Only Time Will Tell

Chapter 6: Christmas

It was almost 9 pm by the time Hermione arrived, alone, at the Owlery. She'd been trying to get away all day without success. Someone was always asking her questions or just hanging around. She'd never felt so popular in all her life. She carefully removed the packages from under her robes and looked around, an anxious and excited feeling in her stomach. Tomorrow, tomorrow would be a wonderful day. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes as a large gray barn owl descended toward her, eagerly awaiting its job.

"Thank you." She smiled. She quickly tied the gifts to the bird and ruffled its feathers gently, giving it a treat. "Remus Lupin," she whispered. She watched dreamily as the owl flew out the window.

"Happy Christmas Remus," she whispered.

Filled with nervous excitement, she' hardly slept that night. She kept imaging the look on his face when he unwrapped her gifts.

***

Tap tap tap.

The knocking on the door subsided as Sirius burst in.

"Remus, wake up!"

Remus jumped at the sound of Sirius's voice. "What is it? What happened?"

Sirius was standing in the doorway looking terrified. "It's Harry. They've got him. They've taken him!" Sirius voice shrieked, breaking under the weight of his emotions.

Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap.

Remus's heart pounded furiously as he forced his eyes open. He looked around. It was still dark. There was no one there. He must have been dreaming. He laid back on the bed, breathing heavily, willing his heart to stop trying to beat its way out of his chest.

Tap tap tap. Tap Tap Tap.

The sound was growing more insistent now. He looked around the room willing his mind to comprehend what was going on in his half-awake state. It was only 4 am.

TAP TAP TAP. TAP TAP TAP.

The noise was coming from the window. Sitting up, he could see its shadow. He crawled out from under the covers and pressed his face against the pane. He was staring eye to eye with a large gray barn owl who was obviously on a very important mission. Smiling to himself, he opened the window, letting the owl in along with the blustery December air. He shivered, quickly removing the packages from the obviously relieved owl.

"Thanks, mate," Remus said, ruffling its feathers and offering it a perch to rest until morning. There was only one person who would be sending him packages, let alone at four in the morning.

Happy Christmas Hermione.

Smiling, he crawled back into bed, holding the packages tight to his chest as he fell back to sleep.

***

"Hermione, Hermione!"

A raspy voice was breaking through the fog.

"Wake up!"

Opening her eyes seemed like a tremendous chore.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione!" Ginny was beaming at her. "Come on, open your presents, I'm dying to see what he sent you!"

"What if he didn't send me anything?" Hermione said groggily as she rolled to the edge of her bed.

Ginny just smiled and handed her the one present that had no indication of the sender. It was wrapped in exquisite midnight blue paper with gold stars that were enchanted to sparkle. Occasionally, one of the stars would zoom across the package.

"Well?!? Aren't you going to open it?"

Hermione giggled and carefully removed the paper to reveal a small wooden box that was hinged on one side. Carved into the top, elegant letters merged together to read, Happy 1^st Christmas My Love. She smiled, hugging the box to her chest. She could only hope they would have many more Christmases together.

Ginny watched eagerly as Hermione gingerly opened the box. Hermione's inhaled sharply. She pulled out a beautiful gold necklace with delicate but sturdy links. Hanging wistfully from it was a heart-shaped locket. Inside the box was a blank note. She'd have to wait until she was alone before she could unenchant it and read it. She clasped the gold chain around her neck and slid it underneath her gown.

"Aren't you going to show it off?" asked Ginny.

"Oh, no, I'm going to keep it as close to my heart as possible," Hermione said, glowing.

An intimate feeling of warmth spread through her body as the heart-shaped locket touched her skin.

Later that evening, as she lay in her bed by candlelight, her fingers wrapped around the gold heart, she read the letter. Tears came to her eyes as she realized just how much thought he'd put into this gift. Carefully, she closed her eyes, and tapped the gold locket with her wand three times, saying the words he'd instructed.

"I Love You."

His ethereal voice echoed, sounding both husky and romantic at the same time.

She sank back into bed, listening to his words over and over in the empty dormitory. "I love you too," she whispered. "More than you could ever know."

***

When Remus awoke to the sunlight streaming through his window, he thought the early morning owl had been a dream until he looked over and saw the owl sleeping atop his wardrobe and felt the toasty warm packages laying next to him under the covers. I wonder what she's up to this time. The plain brown wrapping paper gave nothing away, nor did the shape of the packages. Should he read the letter first? Or open the gifts? He opted for the gifts.

The larger one was a picture of Hermione in some closely tailored Muggle attire; he could see the curves of her body as warmth spread throughout his own. She was waving and blowing kisses at him. Her smile was radiant, the same smile she'd given him as she left him outside of Dumbledore's office.

The next box was curious; it was small and round. A voice inside his head was sending up warning flags. As he pulled the lid off the box, he practically dropped it. She couldn't, she didn't... A mingled feeling of surprise, dread, and euphoria filtered through him. Quickly, he uncharmed her letter and read it.

My Dearest Love,

I thought long and hard about what to get you for Christmas. I couldn't think of a better gift than this--my promise. My promise to always love you, to always be there for you. I know you've had your doubts about me because I am so young, but I assure you, you are the only one for me. I love you with all of my heart, Remus, each day more than the one before. And I want you to always remember--I will wait for you too.

I promise.

Hermione

His heart raced as he set the letter aside and studied the simple gold band vibrating softly in the palm of his hand. Suddenly, a glint of something on the inside of the band caught his eyes. Turning it into the light, he realized that it was an inscription, RL - All My Love - HG. He stared at the ring in awe. She was always full of surprises, but he wouldn't have expected this in a million years. While her Muggle parents might not understand the significance of this plain gold ring, in the Wizarding world, this promise meant forever. His hands were shaking as he slipped it over his finger. Hermione. The wolfish part of him chimed in, Mine, All Mine.

***

Hermione was more anxious than usual as she awaited owl post the next morning. She nibbled at her food absently while scanning the windows for owls.

"Gee, Hermione, what are you waiting for? You look as bad as when you were waiting for your O.W.L. results."

Hermione shot Ron a sideways glance and ignored his question. She did try to look less obvious about her desire for the mail though.

Finally, two owls swept in. There were only two. One stopped by a first year Hufflepuff who had joined them at their table since no other Hufflepuffs stayed for Christmas break, and the other circled the Great Hall, studying the students gathered there. She was beginning to get nervous, wondering if he hadn't received her gift, or worse, if he had received it and decided... But just then, the owl swooped down to Hermione, nodded its feathered head, and allowed her to pluck the letter from its leg. She swallowed, overcome with nervous anticipation.

Hurrying back to her dormitory and slamming the door, she jumped on her bed, pulling the curtains closed behind her. Her heart was pounding as she quickly opened the letter and said the words to make his neat, even script spread across the parchment.

Sweet, Sweet Hermione,

How I never dreamed you'd send me such a meaningful and intimate Christmas gift. I am still in shock and awe of you--and how much I love you. I can't even begin to tell you what this means to me, to know how much you love me, to know that you will always be there for me. I am both humbled and honored to accept your promise ring. I can only hope that I can be as generous, loving, and kind to you in return. And please remember, I will always love you and I will wait for you.

I promise.

Remus

Hermione let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding and hugged the letter to her chest. He's mine, she sighed, tears of happiness filling her eyes.