Silver Lining

chapter 3 - not little any more

disclaimer - I still dont own Harry potter nor any other J.K Rowling Charature there all hers

"...She's not the little girl I once
She's not the little girl I once knew.

How could I ever have known that
She'd be what she is today..."

Beach Boys - The little girl I once knew

The Whole of the new week back went as smoothly as possible. Well apart from Potions class. It turns out Snape was in a really bad mood when the 7th years had him last on firday afternoon because of the 1st year Hufflepuffs and the cheery charm they had tryed to place on him.

reply of friday afternoon in Advanced potions

"Today you are working on the blood leach potion."Snape said as he stocked into the Dungeon with a bustle of black robes flying behind him. The way he said it made sent a shiver up the 7th years spines as he came past them. It was an eerie sort of tone but when you've been at Hogwarts long enough you know that thats the time when you really dont want to get on Snapes bad side.

"Work , NOW" he said and he flicked his wand toward the board at the front telling the class the ingrediants they would need.

"God you would think the cheery charm would have held on till the end of the day" Ron whispered to Harry and hermione whilst reaching for the jar of toads guts.

"You think anything cheery wants to stay around him? You got to be joking." Harry whispered as best he could whisted the attempted not to breath in the vapour emiting for his cauldren.

"Silence, or do I need to subtract more griffindor house points. Im sure you three are working up a record here... on second thoughts I think I will take off points... 5 Points from Griffindor."

"But Professor we didnt do anything, Ronald was simply asking for the wartlock spice as it was out of his reach" Hermione growled at Snape. Unfortunatly even though the dungeons were dark they wernt dark enough.

"Im surprised Ms Granger, looking out for Mr Potter and Weasley, isnt it usualy Longbottom you help in this class. 5 points EACH from Griffindor. It seems your new attitude this year is getting you no were perhaps the old little-miss-know-it-all suited you perfectly."

All the pupils were thrilled as the bell went to signel the end of the day."At last the weekend!" Harry and Ron Chorused together as they practicaly came skipping and jumping out of the Dungeons.

After they had calmed down they headed towards the Griffindor comment room. Along the way a new topic was brought up other than Harry and Ron ramble on about quiditch.

"Hermione why was Snape on your case today? And why was he talking about something about that you've got a new attitude? The slimy git seemed to have it in for you and you didnt really do anything!"

Harry was grinning broadly at hermione , he knew why Snape was in a bad mood with her, he was there when she was about to have a go at him for insulting Lupin on monday.

When Hermione saw Harrys expression she replyed by sighing and sticking out her tounge at him .

"He's only annouyed because I was about to insult him for insulting Lupin on monday. Though Lupin stopped me before Snape could hex me and give me a years worth of detension. Though from the way Snape was acting today I wish Lupin didnt stop me." when she had finnished Ron was staring at her in awe just like Harry had that day except now Harry was trying to contain fits of laughter that was threating to come out.

As Ron and Harry Stepped in to the portrait hole Ron turned to Hermione again "Hermione ... since when have you ever tryed or thought about being cheeky to a teacher let alone insulting them ... even Snape!"

"Oh forgoodness sake Ron! hes just a humanbeing its not like he ... oh forget it see you's down for dinner."

"Alright see ya 'Mione" as he turned round and joined Harry for a before dinner chess match to pass the time.

When Hermione was making her way round to her head girl dorm she was muttering to her self about how people need to realise that teachers and just people and something about Snape and a dental appointment with her Parents. She wasnt looking were she as going when THUD! "OW!"

She was lying on her back on the stone floor just out side the librairy. As she sat up a streak of pain shot up through her backside. She winced as she moved. Across for her was Remus rubbing his ass and his chest.

"Oh my... im so sorry Professor!" Hermione started stand only to fall back down again, seems the run in took a little more out of her, as she fell again on her ass with a "ooff!"

"Hermione are you alright?" Seems Remus was able to stand no problem and was not towering over her holding his hands out to help her to her feet. She greatfully took it and he pulled her up. Another shoot of pain ran through her backside as she rubbed it to try to ease it. "ow... yes im alright though my-" she stopped abruptly realising. "Hermione this is one of your professor, your rubbing your ass infront of him! and you were about to say it! whats he going to go kiss it better? Oh gods no...". She looked up at Remus blushing. He was just staring at her with concern writen over his face, it was slightly un nerving but she continued with a different complaint it was clear to him that she had hurt herself. "Sorry I... just hurt my back when I fell. How about you ? Im so so sorry I didnt look were I was going-"

"Hermione its fine really. It was my fault I was rushing to much. Infact now that I remember properly I was looking for you."

"Me? whys that Professor?" She was slightly worryed, Remus had never had to look for her before, unless it was something important.

He smiled at her when she said 'Professor' and lifted his hands ias though in protest ." Ha ha , please Hermione we're friends you shouldnt need to call me Professor outside of classes. Its Remus remember."

"oh, sorry Pro - I mean Remus." Taking away the formal barrier only increased Hermiones worry. "So why were you looking for me?"

They started to walk towards the Head boy and girls potrait.

"Ah sorry" He rummaged in his robes for a while until he pulled out a well worn leather bound book and handed it to her. "Here you forgot this in you'r last class... though I dont understand why you like this so much."

She took the book , looked at the title in silver writing ' Hairy Snout , Human Heart ' and lifted a questioning eyebrow to him " How did you know that I like this book so much?"

He gave a small heartly chuckle " I only asumed because of its worn condition. Its the sign of a well loved book. May I ask why do you like it so much?"

"Well I dont really have any reason . Its strange I dont know how to explain it I just find the book interesting. Each time I read it I get different thoughts about it. I do wish more people would read it . Then may be they wouldnt be so damn cruel. Sorry ." she adverted her eyes to the floor. Remus seemed to be staring at her." I do wish more people were like Hermione . She's such a bright young woman. Extremly intellegant, Pretty, and she doesnt give a damn about my condition. Im greatful to her for keeping my secret in her 3rd year. I dont know why but I can see where shes coming from. I didnt know any one liked that damn book though... wait since when did I start thinking of her as a young woman?" There was an awkward silence neither spoke for a few minutes.

"So" He stared and looked at his watch. "Oh my , its dinner time , it seems we've been talkin for a while. Would you like me to wait for you so you can drop your things off and i'll walk with you down to the hall for dinner?"

"Oh... Thank you. sorry i'll just be a minute...'devilsroot'.. be right back." and with that she ran up to her dorm dumped her things, had a quick look in the mirror , fixed her hair out a bit and ran back down to Remus. On her way through the commen room she noticed a letter sititng on the table addressed to her. She lifted it and headed out the portrait hole.

"Already?" Remus said standing up from against the wall. "Whats that?" he said indecating the letter in her hand.

"Oh this ... I dont really know what it is . It was on the comment room table when I went in."She said staring at the letter.

"Hm" Remus was peering over the top of Hermione to look at the hand writing "I do believe its from Professor McGonagall. It looks like her hand writing."

And he was write. When Herminone opened the letter it was indead from McGonagall.

'Ms Granger,

Please meet me in my office after dinner tonight at 8pm sharp so we may begin with your leasons.

Pr. McGonagall.'

"YES!" Hermione thought excitedly."i cant believe I almost forgot about it!"

"leasons?" Remus questioned her."Hermione what leasons? Dont tell me your taking on more subjects. Please Hermione it wore you out last time - " He had stopped her and was standing infront of her holding onto her shoulders.

Hermoine was quiet alarmed by this change in Remus." Ah ... Remus please its not that... sorry I cant say anything.." She felt bad for not being able to tell Remus and he was really worried about her.

"Hermione" he tilted his head and was looking at her directly into her eyes" Please?"

"Oh My God! Is hes using a puppy dog look on me? Damnit! does he really expect me to fall for that?...( she looked at his eyes again after adverting her eyes to the floor again after he asked her.) ah... oh... bloody hell!"

She gave up with a sigh of defeat. "Fine but please Remus please dont tell anyone, not a soul! Or Professor McGonagall wont teach me any more."

At his nod and childish sign of 'cross my heart and hope to die' she continued. " Well... can we go to my dorm I dont really trust staying out here to talk."

"Of course , after you" and he beconed her through the potrait hole placing his hand on the small of her back as he followed suit.

As soon as they entered Hermiones Dorm she immediatly cast a silencing charm on her door and a sealing charm so no one could enter.

Remus was taken back by her room. It was amazing! "Gods dont I wish I was head girl wait I mean boy , BOY!"

His thoughts on her room were cut when Hermione has sat down on her bed and started explaining " Remus you may want to sit down" He only walked over to her ans stood leaning against one of the posts of her bed.

"Right.. well you see.. McGonagall told me on the first night back that... she would give me Animagus leasons."

Remus was taken back... he never expected this. "Hermione your to young to start that and I dont think McGonagall is one for breaking the rules even if it was for you."

"I know you have to be atleast 19 to start" Since she started she never looked at Remus she was too worryed at what he was going to say . He'd probably be hurt with me keeping my actual age for him... omg what happens if he faints? and in my dorm? I cant go running for help. Oh no.

" Hermione your only 18 you'd atleast have to wait another year. I know im not one to talk because of James and Sirius, but it's different this time"

Hermiones worry turned to annouyance "How is it different?"

"Because... they were used to breaking the rules and... your too young Herm-" He was interupted with Hermiones outburst, which took him back by surprise

"To young! since when has that got to do with anything. And for your informantion I am not to young!"

"Hermione theres no need to snap at me. And you are to young! Last I checked the age to become and animagus let alone to study to become one you had to be alteast 19! and last i checked your 18" His voice was raising with each minute. He was hurt and annouyed with her attitude and behavior towards him.

"Remus im not a little girl any more Im 20 years OLD for gods sake! Im a young woman now so I dont see why your trying to protect me! im only 16 years younger than you! " her face was flusterd, she hadnt mean to yell at him he was just treating her like damn a child! He hardly ever done that before. Now that she thought about what she said she paled agreat deal. It was as though something was sucking out the colour for her face. "Oh bloody hell" she didnt mean to tell him about her age really. she just wanted to tell him about the animagus leasons but he wouldnt listen to her. She thought for a minute before hand that he'd understand because of what James and Siruis did but oviously that wasnt the case.

"20" Remus nearly fainted had the bed not been there. He sat down and stared at Hermione blankly. "Your 20? how did that happen?" His face went even paler than usual. Sure he had noticed a big change in Hermione over the years and she did look and seem older than both Harry and Ron but he never thought much about it. Sure mentaly and emotionaly she had always been older in that sence.

"Yes Remus im 20." she sighed before continuing "I used a time turner in my 3rd and 6th year because I had picked a hell lot of classes... hence why I always looked really worn out at the summer after coming back from school in Grimmauld Place. And please dont look at me like that. I couldnt tell any one. Do you know how hard it is to keep this from you all? Im more than 2 years older than Harry and Ron , Ive basicly lost 2 years of my life. I havent had anyone to talk to about it. And you going off your rocker at me isnt helping. And im sorry for snapping at you. I didnt mean to , you were just treating me like a child but im not Remus , im not any more."