Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter…but I sure would like a piece of Mooney.

Rated M for profanity and mild lemons in later chapters.

Thanks to Molly for editing the first six chapters and Messer-Moony-sezs-awhoo for the remaining 19. Also thanks to all of you who have read and reviewed my story so far.

Chapter Two

Rejection

HPOV

We finally arrived at school and after a short ride to the castle I made my way to the Gryffindor table, and Remus to the staff table. I have to admit, I was never less excited about starting another year- perhaps because technically I should have already been done. I couldn't help but look over at him chatting with the other professors. Again I found myself observing him talk, unaware of what he was saying, but watching his lips. Oh, how I longed for those lips. He looked in my direction and smiled. Was he smiling at me? Looking around the rest of my friends were involved in their own conversations, I looked back to him, his smile widened. Realizing he was in fact looking at me, I happily returned a wide grin.

"Hermione!" Suddenly I was jerked out of my gaze by the voice of Ron.

"Yes, Ronald?" I reluctantly turned and looked at my friend.

Tilting his head as he rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes darted between me and his plate of pudding. "I was thinking that well, maybe we could give us another try." He looked extremely nervous as the words exited his mouth.

"We tried dating Ron, and it didn't work. We obviously have different ideas of taking it slow."

"I know we agreed to that, and I will. I got over amorous but I didn't mean it. Please Hermione, give me another chance."

At this point half the Gryffindor table was staring at me. This was so juvenile; he was forcing me to embarrass him in front of half our house. I couldn't do that, no matter what my feelings for him.

"I'll think about it."

He sighed, letting out a breath of relief at the same time. I think he was happy I didn't reject him at the table. Unfortunately, I would have to do it in private later.

RPOV

She'd think about it. What was that supposed to mean? I couldn't help but overhear. Damn wolf hearing! She couldn't have really meant it; she was just being polite, right? He was her age, and they had a history. I couldn't believe this. I thought we were actually headed somewhere. When am I going to learn that I am never meant to have a mate?

Exiting the Great Hall after the feast I rushed to my quarters. I had originally planned to pull Hermione aside and talk to her, but there was no point in that now.

HPOV

I had planned on an early breakfast and then heading to his classroom before classes started so we could talk. Unfortunately, I overslept. I barely had enough time to dress, grab a banana, and head to Charms. I had a break right after lunch so I headed to his classroom then. To my dismay, however, he was not there yet.

"Crap." I let slip a little too loudly.

"That is the second time you have sworn in two days Ms. Granger." I turned to the entrance of the room where he stood. I smiled at his observation and walked over slowly to him.

"I thought I had missed you," I confessed.

"As you can see you did not. Is there something you need?" He asked me walking further into his classroom. I followed him.

"I thought we could talk about-about us." I looked up into his piercing blue orbs. Oh God their exquisite.

"Us?"

That sounded like a question. Was he questioning us? Did he decide against the relationship? We hadn't even had a proper chance to talk about it.

"Yes us. I was under the impression you wanted there to be an 'us.'" My sweet demeanor was quickly disappearing as he seemed to want to pretend that the last two days had never happened.

"Ms. Granger," He sighed, calling me by my surname. "You are young and beautiful." I smiled at his complement. "You need to find someone who equals that".

My smile quickly faded. "Oh, you think so do you?"

"I believe Mr. Weasley has eyes for you." He said then turning from me.

"Are you talking about Ron?"

"Yes."

Why in the bloody hell would he think I wanted to be with Ron? He had known we broke up, and the reason for it.

"Remus I-

"Professor," He corrected me.

"Professor I don't-"

I was cut short by an on slew of second years entering his room. "You should go Ms. Granger."

So I did.

RPOV

Why did I do that? Why did I reject her? Because she deserved better, that's why. Even if she did not wish to be with Ron there were many other boys her age that she could have. I believe Neville once told me he had a crush on her. He is a nice boy, he would treat her well. I would even suggest Harry, if he wasn't with Miss Weasley.

I collapsed onto my bed later that evening trying to mull over my emotions in my head. I knew I cared for her. I knew for a fact that my feelings were stronger for her then any woman I have ever known, but at the same time it was not wise to live on emotions alone. I had to use my head. I had to be logical. She was too young. She deserved better. My life was too complicated, unpredictable. She needed stability and assurance. She would find a wonderful man to take care of her, someone who could understand her on every level; intellectually, emotionally, and physically. That man was not me.

HPOV

I felt completely drained. I knew it was due to my emotions and not stress or a lack of sleep. I was dying inside. Every class period he would ignore me. During meal times he avoided looking in my direction. Even after I finally managed to tell Ron I wasn't interested in restarting our relationship, he still shunned me. Damn it Remus!

I decided I needed a plan. I had to get his one on one attention, but how? Then it struck me. It was devious, almost Slytherin in the details, but I was sure it would work, after all my plans usually did.

It was just after two on a Friday that I headed into my DADA class and sat in the back, which was not my usual spot. He quickly reminded us that we had an exam that day. Most of the class groaned in annoyance as he passed out the exams, and I quickly read through the questions. I could have gotten every single question correct, but that would have ruined my plan. Instead I wrote in big black ink across the center of the paper THIS EXAM IS HYPOGRIFF SHIT. I knew that would get his attention. I then walked quickly up to his desk at the front of the classroom

"Yes?" He asked me. I tried not to smile as he pierced me with his sea blue glance.

"I'm done," I said as I handed him the paper. It didn't take him long to see what I had written. He looked up at me in complete confusion.

"Ms. Granger. I am going to give you the chance to redo this simply because I believe this is not something you would normally do."

Damn it! That wasn't supposed to be his reaction. I had to think, and fast.

"No. This is what I am turning it, and I meant what I wrote."

"Hermione," He whispered, "this is not an appropriate way to release your frustration concerning the situation."

"What makes you think this had anything to do with the situation?" I glared at him." I simply think the exam is crap!" I said the last part louder intending for the whole class to hear it. They did. I even heard Ron snicker in the background.

"Ms. Granger. I regret this but you have detention with me this evening at seven o'clock. Now go back to your dorm until it is time for your next class."

I could tell I had hurt him, which was never my intention. I did, however, manage to secure a detention which was exactly my intention.

RPOV

For the life of me I could not figure out why she had done that. She couldn't possibly be that angry with me for putting an end to our, well, possible relationship. She was too mature to do something of that nature, with no logic behind it.

I massaged my temples, contemplating the issue was giving me a serious headache. I lowered my head down on my desk, unfortunately a tad too hard.

"Ouch!" I quickly raised my head, rubbing the top of my forehead.

"Well that was foolish," a familiar voice called from above.

"Hello Severus." Snape had seemed to have mellowed a bit this year. He seemed more relaxed and calm. I assumed it was because the war was finally over and he no longer had to play slave to Voldemort, or Dumbledore for that matter. However, it wasn't my only idea for his recent transformation.

"I wanted to talk to you about one of your precious Lions." He said momentarily sounding his old bitter self.

"Who would that be?"

"Ms. Granger." My eyes widened with shock. Was she acting up in all her classes?

"What did she do?" I asked.

"This morning she nearly blew up my classroom."

"Hermione? I don't understand-she is a superb brewer."

"I know," he drawled with a roll of his eyes. "That is why I am concerned. She does not seem to be concentrating. When I asked her what happened she simply shrugged at me".

I couldn't help but laugh.

"You think this is funny?" He asked me his eyes narrowing.

"No. Just very unlike her. She is serving detention with me tonight; I will ask her about the incident in your class then."

Severus jaw dropped. "Perfect miss know-it-all has detention. Tell me Lupin, what did she do, prove you wrong on a rare unknown fact." He laughed at the thought.

Prat!

"No, but it is not really your concern."

"Very well." Severus turned to leave but I couldn't let him go just yet.

"Severus?"

"What?" He asked as he turned back towards me.

"I couldn't help but notice you seem to have been in a better mood recently."

"You think so, do you?"

"Yes. Normally you would have given anyone who nearly blew up your classroom a month's detention, but you came to me instead. That is very unlike you."

"Well, Lupin, if the student had been Longbottom then I would have, but as you said, it was very unlike Miss. Granger."

"Ah. So this wouldn't have anything to with your friendship with a certain muggle studies teacher, would it?"

Severus' facial expression didn't change, but I did notice a slight bit of color rush to his normally pale cheeks.

"Why would you think my attitude has anything to do with Kat-Miss. Kingston?"

He had almost called her by her first name. So I was right. Should I pry further? Yes I think I will.

"You're seeing her aren't you?"
Severus gave me a very harsh glare. If I was a first year I would have probably had an unfortunate accident.

"My personal life is none of your concern Lupin," he glared at me, and then quickly left the room. Now that was the old professor Snape.

Please Review

They make me smile