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Chapter 1
Forgotten
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"Rough day, my dear?"
Hermione smiled wanly and sat down. "Have you truly been doing this for fifty years? I have been here just for a week and it feels as if I have aged a hundred years."
Professor Sprout patted her hand consolingly. "You will get used to it. For someone as intelligent as you are, it won't take long. Here, drink some tea – it will help."
Hermione accepted the brew gratefully. It had been an exceptionally long day. She needed the sugar.
As she pulled the first essay for grading towards her, a tawny barn owl swooped inside and perched on her bag. She recognized him instantly.
'Dear Hermione,
'How was the first week? I hope Mr. Creevey wasn't too bad for your nerves. How about lunch at The Three Broomsticks tomorrow?
'Remus.'
Remus had sent her a note every day this week. She found it truly cheering even if it was just a 'How do you do?". It seemed as if she had severed ties with everyone from her school years except him. Professor Dumbledore had left Hogwarts and Professor McGonagall was on a sabbatical. Out of her old teachers, only Sprout and Vector remained. The others had either left or died in the last battle against Voldemort. The Board had replaced all the others. In fact, she was the new Potions Mistress after the one before her, Charles Hendon had resigned.
Her memories of the days after the battle weren't very clear. There were gaps she couldn't fill. Remus said it was the result of some spell. However, she couldn't help feeling that he was hiding something.
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Harry looked with unseeing eyes at the snow-covered scenery. It was very cloudy. Another harsh day was in order.
He was startled out of his thoughts as he felt arms around his shoulder.
"Thinking about home again, Harry?" Ginny whispered in his ears and kissed his cheek.
"I don't want to go back, though."
"Running away is never a solution to anything – wasn't that what you told me?"
"But, Ginny, I can't bear Hermione's hate or the looks I get as I walk down the Diagon Alley. I would rather stay here, where people smile when they see me, rather than point and whisper."
Ginny came around and sat down on his lap. "I understand you, but I know you cannot live like this," she said softly, cupping his face. "You were always too much of a Gryffindor, you know. This just isn't what you want."
"But it is better than what I want." Harry looked at the two small children playing with snow. "I don't want them to suffer in any way."
"I love you, Harry."
"I love you, too – and James and Ron. I am never going to leave you."
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"My first week wasn't too bad," recounted Remus, "although it is always different with the Slytherins."
"It doesn't help that most students don't like Potions," said Hermione. "Defence Against the Dark Arts is far more interesting."
"Children that age don't comprehend subtlety, yes."
Hermione refilled their glasses with Butterbeer.
"I wonder why Harry doesn't write to me," said Hermione with a sigh. "Is it possible that he might have forgotten us?"
Remus opened his mouth to say something, but stopped short, his face suddenly white.
Hermione followed his gaze to the entrance door.
"Professor Snape," she murmured, a sudden twinge of pain shooting through her head.
She wondered what he was doing there. Hadn't he left the country? At least that is what Remus has said…
As she continued gazing at him, he seemed to have sensed her looking at him, for he turned and their eyes met. Hermione suddenly felt empty… as if she was forgetting something important… she felt so empty…
She looked away abruptly as he did not look away. His dark gaze perturbed her.
"He seems to have returned," she stated unnecessarily.
"What? Yes…"
Hermione frowned. What was she forgetting?
"Miss Granger, Mr. Lupin."
Hermione started. Professor Snape's voice always made her feel like an erring school-girl. However, she looked up, a calm smile gracing her lips.
"Professor Snape, I hope you are fine. And, now it's Mrs. Lupin, by the way."
Was it her imagination or did Snape's face grow more sinister than usual at her words? Maybe it was just because she was "Mrs. Remus Lupin" – the wife of the man who had tried to kill Snape, albeit he had no control over his senses at that time. But Snape was known for holding grudges… for long, long times.
He glanced towards Remus, and then turned back to her. "My apologies… Mrs. Lupin."
"Won't you join us?" asked Hermione. She couldn't help asking… here was someone else from… from her 'past'. She felt elated – even if it was Snape.
"I have an appointment in a few minutes. Good-day."
His eyes lingered on her for just a moment longer than necessary. Hermione didn't notice.
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"I wonder why he is here," said Hermione as they walked back to the school. "Moreover, he was… polite. No cutting remarks or sneers. Where has the man been?"
Remus' arm around her waist tightened a little. "Severus always had a deep interest in Dark Arts."
She stopped and looked at him. "But Dumbledore always trusted Professor Snape, didn't he?"
"Not when it came to Dark Arts. There was a reason why Dumbledore would rather have the likes of Umbridge rather than Severus as the Defence Against Dark Arts Professor."
Hermione frowned but did not comment.
They continued the rest of their walk in relative silence. However, it was a comfortable, contemplative silence.
Remus let out a soft sigh as they reached Hogwarts.
"Write to me more often," said Hermione as she put her arms about his neck. "I miss you so much."
Remus threaded his fingers through her still-frizzy hair. "Thrice a day?" he asked, smiling.
"Hmmm," she murmured, leaning in to kiss him.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please review if you are reading the story. The more reviews I get, the faster I update. No reviews or almost no reviews tend to discourage me from writing and I usually give up on such stories.
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