(Yes, you may see the blooming romance between Hermione and Remus. :) Remus doesn't know anything about her time travelling for anyone who may have been confused. Happy reading! -Rae)

Chapter 5

"What kind of animal makes a honking noise?" Hermione heard a seventh year Arthur Weasley ask from down the table. She'd forgotten that he and Molly were just a few years ahead of Harry's parents in school. They always seemed so old to her simply because they were so wise, especially Molly.

"A goose," Hermione called to him. Arthur beamed at her. Gods, he looked just like Ron. Hermione felt an emptiness well up in her belly.

"Thanks," Arthur called back, going back to his conversation with his future wife.

Hermione's eyes flickered along the students before they finally rested on Lily's face across from her. The girl was staring at her, burning a hole through her head.

"What?" Hermione stabbed a piece of potato and shoved it in her mouth.

"You and Remus were alone up there for hours last night," Lily hissed, not wanting to be overheard, "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Hermione gave a muffled hiss through her potatoes.

"Well then what were you two doing?" Lily was ignoring her own plate, too nosy to care about dinner.

"Just talking," Hermione answered nonchalantly as she cut up some broccoli.

"Sure. You were probably snogging," Lily smirked and leaned onto her elbows, fists resting underneath her chin.

"Bullocks," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"What's this about snogging?" James butted into their conversation with ease, seeing as how Lily had forgotten to whisper her last accusation.

"Nothing. No one was snogging," Hermione turned tomato red after catching Sirius' gaze. He was staring her down now, obviously petrified that she was snogging Remus rather than him.

"That's the story she's telling, at least," Lily grinned and tended to her own food, finally giving up on prying information out of poor Hermione.

Remus sat in awkward silence, not quite sure what to say. It didn't help that he'd chosen to sit next to Hermione that evening. Now the two definitely looked suspicious.

"When I get a boyfriend I'll be sure to let you all know," Hermione huffed, glaring around at each of the accusers.

"Sounds spectacular," Lily giggled.

Later on that evening Hermione sat with Lily in the common room to work on their Transfiguration homework. That day in class they'd been learning how to turn a rat into a goblet. Hermione had already mastered this task so she sat back and yawned, watching Lily try and fail repeatedly.

"Bloody hell!" The redhead squealed, knocking the half-rat, half-goblet on the floor at their feet.

"Calm down. You have to use a specific wrist movement or it won't work correctly," Hermione sat up and demonstrated. Her rat easily transformed itself into a goblet.

Lily watched and attempted the spell for the last time, finally getting it right, "You're so smart. I hate Transfiguration. I'm much better at Charms," she sighed, stuffing papers back in her satchel.

Hermione nodded briefly, "I know."

"How?" Lily perked up in a curious manner.

"Remus told me. Well... Not now. In my time," Hermione kept her voice low. "He always spoke very highly of you and James."

"So you know him in the future?" Lily whispered, reclining back on the sofa. She crossed her arms over her chest and drew her legs up on the seat.

"Yes. He was a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in my third year. Brilliant man," she smiled a bit, thinking back to her time.

"Wow... What about me?" Lily smiled a bit, "You said I'm married to James and we have a son. Do I have a job?"

Hermione froze, eyes wide. She couldn't tell Lily of her ill fate. Certainly it would change time. Then again, she was changing things now. Perhaps if she warned Lily of what would happen it could be avoided. They could be prepared to kill Voldemort.

She was deciding if she should tell Lily the truth when Remus walked in, saving her from an awkward conversation, "Remus."

"Hi. What are you two up to?" Remus walked briskly up to them, sitting on the arm of the couch beside Hermione.

Lily grinned sheepishly and stood, "Oh, I was just heading for a shower. Hermione, why don't you keep Remus company for a while?"

Hermione went pink, laughing nervously, "Erm, okay."

Lily skipped off toward the showers as Remus stood from his perch and sat next to Hermione on the couch. That sandy blond hair fell in his eyes, bringing a blush to her cheeks. What was it about Remus that she found so attractive?

"How are classes?" Hermione asked softly, fighting the urge to brush his hair out of his face.

"Fine. Yours?"

"Fine."

They sat staring at the crackling fire for what seemed like hours when in reality they'd only been in silence a few minutes.

Remus finally took a deep breath, bringing Hermione back to the real world, "Will you go with me to Hogsmeade this weekend? There are a lot of little shops and a few places to eat. I mean... If you want," he finished the question awkwardly, now eyes focused on his lap rather than the fire.

"I, oh, of course. I'd love to," she nodded quickly and smiled stupidly. She'd never been asked out by a boy before. This was amazing, new, and exciting for such a quiet bookworm.

"Good. Great," Remus smiled to himself, celebrating inwardly.

Lily trotted back into the room at that moment with wet hair and fresh clothes to ruin their conversation, "Hi all!"

Hermione fought the urge to tell Lily to take a hike as she fiddled with the buckle to her satchel, growling under her breath. Remus stood and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I'll see you in the morning. Have an essay to write," he smiled a bit at Hermione before heading up the stairs to the boy's dorms.

As soon as the door shut upstairs Lily flew across the room to plop down next to Hermione. Her bubbly personality tired the poor brunette out but she was a good ear to chat to. Lily reminded her a lot of Ginny who Hermione had very recently made her best friend.

"So? How'd it go? Spill!" Lily beamed.

"Fine," Hermione blushed considerably, still fidgeting.

"Fine? Did he ask you out?" Lily asked quickly, trying to get the romantic details.

"Wha-" Hermione blinked, gawking at Lily, "How did you know?"

"He obviously fancies you! He's been staring at you all the time!" Lily squealed, rolling her eyes, "You're so oblivious to be so smart."

Hermione chewed her lower lip, realizing that she probably did have a lot to learn about love and boys. Lily was well versed on those subjects.

"Teach me how to do hair and makeup?" Hermione asked softly.

"Hell yes!"

(Yes, yes, short chapters. I'm writing them short because there's going to be a lot of them! Hope you enjoy.)