A/N: Wow, It's been over a year since I've started this fanfiction! Can you guys believe that? I'm ashamed to admit that I had hoped that I'd be finished with it by now but life just got in the way. I am absolutely floored with how great of a reception this story has gotten. This is the first story I've ever published and there's over 200 of you following it! That is wild! I'm even more surprised since this is not a very popular pairing. It really means so much to me how kind and responsive all of you are. Honestly, I could not be more grateful to all of you.

Chapter 11 - Back to Normal

Hermione spent almost the entirety of that Saturday and Sunday doing homework. Now that classes had been in session for over a month, the professors were piling on even more assignments than they previously had. Free periods were not nearly as fun as everyone had expected them to be, as they were spent doing all of the assignments they had. It would be something that she and all of the other students in her year would have to get used to now that they were at N.E.W.T level.

By early afternoon on Monday, Remus had still not returned. James, Sirius, and Peter didn't seem too concerned, so Hermione constantly willed herself to stop worrying about him. If they didn't seem worried, it meant Remus's transformation must not have been worse than usual. It's not like she had any control over his transformations and how they affected him anyway.

To pass the time, she had agreed to work with and help James, Sirius, and, to her displeasure, Peter with their homework during their free period. Although Sirius and James didn't seem to be the most dedicated of students, Hermione was quick to pick up on how intelligent they were. It wasn't that they couldn't do their own work, they just couldn't be bothered to do it. Peter, on the other hand, struggled more than the others.

"No, no, no, Peter. You're not waving your wand correctly," said Hermione, trying not to sound annoyed as Peter helplessly pointed his wand at the empty goblet in front of him.

The four of them were sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common room. Hermione and Peter were both sitting cross legged while Sirius was leaning against the side of the couch and James was sprawled on the carpet, lounging on his side. Hermione and Peter were closest to the fireplace. The warmth from the fire felt nice on Hermione's skin with the chilling air that was beginning to sweep through the castle as October progressed.

"I'm doing it just as how Flitwick showed us in class," said Peter through gritted teeth. "It's the sideways S motion."

He gave Hermione an odd look and moved his wand through the air again.

"You're doing the S upside down," said Hermione shaking her head. She pointed her own wand at the goblet. "It's like this. Aguamenti!"

A small stream of water burst from her wand and filled the goblet in front of them.

"Ayyyyy!" grinned James. "Nice aim, Dawson. You didn't even spill a drop!"

Hermione snorted. "Thank you, James."

A small huff came from Peter as he stared down at the goblet in anger. "I've never had this much trouble with a charm before… We've been at this one for a few weeks now…"

"Aw don't worry, Wormtail. You'll get it. You always end up getting it," said Sirius as he flipped his quill into the air and caught it, ignoring his own pile of homework sitting beside him.

"Let me try!" said James. He heaved himself up into a sitting position and scooted closer to where Hermione was sitting.

"We already know you can do it, Prongs," said Sirius, rolling his eyes as he threw the quill into the air again. "You spent the entire last class secretly shooting water across the room at Marcus Donner when Flitwick wasn't looking."

James shrugged and grinned. "Just a little healthy rivalry between Quidditch Captains."

"Fine, James," said Hermione quickly, before the boys started talking about Quidditch. If they started, they'd never stop. "If you really want to practice then so be it. I'll empty the goblet."

She leaned forward to grab the goblet but, before she could, James snatched it up and downed the contents of the goblet into his mouth.

"James!" gasped Hermione.

"Oh, calm down, Hermione. I was thirsty," said James, wiping his mouth and grinning while Sirius and Peter laughed. Hermione continued to stare at him with wide eyes. "Oh, come on! If anyone can produce safe drinking water it's you," added James when he noticed Hermione's pursed lips.

The compliment had a good impact on her mood and Hermione's expression immediately softened. Of course her water would be safe to drink. She had done the spell perfectly, after all.

"Fine," said Hermione with a small smile. "Just do the spell, James."

James positioned the goblet in front of himself and pointed his wand at it. He cleared his throat for effect and said "Aguamenti!"

Water shot out of his wand, not nearly as neatly as Hermione's had, and filled the goblet, spilling some over the sides.

A snort came from Sirius and James turned and rose his eyebrow at him. "Have something to say, Padfoot?"

"You'd just think a Quidditch chaser would have better aim," grinned Sirius.

The grin quickly fell as James threw the nearest couch cushion at him and it hit him in the face. "Really?" grinned James as Sirius toppled sideways. "My aim seems to be just fine."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the pair of them. While Sirius was groaning, she waved her wand and the water in the goblet disappeared. She picked it up and moved it back in front of Peter.

"Alright, Peter. Try again," she said.

It took a few more attempted but Peter finally managed to get a small stream of water to go into the goblet and slowly filled it to the brim.

"I did it!" said Peter. He beamed around at his friends as Sirius and James cheered and Hermione politely smiled.

Over the past few weeks Hermione had gotten better at pretending to like Peter. When she was able to return to her own time she should consider becoming an actress with all the acting experience she'd have.

The sound of the portrait opening and closing caused the four of them to stop their miniature celebration and turn towards the entrance to the common room.

Standing there staring at them, was a sickly-looking Remus. Dark bags were under his eyes and he seemed much paler than usual. He had a cut above his right eyebrow and there was a cloth bandage badly hidden beneath his robes on his left shoulder. A look of confusion and shock was on his face as he looked between his friends before his gaze fell on Hermione.

There was one second of absolute silence as the boys had clearly not expected Remus to be back. They stared at him with equal looks of surprise before Peter broke the silence.

"Remus!" said Peter. He jumped up ended up kicking the full goblet of water, knocking it into Hermione and dousing her with water.

She let out a small yelp and leapt to her feet, trying to wipe the water from her robes. "Really, Peter?" she moaned as water dripped off of her and onto the carpet.

"What are you doing back, Remus?" asked James, ignoring a soaked Hermione while Peter flooded her with apologies. James had a concerned look on his face as he got to his feet and crossed the common room to Remus. "I thought you were supposed to stay another night."

"Hang on," said Hermione, looking between Sirius and James while continuing to dry herself. "How did you guys know when Remus would supposedly be coming back? You said he wasn't allowed any visitors!"

There had been times when the other three boys had disappeared over the past few days and Hermione was sure that they were visiting Remus in the Hospital Wing. But it would seem suspicious if she didn't sound suspicious. She had to play her role, after all.

Sirius rolled his eyes and grinned. "Since when are we ones to follow the rules?"

Hermione pursed her lips again.

James walked Remus to the couch, where Sirius was now sitting, and they sat down. Hermione quickly cleared up the water and walked over to the armchair beside the couch and sat down facing Remus.

"So why are you back today?" asked James.

"Madam Pomfrey didn't want to let me leave but I told her I can't afford to miss any more classes," said Remus without looking at James

"She just let you go? Just like that?" asked Sirius.

"She couldn't make me stay. There's nothing actually wrong with me anymore," said Remus.

He was still staring at Hermione and the guilt she felt from ignoring him during his transformation hit Hermione hard as she looked at Remus's defeated expression.

"Remus, how are you?" asked Hermione. She knew it was a stupid question, he looked miserable, but she couldn't think of another way to start talking to him. It had been nearly a week and a half since they had spoken.

He continued to stare at her for a second before speaking. Hermione guessed that he was trying to figure out what to say without giving anything away.

"I feel a little weak… but there's still another class today after this free period and I need to go to it," he said softly.

"I have your notes!" said Hermione, suddenly remembering the stack of notebooks on her bedside table in her dormitory. "I'll be right back."

She stood up and quickly rushed to the stairs that lead to the girls' dormitory. Neither Mary nor Lily was there so Hermione quickly crossed the room to her bed without distraction. Remus's notes were stacked neatly on her bedside table and she grabbed them.

She was grateful for the moment alone. Remus's return hadn't been expected and it startled her. She hadn't even had time to plan out what she would say to him. There was so much she wanted to say but he looked so awful and she couldn't help but put part of that blame on herself. What if he blamed her as well?

Shaking her head slightly, Hermione took a deep breath and made her way back to the common room.

"If you don't feel up for taking notes during our next class I'd be happy to continue taking them," she said as she handed Remus the notebooks.

"No, it's alright, Hermione," said Remus softly. "I think I can handle it, but thank you."

The boys had a light conversation for the rest of the free period as Hermione silently read from her Arithmancy textbook. Every now and then she'd catch Remus looking at her curiously, but he'd look away before she could even send him a smile.

Their next class went by slowly. People were used to Remus missing classes so nobody seemed to question his absence from the previous classes that day nor his absences from classes on Friday. Yet, Hermione found herself constantly turning to watch him as she sat with Mary and Lily.

Her chest ached. Remus had seemed off when he came back to the common room and she knew it had to be because of her. She had finally begun to feel like she might have belonged there and that had so much to do with her friendship with Remus and she didn't know what she would do if he decided to write her off. That was surely to make the others ignore her as well and that would make her time there unbearable.

When class ended, Mary, Lily, and Hermione were one of the first people out of the classroom. Lily claimed to be starving so they started to make their way to the Great Hall to get there right as dinner started.

They had barely made it into the Grand Staircase when they heard someone call for them.

"Hermione!" said the voice. Hermione turned and saw Remus standing awkwardly in front of James, Sirius, and Peter. "Could I, um, could I have a word, please?"

"Of course, Remus," said Hermione. She quickly scanned his expression. He didn't seem angry at her… that was a good sign. She turned towards Mary and Lily. "You guys go on to dinner, I'll meet you there."

"You sure?" asked Mary.

"Yeah, I don't want to keep you and Lily from eating. I'll be down soon," said Hermione.

Lily gave Hermione a grateful smile and she and Mary continued walking in the direction of the Great Hall. Remus was saying something to the other boys and whatever it was it caused them to walk away as well as Remus approached Hermione.

"Here, follow me, we shouldn't talk on the stairs," said Remus.

He took Hermione by the sleeve of her robes and brought her through a door and into a deserted corridor before he turned to face her.

"Hermione, I am so sorry about the lake. I know I should have done something. I wasn't thinking properly and there's no excuse for my actions nor the actions of James, Sirius, and Peter. We were all acting like gits and you had every right to be angry," said Remus. He took a deep breath before continuing, "I just don't want it to permanently taint how you see us. I know we've only known each other for less than two months but you've become a really good friend to everyone and a great friend to me."

A warmth spread through Hermione's chest and, before she knew what she was doing, she took a step forward and threw her arms around Remus, carefully trying to avoid his injured shoulder.

"Oh Remus, I am so sorry I couldn't talk to you the past few days!" said Hermione, trying to hold back tears.

"I-" started Remus, "What?"

It took him a second realize Hermione was hugging him before he returned her embrace. Hermione was greeted with the aroma of chocolate as he hugged her back and she smiled to herself as she thought about all the times Remus would try to force Harry to eat chocolate.

The hug only lasted a moment before Hermione pulled away and looked up at Remus's face which was broken into his crooked smile.

"I mean, I'm not sorry for ignoring you in the first place… You really should have at least tried to stop James. You are a prefect after all! But, I didn't expect you to fall ill! I only meant to ignore all of you for a week so you could reflect on your wrongdoings and I've just felt so awful that you became sick and we couldn't make up! I do want us to continue being friends."

Remus had a slightly amused look on his face. "Hermione, you have nothing to be sorry about. I honestly don't expect you to be sorry about your reaction to the fight at the lake."

"Good, because I'm not," mumbled Hermione under her breath, causing Remus to grin more.

"I have a lot of respect for you, Lily, and Mary standing up for what is right. You have every right to be angry. It also isn't your fault that I've been gone, it was just awful timing," said Remus. "However, I am grateful that you still took my notes. No one takes better notes than you."

At that, Hermione grinned.

"Of course I took your notes. As you said, you can't afford to fall behind," said Hermione and Remus's grin widened.

Remus looked down at his watch. "We should go down to the Great Hall before dinner ends. Can we talk again later in private to catch up?"

"I'd like that," said Hermione with a smile.

A feeling of relief washed over her as Remus smiled down at her. She had been so worried that they would stop being friends but if anything they seemed even closer.

"Great," said Remus. "Come on, let's go to dinner."

~o~

Hermione didn't end up joining Lily and Mary at dinner like she had planned to but she was sure they'd understand. After all, she wanted to spend time with the boys for the first time in over a week. And it wasn't like she wouldn't see the girls later in their dormitory.

Remus didn't look nearly as pale at dinner, the food must have had a good effect on him. It was such a relief to have his calming presence back. He was able to keep James and Sirius in line during dinner and Peter did not even choke once. Things were basically back to normal.

"So," said James as he took a mouthful of soup. "Now that we're all back together, we have something we wanted to ask you, Hermione."

Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yup," said Sirius from beside James as he shoveled food into his mouth.

"I thought we had finished with all of the questions…" said Hermione, watching Sirius in disgust.

"There was something we've been wondering since what went down at the lake," said James.

"I don't think this is the right place for that conversation, James…" said Remus softly from beside Hermione, causing her to raise her eyebrow.

James paid no attention to Remus. Hermione stared at James trying to think what he could possibly be thinking of asking her. When she didn't respond, James continued.

"So, at the lake during the… uh, what should I call it… the misunderstanding… something was said that we found to be concerning," said James, dramatically waving his fork around as he spoke.

That was when Hermione knew what James was going to say.

"Snape called you and Evans that word – you know which word I'm talking about. It didn't seem to bother you at all…" said James.

"And? That's not a question." Said Hermione, hoping her sarcasm and light tone would make them less interested.

"You said you were used to it," said Peter as he helped himself to pudding.

Hermione sighed. "Yes, I am used to it. It doesn't really matter. It's just a word."

"It's more than a word, Hermione," said Sirius, who wore a serious expression for the first time that night. "It's the meaning behind it. It's the bigotry mindset that gives it its power."

His words touched her, and Hermione thought back to all the stories she had heard about Sirius wanting to escape from the hatred of his ancestors. How he had gone out of his way to distance himself from that way of life. Hermione felt a deeper wave of respect for him in that moment.

"Yes, but if I react negatively to it then I give that word even more power to affect me," said Hermione.

There was a short moment of silence as the boys considered this.

"It's still not right to say it and Snape is going to pay for calling you and Evans one," said Sirius darkly. His grey eyes seemed blacker than usual. It was almost frightening.

"Don't do anything foolish, Sirius," warned Hermione.

His face softened, causing Hermione to relax, and he rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah… whatever you say, Dawson."

"But who was it," said James, after a moment.

"Excuse me?" ask Hermione. "Who was it who did what?"

"Who was it that made you used to that word?" asked James, his expression was unreadable. "You must have been called it many times for it not to affect you anymore."

Hermione bit her lip, she didn't like where this conversation was headed.

"A boy in my year used to call me one. Before I came here, he referred to me as one all the time ever since my second year," said Hermione slowly.

She noticed Remus's knuckles grow whiter has his grip tightened on his fork as he stared intently at his plate.

"What's his name," asked Sirius angrily. "I'll send him a howler he'll never forget!"

"And I'll send him a letter that will explode in his face regardless of whether or not he decides to open it!" said James, mirroring the same look of anger as Sirius.

"That's really not necessary," said Hermione quickly. "You'll get yourselves in trouble."

"Trouble is my middle name," said Sirius.

"I thought your middle name was Orion," said Peter.

"Very funny, Wormtail…"

"Honestly, he isn't worth your time," quickly said Hermione.

Her mind was racing, trying to come up with a way to change the subject away from her timeline. It didn't take long to settle on the perfect conversation topic. It would take some sacrifice on her part, but she'd rather endure it than wiggle herself out of a conversation about Draco Malfoy, who hadn't even been born yet.

"And you can't afford a detention anytime soon, James. You have Quidditch practice nearly every night that you can't miss," she said.

James's face seemed to relax with this information. "True, but he deserves it."

"And I'm sure you will get him one day, but for now you need to focus on winning the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor," said Hermione. "When is your first Quidditch match, again?"

"It's soon actually. The first weekend in November," said James, whose expression had gone back to normal.

Her idea for changing the subject to Quidditch worked a little too well. Luckily, she only had to endure Quidditch talk for a little while until the subject had been changed again. Dinner conversation had gone back to as normal as they ever were with them.

That was until an owl flew into the Great Hall and landed in Peter's pudding with a crash.

Sirius laughed as Peter looked down at his pudding splattered robes in shock.

"Who sends owls at this hour?" wondered Remus to no one in particular.

"I wasn't even finished with that…" grumbled Peter as he took the letter from the owl and flipped it over. His eyebrow went up as he read the name written on it and handed the letter to Hermione. "It's for you…"

Curiosity overcame Hermione as she took the letter. Who would possibly be writing her?

She must not have been the only one thinking this because James was staring at her oddly.

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you get a letter before, Hermione," he said.

"Come to think of it, neither have I," said Sirius.

Remus and Peter also mumbled their agreements.

"Don't be daft, of course I've gotten letters before," said Hermione, trying her hardest to not have her lie known. "Just because you haven't noticed me getting letters doesn't mean I haven't gotten them."

"No really. I've never seen an owl deliver you anything," said James earnestly.

"Then you should pay more attention," said Hermione.

Maybe she should send herself fake letters to avoid suspicion… but that was a problem for another day.

The four boys watched her as she flipped the letter over and opened the envelope, pulling out a short piece of parchment from inside and reading it.

Dear Miss Dawson,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. It has been a while since we chatted. Please visit my office after dinner this evening.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

After quickly reading it over again, Hermione put the letter in her bag. She looked up at the staff table and noticed that the headmaster's seat was empty.

"It was from Dumbledore," she said with a small frown as she looked back at the boys, who were still watching her. "I'm having a meeting with him after dinner. He likes to check up on me to see how I'm adjusting."

"I sometimes forget that you've transferred here this year," said James. "I feel as though you've always been here. It's like I've known you a lot longer than I have. You just seem to… belong."

"I couldn't agree more," said Remus, giving Hermione a warm smile, and Hermione smiled back. As she looked at Remus, the others, and then at Lily and Mary down the table, she couldn't help but feel like maybe a part of her did belong.

~o~

Professor Dumbledore's office doors stood ajar as Hermione finished climbing the stairs behind the gargoyle. She peaked her head into the office and saw him sitting behind his large wooden desk.

"Ah, come in, Miss Granger," smiled Dumbledore when he spotted her. "Sit down."

The use of her real last name seemed odd to her. It had been over a month since someone had addressed her using her real name and her shock over its usage made her feel strange. She had become too accustomed to being Hermione Dawson and she felt a surge of guilt wash over herself.

Hermione crossed the office and sat down in a chair across from Dumbledore. It was still early in the evening but many of the portraits behind Dumbledore were dozing in slumber; or at least pretending to so they could listen in on their conversation.

"Good evening, sir," said Hermione.

"Good evening, Hermione," said Dumbledore with a smile. "You had a strange expression on your face when I used your surname as you entered."

It wasn't a question and Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Nothing seemed to get past Dumbledore. "It's just been a while since I've had someone use my last name, sir. It caught me slightly off guard."

"Yes, it has been a while, which is why I sent for you. I wished to see how you were doing. It has been over a month since you appeared at my office door in the middle of the night and we have not spoken since," said Dumbledore with a faint smile.

"I believe that I'm adjusting well, sir. It's been easier ever since you gave me the advice to befriend students here. My friends no longer seem suspicious of me which is a good sign."

Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. "I am glad to hear that. The professors here are also incredibly pleased with your work ethic and progress in their classes. You seem to thrive here."

Hermione felt her face going red. "I'm doing the same as I had in my own time as well, sir."

"Be that as it may, the professors are very fond of having you in class," said Dumbledore.

As nice as it was to hear that the professors liked having her in class, Hermione hoped that Dumbledore hadn't just called her to his office for small talk.

"Sir, is there another reason you called me here tonight? Did you figure out a way to send me back to 1996?" asked Hermione hopefully, moving to the edge of her chair.

The smile left Dumbledore's face and he frowned.

"Sadly, there has been no progress in that matter," said Dumbledore.

Sighing, Hermione leaned back in her chair in disappointment.

"I hope you will excuse my lack of findings," said Dumbledore, who began fiddling with one of the silver instruments on his desk. "I'm sure you are aware of the war in this current time, with you being from the future. I am doing my best to help you return home but my main focus at this time is securing the safety of the wizarding world."

Hermione's face immediately grew warm with shame at the reminder. "Of course, sir. I completely understand and would never want you to take time away from the war effort."

He looked back at her, but something had changed in his eyes; the twinkle was gone and they seemed colder. "You know the outcome of this war," he said slowly.

Again, it was not a question. Hermione could feel her stomach dropping and she was unaware of how she was supposed to respond.

"Yes, sir?" she answered hesitantly, feeling uncomfortable again.

His face turned back to his usual calm composure and he gave her a soft smile. "I think that should be all for tonight, Hermione," said Dumbledore is a very dismissive tone.

"What-? Yes, of course, sir," said Hermione, standing up, completely baffled.

As she stood up and turned to leave the office Dumbledore cleared his throat and she turned around to face him again.

"I almost forgot," he said with a smile. He reached into his desk and pulled out a small pouch and tossed it to her. "Your monthly spending money. I believe there is a Hogsmeade trip in the near future."

"Thank you, sir," said Hermione. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Miss Granger."

Hermione turned back around and quickly walked out of his office.

~o~

Dumbledore's change of manner still bothered Hermione as she entered the Gryffindor common room. There had been something that flickered in his eyes that seemed… off.

Hermione shook her head. The look must have been a figment of her imagination.

She had barely made it halfway across the common room when Remus entered from the staircase. When he spotted her his face broke into a grin.

"Hermione," he said as he walked further into the common room. "I'm glad you're back. How was your talk with Dumbledore?"

She caught sight of him quickly tucking a piece of parchment into his robes which she suspected had been the Marauder's Map. She suppressed a grin. It was almost as if he had been waiting for her.

"It was a little strange," she said honestly, "but it's nice to know that he's doing his best to make me feel comfortable here."

Remus nodded. "He can be a little strange, but his intentions are pure. Did you still want to catch up?"

"Of course," smiled Hermione. She started to walk towards a set of empty armchairs but Remus held her back.

"Actually, I thought maybe we could go somewhere else so we won't be overheard."

"Overheard?" asked Hermione. She looked around the common room. There was only a few groups of people sitting around. None of them seemed like they'd want to eavesdrop on a conversation between her and Remus and she couldn't think of a reason for them to want to. Then she noticed Remus cock his head slightly in the direction of the boys' dormitory and she understood. "Oh, alright, yes. Lead the way."

Hermione followed Remus out of the portrait hole. The corridor was quiet and dark. It felt odd being out so close to curfew. Almost as if she were on prefect rounds with Ron like last year. Her heartbeat sped up slightly at the possibility of breaking the rules. It was like the adrenaline rushes that she had learned to love after going on so many adventures with Harry and Ron. It made her feel alive.

They stopped in front of the closest empty classroom that they came across and Remus opened the door and beckoned Hermione to follow him.

It was dark in the classroom, none of the torches were lit and the only light was coming from the moon, which was now slightly less full. It was visible through the large windows that lined ones of the stone walls and reflected the patterned glass onto the floor.

Hermione recognized the room as one of the unused classrooms she and Harry had used in their fourth year to prepare him for the Triwizard Tournament and the bittersweet memory brought a smile to her face.

Remus peered back into the corridor and looked both ways before shutting the door. He walked past Hermione to one of the desks and sat on top of it before turning to face her in the doorway.

"You're acting as though we're about to commit a heinous crime," observed Hermione as she walked further into the dark room.

"Well, we are breaking school rules," said Remus. "Or we will be once curfew starts in about—" he looked down at his watch, "—ten minutes."

"Why didn't you want people to overhear us?" asked Hermione. "When you said private earlier I didn't think you meant literally in private. I thought it meant just the two of us."

She moved around the room, waving her wand. The torches around the room burst into life, flooding warm amber light to the room. It caused shadows to cover half of Remus's face and illuminate some of his scars on the other half. Hermione pretended not to notice.

"Because, if we were to talk alone in the common room then we risk the possibility of being interrupted. This way, no one can find us," said Remus.

She noticed him subconsciously touch his robes where she was sure he had tucked away the Marauder's Map and she smirked.

"You know, that sounds slightly like something a serial killer would say," said Hermione airily. She crossed the room and sat on top of a desk in front of Remus and looked at him while sliding her schoolbag off of her shoulder. "The whole "no one can find us' bit."

"Or something forbidden lovers would say," said Remus casually with a shrug. "But neither of those things are true."

"Lovers?" said Hermione, raising her eyebrow at him. Something about the statement embarrassed her and she willed herself not to blush. Her mind started to trail back to Ron, but she shook the thought from her head. Ron seemed like a million years ago.

Remus laughed at her expression. "Like Romeo and Juliet."

"You've read Romeo and Juliet?" asked Hermione, trying not to show her surprise.

Most wizards went out of their way to avoid all things muggle so it was nice to hear that someone raised in a wizarding household would choose to read things from the muggle world.

"My mother is a muggle so she's quite fond of muggle literature," he said with a small shrug. "Especially ones written about magic, like Macbeth. She persuaded me to read a lot of those types of stories."

Hermione couldn't help but feel impressed with this information. It was interesting seeing this side of Remus Lupin. In her time, she never would have expected how much she had in common with her third year Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

"You're a very extraordinary wizard, I hope you realize that, Remus," said Hermione fondly. "Not many wizards would read muggle literature, much less admit to it."

He chuckled faintly and shook his head. "Thank you, Hermione, but there's really nothing extraordinary about me."

"Oh, don't be modest," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. "You're kind, funny, incredibly smart, a leader, and I'm glad that you wanted to be my friend."

It might have been the amber hue of the torchlight, but something seemed to change in his expression at her words. Not in the troubling way Professor Dumbledore's expression had changed earlier that day, but in a way where his face seemed somewhat younger, warmer, and slightly more hopeful.

"I'm glad we're friends as well," said Remus with the corner of his mouth turning up into a smile.

"But going back to the fact that you wanted to talk outside of the common room," said Hermione with a faint smile of her own, "why is it you didn't want to be overheard? What is it that you wanted to discuss that you didn't want James, Sirius, or Peter to hear?"

Remus shrugged gently. "Nothing in particular. I guess it was because I hadn't spoken to just you in a while and wanted the opportunity to talk to you without the others interrupting. They can be… ah, what's a good word… distracting."

Hermione laughed. Distracting was a perfect way to describe the other three boys, especially James and Sirius.

"Well, I can start by telling you about the lessons you missed while you were away," said Hermione brightly. She pulled her bag closer and opened it. "I have all my notes here and we can go over them."

"Sounds like a plan," grinned Remus.

The two of them spent the rest of their time going over the notes Hermione had taken for the two days of classes Remus had missed. It wasn't truly difficult information and Remus picked it up fairly quickly.

They hadn't realized much time had passed until they heard the sound of a door closing and echoing down the corridor. The sound was loud and caused both Remus and Hermione's heads to snap towards the door.

"It could be a prefect on rounds," said Remus in a quiet voice. "If they check in here I'm sure they wouldn't penalize a fellow prefect. Well, maybe not a Slytherin prefect... depends which one we get."

Hermione looked out the window and noticed how truly dark the sky had become since they arrived.

"Remus, what time is it?"

Remus rolled up his sleeve and looked down at his watch and both of his eyebrows rose. "Blimey, it's nearly midnight. I hadn't realized how long we've been here."

"We should go back to the common room," said Hermione. "We need to get some sleep before class tomorrow."

Remus simply nodded.

Together, they packed up Hermione's notes, which were now scattered across several desks, and they put out the torches around the classroom.

Similarly to how they entered the classroom, Remus peeked his head out into the corridor to see if anyone was approaching before beckoning Hermione to follow him.

Their journey back to Gryffindor Tower was a silent one but Hermione could not help but feel that it was nothing after their week and a half of silence. If anything, that silence had proven that they still could be friends and Hermione was sure that her friendships with Remus and the others was growing stronger because of it.

A/N: I had a completely different chapter written out for ch 11 but it just didn't feel right so this is what I came up with instead. It's a little fluffy but the other one just seemed like I was rushing the relationships in the story since this is only the 2nd month of the term. I hope you still enjoyed it. I have a feeling that from this point on, the timeline will start moving a lot faster.

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