Disclaimer: So not mine, though I wish it were...

A/N: To whomever reads this, I hope you will do me the courtesy of reviewing this, it isn't that hard. About thirty seconds is all it takes.

CapNSilver: Thank you for your support. I appreciate that you've taken the time to review. But, for a bit of bad news, I am seriously thinking of pulling this story, so that I can do a major overhaul of it. I can only hope that you come back when it's ready.

CH. 18

Over the course of the week, Remus had a few rare chances to see glimpses of Hermione in the corridors between classes, and during meals in the Great Hall, and even outside enjoying the last bit of warmth and sunshine before autumn set in with Harry and Ron. And it was during these interludes that Remus was struck anew with a deep and fierce yearning for Hermione. In Remus' eyes, she was beautiful in every possible way; be it mind, body, soul. She was a rare gem.

After a few days "testing" the ring, Remus decided to send the note to have Hermione come pick up the ring that Saturday afternoon in his office. During the interim, he passed the time by grading his second years' essays. Unaware of how quickly the morning had passed, Remus was interrupted by a knock on his office door. Calling out an invitation, Remus set aside his grading to speak Hermione. She entered his office, and closed the door behind her.

"Have a seat 'Mione. Well, I ran some tests on the ring, and I found nothing wrong with it. So, you may have it back now," said Remus.

"That's great! It is such a beautiful ring, I would have been quite disappointed if it had been cursed." exclaimed Hermione. "It would have been a terrible waste if it had to be destroyed."

"Indeed."

"I'm curious to know who sent it to me. It's my birthstone, and I'm Irish on my mother's side of the family, so someone would have to have gone through quite a bit of thought to come up with that Celtic design."

"And if you knew who sent it to you, what exactly would you do?"

"Well, obviously I would want to thank whomever for such a thoughtful and beautiful present. But, I would give whomever a huge hug," Hermione hinted.

Remus decided to confess; because he had a sneaking suspicion that Hermione knew that he was the one who sent it.

"If I told you that I was the one who sent it to you, would you be surprised?" asked Remus.

"Actually, I wouldn't." said Hermione, "Simply because you didn't seem quite so concerned about it when I showed you it. And also, it just seems like the kind of sweet thing you would do."

"Oh. So now you know my secret." confessed Remus.

"I have just one question- Why didn't you leave a card or sign it, Remus?"

"I don't know. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you."

"Well, I appreciate it more than you can imagine. I will cherish it. It means so much too me; knowing that it came from you." said Hermione sincerely.

"You are more than welcome. I wanted to give you something to let you know just how special you are."

Rising from her seat, Hermione walks around Remus' desk, and wraps her arms around his shoulders, in a grateful hug. Then she moves to kiss his cheek, but Remus moves his face to her, and she ends up kissing him on the lips. And though it is a chaste kiss, the sparks between them are almost tangible. Pulling back, Remus starts to apologize, but Hermioneleans towards him, and kisses him again.

This time there is no mistaking it. Remus is stunned, she is deliberately kissing him.

This time Remus does pull back, albeit reluctantly. Trying to regain his composure, while trying toact like he isn't shaken to the core. "Hermione, please, we really shouldn't be doing this."

Gazing at him with glazed over eyes; she shakes her head, to clear it, "Huh? I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said that we should not have done that. You are underage; and I am your teacher," said Remus.

"Actually, I'm not. Last Monday was my seventeenth birthday, so I am of age. Though, you do have a valid point about you being my teacher. But, I want you; so fair warning, I intend to pursue you by whatever means necessary." stated Hermione.

"As much as I might want you as well, nothing can happen."

Amused by his Freudian slip, Hermione asked, "Is that a confession? You're admitting that you want me as well."

"No! I'm not admitting anything. We cannot be together at all!"

"I understand that you are concerned about losing your job. But no one needs toknow about it."

"No! This is wrong."

"Poor Remus, so conflicted by what's right and wrong, that you won't let yourself just feel. You can keep running, but sooner or later, I'll get you."

With that said, Hermione turned and walked to the door. Pausing at the door, she turned back to Remus and said, "Thank you again for the ring." Opening the door, she walked out.

Remus meanwhile was having another internal argument with "Moony".

'By the gods, you have got to be the stupidest person in existence!' exclaimed Moony, 'She was willingly giving you what we both long for, and you still fight it. How can you be so smart, and so bloody stupid at the same time?'

'Tell me, what happens when she changes her mind? She's a young woman who still has her whole life ahead of her. She'll come to regret it, I know it.' said Remus.

'Why are you so damn worried about the future? Why not live in the here and now?' Take your pleasure whilst you can!'

'She is one of Harry's best friends, how do you think he'll feel if he finds out. Or Ron? They will be horrified and angry.'

'Don't you think she has thought all this through for herself? You always say that she is the smartest, most maturewitch of her age group, and yet you refuse to take her word for it when she says she wants to be with us.' said Moony disgustedly. 'Stupid plonker!'

After the argument with his alter ego, Remus spent a few minutes trying to stop himself from banging his head against his desk in frustration. Because, while was trying to be a responsible adult, all the things she said was true, and it made it a harder pill to swallow.