"You never know how much you truly love someone until you've lost them."

-Unknown

Passion Burns Deep Chapter Nine

Portrait faces blended together in a blur of color as Hermione ran away from the stunned boy, who was left standing where she had left him, shock written across his rough features. Unshed tears stung the corners of her eyes, making it nearly impossible to see straight. She didn't know where she was running to, but anywhere was better than being back in the hallway with Ron.

She turned a corner and ran head first into something solid. There was a sharp intake of breath and a muffled "Oh," could be heard. Not thinking clearly, Hermione quickly started swinging her hands, fighting to get away, fearing that it was Ron she had somehow managed to run into.

"Hermione, stop," a surprised voice came from somewhere above her head. "Stop, it's me, Remus!"

Recognizing his voice, Hermione stopped fighting and slowly, as if doubting what she was hearing, she looked up into his aging face. His dull brown eyes seemed lost, his face set off by a square jaw, and his now almost completely grey hair. His night time strolls had really began to take effect on him and it seemed that he was aging faster than normal for a man as young as himself. Despite all this, the site of a friendly face caused Hermione's knees to quiver. Losing all energy after the struggle, Hermione slid down the wall to sit on the cold floor.

"Hermione, are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

She didn't answer him, she couldn't answer him. The truth was she didn't know if she was okay. She couldn't believe what had just happened.

"What has happened to scare you so badly?" Lupin asked hurriedly.

Hermione really didn't feel like telling anyone right now what had just happened to her. She felt violated and scared that Ron would try to hurt her again if she told anyone what had just happened.

Taking a slow, deep breath, she managed to hold back the feeling of nausea and said, "I'm fine now Professor Lupin. I think I was having a nightmare and you must have woken me up".

"Hermione I heard someone yelling and it sounded like a guy's voice. Are you sure that you're feeling well? You're shacking".

"I'm fine now Professor," Hermione said again.

He looked at her as if he knew she was lying, his eyes burning into hers as if trying to read the untold truth. She looked away quickly.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what has happened," he bent down to her level, still looking at her intently.

Hermione remained silent, embarrassed by the whole situation, not looking him in the eye.

"Well, if you're sure". He stood up and offered her a hand to help her up. "I was just on my way to see you as a matter of fact".

"Me?" Hermione asked a little confused, thinking she had heard wrong.

"Yes, you. Professor McGonagall wishes to speak with you as quickly as possible," he began helping her down the hallway, thankfully in the opposite direction of where Ron had been.

"But why me? Shouldn't she be talking to Harry or someone else that's important? What does she want with me?"

"You are important Hermione. But I suppose you'll find that out for yourself shortly".

They had reached a huge heavy looking door that looked as if it was guarding something very important. There were many locks along the side of the door, all of them at the moment unlocked and places that looked as if you needed a wand to get by them.

Pushing open the door, Lupin stood back to let Hermione walk into the dimly lit room beyond. There wasn't a doubt in Hermione's mind that this was the master bedroom of the house. Heavy black silk curtains covered the windows, cutting off all light and contact from the muggle world just outside. Hunter green covers and sheets lay neatly on the huge king-size bed. This clearly had been Sirius' mum's room. And by the amount of dust settled on everything, it seemed no one had been in this room since its owner had passed away.

McGonagall and Moody were standing in the center of the room, apparently discussing the unconscious boy that lay on the bed in front of them. They both turned around as Lupin and Hermione entered the room.

Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing. 'A fine big bed for the Slytherin Prince, he's even getting pampered here of all places?'

Pushing these thought from her mind, she turned to look at McGonagall. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Yes, Hermione, I did want to see you. I have a very important and dangerous assignment that I believe only you could possibly carry out efficiently".

Hermione left the dark room an hour later, her head spinning with the knowledge of what lay ahead of her. She couldn't believe what McGonagall had just told her that she had to do. Being around Malfoy and sharing a house with him; even if he was locked up was one thing, but going into hiding with him was a totally different story!