Writing Club: Roommate AU

Hogwarts - Muggle Music - Write about a spurned Lover

Granger Danger - Different Era AU

Gemstones Challenge - Citrine - Write about Remus Lupin

The Musical Catagory Competition - Boq

Ultimate AU Promptathon - Fake Dating

The Perfect Roommate

Thanks to Shannon for betaing

"So, why do you want the room?" Remus asked, his gaze moving tiredly to the twelfth interview he had done that day. Flats in Diagon Alley were in high demand because of the location, but he had interviewed some horrible people already and was tempted to just move to a one-bedroom place instead. But the tenancy wasn't up for another six months so he had little choice.

"Because it's close to work and…" she trailed off, her fingers twisting together.

"And?" Remus pushed.

"I caught my boyfriend in bed with someone else. My friend's sofa isn't comfortable and I can't afford somewhere on my own. I'm not loud, I don't throw parties or play loud music or hog the television. I just want a corner of the sofa to curl up with my book and I won't be a bother."

Remus stared at her for a minute. He couldn't help but feel the need to help a girl in distress. She had obviously been through a hard time and he could see the determination on her face.

"When you put a book down, do you fold the corners?"

Hermione stared at him as though he was crazy. "And damage the book?" she asked. "Of course not. I have bookmarks."

Remus couldn't help but smile. "And do you like chocolate? A lot of the food budget gets dedicated to chocolate."

"I think I can live with that." The corners of her mouth turned up. "I'm pretty good at making chocolate fudge cake."

"The room is yours," Remus decided, wondering how soon he can request one of the cakes.

"I have a question of my own," Hermione asked. "Why do you have a spare room? I just want to make sure you're not a serial killer."

Remus snorted. "Yet you're sitting here already," he pointed out with a grin. "I shared this place with one of my best friends, Sirius. My other best friend was living with his girlfriend, Lily. Lily and James broke up about six months ago and then about two months ago, Sirius and James got a bit drunk and fooled around. Sirius has been in love with James since he was about fourteen or fifteen - but James was oblivious until that night. Sirius still technically lives here because he knows I can't do the rent on my own, but if I find someone to have his room, he can officially move in with James which is what all of us want. I won't miss him using my books as coasters I'll tell you that much."

"He uses books as coasters?" Hermione was appropriately appalled by this and Remus knew he made the right choice.

"He does. Even when there are coasters on the table. I bought some in the hopes of saving my books. I've actually realised I can't leave books out anymore."

"One more question." She looked at Remus expectantly. "When can I move in? I warn you, I may need a lot of space for my books."

Remus stared at her for the moment, realising quickly that Hermione was the most perfect woman he had ever met. "Today."

"Great. How about I make one of those cakes for dessert?"

Remus realised at that moment that Hermione had to be his soulmate.

...oOo...

"So… you picked her because she's hot in a nerdy way, right?"

"What?" Remus replied, frowning.

Sirius glanced towards the door where Hermione had walked from the room a minute before. "Your new roommate, Hermione. She's rocking the whole dorky cardigan thing."

"She doesn't use books as coasters," Remus pointed out. "She uses bookmarks."

"And that's the moment you fell in love," James laughed. "Mate, you're so transparent."

"Very," Sirius replied, cuddling into James more and looking content. "Go make a move so the four of us can be sickeningly adorable and piss off other couples wherever we go."

"She's just broken up with her boyfriend two weeks ago," Remus pointed out. "Which is how long you've been in James'… I mean in your bedroom, celebrating."

"You're lucky we left the room today to collect my stuff," Sirius stated. "We ran out of food too."

"I'm not surprised," Remus muttered. "I…" he trailed off at the sound of a knock on the door. He headed over to answer, but as he reached the hallway, he heard the door open.

"Lucius? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you. Heavens, is this where you're living now, Hermione? I thought you had better standards than this hovel."

"Are you here to insult my new home?" she asked, her tone cold.

"Not at all. I wanted to talk to you. I'm willing to give you another chance."

Hermione snorted. "I'm sure your fiancée will approve. I'm not interested."

"Darling, I'm a Malfoy. Even being the mistress of someone like me will get you places. Your… heritage will drag you down, but this…"

"My heritage? Me being a mudblood, you mean?" her tone colder. "I'd rather be dragged down to the 'mud' that's in my name than be your bit on the side. At least that way I'm not lowering myself or disgusted in myself."

"You won't do better."

"I already have. I've… I've met someone. I'm dating someone."

"Of course you are." His tone was disbelieving and Remus silently moved closer.

"I am," she said. "His name is…"

"Love, is everything alright out here?" Remus found himself asking. The last thing he wanted to see was Lucius Malfoy's face, but Hermione needed help and he couldn't stop himself from coming to her aid. He moved next to Hermione, his hand slipping around her waist. "Lucius."

"Lupin," Lucius said, looking utterly disgusted as he turned back to Hermione. "Into the mud it is, consorting with a werewolf."

Remus' grip loosened and he began to panic. He hadn't even realised that Lucius knew his status.

"Well, you know what they say about werewolves - they are animals in bed," Hermione retorted, her tone smug.

Lucius looked even more disgusted at Hermione's words. "I suggest not coming back here. You're lowering the IQ of the whole street."

"Lowering… I'm not—"

Remus reached out and pushed the door closed in Lucius' face. "Look, Hermione. I… I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but…"

"No matter. We all have our secrets and you didn't know me well enough to tell me yours. I'm not upset or offended at that." She turned away from the door. "Thank you." She leaned up, kissing him on the cheek, before turning back to the kitchen.

Remus turned towards the living room, dazed, to see James and Sirius watching, concerned.

"You are so screwed," James muttered.

"You're right," Remus groaned. "I can smell the chocolate. She's making fudge cake. I don't think I can ever let her move out."

"That's not what he meant," Sirius pointed out.

"Can we just pretend it is," Remus asked softly. "Just for now."

His two friends nodded. "I'll go and give her a hand," Sirius said, removing his hand from James'. "She might want to bitch about Lucius which is one of my favourite things to do."

"Apart from James," Remus added with a smirk.

"And I'll give you advice on wooing Hermione. I'm an expert on women," James said.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Of course you are," he said, following James into the living room.

Review please :)