A/N - I'm so glad everyone seemed to like the Rita situation! You will get a more definitive resolution, but that will be in a later chapter. I am beginning to wrap this story up. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 80

Grateful

4 June 2000

"Remus, how is Andromeda?" Molly asked in concern when they arrived at the Weasley family dinner that night. Andromeda had decided to stay home, citing the need for a little quiet after the last few days. Hermione suspected that she really wanted some time alone with Kingsley. Hermione couldn't blame her.

"She's fine, Molly," Remus assured the Weasley matriarch. "Just needed a bit of quiet time tonight."

"Well, I can certainly understand that," Molly said. "Perhaps I will stop by tomorrow?"

"I'm sure she'd like that," Remus said. "And thank you again for watching Teddy yesterday."

"Of course, dear," Molly said as she patted his arm. "He's no trouble." Molly moved back into the kitchen. Remus took Hermione's hand and they walked into the living room. Teddy had insisted on being put down the moment they stepped into the house and had immediately run into the other room to find his godfather. When Hermione and Remus walked in, Teddy had already convinced Harry to play with him. They were sitting on the floor near the basket of toys Molly kept for him.

Hermione and Remus greeted the various Weasley family members before Hermione joined Ginny and Fleur on the couch. Ginny was holding Victoire and making faces at her.

"What on earth are you doing?" Hermione said with a laugh as Victoire stared blankly back at her aunt.

"Trying to get her to smile," Ginny said.

"I 'ave told 'er it is too soon," Fleur said. "It will be a few weeks yet."

"Either that or she doesn't think you're very funny," Hermione said. Ginny turned and stuck her tongue out at Hermione as Fleur laughed.

"How's Andromeda?" Ginny asked.

"She's fine, now that everything seems to be over," Hermione said.

"Zat 'orrid woman," Fleur said. "I never liked 'er during ze tournament eizer."

"You weren't alone," Hermione said.

"What do you think happened to her?" Ginny asked. Hermione shrugged.

"If they didn't find her anywhere around the house, I doubt she's dead. Maybe she is flying around somewhere, disoriented."

"Harry said they've been searching Muggle hospitals, but they haven't found her," Ginny said.

"He's back on the case now, is he?" Hermione asked dryly.

"Of course, now that Andromeda and Kingsley have been cleared, there's no reason to keep him off it." Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Per'aps she was eaten by a dog," Fleur said with a scowl. Hermione and Ginny burst out laughing, startling Victoire. Fleur took the baby from Ginny's arms to soothe her.

"If she was, I feel sorry for the dog," Ginny said. Hermione snorted and Fleur smirked.

"You feel sorry for what dog?" Remus asked, perching on the arm of the couch next to Hermione.

"Fleur suggested that Skeeter might have been eaten by a dog," Hermione explained. Remus chuckled.

"Oh, I heard from Luna," Ginny said. "She'll be home on the twentieth. She said she has a surprise for us."

"What kind of surprise?" Hermione asked warily.

"No idea," Ginny said. "Maybe she finally found a Crumple-Horned Snorkack." Hermione smiled. She missed Luna. "Anyway, I thought we'd try and get everyone together that Friday. At the Leaky? I bet Hannah would let us use that back room."

"Sounds good to me," Hermione said. She looked up at Remus. He looked…troubled for lack of a better word. Hermione's brow furrowed, but before she could ask him about it, there was a squeal from the other side of the room. Teddy raced towards them, scrambling into Hermione's lap.

"Ha-wy get me!" Teddy said as Harry came into view. Teddy squealed again and snuggled into Hermione. She wrapped her arms around him.

"I'll save you from Harry," Hermione promised. Remus reached down and put a hand on his son's head, smiling at Hermione. She leaned into his arm for a moment, then looked up at Harry who was watching Teddy with amusement.

"Not fair, hiding behind Hermione," Harry said. Teddy just grinned up at him. Victoire made a small noise and Teddy's head popped up.

"Baby here?" he asked.

"Yes, Victoire is here," Ginny said. Teddy crawled from Hermione's lap to Ginny's to get a better look at Victoire. Fleur smiled at him as she moved closer to Ginny. Teddy reached out a hand.

"Remember, gentle," Remus said. Teddy petted Victoire's arm. She made a small noise and squirmed. Teddy looked at Ginny, who smiled and nodded at him.

"It's all right," Ginny said. Teddy continued to watch Victoire whose arms were flailing a bit. After a few moments, she started to fuss.

"Baby tyin?" Teddy asked.

"I think she might be hungry."

"She has bikkit?" Teddy asked. Harry chuckled and Ginny smiled down at Teddy.

"No, she can't have a biscuit," Ginny said. "Babies have to eat special food. Victoire doesn't have any teeth yet." Fleur, who had been crooning to Victoire in French, trying to soothe her, stood from the couch.

"We will be back later," Fleur said, smiling down at Teddy before she left the room.

"Where goin'?"

"Fleur is going to feed her," Remus said.

"Me eat, Daddy?" Teddy said, swiveling his head around to look at his father.

"In a little while," Remus said with a smile. "Why don't you go play while you're waiting?" Teddy pushed himself off Ginny's lap and then turned back to look at her.

"Gin, you pay?"

"Okay, but only if I get to be the dragon." Teddy grinned and tugged on her hand, pulling her with him towards his toys. Harry took Ginny's vacated seat on the couch.

"I heard you're back on the case," Hermione said. Harry nodded.

"They've checked all the local hospitals and medical centers around Skeeter's house and nothing. We'll still follow up with those further away, but I don't think we'll find her."

"What do you think happened, Harry?"

"No idea," Harry said. "It's unlikely that she's dead. She would have transformed back by now. But Cuffe said she hit the window pretty hard. Concussion at least, would be my guess."

"Wouldn't that have caused her to transform back?" Remus asked.

"Maybe," Harry said. "I talked to McGonagall, but there isn't a lot of research on things like this. Mostly because no one is going to volunteer to be seriously injured while in Animagus form just to see what would happen."

"There were injuries when your father and Sirius were with me," Remus said. Harry looked up at him, always eager to hear about his parents and Sirius. "Never anything serious, just cuts and scratches mostly, a few bruises here and there. They were always mirrored on their bodies the next morning when they transformed back though. Sirius kept bruise paste in his trunk and they all got rather proficient at simple healing charms. They couldn't risk Poppy finding out." Remus smiled wistfully and Hermione took his hand. She smiled at her and continued.

"If Skeeter had any kind of head injury as a beetle, it's likely she would have had one as a witch as well."

"Robards was talking about checking with the Muggle police about any missing persons."

"How long do you think this case is going to be a priority?" Hermione asked.

"Honestly, not long," Harry said. "Once we've checked all the hospitals and with the police there's not much else we can do. Either she'll come back or she won't. Personally, I'm hoping for won't." Both Hermione and Remus nodded in agreement.

"One good thing though," Harry said. Hermione and Remus looked at him expectantly. "I got the book."

"Skeeter's book about you?" Hermione said. Harry nodded.

"Well, I don't have it, but it's in evidence," Harry said. "It is the possible murder weapon after all."

"I thought they ruled it an accident?" Remus said.

"They did," Harry replied. "But they're still keeping the book."

"For how long?"

"Until Rita comes back to claim it," Harry said. "Indefinitely if she doesn't. That's the nice thing about magic. You can just keep adding more storage space." Harry grinned.

"So, Rita is gone, probably, and her latest book won't see the light of day," Hermione said with a smirk. "Sounds like the perfect ending to a wonderful woman." Harry and Remus laughed and Hermione smiled at them. She did not plan to waste one more second thinking about Rita Skeeter.

10 June 2000

Hermione looked up from the story she was reading to Rebecca as Andromeda and Caroline came into the room. Remus was teaching Will the finer points of wizard chess, while Teddy napped. Rebecca had looked a bit sleepy herself after the morning spent outside, but the little girl had insisted she was too big for a nap. Hermione had talked her into a story instead.

"Well?" Hermione asked in anticipation.

"It's perfect," Andromeda said with a smile. "And Caroline did the entire thing herself." Hermione's grin widened.

"Good job, Mum," Will said with a smile. There was a faint blush on Caroline's cheeks.

"Yes, well, I would have ruined the entire thing if Andromeda hadn't been there to stop me adding the Fluxweed at the wrong time."

"Something you likely will not forget again," Andromeda said.

"No, I suppose not," Caroline agreed. "Still, I'd feel better if you were there to observe again next month."

"Of course," Andromeda agreed. "I told you I would stay as long as you need me." She turned to Remus. "You and Will might as well take your own doses now," she said. Will made a face and Remus clapped the boy on the shoulder.

"I know," he said. "But it's better than the alternative, yes?" Will nodded, then looked at his mother.

"Maybe you can make it taste better, Mum." Caroline laughed.

"I would love to do that, but I'm not a researcher, sweetheart." She gave him a one-armed hug and he sighed, nodding in defeat. Remus and Will made their way to the cellar, where Andromeda also had her small potions lab, to take the potion. Caroline looked at her daughter, who was nearly asleep at Hermione's side.

"She insisted she didn't need a nap," Hermione said. Caroline chuckled, then sat down on Hermione's other side, gently shifting her daughter toward her. She leaned down and kissed the top of the little girl's head. Rebecca sighed and closed her eyes fully, relaxing into her mother. Hermione watched them fondly.

"What time do we need to leave for the Sanctuary?" Caroline asked.

"In about an hour, I think," Hermione said. "That will give us a bit of time to have everything ready before they start arriving. Plus, then you can look at the lab space and see what you'd like to do with it."

"I think I will let the two of you handle this, if that is all right?" Andromeda said. "I can stay here with Remus and the children."

"Are you sure?" Caroline asked. Andromeda nodded.

"This is your work," she said with a smile. "You do not need me there."

"Gwendolyn and Declan will be there as well," Hermione said. "We won't be short-handed." Caroline finally nodded, looking a little overwhelmed. Remus and Will returned from the cellar. Caroline looked at them expectantly.

"Still tastes vile," Will said, making a face. Caroline laughed quietly so as not to disturb Rebecca.

"I suppose I got it right then."

"Come on, Will," Remus said. "Let's get something to wash this down with." He led the boy into the kitchen.

"I want to thank you," Caroline said quietly. "All of you, for everything you've done for my children and for me."

"You don't have to thank us," Hermione said.

"No," Caroline said. "I do. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have Will. Remus has been so wonderful with him, not just the tutoring, but everything else he's helped him with. And Andromeda, without you I would have never been offered this job. I just, thank you." There were tears in her eyes when she finished. Hermione reached over and took her hand.

"You didn't deserve any of what happened to you. None of you did," she said. "If we helped ease the pain of that, then you're welcome. But thanks aren't necessary."

"Hermione is right," Andromeda said. "But you are welcome, all the same." Caroline gave them both a watery smile. Andromeda passed her a handkerchief and she dabbed at her eyes as Remus and Will came back into the room.

"Mum?" Will said, immediately going to his mother.

"I'm fine, sweetheart." He looked at her doubtfully. "Honest." Hermione rose from the couch as Will sat down on his mother's other side. Caroline put her free arm around him and began to ask him about his morning.

Hermione walked towards Remus. He looked at her in concern, but she shook her head as he slid an arm around her waist. Andromeda moved to his other side.

"Is everything all right?" he asked quietly.

"It's fine," Hermione said. She leaned into him, looking back at the small family on the couch. He glanced at Andromeda and she nodded in agreement. Hermione felt him relax and she smiled, glad that one more thing seemed to have worked out as best it could.

13 June 2000

Remus walked up the lawns toward the castle. Hagrid had met him at the gates but had only been able to walk with Remus as far as his cabin, as he had a class to teach shortly. Remus didn't mind. There were a few students scattered around the grounds, but Remus knew that most would be revising for exams or O.W.L.S. or N.E.W.T.S. They were starting in a week.

As he reached the steps of the castle, Remus wondered again just why Minerva had asked to meet with him. He assumed it had something to do with the werewolf seminar he would be teaching next fall but thought she would have waited until school was out to talk to him about it. She was undoubtedly busy right now. The end of the year always was. Not to mention that the full moon was in three days. Remus wasn't as agitated as he would be in a day or two, but he was still a bit on edge.

It didn't help that he and Hermione hadn't had much time alone together recently. Since Skeeter's case had been closed, Kingsley and Andromeda had been spending a lot more time together, something Remus and Hermione were both very happy about. Hermione had also been busy with the opening of the Sanctuary. While their department wasn't normally so hands-on with the laws they passed, Margaret had known how much this project had meant to Hermione. Given they hadn't had any pressing research that Margaret wanted Hermione to work on, she had basically loaned Hermione to the Werewolf Support Services office until the Sanctuary was up and running. Between that and Andromeda not being home as often, Remus hadn't spent an uninterrupted evening with Hermione in nearly a week. And given the approaching full moon, well, Remus had taken to spending a bit more time in the shower every morning.

He shook off his randy thoughts as he approached the gargoyle. The last thing he needed was to be thinking about shagging Hermione when he spoke to Minerva. Remus gave the password and rode up the staircase to the Headmistress' office. He knocked on the door and was bade entry.

"Ah, Remus, thank you for coming," Minerva said, ushering him into the room. Remus took a seat in front of her desk. "I am sorry for the short notice."

"Not a problem," Remus said with a smile. "I'm guessing you want to talk about the seminar I'll be teaching next year?"

"Actually, no," Minerva said. "I do need to speak with you about that, but that isn't why I asked you here today." Remus' brow furrowed in confusion. "As you know, Angus Higgins has been teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for the last two years." Remus nodded. He still remembered the reaction Hermione had had to Higgins' dueling tournament when she had come back to finish her seventh year. As far as he knew, the man hadn't done it again.

"Angus told me last week that he does not intend to return next year," Minerva continued. "So, I will be in need of a new Defense teacher."

"Were you looking for a recommendation?" Remus asked. Minerva chuckled.

"No, Remus, I would like to offer you the job." Remus stared at her in shock. "You are an excellent teacher and you already know the curriculum. There have been a few additions, of course, with Hermione's magical creatures initiative, but you are welcome to shape the class as you see fit."

"Minerva, I," Remus began, at a loss for words. "The Board is all right with this?"

"I have complete control of who I hire," she said.

"Yes, normally, but-" Minerva held up a hand to interrupt him.

"Remus, you are forgetting the new legislation. Shouldn't Hogwarts set an example in that regard?" He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head.

"You may lose students over this."

"It's possible," she said as if it didn't even matter. "Then again, we may gain a few." He looked up at her quizzically.

"You do not think that Greyback and his ilk were busy during the war? I do not believe for a moment that Will Burke was the only child that was bitten. You being here may encourage parents who might otherwise feel they needed to hide their child away." Remus couldn't argue with her logic.

"I don't know what to say."

"How about yes?" she said with a smile.

"I don't, I don't know. I have Teddy now."

"There haven't been staff with children for quite some time, but it used to be much more common. There are family quarters available," Minerva said. Remus frowned.

"I'm not sure I want to raise Teddy in the castle," he said. Beyond that, there was Hermione. Remus very much doubted Minerva would permit Hermione to stay the night. He didn't think that she would be all that keen on Hermione visiting on a regular basis, come to that. Not that she didn't approve of the two of them, but the school had an image to maintain and they weren't married.

Remus couldn't just sneak her in through the Floo either. Except for the Floo in Minerva's office, the fireplaces in the castle were only connected internally. Calls could be made outside, but travel was restricted. There were exceptions made at times, like during the war, but Remus would not be able to keep an outside connection open all the time. Asking Hermione to come through Minerva's Floo was also not an option. Remus wouldn't presume to intrude on Minerva's space in that way.

Not to mention Andromeda. She and Teddy were so close, he couldn't just leave her. And he doubted she would want to live in the castle with him, especially now with Kingsley in the picture.

"There is another possibility," Minerva said. He looked up expectantly, hoping she would say he could live at home and commute.

"I still own a cottage in Hogsmeade," she continued. "Elphinstone and I bought it after we married. After he passed, I could not stay there and returned to my quarters in the castle. But I kept it. Why, I'm not sure. I would like to offer it to you if you would prefer not to live in the castle. You would still have an office and a set of rooms here; I would require you to stay one or two nights a week when you are assigned patrol. The Floo at the cottage can be attached to the internal Floo network, so you could get to the castle quickly if needed. I would like to tell you that I could do the same for your home now, but it is a matter of distance, I'm afraid. Hogsmeade is still close enough that it can be connected." Remus nodded in understanding.

"I, Minerva that is very generous, but I-" he trailed off, his face turning red. He cleared his throat. "I can't afford it."

"I am not asking you to buy it," she said.

"I wouldn't be able to afford rent either."

"I am not asking for money."

"I can't possibly stay there for free," Remus said.

"Why not?" Minerva asked. "Teachers are not charged rent to stay in the castle. Why should this be any different?"

"Because the castle belongs to the school," he said. "This is your house."

"A house that has sat empty for far too long," she replied. "And will continue to do so if you don't live in it." Remus shook his head, wry smile on his face. Minerva smirked at him.

"There's also Andromeda to consider," Remus said. "She and Teddy are extremely close. I couldn't just take him away from her like that."

"By all means, discuss it with Andromeda," Minerva said. "I am sure you will want to talk to Hermione as well. But know that I am not going to give up trying to convince you. This school needs you, Remus."

"I will think about it."

"You will let me know after the moon?" Remus nodded. She rose from her chair and came around her desk as he stood. "If you would like to see the cottage before you make your decision, just send me an owl."

"Thank you, Minerva." She smiled and squeezed his upper arm.

"You can thank me by accepting," she said.

"I promise I will think about it." They made their good-byes and Remus made his way out of the castle and across the grounds. A job offer was the last thing he had been expecting and he wasn't sure just what he was going to do.

"How was your meeting?" Andromeda asked when Remus arrived home. Remus glanced into the living room, but Teddy was thoroughly engrossed in his toys and didn't seem to be paying them any attention.

"Minerva offered me a job." Andromeda looked confused.

"I thought she had already offered you the position."

"Not that job," Remus said. "She wants me to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Andromeda stared at him in shock for a moment and then she smiled widely.

"Oh, Remus, that is wonderful!" Remus allowed himself to smile. If he were honest, he really wanted to accept. He had loved teaching and he missed it. But he needed to make sure that everyone else in his life was all right with it first.

"I'm not sure if I am going to take it."

"Why in Merlin's name not?" Andromeda demanded.

"I would have to move, Andromeda." She looked taken aback for a moment, then sank down into one of the kitchen chairs.

"Of course," she said quietly. "Staff lives in the castle."

"When I expressed concern about raising Teddy in the castle, Minerva offered me an alternative," Remus said, sitting down as well. Andromeda looked up. "Minerva has a cottage that she hasn't lived in since her husband died. It's in Hogsmeade. She wants me to be connected to the internal Hogwarts Floo and our house is too far away." Andromeda nodded.

"I never expected the two of you would live with me forever," she said, trying to smile and failing miserably. "I knew that one day you would move on with your life, as you should."

"Andromeda," he said, reaching over and taking her hand. "I want everyone to be all right with this decision."

"Remus, do not be ridiculous. Of course, you should take the job." She managed a smile this time, although it didn't reach her eyes. "Besides, you will still need someone to mind Teddy while you are teaching, so it is not as if I will not see him regularly." She patted his hand with her free one.

"I will have to spend a night or two every week in the castle when I am on patrol, as well," Remus said.

"Well, there you are then," Andromeda said. "We will see one another nearly as often as we do now." Her voice sounded just a little too bright, but he didn't call attention to it.

"You could come with us," he suggested. "I haven't seen the cottage yet, but I'm sure we can make it work."

"Remus," she said, with a smile, this one a little wistful, but genuine all the same. "I am not going to do that. You deserve to have your own life, you and Teddy." He opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head. "Do you expect Hermione to eventually move in here with us? Or have me continue to live with you after the two of you are married?"

"We haven't discussed marriage," Remus muttered, his cheeks pinking.

"Perhaps not in so many words," she said with a smirk. "But I can see where you are heading." He couldn't deny what she was saying. Remus knew that's what he wanted anyway.

"I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves," he said. "We've only been together for three months."

"Regardless," Andromeda said. "I think we both knew from the beginning that our situation was not going to be forever."

"There aren't enough words to thank you for all you've done for us," Remus said, gripping her hand tighter.

"The two of you did just as much for me," she said, eyes filling. "I think I would have been very lost after the war if it had not been for you and Teddy. I am not sure I would have survived it, to be honest." They fell silent, both thinking of those they had lost. Remus pulled in a breath a few minutes later and looked up at her.

"Thank you, Andromeda." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, then conjured a handkerchief and handed it to her. She smiled at him and dabbed at her eyes. She squeezed his hand again.

"You are going to be a wonderful teacher, Remus," she said.

Hermione stepped out of the Floo to find Crookshanks standing at the back door yowling at her.

"Just give me a minute, would you," Hermione muttered as she shrugged out of her outer robes and laid them over the armchair. The warming temperatures and more hours of sunshine meant Crookshanks spent most evenings outdoors, sunning himself or wandering through the neighborhood. She opened the back door to let him out and started when she saw someone sitting on the bench near the house.

"Remus," she said, hand on her chest. "You startled me."

"I'm sorry, love," he said with a smile.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking," he said. He smiled up at her and patted the spot on the bench next to him. Hermione's brow furrowed as she looked at him. He was acting strange.

"Thinking about what?" she asked as she sat down.

"The job Minerva offered me today." Hermione's mouth dropped open. He had told her he was meeting with Minerva, but they both assumed it was about his guest lectures.

"What?" she finally managed.

"Angus Higgins is leaving and Minerva wants me to be the new Defense teacher." Hermione grinned and threw her arms around his neck.

"Remus, that's brilliant!" He hugged her tightly for a moment before easing back from her.

"I haven't said yes yet." She looked at him in confusion.

"Why not?"

"It's a big change, Hermione. And it affects more than just me." She sat back. He was right. He would have to move into the castle. Hermione doubted whether Minerva would approve of Hermione staying the night, even if she weren't seen by any of the students. Come to that, she wasn't sure how she wouldn't be seen by any of the students. The Floos in the castle were only connected to one another. She couldn't travel in and out that way. She bit her lip.

Still, this was what Remus had always wanted to do, she knew that. And he was an amazing teacher. She couldn't be selfish about it.

"There are weekends," she said quietly. "And holidays. And you're off for an entire two months in the summer." He brought a hand to her cheek and smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her softly.

"I don't have to live in the castle." She looked at him in confusion.

"But…what?"

"Minerva has a cottage in Hogsmeade she doesn't use. She offered it to me after I told her that I wasn't sure I wanted to raise Teddy in the castle."

"Oh, well then, that's," Hermione paused. She wasn't sure why he was hesitating. "That's good, isn't it?"

"It is," Remus agreed. "You and I will still be able to spend time together, even during the week. Teddy will have a normal house to grow up in and Andromeda can still mind him during the day." Hermione picked up on the way that Remus stressed 'the day'.

"Andromeda isn't going with you?" Hermione asked. Remus shook his head.

"She said that she knew I would move on with my life one day."

"Remus," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around him and leaning into his side. He rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I'm worried about Teddy," he said. "The two of them are so close." Hermione suspected that Remus was a bit worried about himself, as well. He and Andromeda had kept each other afloat after the war. Teddy had been their focus, of course, but the two adults had been there for one another just as much.

"And no matter what she says, I'm worried about Andromeda," he admitted. "By herself in that house."

"She won't be by herself," Hermione said. "Teddy will still be there during the day. And I have a feeling Kingsley might be there more often than you think." He pulled back slightly and looked down at her.

"I don't know that I want to think about that," he said and she laughed.

"What about you?" she asked.

"What about me?"

"You've mentioned everyone else, but you haven't said anything about yourself."

"What is there to say?"

"Why you're still hesitating?" He sighed and looked at the ground. Hermione sat up and took one of his hands instead.

"I've spent so much time with Teddy these last two years, I'm not sure I'm ready to give that up," he admitted. Hermione squeezed his hand, thinking it had been something along those lines.

"But I do need an income. The," he paused and cleared his throat. "The death benefits we received for Dora and what I earned from tutoring are about gone. I can't expect Andromeda to support us on what Ted left her." He sighed. "I feel selfish for wanting to take the job and selfish for not wanting to."

"You, Remus Lupin, are the very last person I would ever call selfish," Hermione said. He gave her a half-smile and then looked out over the garden.

"I never thought I'd be in this position."

"What position?"

"Having to decide whether to take a job or not. I never figured I'd get much choice in the matter." He squeezed her hand. "I have you to thank for that."

"Not just me," Hermione insisted. "And besides, I have a strong feeling that Minerva would have offered you the job whether my proposal had passed or not."

"Maybe," Remus said. "But it helped."

"Maybe," Hermione echoed. Remus put an arm around her and she leaned into him, head resting on his shoulder. They sat quietly for a few moments, watching Crookshanks stalking something in the grass.

"When do you have to let Minerva know?" Hermione asked.

"After the moon," Remus replied. She nodded. He looked down at her and she smiled up at him. He lowered his head and kissed her, one hand coming up against the side of her neck. He pulled back to look at her, thumb rubbing lightly near her ear.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she said with a smile. Then she pulled him back to kiss him once more.

16 June 2000

Hermione stood near the Floo in Sanctuary House, waiting with the final doses of Wolfsbane for those that were planning on transforming there that night. Caroline had stayed home with Will, of course, and Andromeda was with Remus. Teddy had been sent to Harry's for the night. Hermione intended to stay the night in one of the newly renovated rooms in Sanctuary House. Declan was staying as well.

There were also two teams from Magical Law Enforcement that had been specially trained to patrol during the full moon. One person would be stationed in the house and the others would patrol on brooms over the enclosed wooded area. The two teams would trade off every couple of hours so no one would get too tired to fly. There was a tall fence and layered wards, so the possibility of escaping was extremely slim. The patrol was more to be sure that the wolves didn't injure one another. Although they had all had a full course of Wolfsbane potion, MLE was still unsure how the werewolves would all react when in proximity to one another.

There was plenty of room for those that had chosen to transform there. In fact, if they didn't want to, they likely wouldn't encounter one another during the night. As of now, there were only men that intended to use the sanctuary. They were bitten in greater numbers than women, as a rule.

A touch on her shoulder caused her to jump. She turned to see Declan standing next to her.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said.

"It's all right," Hermione replied. "I'm a bit jumpy."

"Everything is going to be fine, Hermione. They've just finished doing a final sweep of the grounds. All the wards are set and there's nothing amiss in the forest." She nodded. Declan studied her for a moment.

"Is there something else?"

"I just, if this doesn't work or something happens, I don't think I could forgive myself," she said. "All of this was my idea." Declan put his hands on her shoulders.

"It's going to work out and nothing is going to happen," he said. "We've gone over everything a dozen times. Everyone has taken their Wolfsbane. The wards are sound. Don't worry so much." She nodded and he squeezed her shoulders once before letting go.

The Floo flared seconds later and the first wizard stepped out. Hermione took a deep breath. Declan was right. Everything was going to be fine.

17 June 2000

Almost everything was fine. Those that had decided to transform at the sanctuary had arrived on time to take their last dose of Wolfsbane and then made their way onto the grounds to find a spot to transform. According to those patrolling, the transformations had been uneventful, most of the wolves investigating their surroundings a bit before settling down for the night. They had all been up a few times in the night, but everyone had kept mostly to themselves. A couple of the younger men, both just eighteen, had run into one another during the night and ended up in a wrestling match, but it had been playful and neither had been hurt. Until that morning, however.

As the sun rose and the air was filled with the anguished howls of werewolves transforming back to men, one wizard had stepped in a hole and twisted his ankle as soon as his transformation was complete. Weak and already in pain, he had been unable to stand or summon help. When the rest of the werewolves made it to the house to check in, a team had been dispatched to find the missing man. He was currently sleeping in the room Hermione had slept in, his broken ankle propped on a pillow while he waited for the Skele-gro to work.

"Go on home, Hermione," Declan said. "I'll stay with him until his ankle is mended."

"Are you sure?" she said. "I can stay."

"No, go see your man," Declan said. "Merlin knows mine will still be sleeping off his night at the pub until at least noon." Hermione laughed and kissed the man's cheek.

"Thanks, Declan."

She hurried downstairs and to the Floo, calling out for her own house first. Remus would likely be sleeping and she really wanted a shower and some breakfast before she saw him.

Remus shifted in his bed, trying to get comfortable. The moon had been uneventful, but his left hip was particularly sore this morning. He should probably put more salve on it, but he didn't have the inclination to sit up and do it.

The door creaked slightly and Remus looked up to see Hermione standing in the doorway.

"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you," she said.

"I wasn't asleep, love," he said. "Come in." She walked into the room and shut the door behind her.

"Why aren't you asleep?" she asked.

"My hip is bothering me." Hermione picked up the jar of salve from his bedside table.

"Which one?"

"The left." She drew the sheets back and rubbed more salve into his hip. He groaned in relief as the pain began to recede.

"Thank you," he said. She capped the jar and cleansed her hands with a spell before pulling the sheet and blanket back up over him. She sat down on the edge of his bed and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.

"Anything else bothering you?" she asked. He shook his head.

"How did it go at the sanctuary?"

"Everything went smoothly until this morning." Remus looked at her questioningly. "One man stepped in a hole after his transformation and twisted his ankle. It's broken." Remus grimaced in sympathy. That was one of the hazards of transforming outside.

"Is he all right now?" Remus asked. Hermione nodded.

"The mediwitch was by this morning and gave him Skele-gro. He's sleeping in one of the bedrooms at Sanctuary House. Declan stayed with him." Remus tried not to bristle. Hermione had told him that Declan was staying last night. Remus had no reason to be jealous. The wolf paced in his head all the same. Hermione, noticing his reaction, smirked.

"You don't have anything to be worried about, you know," she said.

"I know," he replied apologetically.

"Besides, you're more Declan's type than I am." She laughed at the look on Remus' face, then leaned down and kissed him.

"I'm sorry, love."

"It's all right," she said with a smile.

"Everyone else was okay though?" Remus asked. Hermione nodded.

"I think they were all thankful to have a safe place to transform," she said. "One man told me this morning that he used to chain himself up in the woods because he didn't have anywhere else to go." Remus squeezed her hand.

"You should sleep now," she said, standing and swiping at her eyes, while she busied herself tucking him in.

"What are you up to today?"

"Nothing, really," she said with a shrug. "I thought I might go visit Harry and Teddy." She tried to stifle a yawn.

"Did you sleep last night?"

"A bit," she said.

"How much is a bit?"

"A couple of hours." Remus bit back the reprimand. He knew she would be up worrying most of the night.

"Why don't you take a nap instead of going to Harry's?" Before she could say no, he flipped back the covers. She looked at him, then smiled, taking off her shoes and socks and stripping out of her jeans, leaving her in her knickers and t-shirt. She climbed into the bed but was careful not to touch him.

"I hope you know, there is zero possibility of any kind of ravishing right now," Remus said dryly.

"I'm not worried about that," she said, rolling her eyes. "I just don't want to hurt you."

"You won't," he said. She moved to his side and laid down gingerly next to him. She rested a hand on his chest and he entwined his fingers with hers. She relaxed and burrowed a bit closer to him. He kissed the top of her head and relaxed back into his pillow, his residual pain seeming to melt away. He felt Hermione's breathing even out as his own eyes closed and he succumbed to sleep.

When he woke, she was gone. A glance at the clock showed that it was mid-afternoon. Remus shifted slightly in the bed. His hip was still a bit sore, but nothing like it had been earlier that morning. His stomach, however, was growling in protest. As was his bladder.

He pulled himself into a sitting position and catalogued his pain. He was sore, of course, but nothing terrible. Standing, he walked to the chair in the corner of his room and pulled on his trousers and a shirt, grimacing as the muscles in his back pulled.

When he opened the door to his bedroom, he could hear voices downstairs. Andromeda, Hermione, and Harry it sounded like. He made his way to the loo and when he was finished started down the stairs. Hermione appeared at the bottom, obviously having heard him moving around. She smiled, but he could see the concern in her eyes.

Ignoring it, he began to walk down the stairs, not needing to lean too heavily on the railing. This had been one of his less painful transformations. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he reached out and pulled Hermione to him, kissing her quite soundly. When they parted, she looked up at him, lips slightly parted, her breath coming a bit faster than normal.

"You're feeling better," she said. He chuckled.

"I am," he said. "Did I hear Harry's voice?"

"Yes, we brought Teddy back for lunch," she said. "He's down for his nap now." Remus' brow furrowed in concern. If she had been at Harry's before lunch, she couldn't have napped for that long.

"How long did you sleep?" he asked, tucking a curl behind her ear. They walked into the kitchen.

"A few hours. I wasn't at Harry's for long before we came back here. Are you hungry?" He nodded. "Andromeda's kept some food warm for you. I'll get it." Remus sat down at the table and watched as Hermione cancelled the warming charm on the leftovers and then brought him a plate and silverware. She poured him a glass of water and then sat down in the chair opposite as he ate.

It was only a few minutes before Harry and Andromeda joined them in the kitchen.

"How are you feeling?" Andromeda asked.

"Rather well, actually," Remus replied. Andromeda patted his shoulder as Harry slid into a chair next to Hermione.

"I was just about to give them an update about Skeeter," Harry said. Remus stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth.

"Bad news?" Remus asked.

"No news, actually," Harry said. "There's been no sign of her anywhere. She's not in any Muggle hospital, she hasn't turned up at any police station. It's like she just disappeared."

"Well, if she's still a beetle and she can't remember how to transform, she might as well have. It's not as if you could find her easily in that form," Hermione said. Remus noticed that Andromeda didn't say anything. He thought it a bit strange that she hadn't at least made some kind of 'good riddance' comment.

"So, will they close the case then?" Remus asked.

"It won't be officially closed unless we find her," Harry said. "But no one will be assigned to it. Proudfoot is the only one still working on it now, in any case. But as of today, it's no longer a priority."

"Well, I cannot say I will miss thinking about Rita Skeeter," Andromeda finally said. "That woman has taken up too much time and energy from everyone." They all nodded in agreement. Remus studied her. There was something she wasn't saying that much he could tell. What it was, he had no idea.