the_debt_of_time

"Yes," Hermione confirmed, her smile fading to be replaced by a familiar look of
self-righteous indignation. "Often, but that wasn't why I did it. He was being mean about
Hagrid."
Warmth bloomed in his chest, and Remus nudged her chin gently with a knuckle,
smiling at her. "Hermione Granger, champion of the underdog. I should probably take
away points or issue detention for assaulting another student, but instead I offer advice for
the future: 'He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.'"
She smiled thoughtfully. "Sun Tzu."
"I trust your judgement, Hermione, though I regret to inform you that you may
have lost the moral high ground when it comes to instilling a pacifist outlook in Mr
Weasley. Feel free to come by my office to pick up those books. Oh," he added quickly as
he stood, "in exchange for borrowing from my bookshelves, I insist that you go back to
your room and get at least an hour's worth of rest."
When she tried to argue, Remus shook his head. "Please. It would give me relief to
know that you're taking care of yourself," he insisted, wincing slightly as his own muscles
began to ache.
"Professor? Are you all right?"
"I'll be just fine, Hermione."
She stared at him with those brown eyes that said she knew he was lying.
How did she always know?
Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, placing it on the table
and sliding it across to him. When he looked down, he saw the little box contained a
Chocolate Frog.
"You're too kind, Hermione."
"You fixed me," she said, shrugging her shoulders innocently, as though he was
unaware that she had been dropping off various chocolate items at the hospital wing every
month during the full moon.
Graciously taking the Chocolate Frog with him, he stopped himself from leaving
her as a thought occurred to him. Taking her non-bruised hand, he formed it into a tight
ball and tucked her thumb along the outside of her knuckles. She watched him curiously,
biting the corner of her lower lip.