A/N: FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF MY REVIEWERS :) YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING :) I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO READ WHAT I WRITE AND REVIEW IT! I'M STILL TRYING TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THE FACT THAT MY INFANT STORIES HAVE GENERATED A DECENT AMOUNT OF REVIEWS :] YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST AND I APPRECIATE YOU! AND THE REVIEWS OF COURSE :) :) :p

Hermione walked down the hall, content. She loved to just wander aimlessly around the castle. This habit caused her to find excellent places for her to read her books in peace. As she was passing the gargoyle that marked the Headmaster's office, the gargoyle moved to reveal the staircase and out came Professor Lupin. They bumped into each other.

"Oh I'm sorry Professor!I wasn't watching where I was going!" she exclaimed. Lupin looked down at her and smiled. She noticed that the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Nothing to worry about Hermione," he said. Hermione took all of him in and she noticed that he had a defeated posture as well. She grew worried.

"Is everything all right Professor?" she asked. After a moment's silence Lupin opened his mouth and answered.

"No, Hermione, not everything is all right. I just tried to quit but Dubledore would hear none of it."

Hermione gasped at the word 'quit'.

"Oh professor! Why would you want to quit? You've been doing a great job! Your lessons have been wonderful!"

Lupin looked at her with sad eyes and Hermione really wondered why he would want to quit.

"I don't deserve this job, Hermione. I really don't." This time it seemed as if Lupin didn't bother to hide his sadness. Hermione gave in to the strong urge to comfort him and make him smile genuinely.

"Of course you deserve this job Professor! You did wonderfully the first day of classes and you've been doing wonderfully ever since! I have heard all through the castle from students about how interesting you make your lectures. Why in the world would you not deserve this teaching position? Is there some crime you have committed? Have you murdered a student here without our knowing? What in the world is so bad about you that you feel you need to quit?"

Lupin smiled wryly, "You wouldn't understand Hermione. There are things about me. Dark things that would send every single one of you running for the hills. I don't deserve this teaching position."

Hermione tsked, rolled her eyes and replied, "Unless you have murdered a student here and we don't know about it, then you deserve this position! It's obvious that the Headmaster thinks something similar. Two against one, Professor. I know that if we went to McGonagall right now and asked her what she thinks, she would agree with me too! And just so you know, I have been barked at by a three-headed guard dog, caught in Devil's Snare, correctly identified a potion for Harry, and have been petrified by a Basilisk! I'm sure that whatever "dark things", Hermione made air quotes with her fingers, "are plaguing WON'T send me running to the hills. You'll have to try very hard to do that." Hermione was finally finished with her rant and stood there panting, waiting for Lupin's response. Man how that man was infuriating her!

Lupin stood there staring at her then...burst out laughing. A full, genuine belly laugh that had tears coming out of his eyes. For a moment, Hermione was irritated but then she smiled. She had successfully driven away the sadness. And he had a nice laugh. He calmed down somewhat after about three minutes. Chuckling he said,

"You are too cute Hermione. You remind me of someone that I once knew. Thank you for your sincere words Hermione." He was able to stop laughing completely and smiled at her.

"How about we meet sometime this week and have tea in my office? You can tell me all about these 'dark things' that have happened to you? I'm very interested."

Hermione hesitated. Well, it's not like he's inviting me to his rooms. Besides, he's not interested in me that way. This is just a talk between...friends? Yes. I'll go have tea with him and ask him where we stand. If he wants to be friends. As much a friend as a student and professor can be.

Hesitation gone, she gave her answer.

"Yes. I'll go have tea with you. Will Friday evening work? I know I'll have all of my homework and next week's homework done by then."

Lupin was still smiling, however Hermione noticed that his eyes had darkened slightly.

"Perfect," he said. Hermione smiled, said her good-byes and walked away. She didn't look back.

OOO

What the hell are you doing Remus old boy. Remus groaned. He just invited a thirteen year old to tea and conversation. It didn't matter that it would take place in his office. The point was that it was beyond inappropriate to do what he just did and would be doing Friday evening. Remus sighed. He didn't know what possessed him to tell Hermione what he did. Maybe it was because she was a bit like Lily. Except Lily wasn't as studious. Nor was she as cute when she was irritated. Lily had been tall and thin, and was very caring. She was also a spit-fire and very scary when angered, very intelligent, and was considered very beautiful. Hermione was petite, slightly more curvy, and had frizzy hair that told the world that she had curly hair. 'Not to mention her smell is Mine!' Remus shook his head. Yes, there was also the fact that Hermione had an amazing scent. She was also more intelligent that Lily and was also a little spit-fire. And, like Lily, she was very caring.

Hermione's little rant had eased his pain slightly. Very slightly. Not to mention it was cute due to her looks which made him laugh. If she knew what I am, her opinion would change completely. It was the thought that counted. Remus shook his head again. There was nothing to be done about Friday evening's get together. If Hermione was similar to Lily, then backing out would only hurt her and make her angry. Besides, he really was interested in Hermione's past experiences with danger. Remus sighed, ran his hand through his hair and walked down the hall to his office and rooms. He had a headache and grading to do.

A/N: SOOOOOOO...HOW WAS THIS CHAPTER :P