CHAPTER FOUR
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December 2008
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As the shouting died down inside, Hermione remained just as she had fallen in the path, not knowing what she should do now. She had just broken up with the son of the people who were supposed to be hosting her for Christmas and she knew she should leave but she had nowhere to go. Her parents were still in Australia with no idea she existed as she couldn't reverse the memory charm she cast on them before the war. Everyone else she knew was here, except the Hogwarts Professors, but she decided very quickly that showing up there would be inappropriate. She didn't hear as the door closed behind her and she jumped when she felt a motherly arm wrap around her shoulders, pulling her into a warm embrace.
"Why did you never say anything, dear?" Molly sighed as she lowered herself to the floor and Hermione shrugged.
"I didn't know how," she muttered, wiping her face, "he's your son, I didn't want you to think badly of him. It's not really his fault, it's-"
"Ron should know better than to talk to anyone less than kindly, especially a woman. Believe me I have had a very stern word with him and let him know how disgusting I find his behaviour." Molly assured and Hermione smiled up at her weakly.
"What do I do now?" She whimpered, "I've got nowhere to go! I didn't expect any of this."
"You're quite welcome to stay with us here, you know we're always happy to have you." Molly said and they both turned as the door closed again behind them.
"You can come home with me." Sirius told her and Hermione smiled up at him, nodding weakly.
"I'll get my things and then I'll see you there later, Sirius." She said, pushing herself up to go inside but Molly stopped her.
"What on earth are you talking about, dear?" She frowned and Hermione furrowed her brow.
"Well I can't really spend Christmas he-"
"I will have none of that nonsense, young lady," Molly snorted, "you are a part of this family whether you are in a relationship with Ron or not."
"I doubt he wants me here." Hermione muttered and Molly shrugged, groaning as she stood up.
"He can get off his high Hippogryff, can't he?" Molly said, squeezing her shoulder as she passed, "come in when you're ready dear."
Hermione nodded and hugged her arms around herself, feeling uncomfortable and, though not heartbroken, she was feeling very upset and empty, almost numb. Sirius walked over to her and put his hands on her upper arms, rubbing to put some warmth into her body.
"You ok?" He asked quietly and she shrugged, biting her lip as she looked up at him.
"I have no idea?" She said and he nodded, pulling her toward him.
"Come here, kitten."
She stepped forward and laid her face against his chest as his arms crept around her shoulders, holding her tightly. She inhaled and was surprised to find that the smell of him warmed her and made her feel calm. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist, clutching the back of his jacket in tight fists.
"You'll be ok," he murmured, putting a hand on the back of her head and smoothing her hair down, "I've got you."
She smiled and felt as he pulled his hands away from her and took a step back, surprised to see him holding his pinky up to her. She snorted and shook her head as she linked her finger through his, looking up at him as he smiled a new and unfamiliar smile at her, one that left her confused as he gently kissed her forehead and pulled back, gesturing for her to go in.
Pushing her confusion to the back of her mind, she took a deep breath and hesitantly walked to the back door, pushing it open and stepping inside. She narrowly avoided being hit in the face by a miniature dragon toy that Charlie had sent for one of the kids as she stepped into the living room and looked around at the happy faces of her almost family. Ron was nowhere to be seen, which helped to settle her nerves somewhat, and Harry gestured for her to come and sit next to him, showing her a pile of unopened presents that was obviously for her.
She smiled sadly as she sat next to him and received hugs from him and Ginny before beginning to open her presents. George had given her a selection box of Wonder Witch products including her favourite pimple vanisher, Bill and Fleur had got her a first edition of a book on curse breaking, Charlie had sent an adorable soft cuddly dragon for her which made her smile and from Arthur and Molly, she got the usual Weasley jumper and a few home cooked sweets. Not expecting any more gifts, she frowned at the one that was left and picked it up. Turning the tag over, she found it to be from Sirius and frowned up at him, which he returned with the same smile from the garden and a small nod.
She slowly unwrapped the paper and found a small box inside that looked like something from a jewellery store. She looked up at Sirius again and he smiled, so she opened the box and gasped, her eyes widening as far as they ever had. Inside the box was a single large teardrop ruby hanging from two vines in a v shape that blended up into a dainty silver chain. She ran her fingers gently over the beautiful necklace and looked up at Sirius gobsmacked.
"Merlin," he gasped dramatically, "I've rendered Hermione speechless, someone get me a medal!"
"You just had to ruin it, didn't you." She chuckled, shaking her head as he stood up and crossed to her, holding his hand out for the box, "Sirius, it's too much, I can't take it."
"Yeah right," he snorted, "You don't really expect me to let you deny it do you? It's a beautiful necklace for a beautiful woman."
"Sirius I-"
"Shut up and give me the box, kitten." He smirked and she rolled her eyes, slamming the box in his hand.
He walked around the back of her chair and she pulled her hair to one side, seeing the necklace come down in front of her and his hands from her peripheral vision. He pulled her hair out of the chain and she felt his fingers on the back of her neck, causing her eyelids to flutter and goosebumps to erupt down her back and she heard him chuckle as he let go of the chain and his hands fell on her shoulders. She shivered as his thumbs brushed the back of her neck and Sirius pressed a kiss to the top of her head, before removing his hands and returning to his seat as though nothing had happened.
Briefly, she wondered if she were going mad and reading far too much into simple gestures of kindness, but when she glanced over and found him staring at her, she smiled. Sirius winked before turning his head away from her and she bit her lip as she turned to Harry, actively trying to avoid staring at the man who had just made her Christmas a hundred times better.