( A smile blooms on Hermione's tired face when Isaac shuts off the display on the bracelet and sits up. When he gets to his feet, she takes that as a confirmation that he's coming along and so she heads into the kitchen to get started with the tea. )
Sure, lemon it is. I like that one, too.
( She'd probably be drinking that one if she weren't trying to settle her mind and go to bed, actually.
Hermione fills and puts a kettle on before she starts to pull down mugs and tea balls, then finally, the tea itself and a little spoon to scoop it with.
She looks over her shoulder apologetically. )
Sorry about the mint, in that case... This should only take a few minutes.
I've smelled worse things. You get used to it after a while. The nose is probably the worst part about all of it.
[ Seriously, who thought he needed to be able to smell at great distance and great detail? But the werewolf abilities had to come with one downside. ]
I mean, with phones and stuff you don't really need a nose for tracking anymore. [ His face screws up at the memory of having to sniff Stiles's shoe, way back when. ]
( A soft laugh escapes her, mostly because she's too tired to think that she ought not let it. )
I can't imagine. I'm not sure I'd want to, actually...
( The kettle starts to whistle a moment later, so Hermione takes it off the stove and pours them each a mug, the tea balls already filled and settled in the mugs to await water to steep in. Her eyes shift to the digital clock on the microwave and she takes note, not just of the time for how long to let it steep, but also to remind herself that she really needs to get to bed soon. )
That'll take a couple minutes and then it'll be ready. It'll be hot, though. You might need to wait a bit before having any. Unless you want to put an ice cube in there or something.
( She pauses thoughtfully, pulling a wooden spoon out of the little basket where several larger kitchen utensils are housed beside the stove. )
Actually, I could try to cool it down for us after it steeps...
( Sirius hasn't gotten chucked back into Azkaban by now and he's showing off his magic with muggles plenty. If he can do it, she can. )
[ Isaac shrugs one shoulder and laughs a little. ] You get used to it, even if you don't want to.
[ He leans against the counter while she pours out the tea, watching closely, as though there's some art to it that he may or may not be missing. But when the tea hits the water and begins steeping, he's surprised by the burst of scents.
It smells good, though, and he's woken up in the mornings to the smell of tea brewing since she arrived, and there's something comforting in it. ]
Yeah? I guess an ice cub would work but wouldn't that, like, water it down? What were you thinking?
A bit, yeah. Not so much that it ruins the experience, but I'm guessing you'd rather it be as flavorful as possible, so we don't want to do ice.
( Her eyes shift back to the clock and when the numbers change signifying that time is up, Hermione removes the tea balls from their mugs and sets them down on paper towels to keep them from leaking all over the counter.
Then, she takes a step back after picking up the wooden spoon and, Merlin, she feels ridiculous having to do this without her actual wand. She points the end of the spoon toward their mugs and, with a skillful flick of her wrist, clearly incantates. )
Glacius.
( A blue-colored light issues from the end of the spoon and the steam coming up from both of the mugs suddenly falls away.
Setting the spoon down, Hermione moves back to the counter and touches the side of her mug. Still plenty warm, just not boiling any longer. A satisfied smirk crosses her lips and she lifts the mug before looking back at Isaac. )
[ Isaac doesn't really know what she's going to do, but he watches her carefully, almost a little unsure. The light that swirls from the end of the spoon makes him blink, eyes wide.
He reaches for the second mug and expects it to be scalding hot. When it turns up to be an even temperature, he carefully drags the mug toward him. The scent of mint is strong on the air but it's paired now with the scent from the lemon. It's nice, actually. ]
Magic?
[ He's heard Sirius talk about it a little bit, but never at length, and he's never really seen it in action. ] You did that with your hand.
[ Isaac raises the mug to his lips and sips from it tentatively, making a noise of surprise at the flavor. ] Oh. It's good.
[ Isaac follows her with his own mug, sitting down in a chair opposite her. ] But you did that to the spoon. What other kind of stuff can you do? We don't really have magic back home, just... weird shit.
[ Seriously weird shit. Werewolves included. He drinks from the tea again. ] I didn't know what it would taste like, sorry. [ He almost looks sheepish. ] I can smell it when you make it, and it smells good, but just because something smells good doesn't mean it is. Trust me.
( She's not really sure how it works, now. She'd always sort of assumed that most of the magic she knows was more heavily reliant on the wand that had chosen her than the ministrations and incantations, but it seems she'd been mistaken. Of course, there's wandless magic and Hermione can even do a little of it, but mostly, she'd always depended on her wand. This has taken some adjusting on her part. )
Oh...loads of things, actually.
( She pauses, looking around as though that might inspire her for something and her eyes fall upon the tea tin. Picking the teaspoon out of her mug, she blows on it to cool it off enough to hold with the thin handle facing out. Then, she turns slightly in her chair and points it at the tin. )
Accio tin.
( Hermione puts the spoon down again so that she can use both hands to catch the tin as it shoots up off the counter and zips across the room to her. She sets it down on the table and looks back at her flatmate with a small smile and picks up the teaspoon again, giving it a flick and swish in the direction of the tin she's set down on the table. )
Wingardium Leviosa.
( The little tin lifts up off the table and hovers a few inches in the air.
These are simple spells, the latter of which is a first-year one, but to a muggle, they probably look much more interesting. )
[ Isaac watches as she casts spells, from the tin flying across the room to her, easy and quick, to the way it levitates off the table. He can't help but reach under it, feeling that there's nothing holding it up before he plucks it out of the air.
He grins, brows raised in amazement when he turns to her. ]
That's amazing. [ He laughs a little and sets it back on the table. ]
That's stuff you see in moves back home. I can't do anything like that, really. I mean, I'm fast and strong, but turning into a werewolf isn't as exciting as that. Have you just always been able to do that or what?
You know...the fact that you're comfortable saying that you're a werewolf is pretty exciting. Werewolves, where I come from, can't do that. They're completely shunned. It's awful, really.
( She shrugs a little, taking another sip of her tea. )
I dunno, I suppose so. My parents are muggles — erm, non-magical people — so we didn't know anything about it until I got my letter for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was eleven then.
We couldn't really talk about it back home, but it's different here. People know already.
[ He drinks from his tea again, already halfway through the cup. It's different, but the flavor is nice and it's honestly kind of relaxing to sit and talk with Hermione. They've been roommates, but being in and out of practices makes him scarce sometimes. ]
Whoa, wait. Did you say school? I don't think I could do anything as cool as that when I was eleven. Just played a lot of sports.
( Hermione sounds genuinely confused and interested in knowing the answer to this. She only knows — knew... — one werewolf back home, but she's more familiar with the damage that they can do than the ones, like Professor Lupin, who had been benign in every way they could be. She can't help her interest, therefore, in learning more. Besides that, if they innately know that he's a werewolf, then does everyone also innately know that Hermione is a witch? )
Yeah, I switched from muggle school to Hogwarts when I was eleven and just...well, I can't really say I finished school, technically, but... I finished my education during that time. I still spent my summers learning muggle things, though, so that I wouldn't fall behind if I decided the wizarding world wasn't for me, in the end.
( It's probably one of the only reasons she's managing to get by here and not floundering hopelessly, like Sirius if he weren't so stubborn and charismatic. )
Well, the school knows I'm a Super, so I kind of had to tell them because they wanted me on the cross-country team. It's an easy way to kill time so I did it. Don't even really need to go to school but it feels kind of like cheating if I don't.
[ But he shrugs it off, listening to her with interest when she talks about muggles and Hogwarts. The names are weird, they practically sound made up on the spot, but he knows Hermione well enough to know she wouldn't lie about things like that. ]
So you did school full time? I mean, I'd say I could help you with stuff but you're pretty much the smartest person I've met here. So, uh. You know. You're probably not gonna need my help.
[ He sips at his tea again, curling his fingers around his mug once its back to the table, if only for the warmth. ] I could of tested out of school but I missed a lot of my senior year stuff because of everything going on, so. Figured I'd start up here since I can.
( Sipping at her tea again, Hermione's head inclines in a slow nod of understanding as he explains. She supposes that might be cheating, given the rest of the students would largely be locals, so she can see why he'd have needed to mention. )
Cross-country what? Running?
( Again, she nods, a small smile on her face, cheeks warming a little when he says that she's the smartest person he's met here. )
Hogwarts was actually a boarding school, so quite literally full-time. It's a seven-year school, but I only did six-years before the war. I dunno if you'd be able to help anyway. You're a muggle, yeah? But it's okay. I think I've done enough schooling. I can keep learning without being in school.
( Her eyes narrow a bit as she tries to parse the Americanism. )
Oh, uh, yeah. It's just like track, you just run and try and beat time limits. And I'm fast, so it kinda works out.
[ He finishes off his tea, finally, which is a shame because not only was it tasty, but it gave him something to do with his hands. But he relaxes into his seat, slouching a little, keeping his palms around the mug. ]
Senior year. Like the last year of high school. Before college. I guess I could have started college early, but like I said, I didn't exactly get to do my work the way I wanted to. And it's not like it's gonna hurt me. But I'm pretty glad I didn't have to live at my school, but I guess Hogwarts might not be that bad if you had magic.
Oh, I know what it is, I just wasn't sure whether you meant running or skiing or something American that I might not have heard of, or something.
( Hermione finishes her tea as well and nods as he explains. )
Oh, right. I think it's fine if you repeat your last year if you didn't get a chance to take it and you wanted to. I actually liked living at Hogwarts, so I didn't mind. The library alone would've made me happy.
( She stifles a yawn behind one hand and then cranes her neck a little to try to look into his mug. After staying up all that time to help Sirius with the mirrors, she's completely exhausted. )
I should get some sleep but d'you want me to make you another cuppa before I go?
[ Isaac colors a little when she mentions she'd been testing the American and British terminology. He forgets that the sports can be different between the countries and he's run into quite a few things where they've had to awkwardly talk around or try and explain terms that the other doesn't understand.
But he catches the time on his bracelet and he nods. It's late. He should probably try and sleep to, though that can be hard to come by some nights. ]
No, I should probably go to bed. And I think I could probably figure out how to do it. Didn't look that bad. [ He gestures to the kitchen with a little smile before he pushes up from his seat, reaching to take her mug for her. ] I'll, uh. Do the dishes, since you made the tea.
If you're available, I could use some assistance in apartment 103. Klaus, Sirius's flatmate, and one of their friends have been injured. Any and all hands could be useful.
It appears there are some new arrivals. First time in a while. I was thinking of making a welcome basket for some of them? It's an excuse to bake, really, and things have been quiet round here for some time.
Maybe it's a ridiculous idea, but if you'd like to join in, I wouldn't mind the company. I'll even give you first go at the bowl after.
I'm very much wondering the same. It seems less frequent than before, however, so maybe there's something to that. Who here would even be able to assess them? With Tony gone, I think our resources are limited.
But enough of that for the mo. Whenever you're free, please nip by. If you don't I'm afraid I'll help myself to all of the chocolate nibs before I can even think of making cookies.
This isn't blackmail at all, Hermione. Just a bit of gentle persuasion. And it's true - they're delicious so the likelihood I'll eat them without thinking is very likely. Chocolate is my biggest weakness.
So you could turn this in your favor and blackmail me one day. We're even.
I don't want to blackmail you, but that was quite clever, I'll give you that. Don't eat the chocolate. I'm on my way.
( Rolling her eyes and smiling to herself, Hermione shoves the device into her pocket, checks herself in the mirror and does a few quick primps to her hair before Apparating into his apartment with a loud pop! )
Remus? You had better not have eaten any of that chocolate...
[ When Hermione arrives there's already the smell of baking on the air and left out to cool on the counter top is a rack of chocolate cupcakes. There's a theme with one Remus Lupin.
He leans back to peer out of the kitchen at her and gives her a small wave. ]
I've not eaten any, believe it or not. Baking chocolate is too bitter. I'd much prefer drinking chocolate instead. [ A beat and he's offering out one of the warm cupcakes to her. ]
( The further into the apartment Hermione moves, the more heavenly it smells. A part of her almost wants to invite him to take up one of the empty bedrooms in her apartment if he's fond of baking often enough that she'd get to experience this scent more often.
Of course, that's completely ludicrous; it's bad enough she's been secretly harbouring a crush on her professor. She certainly can't invite him to live with her, too.
Grinning, she wiggles her fingers in a returned wave as she crosses the living room toward and then into the kitchen. )
Consider me proud of your restraint.
( Her tone is playful because of course he's not going to eat baking chocolate. Hermione suspects everyone learned how bitter it is when they were children, thinking they were particularly clever when they were able to nip some from their mums while they'd baked, only to be horribly disappointed once they'd managed to pop it into their mouth.
She looks equal parts surprised and pleased at the idea of being offered a cupcake to taste test and she reaches for it, taking it with a grin. )
Oh, Remus, you are a very good friend to have...
( She giggles a little at her own joke, ducking her head with embarrassment for doing so, and then taking a nibble from the cupcake.
It's still warm and between that and the rich, chocolatey taste, it pulls an appreciative groan from Hermione as she closes her eyes in a slow blink before looking back up at Remus. )
This is brilliant...oh no, I'm in trouble if all of your baking is going to be this good...
[ Remus laughs softly at her joke, shaking his head as he continues to work some of the batter he's begun to mix. He acts disinterested, mostly, as she takes the cupcake, but her enthusiasm brings heat into his cheeks. He cares very much about one Hermione Granger's opinion, and to see that his cupcakes pass her test?
Consider it a win. ]
I don't know that all of it is good, but my mum used to bake often when I was younger. She always had chocolates and sweets after, ah, the moons. Made things easier, but also meant I developed an unparalleled sweet tooth.
[ Taking the mixing bowl and divvying the batter into cupcake molds, he offers her the wooden spoon when he's done, this batter lighter in color, with a yellow tint. He could do all of this much faster with magic, but something about doing all of this the muggle way is much more satisfying. ]
Lemon. Or my attempt at it. We'll see how it turns in the oven. [ A beat, then: ] Thank you for coming.
( Hermione's amusement softens into something that can't decide whether it's closer to sympathy or fondness. )
So I should make sure to have chocolates and sweets on hand for the moon. Noted.
( It's her subtle way of assuring him that she'll be right there with the Hales — or as right there as she can be safely — so that she'll be there to get him home when he comes out of it. It's reflexive to want to be there to support him.
Hermione can feel her face warming and cheeks going pink as she takes the spoon he's offering. It all feels uncomfortably comfortable in a way she can't quite put her finger on. Maybe it's that feeling or maybe it's just the fact that he's doing things the muggle way even though he doesn't have to, but she finds herself feeling a full-body blush overtake her as she realizes how incredibly endeared to him she is in that moment. She's more than happy to use the wooden spoon as a distraction. )
Oh...that's quite nice... Is there something else in there? That's really lovely, Remus!
( Her head bows for a second and she smiles a little, nodding. )
[ It takes so little to touch Remus Lupin, and the unspoken promise that she will be there during his worst time is a kindness he will never understand. But Hermione is always kind, he's come to know, and one day he'll be able to show her how grateful he is.
He waits for her, almost sheepish, to try the batter. When her face lights up he laughs softly, his own cheeks flushing. Thankfully he has the warm kitchen to blame, but he shrugs one shoulder. ]
A lot of sugar, if I'm honest. Cream cheese at the base but I'm not too certain it will work. I enjoy cooking this way - recipes and working a little harder makes it all worth it in the end.
[ It reminds him of home when he's feeling a little homesick, and homesick for his family, friends, the life that he could have had before everything went awry. A beat, then: ]
I'm glad you came to share it with me. The apartment's quiet these days, so you're welcome any time I hope you know. I'd even go so far as giving you a key if you'd like but I think we're sharper than it. Apparation and all. So maybe it's better to say you can pop in as you wish. You won't wake the roommates.
[ A silly joke, as he gestures to the two empty bedrooms beyond his own. The apartment is otherwise sparse, save for thick, woolen blankets and books piled into shelves and on table tops. It's tidy, but quietly lived in, and a mug of room temperature tea sits on the coffee table, left out overnight. ]
Cream cheese! That's it, that's really nice. I think it absolutely works, if taste is the only factor.
( Hermione ducks her head, her smile fading from her eyes a little at his mention of how quiet the apartment is. Ever since Isaac left, she's felt quite the same about her own. It's almost too big an apartment to live in without him. It feeds her self-isolation in probably an entirely unhealthy way. )
It's a bit too quiet in mine, too. So consider that invitation reciprocated, Remus. It's a bit empty.
( Her own apartment is always clean with two closed bedrooms and one neatly lived in with entirely too many books of all subjects the only clutter to be found. That and the photo album she'd gotten at Christmas filled with magical moving photographs of everyone back home she loves. )
Do you reckon they'll come back, ever? Our roommates?
( The question is quiet and mildly reproachful, as though she's not entirely sure she wants him to answer, as she hands him the spoon again to toss into the sink for washing. )
[ There's a quiet satisfaction when Hermione appears to approve of the experimental batter. Truthfully, to impress someone as clever and bright as her is a feat all on its own. So the heat doesn't quite leave his cheeks as he slides one tray into the oven to cook. ]
I'm afraid mine's always been a bit empty.
[ He's had a roommate or two come and go, but for the most part? He's been alone, the other rooms virtually untouched. ]
I hope yours come back. Isaac, wasn't it? He seemed quite nice.
[ Nevermind that he offhandedly noticed that the two had become close. But he supposes that's how it should be with roommates. It was no different from Sirius and Klaus. ]
But, ah. They could have gone home I suppose. I think many of them were hoping for that when the portals were repaired. If they don't, or it becomes too quiet, you're welcome to any space here. A home away from home, even if your apartment is just a floor away. [ A tiny smile pulls across his lips, almost sheepish, as though the implication of what he's said hits him after. ]
( Hermione gives him a sympathetic smile. Hermione thinks it would've been incredibly lonely for her apartment to have been as empty as it is now for the whole length of her stay. )
He was quite nice, yeah. He was sweet.
( She understands his having wanted to go back to his life when the opportunity presented itself, but she does miss him quite often, if she's honest with herself.
Remus's comment takes her by surprise and she looks it. )
[ If there's one thing he's used to, it's living alone. While much of his adolescence had been surrounded in new friends, his foray into the adult world had been more isolated, quiet. But something about this place feels stark and bare and quiet.
His cheeks flush full red at the look on her face and he gives a half grin, trying to soothe the awkwardness of it all. ]
Well, if you'd like. There are empty rooms. I suppose that was presumptuous of me, but if our apartments are equally quiet it makes sense. [ A little one shouldered shrug and he rubs at the back of his head as he paces the kitchen to clean up some dishes while the cakes bake. ]
If you fancy a roommate, I could move there. I don't have much to my name, admittedly.
[ He huffs softly, turning on the water and testing the temperature. He could use magic to make the tasks easier, but he likes keeping his hands busy. ]
( Hermione can feel her entire body warm into a blush when he clarifies that she'd understood him correctly. In a span of only a few seconds, Hermione assesses her options.
Moving in with Remus would mean getting to be closer to him and getting to know him better by spending more time with him, all things she wants.
...but it would also mean he might hear her nightmares. It was one thing when Isaac heard them because she heard his, too, and eventually, they'd gotten into the habit of creeping into one another's bedrooms to wake the other up from those nightmares, give the victim some comfort, and stand guard so they could fall back asleep. With Remus, it might be awful for him to have to hear her having a nightmare. It would certainly be embarrassing for her, that's for sure.
He might see her horrible scar and then she might have to explain how she came to have such an offensive word etched into her skin.
Worst of all, he might actually notice the massive crush she's harboring for him in spite of the fact that it's probably completely inappropriate because he'll grow up to be her teacher someday.
And yet...the words come from her mouth before she can stop them. )
I'd really like that, actually. It's not presumptuous at all.
( Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione... she chastises herself. This is going to be equal parts brilliant and potentially the worst experience ever, she just knows it. )
[ Remus keeps his eyes on the washing up, careful with each dish he cleans, finding that her answer relieves some of the tension in his shoulders. It's nerve wracking of course, to think that he will be roommates with one Hermione Granger, but it's twofold - he won't be alone anymore, and she won't either.
They have plenty of shared interests and with the amount of time they spend back and forth at each other's flats, well. It's practical, at the very least, and he's nothing if not practical. ]
Well it sounds as if we've come to an agreement.
[ He finishes the dishes, setting them out to dry, and gives her a small smile. ] I'm afraid all of my baking might be a deterrent. It's a wonder I've not turned into the Fat Friar at this rate. Though I'm not certain they'd consider a werewolf to ever be qualified to be a Friar. It would be a good laugh.
[ His smile turns a bit cheeky and there's the telltale twinkle of something mischievous in his eyes. ]
And likewise, only if you're sure. I could come to yours? Would that make more sense, considering you've been here longer than I have. And as you can see, well. I've limited belongings. I won't use my lycanthropic preaching to persuade you either way.
( Hermione can feel her face burning even as she smiles and nods. )
It certainly does, doesn't it?
( And, in spite of her secret excitement at the prospect of cohabitating with Remus, her stomach roils with nerves at the idea of all of her reservations becoming realities. What will he think when he sees that hideous word on her body? What will he think when he hears her waking up screaming or crying or, worse, both?
Maybe it's better to nip it in the bud and warn him so that he can rescind the offer if he'd prefer...
His attention turns back to her after he finishes the dishes and she tries to recenter herself quickly, returning his smile. )
Well, are you eating everything you bake or are you baking for others? Because, if it's the latter, of course you're not competition for the Fat Friar.
( A part of her melts more than a little at the mischief in his eyes because it's something she's not really seen in him before. Well, not like this, when they're only meters away from one another and they're all alone in an otherwise empty apartment. )
Oh...erm...if you really wouldn't mind... Only, you're right, I've got a lot of things I've accumulated over time...
( She looks mildly apologetic. Partially, that's for taking him up on the offer to move into hers instead of her moving into his flat. The other part, well... )
Erm...I should tell you that I don't always...erm...sleep very well, Remus. Only, I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble of moving in only to find out that I might wake you sometimes without meaning to. Informed decisions and all that...
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( A smile blooms on Hermione's tired face when Isaac shuts off the display on the bracelet and sits up. When he gets to his feet, she takes that as a confirmation that he's coming along and so she heads into the kitchen to get started with the tea. )
Sure, lemon it is. I like that one, too.
( She'd probably be drinking that one if she weren't trying to settle her mind and go to bed, actually.
Hermione fills and puts a kettle on before she starts to pull down mugs and tea balls, then finally, the tea itself and a little spoon to scoop it with.
She looks over her shoulder apologetically. )
Sorry about the mint, in that case... This should only take a few minutes.
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[ Seriously, who thought he needed to be able to smell at great distance and great detail? But the werewolf abilities had to come with one downside. ]
I mean, with phones and stuff you don't really need a nose for tracking anymore. [ His face screws up at the memory of having to sniff Stiles's shoe, way back when. ]
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I can't imagine. I'm not sure I'd want to, actually...
( The kettle starts to whistle a moment later, so Hermione takes it off the stove and pours them each a mug, the tea balls already filled and settled in the mugs to await water to steep in. Her eyes shift to the digital clock on the microwave and she takes note, not just of the time for how long to let it steep, but also to remind herself that she really needs to get to bed soon. )
That'll take a couple minutes and then it'll be ready. It'll be hot, though. You might need to wait a bit before having any. Unless you want to put an ice cube in there or something.
( She pauses thoughtfully, pulling a wooden spoon out of the little basket where several larger kitchen utensils are housed beside the stove. )
Actually, I could try to cool it down for us after it steeps...
( Sirius hasn't gotten chucked back into Azkaban by now and he's showing off his magic with muggles plenty. If he can do it, she can. )
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[ He leans against the counter while she pours out the tea, watching closely, as though there's some art to it that he may or may not be missing. But when the tea hits the water and begins steeping, he's surprised by the burst of scents.
It smells good, though, and he's woken up in the mornings to the smell of tea brewing since she arrived, and there's something comforting in it. ]
Yeah? I guess an ice cub would work but wouldn't that, like, water it down? What were you thinking?
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A bit, yeah. Not so much that it ruins the experience, but I'm guessing you'd rather it be as flavorful as possible, so we don't want to do ice.
( Her eyes shift back to the clock and when the numbers change signifying that time is up, Hermione removes the tea balls from their mugs and sets them down on paper towels to keep them from leaking all over the counter.
Then, she takes a step back after picking up the wooden spoon and, Merlin, she feels ridiculous having to do this without her actual wand. She points the end of the spoon toward their mugs and, with a skillful flick of her wrist, clearly incantates. )
Glacius.
( A blue-colored light issues from the end of the spoon and the steam coming up from both of the mugs suddenly falls away.
Setting the spoon down, Hermione moves back to the counter and touches the side of her mug. Still plenty warm, just not boiling any longer. A satisfied smirk crosses her lips and she lifts the mug before looking back at Isaac. )
Just a bit of magic. That one's yours.
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He reaches for the second mug and expects it to be scalding hot. When it turns up to be an even temperature, he carefully drags the mug toward him. The scent of mint is strong on the air but it's paired now with the scent from the lemon. It's nice, actually. ]
Magic?
[ He's heard Sirius talk about it a little bit, but never at length, and he's never really seen it in action. ] You did that with your hand.
[ Isaac raises the mug to his lips and sips from it tentatively, making a noise of surprise at the flavor. ] Oh. It's good.
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Well, technically, I did it with the spoon, I think.
( A soft sound of amusement escapes her as she makes her way to the table and lowers herself into one of the kitchen chairs. )
Don't sound so surprised.
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[ Seriously weird shit. Werewolves included. He drinks from the tea again. ] I didn't know what it would taste like, sorry. [ He almost looks sheepish. ] I can smell it when you make it, and it smells good, but just because something smells good doesn't mean it is. Trust me.
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( She's not really sure how it works, now. She'd always sort of assumed that most of the magic she knows was more heavily reliant on the wand that had chosen her than the ministrations and incantations, but it seems she'd been mistaken. Of course, there's wandless magic and Hermione can even do a little of it, but mostly, she'd always depended on her wand. This has taken some adjusting on her part. )
Oh...loads of things, actually.
( She pauses, looking around as though that might inspire her for something and her eyes fall upon the tea tin. Picking the teaspoon out of her mug, she blows on it to cool it off enough to hold with the thin handle facing out. Then, she turns slightly in her chair and points it at the tin. )
Accio tin.
( Hermione puts the spoon down again so that she can use both hands to catch the tin as it shoots up off the counter and zips across the room to her. She sets it down on the table and looks back at her flatmate with a small smile and picks up the teaspoon again, giving it a flick and swish in the direction of the tin she's set down on the table. )
Wingardium Leviosa.
( The little tin lifts up off the table and hovers a few inches in the air.
These are simple spells, the latter of which is a first-year one, but to a muggle, they probably look much more interesting. )
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He grins, brows raised in amazement when he turns to her. ]
That's amazing. [ He laughs a little and sets it back on the table. ]
That's stuff you see in moves back home. I can't do anything like that, really. I mean, I'm fast and strong, but turning into a werewolf isn't as exciting as that. Have you just always been able to do that or what?
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( She shrugs a little, taking another sip of her tea. )
I dunno, I suppose so. My parents are muggles — erm, non-magical people — so we didn't know anything about it until I got my letter for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was eleven then.
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[ He drinks from his tea again, already halfway through the cup. It's different, but the flavor is nice and it's honestly kind of relaxing to sit and talk with Hermione. They've been roommates, but being in and out of practices makes him scarce sometimes. ]
Whoa, wait. Did you say school? I don't think I could do anything as cool as that when I was eleven. Just played a lot of sports.
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( Hermione sounds genuinely confused and interested in knowing the answer to this. She only knows — knew... — one werewolf back home, but she's more familiar with the damage that they can do than the ones, like Professor Lupin, who had been benign in every way they could be. She can't help her interest, therefore, in learning more. Besides that, if they innately know that he's a werewolf, then does everyone also innately know that Hermione is a witch? )
Yeah, I switched from muggle school to Hogwarts when I was eleven and just...well, I can't really say I finished school, technically, but... I finished my education during that time. I still spent my summers learning muggle things, though, so that I wouldn't fall behind if I decided the wizarding world wasn't for me, in the end.
( It's probably one of the only reasons she's managing to get by here and not floundering hopelessly, like Sirius if he weren't so stubborn and charismatic. )
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[ But he shrugs it off, listening to her with interest when she talks about muggles and Hogwarts. The names are weird, they practically sound made up on the spot, but he knows Hermione well enough to know she wouldn't lie about things like that. ]
So you did school full time? I mean, I'd say I could help you with stuff but you're pretty much the smartest person I've met here. So, uh. You know. You're probably not gonna need my help.
[ He sips at his tea again, curling his fingers around his mug once its back to the table, if only for the warmth. ] I could of tested out of school but I missed a lot of my senior year stuff because of everything going on, so. Figured I'd start up here since I can.
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Cross-country what? Running?
( Again, she nods, a small smile on her face, cheeks warming a little when he says that she's the smartest person he's met here. )
Hogwarts was actually a boarding school, so quite literally full-time. It's a seven-year school, but I only did six-years before the war. I dunno if you'd be able to help anyway. You're a muggle, yeah? But it's okay. I think I've done enough schooling. I can keep learning without being in school.
( Her eyes narrow a bit as she tries to parse the Americanism. )
Sorry, senior year?
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[ He finishes off his tea, finally, which is a shame because not only was it tasty, but it gave him something to do with his hands. But he relaxes into his seat, slouching a little, keeping his palms around the mug. ]
Senior year. Like the last year of high school. Before college. I guess I could have started college early, but like I said, I didn't exactly get to do my work the way I wanted to. And it's not like it's gonna hurt me. But I'm pretty glad I didn't have to live at my school, but I guess Hogwarts might not be that bad if you had magic.
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( Hermione finishes her tea as well and nods as he explains. )
Oh, right. I think it's fine if you repeat your last year if you didn't get a chance to take it and you wanted to. I actually liked living at Hogwarts, so I didn't mind. The library alone would've made me happy.
( She stifles a yawn behind one hand and then cranes her neck a little to try to look into his mug. After staying up all that time to help Sirius with the mirrors, she's completely exhausted. )
I should get some sleep but d'you want me to make you another cuppa before I go?
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But he catches the time on his bracelet and he nods. It's late. He should probably try and sleep to, though that can be hard to come by some nights. ]
No, I should probably go to bed. And I think I could probably figure out how to do it. Didn't look that bad. [ He gestures to the kitchen with a little smile before he pushes up from his seat, reaching to take her mug for her. ] I'll, uh. Do the dishes, since you made the tea.
evening of 10/2, text;
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I'll show you tomorrow, if you like. It's not very difficult.
( Then, she nods to the mug in his hand. )
Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow, Isaac. Have a good night.
( And with another sincere smile, Hermione turns, hiding a yawn behind the back of her hand, and heads off to go to bed. )
text;
text;
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text;
Maybe it's a ridiculous idea, but if you'd like to join in, I wouldn't mind the company. I'll even give you first go at the bowl after.
text;
That said, that's brilliant, I love that idea! I'd love to come round and help out. When?
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But enough of that for the mo. Whenever you're free, please nip by. If you don't I'm afraid I'll help myself to all of the chocolate nibs before I can even think of making cookies.
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Don't you dare, Remus, I'll come in a mo. You're terrible, you know that?
Blackmail? I never would've guessed it.
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So you could turn this in your favor and blackmail me one day. We're even.
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I don't want to blackmail you, but that was quite clever, I'll give you that. Don't eat the chocolate. I'm on my way.
( Rolling her eyes and smiling to herself, Hermione shoves the device into her pocket, checks herself in the mirror and does a few quick primps to her hair before Apparating into his apartment with a loud pop! )
Remus? You had better not have eaten any of that chocolate...
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He leans back to peer out of the kitchen at her and gives her a small wave. ]
I've not eaten any, believe it or not. Baking chocolate is too bitter. I'd much prefer drinking chocolate instead. [ A beat and he's offering out one of the warm cupcakes to her. ]
A taste test could do, though.
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Of course, that's completely ludicrous; it's bad enough she's been secretly harbouring a crush on her professor. She certainly can't invite him to live with her, too.
Grinning, she wiggles her fingers in a returned wave as she crosses the living room toward and then into the kitchen. )
Consider me proud of your restraint.
( Her tone is playful because of course he's not going to eat baking chocolate. Hermione suspects everyone learned how bitter it is when they were children, thinking they were particularly clever when they were able to nip some from their mums while they'd baked, only to be horribly disappointed once they'd managed to pop it into their mouth.
She looks equal parts surprised and pleased at the idea of being offered a cupcake to taste test and she reaches for it, taking it with a grin. )
Oh, Remus, you are a very good friend to have...
( She giggles a little at her own joke, ducking her head with embarrassment for doing so, and then taking a nibble from the cupcake.
It's still warm and between that and the rich, chocolatey taste, it pulls an appreciative groan from Hermione as she closes her eyes in a slow blink before looking back up at Remus. )
This is brilliant...oh no, I'm in trouble if all of your baking is going to be this good...
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Consider it a win. ]
I don't know that all of it is good, but my mum used to bake often when I was younger. She always had chocolates and sweets after, ah, the moons. Made things easier, but also meant I developed an unparalleled sweet tooth.
[ Taking the mixing bowl and divvying the batter into cupcake molds, he offers her the wooden spoon when he's done, this batter lighter in color, with a yellow tint. He could do all of this much faster with magic, but something about doing all of this the muggle way is much more satisfying. ]
Lemon. Or my attempt at it. We'll see how it turns in the oven. [ A beat, then: ] Thank you for coming.
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So I should make sure to have chocolates and sweets on hand for the moon. Noted.
( It's her subtle way of assuring him that she'll be right there with the Hales — or as right there as she can be safely — so that she'll be there to get him home when he comes out of it. It's reflexive to want to be there to support him.
Hermione can feel her face warming and cheeks going pink as she takes the spoon he's offering. It all feels uncomfortably comfortable in a way she can't quite put her finger on. Maybe it's that feeling or maybe it's just the fact that he's doing things the muggle way even though he doesn't have to, but she finds herself feeling a full-body blush overtake her as she realizes how incredibly endeared to him she is in that moment. She's more than happy to use the wooden spoon as a distraction. )
Oh...that's quite nice... Is there something else in there? That's really lovely, Remus!
( Her head bows for a second and she smiles a little, nodding. )
Thank you for inviting me. I'm glad you did.
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He waits for her, almost sheepish, to try the batter. When her face lights up he laughs softly, his own cheeks flushing. Thankfully he has the warm kitchen to blame, but he shrugs one shoulder. ]
A lot of sugar, if I'm honest. Cream cheese at the base but I'm not too certain it will work. I enjoy cooking this way - recipes and working a little harder makes it all worth it in the end.
[ It reminds him of home when he's feeling a little homesick, and homesick for his family, friends, the life that he could have had before everything went awry. A beat, then: ]
I'm glad you came to share it with me. The apartment's quiet these days, so you're welcome any time I hope you know. I'd even go so far as giving you a key if you'd like but I think we're sharper than it. Apparation and all. So maybe it's better to say you can pop in as you wish. You won't wake the roommates.
[ A silly joke, as he gestures to the two empty bedrooms beyond his own. The apartment is otherwise sparse, save for thick, woolen blankets and books piled into shelves and on table tops. It's tidy, but quietly lived in, and a mug of room temperature tea sits on the coffee table, left out overnight. ]
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( Hermione ducks her head, her smile fading from her eyes a little at his mention of how quiet the apartment is. Ever since Isaac left, she's felt quite the same about her own. It's almost too big an apartment to live in without him. It feeds her self-isolation in probably an entirely unhealthy way. )
It's a bit too quiet in mine, too. So consider that invitation reciprocated, Remus. It's a bit empty.
( Her own apartment is always clean with two closed bedrooms and one neatly lived in with entirely too many books of all subjects the only clutter to be found. That and the photo album she'd gotten at Christmas filled with magical moving photographs of everyone back home she loves. )
Do you reckon they'll come back, ever? Our roommates?
( The question is quiet and mildly reproachful, as though she's not entirely sure she wants him to answer, as she hands him the spoon again to toss into the sink for washing. )
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I'm afraid mine's always been a bit empty.
[ He's had a roommate or two come and go, but for the most part? He's been alone, the other rooms virtually untouched. ]
I hope yours come back. Isaac, wasn't it? He seemed quite nice.
[ Nevermind that he offhandedly noticed that the two had become close. But he supposes that's how it should be with roommates. It was no different from Sirius and Klaus. ]
But, ah. They could have gone home I suppose. I think many of them were hoping for that when the portals were repaired. If they don't, or it becomes too quiet, you're welcome to any space here. A home away from home, even if your apartment is just a floor away. [ A tiny smile pulls across his lips, almost sheepish, as though the implication of what he's said hits him after. ]
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He was quite nice, yeah. He was sweet.
( She understands his having wanted to go back to his life when the opportunity presented itself, but she does miss him quite often, if she's honest with herself.
Remus's comment takes her by surprise and she looks it. )
...really? Like...move in, d'you mean?
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His cheeks flush full red at the look on her face and he gives a half grin, trying to soothe the awkwardness of it all. ]
Well, if you'd like. There are empty rooms. I suppose that was presumptuous of me, but if our apartments are equally quiet it makes sense. [ A little one shouldered shrug and he rubs at the back of his head as he paces the kitchen to clean up some dishes while the cakes bake. ]
If you fancy a roommate, I could move there. I don't have much to my name, admittedly.
[ He huffs softly, turning on the water and testing the temperature. He could use magic to make the tasks easier, but he likes keeping his hands busy. ]
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Moving in with Remus would mean getting to be closer to him and getting to know him better by spending more time with him, all things she wants.
...but it would also mean he might hear her nightmares. It was one thing when Isaac heard them because she heard his, too, and eventually, they'd gotten into the habit of creeping into one another's bedrooms to wake the other up from those nightmares, give the victim some comfort, and stand guard so they could fall back asleep. With Remus, it might be awful for him to have to hear her having a nightmare. It would certainly be embarrassing for her, that's for sure.
He might see her horrible scar and then she might have to explain how she came to have such an offensive word etched into her skin.
Worst of all, he might actually notice the massive crush she's harboring for him in spite of the fact that it's probably completely inappropriate because he'll grow up to be her teacher someday.
And yet...the words come from her mouth before she can stop them. )
I'd really like that, actually. It's not presumptuous at all.
( Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione... she chastises herself. This is going to be equal parts brilliant and potentially the worst experience ever, she just knows it. )
If you're sure, that is.
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They have plenty of shared interests and with the amount of time they spend back and forth at each other's flats, well. It's practical, at the very least, and he's nothing if not practical. ]
Well it sounds as if we've come to an agreement.
[ He finishes the dishes, setting them out to dry, and gives her a small smile. ] I'm afraid all of my baking might be a deterrent. It's a wonder I've not turned into the Fat Friar at this rate. Though I'm not certain they'd consider a werewolf to ever be qualified to be a Friar. It would be a good laugh.
[ His smile turns a bit cheeky and there's the telltale twinkle of something mischievous in his eyes. ]
And likewise, only if you're sure. I could come to yours? Would that make more sense, considering you've been here longer than I have. And as you can see, well. I've limited belongings. I won't use my lycanthropic preaching to persuade you either way.
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It certainly does, doesn't it?
( And, in spite of her secret excitement at the prospect of cohabitating with Remus, her stomach roils with nerves at the idea of all of her reservations becoming realities. What will he think when he sees that hideous word on her body? What will he think when he hears her waking up screaming or crying or, worse, both?
Maybe it's better to nip it in the bud and warn him so that he can rescind the offer if he'd prefer...
His attention turns back to her after he finishes the dishes and she tries to recenter herself quickly, returning his smile. )
Well, are you eating everything you bake or are you baking for others? Because, if it's the latter, of course you're not competition for the Fat Friar.
( A part of her melts more than a little at the mischief in his eyes because it's something she's not really seen in him before. Well, not like this, when they're only meters away from one another and they're all alone in an otherwise empty apartment. )
Oh...erm...if you really wouldn't mind... Only, you're right, I've got a lot of things I've accumulated over time...
( She looks mildly apologetic. Partially, that's for taking him up on the offer to move into hers instead of her moving into his flat. The other part, well... )
Erm...I should tell you that I don't always...erm...sleep very well, Remus. Only, I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble of moving in only to find out that I might wake you sometimes without meaning to. Informed decisions and all that...