There's still time

By Poet

Pretty much the unseen things in book 3..um AU of course..Between Lupin and Hermione. Achem...takes place during the movie(im using the movie because i don't have book 3 with me at the moment and I've seen the movie...twice) and then moves on to the future. Inspired by the song "Wait for me" by Flaw. If you get the chance. Listen to the song..it makes sense for this story..or at least I hope it will once I'm done. Trust me, it will make more sense in later chapters.. Oh..and when you see ' '..that indicates inner monolaugue.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with this franchise. I make no money from this.

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The stone corridors were surprsingly empty. There were no voices to be heard, no running or shouting of the students. Only a single set of footsteps broke the illusion of an abandoned castle. Hermione searched through a large textbook, flipping through page after page. Without really trying, she guided herself through the empty hall.

'Where is it? I've searched a dozen books and I still can't find it.' With an exasperated sigh, she slapped the book closed and turned a corner. Running into a wall of sorts. "Oh I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean...Professor Lupin! Are you alright? I'm so sorry."

"Ah Ms. Granger. Walking around burried in your books again I see. No damage done though, " Lupin said, smiling gently. Hearing Hermione's sigh of relief his smile widened. "Now, where are you off too? Some of these walls are made of slightly stronger material then an old defense against the dark arts professor so I would advise a bit more caution."

"Oh..yes! I really am sorry. You! You are where I was heading too. I mean that I needed to ask you a question." She said, fumbling over the words and going slightly pink.

" I am an open book to you then. What can I help you with?" He cringed as he realized what he said.

"I've searched through several books for information about how to recognize a werewolf Professor, but not one of them has any information worth reading. The only thing i can find is something about pointy eyebrows and yellow eyes. None of the books I've searched through offer anything more then a cruely biased opinion. They make them out to be nothing more then blood thirsty beasts."

"Aren't they though?" He asked quietly, shoulders sagging as he waited for an answer he was used to hearing.

"No! They're humans. They can't control something like lycanthropy. And to have society shun them for it, our society no less, it's infuriating."

"You, Ms. Granger, remind me of someone I knew a long time ago." Lupin said, a sad smile on his face. "If you want I have collected a few pages of notes on werewolves and the lycanthropic condition that I haven't used in class. I would be happy to let you have them."

"Thankyou Professor." Hermione shifted awkwardly, feeling as if she had rambled. Lupin didn't seem to show any annoyance. The sad look still in his grey eyes, he motioned for her to follow and turned to walk down the hall.

"You know, Ms. Granger, It is very unusual for anyone to look deeper then what a book tells them. And I must admit, I am surpised that you of all people have. I mean no offense, I find it a rare quality when someone is able to question what they are told. Especially when they are told something again and again."

" I just think it's unfair."

"Yes...it is." With a sigh, Lupin turned and entered his classroom. The only light was coming from a small room at the top of a set of stairs on the opposite end of the room. "I think the notes are in my trunk, if you want you can come in and wait while I look for them." He offered, pushing the door open and stepping aside so Hermione could enter.

"Thankyou very much professor. I really appreciate this." Hermione said, taking a seat in one of the tattered leather chairs.

"Out of curiosity Hermione, why are you looking for information on werewolves? We wont be getting to them for a few months. You're a bit ahead of the class." Lupin asked, trying to make his interest seem casual. 'She can't possibly know...'

Hermione blushed slightly and cleared her throat quietly. "I was just skimming over the book and I read the few pages about them and I didn't feel any of the information was very good. I wanted to learn for myself." Lupin only nodded as he searched through a stack of papers. "Professor, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course Hemione." He said, turning to face her.

"Earlier you said I reminded you of someone you used to know. Who did you mean?" Hermione noticed Lupin pale. "Nevermind...it was a stupid question. I'm sorry Professor."

Lupin struggled to fight of the surge of heat in his face. Swallowing hard he turned away again and said quietly, "I meant someone I knew as a child. Someone who despised prejudice as much as you seem to." Hermione didn't respond, only nodded quietly and lowered her eyes. 'He's not telling me something. Of course he isn't. I'm only his student. Sigh...He's keeping something from everyone and it kills him. Why is he so secretive.'

Carefully, Hermione measured her next few words. "I supose we all have our reasons for what we do. For the secrets we keep. For the ideas we believe. Sometimes it's easy to forget the possiblity of someone else being capable of listening or understanding...Professor." Looking up as she finished, she noticed that Lupin had gone absolutly tense. After a moment she heard him sigh and saw him visibly relax.

"You really are the smartest witch of your year Mrs. Granger." He said quietly. " I wonder where this will lead you after Hogwarts." 'I wonder if this is leading where I think. She's trying to understand...impossible. She's thirteen, how could she know or understand? Calm down Remus, she doesn't know. She's just looking for knowledge. Trying to find friends in the books she hides in. Like you did, when you were an outcast.' "Ah, the notes you were looking for. I believe what you are looking for you will find in here." He said, turning and handing her a few pieces of parchment. For a moment she met his eyes, searching and he couldn't pull away. Then it was gone. "Now I think it is time for you to go back to your dormitory. It's nearly ten and I have to prepare tomorrows lessons." he said, suddenly uncomfortable. 'She unerves me and I don't know why'

Standing, Hermione smiled and tucked the parchment into her robes. "Goodnight Professor Lupin. Thankyou for the help. Im sorry for bumping in to you" She walked towards the door. Remus sat down, feeling tired and drained. "Professor?"

"Yes Hermione?" 'Oh no, she's going to ask me about it. Damnit'

"I don't think you're old. Just tired maybe. I know this probably seems a bit odd and it may be out of line, but I think the only real age that plagues you is caused by the things you keep inside. I know we all have secrets, I also know that some secrets are too much to keep." Sighing, Hermione looked at the floor. "Goodnight Professor Lupin." She turned and walked down the steps.

"Goodnight Hermione," Lupin whispered long after she had gone.

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Later

'''Visible injuries that are not explained. When a werewolf is injured in wolf form, the injuries will show when he is human. Unexplained absences druing the time of the full moon. Several forms of Lycanthropy are controlled by the cycles of the moon and any one affected will change against his will, during the nights of the fulls moon. After a transformation ends, the werewolf will become physically exhausted in human form. Up to several days of rest can be required for recovery. The person will often apear tired, pale, thin and older because of the drastic effect the transformation from man to wolf has.'''

'Wow, Professor Lupin was right. There is a lot of stuff here. Too much to go over tonite I think' Hermione stifled a yawn and pulled down her covers. After crawling in she stared up at the dark canopy of her four poster. 'Why do I want him to open to me so badly? Why do I feel so strongly about him? He's just my professor. I wish I could have someone to talk to who would understand...'

ahhhh!!!!!!!! oh god it sucked. I'm sorry to subject you all to that and even more sorry that there could be more to come....I have me some ideas...i guess feedback would be welcome. you can try and flame me but be forewarned..im feeling petty enough to get into one of those "mock you from afar internet battles" so en guarde!

oh and thanks for the catch of the Mrs. thing..i wrote and had the hardest time even typing Mrs. correctly, let alone Ms...haha..thanks again