Be Silently Drawn || Remus Lupin & Hermione Granger

Chapter 6

Thursday evening, Hermione was on her way back to her dorm from the library when she saw a familiar figure walking ahead of her in the corridor. Remus spun around when she called his name.

"I'm glad to see you're out of the Hospital Wing," Hermione said brightly as she caught up to him.

"So am I."

Though he looked tired and off color, Remus seemed to be in better spirits than when she'd seen him last.

"I'm sorry I couldn't study with you these past few days," he said.

"Don't worry about it. You've already helped me out a lot. I did really well in that Arithmancy exam we had, and I'm doing much better in our other classes too."

"That's great. Sounds like you don't need me anymore."

"I do need you," Hermione said and immediately flushed at how the words sounded. "I mean, I could still use some help, and you know, it's nice having a study partner. If you don't mind, of course."

"Not at all. I was actually about to do our Ancient Runes homework now if you want to join me."

"I'd love to."

"We could study in the Gryffindor common room," Remus suggested. "Have you been up there yet?"

"Um, only briefly."

Hermione hadn't been in Gryffindor tower since she'd first awakened in this time and fled from this teenage Remus's dormitory.

"Did Dumbledore make you get sorted when you came here?" Remus asked her as they made their way up to the seventh floor. "All the first years have to try on the Sorting Hat when they first arrive at Hogwarts, but I don't know if they do the same for transfers."

Dumbledore had not required Hermione to try on the Sorting Hat after she'd told him she was a Gryffindor, but she described to Remus her experience seven years ago.

"I did get sorted. It was a bit strange having my head evaluated by an old magical hat like that. It told me that I have a ready mind and I would fit in well with Ravenclaw, but in the end it decided I was best suited for Gryffindor. How was it for you? Did you know you would be in Gryffindor?"

"I'd hoped so. I remember I was very nervous about it. My dad was in Gryffindor, and I wanted to be too."

"What about your mum?"

"My mum was a Muggle."

"Was?"

Remus hesitated, then told her, "She passed away last year."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Hermione said. She'd had no idea. Every day she seemed to learn something new about Remus, who as an adult was extremely private about his personal life.

They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she asked.

"Lunar eclipse," Remus said.

The portrait swung forward to reveal the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione and Remus set themselves up at a table by the window and pulled out their books.

"Studying again, Jean? Weren't you just in the library?" Sirius said incredulously. Before Hermione could reply, he told Remus, "I never thought I'd meet someone who was as big of a bookworm as you, Moony. You've found your perfect match."

Sirius winked at his friend before leaving them alone again. Hermione thought she saw a touch of color creep into Remus's pallid complexion.

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