A/N: Oh hey guys. I suck, suck, suck, suck, suck. That is all.
P.S. I don't own Harry Potter, though Remus Lupin owns my heart.
"Remus are you quite alright?" Professor McGonagall asked as she entered the now dark library. "You look absolutely ill."
Remus took a moment to collect himself before answering. "I'm just fine Minerva, thank you, but you've caught me on my way out."
"Oh don't bother with that. You're needed in the kitchen at once for an order meeting."
"Again tonight?" Remus asked.
Mcgonagall looked at him solemnly. "I'm afraid it's quite urgent. Have you seen Hermione recently? She'll be needed as well."
"You need the both of us? What for?" Remus could feel the color drain from his face.
Mcgonagall seemed to be searching the library for signs of the bushy-haired girl and answered rather absently. "They'll explain it all when you get there. Tell them I'll be down shortly with Hermione," she called before apparating, presumably, to the very bedroom Remus had just escaped.
When Hermione heard the determined knocking on her door she was still deeply in a fit of rage. Her books were strewn across her bed in no particular order, she'd ripped most of her clothing out of her dresser, and every single one of the things she'd had in the bathroom was now piled haphazardly in the middle of her floor.
"You know I think it's probably best if I just leave-" she started, swinging open her bedroom door. But where she expected to see Remus Lupin, her transfigurations teacher stood instead, looking worried and confused. Hermione immediately turned bright red. "I'm sorry professor I thought you were- someone else."
"Ms. Granger," Mcgonagall said, choosing to ignore Hermione's very out-of-character greeting. "You're needed in the kitchen immediately."
"What for professor?" Hermione asked, as she watched Mcgonagall's look of slight bewilderment changed to one of concern.
"I'm afraid there's been a complication," she offered. "Now hurry downstairs. Remus is already waiting."
Remus was meeting the order as well? Why would they need both of them? Hermione audibly gulped, but descended the stairs quickly in front of Mcgonagall.
The tension was literally palpable between them as Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin stood together in the kitchen of Grimuald Place. They stood as far apart as possible, Remus looking guiltily at his feet while Hermione ignored him completely and determinedly, but even then they were close enough to feel the heat of the other's body and it was wrecking havoc on both of their emotions. It certainly didn't help that Albus Dumbledore was standing directly in front of them, gazing between them over his half-moon spectacles.
"Circumstances," Dumbledore explained, "have changed quite dramatically since we last spoke, Remus. I no longer believe that it is safe for you to remain at Grimuald place."
Lupin winced, ashamed of himself for what had happened with Hermione. Dumbledore, who Remus liked and respected imagining him as some kind of monster. "Albus," he began. "I am so sorry for -".
"Nonsense, nonsense," Dumbledore interrupted. "There are times when our passions will run away with us. I remember a particularly comfortable pair of socks I once owned..."
Remus was incredibly confused. Could Dumbledore really forgive Remus for what he'd done with Hermione, even when Remus himself could not? "Albus, thank you. I promise it will not happen again."
"Well I would imagine not. Greyback was a werewolf after all, not a zombie and his returning to us is as unlikely as it would be unfortunate."
Immediately Remus understood. Dumbledore knew nothing of what had happened in Hermione's bedroom. Grimuald place was unsafe because of the wolves outside its door, not the one currently residing within them. "And where am I to go? Another mission?" He asked. "And if so why is Hermione here too?" He thought.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No," he said. "I feel it is too dangerous for that as well. Instead the two of you will be retiring to your old home, Remus. It is remote enough that I'm confident you can remain hidden there."
"Excuse me professor," Hermione sounded from beside Lupin. "But did you say 'the two you'?"
"Indeed I did, Miss Granger," Dumbledore replied. "And if you are as perceptive as you are talented than I'm sure you've recognized that the change in circumstances affects you as well. Grimuald place is not safe for you either."
"Surely professor there's no place more safe than Grimuald Place," Hermione continued. "Surrounded by the order, all the protective spells-" But she was cut off by Dumbledore
"No I am quite sure the Nutshell will serve its purpose here," he said. "You leave before the week is out. Now if you'll excuse me," and with that Dumbledore was gone.
Hermione and Lupin stood in the kitchen awkwardly for a few minutes, neither saying anything. Both were overwhelmed by the idea of sharing a home – alone – with the other. Finally Hermione spoke.
"The Nutshell?" She asked, turning to Lupin.
He smiled. "It's the name of the house I grew up in. It's very...cozy."
"Oh," she said.
He continued staring at her. "Hermione, we need to talk about what happened. I should never have–" but before he could finish Harry and Ron came bounding into the kitchen.
"You're leaving?" They screamed together and Remus knew that his conversation would have to wait.