Okay, Basically, ignore HBP. It never happened. It doesn't exist! So, just go with this. I started this story, like, three years ago before HBP and I want to continue it as is. I'm not going to make it HBP compliant by having Dumbledore or anything like that. Just have fun with a little half cannon/half AU world here. This is Remus/Hermione.

Chapter One

"Remus, I need your help." Remus Lupin stared into the eyes of the old man facing him. Here was Albus Dumbledore, the greatest sorcerer of all time, the one feared by Voldemort, asking a dried up old werewolf for his help; however paltry it may be.

"Anything, Albus, you know that," Remus replied with a look of pride and confidence. If Dumbledore had to ask for his help, then he would at least exude the air of ability; he would at least pretend he was able to do anything of use for him. Dumbledore's lined face eased into a relaxed but serious demeanour. He stared straight into the eyes of his former student, former professor, colleague in arms, and friend. Compassion ran through his thoughts as he took in the tired, lined face and weary eyes of that man. Life had taken its toll on Lupin. Tears had ran crevasses into Remus' flesh and sorrow had shadowed the light in his eyes.

"Remus, I'm worried. My mind is old and weary, my soul.." he paused as the heavy word sank in the air, "cannot take these torments. Remus, you were there. You saw Voldemort. You know he has returned." Remus nodded affirmative, the heavy meaning of the idea rolling like a ball of pure lead in the pit of his stomach. Dumbledore arose from behind his desk, the dim candles playing across his weathered features. His office had but the dying flame of a single candle lighting his way. His voice dropped to a whisper, a sacred and secretive hush falling on the wizards' shoulders. "Remus, I'm worried about Harry. He is powerful, oh very powerful, but he is..." he paused, rolling his hands around as if searching for what he couldn't communicate. "He is far too noble for his own good. He thinks he can save everyone. The weight, Remus, the weight of this idea will crush him before the end. He has already seen that it isn't possible to save everyone. Cedric, Sirius..." The old man stopped. He saw the hurt flash alive in the tired werewolf's eyes. "I need someone to watch after Harry. And not just Harry, but Ron and Hermione as well. They have lived the life of an adult since First Year, fighting against full grown wizards for years, Remus. Harry's noble cause of saving the world will bring them down, Remus, down to the pit of earthly hell." Remus watched emotion fly across the features of his mentor.

"Do you want me to teach again, Albus?" he questioned. Albus stared up, ripping his eyes off his own hands. He looked deep into Remus' eyes and Remus thought Albus was reading his soul. Albus turned to face the dying candle. His eyes honed in on the centre of the fire.

"I want you to be a student again." Remus looked unbelieving at Albus. How could he be a student again? He was nearly 40 years old. His mind raced through every magical method known to cause youth. Albus picked up on his racing thoughts. "I've thought this all through. We can't use a Polyjuice potion. After Fourth Year, a student drinking something every hour on the hour…well, Harry or Hermione would pick up on it and hex you into tomorrow. You wouldn't even make into the first day of lessons. " At this the old man let out a chuckle. He took great pride in the intelligence of his prized students. "Can't use a youth potion, because again, one of them would pick up on it. Can't use any type of time travel. That would just take you back into a different time, not change your appearance to that of another time. I could try an age spell, but that would be a bit transparent. Hermione is a wee bit too smart not to see right through an age spell; they are a bit apparent. She could probably break it. We have to do something undetectable, a little sneaky if you will." During his ramblings on the subject, Remus sat dumbfounded; he had to go back to school.

"Yes, yes... I have just the thing that will do the trick." Dumbledore was shifting about the room with his fingers twitching in excitement. Remus stretched his neck around to see what Dumbledore had pulled from the box. The old man turned around, displaying a brilliant golden ring with blood red garnets shining with a light of its own. "Godric Gryffindor's own ring, worn throughout his reign as Headmaster of the House of Gryffindor. Left as a legacy to his house, just as the other founders did. Usually only heads of house get to wear the Founder's Rings, but Minerva never was one for jewellery. You see, Remus, I have enchanted this little bauble to make your age regress. As long as this ring is on your finger, you will look, feel and pass as a sixteen year old boy."

"But, Albus..." Remus protested. Remus didn't necessarily reject the idea of being sixteen again, he rejected school. This meant he had to go back to the dormitories.

"You will look precisely as you did back in the day, of course. I can't change your genetic makeup," the old man stopped to chuckle again. "But, you will remember the past forty years of your life. You will be fully aware that you have prior knowledge of the kids. You will remember everything. Be careful, Remus; our Hermione really is the cleverest witch of her age." He stared at Remus to see the effect his words and actions had caused in the old werewolf.

"But, Professor, what about my...condition?" he attempted to put it lightly.

"The fact that you're a werewolf will not change. As I said, I can't alter your DNA. However, if they should ask, remember yourself. Both figuratively and literally. If they should ask, Remus, use your own plight as the example. Say exactly how I let you in and how you are under the same conditions. Severus will continue to make your Wolfsbane potion to calm your urgings. If I know my students, Harry, Hermione and Ron should be the best place for you to be." And the aged wizard left it at that. "Now," he continued, "you need a new name. I can't very well have a Remus Lupin fall back onto my roster."

" Romulus. Romulus Drigery," he finished. Albus wrote down the new name and stared lovingly into the eyes of his new 'student'. "But, Albus. You haven't told me what I'm supposed to do."

"Do I have to spell it out to you?" Albus winked his aged eye and bade Remus a goodnight's rest. "A trunk, robes, books and parchment are waiting at the foot of your bed. Look for the RD on the front."

"But, Albus.." Remus protested as the professor pushed him out the door.

"Goodnight, Romulus. And it would do you good to call me Professor Dumbledore from now on. Our Miss Granger will see right through you." Dumbledore so much as slammed the door in Remus' still questioning face. Remus knew he had to put the ring on. He had no choice. Remus slipped the ring onto his finger.

It felt like the world had spun out of control. His skin drew back against the bones in his face and flesh filled the ridges left by age. He saw the room appear to become larger. He knew he was shrinking to the height he was at sixteen. His hands no longer ached from the years of torture his ailment afflicted on the digits. His ragged and dirty fingernails re-grew strong and straight. He felt the blood in his veins run in new vigour, with all the robust spice of youth. He felt more alive then he ever had. He felt like he could run miles and never weary. He felt the colour flood into his skin and his cheeks blushed with youthful radiance. His moustache fell out whisker by whisker onto the floor and remembered he could never grow one as a schoolboy. The world stopped revolving and he could breathe with a new carelessness. Could the ring bring back his attitude as well as his youth? He stepped forward, noticing the strength in his legs and the tightness of the muscles. He felt alive again, as if no pieces of him were missing. He shook himself, his canine ways peering through, and took off to face Moony's new adventure. "Well, this is sure to be one for the books", he remarked silently to himself.

So very sorry for any format issues. I don't know HTML and I tried my best. So, please review. Reviews give me a reason to write.