A/N: Aaand finally some action! ...And some other action can soon be found from Ao3 under the same pen name! xD

I have to agree with Calimocho - I feel bad for the teenagers who have to participate in Voldemort's cause, because of their families/blood...And, well...poor Regulus...

Chapter 14: Confrontation

October 24th 1977 (Monday)

Dumbledore had sent a note to Hermione on the weekend, asking her to join in a meeting on Monday evening. She assumed that the Headmaster had finally found a place where they could start practicing the Fiendfyre curse. Dumbledore had instructed her to meet with Gideon, who would bring her to their meeting place. Hermione was curious to see where they would be going to, and was waiting anxiously for the evening to come.

At the end of their DADA class Gideon asked Hermione to stay behind again. Her classmates didn't seem to think anything of it anymore, since everyone thought that Hermione was going through Hogwarts's curriculum with their Defence professor. Her friends packed their belongings and left the class, waving her their goodbyes, and Sirius gave her a kiss on the cheek, promising to wait for her before he exited the classroom.

Hermione walked to the front of the classroom, eyeing a large picture of a Dullahan, a type of an evil fairy, from the open book that lay on Gideon's desk as they waited for the last of the students to leave the classroom.

Gideon spoke after the door closed. "So…I believe you received a note from the Headmaster about my brother and I joining in the, ah…mission." He said and watched her expectantly.

"Yes, he told me. And did you receive a note about today's meeting?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Yes, I did."

"Okay. So…"

"It is beginning, Hermione." He said with a sombre look. She nodded.

"Are you ready?" He asked with a hint of concern in his eyes.

Hermione frowned. Did she have any choice? "Are you?" Hermione asked, challenging him.

"No." He said with a serious face but then he broke into a grin and laughed.

Hermione smiled. "Well, I suppose neither am I, but I have to try at least, right?" Hermione said quietly, giving him a look of determination.

"Yeah," He said and chewed the inside of his cheek. "Come here after dinner, and we'll leave through my floo." He stood up, dismissing her.

Hermione nodded and left the classroom, her thoughts wandering. She forgot that Sirius had said he would wait for her and was startled as she saw him leaning against the wall next to the classroom.

"Oh, hi," she stammered, her mind still in disorder.

Sirius grinned. "So that kind of visit, then? Forgetting me already…" he said teasingly.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him.

Sirius barked a laugh. "I'm just messing with you, love," he said. "Let's go to lunch, yeah?" He said and took her hand in his. Her expression softened and she followed him as they headed towards the Great Hall.

"Gonna tell me what did Prewett want?" he asked, glancing at her studiously. "Are you even going through the DADA material anymore? Or were you just using it as a red herring to talk Order business?" He said quietly and gave her a knowing look.

Hermione blanched and looked around them. She spotted an empty classroom on her left and dragged Sirius inside the dim lit room, the only light coming from between the closed window shutters. After a couple of wards and silencing charms to the door, she hissed, "You know better than to talk about that in the halls, Sirius!"

He merely lifted his brows to her, arms crossed over his lean chest. Her focus faltered a bit as her gaze wandered over his muscular arms and chest.

She then sighed. "Yes, it's a diversion," She said and worried her lip in contemplation.

"So he's in the Order too?" Sirius asked blankly.

"Yes," Hermione said and nodded. "And I'm meeting him tonight as well. Just so you know," she said quietly and took a step closer to him. He unfolded his arms and took a hold of her waist, while she placed her hands flat against his chest.

"Why are you seeing him?" He asked, eyeing her closely.

Hermione knew she couldn't say anything about it. "You know I can't talk about it with anyone…" She said carefully, studying his reaction.

He looked annoyed, and she understood. He wanted to join the fight, to do something that mattered. She slid her arms around his waist, hugging him close and breathing in his calming scent. She felt him relax against her.

"Keep nuzzling me like that and we'll skip lunch, kitten." He murmured warningly while his hands smoothed up and down her curves.

"You are insatiable, you know?" She said and looked up at him with a small smile.

"Nope. Just a bloke." He said with a smirk. "A patient one, may I add."

Although they'd had quite a heated encounter in the Shrieking Shack the other day, he still hadn't urged them to move forward. Hermione knew Sirius had been fairly patient with her, letting her to set the pace, and she appreciated it a lot.

"Yes, you are." She whispered and reached up to kiss him. He hummed as her hands slid into his wild tangle of hair. The kiss grew more passionate, more urgent, and soon it seemed that the feel of her lips and tongue against his was not enough to satisfy his growing need. Hermione shivered with desire as his hands trailed down her back, caressing her bum and pulling her against his hips.

Sirius's lips followed the angle of her jaw and the curve of her neck with soft kisses until he scraped his teeth gently down the side of her neck, drawing out a quiet gasp from her lips. He moved her to the wall and pressed her against it, kissing her lips with a slow but hungry pace, his fingers skimming downwards over the fabric of her skirt, and then slowly trailing up her bare thigh, while his other hand held her waist. She could only kiss back with eagerness and arch herself against him, desperate to be as close to him as possible.

He broke their kiss and turned his heated gaze at her to silently ask her permission to go forward, as his hands moved over her bare skin, caressing the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Trembling, she gave him a slight nod, and let out a breathy sigh as he brushed his fingertips over her knickers.

Moments after Hermione held onto him tightly, trembling as they both caught their breath, their warm breaths mingling, their lips brushing against one another. Sirius took his wand and cast a quick Scourgify to his hands and slacks, before pulling her closer to him, soothing his hands against her back.

As they broke off from their embrace, she looked up at him in a mix of shyness and awe.

"That was incredible. Not even close to what I've experienced before." She whispered with a bashful look.

"I know." Sirius gave her a cocky grin. Hermione pursed her lips.

He quickly turned his expression into a sincere smile and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "There might be still time to have lunch. Do you want to go?"

"Yes, please." She gave him a smile. After tidying up their appearances, they left the classroom and headed towards the Great Hall again.

"I can't believe we actually did that…in a classroom! In broad daylight nonetheless..." She muttered with a shocked expression as if she'd only realised what had happened.

Sirius chuckled and squeezed her closer to him. "Oh, kitten. We're gonna have so much fun."

While the girls, Remus and Peter were in Herbology, James and Sirius had a free period. They were spending it in their dorm, planning their next pranks and playing a game of exploding snap. After the game, they both were lounging on their respective beds, with Sirius flipping through a muggle motorcycle magazine and James studying the Marauder's Map.

"How are things with Hermione?" James asked as he tried a new enchantment on the Map.

"Okay, I guess…" Sirius replied absently, browsing the magazine before throwing it on the nightstand next to his bed. "I mean, ignoring the waiting part…" He said, looking at his mate knowingly.

James chuckled. "Yeah, that's a bitch. How are you handling it?" He questioned, knowing his friend, and his impatience.

"I can wait as long as it takes," Sirius said, shrugging.

James lifted his brows. "You loooooove her, mate," he laughed.

"Sod off, Prongs." Sirius said with a roll of his eyes. "I fancy her. It's just…I'm giving her time. I mean…she hasn't done anything like that before…" He said hesitantly.

"Yeah? So…what were you up to before lunch, in an empty classroom?" James questioned, giving his friend a meaningful look.

"Nothing much. Just having a talk." Sirius shrugged with indifferent expression, assuming that James had probably spotted them from the Map. "And stop stalking me, mate." He added with a pointed look.

James seemed unaffected by his demands and merely shrugged innocently.

"So…has she told you about Australia? Seems to keep oddly quiet about it…" James asked after a brief silence, eyeing Sirius searchingly.

Sirius shrugged. "Some things, yeah." Although he wanted to tell his friend about her past – everything what she'd told him – he still had promised her that he wouldn't talk about it to anyone.

James eyed him sceptically but said nothing more on the subject.

That evening after dinner, Hermione told her friends that she was off to meet the Headmaster as she stood up from the couch in front of the fireplace where the Gryffindors were spending time. She gave a quick kiss to Sirius, who pulled her on his lap, surprising her as he proceeded to snog her thoroughly.

As Sirius's fingers slid over her bum, a move that earned disgusted groans from their friends, Hermione quickly pried his hands away and scampered back on her feet. She narrowed her eyes at the raven-haired wizard as James and Peter sniggered next to them. Sirius merely gave her an innocent smile in reply.

With a huff, she left the common room and headed towards Gideon's office, nervous in anticipation. She knocked enthusiastically on the door, and Gideon let her in, smiling as he saw the impatient look in her eyes.

"A bit eager, are we?" He said teasingly, earning an arched brow from her.

Further from the room came a short laugh, from Fabian.

"I reckon you ought to be careful with her, brother…I know that look and it usually doesn't lead to anything delightful." Fabian said with a sly grin. He turned to Hermione who stepped inside Gideon's office.

"Nice to meet you again, Hermione." He eyed her appreciatively. Gideon gave his brother an incredulous look. "What? I am not her professor." Fabian continued and winked at Hermione.

Although she wasn't used to that kind of attention from the male population, she still had grown up with the Weasley twins. The Prewett twins' antics were shockingly similar to their future nephews, which made her feel bit of at ease in their presence. She merely rolled her eyes at Fabian and greeted them both.

"So, are we waiting for Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, or…" She said a bit awkwardly.

"No, we shall meet them in our destination." Gideon said and gestured for her to follow him towards the fireplace.

"Last moment to back out, little Dumbledore…" Fabian said with a teasing voice.

"Back at you, Prewett," Hermione grumbled and walked to Gideon who was waiting in front of the fireplace. The brothers exchanged a knowing look.

Gideon took a handful of floo powder, threw it in the flames and yelled, "Druidaig Cottage!" before stepping into the flames and disappearing from his office. Fabian motioned Hermione to go next, and she followed Gideon's example, anxious of what was waiting for her at the other end. After her short floo-trip, she stumbled from the fireplace on the other end and saw the familiar figures of the Headmaster, Professor McGonagall and Gideon. She moved to the side to give Fabian room as she heard him coming behind her.

Hermione took in her surroundings. They were in a charming cottage and based on the view from the large windows, which were opening to the majestic mountains, overlooking a lake, and an old castle that was looming further, she reckoned they were somewhere in Scottish Highlands.

"Wow." She muttered as she eyed the spectacular view and reckoned it was probably even more breath-taking in daylight. She then remembered the reason she was there and turned to the Headmaster and her Head of House.

Dumbledore surveyed them all. "Thank you for coming. And first, may I offer my gratitude to Minerva here, who graciously invited us to Letterfearn, her home." He nodded to McGonagall who gave him a small smile in return. Hermione's brows rose a bit, but based on their expressions; it seemed that the Prewetts already knew this was McGonagall's house.

They were standing in the sitting room, or so she suspected as she spotted a large bookshelf that was filled with books on the opposite wall, and a seating area surrounding them and the fireplace behind her. She saw a glimpse of the kitchen from an archway, holding a small, round table and chairs around it. She glanced on the opposite side of the room, and there was a similar archway that led to the hallway, and another archway on the other side where she spotted a stairway up. Between the large windows in the sitting room, she noticed a door which led to the patio she'd missed when she had first taken a look at the view.

"The nearest village being quite far away from here, I thought the place would be suitable for our purpose. There is an ancient underground fortification nearby, and I have managed to strengthen it magically, making it more sufficient for our activities." Dumbledore explained matter-of-factly.

Dumbledore then eyed the others for a moment before he continued. "Shall we?"

Everyone nodded before Dumbledore led the way outside where they met the freezing air. Hermione shivered and berated herself for not taking her winter coat with her. Suddenly warmth spread through her. She looked around in surprise.

"Are you a witch or not?" Fabian whispered to her ear and laughed lightly when he heard Hermione mutter something under her breath.

After a short stride down the hill, and a couple of warming charms later, they entered the underground complex, blinking in the darkness until Dumbledore flicked his wand and several lit torches appeared on the walls.

Hermione's eyes widened at the sight. The place was an enormous chamber, larger than the Great Hall in Hogwarts. Its walls stretched up so far that the ceiling was beyond her field of vision. There must've been an extension charm of some sort, since she was sure they hadn't descended that much down the hill. The chamber itself was empty, without any decoration except the many torches along the walls which were emitting a flickering light to the room.

Dumbledore walked in front of them and turned to face them. "I believe you all have looked into this curse you are trying to master?" He asked and Hermione and the others nodded.

"As you probably now know, the difficult part is to control and cease the flames. We will go through the steps how to cast, control and cease the cursed fire. There is also one useful charm against the curse that you should learn. Are you familiar with the Partis Temporis charm?" Dumbledore asked, eyeing them expectantly.

They all nodded and he continued, "It is an effective charm to disperse the flames temporarily, not allowing the curse to take full form, and thus making it less destructive. The wand movement is similar to the one ceasing the flames. The curse itself is a non-verbal charm, as is the charm to cease the flames. First, we will go through the wand movements for casting and ceasing the curse. Then you will go through them in pairs while I will add some reinforcements to the chamber."

Dumbledore went through the wand movements multiple times, and they paired up. Gideon turned to Hermione, and Fabian smirked at his brother before he turned to pair with McGonagall.

They practiced the wand movements in silence, as well as the Partis Temporis charm, by conjuring a pile of sand and casting the dispersing charm on the sand.

When Dumbledore seemed satisfied with their wand movements, he motioned for them to get ready. Hermione braced herself, her wand at the ready. Somehow, she hadn't thought that they would jump that fast into action, but then again, she knew that charms were always better learnt by practicing, not only the wand movements but casting as well. She noticed that Gideon was clenching his jaw next to her, watching Dumbledore in anticipation.

The Headmaster waved his wand in an intricate pattern, and just before a large form of fire soared up from his wand, Hermione felt a cold shiver of the dark magic. The flame took the form of an eagle, and it was obvious that Dumbledore was putting everything he had to keep the curse from attacking them.

"Hermione!" The Headmaster shouted.

She jumped next to him, blood rushing in her ears as she cast the dispersing charm, which parted the eagle, making the curse loose its form as a channel was created in the middle of the wild, encircling flames. After a moment, sweat coated her brow, and her hand started to shake as the dispersing charm took much of her powers.

"Minerva!" The Headmaster shouted again.

McGonagall took a place next to Hermione, using the non-verbal incantation to cease the flames. It took her many attempts but the flames stayed put, flickering only slightly as she waved her wand.

Hermione was losing her strength quickly, and shouted in panic, "I can't hold on much longer!"

Dumbledore's focus never wavered from the cursed fire, which had taken a form of a raging Chimaera. "Switch!" He shouted and Gideon and Fabian took place next to him, while Hermione and McGonagall stepped back, both breathing heavily.

Fabian cast the dispersing charm, which made the cursed fire lose its form again, while his brother tried to cease the flames. Hermione watched the scene anxiously, and noticed that Dumbledore was swaying slightly.

"Stop it now!" Hermione shouted in panic. McGonagall stared at the Headmaster, her mouth tightened with worry and shock etched into her eyes.

Dumbledore waved his wand again, ceasing the flames effectively. He shook a little and breathed heavily. McGonagall quickly conjured a chair for him and Albus sat down, resting after the ordeal.

"That was an acceptable start." He said quietly, looking thoughtful as he glanced at the others.

Hermione gaped at him. "Acceptable? You almost lost your strength! Do you have any idea of what might've happened then? We would have died!" She cried in panic.

The Prewetts stared at her outburst in surprise, as she all but screamed bloody murder to Dumbledore. McGonagall watched the scene with a small smile tugging her lips. Dumbledore eyed Hermione calmly and finally he chuckled.

"I suppose you are right, dear niece." He looked at her over his half-moon spectacles, with his eyes twinkling.

Hermione let out a weary sigh. "I'm sorry. For yelling at you." She muttered embarrassedly.

"Not to worry, dear. Next time I will stop sooner. I have to say, it is quite nice to have someone taking care of my wellbeing, Hermione." He said with a kind smile.

They agreed to call it a night, and the Headmaster promised to contact them again before their next practice. They walked back to McGonagall's house in the dark night, the only light coming from their wands and the bright stars above them. Everyone was silent, and Hermione suspected that the others were as exhausted as she was. It really had taken almost all her powers and she didn't even want to imagine what it would be like to cast the curse and maintain it.

She stumbled out of the floo in Gideon's office with Gideon and Fabian following her, while Dumbledore and McGonagall stayed behind in cottage. Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder as she turned to leave the office.

"You okay, Hermione?" Gideon asked with concern.

"Yes, of course. Just a bit knackered, that's all." She muttered and headed towards the door.

"You know you can come to me if there is anything you want to talk about," Gideon said to her back quietly.

"Yeah, thanks Gideon. Goodnight," She said, glancing back at him and Fabian, who were both watching her with drained expressions.

"Night." The twins replied to her, before she left the office.

She walked back to the Gryffindor Tower through the dark and quiet halls. It was late, and she couldn't wait to get into her bed and have a good night's rest before their classes the next day.

Hermione had thought the common room would be empty, since it was probably past midnight already, but as she stepped inside the tower, she was startled. James was sitting in front of the fireplace, in an armchair that faced the portrait hole. What was he doing there? He stared at her with an expressionless look on his face which made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Hi James. Why are you up so late?" She asked, a bit out of breath as she approached him slowly.

He lifted a brow at her. "Could ask you the same thing."

Hermione shrugged. "I told you, I was meeting the Headmaster."

"Is that so?" He said darkly, obviously not believing a word. Great. He must've seen her in the Map, going to Gideon's office.

"Well, yes. Not that it's any of your business – "

James bolted from the chair and came close to her. "It is actually if you are going to be in Sirius's life. And if you are lying to him and the rest of us." He hissed and looked her with a hint of glare, his temper getting the best of him. Just like Harry, Hermione thought bitterly.

Hermione was taken aback by his accusations.

"So tell me, where were – " He didn't finish his sentence as his eyes widened with shock and he snatched his wand, bringing it quickly to her neck. "I can sense it. Dark Magic. What the fuck are you playing at?"

Hermione felt stunned. "James, it's nothing. I haven't done anything. Please move your wand away." She said slowly, her voice wavering a bit as she tried to give him an earnest look. She couldn't just tell him what she had been up to, but she had to make him understand that she wasn't a threat to anyone.

James didn't move and merely glared at her and snagged her wand from her pocket, where her hand was slowly reaching.

"Stop it, James! Honestly! You have misunderstood this," She said sharply, narrowing her eyes at him.

James arched a brow at her. "Then tell me something real." He said with a demanding voice.

Hermione sighed, her mind whirling. What the hell was she supposed to tell him? She had to make him trust her, and she knew she had to give him something that would make him get off her back. "Fine."

He lowered his wand hesitantly and gave hers back. She took her wand and began walking around them, casting charms non-verbally.

"What are you doing?" James asked with alarm in his voice.

"Just protective charms. I don't want to be overheard if you are demanding information from me."

"We are in the Gryffindor Common room, Hermione…" He said incredulously.

"Yes, I know that. But I also know that you have an Invisibility Cloak and I know the way to enter the other House's common rooms." She said plainly and continued with the charms.

"How in name of Merlin's wrinkled ballsack – " He began, but stopped when she gave him a sharp look.

He watched her in shock for a moment before he spoke again. "Okay, I suppose you are right. But I'll want to know exactly how you found out about the Cloak." He muttered, frowning at her with irritation.

When she was done with her charms, she turned back to him, her expression serious.

"You wanted to know something real?"

"Yeah."

"And you promise not to tell a soul what you're about to learn?" She demanded, knowing he would probably still talk with Sirius, Remus and Peter, but confident that the information would stay between them.

James gave her a tight nod. "Wizard's oath."

"…I'm in the Order." She said quietly, starting into his hazel eyes with a daring look.

James's brows lifted in surprise. "Oh." He said, with a hint of impression in his voice. "I thought students aren't allowed – "

"Well, yes, they aren't. Dumbledore made an exception with me." She said, interrupting him. James eyed her thoughtfully.

"What were you doing tonight? I can sense Dark Magic all over you." He said with a frown. Hermione couldn't help but feel impressed. He truly was a powerful wizard if he could sense the magic in her even though she hadn't really cast any curses.

Hermione sighed. "I can't tell you that." She said with a shrug.

James looked annoyed.

"Look, James. I am on your side, and if you have any doubts, you are welcome to turn to the Headmaster. I was with him tonight. There were others as well, but I can't talk about that with you. If you doubt my intentions with Sirius, well frankly, there's nothing I can do to change your mind if you don't believe me. I wish him no harm, and I would never hurt him intentionally. And that goes to all of your friends, yourself included." She explained, looking into his eyes sincerely.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to retreat to my dormitory, so that I can catch a little sleep before tomorrow." She finished with a yawn and turned to walk to her dormitory, not looking back or waiting for his answer. James was left to the common room with a bewildered expression, staring at her retreating back.

October 27th 1977 (Thursday)

It was the morning after the full moon, and Hermione had decided to visit the hospital wing, where she knew Remus would be recovering from his transformation. She stood up before the other girls in her dorm did - it was only half six in the morning, so the others were still fast asleep. She quickly showered, got dressed in her school robes and left quietly towards the hospital wing. The halls were silent and dark; it was the morning twilight before sunrise, and the breakfast would start in an hour.

Hermione slipped into the infirmary, and made her way to the last bed, where the curtains were drawn all around it. She knew Remus would be there and even though she doubted he would be awake, she wanted to see him. Hermione peeked between the curtains and saw him lying there, white as a sheet and with a collection of new scars that scattered around his face. Some of them were already healing, supposedly with the help of Dittany. Hermione frowned and blinked rapidly as her eyes started to burn at the sight of him. She slipped between the curtains to stand next to his bed and took a good look at him. Despite being a seventeen-year-old young man, he still looked innocent and fragile being like this. She briefly wondered if he would be mad if he woke up to see her gaping at him.

As if sensing her presence, Remus opened his eyes slowly, blinking slightly before his gaze was fixed on Hermione. He looked exhausted, and then his eyes widened comically as he realised where they were.

"H-Hermione," he stammered, his eyes flashing with panic.

She smiled calmly at him. "Hello, Remus. How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Pain Potion? Calming Draught? Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey?" She asked quietly as he stared at her with a mix of shock and disorientation.

"W-Why are you here, Hermione?" He whispered, sitting up slowly. He gritted his teeth, a small wince escaping from his lips as he moved.

"I'm here to see you, of course." Hermione explained calmly while moving closer to him, finally sitting on the edge of his bed. He shifted further away from her.

"I'm, er…feeling a bit under the weather, so…you should keep your distance. You should go, Hermione." He said hastily and frowned at his lap.

Hermione let out a soft sigh. "Remus. You're not sick, and I'd like to stay. I know why you're here."

He gave her an alarmed look. "How?" He asked, clenching his jaw while his eyes darted around his hospital bed.

"I figured it out. You were 'sick' the last full moons, so sick, in fact that you had to come into the hospital wing. You prefer your meat raw, and near the full moon you become rather sullen." She said kindly. "Not to mention that your friends call you Moony in front of everyone, and joke about your 'furry little problem'," Hermione continued with a wry smile. "Really, you guys should be more careful if you didn't wish for someone realising your secret…" She muttered with a hesitant smirk.

Remus stared at her with a dumbfounded look. "I'm…I…" he began but didn't really know how to respond to her. Sighing, he threaded his hand through his hair. "You do realise what happens if this gets out?"

"I'm not going to tell anyone, I promise," Hermione said quickly. "You can trust me," She said with a smile and took his hand. He flinched at her touch.

"I…I don't know what to say…" He muttered, his eyes again moving around the curtained hospital bed.

Hermione squeezed his hand, drawing his gaze back to her. "You don't have to say anything. This is what friends do," She said simply.

Remus let out a strained chuckle as he studied her expression. He shook his head and sighed. "Thanks, I guess. For keeping my secret," He said and watched her in a mix of awe and bewilderment. Hermione knew that look – the wonder in his eyes, the surprise to find people who accepted his illness this easily. It made a her stomach twist with sadness.

Hermione gave him a quick briefing of yesterday's classes, which was about Potions, as he didn't take Arithmancy. They had been working on a new potion with the same partners, and after she had explained their assignment, he studied her uneasily.

"How is it? Being partnered with him?"

Hermione sighed. She had been Snape's partner in Potions since the term had started, as Slughorn said it was easier for him that students didn't change partners. "I don't know. I mean, we sort of came along in September, but now…he's just been ignoring me. Which is fine, I guess. Rather that, than him being a menace, right?" She said with a mirthless laugh. Remus nodded sympathetically.

"So…You're up for the Halloween ball?" She asked brightly, changing the subject away from her bothersome Potions partner. Truthfully, she didn't understand why Snape acted like that, as if he was upset that she had been slowly befriending his friend, Regulus. She sighed inwardly. Her life was a relationship mess.

"Yeah, I guess." He said with a noncommittal shrug.

"Going with someone?" Hermione pressed on.

"What?" He looked at her incredulously. "Why would I go with someone? Did you just miss the part of me being a fucking werewolf, Hermione?" he snapped at her, looking annoyed.

Hermione pursed her lips. "No, but that shouldn't stop you from dating? Or simply going to a ball with someone? I'm sure that if it is the right person, she won't care about your Lycanthropy, but about your honesty. You should open yourself up more. Not everyone think the way you assume." She said sincerely.

Remus let out a weary sigh. "I...but what if I hurt her…? What if she's afraid of me…?" He mumbled and didn't look at her.

"You won't. She won't be. And it's not like you have to give all your secrets away on the first date, right?" She said and smirked at him when he glanced at her.

"I have a feeling you have someone certain in mind." He grumbled under his breath.

"Maybe I have. But so do you…" She said with a mischievous smile. "I guess I just hate to see two people longing for each other and not doing anything about it…" She said with a knowing look.

Remus rolled his eyes.

"Fine. I'll ask her." He said quietly after a while. Hermione beamed at him.