A/N: Sorry for the slow updates but with classes starting at 8-ish in the morning and finishing a 5 p.m. and exams on Saturday mornings and find myself at a loss of free time to write! I try my best, I really do.

For everyone who read the first version of the last chapter just know that the last two scenes were deleted. I might use those scenes later in the story but they really didn't fit where I put them, but deleted or not the story will be going in the same "direction" as before. (If that makes sense)

PLEASE READ: Teddy (Remus's son) is going to be a few years older than he should be, because todlers are funner than babies, they can cause more trouble. Also, I don't know if actually the case, but for the sake of the story I'm going to say that Remus's lycanthropy is hereditery and that when you are born a werewolf you can turn into a wolf at will, even when it's not the full moon. Hope you don't mind too much.

Here goes nothing, hope you enjoy.

"Hermione, mind if I ask what you're doing?" Ron asked, looking highly amused.

The girl in question started in surprise when she heard her friend, hitting her head against the oven door handle. She rubbed her head and then went back to waving her hand under the oven in search of something. "The blasted owl dropped it's letter under here!" She claimed, trying to peek between the floor and the oven, hoping to spy the letter she was blindly feeling for.

"'Mione, aren't you a witch?" He joked, leaning against the counter.

Hermione jumped to her feet, wiping off her knees. "Yes, right, of course Ron," she waved her hand, casting a simple accio spell to summon the piece of paper.

She ripped it open as soon as it was in her hand and read it through quickly. Ron had moved to pet the owl, giving him a few treats and waiting patiently for Hermione to finish with the letter.

"Harry will be ecstatic," she murmured, reading it again more carefully.

"Why's that?" He wondered, shaking his finger that the dark feathered bird had accidently bitten while eating a treat.

"Remus wants to come over at the end of the week with Teddy. He must be exhausted, taking care of that little ball of energy all on his own."

"He could just bring him to my mum's, she'd be over joyed to take care of Teddy," Ron said, sucking on his bleeding index finger.

"He says going to the Burrow exhausts him more than anything," Hermione explained.

"Well, he's welcome here anytime he likes," he said, going to the sink to pass his finger under some water.

Hermione put down the letter and saw him rincing his finger and sighed. "Really, Ronald, a healing spell will do the trick."

"You know I'm no good at those kinds of spells."

She held out her hand. "Come here," she said gently.

He walked to her, sitting down in the chair opposite her and putting his hand in her's. She pressed the tip of her wand to his and carefully articulated the spell. They watched in silence as the small cut knitted back together, until there was no trace left. For a moment they just sat there, staring blankly at his hand, not saying a word. Then carefully, Ron switched hands and truned her's around so that he could unwrap the gauze on her arm.

"What are you doing?" She wondered.

"I want to see how much it's healed, it should be fine soon, it's been over a month," he explained.

Hermione bit her lip watching him reveal her scar. "It's healed," he said, slowly.

"Yes, it has been for the last few days," she told him.

"Why is it still wrapped up then?"

She shrugged. "I guess I'm just hoping that it might go away completely."

"Hermione, I don't know if this'll help but having that word carved into your arm is like me having the words blood-traitor carved on my arm." Hermione looked up at him, confused.

"What are you saying?"

"That, granted mudblood is viler and more insulting than blood-traitor, but if I had blood-traitor on my arm I would be proud. It's what I am and nothing will ever change that. You are a muggleborn, not a mudblood but that word is proof that you fought for what you believed in even when others were hiding. Proof that you never backed down, never gave up. This is proof of your courage, your loyalty, your unconditional love, your confidence, your perseverance and everything else that makes you you."

Hermione stared at him, tears brimming in her eyes and gave him a watery smile. "When did you become so wise?"

"Soon as I left Hogwarts, sixth year," he joked.

"What would I do without you?" She asked herself, flinging her arms around him.

There are moments in your life, when you feel a sudden realization that something you take for granted is in fact amazing and special. This realization hits you so hard it nearly knocks you off your feet. This was one of those moments for Hermione. She felt her love and admiration for Ron so strongly her heart ached. She held him tighter and tighter, trying to calm her trobbing heart, trying to fill the abrupt sensation of missing him.

"What's going on in here?" Ginny wondered, as she wandered in.

"She jumped on me before I knew what was happening!" Ron claimed, raising his arms innocently.

"Sure," Ginny agreed, picking up the letter from the table. "Who's this from?"

"Remus, he wants to visit for a few weeks," Hermione told her.

"We shouldn't tell Harry! We should surprise him!" Ginny exclaimed.

"He'd never see it coming! I'll tell Remus at once not to contact Harry!" Hermione said, setting down to write a reply right away.

"Mia! How are you?" Someone called across the street.

Hermione glanced up and smiled as Seth jogged over to her. "Seth, hullo, what are you doing here?"

"Went to see Bella, we're having a big barbecue tonight and Jacob wanted to invite Bella over to ask for forgiveness for being a jerk to her these last few days."

"I won't hold you back then, you probably have lots of things to do, to prepare," Hermione said politely.

"Not really," he shrugged. "It's at Emily and Sam's place so they're doing most of the work." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Hey! You should totally come too!" He proclaimed, loudly.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Hermione shook her head.

"Of course not, Jake would be over joyed to see you tonight," Seth said, with a careless wave of his hand.

Hermione smiled at the thought of seeing Jacob but continued shaking her head. "I'm not sure, it's my turn to cook tonight and the others, Ron especially, wouldn't be happy if I bailed."

"Bring the whole British group, Emily won't mind."

"Only if we won't be a bother."

"It's in La Push, we don't see a difference between twenty people and twenty-five. Emily will cook for fifty either way."

"I suppose we could stop by then," Hermione agreed.

"Great! Be there at 7 p.m." He yelled, racing into the forest.

Hermione smiled affectionately at him, he reminded her of an older, tanner version of Teddy. She went into her house, seeing that Ron and Harry had just gotten home themselves and Ginny had just finished a big cleaning spree in preparation for Remus's arrival.

"Seems like we're going out tonight," Hermione informed them.

"You're not actually going dressed like that are you?" Ginny demanded, standing in Hermione's doorway.

"I was planning to, what's wrong with it?" She wondered, looking down at her outfit.

"It's too casual," Ginny stated as if it were obvious.

"We're going to a barbecue," Hermione reminded her.

"Yes," Ginny agreed, searching through her friends closet. "However, you don't dress like that when you're going to a place where the guy you like is going to be."

"I do not like Jacob in that way!"

"Whoever said I was talking about Jacob?" Ginny wondered, innocently.

"Bugger, Ginny," Hermione muttered, her red haired friend winked at her as she skipped out of the room, knowing she had caught her friend 'redhanded'.

Seconds later Ginny was back with a pair of dark blue ripped jeans and a lace green top. "See this outfit is cute, a bit sexy and casual all in one. It's perfect for a meeting with a potential boyfriend, it doesn't shout 'I'm-trying-too-hard', nor does it scream 'I'm-not-even-trying'. You have a Beta wolf to impress."

"It's nice, Ginny, but it's something I would never wear."

"Well you're going to start!" Ginny claimed, throwing the clothes at Hermione.

Hermione slipped them on while Ginny pulled Hermione's hair back into a tight French braid. Once she was finished she brought out some eyeliner. Hermione raised a firm hand at that.

"Ginny, you can dress me, you can do my hair, but I'm not wearing makeup."

"Please?"

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"For me?"

"No Ginny, it's not worth the work."

"Fine, whatever, be boring, see if I care," Ginny scoffed, crossing her arms and scowling at her friend.

"Hermione, glad you could make it!" Emily said, spotting the four friends climbing out of their car.

"Thank you for having us. This is Harry, Ron and Ginny," Hermione introduced.

Emily shook hands with each of them. "My pleasure, now, everyone is out back if you want to join them."

The group walked onto the porch and stood quietly for a moment, watching the pack moving through the yard.

"Mia! You made it!" Jared exclaimed, coming up to her, Seth and Quil following him.

They brought the group into a large group hug, joking and chatting with the four.

"Mia!" This time it was Jacob who called out to her, appearing at her side and taking her hand. "Come with me, I want you to meet someone."

Jacob guided her through the crowd, only stopping when he found Paul and a slightly older girl.

"Hermione this is my sister, Rachel." Rachel moved forward, shaking off Paul's arm that was firmly wrapped around her and shook Hermione's hand with a large grin on her face.

"It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you. I'm glad to have finally met the girl that's so special to my brother, especially now that I can understand it."

"I'm sorry what?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Nothing, she's just being a typical older sister, trying to embarrass her little brother," he muttered, glaring meaningfully at his sister.

Rachel laughed happily. "And my life is a success if I have managed to do so tonight," she played along.

Paul came back, wrapping an arm around her waist once more, as if he couldn't bare not touching her. It was at this thought that Hermione realized that she was still holding Jacob's hand. She glanced down at it and wondered if she should let it go, but seeing her small hand in his larger one and feeling the warmth spread through her from where they touched she decided to leave them like that. Looking back at the couple in front of her she saw them share a soft, tender look, Rachel smiling at Paul and Paul just staring back as if he couldn't believe she was actually with him, in his arms.

"How long have you two been together?" Hermione asked, politely, trying to make small talk.

"A day," Rachel answered.

That Hermione hadn't expected. "Oh and how long have you known each other for?"

This time Paul responded. "Since we were little, but we never actually talked until she came back the other day."

"I see," Hermione said, even though she didn't.

It was beyond her how people could start a relationship after such a short time. Sure, she had immediately felt attracted to Jacob, but had he asked her out the second day they talked she would have refused. Now however, if he asked her on a date, she would not hesitate to accept. Oh well, she wasn't one to judge, they could date whoever they wanted whenever they wanted and they clearly cared for the other.

"Bella!" Someone in the throng of people yelled. Everyone greeted her warmly, despite a few tensions, Bella knew as well as the pack that the easy going relationship she had with them would be strained when she turned into a vampire.

After acknowledging everyone present, Bella peered over everyone's head, in search of the one she was most eager to see. She grinned when she finally saw him and hurried towards him, pausing briefly in front of him, before hugging him tightly. Jacob hugged her back feeling relief spreading through him when he felt nothing more than brotherly affection towards her.

As soon as they pulled apart, he unconsciously picked up Hermione's hand again. "I'm glad you came Bella," Jacob admitted.

"I'm glad you invited me," Bella responded. Hermione knew that this was their way of saying that they forgave each other for whatever the other had done to the other.

Bella studied Jacob's radiant look and happy expression curiously. "Mia! You want a hotdog and burger?" Sam called over all the noise.

"Just a hotdog, please!" Hermione hollered back.

Bella finally noticed the girl standing beside her best friend and eyed their joined hands in interest. "Funny seeing you here," Bella said, reaching out a confident hand. "I didn't know you were already so close to the La Push boys."

"It's only because I know Jacob," Hermione said, shaking hands.

"How did you meet Jakey here?" She wondered.

"He bumped into me at the grocery store," Hermione explained, chuckling at the memory.

"I don't recall it as an amusing meeting!" Jacob exclaimed, frowning at Hermione. "As I recall, I ended up sending you to the hospital!"

"Jacob! What did you do to her?" Bella demanded.

"He did nothing but accidently run into me," Hermione defended. "Our run in simply casued a healing wound to bleed profusely again."

"Come and eat!" Emily shouted, attracting everyone's attention and cutting short the conversation.

Hermione sat next to Jacob the whole evening, talking to him for the most part of the meal, which was a noisy affair. Bella sat on his other side, watching the couple curiously and joining their conversation. She couldn't stay long, as Edward didn't like leaving her alone on the reservation.

"Why's that?" Ginny inquired, sitting across from her.

Bella wasn't sure how to tell the girl that her vampire family didn't get along with her shape shifting friends and searched dumbly for an excuse.

"Edward's intimidated by all our manly muscules and good looks," Quil saved her.

"Scared we'll seduce her away from him," Embry added, from the other side of the table.

"That'll happen," Jake muttered sarcastically under his breath.

After all the food was gone, people slowly started to go home, thanking Emily for a lovely dinner. At one thirty in the morning Hermione and her friends were some of the only people left, insistent on helping clean up. Harry, Ron and Ginny stayed chatting with a few pack members while Hermione and Jacob went out front, sitting side by side on a small bench under a pine tree.

"I've never eaten so much meat in one night!" Hermione claimed.

"Get used to it, if you plan on coming to more of these dinners. Us La Push men like eating a lot of meat."

"Remind me to bring a nice olive oil and vinegar salad next time."

"Will do," he promised.

He leaned back stretching his arms along the back of the bench, managing to get closer to Hermione. "We should do something together soon."

"Do something like what?" Hermione wondered.

"That wasn't very classy was it? Let me rephrase: I'd like to take you out on a date, Hermione Granger."

"Oh really?" Hermione giggled, raising her eyebrows and a shoulder while glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.

"Yes, if you'd be willing," he murmured, suddenly less confident.

"I'd love to Jacob," Hermione whispered.

Jacob leaned forward, smiling slightly at her. He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and instead of moving away, he passed his fingers on her cheek bone and placed his hand on the back of her neck. He tilted her face upwards, his hand cupping her neck. He heard her breath hitch, felt her pulse quicken and her heart race pick up. He wondered if perhaps he should wait a little longer to kiss her but even as the thought crossed his mind, he moved forward until his forhead rested on hers and their lips were mere centimeters apart. He slowly, giving her the chance to pull away if she didn't want him to kiss her, closed the distance and pressed his lips against hers. The satisfaction and contentment he felt at having fianlly kissed her overwhelmed him, that he had to hold back his insane urge to kiss her more passionately. Baby steps, he warned himself.

He stayed still for a moment, before pulling away from her, an ear splitting grin across his face. She still had her eyes closed, just breathing as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him shyly.

"Hi," she said, not knowing what else to say and blushing furiously when the word left her mouth.

"Hello," he said back, chuckling. Their gazes locked and they stayed in silence just watching the other. "You're beautiful," he stated quietly, as if afraid to disrupt the peace surrounding them.

She broke their stare at his words and looked down at the ground, trying to hide her annoyingly obvious blush. Harry and Ron burst out of the house, talking obnoxiously loud, Ginny close behind them, stumbling from time to time.

"Hermione! We're going!" Harry yelled, spotting his friend on the bench.

"Guess I've got to go, I'll see you soon." She stood and waved to him, walking up to her friends. "Don't even think about it Ronald, I'm obviously the only one capable of driving tonight."

"We didn't drink any beer, 'Mione." Harry argued.

"Then I don't know what you drank but you're clearly not in the right state of mind. Ginny isn't either. Merlin, I'm the only responsable one out of the lot." Hermione muttered as she shoved her friends into the small car.

She walked around to the driver's side, waved at Jacob again and drove away.

The next few days passed quickly, Hermione and Ginny getting everything ready for Remus's stay and Ron keeping Harry away from the house during the day so that he wouldn't pick up on their plan. Friday was upon them before they even knew it. They were all gathered in the living room, three out of the four waiting for the clock to strike 11 a.m and announce Remus's arrival.

"Remus!" Harry all but shouted, when he saw his friend and mentor step out of the fireplace.

"Hullo Harry," Remus greeted, straightening his robes and putting down his three year old son.

"Remus, right on time, as always," Hermione said, welcoming the man, Ginny doing the same. Ron stood from his seat and slapped the older man on the shoulder.

"Been a while, mate."

"You all knew he was coming over?" Harry wondered.

"Yes, we decided to surprise you with his visit, he'll be staying for a few days," Ginny informed him.

"How are you Teddy?" Hermione asked the young boy.

"Good," he answered, fiddling with his toy.

"Would you like to go to the park?" Ginny asked, having agreed with Hermione to let the men have their time together with no distractions.

"Yes please," Teddy nodded, eagerly, his toy forgotten in his hands.

They guided him into the hall way. "You have to promise us something if we're to take you to the park." Hermione added, sternly.

His eyes sparkled in excitement as he watched Hermione. "You have to promise not to change your hair colour." He nodded. "Can we trust you to look the same whenever you're outside?" Hermione inquired.

He nodded again, changing his features and hair so that his normal, natural looks appeared. "If you forget our promise, it's straight back home." Ginny told him.

"Promise," Teddy said, holding out his small pinky.

Hermione and Ginny smiled at the small boy and locked pinkies with him. "Off to the park we go!" Ginny proclaimed, loudly.

It was a short ten minute walk to the park which luckily happened to be empty when they arrived. Despite Teddy's promise they knew that sometimes the boy couldn't always control his talents, not at such a young age and his hair often switching colours without him wanting it to. For about fifteen minutes they fooled around with Teddy, laughing and jumping around, until he went to play on the game structure that was too small for them to follow him so they went to sit on a bench, watching him play like young mothers would their child.

Neither witches noticed the three pack members stop at the border of the trees. They had smelt the presence of two wolf like creatures. They had similar smells to the pack but there was a small difference, an almost more dangerous tinge to their odour. They had followed the wolfier smell, as it was easier to track, however it had led Jacob, Paul and Leah to the children's park and as they examined the grounds they spotted no possible shape shifters. Hermione and Ginny sat peacefully on a bench chatting while a little dark blond haired boy played on the structure. The smell ended at the park, so obviously the creature was hiding somewhere around here. Jacob watched Hermione watch the small boy who disappeared behind the structure.

"Teddy! What did we say about your hair?" Hermione scolded, getting to her feet and crossing her arms.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Mione," a childish voice answered.

The trio in the trees sniffed and breathed in deeply as a breeze brought a strong smelling waft of air right to them. They followed the path the smell had taken and found their eyes on the little boy. Shock rippled through them as they understood that the wolf smell was radiating from the boy. The smell was the boy's. It was so strong that it was undeniable, the three year old boy was obviously a sort of wolf shape shifter. They watched, frozen on the spot as Teddy ran into Hermione's open arms, laughing joyously.

"What did I say, Teddy?" Hermione reprimaned.

Then before their very, already disbelieving eyes, the boy's hair seemed to change colour, going from a dark brown to it's original dark blond. The three shape shifters shook their heads, knowing that they had at least imagined the hair situation. They were so surprised by the the boy's scent that they had imagined his hair changing colours. Nothing of the sort was possible.

I think we're going crazy from shock! Paul muttered.

There's no denying it, hair doesn't change colour that quickly. Leah agreed. We obviously imagined it.

What about his smell? How can you explain that? Jacob demanded.

He somehow has close relations to a wolf shape shifter and spends so much time with him that the smell has covered his? Paul offered.

If that were the case, there'd be an underlying human smell, he has none, just wolf. Jacob argued back.

No one can be a shape shifter at such a young age. Leah tried to reason.

Despite their arguing, their minds still refused to accept the idea that the boy could be a wolf shape shifter. None of their excuses to explain his smell were plausible but to them it was impossible to have a baby shape shifter.

He doesn't smell exactly like us, maybe he's not a shape shifter at all. Paul attempted.

It's true, I've never smelt anything like it, it's not wolf, it's not shape shifter. It's something in between. Jacob agreed.

They didn't realize that they were incredibly close to the truth. Teddy Lupin was something much more dangerous than a measly shape shifter, something much more dangerous than a simple werewolf like his dad. He was a full blooded werewolf and no shape shifter would be a match for him when he was older. Unfortunately, all their logical thinking, that was starting to finally convince them of the impossibility of the situation, was thrown into the water when Hermione and Ginny left the park, Teddy in Hermione's arms. The boy's eyes landed on the three wolves and he smiled widely at them, waving enthusiastically at them.

"Hello, wolfy wolves," he murmured, his words reaching their sensitive ears. "Can we play?" He inquired.

A/N: Hey don't judge, he's three years old! He saw wolves almost exactly like him, of course he'd want to play with them! Sorry for spelling mistakes! Please review to say what you thought. But don't be to harsh. I'd love any constructive criticism.