The Tune Of Time

Chapter 24

Hermione found herself sitting along with Regulus at the breakfast table next morning. She and Remus had spent the previous night lying in the room of requirement. At morning they had sneaked out through the Honeydukes after Hermione had convinced Remus to accept a package of Chocolates from her as his birthday gift. At first, he had been reluctant but after a defeated look and a pout from Hermione he gave in. Back home they were welcomed by Severus who left immediately after a disillusion charm on himself to hide himself. He had some potion ingredients to purchase from Diagon Alley. Hermione had volunteered to get them for him but snape had waved her off saying he could do his work himself. James and Lily were gone for her monthly checkup. Sirius was taking a bath after their morning jog and Remus was currently sleeping. It was the day of the full moon after all. So, when Regulus came to meet Sirius it was just Hermione in the room who was herself there to meet the dog man.

As they sat there quietly passing time, Hermione decided it would be impolite that she didn't say anything to him.

"How are you doing?" She asked in lack of a better topic. She knew Sirius and Remus in her time. She was also acquainted with Severus. She had been staying with James and Lily for two months now. She knew them. But Regulus was different. She had no idea about him.

"Fine. You?" he asked uncomfortably.

"Doesn't it get lonely living all alone?"

"It does. But it is better than sleeping among Death Eaters." She nodded understandingly. "Besides, Sirius visits sometimes." He said. She could not help but notice the sense of regality with which he spoke.

"Why don't you try and contact your cousins." She proposed. "Andromeda and Narcissa. Don't tell them your location but you can surely write to them."

He thought for a while and his eyes gleamed before he composed and gave her a curt nod.

"It sounds acceptable."

"Just be careful. Sirius won't want to lose you again."

Again silence fell.

"I don't think I ever thanked you." He said after a while.

"You don't need to. Sirius did."

"I do. I would have been dead if not for you. My brother would have hated my guts. So, Thank you."

She smiled at him. "I am glad I could help. You are too good a person to lose."

It was an hour after the full moon and Hermione was restless. Lily was sleeping at Flavus Moon for the night since the boys were all out and she couldn't be left alone in her condition. Hermione had given the wolfsbane to Remus along with his lunch. Now she was restless. She couldn't help but wonder if the potion had worked. Had she given him false hope that he won't suffer any more? She was pacing in the living room.

"Don't you have anything else to do?" An irritated voice asked.

"Sev." She jumped at the sound of his voice. From the look of it, he hadn't slept either. "You are awake. Did I wake you?"

"You did." He said and sat down on the couch. Hermione smiled at him. Ever so impolite.

"I am just worried." She admitted to him. "That the wolfsbane won't work."