I'm really sorry about this being so late! I won't bore you with excuses, but I hope this update was worth the wait.

Chapter 3: Revelations

The next morning Hermione looked over her class schedule while she ate breakfast. Not surprisingly, the Great hall was incredibly noisy, but Hermione didn't seem to notice. Her first class of the day was Charms followed by Transfiguration and after lunch she had Herbology. She also had Astronomy but that wasn't until after dark. "Good," she thought. "I'll have plenty of time to talk with McGonagall after Herbology." She took one last bite of oatmeal before heading to Charms.

"All right students, if you're finished you may go," Professor Sprout announced. Hermione had already finished the assignment and had patiently been waiting to be dismissed. She quickly gathered her things and left the greenhouse.

She excitedly made her way to the gargoyle in front of the Headmistress's office. "Teacakes," she announced. The gargoyle slid out of the way and she walked up the staircase to the door at the top and knocked. She heard McGonagall say "come in" and then pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Ah, Hermione, I've been expecting you," McGonagall said in a kind tone with a hint of a smile. Hermione had always been one of her favorite students. "Hello, Headmistress," Hermione said and grinned.

"I have a question about…"

"Professor Lupin," McGonagall finished for her.

"Er, yes," Hermione admitted. "I… I saw him with the dead and now he's here. How can you explain that?"

"A very good question and quite a story," McGonagall declared. "Please sit." She motioned to the seat in front of her desk. Hermione settled down in it and looked expectantly at the Headmistress.

McGonagall cleared her throat and began. "Remus cast a shield charm just as Dolohov's hex hit him. I believe it was enough to save his life but not completely block the effects of the hex. Therefore he was put into a death-like coma. If it were not for Madam Pomfrey, I believe he would have been buried alive." Hermione gave a quick gasp. "When she told me of his condition, I immediately had him sent to St. Mongo's. The healers there did everything they could but it was not until a month ago that he finally awoke. When I heard the news I was overjoyed and offered him the position of DADA professor which he graciously accepted."

"But there's something I don't understand," said Hermione. "Why am I just now hearing about this?"

"Yet, another good question. Well, Pomfrey and I and a few of the St. Mongo's staff were the only ones who knew about it and we agreed that it wasn't necessary to make it public knowledge. After all, he was already believed to be dead and I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up since it was very likely he would never wake again. When he came out of the coma, the healers informed him that only a handful of people were aware that he was still alive, and when I offered him the position, he said he wanted his return to be a surprise," McGonagall finished.

"It was a surprise all right," Hermione sighed. "Thank you for answering my questions Headmistress. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Hermione."

Hermione found Ginny browsing through one of the shelves in the library. She quickly informed her of everything McGonagall had said.

"That's amazing!" Ginny whispered.

"I know!" Hermione whispered back. They continued to talk about it for several more minutes in excited whispers until Madam Pince shooed them out of the library.

I will be very busy this semester. So, it will probably be the end of May before I am able to post another chapter. :(