Hey all, sorry for the minor (by my standards) delay.

Here's a extra long chapter for you.

Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming because they keep me writing!

Chapter Thirteen – If you don't tell him I will.

It was Monday morning and Remus was rudely awakened by his alarm clock at seven. He groaned loudly and put the clock on snooze until he remembered why he had set it in the first place. He was supposed to be meeting Mrs. Tonks at her house in an hour. Remus sat up straight, his heart was racing. He knew Teddy's grandmother wasn't completely sure about him so he had to make a good impression. That meant he could not be late. He took a shower and got dressed quickly, picking out from his wardrobe a smart shirt and black trousers. He took his earring off and tried to tidy his hair which was now almost as unruly as James's had been in their time. He made his way downstairs where he quickly wolfed down some cornflakes and was out of the house at precisely seven thirty.

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The first thing Harry heard when he woke up at seven thirty was the front door close. He was confused at first until he remembered John had a meeting with Mrs. Tonks this morning and he settled back into bed.

He stared up at the ceiling of Sirius's room. He didn't usually sleep here. He felt it right to preserve his godfather's room as best as possible but was something soothing and warm about this bedroom and when Harry felt most alone or annoyed or just plain sad, he slept here.

Harry didn't know quite what negative emotion he was feeling right now. There was a fair bit of anger, a healthy dose of guilt and some apprehension although it was fair to say he was mostly just confused. How could things go from good to bad so quickly? He thought bitterly. Last year had been horrific but with the arrival of Peter and John in the New Year, things had started to look up. He wasn't sure what it was about the travellers that had made him feel happy for the first time in years but they had made the pain of the war seem somehow bearable.

"And now everything's ruined," said Harry aloud. He swore under his breath and sat up in Sirius's bed. Why did Hermione have to go and ruin everything? He thought furiously. He didn't know why he was angrier at Hermione than John. Maybe it was because it was Hermione who usually held the moral high ground; she was the shining example, the smart one, the one who always did the right thing. She was certainly the one who was always telling him what to do. How could she of all people cheat on her boyfriend, who was not just her boyfriend but her best friend and her best friend's best friend? It was insanity.

Maybe she's in love with John, a niggling voice at the back of Harry's mind whispered. Harry ignored him. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true. Hermione loved Ron, plain and simple. After all they'd been through how could she not?

"I have to tell him," Harry said with a sigh. Ron would hate him for it but he would hate him more if Harry didn't tell him and he found out some other way. Hermione and Ron would probably break up for a while but that would be for best Harry decided, they could use the time apart to find themselves and then they would get back to together and everything would be fine again.

Harry nodded to himself. Yes everything would have to be fine again.

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If you don't tell him, I will.

Hermione shuddered when she thought back to what Harry had said last night. She sat up and combed her hair as several million things ran through her head.

I just have to tell him, she thought miserably after a few minutes of this. There was no way she could allow Ron to hear it from Harry.

She tried to imagine Ron's reaction. First they would be a horrified silence, then yelling, and then more silence with a look of hurt, then anguish followed by that heartbreaking look of disappointment Hermione so hated. After which, he'd probably stormed out.

Hermione's eyes filled up with tears as she thought about it. Ron's betrayed face was all she could see in her mind yet she knew how much worse it would be if Harry told him. So she held back her tears, got dressed and made her way downstairs, out of the house and to the burrow.

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James woke up late for work as usual. He quickly got up from bed, took a quick shower and put on his overalls. He stuck a head into Remus's room but his friend was gone which is when James suddenly realised he would be working alone from now on. He sighed wearily. He didn't even understand why he had to work such a lowly job anyway. He was sure Harry could find him something better and he was pretty sure there were places in knock turn alley where he could pay for some authentic looking OWL and NEWT qualifications. Once he had those he could be working in the ministry and maybe in a couple of years he could start auror training again.

James's mind stopped. A couple of years? Did he really think he was going to be here for the long haul? No I have to get back to Lily and the baby and Sirius. And yet James couldn't shrug off the niggling feeling in the back of his head that told him he didn't want to leave the future at all. He felt so guilty but he couldn't deny it. He wanted to stay here with Harry.

"Peter?"

James looked up to see his son walk through his bedroom door.

"Hey Potter," he said casually.

"Hey, have you seen Hermione?"

James shook his head, "But I heard a door close. I think that was John though."

"What time?"

"About half an hour ago," said James checking his watch. It was nearly nine.

"John left around seven thirty," Harry told him, "That must have been Hermione then. I wonder where she's gone."

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Hermione stood outside the Burrow, her hands trembling as she knocked on the door. She took a deep breath as the door opened and smiled sweetly at Molly Weasley.

"Oh, good morning Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley coldly.

"Hello Mrs. Weasley, may I come in?"

"Of course," answered Molly sucking in her mouth slightly as she let Hermione through, "I'll get Ron."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she watched Mrs Weasley ascend upstairs. I'm too late, she thought frantically. Mrs. Weasley's face had said it all. Ron had found out about her and John somehow. He'd told his family and now they hated her almost as much as she hated herself. She walked the length of the Weasley corridor in distress and nearly jumped a mile when Ron put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey mum said you were here," he said calmly as he kissed her softly on the cheek. Hermione stared at him, there no sign of betrayal or anger on his face. He doesn't know! Hermione realised. Then why was Mrs. Weasley so rude to her?

"Hope Mum didn't give you a hard time," Ron said leading Hermione upstairs to his room, "She's still sulking."

"Sulking?" Hermione asked as she sat on Ron's bed.

"Yeah," Ron said. He stood over her and grinned, "I need to tell you something."

"Wait Ron," began Hermione taking a deep breath and composing herself before she dropped her bombshell, "I need to tell you something."

"Can't I go first?" Ron pleaded, "Yours is going to be boring I can tell, you've got that serious face on," he added with smirk.

Hermione bit her lip before giving in. "Fine," she said, "What is it?"

"I brought that flat in Shoreditch!"

"What?"

"Well I didn't buy it of course," Ron said turning slightly red, "but I've paid the deposit and I can start renting it from next month."

"But you only told me about it yesterday."

"I know," Ron admitted sitting beside her, "but I really like it and I mean why not? Like Peter said yesterday, I should just go for it, I'm sick of being miles away from you and Harry and I'm not a kid. I'm almost nineteen; I'm a war veteran for goodness sake I should be out there in the city, living life…with you," he finished breathlessly.

"Ron…"

"Only if you want," Ron added hastily.

Hermione looked away for a moment before turning back to Ron, "Ok."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll move in with you," said Hermione.

"Really? Why?"

"Don't you want me to?"

"O-of course," spluttered Ron, "but you always refuse."

"Well, I'm not refusing now," said Hermione quietly.

Ron stared at his girlfriend for a second before kissing her so ferociously that she nearly fell off the bed.

"Ron!"

"Sorry," cried Ron helping her up, "I'm just so happy, you're really going to move in with me?"

Hermione nodded. "Although I might reconsider seeing this present behaviour."

Ron grinned and kissed Hermione once more, "Blimey, this is so cool. Will your folks be ok about this?"

"Ron, I live with three guys now, I'm sure they'll see this as some sort of improvement. Wait, is this why your mother was acting weirdly?"

"Yeah," said Ron sheepishly, "She thinks my independence is somehow all your fault."

"Maybe we shouldn't move in together then."

"No," insisted Ron, "She'll get over it. She did the same thing with Bill and Charlie, even the twins."

"Well…if you say so."

Ron smiled fondly, "I can't believe you're going live with me," he sighed contently before saying, "Oh yeah, what was it you going to tell me?"

Hermione pretended to look confused.

"You were going to tell me something before," Ron pressed on.

"Was I?" Hermione shrugged, "I've forgotten."

Ron smiled, "Oh ok, never mind then." He kissed her on the forehead.

Hermione smiled both on her face and in her mind, that's right never mind.

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"Tea?"

Remus nodded and watched Andromeda Tonks poured hot green tea into the china cup in front of him. She smiled politely and pushed a plate of chocolate biscuits towards him. He hesitated before taking one and then with a slightly embarrassed smile took another.

Andromeda smiled, "Take as many as you like, I make them myself. My son-in-law used to love them." Andromeda smile faded for a split second before she regained composure and looked up at Remus suddenly, "Now, I think we should go over your responsibilities as Teddy's carer for the next few weeks."

Andromeda stood up and took a long scroll from the cabinet to the right of her. She sat back down, put on her reading glasses and started to read, "As Teddy's main carer while I am at court you will be required to feed, maintain, wash and play with Teddy. You must ensure that Teddy is always well stimulated and content. You will be given a nap schedule which must adhered to and a strict food list from which you will be required to prepare Teddy's food. Do not deviate from this list under any circumstances-"

"What if we run out of food?" interrupted Remus.

Andromeda looked up from her scroll, "We will not run out of food," she replied simply and continued on, "…deviance from the food list includes replacing organic milk with non-organic milk, blueberries with other lesser berries and orange juice with orange drink.

Any area Teddy is in must be thoroughly cleaned beforehand using designated sanitation utensils. Under no circumstances is Teddy allowed to play in the garden without gloves, a sun hat and appropriate clothing. All non-educational toys are forbidden-"

"What about sock puppets?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Teddy likes sock puppets," Remus explained.

Andromeda frowned slightly, "I suppose sock puppets could be used as a learning medium."

Andromeda turned over the scroll and went on, "Along with your in- house duties you will need to accompany Teddy to his various appointments and clubs. These include his weekly swimming lessons, arts and crafts workshops, young wizard development classes and music tuition-"

"But," cut in Remus delicately, "Teddy's only a baby, shouldn't he just be crawling about or something?"

"And waste his precious life?" Andromeda said whipping off her glasses and glaring at Remus, "John, nothing is achieved by crawling around. You have to stand up and grab everything while you can, do you understand that?"

"Er…"

"John, it is imperative if you want to look after Teddy that you understand exactly what is best for him. Do you?"

Remus nodded quickly and Andromeda went back to the scroll but didn't read anymore.

"You can read the rest at home," she decided after a moment's pause handing the scroll to Remus, "Let me show you around the house. You can see Teddy's room," she said gesturing for Remus to follow her out of the living room and into the hallway.

"Where is Teddy?" Remus asked as they walked upstairs.

"At his playgroup," explained Andromeda, "He goes there for two hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It's a muggle establishment but very friendly."

Remus nodded but his eyes were on a moving picture near him at the top of the stairs. It was of a pretty woman with pink hair who waved at him, beside her was a younger looking Andromeda and another rather round man who resembled the girl.

"Is that your daughter and your husband?"

Andromeda turned round and nodded, "Her name is…was Nymphadora and he's Ted just like Teddy," she finished quietly. Remus eye's strayed to another photo but he didn't ask who it was in it. He recognised himself immediately although he could hardly believe that the tired old man in the photo could be him. His face was haggard and he looked fearful as the same pink haired girl from the other photo kissed him on the cheek with a huge smile on her face.

"That was their wedding day," Andromeda said with a slight smile as she followed Remus's gaze, "That's Teddy's father, Remus Lupin."

"He doesn't look very happy," Remus blurted out before he could stop himself. He looked at Andromeda to see if she was angry but her smile was even broader.

"No he doesn't, does he?" she chuckled, "But that was Remus, always scared, always worrying about something or other and yet Dora was never like that, even in the war, even after her dad…well, she just kept smiling…how I miss that smile."

Remus watched Andromeda eyes fill with tears and he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Teddy has her smile," he said softly, "so you don't have to miss it."

Andromeda looked up at him, "Yes, you're right," she whispered, "She's there in him everyday, I can see her. I can feel her." She wiped her tears away and smiled at Remus, "Right; let's continue our tour shall we?"

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James sank into a chair in the living room as soon as he returned from work. He was back early but he was absolutely shattered and his overalls smelt worse than a pile of soiled nappies.

"Ah, hello Pete," said Harry holding his nose as he greeted his friend, "Back already?"

"Yep, explosion," explained James with a weary sigh, "Lots and, lots of egg, everywhere."

"Why don't you go take a shower," Harry said pointedly.

"Too tired to move," James grunted.

"I think you need a better job if you're going to stay here long term," Harry said taking a seat as far away from Peter as possible.

"Get me one then," snapped James.

"Ok," agreed Harry, "Er… what are your skills?"

"Making eggs explode."

"Be serious."

"I am. I think I might have a PhD in it."

Harry rolled his eyes and paused for a moment in thought. "Why don't you tryout for some Quidditch teams?" he said eventually.

James used all the strength he had to sit up, "Really?"

"Yeah, you're definitely good enough," Harry said earnestly, "It is highly competitive but my friend Oliver Wood plays professionally, I'll give him an owl, maybe he can get you a trial."

"Brilliant," James exclaimed. Superstar Quidditch player, he hadn't even done that in his own time, "Nice one Harry."

"No problem, now please go and take a bath."

James grinned and stood up taking his stench with him. Harry smiled and started rummaging around for some scroll paper in order to write to Oliver. He had just acquired some when he heard the front door open and Hermione, laden with half a dozen grocery bags entered the room.

The tension was almost immediate. Harry straightened up and Hermione put her bags down as she stared calmly at her best friend, "Hello."

"Hi," replied Harry, "Have you been shopping all day?"

"No," answered Hermione simply, "I spent the morning with Ron."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" he looked away for a moment before asking, "Did you er… tell him?"

Hermione shook her head and Harry glared at her angrily, "You have to tell him Hermione!"

"I tried to but I couldn't get a word in edgeways today."

"Why not?" asked Harry in disbelief.

Hermione bit her lip, "I j-just couldn't ok?"

"Well then I'll tell him," said Harry, "I'll tell him the next time I see him."

"He's coming round for dinner today," Hermione said solemnly, "So there's your opportunity."

"T-today?" Harry stammered, running his hands through his hair, "Fine. I'll do it today," he declared with a lack of conviction that silently relieved Hermione. He walked past her out of the room but Hermione held him still for a second.

"You'll break his heart," she whispered.

"Do you think I want to do this?" replied Harry softly, "You've left me no choice Hermione."

Hermione let him go and watched as he walked upstairs and then picked up her shopping bags and started preparing dinner.

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Remus hummed happily to himself as he put his key through the hole and opened the door to 12 Grimmauld place. It was six thirty in the evening and he'd been out all day. His meeting with Mrs. Tonks had gone fairly well and now he was looking forward to a nice hot dinner and possibility of spending the evening with Hermione.

Remus sighed as he entered the house and went upstairs to change out of his smart clothes. He thought back to yesterday and the second kiss he had shared with Hermione. Yes it was wrong, he knew that but that didn't mean it hadn't felt good. A smile crept onto Remus's face as he remembered the way she had stroked his cheek. Had he been too hasty giving her an ultimatum? He thought. No, I have to be assertive; I have to go after what I want. Soon I'll be a old unhappy haggard man. This is my only time to live. So what if Ron gets hurt. Isn't it about time I looked out for number one? Plus like Prongs says, he and Hermione have sham relationship. There's no love. I mean there can't be love, can there? Ok, they have that look they give in each other but why would she kiss me if she loved him…?

"Moony?"

"Hmm?" Remus looked up to find James standing over him, "Hey Prongs."

"Hey man, I knew I heard you come in," James said, "Hurry up, dinner is on and erm…Ron's here," he added in a whisper.

Remus frowned, "Ron? Why?"

James shrugged, "And he's happier than a fat kid with cake. Look, Harry told me about last night with Hermione and he says he's going to tell Ron tonight about you two so you might want to mentally prepare for that."

"Harry saw us?"

James grinned, "I knew I couldn't leave you two alone for more than a minute but seriously it's all going to blow up tonight so watch out, I'll fight your corner but you'll have some explaining to do."

Remus groaned, "Cant I just run?"

James scowled, "A marauder, running away? I ought to slap you back to the past. You'll do no such thing. You'll look Ron squarely in the face and say 'yeah I kiss your bird, what of it?' then you'll run for your dear life."

Remus grinned but apprehension was bubbling up inside him. James watched him, "Look Moon, chill. Harry telling Ron is the best thing for everyone, you'll see. When it's all out in the open you and Hermione don't have to sneak about anymore. It' going to be great. Just wait."

Remus didn't reply but smiled encouragingly. He followed James downstairs to the kitchen where as James had described Ron sat with Hermione and Harry looking like he'd just won a million dollars.

"Hello," said Remus politely glancing briefly at Hermione who smiled casually.

"Hey John," replied Ron happily.

"Alright Ron, didn't expect to see you tonight," said Remus sitting down opposite Hermione and Ron and beside Harry. James sat at the end of the table.

"Well, I'm here because I have news to share," Ron explained.

"Oh?"

"What about?" asked Harry taking a forkful of spaghetti.

Ron stood up and Remus glanced at James who shrugged in bemusement.

"The news is," began Ron, "I've brought that flat in Shoreditch!"

"Bravo," James said clapping enthusiastically and nudging Remus to do likewise.

"That's nice Ron," said Harry with a smile, "You'll be closer now."

"Exactly," Ron said, "And Hermione's moving in with me."

Remus choked spectacularly on a meatball. He stood up and rushed to the sink to get a glass of water while Ron thumped his back in aid.

"You ok?" he asked in concern.

Remus nodded and went back to the table where Hermione avoided eye contact with both him and Harry, who without the theatrics looked almost as shocked as Remus.

"Hermione's moving in with you?" James asked in clarification.

Ron nodded with a broad grin, putting his arm around Hermione and kissing her sloppily on the cheek, "It was her idea."

"Oh really?" said Harry conversationally but his eyes were locked on Hermione. Hermione could not avoid his gaze and so looked up with a huge smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, I suggested the idea to Ron," she said cheerfully, "I mean why not? It's ever so crowded here."

"Crowded?" repeated Harry in disbelief, "There are floors to this house we hadn't even been to."

"Well," said Hermione with a tense smile, "I just needed a change Harry, no offence."

"None taken," replied Harry stoically.

"And plus, I think it's time for us," Hermione finished, looking at Ron lovingly. Ron smiled back and kissed tenderly.

"Will you excuse me," Remus said calmly, standing up and leaving the kitchen. James followed him up the stairs.

"Moony," he hissed, "Moony? Moony?"

Remus ignored him and went to his bedroom where James found him sitting silently on his bed. James sat beside him.

"Moony? Aw mate, I'm sorry. I can't believe she moving in with him, it's just a ruse of course…"

Remus stood up angrily, "This isn't a bloody ruse James! She's moving in with him because she loves him and because she doesn't want to be with me! It's as simply as!" Remus ran his fingers through his hair and paced the room fervently, "I can't believe I let you suck me into this! Oh you're too guarded Moony, oh you have to live Moony, this is your chance Moony. Look where it's gotten me! I was better off in my shell. Oh hell, I'm such a fool, I actually thought…oh God, how stupid am I? How did I ever allow myself to think that she could actually…me of all people for goodness sake! Oh Merlin..." Remus sank to the floor in despair with his head in his arms. James watched him for few moments unable to muster anything reasonable to say. Finally, he stood up and sat down beside his friend.

"I'm sorry Remus," he whispered, "I guess this is my fault."

"No," was Remus's muffled reply, "It's mine. I'm sorry." He lifted his head up and James saw his eyes were red, "I just really, really liked her James." His lower lip trembled slightly and he drove his head back into his hands. James put a hand on his shoulder and murmured, "She likes you too Remus, she just has a funny way of showing it."

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Back in the past.

"Aha!"

Sirius woke up with a jolt and rubbed his eyes, "Professor?" he mumbled. Professor Dumbledore smiled from where he sat by his desk with the Egyptian time turner in his hand. It was nearly six hours since Sirius had time travelled and he had fallen asleep in boredom nearly half an hour ago but now he was wide awake and staring at Dumbledore in unreserved hope, "Professor, have you…have you done it?"

"Yes Sirius, I believe I have," Dumbledore replied, "I think I may have worked out exactly where our dear friends are."

"Where?" asked Sirius eagerly standing up.

"Approximately twenty and a half years in the future. They arrived on January the fifteen at one forty seven in the afternoon local time."

"Twenty years?" cried Sirius, sinking into his chair, "Shit, how the hell did that happen?"

"It appears you misread the hieroglyphics Mr. Black," explained Dumbledore. He held up the time turner so Sirius could see, "This middle device here determines the year and I assume that you scrolled this twenty times by accident, a simple but costly mistake."

Sirius squirmed in his chair in embarrassment before looking up, "So now we know what time they're in, we can rescue them. Do you know where they are?"

Dumbledore smile diminished significantly and Sirius sat up expectantly, "You do know whereabouts they are don't you sir?"

"Unfortunately I do."

"Unfortunately," repeated Sirius with a gulp, "Please sir where are they?" he asked desperately, standing up to address his professor.

"Well Mr. Black, I believe they are at your family home."

"12 Grimmauld Place?" cried Sirius frantically, "No, they can't be! NO!"

How was that? It took ages to write.

New chapter soon.

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