Chapter 7! Sorry for the wait, I had a bit of writer's block, but I think I know where I'm going to go with it from here. Enjoy! :)

It had been one month since that first night in Lupin's office, and since then I'd taken to visiting him often. During evenings when Fred and George were at quidditch practice, I'd make my way to his office. Some nights I'd help him grade papers, and other nights we'd simply sit and talk and drink hot chocolate. I knew that it was wrong to have a crush on a teacher, but simply spending some time with him couldn't hurt, right? Especially when he looked up at me with that smile of his, looking so happy to see me.

The same smile he gave me this evening when I entered his office after knocking on the door.

"Good evening, Ella," he said, smile intact.

I returned it and casually said, "Hey, Lupin." I'd taken to dropping 'professor' during these visits. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but he never said anything about it, so I assumed it was okay. I'm not sure if he even noticed, to be honest.

I took my usual seat at the desk directly in front of his as he moved about the room, making a pot of hot chocolate. He handed me my cup, for which I uttered a small "thank you," and sat down behind his desk. However, I noticed that his movements were a bit stiff.

"Feeling alright?" I asked, cursing myself for sounding so concerned.

He smiled lightly, "I'm falling ill again. I won't be able to teach tomorrow, I'm afraid."

I frowned. "You don't have a very good immune system, do you?"

I hadn't meant for it to be funny, but he chuckled, a motion that seemed to take quite a bit out of him, before saying, "No. I really don't."

It was then that a thought came to me. "Aww man, does that mean Snape's taking over for you again?"

Another chuckle. "Yes, Professor Snape has kindly offered to take over for me again."

Ahh, so he must have noticed that I don't refer to him as 'professor,' but he just doesn't mind, as he's never corrected me. I didn't take much time to think about that, however, before I groaned. Tomorrow was Friday, so classes would feel like they went on forever anyway, but with the added fact that Saturday was the first Hogsmeade visit of the year, having multiple classes with Snape would be torture.

"Now, now. I'm sure it won't be that bad," he said, with a look on his face as though he didn't quite believe the words that were leaving his mouth.

I snorted, "You're a terrible liar, Lupin."

He gave me a smile, "So I've been told."

There was a moment or two of comfortable silence before he uttered, "We went to school together."

I looked up, surprised. "You and Sn- Professor Snape?" After he nodded, I continued, "Did you two know each other?" After all, there's tons of students I attend classes with that I recognize, but don't really know.

He nodded, almost somberly, "Though when we spoke, I can't say it was to utter very kind words, I'm afraid."

"He bullied you?" It wouldn't be too farfetched, considering how Snape is with his students.

"Oh no. Quite the opposite, actually." He was looking down at his cup now, almost as if he was afraid of meeting my eyes.

"You bullied him? Forgive me for having a hard time believing that, but I think you're the farthest thing from a bully I've ever met, Lupin." To say I was surprised at this new revelation was an understatement. Lupin- the Lupin that I knew- wouldn't hurt a fly.

"I never technically did anything to him directly. My friends were always tormenting him, but I never did anything about it. In the end, that's just as bad."

"Everybody makes mistakes. And it's hard to stand up to your friends. Even harder than standing up to your enemies."

He finally looked up and met my eyes. I opened and closed my mouth once before saying, "Would you like to know a secret?"

"About you? Of course."

"When I was 11, before I moved to England, I was attending a muggle school in America. There was a girl in my class who was a bit…different. Not that there was anything wrong with her; she was quite nice, actually. Anyway, a couple of other girls from my class were always bullying her- calling her names, stealing her lunch and things like that. I always wanted to butt in and say something- stand up for her and stop them. But I don't know, I guess I was too scared or something. I always told myself, 'Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll say something." But I never did. And then I moved and I never saw her again. I still think about her sometimes. Wondering if she's okay- if she's still being bullied. I should've stopped it. I regret it terribly."

Lupin, who had been listening to my story intently, was quiet for a moment before trying to offer comfort by saying, "You were young."

I gave him a soft smile, "So were you. But like I said, everybody makes mistakes. Especially when you're young. That's your time to take chances and screw up, but it's okay, as long as you learn from it, and it sounds to me as though you have."

He smiled, staring into my eyes for one intense moment, "How on earth did you get to be so mature, anyway?"

I smirked, "No idea. Do me a favor though- don't tell Fred and George. I can't ruin my reputation."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he chuckled.

Feeling the sudden need to change the subject I asked, "Have you finished that book I gave you yet, by the way?"

"Not yet. I've been a bit busy, you know," he rolled his eyes with a smile.

I returned his eye roll, "Yeah, so have I, but I've still read like 3 books in the time it's taken you to read this one."

"Well, what can I say? I like to savor each word I read, and really get to an understanding of the book, not just whip through it so I can get to the next one." he gave me a teasing smile, which I returned. I liked this. Us teasing and joking around with each other.

In the light of his office I could see just how pale he was. He really was getting quite sick again. I suddenly felt bad for intruding when I could tell that he needed his rest.

I stood up, "I should leave now and let you get some rest. Besides, I don't want you getting me sick." I grinned to let him know I was just joking about the last part.

He smiled and stood up as well, "I don't think you need to worry about that. It was lovely, as always, to see you Ella."

I had made my way to the door and turned back, facing him. "Saturday's Hogsmeade, but I could come see you after. Just to check and see if you're better. If you like." I ended nervously.

He gave me a warm smile, "I'd like that very much."

"Alright, goodnight Lupin. Feel better."

I opened the door and walked through it as I heard him answer, "Thank you, Ella. Goodnight."