They just don't understand.

Remus's relationship with Hermione Granger is strictly platonic. Yes, there's love, but the kind a man would have for a favorite niece. What kind of a person do you think I am? He wants to scream.

She shows daughterly affection for Arthur and no one bats an eye. All he did was accept a hug, because he was growing weak and weary and she was trying so hard to comfort him, and suddenly he's a cradle snatcher.

"She could be your daughter, Moony."

He sighed. What are you implying, Sirius? He turns away instead. She's almost a woman at seventeen, anyway.

What is there not to love about Hermione, assuming of course that a man his age would be interested? She is brave, and kind, and she's risking so much for the Order that it's a mystery she or her loved ones haven't been harmed yet.

He's always admired her, and questioned those that didn't.

"I think that Tonks has taken a liking to you, Remus."

For goodness' sake, I don't have a thing for younger women!

He tries not to take his anger out on Kingsley, not when the man had been of so much help to him, but he still sees the accusation in his dark eyes and for a moment he looses control. He apologizes later and blames it on the approaching full moon.

And what is so wrong about telling the person you admire that you do, in fact, admire them? Hermione of all people deserves to hear it.

She's an awfully compassionate, brilliant young woman. Throughout his time as her professor she's done nothing but work hard to achieve the topmost results in every class. She wasn't as good in his class as she was in all her other classes but her performance was great nonetheless, and she never once stepped over other people to reach that level. On the contrary, she's always made time for those who needed her in her otherwise ridiculously busy schedule, and she always made sure that Harry and Ron completed their work in time. In most cases she'd even step over her own pride and principles and completes their work for them because she wouldn't want them to fail, whereas Malfoy would sell his friends to save his own skin.

As a Muggle-born she's suffered prejudice from children of pureblood elite, and their words have wounded her in the past but not so much as to kill her determination. She persevered to be the very best she could be, to be the kind of powerful witch that would help those weaker than her and bring about positive change to an otherwise cruel, unchanging society.

Kreacher had used foul slurs in her presence, had threatened to hurt and even insinuated celebrating her death, but still she stopped Harry and Ron from hurting him. She saw the creature's pain when even Sirius who practically grew up with him couldn't, and she didn't have it in her heart to feel the slightest bit resentful simply because Kreacher is a terribly abused being that needed her help.

She ran with her best friend right into a horde of starving Dementors encircling escaped convict Sirius Black, knowing that she's not even remotely close to casting a Patronus charm and that she's got enough horrible memories to kill her, but she also wouldn't be able to live with herself knowing that she stood by and watched her best friend die fending Dementors on his own.

Remus sees himself in her. Rather, he sees how he could've been a better person when he was her age. She truly was a Gryffindor in every sense, and he wasn't as nearly brave as Sirius had made him out to be. He's certain that she would've called James and Sirius out on their mistreatment of Severus Snape, that she would've somehow made them set aside their differences for the greater good, and that she would've definitely talked Lilly into forgiving her old friend. Had she been in Hogwarts then he's sure that James and Lilly would still be alive today because Hermione would've been smart enough to see right through Peter's cowardice, as she did with Remus's lycanthropy, and that Severus wouldn't hold onto a bitter grudge and betray the Order.

He appreciates her small gestures, the kind favors he wouldn't have had trouble doing himself, and he lets her know every chance he can with a rare genuine smile or a pat on her shoulder or hand.

He thanks her for the Wolfsbane potion. He ignores the looks.

They just don't understand.

There is nothing romantic about the love he has for Hermione Granger.

… or is there?

He doesn't ponder it. What would she say?!