A.N. Well...what to say? I really like this one! Anyways hope you do to as always R&R. And I also want you squemish people out there to know that there is a man feeling attractions toward a girl half his age so if that ruffles your feathers don't read!

Disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters used and I am not making any money off this so...meh.

'...'thoughts "..."talking

Screams filled the air as she tried desperately to get away. She prayed someone...anyone would hear her cries for help. Her fingernails dug viciously into the ground as she clawed at any purchase available. She cried out in pain as searing teeth ripped through the flesh of her hip.

Tears coursed down her face as she kicked at her attacker. Its front paw raised itself to swipe at her throat and Hermione gave one last cry for help. As if the powers above had intervened she heard the whistle of an arrow moments before it buried itself in the werewolf's shoulder.

'Footsteps... Oh Merlin... I'm saved.'

Hagrid watched the creature run off into the darkness with a feeling as if his stomach had gone on holiday. He dropped his crossbow and picked Hermione's unconscious form and began to make his way back to the castle.

"What do you mean, you don't know what happened!"

"I told yeh' Ron. It was too dark to see anything. I just shot and it was lucky shot too."

Hermione's eyes shot open and examined the room quickly. Had she not been in a hospital bed she would have laughed. Ron brandishing his fists at Hagrid had him backed up into a corner. While Harry was behind Ron trying to suppress his best friends anger from becoming violent.

With a great deal of thinking she decided to move her arm before it went completely numb. It was currently resting under her left side hip. She lifted herself up as pain exploded from her hip to every nerve in her body and a groan wrenched itself from her throat.

"Hermione." Harry said reaching her bed in four long strides. He took her hand in his.

"Hermione are you alright?"

Ron ran over to her bedside. "Mione what happened?" Memories cascaded over her as an audible gasp left her lips. The claws, the teeth ... 'oh god no! I... I was attacked by a... by a werewolf.'

Lost deep within her thoughts she did not realize she was squeezing Harry's hand.

'What's going to happen to me? Can I stay at Hogwarts? Can I continue with my studies? How will I tell everyone? What am I going to do?'

Harry and Ron's foreboding feelings increased as tears slowly slipped from Hermione's eyes. Through her sobbing they heard her say something. The pressure on her hand increased, "We couldn't hear you 'Mione."

Her sobs continued and she ripped her hand from Harry's rolling over in the bed. "Just go away." she whimpered at the exact moment Madam Pomfrey walked in.

"Out! Out now! The girl said leave, respect her wishes!" she hollered.

"Hermione." Hagrid asked coming over. "I found you out in the woods. You want me to keep it quiet about what attacked yeh'?"

Hermione nodded her head not lifting it from the pillows.

"I'll keep quiet then but we have got ter' tell Dumbledore."

Another nod.

"You want me to go get him?"

A shrug.

"Alright then I'll be back with him soon."

Hagrid turned and walked grimly from the Hospital wing. As he approached the gargoyle it sprung to life jumping back to reveal the Headmaster.

"Dumbledore sir... it's Hermione. Perhaps... perhaps we should speak in private."

"Come inside Hagrid." Dumbledore said, inclining his head and folding his hands as Hagrid walked up the staircase to his office.

Dumbledore seated himself behind his desk and stared intently over it at Hagrid. "Please tell me of young Miss Granger's condition."

"Well yeh see she asked me to keep it real quiet and I plan to mind yeh. But last night she was out in the woods and well I heard somebody scream. So I ran over and sir... She got attacked by a werewolf and she was bitten more than once. She's in the hospital wing now sir. I told her I'd bring you back."

"Then let us depart."

As they walked back to the hospital wing Hagrid couldn't help but break the discomforting silence as Dumbledore lost himself in his thoughts. "It couldn't o' been Professor Lupin could it?"

"I highly doubt it Hagrid but anything is possible."

Hermione was now sitting up and even though her face was red and her eyes bloodshot she was no longer crying. 'I will just have to adjust. It is not the end of the world just because I have Lycanthropy, although life will not be as easy for me. Com'on Hermione get a grip you're a Gryffindor. Show it.'

She resoluted herself to the fact that life would go on and not a second too late because. At that moment the headmaster swept through the Hospital Wing to her bedside.

"Miss Granger, how are you doing on this lovely day?"

Hermione did her best not to glare at the Headmaster, his upbeat attitude was mostly welcome, but at this point in time it was rather not. She subsided for simply glaring at her bed covers instead. "As fine as could be asked in circumstances such as these Headmaster."

A smile lit up the Headmasters face. "So Miss Granger what do you suggest we do 'in this circumstance' as you eloquently put it."

Two Weeks Later

Ron threw himself down by the lake rolling in the grass like a mad man.

"I am free! Free of the finals that ail me! Free to roam my house at eleven thirty in the morning in my pajamas for two blessed months!"

Harry laughed lightly at his antics as Hermione and he settled down by the tree in the shade. When Ron finally finished rolling in the grass he smiled at Harry, however when his face fell on Hermione, that smile faded. "Uh, Earth to 'Mione or sixth year is over. You can't already be studying for our seventh?"

Hermione humphed at him from over her book. "One can never start too soon."

"Oh come on Hermione and what's with reading up on," Harry paused reading the book title from the spine. "Dangerous Beasts?"

Hermione simply glowered at him over the book. Harry forced a smile. Hermione had been very touchy ever since she had gotten out of the hospital wing about a week and a half back. She had grown thin and so had her temper. One never knew when Hermione Granger would blow up nowadays.

They basked in the sun a bit longer until the sun started to go down with Harry lazily tossing rocks into the lake, Ron trying to snort grass, and Hermione's eyes seeming permanently glued to the book. All was quiet around the lake.

"Bloody Hell! Dinner started five minutes ago we're late!" Ron screeched coming to his feet.

"Well one thing's for sure, we can always count on Ron's stomach clock too keep us on time for class and other activities," Hermione said, genuinely smiling for the first time since her visit to the infirmary. Harry seized the opportunity to invite her to dinner since she had taken to retreating to the common room at dinner and not being seen till the next day.

"Yes, quite, it's never been wrong," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Come, Hermione dear," he said in a mock tone of civility. "Shall we join everyone for a night of feasting and laughter?"

Hermione's smile broadened. "That sounds... so nice I think I'll accept your offer."

As Ron bounded up ahead of them bouncing on his heels when he reached too far to pass the time it took for them to catch up. Hermione looked to her left and saw a horseless carriage coming towards the front gates. 'Duh you git,' Hermione scolded herself. 'All the carriages at Hogwarts are horseless.'

"Wonder who that is?" Harry asked leaning over to her ear. "It's probably somebody's parents just coming to pick them up early." Hermione said, throwing her book to Harry and running to catch up with Ron.

Once the trio had disappeared inside the castle to the Great Hall, Remus Lupin stepped out of his carriage. 'Dumbledore asked me for a favor. I do hope it's not for me to teach again next term. I'll never do it.' Remus pondered firmly. 'I wonder what he could need. I however will never turn down an opportunity to see this place again. My home again.'

Hermione giggled as Harry's face nearly burst into flames, Ginny firmly planting herself on his lap. With the seating arrangements Harry's blush was not seen by Ginny who was currently flicking potatoes at her brother.

"Harry, your face," Hermione said, pointing to it.

Harry glared at her trying to rest his hands somewhere that was not on Ginny. Ron laughed and abandoned all wars with his sister to enjoy the look of embarrassment and happiness on his best friends face. Although he knew in no way was Harry going to move her, he had been a love-sick prat for almost a year now. It was a good thing Ginny took matters into her own hands because if she hadn't Harry would have never ever made a move.

'Well I've never seen that look before,' Hermione thought. After about five minutes of searching for a place to put his hands they finally slid into Ginny's. The look on Harry's face was priceless. Hermione wished Colin Creevey were around... Scratch that, she wished she had a camera to capture that look.

She sighed feeling her melancholy mood fall back into place. 'Only a week and a half left till the full moon. I'll have to ask Professor Dumbledore for the wolfsbane potion before I leave. And how am I going to hide from my parents? I suppose I could just lock myself up in my room and pray they don't check up on me. Or I could go out into... somewhere.'

Her thoughts however were interrupted as a cloaked someone walked down the hall towards the staff table.

"Harry," Ron whispered.

Hermione could already see him fingering his wand under the table his hand still clasped with Ginny's and was surprised to find hers in her left hand.

The figure stopped when it reached them. "Honestly Harry, no need to pull out your wand. I would never harm you. Lithe hands reached out and pulled the hood down to revealed the face of Remus Lupin.

Everyone at the table relaxed, Ron shook his hand and Harry smiled. Hermione, however, couldn't have been more formal. "Professor Lupin." She turned and stalked out of the Great Hall. Her honey curls bouncing behind her.

Remus although a bit hurt at her short greeting continued towards the staff table. "Minerva how wonderful to see you. Snape always a pleasure."

Snape curled his upper lip up in response.

"Dumbledore, you said you wanted to see me."

"We should discuss this in private."

And with that the two swept from the hall towards Professor Dumbledore's office.

"I hope I did not inconvenience you by asking you here Remus?" Dumbledore said, seating himself behind his desk after closing and locking the door.

"Of course not. You know I enjoy being here." Remus said. He was already edgy from being summoned here and he was sure Dumbledore was going to ask him to teach again next term. It was the only explanation.

"Would you like something to drink?" Remus smiled declining. "Very well."

Dumbledore leaned forward towards Remus his hands folding over his desk. "The reason I summoned you here Remus was because I need to ask you a favor. One that only you can help with."

'I knew it,' Remus thought. 'He wants me to come back.'

"Two weeks ago or young Hermione was out late at night and had a rather unfortunate accident, and from that accident has contracted Lycanthropy."

Remus blinked at the headmaster the color draining out of his face. "I… I have done this." Remus racked his brain trying to remember his last transformation. He had the wolfsbane, he was sane, how could this have happened?

"You misunderstand me Remus; I do not believe it was you. Just simply fate dealing a cruel hand. However Miss Granger is not taking it in stride. I felt you could help her with her first transformation and possibly the all too familiar feelings of self-hatred."

After Remus' heartbeat settled back down into its normal pace the Headmaster's words sunk in. He had no idea what he could do; he however could not turn down the plea for help. It was not in his character. "If there is anything I can do, I'll be more than willing."

Dumbledore smiled at him. "Good then at the end of the term I will be sending Miss Granger with you.

Remus faintly felt himself nodding. 'What am I doing? How can I help her? I can barely help myself. This was a mistake.' Remus looked up a Dumbledore who was now sweeping from the office.

"I'll go retrieve Miss Granger so you two can talk and she can be notified."

'A mistake I can not get out of.'

"'Mione you just took off at dinner. Why'd you go?" Ron said, sitting next to her. The fire in the common room was putting off an unwelcome heat in the June summer.

"Does it really matter?" Hermione asked irritably, staring over the book at him.

"Yeah, you were happy for a while.'Mione please tell me what's wrong. You're so upset all the time now. I just want the old 'Mione back. 'Mione please, what's wrong?"

Hermione tried desperately to ignore the pang of guilt. She had been cross lately, especially to Harry and Ron, now she felt like a git. They had just taken all her rude comments and nasty insults in hopes of cheering her up.

"Ron you don't want me to tell you."

Ron was pleased to her tone had softened. He was beginning to get through to her. She lowered the book as their eyes met. "Would I have asked if I didn't want to know?"

Hermione fought back the tears desperately trying to get loose. "Ron... I'm so sorry for how I've acted around you and Harry lately. It's just I've been so busy. And with finals coming up, I was just so overwhelmed."

Ron reached over and hugged the crying girl trying to not look as awkward as he felt. He patted her head as she cried on his shoulder. "It's okay Hermione."

Hermione sniffled as she sat up. "I was outside late that night and...and I was attacked and..."

Ron covered her hand with his, "Go on 'Mione. Whatever happened, we'll still be here for you."

"And I... it was a wer... I woke up in the hospital wing the next morning not knowing what happened." Hermione felt her heart wilt. She wanted to tell someone, but shame kept her from revealing how she felt and what she was.

Ron smiled at her. "It's not that bad, could have been worse."

Hermione nodded forcing a smile to her face. "Thank you Ron, you made me feel so much better."

Ron and Hermione jumped as the portrait hole opened. "Ahh, Hermione just the person I was looking for. Do you think you could join me for a midnight stroll?" Dumbledore said, standing in the portrait way. Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion, as she rose to Dumbledore's side and out the portrait hole.

"Why do I think, that was not the truth?" Ron asked the seemingly empty common room. As a flash of color emitted from the boy's staircase.

Harry sat clutching a silver cloak in his hand. "Probably the same reason I do."

"Professor, I don't understand." Hermione said as they stood before the gargoyle to his office.

"Sweets divine." The gargoyle jumped to the side.

Hermione numbly walked the steps to his office fully aware that he had not answered her question yet. She followed his footsteps into the office and stopped in her tracks at what she saw. "Professor Lupin," she stared at the Headmaster.

Dumbledore contentedly stared at Remus. He felt as if a giant spotlight were being turned on him as Hermione turned to face him. "Miss Granger, perhaps... perhaps we should take a walk."

Hermione bit back the retort that she had already had a nice walk thank you and quietly followed Lupin out the door. He was quiet for so long, long enough for Hermione to notice his swirling grey eyes deep in contemplation and his light brown hair as his lithe fingers ran through it. She also noticed that in their parting she had grown to a mere inch below his height and his eyes... 'Good grief why hadn't I noticed his eyes before, they're so beautiful.'

He sighed turning to face her and Hermione restrained herself from moving a stray hair out of his face.

'Get a grip Hermione; this is your ex-professor. He's twice your age, and he sees me a little girl.' She was surprised at the pang of hurt in her chest that statement caused. What did it matter if she was a child in his eyes, she should be.

'But you don't want to be.' Hermione blinked at the revelation and tried to ignore the wretched voice in her head that couldn't be closer to the truth.

"Hermione, I know I am not the best with words but if... well... I know how you feel and Dumbledore wanted me to help you through the first time and all the feelings and such."

Hermione tried to force the blush from her face. 'He means the transformation you git. Get your mind out of the gutter.'

"He wanted you to come to with me until... until you were more confident and comfortable with your... your condition," Remus finished lamely.

Hermione laid her hand on his, smiling into his face hoping that her blush would go unnoticed. "Thank you, Professor Lupin."

Remus chuckled. "I'm hardly your professor anymore so, please call me Remus." He tried to ignore the electricity that shot through his hand as hers touched his. 'She's half my age. I've just been alone so long. It will fade. And why am I blushing, she just smiled. But it's a beautiful smile... definitely been alone too long.'

"Remus, thank you. It means a lot, it really does."

"Anything I can do to help."

Hermione tried to slip soundlessly into the common room. Her plans however were ruined by a large lump at the beginning of the girls' staircase. She fell gracelessly on top of this lump who groaned rolling over.

"'Mione, that you?"

"Ron what are you doing here, you should be in bed."

"I know I just wanted to see if you were alright. Dumbledore doesn't ask for someone to go on midnight walks usually. Just wanted to know if anything had gone wrong?"

"Everything is fine, now go to bed; before someone else comes back late and you get into trouble."

"Night 'Mione."

"G'night Ron."

A.N. I also wanted to let you know that the rating which is currently PG-13 will be changed for rather adult situations later on. Anywyas hope you liked it and if you didn't go read something else. R&R