A/N: So sorry that it has taken me so long to update, but here is the next chapter. Please review and let me know what you think.

It was only the next night that Hermione was sitting by the lake, contemplating all that was happening around her. Lily and Sol had agreed that tonight was to be a girls night. No boys allowed, and although they had of course insisted that Hermione join them, she had declined. As she was hardly in the mood for sitting around and braiding each others hair, but would rather much prefer to understand and decode her own troubling thoughts about a one Mr. Sirius Black.

She knew that it was stupid, and reason told her that it would be an excellent conversation to have with the girls. That if anyone could help her it would be them. But, there was something else. A strong feeling that told her that the answers she sought after were not the ones that she would find with the girls. It was this same feeling that drew her out to the lake.

Hermione did not exactly know how long she had been sitting there, allowing the calm of her environment to soothe her. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a gentle male voice calling to her from behind. In a startled movement, she twisted around to see who it was. "Remus." She said, surprised at seeing the gentle werewolf.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked as if he was approaching a frightened filly, as opposed to a friend. Or at least she hoped that she was a friend, the truth was that with the way that Sirius was behaving she was no longer sure, of anything. After all, the man that she had admired and who had been so kind to her, was now cold and nearly cruel.

"Of course." She was happy to see that he looked far better than he had the past couple of days. The effects of the full moon and stress and worry that he had felt for Sol, having eased, and allowed him to recover fully.

"I am not going to bother asking if there is something troubling you," he said as he took a seat next to her, and removing his shoes and socks allowed his feet to join her's in the cool water. "As I know that there is." Hermione had to suppress a giggle at this, even as his younger self, Remus, still preferred to be as direct as possible when possible. A trait that was ever endearing about him due to his intuitive nature. A gift that he had received from the heart of a wolf.

"Well, thanks for cutting out the middle man." She giggled lightly as she playfully bumped his should with her own.

"haha, well what kind of a friend would I be if I did not cut out the 'middle man'?" he returned equally playfully, and it was a question that caused Hermione's heart to both jump as well as lurch. Not only for the hope that his words brought, but also the playful tone that he used. She could hardly be certain if he really meant it or if he was just playing with her.

"Remus, not to sound like a bitchy, emotional girl, but do you really mean that? Am I really your friend?" the look that the girl had in her eyes was so raw, that Remus immediately knew that he had made the right choice in coming out here. He and James had noticed how much of a prat Sirius had been acting, and both of them knew exactly what was going on. Unfortunately, they also knew that Sirius was no where near as smooth as he liked to think. And if something was not done then then he would end up being the one hurt. It was a decision that both Remus and James had agreed upon, but, while both James and Remus were Sirius' best friends, Sirius was bound to notice James' absence far more than that of Remus. It was for this reason that Remus had volunteered to talk to Hermione. A decision that he was now truly happy about making.

"Of course Hermione. Why would you ever think that we were not your friends?"

"Well, I do not know if you have noticed, but it seems like every time I open my mouth, I get shot down, in particular by Sirius."

"Oh, Hermione, do not worry about Sirius."

"What do you mean 'don't worry about Sirius' have you not heard him?" It was a question that caused Remus to sigh before answering her.

"I have heard him, but, Hermione it is not what you think. Sirius would probably kill me for telling you this, but not telling you would be worse for him." He said stopping momentarily to gather his thoughts before continuing. "The truth is that Sirius likes you, maybe as a friend or maybe as something more."

"And you have gone daft. Sirius the playboy of Hogwarts does not like me." Hermione replied with her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I know that it does not make any sense, but the simple truth is that Sirius is a a bit of a tortured soul. So when it comes to a one night stand or a fling, sure he knows how to wow a girl. But the truth is that when it comes to a girl that he really cares about then he becomes an absolute git. Just ask Lily or Sol."

"He was mean to Lily and Sol." Hermione could hardly believe what she was hearing.

"Oh yeah! He still gives Sol a hard time about her family sometimes."

"What why?"

"This is what I am trying to say, Hermione. We all know that he loves Sol like his own sister. But when it comes to people who have power over his heart, our dear Sirius is not very good with dealing with emotions. So you see we know that he feels something for you. What we do not know, but all will be revealed in time." He finished as he gazed off into the distance, watching the waning moon, that both bound him but also gave his strength. It was a sight that took Hermione's breath away for both beauty but also sadness. But there was something that she needed to know.

"Then, Remus, what should I do?" Remus, turned to gaze at her and with the warmest smile she had ever received from him said:

"Give him time, Mione. And in the meantime, let us be your friends and care for you." The use of her old nickname proved to be the last thread for her, and with that she let the tears fall, in lamentation for her old life, and hope for her new one. As she sat there under the moonlight leaning on his should while he wrapped her in a friendly embrace, offering the support that only a true friend could.