AN: Just a little one-shot that popped into my head and I had to write down. I hope you enjoy it.I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.
„Hermione, have you got a minute," Remus asked.
She nodded , hoping he wouldn't notice that her heart was about to burst out of her chest any minute now, due to it beating so wildly. Hermione followed her workmate into his office, half treading half hoping what was about to come. They had been working together for six months now. A year ago she developed a new twist on the Wolfsbane potion, which would help werewolves to live an even more normal life. She was now working together with Remus Lupin, to find a way to make this new potion known among the werewolves and at the same time loosening up the laws on werevolves.
Hermione and Remus hadn't seen each other very often, after the war had ended. Both were occupied with their lives. While Hermione was apprenticing to become a Potion Mistress, Remus was working for the Ministry and was married to Tonks and had two children with her.
"Can I ask you something?" Remus asked quietly.
Hermione nodded again.
"I might be wrong and then I'm really embarrassed. But am I wrong or do you have a crush on me?"
Hermione blushed and looked at her shoes.
"I thought so," Remus said softly, "You know I'm married and so you are."
"I know. It's not that I chose to fancy you … It … It just happened."
"What about Ron?" he asked.
"I still love him," Hermione mumbled.
Her thoughts wandered back to her husband. She did love him dearly. He was a caring and loving man and had definitely been growing up since the final battle. After losing his brother in the fight Ron changed. He lost his carefree nature and became very devoted in helping George find back to life after this devastating loss. Working first as an auror, where his suppressed anger from the war and its aftermath helped him to focus and excel at his work. But seeing George struggle with depression and alcohol he started more and more helping out at the joke shop until he quit being an auror and started working at the store completely. It turned out he really enjoyed working for George and it helped the lonely twin to have somebody to look out for him.
Hermione who had always admired Ron's way to be as young and carefree as he used to be, a thing she never managed but secretly enjoyed in others, was amazed how war had changed him. He still had his carefree moments and didn't take everything too seriously normally, but she knew that sometimes that was only a show for others.
After the war Ron and her had grown closer and closer and ended up married. She never regretted marrying Ron and they were happy with their two kids, but somehow over the last couple of weeks she had developed this small crush on Remus. He seemed to be different to Ron, despite the fact that they were both loving and caring people. But the older wizard had this exciting bad boy image, always away with other werewolves, but doing it in the ministry's name. His dangerous and exciting job mixed with his caring personality and his love for books, Ron never shared, made him very attractive to Hermione. And although she knew he was happily married to Tonks she couldn't help fancying him a bit. Wondering what it would feel like to kiss him …
She had never said a word about it and tried to hide it, knowing what a mess it would be. But obviously she didn't make a good job about it.
"I think I have to go," Hermione whispered feeling embarrassed and humiliated knowing now, Remus would never feel the same way she did, which made her feel a little bit relieved as well.
She turned around and was about to leave when he caught her wrist so she had to turn back again.
"Please don't go like this Hermione. I'm sorry I don't feel the same way. You know I love Tonks dearly and came to care for you over the last couple of weeks a great deal. You are intelligent and beautiful woman, so I don't let myself think about you in any other way than a friend or colleague. But I don't want to risk my marriage over …"
"So you do like me," Hermione asked cutting across him.
"Yes I like you, but not in the same way, I'm sorry," Remus replied.
A stray tear escaped Hermione's eyes and ran down her cheek.
"I feel so humiliated," Hermione mumbled. Remus stepped closer and brushed away her tear.
"Don't touch me," Hermione said weakly, causing the werewolf to flinch and take his hand of her cheek like he had burnt himself.
"I have to go. I'll let you know how to proceed next with the outcome of my trial runs with the potion. I'd rather do our meetings via correspondence in the future. Bye Remus," she gravely said and turned around to leave the room.
Remus stood there with slumped shoulders knowing he just lost one of his friends.
Hermione turned around again, a pleading expression on her face, "Don't tell Tonks."
"I won't."