The Tune Of Time

Chapter 10

Remus spent the next few weeks in pure bliss. He was content to be with his friends. The full moon was gone for the month and he could be free for a few weeks. And he had his witch with him.

His witch. The wolf inside him hummed in appreciation of his thought.

As the days passed, Remus found that Hermione had become a important part of his life in the small time she was there. He often found himself wondering what would have happened if she had popped into some other place rather than their cottage that night. It was difficult for him to think of anything now which didn't involved her. A large part of it was owing to the fact that the last full moon was the least painful he had ever had and he had left with just a few scratches on his stomach which weren't that bad. Even Prongs and Padfoot were happy to find Moony happy and not angry. There was no reason for Remus to not be happy.

On the third sunday afternoon of February, the cottage hosted another Order meeting. By now , Hermione was acquainted with everyone. She had spend quiet a lot of time with the women , and she had seen the men on more than one occasion when they would drop at Lunarville for information or when she visited the other women.

She watched Dumbledore walking inside the room with Minerva by his side as both of them took their places on the now larger dinner table which had been transfigured to hold more people. The meeting started with the muggle killing issue.

"The muggles are dying in huge numbers everyday. Their news person are questioning the death as super natural. No wound , no sign of any ailment and people dead with nothing wrong in their anatomy. If the death Eaters continue this way , Statue of Secrecy will be jeopardized." Hestia Jones said.

"It isn't possible to keep an eye on every pureblood in the Wizarding world. We have no idea who has turned to the dark lord and who has not." Moody scoffed.

"I have heard, they are recruiting HalfBlood's and Half breeds as well." Fabian commented.

"What better can be expected of the Dark creatures." Fenwick said and Hermione could feel Remus wincing beside him.

Remus knew what was coming. Benjy was one of those few of the Order who knew about his status as a Werewolf and despised him. It was a usual thing for him to pass comments on his lycanthropy and he was very good at ignoring him. But Today, Hermione was here. She was a very smart witch. The brightest person he had ever met. He knew she would figure it out if he said too much. He could feel a hand on his arm and looked up to see James looking at Benjy with a grimace on his face. He knew this was where James or Sirius would start a fight with him but before any of them had an opportunity , another voice said,

"Excuse me?" She said standing up on her seat. "Who did you just called Dark creatures?" Her anger was evident in her voice.

Remus wondered if she understood his jab and was angry for being beside him. He saw both Sirius and James looking open mouthed at her and he closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to see the rejection and disgust in her eyes.

"Half-breeds." Benjy said matter of factly , folding his hands behind his head.

"And you!" Her voice was cold and insulting now. He thought she was talking to him. "You let him speak like that. You let him pass on with a comment like that? Where do you think it will take us." Remus opened his eyes to look at her, it was clear to him by now that she wasn't talking to him and he wanted to know who she was shouting at. It was surprising to see her glaring at Dumbledore. How did she get angry at Dumbledore?

"Right now , Voldemort wants to get rid of Muggleborn" everyone shuddered at the name, if she saw it she ignored it, "Then another dark lord will rise fed by the beliefs of people like him" she pointed at Benjy " who would want to get rid of half veelas, werewolves, vampires and half giants. And you know whose fault will it be Dumbledore?"

There was a ubiquitous silence before she started again , "It will be your. And all of you. Those who stand in power and let people like him speak such things. You are the self proclaimed leader of the Light, the Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump, what have you done with this power? Ever tried making things easier for those looked down by the society. And I am not talking the ones whom you have kept under your wings to use as spy. I am talking about a community here."

Remus was shocked. he always thought Dumbledore to be kind but hadn't he asked him to spy on the werewolves. he had also asked Hagrid to get in along with the giants so that he could convince them to join the war from their side. Had Dumbledore really kept him so that he could be used when time comes? No, he won't believe that. Dumbledore had been kind enough to offer him a place in Hogwarts when even his parents feared him. He made arrangements for every full moon and kept the secret well hidden. So what, if he asks a favor in exchange of it.

"You should not speak with 'im that way lass." Moody warned. Though Remus almost ignored him, he was surprised by the witch who was speaking that way to the wizard who was feared by Voldemort himself.

"I am not scared of anyone Moody, you must know that." She taunted. "And I will stand not stand by and allow anyone to insult my friend."

Remus choked. His lungs suddenly felt too week to breathe in. He looked at his friends who were looking at the witch in awe. Benjy who had been quiet during her rant.

"Your friend.?" He asked surprised. Remus himself was shocked. She knew? And she called him friend?

"Yes friend. I was taught by a werewolf and I have seen him transform more than once." People around the table gasped though for Sirius, James and Lily it was like Christmas had come early. Remus was unsure of how to feel. "And despite his absence from the society once a month because of his small problem, he was the most kind , intelligent, loving and caring person I have ever known." Remus couldn't help but notice the high regard that she held the spoken werewolf in. He must be a great person for her to know him and not be disgusted by him. Moony growled inside him in jealousy. His witch was praising another werewolf , just because the human won't tell her!

"I apologize Hermione." Dumbledore said , his eyes twinkling. " You are indeed correct in your anger. People who hold the power to bring a change and still don't are more at fault than those who don't. I am an old man and my burdens prevent me to see new things. After all I am a century old and you can forgive a wizard for his tedious ways. I often fail to see the fault in my way. I must thank you for showing this old man the right path." Then he cleared his throat and turned to the order, "There will be no prejudices in this order, Benjy, is that clear."

"Crystal." He said looking angrily at the witch.

"So, I have been informed that the Death Eaters are holding three muggleborn children hostage. However I am uncertain of the place of their captivity. The only intel is that the death eater which was being followed disappeared in Borgin and Brukes."

"They must be in some top security prison if the death eaters risked being seen for it."

"Malfoy Manor." Hermione said.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Malfoy Manor has prison cells in its basement. They can be there." Hermione knew that the other manor too can be the prison but she had heard that Malfoy was in high regard with death eaters in the first war.

"We will look into it." Dumbledore said.

When everyone had left, Sirius leaned down on the table so that he was inches away from Hermione. "So.." Remus didn't like him that close to her but he knew that Sirius had no sense of personal space and if Hermione liked him , he wouldn't come in between them. He knew they spend time together and Sirius was famous for his ladies charm.

"werewolf teacher, huh?"

A/N: Thanks for reading.
Do you guys want Remus to leave for the werewolf spying mission?