Anything recognizable is the property of J.K. Rowling. I do not make any claim to ownership, nor do I make any money from this.

Please do not read if you are not of legal age in your country. There are adult scenes, however short and to the point.


Curiosity

Since arriving at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Hermione could feel eyes upon her. It was the same feeling she had carried during her 3rd year and it didn't take long to figure out who was observing her. Remus never let it be known that he was studying the witch and watching for the small moments her wings would appear, but she knew it was him. Surprisingly, she didn't feel nervous as his gaze settled on her during meals, as he never leered at her like Mundungus did. She felt like a puzzle that he couldn't figure out but the brunette had no idea what could possibly be so fascinating about her.

On the third day, Hermione Granger plucked up her Gryffindor courage and decided to just ask the older man rather than continue to wonder what the mystery was. She peeked into the library and saw his thin fingered hand resting on the arm of one of the chairs and steeled her resolve. The former professor didn't look up from his book as Hermione closed the door and approached the fire. Only after she had the chance to study him for a few heartbeats did he look up.

"Oh, hello Hermione." He gladly closed the book he had been reading and focused on her.

"Professor, er, I was wondering if I could possibly ask you something?"

"Of course. What knowledge can I impart to you?"

She swallowed hard and plowed on as she had a habit of doing. "I was wondering why you are always watching me."

"I don't know what gave you that idea."

Feeling just a little foolish, she forced her hands to stop twisting together. "I always felt like I was being watched in 3rd year and then it stopped when you left."

"Forgive me. It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't. Well, not anymore now that I know it was you and not a Slytherin or something."

Lupin gave a small chuckle.

"It's just that I was curious why."

The small smile faded and a battle warred behind his silvery grey eyes. He could make up some excuse for his unusual fixation. Or he could simply tell her the truth. "You aren't like any other."

He had thought the girl would blush and look away but she didn't. Hermione met his gaze unwavering. "That's not quite it, is it?"

He chuckled again. "Only you would realize that."

"So why do you keep watching me?"

"Have you ever heard of a creature called a Seraph?"

"What has that got to do with anything?"

"Trust me, it does."

"Then no, I haven't."

"I want you to read this and then ask me again." He held out the book he had been reading.

The cover showed an illustration of a bare chested man, a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. Golden light emanated from behind his head, throwing into relief the 6 great white wings spread wide behind him.

"Sir?"

Lupin got up from his chair and walked towards the door. "It shouldn't take you long to read, and I think it will make some things clear." With that, he was gone.

Hermione stared at the book for a moment before settling in the recently vacated chair and tucking her feet under herself. Only hours later did she leave the library, not even caring that she had missed dinner.


Remus paced the tiny room at the top of Grimmauld Place. He berated himself for giving the girl the book. It was old and contained more than a little incorrect information and it dealt mostly with the forbearers of the Seraphs, not with the more human counterparts. Part of his mind piped up and pointed out how bright Hermione Granger was, and surely she would be able to make inferences about her own nature from the book.

The lycanthrope didn't want to listen to that little voice so he decided to go back down to the library, take back the book, and beg her to forget he had ever mentioned anything. As he made the decision, he turned to leave his room but was brought up short by the object of his cogitations standing just inside the door. She held the book in one hand and saw his gaze flick over her shoulders for the wings that would give away her mood but there was nothing there.

"I finished reading it." She was the first to break the silence. "And I think I understand."

Hermione's words tumbled on before the older man could come up with anything intelligent to say. "You've been watching me because you can see that I'm a Seraph. Really it explains why I'm completely boring and bookish but constantly throw myself into dangerous situations."

She fidgeted with the cover of the book and was clearly trying to order her thoughts. "The only thing I don't understand is why you can see them but no one else can."

"Dumbledore can see it too."

"Well he sees everything, doesn't he?" Hermione sighed heavily. "From how I understand it, only the person I'm supposed to protect should see my wings. But then why can't Harry see them?"

"I can't answer that. Seraphs are so rare that I'm not sure anyone else has ever met one." Silence fell between the pair for a long time as they considered the brunette's nature.

Once again it was the young woman that spoke first. "What do they look like?"

Remus was not expecting that question from her and he considered his answer carefully. "Your wings are coal black like a raven's, huge, and expressive. They appear when you feel unnerved or threatened. I could always tell how you're feeling by the way they moved."

"Thank you." And she smiled broadly at him. "I should go to bed." As silently as she had come into his room, she was gone.