Disclaimer: Now, why do I gotta do this every time, again?
A/N: Ok, here is a new chapter. There will be very few references to HBP. So, consider this story AU to a certain degree... Hermione and Remusmay seema bit OOC. But, it is necessary for my story, Mmmkay?
CH. 17-
The next morning found Hermione up with the sun. Needing to do her morning exercises, she decides to head down to the common room, knowing it should be empty at this hour.
Wearing comfortable, but form-fitting exercise clothes, she starts her tai chi routine, while breathing slowly and deeply, focusing her chi (energy). As she nears the end of her routine, she decides to have a second run through. The familiar feeling of peaceful well-being washes over her as she finishes the routine. Moving over to a more secluded section of the common room, she settles herself into Lotus position, ready to meditate. Closing her eyes, Hermione concentrates on her breathing, while letting everything else seep out of her mind- soon the quiet calm engulfs her. Allowing her other senses to kick in; absorbing all the subtle shifts and nuances of her surroundings. Soon she senses the changes in the air, as the other Gryffindors start to awaken. Opening her eyes, she slowly stands.
Once up, she makes her way back up to the girls' dormitories, where she gathers her robe, uniform, and shower items. In the bathroom, she turns on the water and hops into the shower. Washing her hair with a vanilla mint shampoo and conditioner, then she uses a vanilla brown sugar body scrub. After she finishes, she hops out of the shower, grabbing her wand to perform a quick-dry spell on her hair, before she adds a hair-straightening tonic (of her own creation) to make her hair sleek and straight all day.
Donning her uniform, she quickly makes a few permanent adjustments to it- shortening the skirt to just past mid-thigh, and then she makes her shirt shrink and conform to her blossoming body, with it tied at the waist (again to show off her belly button ring). Then she puts on a pair of white thigh high silk stalkings and her black Mary Janes shoes. Looking into the full length mirror, she eyes herself critically. As a final touch to her naughty schoolgirl look she uses her wand to braid her hair into pigtails and white bows; with just a touch of makeup she nods to herself, satisfied. Heading out of the bathroom, she grabs her school robe and book bag on her way down to the common room.
On the way down, she meets up with Ginny, who has also made adjustments to her uniform- the exception is her hair is hanging down her back loosely, and she is wearing black stockings. Upon entering the common room together, a hush falls over the occupants of the room. Shock would have been an understatement, at the changes in the former bookworm.
Noticing that neither Harry nor Ron are down yet, she decides to wait before heading to breakfast. Soon Neville, Seamus, and Dean come down- another ten minutes later- still no sign of Harry or Ron. Impatient now, Hermione sticks her head into the boys' stairwell, she bellows- "Harry James Potter and Ronald Bilius Weasley, if you don't get your lazy arses down here straightaway, I'm leaving without you!"
Turning round in a huff, she almost misses the sound of feet thundering on the staircase, as Harry and Ron practically trip over their own feet in their haste.
"For Merlin's sake, 'Mione, you could give a person a heart attack bellowing like that!" Harry pants.
Arching a condescending eyebrow at the Boy-Who-Lived; Hermione heads out of the portrait hole. Scrambling to catch up, Harry and Ron exit the common room.
Inside the Great Hall, the Trouble Triplets makes their way to the Gryffindor table, taking their usual seats. Ginny is already there, so Hermione sits on Ginny's left, with Harry next to Hermione, and Ron sitting across them with Seamus and Neville. And Ron, being the human garbage disposal that he is, starts filling his plate with everything within reach- like bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, pancakes, and even porridge- all while stuffing his face. Hermione looks on in disgusted amazement, while Harry just laughs. Hermione, on the other hand grabs the coffee pot first, filling her mug up with the steaming hot liquid goodness. She then proceeds to put a couple of slices of bacon onto her plate, along with a couple of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
Though just before eating, she takes a quick look up at the staff table, she sees Remus in an animated conversation with Professor Sinistra; so she turns back to her breakfast, missing the searching look that Remus sends her way. As breakfast closes, Professor McGonagall comes to hand out the class schedules.
Looking it over idly while sipping her coffee, Hermione sees that her first class of the day is N.E.W.T. level Charms (with Harry and Ron), then Advanced Transfiguration, then double Potions (with only Harry), then lunch. After lunch is COMC and the last class is double DADA.
So the Triplets rise from the table to begin their day.
In Charms, the first fifteen minutes is spent discussing the importance of good grades, and maintaining a higher standard on the homework, etc. Then they were asked to run through the entire list of spells they had learned so far. And in Advanced Transfiguration, they were asked to turn a large rock into a bunny, and the bunny back into a rock. Hermione, of course, managed to do it in three tries, while it took Ron and Harry most of the period to do it. After Transfiguration, Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Ron, and made their way to the Potions classroom.
Sitting down towards the back of the class, Harry and Hermione continued talking in quiet voices. Hermione begged Harry not to let Professor Snape goad him into reacting, because they both knew that that was exactly the type of thing Snape would try to do. And Harry promised to try and keep a reign on his temper. As soon as Professor Snape entered the room, all conversation ceased.
Turning to face the class, Snape scans the room, and upon seeing Harry, a contemptuous sneer settles on his face. Then addressing the class Snape says, "Well, well, I'm surprised to see that some of the dunderheads, actually managed to make it into this class," his eyes settling on Harry. Tapping the blackboard with his wand, Snape told the class what they would be doing, "Today you will be working on a Super Strength Potion, the instructions are on the board, and the ingredients are in the cupboard. So get started!"
Gathering the necessary ingredients, they begin working, with Harry reading and rereading the instructions carefully, so that there would be no mistakes. Fifteen minutes before class was scheduled to end, Snape walking between the rows, stopped in front of Harry's cauldron hoping to find fault with his work. But finding none; (much to his extreme disappointment) Snape told them that they were to flask a sample of there potion, which should have been a bright magenta color by that time, and label it with there name and bring it to his desk for grading, and then to clean up their work stations before leaving.
Hermione and Harry soon left for the Great Hall for lunch. Once seated, Seamus started flirting with Hermione.
"So, Hermione, why the sudden change?" asked Seamus, smiling flirtatiously, "Because I have to say, that I really want to thank the gods for the change."
"Thanks Seamus. I just decided that it was time to for a change, you know? After all, we only have two years left to go, and I thought it would be nice to be seen as something other than a bookworm." Hermione explained.
Glancing in Ron's direction Seamus asked, "So, are you dating anyone right now?"
"No, I'm still single, at the moment."
"At the moment, eh? So, anyone in particular that you have your eye on?"
"Now Seamus, that would be telling; a woman has got to keep some things mysterious, now doesn't she?"
"Well, in that case, if you don't have any plans for the first Hogsmeade weekend, would you like to go with me?"
"I'll think about it," answers Hermione coyly.
Soon, the playful mood was disturbed as Malfoy and his lackeys stopped by. "Well, if it isn't Potty, Weasel, and the Mud-," stopping in the middle of his insult to really check Hermione out. "Wow, check you out Granger. Who knew that the Mudblood was a hottie underneath the bushy hair and buckteeth?" Ron, Harry, and Seamus stood up to attack Malfoy, but Hermione just said scathingly, "How's your dad, Malfoy? Doing good in Azkaban, is he? Guess you can't get your way now that Daddy isn't around to save the day, hmm?"
Malfoy's face was tinged with pink, as Hermione continued, "I think it is high time that you shoved off, Malfoy. Wouldn't want a repeat of third or fourth year, would we? Though I wouldn't mind seeing the amazing bouncing ferret again; or for that matter, I wouldn't mind having to bitch-slap you again.
"Is there a problem here?" asked Remus, looking from Malfoy to Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors, who were barely containing their laughter.
"Oh no Professor, I do believe that Malfoy and his friends were just leaving," said Hermione smiling sweetly.
Casting a dark look at Hermione and the other Gryffindors, Malfoy flounced out of the Great Hall with Crabbe and Goyle following obediently behind.
"Well, I think it would be best to head off to class now." said Remus.
"Sure thing Professor Lupin, see you in a little while." Hermione said, looking the very picture of innocence.
As soon as Professor Lupin was out of earshot the others started cracking up, "That was brilliant, 'Mione!" sputtered Ginny.
"Yeah, I wish I had a camera to have captured that moment on film!" choked Harry. "Let's go, it's time for COMC," said Hermione getting up to head out to Hagrid's hut. Walking leisurely to their next class, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron and said, "Guys, let's try to get to DADA early, so that we can talk to Remus, ok?"
"Ok." said both Ron and Harry.
After COMC, the Triplets made their way to the Defense classroom in the hopes of getting to speak with Remus a bit before class started. When they entered the classroom, Remus had his back turned to them, so he didn't see them enter. They call out, "Hello, Professor Lupin."
Turning round, Remus smiles warmly when he sees them, "Hello kids." Walking to the front where Remus is, Hermione moves to sit atop the desk, while crossing her long legs demurely. Ron and Harry follow her example and seat themselves on the desks also.
"So, how are all your classes going so far?" Remus asks.
"So far so good, though I have to say it was rather nice to have a leg up on Snape for once," said Harry.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Remus, slightly puzzled.
"Well, as usual, Professor Snape was trying his best to humiliate Harry, but the potion he was so sure Harry would muck up, turned out perfect, so he had no chance of failing Harry, and Harry didn't rise to his baiting. I'm very proud of him," said Hermione, beaming proudly at Harry.
"So, Remus, why didn't you tell us that you were going to come back to teach?" asked Harry, a slight hint of hurt in his voice.
With a quick puzzled glance to Hermione Remus responded, "To be honest, I wasn't even certain that I would be returning until the very last moment. But, I'm glad that I did decide to come back. And for the record, you three and Ginny were one of the bigger reasons why I returned."
"And we are definitely glad to have you back. Not only were you the best teacher, but you are a very good friend too." said the Triplets.
"Thank you. If you ever have any questions or problems, just know that my door is open to you, ok?" said Remus, "Best take a seat now, the rest of the class will be here soon, and we will be starting today's lesson shortly."
So, the Trouble Triplets grabbed the desks in the very front row, and soon the lesson started. It was noted that most of the other students were also quite pleased to have Remus back, with the possible exception of the Slytherins. The lesson was a really great one dealing with vampires. After the lesson though, Hermione hung back a bit, claiming that she had some questions about the homework. But in truth, she just wanted to chat with Remus, to see how he was getting on. So, walking to his office door, she knocked gently, before calling out, "Remus?"
Hearing his name, Remus looked up from his paperwork, "Yes Hermione, what can I do for you?"
"Actually, I was just checking to see how you were doing, and if everything was ok so far," said Hermione shyly.
"I'm doing alright so far. Once classes started, it was like I never left. No need to worry about me."
"See, but that's the thing, I do worry about you. I care about you very much, and just want to make sure you're ok. That way you know there is at least one person out there that is truly concerned about you." said Hermione.
Touched beyond words, Remus stands up and walks over to Hermione, pulling her into a hug; squeezing her gently, smiling softly at her. "Thank you. It warms my heart to hear you say that. You are, truly a remarkable young woman Hermione; don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."
Smiling, Hermione squeezes him back, before pulling out of his embrace saying, "Well, I'll leave you to your work Remus. See you at dinner?"
"Yes, indeed."
Walking slowly away, Hermione half-turns, waving goodbye; just before leaving the office. Remus- meanwhile is thinking about all the changes in Hermione. Not only was she remarkably caring and perceptive of others, but the physical changes were astounding. She had gone from a girl to a very sexy woman almost overnight, or so it seemed to Remus.
It isn't as if he hadn't noticed the recent changes in her. You would have to be blind not to! And her uniform! It made Remus' mouth water just thinking about it- the shortness of her skirt, the way her blouse clung to her curves. And those stockings! Merlin, he loved the way she looked wearing those stockings. It was horrible for him to think this way, but what could he do. He was after all, just a man. With wants and desires. And as much as he wished he could deny it; he wanted Hermione- very much.