the_debt_of_time

Sirius interrupted their back-and-forth. "I think we're missing a big moment here. I
gave a birthday gift, and I haven't gotten any thanks."
"Thank you, Sirius," Hermione gently murmured before she leant in and kissed his
cheek, the soft hair of his beard tickling her lips. "Now, if the two of you are done forcing
presents on me, I'm excited to go down to the library and read all my new books." She
grinned and hugged Harry before turning and walking down the stairs and through the
open doors of the large Black family library where Remus had been kind enough to deposit
the large collection of new books that her friends and family had given her that evening.
She turned to the stack of tomes that had been assembled in a tower on the large
oak coffee table in the centre of the room. On top of the stack sat a small crimson box tied
with gold ribbon. Assuming it was another gift from Sirius since the boxes matched,
Hermione sighed and spun back to shout out the door at him. When she turned, however,
she came face to face with Sirius and Remus, who were lingering in the doorway.
She narrowed her eyes at Sirius and gestured to the gift. "What's that?"
"That's actually from me." Remus smiled softly.
"Oh," Hermione said, embarrassed, as she recalled the box that he had earlier
disappeared with. Her curiosity was certainly piqued as she wondered what could be inside
that Remus would want hidden from the rest of the party guests.
"Dora and I are heading out. I wanted to come and say goodbye." Remus slowly
approached her, looking incredibly anxious as he pulled her close to him, wrapping his
arms around her. She hugged him back tightly, feeling as he breathed deeply. "I hope you
had a wonderful birthday, Hermione. You really deserve something good after everything
you've done."
She ignored the praise and released him, reaching for the box. "Let me open your
present while you're right here."
Remus gently grabbed her wrist before she touched the gift. "No. Wait until I leave.
It's... private." Her eyes widened slightly, and she watched as he winced, his face turning
a bit pink. "I mean, it's just... You might not like it." He frowned, and his soft green eyes
momentarily flashed gold. "The next time I see you, you can tell me if you like it."
"Is everything okay?" she asked quietly, knowing that those quick flares of colour
in his eyes only shone through when Remus was dealing with emotional or physical triggers.