Remus skated circles around Hermione. Normally she would have been impressed, but given the circumstances, it was quite irritating. He was all decked out in his Christmas finest: Red fleece pullover with a front pocket, genuine Molly Weasley goldenrod colored scarf, fleece-lined blue jeans, and a pair of shiny black ice skates. He looked rather handsome, actually, but the fact that this 'sport' came so easily to him was the reason why Hermione was cursing loudly to herself as she wobbled across the pond.

Her white winter jacket was causing her neck to itch, her khaki pants were caked in snow and ice bits, her mittens felt constricting and her skates seemed as if they needed to be sharpened. In all honesty, there was nothing wrong with anything she wore; it was just easier to curse herself, than at the wizard who had never looked so handsome with that brilliant smile plastered across his face and new muggle haircut that made him look about 10 years younger.

"Come on, love! Keep up!" Remus exclaimed, stopping just short of the little witch and spraying her with more ice. Fantastic

"Remus John Lupin! You miserable asshole! How dare you spray me! Can't you see I am about three ass-plants away from looking like the abominable snow beast?" she screeched.

Remus laughed gaily and taunted Hermione by skating just in front of her, gliding backwards with such ease and giving her the 'bring it on' hand motions. Bloody git. Hermione quickened her pace and charged at him. In response, Remus slid his hands into his pocket and continued gliding backward across the ice, while watching the flustered, little witch as she wobbled unsteadily towards him. She, in turn, was tossing around obscenities that would make Mrs. Black's portrait cry tears of pride.

She really is quite beautiful, he thought. Her cheeks were flushed pink form the crisp afternoon air, and her hair gleamed under the sunlight. Her mitten-clad hands were balled up in frustration and every couple of seconds her expression changed from anger to fear as she fought to remain on her skates.

Using his distraction to her benefit, she pushed herself a little farther and caught up with him. "AHA!" she exclaimed, grabbing the arm of his pullover. Just then, she hit a chip in the pond's ice, and with an "Oh FUCK!" as her feet slid out from under her, causing her to topple ass first onto the ice, pulling a startled Remus down on top of her.

Once they had both caught their breath, they began to laugh. Remus bent down and kissed the tip of her nose before pushing off of her and falling to his own back to her left with an "Oomph!"

Hermione wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes and turned her head to look at the wizard next to her. His new muggle haircut was flecked with shaved ice and his cheeks and ears were kissed with the December air. His right arm was tucked up under his head and his left was lying across his chest. His lips began to move, but she was only vaguely aware of the words that he was saying. He was staring up at the clouds, smiling as he spoke. Without thinking, Hermione flipped over so she was laying half on top of him and kissed him roughly on the mouth. He tasted sweet, like maple syrup. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she pulled away so that their faces were separated by only a few inches. Remus stared up into her eyes with an expression she had never seen before. His brilliant amber eyes drifted down to her mouth, and before she could make her excuses, he grabbed the back of her head and brought her lips back home.

Hermione had never been kissed like this before. Remus slowly rolled them over so he was lying on top of her. His lips glided over hers expertly, setting fire to every particle of her being. He lowered himself down on her slowly, his thigh finding its way between hers. She sighed into his mouth as his left hand trailed down her side, all the way to her hip and back up again. Remus' tongue danced across her lips, and Hermione responded by parting them and allowing his tongue access to the velvet heat that rested just beyond. She groaned and arched her back, pressing herself into Remus' growing arousal. He inhaled sharply, breaking the kiss. His heart was racing and coherent thoughts were drifting farther and farther away with each touch and caress. Remus stared down into Hermione's chocolate brown eyes, asking a silent question he hoped she would understand. She wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him against her, kissing him softly on the lips in response.

Remus wasted no more time. He pulled his wand from his pants pocket and apparated them away.

Hermione sauntered into the kitchen of Ginny's flat. The redhead had just received a floo from Harry saying that Sirius was a free man, and he wanted her to come out with them to celebrate. Ginny wanted Hermione to come with them, but the older witch explained that Sirius' freedom celebration could possibly be overshadowed by her own return; Ginny agreed that now was not the best time. She did, however, make Hermione promise to attend the welcome home party on Wednesday.

The fireplace in Harry's den flashed green, and out stepped an excited looking Ginerva Weasley. She smiled brilliantly and quickly closed the gap between herself and Sirius, pulling him into a big hug.

"I'm so glad for you, Sirius!" she exclaimed, planting a kiss on each of his cheeks and hugging him again.

"Oi!" Harry joked from behind, as he watched his beautiful, little girlfriend showering his laughing godfather with affection, and then asked, "How come you don't greet me like that?"

Sirius chuckled and let the little witch slide out of his arms. She turned to face the messy-haired boy and said, "Because you didn't come back from the dead!"

"Oh yes I did! And I wasn't taken out by some crazy loon either, I was murdered by the Dark Lord himself, not his love sick little floozy!" he threw back.

Ginny looked confused for a moment, then she realized that Harry actually DID come back from the dead. "Right … well … anyways …"

Sirius roared with laughter and clapped his godson on the back. "C'mon mate. She can't help it. I AM devastatingly handsome, and rich to boot."

Harry raised his left hand, "Uh …me too?"

"Oh Merlin! You boys going to keep this pissing contest up or am I going to be celebrating alone?"

"No worries, love. Harry and I just have a few years of teasing to catch up on. But now that I think of it, we also have a few years of drinking to make up for as well," he replied with a quick glance at his watch. "You two go on ahead and get us a table and some drinks. I'm just going to change out of these travel clothes and will be right behind you."

Harry nodded, and steered Ginny towards the floo. With a flash they were off, and not a moment later, Sirius was too.

Hermione was startled by the distinct 'whoosh' of the floo in the den. She spun around on her heels and came face to face with a quickly approaching Sirius Black.

"Siriu--"

Before she could finish, he pulled her into a fierce embrace. He held her there, stunned, for a few moments before he started laughing gaily into her chestnut tresses. She could feel the heat radiating from him, warming her heart. He's a free man now.

With his arms still wrapped around her, he quickly lifted her from the floor and spun her around. Hermione giggled at his excitement. He dropped her feet back down to the ground and then without thinking, he planted a scorching kiss on her lips. Hermione dropped the wooden spoon she was holding, and her eyes fluttered shut. She suddenly felt her back bump up against the countertop. Sirius lifted her up effortlessly and sat her down on the wooden surface, never once breaking the kiss. His hands glided up to cup her cheeks and he settled himself between her parted legs. His mouth left hers for a moment, and immediately her lips felt cold. Their hot breath mingled, and Hermione felt her heart race as Sirius slowly brushed his lips against hers teasingly.

"'Mione …" he whispered against her bruised lips before taking them again in a passionate display. Their tongues danced together, tasting and exploring each other. Instinctively, Hermione grabbed Sirius by his belt loops and pulled him closer, feeling his arousal grind against her own. She moaned into his mouth, as her sex pulsed in time with her racing heart. Achingly, Sirius broke the kiss, leaving a trail of little nips down to her jaw and back up to her temple. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "Celebrate with me."

The reality of her situation came rushing back to her. The notorious Sirius Black, the man whose sparring sessions with her had left her crying herself to sleep on more than one occasion was dancing his fingertips across her ribs. He had just kissed her so passionately that she had forgotten whose lips belong to whom, which tongue belong to which mouth, but worst of all, it felt good. She sighed and leaned back on the hanging cupboard and said, "I can't."

Sirius exhaled a breath he hadn't known he was holding in and nodded. "I know," he said before kissing her passionately once more. He slammed his hand against the hanging cupboard beside her face and let out a joyous WHOOP!

"I'm a free man! A free man, Hermione!" he exclaimed before laughing maniacally and punching the air as he made his way back over to the floo. He shot a wink to the flustered witch and flooed out of Ginny's flat.

Hermione stared at the space Sirius had just vacated. Her hands felt empty where she was just holding him and her lips cold and empty. Her heart had since calmed, but felt as if burning embers in her chest threatened to set her on fire should she move and disturb them. She closed her eyes once more and sighed, "I can't."

Hermione sighed and rolled over to face the man lying next to her. Remus was flushed. He stared up at the canopy, tracing the small beams of light that seeped through with his eyes. Hermione rested her head on his chest and ran her delicate little fingers through the sparse blond hair that tickled them. She knew they let their emotions get the better of them, but she honestly didn't care.

Remus began to hum a slow tune and let his fingers dance down her spine. She giggled, causing Remus to smile and turn his gaze towards her. He took in the sight of her beautiful, flushed face for a few moments before it turned quizzical.

"What is it love?" he asked.

"It's nothing …really," she began, "I guess, I just never noticed that you had green eyes before."

Remus stared at her for another moment before realizing that she was being serious. "What?"

She reached her hand up, traced a finger along his brow and said, "Your eyes, they are green."

Remus took a deep breath and stared at the confused looking witch in his arms. He replied, "So are yours."