a dance with destiny

xvii

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the order these words are in, everything else belongs to JKR. 

December 27, 1977

Hogwarts ~ The Library, 3:00 pm

3rd Person POV:

Taking a deep breath, Hermione massaged her temples, desperately trying to think of a good closing for her Charms essay. Finally coming up with one, she scribbled it down. Sitting back and blowing a stray curl out of her face, she sighed, and when Remus raised his eyebrows in amusement, she said, "I hate writing conclusions."

He nodded slowly, before grinning and lightly elbowing her, "What, are you not good at it?"

Putting on her best offended face, she mock-gasped, "How dare you! I'm good at everything I do."

Unable to keep the snooty look on her face for long, both Hermione and Remus collapsed into laughter. A few more hours passed, and the two Gryffindors quizzed each other on various subjects. "Are you going back to the common room now?" Remus asked.

"No, I think I'm going to take a walk. Just around the castle."

"Alright. Do you want me to go with you?"

She shook her head, smiling a little, "No, thank you. I just need some time to think."

"Okay," the lycan paused for a moment, unsure of what to say, "would you like me to take your bag back to the common room?"

"Thank you, but I've got it. It's already got a permanent feather-light charm on it, anyway." She grinned at him.

He nodded, and she pulled him into a light hug before leaving. As Hermione walked out of the library, he called out in a stage whisper, "Will you meet us in the Great Hall for dinner?"

She turned around and nodded dramatically, "Wouldn't miss it for the world." They left the library giggling like second years, as Madam Pince yelled at them to be quiet.

Hermione hadn't been lying, like Remus had somewhat suspected, she really was only planning on going for a walk, before heading back to the common room.

However, her plans were foiled when she was suddenly pulled into an empty classroom. Hermione tried to scream, but a hand covered her mouth, so, instead, she scratched at the man's arms.

She felt the blood run, and managed to pull herself out of his arms, pulling her wand out and spinning around.

"Fuck!"

"Oh my god! Regulus!" Her eyes widened in shock, and she lowered her wand.

"What was that for? You're bloody crazy!" He cried, clutching his wounded arm.

"I'm sorry Regulus! But you shouldn't sneak up on people like that! You scared me!"

"Well, it was the only way to talk to you."

She looked at him like he was the crazy one. "Regulus. You could have just written me in the journal I gave you for Christmas. And, anyway, there's barely anyone around, you could have just approached me normally."

He looked a little sheepish, "Oh. Right. Well, um, I'll remember that next time."

Hermione shook her head in amusement, walking towards him and gently taking his arm. When he looked at her in confusion, she said, "Let me heal it."

He nodded and she waved her wand, scourgifying the excess blood. She waved it again and the pair watched silently as the skin weaved itself back together. It didn't leave a scar.