Disclaimer: I own nothing in the world of Harry Potter. Nor do I own this song… it's by Alicia Keys.

Authors Note: To the readers of 'What's love got to do with it', I'm sorry to say that I misplaced my notes. So until I remember where in the mess of my room I put them, I'll be taking a break. I've recently discovered my love of Sirius/Hermione fics. So, I tried my hand at writing one. I kept having this story in my head, but couldn't think how to write it. I finally had this idea and decided to try it. I think it's good. Remember to read the endnote too. Enjoy! And please review for me!

Hermione finally smiled when she let herself into number 12 Grimmauld Place. She hadn't been in contact with anyone in nearly six months. In those past six months, Hermione had been traveling the world, studying all sorts of things.

She'd spent some times in Romania with Charlie Weasley, learning about dragons. She'd studied plants in Scotland, Ireland, and America. She studied underwater plant life and animals with the help of merpeople in the many lakes and oceans around the world. She was even becoming fluent in their language. In her travels she'd discovered nine powerful uses of basilisk venom. She'd even sent her discoveries to the Ministry of Magic. Let's just say that her vault at Gringotts was quite more full because of it.

Missing home, Hermione finally made her way back to England. So, there Hermione was at Grimmauld Place.

She set her things in the sitting room out of sight and way of others. Smiling at the familiar smell of the house she headed into the kitchen. Being only two in the afternoon, she knew that everyone would be at work still. She opened the fridge and the cupboards to find them nearly empty of anything edible.

Sighing, Hermione picked up her purse and decided to go shopping. She smiled. If she hurried, then she'd be able to get back and make a nice dinner. She could surprise everybody and have everything ready before they got home. She hurried out of the house and into the fall air, a purpose in mind and showing in her stride.

Sirius Black wobbled to the stairs and started his weak body down them and into the little hallway. He scratched his head, confused. He could have sworn he heard the door. He glanced into the sitting room and then went to check the kitchen. Nothing…

"Hello?" Sirius called. No answer. Shrugging, he headed back up the stairs.

By the time he reached the top he could feel himself wearing down. He'd been back only a month and a hand full of days from beyond the veil. He never knew how he got out, but he was happy anyway. But being in the veil had weakened Sirius reasonably. Floating in nothingness for six years would do that to anybody.

"I think it's time for a nap." Sirius said smugly as he slowly walked into his room.

Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face as she arrived back at her old home. She quickly went inside and started putting things away in their spots in their appropriate places in the cupboards and the fridge.

Once she'd finished that and washed the few dishes in the sink, she started making dinner for everyone. Once she started frying the chicken, she started singing, her voice clear and beautiful as it rang through the house.

Sirius woke to the most amazing sound. It was like an angel was calling him. He glanced at the clock and saw he'd been asleep for less than an hour. Responding to the female angel's voice. As he slowly descended the stairs, he wondered who was singing. Was it Ginny? Tonks? No, this voice was more beautiful than any he could have heard before.

He followed the sound of the singing, and the smell of fried chicken. It led him into the dining room. The voice brought something to him from a distant memory. He couldn't quite recall it. He just barely pushed the kitchen door open a crack so he could hear better.

"Some people search for the fountain,

That promises forever young,

Some people need three dozen roses,

And that's the only way to prove you love them,

Hand me the world on a silver platter,

And what good would it be,

With no one to share,

With no one who truly cares for me,"

Sirius, lulled by the music, quietly walked into the kitchen. He really didn't recognize her. She had shapely legs and nice, wide hips. Not to mention a rather nice arse. She was thin, but still probably had a small pudge. She had delicate shoulders covered by bushy brown hair. Sirius' eyes bulged as the shapely woman before him, he realized, was none other that Hermione Granger!

"Some people want it all,

But I don't want nothing at all,

If it ain't you baby,

If I ain't got you baby,

Some people want diamond rings,

Some just want everything,

But everything means nothing,

If I ain't…"

Sirius cleared his throat. Hermione jumped slightly and stopped singing and stirring. She turned with a smile on her face, ready to great Harry or somebody else. Her eager eyes landed on Sirius. The smile immediately disappeared from Hermione's face and pure terror replaced it.

"Hermione?" Sirius asked, looking hesitant but smiling at her.

She let out an ear-piercing scream. She let it go until she ran out of air and stood their huffing. Sirius covered his ears in pain. When she stopped, she still looked horror stricken. Sirius uncovered his ears hesitantly.

"You're dead. You're dead. You're dead." She kept repeating. Tears cascaded down her chilly cheeks. "You've been dead for years!"

"Hermione let me explain." Sirius tried, starting foreword in the pale tiled kitchen. Her eyes snapped on his face. Anger showed in her eyes.
"You're an impostor! Haven't we all hurt enough!" She starting hitting him with her wooden spoon, violently and hard enough to bruise.

"'Mione! It's me. Please listen!" Sirius begged. She kept whacking away. Sirius, finally having enough, grabbed her wrists. He spun her around and pressed her body against the wall, his body pinning hers and his hands pinned her wrists to the wall above her head.

"Let me go!" She shrieked loudly. "I'll kill you!"

"'Mione, it's me! I swear!" Sirius told her, his body feeling weaker after her abuse. "I'll explain everything if you'll let me."

Hermione struggled for a minute. She strained her neck to bite his arm, but then a scent hit her. Her eyes widened and she froze. It was that minty and masculine smell that only Sirius had. It was impossible! Her throat felt dry.

"Sirius?" She croaked in a whisper. She felt the tears threaten. He stopped and let her go. She turned, still pressed up against him. She looked in his fathomless, silver-gray eyes and in that moment knew that he had truly come back.

She fell to the floor in his arms. Sobs wracked her body. For a full five minutes, she could do nothing but lay in his arms and cry. Thanking the wizarding gods over and over for his return.

Endnote: So did you enjoy it? Review and let me know! And it is another story where they hide what they feel and all from everybody… including themselves. I'll probably get another chapter up soon. I can't go long right now without updating this. So many ideas… lol. I hope you liked it.