A/N – Next chapter for you. Thank you for reading and continuing to review! Enjoy!

Chapter 60

Divulge

11 April 2000

"And how often did Mr. Hughes meet with Mr. Satterfield in his office?"

"A few times a week," Victoria said, still looking nervous. Mr. Satterfield's secretary was testifying about the relationship between Hughes and Satterfield. Hermione knew that initially there had been suspicions that Victoria was aware of what had been happening with Warrington. She was certainly aware of Satterfield's drinking problem. She had already lost her job due to not reporting it. She had been encouraged to be truthful in her testimony to avoid Azkaban.

"Was that typical of Division Heads?" someone else asked.

"It was more frequent, I suppose," Victoria replied. Hermione knew it was much more frequent. Mr. Nithercott and Ms. Campbell had already testified. Mr. Nithercott rarely spoke to Mr. Satterfield outside their monthly staff meetings. Mrs. Campbell met with him more often, but it no more than three or four times a month.

"And Mr. Hughes often joined Mr. Satterfield for lunch?"

"Yes, Mr. Satterfield had a standing table at the Golden Phoenix. He ate there a few times a week."

"Mr. Hughes attended events at Mr. Satterfield's home, did he not?" Kingsley asked.

"I believe so, yes."

"So, would it be fair to say that the two had a close relationship? That they were likely friends?"

"I suppose so," Victoria replied.

"And these meetings and lunches continued after the war was over?"

"Yes."

"Thank you," Kingsley said, then turned and looked at the Wizengamot for more questions. There weren't many, although one wizard wanted to know if Hughes had seemed nervous or scared around Satterfield. He was rather leading in his questions, but Victoria wouldn't give the answer he clearly wanted. Hermione smirked when the wizard became frustrated. No doubt he was one of Hughes and Satterfield's cronies.

She glanced at Remus from the corner of her eye as Victoria was dismissed. He wasn't as tense as he had been yesterday, although he was far from relaxed. She had taken his hand again and he had squeezed hers gratefully, listening closely to the proceedings.

Kingsley had presented his case quite thoroughly all morning. He had questioned a variety of people from the DRCMC about the relationship between Hughes and Satterfield. Victoria was the last to testify. It had become quite clear, at least to Hermione, that there had been no coercion on Satterfield's part to keep Hughes quiet. The man went along with it willingly. Not that she hadn't known that already.

"We will break for lunch and the Wizengamot will then deliberate. We will hand down sentence at three o'clock." Kingsley dismissed the Wizengamot.

"You didn't miss the fact that he said 'sentence' not 'verdict'?" Hermione said.

"No," Remus replied with a smirk.

"At least he's confident," she said.

"He is that," Remus agreed. The two of them filed out of the courtroom and made their way back to Hermione's office.

"Lunch?" he asked once she had closed her door. She looked at him regretfully.

"I'd love to, but I'm a bit behind on a few things. I'll have to work through."

"But you will eat?" Remus asked in concern. She smiled.

"I will. I'll grab a sandwich in the cafeteria." He nodded.

"I should spend some time with Teddy before his nap anyway," Remus said.

"Will you come back for the verdict?" she asked, stepping towards him and letting him pull her into his arms.

"I will. Perhaps I should meet you outside the courtroom when I return. I think Ms. Fawcett's secretary is getting suspicious." Hermione laughed.

"I find myself not caring all that much if she is." He raised an eyebrow.

"No?" She shook her head. "What brought this on?" She shrugged as Remus studied her. "This wouldn't have anything to do with this morning with Gwendolyn would it?" He looked amused and Hermione scowled at him.

"No," she said petulantly. He looked at her skeptically. "All right, maybe it's a little bit about this morning." He chuckled.

"I'll do whatever you want, love, you know that."

"I know." She sighed.

"We could take out a page in the Daily Prophet," he suggested. Hermione looked up at him in shock and then slapped his arm when he laughed. "Or, you could just tell Gwendolyn. Preferably before she sends me that owl." Hermione sighed.

"She's going to be so embarrassed. She probably won't want to send you the owl after I tell her." Hermione found herself not overly upset about that, which of course, made her feel like a selfish cow. Of course, Remus should help if he could. Remus was watching her and she could see the smile he was trying to hide. She rolled her eyes and he leaned down and kissed her, quite thoroughly.

"I'm not interested in Gwendolyn in the slightest." Hermione hid her face in his chest, so he wouldn't see how red it had gotten. She was being such an idiot.

"I know that," she said as she pulled back from him, hoping that her blush was gone. He kissed her again.

"I really have to get some work done," she said, a bit breathlessly once they had finally parted once more.

"All right," Remus said, and Hermione was glad to see he was just as breathless. "I'll meet you outside the courtroom?" She nodded. He kissed her once more, then left her office. Hermione watched him go before she sat down and pulled a pile of parchment in front of her.

Hermione had just decided that she should run down to the cafeteria and get something to eat when there was a knock on her open door. She looked up and her mouth dropped open when she saw who was standing there.

"Molly?"

"Hello, dear, may I come in?" Hermione was so surprised to see the Weasley matriarch, she just nodded dumbly, indicating one of the chairs in front of her desk. Molly closed the door behind her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your work. Ginny and I were doing some wedding planning this morning and we just had a spot of lunch with Harry. I know I should have owled first, but since I was here, I thought I would stop to see if you had a moment to talk."

Hermione bit back a sigh. She was well aware of what Molly wanted to talk about and she honestly didn't have the time or the desire to get into all of that right now.

"It was a shock, seeing you and Remus together and I, well, I didn't handle it well," Molly said before Hermione could respond. Molly looked at her. "I'm sorry." Hermione sat back in her chair, so surprised she couldn't speak.

"I suppose I always thought, hoped rather, that you and Ron, well," Molly shook her head.

"Ron and I are just friends," Hermione said. Molly nodded.

"Susan is a lovely girl. And, if I'm honest, the two of them are far more suited than the two of you would have ever been." Hermione smiled and Molly returned it. Her face turned somber a few moments later and she sighed.

"But there will be talk, dear," Molly said. "Especially since Remus was once your professor."

"I hope you're not suggesting something inappropriate," Hermione said with an edge to her voice.

"Of course not!" Molly exclaimed, looking horrified. "Remus would never do something like that. But not everyone knows him as we do."

"We don't care what people think," Hermione said.

"I just," Molly said, shaking her head. "Gossip can be horrible and cruel, as we both well know." She reddened a bit and Hermione wondered if Molly was remembering how she had been taken in by Skeeter's articles during the TriWizard Tournament. Though Molly had never apologized in so many words, Hermione knew that the older woman had regretted it.

"You're just starting out in your career with the Ministry," Molly continued. "And Minerva has just hired Remus to teach again. I don't want either of you to suffer for this." Hermione's expression softened at Molly's concern.

"I appreciate that," she said. "Remus and I will deal with that when it happens." Molly smiled at her again.

"The two of you seem quite taken with one another."

"I love him," Hermione said simply. Molly nodded as if she'd already known.

"He's a good man."

"He is," Hermione agreed. Molly cocked her head and studied Hermione.

"You will be good for him."

"Thank you," Hermione said quietly. Molly reached across the desk and squeezed Hermione's hand.

"Well, I should let you get back to work," Molly said as she stood. Hermione rose as well and walked around her desk.

"Thank you, Molly." She hugged the older woman.

"You're welcome." When they pulled apart, Molly patted Hermione's cheek and then turned to the door. "I hope you and Remus will join us for dinner on Sunday. Andromeda and Teddy too, of course."

"I'll speak to Remus," Hermione said, although she was sure that Ron wouldn't appreciate it. She opened the door and Molly smiled at her one more time.

"Have a good day, dear."

"Good-bye, Molly."

Remus checked his watch again as he waited outside the courtroom. Hermione had likely gotten caught up in her work. But if she didn't arrive soon, he would have to go in without her.

"Mr. Lupin," a voice said, and Remus turned to see Rita Skeeter standing next to him.

"Ms. Skeeter," he replied. The woman had asked him for an interview after the war, more than once, but he had rebuffed her each time.

"I'm not surprised to see you here, given the subject matter." He didn't respond. She smiled, trying for seductive he was guessing. She missed, badly. "Care to answer a few questions?"

"No, thank you."

"Oh, come now, Mr. Lupin, surely a wizard of your…background, must have something to say about these accusations." She smiled at him again and he ignored the jab about his status as a werewolf.

"No comment," he said.

"I assume you're hoping for a guilty verdict. Life in Azkaban, perhaps?" She sighed dramatically. "If only the Dementors were still around."

"Assume nothing," Remus replied.

"Oh, so you don't think that these men deserve to be in prison for their crimes against your fellows?" Remus swore in his head at having not just ignored her. He knew she was an expert at twisting words around.

Before he could say anything else and likely put his foot in it even further, he saw Hermione hurrying up the corridor. She caught sight of Skeeter and slowed, glancing between the two of them in concern. Remus turned to the reporter, blocking her view of Hermione.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to get inside." He pushed his way past her and walked into the courtroom, knowing that Hermione would follow him. Skeeter, thankfully, entered as well and was seated in the section for the press before Hermione arrived. Reporters were not allowed to ask questions once they were inside, although Remus saw Rita follow Hermione's movements up the stone steps until she sat down next to Remus. He made sure there was an acceptable amount of space between them, but he saw the speculative look on Rita's face all the same. Hermione must have noticed it too, for she didn't try to sit closer to him. She greeted him quickly and then faced the front of the chamber, ignoring the reporter entirely. The older witch finally seemed to lose interest and looked away, pulling her quill and parchment from her bag. Remus was sure that he hadn't seen the last of her.

"The Wizengamot has found that you knowingly and willfully ignored the capture and execution of innocent wizards and witches. As a result, you have been sentenced to five years in Azkaban prison, effective immediately. Aurors." Hermione watched as Proudfoot and Dawlish stepped towards the chair that Hughes was chained in. He wore a look of absolute shock as the chains on the chair were removed and he was hauled to his feet.

Hermione glanced at the Wizengamot. Some looked satisfied, although there were many that wore scowls or displeased looks on their faces. She suspected that there were those that thought Hughes should have gotten more time and others that were irritated that he had been convicted at all. Kingsley did not look happy.

Hermione turned to Remus. He had sat up straighter when Kingsley stood to read the verdict and now was still staring straight ahead, his expression unreadable. Hermione wondered if he was upset that Hughes had only gotten five years. She certainly was. Active participant or not, the man would be free before his oldest grandchild was out of Hogwarts.

"Remus?" she said softly, not wanting to startle him. Remus turned to look at her. Hermione's eyes flicked to the section for the press, but all the reporters had hurried out as soon as the verdict was read.

"He's going to Azkaban," Remus said, making it sound more like a question than a statement. Hermione nodded. "For five years."

"Yes," Hermione said.

"Five years," he repeated.

"I know, it should have been longer, but at least he was convicted," she said, biting her lip.

"No, that's not, I," he shook his head and met her gaze. "Five years, Hermione. I never thought," he trailed off again and Hermione realized.

"You didn't think he would be convicted at all." Remus shook his head again. Hermione didn't care who might see, she took his hand and squeezed it.

"He deserved far worse," she said.

"Undoubtedly, but now, there's a chance that Warrington, that he'll be punished for what he did." Hermione knew that Remus had his doubts, but that he thought that Warrington, the one who actually carried out Umbridge's plans and then continued on his own, wouldn't be punished, broke her heart. She squeezed his hand tighter.

"There's more than a chance, Remus. He killed people. He's going to Azkaban."

"He killed werewolves," Remus said.

"People," Hermione repeated. Remus looked at her and nodded.

"People," he agreed. She smiled and he returned it, looking like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Hermione stood and pulled him to his feet and the two of them left the courtroom. The reporters appeared to be gone by the time they reached the corridor. They walked towards the lifts.

"Let's have dinner," Hermione said impulsively. "We can go pick up Andromeda and Teddy and the four of us can go out somewhere."

"You want to take a toddler to a restaurant?" Remus asked, brow rising. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"One little boy between three adults? I think we'll be fine." Remus didn't look all that convinced. "There's a family owned place near my house where my parents used to take me. The food is simple, but it's very good. You could all Floo to my house and we could walk there. It's not far."

"All right," he agreed. Hermione smiled at him.

"How sweet," a voice said, and they turned to see Rita Skeeter standing behind them, smug look on her face. "Making dinner plans, are we?"

"What do you want, Rita?" Hermione asked. She didn't like the way the reporter was eyeing them.

"Planning a romantic rendezvous?" Rita asked. Hermione rolled her eyes, even as her heart began to pound.

"Of course, that's why we were planning to bring my son and mother-in-law along," Remus said dryly. Skeeter glanced between the two of them, the smug look never leaving her face.

"What a scandal this would be," she said.

"What scandal would you be referring to?" Hermione asked, trying to sound bored.

"The former professor and his student, his much younger student, having an illicit tryst." Remus snorted, and Hermione rolled her eyes again.

"An illicit tryst? That's a stretch, even for you."

"I could be persuaded to ignore what I heard," the reporter said.

"Which was nothing," Hermione replied.

"I think we both know that something can always be made out of nothing," Rita said sweetly.

"And I think that I could be persuaded to have a little talk with the Minister," Hermione said looking at Rita pointedly. Hermione smiled in triumph when Rita's smug grin faltered slightly. But it was back moments later, looking even more predatory.

"I think we both know why you won't do that." Hermione forced herself not to change expression. If she reported Rita's Animagus status, then Skeeter would tell Kingsley how she had gotten the information on Satterfield and that Hermione had known about it. While Hermione wasn't sure what the laws were regarding that situation, and his drinking on the job was the least of Satterfield's crimes, she didn't want to jeopardize anything. Rita knew it too.

"What are you even doing here?" Hermione asked. "I thought you'd moved on to books." Rita's latest, Snape: Scoundrel or Saint, had been published a few months previous. And Hermione knew that the other woman was still working on the book about Harry. It was what she had wanted the quote from Hermione for after writing the Satterfield article.

"Given my huge success with the article on Satterfield, Barney has found that he was missing my particular brand of journalism." Remus snorted and Rita glared at him. Then she smiled at Hermione again.

"I'll give you a bit of time to think it over," the reporter continued. "I'm sure you will both be here for the start of Cyrus Warrington's trial tomorrow." Rita walked past them and stepped into an empty lift, waggling her fingers at them as the doors closed.

Remus turned to Hermione as soon as Rita disappeared. She shook her head and they waited for another lift to arrive. It was empty, thankfully.

"She's bluffing," Remus said as soon as the doors slid shut.

"She isn't, actually," Hermione replied, explaining. "If I report her, she's going to try to take me down with her." Hermione sighed. "I should have waited for Kingsley to finish his investigation."

"I'm glad you didn't," Remus said. She looked up at him. "Who knows how many people you saved by speeding things up."

The lift stopped and Remus took a step to the side as another witch stepped in. She nodded to both of them and they rode the lift in silence until they reached the second floor. All three stepped off and Remus followed Hermione to her office, the other witch going into the Auror office as they passed it.

"I can't risk letting Satterfield get off or getting a lesser sentence," Hermione said as soon as her door was closed and warded.

"No," Remus agreed. "Perhaps we should have that dinner in Diagon Alley instead." She looked up at him, a bit surprised. He shrugged. "Our friends and family already know. Maybe it's time to let the public in on the secret."

Truthfully, Hermione felt the same way. She was tired of hiding it from everyone and now that the people closest to them knew, the only reason to continue to keep it a secret was her proposal. Hermione knew that there would be those that would assume the only reason she was pushing for werewolf reform was because she was dating Remus. But Skeeter's reporting could make things even worse. At least this way, they could have things come to light on their own terms.

"I think it is," she said. "But I think we need a bit more than just a stroll through Diagon Alley and a family dinner." He looked at her quizzically. "We have to beat Rita at her own game."

"The press," Remus said in understanding. Hermione nodded.

"There's no guarantee that being seen in Diagon Alley together will get back to the media before tomorrow morning."

"What are you thinking? We do an interview?"

"Not exactly," Hermione said. "But I do have an idea." She quickly filled Remus in and by the end of her explanation, he was smiling.

"I think it could work."

"All right, you go and explain to Andromeda," Hermione said. "I'm going to have a quick word with Gwendolyn and then I've got to talk to Ginny." Remus nodded and stepped towards her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her breathless.

"Have I told you lately how brilliant you are?" he asked. She grinned and kissed him again.

"Hermione," Gwendolyn said as Hermione was led into Gwendolyn's new office by her secretary. "I wasn't expecting to see you today. I heard about the sentencing."

"Not long enough, in my opinion."

"There are plenty of people that share that view," Gwendolyn said, a bit disgusted.

"I just hope it isn't an indication of what is to come."

"That makes two of us. What can I do for you?" Hermione hesitated. She knew that Gwendolyn was going to be embarrassed and Hermione wasn't looking forward to the uncomfortable conversation.

"Do you remember when we were at the pub and I told you I was seeing someone?"

"Of course," Gwendolyn replied. "You wouldn't tell me who though." A pained smile crossed Hermione's face. Gwendolyn's brow furrowed.

"Yes, well, we've decided not to keep it quiet any longer." Hermione looked up at the other woman. "It's Remus."

"It's Remus what?" Gwendolyn asked in confusion.

"I'm seeing Remus Lupin," Hermione replied. Gwendolyn stared at her for a moment before she colored.

"Oh gods," she said, putting her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Hermione said quickly.

"This morning, I, Hermione, I'm so sorry!"

"No," Hermione said quickly. "It's my fault for not telling you."

"But, but I stood there and flirted with your, with, with, oh Merlin. I feel like such an idiot."

"Please don't," Hermione said. "You didn't know. This wasn't your fault." Gwendolyn took her hands away from her face and shook her head. Her face was still red with embarrassment.

"And Remus, he must have been so uncomfortable."

"He didn't realize, actually," Hermione said with a laugh. Gwendolyn looked up at her.

"Am I that bad at it?" she asked wryly. Hermione smiled.

"No, I knew what you were doing straight away, but Remus, he's a bit oblivious to these things." Gwendolyn stared at her in shock before she began to laugh. Hermione joined in.

"I'm sorry," Gwendolyn said again when they had composed themselves.

"Stop apologizing," Hermione said. "You didn't know. And if you had, I know you would have never done anything."

"Never," Gwendolyn insisted. "I won't send him that owl either." But Hermione shook her head.

"No, if you think that Remus can help, I definitely want you to talk to him," she forced herself to say. She wasn't going to be ridiculous about this. She trusted Remus and now that Gwendolyn knew the truth, Hermione trusted her too. She shoved away her jealousy.

"Do you think he'd even want to speak with me after I made a fool of myself?"

"You didn't make a fool of yourself," Hermione insisted. "And yes, I think he would, as long as you wouldn't be too uncomfortable. If you'd rather talk to someone else, I'm sure that Remus could give you a few names."

"I'll think about it," Gwendolyn said. "So, how long have you been together?"

"A month," Hermione said. "Officially anyway. There were a few months of indecision and second-guessing before that."

"Well, I'm happy for you," Gwendolyn said.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry again that I didn't tell you sooner." Gwendolyn waved off her apology.

"I understand and please tell Remus that I'm sorry as well." Hermione nodded.

"There's no apology necessary, but I will." She stood from her chair. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but there's something else I need to take care of." Gwendolyn rose as well and came around her desk, giving Hermione a quick hug.

"We need to have lunch soon, so I can get all the details." Hermione laughed.

"All right," she said. She made her good-byes and left the office, hurrying to the lift. She needed to speak to Ginny.

Remus stepped into Kingsley's office and smiled at Miss Stebbins, the Minister's secretary. He remembered her from Hogwarts. She'd been a fifth year when Remus was teaching.

"Professor Lupin," she said, looking a bit surprised. Remus didn't bother to correct her. It seemed that most of his former students still referred to him with the moniker.

"Is the Minister available? It will only take a minute," Remus assured her.

"Let me check for you," she said as she rose from her desk and knocked on the Minister's door. He bade her enter, although he sounded rather irritated. She stepped inside and all sound disappeared. Kingsley obviously had a silencing charm on his office.

"Go right in, Professor."

"Thank you, Miss Stebbins." He nodded to her and walked into Kingsley's office, closing the door behind him.

"Remus," Kingsley said, standing to shake his friend's hand. "I'm sorry about Hughes' sentence. I pushed for twenty years, myself."

"I'm just glad he got any time at all," Remus said. "But that's not why I'm here."

"Oh?" Kingsley said, indicating that Remus should take a seat. "What can I do for you?"

"There's actually something I need to tell you," Remus said. "Before it comes out in the paper tomorrow." Kingsley's eyes narrowed.

"What would that be?" Remus took a breath and looked up at his friend. He had no idea how Kingsley was going to react to the news, but Remus knew he needed to be told before he read about it in the Prophet.

"I'm dating Hermione Granger." Kingsley stared at him for a full minute before he spoke again.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I think you heard me, Kings."

"When did this happen?"

"About a month ago," Remus said. Kingsley blew out a breath and sat back in his chair, still staring at Remus.

"And you're telling me this now, why?"

"Rita Skeeter overhead a conversation between Hermione and myself after the sentencing today," Remus said. "It was completely innocent, just discussing dinner plans that included Teddy and Andromeda. But you know Skeeter."

"I do, unfortunately," Kingsley said. He had taken quite a lot of heat after her article about Satterfield's drinking had come out.

"She's threatened to expose our relationship, which she doesn't know we are actually in, mind. Given the likely salacious nature of what Skeeter will write, Hermione and I have decided to preempt her."

"You're giving an interview?" Kingsley asked in surprise.

"No," Remus said. "But there will be photographs and likely an article as well. I wanted you to know."

"This may affect her proposal next week," Kingsley said.

"I know," Remus replied regretfully. "And while we didn't intend for this to come out until after her proposal had been heard and voted on, we have to get ahead of Skeeter. I won't let Hermione be dragged down by that woman again." Kingsley nodded, then scrubbed a hand down his face with a sigh.

"Well, it's shite timing, but I certainly can't disagree with your reasoning," he said.

"I'm sorry, Kings." The Minister waved off his apology.

"So, Hermione Granger," he said with a smirk. Remus colored slightly.

"Yes," he said.

"Can't say that it doesn't make sense when I think about it," Kingsley said. "Bit surprising though."

"It has been to most everyone," Remus replied. "Myself included." Kingsley chuckled.

"I'm happy for you. Hermione is a wonderful woman." Remus smiled.

"She is." Remus stood from his chair. "I should get going." Kingsley rose as well and shook Remus' hand again.

"Good luck."

"Thank you."

"Sorry I'm late," Remus said as he came through the Floo alone. After discussing it further, they had decided to leave Andromeda and Teddy at home. They needed this to be a more romantic evening and Remus wasn't keen on having Teddy's picture in the paper. "I spoke to Kingsley before I left."

"Oh, I didn't even think of that," Hermione said. She bit her lip. "How did he take it?"

"Surprised, of course, but he wished us well."

"Was he upset about the proposal?" Hermione asked, wringing her hands in front of her.

"He agreed that the timing wasn't the best, but he doesn't blame us for going ahead with it." Remus stepped forward and took her hands in his. "He wasn't angry, Hermione." She sighed and stepped into him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I just wanted to do this on our own terms, not because of bloody Rita Skeeter."

"We are doing it on our own terms," Remus said. "Just a bit earlier than we planned." She sighed again and Remus pulled back to look at her. "Are you sure about this, love?"

"Yes," Hermione said. Remus looked at her skeptically.

"You don't exactly look it."

"I want people to know," Hermione insisted. "It's just-"

"What will come after," Remus finished. Hermione nodded again. He kissed her forehead.

"We'll deal with whatever comes. And we have people in our corner."

"I know," Hermione said. "Oh, we have one more now, actually."

"Gwendolyn?" Remus asked.

"Oh, well, yes, but that wasn't who I was thinking of." She proceeded to tell Remus about Molly's visit. He was just as shocked as she was.

"You're serious?" Hermione nodded. "Well. That's something." Hermione laughed and Remus smiled, then kissed her.

"Ready?" he asked. She nodded, looking much more confident. He reached up and handed Hermione the Floo powder. She threw a bit into the grate, stepped into the flames and called out for the Leaky Cauldron. Remus followed seconds later.

Hermione stepped into the Leaky and siphoned the ash from her robes, looking around the pub as she did so. There weren't many people present, it was a Tuesday evening after all. There were only two people sitting at the bar. And older wizard Hannah was serving a pint to, and someone else who looked familiar. Before she could figure out who it was, Remus stepped out of the fireplace. Hannah looked up at the sound of the Floo and smiled.

"Hermione," she greeted. The second person at the bar turned on his stool and grinned at her.

"Hey, Hannah, Neville," Hermione said, just as Remus stepped up next to her.

"In for a knut, in for a galleon," he murmured to her and Hermione took his hand. He gave hers a squeeze and they walked towards the bar. It was a bit comical the way that Neville's eyes widened when he noticed their clasped hands. Hannah gave a little gasp, but a smile crossed her face moments later.

"Her-hermione," Neville said, looking back and forth between the two of them. "Pro-professor."

"It's Remus, Neville," Remus said with a smile. "I haven't been your professor for some time."

"Right," Neville said, still staring at their clasped hands until Hannah smacked him lightly on the shoulder. He started and then looked up at them sheepishly.

"It's good to see you both," Hannah said. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Maybe after dinner," Hermione said. "We've got reservations at that new Italian place."

"Oh, I've heard it's good," Hannah replied. "And romantic." She winked at them and Hermione blushed slightly. Neville looked a bit unsettled.

"We'll stop in on our way back," Hermione said.

"It was good to see you both," Remus continued.

"You too," Hannah said, then nudged Neville with her shoulder.

"Yes, right, good to see you," Neville said. Hermione smothered a laugh and Remus wore an amused look on his face.

"I think we broke Neville," Hermione whispered as they reached the courtyard and Remus tapped the bricks. He chuckled as the wall opened.

"I admit, it would be amusing to see a few more reactions like that." Hermione laughed as they stepped into the Alley. Remus dropped her hand in favor of holding his arm out to her. Hermione looped her arm through his and he grasped her hand where it rested on his forearm. Hermione leaned into him and as they strolled down the street, she rested her head on his shoulder for a few moments. They were mostly ignored as they walked down the street, but Hermione did see a few looks of recognition.

"Do you know where he'll be?" Remus asked.

"No, but Ginny told him to be discreet, so he could be anywhere. My guess would be closer to the restaurant, so he's sure not to miss us." Remus nodded as they turned a corner. The restaurant was on a small side street. He could see it only a couple of storefronts ahead.

"Well, then, I suppose we had better make sure there is no confusion," he said, stopping and turning to her. He looked up at down the street, which was almost completely deserted, save one lone couple in the distance. "Not that I'm complaining." She smiled as his arms slid around her waist and she wound hers around his neck. The kiss, while relatively chaste, left no doubt that the two were more than just friends. Hermione smiled again when Remus pulled back. He took her arm once more and continued on to the restaurant.

Two hours later, they stepped out of the restaurant, hand in hand. Hermione was laughing and Remus smiled at her. The food had been very good, and they had enjoyed the time together. The restaurant hadn't been very crowded, but there had still been a few looks and whispers as people recognized them. Hermione wondered if the photographer had waited as Remus brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. She grinned at him and pulled him toward her, kissing him soundly as they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Shall we stay and have a drink?" Remus asked as they came back through the brick wall.

"Like you said before, in for a knut, in for a galleon," Hermione replied, enjoying herself despite the reason for their trip to Diagon Alley. Remus smiled and kissed her quickly. When the walked into the pub, there were more people than before, although it wasn't crowded by any means. The older wizard at the bar was gone, but Neville was still sitting there. Hermione wasn't surprised as he and Hannah had been dating for a couple of months now.

Hannah was serving drinks to a few of the tables and Hermione slid onto the stool next to Neville, Remus sitting down on her other side. Neville looked up as they sat, turning a bit pink.

"Listen, about before," he began, but Hermione interrupted him.

"Don't worry about it," she said with a gentle smile. "Your reaction seems to be the standard."

"It's just, I was a bit," Neville trailed off.

"Surprised," Remus supplied and Neville nodded. Remus chuckled.

"As Hermione said, that is the usual reaction we get." Neville looked a bit sheepish.

"How's work?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, well, bit mental right now, as I'm sure you can imagine." His gaze flicked to Remus and then back to Hermione.

"I'm sure," Hermione said. Neville fiddled with his bottle of butterbeer. He looked relieved when Hannah came back behind the bar.

"Sorry," she said as she smiled at Hermione and Remus. "What can I get you?"

"I'll just have a butterbeer," Hermione said. "Work tomorrow and all."

"The same," Remus agreed. Hannah moved to get the drinks.

"So, how was your dinner?" she asked when she returned with two bottles of butterbeer.

"Very good," Hermione said. "You should really try it sometime."

"I've been wanting to since they opened," Hannah said. "Tom's almost completely turned this place over to me now, so it's hard to get away sometimes."

"I can imagine," Hermione said, taking a sip of her drink. Remus put his hand on her knee. Turning slightly towards him, from the corner of her eye Hermione saw the table of witches that Hannah had been serving when they walked in put their heads together and begin whispering furiously. She bit back a sigh as she studied them. They were older than her and it was possible that they could have been at Hogwarts when Remus was teaching, but Hermione didn't recognize them.

"So, you two," Hannah said, and Hermione turned her attention back to the bar. The Hufflepuff was grinning.

"Us two," Hermione replied with a little laugh.

"When did this happen?"

"About a month ago," Remus said.

"Ernie will be devastated," Hannah said with a smirk. Remus looked at her quizzically and Hermione shook her head.

"George brought his mistletoe to Harry's New Year's Eve party. Ernie kissed me when I got trapped under it." She felt Remus' hand tighten on her knee and she looked over at him. He smiled, but she could tell that it was forced. She gave him a smug look and he smiled sheepishly. Jealous, indeed. Someone in the pub waved for Hannah's attention and she excused herself to attend to her customers.

"I'm sorry," Remus muttered. Hermione just smiled and kissed his cheek. She heard the table of witches start whispering again and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"I need the loo," she said and Remus nodded, squeezing her knee once more before he let go.

When she came out of the stall in the bathroom, two of the women from the whispering table were standing in front of the mirror.

"Isn't that Professor Lupin that you're with?" one of the women asked as Hermione stepped up to the sink to wash her hands. So, they were former students then.

"Yes," Hermione replied. The two women smirked at each other.

"If I had known that's what he liked, I'd have given it a go seventh year," one said. Hermione's eyes narrowed. She recognized them now, they had been in Ravenclaw Hermione thought. The other shook her head.

"Obviously, you would have been too old. She was only what, a second year?"

"No, third, I think."

"I always heard she was a teacher's pet," the first said and they both started to laugh. Hermione's jaw clenched as she finished washing her hands. While she wanted nothing more than to hex the two for what they were insinuating, she forced herself to stay calm.

"And here I thought Ravenclaw was supposed to be the intelligent house," Hermione said with a snort as she dried her hands and then busied herself checking her hair. The two women glanced at each other, then looked back at her. "If he was interested in third years, why would he be with me now?" Hermione worked at a stubborn curl that she finally just tucked behind her ear.

"Honestly, I would have thought that your House could have come up with more clever insults." She watched their expressions in the mirror turn from mocking smiles to sulky embarrassment. Obviously, they hadn't thought their insults through, expecting that Hermione would become some weeping mess at the insinuation alone. Turning, she smiled smugly at the two women.

"Have a nice evening." Hermione pushed past them and left the bathroom.

Remus and Neville were chatting amiably when Hermione returned, Neville obviously having gotten over his discomfort at the situation. Remus looked up at her with a smile that slowly slid from his face as he caught her expression.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing," Hermione said. Remus' eyes narrowed.

"Then why do you look like you're on the verge of murdering someone?" Hermione shrugged and slipped back onto a stool. She grabbed her Butterbeer and took a long drink, just as the two women came out of the bathroom. They glanced at her before returning to their table and began muttering furiously to the other two occupants of the table. All four stole what they thought were surreptitious glances at Hermione and Remus, but they were so obvious, it was laughable.

"What happened?" he asked again, his voice low. Hermione shook her head.

"Nothing worth mentioning," she said.

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

"Later," Hermione said. "Right now, I just want to finish my drink and talk to my friends." Remus didn't look the least bit convinced, but Hermione knew that if he kept asking her questions, she was going to either explode in anger or burst into tears, neither of which she had any intention of giving those cows the satisfaction of seeing.

"Please?" she said to Remus. He glanced at the table of women again and nodded. Hermione smiled at Hannah as she came back behind the bar. The two women began chatting, leaving Remus to exchange a worried glance with Neville.

After another half hour of trying to pretend she didn't notice the four women staring at her, Hermione finally turned to Remus.

"I'm ready to leave," she said. He nodded and pulled a couple of galleons from his pocket, laying them on the bar. They made their good-byes to Neville and Hannah and then walked towards the Floo. Remus kept his hand at the small of Hermione's back. Hermione went through the Floo first and when he followed, she was pacing in the living room.

"What happened?" he asked for the third time.

"Those, those stupid bints happened," Hermione said, looking furious.

"They said something to you," Remus said. Hermione nodded.

"In the bathroom," she said.

"What did they say?" Hermione stood rigidly, her arms crossed in front of her, as she explained what had happened. Remus, while angry, wasn't surprised. He had known things like this were going to be said.

"I'm sorry, love," he said, pulling her into his arms. He felt her relax against him and all the anger seemed to drain from her, replaced by hurt. He led her to the couch and she snuggled into him.

"I knew that people were going to talk and that some of them would think terrible things like that, but I didn't think they would say it to my face." Remus kissed the top of her head.

"I think we have to prepare ourselves for more reactions like that," he replied. She sighed and rested her head on his chest. He was silent for a few minutes. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" She sat up and looked at him. There was sorrow in his eyes, but a bit of worry there as well.

"I'm not leaving you, if that's what you're asking."

"Maybe it would be better if you did."

"For whom?" Hermione demanded.

"Hermione," he said with a sigh.

"Do you want me to leave you?" she demanded.

"No," he said immediately. "Of course, I don't. But I don't want you to be hurt like this."

"I'll be fine. Like I said, it was a shock, that's all. Now that I know how vile some people are going to be, I'll be ready for it."

"You shouldn't have to be," he said regretfully.

"You shouldn't have to be either," she countered.

"Par for the course with my affliction." She sighed and brought a hand to his cheek. He covered it with his own and then kissed her palm. She stared at him, then moved so she was straddling his lap.

His hands automatically went to her hips as she leaned down and kissed him. As soon as he responded, she deepened the kiss and rolled her hips against him. Remus pulled her more tightly to him as he kissed her. Hermione's hands were busy with his shirt and their movements became more frantic, their kisses more heated, as he pulled her shirt over her head.

She managed to free him from his trousers and somehow her knickers disappeared. He wasn't sure how that had happened, but when she hiked up her skirt and sank down on him, all thoughts of her knickers left his head. In fact, he was quite sure all thoughts left his head as she began to move. One hand gripped her hip as she rocked forward, the other moving to her neck to pull her into another kiss.

When Hermione collapsed against him, Remus' head fell back against the couch, panting for breath. She kissed the base of his throat and hummed in satisfaction. His hand moved lazily up and down her back and she shivered.

"Cold, love?" he asked softly.

"No," she said, and she shivered again as his fingertips ran down her spine. He smirked. She slapped his shoulder.

"Don't look so smug." He chuckled and kissed her forehead. Eventually, they disentangled themselves and righted their clothes. Lying back on the couch, Remus pulled Hermione into his side, then waved his wand to light a fire in the grate. They lay in silence, staring into the flames, as he idly played with her curls.

"Do you think he got the pictures?" she asked quietly a few minutes later.

"I don't see how he couldn't have," Remus said. "It's not as if Diagon Alley was particularly crowded tonight." She nodded against his chest and sighed. Remus shifted slightly so he could see her face and frowned when he saw that she was biting her lip.

"Are you sure about this, Hermione?" he asked again. "Ginny could Floo him if you've changed your mind."

Ginny knew Bradley, the sports photographer for the Prophet, and trusted him completely. She had met him when he was hired by the Harpies to take promotional shots of the stadium and grounds for their new marketing campaign. While shooting around the facility, he had accidentally caught one of the team members in a rather compromising position with her girlfriend in one of the locker rooms. Instead of taking photographs, which he easily could have done given their level of distraction, Bradley had simply apologized and left them alone.

Ginny knew the man had been trying to get a promotion from photographer to reporter at the Prophet, but when Rita had brought in her article about Satterfield, Barnabas Cuffe, the editor, had welcomed her back with open arms. Given that Skeeter had given Remus and Hermione until the following morning to agree to her terms, they knew that she wouldn't likely publish anything about them until at least Thursday. Instead, Remus and Hermione had offered Bradley the chance to 'scoop' Rita by taking the photographs and writing a short article, with information he received from Ginny, for tomorrow's morning edition.

"No, I'm sure," Hermione said. "It's just the waiting, I suppose." Remus made a noise of agreement as she settled back into him.

"It's getting late," she said softly, a while later. He could hear in her voice that she didn't want him to leave. He wasn't inclined to either. He had already told Andromeda he didn't know if he'd be home that evening. And Teddy was already in bed.

"Shall I stay?" he asked.

"If you like," she said, propping her chin on his chest. He leaned up and kissed her.

"Then I will." She smiled and laid her cheek back on his chest. He tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, fingers resuming their path up and down her back.