He sat at the table, staring into the depths of the glass.
A young woman entered the kitchen, and noticed the man. She smiled inwardly, then gently prised the glass from his fingers. A jolt ran up the man's arm as the woman's fingers hit his.
'Sirius,' said Hermione.
Sirius Black looked from the glass reluctantly.
'You can't do anything, he's gone,' Hermione said, trying to console the older man.
Tears burned Sirius's eyes as he thought of his brother. 'He was so young…so young…why did he die? And, I thought… that he was a stupid pureblood maniac,' he whispered hoarsely.
Hermione sat down beside him, then wrapped an arm around Sirius. He looked up, and by impulse, leant forwards and kissed Hermione softly. She pushed him away.
But Sirius caught her arm. 'Please, Hermione…just once,' he whispered. Hermione nodded and allowed him to kiss her.
Sirius felt a mixture of emotions. Pleasure, angst and guilt.
'Thank you,' he said when the kiss was over. 'For…everything.'