"I'd never have believed this," Harry says. "The man who taught me to fight dementors- a coward." He spits the last word, lashing out with ugly intent.

BANG

Harry falls backward into the table and his head connects with the stone floor. She screams, covering the piercing sound with her hands. Hands clasped tightly over shocked lips.

In that moment before he storms away, she sees Lupin's eyes.

Tired, tired, tired eyes.

Grey eyes brimming with regret, not remorse.

"Remus, Remus, come back!" Hermione cries, but Lupin does not. He is gone in the blink of an eye with the swish of his cloak.

She turns on Harry but her words fall empty from her lips- useless.