Remus Lupin watched the class of third year students as they faced up and fought their wears fears. The mood was running high; a strangely addictive cocktail of fear, apprehension, hysteria and amusement. He watches the young Gryffindor girl being jostled to the front. She is a friend of Harry's, as he watches her with a grin and the red-head beside him (another Weasley?) looks pale and does not react.

She is very pretty, with her tangle of long brown curls and wide brown eyes, womanhood just discovering her young body. He thinks, with a wry half-smile, that Sirius would have found this one very entertaining in their schoolboy days. She was voraciously smart, with a fiery temperament and respected and accepted by her peers.

He notes the look she sends back towards the two boys behind her with a raised eyebrow. From his position it is impossible to tell whether or not she is looking specifically at Harry or his Weasley friend, but it is a look full of longing and typical teen angst.

Ah, so the brightest third year witch of the Hogwarts was falling, and falling hard, for one of her best friends. She suddenly looked back to the front and Lupin saw the shadow cross her face.

She knew what was about to take shape before her and she was resigned to the fate. It was the same weary expression he knew crossed his own face every time he stepped before this particular Dark creature, and it looked too aged to be on such a young face.

He waited.

The dark shape swirled into another in the face of this new being. It was a boy, gangly, awkward, his neck stooped slightly to hide his height. He wore a maroon jumper that clashed terribly with his brilliant red hair. There was sudden outcry; Remus looked at the students. They all looked shocked, amused, glancing between the witch and wizard laughing. Harry looked horrified, Weasley simply hurt.

Then there was a familiar green flash and a couple of people screamed. So too did the Ron-boggart. The body slammed into the cupboard from whence it came and slid down to a crumpled heap on the floor. Remus stood up straight, shocked.

Hermione's face was twisted in despair as the Ron-boggart rolled limply to its side and dead blue eyes stared back. As they watched, the face contorted and life flowed back in. It struggled to push itself up.

"Rid-" she forced out in a choked whisper, but her words were smothered as another brilliant green flash lit the room. The body was slammed against the wall again with a terrible cry. Nobody was laughing as Hermione shuddered and the Ron-boggart made a strangled sound of death. Remus Lupin was about to come to the young Gryffindor girl's aid when two boys pushed their way to the front.

"Riddiculus!" that voice commanded coldly, so much like James when he was mad that it sent shivers down Lupin's spine. The Ron-boggart did a back-flip and began to tap-dance. Badly. There were a few nervous titters, but no real laughter. All eyes were on the middle of the room.

Ron had his arms around her, the first girl not in his family that he'd ever touched in this way. Her head was tucked under his chin and he held her like he was never going to let her go.

Suddenly, Hermione pulled away and looked into his eyes. Ron's Adam's Apple jerked as he swallowed hard.

"I'm not going anywhere, you silly twat" he whispered to her. Remus raised an eyebrow; not exactly how the fairytale prince comforts his damsel-in-distress, but it worked a treat on the Gryffindor Princess. Her eyes widened and they both went a bit red...until Dean Thomas whistled.

Poor Weasley; the redness reached right up to his ears and he gave Thomas a through glare. Everyone laughed now, properly and midst the laughter, Harry met Ron's eyes and gave him a 'go on' head jerk. Before the class had fully recovered, Ron bent his head and quickly kissed Hermione's lips. As they parted, a cheer went up among the gathered Lions. Remus Lupin raised his finger's to his lips and whistled, grinning when a few students looked at him, shocked at this behaviour from a professor.

Once a Marauder, always a Marauder.

Suddenly, Lily Potter's eyes met Lupin's.

"I think Hermione wants to give it another go, sir" Harry said, glancing at his friend. She nodded, extracting herself from Ron, whose face was burning. Remus looked at her, with the wide grin she was trying desperately to contain, tear-stained face and bright eyes.

"Are you sure, miss Granger?"

She glanced back at Ron, and then to her Professor.

"Yes sir"