as did Mulciber and a few others. We have no idea where they are. There are many at the Ministry claiming the Imperius curse, just as during the first war. While some of them no doubt were Imperiused, Kingsley wants to be sure and he believes Lucius Malfoy has that information. Not to mention that the Ministry needs money badly and Malfoy has plenty of it."

"So, he bought his way out?" Ron demanded. He had been incensed when he learned of the Malfoys' punishment, or lack thereof in his opinion.

"In a sense, yes," Mr. Weasley said with a sigh. "But if we can get rid of all of Voldemort's supporters with his help, it will have been worth it."

"Will it?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her mouth in a thin line.

"I have to believe so, yes," Mr. Weasley replied, taking his wife's hand. They stared at each other for a few minutes, silently communicating as long-married couples seemed able to do, before Mrs. Weasley sighed and nodded, squeezing his hand. There was silence at the table for a few minutes before Ron shoved his chair back. He stood and stomped outside, anger fairly radiating off him. Hermione got up to follow.

"Ron?" she said as she approached.

"I can't believe the Ferret is going to be at school with you again."

"I'm sure he won't bother me."

"He'd better not," Ron said darkly.

"I have a feeling Draco Malfoy is just going to keep his head down, go to his classes and take his N.E.W.T.S.," Hermione said. "You didn't see him today, Ron."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"He was terrified," Hermione said. "He's not the arrogant prat he used to be. He's seen too much."

"We all have," Ron said quietly.

"That's certainly true," Hermione agreed. She moved closer to his side and he put his arm around her. They stood in silence for a few minutes before Hermione looked up at him again.

"I told Harry I'd go to Grimmauld with him tonight," she said. "Do you want to join us?"

"I do, but Ginny, Charlie and I promised George we'd help him with inventory at the shop. Want to come with us instead?"

"I would, but then Harry would be alone," Hermione said, biting her bottom lip. "I don't, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Because of Sirius," Ron said with a nod.

"Yeah."

"But you're coming back to Hogwarts with us tomorrow, right?"

"Definitely," Hermione said with a smile. Ron leaned down and kissed her until his mother called them in for supper.

Harry and Hermione arrived on the doorstep of Grimmauld Place with a pop. While they hadn't been back themselves since the war ended, Remus had, to be sure it would still be suitable for him to transform there. He had warned them that the place had definitely been searched by Death Eaters after Hermione had unwittingly brought Yaxley along with them from the Ministry. Neither had been entirely prepared for the mess that awaited them, though.

The entry looked the same as always, although the troll leg umbrella stand lay on its side. Hermione was immediately reminded of Tonks and hurriedly set the thing upright. As they stepped forward towards the dining room, however, Hermione gasped.

As Harry came up beside her, his eyes widened as he took in the state of the room. Broken china and glassware covered almost every inch of the floor. Chairs had been overturned and one of the chandeliers was broken.

"What the hell did they do in here?" Harry demanded.

"Took out their frustrations about our escape, I suspect," Hermione said. Harry stepped forward and picked up half a plate that lay on the floor. Turning it over in his hand, he sighed in disgust and dropped it. The noise woke Mrs. Black's portrait.

"Mudbloods and blood traitors, bringing shame to my house!" The portrait continued to shriek as Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes at each other.

"They trash the place and couldn't figure out how to shut that one up?" Harry asked dryly as he stepped forward and yanked the curtains closed. Hermione stifled a laugh behind her hand.

"We should probably check out the rest of the house." Harry nodded and followed her to the kitchen.

The kitchen seemed relatively unscathed, given the state of the dining room. Drawers and cupboards had clearly been rifled through, but there were only a couple of broken glasses and a scattering of old newspapers around the room. Hermione put it to rights with a few waves of her wand.

The drawing room on the first floor had taken more damage, but still not as much as the dining room. Apparently breaking dishes was more satisfying than throwing books and papers around. The library next door had been gone through thoroughly, as most of the books had been removed from the shelves, but at least they had been stacked in neat piles on the floor.

The bedrooms on the first three floors didn't look much different than they had when the trio had stayed there, except the beds had been stripped of linens and the wardrobe doors hung open. Sirius' and Regulus' rooms, however, were a different story.

After Harry had given Kreacher the fake locket the previous summer, the House elf had cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. While still dark and dingy, it had at least been relatively clean and Kreacher had restored Regulus' room to its former glory. The wood had gleamed, there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere and Kreacher had arranged all of Regulus' Hogwarts achievements proudly. Sirius' room had not gotten the same treatment by any stretch of the imagination, but it had at least been clean. Now, both rooms were worse than the dining room.

Hermione could tell that Harry was holding in his rage at the state of Sirius' room. All the furniture, save the bed, had been upended, the linens ripped, the mattress slashed. Photographs had been torn to shreds as had other bits of parchment and papers. Books looked as if each individual page had been ripped out, their covers lying forlornly on the floor. Clothing was strewn everywhere and they had somehow even managed to get the Gryffindor pennant off the wall. Regulus' room was no better.

"Harry," Hermione said quietly, putting a hand on her friends' arm. "We'll clean it up."

"Why did they do this?" Harry asked through clenched teeth. "What was the point?"

"Looking for information at first, I'm sure," Hermione said, worrying her lip with her teeth. "After that, it was likely just spite, revenge, hatred." She shrugged helplessly. They both stared at the wreckage for a few more minutes before Harry sighed and spun on his heel, his feet pounding down the stairs waking Mrs. Black again.

Hermione followed more slowly and Harry had gotten the curtains shut over the portrait once more by the time she reached the entry. She glanced in the dining room again, wondering if they should even bother trying to repair the dishes or just vanish them all together. Before she could ask, Harry came up beside her and shut the door to the dining room.

"I don't want to deal with that right now," he said in explanation. Hermione nodded.

"We should probably go back to the kitchen and wait for Remus," she said. As they reached the bottom of the kitchen stairs, the Floo flared green and Remus stepped out, then turned and held out a hand as Mrs. Tonks arrived holding Teddy.

"Hello, Remus, Mrs. Tonks," Hermione said, moving forward to get a better look at the baby, followed closely by Harry.

"Hermione, Harry," Remus greeted. He siphoned the soot from Teddy's blanket wrapped form.

"Hermione, please, call me Andromeda," Mrs. Tonks said with a smile, pulling Teddy's blanket back from his face.

"I didn't know you would be here tonight," Harry said.

"Andromeda wanted to be sure the wards were set properly," Remus explained. His was tapping his fingers against his thigh again, as he had been this morning in the lift. The more Hermione watched him, the more she realized that Remus was in constant motion. He shifted from foot to foot and his hands never stopped moving.

"Not that I do not think you are capable, Harry," Andromeda was quick to add.

"No worries," Harry said. "I'm glad for the instruction. Hermione and I know most of the basic wards, but I'm not completely sure if the ones you use are different."

"I am happy to teach them to you," Andromeda said. "They are quite similar to what you likely know already with just a few differences."

"Can we just get on with it?" Remus asked flatly. Andromeda gave him a knowing look then turned to Harry and Hermione.

"You must excuse, Remus," she said, smirking. "He gets quite snappish sometimes." Remus sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry," he said. "It's not any of you."

"It's the moon," Hermione said with a nod. "We understand."

"Shall we?" Andromeda asked. Remus had already reached the door to the cellar and started down, lighting the lamps as he went. Andromeda picked her way carefully down the stairs, still holding Teddy, Harry in front of her and Hermione behind. When they reached the bottom, Hermione frowned at the large cage that took up a third of the cellar. Andromeda, seeing her expression, patted her hand.

"Next month he will have the Wolfsbane again and things will be different," the older witch said.

"Andromeda, please," Remus said, his voice strained.

"Of course," she said. "Hermione, do you mind?" Andromeda held Teddy towards her and Hermione gladly took the sleeping boy. Remus stepped inside the cage and paced as Harry shut the door and snapped the heavy Muggle lock shut.

"All right, Harry," Andromeda said raising her wand. Hermione watched intently as the wards were cast, one after the other. Her brow furrowed as Andromeda cast a silencing charm at the cellar door, then glanced at Remus and once realizing he wasn't paying attention, dropped it. Once the wards were cast, Remus looked up at them.

"Harry, you and Hermione should leave with Andromeda. If you come back after sunrise and let me out, I would appreciate it."

"We're not leaving you here on your own," Harry said.

"It's for your own protection," Remus argued.

"You're locked in an iron cage, behind a four-foot-thick, bolted oak door, both of which are warded," Harry said. "I think we'll be fine."

"Harry," Remus began again, but Harry held up a hand.

"Don't argue," he said. "We're staying." Remus shook his head and then grimaced, a low whine escaping him.

"You all need to go. Now."

"We will see you in the morning, then," Andromeda said and gestured for Harry and Hermione to go up the stairs. They all reemerged in the kitchen and Harry closed and bolted the heavy door and Andromeda warded it as well.

"Why did you take down the silencing charm?" Hermione asked. Andromeda chuckled.

"You are quite observant, aren't you?" She sighed. "Please, do not let Remus know I did that. He hates when we can hear the transformation."

"But why?" Hermione asked again.

"I am worried about him this month," Andromeda admitted. "He is convinced that the wolf is going to react badly to Dora being gone and without the Wolfsbane, I wanted you to be able to hear so you can," she paused and swallowed thickly, "so you can let me know." Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to hear anything.

"I know there is nothing we can do during the full moon," Andromeda continued. "But I want to be able to help him, later."

"We'll take care of him," Hermione said quietly to the older witch. "I promise." Andromeda gave her a small smile.

"I will be back at sunrise," she said.

"There's no need for that," Harry said. "We can let him out and help him upstairs."

"Do you know how to heal his wounds?" Andromeda demanded.

"Yes," Hermione said. Andromeda looked at her in surprise. Hermione colored slightly. "I've been reading and I spoke to Madame Pomfrey. She gave me the potions we'll need." After another few seconds Andromeda shook her head, a small smile on her face.

"I do not know why I am surprised," she said. "After everything Remus and Dora said about you." Hermione's blush deepened. Andromeda reached out for Teddy and Hermione placed the baby in her arms.

"You will help Remus home, even if he insists he does not need you to," Andromeda said. It wasn't a question.

"Of course," Harry replied.

"Thank you for doing this," Andromeda said. "Good night, Harry, Hermione."

"Good night," the chorused together as she stepped into the Floo and disappeared. Hermione turned to Harry.

"I'm not sure about the silencing charm, Harry. I don't think Remus would like that she took it down."

"I know," Harry agreed. "But, she's worried about him." Hermione sighed.

"I guess."

"What do you want to-" before Harry could finish, there was a cry of pain. Hermione moved closer to Harry, who reached out and took her hand. They stood rigid, listening to the pained noises coming from the cellar. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and bit her lip, wishing there was something, anything, she could do to help Remus. A tear slipped down her cheek as a loud howl echoed up the stairs.

There was silence for a few minutes and Hermione figured that the transformation itself was over and the werewolf below was trying to orient himself. Hermione still hadn't let go of Harry's hand when they heard the first crash. They both jumped. Another crash came followed by a howl.

"He's throwing himself into the bars," Hermione whispered, her lip trembling.

"Now I know why he wanted the silencing charm," Harry muttered.

"Harry, what are we going to do?" she asked tremulously. Harry put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him.

"There's nothing we can do, Hermione, except wait it out." Harry led her to the kitchen table and they sat down, side by side, both staring at the door to the cellar. The howls and crashes continued, followed by small yips of pain and growls and snarls.

"This is horrible," Hermione said after a few minutes.

"I know." The noises slowly tapered off and there was silence for a bit.

"Maybe he finally realized he can't get out," Harry said, after it seemed as if Remus had quieted down, at least for the moment. "We could go upstairs," Harry suggested. "Maybe clean things up a little?"

"All right," Hermione agreed. They rose and had made it to the staircase when another howl pierced the quiet. This one, though, was different than the others. It was full of pure anguish and made Hermione clutch Harry's arm. Another, just at mournful as the first, followed closely behind.

"Oh, god, Harry," Hermione said, tears flowing down her cheeks. The howls continued, full of suffering and torment. "Andromeda was right."

"Right about what?" Harry asked.

"The wolf, he's, he's mourning. Mourning for Tonks." Harry put an arm around her again and hugged her tightly. They stood in the kitchen for another few minutes, listening to the werewolf's sorrow before Harry gently pulled Hermione up the stairs.

12 May 1998

Remus panted as he finished transforming. He hadn't been in this much pain the morning after the full moon for quite some time. Moving from all fours to his side, he hissed in pain and continued to his back. He looked down and saw a rather nasty bruise on his ribs. Pushing gently with his fingers, he decided that they weren't broken, just rather bruised. He must have thrown himself into the bars of the cage the night before. Not an unusual reaction to being locked in.

There were claw marks on his chest and arms, just adding to the myriad of scars already there. He also had a large bruise on his upper right arm and right thigh. More evidence he'd tried to get out of the cage by running into the bars. He was glad that Andromeda wasn't here to see it. It would only fuel her guilt at not making the Wolfsbane for him this month.

Remus scooted toward the side of the cage and reached through the bars for the cloak he'd left there the night before. He draped it over his waist, just as the door to the cellar opened.

"Remus?" Harry called.

"I'm awake, Harry," Remus replied, then shook his head. Harry wouldn't be able to hear him with the silencing charm in place.

"All right, I'm coming down then." Remus frowned. Had Harry already lowered the wards in the cellar? When the younger man reached the bottom of the stairs, he raised his wand and lowered the wards.

"Harry," Remus said sharply before Harry could say anything. "Did you or Hermione come down here last night?"

"Not once we locked you in," Harry said in confusion.

"Then how is it that you were able to hear me before you lowered the wards? The silencing charm should have still been in place." Harry's eyes widened just a fraction before he schooled his features.

"I dunno," he said. Remus' eyes narrowed.

"I think you do," he said.

"I guess Andromeda forgot to set it," Harry said with a shrug. Remus wasn't stupid. His mother-in-law always remembered the silencing charm.

"Here are your clothes," Harry continued. "Do you need any help?"

"No, I can manage," Remus said. Harry nodded and flicked his wand at the lock on the cage door.

"I'll just wait over here then." Harry turned and stood at the base of the stairs, his back to Remus. Remus paused for a moment before deciding to deal with the silencing charm issue later. He was tired. Remus managed to pull on the shirt, but his fingers wouldn't cooperate on buttoning it. He groaned as he stood and he saw Harry start to turn around.

"I'm fine, Harry," Remus said tiredly as he pulled on his trousers. He ignored the shoes and socks. They would take more energy than he had right now.

Remus slowly made his way toward the door of the cage and swung it opened. Harry turned and hurried towards him, putting an arm around Remus and leading him towards the stairs. Remus tried not to lean against the boy too much, but it was difficult.

The trip up the stairs to the kitchen was slow and Remus was out of breath when they reached it. Harry eased him into a chair and it was only then that Remus noticed the camp bed in the corner of the room. Hermione was asleep on it, books strewn around the floor beneath her.

"She snuck down here after I fell asleep in the library," Harry said quietly. "I found her asleep at the table. I transfigured the bed and managed to get her into it without waking her." A small smile tugged at Remus' lips when he saw that most of the books Hermione had been reading were about werewolves.

Harry slid a cup of tea in front of him and Remus smiled gratefully. Then Harry pulled out a bar of Honeydukes chocolate. Remus raised a brow.

"Madame Pomfrey," Harry said with a grin. "Hermione spoke with her the other day. I also have a few pain potions here, but I'm not sure which one you need." Harry set three vials in front of him and Remus selected one, drinking it down before taking a sip of his tea and a bite of the chocolate.

"Are you hurt?" Harry asked, then shook his head. "Stupid question, of course you are."

"Nothing's broken," Remus assured him. "Just bruised."

"I knew I forgot something," Harry said. "I've got bruise paste upstairs too. You'll be all right for a minute?"

"Yes, Harry, I'll be fine," Remus said.

"I'll be right back." Harry trotted up the stairs from the kitchen. Remus sighed and took another sip of tea, wanting nothing more than to sink into his bed at home. A small murmuring drew his attention and he looked over at Hermione. She had begun to shift and fidget on the camp bed, obviously dreaming. Remus watched in concern for a few seconds, but the muttering got louder. He forced himself to his feet and shuffled towards Hermione, just as she started to whimper.

"No, no please," she said as he reached her. "Please, we found it. It's a fake, it's a fake."

"Hermione," Remus said quietly, not wanting to startle her from what was clearly a nightmare. Hermione shook her head violently.

"No," she said. "Stop, please. No!" Tears were running down her cheeks and Remus sat down on the edge of the camp bed.

"Hermione," he said again. "Hermione, wake up." Hermione continued to shake her head, twisting and shifting on the bed. He put a hand on her arm and she went rigid and then opened her mouth and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Hermione!" Remus shouted even as she thrashed. Her hand flailed out and hit the bruise on his side, causing him to hiss in pain. He could hear Harry's pounding footsteps above, obviously having heard Hermione's scream. "Hermione, wake up!"

Hermione's eyes flew open and she stared at Remus for a moment before sitting up and throwing herself into his arms, sobbing.

Remus grunted at the impact against the bruise on his ribs, then wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly just as Harry thundered down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Shh, it's all right," Remus said, rubbing Hermione's back and trying to soothe her. "It was just a dream." Hermione clung to him and he wondered just what in Merlin's name could have scared her this badly. Harry hurried towards them.

"Hermione," he whispered, adding his hand to Remus' on Hermione's back. "It's okay, Hermione, it's over. She's not here." Remus' brow furrowed as to who 'she' was, but he didn't ask.

Hermione finally seemed to quiet somewhat, her sobs diminishing to small hiccoughs. She finally pulled away from Remus.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her face bright red, though whether from embarrassment or her upset, Remus had no idea.

"No need to apologize," he said.

"Hermione?" Harry said in concern. She turned to face her best friend and the tears began anew. Harry gathered her into his arms, kneeling on the floor next to the camp bed. Remus felt a twinge as Hermione clung to Harry as she had just been doing to Remus but shook the feeling away the second it began. He was tired and Hermione was overwrought. Remus rose from the bed and got back to his chair at the table, rewarming his tea and taking a sip.

"I'm sorry, Remus," Hermione said again as Harry helped her to her feet.

"It's quite all right, Hermione," he replied.

"No, you're tired and hurt and we're supposed to be taking care of you."

"Harry has been," he assured the witch.

"Oh, right, the bruise paste," Harry said, picking up the small pot from the floor where he had dropped it. He held it out towards Remus, but Hermione took it from him.

"I'll do it," she said. She walked towards Remus. His shirt was still unbuttoned, the large bruise on his ribs clearly visible. Hermione sat down next to him and motioned to the bruise paste. Remus nodded and she spread a liberal amount on his ribs, rubbing it in as gently as possible. Remus still grimaced.

"Sorry," she said. He waved off her apology. "Anywhere else?"

"My arm," Remus said. He gingerly pulled his right arm out of the sleeve of his shirt. Hermione bit her lip as she rubbed the bruise paste into his arm. It turned out there was another bruise on his back below his right shoulder. After she had finished with that one, Hermione pulled out her wand and healed the claw marks on his chest, using the spell Poppy always had. Hermione had definitely done her homework.

"Anywhere else?" she asked.

"There's another bruise on my, erm, thigh," Remus said feeling himself blush. "I'll, erm, I'll take care of that one myself."

"Right," Hermione said with a nod, handing him the pot of bruise paste. "I'll just, put these books away." She turned and rushed over to the camp bed, gathering up as many of the books as she could carry and then hurrying up the stairs.

"Need any help?" Harry asked. Remus, remembering that he was bare beneath his trousers, shook his head.

"I'll take care of this one at home," he said, tucking the bruise paste into his pocket.

"All right then," Harry said. Remus pulled his shirt back on and managed to put on his shoes and socks. Hermione came back into the kitchen, still looking a little pink in the face.

"Thank you both for staying last night," Remus said. "I should probably get home before Andromeda starts to worry."

"I'll go with you," Harry said.

"That's not necessary," Remus replied.

"It's fine," Harry assured him. "This way I can say good morning to Teddy." Remus' eyes narrowed, but Harry simply smiled at him, reminding Remus very much of James when he was trying to act innocent. He shook his head and gestured toward the Floo.

"Bye, Remus," Hermione said. Remus gave her a smile.

"Goodbye, Hermione." He then turned and followed Harry through the Floo.