AN: This was the hardest thing I've ever written (I wrote an entire massage and sex scene but these characters in this story at least don't feel like they would just jump into sex so the sex is just going to have to wait). This feels better to me but it is a bit sad (especially the end of the chapter but they are both slightly idiots when it comes to romance and social relations so it had to be done), but don't worry this story is far from over.

Onward with the tale...

Feeling her soft lips on my cheek as I feel her body line up with mine causes my blood to burn in my body. I can feel my cock starting to go hard. I close my eyes and attempt to calm myself, I wouldn't want my sexual response to her to ruin everything we've built over the last ten months. I'm a grown man, I really should have better control than this.

"Nonsense Hermione. We protected each other, we both risked our lives for each other and for our friends and the whole wizarding world. There is no need to thank me for what you yourself have done."

She slowly pulls away from me. I can feel her brown eyes on my face.

Then she laughs softly as she looks at me.

I open my eyes and look at her confused.

"What's so funny?"

"Why are you so modest Remus?" She asks as she pouts her lower lip out at me. Her beautiful lower lip, so plump and in desperate need of a nibble.

We're going to have to change that. I can't let my brave, courageous, handsome knight think so little of all his hard work. I also got my lipstick all over your face. Come, I'll take you in the kitchen so you can have some tea while I get that off you" she says as he laces her fingers with my own.

She starts to pull me toward the kitchen and I can't help but follow. I'm so dazed by the view that she could be leading me to a fiery pit of torment and I would go

"You think I'm handsome?" I ask in shock which causes me to smile. Its almost funny, but then again Hermione never was one to see things the way everyone else did. I slowly bring my hand up to caress her cheek and I notice her pupils dilate.

"Well, I had quite the crush on you back in third year." She says breathlessly as she blushed brightly under my eyes.

"Did you? And how about now?" I ask as I smirk and begin to walk her back until her back hits the wall. Her eyes begin to search my face and she looks like a deer caught in headlights.

She laughs nervously as I gently cup her face in my hands and look deep in her eyes then I look down at our fingers intertwined and I can't believe I'm here with her like this.

I look back up to the loveliness of her face. Our faces are only a few inches apart but those few inches feel like miles, to cover them feels like the hardest distance to cross. It would be so easy to get lost in her. To kiss her breathless, to reveal the how much I desire her but it is these times, like now that its so hard to read how she feels about me and my fear that she will reject me and abandon me keeps me from closing those last inches between us. I realize how easy it would be for her to hurt me and the power she has over me scares me and sobers my lust for her.

I remove my hand from her face and step back from her and I hear her sigh.

She lets her face fall from my gaze as she suddenly becomes fascinated with her bare feet.

"Is that offer for tea still good, Hermione?" I ask hesitantly.

"Of course it is Remus."

When we enter the kitchen she lets go of my hand and motions with her hand for me to take a seat. I sit on one of her worn kitchen stools. These stools always irked me because they looked worn even when they were brand-new. She told me it was some type of antiquing finish and I just couldn't understand why anyone would willingly spend their money on something that was purposely made to look old and worn.

I watch her as she saunters over to the sink and wets a napkin with some dishwashing soap.

She pads over to me and stands close and begins to wipe the damp napkin lightly against my skin. Rather than look at her, I watch her graceful fingers as they complete their task. I watch her pad over to the trash and throw the used napkin in the bin while she gets another one and dries my cheek.

"There, all clean" She says softly, her voice sounds terribly sad.

I look up at her face and let my gratefulness show "Thank you".

I wonder what has changed her mood so quickly. I hope it wasn't something I did, I would hate to cause her to be sad or to hurt her.

She nods and turns away and then busies herself with making tea.

"Would you like a sandwich Remus? I'm starved".

"I thought you went out on a date earlier. Don't tell me your date didn't buy you dinner? Don't tell me your one of those girls that only eats salad on dates." I give her a little smirk.

"Well yes. I was on a date earlier, but it ended before we were even given menus"

"Yes, a sandwich sounds wonderful. Would you like to talk about it?"