Disclaimer: not mine…
A/N: Hey guys, I apologize if it took so long for me to upload. Its finals week and there were a lot of paper dues and some I haven't finished yet. Weretosia-87, thanks for mentioning that punctuation stuff, I'm trying hard to edit the last part and I will have my friend edit it for me also so I wouldn't make these stupid mistakes. Thank you so much to those who reviewed and I hope that you review still and tell me what you think. Oh, did I mention I just celebrated my 19th birthday? Well, I did (10/13/02). Next year, I will celebrate my 19th birthday again. I plan to stay 19 for about three years still, if you catch my drift,^_~ …I'm not actually thrilled to be in my early twenties…enough about me…on with my story….
Part 7: Who's stupid now?
"I'm glad he's back. He's like the best teacher we ever had." Harry said excitedly.
"Yeah, not that I don't like Mad Eye Moody but Professor Lupin's way better." Ron said with the same excitement in his voice. I'm also excited but at the same time nervous. I don't know why but I have this feeling that something's going to happen. Not that I'm good with premonitions or anything but I can't understand why I feel kind of different. Maybe because Professor Lupin lives with Sirius and he probably knows about this whole messed up situation. I actually have no idea how I'm going to handle it if he asks me about it.
We finally arrive at the station after walking for half an hour because we were talking the whole time and taking our time so that our excitement would at least decrease.
"Hermione, Harry and Ron, I'm so happy to see you again! How are my three favorite people?" he said beaming but whispered, "Note that I said people, not students. I don't want you thinking that I practice favoritism among my students." The three of us just smiled.
"So, um, Professor Lupin, sir, do you happen to have a letter for me from Sir—I mean, Snuffles?" Harry asked. I felt my cheeks grew hot with the mention of his name and when I noticed that Professor Lupin smiled, actually I think he grinned and I don't know if its my imagination or did he just did that grinning thing evilly? Its not that I accuse him of teasing me or anything but that uneasiness I had a while ago increased and I couldn't help but bow my head down when he looked my way.
"Harry, I know that you missed Snuffles and I brought something better than a letter," he said glowing and I notice that he's looking my way and keeping himself from giggling.
"Really?" Harry and Ron said excitedly. Then suddenly Professor Lupin whistled and out of the scarlet steam engine train came out a huge black dog. I felt the blood drew out of my face and that my heart skipped a beat or two. I was actually stunned and didn't know what to do. Harry hugged the huge black canine that was his godfather and Ron gave him a pat in the head and I saw how happy Harry was. Professor Lupin must've noticed my reaction because he leaned toward me and whispered, "Don't worry, I don't think he bites." He said with an obvious teasing in his voice. I could feel that Harry and Ron were looking at me and quite surprised with my reaction. They knew that I wasn't that affectionate to Sirius, either as a dog or a man but I did have a very different reaction. They expect at least a pat or a simple greeting to the huge dog and besides he is Harry's godfather, where were my manners? Manners, my ass! You do not expect a girl to just greet someone she's in love with whose in love with her at the same time to just greet that man like nothing weird is happening. But of course, because I was such a chicken shit not being able to tell Harry and Ron about the situation, I'm stuck with their confused looks. I gathered all the courage I had, and took two small steps which took almost all the strength I had because my foot seemed to be nailed to the damn floor and patted the dog refusing to look in his eyes.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, Its very important that no one knows that he will be staying with us. I can't put him in my room because Professor Snape might find out since he comes into my room and delivers my wolfsbane. I was thinking if he could stay in your room Harry since I think you have a lot of catching up to do." He said while we walk towards the castle. Harry and Ron carried Professor Lupin and Sirius' luggage. I was holding Ron's other hand because I need it to keep me from falling to the ground. He noticed how hard I was pressing into his hand and he could tell something's up but I felt that he was also keeping it to himself until we could be alone to talk about it. Harry might've noticed but I think his too overwhelmed to notice it that much. He couldn't take his other hand away from the huge canine's nape. I never saw him this happy since Malfoy got that howler from his mom. But this was different though, he was really happy and I don't think any dementor would dare come near him now since I can tell he can produce a patronus larger than the castle. All the time we were walking, I thought of how wicked I could be to stand in the way of his happiness. Sirius is the closest he has to a father and the last thing he needs is his best friend falling for his godfather.
We finally arrived at the castle and Harry decided to sleep in his bedroom for the first time. He was going to be spending the night with Sirius and not that I don't want to see both of them but I felt relieved that I'm not going to see both of them for the remainder of the evening. We said our goodnights and Harry gave me a quick kiss on my lips and hurried off to his room where Sirius was waiting.
***
"Do you want to take a bath or we could just tuck ourselves in bed and stay up all night talking about it. It's a week end tomorrow and we could sleep during the day," Ron said with a very concerned voice. He was sitting down at the side of the bed and asked me as soon as Harry was out of the room and when he was sure that Harry was out of earshot. I went up to him, sat in his lap, hugged him and placed my head on his shoulder. I felt my tears raced down my cheeks. He carried me and positioned us comfortably with his back leaning to the huge headboard. He reached for the tissue box located at the drawer beside our bed. He gave it to me and for at least an hour, we stayed in that position. He never said a word, he just ran his muscular hands up and down my back and occasionally through my hair. I cried because I knew I was wicked for even thinking of accepting Sirius' love and in a way taking some of him from Harry when I know that he needs him very much since Harry doesn't have a father anymore or parents for that matter. Ron spoke because I think he thinks I've been crying long enough.
"You should tell him you know," he said. With this remark I knew he must've figured it out but I wasn't actually sure whom he was referring to.
"Tell who? How did you know?" I asked,
"Both of them. You should tell Harry that you love his godfather and you should tell Sirius that you love him," he said in a very serious and at the same time comforting tone of voice.
"Oh Hermione, I love you, how many times do I have to tell you that and prove that to you?" he said when he cupped my face with his hands and kissed my forehead. "I suspected that it was Sirius the moment you said it wasn't one of my brothers. I just convinced Harry that it was Dumbledore because I figured you weren't really ready to tell him yet." He explained as he ran his hand through my hair.
"You mean, you bought me some time?" I asked. I knew that he did but I just wanted him to tell me.
"And you call me stupid? Why Hermione, couldn't you have figured that out for yourself?" He said teasing.
"I actually wasn't that sure if it was him until I saw how you almost fainted when you saw him a while ago and the look Professor Lupin was giving you, not to mention the fact that you were holding my hand as if your life depended on it a while ago," he explained while he placed me beside him now because I guess he couldn't feel his legs anymore. He lay down on the bed and I placed my head on his chest hugging him. I explained to him why I was crying and how I felt about the situation. He told me that it was alright to feel uneasy but I have to remember that Harry loved me as much as I loved him and as much as he loved me. He also reminded me that I will never get anywhere if I keep my feelings for Sirius and that he would be happy if it worked out between the two of us. The last thing he told me was that he would do everything to help me with my problem. We fell asleep I think about just before the sun rose. It was the first sleep I had in weeks where I felt so relieved and really at ease.
