A/N: Help! Most of my commas and all my stars from the last chapter disappeared! If anyone can tell me how to get them to appear, let me know. I had them all typed in, but when it uploaded, it changed for some reason. :( So instead of stars, I have big spaces, and if the commas disappear, sorry. Also, please bear with me on my lack of creativity on subjects to study in DADA class. I'm not an expert about mythical creatures and such. So they'll be not mentioned, repeats, or maybe one or two that I'll make up completely on my own. Also, you'll probably be able to tell I'm a Harry/Hermione shipper too, LOL.

Disclaimer: JKR has a billion dollars. Do I look like I have a billion dollars? No! If I did, more of my fanfictions would be finished, as I would do them instead of work. :) Nothing is mine!

September

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exited their final class on their first day back at Hogwarts. They felt a bit overwhelmed at what was in store for them this year, if this day's classes were anything to judge by.

"Let's go visit Hagrid" suggested Harry suddenly. His companions nodded their assent as they set their path to Hagrid's cabin.

When they arrived, Hagrid hugged each of them in turn. "Good to see yeh" he sniffed. His eyes were puffy, as if he'd been crying awhile.

Harry could easily guess what was the matter. Grawp had been killed at the end of last year by a bunch of Death Eaters. Harry hadn't been able to properly console his friend, since he'd been whisked off to the Dursleys right afterward. "I'm really sorry about what happened, Hagrid."

Hagrid tried to smile through his tears. "At least it was quick and not too painful." He clapped his hand down hard on Harry's shoulder. Harry felt the sensation of being a nail driven into a piece of wood. "I'm so proud of yeh, beatin' Voldemort an' all. I always knew yeh could do it."

Harry smiled at him, feeling rather empty. This wasn't all at how he expected it would be when Voldemort was gone. Shouldn't he be feeling proud, or happy?

Hermione and Ron were silent through the exchange. Although they felt sorry for Hagrid, neither of them were fond of Grawp. It was almost a relief to not have to worry about Hagrid being smooshed into a pancake. Hermione, however, didn't miss the look on Harry's face when Hagrid congratulated him about Voldemort. Biting her lip, she decided that the best thing for him would be to talk to Lupin. After all, Lupin was the one who experienced close to the same things as Harry.

"Have some tea" invited Hagrid. The friends shared what they did over the summer. Harry, after a brief time at the Dursleys, stayed at Ron's for the rest of the summer, playing Quidditch and hanging out with Ginny. Ron wrote letters to Luna, and played Quidditch with Harry. Hermione worked in her parent's dentist office. "I've been diggin' a grave for - for my brother. Took a considerable time, but I did it" said Hagrid with a final sniff. "I'd better not keep you three, you need to be back before curfew."

They said their goodbyes and walked out the door. After a few paces Hermione turned to Harry and softly said"Harry, have you thought about talking to Lupin? I think it might help. You could both use a talk."

Harry stared at her, his face betraying his unease. "I'm not sure if I should. I mean, I don't want to say anything that would upset him. Goodness knows he has enough on his plate."

"Still, Harry, keeping pent up emotions isn't good. It'll eat you up inside. Please talk to him. We're really worried about you, aren't we Ron"

"Yes, of course. Still, Harry might have a point. I don't think it's a good idea to upset Lupin" commented Ron thoughtfully.

"Have it your own way" said Hermione, slightly annoyed.

"I'll try and talk to him, Hermione. In fact, I'll do it right now" whispered Harry. He wasn't sure if he could actually bring up what was on his mind, but he would try.

"We'll be in the common room" said Hermione as she watched Harry trudge towards Lupin's office.

Harry knocked on Lupin's office door hesitantly, a lump in his throat.

"Come in" he heard Lupin call. Harry opened the door and shut it behind him as he approached Lupin. Lupin was sitting at his desk, a pile of papers stacked in front of him. "Harry. Good to see you." Lupin tilted his head slightly, giving Harry a measuring look. He noticed Harry's nervous edge. "Harry, please, sit down."

Harry pulled up a chair. "I'm looking forward to your DADA class tomorrow. It's good to have you back, especially after all those incompetent DADA teachers we've had."

"You can thank Dumbledore for that. He made the arrangements." It was hard to detect, but Harry could see the dull, pained expression harbored in Lupin's eyes. Harry started losing his courage at that upsetting sight.

"I hope you had a good summer" continued Harry lamely.

Lupin turned back to his papers. "Decent" he muttered.

"I stayed at Ron's. I'm glad they took me in so I wouldn't have to live with the Dursley's anymore."

Harry was running out of steam. Clearly Lupin wasn't in a talking mood. "Am I disturbing you? I can leave. It's nearly curfew anyway" said Harry, standing up. He felt rather foolish for even coming. He wasn't getting anywhere.

"No, I'm always glad to see you Harry" assured Lupin, the pain in his eyes lessening slightly, before returning full force. "Come anytime."

"Goodbye Lupin." Harry hurried back to the common room. His spirits were raised at talking with his old friend, but he was also gnawed with concern. Hopefully Lupin would cheer up when he got into the swing of classes.

Harry emerged through the portrait hole to be greeted by Ginny. "There you are, Harry! Hermione told me you talked to Professor Lupin. How is he"

"He's his same old self" revealed Harry, feeling quite reluctant to relate the look in Lupin's eyes.

Ginny could sense something was wrong. (I'll have to think of something to get his mind off things. But what?) "Let's go do our homework together, Harry." The pair sat down on the coach, accompanied by a pile of books.

"I can't believe it. Day one and we have loads of homework" moaned Ron, who was seated nearby with his friends. "This can't be a good sign."

"Cheer up, Ron. At least we don't have to worry about You-Know-Who this year" Hermione whispered to Ron. She didn't want Harry to hear anything that would remind him of Voldemort.

"It won't be anything we can't handle, Ron. The nargles are gone" breathed Luna, before fading back into her book. Ron grinned, entranced by her eccentricity. Without a word he attacked his pile of homework.

The next day, Hermione and her friends eagerly strode through the door to their first DADA class of the year. Professor Lupin greeted his class, the smile on his face not quite reaching his eyes. "I'm sure the events of this past year has impressed upon you the importance of doing well in classes like mine" he said solemnly. "I hope, for your own sakes, that the things I'll teach you, which are much harder than anything most of you have encountered" he glanced at Harry as he said that"will be learned well enough not only to pass NEWTS, but also to be of vital practical use."

Dead silence met his words. This wasn't quite the Professor Lupin they remembered from third year. He had always been rather serious, accompanied by a good-natured smile now and then. Now his wry smiles seemed rare and his face sterner. He began introducing the creatures and defensive spells they'd be learning throughout their 7th year.

Hermione bit her lower lip as she paid rapt attention to Lupin. She wished she could think of something to cheer him up. Harry had Ginny and his friends, but Lupin didn't have anyone. She imagined him sitting in his office, night after night, the jovial part of him vanishing. Her eyes widened at the thought. She couldn't let that happen! Lupin needed a night out, or something. If anyone deserved to have fun, it was definitely Lupin.

The class filed out the door as Lupin ended the class. Hermione pulled Harry aside. "Harry, I never got the chance to ask...how did your talk last night go"

"I tried to talk to him, but I couldn't get the words out. You saw how he was today. Last night he was a bit worse, and didn't want to talk much. He was glad to see me, though."

"You should try again soon. Hopefully he'll be in a more receptive mood." She sighed. "Harry, we can't let him go on like this. Do you know of anything he likes to do for fun" She smiled impishly. "Does he have a girlfriend? Tonks, maybe"

"I don't know if he likes anyone. If he does, he hides it well. Being a werewolf might make it hard for him in that department" he said, eyeing Hermione. It was a rather odd question for her to ask. "I haven't been around him enough lately to know what he likes to do for fun. When I have seen him, it was mainly with the Order of Phoenix."

"We'll have to come up with something" declared Hermione with determination as she headed for the library. She was sure that a book could provide some inspiration.

Harry watched her departing back. He hoped she was successful. He didn't feel capable of cheering anyone up, his mind full of his own troubles. Ginny caught up with him, noticing the look on his face. (I've got it! I'll invite Fred and George to Hogwarts! They could show off their newest products, or something. Harry would really like that.) "Harry, I'm going to the owlry. I'll see you in the common room" she told him.

Ron and Luna had followed Harry the whole time. "Daddy said an army of newts might be attacking soon" commented Luna rather randomly. Ron smiled at her. He'd learned the way she had of expressing herself, although odd, had its own rhyme and reason that showed she seemed to know what was going on better than anybody. He'd just wait and see.

Preview of next chapter : "Harry, did I just hear you pass up Quidditch practice for homework" asked Hermione disbelievingly. "I think you should go. You've been cooped up with books far too much lately, and some fresh air would do you good" said Hermione.

Harry stared at her in shock. A statement like that from her was about as rare as Lupin's smile these days. Cooped up with books? What did Hermione do all day but that!"