Chapter 4: Leaving Hogwarts
Harry's internal musing was broken when he along with Hermione reached the portrait of Fat lady.
Hermione gave the password and the door swung open.
"Hermione, go and pack your trunk," said Harry with a smile. "I will first go and meet, professor Lupin."
Hermione nodded and tried to pull away from Harry. But he did the opposite. He pulled in her into a hug with his hands roaming on her back.
"Hermione..." said Harry.
Hermione was blushing red and her heart was beating very fast. She barely muttered, "Harry.... someone will see us."
Harry made a small grunt of acknowledgement but did not let her go. Only after some moments when he felt content, he allowed the witch to step aside. Hermione with a blushing red face almost ran inside the Gryffindor dorm.
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After sending Hermione away, Harry walked towards Remus' office to meet him.
He knew that Remus would be 'resigning' as a DADA professor or was being forced to resign.
After all Severus Snape had mistakenly let it out to the Slytherin students that Lupin was a werewolf.
He finally arrived near the Lupin's office and entered the wide open gate of Lupin's office.
"I saw you coming," said Lupin with a smile pointing on the Marauder's map.
"I heard you are leaving," said Harry trying to act as emotional as he could be. He did not immediately want to give the impression that he has changed.
"Yes..." muttered Lupin with a sigh. "But it was a good year... I got to spend time with you."
Harry wanted to scoff at this but held back.
"Will you ever see me again?" Harry asked in a slightly emotional tone.
"Maybe," said Lupin in a downcast tone.
Harry nodded lost in daze. He remembered that in his previous life, in the fourth year when he had to participate in the tournament, Sirius being a wanted criminal had risked his life to return back but Lupin had been nowhere.
Seeing Harry's lost expression, Lupin thought it to be the result of him departing away.
"Harry," said Lupin. "Don't overthink."
He pushed the marauder's map toward Harry, "Now that I am not a professor, I don't see a problem in giving it to you."
"Use it well," he added further.
Harry took the map without any hesitation and stuffed it casually in his pockets.
"Bye, professor," said Harry.
Remus stepped forward and placed his hand one of Harry's shoulder, "Bye, Harry."
Harry gave one last look and walked away from Lupin's office back towards Gryffindor dorm.
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When Harry arrived back in the Gryffindor dorm, the entire dorm was almost empty. It seemed most of the students had already departed.
Hermione with her packed trunk was sitting on the couch near the fireplace.
"Harry..." she was speaking very slowly. "I heard that professor Lupin is resigning?"
Harry nodded slowly walking towards her, "Yes, Snape let it out that, he is a werewolf."
At most times, she would have berated Harry for calling 'Snape' but now her mind was somewhere else.
"Why....? Why would he do that?" She questioned with widened eyes.
"Hermione," he stood very close to her.
"We very well how Snape is like. He is an extremely bitter man. Don't forget, he almost got Sirius kissed."
Hermione sat in silence and did not say anything.
"Go pack your bags. We are getting late," muttered Hermione after a moment of silence.
Harry gave a nod and walked upstairs towards his dorm.
It took Harry few minutes to pack his luggage. Though, Harry was almost going to discard all his things, he still packed them.
After a wave of his hand, the trunk shrunk into a small size and floated into his outer robe pocket.
He was done in few minutes and walked down the stairs.
"Let us go," he said to Hermione.
Hermione stood but looked at him in confusion, "Where is your trunk?"
Harry smiled mischievously and waved his hand and in front of Hermione's widened eyes, her trunk shrunk to a small size and floated to land her in palm.
Hermione looked at the trunk for few moments with a stunned expression.
"How did you do this? And wandless... magic?" She asked with excitement brimming all over face.
Harry smiled, "Just a trick."
"And yes, I will teach you," added Harry further.
Hermione's expression relieved and she smiled widely.
"Let us go," said Harry and Hermione walked along with Harry.
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