Author's Note: I'm sorry it took so long to get this up. This is another chapter that has nothing directly to do with Harry, but this chapter will make more sense later on. Enjoy!
Chapter 7 - Condolences
Several hours later, back at Hogwarts, Hermione jerked awake. She glanced around her and frowned, trying to remember where she was. Then she remembered she was no longer at 12 Grimmauld Place, she was in the Hospital Wing at the school. She sighed as her eyes reajusted to the darkness.
Hermione froze as she heard a rustling sound. She reached for, and found her wand on the side table next to her bed. "Lumos" she muttered. She slowly climbed out of bed and walked silently towards the sound. It didn't take her long to find the source of the sounds either, sighing in relief she muttered, "Nox" to extingush her wand lite.
"How are you feeling Remus?" She asked as she approached the bed of her former teacher, who was also awake.
Remus looked over at her with a look that clearly said he didn't realize she had approached. "Oh, fine. I bit sore, but as you know, I've been worse." he said with a wry smile. "And how are you doing, Hermione?"
Hermione sighed, "Worried."
Remus nodded in agreement, "I suppose that would be why you aren't still asleep?"
Hermione smiled, "Yeah, I suppose so...I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I would have not been so stubborn..."
Remus shook his head and said, "I don't think it would have been any different, Hermione. Who ever wanted Harry, would have still hexed us inorder to get Harry alone."
"Do you think that is why they hexed us? Because they didn't want us to listen to what they wanted to say?"
"That is as possible as anything else at this time." Remus said grimly.
Hermione flopped down on a chair that was next to Remus's bed and sighed heavily. "Is there anything we can do?"
"I don't know, Hermione. I don't see how anything we do can help, especially if it was a Death Eater who took Harry. Not that we know for sure it was a Death Eater," he added at Hermione's stricken look. "And don't think you're the only one feeling guilty at the moment," he said quietly.
Hermione frowned, "You don't feel guilty, do you, Remus?"
"I do," Remus said. "Sirius and I were talking about a week before he--before he died, and he made me promise that if anything should happen to him, I would do everything in my power to take care of Harry," he paused and looked at Hermione, "and I was too busy taking care of old grudges, to pay attention to him. If it weren't for you, Harry probably would have lost the last real tie he has to his parents. And you know, Harry never knew his parents, but he loves Lily and James all the same, he only had his godfather for just a little over two years before he lost him, and he loves Sirius all the same. Now I'm the only one left, and I think Harry sees me more as his teacher than anything else. I feel failing Lily, James, and Sirius is inevitable."
Hermione shook her head, "No, Remus, Harry knows you care about him as much as Sirius did. Harry would have been just as devistated if he would have lost you today as he was when he lost Sirius last June. You have been more of a confidant to him these past few months than Ron and I could ever hope to be. You both suffered and that brought you two closer. I honestly think that, Harry loves you, and the only way that you can truly fail him is to give up on him."
Remus studied her for a moment then chuckled softly. "You are certianly the brightest witch of your age, Hermione. And as I'm slowly beginning to realize you're intelligance spands far beyond your studies." He said shaking his head. "Yes, you're probably right though." He smiled as Hermione tried to stifle a yawn, "We can't do any thing for Harry right now, expecially not in our conditions, so why don't you go get some sleep."
Hermione started to protest but was interupted by another yawn. She sighed and nodded, "Alright, Good night, Remus" She said as she retreated back towards her bed.
"Good night, Hermione" Remus whispered as he let his gaze drift back to the window and to the waxing moon.
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