the_debt_of_time

Mia growled. "I should have killed him."
"He died anyway."
She shook her head. "Not soon enough. Not painful enough."
"Neither did a lot of people that probably deserved it," he said, trying to calm her
down, petting her hair consolingly.
She turned and narrowed her eyes at him. If he had for a single second forgotten
that this was no longer Hermione Granger, he was reminded in the reproachful look she
gave him.
"Don't you talk down to me, Remus Lupin. Just because I look nineteen doesn't
mean that my head isn't—Shit. How old am I?"
Remus blinked and tried to do the math. "Twenty-seven? Maybe?"
"I lost count a few years ago," she said with a frown, her nose scrunching up a bit.
"Got frustrating to try and keep up, especially since I didn't even celebrate my real birthday.
Not that it matters. The De-Ageing Potion I took altered me on a hormonal level, and I'm
sure if I had the ability to look at myself on a cellular level I'd see―"
"I'll help you make the calculations later, love. Let's get you home." He reached out
for her arm, interrupting her before she descended into a monologue.
Suddenly, she looked lost, sadness creeping back into her expressive eyes. "Where's
home? Potter Manor? Godric's Hollow? Hogwarts?"
"Grimmauld Place."
Mia swallowed. "Okay."
Remus removed his travelling cloak and draped it over her. Attempting to lighten
the dark mood that had fallen over the two of them, he said, "You're going to freeze like
that. Honestly, what're you wearing?"
"I was getting ready for.. ." she trailed off, her gaze shifting to the side.
He did not bring up the subject again as he walked to the door, opening it for her.
Reaching for the Marauder's Map, he recalled that he had left it in the pocket of his cloak.
As they paused in the doorway to retrieve it, a figure appeared in front of them.
Minerva fixed Remus with a stern look. "I was under the impression that you had
turned down the offer of Defence Professor. I should say that I'm thrilled if you've changed
your mind, though it's quite late to be making house calls, don't you think? An owl would
have been sufficient."