Authors' notes

Okay so this was just one of my ideas. I wanted a bit more romance because I think it fitted the character more and I could explore a different plot.

This is more a romancey ending.

The door slammed shut to the library as Remus left the room. Hermione and Sirius looked at each other before jumping off the sofa Sirius whispered a spell to return their clothes to their bodies.

Hermione stood up and placed a hand on Sirius shoulder. "I'll go speak to him," she stated. Sirius, away to protest was silenced as she added, "I need to talk to him."

Sirius nodded and watched as Hermione walked out of the room. He slowly sank onto the sofa and let out a groan before summoning the fire whiskey decanter and glass and poured another drink.

Outside the room Hermione walked to the kitchen where she knew Remus would have gone to find peace. She stood in the doorway and found him sitting on a stool by one of the counters staring at the wall in front of him. Walking over to him she placed a hand gently on his shoulder and felt him jump slightly at her touch.

"R-R-Remus?" Hermione stuttered. "Remus, please look at me."

Sighing, Remus got off the stool and turned to face the young witch in front of him. She was standing in front of him with her hair in a messy state, clothes crinkled and what made it worse for Remus was he could still smell him on her. However, no matter how much he tried to block his thoughts from his mind, she still remained beautiful to him.

"Hermione, it is late," he said tiredly. He could not be angry towards her but his sadness was still noticeable. "Can we leave all this till tomorrow? Go shower and sleep, maybe we will speak in the morning." With that Remus left the room and headed up the stairs to his room.

Hermione stood in the kitchen. She didn't move from the spot but instead crumpled to the floor and began sobbing. She hadn't meant to upset anyone. She just wanted a moment in time where she could forget everything around her and have some fun. Yes, it was her first time and she probably should have gone about it differently but who else was there? Hermione loved Sirius like an old friend and wanted the experience, all her other friends had gone through already, out of the way. She was frustrated and needed to let loose. Now Remus was disappointed in her.

Footsteps sounded behind her and a strong arm wrapped itself around her shoulders and pulled her up so she was standing. "Hermione, don't cry," Sirius breathed. "There are many rooms upstairs, go find one and get some sleep." He slowly released her and let her walk out the room still crying.

After a little while Sirius followed her steps up the stairs but instead of going to his own room he found himself outside Remus'. Knocking but not waiting for any answer he opened the door and walked in. Remus was sitting on the side of his bed with his head in his hands.

"Remus, you made her cry?" Sirius accused. "Why were you even so bothered, it's not like she is underage, and it's not like I'm a stranger to her. She just wanted comforting and fun."

Remus let out a sarcastic laugh at Sirius' last few words. "Comforting, fun? And obviously it would be you that would help her." He said angrily. Looking up into Sirius' face he felt his anger burn.

"Remus, calm the hell down!" Sirius almost shouted in return. "What's done is done. If you're so damn uncomfortable with it then I can assure you it won't happen again!"

"I bet you loved it!" Remus shot back. "Knowing she wanted you, knowing she wanted you to comfort her and hold her!" Standing up Remus paced the floor in front of his bed. "She came to you and I bet you enjoyed every minute of it."

"Remus what do you expect me to say?" Sirius asked confused. "That I hated it? She and I are good friends it was a moment of madness. I'm sure if you were home instead of me then she would of been the same with yo.."

"But it was not me!" Remus exploded. "It was you she threw herself at! And if it had been me I would not have used her obviously fragile state to get laid!"

Sirius was too confused by Remus' anger to feel hurt by his comments so the room remained silent as the two men stared at one another. Then suddenly a realization hit Sirius.

"Remus, do you like her?" he asked. Why had he not thought of it sooner? It was obvious. Remus remained silent but his gaze had dropped to the floor which made the answer stand out clearly. "You do, don't you?"

Remus shuffled awkwardly in front of him. It caused Sirius to smile massively at the new situation.

"Listen, I am sorry Mooney. If I had known you wanted her then it would never have happened. Like I said before it was just fun."

Remus shrugged. "I was just shocked, and a little angry at the time."

"Why don't you go to her then? See if she likes you back?" Sirius asked.

Remus scoffed at this notion. "Likes me back? Without knowing it she has answered that already tonight by going with you. It is quite clear she doesn't."

As Remus explained his thoughts Sirius heard the floorboards behind him creak slightly. Someone was behind the door, standing in the corridor. She was listening.

Once again Sirius smiled to himself. This could work out very well for his two friends if he played the cards right. Remus liked Hermione, more than he thought. And Hermione was lonely without her friends and family around. Maybe if given a little push along the two could help each other and find a way of solving their heart ache.

"Remus calm down, now will you listen for a second?" Sirius asked almost impatiently. "Ignoring what happened tonight, because truthfully neither of us were in the right state of mind, what do you like so much about her? Because truthfully I just don't understand the reasoning behind it." Sirius lied.

Remus raised an eyebrow at his friends' statement. Sirius continued down his track. "I mean, she's nothing special, just your average witch."

Remus' face looked beyond shocked at the lie. "What are you talking about? Even if you didn't like her the way I do, she's still amazing!" Remus said defensively. "Even without being the smartest witch we could ever meet, she's beautiful, mature for her age, funny, and just plain brilliant!"

With that, Sirius backed away from his friend with a mischievous grin on his face. Then wrapping his hand round the door knob he pulled forward opening the door and revealing the girl that stood behind it.

Hermione jumped at the two men now staring directly at her. One had a boyish grin cemented on his face, whereas the other sported a bright red color and was running a hand through his hair.

"Hello 'Mione!" Sirius grinned not in the slightest bit surprised.

"Hermione," was all Remus said looking even more embarrassed.

Hermione cleared her throat and straightened up before looking directly at Remus and speaking. "Remus Lupin, If you ever make me feel bad about myself again when the situation could easily be stopped by you merely sharing your feelings I will make sure to cast a humiliating and lasting curse on you!"

Remus gazed at the floor but was soon surprised to find his hands being taken by the young witch. She had crossed the room and grabbed his hands to make him look at her. "Will you ever forgive me?" she asked feeling guilty as she looked into his deep, intelligent eyes.

Remus was even more surprised but nodded automatically. "You shouldn't have to apologize. It was my fault for not telling you how I felt. I am the sorry one."

Sirius grinned at the two in front of him. However, his smile was soon wiped off his face when Remus stepped back from Hermione. "Feel free to go now. There is no awkwardness anymore. I am fine with you and Sirius, my feelings will remain silent."

"What?" Hermione asked questioningly. "You think Sirius and I are going to be happy together and be a couple?" she laughed and Sirius couldn't help but join in with a quiet chuckle. They would certainly be a bad pairing with each driving the other crazy. Tonight had just been a one night stand. Nothing serious.

"Remus, if it is okay with you, I'd rather get to know you more, spend time together with you, go out with you. Sirius was a mistake; you are someone I have always thought was cute, smart, and brilliant."

Remus smiled at her sweetly. His dreams were coming true. The amazing witch he cared so deeply for had admitted she liked him. Maybe not as passionately as he liked her but in time he was sure she may grow to love him.

"So if your feelings are still the same," Hermione said as she stared at Remus hopefully. "Will you take me out for a Christmas dinner tomorrow night?"

Remus couldn't help but smile excitedly back. "It would be my honor."

Reaching up on her tip toes Hermione kissed Remus' cheek. Lingering slightly longer than necessary she let go of his hands before turning and walking towards the door. Stopping just before the door she looked at Sirius who was grinning widely. "You are some man Sirius," she stated. "But you're just not up to his standards."

Winking back at her Sirius laughed. "It was a pleasure 'Mione but it is safe to say the best man won. See you later; I'll make sure he is looking handsome for you."

Smiling Hermione skipped out of the room to a bedroom down the corridor leaving the two men smiling to themselves.

"Well that was certainly unexpected," Remus said cheerfully. "I hope I can make her happy."

"My friend, she likes you, she wants to make it work! Stop fretting and go get some sleep if you can. You need to be prepared for your date."

Clapping him on the shoulder Sirius went to leave the room but halting at the doorway he turned to face Remus still standing in the middle of the floor grinning. "If you're still worried in the morning I suppose I could always try to help."

"What do you mean?" Remus asked curiously.

"well if you're struggling for ideas to impress her, I suppose I could give you some tips!" and with another cheeky wink Sirius slammed the door shut to the bedroom just before the shoe that Remus had thrown at him hit the doorframe and fell to the floor.

"Have a good Christmas Mooney!" Sirius yelled back through the door. "Hope Santa gets you all that you want!"

Remus laughed at his childish friend before lying back on the bed. He needed no presents or treats. With Hermione's' promise of dinner his Christmas was, for the first time, complete.