Hey everyone.

I didn't make you wait that long this time.

Thanks for all the reviews!

Here's the new chapter, Enjoy!

Chapter twelve – The Kiss

The next day was Saturday. Nobody at twelve Grimmauld place talked about the kiss. It was like a silent spirit which they could all feel but were too scared to discuss. Hermione avoided Remus, Remus avoided Hermione, and Harry avoided Remus and Hermione while James tried his hardest not to stir things up.

The morning past uneventfully but in the mid afternoon the doorbell rang. Hermione was in the library; James and Harry were in garden so the only person who heard it was Remus who at the time was watching television in the living room. He gulped as he stood up and made his way to the front door. He knew who would be on the other side.

"Hi Ron," said Remus politely opening the door for Hermione's boyfriend.

"Hello John," replied Ron equally as courteous as he stepped inside. "Harry and Hermione around?" he asked.

"Garden and library respectively," Remus answered.

Ron eye's darted upstairs before focusing back on John, "So, how have things been with Hermione?"

"I've been staying away from her if that's what you mean," Remus said heading back into the living room.

Ron followed him, "And she doesn't suspect anything?" he asked in a near whisper.

Remus straightened up and looked away as he said, "of course not."

Ron looked relieved, "Good. Thanks John."

Ron left the room and Remus could hear him bounding up the stairs. Remus sank into the sofa and sighed. This is such a mess, he thought.

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Hermione sat in the library trying to read a book on the history of Gringotts but her mind kept straying. She tried to focus and zone everything else out but it was impossible. She just couldn't concentrate. The only thing in her mind right now was the fact that she had kissed John yesterday. How could I do it? I'm such a bad person. I'm one of those girls. I'm a slut. What do I tell Ron?

Just as she thought that, Ron entered the room with a cheery grin. Hermione's heart nearly stopped.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in alarm.

Ron raised an eyebrow, "Erm…I'm visiting," he answered.

"Why what's wrong?"

"Nothing," said Ron hastily as he took a seat beside Hermione, "Are you feeling ok?"

"Y-yeah fine," lied Hermione, "I just didn't know you were coming over."

"I didn't know I needed an invitation," said Ron with a playful grin.

"You don't," replied Hermione nervously, "You're my boyfriend, you should be my side all the time, just me and you, that's the way it should be."

Ron looked at her quizzically but before he could question her, she had him in a full blow embrace. They made out for nearly ten minutes. She kissed his face tenderly and uncharacteristically whispered all sorts of sweet things into his ear.

"What was that for?" Ron asked when he finally managed to pull away.

"Do I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?"

"I guess not," said Ron with a grin, "but you've never kissed me like that before… Hermione, you used tongues."

Hermione smiled seductively, "But you liked it, right?"

Ron nodded.

"Good, so everyone's happy," concluded Hermione tidying her hair. Ron put an arm round her happily and Hermione smiled at him but underneath she was screaming in horror. She'd been thinking about John all through that heated kiss.

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James wandered into the kitchen to find Harry eating cereal for dinner. He grinned at his son and poured out a bowlful for himself and sat opposite Harry.

"Where's Ron and Hermione?" he asked conversationally.

"They've gone out for a walk," answered Harry, "Ron's sleeping over by the way."

"Cool," remarked James as he ate a spoonful of muesli, "They seem happy."

"Yeah," Harry said with a nod, "Where's John?"

"Sleeping; the full moon is tomorrow, he's feeling a bit rough," James explained, "Hermione was supposed to give him that Wolfsbane thing but I guess she's too busy avoiding him after their kiss."

Harry choked spectacularly on his cereal. This was the first time either of them had mentioned the kiss. It was Saturday night now and in some ways not talking about what had happened yesterday had made the kiss seem less real but now here it was again, alive and kicking.

James could see from Harry's face he was not happy discussing what had occurred between Hermione and John but he continued nonetheless, "I don't think Hermione has told Ron about it."

Harry played with his cereal for a bit before answering, "Well…maybe that's a good thing."

James stared at him in surprise, "How is that a good thing?"

"What's the point in bringing it up? It's obvious she wants to be with Ron so what's the point in breaking his heart?"

"The point is she wants to be with John," said James firmly.

Harry frowned, "No she doesn't."

"She kissed him."

Harry frown deepened as his mind went back to last night. His anger at Hermione was almost insurmountable but the thought of her breaking up with Ron for John was unthinkable. The kiss had to be mistake, it just had to and yet Harry had this unsettling feeling in his stomach.

James watched his face. "Maybe you should tell Ron," he said delicately.

"No way," was Harry's immediate response.

"But you're his best friend."

Harry looked down at his bowl guiltily. If Ron found out that Harry knew about the kiss and didn't tell him, he'd never forgive him but if Harry told Ron, he'd not only cause the break up of his best friends but Hermione would never speak to him again. On the other hand this was all Hermione's fault in the first place so she had no right to be angry with him for telling Ron and yet the thought of betraying either of them was heart wrenching.

"This is such a mess," moaned Harry sinking his head into his hands.

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Remus woke up early the next morning. James was fast asleep and sucking his thumb so Remus didn't bother him. He went to the bathroom and was appalled to see grey hairs poking out of his scalp. His face was weary and tired and his eyes were yellowy. The full moon was tonight.

Remus groaned. Even at the ripe age of twenty, he still hated the full moon. He'd give anything not to be werewolf just for one month. Just one month Remus sighed as he washed his face. He was about to brush his teeth when he heard a tap on his bedroom door. He opened it to find a tired looking Ron in chequered pyjamas.

"Morning," said Remus in surprise.

"Morning," replied Ron trying to avert his eyes from Remus's half naked body, "Hermione told me to give you this." He thrust a small vial into Remus's hand, "It's the Wolfsbane potion. You have to take it immediately."

"Oh, tell her thanks," said Remus accepting the potion. Ron nodded and left the bedroom. Remus closed the door and fiddled with the stopper on the vial, taking it out and smelling the potion.

"Yuck," he muttered recoiling in distaste. He hesitated for a moment before swallowing the contents of the vial in one gulp. It was just as disgusting as the smell indicated; a combination of expired milk and snot. Almost instantly he felt tired and retreated back into his room where he was asleep before his head even hit the pillow.

"Moony…Moony…WAKE UP REMUS!"

Remus woke up in a startled manner to find James peering over him. He sat up and looked around to find the room was dark.

"What time is it?" he asked in confusion.

"Eight o'clock, you've been sleeping all day," James told him.

"But that means…" Remus clutched his stomach in pain.

"Yeah the full moon's soon," finished James with a grin, "We need to get you fed and into the shed pronto."

Remus got out of bed roughly still clutching his abdomen. His ribs too hurt and he struggled to walk properly. James helped him downstairs and into the kitchen where Harry, Hermione and Ron were eating dinner in a strange sort of silence. Ron seemed almost happy at the arrival of James and Remus although his face flashed with concern when he gazed upon Remus.

"You ok John?" he asked.

"Full moon," James explained.

"Oh yeah," said Ron remembering the potion he had delivered in the morning, "Need any help?"

"I'm fine thanks," replied Remus gratefully. He sat down at the table opposite Hermione who averted her eyes from him. A plate of pasta was already laid out for him and he began eating.

No one spoke a word until James; unable to take the tension any longer said randomly, "So, Ron, how's the house hunting going?"

Ron perked up, evidently glad that someone had started a conversation. "Yeah ok I guess. Actually there is this nice little flat in Shoreditch I was telling Harry and Hermione about."

"Oh really, do tell me more," said James absentmindedly as he glanced at Remus who was eating rather slowly and appeared to be wincing a lot.

"It's got two bedrooms," said Ron, "Both are en suite. It's on quiet road with a great little balcony for apparating, it's almost too perfect."

"Quite so," remarked James, "You should go for it."

"I want to. The problem is convincing my mum to let me move out. I keep telling her I'm not a kid but she won't listen and I…"

Ron was cut short but the sudden grip of Remus's hand on the table and the roll of his eyes as sharp shooting pains raced up his side.

"John?" asked Hermione in alarm, instinctively placing her hand on his.

"It's time," he muttered with groan.

He stood and made his way to the garden. James and Hermione followed him.

"I'm coming in with you," said James.

"No, it's ok," Remus grunted.

"Don't worry you can't hurt him," Hermione reassured Remus, "The Wolfsbane potion allows you to retain your mind."

Remus looked dubious but conceded and allowed James to follow him in. Two minutes later, he transformed.

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It was nearly three in the morning and Hermione was still awake. Ron had long left for the burrow and Harry had decided a few minutes previously to head to bed but Hermione was still up, in the kitchen, making various potions as she waited for the full moon to pass. There were several things running through her mind as she swirled the purple liquid she had in her cauldron. The most prominent of which was Ron and his behaviour this weekend. Hermione had never known him to be as cheery and loving as he had been these past two days and it made the guilt she felt in the pit of her stomach even more incapable to bear.

She knew of course the reason for his good mood. It was because she and John were distancing themselves from each other like he had wanted. But even with Ron's good mood and the insane amount of kissing they'd done this weekend, nothing could stop the little bubble of excitement she felt when she thought about the kiss her and John had shared.

She sighed wearily, how on earth was she going to keep these feelings for John under wraps? Throwing herself at Ron wasn't doing the trick. I just have to keep avoiding him she told herself. Avoid, avoid, avoid. She nodded firmly.

As she was thinking that, Peter and John emerged from the garden. John was leaning heavily on Peter but Hermione was relieved to see that he looked much better than he had after his last transformation. He was evidently worn out and weak but there was almost no scratches or cuts on him and he managed a small smile aimed at her.

Hermione smiled back before remembering her mantra. Avoid, avoid, avoid. Just give him the healing potion and then go to sleep.

"I better take him upstairs," Peter said leading John out of the kitchen.

"But he needs his potion," Hermione called after them. She sighed and followed them upstairs into John's room where Peter had laid him. She looked away as John clumsily put on his pyjamas and then watched in dread as Peter announced his intention to go to sleep, leaving Hermione alone with John.

"Is that for me?" murmured Remus pointing at the purple potion.

"Yeah," answered Hermione, talking directly to Remus for one of the first times since their kiss, "Open your mouth."

Remus obeyed and Hermione tilted his head back and poured the potion in. Remus grimaced but then smiled gratefully.

"That potion," he said quietly sitting up a little, "The Wolfsbane one, it's amazing. I've never had a transformation like that. I almost…I almost felt normal. It was like I could think like a person, like a human. It was incredible… I don't know how to thank you enough," he finished in a near whisper with his voice trembling slightly. He looked away in embarrassment but Hermione simply smiled and sat next to him on his bed.

"You don't have to thank me," she said softly, "I'm just glad you're ok."

Remus glanced at her and then at his hands, "You're wonderful Hermione, I hope you know that." He looked up just in time to see her blush, "Ron's very lucky."

"Don't say that."

"It's true."

"Just go to sleep John, you need rest," Hermione said with a small smile. John complied and Hermione stood up to leave. She turned back at the doorway to get her potion bottle and caught sight of John sleeping, his soft brown hair flung messily onto his forehead and a little dreamy smile upon his face. He's beautiful she thought. Without warning she placed her hand on his face and stroked it. John woke up and he looked up at her in surprise before placing his hand on hers to keep it on his face. She bent down and kissed him gently, he pulled her down and she didn't protest as they continued kissing for a few minutes. Their noses rubbed against each others and Hermione felt Remus's arm around her waist. He sat up so he could kiss her more passionately but then after a while pulled back suddenly.

"No don't stop," whispered Hermione.

"We shouldn't be doing this," muttered Remus, "It's wrong, you're with Ron."

"I know," said Hermione looking away guiltily, "But I don't know what to do."

"You have to choose who you want to be with," Remus said quietly, "It's either me or Ron."

"That's not fair," hissed Hermione.

"Well it's not fair kissing me then spending the next two days making out with your boyfriend only to kiss me again," replied Remus sharply.

Hermione stared at him for a moment unable to think of a comeback. To her horror she found tears springing up in her eyes but Remus crept closer to her and wiped them away.

"I'm sorry, I just really like you Hermione," he said kissing her tenderly on the cheek.

Hermione closed her eyes and murmured, "I really like you John."

"And I want to be your boyfriend," finished Remus.

Hermione didn't say anything in response although she kissed Remus once more before standing up, "Goodnight," she murmured.

"Goodnight," said Remus watching her go with sad sort of smile.

Hermione left the room and immediately sank to the floor of the corridor. She held her head in her hands in despair. She was so confused. She wanted to be with John so much it hurt. He gave her butterflies in her stomach, he made her laugh, he was smart and so sweet but Ron…she simply loved Ron. Did she love John? No it was too soon for that. But she could say with all confidence that she loved Ron with all her heart. But if she did, then why was she so quick to kiss another man?

"If you don't tell him, I will."

Hermione looked up and nearly died on the spot. Harry stared down at her with a stone cold expression. She somehow knew he had seen and heard everything and her voice trembled as she said, "P-please Harry, you don't understand-"

"I don't care," said Harry harshly, "I'm sorry Hermione but I can't turn a blind eye twice. If you don't tell Ron about you and John, I will."

Hope that was good, Review please!

WFG