Tie Me Here in Time

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A/N: Once again, I am wandering about the halls of Rowling. I do not own Harry Potter.

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Getting There is Getting By

by A.R. Taloff/Fenrir

Chapter II : Tie Me Here in Time

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Remus wandered the halls once more, particularly the passageway that Mrs. Norris did not go down.

It was ridiculous. Completely and utterly ridiculous, but still, he thought Luna Lovegood was someone who needed something, and Remus couldn't let what she said go out of his mind. It was mostly the things that made the nice part of him believe that she needed guidance or companionship or something. It was that something that led him to seek out the passageway again.

But, he highly doubted, it wasn't responsible for that strange feeling in the pit of his stomach when she wasn't there. That feeling was one he would not bother fannying about with. It had been three weeks since they'd talked that night, and every time he saw her in class or in the halls, that strange feeling happened again. For the life of him, Remus couldn't put a finger on it.

Couldn't or wouldn't? he dared to ask himself.

There was no response to it, and Remus found that satisfying. Denial was a good thing, and denying to look into it was for the best.

He passed the books back and forth between his hands, one on the dark creatures of the English countryside and one on the darkest incantations one could use, the theories behind them and their counter-curses.

Allowing himself to walk over and sit in the windowsill, he stared at the space she had sat. It was truly introspection that brought him to the hall that night he'd found her. Thoughts of Tonks, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and of what his life consisted of, which was teaching and Defense Against the Dark Arts.

It was not wholly thrilling to realize that he'd lost most of his friends, and the one friend he had left was off shagging about with Kingsley Shacklebolt while they swept cross country, following Harry and his entourage. Remus was left with the rest of the pieces of the Order, to clean up and be the replacement he couldn't be. Not that he wanted to be sweeping anywhere, but the thought was still there, that he had the broken Order, classes, and teaching. Minerva didn't talk to him much, and the other professors were working themselves to the core.

Remus pulled out a bit of chocolate and ate it, thinking how he shouldn't want to be friends with Luna Lovegood and how he hoped she would show up.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

It was two weeks before the Christmas holidays commenced, and Remus walked up the aisles of the classroom, watching the partners work with miniatures of themselves. Curses and counter-curses flew back and forth. Most had gone through several fights.

When he got to Ginny and Luna, they were lounging and not-talking. 'Not-talking' was what he had begun to refer as their ability, or in their particular case, inability, to actually talk to one another. He hated to admit it, but he watched them often enough, and they didn't speak a word to the other, just exchanged looks and head tilts that seemed to be communication enough. It was amiable, yes--nothing strained, true--but they didn't talk either. Therefore, it had become 'not-talking' in Remus' mind, the act of companionable and friendly silence without the dragging weight of needing to say anything.

Their models were battered, but they fought on, and Remus approached warily. Luna's model had a badly broken arm and Ginny's had an obvious foot injury. Both had dents and chips. He cleared his throat and they looked up.

"Would you two still be fighting, really? Your models look worse for wear, and they are both badly injured." Remus watched them look at the other and 'not-talk,' then Luna raised an eyebrow, and Ginny's lip twitched.

"I have a strong will. I think I'd be able to continue with that, sir," replied Ginny in a dull voice, not meeting his gaze. She waved her wand and cast a curse at Luna's model, which barely ducked and sent a return curse after righting itself.

"I just have a broken arm. They aren't that painful to deal with, Professor." Luna turned. Her silver-blue eyes burned, challenging him to say otherwise.

Remus felt his interest peak, and his mouth suddenly went very dry. Vaguely, he heard Ginny cast the Cruciatus Curse and watched as Luna turned to the redhead, who was smirking.

Shrugging, Luna said, "Guess you won."

Nodding briskly, Remus about-faced and went to watch the other students and get his mind off how Luna Lovegood could've known about working with a broken arm.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Remus was listening to Madam Pince drone on about some of his books for the next half of the term and was trying not to yawn when a shimmer of silver-gold hair caught his attention. He flickered his eyes over to see Luna glancing about in a mildly surreptitious way and climbing up the stairs to the second floor section.

The second floor was restricted to all but professors, as there were mildly dangerous collectives up there. As it was, there were chains and a large sign that said that students who took the books would be punished. Luna handily tapped her wand and walked on in as the chains parted. Lifting a brow, he smirked. Bit of a rule bender, isn't she?

"A-HEM."

Feeling his insides shrivel at the forceful throat clearing, Remus turned his head to smile charmingly at Madam Pince, who had not seen Luna's transgression. "Yes, ma'am. That will be no problem."

Madam Pince glared threateningly. "Is there anything else you have need of, Professor?"

Remus thought for a moment and shook his head innocently. "Thank you for your time. I'm going to nip up to the second floor to take a look at the collectives. Is that all right?"

Rolling her eyes and nodding, Madam Pince walked away, whispering archaic nonsense about youth and similar.

A few moments and some stairs later, Lupin tapped the chains with his wand and whispered the password. Walking through the little gateway, he smiled at the thought of startling Luna again. He heard her whisper something and moved towards the sound, grinning mischievously, while the rest of his mind screamed that this was a very bad idea, thank you very much.

Another even lower whisper answered Luna's, and Remus froze. There was someone else up here? Sneaking through the aisles of shelves and then sliding down another one, he drew closer to the hushed tones. Every step he took increased the roiling in the pit of his stomach. Why was he so upset?

Because she's in a restricted section of the library with someone else, his inner voice answered.

You, yourself, snuck up here with a girl.

That was entirely different.

Was it?

Things are different now... changed.

How? Boys and girls still sneak about to make out and, yes, even have se-

That is quite enough of that.

Lupin shook his head to clear the thoughts that had began to unfold. He had no proof Luna had snuck off to do just that. Warily, he took a quick peep around the corner.

It was Luna and a boy.

He gritted his teeth against the inflammatory words that wanted to bubble out at the thought of her with another boy, kissing him, having...he stopped himself before the thoughts started again.

Thankfully, the two were facing in different directions. Mildly disgusted at the instant feeling of relief, he took another, longer look. Luna was with Michael Denman! Resisting a growl, Remus kept staring, trying to figure out what was going on.

Luna leaned in and pointed to the book and began talking in hushed tones, gesticulating a little with her hands. Her wand was holding up her hair in a bun, and Lupin had to resist grinning at it.

What book was it? The answer slapped him in the face quite rudely: Defense Against the Dark Arts. Their homework. He grimaced as he remembered that Michael had been struggling badly for the first month. Then, almost miraculously, his work had improved, and he had managed decent grades. Remus moved out of view. A satisfied grin worked its way over his face. She wasn't snogging another boy. She was helping him with difficult work. That was all.

Lupin walked back to his study. He dove into the homework papers he'd received that morning and tried to rationalize, and then forget, what he'd just done and felt.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Remus decided to leave the books in his study, certain that she would show up then. That was how the world tended to work, and since Lupin had not seen her every time he had brought the books, he was certain that this time, if he didn't bring them, he'd see her. And if he didn't, he'd just go back to his room and drink Firewhisky until he could forget the facts that were staring at him disgustedly.

As he neared the hall, he heard the sounds of someone gagging, and after a moment's consideration, began running. Rounding the corner, he saw Luna, clad in pajamas, standing next to a hunched figure who was vomiting against the wall. He breathed for a moment, fighting off a grin of satisfaction and taking a closer look at the scene. Luna's hair was braided again, and she was cooing, rubbing the person's back. Or, at least she was, until she turned with her wand at the ready. Lupin's hands shot up, and he shook his head.

The baffled look on her face was enough to make him feel even guiltier. He shouldn't be here. It was a stupid, ridiculous thing.

The figure squatted more and gurgled out a sob.

Merlin, it's Ginny.

Luna, he saw, must've realized that he knew and waved her hands, looking at him with pleading eyes and a mortified look on her face. Remus merely gaped in complete body shock. He could smell the alcohol and vomit and felt with utter assurance that Ginny had snuck out to drink and party. For the life of him, he could not understand why she had done it.

Glancing up at Luna again, he stared at her, still immobilized. Luna whispered something to Ginny and walked over to him, putting her hands firmly on his chest and bodily pushing him back.

Remus felt himself warm all over, suddenly very aware that his clothes were much too heavy and he was overly hot underneath the layers. Unable to initially resist, she had gotten him partially around the corner before he stood against her. "Wait a minute," he whispered. "What is going on, Luna?"

Luna glanced back at Ginny and looked as his lapel. "She's really sick with the flu..."

Lupin rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to harass her, but she beat him to it.

"... Or at least what Poppy will tell everyone is the flu. She's... she's just really sick. Too much to drink, I think." Luna sighed, "I'm trying to get her to the hospital wing. Please, please, please, don't tell the other staff members. I know I'm asking a lot, but you can't. Punish me if you need to punish someone. I don't care. Just don't tell them."

Remus stared at her, very aware of the fact that her hands were still on his chest and her body was mostly pressed against him. Her eyes were filled with that fire again, staring at him intensely, and he felt as though he was going to do something wretched.

Kiss her.

Consciously, he forced himself away from her, taking a step back. Clearing his throat, he spoke, "I'll help you take her there."

Luna visibly relaxed, and Remus tried very hard to remember that he was a teacher. They wandered back to Ginny, and Luna muttered, "Scourgify," and the vomit and bile disappeared.

Remus looked at Luna, then Ginny, then scooped Ginny up in his arms. The redhead was mildly conscious, but soon her head lolled, and she fell into a stupor. Walking briskly to the hospital wing, he watched Luna move around to the secret door that led to Poppy Pomfrey's room. She talked to the painting, and a few minutes later, one of the hospital doors opened and Poppy, dressed in a flannel nightdress, came out and ushered them in.

Lupin gently set the redhead down, was pushed out of the way and told to leave by Madam Pomfrey, who had begun to talk to Luna in lowered tones. Remus stared at the scene and turned, walking out the door.

Several paces from the passageway, he stopped and turned around again.

You're making a mistake. A big mistake.

It's not a mistake that I'm making. Anyone would be nice enough to wait for a person.

But you aren't waiting for a person.

That's right, I'm being a good mentor and teacher and waiting for Luna.

Mentor and teacher are not what you are being at this moment.

That's enough.

Luna slid out of the doors quietly, and he watched her, his brown eyes pensive. She looked at him with brows furrowed. Walking up to him, she shook her head mildly. "What are you doing here?"

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Luna had been told by Poppy that Ginny would be better by morning and gave her a vial of liquid.

"Slip this in her water or milk or juice. I gave her a vial that she could take, but I guess she didn't use it or it ran out." The nurse sighed, "Most likely it is that she didn't use it. Just try to give it to her, Luna. It should make her less inclined to drink, and that would help, I think."

It was frustrating to see Ginny doing this to herself, more frustrating that Luna didn't have the guts to ask her why she did it. It might've been the crying, empty and broken, silent and so alone, that made Luna incapable of interrogating the girl. Whatever it was, Luna remained quiet and comforting.

Sneaking out of the hospital wing, she was confronted with the very realistic problem of Professor Lupin.

He was just waiting, staring at the door, or maybe it was her. She thought about that for a moment, thinking about what he could be wondering at that very moment. He could just be thinking that she tried to seduce him into helping.

God, why hadn't she moved?

Because part of her liked to let herself touch him that closely... and maybe he liked it, too...

Luna veered her mind away from that and walked up to him. "What are you doing here?"

Professor Lupin looked surprised, opened his mouth, then closed it, and then opened it again. "I wanted to give you those books. I haven't had the time to remember, so I went to see if you were at the passageway of no Mrs. Norris. That's where I found you."

She felt like a little butterfly was loose in her stomach, flapping about and making her feel nervous and wonderful all at the same time. Quelling those feelings, Luna nodded. "Where are the books?"

Professor Lupin looked amazingly uncomfortable for a good long moment. "Uh... I, em..." Clearing his throat, he paused and continued, "I forgot them. I thought if I saw you, then we could return to my office and retrieve them."

Luna nodded thoughtfully. "You can dole out whatever punishment you see fit to deign on me then, too."

He paused and then turned, walking towards his office. "I plan to."

Eyes widening, she almost didn't follow him. What did he mean? Luna wondered as she trailed behind him.

Well, you are a beautiful girl, Luna. You surely can't believe a man would try to find you merely for 'books,' do you?

He's not like that, I don't think.

He's a man, Luna, not a saint. You are beautiful, young, and you made the first overture anyway.

I beg to differ. I never made any overture!

You pressed against him, and stayed that way, long after you could have moved away.

But I didn't--

You did like it, and you admitted that to yourself. You really wouldn't mind though, would you, if he kissed you right here, or even if he had kissed you back there? You wouldn't mind if...

Stop!

But it wasn't so easy. Luna felt like her body was both nervous and filled with wretched anticipation for whatever Professor Lupin might do to her. It was really wrong, and she knew it, but he had said that he hadn't been with that girl. Maybe he needed some relief.

Though, as he opened the door and let her in first, she became horribly conscious of the fact that they would be alone. Those feelings that she had were happening again and, Merlin, she was utterly worried she'd do something stupid, like flee.

Remus lit some candles and Luna clasped, unclasped, then reclasped her hands, and after a moment's breath, she gave that up in favor of fidgeting. The study looked so different now. It was still clean, but it looked lived in, more homey. Wax was on the floor and quills and inkpots were on the table, with neat piles of homework parchments. Books were stacked every which where, and Luna looked down at her bare feet and then at her pajamas.

Good LORD! she thought. I'm wearing my exercise hippo bottoms! I'm a fine piece of work. Exercising hippos. Good grief!

What, afraid he will kiss you?

In my exercise hippo jammies? I highly doubt I cut the sexy style in them. They are hippos!

Afraid he'll kiss you in them, and it will be your first kiss memory?

Hippos are exercising on my pajamas.

Afraid he won't kiss you?

They're bench pressing, swimming, golfing, and playing badminton.

He may find that endearing.

This is totally ridiculous.

Afraid he'll notice you wear nothing underneath them?

Luna felt her face burn a little with that. Glancing up, she saw that he had left the room entirely. Sighing, she tied a knot in the tie cord holding the bottoms up, and her eyes fell on a chessboard.

Moving closer to investigate, she realized that it was a regular chessboard. Ordinary pieces, to be moved by hand. Luna liked that very much, indeed. Studying the board, she realized that the two players had gotten into a rut. After short examination, Luna moved a pawn, taking a rook and sacrificing her bishop for a shot at the queen. At least, that is what she hoped the other person would do.

Looking over the books on his shelves, Luna found a few she wouldn't mind perusing. Hearing a door rattle, she rushed back to the middle of the room, her heart racing like a thoroughbred at a derby.

Professor Lupin walked into the room and looked at her, smiling slightly. Luna bit her lip, trying not to giggle out of sheer anxiousness. Crossing the room, he handed the two books over. Hands brushing slightly, Luna almost lost all her nerve and dropped them, causing them both to fumble and their hands to touch even more. Taking a shaky breath, she pulled them to her chest and smiled weakly at him, praying to every deity she'd ever read about, and some that she'd just made up like the lint fairy, that he wouldn't notice her pajamas.

"I think you will enjoy them very much, Luna," he said, still smiling softly at her.

Luna smiled back and looked at the titles, the gears in her mind turning with delight. She had a particular interest in magical creatures; she had done so well in the class that she had decided to continue it. "Thank you. I think I will too." Meeting his eyes, her smile relaxed, even with her hippos exercising.

Their eyes met and held, and Luna felt herself melt a little. It was really not that hard to share this with him. In fact, that strange feeling was building up again, and she was finding that she liked it a lot more than just a little. His eyes were a deep, reddish chocolate brown, and they were so deep and so sweet that...

I could kiss him.

Yes, you could.

Right now.

That is true.

I wouldn't mind.

Not at all.

Luna blinked and stepped back. "I'll bring them back when I am finished, sir. Thank you again."

She turned and left the room, trying not to appear as though she was fleeing, but knowing that to a casual observer, she was doing just that.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Three nights later, Luna was in Ginny's room, staring at the ceiling and trying not to reach over for the Compendium of Dark and Mystical Creatures of the British Countryside. It had been glued to her face for nearly two days straight, and she was starting the other one tomorrow, just because she could never, ever just read one book at a time.

Ginny turned over, and Luna glanced up to see that Ginny was awake. Rolling a bit to face the redhead, she smiled. "Hi."

Ginny's lips twitched, as close as she ever seemed to get to a smile. "I was thinking of staying here for winter break."

Luna nodded in return, replying, "Me too."

Eyes lighting up a bit, Ginny moved closer. "We could go Christmas shopping together, have cappuccino and biscotti in the mornings, take sleigh rides, and go ice skating."

Luna smiled. "Well, all except for ice skating. I'm not too fond of that. I'll watch you, though."

Ginny nodded. "I'm glad. And then we don't have to sneak into each other's rooms. We can just wander around." The redhead moved closer, leaning her head on Luna's shoulder. "It will be so nice," she whispered, falling asleep again.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Snow glittered in the twinkling lights of Hogsmeade as Ginny and Luna wandered around, occasionally popping in and out of shops to nab a gift item for someone or just peruse. Luna snuggled deeper in her thigh-length black tweed coat and multicolored scarf and hood.

She saw Ginny swerve into a shop, Simple Seductions, and Luna giggled at the display through the window: kaleidoscopes, bouncing balls, mobiles, self-lighting candles, the gamut of simple pleasures. Stepping inside as well, she began to look around. Coming upon the kaleidoscopes, she paused and brought a few to her eye. Luna smiled at the colors and once again thought of Professor Lupin. The last class before break they'd been informed that upon return, they would start half-term testing. Luna had bit her lip when he'd said, 'Against me.'

The whole class understood what that meant. He would pull no stops, attack them, and try to beat them. It was a frightening concept to a class that had barely finished Patronuses. Luna and Ginny had produced superior Patronuses and taken to helping others.

"Would you like that, Miss?" the shopkeeper asked, her dark black eyes twinkling. "It is often nice to have something to take off the strain, and kaleidoscopes do that for me. I can't tell you the number of times that I've been stressed by bills or customers, gone over here to put things away, and just paused to look through them. They make the world better, I think."

Luna looked at the shopkeeper, her lips parted a ways; it was certainly a tactic for purchasing, she thought. But... at the same time, though, hadn't she just smiled, even when she was thinking about her father and how much she missed him? Even when she was worried about going up against Professor Lupin?

"I'll take this one," she said quietly, and then carefully chose a slightly larger one, with a bronze shell. "This one, too."

Walking outside, Luna found Ginny flirting with two Hufflepuffs and sighed. The purchases were in a paper bag, and she smiled, thinking about what he'd think of getting a gift like this.

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A/N: Thanks to James, who introduced me to the song of the story. It is by the funky Punchline, and I do recommend it, as the lyrics definitely seem to fit life's idiosyncrasies. Thanks to the lovely and delightful NSS, who took up the difficult job of deciphering my crazy scribbles and making them tolerable for humankind. For this I am immeasurably grateful.