Chapter Two: A New Friend

The soft sounds of the infirmary enveloped Hermione as she lay in bed, the gentle rustle of fabric and the distant bubbling of potions creating a strangely soothing backdrop. After a few days of recovery, her body was healing, but her mind was still reeling from the shock of her new reality.

Far from home and trapped in a time when Voldemort's shadow loomed larger than ever, Hermione wrestled with the weight of her knowledge. She had always prided herself on being logical, but now, emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Could she really change the course of history? The thought of saving Harry's parents lingered like a haunting melody—beautiful yet tragic.

Every instinct warned her against meddling with time, yet the temptation was intoxicating. As an Unspeakable, she understood the risks all too well. The future hung in the balance, and she was caught in a moment that could change everything. But in the end, Hermione knew she couldn't risk being found out or altering the timeline. She had to tread carefully, no matter how much her heart yearned to intervene.

As she shifted restlessly in her bed, Hermione felt a wave of pain wash over her. She let out a soft moan, barely audible, but it was enough to draw attention. From behind a nearby curtain, a figure emerged—Remus Lupin, looking pale but alert. His amber eyes warm with concern as he approached her bedside.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently, his voice low and soothing. "I heard you moaning in your sleep."

This younger Remus was... handsome. Sandy blond hair fell softly over his forehead, and faint scratches marred his skin, testament to some recent ordeal, but they did little to detract from his appearance. He was tall and slender, with the lankiness of a teenage boy who hadn't quite grown into his frame yet. Despite his youth, there was already a somber air about him—a weight in his gaze that spoke of the burdens he carried.

Hermione felt heat rise to her cheeks, suddenly very aware of her own appearance. Her bushy hair, which she had learned to tame in her own time thanks to a new affordable sleek hair potion, was back in full force. She self-consciously tried to smooth it down, only to have it spring back up defiantly.

"I'm... I'm fine," she replied, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. She couldn't help but stare at him, struck by how different—yet familiar—he looked.

Remus raised an eyebrow at her flustered state, a hint of curiosity in his expression. "You don't look fine. You've been through something." He gestured to the bandages on her arms and the faint bruises that marred her skin.

"I was in an accident," Hermione said, deciding to keep details vague for now. "But I'm recovering."

He nodded slowly, as if weighing his own words carefully. "I know how that feels," he said quietly. "I fell ill recently. My parents are on vacation, so I'm here for the time being."

His vague explanation mirrored her own reluctance to share too much. Hermione felt an unexpected kinship with him; both of them were navigating their own challenges while trying to find their place in this world.

Suddenly, he perked up.

"I'm Remus Lupin," he introduced, offering a hand and a small smile that made Hermione's heart skip a beat.

"Hermione," she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady as she took his strong hand. "Hermione Granger."

"An American?" Remus asked, intrigue lighting up his eyes as he absorbed this new information.

"Yes! I... I moved here recently," she replied, feeling a flutter of nerves at sharing this detail.

"Interesting," he replied thoughtfully, keeping his tone neutral. "What brings you all the way to Britain?"

"I'm here for my education," she said simply.

"Education is important," he nodded sagely.

An awkward silence settled between them, leaving Hermione unsure of what to say. It felt strange talking to her former professor while he was still so young.

"So," he said, breaking the tension.

"So," she echoed.

They both chuckled, an unspoken acknowledgment of their unusual situation.

"What year will you be starting?" Remus asked.

"Fifth," Hermione replied.

"Nice! I'm in the same year."

"Nice."

As their conversation shifted to lighter topics, Hermione felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps this new connection could anchor her during this tumultuous time—a bond that might help guide her through the challenges ahead.

"Are you going to attend Hogwarts?" Remus asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," Hermione replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

"What do you know about Hogwarts?" he inquired, his amber eyes studying her with interest.

Hermione smiled, recalling her cover story.

"Just the basics, really. It's more famous than Ilvermorny back home. I know there are four houses."

Remus looked impressed.

"That's more than most foreigners know."

With a cheeky grin, Hermione said, "I bet I could guess which house you're in."

Remus laughed, a warm sound that made Hermione's heart skip.

"Oh really? Go on then."

"Gryffindor," she said confidently.

Lupin chuckled and nodded. "Yes, how did you know?"

"Just a feeling," she replied, feeling a spark of potential friendship despite his initial reluctance.

"Well, it's the best house," Remus said with a hint of pride.

"I'll draw my own conclusions," Hermione replied playfully. "But you might be right."

Their conversation drifted to school subjects, and they discovered a shared love for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Hermione found herself relaxing and enjoying the intellectual exchange.

"Ancient Runes is fascinating," Remus said enthusiastically. "The way ancient wizards encoded their magic—"

"—and how it influences modern spellcraft," Hermione finished, her eyes lighting up.

They were so engrossed in their discussion that they didn't notice Madam Pomfrey approaching until she cleared her throat.

"Mr. Lupin, you're free to go," she said firmly. "Miss Granger needs her rest."

Remus nodded, looking a bit disappointed. "It was nice meeting you, Hermione," he said, standing up.

"You too, Remus," Hermione replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the future that lay ahead.

As he turned to leave, Hermione hesitated before asking shyly, "When will you be picking up your school supplies in Diagon Alley?"

"August 29th," he replied.

Her heart raced as she gathered her courage. "Would you… would you like to meet for lunch that day?"

He blushed slightly at her question but responded with a smile.

"How about the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Yes," she said softly, feeling shy yet thrilled at the prospect of spending time with him.

As Remus walked away, Hermione couldn't help but feel smitten with her professor; he was just as kind as he had been in the future. A pang of sorrow gripped her heart as she tried to rest, knowing the challenges that lay ahead for him and their friends. The weight of the future pressed on her, filling her with dread.