'Hermione?'

'Yes, Harry?'

'Why have you drawn hearts on your timetable?'

'Because I was bored.'

'The hearts are only by the lessons Defense Against the Dark Arts. Why is that?'

'Harry! Why are you so damn stubborn?'

'Calm down Hermione, I was just wondering. Do you…' Harry was silent for a moment.

'Do I what?' Hermione snapped.

'Do you… do you like professor Lupin?' Harry asked carefully.

Hermione could only blush.

'Hermione! That man is twenty years older than you are!' Harry said.

'Thank you for mentioning, Harry, I hadn't figure that out yet,' Hermione said.

'But it is just a crush, right? You don't really want to… you know…' Harry said, not wanting to finish his sentence.

'We already did,' Hermione said without blinking. She felt that she had to tell her best friend the truth, even if he wouldn't approve.

'You are joking, right?'

'No, I am not,' Hermione said, she didn't mention that Lupin was a werewolf, she was certain that Remus wouldn't like it when his secret was going through the whole school.

'But…' Harry started.

'Harry, what exactly is your problem?' Hermione asked.

'Nothing! I mean, I don't have a problem, but…'

'But what?'

'It is Ron. He… he likes you. I mean, he doesn't really show it, but he likes you. He is insecure, that is why he hasn't told you yet, but if you tell him about your relationship with Lupin, it will break his heart!' Harry said.

Hermione was silent for a moment. She didn't expect this. She liked Ron as well, but she had always thought that he wasn't interested in her that way. Now her feelings for Ron had faded away and she really loved Remus. Hermione wanted to tell Ron, but this just had changed everything.

'But, Ron has the right to know,' Hermione said.

'I know. And you are going to have to tell him.'

'I will.'

'You seem to be pretty sure about your relationship. How do you know this is not just a crush? He is your professor! This could all be over by tomorrow, right?'

'No, it won't. I am sure about that.

'How do you…' Harry said.

'Not here! Come with me,' Hermione said and she grabbed Harry's arm and pushed him in an empty broom closet.

'Hermione! What is it?' Harry said curiously.

'About Remus… professor Lupin… He is… I don't know how to say this. I don't know if I am allowed to tell you either, but I have to tell someone. Otherwise you wouldn't understand,' Hermione said.

'What is it then?' Harry asked, getting more and more curious.

'He is a… a werewolf,' Hermione whispered.

'WHAT?!' Harry almost shouted.

'Yes, do you understand know? He loves me and now he can't let me go anymore. That is why I know that this relationship is going to last.'

'And you love him too, right?' Harry asked, just to be sure.

'Yes, of course.'

'It is true then? Those stories about mating and that kind of stuff?' Harry asked.

'I guess it is, yes.'

'Then it is serious. I really don't know how Ron is going to react. Are you going to tell him about Lupin being a werewolf?'

'I don't know yet. Firstly I want to see his reaction,' Hermione said.

'I understand.'

'You do? You don't think this all is wrong?' Hermione asked happily, her eyes glistered by the fact that Harry was taking this so lightly.

'As long as you are happy, I am okay with it,' Harry said simply.

'Oh Harry! Thank you!' Hermione said relieved and she hugged Harry tightly.

'Don't let your boyfriend see this, or he will kill me,' Harry laughed as he tried to loosen Hermione's grip around his neck.

'No, because if he does, I will kill him too,' Hermione said laughing.

'You know you wouldn't,' Harry said.

'No, you're right,' Hermione said and she let go of Harry. 'Where is Ron?'

'In the common room, I think. He has to finish something for Transfiguration,' Harry said.

Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room, looking around for Ron. She didn't see him anywhere.

'Neville?' Hermione asked the boy who was sitting on the couch. 'Have you seen Ron?'

'Yes, he was here, but he said he had forgotten something in the library. I think he is there now.'

'Thanks,' Hermione said and she left the common room.

On her way to the library, she saw Ron Weasley. He was apparently on his way to the common room, because the library was the other way. Hermione waved at him and when he saw her, he smiled.

'Hey, 'Mione!' he said.

'Ron! I was looking for you,' Hermione said.

'Oh? Why?' Ron asked.

'I've spoken to Harry and he told me something that I wanted to discuss with you,' Hermione began. She didn't really know how she had to say this.

'Okay? I am listening,' Ron said.

'It was about you and… me… and that you… like me? And I wanted you to know that I can't really love you back, I mean, I like you, but it can't be more,' Hermione said, having a double feeling about it. Once she really loved Ron, so this was a bit hard to say.

'You know? Harry shouldn't have…' Ron said.

'No, no! It was not Harry's fault, I found out when we were discussing something else! Something I wanted to tell you, too,' Hermione continued.

'Hermione, more I don't need to hear! I… I don't know if…' Ron said.

'Please, listen to me. You really need to know. I am in love with someone else,' Hermione said. 'And I don't know if you would approve, but… I am in love with Remus.'

'You… what? Not… no, you mean another Remus, not our professor, right?' Ron asked.

'Yes, our professor, please, Ron, please I…' Hermione started, but Ron didn't want to hear it.

'What are you thinking!? He is twice your age! He is your teacher! You are not… you two are not dating, are you?'

'Yes, we are… Ron, I like you as a friend, I want you to understand! You know, I have even loved you for a while, but I thought you weren't interested in me!' Hermione said.

'You… you did? Then why didn't you tell me?' Ron asked.

'Because I was not certain if you loved me back! I didn't want to ruin our friendship,' Hermione said truthfully.

'It is not too late, Hermione, please! Give me another chance!' Ron almost begged.

'You don't understand, Ron, I can't.'

'You always have a choice! Please, give it a try?'

'No, Ron, I can't and you should accept that. I am in love with Remus.'

Hermione wanted to walk away to have a moment for herself, but Ron grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

'Please, Hermione,' he said softly. Hermione tried to get away, but somehow she couldn't. Maybe she didn't really want to get away from him. Ron came closer to her and he pressed his lips softly on hers. Hermione knew she couldn't do this. She loved Remus, right? And besides, this way she brought Ron in danger.

Hermione wanted to pull away from the kiss, but she found that she couldn't. When Ron drew back, he looked at her hesitantly.

'No, Ron, we can't. I'll tell you why. Not here,' Hermione said and she walked into an empty room.

Ron tried to get closer once more, but Hermione stopped him.

'Listen to me first,' Hermione ordered.

When she saw that Ron was listening, she continued.

'Remus loves me. That means in his case that he can't let go of me. I love him too, okay? Remus is not… I mean, he is not the same as you. He is a… a werewolf,' Hermione said, she looked at Ron and waited for his reaction.

'A… a… don't you know how bloody dangerous that is? Is he… has he already claimed you? Or… what is it called? Mate?' Ron asked.

'Yes, he considers me as his, which means that I can't have a relationship with you. It would be dangerous for both of us, and I don't want to hurt Remus, because I love him,' Hermione decided to say.

'Lupin would never hurt one of us, right?' Ron asked uncertainly.

'No, Remus would never hurt anyone. He is a sweet man and always polite, but he also is a wolf and he can't always control that. No matter how much he tries, there is always a part of him that wants to kill and hurt. I wouldn't try to put his patience to the test, if I were you,' Hermione said.

'I refuse to let a werewolf stand in our way, Hermione, I love you,' Ron said, pulling Hermione closer.

'This is not right, Ron, you know that, you're playing with fire,' Hermione said.

'It is a risk I am willing to take. You don't have to choose, not yet. Soon you will realize that I am better for you than a dangerous monster,' Ron whispered.

'He is not a monster! And he loves me!' Hermione said indignantly.

'Whatever you say,' Ron said and he leaned in for another kiss.

Hey! I hope you liked the story so far. Please let me know what you think :)

I am going to post a new chapter very soon.

Oh, and if there is something not right with my English, please let me know, because I'm Dutch and I am not always that certain about my word choice and about my grammar. It's still difficult :p

X PerfectStoryLove