A/N: Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Enjoy!

Hermione's "Interview"

Harry wasn't sure how to respond. With Hermione there, he wouldn't be alone in trying to wheedle conversation out of stubborn Lupin, and would have more chance of success. On the other hand, he wasn't sure he wanted to succeed. He was beginning to doubt that Lupin looked to him like a son like Harry saw him as a father. What if Lupin didn't want to be bothered about Harry's troubles"Well, Hermione, if you want to" he agreed doubtfully. "You can come with me, but if this fails, I'm not trying anymore."

"Great" said Hermione. "We can talk to him tonight." Her spirits rose a bit higher than she thought was necessary. (I hope I don't do anything stupid)

After supper in the Great Hall, Hermione nervously led Harry up to Lupin's office. (Why am I nervous? This is only Lupin. We've been friends since third year. Get a grip. Just breathe.) She chewed on her lower lip as she knocked on his office door. "Come in" Lupin called. She took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. Harry followed her and closed the door behind them.

"Have a seat. Hello Harry. Well, well, if it isn't my most dedicated student" teased Lupin, winking at Hermione.

Hermione felt her face grow pink as she was knocked speechless for a moment. "Hello Lupin" she managed to say.

Harry noted the exchange with interest. What was going on? Hermione didn't like Lupin, did she? Lupin seemed to be acting strange as well. (At least he seems happy.)

Hermione, meanwhile, gathered her wits together and got down to business. "I think it's important that you both talk about what's troubling you now that the war is over. Now don't try to say there's nothing wrong, I know you've both been brooding about it and it's best to get it off your chests." She paused, twitching with nervousness. Lupin was staring at her oddly, which didn't help matters.

(She's concerned about me,) Lupin realized, touched. (I thought I was just another teacher to her. Wait, I'm not going to get a crush on her,) he berated himself. (But why not? She's not just another girl. She's Harry Potter's best friend, and certainly has proved her maturity. She's a student though, I just can't let myself have a crush.)

"Harry, you first." (I feel like a cross between a psychologist and a newspaper interviewer) "The prophecy's been fulfilled, and I know you must be feeling rather lost, because for six years that's what your life revolved around." She raised her eyebrows expectantly, silently pleading for success. She wished Lupin would stop staring, her face was going to turn into a tomato any moment, she just knew it.

Harry struggled to find the right words. "I feel like my life is at a dead end. I have no idea of what I want to do now that it's over. I haven't much place to go, no family left. I've thought about being an Auror. I'm not sure though. I just feel, alone, I guess. Ginny's been great, but she doesn't know what it's like to be singled out for six years then suddenly feel like you've been stuffed into a remote closet."

Hermione relaxed a little. At least Lupin wasn't looking at her anymore, and Harry had made a good start. "It's very unfortunate that your life had to be caught up in this, Harry. I know your parents would have been very proud of you" Lupin said, his eyes sad. "I can't describe how much I miss them, and Sirius, and..." Lupin covered his face with his hands. He would NOT cry. He remembered what Dumbledore had said to him in his letter over the summer"I'm hoping that, if you accept the DADA teaching position again, it will help you get your mind off what has happened in this past year. I'm sure that being around friends will raise your spirits." What friends did he have left? Almost all of them had died. He just felt so lonely lately. The ache inside him, which he'd tried hard to suppress, began to well up.

"I've been missing Sirius too" admitted Harry quietly. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. They'd never seen Lupin so upset, and they weren't sure what to do. They sat silent, pondering.

"We'll be here for you, Remus." Hermione surprised even herself by using his first name, something she'd never done. "I know we aren't James, Lily, or Sirius, but we're here if you need us. Right Harry"

"Yes, of course. You're almost like a father to me" ventured Harry.

Hermione could see Lupin peeking at them through his fingers before raising his head from his hands. She held her breath. Had she said the right thing? Had she shown too much of her feelings for him? Would he think she was silly?

He smiled wanly at them, tilting his head and eyeing Hermione out of the corner of his eye. (Why did she use my first name? Could she possibly like me? I'm making too much out of nothing, she just used it for effect.) "I can't thank you enough for your kind support" he said. "I hate to complain, but I have been feeling quite lonely lately. The wolf has made this hard time into an even harder one." He spoke so softly they could barely hear him. (I wish I could've married when I was younger. The wolf, of course, made that impossible. And still impossible.)

Lupin briefly gazed at Hermione with what almost seemed to be a question in his eyes. Then he turned away with a resigned look. She wondered what he was thinking, and why in the world butterflies were inhabiting her stomach again. "If either of you have any more to say, now would be a good time" suggested Hermione, smiling her encouragement.

"Harry" started Lupin, looking uncertain. "If you wanted to live with me after you finished school, the invitation's open. I haven't got much of a place, but you almost feel like family to me. Unless, of course, you and Ginny have other plans" said Lupin, starting to grin suggestively. He'd seen them together alot these past two years and wouldn't be at all surprised if they got married. "Or she could come too, if you wish." He tried not to sound too hopeful. Going back to his house, alone, seemed unbearable right now.

"I don't know about Ginny" admitted Harry, turning pink. "Of course I'd love to come live with you! Don't worry about your house, Lupin. Anything you have is much better than the Dursley's."

"Sounds great, you two, as long as I get to visit" said Hermione, smiling in satisfaction. This evening turned out better than she'd hoped.

"Hermione, I don't think Lupin's going to chase you away with a pitchfork" said Harry. They all chuckled at the image.

"It's curfew time, you two. I should be sending you back to Griffindor Tower now" said Lupin. He was relieved to have them go, because they both, especially Hermione, sent him in whirl of confused emotions. Yet he'd really enjoyed their company. "Come back anytime."

"Goodbye Lupin" they chorused and left his office. Lupin gazed after them, smiling fondly. Hermione's dedication to his class made him proud. After all, there wasn't a higher compliment a student could pay a teacher than to be an overachiever. He found himself reflecting on how concerned Hermione had looked, and how she'd used his first name. An idle fancy danced around his mind, and resisted all his attempts to quell it. He couldn't believe how irrational he was being. Even if it was okay for him to date someone so young, not to mention one of his students, he was sure that Hermione wouldn't want him anyway. (But why did she use my first name?)

Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were striding down the DADA stairs. "What was that all about" smirked Harry.

"What all about" Hermione asked absently.

"You blushed every time he looked at you! And he seemed to be eyeing you and acting strange." He paused. "You two aren't going to get together, are you? Because it could only end in disaster."

"What do you know, Harry" she exclaimed angrily. "Sorry, I don't know why I said that."

"I think I do. You like him, don't you? Don't go tampering with his feelings, Hermione. He's got enough to worry about" warned Harry.

"Harry, nothing's going to come of it! It's just a little crush! I'm sure you've had them" she said irritably.

"I'm sure it'll go away. Just give me some time. It's not like I WANT to blush and act stupid when he's around. Don't tell me that hasn't happened around Ginny and you could control it."

Harry held up his hand, not wanting her to build into an endless rant. "It's okay, Hermione. I'll let it drop."

When they reached the common room, Hermione announced she was going to bed.

"But it's only nine" protested Ron. "Surely you have some homework or..."

"GOODNIGHT, Ron" Hermione said firmly and marched up to her room.

"What's with her" wondered Ron.

"We just got done talking with Lupin. She has a crush on him, and I criticized her for it. Problem is, I think he likes her back. We'll have to keep an eye on them so they don't do anything they'll regret. Lupin's just out of sorts, I think. It's not like him to like girls, much less younger girls."

"Sure thing, Harry. Still, not much we can do though. I mean, what can happen? He can't exactly ask her out, after all, he's a teacher."

"You're right. Maybe I'm just worrying too much. He'd never do anything like that. Goodnight, Ron."

"What? Not you too. Well, goodnight then. I'm going to stay up and study with Luna" Ron said, grinning.

Harry laid down in bed, his heart lighter. He'd finally made a connection with Lupin, he was no longer as distant as he'd seemed before. Now he had someplace to go after school, as well. His future seemed brighter. Harry drifted off into the first peaceful sleep he'd had in a long time.

Many thanks to sporty12gd4u and BrennaM for reviewing Chapter 3! Yes, I get a kick out of how much of a bookworm Hermione is. :)

Preview of next chapter "Hermione grinned. This sounded like her kind of guy. She wanted to continue her education, too. "Really? They let you do that? You know, I'd like to do that if I could. How do you apply for that"

James looked a little uncomfortable. "I got in by special request."

"I see. Dumbledore's great, isn't he? Always so willing to help people out and accommodate people's wishes."