Enchanted Love

Hermione sighed as she shifted her position on the seat. She was sharing a compartment on the Hogwarts Express with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Professor Lupin and Sirius Black. She couldn’t believe she was starting her final year at Hogwarts.

“Everything okay Hermione?” Ron asked her, from the seat directly across from her.

“Yes, I’m just really glad to be getting back to school. It is sort of sad though, knowing this is going to be it for us.” she admitted.

“I think that is how we all feel. I can’t believe it was seven years ago that Hagrid came and told me about who I really was.” Harry said.

“I still have one more year, I wish you would stop bragging about how your done.” Ginny said, smiling at everyone.

“At least we will have the two best professors in Hogwarts history this year.” Harry said, grinning at Remus and Sirius.

With the defeat of Voldemort the previous year, Sirius Black’s name had finally been cleared, and he was starting his first year as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.

Sirius stretched his legs out as he leaned back in the seat beside Hermione. Freedom had done Sirius Black good. He had built back up his muscular frame, and gotten a healthy tan. His once shaggy black hair was now trimmed and clean.

“I think I will prefer teaching Charms this year, It won’t be so much stress.” Remus Lupin admitted from his own seat.

Hermione blushed as Lupin talked. She leaned her head back and tried to look out the window, but found her eyes being drawn back to the werewolf. She noticed Harry kept returning his eyes to Ginny, who was sitting across from him. Ginny’s cheeks flamed as red as her hair, and Hermione wondered how long it would take until they finally hooked up this year.

Sirius and Harry began a conversation about Quidditch, and Ginny began arguing with Ron about the twin’s new joke shop. Remus had his head back, and eyes closed. Hermione was still watching him when she noticed Sirius giving her a strange look from beside her.

She quickly shifted her eyes to Ron, who turned pink under her gaze. Hermione sighed inside. She knew Ron had developed a crush on her, but she couldn’t return his feelings. She loved Ron as one of her best friends, but nothing more.

Hermione knew she had changed. Her hair had lost the bushy, frizzy aspect by her 17th birthday. It was now a pretty cinnamon color that hung down her back in soft, silky curls. She had developed a very feminine body as she matured, and Hermione noticed the second glances many men gave her, including Ron.

“I wonder how Draco will be now, with Lucius in Azkaban.” Ron said. “He didn’t have any real friends before, and I bet now nobody talks to him.”

“I’m glad that we have each other, real friends.” Ginny said, blushing again at Harry’s gaze. “I bet he’ll be more humble now.”

“A humble Malfoy?” Ron said, grinning. “That would be funny to see.”

Remus finally opened his eyes. “Just keep your eyes open. Voldemort may be gone, but there are still Death Eaters out there who would love to hurt Harry Potter.” he said, his voice grave.

“Stop running the fun Remus, let them enjoy their day.” Sirius said, glaring at his best friend.

“I’m simply warning them to be careful Sirius. It’s not all fun and games all the time.” Remus said.

They were interrupted by the food trolley, and the group spent the rest of the ride eating their sweets and chatting about Hogwarts.

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The start-of-term feast passed quickly for Hermione. She enjoyed the reaction Sirius got when Professor Dumbledore announced him. She stood up and clapped loudly for him. Knowing Sirius was free was a wonderful feeling.

Remus Lupin got a warm welcome as well, especially from those students who remembered him when he was Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher during Hermione’s third year.

Hermione couldn’t help but pass extra glances at Professor Lupin as he chatted with Sirius and Dumbledore at the head table. His light brown hair kept falling down in his face. He would reach up and brush it aside without thinking about it. His shabby brown robes fit tighter on him, which meant he was finally starting to take better care of himself and eat more.

“Look at that!” Harry exclaimed from beside her.

“What?” Ginny said, as everyone turned to the table Harry was pointing at.

Draco Malfoy was sitting at the end of the Slytherin table by himself. He kept his head down and didn’t clap or talk to anyone.

“All of their parents were Death Eaters. Why is he being treated any different?” Lavender Brown asked.

“Because most of their parents got away, Lucius Malfoy was the most powerful of the Death Eaters, but he got caught. It’s a shameful thing to Draco.” Hermione said.

“I think is funny.” Ron said. “He deserves it, arrogant prat.”

Everyone at the table laughed, as Hermione turned to the head table once again, seeking out Lupin’s face.

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Sirius sat at the head table and looked out over the crowded room. He felt excitement and nerves in his stomach. He was still trying to get use to the idea of being free, and although he wouldn’t admit it, he was terrified about teaching.

He felt a calm settle over him as his eyes settled on his godson, sitting with Ron and Hermione.

He raised his eyebrows as he noticed Hermione’s eyes were on the head table, and more importantly, Remus. She blushed when she saw Sirius was looking at her, and dropped her head quickly.

Did Hermione have a schoolgirl crush on Remus? He glanced at this best friend, and was surprised to see Remus casting glances at Hermione.

What was going on with those two? He shook his head slightly. He hoped Remus would be smart about this, she was still a student, and he had only just got his teaching job back.