A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews/subscriptions/favorites. I may not be able to update as much anymore because my laptop crashed and wiped my hard drive :/ thankfully, I had my entire fanfiction folder saved on a flash drive and I'm still able to continue my updates and continue my writing. But it will be very periodically, and over time, seeing how my computer doesn't work properly anymore. Anyways, I'll try as often as I can to finish my story and keep it updated.

I hope you enjoy this short chapter :) I'll update the next one after this in a short while. Thanks again. Don't forget to review!

Present day…

"Why did you ask him to leave?" asked Ginny, curiously.

Both Harry and Hermione looked at her, like she was really asking this question. "Because, Ginny! I was hurt. He deliberately took my moment of weakness and used it against me. Not only that, but he used his lycanthropy as an excuse."

"Well, Hermione, that does help in his poor decisions…" said Harry reasonably.

Hermione shook her head. She knew this, but still… "He doesn't have to use it all the time. And how do I know whether it really is his lycanthropy kicking in, or if he's just telling me that so I won't be as upset?"

"Because you and I both know that Lupin was not like that."

The room was silent. Hermione felt ashamed of herself for arguing, especially when the person who had once taken advantage of her, was dead. And she knew that he wasn't the only one who had done that against her. She too had taken advantage of his state, teased him almost when she knew she shouldn't have. All in all, she shouldn't be blaming him for all their unresolved romantic problems.

"I was foolish though." She admitted, resuming. "I think I was just putting all the blame on him, when I actually felt good about kissing him. I loved it, actually. I wanted it to continue into something further, but I knew it was wrong. I think that's why I stopped him."

Harry sighed. "Nothing like morality kicking in at the last second to ruin everything."

Hermione smiled at his words. "Yes, well, it kicks a bit late sometimes doesn't it?"

Ginny and Harry looked at her, expecting her to realize what she just said. "Oh, no! I didn't mean… Not then at least." She smiled deliciously, remembering back to the first time they did. But that was too far ahead from where they were now in the story.

Both of her friends sighed in relief. "That would have been painfully awkward to hear," said Ginny. Hermione and Harry laughed.

"So, what was it like, kissing him?" Ginny now said, with a more girly tone to her voice. She was clearly interested in hearing about this romantic forbidden love between her best girl friend and her former professor.

Hermione sighed, dreamily. "It was fantastic. He was soft and gentle, but passionate. Oh, and he tasted great. Like… cider…"

"Okay, that's enough." said Harry, awkwardly. "Hermione, can you just continue with the story… So what happened after he left? Did you guys talk at least?"

Hermione's face went from dreamy to serious, remembering what it was like after that kiss. Completely awkward, sad, lonely, depressing… she felt isolated.

"He didn't write me at all when we went back to Hogwarts. He ignored me, just like before, even though he said he wouldn't. I felt stupid and gullible…. Then, he wrote me out of the blue, right before Christmas vacation." Hermione pulled out another letter beneath her pile. She looked at this one a bit more attentively. His words seemed to have etched themselves across her face, showing expression after expression; from anger to sadness, to passion. She passed the letter to Harry and Ginny.

Hermione,

I need to apologize for my behavior and I will try my best to gain your trust and your friendship back, before we meet at Grimmauld Place for Christmas. You don't know how much I've been hurting not hearing from you, not keeping my word. But you know, it is what's best. I was so afraid of talking to you before, that I thought it would lead us into trouble. And I was right. I couldn't hold myself back and I kissed you, and now, we're drifting apart because of my reckless actions. Hermione, I need you to forgive me. You're not worth giving up over a silly kiss. I miss our friendship, our conversations, everything. Please, Hermione. I'll do anything.

Sincerely yours,

Remus

"That's so sweet," said Ginny, smiling at her friend as she handed Hermione the letter.

Hermione sighed and let loose a smile too. "Yeah, but I wasn't ready to give in just yet. I wanted to believe him, but how was I suppose to know he wouldn't do it again?"

"Because, Hermione, we both know Lupin didn't mean to. I mean, I know I wasn't there, but knowing Lupin he just made a mistake." said Harry. He couldn't help but defend Lupin in this case.

"Harry, will you please just listen?" said Hermione, frustrated.

"Sorry."

She rolled her eyes and continued on. "Well, like I said this was before we went back to Grimmauld Place for Christmas. I kept contemplating on what to do and what I should say, but I figured it would all come in good time. I didn't reply to him back, however. I wanted to keep him wondering," she smirked, "But I realized I couldn't keep my thoughts in much longer. I really wanted to see him and I couldn't wait to get to Grimmauld…"