The sweltering summer heat was too much for Hermione. Hogwarts never got this warm, even in the late summer when classes had barely started, and in her parents house, there was air-conditioning. Grimmauld Place had no such modern luxury, although you might think a house full of excellent wizards might have come up with a better solution than enchanted fans just blowing the warm air around.
Finally, she gave up her hopes of sleeing and walked down the stairs to the kitchen to have a glass of water. Reaching the kitchen counter, she didn't notice Professor Lupin sitting in the corner, having just come home from his monthly week away. She let the water run to get as cold as possible, and simultaniously kept her hands in the stream to cool off.
Remus, however, had noticed Hermione the moment she stepped inside the kitchen. The young witch was scarcely dressed in a thin, grey tank top and white cotton panties. He didn't want to say anything, but he also didn't want her noticing him sitting in the corner watching her. He set down his glass of scotch firmly enough that the sound caught Hermiones attention.
"Oh, Professor Lupin, I didn't see you. When did you get back?" Hermione asked.
"A little while ago." Remus answered, not looking her in the eyes. "Well... I'll see you in the morning." He said hastily, grabbing his glass and getting up from the chair. He gave her a hesitant smile beforre walking quite quickly to the kitchens side door.
Hermione, knowing that that particular door leads nowhere but to the study – which has no other exit – was confused by her professors hurried exit. She quietly followed him into the study only to find him in another chair by the studies dirty window, the glass of scotch now empty.
"Is everything alright, professor?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, it's fine, Hermione. I'm fine." Remus said and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I can tell you're not being truthful, you had that look all through third year when no one knew about your condition." Hermione said and walked over to the arm chair and sat on the footstool in front of it.
"Was it something that happened during the full moon? If you're uncomfortable sharing, I understand, but you need to know that people are here for you and..." Remus tuned her talking out, watching her pick at her fingernails in a nervous way. She was getting a bit flushed, he could see her cheeks turning pink and his gaze rested on her lips, quietly articulating something – exactly what, he wasn't sure of.
"Professor, are you listening? If you don't want to accept my help, that's fine, but it's quite rude to just-" Remus couldn't help himself, Hermiones annoyance made her hazel eyes sparkle and her pink lips moved in a rapid pace that could only suggest she was about to start ranting, and he had to taste them.
Leaning forward, he lightly touched his lips to hers, just to see if they felt like he had imagined. They felt... shocked. Stiff. And in that moment the sleep-deprived Remus realized that, of course, this wasn't one of his daydreams and Hermione was a seventeen year old student of his. Well, ex-student, to be fair.
He yanked away from her, awaiting her response in horror and anticipation.
"-kiss me?" Hermione finished, startled and confused.
"What?" said Remus.
"No, I- what? What- WHAT was that?" Hermione stuttered a bit, her mouth not quite complying.
"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" Remus said, getting up from the armchair. What was he thinking? She was his STUDENT! (Ex-student. To be fair.) Only seventeen! (Almost eighteen. To be fair!)
"No, I mean-" Hermione said quietly, getting up as well. What just happened? Was he that drunk, that he thought she was someone else?
"I'm so sor-" Remus turned around, a little too quickly, and stumbled on his own feet, but regained his balance. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have done that." he said, walking up to her. He grabbed her wrists and looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm terribly, terribly sorry."
Hermione stared back at him. She had always thought him handsome, but in a professor kind of way. The way you can appreciate that someone has attractive features without actually being attracted to them. Or, so she thought. Maybe she just thought she wasn't attracted to him because he was just that – her professor. She shouldn't be attracted to him, at all. But then again, he certainly shouldn't be attracted to her either. And maybe he wasn't, maybe he was just drunk, maybe he thought she was someone else, maybe... She kissed him.
Partly because, hell, when would she ever have the chance to again? And if he was so drunk as to think she was someone different, maybe he wouldn't even remember.
Little did she know, Remus would remember that kiss for the rest of his life. Hermiones lips touching his with a curious force, her hands drawing his face closer to hers. Suddenly, his doubts were gone – at least for the moment – and he reciprocated with equal force of passion.