the_debt_of_time

"Do you know...? My umm... How old was my dad?" Harry nervously asked.
"Almost eighteen," Sirius said with a chuckle. "Don't worry Harry, you've got plenty
of time. I'm just being cautious. We were a little younger than you when our dad, or
well, James's dad took us aside and taught us the charm. If it makes you feel any better, I
was almost seventeen the first time it actually counted."
"How did it not count before?"
"Didn't love the other girls. I was a stupid, reckless boy that tried burying my issues
in witches... literally. But everything changes when you find the one you really, truly love."
"He's right about that," Professor Lupin agreed.
Hermione pulled away from the door, suddenly feeling guilty for eavesdropping.
She turned to Ginny and shook her head. "Well, I still don't approve, but I suppose it's not
completely horrendous."
Ginny chuckled. "That's because you missed all the good parts. Before Harry walked
in there, they'd been telling Fred and George all about their adventures at Hogwarts."
"Adventures?"
"Apparently Sirius was very popular among Ravenclaw House."
Hermione grimaced.
"And Professor Lupin once shagged a girl in the library."
Hermione's eyes widened, and she gasped. "My library?!"
"Shh!" Ginny jumped on her, wrapping her arms around Hermione's shoulders in
an attempt to cover her mouth. Hermione eventually stopped making noises of horror and
shock. Inside her head, however, was another matter entirely. In addition to silently
shouting, torrid images of Professor Lupin, shirtless and leaning against the shelves that
led into the Restricted Section flooded her mind. Her cheeks burned hot, and she fought
against Ginny's grip, now as an attempt to escape.
"Girls?" Mrs Weasley called out, appearing at the railing of the first landing on the
stairs. "What are you doing up so late?"
"Nothing!" Hermione and Ginny yelped at the same time.
"Then get to bed. Lots to do tomorrow, and you'll need your rest."
Back in the other room, Sirius and Remus sat at a small circular table with Harry
opposite them. Reliving the good memories of their youth was relaxing, and they had
both tried to rein it in a little when they heard the two witches on the other side of the door.