As Long As You Love Me

Remus Lupin stood on the balcony of the Astronomy tower, gazing up at the stars, his light brown hair flying in front of his face in the breeze. He was very thankful that it wasn't the night of the full moon because he had so much to think about.

Well he had one thing to think about... Hermione. He had admired her since he met in her third year and had grown to love her over the years, now that he was teaching at Hogwarts again it hurt to see her. To know he could never have be with her, that she could never love him.

He thought about why he loved her. Was it her intelligence? Her confidence? Her loyalty to her friends? He supposed it was these entire qualities and more; wound up in a wonderful being that was a beautiful young girl.

That was why he was there alone; the Astronomy Tower, somewhere he could go to think of her freely, without feeling guilty. Suddenly the door to the tower creaked open and a pretty girl about sixteen with chocolate brown curls and beautiful brown eyes stepped onto the platform into the moonlight.

"Oh, I'm sorry Professor. I didn't know anyone would be here, I'll just - "

"No Hermione it's quite alright, come and join me."

Hermione closed the door quietly, walked over to the wall and leant on it.

"I have missed you Professor..." Hermione whispered, staring into the reflection of the moon in the lake.

"I have missed you too Hermione," Remus looked up at Hermione and saw that there were tears running down her cheek.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Remus asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I... I love someone and... I'm afraid that he might not love me back..."

Remus' heart fell, he didn't show it however.

"Hermione... I'm so sorry," he turned her around and hugged her tightly. Her perfume wafted into his nostrils and gave him goose bumps.

"Whom do you love?" he asked her quietly.

Hermione broke out of Professor Lupin's arms and leant on the wall again, wiping tears away from her eyes.

"Well... " She said looking up at the moon, the moonlight shone on her face making her look even more stunning, "Professor - I mean Remus... I think it is you I love..."

Remus' heart was beat increased. She loved him? The monster in disguise? Her teacher? A man who was old enough to be her father?

"You - you love me?" Remus managed to say.

Hermione walked away from the wall, "Oh yes! And I know I've probably made you feel all awkward and everything now! Just please -"

"Hermione, I love you too..."

Hermione stopped talking at once and just stared into Remus' eyes. She noticed that they were a deep hazel with flecks of amber... then she thought it was odd she could see that from her distance. Then she realised that he had moved closer to her...

"Hermione I love you," he whispered, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close, breathing deeply, taking in his scent. They stood there together, slightly swaying on the spot.

After what seemed like a wonderful eternity, they pulled apart so that they could look into each other's eyes. Hermione pushed herself up onto her toes and pressed her lips against Remus'.

"I love you," she whispered against his mouth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione woke up the next morning in Remus' arms, and sighed deeply. She looked up at Remus and saw that he was awake too.

"Good morning beautiful..." he said as he leant forward and kissed her forehead. Hermione smiled and sat up to look around.

"Oh my... what time is it? I have to get to my dorm before anyone notices I'm gone," Remus pulled her towards him and kissed her good bye.

"I'll see you at breakfast..." he whispered and she left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione walked into the hall and sat between Harry and Ron.

"Morning Mione" they said together

"Good morning boys" she says with a huge grin on her face. Harry and Ron gave each other curious looks, as she moved the milk jug so she had a clear view of the teacher's table. The table flashed and was suddenly covered with plates of bacon, cereal and toast. Hermione looked up at Remus and he winked at her. Just then she felt warm all over...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~6 Months Later~

Hermione sat in the corner of the common room with her head in a book. She was waiting for everyone to leave so she could go to the Astronomy Tower. Eventually Harry and Ron stood up, stretched, told Hermione she works too hard, and went up to their dorm.

When she heard the door close, Hermione stood, put on her cloak that she had been sitting on, and slipped out of the portrait hole. Making no noise whatsoever she got to the Astronomy tower successfully, without running into a teacher. Pushing the door open she saw Remus leaning against the wall, holding a red rose. When Hermione walked over to him, she greeted him by putting her arms around him and kissing his cheek.

"Good evening Miss," Remus said gently as he turned around and hugged her tightly. "This is for you..." he handed Hermione the rose and like it was on cue, it spread it's petals open to reveal a rose gold ring with a pink diamond in the centre.

Hermione looked up at Remus who was smiling at her

"Will you marry me?"

Hermione couldn't hold in her happiness, she jumped up into his arms and kissed him.

"Should I take that as a yes?" he asked her. All she could do was nod her head as he wiped tears off of her cheeks, before she kissed him again.

They broke apart and Remus slid the ring onto Hermione's finger.

"I know things will be difficult for us, and a lot of people will have something to say about it, but I don't care, as long as you love me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~