A/N - Hi everyone! There will be one more chapter after this and then an epilogue. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 90

Content

6 September 2000

After the Wizengamot met for the formal vote, Kingsley sent word that things had gone as expected and the addition to Hermione's proposal had passed with the Minister casting the tie-breaking vote. Hermione knew that there would be plenty of Wizengamot members that would not be happy with it, but Aaron was helping Delia and hopefully, the results would show that.

They had a small celebration in their department, as they always did when someone's proposal passed. As everyone went back to work, Margaret pulled Hermione aside and told her to go and tell Aaron the good news.

"As it will be so near the end of the workday once you finish that, I will see you in the morning." Hermione looked at Margaret in surprise. Even if it took her longer than she expected at Aaron's, there would still be nearly two hours left in the workday. Margaret chuckled at her expression. "Can you honestly tell me that your mind will be on Pureblood laws this afternoon?"

"Probably not," Hermione replied sheepishly.

"Then go," Margaret said. "You've earned it with all of the late nights you have put in on this."

"Thank you, Margaret." Her boss waved her off and Hermione hurried to her office to collect her things. Remus' last class of the day ended at four. If she hurried, she could get home before he did and surprise him.

"Dr. Chadwick can see you now," Aaron's secretary said politely.

"Thank you," Hermione replied and hurried down the corridor. Aaron had been with a patient when she arrived and she'd had to wait for him to finish. She still had time to get home before Remus did. It took him a bit of time to tidy up his classroom and gather his things together before he left.

"Hermione, I wasn't expecting to see you today," Aaron said as she walked into his office.

"I'm sorry for dropping in unannounced, but I wanted to give you the news in person."

"I assume the Wizengamot has made a decision," Aaron said.

"Yes, unfortunately, they rejected my initial proposal." Aaron sighed.

"Well, you told me that it wasn't likely it would pass. Delia will go back to Azkaban tomorrow then?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "But they did approve you still treating her once she goes back."

"Did they?" Aaron asked in surprise.

"Yes," Hermione replied. "And the Minister is working with the warden on opening the Floo for you so that you don't have to take the boat every time."

"Well, that's relieving news," he said with a laugh. Hermione smiled. While he had assured her that he didn't get seasick, she knew that the trip wasn't overly pleasant.

"And how will I be getting to either the boat or the Floo?"

"You'll still have an escort from Magical Law Enforcement as you have to St. Mungo's," Hermione said. "It just probably won't be Harry every time." Aaron nodded. "They'll want a schedule from you, of course."

"Of course," he agreed.

"I want to thank you again, for agreeing to this," Hermione said. "You don't know how much you've helped. And not just with Delia. With the program as a whole. I never would have gotten things started without you." Aaron smiled.

"I was happy to do it," he said. "My daughter is going to part of this world and I want her to have everything that she needs. The rest of my family too, for that matter."

Hermione wanted to ask him if he thought Delia would be all right with the transfer; if the therapy would be as successful once she was returned to prison. But she knew he couldn't answer those questions.

"May I ask if there is any future plan for Delia?" he said.

"What do you mean?"

"If she improves, will she be allowed out of prison?" Hermione sighed.

"I don't know," she said. "One of the main reasons why the initial proposal didn't pass was because she was going to be out of prison. Still locked up, yes, but I think that many of the Wizengamot members didn't think that was enough punishment. My hope is, as the program begins and more Healers are trained, that the Wizengamot will come to appreciate its value. If that happens, my goal is to revisit her sentence and get it reduced. But I can't make any promises. One of the spells she used does carry a life sentence. It will be difficult to get them to change their minds about that."

"I understand," Aaron said.

"Does Delia?" Hermione asked, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, I know that you can't tell me." He leaned forward and put a hand on her arm.

"I'll make sure that she does," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, Aaron."

Remus landed in front of the cottage with a small pop. He wondered if Hermione had heard anything about the vote on her proposal. He knew that Delia was scheduled to be returned to Azkaban tomorrow. Hermione had been on edge all week, things getting worse every day that she didn't hear anything.

He waved his wand to open the front door and walked in greeted by silence. His brow furrowed. While Andromeda normally minded Teddy at her house, they usually walked over to the cottage after Teddy's nap and were waiting for Remus when he got home. Remus was supposed to stay overnight at the school tomorrow. Perhaps she had gotten the days confused.

"Remus!" He turned sharply towards the stairs. What was Hermione doing home? He was reassured by the wide smile on her face, but still confused. She reached the bottom of the stairs and rushed across the room, throwing herself into his arms.

"What's going on?" She pulled back, grinning.

"I had a meeting with the Chief Warlock this morning."

"I take it you have good news?" She nodded. "It passed?" She nodded again and hugged him once more. "Congratulations, love."

Remus held her tightly. He was a bit surprised if he were honest. He hadn't thought the Wizengamot that progressive, at least when it came to Muggle ideas. And he wasn't sure how he felt about Delia being out of Azkaban. He understood Hermione's position, but he still hadn't forgiven the woman. He wasn't sure if he ever would.

"The whole thing didn't pass," Hermione said as she pulled back from him once again. "Delia is going back to Azkaban tomorrow." Remus couldn't deny feeling relief. "But they've agreed to allow Aaron to continue seeing her."

"I'm happy for you," he said genuinely. As far as he was concerned, it was the best solution. Hermione got something of what she wanted and Delia was still locked up where she couldn't hurt anyone. He knew, intellectually, that she would have still been on a locked ward, but the petty part of him was glad that she wouldn't be living in a comfortable room in St. Mungo's.

"I was disappointed that they didn't agree to extend the pilot program, but that was a long shot. At least she'll still get the help she needs." He nodded.

"So, Margaret let you leave to tell me?" he asked with a smirk, then leaned down and kissed her. She smiled at him when they parted.

"No, Margaret sent me home early," she said. "Said she knew I wouldn't get any more work done today." Remus chuckled. "And, I spoke to Andromeda. She's going to keep Teddy at her house for dinner tonight."

"Is she?" Remus asked, cocking an eyebrow. Hermione looked unsure all of a sudden.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. You won't be here tomorrow; I should have thought about that. You probably want to have dinner with him tonight." She stopped babbling and bit her lip. Remus gently pulled it from her teeth and smiled.

"How could I possibly complain about a few hours of uninterrupted time with you?"

"You're sure?" Instead of answering, he leaned in and kissed her rather thoroughly. He smirked at the dazed look on her face when they parted.

"I'm sure." In response, she kissed him again, going to work on the buttons on the front of his teaching robes. When her hand moved to the buttons on his trousers, he used the last bit of his clear thinking to wave his wand at the window to close the curtains and then cast the charm on Hermione. His wand fell to the floor along with his robes, just as Hermione's hand snaked into his trousers. He groaned and yanked her blouse off her shoulders, palming a breast and kissing and nipping her neck. Remus walked them towards the couch and they finished undressing one another before falling down onto it.

"Wait," Hermione said as they tried to maneuver on the couch. He looked at her in confusion. She flung out a hand and summoned her wand, then waved it at the couch to make it wider. He made an appreciative noise as he no longer had to concentrate to keep his right leg from falling to the floor. She dropped her wand and leaned up to kiss him again.

Hands roaming, Remus slowed their frantic pace somewhat. They had plenty of time with Teddy still at Andromeda's. He kissed and nipped his way down her body, teasing until she was practically pleading with him.

"Please, Remus," she said as her back arched again.

"What do you want, love?" he asked, looking down at her as he propped himself up on his hands on either side of her.

"I want you," she said, pulling him down towards her to kiss him. He shifted and pushed into her in one thrust. She moaned and kissed him harder. After all of his previous attention, it didn't take her long to fall over the edge. She lazily smiled up at him as he continued to move, her hands roaming over his chest. She reached up to kiss him again, nipping at the hollow of his throat. He hissed, calling out her name and then collapsing on top of her.

"Gods, I love you," he said, trying to catch his breath. He felt the pleased hum in her chest as she ran her fingers into his hair.

"I love you, too." He shifted his body to the side, but left his head on her shoulder, kissing her neck. He was enjoying her toying with his hair too much to move. Not to mention he was completely spent.

When they had finally recovered, Hermione shifted to her side so they were facing one another. Remus summoned a throw from the chair and pulled it over them.

"I should send Margaret an owl," he said. "Thanking her." Hermione laughed and kissed him. They had time to themselves, of course, after Teddy went to bed. And there were silencing charms so they needn't worry about that, but it was different when Teddy was in the house. There was the concern that he would wake and need them, or Merlin forbid, finally figure out how to get out of his cot and walk in on them. There was always a bit of an urgency involved because of it.

He propped himself up on an elbow and looked down at her, idly running his fingertips up and down her arm. She smiled at him, shivering a bit when his fingers left her arm to rest on her hip. Leaning down he kissed her languidly, his hand sliding from her hip around to squeeze her arse. She pulled herself closer to him in response. When they finally parted, they were pressed together from chest to hip and Hermione entwined their legs. She sighed and kissed his shoulder, then rested her cheek against it. Remus relaxed into the back of the couch and closed his eyes. The moon was in a week, he wouldn't need much time to recover for another round.

8 September 2000

"So, how was the first week of classes?" Hermione asked. They were sitting on the couch, already having put Teddy to bed. Hermione was leaning against the arm of the couch and her feet were in his lap. Remus was rubbing them. They had spoken about his day every evening, of course, but he knew that she was asking for an overall impression.

"It was mostly positive," he said. "There are some students who are upset about being taught by a werewolf. I've overheard a few comments that I'm sure they weren't trying all that hard to hide." Hermione scowled at that and he smiled, squeezing her foot.

"It's going to take time, love. You know that." She sighed.

"I do, it's just," she shook her head.

"They're children, Hermione. They are likely spouting back what they've heard at home from their parents. My hope is that the further into the school year we get, once a few moons pass, their opinions will change."

"How is Will doing?" she asked in concern.

"He does well in my class," Remus said. "As far as I know, no one is aware of his status outside of those that already know. Or if they are, they've accepted it. I don't know if he's spoken to his dorm mates or not."

"What are they like?"

"I've only seen them a few times," he reminded her. "One is a bit on the obnoxious side, although no worse than James and Sirius were our first year." Hermione snorted and Remus chuckled. "Yes, I realize that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. But we were relatively harmless at eleven."

"If you say so," Hermione replied, but there was amusement in her eyes.

"The other two, it's hard to say. They're well-behaved in class. One is a Muggle-born, so he is a bit in awe of things yet. I doubt he even knows that werewolves actually exist. The other performs well in class, seems friendly enough, but as I said, I've only seen them a few times."

"Does Will seem to be friends with them at all?"

"They all came to class together the first day. Since then he's mostly been with Christopher, the Muggle-born. I can't say if that means they're mates or not, but I've seen them eat together and they partnered in Defense yesterday." Hermione nodded and Remus squeezed her foot again.

"It's only the first week, give him some time."

"I know, it's just, the full moon is next week."

"Caroline has begun delivering his Wolfsbane, along with a dose for Gemma Chambers." She was the seventh-year that had also been bitten during the war. "Minerva has set aside two rooms in one of the unused staff wings for them to transform in. He'll be fine."

"What is he going to tell his dorm mates?" she asked in concern.

"I don't know, but that is Will's decision," Remus said. "We talked about possibilities the last time I saw him before school started. He'll tell them what he thinks makes the most sense." She nodded.

"I know I'm being silly." Remus smiled. He thought it rather sweet that she was worried.

"You're not being silly," he assured her. He shifted and slid closer to her on the couch. A gentle tug on her hand pulled her to his side. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "You care about him, of course you're concerned. Just remember that he has his brother. And he has Annie, David, and Claire. He and Christopher have been eating most lunches with them. And Will knows he can come to me if he needs anything." He kissed her forehead and she sighed into his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I'm glad he's gotten to see his mother this week."

"She's just as glad, I'd wager," Remus said. "I know that my mum was very upset my first transformation away from her."

"How did you deal with that?" Hermione asked.

"It was difficult," he said quietly. "I was in the Shack all alone, terrified that someone was going to figure out my secret. I didn't have any friends yet. Peter and I spoke sometimes, but only James and Sirius were close at that point. And I missed my mum." Hermione tightened her arms around him.

"I remember waking up in the hospital wing the next morning. Minerva was there, sitting on the side of my bed. She came across as so stern and imposing, I was shocked when she hugged me. But I wanted my mum so badly that I started to cry. I clung to her and she comforted me." A small smile formed on his face. "When I had composed myself, I was so embarrassed, I didn't think I'd ever be able to look her in the eye again. She just patted my shoulder and we never said another word about it. But she was always there, after every moon." Hermione squeezed him lightly.

"It will be different for Will and Gemma though," Remus said. "With the Wolfsbane, they won't injure themselves much, if at all. They'll simply need some rest the day after. And now that your reforms have passed and the seminars will be starting soon, hopefully they won't have to worry about the prejudice as much as I did."

"There will always be some."

"There will," Remus agreed. No matter what reforms and changes were made, prejudice would probably never go away completely. "But I'm sure that Minerva will be there when Will wakes up, even if she isn't the Gryffindor head anymore." Hermione smiled up at him. He leaned down and kissed her. When they parted, she snuggled further into his side. Remus wrapped his arms more tightly around her, kissing the top of her head. They stayed that way until they were both too tired to keep their eyes open any longer. Remus rose from the couch and held out a hand to her and they walked up to their bedroom together.

10 September 2000

Hermione opened the window wider to let the owl inside. She took the letter from its leg and offered it an owl treat before it flew off. She didn't recognize the handwriting on the letter and so set it on the counter and ran the scans Remus had taught her. It was a habit now, whenever they got unknown post. The scans came back clean and Hermione opened the letter.

Dear Miss Granger,

My wife and I wish to thank you for your work on your recent mind healing proposal and your attempt to help our daughter. Her mother and I were both extremely grateful and humbled by your compassion for her struggles. You had every reason to want to see her punished to the full extent the law allows and yet you were able to set that aside and try and do what was best for her.

Although she has been returned to Azkaban, she is more like the young woman I knew before she made the choices that she did. I must admit that I was skeptical of Dr. Chadwick in the beginning, however, he has done more for our daughter in these past weeks than I ever thought possible.

The Minister has allowed us more frequent visits to see her and if this was at all your doing, again we thank you. We owe you a debt, Miss Granger.

Sincerely,

Malcolm and Evangeline Wilkes

She felt arms come around her waist and Remus kissed her neck.

"Who's the letter from?" he asked.

"Delia's parents," she said, still a bit in shock that they had written her. She handed it to him over her shoulder and he let go of her to read it.

"Well," Remus said when he'd finished. She nodded. They had told her they owed her a debt. Not a life-debt, but a debt all the same. It was a point of honor for wizards, Pureblood wizards especially.

"I'm not sure what to say," she said.

"You don't have to say anything, love. They aren't expecting an answer."

"But this debt, I don't want that."

"Then don't ask them to fulfill it," Remus said. "It's not a life-debt."

"I wish I could tell them it isn't necessary," she said.

"You can't do that," Remus said.

"I know," she replied with a sigh. Refusing the debt would be extremely insulting, something she wouldn't do. Remus dropped the letter on the table and wrapped his arms around her.

"Like I said, you don't have to ask them to satisfy it." She sighed again and he kissed her forehead. She pulled herself closer to him and rested her cheek against his chest.

"Teddy is asleep," Remus said a few minutes later, his hand drawing lazy circles on her back. Hermione smirked.

"Is he?" she asked as she looked up at him. He dipped his head and kissed her, pulling her tighter to him, making his meaning completely clear. Hermione grinned into his mouth as he backed her against the wall of the kitchen.

19 September 2000

Hermione woke to soft kisses on the back of her neck. She made a noise of appreciation and felt Remus' arms tighten around her.

"Happy birthday," he said. She smiled and turned to face him. He brushed a lock of hair off her face and then kissed her properly. She sighed in contentment and snuggled into him. The moon was almost a week past. Will had done fine and as far as Remus knew, no one had questioned his absence. Although Hermione knew it was the first moon and the more there were, the more suspicions it would raise, she felt better knowing that he had made it through the first one.

"I wish we didn't have to work today," she said.

"Me too, love," he replied, kissing her temple. "But don't forget we've got the entire evening to ourselves." Andromeda was keeping Teddy for the night.

"Mm, I can't wait." She kissed him again, one hand traveling down his side to squeeze his arse. He thrust his hips towards her and then broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers.

"Gods, you're making it very difficult to get out of this bed." She grinned at him and he kissed her once more. Then he resolutely pulled away from her and sat up. She sighed and did the same. As much as she would have liked to linger in bed, she had a meeting with Margaret right away this morning and Remus had the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fifth years first thing. Not to mention that Teddy would be up soon.

As if he'd heard her, Teddy called out for his father. Hermione leaned over and kissed Remus one last time.

"I'm going to get in the shower."

"All right," Remus said as he stood. As he walked to the door, Teddy called out again. Hermione paused and her brow furrowed. The little boy sounded much closer. Remus glanced at her in confusion just as there was a banging on their bedroom door.

"Daddy, My-nee," Teddy said, from directly outside their door. Remus pulled the door open and Teddy grinned up at him. "Me get up." Remus glanced at Hermione who covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

"I see that," Remus said as he picked up his son. "And just how did you get up?"

"I cime!" Teddy said.

"You climbed?" Remus asked. Teddy nodded enthusiastically. He looked extremely proud of himself.

"You're supposed to wait for Daddy or Hermione to come and get you," Remus admonished, but Hermione could see the corners of his mouth twitching.

"No, Daddy, I cime," Teddy repeated. "Me eat."

"Hungry, are you?" Remus asked. Teddy nodded and grinned again. Remus snorted and Hermione completely lost the battle with her laughter. Teddy looked from his father to Hermione and started to giggle. She was quite sure he had no idea why he was laughing.

Hermione crossed the room to them and Remus whispered something in Teddy's ear. When she reached them, Remus put an arm around her, then nodded to Teddy.

"Hap bir'day, My-nee!" Teddy said. Hermione laughed and took Teddy from Remus' arms.

"Thank you," she said, rubbing her nose against his and then kissing his cheek.

"Daddy, you say hap bir'day," Teddy directed. Remus chuckled and leaned down to kiss Hermione.

"Happy birthday, love."

Hermione looked up at the knock on her open door. Harry stood in the doorway.

"Happy birthday," he said. Hermione smiled.

"Thanks, Harry."

"Can I steal you for lunch?" Hermione glanced at the work on her desk. She was revising a few things after her meeting with Margaret, but none of them were pressing.

"I'd love that," she said, gathering up her parchment into a neat stack. She grabbed her handbag from the drawer of her desk and followed Harry out of her office.

"How are things in the Auror Department?" Hermione asked.

"Relatively quiet," Harry said. "I've been on escort duty more than anything."

"With Aaron?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Harry said. Hermione bit her lip but asked her next question anyway.

"Do you see her, Harry?" The lift doors open and they both fell silent as they stepped inside. The lift was crowded given it was the lunch hour. They didn't start speaking again until they left the Ministry, transfiguring their robes before they stepped outside.

"I've seen her, yeah," Harry said.

"And?" Hermione questioned. Harry sighed.

"She seems better than she was before she was sent to St. Mungo's," Harry said. "But I don't talk to her, Hermione. That's Aaron's job."

"I know," she said with a sigh. Harry looked at her for a few moments.

"She's talking at least," Harry said. "That's all I know, honestly." Hermione nodded.

"Thanks, Harry." She finally started paying attention to where they were.

"Where are we going?" She had assumed they would go to the Muggle café that they both liked, but they'd already passed that.

"I thought we'd go to that Italian place," Harry said, not looking at her. Hermione's brow furrowed. He was acting a bit strange. "That's okay, right?"

"I suppose," she said, wondering what was going on. They typically didn't go to the Italian restaurant, as the service was a bit slow. It was difficult to be out of there in only an hour.

They stepped inside and Harry gave his name to the hostess. She smiled and directed them to follow her, although Hermione saw that she hadn't picked up any menus. She led them through the restaurant, not stopping at any of the empty tables. They stopped in front of a door and the woman nodded to Harry before she left.

"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione asked. Instead of answering, Harry opened the door and ushered Hermione through.

"Surprise!" multiple voices shouted. Hermione startled and looked around. Arthur and Molly, Ron and Susan, Ginny, Andromeda and Teddy and Hermione's parents smiled back at her. Hermione looked at Harry in shock and he grinned at her.

"Happy birthday, Hermione," Harry said, kissing her cheek.

"I can't believe you did this," she said. He smiled.

"Remus told me to tell you he's sorry he couldn't come," Harry said.

"I know, he's got a class right after lunch," Hermione said. It would have been nice for him to be here, but she understood. Besides, she had him all to herself tonight. She made her way through the room greeting everyone.

"George told me to wish you a happy birthday and give you this," Ron said passing Hermione a gift. "He wanted to come but it's Verity's day off today."

"Thanks, Ron," Hermione said with a smile.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," her mum said and Hermione hugged her and then her dad.

"I'm glad you're both here." They had celebrated her birthday with her parents over the weekend, but it was nice to see them on the actual day as well.

"Miss our little girl's birthday?" her father said in mock horror. Hermione rolled her eyes, as she laughed.

"My-nee!" Teddy called. Hermione turned as the little boy ran across the room towards her. He had a wrapped box in his hand. Hermione squatted down when he reached her. He thrust the box at her.

"Is it from you?" Hermione asked. Teddy nodded enthusiastically. Andromeda walked up behind him.

"He insisted on giving it to you right away," she said. Hermione smiled as she pulled off the wrapping paper. Inside the box was a framed drawing, similar to the one that he had given Andromeda for her birthday.

"Did you draw this?" Hermione asked. Teddy nodded again, looking extremely proud of himself. It was a series of circles and blobs that Hermione was quite sure meant something to the little boy, although she couldn't have distinguished what they were. "Can you tell me about it?"

"Dis you," Teddy said, pointing to a series of circles. "And dis Daddy and me." Two more blobs were near Hermione. "Dat Nanna and Ting." There were two more circles and blobs a little way away from the other three.

"You did an amazing job," Hermione said. "I love it, thank you." Teddy grinned and her and threw his little arms around her neck.

"Hap bir'day, My-nee," he said. She squeezed him tightly. He pulled back to look at her seriously. "We has take?" She and most everyone around them laughed.

"I don't know, you'll have to ask Harry." Teddy turned to his godfather.

"Ha-wy, we has take?" Harry picked him up and tickled his sides. Teddy giggled.

"Yes, we're going to have cake," Harry said. "After you eat your lunch."

"We eat?" Teddy asked immediately. Harry laughed.

"They're bringing the food in a few minutes." Harry looked at Hermione. "I hope you don't mind that we ordered already. Figured it would save time." She waved off his concern.

"You know what I like."

Hermione spent the next few minutes opening gifts with Teddy's help and then their lunch was served. When they had finished and the cake was brought in, Teddy climbed into her lap to help her blow out the candles. Hermione gave him the first piece and he continued to sit happily in her lap as he ate it. Hermione looked at her mum and saw the fond look on her face. Since her parents had been back in England, her mother had been very much enjoying spending time with Teddy. Her dad too, for that matter. Hermione knew they didn't want to overstep any kind of boundaries, but they treated Teddy as they would a grandson. It made her smile.

When Teddy had finished his cake and Hermione had cleaned his hands and face, he snuggled into her. It was a bit later than usual for lunch for him and she knew he was tired. Andromeda, noticing as well, came to collect him so she could take him home and put him down for a nap. Hermione hugged him and kissed the top of his head.

"Thank you for my drawing," she said. "I'm going to hang it up in my office."

"Tay, My-nee," Teddy said sleepily. Hermione passed him off to Andromeda. She made her good-byes and Harry walked them out. There was an alley a block over where they would Disapparate from. Seeing that her lunch hour was over, in fact, she'd gone over it by a few minutes, Hermione thanked everyone and began saying good-bye.

"Luna will be back this weekend," Ginny said. "You've got your fitting for your dresses on Sunday."

"I remember," Hermione said. "Thanks for coming, Gin."

"Of course," she said. "Have fun with Remus tonight." Ginny winked and the gleam in her eye did not go unnoticed by Hermione. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Harry returned just as Hermione had finished thanking everyone. She, Harry, and Arthur walked back to the Ministry together.

"Don't worry about being late," Harry said as Hermione tried to quicken their pace. "I talked to Margaret beforehand. She knew you might take a few extra minutes." Hermione looked at Harry in surprise.

"What, don't think I know how to plan a proper party?" he asked. She laughed and bumped her shoulder with his. Arthur chuckled at the two of them. When they reached the Ministry, Arthur left them in the Atrium.

"Happy birthday, Hermione," he said.

"Thank you, Arthur." He smiled and gave them a wave as he walked off. Harry and Hermione took the lift to back to the DMLE.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said as they reached the Auror offices. He smiled.

"You're welcome." He kissed her cheek and then disappeared into the Auror department as Hermione walked back to her office.

Remus stood in their bedroom, with the two wrapped boxes in his hands. He had left Hogwarts after his last class and gone straight to the jeweler in Diagon Alley. Both of his purchases had been ready. The question was, which one was he going to give Hermione tonight? He stared down at the boxes in his hands, one slightly larger than the other. He had intended to give her one for her birthday and the other, well, he wasn't sure about the other. Christmas, perhaps, or maybe Valentine's Day.

Remus hadn't expected to have to make this decision today because he hadn't expected that the one would be ready today. The jeweler had told him proudly that he had worked late the night before so that both pieces would be finished. Remus almost wished that he hadn't, although Remus had been appropriately thankful.

The front door opened and Remus knew that Hermione was home. He looked at the boxes one last time before putting a concealment charm on one and hiding it on the top shelf of his wardrobe. The other, he slipped into the pocket of his trousers and then went downstairs to greet Hermione.

Hermione sighed in contentment and pressed herself against Remus, naked except for the necklace he had given her; two entwined hearts with a small diamond set in the middle where the hearts joined. It was beautiful and she loved it.

They'd had a lovely dinner at a small romantic restaurant in Muggle London, then come back to the cottage. Remus had presented her with the necklace and then proceeded to slowly peel off her clothes and do nothing short of worshipping her for well, she wasn't even sure how long it had lasted, but she was completely sated by the end. She'd fallen asleep, she was quite sure of that, but it had been just a short nap. She had woken to him staring at her intently, with a look in his eye that she couldn't quite read. She'd looked at him quizzically, but he'd kissed her until her toes curled and all concerns about his expression had been driven from her head.

Now, he trailed his fingertips up and down her back, making her shiver whenever he reached a particularly sensitive spot. She kissed his neck and tried to burrow closer to him, entwining their legs and pressing her breasts against his chest.

"I think you're about as close to me as you can get, love," he murmured in her ear, but his arm tightened around her all the same. She breathed in the scent of him and made another noise of contentment.

"Did you have a good birthday?" he asked a few minutes later. She pulled back from him slightly and he traced the hearts on the necklace where it sat just beneath the hollow of her throat. It was rather distracting.

"I think this was quite possibly the best birthday I've ever had," she said smiling up at him. He returned it, but his smile seemed off somehow. Her brow furrowed.

"Remus?" she said. "Is something wrong?"

"Of course not," he said. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, it's just," she studied him again for a few moments, then shook her head. "It's nothing." He kissed her again, making her wonder if she had misinterpreted his look.

"I promise you, everything is fine," he said, smiling again and this time it looked like all his other smiles. She decided that she must have imagined it. When Remus rolled her to her back and kissed her again, all worry about anything flew from her head. She kissed him back, pulling him closer to her, forgetting about everything besides the two of them.

Remus stared at the necklace as it rose and fell in time with Hermione's breathing. He reached out a finger and traced around it softly, not wanting to wake her. It was late, he'd be tired tomorrow for his classes, but he couldn't drift off to sleep. The wonder if he'd made the right choice of gift wouldn't leave his head.

It wasn't that Hermione hadn't liked the necklace; she had loved it. And it had been what he'd intended to give her all along. Still, he couldn't forget about that other box in the back of his wardrobe. She had told him that this had been the best birthday she had ever had. Would it have been even better if he had presented her with the other box? Or would she have thought him mad for giving it to her? That was the question he had wrestled with since he'd left the jewelers.

Sighing, Remus rolled to his back and threw an arm over his eyes. He was mad, wasn't he? It hadn't been nearly long enough yet. He shouldn't have even bought the thing. Hermione moved towards him in her sleep until her hand rested on his stomach. He smiled in spite of his inner turmoil. Gods he loved her. She smiled faintly in her sleep and he chuckled. Deciding that he was being ridiculous, he turned back to his side and gathered her into his arms. She let out a happy sigh and fell even deeper into sleep. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. He would worry about this tomorrow. Or, maybe, he would stop worrying about it all together.

20 September 2000

Hermione walked into an empty house after work. She was running late, having gotten waylaid on her way out of her department by one of her colleagues with a question. Brow furrowing, she walked into the kitchen. Perhaps Remus was still at Andromeda's getting Teddy, although he was normally home a little early on Wednesdays. Given that Teddy had stayed the night at Andromeda's yesterday and they hadn't seen him this morning, she thought that Remus would have brought him home right away. Hermione caught sight of a note propped up on the kitchen table, her name written in Remus' familiar looping scrawl.

Hermione,

I'll be late tonight. We've been having some ongoing troubles with one of the Gryffindors (none of your quartet) and Minerva has called a meeting after dinner. I'll just eat here at the castle. Andromeda is keeping Teddy for supper and has invited you to join them. I'm sorry, love. I'll be home as soon as I can.

Love, Remus

Hermione smiled at Remus' reference to the three Muggle-borns and Will. He often called them as such. Leaving the kitchen, Hermione shrugged out of her Ministry robes and hung them near the door. She decided she would change and then take Andromeda up on her offer.

Hermione had made it halfway up the stairs when there was a tapping on the kitchen window. Sighing, she walked back down and returned to the kitchen. She let the owl in and took the round tube from its leg. The owl flew to one of the chairs at the table and perched on the back, looking tired. Hermione wondered how long it had been flying and glanced at her name on the tube as she filled a small dish with water. It was Luna's handwriting, which explained the owl's fatigue. She wasn't sure exactly where Luna was right now, but they were somewhere on the continent.

The owl drank the water gratefully and ate the treats Hermione had set out. It hooted at her and flew back out the window, settling itself into a tree in the back garden and promptly closing its eyes. Hermione smiled and turned back to the package in her hand.

She tore off the paper and found a tightly rolled magazine inside. Unrolling it, she frowned as she looked at the title. It was an entomology journal, a Muggle one from the looks of it. Why on earth was Luna sending her a scientific journal on insects? Hermione opened the cover and a small piece of parchment fluttered out.

Hermione,

We ran across this in our travels. I thought you might find the article on page seventeen interesting.

Luna

Flipping to the aforementioned page, Hermione's mouth dropped open. She stared at the photograph in front of her for a few minutes before finally moving to the article.

New Species of Beetle Discovered outside London!

Nine year-old Benjamin Phillips had no idea just what contribution he was about to make to science when he caught a beetle in a jar outside of London in early June. In his back garden, Mr. Phillips saw the strange creature flying a bit erratically. It landed on a bench near his back door and Mr. Phillips, a budding entomologist, picked up a jar and trapped the insect inside.

After it was inspected by Mr. Phillips and his parents, all three realized they had never seen anything like it. A visit to their local library and an inspection of a few reference books gave them no further indication as to what this beetle was. After a referral from the librarian, the beetle came into this department's possession. Numerous inquiries to research facilities around the world showed that Mr. Phillips had indeed discovered something completely new.

The article went on to describe the beetle's appearance and all of the observations made of its behavior so far, as well as speculation about where it might have come from. Hermione skimmed the information and then went back to the accompanying photograph. There, staring back at her, was Rita Skeeter.

A/N - You thought I'd forgotten about her, didn't you? ;)