I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

Chapter 16

Lupin

Time had slowed down, it was like he'd been put in a bubble of slow motion while the rest of the world rushed around him.

A man on autopilot.

He didn't remember much of that day. The day half of his world got thrust away from him. There they were, working like the team they were, so in sync with each others tactical moves, as one inhaled the other was on the exhale. Shot after shot, arming and disarming.

God to think about that moment made his heart ache.

There were too many of them, they were too quick. By the time he had noticed a spell hit, then another, but it was him that it hit the second time. The pain itself was excruciating, a bubbling heat searing through his blood.

All he could do was to hold on to his dearest as he watched her face fade into the next life.

However a few moments after he remembered the sensation of gentle hands, healing his wounds, he could feel the vibrations of a muttering voice, but couldn't hear over the sounds of his own cries.

But he also saw hair, bushy, unmistakable hair, but which one? Of course he remembered that meeting at the order, but never saw her again. Could it have been?

"Remus!" Harry cried, flinging himself on to the man.

"Harry, careful he is still healing!" Hermione tutted, putting her hands on her hips.

"No, it's alright Hermione..." Remus spoke weakly. He turned to Harry with a little sniff he then smiled, "Your parents would be so proud of you."

Harry's eyes fluttered with tears as he hugged the man in the hospital bed once again.

"I'm so sorry about Tonks. I wish I could of done..." Harry weeped into Remus's shoulder.

Putting all his strength into his arms, he gently, but firmly, pushed Harry away so he could look at him face on.

"Harry, what was done cant be changed. It all happened so fast, of course I would of given my life for her if the opportunity was there. But it wasn't. She would of been proud of you, all of you infact." He took a deep breath.

"Its going to be hard, we all have mourning to do, but we must move on." He looked at harry wistfully and chuckled, "She would be happy that Teddy still has a parent to raise him." At that Harry smiled at him once more before Remus left out a rather large yawn.

"I think it's time we leave Remus to get his rest Harry. Bye see you soon" Hermione waved at him as she gently extracted Harry from off him and out through the door.

As she went to leave Remus spoke once more, "Hermione... You really are the brightest witch of your age" His eyes, although filled with pain, they were also filled with gratitude. She blushed and looked at him slightly confused, but quickly went over to him and gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.

"Rest up Remus" she whispered.

He looked at this girl with wonder and gently grasped her hand before she left and brushed his lips on he knuckles.

"Thank you." He whispered at her.

Hermione's cheeks flushed red at his tender gesture. She fled the room, but couldn't help but feel like she was missing something. She didn't know what she had done? This had been the first time she had seen him since the battle, she had been by Harry and Ron's side the whole time. Plus that had only been a few hours ago...

She shrugged away the confusion, he was still healing from pretty bad wounds, Remus must have been feeling a bit giddy from the potions, that's all.

Months later...

He felt odd being asked to stay in the castle, of course he was more than willing to help the great castle rebuild, but it still felt strange staying in the castle.

However he did enjoy one thing, more than he thought possible, was spending time with Hermione.

He knew it wasn't her, exactly, who saved him. He stilled remembered that meeting. Every time he saw her, he wanted to gush her with thanks, but she didnt know, she hadn't left yet, the loop hadn't completed she was stil yet to return. He knew it wasn't down to him to say anything.

But as soon as she comes back into her time line, he would talk to her.

However for the meantime he watched her from a distance.

In the evenings he would sit next to her in the halls and they would read and play chess.

He quickly discovered that they had a great deal in common, although he noticed that he wouldn't always get enough time alone with her.

Ron wouldn't leave the poor girl alone, it was obvious that she was gently declining his advances, but he was too oblivious to notice her disinterest.

It wasn't until one day, while Remus was drinking his mid afternoon coffee, Ron stormed into the great hall with a face like Thunder complaining about being dumped by Hermione. How was everyone so blind to notice that that was a bad match. Remus knew it. He had come to think that Hermione needed somone who could challenge her, be able to stimulate her brain, but not too much to bore her. She was far more suited to someone older, he thought, no one her age would be able to keep that brain entertained, no she needed a mature partner.

A partner like him, maybe.

Now that thought, made him smile.

AN

- Hello all, so after a bit more spit balling in the brain, I've come up with some exciting twists! so there will be jumps in time, I hope you don't get lost. I also wanted to say, Thanks once again to EVERYONE who follows, favourites and Reviews, it really does spur me on to make more! Hope you enjoyed it, please let me know what you think!

Stay Safe Folks, See you next Chappy!