Hermione woke up to an owl tapping on her bedroom window. She crawled out of the warm refines of her bed and walked groggily over to the window. The owl had a copy of the Daily Prophet and a letter attached to its foot. She untied them and fed it a treat.
She glanced at the clock. 6:45. Figuring hardly anyone would be up, since it was a Sunday. She tied on a green robe over her camisole and panties and gently padded down the stairs, her mail in her hand. Of course, who sat in the lone kitchen but Albus Dumbledore.
Feeling embarrassed, she smiled weakly at him. "Good Morning, Professor."
His blue eyes twinkled back at her. "Good Morning to you as well, Miss Granger. I must say, I expected you and your friends to be sleeping in, with school starting so soon."
"Well, Harry and Ron and the rest of them are. I fell asleep rather early last night, though." She said as she began to make some coffee. "Would you like a cup?" she asked, gesturing to the coffee pot.
"Yes, yes. It would be highly appreciated, thank you." He replied. She looked at him a little closer. He looked tired. As if to answer her unasked question , he said, "I'm afraid unlike yourself I didn't get any rest last night. I've been very busy. You could ask Harry, I'm sure he'd happily fill you in with what he and I have been working on."
She nodded. Poor man. "I'm sorry. Here you are," she said, putting a large mug of coffee in front of him. "What would you like? Milk? Sugar?"
"Both would be lovely." He said, and she set both down in front of him and sat opposite him. She liked her coffee black in the morning.
"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, what brings you here so early?"
"Oh, yes. That. I have a meeting with professor Lupin." He answered, and she nearly choked on her coffee. He seemed to not acknowledge this, but instead looked down at his watch. "In precisely ten minutes, actually."
"Oh?" she asked. "He still wants to work as a professor, doesn't he?"
Dumbledore looked at her over the tops of his half-moon spectacles. "Last time I checked, he did. Is there any reason he might have changed his mind regarding the matter?"
She felt herself flush. "Of course not," she said. "I just couldn't think of any other reason why you would be meeting so early."
"Phoenix business, my dear." He answered, and set to work milking and sweetening his coffee. "Would you so happen to have a spoon on hand?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, let me get you one," she said, making to stand up. "So sorry, should have thought of it before,"
"No, no, sit down. No need to fuss, I'll help myself," he said with amusement in his voice. "Accio spoon," he murmured, and one of the drawers by the sink flew open and a spoon flew right into her head masters hand.
She settled back in her seat. What was wrong with her? She could have done that. With a slight sigh, she looked at the letter. It was from her parents, telling her how much they missed her and wishing her luck for the year ahead and congratulating her on making Head Girl.
She set it down and picked up the Daily Prophet. She looked at it in horror as a picture of Sirius while he had been in Azkaban looked at her. The headline was, 'Azkaban Ex-Con to Teach at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'.
'Sirius Black, alleged mass murderer and supporter of You-Know-Who, served nearly twelve years in Azkaban before being the first person ever to break out successfully. He is the godfather of none other than Harry Potter, better known as 'The Chosen One'. He was charged with the murder of thirteen innocent people, including several muggles, an auror, and the use of an Unforgivable on one of his former school mates and friends, Peter Pettigrew. He had also been blamed for the murder of his godson's parents, Lillian and James Potter. Black, who was cleared of all charges last June, is rumored to have secured a job at Hogwarts. Rufus Scrimgeour, when asked, had no comment on this strange occurrence. It is said that he has applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, and there is no denying that it seems a bit odd that he would want that particular job. It had proved in the past years that nothing good comes from those who apply for that post. Has Albus Dumbledore made yet another mistake in his determination to be optimistic? Only the coming year will tell.'
"Oh, my…." She said. Dumbledore looked at her curiously, and she handed him the paper. He scanned it quickly and smiled.
"How amusing," he said. "That Skeeter woman. I'd have thought that after you had dealt with her she would be wiser when it came to things concerning Harry and Hogwarts, but it appears not. Pity,"
"Skeeter? As in Rita Skeeter? She's the one responsible for that…that piece of utter garbage?" she asked incredulously. He smiled and to her surprise, reached over and patted her hand. She glared at the paper as if it were the back of Skeeter's head.
"We shouldn't make a fuss over something we cannot change. And besides, she wasn't as much of a…ah, I think the word 'instigator' would work here, as usual." He took a sip of his coffee. "Ah, Remus, please, have a seat." He said.
Hermione looked up and Remus felt his face flush. What was she doing up so early? He avoided her eyes and sat down. Hermione gave a little cough and stood up.
"Well, I think I'm going to go take a shower and then do some reading. I'll see you at school, Professor." She said. Dumbledore stood up and bowed slightly.
"It was my pleasure, miss Granger. Oh, and thank you for the coffee."
"You're welcome," she murmured, and hastily walked out of the kitchen.
"Yes, lovely young lady. Very bright. Not to mention quite attractive, eh, Remus?" Albus asked, a twinkle in his periwinkle blue eyes.
"Ah, yes, she is." Remus said, his heart racing faster. "Just lovely." He cleared his throat. "Anyways. What was it you wanted to discuss? And Albus, not to be too forward, but you look a wreck." He said, noticing more lines than usual on his old, weathered face, and the dark circles under his glittering eyes.
He smiled. "I know. I'm afraid I haven't been getting much sleep, as I just explained to miss Granger. I've been very busy indeed."
Remus lowered his voice. "Have you found anymore leads on the Horcruxes? Harry's been frustrated, being locked up here. He wants to help, Albus."
The old headmaster nodded wearily. "Oh yes, I've found leads. Or at least I believe I have. I think I might have a word with him tonight. I am sure Molly will insist I stay for dinner."
"You shouldn't tell Harry until you are sure. No need in worrying him just yet, right? Let him enjoy the last week of his summer, Albus. You only get to be seventeen once."
"He won't be able to fully enjoy anything until he has dealt with Voldemort, Remus. He is an adult, and has seen more than most of us put together. We cannot protect him forever, we cannot let him live a life of lies." He paused, looking older than ever. "It's not fair to him. James and Lily wouldn't have wanted their son to live in denial, Remus. You know this better than I."
Remus sighed. He was right.
"Now, you have set up with miss Granger the dates during the year on which she will be brewing the potion for you?" Albus asked.
"I'm sure she knows,"
"But you have not discussed it with her?"
"No," he said slowly. "But I will."
"Good. You are a good man, a brilliant one, but I'm afraid we just can't have a fully fledged werewolf running about." He said. Remus was relieved to see that he was smiling. "Now, as for your post. I have decided to have you return to teaching defense against the dark arts, and I was wondering on your opinion on having Sirius teach potions. I know that he was third behind Severus and Lily when you were all at school. Only thing I believe Severus received higher marks than him and James." Remus stared at him. How in the bloody hell had he remembered all of that?
"Um, yes, I believe he was," Remus said. "I do not think he would oppose to it. But I think you should discuss it with him. It's really not my place to decide what post he takes…and also, I thought Slughorn was teaching potions?"
"Ah, and so he did last year. I'm afraid that no matter what I say, he refuses to teach after the Death Eater attack last year. He is afraid that because he is the one who explained to Voldemort what a horcrux is, and because he gave me the information, that he would be a target. I cannot say I disagree with him," he said sadly.
"I see." The two men sat in silence.
"Well. Then you will be happy enough to resume your DADA post?"
Remus smiled. "Of course. I enjoyed teaching."
"I know you did, or else I wouldn't have offered." He said, and smiled. "I must be off. I will be back around ten tonight,"
"Oh, hello, Albus," Molly Weasley said, coming into the kitchen. "Ten? Coming for dinner, then?" she asked, looking hopeful.
Remus and Albus shared a knowing smile. Dumbledore bowed and kissed her hand.
"Of course, if you must insist," he said.
"Oh, I do. I'll let everyone know," she said, beaming. The woman loved to cook.
"Very good, indeed. Well, Molly, Remus. I best be off. See you tonight," he said, and with a final bow, there was a loud pop and he was gone.