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End of the Year Dance Proposal

James stood at the portrait hole, twitching nervously. It was unusual for Hermione to be late. He began shifting his weight and pacing. He hoped everything was all right. She'd been so stressed out this past week. The NEWTS were now complete, and they'd be getting the test results soon. Suddenly the portrait hole opened, and out came Hermione.

He gazed at her, speechless for a moment. She'd really outdone herself this time. She'd put something in her hair so it wasn't so bushy, and the dress she wore made her more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. "Hermione, you look smashing," he said genuinely.

"Thanks, James. I can see you've given up the spiked hair," she teased. "I love your outfit. Have I ever told you how handsome you are, James?"

He smiled a little and his cheeks turned pink. "This will be the last time I have to drink Aging potion," he commented. "You'll never have to call me James again after today." He felt a little disappointed. It had been so fun to be young again, and hang out with Harry and his friends like he was one of them. He held Hermione's hand and led her to the Great Hall. Dancing was in full swing. They started dancing, and Hermione noticed he seemed unusually clumsy tonight. He even stepped on her foot a couple times!

"Ouch!" she said, at the third time he'd done it. "I don't know what cloud your mind is on, James, but it's quite painful to those around you," she said, annoyed.

"I'm so sorry," he said, looking more apologetic than the mistake required. "I've been so careless. Would you like to stop dancing?"

"Sure. Maybe we could go for a walk outside or something," she suggested. They left the hall, and entered the light of the full moon. They wandered around, talking about this and that, when they reached the lake. Remus picked up stones and began skipping them on the water. He appeared to be deep in thought. He could see the bright reflection of the moon on the water.

"What's on your mind, Remus?" she asked, figuring it was safe to use his real name out here.

"I've - I've been thinking -" he paused, taking a deep breath. He chucked a stone into the water. "I've been thinking about all that's happened this year."

Hermione got the feeling that he'd planned on saying something else. "Yes, it's been quite eventful, hasn't it? I'm really going to miss being at school, and being around you so much. It's going to be harder to be together now that I've graduated."

Remus stopped his stone skipping abruptly, turning to face her. His gaze pierced her intensely. He picked up one of her hands, and she could feel him shaking. She squeezed his hand gently. "I - I was thinking, of a way to - remedy that," he started.

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. She thought she knew what was coming.

"Hermione," he said, pulling something from his pocket. The moonlight made it shimmer brightly. Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth. "I was wondering - you don't have to right away, of course - if you'd ever consider," he paused a second, before finishing. "Marrying me."

Hermione stood there, frozen, her hand still clapped over her mouth. She could feel bubbles of joy beginning to consume her. (Remus is waiting for an answer) she reminded herself. He stood there, ring aloft in his outstretched hand. (It must have cost him a fortune) she thought, her heart warming. She took her hand away from her mouth. "I'll marry you, Remus," she whispered, her eyes shining. He took hold of her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. They looked into each others eyes for a minute, savoring the moment. "We should go back inside, and tell the others," she suggested. She stepped forward and kissed him. When she opened her eyes, she saw that he'd turned into his normal self. "The Aging potion has worn off," she told him.

"It doesn't matter now," he said. "You've graduated. No one can frown upon us now. We have no professional duties to each other anymore." They entered the Great Hall, hand in hand, Hermione's engagement ring glittering on one hand, her Valentine ring on the other. People stared, but Hermione no longer cared. However, she did feel a gripping dread about what he parents would think about all of this. If she was engaged to Harry, it would be different. She knew they approved of him. But she was engaged to Remus, a man who used to be her teacher, and nearly twice her age. Those things would be important factors to them, undoubtedly.

Remus detected a slight nervous edge to her face, so he squeezed her hand reassuringly. She smiled at him, and they sat down at a table together. Dumbledore approached them, a merry twinkle in his eyes. He'd caught sight of her engagement ring, and knew all was well with them, despite the rocky road they'd been on. "I hope you're doing well, Remus, and you, the future Mrs. Lupin, I daresay," said Dumbledore.

"We're doing well. Thanks for everything, Dumbledore," Hermione said gratefully. If it hadn't been for him, things would have been alot rockier for them.

"Thanks for what?" he winked. "I haven't seen anything amiss." He chuckled and began humming to himself, ambling towards another table.

Harry came over and sat with them, staring at Remus a bit when he realized he wasn't using Aging potion, but shrugged it off. "Ginny's dancing with Neville, and I thought I'd join you for a bit," he said. Something shiny caught his eye. "Hermione, is that an engagement ring!" he exclaimed. An odd thought struck him. Remus was his unofficial foster father; did that make Hermione his foster mother? (That's a bit strange, although, she pretty much treats me like like a mother does already) He saw her nod. "Congratulations," he said. (Well, as long as they're happy. That's what counts. Lupin deserves it after all he's been through.) "When do you plan on getting married?"

"We hadn't discussed that yet," said Remus, eyeing Hermione. "What do you think?"

"If all goes well," started Hermione, feeling another nervous twinge about her parents, "I was hoping we would before you returned to teach another term."

"That seems logical," commented Remus thoughtfully. "Maybe late July or early August."

"I think it should be mid-August, so we don't miss Harry's birthday on July 31st," said Hermione. "We can pick an exact date later, when we talk with my - my parents." Hermione grew worried. It would only be a few days before she'd have to tell them.

"Hermione, don't worry, we can talk with them together. Actually, Harry might have to come too. I planned on meeting your parents before I took Harry to my house. With that be all right with the both of you?"

Hermione nodded eagerly. Having them both there would help. Harry reluctantly agreed. He had a feeling it was probably going to be a tense encounter, but he was willing to do anything for Hermione, especially after the tough times with Voldemort that she had supported him through. Ron, Ginny, and Luna came up to the newly engaged couple and congratulated them, the girls commenting on how pretty her ring was, or at least Hermione thought Luna was complimenting it. Luna had inspected it and declared it nargle free.

The next couple days saw everyone packing. Hermione rehearsed over and over what she would say to her parents. On the last day, everyone went to Hagrid's hut for a tearful goodbye.

"It won't be the same without yeh," sobbed Hagrid. "All of you, and especially you three, have done much for me. Why, if it wasn't for yeh, I wouldn't have my teaching job. People would still think I opened the Chamber of Secrets." He blew his nose. "I'm so proud of yeh, I just know you'll succeed at whatever you do."

"We'll visit you, Hagrid," everyone promised. All too soon, they were boarding the train home.

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she stared at Hogwarts, which was now fading in the distance. She certainly hadn't seen the last of the place, considering she was going to marry one of the teachers, but it wouldn't be the same without Harry, Ron, and all her friends. She wouldn't be a student anymore. Being a student had been her favorite thing in the world. What was she going to do now? (I'm sure helping Remus will keep me busy) she tried to console herself. Remus, noticing her expression, wrapped an arm around her.

"I remember when I said goodbye to Hogwarts," he reflected, his eyes growing rather glassy. "That time seems like a different world now."

Replies to Reviewers:

Gummadoon Fanatic: Thanks so much for your compliments! I wouldn't want to be them either. :) Thanks for reviewing, I was happy to hear from you!

slytherinstargazing: The story was already complete when I started posting it, so half the work was done. Also I have a very flexible schedule (I'm homeschooled) so I'm able to update then do more school, etc. Thanks for reviewing!

BrennaM: Hope you liked it. :) Thanks for reviewing!

sporty12gd4u: You guessed right:) Thanks for reviewing!

LupinLover99: Thanks for your two reviews! I'm kinda sad that this story is ending too, but I'm beginning to get excited about the next one I have in mind (also Remus/Hermione). I won't post it until it's finished (if it ever is) though. I'm hoping I'll be able to write it as fast as this one (two weeks!).

Moony's-Mate: Thanks so much for your review, it made me smile. :) Unfortunately there's only three chapters left. :(

Rane2920072: You got your wish. :) Thanks for your review!

A/N: This could change...I'm revising chapters 23 and 24, so I don't know how soon they'll be up, it depends on how much access I have to the computer.

Preview of next chapter: Hermione paled. She knew what he was hinting at. She took her left hand out of her pocket, which she'd kept in there until now. Shakily, she laid her hand on the table and took a deep breath. Her engagement ring was there for all to see.

"Why, Hermione, are you and Harry engaged?" asked Mrs. Granger brightly. She'd always approved of Harry.

"No, actually - I've been meaning to tell you," she started. "I'm engaged to Remus."