A Second Channe Through Time

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Page count: 15

Unknown Location – Wednesday 13th January 1982

"How is progress coming with the Horcruxes?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well," Hermione replied simply.

"Care to elaborate?" Moody snapped.

Remus sighed dramatically, eyes softening with exaggerated fondness.
"You know, Alastor... that was a rather impressive word choice. I've never realised you were so clever."

He reached out and patted Moody's shoulder.

Moody growled and slapped his hand away so hard that Remus' entire arm shook.

"Right back at ya," Remus winked.

It was over.

Hermione, James, and Sirius were gone — shoulders shaking, faces red, tears streaming from silent laughter.
Around the table, even the most stoic members were breaking. McGonagall had gone scarlet from restraining herself. Kingsley hid snorts behind suspicious coughing. Fabian and Gideon were openly cackling. Even Snape let out a few unwilling, betrayed snorts.

Such was Remus' punishment for losing the bet:

He had to flirt outrageously with Moody for the entire Order meeting.

It was glorious.

"The Horcruxes, Granger," Moody roared, magical eye spinning wildly.

"Oh, do that again," Remus purred, voice dripping like honey. "It's so arousing."

Hermione choked — loudly — and collapsed into full-bodied laughter. James folded over the table, howling, and Sirius actually slid off his chair and hit the floor.

"OUT!" Dumbledore thundered. "All three of you — out! Do not return until you have composed yourselves."

The trio stumbled into the hallway, barely making it before collapsing again. Hermione slid down the wall with a pained wheeze.

"It hurts," she gasped through uncontrollable laughter, clutching her ribs. Both Marauders groaned in agreement.

It took several minutes before the worst of it passed, and they could breathe again.

"Alright... let's try again," Hermione said, wiping her face and reaching for the door.

She opened it — and froze.

Remus was draped across Moody like a swooning heroine, head tilted, eyes fluttering, hand "accidentally" brushing Moody's arm.
Moody looked like he was deciding whether to hex him, kill him, or leap out a window.

Hermione turned around and immediately walked back out.

When she finally returned — calm, silent, and serious — Remus had been forcibly relocated by Dumbledore. He now sat between James and Sirius, still tossing Moody slow, sultry winks. Moody growled every time.

"The Horcruxes," Moody barked, vibrating with fury.

"Alright, alright, don't get your knickers in a twist," Hermione said.

"I'll untwist them," Remus murmured, hand lifting invitingly.

Hermione snorted before she could stop herself.

She straightened. "There are four Horcruxes remaining. I've already destroyed Hufflepuff's Cup and Ravenclaw's Diadem. I also destroyed the vanishing cabinet and the dormant basilisk as precautions. Sirius and I will be retrieving Slytherin's locket within the next couple of weeks."