"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 Seven – Moonlight Stroll
Dumbledore stood up. 'Please take a seat,' he told the arriving students. They settled down as he continued to talk, 'Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! The house elves have prepared wonderful food for this evening, so please, dig in!'
He clapped his hands, and terrific-looking dishes appeared on the tables. Students began to eat, and Ron piled his plate without missing a beat. Hermione rolled her eyes, and helped herself to some roast potatoes. As she scooped the delicious potato, her eyes gazed over to Lupin. He was politely talking to Professor McGonagall…but his eyes were looking over at Hermione. She blushed and turned away.
Harry elbowed Hermione, grinning slyly. 'Looks like Ms Studying-is-my-first-priority is putting off her motto, and entering the love struck stage.'
'Go back to eating.'
'Yes, Miss Granger.'
---
After dinner, the house tables stacked itself on the walls, and the last of the food disappeared. The staff table was immediately transformed into a refreshment table with a velvet-red tablecloth on top, and drinks of all kinds awaited. Slow music began to play, and students started to dance automatically to the melody.
Lupin approached Hermione, the tips of his ears in a shade of red that possibly does not exist in the Pantone colour palette. 'Erm,' he started, 'm-may I have this dance, Miss Granger?'
Hermione smiled, as sweetly as she can. 'Of course, Professor,' she replied.
Lupin gave a bow, as his partner returned a curtsy. He held her hand, and his other hand grasped her waist softly. They began to dance a slow waltz.
Hermione Granger was in seventh heaven. Here she was, dancing with the guy of her dreams. Meanwhile, Remus Lupin was filled with anxiety. This is all wrong, he thought frantically. I shouldn't be with her – He broke off when he looked into her eyes. They must be the prettiest eyes in the world…
He shook himself slightly, and let go of Hermione. 'Miss Granger?'
She was surprised. 'Yes?'
'Um, d'you – d'you want to, er, maybe go for a walk with me?' he asked. 'You know, before I have to, uh, transform…'
She nodded cheerfully, and answered, 'Of course.'
Lupin offered his arm to her, and she took it. They walked out of the Great Hall together.
---
Meanwhile, Ginny and Harry were dancing. Ron waltzed Lavender over to them. 'What d'you reckon Hermione is up to with Professor Lupin?' he called out while leading a very aghast Lavender behind him.
'Um, I don't know,' Harry lied.
'Oh, really?' Ron raised an eyebrow. 'What about all those "secret" talks you had with her?'
'Uh…hey, Ginny, let's get some refreshments.' Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her with him to the drinks table.
Ron frowned. 'Why do I have a feeling that no one is telling me the truth?'
---
Lupin and Hermione strode over to the promenade railing. 'Wow,' Hermione whispered. 'This view looks like it comes from Titanic.'
'What's Titanic?'
'Oh nothing,' she replied. 'It's a Muggle film.'
'Oh, okay.' Lupin put his hands on the railing, and glanced at the moon. 'You know, whenever I look up at the moon, I always worry about my werewolf condition. I worry about when I will be sacked, and when I will be dumped by a girlfriend –
'You have a girlfriend?' Hermione asked, surprised.
'Yes, but that was very long ago. Our breakup was so saddening that I swore never to date again. Love is just horrifying,' he added.
'What happened?'
Lupin turned to her. 'Well, basically, she found out that I am a werewolf, and ran away the same night.' He sighed. 'We were about to be engaged.'
Hermione stared at him. 'I-I'm sorry to hear that.'
He breathed into the frosty night air. 'Not your problem. Besides, that was about ten years ago.' Lupin looked up at the moon again.
She dropped her head slightly. An awkward moment passed before he spoke up again. 'Hermione, I was thinking about what you said that day…' he gazed down at her. 'Was all of that true?'
Hermione nodded. 'Yes, I was being serious.'
'Because – well, I know you would be surprised to hear this, but I-I think my feelings for you are changing into love.'
She froze. Lupin smiled, and took her hands in his own. His large hands wrapped around Hermione's, as he turned to face her. 'Hermione Granger,' he said ever so gently, 'I love you.'
He leaned down to brush his lips against hers. The soft intimate movement began to turn passionate. Just then, they heard the Hogwarts clock chime in the background.
It was twelve o'clock, midnight of the full moon. Lupin is to transform!
A/N: Will Hermione escape Lupin's fiery werewolf natures or not? Read the upcoming chapter to find out! (Please r & r and no flames please!)By the way, thehpgang, I seriously like David Thewlis. I have to admit I really dislike how he looks in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as Lupin, but it wasn't his fault. Whoever designed the actors' appearances is to blame, no offense or anything. In real life, Thewlis really is good-looking!