A face to keep in his dreams. Forever there. Not doing anything nor saying anything. Just being there. That is what makes them the sweetest dreams Remus has ever had. She was peaceful, completely angelic and he could watch her all night long.
It wasn't disgusting want driving them or the idea of insanely erotic behaviour. Instead, it was, and would remain, companionship. Understanding. Even if it was all a dream.
oOo
That Monday school went on like normal. The anticipation of having an almost police-like force within the school walls was soon forgotten by mid-afternoon. There had been no excitement and no new events to cause any gossip, much to the dismay of the entire student population.
At three pm Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking briskly down the halls towards their next lesson, the comments made yesterday erased from their minds as most good friends do. Stopping outside defence against the dark arts Hermione let go of Ron's arm, which she had been looped round in a friendly manner as they walked down the corridors.
"Still don't understand why you two chose to sit another year of defence against the dark arts. Think I've done enough of that to last a lifetime," Ron commented before waving his hand and walking off to muggle studies, a subject he decided to take after dealing with a very persistent father over the holidays.
"C'mon lets go," Harry said enthusiastically grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her through the open doorway.
The classroom wasn't busy yet as they were still fairly early to class but it would only take a few more minutes before a rush of pupils filed in. Grabbing seats at the back of the room Harry turned to face Hermione. "Can't wait to see what Remus will be teaching us!" They both took out their jotters, quills and ink fully prepared for the lesson. "I bet he's just the same as ever. His lessons were always so great."
Hermione nodded only half listening to what Harry had been saying. Her eyes glazed slightly with her head resting comfortably in her hand. It really would be great to have Remus back teaching. In the summer he had visited the Burrow only a small handful of times. Staying for rarely over an hour on his visits he had always made time to speak pleasantly to Hermione, noticeably he spoke to her the most which none of the other inhabitants took particular notice in as they all had Sirius to keep them occupied.
They talked at length, mostly about Hermione, and for that she was grateful. She couldn't help but feel after the war the visitors to the burrow had specifically come to see Harry and it was good to let off some steam to someone. He understood the most what it felt like to be the outcast. Hermione felt a strong attachment to her friend, much deeper than she had ever felt before.
The door closed loudly bringing Hermione out of her thoughts. The classroom had quickly filled when her mind had been busy wandering. From the doorway down the aisle between desks walked Remus. He stood much the same as he had done in their third year. His friendly nature was evident without him even having to say anything as he stood smiling at the front of the class. However, since their third year it was definitely safe to say his physical appearance had changed ever so slightly. Back then he looked starved, thin and pale. At the present time he was more muscular looking and his skin looked less washed out but instead held life in it. His sandy hair was possibly flecked with a little more silver but the bags under his eyes had lessened.
The man before her was an inspiration and a true hero.
"Hello again," he said casually and for the first time in Hogwarts a teacher in their classroom was applauded. He laughed, blushing slightly before silencing them with a wave of his hands. "Right class, I think it's safe to say none of you have ever come into contact with the dark arts so I guess I'll be teaching you from scratch." The class laughed easily at him as his eyes drifted over Harry and Hermione. "Now I'm happy to inform you we have a special guest in our class today, Mr Black please step forward."
From behind a large whiteboard stepped Sirius. He ran a hand through his hair as the class murmured excitedly. Smiling stupidly to Hermione and Harry he bowed. "Alright, thought me and old Lupin here could do a bit of duelling. Maybe show you a thing or two."
Winking towards the class, Hermione was sure she saw a few Hufflepuff girls giggle and blush profusely. "So, yeah, up you all get and be prepared to be amazed!" Sirius said wickedly.
Once everyone was out their seats Remus waved his wand and whispered an incantation to stack all the tables and chairs on the far side of the classroom. "Just take notes for just now, anything you want to ask can wait till later," Remus said before turning to Sirius and bowing. The pair separated and the class made their way to the back of the room watching excitedly. Harry and Hermione made sure they were at the front of the group. They had seen the pair duel many times before, even watched as they cast a few hexes at the other during their time together at the Burrow, but it was still exciting to see it. It brought out the youthfulness in both men.
The first hex came from Sirius' wand, excited as always and ready to show off it missed Remus by quite a lot.
"Well if you're just going to miss me when I'm standing right here Padfoot I may as well sit down," Remus said earning him a grin from Sirius. Their friendly banter was always a pleasure to watch.
The pair fought eagerly, dancing around the classroom firing spells back and forth. The class knew it was for fun but when Sirius' arm began bleeding at the bicep there was a worried gasp from the majority of the girls.
"So that's how you want to play is it Mooney?" Sirius asked. His roguish nature shining through.
More violent spells came into use, slashing and tearing at each other. Nothing they wouldn't be able to stop later. However after receiving a fairly painful hex from Sirius, Remus petrified his friend.
"Now class this is a dangerous position to be in when in a duel. I could do anything to Mr Black at this point. It would be too easy for me to levitate him," with a wave of his wand Sirius floated upwards, his body completely unmoving. "Imagine the dangerous environments he could be placed into." Releasing the spell Sirius thumped onto the floor. Remus' practical way of teaching was always a bonus to have as the class watched Sirius, excitement and the need for more, evident on their faces. "Even the removal of his breath is at my command." Waving his wand and whispering the class watched Sirius whose eyes widened in panic. It was clear a spell had been used to suffocate him.
Remus stopped the spell and released Sirius from his petrified state. The class watched as Sirius got to his feet, panting heavily. "What the hell Mooney?" he nearly shouted. "You could have suffocated me to death!"
"Mate, it was for the class!" Remus argued gripping his wand tightly. "All for education."
"All for education!" Sirius repeated clearly not amused at his friends behaviour. Quicker than Remus could have anticipated Sirius raised his wand and pointed it at him before shouting angrily "Sectum.."
"Stupefy!" Hermione screamed and watched as Sirius fell back at the force of the spell and dropped unconsciously onto the ground.
The class turned and stared at Hermione. Remus' eyes looked at his fallen friend then up at Hermione's panicked face. His own face remained a mask, no emotion showing. "Wha.." he began but Hermione turned and ran out of the classroom wrenching her hand from Harry as he tried to grab it and pull her back.
Harry and Remus' eyes connected for a mere second, confusion plastered in their eyes. Turning back to Sirius on the floor Remus awoke him and helped him upright again. The class stayed eerily silent no one moving or speaking at all.
"Woah!" Sirius said scratching the back of his head. "That was... well that was..." He trailed off unsure of his own thoughts. "Good to be back eh!" pasting on an award winning grin Sirius clapped his college on the back. "Right guys why don't you practice a little hexes of yourself. Anything violent or bloody and you'll all be sent to McGonagall. Understood?"
The class responded positively slowly coming back to their senses before pairing up and getting to work.
"So that was... strange?" Sirius asked his friend.
"Yeah. Yeah it was Padfoot," Remus replied staring at the floor. Shrugging his shoulders he decided to move on. "Wait, you weren't actually going to slice me up were you?" Remus asked suddenly remembering the spell his friend was about to inflict.
"Nah mate, just a little nick. Nothing too serious." With a grimace at Harry who had been watching the pair exchange words Sirius led Remus to the first pair of practicing Hufflepuffs who elapsed into giggles at the approaching men.
"Very strange..." harry said solemnly to himself before turning to face Neville and producing a strong jelly-leg jinx sending Neville's legs into convulsive spasms. It was hard for the class to stay too serious for too long.