I Was Younger Then

Moments With Lupin: So Stay Close

Penny struggled with the bludger, forcing it back into its box. She was panting by the time it was finally secured. Straightening herself to catch her breath before she finished with the rest of the quidditch equipment, she noticed Professor McGonagall exiting the field while Professor Lupin jogged his way towards Penny.

The heart in Penny's chest began to beat much faster, annoyingly so. She had not realized Lupin had shown up to watch their game, muchless knew these practises happened. This was Penny's turn to clean up the gear, making her the only other person on the field.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Professor," Penny said, trying to sound pleasantly surprised and not like the stuttering mess she felt like.

"I'd heard a rumor in the staff room that Harry was not the only one with some talent on a broom and felt myself compelled to find out if it was true that there is nothing you aren't good at," he smiled.

"I'm afraid to ask if I lived up to your expectations," said Penny, feeling heat rise to her face.

Lupin's warm brown eyes crinkled in amusement as he reached to touch Penny's cheek with a calloused hand.

"Does my assessment make you nervous Penny?" he asked in a low, teasing voice.

"N-no, of course not!" Penny said, completely aware she did not sound convincing in the least.

"Then why are you blushing?" Lupin asked, his lips parting just slightly.

"I'm not blushing!" Penny lied, feeling her face get even redder. "It's just cold out here."

His eyes were fixed on her cheeks, his mouth forming a lopsided grin while his finger pinched them affectionately.

"Your cheeks don't lie even if you'd like them to. But you don't need to be nervous, you have proven yet again you are talented beyond anything I could have imagined."

"I think that sounds like a gross exaggeration," Penny said with a frown.

"The one in the drama club is accusing me of exaggerating?" Lupin said, cocking his head.

"Absolutely, I am the expert after all," Penny said, assuredly.

"Indeed you are. But alas, even experts are known to be wrong on occasion, and I have found you incorrect on this topic, you are an excellent flyer, no exaggeration needed," he said, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leaning forward. "And if I might add, are particularly charming when you blush," he whispered into her ear.

Penny's breath hitched in her chest while her brain scrambled to regain its composure before Lupin's gaze caught her floundering like a turtle on its back. The warmth that radiated off Lupin hit Penny like a tidal wave. In the chilly evening air, it was welcome and compelled Penny to lean in closer, but she resisted with all of her strength.

"You sir, are being terribly mischievous and if I did not know any better, are purposefully provoking me, for this there must be punishment," Penny said, feeling suddenly mischievous herself.

She reached up and placed her frozen hands on either side of Lupin's neck, reaching for his back as well. His skin was so warm it almost felt as though it were searing Penny's flesh, however the yelp that rang through the air did not come from her, but him. He jumped in surprised, trying to pull away from Penny but she hung on, laughing hard as he tried to shake her.

"Penny, you stern disciplinarian, I was only having a bit of fun," Lupin protested, prying her hands from his neck and collecting them before him. "If I warm these up for you, will you forgive me?" he said, his lashes fluttering prettily.

He didn't wait for her response and engulfed both her hands with his, forming a little dome around them, then he pulled her, albeit gently, toward him so he could blow warm air into this dome.

"Because I am merciful, I shall forgive you," Penny replied, eliciting an arch of the eyebrow form Lupin.

"Merciful? I think you forget who can give who detention here," he winked, pulling his face away to rub his hands vigorously over hers.

"I hardly think detention with you counts as a punishment, but if you must, I will serve my time," Penny grinned.

"I've never been the punitive type, unlike you," Lupin said, pausing to let his insinuation set in, "I much prefer. . .enthusiastic self-discovery, which is always hindered when someone makes the other feel as though they are doing something wrong."

Lupin stopped his rubbing, leaving Penny's hands much warmer than they had been before, but he did not let them go. He held them gently, his warm brown eyes searching Penny's for something she could not place.

"Well, I think you succeed magnificently with your pedagogy. I can't remember having a teacher as inspiring as you. Normally, it's the fear of a bad grade that motivates me, but with you it's entirely different. I'm never afraid of anything when you're around, even getting something wrong, if you can believe that," Penny mused.

"You're just being generous," Lupin said, releasing Penny's hands and glancing away from her.

"No I'm not," Penny said, defiantly. "What would flattering you do for me? I was being honest, you have inspired me and changed my way of looking at the world. If my experience is not enough for you, then consider my classmates. I've never seen them behave the way they do in your class. They are genuinely excited to go, and I think it's because you never make the experience a measure of what they do and don't know, you always just meet each of us where we are at and coax us to think beyond it."

Lupin still wouldn't meet her eyes and the lines around his mouth told Penny he remained unconvinced. So Penny stepped forward and took a-hold of his prickly chin and forced him to look at her. "I think you have a bad case of imposter syndrome, Professor, lucky for you, I don't, I know you can trust me when I say you are absolutely brilliant, no exaggeration needed." Penny said, her green eyes blazing.

Lupin's frown could not help but soften into a smile as he gave a low sigh.

"I do not deserve you, Penny, but I very much appreciate you. Now, how about I help you get these back where they belong and get back to the castle before it's dark," Lupin said, flicking his wand at the rest of the gear so it levitated after him.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Penny teased.

"As a matter of fact, I am, so stay close," Lupin said, nonchalantly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and tugging her close into him.

Penny couldn't help but bury her face into his warm robes for a moment. There was something irresistibly cozy about Lupin that made Penny want to curl up and nap with him. They took a slow pace back to the castle after Lupin locked the gear up, the pair locked in step. Lupin watched the sky, seemingly content to squish Penny into him, while Penny walked slightly awkwardly, trying not to step on Lupin's toes.

"I wish all of life could be as uncomplicated as you make it feel, Penny," Lupin said, looking down at her as they neared the stone steps leading to the double doors.

"Maybe the problem is you just aren't spending enough time with me."

"Maybe," he laughed, pushing her teasingly towards the steps. "Then perhaps you'll promise we can walk the grounds like this again sometime." he went on, pulling the door open and holding it for her.

"Wherever life takes us," Penny said, taking the stairs three at a time and stopping just before Lupin, "I promise to always be by your side."

He watched her for a moment, his expression almost sad, but then he smiled. "And I yours," he said softly, before nudging her through the doors, where an onslaught of sound hit then. Dinner was in full swing, with the majority of the student populace in the Great Hall already. Some, however, lingered in the Entrance Hall, murmuring and pointing when they noticed Penny and Lupin walking through the double doors, standing much closer than they normally would in the castle.

At this queue, Lupin took his leave, Penny watching him make his way to his private chambers, his tattered brown cloak fluttering behind him. Penny couldn't help but wonder if that glimmer of sadness she'd seen in his eyes was because he feared the day she would find out what he was. She wished there was some way to tell him, she knew and didn't care. It made no different to her, she loved him just the way he was.