"I don't know, Gin," Hermione whispered through the floo. "It was just different."
"Well, did you like it?" Ginny leaned forward in anticipation.
"…No. And I don't understand why." She stole a glance behind her, making sure Sirius hadn't wandered into the living room. "It seems like he does everything right. I mean, it happens like you describe it. Maybe there's just something wrong with me."
"Of course there's nothing wrong with you." She pulled a face, laying a hand over her belly. "Look, let me ask Mum."
"No!"
She sighed, "Fine. Did he like it more than usual?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"You're not making this easy, you know. What made it different then?"
"Well, normally he's fairly…quick. And we don't really touch each other." Ginny shook her head. "This time though he lasted a long while and he," she glanced behind her again, "touched me and used his mouth."
"So he gave you oral sex?"
"What? No! Don't be ridiculous, not down there; on my chest."
"Oh. Alright, so…that was a problem?" she sounded confused.
"No, it was just different. He was different. Almost like it wasn't a chore. And afterwards the guy was a creep and Sirius chased him out of the house naked!" Ginny laughed. "I know. And when he came back to his bedroom, he looked…"
"Good?" Ginny snickered when Hermione blushed. "There's nothing wrong with admiring your husband's physique."
"Stop," Hermione fought down the redness.
"Well was there anything different before you guys started?"
"…Yes."
"But you're not going to tell me?"
"I don't really think I should. I don't think he'd like me to."
"Was it physical?"
"No."
"Emotional?"
She paused. "Sort of."
"Well there's your answer. It changed for him because it became emotional and for you it still wasn't, so it was the same as every time before."
"I wouldn't say it was emotional for him."
"Really. Sounds like it was."
She sighed. "I don't know. I don't feel like I know anything anymore."
"Sorry." She shrugged indifferently. "So are you ready to back to Hogwarts?"
"Yes! And no. It'll be strange; don't you think?"
"Probably. I'll miss sharing a bed with Harry, but I'm still looking forward to it."
"I'm not looking forward to a new overseer."
"Ugh, me either."
"Although, he can't be any worse than the last one."
Hermione shifted awkwardly on Platform Nine and Three-quarters; Sirius had insisted on carrying her luggage. Ever since their previous session, he had been acting differently, more chivalrous, more attentive. This morning, her last before leaving for school, he had even made her breakfast.
They still rarely spoke to each other, but he spent more time occupying the same room as her.
"Do you want to find a seat?" Sirius asked, gesturing towards the stationary train.
"I suppose so. I thought Harry and Ron would be here by now."
"They still have twenty minutes. And Mrs. Weasley isn't there to hurry them along anymore." He nodded over to where Molly stood clutching her purse and looking nervously around. Arthur kept patting her shoulder and kissing her hair. They really were sweet together. She stopped that train of thought before it could really take off. "So…" he trailed off, looking at the train.
"Right." With one last glance around, she sighed and climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express, looking for an empty compartment. She felt Sirius hesitate behind her. Turning, she saw him eyeing the front of the train.
"Don't you need to sit with the prefects?"
"No, not anymore. I turned down the Head Girl slot." She moved towards the rear.
"Ah." He followed her closely but appeared distracted.
"Hello Hermione," a pretty blonde greeted.
"Oh, hello Susan. How was your holiday?"
"Could've been better. Your dad came with you?"
"Who?" Hermione turned, confused to see Sirius looking off into the distance.
"I wish my dad would've come with me. But he and my husband," she said it like it was a dirty word, "don't get along."
"Susan, this is my husband, Sirius." The girl flushed crimson as she stuttered apologies.
"No harm done. Honest mistake." Sirius threw her a charming smile.
Hermione couldn't help but grin at him. She admired his ability to feign normalcy. "So, who did you marry Sue?"
"Oh," her face turned glum. "Cormac McLaggen. You remember him?"
She felt a sudden well of pity for her Ravenclaw friend. "Yes, yes I do. How did that come about?"
"The list."
Hermione swept her into a fierce hug. "I'm so sorry. If you need anything…"
"Thanks." She wiped away a stray tear. "I'm okay. Go on, then. I didn't mean to hold you up."
"I'll see you soon," Hermione promised. She slowly made her way further back in the now crowded walkway. "Luna!"
The pretty girl turned and waved before ducking into a compartment. When Hermione reached it, she sighed in relief; it was empty save Luna and Neville. "Hello Hermione."
"Hi Luna, Neville. This is Sirius." Neville stood and shook his hand while Luna just tilted her head as she studied him.
"You're Sirius Black. Father always said you hadn't really killed all those people. Why haven't you gone back to singing?"
"…I'm sorry?"
"So, do you mind if I ride with you?" She spoke before Luna could respond.
"Course not." Neville seemed just as keen not to return to the previous conversation. "Harry and Ron coming?"
"Yes. And Ginny. They should be here by now."
"I really should get going," Sirius interrupted. He stowed her bag on the rack and hovered awkwardly before turning abruptly to leave.
"Sirius, wait!" She stopped him in the aisle. "I…thanks."
"No problem. I'll see you in a couple days." Again he shifted uncomfortably. Quickly, before he could spin away, she grabbed him in a soft, strange hug.
"Bye." He gave her a tight smile, then left. Unusual, his manners were normally flawless. She considered trailing after him but Harry had just squeezed through the crowd. "It's about time," she grumbled.
Harry grimaced as he drug two heavy trunks into the compartment. "Whatever happened to girl power and not needing a man's help?"
"We got married," Ginny smirked. "That changes the rules."
"Lovely." He heaved the luggage up with a grunt.
"Isn't it?" Ginny sat beside Hermione. "So how're things with Sirius?" She waggled her eyebrows.
"Good, I think. No need for wiggly eyebrows, but still good. He's acting a bit odd today though."
"He was mumbling something about memories when we left him," Harry supplied, plopping down by Ginny.
A moment later, Ron tumbled in, just as the train started moving. "Sorry, it took longer than I'd thought to say goodbye to Katie."
Hermione didn't even want to imagine what that parting entailed. It was hard to be the only one of her close friends to not have a romantic attachment in their marriage. The ride to Hogwarts seemed to take ages; all of her friends were cuddled up with each other, except Ron, who was staring dreamily out the window. She could tell already this would be one long year.
She hadn't been wrong; school was no longer the warm place of her memories. Instead it reminded her of the war and all of those lost to it. Many of the students were mere ghosts of themselves. She had been in the library studying when Dennis Creevey snuck up on her, taking her picture with his brother's old camera. Before she could even say hello, he slouched away, rubbing a loving finger over it; all of his old enthusiasm for life, apparently gone.
Lavender hadn't returned to school. Parvati said she'd married, but rarely left their home because of her scars. Hermione made a mental note to owl Lupin and ask him to visit the girl.
It was a rough two days before Tuesday finally rolled around. Hermione wasn't sure which stressed her more, her upcoming session with Sirius, in which she didn't know what to expect because of their last time together, or the new creepy guy watching them at it.
Along with their new schedule, that arrived by owl that morning, she received a time table. They would no longer have a luxurious two hours to complete their contract, they now had sixty minutes. How romantic. And any couple not falling pregnant by April would be rescheduled for three sessions each week. Great.
After lunch, Ginny and Hermione were lounging in the Common Room when Harry walked by with a wink, and out the portrait hole.
"Gotta go." She giggled, getting to her feet.
"Where to?" Hermione was only vaguely curious.
"Since we have a time limit now, I'm off to get Harry warmed up for our session. It starts in about thirty minutes."
"Oh." She felt her face warm as her friend practically ran for the exit. She had to wait until seven o'clock for hers to begin. And the delay was not pleasant. She decided homework was the best use of her time, or at least the most distracting, while she waited.
Harry and Ginny returned a while later, both exhausted and freshly showered. They snuggled on the couch, waiting for dinner. Several other pairs were situated much the same; sending a jab of jealously into Hermione's belly.
5:30, sigh.
6:00, squirmy stomach.
6:30, pack up books.
6:45, time to go.
She rose quietly from her place near the fire and avoided all the eyes watching her as she left Gryffindor Tower.
She walked slowly towards the staff quarters, where she was to meet Sirius and wait for their turn.
There he was, sitting in an uncomfortable looking straight back chair. He appeared relaxed and she wondered how he did that. He didn't react to her until she sat beside him, glancing at the time, two minutes to go. He offered her a small smile, but no words.
Silently they waited, until at last the door opened and a loud, clear voice called for them; it was a woman.
With a sigh, Hermione followed Sirius into the room. It was small and empty save for one twin sized bed, over by the window and a large comfy chair near the door.
Her mouth dry, she felt faintly relieved the overseer was female. She handed over her wand, meeting the woman's eyes and gasped. It was Annabelle Something from the Ministry. Perfect. Annabelle smirked smugly and began casting the usual spells over them. Hermione tried to impersonate Sirius's cool, dark face.
"Please," she purred, "begin."
Hermione swallowed thickly, turning shifty eyes on her husband.
"No worries, love," he whispered in her ear. "Didn't like her then. Don't like her now. Still can't remember her name."
Hermione snorted, but nodded her head. She wasn't sure where the little spark of jealousy had come from, but it was gone already, leaving her empty once more.
Sirius wrapped his big hands around her waist, pulling her towards the bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Annabelle throw up a barrier with an angry flick of her wand.
A step away from the bed, he released her waist and dropped his robes smoothly. She raised shaky fingers to her own robes and knew this was always the hardest part. His sturdy ones brushed hers out of the way to quickly dispose of the robe. He pulled her sweater off next and then his shirt. He fingered the buttons on her top, but left them be.
Kicking off his shoes, he let his trousers drop to the floor. Hermione's cheeks burned as she admired his body and saw the way his pants tented out. But not as bad as when he knelt in front of her and slid his hands up her thighs to remove both knickers and tights. Dragging them off, along with her shoes, he stood back up and held her hand, pulling her to the bed.
She felt oddly detached as he lay on top of her and ran his nose down her neck. One hand worked at her buttons while the second hiked her modest skirt up. As soon as her breasts were freed, he pressed his chest to hers with a sigh.
As normal at this point, Hermione turned her face away and closed her eyes, waiting it out.
A/N: Sorry this took so long, I had a little argument with my muse. We're back on speaking terms now though, so I hope you liked this one. Any thoughts?
