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Chapter Thirteen

The Culprit

HPOV

Remus and I stood just outside the courtroom door, Shackelbolt and Dumbledore having already gone in.

"It'll be okay Remus." I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I know." Her turned to look at me and smiled. "In the end it doesn't matter, as long as I have you at the end of the day, I'm happy."

I looked into his sea blue eyes, and smiled lovingly. "At the end of this day, and every day after, I'm forever yours." I then kissed him on the corner of the mouth.

Remus pushed open the door, and we walked in. I was pretty sure the entire board of governors was there, including Narcissa Malfoy, who took over her husband's place once he was carted off to Azkaban. The bitch! I was half tempted to hex her right then and there. There were two chairs in the center of the room, the governors sat on an elevated platform, so they were looking down at us. I wondered if this was done as some sort of intimidation factor. We both took a deep breath before sitting.

A tall blond man in dark green robes sat in the direct center of the row of governors; he stood from his seat and called the meeting together. "We are here today to discuss the accusation of Professor Remus John Lupin having an inappropriate relationship with a student."

I couldn't help it, I rolled my eyes. This was absolutely ridicules.

"Once we here Mr. Lupin's testimony as well as his witness we will take a vote. So let's get started with the questioning. Professor Lupin, are you currently seeing one of your students."

My poor Remus, he didn't deserve this. They were going to drag his name through the mud and even if, by some miracle he was able to keep his job, there is no doubt that these entire proceedings will be plastered over the front page of the Prophet the next morning.

"Yes." He answered honestly.

Whispers and gasps immediately filled the room.

"How old is this student?"

"Nineteen. She was unable to finish her school last year due to the war so she is finishing it up now."

Many of the governor's eyes shifted to me. Did they suddenly realize who exactly I was? Did they think, I was there simply as a friend giving support? Whatever was running through their minds, as soon as Remus mentioned that the woman he was seeing had not been able to complete their education the previous year, it was as if a light bulb went off in their heads.

The tall blond man, who never did introduce himself, turned his gave toward me.

"Miss. Granger, are you the student Professor Lupin is seeing?"

I took Remus' hand in mine and smiled up at him. "I am." Several members of the boards of governors chuckled.

"I told you this wasn't worth pursuing." To my surprise it was Narcissa Malfoy who spoke these words. So perhaps she wasn't the one who slipped the news. Well, if not her, who?"

"And, if you recall, Mr. Pius,' Professor Dumbledore spoke, using the man's name for the first time. I agreed with Mrs. Malfoy's assessment of the situation."

"Yes, you did." Pius sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Miss. Granger, are you a willing participant in this relationship?"

"I most assuredly am." I stated adamantly. A few surrounding people chuckled.

He then looked back over at Remus. "I am assuming you have been grading her accordingly."

Remus laughed. "I was, until Professor Dumbledore suggested he take over grading her essays and exams. He didn't want anyone to think I was giving her marks she didn't deserve, but as I am sure you and everyone else in the room knows, she has not been coined the brightest witch of her age for nothing." I grinned at the complement, but blushed a bit as well.

"Yes, I'm sure. Very well, let's take a vote then, shall we. All in favor of termination raise your hand."

Not a single hand went in the air.

"Mr. Lupin, your job is intact." He banged a gavel closing the secession and that was that.

Remus gave me a small smile of relief, and together we walked out of the room, hand in hand.

RPOV

Sufficed to say I was not expecting to leave that room with my job intact, I am happy my assessment was incorrect. Despite the fact that I still had my job, the issue will once again make the news and Hermione and I are sure to be the center of gossip for a rather long time to come. The one question that still lingered however was, who told?

To my surprise, my question was quickly answered.

"Well it looks as if it all turned out well and good in the end." I turned to Albus who was smiling, his blue eyes twinkling merrily. Despite his good mood however a very sour looking Professor McGonagall stood beside to him and I couldn't help but wonder.

"Albus, you wouldn't happen to know who told the board of governors of mine and Hermione's relationship do you." I then turned a harsh gaze toward Minerva.

"Remus! You don't think….I would never…

"You don't approve of us." I crossed my arms and glared at the older witch. "You have made it clear from the very beginning."

"Remus." Hermione placed her hand on my shoulder as she spoke my name. "I want to know who caused all this trouble just as much as you, but Professor McGonagall, you should know her character better than that."

I suddenly felt very ashamed.

"Minerva is not culprit, Remus." Albus sighed before turning to Hermione. "I know this may come as a shock dear, but I believe it was young Mr. Weasley who tipped off the governors."

I do not believe I had ever seen Hermione face as red as it was at that moment. Her fists were clenched and I could hear her teeth grinding together in fury.

"Mione." I said softly. "I know your upset, and you have every right to be, but we shouldn't-

She didn't even let me finish before she marched off down the corridor. I was about to go after her, but Albus stopped me. "She needs to deal with this on her own."

I knew he was right. She would need to confront Ron in her own way, so I went back to my parent's home, alone and worried.

A/N: Another short chapter, I know. But hey, Remus still has a job, well that a relief now isn't it. Narcissa and Minerva are vindicated and the truth of the true culprit has come out. Looks like Hermione first instincts were correct. Next chapter she will confront Ron. Will she hex him, or use logic to confront her friend of his betrayal. You'll find out in a few days. Oh and please review, thanks.