"Sweater Weather"

Disclaimer: I still do not own Remus or Hermione. YES, this is during POA, Hermione's third year. Stop asking! And, this is my story so I don't make it so she hides that she knows. It's fanfiction, it's not always canon!

Chapter 6: lycanthropy

One night, Hermione was doing her Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. Snape had subbed for Lupin that day. Hermione had been so disappointed that he wasn't there but after hearing his cold was glad that he was resting. Snape, however, had assigned a rather long essay on the werewolf, even though they had not yet begun to learn about them.

As Hermione did research for the essay, she discovered something very strange. Werewolves usually appeared tired and worn. They were almost always out of work because of their reputation. They got sick one week before the full moon and were sometimes too ill to work after it.

As she read, she took out her astronomy book and flipped to the lunar chart. Yesterday had been the full moon. And Remus had been sick all week and now didn't come in to teach. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

Then again, he was very tired looking. And his robes were very tattered as though he could not buy new ones. She remembered he had looked tired when she had gone to give him the sweater and hadn't come to the Christmas feast. She checked the chart again. The full moon had been the day after Christmas.

She suddenly felt like crying. Remus Lupin was a werewolf.

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The next day, Professor Lupin was back at work. Looking rather tired but happy to be back. Hermione was on pins and needles the whole period. She had her break afterward and she had made up her mind to tell Lupin that she knew. She had to.

When the bell rang she made a job of putting her books in her bag and when everyone had gone, she approached his desk.

"Yes, Hermione?"

"Professor, I have something to tell you." She walked over and closed the door to the classroom.

"Yes?"

"Well, I, I was doing my homework and I realized………..you have a secret."

"I do?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"You're a werewolf."

Lupin stood stock still, as though unable to believe what had just come out of Hermione's mouth. "Now, Her-Hermione….we mustn't…get excited and do…do something foolish." He stuttered.

"Don't worry! I would never tell anyone! Not a soul!"

"Thank you."

"And see, well, I sort of have this crush on you and this made me—"

"Wait, back up Hermione! You have a crush on me?"

"Ooooh, did I say that?"

"Yes………you did." Lupin began to walk toward her.

"Professor?" Lupin was coming ever closer and before Hermione knew it, he was kissing her.

"Ooooh Professor…" she moaned into his chest. He was wearing a blue sweater today. "Another sweater?"

"Yes, I, uh, I just liked the one from you so much that I had to go buy another one. But, um," he hesitated.

"Yes?" she prompted.

"It's not the same when you buy it for yourself."

"Oh professor!"

"Hermione?" he put he hands on her cheeks and looked into her chocolate brown eyes. "Call me Remus."

Hermione responded only by jumping up on her tiptoes and kissing him again.

A/N: wow, yeah, so this did not really happen to me. I wish it would. I have an enormous amount of restraint. Just Monday, I was in there talking to him with one of my friends and I had to control myself so I didn't pounce on him! LOL. I know, I know, this is rather illegal but it makes great fluffy fanfiction! Keep reading! And I LOVE the reviews! Thanx!