Chapter 2: Lupin saves the day!

"But professor, you can't make me clean your office everyday after classes!" Hermione protested after Potions class. Snape shot an unemotional glance at her. "Why not, Miss Granger? You didn't pay attention, so you suffer the consequenses of your actions, it's as simple as that" he said calmly. "And besides, I could use a cleaner in my office, as Dumbledore doesn't pay me enough to hire one" he added with an unpleasant smile. Hermione blinked away a few tears, turned around and stomped out of the room. 'This is so not fair! Why do I have to pay for being in love? I can't help it!" she thought angrily and wiped a few tears away from her cheeks. The mere thought of being alone with Snape for almost an hour each day made her so angry and sad, she had to cry again.

Hermione sat down on a bench near the lake and burried her head in her arms. Then all over sudden she felt someone seize her shoulder again, but this time in a gently manner. "Wha...? she said startled, thinking it was Snape. But in front of her stood professor Lupin, with his lovely brown hair waving in the wind and his eyes looked worried at her. "Hermione, what's wrong, my dear?" he asked and squatted in front of her, so he could look her straight in the eyes. Hermione didn't know what to say at first but managed to stutter "It..it's professor Snape, he...he made me clean his office everyday, for detention, just because I wasn't paying attention." Hermione almost wanted to say she got this punishment for the reason that she was drawing Lupin-love-hearts in her notebook, but luckily decided not to. Lupin stared in her eyes for a minute, thinking seriously about a solution for this problem. "Follow me, I'm gonna try to get you out of this" he said, and Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Her hero was going to get her out of this appalling situation! She followed Lupin with legs that felt like jelly (she had that every time she saw him) to the dungeons.

"Severus! Can I have a word with you?" Lupin shouted when he entered the large office of the Potions master. Snape frowned when he saw Hermione cowering behind her Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. "Yes, what's the matter, Remus?" he said grudgingly. "It's about Hermione Granger here, don't you think you have been a little too harsh on her?" Lupin came right to the point. Snape shook his head. "I think I even let her off too lightly, to be frank!" Hermione still whimpered behind Lupin. "Well, I demand you to forget about the detention, you made that poor child cry!" Lupin ordered. Snape's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so" he said through clenched teeth. "If you don't, I'll pay you a visit next week" Lupin grinned and pointed at the lunar chart. "Full moon, I don't think you like me much around that time, my dear Severus" he said in a calm voice, and he knew Snape would obey. Snape and Lupin stared at each other until Snape gave in and glared at Hermione. "Okay, girl, consider yourself lucky for this time! But next time, I won't be so kindhearted, understood?" Hermione couldn't believe her luck, Lupin saved her out of the clutches from the vicious Potions master! She nodded and cleared her throat. "Thanks, Mr Snape" she muttered and accompanied with Lupin, she quickly went out of the cold dungeon to the warmth of the hall.

"Thank you so much, professor Lupin!" she said and blushed deeply. Lupin smiled at her. "No problem" he said, smiling too. Then he went to the class to teach kids how to defend themselves, and how to get rid of detention, without using violence. Hermione dropped down on a chair and sighed deeply. Lupin was such a brave hero!

A/N: Please review, or else I'll report you to Snape, so you can clean his office!! :P