What I Learned in 7th Year

Disclaimer: I still sadly do not own any of the characters.

Chapter 9 - Merry Christmas?

For Ron and Harry the next month passed slower than a flobberworm, but back at the safe house time was passing rather quickly. Hermione had learned new curses, potions, and ways to transfigure and was feeling very proud.

"Well done Hermione!" Remus congratulated after reviewing her new skills. "Lets take the next week at least off since its Christmas time. Besides, I need to find some more things to teach you." He teased.

"Hey professor. Do you think that we could decorate the house?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"Sure, God knows I haven't been in a decorated house outside of Hogwarts in forever. I'll go try to find you a tree and you can start inside. I think there might be some stuff in the basement. If not just use the conjuring spell that I taught you." Remus said then true to his word, headed outside.

"Well there's plenty down here, but not much usable," Hermione said to herself as she looked around the old, dusty basement.

After grabbing a wreath that hadn't been eaten by moths and some candles she headed up stairs to decorate the house. Not having many decorations, she was quickly finished and began to search for a few makeshift ornaments. As she headed back down to the basement a glitter caught her eye. As she turned she saw a life like replica of a full moon.

"Wow! Why didn't I see that before?" she gasped as she picked it up. It was a handmade, glass orb that caught the light even in the dim basement. No one but a wizard could make something as amazing as it. She picked it up and a few other, not as skillfully crafted glass blowings and headed upstairs. As soon as she placed them carefully on the table Remus walked in carrying a tiny tree.

"Wow Professor. Is that really the biggest tree you could find?" Hermione said slightly disappointed.

"Of course not," Remus said setting the tree down. "Engorgio," He said and suddenly the tree did look like the biggest tree one could fin din the small forest. "Will that suffice?" He asked with a slight smirk.

"This tree is amazing professor," Hermione whispered.

"So are you," Remus muttered almost sub-consciously.

"What did you say?"

"Oh, just that the house looks great to." Remus said quickly.

"Thanks Hermione replied, blushing a little. "Well I did find some thing that would could put on the tree" She said and picked up the few pieces she brought up.

"I had forgotten these," Remus said quietly, eyes getting wide.

"What are they from? They're gorgeous."

Remus walked over and picked up the moon. "James and Sirius gave this to me the Christmas that they found out about, well, you know." He said as he fondly turned it around. "The others I made trying to make a stag for James and a dog for Sirius in return. When I finnally got them made well you know. I couldn't exactly give it to them."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said seeing hurt flash in his eyes.

"Why? It's not your fault. Come on now, let's get back to this darn tree. What do you want to do with it?"

"Well I sort of thought that we could levitate your glass blowings and some candles around it and put on some strung popcorn. It's sort of a muggle custom, you string popcorn on thread and use it as garland on trees."

"That sounds wonderful Hermione, but there's just one problem. How the blazes do you string popcorn?" Remus asked with a chuckle.

Hermione let out a laugh, "You just make up some popcorn and I'll string the thread."

Remus headed into the kitchen muttering under his breath.

After about fifteen minutes popcorn was ready and thread was lying ready on the table in the living room. Hermione gave a quick demonstration on how it was done and they were off. Needless to say that Hermione was more talented in this area than Remus was, and quickly had half of her string done while Remus only had a few pieces. Finally fed up with the popcorn stringing Remus scooped up a large handful of popcorn and threw it at Hermione, then quickly went back to working.

"Remus Lupin!" Hermione scolded looking up, and forcing down a laugh.

"Why yes Hermione?" Remus asked in a bad impression of perfect innocence. "Why Miss Granger, you seem to have popcorn all in your hair."

"I wonder how on earth it got there," she said and while laughing, grabbed her own handful of popcorn and threw it back at him.

Soon popcorn was flying through the air and they were both laughing and running around like seven-year-olds. After a short popcorn war they both were slumped exhausted on the floor, among crunched bits of popcorn.

"I'm going to go take a shower, but you can always start cleaning," Hermione said and headed out of the room leaving a tired Remus and a huge mess behind. "What a guy," She laughed to herself as she began to brush popcorn out of her now even messier hair.

Back in the living room the clock chimed three o'clock. "Crap," Remus said and pulled himself off the floor, and began to clean. "There's only three more hours until they get here." He muttered

'I can't wait to see Harry and Ron again. It's been ages since we really had a chance to visit. And Hermione will be thrilled to them to. But why do I feel like I don't want them here?"

The next two hours passed by quickly and without much interaction between the two. Hermione sat curled up in an armchair engrossed in a book while Lupin was occupied by looking through old Marauder pictures and memorabilia. The clock let out a chime, letting them know it was five o'clock, and Remus decided it was time to go clean up before their guests arrived. When he returned Hermione was still enthralled in her book, and oblivious to the world around her.

"Excuse me Hermione," he said breaking the silence. She studied her book for a moment more then looked up and rested her gaze on him. "Well, as you know, tonight is Christmas Eve," he started feeling uneasy, "And I was wondering if there was anything special you'd like to do?"

Hermione thought and gave a smile. "Hmm, well my family never had any traditions so I guess a nice fire and hot cocoa is just about all I need. How about you Professor?"

"Well you can call it hanging on to the past, but since I got to Hogwarts I've sort of made a habit of looking at old pictures," He replied with a small shrug of his shoulders.

"I call for a compromise!" Hermione exclaimed, coming and sitting next to him on the couch. "I have cocoa left and there's already a fire going, you have out your pictures already, why not combine our ideas?"

"That sounds great Hermione."

"Well what are we waiting for then? Bring on the memories!"

As the flipped through old Marauder photos the came to one taken at night. In the picture was a large stag, a very sleek wolf, and a large bear-like dog. Above them, among the stars, shinned a large full moon in a cloudless.

"Professor," Hermione asked as she studied the picture, "Where's Peter?"

"He's taking it," Remus said laughing, "Down right terrified to."

"Sir, would you please tell me about one of the famous Marauder pranks?" she asked with a hopeful look.

"Of course," Remus replied and after thinking of one for a few minutes he began. "Well as usual we were passing notes in Binn's class…"

'Hey Moony' a note said as it landed in t he middle of his desk.

'What do you want Padfoot? Some of us here actually enjoy passing classes.' The lycan wrote back.

'Ouch Moony, that one hurt. I just wanted to know what we were planning for the next moon adventure.'

'You're planning already?!?! We just had the last one 3 days ago! Trust me, I still feel it.'

'Of course I am Moony! This is me, Sirius Black, we're talking about here! Now I was thinking Hogsmeade again, sound good?'

'Sure Padfoot, sounds great.' Remus wrote and sent the note back. As soon as the previous one had landed on the desk it originated from, another came flying onto Lupin's.

'Hey Moony, what are you and Padfoot doing? Writing love notes perhaps? -Prongs'

'Prongs you are just sick!' Remus wrote back.

'Of course I am Moony old boy.'

'You know, its not surprising that Lily wont go out with you.'

'And what do you mean by that?'

'Oh nothing.'

'It's never nothing with you now tell me.' James wrote starting to get frustrated. But before Remus could torture his friend any longer the bell rang and they filled out into the hallway.

"Finally! Lunch time!" Sirius exclaimed happily as they headed to the Great Hall. On their way down they ran into a group of Slytherins.

James and Sirius gave each other a look that just screamed that they were up to something and walked past with sickening grins. "Hello Severus, Hello Lucius," They said together receiving suspicious glares from the Slytherins. Not only had they used their first names but they said them with sickeningly sweet politeness, which of course were other indicators that they indeed were up to something. Once they sat down at the Gryffindor table it was the usual lunch period with James trying to talk and flirt with Lily while the other three Marauders watched on in amusement.

"Hey Lils," James said as he sat down across from a girl with flaming red hair and intense emerald eyes.

"I told you already, my name isn't Lils," the girl snapped as she looked up at the raven-haired boy who was watching her.

"What ever you say dear."

"Go away James," Lily said annoyed, her emerald eyes agitated.

"But my dear Evans, it's love between us and you know it. Now just admit it, you know you can't resist my handsomeness any longer."

"Watch me Potter," she snapped and ate her food.

"Wow Evans, that sounded almost like dear old Snivy himself!"

"James, the way to get a girl is not by showing her how much of a bloody jerk you can be!" Lily replied angrily. As much as she disliked Severus, she hated even more how James and Sirius treated him all the time.

James' reply was blocked out though by angry shouts from the Slytherin table and roaring laughter from the other houses. When the Marauders turned around to look at them their eyes were met with an array of colors. "Why James, it looks like someone has done something to mess with all the Slytherin's hair colors," Sirius said in mock concern.

"What'd you two do this time?" Remus groaned, "I mgiht add thought that whatever it was, it was bloody brilliant!"

"Of course it was Moony old boy. You're forgetting who did it." James said it.

"He's right, they'll have a hard time getting that out," Peter piped in with a laugh. As the group walked outside onto the grounds they found themselves face to face with an extremely mad Lucius Malfoy and Severus or Snivelus Snape, both sporting neon-green hair.

"I love the hair Malfoy, but might I suggest that next time you get a different stylist. They did a horrible dying job." Sirius said with an amazingly straight face.

"Yes Snivelus, green just isn't your color. Terribly sorry there," James remarked with a face to rival Sirius' and the four turned and walked off laughing." Remus said, ending the story.

"But sir, there's one thing that I have to know," Hermione said," Did Malfoy get a new person to do his hair?" she asked with a straight face to rival James'. But as soon as Remus began to laugh the seriousness fell and was replaced with laughter.

As they sat laughing there was a soft nock at the door and the clock chimed 6 o'clock. As Hermione struggled to stop laughing, Remus got up to answer the door with a gnawing feeling in his gut that said that these people were intruders on his territory. At the door stood a very disgruntled Snape and a very happy Harry and Ron. When they walked into the house Hermione quickly stopped laughing and sat staring opened-mouthed at them, not believing her eyes.

"Oh my god," she whispered then seemed to realize that they were really there and ran over to where they stood. She threw her arms around Harry's neck and gave him a big hug, which was returned. She planted a friendly kiss on his cheek that made Remus' stomach churn. She then moved over and threw her arms around Ron and gave him a small kiss like Harry's making Harry a little upset. "I can't believe you guys are here!" she exclaimed happily.

"Good to see you to Mione," Harry said as he surveyed his friend.

"How are you here?" Hermione asked, but didn't really care, she was just so good to see her old friends again.

"Lupin arranged it," Ron explained also extremely happy about the reunion.

"Really?" Hermione asked turning to look at Remus. He smiled and gave a small nod. 'Thank you,' she mouthed, her eyes showing happiness and gratitude towards him.

'She really is happy with him,' Remus thought sadly, but not allowing his smile to fade as he watched the happy trio catch up. "Come on Severus I'll get you some coffee before you go," he said leading the surly looking potions master into the kitchen.

"So what have I missed?" Hermione asked as she led them over to the chairs and sofa. As she sat down Harry and Ron immediately began talking, making Hermione laugh. "One at a time you guys."

"Right," Harry said giving a small blush. "Well nothing much happened. The Quidditch team this year isn't so hot really. Nothing compared to when Wood was here."

Hermione just rolled her eyes as her two best mates began to talk furiously about the Quidditch team and the matches that had already taken place. Snape left quickly after arriving, leaving Remus alone to watch the trio of friends (not that Snape was exactly his idea of good company). After they had talked for what seemed like hours, but was really only one or two, Remus decided that watching people have a good time was not his idea of fun, and wandered over to them. "Hey Harry, hey Ron," he said sitting down on the opposite end of the couch from Hermione.

"Hey Lupin!" Harry said warmly. After Sirius's death Remus had become more like a father figure to Harry even though he knew he couldn't, and had not wish to, be as close as Sirius.

"How are you Lupin?" Ron asked, trying to strike up conversation.

"I'm good Ron," Remus answered politely.

"The house looks great to," Ron added.

"Yes it does, but I believe that all the credit goes to Hermione not me," Remus said with a grin.

"Really? I never would have imagined Hermione a decorator." Ron teases receiving a laugh from them all.

"Yes well Ron, you have often been proven wrong before. What's one more time?" Hermione teased back playfully.

"She's right Ron," Harry agreed laughing as Ron took a playful swing at him.

After laughing and joking around for a while it got late and Remus brought it to their attention. "I hate to break up the party, but it's almost 11 0'clock," he said. They all knew he was right and gave tired nods of agreement. "There's another small bedroom and then one of you will have to sleep out here on the couch."

"I call the couch, it's closer to the fire," Harry said, "Besides Ron, you're to tall to lie down on this couch."

Hermione got up and gave Ron a big hug. "Goodnight Ron, Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the morning." She said then turned to Remus and blushed. "Goodnight Professor, Merry Christmas."

"Goodnight Hermione, 'Night Harry!" Ron and Remus called as they left the room, heading to their separate rooms. As they left the fire and the candles that were floating around the room were the only source of dim lighting. For a few minutes the two teens sat in silence, the peace was quickly broken by a soft but persistent jingle from above. As they both looked up they saw a sprig of mistletoes floating just over head.

Harry gave a groan. "This stupid stuff has been floating around Hogwarts lately," he explained, "Some must've followed us here." Hermione gave a nervous smile and a small blush.

"Does it do anything if you don't kiss?" She asked when the mistletoe jingled in an angrier tone.

"Yeah. I've seen all sorts of things. And they're jinxed to last all day" Harry said feeling the color rise to his cheeks. Dreaming about kissing Hermione was one thing but actually doing it, well that was another. 'Better just get it over with, at least to make that damn mistletoe shut up,' he thought.

As Harry moved in Hermione grew nervous. No matter how she tried she knew that she just couldn't find a way to return Harry's feelings. As Harry's lips met hers in a light kiss the mistletoe stopped its persistent jingling. This seemed to reassure Harry who draped his arms around her waist to deepen the kiss. Not wanting to hurt him, Hermione timidly wrapped her arms around his neck. As Harry asked entrance by running his tongue along her bottom lip Hermione decided she just couldn't carry on pretending anymore , and broke away from the kiss.

Watching the scene was Remus carrying a pile of blankets. As they kissed he felt his stomach tighten like some one was squeezing it. But when he saw Hermione return it, the tightening increased and he was filled with hurt and jealousy he couldn't control. When Hermione pulled away the knot loosened a little. He quickly interrupted the silence by clearing his throat. As they turned to look at him he erased the emotion from his face, but was unable to erase it from his eyes, "I forgot to bring you some blankets Harry," he said coolly, quickly bringing them over.

Hermione looked up and studied him, and found the hurt, she then knew that he had saw the whole thing, causing her to blush deeply. When excused him self hurriedly she had to force back the tears that were threatening to spill. "Harry I'm going to bed to," she explained quickly following Remus down the hallway. When she caught up to him, she grabbed him on the shoulder to try and stop him. Shrugging her hand off he continued on but not quite as quickly. "Remus wait!" she called. He halted but kept his back to her.

'Did she just call me Remus?' he thought. 'Wait it doesn't matter. She was just in there snogging Harry, You don't need to stop.' A hurt voice inside told him bitterly. The jealous, hurt side was much larger and he took another step forward, but not before the call was repeated.

"Remus please," Hermione called with a wavering voice.

The emotion in her voice was so close to what he felt, and hearing his first name come from her made him stop. Giving and inward sigh he turned around. "Yes Hermione?" He asked coldly, trying his hardest not to show emotion.

Hermione hurried over to where he stood outside his door, "What you saw…I mean…" She said trying to put her feelings into words.

"It's okay Hermione. You don't need to explain. I know exactly what I saw, and it is of no concern to me," he said bitterly.

"No you don't!" She protested.

"Now Miss Granger! I have been around long enough to know exactly what I saw. It is of no concern to me though how you and Harry spend your evenings!" Lupin growled, the wolf inside him wanting to come out. She winced visibly at the sound of her surname being used.

"Just listen to me," she said, begging for him to allow her to. When he did not protest she continued. "What you saw was an innocent kiss. That's all! It was just that blasted mistletoe. It wouldn't stop jingling and Harry told me it would jinx people that didn't kiss. And I also couldn't hurt Harry by saying no. I love Harry, but as a brother. Just like I love Ron as a brother, no more and no less," Hermione explained rather quickly.

When she finished she looked into his amber eyes and saw a mix of forgiveness, jealousy, and what surprised her most, longing. "It's alright Hermione, I believe you," he whispered. "I just saw you and him together and felt well, rather jealous actually. It's your business not mine to do whatever you want"

"Whatever I want?" Hermione asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Whatever you want," he breathed as she drew near to him.

"Well then is it okay if I do this?" she asked quietly, the mischievous glint growing and mixing with one of longing and desire. She lifted her hand up and laid it on his cheek and wrapped her other arm around his neck and pulled him down to her height. As her lips gently met his she wandered what on Earth she was doing. But as he returned the kiss, the nervous thoughts were pushed from her mind. The desire inside of Remus pushed away the jealousy and hurt he had earlier felt. Letting the desire take control he wrapped and arm around her waist and ran the other through her hair, and deepened the kiss.

'Now this is what I thought kissing a guy would be like,' Hermione thought,' Nothing like kissing Harry.' All thoughts were pushed away though when she felt a tingle along her lip. As she happily obliged to Remus it seemed to dawn on him what was going on.

'Oh shit!' Remus thought. 'I'm kissing Hermione again! What's more, we have company here and one is in love with her! He thought getting rather annoyed with him self for letting all the desire and longing he had felt take control. He gently pulled away from Hermione and felt a pang of guilt when he saw her hurt look.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I like you a lot, but I just can't in good conscience do this while Harry is here. Besides I'm a lot older than you, you should be with someone your own age, someone you care deeply about," he explained apologetically.

"Don't say that!" Hermione hissed angrily. "I care for you just the same and your age is no matter to me! I'll discuss this more with you later if we need to!" She said with her voice full of frustration that he would think that she didn't love him back. She pulled him into a quick but passionate kiss to prove her point and then followed with a long embrace.

They stood together in silence for a few moments before Remus bent his head down and whispered," Go to bed Hermione," softly in her ear. As she pulled away and headed towards her door she turned around and gave him a smile.

"Goodnight Remus," she said softly, making his heart skip a beat. "I love you," she whispered so he couldn't hear. They both went to bed, falling asleep with the sensation of the others lips against their own.

The next morning Hermione woke up very early. She rolled over and looked at the clock. '5:30,' she thought and gave a groan. She rolled back over and tried to fall asleep. With no luck she decided to go ahead and get up.

After she had quickly thrown on some clothes she grabbed a coat and her wand and snuck silently out of the room. As she passed quietly through the living room she held back a laugh at the happy look on Harry's face. She passed by without a sound and slipped out into the cool, dark air.

On the ground lay a few inches of snow and more fell softly down. Pulling a scarf tightly around her she strolled slowly through the snow getting lost in her thoughts. 'How did I kiss Harry last night? But more importantly, how am I going to tell Harry about the feelings I have for Remus, and that he's just like a brother to me? I'll talk to Ron first I think. Ron will know what to do, or can at least tell him for me. Yes that's exactly what I'll do.

'Remus really is a great man. It's a shame really, that he's a werewolf and that people are so prejudice against letting them have a normal place in society. He could do so much for the wizarding world with his intellect and charm. Oh yes, that man has definite charm. He's quite handsome to…'she mused getting a far away, dreamy look in her eyes.

As she walked along aimlessly she didn't hear soft footsteps crunching in the snow behind her. Whoever else was outside with her snuck up and took her gloved hand in theirs. Suddenly Hermione came back to her surroundings and noticed the person holding her hand. Looking up she met the gaze of bright emerald-green eyes. 'Well speak of the devil,' she thought rather amused. "Good morning Harry. I didn't know anyone else would be up this early with me."

"Morning Mione. I've only been awake for about half an hour, but I went to go check on you and you were gone so I came out to look for you," Harry said warmly.

"That's sweet Harry, thanks."

"No problem Mione," Harry replied, giving her hand a small squeeze.

'Might as well break it to him now," Hermione thought with a small sigh. "Hey Harry, can we talk?" She asked.

"Sure Mione. What's wrong?" Harry asked studying her to find out what was wrong.

"First off Harry, just promise me that you wont be mad at me and that we will still talk together without any awkward silence," Hermione said to make sure she wouldn't lose one of her best mates.

"Of course Mione. I could never be mad at you. And talking to you is so much easier sometimes than with Ron, so I definitely wouldn't stop talking to you. No spill, what's bugging you?" Harry replied, voice full of concern about what was troubling her this much.

"Well you know last night? With the mistletoe?" She started, receiving a small nod from Harry she went on," Dang this is harder than I thought it would be."

"Come on Mione what is it?"

"Okay Harry, I'll be honest. I love you, but not the way that you think. I love you like I do Ron, like a brother. I'm really sorry, but I didn't want to lead you on. Are you mad?" She said rather quickly.

Harry gave a sigh and ran his free hand through his snow-dusted hair. "Nah Mione, I could never be mad at you. Just tell me one thing though. Who do you fancy?" He asked giving a small chuckle at the last sentence.

"Now Harry Potter. Why on Earth do you think I would tell you that?" Hermione asked relieved, and not able to keep a smile off her face.

"Because my dear, If you don't tell me I will have to make you," he replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He quickly bent down and compacted a ball of snow.

"Harry James Potter!" Hermione yelled as the snowball splattered against her chest. Her yell was greeted by playful laughter and another snowball that this time missed her completely. As Harry chased after Hermione he slipped and taking advantage of this moment Hermione grabbed a large handful of snow and chunked it as hard as she could, hitting him right in the face.

"Hermione Granger!" He said slightly surprised, but then again, she did punch Malfoy.

After exchanging snow and laughter they called a tie and fell down side by side, exhausted in the snow. "So are you going to tell mer or not?" Harry asked, brushed his unruly hair out of his eyes.

"Oh come on Harry do you really think I'm going to tell you that?" She asked, and then added quieter," Besides, it shouldn't be to hard for you to guess."

"No!" Harry gasped, seeming to have figured out. "Lupin?" When Hermione gave a small blush, turning her red cheeks redder Harry knew he was right. "Aww how sweet," he teased.

"Harry James Potter!" Hermione yelled and then surprisingly tackled him into the snow to make him stop sing about how love was in the air.

After wrestling (which Hermione was surprisingly good at) and rolling around in the snow Harry stood laughing at Hermione who lay exhausted and soaked on the ground. He put his hand out and pulled her up. As they walked inside Harry threw his arm over Hermione's shoulder in a friendly manner. They walked into the house laughing and joking and sat down to dry in front of the fire.

"Much better," Harry sighed as his feet began to thaw.

"Well Mr. Potter I do believe you lost that wrestling match out there to a girl." Hermione said with a smirk on her face.

"I think you're mistaken," Harry argued back not being able to resist a laugh. They argued over who won while laughing. They ended up waking up Ron who came out to join them, and they drug Remus out of bed.

Being a lycan Remus had naturally been up for hours, but being human he had not wanted to leave the warmth of his bed. When he heard laughing and yelling he decided it was far time to get up. He ran a hand through his wild hair in a weak attempt to calm it. As he reached the door frame to the living room he leaned against it and watched the two argue playfully. Ron soon walked out of the kitchen and joined in on the teasing and joking.

"Hermione's in love Ron!" He heard Harry say, holding out the 'o' in love. Raising an eyebrow Remus listened curiously to the conversation.

"Really now. Is that so Hermione?" Ron asked rather amused, thinking that there was a good chance that it was Harry, seeing how happy they were.

"Harry shut up!" Hermione squealed.

"O come on Mione," Harry teased.

"Really Hermione, I'm interested now. Besides I know it can't really be Harry because if it was you guys would snogging now, not laughing," Ron said with a laugh.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione yelled in unison, and Hermione reached out a slapped him lightly.

"It's not me Ron! She's in love with Lupin!" Harry said acting disgusted.

"It's who?" Ron asked, eyes wide.

"Remus Lupin," Harry said matter of factly.

"Harry!" Hermione groaned blushing.

"Oh come on Hermione it's not that bad. It could be much worse. Heck you could have fallen for Snape!" Ron teased, not really caring too much about his best mate liking a guy double her age.

"He's right Hermione. Snivellus would be much worse," Remus said stepping out of the shadows of the doorway, and making them all jump. As he spoke they all spun around and Harry and Ron visibly relaxed. Hermione however blushed deep red at the conversation that he had overheard, and at his wardrobe choice. Ron and Harry chuckled at Hermione's embarrassment. Remus saw her blush and realized that he was only wearing a pair of red flannel pajama pants. 'Damn,' he thought running a hand through his messy hair.

'Damn!' Hermione thought as she watched him. 'He is so handsome! Harry's right, I am in love.' Suddenly realizing that she was staring at his chest, Hermione turned back around, facing Harry.

"Excuse me but it does seem to be a bit drafty in here," Remus said and gave a wink to the red Hermione, and headed back to his room. While he was throwing on a shirt and taming his hair another interesting conversation was happening between the trio.

"I think he fancies you right back Mione," Ron said.

"But you drooling over him might not be the best way to go about it," Harry added with a smirk and a laugh.

"Oh be quiet you two!" Hermione said rolling her eyes. "You're just looking for ways to torture me and you know it."

"Well yes we are. Doing a splendid job to, right mate?" Ron said looking at Harry.

"You two are acting like Fred and George," Hermione groaned.

"Well if we acted like Lupin you might kiss us so I think that the twins are a safer way to go," Harry said and ducked just in time to miss a pillow to the face from Hermione.

Ron sat on the couch laughing as Hermione attacked Harry with a pillow. It was a mistake. At the sound of his laughter Hermione turned and attacked him with the same, now rather beat up pillow. Grabbing another pillow in defense Ron began to beat Hermione back, laughing Harry joined him.

"Why I do believe you will ruin all my pillows this way," Remus laughed making them all stop and look at him.

"You're to darn sneaky for your own good!" Hermione said.

"That's one of the qualities that made me such a good Marauder," Remus replied with a shrug. "Besides, what else would you expect form a wolf?" As this comment was made the clock gave a short chime indicating to them that it was 10:30. "Dang," Remus said as he looked at the clock. When Hermione, Harry, and Ron looked at him he explained, "Snape will be back to pick Ron and Harry up in an hour."

The trio groaned unhappily. "They can only stay for today?" Hermione asked disappointed.

"Afraid so Hermione. Are you two's things together?" Remus asked, receiving two silent nods. "Oh come on you guys, you still have a hour. Don't let it pass in boring silence."

"He's right guys. Wait here, I have a surprise." Hermione said suddenly excited and rushed into her room. Ron and Harry looked at each other, and then at Lupin.

"I don't know anything!" Remus said truthfully. After a few moments Hermione rushed back into the room holding two packages. She handed one to Harry and the other to Ron.

Harry and Ron opened their packages at the same time, soon they were both holding old fashioned looking books. Harry's was emerald green with his name engraved in gold, while Ron's maroon also having his name in gold. Harry curiously flipped through it, only to find it empty. "Um, Mione. These are empty," Harry stated rather confused.

"Of course they are," Hermione stated, receiving looks that clearly said that she was mental. "I know you two don't read so I got you these. You can use them for whatever you want. And you give your own password with your wand, it's really nice actually."

"Thanks Mione, they're great," Harry said. Ron agreed with him and he looked at his book. "We've got something for you to," Harry said and pulled out a leather album "Sorry we didn't wrap it." Harry apologized as Hermione flipped through it. He didn't receive an answer though, she was to enthralled to notice.

The album was really a scrapbook of Hogwarts. Inside there was a written copy of each song the Sorting Hat had sung and of the school song. Next came pages and pages of pictures. There were pictures of teachers, students, her friends, and just all over the school from their first year up. There weren't many pictures from their first year though since there had been no obnoxious Collin Creevy following them around. "Who took these? They're amazing," Hermione asked.

"Collin did, annoying prat he may be, but he's a good photographer," Ron answered.

Last were letters from all her friends, telling her what was going on, how they missed her and that hopefully her parents would get out of the hospital (that was the excuse that they had all been told) so that she could come back. "I'll read the letters later, but it's beautiful! I absolutely love it!" She beamed. As soon as the words left her mouth though, there was a soft knock on the door and the clock gave another short chime.

Remus got up and opened the door letting Snape in. The trio of friends looked around sadly at each other. "Come on now, I haven't got all day Potter," Snape drawled unpleasantly. Ron and Harry reluctantly grabbed their bags. Hermione rushed over and threw her arms around Harry.

"Goodbye Mione," Harry whispered sadly, "We'll hopefully see you soon."

"Goodbye Harry, I'm glad we got this all sorted out. Go back and find someone new." Hermione said with a smile.

She turned to Ron and gave him a big hug to match Harry's. They both quietly said goodbye. "Hey Hermione," Ron said quietly as she pulled away to let them leave, "Tell him." Hermione gave a smile and promised that she would. Harry and Ron then solemnly followed Snape out the door, which closed and locked behind them. As the door gave a click Hermione broke out in tears.

Seeing her begin to cry Remus rushed over to her and pulled her into a warm embrace. Shaking she laid her head against his chest. Slowly her breathing slowed back to normal and her crying stopped, but Remus didn't pull away. Instead he leaned down and kissed away the tears that stained her face. She gave a sigh and then pulled away blushing. "Thanks Remus."

"No need to thank me Hermione. Now I have a small present for you. Close your eyes," Remus said and as she closed her eyes shyly. He pulled out a necklace and fastened it around her neck. "You can open them now," Remus whispered in her ear. As she opened her eyes she looked at the necklace. On a thin, silver chain hung a black paw print. There was an onyx stone for each section set in silver. The black stones caught and almost held the light.

"It's beautiful Remus! Absolutely gorgeous!" Hermione gasped. Then she remembered her promise to Ron and decided that now was the time. "Remus," she started quietly. "I love you, I have since I saw you again at Hogwarts."

Remus' broke out into a smile and pulled her warmly into a hug. Hermione who had given a blush during her confession, now felt it fade. Remus pulled away and placed a soft but passionate kiss on her lips that sent shivers through her body. He pulled away and put his face by her ear. "Hermione I love you to," Remus whispered, gently blowing air into her ear. She placed her lips on his again this time in a kiss filled with love, as he picked her up and spun her around. "Merry Christmas Hermione."

A/N: Here you go! I promised it would be long so here you go. I hope you liked it. Merry Christmas! The next chapter should be up soon since I'm not in school right now. YES! Thanks so much to everyone who has already reviewed to this story. Please review! That would be wonderful! Happy Holidays!