the_debt_of_time

"I heard noises," Hermione mumbled nervously. "He... He was shouting."
Remus frowned in understanding. "Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione. He normally puts up
Silencing Charms."
"Normally?" Her eyes widened. "This happens often?"
He dipped his head sadly. "He was kept in Azkaban for twelve years. That much
exposure to dementors should have rendered him either completely insane or powerless. I
hate to say it, but he's lucky to walk away with only nightmares and memories. I try to help
when he lets me." He looked back in the bedroom at his best friend and he sighed. "He's
a very stubborn man."
"Harry has nightmares, too," Hermione confessed. "Ron tells me he talks in his
sleep, screams, and cries sometimes. He won't talk about them, least of all to me. So I tell
Ron to take care of him. I wanted to.. ." she began, looking into Sirius's room.
"What is it?"
"I don't like that Sirius is having nightmares. It makes something inside of me hurt."
She brought her hand to her sternum, pressing two fingers just below the hollow of her
throat. "I feel the same way when I know Harry is having nightmares, or if he's in danger."
"So... often?" Remus said, trying to lighten the mood.
"And I feel the same way during the full moon."
His eyes widened in shock at her words.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She covered her mouth, clearly embarrassed. "I don't know why I
said that. I don't know why I feel this way. I just―"
"You have a big heart, Hermione," he said, his chest warming at the thought that
she worried for him. "You have the gift of empathy. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I don't feel the same way about others. Not even Ron."
Remus stilled his expression as he processed her words. It made sense to him. He,
Harry, and Sirius would all eventually share deep magical bonds with her, though none
were sealed or even provoked at this juncture—at least for her. Still, emotions were what
prepared the bonds: the Familial Bond with Harry, the Soul Bond with Sirius, and the Pack
Bond with himself.
"Well.. ." He scratched the back of his neck, trying to come up with a lie to placate
her curiosity for the time being. "I suppose Harry, Sirius, and I should consider ourselves