I don't own Harry Potter or Dream Police by Cheap Trick. ^^
...
'Cause they're waiting for me.
They're looking for me.
Ev'ry single night, they're driving me insane.
Those men inside my brain.
Dream Police-Cheap Trick
...
A stinging breeze swept through an open, heavy walnut door as a figure stepped inside, stomping her boots on the carpet and pushing closed the door before more snow could sprinkle inside. She smiled and laughed as a bustling, red-headed woman came forward and hugged her, taking the stack of gifts from her arms and rushing them to the other side of the warm, friendly house, placing them with the others beneath the Christmas tree.
"Hermione!"
Hermione looked away from the coat-hook where she'd been hanging her scarf atop her jacket. "Hi!" She exclaimed with a grin, embracing her best friend, Ginny Weasley.
"I'm glad you could come!" Ginny nearly shouted over the sonority of those talking and laughing around her.
Hermione laughed. "I should be saying that to you! It is my house, after all."
Ginny laughed as well. "Not since you've been off, studying abroad!"
She threw her arms around Hermione. "But now you're home, and a dream healer, and I can teach you a thing or two about fashion."
Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile and looked down at her sweater and jeans. "Yeah? I got this sweater in France."
Ginny's eyes widened and she proceeded to unwrinkled the creases. Hermione laughed and shook her head. "Thanks anyway, Ginny. It's good to be back."
Ginny's expression softened. "Good to have you back, 'Mione."
Hermione was greeted warmly by everyone, especially Harry and Ron, her roommates, who she secretly suspected were upset at having to give up their storage room so she would once more have a proper bedroom. Mrs. Weasley prepared all of her favourite side-dishes along with the Christmas dinner. Fleur even attempted to help by bringing in some cookies Hermione pretended to like. Draco Malfoy, newest Order member, patted her on the back and Remus Lupin gave her a hug and told her she could have her Christmas gift when he was through reading it. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood and Oliver Wood and Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas were all there, along with many other friends and Order members.
By the time she sat down for supper, amidst the warm glow from the fireplace and hovering candles, there was only one face that Hermione hadn't seen upon her return, but whom she was dying to see.
Hermione Granger was able to pass her final year of Hogwarts without even attending. With a little help from Headmistress McGonagall, she was given the great opportunity of travelling all over the world to study in the grandest libraries, to travel through time and learn with the most brilliant of minds. It was the chance of a lifetime, and she was chosen by the Ministry, personally, to be the one to go on this amazing learning adventure. It was their pleasure-a war hero and a great mind couldn't go by without a chance like this.
Of course, it had cost quite a sum. She was planning on asking Harry. She was preparing herself to do it-she knew he'd give her anything she wanted for a stick of gum and a hug.
But someone else had jumped the gun.
She still remembered the night well.
It was two nights after Hermione had graduated Hogwarts. She had the letter from the Ministry, which had been recommended through McGonagall, and she was going to do it. How could she possibly give up such an incredible experience?
She was in the library, leaning out the large window, rested on the comfortable window seat. A stack of books sat in front of her, a glass of wine and a half-eaten apple atop those.
She sighed, preparing to return to her bedroom. She'd decided-she'd ask Harry in the morning.
But then, the library door was thrown open. Hermione jumped, almost knocking down her midnight treat.
She pressed a hand to her heart. "Sirius!" she breathed.
"Oh, Hermione," he said, running a hand through his hair. He had no shirt on. Sweat dripped from his temple. "I'm sorry, I'll go somewhere else."
Hermione shrugged and scooted over. "No need. If you want to sit in your own library, go ahead. I won't stop you."
He grinned and took the seat next to her. "Thanks, Granger." He sighed, leaning his head out the window. "Hey, what've you got there?"
He took the letter from her hand and grabbed her apple, taking a large chunk into his mouth before beginning to read.
His eyebrows rose. "Quite an honour."
Hermione got to her feet. "I know." She began to pace. "Which is why I just have to ask Harry for the money tomorrow."
Sirius's eyebrows rose once again. "He'll give you the money, Hermione. You know that."
Hermione sighed and stopped pacing, facing Sirius but not looking at him. "I know that. But, you see, that's just it. I won't be able to repay him. And it's such a considerable sum of money-I'll feel horrible asking!"
"You know," Sirius said, downing her wine. "I might be able to help."
Hermione looked him in the eyes. "How?"
"Well, you see," Sirius replied, setting down the letter and crossing his arms behind his head, "I happen to be a multi-billionaire."
Hermione placed her hands on her hips. "If I took the money from you, it would make no difference. I'd still want to pay you back."
"Now, just let me finish, dollface," Sirius said with a chuckle. "You will be."
"How?"
"Is that your favourite question?"
Hermione shrugged, a small smile gracing her lips.
"I have a bit of a problem," Sirius said. "It's actually the reason I'm in here tonight. I can't say too much. But if I were to give you this money, I'd also ask you a favour."
"Anything."
"Don't you want to know the favour before you make any rash decisions?"
Hermione shook her head. "Shoot. I'll do it."
"I want you to study something very specific for me in your spare time. From what I read, I understand you can go wherever you wish to go, as long as you study a certain amount?"
Hermione nodded.
"Good. I give you the money, and you study..." He stood up and pulled a crinkled piece of paper torn from a book from his pocket, shoving it into her hands and looming over her as she read.
Hermione looked up at him and smiled.
"And when you've brushed up on that topic," Sirius continued quietly, "I want you to help me with a little problem."
Hermione nodded. "You've got it."
Now, here she was, practically an expert on the topic, and Sirius was nowhere to be found. She'd studied for three years with his money, and she wanted to know where he was.
"You alright, Hermione?" Harry asked. He was sitting next to her at the dinner table, and noticed she'd finished supper quite early. She only did that when she had something on her mind and hadn't enough concentration to stop bringing her fork to her mouth and back to her plate.
"Hm?" she asked. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I was just wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Harry, where is your godfather at?"
Harry laughed. "I knew you would ask that eventually. He's on his way. He was dumping his girlfriend or something."
"Girlfriend?" Hermione asked, unable to help the slight tinge of jealousy she felt in her stomach. In all the letters they'd exchanged over the past three years, Sirius hadn't a single time mentioned a girlfriend.
"Girlfriend, weird chick he picked up at a bar last week and won't leave him alone, either way she'll be out of the picture soon." Harry shrugged and Hermione let out a near-silent breath of relief.
As if on cue, the door opened with the breath that left Hermione's lungs, and in came the life of the party. He entered with a large smile to greet the cheerful calls.
"Ah! I see that dollface has returned," he said with a wink in Hermione's direction. She couldn't help but blush. "The rumours are true, then."
"They're true," she replied with a humble smile.
There was an odd sort of pause before Sirius walked towards the table.
"Would you like some supper, then, Sirius?" Mrs. Weasley asked, standing to begin making a plate.
"I'll put that on hold for a moment, Molly," Sirius said, holding up a hand and keeping the other in his jacket pocket. "Hermione?"
She nodded and stood.
"Would you come outside with me for just a moment, please?"
Hermione nodded again. "Of course, Sirius."
She stepped out from behind the table and pulled her jacket and scarf on as she ran out the heavy walnut door after Sirius.
...
Hola, lovelies! ^^ I'm here again! It didn't feel right having just TWO stories out at once. I know I've promised a sequel for Muggle Games and I've individually told a couple readers that I'm planning a sequel for Beautiful Disaster, but I currently have no idea what should happen. But I did have this story in mind! So, if you don't mind, please tell me what you think? ^^