Hermione blinked. Whatever she'd been expecting it definitely hadn't been that. Being in love was one thing, being in love with a professor was quite another. She wondered what advice she could give. She decided the best thing to do was be honest.

"I'm not sure what to tell you, Mirrim. I know that the laws are different in the wizarding world, there's a rumour circulating that Alex Roberts and Professor Snape are involved and that Dumbledore's okay with it but I don't think it's the same. Are you one hundred percent sure that Professor Lupin doesn't feel like that about you?"

"I've told you, Hermione. We're close yes but he's not there, how could he be?"

"It's not so ridiculous Mirrim. Who's to say the rumours about Snape and Alex aren't true? If Snape can fall in love with a student then how come Lupin can't, lord knows he deserves it."

"I just don't want to lose what we have."

"I'm afraid there's only two things I can advise you to do Mirrim. Either take the risk and tell him how you feel, or try to get over him pro actively."

"What do you mean?"

"If you can't get him, get someone else. Date, talk to more guys. You may find that all you've got is a schoolgirl crush and the sooner you move on the better. We all get crushes, older men can be alluring. I've had a schoolgirl crush and it wasn't until a boy at home came on to me I realised that was all it was."

"Okay. Thanks Hermione."

"No problem."

"Why do you want to know, Sev?"

"I'm curious Alex."

"Are you trying to make me jealous or something? If you are curious why don't you ask McGonagall about her?"

"Am I that useless a liar?"

"Yes you are, now what did Lupin say?"

"You are too intelligent for your own good you know, Alex."

"Yes I know, now tell me what you two old ladies were gossiping about." Severus sat down and let out a sigh.

"You know I can't tell you everything, Alex but Miss Hallows came up in the conversation and I know that you're friends. Now she's a Gryffindor and you're a Ravenclaw so how did you become friends?"

"You're a Slytherin and I'm your girlfriend you figure it out."

"That's a little different my dear. An inter-house friendship and a relationship with a Professor hardly fall into the same category."

"We share or shared I suppose a similar dilemma. It's good to have someone to talk to when you have a problem."

"So you don't share this problem any more then?"

"No we don't."

"Are you still friends?"

"Hard to say" Alex shrugged. "I haven't really seen her much." She grinned at him. "I've been distracted a bit." Severus rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Seriously Sev, give me some indication of why you want to know, or at least what exactly." Severus rubbed his eyes and tried to think of how to phrase it.

"Can you tell me what the dilemma you shared was?"

"No."

"But you said you no longer share it."

"So? I promised not to tell anyone."

"I promised not to tell Lupin what we talked about."

"Then it appears we're stuck Sev." Alex returned to her book.

"One thing Alex." Alex sighed and looked up.

"What?"

"What's her favourite food?" Alex frowned at him.

"Are you trying to get her? You looking for a bit on the side?" Alex grinned.

"Alex."

"Fine,fine. I think it's banoffee pie...or cheesecake I'm not sure. One or the other."

"Thank you."

"No worries." There was a pause. "Will you get me some cheesecake?"

Lupin waited somewhat impatiently for McGonagall to finish her marking. He was sitting across from her and it felt like he'd been there for hours, where in reality he knew it was more like five minutes. He didn't know why he was so nervous, it wasn't like he was going to share his feelings with her, he was going to just ask some discreet questions. That was the plan at least. McGonagall finished the parchment in front of her and pushed it to one side.

"Well Remus, what did you want to talk to me about?" Remus took a breath, trying to calm himself.

"Actually Minerva I wanted to talk to you about Miss Hallows."

"Ah yes, your star pupil. How is she getting along with her studies?"

"Oh she's exceptional, he health is improving as well."

"Yes, she has been looking better, not as good as Miss Roberts but she's certainly better than she was."

"Yes. Well do you know much about her?"

"No more than any of the other students in my house. Why do you ask?"

"Like you said, Minerva, she's my star student. Also she still looks a little down and I know she wants to become an animagus so I assumed you'd be interested. I know she excels in transfiguration."

"That is true Remus. I know her mother is a single parent, I do not know anything about her father but I believe Dumbledore knows who he is. Some stuck up pure or half blood would be my guess. I know she likes cats, she has a few at home but they are muggle cats, no special abilities but she misses them. I'm afraid that's about it. She keeps herself to herself for the most part, not unlike Miss Roberts. I understand they are friends of a kind. Have you an idea what kind of animal she wishes to transform into?"

"A tiger." Remus smiled. Minerva raised her eyebrows.

"Well she doesn't do things by half I'll give her that."

"Thank you Minerva."

"You're welcome Remus, there's one thing I'd like to know before you go though."

"Yes."

"Why the sudden interest?"

Mirrim glanced around the great hall. She could see Alex at the Ravenclaw table, every know and then her eyes strayed to the staff table and would quickly look away again if her eyes met Snape's. She saw McGonagall deep in conversation with Dumbledore, Lupin was no where to be seen. Mirrim tried to ignore the disappointment she felt at his absence. She looked around the Gryffindor table. If she was going to find a boyfriend it made good sense to at least try out her own house mates. Harry Potter was out of the question, she had a sneaking suspicion he had his eye on Ginny anyway. Seamus Finnegan freaked her out slightly and Dean Thomas was half way out of the closet. Neville Longbottom was in the process of getting over a crush on Hermione and Mirrim didn't think she could cope going out with someone as clueless as he was. She was at a bit of a loss. Maybe if she became more sociable she would be saved the trouble of asking a boy out by being asked herself. She glanced towards Hermione and her eyes met those of a sixth year sitting across from Hermione. He smiled at her and she smiled back. He mouthed 'Hi' and she mimicked him. Then they both returned to their meals. When Mirrim had finished she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see the boy behind her.

"Hi." He smiled. "I'm Nick."

"Hi, Mirrim."

"Nice to meet you Mirrim. Would you like to take a walk with me?" Mirrim glanced up at the staff table. Lupin had not appeared all evening. She saw Hermione standing a few feet away desperately miming 'Yes'.

"Yeah okay." She left the hall at Jake's side, Hermione was smiling. Mirrim didn't see Alex or Snape's eyes following her, both were frowning slightly. Alex's eyes found Snape's and a look of understanding past between them. Simultaneously they rose and left the Great Hall. When they reached Snape's classroom he turned to her.

"What's going on?"

"That dilemma, Sev? I need to tell you."