A/N - I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for all of the reviews, favorites and follows. They mean the world to me!

Chapter 51

Discovered

17 March 2000

Hermione said good-bye to Hagrid as she reached the steps to the castle. While they had chatted during their walk from the school gates, Hermione made a mental note to visit him again soon. It had been too long since they'd had a good talk.

She walked into the Entrance Hall and smiled. Stepping into Hogwarts always felt a little bit like coming home. There were a few stragglers leaving the Great Hall after supper and Hermione looked up when someone called her name. She smiled when she realized it was Claire.

Claire and Annie ran towards her, hugging her tightly, while David approached a bit more slowly, rolling his eyes at the two girls' enthusiasm.

"Hello, David," Hermione said. He returned her smile and allowed himself to be pulled into a short one-armed hug. Hermione was surprised to realize that he was nearly as tall as she was now, although she shouldn't have been. He was nearly fourteen after all.

"It's so good to see the three of you," Hermione said. "I've missed you." She had written to all of them but hadn't seen them since the fall. They had all been too busy over the Christmas holidays.

"We miss you too," Claire replied. "School isn't the same at all without you."

"How come you're here?" Annie asked.

"I'm here to discuss something with Professor McGonagall," Hermione explained. Claire's eyes lit up.

"Are you going to be a teacher next year?" she asked. Hermione laughed.

"No," she said, then laughed again at Claire's pout. "No, it has to do with my job, but I really can't say anything more than that. Would you like to walk with me?" The three students nodded. The girls chattered away at her, David adding to the conversation here and there. When they reached the gargoyle, Hermione smiled at the three of them. They seemed so much happier than they had a year ago.

"I've got to get to my meeting," she said. "But I'm so happy I ran into you." Claire and Annie hugged her again and David waved good-bye. Hermione was tempted to tell them about Harry inviting them to Quidditch but decided to wait until he knew the date.

"Bye, Hermione!" Claire called as the three of them disappeared down the corridor. Hermione gave the gargoyle the password and stepped onto the staircase.

"Good evening, Hermione," Professor McGonagall said as Hermione walked into her office.

"Hello, Professor." Hermione settled herself into one of the chairs in front of the professor's desk.

"Please, you must call me Minerva," the professor said. "You are no longer a student, my dear." Hermione smiled and inclined her head in agreement. "Now, I apologize for the outcome of the vote. While I knew that Mr. Fawley did not support the class, I never imagined this was the way he would go about making sure it was not approved."

"It wasn't your fault," Hermione said.

"Be that as it may, I am still sorry," Minerva said with a frown. "I would still like to pursue the class, but I am not sure just how we will go about it."

"I'm sure you know that I am in favor of a class that discusses the welfare and rights of all magical beings and creatures," Hermione said. "But I expect that it wouldn't be approved as another addition to the curriculum."

"Only as an elective," Minerva replied. "And that somewhat defeats the purpose."

"Yes," Hermione agreed. As an elective, the only students likely to take the class were ones who were already interested in the subject anyway, not those students whose views they really wanted to change. Hermione supposed that some students would take it, hoping it would be an easier alternative than Arithmancy or Ancient Runes, as Harry and Ron had done with Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. But that still wouldn't solve…Hermione's thoughts trailed off as she thought of something. She started a bit and sat up taller in her chair.

"Profess-, I mean, Minerva," she said. "What if we didn't make it another class at all?" The headmistress' brow furrowed in confusion.

"I'm afraid I do not follow," she said.

"What if we combined it with other classes?" Hermione said. She stood from her chair, beginning to pace as she warmed to the idea. "With Care of Magical Creatures or Defense Against the Dark Arts? We could even have guest lecturers come in to do the seminars." She glanced at the Headmistress who sat with her lips pursed, clearly deep in thought.

"The only problem is that the curriculum for Defense is already very full. I am not sure how we could add more to it. It would be easier to combine with Care of Magical Creatures, but," Minerva paused.

"But not every group that should be in the class is a creature," Hermione finished with a sigh. "Not to mention that Care of Magical Creatures doesn't start until third year and not everyone takes it. We didn't study werewolves in Defense until third year either." She sat down in the chair, feeling dejected. She could just imagine how well it would go over if the Goblins, for example, found out they were being studied in Care of Magical Creatures class.

Hermione's brow furrowed. They had studied the Goblin Rebellions in History of Magic, along with the Giant Wars and the Werewolf Code of Conduct. In fact, they had studied nearly every magical being in some capacity during their five years. Why not include her werewolf seminar, along with the rest, into History of Magic?

Professor Binns. Professor Binns was the reason this wouldn't work. Besides the fact that he was dead boring, no pun intended, Hermione highly doubted they could convince him to change his curriculum to include anything that he hadn't been teaching for the last fifty or more years.

"You have had a thought?" Minerva asked, seeing the changing expression on Hermione's face.

"Yes, but I doubt it would work," she said.

"Let me be the judge of that."

"Well, I was thinking that it might be easier to include the seminars into History of Magic." Minerva's face turned thoughtful. "Many topics about these groups are already included, we would just have to expand on them. But then I realized that Professor Binns would likely be a problem," Hermione finished.

"Yes, Cuthbert would not understand the need to change his lectures," Minerva agreed. Hermione nodded glumly.

"However," Minerva continued. Hermione looked up, a bit of hope in her expression. "I have already decided that it is high time to remove Cuthbert and find a more competent teacher. One that doesn't drive the students into a stupor when lecturing."

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Do you realize how long it has been since we have had a student that continued on with History of Magic past O.W.L. level?" Minerva asked. "Not since I first began teaching here, when Cuthbert was still alive. Although, I cannot say he was any more interesting then." There were a few chuckles and coughs that were clearly disguising laughs from the portraits behind her. Hermione tried to keep the grin from her face.

"In fact, I am not sure just what some of my predecessors were thinking, allowing the man, and then ghost, to continue to teach." She mostly glared up at Professor Dumbledore, although she had a look for Professor Dippet as well.

"Now, Minerva," Professor Dippet began.

"Nothing from you, Armando," she said her voice clipped. "I distinctly remember coming to you with a petition, signed by the majority of my fellow students in my fifth year, asking for his dismissal. And you know very well how I felt about this as a teacher, Albus." Both portraits, suitably chastised, said nothing.

"It will not be easy to remove him from the castle, Minerva," Phineas Nigellus said.

"He doesn't have to leave the castle," Minerva said. "He can stay here as long as he likes. I just want him to leave the classroom."

"Easier said than done," one of the other portraits spoke up. Apparently, this was not the first time that this particular problem had been discussed.

"Pro-, Minerva," Hermione said. "I'm sure that Mr. Nithercott from the Ministry would be willing to help. I worked with him for a few weeks last year." While Hermione had been thoroughly bored during her tenure as an employee of the Spirit Division, she would be the first to admit that the Division Head knew how to do his job.

"I will likely need to contact him, but for now, I think that you and I should discuss these new seminars," Minerva said.

"Do you think that the Board will be receptive to this idea?" Hermione asked, unsure if she should get her hopes up.

"If there is one thing the entire Board has in common, including Hubert Fawley, it is that History of Magic needs a new curriculum and a new teacher. I think this would qualify, yes?" Minerva smiled and winked. Hermione grinned and the two women began to hammer out the details of the new additions to History of Magic.

Hermione was nearly giddy with excitement when she arrived home. She couldn't get the grin off her face and wanted nothing more than to share her happiness with Remus. She ran to the fireplace and grabbed the Floo powder, then glanced at the clock on the mantel before she threw it in. It was half ten. She hadn't realized just how late they had worked and Hagrid hadn't mentioned the time when he had walked her back to the gates.

Hermione hesitated. She had told Remus that she would let him know how things had gone at her meeting, but it was rather late. While it was possible that he was still awake, Hermione couldn't be sure that he hadn't gone up to bed already. She had no idea if Andromeda would still be up or not and Hermione didn't want to disturb anyone.

Sighing, she put the powder back in the pot. She would simply have to wait until tomorrow to speak with Remus.

Remus glanced at the clock one more time, wondering again what had happened with Hermione. She had told him she would let him know how the meeting went, but it was now half ten and she hadn't contacted him. He was beginning to get a bit concerned.

Standing, he walked to the fireplace and stared into the flames. He could try and Floo call her to see what happened. He reached for the Floo powder, then stopped. If things hadn't gone well at the meeting, perhaps Hermione needed a bit of time to herself. He didn't want to intrude.

Perhaps she and Minerva had been catching up and lost track of time. Or Hermione might have been visiting with Hagrid and done the same. She was quite capable of taking care of herself, Remus knew. He shouldn't worry.

But she might be upset and need a bit of comfort. He picked up the jar of Floo powder this time. Of course, if she was that upset, she may have just gone to bed. He didn't want to disturb her if that was the case.

Sighing, he set the jar back on the mantel. He would just have to wait until tomorrow to find out what had happened.

18 March 2000

Hermione woke with the smile still on her face. While she knew that the ideas she and Minerva had come up with the night before still had to be approved by the Board, not to mention that Professor Binns would need to be dealt with, Hermione couldn't help the excitement she felt. Not only would History of Magic hopefully be more interesting with a change of professor, but the inclusion of the lessons on the rights and misconceptions of many magical beings had Hermione positively ecstatic. This was what she had been hoping for since she started working for the Ministry, but she had assumed it would take her much longer to be able to introduce many of these topics. While a Hogwarts class wasn't the same as legislation, not by a long shot, it was at least a start into changing the way people thought about those that were different than themselves.

Hermione flipped off the blankets and climbed out of bed. She threw on her dressing gown and pulled on a pair of socks before making her way downstairs to the kitchen. Crookshanks was waiting impatiently for his breakfast. After she fed him, Hermione glanced into the living room, contemplating the Floo.

Remus would be up already; Teddy never let anyone have a lie-in. Hermione really wanted to tell Remus about her meeting, but she supposed she should eat something first. She glanced down at herself with a wry smile. And likely get dressed as well.

Remus looked at the clock for the fourth time in the last ten minutes. It was now almost half ten and he still hadn't heard from Hermione. He was getting rather worried. Andromeda had even taken Teddy to the park by herself, as Remus didn't want to miss Hermione's call. Mind made up, Remus grabbed the Floo powder and was just about to throw it into the grate when the flames flared and Hermione's face appeared.

"Good morning, Remus," Hermione said with a smile on her face.

"Hermione, thank Merlin," Remus replied, replacing the Floo powder and kneeling in front of the fireplace. "I was starting to worry."

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that when I got back last night, I thought it was too late to call."

"I'm just glad you're all right," he said. "You are all right, aren't you?"

"Better than all right," she replied.

"I take it things went well with Minerva then?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "Are you busy?"

"Andromeda has taken Teddy to the park, so no, I'm not."

"Would you like to come through?"

"All right. I need to leave Andromeda a note and then I'll be there." Hermione smiled and withdrew from the Floo.

As Remus wrote out a quick note for his mother-in-law, he wondered if it was the best idea to be alone with Hermione right now. The wolf had stirred as soon as her face appeared in the Floo and with only two days until the moon, Remus was, to put it plainly, randy. It happened every month about this time.

He hesitated for a few more seconds before shaking his head in exasperation. He was a forty-year-old man and quite capable of controlling his sexual impulses. He need to stop being ridiculous.

Taking a pinch of Floo powder, Remus threw it into the grate and spun away to Hermione's.

She was all smiles when he arrived, and she immediately grabbed his hand and towed him to the couch. She tucked her knees up under her and faced him, fairly vibrating with excitement. He chuckled.

"I suppose you had better tell me or you're liable to explode," he said in amusement. She laughed.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so excited."

"I could tell," he replied, smiling and taking one of her hands in his.

"Well, it took quite a bit of discussion and planning, but I think we've finally worked it out." She grinned and Remus shook his head at her teasing.

"Do you plan to fill me in or continue to keep me in suspense?"

"History of Magic," Hermione said with a smug smile.

"History of Magic," Remus repeated, his brow furrowing.

"Yes, we're going to incorporate the werewolf seminar, as well as the information on the other beings and creatures that Mr. Fawley asked for into History of Magic." Remus contemplated this for a few minutes. It made an odd bit of sense, he supposed, given that some war or treaty or regulations for most every magical being and creature was included in History of Magic. It wouldn't be too far a stretch to also include the werewolf seminar and things like it. Binns, however, was a different story. Surely, Hermione and Minerva had thought about the teacher of the class.

"I think it sounds wonderful," he said, trying to smile in encouragement.

"But," Hermione questioned. Remus looked nervously at his lap, loathe to put a damper on her excitement.

"It's just, well, Binns doesn't seem to be, er, open, to much change."

"No, he isn't," she agreed, grinning.

"Then why are you smiling?" Remus asked with a frown.

"Because Professor Binns isn't going to be teaching much longer," she said. Remus' eyes widened in surprise. They were actually going to get rid of Binns? He'd been a ghost even when Remus was a student.

"How are you going to manage that?" Remus asked. Hermione shrugged.

"Minerva is going to speak to Mr. Nithercott in the Spirit Division. I'm sure that between the two of them, they'll be able to figure something out. And even when the new professor starts, we've decided that the seminars should be handled by guest lecturers, at least at first." She grinned again. "So, there is still likely a job for you next fall."

"I appreciate that," Remus said. "But, even if that doesn't work out, I'm extremely happy for you."

"The best part is, because History of Magic is compulsory for first through fifth years, most of the students will already be in the class. Minerva is working out how the sixth and seventh years can sit in on those seminars since no one takes History of Magic at N.E.W.T. level right now."

"Will all the information be offered during first year?" Remus asked.

"No," Hermione replied. "And that what makes next year a bit tricky. First years will be easy, obviously, but I'd really like the older students to get the same information they would have received if the class had been going on since they were first years. Obviously the fifth years will be the most difficult to figure out, but Minerva assures me that she can do it. The fact that none of this information will be on O.W.L.S. yet will help. And she's going to try and get it all done for the fifth years during first term when they aren't so worried about studying for exams yet."

"It sounds as if the two of you have it well in hand," Remus said with a smile, giving her hand a squeeze.

"I hope so," Hermione said, biting her lip. "Getting the Board to approve it is another matter."

"From what I've heard from Andromeda, most of the Board will be more than happy to get rid of Binns. They receive enough complaints about him from students and parents alike."

"That's true, I just hope that they'll accept the revisions to the class."

"Well, Fawley was the one that suggested including the other magical beings and creatures. You've done what he requested."

"Yes, but I'm sure he'll find some other reason not to approve," she said with a sigh.

"Undoubtedly," Remus agreed. "But I am sure you will still have enough support from the rest of the Board. Remember, it was originally five to two."

"I know," Hermione said. "And I'm trying to be positive about it, really I am. But this is going to be such a huge change, I can't help thinking that it might be too much, too soon, for some people." Remus cupped her cheek with his free hand.

"Hermione, you obviously have a well thought out proposal," he said. "The Board would be foolish to reject it." She smiled at him, then leaned forward to kiss him.

What started out as a relatively chaste kiss, quickly turned heated. Though he tried to resist, Remus couldn't help but pull Hermione closer to him. Given the awkward angle, she obliged him by straddling his lap. Her arms wound tightly around his neck and she pulled herself even closer. He groaned into her mouth and tangled one hand in her hair, the other resting on her hip.

He wasn't sure how much time passed, but he eventually forced himself away from her mouth. They needed to slow down or stop all together, but his lips seemed to have their own ideas as they moved to her neck, nipping lightly at the juncture of her shoulder. Hermione gasped and shifted in his lap. He hissed and moved back to her mouth, his hands moving down to grip her hips to keep her still.

He could hear the wolf growling in satisfaction in his head and Remus knew that they should stop. It had only been a week, the rational side of his mind argued. A week since they had both agreed to pursue a relationship, but really, it had been almost three months since he had first kissed her, he justified. When Hermione rocked in his lap, he swore in his head and his hands moved under her jumper to travel up her sides. His thumbs brushed the undersides of her breasts and she shivered. Neither heard the Floo activate.

Hermione rocked against Remus, vaguely wondering how they had gotten to this point this quickly. She dismissed her musing as unimportant, however, when she felt his hands move under her jumper. His palms slowly traveled up her sides. She pulled herself impossibly closer to him and when she felt his thumbs against her breasts she shivered, despite how warm his hands were.

She was just wondering how she could continue to kiss him while still getting his shirt off, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hermione, do you…oh, shite!" Harry said. Hermione felt Remus immediately pull her jumper down where it had ridden up on her back as she broke the kiss. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean, I'll just…go." There was silence and Hermione glanced over her shoulder to see that Harry had disappeared from the Floo.

Hermione turned back to look at Remus. Amber swirled in the green of his eyes and she was mesmerized for a moment as it slowly disappeared. They were both breathing heavily and Remus looked quite shocked. Hermione was sure that she had a similar expression on her face.

"Well," she finally said, once she had caught her breath. "I suppose Harry knows." Remus stared at her for a moment before he chuckled. Hermione heard herself giggle and soon they were both laughing. Remus pulled her forward and hugged her. She rested her cheek against his and sighed. She hadn't counted on telling Harry this soon, but she supposed she had better. She sat up and looked at Remus.

"I should Floo him back, so I can explain." Remus tucked a curl behind her ear.

"I'll stay."

"No," Hermione said immediately, and he looked at her in confusion. "It's just, I think that I should talk to him about this alone first."

"Hermione, you don't have to do that."

"I do," she said. Remus studied her for a moment.

"You're afraid of what he's going to say," Remus said.

"No, not really, it's just," she trailed off and shook her head. "I can't explain it, except that I need to be the one to tell him."

"I don't want you to have to face this by yourself." She smiled and leaned down to kiss him.

"Harry will be fine," she said. "Besides, it's entirely possible that he didn't even see that it was you, given our position. I want to be the one to explain."

"I could wait upstairs," Remus offered. "In case you need me." Hermione smiled at his chivalrousness, although the thought of him going upstairs made other things cross her mind that she really didn't need to be thinking about right now.

"Thank you, but I'll be fine." She kissed him one more time before she climbed off his lap and straightened her clothes. Remus stood and did the same, then turned to her.

"I should apologize," he said. Hermione's brow furrowed.

"For what?" Remus cleared his throat.

"For getting so carried away," he said. He shifted nervously. "It's just that, this close to the moon, I, er, well-" Hermione cut him off by standing on tiptoe and kissing him again.

"You didn't do anything that I didn't want you to," she said, blushing slightly. He took her hand and entwined their fingers.

"Although," she said, wicked grin on her face. "That is good information to have about the moon." He shook his head with a wry smile and kissed her again, nearly getting carried away once more.

"Harry," he said when he finally pulled away.

"Right," she said with a nod, taking a step back from him. "I'll call you later?"

"Please," he said. He looked at her for a long moment. "Good-bye, Hermione." He grabbed a bit of Floo powder and disappeared. Hermione stared at the fireplace for a few moments, before she hurried into the downstairs loo to make sure she was presentable. Her hair was a bit of a mess, but that wasn't really anything new. Her lips were a bit swollen, but since Harry had seen her kissing Remus, it was already obvious what she'd been doing. Taking a deep breath, Hermione tried to calm herself before her conversation with Harry.

"Harry," she said as the sitting room at Grimmauld came into view.

"Hermione, shite, I'm sorry," Harry said, raking a hand through his hair. "I had no idea you were, erm, occupied." He looked embarrassed, but he didn't appear upset or shocked, so Hermione assumed he hadn't actually seen Remus.

"You'd better come through," she said. Harry's brow furrowed.

"Why?"

"Because I need to talk to you about what you saw and I don't want to do it in the Floo."

"Hermione, you don't need to tell me anything, it's your business."

"Yes," she said. "I do." Harry studied her for a moment.

"You think I'm not going to approve?" he asked.

"I don't know," she admitted. "Just…come through." She pulled her head from the fireplace and moved out of the way. Harry appeared moments later. They stared at one another, Hermione's hands twisting nervously in front of her. Harry didn't seem to know what to say and he glanced around the room before he finally settled his gaze on her.

"Is it Malfoy?" Harry blurted out before Hermione could say anything. She stared at him for a moment before she laughed.

"No, it's not Malfoy." Harry visibly relaxed. "Why would you think it was him?" Harry shrugged.

"I dunno, you seem pretty worried about it and he's the only one I could think of that you'd think I wouldn't approve of."

"Would you?" Hermione asked. Harry's eyes narrowed.

"I thought you said it wasn't him."

"It's not."

"Then why would it matter if I approved of him or not?" Hermione shrugged.

"Just curious." Harry blinked.

"I don't know," he admitted. Hermione nodded.

"Well, it's a good thing it isn't Malfoy, then, isn't it?" She laughed shakily. Harry studied her for a few moments.

"Is it another Slytherin?" Harry asked.

"Why would you-" Hermione began, but Harry interrupted.

"I mean, if you're this nervous and it's not Malfoy, then it's got to be another Slytherin, hasn't it?"

"It's not a Slytherin." Harry's brow furrowed again.

"Is it Zacharias Smith?"

"What? No!"

"McLeggan?" Hermione glared at him and Harry put his hands up in surrender. "Just trying to figure out why you're so nervous."

"Harry," she began, but Harry interrupted her again.

"Is it Charlie?" Hermione opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. Charlie wasn't even in the country as far as she knew. How could Harry think it was him? Taking her silence as confirmation, Harry continued talking.

"I can understand why you're worried."

"Harry," Hermione said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It will definitely be awkward with Ron."

"Harry," she said again, but Harry didn't seem to hear her.

"But we'll figure it out, Hermione, we always do. And Molly will probably be thrilled. You know she's always wanted you as an official daughter."

"Harry!"

"What?"

"It isn't Charlie." Harry blinked at her.

"It isn't?"

"No."

"Then what are you worried about, Hermione?" he asked in exasperation. She sighed.

"Just, sit down." Harry still looked confused, but he complied, settling on the edge of an armchair as if he'd need to jump up and pace again.

"Before I tell you, I want you to know that I'm very happy."

"Then I'm sure I'll be fine with whoever it is," Harry said. "I always want you to be happy, Hermione." Hermione smiled, feeling a bit teary at his declaration. She took a deep breath and looked at him but found herself unable to speak.

"Do I know this person?" Harry asked.

"Yes," she said. "You know him quite well."

"Then, I can't imagine why you think I'd be upset."

"Well, there's an age difference," she said.

"Older or younger?" Harry asked.

"Older."

"Dumb question," Harry said with a laugh, then shrugged. "So, he's older, big deal."

"It's a significant age difference, Harry."

"How significant?" Hermione looked at her lap.

"Quite a bit." Harry reached over and put a hand on her knee.

"Hermione, just tell me, please." She took another breath and let it out, then looked up at Harry.

"It's Remus." Harry's mouth dropped open and he stared at her.

"Remus?" he repeated. "Remus Lupin?" She nodded. "Teddy's dad, Remus?"

"Yes, Harry," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "How many other Remus' do you know?" Harry continued to stare at her, seemingly incapable of more speech.

"Remus," he finally said under his breath. "I don't, how, when did this happen?"

"Just a week ago, at his birthday. But we've had feelings for one another for a few months." Harry sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. Hermione tried not to fidget.

"Harry?" she said tentatively after a few minutes of silence.

"He's twice your age, Hermione," Harry finally said.

"I know."

"He was my dad and Sirius' best friend."

"I know."

"He has Teddy."

"I know that too," Hermione said. "Harry, I, I knew this would be a shock. It's going to be a shock to most everyone, but I, I really care about him. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. And you know I love Teddy." Harry had lapsed into silence again. Hermione bit her lip and looked down at her lap, peeking up at Harry every few seconds. His jaw was set and he looked across the room, staring at nothing in particular. He looked as if he were deep in thought, but it could have been that he was just trying to keep from exploding. Hermione certainly hoped it was the former.

Finally, he sighed and raked a hand through his hair. Hermione relaxed only slightly, still unsure what he was going to say.

"Hermione, I love you, but this is," he shook his head. Hermione's stomach dropped, and she felt tears gathering. She looked down at her lap. "Do you even know how difficult this is going to be for you?" She looked up, a bit confused. Was he saying he didn't approve or was he just worried about how everyone else was going to treat her once they found out?

"What, what are you saying, Harry?"

"The press is going to have a field day with this when they find out."

"I don't care about the press," Hermione said. "I care about what you think." Harry looked down studying his hands.

"I mean, it's definitely weird," he said. She held her breath. He finally looked up at her. "But you're my sister, Hermione and Remus is, he's like, I don't know, my uncle or something. I want you both to be happy." Hermione released her breath with a watery smile. She flew forward and threw her arms around Harry's neck. Harry hugged her tightly, until their position of being smashed together in the armchair became too uncomfortable. When Harry released her, she tugged his hand until he joined her on the couch.

"Thank you," she said, swiping at the few tears that were running down her cheeks.

"It makes a strange sort of sense, really," he said with a shrug. "I mean, you're both swots." Hermione slapped at him and Harry ducked, laughing.

"I'm telling Remus you said that." Harry paled slightly, and Hermione couldn't help breaking into peals of laughter. Harry scowled at her before joining in. When they had both finally calmed down, she smiled and leaned into him. Harry put an arm around her.

"You're really okay with this?" she asked.

"It's going to take some getting used to," Harry said. "But like I said, I want you to be happy." Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.

"There's just one other thing," she continued. Harry looked at her quizzically. "We're not telling anyone quite yet, so I need you to keep this to yourself." Harry groaned.

"Hermione, you know I can't lie to Gin," he said, nearly whining. "She always knows I'm hiding something and she gets it out of me every time." Hermione bit her lip.

"Don't be angry." Harry's eyes narrowed. "Ginny already knows."

"What?" Harry demanded. Hermione sighed.

"Look, you know how she is. She knew I had feelings for Remus practically before I did. She's been trying to get us together for months now." Harry stared at her, gobsmacked. "And she knows about what happened on Remus' birthday, but I swore her to secrecy, so you can't be upset with her."

"You know that if this had happened the other way around, she'd be furious with me that I didn't tell her," Harry groused. Hermione laughed. "What?"

"Harry, this never would have happened the other way around." He scowled at her.

"I can figure things out," he said indignantly. "I'm an Auror for Merlin's sake."

"What did you figure out at dinner at the Burrow last weekend?" Harry stared at her.

"You two were?" he began, then shook his head. Hermione grinned. "I don't want to know." She patted his shoulder consolingly.

"I'm sure you are much better at investigation when it's not your best friend that's involved." He glowered at her again.

"Watch it, or I just might change my mind about being okay with this." Hermione laughed.

"I love you, Harry." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Harry tilted his head to rest against hers.

"Love you too."

Remus looked up at the knock on the back door. They weren't expecting anyone. Hermione had already come by after Harry had left and filled Remus in on what had happened. She ended up staying for lunch and then the two of them had cuddled on the couch for a bit after putting Teddy down for his nap. Andromeda being in the house kept Remus from acting on his impulses.

Remus was relieved that Harry had seemed to accept the relationship. Remus knew it would take Harry time to get used to it, but the fact that Hermione hadn't been upset when she relayed the events of their discussion had eased his mind. Remus didn't want Hermione to lose anyone over him.

"Oh, hello, Harry," Andromeda said. Remus' head whipped towards the doorway to the kitchen. He had intended to speak to Harry, but he hadn't thought that Harry would come to him. Remus set his book aside and rose from his chair as Harry stepped into the living room.

"Hello, Harry," Remus said.

"Remus," Harry said, rather formally. Andromeda stood behind Harry and Remus met her gaze. There was a smirk on her face and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"I suspect I already know the reason why you're here," Remus said. Harry glanced at Andromeda from the corner of his eye. It was clear that Hermione had neglected to mention that Andromeda knew about the two of them. "Andromeda is aware as well." Harry looked a bit surprised by that. "Why don't you sit down?" Harry moved to one of the armchairs and Remus resumed his seat on the couch.

"I'll give you two a bit of privacy," Andromeda said, going back into the kitchen. Remus cast a Muffliato around the two of them.

"Hermione was here already, I take it," Harry said.

"Yes," Remus replied. "She told me about your talk. Thank you for being so accepting." Harry shrugged.

"You're both family," he said. He looked back at Remus, serious expression on his face.

"Whatever you have to say, Harry, go ahead and say it."

"Hermione, she's like my sister." Remus waited for Harry to gather his thoughts. "Your relationship…not everyone is going to accept it."

"I'm aware."

"I don't want her hurt."

"I don't want that either," Remus said. "Hermione and I have discussed this and she insists that she doesn't care what anyone thinks." Harry snorted.

"And you believe her?"

"Not entirely," Remus said. "I know that while she likely doesn't care what the public has to say, there are some people whose approval she will definitely need. You being one of them."

"Her parents," Harry said. Remus nodded.

"She doesn't think they'll have a problem with it," Remus said. "I obviously have no idea if that is true or not."

"Ron's going to have a hard time with this," Harry said.

"Yes, I expect he will."

"It's not that I think he's still hung up on her or anything," Harry said. "He's been dating Susan Bones for a month now."

"Hermione mentioned that."

"It's just," Harry trailed off shaking his head.

"I know," Remus said, not needing Harry to explain. Ron had a temper and tended to speak without thinking at times. And while he may have accepted the fact that he and Hermione were never going to be a couple, Remus suspected that the younger man was still a little bit in love with her. Harry sat silently for a few moments.

"Was there something else on your mind?" Remus asked. Harry sighed and looked up at him.

"You can't, you can't do what you did…before." Remus colored slightly and looked down at his lap. The shame he had felt about that long-ago day at Grimmauld Place, when Harry had taken him to task for leaving his pregnant wife, returned.

"Harry, what happened back then with Dora," Remus paused and swallowed thickly. They had never actually talked about this. "Things were, well they were much different with the war going on. I was in a much different place after losing Sirius and then Dumbledore. Not to mention the werewolf laws that were being put into place." Remus paused and took a breath.

"I was wrong, horribly wrong to do what I did, and I am extremely lucky that Dora found it in her heart to forgive me." He looked up at the young man sitting before him. Harry wore a fiercely protective look on his face and Remus had never been more grateful that Hermione had someone like Harry in her life.

"Obviously, I have no idea what is going to happen with this relationship. I can't predict the future. But I will tell you that I have no intention of leaving Hermione unless she asks me to go," Remus finished.

"Do you love her?" Harry asked quietly. Remus stiffened. Harry studied him for a moment. "Forget it, that's none of my business." But Remus saw a small smile playing about Harry's lips and knew that the younger man had figured it out. Was he really that easy to read? He supposed when it came to Hermione, he likely was. He looked down at his lap and hid a smile.

"So, Andromeda knows about you two?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Remus said grateful for the change of subject.

"And she's all right with it?"

"Surprisingly, yes," Remus said. "In fact, she is the one that encouraged me to pursue my feelings. She and your fiancée that is." Harry snorted.

"I'm sure Ginny was really subtle about it too." Remus chuckled.

"Like a bludger to the head," he said with fondness. Harry laughed. Remus looked up at him. "I'm glad Hermione has you, Harry."

"I'm glad I have her too," Harry said, face pinkening a bit. He stood from his chair.

"I should go, Gin has to head back to Wales in a few hours." Remus rose as well. Harry studied him for a few moments.

"This is still really weird, but I am happy for you."

"Thank you, Harry." Remus held out a hand to the younger man, but Harry ignored it and pulled him into a hug instead.

"Just remember she's my sister," Harry said. Remus chuckled.

"I will," he promised.