Hello everyone, here is chapter five, sorry, it's a long one again. I don't know if you prefer long or short chapters. Personally, when I'm following a story, I like long chapters!

Thank you for your reviews, they really encourage me especially when I have doubts about my writing. Also, thank you to everyone who is following this story. I'm surprised and pleased by the response to this story.

August 1997

Remus shifted restlessly in his chair. The wedding was dragging on. Bill and Fleur were good friends of his but he wished they would hurry up and exchange vows so that he could get out of here. If he continued watching Hermione like this, someone would notice and think he was an old pervert.

Hermione was standing with Ginny and Gabrielle, the other bridesmaids. Remus wished that Fleur hadn't chosen a dress that made Hermione look so completely stunning. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her dress was a lovely shade of powder blue and the bodice looked like it would be silky to the touch. The skirt part was made from a floaty material that was arranged in ruffled tiers becoming a darker shade of blue the further down the dress it went.

Her hair was equally as lovely. It seemed a lot less wild than usual as most of it was tied up in an elegant knot at the back of her head. The front sections, however, were loose and styled into waves that framed her face. She also wore an artificial blue flower on the right side of her head.

Remus thought Hermione always looked beautiful, but today she was different. Today she was breathtaking. He noticed that many of the other young men must agree with him because they couldn't stop staring at her, especially Ron and Viktor Krum. Remus felt a flash of possessiveness, which he immediately tried to suppress.

The other wedding guests began to clap, and Remus realised that Bill and Fleur had just kissed and the wedding was over. The bride and groom were about to sign the wedding register with their witnesses, and everyone else began to stand and leave their seats to wait outside. As he walked, Remus found himself being engaged in conversation by Xeno Lovegood, but he could hardly concentrate on his footsteps, let alone what the eccentric man was saying.

They had gone through the traditional formalities of the wedding photographs, the wedding dinner and the speeches and now the golden-jacketed band had started to play. Only Hermione, Viktor Krum and Remus were still sitting at the table. Harry was talking to Muriel and Elphias Doge; Fred and George were trying to chat up Fleur's Veela cousins; Tonks was at the bar with Charlie Weasley and Luna and her father were currently making a spectacle of themselves on the dance floor.

For what was the hundredth time that evening, Remus glanced over at Hermione. He knew he had caught her eye because she looked up at him and gave him a little smile. He wanted to ask her to dance but he knew that if they did, they might not be able to hide their love for one another. He contented himself with simply watching her.

Krum stood up and approached Hermione. She looked and smiled when she saw him.

'Vould you like to dance vith me?'

Remus glared at Krum, wanting to drag him bodily from the tent and well away from Hermione.

'No, thanks, Viktor,' Hermione replied politely.

Krum nodded. 'It is good to see you, Hermy-oh-ninny.'

Remus smirked as the sullen Quidditch player mispronounced her name.

'Er, you too, Viktor,' she said and then began to get up. 'If you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Harry.'

She was about to turn away but before she did, Viktor took hold of her hand and lifted it to his mouth, where he placed a kiss upon it. Remus clenched his jaw in irritation. Hermione gently pulled her hand away from Viktor, gave him a small smile and walked away. Krum walked back to the table and sat back down.

'She is a special girl,' Viktor said with a sigh.

Remus looked around, expecting to see someone else before realising that the Bulgarian was speaking to him.

'Yes, she is,' he said a little forcefully.

Krum didn't seem to notice, he was too busy watching Hermione talking to Harry.

'Do you know her?' Krum asked, looking at him expectantly.

'Yes, I was her teacher but we've been good friends for years,' Remus explained, wishing he could tell the younger man that Hermione was his.

'How is she?'

'She's fine,' Remus said, clenching his jaw again. He didn't want to talk about Hermione with a man who was clearly interested in her.

Krum paused for a moment. 'Is she seeing anyone, do you know?'

'Yes, she is,' Remus said without thinking.

Krum looked disappointed. 'Oh. Who is he?'

'You wouldn't know him,' Remus said evasively. 'But it's serious between the two of them.'

Krum nodded. 'I understand.' He finished his drink and then stood up. 'Maybe one of Fleur's Veela cousins is available.'

Remus watched him walk away, satisfied that he wasn't going to be pawing Hermione anymore. Remus felt awkward, sitting alone on a table that seated ten so he reluctantly got up, intending to go to the bar and get another Firewhiskey.

'Remus, can I talk to you for a minute?' Ginny asked.

She had just finished dancing with Harry and looked flushed but happy.

He nodded. 'Have you seen Hermione?' he had to shout over the music.

'She's out by the pond,' Ginny said. 'But I need to talk to you about her.'

'Why, what's wrong?'

Ginny shook her head. 'Come on, let's go back to the house, it's too noisy to talk here.'

He followed her out of the marquee, through the garden and into the Burrow and stopped when he was in the kitchen.

'What's wrong?' he asked again.

'I think Harry, Ron and Hermione are planning something,' Ginny said. 'Has she said anything to you?'

'No,' he said. 'What do you mean, planning something?'

'Well ever since Harry and Hermione got here, the three of them have been holed up in Ron's room, being really secretive. Mum suspects they're thinking of running away.'

'Running away?'

Ginny nodded. 'Harry said that Dumbledore gave him a task to complete, but he wouldn't tell me anymore about it.'

Remus frowned. 'Harry should tell the Order, we can help him.'

'Harry said Dumbledore trusted him to only tell Ron and Hermione. But I'm worried, Remus. I don't want them running off alone, not now You-Know-Who is so powerful.'

Remus nodded and began to feel concerned. 'I'll talk to Hermione about it.'

He was about to turn away but Ginny laid her hand on his arm, stopping him.

'Don't let her go, Remus. You'll lose her if you do. Apart from Harry, Muggle-borns are in the most danger now.'

Ginny left the house and went back to marquee. Remus walked out of the garden but instead of following her, he walked round the house and started on the road to Ottery St. Catchpole before turning off and following the little grassy path that led to the pond that he knew Hermione was fond of.

She was sitting cross-legged on the grass at the edge of the pond, gazing into the water. She seemed to have forgotten that she was wearing a dress- or she didn't care that the grass might stain it. He approached her and she looked around when she saw his reflection in the pond.

'What are you doing, sweetheart?' he asked, feeling as though he needed to speak softly.

'Just thinking,' she said vaguely. 'Why don't you sit with me?'

He sat down on the grass next to her. He took off his shoes and socks and rolled up his trouser legs so that he could dangle his feet in the pond.

'Ah that's better,' he sighed, feeling the cool water lapping at his ankles. 'Werewolves run hot. It's like the wolf causes a permanent fever.'

She nodded but didn't say anything.

'So what are you thinking about?' he asked.

'Oh… everything. You and me. The war.' She turned and faced him. 'Remus… Harry, Ron and I might have to leave soon.'

He nodded. 'Molly and Ginny thought as much.'

'Harry has something important to do for Dumbledore,' she explained, 'and, well, he needs us.'

'Why didn't you talk to me about it?'

She sighed. 'Because I thought you'd try to stop me going. I'm not asking for your permission, Remus. I have to do this.'

'Do you realise how dangerous it's going to be? For all of you, but especially you. You're a Muggle-born and you're one of the closest people to Harry Potter. Voldemort is going to be very interested in capturing you… or killing you.'

'I realise that,' she admitted. 'But Harry has no choice. He has to carry his burden alone and it's not fair. The least I can do is help him.'

'Harry could have help,' Remus insisted. 'He could have all the help the Order will provide, if only he asked for it.'

'Dumbledore made him swear to only tell me and Ron,' she said.

'I don't want you to go,' he said quietly.

'I'm sorry, Remus, but I have to. It's not just about helping Harry. It's about doing what's right. How can I stand by and let Voldemort torture and kill Muggle-borns? Not when there's something I can do about it.'

He gave her a lopsided smile. 'You're a true Gryffindor.'

'Thanks,' she said, smiling slightly.

'Will you let me know when you're planning to leave though?' he asked.

She reached over and held his hand. 'Of course I will.'

They sat in silence for a few minutes, holding hands and looking up at the moon.

'Why does it feel like I'm losing you?' he whispered.

'I can't pretend that you won't,' she whispered, giving him a look filled with sadness. 'You might. There's a war on. And Harry, Ron and I… we're going after V-voldemort. I don't know what's going to happen.'

There was silence for a moment. Remus found a small pebble on the grass and dropped it into the pond. They watched as it made a splash and then sank to the bottom.

'Hermione, I can't stay here, waiting for you to come back to me and not knowing if you ever will.'

She closed her eyes for a second and then opened them again, her brown eyes capturing his. 'Then don't. I know I can't ask you to wait for me. So… move on, live your life. Smile and laugh and love.' She looked as though a Dementor had stolen every last drop of happiness from her. She slowly turned and began to walk away.

Remus simply stood and watched her, shocked about what she had said. He had intended to speak to her in the hopes of convincing her to stay and now… she was still leaving and she was breaking his heart. His chest aching, he turned away and began to walk in the opposite direction to the one she had gone. He had only moved a few steps when he heard her.

'Oh, who am I kidding,' she said. 'Wait! Remus.'

He turned around and saw her running towards him, holding up her dress in one hand so that it didn't drag on the grass, her wavy brown hair streaming behind her. He looked into her eyes and this time, instead of sadness, he saw love and hope.

She crashed into his arms and as he pulled her closer, she put her hands on either side of his face and drew it down to hers until their lips met.

It was the most perfect kiss he'd ever experienced, Remus thought as he responded to her. He felt as though, ever since they first met, they had always been heading for this moment. He imagined it so many times, in so many different ways and they were all a pale comparison to the reality of this kiss. Her lips were warm and soft and he could taste the sweetness of the butterbeer that she had been drinking at the wedding reception. He could hear her pulse quicken and her heart racing in her chest. He could smell her shampoo and the perfume she used blending into a heady scent. She overwhelmed his senses until she was all he knew, all he could think about. It was only him and her. Time stopped and the rest of the world fell away. And it was perfect.

A happy, satisfied little noise escaped her and she wound her arms around his neck. He wrapped one arm around her, pulling her even closer and he tangled his other hand in her hair. They remained locked in this romantic, intimate moment until his mind swam with love and happiness.

After what felt like both seconds and centuries, they broke apart. Hermione moved back ever so slightly, just enough so that she could gaze up into his eyes. She smiled a smile he had never seen before on her. It was a smile he and his love for her had created.

'Well, this changes things,' Remus whispered.

'Yes, it does,' she agreed contentedly.

'I'm so glad you didn't walk away,' he said.

'So am I,' she said with a smile. 'I love you, Remus.'

'I love you too.'

He drew her into another embrace. She rested her head against his chest and he rested his on the top of her head.

'I'm not going to change my mind, Remus,' she said tentatively. 'I'm still leaving with Harry and Ron.'

'I know,' he said with a slight sigh. 'And I understand. I'm not going to stop you. You have to do this.'

'Thank you,' she whispered.

'I love you and you love me, and that's all that matters,' he murmured. 'For now.'

They stood in silence, embracing each other while the moon shone down upon them. Eventually Remus reluctantly let go of her and began to lead them back to the Burrow.

'Come on, we'd better get back to the wedding or people will start to wonder where we are.'

She nodded. 'Oh and when we get back there, we're going to dance,' she said with a smile. 'I know you aren't fond of it, but you're not escaping that easily.'

'Your wish is my command,' he said with a smile.

'Hermione, where have you been?' Ron asked when they got back to the marquee. 'Fleur and Bill are about to leave but they didn't want to go without thanking the bridesmaids.'

'Oh, I just went for a little wander,' Hermione said evasively.

'I'm going to get another drink,' Remus said to her, briefly resting his hand on the small of her back, the smallest touch a reminder of what had taken place at the pond.

Remus walked back over to the bar where Hagrid was standing with an enormous glass of mead.

'Hello, Remus,' Hagrid said cheerily.

'Hello, Hagrid,' he replied. 'Enjoying yourself?'

'Yeh, I love weddings and I don' mind admittin tha' they make me a tad weepy,' Hagrid said.

Remus nodded. 'Have you-'

He had been about to ask if Hagrid knew anything about the decision to appoint a new headmaster of Hogwarts but was interrupted by the sudden stopping of the music and gasps of people all around the marquee. He looked around and noticed a glowing silvery white patronus in the middle of the room. The patronus took the form of a lynx, which meant that it had come from Kingsley.

'Ministry fallen,' said the deep smooth tones of Kingsley. 'Minister of magic dead. They are coming.'

The wedding guests began to look stricken as the last words echoed spookily around the marquee. Loud explosions could be heard from outside. It was the sound of Death Eaters breaking the protection charms that had been placed on the Burrow. Not long after, the masked, hooded figures began apparating into the marquee in clouds of dense black fog. They immediately began firing spells, attempting to destroy everything and kill everyone they could. People screamed and immediately began apparating away. Some began to fight back, firing their own spells at the Death Eaters. Quite a few people were struck down and Remus couldn't tell if they were alive or dead.

Remus drew his own wand and managed to stun three Death Eaters in quick succession. He frantically searched for Hermione in the chaos, fearing that she had been hurt. But then he saw her standing over the other side of the marquee, clutching Ron's arm. At least she was okay.

But then she and Ron stumbled over to Harry. And as soon they reached him, he grabbed hold of both of their arms. Hermione searched the now smouldering marquee, until her eyes found his. She looked at him helplessly and seemed to be pleading with him to understand.

'I love you,' she mouthed, a split second before Harry apparated the trio away.

Remus stood on the spot, his wand arm dangling by his side and ignored the carnage going on around him as the sudden shock of Hermione's departure hit him like the stunning spell. It was so quick he thought he had imagined it. But she had been standing only yards away from him. She had looked into his eyes and she had told him she loved him. And then she had gone.

Remus heard the sound of distant cries of pain and fear, and then a girl screaming his name. This was enough to bring him back to the reality of the situation he was in.

'Remus!' the girl screamed again.

He looked around and saw Ginny and Luna had been apprehended by two tall Death Eaters, who were dragging the girls roughly out of the marquee. He ran after them and raised his wand, pointing at one of the Death Eaters.

'Stupefy!' Remus shouted and one Death Eater fell to the floor. Ginny stumbled and Remus reached out and steadied her with a hand on the shoulder.

He tried to stun the other Death Eater but as he cast the spell, his arm was knocked by another falling Death Eater and he missed. His target carried on running, dragging Luna behind him.

'No!' shouted Xeno, racing to get to his daughter. 'Not my Luna!'

The Death Eater stopped and turned around suddenly. He laughed as he watched Xeno and then he quickly disapparated, taking Luna with him. Luna's father screamed in anguish and fell to his knees close to the spot where his daughter had been a second ago.

Remus turned to Ginny and she looked at him aghast, her expression mirroring his own.

'Are you alright?' he asked Ginny after a moment.

'Yeah, I'm fine,' she replied, rubbing her wrist where the Death Eater had grasped it. 'I'm just going to have a bruise in the morning.'

He nodded, watching Xenophilius sob loudly.

'We should go back and help,' he said, indicating the battle still going on in the marquee.

'Where's Harry?' Ginny asked.

'He's gone,' he replied. 'He just disapparated. And he took Ron and Hermione with him.'

Ginny looked agonised for a second, but she seemed to shake it off. She nodded. 'Good. I'm glad he got away. We should go, Remus.'

She marched briskly back into the marquee and he followed her, suddenly becoming aware of an ache in his chest, an ache caused by his separation from the girl he loved.

Remus apparated very precisely on the top step of Grimmauld Place. If he had apparated even one step below, the Death Eaters watching the house would have seen him. It was nice to know that his apparition skills were still up to scratch.

He knocked quietly on the front door. He stood there for a few minutes and nothing happened. They were probably too scared to open the door. But then he heard it being unlocked and it slowly began to open.

Harry cautiously poked his head round the door and appraised him. Ron and Hermione appeared in the hallway and broke into smiles when they saw it was him.

'Remus, come in, mate,' Ron said.

'Wait,' said Harry quickly, putting himself in the doorway to stop him from entering. 'What form does your patronus take?'

'A wolf,' Remus replied immediately. 'But I always cast an incorporeal patronus to disguise the fact that I'm a werewolf.'

Harry nodded and moved out of the way. Remus stepped into the dingy hallway and Harry shut the front door and locked them safely inside.

'Sorry,' Harry said with a shrug.

'No, it was very good thinking, Harry,' Remus said. 'You were right to check if I was an imposter. You two shouldn't be so quick to trust.' He looked at Ron and Hermione, who nodded.

'What happened at the wedding, Remus, is everyone okay?' Harry asked immediately.

'I'll tell you everything, in good time,' he said, taking off his light brown jacket.

'Let's go into the lounge,' Hermione suggested.

'I'll make tea,' Ron said, happy to be kept busy.

Harry settled into the armchair that had once been Sirius's favourite perch. Remus sat on the old sofa and Hermione sat next to him, closer than was appropriate considering that they weren't alone. But he didn't say anything or move away. He wanted to be close to her.

'Did you come here straight after the attack?' Remus asked Harry.

'No, I apparated us to a random location in Muggle London first, while we decided what to do. We were attacked by Death Eaters.'

'How did they find us?' Hermione asked. 'Is it because I'm not seventeen yet? Can they trace me?'

Remus shook his head. 'No. You could be traced, Hermione, but Kingsley and I put a block on that to protect you. As soon as you're seventeen, you can't be traced, regardless of the block.' He glanced at Harry. 'The only way they could have found you is through the taboo.'

'Taboo?' Hermione said.

'They've placed a curse on You-Know-Who's name,' Remus explained. 'The Death Eaters know that only his enemies, and only those brave enough to stand against him, will speak his name. So be careful, both of you.'

Ron bustled in with a tray of tea and biscuits arranged nicely on a plate.

Harry stared at him as he'd gone mad.

'What?' said Ron, a blush forming on his cheeks. 'You always make tea when you have visitors.' He quickly sat down next to Hermione and stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.

'What are you planning to do, Harry?' Remus asked as he sipped his tea.

Harry shook his head. 'I can't tell you that, Remus, I'm sorry. Dumbledore made me promise not to tell anyone except Ron and Hermione. I'm not supposed to tell the Order or anyone else.'

'The Order doesn't have to know,' Remus replied. 'I'm working alone on this. Wherever you're going, I could come with you. I could be useful to you. I have a lot of knowledge and my defensive magic skills are good.'

'And how are we going to manage your transformations every month?' Harry asked.

Remus looked at Hermione, who spoke. 'I've brewed a year's supply of the Wolfsbane potion. It's upstairs in my bag, I need to give it to you.'

She had never brewed that much of the potion before. Remus realised that she must have been planning their departure for a while. And that she must be expecting to be away for a long time.

'Will you accept my offer of help?' Remus asked Harry.

'I'm sorry, Remus, I wish I could but I promised Dumbledore. We have to do this alone.'

Remus nodded, feeling disappointed. Sensing it was futile to keep arguing with Harry, Remus decided to explain what had happened at the wedding after they had disapparated. He told them that no one was killed and that almost everyone escaped. The Weasleys and other members of the Order of the Phoenix had gone into hiding. With a heavy heart, he told them what had happened to Luna, and they were saddened by the news.

'Shall we go and get the Wolfsbane potion?' Hermione asked. 'It's upstairs. You'll need to come with me and fetch it because it's a lot to carry.'

She left the room and headed for the stairs, not waiting for an answer. He followed her to a small room that she was using as her bedroom. He shut the door, giving them some privacy and as soon as he turned around, she was wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning up until their lips met.

He kissed her back, putting his hands on her small waist and pulling her closer towards him. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth and dancing with hers. He held her, soft and pliant in his arms, his heart rate quickening as he began to feel himself hardening. He gently pulled away before things got out of hand.

'Remus,' she breathed. 'I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I had to leave like that.'

'You had to leave,' he said understandingly. 'You especially would be in grave danger if they caught you.'

'What do you mean?'

'The Ministry and You-Know-Who are united now,' he explained. 'Pius Thicknesse is the new Minister of Magic and he's been placed under the Imperius curse. And it's just been announced that they're launching the Muggle-born Registration Commission.'

'What does that mean?'

'It means they're rounding up Muggle-borns,' he said grimly. 'I've only heard rumours, so I'm not completely sure what's going on but they seem to be summoning Muggle-borns to the Ministry to stand trial. If they can't prove that at least one of their grandparents had magical blood, then it is said that they're sent to Azkaban. No one really knows what really happens to them, though.'

Hermione looked horrified. 'How can people let this happen?'

Remus shrugged. 'They're afraid. They know who's behind this and they're too scared to stand against him.' He looked at her intently. 'Don't get caught, Hermione. It'll be worse for you. Not only are you a Muggle-born, you're also a known supporter of Harry Potter. They'll probably give you the Dementor's Kiss.'

'I'll be careful, Remus,' she promised.

He sat down on the edge of her bed. He looked up at her. 'Can you persuade Harry to let me accompany you?'

'I don't think I can,' she said apologetically.

He sighed and put his head in his hands. 'You don't know how worried I've been these last few days. I've been going crazy not knowing where you were. I don't think I can do this.'

'If I could keep in touch with you, I would,' she said gently.

He suddenly looked up. 'You can.' He pulled a present wrapped in shiny lilac paper and a silver bow out of his pocket. 'Here. I almost forgot about this.'

'What's this?'

'An early birthday present. Open it.'

She carefully untied the bow and removed the paper. It was a journal with gilt-edged pages and a white leather cover. She turned it over in her hands.

'I put a charm on it. I have a similar journal and if you write something in yours, it will appear in mine and vice versa. I thought we could use them to write to each other.'

Hermione smiled and stroked the smooth cover. 'Thanks, Remus. This is amazing.'

'I want to hear from you everyday, Hermione. If I don't, I'll start to worry.'

She nodded. 'Of course.'

Over the last few days he had thought up lots of advice he could tell her, and he suddenly remembered it now.

'Don't leave this house until you're seventeen, Hermione. Kingsley and I placed the block over this house because I had a feeling you might be here. But if you went outside you'd be traceable again. Until your birthday.'

He gave her the other advice that he thought would be useful to her. When he had finished, she smiled at him.

'Thanks, Remus, you've got some good ideas,' she said. 'Anything else I need to know?'

'Yes,' he said, his gaze slightly more intense. 'Don't let Ron try anything. You'll be alone for a long time so he's got plenty of opportunities.'

'Oh, you know there's only one wizard for me,' she said softly.

'Mmm and who might that be?' he said, boldly putting an arm round her and drawing her against him.

'Just a man. A man who's kind.' She kissed him on the lips. 'And clever.' She kissed him again. 'And brave.' Another kiss. 'Who also happens to be a werewolf.' She climbed up to straddle his lap, resting her knees on the bed either side of his legs and wrapping her arms around his neck. She tilted her head and moved it slowly towards his. 'And who's so very, very handsome.'

Their lips met in a kiss that was at first, tentative, sweet and gentle but soon became passionate. Hermione made little moaning noises and began to play with the hair at the back of his neck. He was hardening yet again and Hermione felt it too because she gently pulled away from him and smiled seductively. She slowly extricated one of her hands from the back his neck and began to reach down, as though she was going to touch him. Reluctantly, Remus took hold of her hand to stop her.

'Not now,' he whispered.

So she didn't think he didn't want her, he kissed her again, tangling his tongue with hers, occasionally nibbling the skin of her lower lip with his teeth. After a long moment, they broke apart and embraced.

'I don't know how I'm going to survive without this,' he said quietly, indicating their closeness.

'You will, Remus,' she said softly, 'because you have to. You're strong and brave, one of the bravest men in the Order, and whether you wanted it or not, you're one of its leaders now.'

He nodded. He stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb.

'Hermione!' Ron's voice came from downstairs. 'Is Remus staying for dinner?'

Hermione smiled at Remus and then climbed down off his lap. 'We'd better go downstairs before Ron comes up and pesters you with hospitality.'

She picked up her little bag and reached into it, retrieving the box of Wolfsbane potion that she had brewed him.

'Now,' she said, trying to be stern as she handed the box to him. 'Remember to take this every day. I know how bad you are at taking your medicine.'

'Yes, doctor,' he said in amusement, following her as she made her way back downstairs.

Sorry about any mistakes I might have made. I did check but I'm only human. By the way, I realise that Hermione's birthday is supposed to be in September and those of you who were paying attention might have noticed that in this story I've changed Hermione's birthday to August. I usually change it to August (8th August, in fact- I don't know why but I just really like that date) in most of my stories because I want to make her younger than Harry and Ron rather than older.