In this chapter- We meet the last of the Marauders. Hermione learns more about her enchanting heritage,  Some Ron/Jessica romance and an unexpected surprise.

Remus was back in the study, the books he had before seemed to have multiplied and the parchment was everywhere.  He set down the fresh coffee Molly had just brewed downstairs and sighed.  Maybe today would be the day.

No sooner had he set it down, and then a grey owl swooped in the heavy wrought iron window, and left again, as though not expecting a reply. 

Remus casually glanced at the letter, and then did a double take.  There was a single word on the envelope, in a familiar, untidy scrawl. 

Moony

Remus stared a while longer, then closed his eyes, and opened them again, as if trying to see if this was a dream.  Only three other people ever called him by his school nickname, and two of them were dead.  The only other….

Remus reached out with a shaking hand and opened the envelope with his long fingers.  He pulled out a neatly folded piece of parchment, and read the familiar writing, with an unfamiliar feeling of dread.

Moony,

I'm sure by now you know who this letter is from, without looking at the signature.  I can imagine the look on your face when you saw the envelope with your old school nickname on the front.  I will make this short.  I need to speak with you, no tricks, no traps; I just need to talk about something that is of value to the both of us.  Meet me at our old haunt, you know the place.  Eleven o'clock tonight.   Bring no one.

                                                                                                            Wormtail

Remus read and re-read the letter from his old friend.  The person who he had once trusted with his darkest secret and his very life.  Now, after all these years, and Sirius's death, Peter was contacting him, saying he needed to see him?  Something wasn't right, but Lupin's human curiosity got the better of him, and he decided against his better instincts to go.

It was only nine in the morning, but Remus decided to start preparing.  He was going alone, but he couldn't guarantee that Peter was.

~

"I had a great time tonight, Ron."  Jessica said quietly, looking up at him.

They were walking down Jessica's street, hand in hand, recalling the brilliant night. 

"I'm glad."  Ron said.  "I had a fantastic time too."

Jessica stopped under one of the streetlights and smiled up at Ron.  "I never would have thought I would ever meet someone like you."  She said, looking into his blue eyes. 

Ron blushed and smiled back.  "I'm nothing special, just a sixteen year old kid."

"You're very special, you just don't see it."  Jessica assured him.

Ron bent down and kissed her.  Lightly at first, just barely brushing his lips on hers, and then harder, gently massaging her lips with his own.  Jessica reached up and put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, reassuring herself that this was all real.

Finally Ron stepped back and smiled down on her, she flushed a bit at her temporary loss of self control.

"I don't know how you do it."  Jessica said quietly, a smile still playing on her lips.  "I don't know how you can possible make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

"Magic."  Ron said, and leaned down for another kiss.

~

"Pass me the Lacewings will you Ron?"  Hermione asked as she carefully added the newt liver.  "I'm almost done."

"How do you do it?"  Harry asked, amazed at his friend.  "I've messed up on this stupid sleeping draft three times already."

"I have patience."  Hermione said with a smile.  "Something the two of you seriously lack."

The three friends were in their basement doing their potions lesson under the watchful eye of Professor Rain, who somewhat took them under his wing and was helping them through every lesson.

"You might want to tone that fire down a bit, Ron."  Rain said gently.  "The potion is going to boil over." 

"Thanks."  Ron said thankfully, and cooled the fire down just in time.

Hermione smiled triumphantly as her potion turned a silvery-blue, the perfect color for the perfect sleeping draft.

Ron and Harry groaned, their respective cauldrons held nothing of the sort, and Hermione was right, they were impatient to get out of there.

After bottling her potion to be sent to Professor Snape for grading, Hermione relaxed in one of the overstuffed chairs, next to Rain.  She took the time to daydream a bit, letting her mind unfocus.  Hermione felt rather relaxed, but a constant worry in the back of her mind seemed to keep her from ever getting a moments peace.  She needed to do something about that.

"Professor?"  Hermione asked, once Harry and Ron got a greenish bluish liquid into their own vials.

"Yes Hermione?"  Professor Rain said

Hermione took a deep breath.  "I think something is wrong with me."

The reaction she got was expected on Harry and Ron's part, but quite unexpected on Rain's.  At first he looked rather delighted, and then settled for slightly amused.

"What do you feel is wrong with you, Hermione?"  He finally asked.

Hermione stood for a moment, not really being able to explain what it was.  "I feel like I'm changing rapidly."  She said.  "Not like a normal girl, like something else is changing.  I know this might sound weird, but I feel like every boy I meet seems to suddenly like me, or at least have an interest in me.  It was somewhat apparent in Hogwarts, but now that I'm with muggles I never met before, it's much, much more obvious. Am I just going crazy?  Am I imagining things?"

Hermione breathed a couple shallow breaths and looked from Ron, to Harry, to her teacher, someone who looked exactly her age.

Rain smiled widely.  "I was wondering when it would happen.  Remus and I were just discussing it."

"What happen?"  Harry and Hermione said at the same time.

"Hermione."  Rain said in a patient voice.  "You know you're an enchantress, or at least the descendent of one, correct?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well then, didn't it ever occur to you that you might have added abilities that not other witches will have?"

Hermione looked confused for a moment, and then a light dawned in her eyes, before confusion set in.  "I have power to make people like me?" She asked.

Rain smiled.  "Well, that's half right."  He said.  "As you have already seen, complete strangers will have an interest in you, and people of weak wills.  With time, you will be able to harness your abilities, and even be able to control people, men, with your charm.  A downside, however, is that no matter what you do, people will always look to you in admiration, whether your deserve it or not."

Hermione sat dumbfounded.  Finally, after a few minutes in silence, she muttered.  "Control people? Control people?  That's the foulest thing I have ever heard! Is that how my mother married my father? She forced him to marry her? And my grandmother? What about her?  Did they just go through life having other people doing their bidding?  Like female versions of bloody Voldemort?!  And what about Harry and Ron?  Am I ever going to be able to stay their friend without them falling in love with me?  Oh I don't need this, I don't need this one little bit!"

Rain permitted himself a small chuckle before he spoke.  "Hermione, calm down and look at your friends, look Harry right in the eyes."  Hermione did so.  "Now Harry, do you have any desire what so ever to kiss Hermione?  Any feeling at all?"

Harry burst out laughing.  "There is no way I would kiss Hermione that way!" He said with a good-natured grin.  "Sorry Mione, but you're just like a sister."

Hermione grinned in relief.  "Thank the Lord."  She said. 

"Now."  Rains interrupted.  "Look Ron in the eyes."  Hermione did so, and fixed Ron's blue eyes with her own brown ones.

"Nothing."  Ron said with a relieved grin.  "I can't get Jessica out of my head."

Harry and Hermione laughed while Ron blushed.  Hermione felt as thought a great weight had been lifted.

"So why didn't it work?"  Harry asked curiously.  "Why didn't we immediately fall in love with Hermione?"

"Because you're already in love with her."  Rain said with a smile.  As he saw their faces, he elaborated.  "Not in love with her, as a girlfriend/boyfriend relationship might be, but you love her very much, don't you?"

Harry and Ron nodded their heads.

"You would do anything for her, wouldn't you?"

Again they nodded.

"Then you already love her, she can't control you with her abilities because you would already go to the ends of the earth for her."

Hermione smiled at her friends and swooped down on them, bringing them in a bone crushing hug.  "I love you guys too!"  She said.

Harry was the first to recover.  "Professor?  What about people who aren't, well, us? Could she really control anyone if she wanted to?"

Rain smiled.  "Well, there are some exceptions to the rules. One, it only applies to humans, which means that I wont be affected, and nor would Remus.  Two, anyone with a particularly strong will can fight it, if they thought about it.  Third, the people that know you very well, such as your muggle parents won't be affected, because they love you as well, but some friends might not be able to resist the charm."

"Fred and George!"  Hermione said, a hand flying to her mouth.  "Oh lord…"

"My brothers?"  Ron asked.

"Yes."  Hermione replied.  "They were fighting over me, I heard them."

"Oh boy.  Ron said.  "Well, we'll write them tonight and explain all about you.  "It isn't anyone's fault, no one knew."

Hermione nodded, but Harry could tell that Fred and George were not the entire problem. 

"Thank you Professor."  Harry said, standing up.  Are you still teaching Jessica and Jared?

"Yes."  Rain said with a sly smile.  "We meet in Jessica's garage; I cast a spell on their parents, to keep them disoriented while they practice."

"What are they doing, exactly?"  Hermione asked, very curious.

"They are learning certain spells, that do not require a wand, summoning spells mostly, and many, many healing spells.  Jessica is turning out to be quite the healer."

Ron beamed at that.  "So they can do magic now?  Just like that?"

"Not quite, Ron."  Rain said, "They cannot do the spells you do, like lumos and accio, but they can transfer energy, and call on the earth elements.  Not drastically though, but Jared succeeded in making it rain last night." 

"Can any muggle achieve this?"  Harry asked, clearly thinking of the Durstlys.

"Well."  Rain said tenitivly.  "Yes and no.  Like any sort of magic, you need to have a certain amount of power behind it, whether it is emotion, or sheer will.  Some muggles, and even wizards, just don't have the spirit or soul to do magic.  And yes, you do need a soul.  When I was just a vampire, I could not do normal magic.  I was a wizard before I was bitten, yes, but no soul, no magic.  It keeps things in balance."

Hermione stared, completely enthralled at the extra lesson in magic.  She didn't know it was so…involved.

Rain chuckled at Hermione's expression.  "I think that I enough for tonight."  He said with a smile.  "I will be back in two days time.  Remember to do your history of magic essay and practice your fruit transfiguration, Professor McGonagall will want samples, I'm sure."

With a couple smiles and four goodbyes, Professor Rain left the trio to contemplate their very, informative, lesson. 

"Oiy."  Hermione murmured, taking a seat on one of the tall stools in the kitchen.  "Oiy oiy oiy."

Harry and Ron followed suite, and soon they were all sitting around the little island in their kitchen.

"I'm never going to be able to date again."  Hermione said miserably.  "I'll never be able to marry, and fall in love, and have kids, and live happily ever after."

"Whoa."  Ron said.  "Calm down, Mione, you know that's not true."

"Of course."  Harry said, trying to persuade her.  "There are plenty of guys that have strong wills out there, and you heard Rain, you will be able to control it with some practice."

Hermione brightened slightly.  "I suppose."  She said.  "And who knows, it might come in handy."

"That's the spirit."  Ron said, stifling a yawn.  "I don't know about you guys, but I'm beat."

"Yea, me too."  Hermione said.  "I think I'll go to bed."

Long after she said those words, Hermione laid in bed, completely wide awake.

~

"Both Lucius and Draco love to be complimented, Miss Covington."  Severus Snape said to the young woman in front of him.  "It would not be a loss of air to speak admirations to either of the Malfoy men."

Lauren sighed, positively disgusted with what she was about to do.  She was embarking into the espionage fold, and diving head first into a pit of sharks….or Dragons.

"What information am I to be reviecving?"  Lauren asked dutifully.

"Anything, and everything, Miss Covington."  Snape said.  "You have seen me at these gatherings, do as I do.  Speak only when spoken to, and disregard all questions regarding your personal life.  Remember, you are to embark into a den of deatheaters, including their youth.  It would not hurt to stroke Draco's ego."

 Lauren nodded mutely, her brain slowly processing the information she was given.  Everything was ready.  She was to dress and arrive at Malfoy Manor at ten o'clock that night, ready to begin her life as a double agent. 

~

Well, here I am.  Remus sat in the only chair that was still in one piece.  He had come early, as was his nature, and had tried to make himself comfortable in a place that had so many mixed memories.

He had not visited the shrieking shack since the night Peter had gotten away.  The night Sirius escaped.  There was something so undeniably tragic in this room that is made Remus stiffen with every sound.  Sinister.  That's the word.

It was a quarter to eleven and Remus had not heard a sound, besides the wind outside.  It was a dark night, about a week before the full moon.  There was a wind every once in awhile and a storm was threatening in the distance.  But other than the occasional creak of the walls, Remus was left in peace with his thoughts.

He had his wand.  His most dependable asset in case this was a trap, which it could very well be.  Peter didn't give a care about his former friends.  James…Sirius, they were dead now, and it was only Remus and Peter left, the last of the Marauders.

Soon the door opened, and although Peter was already short, he had to duck under the door frame to fit. Remus didn't move from his chair.

"You came."  Peter said a surprised edge in his voice.  "I did not think you would."

Peter, was at best, still the pudgy, balding man he was three years ago.  He looked like someone who was under constant vigilance about what he did everyday, and Remus was not surprised in the least.  Peter had on black wizarding robes and black dragon hide gloves. 

"And why is that?"  Remus said, still not moving.  "I have nothing to fear here, as only the memories of our past lay dead here."

Peter's mouth contorted in what looked like a very controlled smile.  "What an interesting choice of words, Moony."  He said.

"Get on with it."  Remus said, his anger prickled by the traitor's use of his old nickname.  "What was it you wanted?"

  "Why, Moony."  Peter said in mock surprise.  "I am surprised you do not already know.  What does everyone want to know?  What is the question on everyone's mind?  I want to know where Hermione Prewit is."

Remus laughed out loud.  He knew Peter was daft, anyone under Lord Voldemorts instructions were, but he did not expect him to be this, well stupid.

"Wormtail."  Remus said with a slight chuckle.  "You know I would never disclose that information to you."

"Yes."  Peter said with a smirk.  "But I have ways of making you talk." 

"Oh?"  Remus said, not feeling particularly threatened.  "Veritaserum?  The Veritas curse?  Do tell your superior methods."

Peter slowly and deliberately took off the gloves he was wearing, and there, where his right hand once was, a gleaming, silver hand had taken its place.

Remus raised his eyebrows in a look of polite surprise, but he wasn't surprised in the least.

"Ah."  Remus said coolly.  "You plan on killing me with a silver hand."

Peter was grinning like a mad man.  "James, Sirius, you."  He said, holding up one finger for each person.  "Each of the Marauders.  I know you all laughed at me when you thought I wasn't looking.  James and his quiddich skill, he was always showing off with that damn snitch.  Sirius, he always threw his weight around, he always got the girls.  You, you and your perfect grades.  You where the prefect, the person who kept us all out of trouble, and yet you managed to get away with being the one in the most trouble.  I was always last compared to the great James, Sirius, and Remus.  I was the short stocky kid who couldn't brew a shrinking spell right.  You all treated me worse than Severus Snape."

Remus sat in his chair in mild surprise.  It was no secret that Peter was probably the least talented of all the Marauders.  James was the athlete, Sirius had the girls, and Remus had the brains that kept it all together.  Peter was the tag along, the kid that hung out with the more influential in the school, and that happened to be the Marauders.

"So this is what this is all about."  Remus said with a slight smile.  "You want revenge for your Hogwarts years.  You want to be the Marauder that came out on top, the big dog.  You want to prove to us that you where the big cheese, pardon my pun.  So now you plan to kill me, so you can be the last one standing.  But really Peter, who is going to care?  Voldemort?  Hardly.  James and Sirius are dead.  They don't care.  Lily, the one girl you ever loved and the one girl that actually gave a damn about you is dead by your hand.  How does it feel to have such a burden?  Tell me something, Peter, how can you kill me tonight?  When I have already died twice?  I died the night James and Lily died, and I died again five months ago.  There is not one thing you could do to me now, Peter, some things simply are worse than death."

Peter looked completely abashed by Remus's remark.  Peter never loved anyone, he had a crush on Lily Evans for ages, but he never loved anyone, only himself.  His family life was normal, he supposed.  His parents were in the ministry, working with foreign affairs and weren't around a whole lot.  He found some sort of love in his friends, but his jealousy prevented him from ever truly loving them.  Peter didn't understand their devotion to one another, and Remus's anguish that they were dead.  All Peter cared about was self preservation.

"But."  Remus said, finally standing.  "I do have something to live for, and that is to bring the Dark Lord down, so Peter, shall we get on with this?"

Peter's eyes widened slightly.  "You know that this is real silver?"  He asked.

"Oh course."  Remus spat.  "Harry told us all about the ceremony.  You don't think I would come unprepared?"

Peter was scared now.  He had imagined Remus taking one look at the hand and disapperating, not being fully aware of it and ready to duel.

Peter knew at once what he had to do; he had to get out of there-fast.

Remus knew what Peter was going to do a second before he did it.

"Petrificus Totalas!" he shouted, and Peter fell to the floor with a hard 'thunk'

Remus walked over to the immobile body, his eyes stone cold and devoid of every emotion, besides hate.

"You are a fool Peter."  Remus said, his words hard and uncharacteristic.  "You turned your back on your friends, and now you are going to pay for it."

Remus knew what he was going to do, and by the looks, Peter did as well.

Remus pointed his wand, straight at Peter's chest.

"Avada Kedavra"

And Remus turned away from the still, lifeless body, and exited the shrieking shack- the last and lone Marauder.