Ch. 8 Morning Sensations

It was a different experience for Remus; waking up in the arms of a young woman. Lycanthropy had always made it hard for finding a secure relationship. He'd had the company of women before, but the woman he woke up to that morning was different.

Hermione had slept through the rest of the night, and sometime during the wee morning hours; cuddled into him. Remus reflected over the sleeping witch.

Head Girl, top of her class, mature beyond belief, loved by anyone who met her (mostly), and had an amazing group of friends.

But did he fit into her life? Could he handle hiding a relationship? Did she even want to be with him? Hadn't she just been flirting with Sirius?

Beside him, Hermione began to move. She stretched and flexed into his body and he couldn't help the slight shiver that ran down him.

It had been a while, to say the least.

ADFHDFAHJDAJGDFGADHFSKJTRQRTJMBVSMXG

Albus was old. It wasn't just his own personal opinion of himself, but a fact. He would come to live longer than most wizards, too.

He'd seen many things in his lifetime. The rise and fall of the same person twice, a wonderful friend choose his death after defying the force for so long, the rebirth of an old tournament, and amazing students who had passed through 'his' gates.

And during all of those times, he had been entirely sure of himself. He'd known what he was doing, no uncharted territory.

Now, though, he was lost.

Lying in bed, he thought over his latest predicament. He had many muggle borns in his school. Topping numbers around seventy-five students.

The targeting of muggle borns was nothing new in his world, but this was their parents. A second family had been murdered overnight.

Receiving the letter a little before dawn, he now lay in his bed with his back against the headboard.

"A sickle for your thoughts, Albus?" she asked.

"The Finch-Fletchley case wasn't a one-time coincidence. I'm afraid that the Smithson's two sons will have some very devastating moments ahead of them." he gravely answered her.

"Why is this happening, again? Haven't these poor children had enough of this pain?" her questions spoke exactly what was on his mind.

When would his precious school be able to be at peace? Was it that much to ask to go through a year without so much disturbance?

Apparently so.

"Albus, you must get ready for the day ahead."

"Of course, my dear." He cracked a smile. "Sometimes I think I'm getting to old for this."

Depressing times were coming again it seemed.

#&$&$$&$&$((&$

'I have severe loyalty issues.'

Soon after Harry had left the previous night, someone had come knocking at his portrait. He thought it may have been Hermione, but he was wrong.

"Ms. Patil, what a pleasant surprise!"

"Hello, professor. I was wondering if I could come in for a moment?" Sirius looked the lovely twin over.

"Please, call me Sirius. I hate formalities between students and professors. What can I help you with, Padma?"

"Oh, I was just so bored! It's a Saturday night and I have no one to be with! Would you mind if I stayed with you for a bit?"

He took her wrist gently and tugged her towards the couch.

"I'm sure I can keep you occupied for a couple of hours, Padma."

Sirius groaned loudly as he stretched his stiff muscles, he felt his calf muscle tense up and he softly muttered a curse word.

"Is everything alright, sir?"

"Padma, honestly!"

"Sorry Sirius, old habits die hard." The girl reached her hands up to her eyes and slowly rubbed the sleep away.

Sirius began to pace around his study, where the witch had decided to snuggle into the couch, and began to walk off the strain.

He vaguely wondered how things had gone for Harry, but realized he'd be told soon enough. He looked at the clock, 8:45. Good, they could still catch breakfast.

"Please refrain from going back to sleep, Padma. Get dressed, I'm hungry and will not be too happy if we miss it because you didn't get your beauty rest."

"I thought you were only authoritative in bed…well I'm up!"

AGASHYREQJTRNQRTURTYERAJTERJAHNRJI

"Good morning, Remus."

"Are you doing alright?" she turned her head around to see his concerned expression and felt gratitude rush through her. He'd been so kind.

"It was just a nightmare, I just need to keep reassuring myself of that and I'll be fine. What time is it?"

Her professor reached over her and turned around her alarm clock. Oops, she should've done that herself. But she was so comfortable.

"8:30, are you hungry? Breakfast should be up and running." Again with the concern for her…

"I think a shower is in order first, then maybe some breakfast." But she really didn't want to get up at all. Currently she was warm and cozy, the touch of his bare chest spreading constant heat from her head to her toes.

He was the first one to get up, and she instantly missed his company.

"I'll be quick, then I'll let you have the bathroom. Ok?"

She smiled at him and nodded her head in affirmation. She rolled onto her back and basked in the warmth on his side of her bed. In the back of her mind there was a constant nagging that she was forgetting something, but at the moment she couldn't seem to care less.

"Good morning, Miss Granger."

"Hello, Godric. Any news to bring me?" She truly did adore that big furball, it was going to be a fun year with him.

"The headmaster requests Mr. Malfoy and yourself report to him after breakfast. He said it was of the utmost importance."

"Have you already told Salazaar this?"

"Of course." He flicked his tail gracefully walked out of her room, mumbling something about finding a half-Kneazle.

A knock issued from her bathroom door. Apparently it was her turn to use the facilities, a grumble sounded from her stomach and she realized how hungry she was.

Hermione had a full day ahead of herself; she needed to finalize plans over Halloween with Draco and Remus, ask permission to go to Hogsmeade to find an outfit for their supposed ball, spend time with her two favorite Gryffindors, and added to the list was this meeting with Dumbledore. If she could find the time she also wanted to go over a few of her textbooks before classes started the next day.

She'd manage to cram it all in, though. She always did.

A/N: I feel so guilty…I've had this bit written for a while, but I didn't post it because I thought I should add more to it…Sadly enough, I'm not. Oh well, leave me some reviews please! Sometimes I wonder if people are actually reading this stuff!