AN- Thank you guys for the reviews. I really appreciated them- you know how they magically spurn updates, right? Anyway, onto the chapter now, but there's another little AN after your done with it.
CHAPTER 4
'I'm sorry for butting in like this,' Sirius said, apologetically. 'But since everyone is kipping in at the "Family Home" right now, I have no place to stay.'
'Kicked out of your own house?' Hermione asked, with a smile. 'How painful. But there's no need to apologize. There's plenty of room, you're not butting in. Besides, it'll be nice to have you around.'
'Don't make me blush,' Sirius instructed. Molly had charged both of them to help out with the meat-pies, and her promptly left to go shout at the Ron. Sirius was kneading some pastry, and Hermione was stirring some sauce on the stove.
'Blush through all that stubble?' Hermione asked. 'I think not. Pass me that spatula, will you?'
He passed it to her. 'Molly told me you broke up with Ron.
She frowned, adding some butter to the sauce. 'Do you two have anything better to talk about then my love life?'
'I know this is belated, but I'm sorry.'
Hermione shrugged. 'It was a long time ago,' she pointed out, 'And I suppose it was for the best. Ron and I will always be best friends.'
'Must have been difficult for you, when he and Harry started traveling so much,' Sirius said, casually.
He looked down at her, and found her biting her lip contemplatively.
'Well,' she said, 'I guess what really hit me was that it was so different from school, you know. Especially that period when they left, before I started my course. There was a lot of uncertainty then, which I had definitely had enough of to last me a lifetime.'
Sirius chuckled. 'But you dealt with it?'
She looked frankly up at him. 'Is there anything else to do in a situation like that? Anyway, finish off with that pastry, I'm going to ask George if he wants lemon.'
She put off the fire under the pan of sauce and headed out of the kitchen, leaving Sirius and his pastry alone.
Strange girl, thought Sirius. He had always known Hermione was not helpless, but he had never imagined she was this strong. Yesterday, as she had told him about the Last Battle, he had been on the verge of yanking her into a big hug. Oh, yes, she was strong.
Nice little kid she was turning out to be, he thought, absently.
oOo
'Hey George,' Hermione said, walking into the garden and finding the aforementioned person reclining against a boulder. She narrowed her eyes critically at the cigarette he was smoking.
'Does your mother know you're doing that?'
'Technically?' he asked, laughing, 'No. But I felt the need, what with all the drama that's going on. Join me?'
'I'm supposed to be making pie in the kitchen right now,' she said, 'I left Sirius with the pastry, and I'm not sure that's entirely safe.'
'Sirius, huh?' George said, blowing out smoke absently. Hermione watched him with a little worry. She knew that he had always smoked, but of late it seemed he was permanently sucking out of a cigarette. Not for the first time, she wondered if maybe George hadn't healed as well as she'd expected.
'It's weird about him being back,' George said, thoughtfully. 'The whole ring thing.'
'Slightly freaky,' Hermione admitted, sitting down beside him. She gently picked up his hand. 'Is everything all right, George?'
'And why do you ask that, Herms?' It was a private pet name, that only he was allowed to use. Though she did regret her generosity when he casually modified it to a Hermy.
'Because I know you, and you're smoking way too much, love,' Hermione said. 'You know you can talk to me, right?'
'Oh, don't I?' George asked, with a laugh. 'It seems I do nothing else. As perspicacious as ever, I see.'
'So I was right,' said Hermione, calmly, 'Something is bothering you.'
George gently tilted his head onto his shoulder. He held up his fingers, the cigarette dangling between them.
'Should I dispose of this?' he asked.
'If you would be so kind.'
He vanished it with a wave of his wand.
'Start talking,' Hermione said, tapping the palm of his hand with her index finger. For some reason, he found that simple rhythm comforting.
'All right,' he surrendered, 'But you have to promise not to get mad, because it's really very selfish of me.'
'I promise.'
His face crumpled, and for a moment Hermione was almost frightened of the dark look in his eyes.
'I hate Sirius,' he whispered. 'God, I hate him.'
Hermione stared at him in shock.
oOo
'I'm done with the pastry!' Sirius announced.
Molly looked suspiciously at him. 'Did you do it well?' she asked.
'Is that any way to talk to a man who's returned from the dead?' asked Sirius, severely, and as Molly flushed, he added, 'Not that I mind, it's good to know that some things haven't changed.'
'Grow up, Sirius. Now get out of my kitchen. Where's Hermione, I thought she was soaking the meat?'
'She went to talk to George. Shall I get her?'
'No, leave them be. George wasn't looking too good today, let her cheer him up.'
Sirius inclined his head slightly to one side. Something in the way Molly had said that made him feel a little uneasy. He couldn't help thinking that it was somewhat unhealthy, the way she felt that Hermione should always be around when George was upset. He shook of the feeling, and went to find Remus.
Ginny was standing in the corridor, holding something shiny in her hand.
'Hey Gins,' he said, 'Know where Remus is?'
'I think he's in the verandah,' Ginny replied, absently. She touched the shiny thing, and it flashed brightly. 'Oh, what the hell!'
'What is that?' Sirius asked, curiously.
She looked helplessly up at him. 'It's Hermione's cell-phone! She uses it to keep in touch with her parents and Muggle friends- and sometimes Harry and Ron. Don't ask me how to operate it, I have no idea. But it was making a terrific racket just now, and I think I should give it to her.'
'Hand it over here,' Sirius asked, 'I'll give it to her if I see her.'
'Here you go,' said Ginny, looking relieved to be rid of it. 'I'll go see if Mum needs help.'
As she slipped into the kitchen, Sirius ran a finger along the silver, flat cell-phone. Randomly, he touched a button. Immediately a name popped up on the screen. Squinting, Sirius leaned forward to read it.
Then suddenly, he was racing down the corridor, looking frantically for Hermione.
oOo
'George!' said Hermione, deeply shocked.
He looked miserably up at her. 'I told you.'
'But- but why? You have no earthly reason for hating Sirius, he hasn't done a thing to you.'
George looked down at his hand, which Hermione had stopped tapping.
'It's nothing personal,' he insisted. 'It's just that- he died, didn't he? And if he can come back, then why can't- ?' He choked, and cut off.
Hermione looked sadly down at him.
'Oh, George,' she said, softly, 'You know it's not like that.' When he remained silent, she continued, 'Everything was different here, wasn't it? You don't know what it was like with F-Fred- I was there, I saw it…'
'Don't tell me!' George said fiercely. A moment later, the aggression wore off and his face collapsed. 'I'm sorry, Herms. I know it's not right of me to hate Sirius like this- I should be happy that he's back.'
Hermione squeezed his hand, gently. 'George, there's no need to berate yourself over this. I think you just need some time and space. You'll feel better, then, I promise.'
He looked up at her, and she saw a thin hint of tears in his eyes. He cleared his throat.
'I- I don't mean to seem- um, intruding,' he said, 'But is it okay if I stay at your place, for a while. Somehow the thought of being home- with everyone- it just…' his voice trailed off.
Hermione felt a heat flush her face. 'I-' she stammered, 'I don't- I mean, I would love to have you, George, it's just that- well, Sirius is going to be staying with me,' she said, quietly, 'There isn't place anywhere else, so- I- I'm so sorry, George!'
'Don't be,' he said, in a brittle voice. Then making an effort, he managed a watery smile. 'I'm sorry for piling onto you, Herms,' he said, 'I'll have myself together in a moment.'
'You do know you don't need to-'
'HERMIONE! HERMIONE!'
Hermione froze. George started up.
'What the-'
'HERMIONE WH- Oh!' said Sirius, appearing at the doorway and pausing. 'There you are!'
'Sirius!' Hermione squeaked, as he began walking towards them. 'What are you- what happened?'
'I just want to- oh,' said Sirius again, breaking off as he saw George's red eyes and tear-streaked face. He paused for an awkward moment. 'George…' he began, uneasily.
'It's okay, Sirius,' George said, getting up and smiling weakly. 'I was just heading inside.'
He began to walk away slowly, murmuring to himself.
'I mustn't,' he whispered, putting one foot ahead of the other. 'I mustn't really, everyone would be so mad, they wouldn't talk to me…Mum would lock me up, and Hermione- Herms, she wouldn't talk to me either- they'd all be so angry, they wouldn't like it…no, I absolutely mustn't…I couldn't kill him.
And for the first time in two years, the madness that he had always had within him flashed in his eyes for a moment and then faded away, to be replaced by a cheerful grin that didn't seem quite right. George giggled softly, and continued into the hallway.
Yes, I'm back. I hope you guys found that realistic. George's madness was an idea I wanted to put in for a long time, but I'm not sure if I got it down right. Realism is one of the main things I keep in mind while writing this story, so I'd love some input, and even changes if you have any.
I'm also on the look-out for a beta. If you're interested, just leave me a review with your e-mail id, and I'll get back to you.
Ta Ta!