Okay. So I took my sweet time getting this one out. I said when I started posting that this story was almost finished but the more I write the longer it seems to get. Like the part I really want to get to is so far away and there's stuff that needs to be done before I can get there. Just taking longer than I thought it would is all...don't lose faith! I'll finish it!

Again, remember this story is unbetaed so any mistakes are mine. Please forgive any ooc-ness about any of the characters. I tried my best.

It was brought to my attention that, in Harry's fifth year in the Ministry, not only was Hermione NOT in the room with the vail and the fighting...she wasn't even awake! Sorry 'bout that. Like I said, I've only read book five once before so bare with me. ;-) Thanks to EVERYONE who has reviewed this story (the few of you there are hint hint). It lets me know someone is reading. Hope you like this part!

Untitled - ch. 4

7 Years Later

Remus walked down the hall of the house he now shared with Harry. One of the things Sirius had wanted was for them to share Grimmauld Place and everything in it. His money he had split between them. He had wanted to be sure both Remus and Harry were taken care of. There were even rooms for Hermione and Ron, even though they hardly ever used them. Ron lived with Fred and George and helped them run their shop. Hermione rarely used her's either, as she was living mostly in London while she was in University.

Remus stopped and leaned against the wall. Harry had defeated Voldemort almost three years ago and, it seemed, the wizarding world was still celebrating. But, even now, Remus didn't feel like celebrating Sirius had died without ever knowing his daughter and she had been right there, within his reach, for two years. Remus tried not to let himself feel guilty because he knew he'd done the right thing at the time.

"Remus, are you alright?" Harry asked when he saw Remus leaning against the wall.

"Yes, Harry," Remus answered, straightening and turning towards him. "Just thinking."

"I still miss him too," harry sighed, putting his hand on Remus' shoulder.

"Sometimes," Remus said, staring at the floor. "I wonder 'what will happen to me now?' All of my friends are dead now, one way or the other, with no chance of them ever coming back. Sometimes I feel like I'm all alone."

"But you're not alone," Harry almost whispered, squeezing Remus' shoulder a little tighter. Remus thought he sounded a little strange but pushed that out of his mind when he realized Harry was continuing. "You have Ron, and Hermione...and me."

Remus looked up to Harry for the first time. His green eyes were sparkling and it almost took Remus' breath away. He shook his head, deciding he'd deal with whatever that was later.

"I know," Remus said, bringing his arm up around Harry's shoulders and smiling. "I know."

"Good," Harry said, clearing his throat and stepping away. "Don't ever forget it."

Remus smiled. "I won't."

"Good," Harry said again."Now, I'm going to go downstairs and get something to eat. Don't forget to get those boxes out of Hermione's room."

"I won't," he called as Harry made his way downstairs. "And don't you touch that chocolate pie! It's for tomorrow!"

He heard a faint 'I won't' from Harry who was already in the kitchen. Smiling, he shook his head and made his way into Hermione's room. He sat down on the bed and ran his eyes over the room. Aside from the boxes he was about to move, everything was ready. She was coming home from University for the summer and was excited about getting to spend the time with her friends. Even Ron was going to come stay for a while.

That reminds me, Remus thought to himself. There's a box in his room too.

Remus stood up and, picking up the boxes he came for, left the room.

"What time is she getting here?" Harry asked again for the thousandth time.

"Her train arrives at two," he sighed, not even looking up from his newspaper.

"Do you think we should go ahead and leave?" That was Ron. Remus sighed again, put down his paper and looked at his watch.

"Ron, it's only ten just now. I think we'd be a little early." He didn't mention that he thought he'd go crazy if he had to sit in that train station that long with them asking the time every minute.

"I guess so," Ron said, helping himself to some more eggs.

Remus smiled at the boys' excitement of seeing their friend again and, if he were honest with himself, he was a bit excited as well. They hadn't seen Hermione since Christmas and they were all beginning to miss her.

"Do you think she'll bring Eric?" Harry asked.

"Dunno," Remus said, shrugging. "We'll have to clean up that extra room if she does."

"Who's Eric?" Ron asked as he shoveled in another spoonful of eggs. He didn't see the glance pass between Harry and Remus.

"Her boyfriend," Harry said casually, and tried not to snicker as Ron choked on aforementioned eggs. Remus simply patted him on the back.

"Boyfriend?" Ron asked once he could breath properly again and Remus stopped beating him on the back.

"Yeah. Didn't you know?" Harry asked as he took another bite of his breakfast.

"No. Are they serious?" Ron asked, barely holding back his sulking.

"Dunno," Harry said. "They haven't been together very long."

"Oh," was all Ron said before he went silent.

"C'mon boys," Remus said, standing. "Let's go take a spin on the brooms before we go to the station."

Without finishing his breakfast, Harry popped up out of his chair immediately and magically sent all the dishes to the sink, earning a "Hey!" from Ron as he was not finished with his. Remus had to laugh at that. He was like a little kid when it came to flying.

Just like James. With that thought, the smile fell from his face. Harry noticed this and silently motioned for Ron to go on.

"Everything alright, Remus?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Remus said, looking up from the spot he'd found on the floor. "Just thinking again."

"'Bout what?"

"How much you remind me of James. And Sirius, really. I swear in the year we knew you he rubbed off more than is really possible."

Harry smiled. "Too bad you didn't rub off more. Maybe I'd have done better in school."

Remus smiled then. "You had Hermione right there with you, though. If she couldn't rub off on you in seven years, I don't think I had much of a chance with just one."

"I guess you're right," Harry said absently as he began to magically put the dishes that had washed themselves away. "And who knows. Maybe you rubbed off on her though the wind. Didn't you live in the same area for a short time."

When he didn't get an answer, he turned around to see that the smile had fallen off of Lupin's face again. In fact, he looked quite pained.

"Remus?" he asked, turning around fully. "Remus, are you alright?"

"Yes, Harry," Remus said, taking a deep breath and blinking back tears he didn't want Harry to see. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, still not convinced.

"Yes. I'm sure."

Harry still looked unsure. Remus had been close to tears but he didn't want to push. Remus would tell him on his own.

"C'mon Remus," Harry said, clapping his friend on the shoulder and smiling. "Let's not keep Ron waiting. You know how he gets destructive when left alone for too long."

At that, Remus managed a small smile and nodded.

"Alright," he said and walked out with Harry right behind him. He didn't mention that Harry's had was still on his shoulder.

Well there ya go! Hope you enjoyed it! Remember, reviews are love.