Disclaimer: You should know by now, you should know by now…that I can’t forgive you…er, I mean, that I don’t own Harry Potter. Yeah, let’s go with that one.

Author's Notes: Oh, the end! Alas! It was fun while it lasted though. No shout-outs at the end this time, all replies with be sent PM style. I just want to thank everyone who's read and supported this story, and hope you enjoy this last bit! SEQUEL? It's possible, but it would be awhile until I finish it (should be about ten chapters long; I've written two), because my muse doesn't seem to want to concentrate on it. Still, though, don't rule it out!

Epilogue

“Knock, knock.”

Professor Lupin raised his head and tilted it in the direction of the door. He smiled at his visitor and put down the pile of books in his hands. “Hermione,” he said warmly, “come in.”

Hermione walked into the room and came to stand by him; she was smiling, but it was hesitant. She looked very thoughtful, Lupin thought, and he knew she had come here for a reason. It had been some days since she had returned back to her Time, and the whole thing had finished; the school year was over and all the students would soon be going home.

“Harry told me you were resigning,” Hermione said, her voice unnaturally quiet. She looked all around her and took in the half-packed boxes and all the books and materials thrown around. She wasn’t asking a question; Lupin didn’t even have to answer her, it was so obvious.

But he nodded anyway. “Yeah,” he said, “I’ve already told Dumbledore.”

It was Hermione’s turn to nod. “I’m so sorry,” she said, almost miserably. She looked like she wanted to say more, but instead she just began gathering up some of his things and handing them to him, helping him pack up. They were silent for a long time, witch and wizard, each thinking their own thoughts, each wishing things weren’t so awkward, each wanting to say things to the other they could not.

“It was because Severus ‘let slip’ to everyone that I was a werewolf, you know,” Lupin blurted out suddenly. He had no idea what had made him say it—but no, that was lie. He did know why he said it. He was taking a guess as to what Hermione was thinking, and he wanted to offer up some sort of excuse to her so he could see that it wasn’t her fault.

“Yes,” Hermione answered, “I heard about that. Some parents will have a problem with an ‘animal’ teaching their students, right?” She smiled wryly and he could see that she still didn’t think that was why he was really leaving.

“It’s my fault, isn’t it?” she said after a moment. “Because of me going back in Time. Because of what…happened.”

Lupin shook his head furiously, denying it for all he was worth. It hurt to even know that she was thinking that. “No,” he said, as firmly as he could. “No, of course not. Don’t blame yourself.” He wanted to look her in the eyes and say ‘it has absolutely nothing at all do with you’, but even his mind those words sounded cold…it would be like telling her she meant nothing to him…

So was he really resigning because everyone would protest to the werewolf teacher? That was part of it, yes, and nice portion of his decision as well. But could there not be more than one reason? Could he not have, somewhere in subconscious, decided that his and Hermione’s now-past history would affect their relationship now? That it would be too awkward and that it would just be best if he left?

He didn’t know. He didn’t want to know.

“I told Harry this,” Lupin said to keep himself from following his particular train of thought any further. As soon as he spoke, Hermione looked up at him. “And I’ll tell you too. Just because I won’t be back next year to as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I’ll still be around. We’ll meet again, you and I, and all the others. It’s far from over.”

Hermione smiled a little at that. She looked like maybe she felt comforted by his words; at least, Lupin thought, she would not feel so guilty anymore. She came closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck in one last hug.

“We’re still going to be friends?” she asked.

Lupin didn’t allow himself time to hesitate hugging her back. “Always,” he promised. And it was true. His resignation was not good-bye. Impulsively, he kissed the top of her head (the nearest part of her since they were locked in an embrace).

Her hug tightened in response, and she didn't let go for a long time. Lupin realized with a jolt that she was probably crying, and he wasn’t sure what he should do—once again, as with anything else involving her, he felt like an inexperienced, under-confident thirteen-year old. But as it turned out, he didn’t have to say anything at all. Hermione spoke first, saying quietly their small inside joke:

“Thirty two times.”

Lupin smiled. “Cover to cover.”