Disclaimer: All these charries belong to JK Rowling in her infinite wisdom. So...don't sue me. They aint mine.
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It had been a long term for all the students and there were now only two left. Winter had dawned in it's savage beauty, cold and clean. Drifts of snow raced across the massive grounds of Hogwarts as it's students looked longingly out from windows. For the Seventh years, NEWTS were quickly approaching and for one in particular they seemed as if they were right around the corner.
Slamming the book closed for the second time, Hermione sighed in frustration. She sat in a dark corner of the library unnoticed by all. All, except for one boy who had stayed in the shadows, watching her.
"Hermione, you know if you keep that up the book might try and bite you." He spoke softly, a smile upon his face as he stepped from the shadows.
Hermione looked up quickly, the scowl on her face quickly replaced by a grin. "Hello Harry. Out of class already?" She motioned for The Boy who Lived to sit with her and made room at her small table.
"Already? It's nearly dinner time. Ron and I thought one of us had come and find you before you starved to death. So, here I am" Harry punctuated his last words with a heavy thud as he settled into the chair.
"Dinner? I have been here awhile I guess." Hermione replied a bit sheepishly.
"Yea, just a bit. So, what's up?" He asked, trying to sound casual. Truth be told, he and Ron were worried about Hermione. She had for a time, seemed extremely depressed and withdrawn. Gradually it had gotten better but every now and then there would be a look on her face that caught Harry and Ron off guard. It was as if there was an unexpressed sadness radiating from her, but she still managed to keep up with everything.
"Oh nothing, I'm just trying to finish up these essays for Charms, Transfiguration and Potions. Then I might start my Defense against the Dark Arts project, but I'm really not sure. It's been a long day." As she spoke, she motioned to the different books stacked upon the table. Spell books and history books were practically spilling from her bag and there was another neat stack by the leg of Harry's chair.
"But Hermione, the Defense project is due tomorrow. All those others wont be collected for weeks. How come you put it off for so long?"
"Tomorrow? Oh, I guess I just forgot." The girl's head dropped slightly and her whole appearance seemed to have dimmed.
"Come on Hermione. What's really up? It's not like you to forget a big project. Especially for Lupin's class. He's the best teacher here and you always have his work done ages before it's due." The sharp look at Lupin's name raised a flag in Harry's mind and he quieted. He had seen the subtle differences in her actions in that particular class, especially when the professor was around. Still, he dismissed it as part of Hermione's whole mood. Now though, he wondered if it was the cause of her mood. "Hermione?"
"It's nothing Harry. I'm just a bit tired I guess. Now, you've found me. Go and have some dinner with Ron and I'll finish that project okay?" There was a definite strain now carried in Hermione's voice. But before she could protest once more Harry stood and gently took her arm.
"Not in a million years Hermione. Come with me to dinner. We can have a good time, and get some food in you. Then you can come upstairs with me and tell me what's really going on. I'm not asking to share with Ron. I'm asking because you are my friend and I want to know what's wrong. You know you can trust me."
"But Harry I.."
"No buts Miss Granger. You and your minature library are coming with me this instance." Seeing the smile that crossed Hermione's face strengthened Harry's resolve and he gently pulled her away from her chair. With a flick of his wand, the massive amount of texts and papers were miniaturized and stored neatly in Hermione's bag. With that in one hand and Hermione in his other, Harry led the way from the library and towards the great hall.
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"So then I says to 'im, I says 'Eat this Malfoy' and I did the spell and he grew a tail that was three feet long!" The sound of raucous laughter erupted at the long Gryfindor table as Ron finished his story. Much to the annoyance of the nearby Slytherin's, half of the table turned and pointed at Malfoy before turning once more and laughing.
Through all the noise and commotion, Hermione managed to slip down the bench unnoticed. Harry had gone to get something, leaving Hermione in the care of half the quidditch team and a very boisterous pair of Weaslys. All around her housemate's laughed and cracked jokes and had a good time. She decided to wait a few more minutes before making her way to the common room.
"Oy Hermione!" Ron's voice broke through her self imposed silence and she turned her head to the red haired boy. "Hermione come on over! We haven't seen you in ages, come over and have some fun!" The food and the laughter spilling from Ron's mouth made it almost impossible to understand what he was saying. But Hermione had 7 years of Ron-speak under her belt and understood him clearly. In answer, she merely shook her head and motioned to the door. Ron looked a bit dejected but finally nodded and Hermione gathered her things to leave.
Pushing open the heavy oak door the led from the hall, she pulled her book bag over her shoulder. The corridors were surprisingly empty as most of the students were still eating. Rounding a rather awkward corner owing to a suit of armor that seemed to step in the passerby's way, Hermione stepped into something soft but solid. When it let out a quiet 'oof' and stepped back, she looked up into the the face of Remus Lupin.
"Professor Lupin I'm sorry." Now her bag fell from her shoulder as if of it's own accord and spilt its contents on the floor. Quickly Hermione bent to retrieve everything, muttering quick apologies.
"No no, my fault. Don't worry." Lupin too bent to aide Hermione and reached for several books near his feet.
"I'm really sorry Professor. I didn't see you there" The awkwardness of the moment seemed lost on the both of them. Relief flooded Lupin as he reached for another book. She was talking to him, she was actually talking to him. Reaching out once more, this time his hand brushed hers and they stilled. Everything around them seemed to move at a tenth of the speed. Now the only thing in either's mind was the way the skin burned wherever contact was made. But, as quickly as it happened, it was gone.
"Sorry." Lupin mumbled quietly. The girl before him only shook her head and he thought there was the ghost of a smile on her face.
"My fault" was her equally quiet response. One last book was on the floor, evenly between the two of them. After a sideways glance from both parties, they reached once more at the same time. This time, instead of the burning sensation as they touched once more, it was a rather sharp jolt in the forehead as they knocked into each other.
"Ouch" it was said simultaneously. Hermione lifted a hand to rub gingerly at the point of impact, a smile fully emerging now.
"Oh Bugger." Lupin quipped, "Are you all right?" The girl before him nodded and burst out laughing. For a moment it startled the man, but soon he joined her. His deeper laugh mixing pleasantly with hers. Finally, all the books restored and the laughter dying, Lupin stood and offered the girl his hand. Reaching up, the feeling of his fingers intertwining with her own sent a shiver through her. Once she was on her feet, their hands dropped to the side, still joined.
"Thank you Professor Lupin." For a moment nothing was said, they just stood together. To Lupin it felt as if the past months had melted away in a single instant. Unknown to him, Hermione felt much the same. The sound of a loud clatter and raucous laughter from the Great Hall brought them both out of their reveries. With hesitation, Lupin released Hermione's hand from his own and leaned forward. The girl looked up to ask what he was doing but quieted as she felt his lips graze lightly over the sore spot on her forehead. Despite herself, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling. When they opened once more, Lupin was backing slowly away from her, an apologetic smile on his face. When she returned it with a nod and nod of her own, he looked at her one last second before turning and rounding the corner to the Great Hall.
Long after he had rounded the corner, Hermione stood rooted to the spot. Then, with a soft sigh she turned and continued on her long forgotten path. As she rounded the corned that would lead her to the stairs, she bumped yet again into another soft and solid form. This time it caught her before she fell. Looking up, past the glasses and into those familiar eyes, Hermione saw Harry staring back.
"So" He said, a smile fighting with his attempt to be serious. "That's what's up."
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