I'm baaack! I know it's been a few weeks and I'm sorry it's taken that long. This chapter and the next chapter were originally going to be one but it just got to long. I also decided the next part should be by itself anyway. That and I'm tryint go get it just right. The next couple of chapters may be slow coming out as they are really kicking my butt. Anyway...I wanted to get something out so I broke it in half so you guys could have something to read. :-)

Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed. They are what's kept me going and made me want to keep writing it. This is the first story I've put up before it was finished and it's helped a lot to know people like it.

Now! Onto the next, somewhat shorter than before, part!

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The next morning, Remus woke rather early and found Ron already awake and in the kitchen.

"What are you doing up so early?" Remus asked as he got himself something to eat.

"I want to go meet Hermione at the train."

"Ron, it's nine-thirty. That's four hours away."

"I know. I couldn't sleep."

"You really like her, don't you?" Remus said with a smile as he sat down at the table.

"Yeah," Ron said, shyly. "I just hope I haven't messed it all up."

"Just be nice and listen to her. Really listen. If you show her respect, then she'll show you the same."

"Thanks, Remus," Ron said, looking a little relieved. "I think I'm going to go back to bed for a few hours."

"Alright. I think I'll have a shower before too long."

"Okay. See ya."

"Good bye."

Remus finished his breakfast, then went to take that shower.

A few hours later, Harry came out of his room and found Remus sitting on the sofa, reading.

"Morning," he said.

"Good morning," Remus said, looking up from his book.

"How long have you been up?"

"An hour or two. I decided to take advantage of the quiet," he said, holding up his book. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," Harry said, sitting down on the sofa next to him. "Where's Ron?"

"Still asleep. He was up earlier, but went back to bed."

"Why was he up so early?"

"He said he couldn't sleep. I think he was nervous about seeing Hermione."

"But you helped him out?"

"Maybe a little. I just gave him some advice. I think it helped."

"Do you think she'll listen to him?" Harry asked, turning serious.

"I think so. As long as he listens to her. If he goes in set on talking and not listening, then he'll lose her. But I think he understands that."

"Yeah," Harry said, nodding. "I hope so."

"So what are you going to do until Hermione gets here?"

"I think I'm going to eat something and take a shower."

"In that order?" Remus asked with a grin.

"Shut up," Harry said, walking towards the kitchen area.

"Well," Remus said, chuckling a bit and going back to his reading. "Make sure you wake Ron in about an hour."

"Me? Why don't you wake him up?" Harry asked, getting something out of the cabinet.

"Because," Remus said, getting up and walking into the kitchen. "The last time I tried to wake him, he threw something at me. And it was solid."

"So you're gonna let him throw things at me?" he said as Remus leaned against the table and thought.

"Um...Yeah."

"Fine," Harry said, sitting down and smiling.

Remus smiled and went back to the couch and continued to read his book while Harry finished his breakfast.

A few hours later, all three of them were standing on the platform in Hogsmeade waiting for the train. Ron was, as usual, pacing nervously while Harry and Remus were, as usual, watching him with amused looks.

"What time is it?" Ron asked, looking up but not stopping the pacing.

"About a minute after the last time you asked," Remus answered.

"Right," Ron said, looking back down.

"Are you going to be like this every time Hermione comes back for a visit?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Remus said when Ron didn't answer.

"Shut up," Ron said with a little smile.

It didn't take long before Harry and Remus were both ready to take Ron for a long walk and then lose him. He continued to pace and it was starting to make Remus' eyes cross.

Truth be told, he himself was a little nervous. It was getting harder and harder to be around Hermione without telling her the truth and having to watch Ron's pacing wasn't helping. Finally, he snapped.

"My God, Ron," he said, unable to take it anymore. "Can't you stay still for the next few minutes?"

"I'm sorry," Ron almost whined, turning to face him. "I pace when I get nervous."

"No kidding!" Remus said, pushing up off the wall he'd been leaning against. Harry followed him. He could see Remus was agitated for some reason and this had the potential to be dangerous.

"Look, I'm sorry that I care about her some much I get nervous at the thought of seeing her again."

"Are you saying I don't care because I'm not pacing around like a caged animal?" Remus said, well almost growled, and Harry figured that was his cue to step in.

"That's not what he's saying at all, Remus," he said, stepping in between them and gently putting his hand on Remus' chest. A very surprised Ron took a step back. "Why don't we go over there so you can calm down."

He told Ron he'd be back and all but pushed Remus to the other side of the platform. He watched Remus begin to pace around like the caged animal he'd mentioned earlier before he finally spoke up.

"You wanna tell me what the hell that was about?" he said, trying to calm Remus down and stay calm himself.

"His walking back and forth was getting on my nerves," he said, stopping and looking up. "It was like watching a bloody tennis match!"

"That's it?" Harry asked, not believing him for a minute.

"Yes. That's it. He acts like he's the only one that's nervous and it's driving me crazy!"

"Why are you nervous?" Harry said, effectively stopping Remus' uncharacteristic rant. It took Remus a second to answer.

"I...uh...I always get nervous about seeing you guys when I haven't seen you for a while." It was weak, he knew, but it was the best he could come up with on short notice.

"It hasn't been that long since you've seen her, Remus," Harry said, then his tone turned softer. "What's really going on?"

Remus took a deep breath and turned away from Harry.

"I can't..." he said, not finishing the sentence. Harry seemed to understand.

"Why can't you?"

"I just can't," Remus said, turning back around. All the fight seemed to have left him. "I promised myself I wouldn't."

"Fair enough," Harry said, taking Remus' hand. "But you should think about telling someone. Because if you don't, it's going to kill you. This isn't you and you know it. Will you at least think about it?"

Remus nodded, staring down at their joined hands. Harry followed his line of sight.

"Sorry," he said. He tried to pull his hands away but Remus held on tight.

"Don't be," Remus said, looking back up at Harry. His face had softened and Harry was relieved to see the agitated look gone. "I like it."

Remus didn't know where that had come from, but he wasn't going to take it back. Harry, on the other hand, looked mildly surprised.

"You do?"

"Yeah," Remus said with a small smile. Then his focus shifted to over Harry's shoulder and he nodded in Ron's direction. "I suppose I should apologize. My behavior was uncalled for."

"Yeah," Harry said, not really wanting to go back. "Otherwise Ron'll think you hate him."

They both smiled a shy smile and began walking back to Ron.

Ron stopped his pacing when he saw them coming back. Remus looked much calmer but Ron was still ready to run if necessary.

Remus came to a stop in front of him and wouldn't meet his eyes. It took him a minute to say anything and he looked up.

"I'm sorry, Ron. I'm ashamed of my behavior. I've had a lot on my mind lately and I know it's not excuse, but it's the only explanation I have."

Ron was quiet for a long time and Remus was starting to think there was no hope.

"It's okay," Ron said finally. "I understand."

Remus smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Ron smiled back and at that moment, they heard the train whistle.

"Finally," Ron said as they all turned to face the noise. The train was in sight and within seconds, it rolled up to the platform.

Remus, Harry and Ron stood back as the people filed onto the crowded platform. They all kept sharp lookout, but it was Ron that saw her first.

"There she is! Hermione! Over here!"

Hermione waved to the three men now waving wildly at her. She shouldered the small bag she was carrying and made her way over to them.

"I didn't know you were going to meet me!" she exclaimed as she gave them each a hug.

"We just thought we'd walk you up to the castle," Remus said, offering to take her bag, which she greatly accepted.

"Yeah," Harry said. "Some of us more vocally than others."

At that point, Ron's face almost matched his hair.

"Let's get back up to the castle," Remus said, saving Ron from more embarrassment. "Albus will be waiting."

The others agreed and they set off towards Hogwarts where, as Remus had predicted, Dumbledore was waiting for them at the front door.

"Miss Granger!" he said as they reached the stairs. "Welcome!"

"Thank you, Headmaster."

"I'm sure you want to rest but I would like to speak with you after dinner.

"Alright."

The four of them followed Dumbledore down the same path he had taken the guys the night before and soon they found themselves standing in between the two paintings. In one, a bear was sleeping soundly and directly across from it was a unicorn grazing in a pasture surrounded by trees.

"This will be your room, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said as they stopped in front of the unicorn. "Her name is Promise and her password is libra. I must warn you though, she can be a bit snippy sometimes."

"I'm sure we'll be alright for a few days."

"Very good. Well, I'll leave you until dinner then,"

"I'm going to take a nap before dinner," Hermione said. "I had to get up really early this morning to make sure I'd be caught up with my work and I"m really tired."

"We'll see you at dinner then," Remus said and Harry nodded. "I believe a nap to be a good idea."

"Me too," Harry said as Remus walked across the hall and tried to wake up the bear. "See you at dinner."

"See you at dinner," Hermione said, then turned to her portrait. "Hello, Promise. Libra." The unicorn looked up, flung her head up and down and the door opened.

"Hey, Hermione," Ron called before she could go in.

"Yes, Ronald?"

"Um..." he said, taking a deep breath. "If there's time after your nap, do you want to go for a walk before dinner?"

Hermione's hard look softened and Harry and Remus tried to pretend they were still waking up the bear.

"Sure," Hermione said. "I'd like that."

"Great," Ron said, smiling.

"Come by around five," she said as she went into her room.

"Five, right," Ron said to her door. Promise just looked at him and if unicorns could roll their eyes, she would've been doing it. Ron turned around to find Remus and Harry grinning at him. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Harry said as he and Remus glanced at each other.

"Shut up," Ron said as he pushed his way through them and the now open portrait door.

"But Ron," Harry called. "We didn't say anything."

"Come on," Remus said, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'm going to take my nap while it's still early enough to do so."

"Sounds good to me," Harry replied as Remus steered him through the portrait hole.

I hope you enjoyed this one. Send me a review and tell me what you think. :-)