Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 8 – Dinner with Sirius
Hermione was so lost in her research in the library and that she didn't even notice when Molly's patronus flew in to tell her dinner was ready. It was tempting to just stay there and keep working but it would be rude of her to leave Sirius by himself and she still needed to speak to him anyway. She decided to take her list of potential ingredients with her in the likelihood that Sirius needed to know exactly what she wanted. She ran down to the dining room to find Sirius already there, seated in his place at the head of table, sipping his water. His eyes cut to her and the muscles around one quirked up, "Nice dress," he sounded amused.
"Oh!" Hermione looked down at herself, realizing she was still in her improvised sundress. "I'm sorry, I can set it right…"
"Don't worry about it, have a seat," he indicated to the spot on his right where cutlery had been laid out. Hermione sat down and Sirius poured her water, "Molly will be out in moment."
"Thank you," Hermione accepted the drink and looked around for Molly's place setting. "Isn't she going to eat with us?"
"No she eats in the kitchen," Sirius told her. "You saw the table near the fireplace I assume, she has Floo calls with Arthur every evening."
"That's so sweet and yet sad at the same time," Hermione mused. "It must be so hard to be in love while there's a war on. Finding love is probably impossible." Sirius snorted derisively and Hermione frowned, "What?"
"Nothing," he shook his head. "Just a little self-deprecating irony."
Hermione dearly wanted to ask how he was feeling but felt awkward about it so she held her tongue. "I went to the library, it's magnificent."
"Molly mentioned it, enjoy yourself did you? Good. It rarely sees anyone who can appreciate the collection and by 'anyone', I mean Remus."
"What about you?" Sirius smiled wryly and held out his hands, the paw-like appendages accented with rather unnerving claws gave her the picture immediately. "Ah."
"Yes, I'm afraid reading books is rather difficult with my condition," he placed his hands in his lap as if he could hide them forever. He gave her a searching look, "You can ask, I know you want to."
Hermione didn't hesitate, "How are you? Are you still in pain?" Strange, Sirius almost seemed startled by her questions. What had he expected her to say? He opened his mouth but promptly shut it as Molly appeared with their meal floating gently behind her.
"Here we are," the matron announced as the serving plates landed gently on the table. "Should be enough for the both of you but there is a bit more in the kitchen so just give me a shout. And behave!" She tugged on Sirius's ear causing the man to grumble and Hermione to laugh.
Once she was gone, Hermione gently laid her fingertips on his forearm, "Honestly Sirius, are you alright?"
He regarded her for a moment, "I'm not in pain," he said finally. Hermione nodded her understanding and retracted her hand. They ate in companionable silence for a while until Hermione remembered she still had some things to talk to Sirius about.
"Um Sirius?" Hermione pulled out her list. "Since I don't know how long I'll be here, I've started doing my potions research. I was wondering if there were any ingredients in the Manor and any brewing equipment."
"Well," Sirius scratched his chin. "I think there is a potions lab in the basement, should have everything you're looking for. I haven't properly cleared it yet though, no one really brews here you see. Plus you get to it through my wing."
"Oh I'm fine working in the Solarium," Hermione hastened to reassure him. "It's a suitable space, I just need some basic equipment like a cauldron and vials, and the ingredients of course."
"Let me see," she handed him the list and he scanned it quickly. "What exactly are you trying to create Mistress Granger?"
"It's a potion I'm developing to help with the effects of the Unforgiveable Curses," Hermione had her excuse ready and waiting for him. "As I'm sure you know, pain treatment for them is particularly difficult and one of the biggest problems facing our side because it affects recovery time."
"Some of these ingredients mixed together could probably make the Cruciatus feel like a tickle curse," Sirius ribbed.
Hermione couldn't say he was wrong, "Yes well this is sort of a master list for several theoretical potions I have lined up. I'm still in the researching phase, they'll get narrowed down based on probability of success and of course, ingredient availability."
Sirius laughed quietly, "Alright, alright, I hear you loud and clear. Ingredients, chop chop! I'll get you what I can Mistress Granger but I have to make sure they're safe to work with. I wouldn't put it past my family to have cursed every cauldron and mixing spoon in this place."
"How charming," Hermione said with more than just a hint of sarcasm.
"Indeed," Sirius raised his goblet a little before taking a sip.
"I noticed a few muggle paintings in the study, where did they come from?" Hermione asked.
"Ah that would be my great-great-great-great grandfather, Octavian Black. They say he had the portraits commissioned from several famous muggle artists only to Obliviate them and get away without paying. A trick not so easily pulled with wizarding artists, cheap old bastard."
"SIRIUS!" Hermione nearly choked on her food from a sudden laugh.
"What? That was a compliment!" Hermione laughed harder and Sirius joined in, the sounds of their amusement ringing through the spacious hall. The laughter faded but they continued to stare at each other. Hermione could feel her appreciation and affection for her companion rise. For all his gruff exterior, he really was a good man.
She smiled and reached out to grasp his wrist lightly, "Thank you for letting me stay here Sirius."
Sirius seemed to struggle with himself for a moment before placing his other hand on top of hers. It was warm and soft and brought out an unexpected rush of happiness in Hermione. She hoped her expression conveyed her emotions properly because words appeared to be failing her. Sirius swallowed thickly, "As it turns out, the pleasure is mine." It felt like this was going somewhere however before it did, Sirius's shoulder jerked. "Dammit," he growled.
"You should go," Hermione whispered faintly but he heard her all the same, nodding and rising to his feet. He scarfed down the remnants of his food and wiped his face and hands with his napkin all without looking at her once.
He didn't even raise his eyes to say, "It shouldn't take me long to get the potions stuff, just a week or so."
"Okay," he began to leave and Hermione was still in her seat but not for long.
"Sirius!" she leapt up and meet him at the dining hall door. It broke her heart knowing what he was going to endure as she tenderly held his face between her hands. For lack of anything to say or do, she stretched up and kissed him on the muzzle. "See you tomorrow."
Sirius bobbed his head sadly, "Tomorrow." She let him go and he moved swiftly to get back upstairs and out of sight. Goodnight Sirius, it's a bitter sentiment now but don't worry, Hermione mentally promised, I will make it happen, and soon you really will have one.
A/N: Hey guys, just curious if whether or not I should do a tidbit or two from Sirius's POV, I want to keep the focus mainly on Hermione but a little Sirius-ness never hurt anyone did it? Sorry I'm going to pack up my puns now. Until next time, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!
