Thanks for all the reviews! Please continue to read and review! I do not own Harry Potter or the songs in this chapter. I added a little bit more to this chapter, but mostly just grammatical things. I hope you like it!
Hermione woke up early the next day and was happy to get her schedule that told her that she, Harry, and Ron all had Defense Against the Dark Arts first. Hermione smiled and ate some breakfast and Ron looked at her as if he was trying to figure something out.
"I thought Defense Against the Dark Arts was your worst subject?" Ron asked.
"It is." Hermione said quickly. "But I still enjoy it." Hermione looked quickly to Harry and Harry laughed a little. "I bet you do"
Ron went back to eating, apparently satisfied, but Hermione gave Harry a look that said, 'Stop it'. Harry laughed before going back to his breakfast.
Hermione was excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts and she couldn't really eat that much. Hermione could feel her stomach flutter and she knew that it was because of Lupin. Hermione didn't really know how she was supposed to act with Lupin as her teacher and was kind of nervous because of it, but was smiling nonetheless.
When Hermione, Harry, and Ron all sat down in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom they sat in the front few rows. Hermione insisted, and Harry and Ron had agreed. If it had been any other class, Hermione knew they probably would not have complied, but they were friends with Lupin as well, and she knew that they would want to talk to him too. Hermione couldn't help but smile at Lupin, when he walked to the front of the class, and Lupin gave Harry and Ron a quick smile before giving Hermione a longer one.
"Good morning" Lupin said. All the students mumbled good mornings and 'nice to see you's' through their yawns and Lupin smiled. "I know, it is quite early. But it's great to be teaching you all again, if you do not remember, I taught you Defense Against the Dark Arts your third year, and I was very impressed by all of you." Lupin caught Hermione's eyes for a second before continuing. Hermione wanted to tell him that she had been impressed by him. But she smiled at him instead and continued to look at him as he talked.
"I'm sure that this year will be –" Lupin started but was cut off by someone.
"Is it true that you really are a werewolf?" Harry and Hermione turned around angrily to see some student from Slytherin that they knew was in their year.
Lupin smiled and shrugged. "I thought that that was common knowledge for students" He said in a nonchalant tone.
Hermione couldn't help but smile at Lupin and the way he acted so calmly. The student from Slytherin started again. "So, if that's why Dumbledore fired you then why are you teaching again?"
Harry turned so quickly in his chair that he almost knocked it over. "Because Lupin's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had."
"Harry-" Lupin said quietly.
"If you've got a problem with it" Harry stood up and faced the boy, his face turning red from anger and his teeth gritted together.
"Calm down, Potter" The Slytherin laughed. "It was just a joke"
Harry took another step forward closer to the Slytherin and glared at him. "Well you're not funny. So, you better shut your-"
Before Hermione even had time to tell Harry to sit back down, the Slytherin had punched Harry in the face. Harry punched the kid back. Lupin reacted quickly and cast a shield charm between the two.
"That's enough!" Lupin said in an unusually stern voice for him. "That's enough!"
Hermione gasped as she saw Harry's nose bleeding and turned to look at Ron who had gotten up too. Ron was glaring at the Slytherin, and he moved toward Harry, still looking at the kid.
"Harry!" Hermione said, her voice full of concern. "Are you alright?" Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and caught eyes with Lupin, his concern outweighing his anger.
"I'm fine" Harry said as he turned to look at the Slytherin again who was now laughing. Harry went to hit him, but the shield charm wouldn't let him near him.
"Harry!" Lupin said as he placed his hands on Harry's arms. "Stop, are you alright? Go to the hospital wing and get that cleaned up"
"I'm fine Rem- Professor" Harry said quickly as he wiped some blood out of his face.
Lupin smiled slightly before shaking his head. "It wasn't a request, please, just go get cleaned up."
Harry nodded and after glaring at the Slytherin one more time, left to go to the hospital wing.
Lupin looked like he was about to remove the shield charm but before he did he looked at the Slytherin that had punched Harry. "You can go to Dumbledore's office, Mr. Smitt."
"You expect me to take orders from a werewolf?" Smitt laughed. Hermione could feel herself getting hot, and she no longer blamed Harry for hitting Smitt, because she wanted to hit him too, and she was pretty sure from the way in which Ron was clenching his fists, Ron was on the verge of hitting him as well. Hermione half hoped that he did.
Lupin however, looked as clam as usual. "No" Lupin said quietly. "I expect you to take orders from a Hogwarts professor. That is what I am."
Smitt laughed again. "Whatever." Smitt shrugged as he walked out the door.
Hermione couldn't help but look at Lupin in admiration. Lupin always handled things so calmly and she wondered how he could do it. If she was made fun of all the time for being a werewolf or for something else she could not control, and was not respected like she deserved she would be ready to snap at anyone who commented about her. But Lupin didn't. Hermione smiled. Lupin handled it in a dignified, impressive manner, and Hermione liked it, she smiled at him.
Lupin glanced to Hermione and Ron for a second before shrugging and turning to his desk. "Alright, so where were we…"
The rest of the class went by pretty quickly. Harry came back a few minutes later and sat back down next to Ron and Hermione, assuring them that he was fine. Hermione saw Harry glance around the room angrily, and assuming he was looking for Smitt, Hermione said, "Lupin sent him to Dumbledore's"
Harry nodded and huffed out angrily. "Good"
Hermione nodded as well and saw that Lupin looked toward Harry with concerned eyes, almost as if he was trying to see if Harry was alright. Harry, apparently getting what Lupin was trying to do, nodded reassuringly and Lupin nodded back.
"Alright everyone" Lupin said after about an hour of talking to them all about certain spells and various creatures that they would be learning about that year, "please read the first chapter tonight, I'm not going to make you write anything" Lupin said, "but that does not mean you do not have to read it" Lupin smiled and looked at Harry and Ron who laughed.
"I'll see you all tomorrow, thanks" Lupin said and he went back to sit at his desk, preparing, Hermione assumed, for his next class.
"Harry, can you stay for a second please" Lupin said just as Harry stood up. Hermione was still packing her stuff up, but Harry gestured for Ron to meet him in his next class. With a smile to Lupin, and receiving one back, Ron left to go to his next class.
"Harry" Lupin said quietly as he came out from behind his desk to stand next to Harry. Hermione tried to pretend that she wasn't listening, as she put her books in her bag, but Hermione knew that Lupin knew that she wasn't just taking a long time to pack up her books.
"I know what you're going to say" Harry said quickly. "That I shouldn't have hit him and that you're angry-"
"Well, Harry" Lupin said quietly. "I wouldn't call it anger. It's more disappointment."
"But what did you expect me to do!" Harry said loudly enough that Hermione didn't have to strain. "Smitt was disrespecting you, he was trying to make a joke out of you-"
"I know." Lupin said slowly. "And Harry, as much as I appreciate the gesture, you can't be hitting people because of what they call me. I don't want you to be getting into trouble, and anyways, hitting him certainly wasn't-"
"Well you weren't sticking up for yourself, so I figured I had to! I'm not going to sit here and let him talk to you like that, Remus. You deserve better, and I'm sick of people treating you like shit all the time." Harry said quickly.
Hermione couldn't help but smile, but she quickly pretended she was coughing as to cover it up.
Lupin looked at Harry for a few seconds with a certain almost longing look, and Harry looked back at him slightly curiously, his eyebrows arched.
"What?" Harry asked after a few seconds.
"Nothing" Lupin smiled. "Nothing. It's just, you really are so much like your father Harry." Lupin laughed and Harry smiled.
"But that doesn't mean that hitting people's okay" Lupin said quickly. "Just promise me Harry, that you won't do it again?"
Harry sighed. "Fine, but you have to promise me that you'll stand up for yourself next time."
Lupin smiled. "You're going to be late for your next class, Harry."
Harry nodded and knew that Lupin didn't answer the question on purpose. Harry smiled and left to go to his next class after giving Hermione a look that said 'do you want me to wait?'
"You go, I've just got a quick question" Hermione said quickly as she finished packing her bag. Harry rolled his eyes but gave her a smile anyway.
When Harry had left the room Lupin turned to Hermione. It was the first time they had actually really been alone together since the night they had kissed. Hermione could feel her heart beating faster and she felt as if her stomach was bubbling.
"Hi" Hermione said quietly with a smile. Lupin smiled back and took a step toward her. "Hi" Lupin said as he looked to see if anyone was in the doorway. Hermione looked to and saw that the next class hadn't arrived yet.
"So I was-" Hermione started and Lupin smiled at her.
"You're going to be late, Hermione" Lupin said quickly. Hermione took a few steps toward him so that her chest was against his and she smiled at him.
"I don't care" Hermione said.
"I do" Lupin smiled as he took a few steps back from Hermione. "I don't want you to be late. We'll talk later."
Hermione wanted to ask him when. "So I –"
"Hermione" Lupin said quietly. "Go to class"
Hermione nodded even though she didn't want to. "Fine." Hermione smiled at Lupin somewhat seductively. Lupin smiled back.
Hermione was about to leave the class when she turned quickly. "Harry's right you know"
Lupin looked at Hermione and Hermione said. "You really do deserve better. You shouldn't let people treat you like that."
Lupin sighed. "You're going to be late"
Hermione sighed as well. "Fine, but whatever you think, about how you don't deserve to be treated good. You're wrong." Hermione smiled at him and left the room.
Hermione wondered whether or not Lupin would even think about what she and Harry had said, or whether he would simply not give any consideration to it at all. Walking quickly to charms so that she wouldn't be late, Hermione caught up with Harry and Ron outside the door.
"You really had to ask Lupin a question already?" Ron asked as he rolled his eyes. "What, did you ask if you could read the whole book for extra credit? Seriously what were you talking about?"
Hermione glanced at Harry for a few seconds before he smiled at her and looked away. This time Ron did notice. "What was that? Why do you to keep looking at each other like that?"
Hermione smiled. "Nothing Ron, nothing. I was talking to Lupin about the homework. I asked him if I could take notes even thought he said not to."
Ron rolled his eyes. "I knew it"
The rest of the day went by pretty quickly for Hermione. Hermione had Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, and Potions, and at about five o'clock that night, she was ready to eat dinner.
"So how do you like all your classes?" Hermione asked as Ron stuffed some chicken into his mouth.
"What do you mean? I've got all the same classes as you. You're in them!" Ron said.
"I know." Hermione said quickly. "I was just wondering how you liked them. I know I like them."
"Their fine" Ron said as he stuffed some more food in his mouth. "I have a lot of homework though. I guess I can just skip Lupin's assignment because we don't even have to write anything-"
"Ron! Did you not hear Lupin say that we had to read it anyway?" Hermione said quickly and Harry laughed.
"Yea, I did. And Lupin looked right at me and Harry so he already knows we aren't going to do it-"
"Ron, Lupin looked at you to make sure you did do it!" Hermione said quickly. "Really, sometimes you are so-"
"Calm down, Hermione. I'll do it. Happy?" Ron said as he stuffed some more food in his mouth. Ron looked to Harry and then said, "Or maybe you could just read it and tell us what it was about Hermione?"
Hermione starred at Ron and then looked at Harry who was carefully studying his fork. Hermione remembered her conversation with Sirius, about learning how to say no sometimes. She smiled. "Ron, I will not do any homework for you this year"
Ron's mouth dropped open and Hermione remembered what Sirius told her. "I will help you. But I'm not going to do it for you"
Ron frowned. "Great." Ron looked at Hermione and then to Harry with a smile. "Oh I forgot! So what did Lupin want to talk to you about Harry?"
Harry shrugged. "Just told me he didn't want me hitting people for him"
"But Smitt's a-" Ron said.
"git" Harry said. "I know."
"Well, what did he say?" Hermione asked trying to sound as if she hadn't already heard what Lupin said.
Harry laughed. "I think you know Hermione"
Hermione felt her cheeks get red. "I don't know what you're talking about"
"Oh come on." Harry said. "I know you can pack up your bag in like five seconds!"
Hermione laughed. "Fine."
"Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?" Ron asked.
"Sorry Ron" Harry said. "I just told Lupin that I thought he should be standing up for himself"
"What'd he say?" Ron asked.
"That I was going to be late for class" Harry shrugged.
"What?" Ron asked. "He didn't even answer the question!"
"I know" Harry said.
"Yea, he said the same thing to me when I told him that I thought he should be sticking up for himself too" Hermione nodded. Harry and Ron looked at her weird. Hermione swallowed hard.
"You told Lupin he should stand up for himself too?" Ron asked.
"Yea" Hermione said quietly.
"I bet you did" Harry said quietly so that just Hermione could hear him. Hermione elbowed him and Harry laughed. Ron however looked confused.
"Why do you keep doing that?" Ron asked. "Every time someone brings up Lupin the two of you look at each other! What's going on? What do you know that I don't?" Ron said. "And why have you not told me!"
Hermione could feel her face get red and Harry gave her a look that said 'are you going to tell him?'
Hermione shook her head so that Harry could tell she wasn't going to tell him. "Nothing, Ron. Harry and I were just playing a game to see how long it would take for you to notice that we looked like we were talking about something" Hermione smiled at Harry. "Right, Harry"
Harry was quiet for a few seconds. "Yea, that's, yea, Ron, we were just kidding"
Ron looked at Harry as if he wasn't sure whether to believe him. "Fine."
Hermione was glad that Ron didn't ask more questions and felt herself relax a little bit. Hermione was going to tell Ron about her and Lupin eventually, probably in June, and she still didn't feel like she was ready to tell him. About an hour and a half later, Hermione and Ginny where sitting in their dormitory talking about how Hermione should talk to Lupin.
"I think you should just talk to him" Ginny said. "You're still friends-"
"I did" Hermione said quickly. Ginny smiled.
"You did! You didn't tell me that!" Ginny said.
"Well, it wasn't about our-" Hermione said.
"Well what did you talk about?" Ginny asked.
"Well you know how Harry got punched by Smitt?" Hermione asked.
Ginny nodded. Hermione had explained the story to her earlier. "Yea" Ginny said quickly.
"We talked about that, pretty much" Hermione said slowly.
"Hermione" Ginny said. "That's –"
"Annoying?" Hermione asked. "I know. I tried to talk to him but he told me to go to my class"
Ginny sighed. "When are you going to talk to him again?"
Hermione smiled. "I don't know. But Rem-" Hermione stopped and looked around the room noticing that there were other girls from her and Ginny's year and she didn't want them to know about how the guy she was talking about was Professor Lupin.
"Owen" Hermione said, emphasizing the name and nodding at Ginny who although looked confused seemed to get what Hermione was trying to say, "Owen said we could talk soon"
Ginny smiled. "Owen"
Hermione smiled and laughed. "Yea. It's the first name that just popped into my head." Hermione said quietly.
Ginny smiled. "Well, I think you should take him aside after class when you have it later than all your other classes so that Rem-" Ginny smiled, "Owen, can't tell you you're going to be late."
Hermione smiled. "Okay. I have-" Hermione hesitated as she looked to her schedule, "that class last on…next Friday"
Ginny frowned. "That's kind of a long time. I think you should try to talk to him before then too, but if you still can't get him to talk to you, then you can do it then"
Hermione didn't really want to wait almost two weeks to talk to Lupin again, but she didn't think that Lupin would be willing to talk to her any other time. Hermione got the feeling that Lupin was scared that somebody was going to find out about their relationship.
"What are you guys talking about?" Some girl asked quickly, and Hermione recognized that she was in Ginny's year or a year younger.
Hermione was startled by the question but Ginny smiled. "Nothing"
"Boys?" The girl asked and Hermione could tell that by the way the girl looked at Ginny she wanted to be apart of the conversation.
"Yea" Hermione said somewhat shyly. The girl turned to Hermione.
"Who?" The girl asked and Hermione and Ginny looked at each other with a smile, and Hermione's face turned red.
"His name's Owen" Ginny said quickly.
"Owen?" The girl asked. "I don't think- does he go to Hogwarts?"
Hermione could feel her cheeks getting red and her stomach fluttering nervous. "Umm-no-not exactly"
"Not exactly?" The girl asked. "What does that mean?"
Hermione and Ginny looked at each other quickly and smiled. Ginny smiled at the girl and the girl smiled too.
"Is he older? Did he already graduate?" The girl asked quickly. "Or is he a muggle?"
"Would it matter if he was a muggle?" Hermione asked somewhat sternly.
The girl looked suddenly embarrassed. "No-I-no-it" The girl stuttered and her face turned red.
"Owen's not a muggle" Hermione said quickly. She felt bad for making the girl embarrassed because she didn't mean to sound quite so stern at her. Judging muggles, however, really bothered Hermione.
"So he is older?" The girl asked quickly. The girl smiled at Ginny who looked at Hermione and then nodded.
"Wow" The girl said clearly amused. "Where does he live? When did he graduate? Do I know him? How old is he?" The girl asked quickly. Ginny smiled.
Hermione was thinking to herself. Grimmauld Place. 1977. Yes. 37. Hermione looked to the girl and smiled. "No, you don't know him"
The girl frowned. "Well maybe I'll get to meet him!"
Hermione frowned confused. "What do you mean" Hermione wasn't going to be mean but she barely even knew this girl, and even if Lupin wasn't their teacher, Hermione doubted she would introduce any of her boyfriends to her.
Ginny looked just as confused. "What are you talking about?"
The girl smiled. "You guys didn't see the notice on the notice board?" Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and shook their heads. "Well there's going to be a dance this Friday night! Maybe you can invite your boyfriend!"
Hermione opened her mouth to say something but looked at Ginny instead who was just as confused as she was. "A dance?" Hermione said quickly.
"Yea, and you can bring dates!" The girl said excitedly.
Hermione gulped. Great. A dance. With dates. Hermione was going to be the only one with out a date, not because she didn't like any one, but because the person she liked would never be allowed to take her to the dance.
"Oh great" Hermione said trying to sound excited and she saw Ginny look just as confused as she did. Hermione had no idea what she was going to do. Ginny smiled at the girl before giving Hermione a look that said 'what are you going to do?'
"You should bring Owen!" The girl said quickly and Hermione smiled. Hermione would like to bring Owen, but she knew that she couldn't. She wasn't even suppose to be in a relationship with Owen until June, and dancing with the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher might seem a little odd to the students and staff.
"Yea, okay" Hermione said before giving Ginny a look that said "what do I do?"
Ginny persuaded the girl to leave them alone by telling her that she and Hermione were going to do some school work and then she looked at Hermione.
"What are you going to do?" Ginny asked quickly.
"Well I obviously can't go with him Ginny!" Hermione said.
"I know that!" Ginny said quietly. "But- what are you-"
"I don't know" Hermione said. "I'll probably just go alone"
"Hermione-" Ginny started.
"What! I'm not going to go with someone I don't like when the person I do is going to be there too!" said Hermione.
"Well you and Owen aren't technically dating until June, so-"
"So what? It still feels like I'd be cheating. I don't even want to go with any one else. It'll be fun"
"Whatever" Ginny sighed. "But maybe you could just go with Ron, as friends" Ginny smiled. "Owen knows that you two are just friends"
Hermione smiled. "You're right! I can just go with Ron!" Hermione smiled. "Thanks Ginny!"
Hermione decided that she would talk to Ron about going to the dance at breakfast. As Hermione sipped her juice the next morning she smiled as Ron sat down next to her.
"So, Ron" Hermione said quickly. "You know that dance thing"
"Yea" Ron said as he shoved some eggs into his mouth.
"Well, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go with me. Just as friends" Hermione asked. Hermione noticed that Harry suddenly looked like he didn't know what to do, but that he felt somewhat embarrassed for Hermione.
"What?" Hermione asked Harry as she took another sip of juice.
"I've already got a date" Ron said. "Sorry, Hermione."
Hermione frowned. "What! What do you mean? Who are you going with?"
"A girl in Ginny's year. Zoey" Ron sipped some juice and his face turned red. "I didn't want to say no when she asked me because she looked really nervous, and-"
"It's alright" Hermione said quickly. Hermione's stomach was fluttering and her face was getting red. "I don't really care. I think I'll just go myself then."
Harry and Ron shared a look and then Ron said "Hermione, you can't go by yourself-"
"Why not?" Hermione asked quickly. "It'll be fine. It's just a little dance" Hermione did feel that way. Hermione knew Lupin was going to be at the dance, probably chaperoning, being alone, without a date, maybe she'd talk to Lupin.
Harry and Ron shrugged again. "If you're fine with it then"
"I am" Hermione said quickly. "Thank you anyway Ron" Hermione smirked.
Harry and Ron looked at each other confused before Harry started to smirk as well. Hermione was pretty sure that Harry understood why going alone was fine, but this time at least, they didn't look at each other. Ron was starting to pick up on it.
By the end of that week Hermione was ready for the dance. Hermione had tried to talk to Lupin after every class that week and he always made excuses as to why he couldn't talk, and Hermione had so much homework and a lot of studies to worry about during the week, and the dance would be a good way to relax and enjoy the weekend.
"You almost ready?" Ron called up the girls' room and Hermione, Ginny, and Zoey, came downstairs.
"It takes girls longer, Ron!" Ginny said angrily before standing next to Harry.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Five hours?"
"It wasn't five hours!" Hermione laughed. Ginny sighed in annoyance. Zoey however was smirking at Ron, battering her eyes at him and fixing her hair.
"Whatever, you ready?" Ron asked.
"Yea" Zoey said as she and Ron walked to the Great Hall. Ginny and Harry were kissing, and suddenly Hermione felt like maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she did have a date. But, she shook that off when she walked into the Great Hall and saw Professor Remus Lupin all dressed up in a dress robes, his hair slick and soft, his eyes looking right at her. Hermione grinned and Lupin smirked at her.
Ginny and Harry and Ron and Zoey had all started dancing, and Hermione was standing there simply watching Lupin. Lupin, after looking at Harry and Ron and seeing them dancing, started to Hermione. Hermione felt her stomach get all butterflies and her face turn red. Hermione was watching Lupin and he was watching her and then, when he was a few feet away, Professor McGonagall came and grabbed Lupin by the arm, whispering something to him. Lupin nodded, and after a look, Lupin followed Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall.
Hermione sighed. Great. She wondered where Professor McGonagall had taken Lupin and what she was talking to him about now. Hermione sighed as she saw Harry and Ron dancing and went over to get herself something to drink. Drinking some water, she sat down at a table. It was about twenty minutes and Hermione was still scanning the room looking to see if Lupin and McGonagall had come back. Hermione saw Professor McGonagall, but where was Lupin?
"What are you looking for, Hermione?"
"Ugh!" Hermione jumped and turned around to see Lupin standing next to her. Hermione smiled and Lupin smiled too. Lupin sat down at the table when she motioned to stand up, and Hermione nodded.
"You" Hermione smiled and Lupin smiled back at her. Hermione placed her hand on Lupin's shoulder for a second before realizing, and quickly pulled it away. Hermione laughed nervously and Lupin cleared his throat.
"I thought so" Lupin said quickly. "You look beautiful, Hermione"
"Thanks, you don't look to bad yourself" Hermione said. Lupin chuckled and Hermione could feel her stomach fluttering as Lupin laughed. Hermione loved it when Lupin laughed.
"How come you've been avoiding me?' Hermione asked quietly. Lupin looked at Harry and Ron dancing for a second and then looked back at Hermione.
"I thought it was obvious" Lupin said quickly.
Hermione looked at Lupin confused. "I don't-"
"I'm afraid that if I get to close to you" Lupin said, "I won't be able to well-" Lupin looked at Hermione, "wait till June" Lupin smiled.
Hermione smiled. So he wasn't just ignoring her. Hermione didn't think he was, but now that she knew Lupin was only not talking to her because he liked her so much, she felt better and somewhat reassured.
"Maybe we shouldn't" Hermione said quietly as she looked to see if any teachers or students were close by.
Lupin smiled. "Hermione, we can't-"
"Oh come on" Hermione said, "you can't tell me that you don't want to"
"It's not that I don't want to" Lupin said quietly. "It's that we can't"
"But if we keep-"
"No, Hermione. We can't. We-"
"Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?" Dumbledore said quickly. Hermione hadn't even noticed him come over and apparently Lupin didn't either because he jumped a little.
"No, no, nothing at all" Lupin said quickly, "I was just explaining to Hermione here-"
"Well, I don't doubt that you two were involved in a very intellectual conversation. You always were two of my best students." Dumbledore said and he smiled at Lupin before smiling at Hermione.
Hermione and Lupin looked to each other shyly. "Well, ugh, thank you Professor-"
"Oh, Remus!" Professor Dumbledore said quickly. "Call me Albus!" Dumbledore gave him a look and Lupin agreed.
"Sorry, ugh, Albus" Lupin said and he laughed. "Ughm anything I can do for you?"
"Actually there is" Dumbledore said as he grabbed Lupin's arm. "There's something I want to ask you, if you don't mind excusing us Hermione?" Dumbledore said.
"Not at all" Hermione said quickly, and Lupin and Dumbledore walked out of the Great Hall. Hermione wondered what they were talking about, but while she waited for them to come back she found Harry and Ron and started to dance with them.
"Hey, haven't seen you all night!" Ron said.
"Yea, where were you?" Harry asked.
Hermione sighed. "Nothing, just sitting over there talking to some people"
"Talking?" Ron said. "Hermione, this is a dance!"
Hermione laughed. "I know but-"
Just then Ron started dancing with her and Hermione laughed. "You gotta dance!"
Hermione laughed and danced with Harry and Ron for a little bit until a slow song came on and she decided she would go back and sit down at the table.
Hermione was looking for Lupin and then she heard one of her favorite songs come on. 'Just a Kiss' by some muggle group. Her parents listened to it and she really liked it.
Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
I'm caught up in this moment caught up in your smile
Hermione looked and saw Lupin standing there across the dance floor smiling at her and she smiled at him. She could instantly feel her stomach fluttering and her heart beating faster, her face turning red, and her breathing gettingheavier. Call it cliché, but Hermione could have sworn that the only focused thing in the entire room was Lupin, everything else seemed to be fading and blurry in the background, and all she could hear was the beating of her own heart, and the words to the song that were so true.
I've never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms
We don't need to rush this, let's just take it slow
Just a kiss on your lips in the moon light
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
No, I don't want to push too far
Hermione started toward Lupin without really even realizing that she was staring at him, and Lupin did the same. Soon they were only a few feet apart. Let's just take it slow. Hermione didn't know if she could. She didn't know if she could wait anymore. I don't want to mess this thing up. Hermione certainly didn't want to mess with her chance with Lupin, she liked him a lot.
Lupin moved closer to Hermione and now they stood about ten feet apart from each other simply looking at the other.
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight
Hermione felt like Lupin really was the one she had been waiting for. She loved Lupin. Or at least she liked him a lot and she wanted to get to know him more. Hermione didn't think she could take not being with him until June.
I know that if we give this a little time
It will only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
Hermione could not think about how this song was so perfect for what she was feeling right now and she hoped that Lupin was listening to it just as much as she was.
It never felt so real, it never felt so right
Hermione smiled at Lupin and he smiled back, they moved a few feet closer.
Just a kiss on your lips in the moon light
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't wand push too far
Hermione and Lupin were now about a foot away. The moon light was shining from the ceiling and Hermione smiled and Lupin smiled back.
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight
Hermione could feel the burning in her and wanted so badly to just kiss Lupin. The moonlight was shining on them through the Great Hall ceiling, and Hermione couldn't stop thinking about kissing Lupin.
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Hermione was now touching Lupin's chest with her own. Hermione was breathing heavy and she could tell that Lupin was too.
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright oh, let's do this right, with just a kiss goodnight
With a kiss goodnight
Kiss goodnight
Hermione was now touching Lupin and she didn't care that there was a room full of people, of students her own age, of teachers and staff members. She wanted to kiss Lupin and even though she knew that Lupin did care who saw, Hermione did not care.
The song ended and Hermione and Lupin stood there for a few seconds.
"Just a kiss?" Hermione asked quietly.
Lupin smiled at her and then reluctantly sighed. "I don't want to mess this up" Lupin stepped a few steps back from Hermione and Hermione sighed but nodded.
Hermione sighed and looked around to see who may have seen Lupin standing there with her against his chest and was glad that most people were too absorbed with their dates to even notice.
Lupin offered her a smile and then Professor McGonagall came over.
"Are you ready?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Are you ready?"
"Ready?" Hermione asked quickly, "ready for what?"
Lupin looked at her, smiled, and then looked to Professor McGonagall.
"Well dancing, Ms. Granger, as head girl you share the last dance of the night with the Professors, as Mr. Potter will dance with a Professor as well."
"So I'm dancing with-" Hermione looked from Professor McGonagall to Lupin and tried to not let how she felt show too much. Hermione didn't want to make it too obvious, but she certainly hoped that Professor McGongall was telling her what she thought.
"Well, Professor Lupin has volunteered. I asked him earlier and he said he was pleased to do it."
Hermione almost squealed. Lupin was pleased to dance with her. Hermione was going to dance with Lupin. She was going to get to touch Lupin and dance with him for a few minutes and nobody would suspect anything. Hermione smiled.
"Great!" Hermione said excitedly and then realizing, she said, "cool, that sounds fine" Hermione blushed and Professor McGonagall gave her a look that scared Hermione slightly because it was almost like Professor McGonagall had a certain feeling that Hermione and Lupin were than friends.
"Okay" Professor McGonagall said, "great that your so-excited" Professor McGonagall gave her another look.
"We are now going to have the last dance of the night" Professor McGonagall was pointing her want at her throat, amplifying her voice so that everyone could hear her. "As tradition is, the head girl and boy will be dancing with professors. Ms. Hermione Granger will be dancing with Professor Lupin, and Mr. Potter will be dancing with myself."
The Great Hall clapped and Professor McGonagall continued. "Thank you, thank you!"
Then the music started and Hermione smiled. Hermione loved this song too and it was everything that she wanted to say to Lupin, but was not allowed to say in front of the school. Hermione hoped that Lupin knew that the song was what she wanted to say to him.
Would you dance, if I asked you to dance?
Would you run, and never look back?
Would you cry, if you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?
"Can I have this dance?" Lupin asked. Hermione nodded and smiled at him.
"Yes, Professor" Hermione smiled. Lupin placed his hand on Hermione's waist and Hermione wrapped both her hands around Lupin's neck.
Would you tremble, if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh? Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die, for the one you love?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.
Lupin was smiling at Hermione and Hermione found herself almost crying because she was so happy. She realized that swaying with her Professor, with both her arms around his neck, probably wasn't how people were expecting them to dance. But Hermione didn't really care what other people expected or thought was normal.
"I can be your hero, baby." Lupin was saying quietly and Hermione laughed. "I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away." Lupin was singing quietly to Hermione and her head was now close to Lupin's, she smiling at him and he continued singing. Hermione knew that Lupin knew that this song was exactly what Hermione wanted to say to him, because Hermione could tell that Lupin wanted to say the same words to her. And Lupin was. Hermione felt her heart beat faster.
"Would you swear, that you'll always be mine?" Hermione said softly, "Or would you lie? Would you run and hide? Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? I don't care... You're here, tonight." Hermione sang and Lupin swayed with her. Hermione knew that she couldn't say in her own words how she was feeling, but it was fine to sing the words to the song, that was allowed. And this song was perfect for Hermione. Lupin nodded and smiled at her and Hermione thought that she was going to cry.
"I can be your hero, baby." Lupin sang to Hermione as she put her head next to his on his shoulder. "I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away." Lupin spoke very quietly
"Oh, I just want to hold you. I just want to hold you. Oh yeah. Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? Well I don't care... You're here, tonight." Hermione said, and she could feel Lupin's hand on her back and wanted so badly to kiss him.
"I can be your hero, baby. I can kiss away the pain oh yeah. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away." Lupin said as he moved his hands on Hermione's back and waist. Hermione smiled.
"I can be your hero. I can kiss away the pain. And I will stand by you, forever. You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away." Hermione said quietly into Lupin's ear.
"I can be your hero." Hermione and Lupin sang quietly to each other and then the song was over way too quickly.
"Thank you all, you can go back to you dormitories now" Professor McGonagall said and she gave Harry a friendly hug and a peck on the cheek.
Hermione was still smiling at Lupin and his hands were still on her back. With a smile Lupin took his hands off of her back and Hermione took hers off of Lupin's neck and back. Lupin smiled at her and Hermione smiled back. Hermione didn't want to go to her dormitory. Hermione wanted to dance with Lupin again, all night long.
"Good night, Hermione" Lupin said quietly. Lupin hugged Hermione and apparently thinking it was appropriate because McGongall had just done it, Lupin kissed Hermione on the cheek. "I will stand by you forever"
Hermione blushed as she felt Lupin's lips against her cheek and she wanted for Lupin's lips to kiss her lips instead of her cheek. But not here. They couldn't. Not in front of all these people. Not until June.
"You do take my breath away" Hermione said.
Review please! Tell me what you think! I added a little bit more to this chapter, it's still the same plot, and basically pretty much the same. I just fixed some grammatical things and added a few little things here and there. I hope you liked it!