I DO NOT OWN!

A.N Woah! So I really threw you guys off eh?! Honestly one of the most exciting things I love about writing, is that I have the power, I know what's going to happen next. Sorry for being so evil! Also I just wanted to say that I am aware, especially in the last chapter, I jumped back and forward in time. I guess I wanted to keep a bit of mystery! Another thing I gathered from the reviews, was that you guys were not happy that Remus wanted some know it all ;)However as it is Christmas, I thought I should give you a bigger chapter, and hope that this one clears a few things up!once again, Thank you to everyone who does leave reviews and faves and follows this fict, I really appreciate it!Enjoy!

Chapter 18

The next morning Hermione found herself knocking on the door of the headmistress.

"Oh Miss Granger, what a pleasant surprise! Tea?"

"Please." She smiled politely at the elder witch.

Once they were both sat down, nursing their steamy cups, Mcgonagall looked at Hermione in Curiosity, "As much as I enjoy having tea with you Miss Granger, I cannot help but think that there might be another reason to this, spontaneous tea party mm?"

Hermione cast her eyes down, and her pulse quickened.

Hermione breathed in deeply.

"Can there be side effects to time travel Professor?"

"Not that I know of dear. What seems to be the problem?"

She sighed, a million anxieties littered her mind.

Where to start? It's not like she could just blurt out the blunt truth.

Oh yes Professor! I had a vivid dream of kissing Remus lupin while in the arms of the man I love!

Heck! She didn't even know if he was alive, she hadn't had a chance yet to find out for herself!

It had been two days since Hermione had returned. However within those two days she had been rather preoccupied with making up for lost time, tucked away in the dungeons with Severus.

Well she couldn't say all of that.

She thought for a moment before continuing.

"I think I'm getting memories back professor."

"Memories Dear?"

"You see professor, I have a theory that during the time I was back in the battle... I may have changed the timeline more than I thought.

So when I left to come back, 3 months later, something happened during that time Professor, a gray area so to speak."

"You mean, a new memory that happened with your previous self?"

"Yes professor, me before you asked me to go back and save Severus."

At that, Hermione saw her professors eyes twinkle, much like Dumbledores.

"Severus eh?" She teased.

Hermione's cheeks flashed red as she looked down at her tea cup.

"Oh Don't be shy, myself and Albus are happy for you!"

Once the tea had been drunk and the biscuits had been eaten. Hermione left feeling one of two things, slightly calmer, and determined. Determined to face Lupin and sort this fiasco out.

She raced down the office stairs quicker than a bludger on a sunny day.

Infact she moved with so much speed that it took a couple of seconds for her to realise that she had bumped into someone.

A particular someone, who she thought she wouldn't have to face so soon!

She brushed herself down and after composing herself, took a moment to drink In the sight of the person who stood before her alive.

Remus Lupin, Alive.

This was first time seeing him after returning back.

As soon as their eyes locked, all comprehendable thought left her brain. Hermione had a million things to say to him, yet in that precise moment, only air escaped from her open mouth.

After a moment, Hermione eventually broke her shocked silence.

"Remus! You're... You're alive!"

Remus's eyes sparkled back at her with delight.

"Welcome back Hermione." He paused, gently putting his warm hand on her shoulder. "Come, we should walk and have a chat."

Hermione hesitated, was this a good idea? Maybe it would speed things up and get her head sorted? Or maybe it would make things worse?

What if that dream wasn't a dream and Remus HAD actually kissed her.

Either way she needed to find out.

Amongst their conversation, neither party had been aware of a big black mass of robes asend upon them.

"I'm not, interrupting, am I?"

A smooth voice called out from behind Hermione.

Remus forced a smile, instantly recognising the voice from the shadows, "Ah, Severus, always a ray of sunshine aren't you?"

Severus sneered at Remus before whipping his head and turning his focus to Hermione.

She could visibly see his eyes soften as he gently inclined his head towards her.

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to accompany me, there is a matter I wish to discuss."

Not a single syllable had even escaped her lips, when she heard Remus reply instead.

"I'm sorry Severus, but I was going to steal Hermione for a chat myself."

Anger bubbled inside of Severus.

How dare he?

He flared his nostrils in disdain.

"I do not recall your name being Miss Granger, or am I mistaken?"

Hermione could hear a low growl coming from Remus.

Suddenly the hand, that had been resting on Hermione's back, had vanished.

Lupin puffed out his chest and squared up to Severus.

Severus couldn't help but snort at the dogs weak attempt at dominance.

The pair stared one another down.

After a moment Hermione saw Remus take a deep breath and stepped back.

"Look Severus," Remus sighed tiredly. "I do not want to squabble like school children, we have lived through enough to be behaving so immaturely."

Severus stared at the man, of course he had a point, although his face did not give anything away.

"Now Severus, if you don't mind, I would like to have a talk with Hermione."

His gaze returned to Hermione's.

"Shall we?" He said, offering out his arm.

Hermione noticed Snapes furious, jealous glare. She looked at Severus gently, and discreetly touched his arm in reassurance.

"I won't be too long, I promise." She smiled at him.

With that, Severus subtlety inclined his head, his penetrating eyes never leaving hers,

"Until then, Hermione." He said quietly. Then with a smooth flick of his robes, Severus glided away through the corridor.

Severus was impeccably impressed with himself about how calmly he reacted and continued to pride himself on his acting skills, yes Lupin, acting like an adult indeed...

As much as he trusted Hermione, dispite acting oddly last night, he definitely did not trust him.

He senced it the moment he crept up on them, just from the way he had his hand on HER back, and the way he looked at her. It was written all over his wolf face.

He originally went looking for Hermione, because he was concerned about her. Last night she refused to share her nightmare, not that he minded of course, but what he did mind, was the fact that when he awoke the next morning to find a cold patch on the bed where Hermione had been sleeping.

The fact she left without saying anything... That scared him.

Without a sound, Severus dipped into an Alcove just out of ear shot, and watched them head off in the opposite direction.

A small part of his brain told him that he shouldn't follow and respect Hermione's privacy... However! Once again, he didn't trust Lupin and his motives.

So, the stalking began...

Eventually they stopped to chat in an empty classroom, luckily enough for Severus they were stupid enough to leave the door slightly open.

Oh and Severus could hear everything!

For the first few minutes they conversed in general chit chat.

Severus internally scolded himself, they were just having a chat! How could he think so little of Hermione, and plus, that wolf has no chance, she was smitten with him.

He felt a big gloating smile appear on his face.

Just as he was about to walk away, something changed in the tone of Lupins voice as he spoke to her, Severus froze.

"Do you know why I took you to this room Hermione?"

"Well you said you wanted to talk, so I assumed that this was a convenient place."

Severus heard a slight chuckle that came from Lupin.

"Ah clever as always, but no..." he paused.

"This was the room that WE helped rebuild."

A shuffle of feet could be heard.

"We... we did?" Anxiety coated every single word she spouted out.

There was silence, it was so thick that it was almost tangeable, this made Severus nervous.

"And now you are back in you time line, I wish to finish what I... we started."

Started?! Started what? Severus thought to himself.

He was furious yet nervous, he wanted to burst in there, however for some reason he found himself incapable of moving, not even an inch!

There was a sudden crash of chairs and clear sound of someone falling to the floor.

"Why did you do that?" Severus heard Remus yell breathlessly.

"ITS TRUE THEN!" Hermione shrieked, he had never heard Hermione sound so angry.

"It wasn't a dream! Oh god... it wasn't a dream!"

The silence was deafening.

"No it wasn't Hermione..."

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"Dare I?"

"Yes Remus! How dare you try to kiss me when I had no idea! Have you any idea? That could of changed everything!" Her cries and sobs were unbearable for Severus to hear anymore.

The words buzzed round his head like a swarm of Hornets.

Kiss. They kissed. Hermione kissed him. No Lupin kissed her.

His.

"MINE." Severus growled.

Fire burned in his eyes, his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white. His whole body was glowing with rage, Severus was so angry that he didn't realise that he'd spoken aloud.

All of a sudden there were footsteps heading towards the door.

Severus sunk into the shadows hoping that he wouldn't be spotted.

"Who's there?" Hermione.

No response.

"Oh god... Severus!" She broke down into tears beside the door.

"What if that was Severus?"

"It might not have been, why would it matter if Snape was listening anyway!"

Slap!

"Ow!"

"Because Remus, unlike you, I am in love with that man!"

"H...how?"

A bitter laugh left Hermiones mouth, "I went back for him! To save Severus!"

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"So I was just an afterthought then, you never cared about me." Remus muttered despairingly.

"Remus, you were never an afterthought. But Severus, he went through so much that year. You saw me when I first arrived, do you remember when I hugged you? I meant that! I could never let you die.

I love you Remus... But as a dear friend. I spent the best part of a year with Severus, really getting to know him. And well, I am deeply in love with him."

She sighed.

"Remus, you need time. I know you are greatful, but do not confuse that with love. You are still healing, and Teddy needs you more than ever.

I've you ever need me, I will do my best as a friend to support you... Always."

Neither of them spoke for a while, Severus knew it was time to leave.

Gathered his thoughts and stalked back to the dungeons and waited for Hermione.

Hermione continued to stare at the floor, she didnt know what to say, she said all she could, so she just waited.

"Hermione?"

"Yes Remus?"

"I, I'm... Forgive me."

The next thing Hermione heard, was the door closing.