Zephyr

Chapter Four

Diagon Alley

"Morning!" Hermione Granger looked up from her desk to see Remus' head through the slight gap of her door.

"Hello, Remus!"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure," she said as she shuffled some papers and stowed them away in her drawer. Remus walked in and settled himself in the straight back chair across from her mahogany desk. It was very uncomfortable--perhaps to make her students uneasy when they were sent to her office for a reprimand. She never understood why, but since she started working at Hogwarts, Minerva had been sending the Gryffindor students to her for punishment. Hermione made sure each student sent to her never came back again. So far she had done a great job keeping that up. She was as dreadful to her students as Snape was; yet she was not as biased towards them as he was.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Remus said in his usual raspy voice. He has taken care of himself since he moved back to Hogwarts, she noticed. He looked healthier each day. The color was coming back to his face, and his eyes did not look as deeply sunken as they used to. As defined and sculptured as his face was, he had a bit of flesh in his cheeks to give fullness to his features. He was very attractive, although, like Hermione, he too had not engaged himself in relationships and such. He cared greatly for her, especially since she alienated herself from all her friends and family for the past several years. He took it upon himself to keep her company as often as he could, despite her newfound bitterness.

"No, no," she replied. "I just got through my meeting with the Ministry officials."

"How did it go?"

"Good. They've approved all my lesson plans. You know; the usual."

"I'm sure you did great, Hermione." She nodded in acquiescence before slightly raising a brow that inquired about his visit.

"Well, I bumped into Minerva this morning and she told me that you were going down to Diagon Alley in the afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted me to come along."

"Thanks, but I'll be all right."

"Well, I'm sure you will, but I thought you could use the company."

"I'm not really going to take long, Remus," she muttered softly. "I'm just going to grab a few things and come back. I've no reason to stay long."

"You know, Hermione, you don't have to be afraid to relax every now and then. You deserve it, you know. Stop hiding yourself behind your desk and go out for a change. The summer's nearly spent and I haven't seen you outside once for a breath of air. The sun misses your face, Love."

"The sun is no concern of mine, Remus. And I've much more important things to worry about here than getting a tan. I'm sorry if it upsets you that I'm not as relaxed as you all seem to be, but--"

"That's not fair," he said softly, "You know we all work very hard here. We deserve every break we get, and you're no different."

"I'm sorry, Remus, but if I choose to spend my time here in my office than that's how I'll spend it. I see nothing wrong with that."

"I'm just concerned about you, Hermione. I know you don't want to be here, although I really wish I knew why. We have all missed you, and despite your reasons for staying away all these years, we're all glad you're back with us."

"I have no problem being here," she lied. "I'm just wondering how much longer. It's already been two years and I still haven't seen a replacement. Minerva keeps giving me the runaround and I'm starting to suspect that they aren't looking for one."

"Well, you're a great Potions mistress. It's hard to find anyone as good as you, or better; other than Severus, of course, but he's too content with being the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to go back to Potions."

The mention of Severus' name struck her unexpectedly. It always surprised Hermione how the mere mention of that man's name still caught her attention. She cleared her mind and quickly changed the subject. "I should get back to work, Remus."

"Of course. I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time," he said as he stood up and headed for the door. "What time are you leaving for Diagon Alley?"

"Probably one o'clock, but I really don't--"

"Then I'll see you at one," and with that he left and closed the door gently behind him before Hermione had the chance to protest. She stared at the closed door and allowed a slight smile to escape her consistently pursed lips.

*******

The relentless heat of Diagon Alley had given the marketers more than enough reason to curse the sweltering sun. The crammed horde of witches and wizards of all shapes and sizes had only added to the crowd's agitation and not to mention persistent sweating and shameless frottaging. The stench of perspiration that hung in the stifled air was as unbearable as an Unforgivable curse. The irritated crowd was not too pleasant with the constant elbowing and shoving. Remus and Hermione witnessed an old, plump witch roll more vulgar words off her tongue to a by-passer that knocked her down than there possibly were. She had given up on casting a cooling charm every few minutes after having it wear off prematurely from being weakened by the unrelenting heat. She should have known better than to come shopping in midday on a Saturday, especially in the summer. But, despite her irritation, a part of her missed the boisterous sounds of the market place on the weekend; the buzz of excitement that coursed through the crowd as they entered the busy shops and walked out with their shopping. The looks of longing and delight on the children's faces as they gathered with their friends outside Quality Quidditch Supplies to drool over the window display of their latest broom release. It brought back fond memories of her childhood in Hogwarts.

Hermione and Remus had wasted a good deal of time watching an old hag bargaining fervently with a peddler at his corner booth over an antique wand case which he reportedly swore was once owned by the great Merlin himself. Hermione was interested to see if the witch would end up buying the wand, and at what price. She was quite surprised to see that she had not only reduced the price of the jade embedded wand case from 69 galleons to 29 galleons but also had a matching wand stand thrown in for free. The satisfaction of seeing the look of displeasure and defeat on the mottled wizard's face made up for the guilt she felt for the precious time she wasted.

Hermione had one more stop to make before leaving Diagon Alley. She needed to get a book at Flourish and Blotts, but it was simply too crowded for her to enter just yet. New and returning students were busy getting the rest of the supplies on their lists for school, and they only had a couple of weeks left of summer vacation. Remus took Hermione by the hand and convinced her to get some ice cream with him before they forced their way through the crowded bookstore.

"I really don't want any ice cream, Remus," she asserted resolutely. "I'm anxious to get into Flourish and Blotts before it is impossible for us to get in. There were only a few copies of Magical Men left from last I checked, and by the time we get there, they're sure to have run out." Remus, still holding on to Hermione's hand as he pushed his way through the crowd to Rainbow Bliss ice cream parlor, allowed a slight grin to escape his thin sculptured face as Hermione tried hard to convince him to turn around and head for the bookstore.

"Who's it for?" he interrupted.

"Who's what for?"

"Magical Men; It hardly seems like your choice of reading material. Who's it for?"

"It's a gift," she said softly.

"Harry?"

"No."

"Ron?"

"No."

"Ginny?"

"Remus, I'd rather not discuss this right now."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to pry, Hermione. I was just curious," he grinned.

"What? Why are you grinning?"

"Nothing, it's just-"

"What?"

"You sound irritated with me," he smiled as they arrived at the ice cream parlor. "It's very hard for me to irritate someone. It's just not in my nature, you see. I'm very likable; everybody loves me," he said with his hand settled against his chest in mock extravagance. Hermione chuckled lightly as she nudged her companion in the ribs.

"You're such a kid, Remus," she smiled as they entered the parlor. "Well, I'll get our ice creams while you find us some seats. It seems to be crowded in here as well. I had hoped everyone wouldn't come this far for ice cream, but I guess I was wrong. I shouldn't have underestimated the heat," he said disappointedly.

"I was wondering if you had noticed the six ice cream parlors we passed along the way here," she said before leaving Remus to find their seats. Hermione found them a seat by the wall close to the window and far from the door as Remus ordered her caramel mint, and his mango lime sorbet. Remus stared at Hermione as he handed her her ice cream. When she took her first taste, a look of unexpected relief swept over her face. She had not known how hot she was until the fresh minty coolness of her Caramel Mint touched the tip of her tongue and coursed a refreshing tingle down her dried throat and throughout the rest of her body. It gave her goosebumps and made her hair stand on end. It felt so much better getting cooled down by ice cream than by magic, she thought. She should've known better than to use magic so needlessly. She had learned to be conservative with magic, unlike most wizards and witches, and used it only when she taught or if she absolutely needed to.

"Good?" He grinned as he watched her startle and smudge her ice cream all over her chin. Hermione scowled at him for being such a pest and brought her thoughts back to him and her ice cream.

"You're in a good humor today. I'm wondering why," she said as Remus wiped the ice cream off her face.

"Well, if you haven't noticed, I'll let you guess for a while." Hermione stared at him long and hard before making her first guess. She wanted to get it right the first time, even though she was sure he would give her all the chances in the world. She quickly analyzed Remus and his nature; the type of person he was, his nature, people who made him unhappy, things he never looked forward to, what would particularly make him happy, yet didn't occasionally happen to him, and before he knew it, she had figured out the reason for his unusual cheerfulness. She shot Remus a glance before averting her attention back to her ice cream and purposely ignoring him.

"Very impressive," he said softly. "You never cease to disappoint me, Hermione," he smiled benignly.

"I haven't said anything yet, Remus,"

"You didn't need to. I know that look on your face. Besides, if you had taken another minute longer, I would've thought you had lost your touch." Hermione smiled at her chum before pushing her ice cream aside.

"Are you nervous?"

"I'd like to say no, but then I'd be lying. I'm so afraid, Hermione, sometimes I wish it weren't true."

"You can't possibly mean that Remus. You deserve this. Isn't it what you've always wanted?"

"Yes. It's just unreal to think that it's finally happened to me. All those years of extensive research, I nearly gave up, Hermione."

"But you didn't."

"Yes, and I owe that much to Severus."

"Remus you don't owe that - man anything. You asked him to help assist you on your research and he agreed. Besides, he wasn't the only one who helped."

"I didn't mean in that way, Hermione. I meant I owe him a lot for something that he did for me personally, although he'd die before admitting it," Remus grinned.

"What's that?" she said trying not to sound too eager.

"About a year ago after we tested one of our cures and it failed, I completely lost it; tore the whole lab down and ruined nearly all the lab equipment and most of our ingredients. I had such high hopes; I truly thought we had it that time. But it failed, and I couldn't take it anymore," he said ashamedly. "It took us about six months at the least to get hold of some of our ingredients again. Most of them were very rare and seldom ever made. Severus--well, you know Severus; he threatened to kill me if I had another outburst like that. He made sure that I felt horrible about wasting his time and all those years he's wasted on helping me to find my cure. I hit rock bottom, Hermione. I shunned everyone, stopped taking my potion, and attempted to take my life several times. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't care about anything, anyone, nothing," he whispered to himself. "I was practically gone, Hermione, dead. One night, Severus came over to my place and cursed me out cold. Can you believe him?" Remus chuckled, "and without even a warning. He blasted my door down, threw me across the wall, and dragged me all the way back to Hogwarts. I found out that night that he was still working on finding a cure for me. I thanked him for coming for me, but that only infuriated him. He told me he only came for me because Dumbledore told him to. He said he would've rather seen me rot in my cottage for all he cared."

"Yes, well it figures that he would say something like that," she said with great dislike.

"I owe Severus a lot. I only wish I could do something for him. I mean if this cure really works, Hermione - I'll finally be able to relax and feel free." Hermione saw a light in his eyes that she had seldom ever seen before. She felt so happy for him, but also feared what it would do to him if this cure failed him again.

"Remus, you do understand that if it doesn't work--"

"Don't worry, Love. I won't do anything rash. I'm hopeful, but not deliriously so. Besides, I'd hate to think what Severus would do to me if I lost it again."

Hermione forced a slight smile and refrained from saying anything, hoping their conversation would not lead to the topic of Severus. "I think we should get going," she changed the subject. "We have a staff meeting at five o'clock," she said as she looked out the window and into the crowded streets, where she recognized some familiar faces.

They were returning students of Hogwarts. Hermione noticed one of them in particular. Of course, anyone would notice her face from a mile away. She was her sixth year student from last term. Beautiful, heartless, Slytherin; three main traits used to describe Miss Annessa Bailey. Every boy in school wanted her. Tall, lean, and graceful, her walk demanded attention with every graceful sway. One couldn't help but stare at her face: milky white complexion silhouetted by her long ebony hair with few wayward tendrils that framed her heart-shaped face. Her porcelain facade was so devoid of any color or emotion, she almost seemed fragile. But in this case, her looks were definitely deceiving. There was nothing innocent about Annessa Bailey; with deep grey eyes that settled beneath long perfectly penciled eyebrows, and lips with more curves than an hourglass, Miss Bailey had features that rivaled that of a veela's and her attitude could definitely give them a run for their money.

It was no surprise that she was envied by every girl in school. She moved with a flank of teenage girls numerous enough to form a House of their own. This young woman could have anything and anyone she wanted, Hermione thought. She was so beautiful she almost pitied her. Beauty such as that never came without a great price. And if she was not vigilant, her own looks could work against her.

"She's beautiful, isn't she," Remus interrupted her thoughts, "And she doesn't have a drop of veela in her."

"I almost pity her, Remus, yet I can't seem take my eyes off of her," Hermione said dazedly as she continued staring at the young lady outside. "She seems almost fragile."

"Yeah, well don't let her hear you say that," Remus chuckled as he collected their things. "She's as cold and heartless as a steel blade. "That poor Ehlaana Mae she tormented last term would certainly agree with me," he said as they left Rainbow Bliss. They headed for Flourish and Blotts for Hermione's book before heading back to the castle. She did not leave Diagon Alley till after five. She was glad Remus had come along with her, though she refrained from telling him so.

******************