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Sorry about the delay, I've been on holiday and then I had exams :(

Anyway better late than never.

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Chapter Elevens - Sock Puppets

"Professor?"

Sirius Black didn't wait for Dumbledore to answer, he launched straight into his questions, "Sir, Where are James and Remus? They're ok aren't they? We can bring them back right?"

Dumbledore looked up from where he sat in his office with the hand carved Egyptian time turner in his hands. He stared at Sirius for a moment, seemingly deliberating something before saying, "The answer to all of those questions is: I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Sirius said roughly before remembering himself, "Sir, you have to know. You've been examining that thing for last two hours."

"Yes, but unfortunately 'this thing' has been unable to tell me neither where your friends are nor what time they are in."

Sirius gulped, "So...I've lost James and Remus?"

Dumbledore smiled sympathetically, "Temporarily speaking, yes but let's not worry about that for the moment."

"This is all my fault," moaned Sirius sinking to the floor of the headmaster's office in despair and looking out at the night sky through the window. "Why couldn't I give Moony a sensible birthday gift? Lily is right; I'm not fit to be a godfather. I'll probably end up losing their kid in time and space too."

"Mr. Black!" Dumbledore said so sharply that Sirius looked up immediately, "I will not tell you again. It is imperative that you do not disclose any details the future to me or anyone else in this time period. The slightest slip up could result in a catastrophic change in time, do you understand?"

"Yes sir," said Sirius, "I'm sorry, I'm just so worried about James and Remus. I mean who knows what horrors they're being subjected to this very instant."

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"ARGH! He's eating me, he's eating me!" Remus cried rolling on the floor as he wrestled with the sock puppet on his left hand. Teddy giggled happily as did Hermione who had him on her knee. When the sock puppet then preceded to eat James, Teddy burst into spontaneous applause and was gurgling in joy at the pantomime in front of him when Harry walked into the sitting room.

"Hey, what's Teddy doing here?" asked Harry immediately picking up the baby and hugging him tightly.

"Mrs. Tonks dropped him off while you were out," replied Hermione, "She had an urgent meeting at the ministry of magic. She said she'd be back in an hour or two."

"Why didn't you call me?" snapped Harry as he tickled his godson.

"I didn't think I had to," answered Hermione, "I knew you'd be back from Hogwarts soon enough."

Harry frowned but this soon turned into a smile as he lifted Teddy high up towards the ceiling.

Remus watched Harry play with his son with desperate longing. This afternoon had been the first time Remus had seen Teddy since his first day in the future, nearly a month ago. The last hour he'd spent playing with Teddy had been one of the happiest of his life and he felt angry at having it cut short so abruptly by the arrival of Harry.

James sensing his friend's heartache piped up, "We were actually in the middle of a performance for Teddy when you walked in Harry."

"Oh?" inquired Harry sitting his godson on his knee.

"Yeah, we were doing attack of the killer sock monsters. Teddy loves it."

"Attack of the killer sock monsters?" repeated Harry with a raised eyebrow, "that doesn't sound exactly child friendly."

"No, it's brilliant," insisted James, "Show him Johnny."
Remus took up his red sock puppet and crept closer to Teddy, sliding on the carpet like a snake, making absolutely no sound until he sprang up suddenly and yelled, "ROAR!"

Teddy exploded into excited laughter and roared back at the sock at the same time changing his hair to red to match the monster. Harry grinned.

"He really does likes it eh? Let me try." Harry took the sock puppet from Remus's hand and put it on his own, "roar!" he cried waving the sock around in Teddy's face. Teddy stared back at him in confusion before promptly bursting into tears.

Hermione giggled as Harry tried to soothe Teddy, "He only likes it when Remus does it," she informed her friend, "He doesn't find it funny with anyone else I'm afraid."

"Oh," said Harry going slightly red and returning the sock puppet to Remus, "I guess you're better at acting than me."

"It's all in the roar Harry," James explained, "It must be a werewolf thing."

Remus continued to entertain Teddy while he sat on Harry's knee. There wasn't a moment where Teddy wasn't laughing, clapping or screaming in excitement so enthralled was he by Remus's hand actions that he didn't even notice his grandmother entering the room.

"Mrs. Tonks is here," Hermione announced leading Teddy's grandmother into the living room. Andromeda went straight for her grandson picking him up eagerly and kissing him on the cheek but he squirmed desperately yelling "ROAR!" in her right ear.

"Sock puppets," Harry explained after Andromeda gave him a quizzical look, "They've been battling all afternoon."

"I see," said Andromeda with a small smile.

"How was your meeting Mrs. Tonks?" asked Hermione politely returning to her seat.

Andromeda took a seat opposite her, near where James and Remus sat on the floor, and smiled grimly, "Not well unfortunately. Actually, I'm in a bit of a fiddle."

"What's wrong?" asked Harry in concern.

Andromeda held Teddy close to her and stroked his hair, "It appears I will be required to attend and testify at the trials of my sister Narcissa and her husband as well as those of the murderers of my family."

"Oh, that's awful," said Hermione.

"Yes, it's bad enough I have to spend up to six weeks in the same room as people cannot bear to look at for want of killing them with my own hands," said Andromeda quietly but her grip on her grandson tighten, "but I'm also going to have to find someone to look after Teddy in the daytime while I'm at court."

"I'll do it," Harry said immediately.

Andromeda smiled as she tried to calm herself down, "That's a nice offer Harry, but I was under the impression that you too were required in court for the trials."

"Oh yeah," Harry said with an annoyed expression.

"And don't you dare volunteer Hermione," Andromeda said quickly, anticipating the young woman's next words, "Kingsley's been telling me all the things you're doing for him at the ministry, I couldn't possibly burden you with Teddy as well."

Hermione looked disappointed but couldn't argue. There was a small silence before James, who sat from the floor, displayed a huge grin.

"John will do it," he said suddenly. Remus stared at him in surprise watching as Andromeda eyes turned towards him gazing intensely, scrutinizing every bit of him.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she said finally, as politely as she could, "but thank you."

"No seriously," continued James, "John's amazing with Teddy, tell her Hermione."

"He is very good," Hermione admitted, "He made the sock puppets and he changed Teddy's nappies and got him to eat his food without the usual fuss."

"There, see," said James putting his arms around Remus who had turned red in embarrassment, "And John can cook, he loves cleaning so you won't just be employing a nanny, you'll be employing a housemaid!"

"I'm sure John is an excellent young man but I just won't feel comfortable leaving Teddy in the hands of a stranger," Andromeda said delicately.

"John isn't a stranger," James argued, "John knows Teddy like the back of his hand and that's just from this afternoon."

"Peter please," Remus muttered under his breath.

"Don't you want to look after Teddy?" asked Andromeda.

Remus blinked in surprise, "O-of course, I can't think of anything I'd rather do," answered Remus earnestly.

Andromeda stared at him and then bit her lip, "What do you think Harry?"

"I suppose it's a good idea, if that's what you want Mrs. Tonks," answered Harry slowly.

"Ok then John," said Andromeda, "The trial starts next Wednesday but I'd like you to visit me on Monday morning so we can go through a few things, ok?"

Remus nodded in disbelief, "Yes Mrs. Tonks, thank you so much. I won't let you down."

"No I don't think you will," said Andromeda standing up with Teddy to leave, "Say goodbye Teddy."

"ROAR!"

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"Bloody hell Prongs, you're the greatest best friend in the world, do you know that?"

"Yeah I know," said James happily as Remus flopped onto his bed in delight. It was ten minutes since Andromeda and Teddy had left and the euphoria of what had just happened was beginning to sink in.

"I can't believe I'm going to spend every day with my son. Pinch me Prongs…OW! not that hard."

James grinned wickedly, "Mate don't worry, this is real. You're going to be with Teddy all day, everyday for six weeks. I keep telling you we were spent back here to get to know our sons."

"Nah, we're here because Sirius is a moron," Remus quipped. He sighed contently and spread his arms out on the bed, "I can't wait to see Mr. Reuben's face when I quit."

"Yeah," said James with smirk, "but he'll probably fire me to re-establish the balance." They fell about the bed laughing and were still doing so when Hermione knocked on the door and entered their room.

"Hey guys."

"Hi Herm," said James warmly.

"I'm going to the library John, coming?"

"Er…I'm feeling a bit sleepy actually," Remus said hastily.

"It's seven o clock," Hermione pointed out.

"Erm…long day…you know sock puppets and all," Remus explained hurrying to his room quickly.

"Do I smell or something?" Hermione asked trying to be flippant but she couldn't keep the hurt from her face.

James smiled apologetically at her.

"He's been avoiding me all week," said Hermione sadly, "Have I upset him?"

"Of course not," James assured her.

"Then why can't he stand to be in the same room as me?" Hermione asked angrily, "Do you know?"

"Nope," answered James watching as Hermione sighed and then exited out of the room, closing the door behind her. James of course was lying. He knew exactly why Remus was avoiding Hermione and it was with this in mind he marched straight into Remus's room and hissed, "What the hell are you doing letting that fire headed nobody order you around?"

"Not this again," Remus said from where he sat on his bed reading a battered looking book.

"Yes this again," James said sitting beside his friend, "We've been here for nearly a month now and quite frankly as much as I miss Lily, Padfoot and even Wormy, I love it here. Playing Quidditch all day with my son, not worrying about whether I'll be the next one on the death eaters list and I know you feel the same way, so why are you letting Weasel breath ruin your friendship with Hermione?"

"Don't call him weasel breath," said Remus tiredly, "And we've been through this already, I'm still friends with Hermione, we just can't be alone together that's all. I hung around her all afternoon when Teddy was here. That was cool. Everything's fine."

James snorted, "My arse it is. Hermione's getting suspicious again. Do you want that? We have her trust and now you want to lose it again for what, to make Weasel breath happy?"

"His name is Ron, James. Grow up already," snapped Remus standing up and leaving the room. He groaned and made his way to the kitchen which was empty. He opened the fridge and took out some ice cream. It was the middle of February but the weather was warm so he ate the dessert contently for a few minutes before to his dread, Hermione came in and sat beside him.

"You said you were tired," she said conversationally taking a scoop and putting it in a plate for herself.

"Tired but hungry," explained Remus wearily.

"Full moon soon," commented Hermione watching Remus. Remus didn't respond. He seemed eager to finish his ice-cream and leave but Hermione wasn't having that, "Why are you avoiding me?" she asked outright.

"Me?" answered Remus innocently, "I'm not."

"Yes you are, you've hardly spoken a word to me since well…since Ron was here last…" Hermione finished slowly, her eyes narrowing and she stared at Remus accusingly, "What did he say to you?"

"W-what? N-nothing," said Remus standing up quickly.

"Did he tell you to avoid me?" Hermione asked jumping in front of Remus to stop him leaving.

"Erm,"

"He did, didn't he?" Hermione face flushed with anger.

"He was scared we were spending too much time together," Remus admitted, succumbing to Hermione's fearsome glare.

"And you did what he told you to do?" Hermione said in disbelief that the guy who stood in front of her with such wild hair and an earring would be such a push over.

"I didn't want to come between you two," Remus explained, "Ron's so protective of you and I didn't want him to be jealous. I don't like making people upset."

"That doesn't mean you have to please them over yourself," Hermione argued. She sighed and walked around in circles, pressing her fingers together in pure rage, "That Ron, I swear sometimes… how could he do such a thing? And he thinks we spend too much time together?" She turned to face Remus.

"I think he's jealous of all the things we have in common."

"That and he doesn't trust me. Does he really think I'd just go off with the first guy I meet?" Hermione's eyes brimmed up with tears and Remus took a step closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Honestly, what does he take me for?" she said, her voice muffled because she was now resting her head on Remus's shoulder, "Sometimes I think he doesn't know me at all. I mean it's no wonder I like spending more time with you, I don't have to simplify everything or pretend to like some stupid Quidditch team."

Remus laughed and Hermione did too through her tears. "Oh Ron Weasley, what was he thinking? I have half a mind to kiss you John just to teach him a lesson."

"Yeah, maybe you should," muttered Remus, thinking out loud.

"What?"

Hermione pulled back from Remus immediately and he realised his grave error as he saw the horrified look on her face.

"N-no sorry I didn't mean that."

"You want me to kiss you?" asked Hermione shrilly.

"No, no," said Remus hastily, "Slip of the tongue, honestly."

Hermione didn't look convinced, "Maybe Ron was right after all. Maybe we have been spending too much time together. I'm sorry if I've lead you on John."

"No you haven't," insisted Remus, "What I said, it doesn't mean anything. I was just joking only it wasn't very funny. I'm sorry."

John held out his hand but Hermione just looked at it in confusion, "I'm going to bed," she said turning round without a second glance, "goodnight."

"Hermione wait-" but she was already gone. Remus sighed. "Thanks a lot Weasel breath," he muttered bitterly.

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"What?"

Harry stared at Hermione in surprise. It was breakfast the next morning and neither James nor Remus was awake yet.

"I said," repeated Hermione, "How long are John and Peter staying for?"

"Why?"

"I just want to know that's all, they've been here a while," said Hermione irritably, digging her spoon into her cereal.

Harry pushed up his glasses, "I haven't really thought about it but they can stay as long as they want. There's no problem is there?"

"No," answered Hermione quickly but Harry gave her a look, "except," she confessed, "I think John may have feelings for me."

Harry almost choked on a cornflake, "What?"

"Ssh! He said he wanted to kiss me."

"What?" repeated Harry, "But you're with Ron."

"Yes I know that."

"So did you?"

"Do what?"

"Kiss John,"

"Of course not," snapped Hermione, "don't be silly, I have absolutely no interest in John, absolutely none. That is a fact. Indisputable," she said loudly, gripping her spoon with force.

"Good, because Ron is my best mate and you're my best friend and if you broke with Ron for John, then it'd just be chaos," Harry finished dismally.

"Well that's not going to happen," Hermione said firmly, "because I like I said, I have absolutely no interest in Ron."

"John," corrected Harry.

"Yes of course, I meant John."

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"What?"

James stared at Remus in disbelief before bursting into a huge grin, "You said you wanted to kiss her?"

"Ssh," said Remus, "They're in the kitchen, they could hear you."

James lowered his voice as he watched Remus change out of his pyjamas.

"And what did she say?"

"Nothing, she just looked horrified."

James sniggered, "This is amazing. So you're in love with Hermione! Brilliant."

"James, I'm not in love with her. I don't even fancy her."

"Pants," declared James, "You practically drool when you see her. I reckon she had you at Nicholas Flamel."

"Quit joking, this is serious. She'll never talk to me again."

"No she will. She likes you too," James said.

"How do you know?"

"John, I know women."

"You know woman, one woman. That's Lily."

"Ok fair enough, but I've seen enough girls fawn over Sirius to know Hermione likes you. This thing with Ron is just a façade, a marriage of convenience at best."

"No, I think she loves Ron," said Remus quietly as he fiddled with his shirt buttons, "They have this connection; I see it in their eyes. Plus there's no way me and Hermione would ever work. We're literally from two different worlds. I'm twenty years old than her and anyhow, we'll be back in our own time soon."

"And who have you got waiting for you there?" James said ruthlessly.

Remus stared at him in embarrassment, "No one. But that's not the point."

"Moony, that's exactly the point," James said wearily, "You've never had a girlfriend."

Remus turned red, "Well that's only one less than you," he retorted.

James frowned, "I'm not teasing you Moony, I'm just saying, isn't it about time you stop being so guarded and sensible?"

"What do you mean?"

"Plenty of girls liked you at Hogwarts, but you were always turning them down."

"I was busy."

"You were scared…because of the whole werewolf thing."

Remus looked at James in shock at this sudden frankness and his voice trembled slightly as he said, "I was not scared. I just wasn't interested. The same way I'm not interested in Hermione."

"But you are interested in Hermione," said James simply.

"Will you shut up James?" Remus cried angrily, taking a step towards his friend threateningly, "I do not like Hermione!"

James stood still, unfazed and unwavering as he said, "You do like Hermione and the sooner you realise that, the sooner you can enjoy this blessing we've been given to its full potential."

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At about noon, James and Remus finally emerged from their bedrooms. They walked downstairs together where Harry was attempting to make lunch.

"Morning Harry," James said warmly.

"Afternoon Peter," Harry replied, "Hey John," he nodded politely at Remus in a way that told Remus plainly that Harry knew all about his outburst last night.

"Hello Harry," replied Remus equally as courteously, "Hermione around?"

"Don't know," Harry said casually, "Try the sitting room."

Remus nodded and left the kitchen. Harry turned to James and at the same time as James said, "Do you know?"

"Know about what?" they replied.

"Hermione and John," they answered before looking at each other in surprise.

"That was weird," they said in chorus. James laughed whilst Harry just grinned.

"So you know?" Harry said finally.

James nodded taking a seat opposite his son, "John told me. Is Hermione really upset?"

"Just confused, I mean she's with Ron but…"

"But what?" asked James eagerly.

"Nothing…" said Harry deciding something privately, "I just… don't want her to hurt him. Their private life is none of my business but they're all I've got really, I don't want to have to pick sides."

James looked at Harry curiously, "So you think her and John…"

"I don't know what to think," Harry said standing up quickly, "Look, I don't know why we're even discussing this. It's nothing really and the weather's been really good all morning Peter." He gave James a knowing look and James grinned.

"Let's get the brooms out then," he said giving Harry a playful shove. They made their way out of the kitchen into the hallway where the broom cupboard was situated. The door to the sitting room was partially open but it wasn't until they'd both acquired their brooms that they turned round to look through it.

They stared in silence. Not even a breath of air escaped from their mouths. They just watched in amazement as John and Hermione kissed passionately in front of them.

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Twenty minutes previously

Remus left James and Harry in the kitchen and made his way to the sitting room. As expected, Hermione was there sitting on the sofa, flicking through channels lazily although her eyes did not seem to be focused on the moving pictures. Remus stood in the doorway for a moment, unsure of what to do. He did not know why but what James had said to him this morning had really affected him. Whether he admitted it or not, he did like Hermione. What was there not to like? She was pretty, smart and fun to be around. But just like James had said, he was scared. He didn't know what of exactly but he was terrified. Also there was the little problem of her being with Ron, her over-protective, significantly taller boyfriend. Plus the ever looming fact that he was a different era and could be sucked back into that time at any given moment.

Remus sighed internally. Things were always so complicated with him. The rational thing to do, in his mind, would be to just turn around and hide under his bed until Dumbledore came to fetch him back to his own time, but he didn't do that. Remus was sick of being rational. He didn't want to be sensible anymore. He would be dead before he was forty. His son would never know him. All he had left in front of him were years of poverty and unhappiness. Wasn't he allowed, therefore, to be a little impulsive?

Remus nodded to himself. He was allowed. He had to live for the moment for they came only fleetingly.

"Hermione," he said firmly.

Hermione turned round and stood up at the sight of Remus at the doorway. Remus closed the door a little and met Hermione where she stood in the middle of the room.

"John-" she began but Remus got there first.

"Hermione, I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"That's ok John," Hermione said politely.

"And I'm sorry I let Ron coerce me into ignoring you," Remus continued, trying desperately hard not to stammer or turn red, "I'm just always trying to do what I think is right."

"Well, that's very admirable."

"But I realised I'm always doing what other people think is right, which is wrong, right?"

"Er…I suppose," said Hermione in confusion.

"Sometimes you have to say what you think is right, no matter what the consequences, right Hermione?"

"I guess," Hermione replied with a bemused face.

"Ok, so here goes, I like you Hermione and I think you like me."

Hermione turned scarlet, gulped and took step towards the door but Remus took her hand, held her firm and stared at her. He half-expected her to push him away but she didn't, she just stared back at him.

"You want me to tell you I like you," Hermione whispered, "And the truth is I do John but I'm with Ron. I'm sorry."

"I understand," Remus said solemnly, letting his hand fall from hers, "All I really wanted to hear was that you liked me too, that's enough for me," he stared down at his shoes wondering hwat he was supposed to do now but then suddenly, so suddenly that Remus didn't quite comprehend what was happening, Hermione's lips were on his and they were kissing fervently. It was over just as soon as it started and Hermione pulled back, placing a finger to her lips in disbelief.

"I'm so sorry," she choked out, running out of the room.

Remus stared at the spot she'd occupied a few moments ago and then place his hand to his lips where she had kissed him. A smile crept onto his face. He liked being unsensible.

There you go, a nice long chapter.

More to come, no more stupidly long delays hopefully.

Review please!

WFG