Summary: Remus tries desperately to conceal his relationship.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my very active imagination.
Remus wandered through the streets of Hogsmeade, attempting to decide whether to delve into one of the shops.
"Oy! Remus!" someone called behind him.
He turned to see the smiling faces of two of his former students who, incidentally, were also two of his closest friends.
"Ron! Harry!" he called happily.
They two younger men walked over to the older man and shook his hand.
"We were just about to have lunch," Harry said. "Why don't you join us?"
"I'd love to," Remus replied, smiling.
The three men walked quickly to the Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta immediately came over to take their order. When she'd left, Remus turned to the other two.
"What brings you two to Hogsmeade?" he asked curiously. After all, Ron was a financial advisor in Diagon Alley, and Harry was a professional Quidditch player with Puddlemere.
"Visiting my sister at Hogwarts," Ron replied. Remus nodded knowingly. As it was Ginny's final year at Hogwarts, he knew she missed her brother and her friends who'd graduated already.
"And how was she?" Remus asked.
"We don't know," Harry replied. "She wasn't there. McGonagall said it was a Hogsmeade weekend, so we came here. But we still haven't found her."
Remus chuckled. "Gentlemen, she's probably off spending money on clothes or sweets. Not to worry."
"Remus, how is Ginny doing?" Ron asked. "She barely writes anymore."
Remus cleared his throat uncomfortably. "She's fine, as far as I know. I mean, I don't see her that often, just in class and in the Great Hall." He paused. "Why? Something troubling her?"
Ron shook his head. "No, I just get the feeling she's hiding something from the rest of us"
With a shaking hand, Remus raised his glass to take a sip. Putting it back down, he shifted his gaze to Ron. "What makes you say that?"
"Remus, are there any boys hanging around Ginny?" Ron asked irritably.
Remus nearly choked on his butterbeer. "Um, not that I know of. Why?" He knew of Ron's anger towards any boy that showed interest in the only Weasley sister.
"Well, I know of someone decent who's asked her out, but she said she was already dating someone," Ron explained, "but no one knows who it is." He hesitated and clenched his fist. "Said she's in love with the bloke, whoever he is."
At this statement, Remus dropped his decanter on the floor. Ron and Harry gaped at their former professor.
"All right there, Remus?" Harry asked as Remus attempted to pull himself together.
"Yes, I'm fine," he replied, "Just a little shaky from hunger, I guess. I skipped breakfast." He hoped they believed him.
He quickly cleaned the mess with a quick spell and turned back to Ron.
"So your sister thinks she's in love?" he questioned nervously.
Ron eyed the elder man with concern. "Yeah, she told Colin that she's been seeing this guy for a while now, and she's in love with him." He sighed. "Colin said she wouldn't say who it was."
"Ron thinks it's Malfoy," Harry teased, elbowing his friend.
"It'd better not be that arrogant prat!" Ron exclaimed. "I mean, I know he's better now, but he's still Malfoy."
The other two men chuckled. But Remus hoped they couldn't tell how sweaty he was. They ate in near silence, and the subject of Ron's younger sister was avoided until they were about to leave.
They were walking out of the pub when Ron grabbed Remus' arm.
"You'd tell me if she was seeing anyone, wouldn't you Remus?" Ron asked. "She's my only sister."
"Ron, I assure you that I haven't seen Ginny involved with any other students," Remus placated, "but it's not my place to disclose the details of her personal life."
"I'm just worried about her," Ron replied. Harry nodded in agreement. "We're all worried, all my brothers and Harry. I know she's not a little girl anymore, but she's still too young to be in a serious relationship, much less be in love."
Remus cringed visibly, but neither of the other men noticed. "I understand your concerns, Ron. But Ginny is of age now, and she can do as she pleases and see who she wants."
Ron nodded in resignation, and Harry patted his friend on the back. Harry turned to Remus and shook his hand.
"Take care, Remus," he said.
"You too, Harry, Ron," he replied. "Good luck!" he called, as he turned to leave.
Later that evening, Remus chose a book from his bookshelf and climbed into bed to read. He heard the door to his bedroom open, but no one entered. At least, he didn't see anyone enter.
Suddenly, a beautiful young redheaded witch appeared at the foot of his bed. He looked up at her with a bemused expression.
"If your brothers knew what you used that Invisibility Cloak for, they'd never have given it to you," he said with a smile.
"Well, it's not like I can just skip into your private chambers, Remus," Ginny replied, cheekily.
He watched intently, as she silently untied her robe to reveal her pajamas, shorts and a skimpy tank top.
"Must you always keep my boxer shorts? I'm running out," he bemoaned.
She giggled at him as she crawled up his bed towards him. "Yes," she said, kissing his neck softly, "I must."
He closed his eyes, relishing her touch. When she'd finished work on his neck, she settled into his waiting arms.
"Avoiding your brother now are you?" he asked tightening his grip around her waist.
"How did you know?" she asked, shocked at his knowledge.
"I, uh, had lunch with Ron and Harry today in Hogsmeade," he replied nervously.
"You did?" Ginny shrieked, sitting up. "What happened? You didn't tell them, did you?" she asked hysterically.
He shook his head emphatically. "No, of course I didn't tell them, Ginny," he said a little more forcefully that he meant. "Do you think I'm stupid, that I want to get fired?"
Ginny's anger calmed, and she gently ran a hand down Remus' chest. "No, love, I know you're not," she said softly. "I'm sorry. I just got a little anxious."
Remus shifted in his bed, making room for Ginny to lie down next to him. "Gin, Ron said Colin asked you out. Is that true?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied slowly.
"And you said you were already seeing someone?"
"Yes..."
"And that you...er...loved this fellow you were seeing?" he asked with trepidation.
Ginny buried her face in his chest and replied. Her words were muffled, and Remus stifled a laugh.
"What was that?" he asked.
"I said, 'yes,' you insufferable git" she grumbled.
Remus leaned down to kiss her soundly on the mouth. "Good, that's what I thought you said."
"Remus, we don't have to tell anyone yet, do we?" Ginny asked.
"Of course not," he replied. "This will be our secret...at least until you graduate."
"Professor Lupin, you are dastardly," she teased seductively.
"Oh, I like it when you call me 'Professor,'" he whispered huskily.
Ginny giggled as he began showering her with kisses. She enjoyed their relationship and liked it being their secret, their own little secret!
A/N- This was unbeta'ed, so if there are errors, please let me know!