Title: Shoot The Moon
Disclaimer: I own nothing!!!
Author: Me of course—who else???

Chapter Two: Something More Than this

He had never meant to do it, but he couldn't help it. He had always found her attractive in many ways. If he wasn't as old as he was, he would have probably fancied her, but enough, he was old enough to be her father, and there was no way he would take advantage of her like that.

"It was just a kiss…Remus…"

She had called him Remus. He sighed and closed his eyes, remembering the last time a woman had called him by his name with such adoration. Turning again on the bed his eyes shot open and he looked through the window. Sleep was not coming to him tonight.

Hermione sat wide awake in her small room with her small journal open on her lap. She had been writing poems in it for years now, and after that little incident downstairs, she felt a bit inspired. What the hell had gotten into her? He was her teacher for God's sake. He was old enough to be her father! She sat on the bed, with an incredulous expression on her face.

"Please, call me Remus."

It pained her to see the way he was—Alone. And the way that she was too, lonely as well. And there was nothing that she could do about it. With a sigh she looked at her book and then closed it. There was nothing to write.

The next morning, Lupin woke to the smell of toast and eggs. His senses were heightened as he was a werewolf, one of the perks, and sometimes one of the disadvantages of his condition as well. He rose up and went to the washroom and brushed his teeth, showered and changed. He went downstairs and he couldn't help but smile when he saw her in the small kitchen. There was a kettle on the stove in which the tea was apparently boiling in, and then there was a pan on the stove as well in which the eggs were being cooked in. The toast was toasting in a small toaster he had brought but never used. She looked up and smiled.

"Good morning, Remus," she said. He smiled.

"Good morning to you as well, Hermione," he said. She smiled once more. Today he was wearing an old pair of black slacks and a white t-shirt.

Hermione on the other hand, was donning a dark green skirt and a white top as well. With her wand, she magiked the food onto the plates and sent them to the table. She took two mugs and poured the tea herself, however and then brought them to the table as well.

"I thought that I should do something to…keep my mind occupied," she said with a faint smile. He nodded.

"This is…well…thank you," he said. "It's just that…well I haven't had a home cooked meal in such a long time…" he said. She shook her head.

"Well, just enjoy it," she said with a smile. He laughed.

"Oh, I will." He said digging in. They ate their food in silence and then he looked up. "Thank you, once again for the breakfast Hermione, but, I would just like to apologize for my inappropriate behavior last night—"he began.

"No! No! I'm the one who should be apologizing," she said. "I…I practically threw myself on you, and that is utterly…utterly bad behavior…" she stuttered.

There was an uncomfortable silence and he placed down his fork.

"Well, what's on the agenda for today?" he asked breaking the silence. She shrugged.

"I…I actually don't know…" she said. He chuckled.

"It's perfectly alright not to know something once in a while, Hermione," he said with a twinkle in his eye. She rolled her eyes.

"How on earth did you ever become a professor?" she teased.

"Oh, perhaps it was because they felt sorry for me," he said.

"Oh dear," she said with mock concern. He laughed.

"And what about you?" he asked. She looked at him.

"Me?"

"Yes, your job…" he asked. She smiled.

"Oh! Its fine, I called the boss before I left home and told him that I was taking a month off," she said. His eyebrows rose up.

"A month off?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yes, I need some time off…" she said.

"Time off, that's good," he said.

"And how's the shop?" she asked referring to his small book shop that he owned next door.

"Oh, well, business is business," he said. She nodded.

"I'm tired of working for the ministry," she said with a yawn. He smiled.

"Stressful is it?" he asked. She nodded.

"Extremely," she said. They sat together quietly again, sipping their tea and then she rose up. "I'll just get these washed up…" she said. He looked at her and smiled.

"How about we take a walk?" he asked. She turned around and looked at him.

"A walk?" she asked. He nodded.

"Yes, we can do these dishes later," he said. She beamed at him.

"Oh…I suppose!" she said.

"Good, I'll go get my cloak," he said. She smiled and nodded.

Hermione walked with Lupin beside her. He was showing her all of the stores and buildings that were nestled in the little town. They had lunch, and then went into his book store, where they spent a good few hours in, and then they left, Hermione had an entire bag of books with her.

"Oh, and that's a small café where I usually go to…" he said. She smiled.

"Would you like to go now?" she asked. He was startled.

"Well, why not?" he said. He had never sat with anyone here before. He had a little table that he usually sat at with his book and his coffee, but he had never actually sat with anyone. He led her to the small table and pulled the chair for her to sit. When she sat down, he did to, and then a waitress came over and took their orders.

"Is this your usual spot?" she asked. He looked up and nodded.

"Yes, I love the view from here," he said. She smiled.

"It is…beautiful…" she said. The lake shimmered in the sunlight and the cool breezes blew across its surface. The waitress came back with two mugs of steaming hot coffee. Hermione warmed her hands on the cup and Lupin smiled. He looked out at the water and smiled sadly. He was alone--all alone in this world. This muggle village was the only place where he could be accepted, but he was still alone. Living his life had been a challenge for him. He had faced hardship after hardship, and still, he did not receive anything at the end of it all. He glanced at Hermione. But perhaps, there was something else left for him. Maybe Hermione had come at the right time, to bring him out of his shell.

"Remus…have you ever been in love?" Hermione asked. He looked at her and smiled.

"No…" he said sadly. "Who wants to love a werewolf?" he asked bitterly. She gasped and opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She shook her head and she reached over the table and touched his hand sympathetically.

"Don't ever say that!" she said chidingly. He shook his head.

"It's utterly true, Hermione, don't deny it," he said softly. "Werewolves are…shunned by all magical people, well, by most of them. We don't get good jobs, we get no respect…" he said. She removed her hand and hung her head.

"I don't know what to say to you that would make you feel better," she said. He managed a weak smile.

"Oh, don't bother, I've become used to it…" he said.

"That's not true, you know that deep down inside…there's a need for…something," she said. He looked at her.

"Which is?" he asked blandly. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Perhaps…love?" she asked quietly. He smiled.

"I think I gave up on that a long time ago…" he said hanging his head slightly. She sighed and turned to look at the water.

"I understand…I think I gave up on it myself when Ron and I parted ways," she said sadly. He looked up at her. "You know, he annoyed me so much, but…it was one of the reasons why I loved him…" she said with a fond smile. "But…after the War, things changed…he became distant with me and…I couldn't take it any more…" she said sadly. Tears began leaking out of her eyes as old wounds were reopened.

"Shh…" Lupin said. He rose up and pulled his chair next to hers. He placed his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. "Don't cry, Hermione," he said. "Whatever you do…don't cry…"

A/N: Hey guys!! Thanks for the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still dont know which direction I'll take this fic to bear with me!!!

as for now! shopping calls !

saiyajingirl..xoxoxo