I've been planning on writing a Hermione/Remus fic for a while now, and the October Event on the Hogwarts forum came up, and I decided to do this pairing.

There will be 31 chapters based around different prompts for this challenge.

I may continue after the 31 chapters, if I haven't finished the story.

Written for Harry Potter Halloween Collection Challenge - October Event. Prompt One: Scream

His Past is Her Future

His Ring

It was torture, that's what she was hearing. That's why someone was screaming.

It took Hermione a long time to think clearly through the pain, and realise that the screams were coming from her own lips. The feel of the curse on her body again, the knife pressing into her skin, carving and cutting. The cackles of the cruel woman who was taking delight in the blood flowing.

Hermione didn't even register the sound of the door opening, or the familiar voice roaring spells in a manner she had never heard from him before.

A body hit the ground, landing on her legs, causing Hermione to cry out once more. Her throat was raw and she attempted to take some calming breaths.

"Hermione," came a voice that calmed her more than her breathing had. The voice that instantly made her feel safe. Her eyes opened, falling on a man touring over her.

"Remus?" she tried to say, but no sound travelled up her throat. She weakly tried to push herself up into a sitting position, Remus quickly reaching out to help her, whilst sending a locking spell at the door he had come in through.

Hermione couldn't stop the tears that ran down her cheeks, as comforting arms carefully wrapped around her, holding her tightly. She knew what to expect when Bellatrix dragged her from the battle, she had survived through it once after all.

She could survive again.

"There isn't much time," Remus began, pulling a ring from his finger and pushing it onto Hermione's left hand. "This ring will protect you. I've been adding spells to it for years, it will keep you safe."

"Why?" she whispered, not able to force out many words.

"Hermione, do you trust me?" Remus asked.

She nodded without a single doubt.

"There was talk of a mission just before Sirius went through the veil," Remus began, a worried glance towards the door. "Me and Sirius fought against it, saying that you were much too young, we couldn't lay that all on a young girl's shoulders."

He sighed, a blood-stained hand running through his hair, leaving hints of blood there. "When we lost Sirius, I fought against it, wanting to wait until there was no choice left at all. But I need you to know, there is always a choice. It's up to you, Hermione. If you choose not to do this, I'll find a way to keep you safe."

"What is it?" she pushed.

"This ring will take you somewhere. When you get there, the ring... as it's mine, it will be recognised. The people that you find there, they will take you in and protect you." He reached into his robes, pulling out a pouch and thrusting it into her hands. He placed his wand on the pouch first, and then the ring, Latin passing his lips, before meeting her gaze. "What I am planning wasn't part of the original plan, it was something me and Sirius decided would be safer for you. There is no Order left to discuss this, only me and you."

His finger ran over the ring on her hand.

"The ring is bound to you, proving that it was willingly given to you. The pouch will only open to your touch. Are you with me so far?"

She weakly nodded.

"There is a way to beat him," Remus continued. "You can stay here if you truly don't want to go, and I will take you and run. I will protect you with my life, though I fear we won't last very long - or you can go now with this ring."

"And you?" Hermione whispered.

"I promise that you'll see me shortly after," Remus replied, a sad smile on his lips. His eyes widened as he looked back at the door. "Hermione, I need to know now what you're going to do." His wand was poised, ready for a fight.

"I'll do the mission, anything to defeat him," Hermione mumbled, pulling herself shakily to her feet, wobbling where she stood, and falling into Remus' arms.

He steadied her, his gaze darting between her and the door, listening carefully. He drew his full attention to her for a moment, his gaze drifting across her face. "Forgive me, I need this, just once," he whispered. Remus dipped his head, letting his lips brush against Hermione's own, before pulling away. His amber eyes met hers. "The password is your full name. When you land, stay where you are and wait for me. I'm sorry to be vague, but you'll have to work everything else out for yourself."

"I will," Hermione whispered, her head spinning from the touch of Remus' lips.

Remus nodded, and he quickly spun around, his wand out. The door burst open, and lights began to fill the room. Hermione fumbled for her wand.

"Go," he ordered. "Hermione, just go!" His body was close to hers, shielding her as he threw curses. A thud, and Hermione peeked out, seeing one of the Death Eaters laying across the floor, face-down.

"Hermione Jean..." her breath caught as Remus hit the ground, and her eyes moved to the Wizard who had taken him down.

"Looks like Dolohov found himself a little prize," the man said with a smirk. His wand pointed in her direction.

She unfroze. "Hermione Jean Grang...er," she said, gasping in pain as a slicing hex hit her straight in the chest. She fell to the ground just as everything began to spin.

Everything went dark, and Hermione wondered if she had unconscious and lost in her thoughts, or if she was on her way to wherever Remus was sending her.

She wondered where she would end up, before she gave in to the darkness.

Review Please :)