Disclaimer- I own nothing but the obvious....you know the drill.

She smiled as she looked around at everyone in the room with her at the moment. Today was her sixteenth birthday and she couldn't be happier. She had her two best friends with her, as well as many other people who loved and cared about her.

Knowing that they were there was an amazing feeling, but there was someone somewhere in the House of Black, (also known as the Headquarters for The Order of the Phoenix.) she was glad that he was there. Him being there meant far more than he could ever know. But that was the thing, he had no clue of the feelings she held for him deep inside of herself that she had no choice but to conceal for hers and his own good as well. She smiled slightly as his picture came into vision across her mind.

That soft brown hair with a weaving of slight gray made him have a ruggedly handsome look, but what brought that level of mischief down was his eyes. Those soft, kind, revealing, yet strangely soothing ocean colored orbs. She could stare into those eyes forever, and sometimes when they were engaged in conversation she would somehow maintain the ability to listen to him as well as pull off gazing into his eyes, almost reading his soul.

Knowing he was there for her made her more happy than anyone could know. Sure she had Ron and Harry, but nothing nor no one could compare to his comforting words and adoring praises. He sad a way of understanding everything she went through, all the pain and suffering of everything. It was as if he had experienced it all, yet as she thought more, he had experienced it all, or at least the most of it. In some ways they were alike more than people saw, or thought that they were. Like when it came to grades, ect., it was clear that they were alike. But what people didn't know was that they were alike when it came to feelings and emotions as well, more similar than could be seen by the naked eye.

They both had dark secrets to hide from society, as well as their friends, that they shared with each other. She shared almost everything, she shared everything but one thing. The love she held for him. She couldn't tell him yet, and she knew she may never get a chance to either.

She looked down at the presents on the table and her eyes caught sight of a small box wrapped in crimson wrapping paper with a gold bow wrapped around it. As soon as she saw the card, she knew who it was from. She looked around the room as if looking for him, though she didn't see him. She sighed softly as she looked back down at the present and smiled again. She tucked a strand of soft wavy hair behind her ear as she began to pull the bow from the tiny package.

What she saw in that single box made her smile brightly, more bright than she ever had. Inside, there was a silver necklace chain with a silver dragon wrapped around a crimson orb of light. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. She fingered the fine piece of silver and smiled still, wondering how he got it into the package. Silver could kill him. He probably had the jeweler to do it, he knows the jeweler and the jeweler knows his problem, she thought to herself silently as she put the necklace on and then read the card to herself.

Hermione,

You are such a special girl and I have grown close to you over the past three years of knowing you. Have a happy sixteenth birthday, and remember than I am always here for you if you ever, ever, need me. I have something to say to you, and I want you to believe it when I say it in this letter. I have truly fallen in love with you over the years, no matter how inappropriate it may seem. I had to get this out, and I am sorry for being such a coward to not say it to your face. Sweet dreams tonight, love.

Always,

Remus

Her breath caught in her throat as she read it over and over, not knowing that someone she dearly loved and loved her in return, was standing in the shadows, watching her gawk in awe. But one thing was for sure. She wouldn't ever have to live in fear of telling him how she feels, that their feelings are mutual. Or will she? Can she face society and tell people she is in love with her teacher and has been for years?