The following day passed fairly quietly. Defence Against the Dark Arts was a low key event with them mainly focusing on the theory work for the next few lessons before attempting the spells. There were odd glances at Hermione throughout the lesson but Remus soon caught their attention by providing his usual dazzling personality and wit.
Potions followed next and proved to be the same hindrance to their day as previous years taught them. They were tasked with creating a defence potion to various poisons and hexes Snape described. It was difficult at time and a lot of fast paced work but that suited Hermione fine. It meant less time to talk and for the class to comment or ask a question about yesterday. The amount of essays handed out at the end were also enough to keep her locked away in the library for quite some time.
The absence of Sirius was noted by many girls over the course of the day. It wasn't until the students entered the Great Hall for dinner did they come across him speaking quietly to Peeves. Fear flashed over certain pupils faces at the possible prospects of a marauder and a trickster ghost talking together crossed their minds. Sirius would wink and chuckle at most of the pupils before heading up to the staff table where Tonks, Fred, George and himself were always welcomed to eat.
The rest of the week passed in much the same way. Lessons went on as normal. Hermione did her best to stay unnoticed in Defence Against the Dark Arts. This caused Remus to hide the disappointment which flashed across his face whenever he realised her hand once again remained down the entire lesson. Sirius was seen often, usually outside Remus' classroom hanging about and leaning against one of the walls.
When Hermione would occasionally pass Remus and Sirius standing together outside the classroom she would smile and blush slightly earning her a large smile from Sirius. Remus would nudge his friend and look down at the floor. If Hermione had paid more attention to the professor instead of the playful animagus she would be able to see the clear frown lines appear on his face and the extra ruffling of his hair.
It was Saturday before they knew it. The first week had flown past in a blur of excitement and settling back into their school routines. Hermione awoke early knowing the first Quidditch practice of the year for Gryffindor had begun already. Harry was captain and planned on fully kicking the team into gear this year even if it meant having to wrestle Ron out of his bed at ridiculously early hours.
Once washed and dressed Hermione pulled her hair into a messy bun and exited the lonely prefect room, grabbing her bag of various books and notes to take with her. It was a quiet walk to the library as the sleepy castle was only just beginning to stir. The door creaked open and Hermione went and found a desk in the corner of the room next to a large window. The room was quiet with the only other noises coming from the librarians scratching quill. She sighed contentedly and smiled gladly having been waiting all week to start the day like this. It was so peaceful and tranquil that Hermione was quick to fall into a dream.
"You're looking lovely today Hermione," Remus said linking her arm round his as they walked peacefully around the Burrow grounds.
"Thank you," she blushed happily.
Remus chuckled deeply. He had never admitted it to himself before but he loved the colour of Hermione's cheeks when she blushed, and the way she looked down at the ground embarrassed. "I'm looking forward to returning to the school," Remus said honestly.
"Yes, it will be great to have you back... professor," Hermione replied with a laugh.
"No please don't start calling me that now," Remus said with a groan. "Let me be Remus 'care free' Lupin for a little longer."
"You feel care free here?" Hermione asked enjoying their banter filled conversation.
"Of course! I wish I could stay longer here. I always enjoy our time together Hermione," Remus said stopping and looking into her eyes.
Hermione gazed up at him. His grey eyes locked onto her and his breath tickling her face as he breathed. "I don't want to leave yet," she said shamelessly before turning with him and walking back to the Burrow. Both in high spirits after their truthful talk together.
"Hermione?" a voice said breaking into her thoughts and pulling her back from her memories into a less colourful reality. "I said can I sit here?"
Hermione looked up into the face of Remus and gasped slightly. "Oh o-of-of course Remus!" Hermione said pulling some of her books closer to her to make room on the table opposite her.
"Thanks," Remus said softly pulling up a chair and sitting down. "You seemed away with it," he observed. "Thinking of anyone interesting?" Hermione couldn't help but notice the harsh tones in his voice as he asked the question. Did he know she had been thinking of their time together?
"Anyone? No I was thinking of the summer actually," she said smiling hoping it satisfied him enough to stop the inquiry.
"Oh I see," Remus replied dropping his gaze with a small smile. "I-I-I just wasn't sure if you had been thinking of someone in particular."
Hermione's brow furrowed as she considered his words. What was he talking about? "No. Should I be?" she replied confused with his statement.
"Okay, I'm not going to beat about the bush," Remus said sighing. "I'm totally okay with it if that's what you really want."
"Remus what are you talking about?" Hermione asked her voice an octave higher than normal. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? Was he saying he knew she liked him? And that he was okay with it? Hermione couldn't help but smile almost triumphantly as she waited for him to reply.
What he didn't expect was for her smile to make Remus sour slightly, "So you do?"
"Remus!" Hermione exploded still smiling in anticipation. "What are you trying to say to me?"
"You and Sirius of course," Remus replied take aback by her enthusiasm. "I'm just saying I'm okay with it."
"Me and Sirius?" Hermione almost laughed. "You think- I mean you actually think- Wait. You're happy if Sirius and I got together?" Her face dropped dramatically as the realization dawned. He didn't care for her.
"Well yeah," Remus said his face serious. "It doesn't bother me."
"Sirius and I together doesn't bother you?" Hermione said not even trying to hide the malice in her voice. "Us together? Not at all?"
"No Hermione," Remus said back tired of the conversation. Much to the inner battle he was facing with the topic he had come to find her and give his blessing. He wanted her happy. Why was she angry with him for that? "Should it bother me?"
"I don't know Remus why don't you answer that!" Hermione said slamming a book down which had stayed in her hands as she had cleared the desk. Pulling up her bag she started shovelling books into it fast. Knocking an ink bottle open the blue liquid seeped over the desk. "Scorgio!" Hermione practically shouted pointing her wand at it to clean the mess. Ignoring the warning look from the elderly librarian Hermione grabbed up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder.
"Hermione, calm down!" Remus said standing up trying to reason with her.
"Calm down? Remus just stay out of my business okay?" she said angrily staring at him.
"Fine!" Remus shouted. Hermione gave him one last look of anger, her eyes filling with tears until they threatened to over pour down her cheeks. He wanted to tell her in that instance how beautiful she looked. How even when she was annoyed with him he could never hate her. But his voice stayed silent. His ability to self-hate stopping him from getting in the way of her possible happiness with another. With Sirius. "I'm just saying you should be happy with him!"
"Fine! I will!" Hermione shouted back. Knowing no more was going to come from him or the argument Hermione turned and ran out of the library. She ran and ran until the tears stung her eyes and she couldn't see. Leaning on one of the gargoyles which stood motionlessly in the corridor she cried. Her built up emotions finally escaping her grasp.
"Stupid. Stupid man!" she said her fists colliding with the bricks and walls around her.
Remus sat back down in the chair in the library, his hand ruffling his sandy hair aggressively. Waving over to the librarian who was semi-stunned by the previous minute's events he looked out the window. The sun shone brightly in and Remus couldn't help but be reminded of that summer day when he had walked with Hermione round the Burrow. It had been one memory of many spent with her. Yet he was sure at that very moment he realised then he would do anything to make her happy. That was the day her face began following his thoughts. Always there in his head. Always happy and smiling.
Yet why did he make her so sad?