"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 Five – Surprise, Surprise

Hermione gaped at Harry, dropping her quill onto the table in surprise. 'Are you dead serious?'

Harry frowned. 'I am not Sirius, and I am not dead. Well, Sirius is…' his voice faltered, remembering his godfather, but continued, 'but I'm not.'

Hermione shook her dead. 'Honestly, Harry, how thick can you get?'

Harry said nothing, but merely scowled at her. Hermione sighed. 'I'm sorry.'

'You should be.'

'Well, I just want to know if you're joking or not!'

Harry smiled. 'What do you think?'

'Stop with the riddles!'

'Okay, I'm not joking. Happy?'

Hermione stared at him. 'Oh my god!' she shouted in joy. She made a dash for the door.

'Where are you going?' asked Harry.

'To tell the rest of the world!'

Harry groaned. 'Girls…' he muttered. Sighing, he helped Hermione put away her forgotten scrolls and stationery into her bookbag. I'm such a nice friend, he thought. But what do I get? He rolled his eyes. 'Now that I'm finished with Hermione's business,' he said to himself. 'I can ask Ginny out.'

---

Hermione took a deep breath, and knocked on Lupin's office door. 'Come in!' she heard Lupin shout out. She opened the door.

The professor was tidying up his bookshelf, with his sleeves rolled up. The fireplace was put out, no doubt because it was so warm in the room. 'Er, professor?'

Lupin turned around. Seeing that it was Hermione, his ears went red. 'Uh, hello, Miss Granger –

'Call me Hermione, please, professor.'

'Um, okay, Hermione,' he said softly. 'I have a question for you. Have a seat first,' he said, gesturing towards the chairs next to the fireplace.

They sat down. Hermione gazed up at him. Lupin crossed his hands together. 'I want to know why you want to go to the dance with me so badly.

Hermione was startled by the question. 'Didn't Harry tell you?'

'Tell me about what?'

'That – that I have a crush on you.'

Lupin froze. 'You have a crush on me?'

'Not just a crush,' she admitted. 'I think I have fallen in love with you.'

'Hermione,' Lupin began. 'You must understand that I'm your mentor, not your peer –

'I know,' Hermione cut him off, 'but I can't help it. Love just comes naturally.'

'Yes, I understand that love comes naturally, but I can't be with you, Hermione.'

'Why not?'

'Why not?' Lupin repeated the question to himself. 'Because…because I'm a werewolf.'

Hermione heaved a sigh. 'Professor –

'Remus.'

'Remus,' she said, 'I don't find a problem with you being a werewolf.'

'Well, I do, unfortunately.'

Hermione shook her head. 'I don't think you understand, but I'm going to show you how I'm feeling.' She leaned forward to his chair, and pressed her lips against his.

A/N: A big thank-you to all reviewers! I'm glad you enjoy this story so far. I promise to update soon! (A nice surprise for the kiss, eh?)