A/N: We're switching to Sirius point of view for the rest of the story. Enjoy!
oOo
Sirius felt his life was getting stagnant. The previous night Hermione had made him see his life in a stark reality. He went out at night, found a gorgeous bird, drank and flirted until he tumbled in to bed. Then he got the women out of the house before falling asleep. He really wasn't a 'stay the night' kind of guy. That was wrong, wasn't it? He was lonely and he didn't want some sleeping companionship? He really didn't want to see them in the morning. He didn't want to talk to them once he was sober and at the table with his godson and friend. It had happened once or twice and he always regretted it.
Now it was getting to be another evening and he didn't feel like entertaining another vapid bimbo for a quick shag. He wanted a dinner with good food and good friends. Like he had the night before with Hermione.
No, no females tonight. What he needed was a good old boys night. Some ale, red meat, burping, scratching, and cigars. Yes. That's what he needed. Time to round up the lads.
Remus was easy to convince to come out. Having a little hellion at home made him eager to have a night out. Ron, Harry, Fred, George, Arthur, and Kingsley all came along as well. They were a raucous bunch and were threatened to be tossed out more than once. An hour and a half through what was supposed to be a great boys night Harry said that he had to get home to bed for an early morning with the wedding planner with Ginny. That seemed to be the button to start off everyone going home to somebody for the night. Ron had Susan threatening that if he came home drunk again she would cut him off from sex. Fred and George found a couple of girls at the bar while getting another order of drinks. Arthur and Kingsley said that their hard partying days were over and they were off to home for a nights sleep with the wife. Remus was the last to leave, albeit reluctantly. He had to get home to help Dora with Teddy.
Sitting on his own, Sirius wondered where his life went. He knew, Azkaban. But they were wizards, they had a longer life span. Surely he shouldn't yet be expected to be an adult yet. When did all of his friends go and grow up? Even the younger set were all pairing off and living the domestic life. This night did nothing but further build on the mood he had earlier in the day. Throwing down far to much money he left the bar for a stroll down Diagon Alley to clear his head.
Hands in pockets he strolled, looking through shop windows. He stopped in front of a shop with a group of people looking at little kittens int he window. Maybe he needed a familiar. Buckbeak was a good distraction from is loneliness once upon a time. Not a kitten of course, something more manly, like a dog, or a panther. Oh, he wondered if Hermione would let him get a panther.
The group of children that were in front of him were called away by their mother and he stepped closer to the window. He heard somebody next the him tap the window and coo at the little fluff balls.
"Well aren't you just the most precious thing. What do you think, wanna adopt a baby Sirius?"
Sirius jerked his head sideways to see who was being so absurdly forward. There, standing next to him was Hermione, trailing her finger along the glass for a kitten to chase.
"Hermione, you scared the devil out of me."
Hermione laughed.
"I think don't think a little scare at the thought of commitment would do that. It's far too ingrained."
"Once a marauder, always a marauder."
"I don't think you were ever meant to take that title so seriously." She glanced over with a smile, then looked back at the kittens. "So what do you think? Should I get one? I've been terribly lonely ever since Crookshanks passed."
"I don't think a familiar is what you need."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. I was just thinking about all the people in my life pairing off and you seem to be only one that hasn't yet. Maybe that's what you're missing."
"Hm. Perhaps you're right."
She turned and started walking away. Not even saying goodbye or asking along. That was slightly perplexing. Was he supposed to follow. Were there just supposed to part ways and see as they didn't come here together. Sirius chose to follow.
"So what are you doing out tonight? I thought you were having a scandalous boys night."
"I would be if all my mates weren't being led by the berries by women." Sirius replied.
"Ah. So you are out on the pull for yourself then. Well, don't let me keep you."
Hermione started walking just a little faster, swaying those lovely hips of hers. Sirius ran in front of her to stop her.
"No, I am not looking for company of the 'easy' variety tonight. That being said, you'll do magnificently if you'd like to accompany me for my walk."
"Again, I don't know whether that is a compliment or..."
Hermione trailed off and started sniffing the air. She came closer and close to Sirius until she grabbed his lapels, hauled him close and took a deep smell of his chest. Sirius took her by the arms but didn't push her away.
"Witch, what ARE you doing?"
"You were smoking cigars?" She asked, muffled from having her face against his chest.
"Yes." He answered warily.
"Merlin, I love that smell." She took another long smell then pulled back slightly to look up at his face with a smile. "My dad used to have poker nights at the house sometimes. He would always take a break to come kiss me goodnight as a girl. Then when I grew up I would go to his study to watch and he would give me a hug and kiss before I went up to bed at night. It was the only time Mum would allow smoking in the house. I used to smell it in his study for weeks after a poker night and it was so comforting. It's one of my favorite smells." She closed her eyes, leaned forward and smelled him again.
Sirius felt a little strange, standing in the middle of the way, holding a girl while she leaned in to him like a lover. He got over it quickly though as he had to concentrate on not folding her up further in his arms and stroking her soft hair.
Hermione finally pulled away, a bright smile on her face.
"So, I was going or ice cream. Want to come?"
"Sure, why not?"
He really had nothing better to do. And what better way to spend his night than with a beautiful woman? He wrapped her arm around his and led her toward the ice cream shop.
"I only smoke cigars on occasion, like your dad. Tried cigarettes once. My father caught me in the back yard behind the shed with James. Made us stand there and smoke the whole pack. We both stood there, completely green, trying not to throw up while we got a lecture about how smoking cigars was a gentleman's pass time but cigarettes spoke of ill breeding. There aren't a lot of lessons I kept from my father but that was one that hit home for me. When the boys at school would go off for a fag between classes and come back smelling and coughing it was none too attractive. Can't say it's all that attractive on women either. Kissed one once that smoked and it was like what your mouth tastes like when you wake up with a hangover."
"Oh disgusting. My parents always told me the horror stories of what smoking could do to your mouth and lungs and that was enough to put me off of it. Never even tried. Dad did let me puff on his cigar once when Mum wasn't looking. I quite just that green color you described. Didn't put me off loving the smell though. My father told me that bit about gentleman smoking as well. When I was very young and romantic I promised myself that my husband would smoke cigars as well, just like my dad."
"I never would have thought that to be something on the Hermione Granger's list of qualities in a potential man."
"You would be surprised of what has been put on that list over the years."
"Oh really? Do tell."
"No, I would much rather you just buy me an ice cream thanks. The more I think of my list the more I think it might just be a bit to long and detailed and I get sad thinking that there will never be a perfect man for me. I'll just be lonely, swotty Hermione, living in your library for the rest of my life."
"Well that will never do. I think ice cream is exactly what you need then. Pick what you like."
They ordered and began walking with their cones back toward the entrance of the alley.
"What about you? Do you have a list of a potential forever?"
"I did when I too was younger and romantic. Especially when James and Lily were getting married. It just seemed the natural next step, even though I fought it. I just knew that it would need to be somebody like Lily. Somebody smart, responsible but with a bit of a fun streak. She was the only one who could get a handle on us sometimes and we needed that. I was actually dating one of Lily's best friends before everything happened. Knew she wasn't going to be the one, but it was the first exclusive relationship I ever had."
Hermione nodded and glided her tongue around her ice cream. She ate her ice cream like a little girl but so methodically. Always twirling it, never letting it drip. Darting her pink tongue out and licking from bottom, twirling all the way to the top. It was hypnotic and rather erotic. Sirius had to clear his throat then take a large bite of his own ice cream to cool his brain of the images he was creating of he doing that same thing to him.
They walked lazily, looking at the carts lining the road. Sirius bought Hermione a bouquet of flowers to brighten up the library a bit and a loaf of bread she promised to toast in the morning with breakfast. Shops were closing up when they finally decided to go home and call it a night.
Hermione kissed him on the cheek again when they walked in the door. She thanked him for the lovely night and made her way to the kitchen to find a vase for her flowers.
That was the second time she had kissed him like that. He could tell it wasn't just the friendly kiss you would get from family on Christmas, but as a woman does to a man. He didn't hate it. And coming home to the same house, hearing her humming in the kitchen, filling a vase with water for flowers that he bought her, didn't put him off. He kind of liked it. He walked up to his room and prepared for bed thinking about the last couple of nights spent with Hermione.
They went for dinner. They had good conversation and he was completely comfortable turning off the charm for the night. He didn't even mind not shagging at the end of the night.
Then tonight they had spent the evening together after an outing with friends. They had ice cream, he bought her flowers, they shared life stories. She sniffed him. He held her on his arm and walked her around town.
Dear Merlin, was this what he thought it was. It was.
They were dating.
