Before the Moon Rises

BEFORE THE MOON RISES

Partners

Chapter Seven

January 1978

When Remus woke up the next morning and pulled his curtains aside, he yelped in surprise. Sirius, James and Peter were sitting on Sirius' bed, looking at him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, swinging his long legs off the bed and putting his feet carefully onto the cold floor.

"Waiting for you Moony," James said smiling with some unknown delight that Remus didn't understand but was sure he'd find out about soon enough.

Remus stood up and stretched. He walked over to the window and touched the cold panes with his fingers. He could see that the grounds below were blanketed in white. "Looks cold outside," he said, feeling their stares on his back.

"Prongs has filled us in on your escapades in the dark," Sirius began, "and it sounded very interesting."

Remus turned around and almost laughed at his friends. They looked so stupid, staring up at him. He thought if they were dogs--minus Sirius of course, who could actually become a dog--they would all have been foaming at the mouth.

"Nothing happened," Remus replied, walking to his trunk and opening it. He began searching for a shirt and trousers.

"James said you were holding hands," Peter said, grinning widely; his chubby cheeks were red and his eyes were curious.

"Not really. It was more like..." he paused to think exactly what it had felt like, "...It was more like comfort."

"Comfort?" James asked, a frown line forming between his brows.

"Yeah," Remus said, pulling a clean shirt over his head. "I don't know," he began. He pulled out a pair of trousers and proceeded to hop around while trying to get both legs in without falling over. As he zipped up his trousers he leaned against his bedpost and stared out the window, aware that the others were waiting for him to continue. "It felt good," he said quietly, "and it felt like some kind of comfort I've never known. I don't know how to explain it. It just felt right. Does that make sense?" he asked, looking down at his friends.

"No, but that's understandable when you fall in love. Remember how James lost the ability to speak English properly after Lily kissed him that first time?" Sirius teased.

"I did not!" James protested.

"I'm not in love, Padfoot," Remus laughed in surprise.

"Oh?" James asked, arching an eyebrow in doubt.

"No," Remus said, running his hands through his disheveled hair in an attempt to tame it. He definitely needed a haircut, he thought.

"Well what are you then?" Peter questioned.

"I'm going to be late for breakfast if I don't leave," Remus grinned and walked out of his dormitory.

"That guy really gets on my nerves," James said playfully.

"Everything is so top-secret with him," Sirius agreed smiling.

"But isn't keeping secrets a good thing?" Peter wondered.

James put his arm around Peter's shoulders. "Yes, Peter, my boy, keeping secrets is a good thing. But secrets are tricky things. The trick is knowing which ones to keep and which ones aren't worth keeping. Just make sure you never mix the two up."

"Well said Prongs. Now, let's get to breakfast. I'm starved," Sirius said, standing to his feet and leaving their dormitory with Peter and James close behind.

* * * *

Hermione sat on the edge of her bed in the seventh year girl's dormitory and toweled off her hair. When she was finished, she draped the wet towel over her knee and reached for her wand. With a quick spell, her hair was completely dry and tame.

Lily walked over and sat down on her bed. "I'm sorry about last night," she said softly.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It's not a big deal. I know how the Marauders are...or I'm learning how they are."

"So, you're okay with it then?" Hermione nodded her head as she picked up her brush. "Did you have fun with Remus then?"

Hermione looked up at Lily. It seemed like such an odd question. "Uh...yeah. We chatted for a bit and then I think I fell asleep," Hermione replied, shrugging.

"You and he get along well, then?" Lily continued.

Hermione wrinkled her nose a bit. What is she going on about? It seemed like there was something more Lily wanted to say but didn't. She had that same twinkle in her eyes that Harry got when he was holding something back, but dying to tell you. "Of course. I've known him for ages. I mean...I feel like I've known him for ages."

"Oh, that's good," she smiled. "He's a great guy."

"Yeah, I know," Hermione said, running the brush through her hair gently. "You don't have to convince me of that. I already know."

"Really?" Lily asked in excitement. "So, do you think there will be anything more between you two?"

"Anything more than what?" Hermione asked curiously, still pulling the brush through her hair.

"Anything more than friends, silly," she giggled lightly.

Hermione stopped moving her hand, the brush almost falling from her frozen fingers. "What do you mean?" she asked hesitantly.

"Jane," she laughed, "you're almost as thick as James. Do you think you and Remus could ever be more than just friends? I think he might, now I could be wrong, but I think he might fancy you."

"Me?" Hermione squeaked. The brush clattered to the floor.

"Yes, you. I've seen the way he looks at you. It's very sweet, really," Lily smiled genuinely at Hermione.

"But he's--" My professor. My mentor. My friend, the voice in her head piped in. But he's only your friend now, the other voice argued. Stop that. Remus--Professor Remus Lupin is my professor and he's--

"Jane, are you okay?" Lily asked.

Hermione looked up at her. "Uh--yeah. I'm just a bit...surprised, that's all." Lily thinks Professor Lupin fancies me?

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I wouldn't have if I didn't think maybe you fancied him, too. Please don't say anything to Remus. I think he would absolutely die. I'm sorry, Jane."

"No, no, Lily. It's okay...I'm only trying to absorb it all. It's...definitely not what I was expecting..." she looked off out of the window. Professor Lupin fancies me? But that's impossible. He wouldn't fancy me. I'm too young for him to notice, she argued. You aren't now, there was that other annoying voice.

"Is he not your type?" Lily asked quietly, a look of disappointment on her face.

"Well--" She had never given it much thought before. Was he her type? He was very intelligent, always had the right answers. He loved to read; she knew that. He was kind, gentle and there was something so vulnerable about him...as if when he spoke to you it came straight from his heart--full of passion and honesty. "Actually he is my type."

"So, you don't find him attractive?" Lily wondered, watching the emotions flashing across Hermione's face.

"I--I--" she stuttered. She thought of Remus. His eyes were the palest of blue, almost begging to be loved yet keeping everyone a safe distance away from what he held inside. His hair was light brown and short enough to look well-kept but long enough to look quite sexy. She liked how it began to flip out on the ends slightly when he was in need of a haircut...it looked like it was always asking to have hands run through it--her hands perhaps? He was taller than her, with broad shoulders that made her think of how strong he must be...strong enough to pick her up and carry her somewhere...anywhere actually. His arms and legs were long and lean, just the right mix between strong and weak. And his hands--God, she loved his hands...so big and rough and...

She looked up and Lily was watching her, smirking. "What?"

"I could be wrong but the look on your face says it all."

"It does?" Hermione asked, feeling a blush creeping into her cheeks.

"So, tell me Jane, if Remus is your type and you obviously think he's attractive, then what is holding you back?" Lily asked, crossing her legs, leaning forward on her elbow and laying her chin on her closed fist.

Hermione frowned slightly in thought. What's holding me back? Let's see...how about my future and his past? Our lines weren't meant to cross, not here. But what about what Dumbledore said? He said I was meant to be here, but why? It couldn't possibly be to snog my DADA professor...could it? No, Hermione. No way. But he is handsome, isn't he? So what? He's your professor. He was my professor in 3^rd year. I'm not thirteen anymore...and he's not my professor now...

"It's--I can't really explain it, Lily," Hermione said sadly. There was so much she knew and so much that she wanted to tell them, but couldn't. How could she possibly date someone that was one of her mentors in the future? Someone who would still look at her as if she were only a child when she saw him again in her own time? She sighed deeply.

Lily stood up and nodded down at Hermione. "I don't know what it is and you don't have to explain it to me. Just know this, life is short, Jane, and sometimes you have to take a chance to really know what it's like to live. Don't live life always ending up with only regret left in your hands. I'm not saying you should pursue anything with Remus...I'm only saying that he is a wonderful person and I get this feeling when the two of you are together...I can't explain it but something just feels right. But it's your decision," Lily smiled sweetly and touched Hermione's shoulder before leaving the dormitory.

Hermione watched her go, a weight landing on her chest and resting there. It seemed so surreal to think of Remus as anything other than what she had always known him to be--her professor, nothing more. But in 1978 he wasn't her professor, and she wasn't born, but still she was there...and he was there...

* * * *

The next close contact Hermione had with Remus was in their Potions lesson. The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws stood outside of the Potions classroom and waited for the class before theirs to exit. Hermione leaned against the wall silently, watching James, Peter, Remus and Sirius have a discussion about what else--Quidditch. A ripple of laughter started at the front of the queue and traveled back to where they were standing.

"What's going on?" Lily asked, showing up beside Hermione.

"No idea," Hermione said, shrugging. But it didn't take but a second more before she realized what the commotion was for.

A group of surly Slytherins passed by and her mouth dropped open. The entire class of seventh year Slytherins were marching by, angry and daring someone to say something. Their hair was oddly striped in red and gold--the Gryffindor colors. Hermione looked quickly at the Marauders. Peter had his face planted in an upside down copy of the Divination book. Sirius looked cocky as hell and he was smiling widely. James was staring at the ground, laughing silently. And Remus was looking at everyone but the Slytherins as they passed. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle as Snape passed her, but he surprised her when he stopped.

"I see you've added another idiot Gryffindor to your group," he spat icily toward Sirius. Then turning to Hermione, his large nose dangerously close to her face. "Such a pity...to waste such potential in a house designed for fools and those destined for nothing," he said, his lip curling up in disgust. "But if you ever get tired of these boys, you know where to find me. It would do you some good to spend some time with a man instead," he whispered silkily.

Ewww. Is Snape hitting on me? a voice screamed in her head. Before she could think about it any further, Remus stepped up to her side and placed his hand on her arm possessively.

"I think you should move on, Severus," Remus said coolly.

Severus arched one of his black eyebrows, looking almost ridiculous in contrast with his red and gold striped hair. He passed a quick look between Hermione and Remus. "I see," he said darkly. "Good luck taming this beast," he spat cruelly and Hermione felt Remus wince beside her. Snape turned and walked away.

"Weren't you ever kind?!" Hermione yelled in exasperation after him. Snape turned and looked at her in confusion before disappearing into the crowded hallway.

"Just ignore him, Jane," James replied. "He's an asshole."

"James--" Lily scolded.

"Well, he is."

"It's okay," Hermione admitted. "I'm not afraid of Snape."

The Gryffindors filed into the Potions classroom. Professor Leseter was standing up near the front speaking,

"Pick a partner. Groups of two today. Take your seats quickly so we can begin."

Lily and James paired up and Sirius would have paired off with Remus but he thought Remus and Jane could use some time together. Peter agreed, so they partnered up with each other.

"Suppose that leaves just us," Hermione said, feeling her stomach flutter slightly. She almost wished Lily hadn't said anything to her about him.

"Do you mind being my part--" Remus was interrupted by a pretty girl with shoulder length brown hair. She put her hand on his arm and Hermione thought she was batting her eyelashes a bit too much for her liking.

"Remus," the girl asked shyly, "would you like to be my partner?"

"Oh, well, I," he stuttered, glancing at Hermione quickly and then back to the girl.

"Please Remus. You're so good at Potions," she said sweetly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and mumbled something that sounded like oh, please.

"Well, thanks for asking Sarah," Remus replied, "but Jane and I are already partners." Hermione's eyes lifted to his; he smiled shyly back.

"Oh," Sarah said in disappointment, poking out her bottom lip and walking away.

"You do want to be my partner, right?" he asked, sitting down in a chair behind a table with an empty cauldron.

"Sure," Hermione said, sitting down beside him and glancing over her shoulder at the pretty girl Remus had called Sarah. Am I jealous? Hermione wondered. Why would I be jealous of her? Of Remus? Probably you secretly don't want him with anyone else, one voice said. That's absurd, said the other. I'm only saying that he is a wonderful person and I get this feeling when the two of you are together...I can't explain it but something just feels right, that was Lily's voice.

Hermione looked over at Remus. He was carefully pulling out the supplies they would need, his hair falling just over his ear. She watched his hands move with quiet grace. What would it feel like to touch his hand...feel it against me? She swallowed nervously.

Remus could feel her eyes upon him, but kept himself busy placing out the necessary ingredients for the day's lesson. Unintentionally he tuned into her movements, the sound of her breathing. He could hear her breaths become more shallow and closer together. Was she nervous about something? Without looking up he asked, "Are you okay?"

Hermione jerked her eyes away quickly. "Yeah," she said, trying to sound calm. But she wasn't okay; she felt her head began to swim with the possibilities. What would getting close to Remus Lupin in the past do to her future? Would it change anything? She wondered if any of it mattered. In the past, after all, she was Jane Doe, not Hermione Granger.

"I can help you with that," Hermione said, reaching for the mortar and pestle.

Remus looked up at her and found she was watching him closely. He grinned shyly at her. She smiled in response; how could she not? How could one face look so innocent and sexy at the same time?

"You've got really nice eyes," she said quietly, looking down at what she was doing. And hands, and ... just about everything else.

"Thanks," Remus said in surprise. He could sense that old familiar feeling of heat rise in his cheeks. He felt himself basking in the warmth, closing his eyes for a moment and wishing to never part from it.