"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!

Chapter Four – The Setup

Harry looked around. There had been no sign of the Snitch since the start of the game when Madam Hooch released the balls. Worried, he sighed. He looked over to the Gryffindor stands. Hermione and Ginny were holding a huge banner that said, 'Potter Power'. Grinning, Harry felt a lot better. Unfortunately, Draco Malfoy, Harry's number one archenemy, decided to fly up next to him at that exact moment. So much for the confidence, Harry thought.

'What's up, Potter?' Draco sneered. 'Did Ginny Weasley spice up your brain too?'

'Shut up, Malfoy,' Harry gritted his teeth, as he continued to look for the Snitch. He spotted it minding its own business near the Ravenclaw stands. 'Keep an eye on what you're looking for, dough-head,' he added, bolting for the Snitch on his Firebolt.

Apparently, Draco had not expected Harry's quick reaction. He zoomed after him a moment too slowly. Harry grinned as his hands closed over the fluttering Snitch, and smiling, he held it up to the crowds. Glancing over at the staff's grandstand, he saw Dumbledore nodding approvingly, and clapping, along with the Gryffindor supporters. The whole lot of Slytherins was very disappointed, their heads drooping as they left the stands in distaste. Harry overheard the Slytherin Quidditch captain yelling at Draco for his 'stupidity, causing the victory of Potter and the Gryffindors.'

Harry then saw Professor Lupin talking to a blushing 6th year girl about homework, and remembered his promise to Hermione. Groaning, he flew down to the ground and descended from his broom. He handed the golden Snitch to Madam Hooch, who clapped his back gently. Heading for the changing rooms, he wished he had never agreed to Hermione's plea.

---

'So…' Lupin looked at Harry in confusion.

'Uh, professor, I want to ask you something – well, on behalf of Hermione, anyway…can you go to the Valentine's Day banquet with her?' Harry asked.

Sppplat! Lupin spat out the coffee he had been drinking. 'WHAT?'

'Er, is this a bad time to ask?'

'Well,' the professor paused and wiped his mouth quickly with a napkin, waving his wand at the table. The coffee spill was cleaned up in less than a second. 'Isn't it kind of, um, odd for a teacher to go to the dance with a student?' he continued. 'People might think of me as a pedophile!'

Harry stared at him. 'Sorry, professor,' he said, shaking his head. 'It must be that school the Dursleys sent me to, because I have no idea what the definition of that word is, whatsoever. Anyway,' he spoke, before Lupin could talk, 'it isn't my fault I'm asking you all this. Hermione is the one who wants to ask you out. Speaking of which, didn't you see Professor Dumbledore's notice about the Valentine's Day banquet on the bulletin board last week? It clearly implied that ALL teachers – yes, don't be surprised that Snape is included, must go with a student.'

'I don't think Hermione would really want to go with me,' Lupin sighed. 'February 14th is the night before the full moon. I don't want to scare her while in my horrible phase.'

Harry rolled his eyes. 'Oh, trust me, professor,' he said enthusiastically. 'Hermione proved to me last night that she really, really, really want you to go to the dance with her. She woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me about your encounter with her at 3am, for goodness sake.'

The professor flushed red. 'Er, keep in mind that I didn't do anything –

'Oh I know you didn't do anything, professor,' Harry interrupted. 'But Hermione still thought you were "very sweet", apparently.'

'Oh god,' Lupin raised a hand to his forehead, 'strangely, all this kind of stuff is happening to me lately…'

The younger wizard raised his eyebrows. 'I have certainly noticed.'

'You have?'

'Did you expect me not to notice when, oh, numerous girls talk about you in the library, hallways, and the Gryffindor common room, Professor Lupin?'

'Damn.'

'Damn right.'

Sighing, Lupin nodded. 'Okay,' he said, 'tell Hermione I will go to the dance with her.'

'Thanks for saving me from being pounded by cushions.'

'But only on one condition.'

'Oh no.'

Lupin said seriously, 'Inform Hermione to arm herself with a wand that night. If I stay out until midnight, then I may transform into a werewolf while with her, and I don't want her to be attacked by me.'

Harry waved his hand. 'Nah, I don't think Hermione would mind you biting her.'

Lupin raised an eyebrow. Harry gulped. 'Uh, I mean, she would definitely be careful.'

'Okay,' Professor Lupin said doubtfully, 'you should go back to your common room now and have some rest. By the way, that was a great game you'd played, Harry.'

'Thanks,' Harry said, as he made his way to the door. He walked out, and proceeded to the Gryffindor common room. When he went in, he yelled, 'Hermione! Oi, Hermione!'

'What?' Hermione had been finishing off her homework by the fireside.

'I've got great news for you,' he said. 'Lupin agreed to go with you to the Valentine's Day banquet!'

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Now that the holidays have come, I am free to update frequently!