AN: another long wait. sorry college is just so fun. papers and quizzes and reading everyday. joy. anyways, i hope you like it.
Hermione grinned as she read Ginny's latest letter that had just arrived with the owl post at lunch.
"Couldn't survive all 3 weeks without at least writing?" a voice said from above her.
Hermione looked up to see Remus grinning. She quickly folded the letter and stuck out her tongue.
He chuckled.
"Hey, it's okay. Me, Sirius and James didn't even last this long, though it was usually because we were planning some big prank for our first few days back."
She shook her head.
"I'm suddenly glad I'm not that old."
Remus glared. She laughed.
Hey, I almost forgot, I have a Christmas present for you. You have some free time tonight? I'll come bug you in your quarters?"
He nodded. "Sure. See you later."
She stood and exited the great hall, letter in hand, leaving Remus with a problem.
She bought me a present? What do I get her?
He stood and rushed up to the 4th floor.
Where's Minerva when you need her?
...
"Minerva!" Remus shouted as he reached her office.
She looked up from her grading, startled.
"And what exactly was so important that you had to shout?"
"I need help…" The last few words were muttered quietly, but Minerva caught them.
Glee came across her face.
"What was that? I couldn't quite hear you." She teased.
He said it a little louder, "I need a present for Hermione."
Again she teased, "Speak up boy! I'm old, and my hearing isn't what it used to be."
"I need a present for Hermione!" He exclaimed in annoyance.
She chuckled. "Honestly. There was no need to shout."
He groaned. "You're impossible."
"Now," She said, setting down her quill, "You need a Christmas present for Miss Granger. Well, I'll help you, but you have to do something first."
Remus looked both annoyed and resigned, knowing anything Minerva wanted hi to do would not be easy.
"What is it?" He asked calmly.
"Admit that you like her." She responded simply.
"I'll just go to Hogesmeade myself. Can't go wrong with a book."
Minerva made a strangled sound. He turned, realizing that he knew absolutely nothing about what a young woman…Hermione, would like.
"Fine." He sighed.
"Fine what?"
"I need your help." He admitted.
"Well, I won't help you until you say it."
He said something indiscernible in a small voice.
Minerva rolled her eyes. "You expect me to be able to hear that? Have you been dipping into Albus's lemon drops?"
He clenched his fists and bit out, as calmly as he could muster, "I like a student."
"Yes, I know, but that isn't what I asked. I asked you to admit that you like her."
"Minerva, please! This is childish!"
She said nothing, picking up her quill and returning to her 1st-year essays.
"I'm not going to get out of this, am I?" He asked quietly.
No answer.
He summoned up all of his courage and took a deep breath.
"I like Hermione Granger."
Minerva smiled.
"Okay. Let's go."
...
The pair exited the carriage and walked in to Hogesmeade together, Remus still brooding from Minerva's terms.
One day she's going to use that against me and I'm going to regret ever letting her trick me into saying it.
Minerva noticed his sour disposition and thwacked him on the shoulder.
"Buck up boy. I'm not going to go around the school shouting that you like a student."
Remus glared at her.
"Let's just get this over with."
Minerva scoffed. "Typical male."
She led hi into one store after another, but everything she pointed out seemed all wrong. It wasn't good enough for Hermione or it somehow seemed as though she wouldn't like it. Finally Minerva led him to the only store they hadn't checked: Dragon's Lair.
Remus shook his head.
"No. I'm not getting her jewelry."
"if you keep tuning everything down you won't be getting her anything."
She checked her watch.
"It's already half past four. We don't have much time left."
"Fine."
He walked into the store and was immediately impressed by the decoration. The place really did look like a dragon's lair. It seemed to be made out of solid stone with the jewelry laying out like treasure among the stone. He didn't know where to look first.
The store owner nodded to him in greeting, respecting his distance, but still letting him know that he was there should Remus need anything.
Minerva led him around the room slowly, pointing out a few pieces in particular. They passed the rings quickly, Remus not wanting to attempt to find a ring that didn't mean something serious. The bracelets he glanced at fleetingly, but remembering her just getting a bracelet for Christmas, decided against it.
The last section of the store was slightly smaller than the others, but held necklaces. Remus looked carefully at each and every one, sometimes with the occasionally "maybe" as an outcome.
Finally he passed the last shelf with a sigh.
"Nothing?" Minerva asked.
"No," he answered. "Nothing."
The owner, seeing the two move to leave, called out to them.
"Wait."
Remus looked up at him, confused.
The man admitted, "I have one last piece. I haven't put it out because I didn't want it to go to someone who wouldn't understand it's meaning."
Minerva's eyebrows furrowed.
The man explained, "It's a necklace. The chain is silver and the charm hanging from it is an ancient Celtic rune."
Remus nodded as the man pulled a thin box out from under the counter in the back.
"If you can tell me what that rune stands for, I will let you buy this piece, should you like it."
The man opened the box and laid out the necklace carefully. Remus looked at it in awe. The chain was intricate links both delicate and beautiful, but the charm stood out the most. It was a simple silver circle with the rune imprinted with a sparkling crystal that shined brilliantly. It was perfect. Hermione would love it.
"The rune stands for the feminine and everything about it. It's strength and courage, it's wisdom and knowledge, it's grace and beauty, it's compassion and it's endless love."
The store owner smiled as Remus finished.
"Well done sire. The necklace is yours should you desire it."
Remus nodded. "How much?"
"For you, 10 galleons."
Remus pain the man and thanked him, walking out of the store with a smiling Professor McGonagoll.
She looked over to Remus and said, "She'll love it."