Chapter 2
Sitting at the kitchen table, they drank their tea in silence. Hermione noticed the werewolf's eyes were swollen, most likely from crying. He looked years older from all the stress he's been through. Remus was the first one to break the silence.
"I apologize for yelling at you, Hermione. It was out of line."
"It's okay, sir. You've been through a lot. How are you feeling?"
"Brilliant," he said sarcastically. "Basically, I feel like shit. All the time."
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Like I could help.
"Still have that Time-Turner?" he joked.
"Sorry, no" she said smiling.
The sat in silence as they finished their drinks.
"Thank you for bringing me the potion, Hermione."
"No problem. I really just wanted to see how you were doing." By the condition of the house, not very well apparently. "Everyone is worried."
"I'd expect nothing less. I guess I'm still trying to cope with what happened." Remus was staring at his cup most intently. "How's Harry?"
"We haven't heard from him all summer. Professor Dumbledore wants us to give him some space."
"That makes sense. He just lost the only family he ever had." Remus seemed to be struggling to get his words out.
"Professor, you can talk to me if you want to." Hermione reached over and grabbed the werewolf's hand. Holy crap, he's so cold. She retracted her hand and waited for Remus's response.
"I don't think I can talk about it just yet." Hermione could see the sorrow in his eyes.
"Okay, sir. I'll be going then." Hermione got up to leave.
"Would you like to come back for tea next week, Hermione? It's nice to see a happy face."
"I'll be glad to, sir."
"Call me Remus."
Hermione returned to the Burrow soon afterwards and started talking to the two females of the household. They inquired on Remus's state.
"He is as we expected he would be. A mess." Hermione said with a sorrowful look. "He's obviously still mourning over Sirius."
"Let's not forget Tonks," the youngest Weasley mentioned.
The eldest of the three looked confusedly at her daughter while Hermione gave her usual all-knowing look.
"Mrs. Weasley," Hermione whispered, "Ginny and I believe Remus and Tonks were in a relationship before the battle at the Ministry."
"Oh that's preposterous," Mrs. Weasley stated. "Remus was way too old for her."
"We all know well enough that age is but a number in the Wizarding World," Hermione said. "Muggles usually frown upon an age difference of more than 10 years but, since wizards live longer, it's not that uncommon."
"Be that as it may, how did you two even come to think of this?" the eldest inquired.
"Oh come on, mom!" Ginny exclaimed. "The sexual tension between the two was practically through the roof during dinners at Grimmauld Place. They were practically eye-fu-…"
"GINEVRA!" the mother spat.
"Sorry, mum" Ginny whispered, bowing her head.
"Despite her vocabulary, Ginny has a point, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, trying to release the tension.
Mrs. Weasley stared at a wall for a few moments before saying "I suppose you're right. It all does make sense. Oh poor boy! Remus must be dreadful."
"This is the worst that I've ever seen him, even more than on a full moon," Hermione confessed. "He did make one or two humorous remarks, but that's about it. I think solitude has taken a toll on him."
The Weasley matron rubbed the bridge of her nose. "And we can't possibly believe he'll be willing to thrust himself back into society."
"He is expecting me next week for tea," Hermione let on. "Perhaps I'll be able to help him with his recuperation."
"Good luck, Hermione," Ginny said.
Over the next week, Hermione visited Remus every night. The werewolf seemed to be getting better with each visit.
One night found the two of them reading in the library.
"How are you feeling, Remus?" Hermione questioned breaking the silence.
"A little bit better, but it's still hard to think about him," Remus confessed.
"Don't you mean them?" Hermione probed, warily.
Remus put his book down and glared at the young witch.
Noticing the look, Hermione apologized, trying to hide her face behind her book. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to speak out of turn."
"You weren't. I just didn't think anyone knew besides me and the two of them," Remus said, rubbing his head.
She finally put down her book and met his eyes. "Ginny and I have had our suspicions since we started attending Order meetings."
"Were we that obvious?" Remus asked reddening.
"Oh no! We weren't included in the discussions so we just observed everyone" Hermione reassured him.
"Does anyone else know?" the werewolf inquired.
"We mentioned it to Mrs. Weasley last week, but that's it."
"Okay, good…" Remus trailed off. "I wouldn't want people to look at me differently."
Hermione didn't expect that. "And why would they?!"
"She was so young. People might think that I took advantage of her."
Hermione jumped up from her chair. "Remus Lupin! No one would ever think that about you! Tonks-" Remus flinched at the name, so she kneeled down beside his chair"-she was old enough to make her own decisions and you are not the type of man who would force yourself on her! Plus the age difference doesn't matter since wizards live longer than Muggles!" Hermione's voice was getting louder and more sincere with every point.
"Thank you, Hermione" he said not meeting her eyes.
"For what?" she queried.
"Understanding."