Author's Note: Yes, I finally updated. Between a move halfway across the country and a new home and job, I've just been a little preoccupied. But, here it is. Enjoy. I expect LOTS of feedback. None of you have disappointed before. I hope my inbox is flooded with reviews. So, without further ado. . .

Jasper - Chapter 13

Hermione tore through the castle, up and down staircases, like a woman possessed. She began to feel the warmth of the glowing jasper stone secured around her neck, a silent warning that her son was in peril.

Her fear drove her faster. She could hear the frantic footsteps of Harry and Ron echoing through the stone corridors behind her. As she turned the corner to the hallway where the door to her chambers lay, she brandished her wand and yelled her password at her guardian portrait.

"Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo!" she screamed. She knew the password was ludicrous, but she also knew that it came from muggle perception of magic, and no self- respecting wizard in the world would ever think of it. But as she came to the door she realized the password was unnecessary. The door was ajar, propped open by the unconscious form of Remus Lupin lying across the threshold.

Hermione kneeled next to him and felt for a pulse. His heartbeat was strong and his breathing steady, but he was bleeding from a gash in his forehead and he remained unconscious as Harry and Ron caught up.

"Take care of him," Hermione said breathlessly as she stroked his cheek. "I have to find Jasper."

The stone around her neck glowed on as she stepped over Remus and tore through the entry to her bedroom.

The sight that met her horrified her to her very core.

An instant chill engulfed her body. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came. She felt all her recent happiness and joy drain from her as she began to shake.

A dementor, with its black robe, empty hood, and decaying hand was reaching for her child.

Fear pierced Hermione's heart and the dementor's darkness gripped her as though trying to squeeze her life force out. She collapsed to her knees, but drew every ounce of strength to raise her arm and release her Patronus.

Then something extraordinary happened.

Before Hermione could cast her spell a bright silvery light burst from Jasper's crib and surrounded the dementor, smothering the darkness and once again filling the room with warmth.

Hermione was everything, but could hardly believe it. The dementor vanished, leaving only a ratty black cloak on the floor next to the crib. The light hovered above the crib for several seconds before settling over Jasper and simply shimmering into nothingness.

Hermione scrambled to her feet and ran to Jasper's side. She lifted him out of the crib and began to examine him from head to toe, searching for any injury, imperfection, or logical explanation for what just took place.

Jasper just giggled, sneezed and wrapped his tiny fingers around his mum's pretty red necklace.

Hermione noticed that Jasper's matching stone glowed as well. Both pendants continued to glow, but were no longer the angry, fiery red they were before the attack. Now they glowed a soft crimson rose, and as mother and son cuddled, Jasper cooed, Hermione hummed to him contentedly and Ron and Harry stood in the doorway, breathing identical sighs of relief.

Jasper - Chapter 12

Later, after Jasper was asleep, Ron and Harry made a gracious exit to begin the research on what kind of mojo a five-month-old magically conceived wizard was capable of. Remus lay on Hermione's sofa, still unconscious, but seemingly relaxed and recovering.

Hermione sat on an ottoman at his side, cleaning the wound on his forehead and for the first time ever, really studying Remus J. Lupin, just as he is.

As she stroked his cheek, traced the curve of his lip and the line of his 5 o'clock shadow, she contemplated what she had seen in the mirror of Erised.

The laughter had been a gift from Merlin himself. Refreshing. Relaxing. Soul-cleansing and heart-lightening. It had reminded her of what was really important and had most likely given her the strength she needed to save Jasper (even though it turns out he was able to save himself.) At this thought she smiled and glanced toward her bedroom door and her sleeping son. The time would come to investigate what happened tonight. But not now. Now everyone was safe and her world was at peace.

As she turned back to Remus, her thoughts returned to the mirror.

It was what she'd seen next that had her confused. If that was supposed to be her deepest desire. . . why in Hades did it scare her so much?

Because, Hermione, she thought, you're terrified of what you can't control, and this is one thing you DEFINITELY can't control.

The mirror had shown her Remus. . . and her. Her and Remus. . . together. . . doing things she'd only ever done a few times. Things she had NEVER talked about with anyone.

Hermione had watched, dumbstruck as Remus walked up behind her and slid his arms about her waist, hugging her tightly to his chest. She had felt her stomach for his arms, but they weren't there. Only in the mirror.

Her heart had begun to race as his head bent and rained gently kisses up and down her neck.

She had almost been able to feel it. She had wanted to feel it. . . needed to feel it. Her eyes never left the mirror as she watched her clothes disappear, one article at a time. Everything was warm. . . and moist. Time slowed and her breathing quickened. Her eyes fluttered closed when Remus knelt in front of her and placed a reverent kiss on her stomach. Her head fell forward and she opened her eyes.

That was when she had noticed the glowing stone.

Jasper - Chapter 13

Now, sitting in her chambers with an unconscious Remus on her sofa, Hermione had an uncontrollable urge to explore what she had seen in that mirror. She was terrified of that feeling, so much so that she almost fled the room. Instead, she gave in to the urge. . . the desire. She kissed Remus gently, first on his forehead, then his cheek and finally his lips. She loved the softness, and the warmth. He tasted so good.

It took Hermione almost a minute to realize that she was being kissed back.