To say that Harry had had a bad day was an understatement. So far that day, he had pretty much blown up Snape's classroom, fallen off his broom during Quidditch practice which earned himself a broken arm, and went to detention for damaging Snape's classroom. So he was delighted, as one can imagine, when he opened the letter that was tied to Hedwig's leg when he returned to his dormitory.
Dear Harry, it said.
I am very pleased to inform you that you will be staying with me this summer at Lupin Manor. The house is huge and I know we will have a good time together. Look for me at the train station at the end of term instead of the Dursleys.
Professor Remus Lupin
It made Harry's day. He squealed and said, "Ron, look at this letter!"
Ron took the letter and read it, his eyes widening in surprise. "Lucky! You get to spend the summer with Lupin! And in a huge house." Ron gave the letter back to his best friend. "You're so lucky you get to spend the summer with your crush."
"I do not have a crush on Professor Lupin," Harry hissed.
"Yes you do," Ron disagreed. "Harry and Lupin sitting in a tree. K - I - S - S-"
"Better not let Professor Lupin hear you singing that," Harry pointed out. "I'm going to go show Hermione."
"I wanna come," Ron declared, quickly following Harry out of the boys' dormitory and downstairs to the common room, where Hermione was studying with Ginny for the next Potions test.
"Hermione, look," Harry said excitedly, handing her the letter.
She read the letter while Ginny read over her shoulder and Hermione gasped. "Oh, Harry, you must be so excited," she said. "I'm so happy for you."
Harry blushed.
The next morning was a Saturday, and everyone was going to Hogsmeade. Harry couldn't get Lupin's letter out of his mind. Okay, maybe he did have a crush on Professor Lupin, but he would honestly have been shocked if he was the only one. Lupin was kind, beautiful-
"I'm so excited, you guys," Harry said at breakfast, a huge smile on his face. "I'm so, so, so excited.
"That's good to hear," a familiar voice said from behind him.
Harry almost jumped out of his skin. He turned around to find the man he loved smiling warmly at him. "Professor Lupin!" he gasped, throwing himself into Lupin's arms. Lupin hugged him back tightly. "What are you doing here?" Harry asked when they broke apart."
"I have a meeting with Dumbledore," Lupin informed him, "but that isn't until later. Until then, I get to spend the entire day with you."
Happiness swelled inside Harry and he hugged Lupin again. "Come with us to Hogsmeade," he suggested.
Lupin pulled back and smiled. "That sounds lovely," he agreed.
On the train ride to Hogsmeade, Harry fell asleep with his head on Lupin's shoulder. When they got off the train, Hermione pulled Harry aside, letting Ron and Lupin's walk ahead of them. "Everything alright?" Harry asked Hermione.
"Look, Harry," she said, "I know how you feel about Professor Lupin. Tell him."
"I can't, Hermione," Harry protested. "I can't ruin our friendship with some silly crush that will probably pass over time."
"Harry, you know the worst that could possibly happen is that Professor Lupin will let you down gently," she pointed out.
Harry thought about what Hermione had said. "I'll think about it," he decided.
She smiled at him and they ran to catch up with Lupin and Ron. "Shall we go to The Three Broomsticks?" asled Hermione. "I'm in the mood for a butterbeer."
"Actually, 'Mione, I think Professor Lupin and I need some alone time," Harry said.
"Of course," Hermione said, smiling knowingly at Harry. Good luck, she mouthed.
Harry returned her smile and walked away with Lupin.
AN: My first Harry Potter fic. Let me know what you thought in a review?