AN: Plug my one-shot: Cherry Lipstick. I know…that's one cool title… Yup it has HG and RL. Stupid story gave me writer's block until I wrote it. At least I'm intending for the thing to be a one-shot…
Reviews: The button pushers for Ch. 5 who for the most part ADORE Phantom of the Opera (as do I :D) – Aelimir (JK is so going to put HG w/ RW/sob SO WRONG!), FlairVerona, Smiles28 (I tend to torture others w/ my PotO soundtrack…), crzyangelchic (A newbie to HG/RL! Age is only a number in our little world. :D We shall switch you to our pairing…because Hermione and Remus are so flippin' cute together), Rane2920072, Radingsouls4u, CharmedLeoLvr (Ron, like most men, doesn't appreciate the splendiferousishness of PotO, but then again he doesn't appreciate much at all /cough Hermione), dubtheeunforgiven, venusrose (EGAD! Go rent it! It's worth it or at least try the novel! Unless you don't like singing then it could get annoying.), Gywnn-Potter, Oddballout, Aljinon (I haven't heard of Oleana, but then again I don't read too many plays, but it sounds interesting…), Autumn92685039 (Two words: restraining order)and JinxTwix (Updates will only come faster if somebody out there'll go to my college algebra class, do my homework, and write chapters for HfaR…until then…patience is a virtue)
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Last Chapter: Hermione wondered if this was how Christine felt, except without a deformed Phantom, she had a werewolf Professor, and instead of a devoted Raoul, she had a questionable Ron.
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"Miss Granger, stop looking down. Your chin should be parallel to the floor and for goodness sake try not to shuffle your feet," barked out drill sergeant McGonagall. At least to Hermione she felt she was in the army, what with someone screaming orders out at her and the exhausting hours being spent on her feet…dancing, a fate worse than death with McGonagall hovering around.
She had her reasons. If she was looking at her feet, then that meant she was not looking at the person holding her, rotating in time with the music. The shuffling was a necessity if she wanted to keep her feet intact. Obviously, her partner had not cut a rug waltzing in quite awhile or his mind was not on dancing at the moment. Tentatively, she raised her head up and risked a grin at her partner who promptly stepped on her toe as she did so.
"Sorry about that," he whispered as she winced involuntarily.
She tried to stop grimacing and said for about the hundredth time, "It's okay."
"Remus, I don't think waltzing involves smashing Miss Granger's toes. Get closer." McGonagall gestured them together. "You're dancing, not staring across the room at each other."
She nodded in approval as he tightened his hold on her waist and the precious few inches that had been between them dwindled. They had gone a few steps without any injury, so McGonagall left them to their own while she went off to talk to Luna Lovegood who was waiting for instructions.
"Waltzing nazi," muttered Hermione at McGonagall's retreating back.
"I would have to agree with you there," he said. "Though, it's I who is making this so awful."
"No, really you're doing fine. You're getting better. An entire minute you've gone without stepping on my feet," she said as they made another rotation on the stage. Any longer and she was going to get dizzy.
"Well, it has been awhile since I've had the pleasure of a dance especially one with such a very…" beautiful and brilliant woman, he ended in his thoughts. At least that was what he wanted to say, but they were passing a certain surly looking Potions teacher and his Slytherin special effects lackeys and Remus decided it wasn't the best time. Instead, he finished, "talented and studious witch." He cringed inwardly. How could he have said…
Studious! Dear Merlin, he thinks of me as studious. I have to get out of the library more often. Again, she found herself staring down at their shoes, her standard black ones for school and his brown ones in need of polishing, pivoting with the tune. She looked up to see Draco grinning from his position next to Snape. Just recently had the Head Boy agreed to help on the effects more than likely trying to sabotage it and make her look like an idiot. At the moment, he pointed to Remus and made a kissy face then nudged Snape who also seemed to find the situation funny. She glared in response.
"Malfoy?" inquired Remus.
She nodded, still fighting the urge to severely hurt Draco. "Yeah. How'd you know?"
"You tend to get a fuming look on your face whenever he's around or when you talk about him." He grinned. "Like the one you have on your face at the moment."
"Really?" was all she could say back since she almost melted onto the stage floor. He was so cute when he smiled and she had been trying to stay in the solid form ever since they had been meeting for the past few weeks. Having less than a millimeter between them and his hand was on her back, the other holding her hand…all she wanted to do was…
Snap out of it. He was acutely aware of her at the moment. Merlin, he was a bloody werewolf, would be aware of her from across the room. However, they weren't standing on opposite ends of the room. No, fate had a funny way of being cruel. She was pressed against him, letting him hold her; of course, they had to be in front of the majority of Hogwarts. Though he had to admit, they fit well together, not only while dancing, but…
Having sex, was that why Ron seemed distant? Merlin, you'd think he'd understand 'no' and get over it. The thought of her and Ron 'getting down and dirty' seemed suddenly revolting. Is it a bad sign in a relationship if you don't feel attracted to your boyfriend anymore? She blanched visibly at the thought. Oh dear, ooooh dear…
Hermione weakly smiled at Remus who noticed her pale briefly. Sure, they had grown closer, far beyond something defined as student-teacher, spending hours working together can do that. Then she conceded to herself that it had expanded from just work on the play to other facets: her life, his life, classes, teaching, Ron, which always seemed to make him aggravated. Oh my…I'm falling for my professor…this is not happening…this is not- hang on…he gets mad when I bring up Ron…does that mean…no…this is one-sided? Right? Lost in contemplation, she stepped squarely on Remus' foot. It jolted her so that she dropped his hand to cover her mouth.
"I'm sorry," she apologized rapidly. "Are you okay, Rem-Professor?" She caught herself in time, but over her shoulder, she saw a sour looking Lavender and Parvati. Each held a bolt of gold fabric, different shades for the dress Hermione would wear during the dance scene. Lavender raised a single eyebrow at what she heard, then prodded Parvati and said something to her.
"What goes around comes around," he said and laughed. "No harm done."
"Wait 'til I have to do this in heels and a dress. Then we'll see who's doing all the harm," she retorted, basking in his grin, but nervously keeping an eye on the back of the stage.
"How about a rest anyway? Minerva seems to have wandered off and we'll never see another break if she comes back." Remus dropped down onto the large prop footstool someone had left out. After he gestured her over, she sat next to him. Unexpectedly, the footstool squirmed underneath them and bolted off the stage, leaving them in a heap on the floor.
An amused voice from above them said, "Sorry about that. It's a rather fickle ottoman."
"Severus, how nice of you to charm the furniture for the production although they seem temperamental and that could only be a problem with the caster," replied Remus from his position beneath Hermione who had ended up on his stomach. Not a bad place to be, but a brooding Snape ruined any mood that might have resulted.
"Miss Granger." Snape offered her a hand up. "Doubt you'd like to stay down there." Coolly, she let him pull her up to her feet.
She turned her back to Snape, showing she really didn't care if he helped or not. Remus was off his back and about on his feet. "Here, Remus," she stuck out her hand. He grabbed it and bumped into her as he jumped up.
"That would be Professor Lupin to you, Miss Granger," calmly stated Snape. "Respect should be shown to your elders even in informal circumstances, especially since you're Head Girl."
"Yes, Professor Snape," she said shortly, staring defiantly at him.
"Well, Remus," started Snape, emphasizing the name as he turned his attention to the other man, "I've seen more graceful hippogriffs in my time. It looks as though from all the grimaces on Granger's face, you're dancing leaves much to be desired."
"Don't you remember? I didn't get much practice at any of the school dances. I was too busy sitting next to you, watching everyone else. Seems it wasn't your dancing though, maybe it was your hygiene habits?"
A muscle had begun to twitch in Snape's jaw. Remus let a small grin slip past his calm façade. Luckily, a authoritative voice from the stage interrupted what Hermione feared could turn into something only fit for pay-per-view wrestling. "Remus Lupin and Hermione Granger! Front and center. You still have to work on the twirl and dip."
"Come on." She tugged on the Remus' shirt.
Snape wasn't going to let them go that easily. "Keep your mind on the play, Lupin, and off other things." His eyes lingered on Hermione before he swept off back to his group of minions.
McGonagall promptly shoved them into position when they returned to the middle of the stage. She pointed one hand to up to Professor Vector to start the music and the other hand to the side of the stage where Luna Lovegood waited. Immediately, music swelled and filled the Great Hall accompanied by Luna's voice like an angel…if angels did indeed dress in lime green stockings with purple kittens on them.
Hermione fell back into Remus' arms quite willingly. He looked down at her and said, "Here's hoping for a better go around this time." His gaze turned to where Snape had disappeared and his eyes narrowed.
Off to the side, the Transfiguration teacher tapped out the tune with her feet. "Now, Miss Granger step out and twirl back in."
She did so, extending completely away from Remus, still holding on to his hand. Turning, she looked back into the inside of the stage. A giggle Lavender was dumping off her burden on Parvati who was also giggling. Then a hand reached out from behind the red curtain, grabbing Lavender's arm. It pulled her out of Hermione's view and she watched as Lavender chuckled stupidly the entire time. The curtain rustled then Parvati scampered off to the back, glancing back at Hermione for a smirk. Then the image whirled out of view.
An oomph from above made her realize she had spun back into Remus' chest with more force than was necessary. He recovered quickly and grasped her hand, putting her back in a dancing position. She mouthed 'sorry' to him then peered over his shoulder to the unmoving red fabric.
"When you get to the next marker, I want you to dip her Remus. Easy does it. I don't need my best student suffering a head injury," McGonagall instructed.
They turned one more time. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded.
Proving Snape wrong, Remus with poise leaned her back, keeping his one arm out and the other firmly on her back. Her face loomed closer as he brought her back up from the dip. She had the most brilliant brown he had ever seen. Keep your mind on the play, Lupin, and off other things, a voice echoed. Shut up, Severus, he shot back.
"Splendid," said McGonagall as she gave the kill sign to Vector and Luna. Slowly the sound faded away. "Perhaps you can work on this tonight. It's Thursday. You two do meet on Thursdays, don't you?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. Remus' hands had fallen away with the music and she unexpectedly felt alone, detached all of a sudden, something she had not felt in awhile when Ron let go of her.
"I'm sure Miss Granger would like some time to recuperate though." A shrill bell rang out, ringing over McGonagall's voice. She looked down at her watch in surprise. "Suppertime already! My, well it looks like you'll get that time after all. Thank you both so much for coming in for this little rehearsal. Don't forget to work on the dip." She bade them farewell and began shooing people off the stage to the other end of the Great Hall where the House tables had been shoved.
Hermione walked over toward the end of the stage to get her bag. She carefully looked around the curtain. It wasn't moving any longer and no one was behind it. Perhaps she was becoming paranoid. An image of Mad-Eye Moody came to mind and she groaned at the thought she'd be like that in a few years.
Hoisting her book bag on her shoulder, she went back over to Remus and said, "We'll pick this fiasco up at eight o'clock then." Lower she said as she walked past, "See you later, Remus," then grinned at her own defiance.
"Until then, Hermione," he answered. She waved as she made her way through a throng of entering students. Remus was too busy watching her exit that he didn't notice eyes watching him from the dark stage's inside. The black eyes glinted in the fading stage light before their owner swept off toward the dungeons. Being head over heels, although you might not realize it, can make even a werewolf lose his senses.
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"Draco Malfoy!" she screamed down her staircase. Oh…was he in for it now…she'd like to just hear him try to deny it.
"Who could those dulcet tones belong to?" answered an amused voice. A body soon followed and Draco stood looking up quizzically at her. "You called, Granger."
"Do you have my playbook?" she asked menacingly.
He raised an eyebrow at her attire. Nice robe… "No, I don't. Why would I have it anyway?"
"Let me see." Hermione pretended to be thinking. "Because you enjoy making my life as miserable as possible!"
"Good point, but I don't have it. Might want to look wherever you had it last," he paused, looking her over, "and try not to drip too much on anything of mine." He pointed to some water that had collected at the top of the stairs.
She glared at him. "I just got out of the bath, thank you very much. At least I take them unlike some of the people you choose to hang around with." Then Hermione slammed her door to change and then go on a search and rescue mission for her script.
Where did I leave it? Where? Thinking, she busily paced down a corridor. Already she should have been at Remus' office. Think, she commanded herself. She had had it out in Charms class, but after that… Honestly, she couldn't recall ever seeing her book after that. With purpose, she flew up a flight of steps to Flitwick's room.
A group of people hindered her halfway up as they all tried to use the same staircase at once. Surprisingly to Hermione, Harry was in the group. She waved him over to her.
"Hey, what are you doing? I thought you guys had an extra Quidditch practice today," she said.
Harry gave her a puzzled expression. "I've been up the Astronomy Tower to study." He glanced meaningfully at a blonde-haired Hufflepuff. "No, no Quidditch today," he shook his head, "I haven't called for any extra practices in about a month. Besides, what are you doing here? I thought you and Ron were doing something tonight."
She felt she couldn't breathe for a bit. Struggling, Hermione said, "I meet with Professor Lupin tonight for the play. I'm going to get my script; I left it in Charms."
The blonde Hufflepuff had appeared next to Harry and was trying to pull him along. "Well," said Harry, "hope you find it, but I've got to go. If you see Ron after all, tell him I want my Invisibility Cloak back. Bye, 'Mione."
She waved bye to him as he walked off. Much more slowly, she made her way to the last door on the right. Leaning her head against the frame, she vowed that a serious conversation needed to happen between her and Ron. She didn't know how much more of this she could take; it all seemed circumstantial, but…her mind wandered to a certain professor and how that was feeling far from incidental. Sighing, she entered the room and spotted something she was looking for.
Hermione with a breath of relief picked up her playbook and started to leave, but a sound stopped her. She wasn't alone in the room. A strange smacking noise was coming from the back. Lighting her wand, she held it up to see two people roughly push apart from one another. A shocked Lavender could only stare from her position on the floor as the light came closer. The other person had jumped to his feet immediately.
"Hermione," he pleaded. "It's not what it looks like. I swear…"
At that point, Hermione was past words, way past words. "Ronald," was the most she could utter quietly. Something had gotten stuck in her throat. She stood right in front of him; he blinked repeatedly from her wand light. Lip-gloss shined on his face. For some reason, that sight brought everything crashing around her. So she did what any self-respecting woman done wrong would. Hermione brought her fist back and gave him what was going to be one hell of a shiner in a few days.
Ron went reeling into Lavender who had gotten up. She screeched, "Ron" at the top of her lungs, as she was barely able to stay standing. He looked stunned and slightly wincing back at Hermione.
"Quidditch," it was all Hermione could do to keep from screaming at the top of her lungs, "is that what they're calling it these days? All those bloody practices were her, weren't they?" She pointed her wand threateningly at Lavender, which caused the other to jump back.
"Bloody hell, Hermione," started Ron again, his hand covering his eye, "just let me explain…"
"Explain!" she roared. Who cared if the entirety of Hogwarts could hear? "I'm pretty sure I've figured this out. It's loud and clear that you and Lavender are patching things up. So you can have this back," she tore the ring he had given her off her finger and threw it at him, "and you can refrain from talking to me for a very long period of time. We're through Ron Weasley!"
The sudden display of anger left the other two speechless. "What are you looking at me like that for?" Hermione asked. "Don't you have better things to do? Don't let me bother you." She shoved Lavender into Ron before turning on her heels, stalking out, and magically locking the door. She hoped somebody wouldn't find them until morning. Then Hermione's vision became bleary and she didn't know where she started running to.
Three flights of stairs and numerous paintings later, she gave out and stopped. The floor she was on was easily recognizable since she came to it twice a week. Hermione wiped her eyes and debated. Right about then, all she wanted to do was flop down on her bed and sob for the rest of the night. On the other hand, if she didn't go to Remus', then he'd worry himself to death after she didn't show up and a search team would be sent out. Collecting herself the best she could, Hermione backtracked to the door she had just went past and resignedly entered.
Half up the stairs to his office she turned around before forcing herself up the rest of the way. A light glowed under the door and she stood outside it biting her lip. Another sob tried to escape, but she tried to breathe deeply and waved her hands at her face in an attempt to curb the tears. Clearing her throat and trying to keep composed, she walked in and saw that indeed Remus was waiting up for her and yes, he did look slightly worried.
"There you are," he said from a chair behind his office desk. "I'd begun to wonder if you had forgotten about me."
"Uh…well, no, but I have to skip tonight due to my," she sniffed, "sinuses" Don't think about Ron, she commanded herself, but that was useless; she could tell she was tearing up again. "You know how sinuses are, can't control them."
He nodded in understanding. "Have you taken anything for it? I'm sure Madam Pomfrey has something she could give you."
"Oh, yeah. My sinuses are very bad though," she said tearfully, blinking to keep it in check. "I can't seem to cope with them too well. My sinuses, I mean. Not that it would be anything else. They're the most horrible, despicable, lying, filthy…" Hermione broke down into as sob, "bastard! I'll rip his bloody eyes out!" She turned to tear open the door and show him what he really had coming to him, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Crying blatantly, Hermione let herself be led over to his couch and sat down.
Remus handed her a tissue and waited. She dabbed at her eyes then just sat tearing at the edges. "Do you want to tell what has happened?" he asked softly.
She shook her head and felt her face trying to contort back into tears. Hermione continued to stare at the tissue.
"You know you can tell we anything. I'll see what I can do to make it better," he added.
"It's Ron," she blurted out, her red-rimmed eyes finally looking at him. "Him…" her breath caught, "him…him…and Lavender. They're…they're…" Hermione didn't finish her sentence because she had buried her head in Remus' chest and had started to cry again. All he could was put his arms around her, holding her as she shook and his shirt became damp.
By the time the clock had struck a new hour, Hermione had wore herself out on emotions and laid there, dozing slightly. Every once in awhile, her eyes would open then she would grasp hold of him tighter before closing them again. Remus had put the broken pieces together the best he could from what little she could choke out. She had found Ron and Lavender snogging in the Charms classroom, capping off an affair she had long suspected.
She stirred again. "What time is it?" she asked sleepily as she rose slightly off him.
"Nearly eleven," he replied.
"Oh no, is it? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stayed this long; I shouldn't have even bothered you." She sat upright on the couch, her face much less blotchy from the crying. "A stupid thing like this must seem trivial to you."
"No, it's not. I'm glad you came by, though I wish it could have been under better circumstances." He took out another tissue and wiped a stray tear away. "Come by and bother me anytime; my shoulder's open."
She faltered a weak grin. "The funny part was I was going to break up with him anyway, but I hadn't planned on it being like that."
"Why were you going to break up with him? Were you sure about what he was doing?"
"I wasn't sure, but I was sure enough that I didn't like Ron in that way anymore. I'd found someone else."
Remus found himself staring at her bowed head in disbelief. This was news to him. He had never noticed her leaning toward anyone else, but… Oh… "Who?" he was barely able to ask.
She looked at him panicky all of a sudden. He wasn't supposed to ask; she had intended for him just openly declaring it was himself. "Who do you think?"
"I…well…I'm not positive I know…" he fumbled out as she moved in closer to him. This time he could tell she wasn't planning on just burrowing her head into his shoulder. A strange gleam was in her eye.
"You do," she whispered. Hermione gazed up expectantly at him.
"Me," he stated and she nodded. Confirmation. That was all he needed. Remus reached out his hand, cupped her face, and then gently traced her bottom lip with his thumb. She closed her eyes in response. He then did what he had wanted to do for the longest time. He brought her waiting face to his and kissed her. When she didn't push him away, Remus found his inhibitions evaporating. He deepened the kiss.
As the clock chimed out the half-hour, Hermione's hands gently pressed against his chest and she said, "Remus, I have to go. Draco…he'll wonder…" She took in a quick breath as he made his way farther down her neck.
Breathing heavily, Remus reluctantly removed himself from her. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Draco notices everything. He'll think something is up." Not that it isn't.
"Not him. Me. Are you sure?" No one had even dared to touch him in so long. This time it couldn't be true.
"Yes," she grinned. "I'm positive. Now I'm sorry, but I must go." She leaned for another quick kiss and had trouble leaving again. "We'll pick this up later." Before she started to stay again, Hermione hopped off the couch and went to the door. "Goodnight," she whispered as she closed the door behind her.
Remus stared at the door in a transfixed state of disbelief. Just a while ago, he was comforting her after a breakup, now he was snogging her. On his office sofa, no less! Dear Merlin, I have her in class tomorrow. When Dumbledore gets back, he is not going to like this…at all. Merlin help in 7th year DADA tomorrow…I'm going to need. He also needed a shower, a very, very bloody cold shower.