A/N: So I'm having some real trouble keeping this thing original. A consequence I think, of having already-used characters. None the less I will persevere, just don't get too annoyed with the clichés (anyway we all know we secretly love them, don't lie). The freckles part was hard for me to write without gagging though…
Remus Lupin was lying on his back, his face clasped between both hands. He vaguely recognized his own scream behind the pain emanating from his face, and tried, without success, to pull himself out of the bathroom that combined his and Hermione's rooms. Suddenly, he felt his hands lift from his face as someone grasped each of his arms.
"You owe me a sickle mate," Fred Weasley called over Remus' screaming. "Told you she'd do both doors."
"She's serious though, isn't she? Gonna' have to step our efforts up if we're ever gonna' get her."
Remus managed to open his eyes just enough to see George's contemplative face. "Are you really discussing your pranks at a time like this?" He yelled, groaning as the twins hoisted him onto his bed.
"Well you have to admire her a bit don't you?" George said once again. "Who knew Hermione was capable—" but before he could finish, the very object of his admiration came bursting through the bedroom door.
"I warned the two of you—" Hermione started before assessing the situation. Both Weasley twins were upright and grinning, while Remus Lupin lay screaming on the bed.
"We're quite impressed Hermione; didn't know you despised us quite this much."
"Yeah. If you like, we can offer you a job when you graduate, though you're really going to have to let us prank you first."
By this time, Ron, Ginny, and Harry were up the stairs as well, all staring at the room in front of them. "Get out!" Hermione screamed at the twins, rushing to the bed. Her wand drawn and hands in position, Hermione began reciting a spell over Remus' swollen face, which was, slowly but surely, shrinking in size. "I am so sorry Professor. Really, it was intended for Fred and George, I would never—really I mean – it's nothing lethal –"
"Surprising," Ron muttered, glaring at his two twin brothers.
Hermione continued without hearing him. "—but it is rather painful. Oh really I am so, so sorry."
"It's fine Hermione," Remus finally answered, opening his eyes for a second time. He immediately noticed that Hermione was sitting on the bed next to him, tears in her eyes. "Not good," he thought. "Really, I'm quite alright; nothing to cry about now is it?" Remus lifted Hermione's chin, flashing her a genuine smile. But he was already off the bed and Hermione was distracted with thoughts of revenge.
"FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!" She called, realization dawning in her eyes as she pulled her face away from her professor's hand. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? IF THE TWO OF YOU HAD BEEN USING YOUR TIME PRODUCTIVELY TO HELP THE ORDER, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING ME AROUND IN SOME SAD ATTEMPT AT A JOKE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED!"
"Oh really Hermione," Fred called, caught in his attempt to escape the room. "It's not that bad. No harm, no foul. And Remus is just fine, aren't you Remus?"
"Really Hermione," Remus said, more for her benefit than the twins', "I'm perfectly fine." A half-smile was playing across his lips as he watched the enraged Hermione fold her arms in front of her. "She really is adorable when she's angry."
Hermione looked up at the werewolf and bit her lip, trying to control the tears that were steadily spilling from her eyes. "It's no excuse—" she started, and then without thinking, she pulled her wand from the pocket she'd placed it in after healing Remus and pointed it at Fred Weasley. "Engorgio!" she cried, quickly directing her wand to George. "Engorgio!" As both boys fell to the floor, holding their faces in their hands, Hermione stalked triumphantly through the bathroom and into her own room, closing the door behind her.
……………………………………………………
Although Remus did spend longer than he usually would've determining the appropriate counter-jinx, the twins' faces were down to their usual size by the time dinner started. Hermione was the last to join the dinner party, obviously still upset. Throwing a deadly glance and both Fred and George, she situated herself between Harry and Remus, her arm lightly brushing against the latter. Kingsley and Mad-Eye had arrived for dinner as well, and the table was buzzing with conversation.
"Did you hear about Sinistra?" Mrs. Weasley asked Mad-eye from across the table. "Apparently she tried to set up some defensive spells around her house, and ended up transporting the entire thing out of the country. I told Arthur…" At the other end of the table Kingsley, Mr. Weasley, Harry, and Ron discussed likely Quidditch finalists, while the twins and Ginny made faces at one another across the table. Only Remus and Hermione sat in silence.
"I really am sorry Professor," Hermione tried again, staring at her soup in embarrassment.
"There's nothing to apologize about Hermione, though, if you really felt the need, you could make it up by calling me Remus when I'm here." He was smiling at her playfully. "I'd hate to have to call you Ms. Granger all summer."
It was Hermione's turn to smile now, and Remus patted her hand reassuringly. "I really am sorry, Remus." She whispered, so quietly that Remus had to lean in a little to hear her.
"Thank you, Hermione." He said. The two stared at each other, smiling. Remus noticed the sprinkle of freckles across Hermione's nose, and Hermione could count the light wrinkles on the corners of Remus' eyes. Hermione started to raise her head, almost closing the distance between them, when the voices of Fred and George Weasley broke them both from their trance.
"I really can't stand them," Hermione thought, as Remus snapped his head to stare across the table. They had said his name.
"Sorry, what?" Remus asked staring at both the twins.
"Moody was trying to talk to you," one of them answered, staring back and forth between Hermione and Lupin. "Didn't look like you could hear him."
Remus glanced at Mad-Eye. "Yes?"
"We were just talking about why you're back so early," Mad-eye answered, his magical eye staring directly at Remus and Hermione. "Dumbledore figured you'd be gone another couple weeks." By this time the entire table was focused on their conversation, Ron missing his mouth with his soup spoon in concentration.
"Well he was wrong then, wasn't he?" Remus answered, but he had visibly stiffened. He pulled his hand away from Hermione's and stared decidedly down at his soup.
"How'd you get done so early then mate?" Harry asked, genuinely curious, but Remus put his spoon down angrily and continued staring at his bowl.
"I would think it safe to assume that I finished, wouldn't you?" He said quietly, his voice shaking slightly. "What other reason would I have to return?" He paused briefly and took a subtle, yet deep breath. "Thank you Molly," he continued, "dinner was wonderful as usual. If you'll excuse me," but before anyone could offer their excuse, Remus was up and out of the kitchen, his soup barely touched.