Chapter 10

Hermione sat in Defense Against the Dark Arts class trying, without luck, to focus on the lesson. It was difficult to concentrate on Inferi and ways to fight the,m when she had seen her instructor without clothing. That thought along with the follow-up memories it evoked made it virtually impossible to follow along with what Professor Lupin was saying.

Not that it mattered, really. Hermione had already read the text book several times and knew the information. The only thing that would have been concerning would be if her professor were to call on her.

And that he would not do.

If he called on her, he would have to look at her and talk to her. Those were two things he had avoided for the last few weeks.

She had considered forcing his hand. On several occasions she almost marched to his office demanding that he face her. In the end though, she decided not to. She wasn't giving up. She was just biding her time. Her N.E.W.T.s were next week and after that she would be done. Then he would have to face her.

The class went by quickly once Hermione gave up on trying to concentrate, and it wasn't long before Seventh years were piling out of the DADA classroom.

Hermione was relieved. All she wanted to do was to go to her room. It was quite a strain trying to hide her feelings all the time.

"Miss Granger? A moment of your time please." She looked up in surprise at the sound of her Professor's voice.

"Of course, sir."

Once the room was clear of students, he guided her into his office.

"Hermione," he began, still not looking at her. "You have not been paying attention in my class for some time now."

"I am sorry, sir," she responded. "I have been a little distracted."

He seemed to ignore the sarcasm in her voice.

"Yes, well. N.E.W.T.s are next week. I assume you are ready."

"You can never be too ready," she said smiling. "But I think I'll do fine."

She glanced up at him. He was not looking directly at her so she was able to observe him. He looked tired and she thought maybe she wasn't the only one not sleeping.

"So you called me in here to tell me I should be paying more attention in class? Professor, I think it might have been more effective if you hadn't waited until the last day of classes."

"Hermione…I think we need to talk about what happened."

"I agree, Professor. But I think we should have had this discussion about two weeks ago."

"I couldn't, Hermione. You were my student."

"And now?"

"Classes are over. You are no longer my student."

"What about the assignment I just turned in. I can't imagine that you could have graded it already."

She wasn't sure why she was giving him such a hard time. Maybe because he had made her wait.

"Your marks are already so high, Miss Granger," he replied with a smile, "that you could miss every question and still have the highest marks in the class. And before you ask, since I will not be grading your N.E.W.T.s , that doesn't count either. Any other questions?"

He was definitely looking at her no,w and his gaze was so intent, she could feel herself blushing.

"Well…I…um" The closer he got to her, the more she found she had trouble making a coherent sentence.

"Come now, Miss Granger. Surely, that is not all you have to say."

But all she could do was stare at him. He was no longer hesitant. He seemed sure of what he wanted.

"No matter," he whispered as he pulled her into his arms. His kiss was firm… demanding and she responded eagerly.

When they finally pulled apart she looked at him questioningly.

"I am confused, Professor Lupin," she began.

"Hermione, given the circumstances, I think you can call me Remus."

"Remus, then. But I am still confused. I thought you said we could not be together. That it was not right."

"I want you to understand, Hermione. I always thought we should be together; just not while I was your professor. I wanted us to be on equal footing. But I was never unsure of how I felt about you."

"And how do you feel about me, Professor… I mean, Remus?"

"I love you Hermione. I have loved you for a while, even when I shouldn't have."

She smiled up at him. They would have issues she knew. Things they would have to work out especially concerning a certain blonde wizard. But for now, things looked bright indeed.

"I love you, too. Remus."

The wind rushed through his hair as he raced through the night. He had waited so long…the Dark Lord had been watching him. He had not been happy that Lucius had not gained more information on the Order of the Phoenix from the werewolf.

He would have found the amulet quite interesting and possibly helpful to his cause. Not that he would ever find out. Lucius had been able to keep that information to himself.

Which was why he had waited.

But it was worth it.

Definitely, worth it.

He enjoyed the power of his muscles as he raced through the forest. He was surprised at how clear his thoughts were.

He had complete control of his mind and his body.

Not like a werewolf. Better, much better.

He was grateful to Lupin, not that he would admit it.

He no longer felt dead inside.

Even though he was completely controlled by the Dark Lord and his agenda, he had a part of himself that Voldemort could not touch.

A part that was locked away…

Locked away with the memories of kissing Lupin.

Of stoking his hardened cock,

And of midnight runs through the forest,

roaring to release all his pent up frustration.

He found it was enough.

For now…

The End