"Of Crushes and Valentines'

By: wizardhp23

Genre: General, Romance

Rating: PG (just in case)

Brief Summary: It's nearing Valentine's Day at Hogwarts, and Professor Dumbledore has decided to make a rule that all teachers must have a date for the Valentine's Day banquet – a student date. What do you get when you have Hermione Granger and her secret crush on Professor Lupin? Set in Hogwarts, in the kids' seventh and final year. Lupin is back to teach lycanthropy!

DISCLAIMER: I wish I own Lupin and Hermione, but then JK Rowling would kill me!

Chapter Two – Just Another Failure

Hermione technically floated into the classroom with the others. How can Lupin be so hot in so little time? I mean, he's a werewolf! She was puzzled. It must be all those little talks about his past look…

'Today, we will be looking at how a werewolf transforms.' The voice of Lupin awoke Hermione from her daydreams, as she dreamily sat at her seat. 'Can anybody tell me the basic forms of transformation?'

Normally, Hermione would have flung her arm up high to answer, but today, she was in la-la-land. There was no Harry or Ron to elbow her; they did not pick Lycanthropy for this year. Lupin looked around the classroom, and saw no hands up. He surveyed the room, and his eyes landed on Hermione. 'Ms Granger,' he said, 'you seem awfully quiet today. Would you like to have a go at answering my question?'

'Um…' Hermione was speechless. Those vivid blue eyes are so darn pretty, she thought. 'No, I don't have a single clue on this,' she finally said, blushing.

Lupin was surprised. 'Oh, okay…it's quite all right.' He walked away from Hermione's desk with a slight frown.

Dang it, I've disappointed him...

---

'EARTH TO HERMIONE!'

'What?'

Ron and Harry were standing in front of Hermione and, having their hands cupped around their mouths, shouting at her. Ron shook his head in confusion. 'Blimey, what's with you these days, Hermione? You NEVER seem to hear me and Harry!'

Harry chuckled. 'What, are you daydreaming about some random bloke or a poor chap is in your target of love now?'

Hermione groaned. Of all people, Harry seemed to understand her the most. But what can she do now? Confess? 'Oh, yeah, Harry, I'm crushing on Professor Lupin, and Ron, I think Lupin is H-O-T, and bloody brilliant!' doesn't sound too good to Hermione yet.

'No, I'm just feeling a little tired, that's all,' she lied.

'Are you sure you're all right?' Harry's face became serious.

Hermione nodded. Ron turned to Harry. 'Nothing to worry about,' he said cheerfully. ''Mione's probably dreaming about Lockhart…'

She wished it was that simple. Unfortunately, the case was different. She had fallen in love with Professor Lupin.

---

Night has fallen soon after that, and it was time for dinner. Hermione grabbed her schoolbag, but books spilled out, and she bent down to pick them up. She was stopped by Harry, who appeared with no sound, and kneeled down to help her.

'Hermione,' he said, 'I know something is wrong with you. Or at least you're bothered by something. You can trust me,' he promised. 'I can keep whatever you are trying to hide a secret. It's better to share secrets than to keep them sometimes.'

Hermione sighed. 'I don't know where to begin, Harry,' she said at last. 'I think I may have fallen in love with Professor Lupin.'

Harry was still. After a pause, he piped up, 'THAT was definitely not I have in mind, but I knew it would be something regarding crushes and stuff. Anyway,' he gave a little laugh, 'whoa, never before have I known Hermione Granger as a girl who will fall for a much older guy, but age is really just a number.'

She looked up at him. Harry was smiling, to her relief. 'Thanks for your support, Harry,' she told him.

'No problem,' he answered happily. 'Always glad to help a friend in distress. See? It wasn't so bad to share your hidden thoughts, was it?'

Hermione laughed. 'No,' she admitted. 'It wasn't bad at all.'

A/ N: Please r/r and I'll put up the next bit soon! Please, NO FLAMING!