With just two days until the students left for Hogwarts, tensions were running high in Grimmauld Place. The house was a disaster as Molly prepared to ship her children, which included Harry and Hermione, off to school for the last time. Order members were constantly popping in and out, everyone on high alert, worried that the remaining death eaters would plan an attack while they were out in the open. And now McGonagall and Molly were arguing back and forth across the table as Remus sat between them, unable to play the mediator as the two women yelled.
Harry and Ron stood in the doorway, silently watching the affair unfold before them. Movement between the boys drew his attention and Remus silently begged for help as Hermione pushed her way into the kitchen. It was nearly standing room only, as all of the Order watched the debacle from various positions. Hermione stood silent for a moment, trying to decipher exactly what the argument was about.
"I will not have that man teaching my children!" Molly shouted, slamming her hand down on the table. McGonagall actually rolled her eyes, an uncharacteristic action, but one fitting for the scene.
"You keep saying that Molly, but you don't give any credible reasons for why he shouldn't teach them."
"I have my reasons, and I'm sure many other parents will agree when they hear about it!"
"That's enough!" Hermione shouted, coming to stand next to Remus.
"Really now, you are two of the most respected witches in the magic world and here you stand bickering like a couple of children? What is all of this about anyway?" There was silence as the room gawked at Hermione, shocked that she had just raised her voice to a woman who was practically her god mother, and the headmistress of her school. Remus cleared his throat and stood.
"Minerva here has asked Sirius to take over the Potions position. Molly, as you heard, isn't comfortable with Sirius' teaching abilities." he said, gesturing to each woman. Hermione rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, glaring at them.
"You're arguing over something as silly as this? Well, I don't know about the rest of the Order, but I for one think it's a great idea. Sirius and Harry will get to spend some more quality time together, and Professor Lupin, weren't you just saying a few days ago that Sirius was the best at potions? Almost as good as Lily?" her eyes turned to him, a spark in them telling Remus he had better agree with her if he knew what was best for his health. With a tug on his collar he nodded.
"And Molly, I'm sorry, but whomever Professor McGonagall decides to place in a position at Hogwarts really isn't any of our business. Professor Dumbledore made quite a few questionable decisions, and we always placed our faith in him. I believe Professor McGonagall deserves the same respect."
Arthur moved to stand between the two women, smiling fondly across the table at Hermione. "Well, I believe all that time alone in the woods with those two," he nodded at Harry and Ron, "might have made our Hermione a little fearless. And she's right."
Molly's jaw dropped as she stared at her husband. "You agree with letting him teach?"
"Whether I agree or not is not the point. Minerva deserves our trust. If she has faith in Sirius, then I do."
Molly huffed and shuffled, before finally relenting. With a slight glare in McGonagall's direction, she disappeared up the stairs, muttering about making sure Ron had everything packed properly. The room cleared and Remus dropped into a chair with a slump. Sirius appeared from the library, an extendable ear dangling from his hands. He grinned and patted Remus on the shoulder before squeezing his way between the two to sit on the table.
"Right good job you did defending me Moony. Good thing 'Mione here stepped in, otherwise I might have had to spend the year trapped in this drab old place. Now I get to spend it with the lovely ladies of Hogwarts instead." Sirius flashed a grin at Hermione, who shocked herself by giggling at his flirtatious nature. "What am I doing? I don't giggle. I'm not a giggler. But Merlin the man is attractive..."
Remus interrupted her musings, pulling Sirius off the table to give him a more appropriate glare. "Sirius, now you listen to me. Hermione and I both defended you, and Minerva is counting on you. You will be on your best, and I mean best, behavior. You can flirt, you can tease, but if I hear even the slightest rumor of you stepping one flee ridden toe out of line with any of my students, so help me you'll wish Hermione had left you in the Veil."
Sirius raised his hands in surrender, moving to saunter off to another part of the house. "Calm down. I won't do anything inappropriate with any of the students. Well, nothing too inappropriate at least. Actually, lets just say I'll do everything you wouldn't do to your students." Sirius gave Hermione a wink before running up the stairs to avoid another lecture from Remus. She felt herself giggling again, but attempted to cover it with a cough as Remus tossed a glare her way.
"Oh don't you go encouraging him too." He said, finding his way back down to his chair. Hermione smiled fondly and gave his shoulder a squeeze before making her way to the stairs as well. "Professor, just relax. Nothing will go wrong. I just know this will be a fantastic year, and you both will do great. When it comes down to it, he will be responsible and you know it. The girls will fawn over him, and he'll bask in the lime-light, but if you ask me, he won't be the only teacher at Hogwarts getting the students' attention."
Before Remus could respond, Hermione was up the stairs, a wisp of hair the last thing he saw of her.
She was on the train, staring out the window, completely and utterly mortified. For two days she'd kept herself locked in her room under the pretense that she was studying for the start of the term. She'd avoided him at all costs. She had absolutely no idea what had possessed her to say that as she left the kitchen. She was certain she had embarrassed herself, and him, and had not a clue how she was going to face him in class.
So Hermione sat, muttering a "yes" or "mhm" when appropriate, as her friends discussed quidditch, Harry's new broom, and placed bets as to whether every single stone of the castle had been replaced or repaired. She heard the words "Head Boy" and "Girl" and she squeaked, remembering it was her duty as Head Girl to patrol the train. She apologized quickly for leaving and dashed into the isle of the train and began the process of peering into every compartment, searching for suspicious activity.
Most of the students were laughing and talking, and the occasional spell would bounce through the train, but most of the actions were harmless. She smiled and began to make her way back to her compartment, when a sickly familiar voice reached her ears.
"Well, well, well. Looks like the Mudblood cleans up nicely. Slap a new coat of paint on her and she almost looks like a regular witch." Hermione stiffened and turned, her eyes meeting those of the annoyance she would have to deal with for the rest of the year. Her counterpart, the Head Boy, Draco Malfoy. She still didn't know why on earth he'd been given the honor. She felt his eyes rake over her body, and suddenly felt very exposed in her new denim jeans and pink tank top. She knew they were tighter than anything she had every worn, and as the train lurched slightly and she felt certain body parts bounce, an embarrassed blush crept into her cheeks.
Malfoy grinned appreciatively and grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her close. "I've never had a Mudblood, maybe I'll have to make an exception for you."
Before she could react, a set of hands landed on her shoulders and pulled her back and out of Malfoy's reach. Professor Lupin moved to stand in front of her, the expression on his face purely vicious.
"Mr. Malfoy, I am going to give you one warning. You will not use that term in my presence, or anyone else's, for the remainder of the year. You will keep your hands to yourself. You will be helpful and silent, and carry out your duties as Head Boy alongside Hermione. If you cause any trouble for Hogwarts this year, I can promise you that you will spend the term wishing they had sent you to Azkaban. Do you understand?"
Malfoy stood silent, staring at the werewolf. There was movement behind Hermione and Sirius appeared behind her, smirking silently while twirling his wand in his hand. Draco nodded, gulping audibly. Professor Lupin growled and grabbed Malfoy by his shirt.
"I can't hear you. What was that?"
"Yes Professor. I understand, sir."
"I thought so." Lupin let Malfoy go, readjusted his shirt, and turned to leave. He smiled and nodded at Hermione before grabbing Sirius to tug him along. "Just let us know if you have anymore issues with him "Mione."
She watched them leave the compartment and made her own way back to her friends. She found them arguing over whether or not Sirius would spend the first class discussing how amazing he was and sighed, her mind flowing over the men who had rescued her from Malfoy. "Not that I needed rescuing, but dear Merlin those two are sexy... what am I going to do...?"
~Author's Note~ sorry for the long delay. I know I always end up having months between updates, but I promise I am trying to stop that from happening. This chapter feels very blah to me, but it will pick up, promise! :)