A/N - Hi all! Well, Anthony got quite the reaction last chapter! ;) He's not a bad guy, just a bit rigid in his thinking of right and wrong. More will be explained in this chapter. Thanks everyone for reading!

Chapter 35

N.E.W.T.S.

30 May 1999

Hermione looked up from her parchment and sat back in her chair with a groan. They had been studying for hours and she needed a break. Ginny looked up from her Potions book.

"Break?" she asked.

"Yes," Hermione said in relief. She looked over at Anthony who was scribbling away at something. Hermione suspected he was rewriting his notes again, a revising technique that he swore by. He didn't even look up as the two women spoke softly.

"Do you want to go sit by the lake for a bit?" Ginny asked.

"That sounds wonderful," Hermione agreed. "Anthony?" He held up a finger to ask her to wait a minute and Hermione sat patiently until he finished his paragraph.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Do you want to come with us? We're going to go outside for a bit." Hermione said.

"No, I'm fine," he said.

"Anthony," Hermione said gently. "You've been here for six hours. You didn't even stop for lunch."

"I want to finish these Transfiguration notes," Anthony said, already going back to writing. Hermione put a hand over his and stopped the motion of his quill.

"I think you should stop for a while."

"I don't need to take a break," he said, brow furrowed in confusion. Hermione glanced at Ginny.

"I'll meet you outside, yeah?" Ginny said. Hermione nodded.

"I'll see you in a few minutes." Ginny picked up her bag and gave Hermione a sympathetic look before she left the library. Hermione turned back to Anthony.

"Please come outside with me," she said. Anthony sighed and put his quill down.

"You do realize that N.E.W.T.S. begin in a week?"

"Of course, I do," Hermione said.

"Then why would you insist that I stop revising to sit outside?" he asked calmly. Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. She and Anthony didn't disagree about things very often, but when they did, this was the stance he took. He stayed calm and tried to point out the holes in her argument. While Hermione did not miss the screaming rows she and Ron used to have, the lack of emotion Anthony showed was almost as irritating. Still, she inwardly took a breath and looked back at him.

"I just think that it would be a good idea if you rested for a bit, maybe got something to eat," she said calmly.

"I ate a large breakfast this morning in anticipation of skipping lunch," he said. "As for resting, you are aware that the library closes at midnight. And you know that I go straight to my dorm after that, where I sleep for at least six hours. I don't need rest or food right now." He picked up his quill again. "Your argument has no merit."

Hermione immediately bristled. If there was anything she hated, it was being told she was wrong, even in the calm, matter-of-fact way Anthony did it. The fact that he always looked at everything so rationally drove her mad sometimes. When she didn't get up from the table, Anthony sighed again.

"Hermione," he said. "I missed quite a bit of studying time last weekend when I went to the Quidditch match. I calculated how much revising time I would likely miss, given the likely length of the match, and I knew I could get that time back if I skipped lunch this week." Hermione stared at him. He calculated how much study time he could miss? He returned to his notes.

"Thirty minutes, that's all I'm asking," she finally said.

"And I am asking you to respect my revising time," he said. Hermione sighed.

"Fine," she said, shoving things into her bag and getting up from her chair. "Enjoy yourself." She looked back over her shoulder at him as she left the library, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Everything all right?" Ginny asked as Hermione joined her near the lake.

"No," Hermione said petulantly, dropping to the ground next to Ginny.

"He's not coming, I take it."

"No," Hermione said again. "He says he doesn't need a break."

"Maybe he doesn't," Ginny said. Hermione looked at her in surprise and Ginny shrugged. "I mean, he is a Ravenclaw and some of them, all they do is study. I don't think I ever spent more time in the library than I did when I was dating Michael. Sometimes, he didn't even have homework, he just went in there to read." Hermione snorted in laughter and Ginny smirked.

"I can't believe I'm sitting here saying that I think someone is revising too much," Hermione said with a shake of her head.

"Do you think he's really overdoing it?" Ginny asked seriously. "Like needs a visit from Madame Pomfrey overdoing it?" Hermione furrowed a brow and thought about it.

"I guess not," she finally said. "I mean, he doesn't look overly tired or anything. And he's not getting snappish."

"Really?" Ginny said, sounding a bit surprised. Hermione shrugged.

"Anthony discusses, he doesn't argue. He's rational and calm about everything. Well, almost everything." She paused and looked out over the lake. "It's a bit irritating to be honest."

"What do you mean, almost everything?" Ginny asked.

"I told you how shocked he was when he found out I set Professor Snape's robes on fire first year."

"Is he still upset about that?" Ginny asked.

"No," Hermione said. "He said he was just surprised that I did it."

"Why?"

"He said he always thought that I was the voice of reason amongst Harry, Ron and me." Ginny snorted.

"Better not ever tell him you kept Rita Skeeter in a jar for a week." Hermione burst out laughing and Ginny grinned at her.

"No, I suppose I shouldn't," Hermione agreed. "He is a bit of a stickler for the rules."

"But he was in the D.A.," Ginny said. "If that wasn't breaking the rules, I don't know what was."

"That was different," Hermione said. "Umbridge coming in and just arbitrarily setting absurd rules for the sole purpose of trying to undermine Dumbledore made them invalid. Or something like that." Ginny stared at her.

"How does your brain not hurt after having a conversation with him?" Hermione hit her lightly on the arm.

"Stop," Hermione said, but she was struggling to hold back a smile. "Just because he's serious and hard-working, doesn't make him boring."

"Right," Ginny said. "Remember when I told you that you should enjoy your last few months of school? I meant have fun, Hermione."

"You're horrible," Hermione said. "Besides, who says I'm not having fun?" Ginny turned to stare at her, eyes narrowed.

"Have you been holding out on me, Granger?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione said primly, but her eyes danced.

"You have been!" Ginny exclaimed. "I want details. Now."

"Hermione, can I speak with you?" Hermione looked up from her supper. Anthony was standing there, his bag on his shoulder. She hadn't returned to the library that afternoon, choosing instead to sit outside with Ginny. Luna and a few of the others from their year joined them. The initial guilt she felt at not revising the entire day faded quickly as she enjoyed her friends' company.

"Of course," she said, putting her napkin on her plate and getting up from the table. Anthony led her out of the Great Hall to the same alcove they had spoken in after the Quidditch match.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Fine, why?" Hermione replied in confusion.

"When you didn't return to the library, I was concerned."

"Oh, well, I ended up sitting outside for the rest of the afternoon, talking with my friends." Anthony stared at her as if he didn't understand what she'd just said. She sighed.

"Anthony, do you remember our Defense Against the Dark Arts exam in third year?"

"Of course, the obstacle course of sorts that Professor Lupin set up," he replied looking a bit confused about her change in topic. "It was a rather ingenious way to test us on everything we'd learned."

"Right, well, there was a boggart at the end, remember?" Anthony nodded. "My boggart turned into Professor McGonagall and she told me that I'd failed all my exams. I was so upset that I had a panic attack. Madame Pomfrey had to give me two Calming Draughts before I finally calmed down." Anthony looked concerned and took her hand.

"During O.W.L.S. I was like a crazy person. I made color-coded studying charts for myself and Harry and Ron and I was incensed when they didn't follow theirs. After every exam, I spent hours poring over my notes to make sure I had gotten everything right, as well as trying to study for the next one. But, after everything that's happened over the last two years, I just," she shook her head. "Classes are still important, as are exams, but they're not the only things that are important." She looked back up at him. "You do know what I mean, right?"

"I assume you're trying to tell me that you think I'm studying too much," he said.

"Well, yes." Anthony smiled.

"I appreciate that you're concerned about me," Anthony said. "It's rather sweet, actually." Hermione blushed slightly. "But I promise you that I'm fine."

"It's not healthy to sit in the library for ten hours at a time," Hermione protested.

"You know that I want to be an Unspeakable," Anthony reminded her. "Do you know how difficult it is to even get an interview for that department? If I want to even be considered, I have to have top marks on my exams."

"I know, but," Hermione began but he shook his head to interrupt her.

"After N.E.W.T.S. are over, I'm all yours," he said. "But I'm asking you to please trust me enough to know that I will not have a panic attack or make myself sick or drive myself into exhaustion. I want to be able to actually take my N.E.W.T.S., not just study for them." He smirked and Hermione smiled. His thumb began to rub over the back of her hand. "Like I said, I am glad that you're worried about me, though."

"Of course, I worry about you," Hermione said. Anthony smiled and Hermione moved forward. When she kissed him, he pulled back from her after only a few seconds.

"Hermione, we're Prefects," he said, looking around to see if anyone was nearby.

"That's not what you said a few days ago after Charms," she replied. He'd snogged her breathless in one of the short-cuts to the library Hermione had showed him. Anthony reddened and she smiled.

"But we're right outside the Great Hall," he said. Hermione rolled her eyes and waved her wand over the two of them.

"There, now no one can see us," she said.

"Did you just cast a notice-me-not charm?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied, wondering if he would protest. He looked like he was going to before he pulled her towards him and kissed her. Hermione relaxed into the kiss and they stood in the shadows of the alcove, snogging for a few minutes before he finally pulled away from her.

"I do need to get back to the library," he said. Hermione was gratified to see that he looked disappointed about leaving.

"All right," she said, cancelling the charm.

"Will you be joining me?" he asked.

"In a bit," she said with a nod. "I have to go back to my room to get my bag." Anthony smiled and kissed her chastely one more time before heading for the library.

10 June 1999

"Well done," Remus said. He patted the third-year on the shoulder. Garrett grinned up at him.

"Thanks, Mr. Lupin."

"You're quite welcome." Remus glanced at his watch. "That's it for today, I think. Are you feeling better about the spell now?"

"Yes, sir."

"You'll do fine on your Transfiguration exam," Remus said. "Confidence, don't forget that."

"I won't, sir," Garrett said, shouldering his bag. "Thanks again." The boy left the classroom they had been using for practice. Remus gathered up his books and shrunk them before slipping them into the pocket of his robes. He extinguished the lamps with a wave of his wand and left the classroom as well.

Garrett had been his last tutoring session of the day. While O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. were currently being administered, regular exams wouldn't start for another few days and Remus had been busy with last-minute questions from students all day. He was eager to get home.

He made his way down the corridor and stepped onto one of the moving staircases. He had only made it to the third step before the staircase decided to move and swung in the completely opposite direction that Remus wanted to go. Cursing under his breath, he waited for the staircase to stop moving and then hurried down it, regaining his bearings as to where he was. The section of the castle he was in was relatively unused and when Remus looked around, he remembered that Sirius used to bring girls here for privacy.

"Stupid staircases," a male voice said. Someone laughed.

"At least it was after the exam," the second person replied and Remus realized it was Hermione. "I'm glad it's over." Remus could hear two sets of footsteps moving towards him.

"It was worse than I thought it was going to be," the first voice said.

"Well, we knew Arithmancy was going to be the most difficult," Hermione replied. "At least we've got the day off tomorrow." Remus' brow furrowed as he tried to remember the N.E.W.T.S. schedule for the next day. Divination and something else, Astronomy perhaps? Regardless, obviously Hermione and whoever her companion was didn't have either class. Their footsteps stopped.

"Library, then?" he asked. Remus heard Hermione sigh.

"Anthony, it's only an hour until supper and we've got all day tomorrow to revise." It was Goldstein then.

"Hermione," Goldstein said, a bit of warning in his voice.

"I know what you said and I've left you alone about it, haven't I?"

"Yes," he agreed.

"Then can't you, just this once, take an hour off?" There was silence and Remus knew he should leave and stop eavesdropping on them, but something wouldn't let him move.

"It's only an hour," Hermione said again and Remus heard movement, but no footsteps. They were quiet again. Why was he still here? Remus felt like someone had used a sticking charm on his feet.

"You make it very difficult to say no," Goldstein said with a bit of humor in his voice.

"Then, don't," Hermione replied cheekily. Goldstein laughed lightly. Remus heard the rustling of robes and more silence. Well, not complete silence, he thought, eyes narrowing. Something tightened in his chest and without thinking about it, Remus walked quickly around the corner.

He had made enough noise that the two of them pulled apart abruptly. Hermione's face immediately turned red.

"Professor," Anthony said in surprise. He stood up straighter, dropping his arm from around Hermione's waist.

"Remus," Hermione stuttered out. "I didn't know you were here today."

"Just finished my last tutoring session," Remus said, his voice clipped and his eyes on Goldstein as he spoke. The boy visibly swallowed. Remus glanced at Hermione from the corner of his eye. She still looked embarrassed, but also confused, likely at his tone. Remus forced himself to calm; he had no idea why he was so upset in the first place. Hermione and Goldstein were adults and if they wanted a bit of privacy, it was none of his business. He couldn't take points or give detention, he wasn't a professor, despite Goldstein still insisting on calling him so.

That was another thing. Why did Remus keep referring to him as Goldstein in his head? He had always been cordial with his students, even calling them by their first names in some cases.

"I'm sorry for interrupting," Remus said. "I got turned around by the staircases."

"So did we," Hermione said. "We just finished an exam." Goldstein, no Anthony, took hold of Hermione's hand. He still looked nervous and Remus felt a growl forming in his throat. He swallowed it down.

"I would just like to remind the two of you that the staircases often shift without warning," Remus said. A voice inside his head, that sounded quite like Sirius, was screaming at him to stop talking, but Remus couldn't help himself. "I wouldn't want any of the younger students to…happen upon you." Hermione's cheeks, which had finally lost their color, bloomed red once again. Remus cursed himself in his head. What the hell was he doing? Goldst-, Anthony looked a bit horrified.

"Of course not, Professor," Anthony said, "I apologize." Hermione mumbled an apology as well and Remus felt horrible.

"No harm done," he said, trying to smile and failing miserably. "I should get going." He looked at Hermione again.

"Have a good evening, Hermione, and good luck on the rest of your N.E.W.T.S." Remus nodded at Anthony. "Mr. Goldstein." Remus turned and the staircases finally cooperated, one swinging into place just as he reached it.

Remus hurried down the stairs towards the Entrance Hall. He had no idea why he had been so upset at encountering Hermione and Gold-, Anthony. She obviously hadn't been upset by the boy's attentions and Hermione was free to date who she liked. Remus had always found Anthony Goldstein to be a polite, intelligent student, who was never in any trouble as far as Remus knew. Remus had no reason to be jealous of him.

Remus stopped abruptly as he reached the front doors of the castle. Jealous? Of Anthony Goldstein? Surely not. What possible reason could he have to be jealous? Before his traitorous brain could come up with a reason, Remus shoved it away and hurried out to the grounds, more anxious than ever to get home to his son.

Hermione groaned once Remus was out of sight.

"That was horribly embarrassing," she said. Anthony still looked nervous.

"Why do I get the feeling that Professor Lupin hates me?"

"He doesn't hate you," Hermione said.

"Did you see the looks he was giving me?" Anthony asked. Hermione's brow furrowed.

"He did look a little," she trailed off, not sure how to explain what she'd seen.

"Intense? Furious? Murderous?" Anthony supplied.

"I think you're getting a little carried away," Hermione scoffed.

"Well, he didn't look pleased to see me, that's for sure," Anthony said.

"I think it was more the situation he found us in, than you."

"Really? Did you notice that he only wished you luck on your exams?"

"We're friends," Hermione said, knowing it was a weak excuse. Remus had always been kind to all his students. Normally, he would have wished them both luck.

"It almost seems like he was-" Anthony stopped and shook his head.

"Was what?" Hermione pressed.

"Nothing," Anthony said.

"No, tell me," Hermione requested.

"It's like he was…jealous."

"Jealous?" Hermione repeated. "That's ridiculous."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," she said. Anthony studied her for a moment before he nodded.

"Shall we head down to supper?" he asked.

"We've still got more than a half hour," Hermione said taking his hand again.

"I think the mood has been well and truly killed, Hermione." She sighed. He was right she supposed.

"We could take a walk first," she suggested, giving him a smile.

"All right," he agreed. Again, the staircases seemed to cooperate and one swung into place as soon as they made their decision. Hermione wondered, not for the first time, just how sentient the castle was.

As she and Anthony strolled across the grounds toward the lake, Hermione wondered just what had gotten into Remus. The moon had been eleven days ago, so it couldn't have been that. Hermione was sure he was tired from tutoring all day, but he had been just as friendly with her as he always was. It seemed as if it was only Anthony Remus had issue with. But it couldn't be what Anthony said. Remus must have just been concerned that Anthony was taking liberties with her or something. That must have been it, it was the only explanation that made sense.

18 June 1999

Hermione looked up from her breakfast as the owls began to fly in. As she no longer subscribed to the Prophet, which still tended more towards sensationalism than actual fact, Hermione wasn't expecting anything. She was surprised, therefore, when an owl landed next to her plate. She removed the letter from his leg and saw the official Ministry seal on the back of the envelope. Her heart began to beat faster as she fed the owl a bit of bacon and it flew off.

"What is it?" Ginny asked.

"It's from the Ministry," Hermione said. Ginny sat up straighter.

"It's an interview," Ginny said. "I know it."

"Oh, don't say that," Hermione begged. "I don't want to jinx it."

"Well, open it," Ginny said.

"Yes, open it," Anthony said. Hermione looked up and saw Anthony standing behind her. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"How did-" she began but stopped at Anthony's chuckle.

"I could tell you I'd had a premonition," he said. Hermione made a face and Anthony laughed again. "But I was on my way over already and I saw the seal."

"Open it, already," Ginny demanded, getting impatient. Hermione took a deep breath and broke the seal on the envelope. She pulled out the letter inside, her eyes scanning quickly across the parchment.

"Well?" Anthony said after a few minutes.

"It's an interview, right?" Ginny questioned.

"No," Hermione replied. "It's not an interview." Ginny's face fell and Anthony sat down next to her, putting a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"No, it's," Hermione shook her head, still in disbelief. "It's not an interview, they, they offered me the job."

"What?" Ginny said. Hermione's shock was slowly giving way to elation. A smile started forming on her face.

"The head of the department said that he doesn't feel the need to interview me, that my grades and actions during the war speak for themselves. He wants me to come in and have a meeting to discuss the position, but it's mine if I want it."

"Hermione, that's amazing!" Ginny said.

"Congratulations," Anthony said with a smile. "I'm so proud of you." Hermione beamed.

"Now you don't even have to worry about your Runes N.E.W.T. today," Ginny said with a laugh. Anthony looked at her in shock.

"She should still strive to do her best," Anthony admonished. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Relax, Goldstein, I was just teasing." Anthony looked as if exams were nothing to joke about. Hermione, wanting to avoid the lecture she was sure that Anthony was about to give Ginny, turned to him.

"I should reply to this," she said. "Will you help me, make sure it sounds all right?"

"Of course," he said with a smile, rising from the bench and holding out a hand to her to help her up. Ginny gave her a quick hug before Hermione and Anthony left the Great Hall.

Hermione looked at the letter in her hand again. She could hear the party going on in the Common Room, celebrating the end of exams, but she had been sitting here rereading her letter from the Ministry for quite some time.

Despite her initial excitement about the job offer, she was now feeling a bit guilty. She should have at least had to go through an interview, not just been hired because of her name.

"There you are," Ginny said as she came into the room. "Why aren't you downstairs at the party?" When Hermione didn't answer, Ginny moved further into the room and looked down at the letter in Hermione's hand. "Why are you reading your letter from the Ministry?"

"I'm having second thoughts," Hermione said with a sigh. Ginny sat down beside her.

"I thought you wanted to work for the DRCMC?"

"I do, it's not that," Hermione replied. "It's just, why aren't they making me interview?"

"They told you why," Ginny said in confusion.

"I know, but," Hermione trailed off. "I want to get a job because I deserve it, not because of my name." Ginny stared at her, gobsmacked, before she started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"You," Ginny said, still laughing. "Thinking you don't deserve this job." Hermione scowled.

"Honestly, Ginny, it's not that funny," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Sorry, but it is," Ginny said, wiping a tear from her cheek as she regained her breath. "Hermione you're the top student in your year, have been since you were a firstie. You got ten O.W.L.S. You helped Harry defeat Voldemort. If anything, you're overqualified."

"My N.E.W.T. scores aren't even in," Hermione protested. Ginny scoffed.

"As if you're not going to pass every single one. Besides plenty of people have gotten hired at the Ministry before N.E.W.T.S. are in."

"Really?" Hermione questioned. Ginny nodded.

"Percy did," she said with a shrug.

"I thought Percy's hiring was conditional, depending on what he got on his N.E.W.T.S.," Hermione questioned.

"Like he wasn't going to pass all his too," Ginny said, with a wave of her hand.

"Still, Gin," Hermione began, but Ginny interrupted her.

"Look, Hermione, I'm sure that the department head nearly wet his pants when he got your letter asking about a position," she said. Hermione rolled her eyes. "But that doesn't mean that you're not qualified."

"I don't want special treatment," Hermione mumbled.

"Then just go in and do your job and prove to everyone that you deserve to be there, interview or not."

"I suppose you're right," Hermione said.

"Of course, I am," Ginny said. "Now, come on, exams are over, school is over, it's time to celebrate." Hermione tucked the letter into her school bag and followed her friend from the room.

20 June 1998

Hermione and Anthony reached the last car on the train as they did their final patrol as Prefects. Anthony glanced at his watch.

"Five more minutes and we're officially no longer in charge of anything," he said.

"But we're only halfway to London," Hermione said in confusion.

"True, but we are finished with school and I informed Declan that once our patrol was over, we were no longer Prefects either." Hermione stared at Anthony in surprise. He had told the Head Boy that they weren't going to fulfill any Prefect duties for the second half of the train ride?

She studied Anthony carefully. He was much more relaxed than she had seen him in the last three weeks, likely because not only were they finished with school and exams, but he had gotten an interview at the Ministry for the Department of Mysteries.

Anthony opened the door to the final compartment on the train. Surprisingly, it was empty.

"Would you like to join me for a bit?" he asked, looking slightly nervous. Hermione smiled.

"I would, thank you," she said. They stepped into the compartment and Anthony led her to one of the seats. He put an arm around her when they sat down and Hermione leaned into his side. He kissed her temple and when she looked up with a smile, he lowered his head and snogged her breathless. Given that he'd given her nothing but chaste kisses since Remus had caught them a week earlier, she was a bit surprised.

"You know," she said when she had finally caught her breath. "I think I remember you telling me a week or so ago, that you were all mine once N.E.W.T.S. were over."

"I believe I recall that conversation," he said with a smile. Hermione returned it.

"And since we're officially no longer Prefects or students," she said, trailing off and looking up at him, hoping he would understand what she meant. He looked at her quizzically. "I mean, we're all alone here." Hermione blamed her boldness on still being a bit giddy about her job offer two days ago, as well as the excitement of finally finishing school and her N.E.W.T.S. Anthony stared at her for a moment.

"I'm not sure what you're suggesting," he said slowly, but Hermione had the feeling that he had a bit of an idea. Hermione's heart started beating faster, wondering if she was sure what she was suggesting.

"I'm suggesting that we…find something to do," she said after a pause. Anthony visibly swallowed. He closed his eyes and took a breath, then looked at her again. She thought he was going to say something about breaking the rules, but he kissed her instead.

"Hermione," he said when they parted again, sounding a bit breathless. "I, are you, I mean, on the train?" Hermione opened her mouth to say yes, then closed it again.

While she and Ron had done more than just snog, there were always so many people at the Burrow that Hermione hadn't ever let it go too far, mostly for fear they'd be interrupted. She wouldn't have been able to live with the humiliation of Molly or Merlin forbid, Arthur, walking in on them.

If she had been nervous about being interrupted at the Burrow, why on earth would she suggest the train? Sure, they were alone for the time being, but that could change quite quickly. Despite Anthony saying that they were no longer Prefects, officially they were, until the train arrived in London at any rate. Feeling incredibly foolish, she turned red and pulled away from him.

"Forget I said anything," she muttered.

"No," Anthony said, reaching for her hand and tugging gently to get her to look at him. "I don't want to forget it."

"You, you don't?" she asked tentatively.

"Gods, no," he said, laughing a bit breathlessly. "It's just,"

"The train," she finished for him.

"Right," he said. "I don't want, I mean, I wouldn't want anyone to interrupt."

"No," she agreed, blushing and looking down at her lap. She looked up at him from under her lashes and gathered her courage once again. "You know that my parents are in Australia and will be for the foreseeable future," she said. Anthony stared at her. "So, I'll be going home by myself this afternoon." She saw him pull in a breath. "Your interview at the Ministry isn't until Thursday and I don't start my job for another week."

"My, uh, my parents are meeting me at, at the station," he stuttered out. Hermione took his hand and he seemed to calm somewhat. "But, tomorrow," he trailed off and looked at her. She smiled and he surged forward and kissed her.

"Yes," he said when he pulled away.

"Yes," she repeated.

22 June 1999

Anthony kissed the top of her head and Hermione smiled from her position against his side, her head on his chest.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"That I'm glad we don't have to leave this bed anytime soon," he said. She laughed. The first time yesterday afternoon had been a bit awkward and painful, at least on her end, not to mention over rather quickly. The second time, later last night, had been much more enjoyable. She wouldn't protest giving it another go this morning, however.

Anthony had arrived yesterday afternoon and after nervously smiling at one another and making small talk for nearly an hour, Hermione had finally taken measures into her own hands and made the first move. Anthony had responded enthusiastically and quickly and they hadn't made it off the couch. Later, after eating takeaway, she'd brought him upstairs to her bedroom where they had taken their time and then fallen asleep wrapped around one another.

She propped her chin on his chest and he leaned up and kissed her, before lying back again. He ran his fingers up and down her back when she continued looking at him.

"Where do you parents think you are?" she asked. Anthony looked at her incredulously.

"You're asking me about my parents while we're naked in your bed? Are you trying to kill the mood?" he asked and she laughed again.

"No, I'm just curious."

"Well, considering I'm well over age, they don't really have much say in what I do," he replied, propping an arm behind his head. "But my mum still worries, so I told her I was going to Michael and Terry's."

"They have a flat on Diagon Alley, right?" Hermione asked. Anthony hummed in agreement.

"Yes, and actually Terry asked me if I might like to move in," he said. "Apparently Michael is moving out, he's getting a flat with Sally-Ann Perks."

"I didn't know they were dating," Hermione said.

"Since just after the war, so a little over a year," Anthony said. "Terry thinks Michael is being foolish, but I've seen the two of them together. They're so adorable, it's nauseating." Hermione grinned.

"Enough about my friends though," Anthony continued, leaning forward to kiss her again. The kiss deepened and Anthony shifted so they were lying side by side. They were so wrapped up in one another, Hermione almost didn't hear the noise from downstairs. Almost.

She froze and Anthony pulled back to look at her in confusion.

"Hermione, what," he began.

"Shh," she hissed, straining to hear. There was a click, sounding like a door closing. Anthony's eyes widened and he turned to grab for his wand on the bedside table. Hermione summoned hers and Anthony struggled to get out of the bed, his leg twisting in the sheet.

"Shh," Hermione hissed again, hearing quiet voices and footsteps from the floor below. She jumped out of bed, grabbing Anthony's shirt from the floor and slipping it on even as she made her way to her trunk. Opening it, she summoned the box of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes George had sent her for her birthday and quickly rummaged through it, pulling out the Extendable Ear.

Anthony had managed to untangle himself from the sheets, gotten into his pants and currently had one leg in his trousers. When he saw the ear, he abandoned the trousers and followed Hermione to the door, wand still in his hand.

While the Ear would likely work better if they would have gone out into the corridor, Hermione didn't want to risk opening the door and attracting the attention of whoever was downstairs. Why hadn't the wards pinged? Or maybe they had and Hermione just hadn't noticed as distracted as she had been by Anthony's lips.

She shook her head to clear it and shoved the Ear under her bedroom door and out into the corridor. The voices immediately became louder, but she still had to concentrate to hear.

"Of course, she's here," a man's voice said. "The cat's here."

"Maybe she's still asleep," said a woman's voice.

"At ten o'clock on a weekday?" the man's voice said, getting louder. Hermione's eyes widened as she recognized it.

"Well, maybe she's gone out," the woman said. Hermione groaned.

"Who is it?" Anthony whispered.

"It's my parents." The look on Anthony's face was so comical that Hermione had to fight the urge to laugh, despite the situation. He was horrified and terrified all at once.

"I thought they were in Australia."

"So did I," Hermione muttered. She yanked the Ear back inside her room, realizing that the reason the voices were getting louder was because her parents were on their way upstairs.

Anthony was hurriedly trying to get his trousers on once more and the sight of him hopping around the room was more than Hermione could stand. She started to giggle, clapping her hand over her mouth to stifle the noise. Anthony's incredulous look only made her laugh harder. She quickly cast a silencing charm on the room.

"I can't believe you're laughing," Anthony hissed as he finally got his second leg in his trousers and yanked them up.

"I'm sorry," she said, still shaking with mirth.

"Hermione," he snapped. "What are we going to do?"

"Do you want to hide in the wardrobe?" she asked, only partly joking. She could hear her parents going into their bedroom, likely to put away their suitcases. She knew they would be knocking on her door in only a few moments.

"I'm just going to Disapparate. Keep the silencing charm up," he said. "Can I have my shirt?" Hermione didn't miss the way he stared at her when she shrugged it off her shoulders and she hid a smile. She picked up her own shirt and transfigured it into a nightgown and slipped it over her head.

"Hermione?" there was a knock at the door. Anthony picked up his shoes and socks and began to turn, then stopped and pulled Hermione quickly to him, kissing her soundly before letting her go. He disappeared a second later and Hermione dropped the silencing charm.

"Princess, are you in there?" her father called. Hermione took a breath and opened her door, trying to look sleepy.

"Dad?" she questioned. "Mum? What are you doing here?"

"Surprise," her father said with a smile. "We thought we'd come and spend some time with you before you started your new job."

"Oh," Hermione replied.

"What's the matter?" her mother asked. "You don't look very happy to see us."

"I am," Hermione insisted. "I'm just a bit shocked you're here is all." She moved forward and hugged them both. "Let me just get dressed and I'll come downstairs. We can have breakfast."

"You haven't eaten yet?" her dad asked in surprise.

"No, um, late night last night," Hermione said. Her mum's eyes narrowed in suspicion and Hermione forced herself not to react. "You know, celebrating the end of school and all."

"On a weeknight?" her dad asked.

"Well, hardly anyone is working yet," Hermione said. "And most everyone spent time with their families on Sunday night when we got home, so yes." She saw her mother studying her closely. "I'll be right down. It's so great that you're here!" Hermione stepped back into her room and closed the door. When she heard her parents move back downstairs, she leaned against the back of the door and blew out a breath. Ginny was going to laugh for days when Hermione told her about this.