AN: I apologize for the long wait. I got bored writing and kind of left this on the back burner. But here's a new chapter so..yea. Disclaimer in chapter 1 so read it elsewhere.

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The knock had been expected but it still caught Lupin by surprise. "Come in." He called over his shoulder before turning back to his briefcase. The heavy door creaked open slowly then shut with a solid thud. He didn't turn. The person who had entered remained silent. By smell alone, he knew it was her. He had been waiting for her and his heightened senses had not faded yet from his last transformation. "Hello Hermione."

"Hello Professor."

"Is there something I can help you with?" Lupin asked as he finally turned to face her. A polite smile masking his discomfort at her presence. Mentally he shook himself and gestured for her to take a seat in one of his faded chairs.

"I wanted to talk to you about the boy I am tutoring. I fear I did something wrong. We were studying quietly and then he got angry with me for asking him a few questions. He said he didn't want me to tutor him anymore. I just..." She stopped when the smile crossed Lupin's face.

"Don't worry Hermione. I am very sorry for his outburst. He has been under quite a bit of stress lately. That's all. In fact he came straight to me after he left you. Quite sorry and wishing he had never been so harsh. He asked me if you would continue your lessons but I did not answer for you. It's your own choice."

Hermione thought for a moment. Lupin could almost see her trying to figure something out. He waited patiently for the question he knew would come. She surprised him by asking one that was unexpected.

"So, how did here?" When Remus coughed a bit she knew she had him.

"The Hogwarts Express. How else?"

"Hmm"

"What hmm?. He took the train like all the other stud.."

"Professor. He's not like the other students and we both know it. I don't know about you but I missed the part in "Hogwarts: A history" that said the train ferried people back and forth in time. How did he really get here?" Hermione started at him evenly, her curiosity and amusment battling as she watched the man before her go from shocked to accepting in a matter of seconds.

"There was an accident. You know from experience that playing with time is tricky. This time, we made a right mess of it."

"He can't go back can he? Wait, of course he does. Or you wouldn't be here."

"This all has to work itself out. There's nothing we can do. He came her for a reason that we have yet to see. So I guess we wait and see" Lupin said, chuckling softly.

Now Hermione asked the question he had expected before. "Who is he really?"

Lupin looked away briefly, his eyes moving over his reflection in the window. As he turned back to Hermione he cleared his throat. "That boy is someone from my past." He said nothing more.

Hermione gave him a puzzled look. But gave up. "So he's going to come back for lessons? I'd like to tutor him if he wants. Tell him though, that it's his choice. I better got Professor Lupin. Goodnight."

Lupin stood and opened the door for Hermione. Pausing before the threshold she turned to him, her mouth open to ask another question. Lupin stopped her by speaking first.

"He's in your future as well Hermione."

"He's you." It wasnt a question, only a quiet statement.

"Yes, he's me." Exhaling sharply, Lupin looked to the floor. The echo of Hermione's footsteps out the door snapped him out of his trance. She turned for a moment, looking at him intently. Her lips moved briefly and he caught the sound of whispered words as she turned, rounded a corner and was gone.

Remus moved back inside of his office and shut his door. "You're right. You're always right Hermione. He isn't me. We're two entirely different people." Leaning against the heavy door, he slid down until he settled on the cold stone.

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short yea, but more one the way. I mean it this time