Life After Love

Remus and Hermione stayed up late that night talking and reminiscing about Sirius. Hermione hadn't known him as well as Harry had and found herself wishing she'd had the chance. The more Remus talked about him, the more she felt she knew him and the more she had to fight the tears when she remembered she'd never see him again.

Remus found himself telling her things he'd never told anyone else before. Things such as how he and Sirius had become friends, and how they had eventually become so much more. His eyes practically glowed when he told her about how blissfully happy he had been and they filled with pain and self recrimination when he told how he too had believed that Sirius had betrayed Lily and James.

His voice shook as he said, "I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that."

She knew it wasn't her place to offer him comfort, but she knew he needed it. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, offering him her strength when his failed him. His eyes were moist when he pulled away, giving her a weak, heart wrenching smile.

"We weren't gay, you know."

Seeing her puzzled face, Remus felt he had to elaborate.

"Sirius and I. We weren't homosexual." He smiled and the upwards pull of his lips transformed his sadness into fond rememberance. "We both chased our fair share of girls. As a matter of fact, Sirius was considered the 'Sex God of Griffindor.' I think he must have dated at least one girl a week."

"You didn't mind?"

"Oh, I did at first. I was quite the jealous little wolf." His chuckle seemed to warm the room. "But then, at the end of our sixth year, it just didn't seem to matter anymore."

"Why?" Hermione leaned forward eagerly. "What happened to change your mind?"

"I almost lost him." Remus turned his gaze to the fire. He was quiet so long that Hermione almost thought he wasn't going to elaborate. Then, with a deep breath, he continued, "He pulled 'the prank' on Severus."

"Oh." she breathed. She had heard from Harry about how his father had saved Professor Snape's life.

"It took me months to forgive him for almost turning me into a killer. The only reason I did was because he did something that showed me how sorry he truly was. After that, our bond was stronger than ever."

"What did he do?"

"He offered to release me from our bond."

Hermione gasped. She had read that in order for a werewolf to be released from that type of bond, the werewolf itself must perform a ritual to close down the connection between them. If this ever happened, the werewolf would be free to find another mate, while the former mate would never again be able to find love.

Remus looked apraisingly at the young witch beside him. He knew she was certainly intelligent enough to know, but her reaction made him wonder how. "You act like you know what that entails."

Hermione blushed and nodded her head. "When I first found out you were a Werewolf, I had to make sure you weren't a threat to anyone." She blushed harder in shame. "I learned with Professors Quirrel and Lockhart that a kind exterior can often hide something no one suspects. I guess I just assumed that the reverse could be true as well."

"So, I read everything I could about Werewolves. I learned how people are infected, what they go through during transformations, how they form relationships and are intensely loyal to the people that gain their trust, and how if someone betrays their trust, they'll have an extremely difficult time earning it back." She paused and cleared her throat. "... and I learned how they mate and procreate."

A strange thought came to Remus. He smiled a bit as he asked, "And why would you look up Werewolf mating and procreation?"

Again, Hermione's cheeks flamed. "I um... " she cleared her throat and mumbled, "Ihadacrushonyouinthirdyear."

He turned his body to face her and used his index finger to tilt her chin up. He smiled a bit and said, "Could you repeat that for me?"

Hermione sighed. She knew it would come out sooner or later. She repeated herself slowly, "I said, that I had a crush on you in my third year. That's why I looked up mating and procreation of Werewolves."

Though slightly shocked, Remus quickly schooled his features into an understanding smile. He listened as she told him how the crush had grown out of respect and genuine liking into admiration when she found out how truly horrible it was to be a werewolf and how well he handled it. She confided that she felt protected and safe whenever he was around

Remus remained calm and collected while she told him what he hadn't known he wanted to hear. Inside, however, was an entirely different story. His heart was beating just a little faster than it was before and he had to admit, if only to himself, that he had feelings for Hermione. He had always respected her intelligence and quick thinking and lately he had begun to admire her more womanly attributes. He could admit to himself that his feelings closely mirrored hers.

A stab of guilt pierced his heart. He suddenly felt as if he was cheating on Sirius. Not physically, because that would have been okay, but emotionally. He knew, as a Werewolf that he could only ever love one person. That person was Sirius. He was Remus's mate. He silently berated himself for feeling anything for the bright, beautiful witch beside him.

Sadly, he knew, Werewolves only mated once.

Didn't they?

The weeks passed quickly for Remus and Hermione. They had reached an agreement that night. Neither would bring up their feelings for each other. There was, after all, no possible future for them. Things were the way they were and they couldn't be changed.

Life slowly returned to normal in the Chateau. They becan talking about what she wanted to do after graduation. She had thought of several possibilities, but none had really struck a chord in her. Nothing felt quite right.

Remus suggested that she write to Professor McGonagall to ask for some literature on Wizarding professions. He thought that if she could read about different professions, then she might be able to pick one.

Thinking this was sound logic, Hermione sat down to write:

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I hope this letter finds you well. Professor Lupin and I are getting along quite nicely and have made wonderful progress with our training. I won't go into details in this letter, but I will tell you everything we've been doing when I see you next.

Since this is to be my last year at Hogwarts, Professor Lupin and I were discussing what I would do after graduation. I've heard and read about several different Wizarding occupations and I can't seem to choose one.

As Hogwarts Headmistress, I realize that you have access to pamphlets that give information about Wizarding professions. If at all possible, I would appreciate it if you could send me one of each.

On a more personal note, have you heard from my parents? I am almost out of my mind with worry about them. If you have any contact with them, would you please let them know that I am alright and that I love them?

I hope everything is well with you. I know you're getting ready for another year at Hogwarts and I am looking forward to getting back to school. Professor Lupin is wonderful, but I miss having other people around. It seems so quiet here. I look forward to your reply.

Thank you again,

Hermione J. Granger

It took about a week before she got her reply. She was sitting in the library, reading a book on Werewolves, trying to find a way to help Remus that hadn't been tried before. She heard footsteps on the parquet floor. Knowing somehow, that it wasn't Remus, she didn't think anything of it. Until...

"Madamoiselle?"

"Yes, Maruice?" Hermione looked up from the book she was reading, focusing her attention on the wizened old man. For a moment she was surprised that he was speaking to her. He normally left her be. Especially if she was reading or studying.

Offering her a golden platter, he said, "You have a letter."

Hermione thanked him and picked up the cream colored envelope. She turned it over and cracked open the Hogwarts crest. As soon as she took the papers out of the envelope, they expanded to their normal sizes, causing her to drop over half of them. Hermione's lap, chair and a good portion of the floor in front of where she was sitting was now covered in brightly colored parchments and shiny brochures. They had obviously been minimized so the poor post owl could carry all of them.

Naturally, Remus would chose that particular moment to decide he wanted to read a bit. Hermione could see that he was trying to hold back his laughter. She glared at him, saying, "Go ahead, yuck it up. I didin't know there were so many pamphlets sent to Hogwarts." Her eyes took on a slightly bewildered look. "There has to be at least several hundred here!"

Seeing her distress, Remus offered her an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, we'll be able to narrow it down rather quickly, I think."

Doubting that it would be that easy, but still hopeful that it wouldn't be too hard, she simply nodded her head.

"Here, lets gather all this stuff up and move it to the dining room." He bent to start putting the papers in a pile. "That way, we can spread out and be a little more comfortable."

Hermione agreed and they worked together to pick up the mess. She followed him into the dining room and they sat down next to each other.

"Okay," Remus said, clapping his hands together, "first thing's first. Minerva sent you all this, right?" Seeing her nod, he went on, saying, "That means she probably wrote you a letter to go with it."

She nodded again, "Yes, that does make sense. Should we look for that first?"

Answering in the affirmative, Remus started shuffling through papers. He found what appeared to be a list of the things she needed for next year. After showing her, he set it aside to keep it separate from everything else. After much digging, Hermione finally gave an excited shout.

"There it is!" Hermione set aside the stack she was holding and held up a piece of parchment covered with Professor McGonagall's angular script.

She read the letter alloud:

Dear Miss Granger,

I was wondering when you would ask for career advice. I honestly had no idea what you would want to do, and I know that you could do anything you set your mind to, so I started saving brochures and pamphlets around your fourth year. Some of them probably won't help you very much, but with your intelligence, I never knew what you might like.

In this envelope, I have taken the liberty of including, along with the career information, your Hogwarts letter, your Head Girl badge, several general employment applications and an application for every Wizarding institute of higher learning that I am currently aware of, as well as several copies of your Hogwarts Transcripts and OWL results.

There is nothing like killing two birds with one hex, unless it's killing about five or six!

It would please me immensly if you would continue your education. As you know, there are several Master's programs such as Potions, Spells, Transfiguration, Charms, etc. Most of them require at least two years of additional classes, as well as an apprenticship with a Master or Mistress.

Of all my students, I believe you have the most potential.

Congratulations on making Head Girl. You deserve it. I look forward to hearing your decision come Fall.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerval McGonagall

Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

P.s.

Your parents are doing well. They send you their love and I have enclosed a letter from them as well!

M. McGonagall

"She's right, you know."

Hermione looked up at him, a puzzled expression on her face. "About what?"

Remus started tidying the area, just so he'd have something to do with his hands. "She's right about you being able to do anything you put your mind to." He stopped fidgetting with the papers and his amber eyes met with her chocolaty orbs. "I know you've heard this before, nonetheless, it is as true now as it has ever been. You are, without a doubt, the smartest witch of your age."

Hermione blushed a deep crimson. She opened her mouth to reply, but Remus wasn't done yet.

"Not only that," he chuckled, "but you know how to use your intelligence! Others would simply try to skate by in life, but you work for every ounce of knowledge. That's one of the things that draws m-...uh... people to you."

Seeing Remus's blush and knowing where the conversation was headed, she decided to change the topic. She started rifling through the papers. "She said my parents sent me a letter too! Could you help me find it?"

Still embarrassed about almost having said something he shouldn't, Remus just nodded and started helping her look.

'What's the matter with me?' He silently berated himself. 'I think it might be time to look into this. Maybe I should have a talk with Mooney..."

He found an envelope addressed to Hermione and silently handed it to her. She read it to herself first, then asked if he wanted to hear what her parents had to say.

"S-sure." He cleared his throat. "I mean, if you don't mind sharing."

She smiled and began reading:

Dearest Hermione,

Your father and I are having a marvelous time with Aurors Tonks and Moody. She is so much fun! We've been shopping loads of times and she has such wonderful taste in clothes! Auror Moody seems a bit jumpy, and he's always going off about 'Constant Vigilance'. I'm really not sure what to make of him. But he seems nice enough.

I've been told not to tell you where we are. That coming from Mr. Constant Vigilance himself. Let's just say that there's tons of Sun and the people here are very nice.

I know it's not your birthday yet, but your father and I thought this might come in handy for the new school year. We won't be able to go shopping with you in Diagonalley, of course, so we decided to send you the money you'll need for robes and books and such.

You'll notice that it's quite a bit more than you would usually need. We know that you are now of age in the wizarding world and that you're only a couple of months away from it in our world as well. When your grandmother passed away, she left you a rather large sum of money.

We don't know what the exchange rates are at that bank in Diagonalley, but we do know that they can cash our checks there, so we just thought we'd give it all to you and you could maybe open an account. We trust you to use it wisely. You have always been very good with money.

We love you, darling and hope you are doing well and listening to that nice man watching you. Be good and do as your told. We hope we'll be able to be together for Christmas.

All our Love,

Mom and Dad

Hermione had to sniff away a tear as she finished. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed them. Trying to distract herself, she pulled the nearly forgotten check out of the envelope... and promptly dropped it in shock!

There in her mother's small, cramped handwriting, was a check for one million pounds! Hermione had had no idea her grandmother was so well off! Of course, since her mother was an only child and she was an only child, it didn't have very far to spread, but still!

"Remus!" Hermione gasped in shock, "Look at this!" She handed him the check and watched his expression. She was a bit disapointed when all he did was raise an eyebrow.

"Well," he said, "I guess there's no help for it now."

She looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"Looks like it's time to make a trip."

Becoming more puzzled by the second, she just stared at him.

"Lets see," Remus was talking to himself now, "tomorrow is a Tuesday, so we should be okay. The lines won't be too long either." He paused to look at her. "Hmm."

"Oh, for goodness sake!" She snapped. "What are you mumbling about?"

He seemed to decide all of a sudden and gave her a dazzling smile. "Just be up and ready tomorrow morning around 8 am. We're going to be taking a little trip."

Remus then stood up from the table and walked out of the room, leaving a very bewildered Hermione behind to pick up.

Author's Note

Hey everyone! I wanted to thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Here's a longer chapter as a reward! LOL! See? More reviews faster updates!

Next chapter, Hermione and Remus get to get out of the Chateau! BTW... this chapter was 2854 words long! The longest chapter yet! YAY!

Hope you like! Let me know!

Thanks for reading,
AF Marauder