A/N: This is the final chapter. Not sure if/when there will be a new story. If not sooner, it will be during the wintertime when I'll have more time for it. I like the idea of adding review replies on a different site. I'm thinking Live Journal, maybe (since I'm pretty sure I know how to set it up). If/when I do a new story, I will do that. You guys totally rock! And thanks Le Grimoire for beta-ing!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Return to Hogwarts
There was a big party in the Griffindor common room the night Hermione returned to Hogwarts. Ron, and especially Harry, stuck to her like glue the entire time. Hermione felt great delight to be back to the wonderful place. She couldn't wait to catch up on all her homework.
Dobby, at Harry's request, had baked a cake with "Welcome Back, Hermione!" on it. Dobby had also made socks for Hermione. One had a red Phoenix on a blue background, the other sported a gold letter "H" with a green backdrop. Hermione made a mental note to thank him later.
Luna, it turned out, was a pretty good artist, so she'd made decorations for the common room in the Griffindor colors of red and gold, and made banners with pictures of Hermione on them. Being in Ravenclaw, though, she was unable to be present for the party. Ginny had gotten some small fireworks from her brothers and set them off.
It was the first time Hermione had been the sole source of attention at the school. She rather enjoyed it, but wished she had more time for her homework. People passing her in the halls over the next few days talked about what had happened to her, and asked her how her therapy was coming. Her answer was always the same: Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were looking into it, and in the meantime, she was fine.
Or was she? Hermione thought of Remus constantly; her massive pile of homework couldn't push him from her mind for very long. She wondered where he was. She'd heard no news of him for the past few days since the trial. Hermione blinked back tears of mounting hurt and frustration. It was like he didn't care about her. She'd just been tossed aside by him, abandoned. How could he do that, after what they'd been through together? Couldn't he at least send her a note, saying how he was faring?
Harry sat down next to her as she scribbled away at her Transfiguration essay. "Has Madam Pomfrey come up with a good method of therapy for you yet?" he asked.
"No," she answered in a clipped tone. "She said she might get with me tomorrow."
Harry could see she wasn't happy about something. He wondered if he'd dare ask her what was wrong. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of her rants. "Er - Hermione? Anything bothering you?"
"No." Then she sighed. "Yes. Have you heard from Remus lately?"
"No, I haven't," said Harry. He frowned a bit. "That is a bit strange. You'd think, after what happened - "
"He'd say something!" finished Hermione irritably. "You'd think he could just spare a moment to send an owl! Honestly. What's gotten into him?"
"Why don't you send him one?" asked Harry, who thought the answer was really quite simple. He didn't see why Hermione was getting so upset over this.
Unfortunately, this seemed to really ruffle Hermione's feathers. "No, I'm not, that's not the point," she said stubbornly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish my essay."
Harry left her alone after that, hoping she'd cheer up when Madam Pomfrey came up with a good method of therapy for her. He, too, wondered where Remus had gone. Had he managed to miraculously come up with enough money to pay the fine? What would happen if he couldn't?
The next day, Hermione sat on a bed in the hospital wing, awaiting Madam Pomfrey. To her surprise, Dumbledore came instead. "Madam Pomfrey is busy with a bunch of first years who had an unfortunate incident with Peeves," he explained. "So I'll tell you what we're going to try."
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore,"said Hermione, waiting expectantly. Surely, anything that Dumbledore came up with would work.
"On the day of the trial, I asked Linda what she'd been doing with you therapy wise, and the interesting subject of the 'life' emotion was brought up. Of course, it was just a passing comment, she didn't seem to think that helped you at all. On the contrary, I think it will be worth pursuing. Our personal magic is connected closely with our emotions. Perhaps, if you concentrated on the 'life' emotion, it would rally your system to come to life, and operate without Harry's help. Madam Pomfrey has also suggested that a bone marrow transplant would lengthen the amount of time Harry's magic would help you."
"You're right, Professor. Come to think of it, that did seem to be the one thing that really help me make some improvements." She paused, thinking. "How should I proceed?"
"It needs to be done when Harry's help has worn off. I will have you come here, perhaps, a different location at times, under supervision, every night and practice feeling an intensely powerful 'life' emotion." He looked at her shrewdly, and when he opened his mouth to continue, the hospital door crashed open.
Snape towered in the doorway, looking downright dangerous, his eyes glittering with fury. He marched over to Dumbledore, his hands clenching and unclenching, barely able to control his temper. "Dumbledore! What is the meaning of this outrage?" he hissed. "McGonagall's just told me -"
"Severus! Would you please take this outside the hospital wing? Can't you see my patients need peace and quiet?" demaded Madam Pomfrey, striding towards him.
Snape glared at her for a second, then turned back to Dumbledore.
"You heard Madam Pomfrey," said Dumbledore quietly. "Let's take this somewhere else."
The two of them strode out of the room. Hermione could hear Snape ranting as he left, "After all those years I waited! How could you shove me aside for a criminal! You won't hear the end of this from disappointed parents, I assure you, it's most unwise..."
Madam Pomfrey helped Hermione through her first therapy session that night, which didn't go well. Hermione made little progress. She couldn't feel a proper 'life' emotion when she felt so upset about Remus. Or rather, the lack of Remus. It stunted any feeling of excitement she could conjur. Where was he?
When Hermione walked into her Defense Against the Dark Arts class the next day, she, along with the rest of the class, received a huge shock. Lupin sat there at the desk, when they had been dreading Snape being there. Hermione stopped at the sight of him, her eyes widening. Had Dumbledore reinstated him as the professor of this class? She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. He wasn't looking at her. He knew this was her class. He wasn't looking up from his desk. He was ignoring her, just like he had been for the past several days. Hermione frowned angrily and sat in a desk near the back. Harry and Ron, a bit surprised at her unusual behavior, took their places beside her.
"Hello, class," said Remus, standing up. "I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the rest of the year. Dumbledore has kindly reinstated me to this post. Now, let's begin." He scanned the desks for Hermione, trying to look casual. He noticed her near the back. 'Not surprising, considering,' he thought, not bothering to finish his sentence and feeling quite deflated. He tried to shrug it off, continuing on with the lesson, but he seemed to lose his place whenever he glanced Hermione's way.
Now class was over. He wanted to call out to Hermione and tell her what was on his mind, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. He took a deep breath. It was now or never. "Miss - Granger. A word, if you will," he called out.
Hermione turned around and strode to his desk, Ron and Harry accompanying her. Remus smiled wanly at the trio. 'They do everything together, don't they?' he mused. "Actually, I had hoped to speak with Hermione alone - unless, of course, you aren't comfortable - "
Hermione gave him an incredulous look. "No, it's fine, I'll go with you," she said. Harry and Ron nodded and left. Hermione followed him up the stairs to his office, her heart beginning to beat faster. He sat down at his desk, and flicked the door closed with his wand. Hermione pulled up a chair next to him. He looked nervous.
"Hermione, I feel the need to apologize," he started.
"Apologize? For what?"
"For what happened before I was caught. I should have left you earlier, I should have recognized the signs." She could see him reddening visibly, but he seemed determined to go on. "I didn't because, well, I thought it was normal, because I had already felt attracted to you on - previous occasions." He sighed. "I would like to express my disgust that I did anything like that, especially when you were fading to the effects of Avadra Kedavra. I know I was under the effects of the potion, but all the same..."
"Remus, it's ok. I - is this why you've been ignoring me? Because you think you should distance yourself from me?"
"Yes," he answered tensely, not looking at her. She could see him looking at her in the corner of his eye. He seemed to be waiting for some kind of statement from her.
Hermione's heart beat faster, and she could feel the heat rising to her fact as she struggled with what to say. "I didn't mind," she said quickly.
"You didn't mind?" said Remus, confused.
"I didn't mind what happened. I really like you, Remus," Hermione said in a small voice. Her breath caught in her throat as he locked his gaze with hers.
"You mean that?" he asked softly. At Hermione's nod, he continued. "I'm sorry to say, Hermione, that if we ever got serious...I have nothing to offer, it just couldn't happen. I have a financial nightmare that isn't likely to improve because of my condition. I'm dangerous to be with because of my monthly transformations. Not to mention that life with me would be boring, I'm not like Harry with all that talent and attention. On the contrary..." he shook his head, and shifted his gaze from her to his hands.
"Remus, you've got to respect me enough to let me make the decision myself. I know all of that. I want to make this work. You're being too hard on yourself, give yourself some credit. I think you're really heroic, and..." Her voice trailed off as he looked into her eyes again.
"Hermione...are you sure?" Remus whispered. Hermione nodded, her throat too tight to speak. He smiled lopsidedly. "Well, if you don't mind..." He leaned towards her and kissed her, and she kissed him back.
That night, Remus, Hermione, Madam Pomfrey, and Dumbledore were gathered in the hospital wing. Although Harry wished to be there, Dumbledore was afraid that his mere presence might interfere, so he wasn't able to come. Ron kept Harry company, as the two of them completed their homework. Dumbledore gave Hermione and Remus knowing glances. It seemed he knew they were a pair but kept it to himself.
Remus held Hermione's hand as she went through her second therapy session. She was doing exceptionally well, especially considering her dismal previous session. She was able to move all the parts of her body on her own, and even struggled to a sitting position without help. This was all accomplished through thinking of something exciting. Hermione thought of her future with Remus.
"That was quite impressive, Miss Granger! Do you have any idea what contributed to your good performance today?" ask Madam Pomfrey.
"I had a good day today," said Hermione, her face growing hot as she felt Remus staring at her.
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. Madam Pomfrey looked a bit puzzled but didn't comment, merely saying, "Then let's hope for many good days in the future."
With Remus at her side, Hermione knew there would be. By the end of the school year, she'd certainly make a full recovery. Hermione Granger was back.