Disclaimer: I do not own HP, though maybe one day if I practice really, really hard, I will write something just as brilliant. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

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Chapter Sixteen

Gossip

RPOV

It had been three days since the start of the term and news of Hermione and my relationship seemed to be the only thing the student body found worth talking about. All sorts of rumors and gossip were traveling about us. The most wild of which was that I bit Hermione, turning her into a werewolf, which forced her to fall under some kind of mind control, which was apparently the only reason she agreed to marry me. Hermione just laughed at it, I however did not. In the back of my head, not matter how hard I try to push the thoughts to the recess' of my mind, I still have that fear that one day I may one day forget my wolfsbane and…..I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I…..I don't want to think about it.

She visits my quarters every night after dinner. Mostly we just chat, however tonight I'm in the mood to do a bit more. I wore a simple white cotton shirt, and a pair of jeans that Hermione said really brings out my cute arse, her words, not mine. I let a few floating candles, started a fire and dimmed the lights. Hopefully she'll understand where I'm going with the romantic setting and play along.

HPOV

I have such a migraine. People will not leave me alone. Their questions get stupider and stupider, I swear. 'Don't you think he's old?' or 'did you know he's a werewolf.' Well, duh! Idiots. I just wanted to head straight to bed, but I had promised I visit Remus after dinner, as I always do. So, fighting back my pounding head I made my way to his quarters.

"Hi there beautiful." He greeted me with a kiss.

"Hi." I said quietly giving a small smile it return.

"Are you okay?" he asked taking my cloak and levitating it into the closet.

"Head ache." Was all I said before flopping down on the couch?

"Well." He began sitting down gently besides me. "Perhaps I can help". He then took his them and forefingers of both hands and began to gently message my temples.

"Mmmmm." I moaned quietly closing my eyes at his touch.

"Rough day?" he asked softly as he continued to rub.

"Yes."

"That's too bad, but I think I can relive your tension."

"You are." I said softly as I felt my head ach slowly drift away.

"I was referring to more than the tension in your head." His fingers left my forehead and my eyes opened.

He had that look in his eyes. That hungry for Mione look. "I can see that."

He gave a small smirk before bringing his mouth to mine. I gave a slight moan and his lips lowered to my neck. His fingers moved towards my chest and quickly worked the buttons on my blouse. "I love you." He whispered in my ear as he ran his fingers across my bare stomach.

"I love you too." His hands had just reached the button on my jeans when…

"HERMIONE!" I could hear Ron's angry voice through the wall. "HERMIONE. I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU NOW!"

Remus gave out a low growl sitting himself up from me. "I'm a guess Mr. Weasley is back on school grounds".

"It would seem that way." I sat myself up quickly re-buttoning my shirt. "Just give me a moment.

Remus nodded and I quickly answered the portrait door.

"What!"

Ron didn't answer but pushed his way through into Remus' quarters. It was then I was able to get a good look at me. Ginny's hex had not yet completely warned off. I had to bite my lip from laughing.

"Have you lost your mind? You can't marry him." He said pointing to Remus.

"You have no say in who I marry Ronald Weasley. Now unless you have something useful to say I suggest you get out." I pointed toward the door, but he didn't leave. Instead he rounded on Remus.

"What are you playing at?" He asked glaring harshly at my fiancé.

Remus took a deep breath before speaking.

RPOV

I was so tempted to hex the brat right there and then. "Mr. Weasley. You do not seem to understand how much Hermione and I care for each other. She is my world; I love her more than life. I will marry her, have a life and family with her, and grow old with her, and I will not let an ill-tempered twerp like you get in the way." My voice was calm at first, but steadily began to rise. "You need to get over her. You need to move on. You are only making this harder not on yourself but Hermione as well. Do you know the rumors she has had to deal with, the gossip, as a student she hears ten times more of it then I do, I'm sure." Taking a calming breath and again lowering my voice I continued.

"If you had just left this alone we could have finished the term in peace. All you have done is causing her and I and ultimately yourself more stress, and in the end, nothing and I mean nothing will ever stop me from spending the rest of my life with that woman." I glanced over at my love who was now giving me a look of great admiration. "I love her with everything being I possess and I always will".

At first he looked as if my words had truly gotten to him. His harden expression softened; his eyes drooped, but then…

"You can't have her. She's mine!" He pulled out his wand. Mine was in my room, I was defenseless.

"Crucio." The curse hit me like a thousand knives. I couldn't help it the pain was overwhelming, I dropped to me knees and screamed out in pain.

HPOV

"Nooooooo." I instantly ran to him, "Ron, how-how could you."

I could see the instant regret in his eyes.

"I-I didn't…it just…I only…

And then he ran.

"I-I'm okay Mione." He looked up at me, a weak smile in his lips. "Remus I-I'm so sorry I never thought he would ever…I can't….

"It's okay, love. I'll be okay."

I flooed madam Pomfrey who flooed Professor Snape. If anyone had experience dealing with the effects of the Cruciatus curse he would. I sat nervously on the couch in the sitting room; he was being attended to in his bedroom. I know all too well the damage that curse can inflict. I underwent it for nearly a half an hour from Bellatrix Lestrange; my only consolation was that he only had to feel the agonizing pain once.

Just then the bedroom door opened and out walked Professor Snape. "How is he?" I asked nervously quickly rising from the couch.

"He will be fine. Because of his…condition curses such as the Cruciatus tend to be a bit more….difficult, but since he was only hit by it once there should be no long lasting effects. Madam Pomfrey has given him a Calming Draught; he may require Dreamless Sleep later."

"Thank you Professor Snape." He nodded and was about to leave when my eyes caught sight of something. Something shiny and gold.

"Professor Snape." I grinned looking down at the ring on his left hand. "Did you get married?"

It was the first time I had ever seen Professor Snape blush.

"Yes Miss. Granger I did, over Christmas."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, to you as well, on your engagement."

"Thanks."

RPOV

Hermione stayed with me through the night, and the following day (she was excused from classes). Ron turned himself into the headmaster shortly after the incident happened, I don't know much more then that at this point, but I'm sure in time I will. Thankfully the issue has been kept quiet and no one is yet aware of why I have been ill, hopefully it will stay that way. Then again once news of Ron's arrest hits the papers I doubt that will happen.

My parents were alerted of my condition, my mother was in hysterics going on about 'my poor baby' and 'why is it always him'. I quickly reminded her I'm not the only one who has ever been hit by the curse, and that I recovered just fine in a matter of a day; that still didn't stop her from sobbing for almost an hour.

Hermione told her parents as well, they sent me a get well card. Hermione never told her parents she was tortured with the Cruciatus curse, just that she had been hit with it during the war, but that she recovered. She never went into details, which is why I believe they didn't experience the same 'panic' my parents did when they found out what happened.

Monday morning came and I was eager to get back to teaching, however just as I prepared to leave my quarters Albus Dumbledore's face shown through my fireplace.

"Good morning Albus."

"Hello Remus, do you think you could spare a moment, and come through to my office."

"Um, well I was on my way to class."

"I know a sub has been sent, please Remus it is rather important."

"Very well." A moment later I stepped through the flames where I came face to face with Ronald Weasley. He was adorning a black and white striped Azkaban uniform, his wrists and ankles in shackles.

"Remus, Ronald has something he would like to ask you."

A/N: Hum, wonder what he's going to ask, any thoughts?