Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize is mine. It belongs to the most amazing JK Rowling or an awfully long list of people... (and what you do not recognize is mine, such as the MOSSes -Ministry Officers of State Security). If you like it, review and feed my soul. And since we don't need to hurt each other, if you don't like it, don't tell me! Flamers will be adopted by my family (if you don't believe it's a threat... too bad for you!).

I really would like to thank my editor! Without her my grammar goes down the drain... She's saving me and takes care of the coherence of the plot bunnies; she's the amazing and brilliant SilentG [.?userid=197488] The remaining mistakes are all mine, and I apologize for those.

Warning

This fic *is* about Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin.

This is pure angst.

If that does not suit you...

Hit the backbutton immediately! (And I'm not kidding)

Fronti nulla fides

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

'I still don't get it,' Remus whispers.

Anger seizes Draco's heart and he yells, 'What is it that you don't get ? That the most brilliant and powerful witch in over a century is so madly in love with you? So much so that the last years of her life have been a nightmare for her as I helped her prepare to trap you? All so she could cure you and give you a family?'

Harry is trembling. He doesn't know everything of what Hermione and Draco did after passing their NEWTs, but he knows that his friend might be dying and that she needs the man she loves by her side.

Draco goes on, 'After promising Weasley I would take care of her, I couldn't let her die. I understood that the prospect of having Voldemort's child disgusted her. I told her that if she aborted it, I could teach her how to be a dominant so that she could force you to say the spell. The plan was that when she became pregnant, thus totally free of Voldemort's curse, she would tell you what she had done for you. I became her servant, showing her how one can control a man, helping her to control the casting of the Gravidus. It took time and was extremely painful for her because she wasn't in the least inclined that way and the idea of causing you pain disgusted her. I lived to serve her... I live to serve her.'

'So you screwed her!'

'No! I never did! I taught her how she could infuriate you enough so you'd want to hurt her. When we met in the club, I wasn't sure she would be strong enough... She loves you so much... And now she needs you! Without you by her side, Voldemort's curse had some unexpected side effects, as if the bastard was trying to get some revenge on her from the grave...'

Remus is on the verge of an information overload.

Before Hermione there had been nobody in his bed, and after she had cured him he had tried to make love with women, but his heart wasn't in it.

'Remus... She needs you. Now... Severus and Poppy won't be enough. Don't let Voldemort win, please,' Harry begs.

Remus finally reacts, 'I'm still too lost, but I will go and see her.'

As he's about to Disapparate, Harry stops him and says, 'I've left the Floo open in Severus's quarters.'

'That's both illegal and stupid,' Remus answers.

'Honestly, I don't give a damn! Hermione needs you as fast as possible and I'd go to Azkaban to give her that!' Harry barks, angry with life, with Voldemort, with the Universe... The look in Severus's eyes when he left chilled his soul: he had never, ever, seen his lover so lost and afraid.

The three wizards Floo into Hogwarts and run to the Hospital Wing.

Harry is the first to see his lover outside the Infirmary, sitting on a bench, his face in his hands. Harry can spot the spasms and he runs faster.

When he hears them, Severus stands up.

'I couldn't stay inside... Poppy is with her, singing lullabies to the baby... I don't know how she finds the strength not to break down in front of Hermione,' Severus says.

'Is she... ?' Harry asks.

'She isn't...' Draco whispers.

'Not yet...' Severus tells the younger wizards, then he turns towards Remus and declares, 'This is the real end of the War, my friend... Hermione has given you a son. I think she's waiting for you to come in and promise that you'll take care of the child...'

As Remus is about to walk into the hospital, Severus grabs his arm and, tears rolling down freely, he says, 'She's dying. If you don't want the child, Harry and I will adopt him... Don't let Voldemort take that from her as well, grant her a quiet and peaceful death; lie to her if you must.'

'There's nothing that can be...' Remus starts, and Severus shakes his head.

As soon as Remus has closed the door behind him, Harry collapses in his companion's arms; both are crying. Draco sinks on the floor, feeling that he has failed in keeping his word.

Inside the hospital, Remus feels like he's walking in a dream or a nightmare. He follows the voice he can hear singing.

In a huge bed, the frail Hermione is paler than a ghost, but the baby on her chest looks healthy. Poppy Pomfrey is sitting on the side of the bed. She sees Remus, but doesn't stop singing before he sits down.

Hermione opens her eyes and some life comes back in the mirrors of her soul. Poppy leaves them alone: it's a good thing Remus came because the potion she had taken not to fall apart is beginning to wear off an she needs a new dose; in a few minutes, the father will need her in his turn when the young witch is gone.

'You came,' Hermione whispers.

'I'm sorry for this mess,' he answers.

'It's my fault... but I couldn't have given you the family I do know you want if I had not done all that.'

'It's not your fault. It's Voldemort's... And now, I'm here, with you... We have time,' he lies, barely able to control his emotions.

'There's no need to lie, Remus, I do know I'm dying. I can feel it. Besides, they all went away: if there was hope, they would be here with us... There's no time to waste. Will you love our son ? He's the part of me that will stay with you... Will you love him, for me... for us ?' she whispers.

Remus nods, unable to speak.

'Promise...'

'On my name,' he manages to articulate.

She takes his hand and for the first time in years, she smiles.

She sighs and closes her eyes.

The baby starts crying and so does his father.

Finis

A/N: I warned you it was angst... Now... If you send hitwizards I won't be able to write other fics...